A/N: After I stopped SOBBING and CRYING and SNIFFLING and WHIMPERING like a little baby over the mid-season finale... I thought you guys deserved an update. It's the least I could do. I forgot my tissues. :'( WHY WHY WHY?! I never thought I'd say this but: I hope we're FINALLY rid of Peter Pan. As much as I love seeing the best villain we've ever had on the show... I'm NOT gonna miss him 1 tiny drop! I MAY just miss that smirk though. ;)

"So, you think Ariel can get Gold out?" Emma asks. Her blond hair swings over her shoulder.

"Yes." Bae nods, taking the lead and carving a path for David and Ruby. "They know about Pandora's Box. Why else would they be in Storybrooke? They were looking for it. They know how dangerous it is." He hacks at a vine viciously. The sharp snap of timber falling is the only sound that breaks the silence.

"So... what's the process involved in getting him out?" Snow asks cautiously. "Just... open the box up?"

"Far more complicated than that I'm afraid. They'll need Gold's shop - Belle should be able to help them out. I'm no expert, but I do remember my father telling me about it a few times. Apperantly, anyone who is trapped inside the box needs things to help them fight their way out - figuritively speaking. They need something he treasures, and, his biggest weakness. I have no idea how they work, or what they do, but I do know that the magic in Pandora's Box is strong. Very, very strong. I'm not sure of the exact details, but it goes something like that." Bae cuts down the last leaf. "Ah. Tinkerbell's shack. Here we are."

"Uh... guys?" David says, voice rising slightly. "What's wrong with Ruby?"

"What is it?" Emma pushes past him. She lies in David's arms, twitching slightly, gasping, without opening her eyes. "Oh my gosh. What do we do?" 

"Something!" Henry kneels beside her as she's lowered to the floor. "Do something!!" 

"What?" Emma asks, starting to panic. "What CAN we do?!"

"It's alright." Neal puts his hand on her shoulder. 

"No it's not! She's... not breathing." Henry looks up in a panic. Everyone looks down as Ruby flops down, motionless, on the hard, leafy ground. " 

"Get out of the way." There's a swift motion. Emma and Bae fall back. A blond head blocks their view. Tinkerbell. 

****************

"So... we just walk in there then?" Hook looks at the strange looking house in front of them. "I still prefer my ship. Houses give me the..."

"Heebijeebis?" Regina laughs. "Hook, come on. Not afraid of a bit of wood, are you?"

"We can't just walk in there." Hook argues. "They'll see us. I know I may be able to get away with it, seeing my good looks can charm anyone... but what about you?"

"Everyone, just shut up." Pan rolls his eyes. "Of course we're not just going to walk in there. Regina? Help me out here?"

"Whatever." She walks around the other side of Hook. They all join hands. Pan and Regina completely vanish, leaving Hook standing there, still very much visible.

"Uh... guys?" Hook says slowly. "I don't think it's working on me. Why don't you two go ahead? I'll wait out here."

"Come on." Pan growls ominously. "Pretend you're the paper boy."

"Think of something." Regina hisses. "Now!"

The door swings open. A rather heavy set man walks out. He stops short seeing the pirate there, and raises his eyebrow, scanning him up and down, frowning at the funny clothes. "Can I help you?"

"Yes... you can." Hook says slowly. "I was wondering if you could... lend me some fish."

"Fish?!" Regina hisses, beside him.

The man frowns. "Fish? Well... come on in then."

"Thanks mate. I was just really running out of... fish. You know? And unfortunately... the pub stole my money."

"I know what you mean, son." The man, assumed to be Ruby's father, laughs heartily. "You and I might have more in common than we think. Shaylice will get you some. SHAYLICE!" (BTW it's pronounced Shay-leese - not lice. Couldn't have you miss-pronouncing that word now, could I?)

"Yes?" A woman hurries out, wiping her hands on her dress. She looks startled to see the man in the long black trench coat standing there.

"Get the man some fish." He turns his back on them for a moment, to pour some scotch and whiskey. Turning around, he grows pale as he sees two more 'guests' standing there.

"Wh...who are you?" He stutters, putting the glasses back on the table. "Where did you come from?"

"Walked in the open door." Pan says with a small shrug. "Now we're here on business. Do you know Ruby Parker?"

"Ruby... where is she?" He asks eagerly. "We've missed her terribly. We..."

"Don't lie." Pan snarls. He darts forward but Regina grabs him and pushes him back.

"Look, we'll be out of your way, we just need a favour. This is going to sound odd... humour us. We need something that Ruby touched. Is there anything here... some sort of keepsake? A napkin? Anything."

"You're all crazy..." The man backs up against the bookcase, causing a few books to fall down.

"Oh, no mate. You're the crazy one." Hook leans over him.

The man's mottled scream is smothered by cloth that is shoved in his mouth. In a moment, he slumps to the ground.