A/N Thanks for all the support, I think all my lovely shipmates will enjoy this one. It mainly consists of Emma and Killian.

In answer to the question about the compass: Yes, Hook retrieved the vial of ashes and the compass. I probably should have made it more prominent but it is mentioned that Emma is holding the compass while Mary Margaret holds the ashes.

Chapter 5: Morals and Justice

The next morning, the ship changed its course – heading back the way it came. The closest port to the lake was that which the women had first been picked up on.

The journey back could not have been more contrary to the original – the majority of the men were now comfortable with the women's presence and Emma had even formed a friendship with Hugo and his friend Leigh. Mary Margaret befriended almost everybody with her kindness and humour and Mulan was polite and respectful. Aurora remained disillusioned on the journey, only really talking to Mulan and Mary Margaret. Emma got the feeling that she didn't like her.

The first afternoon of the journey back, Emma was walking the deck and running her hand along the smooth banister. Everyone was on the main deck and she decided to head up to the helm. Hook wasn't currently steering and she took the opportunity to grasp the wheel. She didn't rotate it, for fear she might set them off course, but simply stood and enjoyed the feeling of power in her hands.

"I don't mean to upset you love, but you would make a hell of a pirate."

Hook was suddenly beside Emma, smirking at the way she turned rapidly towards him. Her face registered surprise at the captain's unannounced presence.

"Yeah, well I can't say you'd make a fabulous prince so…" Emma retorted, resuming her position to watch as the cook served dinner to the crew. Hook laughed outright and moved to stand closer to Emma. He clearly had never been educated on the personal space of others, or he chose to ignore it.

"Why do you hate me?" Hook asked abruptly, he had the same candid tendencies as Emma.

She looked through narrowed eyes at him, "I don't hate you, I just don't particularly like you."

Hook smiled slightly and re-worded his question, "Okay, why did you hate me?" Emma smiled, recalling the loathing she had felt for Hook prior to him helping her with her hand, her shoulder – she didn't actually remember the exact moment she stopped feeling complete disdain for the pirate, just that she didn't anymore. Emma shrugged.

"You never knew what was going on. Grimes and Talice treated me like a punching bag and you did nothing. You even told me that you knew what was going on. As captain I think you should have been making sure everything that was happening was… fair. I don't think you were delivering proper justice."

Hook nodded, considering her comments thoughtfully.

"Justice is important to you isn't it? Being fair and all that… well, I refused to interfere because it was only verbal –"

"But it wasn't," Emma cut Hook off, unswervingly hostile as she turned to face him, "they backhanded me five times over two days and you did nothing. I can handle them but… still…" Emma's voice drifted off and she turned back to the helm. Hook appeared visibly shocked.

"I didn't know they were slapping you. I thought it was verbal." Hook's voice held the smallest hint of guilt. Anyone else would have missed it, and it made her feel content that he could harbour such emotions and that she could bring them about so easily. A moment of silence passed between the two before Emma broke it.

"And in answer to your question, yes. Justice means a lot to me… just out of curiosity, what did you talk to them about when you took them aside on the first day?" Her tone wasn't volatile anymore, simply indifferent.

"I told them that if I caught them doing that again I would skin them." Hook stated matter-of-factly.

"Oh… why?" Emma was confused by his indifference on the matter.

"Because I like a fair fight and holding someone down so another can inflict pain is cowardly." Hook's voice dripped with conviction – he truly believed what he was saying. Emma nodded, even if she didn't particularly like Hook, she could at least understand him a little better.

-

The day before they were to port, Emma was outside as the sun rose. The warmth of the day made her take off her leather jacket and tie it around her waist. She was still wearing the singlet that Grimes had tried to rip off and it was no longer white, instead resembling the colour of decimated potatoes.

Emma groaned, smelling herself she realised just how long she had now gone without a shower. They used soap and water at night sometimes for hygiene and odour purposes but she desperately needed to properly clean her hair. Having it constantly tied up was starting to give her a headache.

"What's the matter, love?" the sultry voice came from behind, rough since it was early morning.

"Ah, Hook. How nice of you to ruin my unspoiled morning," Emma said, turning to face the dishevelled pirate. Even this early in the morning he looked gorgeous, the warm beginnings of light making his tan skin appear golden.

"I wasn't talking about my presence, which deep down I think you love and crave, I was referring to the indignant moan I heard just a second ago." Hook walked forward, his usual swagger unaffected by the earliness of the hour. Emma was unsure of whether to reveal her complaints but figured, since he was captain, if anyone could resolve them he could.

"My shirt is disgusting and I smell… really bad," Emma said, a little whine seeping in to her tone as she tugged at her dirty singlet. Seeing the broken strap, Hook's eyes darkened before he turned away and moved back to his cabin.

"Well sorry," Emma said sarcastically under her breath, turning to face the horizon again. Was he really that petulant in the morning that a little moaning set him off? She couldn't help the feeling of isolation that replaced his presence. In a matter of seconds, Emma could hear the Captain returning to the deck. Turning to question his fragility, she saw him toss something at her.

Emma caught the item deftly and unfolded what appeared to be a white button up, except the sleeves were baggier. He went to get me a shirt Emma realised with some appreciation.

"Thanks Hook," Emma said, pulling on the button up and tactically taking her singlet off once it was there. Hook smiled and moved to stand next to her against the railing.

"As for bathing – when we proceed on our journey to the Lake I'll see if we have time to indulge a stop at a stream for you and the other women… that shirt looks good on you," Hook gestured to the shirt Emma was now wearing with an almost rueful expression.

The shirt was clearly designed for a female and fit Emma almost perfectly – it made her wonder why he would have female clothing aboard a ship infested with males. Turning to face the sunrise again, Emma noticed Hook rubbing his forearm where a tattoo was situated.

It was a heart and dagger with a scribe crossing the midsection. Written across the scribe was one word in a calligraphy font: Milah.

"What happened to her?" Emma asked, watching Hook's expression for any signs that the subject was completely off-limits. There was only regret and anguish.

"Who?" he asked, attempting to play dumb and abruptly closing off his expression.

"Did I mention I'm an expert lie detector? The tattoo you're rubbing, what happened to Milah?" Emma maintained her gaze as he glanced at her.

Scrutinizing her, he replied, "You're awfully perceptive for someone who has never been in love."

Emma hesitated, turning back to the sun that was slowly rising out of the ocean.

"Maybe I was… once."

Hook stared intently at Emma, reading her features, and turned away again before continuing to speak. "She was… The crocodile took her from me… along with my left hand."

Emma looked to the curved aesthetic that sat where his hand should. Letting out a deep breath she spoke.

"The crocodile, he's the one you want me to help you kill?" Emma asked, moving away from the banister she was leaning on and sitting on the stairs that led to the helm. Hook turned and nodded, moving to sit next to the blonde.

"You know, love, if you want to fashion another deal – I'd be willing to exchange your help with the crocodile for a more elicit favour… if you prefer?" The serious mood shattered with Hook's innuendo as he leaned in to whisper it in her ear. Emma groaned angrily, standing and walking up to the helm.

"Sorry darling, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Hook winked and moved to stand on the opposite side of the helm. Emma gave him a withering glance before walking away from him again, choosing instead to look over the back of the ship. In her peripheral vision, she spotted two swords and grabbed them, tossing one to Hook.

"You said you needed to teach me to sword fight. How about now?" Emma asked, raising her sword.

"I'm not sure sword fighting while you're mad with me is the finest idea but then again, people say the same about sex so, why not?" Emma ignored his quip and Hook lowered his gaze to her stance and chuckled slightly, "firstly you need to stand correctly." Dropping the sword, Hook moved to stand behind Emma. Their closeness made her heart race slightly but she controlled the emotion on her face. He noticed the rise in speed of her heart and smirked.

"Like this," Hook instructed, using his body to mould hers into a fighting position. The way she now held her arms felt more natural and balance was easier to acquire.

Moving swiftly away, Hook picked up the sword. As he did, Emma used what she thought was the element of surprise to run at him. As if he'd seen it coming, the pirate used his weapon to deflect hers and his hook snaked out to bring her close. Spinning her around, Hook pressed their entwined weapons to her throat.

"Dead. Don't be too hasty, love. Never make the first move and always anticipate your opposition," Hook whispered the words into her ear like sweet nothings before letting her go.

Emma moved away irately and regained the position that Hook had just taught her. Just as he taught her, she waited for him to make the first move and for a slow minute they simply circled each other. Eventually though, Hook made a move and the two began sparring.

"Good form," Hook smiled, commenting on Emma's defence, "not good enough." With those three words, Hook engaged Emma's sword and used his hooked arm to lift her leg up – tripping her so that she fell to the ground.

Emma pulled up her sword and tried to move back but Hook quickly trapped her sword between his own and the appendage on his left arm. Sliding them down, Hook smirked at the innuendo.

"That's cheating," she said, slightly breathless.

"Pirate, love," Hook retorted with a devious smile.

Emma grimaced, her body betraying her as warmth spread throughout her limbs. His close proximity was eventually enough that he was hovering over her, sword at the side and trapped by his own devices. Their faces mere inches apart, breathing intermingled and the whole world was silent.

"Are you always this infuriating?" Emma breathed, trying to disregard the feel of his body so close to her own.

He smelt like the ocean, salty and fresh, mixed with spice and rum. Emma stared aggressively into his pale blue eyes, consumed by them for a second before a voice startled them both.

"Emma?" Mary Margaret's voice became louder as she entered onto the main deck, "Emma?"

Hook cursed quietly. Dropping her sword and pushing Hook off of her, Emma stood.

"Over here, Mary Margaret!" she shouted, moving back to the main deck where the other woman was standing. The concern on her face dissipated as she saw Emma but only transformed into wariness when she spotted Hook leaning on the helm, a smirk plastered on his face.

"What are you doing up here?" Mary Margaret asked lightly, tugging Emma to move next to her.

"I woke up early and came up to see the sunrise," her daughter replied casually.

"I mean, what is he doing up here with you?" Mary Margaret held Emma's indifferent stare. Raising her eyebrows, she prodded her daughter with her finger, "and where's the shirt from?"

"He gave it to me when I complained about my tattered singlet. He also said we could bathe in a stream when we get to land..." Mary Margaret's eyes widened in dismay and it dawned on Emma how what she said may have been misconstrued.

"I mean, he said that you, me, Aurora and Mulan can bathe separately when we get to a stream… Jeez Mary Margaret, have some faith in my ability to restrain myself. I'm not twelve." Emma shook her head and Mary Margaret chuckled.

"That still doesn't explain why you were up at the helm with him?"

"I was teaching her to handle dangerous objects," Striding confidently to where the women stood, Hook said the phrase in a way that made it sound obscene. Mary Margaret wrinkled her nose and Emma stared at Hook, mortified. Her facial expression was soon followed by a swift punch to the pirate's arm.

"Not like that, like he was literally teaching me to fight… with a sword… made of metal," Emma clarified, turning back to Mary Margaret whose face was slightly upturned at the humour of the situation. Hook laughed and turned around, moving back into his quarters.

"I don't know whether to be glad he's teaching you that or worried you let him," Mary Margaret said, walking back below deck and leaving Emma already exhausted despite it only being the morning.

Thoughts on this chapter? Did we all enjoy Captain Innuendo?