Killian woke some time during the night to hear Emma thrashing in her sleep. She was clearly having a nightmare.
"No…don't…stop please…don't hurt them," Emma pleaded in her sleep.
Killian wondered what could have caused such disquietude. He got up to wake her.
"Hush, Emma," Killian whispered. "It is just a bad dream."
He lightly put a hand on her shoulder when she got up with a start. She grasped his arm and laid her head upon his shoulder. She was breathing hard as if she had just run a mile. He could hear her choke down the sobs that tried to rack through her body. He held her with one arm trying to quell her distress. The fragrance of her hair filled his mind and for a brief moment he turned his face into her hair to savor the scent.
When she realized who she was holding on to, she stiffened and drew back to stare into his cerulean orbs that were filled with concern.
"Are you alright?" Killian asked.
Emma nodded not daring to speak for fear sobs would come pouring out of her. She was still experiencing the remnants of her nightmare where she saw her father imprisoned in a dark, foreboding cell with his hands and feet bound in chains. He was being whipped by Regina and her laughter echoed pierced with shrieks of pain coming from her father while her mother ran toward them dodging fireball after fireball until one came too close and that was when Emma woke up. She needed someone to soothe her and she was surprised when she found it was the Captain that was whispering calming words in her ear.
He was so close that her awareness of him was heightened and the masculine scent of him evoked a rush of pleasure that swept through her. It wasn't the first time she experienced lust. A few of the palace guards were handsome enough to catch her attention and she enjoyed several harmless trysts.
His hand came up to stroke her hair and in a flash of memory, she recalled what his naked body looked like, how strong the lines of his muscles were, and when her glance ventured lower how big his…no wait, she wouldn't think of that. She tamped down those feelings.
Killian sensed she was pulling back so he let her withdraw. He started to put the pieces together; her desperation to get back to where she was; her anger and mischievousness towards him; her nightmares. She didn't just get separated from her family by villains; some traumatic event had to have happened possibly enough to go to the Dark One for help. He started to remember what having family was like; having Liam there.
The words tumbled out of his mouth, "I know what it's like to lose family."
She looked up at him, "You've lost your family?"
He nodded slowly, "Aye."
Her heart softened for him as she gazed into his eyes seeing the hurt there as he was remembering some painful times in his life. Then she saw his gaze drifting to the open gape of her dress. She had loosened a few ties of her corset to get more comfortable before going to sleep. Now one shoulder of her dress was halfway down her arm, the actual bodice slipped so low on that side but hanging in place because of the fullness of the breasts leaving her upper mounds free to his gaze.
Killian wished he hadn't noticed because suddenly his crotch area started to feel tight. A log fell in the fireplace, sending a burst of sparks flying outward from the hearth and startling both of them to their senses.
Killian quickly moved to the fireplace and sneered, "Cover yourself! Only a woman of easy virtue could display such a lack of modesty. I wonder what you've let Graham have the pleasure of viewing."
Emma felt outrage as she drew her dress over her shoulder relieved that at least her nipples weren't revealed.
"How dare you attack my virtue when you, a pirate, would try to steal another man's wife! Hypocrite!" Emma spat. "And Graham has been nothing but a perfect gentleman, unlike you!"
"Get to bed. We leave at first light," Killian said walking over to his pallet. He lay down on his pallet turning over to hide his growing needs. This can only lead to trouble and he already had enough.
Emma held her fury in check but she so badly wanted to box his ears. If this lovesick fool hadn't tried to kidnap his paramour then she would probably be reunited with her family. The only thing good coming from their brief interlude was that she no longer had disturbing images of her parents to disrupt her dreams. Instead she fell asleep thinking of different and imaginable ways she could torment him.
They got up at first light to make their way to the old castle. It was a quiet trip for the most part. Emma was still angry at Killian's remark and Killian was getting annoyed at himself for letting Emma occupy his thoughts.
Emma started thinking of what she would say to Smee and Fitch to apologize for attacking them and tying them up.
Graham met them in front of the castle and greeted them.
"Look who I found Graham," Killian said. "Since Miss Swan doesn't like the accommodations she has been provided" -sweeping his hands across the ruins of the old castle- "we have to come to an understanding. We will take her to Arendelle in exchange for money."
Killian watched as Graham helped Emma off her mount and had to push down a feeling of jealousy when Graham's hand lingered overly long on Emma's waist.
"You didn't have to run away," Graham said chiding Emma. "I would have taken you to Arendelle had you asked."
Graham was disappointed that she left the way she did.
"It is better this way," Emma explained. "This is more of a business arrangement."
A business arrangement would be better than a personal one because once their sojourn was over they could part with handshakes but she didn't say this out loud.
Graham led her into the keep where she walked up to Smee and Fitch to apologize to them. Smee listened to the apology as he was concentrating on picking some dirt from his nail and Fitch was looking upward not meeting her eyes with his arms crossed. They were still both embarrassed that a slip of a girl like Emma could ambush and tie them up. They accepted grudgingly as it was explained that they would be taking her to Arendelle.
Killian and Emma had breakfast before they started on the trip into the port town to get some supplies for their trip. Killian purchased a covered wagon, more furs, heavier winter coats for all of them, enough food to last a month and lots of rum to keep them warm.
When they stopped for lunch, Killian couldn't take Emma to the regular rowdy tavern that Smee & Fitch preferred that was full of drunken sailors and roués so Graham recommended a more upscale tavern that he had brought Emma to dine before.
Killian sat across from Emma and Graham at the tavern table. At his vantage point, he was forced to watch Graham's ardent attentions towards Emma. Graham realizing he had limited time to pay court to the lovely lady pressed his amorous suit more fervently.
Graham paid her the most flattering complements, offered her the most tender meat to sample from his trencher, offered her his cloak when she became chilled, letting his arm amble around her shoulder as he settled his cloak on her and ordering her a hot, spiced apple cider to warm her up.
Killian thought he was going to go into sugar shock at the sweetness that was dripping off of Graham. He noticed the smiles Emma bestowed on Graham. It bothered Killian that she has only given him frowns and snarls since he met her. Emma made sure to focus her kindly attentions solely on Graham and Graham basked in her consideration. Apparently the lass could be good natured and gracious when she wanted to be, Killian thought.
Finally Killian couldn't take any more of Graham's candy-coated wooing that he summoned the tavern waitress to quickly pay the bill so they could get out of there. If this was what Graham was going to be like now, Killian would be rolling his eyes the entire trip.
They had all the supplies they needed for their long, wintery trek including exchanging Emma's plodding nag with a better mount that could travel faster in case there was danger.
The snow started to fall as they traveled to the dilapidated keep. Emma always thought snow made the air fresher, crisper and the scenery more peaceful looking.
As soon as they got to the broke-down castle, Graham started dinner and the others sorted out the things they needed for the trip so that they could leave first thing in the morning the next day.
Killian decided to go hunting while there was still sunlight so they had some fresh meat to eat for the trip. Graham asked him if he wanted company but Killian told him to stay behind to guard the keep. Even though Graham was more skilled with a bow and arrow, Killian needed the space to clear his mind. He also needed privacy to practice his archery skills. He didn't want to look bad in front of the lass. Who knows what cruel barbs would come from her lips should she find him lacking.
After catching some small game, he decided to head back. Looking at his catch, he was pleased with his skills. After missing a few targets, he started getting the feel of it once again and brought back a few animals for Smee and Fitch to skin.
When Killian came back and opened the door, he found Emma, Graham, Smee and Fitch gathered around the fireplace. Emma was telling them a ghost story which was fitting in this setting. No doubt there might be a few ghosts wandering around this ancient place.
When Killian shut the door loudly, Smee and Fitch wailed in fright thinking a ghost came out to haunt them.
"Calm down, you'll wake the dead with all your noise," Killian barked.
Smee jumped up, "You must be hungry, Captain. Let me set up your trencher."
Killian went to sit down at the table while his food was put in front of him. As he ate and drank, he began to observe the dynamics of the group. He could see that Emma was able to charm Smee and Fitch into talking to her again. Graham looked captivated by her every word. There seemed to be a growing comradery among them and he felt like the odd man out.
After he finished dinner, he retired upstairs. Fitch went to skin and clean his catch. The rest of the group went to sleep.
Emma lay awake in her bed and couldn't help but feel Killian's eyes on her all evening long. She wondered what he was thinking. Each time she looked at him, she caught him looking at her. It was very puzzling indeed.
All of a sudden she heard a loud crash coming from upstairs. She got up and ran into the hall. Smee, Fitch and Graham were already halfway up the stairs. When Emma arrived upstairs, she saw Killian's head sticking out of a pile of snow in his bedroom. Apparently the roof caved in from the snow and a pile of the white stuff was dumped on Killian's sleeping form.
For some reason, Killian fixed her with a glare. She just shrugged her shoulders and said, "As much as I would like to take credit, I am not responsible for that."
Killian let out a low growl as he tried to free himself of the mini-avalanche. Emma was relieved that Killian wasn't seriously hurt but as he was being helped out she caught a glimpse of his bare chest and whirled around, remembering that he slept in the nude. For the rest of the night, he had to sleep in the hall with the rest of his men fully clothed.
The next morning Killian was happy to be on the road. From the bats, to the mini-avalanche, to the troublesome wench Emma, he felt sorely abused since he set foot in this rundown pile of rocks.
Hope everyone had a great holiday and wish you all a Happy New Year!