"Hello love, long time no see." That voice, I know that voice. Slowly I turn around, and standing there is a pirate. When did Storybrooke get pirates? Is there a costume festival somewhere. Looking at his face all these memories come flashing back before my eyes. Who is this man? What does he want?
"Do I know you?" My voice is still so new to me. I can't remember a time without it since the curse brought it back. But after all my old memories came back when Emma saved the town I'm not used to it anymore. Being the mermaid who exchanged her voice for legs wasn't easy but I wanted a chance at love and I longed for land.
"The names Killian Jones, love don't you remember your pirate?" Killian Jones the pirate I met in Neverland all those years ago. The pirate who at the start was so cold to me and who over time stole my hard and ripped it to shreds.
"I remember you. Don't know if it's a good idea to you for me to remember all the things you did. What are you here for? Your revenge on your crocodile? Cause that ain't happening." For as long as I can remember the only thing keeping Killian from doing harm to himself after his wife Milah's death was his plot for revenge. At one time I thought I could fix it and I was getting pretty close until he decided he didn't want me anymore, dropped me off at a small village and left without a backwards glance. If it wasn't for Belle and her beast taking me in and letting me live with them I wouldn't have made it. Later only did I find out her beast, Rumplestiltskin, was the crocodile Killian wanted to kill. By then Belle was pronounced dead but Rumple never kicked me out. He became my protector and my father figure after I left my real father. So when the curse broke in Storybrooke I was still living with him and Belle soon joined us. We were a family again. A very strange one at that, seeing as there's the dark one, a princess and a mermaid but a family none the less. We got through a lot together. And Killian Jones will not take or even separate my family. The one I wishes he could have been a part of many years ago.
"Love, it's not your problem to deal with. I never thought I'd be seeing you again but you look just as great ad you did back then. The boys will live to see you."
"The ones who left me in a village to fend for myself because you were scared to let someone in? Those boys. The ones who were part of my family for so long but just left me? To tell you the truth hook I don't want to see any of you. So I think it's time for you to go. I have a new family now and you are not a part or ever going to be a part of it."
That felt really good to get off my chest. So many years of wondering what I'd say to him when I saw him again, and that pretty much summed everything up. Hook's face slowly turned into his smirk. Ugh I hate that look.
"I heard you got yourself a new family. One member in particular is very interesting. Do you think you can fetch him for me?" Slapping hook across the face feels great. I should do that more often. Turning away I start walking closer to Ruby's grandmothers restaurant where I'm supposed to be meeting rumple, belle, Snow White, charming and Emma. We sometimes have little brunches together and I doubt hook will come inside.
"Ariel, wait. I'm sorry okay. For today as well as all those years ago. But until I get my revenge on the crocodile I can't do anything else. It's my main goal."
"Well then have fun. But I will take no part and i'll do everything I can to protect him. You see I've learnt a little bit from Rumple. I'm not the same girl you left all those years ago. Now I have to go. I don't think you'll want to come in. Though I think you know some people inside. You've met emma and snow before right? Would you like to say hello? Rumples there too." Without waiting for a response I go inside shutting the door right after me.
"Who was that Ariel? Anyone giving you trouble?" Belle always the worrier asks first.
"Just a man from my passed. Rumple we might have an issue."
"Wait isn't that hook. I thought we left him in fairy tale land, Emma?" Snow's quizzical look tells me she doesn't know the pirate Captain to well. Emma looks about ready to get up so I quickly put my hand on her shoulder to keep her in place.
"Don't worry, he'll be gone soon enough" Everyone at the table switches from gazing at the door to now look at me.
"What are you talking about? How do you know Hook?" Emma's questions keep flying. I know she's the sheriff and all but the inquisition a little too much.
Rumple cuts in before I can say anything else. "Hook's an old acquaintance of ours. How nice for him to stop by. I'll go have a talk with him. Ariel, you haven't eaten anything today, go order your brunch." Always protective when he doesn't need to be, but I am starving so following Rumple's orders I head to the line of costumers. Behind the cashiers Ruby. Quickly I order a sandwich and tea and Ruby and I chat for a bit. After Ruby promises to come over after work for movie night I head back to the table.
….
Brunch went well after that. Rumple came back a few minutes later looking a little annoyed but safe, which made me happy. I said my goodbyes and headed to the library to get some work done. I sometimes volunteer and help Belle out when she wants to go out with Rumple and I have a part time job at the animal shelter. Walking inside I see a mans shadow at my office door. Slowly I walk over getting ready to fight if need be. When I get close enough I see a red cap.
"What do you want Smee? I thought I told you I didn't want to see you again."
"I'm only here to see if my Captain's here. I also heard Jefferson might come here later today to see you. I need to talk to him."
"You do know he has a cellphone right? You could just call him. As for your captain tell him to leave me alone. I never want to see him again."
"Fine, Ariel. I'll tell him." And with that Smee heads out the library door. The rest of the day goes on without any other circumstances popping up. Well that was until I got home.