Summons
Snow sat up all night reading Peter and Wendy and whatever else she could find on the subject of the boy who would never grow up, including a copy of the play. Finally, when the first light of the morning drifted through the window, she settled into the chair at the desk and rubbed her eyes.
"Tired?" Charming asked.
"Yeah," she replied.
"Learn anything?"
"Only that it seems like what we're dealing with is an extremely capricious and heartless kid, not a crazed and psychotic pirate."
"I'll tell Emma, and I've got a feeling you could use some sleep."
"Or coffee."
"You rest, I'll talk to our daughter." Charming walked out of the room. Snow had fallen asleep in her chair.
OUAT
"You're saying that maybe the picture of childlike innocence isn't so innocent?" Emma asked.
Regina scoffed. "That's no surprise."
"Snow was up all night going through the literature. I read the book based on the play a while back, so I'll need to brush up, but that's her theory, and women are usually right, so who am I to question?"
"Alright, Peter Pan can fly; that means he can be anywhere, at any time, even Neverland," Emma said. "That means that tracking him will be hell."
"Well, you can go to Neverland," Regina said.
"Second to the right, and straight on till morning," Charming added.
"Second what to the right of what?" Emma asked. "And does the distance change depending on the time we leave?"
"Stop thinking so much," Regina said. "Somehow you just get there."
"How do you know that?"
She paused. "Daniel told me, once."
Emma didn't push; she knew a touchy subject when she saw one. Instead, she turned to Charming, for a moment contemplating what Rumpelstiltskin had told her. Then she said, "So Captain Hook may be a good guy?"
"Or not so bad a guy as a childlike elven kidnapper who can fly," Charming replied.
"Okay, so what end is up in this case?"
"What do you mean?"
"First I think Hook's the bad guy for breaking into Rumpelstiltskin's pawn shop in Storybrooke, and now this comes to light that Peter Pan's the bad guy, because he kidnaps children and takes them to Neverland, and somehow I know that this isn't the whole story, but I don't know where to find the people I need to question to get the facts straight."
"Ask the Blue Fairy," Regina said.
Emma looked at Charming, who nodded as if to say, "She's right, you know," and she nodded, gave a small "Okay," and walked out of the chamber.
In the courtyard, Emma called out for the Blue Fairy, feeling like a perfect idiot. The blue spot appeared and took shape before her eyes. "How may I help you?" she asked.
"I need to get into contact with a couple people," Emma said. "Captain James Hook and Peter Pan."
"Oh, I don't recommend talking to Peter Pan, but I do believe I can find the good captain for you."
"Fantastic. Maybe he can make sense of the mess I'm in."
"I'll let you know as soon as I find him."
"Thank you."
The Blue Fairy left the way she had come.
OUAT
Tinker Bell was musing over the rigging from the crow's nest when she spotted the Blue Fairy flying toward the Jolly Roger. "Tinker Bell," she said when she was close enough. She glanced at Tink's dress and said, "You're not in uniform."
"That dress makes me look like a jellyfish whore," Tink replied. "And I bet you're not here to rib me for not wearing the thing, so what is it?"
"I'd like to speak to the good captain, and I know you're in good favor with him."
"What do you need to see him about?"
"Emma Swan is looking into the break-in at the pawn shop and would like to question him."
"Okay, we'll see what we can do." Tink flew down from the crow's nest with the Blue Fairy close behind. They moved down to the captain's cabin, and Tink knocked on the door. Smee answered, and once Tinker Bell explained the situation, the captain said, "Let them in." Smee stepped aside, and the fairies flew inside and hovered over the captain's desk. "What is it?" he asked.
"I've been sent to tell you that one named Emma Swan would like to question you in connection with the break-in at the pawn shop in Storybrooke," the Blue Fairy said.
"To retrieve my hook?" Hook asked. "Is she pressing charges?"
"She expressed no desire to."
"Where will I be able to meet with her?"
"Jas, are you sure about this?" Tink asked.
"Well, I'd certainly like to know what all the hubbub is about."
"And if you get arrested?"
"Then I know who to trust the ship to in my absence." Tink nodded, but her concern hadn't faded. Hook looked at the Blue Fairy. "The nearest safe harbor is Marshaltown. Will that be alright?"
"I'll ask," the Blue Fairy replied.
"Alright."
The Blue Fairy nodded and flew out of the cabin. Smee had the good sense to leave, so Hook looked at Tinker Bell. "You don't look well," he said.
"I just don't know if you should be doing this. I know the farther the kids are from Neverland, the better, and I know this Emma Swan can probably be persuaded to protect them. I've heard about her. It's just that..."
"Yes?"
"You still broke in and stole something. She can hold you for that, and if she sides with Peter...then...then you'll be stuck in the dungeon somewhere and I'll be here with the ship and we might not be able to stop him." She wiped her eyes on the back of her wrist and took a shaky breath. Hook removed his glove with his teeth and set his hand down for her to lean on. She sank to her knees and curled into his palm. "If anything happens to you, we could lose, and..."
"And we'll all die or be reduced to slavery," Hook whispered. He felt Tink nod against the heel of his hand. "It's alright," he said softly. She looked up. "I won't guarantee that I won't be arrested and detained, but I will say this, if I do not return to the ship, Michael and Smee will be trusted with the care of the vessel."
"What about me, Jas? What happens to me when you're gone, possibly forever, and I have no idea when or how or if I can see you again? What if I have to watch you die?" She bowed her head again, tears streaming down her face. Hook stroked her back with his thumb.
"I'll cooperate. I'll answer all questions asked of me. I'll do everything I can," he whispered. "I'll try to return." She sniffed and breathed deeply, but she didn't dare look up at him. Much as she wanted her potentially last memory of him to be gentle, she feared that the sight would break her heart beyond repair. She finally nodded and flew to her lantern.
Hook looked after her and then down at the glove on his desk. He was suddenly overcome, but he poured himself a measure of whiskey, downed it in one gulp, and resumed his work.
