"This," she took his hand and held it to her cheek, "is love. This is love," she brought her hand to his face, gently pulling him towards her, placing her lips against his ever so tenderly, holding his face close to hers. And she pulled away hesitantly, her eyes covered in a sheet of warm tears. "I am love, James. Please…please love me. Try…try and love me, Hook. I need you. Please." Her voice trembled with emotion.

Hook just stared at her, for once sadness in his almond-shaped eyes. It was just the way she looked at him with a love so complete that he had never seen. And from that grew a strong, undying guilt and the feeling of regret for things he never felt but he wanted to change and become what she needed. He knew what she needed what he could never be, and he wished he could change it, but he couldn't. Or so he thought so negatively.

Clarice already knew she was doomed when she read the story in his eyes. She pulled away, her head wavering side to side subconsciously trying to rid reality that had dawned upon her mind. A light quiver resided in her bottom lip, a single tear drizzling down her flushed cheek, collecting at her chin. Newheart no longer felt at that moment. She was stripped from every emotion: left as a hollow mannequin. The Gods above had taken everything from her; her heart, her soul, her pride, her dignity, her love. From that moment she swore never to fall in love again as cliché as it sounded. Her eyes finally found his; her brows furrowed with disappointment and disgrace in him and herself.

"I was your adventure and you were mine. Although, I must confess you were something much more than that, James. If I didn't just show you, then I have no idea how to. So, I'm sorry James Matthew; King Jas.. I'm sorry I failed you to see love again… I'm sorry for love."

At that she turned on her heal, bringing the back of her hand to wipe away the free falling tears while she kept her head down, walking forward. Clarice knew she had to be strong for she was far too weak as it was. With an intake of breath, puffing her chest out high, she walked away attempting so hard to collect her pride and self-esteem. She forced her chin upward, sniffing hard, her strides long.

"What did you call me?" He called out in curiosity.

She paused but remained with her back to him.

"James, I know about your past. I know you once loved. I know you did. And that is what hurts, King Jas. Is that you lied to me saying you did not know what love was. Or maybe you just forgot…," her voice lingered in the night air.

It was true; he had forgotten. At that he slowly approached her, placing his hand upon her good shoulder, letting it remain there until he turned her around. Why was he doing this to her? Did he not get enough of her pain by just being in her presence? Was it not enough to see her cry him a river of salty tears? Was it not enough for her to hold out her bleeding heart in case he failed to notice, in case he failed to see, that she was on her knees before him? He stared into her hazel eyes, holding sincerity. A deep sigh left his lips before he rested his forehead gently on hers.

"I want to remember, Clarice," he spoke the truth.

"You're thoughtless words are breaking my heart…," she whispered, remaining close to him.

"I want to remember," he said again softly; speaking the truth. He did. He had forgotten so much of his past that only a few select memories stayed in tact yet their picture had been fading over the years, soon to be gone just like the rest. He could remember his school days at Eton, the Sea Witch, and…Ananova. He remembered her. It came to him. The Sultana, Ananova, was the only woman; Goddess he had fallen in love with. How could he have forgotten about her?

Because it was so long ago and he failed to find her. He failed to bring her to Neverland like he promised. It was so long ago it was inevitable she had passed away many years ago. Perhaps that was what he was feeling towards Clarice Newheart; love. He did feel love for her, he had to. Clarice would be his Queen; his Goddess. How could he have been so blind before?

His eyes grew wide with discovery, with realization. Strong arms wrapped around Clarice in an embracing hug. Captain James Hook had almost let his child-hood dream slip through his fingers again. How could he have allowed that to happen? When he lost Ananova, he had forgotten about her completely along with so much more. He had forgotten how to love. He had forgotten what love was. And now that this memory; this chance; this opportunity came to his front doorstep, he turned her away with a wave of a hand. But, he retrieved her just in time, hopefully. James hoped he had not messed up this chance. He hoped he could regain good form with her.

He held her closer, breathing her in.

Clarice furrowed her brows in complete confusion. Either he was playing her on or he had a complete epiphany. But nonetheless her arms wrapped around him in return, feeling warmth fill her empty body. Had she said the magic word? Had she broken a curse an evil witch bestowed upon him? What had happened? He had remembered.