Bane of His Existence

Chapter Eighteen

Meanwhile…

Miles away from where Pan talked with Gothel until she vanished from Neverland once and for all, Regina and Henry continued to look after Hook while he continued to fall in and out of consciousness since his friends cauterized the wound through his chest. His fever had spiked and they could hear him mumbling within his fevered state, though they could barely make out what he was saying. All they could really hear was that he spoke of his daughter and that he was still blaming himself for failing her despite their efforts to assure him he was wrong.

In what felt like days to them, only hours passed and while the witch had healed the damage caused by the arrow enough to keep Hook from death, both Regina and her son were still afraid for him. Mostly because they didn't trust that Gothel hadn't done anything more to hurt him despite appearances.

"There has to be something more we can do," Henry finally said with frustration, finally breaking the long silence that had fallen over them. "It's ridiculous just sitting here as we wait for Pan and the Lost Boys to attack us again. Or for Gothel to make another appearance. There has to be another way for us to get home. Hook needs to get out of here now."

"Believe me, I'm feeling just as useless and restless as you are right now, but I've tried to summon my magic," Regina curtly replied, as she struggled to ignite another fireball in the palm of her hand to test Pan's magic keeping her from being able to do so. "Over and over, but nothing's working. I can feel it inside of me, but I just can't bring it out. I feel like Emma did all those years ago. Only I actually want my powers. She just wanted to keep them suppressed even if she knew bringing them out were necessary to try to defeat Zelena then."

Henry smiled and then he responded, "I can't believe how long ago that was. Some days it feels like it was only yesterday we were all still in Storybrooke together, and yet now I'm in my twenties and am about to get married to a fairytale princess I met in my own travels through magical realms."

When she saw the sadness come into her son's eyes, Regina spoke again saying assuredly, "We're going to get home, Henry. You're going to get married and then one day have children of your own. I know that I've told you this quite often, but I'm so proud of the man you've become. I know that Emma and Hook… both Hooks actually… and your grandparents all are too. And so is your father, Baelfire. Don't lose hope. Your grandmother has given me enough or her hope speeches, so now I can't help but to give them myself."

"They can certain… certainly work… wonders," Hook answered weakly when he finally awoke again and looked up into the Queen's eyes, until he struggled to sit up with Regina's and Henry's help.

"Are you sure you want to sit up?" the young man asked worryingly as their friend struggled within their arms. "You're still pretty sick."

The captain turned to him and then replied, "I assure you, I'm… fine. Or I will be. The pain has lessened… surprisingly. And my head feels more clear… than before."

Regina reached down to take his hand and squeezed it, then with concern in her eyes she responded, "I'm afraid that's because Gothel was here again. She healed you, at least enough so you wouldn't die, but your wound is still infected and you need help. Unfortunately, my own magic is still not…"

"Mom… look at your hand," Henry suddenly interrupted her before she could finish as they looked down and saw that Regina's hand was glowing with light magic. "Your magic… it's back!"

"It is," she whispered eagerly as she finally laid her hands over his chest as well as his back where they had pulled the arrow through, then carefully and gently began to heal the wounds until at last their pirate friend was finally healed, allowing for Hook to let out a sigh of relief once she was finished. "Thank God. Pan's magic must have finally weakened enough for mine to break through again. Either that, or Gothel may have done something. Either way, I don't really care. How… how are you feeling, Hook?"

Both she and Henry helped him to stand on his feet when he started to get up on his own despite feeling so weak, then he smiled at her and answered, "I'm feeling much better. Thanks to you and Henry. I'm so sorry for dragging you both here."

Henry stopped him from continuing on as he quickly replied, "Stop blaming yourself. If anyone has anything to be sorry for, it's Mom and me for convincing you to come here. But let's discuss all of this once we're home. I say it's time we get out of here."

"I couldn't agree more," Regina responded as she pulled one of their magic beans from the coin purse she wore on her own belt, then tossed it into the ground in front of them and they watched as a magic portal opened up. "Let's get out of here."

She and Henry carefully held Hook between them and together they jumped inside, then the portal closed up behind them once they all finally landed roughly on the ground within their own realm just outside of the rebel camp. When they carefully guided their friend still feeling weak despite being healed inside, Ella and Tiana were the first ones to see them return as the women raced over to help them. Jack soon joined them as well while he and Tiana took Hook from their other friends and gently led him over to one of their tents where he could rest, as Ella rushed into Henry's arms and held him tightly in her embrace, feeling relieved to see them finally return home.

"I'm so glad that you're home," she whispered softly as her fiancée held her in his own arms, feeling just as relieved to see her again as well.

When she finally pulled away so she could look between him and his mother, Ella finally asked, "How did your journey go? Is Hook going to be alright? Were you successful in getting the waters for Hook's cure?"

Henry smiled at her sadly and then shook his head as he answered, "Unfortunately, we couldn't get what we needed. We tried to, but like Hook feared, Pan and the Lost Boys attacked us as we neared the peak where the magical spring resided. Mom used her magic to try to get the waters, while Hook and I fought against them."

"But Gothel also appeared, having followed us to Neverland herself, knowing somehow that we found a way that might help us to cure the poison over Hook's heart," Regina replied angrily. "She's either spying on us, or we have a traitor here in our own camp. I'm willing to bet it's more the latter. The protection spells I put up should be preventing her from being able to look in on us."

"I can't believe anyone here would betray us," Jack then responded when he returned to them. "We all hate Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and anyone else working to destroy us all including that witch you've spoken of… as much as you do."

Tiana also reappeared again and she answered, "Why don't we return to the main tent were Hook is now resting so we can discuss this?"

Ella nodded as she looked up into Henry's eyes again and then stated, "That's a good idea. We can talk this out more rationally."