Here's another chapter! Thank ya'll so much for the support, guys! I have gotten a lot of alerts from so many of you that has added it to their favorites or followed it. It means so much! Hope you enjoy this latest chapter so please PLEASE review if you haven't already…would love to hear from you! Thanks again Beans!
~Magarooski
Chapter 3
They were all huddled around the map Hook had made as he explained the locations of all the major sites. The island itself was shaped like a crescent moon with inlets here and there of lagoons and coves of all shapes and sizes.
"This is Pirate's Cove," he explained as he pointed to it. "At least that's what me and me crew dibbed it when we were here last. It's located on the north side of the island…well away from the Lost Ones so it was where we docked when we went inland for provisions. I'm thinking it's the place where we need to go…our ship will be safe there, especially if no one can see it." His eyes flickered up to Gold. "The spell went okay, I take it?"
"Of course it did…plus, I added a little extra ammo to it as well."
"What do you mean?" Mary Margaret asked. "And why does that make me nervous?"
"No need to be nervous, dearie…I simply made it to where we all will still see the ship when we're off it…as long as we remain trustworthy."
"What?" Regina asked confused. "I don't understand."
"It's not that complicated," Hook said staring at Gold. "As long as we all remain true…we'll see the ship, but the second any of us decide to go rouge…it disappears."
Gold nodded. "Correct…and it also means that Henry will be able to see it if he happens by."
"Henry?" Regina asked. "Do you think that's wise? I mean…what if he says something to Tamara and Greg?"
"If he does, then he's not as smart as I took him for," Gold responded.
"Gold's right," Emma said with a nod. "He's a smart kid…if he sees the ship, the last thing he'd do was point it out or say something…especially once he realized Greg and Tamara can't see it."
"And if he's anything like Swan here, he'd do his best to try and escape and head towards it," Hook commented and gave a quick nod of approval. "Now…moving on…the Lost One's headquarters are over here…southeast side and right by Skull's Rock…it's a cavern that they use to keep important things like, supplies and treasures. There's only a small window of time you can get in and out…the tide swoops in fast and if you're still inside…your stuck on the highest ledge for quite some time."
"You sound like you know from experience," Emma said as she looked back at him.
"I do," he answered bluntly but then moved on, explaining certain parts of the inland territory. "The Indian Village is towards the southwest side…and the Lost Boy's hideout…well, it use to be here…somewhat close to Mermaid's Lagoon…but seeing as the Lost One's probably captured them all I wouldn't be surprised to find it deserted."
"Bless their hearts," Snow murmured as she leaned into her Charming.
"We can't afford to feel sorry for them, Snow," Regina snapped. "Henry is our priority."
"I know that," she said softly. "My heart can still go out to those boys…it's heartbreaking."
"Well, you need to toughen up because it's not going to help Henry and if you mess this up, so help me god…"
"Hey!" David yelled cutting her off. "That's enough…you attacking Snow isn't helping either, so back off, Regina."
"The hell I will," she fired back. "Henry's life is endangered more and more with each passing second…I'm sick of all this planning, we need to get moving!"
"Okay, we all need to calm down," Emma said as she held out her hands. "We're all worried about Henry, but attacking each other will not help. Don't forget, we're all here for the same reason…to find Henry, so…we start now." He turned to Hook. "But Regina is right about one thing…we need to set sail as soon as we can…I can already tell we're losing light."
"What?" Regina asked as she looked up at the sky. "How is that possible? The sun was at high noon when we got here."
"Times different here," Hook said as he took out his dagger and stabbed the map to the wooden surface so it wouldn't blow away. "The sun could set and rise at anytime…the night can last for days. It's very unpredictable."
"Well, that's just great," she muttered and then stalked off to the port side of the ship while Gold left as well, heading in the opposite direction.
"I know she's getting frustrated," Hook said when they were gone. "I know you all want to get Henry as soon as possible, so do I…but if we don't take the time to plan, if we go attack the Lost One's camp with nothing but waving swords and emotions…we'll all end up dead."
"We're not arguing with you," Emma said as she placed a hand on his arm. "Regina seems to be the odd person out…we all need to keep an eye out for her. I think she's the reason Gold went that extra mile with the trusting spell…if Regina wanted to confide in anyone, it would be Gold. He might know something we don't."
"Maybe…but, I guarantee he had me in the back of his mind when he came up with that spell as well."
"Hook…"
He waved it off. "It doesn't matter, Emma…it was a good idea and it will come in handy." Hook headed towards the helm and pointed at David along the way. "Charming…come with me."
"It's David to you," he corrected but did as he asked with Emma and Mary Margaret following close behind.
"Fine…David," he said as he walked over to the helm and turned it a couple of notches to starboard. "You've officially been selected to First Mate…congratulations."
"What?" he asked stunned. "Why?"
"Because…I need someone I can trust to be in charge when I'm not on the ship…once the island is in site we'll anchor at Pirate's Cove and I'll take the rowboat out and find my ally." He glanced up at his sails and once the wind caught it the boat picked up speed. "You'll need to know how to handle the Jolly Roger in case you run into trouble and need to sail away."
"What kind of trouble?" Snow asked. "No one will be able to see us."
"True…but you can never play it safe here in Neverland. You need to prepare yourself for anything." He turned back to David. "Have you ever sailed a ship before, mate?"
"Yes…but it was a long time ago, when I was just a child." He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked around the ship. "The local fisherman would let me tag along sometimes…he showed me a few things. His ship was nothing like this, but…I think I could handle it."
"Good," he said with a nod but then shook his hook at him. "But to be clear, David…this ship is my home…I've spent many years on it and have many memories…good and bad. I don't let just anybody take the helm, so I'm trusting you…if you let her sink, I will shoot you in the face."
"Such violence, Hook."
"Just so we're clear," he smirked back.
Snow did a double take when Charming let out a little laugh, causing Hook to chuckle as well. "Oh my god," she whispered to Emma. "I think they're starting to bond…that's weird." She looked up at her daughter. "Is that weird?"
"I've seen weirder," she confirmed after observing Hook and her dad. "Plus, they seem to work well together, they did get the bean from Greg and Tamara."
"True…still." She shook it off and turned away from them. "Come on…let's go to the front of the ship and keep an eye out for the island."
"I'll be right there…I just need to talk to Hook real quick," she said and then stepped up to the helm. "Hey, David…"
David looked over at his daughter and sighed. "Oh, so, we're back to David, are we?"
Emma blinked. "What?"
"Do we have to be in life threatening situations for you to call me dad? Because if so…I'll have to start risking my life just to hear you say it."
Emma smiled softly. "No…you don't have to do that…Dad."
He grinned. "That's better."
"It is a bit weird though," Hook said with a shrug. "You two look practically the same age."
David looked at him over his shoulder. "Says the guy that use to be with my grandson's grandmother."
Hook paused a moment and then gave a quick nod. "Aye…point taken, mate."
David rolled his eyes and looked back at Emma. "What did you need?"
"Nothing," she said as she fought back a smile. "I mean…I just need to talk to Hook real quick…why don't you join Mary Marg…I mean, mom at the bow of the ship…I'll join you guys in a second."
David smiled. "Sure…whatever you need." He then gave her brow a quick kiss as he walked away.
"And how are we fairing, lass?" Hook asked once they were alone. "Got you sea legs, yet?"
"Sea legs are fine…stomach is still a little unsteady, but I'll get use to it."
"Well, you haven't booted yet…so that's something."
She winced as she placed a hand on her stomach. "Please…just don't."
He just laughed as he took a quick glance at his compass to make sure he was still steering the ship in the right direction. "So," he said as he tucked the compass back in his pocket. "What did you want to discuss with me? Have you finally come to realize your uncontrollable feelings toward me, darling?"
She gave him a look. "Oh, I have feelings towards you Hook…such strong, passionate feelings of annoyance and irritation."
He gave her a wink. "Then I must be doing something right," he said grinning and just chuckled when she just sneered at him. "All right…since you're not quite ready to admit your true feelings…what did you want to talk about?"
