Title: Down the Winding Road

Summary: Hook sacrificed himself to save them, and now Emma will stop at nothing to get him back.

Rated: T for now, will go up in later chapters
Pairing: Captain Swan!
Genre: Adventure/Drama/Romance
Dis: I don't own OUAT!

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Prologue

"You can't…"

"Aye. I can. Now go."

"But…" She looked at him, grabbed at the lapels of his jacket like she had before, desperate fingers clenching against the tough leather. "I won't let you. There has to be another way. Just come with us. We can make it together."

His hand came up to cup her cheek and he offered her a sad smile. His blue eyes filled with determination: he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Behind them came the soft gasps of her mother and son. She heard Neal say something but she was suddenly pushed back into the arms of her father.

"GO!" he shouted, pulling out his sword.

They had tricked Pan, gotten Henry: then Hook had the most brilliant idea ever. If Henry had the heart of the truest believer, and he believed in Tinker Bell: she could obtain the magic needed to get home. Henry had only needed to say it once and suddenly the little fairy had regrown her wings. She had laughed, clapped her hands together, and then said she had a way to get them home. She had obtained pixie dust thanks to the fairies of Pixie Hollow that never liked Pan in the first place and were happy to cause some chaos in his fold. There they were, with a means to leave, and he'd pushed her away to save herself.

She had wanted to fight, to argue, but suddenly a plume of purple smoke surrounded them and she was on the Jolly Roger. She ran to the edge of it in time to see Pan emerge. She felt his dark glare and he came for them but Hook was taking to the sky as well thanks to the effects of the dust. He cut Pan off as Regina and Gold coated the ship with a green light. Emma watched as man and demon clashed in a tangle of limbs and swords.

"Mom!" shouted Henry and he was at her side, watching along with her.

Pan fell into the water and for a moment Emma thought everything was going to be okay. That they were all going to make it. She should have known better. A screech filled the skies and it grew dark just as the ship lifted off. All heads turned to the Shadow as it came right for Hook. Emma screamed when she saw it grab Hook and she heard his pained shout as Pan rose from the water: injured but alive.

"You think you can defeat me?! I'm PETER PAN!" He looked to the Shadow. "Be rid of him. Send him where he'll never be able to see his precious friends ever again. Forever alone, right Hook? Game. OVER."

Before Emma could plead with Gold or Regina to help Hook, a green portal opened and he was tossed into it. Emma had a startling fear that Pan would be able to catch up to them and take Henry but then something marvelous happened. Lights, hundreds of lights filled the skies and attacked Pan and the Shadow.

"Fairies," shouted Tink. "They're giving us a chance. And look!"

Out of the water came the mermaids, attacking Pan and the Shadow as well: the bellow of their shell horns reverberating in her ears. Apparently, they were as tired as the fairies were at being minions to the evil child. It was the last thing she saw before leaving Neverland. A blur of stars followed as streams of green and gold sparkled around them but all she could do was stare back at the land that was nothing but a bright star. Hook had sacrificed himself to ensure their safety and suddenly she felt a small piece of her heart break.

Now, she sat at the end of the dock the Jolly Roger called home, sad green eyes looking out at the water, arms wrapped around her drawn up legs. The wind fluttered her blonde locks, the salty sea air caressing her skin the same way he had before…

Before her world split apart.

She hadn't thought about it…hadn't processed what just happened until they were all out of Neverland and back in Storybrooke. All had celebrated upon their return. Even now a welcome home party was being thrown but she didn't feel much like celebrating.

His sacrifice enabled their escape. He'd stayed behind to fight the beast, the shadow, so that she could bring her son home. He told her once, after a moment of weakness in Neverland, that he cared for her…had been falling in love with her and she hadn't believed it. Couldn't believe it.

Until now.

She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a magical bean, one of the two in her possession. She had left a note for her parents. She hadn't wanted them to try and stop her or help her since David had almost died on their last journey to save Henry. She left another for Neal along with her apologies. Sorry that she had to tell him in a note that her heart belonged to another and sorry that she wasn't willing to give them another chance. She asked that he take care of Henry, especially if she didn't come back.

The only ones she actually told about this had been Henry and Regina. Surprisingly, Regina had been supportive of her going, and Emma was almost certain it wasn't just because she was letting Henry stay with Regina while she was gone. Henry had wanted to come but understood her wish to want to keep him safe.

"I'll be back. This isn't goodbye," she had said, kneeling down to his level, her voice filled with promise and love.

"I know. I love you mom… and I know you love me: but you love Hook, too. You're meant to be together."

"You don't think it should be me and your dad anymore?" she asked carefully.

"I saw how he looked at you, and he kissed you, and you've been so sad since coming back," he said intuitively. "I know you have to go. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

It was then Regina left the room then came back.

"Here," said Regina, handing her a plum velvet bag. Emma opened it and her eyes had widened when seeing the contents. Pixie dust. "You never know when you'll need it. Courtesy of Tinker Bell since she got her wings back. She won't be too upset I gave it away once I tell her what for. I just used some to enhance a protection spell around Storybrooke against anything nasty that wants to enter."

Like the Shadow coming back for Henry if the fairies and mermaids failed in defeating him. Suddenly, Emma felt guilty for leaving so soon, but if the Shadow and Pan made another move to take Henry they needed Hook to fight them just as much as anyone else. She had hugged and kissed Henry goodbye, had gone to drop off the letters, and then finally came here. Standing up she looked out at the sea once more before pressing her lips to the bean.

"Killian Jones. Bring me to him."

She tossed the bean in the water and after a moment a swirling green vortex opened. She had her own sword, pixie dust, and street smarts: not to mention a few tricks up her sleeve. She was the Savior, the product of true love, and a goddam mother to the most understanding child in the world. She could do this. She would find him and bring him home. Bending down to retrieve the small pack she would carry she shouldered it, the leather of her red coat protesting slightly at the movement before jumping forward in the search of something she never thought she'd ever have.

True love.

She fell, body twisting and turning as green light flashed around her. She wasn't sure how long she remained in the portal but when it finally spit her out it wasn't gently. She tumbled through branches, hands struggling for purchase until she landed flat on her back on a hard surface. Groaning she opened her eyes, sitting up slowly, bringing a hand up to her aching head. She looked around her and frowned. Was she back at the Enchanted Forest? The place looked familiar. She stood; brushing the seat of her pants off and then froze when noticing just what it was she was standing on. It wasn't grass, but a brick road: a yellow brick road.

"You've got to be kidding me," she said.

One way the golden road curved into a dark, deep wood and the other way it went into a field of what looked like wheat. She had no idea where to go so she reached into the pocket of her jacket not for the magic bean but for something else. Something she had almost forgotten about and was now happy to have. The enchanted compass had guided her to her heart's desire before, now she only hoped it would do it again.

"You know what I want," she said to it while the needle spun around in circles. "Point me in the right direction."

Slowly, it stopped spinning: toward the dark forest that loomed before her.

"Of course," she said, pocketing the item. "It couldn't be the wheat field…"

Adjusting her pack she headed toward the woods that lacked any sort of color. Everything looked dead and she wondered why that was considering that there was a healthy field of wheat just behind her. She wondered if this place was anything like the movie she had watched. She paused as a large, black crow landed on a branch to her right. He cawed, as if warning her off, but she ignored the bird's warning. If she had to go into the dark forest to find him, she would, and it wasn't like she was a defenseless little girl. She could handle whatever this place could throw at her; at least, she hoped so.

"Here's hoping there's no flying monkeys in there," she muttered. "Oz. Just great."

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She wasn't sure how long she'd been walking. Hours blended together and her body was starting to tire. Trekking in the jungles of Neverland had prepped her for walking in the dark forest of Oz but after walking past hundreds of dead trees she was ready for a break. Picking a log to sit on, making sure there was nothing in or around it to attack her; she pulled out a bottle of water from her pack. Uncapping it she took a long drink. She had checked the compass a few other times and it continued to point in the direction the yellow brick road went. Wasn't that the point? Follow the yellow brick road or whatever. So far her journey was pretty dull and she hoped it remained that way.

Capping her water she put it back in her pack. She was ready to start walking again when a stick cracked behind her. Weary, she put her hand on her sword, emerald eyes scanning the area. Holding her breath she listened and in the distance she heard a faint sound of marching. Cursing she leapt over the fallen log and hid just as an army of men turned the corner. The men were dressed in white armor, and leading them was a man on a white horse. There was an emblem on the armor that she couldn't make out and he held up his hand to signal his men to stop.

"This was where she said the traveler would be," he said. "Find the woman in red!"

'Shit,' she thought to herself, looking down at her red jacket. They already knew she was here? She stayed where she was, because her instincts told her that these were bad people. She had to wonder who they worked for, and how much of the movie was true in this world. Before she could even race through the possibilities fire rained down on the men in front of her and the one horse neighed and grew skittish. Men shouted as they smacked at the balls of fire on their chests.

"WITCH!" shouted the leader, drawing his sword. "She's here! Kill her on sight!"

"Now, now Crowe, is that any way to greet an old friend?" asked a voice directly above her and Emma looked up to see a female figure hidden beneath a black cloak.

"We were never friends," he shouted and Emma's skin crawled at the cackle that followed.

"Perhaps, now leave my woods before I turn you all into toads!"

"The queen-" he started but was cut off and Emma looked up to see that the woman in the tree was looking directly at her. Her hand was outstretched and Emma caught a flash of green skin.

No. Freaking. Way.

"It was clear that I was to reside here in peace," said the Witch. "Now leave. I saw no traveler in red in these woods."

"The queen wishes her to die," choked Crowe whom was at the mercy of the Witch.

"Mindless fool," sneered the Witch, releasing the guard with a flick of her wrist. "You think I give a damn what the bloody queen wants? You tell your highness that I'll do her the favor of ending the traveler, but to keep her ruby red toes out of my woods."

"Fine," said the lead guard and after a few moments he and his men were gone.

Emma sighed in relief, crawling out of her hiding spot and standing up in the middle of the road. She looked up as the black robed figure floated down from her spot in the tree. After a moment her hood was drawn and Emma's suspicions were confirmed. Raven black hair fell down in waves and framed a green tinted face. The woman wasn't ugly; she had a beauty about her: even with her almost black eyes.

"Hello Dearie," said the woman, smiling, and Emma felt a chill go down her back at the use of 'Dearie'.

"Hi," said Emma, taking a step back, booted heel clicking against brick.

"Oh Traveler if it is ME you fear then you are indeed NOT from here," she said, tilting her head to the side. "We've gained few visitors here from Wonderland but no. No. You're different, aren't you?"

"I'm not from Wonderland," said Emma. "Haven't been there yet. Don't plan on it anytime soon."

"Hm." The witch tapped a black fingernail to her lips, a calculating look about her. "Where then?"

"Why should I tell you anything?" asked Emma. "I don't know you."

"The queen wants you dead. You've piqued my interest. There is only one reason why. She fears you. Why, I wonder…"

"Look," said Emma, tired of chatting. "I came here to find someone. That is all. Then I'll be gone."

"Oh?" The witch leaned against a dead tree, cloak falling open to reveal black, leather pants and black boots that went up to her knee. She had a dagger cinched with a belt at her side and wore a black blouse with a matching corset that made her look more like a pirate than a witch. Then again, she had pirates on her mind. "Wouldn't be a fellow with a hooked hand that you're looking for, is it?"

Emma drew her sword and pointed it at the witch who only had a bored expression on her face.

"Where is he?" she demanded.

"Where do you think?" asked the witch, making Emma frown.

"The Queen?" asked Emma.

"Of course."

Emma frowned at this. Just who was this Queen and why did she want her dead? The Wicked Witch of the West was before her and had SAVED her. That was completely backwards. Then again, she'd just been in Neverland where Peter Pan was the big bad.

"Then I guess I'm going to have to go to where this queen is," said Emma, making the witch laugh. And laugh. And Laugh. AND LAUGH.

"One does not simply enter the queen's realm undetected. You saw for yourself how insightful she is. You haven't been here long and already she wanted your blood."

"Yet they feared you. Why?" asked Emma.

"Because," said the witch. "I and my sisters used to rule here before… Before SHE came."

"Who is she?" asked Emma, making a dark look fall over the witch's face.

"I suppose you wouldn't know," said the witch. "She is Queen Dorothy, and if she wants you dead my dear… Well...Nothing and no one will get in her way until you are."

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TBC…