THE JOLLY ROGER

A/N: I've been keeping this one from you for a while, I promise I'll write more. Also on tumblr.

Summary: One last time, Killian sails the Jolly to port.

Words: 823

Rating: PG

The wind soared through the moonless night. Only the waves kissing the bow of the Jolly Roger could be heard. The ship was gaining speed, loyal as ever one last time for him. His only hand clenched around the steeling wheel.

He gasped for air feeling like he was drowning in despair, this was the last time he would stand on that deck, the last time he would feel the sea breeze racing through the horizon shuffling his hair. This had been his home for almost all of his life, his best friend, his confidant. Here he had his first victories, his first losses, he fell in love and made love, he lost so much and gained everything he ever had. He had nothing if he didn't have his ship.

Except Emma.

Emma, Emma, Emma.

His heart pounded heavily in his chest at the thought of seeing her again. The ghost of her touch on his skin, on his lips. If he was going to be worthy of her, a lost princess, a savior adrift, sacrifice was imminent.

But he was a pirate, had been a pirate for so long. The Captain Hook inside was desperate to take control, to find other ways to get to her, but not for the right reasons and not by the right means. Turmoil raged in his mind, trying to determine which was the direction his moral compass was pointing to.

However Hook had long been gone, stored in a locked chest inside the back of his mind gently coaxed by Emma. Nervous Killian Jones, taking his place for the very first time in centuries. A man who no longer hid behind the façade of revenge and hate, one who was driven by much higher purpose. Some would call him a fool; others would call him a hero.

His conscience, an attachment that came with his good side, the one he had thoughtfully ignored, the voice of his long lost Liam, praised him. For once, for the first time in what seemed like forever, he was willing to do the right thing… without expecting something in return.

Killian Jones was determined to find her and take her home, to be by her side whenever he was needed, to earn her trust fully and completely, to love her even if needed be from afar, to make her happy. His love for Emma was untainted by hatred, full of light and warmth that filled his corpse with life. Never had he felt so lost and so completely found at the same time. Every part of him completely tuned to her. His soul mending his broken mind, reconciling his best and his worst just for her, because of her. It could only be True Love, his one true love.

The Jolly had been his home for so long, but it was a pirate ship, Hook's pirate ship. There was no honor in holding on to a home that had seen the worst of his life, of his being. It had been the scenario of all his crimes and vices. But the Jolly was once the Jewel, as Hook was once Killian. And a home is always a home, not only the bad parts, but the good ones too.

Liam's ship is almost unrecognizable now, he almost destroyed it the first years he went into piracy. But his brother's memory still lingered in some corners. Milah, however was always present, haunting every single nook and cranny, she never truly left.

Hook was desperate to hold on to Milah, to a woman who had died three centuries ago barely feet away from where he stood. Killian felt the need to let go, to let her memory rest in peace.

The ink on his right arm itched his skin, his promise never fulfilled.

Emma too, lingered in the air. He couldn't discern if it was because he was bound to carry her around with him everywhere he went, or because she also had been here. A guest at the Jolly Roger in their last trip to Neverland. Her golden locks caressed by the breeze whenever she stood on deck, her strong hands holding on to the ropes for balance she did not have.

Emma, Emma, Emma.

His mind drifted to her, somewhere in the Land Without Magic. Her memories dormant, not remembering her family, her friends. Not remembering him. And he loved her, couldn't bear not to. Desperately, hopelessly, entirely in love. Forever bound to her.

He was willing to give up his live, his very soul for her happiness. And at that moment he knew what he had to do. The Jolly Roger was certainly a high price to pay, but he was willing to give everything up for her. So his home, wasn't really that expensive of a fee. At the back of his mind, Hook agreed reluctantly.

At that moment, Emma felt closer than ever.

"Hold on, love. I'm coming"