I think David needs a kick up the pants... He's gonna regret leaving Hook behind!

Will he realize his mistake in time to save our poor Pirate from any more suffering?

Let's find out my likkle peeps.

Long chapter tonight so I think that deserves some reviews, don't you?

Enjoy :)

Had this been a new kind of torture?

How had Devin been able to sound like David?

Killian was so confused... had he actually been his original room again or had it been a bad dream?

He must have been there... that's where they had put him in this ridiculous thing that he was currently trussed up in but if he had been there had David really been there too? Or was that just a cruel trick being played on him by the Lost One?

He screwed up his face trying to concentrate. Gods he felt awful. His head throbbed and he knew it was probably through lack of water... along with other things that chose that minute to remind him of his need for his pills as a shiver ran through him.

Suddenly his eyes popped open... he had had some water... then he had taken that pill...and it had felt good. He was suddenly struggling to flip himself over onto his side so he could search the bed... where had the pills gone? He had left them on the mattress... wait... what was he doing? He didn't want the pills... but that was a lie and he knew it... he DID want the pills but he knew he shouldn't... it was too much of a risk to Junior... no... he had to put them out of his head... he wouldn't risk his boy.

He closed his eyes and tried to think of anything else but the sensation that he had felt as he had descended into bliss was too hard to forget and his mind kept snapping back to the longing feeling that was still gnawing at him.

He couldn't do this anymore... he wanted to go home... he needed Swan to keep him on the right path so Killian screamed for help into the attic room hoping to the Gods above that someone in this godforsaken place would hear his pleas and come to his aid. He needed to get out, needed to get away from here, needed to be with his family but all that happened was that his throat became so raw that he could barely make a noise and eventually he just gave in.

No one was coming.

His only company were the two demons that still stalked back and forth across the bare floorboards in front of the door like two guard dogs. He chose to ignore them, if he didn't acknowledge them perhaps they would simply disappear but they didn't and as night began to fall the taunts started again. This time however Killian could do nothing to block them out with his arms tied up and useless. This time he couldn't even cover his ears... all he could do was lie and listen as the Devins whispered poison about his family to him.

They were so disappointed in him...

He was nothing but a useless fool...

He had tried to be a Father but just like his own he had failed first Henry and now Junior...

The boys would be better off without him...

They deserved so much more...

And the worst part of all of it was that Killian knew it was all true.

He did not deserve them... any of them.

He let out a long sigh as he finally acknowledged the reality of his situation...

They would all be better off without him.

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"I don't care what you say, I'm taking him home" Emma grit out hoisting a freshly dressed Junior up into his arms and sitting him on her hip as she stared at the nurse in defiance while Nurse Kyle stood back looking like she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole.

"He needs to stay" the jumped up woman replied in a condescending tone.

"No..." Emma growled back knowing that they had to go, Junior was not staying here, not with what was going on "He needs to be safe and the safest place he can be is at home where we have protection spells in place now get out of my way"

The nurse actually stepped forward but just then Regina opened the door and stepped inside raising an eyebrow, she narrowed her eyes and sneered at the woman "Is there a problem in here Ratchet?"

The nurse took a step back but if Emma had thought that she was going to give up she was wrong "Yes there is a problem. He is a very sick little boy and he NEEDS to stay here for further tests"

"Unless your tests can find a cure for magical ailments I think that maybe we are more qualified to help him right now and from what Miss Swan has told me the boy seems to have found his own cure" Regina spat back at the woman stepping between her and Emma. Regina gave the nurse one last thunderous look before turning to Junior with a huge smile on her face "You are a clever boy Junior. Who knew that a banana was a super fruit?"

Junior grinned widely and gave a little excited bounce "Well it must be because I feel super fine now Gina"

"You heard the Kid" Emma threw out stepping around the nurse before letting out a sigh and meeting the woman's eyes "Look I know that you think you are only trying to help but we got this."

"But his CT scan results haven't even come back yet..."

Emma cut her off in a flash "And when they do you will see that there was some kind of trauma but if you did another one now... which I'm not gonna allow by the way... you would see that the trauma is gone. It's a link thing... you know... magic. Look if you don't believe me check out Hook's scans and you'll see what I mean but Junior... well, he's not getting back in that machine anytime soon if I can help it"

Ratchet snarled then grit out through clenched teeth "Fine, have it your way. You and your family always think you know best... well have fun when it all goes wrong, you deal with the little brat from here on in I'm done"

She marched straight from the room which was probably just as well because Regina suddenly looked a lot like her former self as her lip curled and she surged forward to go after the nurse.

Emma threw out her hand and grabbed Regina's arm "Leave her, she's not worth it. Come on, let's just go"

Nurse Kyle sighed and shook her head in disbelief "I am so sorry about that. I know that you are trying to do what's best for Junior and I get that but if ANYTHING seems unusual PLEASE call me personally and I'll do my best to help."

"I will" Emma replied with a genuine smile "Thanks"

"Right" Regina cut in "Now that that's sorted let's get you home young man and guess what?"

"What?" Junior asked with a grin

"We are having a huge sleep over" Regina whispered "Myself, Robin and Roland are staying as well as Grandpa, Grandma and Neal... I may just need to flash my magic about a bit to create a bit more space aboard the Jolly"

"TRULY?" Junior screeched giving another little bounce which made Emma chuckle and pull him back from her ear slightly.

"Kid... I like my hearing, keep the volume down a bit."

"Sorry Momma" he giggled adjusting P.B. and Duckface in his arms as they headed down the corridor towards the parking lot.

They paused at the door while Regina went outside to check for shadows and Junior gave a little frown of confusion "What is Gina doing Momma?"

"She's looking to see if it's gonna rain" Emma answered quickly as Regina looked up into the sky

"But it is not even cloudy" Junior replied looking even more confused as he looked up too.

Emma chuckled "Yeah but there are these clouds known as Ninja clouds that can just suddenly appear and before you know it you are soaked through... you don't want that now do you?"

He giggled obviously not buying her lie and cried out "You are silly Momma"

She laughed as she pushed through the door after Regina gave her a nod "You don't believe me? You've never heard of a Ninja shower?"

He shook his head still grinning like an idiot and giggled "Nooooo... there is no such thing. I think you are talking of a squall"

"You call it what you want... me... I'm gonna stick with Ninja shower."

They all chatted back and forth in Regina's car on the way home but the hollow feeling in Emma's gut grew as they pulled up at the dock. She was gonna have to tell Junior that Whale had died and she knew he was going to be upset. Mary-Margaret had already told Henry when she brought him back here earlier and she'd also told him about the shadow. Emma needed everybody to be on the look out for Shadows including Henry but she didn't want Junior being scared so he wasn't finding out anytime soon. It was bad enough that she was just about to tell him that his friend had died, the Kid had grown to like the Doc, especially after Whale had given him that twenty bucks for his Birthday and Junior had bought himself a pretend stethoscope using the money... he had gone round ever since listening to everyone's heartbeat but he especially liked listening to Hook's. She gave a heavy sigh at that thought but then shoved it from her head, she had to concentrate on Junior right now. Her Dad had reassured her this morning that Hook was alright and after she had put the Kid to bed she would call him herself, he'd want to know that Junior was back in his own bunk.

She smiled to herself as she pulled the kid back up into her arms and headed towards the gangplank with Regina in tow.

"Is Roland already here?" Junior asked excitedly

"I think so kid but before we go below deck I need to have a chat with you, what do you say to a trip up the crows nest?"

He gave a little frown of concern "Is Papa alright Momma?"

"Papa is absolutely fine" She replied making sure he believed her "Come on, get your butt in gear and get up that rigging. Gina will go and let Roland know that you'll be there soon"

He gave a little nod so she put him down and he did his usual trick of sticking his duck down his front and the bear in his teeth before taking off up the rigging.

"Good luck Swan" Regina said sincerely giving a sympathetic smile before heading below deck.

Emma gave a heavy sigh before starting her climb and by the time she was settling into place the sun was starting to set in the sky bringing a lovely pink tinge to the little fluffy clouds that had started to form on the horizon. She pulled in a deep breath and looked down at the kid who had tucked himself into her side.

"What is wrong Momma? I can see that you are upset"

"I am upset Junior, you're right." She started then paused to brush the hair from his forehead "Because earlier today Dr Whale had an accident"

Junior gave a little worried frown "Is he alright? Is that why he didn't come to say goodbye to me at the hospital?"

Emma nodded "Yeah Kid. He couldn't come to say goodbye because... well because..."

"He died didn't he?" Junior supplied with a sigh and when Emma gave a little nod he moved his gaze out over the water and asked "What happened to him?"

"He was driving his car home and came off the road."

Junior looked back up at her "I will miss him but he will be with his Brother now. He will be happy Momma, he missed Gerhardt"

Tears sprung up in Emma's eyes and she tugged Junior in closer "You're right kid, he will be with Gerhardt. They'll both be happy now"

She had come home one day a few weeks ago, a few days after Hook and her Dad had got back from Neverland and Whale had been there. He had said that he had just popped in to check on Hook but her Pirate had been asleep and instead of waking him Whale had just entertained Junior and Henry with stories about how he and his Brother used to be best friends as kids. He had told them that Gerhardt had died but thankfully he had hidden most of the gruesome details from Junior. The Kid seemed a bit more understanding of the Doc after that and had even suggested that he should find a new Brother, not to replace Gerhardt but just because it was a nice feeling to have someone who would always be there for him. Whale had looked decidedly teary eyed by the time that conversation had ended and Emma had felt sorry for him... he didn't really have any friends, everyone in town thought he was a bit weird and while it was probably true he was a good man and now he would never find that happiness that he had been searching for.

"Don't cry Momma" Junior whispered pulling her in tighter "You are OK"

She had wanted to give him comfort but instead her mini Pirate was the one doing the soothing as he pulled himself up and threw his arms around her neck. She gave him a huge hug and kissed his cheek as she pulled back

"Thanks Kid. You give the best hugs"

He gave a little smile and replied " I had a good teacher... you"

Emma chuckled "Smooth kid, you learn that form your Papa?"

He gave a wide toothy grin and raised that damned eyebrow "Perhaps but it is true. I love you Momma"

"I love you too kid but I do not love this crows nest. I swear I'm gonna get Grandma to make some cushions for up here. That way maybe my butt won't go numb every time I sit up here... come on, let's go find Roland and Henry shall we?"

He gave a vigorous nod then paused "May I have something to eat too Momma? My belly is empty"

"You young man can have anything you like"

"ICE CREAM" he yelled out in pure joy

Emma laughed "I asked for that one didn't I? I'll make you a deal. You eat something sensible first and you can have some ice cream THEN it's time for bed. It's getting late"

He was off like a shot shouting over and over again about the ice cream... she found herself chuckling as she started down the rigging. That kid was a total dork... just like his Father.

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David sat down with a heavy sigh and stared up at the hold ceiling, he could hear the excited chatter carrying down the corridor from the galley where everyone else seemed to be but he had headed in here instead of going in there... he just needed a few minutes to think before facing them.

He had been out for hours with a search party after Regina came up with nothing in her efforts to find out where the shadows were but in the end they had given up... searching for a shadow in the dark could prove to be very tricky and it was probably more than a little stupid.

Now as he sat there facing what he had been avoiding all afternoon he wasn't sure he could do this. How could he tell them all that Hook was not winning this fight... in fact the complete opposite seemed to be true.

"Charming?" He looked to the door to see Snow frowning at him in concern "What's wrong? Did you find the shadow?"

He let his head fall back onto the back of the couch and brought his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose "No, no shadows."

He felt the couch dip next to him and Snow's hand slide on to his thigh "Then what is it? Did something happen?"

"Snow... it's such a mess"

"What is? David you're not making sense, what's going on?"

He let out another sigh and tipped his head to look at her "It's Hook... I left him Snow. He is a total mess and I left him and I'm not even sure why!"

"It will just take time David" Snow smiled squeezing his leg slightly in encouragement

"You don't understand" he grit out sitting up and scooting forward to talk to her more quietly "He lied Snow, he told us that he had only been taking a few extra pills but it's not true. God knows what he's been putting his body through but now... now he can't tell what's real and what's not. His dreams are manifesting in his head while he's awake and he can't tell that they're not real. He attacked me Snow... he thought I was Devin"

"Hey... it's OK" Snow soothed taking hold of his hand

"No... it's not." he met her eyes for a second but he couldn't keep the contact not quite believing that he had actually participated in doing what he had "I helped Facilier... we put Hook in a straight jacket Snow. I did that even though he pleaded with me not. He begged me not to leave him and I walked away anyway. He thinks that Facilier is trying to kill him, how am I supposed to tell Emma this? This will break her heart..."

He looked up and met Snow's teary eyes and let out a sigh "Why did I think he would be honest with me? There is no such thing as an honest addict is there? I should know that better than anyone"

"David, Killian is not your Father..."

"Isn't he?" he threw back quickly "Snow, I saw this far too many times as a kid...My Father would promise to get better. He'd do really well for a while then one little thing would go wrong and he would drink again then swear that it was the last time. I don't want that for Henry and Junior. They deserve better than that."

Snow's brow furrowed but she didn't say anything, she just squeezed his hand tighter obviously knowing that he was right.

David sat back with another heavy sigh "I don't know what to do but I'll tell you something for nothing Snow, I won't let Hook do that to those boys."

Snow scooted back too and tucked herself into his side "He can beat this David and do you know how I know?"

"How?" he sighed out not really wanting to listen, she couldn't understand, she had ever dealt with anything like this.

She looked up at him and smiled "Because he has us... and we WON'T give up on him. He chose you to be his Brother and that means that you never get to give up and I know you David, you won't give up on him, it's just not in you."

"I left him Snow... I walked away"

"And you can walk right back in" she threw back "But next time you are not going alone..."

"Damned right" Emma burst out stepping through the door "Next time I'm going with you"

"Emma!" David cried out jumping up to his feet "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough Dad... I know it's hard and I know that you went through so much with your Dad but Killian is different, he CAN beat this"

David tried to sound positive as he gave her a smile even though he was not convinced "You're right... just ignore me, I'm just tired"

Emma looked right at him and he saw the same hope in her eyes as he always saw in her Mother's as she added "It's OK but we head out there first thing. Mom can you watch the kids?"

"You don't need to ask Emma, of course I will."

"That's settled then" Emma replied with a nod then she looked back to David again "And just so you know, I don't care what that Doctor says. Hook is NOT staying in that straight jacket."

"Agreed" David said pulling her into a hug "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let Facilier do it in the first place... I guess I was just stressed, I had just carried Whale up from that wreck and my head was all over the place"

"It's OK Dad. I know you would never do anything that you didn't think would help. It was a tough choice and you made what you thought was the right one at the time"

David frowned and met Emma's eyes "That's the thing Emma... one minute I was convinced that I wouldn't help then for some unknown reason I was suddenly pissed at Hook and practically put him in it myself then when he was calling for me it got me right here" he put his hand on his heart before carrying on "I remember being annoyed at myself that I was going to leave yet two seconds later I was marching out of there and not looking back. Emma he was screaming for me but I ignored him... he's never gonna talk to me again"

"Yeah he will" she smiled back reaching up and wiping the tears from his cheek with her thumb "All that crap that you two throw at each other and you think THIS is gonna be the thing that stops him talking to you. You two have been through too much. He trusts you remember"

"I do remember and that's the problem... he trusted me to do what was best for him and I left him... in a straight jacket"

He expected Emma to be annoyed but she smirked and nodded her head at him "By the look of your eye I'd say you probably had good reason too leave him... he did that didn't he?"

"He didn't mean to... he was confused" David blurted out but he stopped in confusion when Emma grinned at him.

"See... you immediately defend him" she chuckled "Don't worry, your bromance his still intact."

David suddenly smirked and laughed "When did our roles get reversed? I'm supposed to be the one reassuring you. He's your Pirate after all"

"He may be my Pirate but he's your Brother too remember" Emma replied giving him another smile "And believe me when I say I have enough faith in him for both of us. He's gonna be fine Dad. I just know it"

She pulled him back into a hug and seconds later they were joined by Snow who whispered "We'll all be back together soon enough."

David kissed both Snow and Emma's heads "I love you guys so much, where would I be without the two of you?"

Robin's voice from the doorway had David looking up "I'm not interrupting anything am I? I can come back"

"Not at all" David grinned at him over Snow's head "Come in, make yourself at home"

"I was just checking that everything was alright before the boys descended" Robin laughed turning around and calling "Come on lads, hop to it. Get your goodnights in... it's bedtime."

David laughed hard when Junior led the charge from the galley. He burst into the room and jumped up onto the couch where he proceeded to bounce up and down.

"I had ice cream Grandpa and it was delicious"

"Ice cream? For supper?!" David gasped in fake surprise before scooping him up into a hug and whispering in his ear "I hope you left some for me"

Junior giggled and whispered back "It is in the frozen"

"I think you mean the freezer kid" David chuckled back "I'll get some later. Now go kiss your Grandma and Momma goodnight then we'll get your teeth brushed."

David had the sudden urge to be the one to put the kid to bed, if Hook couldn't do it then he would make sure that he would be there. He put Junior back down on the couch and watched as he bounced his way to the other end to hug Snow then held out his arms to Emma who pulled him up quickly.

"When you talk to Papa" he stated very matter of factly as he sat on her hip "Tell him that I am quite well and that he should not worry about me but remember to tell him that he should eat a banana fruit and that his Liam is not to be trusted any more... Papa should listen to my words not his Liam's and tell him that I love him and I need him to come home soon, I do not want to be let go"

Emma gave a slight smile "I will Kid, don't worry. I promised remember"

David wondered what had been going on, what was all this about Liam? But Junior was soon back to bouncing on the couch and David chuckled as he held out his hand to him.

"Come on kid before you wreck the springs in that thing"

Henry laughed as he stepped back from hugging Emma "Yeah come on Shorty, let's go get P.B. and Duck Face from the galley and I'll read you and Roland a story by lamp light"

Junior grinned widely and jumped from the couch completely ignoring David's outstretched hand. He ran out the door followed by Roland but just as he was about to go into the galley he stopped and called back to Henry

"Come on Brother we need to hear our story"

David clapped his hand on Henry's shoulder realizing that Junior had exactly who he needed looking out for him "Looks like you're in charge of bedtime now. Can you manage by yourself?"

"Sure Grandpa. Go sit down and relax. Mom's gonna sort out a room or two in a minute... I got this covered." Henry turned and gave him a hug and David found himself clutching on to the Kid a little longer than usual "You OK Grandpa?"

"I'm proud of you" David simply said pulling back to look his Grandson in the eye "You always look out for Junior. He's one lucky kid to have you on his side"

Henry shrugged "I figure I'm the lucky one, he's a pretty awesome Brother"

With that Henry took off up the corridor and disappeared into the galley leaving David thinking over his words... he was right and it made him realized what was important in all of this.

He too had a Brother... and that Brother needed him.

He turned to Emma "I can't do it"

"Can't do what?" she asked with a frown

"I can't leave him there any longer" he threw back digging in his pocket and pulling out his truck keys "What do you say to a late night rescue mission?"

Emma grinned so wide that David was sure it had to hurt but then she gave a slight frown and let out a sigh "Dad... I'd love nothing more than to bring him home, I never wanted him in there in the first place remember but Hook would never forgive us if we let Henry and Junior see him in that state"

"Well it's just as well that they won't see him then isn't it" he threw back cryptically

"What have you got in mind?" she asked raising an eyebrow

"I know a little "bird" that can help" he grinned

Emma looked really confused and was obviously just about to get pissy when Robin suddenly spoke drawing both of their gazes to him.

"Lark... you're going to take him to Lark"

"Full points to the man in green" David chuckled

"Need a hand?" Robin asked with a grin

"In Hook's case, always" David laughed using the Pirate's own stupid joke before letting his grin fall "Seriously though, this may get tricky. Hook was not in a good place earlier."

"Lark will sort him out David" Robin smiled back "There is no ailment he cannot cure"

"Good" Emma butted in "Cause now that Whale is no longer an option I think our healthcare will be Piccaninny based... I don't trust anyone else with my family."

"Let's go get our Pirate then... whether he wants to be saved or not." David said seriously

"Dad... he's not getting a choice. If I have to knock him out with magic I will."

David pulled in a breath and let it out slowly "Just remember that you were the one to say that... it may very well come down to that option if he kicks off like he did earlier"

Now remember everyone, before you step outside you must always check for Ninja Clouds otherwise you may get very wet very quickly ;P