Tina ended up taking a nap that afternoon, settling in for a few hours. She figured they were safe enough where they were.

While Tina napped, Rachel kept watch and experimented a bit with magic. Nothing complex or strenuous, but she needed to keep herself busy somehow.

Tina got up shortly before dark, gathering more firewood and more food for them before settling into the cave for the night.

It was about that time that Gold started to get a bit antsy. Tina hadn't returned yet, and it was past time for her to have been back. Something was wrong.

Hook was also getting worried. He'd expected Rachel to be back by now, and the fact that she wasn't was putting him on edge.

It didn't take long for Gold to be ready to head out. His tracking spell on Tina was pointing him in the right direction, and he had a sinking feeling that he knew exactly where she was. Only she could possibly be so curious as to stumble upon the mermaid lagoon.

Hook was debating if he should take the ship and go looking for Rachel when he noticed Gold. He paused at that. So Tina wasn't back yet either. He was not pleased.

Gold could admit (sometimes) when something was outside of his ability to accomplish. And right now, getting to the mermaid island was one of those things. Luckily for him, he knew someone who could.

"Pirate," he said stiffly.

"Crocodile." Hook looked at him silently for a few long moments.

"Well, I assume this isn't just a social call."

"Indeed it isn't," Gold replied. "It seems Tina has gotten herself into a bit of a predicament, and if I know anything about her, then I'm likely right in assuming Rachel is with her. Unfortunately, my particular skills are of little help in getting to where I need to be."

Hook tensed a little but didn't immediately turn him away. "Where is it you need to get to?" he asked. There were only a few places he could think of, and that list narrowed considerably since he'd gone to Hook for help.

"The mermaid lagoon," Gold replied after a moment.

Hook swore colorfully before he grumped.

"As much as I would love to give you a free ride over there, you may have noticed that I'm short a crew. I may be good, but even I can't manage the ship by myself."

"Funny enough, I can fix that for you," Gold replied. "That is well within the realm of my skills. Call it a trade, one service for another."

Hook looked at him for a moment. "And how do I know that once we get back you won't decide to torch my ship?" he asked.

"Consider it a gratuity for exceptional service," Gold replied, looking at him.

"I have your word?" Hook pressed. Because as much as he knew he needed to get Rachel, he needed Gold's word that he and his ship would emerge from this intact.

Gold sighed a bit.

"You have my word," he said, "that I will not set your ship up in flames if I get Tina back safe and sound."

Hook considered him for a minute before he nodded.

"Fine. Get on." He started working, readying the ship to go.

Gold steadily limped his way onto the deck, looking around. He was grudgingly impressed at how well the ship was maintained; it spoke volumes as to how well Hook was likely taking care of Rachel.

Hook made everything ready to go before he moved over to Gold again.

"Alright, we're ready to go, but for the wind and a decent crew."

"The first is easy enough, the second you'll not need," Gold replied, waving one of his hands. The wind came around to fill the sails, and he rapped his cane once on the boards beneath his feet. Almost immediately, the rigging came alive and began to move and adjust on its own. "Will that suffice, pirate?"

"It'll do." Hook kept an eye on everything as he steered, making sure that things seemed fine. Because it was just so, so wrong for his ship to come alive like that, and it was unnerving him.

That amused Gold, if nothing else. The pirate was squirming on his own ship, the irony was nearly suffocating.

Hook steered them easily to just off shore of the island, since he couldn't get close without risking the ship.

"Alright, in you go," he said, motioning to a rowboat.