"Oh Angela
I want to hold your hand-ula
And feel all your phalangelas
As we dance the tarent-angela
Underneath the moon!"
Hook continued singing his nonsensical song as he dressed for his date. He had been dreaming of Angela Darling ever since their chance meeting a few days ago, and he hoped this evening would be the beginning of something magical.
He assessed his appearance in the mirror of his small hotel room. He had tied back his dark hair and put on a new shirt and slacks bought specifically for this occasion. While there were a few more wrinkles around his blue eyes than he would have liked, he still felt as if they were as stunning as ever. He finished his outfit with a fantastic belt which was, in fact, a souvenir from the Liverwood Bank robbery. It featured a golden tiger on the buckle, and Hook had liked it so much that he kept it. He smiled at the memory of that robbery - it really had been ingenious. But there was only a small portion of the loot to which he had ever had access. The rest Matilda had hidden somewhere, and the wench had carried that secret to her death. But it was no matter. Even the small amount of treasure that he had was enough to provide himself a comfortable living for at least 30 years.
He checked himself in the mirror one more time and then headed out to meet Angela on the bridge. He froze when he saw her standing there, overcome with admiration and a bit of fear. She was looking out over the water with the setting sun shining behind her. She looked absolutely dazzling. For about the hundredth time Hook thought about how grateful he was to have left Neverland. He took a deep breath and walked up to meet the woman of his dreams.
*****
"The food was phenomenal! I can't remember the last time I had such tender steak."
"For me, I believe it was 12 years, 3 months and 17 days ago."
Angela raised her eyebrows at his unusually precise response. Hook forced a smile and cleared his throat.
"Or roundabout that time," he said lightly.
Angela laughed and went on about the marvelous lemon cream cake.
Dinner had been a success. Their conversation had been a bit stilted at first, but eventually she had opened up. She told him about her work as a nurse, and her deceased husband and sons, and how she lived with her daughter now and all the repairs they needed to do. Hook had offered to help out with the repairs. At first she had declined, but as the evening progressed, she seemed to warm up to the idea.
Hook had also contributed significantly to the conversation. He had entertained Angela with stories from his early career as a university professor, before dismal wages and prospects had forced him into a life of crime. He had been afraid that all his years lacking womanly interaction would make the evening rather awkward, but he was pleased to see that he fared quite well. It seemed that all those times he had role played with a mop in his cabin had kept his charms fresh.
They were now walking along the river commenting on the various views of London in the twilight, and every now and then their hands would brush together, sending Hook's senses reeling. He tried not to stare at Angela's lips as she shared some thought about the city.
"I walk through the city so often that most of the time I ignore what's around me, but sometimes I'll focus on a building or a wall and think about what's hiding beneath it."
"Beneath?"
"Or behind or through or in it," Angela added with a mysterious smile that made Hook want to lean in closer. "London holds so many secrets, and sometimes I want to know what they are, but other times I think it'd be better if I was ignorant."
"They do say ignorance is bliss," Hook responded, not quite meeting her eye. "However, I believe there is also bliss in knowing the foulest, most awful deeds of history, for it makes the good you encounter far sweeter." He chanced to look at her face and was relieved to see admiration in it.
"I'm so glad I decided to come tonight," she admitted, her cheeks coloring a little. "I was a little apprehensive about spending the evening with you. After all, you could have turned out to be a horrid sort of person, like a murderer or a robber."
Hook nearly choked, but was spared from a response as a raised voice suddenly drew their attention to a rather pathetic-looking gentleman and a young man with a full beard about twenty paces away.
"I'm the laughing-stock of the station and half of London thanks to those meddling reporters," the wieldy man yelled. "It's your job to keep me from looking like a fool!"
The young man fought back a smile. "Sir, I will always do my best to assist you with your investigations, but I assure you, protecting your public persona is not in my job description."
"Jack, I ought to-"
But the man stopped his rebuke when he caught sight of Hook. Confused, Hook studied the man more closely and was terrified to discover that he recognized him. What was more terrifying, however, was that the man seemed to recognize him. The man's gaze traveled down to his belt buckle (at least he hoped he was staring at his belt buckle) and then back to his face.
"James Hook," the man whispered, his features morphing into an expression of glee.
Hook grabbed Angela by the arm and steered her down the sidewalk, away from the man.
"I think I left my wallet back at the restaurant," he said, turning down a side street and quickening his step as he heard the commotion behind him.
"Do you know that man?"
"Yes. He's one of my old associates. I beat him at a game of chess once and he didn't take it well. Sore loser, that one."
"But that doesn't really justify running away, does it?"
Hook clenched his jaw. He hated that she thought he was being cowardly.
"I'm afraid that man holds too much power," Hook said, looking behind him and seeing that they were still being pursued. "The last time I saw him I ended up in a place I really didn't want to be for two years."
"Do you mean that metaphorically?"
Hook didn't answer her. He was weighing his options. He desperately didn't want to lose Angela, but he absolutely would not go back to prison. There was only one way to keep her and keep out of prison, but it was a gamble, because it could result in her loathing him entirely.
He pulled her into an alley and backed her against a wall.
"James! What are you doing!"
Hook acknowledged her indignation, but was surprised to see a hint of anticipation in her face as well.
"You said you wanted to know the secrets of London?"
"Well, I don't know about this very moment..."
"Angela, I can show you something right now that only a handful of people know about. It might be a bit dangerous, but it will completely alter your perception of what lies beneath this city. Literally."
Angela blinked twice. "I-I suppose I could-"
"I'll take that as a yes." Hook grabbed her hand and ran down the alley. He peeked around the corner before he emerged into a larger street.
"Where are we going?" Angela asked, sounding surprisingly excited.
"Barrie Street."
"Really? My daughter works on Barrie Street."
"Hm."
Hook thought he could detect the sound of police sirens growing louder. Two blocks later they had arrived at their destination. Hook called up the Neverbird on his controller watch, excessively grateful that he hadn't thrown it out. He bent down and removed the manhole cover.
"James?"
Hook straightened. "Angela, you are an enchanting woman. I regret to say that this might bring an unfavorable view of me into your mind, but I'm willing to take that chance if it means that I get to spend more precious time with you." He heard vehicles approaching and took a step closer to Angela. "Now, please know that I mean you no disrespect." Hook wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close to his chest, and jumped down the manhole.