O do not own Once Upon a Time

So this is the first M rated scene, for violence, lots of violence. A friend had to help me here, so if it's too much, blame him. Just picture Bernadette fighting against Black Beard, you know that is not going to end well, for either of them.

The ocean was usually a large lonely place. The Jolly Roger followed less traveled routes. The cargo was far more interesting that way. And they were mostly left alone.

Until that day.

A ship appeared on the horizon and instead of keeping its distance and minding its own business, it sailed closer.

Bernadette was caught in a passionate kiss pushed against the wheel. Killian pulled back and whispered. "Bloody hell."

"That's not the usual reaction." She said, sounding disappointed.

He didn't respond, instead he rushed down to the lower deck. Then she saw the other ship and a sick feeling settled in her stomach.

"Black sails, Captain. Another pirate ship." One of the crew members stated, handing the telescope to Killian.

"I gathered that much." Killian kept his voice even as he studied the oncoming ship.

"Orders, sir?"

"Only shoot if they shoot first. No point in wasting the firepower." Killian turned to Bernadette who had appeared at his side. "Do you trust me?" She nodded, swallowing hard. His tone of voice set her on edge. "We are going to be boarded. I need you to lie low, very low. No weapons, no snarky comments, not a peep. If who I think is captaining that ship is, he is ruthless beyond belief. I don't even want to think about what he would do if he got his hands on you." Killian Jones visibly shuddered.

Bernadette squeezed his hands. "I'll stay quiet. I trust you and I love you." She almost didn't respond to his quick kiss. She had never told Killian she loved him, she preferred to show him over and over. But actually hearing those words coming out of her mouth, scared her. Benjamin hadn't even heard them.

She sat down on a barrel while Killian stood close to the railing, watching the approaching ship with a wary eye. Her hand itched to hold the hilt of a dagger, as if it would comfort her. Yes, Killian had said no weapons, but that didn't mean she had to disarm herself. All her weapons would stay concealed. Unless push came to shove. What had Derek taught her, never throw the first punch, but make sure to throw the last one.

The ship was boarded, only two men, not much of a threat. Until the captain himself stepped on deck. Bernadette saw Kilian stiffen and she felt the same way. Her blood ran cold; she knew men like him. Cruel, heartless, unafraid and not one to take no for an answer.

"Jones, I thought that was your tiny ship being tossed about out there." He barely greeted Killian. Manners were nonexistent in his mind.

"At least my ship can outrun the royal navy. It's nice to see you again, Black Beard." Killian said politely, letting his voice have the slightly bit of venom.

Black Beard, this was Black Beard? Bernadette had heard bone chilling tales about him.

"You know all about outrunning the royal navy, but I didn't come here to open old wounds. There's a rumor on the seas about you, Jones."

"That I'm devilishly handsome?"

"That is debatable. The rumor is that you have gone soft for some woman." Killian had enough sense not to look in Bernadette's direction. Black Beard's dark eyes scanned the crew and then fell hard on her. Bernadette instantly tensed up. "Is that her, Jones? Pretty little thing, I will admit you have good taste. Come over here lass, let me get a better look at you." Black Beard more or less ordered her.

Could she refuse him? No, not if she wanted to live and not if she wanted to keep her promise to Killian. Bernadette had met and dealt with men like Black Beard before. Things never ended well for either party.

Black Beard sensed her hesitance and fear. "Come here lass, I won't bite, hard." He leered at her and Bernadette saw Killian grow even tenser.

Things would be easier if she just cooperated. So she stood up and walked over to him. She instantly regretted her wardrobe choice. Tight pants, shirt that was more low cut than needed and a corset that showed off each and every curve. Bernadette greatly disliked the way he was looking her over, like she was up for sale.

"Even prettier up close, I do hope you have showed her a good time, Jones. If not, I'll gladly do it for you." Black Beard commented approvingly. Bernadette bit her tongue, oh the things she wanted to say. "What, no response for that, lass? Jones, did you pick up a mute whore? Where is the fun in that?"

One shoe dropped. "I am not his whore." Bernadette finally said something.

That was the wrong thing to say to the feared pirate captain. Before she could blink, Black Beard backhanded her, hard. Bernadette hit the deck and took a moment to calm herself. Killian would have run to her side if he hadn't been held back by Black Beard's crew members. His own crew held their breath, fascinated on the course of action on Bernadette's part.

"Never speak unless spoken to." Black Beard growled at her.

Bernadette spit out blood. That stupid action was the other shoe dropping. She locked eyes with Killian, her eyes clearly stating that all bets were off.

Black Beard had turned his back on her, that was his second mistake. You never turn your back on your opponent until you were sure they weren't a threat anymore. He had no idea how much of a threat Bernadette was.

She picked herself off the deck and threw a dagger at Black Beard. Well, not at him, but close enough to get his attention.

"You picked a fight with the wrong bounty hunter." Bernadette told him when he whirled around to face her.

He was almost speechless. Then Black Beard began to laugh. "Bounty hunter, you? I find that hard to believe. Something else I find hard to believe is that Captain Hook picked a fiery one for his bed."

"More than fiery, I assure you." Bernadette had a burst of confidence and picked up a sword.

Black Beard stared at her, amused. "Never thought a bounty hunter had sword skills. Are you sure about this, lass?"

"To put you back in your place, gladly."

He shook his head. "One last chance darling, are you sure your skills are anywhere close to mine? Hurting someone as pretty as you is a shame."

"My skills are enough. I had a good teacher." She glanced over at Killian, his face was unreadable.

"Very well. Jones, let's see how well you taught your woman." Black Beard lifted his own sword and came at her with more speed and intensity than Killian ever had.

Bernadette struggled to maintain her footing. What possessed her to challenge Black Beard to a sword fight? She would have much rather thrown more daggers at him or shot him with an arrow. Either way, she could hit a moving target.

"You have heard the stories about me, haven't you, girl? About how I laid waste to an entire naval fleet, no survivors following that battle, or any other battles for that matter."

"If there's no survivors, how are there stories, I wonder?" Bernadette mused out loud.

"What a mouth you have, I wonder what else it can do."

"You'll never find out." Then she became very sloppy and his blade lightly sliced her forehead. She straggled back in shock and tipped on a step. She tumbled down and put of the corner of her eye, saw a black figure standing over her.

Killian's blade met Black Beard's, protecting her from the blow. Bernadette and her pirate captain locked eyes for a moment.

Black Beard laughed at her action. "This is precious, the feared Captain Hook rushing to the aid of his fair lady."

Bernadette picked herself off the floor, again and gently pushed Killian out of the way to flat out punch Black Beard across the face. "I don't need him to fight my battles." But she did accept the sword Killian handed her.

Black Beard glared at her. "Obviously." He spat.

His crew members stepped forward. "She's mine, you two have fun with Jones." Black Beard stated.

"I'm the only one who is allowed to have fun with him." She yelled and sparred off with Black Beard.

"Give him hell, darling." Killian said.

"Without a doubt." She answered.

Black Beard crossed blades with her another time. He pushed down hard on her, trying to make her lose her balance again. She fought back to keep her footing then she dropped down, swinging her leg under his feet. The captain fell but his sword sliced her leg on the way down.

Bernadette bit back a cry of pain. That was going to have to be looked at later, along with all the other cuts she had. Honestly she had lost track of how many times his blade met her skin. Bernadette was going to have to return the favor as soon as she got a better weapon. This sword was not cutting it.

And Kilian saw it clearly. "Bernadette!" He finally yelled her name. She was getting sloppy; Black Beard's comments were getting to her.

Her blade crashed against Black Beard's. Her opponent looked at her, as if seeing her for the first time. "Bernadette? That's who you are? The heartless, ruthless, cruel murderess? What are you going to do to me? Shoot me in the stomach and stab me in the heart?"

He brought up Benjamin, how dare he bring up her past! Her blade left his and then slammed back, causing the captain to take a step away from her. "No, you would have to have a heart." Bernadette corrected him.

"Is that the best skill you have? I'm disappointed. Apparently Jones didn't give you the attention you deserve. I would more than gladly pick up where he left off."

Then the sword flew out of her hands and landed on the other side of the deck. Bernadette stared dumbfounded for a moment then gave him a ruthless smile. "Now here is where the fun begins." Her elbow hit him in the chin and it bought her the much needed seconds to pull two daggers out of her boots. The blades crossed to keep Black Beard's sword far enough away from her face.

He was in for a treat now. Bernadette was far more deadly with her daggers. Black Beard was going to learn that the hard way.

Now every one of her slashes met him, whether it was an arm, chest, or better yet, neck.

Bernadette dared a glance in Killian's direction. He was holding his own quite well against two opponents. He sent her a wink as if hoping to boost her confidence.

She then managed to hit Black Beard in the chin with the hilt of the knife, causing him to stagger back a few feet. One of his crew members stepped away from Killian in an attempt to help his captain.

"No, I don't need help. This spitfire is mine." He growled.

"I prefer she-devil." Bernadette calmly stated. Her blade made contact with shoulder and blood seeped through his coat. Just another cut for him.

"Nice draw darling, I doubt you will get that close again. You have proven that you are more than fiery, I wonder if you use the same… passion in other aspects of your life."

Just the way he said that comment caused Bernadette's insides to turn. She had to get rid of him, now. She broke the contact and jumped up on a railing. She looked down at him for a moment before attempting to kick him in the head. But he was faster; he caught her ankle and pulled. Bernadette came down hard on her back.

"Your skills leave much to be desired. Perhaps a private lesson could be arranged."

A burst of rage, confidence, and energy grew in Bernadette. She shoved Black Beard away from her and swung but the blood dripping from her eye obscured her aim. Black Beard caught her wrist and slammed her into the mast. His hand closed around her throat. Her breathing was heavily restricted. She wished she could reach him with her arm, or foot, or something. And the man was taunting her, but she couldn't hear him. But she did catch a few words, something about keeping her alive, things would be more interesting that way.

Finally, she calmed herself enough to slam her hands into his arms, he let go and she got a good kick to his stomach. He backed into the railing.

Black Beard saw the murderous look in her eyes and actually smirked. "Let's see what you really can do." His hands rested on the railing for support.

She walked towards him; her hips had the tiniest sway to them. She pushed her knee into his thigh and pulled two daggers out of her belt. Bernadette wordlessly buried them into his hands and in turn into the wood of the rail.

The scream that emitted from Black Beard's mouth was a combination of pain, anger and defeat. He knew he had lost, to a woman no less.

"I need these back." She simply said, pulling them out of his hands. His blood dripped on the deck.

He stared at her, shocked and slightly impressed.

A noise to her side broke her focus on him and Bernadette turned her head to see one of his crew members running towards her, sword at the ready. He had defied a direct order to prove himself to his captain. He also had a death wish.

She held her blood stained dagger up and took a step back only to trip on a pile of rope. Bernadette fell hard onto the deck, the wind almost knocked out of her. The dagger was quicker and she threw it into the man's chest. He clutched it as he fell. She had to roll out of the way to avoid the body.

The man was dead next to her. She heard the slice of a sword; she assumed it was the other crew member's throat, thanks to Killian.

Bernadette had won; Black Beard was taken care of. She stayed on the deck, breathing hard. What was she thinking? At least she had won. She barely heard Killian.

"Cannons ready, destroy the ship." He told his crew.

"But sir, that's not…" Someone questioned him.

"Good form? None of Black Beard's actions were in good form. We are simply returning the favor." Killian finally came to her side and without a word, picked her up, cradling her in his arms. "Bind Black Beard, gag him and throw him over board." He calmly added.

"You have gone soft, Jones. It won't end well for you, mark my words." Black Beard yelled before being gagged.

The cannons started to fire. Killian had already turned and was heading to their cabin. Bernadette pushed her head into his chest to hide herself from the sounds.

Killian placed her on the bed and began to search the cabin for medical supplies. He needed rum, clean water, bandages, possibly a needle and thread. And of course he wasted no time in scolding her.

"What was going through your bloody mind?! Are you insane?! I told you to stay quiet! You promised me there would be no snarky comments! But no, you had to say something! Why couldn't you listen to me this one time? Thinking you could take on Black Beard, you must have a death wish…" He stopped suddenly when Killian heard an unexpected sob from the bed.

Bernadette had had pulled her knees to her chest and her shoulders shook. She didn't remember the last time she was this shaken by a fight or opponent.

"Oh lass…" Killian felt his anger melt as he gathered her into his arm. His hook rested on her back and, as always, his hand held her head. Bernadette's own arms went around his waist and she just cried her fear out.

His tune changed completely when he saw how truly shaken she was. "You were bloody amazing out there, love. You were brilliant, I can't believe how well you handled yourself. Not many people think they can take on Black Beard and live to tell the tale." He whispered in her ear. Eventually she did calm down and but remained in his arms. "Lass, promise me you will never scare me like that again."

Bernadette still couldn't form words; she was still shaken up. She did give him the tiniest nod though. She didn't want to scare him. Bernadette had begun to go soft and vulnerable because of him. And she hated it.

"Can I look at your cuts now?" Killian asked. Reluctantly, Bernadette pulled herself out of his arms and he got a better look at her.

At least he controlled his anger this time. "Good thing Black Beard is at the bottom of the ocean now. I would gladly rip him limb from limb." There was already a hand print on her cheek. He lightly touched it and she winced.

He pressed a cold cloth to her cheek and noticed the dark marks on her neck. He knew that he had lost sight of her for a moment, how much happened in that moment? He moved on to address the blood coming from her eye brow.

"Hold this here, with just enough pressure." Killian gently instructed her. She did so. As a healer, she knew exactly what to do; it was odd to have someone take care of her for once.

Bernadette still didn't meet his eyes. She couldn't, she broke her promise to him and paid dearly for it. He was angry at her and she couldn't blame him.

"What about the other cuts?" He asked quietly. She didn't respond, she just unlaced her corset, and he saw large tears in her shirt that were slowly turning blood red. Then she pulled her shirt off, sitting there in only a thin undershirt and pants. There was a good chance those were coming off as well. Black Beard had gotten her good.

At least she kept her screams to a minimum as he cleaned every cut. She thanks her lucky stars nothing was deep enough to need stitches; that was not a bridge she was ready to cross yet.

At least she was done crying for herself. Did he really expect her to stay quiet after being called a whore? Was that what she was?

"Killian…" She finally had a voice.

"I expected nothing less from you. You are the most remarkable lass that I have ever met. Don't listen to a word Black Beard said, it's not true." He wiped the tears from her face, being careful of the hand print on her cheek. Her mouth formed a tiny smile, which is where he placed a gentle kiss. "Do I feel a tad bit of pride because I taught you, maybe." That comment received a gentle shove.

"Now what?" She asked quietly.

"You are going to take it easy and heal and then when you are better, I am going to pick up your training so this doesn't happen again."

Bernadette nodded. He deserved something else for helping her. "Killian… thank you… for coming to my rescue."

His eye brow flew to his hairline. "Well, that's something I never thought would come out of your mouth."

"You do know I don't usually need help?"

"I know, but every so often, having a helping hand is good. Means you don't have to do everything alone."

She smiled at him thoughtfully and gently kissed him multiple times, almost mapping out his face. His hand tightened on her hip and he felt her relax. He gently pushed her back onto the bed. His lips lightly touched each and every cut she had.

The last thing he wants is for her to get hurt. How can that happen if he's a pirate?

Reviews please?