Sorry for the late update, I've had major writers block recently, I'll try and be faster with the next update, I promise!
The following day Regina was gazing out at the horizon, alone with her dark thoughts when she suddenly felt a timid hand on her shoulder, she knew it couldn't be Hook due to the lightness of the touch. She turned to find Snow looking worriedly at her.
"Sorry to bother you, only...I thought you might like someone to talk to." Snow moved to stand beside Regina at the edge of the ship.
"I'm fine, thank you." Regina said, having to control the amount of venom in her voice.
"We'll find him soon, now Gold seems to finally be working with us and not just on his own terms." Snow stated, hope rising in her voice.
"You really think so?" Regina scoffed, Rumple was never to be trusted in Regina's eyes no matter what he appeared to be doing, but she had agreed to be as civil as necessary for now, until they got Henry home.
"You don't?"
"Of course I don't, I wouldn't trust that man with anything, let alone Henry's well being. How do we know why he's really helping us, it'll be for his own gain, it always is. It may be to avenge his precious son's death or it may be something else. Either way Gold's only in it for himself, no one else." Regina said, whilst examining Snow's expression.
"You really think he still only cares about himself?"
"Who else could he possibly be doing this for, he certainly doesn't care about any of us, and he's known Henry properly for all of five minutes. He's up to something."
"You may be right, but what can he do with all of us watching him?" Regina laughed again.
"Are you forgetting who you're talking about?" Snow smiled, blushing.
"Well, I doubt he'd be able to get past you if he threatened Henry." Regina finally looked into Snow's eyes, puzzled. "What you did in the mines, you would do anything to protect him."
"So would you." Regina said a hint of warmth in her voice now. Snow noticed this and smiled slightly. She sometimes craved the same relationship she had shared with Regina all those years ago, when Snow had been just a girl. Although she knew now that Regina had never really been genuine about those moments Snow held so dear. A small part of her still wanted to go back to that, although it seemed an impossible task now. But maybe, one day, they could move forwards instead, Snow thought.
"I'm glad we have Hook to guide us through this land." Snow decided to change the subject. She noticed Regina's eyes brighten slightly at the mention of Hook's name, Emma had mentioned that she suspected there was something between the two of them, but Snow had simply brushed the thought away. But now she realised, there must be. Regina was extremely hard to read, so if her eyes were showing even slight signs of light when Hook was mentioned what was she thinking? The pirate had clearly had quite an impact on Regina. Snow wondered what was in it for Hook. She would have to bring it up with him at some point, she wasn't having Regina get anymore hurt than she was now, and goodness knows what she would do. And they would most likely use they're most helpful team member while they were here in Neverland. Hook was the only person who knew this land well. They would be completely lost without him.
When the ship eventually reached the village, Hook let the anchor down and instructed the group to split into pairs and get lower a rowing boat down into the water. Naturally Snow and Charming made their way over to a boat together, and Regina and Hook were quick to pair up with each other to avoid being stuck in an even more confined space with Rumpelstiltskin. Emma couldn't have been less amused, she was fine working with everyone else on the ship, even Regina, but with Rumple's recent actions, she could barely bear the sight of him. Once all the boats were lowered, the group used the rope ladders on the side of the ship to climb down.
"Ladies first." Hook smirked and helped Regina over the side of the ship and onto the first rung of the ladder. Regina smiled as she descended. Regina, Hook, Snow and Charming were the first to set foot on the beautiful beach which was surrounded by a deep jungle, however along the beach in the distance a cluster of huts could be seen. Emma and Rumple finally pulled their boat up onto the beach, Emma was muttering angrily whilst Rumple sauntered over to the rest of the group rolling his eyes. Everyone simply glared.
"I suppose it's up to me to lead the way." Rumple jeered. And began strolling down the beach. Hook looked ready to take a swing at him, but the feeling of Regina's hand on his arm calmed him considerably. When they approached the village many of the huts were over grown with vines and plants, it didn't seem like anyone had lived there for a very long time.
"How long ago was it that you came here?" Charming addressed Rumple.
"Only fifty years ago." Rumple replied.
"Only fifty years?!" Charming looked ready to burst.
"Well excluding the curse, twenty two years ago."
"But Neverland wasn't affected by the curse." Regina said.
"Well it is fifty then dearie." Regina could feel her anger ready to boil over; she couldn't stand it when he called her that. It made her skin crawl.
Emma shoved through the group. "Can we just find out what this guy has to say?"
"If he's still alive." Hook snapped. Emma turned on him.
"I am here to save my son, and all you've done so far is lead us in the wrong direction and make snarky comments. Not to mention make eyes at Regina. If you're not going to help me get my son back then leave now."
"Your son?" Was all Hook replied. Emma punched him, hard, in the face. Charming grabbed Emma's arm and held her back before she could take another swing. Hook straightened up. Blood trickling down his cheek from a cut which had formed. Regina laid her hand on his shoulder and handed him her handkerchief. Hook looked at her face, so full of concern, it made him smile, she really does care, he thought. At this point Charming was giving Emma a telling off, much like she was a child. Regina caught Hook's name and "the only one who can sail." Regina couldn't blame Emma for being impatient, Regina felt the same, but why she didn't take her frustrations out on Rumple she didn't know. Hook was the only one who could sail the ship to Henry and get them all home again. They needed him far more than the arrogant imp. She also had no idea Emma had noticed her and Hook's behaviour, not that she'd gone out of her way to pretend she loathed him. Regina should have seen it coming, but her mind was a bit preoccupied. Plus what does it matter that they do know? Regina thought.
Emma stormed off up the beach once her father had finished talking to her. Snow ran after her, putting her arm around her daughter's shoulders when she caught up to her, Emma shrugged the arm off. If she had turned to see the look of hurt on her Snow's face at that point, she would have hugged her as tight as she could. Snow waited in the middle of the beach until her husband approached her and wrapped her in his strong arms.
Hook noticed Regina watching the exchange and wrapped one of his own arms around her shoulders tightly and pulled her into him. Regina laid her head on his shoulder for only a moment before she realized Rumple was still standing behind them.
"Come on, we can't have Emma scaring any possible life in the town away." She began making her way up the beach, Hook's arm still around her shoulders.
Once the huts came into full view the group lost all hope. The huts were covered and entwined with plants and vines; they crawled out of the roofs and through the windows, the plant life inhabiting the places the humans once did. Taking back their own home. Hook thought. Rumple sauntered up at the rear of the group, unfazed.
"This way." He strode through the middle of them all and began leading them deeper into the village. Eventually he came to a stop. The hut in front of him looked slightly less taken over by the jungle, Regina had to admit. And considering it was deeper into the jungle that didn't make much sense. Rumple knocked lightly on the door. There was shuffling from within, suddenly the door whipped open revealing a middle aged man with dark hair and bright green eyes, however everyone else was more drawn to the fact that he was holding two swords in his hands. The man stared at Rumple as if he couldn't believe his eyes and relaxed his stance, setting his swords down beside his door frame.
"Rumpelstiltskin." He smirked. "What brings you back to these parts?" He looked around at the people anxiously assembled behind his old friend. He recognised Hook and his eyes widened. "And why is your one handed friend still alive and here?" He said a sense of annoyance in his tone now. Hook simply glared back at the man, Hook had been pondering over that same question himself.
"We're looking for a boy, my grandson, he was stolen and I know he was brought here. I was hoping you could help." Rumple replied, rather bluntly. Still avoiding the question as to why Hook was still alive if he had managed to find out his location years ago.
"A boy is not a helpful description. Come inside, I'll fix you a drink and we can talk properly." He stepped aside and nodded for Rumple to enter. When Emma attempted to follow he stepped back to block her way. "Sorry dear, I don't let strangers into my home, especially not the ones that choose to travel with The Dark One." He slammed the door in Emma's face. When she turned around to face the others, Hook had never seen her so angry.
"Choose to travel with that hideous man, why the hell would we choose to have anything to do with him?!" Emma stomped off ranting back to the beach. Charming waited a moment and then followed, not wanting to crowd his daughter, but not wanting her to be left alone in this land. Who knows what was lurking in that jungle, or in the sea for that matter. Charming felt sure he'd seen some creatures under the surface on their travels.
Regina had began to pace up and down outside the hut. Hook watched her, concerned, trying to read her thoughts, Hook couldn't decide when she looked more beautiful, when she smiled, or when she was concentrating so hard she forgot everything that was outside of her head. Hook shook his head; this was not the time to be thinking about that. Regina needed him; he approached her slowly, gently stopping her furious pacing. He stroked up her arm and over her shoulder until he reached her chin, which he lifted gently so Regina was able to look into his deep blue, kind eyes. Hook could see the distress that filled Regina's eyes. He leant in slowly and placed a light kiss on Regina's lips, it was soft and sweet and Regina let out a sigh as Hook pulled away. She leaned into his chest, wanting to break down in his arms, which was the only place she felt truly safe. Except she suddenly remembered that Snow was still sitting on a log a few paces away from them. Regina looked up to see her smiling genuinely at the two of them, Regina smiled back, tears forming in her eyes. Snow stood up and made her way back to the beach to join her husband and daughter. She couldn't be happier that Regina had found someone to love again. She was still wary that that person was Hook, but Snow was shocked at the gentle nature he had just shown towards Regina. Perhaps they're a perfect match. Snow thought.
Rumple was sat in the dimly lit hut, waiting for his informant to return with their drinks. He was glad the rest of the group hadn't been allowed in; it meant he still held some of the power. Diggory came back into the room holding two glasses of rum. He handed one to Rumple and took a seat opposite him. Rumple took a swig from his glass.
"So what do you so desperately need my help with Rumpelstiltskin?" Diggory queried smugly.
"I need to find my grandson. Two people, a man and a woman, brought him here; we believe they want to give him to Pan."
"I've heard talk that the Lost Ones are getting agitated. It's said that Pan has sensed that the boy he's been searching for is here, finally in Neverland. Could that be your grandson? You are the Dark One."
"And both of his mothers have magic, one of them was born from true love." Rumple continued Diggory's train of thought.
"He must have incredible powers that none of you are aware of yet. Pan has been searching for this boy for hundreds of years. If he gets his hands on your grandson, he won't let him go. You'll never see that boy again." Diggory warned.
"Well then we need to find his captors, now."
"It was rumoured that a portal opened a few days ago. Everyone was so shocked; we believed all the beans to be gone. That was over near Marooners' Rock which is only half a day's sailing from here. They can't have got far without a boat, and they certainly won't have made it to Pan already. Not unless they know Neverland as well as me or your friend the Captain outside." Diggory said.
"They know nothing of this land, they can't know, they're residents of the land without magic."
"Ah, the place where everyone else went when the curse hit. How did you manage to leave Neverland out of that by the way?"
"Time has already stopped here, this land didn't need cursing, it would have made the curse a lot more difficult to perform and a lot less effective had I included Neverland." Rumple explained.
"Well thank you." Diggory rose from his seat and extended a hand to Rumple who took it and shook it firmly.
"Well this has been pleasant, but I need to go." Rumple rose himself.
"That boy, the one you're searching for, he'll be your downfall, you do realise that?"
"I can see the future, so yes that much has become clear to me."
"The why are you here at all? Leave your friends out there to find him themselves." Diggory was puzzled; the Rumpelstiltskin he'd always known would never have put his life at risk for anyone, let alone a child.
"He's family." Was all Rumple said before turning and leaving the hut.