Chapter 5 -The Importance of Having Towels

Disclaimer: In my dreams, OUAT is mine. In reality, I just wish it was. The ideas, now that is another matter.

After the kettle disaster that morning, Emma was reluctant to allow Hook anywhere near ANYTHING modern, but had to concede that after being stuck in the lock up for several weeks, he probably needed a wash. She was placated, however, by the fact that the pirate has clearly come across plumbing before: after all, he had used the bathroom with no problem before, and managed to not break anything. And he had assured her that he knew how to work a bath as well, so having one standing up would be novel, but not extremely impossible.

She briefly explained that the hot water came from a boiler that could be switched on and off with a button that said: On, Off, and he assured her that once he was done, he would probably still have the presence of mind to turn it off.

None the less, she found herself holding her breath until she heard the sound of the water start. When no screams followed, she finally allowed herself to relax.

It was not 2 minutes later that she heard a knock on the door and stood to find Henry and Neal had decided to drop by.

Killian Jones was an educated man. He admitted that technology was difficult to master and therefore resigned himself to being taught about everything. He could, however, still read.

He had started with reading the various bottles that Emma had lined up in a little wide cabinet set on top of the bath itself. The sorted out the things he needed - something called Shower Gel, which, from the description, contained some sort of soap water, and Shampoo, which seemed to be a different kind of soap made for the hair on his head. He carefully stayed clear of bottles like: "Veet - do not use on face or near open wounds", and figured that he would be relatively safe with his current selection.

He proceeded to turn the taps that Emma had told him controlled the shower, and after a minute stepped into the bath tub. The water was a bit cold, but by fiddling with the taps he managed to get the temperature to become warm, and pleasant.

Clearly, this world had done something right.

The pirate started with washing his hair with the strange liquid soap. The stuff smelled of flowers, but right now he did not care much - he preferred to be clean than worry about smelling of violets or whatever the small was. Rinsing the soap out, he proceeded to use the other soap to wash the rest of himself, taking time to wash the residue of dried blood from where some of his wounds from the car crash had reopened in the last few weeks.

He leaned back against the wall, and just let himself enjoy the warm water for a while longer.

A good half an hour after he had gone in, Hook shut off the water and stepped out of the bath. He then carefully contemplated the switch and, just like Emma had shown him, slowly flicked it down.

For a moment, he could still hear the slow buzzing that Emma told him was the boiler. Then, it stopped.

Hook held his breath. After all, it could still explode…

Nothing continued to happen.

Suddenly, Captain Hook was overtaken by a peculiar sense of joy. The flung open the door, and ran out into the corridor, towards the little kitchenette.

"Lass, I did not break it! Nothing exploded, I did not break the pipes and the water did not burn me to a cinder! We must celebrate this!"

The kitchen was deserted.

"Lass?"

He heard a choking sound and swivelled on the spot.

On the small sofa behind him, sat Emma Swan.

She was not alone.

At this moment, she was carefully covering the eyes of her boy, wearing a smirk on her face, that was half laughing at him and half bemused.

Baelfire sat next to her, and looked like he was split between wanting to shield Emma's eyes and punching the pirate into the corridor.

Hook followed both their gazes down.

"Ah."

"I am very happy for you Hook. Ecstatic. It's good that you managed to not maim yourself. Or damage anything. I have just one request. One." Pause. "Use a bloody towel! There are children here!"

Her fury was so terrifying, that he did not even think of any smart and leery comment that he could have made. Instead, he turned his very naked bottom and RAN towards the safety of the lockable bathroom door.

AN: I am very sorry I am posting a day late, but I have have weddings, viewings and various logistics to take care of. I hope you can all forgive me. All my thanks to my reviewers and WI :)