When Pan and Henry left for Skull Rock, I underestimated the group of adults and their ability to find me...and the camp.

I'd chosen to go on patrol last, even though James protested against it. But I insisted and unfortunately, I shouldn't have. Weaving through the forest, my eyes scanned cautiously, always being on the lookout. They could be anywhere, especially if they had Killian and Tink. Everything seemed to move so fast that I could barely keep up with that was going on, thus why I wanted to patrol alone. I needed some time to myself.

After a couple of useless moments, I decided to not strain myself and just walk around, relying on my sense of hearing and eyesight if I heard a noise. But there wasn't anyone out here.

At least, not yet.

I chose to head back to the camp. There's nothing out here, I angrily thought to myself, grumbling just a tad as I turned on my heels and went back the way I came. Even though I was second in command, patrolling was compulsory. I'd enjoyed the short amount of alone time but my nerves were getting to the better of me: I needed to be with the boys and protect them, especially now that Pan could get the heart at any moment. Where were Pan and Henry? Were they still venturing to Skull Rock? Were they rowing? How far away was Pan from his goal?

Rolling back my lips, I decided to not ponder upon it any longer. It wasn't doing any good and it wasn't like I could do anything about the situation. I sheathed my dagger but just as I was about to reach the camp, I stopped in my tracks.

It was dead silent.

No chanting, no laughter, no talking, no weapons being fought...nothing. Holding my breath, I brought out my dagger again and slowly approached the premises. And that's when I saw them. Snow White, her husband (who should have been dead. I hit him with poison, how the hell is he still alive?), Regina, Tink...and Killian. But most importantly, they were standing around the lost boys...who had been completely knocked out.

The pirate held up his hand, the others going quiet for a second as they cautiously looked around.

"What?" Tink snapped and I took a deep breath, my feet slyly moving so I could hide behind a tree. Even though I knew how to be stealthy, my steps weren't completely hidden and the pirate, more than anyone, knew how to track.

He started walking over to the forestry I was located and I quickly turned myself over, my back being pressed against the tree bark completely. With my chest clenched, I stared out into the darkness, refusing to move a single muscle in my bone and-

I felt the pirate grab my arms, pulling me and forcing me out from my hiding spot.

"You disgusting piece of scum!" I yelled, ripping my arms away at the perfect moment, allowing me to slip out. I was about to run before I felt another pair of hands grab me - they were smaller, feminine.

"So here's the brat," Tink sneered and I hissed, throwing my head back and head-butting her in the face. Killian reached out to grab me again but I kicked him in the stomach solidly, whipping out my dagger and scathing his cheek with it.

And that's when I lost: I suddenly couldn't move at all, my eyes forced to stare at the pirate. He smirked, wiping away the blood from his bleeding cheek with the back of his hand. Regina...I thought.

With Killian, Snow White's husband and Tink were at the ready, in the corner of my eye, I saw her wave her hand and I became free...only to be taken as a hostage instantly and this time, I couldn't bother fighting back.

"Well, well, look what we have here," the pixie grumbled, the three forcing me to walk into the camp's premises. "Careful not to step on one of your minions." I clenched my jaw, glaring at her as she walked off to stand beside Regina; Killian started to bind my wrists together with rope as Snow's husband pushed my shoulders down, causing me to sit on the log before the burnt out fire.

"You won't get away with this," I grumbled and Killian laughed, my gaze remaining on the ground. My stomach was twisted in a knot and I tried to think of anything but the situation. Pan was still headed to the cave with Henry, right? As soon as that's done... Finalising the knot, Killian patted me on the shoulder from behind and walked out so he could see me, folding his arms.

"Long time no see," he said and I rolled my eyes, deciding not to respond nor talk to any of them.

"Who's she?" It was Snow's husband and the fairy scoffed once; I could see Regina watching me cautiously.

"Let's just say the game's about to get interesting," the pirate replied and I lowered my head, swallowing down the lump in my throat. I was defeated...but I hoped Pan wasn't...yet.

+++

When Emma returned with Wendy, my eyes widened at the sight of...

"You," Rumplestiltskin grimaced and I merely looked at him: the only time I had seen him was when he was a boy...when we went to the town that day. It felt so long ago now and it made me ache for the past in a place where time stood still. I quickly diverted my gaze back to the burnt out fire, refusing to look at his son and the newcomers.

"Serena..." Wendy said softly. The last time I had seen her...I'd tried to save her life, only for Pan to take it away again. I didn't look at her and nor did I acknowledge her presence.

"One of you is going to have to speak up," David said and I didn't budge. It was not going to be me...and Killian knew that.

"Ask the girl. Serena would say a single thing," he said and in the corner of my eye, I saw Regina fold her arms and chuckle.

"Not without a little fun," she said and raised her hand, but Killian lifted his. Whose side was he on?

"You'll question Wendy and leave Serena unscathed. She's Pan's only weakness." That's right...he exposed it on the boat that time and forced Pan to rescue me, proving that very factor. I have a tendency to underestimate this man...

"And our most important leverage," Emma mumbled and I took a deep breath, clenching my jaw. Finally forcing myself to, I lifted my gaze to meet Killian's, silently reaching out to him. Our past was...troublesome and overly confusing, but there was a buried friendship beneath all the twisted lies and turns of fate. And I could see him being tugged between sides in that moment, his eyes showing uncertainty before quickly dropped to the ground and pursing is lips.

He was never just a 'pirate'. His part in this game has always been a major one, for all the days I have known him. And there was a part of me that...gave in to being captured. I didn't have to return the camp. I could have left entirely, fended for myself, and return to the camp after the adults have moved on and the boys have woken up. But for whatever reason, I was being pulled into this moment.

Killian was either going to be my saviour...or my destruction.