~Chptr~3~

She could feel Hook standing behind her, as they watched Pan disappear. Her whole body was shaking. Pan was so powerful. Getting involved with that much energy could have been dangerous. She knew what her mission was, that moment could have been a good opportunity to finish it. But she still had a few days. Just because she had a goal didn't mean she couldn't enjoy herself before completing it Hook leaned forward and spoke to her from behind, her hair.

"Well, that was impressive." He said. She turned around to face him.

"Really?" She said, trying to act laid back, "why is that?" Hook stared at her, she could see a question just below the surface of his eyes.

"You stood up to him, and flipped him over your head," Hook said, "he is not the type to just let himself get flipped," he said seriously.

"I know," she said, She knew more about Peter Pan then most could fathom.

"It also means you are dangerous," he said stepping back. His movement surprised her and made her mood drop slightly.

"Dangerous?" She questioned. Despite being there only a few short hours she felt a connection with him, she didn't want to scare him off. Hook looked away from her, out the window panes to their left.

"Pan obviously has feelings for you-" he started but was interrupted by her laughter. It was the most incredulous thing she had ever heard. Even as she was trying to be elusive around Pan, could she have given him the wrong impression?

"You are delusional," she said laughing and walked around to the table, and stood behind her chair. Even as she denied it, it occurred to her it was possible. Her delicate but strong hands on the back of the chair. Hook frowned. "Peter Pan has 'feelings' for no one," that much she was sure of. Hook moved to stand behind his chair.

"I thought so too, until I saw him hold back, he didn't force you to go with him," Hook continued.

"That's because he doesn't know how to face me," she said simply. She wasn't ordinary, Pan knew it. If he didn't before then he certainly did know. Hook looked away unbelieving.

"I can't stand between you two, I payed a high price the last time I stood between Pan and what he wants." Hook said.

"I am not a prize," she said indignantly. She stood tall. She was no one's prize, and she wouldn't be treated like one. Hook looked at her.

"That's not what I meant. . .i only mean, Pan wants you for some reason," he said.

"Maybe, but that is none of your concern, I can protect myself, Captain." She said. Hook pursed his lips.

"Zemira," Hook said, walking around the table to stand next to her, "I know you can," she looked up at him, wondering what he was going to do. She looked up into his dark eyes and she felt her heart spin. The question changed in his eyes, "Why are you here Zemira?" He said, his voice low and lulling, like the end of a song, pulling her into sleep.

"I am here to finish something," she said, knowing full well she didn't really answer the question.

"You can tell me," he said softly, he took a step closer to her. Bubbles rose in her stomach, what was he doing? But she kept still.

"Maybe," she answered, her voice getting quieter. Hook began to lean down to her when a knock rapped against the door. He paused, inches from her face.

"Sorry," he whispered, his breath tickling her face. She closed her eyes as he pulled away and went to answer the door. Her heart was hammering against her chest. She heard Hook and Mr. Smee talk about something, Hook sounding irritated at him. When she opened her eyes she looked over at the two men. After a few more moments of discussion Hook have him an order and then returned to her. "I apologize, it seems that we must make a trip onto the island to collect food, today is the day that we usually do that." He says, genuinely disappointed. "I must accompany them, but Mr. Smee will be here if you need anything, unless you will be leaving?" He asks.

"If I am welcomed, then I would be honored to stay the night," she replied, she didn't have any where better to stay. Hook smiled.

"Great, you may do as you please, everything that is mine is yours, until I return," he said turning to leave. Soon he was out the door and she was then alone in the Captains cabin.

~~~~~

By the time they returned it was dark. The stars were sparkling down to them as they boarded their ship. Hook hoped that Zemira was still awake, but Mr. Smee confirmed she had gone to bed a while ago telling him about how she chatted with him most of the time while he was gone. Hook felt a prickle of jealousy, he tried shoving it away but it was there.

Hook made his way up to his quarters. He opened the door quietly and came in. He saw Zemira Asleep in his bed. Her hair fanned out against the pillow as she slept on her side. She was like an angel, he thought. He saw her vest hanging over one of the chairs, and her boots beneath it. Hook, careful not to wake her, took off his coat, boots, and vest; leaving a white linen button down shirt and his trousers. Then he grabbed a spare pillow and blanket and slept on the rug below the bed.

~~~~~

It was the middle of the night when she awakened. She turned and lay flat on her back. She stared up at the ceiling, in her mind she counted the panels that she could see, hoping to fall back asleep. But to no avail, sleep had abandoned her. She sat up and looked about the room. The moon light filtered through the window, casting shadows throughout the room. She looked down and saw Hook sprawled on the carpet next to the bed. His face was calm and serene. He had only his white shirt on and his trousers. His shirt wasn't buttoned up all the way, and hung open slightly. His blanket had slipped down so it only covered his legs.

Dropping lightly onto the floor, making sure not to step on Hook, she drew the blanket up onto him so that his body was covered. With a last look she stood and walked out onto the deck. Her bare feet silent on the wooden deck.

The deck was empty and silent. The wind whistled through the air and blew her hair behind her. The boat rocked in the water. she felt like a baby in a cradle. Zemira walked slowly down the wooden stairs to the lower deck and her imagination was perked by the mysterious moon light all around her. She fantasized that she was dressed in a flowy, long white night gown. Without thinking the magic of NeverLand responded and her black leggings and shirt melted away to reveal the white gown. It had a slightly tighter bodice then the rest of the flowing dress, and it trailed behind her as she walked. She smiled to herself, thinking about a book she had read as a child. One Night's Sky, it was called. It was about a girl who found out she could control the stars. She would go out at night in her white night gown and pull stars closer and push others away, making patterns in the sky, what were now called constellations. She smiled at remembering the story. It had been so long ago since she had thought of it. Zemira walked up to the railing that faced the horizon where the moon shone on her. She stayed like that for a while. Her hair and dress being tugged at by the wind and leaning against the railing, trying to forget why she was in NeverLand. She didn't really want to do what she had been brought here to do, but she had to.

~~~~~

Hook's eyes flicked open at the gentle touch and tug of the blankets. He opened his eyes to watch Zemira walk out onto the deck of the ship. Hook thought it was morning for a moment, he had a nasty habit of sleeping in too late. But then he looked around and saw it was still dark. He wondered what she was doing, why was she out at this hour. He stood and went to the door. He opened it to watch her descend the stairs to the lower deck. Her brown hair fanning out behind her in the wind. Hook's feet were already cold from the cold deck. He walked slowly to the top of the stairs. He stopped and watched her. He had forgotten how mysterious and beautiful women were. Suddenly to his surprise her black clothes melted away, they were replaced by light weight, white material. A white night gown. He was so shocked. She had magic? Or was she using the islands magic? Who was this girl? Hook's heart floated, he wasn't as concerned as he probably should of been.

She moved to the railing and stayed there, statue like. Her outline was framed by silver moon light. She looked like she belonged in a painting. He slowly made his way down the steps. He stayed at the bottom of the stairs just to watch her a moment. What did he plan to do? He had no idea. It felt like eons before he finally move to stand beside her, leaning against the railing. She looked to see him and jumped.

"You startled me!" She exclaimed recoiling slightly. He looked down at her, stunned once more by her bright blue eyes.

"So sorry Love, I had no intention to scare you," he said surprisingly awake at this hour. She relaxed again against the railing.

"It's fine, I thought you were asleep." She commented, looking to the horizon.

"I was,"

"Did I awaken you?" She asked.

"No," it was a lie, but he didn't want her to know. Silence. Hook was familiar with the view, almost too familiar. It was pretty, but he wished for new scenery. Instead he looked at her. His eyes followed her jaw line to her collar bone that was now showing because of the dress. The hem of the dress, began just a few inches below her collar bone. The shadows of her features made her stunning. Zemira was as beautiful or more then Meela, his late wife, Hook thought out of the blue. She looked over and caught him staring.

"What?" She asked.

"You, you just reminded me of someone," he said looking away.

"Who?"

"No one important, a woman I once knew," Hook said, not having the heart to tell her he had been married. She shivered slightly. "Are you cold?" He asked.

"A bit," she admitted. He then put an arm around her shoulders. She leaned against him, and he drew her closer against himself. Her skin was cold, from the wind, at first touch, but was warm under the surface. She leaned her head against his chest. Hook knew he shouldn't hold her like he was, If pan saw he would be in trouble and so would she, but he couldn't help himself. She was a lot like Meela, only smaller and younger. He wished he would stop think about her.

"How many years are you?" Hook asked curiously. He felt her smile.

"Don't ask a question you aren't comfortable answering yourself," she said wisely.

"If you want to know I will tell you," he replied.

"Almost twenty," she said. "I don't need to know your age, I know you have lived her many years."

"Too many," Hook agreed. Hook moved himself to stand behind her and he clasped his hands around her. Her arms were under his and he could feel tight muscle under the surface of her sleeved gown and skin.

"What do you know of Pan?" She asked.

"Well, he's is a horrible, sly warlock. He looks like he's kind but he would just as soon chop you up into little pieces as you or I would pick fruit from a tree." Hook said, "he is not to be trifled with, he's more dangerous then any man or boy in all the realms. And believe me when I say so, because I have been to most of them." He said. He felt her tense slightly.

"Even more then The Dark One?" She asked. It was his turn to tense. He thought of Meela dead in his arms after Rumplestiltskin had pulled out her heart and crushed it. Anger burned in his mind. He wanted revenge more then anything. But he controlled his anger.

"Yes, while on NeverLand, he is," Hook confirmed.

"Are you alright?" She asked. He silently cursed, she had noticed.

"The Dark One, he took someone I loved many years ago. . .i vowed revenge." He confessed. She turned in his arms so they were face to face.

"I am sorry," she said sincerely. Hook tried to get a hold of himself before he became emotional.

"Me too," he struggled to say. She went silent and leaned against him. Her head rested on his collar bone. She was warm and gave him comfort. They stayed like this for about an hour before Zemira went limp in his arms. He swiftly picked her up and carried her up the stairs to his bed. He neatly tucked her under the covers. After she was settled he took his place on the carpet and fell asleep.

~~~~~

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