Yes I realize it was only yesterday I told you updates would be slower on this fic. But I was home with a cold today so what better way to pass the time in between guzzling massive quantities of green tea with honey and getting my tax forms mailed?

As always, enjoy!

~The Last Ronin

I don't know how long I was out – it could have been minutes, possibly hours, probably days – but when I wake up my head is pounding with what feels to be the mother of all hangovers and my entire body feels like I got in the middle of a brawl between a giant, an ogre and a kraken. I must have won considering I'm still alive but bloody Hell I don't feel like it.

As I roll over, thankfully away from the puddle of vomit next to me, my stomach lets loose a loud growl and I freeze. Well that was brilliant – let everything within a mile radius know I'm here. Fantastic. Shakily I get to my feet and reach for my sword but the weapon isn't at my hip and a string of curses slip from my lips.

"Well Jones," I say aloud, "you've stepped in it now."

Still, I suppose there's nothing for it but to get a move on. My eyes fall to the body of the chameleon and the dark cloud that had begun to settle over my mind lightens slightly. Even dead most creatures avoid a chameleon and it's presence is likely the only reason I'm still alive.

I'm still alive.

That's right. I'm still alive and I aim to stay that way – I have someone I need to return to. My eyes return to the chameleon and my lips twist up into a grin – this is going to help me greatly. So long as the chameleon's blood is in me most of Neverland's creatures will give me wide bearth and if I cook the lizard's flesh for food, I should be able to extend the effects considerably.

Good, a plan. Now I just have to…a noise to my left has me reaching for my missing blade even as I turn to face whatever is coming this way. A figure begins to take shape and I groan as I realize who it is. Why, of all the people…

"Well well," The Dark One cackles, his eyes darting to the dead chameleon, "look what the lizard dragged in."

x-x-x-x-x

"How are you doing?" Emma asks, tracing patterns on my left hand as we lay on a beach, watching the sun set over the waves, "really I mean."

"I'm alive love," my free hand tightens around her waist, "I'm alive and looking for a way back to you."

I can't see her face but I feel the smile on her lips just the same. I've no idea how I know exactly, but what I said made her happy and I can…I can feel it. It's as if the sun is brighter, warmer; the air is sweeter; the sand softer just because she's smiling and Gods I want to spend the rest of my life making her smile like that.

"How about you?" I ask, leaning forward to place a kiss on the top of her head.

She snorts and shakes her head, "I'm such a wreck. They have me locked up in the hospital. And they don't get it! They keep telling me you're dead…like that'll make it better and I…I…"

"Shh," I hug her tighter, trying to stop her from crying though a few tears have already escaped, "I understand love, I do."

I know as well as anyone that if you get told something often enough, eventually you start believing it. It doesn't matter how ridiculous it is or even if you know otherwise. Most people just don't understand the power words have, how much damage they can cause – worse than any magic in most cases.

"I wanted to go after you," her voice cracks as she twists in my arms and I can see the anguish in her eyes, "I didn't want to leave you behind but they knocked me out somehow and when I woke up we were back in Storybrooke."

I pull her closer, my arms wrapping around her tightly as I bury my face in the crook of her neck – letting her scent sooth my nearly shot nerves. I'm trying to hold it in but I just want to cry. As real as these dreams feel, they're still just dreams and she's not really in my arms. Soon though. I swear to whatever Gods may be listening that I'm going to find her again and never let go.

"I'm coming back for you as soon as I can get out of this damn hospital," she murmurs in my ear, her breath tickling me.

"Don't you dare!" I pull away and hold her eyes so she can see how serious I am, despite the smile I know I'm wearing, "Your boy needs you. You need to be there for him."

She shakes her head stubbornly, "I'm stuck in a hospital, doing no one any good."

"You're there, that's all that matters," I stroke her cheek gently, my thumb ghosting over her lips, "and I will find a way back to you – something that'll be much easier if I know you're safe."

Tears sparkle in her eyes and she glares at me angrily. Several tense minutes pass before her face softens and she slowly nods.

"Fine," she grates out like she just swallowed something nasty, "I don't like it but fine. I'll…wait."

"Thank you Emma," I whisper as my lips find her's, "I'll find you soon. I promise."

x-x-x-x-x

"Kill Pan?" I stare at the crocodile like he's, well, insane – and why am I so surprised by that? I already knew he was a lunatic, "You do realize there's no way to kill Pan…not in Neverland."

"So we just take the little demon elsewhere and," The Dark One drags a finger across his throat dramatically and then cackles gleefully.

"And where would we take him?" I ask slowly, not liking the gleam in his eye.

"The same place we both want to go of course – the land without magic," the crocodile grins.

"No. We are not taking him anywhere near Storybrooke," I will not let that monster near Emma or her son ever again.

"Not Storybrooke," the imp laughs, "there's magic there but beyond the town line…he would be powerless."

Ok, that's a better idea but, "How do you know this?"

"Why do you think he sends his shadow to do his dirty work rather than going himself?"

Point taken but still…

"Keep in mind I'm doing this with or without you dearie," The Dark One laughs, "help me and we can both go back. Or don't and you can rot here on this island for eternity. The choice is yours."

I grit my teeth and glare at him, "Fine."

"Splendid!" He rubs his hands together before offering me one, "Then we have a deal."

I eye his hand for a minute before taking it, "I have one more condition."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

I just know I'm going to regret this, but if it gets me back to Emma…