My tires screeched as I brought my bike to a halt in front of Granny's as much as I enjoyed my solitude after witnessing a giant attack I needed some serious Ruby time if I hoped to get away from the thoughts, memories piling up in the back of my head forcing to spill outward. My kickstand was thrown down as I swung my leg over the back of the bike. Practically breaking the clips off from the straps they were attached to I undid them part of the way before growing impatient and yanking the helmet off over my head. It tugged my tight bun loose and for once I said fuck it and wrenched the remaining pins out of my hair. I flipped my hair over pulling my fingers through it in harsh tugs as I combed out the tangles. Tossing my hair back I stood up straight and took three large breaths to calm myself down. I snapped my helmet back onto the handlebars and lugged my small backpack over my shoulder. My heels made determined clicks in the silence outside the diner, the sharp razors glinting as they caught the streetlamps glow and the light seeping out from inside the diner. Hairs on the back of my neck, hidden from view by my grey scarf, prickled and the clicking quit in the same moment my fingers unlatched a knife from its sheath under my black leather shorts and I spun in the direction I thought I had seen movement. The corner was calm, clothed in darkness the night was jeering at me again in my mind but I ignored it and slipped the knife back into the scabbard hidden from view. I hadn't done a second sweep with my gaze before entering the diner. I didn't see the melancholy blue eyes that followed my every move with hint of recognition, denial and interest.

...

Ruby did a slow whistle as I approached the counter. I grinned mischievously and slid up onto one of the red-cushioned barstools shifting my long legs to the side before crossing them so I had more space to stretch. She returned my grin in the same way and shook her head.

"You have got to tell me where you got those shoes."

"Afraid they don't come in red."

Ruby huffed as she turned to get me a glass of water. "You and black."

"'Scuse me but I don't think you have any room to talk about obsessions with color." I pointed out waving my hand in the direction of her current red ensemble.

She flashed me a wide smile. I gave her a half-hearted smirk that probably more closely resembled a smirk. She took notice and sat the iced water in front of me.

"Daddy issues again?" I winced she had no idea how deep that actually went.

"Don't want to talk about it." I muttered.

She shrugged and continued anyway. "I may have heard about some fighting in the hospital last night."

I swallowed a huge gulp of water, earning myself a brain freeze before twisting slightly to look around the restaurant. Only a few stragglers sat comfortably in the booths oblivious to everything else outside of their table's enclosure. No one else resided at the bar besides me. I faced Ruby again, cautiously.

"Aye."

She looked intrigued but hesitant. "The whole town doesn't know and I doubt most people there will remember." She eased on.

I raised a light-brown eyebrow. "Yet, and why do you think that?" I tried to bite back my menacing tone.

"Did you not feel the giant today?" She asked in a monotone voice.

"I saw David save him after he turned tiny again and fell down the big ass hole he made, but he's no longer a problem now that they're making magic portal beans." I undid my scarf so that it simply hung on my neck.

Ruby placed her hand palm down in front of me. "People will forget, Ella."

"Rumpel won't. He'll get the information out of me one way or another." I moped.

"How'd you know him?"

"I didn't just heard about him, knew he was dangerous, was angry at Rumpel for getting involved with such a dangerous criminal." The lie tasted sour on my tongue.

Ruby raised an eyebrow of her own. "Really, babe, we're talking about Rumpelstilskin here. Yes, I know that Hook is dangerous considering what he did to Belle but I think Rumpel can cause him a good deal of harm as well. Actually I'm hoping that he does, the bastard deserves it and if no one else does anything about it I might have to eat him."

I stared at the condensation slowly forming drops of water on my glass. I felt like my insides were at war with each other, more so than usual. I don't want either of them to come to harm as much as I'm furious with both at the moment, but someone was going to have to pay for their actions sooner or later. Ruby leaned forward again.

"Look, it's going to be alright, Mr. Gold is out of town, right? So even though Hook left the hospital he can't do anything right now."

I nearly choked on the sip of water I was taking. "What? Hooks out?"

Ruby gave me a disbelieving snort. "I know right? Not even arrested for anything. I think David was planning on it but got sidetracked by the giant and all. We could form any angry mob but if he arrived with Cora that might not be the best of plans."

Oh great, Cora was here too? The bitch, who sent them to kill us after she learned about what I could do—stop, you're not thinking about that. "We could just keelhaul him." I muttered darkly both delighted and terrified by my suggestion.

Ruby looked confused. "Form of torture, you tie the man to a rope and drag underneath from the aft to the bow." I explained then almost slapped myself.

Idiot, what ordinary person knows about that form of torture without being a pirate? Ruby just nodded slowly in understanding. I was tempted to leave I came here hoping to take my mind off him not talk about him and my past.

"So I'm surprised you noticed my fit with Rumpel, considering you were practically drooling on Dr. Whale." I smirked deviously.

Ruby jerked back as if I had threatened her. Shock lined her face.

"How did you-?" She began.

"I'm not blind." True but being a Shade always seemed to amplify those kinds of things.

Ruby sputtered nervously.

"Red, relax, he'd be good for you, your whole little belief that you were a monster, his little creation of one, it's all perfect really." I was harassing her.

Her brows narrowed. "Hey."

My arrogant smirk simply spread. Her face softened and a blush crept onto her cheeks.

"Well he's got this air of I don't know…"

"Sex, enticement, enchantment perhaps, mystery, bad boy past, sex?" I continued to harass her endlessly.

Her blush deepened. "It's not just the prospect of sex." She muttered sheepishly.

"Love then? So you don't want to fuck him senseless against the wall?" I teased.

Truthfully I knew love was possible, but not likely, Snow and David got lucky and Rumpel and Belle used to have it and him and Mil—quit thinking about him! Ruby was definitely capable of it. Ruby smacked my arm.

"Course I do!" She startled the last few stragglers and lowered her voice again. "I just, you know, maybe it is there." Her huge smile began crossing her face.

I gave her an attempted smile of my own, but the fact that Shades aren't able to fall in love was kind of holding me back, then again I had never experienced so I didn't know what I was missing unlike Kill—him, after seeing what he was willing to do to avenge the death of someone who held that emotion I had a vague idea of what it must feel like, hell. I drank the last swallow of water in my glass before knotting up my scarf again.

"Drinks on Tuesday, right?" Ruby grabbed my glass and slid into the sink before walking around the counter to say goodbye.

"Aye, see you then." I said forcing some peppiness into my otherwise flat tone I used all the time to hide the seductive undertones that seeped into my speech when I turned sixteen. I hated all the changes that year brought.

Ruby wrapped me into a tight bear hug and I did what I always did, flinch at the contact and then hug back. It wasn't Ruby's fault or anyone else who hugged me I just avoided any contact whatsoever with males because of the… effects. Most people translated this as I didn't want contact with anyone so I wasn't used to being touched and my body edged away seeing it as a threat before my brain took over and I relaxed.

"See ya then, Ella." She said releasing me and fluttering her fingers in a wave as she went back to work.

I flung my backpack onto my shoulder and strode out the diner, the strain of the day taking its toll. My attention to my surroundings was becoming fuzzy and as much as I hated going to sleep, only to be met by some horrific nightmare, I needed it. That's when I reached my bike and discovered my helmet missing, great another thing to add to my marvelous week.

However, that thought came out a lot cruder. "Bloody-fucking hell, what son-of-a-cock-loving-whore had the fucking audacity"- The hairs on the back of my neck reacted too late before I heard someone clear their throat followed by a dark chuckle.

No, gods please no, not him, not here, not right now. The fingers on my left hand brushed the end of one of my knives' hilt and stayed there making it look more like I was simply tugging on the end of my shorts. I turned slowly in the direction of the sound, begging whatever deity that could help to make it not him. I tried to mentally prepare myself as my eyes wandered up first the black boots, black leather pants, past the equally dark vest and almost halfway open shirt, then the tanned flawless skin minus a scar here or there, all the way up to those breathtaking, clear, ocean blue eyes, the ones I had secretly hoped to and hoped not to see again. I calmly swallowed and set up a cool façade.

"So you're the crocodile's pet." He murmured malevolently, sliding his pressing gaze over me appreciatively. "You would have made a great pirate with that mouth."

I wanted to scream at him, tell him he never would have looked at Earla, his quartermaster, that way. That he never would have so much dared to call me that. I couldn't, I'd just pull him back, break him more, tear away what was left of his soul, he needed someone to heal him, and I would just destroy the wounded man in front of me.

I crossed my arms, he was still holding his side, my guess due to the bruised ribs, and he appeared unarmed, including his hook the only thing that hung from that arm was my helmet. "And you are?"

"Don't play dumb, lass, it suits you ill. Did not father dearest tell you of his mortal enemies?" Okay so he didn't recognize me, if I just stuck to the shadows and hid my eyes from view it should stay that way.

"No, fathers don't usually do such a thing, tends to keep the nightmares away, or so I've heard." I replied curtly.

"Oh you're a stubborn lass, but are you really so blind as to not realize that your father is the nightmare, himself?" He seemed to spit out "father" as if it were a bad taste.

I raised an eyebrow, I wasn't taking sides and though his points were valid, he was not without fault in this. "Coming from the man who just shot a friend."

"Ah so you did know who I am, well, know that that's settled, might I ask what, is your name?"

"I thought I was simply 'the crocodile's pet' a minute ago?" I threw his words back at him.

"Ah, yes, clearly you weren't so impressed with that one, but seeing as I don't know your name I had to improvise. I could come up with my own pet name for you if you wanted." He mused as that damn arrogant smirk of his spread and he cocked an eyebrow suggestively.

My blood boiled and I couldn't tell if it was from anger or I was getting turned on, probably both, damn Shade. "It's Ella, and I'll cut your tongue out if you do." I growled.

"Yes, I did notice the fancy dagger you had earlier, who gave you the idea to hide it underneath your attire, or, lack thereof? Not that I'm complaining, really." He gave my legs another favorable once-over.

Shit he was suspicious and seriously, why did I have to wear shorts all the time, it's freezing outside, oh right, it's easier to reach the knives he just so smoothly commented about and the burning energy of your magic makes your body temperature run about ten degrees warmer! "That would be father dearest." It wasn't a complete lie he had suggested I arm myself back when I became an apprentice of his.

"Really, I thought he might have suggested something a bit more magical."

"In case you hadn't heard we couldn't use magic until recently, besides never really was my thing." That wasn't really a lie either I didn't like the dark magic I possessed more so the demonic monster it turned me into.

"Must've been a disappointment." He sounded more cheeky than sincere about it.

"I think I'll be taking my helmet back now." I held my hand out hoping he was done, he learned more about Rumpel's "pet", now could he just leave before he noticed anymore similarities.

"How about I give it back once you've told me where the crocodile's dagger lies, and I don't mean the one up that pretty leg of yours." He threatened.

"How about you give it back and I don't cut off what's between those legs of yours. Anyhow I don't know where the dagger is and if I did I wouldn't tell you." That one was the truth. I really didn't know where it was.

His eyes narrowed. "Tell me where it is lass or"—

"Or you'll what? Send Cora after me?" It had struck a nerve when I learned he had been dealing with her the same bitch that sent them after us when—not the time to dwell on that. "And you claim I'm the 'pet'. Again, I don't have a fucking clue where the bloody dagger is, and there's no bloody chance in hell I'm going to let you threaten me." I was severely pissed.

"I've separated myself from Cora, and I am not her 'pet'." He growled, equally pissed.

"Well than what's your fucking move, Captain, obviously you're injured, unarmed and out of plays, so I suggest you give me my helmet because we both know how this ends."

"Aye, tonight you may be on top but tomorrow I will, though I suspect that's how you like it." His tongue slipped slightly out and ran across his lip before he tossed me the helmet.

I had to almost physically drag my eyes away from that, damn, this was not going to be easy with the effect he was having on me. I turned without a reply and shoved my helmet on over my head to hide the blush that was developing, get a hold of yourself, Earla, since when has a man made you blush, you should not be all this hot and bothered, you've only talked to him for what, three minutes? There was no way he didn't notice my silence and I couldn't practically feel his arrogant smirk. I shoved my keys into the ignition as I slid onto the seat. This is the only thing you're going to see me straddle. I menaced in my head before pushing the kickstand back up and taking off.

...

Why did she remind him so much of Earla? Now you're going to start comparing every blonde-headed lass to Earla? You already do the same with every dark-haired lass for Milah. Hook turned on his heel in the opposite direction of where the crocodile's pet, Ella, went. She does the same thing with her knives, she has those legs that just go on forever, shes got a sharp tongue, not liable to soon forget those lips that are in front of it either. He jabbed himself in the ribs and grimaced as strained grunt came out from his mouth. You seek revenge for Milah, not focus on Earla, she has been avenged, and you certainly don't focus on the crocodile's pet. He half marched half limped the rest of the way back to him ship.

...

I burst through the doors of the pharmacy with a little more of an exaggerated flourish than I had been intending to add. Mr. Clark, or, Sneezy, jolted. I strode up an aisle 'til I reached the counter.

"Got any colored lenses?" I asked.

He sneezed and nodded hesitantly, leaning back slightly.

"Great, I need some blue ones and some clear ones, non-prescription, please." I hated saying please, made me feel like I was begging, too much time as a pirate I guessed.

I flashed him a fake, sweet smile and his tension eased a little. "A years worth, Ella?"

God I hope he's not here that long. "Aye, Mr. Clark, that'll do nicely." I struggled to retain the smile.

He nodded again before sneezing and scurried to the back of the pharmacy.

I dropped my purchases along with my helmet and backpack by the door as soon as I got in the apartment and slammed the door shut. From there I kicked off my shoes and ran into my closet. Sliding down the wall of the cramped space I held my head between my knees as I attempted to end the panic attack coming on, should've gotten something for these at Mr. Clark's, though I doubted it would help, Rumpel got me sleep medicine from there for me for years and I still had nightmares. Breathe Earla, breathe, how do you breathe, lungs, need air, how do you get air into lungs?! I choked on a sob before passing out.