14.
Hook's boots touched the deck of the other ship and immediately was surrounded.
"Captain Hook," a man who was dark and squat strolled up nonchalantly, "Welcome aboard. I am Captain Leon."
"Where's the girl?" Hook said roughly, his eyes menacing.
"That little lady?" the Leon said giving a sickening grin, "Taken away to my own cabin for later use. My men know what I like."
"I want her back," Hook spat.
Leon gave a harsh laugh, "Of course. She's your whore."
Hook stance did not relax, "But?"
"As pirates nothing comes easy," Leon nodded, "Your ship for the girl."
"How about I just kill you now?" Hook growled.
"You're on my ship Hook. Only you will die."
Suddenly Hook had Leon pressed against the siding, his hook against his neck, "Bring her to me!"
"My crew-"
"If they dare to touch you I will kill you. Bring me the girl."
Leon glared at him before clearing his throat, "Get her."
In a few minutes a struggling Wendy was brought on deck, her voice rising above the fighting, "You'll regret this! Have no doubt about that!"
Hook only glanced up at her, but felt pride well up inside of him when he saw the two men holding her arms. One had a bloody nose and the other had a swollen lip, both were hunched over slightly.
"You can't even control a girl!" Leon groaned.
"Girl? I'm twenty one," she sniffed, and then seeing Hook gave a small smile.
"We're leaving," Hook said gruffly and just as he was about to let go Leon grabbed his coat.
"I challenge you to a duel Captain Hook," Leon growled.
"I have much better things to do with my time," Hook rolled his eyes trrying to peel Leon off of him.
"Then you will be known as a coward."
The words slapped Hook, and his eyes narrowed.
Leon smiled, "A coward. A codfish. And I will keep the girl if you try to leave now."
"I'll kill you," Hook growled, "My steel against your throat. Imagine that."
Leon grinned, "My men will not give her back if you kill me now. But murder me in a duel Hook, and you can keep her."
"Wait, no!" Wendy suddenly said panicking, "Just go back, I'll be fine."
Hook closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, "I can't do that Miss Darling."
Wendy began to struggle harder, her heels grinding into their shoes, she elbowed on and he let go, letting out a low groan.
"Don't let her get away with that!" Leon shouted, and the one that still had a grip raised his hand and slapped Wendy across the face.
Hook's face burst into anger, a feral growl escaping his mouth as he plunged his hook into the man's side.
Leon, being let free, then was able to grab his sword and lift it to Hook throat.
"Tables are turned now Hook," Leon smiled, "Now, what are we going to do?"
Hook brushed the sword away with his weapon, "I was going to fight you to begin with," he hissed. He glanced at Wendy, who was on the deck watching him, her eye swelling already, "Are you alright?"
She nodded and then whispered, "Don't do this."
He turned abruptly from her, "Prepare for your death Leon."
"We'll see about that Hook," Leon, who seemed to be a big grinner, grinned.
Leon drew his sword and Hook drew his, "After this the battle ends," Hook said stiffly, and Leon nodded.
As if the Jolly Roger had heard this, the fighting ended, and all pirates became silent. The air became silent, even the stabbed pirate stopped whimpering. The other pirate held onto Wendy, though less ferociously.
They stood at opposite ends, and as if on a time bomb both charged at each other.
Hook was taken by surprised at the squat man's force, but he was able to block the aggressive blows. The steel's voice sounded above all others, one note after another sounding off. They seemed to dance around each other, when suddenly Hook made the first cut on Leon's arm. Hook gave a small smile, though he was anything but triumphant. Soon Leon retaliated by swiping his shoulder. The battle raged on, both intent on winning, but only one would really lose something in his death.
Wendy's eyes widened at the fight. Soon they began running up steps. The swords were backing each other into a corner, and then forcing themselves out. Things began to be knocked down to the floor. Leon's face began to break out in sweat. To Wendy, Hook was in constant danger, and it was her own fault. Suddenly Hook's sword flew from his hand, and he used his hook to stop the blow of the other sword.
"Give up?" Leon said loudly.
Hook pushed the sword away with as much force as he could, then quickly grabbing his own, slashed Leon's throat. Wendy closed her eyes.
There was deafening silence, Hook standing stiffly, breathing heavily. Wendy pulled away from the pirate and walked quickly halfway over to the last Captain. She stopped suddenly, unsure of what to do. She couldn't see Leon, nor did she want to, but Hook seemed to be talking to the body. Then suddenly he glanced up at Wendy and in a few long strides grabbed her by the waist. It was then the cheers, or the anger, exploded.
The rest of Leon's crew began running towards them, and Hook pulled Wendy up to the siding, grabbing a rope, and swung over. A sword suddenly cut the top of their rope midflight and they sailed towards the deck. Hook was able to turn so when they fell, he hit the deck first, though Wendy will never know how he did this. They landed with a thud, his arms still around Wendy when she landed on top of him..
"Are you alright?" she asked.
He let out a groan of pain, but nodded, looking somewhat forced and out of breath.
"You saved me Captain," she whispered, he was just able to hear her over the cheering. Crew members from the other ship were being pushed into the water, or tied up if they looked useful. Others began to loot the neighboring ship, and many got rid of the last remaining bodies.
"My name," he breathed, "Is James. Call me James."
She nodded, "You saved me James."
Sitting up carefully, he brushed his finger against her eye, "Your-"
"Don't worry about the bloody eye," she said severely, then began checking him for wounds, he had many small cuts, and more bruises, but he was fine.
"Captain!" Smee came running up, "What happened?"
Wendy stood up, her hair in disarray, dirt scrubbed against her cheeks. She looked around her and then suddenly her knees gave out, and her face went white.
"Wendy?" Hook said worried, rushing over.
"All the people," she whispered, "They're all… I helped… they're dead. Dead. All those people. Gone."
Understanding dawned on Hook's face.
"Lets get you to bed," he said softly, "You're exhausted."
"You're telling me I'm exhausted," she said hollowly, a touch of irony still in her voice.
"You've been up for hours. You've been fighting like a mad man," Smee agreed.
"This isn't my first battle," Hook said leading Wendy away to the cabin, "Keep track of the men."
"Captain?" Smee called.
"Take what's useful, sink the ship. The usual Smee."
Smee nodded, and watched as Hook and Wendy left, both purely worn out. Hook Just bad it to his cabin before leaning against a wall for a moment, and then saw the fallen door.
He growled at the door, "Can't keep you safe no matter what I try."
Wendy was beginning to shake, but she nodded as if she understood. She sat down on Hook's bed, her arms crossed and holding her sides, her eyes bruised.
Hook picked up the door and had it lean against the entrance, "There," he muttered, "I'll fix it later. At least you can't see in."
Wendy nodded absentmindedly.
Hook walked over to her and calmly, "Do you want to stay in my bed or go to yours?"
She responded by slowly falling backwards, her lower legs still hanging off the bed.
"Sleep Miss Darling," Hook said softly and then paused when he heard her whisper hoarsely, "Excuse me?"
"Stay," she said again, her voice shaking.
He nodded, "As you wish."
He went to sit on the couch when her voice stopped him.
"I can't hear you Miss Darling."
"Stay. With me. Here."
He nodded again, more slowly, "If it pleases you."
He went back to the bed, and then very gently removed Wendy's boots, then his own.
Pulling open the covers on his side, Wendy climbed in with him. She buried her face against his chest, slow tears seeping into his shirt. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head.
"Cry it out," he said soothingly, "There you go. Just cry it out."
Her shoulders began to shake, and small sobs escaped her lips. When she was finally able to stop she sniffed and said, "Thank you. For everything."
"Well I couldn't leave you," he said against her hair, beginning to pet it.
"You're a fool. You should have left me."
"I could never have done that, I don't have the ability," he sighed.
She held on to him tighter, "Thank you."
"Go to sleep Wendy."
"You'll stay?" she asked quietly.
"I'll stay," he assured her, his stomach turning.
She nodded against him and her eyes fluttered. She fell into a fitful sleep, Hook doing the same right beside her.
Sorry if it seemed a bit gory, or if anything didn't make sense, I don't actually know what's in a sword fight other than people die. My last entry was a bit rushed, and my editing was not as good as I would have liked, but it happens. I'm a stickler for editing, no matter what I put up I always find something I should have changed. Anyway, enjoy the story!