AN: I'm actually losing sleep because I'm so intent on getting this story out of my head! And, thank goodness for DVR, because I am missing a lot of TV right now! Again, more character development! I'm sort of in love with the idea of Hook taking care of Wendy and being like an older brother to her, so I've probably gone a little overboard writing Hook/Wendy scenes. Chapter Three takes place immediately after Chapter Two. Also, in my head, I'm picturing Hook's cabin as pretty cushy, since the Jewel of the Realm was captained by a man who received orders directly from the king, and Hook's had three hundred years of piracy to make it all super swank. LOL. Kind of a cross between what you saw in 'Good Form' and Hook's cabin from the 2003 'Peter Pan' feature film, if you can imagine that.
Legal Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or its characters.
Chapter Three
Killian was shaken from his reverie by a knock at the door. He cleared his throat. "Enter," he called out softly, wondering who could be disturbing him. The door opened to reveal Baelfire.
"David's at the wheel," he explained, seeing the question in Killian's eyes.
Killian glanced out the window at the sun touching the horizon and realized that it had been over four hours since he'd brought Wendy down below. He stretched in his seat and rolled his shoulders, trying to alleviate the stiffness that had settled into his muscles from sitting for so long.
"How is she?" Neal asked, looking over at Wendy's sleeping form.
"I believe she is in less pain when she is asleep," Killian replied as he reached over to smooth a stray lock of hair away from her face. "However, I can tell she's still experiencing some ill effects."
Neal studied Wendy's sleeping face. "Does she look different to you?" he asked, puzzled.
"Aye, she does, but I can't figure out what it is," Killian answered with a frown. "Perhaps it's just that I haven't seen her in over a hundred years."
"Maybe." Neal didn't sound convinced. "Can I sit with her?" he offered. "You can take a break and stretch your legs."
Killian nodded. "Thanks, mate," he replied. He rose from his chair and offered the seat to Neal, who accepted. Quietly, he left the cabin and went up on deck. He found David at the wheel, with Mary Margaret by his side. Killian nodded at the prince and princess and went over to the pair sitting at the bow of the Jolly, on some barrels.
Emma lifted her head as Killian approached. Henry was asleep against her side. "Neal said that Wendy is sick," she told him. "And that you think it's connected to her leaving Neverland."
Killian nodded. "Aye, I do," he replied. "She's asleep now and I think that it's helping to ease her suffering."
"Mary Margaret would like to check on her, maybe she can help," Emma suggested.
"That would be appreciated by everyone," Killian said honestly. He bowed slightly and headed to the wheel of his ship. "How are you feeling, Your Highness?"
"Fine, for now," David replied. "I had to take a sip of water from Neverland earlier."
"Let's hope Rumpelstiltskin returns soon with your antidote," Killian responded.
"How is Wendy?" Mary Margaret asked, concerned. Obviously, Neal had filled everyone in on Wendy's condition.
"She's sleeping, thought not as peacefully as I'd hoped," Killian replied, allowing some of the frustration he'd been feeling creep into his voice.
"Do you think the water from Neverland would help her condition?" David suggested.
Killian gazed at David with newfound respect. Few people would put their life on the line for a total stranger. "It probably would, but then you'd have even less time for Rumpelstiltskin to return," he responded. He looked to Mary Margaret for her opinion. "Do you think it would be better to delay her suffering now, only to have it return later? Or should she endure it straight through?"
Mary Margaret shook her head. "I don't know, Hook," she admitted. "If it were me, I wouldn't take the water, and not just because it would mean that David would have less. But it would be sheer torment, waiting, knowing that the pain could come back at any moment."
Killian nodded, understanding. "I think Wendy would feel the same way," he told her.
Suddenly, Neal's head popped up from below deck. "Hook, I think you need to see this," he said urgently.
Alarmed, Killian quickly made his way down to his cabin, with Mary Margaret on his heels. "What is it? What's wrong?" he demanded.
"Look." Neal pointed to the bed.
Killian's eyes widened in disbelief as he took in Wendy's appearance. Her mane of golden hair was still wildly tousled, but now it reached almost to her waist. Her delicate features were more pronounced, and less child-like. The collar of her nightgown had been torn where she'd pulled at it. And before Killian could stop himself, his eyes dipped below her neck. He hastily averted his gaze, but not before it was abundantly clear to him that Wendy was quite a bit older than thirteen. If he had to place a wager, he'd put her age being perhaps a few years younger than Emma.
"Is she…?" Mary Margaret trailed off, astonished. "Getting older?"
Killian nodded. "Aye, Your Highness, I believe she is," he replied. "Now that she is away from Neverland and Pan's influence, she is doing what she's wanted to do for years. Grow up."
Mary Margaret snapped into action. "Get out, both of you," she ordered. "When she wakes up, she's going to be terrified of all the changes that have happened. I know you mean well, but I'm sure your presence will upset her."
"We'll wait outside," Killian said decisively. He took Neal by the arm and practically dragged the other man out of the room.
Once the door was closed, Neal yanked his arm away. "What the hell is the matter with you?" he demanded. "My friend is in there and I'm worried sick about her. "
"She means a great deal to me as well," Killian countered. "But in case you didn't notice, that even though she was still sleeping, she wasn't in pain anymore. I believe her illness was her powerful desire to grow up fighting against Neverland's magic. However, although she may look like an adult, she is still a young girl in her mind, and she will be frightened by all the changes she's gone through. She doesn't need the two of us gawking at her like she's some sort of monster."
Neal ran his hands through his hair and sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry," he apologized. "I'm just tired, and I hate feeling so helpless."
"Go and rest then," Killian urged. "I'll send word once Wendy is ready to receive us."
Neal studied Killian's face, taking in the dark circles under his eye. "Shouldn't you get some sleep too?" he asked. "You look like hell."
"Thank you for the lovely compliment," Killian replied sarcastically as he sketched a bow. "A captain's work is never done."
Neal shook his head and headed down the hall to the crew quarters.
Killian leaned against the wall opposite his cabin and waited for news on Wendy. Some time later, he heard a muffled shriek and knew that she was awake. His heart clenched painfully in his chest when he heard the sound of soft weeping. Even later still, the door opened and Killian stood at attention as Mary Margaret peeked her head out.
"How is she?" Killian demanded, concerned.
"She was shaken up at first, but she's calmed down now," Mary Margaret replied. "This is probably a long shot, but, would you happen to have some clothes for her?"
Killian started to shake his head but stopped himself. "Give me a moment," he told her.
He turned and headed into the cargo hold. He found a large chest with a lock on it. Killian stared at the chest for a long moment as he contemplated what he was about to do. Finally, he reached into an old rusted lantern that was nearby and withdrew an iron key. He put the key into the lock and turned it until the lock released. He lifted the lid and reached inside to pull out several bundles of fabric. He closed his eyes and lifted one bundle to his face and inhaled deeply. Although it was to be expected, Killian was sad to discover that after three hundred years, Milah's clothes no longer carried her scent.
Killian gathered up Milah's clothes and a pair of her boots and put them into a sack he'd found. He then added a few other items of clothing left behind by various crew members and headed back to his cabin. He knocked and waited for Mary Margaret to open the door.
Mary Margaret poked her head out the door and her eyes widened when she saw the large bundle that Killian was holding. "This will probably work," she predicted, allowing him to pile everything into her arms. "Where did you-? Oh." Mary Margaret's eyes were full of compassion as she realized who the previous owner of the clothing probably was. "I'm sure Wendy will appreciate all of this. She's still exhausted from what she went through, so she'll most likely sleep all night. I know she'll be eager to see you and Neal in the morning. "
Killian nodded wordlessly and turned to head back above deck. Night had fallen and the stars were out in full force. There was a green glow atop the main mast of the Jolly, where Tinker Bell was perched, soaking up as much starlight as possible.
David was still at the helm, but now Henry was with him, and Emma was nowhere to be seen. Killian headed over to join them.
"How is Wendy?" Henry asked worriedly.
"She'll be fine, lad," Killian assured him. "She just had some growing up to do." Henry looked confused, so Killian went on to explain. "She was having growing pains. Once she'd left Neverland, she started aging. I'd say she's at least ten years older now. According to your grandmother, it was quite the strain on her body."
"Is Mary Margaret staying with her tonight?" David inquired.
"Aye, she is," Killian confirmed. "Where's your mum, lad?"
"She said she was still tired, so she went down to get more sleep," Henry replied.
The idea of getting some sleep seemed heavenly to Killian until he realized that with Wendy in his cabin, he'd be forced to bunk down in the crew quarters while Emma and Baelfire were in there together. "I can take over, if you want to get some rest," he said to David.
David shrugged. "No, I'm good, thanks," he responded. "You must be pretty tired, though. Why don't you go and get some sleep?"
Killian tried to think of an answer that didn't sound quite as pathetic as 'Because I don't want to see Emma and Baelfire together.', but he just didn't have the energy. He finally nodded, resigned to his fate. "See you in the morning." He turned and headed back down below. Fate, it seemed, decided to take pity on him, because he ran into Baelfire on the way out.
Neal held his hand up, requesting a moment. "Hey, how's Wendy?" he asked.
"I still haven't seen her yet," Killian replied with a sigh. "Mary Margaret said she'll likely sleep all night, and we'll see her in the morning."
Neal nodded, pleased. "Looking forward to it. You finally getting some shut-eye?"
Killian scrubbed his hand over his face and nodded. "Aye. For once, there's actually nothing for me to do," he remarked with a tired smile.
"Pleasant dreams," Neal said sincerely as he headed above deck.
Killian couldn't help thinking about the irony that while Milah had driven them apart, and Emma had increased the rift between them, Wendy was bringing him and Baelfire back together. Killian hoped that once everyone was back in Storybrooke, he'd be able to maintain an amicable relationship with the other man.
Killian was dead tired. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept. It had to have been sometime on Neverland, before they'd rescued Henry. He just wanted to crawl into bed and fall asleep. He trudged into the crew quarters and looked around. Emma was fast asleep in one of the berths. It seemed as if the only bed that wasn't occupied with the belongings of the other passengers was right next to Emma's sleeping form. With a silent oath, he made his way to the empty bed. He undid his sword belt and thoughtlessly let it fall to the floor with a thud.
Something roused Emma from her slumber. She kept her eyes closed, hoping that she'd be able to slip back into dreamland, but when she heard the sounds of someone shuffling next to her she knew she wouldn't be getting back to sleep. She rolled over and opened her eyes.
Killian hung his coat and vest up on a nearby peg and then pulled his shirt off. He couldn't help jumping at the unexpected sound.
"What are you doing?" Emma asked, alarmed, but unable to tear her eyes away from the broad expanse of skin on display.
"Trying to get some sleep," Killian replied wearily. "David and Henry have the helm." He sat down heavily and got to work on his boots, oblivious to Emma's shock.
"I'm sure you have a perfectly good bed in your own cabin," Emma pointed out. "You can't sleep here!"
Killian rubbed his eyes tiredly. "My quarters are currently occupied, in case you'd forgotten," he snapped. His exhaustion was making his temper short. "I don't need to remind you that this is my ship and I can bloody well sleep anywhere I bloody well please!"
Emma's mouth snapped shut. Wendy. She actually had forgotten. She watched as Hook climbed into bed and turned his back to her. She heard him unscrew his hook and slam it down on the crate between the two beds. "Hook, I'm sorry," she whispered, chastised.
"Just leave it, Swan," Killian muttered, barely loud enough for Emma to hear.
Emma rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. She felt guilty about they way she'd behaved. After everything that Hook had done for her and her family, not to mention his mortal enemy, he deserved more than her arguing with him, when all he wanted was a quiet place to sleep. She turned her head to the side so she could admire the planes of his back. It was smoothly muscled, with the skin lightly criss-crossed with old scars. She was sure every ridge of raised skin had a story to go with it. Briefly, she imagined running her fingers over each scar and asking Hook, no, Killian for every story. Emma had to blink several times to exorcise that image from her mind. Where on earth had that thought come from?
Hook shifted in his sleep and Emma hastily shifted her gaze so she wouldn't be caught staring. She sighed softly, thinking back to the kiss they'd shared in Neverland. It had been wonderfully intense, and her lips had tingled for hours after. She was both scared and excited by the idea of Killian trying to win her heart. She would never admit it out loud, but Killian Jones was definitely the most sexually appealing man she'd met in a long time. The thought of him focusing all of his attention on her gave her shivers. He'd managed to knock down every wall she'd put up, and he'd done it with a flirtatious smile.
She thought about the Echo Cave, and the secret he'd revealed. That the kiss they'd shared was enough for him to let go of his first love. That meeting her allowed him to open his heart to love again, after three hundred years. She wondered if letting him letting go of Milah meant letting go of his quest for revenge too. She'd had to cuff him to a hospital bed the last time he was in Storybrooke, for fear that he'd get himself killed while going after Rumpelstiltskin. She hoped it wouldn't be necessary to lock him up once they'd returned to Storybrooke.
Although she tried to play this kiss off as just a kiss, she knew it meant more than that. Hook was the first man that she'd opened up to, since Neal.
Neal. Baelfire. Rumpelstiltskin's son. Emma sighed again. He told her he would never stop fighting for her. Where was that promise when he'd left her to be arrested while she was pregnant with Henry? Where was he once the curse was broken? She thought about her own secret from the Echo Cave. How she wished he was dead so she wouldn't have to deal with all the pain she went through with losing him again. Even though she would always love him. But he was Henry's father. It would be wrong of her to keep them apart. She had to give him another chance, didn't she?
Emma pounded her fist against the mattress in frustration. Why did life have to be so difficult sometimes?