CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE: I do not own Once Upon a Time, or anything affiliated with it. All original characters and ideas belong to me. Nothing else belongs to me, including all references I make.

A/N: Hello, everyone! My name is Reka Leaf, pronounced Rake-a. I hope you enjoy this story and continue to read it. I admit the more favorites, follows, reviews, et cetera really do have an impact on how quickly I update. Probably why In the Twinkling of an Eye got abandoned…Moving on. There is a nice long Author's Note at the end explaining how I fell in love with OUaT, this pairing, the inspiration, and what is in store for this story. Please enjoy!


"Mira?"

Mira Cruz looked up, blinking to try and remember where she was. This wasn't Neverland she had been reading about. This was Storybrooke. Specifically, this was the library, recently reopened by Belle and where Mira had recently been appointed as "night librarian," though that just meant coming in at ten instead of eight and staying until seven instead of five. Belle opened and Mira closed. It was a good system, and it made sure all students had plenty of time to research or hang around. If anyone needed or wanted more time, Belle or Mira were happy to hang around later if asked, and so far the library had been rather popular.

"Belle?" Mira finally responded, her eyes adjusting to the light streaming in through the window behind her friend. Mira could easily picture Belle as her princess self at times like this, the light making her glow, her hair piled on top of her head, and even a yellow dress. She just needed a tiara, and maybe her dress to be a bit longer…Or a bit poofier. Or both.

"You're daydreaming again."

Mira shut her book and stood up with a pout. "I was not. I was just imagining you with a tiara."

"Of course," Belle responded with a nod.

"And a longer dress." Mira placed her book back onto the shelf it belonged, brushing the spine gently with her fingers. The leather reminded her of other times, times where it wasn't a book under that leather…

"No poofiness?"

Mira snapped back to the conversation. She really needed to stop daydreaming. "Of course there was poofiness. A princess dress without poofiness is blasphemy."

"Naturally," Belle agreed with a smile. "Ruby dropped off lunch. You hungry yet?"

Mira's stomach grumbled in response and her friend's smile grew.

"I'll take that as a yes. Kids' table or grown-up?"

Mira and Belle had decided a long time ago that they knew how to eat without making too big a mess, or at least could clean up after themselves, so they decided on eating in the library, not wanting to be missing if anyone came into the library, or were already in there. They had a strict no-eating policy when it came to anyone younger than thirteen (or not yet in eighth grade) since they tended to make messes and not clean them up, but anyone older was allowed as long as they always cleaned up and were careful. They hadn't really had any problems with big messes. Mira figured it was because the library was almost sacred, it being off-limits for so long.

"Let's go with adult table today." Mira led the way to an empty "grown-up" table between two fantasy aisles. This had become the two librarians' regular table, but in the rare cases it was full, Mira and Belle would usually end up sitting at one of the children's tables. Usually their table was the last to be filled because people knew that was their table, so if their table was taken, usually all the adult tables were taken as well.

"Surprisingly empty for a Sunday," Belle said thoughtfully, unpacking the food. Caesar salad with extra cucumbers was hers while garden salad with a side of French fries went to Mira. They always split the fries, but Mira usually ate more of them so they were placed on Mira's side of the table.

"I was thinking that too. I guess no last-minute procrastinators today." Sunday was one of the busiest days with all the last-minute people arriving to do their reports while those that had finished were re-checking everything just to make sure everything was good to go. The same thing happened on Thursdays, but usually not as intense.

Belle raised an eyebrow. "Doubtful. It's more likely projects were instead assigned for Friday this week, and you know what that means."

Belle's blue eyes met Mira's hazel as they said in unison, "Thermal Thursday!"

Though the library hadn't been open for very long, the two had noticed that when projects were due on Friday, students would come pouring into the library as soon as school was released, and it would heat up so much that Belle and Mira would have to keep the library doors open just to be able to breathe. They had also realized that on those days, they should wear weather made for much warmer weather, but make sure it was layered for the mornings. The librarians had their routines, much like everyone else in town, just theirs had happened rather quickly.

"Should I call, or would you like to?" Mira asked, lightly drizzling her salad dressing over her salad. Another routine they had come up with was that when projects were due, one of the women would contact the schools and see what types of projects were due so that they could pull the books and organize them for the different needs. It helped the students keep focused and get done quicker while Bella and Mira had more time to relax and not constantly be searching for certain topics, though they usually forgot at least one project, so they had to anyway. But the students appreciated it, so the librarians continued to do it.

"Would you mind calling? I'm supposed to be meeting Rumple for coffee after work."

Mira winked one a hazel eye at her friend as she smiled. "Oooooh coffee? Whatever happened to that burger?"

Belle rolled her eyes as she replied, "That's not until Tuesday. You know very well that's when my day off is this week."

The other librarian laughed. "I know. I wrote the schedule after all. I just love teasing you."

The brunette smiled at her ginger friend. "And what about you, Miss Romance Novel?"

"I happen to think you and Rumplestiltskin make an adorable couple, so I really wouldn't want to get in the middle and go to get a burger with him."

"Oh, Mira, you know what I mean! When are you going to find someone of your own?" Belle had been asking this more and more recently. She knew there was someone in Mira's other life, but the redhead never discussed him besides saying 'I loved him. I lost him. It's complicated. The end. There. I just wrote a book. We'll have it published and make a hole twenty-five cents,' or something equally as vague.

"Belle…" Mira whined. She loved her friend, but the dating advice really wasn't wanted. She was in love with someone that hadn't crossed over, meaning he was likely dead. She wasn't ready to move on yet.

"Alright, alright. I'm dropping it. Now, pass the fries, or I will set you up with Whale."

Mira visibly paled. "Don't even joke. So not funny."

Belle laughed again. "You know, one day you will tell me what happened to your heart."

Mira pushed the fries to the middle, munching on one but not really tasting it. Her mind was elsewhere again, with the sea, the wind blowing through her hair as she raced through the sand…


"Ariel! Wait up!"

"You're gonna have to catch me, Peter!" Ariel laughed, her red hair flying behind her as she pumped her legs harder.

"Ariel! This isn't fair!"

Ariel laughed again. "Life isn't fair, Peter! If you want to catch me, you're going to have to try harder!"

"But, Ariel! Can't you slow down just a bit?" Peter's voice was breathless.

"If you want something, you got to fight for it. You have to deserve it, so come on and fight!"

"Fine!"

Ariel grinned, her legs pumping even faster. She could feel her body start to slow, but she was determined. Just a little further, and she would reach the cave before Peter and win the bet…

The redhead suddenly screamed, her feet leaving the sand as she was swept up by Peter. His arms were wrapped around her as he swung her around then dropped her, his hands on her waist.

"I win," he whispered as Ariel felt herself shiver.

"Nope. We aren't at the cave."

"Oh but you forget, love. The bet was that I wouldn't even be able to keep up with you." Peter pulled Ariel closer and leaned in, his voice suddenly husky. "And I kept up with you, love."

Ariel's breath hitched as she felt her body pressed up against Peter. Her hands were on his chest, his thin shirt unable to hide the toned body he had from working in the shipyard. It always gave her a thrill, but now especially. Both were breathing hard, their bodies were flush against each other, and Peter was looking at her with those blue eyes in that way only he could…

Ariel suddenly couldn't take it, and her lips were pressed against Peter's, their heights not a problem as Ariel stood on the tips of her toes.

Peter's arms circled Ariel as he deepened the kiss, her arms wrapping around his neck. But they weren't close enough, not nearly. Peter gently laid her onto the beach, their lips never separating, his body looming over her. They parted for a moment to breathe and Peter gazed at his betrothed. Her lips were swollen, her red hair spread all around her in a halo, and her eyes were bright with her love for him. Both were breathing even heavier now, and Peter knew he had never seen anything as beautiful as his Ariel.

Gently, Peter brushed some hair behind Ariel's ear, smiling as her face leaned into his hand, an unconscious movement. Oh, how he loved her. How had they gotten so lucky? They were already in love long before they found out they were to marry each other, and knew they would live happily ever after, just like they were supposed to.

"I love you, Peter."

"And I love you, Ariel."

Their lips met for a soft kiss. "Always," they whispered together.


Thursday had turned out to be not as busy as expected. The schools had all pushed the deadlines back until Monday as Wednesday had been a rather crazy day with Mary Margaret and Emma finally returning. Belle and Mira had mostly been able to spend Thursday relaxing and discussing whether or not Rumplestiltskin had been doing the right thing. Mira was very much on his side, but Belle kept worrying her love was in the wrong. Eventually, Belle had finally agreed with Mira, though she still was doubtful.

"But, Snow and Emma would have died!"

"Yes, but if it had been Cora?"

"Have you ever been told you tend to get involved in other's business?"

"Bold and nosy. I'm famous for that."

Mira had agreed that Rumple shouldn't have bet against Snow and Emma, but she could understand very well why he did it. Once again, it was all for Belle. Love did that to people. You were willing to sacrifice everything for the other person.

It was now Friday, and Mira was standing outside the library, looking rather confused. This was a rare occurrence in Storybrooke. Mira was often found looking thoughtful, or unfocused, but very rarely confused. Most residents had never even seen that look across her face, and so Mira had found herself being stared at by quite a few people.

She didn't pay attention to that though. She continued to look at the library as if there was something incredibly puzzling that only she could see. Finally she was approached by Emma, the curiosity overpowering all else.

"Mira? You alright?"

"Good morning, Emma. I'm just confused," Mira continued to stare at the door.

Emma glanced between the librarian and her domain. "By the door?"

"Yes. It's locked."

"Don't you have a key?"

"Well, yes, but it shouldn't be locked. Belle doesn't have the day off. So this should be unlocked. But it isn't," Mira frowned at the door as if it had wronged her somehow.

"Okay…So it's locked. You can unlock it."

"Yes, but I shouldn't have to. Belle should have unlocked it. The doors should be open, and I should be able to hear her humming and smell the muffins she picked up from Granny's earlier. I should be calling out to her to shut the doors because my hands are full with her and my hot chocolates. But I can't."

"Because it's locked?"

The redhead rolled her eyes and finally turned to Emma. "No. Because Belle isn't here. She should have unlocked it, and have brought muffins, and have been humming, and have opened the doors for me at 9:45 so I wouldn't have to because my hands would be full. But none of that happened, because Belle isn't here."

Emma finally understood why the redheaded librarian was looking so upset and went into sheriff mode.

"When did you last see her?"

"Yesterday morning. We grabbed breakfast together at Granny's before I went off to work. It was her day off, and I got home late because I had gotten caught up in a book. By the time I got home, it was quiet in the apartment so I figured Belle had already gone to bed. She opens up at eight, and usually I get up around the same time she leaves, so usually we can say goodbye to each other, but I was running late this morning. She may have accidentally slept in, but that's not normal for Belle."

Emma blinked at Mira, wondering how the redhead had said all of that in one breath. Did she practice that or something? "Alright. How about you open up the library and get everything in order, and I'll go check your apartment, if that's alright with you?"

Mira nodded and handed Emma the cups of hot cocoa. She quickly fished in her purse for her keys, mumbling to herself as she searched. Finally finding them, Mira triumphantly handed them to Emma before remembering the sheriff had her hands full with the cocoa. "Right. Sorry. Forgot about that. Why don't you keep one? We can always get more. Oh, wait!" Mira dove back into her bag and pulled out packets of cinnamon. "Cinnamon, right?"

Emma smiled and nodded, trading one cup of cocoa for the keys and cinnamon packets, which she put into her pocket. "Thanks, Mira. I'll call you if I find out anything."

Mira's grin made Emma forget how gray the day was with the approaching storm. How did she smile so brightly? It shouldn't have been possible. "Thank you, Emma! I'll call Rumple too. He and Belle were supposed to have coffee together yesterday and you really don't want to hear about this so I'm going to go inside now."

Emma smiled gratefully and unlocked the door for the librarian since she had Mira's keys. "I'll call you as soon as I know anything, alright?"

Mira nodded gratefully and smiled one last time as she entered the library, her home.


"Peter, shouldn't you be getting home?"

Ariel pouted slightly at her father's words, not wanting Peter to ever leave. "But, Papa…"

Triton smiled at his daughter. "Well, I suppose you will be married in a week…You may stay in one of the guest rooms. I shall send word to your uncle."

Ariel threw her arms around her father and kissed his cheek. "Oh, thank you, Papa! Come, Peter! Let's go get you settled."

Peter shared a look with Ariel's father. How that girl had so much energy was beyond the both of them, but it was one of the things they loved most about her.

Ariel grabbed Peter's hand and dragged him up the stairs and to the hall where her room and Peter's old room was. Before Peter had managed to get in touch with his uncle, he had lived with Ariel and her father from the time he had been orphaned until he turned fourteen and his uncle had finally returned from one of his voyages. Since then, Peter had been living with his uncle and learning to take over his father's shipping business. It was the best in the area, and made quite a bit of money. So when Peter's father had met with the king to request Ariel's hand in marriage for her son, though they were very young, the king had happily agreed, as long as when they were older, Ariel and Peter agreed to it.

On Ariel's sixteenth birthday, her father had informed her and Peter of the deal and asked if they agreed to it. The two couldn't have been happier, and had quickly agreed that when Ariel turned eighteen, the two would be married. Ariel had just turned eighteen, and now they were a week away from being married. Both Ariel and Peter thought the day couldn't come soon enough.

With that thought in both their heads, Ariel opened the door to her love's room, smiling at the familiarity. It had stayed the same since he had first come. They had added small things such as the seashells Ariel had collected for him, but mostly, it was the same. Sometimes when Ariel couldn't sleep, she would sneak into Peter's room through the hidden passage in their adjoined fireplaces. She would curl up with him and he'd stroke her hair and tell her stories as she slowly drifted off. Peter would wake her early the next morning so she could go back to her own room until he was strong enough to carry her. She would wake and find herself in her own bed in the morning, a ghost of Peter's lips on her forehead.

After Peter had moved in with his uncle, Ariel had found herself alone and scared, plagued by nightmares of her mother's death. But without Peter to run to, she had to make do with only his empty room to hide in. Sleep had evaded the princess for so long until her father had requested Peter's uncle to return with Peter. The two had gone on a long voyage, and the two being apart had been hard on both the teenagers. So when Peter's uncle had returned, the king had the two move in to a large home on the grounds, and Peter was to be left in the king's care when the sea called to Peter's uncle.

That voyage had left Peter restless for more. He ached for the sea, the sounds, smells, feels, and comfort she gave him. But Ariel was there, always there, and that was more than enough. She kept Peter occupied and away from thoughts of the sea, but on the lonely nights where they each slept alone, Peter stayed awake, clinging to his memories of the sea as Ariel fought against her memories of death. Both were trapped without each other, and knew the only comfort they would find was in each other's arms.

"Most nights, I hardly sleep."

Peter had brushed back Ariel's hair and gently kissed her lips. "I'm here now."

One more week, and they would never again have to sleep alone.

"Here is your room, as you know. You know where everything is, of course," Ariel said cordially as one of the maids passed by.

Peter bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Your Highness. I wish you sweet dreams." Peter grabbed Ariel's hand and lightly kissed the knuckles, his lips lingering a bit longer than proper.

Ariel smiled. "Sweet dreams to you as well, Peter."

The two went into their separate rooms, both hurriedly changing. It had become a race long ago. The first dressed would go to the other's room, and the one not fully changed was required to sleep that way. Ariel almost always managed to get changed first, though Peter had no idea how with her hair in all those elaborate styles and all those layers of constricting clothing. But somehow she almost always won, and even if she didn't, she was seated on her bed, reading and waiting for Peter. It was just another thing Peter may never understand about his love. But that was just the way it was when one loved Ariel.

Ariel was waiting when peter crossed into her room, but there was no book near her. She had her robe wrapped around her small body as she sat on the bed, and Peter smiled. He had given her the robe after his voyage with his uncle.

"Hello, love," he said quietly. Moonlight streamed in from the window, the light shining onto the redhead. Her hair hung down past her shoulders, the curls soft even after being threaded with pearls and in braids for a good part of the day.

Ariel looked up at him, her smile as soft as the rest of her. Peter knew there was so much more to her than her soft exterior. He had seen it firsthand, but in this moment, she looked the part of the soft, gentle princess everyone thought her to be. "Hello, Peter."

Peter approached her slowly, afraid to break the spell that had come over them both. There was a gentleness that had fallen over the room that Peter had never felt, but he knew not to break it, though he had no idea why.

"We are to be married in a week," Ariel said quietly.

Peter smiled. "Indeed we are, love." He leaned down to kiss her, but Ariel shook her head and stood up. She was over half a foot shorter, but their differing heights made no difference as she looked up at him, her hazel eyes unguarded and open like he had never seen them.

"I am eighteen today."

Peter was puzzled by this conversation. Where was she going with this? "Yes, you are. I have wished you a happy birthday many times today, and given you a present, yet you deny my kisses?"

Ariel's eyes continued to stare into his blue ones, never faltering. She continued as if she hadn't heard him. "When a girl goes from seventeen to eighteen, she is considered a woman. Society thinks of me as a woman now. If I were not betrothed to you and that deal made, I would likely have been married off when I turned sixteen."

Peter knew all this, but he knew Ariel had a reason for everything she did. So he let her continue without interruption.

"Yet I have not felt how a woman is to feel. I have not yet been touched by a man in the way a woman is touched by a man."

Oh. That was where this was going. Peter quickly interrupted. "Ariel, we are to be married in a week. You will feel my touch just as I will feel yours. It is only a week, love."

But that didn't settle the fiery beauty. She shook her head, her eyes somehow unmoving. "That is too far. I have waited too long already."

Peter shook his head. "No. We cannot. It is only a week, love. We must wait."

Ariel's hazel eyes pierced Peter's blue ones, seeing into his very soul and allowing him to see into hers. They knew each other's love was true, but they had yet to show it in the physical ways of a man and wife. Ariel had always been patient, but she rarely listened to logic if she wanted something enough. Peter was the exact opposite, impatient, but knowing when he had to wait. This moment between them showed that more than anything, but Peter was unrelenting.

Ariel finally looked away, stepping away from him as if she couldn't be far enough anyway. "I think I shall go to sleep now."

"Perhaps we should sleep apart tonight," Peter said quietly, though no longer because he was afraid to break the gentleness.

"Have a good night, Peter. I take it your bed is suitable?"

Peter flinched at the coldness in her voice. "Of course. Good night, milady."

The black-haired boy bowed low and exited, not knowing that his love cried herself to sleep that night.


Mira really hated the whole "living two lives" thing, especially with the little things such as being unable to call Rumplestiltskin because her phone still had him as "Mr. Gold," though Mira couldn't explain it, no matter how hard she tried. Nevertheless, Mira had found her usually calm demeanor practically gone as she waited for Rumplestiltskin to answer.

"Mira Cruz, what can I do for you, dearie?"

Mira felt her anger slowly release. Something about the way he called everyone dearie calmed her. It was probably the familiarity. It could also be she was always rooting for her best friend and Rumple to get together, and stay together.

"Good morning, Rumple. Have you heard from Belle?" Even before the curse had lifted, Mira and Mr. Gold had been on surprisingly good terms, though neither could explain why. They had never had romantic interests in each other, but they found themselves more comfortable with each other than anyone else in town. Belle suggested it was because they had both lost so much, but in this town, who hadn't?

"Not since lunch yesterday. Why?" Mira heard the worry creep into her friend's voice and she sighed, wishing to spare him the pain.

"The doors were locked this morning."

Rumple understood immediately. "I'll be there in ten minutes."

Mira shut the phone with a frown. She had really hoped Belle had been with Rumplestiltskin, but no such luck. The redhead chewed on her bottom lip as she remembered the last time Belle had been missing…But no. Moe wasn't that stupid. Belle had made it very clear she didn't want him around, and Mira had made it very clear what would happen to him if he ever attempted to come near Belle again.

So where was she?


A/N: Hello again! What did you think? I hope you all review, follow, favorite, and continue to read. Constructive criticism is welcome, but please no hate mail…If you don't like it, don't read it. Also, I am looking for a Beta, so if anyone is interested, I would love to hear from you. Thank you! Now for my story of how this came to be. I recently became completely hooked (pardon the pun) on Once Upon a Time after being on a bit of a hiatus from it after moving houses. So when we got Netflix, I re-watched every episode from season one, then watched season two on Hulu. I immediately fell in love with Captain Hook/Killian Jones (especially since he is Colin O'Donoghue, a member of one of my favorite bands: The Enemies), and started going into crazy "must-find-all-fanfictions-of-him-and-read-them-all" mode…It was rather terrifying for my phone. It's still hiding from me…So. I had become hooked on Emma/Killian right away, but part of me still loved Emma/Pinocchio (and Emma/Graham, but I gave up on that a while ago), so when I decided to write a UOaT story, I watched a few YouTube videos based on Emma/Killian to get in the right mindset, then came across Ariel/Hook…Now I was really confused because there was definitely no Ariel in the show…Then I understood. It was like an OC story. So here we are with a Hook/Ariel story. It will have other storylines, but mainly will focus on Hook and my OC, Ariel. She has a Storybrooke name, which you probably figured out was Mira. If not, I slightly worry for you…There will be other storylines as well, including my take on what happens when Cora and Hook arrive in Storybrooke, which is where the story starts, but mainly this is how Hook gets his happy ending. Other storylines include (but not limited to): (1) Emma finding her happy ending, (2) Belle/ Rumplestiltskin (one of my favorite pairings), (3) Snow/Charming (my other favorite), (4) Neal showing up in Storybrooke, (5) Henry/Neal bonding, (6) Emma dealing with her magic (Oh, come on. She helped Regina with the hat. We know she has it.), (7) Hook's time in Neverland (which is where a lot of the Ariel/Hook stuff happens), (8) Hook/Milah (For those of you that are anti-Hook/anyone except Milah, I understand. I really do, but just because Killian loved her doesn't mean she was his true love. Plus, he may love someone else, but it doesn't mean he didn't love Milah. He will be coming to terms with feeling like he is being unloyal to Milah throughout this story, don't worry.), (9) Rumplestiltskin and Baelfire reunite, (10) and of course, quite a few other characters make their appearance. I will generally attempt to follow the show's main ideas, but this is technically still an AU fic. I hope to keep this as accurate and not OOC as possible, so please if you see problems, tell me. Now let's talk inspiration. The name of this story comes from Ron Pope's "A Drop in the Ocean," which is where majority of the inspiration for this story came from. There will be lines from this song throughout the story, and first person to find these lines (and PM me) will receive a "reward" (meaning a mention in the story, a character, a teaser for the story, etc). Note on that: You will also have to find at LEAST one other hidden reference in the chapter, such as lyrics from another song, quote from a different show, book, movie, etc. The more references you find, the better your reward is. Back on track. As I said earlier, the idea came from finding Ariel/Hook videos, but no specific one triggered it for me. Just finding that, so credit is also due to all the Ariel/Hook videos I found. Other inspirations can be found throughout the story as references or mentions I make. You can also feel free to message me any time if you want. I love to discuss my stories, and am happy to discuss it any time. Or just squeal over Colin O'Donoghue (Killian Jones). That works too.

REFERENCES: I have a few references scattered in this chapter, which are mostly easy to find, if you look for them. In the next chapter, I'll say what some of them were. Some won't be revealed until later as the story progresses, so look out. I have at least three in here that are able to be found pretty easily, but one only if you watch MacGyver, which by the way, is how I imagine King Triton. Just older. More like how he was in Stargate…I'm done now.

STARTED: 28 December 2012. FINISHED: 29 December 2012. FINAL WORD COUNT: 4,273.