In the cold night's air Emma sobered up pretty quickly and as soon as she had she shrugged herself away from Hook, his hand leaving her waist and falling down by his side. "Do you need my coat love?" he asked.

"No thank you, Hook," she answered as the two walked through the barren night of the docks along the stone streets and buildings. "Are you sure you're not cold?"

"I'm fine," she stated. She looked around the empty streets and kicked a stone out the way. She didn't understand him She didn't get why this pirate was being so kind to her yet was so villainous in his need for revenge. He didn't seem like a villain to her. He seemed like a good man. "Were you always a pirate?" she asked him.

"Is it question time now lass? If I answer a question then you have to answer one you know,"

"We'll see," she said with a raise of her eyebrows. The two walked in sync with one another. Just walking with no desired destination. "So…"

"No I wasn't. Before I was a pirate I was a Lieutenant in the king's navy. I cast that away for a pirate's life,"

"Why?"

"The king was a corrupt man, a dishonest man with no honour. I wanted to take everything from him as he had taken everything from me," Hook said through gritted teeth. His eyes suddenly flickered to a nearby alleyway where he could see a shadow approach against the wall and a laugh following it. "And yet I shall take what is left of you Hook," stated the voice that appeared out of the alleyway.

It was the man from the tavern. His grey greedy eyes lingered on Emma and he licked his lips hungrily, "Alright sweetheart," he greeted her. Emma's lips turned up in disgust as she rolled her eyes. "You are a very fine treasure are you not? How would you like a new master?"

"I can't just swap; it doesn't work like that,"

"I know. He either has to make all three of his wishes or he has to die. Don't worry sweetheart I'll give you the wish of a new master soon enough," he smiled perversely at her and she rolled her eyes in response and heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed and turned to see that Hook had his sword in hand. "Do you really think the lass would wish for you?" he snarled.

"What makes you think she'd want to stay with a man such as you Hook?" the other pirate retorted. His sword was raised at Hook and he was beginning to circle the two of them. The other pirate wore a cap upon his head and had eyes so dark you could lose yourself within them. Yet, Emma noted that Hook looked far more menacing than the pirate before her. This pirate looked slightly theatrical with his long hair and red coat. "I don't believe we've met before though Hook so allow me to introduce myself. The names Blackbeard," the pirate said with a mocked bow, "Pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

"Ah, I wondered when we would meet," smirked Hook as he followed Blackbeard with his sword. "You might want to get out the way love," he said to Emma.

"Yes we wouldn't want you to get hurt, so step aside sweetheart,"

"No,"

"Step aside," ordered Hook. Emma immediately moved away from the two circling pirates. He knew. He knew that he could order her to do what he pleased. Yet he hadn't abused this, he had never pushed her into revealing her past, he was allowing her to do that of her own accord. They had met only five days ago and three of those they hadn't spoken, yet there was this strange connection between them. An understanding perhaps.

"Shall we begin?" asked Blackbeard before stepping forward and aiming high with his sword. Hook blocked the attack with his own and soon the two pirates were joined in a danced of swords. The clangs reverberated through Emma's ears as she watched them. Her green eyes glued to the scene. This wasn't the first time there had been a fight over her, for her wishes. Though this was the first time she cared who won. Although she knew Hook would make all his wishes by some point and then she would get a new master she enjoyed his company and the kindness he showed her. She had never felt so free. She wasn't ready for it to end.

So when Blackbeard managed to disarm Hook, his sword flung out of his hand and his hooked arm pinned to the floor by Blackbeard's foot she gasped. His blue eyes met her green and as Blackbeard's sword dove into him his eyes seemed to say sorry. "No," whispered Emma. Her eyes were wide as she watched Hook wince in pain and clutch his side. Blackbeard laughed down at him, "I would have expected a better fight. You weren't half the challenge I expected you to be. I just want you to know that I won before I drive this sword through your heart killing you instantly."

Hook's face screwed up in pain but he still managed to glare angrily at Blackbeard and spit down at his feet. Though his eyes widened when he saw what was coming up behind the other pirate. Blackbeard saw this in Hook's eyes and spun around quickly to deflect the blow from Hook's sword that Emma was now wielding. "Really sweetheart?" he said as he deflected another blow and caused Emma to jump back. "I may not be able to kill you but I can hurt you."

"Well I can kill you," Emma smiled maliciously,

"You are really going to defend this pirate? He's dying anyway, that wound to his chest is killing him slowly and painfully. Let me ease his suffering." Emma spun around of her heels and went in for another blow. Blackbeard lifted his sword and defended himself. She put all her strength and stepped forward pushing against his sword. He just laughed at her. "If you wanted to get close to me all you had to do was ask," he winked.

Emma flicked her hair out of her face and pushed harder but Blackbeard was stronger than her and had a lot more experience in a sword fight, this was her first one. She jumped back from him to give herself a break but this time he came forward with his sword but she managed to jump out of the way. She heard Hook groan in pain, her eyes quickly fell to his body lying down on the floor clutching hold on his chest his hand covered in his own blood. She hit his sword away from her but it came back too quickly and was pointed at her neck. He twisted his body and sword so he stood behind her with the sword against her neck. "Drop the sword genie," he told her.

"No" she responded and lifted back her right leg and kicked him in the groin causing him to crumple to the floor. The hilt of her sword now pointed at his heart, "Good, but not good enough," she smirked. Quickly she reached down and yanked his sword from his grip. "Your precious pirate is still dying. You have two choices genie, kill me and watch him die or move that sword from my heart and I promise I won't hurt you, we can go off happily together."

"I chose option three, kill you and save him," Emma stated as she pushed forward and killed the pirate. She dropped Blackbeard's sword to the floor and left Hook's buried inside of him and ran over to Hook gasping on the floor. She took his hand from his chest and gagged at the sight, "Bloody hell Swan," he smiled. "You're bloody amazing."

"I know. Now make your wish,"

"What?"

"I can't save you unless you wish for it. Say your words carefully,"

"I can't think right now love, gods this hurts,"

"Well, you're dying so I imagine it would do. Say I wish my chest wound healed, that should be fine, no word play on that I am sure. Nothing can be misinterpreted."

"I wish my chest wound healed," he gasped. Within a blink of her green eyes she saw the pain vanish from his face and the wound on his chest close over. She sighed relieved and actually managed to smile and she relaxed her body and fully sat down on the floor beside him. "Were you worried about me lass?"

"You wish, Jones,"

"I've transgressed to Jones now have I?" he asked as he sat up with a wince.

"Well you did almost die, I'll allow some sentimentality. And be careful you'll ache for a little while. The wish healed your wound but you know it needs a little longer to fully heal. The wish will take care of that though. You'll be perfect before you know it,"

"I think I am already pretty perfect don't you?" he gave her a wink and she rolled her eyes but she was still smiling at him.