"Okay, with the crocodile and giant…octopus now free, it won't be long until Captain Hook finds out and come looking for us here," stated Rumpelstiltskin.

They had grouped up together on the rocks at Mermaid Lagoon after leaving Skull Rock. Rumpelstiltskin was still a little shaken up by the amount of power that he had wielded to move the gate.

"So, what's our next move?" asked Jasmine her hands on her hips.

Rumpelstiltskin rested his jaw on his clenched hands, his eyes going distant. He was like that for a while until something caught his eye. Turning quickly, he noticed motion underneath the water. Then his eyes brightened.

"We lead him on a merry chase," he said with a smile. "Let's split up as we make our way to the prison camp on the other side of the island. Jasmine, Carpet, and Abu will go along with Genie. Tinker Bell and I will go together."

Jasmine met his gaze. "Are you sure that is the wisest choice? We'll be a lot stronger together."

"True, but we'll have a better chance in freeing the prisoners if we split up."

Jasmine nodded in agreement and she and Abu sat on Carpet as they flew out.

"Remember to stay close to the tree line!" he called out after them.

Tinker Bell hovered above his head, pixie dust sprinkling down but Rumpelstiltskin waved her off.

"Not yet." He turned and crouched down to the water. With his hand he struck the water lightly and began to wait. He didn't have to wait long. A clear blue tail flicked out above the water several yards in front of him and submerged again. There was another splash to his right, and soon two more on his left. Silhouettes appeared in the crystal clear water approaching him, rippling the water in a V-like formation. As they neared he could see the upper body of a human female that ended with a fish tale.

The mermaids rose out of the water in front of him, each with shy smiles on their beautiful faces. There were six total: two redheads, another two with black hair, and two blondes. Each of their hair was let out and plastered to the sides of their heads and their length was enough to hide their modesty, something that Rumpelstiltskin found quite alluring.

"Well, he's not quite Peter Pan," said a redhead stroking his hand.

"No, he's better," said the blonde as she leaned in closer in front of him.

"I say we keep him," said one with black hair.

"I second that," giggled the other as her hand reached up to grip his arm.

"What do you say, cutie?" said the blonde, her face mere centimeters from his. She flicked her hair back and he was very tempted to look down. "Care to join us for some fun?"

Rumpelstiltskin opened his mouth but no words came out. Suddenly, he heard the sounds of bells. It was that sound of Tinker Bell buzzing back and forth around his head that prompted his awakening from his trance-like state. He stood up quickly, but just as fast, he slipped and fell back down. The mermaids all giggled at him and this made him blush.

"Actually, uh, ladies… err, I was, uh, wondering if I could ask a favor from you?"

The blonde gave him a radiant smile and he felt himself blushing even more.

"Of course, you can," she licked her lips eagerly.

Rumpelstiltskin gulped, and he could feel his heart picking up with his rapid breathing. His throat seemed to tighten and he could hardly speak let alone think. He quickly cleared his throat before speaking.

"I was wondering if you could find a way to keep Captain Hook busy."

The mermaids all exchange glances before the blonde answered.

"And what do we get in return?"

Rumpelstiltskin gave her a smile, as he knew just how to answer her question.

"I figured that since with Peter Pan gone, and Captain Hook in control of the island, you haven't been having some real company." They giggled again as they figured out where he was going. "So, if you do this favor then I will spend some time with you." His eyes met with each of them as his smile deepened. "Each of you." His eyes rested on the blonde and he reached out to push the rest of her hair back. They all giggled again and dived down into the water. Only the blonde stayed where she was for a few more seconds, smiling and staring at Rumpelstiltskin before turning and joining with the rest.

Rumpelstiltskin breathed a sigh of relief. Tinker Bell flew in front of his face, her own face contorted in anger, her glow a dark red. She wagged her finger at him, a flurry of tiny bell sounds coming from her mouth.

Rumpelstiltskin smiled in amusement. "I agree. That was a little too close. Let's go."

Tinker Bell kept her frown on her face as she circled above him, spraying pixie dust on him and soon both were flying out of the lagoon. As they left Rumpelstiltskin quickly looked back to see the flick of a tail at the lagoon's entrance. He smiled. Oh yes, he couldn't wait to fulfill his end of the bargain.

A hundred yards away from Skull Rock, Captain Hook ordered the anchor to be dropped and the longboat launched. Taking Mister Smee along with four other pirates, he made his way to the rocky island. Storm clouds rumbled near them, casting a shadow across the waters. The wind soon picked up, followed by the rising of waves.

The first lurch that had occurred on the longboat, Captain Hook believed to be a wave that struck them. The second time he turned to his crew.

"Row this boat straight, you bilge-rats!" he shouted.

"Captain! We're not doing anything!" answered Smee desperately.

Hook was about to retort when the boat pitched forward, and he nearly lost his balance. His eyes glared in frustration, as he couldn't comprehend what was happening. Then he saw it: V-like ripples coming from starboard that were aimed for the boat. They soon disappeared about a yard away before the boat rocked to port. All the men let go of the oars and quickly gripped the sides of the boat for dear life. The boat rocked again, this time to starboard, the mermaids tossing the boat in a deadly game of seesaw. After a particularly hard strike, all the pirates except for Smee and Hook spilled out in the water.

"Captain!" called Smee. "We must abandon ship!"

Hook looked up to see Smee standing up. Letting go of the side, Hook held up his hand to stop Smee.

"Smee, wait!"

That move proved to be a mistake as the boat was rocked by the hardest strike, overturning it. The two pirates struggled to keep their heads above water. Hook looked around, expecting another attack by the accursed mermaids but nothing happened.

"Smee?" he called out.

"Here, Captain," answered his first mate a little away from him.

Hook was about to call Smee to gather the crew when something caught his eye in the distance. He peered across the waves to see a large log swimming toward him. Wait, swimming? His eyes widened with realization and he immediately began paddling as fast as he could toward the pirate ship, his arms like windmills.

"SMEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"