A/N: Hello Lovelies! Yes, this is another chapter! A Short one that I felt needed its own space. Thank you for reading my story, leaving me notes, and reviews. You're interest fuels my muse so keep them coming.

This chapter deals with the aftermath of the events in Tortuga. My poor dear Captain is trying to handle the events as best he can.

Ch. 29

Killian needed to get out of the cabin and calm down. Rage was running through his veins and the source was locked in the brig on his ship. All he could think about was the scene he walked into and how if he'd returned any later he could have lost her.

He created an excuse and walked up to the deck of the ship. He checked in with the crew and made sure that everything was progressing as he requested. Many of the men were still in town getting supplies and letting off steam. Those crew men that returned or remained were working furiously on the Jolly as per instruction.

He couldn't get the vision of the light in his life being choked out by a nefarious miscreant in front of his eyes. If Neal were any other man he would be food for the creatures at the bottom of the sea. That still may be his fate if he is unhelpful to their cause. He wouldn't let him hurt her again in this lifetime and so help him if he ever tried.

He walked into the dank corridor through the brig past the empty cells until he found the one inhabited by him. He was huddled in the corner of the enclosed room. He clenched his jaw and rolled his tongue in his mouth as he looked upon him with disdain.

"You can't hold me here. I'm a Prince, they will come for me."

"Oh, is that so? Prince you say? Well I beg to differ. I happen to know your status as the son of a beggar or perhaps you know him by another name, The Dark One." He paced in front of the cell hands behind his back.

He could feel the heat rising from his skin and it took everything in him not to unlock the cage and hurt him the way he hurt Emma.

"What are you talking about? I'm a Prince! I live in a castle. You don't know anything. My father is a King!" he spat as he rolled forward moving towards the bars.

"Well, I'm going to tell you a tale then Prince." He said bitterness rolling from his tongue.

He didn't know if it was the right thing to do or not but he was angry. He wanted to hurt this man who hurt his dearest Love. He wanted him to suffer the pain of knowing his life was a lie. He deserved to be in pain for what he'd done to her. If what he witnessed was anything like what she went through before he met her, his heart ached at that immediate thought, he deserved so much more than what he'd received. No wonder she thought death would be merciful. He closed his eyes sucked on his lip.

"Pirate, you can't hold me. Let me go or you will suffer." He tried to move forward but was held in place by the shackles that chained him to the wall.

Killian smiled devilishly curling his lip. He pulled over a stool and sat in front of the bars just out of reach of the snarling man. He was going to enjoy turning this coward's world upside down and shattering any hope or thoughts of what he believed to be his life. He picked up a stone and used it to sharpen his hook in front of him as he began to tell the real story of how a beggar's son became prince.

Emma paced back and forth in the room. The other two women sat in place watching her carefully. "Princess, Are ye alright?" asked Nairobi. Emma pressed her lips together and nodded.

"We can see ye physically are well but how about in yer head and in yer heart?" asked Greta.

She let out a breath that she was holding and closed her eyes. "I thought I could handle anything. I wasn't prepared to meet those angry eyes and that cold heart again. The moment I looked upon his face I was back there in my old life cowering in fear." She felt the tears pricking behind her eyes.

"Milady, I'm so sorry for ye. Ye don't deserve that treatment. He's wrong to treat ye that way." Said Greta.

"If I can't stand up to him how am I supposed to stand up to The Dark One?" She felt dejected; she was on top of the world before Neal walked back into her life. She was also worried about her son.

"I can see the light around ye. It's a golden light. I know you've accepted your magic and ye is very powerful." Said Nairobi smiling.

"Yes, I have accepted my magic; that was one of the things I wanted to tell you. My parents are looking after the Evil Queen at their castle. I've setup wards both at the castle and here on the Jolly Roger. I sensed the presence of someone trying to read my thoughts and I put up a sheild. "She boasted a smile and sat at the table with the other women.

"That is a powerful thing milady. I'm glad that the books were of help to ye." said Greta

Emma reached forward and held each of their hands. "I'm grateful to both of you for your help. I shall always think of you as my friends. If it weren't for you I wouldn't have been able to protect my family, friends and my dear Killian."

"Aye Princess, ye shall always have our friendship. It was an honor to help ye. I knew ye was special." Said Nairobi.

"I came to see you today because I wanted help with the texts. After all of the events I don't feel right about asking you. I've already put you in too much danger as it is." Emma looked down frowning.

"Oh no milady, one rogue scoundrel will not deter us. We work among thieves, murderers, and dishonorable men. This ain't the first time that we have encountered something like this and will not be the last. The difference is that ye were there to save us." Said Greta smiling appreciatively.

"She's right, we are not afraid. We must help ye. We will do all we can." Said Nairobi.

She looked towards the window out at the sea."I think it would be best if we begin tomorrow. I don't think my heart is in it right now."

"Tis understandable milady. Ye been through too much. I think ye should find yer Captain so he can help soothe your soul. When he is with ye yer lights shine brightest."

She nodded. "You're right. Would you like me to bring you back or would you like to walk back to town?"

The women exchanged glances and smiled grasping hands. "We would like to walk back but we do thank ye for the offer. Rest tonight and we will see ye tomorrow. Don't ye worry we will help ye. To be honest I can't wait to see ye now that ye have yer full magic." Said Nairobi grinning.

She smiled at the women in relief for their understanding."It can be overwhelming when the strength of my magic comes forward. I'm still getting used to that. I'm sorry about your shope by the way."

"Tis nothing milady. We've had worse fights in the shop before and it still stands." Greta looked at her with kindness in her eyes.

"Thank you. I'll walk you up on deck. I want to find Killian." Said Emma smiling.

The women walked above deck and the crew was steady working. She watched Nairobi and Greta walk down the docks and back towards town. She turned around and looked for Killian but he was missing. A pit of despair started to grow in her stomach.

She spotted Mr. Smee and walked straight to him." Mr. Smee."

"Aye, Princess I'm surprised to see ye up here." He stopped in his tracks, removed his hat and stood at attention.

"Mr. Smee where is the Captain?" She turned and scanned the deck once more and he was still nowhere to be seen.

"Princess, I believe the Captain is below talking to the prisoner in the brig." He stood there wringing his hat in his hand, twisting and pulling at it.

She closed her eyes and pressed her face into her hands. It was worse than she feared. "Can you take me to him please? I need to see him right away."

"Princess, I don't think that is a good idea that ye go down there. It's no place for a woman." His voice cracked as he spoke and he gulped loudly.

"Mr. Smee, I command you to take me to the Captain." She looked him in the eye and pursed her lips together.

"Aye Princess." He placed his hat back on his head and led the path for her to follow.

She took a deep breath and let it out following behind him. She smoothed her skirts down and straightened her dress out of habit. She tried to brush the thoughts of Neal from her mind. He couldn't hurt her any more.

Smee led her down the stairs to a dank and darkened area. The smell of urine and fish remains burned her senses. She wrinkled her nose and nit her lip. She could hear the timbre of Killian's voice getting louder as they approached.

When she saw him he appeared to have a veil of darkness over him. Neal was huddled in the corner of his cell and Killian was seated on a stool sharpening his hook. Their approaching footfalls must have alerted him to their presence because he looked over towards them and immediately stood and came at them in quick steps.

He took her hand and pressed a kiss to it. "Love, please go above deck and I will be with you momentarily."

"But I want to help. Has he told you where Henry is?" she asked.

Killian shook his head."No Love. I don't want you to see him and I certainly don't want him to see you. Please, I need you to go back upstairs."

His expression was a mixture of concern and sincerity. He was trying to protect her and she needed to let him. She nodded and turned around.

"Smee, please take the Princess back on deck. I shall be with you momentarily." He said.

She walked slowly towards the light at the end of the corridor. She felt a sharp pang of regret for what she was putting her poor dear Love through with this awful situation.

"Emma! You get back here!" yelled Neal from his cell.

She stopped midstride, took a breath and walked faster ignoring his demand. It was a mistake for her to go down there. She didn't want to see him. She'd seen Killian was alright. She didn't look back as he continued to call out to her. A satisfied smile crept on her lips.

"Let me out of here! You can't make me your prisoner. I don't believe one word of your story Pirate. You're a liar. When my father finds out I'm missing he will send his army for me. You and that whore will be dead."

He was furious and he couldn't hold back the rage within any longer. "Prisoner, that's rich coming from the likes of you. You held that beautiful woman captive as your prisoner for years." He pointed furiously down the corridor. "She took your abuse and even in her weakened state she was stronger than you. You're nothing but a coward who hides behind his father. You don't deserve her and you never did." He yelled.

The man cowered at the comments and scowled at him.. Killian turned his back to him and composed himself. He needed to regain control of his emotions. They were overwhelming him and he was afraid rage would take over.

He thought of Emma waiting for him on deck and realized that this man did not deserve his time. He was needed to go to her. He clenched his jaw when he turned back to look at the ignorant coward glaring at him.

"You can't leave me here, I'm hurt." He spat.

"I'll send someone down to tend to you although you don't deserve it." He walked quickly down the corridor towards the light shining down from the deck. He breathed deeply as he reached the fresh air. He climbed the stairs to find Emma pacing nervously back and forth with her arms wrapped around herself.

He rushed towards her and her face lit up as soon as she saw him approach. He pulled her to him."Thank gods Killian." He held her tight and gently rocked her. "Emma, I'm sorry he's here. I'm sorry you had to see him." He pressed a gently kiss on top of her head.

She pulled back and caressed his cheek gently. She tilted her head and looked to see the anguish in his eyes.

"Please come to our room with me." she asked quietly. He felt like a broken man. "Of course Love." He sighed. "I need to address the caged animal below with the crew."

She blinked rapidly and nodded.

"Smee!" he called.

"Aye Captain." He called out as he rushed forward.

"Take two men and go down and tend to the prisoner. See to it that he's looked over and his cuts are bandaged." He looked to Emma who was looking down and biting her lip.

"Aye Captain."

He nodded and took Emma's hand. He walked her downstairs to their quarters; a pain was lingering in his chest. He shut the door behind him softly. He watched her walk to the window, cross her arms over her chest and gaze out the window at the sea.

He pulled his flask from his pocket and took a long drag. The burn of the liquid did little to squelch the burning fire within him. He shook his head and walked to the ammunition closet. He thought about what would cause the most pain and decided against it slamming the door. He was having trouble getting air into his lungs.

He pulled out the drawer to the desk and searched inside looking for the Jones insignia. He needed to calm down and he couldn't. He slammed the drawer when the desired object was not found.

Emma turned at the sound of him shuffling and banging doors and drawers. His cheeks were flushed and his lips were pursed together. She walked to him swiftly and hugged him from behind. He stilled at her touch. "Killian." she whispered.

He couldn't say anything. He couldn't look at her, he'd promised to protect her and he'd failed. He closed his eyes as she turned him towards her. He felt her soft hand caress his cheek."Killian, please look at me."

He opened his eyes finding her soft green eyes gazing at him full of concern. He felt tears pricking behind his eyes. He shook his head trying to clear the feeling. "What's wrong?"

He let out a breath he'd been holding."I should have been there. He should never have hurt you." He said through gritted teeth turning away. She pulled his face back to hers."It's not your fault. You had no idea he would be there. He tortured our friends. He forced them to lure you away. I should have been able to protect myself. "

"No. I should have protected you. I promised you that he wouldn't hurt you again. I could have lost you." His voice was broken.

"Oh my Darling, I'm alright. I'm here. I'm safe. Please don't do this to yourself. I can't bear to have you worried about this." She pulled his face to her and pressed small kisses along jaw, his cheeks and finally captured his lips in a soft tender kiss.

He pulled her into his arms and deepened the kiss. He'd been so worried about her. He needed to feel her, to know she was alright. She tasted the rum on his lips and felt his desperation. Her heart was breaking.

He kissed down her neck and rested his face in the crook of her neck. He closed his eyes and let out a breath. She wrapped her arms around him and he held her tight. She felt wetness on her neck. He was breathing heavy against her.

"I thought I lost you."

She felt her heart twinge and tears began streaming down her cheeks. "I'm here."

He pulled up and gazed at her. She cupped his face and saw the tears in his eyes mirroring her own. "Oh my dear sweet man. I love you so much." He captured her lips in a soft tender kiss. "I love you Emma. I can't lose you. It would break me."

"I promise never to leave you. I was so afraid I wouldn't see you again. The physical pain of what was happening was nothing in comparison to the thought of losing you. When I saw you I remembered to fight. You saved me." she pleaded to him. She needed him to know it was not his fault.

"My Love, I fear I am nothing without you now that I have you in my life." She pressed her face to his chest and squeezed him tight. He scooped her up and carried her to the bed. He laid her down gently and took off her shoes. He kicked off his boots and climbed in next to her. He pulled her close to him and she wrapped her arms around him placing her face against his chest so she could listen to the gentle thrum of his heart.

He gently caressed her back and pressed tiny kisses to her head. He would never let anything bad happen to her again. He would die first. She was the missing piece of him, without her he was nothing.

She relished in the feel of his lips as each kiss touched her heart. They would not be broken, she would not lose him, and he would not lose her. If today taught her anything it was that she was strong enough and she would fight with everything in her.