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It's Not My Fault

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THE SLEEP FELT NICE and Melody was grateful that she could finally lay down and gather up her strength from helping save StoryBrooke. But it seemed as though it was too soon because there was a rustling sound - and on instinct - her eyes shot open and she swung around to face Felix who was standing beside the bed, hands in the air.

"Sorry, Melody."

She glared at him and laid back down, stuffing her face into her pillow. "What do you want Felix?"

Felix was silent for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"He'll be here soon."

Melody froze and she looked at him. Her heart started racing and her whole body stood still. Her father would be right outside that door. The one person she didn't want to face. The one person despite everything they've done, she couldn't hate. Even if she said she did, deep down, she didn't. Because though he abandoned her, he was still her blood. He was still her father. And her gut told her that she didn't know the truth behind her abandonment. Her gut told her that something didn't add up.

The teen realized that Felix was standing there awkwardly, waiting for her to respond. She opened her mouth to say something but her nerves wouldn't let her. The second in command seemed to notice it and his eyes grew concerned as he sat by her.

"Melody. I get that you're nervous, but he is too. Think about it! He's the one who..." Felix didn't dare say the word so he continued. "He could've made a different choice. Things could've been different. Just think about how he feels."

But that was just the thing. How did he feel? Was he truly nervous to face her? It made her want to laugh. Why would he be nervous if he made the choice, no one else did? This seemed to only raise her questions as to what lied in the truth.

"Ok," Melody nodded slowly.

Felix stood up and left the room. Melody sat up and pulled the covers off of her, sitting criss-cross, closing her eyes. She took a deep breath and blocked everything out. I can do this, she told herself. I'm strong.

---

Emma was sleeping peacefully when she woke up to the sound of children crying. She sprang up and looked around, she grabbed her sword and looked over at her parents that were sleeping, not having heard the crying. The blonde took a deep breath and then trekked into the jungle, following after the sound.

She turned around and then a voice sounded.

"You hear that, too?" Emma spun around and pointed her sword at Pan, although she wasn't aware it was him. "You're Emma, right? I wonder why I can't hear the crying."

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Oh, did I forget to introduce myself? I'm Peter. Peter Pan."

Emma ran and pinned Pan against the tree, holding the sword to his throat with a fierce glare.

"Where's Henry and Melody?" she questioned.

Pan smirked and chuckled. "You've got fire. I like fire."

"Where are they?"

"They're still alive if that's what you're worried about," he replied, avoiding the question.

"Why the hell did you take them?"

Pan continued to smirk. "They are very special children, Emma."

"I know. That doesn't answer my question. What do you want with them?"

"I came here to see who I was up against 'the savior'. Gotta say I'm not disappointed."

"What do you say now? You're gonna tell me how I'm never gonna see them again?"

"No. I'm going to help you find them. I'll give you a map. A map that will lead you straight to your son.... and whatever Melody is to you."

"If this is some kind of trap..." Emma trailed off.

Emma let him go and stepped back, letting Pan take out a piece of parchment from his vest.

"I may not be the most well-behaved boy on the island, but I always keep my promises. The path to finding them is on this parchment," he said, then handed it to Emma.

Emma took it and looked at it before looking back up at him.

"Why are you giving it to me?" she asked.

"See, it's not about finding them. It's about how you find them. And, Emma you are the only one who can."

She opened the parchment to reveal a blank map. She looked up with an unimpressed look.

"It's blank," she stated.

"You'll only be able to read that map when you stop denying who you really are," Pan told her.

Emma looked down at the parchment again and then looked up, realizing Pan was gone.

---

She didn't count the time as she waited. But instead, she kept in the same position. In reality, it had only been five minutes, when to Melody it felt like hours. Everything was silent. She had blocked out everything. But when the teen felt her magic burning, she opened her eyes. And then, just like that, her eyes found a strange - but familiar - figure, standing in front of the bed.

His stance showed several emotions. Some of them being nervous, worried, scared. But his face held a different emotion. His face was blank, waiting for her reaction.

All of her nerves dissolved as she stood up and walked toward him. And he watched her carefully as if waiting for her to strike. But she could see that he was so close to breaking down. She knew.

So when she whispered those two words, he finally showed some emotion.

"Hello, papa."

His face contorted to shock and his green eyes filled with tears.

"Melody..." he trailed off.

Melody felt the tears prick her eyes and she tried so hard to keep them in. But she just couldn't. Her body fell into his arms and he immediately wrapped his arms around her, letting them both fall to the floor as Melody sobbed. Tears left Pan's eyes and he hugged his daughter tighter.

"I'm so sorry," he started. "I just... I don't want you to hate me."

"You left me," she cried.

"I know, princess. I know."

And that nickname only made her cry even more. Sobs racked her body and she clung to Pan, not letting him go. This was all too good to be true. She couldn't believe that this was happening. Her father was right here, holding her as she cried. It was surreal.

Melody's cries eventually died out and she was left holding onto him with bloodshot eyes. She felt even more tired than before but she forced herself to stay awake. But Pan noticed and picked her up with ease and put her back on the bed. He was about to let her go when she shook her head, more tears springing from her eyes.

"No, please don't-"

"I won't," he told her softly. "I'm not going to leave you again. I promise."

Melody allowed him to tuck her in and then Pan sat down beside her. She moved her head to lay it on his chest, just like she did as a child. He wrapped his arm around her and they laid there in silence. It was quiet between them, though both of them knew that there were lots to say.

"I want to hate you," she whispered. "I should hate you." Pan smoothed down her hair, comforting her. "Why don't I hate you?"

Pan didn't respond for a little while before answering, "I don't know." Although, deep down he really did know. He knew that she wanted to know the truth, she told him that. But he couldn't tell her the truth. Pan knew he had to protect her from it, and when the time came, he would tell her. Though today wasn't that day.

"I'm sorry it took so long," he apologized. "I tried going back to get you but the shadow stopped me before I could."

Melody only felt guilty. She had been angry him for so long, telling herself that she hated him. And now she finds out that all of that anger was for nothing? But the teen knew whatever the truth was, he wasn't going to tell her anytime soon. So, she didn't push.

"Why do you need Henry here then?"

"Because he has the heart of the truest believer."

They were silent again before Melody spoke up.

"I meant what I said. A second chance wouldn't be so bad."

Pan smiled sadly though she didn't see it.

"I don't deserve it."

"You do. I know there's something you aren't telling me: the truth about why you really left. And I may not know the truth, but for some reason, I have a feeling it wasn't your fault."

Pan kissed the top of her head and held her close. "No. No, it wasn't my fault."

---

The group was now awake and were all discussing the news Emma brought about Pan and the blank map he gave her. The blonde sat on a rock, staring at the map while Regina stood, with Hook sitting nearby, looking angry.

"He so likes his games," Hook growled.

"What game? There's nothing there," Regina pointed out, indicating to the blank map.

"If he said there's a map on this parchment, then there is."

"Great. So if I just stop denying who I really am, whatever that means, then we'll be able to read this thing," Emma concluded sarcastically, still staring at the parchment.

"But how do we know Pan won't use it to lead us straight into a trap?" Regina questioned.

"Because he doesn't need to. This whole island's his bloody trap," Hook said, extending his arms, showing his point.

David and Mary Margaret came back from searching the jungle with empty hands.

"There's no sign of him anywhere," David revealed as they walked over.

"Any luck with the map?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Don't hold your breath," Regina told the ex-bandit, rolling her eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Emma questioned, looking offended.

"Don't you see what he's doing? Every second we spend talking about this is another second we're not looking for my children."

"You got a better idea?"

"Magic." Everyone rolled their eyes. "If there's a lock on there, I'll find a way around it."

"Pan said it had to be me," Emma reminded.

"I'd listen to Emma, love. Breaking Pan's rules would be unwise," Hook advised.

"Sadly, I agree with the pirate," David spoke up.

Hook looked over at him and smirk. "I'm winning you over. I can feel it."

"And your magic doesn't exactly have a gentle touch, Regina," Mary Margaret pointed out.

"Use it on the map, it might blow up in all our faces," David added.

"Well, that's a risk I'm willing to take," Regina snapped.

"Well, I'm not. If I'm the one who's supposed to figure out this thing, I need to do what Pan said," Emma said.

Regina threw her arms up. "Great."

"She'll get there," Mary Margaret insisted. She looked at her daughter and smiled encouragingly. "Hey. Don't give up. He's playing a game. You can win."

---

The camp was everything she'd expected. There was a bonfire in the middle with logs surrounding it with Lost Boys all around. Some were just talking and others were playing games. Some were ever playfully wrestling.

Pan led Melody over to where all the boys could see them and he whistled, causing all of the boys to stop and look his way. Melody saw Felix and she smiled at him before turning her attention to all of the other boys, who were staring at her.

"Boys, this is Melody. She is one of you. Treat her with respect and if I hear that any of you disrespect her in any way, being thrown to the mermaids will be considered child's play compared to the punishment you will get. Am I clear?"

"Yes Pan!" the boys said.

Melody felt a little uncomfortable being in the spotlight so she was glad when all of the boys went back to what they were doing and paid them no mind. She let a breath she didn't know she was holding and turned to Pan who was looking ahead. Following his gaze, she saw him looking at Felix who was talking with another one of the Lost Boys.

The teen raised an eyebrow when she saw the look in his eyes. She snapped her fingers in front of her dad's face.

"Hello?"

Pan snapped back to reality and looked at her. He looked embarrassed but quickly covered it up.

"Um sorry. What were you saying?"

"I was talking about how I was going to visit my mom and the others telling them about me and Henry's location."

Pan nodded, still not paying attention. "Oh ok." Melody raised an eyebrow again and only then did Pan realize what she said. "Wait what-"

"No way!" Melody said, realizing what just happened. Pan was about to say something when he saw the Chester Cat smile on her face. "You like-"

Pan used his magic so no words or sounds came from her mouth. Melody closed her mouth and glared. But then she smirked. She drew and heart in the air with her fingers and laughed, though no sound came out.

"Quit laughing, Melody."

The girl gave him a smile and gave him a look. He gave her one back and waved his hand, removing the spell.

"Why don't you tell him?" she questioned quietly.

"Because... what if he doesn't feel the same?"

"What if he's thinking the same thing?"

Pan sighed and ran a hand down his face before looking at his daughter. "I can't tell him. Not right now."

"But promise me you will someday," she said.

He nodded slowly. "I promise."

Melody smiled at him and then she heard tiny footsteps approach them. She turned to see a younger looking boy with brown hair and blue eyes. The smile stayed in place and she crouched down to the boy's height.

"Hi. What's your name?" she asked him.

The little Lost Boy's face flushed pink. "Nathan."

"It's very nice to meet you, Nathan."

He smiled at her and tugged on her arm.

"Come play a game, Melody."

Melody looked at her dad who was watching her with a smile. Then she looked at Nathan and nodded, standing up.

"A game sounds fun."

Nathan led her away and Pan watched with a small smile. Felix walked up to Pan and they both watched Melody pick up Nathan, throwing him in the air just to catch him. Nathan laughed and smiled at her action.

"How long do you think you'll be able to keep it from her?" Felix asked Pan, referring to the true reason why Henry was on Neverland.

"She's my daughter Felix. Not very long."

---

Melody had Nathan on her lap while she talked to Henry. Her brother seemed confused as to how she was so calm but Melody pretended not to notice. But Henry didn't know how Pan was her father, and she wasn't going to tell him. What would he think of her?

Pan walked over to them and the three looked at him.

"Melody." He gestured his head over to the jungle and Melody understood that he wanted to talk to her. The teen set Nathan down on the log and followed her dad. They stopped and he made sure no one was around before looking at her. "I need you to stay at the camp."

"Why?" she asked.

Pan sighed. "Just trust me please."

"Ok look. I'm giving you a second chance, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to give you my trust in a nice little bottle. You have to earn it."

He knew she was right but Pan couldn't let her get hurt. And he couldn't let them take her away.

"I know I do. But I'm asking you please-"

"They're here, aren't they? They came to take me and Henry back didn't they?"

"Yes. But they're going to take you away and I-"

"What are you going to do to them?" she asked, taking a step back.

He looked hurt by her action but he raised his hand up in surrender. "Nothing Melody."

She shook her head, taking a step back. "You're lying."

"Melody-"

"No," she yelled, tears filling her eyes. "I should've known better. And here I thought you'd be the same. But you aren't." She shook her head. "I gave in so easily because I thought I thought I'd be happy again. I thought we'd be happy." She took another step back. "But clearly I was wrong. You aren't my papa. And you'll never be."

Pan flinched back in shock and his eyes filled with tears. "I have done everything to get you back. And this is how you're going to repay me? By what? Leaving?"

"You won't even tell me the truth! And here I thought that every I used to think was wrong. But you've done nothing for me. You did it for yourself. My dad wouldn't have done any of this. He was never this selfish."

"I'm not selfish!"

"Then why did you abandon me and my brother!" she yelled.

"He is not your brother!" Pan yelled back, his eyes full of anger. But really, he was worried, he was desperate. She was going to leave him.

"Yes, he is!"

"No, he's not! He is going to kill you!"

Melody gasped and covered her mouth. She took a step back and Pan's eyes went wide when he realized what he said.

"What," she whispered in shock.

A tear left Pan's eyes and he took a step toward her. She took another step back and her face fell.

"I don't expect you to understand, Melody. But I had to do it to save you. Please," Pan begged. "I will tell you the truth when this is all over. You just have to trust me."

Melody looked up at him, the tears not falling from her eyes. "If I find out you hurt them, I'm leaving with them. No matter what you say."

Pan clenched his teeth but didn't yell at her. "Please stay in camp, ok?"

"Fine."

Pan sighed in relief and watched as Melody walked away and toward the treehouse. He shook his head and cursed himself for almost telling her the truth. She couldn't know. Not right now. The truth would be too much for her and he knew she wouldn't believe him. So she'd run back to her family with open arms and then he'd lose her forever. And then Rumple would get to her.

And then, The Dark One would kill her.

---

Melody laid on the bed, curled up. The words wouldn't leave her head and they kept repeating themselves over and over in her head. Rumple was going to kill her? It didn't make sense. Why would her own brother kill her? They'd made amends, he didn't blame her anymore. And he didn't hate her. But then Pan said he wasn't her brother. How? He had to be her brother.

There was a knock and she turned to see Felix standing in the doorway.

"Pan just wanted me to let you know that two Lost Boys will be staying at camp just in case you need something."

Melody nodded and then spoke, "Felix?" The second in command turned back to her from going to exit the treehouse and looked at her. "This might be a weird question but um... do you happen to have a crush on anyone?"

Felix's cheeks flushed pink and he avoided her eyes. "I uh... why ask?"

Melody shrugged. "Just curious. You know, I think my dad has a crush but he won't tell me who." Felix looked sad and Melody noticed. She hid her smile and acted confused. "What? I didn't say something wrong did I?"

Felix shook his head. "No. No. Just..." He sighed and then walked over to her. "If I tell you, you can't tell anyone. I mean anyone." Melody nodded and she tried to hide her smile that fought so hard to take over her face. "I may or may not have a crush."

Melody kept her act up but feigned curiosity. "On who?"

Felix looked around before looking back at her. "Promise me it won't be weird." She raised an eyebrow but she said promised. "I like Pan."

The teen's eyes lit up and she jumped up, smiling like an idiot. "Really?!" Felix smiled, blushing again. "You have to tell him!"

"I can't."

She rolled her eyes, forcing back the sarcastic comment of "that's what Pan said".

"But you will tell him one day right?" Melody asked.

Felix shrugged. "I will eventually. When I'm sure he feels the same way."

And with that, the second the second in command left the room, leaving Melody smiling widely.

---

The StoryBrooke group was trekking through the Dark Jungle, following the blank map Emma got from Pan. They had decided (some of them at least) that it was probably all just a joke, so Regina took the opportunity to use her magic to track Pan's camp using the parchment.

"Ready to thank me?" Regina asked as she and Emma walked next to each other.

"Actually, yeah," Emma said.

"If you'd let me do it sooner, maybe we'd have found him by now." They continued walking when Regina stopped suddenly. "Wait. He's there. Pan. I can feel his smugness."

David pulled out his sword. "Shall we? While we still have the element of surprise on our side?"

He went to go but Hook stopped him. "Careful. He may look like a boy, but he's a bloody demon."

They reached a clearing and they all looked around.

"No one's here. Maybe your spell was wrong, Regina," Mary Margaret suggested.

Regina turned to her and glared. "Yes. Blame me...again."

Upon a hill, Emma spotted a figure. She walked closer and narrowed her eyes.

"Guys...Hold on. Is that..." She realized who it was and she ran. "Henry!"

Henry turned around to reveal himself as Pan dressed up as Henry.

The group stopped when they saw him and Pan smirked.

"Hi, Emma."

"Where the hell is Henry and Melody?" she asked.

Pan started to walk up the hill further. "You broke the rules. That's not fair. Bad form. I expect more from you, Captain."

"Aye, and you'll get it," Hook said, glaring at him.

"Give my son to me," Emma demanded.

"And give me my daughter back," Regina added, equally as angry.

"Sorry. Can't," Pan told them. He stopped and turned to them. "Don't you know? Cheaters never win."

The Lost Boys come from behind Pan, shouting and whooping. They surrounded the group armed with bow and arrows as Pan looked on amused.

"Watch out for their arrows. They're laced with dreamshade," Hook warned as they pointed their swords at the boys.

The fight began and the Lost Boys started shooting their arrows. Arrows ricochet as David blocked them with his sword while Mary Margaret shot arrows herself. Hook saw Felix and glared, aiming his sword at the second in command. Felix struck back and the two started fighting.

"It's been a while, Captain," Felix greeted, dodging Hook's sword.

"Not long enough," Hook replied, with gritted teeth. He swung at him and Felix blocked him. "Where's Melody?"

"Why are you so interested in the girl?" Felix asked.

"None of your concern."

The fight ended when Pan whistled, sending all of the Lost Boys running back up the hill to him.

"Remember what I told you. That map will show you where Henry and Melody are...only when you stop denying who you really are," Pan reminded. He smirked once more. "I'll make sure to send them your regards." Then he and the Lost Boys retreated into the woods.

Leaving the StoryBrooke group casting worried glances at one another.

---

A simple spell. That's all she did to pass the time. She raised her hand and watched as the book floated in the air, she smiled and continued to keep it in the air. The time passed and all she did was watch the book float.

Magic was indeed odd to a stranger's eye. They would squint, as if trying to decipher what was happening, why, how. But to her, it was a completely different thing. To Melody, it was something that was a part of her. And she didn't want to lose it.

The teen didn't notice when Pan entered the room. She continued to watch the book float and when she felt the burning sensation of her magic, she dropped the book and looked over to see him.

Pan watched with a smile and he walked over to her, picking up the book. He sat down in front of her and she sighed.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I just..."

"Don't apologize. I know the past can't be changed, at least I don't think it can. And I know that trusting me won't be easy, but I'm going to earn back your trust. I promise."

Melody smiled slightly and looked at the book. "I've been trying to teach myself control. I know it's important and I don't want to use my magic for any other reason until I do gain control."

Pan nodded in understanding. "It's not easy. But when you do feel like you've gained control, I'll teach you some simple spells."

She smiled a bit more. "That'd be nice. Just... no dark magic please."

He laughed. "No dark magic."

---

"The map's working. We know where Pan's keeping Melody and Henry," Emma announced, standing up and approaching the rest of the group.

"Where?" Regina asked.

Hook looked at the map from beside Emma.

"Uh...We're here at the southern tip of the Isle, in the middle of the Dark Jungle, and Pan's camp lies due north," he said.

"That's where he's keeping them," Emma confirmed.

"What are we waiting for?" Regina questioned.

"Well, the terrains not easy. There will undoubtedly be some nasty impediments along the way," Hook explained.

David nodded. "We should prepare. We only made it out of our last encounter because Pan let us. We need a new plan."

Emma nodded back. "Agreed. It's time we stop playing his game and he starts playing ours."

"And if I disagree?" Regina asked.

Everyone looked at her and Emma approached her. "Go ahead, but I think you know our best chance is together."

"You better be right."

---

Emma was busy picking some berries when Pan appeared behind her.

"Don't eat the blue ones," Pan warned. Emma jumped but didn't turn around. "Congratulations. You did it...orphan. You don't mind if I call you a lost girl, do you?"

"Call me what you like. It won't stop me from finding Henry and Melody."

Pan chuckled. "You see, I'm counting on that. There's a reason I tested you."

She stood up and faced him, keeping her face blank. "Really?"

"You haven't forgiven your parents for abandoning you. Don't deny it. You haven't. That's good. 'Cause when you find Henry, you'll understand him," Pan said.

Emma was confused as to why he didn't mention Melody but didn't say anything. But it only led her to believe that whatever he had planned for Melody, it was set in his mind that he would succeed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked.

"He hasn't forgiven you either. By the time you get to him, he'll never want to leave this island."

"We'll see."

Emma picked up her berries and began to walk away when Pan called out to her.

"And as for Melody. She might want to come back to you and the others. But she'll realize where she truly belongs."

Emma turned back he had already disappeared. She looked concerned and hurried back to camp.

---

"I still don't get it," she admitted with a sigh.

Pan rubbed his forehead. "And what don't you get?"

"The reason why you can't just tell Emma and the others why Henry is here. If he's here to save magic, why not tell them."

"It's complicated."

"Or it's just not the truth." He gave her a look and she sighed again. "Look. I'm going to trust you on this, ok? But that doesn't mean you have to hurt them."

"You won't be able to stay here if I don't. I just got you back, I'm not going to let them take you away that easily."

"But they're still my family. Regina took care of me when you weren't there. You at least can show her some gratitude."

"Yes, I suppose I can give her that. But still. She did everything she could to keep Emma from taking Henry and you away from her. Imagine what she'll do to keep you away from me."

Melody didn't say anything for a moment, knowing he was right. Regina did try to do everything in her power to keep Henry and her from being taken by Emma. Her mom tried so hard to convince them that she wasn't the evil queen. Though she was, she tried to convince them otherwise.

"I'm doing this for a reason, Melody. I just want us to be a happy family again. And now that you're here, we can," Pan told her.

Melody looked at him and then wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him.

"You do realize that Regina isn't the only one who's going to put up a fight. Killian will too. After all, he is my best friend."

Pan pulled away and glared. "Killian?"

Melody smirked. "Yeah. He said I could call him that. Oh, and did you know that he said that he'd always protect me?"

"He what?"

"Yeah...I mean..I got to go bye."

She ran out of the treehouse, smirking.

"Melody Grace, you get back here right now!" Pan yelled as he came out of the treehouse.

"Felix help me! Pan is going to kill me!" Melody yelled at him.

Felix saw her running toward him and chuckled. "Sorry Melody, can't help you."

He saw her smirk and watched as she laughed when Pan got closer.

"Melody!" Pan yelled again, running after her.

Felix watched them as Pan ran after her. He shook his head, smiling to himself.

It was going to be a long couple of days.

---

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