It truly was the timeless land. How long had she sat there lost within the tranquilizing sounds of waves crashing into each other? A year ago, she would have never imagined herself sitting on the Jolly Roger, in Neverland, chasing the son she had put up for private adoption. Her thoughts were racing at a thousand miles per hour and it was getting tiring to figure them out. She closed her eyes and let the salty smell of the sea override her senses. What use was she to Henry if she was tense and pressured? A lingering breath left her lips as she laid her head on the cool wooden deck. Just tonight… She'll let go of her regrets for this night only.
"This might be the first time I see you this relaxed, Swan."
Emma's body jerked forwards, immediately grabbing the sword at her side for safety. Her posture softened slightly when she realized it was just Hook leaning against the helm. "Dammit, what are you doing out here Hook."
He might have come back to help, but it was still difficult to trust a pirate so easily.
"My, my, Swan, still hostile aren't we." He gave a small smile and sat a few feet away from her, smart guy. "I couldn't sleep."
Hmm… Neverland must be full of so many unpleasant memories for him, yet he still came; She stopped herself from chewing on her bottom lip again, Okay maybe she was being a little too harsh on him.
Was this where he lost his love, Milah was it? " She finally understood how it felt to lose a loved one; feeling useless and weak. Her skin still prickled when she remembered the feeling of Neal's hand slipping through hers, whispering I love you for the last time.
Emma let her eyelids meet once again, closing off the moon's angelic light from her sight in hopes of erasing Neal's final moments from her memory… "Yeah, me too."
"We'll find your boy, Swan."
Her nails dug deep into her skin; just thinking about what they were doing to him reminded her of how she failed him. She hated herself for being so careless. She hated herself for losing him once again. "I hope we do."
Hook seemed to sense the inner turmoil she was facing and stayed quiet, allowing her to delve into her own private ocean of thoughts while he dove into his.
They sat together in silence until the first light peeked through the clouds and a seagull's crow joined the peaceful ocean symphony. It was the beginning of a new day, a start of a new adventure, and a growing friendship.