We get the return message tonight... get your hankies ready people.

Tears ahoy

As always please review

Enjoy

:)

Killian's mind was reeling as David sat down next to him. On one hand he was excited to send a message back to his family, they needed to see him as much as he had needed to see them but on the other hand he was worried about the Shadow Man.

"Give me the phone" Robin said stepping forward then standing next to a worried looking Ariel again "I'll make the recording but remember, please don't mention my name"

"Why?" David asked as he handed over the phone "We have a way home now"

"Yes but not for months David, I don't want Regina being put through that, not yet" Robin replied

"Well it's up to you but I think she would rather know" David sighed shaking his head

"You're right" Robin agreed but then he added "It is up to me and for now I say no so please, just drop it"

David held up his hands in resignation "OK, OK I'll leave it... for now"

Killian just held his tongue, it was not his decision to make and he had already interfered enough when it came to Robin and Regina's lives. His heart was practically doing flips in his chest as Robin held up the phone with a smile on his face.

"Right, I am ready when you are" Robin said and Killian's mouth suddenly went dry, what was he going to say?

David turned and looked at him "You ready?"

"I...I... bloody hell David, no! What do I say? My heart feels like it is about to leap from my chest and my mouth has gone dry"

David smiled and reached forward with his hand to touch Killian's chest gently "Just say what's in here, tell them what you're feeling, tell them how happy you were to see them, that's all they want to know"

Killian nodded and gave a quick smile as he pulled in a deep breath "Alright, I am ready"

"Great" David said clapping his hand on Killian's arm before turning back to Robin "Ready when you are"

Robin fiddled with the phone then gave a thumbs up and suddenly Killian was talking without thought, pouring out his feelings for his family.

He raised his hand and gave a little wave "Hello everyone, as you can see we are both fine if not a little worse for wear. We are currently the guests of the Piccaninny tribe so please inform Tiger Lily of this and allow her to send a message to her Father, he is overjoyed to learn that she is living in Storybrooke with Rufio and Rapha..."

He paused and pulled in a deep breath before giving a nervous laugh "Junior, Son... I too missed you more than I can explain. I did not know if you had even... if you were..." he gave a cough to clear his throat as a lump suddenly appeared "Just know that I love you too and that I am fine. I am very much looking forward to returning to you and the newly named P.B., he does look rather handsome in his Pirate coat."

He pulled in another breath as a tear trailed it's way down his cheek "Henry, you make me proud to be your "Old Man", I love you too Son and I am so happy to know that you are looking out for your Brother. Liam and Baelfire would be so proud to see just how you have taken to your role."

He gave a sniff and rubbed the tears from face with his hand before looking back at the camera "Swan" he started but suddenly it was too much and a sob escaped him.

David's hand was suddenly on Killian's back and he whispered "Breathe Hook, come on you can do this"

"I miss you so much" he burst out around another sob "I...I... feel like I have lost part of myself not once but three times over. I miss you all more than my soul can bear BUT I know that I will see you all again soon and that for me is enough. Time will pass quickly and I do not want you all to be counting the days until we return. Junior I want you to study hard, I want you to show the world what a smart lad you are. Henry I want the same of you Son but I also ask that you take care of the Jolly, she will need attending too and that job lies with her First Mate in the absence of her Captain. Swan... I...I will come home. I Killian Jones am in love with you Emma Swan and I WILL return to you... after all we have a wedding to arrange. I had planned on a Christmas wedding but perhaps a Spring one would suit our situation better. Anyway I will stop babbling Love and let your Father talk."

He looked to the side to see tears shining in David's eyes too but his Brother just grinned then looked at the camera.

"Hey guys." he laughed "Snow you better start organizing now, I know that you have just been dying for a time scale for this wedding and now you have one."

David looked back at Killian and chuckled "You know you just made my wife the happiest woman in the universe, she has been bending my ear for months wanting to plan things"

Killian gave a grin and looked back at the camera "Do as you please. As long as you are all there that is all that I care about. I know that these things are a Mother Daughter thing so I think it is just the thing for the two of you to plan together while we are away."

"Anyway" David interrupted so that he could carry on "Junior, you have no idea how glad I was to see those baby blues of yours. Kid, you nearly gave your Grandpa a heart attack. You better believe that you are getting a visit from the tickle monster when I get back for all my worry. Henry, keep up the good work Kid, look after your Brother but leave the other stuff to your Moms and Grandma, I don't want you worrying about things too much, I know what you're like so you have to promise me that you will concentrate on school and making sure Junior is happy OK, nothing else. Emma, Snow, I love you guys so much. We will be home before you know it. Keep strong, keep safe and give that son of mine the biggest hug and kiss from his Dad that you can. Speak soon"

Robin stopped the recording a gave a sniff "Well that was emotional, goodness only knows what I would have found to say"

"We're not done though Mate" Killian grit out through clenched teeth as he tried to move on the bed, his ribs were starting to complain about him being upright for so long

"Maybe we should take a few minutes, maybe get you some tea, you've gone a bit pale. You OK?" David suddenly looked quite concerned

"I just want to get it done" Killian replied quickly

"I know" David said getting up and heading to the fire "But the last thing you want is for Emma to be worrying more than she needs to so just shut up and listen to me, you're having some tea"

"Yes Dad" Killian sighed rolling his eyes

David laughed loudly "Back to "Dad" are we Son?"

Killian smirked but in seconds he was back to growling as he lowered himself down onto his bed.

"Do you still have that poultice that Lark brought in?" Killian called over to David

"I'll grab it in a second. Your ribs hurting?"

"Aye" Killian sighed closing his eyes "But that is nothing new"

Robin suddenly spoke "I can grab it, where is it?"

"By my bed" David replied

In seconds Robin was back by Killian's side "Do you want a hand to do this?"

Killian peeked his eyes open and gave a deep sigh "Aye Mate, that would be appreciated"

He tried to help by pulling his top back but the angle was wrong and he gave a groan when his ribs flared.

"Just let me do it" Robin said in a low voice "I will be done in no time"

He clamped his eyes closed when Robin started applying it expecting more pain but in seconds he realized that the archer was being extremely gentle and true to his word he was done in seconds leaving Killian to appreciate the warm feeling that seeped into his damaged ribs, the feeling was truly amazing and left him smiling. David handed him his tea a few minutes later and in no time at all Killian felt much better as he lay on his bed.

So much better in fact that he drifted off into sleep and within minutes he had visions of Junior, Henry and Swan laughing and screaming at the pool house in his head. Junior gave a particularly loud squeal of joy as he ran around the pool turning quickly to throw a water balloon. Killian followed it as it soared through the air but when it hit it's target his world narrowed as Devin snarled... the Lost One flickered a few times, blinking in and out of existence before suddenly doubling. Both Devins turned and snarled at Killian but they said nothing... Killian felt his heart rate pick up and he looked around himself trying to find the others, he needed to make sure they were safe but they were gone and he was no longer at the pool house he was in the clearing standing by Hangman's tree.

"You will NEVER be free from us" the Devins chimed in unison making Killian take an unconscious step backwards.

"Stay away from me" he gasped as he went, raising his hand to keep them back.

"You know how to win Papa" Junior's voice called out into the darkness but when he looked about the lad was nowhere to be seen

"See it Killian, you've seen it before" Henry's voice joined in

"We're waiting for you" Swan laughed "Hurry up and figure it out and we can maybe have that Christmas wedding you wanted after all"

"What? I don't understand Love"

"For being so smart you are not seeing what is RIGHT in front of you Pirate" Swan giggled

Killian was so confused, what was he missing? He looked back around himself only to find that the Devins had split up while he had been distracted. He spun quickly on the spot trying to relocate the demons but suddenly the Devin in front of him was raising his arm. Killian tried to get away as the Devin gave a maniacal laugh and threw the bean he held in his hand straight at Killian's feet opening a portal...

"Nooooooooo" he cried out trying to get away from the swirling hole that was opening beneath him.

Killian jumped to the side and he was gasping in pain again as his ribs flared but he didn't have time to mess about as there were suddenly hands on him.

"Get off of me" he yelled out trying to roll away

"It's just me, stop." David cried out. "You're gonna hurt yourself. What the hell were you trying to do?"

Killian opened his eyes to find that he was currently lying on the floor next to his bed, he let out a long breath as he relaxed a bit, these dreams were getting surreal. Although he could no longer really call them nightmares it didn't stop them being confusing and disorientating. He just wished that he could sleep just once without someone trying to either attack him or convince him he was being stupid and that he'd missed something.

"You OK?" David asked with a frown of concern

"Aye" Killian replied with a sigh and within seconds David had pulled him up and dumped him on the bed again before bending down and grabbing his blanket that he had apparently pulled over the edge with him.

"What happened?" David asked dropping down next to him as he clutched at his now pulsing ribs

"Mate, I don't have a bloody clue. These dreams are getting to be something else"

"I thought that thing was supposed to stop the nightmares" David said pointing at the dream catcher that hung from the side of the teepee

"They are no longer really nightmares" Killian replied wiping his hand down his face "I don't know what to call them other than confusing. Junior, Henry and Emma keep trying to tell me something but I don't know what they are talking about... they keep telling me that I know the answer to getting us home but I don't David, I swear I don't"

"Hey, it's OK, it's just a dream" David soothed "We HAVE a way home, you don't need to find one anymore so stop worrying about it and maybe the dreams will stop"

"I hope so" Killian sighed before looking out into the teepee "Where has Robin gone? And where is Ariel? We need to get this message done Brother, I do not want to leave them waiting longer than necessary"

"I hope you don't mind but when you fell asleep I recorded the other message so that Ariel could get back to Storybrooke. Robin went with her back to Mermaid's Lagoon, he shouldn't be too much longer"

"In all honesty David the thought of telling Swan of the Shadow Man was as you say "freaking me out" so I am fine with it as long as our family know that they need to be vigilant."

"They will, don't worry"

David had just got back up from the bed when Robin came back into the teepee carrying some food and wearing a smile on his lips.

"I thought you may be hungry" he said handing each of them a bowl before sitting himself down by the fire with his own "Ariel got underway with no issues"

"Good" David grit out before turning to Killian "You want to stay there or do you want to join us by the fire"

"Fire" Killian replied with a nod of his head towards Robin.

David took his bowl and helped him to his feet, he was happy to find that although very stiff his hip still felt better than it had in a long time and within seconds he was sitting by the flames tucking into his food.

"The Shadow Man" he suddenly said looking to Robin

"What of him?" Robin asked pausing his eating for a moment

"Which Lost One did he kill and which one did he take?"

Robin gave a sigh and let his bowl fall a bit "Xylo is dead and Jensen has been taken"

"Jensen, grab the rope"

Devin's voice was suddenly in Killian's ear, he clamped his eyes closed and pulled in a deep breath holding it for a second before letting it out slowly and looking back at David.

"That boy will not come back without a fight, he is almost as unhinged as Devin"

David nodded "We have to try though, we can't let the Shadow Man start to collect new Lost Boys, we have to stop him"

"Do we have any way of knowing where they are?" Robin asked with a frown

"I'd lay money on somewhere near the fairy dust trees at the far end of the island, that is always where the Shadow Man was found when I stayed here before. My men would NEVER venture up that far"

"Yeah well, we don't have a choice" David sighed putting his bowl down "First thing tomorrow I am heading out there"

"What?" Killian cried out "We have months before we head home David, how are we to keep him from the Shadow Man that long?"

"I don't care Hook, we will just have to find a way. We NEED to stop his magic building NOW. No hanging about. We need to end this"

"In that case I will be joining you, I will not let you risk yourself without me by your side again David, it is not going to happen".

David sighed "You are nowhere near healed enough to go anywhere, you barely made it around camp earlier"

"Well if you are going I am going too. The decision is yours. Either I struggle out of here tomorrow and we head blindly out into the jungle OR we wait a few days. We can form a search party, come up with a proper strategic plan and ensure we have somewhere to hide the boy... David listen to me, please."

"Hook is right, we need to make a solid plan" Robin added to the plea

"Since when did you become to voice of reason?" David grumbled to Killian

"Since you decided to be me and become reckless... Someone has to ensure that ALL of us get home and right now you are doing what I usually do and not thinking straight"

David sat heavily on the bed next to him "Fine... you win but I won't wait more than a few days so you better get busy with your physical therapy if you want to come too... I am not carrying your ass anymore, you can't walk, you don't come. Simple"

"Deal" Killian replied with a nod then chuckled "If only I had a pool that I could swim in"

Robin suddenly stepped forward "It might not be a pool but I know of a lake near by, maybe you could use that on the sunny days"

"Sounds ideal" Killian agreed with a quick smile "But until then there is nothing wrong with my brain. David, we need to talk to the Chief. No one knows this island better than him. We can come up with a strong plan of attack and with Lark's help I am sure that I will feel much better in no time, he has already worked wonders on me. We can hopefully be underway in as little as three days or so"

"I will go and find the Chief" Robin said walking to the teepee entrance but Killian was quick to pull himself up to his feet with only a slight growl

"No Mate, we should go to him." He shuffled forward after the archer with a grimace on his face but as he got level with Robin he grinned "The more I move the easier it will become and there is no time like the present to start my exercises. Come on, last one there is a rotten egg"

With that he pushed through the doorway and out into the clearing to find the sun blazing and all the snow gone. The birds were singing loudly, butterflies and bees were flying around their heads and the air was warm.

"What the...?" David muttered from behind him then added "I will never get used to this freaky weather"

Killian turned with a chuckle "Well one good thing can come from it at least, it would seem that I will be taking a swim later but first we have a battle plan to come up with."

Killian took off across the grassy area towards the teepee that the Chief had erected for himself with a smile on his face, he had purpose, he had a reason to keep pushing forward and for the first time in months he was going to be a part of something. He felt good, OK, he was still very tired and he had aches but they were nothing compared to what he had been dealing with before... he could do this, he WOULD do this.

He had found his confidence back and no Lost One, dead or alive was going to stop him... his family needed him to be strong so strong he would be.