You are an impatient bunch aren't you... the action and angst was always coming.

Remember, you need to build the story and there are things in the last few chapters that will make sense as the story progresses.

I've gone past the stage of wanting to punch Devin... Man, I'm with Ruby now, I want to skin him alive!

Why did I make him this way? lol

As always please review.

Enjoy

:)

Killian woke with a jerk to find Swan stroking the hair from his forehead.

"Sorry I didn't mean to startle you" she smiled "Dinner's ready, let's get you up"

He stretched out is stiff body noting that it probably would have been a better idea if he had laid down in his bed before nodding off but he couldn't change that now so he just gave Swan a smile. He was still tired and his ribs were pulsing in pain which he knew was only about to get worse as Emma started trying to help him up and he was right, he had to stop her before they had even managed to get him off the seat.

"Wait Love" Killian cried out with a strangled cry as he tried to curl in on himself yet again when his ribs flared "Just... just wait a second"

"Sorry" she cringed sitting down next to him and rubbing his back again "Maybe you should just stay here and eat"

He shook his head "No Love, I want to sit with everyone else but perhaps you could bring over the wheeled chair, that way I won't need to keep moving about"

"I'll get it" Henry called from somewhere behind the couch which was good, it allowed Swan to stay with him as he tried to breathe through the pulsing pain in his chest.

Henry was there in seconds, he put the brakes on then came up to Killian's other side "Need a hand Old Man?"

"Always" Killian chuckled making the Lad grin

Henry took hold of Killian's left arm being careful of his hook while Emma gripped him by his right and within seconds he was up and in his chair. The room spun for a few beats until he managed to settle himself and when he opened his eyes he was instantly looking for Junior, the boy had to be suffering from this too and sure enough when he looked across to the kitchen it was to find the boy once again up in the Prince's arms, head on his shoulder with a frown on his face.

"I am sorry Son" Killian sighed out "This can't be much fun for you."

"I am alright Papa" he said sitting up in David's arms and pointing "Look, I decorated our cake."

Killian looked across at the counter to see what looked like a mangled mess sitting on a plate, he looked quickly back at Junior who was now grinning widely.

"I am sure it will taste delicious Son, well done"

David chuckled walking over to let Junior down onto his seat at the table and as he walked passed Killian to go back to the kitchen he bent down and muttered "I think we just found something that you suck at"

"Aye Mate, You may be right" he agreed with a smirk

Killian was still chuckling to himself when Emma appeared by his side with his meds, he took them quickly and as he was washing the sticky liquid down with his water his gaze moved over to the kitchen to see Ruby helping to dish up the food. How had he missed her before?

She waltzed over a few minutes later in full server mode with several plates balanced on her arms.

"Hey Hook" she grinned putting his plate down in front of him

"Ruby" he replied with a nod and a quick smile "Thank you Lass"

She settled herself down in the seat the other side of Junior and ruffled her hand through his hair.

"We'll see what we can do with this once we've eaten will we?"

"Aye" he replied ducking out from under her hand "Papa said that you will make my mop look good.

"You better believe it Kid, you'll have all the girls swooning over you when you go to school on Monday"

Junior gave a little giggle and turned to Killian grinning. Killian chuckled and said "No girl will be able to resist the hair and those eyes Lad just ask your Momma Swan"

"Oh yes, you'll be the talk of the school Kid" Swan said with mock seriousness

They all chatted as they ate and before Killian knew it he was watching as Henry was sat on a chair and Ruby got to work on his hair. He nodded his head in approval and lent to the side whispering to Swan

"I feel a bit safer in her hands than yours and your Father's Love, she actually looks like she knows what she is doing!"

She gave him a playful slap "Watch it Pirate or I'll slip Ruby ten bucks to let the clippers slip"

He laughed as she pulled herself up from the table to take Junior over to get his done now that Ruby was finished with Henry. Junior skipped his way across the floor and climbed up onto the chair. He was grinning from ear to ear and Killian could feel the Lad's happiness flowing through him.

"Right young man" Ruby said bringing the black cape around his front and tying it at the back of his neck "Are you ready for this?"

"Aye" he giggled giving a little bounce on his chair

"OK Kid but you'll need to keep VERY still, I don't want to chop your ear off... we might find out that Papa's falls off too and he's already lost enough body parts"

Everyone laughed until Ruby was ready to go then Junior sat like a statue barely moving and at one point he had to tell him to keep breathing when the Lad kept holding his breath which was starting to make Killian feel light headed. Ruby reassured Junior that she wouldn't actually chop off his ear and after that the Lad relaxed and in no time at all he stood up to show off his new hair cut. Killian couldn't was astounded by the difference and he blinked rapidly a few time not believing what he was seeing.

"Papa?" Junior suddenly said frowning and lifting his hand to his chest and Killian knew why. He had no idea why but suddenly there was a huge lump in his throat and tears were forming as he swelled with Pride.

"You look... Dashing Son." he managed to say blinking away the tears but it would seem that he was fooling no one as David smirked.

"I think this is a photo moment" the Prince said pulling out his talking phone and crouching down "Smile kid, your Papa will want to remember this moment"

Junior beamed widely and once the photo was taken he ran to David "Let me see Grandpa"

David showed Junior and the Lad gasped then grinned and turned to Ruby "I like it. I like it very much. Thank you Ruby"

"Welcome Kid and while we're doing photos I brought some for you guys from Junior's party"

She put down the cape she still clutched in her hands and grabbed her purse digging about inside before heading over to the table and spreading the photos out.

"I know not many people get physical copies anymore but I figured that Junior would like them to remember his first Birthday party"

Killian lent forward and helped Junior up onto his lap so that the lad could look at the photos with him and the boy gasped in awe as he picked up the nearest one.

"Look Papa... it's my bounce house" he grinned turning to show Killian

"I can see" Killian said looking at the photo but then Ruby was digging in her purse again.

"I really liked this one so I got wallet prints done for everyone"

She handed Killian a copy and he looked at it in wonder. It had been taken outside by the pool. He had been sitting on the lounger with Junior and Henry on either side of him while everyone else that had attended the party had crowded around them. He remembered the gathering but had not thought about it since the party. Killian beamed at the photo of his friends and family, this was something that he would cherish forever... if only Liam could see him now.

Killian briefly looked at Junior when he thought of his Brother. The Lad was still picking up photos and showing them to Henry and Mary-Margaret who seemed to be only too glad to ooooo and ahhhh in all the right places but Killian was thinking back to what David had told him earlier. Did Junior really think that Liam was going to be joining their family? Was this whole talking with him really just that or was there more to it? But he didn't have time to ponder it over as the Lad gave another yell of delight bringing Killian out of his musings and back to reality.

"Thank you Ruby" he said looking up at her as she handed a copy of the photo to David who chuckled at it before pulling out his wallet and tucking it inside.

"Yeah, thanks Rubes" David said stepping forward and pulling her into a hug "They're great"

They got distracted for a while just looking at the photos on the table but when Junior gave a wide yawn and cuddled into Killian's front Swan suddenly looked at the clock.

"Crap, look at the time! Come on Kids, bedtime"

Junior gave a slight moan of complaint but he went anyway and Killian gave a laugh as he trailed his way too the bathroom following behind Henry.

"Can we read some more Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Momma?"

"We can read you one chapter Kid but then you need to go to sleep, understood? It's late already and you're tired so no reading by candlelight or I will confiscate your Lamp, are we clear?" he heard Emma say as they disappeared from view but then Ruby was back by his side.

"You want to get on with this while "Momma Swan" does her thing?" Ruby asked reaching up and brushing her hand over his hair

"Aye Love" he replied with a nod

"Here, give me that. I'll put it by your bed just now" David said plucking the photo from his hand as Ruby took the brakes off and wheeled the chair over to where the pile of cut hair was already on the floor. By the time Emma returned Ruby seemed to be finishing up and just a few minutes later she untied the cape and stepped back.

"Looking good Captain" she grinned and when Emma gave a wolf whistle as she walked over Killian couldn't help but laugh.

"Like something you see?" he asked bringing his hand up to brush it over his head.

Emma smirked "Come on, I'll take you for a shower then I'll show you how it looks."

"I'll see you guys later then" Ruby said packing her things up "I gotta go, I'm on the early shift tomorrow. Thanks for dinner"

"No problem and thank you for the photos and sorting out my troops hair. You're a life saver Rubes" Swan replied

"Aye, thank you Love. I really do appreciate all that you have done"

Ruby gave a wide grin "It's no problem, you guys are family and that's what you do. Right?"

"Right" Killian agreed with a smile.

Swan hugged Ruby goodbye before pushing Killian through to the bathroom. She helped him shower and trim his beard then showed him his new hair cut which he like immensely. It was perhaps a tad shorter than he usually went for but Ruby had done a good job at blending the shorter hair with the longer stuff higher up on his head and he knew that in a few weeks once it grown in a bit you would barely see his newest scar.

Half an hour later he was settled in the bed in the back bedroom with Swan snuggling into his side and he let out a contented sigh against her damp hair pulling her in a little closer.

"Things are going to get better from here on in Swan" he mumbled into the dim light

"Good" she sighed back giving him a gentle squeeze looking up at him "I can't wait to get back to the Jolly, I've missed her and I want to see Junior in his natural habitat"

"Natural habitat?!" Killian chuckled "Whatever you call it Swan you will not be disappointed, he is going to love it there... it will feel like home"

"A home where he will be safe and loved Killian... it will be perfect" she leant up and kissed him sweetly before snuggling into his side again "Go to sleep. I love you"

"And I you" he sighed out closing his eyes and giving into sleep knowing that she was right. They would all soon be home.

He drifted off dreaming of the wind blowing through the billowing sales of the Jolly Roger as she streaked through the clear blue waves. He stood at the helm with Henry and Junior by his side and Swan sat on the rail grinning from ear to ear. He smiled to himself closing his eyes and breathing in the salty sea air until a familiar voice spoke causing his eyes to fly open.

He was no longer standing on the Jolly. He was back on the Captain's ship and a young Liam stood just in front of him peering around the doorway to the Captain's cabin.

"Liam?" Killian whispered

"Shhhhhhh" Liam turned quickly and raised his finger to his mouth "You must stay quiet Brother otherwise he will hear us"

"Who?" Killian asked stepping forward but Liam put his hand out stopping him in his tracks.

"You have to stop him Killian... you know that something is not right, don't you?"

"What?" Killian was so confused

"Think" Liam suddenly barked out but his face was morphing into someone else and Killian actually took a step backwards when Liam changed right in front of his eyes into their Father "Use that brain of yours Son. Liam is not here yet he is here, How can that be? You need to save yourself, you are being fooled again Son but this time things will not end so well for... Junior"

Killian sat bolt upright in the bed gasping in a few deep breaths. Junior, he needed to get to Junior. He clawed his way to his feet already feeling the unease within the boy and staggered his way through the door way as his heart thundered in his chest. He had no idea what time it was but he didn't care he needed to find his boy. Killian's mind was racing, how could he have not seen it? Junior hadn't been talking to Liam, he had been talking to that same apparition that had shown itself just before Killian had been attacked.

"Nnnnnnnnnn" Killian grit his teeth as he practically threw himself across the room. He lent heavily on the dining table eyeing the laundry room door but as he was just about to start off again he glanced to the side when he thought he heard a noise.

"No no no" he cried out realizing that the glass doors were open, the Lad had gone outside "Gods, Junior!"

He was off again rushing straight towards the doors, he briefly stopped as he hit the patio, eyes searching wildly for the boy but he couldn't see him however he could feel him and the boy was really beginning to panic now.

"JUNIOR" Killian screamed out hobbling forward towards the top of the stone steps but what he saw when he got there had him frozen to the spot.

"PAPA" Junior screamed back but in the next second both Jones' were knocked from their feet as Devin punched Junior in the face.

Killian went down with a hard thump but he was moving again before he'd even had time to register any pain. He was back on his feet in seconds but he didn't even make it half way down the steps when he was knocked from his feet again and this time he did feel it as he tumbled down the remaining ones to land with a crunch onto the grass. His world dipped out for a few seconds but again he wouldn't let this stop him so he clawed his way back up to his knees gasping in a few deep breaths before trying to get himself up again but he couldn't do it.

He had his eyes clamped shut against the gnawing pain across his entire being and when he opened them part of him wished he hadn't as he saw Devin sauntering over dragging Junior with him, the Lad's lip was slip and blood trailed from his nose making Killian renew his efforts to sort himself out. Walking behind them was the Crocodile which didn't surprise Killian at all but what did surprise him was the fact that Gold had an arm snaked around Belle's throat and was marching her across the lawn towards him too.

"Belle?" Killian grit out

"He has the dagger Killian" she cried out and Killian's gaze instantly flew to Devin who was grinning widely.

"I had planned to do this the easy way... you know without you here. I don't need you here to kill you but now that you're here maybe we can have some fun."

Killian realized too late what Devin was talking about but even if he had he would not have been able to do anything about it anyway. So when Devin raised Granny's crossbow up in his right hand and pointed it at him all he could to was watch as the bolt was released.

He didn't feel the pain to begin with. He was slammed backwards to land once again on the damp dew covered lawn but as he lay flat on his back staring at the sky he could feel the blood flowing down his chest from where the bolt had hit his left shoulder...

Then the pain came and his world descended into chaos as he was hit with too many sensations all at once. He could feel Junior, the boy was terrified and confused but worst of all he was in pain too, what had Devin done to him? Killian tried to move but he couldn't, all he could do was try to keep breathing as wave after wave of agony washed over him.

Suddenly Devin's sneering face was right above him causing Killian to recoil as his memories collided with a new reality. The Lost One was laughing and Killian didn't know why until the pain in his shoulder suddenly rocketed and he realized that Devin had a hold of the end of the bolt. Killian's hearing dipped again and a scream was torn from his mouth but when he came back to himself he could hear Belle screaming at Devin to stop.

The Lost One just turned to the Crocodile and shouted "Shut her up or I make you kill her"

Gold's hand raised and in an instant Belle's voice disappeared. She looked down at Killian and he could see the tears streaming down her face as she mouthed his name over and over again. Then Devin's face was back and all Killian could do was clamp his eyes closed so that he could block him out. He felt a little hand slip into his and he turned his head quickly to find Junior pulling himself up to his side.

"Papa" the boy sobbed and Killian's heart broke at the look on Junior's bloodied face but he didn't have time to say anything as Devin's hand was suddenly clamped on his jaw turning his head back so that he had to look into his eyes.

"He's in so much pain Hook" Devin laughed "And it's only going to get worse for him, for both of you in fact. Then once I am done playing I want to see the light go out in his eyes when I finally kill you, Captain"

With that Devin started punching Killian in the face and head, he couldn't do anything to stop the blows that rained down on him as his mind screamed at him to move, to do something, anything to help himself and the boy. His left arm was useless and Junior gripped onto his hand like his life depended on it so he wouldn't let go. With every blow that struck he could hear Junior give another little sob but Killian was starting to lose focus now, he thought that this was surely the end until the punches suddenly stopped as a huge bang rang out echoing through the air. Killian managed to tip his head to the side to find Devin sprawled out on the ground next to him gripping his arm tightly with a murderous look on his face.

"HOOK" David's voice called from somewhere but Killian was unable to reply... his world was fading quickly now and no matter how hard he fought he knew that he was not going to win so he gripped onto Junior's hand tightly hoping that the boy felt some comfort from the one small act that he could manage.

Everything was so confusing, there were too many things happening that Killian just couldn't concentrate. He thought he felt more movement by his side then a feeling of falling hit him causing him to gasp in a breath and open his eyes but when he did he instantly clamped them shut again as he once again found himself faced with Hangman's tree but this time it was most definitely not just in his head.

Killian was back in that clearing... back where this whole nightmare had started and it was the final straw for his fragile mind to take. His chest hitched and he let out a howl of despair just before he was sucked full force into a panic attack where every image and voice that had ever haunted him hit him over and over and over again.