Taken

Chapter 8 Brood

Killian stayed on deck for hours into the night. He paced back and forth across the same wooden panels into the wee hours of the morning, making a melodic creaking sound over and over. He knew Regina hadn't moved, given he paced back and forth near the opening to the only exit.

Killian's POV

She was a challenge, and brave though. She certainly took some harsh punishment from me. The point wasn't to break her, and I knew I hadn't. She had fight in there still, but at the same time, she had submitted. I felt her accept it when I used the strap on her in the tavern. She had just held onto to me and whimpered, she didn't kick or fight.

She didn't run though. Why? The way she kept looking at me, a genuine curiosity in her face, and her bright brown eyes, like she was trying to figure me out. Before I was knocked out by that bastard Blackbeard, I remember her trying to fight me.

I scolded her like a child, and held onto her, and a moment before I passed out, I remember the innocence in her face. She was looking to me for answers, and I remember seeing the tiny glint of fear in her eyes before my own mind went black.

I headed down below deck, it was roughly 4 am now. Slowly I opened the door, so that it didn't creak. Poking in my head, I see her, curled up on my bed, the light of the moon shining through the window over her face.

She was small there. I gently came towards her laying there, and looked over her. She had tucked the blankets all around her, almost swaddling herself. Probably trying to feel safe.

He spoke softly over her as she slept, "I know you're afraid lass," he muttered. She stirred softly remaining sound asleep.

Killian sighed, and paced himself to the chair across from the bed. He sat down, letting out a sigh, he was exhausted himself, and still felt a dull ache in his own head from being hit.
He stared at her, electing not to drink considering he got drunk only a short time ago and he could use a break.

Regina started to stir in the bed, sensing his presence.

Regina's POV

Ow, oh my bottom hurts, I cringed a bit and sat up. I could see him in the dim light. Was he just watching me? I wasn't sure if I should speak to him. "Hello." He said softly to me. "Hello," I felt my voice squeak at him.

A smirk came across his face, as I winced in my movement. Probably he was pleased at making me uncomfortable at least sitting. He blinked his eyes at me, almost examining me. I wasn't sure if I should get out of his bed.

"Comfortable there?" He mused at her. "Uhh yes thank you Captain," she muttered softly at him. "Should I move?" She shifted. "No, it's almost dawn, too late for me to rest," he replied gently.

Regina's POV

It was strange to hear his softer tone. He could get strict and boom his voice in a harsh way very easily, and he could go back and forth quickly with it. I laid there on my side, as it was more comfortable, and I looked at him. I wasn't sure what he was thinking. I never was though, he constantly was confusing to me. I still didn't understand what he even meant when he said things weren't always what they seemed.

Killian's voice broke the silence, "what should I do with you today?" He thought out loud. Regina looked at him, her eyes somewhat wider. He cocked his head to the side, and had a mischievous look on his face. "There's a couple options, I should put you to work," he mused.
Regina breathed against the soft satin nightgown. "Perhaps I'll let you above deck, and put you on some chores," he stated. "May as well put you to work," he thought.

"Don't move," he got up and leaned over her a moment, before leaving, locking the door again.
She took a deep breath, and he returned in a few moments. He had her bandit outfit with him and her boots. "Here, put this on," he said placing it down.
She looked up at him blankly, "Come on, now," he said strictly and she moved from bed. She slipped on her pants under her gown, wincing as she pulled them up over her sore behind.
He smirked a moment. She looked at him shyly standing still, and he turned around so she could remove the nightgown, and do her top.

She started to tug on her boots, in which he turned back to face her. "Now, What you're going to do is scrub the deck," he gathered a bucket of water and a large wooden wash brush, and led her up to the deck.

She followed him obediently and he stopped near the helm. "Down, on your knees is how you do this," he placed the bucket down and she knelt beside it.

He nodded at her and stepped back, allowing her to start brushing the deck clean with the soapy water. Her long hair still in a messy braid, on her shoulder, as she moved the brush over the wooden planks.

Killian stood back watching her, leaning against his helm, twiddling his fingers. He kept a sly grin on his face, as she worked. Several crewmen looked at her with a wolf like expression.

Killian glared at them, "she doesn't need more than MY observation, get to your own work!" He scolded, startling Regina with his yelling at the crew.

Regina's POV

He sounded so jealous and angry when he scolded the others for leering at me. He startled me though and the brush slipped and the sharp wood dug into my palm, cutting it open.
"Ahh!!" I yelped.

Killian turned his head sharply at her cry, and looked down to see her hand bleeding. She clutched her hand, squeezing her eyes tightly closed. She whimpered, and he went to her, taking her other hand to lift her to standing.

"Come on," he said gently and took her injured hand, looking at it. "Quite the cut," he said. She stared at him, an unsteady lip, and he popped the cork off his rum bottle and poured a bit over her hand. "Ah!!" She gasped at the sting.

"Bloody waste but cleans it," he said taking her hand back and examining it. With his hook he took out a cloth from his pocket, and gently wrapped her hand, using his teeth to tie a knot.

Regina's POV

It stung a lot and then he tied the soft fabric over it, and I met his eyes. He was staring at me as his teeth tightened it around my hand. I was dumbfounded looking at him.

"There," he said softly, "perhaps use only the other hand," he suggested gently, releasing my hand slowly to continue.

We stared each other for what seemed like five minutes. He cleared his throat, and did his firm voice again, "go on lass," he said, instructing me, but it was.... softer.

"Yes Captain, Thank you," I said automatically, and returned to the deck work, using just one hand now, like him.