Killian Jones One Shots

To Study? Or Not to Study? That is the question!

It was late; the sun had completely set and the stars were high in the sky. Or at least they would have been if it wasn't completely overcast with clouds. Killian had been kind enough to light an extra lantern to ward of the darkness of his cabin so I could read for school, but seeing the words on the page wasn't the problem. I lay against his pillows, trying like hell to be responsible and study for my quiz over Romeo and Juliet that I had first thing the following morning, but it just wasn't happening.

Everything was a distraction. From the sounds of the waves lapping gently against the hull of the ship to the sound of Killian's quill scratching lightly against the ledger he was writing in. It would scratch, scratch, scratch and then there would be a light tapping as he dipped it again for more ink. Some kind of... accounting.... Or something. I don't know. I had asked him, an hour or so before....maybe less. (Ten minutes was feeling like an eternity.) And he had told me what he was working on but for the life of me I couldn't remember.

The words against the page before me were literally swimming as I tried to force myself to focus. I knew it was important and I wanted to do well. At the very least so Killian could be proud of me (it's not like anyone else would be), but I just *couldn't*. When I did manage to read it, I didn't understand it. And what I did take in, was confusing as shit. I was so stressed that even being on the Jolly wasn't helping and I finally gave up and put the book down with a tired sigh.

There were so many thoughts running through my mind. From the stress of passing my classes, my sisters, the guy at school that wouldn't leave me alone. Not to mention the fact that everyone was trying to force me into their views of normal. Telling me that Killian, and his world and life, weren't real. That it was all in my head. Hell, my oldest sister Prue had even suggested medication to make me stop dreaming. I felt like Alice going to Wonderland and having the time of my life only to be forced to wake up.

"What's wrong, love?"

Killian's voice startled me from my rambling thoughts and I gave a half of a shrug. "I don't know."

"I know that tone," I could hear him moving things on his table and the room became darker as he blew out the lantern he'd been using before coming to sit at the edge of the bed behind me. He bumped gently into me while removing his boots and I could tell from the way he was moving that he removed his waistcoat and untucked his shirt.

"You don't have to." I grumble while scooching away to give him more room.

Killian sighed as he lay on his right side and his braced arm found its way over my waist to pull me close. I lifted my head to lay on his bicep as he placed a kiss to my hair. "I don't have to do what?"

"Stop what you're doing because I'm being 'emo'."

There was a pause and if I had been in a better mood, I'd have laughed because I was sure his brows were knitted in confusion. "Well, I haven't a bloody clue to what this 'emo' is, however, I *do* have every intention of helping you study. Now, turn over, love, and we'll go over your material."

"Aren't you busy though? I don't want to be a bother." I refused to move from my spot.

"I'm never too busy for you, Sera. You know that. And besides, it's nothing that can't wait." Killian urged me again to turn over by pressing gently at my hip and I obliged him, but not before rolling quickly and burying my face against his neck in a hug. God, how I wished I could just freeze time and stay *right* *here*. To never have to wake up or leave him. To just sail the seas endlessly and be *free* to be whoever I wanted. To be myself and not have to live up to anyone's standards but my own. All too soon though, he was pulling back and repositioning us so I could show him what I was reading. "Ah, Shakespeare."

"Yeah," I shifted lower against him so I could lay my head against his belly while he balanced the paperback against his brace and began flipping the pages.