Chapter Three: The Purpose of Fun (and other 'character building activities' or whatever) Part One

The look on the adolescent faces when he told them the surprise he'd been working on was absolutely priceless.

"We're doing what?"

Grinning, Killian replied, "You heard me. At the start of next week's Friday meet we'll be getting on a coach and driving into the woods to do a spot of camping for the weekend."

"Dad, how are you going to drive?" Henry's voice called.

"I'm not lad," he looked directly at him, "your mother is."

"Mom's coming? No, wait, you and mom kept this a secret from me?"

Killian chuckled at the lad's shocked face, "Actually, it was her idea. She wanted to 'see what all the fuss was about', as she put it." As Henry's face dropped when he realised that he'd be trapped in a secluded space with two of his parents for an entire weekend, Killian continued to give details; "I've got slips for your parent or guardian to sign along with some guidelines over what to bring and sleeping arrangements. If you can't or don't want to come that's fine; I've arranged some activities for the Friday and Saturday meet with the other Sheriff, who I believe will be working on some of the crime issues and safety on the streets with you. I'm also taking behaviour into account: so if you misbehave over the next few sessions you won't be allowed to go. I'll also be asking at your schools to check your behaviour is up to scratch," he dropped down to the levels of some of the youngest kids, waggling his finger, causing them to giggle, "There'd be no scallywags in my crew."

Honestly, he didn't know who was more excited for this trip, Emma or Henry.

The resemblance between them was strong and made his heart melt a little as they both twirled about and chattered in anticipation, neither having been camping before. When Emma questioned as to whether he had he replied positive, saying no more. Like everything Emma got it, letting him sit on another old memory until he was ready.

On the Wednesday he held an information evening after the regular sessions, allowing parents, carers and the kids to give in medical information as well as asking any questions. One of the most popular questions was if he really thought it wise to let 60 (give or take) 10 to 18 year olds run around in the woods with only two adults supervising. He responded by telling them that several of the older ones could manage themselves as well as supervising some of the younger ones if needed and after all, this was all about building up responsibility and teamwork and allowing people to mix with others. He added that if all else fails, one of the Sheriffs was accompanying them (who also happened to have magic and, y'know, be a certain someone called the Saviour-if you've ever heard of her?) and they would never being a place where they were unable to communicate on the talking phone (It's just a phone, Dad!) so if anything too serious arose they'd be able to contact them.

Afterwards, Henry strode up with a smirk, "How did you manage to cope with that many parents? I thought Mrs. Hankersman was going to bite your head off!"

The two made their way towards Granny's to meet Emma, "Aye, lad. She did look rather fierce. However managing a crowd of overprotective parents is nothing compared to a bunch of drunken pirates who don't believe they've been paid properly."

"Now, that's a story I need to hear-"

"In a few years."

"Dammit."

Friday afternoon had arrived, and much like his first meeting, there was a bigger turnout than expected. Actually, only five had stayed behind, either because they had other obligations that weekend (he knew it was the birthday of Ava and Nicholas' father on Sunday, and he sent them his best wishes) or they were some of the younger ones, not yet comfortable leaving home (Sebastian's mother ruled with an iron fist and Darien was one of the younger former lost boys whom had just found a new foster family and still held the fear they would leave) or medical conditions (Laila, the poor lass, had a weak heart so this was not the first activity she missed out on).

Him, Emma, fifty-something kids, twelve tents, one campsite and three days; what could possibly go wrong?

Famous last words, he knew.

"Jeez, this is a lot of kids. You look after all these and more three times a week?" Emma asked, helping him pack away the bags.

He hauled up a rather heavy bag, making a mental note to check them all for anything they shouldn't have; it wouldn't be the first time he caught some of them with alcohol or cigarettes or some drug or another, "A bunch of children is nothing on centuries captaining a pirate ship whilst dodging lost boys."

"Good point," Emma closed the hold, jingling her keys. "Although I'm pretty sure I've never even seen a group home with this many kids."

"We'll manage, love," he kissed her cheek as she made her way to the coach door, "we make quite a team, you and I."

She chuckled, "I know. Now go do a headcount or we'll be losing kids all weekend, and I don't know about you but I don't fancy coming back to a bunch of angry parents."

"Very well, love."

He was thankful when most of the kids slept on the journey, although it was only an hour.

For what he had planned, they'd need it.

The coach pulled to a stop and when those few still awake asked to scare the others up he pretend like he hadn't heard them and chuckled as the yelps and screeches came from his formerly dosing crew.

"Alright, alright. Enough of that. Out you lot! We've a lot to do!" He ordered.

One of the older girls - Caroline, he thinks - groaned, "Gods above, please don't tell me that you've not got any tents?"

He smirked; he may not be a villain anymore but that doesn't mean he can't be a little devious from time to time, "Alright I won't."

Her and a few others' faces dropped in a mixture of disbelief and fear and he wouldn't deny the hint of satisfaction creeping up his spine.

"Line up you scamps!" Killian called as they all stumbled off the coach.

Wearily, they all grabbed their bags and line-up in a practised manner, straightening up the second his hands were behind his back and he'd made it to the start of the line-up (a position Henry had nicknamed his 'Lieutenant stand').

He began pacing, "This weekend is all about teamwork, building character and putting the skills I've been teaching you into practical use. But the one, most singularly important thing to remember this weekend…"

Anticipatingly they peered at him, the younger ones expecting some form of rule, the elder ones grinning as they guessed what he was going to say.

"Is to have fun, mates!"

There was a cheer that he settled almost instantly, "Alright then. Despite that it won't be all fun and games. Right now we need to set up camp." He gestured to Emma, who finished lugging the twelve bags filled with tents out of the coach, "Five to a tent. You need to decide amongst yourselves the best place for the tents and the campfire which the ones over thirteen must set up as soon as you've pitched your tents, and those thirteen and under will be looking for fresh water. Feel free to reconnoiter the area the area when you're done. All report at the campfire in two hours. If you need anything Emma and I will be setting up our own tent-"

"Wait what? I thought we were getting them to do it!" came Emma's cry.

He scratched his ear, "It's no fun if you don't put in the hard work, love. It's not as...ah, rewarding."

"I know all about that," she mumbled, sharing a smirk with him, plainly ignoring Henry's groan.

"Off you go then!"

After twenty minutes of falling tents all of the groups were on their way to setting up their tent. The former Lost Boys had finished a while ago, proudly announcing that they would go find water and firewood. Fondly smiling at their enthusiasm, Killian battered a peg with his hook. When coming up with the plan for this weekend, the Lost Boys were in the forefront of his mind, knowing that this trip would resonate with them. Although he hoped that this trip would make them feel special, skilled, proud, he also feared that it would just remind them of their time as the Lost Ones.

So far, pride was winning.

Not long after, the tents were set up, there was a bucket of fresh water, the fire was roaring and two had been put on cooking duty (Caroline and fourteen year old Devon), supervised by Emma as he watched over the other, firmly refusing to hint at what they'd be doing.

"Please, Killian!" little Karen begged, one of the youngest who was quiet at first, but was slowly opening up to him. "Can you give us a clue?"

Her little smile made him melt inside, "Sorry lass, my lips are sealed."

She pouted. "Then you have to tell us a story!" she pleaded.

He pretended to contemplate it, putting his tongue in his cheek.

"Please!"

"Well, if you insist," he huffed. Every face turned eagerly to him, and tonight he decided to go for a true story from his Navy days.

"It was Liam's first mission a Captain, and mine as Lieutenant, so naturally we were excited and eager to please. We were preparing to set sail…"

Sleeping at night may have proved hard if she hadn't been in more uncomfortable situations in the past; or if she hadn't her pirate with her.

Emma had listened in on his story to the kids, recognising it from one of their story-swapping sessions that had become more and more frequent since moving in together. However, unlike their quiet, reminiscent talks, this was an active, invigorating tale that Killian put his all into, arms waving wildly and voice changing to make it more dramatic; even the oldest ones seemed intrigued. Henry did usually go on about the meetings, but not even the Author's description could compare to the real thing.

His behaviour around the kids made her love him even more.

An absence of warmth woke her, her lack of sight telling her it was not yet morning, but it was her lack of Killian that concerned her. Sitting up, she caught the vague outline of his shadow, growing smaller as he walked away from the tent. Curiosity kicked in and she grabbed her boots and stepped into the bitter night air.

Following the tall figure of her boyfriend, Emma tried not to wake any of the other kids. Realising he'd come to a stop, she held back, attempting to stay out of sight but still in hearing distance.

"Are we in trouble?" a meek voice asked.

"No lad," came Killian's voice, "but that doesn't mean you escape a lecture."

"Killian, we're really sorry-" another, a feminine voice, said.

"No need, lass. But you're not going to learn if you don't know why you shouldn't."

"Well we are of legal age somewhere," another voice muttered bitterly.

Killian replied, "I'm not saying don't drink - even though breaking the law is bad form - but you need to know not to depend on it."

"We're not alcoholics!" the bitter voice snapped.

"Yet. You forget some of your parents sent you to this group: they told me a few things about you all so I know this isn't a first for you Luke. I wasn't much younger than you are now when I started drinking."

Emma felt herself wince; this was a story she'd heard before and it simultaneously made her heartbroken, proud and a little embarrassed.

"When I became a teen I turned bitter. For so long I was so angry at the world. As a sailor it wasn't hard for me to get my hands on rum, and I quickly grew dependant on the beverage." He hesitated, and she knew what was next. "I knew it hurt my brother to see me waste myself away, I knew I didn't deserve someone like him looking after my sorry arse, but I never knew to what extent until I was in my late teens."

"What happened?" the feminine voice asked.

"Liam and I had finally saved up enough money to sign up for the King's Navy, but when Liam went to go and collect our money, I had to stay on the ship…" he paused, and Emma knew he'd still felt guilty for what'd happened that day, despite her reassurances that it had all worked out for the best. "Whilst he was gone, I drank myself into a stupor, awoke when Liam returned to find that I had gambled away all my silver…" his voice broke, "the Captain had set me up; offered me one drink and gambled with me so he knew that I wouldn't be able to leave his service. He rubbed salt in the wound by showing off my money and saying that it wasn't his fault I had a weakness. Because that's what drunkenness is...a weakness. I'm begging you, don't let it become yours."

A thoughtful silence settled over as all Emma could hear was her heart break.

"What happened after that?" the first voice questioned.

"Captain Silver told Liam to go and leave me behind, but the bloody stubborn arse didn't listen and stayed with me." She then heard a noise of exasperation, "As it turned out, the next voyage was the one that left us shipwrecked-"

"When you ran into those Navy guys?" Luke finished, clearly familiar with the story.

"Aye," Killian answered. "That gave me the shove I really needed to be the brother Liam deserved. It took me a long time but I did manage to quit drinking...but then Liam died and my anger came flooding back. I swiftly turned to rum once again." There was some shuffling, and if she were to guess she'd reckon Killian was debating sharing the rest of the story, "There was one other time after that when I didn't rely on it-"

"Before Emma, you mean?" the girl asked again and Emma felt herself blush: just how much did Killian talk about her to the group?

"Aye," he chuckled, "it was my time with Milah - when I felt alive again. But her death sent me tumbling back down the tunnel of anger and alcohol, which lasted centuries," he chuckled yet again, "if it wasn't for Neverland I'm sure it would've killed me by now.

Anyway, that's enough about me. Can you just promise me you'll only drink with your parents permission until you're of age? Emma is the Sheriff after all. I'm not trying to scare you off drinking completely; I just know that starting at this age is never a good sign."

"Sorry Killian, the girl winced, "will you tell our parents?"

"For now, lass, I think this can just stay between us, but don't let it happen again, aye?"

There was a pause and Emma assumed they were nodding, "Good. Now back to bed. You've a long day ahead of you and it starts early." This got a long groan.

"Good night, you lot."

"Night Killian."

"G'night Killian."

Ducking into the shadows to avoid the teens, Emma waited for her pirate to follow, feeling confused when after a moment he hadn't passed her.

"It's bad form it eavesdrop, love."

Startled, she jumped up, hitting his chest in the process, "Asshole. Isn't it bad form to sneak up on someone?"

He laughed and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "You heard me, Swan. Big day tomorrow, let's return to our tent."

"You did good, you know. It couldn't have been easy to tell that story."

He stopped to scratch his ear, "It never is, love, but simply reprimanding them would be ineffective, and my old age has left me with many horror stories."

"Old age is right. You know, I have noticed you squinting a lot, maybe you need glasses?"

Lightly shoving her, he retorted, "Bedtime, Swan."

A/N: Ok, this was getting long so I split it in two. Next time: Hiking!

I rewatched 'Good Form' and parts of 'The Brothers Jones' for this...my poor heart.

Hope you enjoyed!