Chapter 29
Across the city, Killian slowly woke at the sound of a busy Emma getting ready for work. Squinting because of the morning light, he looked at her.
It was the morning of the seventh day since Black Beard had made his grand appearance in town and the fourth since he had stolen the Hatter`s heart. But the pirate was never been seen anywhere, land or sea. The bastard had hidden himself and his ship too well. But he knew it was something more that was bothering her deeply.
- Emma... - Killian called softly, moving in bed. Still felt her perfume on his skin after the intense night they had. Still, even after listening to her blurt out his name again and again, he felt her apart.
The Sheriff's green gaze turned to him for a moment. Noticed that she had tried to offer him a smile, but not lasted more than a second or two.
Slipping out of bed, Killian managed to grab her hand and pull her onto his lap.
- Good morning.
- Killian, I need to go. - She stirred in his arms, trying to free herself.
- Not before giving me a kiss and tell me what's bothering you. - He finally managed to say.
- I'm late, Killian.
Only increasing his stubbornness, Killian pressed her further against him.
- I'm sure that Prince Charming can deal with any dangers in the next five minutes.
Frowning, Emma looked at him and knew she would not get out from there until she give him what he wanted. Killian could be even more stubborn and tougher than she was. Giving a deep breath, she leaned closer, putting her arms around his neck and caressed his lips with hers.
- Good morning. - And she let him finish the way up to her lips. Immediately, she knew it was a mistake to yield.
The pirate hands began to move over her body, always insatiable. She felt lust to start bubbling within her as she felt his desire in his groin.
- Killian... - She sighed against his lips. - I really need to go.
Still feeling the distance in those words, Killian deepened the kiss, letting his hand caress her leg, going slowly to the inner thigh, towards the place he most wanted. However, Emma caught him, resolute. Her hand quickly pulled his away, panting.
Killian loved to see her that way, knowing that it was him who caused all the emotions bubbling inside her at that moment. Standing up, wearing pants, if it was the case of Henry still at home, followed her into the kitchen, seeing her preparing a coffee mug.
- Emma. Speak to me. Please.
He saw her hide her eyes behind the mug when she heard him begging. Yes, begging. Him, a pirate, begging.
Taking two long strides, Killian stood in front of her, taking the mug from her hand, putting it on the counter.
The bright blue eyes stared at her, resolute and alert to any change in her expression. He knew what he was doing, even without any effort. He was reading her as a book, as he said long ago. And she knew she was dragging that subject more than she should. She couldn´t hide it anymore.
- I think we need to give some space in our relationship. At least until things settle down with Black Beard.
Killian pulled away slightly at the sound of those words. He looked at her, his eyes open in surprise. He expected anything but that.
- What? - It was the only thing he could say.
Taking a deep breath, out of his personal space, Emma put the holster around the hip. She noticed Killian`s puzzled expression. He looked adorable, bare chest, wearing pajama pants for anything but sleep. Giving a deep breath, gaining courage to say what she should. Preparing for his anger.
- It is the best way to deal with everything that is happening. And Tink needs you, the same way that you need her right now. I'll always be here.
- But... - Killian looked at her without emotion, just shocked by her words. After all they'd been through and what was happening, how could she push him away? - Emma, I'll be here for Tink, but...
Stopping herself to take a step towards him, Emma closed her hands into a fist.
- You have things to unresolved issue and with Black Beard here it only highlighted those issues. And until everything is resolved, is better if you are with her. - Emma sighed.
For a flirtatious pirate, Killian was not understanding what she was offering.
She knew he and Tinkerbell had old unresolved feelings, she saw his face when the fairy had been unconscious and her face when they talked at the diner. And with Black Beard back to their lives she had seen how they dealt with each other. Only Tinkerbell managed to calm him down when they hadn`t found the pirate in first night or even against Rumpelstiltskin. And only Killian managed to calm her down while Jefferson has always been present.
And with Jefferson in a coma, Tinkerbell was free. And it was rare the moment that Killian was not with her at her side at the hospital where the fairy was now spending her days. When he was not with her, she felt him thinking in her, concerned for her well being. Not to mention the fact that she was dying like she heard Rumpelstiltskin say. She knew that Killian would be angry, furious with his friend if he knew from another source what was happening to her. Thus, it was better. Without any hindrance, the two could resolve their issues without thinking about anyone else and be together to fight the dark pirate.
- Emma, she doesn`t need me... - Killian withdrew her from her thoughts.
- She needs! Believe me, Killian. At this time, Tink needs her Captain, her oldest friend. - Emma emphasized the last word.
Biting her lip before Emma`s words, Killian looked down. He didn`t know what to say.
The sound of the slamming door made him look up. Slowly, he felt the warmth of her body disappear from his as he turned to the bedroom to get dressed and get out of that apartment.
...
A sound made her open her eyes. She felt numb on one side and looked. Grace was curled up against her body, under her left arm. She smiled. She seemed a little fairy resting. If the last few days had been difficult for her, for Grace had been worse. But Tinkerbell tried to comfort her the best she could with the knowledge she had from Neverland.
Her gaze shifted to the bed in front of them. The moment Baelfire had told her what Black Beard had done, or rather what he didn`t do to Jefferson`s heart, her own stopped. The only thing she did was get away from him and Killian, leave the bar and run towards the hospital, not paying attention to any call from her friends.
When she arrived, the only thing she saw was Grace crying and running into her arms. Hours later she learned through Granny, that the girl had seen everything. That made her hold her tightly, almost as if to be a shield against the evil pirate. And if she had failed to protect Jefferson, she would protect Grace with all her being.
Gently Tinkerbell touched Grace`s face, putting a lock of hair behind her ear. The girl snuggled more into her at the fairy`s comforting feeling on her skin.
Unintentionally, Tinkerbell smiled. For a moment she recalled the conversation she had with her two days before.
"- I'm so glad you're here, Tink. - Grace cuddled against Tinkerbell.
- Where should I be, Grace? - Retorted Tinkerbell looking away from the girl to Jefferson. - Sorry. - Sighed, frowning.
Grace looked at her, slightly curious.
- Why are you apologizing to me?
- Is my fault what happened to your father. I should have not let him go alone.
So at that time, was Grace that hugged her.
- The fault is not yours. It is the fault of that pirate. I'm so happy that my father and you are together. He is so happy, Tink. Please don`t say it's your fault.
- But... is because we are together that Teach hurt him. And if he... - Tinkerbell couldn`t say the word. Anything could happen with Jefferson`s heart if Black Beard wished so.
- I am sure that you will remember something. My father loves you from the bottom of his heart. - Grace smiled. - For the first time in a long time, he is truly happy."
- You seem to play the part well.
Killian`s deep voice withdrew her from her thoughts and she looked at her friend framed by the doorway.
- The role?
- Mother`s. – He clarified, giving a small nod towards Grace.
Slowly, Killian approached and stopped at the bottom of bed. Tinkerbell offered him a tired smile before turning to the little girl.
- All those years in Neverland must have served for something. - She murmured, more to herself than to him, but did not stop him to listen and smile.
- You look tired, Tink. You should go home, sleep.
The fairy`s head turned to him and immediately changed her look completely.
- I cannot. I won`t leave Jefferson.
- The Prince is here. I can stay here with him. - Delivered Killian. He approached her and crouched in front of her. His blue eyes searched hers. - But if you really want to fight Teach you cannot be tired. And you cannot put this little girt at risk.
Tinkerbell shook her head softly, looking away from him.
- I can`t, Killian.
- What can you do to prevent Teach to crush his heart? Nothing. Tinkerbell, he has his heart and can he kill him at any moment.
- No. Don`t say that. - Tinkerbell left the comfort of Grace`s embrace and stood up, staring Killian as he had risen. - Never say that. Jefferson cannot die. He will not die. - She hissed as not to wake Grace.
The brown eyes looked fire facing him. Killian gulped, almost in fear. If anything he knew in Neverland, the fairy temper had a will of it`s own. Even more than when she was a pirate and lacked of magic.
So he did the only thing he knew it could calm her. He grabbed her arms and pulled her to him strongly. Still felt her struggling against him, but she was so tired that eventually she let herself melt in his embrace.
- Tink... I'm here. I will not let anything happen to Jefferson. Go home. Take Grace. And sleep. - He whispered against her ear.
- Well, well, if this is not the most beautiful vision I`ve ever seen? - The venomous voice made them separate as if the lightning had struck.
- Teach! - Fury bubbled inside Tinkerbell. She took a step forward, and only stopped by Killian`s hand squeezed in her arm.
Framed by the doorway, Black Beard had a grin in his face, looking at them. An evil glare pierced his eyes black as he stepped forward, his hand on his sword hilt.
- I still remember when, so heroically you saved your Captain from certain death. If not for you, the Jolly Roger was mine, the life of your Captain, mine and you, Tinkerbell, well... maybe you belonged to my crew. - He waved to the fairy with a smile even more perverse.
This time, it was Killian stepping forward, looking sternly at the pirate.
- If this is all because of Roger then take it and disappear from our lives, Teach. Return the Hatter's heart.
- No, Killian. You can`t. - Tinkerbell whispered, in shock.
Black Beard smiled.
- Aye... You know, Captain. She is right. As I said, I'm not here for the Jolly Roger or even for you.
Killian closed his hand into a fist, furious. Was about to draw his sword.
- And what do you want exactly? - Killian hissed, his blue eyes sparkling dangerously.
- Something that only your fairy can give me.
- And that is what? - Unintentionally, Killian was placed himself in front of Tinkerbell as to protect her from the pirate dark eyes.
Black Beard took a step forward, getting right in front of Killian. The two stared at each other seriously. The air was electrified as the seconds passed by.
- No, no. - Black Beard said in the same way as he told Tinkerbell days before. - This is just between me and her, Captain Hook.
Killian squinted to hear him say his colorful monicker.
The pirate turned to the Fairy. Tinkerbell looked at him frowning.
- I'll give you anything you want. - She retorted, leaving behind Killian. - Just give me the heart you stole.
- What if you come with me and I don`t kill all those you love? - Black Beard made another proposal with a devilish grin.
Tinkerbell swallowed.
- Give me his heart. - The fairy pointed to Jefferson. - And I'll go with you.
- You have to come voluntarily.
- Please, Teach. - Tinkerbell pleaded with tears escaping from her eyes. - Give me his heart and I will.
- If you come now, you're just following something that I asked you, my dear Tinkerbell. You have two days to come without me asking. And if you do, I will give you his heart.
- Please...
Black Beard stared each one again. When he heard the sound of footsteps outside the room, he saw the Sheriff and David. He smiled at them, offering them a small bow and disappeared in black smoke.
As if something collapsed inside, Tinkerbell sank down to the floor, only held by Killian, squeezing her tightly against his body. His gaze turned to Emma who returned a gentle smile.
- Tink? - The fairy looked for a sleepy Grace.
Leaving his friend arms, Tinkerbell approached the girl and hugged her.
- I'll get it back, Grace. I promise. – Tinkerbell murmured. "And the promise of a fairy was the truth." she thought as she heard the words that Belyna had told her long ago.
...
Ps: I`m sorry it took a long time to update, but after my computer got fixed, I went to a very long and revigorating vacation and after that I had to work and be with my family.
I hope you all liked this chapter... more will come...
Reviews?
