Co-Written by Angelfan984

Chapter 9

Hook and Charming mounted their horses mere minutes after the sun rose. Neither one wished to waste a moment of time being away from the Kingdom. Charming wished to be back at Snow's side and Hook didn't want to lose any more of his precious time with Emma. After an hour or so on the trail, Charming called out to Hook.

"There is something up ahead on the trail. Keep your eyes peeled." Something was hindering their continuation on the path. They approached the lump cautiously. Hook peered around Charming to see what lay in front of them. It appeared to be something covered in a ripped and tattered brown cloth. Hook squinted his eyes and it looked to him like it might be a body. Charming's horse reached it first. He slid down to the ground and went to inspect.

"Careful Mate, you have no idea what that could be given where we are right now." Hook offered as he hopped to the ground to have the King's back. His hand lightly rested on his sword.

Charming approached the lump cautiously and bent down. He peeled the cloth back to find a little old woman in the middle of the path. Charming feared for a moment that she was dead so he felt for a pulse. It was there but it weak. He shook her gently and her eyes opened. "Are you alright?" Charming asked, standing and backing away from her. She stared up at him and attempted to sit up.

"Hello dearie…" She said quietly, her voice scratchy and old. Sounding like it had barely been used lately. "I am fine. Better than fine to be stumbled upon by two fine looking gentleman such as yourselves." Charming turned back to glance at Hook. He found the Pirate staring back at him with worried eyes. This was rather unusual and both men were unsure of what to think.

"Do you live near by? Can we be of some assistance to you?" Charming asked, moving back to her side. He helped her stand and brought her over to a large boulder to sit on. It appeared that much movement had taken a lot out of the old woman.

She looked up at Charming and shook her head slightly. "Would you be able to spare any food to an old, homeless woman who is desperately hungry?"

Charming looked down at her wrinkled face and was immediately saddened by her question. So he threw a quick nod at Hook who went to Charming's horse. Hook retrieved a hunk of bread and some dried meat out of his satchel. Hook came to their side and offered them to the old woman.

She grinned at Hook, showing them both that she was missing teeth. "Your generosity is more than appreciated." She took a huge bite of bread and chewed thoughtfully. Hook took that moment to lean in and remind Charming that they needed to get going. He nodded at the Pirate who walked back to his horse and mounted her once more.

"I'm afraid we must be heading off now. But let me leave you with this as well." Charming walked to his satchel and took a small pouch out. He came back to the woman and placed it in her palm. Then he mounted his horse and they prepared to ride onward.

The old woman had set the food down and looked in the pouch. In there was a considerate pile of gold coins. "Thank you kind sirs. Thank you so very much." She called out with exuberant joy as they passed her on their horses. Charming nodded at her with a kind smile and Hook nodded as well. He had to admit that Charming was a kind and fair King. He ruled his Kingdom as an understanding man. He was a man who his subjects could approach. And he would help them if it were humanly possible. Hook thought about how warm and kind Emma was and that she definitely got that trait from both parents.

A bright flash lit up the sky behind Hook and he used the reins to turn his horse around. Standing where the old woman had been by the rock was a beautiful brunette in a long blue gown. She smiled at Hook. His eyes grew large in wonder. "What in the bloody hell?" He questioned, looking on in awe.

Charming turned his horse around and came to stay by Hook's horse. The woman in blue approached them both with a soft smile gracing her features. "I just wanted to say thank you for your generosity before you both hurried off." She said her back was no longer slumped in old age and her teeth were a brilliant white when she smiled.

"Who are you?" Charming inquired.

"I am Drusilla, a witch from the north side of the forest. I would like to reward your kindness if you will permit me to do so. Where is it that you two gentlemen are off to?"

"We are off to slay a pesky dragon that's been terrorizing the town's folk." Charming offered.

Drusilla nodded and came to Charming's side. "Then I shall bless you with a spell of safety to ensure the two of you return home to your loved ones."

He bowed to her from atop of his horse. "Thank you, that is most appreciated."

Then she slowly approached Hook. He stared down at her, surprised that she was this haggard old woman not a few moments earlier. "What is it that you desire?" She asked looking up at him.

Hook could only think of Emma. "Something to help the Princess of this land to believe." He offered, only willing to share that much. Drusilla tapped her chin with her finger. She then waved her hand and a perfect red rose appeared.

She held it up to Hook who took it with his good hand. "Give this rose to your beloved. It will be key in helping her to know what she needs to do." And with that, Drusilla was gone in a puff of blue smoke.

Hook looked over at Charming. "Well that was interesting." He offered drolly, briefly he wondered what would have happen to them if Charming wasn't the kind King he obviously was.

The witch had called Emma his beloved and he hadn't said anything to counteract that. He was kind of hoping Charming had missed it. But unfortunately for him, Charming was staring back with a raised eyebrow.

"Let's carry on mate, shall we?" Hook slid his rose into a safe pocket of his satchel and with that, he nudged his horse to move towards their destination. Charming wasn't given any time to respond which he was sure was NOT a coincidence.

Emma awoke refreshed the next morning. The night before, she was able to spend quality time with Snow in her dream. They were able to discuss things that Snow had always wanted to talk about with her daughter. And Emma found herself ascertaining a whole new level of understanding with Snow. She had been hugely disappointed the next morning when she awoke.

Emma ran through the process of getting ready. The phone rang while she was in the shower. She could hear the answering machine pick up. "Hey, this is Ruby. And Emma! And these two sexy chicks aren't in right now, so if you would like us to call you back and make all your dreams come true, leave a name and number. And we might consider getting back to you. Tata for now!" Emma groaned in the shower. That's what happened when the girl's had one too many Sam Addams.

"Hey Emma, it's Graham. I was just calling to check in and see how you are doing. Things are moving slowly here so I could be here longer than expected. I was just thinking about us and hoping that you were doing the same. I love you Ems and I may be upset but please don't forget how much I care about you." And with that, the phone line went dead.

Emma inhaled deeply as she turned the shower off. She really hadn't given much thought to her and Graham's relationship since he had left. She knew that she should be feeling badly for that but she didn't. It was quite clear to her, what had been garnering all her attention lately. Hook and her damn dreams. Not dreams...whatever they were called now seeing as they were real. Emma dried herself off, got dressed, did her hair and makeup and headed out to work.

Today was one of those rare days that flew by. An eight-hour shift was over in the blink of an eye. And the diner had gotten slow as Emma grabbed her purse to go home. She had planned on taking a nice hot bubble bath then hitting the sack early to go spend more time with Snow. That was until Ruby skipped over to her. "Hey, Granny is cutting me early tonight and telling me to go home. So how's about that Girl's Night?" Emma looked up at her confused for a moment.

"Come on, that Girl's Night you asked about? Let's do it tonight. I got nothing going on. Unless YOU have some hot date I am unaware of." It was then that it clicked in Emma's head and she laughed. It seemed her plans for the evening were now in the toilet.

"That would be great. Let's grab a pizza on the way home and make it happen." Ruby grinned and ran to grab her jacket and purse. Emma huffed out a sigh and plastered a smile on her face she left the diner with her best friend.

"Gorging on pizza in your pajamas with your best friend watching crappy horror flicks is the best way to spend a Thursday evening." Ruby said with a contented sigh as she took another bite of her third slice of pizza. The cheese string hanging from her mouth to the pizza was really attractive and Emma began to laugh.

"Cute Ruby, good thing the mechanic isn't around to see your barbaric side." Ruby chewed her bite and feigned outrage.

"If he doesn't like me the way I am, then he can go screw himself. But let's talk about you honey. Tonight isn't about my problems." Ruby set her pizza down and wiped her hands on a napkin. She leaned back against the couch and eyed Emma, waiting for her to say something.

Emma found herself wanting to avoid the conversation but she knew Ruby was stubborn and wouldn't let her get away with it. "I love Graham. You know that. He knows that. But his proposal totally caught me off guard. I wasn't ready for it at all." Emma offered with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

Ruby picked up her plate and leaned forward to set it on the coffee table. She stood and faced Emma. Then she sat, tucking her feet under her. "I need to settle in for the long haul it seems." She reached over and took Emma's hand. "Something is missing. There is something that you need that Graham is not giving you Emma." Ruby was perceptive. That much Emma knew but she didn't know how perceptive till Ruby spoke again. "Your life was a total shit show up until you moved to Storybrooke. Now you have settled down. You have a job, a home, and friends here. You have a great boyfriend. Your life is here now. Did you ever ask yourself what kind of live you wanted?"

Emma pondered the question for a moment. "I've always wanted to feel safe. You know, because how I grew up—"

Her dark haired friend nodded. "Yes. And now you do. So what did you want beyond that?"

"I don't think I ever gave much thought to beyond that seeing as I survived day to day before I got here." This conversation was going to push Emma to reveal things she wasn't sure she was ready to reveal but she knew that she could tell Ruby and her friend would never judge her.

"I can understand that Emma but I think it's time to examine what you want out of life. You are 24 now. What do you want to accomplish by 25? By 30? By 40? Where do you want to be? I doubt you want to be working at Granny's forever. Who do you want to be with? Can you see yourself by Graham's side in a year? In five, ten or twenty?"

Emma closed her eyes and thought about her future. She tried to picture Graham and his form remained fuzzy. And much to her dismay, the only thing that was clear in her mind was a striking man with crystal blue eyes. Emma saw them making a life together. Quickly, she opened her eyes and told herself that was a pipe dream. But it did provide her with the answer she had already known.

Her lower lip trembled a bit. "I don't, Ruby. I don't see him in the picture. I love him. And he is a good man. And I feel safe when he is with me. But I don't feel complete." There, Emma had said it. She gasped in surprise at herself. Her eyes met Ruby's brown ones.

Ruby nodded silently. "Then you need to do the right thing Emma and let him go. If you two aren't meant to be, you need to let him go find his soul mate. And give yourself the opportunity to find your own as well." She cupped Emma's cheek and wiped away an errant tear that has escaped Emma's eyes.

Hot tears began to roll down Emma's face. Ruby leaned forward and pulled her into a gentle hug. "I don't want to hurt Graham." Emma said truthfully and Ruby patted her back. "I know that honey and by not letting him go, you are hurting yourself. It's time to do what's right for you and make yourself the number one priority."

Emma sniffled and pulled away. "Why do you have to be so goddamn smart?" A laugh threatened to escape her, even in the midst of the heavy confession.

Ruby threw out her hands and said. "I'm blessed to be this smart AND gorgeous! What can I say?" Both girls giggled. Ruby then went to get up off the couch. She turned to face her friend one more time. "Listen Ems. When Graham gets back, I think you need to have a talk with him. Don't do this to him or yourself any longer than is necessary. Set him free. And maybe then and only then, can you find your own happiness." She walked into the kitchen to make them each a hot chocolate with cinnamon.

Emma watched her go. She breathed deeply, trying to calm her raging emotions. Her best friend was right and she knew it. It was hard to accept a truth that would hurt someone she cared about. But Emma had to do what was best for everyone.

They arrived at the small village at nightfall; a small crowd of villagers met them. Hook looked towards Charming taking his lead and climbing from his saddle. Some blessings in life were small.

"We've come to slay the dragons." Charming called out.

"Thank God you've come! The attacks are getting worse!" A man spoke, his voice trembling in fear.

"I'm sorry it took so long to arrive." Charming told him as he approached the man to shake his hand. "What direction do they fly from?" The man bowed over his hand when he recognized him for who he was. Gasps filled the air and murmurs spread through the crowd when they realized the King was the one to come to their village. People went down on bended knee and bowed low. Hook raised an eyebrow and glanced towards the king once again. "No need for that. On your feet everyone, you sent for help and I've come. Along with my friend Killian Jones."

"Aye, because he is mad." Hook muttered under his breath loud enough for Charming to hear him. Charming sent him a sharp glance before turning back to the man before him.

"The dragons come from the west. A couple of our scouts have found the location of their cave. It seems they are nesting there."

"They are nesting!" Hook broke in. "Wonderful as if normal dragons wouldn't be hard enough to kill these one will be protecting eggs." Hook murmured almost to himself.

"Can your scouts take us as soon as the sun comes up in the morning? Our horses are quite tired and are in need of a rub down." Charming told the man. "What is your name, sir?"

"I am Frank. I will let the scouts know to be ready and Lucy can take your horses over to the stable. The stable boy will get them settled. You two can stay at my home with my wife and I for the night." He turned to go and gestured for them to follow him after Lucy approached and took the reigns of the horses.

"Thank you Frank. Your hospitality is appreciated."

"Aye, Thank you."

The next morning Hook awoke to Charming moving about their small room preparing for the day. "Gods man do you ever sleep?" Hook mumbled groggily.

"Not when there is a town that needs saving." His tone was chastising. Why did this man make him feel as though he was but a lad in his youth? He was older than him by more years than he could count, but he seemed to have a wisdom about him that made him seem like Hook's elder.

"Right. The dragon." He drolly said as he sat up on his bedroll. "So how do we go about killing a dragon Charming?"

"You know that isn't my name." Charming stated. Hook stared at the back of his head in confusion; his sleep-muddled brain didn't comprehend what the dragon had to do with the man's real name.

"Indeed. I figured that one out. Now tell me what that has to do with killing a dragon?"

"I wasn't always a Prince. That was my twin brother, he was the Prince."

"Wouldn't that indeed make you a Prince as well if your brother was one?" Hook inquired.

"No, he was adopted when we were babies. His father promised another kingdom that he would slay a dragon, but he died trying. That was when King George came searching for me to do the job and cover up the fact that his son was dead. So I gained the title of Prince when I was in my late teens. I gained the title of Charming from my darling wife when I strung her up in a net." He laughed at the memory. "My name is David."

"Right. Okay then David… How do we go about killing a dragon?"

"With a lot of luck."

Hook was not sure he heard him correctly and he sat motionless staring at Charming or David or what ever the hell his name was as he grinned down at him.

"Luck? That is the best you've got? We rode two days and all we have for an idea for killing the dragon is luck?" Hook questioned.

"What else do we need?"

"How about a bloody plan!" He exploded and David broke into laughter.

Emma paced her luxurious room in the castle. The link was still absent, the pull was missing. Hook wasn't in the castle yet. It had been days since her father and he had left. How long did it take to slay a dragon? Were they even still alive? Would she know it if they weren't?

Restlessly, she left her chambers and went down to the library where she had found her mother the past two nights. Snow was curled up on a small sofa reading a book in front of the fire. "Emma! I didn't realize you were here." She exclaimed setting the book onto the table in front of her.

"Yeah, I arrived a while ago. Are they back yet?" She asked hopeful even though she knew the answer.

"No, not yet." Snow sighed as she looked up at her daughter. She could tell she missed the pirate. They had a special bond between the two of them. It seemed the longer he was gone the less real Emma's form seemed to be in their world. He truly was her connection to this world; the necklace was only part of it. She looked almost like a ghost.

"Oh. I feel like the dreams are fading away. I can't remember them when I wake anymore. Why is this happening?"

"They aren't dreams honey." Snow answered patiently, "but I suspect it has something to do with Hook not being here. Come, sit down."

Emma walked over to the sofa and curled her legs beneath her. She reached over to pick up the book on the table and her hand went through it, it was as though she was disappearing. Her eyes found her mothers frantically and she reached for her. "Mom, what is happening to me?"

"Shush, Emma, it will be okay, Hook will be back in a couple more days and everything will be back to normal." Snow whispered to her as she faded from the dream.

Snow stared at the place her daughter had just occupied and hoped that she was right. That everything would go back to normal when Hook returned. She hoped with everything she had that the connection wasn't fading for good this time.

A/N - Good news we are writing chapter 18 right now, which means we can post twice a week again! We like being ahead. =D So Reviews? I love the Captain Charming relationship. Can't wait to see it on the show.