Hello readers! Are you good and confused now? Just wait until the rest of the tale unravels!
Killian walked Smee down the back hallway, pulling him into an empty room and shutting the door.
"Tell me what you remember," he growled, giving Smee a shake.
"I - I don't know," Smee said, scratching his head through his hat. "I was...buying a bag of cheese curls at the pharmacy, and the next thing I know, I'm cooking at Granny's. Except, it's mine now." He looked up at Killian. "How can that be? What happened here, sir?"
"I'm not sure," Killian said pacing the room. "I'd just had breakfast with Emma and Henry. and Emma had to go to the sheriff's station. Then suddenly, I'm on the deck of the Jolly Roger, in another realm, with Robin Hood laying on the deck next to me, insisting that we're both princes and we've been ruling neighboring kingdoms for years. Everyone aboard ship - the entire crew - was made up of people who didn't belong there. To add insult to injury, they had no idea I was their captain. My ship belonged to another."
"Who?"
"Emma Swan" he said, stroking his beard. "She thinks she's a pirate. And she's more than a little put out that I commandeered her ship, which makes her dangerous."
"Who's responsible for this, captain?" Smee asked. "Rumplestiltskin?"
"Possibly. I have no idea why he would do this. The man had no motive." He paced some more.
"How is it you're unaffected, sir? And how did you know my hat would bring me back?"
"I didn't," Hook explained. "I just thought you looked odd without your hat. Perhaps it's a talisman, of sorts."
"It is!" Smee said. "Rumpletstiltskin used it as a talisman when he was trying to find a way out of town!"
"That explains you, but what about me?"
"Were you wearing something particular?" Smee asked. "Holding something, maybe?"
Killian's eyes widened. "Yes. Yes! I was holding this." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small block of wood, about the size of pen. "It's from the Jolly Roger. Before I traded it to Blackbeard, I removed a sliver from one of the deck planks. I wanted to have a piece of her and I knew it would irritate him to no end to have it missing." Killian smiled with the memory. "I was in my room and I had just closed my hand around it when everything changed."
Smee sat down on the edge of the bed. "But why was I separated from my talisman, but you weren't?"
Killian raised his brows. "Your talisman isn't made from enchanted wood. Perhaps that comes into play." He gnawed the edge of his thumb a moment, thinking. "Wait - that could be it, exactly. I was back in my room looking for it, as a matter of fact."
"But why?"
"That, I think, may indeed be the question, Mr. Smee."
###
Thirteen days before...
"Ms. Swan."
"I don't have time for you, Gold," Emma said, swiping up her keys and preparing to leave the Sheriff's office. "I've got a crisis to deal with."
"Yes, I heard the fire engine," Mr. Gold replied. "But this really can't wait."
"Then walk with me," she called out as she grabbed her jacket and headed for the door. "I've got work to do."
"Indeed you do," Gold said, opening the door to the sheriff's cruiser and sliding into the passenger seat next to her. "You need to go home."
"What?" Emma gave him an exasperated look. "We've got a forest fire raging and one fire truck in this town. It's going to take some heavy magic to get it put out. Regina and I are heading over, but we'd appreciate some more help, if you're willing to give it."
"I'm happy to offer my services. And am I to assume that Henry is with Regina?"
"He wouldn't stay away if we're using magic," Emma griped. "You know how he is."
"And your parents?"
"My mom's car broke down when she was leaving the park with my brother. My father's on his way to pick them up."
"Conveniently leaving no one at home."
Emma pulled over abruptly, slamming the car into park. "You want to tell me something?" she demanded. "I've got a fire to get to."
Gold gave her a cool look. "I have reason to believe that these coincidences are not what they seem. Our friendly district attorney and former villainous king paid me a visit yesterday, in search of a special compass that we both know you and your mother possess. My guess is, he's trying to draw you away so that he can retrieve it."
"The compass? What does he want with the compass?"
Gold gave a slight shrug. "Unknown. But that is the real question, isn't it? And if he's managed to find it, we'll have an answer and I'm not sure you'll like it."
Emma put the car in gear, pulling back out. "We have to get this fire under control before the wind shifts and sends it into town."
"Leave the fire to me and Regina," Gold offered. "You go and find out what old George is up to."
"He didn't make any deals with you?" Emma asked suspiciously.
"I didn't have what he wanted," Gold said. "But I will warn you - if George is planning on utilizing a magical instrument, well...let's just say that magic in the hands of amateurs...it never ends well."
Emma chewed her lip as she pulled up next to the firetruck on the edge of the forest. "You can stop this?"
"Regina could probably handle it herself," he said in a bored tone.
"All right, I'm heading home, but I'll be back over as soon as I've grabbed the compass."
###
Back in the present...
"So...you were holding your talisman, which is made from enchanted wood, and it kept you from changing to somebody else?" Smee clarified.
"That's just it," Killian said. "People aren't really that changed. They've moved into new roles, and are reacting to that, certainly, but they also seem to retain a lot of themselves. Robin is still Robin. The dwarf still has his cheery disposition. And Emma...I have a feeling she's still in there, somewhere." He gave a reluctant smile. "She's just a bloody good pirate."
"So she can't be trusted," Smee observed.
"Not yet. But if I could bring you back, perhaps we can do the same with her - and with everyone."
"What would her talisman be?" Smee asked.
"My thought is that it must be the compass, which is probably located in The Dark One's shop. I didn't see it when I checked the place out. I need to get in there."
Smee's eyes widened with alarm. "He'll know what you're up to."
"Not if he doesn't see me."
"He'll know it was you," Smee warned. "Mr. Charming is even more devious than the Rumplestiltskin we know. Don't think you can fool him easily, sir."
"What I need is a diversion," Killian pondered, rubbing his chin. "And I think I know just who can provide it. But before I do that, I need to know who's here, and who's there."
"There, sir?" Smee looked at him in confusion.
"Storybrooke is linked to the other realm via a beanstalk on the outskirts of town. Some of us were thrown there, others landed here," Killian explained. "I need to know who I can round up in Storybrooke. Have you seen Snow White?"
Smee shook his head. "No, sir. Just the prince."
"See if you can find anyone useful, while I go and set up my diversion."
Killian started off down the hallway. He reached room number three and knocked twice, rubbing his ear impatiently. He leaned in slightly, and his eyes narrowed as he realized he was hearing voices. He wrenched the door open wide, startling Will Scarlet, who was just sitting down on the foot of the bed. Emma was laying against the pillows, wearing her long shirt, boots, and it appeared not much else.
"What the devil is going on here!" Killian bellowed.
Will jumped up, scrambling over it to roll off the opposite side. Emma spread her arms, lounging back on her pillows.
"Took you long enough," she smirked. "What can I say? You snooze, you lose."
Killian's jaw hardened to the point where she should have heard a deafening crack. "Get out." He spoke to Will, but his eyes were on Emma.
"I don't want no trouble," Will said. "But the lady seems to have made her choice."
"The lady," Killian said, making it clear that he had a very hard time using that particular word, "Is looking for a man who knows how to handle a woman like her. A man who can match her in every way that counts."
Will looked at him, wrinkling his nose. "And you think that bloke is you?" he turned to Emma. "I've never left a lady wanting."
"You'd be a diverting hour," Killian conceded as his eyes shifted to Will. "Or maybe only fifteen minutes. Emma needs a real challenge, and I think she knows where to find it."
"Much as I like watching you two battle wits over me," Emma said, crossing her booted feet, "I'm getting bored." She looked over at Will. "You - I'll talk to you later."
"How much later?" Will glowered.
"Depends on him." Emma gave a nod over toward Killian, who looked as though he were going to spontaneously combust with anger in the center of the room.
"You sure about this?" Will asked, leaning in and lowering his voice. "He don't look like much to me."
Emma shrugged. "We'll see. Don't go far."
Killian made a strangled noise and Emma rolled her eyes. Will gave her an answering shrug of his own and exited the room, giving Killian a wide berth as he did so. He pulled the door shut behind him, and Killian and Emma were alone.
"So?" She lifted a shoulder in a negligent shrug. "Was that all talk?"
He stood in the middle of the room, clenching and unclenching his fist, looking as though he were fighting an intense inner battle, because that's exactly what was going on. To walk in and find her here, ready to entertain another man...
He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath in an effort to control his anger. This wasn't his Emma. She was Emma, most definitely, but not the way she needed to be.
Not the way he needed her to be.
And despite her forward ways, there would be hell to pay when she got herself back if he took advantage of that. He'd been fending her off for now, but it hadn't occurred to him that she'd be casting about like a cat in heat if he didn't take care of her himself.
"Bloody hell," he murmured under his breath. He opened his eyes, and Emma was standing before him, and that damned shirt was nearly transparent with the glow of the candlelight behind her.
"So you think you're the man for me?" she asked, unbuttoning the shirt and dropping it to the floor.
Killian's eyes widened, and he couldn't stop them from moving downward, taking it all in.
"Yes," he replied a bit hoarsely.
"Well, come on then. Let's try you out." She turned and walked to the bed where she sat down and extended a leg toward him. "Help me get my boots off."
Killian clenched his fist, unclenched it, and clenched it again. Then he walked over and put his hand around her boot.
"You really think you know how to handle me?" she said with a smirk, laying back on her elbows.
Killian's eyes darkened. "Oh, I know just what to do with you, love." His grip on her boot tightened, and gave a sharp tug across, instead of out, flipping her over onto her belly.
"What the...!"
Emma's words cut off on a startled shriek as Killian sat down on the bed and pulled her across his lap, then his hand came down in a stinging slap on her bare buttocks.
"You want to behave like a teasing child?" he fumed. "I'll handle you just like one!"
"Ow! Goddammit!" She struck back with her hands, trying to hit him, but he smacked her bottom again. "Stop that!" she shouted.
He flipped her back over, coming down on top of her and pinning one of her arms with his forearm while grabbing her free wrist in his hand. He held her legs down with one of his, and brought his full weight to bear. She thrashed for a moment, then went utterly still.
Her chest heaved as she stared up with him, and fire blazed from her eyes that very nearly matched the flames in his. They stared at each other for an endless moment, and something shifted, changing from vivid fire to slow smolder. His mouth moved slowly, ever-so-slowly toward hers.
Emma's eyes closed dreamily, and she brought her mouth up to meet his. He released his grip on her hand, sliding his hand down to trace the curve of her side and hip as he settled his lips on hers...
...Only to rear back with a roar as she tore a handful of hair from his head, bucking him off of her. Before he could get his bearings, her hand cracked across his face hard enough to make him see stars and he went down hard on one knee. She tried to move away, but he grabbed her leg, pulling her down where she fell awkwardly on top of him. He reached up, wrapping his hand in her hair and sliding his other arm around her to hold her tight.
"Bastard!" she shouted.
"Bitch!" he shouted back.
She grabbed him the collar of his shirt and kissed him, hard, her lips devouring his as they rolled over on the carpet. He sucked at her lips as his tongue twined with hers, and the only sound in the room was their harsh breathing as their lips met over and over, their breath mingling as he pressed into her. She shifted, spreading her legs with a groan and allowing him to slip between them. He ground against her, releasing her mouth as his lips and tongue moved to her neck. His teeth grazed her ear and his hot breath teased her, sending a shiver down her spine that collided with the feeling of him rocking himself, hard and thick, right into the apex of her thighs.
Her hand moved down to trace him through the tight leather of his pants and she groaned again.
"Oh, God. I want you," she panted, rubbing him hard until he had to move her hand for self-preservation.
She was wild beneath him, pulling at his backside, forcing him tighter against her, and he rolled his hips a little faster at her urging. His hand found her breast, tugging at the nipple as he pushed against her, and she moaned loudly. He felt her pull her legs up around him, and he settled himself higher, grinding on her hard until she came with a strangled cry, her back bowing as she froze, then collapsed, her shaking legs sliding off of him in the aftermath.
"God," she said, gasping. "Oh my God." Her dazed eyes met his, and the burning look he gave her made her realize that he was still holding back.
"Slide those pants off, big boy," she said, with a sated smile. "We can finish off down here or up there, but I'm not sure I can get up yet."
Killian sat back on his heels, his chest moving with the effort of breathing and holding back. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to finish what he started, but he had to stop this now, before it went too far.
He pushed himself to his feet. "We're done here," he said. "I've rented the next room. There's an adjoining door, if you need anything."
He walked over, wrenching the door open, then stepped through and slammed it behind him.
Emma laid on the carpet, staring in confusion at the ceiling as she heard him start the shower.