Chapter 2
Helping Henry
After seeing his father for the first time in god knows how many years, he'd lost track in Neverland Neal felt a little on edge. As Emma and Tally fell asleep Neal stayed up a little while longer. He looked out the window and saw the town clock except it was now telling the right time. He thought Emma told him yesterday the town clock was broken. What if it was because Emma had decided to stay in Storybrooke longer. Was this what that August guy was talking about?
August said "everyone from the enchanted forest is now in this world, your father, my father, everyone but they're all under a curse. Before the curse hit your father predicted that Snow White and Prince Charming's unborn princess would save them on her twenty-eighth year. My father sent my through to this world before the curse hit to save me and so I could protect and guide the princess. The princess who's destined to save everyone is Emma. Now it's decision time, you could stay with Emma but then you'd either have to see your father again or you'd keep Emma from her family and condemn hundreds of innocent people to remain under a curse forever. If you leave her then you can keep off your fathers radar and Emma can save everyone just as your father foretold".
Thinking back now he knew he made the wrong decision, but he couldn't leave without knowing his son was safe.
The next morning as they got dressed there was a knock at the door, since Neal was helping Tally get dressed Emma got the door and was surprised to see Regina. "Did you know the honeycrisp is the most vigorous and hardy of all apple trees"? Emma had a feeling Regina hadn't just come to just give her a lesson about apples. "It can survive temperatures a low as forty below and keep growing. It can weather any storm". Neal had finished dressing Tally and came over to the door in case Emma needed him and Tally hid behind his legs. "I have one I've tended to since I was a little girl" gesturing to the basket of apples in her arms, she picked one apple up. "To this day I have yet to taste anything more delicious then the fruit it offers".
Sensing impending doom seeing Emma reach for the apple Regina offered. Neal grabbed it and said "thanks"
Regina offered the whole basket and added "I'm sure you and your family will enjoy them on your way home".
Emma said "actually, we decided to stay around a little longer".
Regina pulled the basket back before anyone touched it "I'm not sure that's such a good idea. Henry has enough issues he doesn't need you confusing him".
Neal said "are you sure we're the ones confusing him, you tell him you're not the evil queen and yet here you are, offering us apples when we know full well you don't like us".
Emma added "and given this is the second time you've threatened us I'm thinking one week won't cut it, how about two"?
Regina asked "since when is the generous gift of apples a threat".
Neal answered "I'm guessing since biblical times when the Asp dared Eve to eat an apple, it didn't turn out too well for her. Had you offered us any other fruit we may not feel threatened. After all didn't the Evil Queen give Snow White a poisoned apple, the same Evil Queen Henry thinks you are. Speaking of Henry I think I speak for me and Emma when I say we're not leaving until we know he's alright".
"He's fine, any problems he has are being sorted out"?
Emma asked "you mean with his therapist who he thinks is Jiminy Cricket. Tell me, how much progress has Henry made since he started therapy"?
Regina said "it's under control" she smiled sweetly "take my advice, out of the three of us only one of us knows what best for Henry". The smile vanished as she added "it's time for you two and your daughter to leave".
Neal smirked and asked "and if we don't what are you gonna do? Turn us into snails and step on us"
Half laughing Emma said "Neal, don't give her ideas".
Regina said "do not underestimate me, you have no idea what I'm capable of".
"Thanks for the warning" said Neal "now let me give you one, don't come after my family again or you'll find out exactly what I am capable of".
Almost as soon as they sat down in Granny's Ruby brought over three Hot Cocoa's with cinnamon. Emma said "we haven't even ordered yet".
Neal added "and I hate cinnamon". Tally didn't say anything as she was too busy gulping down her hot cocoa loving cinnamon.
Ruby replied "you've made a friend" gesturing to Sheriff Graham.
Before Emma could Neal got up and went over and said "not to sound ungrateful but why did you order us three Hot Cocoa's"? Not waiting for him to answer Neal added "and how did you know Emma and Tally love cinnamon on their Hot Cocoa because most people don't".
Graham said "I didn't order anything besides a coffee for myself".
"I ordered them" said Henry popping out from the booth behind the Sheriff. "I like cinnamon on my Hot Cocoa too".
Neal said "well for future reference I don't".
Emma said from their table "shouldn't you be in school".
Putting on his backpack he said "duh, I'm ten, walk me".
Neal said "I'll take him, you stick with our little sugar plum." Once Neal and Henry had left she saw Tally had drunken both of their Hot Cocoa's, and was now starting on her fathers. Emma thought to herself aren't three year old's supposed to have small bladders, then Tally said "Mommy, I need to go potty".
After Emma took Tally to the toilet and cleaned her up as much as she could she went to the counter The waitress is the red streaks asked "what can I do for you"
Emma asked "where can I find the Archibald Hopper's office"?
Ruby said "of course it's just across the road".
Emma and Tally went over to see Henry's shrink when Emma came in Archie asked "how can I help you"
Tally said "we want to help Henry Jiminy Cricket".
Archie asked "aren't toddlers supposed to be shy".
Emma said "Tally's always been friendly, however I was hoping to speak about Henry". Emma saw Archie wavering "I know I shouldn't ask, but tell me"what causing this fairy tale obsession, why does he think everyone is a character from his book"?
"These stories are his language, he has no idea how to express complex emotions so he's translating as best he can, this is how he communicates. And his using these stories to deal with his problems".
"Henry said he got the book a month ago, how long has he been seeing you"? Seeing Archie fidget told her "longer"?
"Yes he has, his mother is a complicated woman"...
Tally said "she's a mean queen".
"Tally, please let Dr Hopper finish".
"Over the years any attempt to bring Henry closer have only backfired". He walked over to his cabinet and pulled out Henry's file, he faced Emma "why don't you take a look at Henry's file".
He handed the file to her and added "see what I mean".
Emma found this odd "why are you doing this"?
"He talks about you a lot, you're very important to him".
"Thank you".
He walked her and Tally to the door "just see that I get it back".
As they were leaving Archie said "just be careful how you handle him, destroying his imagination could be devastating".
As they walked back to the bed and breakfast Emma called Neal who had just met Henry's teacher, Mary Margaret Blanched who he believes is Snow White. "Hey honey what's up"?
"I've been to Dr Hoppers office and he gave he Henry's file to look through".
"Really, are doctors allowed to do that"?
"I don't think so, it seemed odd to me as well".
"Well what exactly did the shrink say"?
"Things that make me less worried about Henry, he said the stories are Henry's way of dealing with his problems despite the fact that Henry's been seeing him longer than Henry's had the book. When I mention Regina he told me she's a complicated woman and then he gave me Henry's case file. I thought maybe we could look through it".
"I'm on my way".
The moment he came into their room Tally torpedoed into him almost knocking him over. She asked "can you tell me a story?"
Neal looked over to Emma knowing she wanted him to help her look over Henry's case file.
She said "go ahead, I'm sure I can go through all this by myself".
Neal sat down and brought Tally onto his lap and said "before I forget Henry wants us to be part of his plan to break the curse, he calls it 'Operation Cobra'".
Emma looked confused and said "Cobra's that has nothing to do with fairytales".
Neal replied "apparently that's the point".
Tally rested her head on her daddy's chest liked she did every night at story time so Neal started the story. "Once upon a time, there was a little boy who lived with hid father in a small village" Neal sometimes told Tally stories based on his own experiences as a child but he sugar coated them as to not scar his daughter for life.
He hadn't gone into the story of when his father taught him to spin wool too far when there was a knock at the door. He took a now sleeping Tally off his lap to answer the door and was surprised to see the sheriff. "May we help you". asked Neal.
Sheriff Graham asked "is your wife in Mr Swan-Cassidy".
"What do you want with Emma"?
Upon hearing her name Emma came over to the door and asked "is everything okay here"?
Sheriff Graham said "Mrs Swan-Cassidy Dr Archibald Hopper said you got in an argument with him".
Emma shook his head "Last time I check arguments involved differences of opinions and sometimes yelling, which didn't happen between us".
"He said you demanded to see Henry's case file and when he refused you came back and stole them".
Emma said "he gave them to me".
"Alas he's telling a different story, may I come in"
Emma let him in and said "this what you looking for"? As she gestured to the file notes on the bed.
Sheriff Graham said "well you're very accommodating, I'm afraid Mrs Swan-Cassidy you're under arrest".
"What you know I'm being set up"! Emma exclaimed softly as to not wake up Tally. Seeing your mother arrested is something no three year old wants to wake up to.
Sheriff Graham asked "and who is setting you up".
Neal walked up to the school with Tally to tell Henry what had happened. He was almost there when Henry came running up to him looking panicked with Mary Margaret behind him,"Dad"!
"Henry" Neal said "I was on my way to see you".
"Because my mom got Emma arrested" Henry said.
Neal said "that's about the size of it, how did you know"?
Mary Margaret said "his mom came to the school and pulled him out of his lesson to tell him, he asked me to help bail her out".
Neal sighed and replied "that was my plan, if Regina did it first I'm not so sure it was such a good idea. So will you bail her out"?
Mary Margaret said "Henry asked me meaning she makes him happy and like I said this morning it's nice to see his smile back".
Tally asked "are you a princess, you're pretty like one"?
Mary Margaret smiled and said "no, actually I'm a teacher, but thank you for the sweet compliment".
When the got to the Sheriff's station Graham was taking Emma's mug shot. Henry came running in protest followed by Mary Margaret Neal and Tally.
"Henry what are you doing here" Sheriff Graham asked.
"Madam Mayor thought it was best to pull him away from class to tell him. But I am at a loss to wonder how she knew and got to Henry's school to tell him before I did" Neal said sarcastically.
Emma sighed, looking at Henry she said "Henry, I don't know what she told..."
"You're a genius." Henry said. "I know what you were doing. Dad explained you were gathering intel for Operation Cobra."
"I'm sorry, I'm a bit lost" Graham said.
"It's need to know" Henry said "and, all you need to know is Miss Blanchard's going to bail her out."
Emma looked the woman in surprise. "You are? Why?" she asked, looking at Mary Margaret clearly confused as to why a stranger was paying her bail.
"I... Uh...like how happy you and Neal are making Henry" Mary Margaret said.
"Uncuff her," Neal told him before turning to Emma. "Look after Henry and Tally I have something to do".
As soon as Emma was uncuffed she ran after Neal who was already on his way out of the Sheriff's station. "Neal, what are you thinking"? Emma asked a little scared by seeing the anger in Neal's eyes. A usually calm and carefree Neal looked like he wanted to punch someone. She'd never seen him this angry before and she was scared what Regina might do in retaliation.
"I warned Regina earlier today if she came after my family I would show her what I'm capable of." Neal replied.
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm just going to remind Regina she doesn't want to mess with my family and let her know what I'm capable of".
"And I can't do it because?" Emma asked.
"Someone needs to look after Tally and you've already been arrested today. I told her if she came after my family I'd show her what I'm capable of so it has to be me".
As Neal drove to the Mayor's office he thought of all the things he'd like to do, but to stay out of jail he'd have to bring it down a notch. He stopped off at a hardware store to make a necessary purchase. Once he got to the Mayor's office he went into the back and turned on his new chainsaw. He made sure Regina was looking as he cut a branch off her apple tree. He needed something she loved and she mentioned she tended to this tree since she was a child. She stormed over to him and yelled "what the hell are you doing"?
He turned off the chainsaw seeing as it succeeded in getting her attention. "Oh I'm sorry did I not say if you came after my family, like my wife for example I'd show you what I'm capable of. By the way your little plan backfired, Henry now loves Emma even more. That why I'm doubly angry, had you just left Henry out of this battle I'm not sure what I'd be doing but it wouldn't be as bad as this.
"You're out of your mind".
"Maybe it's you who should be seeing Archie, now I'm only going to say this once so pay attention this time. This branch is the first to fall" he gestured to the one he cut off. "If you continue to come after my family, which I warn includes Henry, each time you do another branch is coming off your tree. Be thankful this time it's just me, if it were me and Emma you'd be sorry" As he walked away he said "it's your move, if your foolish enough to dare".
Regina gave a look like she wanted to rip his heart out to wipe that arrogant smirk off her face.
When Neal got back to the bed and breakfast he saw Emma and Tally standing outside with their bags. He got out of the car and asked Emma"why aren't you waiting in our room and why our bags packed"?
"We got kicked out, apparently there's a no felon's rule".
Neal knew Regina was behind this, the question was when, before or after his warning. "when were you told to leave".
Emma said "the moment we got back. So what did you do to her"?
Neal said "I brought a chainsaw and introduced it the her tree. But just one branch as a warning not to come after us again so hopefully this is the worst of it".
"Where are we going to stay, I haven't seen any other bed and breakfasts in this town".
"Don't worry we'll find somewhere but until we do, we'll do what we did back in the old days and sleep in the car".
Emma's mobile phone rang and considering to tone Emma was using Neal knew it was Regina. When Emma hung up she said to Neal "that was Regina".
Neal asked "do I need my chainsaw"?
"I don't think so, she said she only wants to talk and make peace".
Neal didn't trust Regina but decided to go with Emma, if things got to heated he could protect his wife.
They drove over to her office and when they came in Regina said "I guess I should have been more specific, I thought just you and I could talk".
Emma said "whatever you want to say you can say to both of us".
"Very well" Regina replied and gestured for them to sit on the soa as she sat in her chair. They all sat down on the sofa with Emma sitting nearest Regina and Tally sitting between her parents.
"Let me first start off by apologizing". Neal said "well this is starting to look civilized, please continue".
"I just have to accept the reality that you want to be here".
Neal answered "you're right we do".
"And that you're here to try and take my son from me".
"Hold on" said Emma, "I am here for Henry but I have no intention of taking him from anyone".
"Then what are you doing here"?
"When I had Henry I was not mother material, but I did have him and I can't help it, he got in my head and I want to make sure he's okay. The more you push me out the more I want to be here, especially seeing how troubled he is".
"You think he's troubled".
"Well he's in therapy and I only got through a couple of his shrinks note before you had me arrested, he thinks everyone in this town is a fairy tale character".
"And you don't"?
"How can I? the poor kid can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality, and it's only getting worse".
Neal said "well that's Emma opinion, not mine". Regina looked confused "you believe everyone in this town is a fairy tale character".
"Well this town does have that homey fairy tale quality about it, not sure if it's as literal as Henry makes it out to be. I think that Henry's theory has a little evidence backing it up".
Emma said "Neal, you can't possible believe Henry's theory, it's crazy".
"You think I'm crazy" they turned around and saw Henry in the doorway before running away. Tally got up to follow him and Neal followed her. Henry got outside the back door. Tally caught up with him and when Henry saw her "our mother thinks I'm crazy".
"I know your not" said Tally.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Tally but your three".
"I don't think your crazy either" they saw Neal coming up to them. "What I didn't tell your mother was I'm more involed in this tale then she thinks. I'm not just a supporting character bit important to this story".
Henry asked "how"?
Neal said "I'm afraid that's a secret, I've never told anyone my secret, not even Emma because I know people won't understand. I know how it feels to think no one is on your side, I want you to know Emma may or may not break the curse but I believe you and in you". Henry smiled but inside he needed it to be Emma to believe him.
When they left Regina's office Emma was close to tears. In the car Emma said "Archie warned about this, he said destroying his imagination would be devastating".
Neal said "Regina did this to him not you".
Emma said "I think I should pay back the basil money to Mary Margaret then we should leave.
Tally cried "no".
Neal said "how about I drop you off at Miss Blanched's apartment, I have something I need to take care of before we leave then we can discuss if we really should leave".
So while Neal went to deprive Regina's tree of another one of it's branches Emma and Tally were enjoying a cup of Hot Cocoa with Mary Margaret. "Cinnamon" Emma said noticing the extra ingredient on their Hot Cocoa. She didn't remember telling Mary Margaret she and Tally liked Cinnamon in their Hot Cocoa.
Offering a biscuit Mary Margaret said "oh, I should have asked, it's a little quick of mine, do you mind ?
"Not at all"
Tally added "me, mommy and Henry like Cinnamon in our Hot Cocoa". Emma remembered Henry mentioning it that morning.
"When you bailed me out you said it was because you liked how happy we make Henry, why do you care"?
"I always have," said Mary Margaret "the first time I saw him he was a baby crying in Regina's arms. She gave him to me while she made a phone call. Afterwards she was surprised to see Henry stopped crying but when she took him back he cried again. Ever since then I've cared about him, I know it's crazy".
Emma said "I'm redefining my definition of the word crazy".
"For the record I think your innocent".
Emma glanced at Tally and seeing her not paying attention to their conversation said "of breaking an entrance of just in general"?
"Whatever makes you feel better".
"It doesn't really matter what people think I did or didn't do, I'm leaving". As Emma thanked Mary Margaret Tally was trying to argue "we can't leave now, you said two weeks, Henry needs us".
Emma said "that's why, if I stay Henry's only going to get hurt".
Mary Margaret asked "and what happens if you go? I think the reason you want to leave is why you have to stay. You care about him, you and Neal. Who will protect him if neither of you won't"?
Tally said "Henry was sad today, Regina made him sad and will keep on making him sad e ". Both Emma and Mary Margaret were surprised a three year old had such a well thought out view.
After letting what Tally said sink in Emma realized if they left Henry would be alone again. Emma smiled at her before looking at Mary Margaret. "Thank you. but me Tally and Neal have something to do". Mary Margaret sensed that the Swan-Cassidy family were going to be staying longer.
She called Neal and told him to meet him outside Dr Hoppers office. On the other end Neal smiled, it sounded like his strong wife was back and had a plan to help Henry which involved staying. Once Neal got there they went up and burst in on Henry's session. Archie said "Mrs Swan-Cassidy, I can explain, the mayor made me".
"I know, I get it, it's fine" said Emma going straight to Henry "Henry, I'm sorry".
Henry wouldn't look at her as he said "I don't want to talk to you." The way he said it made Neal frightened Emma may want to leave again but Emma wasn't folding so easily this time,
"Mr and Mrs Swan- Cassidy" Archie said "if she knew you were here"
"Do we look like we care about Ruthless Regina" Neal said "She doesn't scare us". Tally nodded in agreement, if she and Henry wasn't there Neal comment on Regina would have been a lot ruder. He came over next to Emma and said "Henry if you won't talk to Emma perhaps you'll talk to me. We stayed in this cursed town for one reason buddy you. We want to get to know you".
"But she doesn't believe" said Henry. "she thinks I'm crazy",
Tally had an idea and said "mommy only said it because the Evil Queen was starting to think we're here to break the curse but if she thinks mommy doesn't believe she won't try and hurt mommy".
Neal said, "after all isn't that what Operation Cobra was all about? Throwing her off the trail?"
Henry's face lit up and said "brilliant!"
Emma held up the pages Henry gave Neal to give her. "I've read the pages and we can't let Regina see them. There is only one way to make certain the Evil Queen never sees them." Emma turned to the fireplace and threw the pages into the fire, watching them burn for a moment before turning around to face Henry, Tally, and Neal "now we have the advantage."
"I knew you were here to help me" Henry said running into her arms.
"That's right, kid" she said embracing him in a hug.
Neal and Tally join in on the hug "nothing Regina does will stop us ," Neal said, "we're not leaving until this town is saved, and the curse is broken."
Regina was picking up apples from the branches that used to be on her apple tree when Mr Gold came in and said "whalt a mess".
Regina replied "not for long. What could I do for you, Mr Gold?"
Mr Gold answered "I was just in the neighbourhood. Thought I'd pop by. Lovely to see you in such high spirits."
"Well, it's been a good day. I rid my town of unwanted nuisances."
"Emma and Neal Swan-Cassidy and their daughter Tally?"
"Yes, I imagine they are half way to Boston by now."
"Then how come I just saw the three of them with Henry? They looked like a happy family, a pair of parents with a daughter, and a son". He whispered the last three words in her ear "I myself find them to be quite a charming trio, especially Mr Swan-Cassidy, he's a likeable man".
Regina said "that's debatable, this "mess" was his doing".
"Perhaps you should have come to me. If they're a problem you can't fix, I'm only too happy to help, for a price of course."
"I'm not in the business of making deals with you anymore."
"To which deal are you referring?"
"You know what deal."
"Oh, right, the boy I procured for you, Henry. Did I ever tell you what a lovely name that was? However did you pick it?"
Starting to believe he knew something she didn't she asked "did you want them to come to town?You wanted all this to happen, didn't you? Your finding Henry wasn't an accident, was it?"
"Whatever do you mean?" Mr Gold asked, but Regina knew he knew what she was talking about.
"Where did you get him? Do you know something?"
"I have no idea what you're implying."
"I think you do. Who is this family, the Swan-Cassidy's ?"
"Neal and Tally no idea but as for Emma I would say you think you know exactly who she is." he said. before leaving. "I really must be going."
Before he could leave the garden,Regina rushed in front of him and ordered "tell me what you know about her."
"I'm not going to answer you, dear. So I suggest you excuse me." When she didn't move, he said, "please", referring to even older deal. Regina knew now her hold on Henry and this town was going to be weaker.
