A/N Thank you so much for the reviews, follows, and favorites! It's very encouraging, and I'm having fun building up the action in this story. I appreciate any feedback!

The sun had set behind them hours ago, and the ship was surrounded by stars. In the distance was a speck of warm light, and Killian unerringly steered the Jolly Roger towards it. He'd sent Emma down below earlier, knowing that she'd need her rest. Alone at the helm, he contemplated her request to tour the island. Killian had never stopped to think about what it would be like to share Neverland with anyone, let alone someone that he cared about the way he did Emma. During his time on the island, he had honestly not believed that he could ever care for anyone ever again. It was a dark time in his history, and since leaving Neverland it wasn't a period he chose to dwell on.

He knew from what Henry and Emma had told him that he had earned his infamy as a villain from his time in Neverland with Pan more than through anything else he'd done. Killian was afraid at some point on this journey Emma may look at him and see that Captain Hook, and the only thing predictable about Neverland was its unpredictability. There were few means of preparing for what lay ahead.

He'd spent his hours back then seeking nothing but fortune, treasure, and a good fight. While he had truly longed for victory, he couldn't deny that he'd enjoyed sparring with Pan and the Lost Boys each day. The plotting and planning had kept his skills sharp, and Pan had always proved a worthy adversary. Hook had never doubted his own eventual triumph, and his crew had given him blind and fearful obedience.

Killian began to contemplate his last days on the island until he heard a sound from behind him. He turned away from the wheel to see Emma coming up on the deck. She zipped up her red jacket as she emerged, guarding against the cool breeze.

She stepped across the planks of the deck to stand next to him, casually leaning her head on his shoulder as she took in the view. The ease with which she rested against him pulled his mind out of the past and into the miracle of the present. The wind ruffled her hair, and the starlight alongside the subtle glow of his ship gave her the appearance of an angel or spirit. His mouth quirked up in a smile, knowing his down-to-earth Emma wouldn't appreciate the comparison.

"We're flying into the sun?" She leaned up to meet his eyes with her question, and he did his best not to let her see how struck she made him feel. He cleared his throat before answering.

"That sums it up fairly well." He turned his eyes towards the horizon and gestured with his hook towards the distant light. "The sun rises just above the island, so as long as we do not waiver in our course we'll run straight into it. We should even be near enough to catch a glimpse of it soon." Emma suddenly reached around in front of him and into the folds of his coat. Killian drew in a breath, but before he could react any further, she'd snagged his spyglass and pulled her hand back. He gaped at her a moment before shaking his head.

"Swan, mayhap you should take more caution before diving into a pirate's cloak while he's wearing it," he warned her with a smirk. "You may give a man the wrong impression."

Emma smirked right back at him. "I wasn't aware the impression I was giving was wrong." Her suggestive look caused a wave of heat to run over him. For a second he thought she might move in closer, but she seemed to shake the moment off. "But my main purpose was getting my first look at the real Neverland." She extended the spyglass and began to aim it towards the island, but before she could bring it to her eye, Killian snagged it with his hook.

"You shouldn't aim that directly at the sun." Emma cringed at his instruction.

"Oh, right. Damage to the eyes."

"I suppose that, too," Killian answered ruefully, "but I was referring to fact that you won't see the island through the glass if you are looking directly at the sun. The island will be hidden from view." He moved his hook to the underside of the spyglass and pushed it upwards towards her. "The island's magic creates something of a shield at this distance. Look instead at the sea itself. You'll see the island's reflection on the water long before we're close enough to see the surface of the land."

Emma gazed through the spyglass, and he knew what she would see. The island would seem just a blurry area above the horizon line, but in the water she would see the reflection of the mountains. She might even be able to make out the snow caps on them, provided there was enough light.

"Neverland," she breathed.

"Aye."

"I can't wait!" Her voice was higher pitched with excitement, and her smile grew as she took in the sight.

"What do you know of the island terrain? Is there anything in particular you want to see?" As he watched her stare into the distance, he knew he would take her anywhere and show her anything if it kept that smile on her face.

"Are there really mermaids?"

He grinned. "Aye, Mermaid Lagoon is fair brimming with them." She dropped the spyglass down and turned to him.

"What are they like?" Her curiosity was almost palpable. Killian paused, considering his answer.

"They're beautiful creatures, and they have the most amazing voices. I lost more than one midshipman to their song." His voice lowered in memory. "They are shallow, fickle creatures, but they did always have a fondness for Pan. A visit to them would serve us well, as we could discover what knowledge they may have of his whereabouts."

Emma cocked her head to the side, looking at him thoughtfully. "If we're really going to find a missing Peter Pan, you're eventually going to have to share more about your real history with this island. More, as in anything at all. I know the story, but I've long since learned that the version of events I've known since childhood are not always accurate historical accounts."

"I know." Killian had known she would only wait so long for more of an explanation. He tightened his grip on the wheel and moved his eyes back to the horizon line. "I want you to know everything about me, Emma, with no secrets." She waited, more patiently than he would have expected of her. "Nothing in our history makes me believe keeping anything from you would lead to a good ending, but that doesn't mean I know where to start. There are so many years, decades, centuries spent here on this island."

"Let's just do this one piece at a time then, interview style." Emma's no-nonsense tone helped him stay even keeled. "Tell me one thing for now. Why were you here for so long? Why didn't you just leave?"

"I meant to. Every night I meant to." The memories of those countless nights washed over him. "I planned my exit nearly every night, but when I awoke in the morning I had forgotten about anything but my plans to dominate Peter and the Lost Boys." He looked over at this, wanting to make her understand. "Neverland makes your forget. It's an island out of time and created by dreams, and while I don't pretend to understand it, I respect it's power."

She slipped her hand over his on the wheel before responding to him. "What exactly are you afraid of?"

"Forgetting. Forgetting Storybrooke, forgetting who I am now, and most of all of forgetting you." He returned his gaze out over the sea.

"Well, that's ridiculous. I'm right here, and no magic is going to make you forget about me when I'm right in front of you." He didn't turn to look at her, so she moved herself in front of the wheel, directly into his line of vision. "I'm not going anywhere, and I promise right now that I'm not letting you go anywhere either." Killian looked into her eyes. "Do you believe in me?"

"Always," was his instant reply.

"Then believe me now. We've got this." He decided to take heart in her resolve and concern himself with problems as they arose. Worrying now would not make the danger any less.

"All right, love." Her eyes softened from their look of fierce determination at his agreement. "Are you ready to explore? Because we're here."

Emma spun around as the light grew. The sun moved overhead as the island loomed in front of them. The water of the cove was the bluest she had ever seen, and the forest was filled with such light and color that she felt she'd never seen a real tree before this moment.

The ship was descending under the control of Killian as it drew ever nearer to the shores of the island. Emma didn't need to be told to move to the mast and find a stable handhold; she knew she needed to brace herself for the impact against the water.

There was a jolt, and the splash of water seemed to fill the cove into which Killian had steered the ship.

"Emma Swan, welcome to Neverland."