As usual I need to thank my reviewers, miyumiyanada, SimiS, gossamermouse101, I am a Ridaa and Guest. Some of you said the Peter Pan I used reminded you of the Once Upon a Time version ( I do have a story for him too if you want to check it out.) I also loved the OUAT Pan, it is nice when the line between heroes and villains isn't so black and white.

I also have to give a HUGE thanks to I am a Ridaa who has done some artwork of Camilla. I think it came out really good and you can check it out on her deviantart account: thenightshades . deviantart . com

If anyone else wants to do artwork please just PM me first for permission! Enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter 19

Camilla had hurried down to Pirate's Bay as fast as she could once she heard the news. The whole Isle was abuzz with the latest –it was the biggest thing to happen on the Isle since the VK's had been invited to Auradon. She could feel the change as she walked through the alleys strewn with pirates. Instead of the usual stealing and shouting, plundering and looting the pirates all sat around on barrels or stools, their hats covering their faces as they looked at the ground solemnly. The few who did look up as she passed gave her tiny nods which she returned – all villaindom had lost a great icon.

It didn't take her long to reach the Jolly Roger, docked at its usual spot, it's crew as dreary as the other pirates. As Camilla walked up the wooden planks to the ship she caught a glance of Uma leaning over the side staring at the horizon. Over the past month she and Uma hadn't exactly gotten along but they hadn't been wicked to each other either. Slowly Camilla approached her, she knew the sea witch saw her coming but she didn't turn her head to acknowledge her arrival.

"How is he?" Camilla asked quietly.

"Irritable." Uma replied shortly, then she took a deep breath and elaborated, "He hasn't come out of his room and anyone who tries to go in gets some blunt object thrown at their head."

"That's better than throwing swords and hooks."

"That's all he's doing, staring at his father's hook in his hands. It's all he has left of him." she paused, "I'm the only one he's let in but I don't' think he even hears what I say."

There was a long silence as they both looked out at the ocean thinking of the pain Harry must be going through. Comfort was never a villain's strong point and they were having difficulty figuring out what to do for him. Finally, Uma broke the silence.

"Look, I know we haven't really gotten along, but hey, we're villains what do you expect? But. . . . . if you could talk to him, help him? It would mean a lot to me. . . he's my oldest friend." Uma asked turning to look at Camilla who was shocked. She never thought Uma would ever ask for her help.

"I'll do my best." She said, "I don't like to see him hurting either." They each gave the other a small nod before Camilla headed for Harry's room. Once she was gone Uma looked around. Several of the crew were looking at her, having overheard the conversation and seen the softer side of the ruthless girl.

"What are you all looking at?! Quit lolly-gaggin! Back to work!" she shouted.

Camilla took a deep breath before she entered Harry's room, when she finally collected the courage to open the door she did it slowly so she didn't startle him. He was sitting by the large window at the opposite end of his room sitting on an old wooden desk with several maps, some gold coins and a small telescope. She saw him turn his head ever so slightly to look out of the corner of his eye at whoever had dared to enter. When he saw it was her he turned back to the window lifting his right hand and placing an empty rum bottle on the desk – if it had been anyone but her or Uma he probably would have used the bottle as another projectile to banish another crew member from his chamber. Camilla slowly shut the door behind her and walked over to him, she sat on the other end of the desk and placed a hand on his right shoulder. From the angle she was sitting she could see him looking at the hook in his left hand. She let plenty of time pass so Harry could adjust to her presence before she started to speak.

"I know the pain you're going through." She began, choosing her words carefully. "I remember what it felt like when I lost my brother. . . .I know it's not the same thing but at least your father didn't choose to leave you, didn't choose to abandon you. " she took another pause, it was still difficult to tell him everything she felt, she was breaking a golden rule of villainy – you never show your weaknesses.

"Part of me wanted to cry and another part was cursing the first for feeling that way, for being weak. But looking back I wish I had let the pain out instead of bottling it in. Instead I let it fog my mind when I could have gotten it off my chest and moved on sooner. . . . if you need to let it out I'm here for you Harry. If you're afraid I'll think you're weak, don't be. Nothing can change how strong you are in my eyes, or Uma's or your crew. You're not alone, Harry."

For a long time he didn't say anything and eventually Camilla moved to leave. But then his free hand covered her hand on his shoulder and she sat back down. He pulled her hand off him and brought it to his lips giving her knuckles a soft kiss. She knew it was the closest thing to 'thank you' she'd get. She got comfortable and rested her head on his bare shoulder. Another long silence passed before he said anything.

"Ye called me Harry." he softly pointed out and she realized it was the first time she'd said his name, not called him Hook or Captain. She only smiled into his arm.

TWO WEEKS LATER

Harry hadn't parted with his father's hook since the Captain's demise. Smee and the rest of Hook's crew had re-docked the Jolly Roger at Pirate's Bay where it stayed as empty as a ghost ship. Without her Captain the vessel only stood as a reminder for everything they'd lost. Without a ship or a crew Uma had offered Harry the position of First Mate on her crew aboard the Lost Revenge. After deliberating on it for days he accepted and moved into an empty cabin she had. He'd already been using it as a home away from home but now it became his officially. When Camilla wasn't at Hell Hall, which was most of the time now, she shared the room with him. She'd noticed how attached Harry had become with the hook, when he wasn't holding it he had it within arms reach and he never let it out of his sight. Camilla tried to help him as best she could. Sometimes he'd be so full of rage it was better to keep him away from the crew, other times he'd be so racked with guilt that he wouldn't come out of his room for the entire day and Camilla would have to poke her head out to order a deckhand to bring them a meal.

Today however, she hadn't been able to easily read the mood Harry was in. He left his father's hook on his beside table as he got dressed for the day and Camilla had the strangest urge to reach out and touch it. The hook of the great Captain James Hook was one of the greatest symbols of power in all the fairytales. Though having no magical qualities it was a symbol that struck fear into the hearts of the bravest men. Camilla clenched her hand in a fist to restrain herself as she turned back to Harry.

Her heart skipped a beat when she realized he was only half dressed and she had a full view of his muscular torso. Her girlish trance was broken when she noticed a few small scars across his chest and his ribs. She stood from the bed and walked over to him, he paused and let her run her fingertips across the thin lines, then he smirked proudly.

"Anyone who ever left a mark on me always ended up much worse."

There was a long pause before Camilla looked up at him.

"Will you teach me how to fight?"

- - ROTTEN TO THE CORE - -

"Don't look at my sword Camilla, look at my eyes. Remember a man's intent is in his eyes." Harry instructed her from across the quarterdeck where they were practicing. She'd been doing well for only three days in but she still had a long way to go before she'd ever win a fight. But that wasn't why she was losing this fight to Harry. She couldn't look in his eyes and fight him, she couldn't look at him and picture an enemy, she couldn't bring herself to imagine striking him down. She swung at him again and he dodged her strike, easily pushed her blade away with his, grabbed her hand and spun her until her back was pressed against his chest and he'd used his strength to pin her with her own sword, his leather glove protecting his hand as he held the blade directly. He gave a high-pitched laugh of amusement.

"Yeh can't look at me like yer enemy can ye?" Damn, she thought. He'd seen through her mask – he'd been getting quite good at that she'd noticed. She hated that she couldn't fool him anymore, but another small part of her always jumped with joy inside her chest at the fact that he was getting to know her so well. He let go and she pulled away from him turning back around to face him.

"Let's just go again." she said resuming their starting position, but Harry didn't join her, instead he turned and looked across the ship.

"Gil!" he shouted and the son of Gaston immediately climbed down from his place in the crow's nest and joined them.

"What's up?" he asked with his usual clueless smile. Harry turned to look at Camilla with a dangerous look in his black lined eyes that made her knees almost buckle.

"Camilla needs a new fighting partner." He said with a wicked smirk and glint in his eye.

"Sweet." Gil said brightening, drawing his sword and moving to stand across from her. Harry shot his arm out and grabbed Gil's shoulder stopping him mid-way.

"But if ye leave a single mark on her I'll –"

"Okay, okay." Gil said with wide eyes not letting Harry finish growling his threat. Then he shook out his arms and took his stance across from Camilla. She had more confidence as she looked at Gil and pictured fighting an enemy. He had a spark in his eyes –much unlike Harry's – it was the spark of someone raised by a hunter. Someone who lived for the thrill of the fight and the kill. He had a wide smile on his face and Camilla returned it with a smirk of her own while Harry stood back leaning against the rail with his arms crossed smirking as well, he knew this would get interesting quick. Gil swung and Camilla dodged then blocked his next swing with her blade. When their swords collided and he began to push her back with his strength she used her foot to kick him back. He looked shocked for a moment then smiled at her. It wasn't a smirk, it was a real smile with no hint of wickedness, it was more like. . . pride. He came at her again and again and again, each time she dodged or struck back. Once she'd even swung her sword and if Gil hadn't jumped back in time he would have ended up with a nasty gash on his face. Camilla was doing much better against Gil than she had been against Harry. She was able to take all of Harry's advice and apply it to her fight with Gil. However, as the fight went on Camilla began to tire but Gil's stamina kept him going until he had swung so many times in fast repetition that he'd backed Camilla against the rail. In a slick move he disarmed her and had the tip of his sword at her throat in the next second.

"Did you even have to try?" she asked upset with herself. She had to know if Gil had had to put in any effort to beat her, or had their fight been child's play for him? She had given it her all and now she feared that even her best might not be good enough. Gil smiled again the same friendly smile.

"Actually, I did." He said taking his weapon away from her neck. Then he held out his hand and she paused before taking it, he shook it once.

"Good fight." He told her still smiling before he turned to Harry and nodded before he left. Camilla looked to Harry, he was still leaning against the opposite rail and he smirked and nodded at her, his eyes shining with amusement. She'd impressed him and she felt pride rise in her core. Then she turned back to watch Gil as he joked around with the crew and she realized that for the first time in a long time she understood what it was like to have a brother again.