It was late evening by the time the men returned to the Charming's flat, as Killian had insisted they swing by the library to collect Thomas. The lad had been lying on his belly on an old book, head lifted up to gaze around. He given a wide, gummy smile when Killian had crouched down beside him, blocking David from view.

Belle had shown herself to be an able caretaker, and Killian had thanked her sincerely. His crew were settled in with Robin's men, out in the forest and Robin had promised to keep an eye on them; the men were exhausted, having travelled by some form of coach for most the journey, then walking several hours to reach the town. Killian rather suspected that the journey would have taken less time if Smee hadn't been left to direct them; he was a good man, but could get lost wandering around the ship. He'd then gotten his men to keep an eye on Robin and his Merry Men. Everyone looking out for everyone else. Hopefully, no one would be overlooked if they had any worries or troubles. It was a tactic he used many times with his crew over the years. Give people small groups to keep an eye on, so that at least 2 sets of eyes were checking on each person.

"Outside." Whispered Emma, as they entered the flat to speak with the women, her eyes flickering over to his son whose attention was held by another box.

"We have a problem." David stated, back to the wall as he faced Emma, Snow and Regina.

"Which is?" The once evil queen cocked an eyebrow as she waited for an answer. She looked visibly upset by something, but Killian had other concerns.

"Little John turned into a flying monkey." He stated. "One of them bit him, and he… changed." Killian shuddered, pressing his sleeping son closer to his chest to ward off the chill that threatened to unbalance him.

"They're being turned into flying monkeys?" Mary Margaret hissed, her voice serious as she stared at her husband, as though refusing to believe until he confirmed this statement for her.

"Yes. He took on simian form with the added bonus of wings." Snarked Killian, unable to keep his voice as even as he wanted.

"Do you think that's what happened to the missing dwarfs too?" asked Mary Margaret, an apology evident in her expression. The pirate returned his gaze to his son, unable to deny the annoyance that was beginning to bubble up in her presence. It was probably the stress of everything that had happened recently. He needed some time out on the open sea, away from the ridiculous mess that seemed to make up the lives of every single landlubber.

"It would explain why we haven't found any trace of them." David mused, as Killian's mind wandered.

"And Neal?" Emma asked, the hint of vulnerability in her voice only just noticeable. Killian's eyes focussed on her, where he saw the ache in her eyes.

"There's no sign of him either, so yeah. It's possible." Killian shut his own eyes at David's comment. For a moment, the mischievous eyes stared up at him from a boy's amused face; but only for a moment. He'd called the boy all sorts of names when he had been aboard the Jolly Roger all those years ago. For a while at least, the two of them had had a good rapport. He'd been a hard worker and a bright lad, eager to learn and always able to smile.

"Wouldn't be the first flying monkey I've dated." Sighed Emma, visibly putting her mask in place.

Killian's attention to the conversation waned as Thomas baby to wriggle, opening his eyes and staring up.

"Hey there, little guy." He murmured softly, pulling the boy out the sling and holding his head to look into those big blue eyes. One small fist reached out as his mouth opened to release his tongue. "Tasting the air again, son?"

He laughed, watching the tongue move around as Thomas looked about. The conversation around him had died, and Killian suddenly became aware that everyone was watching him.

"Can I?" asked Emma, pushing past the others to stand beside him, her eyes on his son's face.

"Just… be careful." He acquiesced, turning to face her. As ever, it was a pull on his heart to give to boy over to someone else, but in his mind, he knew he trusted Emma.

"Hello there, Thomas. I'm Emma. I'm your dad's friend." She whispered, fondness making her face glow in an attractive manner. He half wanted to mention that they were related, but he wasn't going to let David and Snow White know where this child came from.

It was in that moment that Killian realised something important; he really trusted Emma.

"We ready to head back to Granny's?" he asked, wanting to talk to her before he lost his nerve. Emma glanced up, her expression curious as she apparently noted a queer tone to his voice. "Please." He added on in a whisper.

"Sure." She handed Thomas back before heading back inside to say goodbye to her parents and collect Henry.

"Do you want to come over for a while, or are you settling down?" asked Regina, as they headed outside, a loneliness in her expression that Killian suddenly understood as he watched her eyes on Henry. He no longer recognised her as a parent.

"I'm sorry, Regina. I know it's… well, another time. There's something I need to talk to Hook about."

As Emma led Regina off to talk quietly with her, Killian noticed Henry's interested looks.

"What is it, lad?"

"Why do people call you Hook? I thought Jones was your last name."

"It is. Hook's a moniker."

"Cos you dress like a pirate?"

"Aye." He sighed. Let him believe what he wanted. "Let's set off. Your mother can catch up."

Henry walked in silence beside him, apparently blessed with the same gift as Emma: an understanding that not every silence needed filling. Swan gave them all a find smile as she caught up to them, but didn't speak either. At Granny's, Henry headed for bed and Ruby came out to give them both coffee.

"You want alcohol, you'll have to go to the Rabbit Hole. Granny only serves on special occasions." The woman told them, grinning. "He need anything?"

"Here." He reached into his bag and handed over the powder for Thomas's bottle.

"Only occasionally serve alcohol?" Emma muttered, as she took a careful sip. "Does her license cover that?"

"She counts them as tasting events, I think." Ruby called back, ears sharp enough to pick up the questions.

"Have a drink." Emma said, when she noticed Killian staring at his cup.

"And the sheriff could always check how legal everything is, I'm sure." The woman came back into the room, placing the bottle in from of Killian as she watched Thomas squirm in the pirate's arms and begin to fuss.

"Am I still sheriff? It's been a while."

"Do you see anyone else doing the job?" She smirked at Emma for a moment. "You guys wanting anything else? I was wanting to go out."

"No. Thanks Ruby." Emma gave her a tired smile, before glancing at Killian. "You looked like you wanted to talk. What is it?"

"David!" he blurted out, inelegantly.

"What?"

"But you can't tell him. My heart would actually stop."

"Stop being a drama queen and go from the start. I have no idea what you're talking about." She turned to face him properly. "What's going on?"

"In Neverland. I mean, it runs on imagination and some of those boys were actually teenagers and then Pan wasn't even a boy but a man who gave himself youth and so should be surprised I didn't encounter something like this before because it would have made sense and then I would have left Prince Charming with dear Snow White and things would have been fine but then I wouldn't have Thomas and he means more to me than anything and-"

"Whoa! Hold up there." Emma had both her hand up and everything began to pour out. "What's this about my parents?"

"That's not the point. Listen." He took a deep breath, determined to be coherent. He hoped she didn't hit him. No liked people who got in the way of true love. "In Neverland, things exist because you believe in them, yes?"

"I remember." She said, her face calm, but the grip on her cup belied her anxiety.

"And there are plants in the dark jungle. Mushrooms, if you want to be exact. When David and I were off together… well…"

"You and David got high on magic mushrooms?" Emma asked, looking amused.

"Yes and no." He looked down at his son, then up at Emma, wanting her to make to connection without him saying it.

"It's late, Killian. I can't make leaps to work things out right now."

"Well… Neverland." He looked imploringly at her again. He bloody hated Neverland. "It's magic is… different, and it's a place for children. And those mushrooms, the smell… We couldn't think…"

"No." Emma sat up suddenly, her eyes widening. "Killian… Is your son…?" her voice cut out as she looked at the boy.

"So, you have a brother?" he tried to smile at her, but everything was trembling and he looked down at the peaceful face, relaxed in slumber now that the feeding was over.

"Half-brother." Emma correctly weakly.

"Aye."

"Neverland." She looked up at him, her eyes still wide. "You and David… Do you even like him?"

"Do you really want to ask what bits of your father I like, love?" His skin felt clammy and uncomfortable as he waited for Emma verdict on the matter of Thomas.

"No." She blanched and put her head down on the counter. "Two siblings at once."

"Yes." He scowled, but said nothing else.

"You don't like Mary Margaret, do you?" Emma said softly, her head still down.

"I don't want either of them near my son." He looked down at the face he loved so dearly. "How could they not want to keep him? And as loyal as my crew is, they can't take on an army if the Charming's decide they want him."

"They wouldn't."

"It won't end well for me if they know." He reached down to ease her back up. "Please, Emma. Don't tell them."

"It's his child. David should know."

"I can't lose him. Love, please." Bile churned within him as the idea darkened his thoughts. "This is me begging. Please. I need a friend, especially now I'm not on the move, and most of my crew are gone. It's a friend I need, not an adversary."

Emma stared at him in silence, her gaze searching in a way that unsettled him, but he gave her the time she needed. He needed people on his side, and he needed someone who knew the truth. Blue Fairy had known, but if everyone had lost their memories, then she didn't anymore and he wasn't yet desperate enough to seek her out.

"Okay." She said at last, giving a small nod of her head.

"Okay? That's it?"

"Yeah. Okay. I can understand not wanting some other parent to come and take your child away, even though Henry was eleven when I first met him. I get it. So, okay. I won't tell them." She smiled a small, sad smile as she looked into his eyes. "I think you should, but that's just my opinion. It could be a disaster, so do what you think is right, and I'll support you."

"Thanks, love." The pirate replied, relief flooding his body, making it so heavy that he sagged forward.

"Unless I think you're being an idiot; then I'll speak up." She managed a grin, which was returned, albeit weakly.