Finding You Always

Not a Lost Girl Anymore

Finding You Always

Chapter 69: Not a Lost Girl Anymore

As they entered another clearing, Rumple put his hand up to Neal and Tamara, signaling them to stay hidden. This time, Neal didn't question his father and they stayed hidden by the trees, as Rumple stepped into the open clearing.

"Come out and say hello, dearie," Rumple hissed, as Felix stepped into the open.

"Hello Rumpelstiltskin. Pan welcomes you to the island. He wanted me to tell you that he's excited to see you again," Felix greeted.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure he is," Gold said sarcastically.

"He wanted me to let you know that you're welcome in Neverland as long as you wish to stay...with one proviso," Felix continued.

"There's always something with him," Rumple commented.

"If you're here for the boy...well...that makes you Pan's enemy," Felix hissed.

"Then nothing's changed," Rumple replied.

"If you go against him, you will not survive," Felix warned.

"Well, the question isn't will I survive, because we both know I won't. No, no, the real question is...how many of you I take with me," Gold growled, as he grabbed Felix by the arm.

"Is that your answer?" Felix questioned.

"That's my answer," Rumple answered.

"Well then, I suppose that means I'll see you again, in less than friendly circumstances," he hissed.

"Count on it," Gold said, as he walked away.

"One last thing. There's something he wanted you to have," Felix said, as he tossed a straw doll to the ground at his feet. Gold knelt down and picked it up, staring at it in disbelief.

"Isn't it funny the things we haven't thought about in years still have the ability to make us cry?" Felix surmised, as tears slipped down Gold's cheeks.

"See you around, Dark One," Felix said, as he left and Neal came out of hiding.

"Papa..." Neal said.

"What is that?" he asked. Rumple clutched it in his and looked at his son. No...he wouldn't let Pan do this to him, not this time. He had his son back and keeping him meant he couldn't give Pan an inch. He pocketed the doll.

"Nothing important," he hissed. Neal didn't believe him, but left it alone, as they started moving again.

At this point, thanks to the mermaid attack, Hook's plan to take Pan by surprise was moot. He already knew they were there so a sneak attack would not be possible. Instead, they made landfall on one of Neverland's shores and discussed the next move.

"We should still consider the pirate's plan. I can cloak the ship with my magic," Regina offered.

"Pan will see a sneak attack coming a mile away," Clayton warned.

"Maybe he's right. Save your magic, we're going to need it," Emma agreed.

"Father...do you know where Pan's camp is?" David asked.

"We all do. It's actually not that secretive," Xander replied.

"He's right. If we hike up this ridge, we should be in better position to see his camp," Hook agreed.

"The problem is not seeing his camp," Clayton warned.

"Then what is the problem?" David asked.

"To get to Pan's camp, the dark jungle stands in the way and believe me, you don't want to go through the dark jungle. No one will survive that," Clayton replied.