↬Chapter Fifty One-Ariel↬

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I only own Jade/Camilla and my ideas.

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Trigger warning: mentions of abuse

Jade had never thought of ways of which she wanted to go, and yet anytime she was in a fight she always thought it was her last. Yet the spite which she had against people to prove that no matter what people threw at her, she'll always live had always made Jade want to prove that what they said didn't matter to her. She had so many years on an island where she felt safe, loved, and was comfortable with herself; and now she was full of hate, discomfort, and hated everything. She had been ripped away from the people she loved with her whole heart and the love which filled her heart was replaced with hatred.

The hatred replaced the love once she had found out that she was only brought back to the Enchanted Forest because of her father wanting to find Baelfire. Apparently there had been a rumour going around that Jade Stiltskin knew where her brother was which was why Rumplestiltskin - the twat - had wanted Jade. He had allied himself with Regina who had said that she had two beans, one to get where Jade was and one to get back.

Though even such, Jade wasn't helpful in any way, therefore making her as useless as ever in her father's eyes. Even that made Jade pissed, she was taken from a place where she was happy to a place where she knows her father is. It made her uncomfortable, made her reckless, made her feel as everything was crashing on top of her.

Well, you know the rest. Her name was covered by the name Shadow - the huntress who stole in the shadows and night. Those who came in her path had died if they threatened her, those who wasn't a threat had quickly moved from her path - not wanting to piss her off.

Currently, Jade had been leaning against a tree which three posters, one for her, one for this Snow White person (whoever she might be), and the last one was for Robin Hood. Jade had known of Robin more so than anyone, yet she was yet to meet him. She was against the tree as she tried to catch her breath, the forest was different from the jungle she was used to - Jade had almost forgotten everything about the Enchanted Forest and such.

She was in King George's kingdom, or well the outskirts of it anyway. Jade had hoped that she'd be able to steal something either from within the castle or from the people. Either way she needed enough money to survive in this life now she was back. She could hunt, but it was the money she needed for certain stuff which she needs.

Jade hated this, she didn't have to do this at all back in Neverland, but now she was back she had no choice. Six months she had been back, six long months where all she wanted to do was go back home. Six months where she had to face her abusive twat of a father.

She sighed, shaking her head slightly. Her quiver was over her shoulder as was her bow so those would be difficult to hide. She pulled her hood down and took off her mask, tying it on her belt under her navy cape. If anything Jade knew her actual appearance was a mystery to everyone so therefore it was the perfect disguise when she needed it to be. Jade hated it though, she hated having them off, yet she knew that she had to do it without getting into a fight.

Jade moved from behind the tree and headed towards the castle and its courtyard where stalls would be set up and whatever else.

Camilla had come back to the camp with nothing more than a pissed off expression. Peter had instantly come over towards her, staring at her with a slightly confused look yet worried all the same. He'd wanted to know exactly what was going on with her, he had to watch as Russel came running into camp with a heart telling him that Camilla asked for it to be placed in Devin. Peter wasn't told the full story yet now that Camilla came walking back into camp with a sour expression, he needed to know what got her riled up.

"Jade," Peter began in a low voice just so that the others couldn't hear. "What's going on? Why did Russel come back with a heart? Where were you?"

Camilla glared at Peter in a way which somewhat made Peter flinch. "What happened? I'll tell you exactly what happened. They ripped out my son's heart, my best friend's heart and they used it to get what they wanted - a message to Henry - it was so painfully obvious that they'd ripped it out! They were careless, they know what these boys mean to me, they know that they're my goddamn children yet they still ripped out Devin's heart to get what they wanted." Her breaths were heavy, her eyes dark. "I confronted them; I was happily gonna slaughter them where they stood if I had the chance. Russel got there before I could do anything drastic, Regina got him, threatened him. It was Russel who got the heart away from Regina, I told him after Regina fired a fire ball at him to come back to camp and return Devin's heart to him." She clenched her fists. "Fuck them. They're not getting my help anymore, not after they got Devin's heart and threatened the life of Russel."

Peter hadn't said anything. Now he knew why Russel hadn't said anything, the smaller boy was somewhat in shock at what he had to witness. Okay, there had been times where what Russel had done could and should have shocked him but to witness his mother, the woman who he basically looked up to, loose her shit was something else. He couldn't think of what to say so instead he drew Camilla into his arms, he could hear the harshness of her breathing as if she was trying to stop herself from crying out of anger and frustration. Don't get him wrong, he was just as pissed off as Camilla but it just gave him motive to do what needed to be done in order to get them off their island.

"I'll make sure to get everything done as quickly as possible so they can leave as soon as possible." Peter informed.

"They won't understand, whatever your plan is with Henry and his heart being this True Believer thing, I don't think they'll just leave," Camilla spoke bitterly. "They're these pathetic heroes who believe that they can always win with rainbows and glitter, but I swear to god I'll burn them all to the ground if I have the chance for what they did."

"I know you will, Jade." Peter spoke, a hidden smirk laced on his features knowing that Camilla was more on his side than theirs.

And she was. All these small things which seemed to happen, her father giving her the cape, this entire situation of Devin and his heart, as well as this ongoing darkness growing inside her. She felt the need to do whatever it took to make sure that her boys were safe, that none of them would dare to hurt her boys again. She almost smirked at the thought of what she would like to do to them, for so long she was pushed to the side lines, pushed back as if she was just nothing, pushed back so far that she became this monster, maybe it was time that everything which she built up came loose towards the ones who hurt her the most.

"I'm gonna make this clear though, Peter," Camilla spoke calmly as she pulled away from the hug. "I don't want to know your plan for Henry, it's safer if I don't know so that if they do get me they can't force me to say. All I know is that Henry has the Heart of the Truest Believer and that you want it and Henry."

"They won't get you; I swear to it. You've been away from us far too long and I promised our Lost Boys that nothing would take you away once we got you back." Peter assured. "Now, as much as I want to stay here with you, I have to make preparations for what I have planned. If you need to go out of camp, bring a few of the Lost Boys with you, they might want to join you in whatever you decide to do."

Camilla nodded as she went to turn away to re-join the Lost Boys - more specifically, try and find Devin so that she could see how he was doing.

It was then that Peter had grasped at Camilla's wrist before whispering something in her ear about where he plans to place Neal. "You think you can do that Jade? I know it's gonna be with them but I know that you care for your brother which is why I'm telling you."

Camilla nodded. "Yes, I'll be fine. Ignore and be the biggest pain in the ass to ever exist to those who I don't like."

Peter grinned at that before letting go, allowing his Lost Girl run free back to their family.

The walk between the forest towards the castle and its courtyard had been one which seemed to almost drag especially the way which she chose to do - hide behind a tree, check her surroundings, and then go. In some ways she felt almost uneasy of what was going on yet she wasn't sure as to why, it felt as if she was being watched by something she couldn't see which was making her nervous for what she planned to do. She had to shake all of these feelings off and concentrate.

She had to concentrate on the fact that this castle was probably filled with riches that could set her up quite nicely for the next few weeks if her plan had gone well. Jade just hoped that it did, if she got enough money then maybe she could find a way to cross back over to Neverland and be home. If she got enough money then maybe she could trade the money for information on realm crossing.

Internally she blamed her father and the Evil Queen for what they'd done to her, their reasoning as to why they brought her back was something pathetic. Of course she knew where her brother was but she wasn't going to spill it. Baelfire was safe to say the least, safer away from the hands of her father. She didn't say anything about where Baelfire was only because she knew that maybe Baelfire wouldn't approve of what their father had become. Baelfire was safe, that was the main thing and was all that she cared about.

Jade thought that maybe she was being selfish with holding this information back but there was this part of her which told her that it was safer to, that the longer she kept this information back, the longer her little brother would be safe. After all he was on an island her boyfriend runs. She shook her head slightly, if Baelfire was safe then that's all which mattered. She'll find a way back to Neverland just to see him again if he's still there.

Jade had ended up on the drawbridge of the castle, the bridge leading to the town centre where people chatted and laughed. The town was filled with stalls where workers tried to draw people in to buying what they had to offer with deals and such, people had wandered around looking at various things and exchanged money for goods. There was small groups which seemed to eye up anyone who seemed to come too close to them but other than that it seemed peaceful.

Guards were present and spread around the town centre posted at certain places, watching what was going on within the centre. Jade took notes where the guards were positioned and where they moved to just in case what she had planned went wrong. Jade tried to keep an eye out for exits for the same reason, she needed to make sure that she knew how many guards were in the centre as well as exits she could take.

Camilla's first thought was to go and make sure that Devin was okay, yet there was this part of her which thought that maybe it was best to give him some space considering what he had said to her beforehand. There was this part of her which had thought that maybe he was still pissed off with her at the thought that there was a possibility that she'd leave them again. Which of course she wasn't, how could she? This was her home; this was where she was happy. She didn't care what the others thought but there was this small part of her which thought that maybe the others would disapprove of her staying.

Henry had already made it clear to her that he didn't want her to stay, he already thinks that he probably set all of this up. Henry probably doesn't trust her at all, which Camilla can't argue with, why would you trust someone who clearly seems like they want to stay in a place where it's leader wants to use you for something?

Camilla somewhat sighed as she then leaned against the tree, she noticed the way that Peter seemed to disappear from the camp. She'd noticed that he seemed to be doing that a lot, which she was somewhat annoyed with yet at the same time she wasn't - she knew that he had a plan for something and he needed to make sure that it followed through. Camilla had to make sure that whatever Peter had planned, that she just aided as and when she could, like with Peter telling her where Neal was being moved to.

As much as she disapproved of having Neal captured and such, there was something which told her that this was all part of Peter's plan. Which was why she decided that it would be best if she went to free Neal. She knew the cost of Echo Cave, which was why she was willing to do anything, all Camilla wanted was to make sure that Neal was okay and that he was at least free. After he was free then she'll come back to camp. Nothing else mattered - aside from having to talk to Devin.

Her eyes darted around camp to notice that Felix also wasn't in camp as well as quite a few of the Lost Boys. Internally she cussed yet knew that it was fine, that they were all doing what Peter had told them to do. In a way she felt helpless, like she wasn't able to do anything to help with Peter's motive in his plan - yet come to think about it she never knew as to why Peter needed the Heart of the Truest Believer, a part of her never wanted to ask. She had a feeling that she didn't want to know.

"Mom," a voice beside her said. Camilla turned her head to see Ruben stood beside her. "Is everything okay? I wanted to make sure that you were. . .okay, you seemed really aggravated earlier and I just wanted to check up on you."

A small smile formed on her lips. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just the adults annoyed me a lot. If it wasn't for Russel then I'm sure that there would be death - to say the least." She then somewhat cringed as to what she had just said. She looked at Ruben who seemed to be staring at her with wide eyes. "I don't mean actual death - just, they done something which hurt me quite a lot, I thought they would know better than to do it. That's what I mean."

Ruben nodded slightly. "It was something about Devin, wasn't it? I mean, I saw you two having a small debate and then something happened with him."

Camilla sighed. "Yeah it was something with Devin. They had his heart and I went to get it back. It was Russel who managed to get it but still, they had it."

Ruben hadn't said anything, he simply stared at Camilla for a moment before he then hugged her. In some ways it took her by surprise yet in a way she liked it. These boys needed her, they did, and she was more certain now more than ever that she was most definitely going to stay.

"I'm not going to let them hurt you or any of the others," Camilla declared, her cheek resting against Ruben's head.

Jade had walked along the market front, looking at what was to offer. There was the occasion that she'd notice gold and silver laying on the counter side, which she managed to steal without getting caught. Though she could hear the slight complaints and confusion that some town folk seemed to have about where their money had escaped to before coming to the conclusion that they hadn't gotten it out. A small smirk had worked its way onto her lips though either way she kept up with what she wanted to do.

There was a part of Jade which thought that stealing from King George's town centre would be a lot harder than expected yet surprisingly it was easy. A part of her loved the confusion which most were under, wondering where their money had disappeared from. All while, Jade's pouch had gotten heavier with the more money she stole.

However, she noticed the way that some guards then started to watch her intensely, almost as if they recognised her. A part of her panicked as she then realised that her cape was something which was always described - navy blue was the colour of Shadow's cape. Jace took in a small breath, trying to shake away the thoughts that maybe the guards were confused as to who she was. She had to keep her thoughts in tack considering that she knew that at any moment, some fancy royal carriage will be pulling up and it would be her main target.

Her eyes darted around; her thoughts were going everywhere now that she noticed the intense stares of the guards. A part of her just prayed that this royal carriage didn't belong to someone like the Evil Queen otherwise it would be then that she would be fucked. The Queen wanted her more than anything, the bounty on her head given to her by the Queen herself was larger than anything. If anything, the bounty on her head would be enough to give her safe passage out of this realm and into another. A part of her wanted to turn herself in, in hopes that she'll get that reward to do what she planned.

Jade had walked pasted a man before bumping into him. Something fell as she then apologised to the man before bending down to pick up the pouch which fell. When she looked up, she noticed the man had done the same action as her, she recognised his face - it was the face which was side-by-side hers. Robin Hood.

"You," her voice was low and somewhat harsh. "The hell do you think you're doing here?"

"Sorry, do I know you?" Robin asked.

"Guess you wouldn't recognise someone without the mask and hood, you know, despite having the wanted posters up, side by side continually," Jade pouted yet somewhat grinned.

"Jade Stiltskin, this 'Shadow' huntress," Robin spoke. "Glad to finally meet you."

"Would say the same, unless you're here for the same reason as me." Jade snapped.

"And what reason would that be, Shadow?" Robin asked as the pair stood up. Robin seemed to give her an odd look as if to challenge her.

Jade scoffed. "Like hell I'll tell you, you might get ideas."

Robin seemed to just raise an eyebrow at her, clearly unamused. "Aren't we on the same side?"

"What? Steal from the rich to give to the poor?" Jade laughed. "I'm in this for my own gain, Robin, not for other people."

"You'd rather people suffer?" Robin asked.

"What have people done for me other than hurt me? What benefit would people gain if I help them? They all see me as a monster, whether it be by what I've become or who my father is," Jade spoke. "Now if you excuse me, I have some important things to do."

With that she walked off into the town centre, leaving a somewhat confused Robin Hood behind. She wasn't going to let some guy distract her from what she was there to do. Though trust her to choose the day to do this the same exact day that Robin did, god now that's set her into a mood, she thought that she'd be okay, that no other person would bother to do something like this. Turns out that her thoughts were wrong. God, now she had to make sure that the carriage is just for her and that Robin doesn't get involved in any way possible.

Ruben had left Camilla after a while, and it was then that she noticed the way that Devin had almost hesitantly come over towards her as if he was worried that she'd snap at him. Instead, Camilla had marched over towards him and had pulled him into a hug. He was okay, that was all of which Camilla seemed to care about, that her boy was okay. She didn't care what Devin thought of her in that moment, all that she cared was that he was safe and that he had his heart back.

"You're okay," Camilla sighed in relief, her arms were tight around the boy. "You're okay."

"Thanks to you." Devin told. "You brought it back, you got it back."

"Of course," Camilla spoke. "You're my son, I'll do anything for you."

Devin then broke away from the hug, giving Camilla a look as if he was going to cry. It wasn't as if she always admitted to him being her son, but even so any time she said that word, it always made him smile, like he was wanted in this family. "Son? You still see me as your son?"

Camilla nodded. "Yes. Of course. You're not just my best friend, Devin, you're my son. And if I ever get the chance to, I'd legally adopt you so it was official."

A wide grin formed on his face as he then hugged Camilla again, though this time he almost tackled her. The Hopper child was smiling like an idiot, though what she said was true, if she could, she'd willingly adopt all of the Lost Boys who wanted to be adopted by her. All of them were her children whether they admitted to seeing her as their mother or not. She cared about these children a lot more than she seemed to admit.

These Lost Boys meant everything to her and if she ever saw them hurt then she wouldn't know what to do with herself. They gave her love of a healthy family way before anyone else did, they showed her everything she knew whether it was fighting skills or the love of a family. This group was her family, no matter how many people she knows, none of them would compare to this group. Her Lost Boys are everything to her more so than anyone else.

"Would that mean that I'd get to call you my mother all the time?" Devin asked. His head was against her shoulder.

"Of course. Plus you always call me 'mom' and such, so it wouldn't be much difference." Camilla responded.

"Still." Devin spoke. Camilla could tell that he had pouted slightly.

When the pair had split from their hug, Camilla had given Devin a small look. A part of her wondered whether or not to being up what he had said to her, yet at the same time there was something telling her that maybe it was best to avoid that topic. Although, there was just something about it which made Camilla want to talk about it.

"I'm know what I said earlier was out of line," Devin began. "It's just I don't want you to leave us again, Peter was hell-bent trying to find a way to get you back and then you show up with these adults. I am just scared that you're going to leave us again. For them. For him"

Camilla placed her hand on the boys cheek. "I wouldn't leave you. I wouldn't leave any of you. I spent so many years trying to find a way back to this realm so that I could be with you. I know that with certain things it might seem like I want to go back, but I don't. I'm staying here, with you, with Peter, with all of you. You're all my boys and I will never leave this island again."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

A smile had worked itself on both of their faces. She couldn't leave them here again; she couldn't just leave. She wasn't going to be like her father who'd rather abandon his children rather than look after them. This was her family and she wasn't going to abandon them when they needed her, though she wasn't sure if they needed her or she needed them but either way this was her family and she wanted to stay with them.

The carriage she was waiting for had pulled into the town centre and had gone towards another drawbridge leading towards the actual castle grounds. She wasn't actually sure as to how she was going to get in but either way she knew that she had to take any opportunity that she could find, in hopes to get whatever money is waiting inside.

Jade's eyes darted around the centre, looking for a way. Though she realised that she could just make up that the King had sent word for her or something. She could just lie her way into the castle and just hope that none of them even bother double checking. She had let out a small sigh, just hoping that she didn't get caught by any of the guards, they already seemed to be on to her with the colour of her cape - barely anyone she met had the same colour cape as her.

Jade let out a small sigh, walking towards the second drawbridge where the carriage had disappeared through. As she got closer, the guards shifted slightly as if to stop her from going any further, though Jade took that opportunity to stop once she was face-to-face with them. A small smile tugged on her lips as she stared at them, a part of her had told her to just attack and run off but she knew that she probably wouldn't make it out in time for her safety.

However, the one thing of which she didn't exactly expect was the way which the drawbridge suddenly dropped open, revealing guards trying to fight off a group of what Jade assumed were thieves. The guards who stood in front of her had turned without saying anything and had joined the fight to protect whatever was in that carriage. From what Jade could gather, whoever was in there was clearly important - you know, aside from being royal.

Jade noticed the way that the town folk had crowded around the drawbridge, clearly intrigued as to what was going on. A part of her groaned before running in to joining this fight. She'd gotten out her daggers and prepared herself for anyone who dared come and cross her path. Her main destination was the carriage, wanting whatever was in there, knowing that whatever it was, it was expensive as hell.

Robin had cut her off from her run to which she smirked at. Oh how she knew she was going to enjoy fighting off Robin. Robin, however, seemed almost tired and as if he didn't want to fight Jade, yet even so he advanced on her. Jade had struck first, she aimed to jab at the man's stomach though he quickly dodged that like it was nothing, which made Jade somewhat trip. He'd kicked her back, causing her to fall on her knees briefly before she sprung back up.

"Oh, Robin," Jade somewhat sighed. "You honestly think you can beat me? I've had centuries to train, sweetheart." A somewhat childish grin formed on her lips as she quickly disregarded her daggers and had gone for her sword.

"I don't want to fight you, Shadow," Robin said. "All I want is what's in that carriage."

"You don't want to fight yet you're going after the same thing I am," Jade pouted.

Robin hadn't said anything, he simply attacked her with his own sword. A part of her was somewhat confused, she knew that a bow and arrow was more of his weapon than anything else, yet even so she was up for the challenge of fighting Robin. Jade had blocked his strike, backing away slightly. When she had the chance, she then struck at the man with a harshness which she didn't know she could do.

Robin grunted when he blocked her, yet even so that block hadn't stopped her from attacking even more. She advanced with every attack, leaving Robin little to know time to recover, she could feel the anger within her rise slightly yet even so she tried to keep on track.

Robin had spun round and kicked her in the chest. She tumbled back a bit, trying to regain her balance before the man in front of her attacked again. She dodged and block as much as she could. She bit her lip slightly when Robin managed to cut her arm which caused her to cuss to herself.

"I need the money, Robin, ever thought of that?" Jade tried to ask when she attacked. "I need it to get back home, though it seems like you're not bothered by that."

Robin seemed almost confused at that, and it was with that, that Jade had kicked Robin in the stomach and punched him in the face. He fell straight on his back and with enough time, Jade had turned on her feet and rushed to the carriage.

She flung open the door and saw that it was empty. Nothing was in it. Her face dropped slightly. Surely she wasn't wrong about this whole thing - there was meant to be something in here at least, anything. She quickly looked around the carriage, her hands quickly moving around, trying desperately to find anything which could mean that she could find a way back home, back where she was safe from everything.

Yet, there was nothing. Jade grunted in frustration, she got it wrong, how could she be so stupid? Royal carriages normally meant that there was at least going to be something expensive within it, something which she could steal. Yet even so, she was proven that her thoughts were wrong, that what she had originally thought was incorrect. She was too late, there wasn't anything in here for her to steal to get back to Neverland. She needed whatever was in this carriage to get her back.

Jade's jaw set as she then made her way out of it, her eyes scanned across the courtyard in hopes to find where Robin Hood could have gone, but instead she was met with guards at one end in a group, pointing at her and telling her to stop where she was. Jade took that as a sign to leave whatever she had planned to do alone and run for her life.

Camilla had been waiting by Echo Caves for the others to arrive, it felt like forever but she could hear their footsteps coming towards her. She had decided to hide herself slightly away from the entrance of the cave. She knew that Neal was within the cave, waiting to be saved, but she knew that it was best that she done what was needed with the others. Despite the anger which she felt for all of them - well aside from Hook - she cared more for Neal than anything else. More than the others to say the least

"The tracks lead directly into that cave," Mary Margaret spoke, making Camilla aware that they were just outside the cave. "This must be where Pan is keeping Neal."

"If the cave is some sort of prison," David began. "Why aren't there any guards posted to stop us?"

Camilla pushed herself off where she was hidden, coming to almost block the entrance of the cave. "Because this prison doesn't require guards."

The group had looked at Camilla with shock, they hadn't expected to see her since the events with Devin and Russel took place. The one thing of which they could all clearly notice was the fact that her expressions were blank as if her walls had gone back up - which in a sense they had but only in front of them, though they didn't need to know that.

"If this place doesn't require guards then why are you here?" David asked. "Especially with how things were left last time we saw each other."

"I'm here for Neal, not for you lot. I don't work for any of you anymore, I don't do what you ask me to do at all. You can ask and ask and ask for me to help you, but what after you lot done to my boy, I won't." Camilla harshly spoke, her eyes mainly going between both Mary Margret and Emma. Yet the one thing of which surprised her was the fact that Regina wasn't with them.

Hook seemed to almost appreciate the fact that Camilla had come just for Neal, yet a part of him was somewhat worried for the lost teenager, however that wasn't where his thoughts was at the moment. "Echo Cave."

Mary Margret stepped forward towards Hook - who had been stood beside Camilla. "You know it?"

"All too well." Hook spoke. Camilla somewhat knew what he had meant but not that well. "I lost half my crew inside those rock walls." Well, now to think about it, Camilla felt like she did know it quite well, though she wasn't sure if she was involved in what had happened or not. "The only way to rescue someone from inside is to reveal a secret."

"A secret?" Mary Margret asked. "That's all?"

"No, a fluffy unicorn," Camilla sarcastically said. "Yes a fucking secret."

"Your darkest secret." Hook corrected.

Camilla almost internally groaned at that, almost forgetting that the entire darkest secret shit was part of it, otherwise she would have said that it was fine. Yet she knew that she couldn't just leave Neal behind, a part of her just wanted to see her little brother again - even if he did look old enough to be her older sibling or whatever.

She tried to rack through her brain as to what her darkest secret could be, though no matter how many times she tried to think about it, she couldn't come up with anything. Though she was sure that when she gotten into the cave she might spill whatever came to mind and had hoped that it was worthy enough. Though she knew that whatever she would reveal might cause the others to be a little concerned with what had happened.

"Echo cave derives its name from an old saying 'the deeper the lie, the more truth in its echo.'" Hook explained, knowing that Camilla wasn't going to share what this cave was. "The cave demands that you reveal a truth about yourself. A secret you would never admit to anyone."

"This is ridiculous." Emma commented.

Camilla scoffed. "It's not ridiculous, Swan, it's just the nature of what it does. And from the looks of it, it's clear that you're hiding something you don't want to admit."

Emma narrowed her eyes towards Camilla as the woman stuck her tongue out at the blonde.

"Don't kill the messenger, luv." Hook spoke. "Plus, Camilla would have told you all of this if you hadn't pissed her off."

Camilla shrugged slightly, knowing that the pirate was telling the truth. Though come to think of it, they were pissing her off way before the events with her boys happened.

"Even if we spill our guts, how do we know Neal's still alive in there?" Emma asked.

"Because this is what Pan wants." Hook spoke. "He wants us to rescue him."

"Actually, no, it's not what Pan wants," Camilla spoke up. "Pan knows that if had harmed Neal in any way possible, that it would mean that he'd loose me. Peter couldn't risk that, plus he knows how much I care for Neal, even after all these years. Neal's my brother, and I'd rather be dead than allow anyone to hurt him."

"Why? Why would Pan want this aside from what Camilla said?" David asked.

"So that we reveal our secrets." Hook stated. "He believes once we do, our secrets will destroy us."

"In other words, you're all fucked." Camilla spoke with a grin that seemed almost corrupted.

They had all walked into the Echo Cave; Camilla was up front mainly because she didn't want to look at the others without the need to fight all of them. Hook was behind her, mainly to cause some space between her and the others, which Camilla was somewhat grateful for.

The stone cave was larger than what Camilla seemed to remember, though she couldn't remember the last time she was in here. However, in the off-centre of the cave stood a column like stone base, was a wooden cage large enough for someone to be kept in there, and even at a distance Camilla knew that Neal was in it. Camilla almost wanted to curse at Peter for where he had put Neal, but at the same time she knew that he had a reason for at least everything.

Camilla noticed the movement within the cage of Neal moving forward to take a better look at those who had just entered. "Emma!" His voice echoed throughout the cavern. "Jade!"

Emma let out a soft gasp. "Neal."

"It must be a hundred feet across," Mary Margaret stated.

Camilla pouted. "More like two hundred. The things off centre of the cavern."

"Even if we fashioned some sort of rope, there's nothing to attach it to," David informed. "No way to swing over."

"So, what do we do?" Emma asked. Camilla couldn't help but roll her eyes at the question.

"I told you what needs to be done." Hook stated. "Consider this the moment of truth, literally. Now. . . who wants to kick things off?"

"So, what?" Emma asked. "Someone tells their secret and they sprout wings?"

"I don't know the particulars, only what I've been told. Unless Jade knows what happens then I'm afraid we're in the dark." Hook almost bluntly said.

"Well, how do you know it'll work?" David asked.

Hook sighed as he turned on his toes to face where Neal was. "There's only one way to find out, I suppose." He sighed deeply then before turning back to fae the group. "I kissed Emma." Camilla's eyes widened at that.

"You did what?" David asked, seemingly growing overprotective with his daughter.

Camilla snickered in the corner as Mary Margret spoke to her husband. "David now is not the time."

Emma then slightly gestured towards her mother. "I already told Mary Margaret, so technically it's not a secret, but it was just a kiss. How's that your darkest secret?"

"It's what the kiss exposed." Hook explained. "My secret is, I never thought I'd be capable of letting go my first love - of my Milah," his eyes then briefly moved towards Camilla who seemed almost hurt at the mention of her mother. "To believe that I could find someone else. That is, until I met you."

There was a small moment of silence before the ground under them rumbled largely, the rocks around them clattered against themselves. A bridge started to form from Neal's end, heading towards them. A bridge of truths in a way forged from darkest secrets. They all looked at it in some form of shock, though Hook seemed to look between Emma and the others.

David was the one to step forward. "Uh. . . Mary Margaret-"

He was cut off by his wife. "-No, no. No. Me next." She looked up towards David. "Ever since the curse broke, since we found each other, since we found Emma and all of that happiness, there is something I haven't wanted to admit. Our daughter is a beautiful, smart, amazing woman whom I love very much, and of whom I could not be more proud. But she's all grown up. And. . . as much as I wanna pretend I'm okay with that, I'm not. We missed it, David. What we have with her is unique, but it's not what I wanted. We were cheated out of everything - her first step, her first word, her first smile. We missed it all."

In the sound of her voice it seemed as if she was going to cry. David seemed to look at her with a mix of somewhat pain and confusion.

"What are you saying?" David had asked.

"When we get off this island and get back to Storybrooke, I want another go at it. I wanna have another baby." Mary Margaret admitted.

Again the same clatter and rumble under their feet had happened again. Another burst of the bridge seemed to form coming towards them but even so it didn't seem like another confession of a secret was gonna do it. They had all taken a small deep breath, though a part of Camilla started to panic at the thought of having to confess something which she might not have wanted to.

"Nothing in this world would make me happier," David said towards his wife, "and I know with my heart that you would make an amazing mother. But it can never happen at least not with me."

Emma and Mary Margret had shared a confused look with one another. "What do you mean?" Even Camilla was somewhat confused as to what he had meant.

David seemed almost hesitant to admit it but even so he continued. "When Hook and I went to search for the sextant, he was really taking me to find a cure."

Camilla had noticed the almost guilty look which seemed to be written across Hook's face. She had took a few steps towards the pirate and had placed a hand on is shoulder, sending him a weak smile.

"A cure for what?" Mary Margaret asked a little on edge.

"Dreamshade." David admitted.

Mary Margaret took in a few deep breaths. "The Lost Boys, the arrow - you pushed me out of the way-"

"I wasn't fast enough," David said. "I was hit. Hook was able to find a cure, but it comes at a price. I can't leave Neverland. If I do, I die."

Mary Margaret looked shock though that seemed to fade as the rumpling under their feet happened for a third time. The bridge between Neal and them grew once more yet that wasn't enough. One more secret needed to be spilled, and Camilla knew that it was her time to admit what her darkest secret was.

"What? I thought-" Emma began looking somewhat confused at the gap which was still there. It wasn't a gap which they could jump across, at most it was at least fifty feet.

"I guess it's my turn." Camilla weakly said as she moved away from Hook. The others had looked at her with confusion as to what she would have to say.

"Camilla, I could go instead," Emma tried to offer.

The Hopper child shook her head. "No it needs to be me." She was somewhat hesitant to admit what was going through her mind at the moment, though her eyes briefly flickered towards Hook. "When my mother - Milah - left to go with Hook, my father he - uh - wasn't exactly the kindest to me after she left. He was afraid that I'd run off and abandon the family despite telling Bae and I that she died, he didn't want it to be just him and Baelfire though I could tell that he wanted it to be. He abused me, mentally and emotionally up until he got his powers of the Dark One and its then that it got physical."

"Camilla," Mary Margaret sighed in a way that anyone would when they hear a sad story.

Cam knew that they'd have known half of it, and she knew that she'd told Peter about it but not fully. "He manipulated the villagers in our village to abuse me verbally when I wasn't with Bae and he wasn't at home. He despised me more when I got older, he still disliked the idea of Milah leaving and having to lie about it so he took it out on me especially when he had a rough day with a client. He left a physical mark where my heart is, a scar of a hand imprint. I'd asked someone else who studied magic who had said that it was because of what father did which left this scar across my chest."

Camilla shook her head, trying to fight back tears. "When I got here, after father crowding me into a portal, I finally felt like I was safe, that I didn't have to worry about doing anything wrong. I didn't have to worry about someone ripping out my heart and teasing death upon my life. I was safe and was able to understand what it was to have a healthy relationship with friends and family. Neverland has and will always be the safest place for me because of the comfort."

"Camilla we know this," Hook tried to talk almost carefully.

"Not fully," Camilla whispered. "I guess my secret - my darkest secret - is that when despite being cursed and being away from Neverland, I was happier cursed than uncursed. I had Archie as a father who cared about me in his own way, I had people who actually cared about me who didn't know the sketchy shit that I had done back in the Enchanted Forest, I was happier with what we were cursed with. I had people who loved me like the Lost Boys did over here, I was happy during the curse. And I hate that it's broken, I hate that I have to be reminded every time I look at everyone around me that they have family that love them. Everyone has someone who cares about them when the curse was broken while I had an abusive father as the only living relative before Neal came here. I'm just so fucking afraid that Rumplestiltskin is going to kill me eventually for something I tried to do but couldn't whether its helping Neal or protecting something. I don't want to die at his hands all I want is to be happy with people who don't know what I've done."

There was a moment of silence where Camilla noticed the looks written across all of their faces. Something which they all hadn't been used to see, the vulnerable and teary side of her. They'd been used to this emotionless being that they hadn't expected Camilla to even say this. David almost looked as if he regretted everything as he looked at Camilla.

The ground under them had shook again as the gap between Neal and them had officially closed. They could rescue Neal from the cage he was in. They'd looked between one another as Camilla wiped at her eyes, Emma took in a breath as she then unsheathed her sword and walked across the bridge a little hesitant. She got halfway before looking back, her parents and Hook had given her a small look as she then turned her attention back to Neal and ran towards the cage.

Camilla - at an instant - knowing that Neal was going to be okay had turned on her heels and headed towards the exit. David had grabbed hold of her arm, preventing her to do exactly that. Camilla almost yanked her arm out of his grasp but he didn't, a part of her tensed and had felt the need to either attack or do something else completely.

"I'm sorry," David instantly said. "I'm sorry for all the shit I caused and was made part of in your life. I didn't realise what exactly was going through your head or even stopped to think about how you were feeling." He then sighed. "As much as I want you to come back with us, I know now that you would rather stay here, so stay. Stay here, on Neverland."

Camilla hadn't said anything, she simply gave David an odd look before ripping her arm out of David's grip and walking off. Though before she left she turned back. "Tell Baelfire that I'm okay and safe so he doesn't have to worry about me."

With that, she walked off and out of the Echo Cave, heading back to camp. A part of her felt cold after what she admitted, a part of her regretted telling that secret. She somewhat wished that she thought of something else to admit rather than that, but it was now out there and they knew what she had been keeping a secret since the curse broke.

Her walk towards camp had been quicker than she thought, clearly wanting the comfort of her boyfriend's arms. She knew that Peter would probably know what had been said in the Echo Cave, it was him and he had control over Neverland. Still, at this moment all she wanted was the comfort of someone she cared about the most.

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This chapter was going to be a lot longer but i thought that it was better like this!! I'm sorry for how long it took me to actually update this book!!

When writing for this chapter the first thing that came up was "yEET THY WHEAT" and i just thought to share it with everyone for no particular reason at all :)

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Happy reading!!