Killian's Pov

Four Days Later

I hardly saw the princess in the past couple days, been too busy charting our course and my other responsibilities. James has stayed with the princess. I am afraid he is the worst person to care for a prisoner. He would be the one to hand the key over to the prisoner to help them escape. Too soft, but stubborn as hell. That's why I kept him around. Reminded me of my brother at times.

We were docked at a remote harbour for the time being, so I walked down to my quarters to check on her.

I opened the door to find her talking to James, sitting by her bedside. She had a smile on her face. She look like she was in much better spirits than the days before.

"Don't tell him I said that. He'd have my head for it," James made Emma laugh.

Emma saw me out of the corner of her eye and her face turned stern.

"Oh, umm captain," James stood and nodded, "I was just conversing with the..."

"I know, but you know how we treat prisoners on my ship," I said, but Emma cut me off.

"Letting them be shot with an arrow and taking them captive?" Emma says, smirking.

"If it's necessary. But usually we don't treat them like royalty," I sneer grimly at her, "James, you have the rest of the day off at the dock. I shall keep watch on the princess."

"Yes captain. Goodbye Emma," James unwillingly walked out. Leaving me and the princess alone.

"This is an unpleasant surprise," Emma frowns.

"Well I do live on this vessel, love," I responded, sitting myself down on the chair, after moving it into the corner.

"Well you did leave me to rot here for the past three days," Emma says.

"I think we have two very different versions of rotting in mind," I growl.

"So why did you finally decide to pay me a visit? Making sure I stay true to me end of the bargain?"

"Yes actually. I just came to make sure you weren't dying on my account and the fact that my crew deserves a break," I say.

"And I can see how you don't," Emma remarks.

I fist my palms, trying to keep my anger in check.

"I also want to know more about you. For revenge purposes." I smile painfully.

"Oh so now you want leverage against me. Well I think that is hardly fair since I know hardly nothing about you either."

"And there is nothing you need to know."

"I could say the same, Captain. My whole life has been a public display. What more do you need to know?" she smiles coyly.

"Aye. But I still have questions."

"As do I," she doesn't back down, "You get one questions about me and I get one about you. Deal?"

"Fine. Ladies first?"

"How did you get the hook?" she asks.

"That's your big question? My hook?"

"Yep. I am guessing it's not as simple a tale as it looks. And I'll answer as good as you do."

"Someone who hated me took my hand from me," I answered easily, "Now you. Why are you so valuable to the dark one?"

"Someone who hates me wants to take my hand from me. Doesn't want me dealing the deck," Emma retorts.

"That's not an answer."

"My answer was as good as yours wasn't it?" Emma says, "if you want a better answer then you better play your hand."

I sit up in my chair. I'll do what I can to get the information I need.

"I loved a woman. And it wasn't meant to be. I made some bad choices that caused my brother's death and I didn't feel worthy of her, so I ran away hoping it would help us both in the end. But I realized my mistake and tried to go back for her. The dark one stopped me, cut off my hand, and said that if I ever tried to get close to her again, that he would take the other and hurt her. So I stayed away, but I will make up for it someday, by making the dark one pay. And hurt as much as I did," I growled, "Is that sufficient now?"

"It'll make do," Emma says with a new look in her eyes, something soft not harsh. Makes me relax.

"No you answer mine. Why does the dark one need you?"

"He doesn't need me. He needs his son. He abandoned his son and is trying to make up for it, by forcing the woman his son loves to engage in an arranged marriage, in threat of a dark curse, to make his son happy."

"So you don't love Prince Neal?"

"Love is a complicated subject. He is one of my closest friends, but I don't love him romantically."

"Was it the man who broke your heart?"

"Was he what?" she asks, confused.

"The reason you can't love him. Neal." I ask. I don't know why, but it just comes out. It's like I have to know for unexplainable reasons.

"You already asked your question," Emma looks away, becoming silent.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to open old wounds," I say sincerely even though kindness is the last thing I should give a prisoner right now.

I don't understand why I am drawn to her, when revenge is what is most important in my life. Not a woman.

"I am a prisoner, not your sympathy case to get in bed with. You can leave if you have no more business to tend to with me," Emma snaps back to her guarded self.

Probably for the best. We are together to achieve revenge, not to fantasize about a blossoming romance.

"I wouldn't even dream of it. You are too sorry to be a sympathy case anyways. You are nothing but a piece to solve my puzzle," I snap back as well, rudely address her.

I walk out, sighing as the door closes. Why is this girl getting to me? Where is the strong, cruel Captain I once was?

I know it has been a while, but what do you think?

Hope you like it.

-pinacolada07