A/N- un-betaed. I own nothing. Reviews welcome. You guys are wonderful.


It is always in times of greatest adversity that we discover who we really are, and how far we're willing to go for love.

For the bedraggled and motley crew of the Jolly Roger, now was that time. It became painfully obvious, despite his dismissive nonchalance, that David was getting sicker by the mile. Falling to his knees for the fifth time that hour, Regina's patience was wearing thin.

"That is enough. If we keep moving like this, we're going to kill him."

Snow, who was uncharacteristically on her way to a nervous breakdown, hissed back, "He's fine, we just need to find Pan's lair; he must have some sort of antidote."

Before Regina could engage Snow in yet another useless tète a tète, Emma the peacemaker stepped in.

"Look, Regina's right. We can't keep hacking through the jungle like this. We have to do something."

Shooting Hook an inquisitive look, she directed her question to him.

"Is there any other way we can get our hands on a possible antidote? Or something?"

The Captain fixed her with a hard stare, before replying, "We can try the fairy, Tinkerbell. She's mercurial, doesn't like humans very much, but I bet that she's probably stolen from Pan's stores, love. She might have something that can help. After all, he's robbed her of some fairy dust in the past."

Both Emma and Snow let out a breath, but before they could respond, Hook offered a rejoinder.

"One problem, love. Her place is not exactly what I'd call on the way to Pan's. We're going to have to choose. Her lair or Pan's."

Emma and Regina both uttered "Pan" at the same time Snow whispered "The fairy."

Regina was unsurprised by Snow's response, but Emma visibly recoiled from her mother and prone father.

In an overwhelming show of vulnerability, Snow stood and faced her daughter head on, justifying her decision by saying, "I can't survive this without him."

"So what are we gonna do, Snow? Because every second we're standing here, Henry is out there, suffering and all alone." Emma's reply was without bite, for she understood her mother's position, but the slight hysteria that seemed to accompany Henry's name on the island was ever-present.

"What if we split up?" Regina knew she would be attacked by the mere suggestion of breaking up the group, so she was quick to push her point home.

"Look. We have two serious situations, and time is of the essence. Emma has the map to Pan's lair. She and I have magic. We can keep going, and rescue our son. If Hook knows where Tinkerbell's lair is, he can take you there, Snow, and get David some help."

The rest of the group seemed to consider her suggestion, and in the silence, Charming's voice reached their ears.

"Go get Henry, Emma. Go get your son."

At her father's words, Emma gave a short nod, and turned to face Hook.

"You take care of them alright. You sure you know where you're going?"

Hook gave her a crooked smile, amused at this display of affection from a normally stoic savior. "Yes, love. Not to worry. They'll be safe with me."

In a similar exchange, Snow invaded Regina's personal space. "You better watch out for her Regina. I swear if anything happens to her I'll…"

"Oh save it Snow," Regina interrupted her former step-daughter before she could issue yet another threat. "Miss Swan and I have an arrangement. I'll watch her back, and she's got mine. Besides, Henry would never forgive me if anything happened to her on my watch. I promise you, she's safe with me."

Snow tilted her head, a little taken aback by the Queen's unusually protective tone and words. Regina, uncomfortable with Snow's scrutiny, and her increasingly understanding look, beckoned her partner in crime.

"Come now, Miss Swan, we don't have all day."

Emma knelt down to kiss her father on his fevered forehead, an oddly heartwarming role reversal, and whispered "I love you, Dad."

Rising, she rushed into Snow's waiting arms. "Please don't die. I need you too, Mom"

She could feel Snow's smile against her temple as her mother bestowed a kiss. "I have faith that we'll all be fine. I'm so proud of you, and we both love you, very much."

Regina allowed them another few moments, before interrupting. "Henry's waiting, Miss Swan."

At Regina's words, Emma let her mother go, nodded at the pirate, and brushed past Regina into the jungle.

"Be careful." Snow's parting words were meant for Regina, and made her smile.

"You too, dear."


Two mothers wandered alone in the forest, one light, and one dark, each with her fair share of demons, baggage, and fear.

Both were tired, a little haggard, and overwhelmed with worry for their son. Not a word was exchanged as each woman continued hacking through the dense overgrowth. Neither trusted themselves to speak, both fearful of what they would say. Each woman would go to hell and back for their son, which meant that despite all promises, threats, and optimistic beliefs, there was a very real chance that one of them wouldn't make it. Henry would always and forever come first. But neither mother wanted to deal with what that might actually mean for the other. Neither wanted to deal with the fluttering butterflies, the pounding hearts, the fear they felt for each other. Instead of opening mouths amid their torrent of emotions, Regina sidled up next to her blonde counterpart, and linked their pinkies. The gesture made Emma startle, and then smile, as she took the Queen's entire hand and enveloped it with hers. The look on Regina's face was like a beacon of light in an ocean of darkness. This was safe, this was calming, and this communicated more than either woman could say with words.

Two mothers marched forward through the dark forest, but joined at the hand, they remembered that they were not alone. They were off to save their son, together.