Title: Technicalities

Chapter Two: Think of the Happiest Things

Rating: K

Summary: Henry wanted his mothers to be happy so he came up with a plan. This plan included Neal, a bean, and a little bit of luck.

Disclaimer: I don't own Regina Mills, Emma Swan, Snow White, Charming, Henry Mills, Rumpelstiltskin, Hook, Neal or anything from Once Upon a Time; they are property of Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz and ABC.

A/N: After re-reading the first chapter I felt that there could be a little more, you know? I wanted to explain Henry and Neal's trip, the rescue, and someone even suggested a second date! So it's safe to say that this is no longer a one shot (probably around four-ish chapters). None of this happens in the show it's just loosely based off some of the events. All mistakes are mine. Enjoy!


A Few Days Earlier

Regina was sitting alone in her study nursing a glass of apple cider…mixed with cinnamon schnapps. She looked back up at the clock. It wasn't even noon but she didn't care.

Today was Henry's birthday party.

She had found out about the party the other day. She didn't really plan on getting an invitation but she did want to spend time with her son. She wanted to show him that she didn't forget his birthday. Instead Regina got up early, earlier than most people would even call humane, and dropped a present off at the footsteps of the Charming's apartment.

She wanted to give Henry the present herself but she was still on shaky ground with well everyone. She figured that she better not push it right now and that it was best if she stayed back. 'It's not like anyone will notice anyway,' she thought as she sat back and continued to nurse her spiked glass of apple cider.


Everyone had just arrived at Henry's birthday party. Well, everyone except Regina. For some reason they had decided to hold the party in Rumpelstiltskin's shop. Henry's birthday was actually earlier but due to the curse breaking and the mayhem that followed they didn't have time to throw a party. So that's what they were doing now.

The party started with people chatting and some light snacking. Then Henry started to open up his presents. When he got to the present from Regina he looked up from it and toward the group, "Where's my mom?"

Snow White put a hand on Emma's bicep and smiled at Henry, "She's right here."

Henry gave a small smile and looked back down at his gift. Emma looked at Henry and answered for herself, "She couldn't make it, kid. I'm sorry."

"Oh, okay," Henry nodded. He concentrated on his gift carefully unwrapping it like it would disappear before his eyes. Emma looked at Snow questioningly, "Why isn't Regina here?"

Snow looked at her incredulously, "Why would she be here? You're his mother not her."

Emma took a slight step back from Snow and looked at her, "Regina is his mom too. She deserves to be here."

"After everything she's done to this family?" Snow turned toward Emma giving her, her full attention.

Emma scoffed and said in her most sarcastic tone, "Oh, but you'll let Rumpelstiltskin come? You know what he did to our family, half of the town, and Regina but apparently you forgot as soon as you found out he shared blood. Also, Neal? Honestly, did you forget that he put me in jail? But hey they aren't Regina, right? You don't have personal grudges against them."

Emma didn't give Snow time to answer she simply rolled her eyes then focused on Henry. Henry was just finishing opening Regina's gift to him, "Aw cool! A new comic! And a full year's subscription!"

His eyes were full of happiness and his face was split with a grin. Emma smiled at Henry then turned to face Snow again, "How could someone so evil raise a child so good. I just don't believe that. I know there's good in her. I can feel it."

Snow looked at Emma suspiciously, "What do you mean?"

Emma went to answer but was interrupted when David burst into the room with Henry's birthday cake. David quickly sat the cake down on the counter and faced Henry, "Make a wish!"

Henry quickly ran up to the counter where the cake was sat. He paused at it then looked back at his mom who was looking pretty irritated with Snow. He closed his eyes and wished 'I wish for both of my moms to be happy.'

Henry opened his eyes and looked around expecting his wish to be granted instantly. But when all he saw was his cake and a group of adults looking curiously at him he sighed. Rumpelstiltskin took this chance to guide Henry near the door. It was time to give his present. With the wave of his hand he conjured up a sword for Henry. Henry smiled up at him and back at the group. Rumpelstiltskin looked back at Neal who was looking at Henry with a smile.

As the festivities wore on people began to grow tired and started to go home. As Emma, Henry, Snow, and David began to walk to their apartment Henry turned to Emma, "Can I go see my mom tomorrow? I wanna thank her for my birthday present."

Emma smiled down at Henry then wrapped him in a half hug, "Of course you can. I'll take you over to see her."

Henry then slipped out of Emma's grasp and ran ahead. He saw Pinocchio up a little ways on the sidewalk and wanted to talk with him. Emma turned toward her parents, "I know what you're thinking and I don't care. I'm going to take him to see her."

With that she turned back around and went to catch up with Henry.

Snow and David could only stare as Emma walked away. Snow turned to David, "What is happening to our daughter?"

David shook his head. He had seen this type of behavior before. The defending, saving, he even swore they've shared clothes, and he probably missed things but he didn't want to say anything to Snow yet without any proof. He'd have to keep an eye on both Emma and Regina.


When they got back to the apartment Henry ran and grabbed his walkie talkie. Then he ran back toward the door. He had his hand on the doorknob but stopped when Snow said something, "Where are you going?"

"I was thinking about hanging out with Ava, Nicholas, and Pinocchio. Is that okay?" Henry asked as he turned around. Emma had walked in by then and looked at him carefully. After a few seconds she smiled and asked, "Do you have your cellphone?"

"Yes," Henry nodded.

"Are your presents put away?" Emma crossed her arms and tried to suppress a smirk. She knew she was annoying her son.

Henry sighed and rolled his eyes, "Yes mom."

"Good and if you have any trouble call me, understand?" Emma said in all seriousness.

"Yes!" Henry called out as he twisted the doorknob and raced out, "Bye!"

As soon as he was out of the building Henry radioed Neal, "Little Dark? Little Dark? Are you there?"

A crackle of static could be heard before Neal radioed back, "That's the code name you gave me? Little Dark? Nice kid."

Henry laughed, "Well, you are the son of the Dark One. It makes sense."

He could hear mumbles on the other line then, "Yeah, I suppose it does. What do you want?"

Henry asked, "Could you meet me by the docks?"

He waited for a response as he began walking. It was only a little before 7 p.m. but it was still pretty cold. He pulled his coat closer to his body then he heard his radio crackle back to life, "I'm on my way, kid."

Henry grinned as he made his way to the docks. It took him a little longer than he anticipated. He had to dodge Archie and Pongo and by the time he arrived Neal had just made it. As soon as Neal saw Henry he enveloped him in a hug and asked, "Hey! What's up? Why did you want to see me?"

Henry looked up to Neal and got straight to the point, "I want to make my moms happy."

"Um," Neal gave a nervous laugh, "Okay, I want Emma happy too."

Henry shook his head while he whispered fiercely, "No, no, no. Both my moms."

"Oh okay, I guess I could see that," Neal gave a nod as though he understood.

"I want to make my moms happy," Henry looked up at him again pleading for him to get it.

"You've already said that," Neal looked down at Henry and sighed, "Alright, how do we make them happy?"

"You want to know?" Henry's eyes lit up, "I believe they're each other's True love so I want to help them get together."

Neal began an internal struggle. He still had feelings for Emma but she didn't have feelings for him. He wanted her happy and if she was happy with Regina he'd be okay with that. Even though Neal hasn't been in Story brook long he's been here long enough to notice that something is between them. Emma has talked about Regina a lot and she did defend her quite eagerly at Henry's birthday. Plus, he has seen the way they've interacted. They may not have seen him in that booth at Granny's but he saw them and that was one of the brightest smiles Emma has ever given.

"Okay, what's your plan?" Neal was still a little hesitant but he wanted Emma happy so he nodded for Henry to continue.

Henry looked seriously up at Neal, "I want to go to another realm."

"Whoa, kid. You don't know what it's like to go to another realm. Plus, you don't have a way," Neal tried to talk him out of it.

"We need something drastic. They always work well when it's has to do with me. If I'm in another realm they'll work together to 'rescue' me. Don't you see? It's a great plan!" Henry beamed.

Neal could see many flaws in his plan but agreed to it anyway "Alright, but only if I go with you. How are we going to go to this other realm?"

Henry looked at like he should already know, "By magical bean of course!"

"You have a magical bean?" Neal looked at Henry in surprise.

"Of course I do. The giant is growing the in the field outside of town. I snuck one the last time I went with Gram and Gramps," Henry explained with a smile. Neal shook his head and thought, 'I don't even want to know.'

He then looked back at Henry, "You know stealing's wrong, right?"

Henry looked at him like 'duh' but answered, "Yes, I just needed this one bean and I couldn't let anyone know. I promise not to steal again."

Neal nodded and watched as Henry pulled a bean from his backpack. As they walked to the end of a dock Neal looked toward Henry, "Does anyone know you're here or know what you're planning to do?"

Henry simply shook his head and Neal sighed. Under his breath he muttered, "If either of your moms find out we're both dead…mostly me."

When they reached the end of the dock Neal looked at Henry, "Are you sure about this?"

Henry eagerly nodded, "Yeah!"

Neal had Henry throw the bean in the water and they watched as the portal opened. Henry grabbed his hand and said "On three. One, two, three!"

Neal hesitated at first but as Henry's body weight began to fall he did not want to make the same mistake his father did and leave the kid to jump into a portal alone so he fell into the portal with his son.

As they began to fall the scenery started to look familiar to Neal, "I'm back."

Henry looked around as they floated through the portal, getting closer to the ground.

Neal looked over and squeezed his hand, "Neverland."


A/N 2: I hope everyone liked chapter two. The next chapter deals with the rescue then we'll move on to the second date. I know this was a little bit out of order but please let me know if you like it!