He was dreaming. He knew it was a dream since he was in the Enchanted Forest, a place he hadn't been since he was young boy. He walked past the places he knew and felt a wave of nostalgia and loss. This had only been his home for a short while until he was transported to the real world.

And with that thought, his dream suddenly took him to the dreaded foster home he was placed in.

He saw himself as a young boy, pulling silly faces at baby Emma and being tempted away. His adult self walked over to Emma's crib to see her sleeping.

"Oh Emma. I'm so sorry." He whispered. The guilt he felt for leaving her was nothing compared to how he felt about sending her to jail.

Again his dream took him to another time. That night when he spoke to Neal. He saw himself convincing Neal to leave Emma for her own good. He hated himself for that. He had done it so that she could break the curse, but he knew he only cared about breaking his own curse.

Things were different now. He had been in Storybrooke long enough to care about Emma. He had tried so hard to convince her that she was the saviour, but she hadn't been ready to believe. And because of that, because of all his mistakes, he had turned to wood.

When he first started turning and by the time Emma had reached him, it was far too late. He was sure he was a goner.

But now he was dreaming and that surely meant that he was going to wake up. He willed himself to get up.

He opened his eyes to the familiar surroundings of his room at Granny's. He blinked and it felt heavy.

He looked down at himself and to his dismay, all he saw was wood. But if he was awake, that must mean that the curse was broken, just not for him.

"Emma, you did it!" He exclaimed to himself. At least she had believed, that was more important than himself right now.

He had to see her. He wasn't sure what her reaction would be to a giant wooden man, but he didn't care.

He wasn't ready to face anyone else just yet, but he could deal with Emma. He found her where he thought he would, at the Sheriff station and his luck would have it that she was by herself.

He knocked on the door and she opened it, not even bothering to look who it was.

"So, it seems you broke the curse."

"I know that voice." She smiled. "August." She looked up at him and gasped in horror. "But you're still wooden."

"Yes, apparently my curse is somewhat different to everyone else's."

"Well we have to get Blue Fairy! She might help."

"She helped me before, but I'm not sure it will work this time."

"We have to try." And with that, Emma grabbed her leather jacket and ran as fast as she could.

Whilst she was gone, August paced up and down as fast as his wooden legs would take him.

Emma arrived with Blue Fairy with her.

"Pinnochio!" She exclaimed. "This is worse than I thought."

"I wasn't brave, truthful and unselfish. I know you told me that's what I had to do, but I didn't. I left Emma alone in this world and I deserve punishment for that." He bowed his head in shame.

"Now wait a minute." Emma said, shaking her head. "August was the one who helped me believe. I mean I know I didn't believe him then, but now I know he was truthful. That's got to mean something right. Please, he deserves another chance."

The Blue Fairy pursed her lips. "I can give it a try. But Pinnochio, if this works, you have to promise that this time around you will be brave, truthful and unselfish."

"I promise."

And with a wave of her wand, Blue Fairy performed her magic.

He felt dazed for a moment, then opened his eyes.

Emma ran into his arms and hugged him. "Oh August, you're okay!"

He grinned his human smile at her. "So it seems!"

In that moment, she didn't care that the Blue Fairy was still there watching them, she kissed him full on the lips.

And that was all that he needed to start his new beginning.