A/N: Thank you to all the followers and favorites who waited so patiently for me to pick up this story again. I've re-written the initial chapters and filled them in a bit. The primary story hasn't changed but it has been awhile since the last chapter came out. Here is the newest chapter.
The early morning light shone through the window. Emma woke up with a smile on her face. She stretched her arms over her head. She felt a little sore but it was for good reason. She rolled to her side but found that she was alone in the bed. She brushed her hand over the sheets where he slept. She felt a little heat rising in her cheeks at the thought of their night together.
He gave her pleasure that she had never felt before with a man. She never knew it could be like that. She and Neal had only spent a short time together as man and wife before she became pregnant with Henry and he stopped coming to her soon after she told him the news. He rarely initiated anything with her after Henry was born and on the occasions that he did, he only seemed to be concerned about his own release. She would wake up alone and unsatisfied. Then it just became something she wished she could forget.
She heard the door unlock. She quickly pulled the blanket around herself only to breathe a sigh of relief when she looked over to see Killian smiling at her.
"Good Morning Love." he said with a song in his voice.
"Good Morning Captain. You seem very happy today." she said smiling.
He walked over and sat on the bed next to her.
"I trust you slept well last night Lass?" he said picking up her hand and bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss.
He looked at her intently with a big grin on his face. His eyes were glowing blue.
"Yes, Captain, better than I have in a very long time. How about you?" she asked.
She looked into his eyes searching for sincerity or maybe to calm her insecurities. She was worried about what he would say. She had so little experience in comparison to how skilled a lover he seemed to be.
"Love, It was the best night's sleep I've had in awhile. I believe I owe it all to the beautiful princess that cared for me last night and made me feel so alive." he said.
He scooted closer to her and then pulled her up into a tender, gentle kiss. She could feel the stars behind her eyes when he kissed her. How could someone affect her so in such a short about of time? She felt like she was in a dream. It was only two days ago that she was living in fear.
She settled her head against his chest and listened to the gentle thrumming of his heart.
"We'll reach Tortuga by mid-day. The men will unload the ship and take the goods for trade and pick up supplies. The men will need to let off steam after the storm we had yesterday. I expect we will be at port for at least 2 days. "he explained.
"What will happen to me?" she said with a shaky tone.
"My dear, I thought I made myself clear last night that if you gave yourself to me I would never let you go." he said snuggling her.
She remained silent for a moment to think about what he just said.
"Captain, are you saying I am your prisoner?" she questioned.
He laughed. "No, Love the only prisoner here is my heart which you have claimed so quickly. I should hope that you can see I would be an honorable man to you and would see to your safety. In return I would claim you as my lady and the crew would see that you are mine." he said.
He smiled at her sweetly. She could see he had his heart exposed to her at that moment. Her gaze softened towards him. She reached up and touched his face. She liked him too. He had a way of making her stomach flip with just a look. She felt stronger just by sitting next to him.
"Captain, Are you sure that I will not be a burden to you and your crew? I've no idea what it means to be a Pirate's lady." She said.
He smiled at her and kissed her once more. Did she really have no idea how he was under her spell? He would do whatever she asked of him. He felt like the luckiest man in the world at that moment to have a beautiful princess by his side.
"Love, I would be honored to have you as my lady. It is my wish to have you remain with me. There are no rules to being a Pirate's lady. You will be the first and I expect that you will set precedence as the Princess of the Pirates. To have you with me is all that I ask. As for the crew, this is my ship and any man who doesn't adhere to his Captain's wishes can walk the plank. "he said grinning.
She smiled at him. His goofy grin somehow warmed her through and through. She needed to stay hidden from her kingdom. She may never be able to return. She always wanted to travel the realms and she longed for adventure.
"Captain, I would be honored to be your lady. The sea brings me peace and I feel free. I also happen to like you quite a lot too." She said looking up into his eyes.
He pulled her close and held her kissing her on top of her head.
"Then it's settled. Do you have everything you need?" he asked.
"Yes, I think so at least for now." She said.
"Ok, I'll be going to shore with the men to take care of business. It's not safe for you on Tortuga at this time. I need you to stay here and don't answer the door to anyone except for me or Mr. Smee. Do you understand?" he asked.
"Yes, should I be worried? Can I have a sword?"she asked.
"A Sword?" he asked smiling.
"Yes, I'll have you know that I'm quite handy with a sword." She said smiling.
"Is that so? You'll have to show me sometime." he said.
"My father taught me. I'm not sure you know what you've gotten yourself into by taking me on Captain." she said.
"I'm looking forward to learning more about you Love. It seems that I've found the greatest hidden treasure in all the realms." He said.
She felt the blush creeping up on her cheeks. Who would have thought that the feared Captain Hook would have such a silver tongue?
"Captain, you are too sweet to me." she said.
"My Lady shall never be starved of my affection for her. That is a promise I intend to keep for as long as you will have me." he said kissing her on the cheek.
She smiled.
"Be careful out there Captain. I've only just started to get to know you. Hurry back." She said kissing him lightly on the lips.
"As swiftly as I am able Love. The men are waiting. Mr. Smee will wait for me to return. If you need anything please knock on the door three times consecutively and he will come to your aid." He said.
"Captain, about the sword?" she asked.
"Ah, yes over here, Love. I keep the weapons locked in this cabinet. The key is here inside of this old ship's log." He said opening it and showing it to her.
She hopped off the bed and wrapped the blanket around herself, suddenly realizing that she was without clothes.
She picked up the log from the desk and opened the first page.
"Who is Liam Jones?"she asked.
His face fell at the mention of his brother's name. She placed the book back on the desk and walked over to him.
"I'm sorry Captain. Did I say something wrong?"she asked brushing her hand across his shoulder.
"No, Love he was my brother. It's a long story that I will tell you sometime but I must be going." he said.
"Ok, I understand." she said. She felt a little deflated at the thought that she may have caused him pain. He seemed to sense how she felt.
"Love, don't worry ok, I'm fine." He said.
He pulled the sword from the cabinet and locked it. He placed the key back into the book and replaced it on the shelf.
"Here you go Love, this should be a good weight for you." He said handing it to her by the hilt.
She took the sword and handled it getting used to the feel in her hand. The weight was perfect and she demonstrated for him that she could handle the blade and held her form well.
"Good Form Love, I can't wait to see what you can do with it. If you can handle it that well while wearing a blanket you must be a marvel when clothed." He said.
"Thank you Captain. I'll await your safe return." she said.
He walked up to kiss her on the cheek and she turned catching his lips instead. He smiled and grabbed her and pulled her in for a deeper kiss. She giggled against his lips.
"Naughty little Princess. We'll have plenty of time to play when I return. I'm already having a hard time leaving you knowing you are scant clothing under that blanket as it is." he said.
"Ok Captain, I'll hold you to that." She said.
He gave her one last glance as he walked out and locked the door behind him.
She walked back over and flopped on the bed snuggling her face into the pillows. She felt stronger each minute that she was away from the castle. She would be the first Pirate Princess. She could do this. The only hold out that she had in her mind was Henry. She would love to see her son again.
She knew he would be cared for. The ladies maids at the castle would watch out for him while she was gone. She knew his father loved him. He would never let harm come to him. Her parents love him. That didn't make her miss him any less. One day she would go back to him. She would let him know she was ok. When she was strong enough, when she was sure that Neal couldn't hurt her, when Henry could see she was safe from harm, then she would go to him. She would make Henry see that her sacrifice wasn't in vain. She convinced herself he would be ok.
She pushed off of the bed and decided to get dressed. She wanted to go above deck and breathe in the fresh air. She'd been cooped up for two days and hopefully Mr. Smee would allow her a little air. While the rest of the men were at shore that could be her chance.
She quickly put on her clothes and knocked at the door three times just as Killian told her. She heard the footsteps rushing towards the door.
"Yes milady, something I can get you?"he asked through the door.
"Mr. Smee, do you think you could open the door and let me out for just a little while so I can get some fresh air?"she asked.
"I don't think the Captain will approve." he said.
"He said I wasn't his prisoner. I'm sure just a little air would be ok." she said.
She heard him turning the key in the lock. She clapped her hands in victory. If she were to live aboard the ship she wanted to know more about it.