Not sure you'll get an update tomorrow, I have a lot on right now.
As always please review.
Enjoy
:)
"Who the hell took the burger from this plate?" Granny barked out turning around and scowling at everyone in the diner. "RUBY... get your scrawny ass out here"
Everyone couldn't help but stare as Ruby emerged from the kitchen with a frown on her face holding another plate full of food.
"What?" she asked with a sigh "What'd I do wrong this time?"
Granny just nodded at the plate in her hand and when Ruby's eyes fell on it her eyebrows flew into the air.
"Well I didn't eat it!" she exclaimed "I swear... I just put it there for a minute so I could grab the other plate then I was gonna take them over on my one arm."
David realized that Ruby was struggling to carry the plates through from the kitchen with her sore wrist and he suddenly felt sorry for her.
"Maybe it was some of the kids that were just in here" he called across, Granny did not look amused as she muttered something and disappeared back into the kitchen.
"Thanks" Ruby replied with a smile "I swear we have a ghost, food keeps disappearing right from under our noses... and it's always the good stuff too!"
She lifted another plate then headed over but just as she reached the booth she gave a sniff and turned slightly looking behind David.
"What?" he asked turning in his seat slightly
She gave him a pointed look but replied in a casual tone "Nothing, someone has just left a mess in the next booth, I'll clean it in a minute"
But as she walked away and the others were all busy chatting she gave a "come here" nod of her head and made a big fuss of not being able to lift the last of the plates.
"I'm gonna help Rubes" he said standing up and when Hook gave him a questioning look he just laughed and added "Before our lunch ends up on the floor"
Hook gave a chuckle then went back to his conversation with the boys as David made his way to the counter and hissed.
"What's up?"
"He was here?"
"Who was here?"
"Whoever was "Tootles" the other night" Ruby whispered picking up a plate and shoving it at him "His scent was all over the booth behind you"
"Devin..." David growled "But how is that possible? How did nobody see him? Do you know how long ago? I mean was it before or after we got here?"
"Hey what do you think I have on my face David? Some kind of smell analyzer? I know my nose is a bit different to yours but it doesn't tell me everything. All I know is that he was here... recently"
"Sorry" he said feeling like an idiot, he'd gotten a bit carried away.
"That's OK, I get it" Ruby replied with an understanding smile "You're just worried, I understand. I guess this explains the whole missing burger thing but it does also raise the question of how he was not seen in a diner full of people"
"With a little bit of help I'd imagine" David grit out "Thanks Ruby, I'll take it from here. I'll call Regina once we're done to fill her in, make sure she keeps an eye out while at her office... I don't trust that kid not to go after any of us"
They both walked back across to the table and put the remaining plates down just as Granny came back out with another burger and brought it straight over putting it down in front of Junior.
"I made this one 'specially for you Kid, enjoy" she winked at him and ruffled his hair before walking away
"Thank you Granny" he called after her while looking at his plate, he then grinned up at Henry "This looks awesome"
Hook's eyebrow shot up and he mouthed "Awesome" to Swan before giving a silly grin, he looked so relaxed that David didn't want to bring up the subject of Devin... they'd enjoy their meal first. He gave a sigh and tucked into his food but Mary-Margaret must have known something was wrong because she whispered to him as the others chatted.
"What did Ruby want?"
"I'll tell you later" he mumbled back and she gave him a pained look knowing that she had been right to worry, he gave her a reassuring smile and turned back to the conversation to see Hook staring at him with a raised brow... great he knew something was up too!
He was about to carry on eating when a sudden thought slammed into his mind... the gem!
If Devin had been behind them in the next booth he MUST have heard David saying it was in the truck. He jumped up from the table spilling his drink everywhere.
There was a chorus of cries and curses but he didn't care.
"Emma we need to go NOW" he barked out coming to the other side of the booth and trying to manhandle Hook out of the way so that Emma could get out "Have you got your gun with you?"
"What? No Dad... what the hell is going on?"
"Devin..." he grit out then looked to Hook "Sorry. He was here, Ruby smelt him. I didn't want to worry anyone but I just had a thought. If he was here he could have heard us talking about the you know what in my truck"
"Gods" Hook grit out through clenched teeth, he was now scrambling to get out of the way and in the end he just kinda twisted to the side and Emma squeezed past.
"Stay here" David said to the rest of his family "Do not leave until we call to say that it's OK"
Hook gave a nod, David had expected him to look freaked out but he just looked focused "Go Mate, go catch that little bugger"
"Right" David mumbled being caught slightly off guard by the Pirates lack of reaction
Then they were running but just as they reached the door Granny yelled "STOP", they both turned in surprise to see her holding out a cross bow and a shot gun "Thought you could maybe do with these"
David took them quickly and grinned "Granny, you are the best"
"Yeah yeah... now go catch that little shit. He's had his last free burger from this joint"
They were running down Main Street in seconds but just as they were about to turn to head to Regina's there was a roar of an engine and David's truck lurched into view.
There was nobody at the wheel!
"What the hell?" Emma gasped by his side "He's invisible now?"
"We know where he is though Emma just shoot" they both raised their weapons and fired but the truck pulled out of Regina's driveway and started trundling down the street away from them.
David took off at a run with his cross bow clenched tightly in his hand, the truck was barely moving, Devin must have been having issues with the gears having never driven before as far as David was aware. He was just catching up to it when it suddenly lurched forward again and without thought he just grabbed onto the back and jumped. His feet landed on the rear bumper allowing him to pull himself into the back. He turned to help Emma do the same but just as their finger tips met the truck lurched again and took off at high speed... looks like someone figured out how to make it go.
"DAD" Emma screamed after him but he couldn't do anything other that hold on for dear life as Devin took a sudden left and David was knocked from his feet into the bed of the truck.
"DEVIN I KNOW THAT IT'S YOU... STOP THE TRUCK"
"MAKE ME" Devin's voice called back and David felt the truck speed up making him roll down the truck a bit
David managed after a few minutes to pull himself up onto his knees and crawl his way to the back of the cab but just as he was about to try something really stupid Devin beat him too it. He realized way too late that the cab door had opened and by the time he figured out that Devin had probably already jumped from the truck he was headed straight for a huge pine tree.
The truck hit and David was catapulted forward, he flew through the air arms flailing wildly to land with a thump on the needle covered ground. He was just about aware enough to hear the creaking noise of the tree starting to fall but seconds later when the whole thing came down on top of his truck the adrenaline in his system kicked in and he opened his eyes gasping in huge lungfuls of air in an effort to calm his racing heart.
There was blood trailing down his face from a gash above his right eye and he clung on to his chest tightly as he tried to pull himself to his wobbly legs. He hit the dirt a couple of times before he finally managed to make his way back to the truck to pull the mangled door open, the glove compartment was open...the gem was gone.
David slid his way down the side of his once precious truck to sit on the ground, he was panting harshly and the world was dipping in and out but he managed to dig for his cell. He lifted it to his ear but that was the last he knew as something suddenly thumped into the side of his head and he slumped to the ground in an unconscious heap.
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"What's going on?" Belle called from across the street as Emma ran back towards Granny's
"Nothing Belle, don't worry about it" Emma called back but Belle didn't listen she just ran to catch up
"That didn't sound like nothing Emma, what is it?"
Emma stopped and spun to face Belle "It's Devin alright, he's escaped prison and he's been trying to get to Hook"
"What?" Belle's eyes went wide and she blinked a few times before frowning deeply "How is that even possible"
"With the help of someone using dark magic" Emma replied with a sigh knowing Belle would put two and two together
Belle's mouth bobbed open and closed for a few seconds "No... please tell me that it's not..." but she then gave a heavy sigh and added "What is Rumple up to this time?"
"I don't have time to explain right now Belle but PLEASE don't let Gold know that we know about Devin. Come over later and we can all discuss it then... maybe we can figure out a way to help everyone involved"
She knew that by offering the "helping" option Belle was more likely to agree to anything... she would always see the good in the Dark One.
"Of course Emma" she said with a smile "You can trust me"
"I know" Emma replied "But I gotta go. My Dad climbed on the back of his truck as Devin was stealing it and I have no idea where they went"
"Oh my Gosh. Can I do anything to help?"
Emma suddenly nodded "Yeah, can you take Hook and the kids back to the pool house? I'm gonna need my Mom's tracking skills"
"No problem" Belle nodded "Devin wouldn't dare try anything with me around if he really is working with Rumple, they'll be safe with me"
"And they'll be doubly safe when you get them home, the pool house has protection spells on it"
They were both hurrying towards the diner now but when Emma opened the door it was to find chaos. Her Mom looked close to tears and Hook was trying his damnedest to get to her as the boys were both yammering on in loud voices
"EMMA" Mary-Margaret cried out rushing over "He got him"
She didn't need to ask who "Where?"
"I don't know... Oh Emma he said that your Father is dead... he's killed him"
Emma's legs buckled, she actually staggered slightly but managed to grab hold of the table to stop herself falling to the floor.
"God no" she gasped out "I wasn't quick enough"
"What?" Mary-Margaret said in confusion
"Dad... he jumped onto the back of the truck but I wasn't quick enough. Devin took off with Dad on the back and I couldn't keep up"
The tears were flowing down her face now but in the next instant a pair of arms pulled her into the hug she so desperately needed, she stood there in her Pirate's embrace as he whispered reassurances in her ear.
"He is lying Love... that's his game remember. He likes to trick you into thinking the worst thing possible has happened, believe me, I know"
"You're right" she said pulling back and scrubbing her face with her sleeve "The plan has not changed."
"What plan is that?" Hook asked tucking her hair behind her ear with a loving look
"The plan where you and Belle head back to the pool house and keep the kids safe and me and Mom go find Dad"
"Sounds like a good one to me Love" he said with a smile "Just be careful Swan, that boy has no limitations in what he is prepared to do to achieve his goal"
She kissed him sweetly. He always supported her, was always there when she needed him "I know and I promise that I will come back to you. We will all come back"
With that she turned to her Mom who was now standing looking very determined... Snow White was in the building and looking to kick some Lost One ass.
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David could feel hands on him, he tried to bat them off but his mind wouldn't focus and then suddenly he was being pulled across the ground by his left leg.
"This is oh so familiar" Devin's voice burst into his head and panic flooded his system "Pity I don't have a rope..."
"Get off of me" David slurred trying to open his eyes
"I'm not going to kill you like that Sheriff. I have something else in mind for you don't worry, you know I have to work with what I've got but this seems quite fitting"
David's heart was now thumping in his chest, was this what Hook had felt like back in that clearing right before he'd been strung up in that tree?
"You won't get away with this Devin" he managed to grit out
Devin gave a bark of laughter "You really believe that? I think you'll find that I AM getting away with it"
David's leg was suddenly dropped and he hissed when it sent a spike of pain through his entire being, he couldn't tell what was injured, everything just hurt. He must have passed out at that point because the next thing he knew was gasping in a huge breath and clamping his eyes closed against the pain in his chest. He couldn't move but he managed to look up to see Devin grinning at his as he made his way down the embankment that he had obviously just shoved David down, he barely had time to get his bearings before Devin had his leg again and was dragging him towards the river.
"I do believe I owe you a swim... I did try my best the last time to pull you with me but in the end I just had to escape so I had to slash you instead, did it scar? I bet it looks good."
David tried to grasp hold of any of the rocks that Devin was hauling him over but every time he managed Devin just kicked his arms and hands until he let go. He was tiring fast too...the water was freezing and it was quickly stealing his strength, this was too much, he couldn't do it anymore then his heart was beating faster but for a different reason as a shot gun blast resounded through the air
"DEVIN YOU LET HIM GO RIGHT THIS MINUTE" Emma... Emma had found him!
"STEP AWAY NOW" Snow was here too
He managed to open his eyes, the river was flowing over him and splashing him in the face but he saw it... he saw the moment that Devin's face changed from one of menace to one of panic, then the Lost One was rummaging in his pocket and in the next second he was gone.
David couldn't let his head fall back but he was struggling to keep it up and he kept sinking beneath the water, he coughed and spluttered as the water rushed up his nose. He was beginning to panic, he was going to drown but in that exact moment that he nearly lost his mind he was pulled up into the air and he was coughing and hacking in breaths.
"David"
"Dad"
He tried to reassure them that he was alright but he was still just trying to breathe and his teeth were now chattering making communication impossible. He was being lifted out of the water in the next second and they settled him on the grass where Mary-Margaret pulled him in her arms stroking the hair from his face.
"You're OK" she whispered against his ear "Help is on the way"
He tried to tell her that he would be alright in a second but his mouth wouldn't work, he couldn't get it to form the words he wanted to say. His vision was going too and his hearing was dipping in and out, he tried to shake his head to clear his mind but all that he achieved was to tear a groan from his own lips.
He didn't know much after that, he got snippets of information... there was a siren... more hands on him... a feeling of dizziness and a sensation of movement then nothing until he woke up in the hospital and it was dark. He peeked open an eye to find Mary-Margaret sleeping in the chair next to him.
"Mary-Margaret" he croaked, God, his throat was dry which was kinda ironic if he thought about it.
"David" she gasped eyes springing open "You're awake, thank God"
"How long was I out?" he mumbled trying to look at the clock on the wall
"Eleven hours" she whispered coming to his side "Whale said that you were suffering from exhaustion but I was so worried. Are you alright?"
He gave her a smile "I'm fine"
"David you are anything but fine, I've seen the bruises"
"OK, I will be fine" he amended before frowning "When can I leave?"
"What?" Mary-Margaret exclaimed "David you have a concussion you are not going anywhere"
"Is that it? A concussion. I mean nothing broken?"
She sighed at him "Nothing broken but you are going to be sore for a while"
"Yeah well nothing that I haven't dealt with before, Mary-Margaret I need to leave. Devin has the gem"
"We know David. Look Emma talked to Belle, she has agreed to try and help us stop Gold. Right now she's our best shot at success but you are NOT leaving here until Whale says so. Please David, I was so scared"
She looked close to tears so he just reached forward and pulled her into a hug "OK, I'll stay until morning but I am fine, I promise, I've had much worse."
She gave him a watery smile "Good because I don't think that I could do this without you"
"Just as well you don't have to then" He smiled back before he scooted himself across the bed with a wince "God, now I know what Hook feels like. Come on Princess, you can be my Swan"
She gave a chuckle pulling herself up onto the bed and tucked herself into his side just like they had seen their Daughter do so many times with her Pirate.
"I need to call Emma, she's been so worried" she whispered against his chest but he had an idea
"I'll do you one better, give me your cell"
She turned in his arms and grabbed it from the nightstand before handing it over. He closed one eye as he tried to focus his blurry vision but in seconds he hit the dial button.
"Mom?" Emma's anxious voice came down the line
"Nope, it's your old man" he answered with a grin
"Hey old man... am I glad to hear your voice?" he could hear the relief in her voice
"Me too Kid, me too" he sighed back as the relief flooded him too, she was safe, they were all safe. "I'm fine, I promise. Go to bed Emma, it's late. I'll see you in the morning"
"Kay" she replied with a sigh "Love you"
"Love you too"
He was about to pull the cell from his ear when there was a sudden rustling noise, he tensed for a second until he heard Hook's gruff voice come down the line.
"If you wanted to share my bed again Mate all you had to do was ask, this is a tad extreme don't you think?"
David gave a laugh which turned into a groan as all his muscles protested "You got me Hook. That was my plan all along."
"Thought so" Hook chuckled but then his voice turned serious "I am glad you are alright Brother"
David was slightly taken aback by Hook's words, he was searching his brain for something, anything to say back in reply but the call disconnected before he got a chance.
After all these years of wondering what it might have been like to have grown up with his own Brother David thought that he had just got a glimpse of what it felt like... he smiled to himself as he dropped a kiss onto the top of Snow's head.
He had a Brother.