A/N: Hello all! Thanks for continuing to follow this story. If I'm lucky I might be able to actually post another chapter tonight. I wanted to post at least this much today. Enjoy!
Hook watched with slight yearning as Emma walked away. He was tempted to follow her back to his cabin, and forget William's lesson all together, but he maintained control over himself. Hook felt like his younger self again, unsure of what to do when he was around her. He wanted to hold her, to be able to kiss every inch of her. If she were any other woman, he would try to seduce her. However, Emma wasn't just a passing fling, he wanted more than just a physical relationship. Hook wanted her to fall in love with him again.
William had quickly returned to the deck with two wooden training swords. Hook immediately began the boy's lesson. Grateful to lose himself in the task, and focusing on improving the William's skill. Still, even as engrossed as he was in training, it hasn't escaped his notice when Emma returned to the deck. Her hair still up in a braided crown, but she now wore a tunic and trousers. Her own sword sitting sheathed at her hip.
After almost an hour, Hook finally called for an end to the lesson. He then asked for any volunteers to spar with Miss Swan. Starkey, one of the more enthusiastic members of the crew, volunteered his services. Probably thinking that dueling with her would be easier than his own tasks. Hook accepted his offer, and gave him one of the wooden swords.
He turned to Emma, holding out the wooden sword, and glanced at the real one on her hip. She looked cross, "We are using the wooden swords?"
"Can't have anyone accidentally getting hurt." Hook replied fairly. He knew Starkey was decent, but he was by no means proficient with sword fighting. While he didn't know her skills, he couldn't trust that the young man wouldn't harm her accidentally. Had he know that she had been trained by her own father, the best swordsman in the Enchanted Forest, he might have offered her a stronger challenger.
Emma had taken a wooden sword, and with some reluctance, handed her real sword to him. He pulled it from the sheath and examined the workmanship.
"I want it back." She said sternly, as if concerned he might keep it.
He half smiled at her concern, "It's an impressive blade, Swan. I wouldn't dare keep it from you. I only noticed it could stand to be sharpened. If you'd like, I could have William take care of it for you."
"Oh," She seemed slightly taken aback. A little defensively she replied, "I mean, I try to sharpen it and take care of it regularly."
"I'm not judging your care of the blade, Swan. I'm simply offering to have it taken care of for you." Hook smiled kindly.
Emma, still looking slightly uncomfortable, agreed to have the blade sharpened. Then, turning away from him, she strode over to wear her challenger stood awkwardly. She offered Starkey a handshake, and wished him the best of luck. The young man looked smug with confidence, while Emma kept her face placid. Hook, questioning his decision to allow Starkey to be her challenger, reluctantly called for the sparing to begin.
Leaning against the railing of the ship, he watched the sparing begin. It wasn't long before most of the crew had assembled around to watch. At first, Emma allowed Starkey determine the pace. Letting him try to attack her, and blocking his moves with ease. Hook watched her as she gracefully sidestepped one of Starkey's attacks, almost like dancing. It seemed as though she was studying him, and eventually knew his moves well enough to anticipate what he was going to do.
Before long her opponent was starting to get winded, as he kept taking her bait and attacking. Frustrated that she was easily holding him off. Hook watched her, impressed. He realized that this was exactly what she had intended. To let him attack until he grew tired. Hook was sure it was only a matter of time before she started fighting back and disarm him. The thought had just crossed his mind when Emma started to push back harder. Starkey was surprised by her sudden force of her attacks. She easily knocked the wooden sword out of his hand, and held hers to his neck.
Hook applauded her, along with a few of the other men. They were all clearly surprised at her skill, William and Mr. Smee were clapping enthusiastically on the sidelines. Emma called confidently for anyone else willing to challenge her. Another man accepted, and she beat them just as easily as she had taken down Starkey.
The men started making bets with each other on the winner before each fight. After her third victory, this time against one of his better swordsmen, Hook called for an end to her embarrassing his crew. The men she defeated didn't look too ashamed at being disposed of by a woman. Most of the disappointed faces were of the men that had foolishly bet against her. It was clear she was excellent with a sword. Hook was impressed at how Emma was able to quickly adapt to her surroundings.
"I knew you had a little pirate in you." He teased her after everyone returned to their posts.
She was grinning proudly, "Told you I could take care of myself."
"I'll never doubt you again, love." Their eyes locked for a moment. Emma was still breathing heavily from the exertion, and slightly glistening with sweat. Hook's mind wandered, as he imagined her back in his bed, breathing heavily for entirely different reasons. He wondered if she felt the same tension as he did.
In a overly light voice, Emma said, "Right, well. I'm going to get changed." Emma smiled, and turned to walk away.
"Back into that dress I hope!" He called jokingly after her, though truthfully he had meant it. Emma turned her head so he could see her roll her eyes at him, and he laughed.
When she closed the door to his cabin behind her, Emma allowed herself a deep breath. Unsure of what had just happened. It had been a heavy, tense moment. Hook had been looking at her with, what? Longing? Desire? Lust? She wasn't quite sure, having never had someone look at her like that before. Maybe it was her imagination getting the better of her. Her heart was still racing, but not just from the exercise that afternoon.
It felt as though she had small birds flying around in her stomach. Emma had been frozen under his gaze, but she had felt something. With no previous experience to compare it to, she felt slightly lost. Sure, she had felt an attraction to men before, but with Hook it felt different. Less like the slight pull she felt towards other men, that was easily ignored. It was more like forceful yank that she had been trying her best to fight.
Taking another breath, she decided to distract herself, and thought of today's challenge. Every time she faced an opponent, she waited until they were defeated to steal a glance at the Captain. Looking at him, even for a second, would have distracted her. She had been slightly worried that he'd take offense to her easily beating his crew. Instead he had been impressed by her, leaving Emma feeling elated each time Hook looked at her with pride.
Scrubbing herself off in the basin, Emma contemplated how much meeting him had changed her. In some ways, Emma barely recognized herself. Once she finished cleaning up, she examined the red dress she had laid on the bed. Playing with the soft fabric between her fingers, she debated putting it back on. While the cut of the dress was simple, yet she felt slightly overdressed wearing it around the ship. However, Hook had picked it out for her, and said he was hoping she would change back into it. Emma rubbed her face in her hands.
There seemed to be a small part of her still fighting for control. Wanting to dismiss his request, because she never did anything just because someone wanted her to. With Hook it was different though, she tried to convince herself. She wanted to make him happy, which was a slightly surprising realization for Emma. Having spent so many years only taking care of herself, and never worrying about anyone else, the idea of wanting to make someone else happy should have been shocking.
She reflected on when Mr. Smee had woken them the night before, and given the news of the warship. Emma had been worried immediately. Although, not for herself, Emma had been worried about Hook. She hadn't anticipated him agreeing to outrun the ship, thinking he'd attempt to fight. The thought of him fighting, and possibly getting hurt or worse, was what had terrified her.
Emma thought of all her carefully crafted walls. How for years she had been determined to be alone, and not get emotionally attached to anyone. Yet, somehow he had weaseled his way in, earning her trust, and making her care for him. Sighing at her own defeat, but still not terribly disappointed in herself, Emma pulled on the gown.
Her mind felt like it was bouncing off in a million different directions, as Emma distractedly made her way to the deck. Glancing around, she spotted Hook back at the helm of the ship. Her stomach clenched, and mind quieted to a single thought, 'Please, please don't let me be wrong about you.' Smiling, albeit nervously, she made her way towards him.
"So where exactly are we making port? You said we were going to the Maritime Kingdom." Emma asked, in what she hoped was a casual voice.
Hook glanced at her as he answered, "We won't be anywhere near the castle. We'll make port in a village nearby." Emma nodded in response with some relief. "Were you interested in seeing it?" Hook asked, eyeing her curiously.
"No, not really. I've seen it before." Emma replied casually. Twirling around as she stretched her arms over her head, and looked up at the impossibly clear blue sky.
"Was there anything in particular you wanted to see or do once we return to land?" Hook was now watching her intently.
Emma let her arms fall down to her sides and shrugged with a sigh. She decided to tease him, "Well, you did promise me a new hat." He winced and shook his head, making her laugh, "I would like to pick up a few supplies, if possible."
"Maybe some new clothes that suit you more?"
"I don't know if I could afford that much." Emma tried to play it off lightly, but she felt slightly embarrassed. She crossed her arms and looked away from him.
"Well, if you allow me to, I would be happy to assist you with whatever you need." Hook said earnestly.
Emma avoided his gaze, and hesitantly replied, "Please don't take this as a slight, but I don't know if I feel comfortable with that."
"What good is having wealth if you can't share it with your friends." She stole a glance at him and saw he was smiling.
"Friends?" Emma questioned, feeling slightly disappointed.
"Would you prefer me to call you something else?" Hook asked with a wicked grin, wagging his eyebrows suggestively at her. Despite the fact that she would rather he called her something else, Emma blushed and smacked his arm lightly. He pretended to look disappointed, dramatically stating, "Friends it is, then." She could only shake her head at him in response, "Since we've agreed upon that, I don't see where there's any harm in my assisting you."
She knew it was pointless to argue with him. He had made it clear he intended to help her, whether Emma wanted to or not. With a loud groan she admitted defeat, "Oh fine… But can I at least be allowed to feel uncomfortable about it?"
"If you must, but I rather you didn't."
Deciding it was best to change the subject, Emma steered the conversation elsewhere. "Is there anything you'd recommend seeing while we are there?"
"I thought you'd been there before?" Hook asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Well, I've been to the town outside the castle, but I haven't been to it's neighboring villages." Emma admitted. That wasn't entirely true, but he didn't need to know that she had once been close friends with the Princess of the Maritime Kingdom. Emma wondered what she was doing now.
"I suppose I might be persuaded to show you a few of the sights." He said, scratching his chin with his hook. Pretending as if it would cost him much to do so. Emma shook her head at him, smiling. "There's a cove nearby where some mermaids spend their time. I wouldn't take my ship near there, but we could walk to it. I'd avoid going to close to the water, not all mermaids are friendly like the Queen. If that's something you be would interested in?" He watched her hesitantly, as if worried she would reject his suggestion.
"Definitely." Hook broke into a true grin at Emma's answer. She tried to contain some of her excitement. As Emma had a particular fondness for mermaids.
"I thought as much." He paused looking out at the ocean in front of him, "I don't spent much time on land, so I might not always be the best tour guide."
"I appreciate the effort either way." Emma said earnestly, giving his arm a comforting squeeze, then quickly retreating from him. Every time she touched him, she felt a jolt go through her body. It was distracting, but she wondered if she had the same effect on him.
Neither one of them spoke for a few minutes, apparently lost in their own thoughts. Eventually Hook asked her cautiously, "What exactly have you been doing in that book of yours the past few days? I thought I saw you drawing in it yesterday, but this morning you were writing?"
She stole a sideways glance at him, "Well, I suppose it's kind of like my own version of a captain's log."
"So it's your journal?" He asked.
"Yes, I guess so? I typically draw what's around me, and I include my thoughts and adventures."
"What have you been drawing?"
Emma glanced at him timidly, surprised by his genuine interest. She considered telling him it was a bit to personal for him to be asking what she did in her journal, but instead she replied, "Lately I've been drawing the deck of the Jolly Roger, the sails above me, or the ocean."
"Really? Could I see it possibly?" After seeing her blanch at the suggestion, he quickly added, "You don't have to show me what you've written. You can cover it up if you're afraid of me seeing what you wrote about me." Hook winked at her.
Emma scoffed, "What makes you think I'd write about you?"
He leaned in close to her. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin as Hook replied, "You've been sharing a bed with a dashing pirate captain. You've definitely written about me, love." He had sent a shiver through her, but pretending not to be affected by him, Emma rolled her eyes instead. Making sure he saw her do it as he leaned away, "At the very least you mentioned my rescue of you from the brig." He said with confidence.
"As I said before, it wasn't much of a rescue."
"You'd still be there if I hadn't attacked the ship." Emma had no reply for that. Catching her eye, he flashed her his devilish grin, "You can deny it all you want, Swan. I know you find me charming."
Emma snorted, "Hardly." But Hook didn't seem that convinced by her rebuttal. Instead he stood there, brimming with confidence. While she stood beside him, hating the fact that he was right.
She decided it was best to wander away from him after that. Before she had the chance to say too much, and let him have more ammunition to hold over her. Eventually making her way down to the cabin where William had set her lunch for them. She ate in silence, letting William do most of the talking, as she thought about their conversation. William was animated, amazed at her sword fighting abilities. "Do you think you and the Captain will ever spar together?" He asked excitedly.
Emma shrugged, "I suppose that's up to the Captain."
"That would be the best sword fight ever." William said, his eyes glazing over as he imagined the two of them fighting.
Laughing, Emma asked, "Why's that exactly?"
"Because I've never seen someone fight as well as the Captain. I think you two would be evenly matched." the boy replied.
"Well, maybe one day we'll indulge you." William looked pleased by her response.
Once they had finished lunch, William was off to work on his afternoon chores. Emma returned to the deck with her journal and art supplies in hand. Making herself comfortable in her perch on the top step near the helm, she opened to a blank page and stared at it.
Hook was in a conversation with Mr. Smee, while he lazily steered his ship. Emma bit her lip, she wanted to draw him. To commit him not only to her memory, but her journal as well. She didn't know how much time she would have with the Captain, but maybe she should make the most of it.
With that thought in mind, she started to draw.