The Secrets of Neverland

Once Upon A Time

What if Emma ended up in Neverland after her time in jail? What if Captain Hook had found his way back to Neverland after the curse had been cast? What if the enchanted forest had come unfrozen before it should have? A story of love, loss, and discovery.

She wakes up feeling groggy. She didn't know what had happened but all she could remember was walking out of the jail house and to her yellow bug. She had been about to get in when she was struck from behind. She sits up slowly and rubs the back of her head while studying her surroundings. She frowned at the bed and the desk. She seemed to be in someone's bedroom, but whose? She stands up and feels the slight rocking. She gasps as she realizes she is on a ship of some kind. The door opens and she presses herself against the wall.

He smiles, "Oh come on, love. No need to play games when I rescued you from the Lost Boys. I admit it was fun to find such a beautiful woman in their clutches."

She steps out of the shadows and cautiously looks him up and down, "All I remember is being hit in the head. And now I have woken up here. How do I know you aren't lying to me?"

He quirks his eyebrow, "You don't, but I promise you that I am telling the truth. Let me start by giving you my name." He holds out his good hand, "Killian Jones. Or you could call me by my moniker, Captain Hook."

She hesitates before she takes his hand, "I'm Emma Swan and I still don't trust you, Captain."

He grins, "Aye, I understand. Let me just say; I do admire a smart beauty such as yourself, Emma."

She didn't know why, but when he said her name she felt a shiver run up and down her spine. She considered it. It wasn't a bad shiver. More like a shiver of anticipation. But what was she anticipating? She didn't know.

He laughed at her obvious internal struggle, "Why don't I show you around? And maybe show you where you will be sleeping? Unless you would like to share my bed."

Emma scoffs, hiding the little thrill she felt at the idea, "Actually, I was hoping that you could just drop me off in Phoenix where my car is."

Hook frowns, "I don't know what this Phoenix is, but I can't get you there." He steps closer, "Do you know where you are?"

She shakes her head, "Not really. I figure I'm not far from where I was taken."

He shrugs, "You, my dear, are in Neverland."

Emma laughs, "You're kidding, right? Neverland is a fairytale place." Her eyes widen with realization, "You think you are THE Captain Hook? Do you battle Peter Pan?"

He frowns, "We all battle Peter Pan. He is the one I rescued you from. How do you not remember any of this?"
Emma shakes her head, "You are crazy. This is all crazy. I want to go home!"

He touches her arm, comfortingly, "Come with me. I will show you that I am not crazy." When he saw her hesitate, he gently grabbed her hand, "Please."

She nods silently and lets him pull her towards the upper deck. She blinks quickly as her eyes adjust to the light. She looks around at all the guys mopping the deck and realizes she is on a ship that looked a lot like it belonged to a… she shakes her head. It couldn't be. She was obviously dreaming. She looks around. She sees the beautiful greens of the hillside. The glorious vibrancy of the flowers. The sparkling surface of the ocean. The colors enchanted her. Made her feel more alive than ever before. She couldn't help the smile that snuck its way on her lips. It was true. It had to be. The world she had come from never could look like this. So vibrant and beautiful and perfect. She could feel it.

Hook smiled at her obvious fascination, "It draws you in. Makes you never want to leave, but don't be fooled. This is a dangerous place. A beautiful nightmare."

Emma looks up at him, "How can that be? I have never felt so… amazing and free."

He grins, "That is why I always come back, but I never step foot on the soil. For if you do, then you will never be able to leave. Luckily, I stopped them from taking you too close."

Emma frowns, "I should thank you. I still am skeptical on trusting you, but I can spot a liar and you don't seem to be one, so far."

He smirks, "You are a smart one, I'll give you that. Come. Let me teach you how to steer the ship."

She smiles, "Really? I would love that."

He pulls her towards the helm and puts her hands on the steering wheel and steps behind her, wrapping his arms around her. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She suppresses the shudder that wanted to course through her body.

He whispers in her ear, "Now all you have to do is keep the ship in a straight line."

She turns her head slightly, "What about when I want to turn?"

He smiles slightly, "Let me show you."

He guides her hands to the left and she laughs as the boat starts to turn. She never thought she would enjoy something so much. Hook takes a step back and she hides her disappointment.

He clears his throat, "So, um, that is how you steer a ship. Let me show you to your quarters."

She nods and follows him below deck to a door on the left. He opens the door and she steps in. She walks over to the bed a touches the soft blanket. She had been stuck in a jail cell for 11 months and she was pretty sure anything would feel better than the cot she had been stuck with. She walks over to the closet and opens it. She gasps when she sees it full.

Hook leans against the door frame, "Those are all I have in terms of women clothing." He looks at her strange outfit, "It's nothing like the odd threads you are wearing, but they are clean."

Emma touches the sleeve of one of the shirts and laughs, "Trust me, anything is better than what I have been stuck wearing."

He tilts his head, confused, "What have you been wearing?"
She shrugs, "There is a lot you don't know about me, Captain."

He sits in a chair across from her, "Tell me."

She furrows her brow, "Why should I? This has all been exciting and new and I have to admit I got caught up in the moment out there. But I don't trust you. I made that mistake once and I will never make it again."

Hook quirks his brows, "Well, love, whenever you are ready to put that shield back down let me know. Meanwhile, I am going back to the helm."

He leaves and she changes into one of the outfits in the closet and lies on the bed. She sighs, heavily. He was right about one thing. She had put her shield down when she had seen the beauty that was this strange world. But now that she had seen it she wanted to be back home. Well, she wanted to find a home in her world. She thinks about the time she spent in jail. All the feelings of betrayal and hurt. She thought about the child she had had. She had done the right thing when she put him up for adoption. She hadn't been ready to have a kid by herself. She lets a tear fall before she wipes the rest away. She had made a vow never to let herself fall into the trap people called love. It was all lies. She was attracted to Hook, but she would never act on it. She turns to her side and falls asleep.

A few hours later she woke to shouts on the upper deck. She hops out of bed and runs up the stairs. She watches as Hook sword fights with a young boy. She looks around seeing the rest of the crew immersed in fighting. She looks for a weapon of her own when someone grabs her arm and pulls her back. She feels a blade against her neck.

The boy whispers, "I am pretty sure you belong to me."

She screams and steps on his foot. She almost got away when he grabbed her again. This time she felt blood drip down her throat.

She took a deep breath and yelled, "HOOK! Help!"

Hook turned around and looked at her in shock, "Emma!" He runs over, "Unhand her, lost boy!"

The boy throws her to the side and she hits her head on the stairs and passes out. Hook swings his sword towards the boy and he blocks. They continue as Hook slowly pushes him closer and closer to the side of the boat. The lost boy takes another step back and falls overboard. Hook runs over to Emma and shakes her. She moans and slowly sits up rubbing her head.

Hook touches her cheek, "Are you ok?"

Emma blinks up at him, "I am tired of getting hit in the head."

He laughs, "Come on, love. We have to get you out of here."

She shakes her head, "No. I want to fight. This is because of me and I want to show them just who they are messing with."

Hook smiles, "You are feisty. I like it and you look fetching in that outfit."

Emma stands up and grabs a sword that had been dropped. She ducks as someone swings at her and she thrusts and grins as the swords make contact. They trade blows for a few seconds before she disarms him and points the tip at his chest.

She raises her brow, "Ready to give up yet?"
The boy walks backwards, "We won't stop. We will keep coming for you."

She frowns, "What do you want from me?"
The boy half smiles, "Your son."

She gasps and drops the sword, "No. I don't know where he is. And you will never find him."

The lost boy smiles, "We always find what we want, but you seem to be of no use to us if you don't know where he is."

They all step back from their fights and jump overboard. Emma sinks to the floor and closes her eyes. They were looking for her son, but why? What did they want from him? She jumps when Hook puts a hand on her shoulder.

He looks at her with concern, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

She wipes at her eyes and whispers, "Why would they want my son?"

Hook kneels next to her, "I don't know, but we will protect him."

She looks over at him, "I have to go back. I have to be in the same world as he is in order to save him."

Hook nods and grabs her hand, "Then I will get you back to your world. Your son will be safe."

She smiles gratefully, "Thank you. Maybe I can trust you." She leans over ad kisses his cheek, "I will miss you, Captain."

He smirks, "I knew you would."

Emma rolls her eyes and takes his hand when he reaches down to help her up. She trips and falls into his arms. She looks up about to apologize but the words get caught in her throat. She looks at his lips and leans a little closer. He leans down and kisses her gently at first, waiting for her reaction. She puts her arms around his neck and stands on her tiptoes. He deepens the kiss.