Author's Note: It's high time I write some OUAT fanfiction, so be prepared guys. Things are going to get interesting. I figured I'd start off with a couple that has grown on me in a matter of two episodes. Enjoy, and leave a review!

Ariel and Eric

Storybrooke came into view for the second time in as many days. Ariel surfaced and hovered in the water, staring at the little town. Where would Eric be hiding? The redhead swam further up until she reached the shore then slipped on the enchanted clasp the Evil—Regina, had given her.

Today, there weren't any dwarfs lingering on a lunch break. As she rose from the water, Ariel couldn't stop smiling. She had been waiting years for this day. Finally, she could be with Eric.

That is if he still wants you. Ariel shook her head, getting rid of such a negative thought. Of course Eric would want her. He had to. She had known from the first time she saw him they were meant to be together. It just took a few extra years. She found where she stashed her clothes from before and hid behind a cluster of boulders to change. When she came out again, she looked . . . human. Ariel smoothed the green blouse and looked around, wondering where to start. Her stomach gurgled. Maybe Granny would let her in the diner now.

As the mermaid walked the streets of Storybrooke, she saw familiar faces from before. The town was a lot different than Atlantica. She missed her sisters. She should have warned them before she left.

You didn't have a choice. It was either this or never see Eric again. Ariel wrapped her arms around her waist as her damp hair blew in the breeze. She wished there was some sort of sign that would tell her Eric was nearby. She wondered if she would even recognize him without his princely attire. If he can remember me, I'll remember him for sure.

"Ariel!"

The mermaid looked behind her and saw Belle running down the sidewalk straight towards her. Ariel waited for Belle to catch up and, simultaneously, catch her breath.

"What," she gasped, "are you doing back? I thought you were with—with Regina and Rumple?"

"I was! I gave them the box, then Regina gave me this," she showed her friend the clasp from before. "I can have legs for as long as I want!" she giggled. "I can find Eric." Ariel clasped her wrist to her chest as another giggle passed her lips.

Belle grinned. "Oh Ariel, that's wonderful! I was worried something had gone wrong," she admitted. Belle placed her hands on Ariel's arms and gave them a squeeze. "I'm so happy you're back. I didn't realize how lonely I was until you had left!"

Ariel gave her friend a hug. "Then I'm really glad I made it." She pulled back and brushed aside some loose curls. "Do you think you can help me? I don't have a clue where Eric is and I need to find him."

"Of course! Do you mind if we go get lunch though? I was on my way from the office to Granny's for lunch."

"The office?"

Belle nodded as she looped her arm through Ariel's. "Didn't I tell you last time? With Regina gone, the people of Storybrooke elected me mayor until her return. Perhaps longer, depending on the condition she arrives back in."

"That's wonderful! I mean, not that I want too much harm to come to her, she did help me, in a way, but-"

Belle chuckled. "Don't worry, I know what you mean. Regina had be locked in a cell for 28 years. There isn't much lost love between us."

The girls arrived at the diner and were seated in a booth right by the window. There were a few people there, but no one Ariel recognized. Ariel settled against the red leather and glanced at the menu as Belle began to draw up a list of the men of Storybrooke. Ariel admired her efficiency. She could barely concentrate with her stomach gurgling so loudly. A waitress Belle called Ruby came up to take their order.

"I'll have the double cheeseburger with curly fries, please," Ariel said.

"I'll have my usual," said Belle as she stared at her list.

Ruby smirked. "Sure thing, Miss Mayor. We'll put this on your tab."

Belle chuckled. "I will pay that someday."

"You'd better, or Granny will have your hide mounted on the wall!"

Once the red girl was gone, Ariel glanced at Belle. "What's that all about?"

"It's a long story. I'll explain once we get our food. Now, on to business. I've drawn up a list of all the men in Storybrooke. Well, the ones I know are here at least. We've only been without the curse a few weeks and people are still trying to find family. It's been hectic to try and match people up with their Enchanted Forest names."

"What's your name?"

"Belle. When Regina locked me up, I never received a new name. I was kept so heavily medicated, I didn't know much of anything. I thought I had hallucinated my life with Rumple in the Enchanted Forest."

Ariel gasped. "That must have been awful!"

Belle shrugged. "Well, it certainly wasn't fun, but things are better now. Every day it's a little different, I learn more things about this new world, and knowing Rumple will come back makes it better," she smiled. "Anyway, what does Eric like to do? That might help figure out where we should search."

Ariel leaned on one of her hands. "Well, he was a prince. And I know he wanted to have adventures. He loved the sea." She sighed. "He wanted me to come on an adventure with him."

"Why didn't you?"

Ariel stared at the counter. "Regina. She took my voice. I—I couldn't tell him that I love him. That I wanted to come. He waited for me, Belle. He waited all that time, all morning," she trailed off. Belle reached over and covered Ariel's hand with hers.

"We'll find him, Ariel. I know we will." Their food was brought to the table and as Belle shoved a fry in her mouth, she scribbled what Ariel told her about Eric. "If it makes you feel any better, it's unlikely he's left. After the fiasco from the first few weeks, everyone has decided it's either Storybrooke or the Enchanted Forest."

"You'll go back there?"

"It was something Snow and Charming were thinking of, but we'll see what happens. Anyhow, if he still loves water, he might be working the docks. Do you want to check there after we eat?"

"Don't you have work to do?"

Belle shrugged. "The dwarfs have one thing right. With the Charmings gone, there isn't a lot to do as mayor besides make sure the town stays in one piece."

Ariel giggled. "I like them. The dwarfs, I mean. They seem nice."

"They are. They're like Snow's brothers in a way. It's nice to have a family."

Ariel agreed. "Don't you have one?"

"I have a father, but he did—he wasn't behaving like a father should. I haven't spoken to him in quite a while."

Ariel frowned. "I'm sorry. No wonder you felt lonely before."

Belle nodded. "Rumple is . . . he's one of the only people I have in my life that I can call family, truly. Besides Ruby of course," she smiled. "I hope he returns soon."

"I'm sure he will, now that he has the box."

As they ate their meal, Belle asked Ariel why she was so determined to find Eric. Ariel bit into her burger then wiped the corner of her mouth. "You'd do anything to find Rumple again, wouldn't you?"

Belle chuckled. "Good point."

"I just—I want to tell him I love him. Even if he doesn't love me back, I need to tell him. And I have to him the truth."

"The truth?"

Ariel blushed. "He doesn't know I'm a mermaid."

Belle's eyes widened. "How is that possible?"

Ariel sighed. "It's a long story. I didn't think he would—like me, you know? Like, if I told him I was a mermaid, he wouldn't want to be with me. And I couldn't stand being rejected like that, not back then."

"And now it's easier?"

"I've been without him for 28 years, Belle. I forced myself to be okay with it. I missed him every day. For years I've dreamt of telling him he's my true love, and I've had dreams where he's said it back and dreams where he hasn't. In the end, I still wake up and I still live. I know now I can live without him. So while I want to find him and be with him, I know that sometimes it doesn't work out like that."

Belle gave Ariel's hand another squeeze. "It will work out, Ariel. I promise. We'll find him. If you had told him back then, what would you have said?"

Ariel played with the hem of her skirt. "I would have told him . . . that I was willing to do anything to be with him. And that, that I love him. I saved him, and I didn't regret anything since then, even if it meant I couldn't return to Atlantica or . . . or-"

"Or what?"

Ariel turned towards the voice and saw a man standing in front of the table with his hands stuffed in his jeans pockets. Her eyes widened. "Eric?" she whispered.

The prince nodded. "You're pretty good at speeches, better than you are at dancing," he said with a nervous smile.

Her mouth hung open as she tried to find something to say. Finally, as a tear coursed down her cheek, she smiled. "I found you." She pushed herself to her feet and flung her arms around Eric's neck. His arms wove around her back, pressing her close against his chest. He smelt of salt and seaweed with a hint of raspberries. Just like I imagined.

Suddenly, she pulled back and stared up at him wide-eyed. "I'm a mermaid," she confessed.

Eric chuckled. "I heard."

"And that doesn't bother you?"

He shook his head. "It'll take a little getting used to, I mean, not every prince finds himself in love with a mermaid, but as long as it doesn't bother you, then I think it's grand."

Her jaw dropped again. "You love me?"

He chuckled. "Isn't it obvious?"

She giggled. "I suppose it is." She glanced at Belle. "Thank you," she whispered.

Belle grinned. "I hardly did a thing, but you're welcome." She got to her feet. "I'm going to head back to the office. Do you have a place to stay for the night?"

"No, I don't." Eric started to protest, but she placed a hand on his chest. "Eric, I love you, but to be honest, we just met. Again. Maybe moving in together is a bit . . . fast?"

Eric pouted. "I suppose you're right. Twenty-eight years is a long time to be without you, that's all." As she was about to promise to visit him every day, the town shook. Belle grabbed onto the table as Eric laced his arms around Ariel's waist, keeping her steady. Granny uttered a curse and called for Ruby from the back.

"What in the world is going on now?"

Belle looked out the window and squinted. Suddenly, her eyes widened. "They're back!"

Ariel saw it too. "They did it!"

"Did what? Who?" Eric asked. She followed Belle and the others out to door towards the docks, dragging Eric behind her. She saw Captain Hook's ship coming towards the shore. She gave Eric's hand a squeeze and smiled up at him.

"They saved Henry. The Charmings, Rumplestiltskin, the Evil Queen, Emma, Neal," she pointed to the ship, "and Captain Hook, of course."

Eric nodded. "So crazy has just come back to town?"

"It's a good crazy," she insisted. "You don't mind crazy, do you?"

Eric shook his head and kissed her forehead. "No," he muttered. "Not at all."

Ariel leaned against Eric's side as she watched the ship come in. Welcome home, everyone.