Hook was beginning to hate travel by horse. Every form of travel took some getting used to, for sure. He'd had more than a few green sailors lose their rations over the bow of the Jolly thanks to sea sickness. During his first experience in an automobile he definitely felt queasy and uncomfortable. Then again, that was in the back of a van as a prisoner courtesy of Greg and Tamara. Previously he had enjoyed many a good trek on his steed, named Mast, with Emma. But spending days on a horse was doing murder on his backside.

But the image of his daughter remained in his mind, keeping him going through any discomfort. He had been having dreams. It was a familiar scene, a place he had been before. A tower, guarded by a black knight. He and Henry, who was suddenly fourteen again, got past the guard using the "Old Wookie Trick". But instead of staying down to take care of the guard, he went up a winding staircase and forced open a wooden door. On the ground was a woman lying prone on a stone floor, a chain stretching from an anchor in the floor to under her large midnight blue ball gown. But when the woman looked up, it wasn't Emma as it had been in Issac's book, the woman had wavy raven hair and his ocean blue eyes. Elizabeth's face lit up as she recognized him and he ran to take her in his arms. He told her how much he loved her, but before she could reply he realized he was holding air. The Crocodile's giggle rang out throughout the chamber, and Killian jolted awake as dragon fire engulfed the room.

Three nights in a row he'd had this dream, ever since they had begun the search for Gideon. It must be the stress, he told himself. He missed Emma, he missed his daughter and wanted his family together again. And it killed him to think that the best way to find his girl was to go to a man he did not trust. Gideon and Elizabeth were close growing up, while Gideon was being raised by his grandfather, despite Killian's wishes. Emma had made a promise to Belle to help Gideon grow up well, and insisted. But Hook always noticed that Gideon paid a large amount of special attention to his daughter and it never failed to produce an argument with his wife.

When Gideon left at eighteen, he had spoken with Henry, his only living relative after his grandfather had passed away, to ensure someone knew where he was. Henry gave him a two way mirror that all Gideon had to do was speak into the mirror and Henry would be able to answer, and vice versa.

Killian intently watched Henry tell Gideon the news, and he had been satisfied with the younger man's reaction being legitimate. Gideon sounded very concerned for Elizabeth's safety and offered to help as much as he could. He told Henry where he was, and where he could find the portal to get to him. Unfortunately, it wasn't an area Henry could poof to, as it was in Camelot. After the wars between Camelot and Misthaven, it would not bode well for Henry to be seen using his magic within their borders. So they disguised themselves and traveled as quickly as they could.

"Henry!" he called out, "Let's rest here for the night."

They made a small fire in the wood, far enough from the road as Henry used his magic to conceal them with branches from the ground. When that was complete, they sat and talked. Three days together left them without very much to talk about, except for Henry regaling Killian with his adventures as the Author.

He was in the middle of telling Killian about a pirate captain named Jack Sparrow when a flash of light in the middle of their camp burst through. Both men sprung up, swords in hand, until they recognized the woman with the long blonde hair before them.

"Emma!"

"Mom?"

Tears reflected on Emma's face as she ran into Killian's arms, she was holding a mirror that he recognized as being from her vanity in their chambers. He held her close as she sobbed, wondering what could possibly have upset her so much, and fearing the worst.

"Emma," he whispered as he looked up at an equally concerned Henry, "what happened?"

Pulling away from him just enough so she could see his face, Emma blurted out, "I saw her, I talked to her."

Killian stiffened, "You saw Elizabeth? Where? In the mirror? How did she manage…"

"Her magic is strong, and Gold was trying to control it I'm sure but somehow she got through to me. She is definitely at the Dark Castle in a tower there. But…" the rambling only stopped for a moment as a fresh wave of tears flowed, "She was caught."

Hook's heart began to race, "Caught? By him?"

She nodded, "I don't know what he'll do to punish her. She…" Emma looked down as if she was remembering something particularly painful, "she said he was working with someone, and that we should be careful."

His eyes shut as he let out a sigh. Elizabeth was so like Charming in personality. Whenever the children got into trouble, she always was the first to take the blame, even when it could never have been her. Whenever she saw injustice in the world she felt the need to help. It was so like her to think to warn her family. Despite the situation, he couldn't be more proud.

"She used the time she had to warn us…" Henry said thoughtfully, "Did she say anything about how to get her out?"

Emma shook her head, "She didn't think she'd be able to get herself out, even though for some reason she was now able to use her magic. I think the castle is cloaked somehow."

"Thankfully, you have someone who can get inside." A familiar voice rose from outside the concealing branches. A voice that made Killian's blood run hot and feel the instinct to get in front of his wife, an instinct which he fought.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Henry straighten up and allow a figure to pass through the barrier. A tall and thin young man came into view. He had a very sharp jaw line, beady eyes, and long hair that was presently quite popular in Camelot.

"Your highnesses," Gideon greeted, giving a slight bow of his head, "Now, what has my father done?"

Storybrooke – Years ago

Emma waited impatiently as she looked at the little white stick on her bathroom sink. All kinds of thoughts ran through her head, not the least of which wondering whether or not something was wrong with her. It had only been four months of trying, but after four months of her cycle continuing and negative pregnancy tests she was beginning to become discouraged. She knew Killian didn't mind it one bit, as he no longer had to use the "stretchy mood killer" during their love making.

Her phone's timer went off, two minutes had passed. She took a deep breath and flipped over the test.

Negative. No baby.

Her heart sank again. She needed the win. There were more and more people becoming restless about the Dark One, who had not been seen for a week. They wanted to know what Gold was planning. The pawn shop had been closed and Rumple had not been around collecting rent despite it being the end of the month.

All hands were on deck looking for Rumple, all three sheriffs. But he and the boy had vanished without a trace.

Belle was still in her coma, and in the past few months no progress had been made whatsoever. And Rumple had become more secluded. Emma didn't ever even see him come and go from the hospital as his only form of transportation was now poofing.

As she stared at the negative test, a knock on the door awoke her from her thoughts, and a soft voice came from the other side, "Emma, love, you alright in there?"

Emma hesitated, but fighting the urge to keep her feelings hidden she opened the door to a concerned Killian.

She held up the test, "Negative again."

He gave her a reassuring smile, "Ah well, the doctor said these things can take time, love. Besides," he snuck closer and closer to her, devilish smile on his face, "it gives us another month of certain enjoyable activities."

She laughed as his eyebrows danced suggestively and she could feel her tensions melt away. Killian always seemed to know how to put her stresses in perspective. Then she remembered, "Aren't you supposed to be on patrol?"

Killian grimaced, "Yeah, Regina called, there's a lead on Gold."

Lights and sirens blazing, they reached the cemetery and ran together to Regina's vault where the mayor and her sister were standing, concerned looks on both their faces.

"Regina," Emma greeted, "what's going on?"

Her friend seethed, "Gold broke into my vault. I had a barrier to all my more powerful ingredients and he smashed right through it somehow without even tripping my wards."

"Did he take anything?" Killian pressed worriedly.

"What didn't he take?" Zelena retorted, "the man took half the bloody stores."

Emma's eyes furrowed, "What is he trying to build up his own ingredients?"

Regina shook her head, "No, Rumple is smarter than that. He has plenty of potion components on his own. From what I remember that shop of his had a lot of what he took. I think he took more than he needed to mask what he really wanted."

"Which was?" Emma asked.

Regina and Zelena exchanged looks, and Regina replied in a low voice, "I think he took the Fate's shears."

2,000+ views! I am so incredibly honored for people to even consider reading my stuff. If you like what you see but have some suggestions, I'm always ready to hear them! I'm sorry it took so long for me to update again, but I've been really trying to make sure I give enough background to the storyline I have created for these characters.