I would like to thank RedTailedHawkens, HaruHaruxLove, Stinulf, Reedy-Girl, Hawkeye'sBowGirl, madfinn654321, Aqua-Tranquility, and RosePotter123 for reviewing, following, and favoriting the story! I love you all a honey bunch of oats!

There is something I would like to address. As the description of the fic says, this is an AU fic. It also says "OC Tink." I will be keeping that for a number of reasons, like who I have been picturing Tink/Isabel as. I have been planning this fic since before Tink and Peter were cast. While I adore Robbie Kay as Peter and Rose McIver as Tink, they are not who I pictured for my Tink and Peter (obviously since Peter is eight). Picture whomever you want as them, but I've always seen them as Lucy Hale and Chandler Riggs.

Alright! Onto the story!

Enchanted Forest – Present

The giant loomed over Killian; a hatred for the human glinting in his eyes. He sat on the floor in front of the pirate with his legs crossed and watched as Killian tried to break the shackle around his wrist. Even for an old and rusty piece of steel, it managed to do no good. Killian couldn't get the right angle on it to wrench himself free, and this amused the giant. Every time Killian would try and fail, the giant laughed so much that it shook the room. His laughter would cause rubble to fall from the ceiling. Killian managed to escape being crushed, and the giant would laugh at how the tiny human scrambled for his own survival.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?" Killian asked, annoyed with the situation. Emma had double crossed him, left him up there to die. The compass left with her, which meant nothing good was going to happen if he escaped. He almost would rather die at the hands of a giant than Cora's. At least the giant's hands were much too large to rip his heart from his chest, though part of him thought it a little poetic to die in the same manner as Milah. Still, if he could avoid death altogether, Killian would be happy. He would have hated to die for trusting - or in Cora's case, half trusting - someone. Unfortunately, Killian couldn't deny he had put his complete faith in Emma. He wished he could have said the same for her. She pretended to, but something told him it was all a big game of deception. Throughout their search, he felt her eyes on him. She watched him as closely as he would someone sniffing around his ship. He should have known something was wrong when she showed the compass to him but held it to where he would have to reach for it. Of course, it all made sense now that he was chained up and staring death in the face. "Look, mate. If you're going to kill me, I would rather you do it now."

"I'm not going to kill you," the giant told him.

"Then what are you going to do with me? Force me to tidy up? I hate to tell you, but I would just try to escape the second you let me go. Not to mention, I'm a nightmare to live with." Why was he even trying to convince the giant of anything? The giant seemed hell-bent to continue believing that people were rotten. Killian fit that description to the letter.

"I'm not going to do that either," the giant said, rolling his eyes.

"Then my question still stands. What are you going to do with me?" Killian asked.

The giant huffed before answering. "I'm giving Emma some time."

"Time for what?" Killian's interest had been piqued. Had she shared whatever her plans were with the giant?

"To put some ground between you and her." The giant looked around, picking up a golden statue of a goose.

Killian watched as the giant turned the statue about in his hands, and his own brain went to how much the goose was worth. The giant was probably unaware that many of his treasure would sell for a pretty gold piece or five. While the giant had an exponential amount of gold just strewn about, he could cash a lot of items in for more money. Killian got the feeling the giant didn't really care about money. In fact, the giant practically wore his sentimentality on his sleeve. Every piece of treasure was an artifact of a previous life. Though Killian would deny it whenever someone asked, he understood the giant at least in that regard. Sewed into the lining of his coat was Isabel's locket. He kept it with him at all times, fretting whenever he thought it were missing. It was why he had Milah sew it into his coat. He remembered Isabel's father telling him how much the locket was actually worth, but even in the times when money seemed hard to come by, Killian would not part with the necklace. And anyone who tried to steal it died a slower death than some of his worst enemies.

"What's your name?" Killian asked.

The giant turned his attention back to the diminutive human before him. "What do you care?"

"If I'm going to be spending gods knows how many hours with you, I would like to at least know what to call you," Killian shrugged.

"Anton," the giant grumbled.

"Displeasure to meet you, Anton. I'm Killian Jones." Killian bowed before turning his gaze up to the giant. "Tell me. Just how long do I have until I am released?"

"Ten hours," Anton told him.

"And how much time has passed already? Surely at least four," Killian grinned as he sat on the floor, getting as comfortable as he could.

Anton laughed. "One hour."

That wiped the grin from Killian's face. Only an hour? And he had nine more to go? Exactly how fast did time move at the top of the beanstalk? He hated to ask so he remained silent, which caused Anton to laugh even more. Killian rolled his eyes. "So what am I to do while I am up here?"

"Nothing. You're supposed to do nothing," Anton told him.

"But that's boring, and if I have a lot of time on my hand, I would like to occupy it with something," Killian practically whined.

The giant laughed again, shaking the room. Killian had to admit that he liked a more jolly giant than the one that tried to crush him and Emma. At least a laughing giant meant he wasn't trying to kill him. Always a plus in Killian's books. He sat quietly for a minute. Earlier, the giant had said something about the victors getting to tell the story. As long as Killian could remember, the giant's story was of how fearsome all giants were, and as the lone survivor of his clan, he killed any human he came upon. Watching as Anton began to play with the goose statue again, he noticed something. Innocence. There was an air of innocence that surrounded Anton; certainly not something Killian had expected.

"Anton," Killian began. "Tell me about your family. What really happened?"

Shock covered Anton's face. "What do you care about that?"

"You said the winners write the history, correct? Well, it's time to tell your version," Killian shrugged.

Anton gave him a hesitant look, and Killian could see the internal debate in the giant's eyes. Then Anton nodded slowly. "It all started with..."

As Anton began his tale, Killian settled in for the duration of his imprisonment.

Anton finished his story just as Killian was starting to doze off. His limbs ached from staying in one position too long, and as Anton seemed to still be lost in his reminiscences, Killian stood up to stretch. It took Anton almost the entire nine hours to relive just what happened to his family. Killian wasn't sure he believed Anton's story, but that was a minor detail; one that Killian knew would not matter.

At some point during story time, Killian managed to break free of his shackles. Normally he would run like hell, but he was already devising a plan to somewhat get back at Emma for deserting him. Killian wasn't going to run from Anton. He wasn't going to slip out while Anton was talking. Instead, he sat quietly and half listened. If Emma wanted distance between them, then distance she was going to get. Not that distance would stop him. He was going to catch up with her, and he would get the compass from her one way or another. Really, his sitting around was just his way buying time to figure out how he was going to win.

Looking up at the giant, he noticed the petrified magic bean hanging around Anton's neck. It was a sign of what he lost. It served no real purpose. It was a dried up representation of a human's betrayal. Killian was sitting there like a good little boy with his arms crossed over his chest. He posed no threat to Anton; not visibly at least. If he played his cards right, maybe Anton would be willing to part. After all, pirates took souvenirs from their conquests. Receiving the magic bean in good faith would be a nice souvenir indeed.

"The way I calculate it, I have about five minutes left," Killian spoke up.

Anton looked around as if there were some clock hanging around for him to check. "Did I really take that long?"

"Aye. You did, but I can't complain. I did ask after all," Killian shrugged. He raised his hand to rub at his eyes. Anton's story had been less than exciting, and the sleepiness that started to take him over simply wouldn't go away. His hand stroked down his face, scratching his chin.

"Hey! You aren't shackled anymore," Anton pointed out.

Killian shook his head. "It would appear not."

"How did you manage?" Anton asked. "And why didn't you run when you had the chance? How do you know I'm going to keep my word to Emma?"

"For starters, mate, I'm a pirate. Never expect me not to be able to get myself out of tight situations. Secondly, you were in the middle of your story and it would have been rude to just leave. I have manners, you know? And thirdly, you value the word of others so you're least likely to break your own word to someone," Killian answered. The giant didn't argue so Killian continued. "Now there's the small business of what I get for proving I am trustworthy."

Anton's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Emma got the compass. Not to mention, she managed to get you to trap me here. So what shall I get? Other than my life of course." He tried not to appear so smug, but it just wasn't in him. A smirk appeared on his face as he leaned against a piece of fallen ceiling.

The giant frowned, and it was as if he were realizing that Killian obviously had an ulterior motive for asking about Anton's story. There was this moment Killian enjoyed the most when it came to his pirating career. It was when those who were stupid enough to put his piracy behind them and ended up being duped by him. The moment they realized his intentions were not as honorable as he led on, he would always feel a strong sense of pride. Anton's face read much like everyone else's did, but instead of looking completely hurt, the giant simply nodded.

"Choose one treasure," Anton told Killian. "Whatever you want, and I cannot refuse you."

Killian's smirk turned into a grin. He pointed up at Anton, referring to the bean. "I want you to shed the last bit of Jack's betrayal as a sign that you are aware that some humans are not as horrible as I am."

Anton reached up to clutch the bean. His internal debate shown on his face, but he did not go back on his word. He took the necklace from around his neck and handed it out to Killian. Then Anton turned away from him. "Your time is up."

He didn't need to be told twice. Killian ran like hell for the beanstalk. The climb down would not be as arduous as the climb up, and with his mind on the one goal of getting down, he wouldn't be held back with trying to make conversation or plan his next ten moves. He could actually enjoy this little victory without having to think of what to do next. That was already planned out. All he had to do was touch ground, and Killian would be happy. As his feet his the ground and he basked in the feel of earth beneath his feet, he realized that he had never been more thankful to see or touch land in his life. He remembered in rejoicing at the sight of a certain village, but soil in general was never something he was happy to set foot on. The sea was his home. The waves, the ebb and flow, all of it was his home. A ship was the closest thing to anything solid that he could possibly want underfoot. He closed his eyes and just let the feel of the ground underneath him take hold of him.

"My dear Captain." Cora's voice held a teasing tone to it; one Killian could really do without. "It seems you've been on quite an adventure. The compass, please." She held her hand out for a treasure Killian didn't possess.

"Yes, that." He turned to face her. "Well… Matters grew complicated. It's eluded me for the moment. The details of the affair are a bit of a bore."

She chuckled. "Really? Stealing my protection spell and climbing the beanstalk without me might seem like a bore to you. But to me, it's a betrayal."

"I was going to bring it to you. Our agreement remains. We are going to Storybrooke, together. I'll get it back." Part of that was a lie. He wasn't going to give her the compass unless Emma and her band of merry women proved themselves useless. Only then would he had even considered giving Cora the compass. Of course, it had dawned on him that he could get there himself. The only truth in his statement was he would get the compass back. No matter who joined him on his way to kill Rumplestiltskin, he would have that compass in hand and at the ready when the time came.

Cora shook her head. "No, I don't have time for your games. I've crossed through too many worlds to be brought just short of the brink of success." Then, as if to dig the knife in his back a little deeper, she tacked on, "Who was it who bested you?"

He stayed calm, though having to answer did leave a nasty taste in his mouth. "The Swan girl – Emma." His jaw clenched for a second, and Killian knew he would have to hide whatever anger or hurt he felt over the entire mess. "Rest assured, it won't happen again."

She laughed at him, actually laughed at him. "No, it won't. You chose her, and the consequences of that decision."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Oh. Are you going to kill me, now?" There was a hint of mocking in his voice; the very same tone she was throwing at him. His voice grew stern as he took a tiny step towards her. "Go ahead. Try."

"So brave. No, I'm not going to kill you. I have something far more satisfying in mind." That certainly caught Killian's attention, and she knew it. With a smirk on her face, she told him how she was going to leave him in the enchanted forest. She was going to go without him. He would be left with the unsated hunger of ripping the crocodile's throat out.

He swallowed his fear down. "There's no need to be rash." He took a few steps closer to her, trying his best not to vomit from having to flirt with her. "We can… Discuss this."

"Your pretty face buys you a lot, but not my time. It's too valuable," she told him.

"I can do this," he told her. "I can get it back. You need me." It sounded as if he were trying to convince himself more than he was trying to convince her. In reality, Killian knew she was just using him in the same manner that he was her. The only difference was, as resourceful as he was, she had the one thing that he didn't. Magic. All she had to do was reach into her bag of tricks, and she would easily render him useless.

She started to turn and walk away from him, "No, I don't. You've had your chance. Now, it's my turn to do this. The right way."

She kept walking, and Killian let his anger and frustration get the best of him. He raised his hook in the air, lunging at her, but her magic was too quick for him to make any contact. Instead, he ended up kissing the ground. Standing, Killian wracked his brain to think about what his next move should be. He couldn't quite catch up with the women. Trying to catch up with Cora would surely end in his death. He could just become a free agent. Getting the wardrobe ashes was impossible, but his hand slipped into the leather pouch attached to his hip. He clutched the bean, turned it in his fingers. It felt so different from the one that took him to Neverland. That particular bean buzzed with its own magic. It felt as if it might burn a hole in the palm of your hand should you hold it for too long. The bean he currently possessed felt very different. Instead of life, it felt cold. It felt empty and worthless. There was nothing left for it except to dangle on a piece of leather until it withered away. There was no hope for it.

He took a deep breath and reached a decision. Catching up with Cora after a small victory would help him. After she had killed everyone at the camp, he asked her what she was going to do with the bodies. He expected her to burn the bodies, yet she laid out a plan that Emma and the other would could not escape. She explained how the bodies served a purpose. Cora could animate the bodies and have them do whatever she desired. Should she need them for any reason, she would use them. How she would use them was beyond Killian. They hadn't discussed that. He just knew they played some part in the plan. He honestly didn't really care what their purpose was. He just didn't want to be around when the dead men got up and started stumbling around. Killian could handle a lot of things from Cora. Necromancy was not one of them so he gave her time to put that plan in motion before sneaking off to the camp.

Approaching the camp, he chose his steps very carefully. Killian wouldn't put it past Cora to lay traps all over the place now that she was using it as her base. Should the four women stupidly attack the camp, Cora would be prepared. He managed to tiptoe his way to a hut. As it was still dark outside, he could slip through the shadows easily. His dark clothing certainly helped him go undetected. Killian's muscles ached, and his body had grown weary with the physical exertion he'd put forth. He hated to say it, but he was exhausted. There was no time to rest fully, but until he heard movement about the camp, he could take a light nap. Looking around, he found a bed sitting in the corner. He sat down on it, and his body practically shouted out of happiness. His muscles relaxed somewhat. He didn't dare slip his boots off, though. Should he need a quick escape, he would not have the time to shove his boots onto his feet. It was the same for his hook. Even though he could probably put the harness and everything on in his sleep, it was quite cumbersome when you weren't thinking straight. He rested his head on right arm while his hook stayed draped over his stomach. Closing his eyes, he felt sleep rush to overwhelm him. For once, he didn't even fight it.