Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or its characters or plot ideas. The only things I own in this story are my own ideas and my own characters.
~ Chapter Ten ~
Oh no, oh no, oh no, OH NO! What have I done? Oh man, Peter is going to throw me off a cliff or something for this… Don't think I can blame him. My eyes dart around the tiny boat nervously as I ponder throwing myself overboard. Maybe Monstro will come along and swallow me whole… That would be good right about now.
"What did you say?" My father asks. He dropped the fishing rod and now it lies next to our feet, the worm still wiggling on the hook.
"What? I said nothing!" I say quickly and then immediately curse myself. Smooth Karina, real smooth… "I mean, you just seem pretty fatherly so it kind of slipped out, but you know, obviously you're not my dad." I laugh nervously but really all I want to do is take one of the hooks and stab myself with it. This can't possibly get any worse.
"No, no. You said it like…" He trails off and shakes his head. "You know. How do you know? How did you get your memories back?" His blue eyes burn into my own and I notice he's using the same look he used to use when I was a child and misbehaving.
"You're crazy." I snort and pick up the rod he dropped. "Shall we fish?"
"Karina Mae Jones, how did you get your memories back? Answer me." Now he's using his no nonsense tone and my inner child cringes. He never used my middle name before. He must be really mad at me if he's going to pull out the middle name trick.
I look at him and my mind draws a blank. I have no idea how I can even begin to explain everything that has happened to me. I decide instead of answering I'll do the one thing I am best at: I'll run.
I grab one of the oars and toss it overboard before jumping in after it. My quick movements jostle the boat and almost tip it as my father throws out his arms to steady it. "Damn it, Karina!" I barely hear him shout as I am submerged underwater. I swim underwater as far away as I can before my lungs start demanding air.
When I break the surface with a deep gulp of air I turn back to see the oar I threw is too far away from my father for him to grab it. He must have realized that too because now he's trying desperately to get the one oar he has left to work in his favour but unfortunately it does him little good. Though, that could also be because of the anchor he clearly forgot is still in the water.
Feeling like my escape is assured I turn and begin my swim back to shore when I hear a loud splash behind me. I stop and turn around again to see my father's leather duster hanging off the side of the boat and now my father is swimming towards me, a determined look in his eyes.
I release a small shriek and start swimming as fast as I can towards the shore, but I'm too far away and he's quickly gaining on me.
An iron grip wraps around my ankle and pulls, jolting me underwater for a split second before he lets me go. "Karina!" He growls. "Get back to the boat. We're not through, you and I."
"Mm, we could be, if you let me go." I suggest but the look he gives me clearly states that he doesn't think I'm being funny. I release a heavy sigh and admit defeat. I know I'll never be able to swim to shore and get away from him. I wasn't expecting him to jump in the water after me, especially wearing all the leather that he does.
"Grab that bloody oar." He grumbles as we swim back to the boat. I grab the oar as he pulls himself into the boat and then turns to watch me like a hawk, as if he expects me to try to get away again. I want to tell him that I'm hurt by his distrust but then I remember I'm his daughter and we're both pirates so I suppose his distrust is perfectly warranted.
As I reach the boat he takes the oar from me and places it on the floor of the boat before reaching down and dragging me into the boat. I lie at the bottom near his feet, panting and staring up at him as he glares at me disapprovingly.
"Ever think I didn't want to tell you because of the look you're giving me now? Hm? I certainly didn't miss the 'disapproving dad' look." I point at his face and he gently slaps my hand away.
"Start talking." He replies, not amused or willing to be distracted.
"Well," I begin as I sit up and wring water out of my hair and clothes. "I can talk about a lot of things. I mean, I can discuss the weather or how lovely that swim was, or perhaps I should talk about the delicious lasagna Granny made."
"Karina!" My father shouts exasperatedly, throwing his arms in the air.
"Alright, alright! Sheesh." I grumble. I take a seat on one of the wooden benches in the boat and stare at my father. The tension between us is thick as he watches me desperately search for a way to explain everything.
"Start talking." He repeats and I narrow my eyes.
"I'm trying! This isn't easy, you know. There's a lot of different factors to consider." I'm trying to decide if I should tell him the whole truth or bits and pieces. My father is loyal to Emma, almost too loyal. If I tell him Peter is alive and the reason I have my memories back he can run off and tell Emma. Then, before I know it there will be a witch hunt for Peter.
"Karina, you can tell me anything." My father says, more gently this time.
I meet his deep blue gaze and see the sincerity in his eyes. I slowly release a breath I didn't even know I was holding and launch into my journey since leaving New York and regaining my memories.
I tell him the whole truth, that Peter was following me in New York and then helped me regain my memories back in Storybrooke with true love's kiss. I also tell him about my old crew siding with the Wicked Witch and trying to kill me. When I finish my father is staring down at his lap, his eyes wide with surprise.
"But papa, you can't tell anyone that Peter is alive. I swear to you that he's not looking to go after Henry or any of you anymore. He just wants to go back to Neverland and he would've already left if it wasn't for me. I told him I can't leave while Henry still doesn't have his memories. Not to mention, I know my crew won't ever stop trying to find me so they can kill me. Especially when they have such a powerful ally helping them. I have to put them in their place."
He stays silent as I nervously chew on my bottom lip, searching his features for any kind of emotion. Finally, after what seems like an eternity he looks up and asks, "Why is your crew trying to kill you?"
I throw my hands up in the air, "Drake thinks it's because my crew thinks I abandoned them and now a member of my crew who always questioned my leadership is trying to take over."
"Then you need to remind them why you were the captain." My father replies, that cold look in his eyes he always took with his crew. I smile gratefully at my father for understanding. By being a captain of pirates, my father understands what needs to be done better than anyone. Having someone so much like me agreeing that a show of force is needed is like having a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
"That's my plan, but it hasn't been exactly easy sneaking around this town pretending I don't have any of my memories." I shrug my shoulders and lean back in my seat, stretching out my legs before me.
"Why don't you tell Emma and the others? I'm sure they'd be thrilled."
"How am I supposed to explain how I've been woken from the curse? I can't tell them it was true love's kiss because then the obvious conclusion will be Peter. I won't endanger him. He's helping me by trying to find a cure for Henry and I've repaid him by accidentally spilling his secret to you!" I wave my hand up and down my father's frame as he chuckles.
"So, you and Peter Pan are true love?" My father asks and I instantly feel uncomfortable. I do not want to have this conversation with him. Obviously, I'm old enough to have a boyfriend and be in love with someone, but conversations like these will never stop being uncomfortable.
"I guess so…" I mutter.
"You know, back in Neverland… After you were shot and almost killed… Pan came to see me. He gave me the body of the boy who almost killed you to prove that your death didn't go unpunished. I knew then that he loved you. I worked with Pan for a long time and not once did he act remotely human, but when he's around you… He's different. And so are you."
"I'm even more twisted than I already am, right?" I ask sarcastically.
"No, that's not it." My father shakes his head. "You are both notorious villains in your own right but when you're together you change. Don't get me wrong, together you two are deadly to other people, but to each other you're sweeter. Something most villains severely lack." He smiles slightly, but it seems sad. "I won't lie when I first learned what you had become I felt so much guilt because I was convinced it was my fault… Truthfully, I still blame myself for what you turned into. But it does bring me some peace that your match is out there… Even if it is Peter Pan."
His words touch me. We rarely get the chance to talk to each other like this. Perhaps stranding ourselves out in the middle of the water was a good idea. It's helped us connect in a way we haven't for a very long time.
"I also want to apologize again for the part I had in Peter's death a year ago. I never want to see you in that kind of pain again and I will do whatever it takes to keep that pain from you." I can see the sincerity in his gaze but also the certainty.
"You're not going to tell Emma?" I perk up, a small, uncertain smile forming on my face.
He hesitates for a moment and then says, "No. I won't. I haven't been the greatest father to you. I owe it to you to keep your secret. Emma and the others won't hear from me about you or Pan. It'll be as if we never had this conversation."
In an instant, I launch myself across the boat and hug him tightly. "Thank you, papa." I whisper in his ear, feeling truly delighted that my father is choosing to take my side.
"Now, shall we fish?" He asks, raising the rod with and grins at me.
"Sure." I laugh.
He casts the line into the water and for a moment he seems peaceful. Then a quizzical look crosses his rugged features and he turns to me and says, "Do you think Pan will be intimidated by my threatening fatherly speech of 'you hurt her, you die'?"
I bark a loud laugh, "You can certainly try."
…..
My father and I spend hours fishing and catching up. Being with him, away from all other distractions for either of us is nice. We're both in our most comfortable space, on the water, and there is no one around to judge our dark jokes and never-ending teasing.
We have to go in when I get a text from Emma asking me where I am. "Man, now that I have my memories back it's weird taking orders from Emma like she's still my guardian." I say this more to myself as I shove my phone back in my pocket.
"When are you going to tell everyone that you have your memories back?" My father asks curiously as we slowly row our way back to shore.
"Hopefully they'll find a way to wake Henry up from the curse and when they do I'll just pretend I'm just waking up too. Then, I'll grab Felix and say I'm going back to Neverland because the lost boys who stayed behind still need a leader… Which is true. But I hope I never have to mention Peter." My plan seems simple enough but with my luck something is bound to go wrong. "You wouldn't happen to know where Felix is, would you?"
He thinks about it for a moment and then shakes his head. "No, love, I don't. I'm sorry." I study his face and am pleased when I see the honesty that shines back. "Last I saw of him was a year ago. He was lurking around, which was suspicious enough. For your sake, I hope he didn't try anything. I'm afraid what might have happened to him if he did…"
Hearing my father worry over his enemy simply because he means something to me proves how far our relationship has come. I smile faintly despite the tug in the pit of my stomach and the voice in my head whispering: what if Felix is in a lot more trouble than I originally thought? He could even be dead…
"I can help you look." My father's words drag me out of my thoughts and I'm touched by his offer.
"Thanks, I already have Drake looking too. Drake is good at finding people."
"This Drake fellow, he's loyal to you?" He asks suspiciously.
"My most loyal supporter and friend. I know he would die for me and I'd do the same for him. He was my first mate back when I was captain to a pirate crew… And he's the only member of my crew the Wicked Witch couldn't turn against me." I smile fondly over the thought of my dear friend. "We've been through a lot together, he and I. He's probably the only person besides Peter who knows me better than I know myself. He's like my brother."
"I'm glad you have so many people in your life who are loyal to you and care about you like I do." My father says and we smile at one another just as the boat reaches the docks.
I jump out and start to tie the boat to one of the posts when a strong gust of wind behind me almost pushes me back into the boat. I spin around to see a tall woman dressed in black and green with flaming red hair standing before me. She smirks wickedly as her blue eyes rake over my entire body coldly.
"Karina!" My father shouts, jumping from the boat, his sword raised when he freezes mid-jump, frozen by her magic.
"So, you're the girl Joseph loves to hate so much." The woman remarks snarkily.
"So, you're the woman everyone wants to kill around here." I reply in the same tone but my mouth stretches into a sickly-sweet grin as I slowly look her up and down, unimpressed. "You know, if you're going to promise my head to someone you should at least make sure you can kill me."
The corner of her mouth twists up into a cold grin. "Oh, I'm sure without your little sweetheart protecting you I could easily destroy you."
"Oh, you think? Well, I'm almost 200 years old and I've had a lot of enemies come after me over the years, but guess what? I'm still standing." I throw my arms out to the sides and grin victoriously. "Come at me."
Her eyes narrow as her face begins to turn pink with rage. "Well, that could be because you haven't faced the right villain yet. I'm the Wicked Witch, darling, and wicked always wins."
"You may be wicked, but I can assure you I am much worse. I've killed hundreds of people, men, women and children alike. I don't discriminate. I'm Karina fucking Jones, infamous captain of the Rogue's Revenge, Queen of the Lost Ones and I'm a damn good villain. Now, you claim you're after my life, well, if there's one thing a pirate cares most about, it's their life." I take a step closer to her until we're standing toe-to-toe. "You've started this war but I plan to finish it. So, bring it on, bitch."
I've never been one to back down from a fight and I'm not about to start now even if she has magic. I've dealt with Peter Pan. If I can survive his torturous mind games and endless torment I'm sure I can handle the Wicked Witch.
Her mouth twists as I raise my chin and dare her with my eyes to try something. My fingers twitch, desperate to clasp my dagger hidden in my boot and stab her in the neck. I've done it before. In fact, it's one of my favourite ways to kill my enemies. Being so close that I can see the shock in their eyes as I plunge the cold metal dagger into their throats and then watch as the life fades from their eyes.
Finally, she says, "We shall see." With a wave of her hand she disappears in a cloud of green smoke and my father unfreezes, landing on his face on the deck.
"Any idea why that psycho witch decided to pay me a visit?" I ask him as I help him to his feet.
"No idea." He mutters, his brows furrowed. "It was almost like she was scoping you out to see what kind of an opponent you'll make."
"Or she's trying to figure out the easiest way to kill me."
"Well, you certainly gave her a fright, I'm sure. I've never seen you look so cold and in the short time I've been dealing with the Wicked Witch she's never retreated so quietly." He sounds truly confused by her sudden appearance and equally quick retreat. She wanted something when she came to see me and I have no idea if she got it or not.
"Somehow I think there was more to it. I can be terrifying when I want to be, but I also don't have magic of my own. I'll put up a good fight but even I know I'm no match for someone with magic…" We stay quiet for a moment as I get lost in my thoughts. "I want to know how she knew I have my memories again. She certainly didn't look surprised when I started talking about my real name and who I really am." I cast my father a worried look as I chew on my bottom lip. "I really need to talk to Peter about this."
"I agree."
…..
My father and I decide to go our separate ways leaving the marina just in case we act too familiar around the others in town. He seems a little reluctant to leave my side so soon after the strange encounter with the Wicked Witch but I assure him that I'll call Peter to my side so I can talk to him; he'll be invisible, of course.
"Peter?" I call out as I slowly walk back to Granny's. "Can you hear me?"
"Of course, I can." Peter snorts as he appears beside me. "How was the fishing trip with your father?" His question is innocent enough and if I didn't know him as well as I do I wouldn't catch the flash of danger in his eyes as he asks.
"You know." I groan and throw my head back.
"Of course." Peter replies tightly. His dark green eyes are even darker as he focuses his angry gaze on me.
"It slipped out. I swear. Then I figured I had to tell him everything because if I told him I somehow got my memories back it wouldn't be very believable. He'd keep digging, trust me." Peter's only response is to sigh heavily so I continue hastily, "But, he promised he won't tell anyone and I believe him. He knows you're my true love and he also knows if he tells Emma she'll try to kill you and that'll hurt me. I trust him not to put me through that kind of pain again." I say the last bit quietly and Peter gives my hand a small, reassuring squeeze.
I beam at him, happy with his small show of affection. We'll never be the couple to hold hands and call each other sickly-sweet pet names (ok, well I might call him pet names when I'm trying to annoy him) but it's nice that we have at least reached the point to show each other small moments of affection. Especially when one of us is upset.
"I suppose it's too late for your father not to know, but if you tell anyone I might have to punish you…" I open my mouth to protest when I see the wicked look in his eyes and realize what type of punishment he means.
"Oh." My heart starts to race and I feel a twist in my gut. "Well, maybe I should go tell the whole town." I pretend to take a step away from him when he grabs my wrist and drags me back to him.
"Nice try." He murmurs as he slowly runs his fingers through my hair and then kisses my forehead.
"I figured you'd be angrier than this." I mutter as I rest my head against his chest.
"It's one person who knows… I don't like it, but I'm willing to accept it since it's your father. I knew you'd tell him I'm alive eventually. Guilt would eat you alive if you left without giving him a proper goodbye or telling him your real reason for leaving Storybrooke." Peter shrugs his shoulders as I lift my head and stare skeptically at him.
"That's very mature of you."
"I can be a mature guy." Peter replies, a wide grin on his tanned features.
"Uh huh, because the term 'mature' fits so well with the name Peter Pan." We smirk at one another. "You should know… One other person knows about you…"
In an instant Peter's face morphs back to a look of fury. "Who?!"
"Drake… But I didn't tell him! He figured it out on his own!" I raise my hands in defense.
"He might be too smart for his own good…" Peter mutters, that dangerous look in his eyes is back.
"You will not hurt him. Do you hear me? If you touch one strand on his head I will murder you myself." I grab him by the front of his shirt and jerk him towards me.
His eyes go wide with shock for a split second before he grins excitedly. "I love having you back." Despite my desperate attempt to remain serious a huge smile spreads across my face. It's impossible not to smile back at him when he gives me one of his rare genuine smiles.
I pull away from him and clap my hands. "Ok, serious talk…" Peter raises his eyebrows, clearly amused. "The Wicked Witch paid me a visit."
"What?" He growls, the air around us crackling dangerously with his magic. "What did she want?"
"I don't know. She didn't really say much. She called me the girl Joseph loves to hate, told me that if you don't protect me she could easily destroy me… I replied with awesome villainess threats of my own… And that was it. Then she disappeared." I shrug my shoulders helplessly. "Her short visit with very little words worries me though. She clearly wanted something from me other than a chat. And she seemed to know I already got my memories back… She didn't seem surprised at all when I mentioned my real name in front of her. That could be bad for us if she mentions something to the others as a way to get in their heads…"
"I might have to pay the Wicked Witch a visit." Peter grits his teeth as he curls and unfurls his fists.
"Be careful." I don't bother asking him not to go. Not only do I know it would do no good but I genuinely think Peter is stronger than the Wicked Witch and will have no problem dealing with her if she gets too dangerous.
"Get home. I'll come see you later." He kisses my forehead and then he's gone.
I continue on my way to Granny's, I'm not much farther now and it takes me only a few minutes to reach the front doors. I'm about to step inside when I hear pounding footsteps on pavement behind me. I turn with a scream lodged in my throat when I see it's Drake.
"Captain…" He gasps. "I found him. I found Felix."
My heart and breathing stop as I stare at my friend. He's panting and his face is flushed. I can tell he's been running for a long time, probably running all over town to find me.
"Take me to him." I demand and he nods. He takes my hand and pulls me off the step, back out to the street. I look back and see some of the diner occupants looking at me curiously but no one seems suspicious.
"It took me some time and I sort of had to agree to go on a date with one of the nurses but I found him." Drake tells me as he leads me down the street.
I'm almost tempted to ask about this supposed date he agreed to but one word has caught my attention more than anything else. "Nurse? He's in a hospital?"
Drake grimaces. "The psych ward, actually. I haven't seen him myself but the nurse I asked swears up and down he's in there… She also said it'll be extremely difficult to get to him. Tight security. But I figured…"
"That's never stopped us before." I finish his thought and we grin at one another.
We make it to the hospital quickly, thanks to Storybrooke being such a small town with everything close together. Drake leads me to the elevator as I fill him in on the visit I received from the Wicked Witch.
"That's strange. I don't know much about her, but I do know that she doesn't do anything without reason. You're right about her wanting something from you… But I have no idea what it could be." He shakes his head as he presses the giant button with the letter B printed on it.
The elevator starts to descend as I turn to him and say, "Peter's going to confront her now."
"You think that's a good idea?"
I snort. "As if I could stop him if I didn't. Peter knows what he's doing."
"Let's hope so." Drake replies ominously as the elevator doors open, revealing the basement to us. It's darkly lit, which I find strange for a hospital. The walls are stone and there's a large white desk straight ahead. I can see a long hallway going straight down with multiple white doors lining it on both sides.
We step forward to reveal a severe looking nurse sitting behind the desk. She narrows her eyes skeptically. I glance around, looking for any of the "tight security" Drake mentioned earlier.
"Can I help you?" The nurse demands coldly. Her voice sounds just as severe as she looks.
Drake turns on his most charming smile and I have to suppress a snort. "Hello, I'm afraid my friend and I got lost… We were hoping to find someone to redirect us… But, I wasn't expecting someone as lovely as you. Excuse me, I'm a bit flustered…"
The nurse shoots me an "is this guy joking?" look and before I can stop myself I burst out laughing.
"I'm sorry about my friend, he's an idiot… We're looking for a boy named Felix. We heard he's down here." My eyes drift towards the long hallway for only a moment before I redirect my gaze back to the nurse. I can see Drake face palm out of the corner of my eye but I ignore him.
The nurse's facial expression changes from severe to seriously pissed off. "No one is allowed to see him."
"I'm afraid I must insist." I smile sweetly, my fingers itching to grab my dagger.
"And I must insist that you leave." The nurse replies, her tone stating that she won't be asking again.
I look at Drake and he looks pointedly at the nurse and then back at me. I sigh and reach down to pull out my dagger. I stab a stack of papers on her desk and she shouts, jumping back. "Look, lady. I've had a pretty rotten year and all I want to do is find my good friend Felix and get the hell out of this town. Now, you're going to let me back there to see my friend or I'll cut your tongue out. Got it?"
Her shock quickly turns to anger as she gets up from her seat and I notice her pull a needle out of her coat pocket. "I told you, he isn't allowed visitors." She comes around the desk, stalking towards me.
"What the hell is that?" I ask, backing away.
"You'll see." She smiles darkly and then lunges at me, trying to grab my arm as I jump backwards. I lift my foot and kick her in the wrist as hard as I can. She screams and drops the needle but keeps coming at me with a scream of rage.
"Uh, Drake. Little help here?" I ask as I dodge her attacks.
The nurse screeches like a wild banshee as she continues to come at me. She's so focused on me that she doesn't notice Drake step behind her and then knock her out with one hit to the back of her head. She falls to the ground as Drake cracks his knuckles, clearly pleased with himself.
"Man, I wish I was strong enough to knock someone out with my bare hands." I mutter as I hurry down the hall. Drake simply chuckles as he follows behind me.
Each door has a small window with metal bars covering them. "You check this side, I'll check the other." I order Drake as I start to peer through the windows. Many of them are empty, but the few that aren't don't contain my blonde-haired friend. I can feel myself growing frustrated as we start to reach the end of the hallway.
Then, Drake shouts, "He's here!" He produces a key from his pocket and I realize he must've swiped it off the nurse's desk. I hear the click of the lock and then I push past him, excitement causing my heart to race.
But not too soon after entering the room do I reel back in horror, screaming at the gruesome sight before me. "Oh God! Felix!"
A/N: Once again, I must apologize for the late update. Shortly after I posted the last chapter I received some devastating news. Someone very close to me passed away and it was very sudden; no one saw it coming. I needed to take some time for myself to face the loss I suffered and to learn to cope with it. I hope you can all understand and will forgive my late update. I know I've said this before, but I really will try to get my updates back on track.
Please take a moment to review.