Chapter 2. Swan.
Killian couldn't help but to stare at her. He didn't know what he had been expecting, but it definitely hadn't been this. Fair skin, rosy lips, high cheekbones and long and blonde hair, somewhat tousled. She was a true beauty. By the way she was sleeping, so soundly at such a late hour, he wondered if the woman had actually slept at all during the night. Her face seemed peaceful, her dreams probably taking her to a place far away from that tower, and he was tempted to let her sleep for a little longer. However, it didn't seem to be a good option to waste time standing there, doing nothing more than watching the princess sleep.
"Wake up, love." He spoke softly, yet the princess didn't even move one bit. "Hey."
He reached his left hand to her shoulder, giving her a soft shake.
The woman rose up almost immediately, startled. Breaking her contact with Killian, she backed away from him, until her back was pressed against the wall. Her eyes, green he noticed, were wide open. The pirate wasn't sure if the girl's look was one of surprise, or of fear.
She stared right at him, blinking a couple of times as she looked at him up and down. Killian saw no happiness in her face, something he had expected to see in someone who was just being rescued. But then, as he noticed fright and confusion on her face, he realized she probably did not understand what was happening.
"What time is it?" Those were the only words she spoke after a few minutes of staring at him.
The words shocked Killian, whose face now looked just as confused as the woman's. Out of all of the things she could ask him, she decided to ask the time?
He began to wonder if all of those years of isolation had taken its toll on her mental health.
"Odd thing to ask right now, isn't it?" He replied in a puzzled tone, hand reaching to scratch behind his ear. "A couple of hours past noon, perhaps."
The princess' jaw dropped.
"How did you get in here then?" She seemed to be even more confused.
"I didn't find the door, so I went through the window, of course." Killian's lips curved slightly upwards, finding amusing the fact that Emma's face had went from confusion to astonishment.
"Through... Through the window, for god's sake." The woman brought her hands to her head, unbelieving. She looked at him. "You just decided to sneak through the window, and here you are!"
"Take it easy, love." The pirate spoke. "If I'm the only one who's gotten through there, how did the others get in?"
Emma's eyes locked into his. She stared at him as if the answer was a really obvious one.
"The door is enchanted. It only appears at midnight.
Killian frowned, starting to connect the dots.
"And the beast...?"
"It appears and disappears at the same time that the door does." She quickly spoke, without faltering, as if she knew those words by memory.
It took a few moments for Killian to fully process the information, and when he was sure he had fully understood, he couldn't help but let out a loud laugh escape his lips. That laugh continued on until tears were actually coming out from his eyes.
Emma stared at him with bewilderment. "What's so funny?"
It took the pirate a couple of seconds to regain his composure enough to answer.
"Hundreds of people have come looking for you for nearly twenty years," he spoke a little breathless, still wiping a couple of tears from his eyes. "All I've heard is how everyone claims how impossible it is to enter the oh-so-big-and-terrible tower, and how impossible it is to defeat the even bigger and more terrible beast. And all I had to do was come here, and climb through the bloody window."
He shook with laughter once more. However, Emma's face was deadly serious.
"You mean, hundreds of people have died because of me," she spoke abruptly, glaring at him.
Killian couldn't help but smile at her.
"Sorry, love, it was too good to not to laugh at," he reached out his hand to help her get out of the bed. "And now, don't stare at me like that. After all, I am the one who's rescuing you."
The blonde's look showed she was doubting to take his hand for a couple of seconds, but then she accepted his help, getting up on her feet.
"Well, you are right about that..." It took her some moments to speak the words, but Killian noticed them true. "Thank you. Now, can I be alone for a few minutes?"
Killian raised an eyebrow. "What for?"
"Putting on something more fitting."
He looked at her clothes. She had a blue nightgown that reached almost to her ankles, and was barefoot.
"It will only be a couple of minutes," she added. "It's not like the beast will be coming anytime soon."
Killian nodded. "Aye, love, I'll wait outside."
When she came out of the room, she was wearing some leather boots and a white low cut dress. On top of it, a hood, white as well. As he stared at her form, Killian couldn't help thinking that she seemed healthy, something he had not quite expected. She looked strong, perhaps her eyes seemed a bit sunken, surrounded by dark circles, but she didn't seem to be malnourished.
As Killian analyzed her new costume, his eyes for a moment settled on the skin of her chest that was uncovered- she was way prettier than what he had originally imagined.
"A swan?" He asked, curious.
The princess' hand immediately shot up to lay on top of the necklace.
"It's my favorite bird. My parents gave it to me before..."
Her eyes filled with sadness, probably at the memory of her parents.
"Seems to fit you, Swan." Her eyes shot up to his face, the glimpse of a smile appearing on her face at the nickname he had given her. "Surely there is nothing you want to bring with you, is there?"
Emma shook her head.
"Let's get going then."
"I still don't know the name of my savior."
They were going down the stairs, him in front of her. The fact that she had referred to him as her savior amused him. He stopped and turned to face her, smirk on his face.
"How rude of me. Killian Jones at your service, your highness." With his hook resting on his belt, his other hand took Emma's, and pressed his lips against the soft skin. He could be a pirate, but that did not mean he was not a gentleman, even more so with a princess before him. She seemed to be a little taken aback by that action, and he noticed that she had spent twenty years without having anyone around her, let alone having someone to address her formally. "However, most know me by another name, princess."
He raised his left arm so that she could fully appreciate his hook.
"Captain Hook."
If the girl was impressed or curious about his hook, she didn't show it. She just repeated the same words he had pronounced to her a few moments ago.
"Seems to fit you, Hook," she spoke. "I'm Emma."
A chuckle escaped Killian's lips. The girl had a spark, he had to admit so. He turned around and resumed his walk.
"That I know. You're quite famous, don't you know?"
Emma spent a few moments in silence, as if doubting if she should speak or not.
"You don't seem to be the captain of some royal navy." He heard the curiosity in her voice. He smiled to himself.
"That's because I'm not. I'm something far different from that, I'm a-"
"Pirate." Emma finished his sentence.
"Indeed. Intuitive one, aren't you?" He spoke, turning his face slightly towards her. "Read about any pirates in your tales? Perhaps I appear in some."
The princess however fell silence once again. She spoke some minutes later:
"You're obviously no prince, and you don't work for any king so... Why are you here?" She asked, suspicion in her voice.
He decided he should be honest to the girl.
"Many people have been desperate to get you out of here, Swan. They offer great rewards to the man who gets to get you out of the tower."
He heard how Emma stopped dead in her tracks.
"You're only here for money?"
Killian stopped as well, turning around.
"Love, I have no interest in gold." He told her with a small smile.
"What are you interested in then?" The blonde's eyes narrowed.
His smile turned into a smirk.
"Something far greater. I don't mean to be rude, lass, but that's none of your business. Now, can we get going?"
Ignoring his words, she continued to ask him questions. "Where are you taking me?"
The princess was starting to exasperate him. "Why, to your prince, of course. Did you really think I'd be the one to kiss your curse away?" He finished his question by raising an eyebrow at her.
That question appeared to be unexpected for her, and she immediately opened her mouth to reply.
"I-I-" Emma's cheeks went darker, and she quickly lowered her eyes to the stone steps. She began to walk again. Killian let out a sigh, and did so as well.
"So, the prince will be the one to give you the reward." Her voice was filled with something Killian couldn't quite decipher.
"No, your parents will. But there won't be any reward if you don't stay alive enough to actually get to them."
"A pirate, indeed."
Ah, of course. Deception, that was it.
Luckily, as they reached the next room, he was able to see how a corner of it was filled with shards of glass, and further up on the wall, a gap.
"Enough chat, this is it." He spoke.
They walked towards the broken window, and Emma frowned.
"So many years, and the answer was so easy." She sounded disappointed at herself.
"Well, Swan, I doubt you would've survived trying to escape alone. The fall would've killed you. There is a rope on the other side to help you slide down. Do you want me to go first, or you prefer to have the honors?"
Emma kept her face straight, however, he saw a glimpse of fear in her eyes.
"I can go first. I'll be down there to catch you if something happens." He reassured her.
Emma shook her head, a determined look on her face. "I can do it."
She was brave. In what might had been not much more than an hour since he had met her, she had surprised him more than once.
"As you wish, love."
With his hand and hook carefully on her waist, he helped her climb up to the window. They shared one last look, and Killian nodded at her in reassurance.
"You can do it, Swan."
With her hands clasped firmly on the rope, he saw her go down until she disappeared from his sight. He had to climb up to the window to keep on watching her, heart accelerated at the thought of something bad would happen. It was not until the princess became a distant figure, moving through the green grass, that Hook sighed with relief.
"Everything alright, Swan?!" He shouted as loud as he could so she would hear him.
If he had been down there with her, he would have seen the smile that lit up her face. However, he had no need to watch her, the happiness in her voice was more than enough.
"I'm terrific, Hook!"
For some reason, he couldn't help but to smile as well.
A/N: And they finally meet! From now on, there'll be lots of CS moments coming! And oh my, isn't it strange it was so easy rescuing Emma? There are definitely some odds things around here :D Let me all know what do you think, feedback is always appreciated! And once more, thank you to all of those who have already liked this story :) Have a great day, all!