Another chapter! A tad bit of a filler but the next one will be better…I'm shifting things a bit in the next chapter, but in a good way. But for now, enjoy this one and please keep those reviews coming! I love them!
~Mags
Chapter 18
"Good evening, Charmings," Hook asked as he gave Emma's hand a gentle squeeze. "And how was your day?"
"Oh, just peachy," Snow said as she helped her daughter into the boat. "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay," she said breathlessly as she sat in front of her. "A little shaken up, but I'm okay."
"What exactly happened?" Charming asked after the pirate sat next to Emma but was facing him.
"No time for that," Ariel said as she placed her hands on the edge of the boat "We're too close to the Lost One's camp for my liking…you should get back to the ship."
"It's just around the bend," Charming explained as he began rowing. "When Ariel told us you two were in danger we sailed over as quickly as we could."
"Where's Regina and Gold?" Emma asked as she shivered from the cold air and without thinking she leaned in closer to Hook's warmth.
"We don't know," David answered quietly as he kept a steady stroke. "Rumple disappeared on me when we were together…he went off on his own for some reason. I haven't seen him since."
"As for Regina, we got separated…we ran into trouble and were holding them off fine when one of them threatened to know where Henry was before running away Regina took off after him before I could stop her…I tried going after her but I was outnumbered without her and had to head back."
"You haven't seen her since?" Emma asked as they pulled up to the ship.
She just shook her head as she moved out of the way so Hook could get past her to the pulley. "You're father and I went out together to look for both Regina and Gold…no sign of either of him."
Hook vaulted over to the side of the ship and then gave Snow a hand. "Do you think he ran?" he asked looking at her but held out a hand for Emma as well. "It would be cowardly if he did…and just like him."
"I don't think so," David put in as he safely boarded the ship. "I think he went off on his own because he thought it would be best…he definitely knows something we don't…especially regarding Peter Pan."
"Well, I don't particularly care about Stilskin," Hook said as he ran his fingers through his still damp hair. "Its Henry we need to focus on…the Dark One can take care of himself."
"He's right," Emma said looking at her parents. "We need to focus on Henry…it's what they'd both want us to do."
"I don't disagree with you," Snow said as she touched her arm but then looked out towards the island. "I just wish I knew what happened with Regina."
"We won't leave without her," Emma assured her. "Once we know Henry is safe on this ship, we'll find her if she's still lost…but we have to get to Henry first."
Snow looked at her daughter and then to her husband who nodded in agreement. "Okay…then let's do it."
"We're out numbered…so we go in loaded." Emma glanced over at Hook. "I think we need to visit your weapons room again…all of us."
He gave a quick nod but turned to David. "You and Snow head on down there…I have a feeling the queen needs to replenish her arrows."
"You guessed right…I've lost a few."
"Go stock up then…we'll be right down, I just need to talk to Emma."
"We can talk later," she argued as she tried to follow her parents, but he simply gripped her arm and dragged her over to the side of the ship. "Hook, I don't have time for this! My son is god knows where on that island and when we leave this ship I'm not coming back here without him!"
"You and me both, Swan," he said as he took a step closer. "But you need to take a breath."
"No…no, I don't…I need to keep moving…I need to take action…I feel like we've accomplished nothing since we've been here, Hook…It's frustrating as hell!"
"I know you are, Emma," he said urgently yet keeping the tone in his voice calm and gentle. "But you need to listen to me…we're severely outnumbered…especially now without Regina or Gold's magic…we need help."
"We don't have time to…"
"We make time…we can't do this alone, Emma…he's too strong." He placed his hand on her arm. "Please, trust me on this."
She looked up at him with those big, blue eyes…so full of fear and sadness that he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay. But he didn't…couldn't…it wasn't what she needed or wanted. All he could do was give her a nod of reassurance as he gently squeezed her arm.
"Okay," she finally said as she kept her eyes on him. "I do trust you, Killian." She then blinked when he started to smile. "What?"
"I like that you call me Hook and Killian…I never know which name you'll use."
She shook her head. "It doesn't matter which name I use…I trust them both."
His heart tumbled into his chest. "Emma," he whispered as he leaned into her.
She felt his warm breath fanning her lips and she closed her eyes as she shifted away slightly. "We can't," she murmured as his rough cheek grazed against hers, sending chills through her body.
"Emma…you say can't say things like that and expect me not to kiss you."
"I'm sorry."
He chuckled as he placed his lips on her forehead. "Don't apologize…you're right it isn't the time…I tend to lose my head when I kiss you, Swan…and right now it needs to stay firmly intact if we tend to save your boy."
She gave a small smile but stepped back from him since she felt the same way. She needed to set her feelings for Hook aside and focus on one thing and one thing only…getting her son back. "So, what's your plan?"
"We send word to the Lost Boys…they're some young, scrappy fighters in that bunch…I should know since I taught most of them."
"And how do we get word to them?"
"With me!"
Emma jolted as Ariel suddenly leapt up from the edge of the ship. "Damnit, Ariel," she gasped as she placed a hand on her heart. "Don't do that!"
"Sorry," she said as she perched herself on the railing but by the look of her grin one could tell she wasn't sorry at all. "I'd like to say that I wasn't eavesdropping but I just can't…very sweet moment by the way…really…it touched me…" She patted a hand over heart. "Right here."
Hook started to laugh but choked it back when Emma glared at him. "Uh…anyway, yes…Ariel will get word to them."
"How? Is their hideout by any spring or coves?"
"The Mermaid Cove isn't too far, but I have other ways to reach them." She looked over at Hook. "What do you want me to tell them?"
As Hook and Ariel went over the game plan, Charming and Snow came back up from below fully loaded with swords, daggers…bows and arrows. Emma lifted a brow when she saw her father holding the flail. "Do you really think we need that?"
Snow rolled her eyes. "I tried to convince him that we weren't going into battle with ogres but he wouldn't let it go…like a damn kid in a candy store."
"Just want to be prepared," he said as he gave the flail a little swing. "I plan on using it as a scaring tactic mostly…what's going on here?"
"Sending out for reinforcements," Emma told him and then shared a quick nod with Ariel before she jumped back into the water. "Killian believes we need help since Gold and Regina are MIA."
As Emma looked back over at Hook, David shared a look with his wife. Killian? he mouthed with raised brows and Snow responded by a small smile and a shrug before looking back at Hook. "So…what's the plan?"
"We're to meet them just off shore in two hours," Hook answered as he stepped into the circle. "Just east of their camp on the other side of Skull's Rock. We need the element of surprise…and we need to spread out and move into their camp from all angles."
"How many Lost Boys will there be?"
"I'm not sure…twenty or so…and every one of them will be able to fight."
"What about Curly?" Emma asked as she touched his arm.
Hook looked down at her. "I'm going to convince him that I need someone I trust to watch over the Jolly Roger and I need your help convincing him if he fights me on it."
"I have a feeling you'll talk him into it…but of course I'll help if I can."
"Let's hope you're right…I'll be down in the weapons chamber."
"I'll come with you…maybe give that battle axe a try."
"Who's Curly?" David asked Emma as Hook walked off.
Emma smiled after Hook and then back at her father. "His soft spot…we'll be back up in a minute."
David sighed as she walked off and circled an arm around Snow's waist. "He's certainly not Hook's only soft spot."
Snow smiled as she leaned into him. "And how do you feel about that?"
"I don't know…ask me again once we're out of this mess."
"You like him."
David scoffed. "No I don't."
Snow gave him a little nudge. "Do, too."
"Do not."
"Do, too."
"Do…okay, you're being ridiculous."
"I like him, too."
David gave her a little scowl and then finally sighed in defeat. "Just…don't tell anybody, okay? Especially…Hook."
She leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Secret's safe with me, my love."
XXXXX
Later…after they stocked up on weapons, after they strategized over ideas and game plans they were finally ready to leave. And as David and Snow started to board the rowboat, Hook placed a firm but gentle hand on Emma before she could follow them.
"Emma…before we go…" He pulled her away a bit so they could have some privacy. "I want you to know that I'm going to do everything I can to get Henry back…everything."
"I know that, Killian."
"I also want you to promise me that if anything should happen to me…"
"Don't…"
"Just listen to me, Emma…if you have Henry in your arms you get him back to the ship…do you hear me? Do not wait for me…just get him back to the Jolly Roger."
"Yes…I hear you, but you have to promise me the same thing." When she saw the look in his eyes she let out a sarcastic laugh. "Yes, not as easy as you think, is it? If anything happens to me and you have Henry, you take him back here where he's safe…and I'll promise you the same thing."
"Okay," he finally said as he reached up and fiddled with her hair. "But if something does happen to you, Emma…I'm going to be severely pissed off at you."
She gave him a little smirk and then rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well…right back at you, Hook."
"Wouldn't be the first time," he said with a grin.
"Hey!"
They both turned to see David standing in the boat with his hands on his hips. "Let's get going…I'm ready to get my grandson back."
Hook gave him a fierce grin. "We're ready," he said as they walked to the boat and held out his hand for Emma. "Right, Swan?"
"More than ready." She took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Let's go find Henry and bring him home."
