Hook… I Will Always Find You

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Meanwhile, back down within the Underworld…

Tinker Bell followed Liam outside once he left the cottage, as well as the safety of the protections put in place by her and Regina, then watched as the older Jones walked down to the brook and finally sat down on the ground under a nearby tree. While the Green Fairy suspected Killian's brother was hiding something from the guilt she saw on his face, she also knew he was hurting as well. Hurting because his younger brother had suffered greatly by Hades' hands, but also because he too had been living here within this hellish world for over two hundred years waiting for his brother to join him again.

So, instead of being so quick to jump on him about what he might be up to, Tink quietly walked up behind Liam and finally took a seat on the ground beside him while she asked him gently, "I realize this will sound like a silly question to you, but… how are you feeling?"

To her surprise, Liam just laughed, until he turned his head to look over at the fairy now beside him and then he answered, "You're right. It is a silly question. But it's the right question to ask under these circumstances. If I'm being completely honest, I'm not alright. Not at all. My little brother… My God, Killian's hardly little any longer and yet old habits keep me from calling him anything else. He's lived over two hundred years fighting against his demons and the darkness that's plagued him since our father abandoned us all those years ago. And when he's finally found the peace and happiness I always hoped for him… this had to happen. I fought so hard to keep Killian alive when we were slaves under Silver's thumb. He was always getting himself into trouble and while I don't believe he did so because he consciously wanted to die, I feared he was going to get himself killed. He's hated himself for so long and now… now here we are because consciously he did finally give up on himself. I know that there were other reasons for him taking his life that included protecting all of you, especially the woman he loves and I couldn't be more proud of him for that. It's just… Well, you've seen him. Look at what's happened to him."

"Yes… I've seen him," Tink replied to him sadly. "And if anyone can help him through the anguish Killian's suffered by Hades' hands, by the hands of the King who forced him to become the Dark One against your brother's will, and because of the vile darkness which had corrupted the good man and hero he's become for all of us and fought to become again in the end… it's Emma. You have to believe in her, Liam. Not just because she is the Savior, but because Killian has always believed her to be his and she has been. She brought him out of the darkness he suffered from since he was that scared boy and man you spoke of just now. His strength and her belief that he could be a good man allowed for him to become a hero like the rest of those who've come down here for him. You can't be selfish and be angry with Emma for wanting to fight for him so he can come home with us. Without her, your brother won't be able to move on with you either. You said it yourself… you can see that he's had a chance to live the life he deserves to live. A life filled with peace and happiness. Can't you understand how important it is for you to give him that chance again?"

"I do know how important it is," he responded quietly, then turned back to face the water flowing before them. "I want Killian to finally be happy and if a life with Emma is what he truly wants, then I won't do anything to stand in your way to bring him back with you. How long have you known my brother?"

The Green Fairy smiled and then answered, "Actually… I've known him a bit longer than even the others have, including Emma. She just knows Killian better than anyone else because they've been through so much together and they're in love. But I met him in Neverland actually. Back while he was still the villain he used to be. We didn't associate all that much because… Well, because he was a pirate and the truth is that I hated him because as Captain Hook, he cared only about himself and getting his revenge on the monster who was the cause of his suffering in the centuries he lived that life. Yet underneath his selfishness and cruelty, I could also see there was more to him. And he also believed in good form, which allowed for him to save my life once when I had almost gotten myself killed by Pan shortly after I fought to escape from that boy's own cruelty. I will always be grateful to your brother for that."

Liam nodded, then he replied, "He's certainly a better man than he could ever give himself credit for. Thank you for sharing that with me. Tinker Bell, is it?"

"It is," she responded, then she turned her head to look over at the older Jones once again and still saw the guilt he was holding inside of him. "There's something else that's troubling you though. Isn't there? Whatever it is, you can tell me."

"I fear there's more to my coming out here to be alone than just trying to come to terms with having to say goodbye to Killian," he answered her in worry before rising back to his feet again while she followed suit. "Hades isn't the only one who has tortured Killian since he's been down here."

The fairy quickly stated, "Yes… we know about the other pirate captain who was the villain who forced you and Killian to be his slaves. Emma told us about him."

Killian's brother breathed in and out when his guilt deepened, then despondently he finally continued, "Captain Silver was always a cruel man, who relished in the pleasure he got when he tormented and tortured my brother and me. Especially Killian. However, I'm afraid his reasons for having tortured him after Killian arrived here in the Underworld… It's my fault and Hades knows it. And I've no doubt that he's told Silver of what I did all those years ago. Killian too. Just to hurt my brother even more than he already has."

"What did you do?" Tinker Bell asked him nervously.

"The only reason why Killian and I were both able to break free from slavery was because Silver and the rest of his crew were all killed in a deadly storm which that pirate was sailing us all into seeking a precious jewel wanted by the King of our land known as the Eye of the Storm," Liam replied curtly. "Killian and I both survived, but it wasn't because we were fortunate. Nor was us gaining our prestigious livings within the Royal Navy as we rose up to become Captain and Lieutenant, although Killian certainly did earn the respect he had been awarded. My point is… The night of that storm, I encouraged my brother to help me to elicit a mutiny against Silver when we knew we would all be killed going into the storm head on for his fame and glory. Most of the crew sided with us too. But what Killian never knew was that when I was alone within the Captain's quarters trying to map us a way out of the storm, Hades appeared to me and offered me a deal. A deal that would ensure mine and Killian's safety, as well as the fame and glory I myself had sought for many years. The worst of it though, is that Hades asked for the souls of the rest of the men onboard the ship that night and I accepted his deal. Silver and his crew are all trapped down here because of me. And Killian's suffering for it instead of me."

She looked at him with a hint of disappointment until her face softened, then Tink responded gently, "Maybe so, but what they've done to your brother isn't just because of what you've done. They were cruel men before you made that deal and Hades manipulated you. He played on your weaknesses like he does with everyone else. Surely Killian will understand and forgive you. He loves you so much Liam."

The older Jones shook his head in frustration, then crossly answered, "Yes… but Killian has also always seen me as the perfect brother and held me to that high standard, especially after our father abandoned us. And while I never wanted it and hated it, I fought hard to remain that perfect example for him. If Killian does find out the truth of what I've done… that I wasn't the perfect example he believed I was, if he hasn't already, he'll only see himself a failure even more so than he already does and it will make his recovery that much harder."

"I think you need to have faith in his capacity to forgive," Tink replied again with sincerity, which Liam could see then in her eyes and hear in her voice. "He's forgiven the Dark One… at least the monster your brother sought revenge against for centuries, enough to let go of that lust for revenge and became a hero. He and Rumplestiltskin certainly aren't friends and there's still much hate between them, but his yearning to destroy the villain no longer haunts Killian. All that does now is the hate he has for himself. And he needs you to help him as much as he needs Emma. You've got to pull yourself together and be the brother he needs you to be right now, then we can help you to ease your guilt later. Do you understand?"

"I do," he responded when Liam reached out his hand in gratitude to shake hers. "And you're right. Thank you, Tinker Bell. I am glad you could see through the shame I was trying to hide. Let's get back inside to help Emma and our mother."

At last, they returned inside the cottage to rejoin their friends. Unfortunately, neither of them noticed they were being watched from the trees just beyond the clearing where the cottage stood, but once they disappeared from his sight, Pan stepped out a few feet away from the tree he had hid himself behind while he spied on those Hades had enlisted him to find for him, then finally flew away to inform the God that he had.