Chapter 1

"The wardrobe..." All colour faded quickly from Snow White's face. "It only takes one."

"Then our plan has failed... At least we're together."

"You have to take her Charming... We have to give her her best chance."

"No..." Tears fell down Prince Charming's cheek.

"We have to believe she'll come back for us." Snow kissed her baby girl's forehead. "Goodbye Emma..." She handed her off to her husband. The pain was unbearable. She broke down endless streams of tears falling from her eyes as she let her only child go.

Charming looked into his baby girl's eyes as he set her in the wardrobe and kissed her forehead "Find us..." Closing the doors...

"WAIT!"

He turned around to see his wife's good friend Red standing there. "I just got word. Rumplestilskin has locked the queen up. He was going along with the curse so he could reunite with his son but he's found another way to find him... I'm not too late?"

Charming's jaw drop as he panickly turned around the doors were half closed. He opened them and was overwhelmed with joy when he saw his baby girl lying there crying. He picked her up and held her tightly kissing her forehead. The baby immediately stopped crying in her daddy's arms.

Charming hurried back up to the master bedroom standing in the doorway watching his wife crying into her pillow. "Snow..." he said softly. She turned around looking up at them and relief filled her face. He walked over and handed her their daughter and the three of them embraced as he told her the good news.

Rumplestilskin walked towards Regina's jail cell and laughed. "Well dearie, how does it feel? My old cell. Remember its enchanted, there's no breaking out!" He chuckled again.

"Oh I will get out. If it's the last thing I do. Snow White is going to pay."
"Is that so?" Rumple smirked. "How will you do that dearie?"

"By taking away what she loves most. That little brat of hers. Some day, some how she will pay for all this misery she has caused me."

12 Years Later

Emma screamed and ran into her parents room crying. "Mom! Daddy!"

They opened their eyes, hoping to sleep in. "What's wrong Emma?"

"NEAL! He's the worse brother ever! Why couldn't you give me a sister? He coloured all over my dress. This is supposed to be my first ball! I can't go now."

Snow rolled out of bed then sat on the bed with her twelve year old. "Emma, I'm sure we can fix it. We have all day, it's only 6am."

"If not, we can get you another one." Charming stood up and put his robe on.

"No, I loved this dress."

"Okay well let's go see it." Snow took Emma's hand and the three of them went to speculate. Red drawings were all over her light blue dress.

"Oh that'll come out easily honey." they heard chuckling from the hallway. Prince Neal was watching them.

"As for you young prince..." Charming ushered his 10 year old son to come in. "No horse back riding for a week. You don't colour on your sister's clothes."

"No horse back riding? But Dad..."

"No buts... and stay out of trouble tonight. It's your sister's first ball and you're staying with Johanna."

"Johanna? She's so boring, she always wants to play chinese checkers and always falls asleep."

"Just stay out of my room!" Emma pushed her little brother.

"Emma stop. If you keep that up you're not going to the ball young lady." Snow said sternly to her.

Emma's jaw dropped. "Ok I'm sorry Neal."

"Well since we're up lets go eat." Charming messed up Neal's hair.

"Stop it!" Emma turned to Charming. "Neal just kicked me."

Neal whispered "Tattle tale."

Snow shook her head "Can't you two get along for just one day?"

"NO!" They both said at the same time.

"One day you'll both learn to appreciate each other."

Johanna served them one coffee and three hot chocolates. Snow poured cinnamon on her children's hot chocolates and then on her own. Charming poured milk and sugar into his coffee.

"Mom, do you think I should wear my hair up or down tonight?" Emma pulled her hair up messily in her hand then dropped it down. Tangles going this way and that.

Snow laughed and lifted Emma's chin. "I'll play with it later, but I think you should wear it up so we can see your beautiful face."

Neal yawned and looked at his dad. "Boooring!"

Charming laughed "You'll learn to like balls too one day."

"No I won't."

Snow put one last flower pin into Emma's hair then kissed her daughter's forehead as they stared at the looking glass. Tears filled Snow's eyes. "You're growing up so fast."

"Not fast enough..." Emma complained.

"Cherish these moments Emma, I know I do. A lot of children aren't as lucky as you and Neal."

Emma rolled her eyes.

Snow looked into her daughters eyes then pulled her in tight. "I love you so much."

Emma's eyes started welling up too. "I hope I'm as pretty as you when I grow up momma."

Snow pulled away and cupped Emma's face in her hands. "You are the most beautiful princess in all the lands."

Emma walked up to her old nursery and saw her dad standing in there. "Daddy?"

Charming turned around and looked at his daughter. "I can't believe this day is here. I remember your first night in here. And now look at you. You are so beautiful." Charming held his daughter tight.

"Daddy... I'm kind of nervous. What if I trip or something?"

He ran his hand along her cheek. "You have nothing to be nervous about."

"Can we have just one more practice before we leave?"

Charming smiled and nodded. "There's nothing I would want more." Emma climbed on her dad's feet and the two danced together.

"You found it?"

"Indeed. And you'll give me what I want in return?"

Regina nodded. "You found your way back from Wonderland, huh?"

The mad hatter nodded. "I got what you wanted from the Queen of Hearts, once I give it to you and you are free, you get my daughter back."

"That's the deal." She reached her hand out and he gave her a scroll. She blew on it and the words flews towards the bars and melted them. She walked through.

"Ok lets go get my daughter."

"Not just yet..." She shooted her hand at his chest and pulled his heart out. "We have a ball to attend first." She grinned.

Charming took Emma and Snow by the arm and led them up the stairs to King Stephen's castle which wasn't too far from their own. King Stephen and his wife were there to greet them. Emma and Snow curtsied and Charming bowed. "Good evening. One of my men will see you to your seat."

Emma whispered something in Snow's ear. "It's okay, you can ask him."

Emma blushed and said shyly "Is Aurora here?"

Stephen smiled. "Yes she and her mother are on their way down. We're going to announce some people then you two can meet up. Merida should be here soon too."

Charming, Snow and Emma took their seats. They mingled with other couples who walked by. Emma watched all the women in their beautiful gowns and the men in their fancy suits in awe.

"Good evening." A tall brunette woman approached the table, wearing a long black dress and a tiara on her head, and a young red headed boy was standing with her who caught Emma's eye.

"Good evening." Snow offered the woman a hand shake. "I don't believe we've met before. I'm Snow White. And this is my husband David, and our daughter Emma."

"Very pleased to make your aquaintance. I am Queen Astrid of the Southern Isles. And this is my son Prince Hans, he wanted to come over to meet your daughter." Emma looked at her parents and blushed then looked back at Hans.

Hans bowed and smiled at Emma. He took her hand and kissed it. "Very nice to meet you. Save me a dance later?"

Emma's face went beat red and she nodded.

Snow smiled at them then looked at Astrid. "This is Emma's first ball."

"So they must be the same age of 12. This is Hans first ball as well." Astrid grinned.

Charming was really quiet studying Hans.

Sounds of a fork tapping on a glass quieted the voices in the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you could take your seats." One of Stephen's servants announced. Everyone sat down and as Hans walked away he winked at Emma. She blushed but Charming was squeezing his fist under the table." I present to you King Stephen and Queen Leah." They both walk in holding hands. "And their daughter, Princess Aurora." A young girl the same age as Emma walks in shyly wearing a lavender coloured gown, wavy brown hair to her shoulders. She stood beside her parents.

"Welcome everyone. This is a very special ball for us. This is Aurora's very first ball. Among some other young princes and princesses who are attending for the first time. We have Princess Merida with her parents King Fergus and Queen Elinor from the Scottish highlands." Everyone applauded for spunky little Merida, her wild wavy red hair wearing a navy blue dress. "We have Prince Phillip with his parents King Hubert and Queen Sharon from our neighbour kingdom." Everyone applauded for the handsome young prince. "We have Princess Emma here with her parents King David and Queen Snow from the Enchanted forest." Everyone applauded for Emma, Charming smiled at her and winked, and Snow put her arm around her. "We have Prince Hans with his mother Queen Astrid from the Southern Isles." Everyone applauded and Hans kept looking over at Emma, Charming was watching him sternly. Other young princes and princesses from all over were announced and applauded for. Then food was served and the dancing began.

Hans made his way over to Emma. "How about that dance?" He held his hand out for her. Emma looked at her parents then took Hans hand and the two joined the dance floor.

Snow beamed. "They are so cute."

"Come on... lets dance." Charming pulled Snow quickly onto the dance floor keeping close to Hans and Emma.

"Whoa... you know I love to dance but..."
Charming kept watching Hans and Emma closely.

"Are you okay? You don't seem like yourself."

"I don't trust that boy. Something is off."

Snow laughed. "Hans? He's a perfect gentleman for such a young age."

"No..." Charming shook his head still watching them. "Something isn't right."

"Are you sure you don't just feel like she's growing up? It's her first crush. She's not leaving us. You're still number one in her life."

"No its more than that."

Neal took a sip of his hot chocolate and cinnamon as he waited for Johanna to take her turn. Whenever they played chinese checkers she would take ten minutes just to move one piece.

"Your turn Johanna."

"Hmm" Johanna rubbed her forehead then finally took her turn. Neal took his turn right away. "Your turn." He looked across and saw Johanna's eyes closed and she was snoring. "Your turn! Johanna, Johanna... YOUR TURN!" Johanna just kept snoring. Neal sighed. He thought about what his dad said about no horse back riding for a week. But Neal was just plain bored. Why should a young prince have to sit there all evening watching his nanny sit there snoring while his white steed Maximus was sitting all alone in the stables? Neal looked at Johanna and thought about it another minute. "I'm outta here!" He knew there were other people around the castle so he would have to sneak out. He left Johanna in the common room and sneaked passed the two maids talking in the hallway and got to his room. He tied a bunch of blankets together and tied it to his bed post and dropped the other end out his window. He picked up his favourite stuffed bear off his bed. "Don't look at me that way Pooh bear. Its boring here tonight. I want to have some fun too." He put his bear at the end of his bed then climbed out the window.

Astrid tapped Snow on the shoulder. "May I steal your husband for one dance?"

Snow smiled. "Yes I think thats a good idea."

Charming looked startled but wanted to be polite and bowed. They started to dance.

"Our children are adorable. Hans has been looking forward to this for months."

Charming nodded. "So has Emma." He wasn't taking his eyes off them, half paying attention to Astrid.

"Oops." Astrid looked down. "I think I lost my shoe back there." Charming looked down at her feet and saw she was indeed missing a shoe, then looked back at the crowd.

He nodded. "I will go find it." He went over through the crowd and was able to spot it. He returned and she smiled. "You are quite the gentleman." She stook her foot out indicating she wanted him to put it on for her. He bent down and did so. He stood up and looked around.

"Where did they go?"

She tried dancing with him more. "Where did who go?"

He pulled away from her. "Hans and Emma."

"Oh they probably went to join the other kids on the balcony."

Neal tapped on the window of a small cabin. "Hansel? Hansel?" His buddy walked over to the window and opened it rubbing his eyes.

"Neal?" He yawned.

"Wanna go on an adventure Hansel?"

"Right now?"

"Yeah. Its my sister's first ball and I wanna have some fun." He smiled.

Neal and Hansel rode up to King Stephen's castle on Maximus and ran over to the window. "Look there she is. Got the eggs ready?"

"Yep." Hansel handed one to Neal and they walked up closer.

"Wait they're coming out on the balcony with the other kids." They ducked down low.

Emma hugged her best friends Merida and Aurora and introduced them to Hans. Then Aurora introduced her to Philip. Neal watched as they laughed and Emma was having such a good time. Neal got ready to throw the egg at his sister but then dropped it. She looked so beautiful and so happy he just couldn't do it.

"Whats wrong?" Hansel looked confused. Neal was always playing pranks on his sister.

"Uh... You're right it is late. It's passed your bed time, we should get going."

"You dragged me out here for nothing?"

"I love your dress." Aurora told Emma.

"I love yours too. And yours Merida."

"I missed seeing you at archery practice last week Emma." Merida frowned.
Emma sighed. "I know... I don't really like it. I prefer sword fighting. My Dad was teaching Neal and he let me join in. I feel bad, my mom loves archery."
"You should tell her, I'm sure she'd understand."

Aurora, Philip and Merida went back into the ballroom and saw Charming. "Where's Emma? Thought she went to see you kids."

"She did, she's still out there with Hans."

Hansel giggled. "Your sister's got a boyfriend."

"Eew gross!"

Emma smiled at Hans. "This is fun."

"Yes especially since you're here." He grinned. "Have you heard of Neverland?"

Emma laughed. "Yeah but it's not real. Kids at school talk about it."

"It is real. You should come with me. No parents. No rules."

"But I love my parents."

"Come on." He grabbed her hand but she pulled it away.

"Hans you're scaring me."

He grabbed her hand again and yelled "I BELIEVE!" Peter Pan's shadow started charging towards them. Emma was struggling to let loose but it was drawing near.

"NOO!" Neal charged over and pushed Hans away from Emma and grabbed his sister's hand trying to pull her away but the shadow grabbed both Emma and Neal by the arm and whisked them away.

Moments later Charming finally reached the balcony. "Emma? EMMA?" He looked down and saw Hansel sitting there rocking back and forth in shock. Charming bent down to his level. "Hansel? What are you doing here? Have you seen Emma? Or that boy she was with?"

"The... the... shadow."
"Shadow? What do you mean?"

"Took her... and Neal."

"Neal? You came here with Neal?"

"What's going on?" Snow rushed out with King Stephen and some others. "We heard screaming." Her jaw dropped. "Emma came out here with Hans. Where is she? Why is Hansel here?"

"He said he came here with Neal and a shadow took him and Emma."

"A shadow? What?" She bent down to look at Hansel. "Tell us what happened sweetie."

King Stephen went back inside and gathered some men together. "I don't fully understand what happened just that my good friends' children are missing. Get a team together and start searching."

Snow rubbed Hansel's arm. "It's okay buddy. Please tell us what happened. It will help Neal and Emma."

He started crying. "We came to play another prank on Emma. We were going to throw eggs at her." He showed them the eggs. "I'm sorry please don't punish Neal."

Snow shook her head "That is the last thing we're worried about right now."

"But he dropped the egg. Said it was getting late but I think he felt bad because Emma was having so much fun."

Charming nodded. "Go on."

"Emma's friends went inside. All except that boy I don't know. He had red hair."

Snow looked at Charming and her eyes welled up.

"He started talking about Neverland. A lot of kids talk about it. He wanted Emma to go with him. Said there's no rules and no parents there. But she didn't want to leave her parents. He grabbed her and she tried to pull away. Then he yelled 'I believe' and this... it was..." He started crying some more.

"It's ok you can tell us."

"It was so dark. It was a shadow it came so fast. Neal screamed and ran over. He pushed that other kid out of the way and tried to pull Emma away but it took both of them. And a lady came out and it was like magic... there was purple smoke and they both disappeared."

Snow looked to Charming "Magic..." she turned to Hansel "Thank you. We'll find someone to take you home."

The shadow dropped Emma and Neal down on an island then flew away.

"Where are we?" Neal looked like he was about to cry and looked scared.

"I... I don't know... What were you doing at the ball?"

"I... um..."

"You saved me..." She gave a half smile but then hit him in the arm. "What's wrong with you? You shouldn't be here. You should be at home safe with Johanna."

"I was bored."

"Bored? Well are you bored now? I don't know about you but I'm scared out of my wits. And I'm in a dress and fancy shoes." She took her shoes off and threw them in the water. "How are we going to get home?"

"I don't know... I don't even know where we are."

"Well I can help you there." They turned around and saw a blonde haired boy standing there. Emma stood in front of Neal unsure whether to trust him. "Welcome to Neverland."

"Well... what is Neverland? Who are you?"

"The name's Peter Pan. You should come join us at our camp."

"Are you kidding? The last time I trusted a boy I don't know I ended up here."

"This is a place where there are no rules. No adults... well except pirates. And you never have to grow up."

"We want to go home."

He smirked "There is no way off this island."

"Well... our parents will find us."

"What kind of fairy tale land have you been living in? Parents don't care about their children."

"Well ours do."

"Then you my friends are deceived."

Emma grabbed Neal's hand. "Run Neal!" They ran and Peter Pan just stood there grinning.

Charming and Snow stormed into Rumplestilskin's house and saw Belle sitting there reading. "May I help you?"

"Where is he? We need to see Rumplestilskin." Charming said out of breath.

"Why?"

"Because our children are missing and we don't know who else to go to." Snow cried and Charming put his arm around her.

Belle put her book down and walked over. "I'm so sorry." She put her hand on Snow's shoulder.

"And why have you come to me?" They looked up and saw Rumple on the staircase.

Charming walked over. "Because they were taken away by some shadow to a place called Neverland."

Rumple paused a moment. "Neverland?"

"Yes. And we need to get there."

He looked down to his feet. "Nope not going back there."

"Back there? So you've been there?"

"Yes... my son is there."

"Is he following us?" Emma and Neal started slowing down.

Neal looked behind them "I don't think so."

Emma pointed. "look it's a ship! Maybe it can take us home."

"Is there anyone on there?"

"I don't know... lets just stick together."

Neal held onto Emma's hand. "Don't think that I like you or nothing. It's just..."

"I know..." Emma squeezed Neal's hand and half smiled.

They creeped up to the ship and heard some singing. They looked at each other then climbed on board.

Emma swallowed hard. "Hello?" The singing stopped. Then they heard footsteps coming towards them. The door flung open and there stood a pirate taking down some rum and grinning. He had long dreadlocks and a little red hat.

"More children coming on the Black Pearl I see." He wiped some sweat off his upper lip and with the same hand offered a hand shake and the kids looked grossed out just staring at his sweaty hand. "The name's Captain Jack Sparrow."

Emma and Neal looked at each other. "Can you take us home. We're lost."

He laughed. "You and every other kid on this island."

"There's more kids?"

He took another swig of rum. "Yep all under Pan's trance."

Emma shook her head. We want to get home to the Enchanted Forest. Please help us."

"Don't you see? Noone leaves this island. Not without Pan letting them..."

"Then how do we get Pan to let us go?"

"You can't. He won't let you leave." He started to walk away.

"No, there has to be a way."

"Well... you'd have to sway one of his dragons." then Captain Jack Sparrow collapsed on the floor.

"Dragons? What? What do you mean? Wake up. Tell us what you mean."

"Well done my little pet." Astrid and Hans walked through the forest. "We'll stay in that cabin for tonight. Just until I can get my castle back." Astrid transformed herself back to who she truly is, the evil queen. Then she transformed Hans back into the mad hatter.

"When do I get my heart back?"

"Once Snow White pays."

"Your son? We haven't heard anything about you in years. Last we heard you cancelled the whole curse thing because you found another way to find him."

Rumple looked at Charming. "I did find him. In Neverland. He wouldn't come with me."

"So you just left him there?" Charming shook his head. "Doesn't matter... Will you please help us?"

He smiled. "Everything comes at a price!"

"What is your price?"
"Oh, you'll owe me a favour one day."

"Fine. Just please help us."

"I can get you there. But I won't be going."

Charming and Snow looked at each other and smiled.

"But I'll need the night to work on it."

"What?" Snow walked closer. "I don't want my children spending the night there alone. They've never been away from me over night."

"I need time dearie. And Neverland is a big place. I suggest you get some rest."

"He's right." Charming turned to Snow."This is our only chance. Let him work on whatever he has to work on. And if we're going to find them we need to keep up our strength." She nodded and Charming turned back to Rumple. "We'll be back first thing in the morning. Thank you."

Belle walked them out then turned to Rumple. "We should go with them. Bring back your son."
"No. He doesn't want me anymore."

Emma and Neal walked back to the island. "We need a plan Neal."

"What kind of plan? We've never worked together on anything before. We always argue."

"That's it Neal! You're a genuis!"

"What did I say?"

"We're going to do what we always do. Argue. We need to get Pan to trust one of us. I'll do it I don't want you in danger."

"No I can do it. Makes more sense."

"No. I will. I'm the oldest so you need to listen to me right now. We'll go in there. It has to be gradual but slowly we'll start fighting. Just be ourselves. Then when I get alone with him I'll make him think I've lost all hope and that this is all there is. Then I'll find out more about the dragons that pirate was talking about. You just stay at the camp and keep safe."

"But I can do more than that. I want to help."

"If you want to help just argue with me in there then keep safe. And most of all don't believe any of their lies. Got it?"

"Okay."

Charming finished packing a few things they might need for their trip in the morning then found Snow sitting on Emma's bed crying.

"It's going to be okay. We'll find them. Just like we've always found each other." He sat next to her.

She was holding Neal's Winnie the Pooh and Emma's baby blanket close to her chest. "I just want them back. I don't want them going through anything like this."

"I know. Neither do I."

"What kind of a mother am I?"

"What are you talking about? This wasn't your fault."

"I should have listened to you. We should have kept her away from that Hans kid."

"You just wanted her to have a good time. You didn't know. I shouldn't have let that kids mother distract me. Looking for her shoe."

She paused for a moment then looked at Charming. "Why was she distracting you? Did she know her son was going to take Emma on the balcony?"

"I don't know. That is weird."

"Hansel said something about purple smoke and them disappearing. They had some sort of magic. Who were those people really?"

"I have no idea. We'll find out. But like Rumple said we should get some rest."

"I can't sleep knowing they're out there alone."

"But they're not alone. They're together. And let's pray they will stay together."

Emma and Neal walked into the camp. There were dozens of young boys around. Playing sword fights, climbing up ropes, dancing, some just sitting around doing nothing. But Pan walked right back up to them. "So nice of you to finally join us."

"There's no where else to go."

"Well come join us... Neal is it?"

"How do you know my name?"

"As for you Emma, we have no use for girls." He grabbed her arm.

"What?" She struggled with him.

"No, what are you doing?" Neal tried grabbing Emma's free arm. Then two larger lost boys came and pulled Neal back.

Peter Pan pulled Emma away from the camp. "What are you doing? Where are you taking me?"

"Emma! No don't take her!" Neal tried to pull away but the boys were much stronger than him. "Don't separate us! EMMA!"