Down the Rabbit Hole

Book One: Chapter Ten

Emma stumbled backward, the bottom of her shift, which was smeared with blood slightly billowing around her. "Killian!" She screamed at the top of her lungs in desperation before sinking to her knees in front of him.

She lowered her head to his chest in search of a heartbeat and sighed in relief when she found one — however faint. She moved behind him, dragging his weight so that he leaned against her chest, her arms tucked underneath his arms to prop him up. "Help!" She cried out desperately. "Someone help! Please!"

It was mere seconds before the door slammed open and several of his crew stormed inside hastily and surrounded them expectantly.

"Help me get him onto the bed." Emma instructed the crew members who had responded to her cries for help. She shifted his weight off of her and rose to her feet, stepping aside so that they could hoist him up. She watched helplessly as they lifted him up and carried him over to the bed, her fist poised at her lips.

He was delirious, barely registering the bustling life around him as he was placed on top of his bunk, his body sinking into the mattress beneath him. He groaned miserably, his vision going in and out as he watched the hazy figures above him work tirelessly.

She shoved her way through the bodies and leaned over the bed, her lips pressed together with uncertainty as she searched his face. He was in a stoic state, his breathing slow as his eyes fluttered violently behind his closed lids. He seized, his entire body trembling and revolting against him as beads of diluted crimson colored sweat dripped down his face.

She turned toward the men around her, taking in their grave faces as they looked on in horror. "Don't just stand there! Fetch the surgeon!" She barked in command, angry tears building in her eyes. "Now!" She demanded, gritting her teeth.

She could hear one of the men shuffle his feet, retreating from the room in a rush and directing her attention back to the man she loved fighting for his life.

"Don't worry. We are going to take care of you." She swore to him, holding his hand tightly in hers as he slipped from complete consciousness.

Emma pressed the back of her hand to his forehead. It was saturated in cold sweat and his head was hot to the touch. "He's feverish." She acknowledged. "Help me strip him and one of you get a cold cloth for his head. We need to bring down his fever." She told them, watching as they busied themselves with their tasks.

Once his clothing was removed, Emma tore off to the wash basin and dipped a clean cloth into its depths, soaking it up with cool water before returning to his bedside. She began dabbing his shivering body with the cloth, allowing the cold water to ease his suffering while simultaneously removing the dried blood from his skin.

Heavy footfalls came from the back of her as the surgeon crossed the room and stood next to the woman tending him.

"What happened?" He wondered, placing his bag on the table beside him.

"He passed out. He was fine and then suddenly he just collapsed. I think he has a fever." She informed him as she regarded her pirate solemnly.

"He should have been brought to me even before engaging in battle. His body has over exerted itself and finally gave out. When was the last time he ate something?" He asked in an attempt to diagnose him.

"I'm not sure. We were held prisoner for a week at best." She tried to remember. "I know he was skeptical of the food they were giving him so I don't think he's had much." She said, her lips trembling at the implications of his actions.

"I had Smee give him a healing elixir, he took it, correct?" He continued to interrogate her for more information.

She nodded her reply.

"He is dehydrated, starved and the severe blood loss from his injuries accompanied by the mental and physical exertion he has suffered… I am shocked he's still alive after enduring all of that." He assessed.

"Please. Help him." She pleaded, squeezing Killian's lifeless hand as hot salty tears slipped from her eyes. "I love him."

The surgeon smiled thinly, closing his eyes at the outpouring of her emotion. "I've been with him long before Milah died. I never imagined he would find someone else to fill the void in his heart. He pained me to watch him suffer to the point he was self destructing. Thank you." He told her earnestly. "I will do everything I can, but even I can't bring back someone from the dead."

Emma closed her eyes and sagged onto the floor as her shoulders shook with the force of her sobs. She felt the man's hand close around her shoulder and she allowed it to bring her a moment's comfort. "Don't let him die. I can't-" She shook her head, sniffling. "I can't live without him."

"I will have the cook prepare some broth. We need to restore his strength so that his body can fight this off. We need to get him into an icy bath as well to bring down his fever. He will need to be washed so I can disinfect and tend to his wounds." He said promptly. "I will have everything brought up shortly." He turned on his heel to leave when she darted her hand to grip his leg preventing him from moving.

"Thank you." She said meekly, looking up at him, her eyes shining with moisture.

"Don't thank me yet milady." He said softly, his voice betraying his lack of confidence.

She released him, listening to his footsteps as he left the cabin. She breathed sharply, looking him over helplessly in his weakened state. His body was tense and the bed was absolutely soaked with blood oozing from his open wounds and a thick pool of sweat. "Please stay with me." She placed a kiss on his bruised knuckles before resuming patting his skin with the damp cloth.

As promised, a large basin was brought into the cabin by a few strong, able-bodied men while several men dropped everything they were doing to bring container after container of chilled water to fill it.

She appraised their commitment, overseeing them while nodding toward them appreciatively in silent thanks. Her attention was pulled from the bath when she was approached by the ship's quartermaster, Sebastian.

He was a strapping young adult, long and lengthy with a sharp jawline. His head was covered in a mop of unruly blond curls and his shoulders were strong and muscular underneath his short sleeves bearing a few of his tattoos littering his arms.

"Miss?" He addressed her gently. "I'm sorry to disturb you but there is still the matter of command."

She whirled around to face him in confusion. "Why are you asking me?"

"Hook — the captain — if he was ever incapacitated… Milah would often assume command." He told her gently, not willing to inflict her any unnecessary pain at the mention of his captain's former love.

"I know nothing of running a ship." She released a long exasperated breath. "I don't know what Milah's responsibilities were and I am certainly not in a position to make decisions for several people. Killian didn't mention what should be done during your time above deck after sacking the ship?" She inquired.

He shook his head. "No, I'm afraid he didn't."

"Well isn't there a protocol you follow in an event such as this? You have a chain of command — Smee. He's first mate, is he not? He has been captaining the ship for some time now…"

"Aye that he has." He confirmed.

"Then see to it that Mr. Smee returns to that post until the ship's captain is well enough to resume command." She thought. "Has the cargo been moved?"

"They are just finishing the last of the load milady." He told her. "I'm afraid I don't know what you wish to do with the enemy ship…"

She grimaced, her face ashen as all the color drained from her face. "Torch it and prepare to set sail." She gritted her teeth as her hands curled into fists at her sides. "I want to watch it burn."

"As you wish milady. Do we have a destination?" He asked.

"Anywhere but here." She dropped her voice into a low rumble.

"We will wait for your order." He bowed and took off to start overseeing the smooth running of the ship.

"Should I bathe him mam?" One of the men looked at her.

"Help him into the tub but I will do it myself." She eyed the tub in front of her, her hand circling the edge as she pushed a timid toe into the water. The water was absurdly cold to the touch and she retracted it quickly. She puffed out her chest and let out a long sigh, steeling herself before stepping into the tub and sinking down into the water, the water lapping against her skin as she hissed with discomfort.

The man walked over to haul Killian out of bed with the help of another crew member.

She began to shutter, the water feeling like pins and needles as the temperature caused her teeth to chatter. She was weighed down by her shift, the material pluming out around her as it took on water, the top clinging to her chest leaving little to the imagination. Her fingers brushed the top of the bath as she leaned back against the tub and spread her legs as the shadow of Killian's limp body hovered over her.

His weightless body was lowered into the tub, the shock of its cold depths unexpectedly jolting him awake, his eyes bulging in fear and confusion. He fought back against the invasion of cold piercing his skin until a familiar scent wrapped itself around him invitingly. He recognized her, his body seeking out hers like a magnet.

Emma wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning him against her chest as she shushed him, letting her presence calm him.

He sank back against her, shoving his head into her shoulder as he looked at her in a cloudy haze. He could barely make out her silhouette but he knew she was there. "Emma…" He whispered hoarsely.

"I've got you now. You are safe." She whispered softly against his hair, her cheek nestling into his hair, breathing him in as her hands glided against his wet skin causing him to hum in approval. "We are going to get you better okay?" She lifted the cloth hanging from the side of the tub and dipped it inside the basin as the water sloshed around them. The temperature was agonizing but she put it out of her mind as she grabbed the cake of soap and began rubbing it into the cloth. She ran it over his skin, washing him with small careful strokes to remove the blood, sweat, and dirt from his skin.

She pressed kisses into his neck as the cloth traced over his rigid muscles covered in his battle scars, taking special care to not apply pressure to the open wounds.

He splashed against the water, trying to get away from her and the coldness assaulting his senses but she held him tightly to her, preventing him from moving. "No." He fought against her.

"You have to. This will make you feel better." She pleaded with him as she rubbed soft circles over his flesh with the cloth.

"Do you need assistance mam?" They asked, sensing their captain's distress.

"No. We are fine." She asserted, beginning to wash his shoulders and his arms. "Can you prepare a warm towel for him?"

"But miss-" One of the men moved to argue with her.

"I'll be fine." She smiled at them. The water felt like daggers in her skin but she was determined to do this despite her body's protest. "Make sure the men working in the galley know that there is to be a big feast this evening… I believe we have a bonfire to attend."

After bathing him, he was placed back onto the bed after a change of sheets and covered in a thick blanket to let him sweat out his fever. She dressed herself in some of the women's clothes she found in his cabin that had no doubt belonged to the former woman of the ship. She set aside her feelings and dressed in the pirate garb, but made a few modifications to the outfit to make it seem more like her. The last thing she wanted the crew to think was that she was trying to take Milah's place. No. There would be no confusion as to her role on this ship and more importantly to its captain.

Before trekking up the stairs to the deck she laid next to Killian, who was propped up on pillows at the head of the bed so that she could spoon feed him. She revered him as he struggled to accept the offering on the spoon, watching as he drifted in and out of alertness.

"Mam?" She heard the sound of Smee's voice pierce her ears and she turned toward him, the spoon still extended out in front of her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt mam but they are ready for you." He announced. "I've asked Timothy to take over. I'm aware you and the captain have grown fond of the boy and I thought you might trust him enough to oversee the captain's recovery." He relayed to her.

"Yes." She shoved the spoon back into the bowl of half eaten broth. "I will be right there." She nodded before placing the bowl on the table next to her. "I've got to go love. I will return." Emma leaned forward across his lap to plant a kiss to his forehead.

"Let's go." She agreed, getting up from the bed as Smee led her out of the cabin, passing the young cabin boy as she made her way topside. She fisted her skirts as she climbed the stairs and glanced around to see the crew of the Jolly Roger surrounding a long table filled with food and casks of rum. They gathered in a semi-circle, stretching the length of the mid-deck, a few of them bearing lit torches.

Smee extended his hand for her to take and led her to a waiting crew mate that handed her one of the burning torches. She accepted it with confusion, turning to face Smee for explanation.

"They are waiting for your order mam. They won't carry it out without your permission." He told her.

"I don't understand. Can't you do it?"

"No mam. It was your instruction." He took the moment to educate her of pirate decorum. "These men are tired and wounded… Many have lost friends — family. They want to hear from you."

She looked around, the flames raised in their hands as the embers danced in the moonlight. She mirrored their expressions, nodding to each one. These men were responsible for saving their lives, she owed them a debt of gratitude that she could never repay and they had done it at great cost.

She got up on top of a raised section of the ship, a hand closing around a long strand of thick rope connected to the white sails fluttering in the wind overhead. She licked her lips, preparing herself to address the crew in Killian's place.

"Members of the Jolly Roger!" She announced. "You have been battered, bruised, and bloodied, and we have emerged victorious!" She screamed to a roar of approval. "You have managed to save the lives of myself and your captain."

"Captain Hook!" The men acknowledged.

"We are grateful for your everlasting loyalty and servitude to the Jolly, and wish to thank you for your commitment with a celebratory feast. Drink, laugh, eat as we remember those that gave their lives to rescue us. Tonight, we watch the Crimson Revenge burn!" She yelled to thunderous applause.

She swept the billowing skirt hanging from her leather pants, gripping the torch in her hand as she walked over to the other ship still moored next to theirs. She raised the torch in her hand as the crew waited with baited breath for her command. "For Captain Hook! For the Jolly Roger!" She announced fiercely.

Emma smiled sinisterly, power running through her veins as she touched the flame to a long stretch of rope, the fire licking up the length of it as it ignited. She stepped back as the sails and wood disintegrated, thick black smoke rising in the air as specks of ember dropped from the sky like rain. It was a sight to behold as the others struck their flames to various spots of the ship, the light flickering in the darks of her eyes, sating her lust for revenge.

It was finally over.

She walked over the gangplank, stepping onto the Jolly Roger with a thud. "Take us out to sea Mr. Smee." She nodded toward him, which he returned in kind.

The men cheered around her at her display of authority and leadership, and she prompted them to begin their celebration as the ship pulled out and began moving against the waves.

It was days before Killian came to. His memories were hazy at best but he could vaguely recall Emma sitting at his bedside, her words of strength as he nursed him back to health.

"Hey beautiful…" He smiled weakly, twisting himself up into a seated position.

She smiled brightly at him. "Welcome back."

"Did you miss me?" He wondered, unable to drop the cocky pirate act for a single second.

She shook her head in disbelief. "You know I did. You had me really worried for a second."

"I'm sorry love. I didn't mean to frighten you. It appears I pushed myself too hard."

"You think?" She accused him, narrowing her eyes in speculation.

"You know me well enough now. You knew I wasn't going to leave it be. It needed to be me."

"Damn your stubborn pride." She shook her head. "You have this need to prove your masculinity and one day it's going to get you in trouble. If not, kill you."

"I told you Swan. I'm a survivor." He smirked smuggly. He dropped his expression, his memories of the previous events flooding through his mind. "I'm afraid I didn't conduct myself as a gentleman." He recalled, his voice dropping slightly with concealed shame.

"You didn't hurt me if that is what you are wondering." She said, noting his instant relief. "This." She gestured to their surroundings. "This is you. I accept every part of you, including the pirate."

He gave her a small smile, blushing slightly. "I'm glad to hear it, lass." He reached for her hand. His fingers laced with hers, his thumb brushing the skin of her hand. "Now, what have I missed in my absence?"

She gave him a lopsided smile and immediately began regaling him with her tales of the high seas over the last few days.

"I always knew there was a little pirate in you Swan. Thank you for embracing it." He thanked her in earnest.

The surgeon had instructed him to take it easy for the next few days to allow him to recover but to no one's surprise he was up and out of bed within the next 48 hours, far too anxious to resume his captaincy. He insisted that he return as soon as humanly possible so he could set them on a track to find a way back to Storybrooke.

Smee had taken the liberty of informing him of all the dealings going on aboard the ship and assessed them accordingly. They had been drifting lazily in the ocean for days, with no clear heading that he wished to remedy immediately.

"How are the supplies?" Killian asked curiously.

"We are doing well, captain. The stock on the Crimson was plentiful and we could live on it for another few weeks if we wanted." Smee informed him.

"Splendid." He remarked. "When did we last make landfall?"

"We've been out to sea for a few weeks now. It took us far longer to track you down than we anticipated." Smee excused their actions.

"She is well overdue for careening. Chart a course for the nearest port down and let the men know that they will be paid handsomely for their rescue efforts. Alert Mr. Flynn of our plans and have him inspect the cargo that we can unload for sale." He instructed. "Wake Langdon. Tell him he is needed to plot our direction." He added. "And Smee? When we make port, make arrangements at the brothel to see that the men are generously compensated."

"I will confer with the mistress of the brothel to arrange for their best women to be brought to the tent to meet their needs." Smee agreed.

"Excellent." He nodded his approval.

It wasn't long before Killian stood on the main deck with his sailing master, Langdon, pouring over the maps spread out on a table before them. Langdon bent over the map, adjusting his spectacles as he used a pair of metal dividers to mark the lines of the route they would take.

Killian held a compass in his hand, the dial drifting from side to side as he glanced from it to the map. "Well?" He met the man's gaze, waiting to hear what he had to say.

"The nearest port town is well over 100 nautical miles away due east. If we travel at a speed of 10 knots I would wager we can make it there in about 13 hours or so. It won't be a difficult path to take. The wind is in our favor and we will keep the night crew at the ready in case we are met with resistance." He responded. "Shall I have one of my men take the helm for the evening?" He questioned his captain.

"That won't be necessary, Langdon." He patted the man on the back before rounding the table and positioning himself in front of him. "I've been kept from the sea for far too long. I wish to spend the night breathing the air in my lungs."

"Are you sure that's wise sir? You've just-" Langdon opened his mouth to protest but was quickly silenced.

Killian narrowed his gaze at him threateningly and the man swallowed. "Are we going to have a problem Mr. Langdon?"

"No. No sir." He shook his head.

"Good."

"However with your permission sir I would like to have one of my men on standby in case you tire." He insisted.

"Fine." He waved his hand at him. "I've been sleeping for far too long. I assure you I will not be falling asleep at the helm. You are dismissed." He tapped the edge of the table before pushing off from it.

Killian strode over to the helm, admiring its fine dark wooden handles, his fingers roaming over the notches of the wheel. "Hello old girl." He whispered to it lovingly as he stroked one of the notches. He took his position at the helm, taking the wheel with hook and hand as he turned it a few notches on its port side.

He allowed himself to get lost in the sound of the gentle waves lapping against the side of the ship as the Jolly cut through the water. He breathed the salt in his lungs, feeling the cool breeze of the sea whipping through his hair. This. This is where he belonged — behind the wheel of his beloved vessel. His thoughts soon shifted to Emma, who lay asleep in his cabin below, taking a much needed break from her round the clock care. Even though she was well suited for the life of a pirate, this was not what he would want for her.

She had witnessed him lose himself to the darkness within, saw the violence behind his eyes as he took countless lives, even if it was to save their own. That part of him was never going to go away even if he was becoming a better man thanks to her. He would always be a pirate.

He had already given up his ship once for her and the fates seemed to be testing his commitment to that choice by dangling its possession just beyond his reach. He couldn't take them back with the ship. Not without changing the timeline entirely. He sacrificed it once for her and when the time finally came he would do it again.

Killian helped himself out of his long leather duster, folding it and depositing it down on the nearby wooden stool before taking back up at the helm. He stirred lazily, breathing in as much of the sea as he could while trying to memorize the wind's caress on his skin as if he would never know such pleasure again. He stared longingly at the riggings bustling in the wind and noted the soft creak of the wood as if the ship itself was alive.

Far too lost in his own thoughts he wasn't sure of just how much time has passed by under the sunless sky of Wonderland. Even in its daytime hours, the sky was no brighter than a hazy purple with hues of pink and orange swirled within it. The sun never rose in Wonderland. It was in a perpetual state of darkness just as the men and women that inhabited it.

He grabbed his flask and popped the cork with his teeth, tripping it down his throat and taking a deep appreciative swig of its contents — letting the liquor settle in his belly. He released a long wistful sigh and placed the lid back on his flask before returning it from where it came. He stared out blankly, as if in a trance, into the dark abyss of the waiting ocean. At night the world from his view was pitch black save a few lamp lights glittering in the distance to light the deck.

This place has been no friend to him and restricted him far more than Neverland ever dared could. He still had nightmares from his time here despite burying his memories deep down into the dark depths of his mind but they had always managed to crawl out from time to time. This place changes you — once it has its claws dug into you, it refuses to let go until every bit of light is snuffed out leaving only darkness.

He prayed that he could have shielded Emma from the horrors of this land but she too had fallen victim to its selfish desires — and it was his fault. He wouldn't allow them to be here any longer than absolutely necessary. He refused to have it claim her in the same way it had claimed him.

There was still much he had yet to tell her about this place. Horrors he wished he could have avoided and kept her from. This place birthed a life without consequence. A place where one could indulge in every amplified emotion and desire. For men, it was violence and sex. This land was not kind to its female residents, many of them no more than slaves to the men's darkest of deeds.

He had surrendered himself to the impulses and whims that the land brought out in him. He had indulged himself in the most deviant of sexual acts with both men and women. He fucked without thought, without remorse, taking his fill without sate. The addictive curse of Wonderland prevented long-lasting satisfaction, always fuelling the desire for more and more. Once you've had a taste of flesh, there is no stopping the craving for it. Your entire body would seek it like an addiction. And just as addicting were the substances the land produced — drugs that enhance every sexual experience or numbed your senses until you can no longer feel anything. Any emotion could be sparked by Wonderland's dark intent until you succumb to its will or die.

"Killian?" The sound of Emma's voice cut through the air, breaking his train of thought. He turned his head seeing her standing before him, her hair sweeping through the air as she held a blanket close to her body.

"Emma… lass… what are you doing out of bed?" He wondered, abandoning his post to confront her. He looked up and down, noting her state of undress — she was barefoot and the only clothing she wore was a simple linen shift dress that had once belonged to Milah.

Killian approached her, tugging her and pulling her into his chest so that she could warm herself. "You shouldn't be out here love. You will catch your death out here dressed like that." He rubbed the small of her back in an attempt to create friction to keep her warm.

"I couldn't sleep." She turned her head against the crook of his neck to inhale his masculine scent. "Nightmares." She told him, burying herself into his skin to try and erase the painful memories her dreams had sparked.

"It's okay. It's okay." He chided, rocking her slightly in his arms. "I'm here now. I won't let anything harm you ever again. You have my word." He vowed, closing his eyes as he basked in their close proximity. They had barely parted since he had woken. This was the first time she had woken up without him next to her to chase away the bad dreams.

"He is there everytime I close my eyes." She admitted softly, tears pricking her eyes.

"I'm so sorry that I can't take away that pain. I'm so sorry." He lifted her head, taking it in his hands, his eyes sweeping over hers with regret and frustration. "I can't get you safe anymore than I can myself." He mused.

"You know you never told me what you were doing out here." She reminded him with a thin smile, clutching the blanket closer to her body to shield herself from the hash chill in the air.

Killian rubbed his hand up the length of her torso and gestured to the helm with his hook. "Sailing." He smiled at the thought.

"You really do love it don't you?" She acknowledged, sharing his smile, interest shining behind her eyes.

"Aye. I do. I can't imagine doing anything else but right now you are my priority and I will find something else-" He began stammering.

She pushed a finger to his lips, shushing him effectively. "Teach me." She requested with a playful smirk.

He captured her wrist, lowering it slowly as he grinned in amusement. He pressed his forehead against hers and whispered, "as you wish."

He led her toward the helm by her hand and she laughed whimsically, the sound ringing pleasantly through his ears as he situated her in front of the helm with a steady hand at her hip.

Her eyes flicked toward his with excitement and he let out a light hearted laugh as he pushed his chest into her back.

"What do I do?" She wondered, her cheeks flushed with childish joy.

"Well…" He looked out over the dark horizon, his eyes trained on the sea ahead before capturing one of her hands and bringing them up to one of the notches. "You want to put your hands right here." He instructed, his voice low and seductive as he grabbed her other hand so she could tighten it around the rung.

Her eyes fluttered closed as she felt his arm wrap around her waist to hold her steady, her body sagging against his as she inhaled the comforting scent of leather wafting off of him.

A smile crept up on his face as he took in her state of bliss. He couldn't shake the feeling of contentment that washed over him in that moment. The amusement and peace written on her face infectious to behold. He shook his head to break himself out of thought, shifting his concentration to the task at hand.

"Can you feel her in your hands? The wood crying out for your command? Treat her well and she will do your bidding." He rasped sensually, the hand at her waist sweeping over her femine curves.

She sighed at his words as the wind swept through her hair, blowing it back making her shiver in delight. The power of the helm of the ship in her hands damn near addictive as she trained her eyes out onto the dark horizon before her.

"Feel her gliding across the water… let her guide your movements. She requires a very gentle touch." He cooed huskily, squeezing her hip.

She felt the tender rock of the ship beneath her feet, the wood groaning under her leadership as it effortlessly cut through the waves. "I can't believe I'm steering a ship." She commented breathlessly in disbelief.

"You are a natural." He brushed her hair over her neck, bringing his lips down to her shoulder to press a line of reverent kisses to the skin there.

She moaned into his touch, her grip tightening on the rungs of the helm as she gave into him.

"Focus." He murmured softly in reminder.

"How am I supposed to focus when you do that?" She wondered, shifting against him for more.

"A gorgeous woman is behind the helm of my ship and you expect me to not intervene? I think you give me far too much credit to withstand your allure." He brushed his lips against her neck, his warm breath ghosting across her skin.

"You speak of your ship as if she was a woman…" She noted, her voice faint with her need for him as she nuzzled against him.

"Jealous love?" He teased, a smirk forming on his lips against her flesh.

Her mouth parted as his hand snaked underneath her blanket to cup her breast, rubbing the rosy bud delicately with his thumb until it peaked underneath the sheer material of her shift.

"Killian…" She keened softly, her hand drifting from her hold on the ship's wheel to wrap around his neck, pulling him toward her eagerly.

"Emma…" He whispered her name reverently into her skin.

She whirled around in his arms to face him, her palms cupping his face in her hands as she set her eyes upon his — her heated gaze boring into his. Emma rubbed her thumb against the dark stubble lining his jaw as she felt his hand close around hers. "Take me Killian."

Killian lowered his face to hers, his forehead pressing against hers, his face a mixture of a lust and deep sincerity of love for her. He wasted no time, drawing her into his arms, lifting her so that her legs wrapped around his waist.

Her hands wound themselves around his neck for purchase as he walked them backward until he stumbled against a wooden stool and sat down upon it, placing her into his lap. She released the hold she had on her blanket, allowing it to blow into the wind leaving her in nothing save her shift.

He brushed her hair from her face, noting the rosy hue of her flushed cheeks kissed by the wind. He stroked her face softly with the pad of his ringed thumb, the contrast of the metal and his touch creating a current against her skin. Still focused on the sensations he was making with his worshipping touch on her body, his hand trailed down the length of her, his fingers exploring her attentively.

"You are so beautiful." He told her in hushed admiration.

She sucked in a breath as he skimmed over the low opening of her gown, his touch seering into her as his fingertips feasted sensually over her breasts.

He took his time with her, listening to her soft cries of pleasure as he sought out a puckered nipple and deftly rolled it with his thumb. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her as she responded to his ministrations — the faint pout on her lips, her long lashes fluttering as she rocked herself heedlessly against him.

He cherished her properly, taking his time to appreciate every curve and crease of her naked skin, humming in delight as he worked his hands over her. He smiled against her skin, inhaling her addictively sweet scent as he pressed his lips to the valley of her breasts, drawing whimpers of impatience from her lips.

Killian's hand slipped underneath the hem of her skirt, drawing the material up her leg as his fingertips set her skin ablaze. He bunched the linen at her hip and moved to repeat the same actions with the other side, working it up and over her hips, bearing her glistening sex to his impassionated gaze.

Emma whimpered as his hand drifted to her backside, his fingers traversing the rounded pliant flesh of her buttox. She gripped him tightly in her arms, her fingernails scraping against his vest as she placed her head against his shoulder. "Killian… please." She whined impatiently. "Need you."

"As the lady wishes." He relented, fisting the material of her shift in his hand, silently urging her to lift her arms so he could remove her dressing gown.

She sighed in relief as her shift fell to the floor and leaned back as the wind unabashedly caressed her naked skin, making her shutter instinctively. Emma shook out her long blonde locks to brush the statically charged stray hairs from her face as she took in his lustfully strained expression.

She placed a heated palm against his shielded length, revering the outline of his erection straining against his leather pants as it twitched into her hand expectantly. She released a long breath and immediately began to fumble with the laces of his pants to allow him so much needed respite.

He sighed as his cock sprang free of its leather confines and hissed at the sharp unforgiving wind biting against his cock as it longed to be buried in her warmth.

She unfurled the knots and pushed his pants over his hips, the tight leather giving way as he lifted himself gently from the stool to grant her further access to him. She dragged his pants to allow him to part his legs.

She returned to him, adjusting herself in his lap as she rubbed herself against him, letting him feel the effect his presence and touch had on her.

He hissed at the contact, his eyes snapping shut as she captured his wrist and led it to rest between her legs. She took his hand in hers, forcing his fingers to sweep through her sodden flesh.

"Do you feel what you do to me?" She moaned, swallowing hard as she thrust experimentally into his touch. "That is all you Killian. Only you."

He released a strangled possessive groan, a low seductive rumble in his chest as he dragged his fingers against her, coating his digits with her essence. He couldn't stand it any longer, he pulled her up by her ass so that he was hovering underneath her entrance. He gazed up at her wonder as she lingered for a moment before sinking down on him, taking him inside her in one powerful stroke.

Killian moaned as they were joined, his cock pulsing with need inside her warm depths, her body hugging him and welcoming home. He stroked her jaw lovingly, coaxing her to look at him, his loving gaze piercing hers as he said, "together."

She nodded her head fervently in understanding, chewing on her lower lip as she heeded his request by pulling herself against him slowly before she allowed him to submerge himself deep into her core. She rocked steadily against him, his shaft gliding deliciously against her silken walls. Her arms curled around his neck for purchase as she rolled her hips against his, setting a slow and sensual pace as their bodies submitted to their longing to be whole.

He held her to him, clutching her against his chest as she swirled her hips in a languid rhythm against his own. He gathered his arms around her, positioning his hand and hook against the small of her back to guide her movements against him.

She felt dizzy, drunk on the tantalizing push and pull of him within her as she rode him, the sensation of her clit rubbing against just above where they were joined on every downward thrust making the breath hitch in her throat.

He stroked her back, his thumb tracing her spine as she accepted him inside her. "That's it. Take what you need." He encouraged, his voice broken with lust.

Her movements grew listless against him, sweat beading her brow as she fucked herself on him gently. She cried helplessly against him as her body consumed him, whispering its thanks as her walls began to flutter around him. Emma threaded her hands in his hair, holding his head against her breast as she fell apart, her orgasm washing over her as she shattered around him.

"I've got you. I've got you." He rocked her in his arms. Killian felt her lazily falter against him, his own release brimming inside him as she gripped him mercilessly. He felt himself swell inside her, her body coaxing his high from him as he surged and released himself hot and deep within her.

She cradled his head, circling her hips as the last vestiges of her orgasm disappeared around him and she felt her returning to the world around her. When she opened her eyes she saw him peering up at her, a lazy grin pulling at his lips as he regarded her ardently.

She returned his smile, leaning forward to capture his lips with hers as her fingernails raked against the small hairs at the back of his neck. She massaged his lips with her own, a mewl of pleasure feeding his hungry mouth as he chased her lips.

They separated, their chests heaving for air. Killian wrinkled his face in displeasure as he reluctantly withdrew his flaccid member from her.

Emma whined at the loss of him leaving her aching and hollow.

He fumbled around him in search of her discarded dressing gown. He furrowed his eyebrows as he reached around blindly until his hand closed around the material and lifted it up to hand it to her.

She accepted it with a murmur of thanks and pushed her arms into the holes to tug it over her head and slide it down her body.

"You." He addressed her softly. "Should get back to bed." He said resolutely.

She whined like a petulant child at the reminder. "Only if you come back with me. I can't sleep without you there with me." She confessed.

"I shall be there in a moment." He captured her hand and dragged it to his lips. "I just need to relinquish my post to my replacement."

"Okay." She relented. "Be quick?" She added.

"Of course." He patted her, signaling her to get up.

Killian stumbled to his feet, righting himself as Emma collected her blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. He was fastening his pants when he felt her hands wrap around him and he lifted his eyes to hers.

"See you soon." She placed a kiss on his cheek.

"See you soon." He agreed with a thin smile. He watched, craning his neck as he followed her until she disappeared below deck.

Killian bowed his head in shame, his body tingling in a veiled attempt to control the persistent need and the longing to sate the demon calling out to him for relief. A cold sweat dripped from his brow as his head pulsed in a singular fixation to ease the ache building inside him.

He reached into the inner pocket of his vest, procuring a small vial of thick transparent liquid, his hand shaking violently as he lifted it to his lips and removed the cork with his teeth, spitting it out onto the deck.

His lips traced the mouth of the glass bottle, inhaling its contents, his chest puffing as he moaned in pleasure at the promise of fulfillment. He cringed at his weakness to starve off the impulse, shaking his head as he silently cursed himself for the untamed lust for the drug in his hand seering through his veins. He gave into its compulsion with very little hesitation and lifted the vial to his lips, tipping it back to render a few small drops onto his tongue.

He groaned in satisfaction, his eyes slamming shut, reveling in the euphoria that took hold of his body and his senses slowly drifted into a pleasant state of numbness as he fell head first down the rabbit hole.

*End of Book One*

AN- Okay. So before anyone panics. That was not the end of the fic. It isn't even going to have the word complete on it. I'm going to continue to update it in the same place and under the same name. It is just going to be separated into two books. One for each arc of the story. So there will be a Book Two with 10 chapters. I also wanted to send out a quick apology for the delay in finishing this. I haven't been feeling well the last few weeks and it has been difficult to manage. Please forgive me. I hope you liked the chapter and if you did please let me know. My muse feeds off compliments. Until next time! -Cat