As I watched 'The Evil Queen', I couldn't help think that maybe Operation: Praying Mantis had a special agenda... One that Henry added as a side on as he created the name. Just a fun one shot.
Henry had created Operation: Praying Mantis a few weeks ago. Actually, right after he caught a slice with Neal. Getting his parents back together was the first goal. Emma thought that exposing Tamara was it's only goal. But no. That was more of a side note, an unexpected bonus. In truth, he had suspected her of being the 'She' August had mentioned for a while.
Also, she had driven out of town. The perks of being a kid in Storybrooke, not to mention the fact that his parents were often out, he supposed. No one paid his a lot of attention. He often visited the border, just in case someone tried to come in. It was all speculation, but when in the morning he found a truck with a man screaming inside, well, he pieced the clues together.
Henry knew that the chance his parents would get back together were slim, especially when everyone thought Emma was the jealous ex. Henry knew she wasn't, but he also knew she still had some feelings for Neal. Like his mother's talent for telling when someone was lying, he had a bit of a talent for detecting love. He knew when someone felt love for another, and who.
So, Henry would find little ways to bring his parents together. Like saying how he wanted to spend time with both of them and not separately, then getting Archie to rattle off some facts about how never spending time with both of his parents will mess with his head later in life. Whatever. He wanted to bring them together more, at least a tolerant friendship.
He knew that it would be hard to get them at even a civil relationship. Every single book, movie, TV show, and 'real life' occurrence that featured his goal showed him that. He just had to do it the right way.
Henry knew that most would consider himself naive. But they didn't feel the love between his parents, still there, but beneath the surface. Neal had an affection for Tamara, not love. He didn't love her. He just didn't want to admit that because he was afraid of coming into a family. After all, his had been ripped apart. But, sometimes what you needed was something that had been ripped from you, to not fear it.
That was how he and his Dad were alike and different. Their families had been destroyed, but brought together. Partially. And Neal was the missing piece. He just needed to realize that he could bring a family together.
Henry just wanted their happiness. And if he got a full family along the way, great. Considering that he had thought his father was dead (he had forgiven Emma, but still), it just made it sweeter. He really didn't want Tamara as a step-mother. Not that he didn't want his father happy, but he knew, she had no love for him. But she did have love for someone else. Someone he hadn't met. The extremes of his 'power' was that he could only tell who the love was directed at if he had talked to them or touched them, like holding their hand or whatever. Tamara got whoever she loved, Neal and Emma got each other. So, all three of them would be happy.
So, Henry would keep trying. Because, maybe, just maybe, they could get a big fat happily ever after. Regina and Snow would stop hating each other, Emma and Neal would get married, and his family would be full and happy. Because who didn't want a happily ever after?
... Maybe I'll make it a two shot, depends on my muse. Review!
