Sorry it's been so long! Marriage, school, work, and having a baby took up a lot more time and creativity than I imagined it would. But here it is! Enjoy! And let me know what you think. I hope you're enjoying your summer

"Emma, love, I hear you have a thing for a one-handed man."

Emma jumped as Hook snuck up behind her as they were journeying through the forest. They had been walking what felt like centuries when in reality this was only their second day on the road.

"And how did you get that idea into your head?"

"I have my sources," Killian replied with a wink.

Emma turned around and looked at Ruby who happened be examining some berries in her hand looking for all the world like she wasn't trying to listen.

Speaking loud enough for Ruby to hear, Emma looked to Hook and responded. "Your source needs to mind to her own matters."

"I don't hear a denial."

Emma stopped in her tracks. "Because you haven't been quiet this whole time. If you would stop flirting we might be able to get better time instead of getting distracted and you two gossiping like little old ladies isn't helping either."

Emma continued on the path as Killian stood there smirking.

"Still don't hear a denial," Killian smirked

"Get off your high horse, Hook. Not everything is about how dashing you are."

"Did you hear that Ruby?! She even admitted it!"

Laughing, Ruby placed the berries inside her sack to inspect later. "She's observant for sure."

Looking around, Emma could see that the forest around them was changing. If Emma was really honest with herself, they had gone a pretty far distance considering they were on foot. They were able to travel pretty late in the night and Hook was adamant about heading out early in the morning. Emma could feel the journey starting to wear her down. She was in desperate need of a bath and a good nights rest.

Hook had fallen behind to look at a bush with berries on it while Ruby rushed to catch up with Emma. With a concerned look on her face, Ruby turned to Emma.

"Are you alright? Hook didn't mean any harm by any of that back there."

"I know, Ruby. I'm just ready to be at the school already. I feel like we waste time when we mess around like this."

"I think you need to rest Emma. You've been pushing yourself really hard."

"I'll survive. What was the berry you were looking at before?"

Successfully changing the topic before Ruby could start asking further about her troubles, Emma sighed in relief as Ruby started talking about the berry that she had found on the road.

Feeling eyes on her back, Emma glanced behind her. Hook was still inspecting the bush he had stopped at. She still felt as if someone was watching her though.

"Hook, get your ass up here! We don't have all day to wax poetic about the bushes."

Hook looked up and was startled at how far he had fallen behind. Dropping the berry, he turned and ran to where Emma and Ruby were.

"Sorry love, I didn't realize you would miss me so."

The sun was beginning to set when they finally decided to stop and set up camp for the night.

As Emma was preparing their fire, Ruby continued to inspect the berries she had picked earlier that day.

"Why do you keep looking at the berries like that Ruby?" Emma asked.

Undetered in her inspection, Ruby replied "I've never seen anything like this. Not even in all the times mother used to take us out searching for food. They're really quite fascinating. They're red but have a golden glow to them."

"That's odd. Do you mind if I take a look?"

"Sure, maybe you remember seeing it better than I do. You were always good at recognizing the different plants."

Coming back into the clearing after getting some more wood for the fire, Hook came up behind Emma to look at the berry. Emma tried to ignore the comfort the heat pressing against her back offered, or the charge she felt as his finger grazed her palm as he observed the berry.

Before Emma had time to register what had happened, Hook had thrown the berry into the fire.

"What was that for?!" shouted Ruby.

"That was no berry las. That was one of the Evil Queen's devices to spy on any travelers to find anything suspicious. I'm sorry ladies, but we are going to have to travel through the night before she can catch up to us."

In a frenzy, Hook began to pack everything back up. Emma turned around from where she stood and instead of seeing her duffle as she had seen it, she came face to face with a wolf almost as tall as she was. She fell back startled and grabbed the attention of her two companions.

"Emma! Are you al…" Ruby stopped midsentence.

"Lass, step back slowly. He won't hurt you if you leave him alone."

Just as Killian said that, a whole pack of wolves surrounded them. On the ground below them, there were about 5 of them. Emma figured they could outrun them if they played it right. But then she heard a huff from above her. Looking to her other side, Emma realized that they would never be able to outrun them, much less defeat them.

Before Emma could process that they were going to die here and now, Killian spoke up. He was tense and angry as he took in their predicament.

"I see she has you doing all of her dirty work now. I didn't think you would stoop that low Liam."

Confused, Emma looked to where Hook was talking like a mad man. She was about to comment on how crazy he was when one of the wolves turned into a human. Naked and most definitely a man.

Ruby squealed and covered her eyes while Emma's mouth hung open in shock.

"I haven't. There is much I need to explain but I can't do it here. Bring your travelling companions with you. None of you are safe on this road."

Angered, Killian growled back, "And what makes you think that I would trust you brother."

Killian threw the word brother at the man before him with such venom it made her hair stand on ends. Were these two brothers?

"Because you have no other choice. She knows that you are here and what, or rather who, is with you. She will not let you continue your journey."

Ruby interrupted the two men. "And who might this 'she' be?"

Ignoring her question, Killian and Liam stared each other down. After a while, the two men relaxed their stances.

"Fine," Killian retorted. "But your mutts need to turn to their human form."

"They can't but I can promise complete safety to you and both of your companions. Like I said, I have much to explain."

Nodding his head, Killian turned to Emma. "Are you comfortable with this?"

Finally speaking up, Emma replied, "Do we really have a choice? If this woman can make you uncertain, then I say we follow Liam. We have no reason to not believe him and I haven't felt any lies come from him."

"Lead the way brother."

Turning back into his wolf form, Liam turned to the wolves with him. As Emma looked at the beast, she realized that he was looking at each of the wolves, as if he was speaking to them from his mind. She was amazed.

The wolf looked back to Killian and began walking off the path towards the sunset.