Another double chapter deal. 13 and 14 were one, really long chapter. I really must stop doing that. I'm pulling in new characters with these two, hope you approve. Happy reading!

13.

"What the bloody hell happened?" Hook sat up in the bed, looking around at the dwarfs that surrounded his cot.

"Well, Captain, you passed out while Mulan was fixing you up." Doc said softly.

Hook raised his hand to his face and pressed against is sore head. "Bloody women, they are all out to murder me." He mumbled, peeking out from between spread fingers. He suddenly felt very awkward. The little men still hadn't moved from around him.

"Hey, do I look like Snow White to you? Bugger off, chaps."

"We were told by The Da…" looking down, Doc corrected himself. "Rumplestiltskin… to keep an eye on you. Stay here, I have to notify him that you have awakened." He said, moving to the door.

"And why does the crocodile need to be aware of what I do?" Hook asked, frowning. He slid his boots off the bed and stood swaying slightly.

"I'm… I'm not sure but you have to stay here while I get him."

Hook stumbled to the door and passed the man in his path. "I think not, ole' boy, I'll tell him me self."

"No, please, you will anger him…." Doc pleaded, with fear in his eyes.

"Good." He said over his shoulder as he walked away, leaving the dwarfs wide-eyed in his wake.

#

"Oi, Scaley, you can rest easy, I live." He announced, walking in to where Emma, Regina and Gold sat.

Looking down, Hook met Emma's surprised eyes. He teetered on his heels for a moment before taking in what was happening. "Miss Swan. You're Majesty." He bowed. His eyes fixed on Emma, he shook his head. "Pardon my intrusion, Lassies. I was told that Rumplestiltskin wished to be informed of my consciousness."

"Indeed." Gold mumbled as he stood. "I am now to assume, that the dwarfs cannot take proper orders."

Regina glanced from Hook to Emma. Their eye contact made her uneasy. The tips of her ears became red as he slid her hand down the blonde's jean clad leg. The contact broke Emma's gaze. She turned to the brunette and smiled gently. Once Emma realized what the look on the woman's face meant, her smile fell into a frown.

"No." the blonde whispered, squeezing the hand on her thigh.

Silent, Regina focused her eyes on the floor in front of her. She didn't know what to say. Hook, realizing what was happening, passed Gold to kneel on the floor in front of the women. Regina looked up at him, anger flicked in her eyes. Boldly, he reached up to Emma, taking her hand off of Regina's and held it loosely in his own. He then took up Regina's in the same hand he held the blonde's. The queen cringed at his touch but didn't pull away. The women both sat silent, staring down at the man.

"Listen, lovelies, you don't have to worry about me, either of you." He looked to Regina. "I love Emma, saying otherwise would be a blatant lie. But Regina, M'Queen, you don't have to worry about me. I wouldn't dare try to interfere with true love. I am a man of honor, to pursue my feelings would be obviously bad form."

Regina stared down at the man, obviously surprised by him bluntness. She then turned to Emma who appeared equally as shocked as she was. The blonde ached a brow in response to her lover's gaze and then looked back to the man holding their hands.

"I obviously don't love Hook. There is no question there." She said with a straight face. Turning to the woman next to her, she pulled their hands from Hook. "I love you. I might not know what to do with it yet but I can tell you with complete confidence that I really do. I am in no way interested in him. I promise you that." She said softy, looking into the queen's caramel eyes. "I don't even know if I can handle you yet, but I'm going to try. We are going to do this… If you want to."

Rumple standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, listened to the exchange. He was surprised by the pirate's actions but Emma took the gold. He was even more surprised that she was now admitting her love for Regina with an audience, without falter. He proudly watched on, smiling, as he witnessed the queen blush hard.

Regina remained silent, looking down. Hook stood and nodded to Emma as he turned to leave. He had made it to the door before Gold caught his elbow. "You need to hear this." Gold whispered bringing his finger to his own mouth and then pointing to the couple who hadn't paid attention to the boys at all.

"Regina, please. I need you to trust me."

"But I do, Dear. I just… I don't know how to love very well. I get jealous, I am so afraid of opening up… Of giving in to these emotions because I know that the second I open up, you can just walk away… When I see the way you interact with people, not just the pirate, it worries me. I know it is just how you are but I can't shake the feeling."

"I feel like you may be a little bipolar." Emma said with a smile. Regina sat silent again.

"Look, I wouldn't do that to you. You need to see that." The blonde continued. "Okay, let's do this… we don't have to do a relationship, because I suck so hard at those… But, we can make this work. We can make it work as long as that's what you want." Emma said, lifting Regina's face to meet her gaze.

"It is."

Hook turned his face away from the women, he didn't want to hear anything further. As he started to walk away, Rumple grabbed his by the arm yet again, spinning him around and making him watch as the women shared a tender kiss and sat wrapped in each other's arms.

"Enough, Crocodile, I get it." Hook whispered, staring the man in the face. Pulling away from the man's grip the pirate walked to the next room. When Gold followed in behind him, Hook turned to him. "I meant what I said. I would never get between them." He said flatly.

"Let us hope not." Rumple replied. "Because I will tell you now Dearie, Regina will not hesitate to kill you."

"Why can't a man and woman just be friends, Honestly?!"

"It doesn't work that way, I am afraid."

"It that so? Because Belle and I have grown quiet close since you have been away."

"Do not try to get a rise out of me, pirate. I do not dictate who Belle pals around with."

"I am simply stating that men and women can be just friends, Rumplestiltskin. We have fought side by side, protected each other. We are friends."

"Fine, fine." Gold said waving his hand around. "Enough of this. You got my point. Now, are you well enough to move out?"

"Move out?" Hook asked, puzzled.

"I want to get a head start on the others. Our group is the most powerful, we will be able to clear a safe passage for the White Queen and her company."

"I see. Have you spoken to anyone else of this plan?"

"Belle knows and will inform Snow White after our departure. I will gather the ladies if you go get Bae." Rumple said quietly as to not be over heard.

"Aye." Hook said, spinning around. "What was it that you needed me for?"

"You already know." Gold grinned, victorious.

#

"Alright Dearies, we are heading out now. Are you both fit for battle?" Gold asked the still seated women.

"Heading out? All of us? We just calmed down." Emma blurted, looking to Regina.

"Miss Swan, the Wicked Witch and her creatures do not sleep." He said firmly.

Regina simply nodded to the man. Emma sat staring at him, trying to find her words.

"Okay, I'll find Snow." She said, standing.

"No, it will just be our group. We will head out first and take the lead. She mustn't know."

"But why?" Emma looked as if she could cry. Leaving her mother without her knowledge, to face whatever dangers were ahead was not ideal for her.

"She will hold us back. We are by far the most efficient group, she will want to play by the books and we don't have time for that." He said shaking his head.

"Who is we, exactly?" She asked.

"You two, Bae, the pirate, Ruby and myself."

"You're joking?" she raised her eyebrows high.

"Is there a problem, Miss Swan?" He tilted his head at her.

She shook her head. "No."

"Lovely, we will leave at dark."

Gold walked out without another word. Emma, who was standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, let out a sigh.

"What is it?" The brunette asked, standing up and joining the woman.

"I just… I don't really know."

Regina pulled the blonde into a hug. "We will get him back and return safely. Don't worry about that." She whispered, close to Emma's ear.

The heat from the brunette's mouth settled onto the blonde's skin, sending chills across her body. She turned her head slightly, her mouth was so close to Regina's at that point that she could feel the warmth radiating from her lips. Smiling, Emma looked down, and then pulled back.

"I have to talk to Snow." The blonde mumbled, pulling completely away from the woman.

"Very well, Dear." Regina stated before she turned dramatically and disappeared into a purple cloud.

"I will never get used to that." Emma said, shaking her head.

#

"A word, Lad." Hook mumbled, pulling Neal from his conversation with Mulan and Robin.

"Oh. Okay." Neal said surprised. "I, uh, I'll be right back." He said smiling to the woman.

Mulan nodded and Neal took off in the direction Hook was going. The captain stopped in the now deserted main room. Turning to his companion, he dropped his voice to little more than a whisper. "We are leaving at dusk, tell no one. Your father wishes to get a jump on the journey before the other parties move out."

"Why? We are safer together." Confusion spread across Neal's face.

"I don't question the crocodile much anymore, he has his reasons."

"I guess. Is Emma coming with us?"

"Of course. She isn't going to leave her queen's side. I must inform you that they have admitted their love for each other…" He put his hand on Neal's shoulder. "You can't go there."

"I, uh, I hadn't planned on it. I know she wants Regina."

"I'm just telling you mate, you will regret it."

"Look, man, I have already backed off. I don't want trouble. We are done here." Neal said, walking away.

"Oh, one more thing." Hook called.

"What is it?" Neal asked over his shoulder.

"The Warrior is not interested in you, m'boy. I hope you aren't too invested."

"You're an idiot." Neal laughed before leaving Hook standing alone, shaking his head.

#

"Hey." Emma stood leaned against the door jamb of Snow White's tiny, secluded bedroom.

Snow looked up with a start, having not noticed the woman standing there. She held a slip of parchment in her hands. Looking down, she quickly rolled it and tucked it into the waist-belt around her vest.

"Emma." Snow smiled, happily. "Whats up?"

"Nothing, really." The blonde said looking around. "I just haven't seen you much since I um… got my memories back."

"That is my fault." Snow whispered.

"What?"

"Emma, I am so happy that you are back and I am happy that you are happy… I'm just not ready to see you two together, just yet." She said, looking down, obviously ashamed.

"It's fine. I get it. Every mother's greatest fear is that their child will grow up outside of the plans that we have for them. Obviously you expected me to find a cute prince or whatever and settle down and know that it won't happen stings. I know that and I'm sorry but true love apparently had a different plan. And I know that you miss David, I understand. Snow, we will find him… and Henry… and the others."

"No, I know. It's complicated, Emma. Just know that I love you, no matter what, okay?"

"Well, yea." The blonde laughed.

"Just be safe. Please. I can't be there to protect you so, please just take care of yourself."

"Hey, I love you too, okay. And I am always safe." She smirked.

"Uh huh." Snow pulled her lips into a smile. "You better go get some sleep. We move out tomorrow so, go rest up."

Emma nodded. "You be careful too, okay?"

"Always."

"Hey, Emma shouldn't you be…" Ruby started, when she saw Emma standing half in the hall.

Emma shot a wide-eyed glare at the woman to stop her chatter. "I'll be in, in a few."

"Okay." She smiled, padding down the hall.

"Anyway, we got this." Emma beamed back at her mother.

Snow hadn't missed the strange exchange between the women but she didn't question it. "I know." She said, waving her hand in the air. "Now go, I will see you in the morning."

#

"Really, Rubes?" Emma snapped as she turned the corner into the room where the group had gathered.

"How was I supposed to know you were talking to Snow?"

"You have supersonic hearing… you have no excuse." Emma glared.

"Really though, I had no idea you were talking to her. Sorry." She shrugged.

"Are we finished, Ladies?" Regina cut in. "We are going to clear out by magic. I have informed Tinkerbell that we will be leaving. She will put the barrier back in place once we are out."

Emma walked over to the table and took up the sword that Mulan has given her days before. She unsheathed it and turned the blade over in her fist. For a moment she looked at her refection in the polished metal. Man, I look rough. She thought to herself as she silently she slid the metal back into its leather sleeve. Walking back over to the group, she fastening the belt tight around her hips. She looked up just in time to see a smile creep across Regina's face. The blonde looked into her lover's eyes and watched her pupils dilate. A familiar tingle started in her stomach as the goose bumps covered her skin. She shook her head and pulled her mouth into a crooked smile.

Neal too had acquired a sword. He stood proud with its length resting at his side, his hand perched on the ball atop the hilt. He looked so strange with a weapon, to Emma. She looked over to Ruby who covertly smelled of the air around her. With a giant wolf-like grin, the girl nodded her head at Emma who then instantly turned red.

"We will move on to the town three ridges over before we bunk down for the night and because the Witch has spies everywhere, we will be doing so without the use of magic." Gold added.

Regina, who was still focused on Emma, watched as the blonde flushed. She turned to see that Ruby was smiling freakishly and nodding at her. What the hell is going on? She thought as she turned back to Emma who was now staring a hole in the floor boards. Regina shook her head, she had no idea what had happened. She made a mental note to ask, later.

"Ruby, you will scout ahead and report back to Neal who will report to us, we will all stay hidden until we get to the town." The queen said emotionlessly.

"I will then cloak our appearances before entering the town. We will see each other for who we are but no one else will recognize us." Gold finished.

Regina nodded. "Any questions? No? Alright. Miss Lucas, Emma, with me." She said holding out her hands.

The women joined her, taking her hands. With a quiet hiss, soft, purple haze filled in around them. Then they were gone.

"Alright boys, let's go." Gold said, touching both Neal and Hook on the shoulders.

"Wait!" Belle called, running into the room. She threw her arms around the oldest man and kissed him passionately. "You better come back to me, Rumplestiltskin." She said.

"Of course I will. Dearest Belle. Stay safe. I will see you soon." He smiled.

"I love you, please do be careful."

He waved a hand in front of him. "I am always careful." He kissed her once more and stepped back, taking the boys again by the shoulder. "I love you too." He said with a warm smile. Within seconds, golden swirls tangled around the trio and then they too were gone.

#

Regina and Emma stood under the shadow of a large oak tree as Ruby scampered up the hillside.

"What was that little incident back there?" The brunette asked quietly, aware of the wolf's incredible hearing.

"What incident?"

"Do not play stupid with me, Miss Swan. I haven't seen you that embarrassed in, well, ever."

Emma sighed and moved closer to Regina so that she could whisper in the woman's ear. "Her sense of smell is just as good as her hearing."

"Her sense of smell? What the hell are you talking about?"

"She could smell you… us." The blonde said, felling her ears start to burn.

"I'm not understanding." Regina said, crossing her arms.

"She could smell the, uh, excitement."

"Excitement? Emma really, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh for the love of god Regina, you were obviously turned on which turned me on, Ruby could smell it." She mumbled quickly, obviously annoyed.

"Oh wow." The brunette's brown eyes grew wide and her mouth opened to speak but she closed it again and shook her head. There was a flash of light as the boys appeared standing in front of them. Regina sighed, audibly.

"Shall we?" Rumple asked bowing to the women.

Without a word, they filed out up the hill behind Ruby. Neal ran up behind her and the rest followed silently, Hook took up the back of the line. The air was cold against Neal's face as he danced around from shadow to shadow. Looking back, all he could see was the dark emptiness of a meadow. Tinkerbell had recloaked the area making it invisible to outsiders. Taking a deep breath, he kept moving forward.

The group had moved swiftly and silently for what seemed like hours. Emma, Regina, Hook and Mr. Gold had reached the valley between the first and second ridge when Neal came barreling down the hill in front of them. It was so dark they almost couldn't see his face.

"What is it, Bae?" Gold asked quietly.

"Ruby said that she is picking up a very heavy scent of blood. She thinks there are monkeys on the other side of this hill." He said, between breaths.

"Alright, lets do this." Regina said, opening and closing her hand.

"No magic, Regina." Gold whispered.

"I have no other weapon, Gold."

"How is your aim?" he asked.

Neal had run back up the hill and Emma stood as still as she could while still watching her surroundings. Her heart was pounding against her ribs as she took slow, steady breaths. Straining her ears against the night, she couldn't hear anything but Neal's steps and the whispers of her two companions.

"I am the que… was the queen. I have fantastic aim."

"And your night vision?"

"Fine, Gold. What are you getting at?" she huffed

He pulled a black bow from the air between them. No smoke, no dramatics, just a bow. With his other hand, he withdrew a basket of arrows in the same fashion.

"You said no magic!" she snapped.

"My magic isn't like yours, dearie. We cannot draw attention to ourselves and no offence but you are not subtle. Now, any of these arrows will reach their target as long as they are fired from this bow." He said holding the items out to her.

She swung the arrow filled basket over her shoulder and onto her back. "Is this the bow I think it is?" she whispered.

"Depends, what bow would that be?"

"Belle told me about the outlaw."

"Ah." He twisted a finger in the air. "That would be the one."

She smiled as she lined the bow up in front of her with her left hand and pulled the sting back with her right, resting her fingers to her cheek bone. She stared off past the wood, into the trees, before lowering the weapon. "This is going to be fun."

#

As the group quickly made their way to the peak of the hill, the heavy smell of blood made it into their nostrils. Emma swallowed hard, trying not to gag. She could handle all the gore in the world but the smells all but killed her stomach. Regina, seeing the blonde's struggle, removed a baggy from her breast pocket. Opening it, she dipped her finger into the bag. When she withdrew it, colorless liquid shined on her finger tip. Emma was about to speak when the queen stopped her. As Regina ran her finger across the blonde's upper lip, the metallic smell dulled significantly. Emma looked perplexed as the brunette walked away without a word and joined the others.

Gold drew his sword and Regina moved under a nearby tree, overlooking the valley below. Neal stood with his hand around the hilt of his weapon and Ruby fell onto all fours, letting herself turn. She had learned to control her curse so well that she could change at will, days after the full moon had passed, after her cycle was done.

Emma walked up to the group and looked over the hill. Her eyes scanned across dozens of monkeys, picking through what could only be the remains of unlucky travelers on the path below. Taking a deep breath she drew her sword. Looking to her queen, the blonde smiled before disappearing over the edge. Regina watched, arrow drawn, waiting for Ruby to take first blood. She could see Emma sneaking around behind the boys. Hook kept looking back to the blonde and Regina could see it. She shook it out of her mind as she refocused on the task ahead. Just then a growl echoed in the air. Ruby had made first move. Regina took a deep breath and held it, searching for a target.

Hook and Emma cut down beasts as fast as they could, the fought back to back as to not miss anything coming at them. Gold had gone off ahead; his bade hissed through the air before making contact with the chest of a creature that was in mid air. Another came screeching up behind him and he turned just in time to cut it across the stomach, red liquid flew from his blade as he destroyed one after the other.

Neal found himself lying on his back as a monkey, being held at a full arm's reach, clawed at him and screamed in his face. The man grunted as he tried to hold off the creature. His arms where shaking with fatigue and his grip on the animal was slipping, he moaned loudly as he attempted to shove it off of him once more. An arrow flew through the air and made its way into the back of the monkey's head, spraying Neal with blood. He looked up to see Regina grabbing another arrow from behind her.

I was very dark, making it hard for any of them to see very well but they did not waver in their attack on the offending creatures. Screams echoed through the valley as monkeys continued to fall. Regina had taken to shooting them out of the air, before they could make it to their targets. Monkey corpses littered the ground around the group.

As the valley grew quiet, Regina slowly made her way down the hill, her bow was still drawn, waiting for an attacker. When she made it to the group, she began pulling her arrows from the lifeless beings under her feet and dropping the blood covered projectiles back into her basket. Rumple walked around, pushing his blade into anything that could still breathe and Neal sat silently on the ground, waiting to move on. Hook took the opportunity to search the remains of the attacked travelers, beneath the layer of dead monkeys.

"Got this for you." He smiled holding out a flask to the queen.

"I don't do rum, Hook." She said softly.

"That's why this is yours, it's tequila." He pulled his features into a frown. "Disgusting, dog piss, you ask me."

"On second thought...I'm sure I will be wanting this later." She said, tucking it away on the side of the leather basket that held her arrows.

She turned to see Emma leaning again the base of a tree and the brunette joined her. They stood there in silence as Rumple migrated back around to where they had gathered. Ruby had become human again and was now scouting ahead.

"Her metabolism is amazing." He said pointing a thumb up the hill at Ruby who was already half way to the ridge.