I wish I owned Hook... but since I don't, oh well.

Much thanks to my reviewers...

sravenvampirefan, you must be a mind reader for that comment about fight-scenes leading to tension... for reasons that will be explained soon enough :) and as to Hook in character, he was nervous because he had a knife to his throat, and anyone would be nervous about that. But you also have to keep in mind that he is trying to seduce her, and that would require him to be less of a cut-throat.

Rolling Thunder Rose, you, my friend, have lead me to re-writing several scenes in this chapter and several others... but better I do it now than after I get them all posted. That would kinda suck. And thanks so much for asking how he tied the corset, or else he never would have been able to try to seduce her.

Now, back to the story...

By late afternoon, Mary's temper had cooled enough for her to regret slapping Hook. He really wasn't all that bad, for a pirate, anyways. Now, as she was thinking rationally, it would have served her right if he'd thrown her to the crocodile; he'd helped her, and she'd threatened him with bodily harm; he gave her a place to stay, and she slapped him across the face.

And so, as she sat on her bed with her legs pulled to her knees, she contemplated apologizing to the captain. But how to go about it? She'd never apologized to anyone before.

Hook stood before the mirror in his room, checking himself one last time before going into his study. He was immaculate as usual, the scarlet dress coat and white shirt in perfect order, and a gold hook in place of his usual iron one. A scarlet hat with a large feather completed the picture as he looked over his study, which he'd turned into a makeshift dining hall. He'd found all the best silverware from the hold and put it out, using his desk as a table. On the platters, there was a feast of fresh seafood and shellfish, an enormous lobster taking the center of the table. He drew a quick breath and let it out, trying to dispel his nervousness. He stepped up to the door, ready to either charm Miss Williams into being humane toward him, or to die an ignoble death.
Mary looked up in surprise as she heard a knock on the door connecting her room and the study. Warily, she stood and opened the door, her eyebrows flying up as soon as she saw the captain. He cleans up quite nicely, she thought to herself, allowing herself a small smile as she looked at him.

"Miss Williams, I hope you accept my humble apologies for my earlier behavior. I wish to make it up to you by asking you to join me for dinner." He bowed low, removing his hat with a flourish. Mary couldn't help but blush at his bit of flattery. No one had ever bothered to be civil to her, for she never was to them. But James Hook was going out of his way to be nice to her, and the least she could do was accept his offer, especially when she should be apologizing to him, not the other way around.

"I would love to, Captain." Hook smiled in relief.

"You may call me James in private, if you wish," he said cautiously. He'd never let anyone use his first name, and was unsure of the reaction.

"Then you may call me Mary under the same circumstances." At last, they seemed to have reached a truce. He stepped aside, allowing her to walk into the study. Candles were lit around the room, and gold plates and utensils were at the two places set, along with wine glasses. Next to the table sat a tray with several different bottles of wine, none under a hundred years old. Then, there was the food. A large lobster sat in the middle of the table, surrounded by all sorts of other fish. Even at her home in England, she'd never seen such decadence. She looked at Hook astonished. "You did all this for me?"

"Well," he said, clearing his throat and pulling a chair for her, "I was under the impression that you were going to kill me, so I spared no expense. Besides," he continued as he sat down across from her, "we rarely get guests on the Jolly Rodger, and none as beautiful as you." He took a sip from his wine glass, which was shaped like a seashell.

"Thank you," she said, smiling as she blushed. No one had ever told her she was beautiful. She looked back up, her green eyes meeting his blue ones. "I suppose you wouldn't get guests, would you? You kill them before they get the chance to become guests." She smiled as he choked on his wine. She waited for him to recover before continuing. "Why didn't you kill me? You were going to."

Hook thought a while. He had to answer delicately, or he'd be back to square one with her. "You intrigued me. You challenged me when I threatened you, and it's been a very long time since anyone has stood up to me. I respect that kind of courage. As I see it, we're equals on this ship."
Mary nodded thoughtfully, taking a roll from the basket the captain offered her. Equals. She was used to being told to mind her manners, do as the men told her, but here was a man doing nothing short of telling her that he respected her for being herself. She smiled as she bit into the roll, deciding that she could finally have found a friend.
Hook watched her smiling in his direction, smiling himself. He'd navigated rough waters tonight and now that he didn't have to worry about her killing him, he could go back to his plan. He stood and reached for the lobster, intending to give some to Mary, who stood at the same time. They looked at each other, Hook slowly, cautiously, moving to bridge the gap between them...

At that precise moment, Smee burst through the door. Angrily, the captain closed his eyes and smashed his hook through the lobster. He took several deep breaths before addressing his first mate. "Smee, did I not tell you that I was not to be disturbed?"

"Y-yes, Cap'n. But we're nearing port." Hook sighed and pulled his hook from the lobster.

"Port?" Mary asked as she followed Hook out of the room and up to the wheel.

"Of course. We're pirates, Miss Williams, and we need ships to pillage." He took out a looking glass, eyeing the port hungrily. Mary looked around at the island, the stars reflecting in the water to make it look like they were sailing on the stars and moonlight. Mary watched Smee leave her and the captain alone.

"This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen... James." She used his name carefully, unsure of the use.
Hook looked down at her, his breath catching in his throat. The stars were dull to him, though their light fell on Mary's features beautifully. Moonlight sparkled in her eyes, and James Hook suddenly found himself wishing that her eyes were sparkling for him. "Yes... beautiful..." he whispered, almost leaning to try to kiss her again. He swallowed hard, fighting to control himself. He looked away quickly as she turned to look at him. This wasn't the way he'd planned it! He was to entrance her, not the other way around! "James?" Mary asked softly, putting her hand on his arm gently. She felt it stiffen in surprise. "Thank you, for respecting me. No one has ever done that." She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, then hurriedly went to her room.
Hook gripped the wheel tightly, and when they dropped anchor for the night, he left the wheel and walked into the washroom and locked the door behind him. He splashed his face with water from the basin, his hand shaking. Breathing heavily, he leaned over the basin, allowing water to drip from his face. For the first time in his unhappy life, he had found someone he could relate to on almost all levels, and she was driving him down that short road to insanity.
In her room, Mary undressed quickly, suddenly flushed with heat. Why had she kissed him? Yes, she was grateful to him, but she'd already thanked him! James Hook was so different from anyone she'd ever met before. When she'd been with him, and he'd been civil to her, she actually thought she wouldn't mind staying with him. But would he accept her, or would he shun her as everyone else did because she would be better with a sword than he? Only time would tell. In the meantime, she would have to watch her step, and wait for the opportune moment.
Yes, that last line is stolen from Pirates of the Caribbean, from my other favorite Captain. And the town I mentioned is actually the Black Castle, before it becomes run down. Hook isn't quite as obsessed with killing Peter, and he had time to allow the flourishing of the town. I'll get into the actualtown later.