I don't own Once Upon a Time, it is the property of ABC, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, and is not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

The Enchanted Forest. In the Past.

Captain Hook sat leaned over the rails of the deck of his ship, the Jolly Roger. He was becoming almost uncomfortable with his business relationship with Regina. He was desperate for revenge on the odious crocodile, Rumpelstiltskin, but Regina needed his aid before she would aid him. She would probably double cross him. After all, that is most likely what he'd do if needed to preserve his own neck. He was nothing if not determined to achieve his own ends.

He gazed out on the coast though he was in port near Regina's castle. The waves and salty sea air soothed him. They had been his home since he could remember, thanks to his father's actions to sell him and Liam into servitude aboard another merchant vessel, one that was lost long ago beneath the sea. That had been so long ago. He carried the heartache of his abandonment with him through the centuries, along with many others. The last thing his father had ever told him was to look into himself and decide what sort of man he wanted to be someday.

Well father, are you proud of your boy? Killian thought bitterly of his coward of a father. He absolutely abhorred cowardice. He turned his thoughts to Liam, his lost older brother, and the treachery of the king that had caused his demise. That dreamshade poison was a coward's weapon. Neverland was no place he intended to ever visit again. The horrors of that hell hole would occasionally haunt his dreams and he was glad to be beyond that realm now.

Killian noted the position of the sun nearing the horizon and decided that he'd better make his way to meet Regina. She caught him releasing one of her prisoners yesterday and persuaded him into assisting her. She asked him to return to her castle the next day but that she would be able to ensure that he had access to the crocodile. He was intrigued.

"Now then, Your Majesty," he began, subtly taunting her. "Tell me how you can assist me in my revenge and what I must do for you." He really detested the evil smirk on Regina's dour visage.

"Well. Pirate. I'm going to enact a curse. A dark curse. It will cause Rumpelstiltskin to lose his magic and his memories. You can take your revenge easily," she practically purred at him. She was sickly sweet and it was very off putting.

"A curse? Do tell."

"It will take us to another land. A land without magic. But my mother is a thorn in my side and she needs to be dealt with." She seemed awfully sure of herself. She sauntered around the chamber, swaying her hips as she walked.

"And what must I do to rid you of her presence?" He said out loud, but to himself he was thinking other thoughts. Harming a woman? Bad form. But my revenge rests on this it would seem.

"You, my dear Captain, need to pass a test first. Come." And with that, she raised her hand imperiously and they were both transported away in a puff of purple smoke.

"Bloody hell, woman, warn a man before you go about doing that smokey thing again." He took a long sip of rum from the flask in the hidden pocket of his long coat to steady his nerves.

Regina slapped his hand down from his lips. "It's 'Your Majesty' to you, pirate!" She said angrily. "Now then. If you'll accompany a lady into the pub here, I'll present your test."

"As you say," he said as he offered her his arm, bowing mockingly as he did so.

Once inside the door, Regina pointed out a man that Hook was to eliminate. Once a behemoth of a man moved aside, he was suddenly confronted with the man he probably wanted least in the world to see ever again, his father.

"What game are you playing?" He was seething. Was he to confront his own father? Killian didn't even know he still lived. And now he was the barkeep at this public house? He looked respectable, but appearances could be deceiving.

"I want you to prove yourself to me, dear," Regina said simply. "I want you to dispose of your father. Then I will know if you possess the fortitude to deal with my mother. We neither of us had wonderful childhoods, I think." She tilted her head to one side and continued. "I've heard a great deal about you Hook, but I know sea stories tend to be exaggerated. I'd hate for you to fail me." She said all of this with almost no concern for the turmoil he was experiencing. It was as if she asked him to pluck a rose from a bush.

Killian was deep in his cups when he was noticed by the barman. He had nearly no interaction with the patrons of the pub that evening, barely even noticing the wench who brought him rum throughout the night. Around him men and women ate their meals and drank their ale with laughter and noise but Killian's thoughts were too heavy to notice.

Do not be afraid Killian, he remembered his father saying to him when he was a very young lad. The coward couldn't take his own advice then.

"Sir, it is time to close," said his father in a stern but friendly way. "I daresay you'll have a tough time of it tomorrow."

Killian knew he was covered in the shadows at his table but he wondered if his father would recognise him after all these years. He didn't think there was much resemblance, beyond the dark hair they shared. "Why?" He leaned forward so his face was in the light. "Why did you do it?" He spoke so softly, desperately trying to reign in his temper. He had wrestled with himself all evening, wondering how to have this conversation, wondering if he even wanted the answers this man would give him. He felt a rush of emotion at this confrontation and his face was flushed. Whether from the rum or the emotion, he wasn't aware.

"I'm sorry?" Brennan Jones sounded confused.

Apparently I'm not recognisable to my father. "Oh I think you know to what I am referring. Let us journey back in time, shall we? Say twenty years? Twenty years ago, you were on a ship. There was a storm at sea." Or maybe two hundred twenty years ago. No need to go into that now though, he thought. Those years in Neverland needn't come up now.

Brennan was shocked and his body tensed. "Liam? Killian?" he breathed.

"Aye. Killian." He stood up and approached him slowly. "Your boy grew up to be a pirate. Are you proud?" He never raised his voice but his contempt rose just the same. He spread his arms out a little so his father could see him fully.

"Lad, I know I'm far too late in saying this, but I'm sorry. I know I was a poor excuse for a father to you."

"Oh you're sorry? Is that all you have to say to me?"

"I have only the truth. I was in a terrible bind and I took the easy way out of it, to my everlasting shame. I've spent years running from dealing with it because I couldn't live with myself. One hasty decision, years of regret. But you're here now. You found me. We can start afresh."

Killian's anger spiraled higher and he shoved a wooden chair to the floor. "That's not good enough! You regret it? You ABANDONED Liam and me! You only thought about yourself!" He started to break. "Why? I just want to know why." Why weren't we enough for you? But he changed his mind abruptly and immediately controlled his venomous anger and moderated his voice to just above a whisper. "No. I do not care. You've shown just what sort of man you are. Now, find out what sort of man I am."

Suddenly Killian's right hand was around Brennan's throat. He squeezed and looked him right in the eyes.

Brennan croaked, "Please. Please lad." He was begging, like the coward he was. He deserved what he got. A man unwilling to fight for what he wants always does, he thought. Killian was unmoved by this display.

"What are you doing?" A small voice cried near him.

Killian looked over to see a distraught young boy in night clothes. He was surprised and relaxed his grip on his father's throat.

"What are you doing to my papa?" The boy ran to them and tried to force Killian away from Brennan.

"What the devil?" He allowed himself to be separated. This boy shows more courage than many grown men I've known.

"This is my son. Several years after I left you and your brother, I got myself under a sleeping curse. I'm only here now because I was redeemed by the Love of a much better person than you or I. I could hear her voice sometimes while I was under, almost calling to me. I knew then that I had to be a better man, make better decisions, so that I could be worthy of this woman. Her name is Emily and we married a few years ago. This is your half-brother, Killian. His name is William."

Killian was at war with himself. Why could this man be a wonderful father for this boy but give him and Liam up to the high seas? Why should this boy get the father he never had? He could see William holding tightly to his father's legs, glaring at Killian with all the hatred a seven-year-old boy could muster. He was reminded of another boy, somewhat older than this lad, and the family he helped destroy. Was it almost two hundred years ago now that he lost his love, Milah? He'd never forget the way Baelfire looked at him as he flung himself off his ship on learning of his relationship with his mother. He knew all about regretting a hasty decision and all about a family torn apart. He knew what he must do.

"Get your family and meet me in an hour."

"What?"

"You're in grave danger if you stay here. The Evil Queen. She must not know that you live. Far be it from me to break up your new family." Killian moved to the door. "I will take you to safety, where you'll need to live completely anew, new names and jobs, start completely afresh. But at least you'll be together," he added grimly.

Brennan had William at his side but grabbed Killian's arm with his other hand. "Thank you son."

Killian ripped his arm away from his father's grasp. "Don't call me that," he growled. "I'm not doing this for you. Does he know about the two other sons you had that you abandoned? I'm doing this for him. He deserves to be given his best chance, and that is with his family. But it is too late for you and me. After this, I never want to see you again." He filled his own flask from his father's rum stores.

Regina smiled when she saw the tavern set ablaze as she watched in her mirror. This pirate would be able to withstand the manipulations of her mother. Good. The sooner she was free of this wretched land, the better. Her curse would work and she would get her happy ending. The huntsman was next to her, getting dressed. She tried to imagine what this new land would be like. She knew everyone in the Enchanted Forest would be swept away to it, even her toy here. If she was to get along in an unfamiliar land without magic at her disposal, she would most certainly be bringing him. He had his uses.

She twisted her fingers and opened the door across her chambers. "Leave me," she said to the huntsman. He swept out without a backwards glance. His was the first heart she had ever turned to stone inside a person and she found that she rather liked having it that way. He was incapable of emotion and bent easily to her will.

She seated herself at her vanity and spoke with the Genie inside her magic mirror. "Please tell me the instant that pirate shows up at the castle."

"Please? You're in a charming mood this evening, Your Majesty," he answered from behind the glass.

"I find that things are going rather swimmingly in the direction I want. I'm to get my happy ending after all." She laughed and smiled, but they were not becoming. The Genie thought they rather made her look more sinister than when she was angry.

"Yes. Your Majesty." The Genie was doomed to watch her for eternity, but he wondered what would happen to him in this curse. He was trapped inside mirrors, but would this Land Without Magic turn him back into a man? Would he be free of one curse, only to be strapped with another?

Hook wandered through Wonderland after leaving the deceased guardsman near the magical entrance to this realm. He imagined that Cora, Regina's mother, would be even more of a headache than her daughter. And if Regina couldn't deal with her on her own, if she had to get someone else to do her dirty work, then why shouldn't she be a force to reckon with?

This land was odd and it filled him with a desire to be out of here as soon as may be. It was so brightly coloured and vivid that it didn't seem real. Wonderland, it was called, and was reached through a looking glass door. He would need to be on his guard here.

Several hours later, he found himself in the opulent court of the Queen of Hearts. Given the rumours he heard about Regina and her mother and their penchant for removing the hearts of their enemies, he assumed that this queen was Cora. He would need every ounce of his wit and charm if he was to complete his task. Hopefully, she hadn't heard the tales of his glorious escapades on the high seas.

In the room were people wearing the oddest of accoutrements, finely decorated masks of all descriptions. He was tied up at the elbows and brought in forcefully by guards. The Knave of Hearts, in a long red robe bowed to the queen, who was seated on a throne on a dais and holding a gold and red mask to her face on a long stick. The Knave held a long twisted ear trumpet to her ear behind the mask, and she whispered instructions to him. Curiouser and curiouser, Killian thought to himself, wondering at this odd display from Cora and her royal court.

"Kneel before the Queen of Hearts!" the Knave of Hearts demanded. The guards forced him to his knees.

"I appreciate the warm welcome."

The queen whispered into the trumpet that he should be asked why he came to Wonderland.

I guess I don't particularly fit in here, he aloud, he said that he was looking for a lady who, in his own world, went by the name of Cora. He could see only the queen's eyes behind her mask, but he saw the shock there at the mention of her given name.

"In this world, she goes by 'Your Majesty'," she said imperiously as she rose and removed her mask. The crowd of nobles gasped and started speaking in hushed excited voices. "Leave us!" The court immediately dispersed. They're terrified of her.

"Ahh Your Highness. I've found you. My name is Jones, or Hook if you would prefer a moniker given to me by others who've known me."

"Why were you looking for me? I demand answers!"

"Let's just say you're a means to an end, darling." No need to be charming here. He thrust his hook into her chest to pull out her heart. She laughed at him when he pulled it out again.

"What?!"

"I'm the Queen of Hearts," she explained condescendingly. "Do you think I would be stupid enough to keep my heart where everyone else does?" She sunk her own hand into his chest. Killian felt icy cold at her touch. Her grip around his heart was severe and he could barely think. She used her grip to bring him closer to her. "This is how it's done," she said slowly, as though she had won.

He felt his heart beating in her hand, beating frantically. Throbbing like it had something to go on for. While Cora was gloating though, he stuck his good hand in his coat and pulled out a small leather pouch. He squeezed its contents.

Cora gasped and released his heart. "How is this possible?!"

Killian breathed deeply and took a step backwards. He held the strap of the pouch on his hook and reached his hand inside to reveal a heart, black and red and glowing in a few places. He squeezed again.

"Good. Now that I've got your attention, love, we can attend to business, shall we?" He was feeling jolly again. Having the upper hand against a powerful foe will do that.

"What do you want? I've never met you before, never wronged you. So who sent you here? Who sent you to kill me?" Cora barely got the words out. I bet she hasn't been in this kind of power struggle before.

"Your daughter Regina."

"Tell me! You will tell me everything! I can help you. My daughter probably has something on you, something that would force you to do her will. I can assist."

"Why, because I hold your heart? I am in control and I have the power. Why hold a heart? See, normally I'd be very careful to ensure that the lady who granted me such a treasure would never regret it. But this is not a usual set of circumstances we find ourselves in. The way I see it, you're nothing but an obstacle in my path. And I can do away with any obstacle I come across."

Killian returned to Regina's chambers with the body of Cora trailing behind him.

"Well done, pirate. I must admit, I assumed you'd fail me." Regina had tears in her eyes but did not want Killian to see them. "Leave me!"

"Of course." He strode out of there, but stopped quickly as another thought occurred to him. "First though, I have a query about this curse of yours."

"Out with it!"

"Well, it just seems to me that I've done you a favour. And if I may, I'd ask for one in return. This cursed world in which we shall soon find ourselves, I want you to grant me a boon."

"What is it?"

"In this new land, I want you to leave me alone. Leave me to go about my revenge. If the crocodile is without magic, I will finally be rid of him and his evil."

"Fine. Now. Get out of my sight!" Regina yelled, but did not tell Killian that he wouldn't even recognise Rumpelstiltskin once the curse took hold. She alone would know and remember this life here.

Killian was back on his ship, below deck in his cabin when he heard the rumble of thunder. It had been weeks since he aided Regina and Cora both. He wondered if Regina ever figured out that Cora was still technically alive.