AN: here is chapter 2 where you get to meet Rueben. I hope you like the character and his friends… took me some time to come up with his buddies… not that they will play a huge role, but they will have a side part now and then.

NOTE: I changed some information regarding Rueben's parents, from what I told in Butterfly Kisses (they are still Pocahontas and John Smith). So his mother never taught Hope's class, so Hope has never met his parents. (Only Killian did) I really hope it doesn't get too confusing.

Enjoy.

PS: now this has been updated and beta read…. thanks "hookedonapirate"

Chapter 2: Rueben

"Hey, Rueben!" a voice bellowed from behind him. Rueben turned around and pushed a stray lock of his long black hair away from his sweaty face.

"Hey, what's up — captain?" Rueben asked and waited for his new team captain to catch up.

William jogged up to him and grinned. "You did great back there. I'm pretty sure we'll make it further in the tournament this year with you on our team." He clapped Rueben on the shoulder and nodded towards the changing room. "Let's hit the showers and head home. We need our beauty sleep for tomorrow's game."

Rueben nodded in agreement, though having been here in Royal City for a month now, he was still quite surprised he managed to get a room in the townhouse William lived in with a few other guys. He was on good terms with them all; being a quiet and calm guy, people seemed to enjoy his company.

Walking into their living room, later on, they said hi to Damien Scarlett who lounged on their couch.

"Did they beat ya up too much, Rueben?" Damien asked and rose to his feet, joining them at their kitchen island.

"Nah, I'm good, and quite honestly, I look forward to fighting for the Magic Kingdom College," Rueben said with a grin. It was true he did feel pretty accepted on the team, even though this was his second year and he had transferred from Faraway College. His family moved to Royal City when his father had accepted a position as head of security at the queen's castle.

"Yup, our new man here is all ready for tomorrow, our first game of the season," William said, finding a few bottles of water in the fridge. Damien wrinkled his nose at this, and William added, "It's good for you, buddy."

"Yeah well, I'm no football player, so no need for me to be on the health kick ya're all on," Damien grumbled, twisting open the bottle and taking a drink.

The friends shared a few more laughs before separating and preparing for the next day's game.

—

"Fuck that was brutal," Rueben slumped down on the bench in the locker room, wiping sweat off his face he chucked his helmet onto the cubby.

"Yup, but we nailed it in the end," William said with a smile and added, "You can still hear the crowd going wild out there."

"Hmm, the spectators sure go all in," Shaking his head Rueben continued, "We never got that much attention on Faraway." He felt a grin spread over his face. Though, being a lowkey kind of guy, he did enjoy the sweet roar of a crowd going wild whenever he helped score another point for their team.

"Get used to it," William smirked. "The women go crazy, too."

Rueben shook his head. He had never really dated anyone seriously, and he was still feeling so new here, he still didn't know anyone enough to have a proper connection.

After they showered, the friends walked outside where they were greeted by Damien. He clapped his hands and suggested they go celebrate somewhere or organize a house party. Whenever he could find the opportunity to party, Damien was their man.

"Forget it," William said. "We have school tomorrow. I'm not starting the year by going to classes with a hangover."

"Awe fuck, man. Party poopers," Damien grumbled, then stopped short when he spotted something further along the path they walked. "Hold on, isn't that—"

Rueben looked at where he not so discreetly pointed — a group of three girls who stood under a large tree. One of them was clearly looking their way, her long dark brown hair almost black in the shadow of the tree. Another other had a shorter hairstyle and was whispering furiously to her friend, clearly trying to get her friend to not look their way. His gaze then caught the sight of the third girl's blond hair. It was long, almost mid-waist, and shimmered like gold even in the shade. Gasping, he failed to notice whatever comment came out of Damien's mouth.

Shifting nervously on his feet, he watched as the blond-haired girl turned. Even from a slight distance, he could see her eyes go wide. Suddenly, something crackled in the air, and a bolt of something round and shimmering hit his head, making him keel over on his back. He vaguely felt the pain stabbing the back of his head before everything went black.

—

"Bloody hell," a female voice whispered above him. "I'm so sorry… I never… Bloody hell…" He felt warm hands touch his face.

Another female voice was heard. "Shite, Hope! You knocked our new player out cold!"

Someone else giggled before the first voice groaned. "I know, shite, shite…I'm so sorry."

"Nah man, I think Rueben here will be okay. Won't you buddy?" William's voice was faint and far away.

Rueben tried to speak, but his head hurt like hell, and he squinted against the harsh sunlight. Several pairs of hands grabbed his shoulders and helped him to sit up. The world tilted upside down and Rue groaned. "I think I'm going to be sick." Then he felt bile rise in his throat, and he threw up, not knowing if anyone was in the line of fire.

A gaggle of shrieks and several voices blended together. "Lay him down again… call the medic…"

The world went black again.

Once the world returned, he noticed the white walls surrounding him, a beeping noise was heard and he realized he was in a hospital bed. The fluorescent light in the ceiling was blinding and hurting his eyes. Squinting, he tried to move his body.

"Oh heaven have mercy, you're awake" A relieved female voice could be heard next to him.

"Who?" Rue managed to squeak out between his dry lips.

"Are you thirsty or hungry… dang, I don't know if food is a good idea." The voice moved closer. "I can go ask the nurse what you can have… do you need anything?"

Shaking his head, he winced in pain, squeezing his eyes shut again. Then he tried to speak. "Water I think." He tried to moisten his lips, then whispered, "Who are you?"

"I'll get some water." He could hear her move around then shuffle closer to his bed. He jumped a little when he felt a small hand on his shoulder. "Sorry," she mumbled. "Here's some water. There's a straw right here."

When he felt the tip of a straw near his lips, he took a small sip. "Thanks." He tried to open his eyes, but everything still felt fuzzy. "Who are you?" he asked again.

"Oh bloody hell, sorry… I'm Hope. I… yeah, well I'm the one who… you know…" The voice trailed off in a small apologetic chuckle.

"Knocked me out," he managed to croak out.

"Yup, I'm really sorry. Shite like this happens to me sometimes." He felt the straw at his lips again and gratefully took another sip.

"I'm sure it does, but what the hell was it?" When he tried to focus on the girl next to him, blond hair took shape. Then he noticed a pair of blue eyes—blue like the sky against the forest he grew up in.

The blue eyes squeezed shut and she shook her head. "Bloody hell, I honestly don't know. Well, I do know part of it…" A frustrated hand slid through the golden locks on her head. "I… Well, I have magic, alright? I mean it's nothing too bad, I just… I don't really know how to control it sometimes. Whenever I get flustered or panicked… shite…" The girl slumped down on a chair next to his bed, mumbling, "I'm really sorry."

"Ah, yeah, I know a bit about magic," Rueben tried to crack a smile, but the movement hurt his head, "but never encountered it up close and personal like this." He winced when he felt a spike of pain shoot from the back of his head.

"Are you in pain? Should I get the nurse?" Hope asked frantically, her words cracked with panic. "Water?

"What happened to me? My head hurts like hell, as if a whole football team trampled over my skull." He tried to focus on the girl again; she looked worried. She was twisting her fingers together and biting her bottom lip.

"I might have caused you a concussion or something," she mumbled. "At least that's what the doctor said." Her fingers stopped moving as she sighed, "I'm really really sorry about that. Not sure William is very happy right now."

"Why?"

"Well, the doctor did mention something about bed rest for a few weeks." She cringed down in embarrassment, looking at her shoes.

"That explains my headache." When she slipped on a small smile, he grinned. "It doesn't explain why a pretty girl like you speaks like a sailor." He watched her face flush at his words. Then she rolled her eyes.

"Might be Daddy's fault." She smirked. "Mom is not happy about it."

"Who are your parents if you don't mind me asking?"

"Killian Jones and Emma Swan-Jones," she whispered, keeping her eyes glued to him as if she wanted to gauge his reaction.

Rueben knew the names and the stories told about her parents; they were some of the real heroes in the United Realms. His eyes widened when he realized who the girl was. "You're the daughter of the Saviour and friggin' Captain Hook?"

"Aye." She smiled sheepishly at his outburst, then said, "I think our parents actually met not too long ago."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, when your father accepted his new position as head of security at the castle." She shrugged. "It was this ceremony of sorts, I think. And Auntie Gina thought she'd invite my parents, and grandparents, too, I believe."

"Yeah I remember that day. I was there," Rueben chuckled. "Up until then, I only heard stories about your family, so I might have been a bit starstruck." When he moved his head, a sharp stab of pain reminded him to keep it still.

"Should I call the nurse for some pain meds or something?" Hope asked nervously, her eyes scanning his face. She rose from her seat and stepped up closer to his bed, her perfume reaching his nose. She smelled like vanilla and strawberries. Only when she gently touched his shoulder, did he remember to breathe again.

"Sure, might be a good idea," he mumbled. When she turned to walk away, he added, "By the way, did anyone call my parents?"

Hope turned toward him with a smile, "Aye they did. I think they will be here shortly." She hurried out of the door to find the nurse.

Rueben closed his eyes for a moment, trying to wrap his mind around what had happened in the past few hours, or however long it's been since Hope had knocked him out cold. His lips twisted into a smile as he thought about the fast-talking and very beautiful girl who stayed by his bedside.

He knew of her, of course, and had seen a few old photos of the daughter of Emma and Killian. Everyone knew of her family. His family, not so much. He'd lived his whole life in Faraway of the United Realms. Anything happening out there never really reached the news around Royal City. To be honest, he quite liked it that way. His family had lived a peaceful life out in the woodlands of the Powhatan tribe.

His father built their cabin close to his mother's birthplace. Her old tribe was not exactly accepting of her romantic feelings for his father, but they'd managed to uphold a relationship with her family. His father took pride in being in the remote section of the United Realms army, who patrolled the outskirts of the kingdom. His military training was impeccable, and he knew his trade when it came to security. Six months ago, he'd been notified of his transfer to the Royal City and the new position of being head of security around the castle. He had already begun training his successor who would take over his old post. Despite moving into the big city, his parents manage to find a small house close to the forest outside the city. His mother, Pocahontas, was happy to be close to nature. She even managed to find a teaching position in the local school where she taught natural science.

Before he could ponder more about Hope and how this whirlwind of a pirate talking girl had literally swept him off his feet, the door opened, and a nurse came in. She administered some pain meds in his IV drip and made sure he would continue to rest his head. He sighed but agreed to follow her orders. On her way out the door, she said, "I believe your parents are here. I'll send them in."

He smiled his thanks and wondered if he would be able to see Hope again, soon.