Episode 3x09

"Resolution"

The more vainglorious part of Hook had hoped to play a larger part in saving Henry and defeating Pan. But in the end, most of their success came through others: Neal devised their way off the island, Wendy provided them with crucial information, Emma made allies of the Lost Boys, and Regina bested and captured Pan himself. Even Rumplestiltskin made a positive difference, promising to devise a cure for David's dreamshade poisoning that would allow him to leave the island.

But, Hook reminded himself, it was his ship that had gotten them there and would get them back to Storybrooke. In a way, he was the one who had made their victory possible in the first place. And now he was the one directing their escape from Neverland.

It was unusual to have so many people on the Jolly Roger who were not crewmembers. Even stranger was the variety among the passengers: there were only four grown men, including the Dark One himself; the rest were women, children, and a former fairy. It was remarkable that no one in the original party had been lost, and they were now joined by Neal, Tinker Bell, Wendy Darling, and most of the Lost Boys.

When he was not manning the helm, Hook walked about the ship, checking on the passengers. Despite their new alliance, he was still wary of the Lost Boys. Some had chosen to remain in Neverland, unable or unwilling to leave behind the life Pan had shaped for them. However, they brought Felix, the most loyal and cruel of them all, to prevent him from becoming Pan's successor.

Hook spoke quietly to Emma when he passed by her. "Can you really keep your word to the Lost Boys?" She had promised them a great deal, and while he admired her persuasion, he wondered how she would be able to make good on her promises. After all, finding a family was not easy, and she knew that better than most.

But Emma nodded confidently. "Between Regina, Gold, and me, we should be able to navigate the adoption system if they want to live outside Storybrooke."

"And what if they don't? Not all of them came from the Land Without Magic. They might find it difficult to live there after so many years in Neverland."

She hesitated. "Maybe we can grow more magic beans, or find another way to travel between worlds."

Snow White, who had been helping to distribute food to the passengers, paused to chime in. "The fairies might be able to help. The boys can stay at Granny's or the convent while they're settling in. Or they could stay on the ship—if that's okay with you?" She looked at Hook with a cautious kind of hope.

"Aye," he said, nodding. "The Jolly Roger will be the most familiar thing to them in a strange new place. They may stay until they know where they're going next."

Hook paused near the Darling girl, who was looking out over the ship's side, her forearms resting on the railing. He noticed her rubbing her upper arms as though to warm herself. "All right there, love?"

Wendy was startled at being addressed by the pirate captain. "F-fine, thank you," she said politely.

"You're cold," Hook observed. "The wind will do that to you. Wait here."

He went belowdecks, and from a closet of old clothes he found what he needed: a small dressing gown, meant for a youth about her age and size. When he returned to the deck, he found Neal talking with Wendy.

"I believe this was yours," Hook said, handing the garment to Neal. "You were wearing it when you first arrived in Neverland. I thought it might fit your friend." He nodded to Wendy.

The girl's eyes widened in recognition as Neal held up the robe. "Father gave that to you."

Neal smiled, huffing in amazement. "Thanks, Hook." He held the robe out to Wendy and helped her put it on. As she tied the sash he asked, "Wendy, do you know how long you were in Neverland?"

She frowned, looking forlorn. "I'm not sure. Years, I think. It was hard to keep track."

"I'm afraid I know. In your land, the Land Without Magic, over a century went by."

She stared in dismay. "A century?" There was no mistaking the despair in her voice.

"Yeah, but it's okay," Neal assured her. "You missed some really horrible events. Things are better now, in the twenty-first century. And if your brothers are there, I'm sure they'll help you adjust."

She smiled, shaking her head in wonder. "It's so much to believe … being free, going home. I can hardly imagine it. I don't even know what I'll do, besides finding my brothers."

"Well, you have your whole life ahead—plenty of time to figure out what you want to do." Neal paused, his hands in his pockets, and turned to Hook. "So, once we get back to Storybrooke … are you planning to stay?"

Hook could guess the real question behind Neal's words: would he continue to pursue Emma?

"I've hardly had the chance to think about it," he said ambivalently. That much was true: he had barely counted on surviving this adventure, let alone making it out of Neverland. Now, he supposed, he would have to consider his options and decide where to chart his course. But to avoid answering, he turned the question back to Neal. "Are you?"

"Absolutely," Neal said at once. "I just got my son back. I'm not leaving him anytime soon."

Hook nodded shortly. "Fair enough, mate."

The two of them did not speak again for the rest of the journey. But a short time later, when Hook was at the helm, he saw Henry come up on deck and listened as Neal talked to him. It was the first time Hook saw the two of them together. He had no idea what their relationship was like, but now they shared a common experience of being trapped in Neverland.

Neal spoke to his son warmly, though not without some awkwardness. "I know we haven't had much of a chance to be a family. Not yet. I just want you to know that you have a dad now. Now and for forever. I'll never leave you, okay, buddy?"

Those words, and the sight of the father and son's warm embrace, tugged at something in Hook's heart—or maybe several things.

For one, it reminded him of his own father. Brennan Jones had acted like a wise and loving parent, only to deliberately abandon his sons and sell them into servitude. He would never have made the kind of promise that Neal just had.

A part of Hook was glad that Neal, who had been as good as an orphan when they first met, had regained his family. It was quite remarkable, actually, that such a thing had happened in Neverland, where no one had a family. In just a few days, Neal had reunited and reconciled with his father, his former lover, his childhood friend, and his son.

Hook was also glad that Henry had been rescued and was now surrounded by his family, with three parents and three grandparents. But it was lonely for Hook to remember that he was the odd one out among them. He had no real relation to Henry—unless his past relationship with Milah made him something like a step-grandparent, which was not a very comfortable line of thought now that he knew Emma's history with Baelfire.

Despite his happiness over their victory and escape, Hook could not feeling a little pained. It seemed that Neal was determined to be a part of Henry's life—which meant that, by extension, he would also be part of Emma's life. And if Emma chose to be with Neal again, the three of them could be a complete family. Henry could have both of his parents, something he and most of his relatives had lacked for the greater part of their lives.

Hook knew then what he must do—or rather, not do.

He had no right to hope or expect to become Henry's father figure, when the boy's actual father was alive and wanted to be there for him. It was Neal's right and responsibility, not Hook's.

And if Neal was going to take his rightful place as Henry's father, it would make sense for him to be with Emma. Henry would undoubtedly prefer that over having separated parents and a stepfather.

It was not in Killian Jones' nature to give up. He never surrendered or forfeited or retreated from a challenge. He had always believed that a man who did not fight for what he wanted deserved what he got.

But if there was ever a good reason not to fight for what he wanted, this was it.

Hook would always be willing to fight for Emma's sake, for her wellbeing and happiness, and that of the people she loved. But he knew he had to give up vying for her affections or any singular place in her life.

He had fractured Baelfire's family by taking Milah away. He would not do that to him again by pulling Emma away—not when they had a son to care for.

At any rate, much depended on whether Neal took the initiative to patch things up with Emma, and whether she was open to having him in her life again. If Neal did not fight for her, Hook certainly would.

His years in Neverland had taught him patience. He would wait and see how things played out. And if Emma decided she did not want Neal, he would be next in line.

Author's Notes

Wendy is seen wearing Baelfire's dressing gown at the start of Episode 3x10, which I thought was adorable. I figured it must have been left either on the Jolly Roger or in Baelfire's cave in Neverland, so I went with the former scenario for this story.

I also tried to fill in the gap left by the Lost Boys who were never seen or mentioned again after coming to Storybrooke. Pan's curse would have transported them to the Enchanted Forest, so I assume they would have found homes there. But then they might also have been brought back to Storybrooke when the next curse was cast, so they could be part of the youth population there!

Finally, I wanted to explore what led to Hook's decision that he shares with Neal in the following episode. Although the camera does not focus on him, he is visible behind Henry and Neal when they have their conversation on the Jolly Roger. I figured he must have seen them hug and possibly heard what they said.