Sorry that this chapter is exceptionally long but there's a lot going on. And you'll see what I mean when you make it through.
For those of you wanting a moment when Charming and Snow defend Emma, hold onto your seats because that will be happening in future chapters as it gets more intense. I hope this chapter is satisfying and continues to hold your curiosity. Leave a review if you're liking what you're reading!
Rumpelstiltskin felt a shred of relief when he came up to the sandy banks of a small creek. His bones were weary and his muscles were tight due to the sudden activity that he hadn't done for years. His stomach was empty from lack of nourishment, Neverland berries and edible leaves being his only diet for the past 2 days.
He bent over the still water and cupped his hands, slowly bringing the coolness to his lips. It was refreshing on his parched lips and slid down his dry throat like a balm.
"That's going to cost you, you know," a voice teased from over his shoulder, causing him to nearly fall over as he turned around in surprise.
"Take it easy, Rumpel. I'm not going to hurt you." A small hand was held out for him to take a hold of. He ignored it and helped himself up, finding it hard to believe there would be a kind soul in all of Neverland as he dusted his pants off daring to glance up at the one who had managed to sneak up on him.
A small girl with a pixie face smiled down at him thoughtfully, her blonde hair shining silver in the moonlight. She wore clothes that seemed to blend into the Neverland greenery and despite how young she appeared, the way she observed him revealed that she was wiser, smarter and perhaps wittier beyond her years.
"Who're you and how do you know my name?"
"I'm sorry, I'm absolutely terrible at introductions. Tinkerbell at your service," she widely swept her arms, gracefully dipping into a curtsy. "And I know your name because I saw your shadow with the one thing you should have left at home."
"Excuse me?"
"You know, the one object that controls you…the Dark One."
Rumpelstiltskin cocked his head at her as a deadly smile crossed his face. She smiled sweetly back at him seeming unconcerned enough with his threatening disposition to crouch down in front of him and dip her finger tips in the water like a child.
"What do you know of it."
"Nothing. Just that it had your name on it. And I only know that because I saved your shadow."
"You? Saved my shadow?"
"Don't sound so surprised and yes, I did," she straightened up and turned to face him with a serious face. "Pan's shadow was chasing yours and he isn't the most friendly if his past actions as well as owner are of any indication. I stunned him and fought him off."
"Stunned him? So you're magical, dearie?"
"Am I magical?" she laughed then, the sound like the ringing of merry bells. A light encompassed her entire being then; bright enough to make him close his eyes and shield his face with his arm. The clearing suddenly grew more dim and he dared to look up only to blink in amazement.
"You're a fairy?"
"You're a bright one, aren't you? And here in Neverland we're known as pixies. Fairies are a bit too goody-good for us," she flashed a dazzling smile at him. "But being what I am, I want to help you."
"You want to help me? And why, may I ask, do you want to do that?"
"In case you haven't noticed, Peter isn't the most, how can I say this? Well, he isn't the most joyful creature. And I'm tired of being banished to this island where the sun rises and sets by his name. I'd prefer it if things were a bit more," she bit her lip as a hopeful expression passed across her face.
"Free. If things were more free."
Rumpelstiltskin looked at her for a long moment as if sizing her up. He knew he could use more updated information on the island and with her magic and his they could make a rather formidable team. But what he needed to do, he needed to do on his own. At least the last step I can accomplish by myself. Maybe the little dear can be of service.
She still fixed him with that hopeful gaze and he found himself exhaling a deep breath and slowly nodding his head.
"Okay, alright but on one condition."
"I should have expected this. You are a man of deals are you not, Rumpel? Is it okay if I call you that by the way?"
"Make that two conditions," Rumpelstiltskin muttered.
"I'm listening."
"One, you do as I say. If you cannot do that I will not be needing your assistance and two, don't be as chatty as you are now. The less talkative you are, the better."
"Clear as crystal. So what will my first mission be?"
Rumpelstiltskin stared at her calmly as if trying to figure out what to do with the pixie now that he had an extra set of eyes on this island.
"I came into this land with a company of others. Check on them and give me their status."
"And if they are in trouble?"
Rumpel thought on what she said. The idea had occurred to him several times since he'd been here and now here was someone who was inquiring what he would want done.
"If they are in trouble use any means you have to see to their safety."
She nodded and just like that she flew away up and above the trees of the jungle out of his sight.
Emma stopped at the edge of the jungle's tree line and bent over with her hands on her knees, short of breath and exhausted to the core of her being. Her throat felt like it was on fire from the burning smoke of the fires that the Lost Ones had set. Blood painted her shirt and she couldn't tell if it was hers or if it belonged to the boys who had posed as a threat to her mission. She had tried to only maim the ones who stood between her and her destination but now she worried if she had quite possibly taken a life. The idea didn't sit well with her and nausea churned in her stomach even worse now than when she'd been at sea.
She heard footsteps slowly approach her and without looking up she knew it was Hook just by the way he lingered closer to her than he should. She had noticed that in these life and death situations it was like he had no concept of his close proximity and just fit himself where he chose to be. Glancing up she saw the spark of adventure in his eyes that she was becoming familiar with and knew that despite the circumstances he was in his element.
"You alright, love?"
"I'll be fine. I just need a moment," she lied as she leaned over and started feeling around in her boot for the map Pan had given her. Her shaking fingers finally found the edge of paper and she handed it to Hook, too worried too look at it herself for fear that she had been sent on a wild goose chase. The paper was creased he noticed immediately, his heart lurching at the thought of Emma staying up all hours of the night folding and unfolding that map, softly stroking the red mark that indicated Henry's location.
He slowly unfolded it and placed their location, the red X not too far over from their left. He was close.
"Emma."
Her stormy green eyes clashed with his, her impatience just lingering under her every movement and look.
"Emma, do you trust me?"
She stared up at him a million memories that had been pent up in a closed off mental file exploding in her brain. Pictures of his face when she'd left him chained up at the giant's castle flashed across her mind's eye; he had been so confused and it had been hard to leave him behind after he'd pointed out he hadn't told a lie and had even risked his own safety to help her but she'd had to do it because he had been getting under her skin. Then in spite of the self-centered choices he had made in order to exact his revenge on Rumpelstiltskin, he had made the hard decision to put that 300 year old sense of vengeance on hold to help her find Henry. He was confusing, he was irate, borderline insane but put that all aside and she could see that he was passionate, protective and a man she would prefer to have in her corner.
"Yes. I trust you."
He gave her just the ghost of a smile but inside he felt something that he hadn't felt in a long time-needed.
"Okay. Then keep your promise to me. I need you to stay behind me and if I say to run, you run. Peter isn't hiding in these woods; he's waiting for us and if anyone of us is going to be hurt, it's going to be me. You have Henry, your mom and dad and even Regina while I have no one. Your life is more important than my own. You understand?"
"I understand but I don't agree," she said calmly as she stood up to her full height and looked him in the eye. "Your life is just as important as mine, Killian."
He froze at the use of his name. It was the first she had used it since the Enchanted Forest when he had been posing as that weak neck blacksmith and yet the look on her face didn't show apology at a possible mistake. It was a surprise and his name sounded so foreign and strange but it fit in that moment.
"When it comes to Henry it's not, love. Now promise."
She let out a sigh obviously not liking what she was agreeing to. "I swear."
"Well, isn't this tender? The pirate and the orphan. I honestly can't really say I saw that coming."
Hook instinctively pulled Emma behind his body, using himself as a shield while he turned around with his sword drawn and ready. Peter stood leaning up against a nearby tree in a casual, nonchalant manner that was maddening.
"Pan," Hook spat the name and the boy smirked up at him.
"Hook, Emma," he pointed at each of them with mirth in his eyes. "We could do this all night but I'm sure Mother Hen over there is desperate to see someone that I'm sure that witch told her I had brought along with me. Isn't that right, Emma?"
Emma peered around Hook's torso to see the little devil stand up straight and reach behind the tree trunk before pulling Henry into view. His hands were tied in front of him and Emma couldn't help but wince at the way Peter pushed him to his knees.
"Henry!" Emma wanted to run forward and would have but Hook strong armed her back. Tears sprang to her eyes at the reality of having him this close but not being able to touch him or take him in her arms.
"Mom! Don't listen to whatever he says. Don't do it. Remember good always…"
Peter clapped a hand over Henry's mouth, narrowing his eyes at both of the grown-ups. He grabbed the scarf from around his neck and began to gag Henry, making quick work of it before Hook or Emma could make a move.
"Excuse me but that was getting rather sappy."
"What do you want, Pan? What is it we have that you want from us?" Hook questioned, his voice filled with acid.
"What do I want? Nothing that you two can give me. I'm enjoying this game of cat and mouse really and right now we're at the part that will truly affect your actions from here on out and expose who you truly are. So Emma are you sure you're really as much the Savior as you are just a useless, abandoned orphan? And Hook," he said the name with distaste like it was poison in his mouth, "are you sure you're really willing to play a man with a moral compass or is this all just a ruse? It was really kind of shocking to hear that the mighty Captain Hook was playing on the side of good for once but I think we both know that that is not who you really are as amusing as that twist is. You're a murderer, a man only out for himself with a heart as black as mine."
The last word had barely left his tongue before Emma pushed past Hook, her sword drawn and ready to put the boy's game to an end. She could hear Hook yell at her but she ignored him as she swung her sword at the boy only to be surprised when it didn't touch him. Her face contorted in confusion as she swung at him again, her sword thrusting through his middle. The wicked smile on his face was dark as she stared at where she had hit him. No red bloomed on his shirt and he didn't bunch over in pain.
"Protection curse thanks to the infamous Dark One. It's a relief to know that you would have done me in, though, Emma. It takes a bit of darkness to survive Neverland," he turned behind him, grabbing Henry roughly by the arm and pulling him up. "If you want to end this game it won't come with swords, bows and arrows or daggers. Not even magic. It will come with a sacrifice. And speaking of sacrifice I hope you haven't already forgotten our little chat about forgiveness and your parents, Emma. It would be something awful if I actually made good on that promise."
Henry gave Emma one last look as he was silently pushed ahead by Peter. She held his gaze with watery eyes as a sense of helplessness washed through her as he disappeared into the darkness with the little devil. It was only when they were out of sight and earshot that she collapsed in racking sobs on the jungle floor. Soft steps came beside her and after several tentative seconds she felt Hook's good hand touch her shoulder. Without a second thought she grabbed it like it was her lifeline as she continued to slowly fall apart.
He crouched down beside her and wrapped his arm around her half expecting her to pull away but Emma must have been strong for far too long because she fell back against him, finding solace in the pirate who smelled of leather, sea salt, and spices. They both remained like that for some time; him offering her strength and comfort that she silently accepted.
It wasn't until they heard someone crashing through the foliage that they started to separate, Emma taking a bit of Hook's heart as she slowly stood up to her feet.
Regina broke into the small clearing with David and Mary-Margaret closing in behind her. Unlike Regina who barged ahead towards the two of them, David and Mary-Margaret slowly walked towards the two of them, concern controlling their features as they observed Emma who only seemed able to stand because of Hook's hand resting on her shoulder.
"Where is he? Where's Henry?" Regina demanded flashing her dark eyes at Emma.
"With Peter," Emma softly answered.
"Excuse me? Are you two frickin' serious? There's two of you and one of him. What did you do? Play rock, paper, scissors?"
A deadly look entered Emma's eyes then and she drew herself to her full height, stepping out from under Hook's hand.
"Things just got complicated, Regina. Neither me, Hook, David, Mary-Margaret or even you and your damn magic can stop him. He has a protection curse. I swung at him two times and he just smiled at me like my attack had been his greatest amusement for the day."
"Protection curse? But how?"
"Obviously that's how Rumpelstiltskin knows him, Princess," Regina snapped at Mary-Margaret before glaring back at Emma. "I knew that sticking with you was a poor choice. You don't have a backbone and you don't have what it takes to win, Emma. You can swing your sword all you want and you can have word games with the little bastard but that won't get us Henry."
"Regina, back down," Hook growled.
"Oh, what are you going to do, Captain? Swing your hook into my stunning spell?"
Regina pushed past them and walked into the dark of the jungle without a backwards glance. She had tried to work with the idiots but it had grown obvious that if she was going to get Henry back, she would have to do it without them.
