Author's Note - Thanks for the reviews :)

Emma tried to speak but every time she opened her mouth no words came out. It was like being in a horrible dream where she was unable to call for help – except this wasn't a dream. This was a reality in which she was tied to a tree, her arms burning with the pain of being hung from the highest branches. Even if she tried to scream no one would hear her; she couldn't even scream to appease her own pain. Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes but she was unable to wipe them away so they just flowed unhindered, stinging and salty. She had tried to kick her legs out so she would swing back into the trunk of the tree but there was nothing for her boots to get a grip on. The bark was too pale and smooth like the impassive face of a stone-hearted witness. She tried again and again until she had to hang still, exhausted and in agonizing pain.

Pan had left her up there some time ago – she wasn't even sure when as she had lost track of the time. He had flown her up there casually and tied her hands together with a length of rope before lassoing it round the tree branch.

"I reckon you'll get a much better view from up here," he had said, his mouth twisting in a horrible leer, before chucking her chin, "We don't want you ruining the show though; can't have any interruptions." His eyes had flashed then and Emma felt her throat seize like someone had grabbed it. She had tried to yell out but no sound escaped her lips. Pan had muted her and hung her up there like some ghastly tree decoration. She didn't think she had ever felt so helpless.

Desperately trying to block out the pain that was shooting down her arms and into her shoulders, Emma looked for any other methods of escape. Was there any way of generating enough power to swing herself up and on top of the branch so she could reach the knot? Unlikely. Could she wriggle free? What purpose would that serve though other than allowing her to plummet to her death? She was a good forty foot up. How long was Pan going to leave her here? Was his plan for her to die hanging from a tree? That seemed too easy for him.

"Boys! I propose a toast," Pan's youthful voice reached her ears and Emma looked down to see that he had gathered his gang, "To the newest member of our island and to our band of brothers: Henry!"

There was a loud cheer and Emma craned her neck, desperate to get a glimpse of her son. Someone pushed him forwards and Henry's half child-half adolescent form appeared in the middle of the circle. He looked so awkward, all knobbly elbows and clumsy legs. Emma watched as he threw worried glances around the circle, wondering what was in store for him. She felt her heart squeeze in concern.

"Ah Henry, you're almost one of us now," Pan said, clapping a hand on Henry's shoulder, "Courageous, strong and free to do as we please! We are untouchable here! There's no one feed us lies or abandon us or treat us like we're irrelevant. We can be ourselves without judgement."

The word 'abandon' was said with such clarity that Emma was sure it was directed at her and what she'd done to Henry. She wanted to yell to him, to tell him that what Pan said wasn't true but she knew no sound would escape her lips. Henry was looking at Pan in such idolization that she knew he was sucking up every word. It upset her to realize that Henry could believe that he was better off here than back in Storybrooke with his family. Did he really feel so hurt by her past mistakes that he wasn't willing to trust her again? She guessed it just came back to the fact she wasn't cut out to be a mother; a niggling feeling that she tried to quash every day.

"So Henry, now you're one of us, would you like to take part in one of the celebratory games?"

"Er…" Henry hesitated, his big brown eyes uncertain.

"It involves magic and flying."

Henry looked both excited and worried at the same time. He had always been taught that magic came with a price so for Pan to mention using it for frivolity – that put all his principles into question. He was only eleven years old after all so it wasn't surprising that he was struggling not to be enticed by the thought of flying. Despite knowing this, Emma still willed him to be stronger, to be aware of Pan's deviousness and to be the quick-witted little boy she had met in her apartment not so long ago. Unfortunately, in the face of temptation even Henry caved.

"Yes, please," he said, a small smile gracing his face.

"Fantastic. Ludo, lead the way to the pixie tree!"

The Lost Boys whooped and hollered as they all scampered from the clearing below Emma's tree and she watched with a heavy heart as Henry chased after them. It was only Pan who lingered so he could glance up at the tree and shoot her a triumphant grin.

The remaining members of the original rescue-Henry-party were trekking further and further into the jungle. They had picked up Tinkerbell on the way and explained their plan. She seemed a little skeptical but had eventually given way to their persuasion – especially when she saw how agitated Hook was. They were long-time friends and she knew he didn't care about a lot so this woman and her son must be important to him. She tried to talk to him about it as they walked but he was distant, focused on the task ahead. Still that didn't stop her from persisting.

"Hook, what's wrong?" she said for what must have been the tenth time, "I'm your friend, you can tell me."

Still the pirate stared straight ahead, his light blue eyes hard as stone.

"Hook?"

"Tink, I don't want to talk about it."

Finally! At least he had spoken instead of blanking her. She seized on the opportunity, practically running beside him to keep up with his long stride.

"Are you lovers?"

"No," Hook's voice was rough but his face gave nothing away. This just made Tinkerbell even more curious as it was obvious he was hiding something from her. She wasn't quite sure what his relationship with the blonde woman was then if they weren't sleeping with each other. He hadn't really cared about anyone more than that since his Milah who he always used to talk about. No matter how hard Tink had tried – and she had! – she hadn't managed to make him feel the same about her, to want to stay in Neverland for her. That was still a bit of a sore point.

"Then what? Why are you back in Neverland, in a place you swore to me that you would never set foot in again?" They were a little ahead of the rest of the group so she felt comfortable asking these questions, fairly certain they would not be overheard.

"I can't explain…" Hook sounded strange, his words heavy in his mouth.

"What can't you explain? The Hook I knew never had problems talking."

"Well, I'm different now, Tink. I've changed."

Tinkerbell snorted, she couldn't help it. The womanizing, slightly mad, ruthless pirate that she had met all that time ago would never change. He was exciting and mysterious and that had lured her in. Every time he had shared a tiny snippet of his past with her she had felt privileged, like she was breaking down his walls brick by brick. And even when he had set off on his quest to find the Dark One she had forgiven him, believing he would return and realize he loved her.

"Please tell me you haven't changed for her?" the fairy said incredulously.

"No," Hook said, softly, "I've changed because of her."

"Wow, she must be really good in bed then to convince the black-hearted Captain Hook to turn."

"It's nothing to do with how good she is in bed!" Hook sounded offended but Tink's words had the desired effect as he finally gave her his full attention, stopping in the middle of the path. "I don't sleep with every woman I meet. Well, not any more, as much as that may surprise you."

"What's that meant to mean?!" Tinkerbell's eyes flashed with anger as she shoved the pirate in the center of his chest. "Was I just one of those women?"

"Tink, I… I didn't mean…"

"What's going on?" Neal appeared on the scene, his face set in his eternal frown lines.

"Oh bugger off, Neal, this hasn't got anything to do with you," Hook snapped, waving the other man away. This didn't seem to go down well – unsurprisingly – and Neal took a threatening step towards the pirate.

"I think this has everything to do with me," Neal replied, fiercely, "It just shows how little every woman you have in your life means to you and that Emma is just another one in your long line of conquests. She doesn't mean squat to you! You just want to get in her pants."

Hook snapped, his expression morphed into indignation and he lunged forwards, throwing a punch straight into Neal's face. Neal reeled with the impact of fist on bone and stumbled backwards, falling onto his backside. Howling in outrage, he hauled himself to his feet and flew back at Hook, throwing punches in quick succession. One punch caught Hook on the eyebrow, drawing blood immediately and another struck him heavily on the chin, sending his jaw slamming into the roof of his mouth. He grunted with pain but ignored the warm blood streaming over his eye in favor of launching another fist at Neal.

"Hey, hey break it up!" As usual Charming was there to settle the conflict, pulling Neal bodily away from Hook just as Snow grabbed Hook's arm. Although he could have easily overpowered the smaller woman, Hook allowed himself to go limp in her grip, all the tension he had previously had in his muscles draining from him. "What is wrong with you two?!" Charming roared. "We have two people – my daughter and my grandson – in mortal danger and all the two of you can do is fight like animals? Do you even care whether we get them back safely at all?"

"Of course!" Hook and Neal both exclaimed.

"Well then act like you're better than schoolboys fighting over a girl and help us to find our family before it's too late."

Neal looked shame-facedly at the floor and Hook stared back at David, his blue eyes shining with intensity, before nodding slowly.

"Sorry, m'lord prince," Hook murmured. "Won't happen again…"

"Good. Now let's carry on shall we?"

"Well, well, well look at the two of them fighting over you again," Pan drawled, "How very special you must be to them both. Or maybe Neal is right and our good captain just wants to get into your pants – I have to say I've considered it…." Emma let out a small gasp, drawing her legs towards her. Pan shot her an amused look. "But I've decided I'm above that kind of thing."

Emma was currently on the floor of her cave, chained to the wall, but thankfully no longer strung up beneath a tree. It had taken Pan a good two hours before he had returned to free her from hanging agony. Her wrists were red raw and her arms felt like leaden weights by her sides but she was on solid ground again. She had wondered for a while whether she had dislocated her shoulders but if she tried very hard she could just about move her arms so the joints couldn't be too irreversibly damaged – she hoped. Pan had just showed her the images of Hook and Neal fighting and she was furious that they were coming to blows over her. They should be focusing on the task at hand which was finding Henry.

"Anyway, I do wonder the depth of the lovely captain's feelings for you," Pan continued, staring at the image of Hook on his projection, "And I think I've thought of the perfect way to test it. In fact, a way to test both of them to see if they're love for you is as genuine as they claim. Doesn't that sound exciting?"

"You make it sound like a game," Emma replied, a little breathless due to the pain she was still in.

"Ah but that's exactly what I enjoy, Emma, you must know that by now. After all, I've never grown up." He shot her a wolfish grin, his green eyes piercing hers as if they were trying to gain access inside her head, to know her every thought.

"What are you going to do?"

"I think a good old fashioned hand-to-hand combat would be a fantastic way to settle their dispute, don't you? Whoever wins gets to claim you. And to win all they have to do is draw first blood."

Emma frowned. That felt too easy, too vanilla. Knowing Pan he would have added a twist but what? Chances are he will just kill her despite who wins but she couldn't care less about that as long as they saved Henry and got him out of this damned hellhole before Pan could corrupt him any further.

"My Lost Boys have been craving a bit of entertainment. So, shall I summon the brave combatants?"

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