Author's Note: Hello all! Thanks for all the kind words! I hope you enjoy my new chapter! Chapter 6 will be up as soon as I can! And once again any feedback is really great! Thanks!
Chapter 5
The ship swayed gently in the cove, morning light spilling into the blue stained glass of the cabin. James Hook awoke to the rays on his face, slowly rising rubbing his temples, where a dull ache still throbbed and yet he felt oddly refreshed, he had slept well. The nightmares that usually plagued his dreams had not visited him. Blinking, his eyes focused on the woman that inhabited his bed. Memories of the previous evening filled him, smiling he rose and called for Smee. His current unrefined condition would most certainly not do. He longed to create a different impression from what she had seen of him earlier his thoughts drifting with longing at his new companion, who was curled up still peacefully sleeping.
At that moment Mr. Smee quietly walked in
"Yes Cap'n , something you need?"
"Yes, Mr. Smee a hot bath and a shave. Quickly and quietly, so as not to wake the lady." His voice was even and his stare still fell on Julia's sleeping form.
Mr. Smee followed his gaze and smiled, finding himself pleased that the Captain wasn't pouring what was left of his soul into a bottle of alcohol, now that a lady was present.
"Course Cap'n"
His ornate changing screen was quietly moved around a large marble tub, stripping himself bare, he slowly lowered himself into the steaming water. Gasping in pleasure as the heat worked up his muscles. Leaning back in deep relaxation, he so enjoyed a hot soak. As he lifted his head from underneath the steamy water, he could hear the gentle almost musical rhythm of Julia sleeping only a few feet from where he laid naked in the water. Her presence in the room was consuming yet peaceful, he could already feel the isolated side of himself basking in her presence. Part of him longed for her to wake up and catch him bathing, but he quickly frowned realizing he would most likely not be able to control himself from behaving in a manner that didn't suit the purpose of playing the gentlemen. Although that didn't stop the wicked grin that spread across his features as he pictured what he could do if she found him. He was after all, first and foremost a pirate at heart. His thoughts quickly dissolved however when Smee entered carrying his shaving kit.
Now fully clothed standing and adjusting his hook he looked at Smee. He felt much more like his old self.
"Mr. Smee check the treasure room for some appropriate items that the lady can wear, wake her and run a bath for her, she is to join me for breakfast when she is finished."
"Aye, Cap'n" Mr. Smee walked quietly in the direction of the treasure room while the Captain walked to the upper deck to feel the morning breeze. He had to make things clear to the crew since he had a guest.
Stepping above deck he noticed that the ill weather had faded a bit, snow still dotted the cove, yet the ice had melted completely and the sun was out, casting warmth across his face, even though the air was still chilled. Gazing over the side he noticed the long boat slowly returning to the ship, the men had obviously gone on an excursion. He felt his stomach twist in anger, he wasn't sure when exactly he had lost control of himself or the crew, but he felt a malicious stirring at the sight of his men coming back from an excursion without his consent. They were carrying a rather large wild bore and most curiously he noticed that Mr. Starkey and Cookson were carrying on their person several redskin pelts, a tomahawk, and a large Deerskin map of some sort. At the sight of the map his eyebrows rose in wanton curiosity. He was never one to pass up an expedition for treasure, the Island was rich with it. Smiling at the new find he stood solemnly against the railing, cleaning his nails with his hook, regarding his men as they tied and fastened the longboat.
"I see you gentlemen took the liberty of going ashore this morning. Pray, tell me what it is that you found so much more interesting than your duties aboard the ship?"
He circled the lot of men, whom he noticed had begun to tremble. Not waiting for an answer he grabbed the map from Starkey, spreading it out over the railing. Letting his eyes travel he noticed that it was indeed in an Indian scrawl, smiling as he stroked his goatee in interest, yes, he believed that he could decipher it. It was then that his men had noticed how startlingly normal he appeared, all of them hurriedly standing at attention. Peering from under his hair, he noticed Starkey and Cookson whispering as they watched him peruse the map in a very conspiratorial manner.
"Is there a problem Mr. Starkey? Oh yes, I do believe that it was your duty to be within the crows nest at this time."
Lunging forward he grabbed him by the shirt ripping the material with his hook.
"And I suggest that you insignificant, uneducated, brutes get to your posts before I keelhaul the lot of you!"
The fire within his eyes was unmistakable, in truth he was an intimidating figure, tall wrapped in the elegance of his fine clothes. His hook framed by the frills of his shirt gleaming in the sun, brutal and sharp. His long hair blew in the chilled air, the expression on his face was one of uppermost distaste as he stared at Starkey, the men quickly recognizing the presence of the Captain Hook of old, ran in the direction of their posts not wanting to press their advantage.
"Captain, we were just out gettin' some supplies." Starkey was quaking in terror, at the captain's nearness.
Smiling at the man that he had pressed to the mast, his hook still imbedded in his shirt, casually he lifted the Tomahawk from Starkey's belt. And still smiling lifted the sharp implement beneath the quacking mans throat, whispering softly his voice however smooth had not lost the menacing wicked quality.
"I don't seam to recall a Tomahawk being listed as a standard item needed aboard a pirate ship. However did you come by these items Mr. Starkey?"
"I swear Captain, we just ran into two scouts on our way back from gettin' the wild bore. They were suspiciously close to the cove, so we took the liberty of relieving them of their affects."
Starkey was shaking feeling the blade against his throat, which had started to pierce his skin. The Captains eyes were knife-like and cold as ice. But then just as quickly he released him, allowing him to slide to the deck.
"I'm glad that you at least brought back the bore and the map, because if you hadn't, I would be forced to say that you were wasting my precious time, cavorting about on that God forsaken Island!"
His voice had elevated, so that they all could hear his every word.
"Oh, and it appears that we have a guest that is going to be staying for some time. Mr. Smee has informed me that you all met her last night, you are to address her as Miss Snow, and if one of you so much as looks at her the wrong way, I will be forced to take my hook, slice you open and hang your intestines off the side of the ship!"
In the distance tucked in the foliage Peter Pan hovered near the twisted and bloody bodies of the two scouts that Hook's men had killed. It had been so easy to get them to follow him near the cove. He simply flew away, abandoning them from his little game without telling them that there were pirates coming from behind. He supposed he should feel some remorse, he had turned and was staring at one of the Indian braves, his head was twisted at an odd angle and his stomach had been sliced open, the blood pooling about him lending a sickly sweet odor to the grass. Yet, they were adults nonetheless, their deaths were insignificant to him, after all it was the pirates that had killed them, not him, they just served in rousing the attention of Captain Hook. For now the Captain would have a treasure map and Peter was betting on his need to find whatever the two scouts had been hiding. Lifting his scope he smiled at the ship, which was now being boarded by the pirates that carried the map. His eyes falling on the Captain leaning against the railing, just as suddenly he felt something odd, it was as if he was sensing something or someone from within the ship itself. The feeling was warm and pure, shaking his head he dropped the scope. That was strange he certainly hadn't expected a flash of tenderness to come from someone on the Jolly Roger. He decided he would venture to the ship in the night, to find out what had caused the feeling.
In the meantime, inside the peace of the cabin, Julia tossed to the side within the sheets of the bed, she was no longer wrapped in their warmth, she was walking through the lush greenery of the Island. When she saw it, a picturesque lush Waterfall spilling into a large pool of water surrounded by the most beautiful orchids she had ever seen. She stood transfixed at the beauty of the water as it rippled in the moonlight, smiling she ran to the edge, dipping her hand in the clear coolness and relishing the sensation on her skin. Her eyes traveled upward and she gasped, for standing at the top of the waterfall, blindfolded, with his arms tied behind his back was none other than Captain Hook. Swiftly she heard it, a sound had pierced the stillness, a gentle pounding Tick Tock, Tick Tock, the sound amplified around her, she knew that sound. A sudden panic overtook her, staring upward at the Captain where he still stood, he was smiling, swaying back and forth, humming an unknown tune as if he were oblivious to the insistent ticking. A new sound filled the area around her, it was the sound of children playing, laughter, merriment, it seemed oddly out of place. Just as quickly, it sprang rapidly from under the water its jaws wide open, hanging directly beneath the Captain. She knew of the crocodile yet she had never thought it would be so enormous, it looked as if it were over thirty five feet long. The green and gray scales glistening in the moonlight, this was no ordinary crocodile that she had seen in the zoo as a child, this was a huge prehistoric beast equivalent in size and ferocity to a dinosaur. She was shaking in terror and then she heard a voice right beside her ear.
"What an odd thing fate is, isn't it Julia? Don't tell me you feel sorry for the old Fish? Do you?"
She sharply turned but saw know one, yet she knew that voice.
"You see Julia, he knows his fate. Nothing will ever change that. Believe me when I say that he deserves it. Tell me he doesn't? He is evil, you know, deep down within, you know that he will never change."
At that moment her eyes widened in horror, as casually as if he were out for an evening stroll, the Captain walked off the edge and straight into the open jaws of the beast. The sound echoed and reverberated around her as the jaws made the sickening snap, trapping him within its stomach.
She was breathing heavy, sweat pouring off of her as she sat up her eyes focusing on the cabin she was in. It had been a dream, but as she looked about the cabin which was lit by the light of the morning she realized that she was indeed in Neverland aboard the Jolly Roger. This was no dream, she was in Captain Hook's bed. Looking at herself she was still clothed, realizing that she must have fallen asleep at some point the previous evening and he had moved her here. Falling backward into the softness of the sheets she let her mind drift to her dream which had been startling, it had seemed so real. She had been deeply horrified to see him fall to his fate, frowning in annoyance she focused on the voice that she had heard, there was no doubt in her mind that it had been Peter Pan that had spoken to her. Her thoughts drifted to the Captain, gasping everything came swiftly into focus, it was his fate to be tied to this Island, tied to this place for eternity, forever walking into the open jaws of the Crocodile. Rolling over to her side she stared at his windows which were stained blue, the light spilling through making the room beautiful and peaceful. She shuddered, it was odd to her that she felt such a strong emotional link to a man she hardly knew, he was Captain Hook, but it was different. Somehow when she looked in his eyes she felt as if she had met a kindred soul. She could recognize qualities within him that she herself possessed, a blind sense of adventure, a surprisingly youthful exuberance, and an appreciation for good rum. She smiled recalling how he had poured the rum down his throat, he was such a contradiction to what she would have expected. Sitting up and rubbing her eyes, she was suddenly greeted by none other than Mr. Smee, hovering next to the bed.
"Mornin' Lass!" he smiled brightly.
"How long have you been there Mr. Smee?" Julia stammered wearing a shocked expression.
"Not long Miss Snow, I ran you a bath, Cap'ns orders."
Settling into the hot water, she allowed herself to relax. The Captain was no where to be seen, she assumed that he must have been above on deck. As she washed her hair she felt her stomach turning over in knots, there was a changing screen wrapped about her, yet she felt extremely vulnerable and exposed. She sat up nervously, when she heard the door open and close.
"Who's there?" Julia whispered
"Me miss, I brought you some clothes, it's all I could find in the treasure room." She could hear Mr. Smee moving about the room then she saw a mountain of pink fabric hung on the changing screen, where her jeans had been not long before.
Sitting up in shock she stepped from the water, wrapping a towel about herself and pulling down the dress. It was a satiny soft pink formal gown. Oh, how she hated formal dresses especially the color pink. Lifting up the bodice it was awfully beautiful as well as rather low cut.
"Mr. Smee can't I just wear my Jeans? I hate to tell you this and don't think I didn't appreciate your effort, it's just I hate dresses." Caitlin laughed nervously.
"You hate dresses, Miss?" The question in his voice was unmistakable
"I've never met a lady who hates dresses, sides miss uh I sorta put your pants or jeans, whatever you call them in the wash tub and the Cap'n wishes you to join him for breakfast."
She stared in horror at the pink satin, groaning she pressed her head against the screen, realizing she was going to have to wear it.
"Mr. Smee it's just that dresses are so uncomfortable"
Scowling as she pulled the bodice into place, looking down at her cleavage she realized that it accentuated her curves a little too nicely. Grabbing the cream colored knickers she threw them on, pulling the hideously pink skirt over her bodice and allowing it to form to her waist. She then sat in the chair beside the tub to run the comb through her drying hair, gliding the pink slippers on her feet. Still seated she lifted the hand mirror to check her appearance, discomfort edged its way into her mind. She had to admit the gown was beautiful, even though it was pink and the color for some ungodly reason suited her skin. Within the gown she looked as if she belonged in the ornately decorated cabin and yet she was on board a pirate ship, she couldn't walk around looking like this. Sitting behind the changing screen she couldn't find the courage to emerge from behind it.
"Mr. Smee you honestly can't expect me to traipse around a pirate ship in nothing but this formal gown, do you?"
It was that exact moment that the sound of a door being opened filled the room. Julia stood frozen behind the screen as she heard the clicking of what she was sure was the Captain's boots.
"Ah, Mr. Smee is the lady up and about? I truly am starving would you go and fetch that breakfast?"
His eyes traveled to the screen knowing that Julia was behind it. Smiling he was completely distracted from the map, at the thought of seeing her. However his expression changed lowering his brow as he noticed Mr. Smee's curious look.
"Cap'n I wasn't able to find much by way of clothes for the missus, just a gown."
Leaning closer to the Captain he whispered.
"She doesn't like dresses Cap'n in fact I don't think she wants ter come out."
"She doesn't like dresses?" The question in his voice was unmistakable.
Hearing the Captains voice she could no longer hold silent, clipping her hair up in the comb, which Mr. Smee had given her.
"No Captain, I hate to say it, but I hate dresses, as I was trying to tell Mr. Smee they are terribly uncomfortable. Believe it or not Captain, but most modern women no longer wear dresses, they prefer pants. And besides, I don't want to walk about dressed like a Victorian whore!"
Sighing and holding the bridge of his nose, whatever did she mean by modern women? Although he was unable to hide the chuckle at her reference to looking like a Victorian whore.
"Julia first of all it can't be that bad. Second, do stop calling me Captain we are on a first name basis you know? Call me James."
His voice was deep and beautiful, shutting her eyes tight, unable to move at the sound of his boots clicking on the ground as he approached the screen.
"If it would make you more comfortable, I could have Mr. Smee tailor some clothes from the fabric in the treasure room for you."
His voice was right behind the screen now, letting out the breath she was holding, she slowly walked from behind.
"Would you James? I would truly appreciate….. it…."
She froze, he was standing less than a foot away from her, yet it couldn't be the same man. Her eyes traveled upward, his goatee had been neatly sculpted and trimmed, the dark hair attractively coming to a point on his chin, revealing more of his handsome face. His hair which had been an untidy mess, now spun about his shoulders in soft dark ringlets. He wore the color blue, the long pleated jacket went past his knees which was open revealing a long vest that had a striking ornate gold pattern that wove throughout. From beneath the jacket she noticed the frills of his shirt which framed the silver hook on his right arm and his elegant left hand. She was staring but she couldn't help herself, she had never encountered a man so beautiful. Her eyes traveled upward to his face and once again she encountered his blue eyes, the color of his clothes made them striking, they reminded her of two cool liquid pools of water. The redness was gone and she noticed that the dark circles were far less pronounced, he had obviously slept well. It was then that she realized that she had been staring at him for quite some time, she felt herself turning crimson under his gaze.
She had emerged from behind the screen and he suddenly couldn't move. The gown was indeed very formal, leaving her throat and shoulders exposed the delicate pink making her look feminine, almost ethereal within the subtle light of the cabin. A wide smile crept over his face, the gown was nicely low cut and he was getting a breathtaking view of the soft, creamy skin that ran across her chest. Surprised he was also noticing that her eyes were greedily running over his body, gazing at her red cheeks that were tinted in an embarrassed blush, he took advantage lifting her left hand to his lips and without breaking the contact with her eyes, softly kissing her skin.
At the sight of the Captain and Miss Snow, Mr. Smee started to feel awkward, as if somehow his presence was hampering the moment, announcing to the air that seemed electrified.
"I'll, er, just see to that Breakfast then."
He quickly excused himself from the room, the door softly clicking behind him.
Neither of them had noticed Mr. Smee leave.
The feel of his lips on her hand had sent an electric bolt up her arm and she found herself unable to speak. Still holding her hand, he flashed her a smile, the effect lifted and brightened his features, taking years off his appearance. Turning her palm over, he lifted his right arm and began to slowly and lightly trace the lines of her palm with his hook. Her eyes traveled fascinated as the cool metal traced her skin. She should be terrified but she felt just the opposite, as the lethal looking hook glided up her arm, she sighed closing her eyes, savoring his caress. His voice breaking the stillness.
"Forgive me Julia for being so bold, it is just that you are, so very lovely…"
