Hi there! This is my first fan fiction so reviews are welcome because I would like to know what you all think! I do not own anything.

Takes place after episode 2x12 "In the Name of the Brother"

Chapter 1

Cora and Regina are just walking in the house after their little mother/daughter moment in Regina's car. Cora walked up the stairs in the foyer while Regina shut the door behind her. Cora slowly turned around to face her daughter. She knew Regina was feeling so many emotions right now and Cora didn't know how to comfort her because they hadn't exactly parted on good terms.

"Regina, we will get Henry back. Don't worry." Were the only words she could find at the moment that would possibly make Regina a little less worried. Regina couldn't help but give a weak smile. She wasn't exactly thrilled to have her mother back in her life after everything she did to her when she was growing up. She wanted to believe her mother after she told her she was going to try to be better and be worthy of her but she just couldn't let herself fully believe or trust her mother.

"It's been a hectic day. Where can I sleep?" Cora said expecting to get her own room.

"Upstairs, third door on your right." Regina replied as she turned to face the mirror.

"Goodnight, dear." Was all Cora said before she turned to walk up to her room.

Regina watched her climb the stairs in the mirror. She couldn't believe she was allowing her mother to stay in her house. When Cora disappeared out of view, she held the ring Daniel gave her and couldn't help but think about the life she would've had with him. She knew she would've been happy with him and that he would've been a great father. But she knew that life was never meant to be. She missed Daniel so much and she couldn't help but shed a tear in his remembrance. She felt so much pain between losing Daniel, his baby, and now Henry. She just wanted her life to turn out the way she hoped it would-this was not it.

The Next Day

Emma was eating a bowl of cereal while Snow and David were looking at her from across the counter. She was in mid-bite when she noticed they were staring at her.

"Do I have a milk mustache or something?" She said with a confused look on her face about why these two were staring at her.

"No. It's just that we are all finally together without something breaking us apart. We finally get to be a family." Snow said with a smile on her face. She was so happy to be with her daughter in a peaceful setting. Any little thing Emma did, Snow couldn't help but beam with excitement.

"Right, the family thing." She flashed Snow a smile before continuing. "I like hanging out with you two but you gotta cut out this creepy staring. It's getting too weird for me." She said trying to put it lightly so she wouldn't hurt their feelings.

"It is creepy, isn't it?" Snow couldn't help but laugh.

"Haha lil bit." Emma took another bite of her cereal and remembered she had to ask David a question. "Oh, David. Will you drop Henry off at school before going to the station? I have to stop by Gold's before work."

"I don't want you going there alone. I'll come with you." David said grabbing his coat off the coat rack.

"David, it's fine. I've been taking care of myself basically my whole life. I think I can manage a simple meeting with Gold. "She said as she was putting her bowl in the sink.

As she turned back around she noticed Snow and David put their heads down. Emma realized she hurt them, yet again. She didn't mean to hurt them but her words just come out before fully thinking things through. That was one of her flaws.

She quickly tried to make up for it by saying, "I didn't mean it like that.." Before Emma could finish what she was saying, Snow cut her off. "We know, Emma. We just wish we could've been there." Flashing a weak smile to her daughter to make her feel better. "What's the meeting with Gold about?" David said breaking the awkward silence that was in the room.

"I dunno. Should be interesting. It usual is with Gold."

"Just be careful Emma!" Snow said with a worried look on her face.

"I will. Promise!" She said to Snow before turning to David. "Will you take Henry then?" She ask as she was putting on her jacket.

"Yea, I'll take him."

"Henry, David is taking you to school today. I gotta run!" Emma screamed up the stairs before saying her goodbyes and leaving.

Henry came running down the stairs hoping to catch Emma before she left. "Whoa there, buddy. Easy on the stairs." David said as he put a hand in front of Henry to slow him down.

"Did Emma leave yet?" He asked as he was trying to get up onto the stool.

"You just missed her!" said Snow as she was cleaning up the counter. "Anything we can help you with?"

"I wanted to ask her if she could teach me how to ride a horse." Henry said in a disappointed tone.

"I'm surprised Regina didn't teach you." Said David.

Henry was shocked. "My mom rides horses?" He couldn't picture Regina on a horse, let alone riding one.

"She used to. I suppose it's too painful for her to go to the stables now." Said Snow with a sad look on her face. She felt so bad about the circumstances that surrounded Daniel's death. She couldn't help but feel responsible, at least partially.

"Why? Did she have a riding accident? Asked Henry with concern for Regina. Snow and David exchanged worried glances before Snow answered.

"Let's just say she had a bad experience at the stables and leave it at that." Snow didn't want to disclose any information about Regina's past to Henry because it wasn't really her place to tell him, it was Regina's. "Besides, I don't think Emma even knows how to ride a horse."

"I could teach you if you want." David said with a smile on his face.

"Great! Can we go right now?! Henry said showing his excitement.

David couldn't help but laugh at the boy's response. "I have work and you have school kid, but afterwards.

"Alright, I guess I can wait till then."

"Go get your stuff Henry. You're going to be late." Snow said. And with that, Henry ran off to get his things leaving Snow and Charming to talk.

"You better check with Emma to see if it's okay to teach him to ride a horse." Snow said walking over to David.

"But he is our grandson. We should be able to teach him things without always asking for Emma's permission." Said David getting a little angry.

Snow pulled David closer to her, trying to keep him calm. "I know David, but things are still a little unsettled so we need to take things slow for a little while longer."

"Fine, but only for a little while." He said before pulling her in for a kiss. Henry came down the stairs all ready to go. David let go of Snow, they said their goodbyes and left.

Gold was in the back of his shop polishing some jewelry when he heard the bell to the front door go off. He headed to the front of the store to find Emma had just come through the front door.

"Miss Swan, I've been expecting you." He said walking behind the counter.

"Did you see me coming in your crystal ball?" Emma said as she began walking toward him.

"I beg your pardon?" He said with a confused look on his face.

"Never mind. Why did you want me to come by?" Emma asked impatiently.

"I need you to do something for me."

"Like what?"

"I need you to go to New York to help me find my son." Gold said.

"You have a son?" Emma asked with a shocked look on her face.

"That's not the point dearie." Gold replied.

"Look, Gold. I can't just up and leave. I have a job and a kid and…" Gold cut her off before she could finish.

"Miss Swan, you do remember the deal we made, don't you?" He asked knowing the answer already.

"Yea, but.." Emma couldn't finish her sentences without Gold interrupting. "You owe me a favor, and now it's time for you to repay it."

Emma rolled her eyes before agreeing to Gold's request. "Fine, but how am I going to know what he looks like?"

He simply replied, "I'll explain everything before you leave tomorrow."

"TOMORROW!?" she asked, not expecting to leave so soon.

"Yes dearie, tomorrow. Is that a problem?"

"I don't have a choice do I?" She asked already knowing the answer to her question.

"Not really."

"And what happens when he doesn't want to come back with me." Emma asked putting her hands on the glass counter top, leaning closer to Gold.

"You're a smart girl, you'll figure something out." He leaned on the counter top closer to Emma. "But do not return without my son. I don't care how long it takes, you will get him back here!" He was now so close to Emma she could feel his breath on her face.

Emma didn't say another word but she made it known to Gold that she was pissed before she left his shop. She didn't feel like going to New York nor did she feel like finding a needle in a hay stack but she made a deal and she knew she had to follow through, even if she didn't want too.

Henry came running through the door after school. He was so happy he was about to learn how to horseback ride that he couldn't contain his excitement.

"Where's David? Is he ready?!" Henry asked out of breath from running.

"David got caught up at the station. He told me to tell you that he was sorry and that he would take you over the weekend." Snow said trying to let Henry down easy not wanting to upset him. Henry put his head down in disappointment.

"I know how much you wanted to learn. I would teach you myself, but I have to go to Granny's. They need an extra hand down there. Will you be okay here by yourself?" Snow asked hoping he wouldn't be too upset about not going horseback riding.

"Some kids are hanging out at the playground. I think I might head there." Henry said not wanting to stay in an empty house with nothing to do. He had homework but didn't feel like doing that.

"Oh that's great! Sounds like fun. Would you like me to drop you off?" Snow asked as she was putting on her coat.

"Nah, I can use the exercise." Henry said flashing her a smile. Snow returned the smile before saying her goodbyes. As soon as Snow said David couldn't make it, he had formulated a plan in his head. He was going to head down to the stables and teach himself how to ride.

David was filling out paperwork when he heard Emma come in.

"Well I made it back in one piece." Emma said as she entered the room.

"Not funny, Emma!" David said giving her a stern look. "What did Gold want?"

"He wants me to go to NYC to find his son." Emma said as she sat down in the chair across from David.

"He has a son?" Asked David with a surprised look on his face.

"My thoughts exactly!" exclaimed Emma.

"Why do you have to go find him?" a confused David asked.

"I'm the only one that can cross the town line. Not to mention I owe him a favor. I leave tomorrow."

"That's awfully soon!"

"Yea, I'm not to thrilled about it either."

"Just be careful!"

Emma shot David a look. "I know, I know. I'm being the over-protective Dad, but someone's gotta do it." Said David still trying to be a parent to Emma without over doing it. Emma couldn't help but smile. She knew he was trying.

David suddenly remembered what Snow said about horseback riding so he decided to ask Emma before she left for NYC. "Would you mind if I teach Henry how to ride a horse while your away? He asked earlier."

"Nope, sounds good. Just make sure he's careful." David nodded and continued filling out his paperwork.

Henry arrived at the stables rather quickly. It took him about a half an hour on his bike. The stable owner helped him tack up his horse but that's all he was willing to do for the kid. Henry led the horse out to the field where he mounted the horse.

"Okay, I got this!" He said to himself as he sat on top of the horse. He was determined to get this horse riding thing down.

Henry wanted to get the horse moving so he pulled back on the reins thinking this would get the horse moving forward. He was wrong. The horse let out a 'neigh' and stood up on its hind legs. Henry was frightened. He couldn't hold on anymore and began falling backwards towards the ground. He closed his eyes bracing for impact. He felt like he'd been falling for a while when he finally opened his eyes to realize he was hovering in mid-air. He was confused and began looking around for an explanation.

"Mom?" He screamed out.

A young girl, about 15, came into view. She was responsible for saving Henry.

"Do I look like a mother to you?" the girl asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were my mom. She is the only one I know with magic other than Gold and Cora." Said Henry.

"You should never assume anything." Henry just stared at the girl until he realized he was still in the air.

"Could you put me down now?" he asked. He was only a foot off the ground when he found himself hitting the ground with a thud.

"Ow! I meant gently." Henry said rubbing is head.

"You didn't specify how you wanted to be put down."

"It was implied."

"You only assumed it was. You should really stop doing that." The girl said as she walked over to Henry. She held out her hand to help him up. Henry grabbed her hand and got to his feet.

"Thanks for saving me! I'm Henry."

"No problem. Just don't get used to it." She let a little laugh slip out and the end her sentence.

Her laugh reminded Henry of someone, but he couldn't put his finger on it. It wasn't just her laugh that seemed familiar to him, it was the girl herself. She was a tiny girl, about 5,0", long, dark, wavy hair. She was wearing black boots, red jeans and a black pea coat.

She was curious about this kid. "What are you doing out here by yourself anyway? You're like 9 and you clearly don't know how to ride a horse."

"I'm 11." He said. "And no one would teach me how to ride a horse so I decided to teach myself. Don't tell anyone I was here. I'll get in trouble."

"I won't say anything as long as you don't tell anyone about me having magic. Deal?" the girl asked hoping he would agree.

"Deal! But why don't you want people to know you have magic?" He didn't understand why someone with magic didn't want anyone to know they had it.

"I…I just…It's complicated." She didn't feel like explaining herself to a complete stranger and she didn't exactly trust this kid yet.

"I got time." He said hoping she would tell him her story.

She had other things to do then to tell this kid her life story. "Well I don't kid, but I'll tell you some other time. I gotta go."

"Well can we meet tomorrow? Same time, here?" He asked.

"Sounds great. C ya tomorrow!" She turned and started to run towards the woods when Henry screamed something to her.

"Wait! You never told me your name." He yelled.

She stopped and turned, screaming her name to him.

"It's Mandy!" she screamed and began running again. Henry watched, with a smile on his face, until she was out of sight! He had made a new friend. Sorta.

Please tell me what you all think. I would love some feedback.