Obviously in my little world, Hook has his ship... writing about a pirate with no ship was just too sad. Hope that's not too AU for anyone. Thank you to everyone who is reading, especially CuteMcBeauty, Aztec Moustache, Distant Storm, Alexandra Sarafolean, and AngelsHeart1 for reviewing! I really love hearing from you all! -KM-

Chapter 8

He awoke the next morning to find her still in his arms, stirring awake a few moments after he did. He handed her a glass of water from the bedside table, asking "How are you feeling this morning, love?"

She shrugged, sipping at the water. "My shoulder aches, but not like it did yesterday."

He nodded, reluctantly releasing her and slipping out of bed, knowing Smee would be wanting help bringing the Jolly Roger into port. He reached for his hook and brace, his back to Emma, concealing his damaged flesh from her view, not looking forward to strapping the brace back onto his wounded arm knowing the buckles were going to irritate the fresh wounds, but unwilling to give up a potential weapon with Zelena still loose.

"Killian."

He froze as he heard her call his name. "Yes, love?"

"Before you do that -" She reached toward him. "May I see?"

"The hook?" He asked, hoping to deflect her inquiry.

"No."

"The arm isn't something I normally show off, Princess." His words came out more harshly than he'd intended.

"I'm sorry." She said softly. "I shouldn't have asked."

He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, the tension in his body almost tangible as he considered his response. "No. You should have. You of all people have the right to ask that of me." He shook his head at his own cowardice. "I've asked you to consider sharing your heart with me, and here I am hesitating about sharing myself with you. Bloody hypocritical of me, isn't it?" He laughed mirthlessly as he turned to face her. "I've many scars, love. Most aren't even on the outside." He picked up his brace and tossed it on the foot of the bed, then crossed the room to sit on the bed hear her feet. "I will warn you, Princess. It's not a pretty sight."

She sat up and moved next to him, touching his shoulder. "It really is okay. You don't have to show me."

He kept his gaze focused on the floorboards. "If you want to look, love, I've nothing to hide from you."

Recognizing how difficult this clearly was for him, she held out her hand to him. "Then please, let me see."

"As you wish." He extended his arm to her, looking away from her at the floor, at the window, at anything but her eyes, fearing the disgust he knew would be there once she saw. He was well aware that while his leather covered hook arm cut a dashing figure many woman found attractive, the reality of the mottled flesh beneath the brace was enough to turn most stomachs.

He felt her untie the drawstring cuff he'd pulled tight yesterday evening, not wanting to accidentally expose his mutilated arm during the night. As she rolled back the cuff a few inches, he heard her breath catch in her throat, and he stiffened, mentally steeling himself against her revulsion, wondering how it was possible to be fully clothed yet feel so totally naked in front of her.

He felt her fingertip lightly trace the twisted scar that roped its way up his forearm and he dared raise his eyes to meet hers. He had been expecting to see disgust, even contempt, and was utterly floored when all he saw was... compassion?

He jumped slightly as her touch traveled up his forearm, gently unwrapping the bandage he'd hastily applied the prior evening. "I'm sorry." She apologized, withdrawing. "Did I hurt you?"

He shook his head. "No, love. You just surprised me. Touching that-" he inclined his head towards the stump of his left wrist. "isn't the usual reaction I get from women."

"Oh." She reached again for his arm and he offered no resistance. "Is this from yesterday? Both our weight on the straps?" She asked, indicating the fresh wounds near his elbow, and he nodded. Rewrapping the bandage, her fingertips explored the old raised scars, moving down to his wrist and over the end of the stump, her touch soothing away the dull ache that was almost always present. "What happened?"

"You know what happened. Rumple-" He began, stopping when she held up a hand to interrupt.

"No, I know that part. I mean what happened to make the scarring so bad?"

He looked away again. "A ship isn't always the cleanest environment, Princess. Infection set in, even after Smee cauterized it." He shuddered at the memory of Smee pressing the red hot metal against his bleeding stump. "I'm afraid I passed out during that occurrence." He admitted reluctantly. "My memories of the next few weeks are spotty at best. Fever set in, followed by gangrene. Smee did what he could for it until finally a healer was found. Not much she could have done about the scarring at that point, but she did rid me of the infection. Saved my miserable life for sure."

Emma's touch slowly became less of an exploration and more of a caress. "I'm glad she did." Her fingers danced lightly over his scar. "I'm glad to have met you." She raised his arm to her lips and softly kissed the inside of his wrist, then the top of his stump, over the worst of the scars. He shuddered with the overwhelming intimacy of the simple act, closing his eyes at the feeling of her lips on the part of his body he most detested. "In case you haven't figured it out even after me saying so yesterday, I do care for you, Killian. All of you." She rested her head on his shoulder, allowing his wrist to drop back into his lap. "Even your scars."

He searched for words. I am...relieved to hear you say that." He reached for his brace and hook and slid it over his wrist, reaching around for the strap to buckle it around his forearm.

Her hands brushed his aside. "Please, let me." He allowed her to fasten the buckle, acknowledging that the task was far easier for her two hands.

He stood, gathering his dignity around him like a cloak. "I don't know about you, Princess, but I am ravenous. Shall we go to the galley for some breakfast?"

Please drop me a review and let me know what you think! I'm really enjoying writing this story, and I hope you're enjoying reading it! The reviews I've gotten so far have been really encouraging, and they make me want to write faster because I know people are waiting! Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to review and give feedback. Your comments help make me a better writer!

-KM-