Disclaimer: Reluctantly I have to admit that I don't own these characters. They are property of others far luckier than myself.
Who else freaked out during the season finale? Good grief, how long is it until September?
Emma woke early in the morning. Inside the cabin of Killian's ship, it was pitched black.
She could tell by the heaviness of Killian's breathing that he was still sound asleep. His good arm was wrapped around her body, his hand resting comfortable at her waist.
She knew restful sleep for his was fleeting. His dreams of his past would inevitably haunt him, whether it was the loss of his family or the regret over his past sins. She wanted to take away that pain, but she knew from her own experience that he had to reconcile his past for himself. He had decades...centuries of experience to reconcile. It wasn't going to happen in the short time they'd known each other.
"You awake, Love," Killian pulled her from her thoughts abruptly.
"Go back to sleep," Emma encouraged him.
"What time is it?" he turned onto his side and wrapped her tight into him.
"Early," Emma stated, "Go back to sleep."
"Everything alright?" he whispered into her neck.
"Yes," she rhythmically ran her fingers through his hair in hopes of soothing him back to sleep.
"I'm awake," he bit softly at her neck.
Emma gasped in reply when Killian rolled her onto her back. He settled comfortably above her, tormenting her neck with his lips and teeth. Emma's hands anchored at his back, keeping him close.
Killian was a man that knew what he was doing when it came to intimate moments, but she knew his attentions towards her were more so about expressing his feelings than an expression of his experience. She had her own experiences with him as a one night stand to fall back on. In her private thoughts, she'd allowed herself to feel disappointed that they'd been interrupted that night he'd brought her back to his ship in the Enchanted Forest. She also felt elated that her Killian had been jealous, of himself.
Emma didn't know that she'd laughed until Killian halted his attentions to seek an explanation. "Something humorous?"
"Sorry," Emma felt the heat flush her cheeks, "I was lost in a memory."
"Which memory might that be?" he pressed.
"The night the past you took me back to your ship," she admitted. She knew he would grumble in response. Even now his jealousy of the situation was evident.
"Sometimes I wish you remembered that night, remembered me."
"Why is that?" he inquired, the anger evident in his voice.
"I'd feel more memorable," she replied, "I guess I want to feel that I made an impression."
"You've made an impression," he touched her chin, "From the moment I met you."
"You mean when I tied you to a tree," she amended when he rolled off her, pulling her with him so she was curled against his side. He recognized the moment for seduction had passed.
"I've never protested a beautiful woman tying me up," he kissed her temple.
Emma released a sigh of contentment as she absorbed his warmth.
"We should get to training," Emma suggested.
"Training can wait. Let's just lie here for a bit longer," he suggested. He wanted to enjoy the simple pleasure of lying beside her.
"I feel ridiculous right now," Emma waved a long wooden branch back and forth instead of an actual sword like she'd expected.
"If you want my assistance in learning how to properly fight with swords, I'm teaching you the way that I learned," Killian stepped in behind to correct her form.
"You learned by waving a stick," Emma responded skeptically, "Were there a lot of attacking trees where you grew up?"
"A stick is safer than a sword," Killian guided her through a series of slashes, "I'd hate for you to cut off anything that I might fancy."
"Did your brother teach you?" Emma lowered her arm and the makeshift sword it held.
"Aye," he voice became thick with emotion.
"With a stick," she added with a raised curious brow, "My father gave Henry a wooden sword. Could I use that instead?"
"Start with the stick. We'll work our way up," Killian raised her arm, "Advance."
He stepped to her side to demonstration the proper footwork. He remembered from their fight that her footwork could use a bit of improving.
"I feel ridiculous," she repeated.
"Better to feel ridiculous now that to have a sword run through you later," Killian stated while he put her through her paces. As he watched her movements, he could see the natural talent that she possessed.
"That's my girl," David came upon them with his sword on his hip, two practice swords and Henry's wooden sword in his hands for Emma to use.
"What are you doing here?" Emma whipped towards her father's voice, nearly hitting Killian with her makeshift sword.
"You told your mother your plans," David responded, "It's always been a bit of a dream of mine to be involved in teaching my daughter to use a sword as Anna began to teach me…I hope you don't mind."
"No," Emma shook her head quickly, "I think I'm going to need all the help I can get."
"She has some raw talent," Killian stated.
"But no clue what I'm doing," Emma gratefully took the wooden sword from her father. She felt a bit less silly.
Killian and her father went straight to work, demonstrating over and over how to properly defend an attack and then when her skills advanced, how best to attack an opponent.
"How about we give it a go?" David drew his sword and pointed it towards Killian.
"Whoa, are you two sure about this?" Emma stood between them as Killian drew his sword with a cocky smile, "Killian, you're still injured."
"I'll be fine," Killian assured her, "I've fought with worse injuries."
"Is this some sort of challenge for my virtue?" Emma looked to her father.
"Just two swordsmen looking for practice," David motioned for her to step aside. "To disarm only, Pirate?"
"Aye," Killian agreed.
"Are you going to fight fair?" David hesitated for a moment. He knew enough of pirates to know they didn't always fight fair.
"I will if you will," Killian chuckled.
In moments clanking of swords rang out. The sounds drew a crowd as several townspeople came to see what the noise was about.
Bets were being placed on which man would end victoriously. Emma overheard that most townspeople were confident in their prince's abilities, but Emma would have put her money on Killian. He had centuries of experience on his side whereas David had twenty-eight years of down time.
Along with their swords sparing, they were trading words, challenging each other to show their best. Killian's grin increased as the match went on. Most of the townsfolk were cheering on their leader, but there were a few cheers for Killian, which caught him by surprise. He'd obviously endeared himself to enough of the citizens with his actions.
The Cheshire grin on Killian's face told Emma that the match was coming to an end. He was up to something. In the blink of an eye, Killian spun around and caught David off guard. David's sword fell to the earth.
"Fair enough for you, Mate?" Killian held his sword to David's neck until he conceded victory.
"Mighty impressive, Jones," David wisely relented, "Your brother would be proud."
Money changed hands between the residents, but Emma ignored it as she went to greet the victor and then console his opponent.
"Not bad yourself," Killian replied while David picked up his sword before accepting the hug Emma came to give him.
"Not bad, Old Man," Emma hugged David after releasing Killian.
"I want a rematch someday soon, Captain," David chuckled.
"Absolutely," Killian chuckled.
"But not today," Emma warned them.
Mary Margaret came darting in with Neal on her hip. She looked mad.
"I hear I've missed quite a show," Mary Margaret stared her husband down, "I thought you were coming to give Emma a lesson, not challenge her boyfriend to a duel."
"To be fair, he did participate in my lessons for the first hour," Emma chimed in.
"Yet you learned so much that your father felt it was a good time to show off his swordsmanship," Mary Margaret responded, "Never mind that you'll all be leaving soon…You should be spending time with your son."
"Your mother is right," David took Neal, "I should be spending every minute that I can…"
"We don't know if we'll have to set sail," Emma interrupted her father's thought, "We think Captain Teach is already in this realm looking for Killian but isn't able to find him because Storybrooke isn't on any maps."
"Then what's the plan?" Mary Margaret inquired.
"We put Storybrooke on the map, or at the very least set a trap to get him to Storybrooke where a town full of citizens are ready for him and his crew," Emma replied.
"Do we really want to invite a pirate crew into our town?" Mary Margaret inquired, "That seems like trouble we don't want in Storybrooke."
"As opposed to the Wicked Witch, the Snow Queen and all the other villains that have and will come to town," Emma responded sarcastically, "At least this one we can see coming."
"Fair point," Mary Margaret conceded.
"Don't go too hard on him, Mom," Emma nodded towards her father, "He did just get his butt kicked by a pirate."
"And he deserves it," Mary Margaret scowled at her husband.
"Sounds like you have some groveling to do, Mate," Killian wrapped his arm around Emma's waist. The family walked back towards town.
"How about I buy you breakfast at Granny's?" David offered to Mary Margaret.
"You'd better be thinking about more than breakfast," Mary Margaret snapped at him.
"I'm in need of a shower," Killian made himself an excuse not to join in the breakfast.
"I'd better do the same," Emma followed his lead. Her mother was still rather cross with her husband. She didn't want any part of their breakfast. "Worked up quite a sweat."
"Another lesson tomorrow, Emma?" her father inquired.
"Probably a good idea," Emma nodded, "Perhaps tomorrow we can work up to real swords."
"Perhaps," David agreed with a chuckle.
Emma was feeling the effects of her morning workout as she sat at her desk at the station. Her muscles screamed in protest each time she did much more than breathe.
"Feeling alright?" David inquired, having heard her groan of pain.
"I guess my muscles aren't used to the movements," Emma confessed.
"Are we really not sailing or is that just a story you fed your mother?" David asked.
"If Edward Teach is really here, there is no reason to set sail," Emma replied, "Nothing is set in stone yet, but Smee says that there was a sailor in Portsmouth that was looking to hire other sailors to assault a one handed pirate. He matches the description Will gave."
"If Teach is looking for Killian in the right realm, are there any plans yet as to now to draw him here?"
"We haven't gotten that far," Emma frowned.
"We'd better figure that out soon, before he jumps realms," David suggested.
"We have to make sure that the town is ready to defend itself first," Emma responded.
"I feel sorry for any pirate that comes to Storybrooke looking to cause trouble," David replied, "With all the magical talent we have, they don't stand a chance."
"That's assuming that magical talent will be on our side," Emma stated, "Not everyone in this town is going to jump at the chance to help Killian."
"No, not everyone," David agreed, "But most of them."
"Then we'd best get to work," Emma nodded, "I think it's time for the mayor to host a town meeting."
"You want to do what?" Regina gasped after Emma laid out her plan.
"I know it seems a bit crazy…" Emma began.
"Try suicidal," Regina replied, "I will not condone intentionally bringing another evil being into our town. We're still recovering from the last one."
"He won't get that far. Odds are, he probably won't get past the docks, but we want everyone to be aware of what is happening and to prepare," Emma stated.
"And you want the citizens of this town to support the placement of cannons around the marina," Regina replied.
"Unless you know of another way to sink a ship."
"I know dozens of ways to sink a ship," Regina responded, "None of which require the gaudy addition of cannons to our landscape."
"Does that mean you'll agree to help us?" Emma inquired.
"Henry is quite impressed with your pirate boyfriend," Regina sighed heavily, "And I have been tasked with protecting this town."
"Sounds like a yes," Emma replied.
"I will call a town meeting for this evening," Regina replied, "Make sure your pirate is on his best behavior. You don't want him alienating the town when you're asking for their help in protecting him."
"I'll see you tonight then," Emma turned to leave.
"Sheriff," Regina called out to halt her.
Emma turned back to face her. She was taken by the sincere look in the mayor's eyes.
"I hope the captain makes it out of this unscathed," Regina stated.
"Thank you," Emma replied.
Later that evening at City Hall, the citizens all gathered eager to hear what the new business was that brought them all together.
Regina immediately turned the floor over to Emma.
Emma took a deep breath and prepared to deliver the news to the citizens. Her eyes locked with Killian, giving her the necessary courage to begin.
"There is a new villain searching for our town," Emma began, "Searching for one of our citizens. We intend to keep this town safe to the best of our abilities, but we need everyone's help…The best way to protect this town is to be prepared. It's only a matter of time before this villain finds his way here."
"Who is the target?" Leroy rose to his feet quickly, always the one to stir the pot.
"It's Captain Jones," Emma replied.
A clamor arose from the citizens.
"Send him out to find them himself and leave this town alone," Leroy's voice cut through the murmurs, "We've put up with enough in this town."
"And if it was you that were the target," David chimed in, "Is that what you'd have us do?"
Leroy began to mutter under his breath that he'd never be the target. He didn't have the enemies like several others in this town, and he was tired of the town's constant attacks.
"When Killian first came to Storybrooke, yes, he had villainous intentions, but that's not the man he is. You may not trust him even though he's proven himself many times to be an honorable man. If you cannot trust him, trust me. I will stake my life and reputation on him," Emma added.
"So we should arm ourselves and fight against this new threat all to protect your boy toy," Leroy snorted.
"Take a seat," Granny rose off her chair and shot the dwarf daggers with her eyes, "You don't speak for all of us, Dwarf. Sheriff Swan is right. When Captain Jones first came to Storybrooke, he was not the same man he is now. I don't need Emma's word to know it to be true. I have seen it with my own eyes, and so have all of you. We all know that living in Storybrooke comes with a unique set of problems, but we have faced them all together. That's what makes Storybrooke a special place to live. We all take care of each other. It's why we all stay even though we are now free to leave. I will stand with you, Sheriff."
"Thank you," Emma nodded.
"As will me and my men," Robin spoke up from the back of the auditorium. There was a murmur in town as it was the first time most had seen him since he'd left with Marion weeks ago. Regina went white in surprise. She'd never thought she'd see him again.
One by one the rest of the citizens offered their assistance. The dwarves waited for Leroy to come around before they joined in.
"Tomorrow morning we'll be closing the harbor to regular traffic," Emma announced, "But not before we put the word out that Captain Jones is in Storybrooke. We need volunteers to keep their eyes on any new ships coming into port. We're looking specifically for 'Queen Anne's Avenger'. The sooner we see the ship coming, the better prepared we can be."
"For those willing and capable, be ready to fight," David spoke up, "For those who feel rusty, we will be holding morning training sessions. Meet at the edge of the woods at dawn."
"There is no shame in leaving," Emma added, "This is not a fight for everyone, especially for those of you with young children. We will do everything we can to protect those that choose to stay and not fight." Her eyes locked with her mother. She knew that Mary Margaret would want to be involved in any battle, but she would do her best to convince her mother to stay away.
There wasn't much more in the way of plans yet to be made, but at least the townspeople were aware of the potential danger.
When the meeting ending, Emma watched as Regina approached Robin. There was an uncertainty in her posture, but apparently Robin put her immediately at ease, taking her hand and guiding her out of the hall. There appeared to be a cup of coffee in their future.
Emma stayed back to answer questions of the nervous citizens. Several townsfolk approached Killian, shaking his hand and assuring him that they were with him. The guilt crept into Killian's gut. He was endangering the entire town by staying in port.
"Ready to go?" Emma saddled up beside him, linking her arm through his.
"Aye," he looked around. He hadn't realized that they were the last two in the auditorium.
"The meeting went much better than I expected," Emma stated as she locked up the building on their way out, "Leroy was his usual ornery self, but I expected that. I didn't expect Granny to be the first one to come to your defense."
"I didn't expect anyone to come to my defense," Killian replied.
"Are you alright?" she inquired, "You're more somber than usual. You should be jovial. The entire town is behind you."
"They're behind you," Killian amended.
"What's wrong?" she pressed.
"What are we doing?" Killian responded, "We are selfishly putting an entire town in danger for what?"
"To keep you safe," Emma answered his question.
"By putting everyone else in danger," Killian replied, "I'm being selfish. I should be out looking for Teach rather than waiting on my arse for him to find me."
"Is that what you want to do?" she asked.
"It's what I should do," Killian stated, "Take the fight to Teach."
"With a crew that is ill equipped to take on a pirate crew that means to kill you by any means necessary, and will kill anyone that stands in their way," Emma replied, "If we take on Teach here, we can prepare. Here we have the home field advantage."
"But if I left, the townspeople would be safe," Killian replied.
"Except you," Emma ran her fingers through the hair at the nap of his neck, "It's true that not everyone is as enamored with you as I am, but you are important to this town."
"I'm not planning to sail off on my own," Killian assured her.
"That's reassuring," Emma replied when they stepped onboard his ship, "We'd better get to sleep. We have training first thing in the morning."
Killian followed her to his quarters where they fell into a relatively peaceful slumber considering the circumstances surrounding them.
TBC…
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