On the Other Side of Vengeance

CS genre: Deleted scene (2x12)

The first thing Killian noticed before he was even fully conscious was the scent of vanilla and cinnamon.

Swan.

His heart leapt in spite of himself, remembering scenes from their beanstalk adventure, remembering how bloody magnificent she was battling him along the banks of Lake Nostos. He felt a pull to her, like the pull of a magnet to its other half. She was…indescribable and he was more drawn to her than he'd been to any other woman since Milah.

Milah.

He felt the characteristic stab through the heart at the thought of his sweet pirate lass, and that thought brought back a flood of memories of the events of the day before. Confronting the Crocodile's woman in the library…threatening her on his ship…being caned well-nigh to death by the Crocodile himself…confronting them at the town line…shooting Belle across the town line and taking her memories…the large, quickly moving metal contraption plowing into him…Swan.

And with that, Killian opened his eyes, groaning with the pain returning with consciousness. He seemed to be lying in a bed in some kind of very bright infirmary. A myriad of strange machines beeped nearby. How was one to rest and convalesce in such chaos?

"What the bloody hell am I wearing?" he muttered under his breath, just now becoming aware of his lack of leather, and more distressingly, his lack of a hook.

"It's called a hospital gown," he heard from the foot of his bed. "And you're lucky. The nurse on duty felt sorry for you, so she got you a robe too."

Swan. How did the woman manage to get more beautiful with each encounter? This close he saw the flecks of gold in her green eyes, the way her hair swished against her shoulders. It flustered him more than he'd like to admit. Feelings he'd never thought to feel again began stirring to the surface, which did nothing but fuel his guilt.

Killian pulled his dashing pirate persona around him like a cloak. He pasted a suggestive smirk on his face and raised one cocky eyebrow. "And have I you to thank for disrobing me and clothing me in this 'hospital gown' darling? I assure you, if you wished me to undress all you had to do was ask; no need to wait until I was unconscious."

Swan rolled her eyes and made a derisive sound at the back of her throat. "Sorry to disappoint you, buddy, but it was an orderly that had the honors."

Killian opened his mouth, preparing to deliver his next innuendo, when she suddenly sat up taller and leveled him with a stern stare. "Where's Cora?"

He tried to move to a sitting position, and only then noticed the restraint securing his wrist to the hospital bed. "Again?" he smirked, "You're really into this, aren't you? Damn that hurts!"

"Told ya. Cracked a few ribs. Where's Cora?"

Rather than answer the question, he needled her a bit more. "You look good, I must say. All 'Where's Cora?' in a commanding voice. Chills."

That quip evidently pushed the lass to her limit, and Killian decided it might be best to cooperate with Swan when she pressed on his battered ribs. Sighing and dropping the innuendo, Killian told her all he knew about Cora and her plans…which was not a damn sight more than she already knew.

The conversation drifted to the events of the day, and Hook couldn't help but gloat about the quality damage he'd done to his foe's heart in insuring his lady love no longer remembered him. He'd expected Swan to deliver a typical hero lecture about the futility of vengeance and the horrors of letting innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire. He expected censure and disapproval from her.

Instead, he saw…compassion in her eyes. In a sudden flash of insight, perhaps a testament to this pull between them, Hook realized Swan was well acquainted with pain and betrayal.

She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering gently, almost affectionately. "Keep smiling, buddy. You're chained down; he's on his feet, immortal, has magic and you hurt his girl. If I had to pick dead guy of the year, I'd pick you."

And with that, the lass got to her feet, clearly prepared to make a dramatic exit. Killian felt the disappointment descend swift and sure, and he suddenly realized he didn't wish for her to go. Her presence brought a welcome distraction from the pain of his broken ribs—and the bitter taste of failure after his aborted attempt at revenge.

"Swan!" he called suddenly, not wishing to analyze why her presence was such a joy and comfort to him.

She stopped with her hand on his room door, turning her head, she looked back at him. "Yeah?"

"Your lad," he said, quickly stumbling upon a topic of conversation he knew she'd be more than willing to pursue. "Were you reunited with him? Did he fare well during your absence?"

A soft look came over her face. "Yeah. I've got one amazing kid. Henry not only 'fared well', he managed to save Mary Margaret and me from some pretty magic his other mom almost sent our way."

"That's a relief," Hook said softly. "And…and the lad's father? Is he pleased about your return as well?"

Swan smirked down at him, and Hook realized his attempt at subtlety had fallen completely flat. She shrugged. "Haven't seen Henry's dad for eleven years. Just as soon keep it that way. Let's just say, things went south in a big way just before I found out I was pregnant."

"I'm sorry, love," he said…feeling anything but.

"Yeah, well," she said, turning away for a moment. "It happens."

They lapsed into silence as Emma resumed her seat on the edge of his bed. She looked…conflicted before evidently coming to a decision. "Look," she said a bit awkwardly, "I get being pissed about what Gold did to you. I do. I've been screwed over a fair number of times too, but for what it's worth, your whole big revenge plot isn't going to make you happy. It won't bring her back. In the end, what good will it do you or anyone?"

Hook felt the characteristic pain and anger bubble back up. "My Milah deserves justice!" he bit out. "The bloody coward murdered her in cold blood right before my eyes! He ripped out her heart and crushed it to powder while I was powerless to do ought but watch!"

Swan winced, and he saw the compassion in her eyes. "I know that must have been horrible, but vengeance isn't justice."

"Perhaps it is not the way you heroes would go about it," Killian allowed, "but what recourse was left to me? He's the bloody Dark One! Even should someone in authority wish to punish him justly for his crimes, they had no hope to stop him."

"And neither do you," she said firmly. "Do you have a death wish or something?"

It was Hook's turn to look away. He shrugged. "If my death is what it takes to avenge my love, I'll consider it a worthwhile price to pay."

"You're not going to die," she said firmly, looking shocked a moment later, averting her eyes.

Hook grinned, hearing the truth in the vehemence in her voice. This fiery lass may say she was unaffected by him, but he knew better. She felt the pull between them as strongly as he did. "Why Swan, I had no idea you cared."

A lovely blush stained her cheeks. "I don't," she said quickly. Much, much too quickly. "I…I mean, I'm the sheriff, and I'm not just going to let people murder each other in my town."

"Of course you aren't, darling," he said, teasing grin still in place. "Particularly not when the people in question are as devilishly handsome as meself."

Swan rolled her eyes. "Do you ever stop?"

"Not if I can help it, love."

"Look," she said, clearly still uncomfortable. "I'm not going to let Gold kill you, alright? Can we just leave it at that?"

"As you wish," he said with a nod. "Thank you, Swan. And I'm pleased you were able to make it home to your lad."

"No problem," she said with a shrug. "And for what it's worth, I'm glad Gold didn't kill you."

"As am I, love. As am I."

She gave him a small smile, and then stepped through the door. Hook watched her go, feeling a warmth and joy he hadn't known in centuries. He couldn't turn from his path; justice for Milah demanded he stay the course. But…for the first time since her death he'd begun to think there might be a life, happiness for him on the other side of vengeance.

Notes: Happy Friday! I'm getting ready to go on vacation, so I'm doubly happy for the end of the work week!

-I decided in this week's story to revisit season 2. That was definitely not my favorite season of OUAT, but I really did like the dynamic between Emma and Killian. It was so unbelievably clear that both of them were drawn to each other, but neither of them was willing to admit it yet.

-Up next: I plan to recycle a Captain Charming Friday prompt. David introduces Killian to online shopping just before Emma's birthday.