Dark Hearts | Once Upon A Time

LVii. Pirate Ways

Caribbean Sea. One year ago

ERICA KNEW THAT something was wrong with Jaclyn, the second they reached the shore of the island of Tortuga. She walked up the stairs to the helm of the ship where Jaclyn was steering The Black Pearl into port and she rested a hand on top of Jaclyn's causing Jaclyn to look at her, pain shining in her eyes but she tried to smile, only this time it didn't quite reach her eyes

"Come here sweetheart," Jaclyn tells her, taking one hand off the wheel and spinning her around so that she crashed into the woman's chest causing them both to groan before they let out a small laugh

"Was that part of the plan Jack?"

"If I said I was trying to be romantic would that earn me some points?"

"Not even close" Erica smiled as she touched the side of Jaclyn's face, her thumb stroking the cheekbone and for a moment the pain in her eyes seemed to vanish and that was when Erica dropped her voice to a whisper "Are you going to tell me what's wrong or do I have to guess?"

"I'll tell you if you let me teach you how to steer a ship. If you're going to be a pirate. I'm going to teach you how to be one hell of one" Jaclyn promised and Erica grinned, she never thought she would be learning how to steer a pirate ship with Jaclyn Sparrow by her side, her life had certainly taken a turn into the crazy side but Erica didn't really mind it if she was being honest 

As they neared the Island and Jaclyn taught Erica the things that she needed to know about the ship and about how to steer a ship, Erica didn't miss the way that Jaclyn seemed to be drowning in memories and Erica wanted to help her, but she didn't know how. Jaclyn was like a jigsaw and she had a few pieces but not enough to complete the picture and she really wanted to know the Jaclyn Sparrow behind the flirty comments and the riddling words that seemed maddening to other people

They both weren't good at expressing their feelings and they knew it.

"You okay love?" Erica asked with raised eyebrows and  Jaclyn looked back at her with wide eyes and it was then she realised what she said and turned a bright red as she wished the ground would swallow her whole but all Jaclyn did was move her thumb over Erica's lips and smile at her 

"Peachy" Jaclyn smiled but Erica gave her a look "Alright, alright, I promised I would tell you and I will explain but I need you to promise me one thing. You won't change the way you see me after you hear the things that you learn about me while on this ship"

"Jaclyn Sparrow whatever you've done. I don't care. You know my darker side, I would like to get to know yours but I'm not going to force you just know I'm not going anywhere. I'm afraid Jaclyn Sparrow that you're stuck with me"

"I think I can live with that"

"Good because I'm not going anywhere"

* * * * *

Storybrooke. Present-day.

Dashing up to Granny's with Emma by her side, Erica had a hint of a smile despite the issues that they were meeting up to talk about. She didn't know what it was maybe it was the fact that she was able to hold Jaclyn in her arms that night or may it was (call her selfish) the fact that Rumplestilkskin was alive and she may not end up being the Dark One after all

Entering the small diner, her eyes scan the small crowd of people gathered until they landed on the group of pirates stood near the coffee maker like they were trying to hide from the group and Erica wouldn't be surprised if it was because of the amount of strange and distrustful looks that Elizabeth and Will were getting and wherever they went (usually) Jaclyn Sparrow followed