I'm so sorry guys, I so thought that I had already uploaded this chapter and wondered why no one had mentioned the big development in the reviews... Yeah, that'll be because I didn't do it! Oops, my bad. Anyway I hope the fact that this is a longer chapter helps you get over my mistake.

On we go once more unto the abyss... enjoy xx

The next few days passed in a similar fashion, Hook would wake up for short periods, Emma would talk to him, keeping him up to date with everything that was going on. He had given a wide smile when she told him that they had finally figured out that Rufio really was alive and going by the name Rufus, he was indeed a ranger and seemed to live somewhat of a nomadic lifestyle. This in itself had caused problems as it had meant that they were having a hard time tracking him down.

The dwarves had volunteered to head out into the woods in scouting parties of two to find him, this of course meant that one dwarf was left out but that worked out just fine, Leroy got deputized. He had become Emma's right hand man. While Hook had slept she had worked on the case but had found it increasingly frustrating that she couldn't just go and follow up on a lead, Leroy was the obvious solution and being honest he was doing a good job.

Dr. Hopper had had mixed results with Rapha, while the boy was happy to speak about all the stuff they had got up to when he had still been with the Lost Ones he couldn't really help them pin point where their hide out was. Firstly he was unfamiliar with their land and couldn't even point out anything helpful on a map and secondly they never stayed in one spot for more than a few nights, this explained why they'd been having trouble tracking them down.

But finally two weeks after the attack they caught a break. Rapha had told them how the boys were managing to eat, they had figured out that if they hung around the back of different stores at different times of the day that they could steal stuff when the deliveries arrived. David had immediately set up surveillance on several stores across town and it paid off, finally just that very morning they had managed to catch Nibs and Xylo red handed as they were helping themselves to fresh bread at the back of the grocery store. They had tried to make a run for it but with the help of the owner and Leroy, David had got them.

Three down two to go.

Emma had chatted excitedly to Hook about it but that was before things went downhill. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was still wrong with Hook, he tried his best to look happy when she was with him but when he wasn't forcing a smile onto his face or he thought that Emma wasn't watching he fell into a scowl. She'd had enough of watching him suffer so had started asking him every question she could think of to try and get to the bottom of it, in the end she had lost her temper, not at him, at the situation but the result was the same, Hook had closed his eyes and refused to answer anymore questions and in her frustration she had called him a child.

That had been two hours ago, of course by the time she had calmed herself down and realized that she had been completely out of line he was sleeping again. She needed to apologize, again! If she was finding it frustrating what must he be going through? God, this whole thing was torture. She saw movement on the bed as he stirred awake and she was at his side in seconds.

"I'm so sorry, don't hate me. I just worry about you Killian. I can see that something is bothering you but I don't know what it is, I don't know how I can help you and I'm finding it all a bit frustrating. I went about it all wrong earlier and took it out on you. Can you forgive me?" she gushed out

He simply smiled at her then took her hand in his, raised it to his mouth and kissed it gently. Yeah they were fine, he always knew just what to do to make her feel better.

"I think I can do one better than that" she hadn't dared to do this before this moment, not wanting to hurt him but she couldn't help it when he looked at her the way he did. She took her hand from his grip and slid her butt on to the edge of the bed holding his hand in her lap once more then she lent over, her lips met his and all was right in the world for a few short seconds, that was before the door to the room burst open and David waltzed in.

"Not interrupting am I?" he said, voice full of mischief.

Emma sat back, Hook's eyes danced with laughter and his smile was so wide it showed off his teeth, Emma gave him a playful tap on his chest before climbing off the bed to go strangle her Father.

Emma ate lunch then spent a while reading to Hook while her Father looked over her case files , Belle had dropped off some books from the library, they were mostly tales of sea voyages and battling numerous sea monsters but Hook seemed to enjoy them. He had fallen asleep a short while ago so Emma had joined her Father at her desk. There was a large map stuck up on the wall, red pins poking out showing all the places that the remaining Lost Ones had been sighted in the last week.

"We still need to catch those other two" Emma grit out in frustration

"And we will Emma I promise" David smiled at her. "Rapha said today that one of the places they liked to go when it was a bit colder was a big place made of wood on the outskirts of town, I'm thinking that he's maybe talking about Zelena's old place, me and Grumpy are gonna check it out in the morning"

"That's good. Any luck finding Rufio?"

"Not yet, the dwarves are on it though Emma, they'll find him."

"I hope so, Rapha needs his Brother. How's he doing?" She turned to sit in the edge of the desk so she could watched her Pirate sleep.

"He's doing better, Dr. Hopper says it might do him good to see Hook soon but we don't want to rush anything, he's got another appointment later today, your Mom's going to drop him off then bring Henry over. He's having terrible nightmares about that night, he still blames himself for Hook getting hurt and we're hoping the sessions will help" David sighed.

"Yeah, they both are" Emma had been woken a few times now by Hook thrashing about in his sleep and each time he awoke he wore the same terrified expression on his face and he would be scrabbling at his throat obviously dreaming about that damned rope still being around his neck. It always took her a while to calm him down enough to get him to go back to sleep, he was obviously scared that he'd wake again to the same dream so she sat with him often taking up one of the books, her soothing voice seemed to be enough to ease his fears.

ONCEUPONATIMEONCEUPONATIMEONCEUPONATIMEONCEUPONATIMEONCEUPONATIME

A short time later Snow and Henry came in carrying drinks. Snow came up to David's side and kissed him sweetly then they turned to watch their Grandson.

"Hey Mom" Henry greeted Emma "We brought you hot chocolate... with EXTRA cinnamon" he gave her a toothy smile as he turned to head over to Hook's bedside.

"Thanks Kid, you're a life saver." she said as he approached the Pirate "Henry, let him sleep, he needs his rest" Emma gave him a stern look

"I know Mom, I'll just get my book out" he started rummaging in his bag.

"No Kid, you'll do your homework first" she admonished

Henry threw her a dirty look and muttered "I hate homework, it's stupid" taking his work book from his bag and plonking down on the chair next to Hook's bed before pulling the wheeled table that sat over Hook's legs a bit closer so he could use it to lean on.

Snow and Emma chatted away while David just sat and listened. Henry had been working for a few minutes when David noticed that Hook was awake, he was simply watching the kid work on his homework a slight smile on his face. David really looked at the Pirate, he looked much better, although his beard was back, it needed trimmed and his hair was a mess but even still, he looked much healthier. The swelling in his face had almost completely gone and although his left eye was still very dark purple on the actual lid the rest of the area had bled out into varying shades of browns, yellows and greens that carried on down his face around his jaw and down on to his neck in one giant flowing bruise. More importantly though he could finally open his other eye. Henry carried on for a few minutes before looking up and realizing Hook was awake, a smile quickly appeared on his face.

"Hey Killian, great, you're awake" the boys happiness was infectious, the two women in the room stopped talking to watch the two interact.

Hook gave him a wide smile but within seconds he gave an uncomfortable look, he tried to bring his hand up across his chest but caught it on the bottom of the table, he froze in obvious pain from the jolt before letting his hand drop into his lap with a frustrated sigh.

"What's up? Are you in pain?"

Two blinks

"I bet your bored, right? Lying here all day must be driving you nuts"

The pirate gave a soft smile and one long blink.

"Well I can help with that, let me just get my book" Henry started to moved but to David's utter amazement Hook lifted his hand again but this time he placed it onto Henry's book before tapping his index finger on the page giving a clear indication that he wanted Henry to finish his work.

"Really?!" Henry burst out "I thought you had my back, turns out you're just as much of a slave driver as the rest of them" he groused slumping back into his seat.

"I can't do this anyway, it's too hard" his face was set in a determined look but Hook seemed to ignore his negative vibes, he smiled at Henry before managing to turn the book towards himself using his fingertips. He beckoned for Henry to come closer then picked up the pencil that was lying on the tabletop. He tried to write something on the page but the angle was awkward and the pencil kept slipping from his weak grasp eventually it fell from his hand completely and he thumped his cast down on the table in frustration.

"This is stupid!" Henry yelled before heading away from the bed.

"Henry!" Snow and David yelled in unison.

"HENRY DANIEL MILLS" Emma roared out at her Son's lack of compassion

"Wait Mom" Henry paused as he reached for his bag, giving Emma a hopeful look "I have an idea"

David watched as Henry rummaged through his bag before jumping back up to Hook's bedside seconds later, iPad in hand, one of the many electrical items that had come back with him from his year long stay in New York. They all watched in awe as the boy found the answer to Hook's inability to communicate right before their eyes.

"Hang on" Henry said to a very puzzled looking Hook.

The Pirates eyes went wide when Henry finally pushed the table slightly out of the way before placing a pillow on to Hooks lap before putting the iPad down where he could easily reach it.

"This should help, look. All you have to do is type out what you want to say using this keyboard" he walked himself around to Hook's left and managed to sit himself on the edge of the bed, Hook's left arm coming around the boys hips to ensure he wouldn't slide off.

"Here, I'll show you" Henry started typing out on the pad

The others approached the bed, curious to see what would happen. Henry had typed "What is wrong? You keep frowning? Does something hurt?"

Hook stared in wonder, a million questions on his face. He brought his fingers up to the screen giving it an experimental tap before slowly typing out his reply.

"Itchy"

"What? What's itchy?" Henry gave him a confused look.

"Everything, is it the healing magic of this world" he ever so slowly typed back

"Oh Hook, it's not magic" Snow cried out "You must be allergic to something, I'll go and grab Victor" she said then hurried from the room.

"You did great Kid" David said clapping the boy on the back

"Thank you Lad" Hook typed out

"You're welcome Killian, you can keep the iPad as long as you like, I don't really use it any way. We can put some music on it for you too if you like" Henry gave an enthusiastic nod of encouragement

"Aye" was the one word answer but the smile on Hook's face spoke a thousand more.

Henry hopped back off the bed and again tried to clear his homework away, David nearly burst out laughing when Hook for the second time put an end to his plans by putting his hand on the workbook stopping Henry from lifting it. Henry sighed and looked at Hook in frustration.

"I can't do it, it's too hard" Henry griped

Hook looked back into his lap, slowly moving his index finger over the pad, he was tiring fast, David could see him struggling to keep his head up. As he finished he let his head sink back into his pillows breathing heavily but a broad smile was on his face, he looked really happy for the first time since that night and David couldn't help but smile right along with him.

Henry looked at the screen and read out loud "Your calculations are quite correct you have simply carried the decimal point to the wrong place" he gave a thoughtful look before checking in his work again.

"You're right! Thanks Killian" Henry quickly adjusted his work proclaiming "Finished" and this time Hook didn't stop him clearing away his books.

Snow and Whale came back in a few minutes later.

"Mary-Margaret tells me that you are experiencing a severe itch across you skin" Whale spoke directly to Hook.

"Aye, I fear it may drive me mad before the week is out" he tapped out.

"I think we can prevent that" Whale said with a chuckle "That's a handy thing" he added, nodding towards the iPad as he injected something into Hook's IV line.

"Aye, my trusty First Mate helped me out" Hook gave Henry a wink.

"I've administered an antihistamine and I'll mark it on your chart for it to added to your regular drug routine, it should stop the itch quite quickly. It's not uncommon to have a reaction to some of the opiate based pain relief that you are currently on, hopefully we can switch those meds to something else in the next week or so, it will help with your concentration levels and your inability to stay awake for long but for the moment, like it or not the sleep is doing you good, we'll see how you get on before making any further decisions." he raised his eyebrow to emphasis his opinion.

"Thank you" Hook typed out

"Yeah, thanks Victor" Snow added as the Doctor made his way back to the door, turning back to give her a smile before he left.

"Thanks Victor" David mimicked his wife in a mocking tone.

Snow turned to him a look of playful anger on her face, she lifted her hand and slapped it across his arm.

"Would you stop? You need to get over it already. We were cursed..."

"Yeah well, doesn't mean I have to like it, does it?" David gave her a sad smile

"If I had known, you know I would have been with you" she added with a coy look.

"I know" he gave her a knowing smile before pulling her in for a kiss.

"PLEASE... you guys need to stop, I think I'm gonna be sick!" Henry called out, dramatically throwing his hands in the air.

They all laughed but when David looked at the bed expecting the pirate to have something to say he was asleep, the iPad still lying on his lap. Emma removed it and adjusted his blankets. Henry dug in his bag again coming out with the charger before taking the pad over to Emma's work station and plugging it in.

David stood thinking how such a small thing could make such a big difference. Emma had her Pirate back, he had seemed genuinely happy for the first time in days, that itch must have been driving him to near insanity. Hook was able to communicate now so it opened up a whole new list of things he could do, heck he wouldn't be surprised if Emma had him working on the case sooner rather than later. In fact the more he thought about it the better he liked the idea, that Pirate needed to be part of the team again as quickly as possible and this was just the way to do it.