Flight

After Bae's inquiry, Hook peered out the window at the fog. He'd been studying it for several minutes now when Peter and Tinker Bell flanked him at the window. She wrapped her fingers around the base of his hook. Peter stared ahead. His mind felt stranger than when he first met March the hare. He wondered if this was what normal felt like.

"What if we flew?" Peter asked.

"To get out of here?" Hook asked in reply.

"If we get high enough, we can clear the fog."

"But that won't stop the queen," Tink said.

"Why do we need to stop her? Can't we leave that to someone else? Robin Hood only asked for a way to get out."

"For simplicity's sake, let's take matters one at a time," Hook said to Tink.

"Okay," she said reluctantly.

"So we all fly out of here to somewhere safe," Peter said.

"Pallorwall's too close," Hook replied.

"Marshaltown?"

"If we go to a harbor town, they'll know, because they'll suspect it," Tink said. "What about the greenwood?"

"Of course," Bae said behind them. They turned to face him. "That is, if the others agree to it."

"Do you even need to ask?" Morraine asked, giving him a half-smile.

"I should for the others."

"Well, yes."

"But?"

"But that's after we get out of here."

"Oh, phew. You had me scared for a minute. I thought it was something serious." They shared a laugh over this.

"So are we flying out of here or what?" Peter asked.

"Yes, let's," Bae replied. "The longer we stay, the more likely we die."

Tink walked out of the living room to seek out the Lost Boys, and only minutes later, when the whole group was gathered together, they filed out of the mushroom. Tink stepped out in front and sprinkled dust over them. "Okay, pick a happy thought to go with the dust. You don't really need it, but it helps keep you bouyant. Once you've got your thought, let's go." And she flew off. Peter, the Lost Boys, and Captain Hook were close behind her. Bae and Morraine looked at each other.

"Um," he said.

"I think it works like this," she replied, taking his hand. She was already drifting off the ground.

"Oh." For a brief moment, he was carried along by her, but soon, he was floating beside her. From there it was a quick matter to figure out how to follow the others.

OUAT

The group condensed into something of a circle as they flew along, and Bae couldn't help but study the fog that rolled over Wonderland and almost engulfed the border soldiers. Maybe it was for effect, he wondered, designed to discourage anyone who thought to cross the border, as if the Soldiers' Barricade wasn't enough. But then, the Merry Men had managed to, by sheer willpower and the element of surprise, puncture the Barricade and force their way in.

But there was another matter to consider, which Tinker Bell attended to, unbeknownst to Bae: why did it take the fog so long to roll in? They were fugitives for two days before anyone noticed it, and the first person to do so was Robin Hood the sensitive. He was probably looking for it, now that she thought about it. He felt it before, which made her wonder how she hadn't felt anything. Hook never said a word, if he felt it, and so help her if she tried to get an answer out of Peter Pan.

Hook, Tinker Bell, Bae, Morraine, Rufio, and Slightly were all pondering the future: What would happen if this fog spread? Who was behind it? What was its purpose? Did it contain someone? If so, was it the Queen of Hearts? None of them could account for her whereabouts for the past two days, but they were in no position to. Nothing could be ruled out.

Rufio had another matter to consider: Peter Pan seemed more and more sane as time passed. He wanted to believe that the boy was recovering, but he always thought that was impossible. Somebody didn't get over craziness the way Peter had it just like that, unless freeing Neverland really did induce a break in the boy's mind that made him question his state of mind and move around in a haze.

Then why did he seem sane now?

"Because insanity is the fashion here," Peter said, as if he read Rufio's thoughts. "It's okay."

"Oh. Does it help?" Rufio replied.

Peter nodded. "Yeah."

"Whatever works."

They lapsed into a silence both found suitable and flew on.

OUAT

Besides more practical matters, Tinker Bell questioned another aspect of her future during the flight, one that managed to attract Hook's notice. He flew up to her and lay his hook hand gently on her shoulder. "What is it?" he whispered.

"You're good."

"Thank you."

"Did you notice how easy I was with the dust earlier?"

"Yes. You always seem easy with it."

"Easier this time, trust me."

"I do, completely."

"That means my wings are starting to grow back, and that means I'll be small soon, a fairy again. And that means I won't be able to see you again, because I'll be forced to go back up there." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and she lay her head on his shoulder. "I don't know what I'm going to do," she whispered.

"What did Rumpelstiltskin say to you in Pallorwall?" he asked.

"He asked...if I would stay with you."

"What did you say?"

"'Without a second thought.'"

"Then that's all you need to know."

"That's what he said. I...I don't know if I can make that choice, though, or if I had it. I don't know if I'm strong enough."

"That's what I'm here for."

"And I love you for it."

"I love you, too, Miss Bell."

"I'm so afraid."

He squeezed her gently. "That's pefectly fine. I would be, too."

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "You wouldn't be scared."

"I would be if I thought I was going to lose you forever. Is that not part of the choice you face?"

"Yeah."

"That's something I'd be afraid of, too."

She relaxed a little and snaked her arm around his waist. "We've gotta take this one step at a time, though. I don't wanna deal with all that right now."

"It's alright, it's alright," he whispered. She squeezed him back.