Chapter 15: Lovely Company

Cora had fallen into a mirror, ending up in a realm that Rumplestiltskin explained to Jennifer as being the most annoying world; apparently, Regina had finally looked past her fears about magic and used it herself. Rumplestiltskin persuaded Regina to take him as her teacher; so, many afternoons, Rumplestiltskin would leave the Dark Castle to begin the witch's lessons. Jennifer smiled when he kissed her good-bye, and as always, she promised she would be here when he returned.

And she would be.

But the lessons took time, so Jennifer filled it with more than just torturing peasants.

Jennifer wore her hunting gear. Tan pants that hugged her skin, brown boots that laced up to her knees, and a white top that pulled into her stomach naturally, rather than willfully squishing her organs. The top laced in the front, giving her bust more appeal, as the clothes of these days always did. Jennifer pulled her hair back in a high ponytail but over the years, when she allowed it to fall down casually, it would tangle around the small of her back. Jennifer stashed a knife inside the back of her boots, and one along the belt of her pants.

Before leaving, Jennifer stopped at the entrance of the Dark Castle, looking back furtively. She had become used to calling this fortress 'home', and it was her home, for whenever she left, she would miss it. However, a part of her was missing someone, and out of some open-ended need for closure, Jennifer began her journey.

As a vampire, it only took an hour to run where she wanted to be.

As she arrived the village, Jennifer pulled her hood over her face, walking past the villagers. She noticed that some of the great-grandchildren who had only been infants when Jennifer had been living in the village were now all grown up. She doubted her mother would be here; after all, before she had fled, her parents had been in their seventies. Now, they would be ancient—if they were alive.

Jennifer observed the crowd of people who walked around, selling their goods to those who would buy it, and talked and walked without a fear in the world. Their voices were care-free, almost happy. Jennifer hadn't heard that kind of sound in decades; then again, these people didn't know that there was a vampire walking among them. She lowered her hood, and after realizing her mother was no longer here, she turned around and left, leaving the villagers in peace.

Her heart took her to a pub that was located near the docks. Loud, drunken laughter from dirty—but hard-working—men greeted her when she opened the door; she saw women, barely dressed, lounging their bodies over these hard-party folks. She smiled when no one seemed to recognize her; then again, her duties were not always aligned with her husband; she was mostly behind-the-scenes. The fact that no one saw her—or could recognize her without her skin burning to a crisp—made her that more mysterious and dangerous. She inwardly smiled when the bartender greeted her pleasantly.

"Good afternoon, beautiful," he drawled, leaning over the pub. "What can I get you?"

"Bloody Mary," Jennifer answered lightly.

He nodded and did some flamboyant tosses of alcohol into a cup before placing it in front of her. Jennifer took her drink and walked to a table that was in the farthest corner of the pub; sitting in the booth, she observed the riot displaying before her. Pints were clinking, a woman was laughing too loudly, and her 'girlfriends' around were just as disgustingly open with their choices in sexual favors. Jennifer observed the other half of the pub where some of the patrons were quietly drinking, some looking a lot more depressed than others. Jennifer took a drink of her own depressant, feeling crestfallen. She had wanted to see her mother for what could have been the last time but obviously, time had gotten away from her—and she never even noticed.

"You look like you could use some company, love."

Jennifer lifted her eyes from her drink to see a handsome man dressed in black leather and wearing a black leather trench coat. Dark hair on his head, and the dark facial hair on his tanned complexion made him look fearsome but the blue eyes that looked on her with favor made the over all appearance of this man appealing.

"Company, huh?" Jennifer mused, smiling at him. "Is that what you're calling yourself?"

He sat down across from her, intrigued by her sass, maybe. Or maybe he had no other girl to charm. His right hand raised to the bartender to come on over and the man ordered a drink for himself.

"And another for this fiery minx before me," He said, smiling devilishly at Jennifer.

"What did you have, miss?" The bartender asked, looking at her.

"Actually, could I have a pint of rum?" Jennifer asked, handing the bartender her empty glass.

Jennifer's 'company' raised his eyebrows impressively at Jennifer, and the devilish smile became more mischievous. The bartender nodded, whistling low as he walked back to his little corner to make the drinks. Jennifer turned to her 'company'.

"You don't come here often," he said.

"I don't come here at all," Jennifer remarked.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

"Oh really? Why is that?"

The man placed his hand over hers.

"Because I'd hate to forget a beautiful vision like you," the man told her, winking.

Jennifer leaned back in her seat.

"Your pretty face gets you a lot of women, doesn't it?"

"Aye, love. More than I care to mention."

"You just did," Jennifer returned, smiling. "But how do I know you're more than just a pretty face. You could be nothing and I would be wasting my valuable time."

The man chuckled deeply. Jennifer noticed that he had a bit of pride in himself. Those blue eyes never leaving her face, just taking in their full view. The eye liner he wore made him appear sharper, more devilish. His shirt revealed some of his chest hair—whether that was by design or by his own doing, she didn't know. His over all appearance, however, did intrigue her.

"What's your name, love?"

"Does it matter?" Jennifer responded coolly.

The man smirked at her, saying, "You're playing hard to get."

"Nothing worth having was easily obtained." Jennifer mused, smirking at him.

The man looked at her, once more impressed by her sheer wit. When the bartender came by again and he gave her a pint, Jennifer thanked him and she drank the entire contents right down to the very last drop. Meanwhile, both the bartender and her handsome company stared at her, more shocked than impressed. Jennifer stood to her feet, and placed a handful of gold down on the table.

"I don't require that much," the Bartender stated, chuckling.

"Some of it is for him," Jennifer returned, inclining her head to the man across from her. She leaned in, smirking, saying, "You're a real charmer, sir. But it takes a lot more than a pretty face and charisma to get anywhere with me."

She left the pub and the pleasant company behind but then she was caught off guard as a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the building. Jennifer quickly pulled out the knife from her belt, aiming it at whomever had dared to assault her, but slackened her grip when the point of the dagger was touched against the familiar company. Jennifer stared at the same man she'd just left, and smiled when he looked taken aback.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jennifer questioned. "I could have killed you."

"Aye, but I couldn't let you leave..." the man said, smiling.

"Why?"

"You never said 'good bye'."

Jennifer chuckled, "I must have made quite the impression on you."

"Well, you never let me answer your question."

"Which was?"

"Whether or not I'm wasting your time."
Jennifer chuckled, rolling her eyes. She lowered the knife, stashing it along her belt. He watched her with a crooked smile.

"You have two minutes."

"I've traveled across the world—seen things you wouldn't believe. I can go anywhere..."

"How?"

"I have a ship." The man told her proudly. "Trust me, love. I am worth your time. Just as you..." He placed his right hand along her jaw, "Have been worthy of mine."

"And why would I even agree to go anywhere..." Jennifer drawled and she leaned forward so their faces were only centimeters from each other, "With you."

"Because I take what I want...and it usually comes willingly."

"Sounds a bit manipulative," Jennifer noted.

"Well, I'm a pirate, Love. That's what Pirates do."

Jennifer gave him a cool look.

"The pirates I have heard of, dear," Jennifer uttered quietly, "take mothers from their children. They take what they want, and give nothing back."

"Maybe you've met the wrong sort."

Jennifer eyed him carefully.

"What's your name, love?" she breathed, taunting him with a lingering kiss.

He took the bait, and touching his lips against hers, he whispered, "Jones. Captain Killian Jones."

BAM!
Jennifer had punched him so hard that he was down on the ground, groaning as he held his face in one hand. The other hand, which had either been kept in his pocket or behind his back (maybe so he wouldn't 'frighten' her) was revealed to be a hook. Jennifer placed her hands on her hips, smirking as the man got to his feet.

"What the hell was that for!" Killian shouted.

"For being the wrong sort!" Jennifer snapped.

"I didn't even do anything!"

"Not to me," Jennifer snapped. "I've heard about you. Hook."

Killian stared at her, and seemed to realize that this woman was not exactly as she appeared to be. He seemed to try and figure out where they had known each other, but he couldn't.

She took him by the collar of his shirt and threw him against the wall of the building; he grunted with the harsh impact; the force of her throw put a dent in the wall in the shape of the pirate's body.

"Will you stop throwing me around like I'm a bloody rag doll!" Killian responded hotly. "What is your problem!"

Jennifer uttered softly, "You took a man's wife away, knowing she had a child. You made a boy motherless."

"Wait...wait a minute." Killian muttered. He pointed at her. "How do you know about..."

"Milah abandoned her child," Jennifer growled. "And you just let her walk away. Why would you do that?"

Killian was ready to retort but he stopped, staring at her.

"You..." Killian uttered. "Wait...I think I know you. You're the new one, aren't you? The new wife. You're married to that crocodile, aren't you?"

Jennifer scowled.

"Be careful what you say about him around me." Jennifer threatened dangerously.

"So you love him?" Killian asked, laughing derisively.

"More than I love myself," Jennifer responded emphatically.

Killian stepped towards her, pulling out his sword as a means of protecting himself. He would be damned if this woman shoved him into a wall again, or tried killing him. Now that he realized she had a personal vendetta against him, Killian wouldn't be too hurt to kill this woman...this vampire...this beast.

"You'll be crushed then," Killian said, "if you hear the real story behind what happened."

"I know the story, Captain." Jennifer told him, crossing her arms. "Milah fell in love with you. She left with you after hearing all these stupid stories you told. And you—the irresponsible pirate—allowed her to abandon her son."

"Will you stop with the guilt-trip?" Killian returned callously. "I've endured my own pain, Vampire. He came back for her. He ripped out her heart and crushed it—did he tell you that?"

Jennifer chuckled, saying, "Yes."

Killian stepped back, a little shocked that she knew the entire truth.

"You know?" Killian breathed darkly. "You KNOW what kind of a MONSTER he is and you still love him?"

Jennifer smirked, saying, "Even better." She giggled, adding mischievously, "I married him. I had my happy ending, Captain. It's a shame yours had to die."

Killian lost what little self control he had as he roared, pulling back his sword and running towards her. Jennifer giggled wickedly as she dodged him, her eyes flickering to their bright yellow orbs and practically glowing in the night sky. He frowned deeply, but there was a spark of fear when he saw just how wicked the vampire appeared. Jennifer dodged him again when he tried to attack her, and she kicked him over the edge so he fell into the water.

"You were right," Jennifer mused, watching him surface. "I did enjoy your company. But you're not going to be able to kill me, dearest. Not in this life time anyway."

"Your death will come by my hand," Killian swore as he swam to the edge to pull himself up. "And so will the death of your cowardly husband."

Jennifer shrugged; "We'll see. Good bye, Killian."

In a flash, she was gone.

Killian pulled himself up to the dry surface and shouted angrily, hacking at the dock with his sword in an uncontrollable amount of rage. He lost his happiness, and meanwhile the damn crocodile had found his own and the two were happily living together, enjoying each other, while he was forever to feel damned and heart broken. He'd get his revenge. Oh, yes, he would—against the crocodile and the vampire bat. If it was the last thing he'd do.