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INDIANA JONES
liii. REUNIONS

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PRESENT
NEVERLAND

An unrelenting misery of a headache was just the thing to pull Indiana Jones right out of her unconscious state. The desert overtook her mouth, only adding to her annoyed and cranky state. All she wanted to do was curl up in a little ball and go back to sleep once again. She would have done thing if her limbs didn't feel so heavy and unresponsive.

Slowly, Indiana peeled her eyes open as her memories flooded her mind. It felt as if shards of glass were poking at the backs of her eyeballs. Indiana clenched her jaw, knowing that she had given in and fallen unconscious. She knew that if she fell asleep, she would be more vulnerable to the Shadow's doings. But the thing was... why didn't the Shadow kill Indiana when it had the chance?

It made no sense to the girl. She knew it despised her more than anything to ever set foot on this island, including filthy pirates. Yet it still let Indiana live. Why?

Indiana didn't have a lot of time to think about it, for she heard voices, voices that didn't belong to just any Lost Boy. "The ridge is just a few hundred paces up ahead," the first voice said. It belonged to a man.

"You really think we're gonna be able to see Pan's hideout?" another wondered. This one was shrilling and rather annoying, especially to Indiana's headache.

"From there, we should be able to see everything, including where he's keeping your son," the man's voice confirmed again. Indiana narrowed her eyes and slowly rose, despite how much her body hated her for it.

As Indiana reached for the knife that was hidden on her person, a new voice spoke out. "You know, I could have just poofed us up here in an instant," she said. The rustling in the leaves as they moved closer to her made Indiana tighten her grip on her weapon.

Indiana felt as though she should recognize these voices, but her headache seemed to be blocking her train of thought. All she could think of was to attack.

"Where? Have you any ideas of what's up here or anywhere? There are dangers all about," the man informatively replied. "Only I can guide us past them."

Narrowing her eyes at the direction the voices came from, Indiana prepared herself as bodies appeared from behind the plants. She locked her jaw, her mind only on the Shadow. "Well slap my ass and call me Susan," Indiana breathed as the faces of David Nolan, Killian Jones, Regina Mills, Snow White, and Emma Swan appeared a few feet away from her. "Is that really the best you can do, Shadow?"

The group exchanged confused glances. "Indiana...? Is it truly you?" David wondered as he started to walk forward

Emma stopped him, saying, "Wait. It could be the Shadow trying to use reverse psychology on us."

Regina snorted. "I doubt Pan's Shadow knows what the hell reverse psychology even is," the Evil Queen pointed out.

Indiana rolled her eyes at their bickering. "I don't know how you managed to make yourself into five people at once, but you have three seconds to leave me the hell alone before I rip our your entrails and wear them as a bloody hat," Indiana threatened sinisterly.

"Indie, it's us," Snow called out from beside her husband. "We're not the Shadow. Pan's Shadow used the same trick on us!"

"Alright, Captain, you said you can guide us past dangers," Regina told the pirate, slightly afraid but mostly annoyed. "Guide us past this one."

Indiana's gaze moved to see Captain Hook walked out from the back of the group where he and Emma had stood. When Indiana realized who he was, she could feel her heart stop for a good few milliseconds as she thought about her last encounter with her brother. Although that was the Shadow speaking, she had finally realized that Killian was her brother. Her brother! She loved and cared for him, even if she chose to push him away.

"Killian?" she called with a small voice.

Slowly, the pirate walked forward. "Put the weapon down, Indie," Killian instructed. "We're not going to do harm unto you." When Indiana didn't move a muscle, Killian slowly walked forward. "I promise."

Indiana, with furrowed eyebrows, very gradually lowered the knife in her hands as Killian finally reached her. As Killian took the weapon from her hands, Indiana immediately pulled her arms around her big brother.

"I'm sorry."

➖➖➖

PAST
THE ENCHANTED FOREST

"The Evil Queen murdered my father, put me under a sleeping curse, but I am not the only one she has made to suffer," Snow White announced to the assembly of commoners all around them in a small village. The crowd murmured agreements, nodding their heads to each other.

"She's also quite annoying," Indiana sang, propping her arm against the edge of the platform Snow stood on. More people shouted agreements.

"She has terrorized us for far too long! This kingdom doesn't belong to her! It belongs to us!" Snow continued. "So who is ready to stand beside me and fight for what's rightfully ours!?"

Rather than cheering this time, everyone grew silent. They all awkward shuffled around and exchanged glances. Indiana pinched the bridge of her nose as the Evil Queen's voice was heard by the people. "Quite the courageous army you're building," she stated. The people proceeded to scurry away fearfully while Regina walked forward.

"Hello, Regina," Indiana greeted sourly alongside David and the Dwarves. "Is that a new dress?"

Regina scowled at the brunette as Snow said, "They may be afraid of you, but we are not."

"Why? Because you and the Shepherd broke my sleeping curse?" Regina wondered. David and Snow instantly pulled out their weapons. The Evil Queen used her magic to allow a rope to wrap around David's body while Indiana's whip wrapped around her own body. "Lucky for you, I didn't come here to fight. I came here to offer you a deal. Consider it an engagement present."

"Snow, don't listen to a single word—gah!" David started, but a piece of rope covered his mouth, muffling his words.

"Are you really gonna marry that?" Regina ridiculed.

"That's what I'm saying, sister," Indiana mentioned with a mischievous smile on her face. "Now, what do you want?"

"I want you to give up your claim to the throne," Regina said to Snow. "If you declare me the rightful ruler of this land, I will let you, the Dwarves, the Orphan, and your so-called Prince escape back to the Sheep farm he once called home."

"Exile?" Snow summarized breathlessly.

"Well, I've tried to kill you," Regina replied. "And you." She glanced at Indiana. "I've tried to curse you, and none of it's worked. But then I realized I was going about it all wrong. You need to be alive. You need to be awake. So you can spend all your days knowing that I have taken everything that was supposed to be yours."

Indiana arched an eyebrow. "All of this because a 10-year-old told a secret? Grow up, Gina," Indiana snapped.

Regina glanced at her. "That's a lot coming from you, Indiana Jones," Regina hissed, making the girl furrow her eyebrows in confusion. Regina was the only one in the Enchanted Forest who knew that Indiana had taken a forgetting potion. "Now, get down on your knees and swear on your father's grave that this kingdom belongs to me."

"And if I don't?" Snow queried.

"Well, then someone will pay the price," Regina threatened. She extended her arm to the left, magically raising a villager and choking her. Indiana's eyes widened. Then, Snow ran forward with her sword.

"Stop!" Snow shouted, swinging her blade.

But alas, the Evil Queen was gone.

➖➖➖

PRESENT
NEVERLAND

Being in Neverland at night wasn't exactly a fun experience, at least for a newcomer to the island or a sleep-deprived girl. Indiana had dealt with it all before when the Lost Boys tricked her into believing that Neverland's "monsters" would come to eat her up in the wee hours of the morning.

Indiana Jones had only gotten a good couple hours of rest when she was pulled awake from her dreams. The sound of sobs filled her ears. It had grown so excessively loud and annoying that the brunette eventually rose and walked into the forest, following the cries, but not without grabbing her whip.

Yes, David Nolan was stupid enough to carry around her poison-induced whip without taking precautionary actions. For all they knew, David had poisoned himself. As of right now, Indiana didn't care. All she cared about was Henry's safety. After being brought up to speed, all Indiana wanted to do was find Peter and the camp. Maybe she could get Henry back to the others by sunrise?

An abrupt crunching in the verdures caused the teenaged pirate to spin around rapidly like an untalented dancer learning how to do pirouettes. She stared into the darkness, waiting for someone to appear. Then, a figure suddenly poofed in view a few feet away from her.

Indiana's eyes widened as she observed the person: scruffy brown hair, mesmerizing emerald eyes, brown and green clothes, and the shadow of a smirk on his face. This was...

"Peter," Indiana breathed.

The boy's pink lips twitched into a smirk. "Hello, love," he greeted. "I see you've found me."

Indiana's thoughts raced through her head. She didn't know how to react. It was like her brain was going into overdrive and her body was malfunctioning. Indiana did the one thing her body told her to do.

First, she cranked her fist back and punched him square in the jaw. Peter hardly had time to react to the impact when Indiana grabbed him and connected her lips to his. Fisting his shirt, Indiana kissed him as if she was using her last dying breath on him. As Peter kissed back, Indiana knew whatever words were drilled into her head from the Shadow were false.

When she pulled away from him—who was actually taken by surprise—Peter's lips tingled, almost angry that her lips had separated from his.

"Well, hello to you, too, love," Peter smugly greeted, rubbing the side of his face.

"I-I..." Indiana trailed off. Her brain was completely in overdrive. Words weren't leaving her mouth. She was dumbfounded, unsure of what to say to the boy she had been separated from for decades. Then, the thought hit her. "Are you still...? You know...?"

"Dying?" Peter finished for her. He pressed his lips into a fine line. "Yes, I'm afraid so."

She nodded slowly, looking away from his face. "Have you located the heart?" Indiana wondered.

Peter's smirk dropped as Henry's words echoed in his mind. 'Indie's gonna kick your ass when she finds out about this.'

Arching an eyebrow at his suddenly nervous state, Indiana observed as Peter nodded slowly. Peter looked her up and down, noticing the sweatshirt and leggings. "What the bloody hell are you wearing?" he questioned in amusement.

Indiana glanced down at her outfit with a small smile. "I've lived on the mainland for over 30 years now," Indiana told him. "This is the new norm, darling."

Peter scrunched up his nose. "I don't like it," he admitted.

Indiana smiled at him before she realized that her friends were back at the camp, waiting for her. Her smile fell as she glanced behind her. "I-I have to go," she told him sadly. Peter's smile dropped. "My friends, my brother... they're going to be worried—"

"Screw them," Peter interrupted. "Stay with me. Don't go back to the mainland with them."

Indiana shook her head. "You know I can't. I promised I'd help them locate Henry," she told him, starting to turn away. She turned back around to look at Peter, who held her hand tightly. "Oh, and when we do find him, if he has anything to do with the heart... if he's injured in any way possible, I will yank your tongue out of your mouth so fast, your bowels will implode." She smiled at him and started to walk away. "Goodbye, darling."

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An hour later, Indiana was woken up once more, this time by Emma Swan. She explained that she had a visit from Peter Pan. He had given her a blank map that would only reveal itself once Emma accepted who she truly was.

Regina Mills paced back and forth, thinking of her missing son whereas Indiana and Captain Hook sat on the ground. Emma rested her elbows on a rock as she stared at the blank map, deep in thought. "So he still enjoys his games," Killian mumbled.

"What game?" Regina questioned as she stopped pacing about. "There's nothing there!"

"If he said there's a map on this parchment, then there is," Killian declared, using his index finger to point at the blank map that was being studied by the Savior.

"Great. So if I just stop denying who I really am—whatever that means—then we'll be able to read this thing," Emma stated in annoyance. She didn't dare to tear her gaze away from the map, hoping that it would suddenly reveal itself to her.

"But how do we know Pan won't use it to lead us straight into a trap?" Regina wondered, putting more thoughts into the group's heads.

"Because he doesn't need to," Indiana mentioned calmly, picking at her nails. "This whole island's a bloody trap. It gets to the best of us, even those who have lived here for half of their life."

Prince Charming and Snow White went running out from a random point in the forest. David claimed that there was no sign of Peter Pan whereas Snow asked them if there was any luck with the map. "Don't hold your breath," Regina vaguely told the couple.

"What's the supposed to mean?" Emma asked, slightly offended.

"Don't you see it? Every second we spend talking about this is another second we're not looking for my son," Regina snapped.

"Well, do you have a better idea?" Emma angrily demanded, becoming more and more frustrated.

"Magic!" Regina exclaimed.

"That's a terrible idea," Indiana mentioned as Regina went to grab the parchment. Emma slapped her hand down onto it.

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

"I'd listen to Emma, love," Hook said. "Breaking Pan's rules would be unwise." Regina stared at him in disbelief. Her eyes trailed over to Indiana.

"Well, what do you think? You lived on this island. You know his tricks. Wouldn't it be wise to listen to a queen rather than a pirate?" Regina queried, hoping for her to back her up.

Indiana rose from her spot on the ground. "First of all, I am a pirate. The sea runs through my blood," Indiana began. "Second of all, it doesn't matter if you're a Queen or a pirate or a prince or a Savior. Kids—not women or men—run this death trap of an island. All they care about is games and hating adults. If you choose not to follow Peter's rules, then you lose. It's as simple as that."

"I agree with Tweedledee and Tweedledum," David admitted. Indiana smirked.

"We're winning you over. I can feel it," Killian teased.

The Prince rolled his eyes.

➖➖➖

PAST
THE ENCHANTED FOREST

"We can't win! We have to leave the kingdom!" Snow White exclaimed.

"How can you even consider giving in to that Witch?" David questioned in disbelief. "When you're gone, do you think she's suddenly gonna stop menacing this land? And who will protect the people then?"

"Did I protect them today? I couldn't even help that poor girl," Snow argued. "And don't kid yourself. She isn't gonna stop with the peasants. She's going to come after the people who are closest to me."

"You're not a Savior—you can't save everyone, Snow," Indiana gently told her friend. "We'll stand by your side no matter what."

"Even if it means our death," one of the dwarves mentioned.

"Which it probably will," another added, causing everyone to give him a look. Indiana pinched the bridge of her nose. Spotting a deer, Indiana stood up and walked over to it carefully.

"You can't let her get into your head," David told his fiancé.

"She has a point. I'm no Queen," Snow continued. Indiana got on her knees and crouched in front of the deer as it walked closer to the brunette. "I'm no leader. I'm just a girl who lost her parents, ran away into the woods, and became a bandit."

"I think we all know someone like that," Indiana muttered under her breath as she began to pet the deer. Suddenly, a vision played in her head.

Crunch. An arrow lodged itself into a deer's eye. A brown-haired teenager smiled happily to herself as she walked over to what she had killed with ease.

"Nice shot, girl," a boy said. The brunette turned around to see a boy with a scar running across his face.

The brunette smirked at him. "Thanks, Felix."

Indiana shook her head and stood, walking back to the others, shaking off whatever just happened. "If we take her offer, we can all live together—in exile, but at least we'll be alive," Snow said. "We should leave—tomorrow."

➖➖➖

PRESENT
NEVERLAND

Sitting on the dirt-covered ground, Indiana Jones continually banged her head against the tree bark. Not only was she growing annoyed over the fact that Emma Swan still couldn't decipher what the map was hiding, but Indiana couldn't stop thinking about Peter. She still hadn't told the gang that she had spoken to him, not yet, at least. She was waiting for the right moment, rather than just blurting it out. Besides, Indiana deem it was important, given the situation at hand.

When Emma cleared her throat, Indiana snapped back into reality. "I'm the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, which apparently makes me the product of true love. My childhood hero is also my godmother, who I guess is the Princess of Neverland or something," Emma listed. "Uh, I was born in the Enchanted Forest, and I was sent through a portal in a tree so that I could break a curse."

David suddenly stood up. "And you were able to break the curse because..." he trailed off. "You're the..."

Snow stood up along with him. "Come on. You don't need to be embarrassed to say it," she encouraged.

"Say what?" Hook wondered, clearly clueless as to what the couple was going on about.

"The S word," Regina answered with her arms folded over her chest. Emma straightened her back and gathered up the courage to finally accept what she was.

"I'm the Savior," Emma finally said. Alas, it still wasn't enough for the parchment. "I don't get it. I said I'm the Savior. There's nothing I've denied more than that."

Indiana started to think about it more, not understanding why the parchment wouldn't reveal itself to them. She and Emma came from very similar backgrounds. They were abandoned from a young age and never learned the truth until much later. In fact... for a long time they both felt like they were nothing but...

"Maybe that's not what it's searching for," Indiana realized, gaining everyone's attention. Emma gave her a confused look before the brunette continued to speak. "Think about it. We both came from very similar backgrounds... abandonment and all. There's nothing we've—or at least I've--never felt more than—"

Indiana never got to finish her sentence, for she was suddenly transported out of the makeshift campsite.

➖➖➖

PAST
THE ENCHANTED FOREST

Indiana Jones was sitting alongside Prince Charming while Snow White got some alone time. After the Evil Queen had threatened to kill everyone Snow loved if she didn't agree to her terms by sundown, Snow had been on edge. Therefore, the others had decided to give her some space.

This was one of the few times Indiana and Charming had actually spent time together without the two being at each other's throats. Indiana wasn't sure if that would last very long, as he really knew which strings to pull and which buttons to push. Then again, so did Indiana.

"You don't think I'm a gold-digging, social-climbing Shepherd, do you?" Prince Charming suddenly wondered out loud. Indiana looked up from where she had been cleaning her whip with an arched eyebrow. "Just wondering."

She hummed. "Is this about what the dwarves said earlier?" Indiana questioned, slightly entertained. "You know they're just protective. They're like Snow's big brothers."

"I know. But it's hard to take back the kingdom when her big brothers or her best friend don't exactly like you," David explained.

She laughed at this. "Charming, of course I like you," Indiana confessed. "You're like... my brother. You're just annoying, especially with all that hope crap you always talk about." She looked back down at her whip, continuing to clean it. "What's this all about anyway? You have some plan I don't know about?"

The Prince sighed. "I have a plan to get Snow back on her feet. I talked to the Dark One," he explained.

Indiana groaned in annoyance. "The Alligator?" she asked.

David raised his eyebrows. "You two know each other?" he wondered curiously.

She made a face as she said, "Do I? Hmph... We go way back." Indiana took a moment to think about Cora and how the two had a fling. She made another bitter face. "So what's this grand master plan you've cooked up?"

"Excalibur," David said. "That's all I'm telling you."

Indiana's jaw dropped. "What—you're not going to tell me? I'm actually good at keeping secrets, you know," Indiana pointed out. She sighed. "Fine." A silence fell upon them. "And for the record, I don't think you're a gold-digging, social-climbing Shepherd. I just think you're a jackass."

David chuckled. "Good enough."

➖➖➖

PRESENT
NEVERLAND

"—an orphan," Indiana finished once she had been teleported out of the makeshift camp where her friends and big brother were. Indiana Jones glanced around, confused. She stood in a tent. There was a large bed and all sorts of trinkets in the area.

"That was a close one," a voice called out. Indiana turned around to spot Peter Pan standing near the entrance of the tent. "You nearly gave her the answer! That's no fun."

"That's cheating, Peter," Indiana pointed out, folding her arms over her chest. "Cheaters never win."

Peter chuckled while walking over to her. "Hm, that may be true, but you've forgotten one thing, my love," Peter revealed, making the brunette raise an eyebrow. "I still won the girl."

Then, he leaned in and passionately kissed Indiana Jones.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
they're so cute i'm upset

alright guys -- what are we thinking?

our power couple has been reunited after 53 very long chapters... what do we think is going to happen? i'm curious to hear your predictions :)