For those few that are following - this if for you, I hope you like it. I have a lot more planned but I will be a little selfish and ask for reviews or more follows if you want to see more. I'm fine with just writing this for myself, but I am more than happy to share it if people are enjoying it. The more reviews I get, the more I'll keep giving you...
"How much farther?" Regina shouted ahead.
Hook didn't stop climbing, opting instead to shout back. "I'm not sure," he panted. "Never been here before."
Regina stopped and threw up her hands. "So this nature hike is just for fun?"
Hook rolled his eyes and let his head slip back in exasperation. "Regina—"
"Wait, is that it?" Emma's voice interrupted what would have been a sharp-tongued quip, one Hook was sure would have resulted in another regal tirade. Instead, he looked ahead to where Emma was pointing. Squinting through the trees, he caught a glimpse of the sun rolling across the top of the white marble dome.
"I believe it is. Temple of Helicon."
Hook stayed rooted in place as the rest of the group made their way up the mountain, deciding he would bring up the rear.
"Should have just let me poof us," Regina mumbled as she passed.
Once at the summit, the others stopped outside the shining white structure. Tall columns lined the perimeter of the large, circular temple and lithe, feminine figures danced along the friezes. The structure was designed to bring a sense of peace and hope to its visitors, yet Hook only felt the unwelcome sting of fear in his chest. It was a feeling he quickly had to push aside and he saw the group waiting for him to take the lead.
He took a deep breath to steady himself for what might be inside. Centuries had separated them and she definitely would not be happy to see him. He didn't want to admit he was terrified. Terrified to see her again, and terrified of what looking in her eyes might do to him. He'd barely been able to admit his feelings for Emma, the last thing he needed or wanted now was to open himself up to more vulnerability.
He steeled himself once again before stepping into the darkness with David following close behind. No sooner had his boot heel clicked against the smooth floor than torches erupted around the cavernous circular room, illuminating the massive dome.
Mary Margaret stepped up to his right, confusion wrinkling her brow, "It's nothing but statues."
That Hook had expected. He quickly scanned the perimeter of the room, counting. Nine. Damn. He swallowed hard, rolling his chin to his chest as he squeezed his eyes shut tight. He was beginning to regret bringing them here even more.
Regina pushed past them, her head whipping around the room. "She's not even here?" Fury was evident in her voice.
"Actually," Hook sighed, "I was hoping she wouldn't be, but alas, she is."
Regina stared back at him, "You dragged up across realms – again – hoping not to find this person? Might I point out you haven't even explained how you think she can help."
Hook stepped forward, reacting to the challenge in Regina's voice. "She can help, she's the only one who can, actually. And I was rather hoping one of her sisters might be able to lead us to her. This little journey was a means to an end."
Regina looked poised for another cutting remark, but Mary Margaret's voice broke through the tension. The rest of them had fanned out around the room, examining the sculptures. "The Greeks definitely knew their art." David stepped up to her side. "It's exquisite. So lifelike."
Soon Emma, Neal and Gold had joined them. Regina and Hook's eyes remained locked, neither one wanting to concede.
"The Lovely and Beloved."
Hook's head snapped in the direction of Neal's voice. "What did you say?"
Neal glanced over his shoulder, "That's what it says here."
Hook walked cautiously to where the others were standing. They parted as he approached, giving him a chance to examine the sculpture for himself.
It was a woman lounging half on her side amid a bed of pillows, her head elevated slightly above the rest of her body. One smooth alabaster arm rested lazily above her head, fingers gracefully curled; the other bent at the elbow, her fingertips resting along her collar bone. Her long hair fell in waves around her shoulders, one strand draped across her chest. She could have been mistaken for sleeping had she not been made of stone.
Please, gods, no, Hook thought. He was desperately clinging onto his last shreds of hope when he caught sight of statue's left hand. He turned and walked quickly away, hand flying to his mouth, unsure of whether he would be sick or sob. His mind was reeling with grief and regrets. No matter what had transpired between them he had never wanted this.
"Well we didn't come here for an art history tour," Regina quipped. "What now, Hook? Any other wild goose chases you'd like to lead us on?"
She began to walk back toward the entrance when Hook's hand slid from his face, his eyes never leaving the ground. "She's here."
"What?" Regina whipped around, irritation evident on her face.
"She's here," Hook said again, his voice barely audible. "You're gathered around her." What have I done?
Emma and Mary Margaret exchanged a concerned look, "It's a statue," Emma said.
Hook looked up. "Yes, I'm well aware of that, aren't I?"
"She wasn't always?" Neal ventured.
"Because I have a fancy for courting statuary?" Hook was growing tired of their disbelief. "The ring," he sighed, his voice gentler now, "I gave it to her on one of the last occasions we were together. A green amethyst flanked by two Fleur de Lis." He paused as the gravity of the moment settled upon him. "I'd know it anywhere."
Emma stepped forward to examine the statue. Hook had described the piece of jewelry in perfect detail. A person turning into stone? After all she'd seen, she was willing to go along with it. "So how do we wake her up?"
"That, love, I do not know." Hook's eyes travelled to Gold. "I was hoping you might know of something."
"Well it's impossible to undo when I don't know what caused it in the first place," Gold said.
"Oh come on!" Regina shouted. "You have got to be kidding me! We are going to stand around wasting time trying to animate a statue when we don't even know it'll help?"
"She willhelp us," Hook said. "She's a goddess, Regina, she's entirely good. Her whole reason for being is to help others." Emma saw the wave of emotion that washed across Hook's face as his mood became softer. "And she's the best person I've ever known."
"She couldn't have been a very good goddess if she ended up like this," Regina gestured toward the statue.
"Let's just say it runs in the family," Hook replied curtly.
Emma just wanted the bickering to end. "How did you know her?"
"We were… acquainted several years ago."
"Great, a jilted ex-lover," Regina scoffed. But Mary Margaret had picked up on the melancholy in Hook's voice.
"Did you love her?" she asked gently.
A sad smile flashed across Hook's face as his eyes again traveled to the floor. "Yes, I suppose you could say I did. Very deeply, in fact." The latter half of that statement slipped out without intention. His honesty and openness with this group surprised even him.
"So what if you kissed her?" Mary Margaret asked hopefully.
"You want me to what?" Hook's tough, sarcastic wall went back up in an instant, along with one eyebrow. But Emma continued, stepping toward him in an attempt to boost his confidence.
"No, she's right. True love's kiss, right?" Emma glaced back at Mary Margaret, and seeing her excited nod and reassuring smile, continued. "She obviously felt the same about you or she wouldn't have agreed to marry you."
Hook looked doubtful. "She left me, love."
"And then kept wearing your ring? Yeah, I don't think so," Emma said.
Hook caught hold of the hope welling up inside him, attempting to push it back down. What if she hadn't left him? What if something else happened to tear them apart? Maybe she never stopped loving him. Not after all these years, it couldn't be possible.
"It's worth a shot," David suggested.
Hook scanned the faces staring back at him, the hope in his eyes mirrored in theirs. But they had no idea what he stood to lose. Then again, he'd already risked so much for Emma, making a fool of himself by kissing a statue couldn't be worse. He walked slowly up to the figure, his mind wavering with every step between going through with it and backing out. When finally he was in front of the statue, he glanced again at her face. He felt the hope bubbling up inside him and made that his focus as he leaned down and pressed his lips against the cold stone. He could swear he felt the marble begin to soften beneath him, but didn't let himself completely believe it. When he pulled away, he saw the stone flush with the colors of flesh. Then her eyes fluttered open and he found himself once again mesmerized by her emerald eyes.