"It's just up ahead," Hook nodded towards the thinning tree line as the small, odd party picked their way through the underbrush. They'd been journeying almost all day, but the pirate had made no mention of their destination.

"Where exactly are you taking us?" Mulan finally questioned as she pulled aside a branch for Aurora, who had just lost another portion of her hem to a tangle of thorns.

"You'll see in a moment," the Captain assured her, his lips forming a smirk.

"How do we know this isn't a trap, Hook?" Snow slowed, brow lowered. She gripped her bow in her hand, ready to strike at the slightest sense of danger.

"You don't," Hook replied with a stern glance over his shoulder. "But this is your best chance of getting back to wherever it is you're trying to get, isn't it?" He'd convinced them to untie him from the tree by promising that he could give them a way back to Storybrooke. He did know a way of course, but he wasn't ready to divulge the information just yet. Snow eyed him suspiciously, but kept walking.

Emma walked behind her mother, in the middle of the group. It was still so strange to see Mary Margaret wielding a bow and arrow when only a week or two ago she was in their apartment crying over David. Of course, following Captain Hook through the Enchanted Forest accompanied by Mulan and Sleeping Beauty wasn't exactly a daily occurrence for her either. But she did wonder about the man leading them. She'd been opposed to listening to him. He'd already lied to them once. Blacksmith, she thought, yeah, right.But Hook had a point. After the wardrobe was destroyed they had no leads for getting home. Right now, this pirate was their best chance.

They weaved through the trees in silence for a while. Soon, the forest began to thin out and finally opened into a clearing. In the middle, a huge green stalk stretched into the sky well past the clouds.

"Ah, here we are," Hook grinned. The women glanced at each other.

"What is it?" Aurora asked, staring up at the thing.

"Well, a beanstalk, of course," Hook told her as if it were perfectly evident.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Emma moaned tilting back her head, looking at where the plant met the clouds.

Snow looked at her quizzically. "What?"

Emma motioned to it. "A beanstalk? Like 'Jack and the Beanstalk?'"

"Who?" Hook furrowed his brow, but Snow's eyes widened. "Oh!"

Emma looked back to the pirate. "Are you saying we have to climb this to get back to our world?"

He shook his head, laughing a bit. "If only it were that simple. No, there's something we need to procure up there. A compass."

Emma's eyebrow rose. "A compass? How will that help?"

Hook smirked at her. "I can show you once I have it, but right now we must focus our attention on acquiring it."

"So we just climb this then?" Aurora piped up. He looked at her. "I'm afraid we don't."

Aurora cocked her head at him. "What do you mean? Why not?"

"Well, first of all Princess you haven't exactly dressed for an adventure, have you? Secondly, this job will be better done by only one of us," he bowed, "Of course, I'll be the gentleman and go myself."

"Nice try," Emma laughed, "If you think we're going to let you go by yourself, I'm happy to set you straight."

Hook glared at her, straightening. "We can't all go. Do you know what's up there?"

"A giant?" Emma's eyebrows rose, challenging him.

He eyed her. "How did you know that?"

She gave him her own smirk but kept quiet.

"There's a giant up there?" Aurora's eyes had grown wide and fearful.

"Yes," Hook gave Emma another curious glance, then looked at the others, "Which is why we can't all go. It's dangerous enough for one person. Five is suicide. There's no way we'd all make it out. I'll go myself and be back in no time."

"Like hell you're going alone," Emma crossed her arms. Hook started to argue but Mulan spoke first, stepping forward, "She's right. I'll go."

"You don't know exactly what we're looking for. I do. Besides," he motioned to her attire, "You won't be able to climb in that armor. Let me go!"

"I perfectly capable-"

"Mulan, he's right," Emma interrupted, putting her hand in front of the warrior. The others looked at her, but Emma's gaze remained on the pirate. "You know what we're after so you need to go; but I'm going with you."

"Emma, no," Snow stepped between them.

"Mary Margaret, I'll be fine."

"We're wasting time," Hook pointed out, looking past Snow to Emma, "If you insist on coming I won't stop you. But your life isn't in my hands."

"Hand," Aurora corrected. He looked at her with a bored expression.

Emma stepped around Snow, nodding. "I can handle myself," she told him. He looked her up and down. "Alright, fine," he conceded, "Let's move then." They started towards the beanstalk.

"Emma wait!" Snow came running up behind her. Emma turned back to her. "I promise I'll be fine," she started, but Snow shook her head. "I know, but here, take this." She unhooked the sword and its belt from around her waist and handed it to her. Emma smiled. "Thanks." She put it on and Snow leaned in, kissing her forehead.

"Come on, let's go," Hook had already begun climbing, stabbing the plant with his hook and grabbing vines with his hand. Emma turned back to the beanstalk and took a deep breath. Then she began to climb. The others stood below, watching. The two climbed higher and higher. At one point Emma looked back down and gave them a reassuring smile. Then, she disappeared into the clouds. "Are you sure she's safe up there with him?" Mulan looked at Snow White. Snow took a deep breath. "No," she admitted, worry creasing on her forehead, "I'm not."