Onward their journey continued until it seemed to be getting dark. They had decided to head back to his private quarters where various foods and beverages awaited them. They ate and talked more about this and that; history and literature. Clarice watched him intently as he told his stories, becoming even more fascinated him. She had finally found someone that matched her wit, her talent, her skill, and her heart; or so she thought. James had found all those in her too, exclude the heart. Although, she didn't know that.

Soon they were done with dinner and sitting across from each other in two large, red cushioned chairs. She just couldn't take her eyes off him. Her heartbeat seemed to stop whenever he spoke her name or smiled at her words. She felt her stomach flutter with butterflies when his eyes wouldn't leave hers. Could she be falling in love with Captain Hook? The thought made her smile and blush. Catching the red tone cover her cheeks, Hook furrowed his brows and grinned. He slowly stood up and walked gracefully to her, his hand and hook behind his back. She held her breath and watched his every move.

"Would you care to see something interesting, Captain?"

"Yes."

"Follow me." He stated simply, walking past her into another small room. She followed.

When in the room he turned to face her, catching her off guard on how deadly close he was. She did not flinch nor move, but simply stayed her ground, staring into those almond shaped eyes. There was a long, long period of silence before Newheart asked a question.

"Well, what is it you'd like to sh—," she was cut short with a rough kiss.

Hook slammed Clarice against the fine woodened wall, kissing her violently while his hand held her delicate face to his. She had no desire to stop him as their tongues danced a wild dance. A moan escaped her throat, causing James to press into more, making the kiss all the more fiercer. How very typical for two pirates. Her skilled hands reached up and into his beautiful locks that she admired and found so irresistible. Her heart pounded in her chest, threatening to break free of its bone prison. Clarice wanted to rip out her burning heart and feed it to him so he could have it forever. She loved him and there was no doubt. Clarice had never felt so alive before this. With this kiss being so passionate, she felt a bond between them. As if he was feeling the same feelings for her too. Suddenly Hook pulled away from the kiss; the two gasping for air. He grinned at the expression upon her face. Her eyes held want; need; passion; devotion; love in them for him. She hoped he could see those feelings in her eyes as their gaze locked. A smile played across her face. Before she knew it they were kissing again.

That night he had invited her to his bed. She accepted. They made love into the waking moments of dawn. Clarice had reluctantly left his bed at noon to freshen up on her own ship, feeling love course through her veins; she was so unbelievably happy. He had cleaned up when she left, feeling nothing but accomplishment course through his veins; he was unbelievably proud. When she returned they shared another passionate kiss and held each other. Hook was sending out false advertisement to Newheart and she was blinded by love to see it was all but nothing. James didn't think she was falling in love with him; was already in love with him. He thought she too was doing it out of adventure and lust; infatuation. But, oh how he was wrong.

Later that day the two went out for a walk in the detailed forest, talking about who they defeated and how. Both stories were brave and bold. They both were cheerful and full of life, but that soon began to deter when Clarice tried to hold Hooks hand on their stroll. He pulled back his hand and gave her a questioning look; a disgusted look almost. Her face held hurt; rejection in her features, but soon brushed it off, not paying mind to it. But when she tried to pull him in for a romantic kiss he denied her, pushing her back. Her mouth opened to speak, but nothing came out. Her brows furrowed in upset as she tried to find the words.

"Did…did I do something, James?" She asked almost desperately.

"No, why would you ask that?"

"You pulled away from me. You've been acting strange since we went on this walk."

"What ever do you mean?" He gave that quirky smile, as if nothing was wrong.

"What ever do I mean? James, you act as if I am some creature, some…stranger!"

He gave an odd look before he continued to walk ahead.

"James! What is wrong with you? Don't you still love me?" She almost shouted. He immediately stopped and turned around, a look of horror on his face.

"Did…did you just say the 'L' word, Newheart?" He sounded astonished; nearly disgusted.

"Yes. Of course!" The news obviously hadn't gotten to her.

A loud chuckle left his mouth causing Clarice to look at him, tears collecting in her eyes.

"My dear Clarice, what utter nonsense you speak of! Love? Why would I love you? Yes, you are indeed a very beautiful and strong woman. Yes, you are very good in bed. But love? That is a bit on the heavy side don't you think? Haha, Hook in love!" He chuckled some more, thinking she was joking.

"You…you don't...love me?" She asked timidly, feeling the tears on the verge of spilling over onto her cheeks.

"Of course not!" He paused and his face went straight. "Wait…you…you don't love me, do you Newheart?" By the look she gave him he knew she did. Clarice Newheart had fallen in love with Captain James Hook.

Suddenly Clarice's world came to a complete stop. Her universe was sucked from existence by a black hole of despair. She swore she heard her heart break right there and then. She could feel the sharp shards cut her innards, the blood seeping out of the painful wounds. The tears began to trickle down her cheeks ever so beautifully, shining in the sun like diamonds. Her eyes kept forward, staring into nothingness. Clarice didn't think she had ever felt so much pain hit her so hard at once before. She couldn't think. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. Her mind now only knew what pain, sorrow, grief, and shame were. And as she just stood their like a frozen mannequin, Hook watched her like a show. Finally, she brought her quivering hand to her nose and mouth and held it there. Her facial features contorted into what you could call hurt. She tried so hard to hold back a sob. She couldn't so she ran. She ran away from this man; this creature.

"I hate you," she choked out as she dashed off into the woods in any direction as long as she got far away from Hook.