Chapter I

Killian

The point of the wooden sword jabbed me in the gut; hard. I grunted and fell to my knees; she'd knocked the wind out of me.

"DADDY! Oh no. Daddy, did I hurt you? I'm so sorry" My 6 year old stood over me. I hadn't anticipated how good she had gotten with a sword. I looked up to tell her I was fine but was struck by how much she already looked like her mother. Her long dark hair blew in her eyes. How can she see with her hair in her eyes like that? And still be so good with a sword?

"I'm fine, love. You've gotten better than I realized." I let her help me up. "Have you eaten yet? The sun is going down, it will be time for you to sleep soon."

"Yup! I told Smee he could have my supper if he gave me one of the cakes we got from Pan on our last trip to Neverland; but I only gave him a little bit and he took it! He's so silly, he'll do anything for extra supper."

"You shouldn't be sharing your rations. Even for some of Pan's cakes. No more of that, okay? No matter how gullible Smee is." We both laughed. She was so full of life; so like her mother. She pushed her hair out of her big blue eyes.

"Do I reaaaally have to go to bed? This is a pirate ship afterall. I should be allowed to stay up as long as I want."

"How long are you going to try that line? Pirates do need their sleep too. We all go to bed right after you do. Right men?"

All of the men on deck nodded their heads and murmured yes's. Mara put her hand on her hip and gave me an "I don't think so" look. I couldn't let her have her way tonight though.

"Not tonight love. Daddy has some business to attend to."

The men's heads all raised as I finished speaking. It wasn't often I told Mara no, and they knew who was coming if I did. So did she; her expression changed. She took her hand off her hip and looked at the floor.

"Come, I'll tell you a story to help you sleep."

She led the way down into the Captain's quarters where we both slept. Her bed was on the right of the quarters, mine was on the left. The crew always teased that I could never bring a woman here because of Mara, but I knew I wouldn't ever want another woman in my chambers. Mara made her way to her bed, I helped her change into her night shirt and tucked her.

"So, what do you want her hear about tonight?"

"Hm, tell me about how you met mommy again?"

"You always ask for that story."

"I like the way you look when you talk about her. You always seem so happy when you talk about her."

I smiled at her. Nobody would ever replace my Milah, but our daughter did a wonderful job of filling the hole that losing Milah had left.

"See, that's the look."

I realized I'd gotten lost in thought and began retelling the story. I didn't tell her all of the details, like that her mother had had a husband and a son at home when we met, or that it was that husband who eventually turned into the Dark One and murdered her, but I still did my best to tell her the truth. I wanted her to know her mother the way I remembered her, strong, beautiful and fierce. Mara had all of these attributes, with all of my charm and determination.

I could see her eyes starting to get heavy as she put her head in my lap. I played with her hair and she fell asleep and I reminisced. I was just finishing the story when Lewis knocked on the door lightly.

"Captain, it's almost time."

I nodded and began trying to lift Mara off of my without waking her. She stirred before rolling over and curling up in a ball. I tucked her in and quietly snuck out of the quarters. Lewis was waiting for me at the door.

"I don't think it's safe for her here anymore captain. Not with how Pan has been lately. He's threatened her more than once already."

"I'm well aware Lewis." We made our way up on deck as I continued. "But I don't exactly have anywhere I can take her do I? I'd have to leave the Jolly Roger and all of yous on your own, give up being a pirate. She's strong, she's a nearly as good a fighter as some of the men on this boat. She's fine right here."

"Of course Captain. I was merely suggesting-"

"Yes, I know Lewis, stop doing that. Now, when will he be here?"

"Turn around."

The dark, growling voice startled both Lewis and I. We turned to see the dark figure hovering above us. No matter how often he visited, his appearance was disturbing. Pan's shadow acted as his henchman, following up on tasks and carrying out Pan's dirty work.

"Ah yes, there you are, I hadn't noticed you up.. there. To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"Pan is getting impatient. He wants to know what is taking so long."

"It's proving harder to acquire than anticipated. We're close though. It's only a matter of time."

"Time is coming to an end for you Hook. I'll be back for the girl if you don't deliver within 24 hours."

I think I went blind momentarily, rage boiled inside of me. It wasn't the first time Pan had threatened Mara, but unlike the other times I now had a time limit. There was no way I would be able to acquire what he needed in 24 hours. I had been searching for weeks already and hadn't been able to find any leads. I needed more time.

"You're not touching her. I'll find it. I just need more time."

"There is no more time. Pan needs it. Now. Get it done or we'll be sending reinforcements."

"Get off my ship. I'm done dealing with Pan. Forget whatever deals we've had, they're all over. I never want to see either of you again. GO!"

The shadow flew over the side of the ship and disappeared into the night. I was so angry I thought I would explode. I gripped the side of the ship to try and steady my self and catch my breath. I looked out after the shadow, panting in anger. Lewis stood quietly behind me.

"AAHHHH!" I kicked the ship and I screamed. "He is not taking her. Not over my dead body. I lost Milah, I'm not losing her too." I slammed my fist on the rail. I would do what ever I could to protect her. I had promised myself that the day her mother died.

"Captain, you know the men and I will do everything in our power to protect her."

"Good. But she won't need protecting. I have a plan. I know where to get what Pan wants. Dock at the nearest port. Come get me then; I'll take care of it."

I stormed off as Lewis agreed. I made my way back to my quarters to check on Mara. I found her sleeping in my bed; she must have had a nightmare. She stirred as I climbed in beside her. I lay on my back, my arm wrapped around her. She snuggled up against me, and I started playing with her hair. Playing with Milah's hair had always helped me sleep at night, Mara's hair was no different. She sighed and rolled over, snuggling up on my chest. I kissed the top of her head and closed my eyes, trying to sleep.

"Daddy?"

"What is it, love? I thought you were asleep."

"You won't let the dark ghost from taking me away will you?"

My eyes shot open. Had he been here? Trying to scare her?

"I would never let anyone take you away from me. Not while I'm alive. Go back to sleep, all will be well come morning."

I tried my best to keep my hands from shaking as I continued to play with her hair. She settled back onto my chest and fell back to sleep. Pan was serious this time. He was going to take her if I couldn't pull this off. I had to do everything I could to find that ridiculous rag doll by tomorrow evening. I couldn't wrap my head around why he needed it, but I would find it.

As I drifted to sleep I wondered exactly how I would pull this off. All I knew was that I didn't have choice; I had to pull it off and I would.