This is a continuation from 7 Days and departs from the show. I hope you'll enjoy this story as much as I enjoy writing it. As you all know I own nothing of OUAT. Please read and review.
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The guilt filtered through every part of Emma's body, causing her to slowly go numb. Despite everything that had happened she never wanted this. "Rumplestiltskin I now…I now command you to never attempt escape or ask anyone their name." She held the dagger in her hand as she spoke. Tears fell down her face as she said the words that sealed his fate. Imprisoning someone was one thing but to take their free will was a level she wasn't sure she could handle.
Rumplestiltskin was furious; not with Emma but the Blue and Emma's parents who were no doubt behind this little event. "I don't blame you Emma." He looked at her with his deep chocolate eyes then to her stomach which was beautifully round with their child. Upon returning to their world he was pleased to note that his 'Gold' image was still in place. He knew it would be a matter of time before he returned to the monster he was before the curse was cast. He was not looking forward to the sickly golden skin and reptilian eyes.
He reached through the dragon teeth bars towards her belly. Emma stepped forward to allow him access. The others attempted to stop her but one look from her silenced them. "He is still her father."
"What is…?" He fell to his knees as pain shot through him for attempting to disobey what he was commanded to do. The thought that he would never know the name of his child terrified him. It would be worse than being imprisoned with no magic for the rest of his existence.
"Eleutheria is her name."
Snow was shocked. "Why did you do that? Now he'll have control over her."
Emma turned to her mother. "You gave him my name and yet I am the one holding the dagger." She turned back to the man she knew as Gold and stepped a little closer to allow him to caress her stomach with both hands. The hand with the dagger was held behind her back. "I would rather you found out her name through me than by someone else."
"Thank you, Emma." Rumplestiltskin stood up then looked at the others. His attention finally fell on Blue who was fluttering in the air not far behind Emma. "Don't think I have forgiven you for what you have done. Everything that had happened was because of you and your foolishness."
Emma didn't come to Blue's defense as part of her was in agreement with Rumplestiltskin. She kept her opinion to herself as no one was willing to see any flaws with the Fairies. They simply have too large a role in the lives of everyone in his strange world of stories.
"You chose to not accept what had happened Rumplestiltskin for that you've caused a lot of chaos." Blue spoke and sounded as benevolent as she could.
Gold gripped the dragon tooth bars. "Even after 28 years of being human you still don't understand. For such disgustingly colorful creatures you certainly have a strict black and white view of the world around you."
"All Fairies ever wanted to do is create balance."
Rumplestiltskin pressed in closer to the teeth to look at the floating annoyance. "Then take the dagger and force me to be nice. Force me to be happy and sweet and care for all the useless foolish people you consider in need of your benevolent guidance." Mockery laced every word and he had to restrain himself or else his old personality would resurface.
Emma turned to Blue. "Why don't you take the dagger? Wouldn't it be safer with you?"
"We can't touch its dark power."
"But humans can?" Emma was curious rather than accusing.
Blue knew that the answer wasn't what Emma would want to hear and Rumplestiltskin would use the answer to his advantage. "Fairies are too pure to touch it."
"Always remain pure at heart Emma. Always be good and sweet and obedient." Rumplestiltskin spoke.
Emma grizzled at his words, hating their meaning.
Snow spoke next. "Emma I think we are done here." She knew that Emma could not be indifferent when it came to Rumplestiltskin. He already had an anchor inside of her head and heart and would use her to get free.
"Yes, you are done here. I need to speak with Rumplestiltskin alone." She wasn't done talking with him. There were far too many questions she needed to ask that could not be answered by anyone else but him.
Charming refused. "No, Emma. Not right now, please."
"Rumplestiltskin's the reason you two found each other and I was born." She turned from the door and stepped towards the man that was now her father. "I am not a child so I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk to me like one. You spent more years as a man of the land rather than ruling one so don't pull rank with me. I will have time to speak with Rumplestiltskin alone." She looked at Blue waiting for her to say something.
Snow intervened, "Let her have some space. She'll be more than safe." Snow remembered how tender Rumplestiltskin was when she was pregnant with Emma. She knew he wished Emma no harm. There was still more 'Gold' in him than the man they knew before the curse.
Charming reluctantly left with Snow and Blue and cast a few looks back at Emma to make sure that she was sure of her decision.
When Emma felt that they were alone she looked into Rumplestiltskin's eyes and found she didn't have the words to say now that she was alone with him.
"Thank you for her name, Emma." His voice was so tender to her ears. It was such a contrast to the man that manipulated her into breaking a curse that he created to find his son.
Emma had so much to say to him and so many questions that she wanted him to answer. "I miss my old life."
Rumplestiltskin leaned against the door and wrapped an arm around a long tooth. "Don't allow them to change you. They'll try to as they won't ever understand our daughter's name. I love her name 'freedom'. Eleutheria is perfect and I will honor her name Emma. Please believe me that I will never attempt to take that from her."
"Part of me wants to let you out." Emma was crying now and hated her weakness. It was only with him that her barriers came down.
"Don't Emma. Those thoughts are dangerous. Listen to them now before I no longer have Gold's reasoning." He needed her to be strong and not allow her feelings for him to could her judgment. His plans depended on it as he didn't have much time.
She shook her head in surprise. "Why would you say that?"
"The people of this world need me caged Emma. I've done too much damage to them to have my freedom given to me so early." He placed another arm out of between the teeth to hold the other. "They need you to be a hero again. After that the kingdoms will revert to their state of foolishness and fight amongst themselves. Then Blue and her lot can dispense their rot of wisdom."
Emma laughed at that. She wondered how long the truce would last between the kingdoms. The Fairies did their best to restore things back to where they were before. Some were not pleased that they had to show loyalty to men and women who earned their power through birth rather than elections. It was an adjustment and it felt wrong.
"There are many who don't want to be ruled by kings and queens anymore."
"Emma, don't feel bad for them. Their Storybrooke lives will slowly slip away from them as will your parents. They'll remember being there but the fake memories will slip away and be forgotten."
"Yours as well, I take it."
He closed his eyes and nodded. When he opened them she was standing directly in front of him, the dagger only inches from his hand. Her order to not attempt escape prevented him from taking it from her. "I'll remember being Gold longer than anyone else here, a few years perhaps but only superficially. Slowly you'll see me transform into a man you don't know. I won't have the sophistication and control that Gold has. There's also the fact that I'll change physically."
Emma wondered about that and saw the pain in Rumplestiltskin's eyes. They were deep with so much knowledge and knew just as much sorrow. "Then I'll have to grow to love the man you'll revert back to."
"Learning to love me as Gold was a miracle, Emma. Loving the man whom I will become will go beyond that. I wasn't what you would call refined by any sense of the word." He closed his eyes and sighed. "Please, let's not talk anymore about this. Ask the question you really want to ask."
"Not yet, I have so many and you're the only one with the answers." Emma was terrified of this land as the rules didn't make sense to her. "What does it mean to be a princess here? It's more than wearing pretty dresses and going to balls I take it."
Rumplestiltskin nodded in a huff. "Oh, yes you see your very life becomes a story as there is no free will in this land except for my own. Careful how you talk around Blue. Don't ever let her know that you don't trust her. She's more manipulative than you think."
Emma took a deep breath and upon exhaling she asked the question. "Are you planning to find a cure for Neal?"
He let out a sigh finally relieved that she asked the all important question. "I think you know the answer to that." He said in an almost defeated tone.
"Will all the deal making end after you find the cure for Neal?"
Rumplestiltskin hated that name that his son chose for himself. "While he is under the curse I would appreciate it if you used his real name, Bae. That's all I have left of him."
"Fine, now answer the question."
He gave a sardonic laugh and shook his head. "I honestly don't have an answer to that. I've been planning and scheming so long I am not sure I know how not to."
Rumplestiltskin looked past Emma. She turned to find Blue fluttering toward them. "I'm sorry Princess but you are needed."
"My name is Emma, I've told you that before." Emma said with a certain amount of annoyance.
"It is your title and I have to respect that fact."
Rumplestiltskin snorted. "Respect, indeed. Having respect for someone's title means nothing in the end."
Emma wasn't in the mood to witness a battle of words between Rumplestiltskin and Blue. "I'll be back again to let you see the progress of our child. Nine more months I believe." She stepped forward to allow him access to her stomach.
He reached out and caressed it while giving Blue a look. "Thank you…Emma." He hummed her name desiring to whisper it her ear.
Emma nodded and walked away, his hand caressing her belly as she pulled away. Blue turned and walked with Emma through the corridors.
"Please be careful of Rumplestiltskin Princess. I know you have feelings for the man you knew as Gold but he will soon fade away."
At this point Emma wanted this conversation to be done. She stopped and looked up at Blue. "You have made your feelings clear on this subject many, many times. I have listened to you each time and am well aware of his manipulative nature. But manipulation comes in different forms as living in a hard environment all alone as a child has taught me."
"Please Princess, I meant no disrespect. After seeing him for over three hundred years manipulate the lives of those around him to ensure the curse was cast I have every right to be leery of his intentions."
"A curse he set about because you gave an upset teenage boy one of the most valuable items in the land to rid the land of the Dark One. He wanted his son back! How could you not understand that!?" Emma was rather upset that she was still having this discussion.
Blue's normally calm nature and sweet smile cracked. "I don't need to understand how it is to be human to know evil."
It took all of Emma's control not to dismiss Blue and let her feelings be truly known. She could see that the Fairy before her had plans of her own for the child she was carrying. Rumplestiltskin's words hummed in her ears warning her that Emma needs to be on guard.
….
Storybrooke (Hospital, The Curse Broke)
Emma raced to Henry's hospital room. She stood in the doorway to compose herself before walking to the edge of the bed. He was so still as if he was put under a sleeping spell. Tears fell down her face. It surprised her she felt so strongly for him, only knowing him for such a short time. He was a truly amazing boy who had gone through so much in such a short time.
"Henry if you can hear me…" The words were caught in her throat. There were no words she could say that would wake him up, to fix whatever happened to him. The only idea that came to her head was using the same method that Henry said over and over again that supposedly woke David up from his sleep.
There seemed to be no other option for her to attempt as the machine that monitored his vitals were showing that he didn't have long. Turning her head away from the cold lines of the machine she looked at Henry who was so peaceful, as if he was simply asleep. Then the idea of the kiss came to her again and then again.
"Please let this be real, Henry I'll believe in magic if you wake up. I'll believe you." She reached down and held Henry to her and kissed his forehead.
A flash went out from the bed and the room. Moments later Henry woke up and held Emma in a tight embrace. "Mom, you broke the curse! I knew you would!"
Emma started laughing as she discovered that magic was real. Everything Henry said was true and she was the daughter of a prince and princess. "Yes, it is true. I saw you wake up and there was a flash. Never mind that you're alright." She held him in an even tighter embrace.
Henry was eventually let go and he saw someone over her shoulder. "Mr. Gold! It worked, I get to stay with Emma right?"
Emma turned around to find Gold standing in the doorway to the room. He stepped in and closed the door behind him.
"Yes on both accounts Henry." He was calm and held a smile on his face and if Emma didn't know any better he seemed relaxed. "Emma, please forgive me the intrusion but I'm here to call in that favor you owe me."
Emma looked from Gold to Henry who seemed no worse for wear. "Henry what worked?"
"I put myself under the sleeping curse. It was the only way to make you believe."
Where relieve was anger took over. She turned to Gold and was in front of him in an instant. "You had something to do with Henry's coma?"
"Indeed I did Dearie. Magic exists and you helped break a 28 year old curse. Only you could break the curse and the only way was through Henry."
Emma swallowed and wondered who this man stood before her. Henry got out of bed and walked up to them sensing the tension in the room.
"Can I tell her your real name?" Henry asked wanting to hear the name confirmed.
"Henry let's leave that alone for the time being." Gold knew that Emma had her limits and they were pretty much at that said limit.
"No go ahead I want to hear the real name of the man who poisoned my son!"
Gold could feel a storm brewing and just as he was about to say his name the door burst open and Dr. Whale entered along with some nursing staff. Mary Margaret entered followed by a very upset Regina.
Regina looked at Henry and any anger she had faded away to relief upon seeing her son. She was about to run to him and hug him but Gold stood between her and Henry.
"Stay out of the Rumplestiltskin!"
"Shouldn't you be running away by now your Majesty? I can already hear the mob prepare the pitch forks and torches." Gold smirked holding his cane with two hands.
All of a sudden she realized the consequences of the curse being broken and she was without the use of magic. "You're just as responsible for all of this as me."
"Perhaps, but they fear me more than you."
Regina looked at Emma who was still getting over the fact that magic exists and she's been living amongst fairy tale characters. There was desperation in that look to see Henry. For the first time Emma saw genuine emotion in Regina's eyes.
Before Emma could respond more people entered. They all looked at each other and then to Regina. She could feel the hatred flow off of them to her.
Mother Superior who was one known as Blue looked at Regina with an odd mixture of anger and surprise. "I would suggest you run your Majesty."
Regina saw that she was indeed outnumbered and fled the room. Sidney was there to head off any attack that happened and made sure she was safe in her car before they drove off.
Sidney drove the whole way knowing that Regina was in no sate to drive. She held in the wails that she was desperate to let out but her body was racked with sobs to the point she threw up. Everything she planned and built came to nothing, ended by that blond bitch and that treacherous imp who did nothing but manipulate her since they met. She wanted to take revenge now more than ever. For the first time in 28 years Regina invited Sidney into her house.
"I need you to find out what that imp is looking for? He created the curse for a reason and I want you to find out what it is."
Sidney smiled knowing that he could protect the woman that he truly loved. He knew he was always seen as the bumbling idiot that followed Regina around like a lost puppy. Now that the curse was lifted his intelligence and confidence returned and all his research skills would finally come to Regina's aid.
"Oh, but I already know that. He's looking for his son. While under the curse I was too frightened of him to say anything but I have all the information you need to find who he is looking for."
"You've been stalking him all these years?"
"No only since Ms. Swan came into town." Sidney pulled out a flash drive and handed it to her. Every email he sent, every text and every person he has been in contact with since Emma came to town was on that drive. "Take a look at it, interesting read."
Regina did just that and her smile grew larger by the minute. "I am impressed."
"He only has two weeks before everyone is sent back to our old land. So he has little time to find his son."
"How do you know this?"
Sidney smiled. "As your mirror I heard and saw everything Rumplestiltskin did. I was able to travel to any mirror in your land but could not communicate with anyone. He never saw me. I had to give you advice, what good would I be if I didn't have knowledge to help you."
Regina smiled and began her plan of revenge.
…