A/N: I do not own OUAT or their amazing characters. I have no beta so any mistakes are my own, I do my best to edit them out. Enjoy! - BS

Chapter 5

Hope awoke in the early morning. She was never a morning person, but her internal alarm clock was so attuned to her weird schedule that it just normal for her to wake up. She decided to get up and go explore the Jolly. She took Hook out, as he did his business in the same corner as yesterday. She cleaned it up and put it in an empty barrel, since they were fresh out of trash cans. She decided to go explore the deck below. They halls were narrow, but she was able to stay steady, looking around. Stumbling across the galley, she grabbed an orange and continued exploring. The next few rooms were crew quarters, bunks lining the walls and not much space for anything else, they were cozy if you could call it that.

Hope walked a little bit more and found a storage room. In the room were desks, extra fabric for sails, and a few pirate cutlasses. She reached down and grabbed a cutlass with a gold hilt and a red stone, matching the one in her father's ring that hung around her neck. The sword was immaculate and shined even in the dark. Turning the sword, she saw initials engraved into the bottom of the guard. HESJ

What the hell? She thought. How does this have my initials on it? She grabbed the sword and its matching sheath and headed back to the deck. If she was going to be in this land, she needed a weapon, and this seem as good of one as any.

Back on deck, Hope started to swing with her cutlass. At first it was weird and a little off balance. She stumbled at first, dropping it with a loud clank against the deck. A voice of came into her head,

Easy Love, you can do this. It's in your blood.

Hope stopped and surveyed the deck around her, she was still alone. What the hell was that? The voice sounded British, deep and soothing. Almost fatherly.

She shook her head and tried again. She picked up her cutlass and started to thrust and parry with ease. The weight was better, and it seemed to be an extension of her arm.

"You know he had that made for you right?"

Hope spun around, sword at the ready, the voice behind her startling her. "Jesus Christ, Henry you just scared the shit out of me!" She held her sword in her right hand and put left hand on her hip. "Who had what made for me?"

Henry laughed, "Killian, Dad, He had that cutlass made for you."

Hope looked down at her cutlass. How did he know? How did he know she would be aboard? The red stone was the exact same cut and deep red as the one on his ring.

"He is a man of hope. Well, he turned into one. He had it made right before the curse struck." Henry answered the questions, not even needing to know what they were. "Look at the inscription inside the guard."

Hope lifted her cutlass up looking inside the hand-guard where a cursive inscription resided.

For my darling Starfish, may you use this to strike down evil. Love you Always- Killian Jones

Hope looked up at her brother a smile breaking across her face, "Starfish?"

"Yeah, he gave you that nickname because you never wanted to let go of him. The stone is made from the one in the ring. If you look underneath on his part of it is missing."

Hope lifted the ring and looked underneath at the missing chunk. Her heart caught in her throat.

"So, I'm a bit of a daddy's girl huh?"

Henry laughed, "Hopie you have no idea." He put his arm around her shoulders and led her up to the helm. "Did you have breakfast?"

"Yeah I had an orange," She mused "Why don't you have any apples by the way? I was looking but I couldn't find any."

Henry left out a stiff laugh, "We don't really do apples in this family."

"Why? It's just an appl… oh." Realization hit her. Henry's adopted mom is the former evil queen. That would make sense why apples are taboo. "So how close are we getting?"

"We should be in port in about an hour. Which remind me we need to change."

Hope looked confused, "Why?"

"We need to blend in. If you are seen in your clothes from the land without magic it will tip off Yzma's spies and we will be in deep shit."

Fair enough. "What do you have for me to wear?"

"Mom has some pirate garb in the wardrobe in the Captain's quarters, you guys are close to the same size."

"Mom dressed like a pirate?"

Henry smiled, "When we are here, yes. She isn't exactly a lace and frills kind of person."

That's another thing I have in common with my mother, Hope thought. "Be back in a flash"

Hope headed to the captain's quarters opening the wardrobe. She pulled out a white, female pirate shirt. The laces in the front ended just above any cleavage and Hope left her tank top on under, sure that her father wouldn't appreciate her cleavage sticking out. She found a pair of brown leather pants, matching boots, and a long brown leather jacket that matched the pants. The jacket concealed her cutlass nicely and besides, it was leather, so she loved it. Grabbing a leather satchel from the top shelf, she packed the book, some maps, papers and a modern-day pen, because screw the quill and ink nonsense. After fluffing her brown curls in the mirror, Hope nodded in approval and headed back about deck.

Henry was at the helm, changed now as well, Wearing a blue and brown leather jacket over a white shirt, black leather pants and black boots. He had a cutlass strapped to his side and a large pack lying next to his feet. He turned and saw her and saw just how much she resembled both Emma and Killian and it made his heart ache. He just wanted his family back.

"Holy shit Hope you look just like Mom." Henry said.

Hope smiled and gave and over exaggerated bow. And she has Killian's personality, He thought. He laughed and looked on a head.

"Where are we?" She asked

"Just about there, we have to make a pit stop."

"Why?"

"Well, where we are going isn't safe for Hook." Henry looked down at the happy dog laying between his feet. "I have some friends who were in Wonderland when the curse hit so it didn't affect them. They can watch him."

"No fucking way! I can't leave him. He's the only one who has never left my side!" Hope was almost hysterical now clinging to her best friend. "Henry, you promised he would be safe."

"I am trying to make good on that promise. Trust me, Ruby has a way with dogs."

The Enchanted Forest came into view but wasn't at all what Hope had pictured. It was dark and dreary with trees burnt down. A dark misty could clung overhead as they worked together to pull into port.

"What happened here?" Hope asked in a whisper as Henry joined her on the main deck.

"Yzma. Come on. We're only going to be here for a minute, we have to go further up shore."

Henry carried Hook's supplies while Hope clung to him. She couldn't do this, not to her best friend. Who was this Ruby? How did she have a way with dogs? She barley trusted anyone around him and now she had to trust a complete stranger? Not very fucking likely. Hope and Henry reached what looked like a sunken in castle. Henry did a very specific knock in a special rhythm. The door opened slowly, and She and Henry stepped inside. Once inside they descended the stairs that led to a large throne room, all underground. Henry was almost toppled over by a pretty brunette in a ruby red cloak.

"Henry!" The brunette shouted embracing him. "You made it back!"

"Hey Ruby" Henry said embracing her back. "There's someone I want you to meet again." Hope walked over slowly. "Ruby, this is my sister, Hope. Hope, this is Ruby aka Red."

Red, Little Red riding hood, Hope thought. Friend of her mother and grandmothers. God this book comes in handy.

Ruby approached her slowly. "Oh my God, you look so much like Emma. Can I hug you because I might combust if not?"

Hope let out a laugh and nodded as Ruby embraced her so tightly She almost couldn't breathe.

"And who is this I smell?" Ruby peeked down at Hook who was wagging his tail profusely.

Smell? Hope gave Henry a confused look.

"Ruby is a werewolf. She has killer smell and is very fast." Henry mused.

"Werewolf. That explains why you have a special way with dogs." Hope concluded.

"I sure do. This one is especially affectionate. What's his name?" Ruby asked warmly.

"Hook, due to the missing front leg."

Ruby barked out a laugh, "Oh that ironic."

"Ruby I was wondering if you could watch Hook for us." Henry chimed in. "We're going after Killian and it's not safe for him."

Ruby put her hand up, "Say no more. He is welcome to stay."

Hope took Ruby's hands, "Ruby," She took a shuddered breath. "He is my best friend, the only one who has never left my side. Please watch out for him. I brought my shirt, so he has my scent and..."

Ruby took Hope's face in her hands ending her ramble. "My dear girl you ramble just like your grandmother." She let out a sad laugh "I swear to you I will protect him with my life."

Hope swallowed hard and nodded. She could get used to Ruby

"Besides," Ruby continue dropping her hands back down to Hope's, "He will be spoiled rotten, Jefferson has a soft spot for dogs."

"I do not!" a voice range out entering the hall. The trio turned and looked at the doorway.

Woah Hope thought. The man sauntered in in a 3-piece suit and a top hat. He had sandy brown hair and bright blue eyes.

"Henry!" Jefferson exclaimed, embracing her brother. "You've returned!"

"I have my friend. Jefferson, I would like you to meet, well again, my sister Hope. Hope, this is Jefferson, Ruby's husband and a family friend."

Jefferson turned to Hope, eyes wide. "Holy shit you look like Emma."

Ruby and Henry laughed and his bluntness as Hope crossed her arms and raised a brow.

"And Killian's personality." Jefferson laughed. "Now what was this about a dog?"

"Henry and Hope need us to watch her dog. There going after Killian." Ruby replied

A grey head poked its way around Hope, tail thumping on the floor.

"Oh my god he's so cute!" Jefferson exclaimed kneeling to the floor, getting smothered with kisses.

"See," Ruby looked at Hope, "Total softie." Hope let out a laugh.

"What's his name?" Jefferson asked, scratching the belly of the pit bull who was now sprawled out.

"Hook, due to the missing leg." Hope answered "And before you say it I know it's ironic. I didn't know my dad is Captain Hook thanks very much."

Jefferson let out a laugh standing, "Oh he's going to love this. We will take good care of him, Hope. You have my word." She smiled as Jefferson embraced her quickly and turned to Henry.

"So, you know where he is?"

"Yes. He's the only one though. Have you had any luck finding the other?"

"No. But I won't give up and if I find anything you will be the first to know."

"Thank you, Jeff."

"Do you have a talisman?"

"On the ship"

Jefferson turned to Hope with a smile "I see you found your cutlass,"

"I did. Seems I'm a bit of a Daddy's girl."

"That's an understatement if I ever heard one."

The group all laughed, knowing Hope was very much, A daddy's girl.

"Well as nice as this visit is, we really need to be going." Henry said solemnly.

Hope and Ruby said their goodbyes, instructions of care being shared as Henry and Jefferson said their farewells. Hope hugged Hook hard to her chest and getting smothered in kisses before following her brother out. They headed back to the ship in silence and headed up the gangplank and prepared the ship to sail. After tying the mainsail, Hope joined her brother by the helm.

"You ok? He asked

"Yeah I think so. I like those two."

"They have been friends of our family for a long time. We can trust them."

"Ok brother bear. Anything happens to my dog I'm taking in out on you."

"Brother bear? Don't be getting soft on me now."

Hope balled up her fist and punched Henry in the arm. "Shut up. You have a name for me so now I have one for you.

Henry laughed and focused on the shoreline. Where they were going was dangerous and trouble would soon find them.

Seemed to be a family trait.