Looks Can Be Deceiving

Chapter Five: Boats 'N Hos, Buh-Boats 'N Hos, Er'y Pirate Needs Some Boats 'N Hos

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: Pirates ahead, be warned!

The moment Regina stepped foot into the tavern she knew something was amiss. Gone were the loud, boisterous sounds typical of such a place. Gone were the rowdy, suspicious, and downright criminal looking inhabitants of the main room and in their place a scene Regina wished she hadn't stumbled upon. She faintly heard Ping draw his sword, the soft hiss of metal being unsheathed. Faintly heard Aurora's surprised gasp. She was far too focused on what she saw.

In the time that they'd taken to discuss the deal made with the Champion, said champion had managed to get herself captured by a band of pirates. A large, lumbering, and extremely menacing band of pirates with an arsenal of weapons at their disposal. Three of which had arrows trained at the newcomers.

Emma, from her forced kneeling position on the dirty wooden floor, smirked at Regina. Her smart mouth moving despite the fact that she had a dagger pressed tightly to her throat. "Friends of yours?"

The sarcastic retort received a hard yank from her captor, his dagger pressing tighter to her throat and drawing a thin line of blood. "Quiet, you."

"Hello Mills." Killian Jones, or Captain Hook, was the dastardly leader of the most ruthless pirate crew in the Enchanted Forest. He was rumored to have lost his hand in an epic battle against a vicious crocodile. Though few knew the true story. He was also very well known for his acquisition of unique items, mostly magical, retrieved throughout his many journeys through many different lands.

Regina regarded the pirate captain coolly. "Captain."

Hook sent a devastatingly handsome smile in Regina's direction, his blue eyes burning cold fury. "I believe you are in possession of something that belongs to me, love."

"I thought you said you dealt with him." Ping intoned, the smallest hint of irritation in his usually monotonous voice.

Regina didn't allow her cool gaze to leave Hook for the most miniscule of seconds as she responded. "It seems the Captain has a trick or two on hand."

"Yes, well," His glare worsened at Regina's barb, smile wavering. "I am under the employ of two very powerful women who have promised me a crocodile's head. You see," His mouth curved into a cruel smirk. "These benefactors of mine are looking for two particular princesses. And I do believe," He pointed his hook menacingly in Regina's direction. "You know exactly where I might find them."

Ping took a protective step forward at the mention of the princesses. There was no way this scum pirate could know the true identities of Mills and Rose. They only sailed with Hook for a couple weeks under Regina's insistence that he possessed an item of great value to her. An item that would be vital to her quest.

"Give me what you took and I'm sure we can come to some sort of," His gaze shifted lecherously between Aurora and Regina. They were both fine specimens and had both been so very unresponsive to his advances while aboard his ship. "Arrangement."

It was almost second nature, they way Regina slipped so easily into the persona of Mills. The forever amused sorceress and thief. "Such a tempting offer, Captain. It's a shame you have nothing of value to barter with."

Hook spared a haughty, self assured gesture at his captives. "The lives of your friends for a simple magic bean, Mills. More than a fair trade I assure you."

An amused smirk curled at one corner of ruby red lips and Regina arched a fine brow in challenge. On the outside she projected the cold and aloof facade of Mills. On the inside Regina was strategizing, determining the best way to escape the situation mostly unscathed. She could see August sneak his quill from his pocket and begin to use the sharper end against his binds. The best way for them to get out alive was for the five (well, four as Aurora was as useful as a kitten in a fight) of them to be able to fight their way out. If she could avert Hook's attention from his captives long enough for August to get free, her plan might just have a chance. "You assume I value their lives."

Emma, unfortunately, was completely clueless to Mills' tactics. The nonchalant statement had Emma's cocky, sarcastic grin shifting into a scowl. It figured that the witch and her friends would entertain the idea of letting them die at the hands of pirates. She knew she shouldn't have trusted them to hold up their end of the deal. In actuality, Emma was surprised they hadn't ditched her at the earliest opportunity. And now? Now she was going to die in a filthy tavern at the hand of some smelly pirate. All because some thief witch didn't want to give up a stupid bean.

Hook snapped his fingers and gestured for his men to bring Emma to him, the cold metal of his hook settling threateningly beneath the blonde's chin. The feel of the metal's near caress making Emma want to barf. All the while his cold blue eyes never broke away from his stare down with Mills. "Then you wouldn't object to me keeping this one." He lifted Emma's chin higher. "I do find myself in need of a wench to service me and my crew." His gaze strayed briefly to glance about his crew. "What say you, men?"

The cackling, hooting, and cheering of his men were background noise to Hook. His attention was fixed solely upon Mills. Watching her expression carefully. Looking for the crack in her cool mask he was sure threatening this particular blonde woman would evoke. From the moment Mills stumbled upon them he noticed how the thief would glance in the pretty blonde's direction. As if needing to reassure herself that her lover was still breathing. From the few weeks he traveled with the brunette he hadn't seen her so affected by anyone. This blonde was his ticket to getting Mills to do what he wanted.

Regina felt a strange sort of panic rise up from the coiling ball of tension in the pit of her stomach. Hook's suggestion, the way he dared touch Emma the way he was, it birthed the most peculiar reaction. It was confusing, a little bit frightening, and entirely maddening. Regina didn't understand why, how, she was feeling so out of sorts over the threat. Her unexpected and overpowering emotions caused, for the shortest of moments, her mask of amused indifference to falter. A brief moment, a brief look of panic that Hook caught. That the pirate jumped on the chance to exploit as her weakness.

"My bean for your girl, Mills."

The implication behind the statement came out of nowhere for Regina. Like, she legitimately had no idea where Hook inferred the concept of Emma being her girl. Had no idea she'd given herself, her panic, away so freely. The pirate's bartering declaration compelled Regina to rectify the assumption. "The girl is of little consequence to me."

Emma was pretty sure she was going to die soon or become some sort of pirate sex slave. Either way it would all be Mills' damn fault. The blonde berated herself for being such a sucker when it came to a beautiful woman. So somewhere in her angry, repulsed, betrayed, and panicked mind she decided she might as well have a grand time pissing the damnable woman off before meeting her fate. Ok, and she might still be a little drunk. "I wasn't of little consequence to you last night, dear."

Regina immediately flushed at the insinuation, both in anger and mortification. The proclamation irreparably obliterated her mirthful mask of Mills. As was becoming the norm, she completely lost her composure and snapped at the irritating blonde. "Must you blurt out every irritating thought that crosses that imbecile mind of yours!"

A curious Aurora only added more fuel to the fire. "I wasn't aware you had actually acted on your attractions."

"We did no such thing!" Regina bellowed, her voice reaching an octave she didn't know she was capable of. The flush at her cheeks vibrant and visible despite her olive complexion. "And I am not attracted to that… the… her!"

In spite of the hook pressed to her chin, Emma grinned cheekily. Greatly enjoying the obvious embarrassment she was causing the brunette. "That isn't what you said last night."

"Stop referring to a nonexistent tryst you idiot woman!"

Her emerald eyes twinkled deviously. "You don't have to be embarrassed, my love. Many women enjoy-"

Regina just about had enough of Emma's antics. She turned to Captain Hook with a scowl, eyes blazing with fury. "You can have her."

Hook was more than a little confused and quite intrigued. He could practically feel the electric charge of their attraction for one another in the air. He was never, throughout his many travels, witness to a couple acting quite so viciously antagonizing toward one another. He almost believed they weren't actually lovers. Had he not known Mills he most definitely would have believed them to be rivals, enemies even. The pirate settled the brunette with an unconvinced look, arrogant response on the tip of his tongue.

Before he could further infuriate the dark haired woman, something barged into the tavern. Something large, dark, and growling. Taking out a good chunk of wall and sending debris flying in every direction. The thing was standing on all fours, its glowing eyes glaring the pirate captain down. Low rumbling growl threatening and animalistic.

The second the wolf attempted to charge at their captain, Hook's men sprung into action. Four of the pirates surrounding the beast. While his crew distracted the large wolf Hook snuck toward the exit, dragging a struggling Emma along with him. He spared a glance over his shoulder at the battle, grumbling something that sounded like "that blasted wolf" when he found the beast tearing his men to shreds.

Regina watched Hook pull Emma through the tavern and out the exit, the strange feeling of panic once again gripping at her insides. Without a second thought she took chase. Ignoring the calls of her companions and sending bolts of magic at the pirates that dared get in her way.

Emma struggled against the pirate's forceful tugging. If she could manage to unbind herself and summon her sword she knew she could kick his pretty boy ass.

"Come now, lass." He struggled to pull the reluctant blonde along. She was struggling quite valiantly against him and the pirate did not appreciate her efforts. He needed to get to his ship before Mills or that damn wolf found their way to him. He wasn't a complete fool. He knew he was no match for Mills' magic. He thought errantly of the crew he would need to replace and lamented that he really should have put that blasted wolf down when he had the chance. "You're the key to Mills giving me back my bean."

"What's with this bean?" Emma struggled even harder, voice dripping sarcasm. "Is it a metaphor for something?"

In response to the question, Hook stopped dead in his tracks to look at Emma like she magically sprouted two heads. "It isn't just any bean, mate. It's a magic bean. The kind one must battle the most fearsome of giants to procure."

She only stared blankly back at him. "So, not a metaphor then."

The pirate shook his head at her behavior and continued to pull her along toward his ship. A ship that, once they made their way through the trees and into a large clearing, seemed to be hovering on dry land. Emma frantically increased her struggles at the sight of the ship. Going as far as to dig the heels of her boots into the dirt, finding purchase and tugging hard enough to make Hook stop. Making him turn and fix her with a look of mild annoyance.

She shook her head vigorously, eyeing the ship with utter disdain before glaring at her captor. "I'm not getting on that thing."

Offended, Hook gaped at the blonde. "The Jolly Roger isn't a thing. She is the finest ship in-"

Her arched brow said more than the question that left her mouth. "What kind of name is Jolly Roger?"

"It's a strong name for a vessel of her caliber!"

Emma's other brow joined the first one at the outburst. "Sure it is."

"I'm beginning to think Mills wasn't just testing my patience when she said I could have you." Hook stated dryly.

"I wasn't testing your patience, Captain." In a sudden swirl of purple smoke Mills appeared before them, blocking their path to the Jolly Roger. "I did mean it when I said you could have her."

Emma was in the middle of pouting and glaring at the brunette. The comment hurt her feelings more than she felt it ought to. "Well sucks for you both then 'cause I'm not getting on that stupid boat."

Regina settled her dark gaze on Emma, her features twisted in disdain. Now that her panic had subsided upon finding the blonde she could recall exactly why she found the other woman so irritating. "Yes, I do suppose I will regret rescuing you, dear."

"You will be boarding the Jolly Roger," Hook snarled at the blonde and pulled her closer to him before turning his gaze toward Mills. "Unless you give me what I came for."

"Or," With a smarmy grin and a snap of her fingers Emma's binds vanished. "I could keep the girl and the bean."

Hook barely had the chance to recover from Emma's sudden hard shove in time to block the oncoming swing of her sword. A sword that had seemingly appeared out of thin air. The hash clang of metal hitting metal rang loudly in the quiet of the clearing. The pirate captain stared at the almost glowing blade caught in his hook, a bead of sweat running down along his temple. It was a close call and, his stare shifted from the sword to blazing green eyes, he knew running away from this particular fight would be his best option. The blonde might not look like much more than a pretty girl but he could tell by the look in her eyes that the odds were stacked against him. Especially with Mills standing on the sidelines.

Regina watched the ensuing fight with a bored expression. Now that she knew Emma was relatively safe it was easy not to care. It was easy to slip back into her persona of Mills and hide from the strangeness of her emotions. She watched on as Emma took the offensive, blindly striking at Hook with an unrelenting determination. Her swings were broad and surprisingly quick but lacked precision. The pirate was able to block and parry each of her wild swings with his Hook until he finally found his opening and used Emma's forward momentum against her. Sidestepping an angry, uncalculated dive and sending the blonde stumbling forward enough for him to elbow her in the back. Causing Emma to land faced down in the dirt.

Regina made no moves to apprehend the pirate. Only watching him run the distance toward his ship. It would do nothing for her to capture or kill the man. Capture would surely result in Hook discovering either her own identity or those of her companions. The thought of killing him, though her mother hadn't had any qualms in teaching Regina the art of taking life, made Regina feel sick to her stomach. No matter how harsh her mother's methods, in spite of the queen's manipulation and regardless of her threats, Regina could never bring herself to commit murder. She supposed she could take his heart, use it to commend him. Use the pirate to learn more of her mother's and Maleficent's plans. She quickly discarded the idea. Her mother would sense his heart was missing, if she wasn't in possession of the organ already. She also couldn't risk Emma seeing her perform the dark magic needed for the action. Such a spell would also break the glamour she had placed upon herself. In her months of travel Regina had refrained from extracting hearts for a reason. If her mother caught wind of it she would undoubtedly know the true identity of the fugitive Mills. She would know the princess was hiding in plain sight and the queen would unquestionably send reinforcements to apprehend her.

"You're not getting away that easy." Emma growled lowly as she picked herself up from the ground, gaining Mills' attention. What happened next surprised both women. Urged a startled gasp from Mills and embedded an almost comically perplexed expression upon the champion's face.

A crackle of magic had pushed itself out from within the blonde. An invisible, to the untrained eye, pulse shooting full speed toward the retreating pirate and knocking him over. Regina could smell the scent of the magic in the air, could almost taste the oddly sweet tang to it. Her magic had always been spice and smoke, a scent and taste and feel that screamed power and intimidation. Her mother's magic was similar although more chokingly perilous, something closer to the taste of blood and stench of death. The magic that had exploded from Emma was faint but pleasant. Something akin to apples and warmth and truth.

"Was that..." Emma turned her shocked stare to Mills. "Did you do that?"

"That wasn't me, dear." Regina arched a dark brow, holding Emma's gaze. "That was you."

A booming chorus of voices and the sound of thundering boots heading in their direction shattered the moment. Their group of companions and a few new faces rushing past the trees and into the clearing. Just as they arrived next to the two still slightly shocked women, the sound of groaning wood and snapping branches caught the group's attention. Their gazes moved simultaneously toward the steadily rising Jolly Roger to find Captain Hook at the wheel. An angered snarl twisted about his mouth. "This is far from over, Mills!"