The Jolly Roger was riding the waves on the Neverland Sea. Emma was being coddled by her parents who were happy to see her alright.
"Mom. I'm alright."
"I know, but I want to make sure." Snow insisted as she checked Emma over again.
Both Splinter and the turtles looked over in amusement as Snow White fussed like a mother hen over Emma.
"You sure he didn't do anything else?" David asked.
"No Dad, he didn't." Emma reassured her father.
"Just wanna make sure."
"Is there a change of clothes anyway?" Still wearing the red dress.
"We brought you some stuff from home Ems." Mikey said, holding up a duffle bag.
Emma grabbed it and looked around for a place to change. This time, Snow and April looked towards the men who got the hint and started to walk out of the room and up to the deck. Emma hurriedly got out of the dress. It was nice to be out of it. Emma pulled out a pair of jeans and a teal tang top. She found a hair tie and pulled her hair up into a ponytail.
"I'm good. So glad to be out of that dress."
"You certainly look like it." April said.
"How long will it take for us to get back to Storybrooke?"
"Might be home some time tonight, as long as we don't run into any issues." Snow said.
"if we do, we give them hell." Emma said with a smile, making her mother and aunt laugh.
Emma went over to her mom and hugged her tight, "Thank you for getting me outta there." She whispered.
Snow hugged her tight, running her fingers through her hair.
"It's ok sweetheart. We'll always come for you." Snow reassured her.
Emma smiled watery. It was comforting to hear it from her mother. She pulled away and smiled.
"Thanks mom."
Snow smiled. An awkward silence in the air.
"Show we join up with everyone else on deck?" April suggested.
"Sounds good. I want to see the guys and make sure Baelfires alright." Emma said as she walked out and up onto the deck.
Snow could only watch where Emma had just left. April looked to her and saw her downtrodden face.
"Hard to accept it?" April said.
Snow looked at the redhead, "It's hard, yes, but I'm also happy she's found true love. I just didn't expect her to find it so young and…right after we found her."
April put a hand on her shoulder, "It's hard for anyone to accept she's growing up. It's hard for them and Casey. We view her as a part of the family too."
Snow smiled, "Thank you and you're right. I guess it's just, we've had so little time with her that I wish I could turn back time so we could have more time with her. But again, I wouldn't have her any other way. Especially after everything you've done for her."
April guided her into a hug and Snow smiled as she leaned on her shoulder. After they pulled apart, "Now, lets go upstairs and join everybody else."
"Good idea." Snow said.
Emma was happy to be next to her father and Splinter as they all surrounded her with hugs and welcome book noogies. Emma smiled big as her Dad straddle her on his hip and she listened as they all talked about how they got to Neverland. She looked around. Baelfire was talking with his father and Hook was steering the ship. Regina was looking out at the horizon. Maleficent seemed to be staring at Hook. This made Emma pause and turn back at the blonde woman. She was watching Hook? She looked at her line of sight and back at Maleficent who had a small smile on her face. Emma's eyes went wide. OMG! Maleficent had a crush on Hook.
"What's up Ems?" Leo asked.
She turned to Leo, "I think Maleficent has a crush on Hook." She whispered.
The turtles turned and saw she was right. Maleficent was still looking at the pirate as he piloted the ship. There was a soft smile on her face.
"Dude…" Mikey said.
"That's…sweet?" Donnie said awkwardly.
"Nice to see she's found someone she likes." Leo said.
"Yeah." Raph said skeptically.
Emma raised an eyebrow, "Guys I think its cute. Besides, doesn't everyone deserve to have love?"
"While that is true, they were both from the opposite side Ems." Leo said, waving his finger.
"They helped us though, don't you think they at least deserve a chance?"
The turtles looked at Hook and Maleficent with uncertainty. He did come to help them rescue Emma, and he helped in the fight against Pan. Maleficent also helped them when Emma had to go up against Regina in court and she helped with dealing with Cora and the fight with Pan. Maybe…maybe they should be given a second chance.
Hook kept on piloting the ship but his eyes were not on the course, they were on a certain blonde woman. Hook couldn't help but continue starting at Maleficent. She looked beautiful as the sun set. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and told her tight against him.
"Day dreaming Killian." Rumple's voice rang out.
Hook turned to Rumpelstiltskin who had a smirk on his face. It creeped the man out, reminding him that he used t be the Dark One.
"Nothing you need to worry about crocodile." Hook said.
Rumple raised an eyebrow at the hostility and looked in Killian's direction. He gained a look of understanding as he realized who he was looking at.
"You like her."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Hook tried to deny.
"Maleficent. You like her."
"I do not. You saw what she did to me when we saw each other."
"Yes, but you were with Cora, right when she had just switched sides. You switched sides as well dearie. You're both on the same side now. What seems to be the problem?"
Hook just sighed, "How could any woman love a man like me? I'm a pirate who's done some unforgiveable things. Who could give me a chance for something like that?"
"You'll never know unless you try." Rumple said, "I didn't think I could ever love again until I met Belle. She gave me a chance to love again and it goes to show there is someone out there for everyone. Maybe she's the one for you. You won't know till you try."
Killian thought this over as Rumple walked away back to Baelfire who was looking out over the railing. He looked at Maleficent and felt his heart warm up again. He couldn't stop the smile from forming on his face. Maybe…she was the one for him.
Baelfire watched as his papa spoke with Hook. He was shocked to see the two interacting with each other on a friendly term especially after learning about their past. It made Baelfire realize how much his papa had changed. His thoughts turned to Emma, who was hanging out with her brothers. He was shocked that her extended family was a rat and four turtles. He was also shocked to understand that Emma was a ninja, though it explained her sword skills. He watched as Emma was next to her father and laughed as the turtle in the orange bandana made her laugh. He couldn't stop smiling.
"Bae?" He turned to his father who looked at him quizzically, "Something on your mind?"
"No papa, just thinking."
"About ms. Hamato?" He said with a small smirk.
Baelfire felt his face grow hot at the mention of Emma, "Papa!" He groaned.
"I don't mean to tease you Bae, it's just you've been staring at her for quite some time."
Baelfire's face was as red as a tomato when he heard that. He couldn't deny that he had been staring at Emma.
"Bae?"
"I like her. I really like her and I can't believe that she feels the same with me."
"Bae, she kissed you. She saved your life with true love's kiss." Rumple said.
"I know, its just I didn't think I'd fall in love right now. I'm only fourteen."
"So is she. Bae, there's nothing wrong with finding love at this age. It happens differently for everyone."
Bae looked at his father, "There's nothing wrong with me liking Emma?"
"Of course not. IF you like her, then that's wonderful. And apparently, she has the same feelings for you too."
"How can you tell?"
"I see it in her eyes when she was with you. She cares a great deal for you Bae. She saved your life."
Baelfire smiled at the statement. She did kiss him and saved him from the stab wound. It was his first kiss, though he didn't remember it. He would like to try it again with her. He looked at her again and smiled when her eyes met his. She gave him a little wave, getting the attention of the others who looked in her direction. Emma blushed and looked away with a smile. Bae smiled and turned back to his father.
"Can you tell me about Belle papa?"
"I'd be happy to. What would you like to know?"
"What does she look like?" Bae asked.
"Well…." Rumple started as he began to describe Belle.
The sun was gone and the moon was high up in the sky. They were almost to Storybrooke. Hook was still piloting the ship while everyone else was down below the deck. Except for Maleficent, she walked up onto the deck, watching Hook. She felt her heart thumping as she got closer to him.
Hook heard the squeak in the wood and turned and was surprised to see Maleficent. He gave her a small smile,
"Couldn't sleep?" He offered.
"Not really. A lot on my mind." She flung her hair back, catching it in the moonlight. Hook felt his face heat up as he stared. Maleficent looked at him strangely till he coughed, realizing he had been looking. Maleficent searched his face. He seemed embarrassed. The slight blush made her want to giggle, it made him look cute. She came over to him and looked out over the ocean.
"Beautiful night."
"That it is. One of the reasons why I love sailing."
Maleficent peered at him, "What made you become a pirate?"
Hook looked to her, searching for disgust, but found just curiosity.
"Not a pleasant story."
"Try me."
"It was during the time I was in the navy. Me and my brother were both in service. We ended up on Neverland and were sent out to explore for any resources. We found Pan and he tricked my brother. My brother died as soon as we tried to leave…" Hook found tears running down his face, shocking Maleficent.
Hook turned to her and saw sympathy as she came closer and wiped them gently away.
"It wasn't your fault. It was Pan's."
"Still, I let myself be tricked by him."
"Pan was a demon. Many people have been tricked by demons. You're not the only one."
Hook found himself nodding, his thoughts weighed heavily on the death of his brother. He never got over it. He still missed him greatly. Maleficent took his face in both hands and found herself leaning towards him. Hook found himself being pulled and he leaned to. It wasn't till both people found their lips touching into a chaste kiss. What started out chaste, become emotional as Maleficent was about to pull back, Hook took his hand off the wheel and used it cup the back of her head, pulling her back. Maleficent was startled at how gentle he was being, but all that vanished as he gently put his lips upon hers. She moved forward and cupped his face tighter. Both man and woman went out into a kissing session as the moonlight bathed them in its light. Highlighting their new-found love.