Hook stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the dank wall of the dungeon containing the cell where Rumplestiltskin had once been imprisoned. He stared at the four women currently trapped there; or more accurately, he stared at Emma Swan, the woman who bested him twice in the last few days.
He refrained from snorting derisively as he listened to Cora taunt them, directing her venomous comments toward the dark haired woman who was somehow Emma's mother. The Queen of Hearts was attempting to sound like a loving mother who just wanted to make her daughter Regina happy, but he knew better.
"...and now I'm going to give her the one thing she's always wanted - your heart. Goodbye, Snow."
Hook flinched as he watched Cora thrust her hand toward the other woman's chest. When he saw the Swan girl push her mother out of the way, he dropped his arms and jerked forward, his own heart in his throat and sick despair in his gut. But before he could utter the warning that was on the tip of his tongue, Cora's hand plunged into Emma's chest.
Frozen in place - extremely unpleasant and unbidden memories parading themselves across his mind - he waited for the inevitable. He didn't think he would be able to stand to watch the blonde's heart get crushed and see her crumple lifelessly to the ground.
"Oh, you foolish girl!" Cora chided. "Don't you know? Love is weakness."
Hook's eyes closed as he heard the unmistakable squelching sound of a heart being seized, but they popped open again when Cora's gasp of disbelief reached his ears. She was tugging repeatedly, unable to extract the organ.
Suddenly, Emma straightened and stared straight into her adversary's face. "No," she stated, forcefully. "It's strength." The moment she uttered those words, Cora was thrown backwards by a stunning blast of magic.
Hook stood numbly, his jaw slack with shock. In his entire association with Cora, he had never seen anyone who could repel her magic. Yet here was the Swan girl, seemingly a complete novice in the practice of magic, completely knocking the witch off her feet. It was at that moment, Hook made the final decision of who would receive his allegiance.
Cora pushed herself to her feet with a curse, dramatically brushing the dust from her gown and glaring at Emma. "I should make you pay for that little stunt, but simply knowing you will die a slow death in the dungeon of your parents' own castle is enough satisfaction for me." With as much dignity as she could muster, she pivoted and swished past the pirate. "Come, Hook. We have everything we need to get to Storybrooke." She said the last word pointedly, obviously knowing the pain her statement would inflict.
Hook watched her go, fingering the withered bean he pilfered from the giant. He took a step toward the cage as he considered giving it to the Swan girl, but thought better of it and placed it in his pocket instead. He just witnessed the powerful magic she had within her and had no doubt she would somehow be able to break them out of the cell.
Ignoring the pleas of the four women, he turned to follow Cora out of the dungeon, checking his hook to ensure it was securely locked into the brace. Moving stealthily, he came up behind her, hesitating only a second before plunging the appendage into her neck. His aim was true, puncturing the carotid artery. Cora stumbled and fell to her knees, clutching at the wound which was spraying the walls with her blood.
Kneeling beside his former ally, he plucked the compass and Aurora's heart from the floor where she dropped them, and quickly located the vial containing the ashes of the magic wardrobe. Then, looking into her rapidly paling face, he stated, "My apologies, Your Majesty, but I find I am no longer in need of your services."
Choking on her own blood, her answer came out as a gurgle. Her fingers clawed at the leather of his vest, desperately trying to cling to life, but to no avail. He watched the last flicker of light leave her eyes, then her lifeless body collapsed to the ground.
xxxxxxxxx
Hook was waiting outside the castle when the four princesses came rushing out some time later. Aurora's hand was covering her mouth, clearly queasy after seeing the grisly scene on her way out.
Emma stopped short when she spotted the pirate, lounging against the stone wall at the entrance of the dungeon as if he hadn't a care in the world. "I'm assuming that's your handiwork in there?"
"What, Cora?" he asked nonchalantly, making a show of polishing his hook with his sleeve. "Aye, it is."
"Why did you kill her?" Mary Margaret asked. "Not that I'm complaining, but why did you do it?"
Hook slowly straightened up, taking his time before answering. "Cora was not to be trusted. I only worked with her because she appeared to provide the best opportunity for me to meet my objective, but now that is no longer the case."
"So you found another way to get to Gold?" Emma asked.
"Indeed, I did."
"Then why are you still here?" Mulan questioned.
"Because you lovelies are that other way."
"Us?" Mary Margaret squeaked. "But we haven't figured out a way to get back to Storybrooke yet."
"I believe I have everything necessary to accomplish that," Hook said, patting the satchel resting on his hip. "And I also have this," he added, reaching into the bag to pull out Aurora's red, glowing heart. He held it out to Emma, who took a step back.
"Why are you giving it to me?"
"Because it takes magic to return someone's heart, Love."
"But I…" Her voice trailed away.
"Have magic, Swan," Hook continued her thought when it became clear she wouldn't.
She squirmed under his penetrating gaze, her mind struggling to come to grips with the thought. Did she have magic? It was unbelievable! Then again, a week ago, she wouldn't have believed she could slay a dragon or break a curse with True Love's Kiss. But freaking Captain Hook was obviously convinced she did.
What even was her life?
"Please," Aurora pleaded, interrupting Emma's spiraling thoughts as she stepped in front of her. "Hook's right. It has to be you."
Emma stared at her disbelievingly for a few moments, then finally held out her hand for Hook to place the heart into it. Balancing it on her palm, her face tightened into a mask of determination before she thrust her hand forward, burying it in Aurora's chest. The princess gasped, nearly doubling over, then straightened and beamed at Emma as she withdrew her hand. "You did it! Thank you!" she exclaimed.
Emma stood looking down at her hand with a slightly squeamish look on her face. "That is definitely something I hope I never have to do again."
Aurora grabbed Emma and gave her a hug, before turning to Mulan. "We need to get back to Philip."
Mulan glared at Hook with narrowed eyes. "Are you sure that's wise? Snow and Emma might still need protection."
"Do you really think I pose a threat to them when they are going to help me get my revenge?" he growled.
"Who's to say you won't kill them once you do?" Mulan countered. "You disposed of Cora once you didn't need her anymore."
He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Aww, don't tell me you had become fond of her."
Mulan straightened her spine to stand at her full height. "Of course not! She was pure evil, but you killed her in cold blood."
"You have no reason to fear for your friends' lives." He almost looked offended by Mulan's words. "I don't intend to harm them, but you saw what Cora tried to do to Snow White in there. She was the one who was going to enable her daughter to murder in cold blood. I was simply putting a stop to her reign of terror."
"Look, I don't really care who murdered who in cold blood," Emma interjected. "I just want to get home to my son! Mulan, go with us or don't, it doesn't matter. Aurora, go find your prince. Hook, show me what you have in that bag and tell me how we can use it to get to Storybrooke."
"There's the tough lass I've come to know," Hook smirked, lifting the flap on the satchel and reaching inside. "Compass and magic wardrobe ashes," he recited, placing each of the items into Emma's outstretched hands. "Cora's theory was that the ashes could create a portal, but just in case she was wrong, I also have this." Drawing the string containing the giant's magic bean over his head, he let it swing at eye level between them.
"How is that supposed to help?" Snow asked. "It's dried up, useless."
"Ah, but the waters of Lake Nostos have regenerative properties. That's where Cora and I were going before she met her…unfortunate demise."
"That lake doesn't have water in it anymore," Snow said. "We…we needed it to save David's mother, but it was completely dry because he had killed the siren who lived in it. Of course, she was trying to kill him first."
Hook turned his eyes on Emma. "Cora said the lake could be restored with magic. That's where you come in, Love."
Emma stared wide-eyed at each of the four people surrounding her in turn. "I know nothing about how to use…" she paused and waved her hand around, having trouble actually saying the word, "...magic!"
Snow stepped in front of her daughter and grasped her upper arms. "You can do it, Emma! You said it yourself - love is strength. If you just concentrate on the love you have for Henry and how much you want to get back to him, I'm sure you will be able to make your magic work."
Blowing out a long breath, Emma said, "Well, I guess I won't know until I try."
"Too right, lass," Hook agreed. "Now, shall we be on our way? I have a crocodile to skin."
After bidding goodbye to Aurora and Mulan, Hook led the way to Lake Nostos, attempting to engage Emma and Snow in conversation along the way. "So, tell me how the two of you are mother and daughter when you look to be nearly the same age. Have you been to Neverland where time stands still, Milady?" he asked Snow.
The two women exchanged glances. "It's a long story," Snow said.
"My schedule is pretty open right now," Hook quipped.
"You were with Cora. Did she not tell you about the curse her daughter cast?" Snow asked.
"Ah, yes, of course. She did explain the significance of the wardrobe ashes. So, you were caught up in it and didn't age, while your daughter was sent to the Land Without Magic by herself, essentially an orphan."
Emma's eyes flitted over to him at the reminder of the words he had spoken to her on the beanstalk. "Do we really have to listen to you talk the whole way? I'm trying to concentrate on how I'm going to make my magic work once we get there."
"I shall endeavor to give you the silence you request, Princess," Hook said with a slight bow.
"Don't call me that," she muttered under her breath.
"As you wish, Emma."
She glared at him, eliciting a smirk before he turned his attention back to the path in front of them. They walked on in silence for a while, until Snow quietly said, "The lake wasn't completely dried up when we reached it, you know."
"Why couldn't it save my grandmother, then?" Emma asked.
When Snow didn't answer for a few moments, Emma looked over, her brow furrowing when she saw that her mother was obviously struggling with her emotions. Her chin trembled and Emma could see the glistening of tears in her eyes. Finally, she whispered, "Because she insisted that I take the swallow of water left to reverse the curse of barrenness King George put on me. If she hadn't…well…you wouldn't be here."
There was silence between the three of them as they pondered that revelation.
"Then you and David were married on the shore of the lake, right?" Emma asked, seeking to lift the somberness of the moment.
"Yes," Snow smiled slightly. "Lancelot married us, so Ruth could witness it before she passed."
"That's quite the romantic tale, Milady," Hook murmured.
"What would you know about romance?" Emma mumbled.
Hook's eyes snapped to hers and she saw a flash of hurt in them. Remembering what he said about Milah when they were at the top of the beanstalk, she immediately regretted her words and was opening her mouth to apologize, when he cleared his throat and responded, "I've wooed many a woman, Swan. Perhaps you desire to be one of them."
Although she could tell he was using the innuendo to mask his true feelings, she couldn't keep herself from retorting, "In your dreams, buddy."
He turned and took a step closer to her, bending until his face was within inches of hers. "Since it appears that you're amenable, I will see you in my dreams, Swan."
"I think we're almost there," Snow stated, and Emma breathed a sigh of relief at the interruption.
Hook gave her one more meaningful look before turning and glancing around their surroundings. "Aye, you're correct. It should be just around that bend in the road."
They finished the journey in silence. Once they reached the edge of what obviously used to be the lake, Hook came to a stop in the soft sand, halting Snow and Emma in their tracks. Crossing his arms over his chest, he said, "Well, this is it. Time to work your magic, Swan."
"You say that like it's the easiest thing in the world," she grumbled, her eyes flitting over the barren ground in front of them.
Snow stepped up beside her and took her hand. "I believe there is powerful magic inside you, Emma. No one has ever been able to defeat Cora like you did. You don't need to fill the lake, all you need to do is generate enough water to restore the bean."
"Yeah, okay," Emma answered, widening her stance and setting her jaw in determination. She closed her eyes, picturing her son and father in her mind. A tingling sensation worked itself up from her chest, down her arms and to her fingertips. Stretching her arms out in front of her, she felt the sensation build until she was sure it was ready to burst, then thrust her hands forward.
She heard her mother gasp beside her, but Emma kept her eyes closed, afraid to open them for fear it hadn't worked. Suddenly, she felt Hook's presence beside her. "Well done, Love," he murmured into her ear, sending a different type of tingle through her body.
Her eyes popped open, her knees nearly buckling as she beheld the sparking blue water of the lake, filled so completely that the water lapped at the toes of her boots.
"You did it, Emma!" Snow exclaimed. "I knew you could!"
As Emma continued to stare in disbelief, Hook once again pulled the string containing the magic bean over his head. Holding it out to Emma, he asked, "Would you like to do the honors?"
"Uh, sure," she said, snapping out of her trance to take it. Bending down, she dipped the black, shriveled bean into the water, waiting a few seconds before pulling it out.
Snow gave a little cheer when the crystal clear bean emerged, fully restored. When Hook reached for it, Emma pulled it back. Slipping the string over her head, she said, "I think I'll hold onto this, if you don't mind."
Once again, she caught a quick glimpse of hurt pass over his face before he composed himself and replied, "As you wish."
"What's the next part of the plan?" Emma asked.
"Now," Hook replied, "we sail to Storybrooke on my ship, the Jolly Roger."
"Of course we do," mumbled Emma. "Why am I not surprised?"
xxxxxxxxx
Hook decided to use the bean to create a portal and, in a surprising show of generosity, gave the vial of ashes from the wardrobe to Mary Margaret 'for the sake of nostalgia.'
"I had no idea you had such a soft side," Emma commented.
"I don't," he was quick to reply. "Just don't have any need for sparkly dirt."
Emma could tell he wasn't being completely truthful, but decided getting to Henry was more important than questioning him.
He quickly got the ship ready to sail and they were soon out at sea, dropping into a portal that looked like a whirlpool. It was the middle of the night by the time they reached Storybrooke.
"It's been a pleasure to travel on such a beautiful ship!" Mary Margaret proclaimed.
"Aye, my ship - she's a marvel," Hook agreed proudly, guiding the Jolly Roger into the harbor.
"I can't believe you were able to sail it without a crew," Emma said.
"I'm a hell of a captain," he smirked. "Besides, I had the two of you to help and you were fast learners. You're welcome to join my crew."
"Don't count on it," Emma mumbled.
"Pity, that," Hook commented. "I could take you on exciting adventures, show you exotic places that are beyond your wildest dreams."
"I've had enough adventure in the last few weeks to last me a lifetime, thank you very much. Right now the only place I want to be is with my son."
Hook hummed, nodding his understanding as he expertly maneuvered the ship into a berth. As soon as it was docked and he dropped the gangplank, Emma and Mary Margaret hastily thanked him and wasted no time disembarking and hurrying down the street.
Hook stood alone, watching them until they disappeared around a corner. Even without Emma in his line of view, he could still see her in his mind's eye, blonde locks flying behind her as she ran, her lithe body moving effortlessly.
Mentally shaking himself, he tried to force his thoughts toward how he was going to exact his revenge on the crocodile. He had been waiting for this opportunity for over two hundred years, and now it was within his grasp.
So why was winning the affections of the feisty Emma Swan suddenly more important?
xxxxxxxxx
Storybrooke was an enigma to Hook. It was nothing like the Enchanted Forest, but some of the same laws of magic still applied. Even though they were in the 'Land Without Magic', magic had somehow found its way there, and the Dark One was still the Dark One, with the same power and immortality.
Hook had trouble reconciling the fact that the distinguished-looking Mr. Gold was the persona adopted by the evil imp, Rumplestiltskin. Yet, as he spied on the man day after day, he could see that he exhibited the same despicable and selfish tendencies when interacting with the residents of the town.
He was stunned to learn the Dark One had a lady love - Belle French, the beautiful, mannerly librarian. When Rumplestiltskin was with her, his behavior was entirely different, and Hook could tell she had won his heart. This knowledge helped him hatch a plan that was sure to destroy the crocodile's life, just as he had destroyed Hook's.
By listening carefully to snippets of conversations while he covertly roamed around Storybrooke, he learned no one could cross the town line. Rumplestiltskin, however, had apparently found a way around that little problem.
While gathering that information, Hook also kept an eye on Emma Swan. It turned out she was the town's law enforcement, so was often out on the streets. He watched her from a distance and felt a pang of jealousy every time he saw her with a handsome, sandy-haired man, until the day he saw the same man with Mary Margaret and realized he must be Emma's father.
He also saw her with the boy he assumed was her son. It felt odd to have a sense of pride at being able to help reunite the two. The lad didn't seem to be any worse for the wear, having nearly lost his mother and grandmother. He was always speaking animatedly to Emma as they strolled down the sidewalk together.
Hook had been able to avoid contact with Regina thus far. He was hoping not to have to explain his role in her mother's death. Her relationship with Cora was contentious, but she was still Regina's mother and he was sure to be the recipient of her wrath and perhaps a fireball or two.
His stealth as a pirate served him well, and he was able to elude being noticed by the crocodile. However, hiding the Jolly Roger was a completely different matter. He knew his ship was too visible in Storybrooke harbor, but he needed her to be at his disposal. He finally settled on docking her around the bend at a rocky outcropping where she would be concealed, while allowing him access via a secluded section of beach that seemed to be ignored by the citizens of the town.
The day Rumplestiltskin planned to cross the town line finally arrived. Hook hid himself amongst the trees along the road early that morning, unsure of when the attempt would be made. He checked and re-checked the gun he managed to pilfer from the sheriff's station. It was similar to the pistols he used for centuries, but was smaller and easier to handle. After watching Emma using one to shoot target practice in the middle of the woods one day, he knew it would be much more efficient than his hook in reaching his objective.
When Hook heard one of those odd contraptions called a car approaching, he made sure the gun was ready to fire and got into position behind a large tree. He watched Rumplestiltskin and Belle exit the vehicle and step toward the town line. Belle held a shawl in her hands that Hook recognized as one Milah made, and Rumplestiltskin held a potion bottle. Hook saw him speaking to Belle, but wasn't close enough to hear what he was saying. The way she stood there gazing at him as if he hung the moon turned Hook's stomach.
Rumplestiltskin took the stopper out of the bottle and poured the potion on the shawl, then tossed the bottle away. Hook saw the fabric glowing as Belle placed it around Rumplestiltskin's neck.
"Here we go," he said, then slowly limped over the town line. Turning, he hesitated for a long moment, then pointed at the auburn-haired beauty and said simply, "Belle."
She let out a joyful laugh and said, "It worked!" Taking his hand, she added, "Now you can find your son."
Just as Rumplestiltskin began to respond, Hook stepped out from behind the tree.
"This is for you, Milah," he whispered, then pulled the trigger.
Belle's scream ripped through the air as Rumplestiltskin stepped quickly over the line to catch her before she fell. Looking up, his eyes filled with rage at seeing his old nemesis. "What have you done?" he screamed. "Belle has done nothing to you!"
"I can't kill the Dark One, but I can kill the woman who holds your heart. You killed my love. Now you know the feeling."
Rumplestiltskin turned his attention back to Belle, searching for her injury. Meanwhile, Hook started walking back through the woods, intending to return to his ship and sail away, his revenge complete.
He was on the outskirts of town when he heard the sounds of what he had learned were sirens. His smile of satisfaction faded, knowing Emma would soon find out about his murderous act. She was sure to disapprove. Apparently in this modern world, scores weren't settled with a life for a life.
Hook finally reached his ship and went aboard. He was in the process of readying it to sail when he heard a familiar voice.
"Going somewhere, Hook?"
Walking across the deck, he looked over the side. The light from the moon illuminated the blonde hair of Emma Swan, who was standing on the beach below.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Swan?" he asked non-chalantly.
"You do know it's against the law to shoot someone, don't you?"
"In the Enchanted Forest, it's called vengeance."
"In Storybrooke, it's called attempted murder."
Hook's brows shot up. "Attempted?"
"Oh, are you disappointed you didn't succeed in killing an innocent woman? You shot her in the shoulder. She's been taken to the hospital, but she's expected to be fine."
"Bloody hell," Hook mumbled, pounding his fist on the wooden railing.
"Are you going to come down here or do I have to come onboard?"
He decided to try turning on the charm. "Why Swan, are you seducing me?"
"You're not funny, buddy. Belle isn't only a citizen of this town, she's also my friend. Now, I'm not asking, I'm ordering. Get down here right now. You're under arrest."
Hook sighed. He knew if he tried to sail away, he would appear to be a coward. Might as well face the music. "Very well," he said, starting to saunter over to the gangplank.
"And bring the gun you stole from the sheriff's office. You'll be charged with theft for that, too."
Hook briefly wondered how she found out about that, but didn't ask. Being such a brilliant lass, he was sure she figured it out on her own.
She met him at the bottom of the gangplank, a set of handcuffs in her hand. "Hands behind your back," she instructed gruffly.
"Is that really necessary? I'll come along peacefully."
"It's standard procedure," she said, encouraging him to turn around by tugging on his arm.
Once the cuffs were firmly around his wrist and the brace holding his hook, she patted him down until she found the gun in the deep pocket of his long duster. Holding it up in front of him, she snarled, "I can't believe you stole a gun from the police. When did you manage to do that?"
"I can't give away all of my secrets, Swan."
"Fine, but you'll have plenty of time to reconsider. You're gonna be locked up for a long time," she stated, giving him a not so gentle shove to get him moving.
"We'll see about that," he said, throwing her a look over his shoulder.
"You should count yourself lucky that you'll be locked up. Gold is furious and if he gets to you, it's hard to tell what he'll do."
"I'm not afraid of the bloody crocodile," Hook said, a sardonic grin on his face.
"Keep smiling, buddy. You're under arrest and handcuffed. He's on his feet, immortal, has magic and you hurt his girl. If I were to pick dead guy of the year, I'd pick you."
Hook turned away from her and continued trudging along the beach. Neither of them spoke again until they reached the squad car. After locking him in the back, Emma seated herself behind the wheel and picked up the radio. "I have the suspect in custody," she reported. "I'll be at the station in five minutes."
Once they arrived, David came out of the building and opened the back door. Grabbing Hook by the arm, he roughly pulled him out of the car. Keeping an iron grip on him, he led him into the station, Emma following along behind.
"Any news on Belle?" she asked.
"Whale took her in for surgery a little while ago. He said he would update us when he's finished."
"Is Gold at the hospital?"
"Yeah. I asked Leroy to hang around and let us know if he leaves. I'm sure once he finds out Hook is locked up here, he'll be paying us a visit."
"Good idea. I'm sure Leroy won't mind being our informant." Holding up the gun, she added, "Got this back. I'll tag it for evidence."
"Think you're pretty clever stealing a gun from the police and using it to shoot an innocent woman, don't you, Hook?" David said, practically spitting the last word at him.
"I'm usually a better shot, but I'm not used to such a small weapon," Hook quipped. "My weapons are much bigger and have better accuracy."
"Why didn't you just use one of them, then?" Emma asked, stepping behind the camera to take his mugshot.
"Alas, I failed to procure more ammunition before embarking on our trip to your fair Storybrooke."
David positioned him in front of the wall, instructing him to look at the camera. He glowered as Emma took the first picture. "Turn to your right," she ordered.
"You look good, I must say. All 'turn to your right' in a commanding voice. Chills," Hook commented as he followed her directions.
Emma rolled her eyes before clicking the button on the camera.
After the pictures were finished, David unlocked the handcuffs, telling Hook to take off his heavy coat, which he did without complaint. However, when Emma told him to remove his hook, he balked.
"No arguments," Emma commanded. "You'll pick the lock with that thing."
He glared at her for several moments, but it made no difference. She stood there with her hand out, staring him down until he finally twisted the device out of the brace and begrudgingly placed it in her palm.
Soon he was escorted into one of the jail cells and the door slammed shut behind him. "I'll take the first watch," Emma told David. "You go home to Mary Margaret and tell Henry I'll be home tomorrow."
"Are you sure?" David asked, his arms crossed over his broad chest as he gave Hook a hard stare. "I'd be happy to stay here and let you go home to get some sleep."
"It's no problem. I'm too wound up to sleep, anyway."
"Or you could both go home," Hook stated. "I promise I'll be on my best behavior."
"Yeah, like I would trust you," Emma spat.
"Okay, I'm taking off. If he gives you any trouble, call me. I'll be more than willing to punch him in the face," David said.
"Quite hostile, aren't you?" Hook drawled, casually leaning against the bars examining his fingernails nonchalantly.
"Just making myself clear," David responded. Turning back to Emma, he added, "If I hear anything from Whale or Leroy, I'll let you know, but they will probably call the station first."
"True. I'll text you if they do."
"Text?" Hook questioned.
"It's a way of communicating through the phone," she explained, waving the device in the air to show him. "Something a thousand-year-old pirate wouldn't understand."
"More like three hundred," Hook grumbled.
David and Emma said their goodbyes, then she sat down in the desk chair, swiveling it back and forth as she crossed her arms and fixed Hook with a stare. "So let me get this straight - your idea of getting revenge on Rumplestiltskin was to steal a gun and shoot his girlfriend, then sail away?"
"As you're well aware, the Dark One can't be killed. I wanted him to know the pain of losing a woman he loved. That pain is worse than death."
"From what you said at the top of the beanstalk, I surmised he killed the woman you loved. "
"Aye, my Milah. He pulled her heart out and crushed it right in front of me."
Emma winced. "No wonder you hate the guy. What did you do to him to make him do something like that?"
Hook wandered over and sat on the cot, leaning back against the wall and crossing his own arms. "Well, you see, Milah was Rumplestiltskin's wife, but she left him because he was a coward. The laughing stock of the town. She couldn't take it anymore and ran away with me to live a life of adventure on the high seas."
"You were either brave or stupid to fall in love with the Dark One's wife."
"He wasn't the Dark One when I fell in love with her."
Before Emma could answer, the phone sitting on the desk began ringing. "Sheriff's station," she answered.
Hook listened to her side of the conversation, watching her furrow her brow and nod. After she hung up, she said, "That was Whale. Belle is out of surgery. The bullet came out clean and she's going to be fine."
"Is she in pain at least?"
Emma narrowed her eyes at him. "Belle is sweet and would never hurt anyone."
"Neither would Milah," he shot back.
"Still, don't you feel at all guilty about shooting Belle when she didn't do anything wrong?"
"She fell in love with the bloody Dark One! She should thank me for trying to put her out of her misery."
"I should have known you wouldn't feel any remorse. You are a pirate, after all," she scoffed with disdain.
A flash of hurt passed across his face before he huffed, "Aye, that I am."
Emma placed a call to David to tell him the news about Belle. After ending it, she and Hook fell into silence. He lay down on the lumpy, narrow cot, dramatically punching at the pillow with his fist, then closed his eyes to make a pretense of falling asleep. Every time he cracked open his eyes to peek at Emma, she was staring at him.
"See something you like, Swan?" he finally asked.
"No. I just see someone who can't be trusted."
"So you plan to remain awake all night to make sure I won't escape?"
"If that's what it takes."
"Rest assured, Darling, I have no way to escape this cell. You can go to sleep."
"Actually," she said, standing up and striding over to a file cabinet, "I have a lot of paperwork to fill out because of your little stunt tonight. Might as well put this time to good use."
Sitting back down at the desk, she pulled out a pen and started writing. Hook watched her for a few minutes until he got bored, then closed his eyes and drifted to sleep. He dreamed that Milah was lying on the deck of the Jolly Roger in the exact spot where she died, sobbing and telling him that he failed her again.
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When Hook woke up the next morning, David was sitting at the desk, playing solitaire with a deck of cards.
"So that's what you look like when you don't get your beauty sleep, Swan," Hook quipped.
David didn't even look up. "I see sleep doesn't improve your ability to be funny."
Hook sat up and swung his legs over the side of the cot, looking around the cell. "I don't suppose you have a chamber pot available, do you mate?"
"No chamber pots and I'm not your mate," David said, pushing himself away from the desk. "I can let you use the bathroom, but if you try anything…" he patted the gun in the holster he was wearing.
"I wasn't asking to take a bath, sheriff," Hook said, over emphasizing the last word. "I just need a pot to piss in."
"A bathroom is where you do that in the modern world, pirate," David retorted. "Haven't you heard of a toilet?"
"Can't say that I have since I've only been in this world for a few days. How long did it take you to adjust to all of the changes?"
David unlocked the cell door and swung it open, reaching in to firmly grip Hook's arm. "I don't know. I was in a coma for twenty-eight years."
Hook gaped at him as he stumbled out of the cell. "I suppose that was Regina's doing?"
"Yeah, She also provided me with a wife, and it wasn't Snow."
"She really had it in for the two of you, didn't she?"
"The three of us, actually. We were forced to send Emma to this world just minutes after she was born in order for her to escape the coming curse. We hoped she would be able to find us and break it someday."
"And she did," Hook stated knowingly.
"Of course she did. And besides that, the first day she ever handled a sword, she slayed a dragon," David said, puffing his chest out proudly. "In case you haven't noticed, my daughter is the strongest, bravest, most intelligent person you will ever meet."
"I have noticed, believe me," Hook muttered.
They reached the bathroom and David gave him a small push inside, then closed the door behind him. After a moment, he called out, "The toilet is the thing with the water in it. Don't pee in the sink!"
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Hook was surprised Emma didn't come into the station that morning. Ruby arrived to deliver breakfast from Granny's for David and Hook, but otherwise, it was just the two men ignoring each other.
It was almost noon when Leroy burst into the office, spouting something about Gold running off to New York City. None of it concerned Hook, who was happy to hear the crocodile would be leaving town, until he heard the dwarf mention Emma.
"Why would Emma go anywhere with him?" David asked, launching himself out of his chair.
"Gold said she has to help him because he doesn't know how airports work," Leroy explained. "He said if she won't, he's going to come here and kill Hook."
"What's the downside of that?" David asked.
"Hey!" Hook protested.
"I'm going to go home and try to talk some sense into her," David said, grabbing his jacket off the back of his chair. "Can you stay here and keep an eye on him?"
"Gladly," Leroy growled, glowering at Hook. "If he tries anything, do I have permission to shoot him?"
"He won't try anything, will you, Hook?"
"I wouldn't dare, after being threatened by a dwarf," Hook responded derisively. He watched David sprint out of the station, hoping he would be able to talk Emma out of the insane idea of traveling with Rumplestiltskin.
Leroy plopped into the chair David had vacated, crossing his arms across his chest with a furious look on his face. Hook wasn't in the mood to deal with the dwarf, so he lay down on the cot, turning to face the wall.
He had no idea how much time passed before he heard David come back. He continued to pretend to be asleep, hoping to hear information about Emma.
"Did he give you any trouble?" the sheriff asked.
"Nope. I let him know in no uncertain terms that I wouldn't put up with any nonsense. Must not have wanted to tangle with me, because he hasn't said a peep."
Hook rolled his eyes so hard, it was almost painful.
"Were you able to talk your daughter out of the cockamamie idea of going to New York with Gold?" Leroy continued.
Hook's blood froze at David's next words. "No. She's as stubborn as the day is long. They're on their way to the airport right now. Henry is staying with us until she gets back."
"Do you think she's safe with him?" Leroy asked.
"The only consolation I have is that he needs her to drive him there and navigate the process of flying. He won't gain anything by hurting her."
In theory, Hook knew that was true. But he also knew the Dark One tricks and the Dark One lies. He didn't put anything past Rumplestiltskin. His mind began churning with ideas for how to break out of jail and get to Emma before something happened to her. If he had to kill Rumplestiltskin to accomplish that, so much the better.
While David and Leroy continued to talk, Hook formulated a plan.
The first step was accomplished shortly after Leroy left, when Ruby delivered lunch from the diner. While David was occupied chatting with the waitress, Hook used a large hairpin he kept in his pocket to help him pull the small buttons of his shirt through the buttonholes, to pick the lock of the cell. It wasn't easy doing it with one hand, but he managed in a relatively short amount of time.
"I'm going to wash my hands, then I'll give you your lunch," David announced, turning his back to walk toward the bathroom. Hook slipped out of the cell, immediately going for the crowbar he had noticed sitting in a corner of the room. Stealthily, he moved to stand outside the bathroom door with the weapon raised in his hand.
When David emerged a minute later, Hook clocked him, muttering, "Apologies, mate, but if you aren't going to ensure your daughter's safety, I guess it's up to me."
Stepping over David's unconscious form, he went to the desk and started opening drawers. Finding his hook in the bottom one, he clicked it into place, grabbed his heavy duster from the coat rack and left the station.
After making it down Main Street by ducking and dodging into alleys and behind dumpsters, he arrived at Gold's Pawn Shop. He made quick work of picking the lock on the back door, entering quietly and starting his search.
He soon found the case where Gold kept his potions and poisons. The bottle filled with a thick, inky liquid drew his attention. He carefully unstoppered and sniffed it. Finding it to be exactly what he was hoping to procure, he stuck it into the deep pocket of his coat and rushed back out the door.
The trip to the Jolly Roger was without incident or coming into contact with any of the townsfolk. Since it was made ready to sail the night before, he was out on the open water in record time, sailing toward the mysterious land of New York.
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