Hey everybody,

a new chapter just for you! Hope you like it, I am definitely in love with this one!

So my holidays are officially over, BUT I will continue to post daily chapters!

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

Chapter 50

Aura's POV:

A guttural scream disrupted my dreamless slumber, a violent shaking beside me causing me to jump up immediately.

It was Pan who was convulsing uncontrollably as he muttered unintelligible words. His tunic was drenched in sweat; his facial features twisting in pain and misery.

Grabbing him by the shoulders, I began to shake him; trying to awaken him from the nightmare he was having. His eyes shot open, staring into mine.

'Aura?' His voice only allowed him to speak in a hoarse, husky whisper.

He cupped my cheek gently, as if I wasn't real and he wanted to reassure himself that I was there.

'Are you okay?' I asked, moving my thumb over the back of the hand holding my cheek in a comforting way.

'It was just a dream; you are here with me. You're okay, you aren't hurt.' Pan spoke more to himself; his eyes unfocused, but still looking into mine.

Then, acting out on impulse, I leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. I was fully aware, in total control of my body, though I didn't know what made me do it. Maybe it was the sympathy I felt. I, too, had experienced plenty of nightmares. Except I had no one to wake up to, no one to comfort me, hold me in their arms.

This seemed to bring him out of a daze; his faint grey eyes staring at me in surprise. Getting out of bed, he walked over to a chest where he kept his clothes and changed his long shirt in front of me. Somehow, there was an itch in my fingers, a longing to touch his skin, a want to trace every scar on his chest.

'I don't think I can fall asleep anymore.'

'Me neither. What happened in your dream?' I asked bluntly, pushing the covers away from my body.

'I was stabbed, and while I was dying, you were there, dying as well. You were in agony, screaming and hurting. I couldn't save you.' Pan turned to me and stood there, his eyes searching mine.

I didn't say anything. What made this dream so scary, for me at least, is that I had dreamt it the day Felix came to the Echo Caves with Neal. It had felt so real.

Felix.

I suddenly remembered my brother. I was here in camp, in Pan's tree house and he didn't know it. I fidgeted, needing to find him…

After a long silence, Pan's breathing eventually came in steady breaths and he spoke up as if reading my thoughts.

'You want to leave?'

'It's just, after being imprisoned in a cave for a century, staying in the same room for more than a day makes me very uncomfortable. I...'

'Then let's leave. Come on, we can't sleep, so what will we be missing? Besides, there is someplace special I wanted to show you a long time ago.' Grabbing my hand, he transported us to one of the beaches of Neverland.

We were standing in a secluded cove; the soft waves of the endless ocean to my right, a huge wall of rock to my left.

It reminded me, just like the secret cave Felix had showed me, of how much was still hidden and waiting to be discovered in Neverland.

And once again, I was still so much to be seen on this magical island. This time, Pan led me to cave on the right side of the cove; barely noticeable with all the huge rocks lying in front of the entrance. He could barely contain his excitement, always tugging my hand, making me run even faster to catch up with him. Whatever he did in this moment, being a boy breaking the rules by not being in bed, but running around freely at night, made me smile.

As we went into the cave, I stood there in shock, my breath taken away. There was a big hole in the ground, filled with water the color of the sky. Not only that, the walls of the cave were covered with indigo minerals, reflecting the water and creating thousands of glittering stars inside the cave.

'It's beautiful, Pan.' I remarked in awe, but he was already undressing, getting ready to jump into the water.

I averted my eyes, but kept stealing glances of the toned lean muscles of his stomach. Then I heard a splash.

'It's warm, and I promise there are no mermaids here to drown you.' Pan grinned at me, causing goosebumps to arise on my skin.

Didn't he see the effect he had on me? Motioning for him to turn around, I stripped from my nightdress to only my underwear and cloth tightly wrapped around my chest quickly. The warm water was a relief against my skin, a nice comparison to all the cold nights in the Echo Caves. Maybe some other caves had beautiful wonders hidden, like this one.

I felt a pair of strong arms at the sides of my waist; Pan's mouth close to my ear, causing me to shudder. 'Just keep kicking, it'll keep you up.' He remembered I had had difficulties that last we went swimming.

After some time, he let go and I began to swim small distances, always back to his inviting arms. These interactions felt so natural, so right...

Then he let me be, swimming to the edge of the hole, his elbows pressed into the sand; keeping him up. Had I done something wrong?

'Is everything alright, Pan?' I paddled to him.

'I..I was just thinking.' He turned to me, and his face fell. 'Where did you get all those scars?' His thumb gently creating invisible lines on my skin, connecting the dots of my wounds.

'Nightmares. I would wake up to feel my nails digging in my flesh until I bled.' Moving his thumb to my chin, he made me look into his eyes, full of sadness and worry.

'Let me heal you.' I wasn't sure if he meant the scars or my heart or...I had tried multiple times, to no avail; my heart just wasn't strong enough.

But I could feel a tingling sensation run over the skin of my face, his magic doing its wonders. His eyes stared at me with such an intensity, I had to look away, a blush creeping upon my cheeks.

'I do want to leave, but I can't. I was poisoned by Dreamshade...' I blurted out all of a sudden.

'And you can't leave Neverland, or it will be your end. When did this happen?' There was no hint of anger in his voice, which encouraged me to continue the topic I had brought up.

'When Felix and I went hunting the last time...before we...you know...' He didn't seem bothered by me being poisoned, but the fact I wanted to leave.

'Aura, why would you want to leave Neverland? Wasn't this the place of your dreams? If you want to leave because of me, I can change. I am really trying. I know I can make this work.' Pan pushed the wet hair falling in front of my eyes away, and from his tone, I could hear he was broken-hearted.

'Just remember: a King always needs his Queen by his side.'

This time, it was me who moved in; pulling him close to me, our bodies pressed flush against each other. His eyes were already closed and I could feel his irregular beating heart under my hand. Our lips met, and my heart began to glow, little beams of golden light mirrored by the blue-colored crystals.

For a second, he didn't do anything. Didn't move or even breathe, then gingerly, he responded to the kiss, moving his lips with mine. I could feel the emotion he was putting into it, all the longing and passion of a neglected love that died out a long time ago, but also a desire for something that was in that moment, that possibly could be a future. Perhaps, a blossoming new love. That's what he felt.

I wasn't sure what I felt, but I was sure I was starting to feel...something. And that something made me want to stay with him.

So...yeah..I need to point out the role reversal once again: Pan didn't initiate the kiss. Remember in Chapter 15 when they had their first kiss, it was Aura who didn't move or breathe at first...

Only ten more chapters to go! Can you believe it?!

Reviews are always appreciated!

Love you all,

aureaborealis