I do not own Once Upon a Time.
Just a heads up, there is magic in this chapter.
And I introduced some new characters.
September
Blackbeard sat alone in a dark corner of a noisy tavern. He was only accompanied by his full mug of ale, having waved off every brave woman who approached his table.
For the last four months, he had heard the same rumor and even now, four months later, he didn't believe it.
Killian Jones was dead.
Captain Jones was dead.
The soup was hot.
The soup was cold.
Spoken so casually as if it was nothing.
If it was him telling the world, he would have shouted it from every rooftop with a bloody head in his grip for good measure. Or maybe Jones' other hand.
But after the swagger that Jones always presented himself with, him going quietly into the dark ocean didn't seem right.
By all accounts, the Jolly Roger hit rough seas and its dear Captain thrown overboard never to resurface.
As much as Blackbeard never wanted to see Jones' face again, there was something off about the story.
And one person could quiet his suspicions. That person was just roughly shoved into the chair at the table, only he didn't know that, wearing a sack over his head and all.
A nod from Blackbeard made the sack lift and the young man blinked a few times to adjust to the sudden light.
And the feared pirate captain who sat in front of him. He was visually tense.
"Greeting Drake. I have been meaning to congratulate you on your recent promotion. Ale?" Blackbeard occasionally had manners.
"No, no thank you." At least he was polite in return.
"Such a tragedy, what happened to Captain Jones, isn't it? All his years at sea only to fall overboard. Ironic."
"Very. A fitting end for a pirate though."
"Wonder what happened to his personal belongings? He had some odd items in his collection from his navy days."
"Gone, they are gone. Missing, before the accident."
"That's a shame, like they were packed up beforehand." Blackbeard mused. "And word on the street is he would go missing every month for a few days. Any ideas where he went?"
"I was only told he had business elsewhere. Captain Jones was a busy man. Working for the big man and all."
"Those business trips never last that long!" Blackboard slammed his fist on the table. There was something afoot, he knew it. He quickly calmed himself down, he needed to save his anger for something more deserving. "Another rumor is that Jones hasn't been found in the company of any woman. It's almost like he found one woman and left all others in the dust."
The man swallowed hard, and his eyes darted around.
"That's what happened, didn't it? I didn't think the boy had a loyal bone in his body. This woman in his life, what do you know about her?"
"Nothing."
"Name? What village or port is she from?"
"Not here." Drake let the words slip.
"What do you mean not from here? She's not from the Enchanted Forest? How is that possible?"
"Jones had a few meetings with Ursula."
Blackbeard hissed and grabbed her protective charm. He didn't want to know how Jones got into the good graces of the sea witch.
So, are you suggesting that maybe Jones didn't die, but didn't die but left the relay to be with his lady love?"
"I didn't say anything of the sort."
"Do you think that is the case."
Drake froze, he couldn't betray his captain, his former captain. But when you put the pieces together...
His tiny nod made Blackbeard stand up in triumph. "I knew it! Jones thought he could do something as crazy as leave everything behind for a woman." Blackbeard would show him how wrong he was.
Good thing the pirate had recently visited a giant and had some magic beans in his possession. Time to take a trip.
Sabine was finally going to have a quiet night alone at home. Killian had been roped into playing poker with coworkers and while he was apprehensive about it, Sabine had encouraged it. He needed friends and something beyond her. And maybe she needed a break from their passionate lovemaking.
She was going to practice a new song, preferring to be alone when doing that. It let her be more in tune with the music. Having lustful eyes on her didn't help at all.
She unlocked the door, stepping inside. Instantly she knew something was wrong. Sabine then saw someone sitting on her couch. Very wrong. She moved to open the door back up, but he spoke first.
"I wouldn't do that if I was you, lass."
The word lass made her stomach turn, only one person could call her that. The witty remark of "I'm not you" died on her tongue. She was rooted to the ground in fear.
The strange man stood up. "So, you're the woman Jones left it all behind for." He looked her over a few times. "Can't say I blame him."
Sabine really wanted to rip his eyes out, just the way he was looking at her made her sick.
He was quick on his feet, which seemed odd given all the heavy layers he was wearing to move toward her. She moved out of his way, unfortunately cutting off her only way out. At least she grabbed a long umbrella, pointing it like a sword to put some distance between them.
The man only chuckled. "Silly girl." He pulled out his very real and very dangerous sword and touched it to her umbrella. "You will be the perfect bait for Jones. I can finally put that bastard where he belongs, in Davy Jones' locker."
Killian, that's why this man was in her apartment? A part of her wanted to keep him talking, stall for time, though she didn't know how to get anyone's attention. Maybe she could move to a window and signal for help that way?
Sabine slowly moved her body toward her sliding glass door, one hand on the umbrella to keep some distance between them and the other behind her.
He followed her every move with his eyes and sword. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I honestly don't have a preference."
Then her hand met a long pole, and something dawned on her. Before he could realize what she was doing, Sabine stabbed his foot hard with a ski pole.
He yelled in pain and anger. "You are going to regret that, lass." and he lunged at her, catching her wrist.
She whacked him hard with the umbrella.
"The sea witch will make you regret coming here." A new voice was heard in the apartment. Sabine looked behind her attacker to see two slightly familiar men standing there.
"Get out." The other one said.
"Not without my bait." The man replied.
"If you want to leave, then we all will." The first man stated. Then he threw the contents of a bottle at the floor and Sabine's vision was blocked by the sudden abundance of mist. She coughed until it cleared. And they weren't in her apartment anymore. They stood in the lobby of a fancy building. Her attacker was gone.
"Where are we? Who was that? Who are you two?" Sabine shouted, finally able to form words.
"Jack. This is Felix. We work with Ursula. She was able to come so she sent us to save you.
Sabine tilted her head; maybe that's why they looked familiar. "Save me? Who was that?' They hadn't answered that question yet.
"Blackbeard, one of the most feared pirate on the seven seas. He was looking for Captain Jones."
"Jones really thought he could easily leave his life behind. Seems he couldn't."
The two men spoke one after the other.
"We can't stay here. We need to take her upstairs. To her."
"Who is her?" Sabine hated being left out of decisions.
"The queen. She can keep you safe until Ursula and Jones get here."
"And quite possibly the king." Their answers came so naturally, it was almost unsettling.
'How did we even get here?"
"Magic."
"That's crazy." Sabine shook her head, but was there another explanation?
"Crazier than a sand dollar and locator spell for a monthly hook up?"
Maybe it was crazy.
They went upstairs to an even fancier penthouse. Sabine felt out of place with her casual clothes that were slightly wet due to the mist cloud she had apparently traveled through.
They entered an office. An older woman sat behind a desk, she looked up, a bit surprised. "What are you two doing here?"
"A thousand apologies, Your Majesty. This is Jones' woman. Blackbeard just attempted to use her as bait."
The woman's expression changed to one of complete concern. "That bastard. Come here, dear. You need new clothes and food." She stood up.
Sabine stared. "You look familiar. I saw your face somewhere."
"A magazine cover, perhaps?" The woman smiled. She had Sabine follow her down a hall to a large bedroom with an adjoining bathroom.
"Yes." Sabine had made Killian get a full medical check-up last week. This woman's face graced the cover of a business magazine. "You're Athena (last name) you run a number of organizations that look to better the lives of girls everywhere."
"That's my goal. Here, this should suit you. Traveling by mist is not my favorite mode of transportation for this very reason. When you are done, come back out to the main room. I'll have food ready."
Sabine quickly took off her damp clothes, making a mental note to clean them as soon as she returned home. She then reentered the room wearing a light blue dress that reached her knees and a brown corset around her waist.
Jet and Felix were gone. A table was set with a steaming bowl of soup and warm bread. Sabine felt her mouth quickly water. Lunch seemed so long ago.
She sat down, ready to eat. "How do you know Killian?" she asked, grateful she could do two things at once.
"Captain Jones works for my husband, has been for years." Athena told her. "I do think Killian is the son my husband doesn't have. We have seven daughters and while I do know he loves all of them, Killian has a special place in his heart."
Seven daughters, that sounded insane to Sabine's ears. "That would make you Ursula's sister-in-law?"
"It would."
Sabine was putting butter on yet another roll when the door flew open, and Killian entered the room. He was instantly at Sabine's side. "Did he hurt you? I'm going to kill him!"
"I'm fine, just shaken." She truly was, maybe the fear hadn't sunk in yet. But the look in Killian's eyes did scare her. There was one thought going through her mind: my boyfriend is going to murder someone.
"We will help you take care of Blackbeard, Jones. For far too long he has been a menace on the seas." Sabine looked behind Killian to see a tall man who she could only assumed that was Ursula's brother. He definitely had a powerful presence about him.
Then Ursula came into the room. "Darling, I'm so sorry I wasn't able to come save you myself. Though I doubt there would have been anything left for Jones here. Blackbeard must have a fairy if he was able to get past my protective charms on your apartment. But don't worry, Triton, Captain Jones and I will handle him."
"Then let's not waste anymore time." Triton pointed to the door.
"I'm coming with you." Sabine offered.
Killian spoke instantly. "No, absolutely not."
"I will not sit here and be useless." She argued back.
"You are not useless. You are brilliant but you can't be in a fight. You need to stay here and safe."
"Come back in one piece."
"I fully intent to." He turned to Ursula. "I can't face my enemy looking like this. A little help, please?"
Ursula nodded and snapped her fingers. Gone was the business casual look on Kilian and in its place was the dangerous pirate Sabine first knew, head to toe black leather, sword, and a hook.
He gave her a swift kiss on the lips before following Triton and Ursula out the door.
Sabine stood there staring at the door, lost at what to do next.
Athena was at her shoulder. "What's your poison?"
"I don't think drinking will help." Sabine wrapped her arms around herself.
"I did not word that correctly. What activity will keep your mind busy?"
"Oh, I'm not sure you have the supplies." There was one thing that always helped to calm her mind.
"Dear, I have seven daughters. We have been through every craft, hobby, sport known to the human race. Name it."
Sabine gave her small smile. "Origami."
She lost track of time, the paper folding really did wonders for her nerves. Eventually the door opened and in walked Triton, Ursula and Killian. Sabine stood up fast but didn't rush into his arms.
Athena looked at her husband and sister-in-law. "Is he taken care of?"
"He is." Triton told her, and she nodded in response.
That didn't answer the question on Sabine's mind, was the fearsome pirate dead?
Killian saw the question in her eyes and touched her arm. "You are safe, he can't harm you or anyone else ever again. You have my word."
She nodded then let herself be folded into his arms. This was her safe place. Then he finally kissed her.
Athena cleared her throat behind them. "Can I get anyone anything?"
"No, Your Majesty. I think we just need to go home." Killian said. Then he saw the table. "You created a zoo here."
"I needed to keep my mind occupied somehow."
"And these aren't your clothes, at least not in this realm."
"Yeah, we look like the cover of a bad romance novel." Her simple blue dress paired with his pirate outfit, definitely not a book she would pick up.
"If you two need anything, do not hesitate to ask." Athena told them.
"I'm paying for your wedding, anything you want." Triton offered.
Athena touched her husband's shoulder. "Hold your seahorses there."
Sabine blushed and pushed her face into Killian's chest.
"Home?" He asked her.
"Home."
That night found Sabine and Killian lying in bed. They were simply holding each other close. Ursula had put a stronger protective charm on their apartment. Sabine's worries hadn't fully disappeared, rather put at bay.
"Your poker night was ruined. I feel terrible." She was saying, not waiting to be the only one whose night didn't go as planned.
"It was canceled actually. And Dave is moving to the doghouse. Hope his beer and pizza are good."
Sabine was instantly confused. "Wait, what?"
"Dave forgot his anniversary, he said he is going to the doghouse."
She started laughing so hard she had to wipe tears away. "Dave is not actually going to the doghouse. His girlfriend is mad that he forgot. He will just sleep on the couch for a few nights."
"So, I don't have to help him move." Killian had hope in his voice.
"No."
"Good." He sighed. "When is our anniversary?"
"That is a good question. Maybe when we met or when we admitted we were falling for each other." Sabine mused. "Or when you moved in. Or when I asked you to move in."
"Or when we fucked for the first time or made love for the first time." Killian offered other events.
"Those are two very different dates."
"I know. How about when you asked me to move in?"
"I like that date." She smiled.
"Doesn't mean we can't celebrate all those days."
"You are going to buy me lots of flowers. This apartment is going to be overflowing with flowers."
"And we will have lots of sex."
"Well, that's a given."
Killian grinned but then leaned back to look at her. "You stabbed Black Beard in the foot with a ski pole?" Sabine looked away but he touched her chin to lock eyes with her. "That was very brave of you."
"Apparently I can be brave when I need to be. Good thing I was cleaning out the hall closet."
"Very good thing." He kissed her on the forehead, forever grateful for her.
I semi- quoted my favorite line from Cleopatra (1964).
And Killian's coworker Dave is David. Had to pull him in somehow.
So, this is where the story was supposed to end. But its not. There are holidays coming up. We are talking Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines Day.
Reviews?