The following morning...
Emma sensed tension all around the Jolly Roger. She felt as if she couldn't breathe at times. She thought maybe everyone was just anxious to get off the ship today since they hadn't seen land in over a month now. The princess knew she was anxious to see some trees, maybe send a letter to her parents and Henry. She was beginning to miss her mother nagging her and her father's overprotectiveness. She even missed Henry's endless tales of far-off lands. Emma loved her life on the ship, but that didn't mean she didn't miss home.
The princess was currently wrapped up in one of Killian's arms as he steered them into port as she rested her head on his chest. Jamie had stayed below deck all night and announced to his cabin mates he wouldn't show his face until it was time to dock and leave the ship for the day. She didn't blame him, her scrawny friend didn't have much to look forward to on deck. His days consisted of doing the chores no one else wanted to do and constant supervision. He was practically a mistreated prisoner in her eyes. Nonetheless, she knew he could have had a much worse fate.
"What do you say, Swan, do you want to grab some food first or gather the supplies first?" Killian asked, gently rubbing her back.
"Whatever you want..." She responded emotionless as she played with his heavy chained necklace.
He let out a small chuckle, "Are you hungry?"
Emma let out a heavy breath, "No, not really."
"I guess we can gather a few supplies then." he thought out loud, "Perhaps after we can get you something warm to eat."
The princess wasn't paying too much attention to the conversation, she was too worried about her friend, "Did you talk to Jamie last night?"
"Aye..." Killian responded cautiously, releasing her from his embrace, "He stopped by our cabin and asked if he would be allowed to roam the island." He bluffed.
"Yeah, Mr. Smee told me that Jamie was waiting until we docked to come up." She responded with a weak smile, "Thank you for letting him sit with us last night at dinner, I think he really needed that."
The captain returned the smile, ignoring the feeling of betrayal, "Of course, love."
"So what are his special rules?" Emma asked, referring to Jamie, "Is he gonna follow us everywhere?" She teased, "Are we gonna have to sneak around to steal a kiss as we did back in the castle?" She asked with a laugh.
"Unfortunately nothing like that." Killian responded, letting out a chuckle before he continued to lie, "I gave him all the same rules as everyone else. Do as you please, but be here before we leave."
Emma stared at her captain. He really was a good man. Even though he didn't trust Jamie, he was being kind to him and giving him some respect. She greatly appreciated it, "That was very kind of you." She said with a smile and quickly pressed her lips against his.
"Don't wear it out." He responded with a wink.
The princess laughed, "Oh yes, I wouldn't want to ruin your reputation now."
Soon enough the Jolly Roger was docked and the crew dispersed. Emma didn't see Jamie leave the ship, but no one was left in the cabins. She must have missed him again...
"Isn't it odd that we haven't seen Jamie this morning?" Emma asked Killian as the two walked down the dock.
"Aye, I suppose it is." He agreed, "The lad is probably glad to be on land again, that's all."
"I suppose you're right... Anyways what do we need to get first?" She asked, changing the subject.
Killian pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket and began to read off the list, "Some rope, planks, a few new swords, restocking our food supply, stocking up on the spices... you wanted to write some letters and I wanted to buy some new soap..." He responded, trailing off at the end out of embarrassment.
Emma let out a laugh, "The fearsome Captain Jones wanting to buy soap." She mocked him, "And here I thought I'd be the one to ruin your reputation." She continued to laugh.
The captain's face turned bright red, "I like to bath frequently!"
"Oh believe me I know." She responded as the two headed into the marketplace...
Nearly the entire day passed and the captain and princess finished their final errands. Gathering what the ship needed always took more time than expected, but they always managed to get the job done just in time for a warm meal at the tavern. Many of Killian's crew were already there and already plastered. The captain didn't mind though. What fun would it be to reach land and have all these rules? Docking at an island meant taking care of personal matters, letting loose, not having to do any task, getting a woman or two while you can for the whole day. Because once they returned back to the ship the men knew their task came first and their fun came last.
Killian got him and Emma a table in the back of the tavern as they often do. The two always enjoyed the tavern but found themselves not minding being in the back of the crowd. "I'll fetch us a pitcher of rum." Killian announced as Emma took her seat.
"Okay, I'll be here." She responded with a smile. The princess took these few short minutes alone to begin writing some of her letters to send home. She had so much to share she feared she would run out of paper and ink.
"Oh, you're quite ravishing, aren't you?" A heavy-set man commented as he approached her.
Right in front of her was a wasted man. He reeked of alcohol, his beard had leftover food in it and his teeth were so rotten she was surprised they hadn't fallen out. Emma let out a small, uncomfortable, laugh, "Thank you..."
The drunk took a seat next to her, trapping her, "Tell me, lass, what do you say you and I ditch this old tavern and I show you a good time?" He asked, slurring his words.
She scooted as far away as possible, hitting the nearby wall, "I'm afraid I'll have to decline... I'm waiting for somebody."
The intoxicated man leaned in close to her face, releasing his horrid breath on her, "How much do you want me to pay you so I can have my way with you?"
"Trust me mate, you couldn't afford her. Nobody could." A deep accented voice called out.
Emma let out a breath of relief, "Killian." He always showed up at just the right time.
"I'm going to have to kindly ask you to get up." Killian stated as he placed the pitcher of rum on the table.
The chubby man let out a loud laugh, "Since when doesn't a pirate want to share a wench? What do you say, we split the payment?" He continued to babble on.
The captain clenched his jaw as he tried to remain calm. He knew Emma wasn't too fond of his temper and he didn't need any attention to be drawn to them with King George looking for her, "I'll only ask once more. Leave the lady alone." He said sternly, "She's not for any kind of sale you're looking for."
"Anything can be bought for just the right price..." The drunk responded with a smile as he took a piece of Emma's hair into his hand.
And now Killian was mad. No one would lay a hand on his princess and get away with it... Without thinking he grabbed the heavy-set man by his jacket and pulled him out of the seat and threw him effortlessly on the floor. He quickly leaned down by the man and let his fist take control. He wasn't sure how many times he had punched the man but it was definitely enough to make his face become covered in blood. The only thing that stopped him was his crewmates pulling him off the man.
"Captain he's not worth it! You're only upsetting Princess Emma more!" Smee yelled.
That was the only sentence that brought him back to reality... He took a look at the man's face. You couldn't even tell he was a man anymore. He wasn't even moving... He then looked at his bloody knuckles. He wouldn't be surprised if he had broken something and he knew these cuts would take ages to heal... He looked up at his crew who had concern all in their eyes. They had seen him get mad, they had seen him beat people to death and they had seen him at his worse, but never once had they looked at him the way they are looking at him now. Lastly, he found Emma behind all of his crew. Her face showed fear, disappointment, and sadness. Her eyes had tears that were threatening to fall. He wasn't sure why he acted the way he did, but he knew it wasn't right what he had done. Before he had a chance to justify anything Emma ran out of the tavern.
Killian quickly got up, "Emma wait, I-"
"Leave her sir..." A thin crew member suggested quietly.
Mr. Smee approached the captain and tried to walk him to the exit, "Perhaps we should head back to the ship and clean-"
"I'm fine Mr. Smee!" The captain snapped.
The crew quietly dispersed as Killian took himself outside for a breath of fresh air. He wasn't sure why he reacted abusively towards the man, especially in front of Emma. Sure he never liked anyone to touch her and he had a lot on his mind but was it really worth taking all his anger out on a drunk man? He had to find Emma and apologize, he began to think it was time to come clean about all the lies he told and all the secrets he's kept. It wasn't doing him any good keeping it to himself. He had to go find Emma and explain, but he hadn't a clue where to look.