The Clash, Book One

Chapter 6: A Pirate's Life, Part A

Storybrooke, Many Years Ago

Henry and Killian were practicing sword fighting on the Jolly Roger. The clashing of steel and the shuffling of feet were the sound of bonding between stepfather and stepson, as well as the perfecting of a much-needed skill for the latter.

Henry managed to edge out Killian and was holding his sword against the pirate's chest. With a smug smile, Henry declared, " 'Always watch the blade.' I got it."

Emma then stepped down onto the main deck and proudly spoke, "Wow, I'm impressed. You fight like your grandfather."

"Mom, we were practicing," Henry complained with a groan as he turned to face her.

Killian took advantage of his stepson's brief distraction and knocked the sword from his hand. He then spoke, "Actually, we just finished," before knocking Henry on his back. Killian then continued, "Like I told you... always keep your eye on the blade."

"What's the point? I'm never gonna be good enough," Henry huffed before he got up and picked up the sword; he then slumped off.

Emma then walked over to her husband and questioned, "What's going on with him lately?"

Killian stated, "I think you know, Emma," before he turned to her and continued, "He's almost grown."

"He's about to leave home, isn't he?" she perceived with a twinge of sadness in her voice.

"Aye," Killian answered as he looked back at Henry.

Emma sighed before she spoke, "I'm gonna go talk to him."

She then began walking away before Killian put his hand on her arm and incredulously questioned, "What, to stop him?"

Emma then defended, "I missed so much already. I don't want to..."

Killian interrupted and assured his wife: "This isn't an ending, Emma. There's more to come."

The blonde slumped her shoulders before she locked eyes with his and asked him, "Was it selfish of me to think that our news would make him want to stay?"

He offered her a small smile before he responded, "You are anything but selfish, my love." He then took a breath and continued, "While I'm sure the lad is ecstatic to be an older brother, he needs the chance to be on his own."

Emma sighed before she resigned, "I guess I can't argue with that."

Killian assured her, "It's gonna be okay. I have something to make things a little less terrifying." He then walked over to his chest and grabbed a vial.

"You and I both know that a little bottle of rum isn't exactly helpful right now," the blonde pointed out.

The dark haired man grinned as he explained, "It's a little bottle of magic. You speak your message in here." He tapped the bottle with his hook to demonstrate. He then finished, "Add the name of your favorite pirate, drop it in the water, and before you can say 'yo-ho-ho,' it'll find the person you seek."

Emma smiled as she observed, "A message in a bottle."

"Mm-hmm," Killian simply replied.

She kissed him sweetly before she told him, "Thank you."

He nodded before he continued, "Look, he's grown into a fine young lad, and he is lucky to have a mother like you."

"He's lucky to have a pirate like you," Emma added with a small smile. She then placed her hand on her still flat stomach and continued, "And so is our kid."

Killian smiled back at her as he covered her hand with his. He kissed her forehead before they both looked back at Henry.

"He's gonna be fine," Killian assured his wife once more as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.