Under Lock and Key #Wattys2016

Chapter 9

Killian led Emma aboard the ship and took it out into the water. After it was safely out, he grabbed her hand and led her into the Captain's Quarters. A nice dinner was set up. He lit a bunch of candles that gave the cabin a nice, warm glow. Emma saw a small bed against the wall, with red and cream colored blankets. Windows were lined up on the wall overlooking the sea. The light of the moon bouncing off the water made it look like it was shimmering. Killian cleared his throat behind her but she kept her gaze on the water.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" He asked after he made his way behind her. He placed his hands on her arms.

"It's stunning. Thank you for taking me out here." Emma whispered, afraid that if she spoke any louder she would interrupt the peace and wake up from the dream she felt like she was in.

"Are you hungry?"

She nodded and got a glimpse of the rest of the cabin. She saw a bookshelf lined with many books along with little trinkets decorating the shelves. There was a desk against the opposite side of the wall with the bed, and a table in the center of the cabin. She went over to one of the chairs and he pulled it out for her so she could sit down.

"Okay, so I brought steak and salad. If you don't want that or think it's too fancy for a first date, we can go somewhere else. I just thought that it was better than pizza for the first date, but I'm happy to go back home and get pizza if you want that." Killian rambled.

Emma giggled. "It's perfect."

He let out a sigh of relief. "I guess I ramble when I'm nervous." He took a deep breath. "This is awkward. I'm not saying that you're awkward, I'm saying that I'm awkward. You're gorgeous. Wait, what?" He stood up and took his head in his hands. "I'm so sorry."

She laughed this time. "It's okay. I find you being nervous really cute. Come and sit down." He reluctantly sat down again. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

He grabbed the wine and poured her some, and then filled his own glass. "What do you like to do for fun, Emma?" He then dug into the food in front of him.

"Anything I guess. What about you?"

"I like to sail, you know, when I'm not doing what I normally do." He put his head down in shame.

"You said that you moved away from your ex-girlfriend. I take it that you haven't always lived in Boston?" She asked changing the subject.

"No. I grew up in London, but moved to Maine when I was a young lad. That was where I met Milah."

"She sounds like an amazing woman."

"I didn't like lying to everyone. I knew she was married, but I liked the feelings she gave me. When I moved away, I was heartbroken."

"I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "Don't be. I have a better lass now. One that is just like me."

She smiled. "Being an orphan doesn't make me a 'better lass.'"

"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"No, I know. It's okay."

They continued the date without anymore complications. Killian told her jokes and Emma laughed harder than she ever did before. After they ate, he took her above deck and taught her how to steer the ship and showed her some constellations in the sky. There was a light coming towards them, and a small humming of a motor getting closer. They both stopped what they were doing and looked at the boat that was coming closer to them.

"Emma, you need to hide. It's still not safe." Killian warned.

She nodded and went into the Captain's Quarters and stayed there as she watched the small motor boat come closer to the grand sailing ship. She heard shouting, but couldn't make out the words. She peaked out the window and saw a figure standing in the small motor boat. Her blood ran cold and her breath caught in her throat. She ducked down and clutched her knees to her chest.

Killian leaned over the edge of his ship as he talked to Walsh. He wanted to grab his gun and pull the trigger, and have the bullet land right in the man's stomach and watch as he bled to death. This man didn't deserve a quick and painless death. He deserved a slow and painful one.

"What are you doing out here at this time of night?" Walsh hollered up.

"Just relaxing. At night I don't have to worry about people hogging all of the space. Out here, it's just me and my thoughts." Killian replied. "How about you, Sir?"

Walsh pointed his finger at Killian. "I ran into you at the mall. I'm just trying to find my girlfriend."

"And she would be out here taking a swim?"

Walsh chuckled. "No, no. I just wanted to see if anyone could be around who have seen her."

"Well, I'm afraid that I still haven't seen her."

"Sorry to bother you."

"It's not a problem, mate." Killian said and watched as Walsh went off in the opposite direction.

He followed him with his eyes until he couldn't see him again. He grabbed his telescope but still couldn't see the small boat. He let out a sigh of relief and went below deck to find Emma hunched in the corner. Her knees up to her chest and her head down, trying to make herself as small and unnoticeable as possible. He walked over to her and kneeled in front of her, grabbing her hand. She slowly lifted her head, and once she saw it was only Killian, she threw her arms around him.

"Hey, love. It's alright. Everything is alright. I'm here." He whispered.

"He didn't suspect anything, right?" She asked. A lump was in her throat and she could barely breathe.

"No. Everything is fine."

She hugged him again and let the tears flow. She tried to stop them, but couldn't. When he felt something hot and wet hit his neck, he pulled away and looked at her. Her makeup was now blotchy and runny from crying, but she still looked as beautiful as ever in his eyes. He wiped her tears away and picked her up and brought her to the bed.

"Lay down, darling. I'll get us home." He whispered.

She nodded and he helped her under the covers and tucked her in. She curled up and watched as he moved around the room to clean up. He bent over to pick the picnic basket up, and she immediately blushed and shut her eyes, pretending to sleep. She heard him chuckle and she opened one eye, and he was staring at her.

"Like what you see?" He asked cockily.

She blushed harder and covered her face with her hands. Killian laughed and finished packing up the food. He went over to a now sleeping Emma and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, my love. Sweet dreams." He whispered to her and went above deck.

As he sailed back to the shore, he couldn't help but think about Emma. He loved her. He knew it was insane, to love someone you just met.

"I guess that's where the get the saying, 'love at first sight.'" He said to himself.