A/N: I failed in writing a fight scene.. several times. So bear with me as we sort of skip it. I do eventually tackle fight scenes, just.. not here. I know when I am beat.

~Aftermath~

Regina sighed at the sight of them. She had to shake away the attraction. She never gave their shirts back, and she was female after all. Each had attractive qualities, especially half naked and not talking.

"You two are a bloody mess."

Belle shot a look her way. "I'm not sure she meant that as an insult or a compliment." She murmured.

Regina gave a slight shrug.

Charming glanced up long enough to reveal his bottom lip, cut and swollen much further than should have been possible. From her position in the crowd that had gathered, Regina also suspected David sustained at least one broken rib, and a very sore solar plexus.

She'd seen David fight before, always knew he was good at it. Something to be said for farmers. But who knew the pirate could actually fight? Properly? She'd never seen him as reserved as he was during this battle.

Speaking of, Hook wasn't faring so well either. She turned to take in his injuries. A long gash slashed across his right cheek, and a nasty bruise across his abdomen. More broken ribs. Had he actually looked his age, he may have fallen much sooner.

"Did you two have to go for the ribs?"

"Can you heal us, or not?" David muttered through the corner of his mouth.

"Can't take the pain, Charming?"

"You want to go again, lover boy?"

Hook chuckled for a split second before gasping, holding his own ribs.

"Just say when and where." He pushed out through clenched teeth.

Belle was rushing from injury to injury, murmuring to Regina, "Did you absolutely have to remove their shirts halfway through that duel?"

Regina grinned. "I only made things more interesting."

"For who?" David muttered through a groan.

"And what was that thing you were nibbling on?" Belle asked curiously, glancing at the sorceress while handing each man the water, trying to help stop the bleeding of one of the cuts in Hook's chest.

"Popcorn." Regina replied absentmindedly. She focused her magick. "I'd lay down for this one, boys." She warned.

Their pride kept them sitting up.

She started the magical healing process, a palm facing each man, which she knew would be more painful than the initial injury. Broken bones were always the most painful to heal, especially with magick. It did always come with a price.

They ended up flat on their backs during the process.

"How long will they be out?" Belle asked when Regina was finished, astonished at the sight of their smaller injuries vanishing before her eyes.

"Moments. Hours. Depends on them."

"Do you know who won? I couldn't tell."

"It was very close, wasn't it? I do believe the pirate got the upper hand in the end, though."

A mere hour later, both men were conscious, still on their backs. And both knew it.

"Was it worth it?" Charming asked into the air.

"If it leads to a chance at your daughter's hand? Aye."

"What exactly are you after, with my daughter? The truth."

Hook sighed deeply. "The truth." He was silent for several moments. David started wondering if he'd fallen unconscious before he replied. "It's not a common lass who can take my heart, highness. And your daughter has rightfully stolen mine. I only wish to return the favor."

"You're actually falling for her? I wasn't expecting that."

"Even pirates have hearts."

"Yes. And usually, an ulterior motive." David struggled to sit up. "Come, we can break bread like civilized men. I'm sure they have something left from breakfast."