As if reading her mind, Hook said as he wrapped a drying cloth around her, "I will not harm you, Miss Emma."

She wanted to say something smart and sassy back at him like, "As if you could", but in her vulnerable state, her witty comeback would sound stupid. Instead, she smiled a bitter one and replied, "Well, aren't I lucky, captain?"

Hook leaned down to whisper, "It would do you good to remember that." He backed away from her and towards the door of the cabin. "I'll see you have something to wear."

When he left, she scowled in his wake and shuffled over to the bed, plopping down and looking around the cabin. With the morning sun well above the horizon, light spilled into the room and she was able to see much better than earlier. In the opposite corner was a shelf where a few dusty, battered books resided, making her think of school, something she hadn't thought much of since arriving to Neverland. When she planned on running away that night from Mrs. Abernathy's and the system, she had a "sort of plan" in getting her GED. Now, Emma would give almost anything to be back in school where there was air-conditioning and the nice lunch lady who let her have two chocolate milks instead of one.

Sitting on the bed in the cabin of the Jolly Roger, Emma promised herself if Pan was true to his words and she was able to leave Neverland, she'd return to Boston and finish school. Maybe even go to college and actually try in life instead of running away from it. Hadn't she run enough on the island?

It was all she knew, though.

Emma wasn't going to make a pretty promise to herself about going to a university, but she would graduate from high school. She would give herself that. She deserved it after what she'd been through.

Captain Hook reentered the cabin, a small stack of folded clothes tucked underneath his arm. Looped around his hook, he held a tin mug and saluted her with it. "Water."

Emma grabbed the mug and guzzled down the warm but clean water. When she finished, she wiped her mouth with her arm and exhaled a, "Thanks."

"I forgot to mention it's poison."

She merely stared at him, stifling a belch in her throat.

"Not even a flinch." He smirked and set the clothes beside her on the mattress.

As Hook unfolded a pair of black trousers from the small stack, Emma wondered how long she was going to have to depend on him. How long did shoulder injuries take to heal? Hers was a flesh wound, so no longer than a month, she roughly estimated. The injury would probably stop hurting before then, so Emma gave herself two, maybe three weeks.

Two weeks of being naked in front of him.

She suddenly had a strong urge to tell Hook how distasteful she found him, but her injury wasn't his fault and acting like a child was only going to annoy them both. Still. How else was she supposed to deal with him handling her like how a kid playing with a doll?

"You don't require any dresses, do you?" he asked, cracking a smile. Like he could read her mind, the bastard.

"I can't remember the last time I even wore one." She almost did for the Spring Fling back in May, but that slimy Tyler Fenwick backed out the morning of when she refused to go all the way with him after the dance. He should've been so lucky she let him get to second base, the pervert. "Why? Do you have a private collection stashed away in your cabin that you dabble with in the dead of night as to not be judged by your crew?" She winked at him. "It's okay. I won't judge you…too much."

"You are by far the mouthiest little lass I've ever encountered. Drop the cloth." He held up the trousers pointedly.

"You haven't even bought me dinner yet." She huffed and tossed her eyes to the ceiling, keeping them there as she let the drying cloth fall to her feet. He undid her sling and peeled the sodden material off her skin. She hissed in pain when it slightly stuck to her wound, and he thumbed around the tender flesh.

"Usually, lass, the arrows of the Lost Boys are dipped in Dreamshade."

"I'm not worried."

"I'm only curious why they didn't deliver a more devastating blow. They want you dead, yes?"

"I honestly don't know anymore."

Emma sensed he dropped to his knees, and she kept her eyes trained above her, a blush warming her body. Hook was eyelevel to her girl-iest part. She didn't see herself a prude, but the entire predicament was obscene. When he cupped the back of her calve, she nearly leapt out of her skin.

"Lift your leg."

"You know, I could probably put on the pants by myself." God, she was pathetic, but forgive her if she didn't want him to see anymore of her…

Brianna had called it pussy.

Emma did not want to reference her sex that. It wasn't a cat. It was a...

Guh! She was a prude!

"Lift. Your leg," he annunciated and she contemplated kneeing him the face.

"Just so you are aware, captain, I'm thinking of all the ways rip your eyes out of your head."

He chortled and much to Emma's horror, the rich, mirthful sound made her lower stomach do something it hadn't done since Tyler's overenthusiastic paws copped a feel.

Hook slid one leg of the trousers up her limb, stopping at her knee. Emma then lifted her other leg and soon the man was standing again, securing the lacings below her belly button. The hems of the trousers brushed a couple of inches above her ankle, and she wondered if they belonged to Baelfire.

Before helping her with the top, Hook bandaged her wound and then carefully slid a white tunic over her head, reaching through the sleeves to pull her arms through.

"I don't have dresses, Miss Emma, but I did find this." Hook held up a black vest and from the style of it, Emma guessed it was designed for a woman. He threaded the leather through her arms and tightened the laces over her breasts. She stared down at herself and saw they were well-worn and a bit thin and rough, but they were clean.

"Let us take a trip on deck. We'll have Starkey fashion you a new sling."


Twelve Days Later...

The clouds were rolling in from the west. Hook stood at the quarter deck, resting against the wheel while the majority of his crew made ready for the storm.

He tore his gaze from the threat and swept it over the main deck, eyes narrowing on Emma and Baelfire. They were sitting on crates and facing each other, that blasted coconut in the boy's hands. Bae poked at it with a finger and then pointed at the sky while saying something or other to the girl. Whatever it was, Emma arched a brow and pursed her lips. The boy laughed and said something sounding like "I'm serious" and then tucked that stubborn piece of stray hair behind her ear.

In the twelve days since their first "adventure" in her cabin, bathing and dressing Emma had not grown easier. She still goaded him with that razor sharp tongue and to a normal fellow, would've killed the stirrings in his breeches, but her nudity accompanied with those words only made things more difficult. He knew he was a weak captain to take such lashing from a wee girl, but he must've been a sick man to like it.

Alas, Miss Emma was not doing it for his own carnal benefit or even because she disliked him, which is what he thought at first. No. She said witty words to distract herself while he bathed her, dressed her, saw her at her most vulnerable. Yet, he wanted to laugh at every insult. She was funny. He knew she didn't mean to be, but she was. He wanted to kiss her and see if her launching insults at him was the only thing her tongue specialized in.

Hook knew he could never have Emma as long as they were in Neverland. Even if she remained for twenty more years, she'd still act young. Gods, Bae had been with him for over a century now, and he still rebelled like a self-righteous, adolescent cad. It gave Hook some conceited comfort the lad wouldn't be able to have Emma either. The boy was clearly besotted by her, yet Hook reckoned Emma would not instigate anything beyond a kiss. Not because she wasn't interested but because she had other things on her mind besides indulging in a young boy's fancy. In their shared moments together in her cabin, he'd come to know her better. He came to know her last name was Swan, and she hadn't parents. From infancy, she lived in many different places and often under unideal circumstances. Before coming to Neverland, she had planned to leave that life behind. Hook was still in the dark on the details of her arrival to this realm. He assumed she hitched a ride like all the others did, but he hadn't anymore information.

The storm drew closer and the air turned balmier. As rain pounded on deck and the crew swarmed about to keep it from flooding the levels beneath, Hook ordered Emma to her room. When the rain subsided and the crew started to wind down for the evening with rum and repeated tales of past lovers and adventures, Hook went to her cabin, finding the door partially open and ignited by a lamp light. Before entering, he heard Emma speaking slow and gentle.

"I think you should redo the line again."

"I've already done it three times," Bae said.

In a not so sweet and gentle voice, Emma replied, "Do it again."

Hook opened the door all the way and saw Emma sitting on the bed as Bae sat at the desk, inked quill in hand and hovering over parchment. The boy turned around in his seat, glowering. "She's making me write lines."

"Only because you have sucky handwriting." Emma stabbed Hook with a judgment stare. "Oh, my God, who taught him how to write, and did you sue them? Let me guess. It was you, and you're a lefty. Bae could only copy what he saw."

Like most things coming out of Emma's mouth, Hook only understood about half her rant. What he did know for sure was that she insulted him. Again. Viciously.

Bae burst into a fit of hysterics, the bloody traitor.

"Baelfire." Hook shot the boy a hard look and he sobered quickly. "I think it's time to bid Miss Swan a goodnight."

"Aye, captain," he said glumly and stalked out of the room.

When the lad was out of earshot, Hook said, "He can write, Miss Swan."

"He remembers how, I'll give him that." After a pause, she added, "My wound is closed enough, and my shoulder doesn't hurt as bad. I won't need your help tonight."

"You might overwork it and cause further damage," he warned.

"I doubt it'll happen by undressing myself."

"If you think you are healed enough, then I will no longer offer my services from now on." He bowed his head and went to leave. "Good night."

"Thank you," she said, catching him by surprise. "Every time you had to help me, all I could think about was how uncomfortable I felt. I hardly, if ever, thought about how it made you feel."

He stepped towards her. Gods, if she even knew what he felt and imagined. "Lass…"

Emma stood up from the bed to face him completely. She clenched her fist as if nervous. "I'm not going to apologize for how I treated you. I actually don't think I'll ever stop insulting you. It's how I cope because I'm uncomfortable around you."

Hook would have gladly taken her most malicious insult than hearing those last few words. He shook it off, though, and daringly took another step forward, reminding himself of who and what he was to his crew and ship, not what he wanted to be to her.

"I have no concern how bothered you are around me. I'm not going to walk on eggshells. The Roger is my home, and I expect when your shoulder is entirely mended, you will return to the island as to not prolong any discomfort you are facing."

Emma licked her teeth behind closed lips and stared down at her feet. "That isn't what I meant."

He was in now in her space, penetrating eyes bearing down on her forehead. "No?"

She titled her chin back and met his gaze, shrugging and then lightly scoffing. "I know it bothers you that I prefer Bae's company over yours."

"It doesn't."

She nodded and rose up on tiptoes. "It does. And maybe I wouldn't if things were different." Her hand reached up and cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing his bottom lip causing his breath to catch.

"Emma," he whispered and brought his face closer to hers, their noses brushing. "What are you doing?"

"Shhh." She moved her digit and kissed him.

Hook groaned and ran his hook up her spine while his hand cupped the back of her head, forcing her to the side to deepen the kiss. Her mouth was soft and pliable and tasted of a summer's rain. Gods, he dreamed of this and more. He needed more. After twelve sodding days of torture, he couldn't stop and sure as hell wouldn't. She started this game, but he wasn't going to allow her to finish it without a fight.

Much to his delight, she slung her good arm around his neck and jumped, wrapping her legs around his waist. Hook stumbled the few feet to the desk and sat her down. His lips found her pulse and wetly nipped at her skin while he tugged on the laces of her trousers and slipped his hand up her tunic and rested it on her lower belly, his pinky brushing her curls. Gods, how he imagined what her nectar tasted like. Every time he had knelt to put on her trouser, he wanted nothing more than to lift a leg over his shoulder and bury his face into her heaven.

Emma grabbed his wrist and forced his fingers further down, moaning softly when he cupped her.

"Let me taste you, Emma. If not anything else, allow me this one treasure," he pleaded.

Her eyes fluttered closed, and she rested her head against the wall behind her, spreading her legs further apart and arching into his touch. "Have you fallen in love with me?."

Hook had never gone so far as to deeply consider his new feelings for this new person that Bae thoughtlessly shoved into his life. He wanted to steer clear from such a destructive pathway of thought for so many reasons. Not only was Emma a child, he still loved Milah and swore vengeance upon her watery grave. Despite Bae's sobering presence, Hook wasn't about to bloody forget what the boy's father did. Some day he would get his chance to kill the Dark One, and he couldn't have Emma getting in the way of that.

"I care for you, Emma, but I don't love you."

Her eyelids flew open to reveal inhuman, glowing orbs. "Liar."

Hook stilled but it was too late. His hand was pulled out her trousers and the dagger sheathed at his belt was taken and pressed to his neck. The thing resembling Emma locked her legs around him, keeping him close. "Uh, uh, uh, Captain Hook! Don't move or I'll slit your throat."

"Where's Emma?" Hook growled.

"You figured it out much later than I thought you would. Very unfortunate for me."

"Does he have her? You bloody demon, tell me now!"

"You should really reevaluate your priorities, Jones, considering Pan gave me the go ahead to end your miserable existence if things get too violent."

"Let him go," said a voice from behind Hook, and the thing pretending to be Emma unhooked her legs and faded into a smoky, humanlike figure. Pan's shadow. The window of the cabin flung open, and the figure escaped.

Hook whirled around and saw Pan standing in front of the closed cabin door, a malevolent twist to his mouth.

"Where's Emma?" he asked, drawing his sword.

"I don't have her. Having her on your ship is exactly where I want her to be."

"I sent her here during the storm. She hadn't left the cabin."

"Are you sure it was her you sent away?" Pan cocked an eyebrow. "The thing about tropical storms is that things can get confusing. A bit tussled, mind you. Emma had already left the main deck the moment the first rain drop fell, and it was only too easy for Shadow to take her form."

"You vile piece of vermin!" Hook backed Pan against the door, the tip of the sword touching the boy's sternum.

"Am I?" Pan chuckled and lifted his palms in surrender. "What does that make you, then? I think cradle-robber is sugar-coating it, don't you think?"

"Mind your business, lad."

"Everything and everyone in Neverland is my business, especially Emma," said Pan, the mirth from his features fading. "I thought it was a mistake when she came here, but I was wrong. It was destiny. It took me a few days to realize her importance, but when I did, I strengthened her and tested her vitality by killing the one thing she was fighting for. She didn't disappoint.

"But what I want from her can't be achieved in Neverland. I need her to go home and not only that, I needed her to make a friend. Baelfire. When I saw them together at Marooner's Rock, I just knew like I knew young Bae would hear Emma scream when I yanked that arrow from her body. Like I knew he would come for her and beg you for her passage onto the ship. And I knew they would become very, very good friends. What I didn't know, what I didn't count on was you. I wanted to be wrong, but I had to make sure. It's one thing to lust over a female after years of forced celibacy, mate, but it's another to fall in love. Who knew Milah's memory could be so easily erased by a sixteen year old tart who was never meant for you?"

"Get off my ship," seethed Hook.

"Or you'll skewer me?" Pan pinched the tip of Hook's sword and moved it away from his chest. "We both know that won't work and aside from checking up the Roger's inhabitants, I've come to offer you a deal."

"I'm not interested."

"I'll give you seven days to think about my offer. I don't hear from you or you don't take it, my boys will invade the ship and kill everyone on board. With exception of Emma and Baelfire, of course. You and your crew, on the other hand." He grimaced. "Not so lucky, lad. My offer, Killian, involves you, your crew, Bae, and our fiery Emma leaving Neverland."

"That's a very generous offer, Pan. There's got to be a catch."

"It wouldn't be a deal if there wasn't." Pan linked his hands behind himself and started to pace. "You, Captain Hook, have to bid farewell to the thing you love most."

The man quirked a brow. "Even if I were to take you up on your deal, how would my crew and I be able leave this godforsaken place without my ship?"

Pan barked out a sharp laugh. "I'm talking about Bae."

A tight, coiling sensation painfully wrapped around Hook's heart. "You said you didn't want him."

Pan nodded ruefully. "Where I'm getting at is when it's time to leave Neverland, you and Milah's little lost boy will go separate ways. I'm sending you back to the Enchanted Forest. Well…as close as I can, anyhow. My sources tell me there's been a complication there. You shouldn't have too much of problem. As for Bae, he's going back with Emma to the Land Without Magic."

Hook lowered his sword as the cogs in his mind began to turn. "You want me away from them. What are you playing at, Pan?"

Pan bared his teeth in a feral grin. "There's the deal. Take it...or leave it at your own bloody end. I'll be back at sundown in one week to collect your response. And, Hook? Don't be a fool about this. Think what's best for Bae and for Emma since you are clearly partial to both." Pan leapt towards the open window of the cabin and jumped out, making a splash when he hit the water.