Third Time's the Charm

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or the characters in it

Chapter Two:

"Descending"

It took Emma less than half the time to get down the beanstalk as it had for her to get up, and with good reason. She had more than enough motivation to increase her pace for her descent. One, she needed to reach ground level before Mulan sent the whole thing crashing downward. Two, she had no idea when Cora was going to make her next appearance. Three, she had just chained up a man who was surely going to be seeking revenge immediately upon his release. Though despite all her motivation, she found herself questioning every move she made. Every step she took. Had she done the right thing? Or had she doomed them all by betr- leaving him? She would have slapped herself if it hadn't meant falling to her death. Remorse should be the last thing on her mind at the moment.

She began muttering to herself, as if hearing the justification out loud would set her mind right. "He would have done the same thing to you. Be proud of yourself. You beat him to the punch. You bested the feared pirate captain. You won. Now just keep moving, Emma, just keep moving."

No luck. Speaking her excuses did nothing to ease her conscience. One foot after another, she inched downward, yearning for the feeling of dirt under her boots. After a quick glance towards her destination, she sighed in relief realizing that she was less than a hundred feet from the bottom. After pausing a short moment Emma felt her entire body quake and she lost her grip on the vines that composed the stalk. Luckily her foot had tangled in one of them so she managed to hoist herself back up, and began trekking downwards at a mind-blowing rate, the sounds of shrill screams echoing up from below.

"Shit, shit, shit, SHIT!" she continually muttered under her breath.

Mulan had already begun hacking at the beanstalk, and if just a couple more swings could doom Emma (and Hook) to their deaths. Emma needed to reach the bottom... and fast. About fifteen feet from ground level she peeked at the trio below her again, expecting them to be eagerly awaiting her, only to find Snow and Mulan tossing and turning, trying to pin one another to the ground.

"Seriously?" she sighed

Taking a deep breath, she let go of the stalk and turned herself around so she could at least try to brace herself… though it was to no avail. She landed with a thump and just as she had predicted when playing out this scenario in her head, Snow was at her side in no time whatsoever. By the time Emma had gotten her bearings, Snow had helped her to her feet and was now frantically speaking to her, with a distressed look in her eyes.

"We go back together. That is the only way. Do you understand?"

She nodded quickly and pulled her mother into a hug. Emma understood perfectly. She had abandoned her Snow… not to mention Hook.

"Damn it." She thought, "I just want to get back to my son, why am I the one feeling guilty?"

After being questioned about Hook's whereabouts by Aurora, Emma supplied a quick, vague answer about his detainment and turned to Mulan.

"We need to get going soon." She urged.

The warrior princess gave a curt and understanding nod and set to packing up the few items the group was carrying along with them. Snow followed suit while Emma rubbed her temples in an attempt to ease the migraine, or most likely concussion, that was beginning to take its toll. Amidst the clamor, Emma looked up to see Aurora staring up the beanstalk, circling it, scanning it with her eyes. Emma groaned, knowing full well she was about to have an explanation forced out of her by the auburn-haired royal. She'd been lucky enough to make it this long without anyone really questioning why he was absent.

"So we're just leaving without him? Why did he do to make you want to leave him behind?" Aurora stared at Emma with her doe-like eyes wide and inquisitive as always.

"I-"

Mulan interrupted Emma, "Please Aurora this isn't the time nor the place for this. He was not a trustworthy character. If that alone does not satisfy your curiosity, then you can ask Emma about it once we have distanced ourselves from this place and set up camp."

Emma mouthed "thank you" to Mulan, earning another curt nod before they both returned to their work.

No less than ten minutes later the crew of women were on their way to who knows where. Mulan suggested the mountains that lay on the horizon, insisting that concealed shelter is abundant there in addition to the streams for water, trees for wood, and animals for hunting. Nobody argued against her, and they set off North through the woods, and towards the rocky peaks. Luckily, the canopy of trees was thick enough to protect them from the looming storm clouds and their heavy downpour. By the time it had begun to grow dark, they made shelter in a in a small cave that had been carved into the side of the mountain. The term cave was stretching it though, as the opening to it was no more than three feet in diameter and the actual cave was maybe eight feet tall and twelve feet wide. It was cramped, but there was enough room for each woman to lay down a bedroll, and start a fire in the middle.

"We need more wood. Thicker wood. This fire won't last twenty minutes." Mulan stated, looking at the sad and soggy pile of twigs they had managed to collect. "And I'll be damned if it could manage to cook the rabbits Snow shot."

"All right, I'm on it." Emma stood.

"No, Emma. You just climbed a beanstalk and walked for more than eighteen hours. You need to rest." Snow insisted.

"Mary Ma-...Sno… Mom … I'm pretty sure I got a concussion when I lept from the beanstalk earlier. I'm not going to sleep until my symptoms let up."

Emma knew that Mary Margaret would be more easily convinced if it seemed like they had been connecting on an emotional level. Was it cruel to butter the woman up like this when she'd spent twenty-eight years cursed and without her daughter? Probably. But Emma's head hurt like hell and she needed an excuse to get the fresh air. She noticed Snow's eyes twinkle when she heard herself addressed as "mom" but it still wasn't enough, as a look of concern was still contorting her face.

"If you want, I'll join her," Aurora offered, "I know I'm not much protection, but I'd at least be able to keep an eye on her should her symptoms worsen."

Emma's face flashed a look that was a mixture of thankfulness and confusion. This had been the first time Aurora had offered to help with anything around the campsite. She usually just sat staring blankly in to space. However, Emma still jumped on the opportunity, seizing Aurora's hand and leading them both out of their shelter without allowing Snow to utter another word.

Meanwhile, a soaking wet, irritated, and exhausted pirate captain was nearing the end of his journey down the beanstalk. When he made his final leap to the ground, he felt rainwater slosh around in his boots and his feet sink in the mud. Despite being exhausted and near hypothermia, he was relieved to have his feet planted firmly on the ground. A familiar feeling, being one he'd encountered many a time in his life when reaching shore after a horrid storm. He allowed his head to fall back, raindrops rushing down his cheeks, and let out a relived sigh. That was when she spoke.

"My dear Captain. It seems you've been on quite an adventure."

Hook's head dropped in disappointment.

"The compass, please." Cora finished.

Hook's mind was going as fast as it could trying to formulate an excuse, but with no sleep for over twenty-four hours, he wasn't having much success.

"Well," he began, turning towards her, "that has grew complicated."

He kept his eyes down as much as he could. He felt Cora's angry stare burning holes in him.

"It has alluded me for the moment. The details of the affair are a bit of a bore."

"Really?" the witch was unconvinced, "Stealing my protection spell and climbing the beanstalk without me might seem like a bore to you, but to me, it's a betrayal."

Almost too quickly, Hook replied, "I was going to bring it to you. Our agreement remains. We are going to Storybrooke together- I'll get it back."

"I don't have time for your games," Cora sighed, "I've crossed through too many worlds to be brought short at the brink of success. Who was it who bested you?"

The question caught him by surprise, and he found himself wishing that Emma was once again the most of his troubles, not the all-powerful and cold-hearted woman standing before him. "… The Swan girl… Emma. Rest assured it won't happen again." He stated.

This did not take Cora by surprise. The look on her face suggested that she'd seen this coming. Perhaps she's been setting him up this entire time? Her laugh confirmed his suspicions. "Haha! No it won't. You chose her… and the consequences of that decision."

Though he dare not show it, he was struck by how Cora said he'd chosen her specifically. As if she was implicating that something else might've happened between the two. It was untrue and ludicrous in his eyes, but telling the witch that wasn't going to save his neck here.

"Oh?" he began, trying (and succeeding) to hide the fear in his voice. This woman was the absolute last person that needed to be reminded of the power she held over him, "are you going to kill me now? Go ahead. Try." His life was entirely in her hands right now. She was powerful enough to stop his breathing with the flick of a wrist, and he didn't need to appear weak and make it all the more easy for her.

"So brave." Cora retorted, "however, bravery isn't going to be enough to save your life, pirate. I need that compass, and if you can't get it for me, then you're nothing more than an annoyance."

Killian gulped.

"So Captain, the choice is up to you. You can either die here, or you can tell me where Emma has run off to, and you can help us both get closer to our destination."

"I don't know where she is." He mumbled.

"What was that?" Cora's catlike smile stretched wide across her thin lips. Oh! How she enjoyed watching him writhe under the pressure.

"I said," he spoke louder, "I don't know where she is. She left me chained to a wall in the Giant's castle for who knows how bloody long? I've not got the faintest clue where she could be."

Cora recognized the truth in his voice and her face instantly fell into an angry snarl.

"Well then, Captain," She spat, "I can assure you that once I discover her whereabouts, it will be in your best interest to heed my every word. Or else you might just meet the same fate as your beloved Milah."

Hook went pale. The mere mention of her name sent a stabbing pain through his heart and an ache through the wrist of his handless arm. He nodded his head wordlessly as his walls came crashing down and the look on his face transformed from ruthless leader to scared child- wide eyed and lips nearly quivering. After a moment he bit his bottom lip and looked down to avoid Cora's gaze. He had to stay strong. It was the only thing keeping him alive. Cora hadn't said anything, so he looked up again. This time, he had a snarl on his face and looked her right in the eye. He nodded his head again, slowly.

"Good." Cora's frightening smile had returned once again, and she stepped forward, hooking her elbow with Killian's and leading him away from the beanstalk "Now where do you suggest we look first?"

[a/n]: Okay! This chapter was a lot longer than the first, but I still usually write much longer. I just needed to set the scene for where my fic is really going to take place. Up until now, this was basically my interpretation of the plotline with a little bit of insight into character thought thrown in. I PROMISE THIS WILL BECOME MORE CAPTAIN SWAN RELATED I JUST NEEDED TO GET THIS GOING! Please review. Next chapter should be up Saturday night. xoxoxox