Disclaimer: I own nothing except any unrecognizable characters and dialogue.
I've literally been listening to 'Requiem for Blue Jeans' by Bastille on repeat to get me into the writing mood... for those of your who don't know, a OUAT video set to that song inspired this whole saga.
Chapter Playlist: 'The Letter' from 'The Crown Season One: OST' and 'To the Stars' from 'Guardians of the Galaxy: OST'
Neverland
Though he was highly amused by the situation at hand, Felix had been telling the truth when he told Baelfire he hoped the former lost boy would never darken the shores of Neverland again. His presence had the potential to throw a wrench into Pan's carefully laid plans, and Felix knew their princess would tear apart the island if she found out the Baelfire was alive.
He stalked ahead of the group of lost boys threaded their way through the jungle, torches flickering in the gloom as they traveled in utter silence. Two boys held their unconscious prisoner's slack arms in a vice grip, dragging the poor man through the dirt. Thankfully, Lily had never found their little prisoner nook, and Felix doubted she would now that her magic was inhibited by the cuff she wore.
Coming to a stop before the cage, Felix turned and watched as the boys reached him. "You heard Pan," he told them lightly, one hand on his hip, the other holding the club slung casually over his shoulder. He returned the eager grins the boy shot him. "You know what to do with him."
With that, the boys unceremoniously threw their prisoner into the bamboo cage and slammed the door shut behind him. Their duty done, the group left, Felix at the rear, hiding any trace of evidence that Baelfire had survived and returned to Neverland.
Her sleep had been deep and dreamless, which was something of a rarity for Lillian even before the Curse. Lulled by the rhythmic touch of Peter's fingers through her hair, and still exhausted from what little sleep she and Henry had managed over the last week, Lillian gave a faint murmur when his lips brushed against her temple.
"Sleep well?" His whisper tickled against her skin.
She smiled lazily, twisting to nuzzle her face against the bare skin of his chest. Still half asleep, she let out a groan in protest when he began to slip from the hammock. Flopping onto her side, she watched as he began to gather the clothing strewn across the floor of her tree house. Sensing her gaze on him, he turned, trousers loose about his hips, and arched a brow when her gaze lingered.
Wordlessly, he reached out a hand, smiling faintly when she took it without hesitation. To his relief, she seemed far more content than he'd seen since their initial reunion, and there was no regret to be found when he searched for it. Leaning down, he ghosted his lips across her own, grinning when she lurched forward to kiss him more firmly.
Carding his fingers through the loose hair at her temple, he pulled back to rest his forehead against hers, inhaling deeply. He'd missed her enough that it was a physical ache, as if part of him was missing, and having her back was better than he had ever imagined. "Turn around," he told her quietly, satisfied when she did as he asked.
"What are you doing?" She asked as he began to twist and braid the hair at her temples away from her face.
"You'll see." He teased, sectioning off her hair before he began to braid it. Her thick curls twined about his fingers as he began to combine several of the small braids at the back of her head. Conjuring a leather cord, he tied off the end of the braids. Satisfied with his work, he let the intricate braid fall to rest among the mass of her hair, and sat back. "There."
Arching a brow, Lillian reached back to toy with the braid, smiling wanly at the feel of it. "You remembered how to braid." Having spent the better part of two years trying to hold his attention long enough to teach him how to braid, Lillian was impressed he'd kept up with it. She wondered if he'd used Felix as a test subject.
"That I did." He returned lightly, stroking his thumb across her cheekbone, and smiling when she nuzzled against his touch with a breathy sigh. "Now, we best get back to camp before the boys miss us."
Without protest, she rose when he tugged on her hands, suddenly breathless when he held her closely to his chest. Gazing at one another, she gave him another smile that he returned, the rest of the tightness leaving his body. They dressed slowly, sharing tender touches and gentle kisses, and he drew her back into his arms. Pressing his forehead to hers, he breathed in deeply before transporting them from the tree house and into camp just in time to witness Devin and Henry's mock sword fight.
"Henry…" Mildly concerned - Devin had had a mean streak wider than the island when he was in a mood - Lillian started forward, only for Peter to gently draw her back.
"Let's see what he does, Lily." With that, Peter looped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on top of her head, settling in to watch. When Henry finally did something other than move back, he spoke up. "Not bad."
Everyone stopped and turned in their direction, and Lillian didn't miss the way several eyebrows rose at their proximity. Luca waggled his eyebrows comically from the back of the group, and she wrinkled her nose in response. Henry stared at her, trembling faintly with adrenaline, though he calmed slightly at the encouraging smile she sent him.
Seizing the moment, Peter drew away from Lillian and approached the sparing boys. "But, wouldn't it be more fun if you had real swords?"
Devin shot their leader a curious look, weapon resting across his shoulders, but said nothing. He dared a cautious look back at their princess, and was relieved to see her shaking her head in fond exasperation.
Henry swallowed at Peter's approach. "I've… never used a real sword." Though his grandpa and dad had been in the process of teaching him to sword fight, they'd both claimed he wasn't ready for 'live steel' yet.
"This is Neverland, and you have the Heart of the Truest Believer. You can use whatever you want." Placing a hand on Henry's shoulder, Peter circled him until he stood right behind the boy. "You just need to believe, Henry." Reaching down with his other hand, he took hold of the hand Henry held the stick in and held them both up. "Close your eyes and believe your holding a real sword."
By now, Lillian had closed in and was standing near Luca in the group, where the boy had pushed his way to the front eagerly. Though she was mildly worried by how focused Peter was on this whole 'truest believer' thing, she was also curious to see if Henry had inherited any magical ability. As far as she knew, only she and Peter were able to influence the island.
Closing his eyes, Henry did as Pan told him, imagining that he was holding the sword he'd seen his grandpa wield in the storybook. There was a faint tingle in the air, and soon enough the lost boys around them were murmuring in awe at the sight of the stick transforming into a shining blade. Peeking warily at the stick he held, Henry's jaw dropped at the sight of a real sword in his hand. His eyes swung to Lillian for approval, and he found her staring back with a mixture of awe and pride.
Devin immediately assumed a defensive position as he realized he was in more trouble than he'd first thought. Like many of the boys, he hadn't seen anything special in the child before him until that exact moment.
"What are you waiting for?" Peter's voice broke through Henry's perusal of the sword. "Go on!"
Needing no more prompting, Henry lunged at Devin. With each swing of his sword, the older boy was driven back as Peter and the lost boys shouted with glee. Lillian watched, something twisting painfully in her gut, and her breath caught when Henry sliced clean through Devin's stick. When he continued to attack the beaten boy, slicing through his cheek with the tip of the blade, it took her a moment to remember how to breathe.
Once his opponent turned back to face him, one hand pressed to his bloodied cheek, Henry dropped the sword in shock. "I-I'm sorry." He whispered, deaf to the cheers of the lost boys, unable to look away from Devin's accusing gaze. "It was an accident."
"Henry." Peter breathed, drawing the guilty boy's attention to him once more. "Don't you know the best thing about being a lost boy?" Bending down, he picked up the forgotten sword and placed it into Henry's limp fingers. "You never apologize." Gripping Henry's shoulder tightly, Peter wheeled him to face the lost boys and said, "Come on!"
The boys began to cheer and clap wildly for their newest recruit, and despite his former reluctance, Henry found himself warming at their praise. Holding the sword aloft, he began to smile, returning their cries. Off to the side, Lillian lowered her eyes with a heavy heart, as if just remembering the cuff was there. Staring down at it, breathing shakily, she dared one more look at Henry's smiling, happy face and forced a smile for his sake.
Henry rushed towards her, excitedly chattering about his sword, and Lillian didn't need to look up to know that Peter watched their every move.
Deciding they needed more light for looking around Neal's hideaway, David produced a lighter and lit one of the torches, casting the cave in a warm glow. As he, Mary Margaret, and Regina looked around, Emma was tracing her hands along the walls. Catching sight of markings that were almost hidden by several sheets, she reached out and began to toss them away, catching Hook's attention.
"You need a hand, luv?"
Emma paused to slide an unimpressed side-eye his way. "Is that a joke?"
He gave a faint chuckle. "Hmm, no." Reaching with his good hand, he helped her tug what appeared to be Neal's bed away from a crevice in the wall. "I'm being quite serious."
Emma's attention was immediately drawn to the seemingly endless amount of white tally marks on the space they revealed. Tucking her hair behind her ears, she leaned in to get a closer look, heart twisting painfully. "Woah."
Curious as to what had his daughter's attention, David came closer. "What is it?"
"It appears Neal marked his days trapped on this island." Hook replied, an uncomfortable lump forming in his throat at the sight before him. There was never a day he didn't regret what he had done to Baelfire in his anger.
Without speaking a word, Emma clambered onto the ledge, tracing her fingers over the marks.
Concerned now, Mary Margaret drifted closer. "What's wrong?"
"Look here." Emma whispered thickly, placing her fingers at the spot the marks suddenly came to an end. "Neal stopped counting."
Her mother eyed the marks sadly. "'Cause he got off the island."
"He was here longer." Emma told her just as sadly.
"Then why would he…"
She cut across her father. "Because he lost hope."
"You got that from scribbles?" Regina asked pointedly as she joined them by said scribbles.
Exhaling, Emma twisted on the little shelf and hopped down. "I got that because it's what I did every time I went to a new foster home." She told Regina coldly, leaning back against the rock. For her part, the older woman looked faintly shamed. "I counted days until counting seemed pointless."
"You think the same thing's happening to Henry." David said quietly, wishing his daughter would let them comfort her.
She gave a shrug. "Pan said that it would."
"Hey." David's voice sharpened. "We're gonna rescue him."
"Yeah, I know that and you know that, but Henry doesn't know that." It took everything she had not to yell at David, having gotten worked up at the reminder of her childhood. "Pan wants him to lose faith."
"So, what, you want to send him a message?" Retreating back to biting comments, Regina tried to hide her growing worry. "Because I haven't seen a Neverland post office. What are you suggesting?"
"We take a page from Pan and we start being clever. We need to send a simple sign, a sign that we're coming."
Regina threw up her hands. "Yeah, with lost boys running around, trying to kill us all?"
"Yeah, maybe it's time we used that to our advantage." Mary Margaret suggested brightly enough that Regina was tempted to summon another sleeping curse.
Somehow, she managed to reign herself in. "How?"
"Follow me," Mary Margaret ordered, striding towards the entrance of the cave. "I'll show you."
The others followed, leaving Emma and Hook in the rear. When she made to go past him, the pirate stopped her, wearing a somber expression that looked out of place on him. "Swan."
"What? We're wasting time." Moving to go around him, she tensed when he stopped her again.
"I, uh… I just wanted to let you know that I do know what it feels like, to lose hope." He whispered, looking faintly awkward at revealing such a thing.
"I know what this is." Emma returned evenly, ignoring how his expression began to turn wounded. "This… you… you know, trying to… bond with me. So save your breath. I'm not in the mood." With that, she turned and strode past him.
Though he realize she was right, he refused to admit as such. Steeling himself, Hook turned to follow, only for David to block his path.
"Let me give you a bit of advice, Hook." The blond man began, one hand at the sword on his hip, as he leaned in closer. "She's never gonna like you."
Arching a brow, hiding behind his charm, Hook asked, "Is that so?"
"Well, how could she?" David lowered his voice, eyes like ice. "You're nothing but a pirate."
Hook's wide, charming smile faded as the prince stalked away, remembering when he had been more than a pirate.
Striding through the jungle, Lilith grimaced at the sight of lost boys patrolling the area around her. It was hard enough with Pan always lurking, but when the lost boys tried to keep her in a proverbial cage, it really set her teeth on edge. Without a word, she vanished in a swirl of purple smoke, ignoring the surprised shouts of the lost boys. Pan would find her eventually, though she knew he found her behavior charming and saw it as a kind of ongoing game of 'hide-and-seek'.
Bored, she wandered the jungle, not truly paying attention to where she went. Having already met the pirates and Tinker Bell, she assumed that there were no other inhabitants of the isle. As such, it was quite a surprise when she caught sight of a figure darting through the treeline ahead of her. Caught off guard, she only just managed to avoid the poisoned dart that was meant for her, vanishing and reappearing behind a nearby tree.
Peering around the trunk, inwardly berating herself for hiding in the first place, she watched the figure retrieve the dart. The woman's copper skin was flecked with dirt and grime, as were her beige tunic and trousers. Her black hair twisted into matted braids, and though her features were half-obscured by a hood, Lilith went cold at the sight of her.
"Tiger Lily?" She whispered, unable to believe what she was seeing.
The woman stilled, one hand going for the dagger at her hip, and she twisted to lock coal-black eyes onto the young woman beside the tree. She went white at the sight of the face staring back at her, dropping the blowpipe from limp fingers. "Katerina?"
Having made camp in a clearing near Neal's old hideout, Regina continued to weave vines together to fashion a kind of rope, just as Emma and Mary Margaret were doing to her left. Nerves on edge, especially after their escapade with Tinker Bell, she couldn't stop herself from scoffing at the lunacy of their newest plan.
"A trap? That's your plan?"
Mary Margaret kept her eyes fixed on her task. "The lost boys wanna come after us, we need to go after them."
"You really think a lost boy is gonna betray Pan?" Hook asked darkly.
"Thanks for the advice." Mary Margaret snapped back, swiftly changing the subject. "David?"
Her husband tossed more wood onto the fire. "Yeah?"
"We need more vines."
"On it." He nodded sharply, twisting to head back into the jungle. His eyes narrowed at the sight of Hook staring longingly at Emma. "You're coming with me, pirate."
Gritting his teeth, Hook tossed over his shoulder, "And why is that?"
Stopping mid stride, David turned to glower at the dark-haired man, scathing retort on the tip of his tongue.
Emma stopped the brewing confrontation. "Because we need more rope."
Setting down his own collection of vines, Hook gave a mocking bow, arms spread wide. "As the lady insists." Ignoring David's disgusted scoff, Hook stood up and followed the other man into the trees.
As they walked away, Emma's eyes followed, unaware of the speculative look her mother cast her way. For her part, Regina continued to string together the vines, determined to ignore the train wreck of a romance blossoming before them.
Hook wisely stayed several paces behind the irritated blond man, watching as he reached up to gather the low-hanging vines from the trees. "So, what would you like to yell at me about now, Dave?"
Breathless from the pain in his side, David forced himself to continue reaching to gather the vines. "Stay away from my daughter."
Hook sighed; the man was so predictable, it was almost sad. "Well, she can take care of herself." He noted as they continued on, not bothering to gather any vines, taking a sip from his flask. "She doesn't need your parenting - which is a good thing."
Pausing in his work, David turned to stare at him. "What does that mean?"
Lowering his flask as they carried on, Hook lowered his voice. "It means you're gonna die in a day or so anyway."
"Nothing I can do about that." David muttered flatly, his wound throbbing with every breath. "But if I do die…"
"When." Hook interjected helpfully as David stopped and whirled around.
"It'll be in helping my family, and that's something someone like you can't understand." With that, David turned around and continued on.
Swallowing thickly, Hook glowered at the man's back, flashing back to Lillian's pale, bloodless face before she disappeared into the portal. Though he could admit that his motives for helping save young Henry were not the noblest, his reasoning for wanting to save Lillian were. He loved the brassy little chit as he'd loved Bae, and there hadn't been a day that he regretted the way he'd let both of them down.
"What if I told you there's a way to save you?" Having ruminated the idea over in his head more than once over the course of the past few days, Hook was decided on a course of action regarding the prince before him.
Once more, David spun to face the pirate. "I'd say no, because anything that takes us off course of saving Henry and Lillian is selfish. But, of course you would think that was the way to go."
Temper already fraying at the prince's endlessly snide comments, Hook felt it snap. "Oh, bugger off. What, you think I'm being selfish? I'm risking my life for all of you, every moment I'm here aligned against him."
"Please." David returned hotly, "You're not here out of any nobility. You're here for Emma."
"I'm here for Lillian!" Hook exploded, his sudden display of anger taking the prince aback. "I'm here to save her! I've let her down before, but I won't ever again." His eyes narrowed, a cruel smirk twisting his lips. "And you might not wanna believe it, highness, but if there's one thing Pan wants more than anything, it's his princess."
Breathing hard, David reached out to grasp at Hook's collar before he swung wildly at the man's face. Ducking, Hook caught him just as the world tilted and his knees gave out. "Mate, mate, stop!" He told the weakened man, carefully lowering him to the ground. "I don't fight invalids."
As he got the prince to the ground, he realized how still the other man was. Breath catching, Hook reached out to rouse him, slapping his cheek lightly. "Mate? Mate?!" Seeing no other alternative, Hook reached for his flask, opened it, and began to pour the precious liquid onto David's face.
Thankfully, within moments, the liquid roused the other man from unconsciousness. Sputtering at the taste of the sweet spirit, David reached up to weakly bat at the flask in an effort to get the pirate to stop trying to drown him. Groaning at the sight of rum splashed along his front, David didn't protest when Hook gripped his arm to help him sit up.
"Have another drink." The pirate encouraged.
"No, thank you." David coughed through the burn of the alcohol in his chest. "I'm okay now."
"No, no you're not." Reaching down, he hook his arm around David's side, hauling him to his feet before gently pushing him to rest on a nearby boulder. "I thought you had days left. Let me see."
"No." David panted weakly.
"Let. Me. See." Hook ordered, somewhat impressed that David had enough energy to scowl blackly at him.
Unwilling to back down, he held David's uncertain gaze, and the prince soon relented. Groaning with pain as he did so, David reached down to pull up his short, revealing his injured torso to the other man.
Hook hissed sharply through his teeth. "The dreamshade has almost reached your heart." He whispered, eyes tracing the black veins. "It's hours now. You have to tell your family."
"No. Not when I can still help them save Henry and Lillian." He went to move, only to nearly fall flat on his face once more when his knees buckled.
Grunting, Hook caught him again and returned him to rest against the rock again. "Catch your breath, mate, or what little time you have will be less."
Breathing labored, David focused on regulating it, eyes falling downwards. Rubbing a hand over his face at the mess they were in, Hook turned around just as David caught sight of something half buried in the dirt at his feet. Bending down, he reached for the scrap of leather, wheezing through the pain.
Hook turned in time to watch him dust off the item. "What's that?"
"It's a military insignia." David breathed, more than a bit surprised to find something like that in Neverland. He flipped it over, eyeing the name. "'Jones'. You know him?"
Hook caught the scrap of leather when David tossed it. "Aye. He was my captain, and my brother." Emotion colored his voice as he continued. "We voyaged this infernal island a long time ago. This was on the strap of his satchel - my brother lost it during a duel with Pan." David didn't need to know that Liam hadn't lived long enough to cross blades with the green-eyed demon that ruled the island, that it had been Hook himself who lost the strap in a duel with Pan.
Glancing up towards the peak, he began to fiddle with the strap. "Oh, it must've washed down with the rains from the storm that wrecked the Jolly Roger."
David followed his gaze. "From where?"
"There." Hook pointed towards the highest peak on the island with a jerk of his chin. Groaning, David managed to stand on his feet to join Hook, staring upwards. "Deadman's Peak. I thought it was gone forever." Hook muttered quietly, almost to himself.
Curious despite himself, David turned to see Hook gazing at the strap reverently. "What was gone?"
"No, it's too dangerous." Turning, Hook made to lead them back to the campsite.
"No, no, no." David trained after him, catching him by the shoulder. "What's too dangerous? If you know something that can help us… don't hold back."
Pretending to think it over, Hook sighed heavily, as if acquiescing to David's will. "If this insignia survived all these years, then perhaps my brother's satchel did as well. And inside that satchel is a sextant that can help us decode Neal's star map that can get us off this island."
"Then I know how I'm gonna spend my last hours." David told him quietly, but with an edge of steel in his words that was unsettling. "We're gonan find that thing."
Inwardly pleased by how well the plan had worked, Hook made a token attempt to change David's mind. "Well, look, you might reach the top, but you'll die before you return."
"Then come with me, and make sure the sextant gets back to Emma." David encouraged, gave unwavering and intense. "You ready to be a hero?"
If possible, Lilith went colder at the sound of her mother's name. Having never truly reconciled with what her mother had done, of what she had condemned her own daughter to, any mention of the woman could turn her apoplectic. It also didn't help learning about Peter's involvement in the whole thing, especially now that she remembered her girlhood crush on the charming, handsome boy that visited her in the dark of night.
"It's Lilith, actually." She told Tiger Lily coldly when all the woman did was stare as if she'd come upon a ghost. "Katerina was my mother."
"Lily?" The older woman asked, sudden tears gathering in her eyes. "Little Lily?"
At that, Lilith arched a cool brow. As far as she knew, she had never once laid eyes on the former fairy standing before her, and the fairy had never laid eyes on Lilith either. She had seen paintings, yes, and knew her mother had kept in contact with her up until shortly after Lilith's birth, but had thought that the end of it.
"You know me?"
"O-of course I do. I was there for your birth - I attended your mother and was the second person to hold you." There was a tenderness to her now, one that Lilith fiercely disliked. "I… what has happened to you? How did you get here?"
When Tiger Lily took a step towards her, Lilith took one back, bewildered by the hurt that flashed through the older woman's dark eyes.
"A sextant?" Emma demanded as Hook explained the situation at hand. "You're telling us about this now?"
Arms planted firmly on her hips, Regina eyed the pirate speculatively. "How do we know you're not lying?"
"Oh, you don't, but I'm not." Hook countered with a slightly pinched expression, approaching the trio of distrustful women. "It's the best hope yet we've had of an exit plan. And don't forget, we're gonna need one if we want Lady Bell's help on getting into Pan's camp."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Struggling to hide her distress, Emma looked between her father and Hook expectantly.
Sharing a look with David, noting the resolute set of the man's jaw, Hook stepped closer to Emma and lowered his voice. "Emma…" He sighed, hating to lie to the woman before him. "You were right. We need to get that message to Henry and Lillian. Every day without hope is a day closer to becoming a lost boy." Grabbing the rope they'd managed to craft, he looped it around his shoulder. "Your father and I should go."
"Hook's right!" David called as he gathered up a satchel.
Wearing an unimpressed expression, Mary Margaret shared a look with her daughter, who addressed the oddly acting men. "Uh, you wanna split up?"
"It's the last thing I wanna do." David admitted as he came to stand before his wife and daughter. "But… there's a chance he can get us home."
Biting at her lip, Mary Margaret nodded. "Okay."
Sighing deeply, David focused solely on his daughter. "And Emma, while I'm gone, just…"
"Listen to my mother?" Emma asked dryly, softening the bite with a faint smile.
Chuckling sheepishly at being so transparent, David nodded. "Be careful."
"Always am."
"And, when you send that message to Henry and Lillian, add something to it for me, would ya?" Throat threatening to close up with emotion, David struggled to keep his face and voice even.
"Mhmm."
"Tell him… tell him grandpa loves him. That I love them both." Eyes stinging, David embraced her, Emma's grunt of surprise muffled by his chest.
"Oh. Um… okay." Awkwardly patting his back, she didn't protest when he cradled the back of her head. "Good luck."
"Yeah," David breathed as he pulled away, hands resting briefly on her shoulders. "You too." Squeezing his daughter's shoulders one last time, he turned to see his wife eyeing him strangely.
"You all right?" She asked quietly, reaching for him, somewhat alarmed at how desperately he clutched her to him.
"Yeah, I just - I've gotta go." He squeezed tighter.
"Hmm. I'll see you soon."
His heart threatened to crack at the absolute certainty in her words. "Well, you know, Neverland's a dangerous place and… you know, you - you just never know what's going to happen." He pulled back, trailing off at her smile. "So-"
"David." She stopped him, refusing to entertain the idea that her family would be separated ever again. "You're gonna be fine."
"Right." He nodded, cupping her cheeks and pressing a kiss to her forehead before he kissed her lips gently. "I love you." He whispered once he drew back, committing her face to memory before he and Hook walked away from the campsite, from the family he would never see again.
Crouched down with her sword in hand, Emma eyed the wild boar as it rooted around on the jungle floor. Across the way stood Mary Margaret, arrow drawn and ready, while Regina stood behind a tree, prepared for a fight as a lost boy finally wandered into their trap.
Hoisting his spear onto his shoulder, Devin watched the wild boar, keeping himself hidden behind the foliage of the nearby plants, when an arrow flew over his head. Startled, his eyes swung upward in times to see the net as it fell on him, widening in alarm when the three women who had arrived on the island ambushed him.
Struggling wildly beneath the net, Devin snarled up as they surrounded him. "What are you doing?!" He demanded as he freed himself of the net. "Are you trying to start a war with Pan?" He saw confusion flash in their eyes, and knew they didn't understand. Though Pan allowed fighting between his boys and their enemies, it could only happen on his terms, when he allowed it. If Pan found out they had broken his rules, all would pay a terrible price.
"Pan started the war when he kidnapped my son." Emma returned flatly, refusing to pity the boy before her, even when all her instincts screamed at her to do so.
Rolling his eyes at her, Devin kicked the last of the net off his legs.
Regina moved in closer. "But that doesn't make you our enemy." She cooed lightly, conjuring a bar of chocolate in her palm before she held it out to the boy.
"What's that?" He asked as he stood, eyeing the sweet likely he expected it to bite him.
"Chocolate." Regina answered with a winning smile. "I thought you might like the taste of something sweet."
"We don't wanna hurt you." Emma breathed, lowering her sword to her side. "We just need you to deliver a message to Henry."
"And Lillian." Regina chimed in lightly.
"Why should I help you?" Devin challenged Emma.
"Because you had a home and a family once, and you stopped believing you could get back to them. Now we're here. We can help - not just Henry, all of you." Lips pursed, he listened to her, clearly uneasy with the whole situation. "We can get you home."
Stepping up to do her part, Regina smiled warmly and held out the candy, gesturing for him to take it. Cautiously, Devin took the sweet, raising it to his nose to sniff at it, somewhat curious about the colorful packaging despite himself. Regina caught his eye, chuckling at the smile he wore. Without another word, Devin turned and threw the bar as hard as he could, drawing a ragged gasp from Emma's throat.
"Don't you get it?" Devin glared at them, wondering how adults could be so dense. "I'm here because I don't wanna go home. None of us do!"
"Pan's a monster." Emma jerked her blade in the direction of cut along Devin's dirty cheek. "Look what he did to you."
"Oh," reaching up, he touched the clotting wound and gave a smile that was all teeth. "Pan didn't do that. Henry did."
Glancing carefully through his lashes, Henry swallowed at the sight of Lillian and Pan, so close there was barely any space between them. Their faces were close too, Lillian's thick curls partially obscuring their expressions from view. Henry still saw the way Pan bit his lip, the way his hand fell to rest on Lillian's waist, tugging her even closer. Averting his gaze, embarrassed to witness what was clearly a private moment, he was unaware that Pan had caught him staring.
"Henry's watching," Peter whispered against the shell of Lillian's ear, breath tickling the sensitive flesh. Shivering, she turned to rest her chin on his shoulder, eyeing Henry quietly. Something had shifted within her after last night, and she didn't want to think too hard about what it meant. "Should we reassure him?"
"He's twelve, Peter," Lillian retorted, shifting so their noses brushed, "His mother hasn't even given him the 'birds and the bees' talk yet. He really doesn't need to know about our…"
"Sex life?" Peter suggested when she trailed off, clearing uncomfortable saying it out loud. She hit him hard in the shoulder, giggling softly when he caught her hand and kissed her fingertips. "I missed you, love."
With a half-smile, she leaned forward, hair falling to block their faces, and kissed him. His lips were cool beneath her own, and he surged closer, cupping the curve of her jaw with slim fingers. Pulling back, he nipped at her lips, giving a low chuckle when she pinched him for it.
To the lost boys, and Henry, the two seemed to have reconciled overnight. While Felix had been around them enough, and was old enough, to realize that their renewed physical intimacy was part of the reason, he merely spared them an amused smirk. No one asked, though the younger boys were just happy their princess wasn't trying to leave them again. When the two stood and left the camp, hand in hand, no one said a word; Luca did have to intercept Henry when the younger boy started after them, leading him towards a rope climbing game.
The last thing they needed was to emotionally scar the poor boy.
"How are you holding up, mate?" Hook asked as he led the way through the trees. He could hear the other man's labored breaths and, without looking behind, knew he was lagging further and further behind.
"Don't worry about me." Clinging from tree to tree, David spared the pirate an unimpressed scowl. "Just worry about getting us to the sextant."
Hook smirked mirthlessly. "I meant the good-byes. Looked a bit stormy back there."
"I did what had to be done," Exhaling sharply, David paused for a split second on one of the thin trees that lined their path, "and I did it out of love. Emma and Mary Margaret will understand that."
Hook paused, head turned to peer at David from the corner of his eye. "You gonna tell them that from beyond the grave? And what about Lillian? Does she not deserve closure?"
"No." David returned as evenly as he could, one hand pressed tightly to his burning side. "You are. You're gonna tell them that I died a hero, fighting for their way home." Hook looked away at the surety in the prince's words. "What you're not gonna tell them is that I left already a dead man."
"The truth, you mean."
"Their last memories of me won't be of a liar."
Smirking blankly, Hook watched the blond man stumble by him. "Why should I help you?"
Chuckling darkly, David stopped. "Well, because if you hadn't stolen that bean, they wouldn't have had a chance to take Henry and Lillian, we wouldn't be on this island, and I wouldn't be dying of dreamshade poison."
Hook glanced down, acknowledging the truth of the pointed words. "Fair point. Well, at least you got to say good-bye," he breathed, almost to himself, stalking by the nearly dead man. "Most people don't get that much."
Something in Hook's voice gave David pause, and, brow creased in confusion, he turned to stare at the other man's back. "You lost someone, didn't you?"
Coming to a dead stop, Hook lowered his hand and exhaled sharply. "This is where we ascend," he chose to ignore the question entirely. "I'll climb ahead and throw down the rope."
Breathing heavily, David eyed the cliff face that loomed before them. As they continued towards it, he glanced at Hook speculatively. "He was your brother, right? I had a brother too, you know," he continued when Hook remained tight-lipped. "A twin," he smiled without humor, "he died before I ever met him."
"There were two of you?" Once again, Hook sidestepped the question, refusing to discuss family history with someone who despised the sight of him. "I can barely stomach one."
David chuckled dryly. "Ah, you would've liked him. He was a thief and a liar."
"Yeah, you would've liked my brother." Hook retorted sharply, "He could be a stubborn ass. Now, wait here."
David stopped, watching as the pirate approached the cliff face. Steeling himself for the arduous climb ahead, Hook ignored the memories that were clamoring for attention and began his ascent.
Panting heavily from his climb, Hook secured the rope to the trunk of a study tree at the top of the cliff. Striding to the edge, he made to throw the bundle down for David to use, when a low voice stopped him.
"Don't pull him up yet." When he slowly turned, he saw Pan's darkened silhouette. "I wanna talk. Alone."
Dropping the rope, Hook stalked forward. "What do you want?"
"To offer you a deal. Come back and work for me, like the old days."
Hook scoffed. "I don't miss the old days."
"What if I were to offer you something very hard to come by?" It took everything Hook had not to react when Pan disappeared, only to reappear right in front of him. "Passage off the island."
"Still not interested."
Pan returned Hook's empty smile. "What if I were to sweeten the deal? You can take someone with you - Emma." Aided by magic, he was suddenly several feet away from the pirate.
"Emma would never leave her son." Hook told him, eyes focused on the ground.
"She did once before, and you can be there to pick up the pieces." Preying upon the desires of people was what he was best at, and Pan pressed on mercilessly as he paced before the still pirate. "We've known each other a very long time, Killian." We've done business before. And I think this is the perfect time to restart that relationship."
"What if I'm not interested?"
"Of course you are." Pan strode closer again, voice lowering to a whisper. "Because that's what I've always liked about you. You're good at surviving."
Realizing the boy wouldn't go away unless he played along, Hook asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"Be in my employ. Do my dirty work."
"What dirty work?"
"When the time comes, I'll let you know. But first, I need a signal that you've taken my deal."
"So my word right now wouldn't be good enough?"
"You know me." Smirking, Pan vanished a third time, positioning himself behind Hook so he could whisper into the man's ear. "I like action. I'll know you've taken my deal when I see the Prince's dead body up on that peak."
Turning with a bored smile, Hook said, "Oh, you'll see that anyway. He's on his last legs, thanks to dreamshade."
Pan lowered his voice. "I wanna see you kill him before the poison. I want to see your hook inside his body." He raised his voice, irritated that the man before him wasn't playing along.
"And what if I don't take your offer?" Hook challenged, glaring darkly at the solemn faced youth.
"Remember the last time you didn't listen to me?" As always, Pan knew the perfect buttons to press, knew what wound to pour salt into. "Have a drink." He thrust Hook's own flask into the pirate's hand. "You know it always helps you think."
Pan vanished just as David came into view, panting heavily as he hauled himself over the edge of the cliff. Grunting as he struggled to find purchase, David glared up at Hook as the pirate reacted.
"Bloody hell, I told you to wait!" Hook snarled out as he moved to help the dying man safely onto the ledge.
Features dampened with sweat, David rose to his feet and stood before the other man. "Were you talking to someone?"
Alarmed he had heard their conversation, Hook denied it. "Just talking to myself. It's… an old habit from many nights on the lonely seas."
Glancing down, David rolled his eyes at the sight of the flask in Hook's hand. "Well, I'm glad to see you're enjoying the refreshments while you do it."
Glaring down at the flask, Hook called after David as the latter strode around him. "Apologies, mate. It isn't much farther now."
Watching the other man go, Hook's gaze darkened as he stroked his chin with his hook.
"I don't understand; why are you here?" Tiger Lily demanded, a hysterical note edging into her voice. Lilith tensed at the sound, able to tell in an instant that the woman before her was not well. "Why are you not back in the Enchanted Forest, with your family?"
Lilith scoffed. "What family? My parents are both dead, my brother murdered, and my grandmother hasn't wanted anything to do with me since my mother died."
"Darren is dead?!" Wide-eyed with horror, the former fairy stepped closer, hands extended. "Oh, my dear girl - what happened?"
Once more retreating so to be out of reach of the clearly unhinged fairy, Lilith's answer was accompanied by a feral smile. "Oh, I killed him."
"You're too late!" Devin shouted as Emma roughly shook him, angrily refuting his words. He even had the gall to grin at her fury. "Henry is a lost boy now! Your boy is one of the most vicious new recruits we've have had in ages!" He gave a harsh, barking laugh. "And our princess will never betray her boys!"
Without a word, Evie shoved the boy into the tree, ripping herself away from him before she did something drastic. Rattled by his claims, she barely noticed when her mother dragged her from the boy. His expression was all teeth, and the feral look he wore unsettled even Regina, if the wariness in her eyes was any indication.
Gripping her daughter's elbow, Mary Margaret leaned in close. "Don't let him get to you, okay?"
Anything more encouraging words were stopped when Regina shoved her way in between them. "Move aside." The older woman ordered darkly, tugging down the sleeve of jacket while glaring at the lost boy.
Already knowing she woulnd't like the answer, Mary Margaret still asked, "why?"
"So I can rip his heart out!" Regina all but shouted, refusing to waste another precious moment on trying to humor Mary Margaret's delicate sensibilities. Her attention went to the now unsettled looking boy and she smiled viciously. "Then he'll do exactly what we want."
"This is not how we do things." Deciding not to even give Regina's solution another thought, Mary Margaret instead returned her attention to her daughter. While she might not like it, Regina would likely listen to whatever Emma decided if the blonde decided to stop her. "Emma, we can find another way to get to Henry and Lillian."
"Really?" Arching a brow, Regina swung glinting eyes in Emma's direction. The other mother wanted to find their son just as much as she did - though she had her doubts about Emma's interests in finding Lillian - and Regina could almost taste Emma's willingness to do whatever it took to get Henry back. "And what do you think, Emma?"
Emma's eyes were hard with resolution when they settled on Regina, and the older woman knew she had won. "I think we need to talk to our son."
"We can't do this." Mary Margaret tried to grab her daughter's hands, voice turning frantic when her daughter merely shared a long look with Regina. "This is brutal."
"I know," Emma twisted her fingers around her mother's, giving the older woman hope for a brief moment, before she yanked her mother towards her, holding her in a vice grip. "But she can."
"Emma!" Horrified by both her daughter's choices and the expression Regina's face, Mary Margaret attempted to twist free of her daughter's hold, with little success.
"Do it, Regina." Emma ordered, making sure her mother was facing away from what was about to happen. With a grim, pleased expression, Regina went to work on removing the boy's heart.
"Emma!" Going limp in her daughter's hold, Mary Margaret shut her eyes tightly as she heard the telltale noises of a heart being removed from an unwilling victim.
Pressing her chin against her mother's shoulder, Emma exhaled sharply. "I'm sorry," she whispered, holding back a sudden bout of unexpected tears as Regina went about doing what she did best. "I'm so sorry."
Minutes later, with Emma seated on a stump, the blonde gazed up at her stone-faced mother.
"Mary Margaret, I'm sorry."
Her mother didn't even glance her way, arms crossed tightly. "You don't have to apologize to me. It's Henry and Lillian I'm worried about."
"I know. That's why I'm willing to let Regina do whatever it takes."
"When we finally get to them, I just wanna make sure the line is still there."
Emma straightened. "What line?"
"Between what Regina is willing to do," Mary Margaret finally glanced at her daughter, "and what you are."
As she spoke, Regina untied Devin and gestured for him to follow. He complied without a noise of protest, held under the thrall of her spell.
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get him home." Emma defended.
Her mother's voice was cool. "But the cost can't be this family."
"It won't be." Emma sprang from her seat at Regina's approach.
The dark-haired woman eyed the pair speculatively. "Second thoughts?"
"Let's get him that message."
"Oh, we're gonna do more than that." Regina slipped a compact mirror out of her pocket with a smile. Breaking it apart, she handed one end to the lost boy, she held up her own half. "We're gonna see him."
Rounding the familiar corner, Hook sighed heavily and gestured to the thicket of dreamshade vines. "Since you're already dying from the stuff, you won't mind if I stand back while you…" He trailed off when David agreed.
"Yeah." Skirting around Hook, David produced his blade and held it up, catching Hook by surprise when he turned around. "I know about your deal with Pan."
Holding up his good hand, Hook cautiously asked, "You heard that, then?"
"Yeah. I heard that."
"Then you know I didn't agree."
"Yeah," David nodded, "you also didn't agree."
"Don't you see?" Hook tried to reason with David as he was backed closer to the dreamshade vines. "This is what he wanted, to turn us against each other."
"Well, it worked." David growled, pressing the tip of his sword against Hook's Adam's apple.
Peering at his would-be attacker, Hook saw the way the sword trembled. "You're making the poison spread quicker, mate."
"I don't care." David told him, breathing harshly through his nose as the pain worsened. "I just have to last long enough to get the sextant back to my family. Now take me to it!"
"My brother didn't lose his satchel up here." Hook revealed, glancing down at the blade. "I made that up." (Exhales sharply)
David began to lower the blade. "What about the insignia?"
"I dropped it on the path so you'd find it."
"Why?"
"Because I knew you'd never make the journey here if I told you the truth." Hook snapped, rubbing at his neck.
"The truth?" David repeated hoarsely. "The truth - you brought me here to die?"
"I brought you here to save your life!"
"You're a liar!" Forgetting his sword, David lunged forward, only for Hook to knock him out cold with a punch to the face.
Before Lilith could react, Tiger Lily let out an almost inhuman wail and lunged. Throwing out a hand to send the fairy flying, she was stopped when vines grabbed hold of the older woman, stopping her mid-step. Pan stepped out from behind a nearby tree, coming to stand behind Lilith. His hands fell to her shoulders, and he tsked mockingly at the enraged fairy.
"I'd say it was nice to see you, Tiger Lily but, well, that would be a lie." His grip on Lilith's shoulders tightened and, at the feral look in her godmother's eyes, Lilith followed his lead when he tugged her closer. Encircling her in his arms, Peter glared at his captive. "Come near her again, and I'll show you just how dangerous high tide at Skull Rock is."
With that, he gently steered Lilith to follow him, keeping one arm around her shoulders as they left the clearing. Tiger Lily's cry of rage echoing in her ears, Lilith didn't protest when Pan transported them to his Thinking Tree. Seated on a branch beside him, she shivered at the state her mother's former friend was in. Pan watched her, for once not saying a bloody word, and she turned to stare at him curiously.
"What happened to her?"
Wetting his lips, he paused thoughtfully. "I'm not sure on the particulars, but after your mother passed, Tiger Lily found herself on the shores on Neverland. She's been here ever since, eking out a living by scavenging on the island - not unlike Tink." His green eyes turned serious, though she saw concern soften them. "However, Tiger Lily is unstable and I…" He paused, unable to articulate his worry without making it seem like he was trying to tell her what to do.
To his utter disbelief, Lilith leaned closer, cupping his chin with one hand. Pressing a lingering kiss to his cheek, she pulled back, actively avoiding eye contact. "I'll try to stay clear, Pan. The last thing I need is a deranged fairy trying to kill me." She paused, looking somewhat uncertain. "Thank you, though."
With that she was gone in a swirl of purple smoke, leaving him to stare at the spot she'd just been, fingertips pressed against the spot on his cheek where her lips had been.
Waiting for Lillian to come back, Henry began to draw in the dirt with his sword. She and Pan had left hours ago, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know what they were doing. Focused on his drawing, he didn't notice Devin approaching until the boy poked him lightly with his stick.
Scrambling to his feet, Henry watched the older boy warily. "I don't want to fight again, okay?"
Expression blank, Devin stuck his weapon into the dirt. "I didn't come to fight. I came to deliver a message." Looking around warily, he firmly pushed Henry out of earshot, voice lowered to a whisper. "Your family is here."
Henry couldn't believe his ears. "What?"
"They're on the island…" Devin repeated the words, but it was Regina saying them. Speaking into the glowing heart, she continued, "Trying to find you."
"Y-y-you're making this up." Henry accused, "Because I cut your cheek. You're trying to get back at me."
Panicked he'd leave, Regina quickly spoke up. "I'm not making it up." Following her commands, Devin produced half of the mirrored compact and held it out. "Look."
Taking it in hand, Henry's eyed widened when the frantic, smiling faces of his mothers and grandmother came into view.
"Henry, are you okay?" Regina asked, Emma's louder, "Henry, can you hear me?" Overlapping her.
"Mom?" Henry whispered in disbelief.
Mary Margaret smiled widely. "I'm here too, Henry!"
"No," he began to shake his head. "This is a trick."
"No. No, it's not a trick. Henry, I promise you this is real." Emma rushed to assure him. "Kid, it's Operation: Cobra Rescue. It's us!"
"Y-you're here?" He asked dazedly.
"Yes," All three women smiled in relief. "We're coming to get you."
Henry turned at the sound of footsteps. "There's someone coming." He muttered, catching sight of Pan and Lillian entering the camp hand in hand. "It's Pan and Lillian. I-I gotta go."
"Henry -"
"I gotta go!"
"We love you!" Regina called to him, all three smiling brightly even when the mirror went dark.
On the other side, Henry hid the mirror behind his back and, once he was sure no one was looking, he threw it onto the ground. The small mirror shattered upon impact and, heartbeats later, Lillian approached him with a warm smile.
Stripping David of his canteen, Hook looped it around his shoulders and glared at the dreamshade. "Oh, bloody hell." Sighing heavily, he unsheathed his sword and wrapped a scarf around the lower half of his face.
With that, he set about clearing a path through the dreamshade, knowing that only Pan or Lillian could make the plant move. The leather of his coat was, hopefully, thick enough to prevent any pricking, and he soon had the canteen full of water from the Neverland spring. Carefully moving away from the deadly plants, he tugged down the scarf, breathing heavily, and did a quick once over to make sure he hadn't been pricked.
Exhaling in relief, he knelt beside the down man, hissing when he saw the black veins had spread to the man's cheek. "Mate," he gently slapped at the unmarked cheek. "Wake up. Wake up!"
Stirring, David lashed out, coughing violently. "Hey, get away from me!" He scrambled backwards, arms flailing, until his back met a rock.
"Hey, whoa, whoa!" Without touching the other man, Hook waited until he had calmed down marginally enough to hold out the water. "Look. In this canteen is the water that will stop the dreamshade, that will save your life."
Another ragged cough tore through David. "That's why you brought me here?"
"Yes."
"You knew I wouldn't come on my own, that I wouldn't leave my family."
"That you were stubborn?" Hook titled his head sardonically. "Yes, I gathered that rather quickly."
Hacking loudly, David glanced down at the canteen and motion for it. "Well, give it to me."
Hook pulled it out of reach, making sure David was well and truly listening to his words. "There's something you need to know first. Because it's power comes from the island, once you drink this water, you can never leave Neverland."
"It's a small price to pay for what I get in return…" David wheezed, staring at the canteen with glazed eyes. "The chance to save my grandson, and to help my family get home."
Hook relinquished the canteen and rose to his feet, watching as David saluted him with the canteen before he raised it to his lips. The water was almost sweet when it touched his tongue, and David drank until it was all gone. Lowering the canteen, he gave a sharp, surprised chuckle as the pain abruptly vanished, glancing at his hands to see a distinct lack of blackened veins.
"Huh." Grinning, David glanced up to see that Hook shared his happiness that the poison had been stopped. Without a word, the pirate reached down, and David took the offered hand, allowing Hook to pull him to his feet. "One question - why risk your life for me when there wasn't anything for you in return?"
With a conspiratorial air, Hook leaned in close. "I didn't do it for you, mate." He murmured with a wink that, had the situation been different, would have caused David to punch him.
"You think he's okay?" Mary Margaret fretted as they strode back to their camp outside Neal's old hideout.
Emma's stride didn't break. "He's fine."
"You know this how?" Regina challenged, hiding her worry behind snark.
"Because he's our son and he's a survivor, and now he has something to survive for." Emma returned evenly. "He knows we're coming, and we're not gonna let him down. What I'm more interested in, is why Lillian is so buddy-buddy with Pan."
Behind her back, Regina arched a brow. "Did you miss the part that Pan and Lillian were lovers, dear?"
Sensing that it wouldn't end well if that particular subject was visited again, Mary Margaret jumped into the conversation. "I'm sorry I doubted you." Emma stopped and turned to face her mother. "I'm just…" Her mother sighed heavily. "I know how easy it is to give in to the darkness. I didn't want you to -"
"She didn't." Regina cut across her, hands planted on her hips, expression bored. "I did. That's what I'm here for. One happy family."
There was a noise behind them, and all three women sprang into action, the uncomfortable air forgotten as they all drew (or summoned, in Regina's case) their weapons.
"You can stand down!" David waved as he and Hook traipsed through the bushes, both smiling. "It's us."
Still smiling, he walked towards his wife with purpose, sweeping her into his arms and kissing her soundly on the mouth. Her surprised gasp was smothered, and her arms automatically came around his shoulders as he picked her off her feet.
"Ugh." Nose wrinkling in disgust, Regina looked away and focused on Hook. "Uh, where's the sextant?"
Hook glanced down. "I'm afraid that Pan got to it first."
Still locked in a passionate embrace, Mary Margaret gave a pleased hum as David finally set her back on her feet. "I'm not complaining," she breathed as, still beaming, her husband cupped her face lovingly, "but what was that -"
David cut her off by pulling her into another deep kiss.
Emma averted her eyes away from the scene, ignoring the flashbacks to when she, Lillian and Henry had walked in on the couple in bed. "Okay, I'm complaining." She muttered to no one.
"What I wouldn't give for another sleeping curse." Regina scoffed, tossing back her chin as she tried to ignore the amorous couple.
"Hook… he saved my life." David announced once he had drawn back from his wife.
Going stiff, Hook watched the other man through narrowed eyes. "You sure you wanna tell them that, mate?"
"On our trek, we were ambushed by lost boys." David began, earning a coo of concern from Mary Margaret. "Pinned down, outnumbered. But Hook, he risked his life to stop me from getting hit by a poisoned arrow." Stepping away from his wife, David crossed the distance to stand before the uncomfortable looking pirate. "But if it wasn't for Hook, I wouldn't be alive. Your flask, please." Uncertainly, Hook handed over the flask without protest. "I thought he deserved a little credit."
A hint of a smile on his lips, Hook inclined his head. "Thank you."
Taking a swig from the flask, David's face screwed up at the sweet burn of the alcohol. It was given to Mary Margaret next, who raised it in a toast. "To Hook."
She made to hand it off to Regina, who waved it off with a haughty sniff. "I don't do rum."
She strode off, and the flask went to Emma. She raised it to the sheepish pirate, striding away from her whispering parents. Moving so she was out of sight of the others, Emma capped the flask and turned to address Hook.
"You really saved his life?"
He arched a brow. "That surprise you?"
"Well, you and David aren't exactly…" She handed him back the flask, lips pursed thoughtfully. "How do you say it? Mates?"
He gave a mirthless grin at her poor attempt at his accent. "Doesn't mean I'd leave your father to cherish on this island."
"Thank you." She whispered, more grateful than words could express.
"Um…" Scratching at his ear, Hook glanced at her through half-lidded eyes, teasingly tapping a finger against his lips. "Well, perhaps gratitude is in order now."
"Yeah, that's what the 'thank you' was for." Emma shot back with little heat, smiling faintly.
"Hmm. That's all your father's life is worth to you?" He teased, stepping into her personal space as he spoke.
"Please." Rolling her eyes, she tried to not stare at his lips. "You couldn't handle it."
Pressing in even closer, Hook whispered, "Perhaps you're the one who couldn't handle it."
Never one to back down from a challenge, Emma lunged forward. Grabbing Hook by the collar of his coat, she kissed him hard. It quickly spiraled, turning into a passionate embrace that left her skin tingling. Breaking the kiss when her lungs began to burn from lack of air, Emma pressed her forehead to his, panting heavily.
"That was, um…" Breathless himself, Hook struggled to formulate a clever response.
"A one time thing." Emma whispered against his lips. "Don't follow me - wait fie minutes." Letting go quickly and returning to the camp, hoping the others wouldn't notice the rapidness of her breath or the color to her cheeks. "Go get some firewood or something."
Wearing a look of awe, Hook pressed trembling fingers to his lips, exhaling shakily as he replayed the kiss. Once he had regained control of his limbs, Hook ventured into the jungle, though not in search of fire wood.
Seated on a rock, drinking from his flask, he stiffened when a throat was cleared pointedly. Twisting his head, he turned to see Pan leaning against a nearby tree, arms crossed.
"You really should've taken my deal." Pan told him soberly.
Hook toasted him with the flask. "It doesn't look like I need your help with Emma after all, mate."
Pan scoffed. "What, you think that kiss actually meant something?"
"I do. I think it means she's finally starting to see me for the man I am."
"What?" Pan titled his head with a harsh smile. "A one-handed pirate with a drinking problem? I'm no grown-up, but I'm pretty sure that's less than appealing."
Hook refused to let Pan bring down his mood. "A man of honor."
Slipping into a crouch, Pan stared up into Hook's face. "So tell me - what would a man of honor like yourself do with a big, fat secret?"
"Um… Well, that depends on what that secret is."
"Baelfire. Neal. Whatever name he goes by these days." Pan rattled off dismissively, smirking when he saw he had Hook's unwilling attention. "The guy Emma loves. Henry's father."
"What of him?" Hook asked with a callousness he did not feel, rising to his feet when Pan did. "He's dead."
Pan bared his teeth. "I'm afraid not. He's alive." Sparking maliciously, green eyes bored into Hook's own. "That's not even the best part." Striding away, Pan whirled around playfully. "He's in Neverland."
"Is he?"
"Can you believe it?" Brow arched playfully, Pan continued, "I'm sure Emma would love to know that Henry's father is still alive." The playful demeanor morphed into one of mock concern at the stricken look on Hook's face. "But I'd hate for that to get in the way of budding romance. So I'll leave it up to you… to tell her or not." Striding away, he paused long enough to shoot a parting quip over his shoulder. "Let's see what kind of man you really are."
Grinning at the clear struggle on poor Killian's face, Pan turned around and left the pirate to his thoughts. Transporting himself to another part of the Island, he came striding up just in time to see four of his boys rigging Baelfire's cage to be hoisted into the trees.
"How's our guest?" Pan asked, leaning onto the cage to stare down at a clearly out of it Baelfire.
"We drugged him." Felix supplied, both watching in amusement at the sluggish way the adult moved. "He'll be asleep for a while. Where do you want him?"
Straightening, Pan turned to his second. "Hang him up," his gaze shifted to a spot beyond Felix. "Over there." Returning his attention to the unconscious Baelfire, his face lit up malevolently. "Next to the other one." Chuckling darkly, he turned around as they began to hoist up the cage, trusting them to do their jobs. "I'd love to stay and chat," his dark gaze went to the other cage, seeing how its inhabitant moved around, "but I've got a princess waiting for me."
Thoughts? Comments? Questions?