On Stranger Tides

Chapter 9

Neverland never changes, the whole place is quite ironic when you think about it. The humidity almost made it hard the breathe and the wet sand was constantly trying to eat your feet. Emma was quite glad when she had found out that they didn't have to go into the depths of Neverland, the squid they were after would be in the dark waters along the coast. This squid ink would stall the Dark One long enough so that he could be killed easily. His magic would be temporarily halted, making him vulnerable. The Captain was quite clever, he would make the Dark One watch and see what was coming to him after so many years. As for what Pan had said earlier, Emma had no clue how to accept who she really was, because she already knew. She was a broken princess, who felt all alone because she had been blinded by a broken heart.

Hook stayed close to Emma as promised, he wasn't going to leave her like Baelfire did. Hook was quite confused about the relationship between the two of them, but he wasn't going to push her into something she didn't want, he just doing it for her reassurance as he was a gentleman. The crew walked along the damp sand, searching for any sign that the squid was around somewhere. There was no luck. To Emma the minutes seemed like hours, her heart raced and her feet ached, but she only cared for the crew. She hoped nothing would happen to any of them on this cursed island. By midday, there was nothing to be found and they had barely touched a quarter of the shoreline. Emma was continually slowing down, she was far behind everyone else. Hook noticed her sudden decrease in speed. He looked over his shoulder too see her tired, and in pain. He could tell she wasn't used to any of this. His crew had done a few hundred years of scouring and walking endlessly, but she was young and inexperienced in the ways of pirates.

"Mates. Let us all call it a day. Get some rest and prepare for tomorrow." He said stopping for Emma.

"We don't have to stop, Hook. I can keep going." She said stopping and almost falling. Hook reacted quickly and caught Emma and helping her regain her balance.

"I know you think that, but in an hour or so you'll faint of exhaustion." He says, "Sit down, and close your eyes for a few minutes."

"Alright," she gave in, not wanting to argue over a simple manner. Together they sat next to a log along the beach, the rest of the crew not that far away. Emma leaned against the rough bark and closed her eyes. "How do you do it?" she asked.

"Do what, Swan?" He asked confused.

"How do you keep going without stopping?"

"You get used to it, takes some time to learn how to keep your strength."

"Teach me." She said, opening her eyes to face him.

"Like how to be a pirate 101?" He asked jokingly.

"In a way." Emma said, "I am one of you guys now." She said smiling, though she kept her eyes securely shut. Emma didn't want to open her eyes and look into his, she was beginning to get sucked into the idea of him all too quickly. She may be able to trust Hook, but she couldn't trust herself not to do anything that would lead to more heartbreak.

"Well, you have the fighting skill down quite well actually. Better than all of us. You have done quite well with bathing every three weeks, most women would be gone by day two." He laughed. "Now all you need is your strength, and then I think you can call yourself a real pirate." He told her, giving his signature smirk.

"Well when do we start Captain?" Emma asked enthusiastically opening her eyes. He looked at her excited smile, and saw the sparkle in her eye, she wanted to learn.

"Not so fast, love. Skills take some time, these aren't things you can learn after just one practice." He said and Emma nodded her head as she yawned, then lied back down on the log closing her eyes and slowly she fell asleep. Hook watched her for quite a while, he was still unsure of what to make of her. She was the most interesting and complex woman that he has ever met, and he's met a lot. Her determination and drive was something to look up to, she held herself with such regalness, yet cowered at the idea of being by herself. Hook couldn't help but think about her flaws and great strengths, and how he wanted to get to know her even more. To him, she was the greatest puzzle and curiosity he had ever come across.