Hey everybody,

I have to apologize for not updating as fast as usual. I got sick and later on ended up at the hospital, so there wasn't any time. But I recovered and here is the 6th chapter!

I'd like to thank YouSaid, who is my beta-reader now! She's doing a wonderful job, and you should check out her panfic 'A Soldier's Curse'.

Disclaimer: Sadly,I do not own Once upon a Time, just the ideas in my head that I incorporated in this story!

Chapter 6

His mouth was warm, the caress of his lips softer than I could have imagined. It was just like one of the kisses in Mother's romance novels. He gently cupped my face, deepening the kiss. The butterflies in my stomach were gone, replaced by some kind of pressure lower than my stomach. Is this normal? What is wrong with me?

His other free hand wandered to the small of my back, his thumb rubbing the area in circular motions. I replied with a low moan, hungry for more.

But there was no more. Hook pulled away quickly and closed his eyes.

'Did I...did I do something wrong?' I asked nervously, not comprehending why he ended the kiss so abruptly.

A moment later he opened his eyes and looked at me. His gaze made me feel a prickling sensation in my chest, the kiss hadn't.

'It's nothing, I just wanted to be sure,' He shook his head, returning from his deep thoughts, and reached for my hand.

'Did you feel something, when we kissed?'

I could feel a tingling in my cheeks, and avoided his gaze, embarrassed. Why so ashamed? It was a pleasurable experience.

'Yes,' I whispered, barely audible as I met his piercing blue eyes.

'I did, too. We'll find your safe haven, I can start over. With you,' His eyes were full of sincerity and longing.

The meaning of his words hit me. Am I ready for something like this? When I find my sanctuary, I will have nobody I love by my side. I could start over, with him.

'I'd like that. But we have to get there first,'

Grabbing my bag, I flipped it upside down, spilling the contents out upon the ground. Three maps, some leftover food, the Peter Pan book and my necklace. Hook flinched when he caught sight of my favorite storybook.

'You don't like Peter Pan and the Lost Boys?'

'Not a pleasant memory.' His voice was laced with sadness, his eyes on the verge of tears.

Sensing this was a taboo for him, I dismissed further questions. When the time was right, maybe he would tell me.

'Mother, why do you never tell me anything about Father? Or how we got here? Or..'

'Dear child, your Father is just a memory. How we got here is all just a memory.' She interrupted my questions. 'The worst part of holding memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared. All in time, Aura.'

'Then I'll wait, Mother.'

I rolled out all three maps and laid them next to each other. The full moon provided enough light to be able to see what was depicted on the maps.

Each map had the seven kingdoms and the sea on it, the only difference were the location of the marks and the names.

'How do we know which map we will need this time?' Hook asked.

'Way ahead of you. The compass will help.' I pulled out the device from my pocket.

The compass needle was still pointing towards Hook's heart, nothing had changed. Suddenly I realized the maps were of no importance since I had the compass, but I decided to keep them. I had been able to trade one with the Dark One, maybe they would come in handy later.

Glancing over every map, I spoke out each name close to the mark aloud. 'The Blue Fairy. The Pied Piper. Rumplestiltskin.'

Hook shifted uncomfortably when I said the last name. That's right, they most likely had history.

Hoping the needle would finally turn by saying the names out loud, I was disappointed when the direction of the needle didn't change.

Swiftly, I put back all the items into my bag and stood up.

'Well, the compass isn't doing anything? What should we do?' I was frustrated my journey depended on the compass and was delayed, but I finally noticed how tired I was.

The events of the past days and the searching and walking had drained my energy, physically and mentally.

'We could find an inn and stay there overnight,' Hook suggested, taking my hand and leading me to the destination. Gladly I let him lead me, happy I was a step closer to being safe, a step further away from the Evil Queen.

'One bed will suffice?' He smirked.

'Don't get any ideas, or you'll have two hooks instead of hands.' I playfully threated, not really sure what would happen tonight. He still was a stranger, but I trusted him.

As we entered the room Hook had paid for, I took the compass out of the bag, put it on a table, dropped the bag on the floor and collapsed on the bed.

'How about making some space for me?' He chuckled.

When I shifted to make room, he moved to climb in beside me. I jumped slightly when I felt his strong arm wrap around my waist and tug me gently back into his frame. He pulled the covers around the both of us and ran his fingertips gently across my skin, leaving a trail of goose-bumps where our skin touched. I felt protected, a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time, even with my overly-protective mother. She was more possessive than protective.

'I'm glad I found you.'

His hand brushed my hair away from my face and ran his fingers through it.

'As am I,' He whispered into my ear.

His actions made me shiver, most definitely in a good way.

I faintly remember seeing the compass needle start spinning before my eyes closed and I drifted into the awaiting darkness.

Don't forget to review! Love you all,

aureaborealis