A.N.: It's been a long time since I've written anything but after the second season of Once Upon a Time started, I felt the need to get back into it so here I am! This story is all done it just needs to be posted. I have been working on this for about a year now (around the time Once season two began) and it has gone through three rewrites. I didn't get a clear cut idea about how I wanted it written until half way through the second rewrite where I changed the POV completely and started all over from the beginning. I feel very proud of this and I enjoyed the three rewrites. I hope you enjoy the final product just as much as I enjoyed the process to get it done. Read and please review! I love hearing constructive criticism just as much as I love hearing that people loved reading what I wrote :)

Chapter One: The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen stood on her balcony overlooking the large lake that spread far into the horizon behind her castle. Her intense ice blue eyes stared at the sun slowly falling towards that line where the sky and water met seamlessly. The She-Fae had seen many worlds and had memorized the long stretches of forests, lakes, and fields of the Enchanted Forest, yet this one lake had always remained a mystery to her since the day she became queen over three hundred years ago. What frustrated the dark brown haired beauty was that she could not travel anymore. She was trapped in this castle because of a curse. She could leave but a need to return to the Snow Palace would grow within the longer she stayed away. Rumors were that staying away too long would drive her absolutely mad as a hatter; something she had no desire for.

She glanced down at her gloved hands and let out a sigh. She missed traveling and seeing the worlds. She was once under the protection of the Lilac Fairy before things went all wrong and she ended up a queen. The Snow Queen had had many adventures since coming to the throne, but they weren't as thrilling or as lasting as the ones she had as a child. A deal with a dark wizard had cost her all of that; a mistake she never forgot.

"Spring will be here soon, Milady," a voice that could only be described as gentle as the first snow fall sounded from behind the queen. She glanced behind her and saw her faithful companion, Jack Frost. The Winter Fae were all white as snow with even whiter hair and grey eyes, but Jack seemed to have an extra shimmer to his presence. He had been a changeling before becoming Fae and now he worked as a team with the other Winter Fae to bring beauty to the snowy season. Like all the younger Fae under her rule, he viewed her like a mother and she viewed him as her own son. Jack Frost, who somehow managed to balance his duties and his practical jokes perfectly, was secretly the Queen's favorite but she never spoke it out loud.

Jack Frost came and stood beside his queen as her gaze returned slowly to the horizon. He frowned slightly upon seeing her wince in pain. Spring was indeed coming, she knew, for the pain in her chest which emanated throughout her entire body was slowly beginning to thaw like the snow on the harden ground. It was her curse and she had learned to bear it and hide a majority of the pain from the other Fae. Yet, no amount of schooling an expression could stop the occasional wince when an unexpected jab occurred.

"Jack," The Queen gently touched the ice crown on her head, "Be sure Rose Blossom knows how much time we have left so she can prepare the Spring Fae for the transition. You know the drill."

"Yes, Milady," Jack smiled brightly as he started to go, no doubt excited to see his friend after a busy Winter season. The abrupt stop of his footsteps caused his queen to turn. Floating like a bubble in front of him was a crystal orb.

"It seems Rumplestiltskin wishes for an audience," She murmured as she held her hand out for the glass ball. He had only visited the castle once after she became queen but since then whenever he wished to see her, he sent a crystal. The Snow Queen knew what to do from there.

"You're not really going to go, are you?" Jack broke the formality for just a spilt second; a habit he had always had since becoming a Fae.

"I don't have much of a choice, Jack," The Queen stared at the crystal as she vanished before the other Fae and appeared in a forest. The glass orb popped into a shower of glittery sand.

The She-Fae grimaced. The one thing she hated about the crystals was the amount of glitter they created when shattered. It got everywhere and never seemed to completely leave. She brushed as much as she could off her light blue gown and white leather gloves; the glitter burrowing into the white fur of her outfit. She then took a moment to figure out where she was exactly. Judging from the fog and gloomy atmosphere, she was in the Infinite Forest.

"You're late, dearie," A high pitched voice sounded from behind her. The Queen knew that voice all too well and couldn't help but smile as much as the pain would allow.

"It was your crystal, Rumplestiltskin," She leaned on her tall staff, happy she had thought to grab it before taking the crystal; "And I happen to always arrive precisely at the moment I intend. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"What else?" He chuckled, "A deal!"

"I have no more deals with you, Dark One," The Fae frowned and stood a little taller in defiance, "I have learned my lesson and have paid the price every Winter every year for over three hundred years."

"Bitterness doesn't suite you, Lila," The Dark One smirked, "You best put the past behind you."

Lila couldn't help but burst into laughter. Her ice blue eyes flashed and glowed before the curse reminded her of the pain in her chest. Her laughter died down soon after but she held a smirk on her face as she looked at the gold man before her. Every time she saw him, he appeared more gold and reptile like in appearance. She couldn't imagine him any other way though. He was just like a snake, slivering in and out of loopholes in the deals he made. The tall, thin Fae absolutely found it appalling that he could ruin so many lives and feel no remorse. The only remorse he felt was for losing his son, Baelfire, all those years ago.

"That's rich; coming from you, Rumple," Lila smirked, "The deal was my life for another's. This curse makes me wish you had taken my life."

"There are many fates worse than death, Lila," He quoted something she had told him a long time ago. There was a mocking tone to it and it set the female Fae on edge.

She said nothing though to retort. Sometimes it was best to just keep your mouth closed and your thoughts to yourself especially when discussing something with the Dark One. He'd find a way to use it against you before you even realized what was happening.

Rumplestiltskin took a step closer to the Snow Queen, examining her. He found himself somehow reminded of his son, Bae. While her eyes were a completely different color, they had the same big and round shape as Baelfire's dark brown orbs. Her long dark chocolate locks were the same color as his as well; at least when the sun didn't shine. Then her hair matched the same shade of her mother's long locks. Seeing Lila standing before him, all grown up, and not knowing how Bae looked grown up created a sadness that he quickly hid under all his layers of leather. He suddenly realized he had been looking at her for too long.

"You're crown is melting," He simply stated before walking past her. The pain of losing Baelfire was almost as fresh as it had been the day it had happened roughly three hundred years ago. Even after taking his anger out of the pirate he viewed responsible for the events leading up to Bae's disappearance, Rumplestiltskin found no hope of recovery. And while he still blamed his wife and the pirate she ran off with for what had happened, he had focused only on getting his son back. That was the only thing important in this magical world.

"The deal, Rumple," Lila was growing impatient with him, "What is it?"

The Dark One turned and smiled that awful golden grin of his. With a high pitched giggle, he held up another crystal and tossed it to the Snow Queen. Out of habit, she caught it and gazed into its misty haze. She saw purple smoke and the Evil Queen. Lila recalled the vision she had had of Queen Regina threatening Snow White and Prince James.

"So Regina really is going to cast the Dark Curse," She murmured as she brushed even more sand from her bustled dress, "Looks like you'll get to be reunited with your son after all."

"Yes," He smiled gleefully, "But don't worry! I made the curse breakable!"

"By the product of True Love," She nodded, knowing full well of his plan, "Not bad Rumple. I'm actually impressed."

"For once?" He titled his head, knowing that there was a time when she was easily impressed by his cleverness. Those days were long gone. "There is a little snag, however."

Lila blinked a few times before placing her free hand on her hip, waiting for him to continue. Once she had been told that she would do great things in her life; a destiny of some sort. She had always brushed it off and to this day she didn't think much of it. And she didn't see how being involved in the breaking of a curse was necessarily a destiny unless you were the one to break the curse. From the tone in Rumple's voice, Lila got the feeling she would be needed after the curse was broken; the aftermath.

"And once the curse is broken," The Dark One explained, "I want you, dearie, to come to this world without magic and bring everyone back home."

Bringing everyone home was hardly a destiny in Lila's mind. This curse was going to affect the balance in the world. It was the job of the Fae to maintain that balance and therefore it was naturally Lila's job to bring everyone home to restore balance to the Enchanted Forest. However, there was one problem with Rumplestiltskin's plan.

"The Dark Curse is going to affect everyone in the land and take them to this world without magic," She leaned forward, "My magic won't be strong enough to stop my people going over as well. Not until Winter at least."

"I remember very well, my dear," He smirked, "Luckily for you, Regina will cast the curse during the snowy season."

"You can guarantee that?" She spoke skeptically. Even with her gift of foresight, she could not see when each season would appear exactly. She didn't see how the Dark One could especially when considering that the idea of the Dark Curse hadn't even been planted in Regina's mind yet.

The imp didn't say a word in response. He merely giggled, sounding half crazed, before turning his back to the Snow Queen. He moved to sit on a fallen tree and watched her; waiting.

"You said you wanted to make a deal," She finally spoke, "If I go and bring everyone back home, what's in it for me?"

Another crazed giggle sounded from the golden man as he stood up. Within seconds, he was inches away from her face. Lila crinkled her nose slightly as she inhaled his scent. It reminded her of that dark part of the woods no one ever wanted to be caught dead in the night. Ever since the day she first met him, she had sensed the good in him but that scent had always made her question that judgment call. She desperately wanted to put a good distance between them when he got this close.

"I'll give you back your freedom," He finally spoke with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"You'll break the Ice Curse?" The brunette felt her jaw hang open in shock. It wasn't like Rumplestiltskin to void one deal with another unless it was in his best interest.

"Well, I'll tell you how to break it," He smirked, "Once you break it, you will be free."

"So it's the knowledge that is your end of the bargain," Lila confirmed, "I'd take the deal if I knew for a fact that the Fae wouldn't go back to their old ways. It's taken quite some time to get them to evolve from the careless nymphs they once were."

"They won't devolve, dearie," Rumple responded, "Of that, I am absolutely sure."

Queen Lila closed her mouth and eyed the Dark One suspiciously before taking a few steps back. She needed to be able to breathe again without feeling the need to run away. The imp crossed his arms in front of him.

"And you can appoint whoever you wish to succeed you as King or Queen of the Fae," Rumplestiltskin added suddenly.

The Fae took in a sharp breath. She had a feeling that whoever succeeded her would be put under the same curse she was under now. It was something she did not wish unto anyone. Once she had temporarily placed someone under it so that they could understand her pain. She never understood why she had done such a thing but before she could stop herself, she had done it. They were only under it for a few seconds but they couldn't believe she had dealt with that for years every time snow fell on the ground. She would have to find a way around Rumplestiltskin putting the Ice Curse on her successor somehow. There would be time for that after she brought everyone back home though.

"You got yourself a deal, Rumplestiltskin," Lila held her hand out upon realizing he had a few loopholes in his deal. He had taught her long ago to avoid those but in his haste to ensure his plan with the Dark Curse succeeded, he didn't double check the fine print and it was going to cost him like it had cost her. The imp didn't even notice as he shook her hand, sealing the deal. And with that, he turned away to leave. However, the Snow Queen wasn't quite done yet.

"Magic works differently there, Rumple," She called after him, "The chances that I will be able to bring everyone back here are very slim. We may end up stuck there forever."

"Oh, you'll find the strength and the way, dearie," He turned with a grin on his scaled face, "You always do when you are in the greatest need."

His voice echoed all around her as he and the Infinite Forest vanished around her. She spun around and found herself back in the marble throne room of the Snow Palace. Rumplestiltskin's plotting grin was replaced with Jack Frost's worried eyes.

"What did he want?" Jack rushed up to his queen to be sure she was alright. Lila held up a hand before giving him her staff.

"A deal," She simply stated before returning to her balcony and the lake view. She already knew the first thing she was going to do when she was free from her own curse. She was going to see what lied beyond the horizon where the lake kissed the sky. The sun was almost out of sight by now and night was creeping across the Enchanted Forest. She let out a sigh as she recalled the traveling she used to do when she was a child. She missed seeing other worlds very much indeed.

Miles away from the Snow Palace, where the lake finally met the sea, The Jolly Roger suddenly resurfaced, returning from Neverland. As the salt water rolled off the deck and returned to where it belonged, William Smee took of his red cap and rung it out. Carefully placing it back on his head, he walked the length of the deck towards the captain's quarters. Knocking before entering, Smee pushed the door open and poked his head in. The room was darker than usual due to the sun being below the horizon and the fact that his captain had not bothered lighting any of the lanterns or candles. Squinting, the stout man could just make out the dark form of his captain at his desk. He had his feet resting on the desk and was leaning back in his chair, his hand and hook resting on his stomach. His eyes were closed but the other man knew he was wide awake.

"Captain?" Smee cleared his throat, "We're back at the Enchanted Forest."

"Thank you, Mister Smee," a deep voice pierced the darkness, "Set course for the port closest to the Dark Palace. I have business with Queen Regina."

William Smee nodded before closing the door with a light click. Captain Hook slowly lifted his head and opened his blue eyes. He fixed his gaze at his black booted feet. He had been in deep thought before Smee interrupted him. He was getting closer to his revenge; he could feel it. They had gone to Neverland for a little while to repay a favor and now, with the information given to him by a Time Wizard, he only had one more step till he got to skin his crocodile.

With a smirk, he swung his long legs off the desk and back to the floor. He picked up and folded the sketch of Milah he kept on him at all times. He then grabbed his black leather coat as he rose from the chair. The pirate stopped in front of a floor length mirror to put on the jacket; pocketing the sketch. As he took in his appearance, he recalled the changeling of Everdeen and her comment about his black attire. The smirk dropped from his face. Why had he thought of that girl all of a sudden after all these years? It had been roughly three hundred years ago when he met her; Milah's death still quite fresh in his mind. She had shown him compassion and understanding and had been very helpful to him only to be taken away from him. He shook his head to physically free him of the memories that followed thinking of her. The crocodile had been inches away from him and the changeling had stopped any fight from happening. She had actually gone with the monster. He wouldn't say that she went willingly but it wasn't reluctantly either.

He recognized too well that he needed someone like her in his life whether he was going after his revenge or not; she had been a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. She had sparked recognition in him as soon as he had made eye contact with her. She somehow reminded him of who he used to be before revenge took over his life. She had managed to awaken Killian Jones with almost no effort. He had spent months trying to find her again; where she had been stolen away but it was to no avail. And while revenge had consumed him, he had slowly forgotten about her; until now.

Captain Hook let out a laugh and shook it off as merely a coincidence and didn't mean anything. That changeling girl was most definitely dead, pulled back into the earth to become an unseen spirit of nature. Straightening his collar, the captain took three strides to his door and stepped out onto the deck of his beloved ship. He couldn't think about the past now; after all he had a crocodile to skin.