Disclaimer: Does not own Once Upon a Time. Never Will. Just Ally.


01- Pilot

If there is one thing that Ally Lucas knew for sure today, is that she was going to be in so much trouble when she got back home. Sneaking out to meet her best friend Henry at their castle was one thing, but leaving town on a bus was something entirely different.

That was Ally's problem though. She would do anything for Henry Mills, since he was her one and only friend (there's his sister but she's not sure if that counts). The whole reason she's in this mess in the first place is because Henry is not happy. Henry and Ally have no friends at school, and his mother is not the friendliest person per say.

The only person Henry really likes in his family is his sister Rose, and he doesn't spend as much time with her since she's fourteen, four years older than them. The whole reason that they are doing this is because of a book, a book that Henry got from their teacher Mary Margaret a couple weeks ago.

The book was chalked full of fairy tales even going as far to be aptly named Once Upon a Time. These weren't normal run of the mill fairytales. When Ally and Henry looked over the stories that recess nothing was like it was in the Disney movies. There was a lot more adventure and many of the princesses in the book turned out to be name taking, butt kicking, bad asses.

The two ten-year-olds were hooked. That afternoon after school the two got together at their hideout and started reading the stories. That's when the unexpected happened. The pictures in the book looked like people they knew around town, even people that they were related to.

When Ally and Henry read through the whole book, that's when Henry said that they were going to take action. He wasn't going to live with his mom anymore. He was going to find his real mother. Ally on the other hand wasn't so sure if she believed like Henry did that this book of fairytales were real.

It had stories in there about people she knew and even more, stories about her mother and grandmother. Reading the tale had given her such a different picture of the two women then she had in real life. It was amazing and as much as she tried to reason with herself, it gave her hope.

Ally wanted the book to be real. So that's why she agreed to go with Henry when he told her one recess that he had found his mom. She helped him plan the whole thing, and when he told her this afternoon that tonight was the night, she agreed.

So that's how young Ally Lucas ended up in the window seat of a Greyhound Bus headed to Boston. Her forehead is resting against the glass while she watches the countryside fade away and begin to give way to suburbs. Ally had never seen so many cars and people before and it was fascinating.

Ally had to admit that she was excited to finally see the world and not the inside of their small little town that never seemed to change. Though now that she thought of it this book explained the reason for that as well. Ally peeled her gaze away from the window and turned to look at her best friend.

He was currently hunched over the book looking fondly at the reunion scene between Snow White and Prince Charming. I could understand why he wanted to believe in them so badly.

The old woman across the aisle from us leaned over to get a better look at the page. "That a good book?" She asks us kindly with a smile.

"This? It's more than just a book." Henry replies snapping his gaze up to meet the startled woman. I thump his shoulder for overreacting to her question.

"Yes it is." I tell her with a small smile. She looks at the pair of us for a moment before relaxing into a smile of her own.

"Tell me what brings a pair of young kids like you to Boston? Are your parents with you?" She asks looking around the other passengers to see if she can find them.

"Actually my siblings and I are meeting our father there. Our parents are divorced see, and they don't have the time to drive us back and forth so we take the bus. Its dad's turn this time." A voice behind us says. Henry and I turn around in our seats to see Rose leaning over our headrests to talk to the woman.

That's the other thing that happened today. Rose caught us at the bus stop. She had come home from a friend's house to see the simple note that Henry had left for his mother on the counter. Years of wrangling Henry and Ally had prepared her for what they might do.

So she had arrived at the station twenty minutes before the bus was to leave. After finding the kids, she had attempted to make them see sense and that they would be in huge trouble if they didn't come back home. Henry was adamant about leaving though, and I wasn't going to leave Henry.

He has always been by Ally's side even waiting for her in the hospital when she needed to have her tonsils out. So there was no way she was leaving him to go on this adventure to find his mother alone. They were best friends and they stuck together through thick and thin.

So after Rose couldn't persuade them to go back, she went and bought a ticket of her own, surprising the when she boarded and took the seat behind Henry. Her reasoning for coming was that someone had to look after them. She didn't even care that it was to find Henry's birth mother who wasn't her own. Rose didn't know hers either but she didn't really feel the need quite yet to find her.

Her mom was adequate enough for now. The old lady gave the three of them a sympathetic look before turning back to her knitting. All three released a collective breath. Rose smacked Henry on the top of his head.

"Ow!" He yelped rubbing his head.

"That's for almost blowing our cover." Rose hissed angrily. I glared at her for a second before she turned her own angry look on me.

"We didn't mean for her to talk to us. Besides she probably wouldn't have cared anyway." Ally points out. Rose just rolled her eyes at the two ten-year-olds logic. Why her mother had to go and adopt another child she would never know. Even though Henry was a pain most of the time she still wouldn't trade him in for anything and Ally wasn't bad to have as a pseudo little sister.

They three kids spent the next half hour back in silence as the city seemed to grow around them. The highway became bigger and what seemed like a million cars appeared amazing both Henry and Ally. Rose was impressed even though she didn't like to show it.

Suddenly the bus slowed to a crawl and the loudspeaker came on. "Boston, South Station. Thank you for riding Greyhound." The driver said.

The three kids quickly exited the bud so as to avoid the old lady incase she wanted to make sure that they had indeed gotten to their father. It was a miracle that they three even looked enough alike with their brown hair to pass as siblings.

"So where to now genius?" Rose asked still a little annoyed that she was dragged on a four-hour trip to Boston unexpectedly. Her annoyance fled fast when a cute boy walking by smiled at her though.

"We have it all under control Rosie." Henry tells her rolling his eyes while leading the them through the crowd of people to the taxies.

"Yeah chill Rose we thought this through ahead of time, everything has gone to plan except for you showing up suddenly." Ally tells the teen with a laugh. Rose glares at the younger girl again shortly.

The pair of them just don't seem to get how dangerous this whole stunt of theirs has been, and still is. Did they even stop to think about if this woman that they're meeting is dangerous. She gave away Henry for a reason after all.

The kids approached the taxies and Henry knocked on the window of the closest one. The driver rolled down the window and looked at the three uncertainly. Ally handed Henry the card that she had lifted earlier that day.

"Uh… you take credit cards?" Henry asks the man. Rose makes a choking sound from behind them. Yeah the two of them would have a lot of explaining to do later.

The taxi driver smiled brightly at the three of them. "Where to, chief?" He asks. Henry and Ally smile and open the back door crawling into the cab this time Henry squished against the window. Rose piled into the back with them not as happily. When Henry got home their mother was going to ground him until he was gray or forty which ever happened first.

She was also going to kill Rose for not stopping him, and once she killed her she'd resurrect her just to kill her again! There went any hope for the party Rose had wanted to go to next weekend. Henry rattled off the address of his mother's apartment and the driver swung quickly and expertly out into the traffic.

The cab was silent except for Henry's nervous tapping, Ally's bouncing knee, and Rose's death glares. Twenty minutes later the cab pulled to a stop outside of the apartment building and Henry quickly paid the driver as Ally and Rose stared at the building.

"How exactly did you two kids plan on getting in there? You need to be buzzed in." Rose says glaring at the calling device on the wall of the building.

"Push random buttons until we get let in?" Ally questions softly cocking her head in thought to the other two.

"Yeah and maybe we can pretend to be a pizza delivery guy! This is so cool!" He cries beginning to feed off of the nervous energy around him. Rose sighed not quite believing that she was about to do this, but it was for Henry. So one by one they pushed the buzzers until they were let in.

Henry was bummed though since no cover identity was needed. On the elevator up Rose turned to Henry. "Are you sure that you want to go through with this? She might not be what you were expecting Henry." She said trying to warn her little brother.

"She's his mom Rosie why wouldn't she want to see him?" Ally says still believing that all parents want their children. Ally was sure of it even if her own mom didn't seem to want her most of the time.

Rose swallowed hard not wanting to shatter the hopeful beliefs of the young kids. That's what they were after all just kids, and this could possibly go very badly for them. The elevator dinged and let the three off on the twelfth floor. We walked silently until we got to apartment 1240.

"This is it. You can do it Henry." Ally whispered to her friend. She reached out and grabbed his hand squeezing it tightly.

Henry swallowed hard before steeling his resolve and ringing the doorbell firmly. Again everyone held their breath for this time the woman who answered the door would be Henry's mother.

Before Henry could ring the bell again the door to the apartment swung open to see a tall woman with wavy blond hair and green eyes. She blinked a few times not expecting to see two kids and a teenager on her doorstep.

"Uh? Can I help you?" She asked eyeing them warily. She was not prepared for any scouts tonight. Wait? Why would scouts be out at this hour anyway?

"Are you Emma Swan?" Henry asks confidently. The woman balked visibly at the fact that Henry knew her name.

"Yeah? Who are you?" She asks narrowing her eyes at him.

"My name's Henry. I'm your son." He says simply. Before she has a chance to respond Henry pushes past her into the apartment. Ally slips along behind him happily glad that this is happening finally. Rose gives the astonished and floundering woman a sheepish smile and squeezes by her as well. Leaving the stupefied Emma standing in the doorway.

"Whoa! Hey, kid! Kid! Kid! I don't have a son! Who are you guys? Where are your parents?" Emma cries closing the door and following them inside where the three are busy inspecting her bare minimal place.

"As I said I'm Henry and I'm you're son. This is my older sister Rose, she's adopted as well. And that's Ally she's my best friend in the whole world." Henry explains catching the grin on Ally's face, and enjoying Emma's panic.

"I already told you kid, I don't have a son!" Emma exclaims frantically.

"Ten years ago. Did you give up a baby for adoption? That was me." Henry says calmly. The three kids watched as Emma paled a sickly white and staggered a bit.

"…Give me a minute." She mumbles and vanishes into the bathroom. Henry goes over to her fridge.

"Hey, you have any juice? Never mind, found some!" He yells through the door, pulling out the orange juice. Ally makes her way to the cabinets roaching up on her tiptoes to reach them and find the cups.

"Henry! Ally! You're being unbelievably rude!" Rose hisses, but goes over and helps Ally get three cups nonetheless.

"Pot, meet kettle." Ally quips earning a shove from Rose. Henry pours the juice for them before returning it to the fridge.

The three kids sip on their juice while murmuring softly to each other. They're all wondering what Emma Swan will do next.

Emma finally comes out of the bathroom to see the three kids with empty glasses in front of them.

"You know, we should probably get going." Henry says looking down at Ally's watch. Henry refuses to wear one, so he's always 'borrowing' Ally's arm all the time.

"Going where?" Emma asks eyeing the two kids and teen uneasily.

"I want you to come home with me." Henry tells her. Rose coughs not expecting that answer. She thought that Henry was just coming here to meet his mom, not take her home with him. Maybe she should have asked more questions earlier.

"Okay kids, I'm calling the cops." Emma says quickly turning the tables on them. Rose's eyes widen not liking the sound of this. Ally crosses her arms over her chest though.

"Then we'll tell them you kidnapped us." Ally says confidently. If there was one thing that the little often unsupervised little girl had learned it was how to lie to get out of places.

"And they'll believe you because I'm Henry's birth mother, and I'm not related to you two." Emma says slowly. Ally beamed a grin, and Rose shook her head. That little girl was much too smart for her own good, just like Henry was.

"Yep." Henry says popping the p. He is smiling victoriously at Emma along with Ally. Emma couldn't believe the gall of the two kids, they barely looked old enough to be crossing the street alone, let alone threatening strangers.

"You're not going to do that." She says finally. Henry and Ally eye her warily, while Rose watches the interaction carefully, ready to jump in front of her charges if necessary.

"Try us." Henry challenges. Emma stares the two kids down reading their faces. Ally has a good face but Henry's shows a lack of conviction.

"You're both pretty good. But here's the thing— there's not a lot I'm great at in life. I have one skill. Let's call it a superpower. I can tell when anyone is lying and you kids, are." She tells us sternly. Ally's face falls, and Henry deflates. Rose looks on worriedly.

"Wait… please don't call the cops. Please come home with me." Henry begs her, with his pout. Rose smirks knowing that anyone could have a hard time resisting that pout. Ally adds onto the effect with her puppy dog look. She's so good at it, that Rose would swear that she wasn't half puppy herself.

Emma looks back and forth at the two of them before letting out a long sigh. "Where's home?" She asks finally.

"Storybrooke, Maine." Ally says quickly. Rose starts to come closer now that the confrontation seems to be pretty much over.

"Storybrooke? Seriously?" Emma says incredulously.

"I know incredibly lame right?" Rose says finally speaking to Emma for the first time.

"Mmhmm." Ally and Henry reply. Emma sighs again looking at the three kids before scratching her head.

"Alrighty, then. Let's get you three back to Storybrooke." She tells them grabbing her red leather jacket, still not quite sure why she's doing this in the first place. She shakes her head as the kids pile into the elevator with her. Emma finally decides that it must be because she just doesn't want to be alone on her birthday, even if it's with a group of kids she doesn't know.


When Ally saw the car that the four of them were going to drive back in, she wasn't so sure that they would all fit. Henry on the other hand was positively beaming since their plan was working out perfectly so far. Rose just really wanted to get home, for she wasn't sure how many more of their mother's calls she could duck.

Despite the small look of the yellow VW Bug all the kids plus Emma managed to fit in. Henry was almost bouncing in the front seat up next to Emma.

After a few minutes of driving through downtown Boston the silence is broken. "I'm hungry. Can we stop somewhere?" Henry asks after his stomach rumbles. That makes the two girls in the back seat perk up as well. All of the kids had had to skip dinner to come on this impromptu trip.

"Can we?" Ally piped up from behind Emma.

"This is not a road trip. We're not stopping for snacks." Emma says with finality. Ally sinks back into her seat, and Rose rolls her eyes.

"Why not?" Henry whines.

"Quit complaining, kid. Remember— I could have put you all on a bus. I still could." She warns him. None of the kids wanted to go all the way back on a bus. That would have entirely defeated the purpose of this trip in the first place.

"You know I have a name? They have names? It's Henry, Ally, and Rose." He says starting to get slightly annoyed. Rose all the while has been attempting to find the similarities between Emma Swan and her brother Henry. She's been able to find a few; the one glaring one is the sheer stubbornness of both of them.

Henry turns his attention back to the story book and Ally angles herself so that she can see it a little better, while Rose rolls her eyes. That book has caused more than enough trouble.

Emma glances over at Henry. "What's that?" She asks him. Henry and Ally study Emma intensely, and then share a look.

"We're not sure you're ready yet." Henry tells her.

"I'm not ready for some fairy tales?" Emma says dubiously. Rose tenses from her seat. She knows that both Henry and Ally are depending on these fairy tales being real since they're not happy with their real lives. If Emma reacts the wrong way, it could really hurt them.

"They're not fairy tales. They're true. Every story in this book has actually happened." Henry tells her. Ally nods her head along with him.

"Of course they did." Emma says obviously not believing him.

"Use your superpower, see if I'm lying." Henry challenges her.

"Just because you believe something, doesn't mean that it's true." Emma counters.

"That's exactly what makes it true. You should know more than anyone." Henry says. Rose rolls her eyes from the back seat. If Henry was right then all three of the girls in the car are characters from the fairy tale book in his hands.

"Why's that?" Emma asks.

"Because you're in this book. So are Rose and Ally." Henry says.

"Oh kid. You've got problems." Emma sighs.

"Yep. And you're going to fix them." Henry says with a smile. After that the car is silent for most of the remaining trip. Ally took to staring back out the window even though it was dark outside now. She wasn't looking forward to getting back home. Gigi would be upset with her, but her mom probably wouldn't even be home.

Finally after what seems like forever for Ally they drives back the town sign. They're finally back in Storybrooke. Rose shifts in her seat and tries to work the kink out of her neck. She's already preparing her defenses against the massive fight that's going to come up with her mother.

"Okay kids, how about an address?" Emma says pulling onto main street.

"44 not telling you street." Henry chirps happily. The car comes to a sudden stop and Emma gets out of the car. Henry scampers out behind her, and not missing a chance to get out and stretch their legs Rose and Ally follow.

"Look, it's been a long night and its almost… 8:15?" Emma says looking at the clock tower. Ally smirks rocking on her feet. That was a rookie mistake.

"That clock hasn't moved my whole life. Time's frozen here." Henry tells her with a satisfied smile.

"Excuse me?" Emma says looking at the kids incredulously.

"The Evil Queen did it with her curse. She sent everyone from the Enchanted Forest here." Ally pipes up making Emma turn on her.

"Okay, the Evil Queen sent a bunch of fairy tale characters here?" She asks.

"Yeah, and now they're trapped." Henry says.

"Frozen in time, stuck in Storybrooke, Maine. That's what you're going with?" Emma says giving them an annoyed look now.

"It's true!" Henry cries.

"Then why doesn't anybody just leave?" Emma counters again.

"They can't. Bad things happen if they try." Ally says softly looking at the ground. She's thinking of all the times that her mom declared that she was going to leave the small town to go on an adventure. Gigi wouldn't let Ally go with her because Ally had school, but that never seemed to stop her mom for long.

"Henry! Rose! Ally!" A voice calls out from down the street. The three kids heads shoot up and over in the direction of the man walking towards them with a Dalmatian on a leash.

"Kids! What are you doing here? Is everything all right?" Archie asks the kids looking them over intently behind his glasses.

"We're fine Archie." Henry says and Ally mumbles something along the same line.

"It's been a long night Archie, and its not going to end anytime soon." Rose says with a sigh.

"Who's this?" Archie asks turning his attention to Emma.

"Just someone trying to give them a ride home." Emma says quickly before Henry can respond.

"She's my mom Archie." Henry tells him with a smile. The startled look on Archie's face grows.

"Oh. I see." He stutters out.

"You know where they live?" Emma asks Archie. He arches his eyebrows and gives the three kids a 'really' look.

"Rose and Henry live just, ah, right up Mifflin street. The Mayor's house is the biggest one on the block. Ally lives at Granny's Bed and Breakfast." Archie says and Ally and Henry frown at him.

Emma looks at Henry shocked. "You're the Mayor's kid?" She asks him unhappily.

"Uh, maybe?" Henry says hesitantly.

"Hey, where were you guys today Henry, Ally? You missed your session." Archie says turning to the two kids of the group.

"Oh, we forgot to tell you. We went on a field trip." Ally says with a smile on her face.

"Ally, Henry, what did I tell you two about lying? Giving into one's dark side never accomplishes anything." Archie tells us sternly. Ally looks down at her feet, and Henry looks away uncomfortably.

"Oookay. Well, I should be getting them home." Emma says putting her hands on both of the ten-year-olds shoulders. Rose narrows her eyes at Archie. She knows that he's just doing this because her mom says to, but no one gets to mess with her little kids. Only she gets to do that, and that's cause she's there for them.

"Yeah, sure. Well, listen. Um. Have a good night, and, uh, you guys be good." Archie says uncomfortably again. Henry and Ally duck his looks. Archie turns and continues to walk Pongo down the street for his nightly walk.

"So that's your shrink." Emma says after a moment. Ally flinches and keeps her gaze on the ground, but Henry whips around to glare at Emma.

"I'm not crazy! And neither is Ally!" He declares. Emma kneels down to their level.

"Never said that. Just, he doesn't seem 'cursed' to me. Maybe he's just trying to help you." She says softly. Rose bites her lower lip watching the three of them. Henry still looks distant and defensive, and Ally refuses to meet Emma's gaze.

"He's the one that needs help because he doesn't know." Henry says finally turning back to Emma.

"That he's a fairy tale character?" Emma says.

"None of them do. They don't remember who they are." He tells her earnestly.

"Convenient. All right, I'll play. Who's he supposed to be?" Emma asks the pair. Rose looks at them intently. She's never found out who they think everyone is before.

"Jiminy Cricket." Ally says finally meeting Emma's gaze.

"Right, the lying thing. Thought your nose grew a little bit." Emma says. Henry scowls and Ally sighs defeated.

"I'm not Pinocchio!" Henry cries.

"Course you're not. Because that would be ridiculous." She says before piling all the kids back into the car again.

"I'm dropping you and your sister off first kid. I'll take you home after that Ally." Emma says waiting for nods from the kids.

"Told you she wouldn't believe us." Ally whispers from her seat behind him. Henry frowns and Emma looks at the two kids, before starting her car up again.

After a minute Emma pulls the car up to a stop in front of a large white house, that somewhat resembles a castle if you squint your eyes. It's easily the most expensive house in Storybrooke. Rose lets out a shaky breath and Henry looks absolutely unhappy to be there.

"Okay lets get you home. Kid, can you wait in the car while we do this?" Emma asks turning around to look at Ally. She nods her head, okay with not having a run in with Ms. Mills the Mayor of the town. Not much scares Ally but Ms. Mills definitely does.

"Bye Henry, good luck. See ya Rose." Ally tells them as they climb out of the car after Emma. Henry turns back quickly though and slips his book on his seat.

"Castle tomorrow morning." He whispers.

"Got it." Ally whispers back, settling into her seat again. She watches as Emma leads Henry and Rose up to the door, before she can ring the bell the door is opened up by none other than Ms. Mills herself.

She looks worried for a moment but when she sees her kids the annoyance comes through. Ally can't hear anything from here, but the look on the Mayor's face and the way that Henry runs inside says it all. Rose slips by her mother to follow him. After a minute Emma follows Ms. Mills inside as well.

Ally lets out a sigh and closes her eyes. Its not like she's never been left alone before. That's actually most of what Ally's life is. Gigi is always working at the diner really long hours, and mom works there and then goes out. When Ally isn't at the diner doing homework with Henry she's either out with him, or sitting around the inn. Not that she ever stays there long.

That's the thing about no one ever being around, Ally gets to do whatever she wants, as long as she knows when to check in and get home. So she mostly spends her time exploring the woods, and after three years of constant exploration she knows practically all of it.

Suddenly the car door opens, and Emma climbs in. That startles Ally out of her half asleep state. "Sorry kid, I didn't mean to leave you out here that long. Let's get you home." Emma says starting the engine, and pulling back onto the street. A few minutes we come to a stop in front of a sign that reads Granny's Bed and Breakfast.

Emma stops the car and we climb out. I lead Emma through the front garden to the house. "Are you leaving town?" Ally finally asks quietly. Emma sighs and scrubs her hands over her face.

"Look kid. I got you guys back here, and now its time for me to go home." She tells her looking down at her. Ally frowns and sighs.

"Henry will be really sad. He looked really hard for you." Ally says softly. Emma sighs and kneels down in front of the little girl. She reaches out and guides her chin up so that she can look at the girl.

"Ally you have to understand I gave Henry up because I knew that he would be better off without me. I did it so that he would have his best chance, and from the look of things he does. He has a mother and sister that love him, and a great best friend who would do anything for him." Emma tells her.

"He's not happy though, and you'd make him happy." Ally says and turns away to push open the door to the inn. Emma sighs and follows the little girl inside. It's small and quaint. A roaring fire is crackling in the sitting room in front of them, and the front desk is currently abandoned.

Ally shifts nervously knowing she'd have to call for Gigi. "Gigi!" Ally calls out. A noise comes from the kitchen off to the left of the entry room. Suddenly a small old woman hurries out with short, wavy, gray hair and glasses on a chain.

"Oh lord, Ally!" She cries. Ally runs over and wraps her small arms around her great-grandmother. Gigi hugs her tightly to her and rocks the little girl trying to sooth her frayed nerves. "Where have you been child? You practically gave me a heart attack when Sheriff Graham came by and asked me if I'd seen you." She says. Ally burrows her face into her Gigi's stomach.

"I'm sorry." She mumbles. Gigi finally looks up and sees Emma standing there awkwardly watching the reunion.

"I'm Emma Swan, I brought her Henry, and Rose back." Emma explains lightly. Granny gives her a thankful smile.

"Thank you so much. I don't know how to repay you for returning my great-granddaughter to me. Where were they?" She asks. Emma smirks lightly at the small girl.

"The two little masterminds found me in Boston." She says waiting for the explosion. Gigi freezes in shock for a moment before pulling back and looking Ally in the face.

"Boston! What on earth where you thinking child? Do you know how dangerous that was? Do you not use those brains that god gave you?" She demands sharply, but her tone is softer for its laced with worry.

"We found Henry's mom Gigi. Emma is Henry's mom. I wasn't going to let him go by himself, and Rose came with us as well." Ally says stubbornly. Granny narrows her eyes at the girl, and she ducks her head in shame quickly. Gigi looks at Emma again and she can finally make some of the physical similarities to Henry.

"Thank you again for bringing them back. You must have had quite the shock. You're welcome to spend the night here if you'd like." Gigi tells Emma softly. She can tell by the skittish stance that the woman is taking that she's not going to stay.

"Oh, no. Thank you though. I really should get going." Emma says backing up. Ally turns around in her Gigi's arms and pouts at Emma. She doesn't say anything though since she already did before. "I hope you and Henry stay out of trouble Ally. It was really nice meeting you. Bye." And with that Emma is out the door. Ally sighs heavily.

"Oh child what are we going to do with you?" Gigi sighs looking down at the young girl. She looks up at her great-grandmother with a sad drawn face.

"Is mom home?" She asks her voice hesitantly hopeful. Gigi grits her teeth chocking back the anger at her granddaughter. Ruby is never around when her daughter needs her. She sighs. If only Anita were still alive then maybe Ruby would have had a proper role model growing up, and Ally wouldn't suffer so much.

"She's out tonight Ally. Come on now, lets get you in the shower, then I'll read you a story before bed, for you little girl are way past your bedtime." Gigi says leading Ally back into the family quarters part of the inn.

Later that night as Gigi tucked her in and grabbed Ally's favorite story book Little Red Riding Hood, Ally let her mind wander. She and Henry had worked so hard to find Emma and bring her back here and now she's just leaving. Maybe fairy tales aren't supposed to have happy endings after all.


The next morning for Ally Lucas dawned bright and early like it always did, but this morning was especially tough on the little girl for she'd gotten far less sleep than she usually does. Gigi shook her awake like every morning, and Ally sleepily got into her school uniform and bushed out her shoulder length brown hair. Her own sleepy chocolate brown eyes stared back at her in the mirror.

Five minutes later she left the inn and walked the two blocks down Main street that took her to Granny's Diner. Her Gigi owned the diner, and her mom worked there as a waitress. The inn and diner were the family business. Ally tiredly pushed open the door, seeing all the normal morning patrons there already.

Archie was reading the paper in a booth; Leroy was slumped against the counter most likely having a coffee and whiskey. Even though Ally was only ten she knew about alcohol, and she didn't like it. Her mom went out and drank a lot of it. Ally was mad at it since that's what was taking her mother away from her.

Dr. Whale was at the counter as well, and a few others were scattered around. A smile widened on Ally's face though when her mom appeared out of the kitchen with a plate of food. Once she'd set the food down, Ally ran over to her. "Mom!" She cries.

Ruby Lucas turned just in time to catch the bundle of ten-year-old that was her daughter. With a bright laugh and a small spin, Ruby kissed her daughter's hair. Even though she didn't spend much time with the little girl Ruby still loved the child with all her heart.

"Hey there pup! Oh my it seems like you've grown so much." Ruby says smiling into her daughter's hair. After a minute she sets her down on the ground, for she has to get back to work. Ruby hurries over to refill Archie's coffee and Ally slips onto one of the stools and waits for her mom to come back.

When she reappears behind the counter Ally smiles at her. "So what will it be this morning let me guess… blueberry pancakes, small side of scrambled eggs, and an orange juice. Am I right?" Ruby asks with an expectant look on her face. The matching smile on her daughter's face answers her unnecessary question for her.

"It's my favorite." Ally giggles.

"Of course it is pup, I know that!" Ruby smiles, and puts in the order for Gigi to make. "So it seems like the two of us need to have a talk Ally." Ruby says switching from Ally's nickname to her real name. Ally bites down on her lower lip nervously. She hates disappointing Gigi but it's infinitely worse when her mom is disappointed. That's mostly because Ruby's fine with almost all she does, and hardly ever gets upset.

"I'm sorry Mommy." Ally says quickly, attempting to stave off the look. Ruby chuckles softly knowing that her daughter is the master of the adorable apologetic look.

"Sorry pup, but that's not going to fly this time. You know that I'm cool about being late coming home, and skipping school, but you left Storybrooke by yourself and went to a major city alone. You're ten-years-old Ally you could have been killed or kidnapped, and I wouldn't have known." Ruby says fighting her own feelings of jealousy that her daughter had left this crummy town before her.

Ally felt truly awful about what she'd done, but she would have done it again. "I'm really sorry Mommy… I go back there again." She sniffled a few tears streaking down her cheeks. Ruby cringed seeing the tears on her daughter's face. This is why she hated to be the one to punish Ally; it killed her to see the girl cry. That's why she makes Granny, Ally's Gigi deal with her punishments. This time she wouldn't though.

"I know pup, I know. But, there's going to be some changes around here. You're to go to school and come straight back to the diner or the inn for the next two weeks. You'll do your homework, and help around. No more going out without us knowing where you're going okay?" Ruby asks lifting her daughter's trembling chin so that she can see her eyes.

Ally's deep brown eyes always reminded Ruby of Ally's father. It still hurt every time to think about him and how he was dead, though she couldn't remember for the life of her how he'd died, only that it was before Ally was born. "I-I understand." Ally hiccups. Ruby smiles and kisses her daughter's forehead.

"Good, now tell me all about Boston. It must have been amazing." Ruby says brightly. Ally smiles brilliantly back at her mother and the two chat about Boston intermittently as Ruby serves customers and Ally eats her breakfast before having to go to school.

Like every morning Henry comes running into the diner with Rose and his mother Ms. Mills trailing after him. Ally twirls around on her stool to grin at her best friend. "Morning Henry!" Ally beams. Henry grins at her and they perform their secret handshake. Rose rolls her eyes at the two kids but secretly she thinks its sweet how close they are.

"Morning Henry, Rose. Good morning Madam Mayor, can I interest you in a cup of coffee before work today?" Ruby asks her happiness at seeing the kids wearing off in the presence of Regina Mills.

"That won't be necessary all that I need is your and your grandmother's assurance that you'll reign in your daughter's wild behavior. I don't need her influencing Henry into acting out anymore than he already is." Regina snaps at Ruby. The polite smile melts off of Ruby's face as well as the happy one on Ally's. The little girl shrinks into her seat, feeling small and defeated.

Ruby turns a cool glare at Regina. "Well I'll keep that in mind Madam Mayor the next time Henry has the idea to go interstate traveling." She says handing Ally her lunchbox that has enough of Granny's food in there for both her and Henry. "All right have a good day pup." Ruby says hugging her daughter tightly trying to assure her that she's better than what Regina insinuates.

Ally releases her mother and follows the Mills family out of the dinner and down the block to where the bus stop is. Regina stops them a few feet away from the other children, and fixes them with a glare. "There better not be any more trouble from you two. And I think that your great-grandmother would expect the same from you Ally." She warns, and with that last threat she stalks away down to the Mayor's office in town hall.

All three kids release the breath of air that they'd been holding. "God I thought she'd never leave." Rose grumbles straightening her skirt and glaring off at her mother who was retreating in the distance. Henry turned to Ally.

"Did you see Emma this morning? Is she still here?" He asks her quickly. Ally sighs and shakes her head at him sadly.

"I'm sorry Henry, I tried to get her to stay." Ally tells him, giving her friend and hug, which he returns.

"That's okay, you tried you're best. Besides, I'm sure that she's still here." He says positively.

The bus pulls up to the stop and everyone piles on, Henry and Ally grabbing a seat together. "I don't know about you, but I'm not going to school today." Henry tells her in a whisper. Ally bites her lip worriedly and glances towards the back of the bus here Rose is chatting away with one of her friends.

Storybrooke is so small that the only school there is K-12. Rose usually forgets that they exist as soon as the three of them get to school, so that would probably work, though she doesn't want to disappoint her family anymore.

"Are you sure? We'll get into even more trouble than we already are." Ally says worriedly.

"Come on I promise we'll be fine. Its not like we're actually leaving town. Besides we're unhappy, and they don't want to push us too much farther." Henry reasons. Ally considers her options in her head, before nodding in agreement. She doesn't really feel like going to school without Henry today, she'd be alone otherwise. None of the other kids really like her since she's best friends with the Mayor's son, and no one likes the Mayor.

The bus pulls up in front of the school and everyone gets off and starts for the building. Well that is everyone except for Henry and Ally who are hiding watching until Rose enters the building, before scampering off in the opposite direction towards the beach.


Henry and Ally had been at the playground for a few hours by the time anyone had come near it. The castle slide play set had been their secret hideout for years. No one ever came to play there and it seemed like people forgot about its existence. So that made it perfect for Henry and Ally to play and hang out at all the time.

Just a few minutes ago the two friends had eaten the lunch that Gigi had packed for them, and now they were both giving up hope that anything would actually change around here. That is until a blond in a familiar red leather jacket came walking up to them in their castle, and in her hand is Henry's big fairy tale book.

"You left this in my car." She says holding up the book. I take the book for Henry since he's still staring at the block tower that still hasn't moved. "Still hasn't moved, huh?" She points out.

"I was hoping that when I brought you back, things would change here. That the final battle would begin." Henry says sadly. I grab his and give it a squeeze.

"I'm not fighting any battles, kid." Emma says.

"Yes, you are. Because it's your destiny. You're going to bring back the happy endings." Henry tells her firmly. Ally nods her head agreeing with Henry whole-heartedly because she believes in a happy ending for her family, that's not happy.

"Can you cut it with the book crap?" Emma asks sharply.

"You don't have to be hostile. I know you like me – I can tell. You're just pushing me away because I make you feel guilty. It's okay. I know why you gave me away. You wanted to give me my best chance." Henry tells her.

Emma narrows her eyes at first Ally then Henry. "How do you know that?" She demands.

"Because it's the same reason Snow White gave you away." Ally speaks up tapping the cover of the book. Emma gives the two kids a bewildered look.

"Listen to me, kid. I'm not in any book. I'm a real person. And I'm no savior. You were right about one thing, though. I wanted you to have your best chance. But it's not with me. Come on, let's go." Emma says grabbing the two kids by their hands and pulling them down off the play structure, and begins leading them back.

"Please don't take me back there. Just stay with me for one week. That's all I ask. One week, and you'll see I'm not crazy." Henry begs running in front of her and holding out his hands. Ally stands beside him and adds in her puppy pout that gets her a lot of things.

"I have to get you back to your mom." Emma says crossing her arms over her chest.

"You don't know what it's like with her. My life sucks!" Henry shouts.

"Oh, you want to know what sucking is? Being left abandoned on the side of a freeway. My parents didn't even bother to drop me off at a hospital. I ended up in the foster system and I had a family until I was three, but then they had their own so then they sent me back. Look, your mom is trying her best. I know it's hard and I know sometimes you think she doesn't love you, but at least she wants you." Emma says breathing hard after her outburst.

Ally had to bite her lip to keep back the tears that wanted to fall. It was really sad to not feel wanted. As much as she loved her mom and was sure that her mom loved her, her mom was always busy and never spent time with her, choosing to go out.

"Your parents didn't leave you on the side of a freeway. That's just where you came through." Henry tells her.

"What?" Emma asks.

"The wardrobe. When you went through the wardrobe you appeared in the street. Your parents were trying to save you from the curse." Ally says remembering that part of the story well.

"Sure they were. Come on guys." She says placing her hands on their shoulders and leading them back towards her car.


A few hours after being brought back from the playground Ally is sitting on the stairs leading up to the guest rooms doing her homework. Math had never been her favorite thing to do even if she was good at it. She was also attempting to drown out the noise of her Gigi and Mom fighting again.

They do it practically every night and by now Ally wishes that she had an iPod like some of the other kids so that she could drown out the noise. Ally hates listening to family fight.

The noise is so loud that the three Lucas members don't notice the door opening. "You're out all night, and now you're going out again. What about Ally?" Gigi yells following after Mom as she gets ready to go out tonight.

"Ally's a big girl. I should have moved us to Boston." Mom says grabbing her purse and checking it. Ally's lower lip starts to wobble at the harsh words that are being said.

"I'm sorry that my heart attack and your ten-year-old child interfered with your plans to sleep your way down the Eastern sea board." Gigi fires back. That's enough to make Ally start to cry. She shoves her homework off her lap, and covers her face with her hands to stop the tears.

"Excuse me? I'd like a room." A voice rings out, and Ally's head pops up. Through teary eyes she makes out Emma Swan standing in the entryway staring at Gigi and Mom.

"Ms. Swan. You decided to stay after all?" Gigi asks hurrying behind the front desk.

"Yep." She says uncomfortably.

"Would you like a forest view or a square view? Normally, there's an upgrade fee for the square but, as friends do, I'll wave it." Gigi says quickly.

"Square is fine." Emma replies.

"What's your first name again for the registry?" Gigi questions.

"Emma Swan." Emma says.

"Emma, what a lovely name." A man's voice appears, and everyone turns to see Mr. Gold standing in the doorway. A shiver rolls down Ally's spine seeing him there. She scrambles up from her place and hurries over to her mom squeezing herself close to her mother's side.

Ruby absently pulled her daughter closer and a little bit away from Mr. Gold. Everyone knows not to cross him, or make deals with him.

"Thanks." Emma says slowly eyeing Mr. Gold up and down. Gigi grabs a roll of bills from the secret hiding spot. She hands the money to Mr. Gold.

"It's all here." Gigi tells him. Mr. Gold doesn't even bother to glance at the money as he pockets it.

"Yes, yes, of course it is, dear. Thank you. You enjoy your stay…Emma." He says before turning and limping out the door of the inn. Everyone releases a breath of air.

"Who's that?" Emma asks looking at the Lucas family.

"Mr. Gold. He owns this place." Ruby says petting Ally's hair trying to get her shaking down.

"The inn?" Emma questions.

"No, the town. So, how long will you be staying with us?" Gigi asks, getting back to business.

"A week. Just a week." Emma says. Ally smiles tentatively at her.

"Great." Gigi grabs a key off of the wall and hands it to her. "Welcome to Storybrooke. Ally will show you to your room."

Ruby hugs her daughter goodbye and turns to leave. The smile slips off of Ally's face as she watches her mother leave. Ally goes to the staircase and grabs her homework. Emma follows the young girl up the stairs and down to room number six.

Once Emma has the door opens she looks around the room. Its quaint and homey just like the rest of the inn. She turns back around and sees Ally still standing there. "Is that why you want to believe in Henry's theory about the book?" Emma asks her suddenly. Ally looks up at her, and wipes at her still teary eyes.

"In Henry's book… Red Riding Hood loved her daughter, and never left her unless she had to. Wouldn't you want that too?" Ally asks her softly before disappearing from the doorway. Ally runs down the stairs and down the hall to her room.

Once she's curled up on her bed, she looks out the window trying to see if she can find her mom still. Not being able to find her Ally looks up and sees the clock tower. The crazy thing was that as she watched the minute hand on the clock tower moved. A huge smile grew on the young girl's face. She definitely truly believed in Henry's theory now. Ally would be reunited with her mom soon she knew it.