Regina sits next to Emma on her make shift bed, "That conversation looked pretty heated."

Emma looks up, "It didn't start that way. He just likes to make things…complicated."

Regina smirks over at Hook, "Well, love is complicated."

Emma's head snaps in her direction, "It's not love. Why would you say that?"

She rolls her eyes, "Anyone with eyes can see the connection you two have." She looks over at the Charming's, "Well, anyone who isn't in denial. Why can't you just let it happen?"

Emma studies her, "Since when are you an advocate for true love?"

Regina laughs, "I always have been. I just have a strange way of showing it. The whole reason for my vengeance was the death of my true love."

Emma nods, "Right. I always forget that part. I know what that is like. Losing someone you love or could love or did love." She purses her lips, "Maybe I should just stop loving all together."

Regina takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, "And I always forget that part." She looks up at her in realization, "You think that if you admit that you love Hook he will be taken away, too."

Emma pulls her legs up against her chest, "Maybe. Does it matter?" She sighs, "We aren't here so I can fall in love or whatever. We are here to find Henry. That is all I need to think about."

Regina puts her hand on Emma's shoulder, "For now. But when we succeed and leave this island…Well you will have some things to figure out."

Emma watches as she gets up and walks away. She puts her forehead against her knees. How could this get any worse?


Emma knew it was a dumb question. That question was always dumb. Especially when you were in a situation like they were in. Of course, she hadn't thought of an exit plan or what it would be like to be in her dead first love's old living quarters. To say she had a minor breakdown was an understatement. What she said to her parents or Mary-Margaret was out of line.

Snow and David follow her out of the cave and Snow grabs her arm, "Emma, I know this is hard for you. It will get better."

Emma yanks her arm away, "What do you know? How many people have you lost, Mary-Margaret? How many times have you had to watch someone you care deeply for suddenly die in your arms?"

Snow takes a step back, "I have lost people, too. I know how hard this can be."

Emma rolls her eyes, "Look at you with your one true love. Always by your side. No matter what happens, he is there. You don't know anything! You have always been and always will be more concerned about him then you ever were for me! You gave me up so I could reunite the two of you!"

David shakes his head vehemently, "Emma, you know that isn't true. We gave you up for your best chance."

Emma laughs sarcastically, "You gave me up so I could break a curse that tore you apart! Don't act like that isn't true!" She runs a hand through her hair, frustrated, "That isn't the point. The point is I don't need to be coddled. I am no longer a child. I haven't been since you met me. And you chasing after me to comfort me isn't helping. Before the curse broke, I had a friend that I could talk to and now I have lost her because she is trying too hard to be a parent."

Snow closes her eyes as tears fall silently, "I am sorry, Emma. We never wanted any of this for you and no matter what you can talk to me. Even if it is just as a friend."

Emma backs away, "No, you just don't get it."

She takes off and now she sits against a tree thinking and regretting every word she had said to them. She couldn't let them see her vulnerable side. She couldn't let them in so naturally her walls had pushed them away. This is why no one should ask rhetorical questions. Even if it was just in her head. Where was her brain on this trip? And why did she keep starting fights with her mother?

"It's the island."

She looks up to see Hook standing in front of her, "What?"

He sits across from her and shrugs, "You were lost as a child. Angry. Sad. Alone. Normally, you can keep those emotions in check because, hey, the past is the past. The island has always been a place where the lost can go to live out their happiness during the day but feel the loneliness at night. It brings out every emotion that you rather not feel."

She tilts her head to the side, studying him, "And how do you know this?"

He gives her a half smile, "Because you aren't the only one who lost their parents at a young age. It seem abandonment is more common than not. I feel the same things that you feel. The difference is I don't have the person who left me here."

Emma bites her lip, thinking, "So you are saying that this will go away as soon as we leave this place?"

He shakes his head, "No, whatever you felt or are feeling is really there. It is just harder to deal with them here. Anywhere else you can cope with them like a normal person. Or your type of normal. This place isn't only about imagination. It is also about facing everything that you push down on a daily basis."

Emma looks down at the dirt, "This place really is hell."

He laughs, "And Pan is a demon. But you are strong, love. You will survive."

She smiles up at him, "Good to know I am not going crazy."

He smirks, "I never said that, darling. I believe everyone is slowly going mad in their own way." He gets up and walks away, leaving her to her thoughts once again.

After 10 minutes, Emma stands up and walks over to where Snow and David are sitting, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say any of that."

Snow takes her hand, "I know. You have been through a lot and part of it is our fault. We realize that."

Emma squeezes her hand, "I think finding out that Neal lost hope while he was here makes me worry that Henry might and I know how bad that is for a child."

David touches her shoulder, "You don't have to worry. Henry is a strong kid."

Snow grins, "What if we could help him keep hope."

Regina, who had been listening in, looks up, "How do we do that?"

Snow looks over at her, "We catch ourselves a lost boy."


It had taken a lot for Hook to get David to go to Dead Man's Peak. Apparently lying works best with the Prince. This was a risky choice, but maybe Emma would find more comfort in her father being alive and stuck on this island over dead. And here he was rationalizing.

David cuts a branch out of their way, "So, you used to be in the royal navy?" When Hook nods David continues, "What changed?"

Hook shrugs, "My brother died."

David waits for him to elaborate, "And that made pirating seem like a good idea?"

Hook stops and turns to him, "He died because the King lied. We had complete faith that he was an honorable king who was trying to save thousands of lives, but instead he sent us off to find something that would kill thousands of people. If he had told us the truth Liam would never have tried to prove me wrong. Of course, we would never have come here in the first place."

David sighs, "Sounds like you were good men."

Hook laughs sarcastically, "Were? You think just because I am a pirate that automatically makes me a horrible person." He bites his lip, "When it first started being a pirate was the honorable thing to do. If I had gone to the king he would have me executed for treason. I just offered people a way out from under his tyranny. Then Milah died and everything changed inside of me. Hate and revenge replaced everything."

David studies him with unexpected sympathy, "You became Hook instead of Killian."

Hook nods, "Aye, but my past does not matter."

David stops, "It does when it involves my daughter."

Hook turns on him, "She was like family to me, mate. I would never purposely do anything to cause her harm. I am tired of the accusation."

David smiles, "That isn't what I am doing. I just want to know more about her and it seems the only way to do that is to get to know the men who saved her so long ago." He sighs, "And if it means anything to you, I think you did the right thing when you became a pirate. Not the first choice I would make, but you were only trying to save lives."

Hook looks up, "We have to climb up. I suggest you wait here until I am able to throw rope down to you."

Hook finds a foot hold in the side of the cliff and starts to climb. The Prince was starting to annoy him. Acting like he could understand what he obviously couldn't. His choice to be a pirate was the right one and the only one that had made his life worth living. He wouldn't give it up for anyone.

He gets to the top and stops dead in his tracks when he sees Pan. He growls, "What do you want?"

Pan smiles mischievously, "I want to make a deal and I am betting it is one that you can't refuse."

Hook quirks his brow, "I doubt that. I am not interested in anything that you have to offer."

Pan's smile grows, "We shall see." He steps closer, "I want you to kill David before the dream shade takes effect."

Hook smirks, "You must be crazier than I originally thought."

Pan laughs, "You always did amuse me, Pirate, but if you do this then I will allow you and Emma to leave this island together."

Hook rolls his eyes, a trait he had learned from Emma, "You really think Emma would leave her son behind or go with the person responsible for another person she loves death? You really should have grown up because your young brain hasn't fully developed yet."

The smile on Pan's face turns to a grimace, "You do this, Hook. It will be the only chance you have to get off the island."

Hook turns away as Pan disappears and David appears, "Who were you talking to?"

Hook shakes his head, "Just talking to myself. It's an old habit from many nights on the lonely seas."

David just nods and continues walking forward. Hook raises his brows and soon follows. Now comes the tricky part. Telling David that he lied so that he could save his life. You would think the Prince would be happy about that, but he was so determined to die. He would never understand being a hero. Not anymore.

He points towards the cave opening with his hook, "That's where it'd be, but it is covered in dream shade, so if you would do the honors, mate."

David pulls out his sword and points it at Hook when he turns around, "I heard you talking to Pan."

Hook quirks his brow, "Then you know I didn't take the deal."

David shakes his head, "I didn't hear you refuse it the second time."

Hook groans and grabs David's sword. A lot easier when the man was weakened by poison then hits him with the butt of his sword. He looks at the dream shade with disdain and covers his mouth with a bandana. He gets the water and walks over to where David is laying.

He shakes him, "Wake up, mate. I'm trying to save your life."

David moans and slowly opens his eyes, "Why did you do that?"

Hook smiles, "So you didn't kill the both of us." He hands him the container with the water, "If you drink this, then you will live, but you won't be able to leave this island without dying."

David nods and takes the water. He drinks it quickly and they both watch as the black lines disappear. He looks back up at Hook, "You saved my life."

Hook smirks, "Don't act so surprised. I didn't do it for you, mate."

David laughs, "I know, but I am going to thank you anyways."


Emma looks up at Hook after the others go their separate ways. He had saved her father's life. Her mind could barely process it. She hands him his flask, "Did you really save his life?"

Hook nods, "I did."

She looks up at him gratefully, "Thank you."

He smirks and points to his lips, "A little gratitude would be nice."

She smiles, "That's what the thank you was for."

He pretends to pout, "Come on. Is that all your father's life is worth to you?"

She shakes her head, then grabs the lapels of his jacket and pulls him to her. As soon as her lips hit his it was like everything was better. He puts his hand on the back of her head and she runs her hand from the side of his neck to the back of his head. She tilts her head to the side and he deepens the kiss. She pulls back and they both breathe deeply.

He puts his forehead against hers, "Emma…"

Emma steps back, "No, I don't want to talk about it. That was the gratitude you wanted so I gave it to you."

He frowns as he watches her leave. It seemed every step he took to break her walls down they just grew taller and thicker.


A/N: Another chapter. More connections. More denial. More everything. I have such big plans for this story but they can go different directions, but what i am most excited about is the Echo Cave. And once you hear the secrets i have in store you will understand.

Anyways, enjoy and please please please review :)

XOXO