Outside of Storybooke…
The poor sailor was panting, blood was dripping of, of his face, the dealer and his crew had beaten him to a pulp. He didn't want his friend to suffer, they were too close for that, it wasn't his fault, and he knew he wouldn't give up anything to have a poor innocent woman to be dragged through the mud over a simple mistake. Nothing was worth a woman being hurt, not even a gram of cocaine.
"Well then…what are we to do with you…?"
The sailor spit out some blood.
"I don't…know anything man come on…"
"LIES, IT IS WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR FACE SUNSHINE!" the dealer was beyond anger and with such tone, he raised his fist and once again punch him round the face.
"ARGHHHHH!"
The sailor coughed up blood. He panted some as the blood dripped from his mouth.
"You keep fucking with me, you will not see the light of day."
The sailor's luck was in, one of the crew members burst back in through the door. He was hot with information.
"Sir…a group of sailors are walking around the town, they are asking for him…"
The dealer wiped his hand clean with his pocket square, and smirked from the information he was given.
"Well then, i think we better go and pay these guys a visit, maybe they can tell me where she is."
Storybrooke…
Emma huffed a laugh Killian as she sipped on the drink he had bought her, he didn't look like he could be a captain at all.
"You are the Captain…Captain of a cruise liner?"
"And you find that rather amusing it seems…"
"That's because nothing about you screams paradise crew captain."
"Just because someone doesn't look like something love, doesn't mean they aren't…"
Emma rolled her eyes. "If you say so…"
"Well to me, you look like someone who should be in service, police, fire or army, what with the leather jacket, jeans and the long boots."
Emma looked down at her drink and said nothing and began to chuckle.
"But i get the sense that you aren't…"
"No i'm not…" Emma finished her drink and singled Ruby for another.
"So then, Swan, what is your story…?"
Emma looked at the bar, Emma of course really hated bringing up her past and thats the way it was going to stay.
"Nothing special…"
"Nothing special…i really don't believe that at all, i sense something more interesting, but if you want to keep that yourself love, then thats fine with me."
Emma leaned back on the bar and put her elbows on it.
"Good…now back to drinking." Emma said and got back to drinking.
"Hmmm….Well you don't work in this town, i have been here long enough…you are an outsider, odd how you decided to come to this town though hmmm."
"Do you ever give in?"
"Oh come on…I am just curious…"
"Curiosity killed the cat…"
'Good job i am not a cat then?"
Emma rolled her eyes and turned back around the face the bar. Killian laughed and did the same.
"Your not from near either, we sometimes travel to closer towns and from the state of the mess in your car, you've come a long way."
"You might not be a cat, but you sure are nosy…a stalker perhaps…"
"No, Granny's is your night stay right…some of the crew and i rent a place not far, hard not to notice a yellow bug thats never in town isn't it."
"Detective huh?"
"I already told you, i am a captain, come on…what do you do for a living then…i won't tell anyone…"
Emma felt embarrassed to say but it wasn't like he wasn't going to find out anyway.
"Waitress, in my defence i wanted to be a bar maid, but that role was already taken."
"Ah so you are in hospitality it seems? and working behind a bar, makes sense."
"Oh does it?, you thought i was in service, quite far from the truth."
Killian laughed.
A very drunk man with a red hat came up to Killian and put his arm around him.
"Hey hey Captain…chatting up a lady again are we…"
Killian rolled his eyes, he really couldn't stand this man at the best of times on his ship and now he was bothering him after work. Great fun.
"Schmee…you are extremely drunk sir…i think you best be off back to your quarters…" he said as he pulled Schmee of, of him.
"Don't be fooled pretty miss, he likes his women…" he stated to Emma.
"Right…off with ya lad…" Killian began to drag Schmee out of the diner before he caused anymore trouble.
"Ah come on…one more…"
Emma didn't look at all surprised at the statement. He did look the type, tall dark and handsome, a captain of the ship, a man in uniform always seems to attract women, and as if he hadn't used that before to charm a lady.
"Another pint please Ruby."
"Come right up…"
Ruby pulled Emma her pint.
"Thanks Ruby…"
Emma took the glass to her mouth and sipped the smooth head off the beer.
"Schmee is a liar, he just puts on that persona for his fellow shipments.
Emma nearly choked on her beer.
"Oh come on, he hasn't charmed you over has he."
"I am telling the truth, the real love of his life, she was killed, no one really knows how or why but everyone suspects Mr Gold off it."
"Wait what…?"
"His ex wife, he ran off with him one day on one of his first cruises, or so Granny says, and then a few years later, she wound up dead, here in storybooke. Some people think Mr Gold did it, but there was never an inch of proof, and Belle, his wife, claims he was with her all night…"
"Christ, this town really is not what i thought it was."
"You should stick around, when you come back i mean, you'd love it…its full of so many mysteries and wonders, but i can't lie, i wish i was in your shoes, sometimes escaping would be nice, whilst there isn't anything interesting like that going on."
"I guess i will…"
Killian was still fighting with Schmee at the door, the small man was more trouble than not, and all the dwarves and sailors had gathered to see the speculation of it all unfold. He was kicking, screaming and bringing the whole gang to ahead.
"Bloody hell captain put me down."
His feet we're holding the door open, and he wouldn't let the captain kick him out, he had blocked the door completely. Killian was using all his energy to push open the door.
'Schmee, bloody hell lad come on, you've had way too much."
Granny appeared at the other side of the door.
"If you break my door, you are all done for…now move…"
Ruby and Emma cracked up laughing at the whole escapade as Killian put Schmee down, who decided it was best to leave, along with a few other drunk sailors who knew they wouldn't be welcome again if they didn't.
"Not funny Ruby, you are supposed to be making sure this doesn't happen."
"Sorry Granny."
Killan dusted himself down and walked back to the bar.
"Sorry for that Granny, i will make sure those sailors are swabbing the deck by morning."
"Oh you better or even you won't be setting foot in here…"
"Believe me, i humbly apologise."
Emma smirked at the formalities he was using as she sipped on her beer.
"Another pint?"
"Aye and it shall be my last before i retire, i have a rather lot of sailors to punish in the morning…"
"Man this is going to be heck of a first day…"
"Don't worry Swan, i will make sure your day goes well, plus you are with Tink, you are in safe hands."
Emma really didn't think she was in safe hands a all from how lax she seemed, but it did seem like she could clearly could get away with murder.
Killian finished his pint.
"Thank you Granny, Ruby, pleasure as always, and sorry for the rabble. Swan i shall see you on board my ship."
"Night Killian" said Ruby
"Night Captain."
"Sure…see you then."
The next Morning…
Emma woke up to the sound of her alarm, she couldn't believe the hour 8:00am and she couldn't believe how much she had drunk. Ruby really was a wild one after hours.
Emma groaned as she lifted her head off the pillow and rolled herself out of bed and straight into the shower and even that didn't wake her.
She began to get a clean set of clothes from her bag and began to pack her things to take to the ship.
Emma looked at the time, noticing that it was now 8:15am.
"Shit…"
Emma stumbled at the sight, she looked around the room for her jacket and threw it on, quickly straightening it out. She shoved her clothes and everything in her room in her bag, zipped it up and was out of the door and down the stairs of Granny's quicker than you could say good morning.
Within minutes, it wasn't long before Emma's yellow bug nearly went flying, especially around every single corner, she was close to taking out the playboy with his walking stick and blew of the hat of the grandmother as she took her grandson with her to school.
Emma took a deep breathe as she escaped the near miss and parked up at the docks. She had no idea what on Earth the day entailed, only she needed to report to Tinkerbell.
The time was 8:50am, she was clearly cutting it fine. She took out her shoulder bag, threw it over her shoulder and locked her car up. She ran up the docks, wheezing as she went, and she was nothing more than dying for a smoke.
Emma reached the end of the docks, up to the cruise ship. A group of people, along with Tink, were gathered together for induction day. Emma quickly snuck in the back as Tink was on her phone. Luckily she wasn't one to run Early.
"Alright…alright…it is now 9am sharp, it's time to get this show on the road…" Tinkerbell shouted.
She was given a clipboard by her assistant.
"Ok, when i call each role out, you will follow the assigned assistant and they will take you to your quarters for on board, where we begin induction. Ok we start with Chef's and Kitchen Hands…"
Emma stood and awaited her turn, she looked around and did not recognise a soul, of course everyone here was new, but she knew on board, she would see more faces from the diner last night, including Killian.
"Bar Staff…Kate Allan, Ben Carr, Jimmy, Dayton, , Ariel Kent, Secilia North, Merlin Parks, Lancelot Rose, Emma Swan…"
Emma heard her name and followed the others. A woman with bright red hair walked up to her.
"Hi i'm Ariel." she extended her arm.
"Emma, nice to meet you"
"So you are a waitress too?"
"Yes, i did want bar work but i guess i got her a little too late."
"Oh…"
"Nothing against being a waitress, i just have always worked in bars really."
"Stick to what you know right?, i agree i've been a waitress all my life."
"Cool
"I can't wait to get out on the sea…"
"Yeah, travelling is more what i am looking forward to."
"Oh yeah, the days off the ship, that should be awesome, especially if its on the beach, you really cannot beat a swim in the warm ocean."
Emma laughed.
"Well, as long as we don't need to serve drinks whilst doing it…"
"Ditto on that."
The two of them followed the rest onto the ship and were shown to their quarters.
Elsewhere…
The dealers and his minions burst into the bar, with their fellow shipmate in tow. The group turned around and looked to see their colleague.
"Mike shit…Chris…you better call them…we need back up…"
"On it…"
Chris slipped away as the others all stood up together from their stools at the bar to face the dealers.
"Ah…so you must be this ones little friends huh?"
"You can talk, you're not exactly a giant yourself mate."
The sailors began to roll up their sleeves.
"You suppose i am meant to feel hurt by this?"
"Quit the small talk, and hand our friend over."
"Not going to be so simple sunshine…Mike here needs to help me find one of your guys so i can find someone who has stolen from me."
The dealers assistant cracked his knuckle.
"We don't do drugs, or deal in them…so i'm sorry but i aren't sure we will be able to help."
Chris came back with two men in toe.
"I think you are after me." it was August. "And if you think we are going to tell you where she is, you really have another thing coming."
The dealer grunted.
"Get them boys…"
The cruise ship…
Emma was shown to her room, it was bigger than expected, she believed she had rented a flat a tiny bit smaller than this in New York.
"And this is your room Ms Swan…here is a map and your keys, so you can find your way back to your room and of course het in. you can bring your things here this evening. Do you have a Veichle or anything that needs looking after for the duration of the trip?" the woman gave her a set of keys the map.
"Yes, my yellow bug."
The woman took out some forms.
"Please fill these forms in and take it to the information desk at the information cebtre, just up the pier on the right tomorrow, we will arrange for your car to be stored in our secure car park for the duration of your trip."
"Thanks."
Emma raised there may still be traces of cocaine, or various drugs in her car, and really needed to get it cleaned up before that happened.
"Ok, there is a safe in your cupboard, you can put any valuable's in there, there is a small mini kitchen here for you and of course an en suite bathroom. Anything basic you will need will be provided, of course when the ship docks you can go off board and buy and store any food you wish in here. Things such as knives, alcohol that exceeded the recommended limit, no drugs, no guns…i'm sure you know the drill…"
"Yes, of course."
"Excellent, well, let's get you fitted for your uniform, you will be glad to know it is a trouser, vest jacket and white shirt kind of affair only for the dinner dances, the rest is a simple plain uniform."
Emma was taken back to the fitting area, she looked for Ariel but she couldn't see her at all. Emma knew she needed to keep making friends onboard, she needed people to distract her from the temptation of drugs, because no matter where you go, she would find a way and she could not get kicked off the boat.
"Ms Swan."
She was called for her fitting, she was taken into a room and measured for the right clothing. She stood on a pedestal in the middle of the room as the tailor measured her. She lifted up her arms, moved her legs so he could measure her inside leg length.
"Size 2 waist and shirt., 27" leg" the tailor said.
"Yes sir, Madam…"
Emma followed the man to get fitted, she wasn't quite comfortable, especially if they had to see her naked.
He took her to a changing booth and handed her the clothes.
"There you go madam, when you are dressed please come out and we will make sure the fit is just right."
Emma thought this was quite formal. She adhered, unzipping the bag she was given from her uniform and put on the uniform. It fit liked a glove and she laughed a little at how smart she looked.
"Dapper…" she muttered.
She came out of the booth and presented herself.
"Oh perfect…they will provide you with your day to day uniform back in the main room and then you must report back to the main court. Thank you Madam…" he walked off to the next person.
Emma turned around, changed and put her normal clothes and took her bag out with her to main hall.
She was given her uniform and told to join to take her forma uniform back to her quarters and change into her daily clothes for the training.
Emma walked out and back down the corridor, following the signs back to her quarters.
She was a little lost, she picked the map out of her back pocket and began to follow it. She was utterly buried in the map before she walked into someone.
"Oh…i'm sorry…Killian?"
He was dressed to the nines in his captain uniform.
"Well i did not expect to see you so soon love, and it appears you are lost…you are heading towards to captains quarters."
"Oh…no me either, crap…this ship is a maize."
"Where are you based, i will take you?"
"The bottom quaters, rooms 314 to 345."
"Follow me."
He extended out his arm, which his hand was note quite as it seemed, it was replaced with a hook.
"Oh my god.."
"Sorry…i forgot to mention that, this was an accident, lost my hand, a look makes it easier to steer the ship."
"Jesus…that must have hurt."
"It did, but not now love. I'll explain more later…we better get you back for your training."
"You really know everything aboard this ship don't you?"
"Of course, i am it's captain."
Emma laughed. "Still find it amusing."
"Funny love…really…well after you have finished how about i buy you another drink?"
"Well if you are offering"
"Then it's done."
The two of them walked off arm in arm back to her quarters. Killian waited at the top of the corridor.
"You get changed love, i'll wait here and i'll guide you back to the main hall."
"You really are a charmer."
"Gentleman would be the term you are after."
"If you are lucky…"
"I'll keep trying.."
Emma smirked. "No following."
"Like i said, i will wait here."
Emma walked down the corridor to her room, she couldn't help smiling but couldn't help wonder why this man was being so nice to her. I guess she wasn't used to it, after all the last nice guy she had met was a sailor, and before that it was Neil, something really was different about this town, and she really was starting to fall for it.
Elsewhere…
The dealer and his crew looked straight into the sailors eyes.
"Well if you won't tell me who she is, i guess we shall have to beat it out of you. Come on boys, time to party!"
The dealer and his gang ran at the sailors and the fight broke out in the bar, punches were thrown, chairs were smashed, blood was spilled.
August came fact to face with the dealer, he swung and hit the dealer on the chest.
"All you can do then eh sonny boy…"
"No, much better, i just thought i owed you a warm up."
"You'll regret that."
The two fought, punching and kicking, until the dealer threw a punch that came out of no where and August fell to the grown and blacked out.
His next memory was a mirror of his friends, he was in the chair wrapped in rope, blood dripping down his face.
"Now then…this little diary is interesting, date 23rd April, Come to bar, meet girl in yellow bug, her name is Emma Swan. It also has some diagram with her name and many things, drinking, loner, orphan, Mary and David Nolan, Henry Mills, cocaine…so it seems you were sent to meet this girl and she is now in the town of storybrooke…what are you…some investigator…?"
August looked down. He was beat, of course that is exactly who he was, but who hired him and knew all this information about Emma, well that, was a true mystery.