The Plight of the Wii Fit

With Killian having mastered the TV and no longer jumping every time that someone on the big screen shouted or fired a weapon, Henry decided that it was TIME. TIME to introduce the Pirate Captain to the wondrous world of computer gaming.

They had decided to start off slow. First, they played a good, old fashioned game of 'Shoot the Duck', a concept that was so simple that even Hook managed to master it on the first attempt. He even managed not to get angry at it when his aim was off - he had by now learnt that everything in this world took a couple attempts to master.

They then proceeded to play Super Mario - here, Hook struggled a bit more, having what Henry called 'jumping difficulties, and the pile of Luigi corpses grew quickly larger. However, by the end of a few hours he had finally mastered the process of making it through a level and could even do some of them on his own.

It was then that Hook spotted a strange white board standing off to the side, slotted under the video book case.

"Lad, what's that?"

His games teacher turned around and looked at the contraption. "Ah, that's the Wii Fit. Mum and Mary Margaret use to it to do exercises at home to stay healthy. And there are all sort of games to play. Wanna try it out?"

The man nodded and only a minute later Henry was walking him through the basics of the game.

"So, what is Sw.. your mother's score?"

"Well, mum doesn't really use it much nowadays, but it's usually in the 30 years range. Depends on how tired she is."

"I see you are having fun, gentlemen." Both turned together to see Regina standing in the doorway, struggling to keep her face expressionless at the sight of a pirate trying to spin an invisible hoop, like Henry was doing on the Wii Fit.

"Mom! What you are doing here?"

"Well, I thought that we have a lunch scheduled. I figured that we could go have a picnic behind the house, and then go by the library to see if Miss French has any books she could recommend for you. We could maybe read it together?" Killian felt bad at that moment. Here was a strong woman, forced to beg the boy she considered her son for some time and attention, her expression breaking into pleading for just a fraction of a second. Thankfully, Henry jumped off the board and ran to hug her. "Sorry, I was so excited teaching Captain Hook how to play, I forgot." He stepped back for a second. " You won't tell Mary Margaret or Emma that I forgot? They kept reminding me the whole morning."

Regina smiled softly, a mixture of genuine happiness of getting an afternoon with Henry, and relief of not being stonewalled. "Let's go." She paused. "Is it ok to leave the pirate unattended?" Henry turned back and contemplated his new game buddy. "Captain, will you be ok?"

Hook smiled. "Aye lad, run along. I think I can stay out of trouble for the day. Mary Margaret is around, and the fridge is easy to work. I am sure I will manage."

"Blasted hulk of, of metal!"

Two hours later found the ever stubborn Captain Hook in front of the TV, precariously balancing himself on one leg, trying to do something that the game called "yoga". The game suggested that he try some exercises to improve his balance and core strength, what ever that was.

Which found him in the current predicament, falling onto his side for the 3rd time in the last half hour.

Deciding that enough was enough, he redid the fitness test, hoping for an improvement.

"57? Really? 57? That is the best you can do for an test?!" He kicked the device to let out some anger at it. The feeling of satisfaction was somewhat dampened by the fact that rather than bouncing across the floor it skidded to a stop after only a few inches.

"Well, it doesn't usually have to deal with 300 something year old pirates." Killian spun around and found that in his anger, he had not heard Emma come back in. She was now leaning in the doorway, with a look of amusement on her face. For a moment, the man looked sheepish, but quickly regained his composure.

"Well, with all the EXCELLENT technology in this land, you would think it would be able to identify my true age. I am 34, lass, and have been so for the better part of the last 300 years.

Rather than look shocked at the information, his observer grinned and turned around, walking towards the staircase to her apartment upstairs, calling over her shoulder: "And you would think that a pirate would have a good sense of balance. Of course, maybe what you lack is flexibility." She stretched the last word out, leaving no doubt as to what she was implying.

For a moment, Killian Jones was too stunned to respond to the innuendo, and by the time he found his voice, it was too late - she had made her way upstairs, out of earshot.

He cursed, kicked the stupid board for good measure and yelped when the infernal device caused him to stub his toe. "Blasted technology - I really need to find a kraken to feed you to."

AN: As promised, the second update of the week. Thank you everyone for the wonderful reviews ^_^