"Care to elaborate?" Emma says as she pops up from behind Snow. "Fine, it was like this,"

Hook's Flashback

"Hurry! Before the poor girl drowns!" Killian says as he looks out over the sea to see a woman floating naked in the ocean water miles from shore. "Dammit!" He says as he ties a rope to his waist and jumps into the water. He quickly makes his way over to her and securing her under his arm starts swimming back to the boat where his crew is pulling on the rope lifting them up on the boat. Killian turns to look at the red headed girl lying unconscious on his deck. "Come on now wake up!" Killian says as he leans down to check if she is still breathing. She instantly coughs up the water and sitting up looks around to see a group of men staring at her. She opens her mouth to scream but nothing comes out. "Are you okay?" Killian asks as he takes one of the crews jacket and drapes it over the girls' naked form. She opens her mouth to speak again but still nothing comes out.

"I'm going to take you to the captain's quarters, is that okay?" He asks his eyes getting lost in her deep oceanic green ones. She takes a gulp of air and cautiously nods her head. Killian smiles as he leans down and helps her stand where she instantly falls back down. "I guess you haven't got your sea legs yet, don't worry I'll help you." Killian lifts her small fragile body into his arms and carries her toward the captains' quarters'. "Mr. Smee please see if we have any clothes that might fit the girl." Killian calls out as he opens the door to the captain's quarters and walking in set's the girl down on the bed. As he steps back he says, "The names Killian Jones, what's yours?" The young girl opens her mouth to speak yet again but nothing comes out. "Why don't you try it again slower, and I'll try to read your lips." She nods enthusiastically as she slowly spells out her name. "A-R-I-E-L, Ariel?" She nods again as she smiles. "Well Ariel, welcome aboard the Jolly Roger; if there is anything you need just ask." Ariel nods as she pulls the jacket tightly around her waist. Knock, Knock Hook hears and turning says, "Yes," Mr. Smee walks in carrying a couple of outfits that Killian recognized right off the back.

"Do we not have anything else?" Killian says as he clenches his jaw. 

"Sorry Captain, but this is all I could find." 

Killian nods as he takes the dark blue pirate outfit from Smee and gently hands it over to Ariel. "Here this may fit you, if not let me know and the next time we make port I'll find you some clothes." Smiling the young girl mouths thank you and then immediately stands and start putting her new clothes on. "And on that we'll take our leave, Mr. Smee," Killian says as he smacks his first mate on the back of the head for staring and starts shoving him out the door. 

 As soon as the door is closed behind him Smee says, "Don't you think it's odd that she is this far out and naked?" 

Killian looks back at the captain's quarters door and says, "I don't think now is the time to ask her about her misfortunes." Smee tilts his head at his captain in confusion but instead nods and walks back toward the helm. Killian starts walking toward the boat's edge but stops when he hears the captain's quarter's door open. He turns to see Ariel standing there doing her best to keep the dress up. He stifles a laugh as he says, "Would you like some help?" She nods as her face turns a shade of pink. Killian smiles as he walks over to her and standing her straight up turns her around and starts pulling the strings of the corset until it is tight and snug around her waist.

Killian steps back to look at her and as he does his heart clenches. Ariel mouths out, 'How do I look?' and he is brought back to the present as he says, "You look nice." Smiling she walks past him and over to the ship's edge and looking out over the ocean smiles brighter. Killian stares at her his heart starting to race. He quickly reaches up and smacking his chest with his hand coughs to try to cover it up. He walks over to stand beside her and says, "If you don't mind me asking, where are you from?" Her face blanches as she looks up at him as if to see if she could trust him and sighs as she points out to sea. 

"I see your ship sank?" Biting her lip Ariel nods. "Well you are welcome on my ship until we make port, then I'll help you find your way." Ariel smiles as she throws her arms around his neck in happiness. Killian stands still in shock at how easy this young girl trusts people as he thinks about what to do with his hands, 'Maybe having a woman on board might not be so bad.' He thinks to himself as he pats her back. Ariel was on the ship for awhile and Killian had grown very fond of her. He had learned that she was sixteen years old and in love with everything sea related. She would get very offensive when people would talk about the Mermaids and how they capsized boats and drowned sailors.

Killian thought it was cute how her face would turn red as she angrily mouthed out retorts. Killian thought it was strange how she still hadn't gotten her voice back, but he wasn't complaining. All of the crew had learned to read her lips by this time so when she lost her temper they would all go quiet. When she first saw Killian's hook she had a questioning look on her face and with a heavy heart he told her of his past love and how he had watched her die in front of him, killed by the dark one. 

She took his hook in her hand and smiled as she mouthed out, 'Everything will be okay,' and she had been right. Killian smiled as he watched her dance with the crew members as they played out music at the sight of land. "Captain, you know we're going to have to find her family and return her to them." 

Killian's smile fades as he says, "I'm well aware of that Mr. Smee, but it doesn't mean I have to be happy about it." Smee nods as he walks away to have one of the crew members take down the pirate flag. This was the moment he had been dreading ever since he had gotten to know her. "Mr. Johns, would you be so kind as to take the wheel for a moment?" John's nods as he walks up to the helm and takes hold of the wheel.

Killian smiles as he walks down to the deck and gently takes Ariel's hand and pulls her in close to him. She smiles up at him as she lays her free hand on his shoulder and lets him lead her in a dance. Killian loved watching her smile; as they danced he wondered how he would go on without her. This young girl who had showed up in the middle of nowhere and healed a wound he long thought was going to remain open and infected. He had to tell her how he felt before they made it to shore. Smiling he pulled her from the dance floor and over to the Helm so they could be alone. Ariel smiles as she looks out over the sea. 

"Ariel, how would you feel about staying on the ship with us?" Ariel looks at him and unreadable expression on her face. "Well?" He asks urging her on. She looks down at the boat and then back out to the sea then mouths, "I wish I could but I can't." 

Killian's smile fades as he says, "Why not?" 

Looking out over the sea she mouths, "I don't have enough time." 

Pulling her face toward him he says, "What do you mean you don't have time."

Ariel looks up into his eyes tears threatening to fall from her eyes as she mouths, "I have to go home." Killian tilts his head in confusion as he says, "Why?" 

"I can answer that." A female voice says from the other end of the helm causing the two of them to turn toward her.

"Who are you?" Killian says as he protectively moves Ariel behind him. 

"The names Ursula and I believe that is mine." She says as she points toward Ariel. 

Killian stares at the robust woman standing a few feet away, her face hidden by the night. Killian feels Ariel's hand grip his arm in fear and he says, "I'm afraid that isn't possible, you see I found her at sea and I promised to take her home. I always keep my promises." Ursula laughs as she steps forward revealing her tentacles and squid like lower half. 

"I'm afraid that just isn't possibly seeing as she's a mermaid." 

Killian's eyes widen as he turns toward Ariel and says, "Is that true?" Without meeting his eyes Ariel nods. 

All of the sudden he hears the squawk of a seagull and turning see the seagull sweep down and grab the seashell necklace hanging around Ursula's neck and dropping it at Ariel's feet. Killian watches as the smoke flies around Ariel's body until it stops at her throat. "Ariel?" Killian says as he looks her up and down. 

"Killian," She says her voice sounding melodically. 

"Your voice," He says still staring at her. 

"I know," She says as she smiles up at him and then turning back to Ursula she grits her teeth and says, "I'm not going back!" 

Ursula raises an eyebrow as she says, "How sweet, you think you have a choice."

"I do have a choice, you cheated. You dangled Eric in front of me and then when my back was turned he goes off and marries another girl who has my voice. All you want is my father's throne but you're not going to get it." 

Ursula smiles as she says, "Too bad that's not in the contract." 

"Meaning?' Ariel says as she moves closer to the sea witch. 

"Meaning I can cheat all I want and you are still mine." 

Ariel's eyes narrow as she yells out, "I don't belong to anyone, the only one I belong to is the sea, and I also belong with Killian." 

Ursula smiles as she says, "You love this pirate don't you?" 

Ariel turns toward Killian and smiles as she says, "I do," Then turning back toward Ursula says, "And that is why I won't be returning with you to the sea." 

Ursula smiles devilishly as she says, "Oh I'm afraid you will be." 

Suddenly Ariel is ripped from Killian's grasp by one of Ursula's tentacles. "Ariel!" Killian yells out as he rushes toward then only to be thrown back by another one of her tentacles. 

"Captain!" Smee yells out as he rushes to his captain's side. 

"Ariel!" Killian yells out as he jumps to his feet and runs side of his boat just in time to see them disappear beneath the water.

"What do we do Captain?" One of the crew members says as he stares at his Captain's face. 

"I'm going after her!" Killian says as he rushes toward the mast and grabbing one of the ropes ties it to his waist and grabbing a harpoon jumps into the water and starts looking for them. He looks around until he sees them around an underground whirlpool. Killian starts swimming faster to her when he notices that Ariel is unconscious. His fear rises as his adrenaline kicks in causing him to swim faster. He is almost to her when Ursula throws Ariel's unconscious body into the whirlpool and then it disappears. "NO!" He yells out in his head as he aims the harpoon at Ursula and fires hitting her in the chest killing her. All of the sudden the air in his lungs disappears leaving him floating in the water inches from death. Before he blacks out he feels the rope around his waist tighten as he is hoisted back on board.

As he coughs up the water his anger grows within him. "We're leaving!" He says as he stands and makes his way to the captain's quarters. 

"What about the young lass?" One of the crew says causing Killian to freeze in his footsteps. 

 "She's gone." He then continues into the Captains quarters slamming the door behind him. When he is alone he falls to the floor as the loss fills his body. He holds the tears that threaten to pour back and forcing himself to stand walks over to his desk and sits down. He looks to his right to see the fork she had used as a brush and smiles as he reaches over and picks it up. As the memories start pouring in he quickly opens his desk drawer and throws it in there. 

Then quickly makes his way to the helm as he thinks to himself, "This is where I belong."

End Hook's flashback