I do not own Once Upon a Time.

Killian Jones stared at the small object in his hand, deciding on what he should do with it. It was now or never. Why was he even scared? Bernadette never scared him, usually.

He took a deep breath and walked over to stand next to her. "About what Black Beard said, about being a pirate's…"

She turned to him, very unsure about where this conversation was going. "Be very careful about your next word."

"He was wrong and I would like to change that word to wife." He opened his hand so Bernadette could see the decent size rock on the simple band. And she was rendered speechless. The things this man kept doing to her. Part of her loved it and part of her hated it.

Her silence made him worry. "If it's too soon or not what you want…" He was quickly stopped when she threw her arms around him and pulled him close. They didn't kiss; just holding each other was enough. She didn't have to say a word; he could read here like an open book.

Bernadette adjusted the flower in her hair for the tenth time in two minutes. There she was, standing in her cabin, wearing a white dress. She was wearing a wedding dress. Bernadette, the bounty hunter was getting married to Killian Jones, also known as Captain Hook.

The dress was gorgeous, that was the only word to describe it. It had long sleeves and made of satin with a lace overlay. There was a high collar and a neckline that plunged a bit lower for her taste. But Killian had been insistent about a lower neckline but not for the reason she had assumed as she touched the diamond necklace that hung around her neck.

Killian had given it to her the previous night, as an early wedding gift. He handed it to her, kissed her hands and left her in the cabin alone. Because the man wanted to uphold tradition and sleep in separate cabins that night. Killian and his need for good form. So for the first time in months, Bernadette slept alone. She missed him so much and they were only apart one night

She almost couldn't believe it, couldn't believe her luck or that she finally found happiness. And with a pirate of all people. But he was as broken as she was, so they seemed to fix each other.

Then an old piece of advice rose in her mind, one she didn't want to dwell on. "To be careful when fixing a broken person, you might cut yourself on the shattered pieces."

Bernadette shook her head to rid her mind of that thought. They were doing this; he had finally stopped moving the date. He blamed it on the weather or the view from the ship. It was always something, enough to make Bernadette doubt his intention all together. But then he would kiss her senseless and assure her he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

They were getting married. And she was ready for it.

For the most part.

The only thing making her sad at the moment was none of her family could be there. She hadn't spoken to Charles and Eleanor in years. She didn't even know where to find them. Then there was Derek. Would he even come? He had warned her against falling for Killian in the first place.

There was a knock at the door; Bernadette had to force herself not to smile. "Killian you know its bad luck to see the bride early." She called out.

The door opened anyway and Bernadette only glanced in the mirror, excepted to see Killian's cool blue eyes.

Instead she saw the very warm, very protective brown eyes of…

"Derek?" She turned around, maybe she was seeing things. But no, he stood there, in the cabin, on the Jolly Roger. Bernadette launched herself into his arms, he hugged her back tight.

They didn't speak for a few moments. They couldn't believe they were together.

Bernadette spoke first. "Derek, how…?"

"Hook, I mean Jones, sent me a message that you two were getting married and that you would want me here. Sorry, it took so long…"

"So long?" So that was why Killian kept moving the date. He was waiting for their special guest. Bernadette smiled, the things that man did for her. "You're not mad or upset with me?" She asked, a bit uneasy.

"Bernadette, you hugged me and you're smiling. You haven't done that since…" He didn't have to finish his statement, she knew. "Apparently this pirate brought out the best in you. Just please tell me he isn't doing this just to get you in bed."

"I'm already there." She answered honestly.

"I did not need to know that." Derek stepped back to look at her. "You are a vision, exceptionally beautiful." He noticed her eyes had teared up and his finger wiped a tear away. "You can't cry; you'll ruin your makeup." He pushed a piece of hair from her face. "You got your ears pierced?"

"Yes, don't worry there's not tattoos, yet." His eyes widened at her. "I haven't found anything worth putting on my body."

"Well, now that's out of the way…" Derek bent his arm to her. She smiled brightly at him and looped her arm through. "We have a wedding to get to, your groom is waiting."

Together they exited the cabin. The deck of the Jolly Roger had been transformed, a rose covered arch sat at the far end of the ship. Her entire route was covered with rose petals and waiting at the other end was Killian. He still had his leather coat but his black shirt and jacket were replaced by a white shirt and a red vest. And the smile that he was giving her made her heart soar.

"Pinch me, I can't believe I'm walking you down the aisle, on a pirate ship." Derek whispered her.

"Pinch you? Pinch me; I'm the one marrying the pirate." Bernadette whispered back.

They eventually reached Killian. Derek gave Bernadette a kiss on the cheek before reaching out to shake Killian's hand.

"You take care of her Jones, or I will kill whatever is left of you." His grip was stronger than it needed to be. Well, he was the older protective brother. Bernadette rolled her eyes; she had been excepting that all along.

"With my life, mate." Killian told him.

Derek reluctantly let go of Bernadette and stepped a few feet away.

Killian took her hand, squeezing it. She looked up at him, happy beyond belief. "I like your reason for delaying the wedding." She said softly enough for one him to hear.

He only laughed and began to speak. He was captain of the ship, so he was officiating the ceremony. Like he needed a bigger ego.

"Bernadette, love, if someone had told me that we would be standing here, like this, I would have thought they were out of their bloody mind. It started with a knife and now there is a ring. After that first fight and first insult, I knew you were different and that we fit together. I will love you until my dying breath"

Of course his words were long and well thought out. Bernadette blinked back the tears that were forming in her eyes at his words. She squeezed his hand. She had no fancy words planned. "Killian, I don't feel broken when I'm with you." That was the extent of her words and that was all Killian needed and wanted to hear.

Now they had to exchange vows. "Bernadette, I promise to love, honor, and cherish you until my last breath. I promise to pro…" He changed his word choice. "Have your back during any and all fights. You made me into a better man." He squeezed her hand and slid a thin gold ring onto her finger.

Bernadette smiled before starting her own vows. "Killian, I promise to love, honor and cherish you until my last breath. I will have your back during any and all fights. I love you." She slipped a ring onto his right hand, they had to improvise with his lack of a left hand.

Killian stared at her for a moment. Before either of them could say a word, he swept her off her feet and kissed her.

The crew cheered and Bernadette swore she heard a whistle that was distinctly Derek's.

A soft melody began to play and Bernadette recognized it instantly. Killian had a twinkle in his eye; he had everything planned, down to the last detail.

He offered her his hand. "May I have this dance, Mrs. Jones?" He asked, Bernadette smiled brightly and took his hand.

He spun her out and pulled her close, humming the melody in her ear.

Killian knew the melody by heart, it was the only thing that calmed Bernadette after a nightmare or a storm. Though she hadn't had a nightmare in a while. But recently, the song had come in handy when they argued about the ever changing date of the wedding.

Oh that had been an argument.

Killian had just received word, finally from Derek, Bernadette's brother. He said that he would not miss her wedding for the world and he couldn't pass up the chance to beat up a pirate. That last part made Killian chuckle.

And Bernadette had seen that chuckle and stormed up to him. "A letter from a former lover, telling you not to marry me?" She asked.

"No, nothing of the sort, love." He dropped the letter into the sea. Derek's arrival was a surprise.

"You're changing the date again, aren't you?"

"No, lass."

"You don't want to marry me, do you?!" She finally yelled at him.

Fed up with her, Killian grabbed her arm none too gently and pushed her into the wheel. His lips captured hers, it was greedy and passionate. When he finally pulled back, her lips were slightly bruised, her cheeks were red and her breathing was almost ragged.

"For the last time, you are the only woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Did I make myself clear?" He almost growled.

Bernadette stared at him with wide almost shocked eyes. She loved it when he got all in control with her. It rarely happened.

"Then stop moving the date." She told him, she barely had a voice.

"Next week, mid-week, at sunset." Killian assured her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Are you sure this time?" She asked.

He didn't answer her, he just leaned in close and began to hum in her ear. Their melody, the one that never failed to calm her down.

Bernadette rolled her eyes. "Cheeky pirate." She commented.

"I prefer devilishly handsome scoundrel." He told her.

"Of course you do."

Killian Jones stood in the middle of the deck, the entire crew stood around him. Bernadette was standing off to the side, she had offered to stand beside him, but Killian had gently suggested against it. This was something he had to do alone, as his role as its captain. She could count the number of things they argued about on one hand.

"Listen up gentleman. We have seen this realm and countless others. We have had more than our fill of drink and treasure and women." Bernadette had to roll her eyes. "But my chapter on this ship is over. I could not have asked for a finer or more loyal crew. I am leaving the Jolly Roger in the very capable hands of Francis Drake. I hope you show him the same loyalty you showed me."

"Captain, what are you going to do on land?" One of the men asked.

Killian locked eyes with Bernadette across the deck. "Lead a quiet simple life with a beautiful lass."

And the crew didn't mumble, they took the information like they knew it was coming. When they had disrupted, Killian came strolling over to her.

"So, who's this beautiful lass you that are going to settle down with?" She asked with a smile on her face.

"She's right in front of me." Killian placed a short kiss on her forehead. "It's going to be odd not to be called Captain anymore." He sighed.

"I'll call you captain, if you're good." Bernadette told him, a coy smile spread on her face.

The next day found Killian and Bernadette cleaning out his cabin. They would reach land in a day or two and they had just begun to pack.

Killian never realized how much stuff he had collected over three hundred years. Mostly small items, memories of conquests, things from Liam, and Milah and Baefire and Killian's pre-pirate life.

He was really giving all of this up for her. He looked over at Bernadette, she was carefully going through his book collection. He even had a ton of books and he had read all of them, more than once.

Then she moved on to his closet and he completely forgot what he had kept in there.

Bernadette held up a certain jacket. "You were in the navy?" She actually sounded innocent, having no idea the pain that uniform held for him.

"Aye, a long time ago." Killian was shocked he had a voice.

"What happened?" When he didn't answer her question, she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Hey, I told you about my horrible dark past. It's your turn."

"I believe I forced it out of you."

"I'm much nicer. Tell me, please." Bernadette placed a gentle kiss on his chin.

"Only for you, lass." He pulled her towards the bed and sat down, placing her in his lap. He was going to need hold on to her during this tale.

"Once upon a time, I was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. My older brother, Liam, was the captain of a beautiful ship called the Jewel of the Realm. I joined his crew and we were sent on a secret mission by our king. We had to go Neverland to retrieve a plant that would heal any affliction. When we landed, it was just Liam and I and we began our search. Neverland was empty, apart from one boy who called himself king. He informed us that the plant we sought was called dreamshade…"

Bernadette gasped; dreamshade only cured one thing, life. Now she understood this story was not going to end well. Her hand went to his neck and comfortingly rubbed it.

"I take it from your reaction that you have heard of the plant. Liam was stubborn and refused to believe the boy. I only slightly bought his story and questioned our king. To prove me wrong, Liam used the dreamshade on himself. He fell and there was nothing I could do. Until the boy appeared again and offered a way to save my brother. Neverland has healing waters; one sip would bring Liam back to me. No, I did not ask the price. I got the water and Liam came back to me, alive. We returned to the ship and plotted how we would expose the king's true nature for not wanting to use good form against his enemies. As soon as we left Neverland, Liam died. This time for good. Once you drink the water of Neverland, you can never leave. Liam was given a sea burial and I took over the ship. I rallied the crew into deferring from the king's service, hence being pirates with honor." He barely had a voice.

"Killian, I am so sorry." Bernadette whispered, pulling him close and letting him cry. "So, the pain never goes away, does it?"

Killian only shook his head.

So I missed Derek, like a lot. This may or may not be a hint about the future. Yes, I know he's dead, but I'd be willingly to make a deal to bring him back. If you are wondering what I chose as their song, its Thistle and Weeds by Mumford and Sons. I can picture them slowing dancing to the melody on the deck of the Jolly Roger. Is it odd that in her dream, Killian is telling her about Liam? How does her mind know this story? Hmm…

Reviews?