Uh-Uh... hold onto you hats!
Or at least just the magic one...
As always please review.
Enjoy :)
Rumple was just glad that Dark Ones didn't need to sleep. He had literally been up all night and had still not found that damned hat. He let out a sigh as he rounded another doorway to find yet another room filled with the blasted things... the Hatter had been trying REALLY hard to escape Regina's curse!
"You won't find it you know?"
Rumple spun around on the spot to find the Hatter sitting on the floor in the corner of the room with his feet stretched out in front of him... and he looked like he'd had more than a little to drink.
"And why is that?" Rumple asked raising an eyebrow and leaning on his cane as he just stood looking down on the man
"Because it is just a hat... it is the same as every other one here, it will take you nowhere" the Hatter replied looking up and meeting Rumple's eyes "None of them work, they never would... I was stuck here in this nightmare and my Grace was living with another family just across town."
Rumple could see the madness in the the Hatter's eyes, they were wide and fearful. He watched as Jefferson raised the bottle of scotch in his hand to his lips and took a few hard gulps before wiping the back of his hand across his mouth.
Rumple let out a sigh "But she is with you now so why are you doing this to yourself?"
Jefferson suddenly got angry and started trying to get himself up to his feet "She is NOT, they are keeping her from me with magic... from ME! Like I would do something to harm her... she is MY child. Why would they do that?"
Rumple was fighting an inner battle, he needed to find that hat and he knew that if he took two strides across the room he could remove the Hatter's heart and have hand it over without having to search though the hundreds more that lay before him. Then all Rumple would have to do was simply force him to take the others to Wonderland... but while that route would work he knew that it would ultimately lead to Belle finding out and he was not willing to even think about what Bae would have to say about it so he chose a different path and just hoped that it would not lead him in the wrong direction.
"OK... so you want Grace with you. I can do that but do you really want her to see you like this? You are a mess, you will only cause her more concern... put the drink down and help me find the hat"
Jefferson still looked really unsure as he eyed the bottle in his hand "I won't take you there... I won't. I will never go back"
Rumple gave a smirk "Well luckily for you we don't need you to... we have another way of controlling the portal. We just NEED the hat"
"Really?" Jefferson replied with a drunken wobble
"I give you my word"
Jefferson gave a deep frown "No offence but that doesn't really give me confidence... you forget Dark One, I have worked with you before."
"You have haven't you?" Rumple said straightening up, he had an idea "So you will know how this works. I have a deal for you... you get me the hat and I swear that I will not ask you to guide it AND I will return your Daughter to your side... once you have sobered up that is!"
"DEAL" Jefferson yelled out before anything else could be said and the Hatter was suddenly stumbling from the room to make his way down the hallway to the huge staircase that led to the upper floor
"If I had known that it really did contain magic I would certainly have looked after it a bit better" he slurred as he went
Rumple curled his lip in disgust as he followed behind the man... he reeked of booze amongst other things and it was more than a little unpleasant but a few seconds later he was coming to a halt when Jefferson tripped on the top step and tumbled to the floor without even making a noise to lie face down on the Carpet. Rumple wasn't convinced that he hadn't just fallen asleep as he pulled the Hatter up and spun him around to lean against the wall but when he finally let him go Jefferson gave a frown and looked up at him.
"Give me a minute... the room is spinning" she replied around a hiccup.
"Just tell me where the damned thing is, you are only going to hurt yourself if you carry this on" Rumple grit out through his teeth trying hard not to lose his temper
Jefferson gave a little laugh and giggled "It is where it should be... at my tea party"
Rumple frowned in confusion and bit out "What the hell are you talking about? Tea party?"
Jefferson gave a drunken nod and lifted his hand to point at one of the doorways "It was my Unbirthday the same day as Grace's so we were having a tea party... in there"
Rumple raised an eyebrow as he watched the Hatter who looked like he was about to pass out but the need to find the hat had him walking away. He strode into the large room to find that it was a child's bedroom and there, in the corner was a table complete with a checked cloth and many many teapots to have a party. He looked at all the stuffed toys that sat in the chairs around it but as his eyes moved around the seats he suddenly saw it, hanging on the back of a vacant chair was the hat... complete with pink bows and sparkling glitter!
He moved quickly just striding across the floor to retrieve it, he knocked the glitter from it and yanked off the ribbon. He twirled it on his left hand making sure all it's extra decorations were gone before just turning back around and heading back to the staircase. He was done in seconds but by the time he got back to Jefferson's side the Hatter was sleeping with his head hung low and drool trailing from his chin.
"Terrific" Rumple snarked before letting out a deep sigh "But a deal is a deal... however I am NOT taking you anywhere looking like that!"
He swished his hand and suddenly Jefferson's clothes were fresh and clean as was the hatter inside them. Rumple gave a small smile to himself before simply swishing his hand again and taking them back to his shop but what he hadn't been expecting was for Belle to be there when he arrived... it was really early, had she even been to bed?
"What did you do?" she cried out the minute the smoke cleared and her eyes fell on the Hatter.
"I can assure you that THIS is totally self inflicted... you should have seen him before I cleaned him up" Rumple said in a monotone voice, he really didn't expect Belle to believe him anyway and it would seem that he was right as she gave him a stern look and hurried over to the Hatter who was lying passed out on the floor but the minute she got close to him she obviously smelt the alcohol and gave a frustrated sigh.
"Can you help me get him through to the back... I'll put him on the cot to sleep this off. What was he thinking?"
Rumple simply clicked his fingers and the Hatter disappeared. Belle let out a surprise gasp before furrowing her brow in annoyance "I meant without magic"
She got up and hurried from the room leaving Rumple just standing with the hat in his hand. He stepped forward and put it down on the counter only to see the compass sitting out on the glass surface just waiting for the Sheriff to come and collect it. How he had never seen it before was beyond him!
He let go of the hat and slowly moved to pick up the shiny trinket but before he had a chance Belle was back and she didn't look happy with him.
"What are you doing?" she asked suspiciously
"I was merely admiring it... it really is a beautiful piece"
She bustled up to the other side of the counter and simply took it up in her hands "Yeah... and it's not yours"
He let out a huge sigh "I know that Belle, it belongs to the Pirate, I was just curious."
She raised an eyebrow then let out a huge breath "I'm sorry... I just... I don't trust you Rumple... I know I should but I just can't"
He gave a wry smile "I know and it's OK... I know I have to earn it back so for now I will go. Just tell the Sheriff to expect the Hatter's Daughter to disappear in a few hours... I promised Jefferson that I would reunite them once he had slept off his over indulgence"
Belle gave him a sweet smile and said "Thank you."
He returned the smile before just walking from the shop and out into the sunshine.
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"What are you doing?" he asked with a sigh as Hook and Junior emerged from the teepee and walked over to the truck where David was standing talking with Regina
"I do believe that I am getting me rear in gear" Hook replied with a smirk to the kid before looking to David "You heard Baelfire, I am only doing as he asked and time is ticking Brother. It is nearly lunch time and while Junior here has assured us that Henry is safe and happy I would still like to get my family back together before the day is out"
"I know but I'm only going to get the compass not actually use it." David sighed "I will be back in like, twenty minutes"
"Well in that case it won't be too long a journey for me then will it" Hook replied raising an eyebrow of defiance
David sighed and shook his head "Fine, do what you want but I swear if you so much as think about touching that compass I will kick your leg out from under you... understood?"
Hook lifted his hand in surrender and chuckled "Wouldn't dream of it, I am just here for the ride"
"And I" Junior smiled before giving a coy look "May we visit Granny while in town? I miss her"
"You miss her or you miss the free ice cream she gives you" David laughed "Kid, it's barely eleven o'clock"
Junior looked indignant at the very thought but David knew how that kid's mind worked and he also knew that they would more than likely be stopping at the diner before they got back to camp... he couldn't refuse his Grandson when he knew that he was going to be leaving him for a while to go and find Emma and Henry.
"Get in then" he said sighing out a long breath "But if you eat too much then burst in my truck you are cleaning up the mess"
Junior giggled and gave an excited bounce while holding up his bear "We are going to see Granny P.B., this will be fun"
The ride to town was nearly done when suddenly Junior looked up at David and whispered "Can we go to Granny's first?"
David raised an eyebrow while still looking at the road "Kid we need to talk with Belle"
"I know" Junior hissed quietly and when David looked to the side it was to find that Hook had nodded off, he gave a frown of concern before Junior brought his attention back to him when he prodded his leg "I REALLY need to go to Granny's first though Grandpa"
David gave a chuckle when he realized from the way the kid was sitting that he obviously needed to use the wash room.
"If it means you not peeing in my truck then sure but you'll need to wait until we've seen Belle before we go back to get your ice cream OK?"
The kid gave a vigorous nod as he fidgeted on the seat. The minute the truck pulled up to a stop Junior unbuckled himself but he had to wait for David getting out and by the time they were heading inside the kid was practically doing a dance.
"Go" David chuckled as he held the door open "Before you make a mess"
Junior took off at high speed straight through to the washrooms just as Granny came out from the kitchen. She raised and eyebrow and gave a smile.
"Someone's in a hurry"
"Emergency stop" David chuckled as he walked over to the counter "Don't worry, we'll be back soon. He wanted to come see you"
"I'll look forward to it" she smiled before sighing "Just maybe wait for an hour until the breakfast dishes have been dealt with"
"Sure" David chuckled "I'm sure we can find something to do until then"
Granny hurried off and David found himself turning around to lean has back against the counter only to find Gold sitting in one of the booths with his back to him. He toyed with the idea of just ignoring him but in the end he found his feet walking over to the table anyway.
"Gold"
"Sheriff" Gold replied without even looking up... of course he'd known he was there. "What can I help you with this time?"
"Nothing" David sighed making Gold look up in surprise "I just wanted to say thanks... for the hat and you know, helping Jefferson."
Gold's eyebrows shot up before they fell into a frown "You are sure that this compass will work? I promised the Hatter that he would not have to go back to his homeland"
"Mary-Margaret and Emma used it to control a portal before so yeah... we're fairly certain"
Gold gave a nod "In that case all that remains is for me to return Grace to her Father's side and my deal will be done"
"OK, I'll let you get on with that then" David mumbled just as Junior hurtled back into the room.
"Hey Grandpa Gold" the Kid cried out as he skidded to to a halt at David's side "Guess what? We are coming back once we've talked to Belle and I am to get ice cream"
"Ice cream you say?!" Gold replied with a smile as he spun in the booth to face Junior, he dug in his pocket and pulled out twenty bucks "Well seeing as it is such a nice day why don't you ask Grandpa David if he might take you to the store to buy a new toy"
Junior's eyes went wide in wonder but he didn't reach out to take it, he looked to David for permission first. David gave a smile and nodded his head "What do you say kid?"
"Thank you Grandpa" Junior said seriously as he took the money but he wasn't done, he moved forward and reached up his arms to hug Gold!
David expected Gold to look really uncomfortable but he didn't, he actually leant forward and pulled the kid from his feet and hugged him "You are very welcome"
Junior sat back in Gold's arms and looked at the money in his hand "May I use this for anything I like?"
"It's yours now my boy... you can use it as you please" Gold replied with a smile as he set Junior down on to the floor
Junior suddenly looked up at David and grinned "I am going to buy Hope a bear that she can love just as I love P.B."
David gave a wide smile "She will like that kid"
"I agree" Gold said with a smile "She is a lucky little girl to have you as her big Brother."
With that Gold gave a nod of his head and went off to the counter to pay leaving David blinking in surprise.
Had that really just happened?
"Grandpa?" Junior asked tugging on his hand "May we go to see Belle now?"
David bent down "I think we might be best going to the store first to get that bear then going to Belle's, I don't really want to be carrying a magic hat all around town now do I?"
Junior gave a little nod then said "But we are returning for Ice cream, right?"
"Yeah Kid, I think that the hat will be safe in the truck for ten minutes" David laughed "Besides Granny would kick my butt if I didn't bring you back"
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"Bloody Hell" Killian complained as he woke up in the hot truck to find that he had been abandoned, he rolled his neck and tried to bring his hand up to help get the crick out but was left wincing when it pulled on his chest and his arm... perhaps he should have had Regina heal his ribs BEFORE coming to town! He let out a growl of frustration but then his eyes were falling on a note on the dash in front of him and he reached forward to lift it between his fingers.
"Gone to store, brb... what the hell does brb mean?!" he said out loud just dropping the paper back where he had found it to get himself out of the truck before he melted.
He lent on the hood for a few minutes but finally decided that he would just go and talk with Belle until the others returned, Gold's shop was much closer than the store and he didn't want to walk too far. He lent through the open window of the truck and scribbled a return note before just heading up the street.
"Killian!" Belle cried out before rushing around the counter and practically throwing herself at him "I am so happy to see you"
He hugged her back "Thank you Love, it is good to see you too"
She stepped back and gave a little frown while looking to the door "Where's David?"
"He took Junior to the store for some reason or another..." he gave a little chuckle "I may have fallen asleep in the truck and when I woke up they had left a note and I was bloody melting"
Belle gave him a sympathetic look before starting to walk towards the back shop "Come on, I'll get you a drink"
He just followed her through the doorway only to come to a stop when his eyes fell on the Hatter who was sleeping on a bed by the wall.
"He is here?!" he whispered looking to Belle
"Yeah" she replied looking to Jefferson "Rumple brought him here a few hours ago. He found him when he was searching for the hat"
"Why did he bring him here?" Killian asked giving a frown
Belle gave a slight shrug "Jefferson was drunk but he made a deal with Rumple. He agreed to give us the hat in exchange for not having to go to Wonderland. I guess he didn't want to leave Jefferson by himself in case he disappeared again... Rumple's going to bring Grace here soon so I guess I should really get some coffee in him."
"You brew the pot Love and I'll get him up... at least he doesn't look too bad" Killian mused as he looked Jefferson over.
"I think Rumple may have had something to do with that" Belle called over just as Killian was stooping down to wake the man in question.
"Come on Hatter, let's get you up and ready for your Daughter's arrival"
Jefferson practically jumped up from the bed causing Killian to leap back in surprise and just like that, out of nowhere Devin's voice was suddenly in his head taunting him. He staggered backwards bringing his hand up to his throat as he felt the rope drop over his head and start to tighten... Gods, not again... not now.
"Killian?!" he heard Belle call out just before her hands were on him trying to lead him to the chair but he couldn't sit, he needed to get away.
He was trying to struggle out of her grip when his face was suddenly clamped between another set of hands and the Hatter's face fell into focus.
"Hold on" Jefferson said in a clear voice and before Killian had a chance to say anything the room was starting to slow around him.
He felt like he was being stretched like a rubber band and when it finally snapped the room around him fell into a blur for a second then he found himself standing in the front shop blinking his eyes in surprise.
"What did you do?" he asked in awe when he realized that he was no longer panicking
"I can recognize the signs Hook... you were about to lose it. I learned long ago that rippling my surroundings can be enough to literally knock me back to my senses."
Killian found himself giving a slight nod as his heart rate settled in his chest but just as Jefferson was letting go of him Belle flew into the room making him jump again.
"Bloody hell Love" he gasped "can everyone stop jumping out at me for at least five minutes?"
"Sorry" she cringed as she hurried forward taking his arm in her hand "But you two just disappeared and I didn't know where you'd gone. Are you alright?"
He patted his hand on hers and smiled "I am just fine" he then looked to Jefferson and chuckled "Any chance you can teach me that trick"
Jefferson gave a smirk "Sorry. You've either got or you don't... it's not something you can learn"
"Come on" Belle chuckled "I'll make those drinks"
They all moved through to the back room again and Killian sat down with a little groan at the circular table. Jefferson sat himself opposite and dragged his hand through his hair before leaning heavily on the wooden surface,
"Thanks" Killian simply said making the Hatter look up
Jefferson gave a slight smile "No problem. It was better than watching the alternative" They sat in silence for a few seconds as Belle busied herself but suddenly Jefferson gave him a curious look and asked "What triggers your attacks?"
Killian was caught slightly off guard but when he looked at the Hatter all he could see was a man asking a question and not because he was sticking his nose into someone else's business but because he knew how it felt and was curious to talk to someone else who understood.
He found himself shifting in his seat a bit before just answering "Nothing in particular. It can be something as simple as you witnessed or it can come from nowhere...Archie... the Cricket... uhm I mean... Gods, Doctor Hopper. Whatever you call him, he has been helping me to deal with the attacks and believe it or not they are a lot better than they were. I have also learnt to mostly dream without fear of nightmares which has made a HUGE difference in my day to day life"
Jefferson's eyebrow raised up on his head and he lent forward "How? How do you dream without nightmares I mean?"
"It is a long complicated process but it works Mate... perhaps you too should speak with him." Jefferson looked a bit panicked at the idea so Killian carried on to try and reassure him "I know what it feels like you know. The panic... the feeling of not being in control. The crippling fear that you will lose yourself and never find your way back. Trust him, he can help you and him helping you sort yourself out will help your young lass."
Jefferson let out a long breath and gave a deep frown "I want to, I really do but I am frightened that if I let it out, if I talk about it it will consume me. I cannot lose myself... Grace needs me too much, I am all she has."
Killian gave a smirk and raised an eyebrow "You seem to be managing to talk to me just fine...Mate, if I, Captain Hook... the Pirate that brooded in Neverland for centuries to get away from my problems can do this you can too, give yourself a break, you've been through more than most."
Jefferson gave a surprised look but just then Belle came back over and set a coffee down in front of him and a glass of iced tea down in front of Killian before just sitting herself down and joining in with the conversation.
"Archie has helped me so much too Jefferson, he's really good, you can trust him" she said quite matter of factly before sipping her drink
Jefferson nearly choked on his coffee and being honest Killian was quite surprised too, she had never mentioned it before.
"You have spoken with the Doctor too?" the Hatter coughed out
Belle gave a little wry smile and chuckled "I'm married to the Dark One... what do you think?"
Killian gave a smile as she looked at him, he suddenly didn't feel so alone with what he was going through. David was always there for him, something that he was truly grateful for but his Brother could never fully understand what it felt like to be taken by an attack and the fact that Killian was now trying to help Jefferson deal with his issues made him feel like he was finally doing something for someone else and it felt good.
They sat and discussed things a bit further until the chime on the door in the front shop sounded and Junior's voice cried out making Killian face split into a wide grin.
"PAPA... I PURCHASED A BEAR FOR HOPE"
His Son burst through the doorway into the back shop clutching his own bear under one arm and a bag that Killian could only assume held the other one. He immediately turned in his chair to let his Son up onto his lap and when Junior reached him he bent forward and scooped him up into his arms as David came in grinning like a fool. The Lad wiggled around just shoving P.B. onto the table then digging into the bag and pulling out a blue bear making Killian chuckle... of course it would be blue.
Junior gave a wide grin and looked to Killian "I chose this one, what do you think?"
"I think that once Grandma has made her a pretty Princess dress that she will look divine, the babe will love her"
Junior gave an excited little bounce before putting the bear back in the bag and looking across at the Hatter "Hello Mr Jefferson, are you feeling well?"
Jefferson gave a little smile as he sat forward in his seat "I'm doing much better now thanks"
"Good" Junior said with a nod of his head as he looked to Belle with a huge smile "Do you know of Hope?"
Belle gave a little frown of confusion and asked "Hope?"
David suddenly laughed "Kid your Momma is gonna skin you alive if you keep telling everyone without her being here"
Junior gave a little unsure frown and looked back to Killian "Why? Is Hope a secret?"
Belle suddenly gasped and looked at Killian "Wait a minute... Is Hope your baby? Killian are you and Emma having a baby?"
Killian found himself suddenly grinning "Aye Love... it would appear so."
She gave a squeal and before he knew it she was up on her feet and leaning over to hug him and Junior. There was an excited babble running through the air when Gold's voice suddenly broke up the happiness when he said.
"Not interrupting anything am I?"
Everyone fell silent as Belle stood back up to reveal the Dark One standing with the Hatter's daughter by his side.
"We just told Belle about Hope" Junior cried out with a grin but when no one else smiled he looked to Killian and said in a low whisper "It is alright Papa, Grandpa Gold already knows about her, they worked together to break out of Pandora's box"
Killian let out a sigh "I know Son, it is alright but now is not the time to discuss that... look, Grace his here to meet with her Papa."
Junior looked to the Lass and gave a wave "Hello Grace"
She gave a little smile in return and said "Hey Junior"
Jefferson was suddenly getting himself to his feet and making his way over so David cleared his throat and said "Maybe we should go and get that compass and hat. We still need to get a certain someone ice cream before we head back to camp and I think that maybe Jefferson and Grace could do with some privacy"
Killian lifted Junior to the floor and pulled himself up to his feet, he met eyes with Jefferson as the Hatter hugged his daughter and gave him a nod. He hoped that he had helped him even just a little but as he walked through to the front shop with everyone else he soon forgot all about the Hatter's problems when his eyes fell on the compass and hat sitting side by side on the counter.
"I took the liberty of already activating the magic, Regina will simply have to summon the portal which our good friend already inadvertently created when the hat was made. It was always there he just couldn't access it due to the curse" Gold said quietly as he walked around the counter to pick the hat up.
He held it out to Junior and said "Do you want to carry it?"
"Aye" Junior cried out dropping the bag with the new bear in it onto the floor and taking the hat in his hand before settling it on his head with a grin.
Killian wasn't so sure he wanted his Son wearing a portal so he stepped forward to remove it saying "Perhaps you should concentrate on carrying the bears, I will carry this otherwise we will spend the rest of the morning picking you up from the floor when you keep bumping into things when this slips over your eyes."
"He will be fine Hook" Jefferson said as he walked into the room holding onto Graces' hand "The portal can't open by itself, it needs magic... for now it is just a hat."
Killian gave a sigh as Junior looked up at him from under the brim with a pleading look in his eyes.
"Very well but the first time you walk into something it is coming off, alright?"
Junior grinned up at him and ran off towards the door "May we get ice cream now?"
"Just wait a minute Kid, we'll be ready in just a sec... we need to say goodbye to Belle first" David said
Junior didn't seem in the slightest bit put off as he started skipping round and round in a circle while clutching the hat to his head with one hand and gripping his bear in the other. Killian gave a smile at his Son before turning his attention back to Belle.
"Thank you Love, we shall return the compass for your scrutiny once we return"
There was a crash on the other side of the room and Killian looked up to see Junior lying flat on his back and giggling wildly.
Grace gave a little giggle too and said "I'll go help him up and save the hat before he ruins it"
Killian half watched her go as David conversed with Jefferson, Grace pulled Junior up to his feet before crouching down and taking the hat from his head and setting it down on the floor at their feet. They were chatting but Killian couldn't really hear what they were saying and when Jefferson said his name he found himself turning away to look at the Hatter.
"I want to thank you" Jefferson said sincerely "And I think I might just take your advise about talking with the Doc... it is time"
"You will not be sorry." Killian replied "It really does make all the..."
He never got a chance to finish what he was saying... there was a shriek from the other side of the room and Killian looked up to see Junior and Grace standing over the hat which was now projecting what looked like a portal straight up into the air.
He didn't think, he just ran and it would seem that the Crocodile had the same idea but neither succeeded in their task of stopping what was happening. Killian's fingers literally JUST touched Junior's arm to yank him out of the way when there was a loud POP... he felt like he was floating then the familiar sensation that he had experienced earlier with the Hatter took over and he knew they were in trouble.
Literally seconds later all four of them were standing in a very long sandy cove, the sun was starting to set and Killian instantly realized that they must be in a different realm and worse still the one they were in was not even in Wonderland!
He rounded on the Crocodile and snarled "You said that the hat was safe. You said that it would not work... So if that was the case why are we standing here?"
Gold shook his head in disbelief "It should have been safe... I don't understand. There was nothing to activate it"
"Now dat be nuh strictly true" a woman's voice, thick with a Jamaican accent suddenly sounded making both Killian and Gold swing around to see the dark skinned woman sauntering towards them "Mi activated it...di boy ave both mi compass an one of mi rings suh the time was right... he guide yuh to mi"
Killian blinked in surprise before looking to Junior who had something hidden behind his back, he ducked down quickly and pulled the compass from his hands making his son cry out
"I was just showing Grace how it was going to work... I meant no harm, I did not know that it would actually work!"
"Mi fi one am glad dat yuh did child" the woman said giving a wide grin "Mi ave spend far too long by myself, mi family ave return an mi wi soon be free"
Killian moved to stand in front of both Junior and Grace as Gold stepped forward to stop the woman getting any closer.
"Stay back sea witch" Gold hissed "There is nothing here for you."
"Yuh wrong" she stated "Only mi descendants cud find dem way to mi island..." She looked around Gold and practically licked her lips "Suh de boy belongs to mi."
Killian pulled Junior in behind him and snarled "You will not touch him"
The woman tipped her head and showed her blackened teeth of "An who wi stop mi?"
Killian opened his mouth to answer but Gold suddenly stepped forward and put himself right in front of the woman and growled "I will"
The woman threw back her head and practically howled with laughter "Yuh?! Mi kno yuh Dark One an' yuh magic no match fi mi own suh I suggest yuh move outtta mi way"
"I know who you are too and I know that is not true... your magic is not what it once was Tia Dalma, you are no longer the Goddess you desire to be so YOU should be the one to step down."
There seemed to be a stand off between the two, Killian looked behind himself to see Grace hugging a very frightened looking Junior into her arms. The Lass looked up and gave him a little nod, letting him know that she was alright so he turned back to step up next to the Crocodile even though his heart was rattling in his chest and he had broken out in a sweat.
"You heard him, you are not getting my Son so I suggest you heed the Dark One's warning and back off" he clenched his jaw as she looked him up and down
The woman tipped her head again and narrowed her eyes, her eyes fell to the compass in his hand. She gave a knowing smile and looked back to his face before whispering "Nuh Son...yuh di same but different, mi can feel it from mi compass..."
Killian realized that the compass was in his hand and that this woman could somehow use it, yet he didn't want to let it go... it was their way home so he gripped it tighter and moved it behind his back slightly as if hiding it from sight would somehow help!
He looked her right in the eye "He IS my Son and you are not getting anywhere near him, you hear me?"
She gave a feral grin and ran her tongue across her blackened teeth as she paced forward "Maybe mi nuh need him afta all"
Gold lifted his hand, the woman gave a shriek and she suddenly flew off her feet to land with a thump onto the sand. The Dark One stepped forward and looked straight down at her as she lay staring up at him.
"I warned you to back off Sea Witch yet you chose to ignore my warnings... you touch neither of them are we clear?"
The woman came up onto her elbows and huffed "Yuh di strangest Dark One mi ave cum across... why yuh care?"
Gold glanced to Killian before practically whispering "Because they are family and I will not let you anywhere near them... so I suggest you go back to your cave while we ready ourselves to leave"
Killian found himself blinking in surprise... had Gold just called him family?
"Yuh tink mi wi be lettin yuh leave?" she laughed looking back to Killian
"You have no say" Gold threw back walking towards Killian, he stooped down and picked up the hat as he neared them then turned back to the woman. "You better not try to stop us or you will regret it, I am in no mood for your pitiful display."
Killian gathered Junior and Grace close to Gold's side, he was about to raise the compass when Gold suddenly reached out and took it saying "Unless you want to just keep returning here maybe you should allow me to guide us back."
Killian nodded quickly just handing it over, he really wanted to get out of this place...who was this woman? Gold had called her Tia Dalma, was she really related to him? But he shoved those thoughts aside, he could ask questions later. Right now he needed to get his Son back home.
The woman was pulling herself to her feet as Gold held the compass over the hat, she gave a grin and laughed "Yuh wi nuh leave here"
Gold sneered "I think you will find that we will"
"Yuh wi nuh stop mi from getting wah mi wan'." she laughed tipping her head again
She suddenly let out another long cackle and threw back her head as the portal sprung to life in the hat. Killian instinctively held onto Junior but in the blink of an eye he was suddenly looking at his Son and the others from the other side of the cove!
"PAPA" Junior cried out but Gold caught hold of him to stop him running
Killian realized that the woman was by behind him and he instantly tried to get away but she moved like lightening and before he knew what was happening she had knocked him to his knees and had snaked her arm around his neck from behind.
Her other hand came up and pulled his hair tightly as she whispered in his ear "Yuh wi stay wi mi or mi wi tek di boy... yuh understand?"
His heart was racing in his chest, the arm across his throat had triggered Devin's voice in his head and he was struggling to do anything more than keep himself from falling into the darkness but he had to fight this. He managed to focus on Gold who looked totally torn as the portal still swirled in his hand but Killian realized what he had to do, he had to keep Junior safe at all costs.
"GET THEM OUT OF HERE" he yelled "GET MY SON BACK TO DAVID... JUST GO"
Gold gave a nod of his head but Junior was suddenly fighting to get away when he realized what was happening. Killian clamped his eyes closed against the image and the last thing he heard before silence fell around him was the totally distraught scream of his Son as he was taken away from the island.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... DON'T LEAVE MY PAPA BEHIND... I NEED YOU PAPA... I NEED YOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU..."