"Anthanasia!" Mary Margrete screamed eyes searching the violent waters for any signs of her daughter, heart pounding frantically in her chest. "Idiot!" Regina cursed, gripping the railing tightly. "Regina, get her up here!" Regina shook her head. "I…I…can't. Not in this storm. I can't even see her. I'll just bring up water and half her leg." she admitted frowning. David climbed on the rail and prepared to jump in after her.
"Wait!" Killian yelled, striding forward. "She'll drown." David protested glaring. "And so will you! Let me help!" He grabbed some rope and handed it to the three women. "Here, tie him." David slipped the loop of rope over his head and to his waist tightening it. At least they would be able to pull him back up.
He took a deep breath and dove into the water with a resounding splash. It was ice cold and dark, he could barely see through the water. Feeling like he was just in an endless abyss of emptiness. He searched, swinging his head back and forth, scanning the water until he saw a shadow. It was the right size to be his daughter. He wasn't sure so he swam forward. It was Anthanasia, limply sinking farther and farther into the darkness.
Quickly he swam, kicking his legs furiously to propel himself toward her wrapping his arms around her chest tightly. Her wild curls fanned around her in the water, making it even more difficult to see the sliver of light that came from the moonlight above them and started swimming to the surface again.
"He has her! Pull!" Killian instructed and the four of them started pulling on the rope as hard as they could, finally working together rather than against each other. Killian put the rope through a pulley and pulled them the rest of the
way up onto the ship. "Anthanasia?" David asked, shivering as he laid her on the sodden deck. She didn't move. "No…" They couldn't lose her now, not when she had just found her.
Suddenly, Anthanasia began to cough erratically and rolled to her side, heaving up the sea water that had filled her lungs. She rolled back onto her back and saw the moon beginning to peak out of the clearing clouds. A small smile turned up the corner of her lips. "I told you." She whispered coughing again.
Killian quickly took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders as she shivered involuntarily, the cold seeping into her bones. He cradled her face in his hand and moved a curl away from her eyes inspecting her face and
forgetting the others were there. "Don't you ever do that to me again, love." He chided letting out a relieved breath.
Anthanasia smiled up at him. "How was that for a leap of blind faith?" She chuckled. "Come on." He pulled her to her feet. "I still have some of your things below. Let's get you changed and into some dry clothes before you die from the cold." He led her away ignoring everyone else on the ship.
"How did she know it was us causing the storm?" Emma asked, shocked. "She didn't." Regina answered bitterly. "She believed." Mary Margaret answered with a smile.
Anthanasia appeared back on deck as Killian dropped anchor dry and warm once more. He looked up and grinned. "Ah, there is Captain Hood." Everyone else turned to see what he was talking about. They all looked at her as if they had never seen her before.
Anthanasia looked like a totally different person. Killian on the other hand was used to the look and had seen her in it more than he had in her regular clothes. He had after all spent a lot of time with her aboard the Jolly Rodger dressed as such.
She wore tan tight fitting pants with brown knee high leather boots. Her corset was black and tight. Beneath that she wore a plain off white tunic that barely covered what it needed, her breasts slightly spilling out of the top. Over that she wore a brown long leather coat similar to Hook's, embroidered with maroon thread.
Her small hands were covered in brown leather gloves and she wore a black pirate hat with her now dry curls spilling out over her shoulders and down to her waist. On her hip hung her sword. She looked…like a pirate rather than the thief she was.
"Quit staring." She snapped at her family as they made their way off the ship and onto the island. "You look like…a…." David was at a loss for words. "A pirate." Killian finished for him, grinning. David glared over at him. "I haven't worn these in ages." Anthanasia commented stretching a little so the
the corset would loosen a bit. "Ah and still look as fiendish as ever, love." Killian complemented earning him a smile and a beautiful blush.
"How long exactly have you known Hook?" Emma asked, looking between the two. "Longer than any of you care to know. Shall we?" She asked, dismissing the question. "We don't have to do it this way. I can fix the Jolly Rodger. My magic is powerful enough. We can execute the pirates' plan." Regina stated as they walked along the beach looking at the damage done to the Jolly Rodger from the mermaids and the storm. It was quite a bit but nothing that would marr the ship forever.
"Sneak attack? Let's not be naïve. Save your magic. We'll need it later, because Pan already knows we're here." Anthanasia shook her head, agreeing with Killian's new plan. It was the only way.
"It's time to stop running. The crocodile was right. This land is run on belief. All of us have been too busy being at each other's throats to be believers. It's time for all of us to believe…not in magic…in each other." She announced looking at all of them pointedly.
"You wanna be friends? After everything that's happened between all of us?" Regina scoffed, folding her arms over her chest. "While that would be nice, no. We just need to learn to play nice." Anthanasia answered. "Actually I quite fancy you from time to time, when you're not yelling at me." Killian teased, grinning. Anthanasia rolled her eyes.
"We don't need to be friends. What we need to know is the only way to get Henry back." David looked at Hook and Regina. "With her? With him? No Anthanasia, we have to do this the right way." He argued, shaking his head. "No, we don't. We just need to succeed. And the way we do that is by being who we are. A hero, a villain, a pirate, a thief, a Savior and a princess. It doesn't matter which, because we're gonna need all those skills whether you can stomach it or not."
They had to admit she was good at taking charge. Hell most of the men aboard the Jolly Rodger listened to her better than they did to Killian. Though he would never openly admit it. He thought some of that had to do with the fact that she was a woman and a beautiful woman at that.
"Besides being a thief, what's your skill?" Regina asked not liking being given orders. "I am your leader. So either help me get my nephew and your son back or get the hell out of the way." Anthanasia growled leveling the queen with a hard stare. Everyone stared at her wide eyed the silence stretching on. They had never seen that side of her.
She had always been quiet and kept to herself; it would seem that they had been wrong about her. When no one argued with her, Anthanasia turned on her heel and headed into the jungle. Her parents and sister were quick to follow. Killian smiled at Regina before they too began to follow.
They trekked through the jungle for a few miles before Killian spoke. "The ridge is just a few hundred paces ahead." He informed them knowingly. "You really think we're gonna be able to see Pan's hideout?" Emma asked, wiping some sweat off her forehead. It was more humid than what she was used to. She tended to stick to the coasts that were colder.
"From there, we should be able to see everything, including where he's keeping your son." He assured her. "You know, I could have just poofed us up here in an instant. Regina complained, regretting that had been in heels when the crisis had struck. "Where? Have you any idea what's up here or anywhere? There are dangers all about. Only I can guide us past them." Killian explained looking at Regina pointedly.
"He's right. Killian's lived here before. If he says hiking up is the best way, then we listen." Anthanasia said leaving little room for argument. "Here you two need to stay hydrated." Mary Margaret said, handing her daughters some water. "Thanks, Mary Margaret." Emma said, accepting the water.
"You know 'Mary Margaret' is so formal. You two could call me Mom and David Dad if you want. You've done it before." She told them hope was creeping into her voice despite her trying to seem so casual about it. Emma and Anthanasia shared a look. "That was back when…" Anthanasia trailed off wanting to be kind and not hurt her feelings.
"We were about to die. Oh, no I get it." Anthanasia felt the wave of pain coming from her mother. There was nothing she could say either to comfort her. Instead they continued on as if the conversation had not happened at all.
David cut down trees and vines clearing a path in front of them when Killian yelled out lunging to stop him. "No. No!" He grabbed David's arm quickly. "I can handle a couple thorns." David pulled his arm away irritated. "That's dreamshade. It's not the thorns you have to worry about. It's the poison they inject you with. This plant is the source of toxins I used on the Dark
One." Killian explained.
"The poison that almost killed Gold?" Emma asked, surprised. How had he gotten that? "Indeed. I used a concentrated dose. In its natural form, death would be much slower and far more painful. I suggest we go this way." He gestured to their right. "We'll go this way." David said, leading them in the opposite direction, his pride or maybe his ego shining through spectacularly.
"Your father is a distrustful fellow." Killian commented, falling into step between the two sisters. "He's just not used to working with the bad guys." Emma snarked at him. "I can assure you, on this island, I am not the bad
guy." Killian promised. "Yeah, well Pan's not supposed to be one either." Emma sighed. "What possibly gave you that idea?" his brows furrowed.
"Every story I ever heard as a child." Emma said with a chuckle. "Well, they got it all wrong. Pan is the most treacherous villain I've ever faced. Tell me
something, love. In these stories what was I like? Other than a villain. Handsome I gather." He smiled cockily.
Emma out right laughed , surprising both of them. "If waxed mustaches and perms are your thing." He looked to Anthanasia who shrugged not knowing what either of those things were either. "I take it by your tone, perms are bad?"
"Up here! We made it!" David yelled back to the group. They trudged up to where he stood and looked out over the island. He wasn't kidding they could
see just about everything from their position. "Pan's lair should be just right…" Killian scanned the scenery. The jungle was dark and dense with unknown threats lurking in every shadow.
"Where? All I see is the Jungle." Regina snapped glaring at them. "Aye. The Dark Jungle. It's uh, grown so much since I last stepped foot in Neverland." Which was his way of saying that he couldn't tell them where Pan's hideout was. "So, this nature hike was for nothing." Regina growled irritated. "Hook may
have led us astray, but at least we're in a good position to start combing the jungle." David said, trying to salvage their situation. "Not exactly. The Dark Jungle's the last place you wanna set foot. We'll have to go around it. In order to do that, we're gonna need our strength. I suggest we make camp." Killian
explained.
"You wanna sleep while my son is out there suffering?" If looks could have killed Killian would have been dead by the glare Regina turned on him. "If we want to live long enough to save the boy. Yes." He snapped back getting sick of being second guessed by people who didn't have the slightest idea what they were about to be up against.
They began to make camp. "I will go get some food." Anthanasia declared striding off before anyone could argue. David looked after his daughter skeptically. "Don't underestimate her mate." Killian said with a sly grin as he went to gather firewood they would need to stave off the cold throughout the night.
David returned from getting water to see a few animals laid down next to the
already built fire. "I hope that you can cook as fast as you talk." She told him smugly. "What?" he asked, feigning confusion. "I'm an empath, remember? I felt your doubt as I walked away. There is only one person I have ever met that has been capable of sheiling their emotions from me." She told him with a
smile. "Who?" David asked, setting to work on skinning the animals. Anthanasia glanced over her shoulder. "Killian."
"How is it that she can't feel your emotions?" Emma asked Killian who sat beside her as the group gathered around the fire for warmth. "We have no idea. We think maybe he is able to block me." Nasia answered before the pirate could. Emma furrowed her brows. "How?" Nasia let Killian answer that as she lounged comfortably on the ground across the fire. "Practice, love, lots of practice." He winked smiling at Nasia who returned his smile cheekily. In reality neither of them knew why she wasn't able to feel him.
"I bet you love being able to know what people are feeling and never having to guess." Emma said with a whimsical smile. "You're wrong." The group looked at Nasia as she spoke, her face falling, her voice suddenly having a bitter edge to it.
Gone was the smile and light mood that she had about her and it's place was a deep frown and a dark heavy cloud that seemed to weigh down on her. "You're trying to tell me that you hate your gifts?" Emma scoffed in disbelief. "To be beautiful and to be an empath?"
Anthanasia sighed. "They're more curses than gifts, Savior." She snapped, irritated trying to remind her that her own gift came with a heavy price of its own. This was the first Killian was hearing of her feelings she harbored for her
gifts. "But why? Do you know what good you could do with them?" Mary Margaret asked with wide eyes.
Nasia quickly stood. "I know both the good and evil I can do. Imagine having to hide your face everywhere you go so people will treat you the same as everyone else. I long to have the natural beauty that you and Emma share." She kept her eyes on her mother as she spoke. Anthanasia burned into hers.
"If that isn't enough, I have to feel what people think of me. Being told you are beautiful is one thing, but to feel and see the vile things that men want to do to me. And emotion doesn't just manifest as a feeling but also as glimpses into one's mind, flashes really. I can never let my guard down, can never relax, or trust anyone!"
Her chest heaved as she spoke angrily. "I see and feel evil. Their plans, and I cant stop all of it. I feel the weight of people's deepest secrets and wrong doings." Everyone listened intently as she spoke.
"I can't have a relationship because I know their every feeling. I don't get to have the thrill of being surprised or just getting to know someone. And just because I can feel their emotions doesn't make the heartbreak any easier. The only ones I can't hear are Killian and the gods themselves. Do you think the very beings who gave me this curse listen to my pleas for them to take it
Back?"
" Do you think that anyone wants to be around someone like me, let alone love me? Having to constantly keep their guard up, if they can learn to do it, just to keep me out of their minds, their hearts?"
Nasia fell silent realizing she had said too much. "I…uh…I have to go." She didn't give anyone a chance to say anything as she darted off into the
darkness. "Nasia!" Killian yelled after her but she was gone. "I never meant to upset her." Mary Margaret apologized feeling guilty, for both prying and assuming that such gifts didn't come with a price.
Nasia never let anyone know her true feelings about herself, particularly around her gifts. She would either easily side step the questions
or lie. Two things she had gotten very good at over the years. "It's alright. She has been keeping that inside since I met the lass. You just asked the right questions." Killian answered absentmindedly, staring at the spot where only moments ago she stood.
"Maybe I should go after her." Snow stood. "Let her be. She'll be back when she has calmed." Killian explained and reluctantly sat back down beside her husband. It wasn't often that Anthanasia let anyone into her thoughts or openly expressed her feelings, she would need time. It took a while before everyone finally settled down into sleep.
Anthanasia had returned just a few hours later after working out her issues on an unsuspecting tree. Still she had said too much. Hinted at feelings that she had buried and for a damn good reason. She heard what could only be described as crying, but multiple children sobbing, it was a haunting
sound. A wave of pain and sadness hit her, nearly dropping her to her knees.
"Guys wake up." She hissed glancing around the jungle trying to pinpoint its location but it sounded like it was coming from every direction. Her hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword. No one even stirred. "Damnit." She grumbled, going in search of the source of both the crying and emotions.
"You hear that, too?" Anthanasia spun quickly sword drawn as a boy appeared
behind her. "You're Nasia, right? I wonder why I can't hear them crying." He peered at her with deep green eyes that looked empty, void of empathy or sympathy. His lips turned up making him appear almost amused. His messy brown hair ruffled in the breeze cooling her warm skin.
"Who are you?" she growled, sword pointed at him, but the weapon didn't bother him or the threat that echoed in her voice. "Oh, did I forget to introduce myself? I'm Peter, Peter Pan." Her eyes widened. He was just a boy. She moved quickly pinning him to the tree behind him holding her sword to his throat.
"Where's Henry?" She questioned through ground teeth. "You got fire. I like fire." He laughed childishly. "Where is my nephew?" She pushed into him a little harder. "Henry's still alive, if that's what you're worried about." She was as impatient as ever. "Why the hell did you take him?" She
asked.
"He's a very special boy, Nasia." She didn't like him using her nickname; it implied he knew her. "I know, that doesn't answer my question. What do you want with him?" She asked again, her voice dangerously low. "I came here to see who I was up against, "the savior" gotta say I am not disappointed."
"Wrong sister. I am not the savior." She pointed out. "You are the savior, there
are two, Emma just happens to be a savior." He taunted her, hinting that he knew something that she didn't know. "What do you say now? You're gonna tell me how we are never going to see Henry again?" She snapped, ignoring the little tidbit of information he gave her.
"No, I am going to help you find him. I'll give you a map. A map that will lead you straight to your nephew." Anthanasia didn't like this. He was handing her the way to get to Henry? There had to be a catch. "If this is some kind of trap…" He cut her off. "I may not be the most well-behaved boy on this
island, but I always keep my promises. The path to finding Henry is on the parchment." He pulled out a piece of parchment and Anthanasia slowly moved back releasing him.
"Why are you giving this to me?" She asked, her eyes narrowed on him. "See, it's not about finding Henry. It's about how you find him. And, Nasia, you're the only one that can." None of it made sense. She reached out and took the map hesitantly, opening it. "It's blank." She growled glaring at him. "You'll only be able to read the map when you stop denying who you really are."
With that he was gone. Anthanasia looked around confused. "What the
hell?" She could hear the group calling for her worried when she hadn't returned and gone looking for her no doubt. That was when she realized she had been gone longer than she had thought. Quickly she made her way back to them feeling their worry.
"He so likes his games." Killian sighed as Anthanasia sat looking at the blank map her legs folded under her. "What game? There is nothing there?" Regina snarked. "If he said there's a map on this parchment, then there is." Killian assured knowing that Pan wouldn't have given it to her if it didn't have a purpose.
"Great. So If I just stop denying who I really am, whatever that means, then we'll be able to read this thing." Easier said than done. "But how do we know Pan wont use it to lead us straight into a trap?" Regina asked what everyone else was wondering. "Because he doesn't need to. This whole island's his bloody trap."
David and Mary Margaret appeared after scouting out the area for any signs of Pan. "Any luck with the map?" Mary Margaret asked hopefully. "Don't hold your breath." Regina sighed bitterly. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Anthansia asked sharply. "It means you are not the savior so you can't do it." Regina answered. "You are a confused empath pirate thief who wants to play the hero."
Regina's words shouldn't have stung but it made her think about Pan's words. "If the savior is to read it, why didn't he just give it to me?" Emma asked, confused. She too had been wondering why he had given it to her so had most of the group. "Pan said something…" She trailed off unsure if she
should even tell them.
"What did he say?" Mary Margaret asked. " He said that I was the savior."
Emma's brows furrowed. "Impossible, I broke the curse I am." Anthanasia nodded. "He said you were a savior but not the savior." She repeated his words. Everyone stared at her.
"Okay now you are just seeking attention from mommy and Daddy. Give it to Emma." Regina snapped impatiently not wanting to play whatever game she was getting at. Anthanasia knew they wouldn't believe her. Why would they? After all, she was just a thief. Anthanasia handed the parchment to Emma.
She looked at it and nothing happened. Emma looked back at her sister confused.
"Don't you see what he's doing? Every second we spend talking about this is another second we're not looking for my son." Regina practically yelled glaring at each of them. They were wasting precious time. "You got a better idea?" Emma asked, handing it back to her sister. "Magic. If there's a lock on there, I'll find a way around it." She said stubbornly. "Pan said it had to be me." Anthanasia argued, afraid that she might destroy it in her hurry to unlock it.
"I would listen to Nasia, love. Breaking Pan's rules would be unwise." Killian warned knowingly. "Sadly, I agree with the pirate." David said with a nod. "I am winning you over. I can feel it." Killian grinned at the prince who rolled his eyes. "And your magic doesn't exactly have a gentle touch, Regina." Mary Margaret agreed.
"Use it on the map, it might blow up in all our faces." Emma added. "Well, that's a risk I am willing to take." Regina growled being ganged up on. "Well I'm not!" Emma yelled, finally snapping at the Queen. "If I am the one who's supposed to figure this thing out, I need to do what Pan said." Anthanasia said, looking at the parchment again.
"Great." Regina rolled her eyes. "She'll get there." Emma snapped at Regina. "He's playing a game. You can win." She said turning back to her sister. Anthanasia sighed and sat down again, getting comfortable. She held out the parchment in her hands. "My name is Anthanasia…Daniella ... .I don't think I have a last name." She admitted out loud hoping that if she talked through it the answer would come to her.
"I'd wager the solution to Pan's riddle is a bit more complicated than that." Killian told her and she sighed again. "Don't hold anything back." Emma encouraged. "I'm Henry's Aunt. I used to live in the Enchanted Forest and was a merry man…woman." She corrected, quirking her brow slightly.
"Don't you think maybe you are leaving somethings out?" Mary Margaret coaxed. "I am the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, which apparently makes me the product of forbidden love because I was conceived in…less than ideal circumstances. I was born in the
Enchanted Forest and…lost." She said delicately trying to spare her parents feelings.
The parchment remained unchanged. "I don't get it." She sighed shoulders sagging. "It's okay. We'll figure it out." Mary Margaret assured her daughter. "No you won't." Regina snatched the parchment from her hands. "Regina!" Anthanasia scrambled to her feet, swiping her hand out to try and stop her.
"But I can. I'm beginning to think there isn't a map on here. That doesn't mean It can't lead us to Henry." She looked over the parchment and placed her hand over it. "I thought we decided that using magic was a bad idea." David grumbled. "For once I agree with the prince." Killian agreed. David glanced over at him.
"Well, I told you we're getting along." He said with a smile. Regina waved her hand over the map, magic seeping from her delicate fingers and it began to float. "What the hell are you doing?" Emma asked. "The locator spell. This parchment belonged to Pan. It'll lead us to him." Regina explained. "So it appears we are venturing into the Dark Jungle after all." Killian sighed as the parchment floated towards the jungle.
"You mean the place you told us not to set foot?" Emma asked glaring at Regina. "That's the one." He nodded less than pleased. "Well,
Anthanasia, you said you wanted to be our leader. Lead."
They headed into the jungle following the map. "Ready to thank me?" Regina asked Emma as they walked farther and farther along. "Actually yeah." She admitted. "If you'd let me do it sooner, maybe we'd have found him by now." Regina told her. Anthanasia's brows were knitted together, overhearing them. It didn't feel right. Again it felt too easy.
"Wait. He's there. Pan. I can feel his smugness." David and Anthanasia pulled out their swords ready to fight. "Shall we? While we still have the element of
surprise on our side?" David asked. "Careful. He may look like a boy, but he's a bloody demon."
Anthanasia paused, something didn't feel right. She didn't have the same feeling she had gotten when it had just been her and Pan alone in the jungle. "Hey, we can do this. You can do this." Mary Margaret said reassuringly, misreading her hesitation.
They entered the cave to find it empty. "No one's here." Mary Margeret
said looking around. "Maybe your spell was wrong, Regina." Emma sighed. "Yes, blame me…again." Regina rolled her eyes. "Guys…" Emma called getting them to stop. "IS that?" There before them stood Henry with his back to them. Henry!" Emma rushed forward and spun him to face them but stumbled back.
It wasn't Henry at all. "Hello, Emma." He greeted. "Pan." Anthanasia growled, gripping her sword. "Where the hell is Henry?" Emma asked angrily. "You broke the rules Nasia."He chided her. "I didn't break anything. The Queen's impatience lead us here." She argued.
"Bad form." He shook his head disappointed. I expect more from you captain." He said looking at Killian. "Aye, and you'll get it." He threatened. "Give Henry to us." Emma yelled. "Sorry, Cant." he shrugged like they were making dinner plans and not discussing a little boy's life. He walked around them like he was playing a game with them. A game only he knew the rules to. "Don't you know? Cheaters never win." Anthanasia through a glare at Regina.
Suddenly, they heard whooping and cheers echo around them and saw several boys step out from behind the trees surrounding them. "Watch out for their arrows. They're laced with dreamshade." An arrow rushed past their faces and ricocheted off of a tree as if to prove his point. "Mary Margaret!" David yelled as the arrow headed right for her.
He quickly pushed her out of the way, the arrow slicing through his jacket. "David!" A fight broke out as the lost boys attacked. It was pure chaos. The boys fought with a brutality none of them expected, not at the hands of children. "Remember what I told you. That map will show you where Henry is…only when you stop denying who you really are, Nasia." Pan left his boys to fight.
And that they did. Anthanasia managed to knock one to the ground. "Where is Henry? Where is he?" she yelled her blade pressed so hard against his throat that a bead of crimson appeared. The dirty boy looked up at her with wide terrified eyes.
She froze instantly realizing he was just a kid, not some well trained warrior and let the boy up. He ran scrambled feet slipping on the ground and ran away into the jungle. She stood there shocked with herself until another attacked.
Anthanasia dodged the blade narrowly and hit the kid with a spin kick square in the chest. It was as if everything went into slow motion, and the sound of the battle itself was muted. She cringed feeling pain rip through her
abdomen. She gasped, drawing the attention of Killian. Just as things had slowed they snapped back to normal. She was charged again and brought her blade up just in time to block the attack.
Without thinking she kicked her leg out sending the boy back a few paces. Even though the pain was blinding she danced through her opponents with ease. She hit the last lost boy with the hilt of her sword, snapping his nose and sending him sprawling on the ground.
Anthanasia fell to her knees in pain. She tried to calm her breathing and touched her abdomen. She felt the slick warm blood seeping through her corset and onto her fingers but no blade could be found. She felt light headed.
"Anthanasia!" she heard her mother yell her name but it sounded distant. They rushed to her as the rest of the boys took off running. "I'm fine." She said
steadying her voice. "Fine? You were just stabbed, that's not fine!" Emma practically yelled. David silenced his daughter with a glare. "Come on, we need to get her into the trees so we can set up camp and see how bad it is."
David tried to lift her up into his arms but she slapped his hands away protesting. She forced herself to stand and took a few steps stumbling, her legs giving out on her. She pitched forward and began to fall but Killian caught her with ease. "Easy love." He said softly supporting most of her weight as they stumbled into the tree line together.
They found a suitable place to make camp and Killian lowered her to the ground and leaned Anthanasia against a tree gently. "I'll be fine." She snapped, slapping his hands away as he moved to get a better look. "Let me help you!" He growled frustrated. "Regina, go get some water. Emma start a fire." David instructed. Emma hesitated. "Go!" Quickly she jumped to her feet and went in search of some wood.
Anthanasia pressed her palm to her abdomen in hopes of stopping the bleeding but cried out in pain. Before anyone could do or say
anything she hissed, "Don't…I'm fine! Just a scratch really." Her vision was beginning to blurr. "Love, I will knock you out if I have too." Killian threatened.
If she had been anyone else she would have said he was bluffing but she knew Killian and knew he would do it. Before she could answer everything went black and she slumped to the side. "Love?" Killian asked, putting his hand on the side of her face.
"David, what's happening?" Mary Margrete asked on the verge of hysteria. "She's not breathing." Killian declared. David began to panic. "Lay her down flat on her back, quickly." Killian instructed grabbing the dagger he knew she
always kept in her boot as they moved her so she was laying flat on her back.
Killian quickly placed the tip of the dagger under the laces of her corset and pulled up sharply while the others watched confused. The laces snapped, her corset fell open and her body came back to life. She coughed erratically, her body convulsing as air flooded back into her lungs. She fell still then screamed
out reaching for her abdomen.
In his haste to get her breathing again Killian hadn't noticed the dagger embedded between two of her ribs just below her left breast, the handle completely snapped off. Blood poured profusely from the wound drenching her front. "Mary Margaret hold her arms, David her legs." Killian
instructed. "But…" MAry Margeret went to argue not wanting to cause more damage to her daughter.
"She will die if we don't get it out of her." He growled impatiently. That was
all she needed to hear. Emma came running back with the wood. "Swan, help your mother. She is stronger than she looks." Killian ordered. Emma dropped the wood and rushed to her mother helping pin her sister's arms above her head. "On three."
He placed his hand around what was left of the blade sticking out of her, and counted. "One…two…three!" Her scream pierced the quiet air causing several birds in the trees to take flight and her eyes snapped open. She bucked wildly trying to escape the pain racing through her white hot and agonizing.
Her family fought to keep their grip on her until she stilled, breathing heavily. "Thanks." She breathed. "Regina, the water. Do not let go of her." He warned
taking the water from Regina's outstretched hand. "Heat my blade in the fire." Anthansia said through gritted teeth hery eyes fluttering. "What? Why? I can just heal you." Regina argued. "You're magic won't work on me."
Sighing Regina did as she was told. Anthanasia looked at Killian. "You know what to do?" He nodded once.
"Whatever you do, do not let go of me until he is finished." She told her family crying out as Killian poured some of the water over her wound, cleaning it the best he could. He then uncorked his flask and dumped some of its contents onto it. She sucked in a breath and hissed as it stung. "Alright love, ready?" Killian asked once the blade turned red under the heat of the fire. "Yes." She breathed. "It's going to hurt." He warned her.
"Killian if you don't hurry up I am going to make a Kraken look docile." She growled, making him chuckle. "Put the stick in her mouth, on three." She bit down on the stick Regina placed between her teeth. "Just do it." She growled around it. "One…two…"
He placed the blade against her skin. Instantly she began to scream fighting against the hands that held her down. Pain ripped through her like a wolf
would be a carcass. The smell of burning flesh filled the air. Anthanasia bucked hard nearly knocking David off and Regina jumped in helping him pin her legs to the ground.
Every scream, and every tear broke Killian's heart. In all the times they had done this to one another it never got easier for him. Finally, Killian pulled the sword away and poured some more water over it, the skin sizeling. Slowly her family released her and she lay on the ground trying to catch her breath.
"Thanks." She looked at Killian smiling cheekily, confusing the rest of the group. "Any time, love." He pulled her up into a sitting position, leaning her
against the tree once again. "I'll dress it, and be as good as new." She assured everyone who was watching her. She could feel their emotions, their worry and their relief.
She tore off a piece of her tunic with her teeth and began to dress the wound. Anthanasia could feel Killian's concerned stare on her as the others went back to setting up camp. She looked up at him. "I'm fine Killian." She smiled at him tiredly. "You are impossible." Was his answer. "Aye, I remember a time
when that quality made you smile." She pushed herself into a standing position with some difficulty ignoring the pain.
"You weren't in danger then." Killian countered. She put a hand out stopping him. "I have always been in danger. Face it, I was an abandoned princess who was raised by thieves, who had her face plastered all over the forest on wanted posters. The only time I have really been safe was aboard the Jolly Rodger with you."
She placed her hat on her head and walked off towards the stream
she knew Regina had gotten the water from. Walking brought her a great deal of pain but she ignored it. She sat beneath a tree in front of the stream and stared up at the sky that was an assortment of pinks, purples and oranges with a hint of black creeping into it as night began to fall upon them.
"She hasn't changed." David chuckled, cooking some rabbits he had caught, remembering his daughter as a toddler. "Just as pig headed and stubborn as ever." Killian agreed with a sigh. Emma caught the tone of his voice
and looked up at the pirate, noticing the sad yet dreamy look on his face. "Maybe you should go after her." Killian looked at her. "Make sure she is okay, you know?" She suggested.
"You're right. I'll be back." Without hesitation Killian got up and went in search of Anthanasia. Killian found her sitting beneath a tree throwing pebbles into the stream. She looked so peaceful Killian didn't want to interrupt so he
stood back watching her. "Are you going to stand there and stare at me or are you going to join me?" Her words were just above a whisper but he heard them clearly.
She hadn't looked in his direction once yet she knew he was there. He sat beside her, making sure not to bump her and cause her pain as he did so. The silence between them lasted a few minutes before he broke it.
"What happened earlier, love?" he asked quietly. She tossed another pebble watching the water ripple. "I am not weak." She stated. Killian's brows knitted together in confusion. "I know that. What does that have to do with you refusing to let me help you?" He questioned.
She was quiet for a long moment. "Ever since everyone found out who my parents are, that I'm a princess, they have been treating me like a piece of china, like I will break at any moment and need protecting, or saving. Even though I have been doing just fine my whole life." She explained quietly.
"Love, I have never thought you were weak or needed protecting. Occasional saving by a devilishly handsome pirate…perhaps." She turned to him laughing at his cheeky answer. "Perhaps." Her eyes twinkled in the moonlight. Killian tucked a stray curl behind her ear, a gesture that always made her heart flutter.
He pulled his hand back, smiling. "Come on, we should get back before your father thinks I am taking advantage of your wound and am having my way with you." He said standing up offering her his hook. "Scandalous. Would really be bad form." She smiled taking it and allowing him to help her to
her feet.
Killian and Anthanasia returned to camp with him carrying most of her weight. "I was getting worried." David said, seeing them. The two shared a knowing look and then he set her down. She leaned back against the tree with a smile and Killian dropped down to sit beside her his own back resting
against the tree. The food was passed around and they all ate quietly. It wasn't long before Anthanasia fell asleep her head resting on Killian's shoulder, her left hand rested on her wound, protecting it, while
her right rested on the hilt of her sword prepared to fight if need be.
Regina had been in awe of the woman she had previously believed was weak. Although she had known she was powerful because of her magic she didn't know if she could have been able to go through what Anthanasia had without her magic to heal her. Mary Margarete and Charming were proud of their daughter. As it turned out she was stronger than even they had given her credit for.
Emma knew Anthanasia had had that in her. She had known it the day they
Met. It was part of the reason she knew she would be okay when she left her and Hook on the beanstalk.
Killian watched her sleep a look of content on his face. "You have it bad." Emma teased laying down in front of the fire hiding her jealousy. "Aye." He agreed, settling into his position not willing to move and potentially wake her. "Think she could be the one?" she asked, staring up at the trees imagining that she could see the stars.
Killian was silent. Anthanasia was not his Milah. He would never stop loving Milah…but his feelings for Anthanasia were…. He couldn't even describe them. The panic he had felt when he had found out what Tamara and Greg were really up to. When he thought that she would be killed. He had tried to leave, tried to let her make her choice and get herself killed but he couldn't. He couldn't leave her behind. He was either going to go down with her or find a way to save them all.
He fell asleep with those thoughts plaguing his mind. Emma waited until he fell asleep before she rolled onto her side looking at the two. They looked completely at ease and comfortable with each other. She could tell that they had done a lot together in their time as unlikely friends. He hadn't
even hesitated when she told him to cauterize the wound with her sword yet she had seen him wince when he had to do it. The way they slept now told her they had probably done it a million times before.
The way Anthanasia had seemed completely at ease aboard the Jolly Rodger, lounging lazily on the helm while he steered the ship told her that was also normal for the two of them. She seemed to know the pirate ways and his ship almost as well as he did.
Emma was jealous. Not that Hook was obviously in love with her sister but because she too wanted something like that. That kind of love. The
unconditional and pure devotion the two seemed to have for one another, even though they were both too stubborn to admit it. She wanted that. She had thought she had that with Neal before she had been arrested.
But even then it didn't matter. He was gone now. Ripped away from her by Tamara and Greg. It left her with an empty void and with Henry missing she felt like that void was growing. She needed to get her son back.
The following morning Mary Margaret woke to see her Daughter staring at the blank map again cradling her injury. "You know, we've all had moments where we felt we couldn't prevail." She said sitting down beside her, crossing her legs under her like the elementary school teacher she was.
"She's right." David added as he got up. "Guys, not now." She sighed. She had been trying for hours to get the damn thing to show her where Henry was but nothing. She didn't want a pep talk from her overly optimistic parents. Especially when it was her fault Henry had been taken. If she hadn't insisted on saving Regina he would still be there and they would have gotten him safely back to the enchanted forest.
"Anthanasia wait. Please talk to me." Emma said walking over to her sister shooing their parents away. "Nothing to talk about." She said stiffly.
"We had our chance and we lost it." She shrugged but cringed in pain. "then you have to keep fighting." Her sister argued. "You heard what Killian said,Pan is a demon." She said sighing. "and you are a…" she prompted. "A savior? Ha. I'm not you. Because if that were true, this map would've shown us the way already." She argued. "Maybe who you think you are isn't who you really are."
Anthansai looked at her confused. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Sometimes we think we know ourselves, but we need to push to show us the reality." Anthanasia starred at the map. "That boy with the knife…you stopped
fighting him, why?" Emma asked. She sat beside her. "Cause he was…just a boy." Anthanasia answered automatically.
"No. There was something more." Emma argued. "Why did you stop?" Anthanasia looked at her sister debating on if she could even admit the answer to herself. She took in a shaky breath. "Because when I looked into his eyes I saw us…I saw me." She admitted. "Go on." Emma urged. "The look
in his eyes…the despair. I had it back when I was a kid. Just a lost little girl who didn't matter and didn't think she ever would."
Tears streamed down her face and her voice cracked as she spoke. "A little girl who cried herself to sleep every night because… she wanted her parents so badly… and could never understand why…why they abandoned her. How could they just stop looking for her? Didn't they want me? Didn't they miss me?" She bit back a sob. "And then you found them…and it was
too late. I know how that feels." Emma promised, grabbing her hand.
"It's just on this island…I…I don't feel like… a hero or a savior or whatever the hell I am supposed to be. I just feel like what ive always been. An scared little orphan." She sniffled, wiping her eyes. She had never called herself that. Never admitted that even though she had been adopted she had still been an orphan and always felt like one.
"Nasia." Emma whispered. "what?" she asked. "Look." Anthanasia looked down at the map and gasped. It was there. The actual map was there, not the taunting blank parchment. "What happened?" she asked, confused.
"You accepted who you are." She looked up to see her mother and father standing there with hurt expressions on their faces. "I'm sorry." She breathed, feeling guilty. "It's okay. It's the truth. You were an orphan."
Emma and Anthanasia walked back to the group, their parents trailing behind. "The map is working." Anthanasia announced. Killian and Regina turned to look at them. "We know where Henry is." Emma smiled. "Where?" Regina asked impatiently.
"Um…we're here at the Southern tip of the isle, in the middle of the Dark Jungle, and Pan's camp lies due north." Anthanasia explained. Killian smiled at her proud. He had taught to read maps ages ago and was surprised she still remembered. "That's where they are keeping Henry." Anthanasia could feel the happiness exuding from her sister and smiled.
"What are we waiting for?" Regina asked. "Well, the terrain isn't easy." Killian said, stepping up to them. "There will undoubtedly be some nast impediments along the way." He continued. "We should prepare." Mary Margeret stated. "We only made it out of the last encounter because Pan let us." Anthanasia stated bitterly. "We need a new plan." She didn't like the idea of being bested by a child a second time.
"Agreed." They all agreed. "It's time we stop playing his game and he starts playing ours." She growled. "And if I disagree?" Regina asked just for the sake of argument. "Go ahead, but I think our best chance is together." She knew she wanted her son back but they had to stay together for that to happen.
"You better be right." Regina growled, giving in. "Excellent show of patience, love. And that is what defeats a nasty little boy." He pulled his flask from his belt and undid the top with his teeth. "I hope so."
"Is rum your solution for everything?" she asked with a chuckle. "It certainly can't hurt." She heard the rum slosh as he took a swig. "mmm. Hmm?" He offered it to her. She took and took a swig.
"So just how did you unlock the map?" he asked, putting it back on his belt. "I did what pan asked." She shrugged again, wincing in pain. "And just who are you, love?" he asked. She smirked up at him.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" she teased. "Perhaps I would." He said honestly. She smiled and turned on her heel to gather provisions like the others. She spotted berrys and began collecting them, stashing them in her pouch. Was it the red ones or the blue ones that were poisonous? She couldn't remember
what Killian had told her so long ago.
"Don't eat the blue ones." She spun cringing and spotted Pan. "Congratulations. You did it…orphan." He smiled wickedly at him. "You don't mind if I call you a lost girl do you?" he asked. Anthanasai glared at him. "Call me whatever you like. It won't stop me from finding my nephew."
Pan chuckled. "Oh, I'm counting on that. That's the reason I tested you." HE told her. "Really?" she asked. She knew that if he attacked now she wouldn't stand a chance against him. She hadn't made the salve for her wound yet to keep the pain at bay.
"You haven't forgiven your parents for abandoning you." He continued. "Don't deny it. You haven't." his words were true. "That's good, that's really good, Cause when you find Henry you'll understand him." Anthanasia raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?" she growled.
"He hasn't forgiven Emma either. By the time you get to him, he'll
never want to leave this island." He explained. "we'll see." She told him her voice was hard. "And as for you, Anthanasia…When we're finished you won't just feel like an orphan. You'll be one."