No More Pirates (Book Two)

Chapter 3 - Reunion

Storybrooke; Just off shore...

The First Mate, Smithy - as he called himself, scurries quickly to the edge of the ship, ready to lower the dingy into the water. Smithy is a tall, bony lad with nappy blonde hair upon his head. Barely 20, he volunteered for Elizabeth's crew.

"Captain?" He asks.

Elizabeth stands tall on the rail of the Jolly Roger to address the entire crew. "Listen up you filthy bilge rats!" The men straighten up as she speaks, "I want this ship swabbed from stem to stern! If it's not spotless by the time I'm back, there will be hell to pay! Understand!?"

The chorus sings. "Aye!"

Elizabeth turns and nods to the first mate. He takes the captain's hand to lead her into the small boat. As she does, the sword sheathed at her hip smacks against his calf, startling him. He eyes it curiously. The gold sparkles in the bright summer sun.

"Smithy! Stop your staring and lower us down!"

He is snapped out of his gaze. Smithy jumps into the dingy, making it rock violently back and forth. "Bloody hell, Smithy!" Elizabeth screams, trying to steady the boat.

"S-s-sorry c-captain!" He stutters.

"Just get us down!"

The First Mate pulls a rope that slowly brings the dingy to the surface of the water. Once there, he disconnects the ropes, and begins to row the ores on either side. The Captain faces forward, a blank expression on her face but excitement in her eyes.

As the two get closer to shore, Elizabeth suddenly feels a surge of energy through her body.

Smithy notices the change in her posture. "Captain? What happened?"

She turns, a wide grin on her face. "There is magic here. This should be fun."

She waves her hand through the air, and in an instant, she and her first mate are standing on the wooden dock.

"Where shall we go now, Captain?" Smithy asks.

"Take a walk, Smithy. I have somewhere I need to be." Elizabeth stands, hand on the hilt of her sword, still grinning. Smithy nods and scurries into the unknown world.

Elizabeth takes a deep breath. Her lungs fill with damp salt air, just as they had the first time she boarded the Jolly Roger. She adjusts the heavy black leather around her shoulders, undoes a few strings on her corset, and lets her long mahogany hair fall down her back. With her hand resting still on her sword, she sets off down the unfamiliar street.

She walks slowly, passing buildings labeled The Rabbit Hole and Mr. Gold: Pawnbroker. Suddenly, a short man with a greying beard comes charging towards her, screaming, "Hey! Who the hell are you!?"

Elizabeth stands her ground, smiling at the man. She rests her hand on the gold sword at her hip. The man lunges at her. She steps to the side, letting him fall to the ground. She draws her sword, raising the hilt above he man's head.

"Sorry Mate,"

Elizabeth brings the sword down hard on his head, knocking him unconscious.

She re-sheaths her sword before turning to continue her trek into the town. She must've attracted eyes to herself because she sees a man jogging towards her.

"Bloody hell," she groans. She draws her sword and advances towards the man. As she inches closer to him, she sees his familiar physique. His long legs are covered by black trousers and black boots. His muscular chest, shrouded by a black leather jacket. A large necklace hanging from his neck. And a hand, missing, but replaced by a silver hook.

Neverland; A century ago...

Hook hears soft cries coming from the hut that he, Mr. Smee, and Elizabeth built. He steps away from the campfire, into the dark room.

"Elizabeth? Are you okay?" He whispers.

Through the darkness, he can't see her wiping her tears. She sits up in her wood bed, straining to see the captain's bright eyes. "I'm fine," she sniffles. "It's just this damn island..."

Hook walks through the room to the sound of her breathing. When he smacks his shin the bed she's sitting on, he turns to sit next to her, their legs touching.

"Tell me what happened... Back in the Enchanted Forest, I mean."

Elizabeth sighs. She speaks quietly. "My parents were killed... For helping the bandit, Snow White. Then it was just me and my younger sister..."

She takes another deep breath. The tears threatening to spill. "I had no money. Everything we had, I stole. So one day, I snatched a few jewels from a royal carriage and ran. I had no idea who I was stealing from... By the time I got back... My sister was gone... The Queen... She..." A sob escapes her lips.

"I was a coward... I ran... I..."

Hook puts his arm around her shoulders and pulls her close to his chest. "It's okay, Elizabeth. I know how this must feel..."

With his arm tightly around her, she feels safe for the first time since they arrived in Neverland. "Captain..." she whispers. In the still darkness, Hook pulls Elizabeth's face to his and kisses her lips ever so softly.

Back in Storybrooke...

Elizabeth stops. Her heart jumps to her throat. The sword in her hand falls to the ground with a crash. Her eyes lock with Killian's ocean blue ones. He stands completely still with his arms raised.

Slowly, a smile spreads across Elizabeth's face.

"Elizabeth? Bloody hell, is that you!?" Killian smiles.

"It's me. I found you!" She runs to him, embracing him in a crushing hug. Finally content for the first time in a very long time.