AN- This chapter was supposed to go all the way to the main event (no spoilers) but instead my muse had other plans. I think it made more sense to do it this way, even if it wasn't very realistic. This chapter does have some non-con references and threats of rape, but is very minimum. So if you are easily triggered please do not read. Un-beta'd. Enjoy.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Chapter Six
"What have you done!" She cried out looking at Killian's unmoving crumpled form on the ground, his hand still shackled to the pillar.
Emma pulled the torn shirt over her body trying to preserve her modesty as she helped herself off the bed. "You son of a bitch." She shoved the man responsible as she crossed the room to reach an unconscious Killian. She slumped down to her knees, her hand stroking his face as tears welled up in her eyes with sympathy. "Killian…"
Her face contoured into expression of unbridled anger, glaring at Morston who stood there triumphantly, admiring his handiwork with his fist resting underneath his chin as he wiggled his fingers in delight.
"You. You did this." She narrowed her concentrated cold hearted stare. "What did you do to him?" She demanded, picking up Killian's head and setting it into her lap.
"Well that really depends on how much I gave him. I wasn't really keeping track." He told her maliciously.
"What. Did. You. Give. Him?" She asked as he stood there trying to conceal his amused laugher. "What did you give him!" She shrieked a deafening noise.
Morston strode over to where Emma laid on the ground next to Killian and crouched down beside them. "I gave him a concentrated dose of one of the most potent substances in all of Wonderland extracted from one of the most deadly mushrooms that grow here." He smirked, glancing from Emma to Killian.
"Poison?" She tested the word on her lips.
"Poison if you consume enough. But in small amounts it can create numbness, hallucinations, mind fog, memory loss, can incapacitate, and in some cases can cause a severe blackout." He looked over Killian as he spoke. "It isn't something that he isn't already accustomed to." He provided.
"You laced him with drugs?" She shook her head, letting the idea sink into her head.
"Would you rather it had been you?" He asked. "The way I see it, he did you a favor."
"He's a recovering addict!" She claimed. "Do you have any idea what you've done?" She looked from Morston to Killian as she allowed a few errant tears slip from her eyes. "You've just reintroduced all the demons that he had worked so hard to escape." She explained, heartbroken to see all of his hard work go down the drain. "With everything you've done to me — done to him — this is a new low — even for you." She spat.
"I doubt two years off the wagon is going to make a lick of difference in his relapse." He replied, pursing his lips and shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.
More like 200 years…
"You know absolutely nothing." She muttered.
"Word has it that several people recently saw him at a tavern not far from the port we just left. I wonder how that is possible when he is right here as a captive on my ship… do you have any ideas how that might be possible?" He wondered.
"No." She growled dismissively.
"You'll find that I have ears everywhere on this ship. As it's captain I'm privy to everything that is said on this vessel. So I will ask you one more time — the truth this time." He demanded with a singular nod of his head. "Why are there two Hook's?"
"I don't know." She told him.
"Stop lying." He shouted, ramming his fist against the pillar.
Emma jolted where she sat in surprise and shock at his actions.
"I'm not daft. The clothes. Your sudden appearance washed up on the shores of a beach. You don't fool me darling. Where did you come from?" He insisted on her honest answer.
She couldn't tell him. She wouldn't subject the people of Storybrooke to this monster. She had to protect her family but she wasn't going to be able to get away without giving him some shred of the truth to save both their skins. But how much she was going to divulge on the subject was up for debate.
"Tick Tock." He said impatiently. "I know that your beloved Captain Hook is from the Enchanted Forest. As am I. But you, you aren't from either this world or that one." He perceived.
"You're right. I am from a land without magic." She confessed.
"A land without magic?" He sneered. "Why would anyone voluntarily go to a world without all of this?" He wondered, gesturing to the area around them.
Good. He had no interest in venturing into her world. Her shoulders sagged in relief before he decided to continue his inquiry.
"That explains your appearance. But what about his?" He pointed to Hook. "How are there two of them? Unless the man has a twin I'm unaware of… there is far more to this story than you are letting on."
Emma licked her dry lips, silently turning her mind over to figure out how to approach the subject. "We are from the future." She whispered lowly.
"What was that?" He asked again, cupping his ear.
"We are from the future." She relented against her better judgement.
"The future? You expect me to believe that someone invented time travel in the future? Like a portal?" He took in the information.
Emma nodded wordlessly, confirming his suspicions.
"Well that is something now, isn't it?" He stroked his chin in contemplation.
"What do you plan on doing with us? Not allowing us to go back home will interrupt the timeline. It could have disastrous consequences!" She pleaded with him.
"You are missing the part where there is my problem. You have little consequence to me and if you are from the future as you say… Hook still exists in this world for several years to come. It makes no difference to me." He explained.
"Then what do you plan to do with us currently?" She asked, gritting her teeth.
"That's up to him now isn't it? If he wakes up we will pick right back up where we left off." He supplied, turning on his heel to pour himself another glass of rum and tucking himself back into his pants.
"And if he doesn't?" She croaked, fearing his answer to her question.
"Then I drag you to the deck of my ship and take you in front of my crew so they can see you cry out in pleasure — watching as they stroke themselves as I thrust into your hot little cunt while I drip down your thighs." He told her as he leaned against the wall and sipped his rum casually.
Emma shuttered at the thought and looked back to Killian, searching his face for any signs of life. He was still breathing thankfully but according to Morston he might slip into a comma he can never wake up from — trapped in an internal hell of his own personal making.
"You better hope for your sake he wakes up." He said, reaching around to set his glass down. "But seeing as though I am a kind and giving man I will leave you two alone so that you can berate yourself for your part in his inevitable fate." He stared, delighting in how seeing him tortured her.
Morston crossed the room and leaned over her, casting them both in a shadow. "Mourn him if you must but if he doesn't wake in the next five hours — he is lost." He told her coldly, causing her to sniffle. "Be ready for me because when I have you — and I will have you — I shall give you no reprieve." He warned, dropping a kiss to her head and inhaling her scent deeply before departing.
Emma looked at the man cradled in her arms, her tears rolling hot and heavy down her face as she rocked him, letting his warmth seep into her skin. "Come back to me. God, please come to me." She pleaded with him, soaking his face with her tears, praying to God. "You have to come back to me because I never got a chance to tell you I love you. I love you Killian. I've been denying it for so long but I love you. God, I love you." She confessed, a sad smile gracing her lips.
Killian fell hard and fast landing in a shallow pool of water. He groaned, choking on some of the water that invaded his lungs and shoved his hand and braced arm out in front of him to push himself up, water dripping down from the hair that obscured his vision.
Rising up to his feet, he put his hand out in front of him in caution as he glanced around him at a never ending abyss of darkness. "Emma!" He cried out, circling frantically in the darkness. "Emma!" He called out until he was nearly hoarse.
"Come back to me."
Her voice echoed in his dark prison. "Emma!" He whirled around in search of the source of her voice. It was like she was just beyond his reach.
"You have to come back to me because I never got a chance to tell you I love you."
Killian's heart sank and he bowed his head, a sob catching in his throat in recognition.
"I love you Killian."
Her words flowed through his ears like the sound of rushing water. He ran his hand over his face and screamed at the top of his lungs in frustration — unable to reach her from his dark prison. "Emma…" He rasped. "I'm coming to get you." He vowed.
Emma scrunched her face, her eyes screwed shut as she held him in her arms, her shoulders shaking with uncontrollable sobs as time ticked by unapologetically.
His breath began to slow, his heart stuttering in his chest helplessly.
"God." She cursed with trembling lips.
"Try something new darling, it's called trust."
"You and I understand each other, watch out for yourself and you'll never get hurt, right?"
"I never believed I was capable of letting go of my first love — of my Milah — that was until I met you."
"Win I win your heart Emma — and I will win it. It won't be because of any trickery. It will be because you want me."
"There isn't a day that will go by that I won't think of you."
"I was hoping you felt as I did…"
"If your heart can be broken that means it still works."
"Why don't you try enchanting the lips of someone I'll actually kiss."
"Killian…" She cupped his face, lowering her lips and pressing them to his desperately, pouring everything she had into the kiss. She lifted her head up to see him still lifeless below her.
It didn't work.
Emma pressed her forehead against his crying helplessly.
"Oh…" That is just so sad Morston's voice taunted behind her.
Emma glared at him murderously.
"Did I forget to mention that true love's kiss isn't possible here? I'm sorry, that's my mistake." He mocked his apology.
"Why are you doing this?" She sucked back her tears under her red-rimmed eyes.
"Because I can." His lips curled up into a devilish smile at her sorrow. "I've also come to remind you that time is almost up." He looked over to the sand in the hourglass, the grains melting away with every passing moment.
"He'll wake up. He is a survivor." She swallowed, holding her head up in confidence.
"I really hope you are prepared for disappointment." He patted her shoulder before turning to leave them once more. "I will return once the last grain of sand seeps to the bottom. Watch it carefully girl because there isn't much left." He warned before the door slammed behind him.
Emma watched the hourglass purposefully, her body shaking as she sucked her lower lip into her mouth until she drew blood. There wasn't much time left — the sand was scraping down the narrow rivet between both ends. She stretched her legs out in front of her, curling herself into his side, her arm crossing over his chest as she sank into him, basking in the last vestiges of his comforting presence. "Please… I need you Killian. Don't do this to me. Fight Killian. Fight." She pleaded. "You are mine and I am yours. I love you." She wept into his black linen shirt, the palm of her hand resting in the nest of curls peaking up at her from the opening of his shirt.
She held her head against his heart, listening for any change when she felt his chest puff with air. Emma peered up at him, her features softening as she beamed down at him, weeping with relief as he opened his deep blue eyes, teeming with life.
Killian's eyes snapped open, staring up at the ceiling as his vision adjusted to the light, breathing hard as the impossibly beautiful woman came into view. "Swan…" He breathed in recognition.
"Killian…" She rasped, sniffling as a smile creeped onto her lips.
"Don't cry Swan." He smiled, his eyes roaming her face. "I'm here. I'm here." He chided.
Emma leaned up beside him, using a carefully placed hand against the middle of his back to lean up. She stared at him longingly, placing her hand against the scruff lining his jaw. "I have something to tell you…" She told him shakily. "I love you." She confessed, choking on the meaning behind her words. "God I was so afraid I was going to lose you. I couldn't- If you-"
Killian leaned in, tilting his head, his eyes melting against hers. "I'm not going anywhere because I am desperately and hopelessly in love with you Emma Swan." He admitted as she emitted a small laugh. He locked his eyes with hers, breathing her in before connecting his mouth to hers, his lips brushing with hers, their tongues dancing together intensely — passionately.
He cupped her cheek, his fingers threading into her hair as his lips moved against hers with fervor, drowning in all of her as the chains of his shackles clanked against the ground. They reluctantly parted, his hot breath coming out in pants under his enthrall for her and he smiled against her lips. "I love you." He whispered against her lips drawing her into his arms as much as his bounds would allow him, feeling her gasp against him as several emotions crossed her features at once — pain, hurt, anger, love, rapture.
"I've got you." He crooned. "I've got you. It's all right." He said as she collapsed into his embrace, feeling her whimpers against his neck that tore at his heart strings. Killian swallowed the hurt and regret caught in his throat, pursing his lips at his neglect for her safety.
"I'm sorry to interrupt this little reunion but I'm afraid we have some business to attend to." He sneered poignantly.
Killian snarled, a low threatening growl rippling through him as he held onto her securely, refusing to let go. "You get near her and I tear you limb from limb."
"Threats? Really Hook? I expected more from you." Morston feigned disappointment before coming up behind Emma and grasping her waist to pry her from Killian's hold.
"Killian…" She reached out desperately for him as she was dragged away from him, kicking and screaming against Morston as he plopped her back onto the bed and covered her with his body.
"A deal!" Killian begged.
Morston turned his head in surprise toward the man, his interest peaked. "A deal?" He wondered.
"Yes." Killian said, his mouth opening and closing.
"The only thing you have that is of any value to me is writhing underneath me." He cackled darkly, looming over her.
"I can offer you the thing you want most." Killian alluded. "Your revenge."
"Are you blind as well as crippled? I'm in the middle of my sweet revenge." He noted.
"I took your ship from you. What better way to exact your revenge than taking mine…"
"No!" Emma spoke up.
Morston shook his head laughing. "You are in no position to make such an offer. Your ship no longer belongs to you. Word has it that you traded it. Fool!" He gritted out. "What kind of pirate gives up his ship for a woman?"
Killian tensed angrily at the man's words before responding. "One that is head over heels in love and would do anything to save her."
"That is touching. Truly. But that doesn't change the fact that you can't provide me what you are promising me…"
"I think you are forgetting that my ship is roaming around in the waters somewhere in this timeline. Track her down and she is yours. I won't even put up a fight." He told him as Emma looked between the men brokering a trade.
"And what do you want for it?" He asked, picking himself up and off the bed in interest.
"You let her go unharmed. But you get to keep me. Exact your revenge how you see fit. Just spare her." He requested.
"Killian!" Emma protested.
"Pipe down." Morston chided with a wave of his hands. "The men are talking."
"If you can do what you say then you might have a deal. But it seems too easy don't you think? I still have the upper hand here so I will amend this little deal of yours." He supplied, scratching his cheek.
"What?" Killian spat menacingly.
"A fight to the death. You take on some of my most capable crew members in exchange for her life and you get to keep your beloved Jolly Roger. You will remain here of course." He explained.
"And if I lose?" Killian wondered, biting down on his back teeth as he clenched his jaw.
"I take everything." He glowered at him, laughing.
"That's not fair!" Emma yelled in protest.
"Deal." Killian accepted without thought.
"Killian. He's not going to let you win!" She shook her head.
"Doesn't matter." He pursed his lips in anger. "It is a chance I have to take." He asserted. "Don't you know Emma? I will protect you with my last dying breath." He told her.
"It's a deal then." He smiled smugly. "I will allow you a few minutes to prepare while I round up the crew. They do get roused by a fight." He said, drawing out the last word in delight. Morston proceeded to walk over to Killian, materializing the key from his pocket and unlocking his shackles.
Once released, Killian shook out his wrist and got up, lunging for the man in front of him.
Morston pulled out a pistol, aiming it at Killian's head and cocking it.
Killian relented, backing up to distance himself from the man.
"Don't be so rash." He chuckled. "You are an impatient son of a bitch. You do something like that again and I call off the deal, understood?"
"Aye." Killian agreed.
Morston circled Killian, refusing to turn his back on his captive as he continued to hold the gun toward Hook. "Oh. I forgot to mention… this little fight to the death… it's fists only." He laughed in amusement. "Surely you can manage with one hand."
"Killian is better with one hand than most men or with two." Emma defended.
Killian gave a crooked smile, turning on his heel to face the man he was going to enjoy murdering as soon as he dispensed with the members of his crew. "Looking forward to it. A taste of what is to come." He smirked confidently, letting Emma's words fuel his determination to defeat him.
Morston gave a dramatic bow upon his exit and closed the door, locking it behind him to leave them alone.
"Emma…" He headed toward her, his arms wide open to receive her as she ran toward him.
She fell into his arms as he held her to his chest, rubbing his fingers against the back of her head as he cupped it into his hand. She breathed him in, his lips finding his like two magnets and fusing them together.
Killian stumbled backward against the force of her kiss, canting his head as he massaged his lips with hers desperately. The feel of her kiss was hot and demanding — somewhere between need and want. "Emma…" He warned against her lips. "While I would love to continue this…" He said, brushing his thumb against her head comfortingly. "We don't know how much time before they come to collect me." He reminded her.
Emma's heart sank, the full implication of their wager hitting her full force and knocking her off balance as a result.
"I don't want you to concern yourself with my well-being." He told her earnestly. "I want you to focus on your escape. While they are distracted by the fight I want you to slip away. I will have the boy — Timothy — waiting with a dingy wading in the water. He will carry you to safety." He explained his plan.
"No. I'm not leaving without you." She protested with trembling lips.
Killian swept his tongue over his lower lips, feeling the pain in her disagreement — he knew she was going to fight him on this — the gorgeously stubborn woman. "You have to. Promise me. No matter what happens to me… you will get the hell out of here." His face fell, his features wrinkling in agony and having to leave her but she was his number one priority.
"No." She denied, shaking her head before he caught it, forcing her to look into his eyes.
"Promise me. No matter what." He made her promise. "I will never be able to live with myself if something were to happen to you."
"What you're suggesting-" She stuttered, placing her palm against his racing heart. "It's sucide. You won't even be alive to feel the pain of letting me go."
"I'm aware." He choked on a sob.
"Then why do it Killian?" She pleaded with him to reconsider.
"You are more important to me than anything else in my life. I've lived a long life Emma and I want you to have the same." He admitted sincerely as he clasped his fingers with hers, squeezing her hand as hard as he could, until he could feel him burning her touch into his skin. "Don't make this any harder than it has to be. I will do what needs to be done and I need you to accept my choice." He bid of her. "Promise me you will find your happiness without me."
"I don't want to. You are my happiness."
"Please." He begged, gasping trying not to let on how hurt he was by making this decision — to give her up to save her life after he had done so much to find her. "I need to make this right."
"I can't promise that. I don't want to live without you. You… you are my home." She said with honest eyes.
Killian nodded fervently, feeling the weight of her confession before pulling her in closer, wrapping his arms around her and sealing his mouth to hers in unadulterated passion.
"Please." She keened against him desperately. "Make it go away. Please make it go away." She begged.
Killian closed his eyes painfully at her request. "Emma I can't. Not here love. I won't take you in the same place where he- where he tried- Just no." He denied her.
"I don't care. I won't lose you without having you in every way possible. You want me to escape? This is what I'm asking for." She felt his hand tight around hers and dragged it over to his chest so she could feel how fast his heart was beating.
"It's never been a question of me not wanting you. I've wanted you since the moment I laid my eyes on you and I don't want to deny you anything — I don't want to cause you unnecessary pain."
"I'm asking you to make it go away. Mark me as yours. Let me have this memory." She tried to reason with him, her eyes shining with tears.
"As you wish." He relented breathlessly. "God I wish I could give you everything you deserve — cherish you the way I want to — the way you deserve to be cherished." He shook his head in dismay, regretting not being able to take his time with her. "I've wanted this more than you could ever imagine and under different circumstances-"
"No. This is what I want. Just you and me. No walls." She assured him.
"I will not take you in his bed." He demanded, clutching his jaw at the memory of Morston forcing himself on her.
"You don't have to." She promised. "Take off your coat." She suggested.
Killian tensed and nodded in understanding, sweeping the jacket off his shoulders and handing it over to spread it out against the floor. "Wait." He stilled with his downturned palm hovering in the air. He turned away from her unexpectedly, stepping behind the desk and began pushing it across the floor until it met the door hoping that the added weight would spare them a few precious minutes before his death came calling.
He turned back around to see Emma smiling at his thoughtfulness. Killian strode towards her, grasping her face with his hookless arm and his hand, catching her lips with his.
Emma pressed her quivering lips to his, returning his kiss with equal fervor as she began to tug on his shirt in a silent request for him to remove it.
Killian broke the kiss, lifting his arms so that she could push his shirt up and over his head, discarding it to the floor behind them.
Emma brought her shaking palms up to his chest, brushing them against the dark curls that littered the defined muscles of his pecs, that rose and fell underneath her careful touch. Her hand drifted lower, her fingertips meeting his bandages and she looked up to him tensing above her, her eyes meeting his in recognition.
"Emma…" He reminded her and she nodded in understanding.
Killian pushed his arms through the remnants of her shirt, the ruined garment fluttering to the floor.
She breathed out a sigh of relief to be free of the reminder the shirt's presence conjured in her mind.
He responded to the sadness in her eyes by brushing the hair from her neck, dropping soft reverent kisses to the nape of her neck eliciting a few strangled moans from her lips at the feel of his breath against her neck.
"Killian…" She released a needy moan.
Killian nodded in agreement, parting from the intoxicating feel of her skin on his to remove the rest of their clothing. Once free of the chattel of their clothing they pressed themselves together in a warm embrace.
Emma shuttered into his touch, the heat wafting off his skin making her feverish.
He bit back a moan, deftly aware that they would have to hold much of their feelings for one another back.
She pressed her hips against him, his pulsing desire rubbing against her heated center. His erection glided through her wet sensitive skin and he grimaced at the thought of not being able to spend countless hours bringing her pleasure. Sensing her urgency, he wrapped one arm around her back and placed the other underneath her to ease her onto the floor.
She sighed as her back brushed the cold leather, shivering as he ran his fingers over her creamy skin in worship.
Sitting in the cradle of her thighs, he kissed her exposed skin, his lips burning into her flesh as she mewled in impatience. She closed her hand over the one that branded her with his touch and brought it up to her heat so he could feel it beating out of her chest.
Her eyes seering into his, feeling the cold metal of his necklace brushing her breasts causing her nipples to pucker expectantly.
Killian smiled down at her adoringly, lifting his hand clasped in hers and brushed his lips over it before hitching her leg over his waist as he lowered himself down slowly. He stifled a groan of pleasure as he sank down inch by inch until he was full seated inside her, marking her as his — knowing that Morston would never know the feeling of being between her glorious thighs.
He searched her face for any signs of discomfort, sweeping the hair off her face as he noted the tears that rolled down her face at their closeness.
She nodded for him to continue and she wrapped her arms, feeling his muscles ripple underneath her touch as he pulled himself up and out of her until just the tip of him remained before he buried himself in deep.
He gripped her hips as he began to move within her with long languid strokes as he pressed kissed into her arm. He felt her rock against him, their hips brushing with every pass of their bodies, reveling in their connection — their bodies fitting together snuggly like two halves of a whole.
She opened her mouth in a silent moan, the feeling of her wrapped around him, her body accepting him like a long lost friend as he steadily pumped himself inside of her with practised movements. "I love you." She chanted against his skin as she held him desperately against her, unable to get as close as she wanted. She wanted to crawl inside of him and never let go.
"Gods I love you so much." He winced in pain and pleasure as he rolled his hips against hers with purpose. "Let go sweetheart." He rasped hoarsely as he felt her tight walls squeeze around him. "Let go Emma, I've got you." He promised, sweat beading his brow as his rhythm began to falter the closer he got to his orgasm.
Emma shook her head, refusing to come, starving off the moment to prolong the ease and comfort of their joining. "No. I don't want to leave." She whimpered, unable to tear her eyes off his as he snapped his hips against hers tenderly.
"Let go. Please. Let me feel you." He begged, clutching onto her hip so hard he feared it was going to shatter underneath his fingers. "I can't- I won't last much longer. Gods, you feel like heaven to be inside." He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on not coming before her.
"Bloody stubborn infuriating woman." He muttered under his breath, capturing his lips with hers as his hand drifted to where they were joined to rub his thumb over the sensitive flesh at the apex of her thighs.
Emma threw her head back in pleasure, her nails digging into him as she pushed herself further into his touch. She cried into his shoulder to muffle her sounds of ecstasy, crumbling around him as her orgasm overcame her.
Killian felt her latch onto his shoulder, her teeth digging into his skin as he chased his own release. "Emma…" His face contorted in insurmountable pleasure as he erupted inside her, panting as she gripped him mercilessly as he emptied himself within her.
They rode out their pleasure before he felt her go slack in his arms, he caressed her skin with his fingertips trying to memorize the feel of her flesh. His eyes shone down at her with a gentle honesty and an unmistakable happiness. "Are you all right?"
She nodded in reply, and she noticed him visibly relaxing as she felt him soften inside her.
He moved to unseat himself inside her but she pressed against him. "Don't go." She told him. "Don't go… Don't go… Don't go…" She wept as she hugged him tightly, refusing to let him go.
He concealed a few tears that threatened to fall, wincing in agony as he separated himself from her. He didn't want to instill her with false hope for his survival. He couldn't pass into the next life knowing that he had filled her with unnecessary pain. "You should get dressed." He closed his eyes so that she couldn't see the torture behind his eyes.
"Emma…" He pleaded with her. "They could be back any moment." He reminded her, moving to get up rather than wrapping her in his arms as they basked in the afterglow of their coupling.
She nodded in understanding, tucking herself into his leather coat as she silently watched him slip into his leather pants and fasten the laces.
It wasn't enough time — there was never enough time. The thought made him grimace and he turned away from her to distance himself knowing full well that he was about to walk to his death.
"Can't you at least look at me?" She asked, hugging the leather to her body.
"It is far easier if I don't. I want to but it's just too hard for both of us." He said emotionlessly.
"I can't believe you are just going to give up." She stated gruffly, disappointment marking her tone.
"This is not giving up." He all but shouted, catching her off guard. "This is me giving you your best chance. Can't you see how much this hurts me? Especially after that." He moved toward her, sinking down on his knees to hold her face. "I love you. Do you hear me? I love you with my entire being. I just found you and now I have to let you go."
"I don't regret being with you." She chewed on her bottom lip as she averted her gaze. "I will do what you ask of me."
"That is all I want." He said, kissing her forehead before standing up with a groan, his muscles deliciously sore from their encounter.
She had an ache between her thighs — an emptiness only he could fill and make her feel complete again. She turned her head and stared at the ceiling to suck back a few tears, preparing herself to get up from the floor before anyone noticed what they had done.
She watched him tug on his boots with a stern look in his face as she got up from the floor, covering herself with his coat like a security blanket.
"You should keep it." He told her. "I won't be needing it."
"Please don't say that. I can barely live with the fact that you are about to do this but I don't need a reminder of it." She supplied.
"You've grown quite attached to it. Don't let the situation change that." He said, shoving the other boot onto his foot. "Get dressed, they will be back any moment." He prompted. When she didn't make a move to do as she was told he barked at her. "Emma. I'm doing this for you. Just do what I ask!"
Emma shivered under his intensity and dropped his coat to begin dressing slowly before realizing she no longer had a shirt. "I don't have a shirt." She said bluntly, crossing her arms around the chill in the air.
"Take mine." He waved the crumpled up material in his hand toward her.
"Thank you." She responded with a small smile as she tugged on his shirt.
"Looks good on you." He complimented.
"Looks better on you." She retorted.
"Did the gremlin at least provide you trousers?" He slapped his knee and got up off the stool he sat upon.
She shook her head, staring blankly, wearing his shirt that fell to her inner thighs.
"I loathe the thought of you wearing his clothing but I couldn't bear the thought of you not wearing anything when you make it to shore." He told her earnestly, walking over to the wardrobe and throwing it upon. Killian pulled out a pair of tan velvet trousers and a long velvet jacket with an uneven hem in the same hue. "You should blend in." He asserted, removing the pants from the hanger and handed them to her, their fingers brushing for a moment.
"Thank you." She said, unfolding the pants and sticking her legs through the holds to tug them up and over her legs. They were a bit loose for her liking, she determined after tying the laces as tightly as she could to keep them from moving, but they would do in a pinch.
"Here you go." He offered her the jacket by placing it over her shoulders, watching as she secured her arms inside it and pulled her hair out of the neckline to flow across her back. "Well if I wasn't already familiar already, I'd say you'd make a hell of a pirate." He admired, flashing her a smile. "You should tie your hair back before you make landfall. You don't want to draw too much attention to yourself. They will be looking for you." He cautioned, and she nodded in understanding.
Killian rounded her, picking up the shredded shirt on the floor and curling his hand over it before closing his teeth and tearing the material with an audible rip.
Emma turned toward the source to see a long strip of the shirt hanging from his mouth.
He began winding the material around his hand with his teeth, gritting his teeth — the sound capturing her attention.
"Here. Let me help." She suggested, crossing over to where he stood.
"I'm perfectly capable." He growled in frustration at her wanting to aid him. "I'm not an invilid."
"I know." She agreed. "That's why I know you are going to win — even if it's an unfair fight."
"You think so?" He spoke up, spitting the material out of his mouth for her to grab and finish the job.
"You haven't let me down yet." She smirked as she wrapped the material around his hand until it reached his wrist. "There is also still the matter of you trading your ship back in the Enchanted Forest." She curled her mouth in concentration as she tightened the fabric over his hand and tied it off. "You tried your ship for a magic bean didn't you?"
"Aye. I did." He confirmed her suspicions.
"You traded your ship for me." She acknowledged. "I never did thank you for coming to get me in the first place." She said, covering her hand over his fist.
"No thanks necessary." He brought their joined hands up to place a kiss to the top of her hand.
"How are your ribs?" She asked, splaying her fingers over the gauze making him tense and flinch.
"Bloody miserable, but manageable." He affirmed.
Emma afforded him a small smile before bending down to pick up her leather duster and shove it onto her shoulders.
He couldn't resist tossing her a smirk at the look of her in his coat. "See? Suits you." He inched toward her, their faces nearly flush with one another before the sound of a demanding knock at the door blood their ears and they were forced to part. Killian moved toward the door and deftly pushed the desk so they could get inside.
The door slammed open, hitting the wall as the cabin was flooded with crew members, circling the couple in intimidation. Killian clenched his jaw, staring them down in unconcealed anger. The circle opened as Morston entered. "Let's get on with it shall we?" He was positively shaking with excitement.
Two men came up beside Killian and seized his arms as he growled, wriggling in their grasp.
"Killian!" Emma shouted behind him.
Killian turned his head over his shoulder to look at her expecting to see her face lit with concern but instead he saw her wearing a confident smirk.
"Win." She told him.
He glanced at her, his lips shifting into one of the most devious and determined smirks he could conjure. "Always." He promised, his eyes burning with unbridled rage before they kicked him forward to carry him out the door.
AN- I was so excited writing this. It was supposed to go into the fight, but I guess I'm going to save it for the next chapter. I don't think you guys mind after this chapter. I'm glad I could give you a bit of reprieve from some of the intensity of the last few chapters. Let me know what you thought of it. Are you looking forward to the fight? Hint: Just imagine all the sexy bloodlust. Until next time my lovely readers.