Past

A beautiful, convivial 2 year-old stumbled across the sleek, dark marble floors of the throne room of the Forbidden Fortress. The toddler's bright giggles echoed and bounced off the walls, illuminating the weariness of the room. She blinked in awe at the streams of sunlight gleaming into the room through the pied, stained glass windows. Rainbows filled the dark room as did happiness and joy from the innocent toddler.

Footsteps echoed through the room, pulling the toddler's attention away from the stained glass windows. She turned her small head, which was adorned with soft, shiny brunette waves to match with warm, honey brown eyes. A woman in black stood before her with piercing and intense eyes, which resembled the star dust and clouds in the dark sky - the color of a bright nebula. They were striking, intimidating, clouding an emotion which Maleficent tried so hard to suppress out of spite of her nemesis as well as her ego - love.

Most children would flee in fear at the sight of the dark fairy for her eyes were so calculating and glacial; most people believed their blood would freeze over at a single glance. However, the toddler simply stood and stared at the fairy, admiring her milky, pale skin which was warmed by the rays of sunlight as she gracefully and cooly waltzed into the light.

It was an odd sight - a sunny child staring up at the glooming cloud of a fairy. Diaval observed this strange interaction from the safety of the shadows. Despite everything, he was hopeful for the two. He watched as the cheerful child stood her ground, unafraid of the dark presence. A moment passed, both battling some sort of internal silent war. Maleficent, challenged, lowered herself fluidly to meet the eye level of the toddler whose cheeks were so rosy and full of life in contrast to hers which were structured, defined, and sharp.

The universe met the earth, Maleficent's eyes into the toddler's, a galactic collision. The fairy's mouth was uncurved, forming a straight line. What was it about this toddler which kept Maleficent from incinerating it to a crisp, white, ash pile?

The toddler's round, brown eyes were wide in wonder at the dark fairy. Maleficent narrowed her cold eyes at the toddler in an attempt to frighten the girl. However, her attempt proved futile when the girl's eyes were illuminated with humor, and a radiant, rosy smile stretched onto her small face. The toddler's giggles returned, its echoes breaking the thick silence. She had won.

Vexed, Maleficent raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at the sunny girl, but she simply continued to giggle, oblivious to the dark world which orbited around her. Diaval couldn't help but smile at the two. He was right. The young girl would be the key to returning his mistress to her former glory and grace. He could see it in her eyes, in her demeanor. Lilliana was bringing the beauty out of the beast after so many years of oppressive confinement.

Lilliana reached out with a small, dainty hand towards the fairy. Maleficent eyed her cautiously and curiously. The toddler could not possibly attack her due to her size and innocence. What did the little beastie want from her? Boldly, Lilliana stretched her arm out further, nearing the fairy's head. She grasped the fairy's black horn, giggling as she gripped onto it. Diaval bit his lip, struggling to suppress a laugh at the interaction. Maleficent's eyes widened in disorientation at the toddler's spontaneity, innocence, and rashness. She was unaware that she was treating the most powerful fairy in existence as her personal jungle gym.

"Ma," Lilliana blurted in a giggle.

Shields and defenses down, Maleficent's eyes flooded with both wonder and fear as the toddler crawled into her arms.

"Mama," Lilliana said once more, firmer and stronger, ensuring that Maleficent would not mistake her words of affection as useless baby talk. "Mama!" Lilliana grinned a sunny, bright smile and clung onto the fairy's horns happily.

The straight line which Maleficent's lips formed gaped open as her jaw dropped at the rosy toddler. She had just called her "mama." This toddler, the one whose parents Maleficent murdered, the one whose land was destroyed by the fairy, the one who robbed her of her happy ending, had enough love and light in her heart to unknowingly look into the piercing gaze of the fallen fairy and call her her mother.

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"Again!" Tinkerbelle called from the bottom of the rock Andy was standing on.

"Absolutely not! It's not working!" Andy complained, panting and assessing the damages on her face. Light streams of sweat stung the fresh cuts her cheeks. Her hair looked like the nest of a giant bird.

"Well, then there's obviously a problem," Tinkerbelle pointed out, hands on her hips.

"Oh really?" Andy laughed sarcastically. "You didn't figure that out after the seventh time I've launched myself off of this rock?" Andy released an agitated sigh and sat down on the rock.

"What are you doing? Get up! You can't waste time. Do you want to lose?" Tink reprimanded.

"No I don't. But I don't think that trying to kill myself is entirely effective; it's not going to force the magic out of me!"

"Well then, do you have any other ideas?" Tink challenged in a condescending tone.

Andy put her hands on her hips, trying to regain her breath and peace of mind. Her eyes followed the light shining through the interstices of the slender trees. It wouldn't be long before the light would set on the horizon, initiating the microscopic amount of time she had left. She really didn't want Pan to win.

"How does the dust work again?" Andy asked, returning to the basics, purging herself of the complexity of the situation.

Tink rolled her eyes at her. "Were you not listening the first time? The dust works only if-"

"I believe in the impossible," Andy remembered, lost in thought. "The impossible..."

Her fingers played with the vial of pixie dust on the chain of her necklace. Hesitantly, she launched her fears into the void of the unknown. She twisted the cap off and carefully poured the remains of the bleak dust onto the surface of her slightly trembling palm. Even in the happiness of the sunlight, the dust was still dull and sad.

"What do you think you're doing?" Tink demanded, incredulously.

"Well, I need to believe in the impossible, right?"

"Yes, but that's why you've been launching yourself off the rock. You needed to believe that you could fly."

"I think it's more than that. I mean yeah, flying, where I come from, is impossible, but I think it's something else." Tink eyed her carefully. "Keeping this dust locked inside of a vial is playing it safe. I think the whole point of this dust is to take a risk. I mean, it makes sense - believing in the impossible, not knowing the outcome. Look, I launch myself off a cliff; I know I'm gonna fall. If I actually utilize this Pixie dust, I have no idea what's gonna happen. Am I going to fly? Am I going to fall? Am I going to win and leave Neverland? Am I going to lose and be stuck here forever? All of these questions, stemming from a place of uncertainty, a place of fear of the future - this is what's going to make the dust work, I'm sure."

She closed her eyes and closed the palm of her hand, caging the dust.

"I believe I will beat Pan."

With a gasp, she released the remaining dust into the damp air, eyes glued as she watched the dust disperse in a burning green light. With an astounded grin, she launched herself fully off of the rock and into the green cloud, thrill coursing through her veins. Her stomach flipped as she anticipated the inevitable drop of gravity, but alas, she was suspended in the air, defying the laws of nature.

"You did it!" Tink exclaimed in wonder. "I can't believe it!"

"I did it! What do I do now?" Andy asked, testing out her new flying abilities thanks to the green dust.

"Go to Pan's compound. Quickly! You mustn't waste any more time!" Tink warned.

Andy nodded, fiercely focused on the task ahead. She was not going to let Pan win. "Thank you Tink."

"You can thank me once we're out of Neverland," she said, waving as she watched Andy soar above the trees and disappear beyond the verdant canopy. The smile which was plastered onto the fallen fairy's face began to fade, leaving a vacant look on her face. She was still empty inside. Andy had been able to make the Pixie dust work within the duration of day. It didn't matter for Tink. She could never and would never be able to make the dust work. Nobody believed in her anymore. Nobody would ever believe in her anymore.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Night had fallen on the compound. The air was silent and still; most of the Lost Boys had stopped crying by now. Pan sat by the dim campfire, its embers softly glowing a weak breath. A smug smirk stretched upon his face. Where was his Little Lost Girl? Perhaps she had surely given up by now. There was only about 10 minutes until the clock struck twelve, and his Little Lost Girl was nowhere in sight.

He had to admit, he thought she was going to put up more of a fight. So, this win had taken him by surprise. She had given up so easily. She wasn't as interesting as he thought, other than her magic heart of course.

Then, as if she had entered his thoughts, reading his mind, he heard her voice from above. "Think I would give up that easily?"

There, hovering above him in the blanket of the pale moonlight was the Lost Girl, or not so lost as he thought. She boasted a confident smirk on her delicate face, engulfed in an aura of green. Gracefully, she lowered herself to the forest floor coming face to face with Pan, noses nearly touching. Their mouths were only inches away, close enough that he could trap her lips in his. He couldn't deny that he wanted to claim her lips with his, mark her as his own, but he would first enjoy her fight like a fine wine until the very last drop.

"I win Pan," she smirked, hands on her hips.

"It appears you have," he replied, satisfaction evident in his voice.

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion at his reaction. "You're not frustrated?"

"Oh, I am frustrated about a lot of things, and you completing the challenge is not one of them," he drawed out, eyeing the way the locks of her dark hair fell down her shoulders.

"Whatever," she snapped, not enjoying the way his eyes wandered her body. "I fulfilled my part of the deal. Now, it's your turn."

He cocked an eyebrow and sighed. "Alright. You are free to roam the island and live wherever your heart desires."

Andy's face lighted up with a satisfied smile, which quickly faded at the sound of his next words.

"Don't get too excited yet. You're not finished with the game yet."

"What are you talking about?" she glared.

"Are you stupid? Or were you just not listening?" he glared back. "That was only round one."

"When's the next round?"

"When you're not expecting it," he grinned. He snapped his fingers, and in an instant, he and his devilish green eyes disappeared; Andy was alone in the middle of Neverland.

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Present

Andy's eyes shot open in a gasp and stared up at the ceiling, clutching the bedsheets to her bare chest. Her lips were slightly parted, at a complete loss for words at what just happened.

She had done it, again. Even worse, she had done it by choice. She truly felt like a Lost Girl.

Andy looked over at the sleeping body of Pan, watching his chest rise and fall. Again, she wondered how such a peaceful looking boy could really possess that much darkness in his heart. She watched as his light eyelashes slightly fluttered with the release of each deep breath. She never noticed the rosy hue to his cheeks, painting a portrait of innocence and purity. What was he dreaming about? Could a person such as Pan even dream? She only wondered what her situation would look like if Pan wasn't plagued by darkness. How would she feel about him?

There was a part of Andy, hidden deep beneath her icy exterior, that wished she could forget all of the pain and torture Pan caused her. There was a part of her that wished she could remove all of the evil from his heart and help him start anew. She wished she could forget the monster that he was.

No. Absolutely not. She could not be thinking about Pan like that. Pan was evil. He injured with delight. He killed with no remorse. He destroyed without conscience. It was impossible for someone to ever purge the darkness from his heart.

Like Hook, she could not have a future with Pan. He was nothing but her employer; she was his employee for life. There would be nothing more than the business between them, both in and out of the bedroom. He was long gone anyways...

Her mind suddenly drifted off to Hook. She wondered what he was doing right now, and if she ever crossed his mind. She found herself wanting to trust him completely, but she just couldn't. Even if the Flood Gate nightmare was ages ago, the memories still tormented her frequently.

He could be different.

No. All pirates were the same. Hook and Andy were similar. They were good at surviving because they cared for no one else but themselves. It was selfish, but it was pragmatic.

However, just because they matched each other, didn't mean that they could somehow share a future together. An alliance was reasonable, perhaps, but anything more was fictional.

Andy also couldn't shake off this feeling that she was competing for his attention against none other than the Savior herself, Emma Swan. How was she to compete against all that elaborate and enticing heroism. Andy was certain that blowing up a captain's ship and threatening to slice his throat was not captivating.

Additionally, weren't pirates world-renowned womanizers? What would happen once the chase ended? Andy would be tossed aside and forgotten. She wasn't special. So, why would Hook bother to linger around for the long run?

This is pointless, she groaned internally. I'm wasting time acting like a lovesick fool. True love doesn't exist. I'm nothing more than a show of entertainment for that damn pirate.

She needed to leave immediately. She wasn't the one to linger around for a cup of coffee and cuddle while talking about her feelings. Slipping on a cotton shirt and jumping into her tan breeches and leather riding boots, she fled from the scene before the sun could break into the room.

Andy effortlessly glided through the forest of Neverland. Ironically, as familiar as these trees were, the island itself could never identify as home in Andy's heart. In the near distance, she could hear the voices of the Mary Margaret, or Snow, and David, or Charming? The whole sleeping curse of Regina still confused Andy.

"David, we need more vine," Snow requested.

"On it," he nodded, a slight catch in his breath. A lump returned to Andy's throat. How long had it been since she had injured him with the Dreamshade. Anxiety began to build in her chest, thinking about David's inevitable fate. "You're coming with me, pirate," he spat at Hook.

"Why?" Hook complained, a hint of whine in his voice.

"Because we need more rope," Emma said.

"If the lady insists," he bowed, winking.

Andy felt a twinge of jealousy.

Oh get over yourself. He's a pirate. What did you expect?

He wasn't always a pirate...

She watched as Hook and David disappeared into the trees, coming towards her hiding spot.

"What would you like to yell about at me now, Dave?" Hook asked with a bored expression once they were out of earshot from the rest of the group.

"Stay away from my daughter," he gritted out, continuing towards Andy's direction.

Was there something going on between Hook and Emma? Wait. Why does it even matter?

"She can take care of herself. She doesn't need your parenting, which is a good thing," he commented, splashing rum down his throat.

"What does that mean?"

"It means you're gonna die in a day or so anyways." They were getting closer.

"There's nothing I can do about that, but if I do die-"

"When," Hook corrected.

"-it'll be helping my family," David concluded, turning to face Hook. With those words, Andy felt the unbearable pang of guilt boil over. Her insides were twisted with remorse.

"What if there was a way to cure you?" Hook suggested.

"That would be selfish. Anything that distracts us from saving Henry would be selfish," David deemed. Hook looked hurt. "But of course you would think that's the way to go."

"You think I'm being selfish?" Hook questioned. "I'm risking my life for all of you. Every moment I'm here aligned against him-"

"Plese. You're not here out of any nobility; you're here for Emma!" David accused.

Andy felt her heart drop. He was here for Emma. He wasn't here for redemption. He was here to play the part of the hero, rescue the damn damsel in distress just to win over the Savior. Andy was merely a pawn in his ultimate goal. She felt like that same naive little girl all those years ago in Hamelin. She was still that hopeless, foolish little girl who gave her heart too quickly to none other than a pirate! Here she was, repeating the past.

"And you know what else?" David continued. "You're never gonna get her; I'll see to that."

"It's a good thing you're gonna die then," Hook retorted.

David cast Hook a glare filled with so much disgust and hatred, and Andy was almost prompted to intervene when she saw David swing an arm at him. However, it was her guilt that forced her out of the shadows when she saw David collapse to the dirt, eyes shut and skin pale as snow.

"Hook!" Andy exclaimed.

"Andy? It's not what it looks like!" he assured in a panicked voice.

"You really think that's what I think of you Hook? No. We have to help him!" Andy demanded. She spotted the bottle of rum in Hook's hand and without thinking, splashed it down David's mouth.

"Wha?" David coughed out, bright eyes bulging out of their sockets in alarm. "Andy? What are you doing here?"

"No time for that," she waved off. She wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Come on. Get up."

Hook helped Andy with bringing David to his feet against the wall of a stone hill.

"Let me see," she ordered.

"See what? I don't know what you mean," David lied, panting.

"David. Shut up," she commanded with a strong voice.

Hook was silent, admiring her ferocity in her state of urgency.

David gave her a reluctant look before lifting up his shirt to reveal his torso. Both Hook and Andy released a gasp at the sight of his wound. The black poison contrasted intensely against the paleness of his body like spilled ink on top a blanket of white snow.

"You don't have much time left," Andy said barely above a whisper. "It's almost reached your heart. You only have mere hours."

"You have to tell your family," Hook demanded.

"No," David shook his head in refusal. "Not when I can still help save Henry."

He stood up to return to the camp, but Hook forced him back against the wall as David let out a pained breath. Andy pulled Hook aside as David fought to catch his breath.

"Hook, this is not good. He will never make it to see tomorrow," Andy whispered fiercely, panicking at the thought of Henry losing yet another father figure. "You have to get him to Dead Man's Peak."

"Love, you do realize the request you're making? If he's cured at Dead Man's Peak, he'll never leave Neverland. Also, he's not going to listen to me! You probably overheard all of that; he's too bloody stubborn," Hook whispered in near defeat.

"Hook, listen to me: Henry cannot lose another family member. He's already lost his father. Don't tell me you're gonna let that boy lose his grandfather."

Hook nodded in agreement. "Aye. But how am I to convince him to follow me?"

"You're clever; you're a pirate. Just think of Henry," she advised. "Be a hero, Hook."

He looked up at her. How could she place such trust in a person she just met? How could she see beyond the booze, the charming words, and the blasted hook?

It's because you see her as more than a trained killer. She's changing you.

Andy stared at him, eyes wide with hope and burning with urgency. Just by the look she was giving him, his decision and future was set. He would do this for her.

"Alright. As you wish, love."