Chapter 18 'Rum Talks'

30 years ago...

If there was one important thing Killian Jones had learned from his years in the navy, it was the potency of composure. When he had commandeered alongside Liam, he saw firsthand how his brother won over the crew's respect and loyalty by being calm during dire situations. It gave the appearance of a leader who does not quake in the face of danger, someone immune to pressure and disaster happening around them. Transitioning to the life of piracy, Killian admitted, it became increasingly difficult to keep up with this gallant bravado, especially in a dwelling like Neverland, the pinnacle of outlandish and unstable activity. But the captain caught his bearings during these magical circumstances and thought he had seen it all. But he was proven wrong.

He had been stirred awake amidst ungodly hours. recovering from a hangover no less. Grumbling, with drinking goblet tightly closed in his fist, he went to berate whoever woke him but stopped short when seeing it was the meek Mr. Smee at his bedside. The stout man twisted his signature red hat in his hands nervously, "D-Didn't mean to disturb you sir, but with the severity of the situation I thought it was appropriate to-"

"Spit it out!" Hook pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to relieve himself of the migraine Smee had given him. He was a busy man. He only had time for "Yes Cap'n" or the occasional "Another pint, Cap'n,". His head pounded, memories of the night before now surfacing. Okay, maybe not occasional.

"The squaw is due to wake," Smee said.

Hook let out an exasperated groan, "Already?" Days passed since Tigerlily had been carried on board and placed in the sick bay, it seemed so that she was not in a hurry when coming to. The waiting had became a terrible period of time for the crew, Hook especially. Her fate was unknown, it wasn't clear whether she would be able to pull through after the storm. They worried, not for the sake of her well being but for their escape.

The Shadow lord was gracious enough to give them their well needed egress, with a snag of course: bring Tigerlily with them. For a reason unknown to Hook, Ombra wanted to the kill the princess himself on a set place in a set time. Why?, he pondered. Sometimes his ponderings led to late nights accompanied with rum. He had formulated with absurd theories, probably due to the rum. Finally, the pirate narrowed it down to a predetermined circumstance. Ombra was an ancient figure, there had to be volumes of history going into this. A prophecy maybe? He wished could bounce these ideas off his crewmen but he didn't want them to know that even he was not privy with the Shadow.

Nonetheless, even if the squaw had to wake up when his mind was at his worst, Hook strode out of his cabin and down to the inner workings of the ship. Down two flights of stairs, they went to the sick bay, the part of the ship where the rocking of the seas could be undeniably received. It wasn't spacious, since those who get injured usually recover within the next day, thanks to Neverland's rejuvenating magic. Besides Hook and Smee (who was straggling behind and only just arrived now), the ship's personal apothecary, Mullins, was present. His previous profession had aided the crew on days when their revenue had been less than satisfactory. He had dealt concoctions that had put even the most famed healers to shame. It was a shame he couldn't assist Hook with the Rumplestiltskin potion, which had required a more necromantic touch (courtesy of Moon-Eye), but thankfully his talents were put to use in reviving Tigerlily.

The only cot in the room was occupied by said girl. Like what he had thought once rescuing her, the storm had won out in her struggle to survive. Her ochre skin was tarnished by the harshness of the purple bruises. As his line of sight moved further up the body, he saw her lips- cut and quivering as she dispelled air through it in ragged intervals. Hook saw for the first time this frail girl, not this Amazonian-like huntress. It was a sight to behold.

Pity. Hook could not believe it but he actually pitied her. Lying there, so still, the centuries had been shed from her face and he began to see her as the victim now.

He neared the cot. Smee lingered near the curtain that separated the sick bay from the rest of the Roger.

"Send for the boy," Mullins heeded his captain's command and scurried out.

Hook invited Smee to near the cot with him. He picked up a washcloth laying on the worktable, "A gentle approach, need I remind you," The captain soaked the cloth and wrung it out with his fist before dabbing Tigerlily's forehead. His movements were slow and quick, careful not to put too much pressure. Smee could only stand by, watching silently.

Then the princess let out a moan before her eyes fluttered open. Hook reeled back with the cloth, the clanking of his necklaces now the only sound present in the room. He and Smee waited for Tigerlily to get her bearings before speaking with her. She blinked a couple of times and lay perfectly still in her cot. By this point, she knew exactly where she was and who she was with, but she didn't react.

Puzzled, Smee swooped in. His face hovered above Tigerlily's to examine her. His nose scrunched, "Why she ain't fighting us Cap'n?" he inquired.

Why, indeed. Hook set down the washcloth on the table and returned to inspect Tigerlily more clearly. He waved his hook in front of her face, hoping it would unlock memories that could have been lost. But at a different angle, he found the problem. His shoulders sagged, his face stoic, "Her eyes. That don't shine like they used to. No sparkle,

"So?" His first mate didn't understand.

"A sparkle shows hope, something that propels us forward in life. She had nothing pushing her forward. She's lost. She lost the reason to live. She thinks we're going to kill her, and she's making no move to stop us,"

It was true. Hook had seen cases like this. He would see this on the streets- beggars and street rats, the ones slumped against the wall but stopped holding their palms out for a morsel. They knew it was no use to live on what they had, so they gave up.

She had given up.

Hook was now concerned. Pan was, in no doubt, a part of this. He had done this to her, to his own companion, partner. His careless nature had evolved into something more sinister now that is nearly killed someone close to him. The island was morphing into a nightmare in his reign. Staying was no longer an option. They must leave in two weeks time like planned. The storm had been the beginning, imagine what Pan would do to his crew with his ever growing power.

But in order to leave, they had to live up to Ombra's deal. Hook had to convince Tigerlily to trust them, "Tigerlily," he began, in the most genuine tone he could muster.

"Don't," her voice broke. Straining to move her arms, Tigerlily fumbled to release her axe from her belt. When she did, she handed it to Hook with her fleeting strength, "Don't draw this out. Just finish me off. Please." For someone who had been unconscious for days, she was fully capable of speaking, but the inflection in her voice gave away another character, someone who could easily be flitched by the abrasiveness of his stare.

He sighed. He tried to be more gentle, "I am not going to harm you," he whispered. He never had to use that kind of tone, not since Milah. But It didn't have the same effect.

"I've had a fair share of lies over the past month-"

"And finally you'll hear some truth," The way he angled his body it appeared he was going to provide a comforting touch, like a simple pat on the head or a hand on her shoulder. But he didn't. It would be strange for them to suddenly be this close. He coughed to relieve the awkwardness, only to increase it when Tigerlily silently stared at h Then the axe switched hands, now in Smee's possession. It was a gesture of great significance. Hook's intentions were not murder, he had given the weapon to Smee, to Smee. It would have been the captain and captain alone to kill her. This was a statement, "Are you well enough to stand?"

It took time, but Smee and Hook were able to hoist Tigerlily off the cot. This was about when Baelfire came onto the scene.

"Tigerlily,"

"Baelf-" The boy cut her off with a hug. Her body jerked slightly at the contact almost falling over, just as Hook feared. But it was more out of a surprise rather than pain. They wouldn't have done this before, he sensed. This kind of contact was foreign to them. since they had spent years shunning each other, but it was much needed. Tigerlily found her handcupping the back of his head, stroking his hair comfortingly, her dormant eyes never leaving the wall behind Bae. The last time they had seen each other was the most petrifying moment of their lives. In that short time, aiding each other in survival, they connected, Hook surmised. Both were on the breaking point, they just about had it with Neverland and, more importantly, its ruler.

Baelfire recovered speedily. Probably on the deck right now, Hook figured. The Shadow Lord had no special orders to take him as well. No, he was for something else entirely. He was going to be the force pushing Hook's vengeance to its end. His son. His son. How dare that monster have a child with his beloved Milah? Good thing the boy resembled more of her than the Crocodile, otherwise Hook wouldn't have to winch everytime he spoke to him. And it was because he looked like Milah that had the crew warm up to him, even Hook.

He was a bright, young lad despite being scorned by Peter Pan all these years. Hook took him under his wing, for the sake of his revenge he convinced himself. Upon recovering, he had taught the lad a few pirate tricks which Bae took in stride. It had been rocky at first, with Bae not as trusting as he was now, but they warmed up to each other. Hook always emerged from their talks a bit cheerier, even the crew swore they had caught the captain smiling and whistling sea chanties. He had to admit, he and Bae had much in common.

He knew Bae would want to be present in this fragile moment.

"Decided to return from the land of the dead?" Tigerlily grimaced, thought it was an attempt of a smile. They broke apart when Hook ushered them out of the sick bay. They were to bring Tigerlily to the deck for fresh air, and on the way explain a few things.

Bae filled Tigerlily in on what happened since they were saved by the pirates, "They've done nothing but help us so far. Swell guys they are, until they get a bit peckish. Killian," Hook gave him a look, "Err, I mean Captain, put me to work to keep hy hands busy while we wait for you," His explanation missed its initial point. It didn't answer the question Tigerlily had in her mind.

"I would like to know why I am here, Baelfire,"

"I can answer that," A gust of wind graced their sweating skin when they emerged from the hatch, now on walking on the deck. Hook led Tigerlily a little ways away from Smee and Baelfire for a personal chat. Tigerlily tensed in the presence of the other pirates who were all minding their own business.

"It is alright. We are just talking, aye?"

She nodded. Then she looked around, expecting to find the sky blue in the vicinity of the ship, she received beige, blotched with crevices and stalagmites rather than birds and clouds. There was a faint sound of water drip dropping and a chill only to be experienced in caverns.

"Skull Rock?" Tigerlily had been here once. Once with…

His name kicked at her thoughts, hurting her mind. She might have actually winced.

"To resupply,"

"For what?"

"The Enchanted Forest,"

Tigerlily turned to him, "You found a way off Neverland?"

This was his time to goad her to his side, so he chose his words carefully, "Neverland is not what we'd like it to be. It is being shaped by a powerful force we do not want to contend with: The Shadows. You've seen what they've done. They have killed the fairies to get a hold of their magic. The last of us might as well die if we stay here like sitting ducks, but we have a way out, but I have a portal,"

"How did you manage to get a portal?"

"Fairies," he lied, "Their last gift I'm afraid. Those pesky locusts weren't fond of me and my crew, but they had heart. They didn't want all of us to perish,"

"Or you stole it from them," Tigerlily accused, "How can I trust you? You could have been the ones to set fire to Pixie Hollow?"

"I swear, that was not our doing. But do you see my rush? There is something greater, something lethal. It wants to destroy us. The fairies were a threat, with their light magic and dust. But what if they want more? What if they want to go into other realms? I fear those Shadows had received word that I have an exit and they might want to come along for the ride,"

"I've rerouted my energy from our feud to solely on the journey out of Neverland," "Put it aside because we have the same hurdle: Pan," "At times like this, I feel especially merciful. I thought I could get as many islanders onboard. No one should have to stay here with him lurking about. but with the storm, we were only able to rescue you and Baelfire. For the natives, they were too far in the jungle to get. And for the Lost Boys- they've chosen their side.

"You are not doing this out of charity," Brief panic washed over Hook's face, but masked it. Did she know?

"This is fairy magic," she went on explaining, "Its purpose is to guide and help others. You cannot activate it unless you are using it for a good cause,"

That was close, Hook thought. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He returned to being serious, "Tigerlily, do you see what I'm offering you? Come aboard with us. We'll leave this nightmare forever,"

"No,"

"So you would rather stay here and face Pan's wrath?" He pressed, " Oh, you poor, naive girl. You think you could help him, don't you?"

Tigerlily shook her head. Hook didn't understand, he couldn't begin to perceive what she went through. In every fiber in her being, she believed she could not only help Peter but save him from his personal demons feeding on his thirst for power. She would watch the compound, where ever it moved, and- she couldn't forget what horrific acts the Lost Boys performed. She would send one of her balls of light in their direction but it never seemed to get the job done. Referring the fairy scroll was just as futile for those ancient markings congested her brain.

"I tried. I tried to jog him out of the Shadows' control,"

"And look where that got you. Banished from your own people. No one to turn to and no one to trust. That's what you get for dancing with demons. Can't you see he's far down that dark path?"

"He's been abusing the boys. Making them do unspeakable things," she spoke, recalling a certain memory from a day before the storm hit. Peter had been teaching the boys unscrupulous ways to hunt their prey, with their prey now humans- the Indians to be exact. She saw how they towed in carcasses of different braves. The worst part was the Lost Boys. There had been some resistance in the beginning but now they were callous, immune to the destruction they were causing. They weren't boys anymore, they were soldiers. She snapped that day, fleeing deeper into the jungles and losing Tink's scroll in the process.

Tears formed in her eyes, and her failure bled through, " And he knows. He knows when breaking free from the influence, but he does nothing,"

"Sometimes, the truth is hard for people to bear. They create a new reality, denying everything unpleasant. They become so ignorant, it becomes their best defense. Pan is too much of a coward to admit his faults,"

"He's been like that for a long time,"

"Doesn't that anger you? You've been saving his sorry arse for years now. It is like you're the governess, having to reprimand and lecture a rowdy child who disregards anything you've taught him and continues being a nuisance. You're centuries old for gods' sakes, Tigerlily! You should know better than to let someone else dictate your next move. And you should move on,"

No. She wouldn't. The islanded needed her help more than ever. She just had to find the scroll again. If she could corner Thug and convince him to translate the rest for her. She was trying to configure a plan of escape, to return to the island, but for some reason Hook's words stopped her from going further.

He had a point. An undeniably, begrudgingly, correct point.

This would have been another attempt to pull Peter out of trouble. She had risked her title as Chief's daughter and, don't forget to mention, her life, and yet he ignored her warnings. No matter how many times the same case appears, Tigerlily could never get use to it. And to think he would learn his lesson after centuries of screwing up. He didn't.

Yes, to answer Hook's question. It did anger her. And so what if she did break Peter out of Ombra's control? What would happen then? Well, the same damn thing. It would be an endless cycle, having to look after a boy who was old enough to know better. Ombra or not, that was one side of Peter that would never change. He would always be immature.

Two sides of her brain were in conflict. There was the logical side, the one considering Hook's proposal, and there was the emotional side, the one who continues to think about the island's welfare if she were to was no one to go back to in Neverland. With her tribe shunning her, fairies all dead, and the Lost Boys unapproachable, She would have to be alone on that island, contending with the Shadows with powers she had no control over. Trying to save an impossible boy from the darkness.

Leaving made sense. Leaving was a wiser choice. She could start afresh, though the concept of time passing frightened her. From the Enchanted Forest, she could be anything. Though it was a selfish choice to go and leave the chaos behind her.

But leaving didn't necessarily mean not being able to return. Tigerlily could seek out someone who could help her understand her powers. Maybe someone had another scroll, the secret to stop Ombra and reclaim Neverland.

It clicked in her hand. The warring sides had reached a compromise. She looked to Hook and silently nodded.

The pirate captain laughed joyously, taking her hand and giving it a firm shake, "Fantastic! We're in business then? Now, if you're accompanying the crew then, as Captain, I will treat you as one of my crew. No buts or arguments. You take my orders with a smile and an 'Aye, Captain,'. Savvy?"

"Aye...Captain," The word was weird on her tongue, but Tigerlily shrugged. She would have to adjust.

"There are tasks we must complete prior to setting sail. Start by aiding Starkley with mapping areas to forage and hunt for food. Once you feel you can," he added the last sentence as an afterthought.

"I'll manage,"

Hook sent over Smee and Bae to get Tigerlily better acquainted with the crew. He and Bae crossed gazes. The boy was happy Tigerlily agreed to come aboard like he had, which in turn brought a bittersweet smile on Hook's face. Bae had no knowledge of the underlying deception that was to be inflicted on Tigerlily at any notice.

Phase one of his plan was completed. Now only if he could carry out the next task, one so far-fetched that it might come across as a joke. The Shadow Lord would want them to keep an eye on her whilst she was gone from Neverland. What better way than to keep her close than to recruit her as a pirate?

Neverland had changed so much in the past 30 years. Trailing her hands over the bark of the tree she had frequently climbed to spy on the lost boys. She closed her eyes and let the nostalgia turn back the hands of time, as if time ever ticked on Neverland.

Thanks to Devin, she got the opening she needed to leave the compound. A bathroom break was a legitimate excuse. But not many Lost Boys wander far away from the compound to relieve themselves. She had to be careful.

She walked, not really thinking where her feet would take her. It was automatic. The instructions programmed into her like a robot. It was a habit, even though time had passed since she stepped foot on Neverland soil. The first course of action was to alert Emma and the others. Having the one-handed pirate was frankly not enough to maintain their survival, she thought to herself. Two island veterans were apt.

From there, she had no clue. Peter's presence threw off the pre-formulated stages. Considering he was now alive and kicking, that brought up another problem entirely. He was still obviously under Ombra's orders and that meant she had to free him...with the powers she had yet to fully master. It was said her Light could stop the Shadow lord, but clearly that was not enough. There was a missing variable. It was written out in the scroll, the scroll she had lost.

She kicked a tree, remembering how it slipped out of her hands during that storm 30 years ago. Though it wouldn't do much for her since she couldn't have read it then, yet she should have held onto it.

Peter was the key pawn in Ombra's game, freeing him may be the Shadow Lord's downfall. The only reason he chose Peter was because he was a mortal with connection to magic, using him until he grows to full strength. Without Peter to control, Ombra couldn't carry out his plans. Plans that involved Henry.

Tigerlily, energy renewed by this revelation, accelerated. She had to get to the others, and together they could find the scroll and defeat Ombra and Peter. They need to know it wasn't just about Henry and Grace anymore. Lives are at stake, the balance of the universe could be in peril, everything might-

Someone was following her. She heard him before she saw him. It was the whistle of the wind that had the certain eeriness to it.

She halted then pivoted. Peter Pan leaned leisurely against a tree, watching her. This startled her more than it should, and she stepped back ultimately slipping on the uneven earth. In a flash, she was caught by the immortal boy before she hit the ground. His arms cradled her to bring her upright again.

At this comprising position, she couldn't resist noticing the little things about him. Just by his touch, she felt the same tremors up her spine. She breathed him in. Intoxicating.

Tigerlily wanted to slap herself for thinking like this. Had the time apart made her miss him this much? After the curse ended, she still didn't consider their relationship anything but a tumultuous yet durable friendship. Of course they pushed the boundaries at one point, but it was nothing. what was this yearning she had? He was here holding her and she just wanted to relish in this moment. Warning signs flashed before her and she was released from his hold. She had thoughts like that pass through her mind before and she did not want to go down that path again.

"Fraying a little too far from camp, are we?" He wasn't mad, though she expected him to be. Peter crossed his arms and nodded his head in the direction of the compound, "Grown bored of the festivities?"

"I was exploring," she explained, "The island...it's not like how it is in the stories," she went on, keeping her voice low.

Peter cocked his head to the side, intrigued, "Stories?"

"We hear stories about you. To us, you're fictional,"

"I see. And what do these stories say?"

"The island is paradise, where dreams come true and children can play without their parents bugging them," she recalled from Lily's memory of watching the movie for the first time. It had been a beacon of hope for her cursed self seeing Neverland as a place for lost souls, never remembering what it was really like there.

"Fairies, Indians, pirates. It sounds perfect. "

He was silent, taking it in, "What am I like?" he asked.

"Fun," was what came to mind. It seemed like what a kid nowadays thought about Peter Pan. It was far from the truth.

"You never take things seriously because that's how grownups go about things. You're all about games."

"I do love games. But for everything else, that is false," He circled her, getting a good look at her. He did this upon first encounters. Investigating what a person was all about by just looking at the clues in his/her appearance. After completing a cycle, Peter retired to sit on a rock, "The island may have been like that once. I may have been like that. Things now aren't as what they used to be. So, Mark. Life in the realm without magic, what was that like?"

"Not good. I was abandoned by my mother. Put on the sheriff's doorstep,"

That earned a snort. Typical, he must have thought, "Making you someone else's problem then. Who looked after you?"

"Well I was in the foster system," Seeing Peter's confuzzled expression, she went to explain what it was. When she was finished, the boy reacted to it angrily.

"People are paid to love you?" he said incredulously, "That's rubbish. And you've went through several families in your lifetime because they don't know how to deal with you?" She confirmed it and his face darkened, "That's what fuels my fire: People scared of things don't understand."

"The way I see it, parents who abandon are afraid. They are cowards for not stepping up and raising their goddamn child! They can't handle the responsibility of caring for another human being. They are afraid to make sacrifices,"

"They are cowards,"

Those words flew out of her mouth before she had the chance to think. Peter's head snapped up, his fury evident. 'Coward' was not a word Peter used very much. It recalled bad memories from his past.

"Cowards who can't bring themselves to love," he practically spat.

Tigerlily could see through his words. He couldn't hide his subtlety. He wasn't really talking about being an orphan. This was meant for her. He was furious with her because she left him in the dust.

She struggled to say anything, giving Peter the impression that his sudden change in manner was scaring her, "Forgive me. I'm afraid an old scar is starting to reappear,"

"Was someone afraid to love you?" She bravely asked.

He shifted on the rock to face the rainforest, ""Very perceptive, are you? I don't normally tell this story to newcomers, well considering you are the first in many years, I'll grace you with the story,"

"A girl who had lived on the island. I gave her everything and received nothing. We had an affair once, but she didn't share my feelings, so we parted ways,"

For a moment there, Tigerlily thought he missed her too. But then his tone went from somber to spiteful. If possible, his face darkened to a terrifying extent.

"I was better off without her anyway because her true nature soon came to light. She is the reason why Neverland is the way that it is. Her poor choices are what made Neverland so dismal and gloomy. Sorry to say this, but the fairies are dead because of her. The pirates fled so it's us Lost Boys that are left here to take the consequences,"

"We've suffered because of her. That wench is glad to have left or else I would have made her pay. She's made a mess out of this perfect paradise and I seek to fix it. That boy, Henry, is the key to that,"

Her heart sank despite herself. The problems she had pushed away for so long were coming back all at once, and she wasn't sure she could handle it. She couldn't agree more with Peter. He was right. It was her fault. It only saddened her because this was what the Lost Boys thought, these boys who used to look up to her. It wasn't until when she returned to the compound she realized how much they had grown...had grown into ill-minded and grim-hearted men trapped in permanent adolescence. Some had even died since her last visit.

She shouldn't have left too soon. They had been much she needed to do.

Her mulling left a vacancy in the conversation, but her input wasn't missed. Peter clapped his hands together and stood up. Then he walked back in the direction of the compound, encouraging Tigerlily to follow. After hearing Peter's story, she was uneasy on returning. She couldn't look at the boys without feeling guilty again.

"Well come on," he urged, staring at her expectantly. She bit her lip, hesitating, but then an idea struck her. Why not get Henry now? Ludicrous and risky, but she must. Once out, they could find Grace, then Emma and the others. Then they could make their escape on Hook's ship. Not back to Storybrooke since no portal, but at least they would be off this island of damnation. She would be running again, but that was what she was good at apparently.

Tigerlily trailed behind Peter back to the compound, and she formulated a plan that would ensure she would never have to see Neverland ever again.

Pirates were more systematic than they were given credit for. Working on the Jolly Roger for nearly a week now, Tigerlily had the pleasure of seeing firsthand how these mangy band of ruthless buccaneers operated like a well oiled machine. Within her first moments aboard after being rescued, she expected the to be lazing about, half sober and sprawled out on the deck with flies buzzing around them. But her previous judgement of pirates was altered, possibly forever. The men were ruled with an iron hand (hook), never dawdling and always task oriented. There were rules and a schedule they upkeep for, from what Tigerlily has heard, centuries.

Tigerlily was sucked into this rigorous routine, along with her newfound friend Baelfire even though they were split for most of the time. Hook was tactful, he assigned them to jobs that were best fitting. Bae was remarkably gifted in inventing. He honed these skills while on trapped on the island. He had made contraptions that aided him in surviving. Hook had him on maintenance since he was handy with tools. And with her extensive knowledge of the island, Tigerlily's job was to lead the men when hunting and foraging.

The transition was difficult for Tigerlily. Since the fairies had been massacred, she had wandered aimlessly with this incredible burden on her shoulders. Freeing Peter Pan from the clutches of a Shadow lord? She forgot how to function with such a task and was left to wither away. She hadn't mind dying right then and there since the world she knew was changing, and it was changing for the worst. Now, she was easing back into a sense of routine with people who had once been her enemies.

She adjusted well enough to execute her job. The crew was welcoming and she was glad yet suspicious about that. They act like the slate had been wiped clean of their bloody past. Even Bill Jukes, whose leg she severed off not long ago, didn't bother to mention his injury to her, even as he hobbled from port to starboard with a wooden peg leg. On their excursions while about the island, they tried making conversation with her. She was reserved, not wanting to get too comfortable with them in case they are not as cordial as they seem to be. She concentrated on working only.

And all the work paid off. There was a week before they were to set sail and the pirates had completed collecting their provisions. That called for a celebration.

For one night, Skull Rock was brimming with electric activity as a makeshift pub. Barrels upon barrels of rum were rolled out of the galley and were either used as furniture or popped open for its intended use. Tigerlily lumbered back from hunting with the last of the herbs and berries needed for medicine, and like always, was the last one off work. She cut through the singing and drinking in her haste to get her findings back to the Roger, rolling her eyes at the men's drunk antics.

"Oi, Tiger!" Smee's tremulous voice followed by a gloved hand on her shoulder had her body pivoting in the direction of the party. Protesting, she was nudged by the first mate and dropped her basket of eucalyptus and poppies, "Come on. You need to have a pint or two with us!"

"Oh no, I should not," she declined. Her feet was scuffing the gravel as Smee pushed her to where some of the men were gathered, "Captain wants the medicine on the Roger immediately." Her tone was serious with a hint of annoyance. If the Lost Boys could hear her now, referring to Hook as 'Captain' and the ship as the 'Roger', as if she was one of them. But she wasn't. This was a temporary settlement. The pirates were her ticket out of Neverland, and if cohorting with pirates and engaging in activities were what it took then she must.

She complied in taking a spot beside Stukely and Mullins. Cheers and claps on the back ensued.

"I do not drink,"

"Ah ah," Mullins said, "I bet you haven't tried anything like this,"

Smee had left them and returned with a large iron box. He heaved it onto a barrel and cracked it open with a blunt sword. Tigerlily watched in curiosity as the men helped themselves to what was inside. It wasn't rum, not the traditional kind that was. The men had pulled out giant jugs of liquid tinted in vivid colors and set it in a circle on the table in the center. They were fairly excited about them though, all emitting noises of appreciation. There were about 5 altogether. Blue, orange, purple, green, and yellow were what she saw.

The crew opened the jugs, grabbed the ones they wanted (but not without having to fight for them of course), and poured its mysterious contents into their glasses. Some mixed two liquids together, creating some sort of powerful concoction she gathered.

"What is that?" she finally inquired, "That is not rum, is it?"

"Not entirely, princess," Smee responded after gulping down his beverage. Specks of blue stained his scruff and his tongue darted to scrape it off. He let out a satisfied sigh, "300 years 'ere. We knew early on our booze ain't gonna last. So we augment. Murphy, our botanist, and Skylights, our resident apothecary, experimented with our rum and these puppies right 'ere," He handed her the jug of Blue liquid, "Emotion Tonic. Indigenous to Wonderland. We made a mixture o' our own!"

Wonderland? Tigerlily ran her fingers on the glass, trying to extract an early memory about that particular realm. She has heard about these Emotion Tonics, had even witnessed the effects, "They are extremely potent," she warned, "Constant dosage is extremely fatal."

"Not very different from regular rum then?" Smee laughed. He took the jug of blue liquid and poured it into a new glass- Tigerlily's. It filled halfway, which was already too much for a first taste, "I think a bit of joy will release you from your inhibitions."

The surrounding men egged her to take it. Tigerlily looked at them, finally seeing how they were reaching out to her and how they have been doing so since coming aboard. But good companionship wasn't something she was able to give in a long time.

One drink. Just one, she told herself. This was to help her connect with the crew. She owed them.

She took the glass in her hands, ignoring the swaying stares of the crew. She knew what they were thinking ,but she was no stranger to alcohol. Her tribe had a specialty for concocting beer and she would take a few sips, not necessarily chugging it down as she saw the men do, especially if it was a mixed homeopathic- alcohol tonic. She knew of the emotion tonic's effects. It turned the most respectable warrior into a bumbling fool within a few glasses.

It bubbled and gave a bit of a maize smell. Was this right? How far had she fallen from the life she had before? Pretty damn far, she reckoned, if it led her consorting with pirates. Her father would be outraged if he saw her now, she thought.

That only encouraged her to tip the glass and spill its contents into her mouth. The taste was left to be desired, oh but how it was stronger than beer. The rum burned her throat as it made passage down to her stomach and when she set the glass down, the bitter taste lingered in her breath. She smiled as the crew cheered, happy from the alcohol's kicking effects and also winning them over.

Smee clapped in delight as Tigerlily reached for another round of blue- joy was it? She slurped it up and instantly felt her mind easing. You know that feeling when you've settled into your bed after a long day's work, experiencing this sense of comfort and tranquility in your warm sheets before nodding off? It was a state people would pay money to stay in forever, and that was exactly what Tigerlily was feeling now. There hadn't been any occasion where she had smiled this much. What fun this was to her all of the sudden.

After couple of glasses, Tigerlily was trying to think about what she was doing before joining the men for a drink. She was sure she had something to do.

Think, think, think- wait. No. That just might be her problem. She was always thinking, over analyzing situations. The Lost Boys had told her time and time again to loosen up but that was something Tigerlily had no experience in. Maybe, just this once, she would stop thinking. It was the way she always went about things yet she ended up homeless, friends no more and allies dead. Do first, think later a voice echoed in her ears. It sounded strikingly similar to Peter.

Damn. That boy was on her mind again. The thought of him alone sent a shooting pain to her head The euphoric tonic was losing its punch, now Tigerlily was slowly deflating all because of the ill thought of Peter Pan. She wanted that feeling gone.

"Smee, the other tonics-what do they do?" she slurred.

"Well, we have orange for courage, purple for relaxation, yellow for confusion-"

"What about the red?'

"Hell no! That one is off limits, Captain's orders. Tis' the most powerful one of the batch,"

Tigerlily tried to lock that in for later, but she was bound to forget later. She stroked her chin thoughtfully, "Is confusion associated with forgetfulness?"

"Who are ya tryin' to forget?"

"A Boy. Of the demonic variety," Smee 'ah'-ed. He knew who it was because that sentence came out as a grumble.

"Stukely, hand me the bottle of ignorance, " He took the joy solution and mixed it in with some pink in a vacant jug. The product swirled into a beautiful new concoction Tigerlily couldn't wait to try, "A little o' this and that. Presto, a glass of confusion for ya sweetheart," She greedily took the jug and slurped it down.

Smee tested her, "Now, about Peter Pan?"

"That name. Something about that name…"

Smee clapped his hands together, alerting the other pirates of his accomplishment, "Ignorance is bliss, ain't it?"

"How much did you give her?" Came a new voice. The pirates dispersed, leaving Smee in the wake of the esteemed captain. Hook was glowering down at the squatting first mate, "How much?" he repeated menacingly. Smee would have fled with his fellow crewmembers, but he remembered his place as first mate and must upheld his position by being the first to answer the Captain. He remained his seat, teeth chattering as he fumbled for an explanation.

"S-She's got the maw of a sailor. Drank a whole pirates' round,"

A hand collided with the back of Smee's head, earning a stifled cry, "A pirates' round?" Smee, are you trying to kill her? Serving a pirates' round to a girl that size?" Hook appeared concerned, but that didn't come across to Smee who was as dense as a brick.

"Ain't that our job? Ombra said she wanted the girl dead?"

"Yes, but the pleasure of killing her is reserved for him and him only. He wants her off Neverland for now," he reminded.

"Why can't he off with her now?"

Hook ignored that statement, heading for Tigerlily. He draped her arm around his shoulder, bringing her up from her seat, "Back on the ship, you."

"Wha? I just got here. Right, Smee?" The first mate nodded timidly, "See? They both said 'yes',"

"Doesn't matter. You've had about 15 glasses within 30 minutes,"

Smee sported two thumbs up, "A record!"

"It appears so," Hook stooped down to gather Tigerlily's legs to carry her bridal style. He feasted his eyes on the young girl he had in his arms. The concern melted. It had been a front anyway. A rather wicked grin spread on his face. He turned bac k to Smee, "Nice work, Smee. You've gotten her ready for me,"

"Where are you taking her?"

"To my cabin of course. I'm sure an intoxicated Tigerlily would be of use to me,"

Peter stared at the fallen bodies of his Lost Boys. The sleeping spell sure hit them hard he remarked to himself, still frozen in place courtesy of Baelfire and Rumplestiltskin. It hadn't been long after he and Mark returned when the father and son team launched their attack and took back Henry. He sensed they were nearing the camp of the Savior, but he wasn't worried. He was going to get Henry back. His and Ombra's plans were slowly coming to effect. Just as soon as he obtained Henry, all would be in order.

After a solid 20 minute head start, the squid ink wore off and Peter was free to roam around the compound. He raised his hand to summon the power to wake the boys when he remembered.

One of them didn't belong.

He smirked maliciously as he closed in on 'Mark', who lay sleeping beside Devin. The disguise was pitiful, but it sure provided him with some entertainment, especially with the Target Practice bit. He tore the hood to reveal the wavy chocolate locks.

"There you are," he pulled away the hood before nearing her face, "This girl that has given me so much trouble," He scanned her over, noting how much she grew since he last seen her. Despite having been apart for nearly 30 years, she only aged but a year or two. And how time had been kind.

His calloused fingers traced patterns across her face, stroking it whilst remembering fondly of their times. But his mind berated him for thinking such thoughts. Those lovely thoughts no longer belonged to him, having been replaced with his dark endeavours since Ombra made himself known. But he couldn't help but feel a gaping hole upon looking at this girl in front of him. It was if he was supposed to experience something with her. He reached for his chest, pondering about the decision he made years ago.

Switching his focus back to the girl, he knew he must get rid of her. She was a problem he needed to make disappear. The sheath holding his dagger grew heavy at the thought of slaying her right then and there.

But there was a catch. Although the girl would deter their plans, killing her would destroy them altogether. Why? Peter didn't know. It was what Ombra had told him and must follow his wishes. Her destruction must be timed perfectly or else their plan would fall apart.

It would be all the more satisfying if she was fully awake, he thought. If he couldn't kill her, then he will crush her spirit. He was going to inflict the same pain she had given him. And with that girl known as Grace as leverage, she would be in tears, begging for him not to kill her.

Yes, he would see to it.

"I'm letting you go, Tigerlily. Just as you let me go countless times before. I'll send you to the Savior, give you a head start. But in the end, you won't be able to stop us. I will become the most powerful sorcerer in the realms and Darkness will rise. The next time we'll meet, I'll make sure your last look at life will be me basking in your downfall,"

A/N: I feel like I write about Tigerlily getting unconcious alot. The girl has got to stay awake!

And Peter is far gone, it just seems he's too evil to be saved...not if Tigerlily and the Nevengers have anything to do about it.

The summer had not graced me with glorious episodes of insane genius, translation: I have a bit of a Writer's Block.

This seems to happen with all of my stories and I've been trying to beat the habit of not writing sometimes.

Honestly, I don't know when the next chapter will be up, but I'll do my best. That's all that counts...right?

Don't hurt me. Reviews speed up the process...alot, just sayin'.

*~PAN NEVER FAILS~*