Once Upon A Time: The Devil's Journey, Part One

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

(Picking up right where 'Dilemma' ended, Mary-Margret, David, Emma and Henry have dinner at Granny's before heading back to the apartment. I'm going to work my way up to 'The Cricket Game' but for now, it's all me.)

The door to the diner swung open, the tinkle of the bell sounding like Heaven to Emma. A blast of diner smells hit her right in the face, making her stomach growl. She was so glad to be home, the smell of the grease didn't bother her still semi-delicate stomach. She had mastered the art of controlling her nausea with Enchanted Forest food but the tricky part would be doing it with food from her world.

The diner fell silent as everyone there realized she was there. " Oh my God! " Granny walked out from behind the counter slowly like she was doubting her eyes. " Please tell me I'm not dreaming. "

Mary-Margret stepped forward, " You're not dreaming. We're home. "

Granny threw her arms around Mary-Margret, hugging her tightly. The two women held onto each other as the people in the diner applauded. They continued for a while, Granny hugging Emma as well. She gave her a knowing look and Emma well aware of why.

Before they had been snatched away, David and Mary-Margret had shared the news of Emma's condition with Granny. They had not told her who the father was but they felt it was necessary that she knew. It had been after she had vanished from the hospital and the stress of the situation had probably forced them to share the secret. Granny was one of their closest friends so Emma didn't mind that they had told.

Ruby was unaware as far as Emma knew but she knew she would eventually have to confide in her as well. As Granny held tightly to Emma, she looked over her shoulder to the bar. She frowned, her eyes falling on someone staring right back at her. It was Belle and she looked nervous under Emma's intense gaze.

Belle tore her eyes away, looking down at the bar. Emma watched as Belle began to gather her things. She stood up as a waitress came back with a doggy bag, making it apparent that she had seen Emma long before Emma had seen her. She took the bag and slipped out the back of the diner.

Emma exhaled. She had been holding her breath as she remembered the dream she had about coming home and finding her with Mr. Gold. That had not come true but she still had the lingering fear that had haunted her since she had smelled her perfume in his shop. She recalled how she had felt she thought she was losing him to Perdita, unsure if she could go through the same thing now the real Belle was back in their lives. Granny pulled back, worry furrowing her brow.

" Are you okay? " Granny asked. Emma really didn't hear her because the diner was still so noisy but she could read her expression and lips.

" Yeah, " Emma nodded. " I'm fine. "

Granny backed up some more, taking Emma by her right hand and Mary-Margret by her left. " Come, " She said as the noise waned a little. " Sit down in your usual booth and you can have anything you want. Just ask. "

" I already told them dinner's on me, " Ruby had moved to the front of the small crowd.

" Well now it's on me too, " Granny smiled.

" Papa! NO! " Baelfire screamed as he fell through the portal created by the magic bean. His father had promised he would go through with him but he had backed out at the last moment, clinging to his dagger as he tried not to get sucked into the portal. He did the one thing Baelfire never thought he would do... Let him go.

Baelfire forced his eyes open, his vision too blurred to see anything so he closed his eyes again. It was very dark anyway. He could smell salt in the air and the sound of water reached his ears. He felt around beneath him, his fingers sinking through damp sand.

As he regained more of his senses, he realized his whole backside was soaking wet and cold. He knew he needed to get up lest he get sick but he just did not have the strength. As he lay there, the events that had transpired to bring him to this place played over and over in his mind. A lump rose in his throat, still in disbelief that his father had let him go after promising to go with him.

All he wanted was his father back, not the monster he had become. There had been so many nights he could not sleep because he could still see him as he killed the Duke's men. His meek, kind and caring father replaced by a blood thirsty monstrosity. He still showed him kindness and compassion but he played with others like they were puppets and killed without a second thought.

He hated it and wished there had been some other way. He would have gone to fight if that was what was required of him. It would have left his father alone but so would have being jailed for treason. War would have only taken him away for a little while but jail was for life.

" This way, Tink? " A faint voice came from what would have been behind Baelfire if he were on his feet. He could also hear the sound of fairy wings. It made his heart sink a little, knowing if there were fairies then there was magic.

He had wanted to go somewhere without magic, somewhere life could be normal. The sound of the fairy wings got closer, a growing light filtering through his eyelids. He cracked them open, able to make out a tiny blonde fairy in a green dress hovering right in front of his face. He cried out and swatted at her because she was a lot closer than he had expected.

She darted backward from his sudden shout. " Whoa... Hey, " A boy's voice reached his ears. He sounded to be about Baelfire's age but he wasn't close enough to see yet. " Don't go slapping at Tink. She's trying to help you. "

" She scared me, " Baelfire replied as he tried to sit up. He felt hands on his shoulders, letting them push him into a sitting position.

" She's harmless, " The boy grunted. " Boy, you're wet. How long have you been here? "

Baelfire sighed, " I don't know. "

The hands wiped at his back, " At least since high tide... I can tell you that much. You're a mess. Half the beach is stuck to your back. "

" I can feel that, " Baelfire replied. He put his hands down to his side to support his upper body, " Where am I? "

The boy moved to where Baelfire could see him, almost. Though the tiny fairy was casting some light, it wasn't enough to see very well. All Baelfire could see was the boy's face. He had sharpish features, dark eyes and was most definitely around the same age as himself.

He could make out darkish brown hair that was kind of shaggy. In the dim light, he could also see the boy had on a green tunic and he could barely make out a tri-fold hat on his head. The boy frowned, " You mean you don't know? "

Baelfire shook his head, " I don't. I was in The Enchanted Forest and... Well, now I'm here. "

The boy chuckled, " We have kids from all over the place but I think you're the first from there. "

" But where am I? " Baelfire was getting frustrated. The boy still hadn't answered his question. He was too busy staring at him like he was some kind of strange creature.

" Oh, " The boy said. " You're in Neverland. "

" Neverland? " Baelfire repeated. He had never heard of the place. He was also starting to wonder what the strange boy meant about the kids from other places.

" Yup, " The boy said. He laughed, " Don't look so worried. It's not a bad place. Come on, let me and Tink get to you cleaned up then we can show you around. "

The boy put his hand out to help Baelfire up but he eyed it warily. " Why would I go with you? I don't even know your name. "

The boy quirked his mouth, " Well I don't know yours. I didn't think it really mattered that much. "

Baelfire lifted his right hand hesitantly, " I'm Baelfire. "

The boy grabbed Baelfire's hand and shook it vigorously, " Wow. That's a strange name. Do all the kids from The Enchanted Forest have strange names? "

" They're not strange to us, " Baelfire said. He felt a little insulted. He didn't think his name was that odd.

The boy shrugged, " Oh well. I guess not. Anyway, I'm Peter. Peter Pan. "

" And the fairy? " Baelfire looked at her. He still couldn't believe he had ended up somewhere there was magic. Ruel Ghorm had promised he was going to a land without it.

" She's Tinker Bell, " Peter replied. " She doesn't talk much but I understand her pretty well. Most of us do and when you're around her, you'll start understanding too. "

" Us? " Baelfire arched an eyebrow. The more he mentioned others, the more curious he got... And more frightened. He could have ended up in a place even more dangerous than home, especially if there was the same kind of magic.

" Yeah, " Peter said. He let go of Baelfire's hand. " Once we get you into some dry clothes, I'll take you and introduce you to everyone. "

Baelfire nodded then furrowed his brow, " How are you going to get me into dry clothes? I don't see you carrying any. "

" Tink, " Peter motioned to her. " Help our new friend out. "

Tinker Bell came closer, lifting her tiny hand. She barely moved it when Baelfire put his left hand up, " No. No magic. "

Peter blinked, " What? "

Baelfire looked at him. He knew he would eventually have to explain but he just couldn't, not at that moment. He barely knew Peter or the fairy and was apprehensive about trusting them so soon. He looked away and muttered, " I... I don't like magic. "

Peter looked confused, " Oh. Okay then. I'm sure we can find you something back at the house. We're bound to have something that fits. "

" Thanks, " Baelfire replied. " Now, could you help me up? "

" I've been trying to, " Peter replied. He put his hand out again, " Come on. Wendy's waiting on us. "

Baelfire took Peter's hand and he helped him to his feet. He was sore from lying in the cold water for so long and it was hard to move. He took a few steps before Peter came to his side and slipped his left arm around his shoulders. He sighed, " Thanks. "

" It's what we do here, " Peter smiled. " We help each other out. "

" So you just let him go? " Emma asked as she dipped three fries in ketchup. She had ordered a hamburger and fries, the one thing she decided she had missed the most while she was in The Enchanted Forest. David had filled them in on how DA Spencer had tried to frame Ruby for Mark's murder.

David shrugged, " He's already in a prison of sorts. No one can leave town and putting him in jail would have been redundant. "

Emma nodded. David had told them how Sneezy had tried to cross the town line and forgot his real identity, believing he was nothing more than what he had been under the curse. " True. "

" I still sent the stuff to the lab and once I have the concrete evidence, we can handle it, " David sighed. " I don't know where we're going to send him but I guess we can deal with that when the time comes. "

" We really have no choice, do we? " Mary-Margret asked quietly. She had gotten a steak but had only eaten a few bites, too interested in what David was telling them. She poked at the meat with her fork, " Anything else? Do we know if we can get Sneezy's memory back? "

David sighed, " Blue is working on that. We were going to try fairy dust but apparently that's not an option now. "

" There could be more diamonds down in the mines, " Henry offered. " The dwarves just need to find them. "

David looked at him and sighed, " But look how long it took them to find the first batch. "

" I'm sure there's more, " Henry said. " There just has to be. "

" I'm sure there is Henry but we can't do anything with them until the dwarves find them, " David replied.

Emma looked at David. They had been gone for a month so she was sure more than what he had said happened, " So anything else? You told us about the diamonds, Spencer and Sneezy. Is that all? "

David looked apprehensive, like he was thinking about what to say next. It made Emma a little nervous and left her wondering. He sighed, " A lot of stuff happened but I'd rather talk about it in private. The stuff I just told you was pretty much public knowledge. "

Emma sat back. Just the way David had said it told her she wasn't going to get anything else out of him until they got home. " Oh. "

They sat there in a tense silence for a long moment before Mary-Margret looked at Henry, " So... How's school been? "

Henry blinked and frowned. He looked at David then muttered, " I haven't been going a whole lot since you left. "

" What? " Emma sat forward. She had hoped the child had at least tried to keep a normal routine in spite of what had happened. " Henry... We talked about this. You couldn't miss any more school. "

" I know but that was before... " Henry's voice trailed off. " Well, you know. "

" How many days had he missed, David? " Mary-Margret looked at him.

David had to think about it then closed his eyes, " Probably about two weeks. I made him go but then the nightmares started getting bad and he wasn't sleeping. I couldn't have him falling asleep and having a nightmare there. I would have never been able to explain. "

" I guess not, " Mary-Margret said. " But now he's going to get held back. We can't avoid it now. "

" Actually, " David said. " I've taken care of that. "

" How? " Emma asked. She was curious to know. Henry had been at the limit already from all the times he had skipped out to be with her.

Mary-Margret gasped, " You don't mean... "

" The principal scheduled him for the placement test, " David looked at Emma then at Mary-Margret. " Is that what you were going to say? "

Mary-Margret nodded, " Yes. It was. She did that for you? "

David nodded, " Yeah. He goes tomorrow morning. If he passes and tests out at the next grade level, she says she can make arrangements for Henry to take the rest of the school year off. "

Emma looked at Henry. She knew he was smart and he could probably pass the test no problem. She had heard of such tests herself but had never taken one, usually able to keep her grades up regardless or being bounced around so much. It had been one of the few things she felt she could do right when everything else seemed to be going so wrong.

" What time? " Mary-Margret asked.

" Eight, " David said. " They said the test would take about four hours. "

" That's so soon, " Mary-Margret said. " When did you find out? "

" The principal called while I was getting Henry ready to go to Mr. Gold's shop so he could meet with Aurora again, " David motioned to the boy. " I can take him in the morning... "

" I was hoping to spend time with you, " Mary-Margret sounded a bit saddened.

Henry looked at Emma, " Could you take me to it? You know, so grandma and grandpa can have time together and we can too. "

Emma nodded, " Sure kid. I think I can do that. "

Just then, Ruby came up to the table. The diner had been so busy, Granny and she both had to help serve customers. She frowned slightly, " I'm so sorry about this. When I said I was going to treat you to dinner, I didn't realize this place was going to be so slammed. "

" It's okay, " Emma replied.

" But I at least hoped to be able to talk to you more, " Ruby sighed. " So much has happened. "

Emma motioned to David, " I know. He was just filling us in. "

Ruby looked at David, " Did you... "

David nodded, " I did. Is that okay? "

Ruby sighed, " Well, I'd rather they hear it from you than someone else. "

" It's okay, Ruby, " Mary-Margret reached out to her and touched her left hand. " You're back in control and that's what matters. "

Ruby smiled at that, " Thanks. That means a lot to me. "

Granny walked over, " Ruby... " She said firmly. " I still need your help. "

Ruby nodded, " Okay, Granny. I'm on my way. "

" Have you told them? " Granny asked.

" Told us what? " Emma furrowed her brow.

Ruby looked at Granny then back at Emma, " We've decided that we're going to close the diner early tomorrow night so we can have a welcome home party for you two. Just friends, no one else. "

Mary-Margret gasped, " That sounds great! "

" We were thinking maybe a potluck, " Granny chimed in. " That way, Ruby and I won't be so busy. "

" Wow, " Emma said. " That does sound awesome. Thanks. "

Granny looked around the diner, " We can talk more about it later. We've got a lot of people waiting for their orders. "

" Okay, " Mary-Margret said and Granny and Ruby walked away. She turned back to Emma, David and Henry, " Doesn't that sound wonderful? We can relax and talk to our friends. "

" Great, " Emma said. " We really haven't got the chance to tonight. "

" We haven't even got a chance to eat tonight, " Mary-Margret motioned to her food. " We've been talking so much. "

" Tell me about it, " Emma said. " I haven't even touched my burger. "

David waved his hand, " Well eat. Then we can go home and get some rest. "

" And a shower, " Mary-Margret said like it was something she had been looking forward to.

" Oh my God... Hot water... How I missed bathing in hot water, " Emma gasped. They had tried to bathe every other day and wash their clothes out but the water was always cold. Emma finally got used to it but she had longed for even lukewarm water after a while.

" Me too, " Mary-Margret agreed. " I've had my fill of cold streams for a while. "

" At least they had soap, " Emma said. She had been grateful for that one luxury.

" Eat, " David pointed to their plates. " The sooner you finish the sooner we can get home to hot water. "

" That is true, " Emma quipped as she went to pick up her burger but stopped when someone else walked up to the table. Emma looked past Mary-Margret, finding it was Doc and he looked concerned. Emma furrowed her brow, " Is something wrong? "

" I need to speak with you, Emma. Just for a moment, " Doc said. " It's about... Well, you know. "

Mary-Margret scooted out of the booth so Emma could get out, " You better go. "

Emma slid out of the booth, " Okay. What's up? "

Doc looked around, " Let's go somewhere a little more private. "

" Okay, " Emma said then looked at Mary-Margret and David.

" Go, " Mary-Margret nodded. " We won't go anywhere without you. "

Emma nodded then followed Doc to Granny's office door. " I already asked Granny if I could talk to you in here. "

" Oh, " Emma said as he opened the door. He ushered her inside then shut the door. " So what do you need to talk to me about? "

Doc pushed up his glasses, " Well, you missed your two-month check-up because you weren't here and it's getting close to time for your three-month one. "

Emma nodded, " I understand. How soon should I make it for? "

" As soon as possible, " Doc replied. " After everything you've been through and where you've been, I want to make sure there aren't any complications that may have resulted from your... "

" Adventure? " Emma arched an eyebrow.

Doc sighed, " Yes. I was hoping that you could come in tomorrow morning. "

" Isn't that a bit soon? " Emma asked. " I just barely got back. "

" The sooner the better, " Doc said. He gave her an imploring look, " For you and them. "

Emma crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. She thought about it and decided it really would be a good time. Henry had his testing in the morning and she would have four hours to kill waiting on him. She closed her eyes, " Sure. Fine. What time? "

" I can see you at nine, " Doc said. " I already told the others I have business at the hospital and said I would join them at the mines later. "

Emma nodded, knowing he probably hadn't shared just what that business was. After all, he was bound by doctor/patient confidentiality. " Sounds good. How long will it take? "

" Oh, not long. I have to do an exam, take some blood for tests and a sonogram, " Doc pushed his glasses up.

Emma nodded, " Okay. I have to pick Henry up at twelve. "

" You'll be out before then, " Doc assured her. " I promise. "

" Thanks, " Emma replied.

Doc walked to the door, " That's all I really needed from you. "

" So I can go now? " Emma asked as he opened the door.

He nodded, " Yes. Go back and be with your family and I'll see you in the morning. "

Emma walked out into the diner, Doc following her. He closed the door then went back to the bar with the other dwarves. She headed towards where she had been sitting when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to find it was Archie. " Archie, " Emma said. " How long have you been here? "

" Not long, " He replied. " I just heard the news that you were back. Do you have a minute? "

Emma glanced towards the booth where Mary-Margret, David and Henry were then looked at Archie again. She wanted to rejoin her family but she didn't want to be rude to him after he had tried so hard to help her. She nodded, " I guess so. What's up? "

Archie looked around nervously then pushed his glasses up, " Could you stop by my office tomorrow? I would like to talk to you and see how you're doing and if you need any help to readjust... "

" I'll be fine, " Emma cut him off.

Archie blinked, " Well, I would still like to sit down with you for at least an hour. The state you were in when you left wasn't exactly ideal and I want to make sure going away didn't hurt you further. "

Emma sighed, " I have an appointment for tomorrow with someone else and I have to get Henry at twelve. "

" Drop by if you have the time or you can call and we can set something up, " Archie's tone let Emma know he wasn't going to be deterred. He had been very concerned for her when she had ended up in the hospital and still seemed to be that way.

" I'll see what I can do, " Emma replied.

" Please? " Archie asked.

Emma sighed, " Fine. I'll come see you if I have time tomorrow. If I don't, I'll call and make an appointment. "

" Thank you, " Archie said. " Goodnight, Miss Swan. "

Emma watched as Archie walked away before heading back to the table...