Shipwrecked (Captain Hook/Killian Jones)

Mermaids - Chapter 10

"Is that it?" Emma shouts, noticing the large island in front of us.

"Aye, Neverland." Killian states, a gleam of hatred in his eyes.

"Never thought I'd be back here." I whisper as I approach Killian once again, seeking comfort, a small speck of fear from my childhood returning.

"I won't let anything happen to you, love." Killian whispers, his eyes only glancing at me for a moment.

"Why are you slowing down? In case you didn't know, my son's life is in danger!" Regina barks, walking over to where Killian and I stand.

"Oh, I know, my hot-headed Queen. The plan is to bring us to the far side of the island, link up with the widest part of the river, and then we sail right through, take him by surprise. The irony..." Killian trails off, the tone in his voice causing me to step closer to him, so our shoulders touch.

"What irony?" Regina questions, her voice much softer than before.

"Oh, I spent more time than I care to remember trying to leave this place to kill Rumplestiltskin. And here I am, sailing right back into its heart with him as my guest of honor. It's not quite the happy ending I was hoping for." He sighs, and I fight the urge to take him and hold him in my arms.

"Greg Mendell said something funny to me. He said I'm a villain, and that villains don't get happy endings. You believe that?" My heart drops slightly, having grown to know that these two are not villains, despite the villainous things they've done.

"I hope not, or we've wasted our lives." Killian glances at me and I instinctively shake my head.

"You two have done some horrible, horrible things, but you are not villains. Not anymore. And you will get your happy endings, I can feel it." Killian's eyes lock with mine, his gaze unwavering with a level of intensity that causes Regina to cough, reminding us that she's still present. Suddenly, Gold returns to the helm, dressed in his old Rumplestiltskin outfit.

"Oh, that's a great use of our time – a wardrobe change!" Killian groans out, causing me to giggle softly.

"I'm gonna get Henry." Gold announces, as though it's the most simplistic thing in the world.

"We agreed to do this together." Regina growls out, clearly irritated with Gold's antics.

"Actually, we made no such agreement."

"Why are you doing this?" Emma questions, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Because I wanna succeed."

"What makes you think I'm gonna fail?" I can't help but be saddened by Emma's question, knowing that whatever answer he gives her, she's not going to like.

"Well, how could you not? You don't believe in your parents, or in magic, or even yourself."

"I slayed a dragon, I think I believe."

"Only what was shown to you. When have you ever taken a real leap of faith? You know, the kind where there's absolutely no proof? I've know you some time, Miss Swan. And, sadly, despite everything you've been through, you're still just that... bail bonds-person, looking for evidence. Well, dearie, that's not gonna work in Neverland."

"I'll do whatever it takes."

"Well, you just need someone to tell you what that is. Sorry, dearie, our foe is too fearsome for hand-holding. Neverland is a place where imagination runs wild. And, sadly, yours doesn't." Suddenly, Gold is gone, and all that remains is his cane. Emma, frustrated, storms off below the deck without another word. Mary Margaret and David huddle off to the side, visibly upset, discussing something while Regina remains at the stern, staring out over the waters. I sigh, following Emma down below deck, catching up with her easily. She shrugs her jacket off, pulling herself up on a pipe as she begins doing pull ups.