Dearest Reader,

I am back! And writing OUAT Fanfictions! I have been working on my own (personal) stories, but I took some time to write you some new stories!

This one is dedicated to my fiancé.

Please read, write, and review!

-MW

Part I

The Dark One sighed, looking down at his new complexion. He was in his vault – one that he had acquired three hours prior – and had just discovered his missing left hand, preserved for centuries now. Waving his right hand, the hook that had been there was replaced by his hand. He smiled in satisfaction. He had finally dealt with his crocodile. Yet he had not known the consequences. When he had obtained the powers of the Dark One, he did not know how to react. He had endured the worst physical pain in his life, and his crew watched on in awe as he transformed. But he could not shake the words that Rumplestiltskin had muttered in his ear while he was taking his last breaths.

"Find your soul mate, Hook. I know you don't want this power; in fact, you'll come to hate yourself. You must wait for a long time, but she will come to you. And She will break your curse."

"Milah was my soul mate, you bastard," Hook had said, twisting the knife deeper, feeling a dark, dangerous power surging into it. The crocodile laughed.

"I can see the future – and you will, too. Soon. And Milah will only be a forgotten name when you first look upon her. It happened to the Dark One before me. I never learned to love. As if I could before." Hook shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Milah would not become a passing memory. She just could not be forgotten.

"If you are so wise," Hook hissed. "Then tell me the true name of my soul mate."

With his dying breath, Rumplestiltskin whispered the name.

"Emma…" And just like that, he had died. Hook only had a moment before the pain settled in.

Now, as he perused the endlessness of his vault, he pondered his predicament. Emma… He needed to see who this bloody wench was. Finding a mirror, he waved his hand and thought of what he needed. The clear glass rippled and gave way to show a dark haired woman with the fairest complexion, holding a baby swaddled in a blanket.

"Hey there, Emma," she whispered, cooing at the child. "I'm your mother, Snow White. This is your nursery. Your father and I have big plans for you." Hook could not stand the sight of it, so he waved his hand again, the image disappearing. His "soul mate" was a baby? This was ridiculous! He was outraged. But when he had seen her, something stirred in him. He called it curiosity. With a wave of his newly attached hand, he transported himself into her nursery. Her mother cried out in surprise and he froze her, taking the squirming child from her.

"Well, well," he said. "Snow White, is it? This is your daughter, correct?" She could only blink in response. He chuckled. "Don't fret, my dear Queen. I intend no harm on your daughter. In fact, quite the opposite. I intend to protect her. In exchange for a small favor." He unfroze Snow and she shuddered.

"Who the Hell are you?" She shouted. In response, he smirked.

"I'm the new Dark One, lass," he said. "And you will listen to what I have to say." He could see into the future now; he knew exactly what would happen. It was fate. "You will let me take your daughter when the time is right." He looked down at the baby, who was smiling up at him. He raised his right hand, smiling back at her. She started glowing a light pink color, then the light was gone. She giggled and his smile grew.

"What did you do to her?" Snow White cried. He looked up at her, frowning.

"Making sure that you do not go back on your word. She can never be married off. She will be my… servant." He could feel the darkness starting to take control of him. He never would have said that before. Times had certainly changed. Handing the baby back to her mother, whom had tears streaming down her face. And just like that, he transported himself back onto his ship.

"Mr. Smee!" He cried out. The short, portly man came running to his side.

"Yes, Captain?" He asked. Hook could feel that Smee was afraid of him now. That they were all afraid of him now. He put his reattached hand up to eye level. Smee gawked, but said nothing.

"Set sail for Neverland!" He shouted. All of the men shuddered slightly before getting the Jolly Roger ready for sail.

Eighteen Years Later

Emma was walking around in the garden, thinking. In her dreams, a dark, mysterious man would walk with her, talk with her, Treat her like she was a human. And even though she knew he could not possibly be real, she had fallen in love with him. Which was depressing to think of if you were Baelfire.

"Please, Emma," he pleaded with her. She turned, coming out of her reverie. No man would be able to satisfy her, not with the years of getting to know this fake, perfect man. Bae walked over to her and took her hand. "Please, I need to know. I need to know if you will ever love me like you love you 'imaginary friend'." She sighed and pulled her hand away from him.

"Bae… we are friends. That's it. We can't be anything more." Bae was about to retort when a familiar voice – to both of them – spoke.

"I'm afraid she's right, lad," The Dark One said. Baelfire rose up to meet his former captain. Emma, on the other hand, could not believe her eyes.

"You're real?" She exclaimed, jumping up. The two men in front of her turned, one confused and one grinning. Baelfire looked at her like she was insane.

"Of course he's real! He is my former captain! Just like I told you – he has a hook – wait, you got your hand back?" Emma took no notice of Baelfire; her sole focus was on the endearing man from her dreams. He sauntered over to her, trying to take her hand. She backed away and started running – running from these surprisingly hurt feelings she was having. She should have been happy that he was there. Instead, she felt dejected and wounded, her heart breaking. He was a real, live person – a man who she did not know the name of. She was so afraid and shocked that she did not notice the sink hole until it was too late. With a large crack!, she fell forward, crying in pain. Then the tears fell willingly. She did not know that she was fighting tears, but now they came freely. She tried to stand, but her left ankle was broken.

Emma crawled to the nearest tree trunk and sat beneath it, taking in her surroundings. She had run into the Dark Woods, where the Dark One used to live. She cowered and whimpered, suddenly chilled. Winter was on its way, and she had not brought a cloak. Her tears stung as they went down, the cold wind biting her cheeks.

"There's no need to hide from me, Lass," the Dark One's voice sounded from just to the right. Emma panicked and closed her eyes. Spots were starting to form in her vision from the pain in her ankle, and sleep was starting to sound so good.

"Emma?" Her eyes did not open. Dammit, Killian thought. She had tear streaks on her face, and the bone of her ankle was sticking out. She had probably passed out from the pain. "Emma, Love, speak to me!" She groaned and her eyes fluttered open. Then she cowered away from him. He felt hurt and confused. "What's the matter, Lass?" Her eyes darkened.

"You're real," she whispered, obviously hurt. He cocked an eyebrow. She sighed. "You're real. Which means that you could have visited. Or written! But no, I'm stuck with having to see you in my fucking dreams –"

"That's no way for a princess to speak," he chuckled. "And if you're seeing me in your dreams, that means it worked." Emma moved and opened her mouth to ask what, exactly, had worked. But that never came out. Instead, she cried out in pain, reaching for her ankle. Killian got to it first. "Emma, let me heal you." She whimpered, but did not protest. He waved his left hand over her leg, and it healed. The only evidence of what happened was a pink scar where the bone had jutted out. He then stood up and started walking. He knew she would follow.

"You're the Dark One, aren't you?" Her voice sounded slightly farther than he had expected. He stopped in his tracks and did not answer. "Answer me!" He waved his hand without turning, but he could hear her body crumple to the ground. He felt so ashamed – which was weird, because he had only ever watched her from his comfort in Neverland. After he vanquished Peter Pan – by some extreme miracle – he reclaimed the island for his own. He built a castle and then used one of the Lost Boy's shadows to guide his ship wherever he needed to go – between realms, or wherever he fancied. But he always had a pocket mirror on him. He had to check up on his so-called "soul mate". He still did not believe Rumplestiltskin's words whenever he looked at the mirror. Yet now, looking at her in real life, in person, he forgot all about Milah and the days of his past. He knew he would have to deal with her temper, but he could handle it. He had hoped that his dream spell could have helped a little in giving him a good image – which he had tarnished over the years. He hated himself now, and wanted nothing to do with anyone. His crew was terrified of him, and he just wanted to have a friend.

Killian picked Emma up and transported them to his ship, which was docked near the taverns he used to visit. Mr. Smee jumped upon his arrival and bowed in respect after he had regained his composure.

"To Neverland, sir?" He squawked. The Dark One nodded in silence, taking Emma to his quarters. He hated having to entrap her, but she left him with no other choice. She began to come to when he laid her down on his bed. He conjured up a chair with gold furnishings and sat in it, face covered in shadow. She blinked, then jumped in fright.

"It's alright, Lass," his hands were on her shoulders, comforting her. She jumped away and scrambled back. Her cream colored dress was dirty, but she did not care. Killian frowned and sat back in his seat. "You're on the Jolly Roger." She looked confused for a second.

"The Jolly Roger?"She nearly shouted. He nodded and placed his right hand on his knee. "You're Captain Hook?"

"I was, once," he said gleefully, holding up two hands. "But Most people now call me the Dark One, Lass." Emma glared at him.

"You cursed me! You need me for something - revenge, money, a curse. Whatever it is, you can't have me! You will never have me! You can't make a girl fall in love with the Dark One without telling her who he is!" She started to get up to leave, but he stopped her by sticking his arm out and catching her.

"You can't leave, Lass," he said. "The ship is enchanted. It will not let you off the ship unless I grant you permission." She glared at his smirk.

"I have a name, you know," she said.

"I know," he replied, standing up and towering over her. She was so beautiful. He could not help himself – he gently brought her lips to his. The kiss started off slow, easy. It felt right. She succumbed to the taste of his lips and the way he felt pressed up against her. Until her head reminded her of whom she was kissing. Emma started struggling against him. Killian, infuriated and frustrated, stuck his strong, lean thigh between her legs. The sudden motion made her gasp, thus allowing him full access into her mouth. Her skin burned wherever he touched her. When he noticed she was breathless, he pulled away slowly, smirking. "Oh, Emma," he purred into her ear before walking away. He heard her moan slightly and he grinned – he had gotten his point across. Just before he reached the door, she shouted.

"Wait! Where are you taking me?" She sounded frantic and scared. He stopped in the doorway, but he did not turn towards her.

"Neverland."