Chapter 2: Smile

AN: Thank you to everyone who added this story as one they are following or added as a favorite! A special thanks to all of those that reviewed! I'm in the middle of so many stories but the idea for this chapter just came out of me! I hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

This chapter is named after the song Smile performed by Nat King Cole. I thought it would be perfect for this chapter. You'll see!

Smile lyrics

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Chapter 2: Smile

It was an understatement to say that Emma was feeling frustrated — and pissed off — that Killian had been able to disarm her or pretend to strike her, telling her that she was dead in some cases before her sword even made contact with his.

"I win again," he gloated with a smug smirk, infuriating her to the extent that she lost her temper because she was unable to keep it in any longer. Killian watched as she took a step closer to him with her sword, glaring at him with her chest heaving in anger. He was finding it very difficult to keep his eyes set on hers and ultimately lost the battle, dropping them to her chest. The next moment he felt her leg sweeping his, which knocked him down. When he fell on the mat below him, she put her sword over his heart.

"I win," she told him, giving him a smug smirk and waiting to see the anger in the Captain's face at her cheating. However, he grinned and then began laughing, stunning her.

"Lass, you would make a bloody brilliant pirate!" he exclaimed, grinning up at the beautiful blonde princess. More than ever, he wanted to pull her down on the mat and take her right there — to make her scream out his name in pleasure until she was unable to move (or passed out from exhaustion). Alas, his need to have his wicked way with her now had to wait because he knew it was too soon for that. Besides, he couldn't stand it if any man saw her bare form but him. It was the first time that he cared if anyone saw him taking a woman, but Emma was different. His mind began to wander over thoughts of her dead fiancé and if he had been intimate with her, instantly feeling jealous of a dead man. But if her fiancé hadn't, he was a bloody moron.

"You're not mad that I cheated?" she asked him, raising a brow. Looking down at him, she got a dazzling smile that made her back away from him. The smile on his face quickly fell away, and she could almost swear that she saw a flicker of disappointment in the pirate's face.

"Emma, you know that pirates aren't known for fighting fair," he replied to her, getting up from the mat. Seeing the right side of her mouth twitch from holding in a half-smile. he asked her, "I will not only teach you how to sword fight but also how to fight dirty. Are you interested?" There was a mischievous glint in his blue eyes.

"You will not speak to Princess Emma in such a way!" one of the guards called out, walking over to them with his sword drawn and anger flashing in his dark eyes. Killian sized up the guard, knowing that he could best this balding, middle-aged, slightly taller man that slightly faster than he could Emma.

"Gerald, calm down. Captain Jones is a pirate teaching me how to sword fight. He's not some creepy, air-headed prince trying to woo me." Emma rolled her eyes at the guard, who continued to walk towards them.

"It is disrespectful for that filthy pirate to talk to you like to a tavern wench," Gerald spat out to her, still approaching Killian with his sword drawn. Killian held his down by his side, pushing down the anger building inside him that made him want to gut the man.

Emma laughed at him, stunning both Gerald and Killian. "Actually, his manners are better than some of the guards here in this castle. Don't think that I haven't overheard conversations about me here in this castle. I recall hearing a certain guard going on in colorful detail about just what he wanted to do to me if he ever got the chance," Emma countered, watching Gerald's face drain of color and his dark eyes fill with nervousness.

"I've over stepped my boundaries, Princess Emma. It was just out of concern — my apologies," he said, taking a step backwards and looking down at the ground. When he looked up again, he saw murder in the pirate's blue eyes. Gerald swallowed hard, pushing back the fear that was telling him to run for his life.

"It's not me that you should apologize to — it's Killian," Emma told the guard with her hands on her hips. She felt furious that he had criticized the Captain's behavior when he had said much worse. It was much easier for her to excuse Killian's behavior than Gerald's because pirates were known for being womanizers. She could respect someone more for having the guts to make comments about her to her face than behind her back.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he said, bowing his head to her before looking at the pirate. "I apologize for my behavior, Captain Jones," Gerald told him disgustedly for having to apologize to a man that he viewed as the filth of society.

"As long as Princess Emma is pleased by your apology, then so am I," Killian stressed to the guard, looking over and nodding at Emma. There was a flicker of surprise in her green eyes for a few seconds before she had a neutral expression once again. Killian's need to have her grew fiercely in that moment upon seeing her ability to hide her emotions so well. If he hadn't been so good at reading people, he wouldn't have noticed it. He knew that Emma possessed that same ability, which intrigued him even more. It also made his job of seducing her much more of a challenge because it appeared she could tell when he was lying. All of these factors just increased his interest in having her yield to him.

"Please go on with your lessons," Emma said to Killian, breaking the uncomfortable tension that had filled the room.

"As I was saying, I will teach you to fight dirty if needed. It's not something that I normally do, because I've yet to meet anyone that could best me in a sword fight," Killian said to her, shooting a glare at Gerald before turning his attention back to Emma.

"So, Captain Jones, when do you fight dirty?" Emma retorted back at the smug pirate in front of her. She didn't doubt that he wasn't lying because his reputation made it clear he was someone whom you shouldn't cross if you didn't want to end up dead. She had been appalled by his behavior and reputation until she lost the man whom she loved and her chance at any happiness had been stolen from her. Now she understood how it felt to be consumed by the need for revenge and how it could lead to gaining such a reputation. Last night, she would have killed the man in the woods if Killian hadn't shown up —- and she was grateful to him for that.

"I would —- if I were to face an enemy that has magic on their side, for example," he replied, seeing rage fill her eyes at the very mention of a magical enemy. "Or if I'm fighting a bloke that I know would fight dirty as well, I'd beat him to the punch, so to speak, Princess Swan," he winked at her, trying to soothe her rage with his charm.

Emma scoffed at him. "There goes your 'I hardly fight dirty' statement right out the window — because correct me if I'm wrong, but most pirates fight dirty," she pointed out to him, distracted by the fact that he didn't seem to be lying before when he had said it. She always could tell when someone was lying to her.

"Not when the bloke is no match for me — no one has been a very long time." He gave her a smug look. "Now let's get back to the sword fighting, shall we?" he asked her, taking a few steps back while holding up his sword. They continued with the lesson until they were interrupted by one of the guards, who let them know it was time for lunch.

Emma watched the guard leave. "How about we continue this tomorrow at the same time?" she asked him, looking nervous when the words came out of her mouth. She tried to recover her confidence quickly.

"I would love to," Killian replied, bowing at her. This made her roll her eyes at him once again before walking towards the door.

"Aren't you coming to lunch?" She turned around after not hearing his footsteps follow hers.

"I want to freshen up first, since I'm dining with royalty," he told her, watching her walk out of the room while shaking her head as the guards began to follow her. "Gerald?" he called out to the guard who insulted him and, most importantly, said inappropriate things about his princess.

The guard walked over towards him, glaring at him. He was trying to hide his fear, but Killian could not only see it but also could also sense it. "I take back my apology, you piece of pirate scum! You're not fit to be near Princess Em…" he began to say, but was stopped by the blade of Killian's sword pressed against his neck. Killian then grabbed him by the back of his head faster his eyes could move.

"It's you who is the filthy scum!" Killian growled, letting out the rage that he had been working so hard to suppress since arriving at the castle. Gerald's face filled with absolute terror on seeing the fury in Captain Jones's eyes — with a sword pressing against his neck, he was no longer able to control his ability to hide it. The guard's body began to tremble with utter fear, getting him a twisted smirk from the feared Captain Hook.

"You will not say Emma's name ever again. You will call her Your Majesty. You will not speak about her in any sexual way. You will not even THINK it. If you do, I will gut you like the spineless bastard that you are! Do you understand me?!" he seethed at him in a low murderous voice that made it clear he meant every word.

"Yes, Captain Jones," he stuttered out. The tears running down his cheeks elicited a look of pure disgust from the pirate.

"You will ask Prince James let you step down from your role as a guard to a different position. You will pick one that will keep me from seeing your ugly face. After all, we can't have a spineless coward guarding the life of Princess Emma, now can we? If you do not do what I say, I will have my crew hunt you down and lock you up until I have the time to show you what real pain is!" he hissed at the guard.

"I'll do whatever you wish, Captain Jones," he cried out to him. Killian then moved his sword away and threw the man on the ground. The guard seemed to have wet himself in the process.

"You will resign as soon as you change your pants. If I see your face again, I will kill you," he sneered at him, sickened by the weakness of this supposedly brave guard. Killian forced himself to leave the room, still unsure that he could hold back the urge to kill him for those comments he made about Emma — who would be his — and for his gutless behavior.

Eventually, Killian managed to enforce the dam guarding his emotions by suppressing his rage. After bathing quickly and changing his clothes, he realized that he now was going have a big problem when Emma found out that Gerald had stepped down from being a guard. Emma would know without a doubt the he was to blame for it. He frowned at this worry as he walked down the hall, trying to formulate a plan to keep the beautiful princess from being angry at him. He let out a loud sigh, knowing that he had his work cut out for him in seducing the princess — but he knew it would be worth it in the end. All he had to think about was how it would be when he finally had her. He walked into the dining room once again to see the Princess Snow, Prince James, and Emma already seated at the table. They were waiting for him. "I apologize for being late." He bowed, sitting down in his seat.

"If you are going to be a guest in our house, I insist that you stop bowing when you are staying here. You are like family," Snow told him with a small smile on her face. She caught the scowl on her husband's face when she made that last comment, but refused to take it back. Today had been the first time in almost a year that Emma seemed to have some life in her eyes. As long as her daughter was feeling something other than sorrow or rage Snow didn't care who was responsible. She could tell that her daughter was curious about the pirate, having never met anyone like him. It was also obvious that he amused and annoyed her — but again, it was better than just being numb. Snow herself couldn't help but be slightly amused by the charming pirate. He would make life around the castle much more interesting. After all, she had been around many colorful characters when she was an outlaw — people who helped her in staying under the Evil Queen's radar. A small part of her missed the excitement she had experienced in that life filled with adventure.

"I'm humbled to have you think of me as such," Killian nodded at her, thinking that he would make it a fact once he won the princess.

"How was your lesson, Emma?" her father asked her, wanting to change the subject to anything but the pirate being like family.

"It went well. I think that I improved a little, but I'm sure that I'll learn even more tomorrow!" Emma answered, her green eyes lighting up with excitement for just a few moments before becoming empty again. It felt wrong to feel excited or happy about anything without Graham being there to share it with her.

"I'm sure that you will." James smiled at her, feeling relief at seeing Emma get excited about something, even if it was just for one second. He had felt so helpless after Graham's death, unable to do anything to help Emma get through it. Nothing that he said or did seemed to help at all with her grief. He knew that if the Evil Queen had ripped out Snow's heart on his wedding day, he would have been inconsolable. The need for revenge was something that he felt as well, but he knew that it wouldn't bring Graham back to his daughter.

"She will be able to best your best knight in no time. Emma has a natural talent for sword fighting," Killian told him with a smile, noticing the proud look in the prince's eyes on hearing it. "I've heard that you are an excellent marksman with a bow and arrow," he said, turning to Snow and watching her face brighten at his comment.

"You heard right — I beat Charming and Emma every time. Are you challenging me, Captain?" Snow asked their guest, amused.

"It would be fun. Interested?" he asked her casually as a smirk crossed Snow's face.

"I'd love to," Snow replied to him, anxious to show off her skills and best the cocky pirate. She knew the legends surrounding his sword fighting skills — that he could not be beaten — but she doubted that it applied to his archery skills. "I do have to warn you that only one person has been able…" she began to say, stopping immediately and turning pale when she realized what she had said.

"I'm not hungry," Emma mumbled out, running out of the dining room. Snow closed her eyes, guilt running over her. Killian's blue eyes filled with confusion as to what had just happened; he looked over to see Charming take Snow's hand and kiss it.

"Emma's fiancé was the only person that could beat Snow. He never missed," Charming explained to Killian on seeing his confused expression. "We try not to mention him because Emma can't hear his name or anything about him without losing control."

"I'm so sorry, Charming. The words just came out before I could stop them!" Snow told him, tearing up and beginning to lose it as well. "God — I hate what Regina has done to our family! How can I help Emma deal with this? I would do anything to get him back for her — but I can't. I miss him too!" she cried, running out of the dining room after Emma.

"Your Majesty, I didn't mean to..." Killian began, wondering how one comment about a bow and arrow competition could lead to both of the princesses crying and running out.

James took a deep breath and looked over at Killian. "It's not your fault. This is a regular occurrence in our home, unfortunately. We all are mourning the loss of Graham. I don't think it's something that you ever get over, seeing the heart ripped out of someone whom you love."

"Aye," Killian nodded to Prince James, seeing the hurt and concern in his eyes. "Prince James, I still am responsible for upsetting the princesses, but I hope to make amends with them — with your permission, of course."

"What did you have in mind?" he asked, surprised that the pirate cared so much. Killian was also surprised by this and how much it bothered him to see Emma so upset. He would usually feel annoyed by such an emotional display, but instead it made him feel unsettled.

Later-Snow & James's bedroom

"I can't believe that you are agreeing to this, James." Snow stared at her husband, shocked that he was allowing this since he wasn't a fan of pirates to begin with — and especially not of the one they had as a guest.

"Me neither, but if it will help get her mind off of her loss, then I am," James said to her. He was unsure if he should do this, but he had to do something.

"I think that it will help to distract her from it for a while. You are such an amazing father, you know?" Snow smiled at him. He put his hands on her flat stomach.

"I can't wait to be a father again," he smiled at his wife, leaning in and kissing her softly. Snow smiled at him lovingly, but he could see the sorrow in her eyes. "Hopefully, the next few months will help Emma heal so we can share the good news with her."

"I hope so. I couldn't bear to see her hurting even more," Snow whispered, torn between her happiness at her pregnancy and the pain she knew that her daughter was feeling.

"As much it pains me to admit it, you were right about Captain Jones. I think that him being here is helping her," he acknowledged, not happy about it. But it was better than watching his daughter drowning in anger, sorrow, and emptiness.

"See — you are an amazing father." Snow smiled, taking his hand and pulling him out of the bedroom.

Meanwhile

"Go away, mother! I just want to be left alone," Emma called out after hearing knocking on her bedroom door. She was lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling.

"It's Killian," his voice called out, making her sit up on her bed. "Will you please open the door?" he asked her.

Emma got up from her bed and walked over to the door. Cracking it open, she saw him smiling at her. "My father will kill you if he finds out that you came to my bedroom. Do you have a death wish?" she asked him.

"Always, love. But in this case, your father sent me here," he grinned at her, watching Emma's brow furrow in disbelief at his words. "It's true," he added wen Emma's mouth fell open. She could see that he wasn't lying. Holding hands, her mother and father walked up from behind Killian, startling Emma.

"Are we all ready to go?" James asked them, seeing surprise and confusion intermixed on Emma's face.

"Where are we going?" Emma asked them, still disbelieving that this was really happening.

"It's a surprise, milady," Killian said, smiling and offering his arm to Emma. Emma stared at him and looked over at her parents. They nodded at her before she wrapped her arm around his. His smile reached his eyes once she took his arm, and she couldn't help but let a half-smile cross her lips as her eyes filled with curiosity. He led her down the hallway with her parents following, both smiling at each other in their happiness to just see Emma half-smile.

The woods

"Okay, tell me where we are going," Emma asked Killian impatiently as they walked through the woods with her parents and a line of guards accompanying them on both sides.

"No," he winked at Emma, who bit her lip in annoyance. He looked over at the guards. "I don't know how you tolerate having guards around you all the time — I'd go bloody crazy without some alone time," he commented, shaking his head.

"It can be annoying, but you get used to it after a while." Emma shrugged her shoulders at him when her boot hit a branch, causing her to stumble. She started to fall, but Killian caught her in his arms. Her green eyes grew large, looking up at him while he held her tightly. His blue eyes stared back at her, making her swallow hard and her heart race.

"Are you alright?" he asked her, relishing the feel of her in his arms. It would have been much more enjoyable if her parents and all the guards were not there.

"I'm fine, thanks," Emma mumbled, squirming out of his arms and continuing to walk. Killian smiled to himself as he began to walk again.

James shot Snow a pointed look about the moment that had passed between their daughter and the pirate. Snow smiled at him, squeezing his hand with hers while she continued to walk. Turning her attention back to her daughter, she couldn't believe the moment that she had seen happen between her and the pirate. A part of her was completely terrified by it, but she mostly felt overjoyed at seeing their connection. There was a spark between them that was undeniable, and that spark he had ignited could bring her daughter back. She would have preferred that that person be anyone but a pirate nicknamed "Captain Hook," though she had a feeling that there was a good man buried deep behind his façade.

"Come on! Just tell me where we are going." Emma looked at Killian, frustrated by their destination.

"We are here," he told her, motioning at the clearing ahead of them. Emma's eyes traveled from him to the clearing, finally aware of the sound of the water around them. When she looked to see his ship docked, he told her, "This is my ship, the Jolly Roger." Awe crossed her features as her eyes scanned over his ship.

She turned to him, giving him a breath-taking smile that caught him off guard. "I'm going to get to go on a real pirate ship!" Emma exclaimed with awe still in her eyes.

"Aye, I'll give you the full tour, but it's not as glamorous as you might think," he said to her, offering her his arm once again. He felt his heart begin to race for something other than killing for the first time. At the moment, Princess Emma Swan was without a doubt the most beautiful thing that he had ever seen.

She nodded at him, still smiling before he led her down the hill toward the boat with her parents following behind them. They had tears in their eyes on seeing her first real smile in almost a year.

"I love you," Snow whispered to her husband, her tears falling down her cheeks.

"I love you," he echoed back at her, wiping her tears away and fighting his own as they followed their daughter and the pirate towards the ship. Prince James felt ecstatic that his daughter was smiling again, but he had a bad feeling Captain Killian Jones wouldn't be leaving his kingdom or the castle anytime in the near future.