Ariel smiled as her toes dug into the sand for the first time since she had been transformed into a human. It mushed between her dainty little toes ad she curled them in. The crew laughed as she smiled brightly up at them and twirled her arms outstretched. She stumbled lightly at the end of her third turn and nearly fell when she was caught in a pair of strong eyes. She hoisted her self up shakily and looked up to see Killian's amused eyes staring down at her.

"Careful love," he smiled charmily at her "YOu have yet to get your land legs."

Her eyebrows creased and she gestured her head to the ship bobbing up and down lazily in the harbor.

"Those would be your sea legs dear. They don't count out here."

She tried to keep her face serious but she burst into silent laughter dispite herself. She had to admit he was fairly charming...for a pirate at least. He smiled and chuckled with her as well looking down at the sand. He studied the way she was slightly on tip toe in order to make the way he held her in the air , by the waist, slightly more comfortable. His heart thudded against his chest as he realized just how tightly she was clinging to him. He caught her eyes once more and stared at them. He leaned in slightly and he could have sworn that she was leaning up as well when a cough sounded from behind them. The two jumped and he immediently released her waist nearly dropping her down to the floor. He glaced over at the crew who had been watching with an annoyed expression. The sailor whom he guessed had been the one to cough was currently being surrounded by several others who had their hands clasped around his mouth and others pointing at him accusingly.

Ariel blushed lightly but gathered up the edge of her skirts and took off down the path speedily. Hook waited until she was up the road a ways before he turned to his crew once more and gave them all a meaningful look "I don't need any of your help mates." he muttered feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. Sly grins cracked their faces and they all nodded. He turned back to face the path and heard a roar of laughter follow him. He rolled his eyes and then sped forward catching up to the human mermaid.

Ariel gave a silent laugh at a joke one of the crew had told and smiled at him taking a small sip of the tea she had been given. Hook smiled as he watched her interact with the crew. He sighed and drank deeply from his tankard thinking about what Smee had said earlier that day. It had to be impossible. SHe couldn't even emmit the smallest sound. That would have been nearly impossible for her to fake. Smee had to be wrong about what he heard. Or they had a stowaway on board. He wouldn't put it past his crew to be honest. The salt sea dogs would do anything they could to be surrounded by beautiful women. Even now they were all flocking to them and pulling them up to dance with to the music in the bar. Held them close to their chests. and danced slowly.

HIs thoughts travled to Mila and how she would never slow dance with him even when he put on his most charming smile.

"I don't care how you twist your face." She had said "I won't be dancing to no simpering song."

He wondered if the mermaid knew how to dance. Was there even dancing under the sea? "Well, there's only one way to find out." he said throwing back the last of his drink and standing.

His hand shook slight as he approached her . He grimaced as she looked up at him a small smile still on her lips as he approached. No going back now. He stood besides her and held out his hand to her.

"Care to honor me with a dance my lady?" he asked trying to keep his voice steady.

A horrified look spread over her face and for the slightest moment he thought that she was flat out rejecting him. She looked down at her feet and shrugged biting her lip and he understood right away. His smile strengthened and he reached out and took her hand from the table.

"Don't worry I'll teach you." he said

She looked at the crew who only nodded and shewed her with their hands. She gave them a weak smile and stood letting Killian lead her to the dance floor. She swallowed hard as he placed his hook at her waist gently so it didn't dig into her flesh.

"Put one hand her love." he said gesturing to his shoulder. "And give me your other."

She did as instructed and looked up at him for further instruction.

"Okay then move your feet like this." he said muttering the steps to her. She looked down at her feet and matched the pattern that he did. HE let her watch for a few minutes and then whispered gently "Now try looking up."

She glanced up breifly before looking nervously at her feet once more. "It's alright love," he said gently to her "Just look at me."

Reluctantly she locked her eyes with his and watched his eyes. He could see her lips mouthing the pattern lightly. He smiled but quickly stopped as he spotted his crew watching them eagerly. He cleared his throat and began to hum a little bit of the song that some local men were singing. HE had heard the song before many a time. But he realized that he hadn't really been listening to it until now.

"Aint that sad..such a shame , too bad,you're gunna miss the girl.

sha la la la la don't be scared you've got a beat prepared

go on and kiss the girl

sha la la la don't stop now

don't try and hide it how

you wanna kiss the girl.

She watched him sing, her eyes filled with admiration. She inclined her head bowed her head letting it fall against her shoulder. His heart jumped and he realized right then that this girl would never be permitted to leave him otherwise he would be destroyed completely.

Ariel looked over Killian's shoulder and bit her lip. Things just got a little more complicated.