Author's note: Hi everybody! Here's the next chapter, I hope you enjoy it. (A word of warning, I am going to have a bit of a rant in my author's note below. )
~..~..~..~..
'Where is it?'
Tamara searched the store frantically in the early morning light.
Mr Gold's Pawn Shop was filled with objects, and she could sense that many held, or had once held, magic.
But none of the objects she'd found so far were what she'd been looking for.
Unlike the other fairies in Storybrooke, Tamara had had the time to train her senses well, and knew that, as much as the fairy leader tried to hide it, she was now without her wand.
The Blue Fairy was defenceless.
And there was only one person in this town powerful enough to take the fairy leader's wand away from her.
Which is why Tamara had left the convent before dawn to search the shop.
Passing her wand over every shelf, every cabinet, stopping to search when she felt that spark of magic touch her senses, Tamara combed her way through the Dark One's collection of artefacts.
Eventually, however, she had to concede that the Blue Fairy's wand was not in the shop.
Sighing with frustration, Tamara realised that the Dark One must be keeping the wand on his person, or at his home.
'Never mind,' she thought, her determination only growing. 'I'll find it soon enough. Besides,' she smiled to herself, 'I may be able to kill two birds with one stone, as it were.'
~..~..~..~..
David walked in to the kitchen, and was relieved when he found his daughter, sitting with a bowl of cereal at the kitchen counter.
He had stayed awake until he heard Emma come home last night. He hadn't realised just how much he worried about her until he heard that his daughter had to 'heal' Neal's broken heart.
"Good Morning," he greeted Emma, trying to sound casual, like it was just another morning at their apartment.
Judging by the look on his daughter's face, however, he'd failed.
"Morning," Emma replied slowly, her eyes warily following her father as he moved about the small kitchen, fixing his own breakfast.
"So, uh," David suddenly felt his heart hammering in his chest, "how did it go last night?"
Emma raised her eyebrows.
"Are you serious?"
"Well, you were out awfully late..." David swallowed as his daughter's gaze became sharper.
"Were you waiting up for me?" She asked.
"I just..." David stammered slightly, "wanted to make sure you got home okay."
Emma's expression was something in between confusion, offence and amusement.
"Neal and I talked at a bar, while he tried to drown himself in drink, and then I took him back to the hotel." Emma explained simply.
David felt his fingers grip his cereal bowl tightly.
'She 'took him back to the hotel'?' He thought, slightly fearful at the double meaning he could hear in the sentence. 'What exactly does that mean? No, stop it,' he told himself as he sat down. 'This is Emma: your daughter and the town Sheriff. She wouldn't...'
"David?"
"Hmm?"
Charming looked up to see Emma staring at him.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
David sighed. Emma was his daughter. And as her father, David had to ensure that she was safe...
Still, he wished that he knew how he was supposed to act in this kind of situation...
"I was just worried about you," he admitted slowly.
Emma appeared confused.
"Why?" She asked. "I know how to handle Neal."
David winced as his fears heard another double meaning and he took a deep breath to steady his nerves.
"It's just..." Charming began awkwardly, "I'm your father, Emma. And it's my job to worry about you, to protect you. And Neal...being your ex, not to mention Henry's father..."
Emma's eyes widened.
"Whoa, wait a minute," she dropped her spoon in her cereal and held up her hands. "Are you seriously saying what I think you're saying?"
David swallowed. Given a choice of this conversation or fighting a dragon... he'd rather fight a dragon.
"You got back really late last night, when you only left to go after Neal just after sun set," David tried to keep his voice calm. "And buy the sounds of things; Neal had a lot to drink, he was heartbroken..."
"Oh, God," Emma cringed as she stood up, waving her hands in a silent plea for her father to stop talking.
"David, nothing happened," she said in a rush, eager for the conversation to be over.
David let out a breath he hadn't even realised he'd been holding.
"Oh, thank Goodness," he whispered.
Now Emma was starting to feel offended.
"Did you seriously think that I would-"
"No!" David was quick to assure his daughter of his faith in her. "I trust you, Emma. It was your drunk and heartbroken ex lover that I didn't trust."
Seeing the look on his daughter's face, David stood up.
"I'm your father, Emma," David met his daughter's eyes earnestly. "And as your father, do you think I would want the man who had broken your heart to be allowed anywhere near you?" He asked. "If we were back home, I'd challenge him to a duel for what he did to you."
Emma swallowed, taking a deep breath.
"I'm not used to people worrying about me," she admitted slowly.
"Well, get used to it," David smiled.
"But trust me, David," Emma said firmly. "You do not have to worry about Neal."
"If he ever hurts you again..." David began.
"I can deal with him," Emma's expression was strong, but David could hear a slight waver in her voice.
"No," he vowed. "I'll deal with him. With my sword if needed."
A corner of Emma's mouth pulled up.
"I don't think you'll need your sword," she told him slowly, though she was touched by the protective gesture.
"I'm your father," Charming smiled. "It's my job to scare all your suitors away. It's the only way to find the man worthy of you."
Emma's eyes widened.
"My suitors?"
Charming nodded slowly. "Back home, you're a Princess, Emma. Snow and I ruled over a wide kingdom. And if we were back home," he explained slowly, "you would have many men vying for your hand."
Emma's jaw dropped in shock.
"Oh, God, I'm glad I live here," she mumbled in shock.
~..~..~..~..
As Rumple unlocked his shop door and made his way inside, he could tell that something wasn't right.
He knew his shop better than anyone else in this town, and, looking around, he could tell that there were a few things that were out of place.
Magic rippled across his fingers, as he tested the large room, and he caught the traces of fairy magic.
'Tamara.' He thought, for who else could it have been? The Blue fairy would never dare.
Tamara had been in his shop, searching for something. But what was it?
His dagger?
Rumple breathed a sigh of relief, knowing his dagger was safely hidden once more.
He really needed to think of a way to deal with this fairy...
His phone rang, distracting him, and he smiled when he realised it was Lacey calling him.
"Hey, Lacey," he greeted warmly as he brought the device up to his ear.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Dark One," a voice replied, sending chills going down Rumple's spine.
"You," Rumple growled at hearing Hook's arrogant tone on the other end of the line. "Where's Lacey?"
"I visited your house earlier, and found her still in bed." Hook answered smugly. "You know, I really like this new version of Belle." A smile could be heard in the pirate's voice. "Oh, don't worry Crocodile, I haven't harmed her. I can think of more... enjoyable things I'd prefer to do instead."
"If you so much as touch her," Rumple growled in a low voice, "I'll be cutting something else off you, and it won't be your other hand."
"Come to my ship, then, Crocodile," Hook challenged. "Tick, tock."
The line went dead.
~..~..~..~..
Neal was walking slowly along the main street, when he noticed his father rushing as fast as he could out of his shop towards his car.
"Papa!" He called as he hurried over. "What's wrong?"
"Sorry son, I've got to go," Rumple said apologetically. "Hook's back and he's got Lacey on his ship."
"Hook?" Bae repeated, jumping into the passenger seat as his father started the engine.
"What're you doing?" Rumple asked his son firmly.
"Helping," Bae stated.
"I don't need it," Rumple spat through gritted teeth. "I can take care of Hook."
"Well forgive me, if watching you nearly bleed to death from a stab wound gives me a different opinion," Neal shot back. "Let's go."
Not wanting to waste time arguing with his son, Rumple drove out onto the street, tires squealing as he shot towards the marina.
As they drove, Neal got out his phone and began dialling.
"What are you doing now?" Rumple demanded.
"Calling Emma," Neal stated. "She's the Sheriff, she should know Hook's back in town."
"I don't need her help," Rumple growled. "I'll get Lacey back and I can take care of Hook myself."
"Look, Papa," Neal wasn't putting up with his father's crap today, "I know you wanna be the hero for your girl, here, but I think you might need a bit of help in this situation, even if it's just to stop you from beating the pirate to death."
"Give me a reason why I shouldn't," Rumple muttered.
"Because I thought you wanted to go back to the best version of yourself," Neal answered as he put the phone up to his ear.
~..~..~..~..
Tamara carefully picked the lock on Rumplestiltskin's front door. Hearing the lock click, she pushed the door open, entering the large home.
She had just seen the Dark One's girlfriend being taken prisoner by none other than Captain Hook himself. Tamara hadn't expected to see him here. She hadn't seen him since before she left Neverland.
Although, as the Pirate Captain clearly held a grudge against the Dark One, perhaps it was time for her to arrange a meeting to catch up?
'In the meantime,' Tamara cast her eyes around the spacious living room. 'I have work to do.'
She got out her wand.
~..~..~..~..
"I'm going to the marina," Emma announced as she hung up the phone, grabbing her jacket on her way to the door.
"I'm coming too!" Henry added, getting up, only to be pushed back into his seat by David.
"This is official business, Henry," he said firmly, "you're staying here. You're not ready to take on a pirate yet."
He looked up at his daughter.
"But I am still your Deputy, Sheriff Swan," David added. "So I'll be going as your back up."
"Neal and Gold are already on their way there," Emma reminded her father.
"All the more reason for me to go with you," David continued, reaching for his holster.
"Come on, Henry," Snow told her grandson. "It's time for school."
"Bye Henry," Emma gave her son a quick hug. "Catch you later."
~..~..~..~..
Regina smiled as she reached the edge of the field. Even from this distance, she could see the young beanstalk growing tall in the centre of the pasture.
She could get rid of all her problems with just a single bean. It didn't really matter which land it travelled to.
Eagerly, Regina began making her way across the farmland.
~..~..~..~..
Rumple and Neal were making their way along the docks as the Sheriff's car pulled up.
"Well, this rescue party's rather bigger than I'd intended," Rumple commented drily as both Emma and David got out of the car. "Hook only asked me to come. I can take it from here."
"I don't think so, Gold," Emma answered as she approached, making sure not to look at Neal. "You didn't come off so well last time."
"Well, I have magic now," he reminded her.
"And you're family now," she reminded him. "That means Belle-Lacey- is too."
"I can get Lacey back," Rumple's tone was determined.
"While we distract Hook," Emma told The Dark One
"Hook's after me," Rumple was becoming impatient.
"And you're after Lacey," David commented.
"We can help," Emma's voice was firm as she made her way past him and towards the ship.
"She's right, Papa," Neal told his father. "We'll distract Hook while you find Lacey."
Rumple sighed. His Love had already been in Hook's company far longer than he'd like.
"Fine," Rumple muttered grudgingly, turning to catch up with the Sheriff.
As they boarded the Pirate ship, they could hear nothing but the creaking of the rigging and the sound of the waves lapping against the ship's hull.
"Where do you suppose Hook is?" David mused, casting his eyes around the deck.
"Right here."
Turning, the group found the pirate standing boldly beside the ship's wheel.
"You've brought back up with you, Crocodile," Hook smiled in bemusement. "Hiding behind our beautiful Sheriff, rather than magic now?"
"I didn't invite them," Rumple stated for the record. "Now, where's Lacey?"
"In my cabin," Hook smiled. "Where else would she be? I admit, it's been awhile since I've had the pleasure of a lady on my ship." His eyes were gloating as he stepped forward to goad his enemy.
"The last one was your wife, Dark One."
THWACK!
Hook slammed backward into the mast as Rumple raised his cane for another shot before using it to pin Hook by his throat against the mast.
The other three were standing in shock.
"What did he say?" Neal whispered, aghast.
"Your wife?" Emma repeated. "That's who Milah was?"
"She was my love," Hook hissed. "My happiness."
"She was my wife," Rumple growled.
"I loved her!"
"You stole her!"
"Wait," David said, "That's what this feud between you two is all about? A woman?"
"The best stories often are, don't you find?" Hook grinned.
Rumple pressed harder against the pirate's throat.
"Stop!" Neal snapped himself out of his shock to push his father off the pirate.
"What, the hell, is going on?" Bae demanded, once he'd pried the two apart. When his father avoided his eyes and Hook merely stared at him in confusion, he turned to Emma.
"How do you know my mother's name?"
Emma swallowed awkwardly.
"Hook has it tattooed on his arm," Emma answered quietly.
Realisation began to dawn in Hook's eyes as Bae turned towards him.
"Show me."
Slowly, the Captain used his hook to raise the cuff of his right sleeve, revealing the tattoo on his forearm.
"How like a pirate," Rumple snarled.
Hook and Neal regarded each other warily.
"You're Bae?" Hook asked slowly. "Milah's son?"
"Yes," Rumple answered for his boy. "He's the son she left without a word."
"Mama left us?" Neal repeated. "You told me she was dead."
"I had thought she was," Rumple assured his son quickly. "I thought she'd been captured by this marauding cur as companionship for him and his crew. Both he and Milah made me believe as much." He sighed. "Death would have been the only thing awaiting her in such circumstances, so that's what I told you, son. It was only after you left that I found she'd abandoned us both. And all she could say was 'sorry'."
Neal slowly brought his hands to his mouth, pacing slightly as he tried to absorb all of this.
Emma and David looked at each other, both unsure of what to do.
"Baelfire."
Neal looked up to see Hook staring at him, searching his face.
"Yes, I remember your face, now," Hook nodded. "You were in Neverland." His eyes travelled to the Dark One, who appeared to be on a hair trigger.
"I can see that Milah wasn't the only one who left you."
In seconds, Hook was once again pinned against the mast, Rumple's cane pushed against his throat.
"I've been searching for him," Rumple hissed. "From the very moment he left, I've been searching for him. Milah made us both think she was dead."
"And now she is dead," Hook gasped. "Thanks to you."
"Gold," Emma warned as she and David hurried forward before he choked Hook to death. "Remember, we came for Lacey, you need to save her."
"He can't help it," Hook smiled even as he struggled for breath. "He needs to prove himself. Go on, Crocodile, kill me. Then I can be with my Love once more."
To David's surprise, rather than incite Rumplestiltskin's wrath further, Hook's goading seemed to bring him back to reality.
Slowly, Rumple relaxed his hold on the Pirate he hated.
"No," he whispered. "I'm not going to put you out of your misery, Pirate," he told Hook. "You can't control me with your words. I want you to live, so that you can suffer, just as I have. And if you truly want to die," he added as he stepped back, "then you can do it yourself."
It was as Rumple turned away that Hook regained his breath enough for one more shot.
"I like Lacey's nightgown, by the way."
Rumple froze, clenching his jaw, before swiftly turning to belt the Pirate over the head with his cane, knocking him senseless.
"Keep an eye on him," Rumple told the others, avoiding their eyes, especially Bae's.
"I'm going to find Lacey."
~..~..~..~..
Lacey paced the cabin after trying the doors and windows for the fifth time.
She had woken up that morning to find Hook standing over her bed.
"Who're you?" She'd asked him. "What're you doing here?"
"People know me as Captain Hook," the man smiled charmingly. "And I'm not just here to admire the view, lass." His eyes roved across her body.
Lacey smiled, hoping to gain the advantage.
"If you like what you see, you'll have to get in line," she told him. "Mr. Gold is my benefactor."
"Really?" Hook had appeared very amused at that. "Well then, I'm sure we can work something out."
The next thing Lacey knew, she'd been knocked out and had woken up on what appeared to be some kind of ship. The large bed covered with silks and furs that filled the cabin clearly belonged to the captain himself.
Left alone, Lacey had passed the time between trying to open the windows and door, pacing the cabin, and admiring the variety of treasures that were in the room.
Hearing a click, Lacey turned to see the cabin door fly open, revealing Mr. Gold.
"Lacey," he greeted with relief.
Rushing into his arms, it was only then that Lacey realised just how scared she had actually been.
"Are you alright?" Mr. Gold asked her anxiously as he took off his jacket to give to her, as she was still wearing the pink satin and lace slip that she'd worn to bed.
"Yes," Lacey assured him as the jacket settled warmly around her shoulders. "I'm fine." Pulling the jacket tightly around herself, Lacey breathed in the scent of Mr. Gold's cologne, feeling herself relax.
Rumple swallowed.
"Did he touch you?" He was trying to keep his voice calm, but Lacey could hear the fierce protection in his tone.
Smiling, Lacey shook her head in the negative, and Rumple closed his eyes, sighing with relief as he embraced her.
"You've nothing to fear, Lacey," he whispered. "I'm here now."
"How did you know where I was?" She asked after a moment or two, as they slowly pulled away from each other's touch.
"Hook contacted me after I arrived at the shop this morning," he explained. "He let me know that he'd captured you, and-"
"You thought you'd come rescue me?" Lacey finished playfully, but her eyes were soft.
Rumple carefully reached up to gently stoke his Love's cheek.
"I'll always come rescue you, Sweetheart," he told her.
As she gazed up at the man before her, Lacey was reminded of her time in the hospital, and how Mr. Gold had spoken to her of who she was and how much he loved her. After she'd left the hospital, she had done all she could to try and forget his words, telling herself that those memories weren't real.
But gazing into his dark eyes, Lacey could feel her heart beginning to flutter in her chest, and had to hold tighter to him, lest she fell.
He really does love me. She realised.
Rumple noticed Lacey's expression change and felt his own heart begin to pound in his chest as she leaned in...
As their lips touched, Rumple allowed himself to be lost in the sweetness of his Love's kiss.
Suddenly, Lacey gasped, stumbling backward in shock and Rumple had to quickly steady her.
"Lacey?" he asked, concerned. "What is it?"
Her bright blue eyes were wide with shock as she met his gaze before her expression melted into a bright smile.
"Rumplestiltskin," she whispered joyfully.
Rumple could barely breathe.
"Belle?"
Laughing delightedly, Belle flung her arms around Rumple's neck, pulling him in for another kiss.
"Oh, Belle," Rumple sobbed as he cradled his love against his chest. "It's you. You're back."
"It's me, Rumple," his Love assured him, joyful tears trailing down her own cheeks.
Suddenly, she stepped out of Rumple's embrace, covering her mouth in shock.
"What is it, Love?" Rumple asked her.
Belle cringed with embarrassment as she avoided the man's eyes, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks.
"I danced on a bar?"
Now that he had his Belle back, Rumple could finally see the humour in their situation.
"Yes, Sweetheart," he chuckled, "you did."
"Oh God," Belle covered her face with her hands. "Bae was there! What kind of impression was that?"
"Actually," Rumple assured her, "I think he took it very well."
"Oh, Rumple," another realisation seemed to come to Belle as she grasped hold of Rumple's shirt urgently.
"I'm so sorry for the way I treated you," she apologised. "You were such a gentleman, thank you. Dear Gods," Belle covered her mouth in shock again. "You don't have to pay me any of that money, Rumple, I swear-"
"Sweetheart, I don't care about the money," he assured her as he wrapped her in his arms once more. "I don't care. You're back, and that's all that matters."
Taking a few deep breaths, Belle was able to calm down slightly.
"Where's Hook?" She asked slowly.
"Unconscious up on deck," Rumple answered simply. "Bae, Emma and David are keeping an eye on him."
Belle met Rumple's eyes.
"You actually brought help?" She asked. "And you didn't try to kill Hook?"
"I didn't invite any of them," Rumple admitted. "And I did want to kill Hook."
"But?"Belle prompted hopefully.
"But," Rumple breathed. "I knew getting you away from here safely was more important."
Belle smiled.
"You are changing," she whispered, proud of him. True, it was a small step, but after Rumple nearly beat Hook to death after he stole Bae's shawl, she was impressed that Rumple would allow him to live after kidnapping her.
"Speaking of changing," Rumple changed the subject, pointing to what Belle was wearing.
Looking down at herself, Belle quickly pulled Rumple's jacket more tightly around her.
"I've checked the wardrobe," Belle explained self consciously. "There's nothing for me to wear."
Rumple raised a hand, fluttering his fingers slightly.
"May I?"
Belle nodded thankfully.
"Yes please," she said gratefully. "If it's not too much trouble."
"Not at all," Rumple assured her, waving his hand.
Belle gasped slightly as purple smoke engulfed her. As it dissipated, Belle looked down to see she was wearing her blue knee-length dress with red heels.
Belle smiled. This was more her style.
"Thank you, Rumple."
~..~..~..~..
Emma had tied Hook up to the mast of the ship and now she and David were watching Neal pace restlessly back and forth along the deck.
"So," Emma began awkwardly, "your mom was having an affair with Hook?"
"Apparently," Neal commented, trying to keep the mental image out of his head. He shuddered.
"Well, that explains why Rumplestiltskin hates him so much," David mused, knowing how he'd feel if he'd found a pirate had taken Snow from him.
"Well, yeah," Emma admitted slowly, eying Neal warily. "But...what about Milah?"
Neal flinched, and Emma instantly regretted voicing her question aloud.
"He killed her."
Turning, Neal found that Hook had awakened, and was staring at him, if slightly groggily.
Neal swallowed, not wanting to believe it.
"Why?" he whispered.
"Because she loved me. Not him." Hook answered. "Your father's rather the jealous type, it seems." The pirate attempted to stand, only to find his movements hampered by the manacles chaining him to the mast.
Smirking, the pirate turned his gaze onto Emma.
"You really are into bondage, aren't you, Beautiful?"
"Hey," David picked up a sword that was lying on the deck. "Watch your tongue, Pirate."
"You'd be surprised what I can do with my tongue," Hook's gaze never left Emma's as he licked his lips.
Neal picked up a second sword and pointed it at the Pirate's chest.
"Okay. Finding out that you had an affair with my mother was bad enough," he began slowly. "Do not talk to Emma like that."
"And why not?" Hook demanded arrogantly. "Why do you care, son of the Dark One?"
"Neal," Emma cautioned. "I can take care of myself."
"He shouldn't talk to you like that, Emma," Neal stated. "No one should."
Slowly, Hook's gaze travelled from Neal to Emma in wonder.
"Well, well," he smirked. "Is this him, then, Emma?" he asked. "The one Love you've had in your life?"
Neal's eyes shot in Emma's direction as she swallowed, not answering Hook's question.
But Hook has always regarded Emma as something of an open book.
"Oh, he is," Hook smiled in understanding. "My, isn't this a small world?" He could have some fun with this...
Clenching her jaw, Emma cast her eyes around for another sword, only to find there wasn't one. So, stepping forward, she pulled Hook's own sword free of its scabbard, adding a third blade to the two already threatening him.
"You're not holding it properly," Hook told her smoothly. "But, I can teach you how handle my sword, if you like?"
In a flash, Neal held his blade across Hook's throat.
"How about I cut you a new smile across your neck instead?" He threatened.
"Or you can lose something other than your hand this time," David added.
"Stop!"
All eyes turned to see Belle making her way forward, her hand clasped firmly in Rumple's.
"You don't have to kill him," Belle continued.
"It's good to see you're alright, Lacey," Emma said quickly.
The brunette shook her head with a smile.
"It's Belle again," she told them all. "I remember."
"You do?" Hook sounded disappointed. "Damn. I liked Lacey more."
"You would," Belle said flatly. "Hard luck."
Hook opened his mouth to reply, only to find Neal's sword blade pressed even harder against his throat, grazing his skin.
"Don't. Say. Anything." He hissed.
"Ease up, Neal," Emma told her ex gently.
"Why?" Neal demanded, turning to Emma.
"Because he knew he'd kidnapped Lacey, not Belle," Emma reminded them all. "He knows a lot for someone who's apparently just got back to town."
Seeing what Emma was getting at, Neal removed his blade from Hook's throat, rejoining David's blade pointing at Hook's chest.
"Who told you about Lacey?" Rumple demanded, holding Belle close to his side.
"Tell me, Baelfire," Hook smirked at Neal. "You're the father of Emma's child, aren't you?"
"Yes," Neal answered slowly. "Henry's my son."
"You loved Emma," Hook stated. "She bore your child. And still, after all these years, she still cares about you." He smirked knowingly. "You must have made quite the impression." He winked.
Dropping the sword, Neal punched Hook full in the face, breaking his nose.
"Neal!" Emma objected, pulling him back quickly.
Neal was breathing hard, glaring at the pirate at his feet.
"I told you not to talk like that," he growled.
Hook burst out laughing.
"Oh, like father like son!" Hook crowed, despite the blood running down his face.
David had had enough. Picking Hook up roughly, he slammed him against the mast of the ship.
"Enough games," Prince Charming threatened. "What're you up to, Hook?"
"Why don't you get your beautiful daughter to torture the information out of me?" Hook suggested, turning his eyes towards Emma. "Trust me, Love, that'll be fun for both of us."
"Ahh!"
Hook glared at Charming as he rubbed his jaw.
"Why don't you and I have some fun?" The Prince hissed.
Hook smiled, wiping the blood from his face.
"You're quite protective of your daughter, aren't you, you're Majesty?"
"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet," Charming smiled.
"Well, I can't say that I blame you," Hook continued smoothly, his eyes trailing to Emma once more. "Our greatest treasures should always be well protected."
"Hey," David shook the man by his vest. "Keep your eyes on me, mate."
"You're not as enjoyable to look at," Hook objected drily, only to be slammed against the mast once more.
David turned slightly to view Rumple.
"I'm beginning to understand why you hate this guy," he empathised.
"If you do want to use that sword, Prince Charming," Rumple smiled, "you have my full support."
"Enough," Emma stepped forward, gently pushing her father aside. "He'll talk to me, won't you, Hook?"
"Emma," the pirate smiled. "Such authority. I love a woman who can take control of a situation. Chills."
Carefully, Emma returned Hook's sword to the scabbard at his side. She really didn't know how to use it.
Hook smiled.
"I can think of a better place to stick my sword," he whispered.
"How about I stick mine-"
"Enough!" Emma interrupted her father and Neal. "He's just stalling," she said and was rewarded as Hook averted his eyes. "Who are you buying time for?"
Chuckling appreciatively, Hook raised his eyes once more.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again," he told Emma admiringly. "You'd make a hell of a pirate, lass."
"Who?" Emma demanded.
Hook licked his lips slowly, considering.
Leaning forward, he brought his lips close to Emma's ear.
"Regina," he whispered.
"Why?" Emma asked as both David and Neal gripped their swords tighter.
"Two words Love," Hook continued to whisper, grinning smugly at Neal as he did so, "magic beans."
Emma stepped back in shock.
"Regina's after the magic beans?"
Hook nodded in confirmation.
"She's decided that, if she can't have Henry in this land," he explained, "then she'll have to take him to another land, using a portal."
"She's going to kidnap him?" Emma's voice went up an octave as she began to panic.
"But there'll be lots of beans growing soon," David objected. "We could just follow her."
Hook shook his head.
"Not if she destroys the bean stalk," he told them.
David was stunned. If Regina destroyed the bean stalk, and took the beans that were already growing, they'd have no way to ever get home.
"We have to go," David announced.
"Wait," Emma cautioned, turning back to Hook. "Why are you helping Regina?"
"Well, I don't know about you lot," Hook began, "but I don't fancy staying in this world for the rest of my life. Regina's leaving, and she's promised to take me with her."
"Before you've got your revenge on Gold?" Emma queried. "That doesn't sound like you."
Hook smiled.
"I've still got time to pull a few tricks, Love." His eyes travelled to his foe.
"Believe me, Dark One," the pirate vowed. "I will find a way."
"You've tried many times already," Rumple reminded him. "And you've failed."
"I don't know how you survived my hook, Dark One," the Captain mused. "But believe me, even if I have to separate you from your precious magic again, I will kill you."
"No you won't," Rumple was adamant.
"Time to go," David repeated, moving off.
"You're not just gonna leave me chained up, are you Emma?" Hook asked as she made to follow her father. "Unless you're going to stay to guard me?"
Turning calmly, Emma regarded the pirate captain.
"What's to stop you from attacking us as soon as I let you go?" She asked him.
"I give you my word, Princess," Hook bowed gallantly.
"The word of a pirate?" David scoffed. "I don't think so."
Sighing, Emma looked at Gold.
"Could you, I dunno, put a timer on his release, so he's free only after we've gone?"
"And why on Earth would I do that?" Rumple asked curiously.
"Yeah," for once, Neal agreed with his father. "He's just gonna warn Regina that we're on to her. I say we leave him. He's probably got a key for those chains, anyway."
"What do you think, Belle?" Emma asked the brunette at Gold's side.
"Well," Belle began, a little surprised that her opinion had been asked for. "I think that, as he's warned us about Regina, we should let him go, but not before we can be sure that he won't warn her about us."
"And how are we going to do that?" David asked.
Thinking, Emma approached Hook slowly.
"I've got an idea."
Everyone watched as Emma hesitantly put her hands on the chains that held Hook captive.
"What are you going to do, Emma?" Neal asked.
"Just let me try something," Emma pleaded for patience, glancing at Gold before she closed her eyes.
As Emma concentrated, Rumple could feel magic beginning to weave itself through the air.
"Oh, I see," he whispered.
"See what?" David demanded.
Slowly, the chains began to glow gold before fading after a few moments.
Emma opened her eyes.
"What was that?" Neal asked warily.
"The chains should release you in about an hour or so," Emma told Hook as she rejoined the group.
Looking up at Gold, Emma raised her chin.
"I thought about how we needed the time to stop Regina's plan and save my son."
"You felt your love for your son." Gold nodded in understanding. She was a fast learner. "You felt a parent's need to protect their child."
Emma nodded, turning her gaze onto Neal.
"Now let's go protect him."
~..~..~..~..
Author's note: So, there's my latest chapter, I hope you enjoyed reading it. I loved writing protective Daddy Charming, as well as the Hook/Emma/ Bae scene on the ship. I know it's a bit scattered at the beginning, as I'm showing every character going on their own path, but I'll try to wrap it up as well as I can in the following chapters, leading the way for 'season three'.
And I needed Rumbelle to come back!
I think we need more character development moments on the show, rather than overloading it with so many new characters, there's no real room to give each character space.
Hence my rant below... feel free to skip it if you're not interested, I won't be offended.
Okay: Here was I, trying to write Tamara with a heart, and, after watching the you tube clips of episode 18, I realise that she doesn't have much of one. Her casting call said that she was ambitious and would achieve her goals at any cost. I figured that meant that she wasn't as nice as she seemed, but...wow! She is way worse than I thought she'd be.
My original plan for Tamara was to have her as the 'good fairy turned bad' sort of thing, and go after the Blue Fairy, wanting to take over as the leader. However, after what we see her do in episode 18, I realise I'm going to have to make her waaay more ambitious than that. (I realise my story has changed slightly over time, but I'm trying to stay as cannon as possible, please stay with me, and let me know of any inconsistencies.)
I also came up with another theory about who Tamara is: Do you remember Cinderella's fairy Godmother? Rumple killed her, and used her wand in Storybrooke to steal the diamonds in the mine to block the portal at the wishing well. Rumple told Regina that 'no one mourns her'... But what if Tamara is related to that fairy Godmother? Perhaps a niece? (I doubt a daughter, as fairies can't get married), but what if Tamara is trying to steal magic, (I think the taser she used isn't really a taser- afterall, tasers aren't deadly, you couldn't kill a dragon with one, and it would have no real affect on wood) until she has enough to take on The Dark One? Perhaps she'll even use it to steal Rumple's own magic? (Which could be a way for Hook to get his revenge, if Rumple is powerless...)
While we're on the topic of Episode 18 I want to say that I did not like how August lost his memory when he got turned back into a real boy. Yes, I am very glad that he's alive, and can have a secod chance with his father, but August, the man- who he was, what he did, all his memories- is completely gone now. How can August make up for his mistakes and find redemption if he can't even remember what he did? Does he even remember Emma?
On another note, I would like to know whether Neal actually knows that David and Mary-Margret are, in fact, Snow White and Prince Charming, and Emma's parents. I don't think we've seen them actually get introduced. Although, as Emma said that she had to drop Henry at his Grandpa's, I'm assuming he does know. Still, I would've liked to see his reaction.
Regina is another question I have: Does she realise who Neal is? She's seen him at least twice- in the shop and at the wishing well, and not once has she questioned his presence.
And now, with the promo for Episode 19 out...we know that Lacey is a Belle-centric episode, yet the only glimpse of Belle we got was of her, looking around a corner after someone. Still, it looks like we get to see a flashback of Belle before she met Rumple...maybe she knew Robin Hood? The promo focused on Robin Hood...
Robin Hood is one of my favourite stories, but still...seeing as we have a month long break, can they give us something more?
Which brings me to another theory: In the promo, we see Rumple using a bow and arrow, and I'm reminded of the bow that Rumple gave Snow to kill the Queen in 'Heart of Darkness' during season 1. What if the bow that 'always finds its target' had belonged to Robin Hood? Maybe that's how he was such a 'skilled' archer, as he had a magic bow that would never miss?
I think that's my ranting done, thank you for your patience. I've been wanting to rant that for a while, and this is the only place I can do it, as no one at my house is as obsessed with this show as I am.
Thank you very much for reading. Please leave a review below. Remember, I'm always open to constuctive feedback, as well as hearing other theories of what may happen in the show.
Celino.