14: Not So Hidden Rendezvous

Over the next four weeks, Baelfire tried to talk to me which I ignored. I didn't miss how he would vanish from camp for long hours. The rest of the boys didn't even show concern for his wellbeing. Peter Pan himself was unfazed. I of course didn't expose him. 

I was sitting on a log when Peter walked up to me, "I have a task for you."

"Do I get a choice in this?" I replied.

Peter's face made me cave in defeat, "Fine, what is it?"

"I need you to venture into the remains of the old Annamay tribe," Peter explained, "There is an object in the camp that I am looking for."

"What does this object look like?" I asked him.

"You'll know it when you see it," Peter told me before walking off.

I cursed his name before setting out. My hands opened the parchment. From the camp, the old territory was located due north. It wasn't too far, but I made sure to arm myself for any danger. If this wasn't Neverland, I would treat this place as a breath of fresh air. The towering trees and the soft leaf-covered floor gave off an earthy smell.

A twig snapping made me stop walking. I loaded my bow and my eyes scanned around me. 

"Whoever it is," I gritted my teeth, "Show yourself or I will shoot."

"Jess," Baelfire stumbled out of the trees.

I turned on my heel to continue on my way when he grabbed a hold of my wrist.

"Let go of me," I said in a low tone. 

"Not until you hear me out," Baelfire insisted.

He pulled me through the forest where we came out to a familiar cliff where Peter and I had fallen off the cliff. 

"Why are we here?" I demanded. 

"It's beautiful," Baelfire ignored me, "And it is in an isolated place. No one can hear us."

I just snorted.

"I was going to look for a vine or something to pull you up, but the Lost Boys ambushed me. You have to believe me," Baelfire begged, "I would never leave you behind."

While I wanted to believe Baelfire, the seed of doubt was already there and growing. If Devin was correct, Baelfire would betray me again to get off the island himself.  

"Please Jessica, you have to believe me," Baelfire pleaded. 

He clutched his cheek and I only sent him a nasty glare.

When I didn't answer, he sighed, "I wish it didn't have to come to this, but you leave me no choice..."

"What are you talkin-" I started, but then felt a pressure on my head knocking me out cold.

"Gold!" I shouted into his shop. I hear footsteps approaching me.

"Well if it isn't Jessica Darling."

"I'm not a Darling."

He just laughed at my reply.

"Whatever dearie. What is it that you want?"

I sighed and continued.

"I want a time spell or portal. Can you be able to create one for me or is the 'Dark One' too weak?"

Gold glared at my remark and his fists were clenched at his side.

Gold sent me a strange look, "Why would I want to help you with that?"

I levelled my gaze to him, "You see Gold, I have something you desperately love and you have something I want."

I then pulled out my bargaining chip. In my hands was a chipped tea cup. I twirled it around my finger casually. It was all too easy to tempt the Dark One. I've learned and done this so many times before when I wasn't given what I wanted. Growing up I learned that if you want something, you have to fight for it.

Gold's eyes stared at the teacup. Knowing his fairytale past with Belle, this cup was very meaningful to him.

"You wouldn't," he said smugly.

I laughed darkly, "Oh we both know that I am that reckless. So, if you don't give me what I want, this will meet a painful end."

It was a brutal stare down and eventually, I let the teacup slide a little off my finger threateningly. I would break it if it came down to it. Gold's eyes now revealed a horrified look.

"Stop," he pleaded as soon I let go of the cup. It fell towards the ground and with my fast reflexes, I caught it.

"I'll help you," he muttered and I gave him a triumphant grin.

"I got just the thing, meet me at the beach tonight."

"Pleasure doing business with you," I told him pleased and left the shop.

"What was that about?" Henry asked me and I was startled. 

"Don't scare me like that Henry." He frowned and looked at Mr. Gold inside and turned back to me.

"You're leaving Storybrooke, aren't you?" He said and I slowly nodded my head.

"I have some business to take care of."

"Will I ever see you again?" He asked me and I shot him a big smile.

"You never know what the future holds. I'm sure we'll see each other soon."

"I hope so," Henry replied.

Later that night, I finished writing a note to everyone. I thanked them for everything that they did for me. I regretted leaving them so soon.

I had to do this though. I needed to. I took a little backpack and stuffed it with items I could need. Without a second thought, I walked towards the beach.

Gold was there and he began the portal. Magic flowed out from his hands and he tossed a magic bean on the ground before me. It slowly began to form and he brought his hands back.

"You are sure this will send me where I wish to be?"

"But of course, it was our deal," Mr. Gold told me.

"Wait!" I heard Emma shouting at me.

I turned around to see Emma running over to me with the group in tow. I paused and glanced at them.

"What are you doing?" Emma asked me in a wary voice.

"I'm changing the past," I told her determined. 

"Do you even know where that's going to take you?" Regina asked me and I cracked a broken smile.

"I'll take my chances," I let a tear fall from my face, "I'm taking my life into my own hands. Besides no one wants me here."

"Don't let the past take away your future," Emma said to me, "We do want you here. People make mistakes and we're sorry you felt that way. We can work through this together. Just take my hand."

Emotion filled my face when I observed the group before me. Their eyes held nothing but sincerity. I took a step towards Emma, but Gold grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

"Wait Gold, let her go," Emma demanded and Gold laughed darkly.

"Dearies, Miss Mallory and I made a deal and now it is time for my revenge. Oh, and Jessica, did I forget to mention that this portal will not only take care of your issues, but it will also take great care of your memories."

Everyone, including myself, widened our eyes at the realization. I then realized that I had gone too far. My gut warned me bout making deals with the Dark One. I should've listened.

"GOLD-" I cursed as my body was pushed into the portal courtesy of Gold.

I looked up and reached out to grasp the air.

"Pleasure doing business with you Miss Mallory," Gold said darkly.

I only looked at everyone's grim expressions as that was the last thing I remembered before I fell through.

"Jess? Can you hear me?" A voice said to me and I knew it was Bae's. I opened my eyes and stared at Baelfire.

"Where am I, Baelfire?"

I took a glance around and was enraged. The boy had done it. He tried to kidnap me. Could he not leave me alone?

I gave him a good look as I put the pieces together and spat, "I know who you are, Rumplestiltskin's son."

Baelfire's eyes widened, "How did you know?"

"I recognize that traitorous dark eyes and you look so much like him. How ironic that you bring harm to me and stab me in the back just like your father."

"How do you know my father?" He asked me wary.

"You're father is the very reason I'm here!" I shouted.

"He sent me away from Storybrooke. I shouldn't have dealt with him. I should've known he would do something like this. He's a conniving backstabbing Dark One who had no sympathy when he took my memories."

"I telling you Jessica, I'm sorry for whatever my father did to you. I am nothing like him. He abandoned me too," Baelfire began and I stopped venting.

"He was a power-hungry madman. He killed my mother, Milah. He took Hook's hand. He is the Dark One who is too overprotective. Pan tried to kill me too, you know? He tried to lure me out with his Pan flute and I heard. My father didn't trust me and when the opportunity of a new life presented itself, he was a coward and left me alone in the real world. I was going to die and I was all alone. I met a girl and her two brothers and you know what Pan wasn't finished and he tried coming after us. I risked my life for them and I was brought here."

I widened my eyes at his story.

"You knew Wendy Darling?"

He nodded his head, "She saved my life. Begged her parents to take me in."

"You're lying. My mother is a heartless, cruel person who abandoned her daughter."

Baelfire stayed silent and I kept talking, "You think that you had a hard life? At least you had a parent. My parents didn't even bother to keep me. I grew up in orphanages. I grew up abandoned repeatedly and told I was NEVER good enough for anyone. Think about Baelfire, how it feels to be called worthless."

By the end of this, I was in tears and I felt Baelfire wrap an arm around me. I was too upset to fight him and I leaned my head into his shoulder.

"Our lives are pretty messed up aren't they?" Baelfire murmured and I nodded my head.

I wiped my tears away and sniffled.

"Why did you kidnap me?" I asked when I got myself to calm down.

"I wanted to talk to you about our way off the island."

"Are you saying you found a way to leave without Pan's permission? How?"

"With this," Baelfire tossed me an object. I caught it and noticed it was just a coconut with holes cut into the top, "It's a coconut."

"If we light it up, we can use it as a weapon."

"A weapon against what?" I asked him.

"The Shadow," Baelfire revealed, "It was how I landed in Neverland in the first place."

I was about to speak when I sensed we weren't alone. I loaded my bow as the figure stepped out of the bushes.

"What is this?" The jealous voice of Peter interrupts our conversation, "A secret meeting?"

Baelfire pushed me behind him protectively as we faced the demon. And boy did he look pissed. 

I peered over his shoulder at Peter. He had stretched his arms behind his head lazily as he observed us. He then leaned against a nearby tree, "No, no, continue onward with your secret rendezvous. Pretend I'm not even here."

"We were just finished," Baelfire told him.

Green eyes filled with mischief, "Is that so? Well then, Baelfire, you can do something for me."

Peter glanced at me, "Since Jess here seems to be too relaxed, I'll give you her task instead. Off you go."

Baelfire frowned, "You didn't even tell me what the task was."

"Don't need to," Peter waved his hand.

Baelfire was then teleported away by Peter's magic. I took a step towards him in worry, but Peter stopped me.

"Good, he's gone. I think it's time we had a nice chat, don't you think?" 

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