I do not own Once Upon a Time.

Bernadette's past caught up with her in the form of a person rather than a thought. That person was a baron from a nearby manor and he had a job for her.

Killian and Bernadette were outside on their day off from work. She was gathering herbs and he was bringing firewood into the house. They both watched the stranger ride up with a wary eye.

"Good morning, are you Bernadette the bounty hunter?" He asked after getting off his horse.

Bernadette stared for a moment, she heard Killian take a step closer to her. "Depends on who is asking." That was a safe answer to his question.

"Sir Ian, I need a job done and your skill set would prove to be most helpful."

"My wife isn't in that line of work anymore. You had best be on your way." Killian finally spoke. He knew what skills the man was looking for.

Sir Ian looked shocked for a moment. "Oh, I wasn't aware you were married, Mistress…"

"Jones." Killian stated.

Bernadette stepped forward, she wanted this. "What's the job?" Killian opened his mouth to argue, but she sent him a look that clearly told him to back out. This fight was far from over, but he did not want to fight in front of a stranger.

"A highway man, goes by the name of Silvertongue, has been disrupting trade for months and we haven't been able to catch him. I was hoping you could use your charms… skills I mean, to lower his guard long enough to be arrested."

Both Killian and Bernadette blinked few times at the word charms. As much as she longed to get back into that life, using her charms was not the route she wanted to take.

"Can I use my skills and not my charms?" She inquired.

"Use whatever you want, we want him alive." Sir Ian told her.

"I'll do it." She calmly stated.

Sir Ian nodded and noticed the death glare in Killian's eyes. He did not want to be around when that broke loose. "Be at the manor early evening tomorrow to devise a plan." He got back on his horse and rode away.

Killian waited until the man was out of ear shot. "What the bloody hell was that?"

"That was a job and I took it." Bernadette said calmly and walked into the house. Killian followed her.

"I can see you took it, without even discussing it with me."

"I wasn't aware I had to discuss it with you." She reasoned slightly harshly, she had to be the calm reasonable one here, no matter how hard that was going to be.

"Yes, we should have discussed it before you just decided to go back on our life plan." Now his voice rose.

"Our life plan, what was that? Pretend to be normal people that don't have horrible pasts?" She felt anger growing in her. Were they really having his discussion now? What kind of feelings were going to surface?

"Pretend to be normal people? So you're putting on a face for me? You want to go back to that?!"

"Don't you dare make this all about me!" She finally yelled. "I see your face every time we go into town, how you stare at every ship! There's a sense of longing, of dare I say it, regret!"

"I don't regret leaving that all behind because you were doing the same and we would be together!"

"Lies, I can read you like an open book, Killian Jones! You keep secrets from me, why would I discuss everything with you?"

"I thought you gave up that life. I forbid you to even think about it"

"You forbid it? Do you hear yourself? You can't forbid me anything."

"I just did!"

"Since when have you ever told me I couldn't do something?! Just who do you think you are?!" Bernadette screamed.

"Your husband!" Killian roared back. "Your bloody husband! You are my responsibility!"

Bernadette wished that statement hadn't made her fall silent. Her eyes widened at Killian, had he really gone there? There were a team, equals. He was not the head of the household. Killian had never exercised his authority over her, like the townsfolk had suggested he do. It wasn't hers and Killian's fault their marriage was a partnership with neither of them calling all the shots. No one seemed to understand that about them.

How could she respond to that? Before she could stop her hand, she pulled her wedding ring off her finger. Killian squeezed his eyes shut, wishing he had not just seen that.

'There, I just fixed that problem.' Bernadette wanted to say, but couldn't form the words.

They needed to calm down and get their minds clear. They needed distance. For a little while. Killian left the house first. Bernadette finally exhaled and fought back angry tears.

Bernadette found herself gathering herbs a few hours later, this was calming. When she was done, she headed home. She entered the house, everything was exactly the same, including her ring on the table. She had expected him to throw a tantrum. Honestly, she would have, but they were better than that. At least she thought they were.

Killian hadn't returned yet. Bernadette guessed he was down at the local tavern, reliving his glory days with whoever would listen. His glory days before he chose to settle down with her.

She didn't touch her ring as she began to cut carrots for dinner. Well, she still had to eat.

The door opened an hour later, Killian walked into their house. Walked in, not staggered in, at least he would be thinking straight. She didn't turn around and he kept his distance. Smart man.

"I'm sorry." Those were the first words out of his mouth. They seemed sincere, the most sincere words he had ever said to her. But she didn't turn yet, he still had more to say. "I overstepped and disregarded our partnership. I should not have said the things I did. My words were disrespectful and said in bad form."

He said bad form, he really meant his words. Then there was the gentlest of touches on her waist. She felt her anger wash away.

Finally, she turned to face him, their eyes matched. This fight had made the both of them cry.

His hand left her waist to touch her cheek. "I am so so sorry, Bernadette. I was worried about you and didn't act the right way. I don't want you to get hurt."

He used her name, which was rare. "I won't get hurt, Killian." She finally spoke, tilting her head into his hand. "You taught me." She let the tiniest of smiles cross her face.

He took that as an invitation to pull her into his arms. And she let him, her arms going around his waist, holding him as close as she could. And as always, his hand found the back of her head.

This was where she always felt safe, right in his arms. The world did not exist. It was just the two of them.

Then she felt his lips on her hair. Desire suddenly came over her, damn man was very good. She would gladly respond but first she needed to state something.

She lifted her head to meet his lips and when they were a breath apart, she spoke.

"Don't you ever say that I cannot do something, anything. Do you understand me Killian Jones?" She sounded a bit harder than she meant.

"Never again love. You are the most capable woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing."

"Good." She felt his hand on hers; he held her ring, which she let him slip it back on her finger. Finally, their lips met, it was gentle and soft, just right at the moment. Suddenly she pulled back and rested her forehead against his.

"You know you have to make this up to me?" She told him.

Killian's eyebrows shot up. "And how do you suggest I do that?" His hand slipped under her shirt, touching her waist lightly. He caught on quick.

"Use your imagination. You're very good at that." A coy smile lit up her face.

"I am quite good at that and you remind me every night." His mouth was right next to her ear. He picked her up and sat her on the table, careful to move the knife out of the way.

"Not just every night. I do recall breathlessly reminding you during the day. And in the morning. And in the afternoon." As she listed the other times, Killian had been peppering her neck with tiny nips.

"Just be careful love. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you." He gently pushed her down on the table.

When did this happen? When did this become a normal comment?

Bernadette was due at the manor the next day, she and Killian barely spoke. What words they did speak were said in hushed tones.

Before she headed out the door, Killian stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. "You can never be too careful, love." He handed her another dagger. She gave him a small smile as she took it. "And if he gets too handsy…"

"I'll rip his throat out." Bernadette told him.

He smiled and touched her cheek. "That's my girl." She gently kissed him and headed out the door.

"Be careful, lass." Killian said even though he knew she couldn't hear him.

Bernadette met Sir Ian at the manor and together they went to the local tavern. That's where Silvertongue was said to be that night. They sat at a table to oversee the tavern. Sir Ian offered to buy her a drink but Bernadette turned him down. She never drank on the job.

Finally, Sir Ian nodded his head in one direction, Bernadette turned her head slightly. Silvertongue didn't look so fearsome. But he did have a group of followers nearby. Bernadette had faced worse; Black Beard had been ten times worse.

"Can you handle him, Mistress Jones?" Sir Ian asked, almost questioning.

"Yes, I never fail to deliver." She stood up and moved to another table closer to Silvertongue. She slight considered unlacing her corset a little. But no, she had promised Killian she would be careful and that was anything but careful

Bernadette sent her best coy look over to his table before scanning the room.

One look.

Two looks.

For some reason she doubted her skill. She couldn't be that rusty. Killian still melted every time she smiled. But Killian was not most men. Just as she was going to send a third look over, a mug of ale was placed in front of her. Bernadette looked up to see none other than Silvertongue sitting in the chair next to her.

"Are you waiting for someone?" He asked.

Bernadette sent him her brightest fakest smile. "Not anymore." She still had it.

"You know, it usually takes a lot to get my attention, how do you make it so effortless?"

"If I tell you, it wouldn't be a secret." Bernadette told him, taking the tiniest sip of her ale. It was just to keep up appearances.

"Well, I won't tell a soul. You can trust me."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "No, I don't think I'll trust you, Silvertongue."

"Smart woman, you are. Never trust a thief. And it would seem unfair that you know my name but I don't know yours."

"Names aren't important here." Bernadette said casually. "We are just two ships passing in the night." So Killian wasn't the only one who missed the sea.

"Passing closely I hope." He leaned in closer and touched her knee.

Bernadette fought the urge to cut off his hand. She forced a smile on her face as she met him halfway. "Depends, though it is looking quite possible."

"Possible?"

She leaned in even closer, their noses almost touching. "Highly likely."

"So we should leave now, no time should be wasted." Silvertongue attempted to leave his seat.

Bernadette hid her panic well; her hand went to his leg. "But I'm not done with my drink yet. I don't want to waste it. We have time."

One touch and the hard thief melted. "Then how do you suggest we pass the time, darling?"

Pet names, that made her almost gag on her ale. Only one person was allowed to do that. "Tell me a story, about your adventures."

Silvertongue smiled and launched in a story about his latest conquest.

Much to her horror, Bernadette was completely captivated by his tale. Part of her missed all that adventure now that it was behind her. Why had Killian's stories put her to sleep but now she hung on this man's every word? Then guilt settled in and she knew she had to finish the job and get home to the man who truly loved her.

Bernadette poured the rest of the ale onto the floor and smiled at Silvertongue.

"Impatient?" He asked smugly.

"Yes." She stood up and he followed suit. His hand clamped onto her waist and led her to the door. But not before announcing to his followers that he was leaving with this "beautiful creature".

She locked eyes with Sir Ian before leaving the tavern. So was it going to be in a back room, did he have a room at a local inn or was it going to be a back alley way?

Silvertongue pulled her into a dark alley way. Well, not her first choice but at least no one would hear him scream.

He towered over her. "Would you like to find out why they call me Silvertongue?" He didn't wait for an answer before descending onto her mouth. It was rough and possessive. Silvertongue, more like lead tongue. And his hand was everywhere, her neck, her back, her waist, and more places she didn't even want to think about. The other hand held her arm hard enough to bruise.

Her instinct kicked in and she began to fight back. Or what he considered fighting back. She simply called it getting into position.

Silvertongue pulled back from his sorry excuse for a kiss to growl at her. "Best to get comfortable, darling. I hate seeing a person struggle."

At that, she stopped moving and looked up at him. There was a ruthless smile on her face that suddenly terrified him. Who was he dealing with?

Without another word, Bernadette twisted out of his grip and slammed her knee upwards. He doubled over in pain and received a punch to the face.

"I was thinking the same thing." She said before smashing the hilt of her dagger into his head. Silvertongue, the feared thief, was now lying on the ground unconscious at her feet. Not his best moment. Bernadette leaned against the wall so she could catch her breath.

Sir Ian then came into the alley way about five minutes later. He saw Silvertongue on the ground and signaled to his soldiers to take the body away. "Your skill is very impressive. Could I count on you in the future?" He asked.

Bernadette hesitated for a moment. "No, that was a one-time thing."

Sir Ian nodded and handed her a sack of coins, it was heavier than she had thought it was going to be. "Best of luck to you, Mistress Jones."

Bernadette almost ran home but she stopped short of their door. There was one candle lit, she hadn't expected Killian to be asleep before she got home.

She entered the house to find Killian standing in the middle of the room. From the marks on the rug he had been pacing, maybe the all night. That wasn't surprising.

He almost bolted to her as soon as he saw her. But he stopped short and let his eyes roam her entire body. Bernadette knew he was looking for cut or bruises.

"Not a scratch." She assured him quietly. He raised an eye brow at her so she amended her answer. "One bruise." She rolled up her sleeve. That was going to be an ugly bruise.

Killian gently touched it and hated her reaction. "I hope you showed him who was in charge." He finally spoke.

"Of course." She answered quietly.

Killian took her face in his hand and just stared for a moment before going in for a kiss. But she pulled back as if disgusted. Now had scared him.

"Love, what did he do to you?"

She didn't answer right away, instead she grabbed his flask that was on the table. Clearly that's how he spent the night waiting for him. Bernadette took a long swig and swished it around in her mouth before spitting it out. Then she did it again.

"I can still taste him." She said under her breath and she shuddered. Killian came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Bernadette tensed up at first the relaxed into his embrace.

Killian knew he had to take it slow. Bernadette was in a very dark place at the moment. So he did the only logical thing he could think of, he began to hum in her ear.

Bernadette finally let out the half sob she wasn't even aware she was holding in. That glimpse into her past life scared her, shook her to her core. And to top it off, it terrified Killian also. The feared Captain Hook was the worried husband. What happened to them?

Killian picked her up and cradled her in his arms, his humming never paused. He walked to the bed, placed her on it and simply held her. She tucked her head into his chest to block out the world. That was all she needed and wanted at the moment.

Eventually she had a voice. "I told Sir Ian that this was a one-time thing."

Killian let out a sigh of relief. He needed to hear that. Now he wouldn't have to worry about her. She wasn't putting herself in harm's way, on purpose at least.

"Thank you, lass." He whispered into her ear. Was it safe to do anything else? Should he risk it? He did because Killian Jones was a risk taker. He placed a gentle kiss on her neck. She didn't pull back or shudder. Well, that was a good sign.

Another one on the shell of her ear. One on her cheek. And her jaw.

"Killian…" She finally said something. He pulled back, after all he was a gentleman and he would not force anything.

She took his face into her hands and looked at him straight in the eyes. "Make me forget, please."

Killian Jones tightened his grip on her waist and nuzzled his face into her neck. Make her forget, he wanted to make her forget all the pain she ever had. But for tonight, he had to make her latest misadventure disappear from her mind forever.

Yes there are no doubts they have sparks in bed, but when they fight its world war three. All out screaming matches, shockingly nothing is ever hurled across the room. So I wasn't even going to write the mission but I was inspired by "I was thinking the same thing".

Reviews?