A/N: Thank you so much to my first review! I'm just so glad someone is enjoying the story as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Happy reading!
Uma's smile spreads wide as she see Mal walking up to the bridge. She hasn't been able to experience the joy of taunting Mal in what has felt like ages. But Mal is too concentrated on Ben standing on the edge of the plank to even care. They lock eyes for the first time since the break up. She sees so much betrayal and hurt in his eyes and it breaks her heart all over again. But Mal knows she doesn't have time for that if she wants to get everyone out of here unharmed. So she keeps her mug on and turns back to Uma.
"I'll throw him overboard and let him swim with killer sharks. You either hand over the wand or he'll be ripped apart." Uma threatened.
Mal knew Uma had the power but she also knew that underneath all that fake confidence was a whiny little girl who was trying to prove her worth. Mal could leverage those insecurities to throw Uma off guard, "Now let's all just be smart. Although for you that must be hard. You'll get your wand, no one has to come to any harm."
Harry was enjoying toying with Ben. Spinning him on the edge of the plank and dangling him over. But he decided to take it up the ultimate notch and leave him there to go tease Mal in front of him.
"Release him now and we can go our separate ways. Unless you wanna deal with me and the VKs?" Mal crossed her arms defensively as Harry approached them.
Harry cut Uma off and got up in Mal's personal space threatening Ben. She kept her death glare on him not letting him know he was getting to her. Harry again ran his hook through her hair, grazing her cheek and getting way too close for comfort. Mal could feel Jay tense behind her and step up ready for backup. From the plank Ben was fighting against his restraints. He was sickened watching Hook get so close to Mal. He could see in her face she was really uncomfortable. Girlfriend or not he had the urge to want to save her from this creep and fought harder against his restraints.
Uma had had enough of Hook's nonsense and pulled him back. "Harry we get it. Chill." But Harry didn't depart until blowing Mal a farewell teasing kiss.
Jay pulled Mal back so they could retrieve the fake wand and get his over with. But as Mal was approaching Uma with it Ben shouted out to her. Mal stopped dead in her tracks. Her jaw went slack. This was the first time they had spoken or she had heard his voice since the breakup and it completely took her out of her task at hand. She whipped her head over to him pleading with her not to do this and to figure out a better solution. But Mal knew what Ben didn't know. This wand was a trick and regardless, there is no compromising with villains.
Uma laughed at his pleas and turned back to Mal demanding the wand. Ben couldn't believe what he was watching. Was Mal really going to give Uma the wand? He thought she understood that that's not what he would want. Auradon's safety had to come first.
Uma was satisfied with Mal's show of the wand so Ben was roughly pushed over for the girls to make the trade. He fell to his knees in front of Mal. They were in each other space again after Mal had broken his heart and the tension was so thick you could cut the air with a knife. Ben was in pain and so angry with the entire situation.
Mal grabbed his arm and pulled him up the second Harry cut him loose. But all Ben could focus on was the wand. Mal was pushing his chest as hard as she could to shove him back and away from Uma.
Jay had to help Mal keep him back as Uma raised her wand to the sky to test it out. When she realized it was a fake she screamed and snapped the wand in half, "You do not get to win every time!"
Carlos laid down smoke bomb cover for them as Mal pushed Ben one last time trying to get him to snap out of his shock and move. They had to get out of here. But it only bought them a little bit of time. The pirates were upon them and they had no choice but to fight. Mal hoped Ben's sword and shield practice had prepared him for this.