Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry it's been a little while, I'm trying my best, but sometimes when I'm busy it's hard to even think about what I want to happen next with my fanfiction, although I've been constantly chipping away at it! Thanks to my followers/favorites/reviewers! You guys are the best! Enjoy this next chapter and please review :)

Hook never wanted to go back. He had come to the conclusion that Neverland was a far worse choice than living in the same world as Peter Pan. However, Hook was honestly considering leaving London. He hadn't slept well in a week, and scarcely said anything to anybody. Currently he was lying on the sofa staring at the wall.

"Cap'n?" asked Smee.

James looked at his old friend, and gave a half smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"You need to take my shift at the store," continued Mr. Smee. He then flinched as if expecting Hook to lash out at Smee giving an order, but relaxed as Hook just stared at him.

"Alright," breathed Hook so quietly Smee wasn't sure if he said anything at all, but Hook got up and grabbed his coat, clearly heading out.

Smee smiled, finally happy his roommate and best friend was getting better. Sure, he barely talked, but Smee knew James. His captain was never down for long, always finding some way to jump back in. Even when Hook lost his hand, he immediately came back with the deadlier hook. If Smee knew anything about James, it was that he never willingly gave up.

Hook trudged all the way to the grocery store and stared at the many customers browsing the shelves as he walked in. He searched around before seeing Mr. Green waiting patiently at the cash register.

"Ah, James. How have you been? I can use all the help you can give. Business has been great, lately! I'm hiring workers again, and expanding the store!" exclaimed Mr. Green, happy to reveal his progress to Hook.

"Good," said Hook.

"Get to work! There'll be customers needing help finding things, and it looks like soon they'll all want to be checked out. Get to it, James!"

James put on the grocer's apron and nametag, and wandered around the store, checking out everything and beginning to answer questions. Before he knew it, he had forgotten all his problems and was mostly concerned with the well-being of the grocery store.

A moment later, Arabella walked in. She hadn't seen James in a few days, yet she didn't feel right heading to his house. She hoped he would be working here. She saw him almost immediately as she walked in and he stared at her, before turning around and walking in the other direction.

Arabella hurried after him and called his name. He hesitated, before turning around. Nobody else was in the aisle he had fled to.

"James, please, I wish to speak with you," said Arabella.

"Alright, then. What is it?" said James, very guardedly.

Arabella looked at him with a frown. He was so much harder than normal.

"I'm sorry I hadn't been able to talk to you," whispered Arabella.

"It's fine," said Hook, walking away.

"James!? What's wrong?" demanded Arabella.

Hook whipped around, about to lose his temper, but paused at the hurt look in her eyes. He took a deep breath and spoke slowly in a normal tone.

"Nothing is wrong. I must attend my work; I do not have time to chat," he spoke.

"But…" Arabella trailed off, not wanting to argue with him.

James' felt guilty as he looked at her distressed look, and he finally gave in.

"Look, I'll talk to you after I'm off my shift. I just… I can't deal with this right now," he admitted.

Arabella nodded nervously.

"How much longer is it?" she asked.

"I'll meet you outside the store at 5 p.m.," Hook promised.

"I'll see you then," whispered Arabella, but Hook had already turned away.

After she had left, Hook stopped in an empty aisle and looked blankly at the shelves. Arabella made him feel so alive and so happy whenever he saw her. Was it really true that his path to happiness diverged completely from anybody's who had anything to do with Peter Pan? Hook found himself unable to focus upon any tasks his job put forth.

Mr. Green stared at Hook as Hook organized one of the shelves.

"You alright, James?" asked the old grocer.

"Yes. I'm fine," replied Hook.

The rest of the day, although going by painfully slow, had nothing significant happen. Soon enough it was five minutes before 5 p.m. and Hook grabbed his cloak and left the store before saying anything to Mr. Green. James stood outside, away from the view of the window, and saw Arabella walking towards him. He looked down, self-conscious.

"Hi, James," said Arabella with a smile.

"Hello. Let's take a walk," Hook suggested.

They walked in silence for a few moments before Arabella spoke again.

"Peter Pan is my adopted brother," she stated hesitantly.

"Yes, yes I know," said James, slightly amused.

It was this moment when James realized he could never ignore Arabella. She looked extremely worried, and it killed Hook to know that he was causing her pain.

"I'm sorry, I should have mentioned it before, especially when I realized who you were…" rambled Arabella.

"It's alright. Peter… I have done many wrongs to him and I don't think I could ever face him. But if you, his sister, could forgive me, then it gives me hope. Hope that I'm not a villain anymore," admitted Hook.

"James," said Arabella, stopping.

They looked into each other's' eyes. Hook took a step closer to her and gulped. This is the closest they'd ever been with each other. Arabella's eyes widened, and James leaned closer to her.

"Cap'n!" yelled Mr. Smee, running over to them.

Immediately, Hook took a step back and Arabella looked to the ground, blushing.

"What is it?" asked Hook, trying not to sound angry.

"Oh, hi there, Arabella!" said Smee with a smile.

"Hi, Mr. Smee," said Arabella with an embarrassed smile.

Hook held his breath and looked up at the sky, trying his best to keep his cool.

"Arabella, listen, James is a changed man, you know. He's a wonderful friend, he even took my shift today at the grocery store! The cap'n has always been there for me, even in Neverland. He made some choices he regretted, but he's trying to change. He's my best friend, and I know he's a good man. I just really wanted to let you know that, just in case you were doubting it," burst out Smee.

Arabella smiled, filled with compassion. Hook looked at Smee, bewildered. Mr. Smee had never really said those things to him, although it made sense.

"Thank you, Smee," said James.

"Yes, Mr. Smee, it means a lot that he's such a good friend to you," replied Arabella.

Smee grinned broadly.

"Sorry for interrupting, then. I just felt like I had to say something," said Smee.

Arabella smiled and looked at Hook.

"No trouble," said Hook immediately.

"I'll be on my way, then!" exclaimed Smee, before humming a tune and stumbling off.

"Sorry about that," said Hook, slightly embarrassed.

"That was so sweet," replied Arabella.

James smiled, and felt color rising to his cheeks. He took Arabella's hand with his unhooked hand and looked into her eyes.

"You're so sweet, Arabella," he stated.

Arabella blushed and looked into his eyes. Hook moved in closer to her, and kissed her on the lips. She moved into it and for one sweet moment time stopped. Hook's arms moved around her to hold her, and Arabella quickly withdrew.

"Ouch!" exclaimed Arabella, immediately stepping back from Hook, eyes widening.

"Is something wrong?" asked Hook, feeling slightly hurt.

Tears ran to her eyes and she looked at his hook in alarm. James looked down and gasped. The tip of his hook dripped with Arabella's blood.

"Arabella, I'm so sorry, I'll get it cleaned up," said Hook, taking a step closer to her.

She took a step back, and turned around. She quickly began to walk away, and Hook realized in horror a long, red scratch ran down her upper back, with a tear in her dress.

"Arabella!" Hook called again, but she continued to walk. She didn't look back, and Hook watched after her, feeling completely empty. He had no idea what to do, as she clearly acted like she didn't want his help.

Hook looked down at the bloody hook and ripped it out of where his arm used to be. He threw it, far away, so now Hook only had the stump where his hand used to be. James would never, ever let his hook mess up his life again.

Hook frowned, looking at his hookless arm. Perhaps now it was time to confront Peter Pan. He was James now; Captain Hook was in the past.