I own nothing except my delusions.


Pale sunlight filtered into the room as Killian woke. He looked down at Emma, still sleeping wrapped in his arms, who he knew was about to wake soon. Contently, he layed holding her close to him, waiting for her to wake. He was happy to just lay with her on the soft feather mattress, but part of him wanted more with her, to be with her. He had no desire for another woman since she came into his life; no other woman, no matter how pretty the face, could capture his attention. No other woman enchanted him the way Emma did. He'd already seen her bare before, but he was too concerned with her injuries to look at her. Part of him was afraid that her being with him would bring back memories of the bastard that wanted to violate her, something he never wanted to remind her of, or the man who had used her before. Regardless, he would not move to initiate anything; if they came to that step, it would be because Emma wanted it. Their relationship was just as much up to her as it was him.

Banishing the thoughts, he waited for her to stir. He could rise and leave her to sleep by herself in the bed, but he would have to crawl over her to leave, resulting in an awkward position if she woke. Soon enough, Emma began to stir, burying her face into his shoulder, not wanting to get up. He quietly laughed, knowing she would feel the rumble in his chest.

"You know, of you want to sleep in, you can," he told her. "You're more than welcome to stay in the cabin."

She shook her head, her face still pressed into his shoulder. "No, I want to be there when you speak to the crew. I'll get up."

She pulled away, sitting up and looking down at him.

"So are you going to announce it on deck after the morning meal?" she asked, yawning.

He rose up beside her, nodding as he pushed her hair back behind her ear. "Yeah, it would work out best. Everyone will be out on deck by then."

She nodded before turning to leave the warm bed, Killian smoothly followed after her, reaching to grab his vest.

Quickly preparing for the day, they walked out, headed toward the galley. They entered just as McCullen finished the meal.

"Captain, Emma," he greeted them as they entered.

"Morning, McCullen," Killian said as he sat beside Emma in their spot on the bench.

McCullen gave them their own food before settling his own down on the table, sitting down in his own spot. As soon as he took a bite, Curry walked in, followed closely by Murphy.

Groaning, McCullen looked up at them. "I was hoping I would get through my morning meal in peace before you showed your face, Samuel."

Curry laughed as he plopped down beside Emma while Murphy took the spot next to Murphy. "Bob, we all know you think I'm a delight."

"I don't know how the devil you got that impression," McCullen retorted as he continued to eat. "I've always assumed everyone knew how much of a pain you are."

Murphy chuckled, content to wait until McCullen finished before he received his food.

Curry turned to Murphy, raising a brow. "What is it you find so amusing, Murphy?"

"Just enjoying the show," Murphy replied.

Killian watched them, entertained at their playful argument. He saw Emma rolling her eyes as she grinned, used to their usual banter.

As soon as McCullen finished, he called Curry and Murphy up to receive their meals. He handed Murphy his bowl, before jokingly shoving Curry his.

Curry feigned offence. "Why did you hand Murphy his whereas mine you handled so roughly?"

"Because Murphy doesn't annoy me," McCullen responded simply, grinning. "Now go eat your food and shut up."

Emma leaned closer to Killian, chuckling. She kept her voice low. "Do they ever stop?"

"Only when they're asleep," he responded with a small laugh.

"That's because Curry has his own separate cabin," Murphy said in a low tone as he scratched along his beard with a grin.

Killian chuckled as Emma shook her head, muttering what sounded like "Men."

They quickly finished, deciding to leave to be the first ones out on the deck. Taking her hand in his, Killian walked with Emma out to the deck, positioning themselves at the helm to wait. He stood at the wheel while she perched on a nearby crate.

"It's always strange to see the deck empty," Emma said to herself.

Chuckling, Killian looked down at her. "You do get used to it. Especially late at night."

She nodded, turning to look out at the water instead of the open deck. Killian kept watch over the deck, waiting for the crew to emerge. Soon enough, small groups of the men began to emerge on the deck. Before the hour was up, the entire crew had emerged, save Curry, McCullen and Smith. Before Byrne could scale the shroud to the crow's nest, Killian called attention to the crew, moving to the edge of the quarterdeck.

"Men, as you have all been aware of, we have had a couple encounters with Blackbeard's men," he said, slipping into his familiar captain persona. The crew all looked at him with peaked interest, all eyes trained on him. "Yesterday, on the way back to this ship, I finally encountered Blackbeard in person. He has placed his own bounty on me, and demands revenge. On what, I haven't the faintest idea. But we are all to remain vigilant, he or his men could come after any of us. Take care who you encounter whenever we are at port. And if you see him, or any men that identify as members of his crew, inform me immediately. That is all."

Turning away, he looked toward Emma, who had rose up to meet him. He closed the distance between them, taking her hand in his.

"Now they know," she said softly.

"Aye," he responded. "Now they know."

He sighed, moving them back to the wheel so he could check over his maps for their coarse. Quickly finding it, he studied it, seeing that they had to slightly alter their direction.

Emma, seeing the same issue, grabbed onto the wheel, moving it two notches starboard, the exact modification they needed.

Killian smiled proudly at her.

"What?" she asked self-consciously.

"Nothing, Swan," he replied. "Just how easily you've learned to control the ship."

She grinned at him. "I had a good teacher."

Chuckling, he moved closer to her, keeping his voice teasing. "He must be a fine captain."

"He is," Emma responded, as she pressed her lips to his cheek.

He felt himself beginning to smile, happy to just be up there with her. He met her green eyes when she pulled away, sensing she felt the same way.

Curry rose up to the deck, immediately coming up on the quarterdeck where they stood.

"Captain, Smith has been made aware," Curry said to Killian. He glanced down at the crew, who had began their morning duties with a nervous energy. Curry glanced back up to Killian. "I take it the men took the news as well as can be expected."

Killian nodded. "Aye. They now know of the threat that Blackbeard poses. They know to take precaution."

Curry nodded. "Good. And at least they all know something of his reputation, so they know the danger."

Sighing, Emma looked between the two men. "That still doesn't tell us what he wants."

"I think we'll unfortunately have to wait for him to play his hand again for that," Killian replied in a dark tone. "At least we now have an idea of what to expect."

"Aye," Curry said in a quiet tone. He looked up at Killian, his tone returning to normal. "Captain, is there anything else I can assist of?"

"No, that will be all," Killian dismissed.

Nodding, Curry went down to the main deck, leaving Killian and Emma alone at the helm.

Emma turned to face him, crossing her arms over her chest. "At least we know who to watch for now. We can be ready next time."

He could tell by her tone that she was hiding her worry, knowing that soon enough, Blackbeard would come at him again.


They walked beside each other to the galley, entering the room to see McCullen looking up at them and nodding in greeting.

"How did it go?" he asked as he prepared their bowls.

Killian shrugged. "As well as to be expected. The crew at least now knows of the circumstances, and knows to take precaution."

McCullen nodded as he set down their food on the table. "That's good."

"Aye," Killian agreed, retrieving his food as Emma grabbed hers before she reached for him, pulling gently on his hook. He held back the smile that tugged on his lips, the one that never failed to appear whenever Emma grabbed onto his hook just the same as she would his hand. The gesture always filled him with a feeling a warmth, that she accepted the hook as part of him. Despite that, she had never seen him without the brace, never seen the scars that marred his wrist where his hand once was. Part of him was nervous to show her, for her to see what he hid beneath his moniker. He shook the thoughts from his head, focusing his attention back on the cook.

"Thank you, McCullen," he said, indicating the bowl. "We'll be off now."

After Emma gave McCullen a nod, they turned and left the galley to go back to their cabin. They reached their quarters without running into any of the crew, the men just beginning to decend below deck.

Placing their meal on the table, they settled in. Glancing up at Emma as they ate, Killian could tell that she was still keyed up from the day. If he was honest, he held the same energy.

"What do you say to a game of dice after our meal, love?" he asked her, hoping it would help calm them both down.

She raised an eyebrow, playful challenge in her eyes. "Well, since I doubt Murphy will ever play against me again, I say it sounds like a good idea."

"Exellent," he replied with a grin.

"You do know I'm going to beat you, right?" she said with a teasing smile, one he delighted in inciting from her.

"Don't count me out just yet, Swan," Killian chuckled, teasing her back. "I may win this game yet."

The mood having shifted to something lighter as they finished their meal and moved their dishes to the side, he retrieved the cups and dice to play, setting one set in front of Emma while he took the other. He knew immediately upon his first wager that as usual, Emma was going to beat him, but Killian didn't mind at all.

Finally relaxed enough to sleep after winning six out of fifteen rounds, Killian settled into the bunk, Emma curled into his side with her head resting on his chest over his heart. He held onto her as she drifted off, he following close behind.


Teaser: She swallowed nervously, biting her lip. "No. This is the first time I've ever done anything like this."

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