Grace Me With Your Presence

[Killian Jones]

Tag: Grace
Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

This was bloody ridiculous. This was the second time he was chained up and no, it was not in a good way. He was in an abundance of pain from his injuries sustained by that moving piece of metal that was apparently called a car, and he couldn't even see the aftermath of his actions. He didn't fear Rumple's wrath. He just wanted to get the bloody hell out of here. He wasn't used to lying on his back all day . . . well, unless it was for pleasurable reasons. But this was so far from it.

The only thing that helped with the pain was the satisfaction that he had taken Belle from Rumple; not in the physical sense, but memory wise. He only hoped that his work would not be undone. The Crocodile deserved to suffer as much as possible. He pulled at the metal cuff again, trying to break free to no avail. They seemed to eliminate any object within reaching distance so that he couldn't pick the lock again. And how cruel was a person to take a man's hook! Frustrated, he threw his arm down, going back to staring up at the ceiling of this forsaken place. He knew that after this, he would most likely get locked up for shooting Belle. These hero types would make sure of that. There were just so many strange things about this room.

An odd looking square box with another device that was meant to control it . . . medicines he'd never heard of . . . strange facilities that were apparently called toilets. He had gained some familiarity of these things when initially coming with Cora, but now, being trapped in one spot . . . he was just noticing them more and more. "Oye! Any chance I could get free for one bloody second!" He was agitated, and was talking to whoever was out there to hear him. Hopefully, it wouldn't be someone to come keep an eye on him. He doubted he could handle their insufferable company right now. Granted, he had gone to them after picking his lock but now they had someone right outside his door to make sure he couldn't wander. Hopefully the raven haired beauty would be the one to join him, but he doubted it. He didn't want to eat this Jell-O substance! He wanted to get the bloody hell out of here.

[Grace Hatter]

Grace felt extremely lucky to be a hospital worker. Well..technically she was a volunteer. No money for her. But she liked to feel she got paid in experience! She might be young; but, she knew she wanted to be a doctor one day! She wanted to help those in trouble, save lives! Yes, she’d love to have a more adventurous aspect to it, be a hero! But doctors were always needed regardless! She could be a hero like Henry and still have some medical skills to patch up those who got hurt!

She blushed slightly at the thought of Henry. Even as Paige, she’d had a crush on him. And as Grace, she was liking him more and more all the time. But now wasn’t the time for such thoughts! She was on the clock! Well..it was a late clock for sure. She was a bit surprised the staff had been willing to schedule her so late at night. But that only meant they’d trusted her, that she’d proven herself! But yes, age meant little. It was what you did with those years that mattered. And Grace was one determined little girl! She was young; but, she was hell bent on learning everything she could about medicine! Already she’d been certified in CPR; and, she was learning a ton working here!

No, for the most part she wasn’t actually allowed to touch the patients. But she could watch most procedures. She knew the medical supplies and could hand them to Dr. Whale, bandages and the like. She supposed they didn’t scoff at a child’s help because the hospital was so understaffed. And well Dr. Whale wasn’t conventional to begin with. He approved of Grace’s enthusiasm and work ethic and found her useful.

So here she was! She’d already taken care of her homework which was a good thing. She figured she’d be exhausted by the time she was released. But she’ never in one million years think of leaving early! She took her work very seriously!

She’d been more busy tonight than expected. There were three new patients. She hadn’t been given all the details right away since there was a lot of prep work. She’d been running all over the place helping to prepare things. But now things had settled down. Finally she was given a proper briefing before being placed on a very intriguing new assignment.

Grace wasn’t supposed to engage the man she was ‘guarding’. She was merely supposed to call for help if there was an issue. But for once...She wasn’t content to comply with hospital regulations. Against orders, she slipped inside, a smirk playing across her lips.

“Well, you’ve seen better days, Captain!”

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

He heard footsteps approaching. They were light, most likely not any of the Charmings . . . and soon enough, his theory was proved correct. However he would not have been able to guess the visitor as she made her presence known. Ah. Grace. The young lass who spent a brief time aboard his ship. After having sneaked aboard, and then dropping her off at land. She looked different -- and it wasn't just the attire. It was the look in her eyes. Killian could only assume that she had found her father and reunited with him. For gone was that look of sadness that only those orphaned children took on. Well, good for her. Seemed once this curse was broken, people were finding their loved ones once again.

She spoke of how he had seen better days and Killian just looked at her, an ever so slight smirk playing on his features. "I've also seen worse." With all he had been through, this was nothing. Yes he was in an abundance of pain as he had apparently broken his ribs, but he was still breathing. And he still had his actions of shooting Belle to bask in. Ah yes. He had most definitely experienced worse than this. He would get out of this place eventually, reclaim his hook, and then continue on with his life . . . while the Crocodile suffered in the absence of his loved one. How perfect.

"Isn't it a little late for you to be lurking about the halls?" He teased as as he shifted in the bed. He'd had enough rest. He didn't want to be lying here, doing nothing. He could walk, even if it hurt to do so. Though he of course knew the others wished to keep him here so that they could watch him. Surely they did not know Grace was in here. He doubted they'd leave the young girl alone with someone who was deemed a dangerous man.

[Grace Hatter]

She laughed warmly when her captain told her he’d seen worse. “Of that I have no doubt!” she assured him. And yes, she still considered him her captain still. Technically it had been almost three decades, a long arduous 28 years since last they spoke. And...As Paige, she’d been different than most. She’d felt that time was wrong somehow as much as she worried she was losing her mind and couldn’t explain where the feeling came from. So...It had felt much more like 28 years to her than most. But all the same, she was of the opinion that once a pirate always a pirate. Hook had been her captain. Should centuries pass her by without the two of them ever so much as sharing a single word, he’d be her captain still. Being a pirate...She’d like to think that it changed someone, permanently. Something in her blood and heart had shifted. She’d always been an explorer, adventurous. But her brief taste of piracy..It had awakened something in her. It was difficult to put it into words, all she’d gained from that short time she’d spent on the Jolly Roger. But..It was nice. After Papa left, besides her portal hunting quest, she’d had nothing. No family. No friends. No home. Nothing but the mirror that could only show her how miserable Papa was. But..The Jolly Roger had become something like a home for a spell and the crew, like her family. There was a closeness she’d never truly grasped, only hinted at imagined, a bond between a crew and their captain. It was precious, the bonds unbreakable at least in her mind. She could now truly understand why a crew would sacrifice themselves for their captain. It wasn’t just about glory and riches and reputation but protecting your family. Even now, Grace knew she would do anything to help her captain. The connection was different than the one she had with her father; but, the bindings were just as strong. Yes, after she’d finished helping Dr. Whale, with the surgery, she’d been briefed. Well that really sounded too grand! She hadn’t been operating! But Dr. Whale was stressed and strapped for time! So it had helped that she was there to pass along the equipment he needed! The atmosphere was so intense it was palpable. But in the end, it was their victory! Well..Really Dr. Whale’s victory. But she’d played a small part! She felt honored she’d been entrusted to something so important! In any case, she was aware that the reason her captain was restrained was because he’d shot Belle over the town line. She really wanted to ask him about that, inquire into his reasons. But she supposed there would be time for that later. She didn’t want to spoil their reunion. She really was glad to see him! And the main thing was that Belle was okay. And hopefully she could get her memories back soon! More problematic than Belle was the patient Dr. Whale had operated on. Apparently the Dark One had made a fireball and...That guy had likely seen it which was very bad! But they wouldn’t know anything until he’d woken up. He was stable but still unconscious. So all they could do was wait. It was best to focus on her captain for the time being. Grace chuckled at his teasing tone. Hook knew better than anyone that she was no ordinary child. That part hadn’t changed. “I work here!” she informed him. “I’m on the clock right now, Captain. But it seems to me that you could use a little help. So maybe...Just maybe..I’ll let my hospital duties slide,” she teased back. There was no maybe about it. He was her captain; and, Grace was helping him out of here! She knew if she didn’t, the moment they thought he was well enough to move, it was a jail cell for him! And she couldn’t allow that! Not for her captain! tag: --- notes: ---

TEMPLATE BY ELIZA

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

Hook gave a slight smile when she expressed her lack of doubt that he'd been in worse situations. And just like he'd gotten out of those ones, he would get out of this one as well. Somehow. They couldn't keep him chained up here forever and he had plans to make a escape, even if it was during transporting him to a cell. She then answered his question by saying that she worked here. "Didn't realize you were old enough," he stated a bit teasingly, though also with truth.

Seems that credentials differed in this land, but Hook wasn't bothered with that. Storybrooke was still an unfamiliar place and he knew he had much to learn about how things worked here. She then told him that she was on the clock right now, but that she would take the opportunity to help him. "Well I wouldn't want to keep you for too long," he told her.

"So if you would be so kind as to hand me something with a small, thin point so I can open this blasted device, then I would be most grateful." He needed to get out of these odd clothes, get his own back and then most importantly . . . retrieve his Hook. He knew Emma had taken it and logic dictated that she took it either to her place of residence or place of work. He was willing to bet it was the latter.

[Grace Hatter]

Grace just grinned at her captain’s slight smile. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d missed his many expressions. Even seeing him chained up to a hospital bed, a bit worse for the wear, she was thrilled to see him again. Truly, it had been too long! His tone was teasing; but, the assessment was actually fair. “Well I’m too young to be paid! I’m technically a volunteer! The rules are much less strict with that!” Here there were stringent rules known as child labor laws. But that only applied if you were getting paid to begin with. And anyways, she certainly wasn’t working enough hours to call them into question! Typically, the Storybrooke hospital didn’t see all that much action. Although...There’d been much more work ever since the curse broke for sure! Although Grace couldn’t say she was pleased people were getting hurt more, she’d certainly been learning a lot; and, things were much less boring! Yes, Grace would admit there were more and less interesting aspects of being a hospital volunteer. The filing was important and necessary but hardly enjoyable! “I like to think I get paid in experience!” she teased although her words were also genuine. “It’s good for adventurous types to know how to patch people up!” She chuckled when he said he didn’t want to keep her for too long. “As if you could keep me! This isn’t your ship captain!” Here she knew the land far better than him. There were plenty of nooks and crannies to run and hide in! And she’d wager none knew the forest better than her! Even as Paige, she’d been drawn to it, likely because as Grace she’d loved nothing more than spending time with Papa in the woods. So yes, she knew every inch! Grace flashed a wicked grin when Hook asked for something pointy. Perhaps it was reminiscent as her time as a pirate where she’d perfected her lock picking sills; but, as Grace she always wore a bobby pin somewhere in her hair for just such an occasion! (Even before she’d been a pirate she’d fiddled with locks because Papa’s hat was curious and fascinating; and, she wanted to use it even after he’d locked it away in the trunk!) In less than a second she slipped the pin out of her hair and handed it to him. “Here you go, Captain!” That task done, she held out a bag to him, smirking slightly. “I also took the liberty of collecting your clothes!” As hospital staff volunteer or not, she knew where patients' personal belongings were kept! “Oh and something else to help!” She reached for her backpack and promptly unzipped it. It had been a lucky break that she’d...Okay...She’d been showing off hadn’t she? She might not be the world’s most stellar artist when it came to pictures; but, cartography was different! Rulers and the like were most helpful with map making! Papa had crafted many maps of Storybrooke during the curse which greatly impressed Grace. And she’d been bound and determined to map the town herself! Papa had been helping her; and, the maps looked pretty darn good if she did say so herself! And well...She’d wanted to show Henry what she’d accomplished! And as she’d come to the hospital straight from school...They were in her backpack still. She extracted no less than 10 different maps. “I don’t know how familiar you are with Storybrooke. But this should help you.” She unfurled the top map to point to the hospital and draw a line between it and the sheriff’s office with her finger. “This is where you should find your hook.” tag: --- notes: ---

TEMPLATE BY ELIZA

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

A volunteer. Ah, now that made far more sense. Perhaps things here weren't as skewed as he th -- no. They were still pretty skewed. This world was still a strange one. Filled with bizarre objects. "Well experience is the only way to learn," he stated. Seemed she had chosen a profession in the medical field . . . though this was far different than any of the doctors and so called hospitals back home. This one was so . . . white. She then spoke of how it was beneficial for the adventurous type to know how to heal people. "Aye. Though we don't quite do it this way. Here there are more devices and boxes with images flashing." So very odd indeed. But he didn't care enough to stay and discover it. He wanted to get out of here.

She then passed him a pin from her hair and . . . well, that was perfect! "Cheers!" He stated, reaching out with the limited mobility of his hand until he held it. He then shifted his body, suppressing a cringe of pain at the movement. He put the pin between his lips and with his teeth, opened it so that he had two points. He held it in his hand for a moment as he looked at her. "Hope you didn't need this back, love," he stated, before putting it back in his mouth. With it stable in that position, he had to hold it awkwardly with the very hands he was cuffed with and fiddle with the lock. Fortunately, he was an expert in such a field and once he heard the click, quickly freed himself of the cuffs. "Now that's better," he said smiling as he turned his wrist in a circular motion.

She then handed him a bag which he took with his now freed hand and peered inside. A smile remained on his lips as he looked at her. "You you, love. Seems you came here prepared," he stated, grateful that he wouldn't have to hunt down his clothing. He wasn't exactly an inconspicuous presence in this hospital. He moved to sit up, his face slightly twisting from the pain of his broken ribs. He put his hand over them for a moment before he forced himself to stand on his feet, the rush of pain coursing through him. He grew distracted from it when she offered him something else. He took a few steps toward it to see the map she had laid out. Having worked with maps often, he quickly memorized it, specifically the path she showed him between where they currently were . . . and where his hook was being kept.

The town wasn't that large but this saved him from lurking through the streets. He could get there quickly to retrieve his hook before anyone even realized he had broken out of the hospital. "Most excellent," he said, glancing at the map once again before feeling confident enough to look away. "Don't get in trouble now for aiding and abetting a villain," he said a bit teasingly, though with truth. He doubted anyone would suspect the young seemingly innocent girl . . . but still. It was best that she remained careful. Especially with all the chaos that was filling the small town.

[Grace Hatter]

She nodded her head in firm agreement when Hook said experience was the only way to learn. She loved books, particularly fantasy and science fiction ones. And they were undoubtedly useful when it came to research. But there was only so much you could learn from them. Experience was the best teacher. Reading about CPR wasn’t enough to fully prepare you. If Grace really wanted to be a doctor, her studies should exist outside of books. And the hospital was helping her with that. She’d seen a great deal and even helped as much as she was allowed. Now she understood things she otherwise wouldn’t. Visualization was certainly better when you had living, breathing specimens. Not to write people off as lab rats or anything! But pictures just weren’t the same! Grace chuckled as her captain spoke of boxes with flashing images. “Storybrooke is more advanced than the Enchanted Forest. Our technology is greatly improved!” She wouldn’t consider herself a technology nut by any stretch of the imagination. But she was still grateful for it. Things like refrigerators were extremely convenient when it came to preserving food. Practical and efficient. And thanks to better medicine, more lives could be saved! Magic could do much; but, even it couldn’t handle everything. And when it came to diseases...General healing magic didn’t seem to work. Maybe the conditions were too specialized and healing magic was for generic things like broken legs and shattered ribs? She grinned at Hook’s cheers. Grace would have offered to pick the lock herself. She knew her captain had to be hurting. But she also knew he was a prideful man and would prefer to do it himself. And she had no doubt that he could. After all, he’d already done it once. And this was the infamous Captain Hook they were talking about. She knew he was good. She’d seen him in action herself. He’d even taught her a trick or too. She smiled at the thought. She’d learned all sorts of things about navigation and the like. Hook didn’t quite cringe; but, she saw the shift of expression and knew what it meant. Her lips curled downwards. She didn’t like seeing her captain like this. But she knew it was as he said. He’d seen worse days. She watched with interest as he opened the bobby pin with his lips. She laughed lightly. “No, I don’t need it back. I have two others on me now.” Yes, she liked to leave with them in triplicate just to be on the safe side! One never knew when they might encounter a curious locked door! Grace smiled softly when Hook uncuffed himself, flexing his wrist, affirming that was much better with a smile. Now, that looked more like the captain she knew and loved! She beamed at her captain’s thanks. “A pirate’s always prepared!” Even separated from them, she still had a captain, crew, and ship. For a brief time the Jolly Roger had been her home. So it was still a part of her. No one could convince her otherwise. In her mind, the ship was part hers too. Grace frowned as Hook’s face slightly twisted when he rose. But well..That really was to be expected given his condition. She quickly rearranged her features to hide her concern, knowing Hook didn’t appreciate that sort of attention. She smiled again at his “most excellent”. “Glad to be of assistance Captain!” She chuckled. “Pirates should know how to make good maps, right?” She hoped he found her craftsmanship suitable. She was proud of it; but, she knew she was fairly new at the game. As a pirate, she was sure Hook had seen many more impressive maps. She chuckled at Hook’s warning. His words were teasing; but, she could tell he genuinely was concerned for her. “Worried about me Captain?” she teased back. tag: --- notes: ---

TEMPLATE BY ELIZA

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She spoke of technology . . . and how it had greatly improved over time, in this world. "Aye, so I've noticed." Flashing screens. Strange metal cuffs. Large moving pieces of metal that hurt like hell when one was hit with it . . . many strange things indeed. She assured him that she had two other pins before saying that a pirate was always prepared. "Still calling yourself a pirate then?" He asked teasingly with a bit of a smirk. "Not sure that's well received in this world by these people," he added on, only somewhat joking. Pirates didn't exactly have a good reputation . . . though Hook tended to have pride in his own.

He had spent time building up his reputation and was glad when it was acknowledged. She expressed her gladness in helping and he gave another short nod. Who knew that the only ally he would have right now in the hospital was the young stow away that had sneaked onto his ship. "Pirates should know many things," he pointed out, slightly leaning over to somehow ease the pain though it was hardly effective. He knew what would help with that: rum! But he would need to get dressed first and get his drink after. "Making maps but more importantly, reading them." Navigation was essential.

Which was why Hook wasn't too worried about finding his destination in this already quite small town. He had traveled over the vast seas in multiple realms. A small odd looking town hardly compared. She then asked if she was worried about him and another smirk played on his features. "Not at all," he said in the same teasing voice. "I know you can take care of yourself. But you best be careful. These hero types won't appreciate you letting loose a criminal." Especially since he was going to continue his work, finish what he had started. Belle was the first step . . . killing Rumple, was the next one. He just needed to find Cora and Regina in order to do that.

[Grace Hatter]

Well her captain could hardly fail to notice the differences. And she’d wager one particular experience had been a bit too up close and personal for his liking, the one involving a car running him over. She imagined adjusting would be difficult without the cursed memories. Holding the cursed memories came with its own set of problems, the conflicting realities. The curse had been broken and now Grace remembered everything. She no longer thought she was losing her mind because of all the strange things she noticed while everyone else remained oblivious. But it wasn’t like there were no issues after the curse broke. Two lives, one body. Grace had been sleeping inside Paige during the curse. Now, although Grace was the dominating presence, there were still all the Paige memories. And yes, some Paige mannerisms had stuck. And..Charming had said they were both. She didn’t disagree. But...Sometimes it felt like she was neither, lost somewhere between Grace and Paige. So maybe it was better that Hook wasn’t cursed even if it meant he didn’t know the first thing about computers and cell phones. “Once a pirate always a pirate!” she assured him proudly. Grace very much liked the title and never planned on giving it up. Besides, she was one in her heart of hearts. Being on the Jolly Roger had changed her, permanently. She’d learned so many things. And she who’d been homeless had been reminded of what it was like to have a family, to have a place where she belonged however briefly. Grace chuckled when he said pirates weren’t well received. “You have no idea. I’ll have to show you the disney movie Peter Pan.” She paused, realizing he had no idea what a movie was. “A movie’s kind of like a book. But instead of words you have pictures. And these pictures aren’t like the pictures in books at all. See they move and talk and things. It’s hard to explain.” That was the best way she could describe it. But he probably still had no idea what she was talking about. “I’ll have to show you when you aren’t a fugitive,” she teased. Although that actually would be a really interesting experience. Her smile widened at Hook’s nod. She really was glad she could help him out! Grace nodded her head enthusiastically when her captain said pirates should know many things. “I’m learning more and more all the time!” she assured him. She frowned at the way he leaned over, figuring he was attempting to ease the pain. He wasn’t on his deathbed or anything. But she knew he’d broken some ribs and had to be hurting. “There are some pain killers that could help. Do you want me to bring them to you?” She knew where the medicine was kept and had easy access to it. After all, she was one of the people in charge of restocking supplies. Explaining why a few bottles had gone missing wouldn’t be fun. But it wouldn’t be that strange considering they had a pirate resident. Hook clearly had the skills to pick simple cabinet locks. And she would do whatever she could to help her captain! Always! “You taught me well captain! And I’ve been practicing on my own!” She’d been borrowing books about maps from the library. And really, she’d learned a great deal during her time aboard the Jolly Roger. Grace beamed when Hook said he knew she could take care of herself, pleased with the compliment even though his tone was teasing. She could tell he actually thought that. But he was still worried about her. Hook was a good person! She knew it! Pirates didn’t have to be immoral! “Oh don’t worry Captain! I learned a neat trick while you were away! Crocodile tears!” That was something she’d picked up as Paige. When patients were being difficult, sometimes she’d need to resort to crying like that to make sure they took their medicine or otherwise followed hospital regulations. Of course she could just call the paid staff; but, she’d much rather handle things on her own if she could! tag: --- notes: ---

TEMPLATE BY ELIZA

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She stated that once a pirate, always a pirate. He thought it interesting that she held on to that title, despite how her life was now. Very interesting indeed. Though at the moment he had no complaints against it since he had gotten a pin and thus, his freedom. She then spoke about something called a movie . . . and well, he had no idea what that was. Something that she seemed to anticipate since she elaborated. Moving pictures? Was it something similar to the screen that was in this hospital room? When one pressed a button it came on and random images flashed about? Hook knew that his priority was not to discover more about this land without magic; it was to kill the Dark One. And the return back home on his ship. He just needed to find Cora in order to do that.

"After experiencing pan for centuries, I doubt I could tolerate watching something made in his honor." Swan had once said that she'd heard of him . . . but not in the same way Snow or the others may have. He knew his story here must be different than actual reality. But again, it mattered not. The objective was to kill the Crocodile, though Hook would continue to find joy in the suffering he had forced upon him in the meantime. "Not sure that day will ever come, love," he said, only half kidding when she suggested showing it to him when he wasn't a fugitive. "Considering both Sheriff's aren't exactly a fan of me, I would say that this status will remain for some time." Everyone seemed to love Belle as well . . . he doubted anyone would warm up to him after he shot her.

Besides, he wasn't here for that. He couldn't care less if they warmed up to him or not. He only cared about getting what he wanted, no matter who or what stood in his way. She then told him that she was learning more and more all the time. "Knowledge is endless," he told her. It was impossible to ever stop learning. Life held all sorts of experiences and Hook have 385 years worth of it. She offered pain killers and the pirate raised an eyebrow at the thought. "Are they the same ones that made me drowsy?" He asked, as he had been given something or another yet it had made him sleep as well as ease the pain. But he would tolerate the pain if it meant he was fully conscious.

"I don't need them," he stated stubbornly. "I've dealt with worse injury." Just, not quite the same way. He'd never been hit by what they appeared to call a moving car here. She then explained a new trick she had learned: Crocodile tears. The very word of crocodile never failed to make that anger he felt for the Dark One course through him, stronger than before. "And what will happen when you outgrow this technique, lass?" He questioned with a bit of a smirk. He may not have seen her use it, but he could guess what it entailed.