Swordplay

Things had gotten too close with Hook…Killian; whatever the name, the damned pirate was still an infuriating storm building in her mind. Emma wasn't blinded by his fuel for vengeance, she could see the tortured soul of the man that was buried deep down inside.

Killian. A man who had everything ripped from him in an instant. She hadn't known the whole story, but she knew the look, for it was all too familiar.

"We should have taken him to a hospital in New York," Neal's gruff voice came from her doorway. He stood propped up against the frame, hands in his pockets and a frown pulling down on his lips.

"And Hook? What was I to do with him? Hmm?" Emma laughed darkly, "Couldn't exactly bring him along could I? I'm sure that would have went over real well. No this was the only way. The Jolly Roger will get us everyone back quickly and in one piece."

"You're defending him," Neal scoffed. "Emma do you have any idea what he is capable of?!" His voice dropped to a harsh whisper.

"I'm not—" she drug a hand down the length of her face and sighed, "Look, he's alive isn't he? Things could have ended up being much, much worse."

Neal took a step into her room, shutting the door behind him. He crossed over to her bending down until he was level with her face from her seat on the bed, his hands pressing into his knees.

"And why didn't it? Tell me why the dreaded Captain stopped; suddenly at that." Neal's eyebrow curved, "Seems he has a soft spot after all."

Emma turned her face from his, "I'd like you to leave now," she said softly.

"Come now, Em," he whispered while the back of his fingers stroked her cheek, "What's a pirate got that I don't?"

Emma's eyes snapped back to his, her lips forced into a tight line at the sight of the smug grin on his face. She gave him a rough push to the shoulders, sending him stumbling backwards across the room. "OUT NOW!"

Neal sucked his teeth and shook his head, "I wasn't aware murder got your gears going, Em. Seems like I was in the wrong business."

"Three hundred years, Neal. That's how long he has been waiting, planning and searching for the man that took away his life. THREE HUNDRED YEARS! You gave me up to the fucking cops, with a baby, and never looked back!"

A triple knock rapped on her door.

"I didn't know about the baby, Emma. Oh, and that man happens to be my father, by the way, or did you forget. He tried to kill my father! And for what? Because he took away his hand? I would hardly compare the loss of a hand to the loss of life."

"He killed your mother, Neal!"

Neal scoffed, "According to who? Hook? I know all about how he blames my father for her death, so if by not stopping her from going to sea with a bunch of blood thirsty pirates got her killed than yes…I suppose he is responsible."

It had never occurred to her that Neal didn't exactly know what had happened to Milah after she left. She hadn't taken the time to think that Hook would have spared the details to a boy about the tragic demise of his mother. But now that she had heard his admissions she realized that he did just that, that Killian Jones had spared the feelings of a boy to protect him.

"Emma, is everything alright?" Hook's voice called from the other side of the door.

"Your father isn't exactly a good man, Baelfire. You said so yourself," she said the words with a hushed snarl. "I'm fine!" she hollered at the door.

Neal smirked, "That was a long time ago. He doesn't deserve to die."

"And he's not going to; now please leave."

"Emma—"

"OUT!" she yelled while thrusting a finger towards the now open doorway that held a weary eyed pirate.

Neal stood his ground, his eyes bouncing between the pair of them. "What happens when we get back? What about Henry?"

Emma's breath caught in her throat, her eyes slipping closed as she tried to wash away the anger that was building inside of her. Why wouldn't he just go away?

"I believe the lass asked you to leave," Hook calmly stated while toying with the end of his hook.

"And I believe we're having a conversation," Neal bit back. "Not that it's any of your concern, Hook."

"Ah, but it is. See, lad, this here is my ship, and as Captain of this ship I make the demands and you follow them…or don't you remember," Hook smirked lazily.

"You sunuva—" Neal rushed forward only to be slammed back onto the ground; not by his former acquaintance but by Emma.

Neal got to his feet and made an effort to go after the pirate again and Emma spun in front of them, un-sheathing the sword from said pirates side and pointing it in his direction.

"I said go," she might have whispered but the demand behind her voice was poignant.

"Right," Neal pushed out a dark chuckle, side stepping Emma. She lowered the sword but kept her glare fixated on him.

Hook smirked as the man passed by, dragging his feet along the deck until his door was sealed with a slam.

Emma groaned, letting all the air escape from her lungs, turning to replace the borrowed weapon back to where it came from.

"You know, love, if you wanted to get your hands on my sword you only had to say so."

Emma blinked, a dead stare on her face for a moment that was far too long before she simply rolled her eyes. "I need a drink."

"Atta, lass," he grinned, "I said once before you'd make one hell of a pirate."

Reluctantly she took him up on his offering to accompany him in his quarters for that drink. She might have tossed away her token to remind her not to trust but that didn't mean the thoughts didn't still linger. He was a pirate after all; logic would say he's not to be trusted.

Emma knocked back the amber liquid that appeared in front of her, nodding at him to hit her with another. She enjoyed the slow burn it provided as it passed through her body and pooled in her belly. She licked her lips and let out a breath, taking a seat on the bed. Her elbows went to her knees and she cradled her head in her hands.

Hook propped himself against the desk on the opposite side of the room, observing her with a cautious smirk fixated on his face.

"You sure you're not a pirate, darling?"

Emma's head rolled in her hands and she narrowed her gaze. "How exactly do you know Neal?"

Hook scoffed, "That, love, might be a tale better saved for another time." He poured her another drink, his fingers brushing hers briefly when he passed her the tumbler.

"Aw, what's wrong? Big bad Captain Hook afraid he's going to break me?" She stuck out her lower lip in a mocking pout.

"Oh, I'm plenty bad, princess, you can attest for that." He tossed back his own drink and let the glass hit the desk top with a thud. "Besides, Emma, I'm afraid you're already broken." The smile that stretched across his lips was laced with sadness as was the sigh he let out before he turned away from her.

"Killian, please," Emma whispered, standing from the bed and approaching the brooding Captain. She lifted her hands and set them on his shoulders and he stiffened under her touch. She ran her hands half way down his back before she rested her head just under his shoulder blades.

"Please." She kneaded her fingers against the cool leather vest. "You're not so together yourself you know."

She felt his body bounce with a breathy chuckle against her. "No. I'm not." He turned and immediately Emma backed away. Hook frowned slightly before sweeping an arm at the chair beside him. She sat as he quickly downed another drink and perched himself on the desk's edge.

"He found me, actually. Sometime after I landed in Neverland, those pesky lost boys always pestering me and the crew; but not Baelfire. No. He would wait in the shadows, watching with curious eyes, not quite fitting in with the others." Hook sighed, his head dropping low. "I knew who he was immediately. How could I not? He was his father in so many ways but his eyes held so much of her to be ignored." He didn't bother pouring the alcohol into the bottle this time when he took a long pull.

"I took him in. Told myself it was to get back at the Crocodile, getting in good with the one son he had lost. But I was only fooling myself, him being there only gave me some peace of mind that I still had some part in her life. Only there was no peace, it was driving me mad inside. The thirst for revenge had never been so strong. So I left." He subconsciously rubbed the mark on his inner arm with the back of his hook. "And now I see he's turned into his father. A coward."

"He doesn't know does he? That Gold…" Emma paused, wincing at the thought of carefully choosing her next words. She didn't have to.

"What? Killed his mother? The woman that that monster claimed as his wife?" Hook scoffed, laughing bitterly, "No. He doesn't. From what I'm aware he thinks she was killed while at sea. I never thought he would leave; why hurt the lad even more?"

"But you told him Gold was responsible."

Hook's eyes turned dark as they met hers, "He didn't fight for her, Emma, he let her go. Regardless what tale the boy knows he is responsible!" He replied angrily, slamming his hand on the desk, his hook sticking in the top of the wood.

The chair scraped along the floor as she stood, crossing the space between them and laying a gentle hand on his arm. "But not you," she coaxed softly, "It wasn't your fault she was unhappy or that she chose you."

Hook turned his face to hers and Emma found herself drowning in an ocean of pain and sorrow. "It's not your fault that she died, Killian. You have to let go of that, she wouldn't want you spending your life in misery."

"You just want to protect him. After all this time you're going to stop me?" He rasped.

"No," Emma shook her head, the hand on his arm sliding down to his hook and taking hold the curve. "I want to forget about this," she lifted her other hand and rested it on his chest, "and get to know this."

"That is dead."

"It's not, I can feel it. And sometimes, like tonight, I can see it. You're still in there, Killian."

He yanked his hook from the wood of the desk and turned from her touch, stalking away from her. "Well, you're the only one."

"Maybe, but you said you'd fight for me; am I not allowed to do the same?"

Hook froze at the cabin door, his head cocking down and to the side to glimpse her out of the corner of his eye.

"I'm not worth fighting for, love," he uttered quietly with a hint of regret in his voice. He pushed the door open and let it swing closed behind him, leaving Emma alone in his room.

"That's not for you to decide, you stupid pirate," she sighed to herself, helping herself to another drink.

Emma found his quarters to be quite comforting. Perhaps that's why she decided to lie down on his bed rather than retreat to her own room. Surrounded in the scent of leather and rum and sea, everything that embodied Killian. It was plenty big, with its fluffy feather pillows and a mattress that seemed to soothe every ache she had ever known. It didn't take long for her eyes to close on their own and for Emma to be lost in a sweet rum induced slumber.

She didn't wake when the Captain returned to his cabin. His mouth fell open both shocked and confused at why the Swan girl had taken up residence in his bed. He had thought about moving her, but she had lied down on her own accord, she chose to be there, so why bother moving her now. He went to the sleeping princess in his bed and sat by her side, admiring how at ease she looked when her mind wasn't putting up all those walls.

He brushed the hair from her forehead and swept down, gently pressing his lips to her brow. She had lived a fraction of the life he had and been through just as much pain, just as much suffering. "You shouldn't have to fight for anyone but yourself," he whispered, allowing his hand to run down the length of her cheek. With a soft smile he stood and adjusted the chair behind the desk appropriately and propped his feet atop the pile of maps. Here he was, pirate Captain and being forced into giving up his own bed for a creaky chair. His head lulled back and he crossed his arms over his chest, letting the waves rock him to sleep.

Emma stretched her arms over her head with a yawn and a smile on her face. Last night had been wonderful; it had been a long time since she had slept so well. And then she opened her eyes and realized she was still in his room, his cabin, his bed.

Her head snapped to the side, expecting to see a creeping pirate snoozing beside her but shockingly found the space empty. She should have been relieved, but somewhere deep down she felt a tiny bit of…disappointment. She shuddered at the mere thought, sitting up and pushing her hair behind her shoulders. She heard the soft snores before her eyes landed on the man across the room. Sprawled out in his chair, one foot on the desk, his arms hanging lazily at his sides and his mouth slightly agape.

Emma smirked, tip-toeing over to where the sleeping pirate lie, or in this case sat. She pondered waking him, not so sure of how he would react. While she was sure he wouldn't hurt her there was still the matter of the hook that was firmly attached to one of those dangling arms.

"Hook!" Her tone was hushed and did nothing to affect him. She quickly poked at his shoulder, chuckling when he only batted her hand away with his. She smiled down at his face, drawn in by how much younger he looked while at rest, all the worry wiped free as if he had started anew each night. She raised a tentative hand and brushed her hand through the hair at the top of his head.

"Mmm, tell me Swan, what's it going to take to get you to wake me up like this every morning?" A single blue eye peeked open to stare at her reddening cheeks while a smirk formed on his lips. "Hmm? Bashful now, are we? No matter, I'll just have to relish in the memory." Hook sat up, groaning as he stretched out his limbs.

"I thought you were sleeping," she grumbled.

"Pirate," he winked. "Besides, it was you who took it upon yourself to sleep in my bed. How you expected me to sleep soundly from way over here, I have no idea."

Emma couldn't help but laugh, "Actually, I was surprised I didn't wake up to next to you."

Hook stood, bending slightly so that his face was level with hers, grasping her chin with his hand and tilting it towards him. Her breath hitched but she made no move to escape.

"As tempting as it might have been, love, might I remind you that I'm always a gentleman." His breath danced across her skin, still reminiscent of spice and rum.

"Always, Killian?" She questioned with an arched brow.

"Aye, unless you ask different of me." He brushed his nose against hers, his eyes falling closed and his hand sliding down her arm.

"I should go check on Henry," she swallowed.

"And I have a ship to attend to," he said with an upward twitch of the lips. "Seems we both have places to be."

Emma nodded quickly, taking a slow step back, unsure what to think of the look of rejection he was wearing on his face.

"Shame, that." Hook sighed and removed himself from her personal space, turning to grab his coat from the back of the chair. "I was quite enjoying your company."

Hook stood at the helm; Storybrooke appearing in the distance and someone approaching at his back. Much too heavy a step to be the young lad, much too soon to be his Swan, and the Crocodile was…well he was worse fore wear and his steps would be sure to falter. So what was it that young Baelfire wanted this morning?

"Hey."

Hook simply met his eyes and gave him a simple nod. After the exchange they shared last night the last thing he wanted to do was say something he would regret.

"Have you seen Emma, I wanted to apologize for last night. I might have found one of your rum stashes in my room and well…you know the rest." Neal met the pirate's eyes for a second, before looking away, his hands fidgeting behind his back.

"What makes you think she would want to speak with you?" Hook's cool voice replied.

Neal sighed, running a hand through his hair and coming around the wheel to look at the captain. "Look, I know what I did was wrong, I get that, but you're no prince either."

"Quite not," Hook smirked.

"I did it for her! I did it so she could find her purpose, to get her family back!"

"No, you did it because you were afraid. Afraid of what might happen if you fought to keep her, if you ventured down that road together and faced your cowardly father."

"Stay away from her. She doesn't need any more hurt in her life, especially from the likes of you." Neal sneered.

"Too right, Swan got quite enough of that when you left her with child in a prison cell." Hook's grip tightened on the wheel as he leaned closer, his face nearly pressing to Neal's, "I had hoped you wouldn't turned out like him…but I was wrong." Hook glanced over his shoulder at the steps leading to his confines and the blasted woman that wouldn't let his mind rest.

"She's in my cabin, or she was when she woke there this morning. I assume she's gone to check on young Henry by now."

Hook didn't bother to hide his grin when Neal's face paled, anger flashing behind his dark eyes and his lips pressing into a tight thin line. She wouldn't appreciate him spilling her whereabouts last night, especially when he knew the lad would think the worst was implied (or in his mind the best), but the little pest was trying his patience this morning.

Neal took a step forward and then back again, rethinking his decision to bow up to the man before him. It may have been centuries ago, but he was quickly reminded of the mentor of his past with a sharp raise of hook's questioning eyebrows.

"Run along now, lad, and tell dear Emma we'll be docking within the hour."

Neal sunk back against the railing and began making his way down the steps, tossing a glance to the ever still Captain as he went below. He recognized the look behind the man's icy eyes, the same look he got whenever he would speak of his beloved mother. And then there was the way he looked at her, when Emma wasn't aware he was watching. When she grabbed the sword from Hook's side the only thing that passed through his face was pure wanton desire.

He came to Henry's door, finding it cracked with Emma and their son talking in hushed tones upon the bed. He knocked once before pushing the door open and sticking his head inside.

"We'll be there soon, an hour at most."

Emma nodded, but no words were said. Just a blank stare between the two.

A sullen smile passed over Neal's face as he quietly closed the door upon exiting. It would seem Hook was right after all, she had no desire to speak with him. He had to set things right. With his father, with Emma, most of all with Henry, and when he was done he would make sure that damned pirate would keep away from his family.

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A/N: I've been a busy lass, MRI's and such, that and I've had other Killy fic feels that won't go away so I'll probably start that in the near future. I apologize for making Neal a super douche. I really do like him in a way (don't hate me either way). I feel he can't exactly help how he came out, and this weeks episode broke my heart, especially when he told Rumple he was still angry. So you got a mini peek into Neal's head Wolfcub004, I hope you enjoyed. Enough gibber jabber now! Leave some lovely words in that box down there and have yourselves a lovely night...or day, depending.

Shelly