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Fallen Too Far

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ESCAPING WASN'T EVEN A THOUGHT that crossed her mind. Pan was trying, she knew that. And he was trying to keep his promise, but with his plan, it proved difficult. Melody wasn't about to walk out of camp and find her family, even though she missed them.

But she knew Pan was still planning something with Henry (she knew that he was lying and wasn't telling her something), Neal was alive, and her family was still coming to save her and Henry. What was she supposed to do? Escaping wasn't an option. She wouldn't just leave, it was wrong. Or she could stay in camp and pretend that everything was ok.

Choosing neither option, she ran a finger through her hair and walked out of the treehouse.

The boys were climbing up the trees by the ropes to see who could get to the top of the tree first when she walked out.

"Melody!" one of the boys called, motioning her over.

She rolled her eyes but smiled slightly. "You guys are going to make me climb, aren't you?"

"Yep!"

She smirked. "Fine."

None of the lost boys had reached the top yet and she felt determined to do it first. That would make Pan proud right? Waving her hand, she made a hair tie appear. She tied her hair into a high ponytail and then gripped her hands on the rope. Though the tree was high, it made her feel more determined.

The boy on the tree next to her fell off and hit the dirt floor. But the boys continued to cheer her on. Melody felt her grip loosen and tried to calm down as she continued to pull herself up. The top of the tree was near and she felt a relief once she hit the top. She swung onto the tree and perched herself on the branch.

The lost boys whooped and cheered and she could see Henry with a stunned expression on his face. Pan walked out of the woods and saw the boys cheering. Raising an eyebrow, he followed their gaze and looked up to see Melody on the branch of the tree where none of the lost boys had gotten. He felt a proud smile appear on his face and he laughed slightly. Felix stood next to him and smiled as well.

"She is just like you."

Pan looked at him, still smiling. "I know."

Melody got up and went back to the rope as she climbed down. When she hit the bottom, she smiled widely. The boys congratulated her and cheered, clapping with smiles. Never had Melody ever felt this happy. A grin overtook her face and she laughed.

The lost boys then were shoving each other out of the way as they tried to reach the top like she had. Melody watched as they climbed, to only fall, which made her laugh even more. Escaping didn't even cross her mind now. Why would she want to escape from a place like this?

"Stop it!" Henry yelled.

Everyone turned to him to see Devin circling him with a stick.

"If you can't take this, how are you gonna handle what Pan has in store for you?" Devin questioned.

Looking down, Henry noticed a stick lying on the ground. Devin noticed and nodded to it, encouraging Henry to pick it up. Taking no time, the lost boy charged at Henry and then they fought. Everyone gathered around them and Melody smiled at their playful fight.

"Not bad," Pan said from his spot where he was leaning against a tree. Everyone looked at him as he walked over to Henry. "But wouldn't it be more fun, if you had real swords?"

"I've never used a real sword," Henry admitted.

"This is Neverland and you have the heart of the truest believer. You can use whatever you want." Pan placed a hand on Henry's shoulder. "You just need to believe, Henry. Close your eyes and believe you're holding a real sword."

Henry closed his eyes and everyone watched as the stick became a shiny sword. Melody smiled and nudged one of the lost boys who was watching, smiling as well.

"Bet you he's going to beat Devin."

The lost boy grinned. "I bet he is too."

"What are you waiting for? Go on," Pan pushed. Henry charged at Devin and the lost boys cheered, including Melody. "Go on! Go for it! Keep going! Come on!" With one stroke of his sword, Henry cut his opponent's stick in a half. "Come on, Henry!"

Charging once again, Henry hit Devin, drawing blood on his cheek. The younger boy seemed shocked and he stuttered.

"I'm sorry. It was an accident."

"Henry," Pan said, walking over. "Don't you know the best thing about being a Lost Boy? You never apologize." He lifted Henry's arm up. "Come on."

The Lost Boys cheer loudly and Melody cheered with them with a satisfied smirk on her face.

"Yeah," Henry said as a smile overtook his face. "Should I feel bad?" Henry asked Melody once the boys calmed down.

Pan was still standing next to Henry and he waited for his daughter to answer.

"Naw. If I apologized every time I won a game, the game would be boring," Melody told him truthfully, as Devin walked away holding his cheek.

"Congrats on climbing the tree."

Melody rolled her eyes playfully and smiled. "It wasn't even that hard." Turning to Pan was smiled even more. "You need to train them better."

Pan smirked. "Sure thing, Melody."

Henry looked at them with a confused expression. "You know, you guys could be related or something. Like brother and sister." Pan and Melody looked worried. "Hey! Maybe's that's where your fairytale is Melody!"

The younger boy walked away, leaving Pan and Melody standing dumbfounded.

"What? Me related to this goofball? Right, sure...." she called out Henry.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Pan asked, looking slightly offended.

"You're not helping the situation here," Melody said in a lowered voice. "You said yourself. Felix is the only one who knows that we're related. What do you think the boys would do if they found out we were related. Father and daughter at that!"

"I wouldn't care what they would say."

"Oh, I wouldn't either. It's just the fact that everyone would be afraid of pissing me off."

"Why is that?"

"Because I can imagine it's not pretty when you're pissed off."

Pan smirked. "Ha ha ha, very funny."

Melody shuddered. "It's just creepy how alike we are. It's way too creepy."

"Creepy, huh?" Pan repeated, raising an eyebrow.

Melody nodded with a slight smirk. "Terrifying."

She walked away and Pan shook his head, smiling.

---

Hook watched Emma as she started her plan and Emma looked back at him.

Regina scoffed when Mary Margaret explained the plan to her. "A trap? That's your plan?"

"The Lost Boys wanna come after us, we need to go after them," Mary Margaret explained.

"You really think, the Lost Boys are gonna betray Pan?" Hook asked.

"Thanks for the advice." She sighed and looked at her husband. "David?"

"Yeah?" he asked.

"We need more vines," she told him.

"On it. You're coming with me, pirate."

"Why's that?" Hook asked, tearing his gaze from Emma.

"Because we need more rope," Emma pointed out.

Hook bowed slightly. "If the lady insists."

---

David picked up vines and Hook followed close behind.

"What would you like to yell at me about now, Dave?" Hook mocked.

"Stay away from my daughter," David snapped as he continued to grab vines.

"I guess, she can take care of herself. She doesn't need your parenting. Which is a good thing."

David stopped and turned to him. "What does that mean?"

"It means you're gonna die in a day or so, anyway."

"Nothing I can do about that. But, if I do die-"

"When..." Hook interrupted.

"It'll be in helping my family and that something someone like you can't understand," David said harshly.

"What, if I told you there's a way to save you?"

"I'd say no, cause anything that takes us off course of saving Henry and Melody, is selfish. But, of course, you would think that was the way to go."

"Bugger off. You think I'm being selfish? I'm risking my life for all of you, every moment I'm here aligned against him."

"Please, you're not here out of any nobility. You're here for Emma and Melody. And let me tell you something else: You're never gonna get Emma and you're never going to be near Melody again. I'll see to that."

Hook was offended. Though he was here to get Melody back, he knew how much Henry meant to both Emma and the teen. And plus, he didn't want someone as sweet, caring, and innocent as Melody to be turned into something as evil, demon-like, and arrogant as Pan.

"It's a good thing you're gonna die then," Hook smirked

David went to punch him in the face, but he staggard and fell.

---

The three females waited patiently as a lost boy walked forward, a bow in hand, pointing at a boar. Mary Margaret pulled her bow back, aimed up, and shoot, triggering the trap. A rope fell down on the lost boy and the three rushed out.

"Uhh! What are you doing?! Are you trying to start a war with Pan?" he asked.

They pulled the lost boy up. Devin.

"Pan started the war when he kidnapped my son and my friend," Emma glared, pointing a sword at him.

"But that doesn't make you our enemy," Regina smiled.

She made a chocolate bar appear in her hand with a wave, making Dein walked toward it.

"What's that?" he asked.

"Chocolate. I thought you might like the taste of something sweet."

"We don't wanna hurt you. We just need you to deliver a message to Henry and Melody," Emma told him.

"Why should I help you?" Devin asked.

"Because you had a home and a family once and you stopped believing you could get back to them. Now we're here. We can help... not just Henry, all of you. We can get you home."

Regina held out the chocolate again. Devin took it and smelt it. Regina smiled even more, thinking he was going to take it. But then Devin threw it, making Emma point her sword at him.

"Don't you get it? I'm here because I don't want to go home. None of us do," Devin objected.

"Pan's a monster. Look what he did to you," Emma said, gesturing toward the cut on his cheek.

Devin chuckled. "Oh, Pan didn't do that. Henry did. And Melody saw and she didn't stop him."

And that alone made the three females stand still.

---

The fact that the boys were still trying made her laugh. None of them had reached the top, which made Melody happy beyond belief. Pan was proud, to say the least, which kept the smile on her face.

"Aren't you proud of me?" she wondered, turning to look at her dad who was sitting beside her.

Pan smiled at her. "Of course I am."

"That sounds like sarcasm."

She laughed and he shook his head, still smiling. "It's not."

"You know, my birthday's coming soon but since I won't age here, it won't really matter will it?"

Pan sighed and wrapped his arm around her. "It will matter. And we'll throw a big party."

"If we even make it there before my family comes to get me and Henry." Another sigh. "For my birthday, all I want is to be with my family. You, Felix, the lost boys, my family from StoryBrooke. All in one room. Not killing each other, but treating each other like we're all part of the same family. Is it so much to ask?"

"Melody... they won't listen."

"How do you know that?" Pan said nothing. "Because you don't. Regina is considered a villain. She has killed people, manipulated people, and yet Mary Margaret and David have always given her another chance because they know that my mom isn't evil. She's broken." He still said nothing as she continued. "There is no such thing as a truly good person and there is no such thing as a truly dark and evil person. Because everything has light and dark in them. So if you just give them a reason to trust you, they will give you a chance."

"You can't count on that. Because they won't." He stood up and Melody frowned. "Stay in camp. I have stuff to do."

He left her sitting there and Melody let out a sigh.

---

Night had fallen and Hook had reached the top of the peak. He went around to throw down a rope for David when someone stopped him.

"Don't pull him up yet." Hook turned around to see Pan standing on the ledge. "I wanna talk. Alone."

Hook dropped the vines and walked over. "What do you want?"

"To offer you a deal. Come back and work for me, like the old days."

"I don't miss the old days."

"What if I were to offer you something very hard to come by?" There was a whoosh and Pan was now in front of Hook. "Passage off the island."

"Still not interested," Hook denied.

"What if I were to sweeten the deal? You can take someone with you... Emma."

"Emma would never leave her family. And I would never leave Melody with you."

"Emma left Henry once before, and you can be there to pick up the pieces. As for Melody, well, I don't think she'll want to leave. Nor will I let her leave. We've known each other a very long time, Killian. We've done business before. And I think this is the perfect time to restart that relationship."

"What if I'm not interested?" Hook asked.

"Of course you are. Because that's what I've always liked about you. You're good at surviving."

Hook thought for a moment. "What do you want me to do?"

"Be in my employ. Do my dirty work."

"What dirty work?"

"When the time comes, I'll let you know. But first, I need a signal that you've taken my deal."

"So my word right now wouldn't be good enough?"

"You know me." Pan then disappeared and then reappeared behind Hook. "I like action. I'll know you've taken my deal when I see the Prince's dead body up on that peak."

Hook turned around to face him. "Oh, you'll see that anyway. He's on his last legs, thanks to dreamshade."

Pan walked closer. "I wanna see you kill him before the poison. I want to see your hook inside his body."

"And what if I don't take your offer?"

Pan stood close to him and spoke in a lowered voice. "Remember the last time you didn't listen to me?" He pulled out Hook's bottle of rum, letting his anger from his conversation with Melody fuel his threat. "Have a drink. You know it always helps you think."

He disappeared as soon as David reached the top of the ledge. Hook glared at where the boy was and turned to David, not happy about what just happened.

---

Pan walked back into camp and saw the boys still trying to beat Melody. The girl was right where he left her and he instantly felt bad for what he said. Sitting down next to her, Melody didn't turn to him.

"So what business did you 'take care of'?" she asked.

"Hook. I offered him a deal, but he didn't take it. David's dying of dreamshade." There was no point in lying to her now. She probably was going to leave anyway. "That's what I took care of."

Melody opened her mouth to say something but then closed it, tears brimming her eyes. Here she was, laughing and smiling without a care while her family was out there risking their lives to get her and Henry back. The thought made her sick. How could she have been so selfish?

"Do you want me to leave?" she asked.

"I'm trying Melody. I really am. I just can't be the father I used to be. I've fallen too far."

Melody didn't look at him as tears filled her eyes. "So you want me to leave?"

"It's your choice."

"You're not answering my question."

He didn't say anything for a moment. "You'd be better off without me." And then - yet again - he left her sitting there.

---

Emma pinned Devin against the tree with an angry look on her face.

"It's too late! Henry and Melody are lost boys now! They are two of the most vicious new recruits we've have had in ages!" he yelled.

Mary Margaret ripped Emma off before she choked him to death.

"Don't let him get to you. Okay?" Mary Margaret said in a lowered voice.

"Move aside," Regina directed as she started toward Devin.

"Why?"

"So I can rip his heart out. Then he'll do exactly what we want."

"This is not how we do things. Emma, we can find another way to get to Henry."

Regina looked at her. "Really?" She turned to Emma. "And what do you think, Emma?"

Emma looked at Mary Margaret before looking back to Regina. "I think we need to talk to them."

Regina looked happy with her answer and Mary Margaret looked incredulously at Emma.

"We can't do this. That is brutal," Mary Margaret pointed out.

"I know, but she can," Emma said.

Regina walked toward Devin and Mary Margaret realized what was going to happen.

"Emma..."

"Do it, Regina," Emma told her, grabbing Mary Margaret and turning her away.

Regina rolled up her sleeve and Emma tried to hold the ex-bandit in her grip.

"I'm sorry," Emma whispered to her mom.

Regina smirked at Devin before reaching and ripping his heart out. Mary Margaret fought the tears and Emma laid her head against her shoulder.

---

Things were quiet between the two as Henry laid his head on his sister's shoulder. After the second time he left her alone, Henry went over to his sister, knowing she was upset. But then Devin approached the two. He poked Melody and the two turned to him. In her anger, Melody stood up and used her magic to choke him.

"Melody!" Henry exclaimed. "You're going to hurt him."

The teen released her magic grip on the lost boy and Devin gasped, rubbing his neck. He held his hands up in surrender.

"I didn't come to fight. I came to deliver a message. Your family is here," Devin revealed. Melody tensed up but let Devin pull her and Henry over to where no one could hear them. "They're on the island... trying to find you."

"You're making this up because I cut your cheek. You're trying to get back at me," Henry replied.

"I'm not making it up. Look."

Devin held up a mirror and Melody took it in her hands.

"Henry, Melody, are you guys okay?" Regina asked through the mirror.

"Henry, Melody, can you guys hear me?" Emma asked.

"Mom?" Henry questioned.

Melody felt tears prick her eyes. "Mom!"

"I'm here, too, guys!" Mary Margaret exclaimed, coming into view of the mirror.

"No. This is a trick," Henry said in disbelief.

"No. No, it's not a trick. Guys, I promise you this is real. Kids, it's Operation Cobra Rescue. It's us," Emma smiled.

"Y... you're here?"

"Yes. We're coming to get you guys."

"I'm sorry," Melody apologized. "For everything I've done to you guys."

"Melody, there's nothing to apologize for," Emma said softly.

There were footsteps and Henry and Melody both saw Pan.

"There's someone coming. It's Pan. We gotta go," Melody said.

"We love both of you," Regina smiled before Melody took the mirror and smashed it on the floor.

She looked at Pan who was getting closer and then turned away.

"Come on, Henry."

---

Hook sat in the forest, drinking his rum when someone cleared their throat. He turned and saw Pan, rolling his eyes, he looked away.

"You really should've taken my deal," Pan glared.

"It doesn't look like I need your help with Emma after all, mate," Hook said smirking.

"What, you think that kiss actually meant something?"

"I do. I think it means she's finally starting to see me for the man I am."

"What?" Pan scoffed, "A one-handed pirate with a drinking problem? I'm no grown-up, but I'm pretty sure that's less than appealing."

"A man of honor."

"So tell me... What would a man of honor like yourself do with a big, fat secret?"

"Um. Well, that depends on what the secret is."

"Baelfire. Neal. Whatever name he goes by these days. The guy Emma loves. Henry's father."

Hook stood up. "What of him? He's dead."

"No. I'm afraid not. He's alive. And that's not even the best part. He's in Neverland."

"Is he?"

"Oh yes. Can you believe it? I'm sure Emma would love to know that Henry's father is still alive. But I'd hate for that to get in the way of budding romance. So I'll leave it up to you... to tell her or not. Let's see what kind of man you really are."

Pan smirked before disappearing into the forest.

---

Most of the spells seemed simple enough. And Melody was glad that most of them were easy enough to where she could learn them in just a few minutes. Asking Pan to teach her was out of the question, though he did offer and she agreed. But the teen was mad at him. Couldn't he just see her side? And she did see his side.

Pan didn't want to lose her again and he was desperate to keep her safe, to keep her with him. His actions proved that. True, Pan wasn't the same, but neither was she. However, at the same time, she was still mad at him.

Why couldn't he just see her point? One thing. It was one simple thing she asked for and he shot it down.

Running her fingers along the page, she stopped on a teleportation spell. Melody closed the book and closed her eyes, imaging a location she wanted to appear in. Nothing happened and she sighed. Trying again, Melody received the same result. Groaning in disbelief, she shoved the book away and put her head in her hands.

"I'm so stupid," she said to herself.

"Why would you say that?" someone asked.

Rolling her eyes, she looked up at Pan. "Because I can."

He grabbed the book and held it in his hands. "What spell?"

Melody snatched the book from him, standing up. "Oh, so you want to help?"

Pan sighed. "Princess-"

"Stop! It's Melody. My dad called me Princess. Not you."

The immortal boy looked taken aback and he flinched. "Look if it's what I said earlier-"

"All I asked was one simple thing. Just tell my family the truth! Then all of you guys can come with us to StoryBrooke and we can be a family again. Like we want."

"It's not that simple!" Pan yelled.

"Why not?! What are you not telling me?"

Pan lowered his voice. "I can't tell you."

"And why not?"

"Because then I'll lose you for good."

Melody shook her head, refusing to cry. "I said I trusted you. But this... this is getting too much. You can't hide the truth from me forever."

She left the room, throwing the book on the floor. Pan watched her go with clenched teeth. He let out a furious yell and picked up the book, throwing it at the wall. Tears fell from his eyes and he collapsed to the floor sobbing.

That was it. That was it.

He had lost her

---

So Pan and Melody have fallen out!

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