Ahh, new update and I'm nervous about it! This is actually a chapter about Neal (runs under the table and hides). I know, I know…I'm sorry, but Neal is a big factor in the last part of this fic and I wanted to do something a little differently. I don't hate Neal…I like the guy…just don't' want him with Emma, so I thought it be interesting if he began to develop another relationship with a female…Mulan. Personally, I don't even know what I think about it…but, I thought it be interesting enough to run with it. Warrior Fire has begun! Don't worry though, it'll be mostly CS…TRUST ME! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 20

Neal stood on the docks in Storybrooke with his eyes on the horizon as he waited for something...anything...to happen. He didn't know what to expect really...he hardly thought the Jolly Roger was going to suddenly appear out of thin air, but hell, anything was possible in Storybrooke.

He hadn't been in Storybrooke long, he had only just arrived a few days ago, but the waiting made it feel like weeks. He felt so useless waiting. He wanted to be with them...wanted to save Henry, but he was powerless. For now.

The former giant and his crew had started planting more magic beans after Regina destroyed the last crop. It took time and patience...two things he didn't have at the moment, but last he heard they'd be ready to try in two days. It was two days too long in his opinion.

It could be worse...at least he wasn't in The Enchanted Forest anymore...and if it hadn't been for Mulan, he probably would still be stuck there. He liked Mulan from the first moment...when he was still weak from his healing she would spend most of her time by his bedside. Urging him to take more medicine, checking his wound repeatedly in fear of infection or just lending an ear to talk to. Sure, Aurora and even Philip had checked on him and made sure he was comfortable, but it had been Mulan that stuck by him the most.

She had been so serious, he thought as he took a seat on one of the benches but kept his eyes on the sea. Her brows were always furrowed, her mouth firm and strong...even when she tended to his wounds, her hands were gentle but her body still remained tight and rigid as if she expected an attack at any moment...

"So, why are you always the one stuck babysitting me?" Neal asked as she carefully lifted the bandages. "Do you miss me or just hate being the third wheel?"

She gave him a strange look. "I don't know what you mean? Third wheel?"

He winced slightly she put poured some antibacterial liquid over the wound. "It's an expression we say in the world I came from," he said laughing through the pain. "When you're forced to hang around two other people that are a couple...are in love."

"Oh." Her brows furrowed in thought as she dabbed the cloth over his wounded flesh. "Yes...that does make sense, doesn't it? Third wheel...that's very clever."

"I can't quite take credit for that one." He grimaced again as he pushed himself up to a sitting position. "But thanks."

"Would you like me to help you put your shirt back on?"

Neal chuckled as he shook his head. "No thanks...I'm more comfortable without it...it won't bother you if I leave it off, will it?"

She lifted a brow. "Do I look like the kind of woman that faints dreamily at a barechested man?"

Neal grinned and then shook his head. "Nope...not one bit."

She gave him a firm nod. "You're healing along just fine...you'll get back on your feet soon enough." She stood back up on her feet. "I'll leave you now so you can rest."

"Mulan?" She stopped at the entrance to the small tent and turned back around. "I need to get back to Storybrooke...as soon as I'm well enough I have to find away to get back. I need to get back to..."

"Emma," she finished for him and gave him the tiniest bit of a smile. "Yes, I know."

He was going to say Henry, but decided it wasn't important enough to correct her because she wasn't wrong. He needed to be with Emma, too. "Will you guys help me?"

"Of course," she said softly. "I liked Emma...when she was here...so I'll do whatever I can to help you get home."

It had been the first time he'd seen her soften and she looked breathtaking. "Thank you, Mulan...and you don't have to go," he added when she turned to leave again. "If I rest any more, I just might go insane."

"I suppose I could stay a bit longer if you wish...avoid being...a third wheel."

"Thatta girl."

She gave that tiny smile again as she sat back on the edge of his bed. "Will you tell me about your world? Storybrooke?"

"Storybrooke is only a tiny part of it...a dot on the map really...it's a very, very big world."

Her eyes lit with facination. "Does it have many realms?"

Thinking about it now, Neal couldn't help but smile...Mulan had a talent for making him smile and most of the time it was completly unintentional...but that's what made her so great. That night in the tent was the start of a friendship he hadn't been looking for, but now couldn't imagine his life without it. She risked her life to get him here and when it was time for him to finally jump through the portal to Storybrooke, she simply held out her hand and looked up at him and said, "Are you ready?"

His eyes widened. "What?"

"You don't honestly think I would let you go back alone, do you?"

"Mulan," he said shaking his head. "This is your home."

"No...it's really not...my home has always been with the people who need me, Neal...and you need me." She looked over at PHillip and Aurora who were standing by with their arms around each other. "I already said my goodbyes to them...Aurora has Phillip to look after her and I no longer need to be their...third wheel."

"You really like that saying, don't you?"

"Quite...I promised to get you home, Neal and that's what I'm doing...I have to make sure you get back safely."

"You might not be able to return."

"It's a chance I'm willing to take and it's okay if I don't...I do love my adventures, Neal and this will be one hell of an adventure."

Neal slowly grinned before finally taking her hand. They both turned to Philip and Aurora and they lifted their hands in farewell and then looked at each other one last time before finally leaping into the portal together.

She had been right. He did need her and honestly didn't know how he would have survived these last few days without her. She kept him grounded and assured him that they would return safely. It also was rather fun introducing her to modern times, such as electricity and indoor plumbing. She had claimed the shower was a truly magical thing. And just yesterday, when he wanted to take his mind off Henry and Emma, he decided to take her for her first car ride. She had been scared at first, but once they made it past the town limits he punched on the gas and she let out a delightful shriek that turned into laughter. He had taken her to the Rabbit Hole and bought her a beer and watched with amusement as she studied the jukebox in fascination. He taught her darts...and she of course kicked his ass. She hit the bulls-eye almost every damn time.

"Neal?"

He turned around to see Mulan walking down the docks towards him. She was dressed in a pair of jeans with tall black boots that went up to just below her knees. She had on a fitted black sweater and her ink black hair was down and floating around her face in the breeze. That had been surprising since he's never seen her with her hair down...it was always bounded tightly back and out of her face. He then noticed her sword that was strapped around her waist and securely at her side. You can take the warrior out of the Enchated Forest, he thought with a smile.

"Hey." He scooted over to make room on the bench. "Today's fashion looks good on you."

She gave a little shrug as she sat down. "I feel naked without my armor...these clothes are so light."

He chuckled. "You can move more swiftly in them...and your hairs down."

"I always wore it back so it would keep out of my eyes when I fight, but I thought I'd chance it today." She frowned slightly as she studied him. "How long have you been out here?"

"Not that long," he said with a sigh as he turned back to the sea. "I feel like they should be back already."

"You can't know that."

"I know...plus, time is different there...it messes with your mind."

"Are you nervous about seeing Hook again?"

The question surprised him. He figured she'd mention Henry, Emma or even his father, but Hook? It threw him off a bit. "I...don't know...haven't thought about it really."

"You're a horrible liar, Neal."

He rolled his eyes. "God, you sound like Emma."

"I know Hook was a big part of your life when you were young...you told me yourself."

"It was a long time ago...I barely remember him...okay, that was a lie," he added quickly before she could project. "I guess I am...a little...I still can't quite believe he went back to Neverland...and that my father is with him."

"Belle said he had originally stolen the bean…which sounds more like him…but that he eventually came back. He turned around for a reason, Neal…maybe he's ready to change."

He gave her an odd look. "Why are you all of the sudden Hook's biggest fan?"

"The last time I saw him…he was dueling with Emma…a swordfight for the possession of the compass." She paused as turned away from the sea to face him and waited until he looked at her. "In the middle of the fight…the satchel that held Aurora's heart was flung in the air…it was going straight into the portal, but Hook…right in the middle of their battle…held onto Emma's foot as leverage and snagged it with his hook. He then tossed it to me like it was no big deal."

Neal sighed. "So, he has a soft spot for the ladies…so what?"

"Neal," she said with a hint of impatience in her voice. "A truly evil man wouldn't have even cared about her heart…he would have purely focused on his objective no matter what the consequences. I know Hook isn't perfect, but…I believed right then and there…that there was good in him."

"I know he's not evil," he said after a moment. "I've always known that…but you don't have to be evil to be selfish."

"And you believe at the end of the day…he'll always put him first."

He nodded. "Yes…yes, I do…and it's going to take a hell of a lot of convincing for me to change that."

"That's understandable…and I'm on your side, Neal…no matter what happens."

He smiled at her and then put a friendly arm around her shoulders. "Thanks, Mu."

She grimaced. "You know I hate that."

He chuckled as he gave her a friendly kiss on her head. "I know…that's why I do it." He then shot to his feet and rolled his shoulders as he let out a huff. "Let's get out of here…go to Granny's diner and get some cheeseburgers and…"

"Neal."

"What?" He saw that her eyes were suddenly trained on something out at sea so he quickly spun around…and his heart dropped.

The Jolly Roger was far off, but you could see it clear as day heading straight for them. "Oh, my god," he murmured as he unconsciously reached out for Mulan's hand. "They're back…go…go into town and tell the others."

"Okay," she said but before she left she turned and threw her arms around him. "I told you everything would be okay."

"We don't know who's on board," he murmured but returned the hug anyway.

"Do you want me to stay?"

"No…no, I'm okay…I'll see you back in town."

She nodded as she lingered in his arms for one more moment before she finally pulled apart and ran down the dock. She was happy for their return and prayed that Emma and Henry were safe and sound.

The only thing she wasn't too happy about was the fact that she was about to be a third wheel again…but this time with Neal and Emma.

It didn't matter, she thought as she rounded the corner and sprinted down the main street. It was something she was familiar with…she knew how to handle it. She had grown to care a great deal for Neal and if a life with Emma was what he truly wanted, then she would be happy for him.

She would always be a warrior first…whether she liked it or not.