Chapter 25: Enlightening Conversations

"Ariel, perfect timing as always." Hook said without break eye contact with Emma's strong gaze. He had no reason to be frustrated at Ariel, she was the person he came looking for after all, however he felt like if they hadn't been interrupted him and Emma would have had a ginormous emotional breakthrough. Damnit.

"It's good to see you Hook," Arial continued either oblivious to the moment between the pair in front of her or ignoring it.

"I would bet my ship that you are the only person that would say that in this realm." Hook said finally lowering his touch off Emma. She was still staring at him and as always he desperately wondered what was on her mind.

"You're probably right. Which leads me to my first question- are you crazy? What the heck are you doing back here? You worked one hundred years to get out of this realm, why would you do that just to come back?" Ariel ranted the truth.

Hook finally broke eye contact with Emma, not wanting to see her reaction on the length of time it took him to escape last time. She was clearly on a deadline much shorter than 100 years.

When Hook finally turned to face Ariel he had to admit it was good to see her. She was the purest person he had ever met and she had saved his ass many times never expecting anything in return. She just helped because it was the 'right thing to do'.

"Ariel, this is Emma. Emma this is my good friend Ariel." Hook said completely changing the subject and hoping that it worked.

"Of course! Queen Snow's daughter! Your mother is the most wonderful person and your parents have the most beautiful love story ever! It makes me swoon every single time I think about it!" Ariel gushed. Hook rolled his eyes; Ariel had always been the biggest romantic.

"Thank you Ariel, it's very nice to meet you. " Emma replied politely.

"Oh well you must have quite the love story yourself! I did hear you are getting married! Tell me everything! How did you meet? Was it love at first sight?" Ariel pushed clearly overexcited.

Hook turned back to face Emma who had such an uncomfortable look he almost started laughing. He decided he would bail her out from this conversation but not until she at least attempted to answer Ariel's questions. He was curious of what her response would be to Ariel's pushy questions himself.

"Um..well…" Emma cleared her throat, "Neil is great, he's kind and uh generous. He's an excellent ruler, and he really care about his people."

Hook couldn't tear his eyes off the awkward woman in front of him. It sounded like she was describing her brother not her fiancé.

"How did you meet?" Ariel asked clearly still pulling for a romantic story.

"My parents set us up." Emma replied softly.

'Ahhh' Hook thought, an arranged marriage it must be. It would certainly explain her blah-like feelings towards the prince. However it didn't really make sense. Her parents were the definition of true love, why would they push their daughter into an arranged marriage? You would think they would want their daughter to have a passionate and fiery true love relationship like them. Which lead him to his next line of questioning: Why would Emma agree to an arranged marriage? He would bet his ship that she had a list of interested suitors a mile long. She said her biggest fear was not finding true love like her parents, so why was she not even giving herself a chance?

Hook looked at Ariel who was clearly getting ready to ask another romantic question so Hook decided it was time for him to step in. As much as he enjoyed hearing a bit more of the princess's secrets they did have a task to complete.

"Well ladies, as much as I'm sure you both are enjoying this overly fuzzy conversation I believe we have more pressing matters at hand to discuss." Hook said bailing Emma out. Emma met his eyes again and she nodded in clear appreciation for the subject change.

"Fine," Ariel said reluctantly with a sigh, "let's start with my original question then, why in the world are you back here?"

"We're looking for the Dark One's dagger." Hook said knowing honesty was always the best tactic when talking to Ariel.

Ariel's eyes grew wide before she answered, "Oh I've heard many tales about the dagger. It's the only thing capable of controlling the Dark One. Nasty object I hear, filled with as much darkness as the Dark One himself. Why in the world do you think it's here? And do I even want to know what your plans are with it if you should find it?"

Hook cursed himself for not thinking of talking to Ariel sooner. Although she never wanted to talk about his revenge plans in the past, so he doubted she would have revealed her knowledge about the dagger before. Of course she had heard of it though, she could easily travel between realms. He would have saved so much time if she had shared this information sooner.

"You probably don't want to know any more of our plan honestly. I know how fast word travels in the water and I don't want you to get in trouble. It's a dangerous road we have embarked on and I wouldn't want someone as sweet as you to get harmed." Hook said laying on the charm. He knew now that he had mentioned the dagger being in this realm Ariel would see if she could find out any information for him, she was always willing to help.

"Save your charms for Tiger Lily or another mermaid in the sea, you know they won't work here." Ariel said smiling.

"What a shame darling," Hook said with a devilish smile. He enjoyed his easy banter with Ariel, there weren't too many people he could say that about. Ariel never had a secret agenda she was just easy to talk to.

Hook glanced at Emma and was surprised to see her wearing a scrunched up annoyed face. Now there was a woman he would pay to understand like Ariel.

"I'm saving myself for True Love Hook, the kind of love that you used to have." Ariel said whimsically.

Hook cut his eyes at Ariel. The last thing he wanted was Emma knowing about his love-filled past.

"Hook in love? I can't see it." Emma said injecting herself into the conversation.

The comment stung, he wouldn't admit it out loud and he didn't know why it did but indeed it hurt. Was he really that awful that Emma couldn't see anyone loving him? Sure he classified himself as a scoundrel, perhaps a bit dark hearted, revengeful, but unlovable?

"Oh yes, his smiles were genuine, not cocky. His demeanor was calmer, dare I say happy. He was smitten completely, romantic-"

"Enough!" Hook said cutting her off. "That was a long time ago, before I saw the true colors of the world we live in and I would appreciate it if you kept those historical elaborated tales to yourself."

Ariel just rolled her eyes at him; his anger never had fazed her. Perhaps he was being a bit dramatic but the princess certainly couldn't see him as being loved so she didn't need a different picture painted for her by Ariel.

"Well as much as you aren't enjoying my company right now I regret to inform you that you have much more unpleasant company headed your way. I'll keep my ears to the sea for you Captain. It was nice to meet you Emma, please keep him safe." Ariel said and then swam off.

Emma tried to picture it. Hook happy. Hook genuinely smiling. Hook romantic?

As soon as Ariel had left Hook led them back to the forest. They were currently headed back towards their cave. Hook had remained silent so far. What a strange conversation it had been with Ariel and enlightening for both of them. She had wanted to be honest about Neil. He really was a great man. She didn't want to embellish their romance because although she knew that Ariel would have loved it Hook would have seen directly through it and called her on her bullshit. It was getting harder and harder to lie or omit the truth from him. The truth was always easier, it certainly had nothing to do with his excellent listening skills or his amazing ability to read her, to understand her, it had nothing at all to do with that.

Also, did he flirt with every woman? So far she hadn't seen him interact with any woman he hadn't tried to charm. Ariel acted like it was normal but it bugged Emma. How could a man who had once been in love be so against it now?

Emma had been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she had completely forgot about Ariel's parting comment about unwanted company headed their way, until she heard a voice.

"Well if it isn't my long lost friend Captain Hook. Have you returned because you missed me so much?"

"Pan." Hook said stopping in his tracks and looking around. Emma spotted a young boy, probably no more than fourteen at most staring back at them while sitting on a tree branch.

"I see you've brought me a new play toy. Hello Princess Emma." Pan said staring at her with manic eyes.

"She's NOT a toy!" Hook bellowed back.

His outburst shocked Emma and clearly Pan as well who raised both of his eyebrows in response.

"Well this is absolutely gleeful. Don't tell me you've gone and developed feelings for the princess here Hook. The one who is engaged to be married. You didn't learn your lesson the first time? Must you always go for unavailable women? Does the pattern never end? First someone's wife, now someone's fiancé. How did that work out for you the first time? You were left with a broken hear t and a murdered lover if I recall correctly, and you know I always do."

"Don't you dare talk about Milah like that!" Hook yelled enraged.

"Oh but I can talk about it from firsthand experience. Don't you remember it was you who washed up on my shore after her death. It was I who got to see you torn apart by the darkness, by the rage. Now I'm not the purest person but even I don't like seeing my play things dark and destructive. I kept you on your toes, I nursed you back to being semi-human with my games and challenges. And then you up and leave me after all I did for you?" Pan said jumping off the branch he sat on in the tree and walking slowly towards Hook.

"Bullshit, you tortured me. You always tried to kill me but never actually intended for me to die. You drove me almost as mad as Milah's death did. How was that a favor? How was that helpful? I owed you nothing then and nothing now, you don't fucking control me." Hook said glaring at Pan and not backing down. Emma's mind was drowning in questions; her body was feeling so many emotions. He was involved with someone's wife? That same woman was murdered? By who? Her husband? She could clearly now see why Hook hated Pan. Sure Hook could be a prick at times but Pan seemed to be nothing but a delusional child. It was very unsettling.

"You're wrong Captain. I own and control this entire realm and you foolishly returned to it."

No amount of apologies will forgive my delay in updating this story. I was mentally stuck for a while (obviously) however today a bunch of inspiration took over and out popped this chapter. I made it a bit longer than normal since you all certainly deserve it. I'm not sure if anyone is reading this story anymore but I WILL finish it just like I've always said. I know the layout of the rest of the story so now I just need to write it. Your comments and follows over the past months have inspired me to continue to write this story. I appreciate them all. Let me know what you think of Ariel and Pan showing up!