Author's Note: Squeeeeeee! Reviews make me so happy!
To answer the question in the reviews about the shift: The shift is white, sleeveless, about knee-length, and quite thin, but Emma and Killian are both overreacting to different extents because of their respective senses of propriety...
Thanks for the reminded that I should actually describe things... I don't' have a beta and I'm not really reviewing these before uploading them. I generally add descriptions when I edit. The first draft is just to get the action/dialogue down, and that's basically what I'm posting... Sorry!
.
.
Hook began working on the coconut cage while Emma followed Tinkerbell back up to her room to fetch her clothing. Everything was still damp, but it was certainly cleaner. Tinkerbell had sprinkled some kind of sweet-smelling powder over everything, too, which was nice.
Once she was properly clothed, Emma gave Tinkerbell back the borrowed shift and folded up Hook's coat, taking one last deep inhalation of its delightful aroma.
Tinkerbell stopped Emma before she could go back down, putting her hand on Emma's shoulder.
"Wait," the fairy said.
Emma looked at her with curiosity.
"I assume you intend to go to the Dark Hollow with Hook?" the pixie asked.
"Of course," Emma said.
"When you get to there," Tinkerbell said, "don't forget what I told you before."
"About magic?" Emma said, frowning.
"It might come in handy."
Emma doubted it, but she gave the fairy a little nod.
They descended and found that Hook had already constructed the coconut shell for the lantern trap. He'd poked a dozen or so holes in the lid. Tinkerbell and Emma carefully melted a candle into the bottom of it, securing it in place.
Hook lit the candle using a flint and the curve of his namesake. He handed it to Emma, who carefully fit the lid in place, checking to make sure the flame had plenty of air flow.
"We'll want to bind it once the shadow is inside," Hook said, and Emma nodded before she blew out the candle.
Emma chewed her lip for a moment before digging her corset out of her bag. She reluctantly undid the lacings. She knew that she shouldn't feel attached to the garment, but she did. She told herself that if the plan worked, she'd be going home, where she wouldn't need to preserve her undergarments as sentimental reminders. And if the plan failed… Well, then she wouldn't need anything ever again, because she'd be dead.
"That's lovely," Tinkerbell said as Emma worked on the corset. She was clearly curious about the garment's origins. Emma didn't fee like sharing, so she just shrugged.
"Isn't it lovely?" the pixie continued. She turned to face Hook, but he didn't indulge her.
The fairy's expression grew mildly annoyed, but she minded her manners and didn't ask again.
"The shadow goes to the pixie wood at dawn, doesn't it?" Hook asked Tinkerbell, trying to change the subject.
"Yes," she said. "It goes through the trees, destroying all the new buds and collecting any dust that has blossomed. It doesn't take long to do so, since it can fly."
"Could you fly, too, with some of the dust?" Hook said.
"It's possible," Tink said, looking nervous. "I've never tried. I haven't flown since I lost my wings."
"Speed may be important," Hook said.
"Not if your trap works," the fairy countered. "You need to keep that flame going until the candle snuffs itself naturally. I'd guess it will last about three hours."
"Aye, the one from last night did," Hook said, making Emma look up.
He'd been awake for three hours? Why?
Hook wasn't looking at Emma, so she couldn't see his expression. Tinkerbell snorted, clearly drawing some conclusion that Emma couldn't fathom. She said something under her breath, but Emma didn't catch it.
"I think the plan will be to stay with the trap for perhaps the first two and a half and then run like hell," Hook said, ignoring whatever it was that Tinkerbell had said-or perhaps he hadn't heard it, either. "Would that give you enough time, Lady Bell?"
"Depends on where your ship is," the pixie replied.
Emma finished unlacing the corset, then.
"Hook?" Emma asked, drawing his attention to her. "Will you add another hole, please, just here?"
She held up the coconut, indicating a spot on the side near the lid.
"Of course, love," he said, taking the shell from her hands. "Whatever for?"
"I'm going to run the lacing through the hole and this one on the lid, to keep them together and lined up properly," Emma explained. "So we don't have to worry about which way 'round the lid goes in the Dark Hollow."
"Clever," he said with a grin as he drove his hook into the shell where Emma had indicated. He handed it back to her, his thumb brushing her fingers.
The casual touch gave her a little shiver. She had clearly been alone too long if something so small could affect her so strongly.
"Thank you," Emma said a little breathily.
"You're welcome," he replied, holding on to the coconut for a moment longer before letting go.
"Your ship?" Tinkerbell said again. "Where is it?"
"Anchored near the north end of the cliffs," he said, his eyes still on Emma, "about as equidistant between the pixie wood and the Dark Hollow as you can get a ship of her size."
"That's over an hour's hike," Tink said.
"Aye, but there's no help for that," he said, finally looking at the pixie.
"I suppose not," she sighed, "be careful at the Hollow."
"I will be," he said, nodding.
"We will be," Emma said.
"Swan—" Hook began to protest.
"I'm going to the Hollow," she said evenly. "This is my quest."
Hook frowned but made no argument.
"When should we go?" Emma asked.
Hook sighed and tugged at his ear before replying.
"We'll need to be in the Hollow just before sunrise," he said, "and it's a few hours from here by foot. There's a small clearing not too far from there were we could rest for the evening. If we leave now, we'll be there before sunset."
"Does that give you enough time to get to the pixie wood?" Emma asked Tinkerbell.
"Yes," she said. "It's closer, so I haven't as far to go as you two."
"Then let's go," Emma said determinedly.
"As you wish," Hook said quietly.