Chapter 25

- Oh, barmaid, one more.

- You know, Bae, it's weird when you say it. It`s already enough that Killian does that every time he comes here.

Baelfire smiled. Three weeks had passed by since the duel between the two pirates and they looked better than ever, even though he never had seen otherwise than fighting against each other. Slowly, the past was being forgotten and the forgotten friendship had emerged.

After giving him another beer, Tinkerbell leaned across the counter and looked at him.

- How are things with Regina? - She asked, whispering, smiling slightly.

- Regina and me is... complicated. But we're fine. We're going slowly, Tink. - The fairy noticed the slight smile when Baelfire said the Queen`s name.

- And Henry? Does he know?

- I'm not sure. But he`s a smart boy. He may have noticed. How things went through when Jefferson presented you to Grace?

Tinkerbell shrugged.

- Went well. I think she likes me more because I`m a fairy. But I'm not sure if she enjoys that her father have a relationship soon after the curse ended.

Nodding, Baelfire agreed with her.

- From what I can see from the outside, I don`t think she cares. – He finished it by saying.

His friend smiled back.

- Thank you for saying that.

While Tinkerbell turned to go get something to the warehouse, she felt a shiver go up her spine and the bar became a well of deep silence.

Turning to see what had caused that shift in her bar, Tinkerbell`s brown eyes turned to the entrance and her heart fell at her feet.

At the entrance, the black look stared all who were present. Her greatest enemy, the enemy she thought long dead, the pirate who had nearly killed her Captain.

- Teach... - Tinkerbell went in front of the counter, taking a few steps towards the pirate, but stopping at a safe distance.

Instinctively, her left hand went towards the right hip where her sword would be. Her lips became a thin line at the reminder that she was no longer in her land, but in Storybrooke. And her sword returned to her cabin at the Jolly Roger when the duel ended. A feeling of helplessness struck her for not having a way to defend her and her friends.

- Surprised? - Black Beard took a few steps forward, stopping still at some distance from the fairy.

Tinkerbell didn´t spoke. Her hands were severely closed in two fists of steel.

- How are you alive? - Finished her, finding her voice, feeling Baelfire putting himself by her side. - After so many years?

Black Beard smirked.

- When working with black magic, especially one like mine, you can live many years. - Delivered the pirate sounding pleased with himself, opening his arms as if he was showing something in a conceited way.

Looking at him suspiciously, Tinkerbell could see that the villain was exactly the same as she remembered. The same pirate clothes. Neither older, or having a wrinkle more or a scar than those he had at their last meeting. But something felt different. Something she hadn`t noticed the last time they met, simply because she didn`t know a lot about magic.

- You don`t have the same magic as Rumpelstiltskin. - She suddenly said, opening her eyes in surprise.

Again, Black Beard evil grin appeared on his lips. He took a step toward the fairy. Baelfire stirred at Tinkerbell`s side and she placed a hand on his arm, preventing him from doing something more.

- What do you want this time? - She asked him, taking a step forward, placing herself in front of Baelfire. From the corner of her eye, she could see her clients and friends. None of them had any chance against the pirate.

- Something that only you can give me. - Black Beard murmured, leaning slightly forward, getting his eyes at the same level as the fairy.

- And that is what? – Tinkerbell asked, narrowing her eyes, fierce.

- No, no... do not be too curious, my dear fairy. - A finger came towards Tinkerbell and she felt the cold touch on her face. - I came here just to... have a drink. After such a great trip, I'm sure you understand. After all, you were a pirate. - He said, turning away.

- You're not welcome here, Teach. – She said without flinching.

Turning slowly, Black Beard looked at her again. A scathing glare stabbed in his eyes.

- I think I can understand why. After our last meeting. - He shrugged, one hand on his sword hilt, a smile of mockery on his lips. - Incidentally, I got a few weeks ago to this beautiful port town and from what I`ve been able to see and observe, I think I will lay anchor here for some time. At least, until I have what I want.

The affliction that began to bubble inside Tinkerbell made her take a step towards him.

- And what do you want exactly, Teach? There is nothing here that you may want.

- Oh, but there is, my dear fairy. There is. - He smirked, making Tinkerbell`s stomach wamble inside.

- The Jolly Roger will never be yours. – Her voice came out murmured and hissed angrily.

The pirate`s expression became somber. Black Beard looked down and stared at her defiantly.

- Is not the Jolly Roger I intend. - He whispered with one last smile.

And leaving a startled and frightened Tinkerbell, the pirate turned and left the bar.

- Tink?

Baelfire`s voice sounded distant in her mind. Her feet became fast as she exit the bar. She looked in all directions. No one was in the vicinity at that time of night.

- He said he would dock... dock... - Tinkerbell murmured to herself, looking away.

- Tink?! - Baelfire ran after her, calling her back. He grabbed her by the arms and turned her around. - Tinkerbell? Are you okay?

The fairy looked at him, his eyes dark greenish and worried. She calmed down, taking a deep breath and exhaling.

- I am, Bae. I'm fine. We have to warn...

- Leroy and Anton are already doing that. They left the bar and went to the police station. Don`t worry.

- Killian?

- Most likely is with Emma. Tink, who was that?

Tinkerbell closed her eyes and gave another deep breath.

- One of the oldest enemies of the Jolly Roger. I thought he was dead... dead... but he`s not... - The babbling started again and only when Baelfire shook her again was when the fairy turned to look at him.

- You need to sit down and calm down.

They went back into the bar, where Christopher continued to serve drinks to the customers who had stayed. Baelfire made Tinkerbell sat in one booth, away from prying eyes.

But only when strong arms snuggled her against his body minutes later, the fairy calmed down.

- Jefferson... - she whispered against his chest.

- I'm here. - He whispered against her hair as he gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

...

Ps: OH, OH! Black Beard is alive?! And he wants something? What do you think it is?

Reviews, please?