Long Lost | Once Upon a Time (EDITING)

VIII. Think Lovely Thoughts

        Both parties had arrived at Tink's hideout and were now talking to the fairy in question. "We did it. Are you finally ready to do your part, Tink?" Hook asked as he stared at her tiredly, tired from the journey to Dark Hollow, but most of all, tired emotionally from all that he'd been internalizing since he got here. Not just about Grace, but Emma and Neal. It was hard on him hearing what Emma had said to the man in the Echo Cave, knowing that the two had never truly stopped loving one another. And with them being Henry's parents, they were now closer than ever to getting their son back. What chance did Hook really have?

        Tink turned to face them, still shocked that they had managed to trap Pan's Shadow, but nodded nonetheless at Hook's previous question. "Yes. Yes, I am."

        And with that, the group headed back to the camp with Tink, finally ready to put their plan into action and get Henry back. Emma turned to leave with the rest but was stopped by Neal lightly calling her name. The blonde hung back to talk to him, though someone else stayed behind to witness the exchange as well. Hook hid behind a bush in order to watch the pair, quickly finding himself frowning as they spoke fondly to one another. Before he would dwell on it any longer, the man turned and began to rejoin the others, only to be stopped by the sight of a familiar boy; Pan.

        Hook merely sighed as the boy made himself known. He knew that whatever it was Pan wanted to say wouldn't be good. "What makes you think I'd want to talk to you?"

        Pan chuckled at the pirate's reaction to his appearance. "Oh, you'll want to hear what I've got to say."

        "What, a deal like the one you offered Grace?" Hook said bitterly at the thought, his previous conversation with the girl still fresh on his mind.

        At that, Pan grinned. "Funny you should say that, since she accepted my offer." He said, causing Hook to look up in realization, though he wasn't necessarily surprised by the news. "She'll help me do whatever it takes to get Henry's heart and in return, I grant her passage off the island."

        After a moment, Hook muttered out, "That's why she hasn't returned."

        "Indeed. Oh, don't look so glum, chum. It's not like she was going to be forgiving you anytime soon." Pan remarked, causing the man to gaze at him with animosity.

        "She would if she knew the truth about that day... what really happened." Hook was saddened by the thought of Grace only remembering him for what had happened that day, when he was forced to trade her to Pan, treat her as if she were just a bargaining chip from day one.

        Pan knew the truth just as well, and that only made him grin at the thought. "Perhaps. But you know what'll happen if you tell her. You don't want that now, do you?" He said playfully, though the threat didn't go unrecognized by Hook.

        "No." He looked down sadly before being fueled with determination. "But I don't need to break your deal to earn her forgiveness. I can gain her trust on my own, make her see me for the man I really am."

        "What? You mean a one-handed pirate with a drinking problem?" Pan laughed, "I'm pretty sure that's less than appealing."

        Hook only stared at him scornfully. "A man of honor."

        At that, Pan's lips twitched up into a smirk and he stepped up to the pirate. "So tell me what a man of honor like yourself would do with a big, fat secret?" Hook momentarily frowned at the boy's words, wondering what he knew that would affect him in any way.

        "Well, that depends what the secret is." He said cautiously, trying to gauge what Pan was about to say.

        "Something that would change everything--for you and the 'heroes'. Or should I say, Grace's family."