Author's Note: This started as an Anything Goes prompt on Tumblr: "Jealous Pirate Swan." I posted a couple scenes in my Drabbles fic (A Dozen Assorted) and on Tumblr (scheherezade06), but it is taking on a life of its own, so here I've pulled it out into its own fic!

So far, this one is T, but I think it might go M... I'll keep you updated!

.

—KPOV—

Lieutenant Killian Jones told himself he'd noticed her because of her situation and not because of the sway of her hips in her tight leather pants, the curve of her legs caused by high-heeled boots, the arch of her back, the gold of her wild mane of hair all in curls and braids, her flashing green eyes rimmed in kohl, the deep V created by her half-laced blouse, the delicately embroidered cincher around her waist, or the dark crimson paint on her nails, or—no, he'd definitely noticed her because two men were following her into an alley.

Killian pursued at once, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

A cloud crossed the moon as Killian stepped into the mouth of the alley, casting it into darkness that someone was using to their advantage. Shadows moved and collided with one another.

Killian heard the silken sound of a blade being freed from its sheath, and then someone inhaled sharply. One of the men grunted, and then a fish crunched into flesh, making a meaty sound. Straining his ear, Killian heard scuffling, another grunt, and then the loud slap of someone slammed into the wall.

Killian shifted his weight, desperate to help, but unwilling to rush in blind.

He didn't want to harm the lass accidentally.

But then someone started making choking, gurgling sounds, and Killian couldn't wait any longer.

He drew his sword, angling it as he did so the blade scraped along the metal edge of the scabbard, making the cutlass ring as it slid free.

"Stop in the name of the king," he called out, his boots crunching on the stones as he strode forward.

"Why would I do that," came an amused feminine voice that was just slightly breathless, "when I'm winning?"

The clouds parted, and moonlight streamed down, illuminating the alley.

Directly in front of Killian, the skinnier thug lay in a crumpled heap, one arm splayed out in an unnatural angle.

Deeper in the alley, the blonde woman straddled the heavier of the two men, her pleasantly curved posterior slightly raised and pointed toward Killian as she leaned forward, one arm pressed across the man's neck. She glanced at Killian over her shoulder as she methodically cut off the burly ruffian's airway.

The thug's feet drummed uselessly on the cobblestones. He jerked and grunted, clearly wanted to fight, but the tip of the woman's dagger was pressed tight to his closed eye. Every time he struggled, she pressed a little harder.

Killian watched with his mouth hanging open as the big man's feet slowed and then stopped moving.

The blonde woman held the thug down for a handful more heartbeats before drawing back. She rolled up into a crouch over him and gave him a firm shake, making sure he wasn't faking.

Killian closed his mouth and nervously licked his lips. The stunning woman before him had neutralized two opponents in a matter of moments. He was impressed.

"Come to arrest me, officer?" the blonde said, rising gracefully to her feet and tossing her hair back as she turned to face Killian. "I can assure you these two deserved their trouncing."

"I—I came to offer my assistance," Killian stammered as the woman slunk toward him, all rolling hips and black-rimmed eyes.

"And collect the reward?" she said with a hint of a pout as she drew near.

Killian still had his sword out, he realized. He sheathed it at once, nicking his thumb in his haste.

When he looked up, she was very close—too close. She was within the span of his arm, looking up at him through thick lashes.

"Reward?" he parroted, confused.

Her eyes narrowed fractionally. She drew her face back an inch.

"Hmm," she said. "I almost believe you don't know what I'm talking about, but I can't take a chance that I'm wrong about you."

"What?" he asked, his brow furrowing. He cocked his head to the side.

She grabbed the lapels of his jacket and dragged him off balance, pulling his chest flush with hers.

He let out a surprised huff of breath and then swallowed hard.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her eyes on his lips and her mouth a hairsbreadth from his.

Killian had just enough time to crumple his brow in confusion as her unprompted apology before she thrust her knee up into his groin, making him grunt in pain.

She let go of him and he staggered back a step, looking at her in surprise and shock.

"I risked my safety to help you," he gasped, his voice edged with indignation, "why do this to me now?"

"I just need a head start, love," she said with an almost apologetic smile as she backed away.

She spun on her heel and sprinted off into the night.

.

—EPOV—

Emma pulled her hood forward, tugging her shawl tight around her shoulders to conceal her hair as she watched the figures moving on the deck of the Jewel of the Realm.

The pretty boy in the navy uniform would certainly report seeing her.

Assault on a navy officer would be added to her list of crimes, the reward for her capture would go up, and there would be one fewer port in which she could enjoy a drink in peace. Anton wouldn't let her stay in his tavern if she made trouble in town. Their deal balanced tenuously on the fact that she didn't cause trouble in town. Everything would be spoiled by one damnably handsome lieutenant.

Emma made him for an officer even before she'd seen his uniform. In the light of day, she could read his rank in the shape of his hat and the colors on his collar. The captain of the Jewel was clearly related to the pretty lieutenant—his older brother by Emma's guess.

Smiling at his brother with an expression of embarrassment, the younger man left the ship, heading into town.

Emma sighed in frustration and she followed the blue-eyed man.

The would-be hero had a nice bottom. Emma half-wished she could take the time to appreciate it properly, but each step he took wiggled his lovely buttocks closer to the constable's office, and that soured him to her.

When he went inside the office, Emma crossed her arms and leaned against a wall across the street. She tapped her foot impatiently and scowled at the world.

Emma loathed each day her ship was in dry-dock. Being stuck on land was like missing a hand. If she'd had the option, the Yellow Beetle would have sailed less than an hour after her encounter with the black-haired troublemaker.

But that wasn't an option.

Not for two more days.

Emma growled in frustration as she waited for a pretty man to make her life more difficult.

They did seem to be good at that.

.

—KPOV—

Killian entered the constable's office with every intention of reporting the previous night's incident.

But then he saw the wanted poster with a passable likeness of the beautiful blonde woman. She stared at him coolly, all done in sepia. The artist had clearly seen her in person, he'd captured her chin and the curve of her lip perfectly.

Killian stared at the portrait for longer than was strictly necessary. Then he dragged his eyes lower to see why she was a fugitive.

She was called "Captain Swan," and her crimes included piracy, theft, and willful destruction of property.

"Something to report?" said the clerk, stepping forward to squint up at Killian.

"Hm? I—No," Killian stammered.

The clerk cocked an eyebrow at him.

"A cautious sailor needs know the threats that await him on the sea," Killian quipped, pleased with his own quick recovery.

The clerk blinked at him.

"I'd like to know more about her crimes," Killian said. "In case I should happen to meet her upon the water."

"Oh, you won't meet her," the clerk said, shaking his head. "She don't bother ships from this kingdom."

"No?" he asked, his eyebrows raising.

"She steals from King Midas, regular-like," the clerk replied, "and she causes all manner of trouble for Queen Regina, but her ship has never interfered with any boat what belongs to good King David."

"Why is that?" Killian asked, his tone open and curious.

"Who knows why pirates do anything?" the clerk said with a shrug. "Maybe she has a code; some of the rabble think she protects our kingdom's waters, since she never raids here. Me, I think maybe she she just doesn't want to get in Blackbeard's way."

"Blackbeard?" Killian asked.

The clerk thrust one stubby finger at a poster on another wall.

A grizzled older man stared down at Killian from the poster. His crimes were far worse than Swan's; he'd commited murder, rape, kidnapping, and arson in addition to piracy, theft, and destruction of property.

Killian's bile rose.

Grimacing, he turned and left the constablatory without making any report.

In the sunlight once again, Killian tried to gather his thoughts.

It was harder on land. Killian did his best thinking on the gently rocking deck of a ship at sea. With empty ocean surrounding him, it was easier to breathe—easier to analyze problems and visualize solutions.

Frowning, he put his arms behind his back and clasped his fingers around his wrist. He put his back to the sea and strode through the bustling town, his thoughts jangling in his head like the harnesses on the carriages that rumbled past him.

.

—EPOV—

When he exited the constable's office, the pretty lieutenant was frowning thoughtfully.

Emma smiled at that.

Apparently, he hadn't liked what he'd learned within. That was good. If he'd just given a statement, he wouldn't have left the station looking as though he'd just found out his favorite aunt was really his sister.

Emma shadowed him as he walked, keeping a fair bit back. He wasn't hard to miss in his ridiculous hat.

After about a quarter hour, he straightened and looked over his shoulder, as if someone had called his name.

Emma made herself busy as a nearby street vendor's stand, picking up a painted silk fan and opening it to admire the artist's work. When she looked up again, she thought he caught her gaze, but he made no obvious indication he'd recognized her. His eyes slid away from her and he turned his back to her once again.

Emma continued to follow him as he wandered aimlessly away from the market and out toward the thinner edge of town. Where barns and grain houses were more common than shops.

He looked around briefly, still not catching Emma in his line of sight before he ducked behind a silo. His hand hovered over the buttons of his pants, and Emma assumed he was looking for a quiet place to take a piss.

It seemed like an excellent time to confront him about why he hadn't reported her to the constable.

.

—KPOV—

The pirate was following him.

Killian didn't know why she would do so, but he was certain. He'd caught glimpses of her now and again, always far enough to be coincidence, always doing something innocuous. But always there.

He thought he'd accidentally let her know he'd spotted her in the market. He'd tried not to stare, but the way she'd lifted, tapped, and then flicked open the fan—like a noble—had surprised him.

Their eyes had met for an electric fraction of a second before he'd pretended not to see her, scanning the rest of the uninteresting crowd before wandering off, refusing to check for her, hoping she'd stay with him until he could confront her.

When he made it to the edge of town, he gave a quick look around. Seeing her in his periphery, he pretended to be looking for someplace to quietly relieve himself.

He stepped behind the silo and then spun, putting his weight on the balls of his feet, ready to spring if she took the bait.

.

—EPOV—

Emma crept toward the silo, carefully placing her feet to make no sound. She grinned when she arrived and didn't hear the sound of liquid being poured into the sand.

"It's a passable ambush," she said amiably, "for an amateur."

She heard his intake of breath, and they both took a step around the silo at the same time, nearly bumping into one another.

.

—KPOV—

Killian hopped back reflexively. Then he took a few more steps for good measure, drawing her out of sight of the town. She followed easily. She looked amused.

"Well, hello again," Swan said, her eyes dragging lazily over him from hat to boots and back again.

Killian swallowed uncomfortably. Her roving eyes made him feel like a side of mutton. He gave himself a shake and reminded himself why he'd led her away from town.

"Why do you protect the waters of this kingdom?" he demanded, setting his mouth into a hard line.

"Now, who said I do that, love?" she drawled, sauntering closer.

"Keep your distance," Killian said, retreating farther behind the silo..

"Afraid of a repeat performance, Lieutenant?" she said with a seductive little pout. "I do hope there wasn't any permanent damage. Tell me, is everything still intact?"

Killian refused to be dissuaded by her predatory smile.

"Why do you protect the waters of this kingdom?" Killian repeated, trying to fight the way her words and her nearness affected him.

"Well, someone has to," she said with a taunting smile.

Killian frowned at the jab.

"You don't feel the navy sufficient to the task?" Killian said in a clipped, irritated voice.

"Oh, I'm certain that some sailors are quite capable," she purred, "but perhaps they're simply unwilling to get their hands dirty."

Killian swallowed again. This Swan was damnably distracting.

"You only steal from the rich king and the evil queen," he said, "why?"

"I do believe you've answered your own question, love," she said.

She lifted her hand suddenly, and Killian half-drew his sword, but she just brought her fingers closer to her chest and examined her nails as if bored.

"Don't draw your sword unless you intend to use it," she purred, her eyes flicking to his as she laced the familiar words with innuendo. His brother had spoken the same words to him, as had his swordmaster.

Neither of them said it quite like she did.

Killian let go of the hilt and his sword slid back into its sheath with an audibleshhhh-unk.

"Much better," Swan said, giving him a little smile before reverting to her seductive pout. "But it does seem that you have me at a disadvantage."

"What?" he said before he could stop himself.

"I do believe you've discovered my name, Lieutenant," she said, her eyes boring into his, "but I've yet to learn yours."

She took another step toward him, and Killian's back bumped into the silo.

"K-Killian," he said. He cleared his throat and dug deep for composure. He straightened his shoulders, coming to attention. "Killian Jones, Lieutenant on theJewel of the Realm."

"Pleased to meet you, Killian Jones," the pirate said, offering her hand to him.

He took it and gave it a quick shake before impulsively dipping his head and drawing her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles. She might be a pirate, but she was still a lady.

She arched an eyebrow at his action.

"Captain Swan," he intoned, trying to give back as good as he got as he looked up at her over their entwined hands. "The pleasure is mine."

.

—EPOV—

The Lieutenant—Killian—'s sudden show of bravado amused Emma immensely. She needed a partner who could hold his own. That was part of why she was pushing so hard. She needed to know if he could roll with the punches or if he would buckle under the pressure. So far, he had proven himself equal to the task.

"So, why have you been following me, Miss Swan?"

"Captain," she corrected reflexively. She measured him for a moment before speaking. Her reasons for following him had changed when he'd left the constabulary. She wasn't sure how she wanted to answer. "I was curious to learn why you haven't reported what happened last night."

"Who says I didn't?" he said carefully, arching an eyebrow.

"I do," she said with a confident grin. "You didn't."

She leveled him with a challenging stare. She didn't know for certain, but she would be surprised if she was wrong.

The corner of his mouth twitched upward.

"I didn't," he confirmed, his voice taking on an almost gentle quality as he formed the words. He released her hand and inclining his head to her.

An officer and a gentleman.

Emma decided to push again.

"And why is that?" she asked, sticking her tongue between her teeth. "Afraid to report you were struck by a girl?"

He laughed at that—a genuine, full-chested laugh that warmed Emma to her great surprise.

"No," he said with a lopsided smile, "not at all."

"And you aren't trying to arrest me now," Emma said, not really a question. She looked at his lips, wondering suddenly what it would be like to press him against the silo and kiss him hard.

"No, I'm not," he said in a low, husky voice. It seemed to Emma that he wasn't immune to her charms afterall.

"Why is that?" she asked with honest curiosity, her brow wrinkling slightly.

She drew back a little to see him clearly and concentrate on his words—to test them for truth.

"It seems to me that you and I want the same thing," he mused, his blue eyes clear and open as they darted between hers, "though we've chosen very different paths."

Emma felt no dishonesty in his words.

"Perhaps," she said in a light voice, chewing on the implications of his truthfulness. She licked her lips and let her eyes dart to his mouth again. "What if that's so?"

"Then we may not be enemies at all," he said with a hint of surprise in his voice.

He rolled his shoulder in a little half shrug and then frowned, as if he couldn't believe he was saying such things to a pirate.

"Perhaps we're not," she said with a little smirk.

"So, maybe," he said, his voice lowering and taking on a confident strength, "we could stop acting like enemies and do the job we both want to do."

"Which is what?" she pressed, determined to not be the one to bring it up.

"Blackbeard," he said, his lips twisting with distaste at the name.

Emma felt a surge of relief, but she downplayed her reaction.

"Aye? What of him?" she said, feigning boredom.

"We've been unable to stop him from raiding the coastal villages," he said, eyeing her, "and so have you."

"Are you suggesting I work with the royal navy to defeat a fellow pirate?" Emma said, feigning innocence.

"Perhaps I am," he said, turning her own hedging against her.

Give and take.

"Why should I trust you?" she said, searching his eyes.

"Why should I trust you?" he shot back.

Emma grinned.

"Fair enough," Emma said, raising her hands in mock-surrender. "Show of faith?"

Killian raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. His expression was wary.

"Dinner, tonight," she said, "at the Tall Lassie. Two hours after sundown. You don't bring the guards, I don't bring the crew, we pretend to be civilized for an evening. How does that sound?"

.

—EPOV— (This is the scene that started it all!)

When Captain Swan entered the tavern, she found royal Lieutenant Killian Jones already seated to dinner. He was eyeing the clientele warily from behind his mug, clearly uncomfortable in the seedy establishment.

Honestly, she was surprised she'd convinced him to meet her at all, but he was proving to be a man of his word.

As she crossed the room to join him, a dark-haired wench approached the lieutenant, putting her hand on his shoulder as she leaned forward to thrust her ample bosom in his face. His eyes flicked down automatically, but rose to her face quickly, spots of color appearing on his cheeks.

The wench seemed to enjoy that, so she unceremoniously plopped herself into Killian's lap, throwing her arms around his neck and pressing herself to his chest.

One of Killian's arms shot out to encircle the girl, and it made Emma frown. She knew deep down, that it had been a reflex to keep the woman from falling, but she still didn't like it.

And why hadn't he gotten rid of her, yet?

Emma crossed the taverns in long, sure strides, drawing her dagger as she did so.

She grabbed a fistful of the woman's thick hair and yanked her head back sharply, pressing the point of her dagger to the woman's pale, creamy throat.

"I believe you're in my seat, love," Emma purred into the woman's ear as she ran the dagger back and forth across her skin, raising a fine, pink line.

"B-b-beggin' your pardon, ma'am. I-I didn't know," the interloper stammered, flinching and disentangling herself as much as she could while restrained.

"Make sure it doesn't happen again," Emma said, releasing the woman roughly.

The wench stumbled away from the table with a murmured "yes'm."

Emma didn't watch her go. Her eyes were intent on Killian.

"I hardly think scaring the girl was necessa—" he began.

Emma cut him off by throwing one leg over him and sitting on his lap, facing him. She grabbed his lapels and crashed her mouth to his greedily.

"C-captain Swan!" Killian protested, pulling back from the pirate's plundering mouth.

Emma kept a hold of his lapels, staring into his wide blue eyes with hooded green ones. She slowly licked her lips before releasing him and climbing out of his lap and taking the seat adjacent to him.

The flustered lieutenant self-consciously straightened out his coat and shifted in his seat, his face red to his ears.

"Do you need a minute to… gather your thoughts?" Emma drawled, her eyes raking over Killian, lingering on his lap, where he had his hands folded over crossed legs.

"Miss Swan—"

"Captain," she corrected.

"Captain Swan," Killian started again, "when you invited me here, I was under the impression that you wished to discuss the situation with Blackbeard, not… not… uh… I was not…"

"That is why I invited you here, Lieutenant," Emma said. "But what's the harm in mixing a little pleasure with our business?"

Killian opened him mouth and closed it abruptly. He swallowed hard.

"If we—" he squeaked. He cleared his throat. "If we could discuss the pirate lord..?"

"Of course," Emma said, inclining her head with a small smirk. She raised her hand, signaling the barkeep.

A barmaid immediately came to the table with a bottle of rum and two small glasses.

"Leave the bottle, lass," Emma said, giving the barmaid a wink and flipping her a coin to cover the drinks. "And bring us something to eat."

"Yes, ma'am," the girl replied, dipping into an awkward curtsey.

Emma poured two fingers of rum into each of the cups.

"So," she said, holding a glass up for Killian to take, "tell me more about how the kingdom needs my help."

"I don't drink rum," Killian said, crinkling his nose at the offered beverage.

"You do tonight, darling," Emma said with a grin. "If you want my help, then tonight you drink rum."

"I'd rather keep my wits about me," Killian protested.

Emma drew back the glass and drank half of it, leaving a single shot of liquor.

She offered it to Killian.

"There," she said, "even a virgin princess could handle that much rum."

Killian scowled, snatching the glass up and throwing back the liquid in one swallow.

He sputtered and coughed, his eyes wide as he tried to regain his composure.

"That wasn't so bad," Emma teased, "was it?"

"Bloody awful," he muttered. "Pardon my language."

Killian took a drink from his beer to clear the taste of rum from his mouth.

"We're all sailors here," Emma said with a grin. "I assure you I've heard worse."

"Other men's bad form does not forgive mine," he muttered seriously, setting down his beer and frowning as he scanned the room again.

Emma raised an eyebrow. This Killian Jones seemed to be full of surprises. She studied him while he watched the room, and her eyes kept landing on his lips. He kept licking and biting them, which did not help Emma's train of thought.

The barmaid wandered over then with a tray. She angled herself carefully before bending over, facing Emma instead of Killian. Good girl, Emma thought. She'd clearly seen the earlier display.

The lass set two bowls of thick fish soup and a large chunk of dark bread on the table.

Emma and Killian tucked in, eyeing each other occasionally.

When the meal was almost finished, Emma broke the silence.

She sopped up the greasy residue of her soup with a chunk of bread and met Killian's eyes.

"I'd like to know what intelligence your lot has gathered on… our mutual quarry," she said carefully.

Killian frowned, his eyebrows drawing together.

"You wish me to divulge classified information," he said, his tone a little gruff.

"Yes," she said, maintaining eye contact.

He exhaled through his nose.

"Why not just steal the information?" he said icily, his lips twisting into a tight grimace. His tone implied he was unhappy with the idea.

"Oh, I could get the records that way," she purred, giving him a cocky little grin.

"But you won't steal from your own kingdom?" he asked, almost an accusation.

Emma rocked back as if struck. Panic rose in her eyes before she shook her head and reverted to her confident mask.

Killian's eyebrow quirked up at her reaction.

"My reputation in this kingdom suits my purposes," she said with a shrug. "I like being able to have a drink like this—" She gestured between them. "—without having to go all the way to Agrabah to do it."

He studied her for a moment, but then the corner of his mouth lifted as well.

"And if I do this," he said after a moment, "what are we then? Partners?"

Emma gave a throaty little laugh.

"I still outrank you, Lieutenant," she said, her eyes dancing merrily.

"Oh, aye?" he replied, he was still wary, but his expression was more open. Maybe it was the alcohol. "Am I to take orders from you, then, Captain Swan?"

"When the situation calls for it," she drawled, letting her eyes trail over him again. "How long are you in port?"

His lips parted and his tongue darted out to moisten them as he stared at her mouth.

Slowly, his eyes rose to meet hers.

"My br—My captain has gone to the castle for orders from the king," Killian said.

"When did he leave?" Emma asked.

"This morning," he replied.

"Good, then he'll be gone for at least three days," Emma said, clapping her hands and then rubbing them together.

Killian raised an eyebrow.

"And I am to spend those days minding the ship," he said.

"If your crew needs constant supervision, love, then you need to find a better crew," Emma quipped.

Killian snorted in amusement.

.

Review?