Hello again! Hope you enjoy the double update! Please enjoy! And again, sorry!
Hopefully, the point of views will be clearer!
Anyways, on to the show,
Script
{Howl}
Henry buckles into the seat beside me as he seems to think of something. "How did you know I was going to Boston?"
"Didn't the book tell you?" I asked him. I know it was written somewhere.
"No." He said simply, giving me no out.
"I saw it on your bus ticket." I answer in reply as I turn the keys and my car starts up.
"Okay, then how are you able to leave Storybrooke." He asks as the vehicle smoothly drives past the sign that reads "You are now leaving Storybrooke."
I feel a small smile play at the corner of my mouth. "Kid, I'm trying to help you here, so stop with the questions. Or do I need to press you for how you got the money for the bus ticket."
"I asked first." Henry claimed as he pushed for his own answers.
"Yes, but you also asked a question before that." I tell him. "That's how you play this game: you trade questions."
"Fine. I stole it from my teacher. Now why can you cross the town line?" Henry replied quickly.
"I can cross the town line for the same reason you can." I tell the kid, try and one up me in questions. "Who gave you the idea to steal the card?"
"No body." He said very quickly, it was obviously a lie.
"Henry, you're a smart kid, but someone still had to give you the idea, because you're also a good one. Now who was it?"
He's bashful about it but eventually a quiet name came out of him. "Miss. Chess."
It makes me pause for a second. "Let's not tell your mother."
{Chess}
"Is Henry with you?" Regina asked before Dina could properly answer the phone.
"No, he had therapy today." She reminded. "Didn't he?" She was sure for just a moment, but now put on the spot, she checked her watch- a gift from Thomas. She was right, it was Thursday. He had therapy with Dr. Hopper.
"No one has seen him since school ended."
"I'll meet up with Graham-" Dina started, only for said man to hop onto the phone.
"Don't bother with that. I will need you fielding calls while I'm searching for the lad." He lilted.
"All right. I'll head into the station."
"Thanks."
"Anytime. Keep me posted." The call ended with a click and Dina pulled an illegal U-turn to head back towards the sheriff's station.
[Enchanted Forest- 28 years ago]
{Howl}
The Evil Queen appeared outside a small little cottage in the woods were the birds were singing and the sun shone brightly. "Ugh," The Queen sighed as she approached the door and gave it a heavy knock.
The door opened to show a black haired young man with stormy grey eyes who seemed almost excited to see her.
"Welcome, welcome, please come and have a seat." He motioned for her to enter the small building having little in the way of furnishing.
Regina managed to pick out a clean seat, giving a disdained look at the wedding suit laying on a chair in the corner, "Howl," She greets, "I thought you lived in a castle."
"Oh, I did once. But the upkeep was just ridiculous and castles are so old hat now days. I mean, it seems like everyone and their grandmother has one, even you have one and you aren't even a queen anymore."
Regina glares at him. "I need ingredients. That imp may not have told me much about you, but he did say that you were powerful. Powerful enough to be a collector of hard to find objects. Will you help me or not?"
"Oh I'm sure that depends on what you're asking for. I'm sure we can come to some sort of deal." The man smiled as he sat down in a chair not far from her, pulling one leg up and setting it on his knee, his hands slowing grasping each other afterwards.
"I need hydra venom. Three vials of it." Regina demanded.
"My, my, that must truly be one nasty curse you plan on casting." Howl goads, "I'm sure I can find it somewhere, but something tells me that isn't the only thing you're here for, is it?"
Regina seems to stop for a moment as if pausing, "I also need a lock of hair from the dark beings of the world."
Howl begins to laugh, "That's quite the joke, little girlie. Sorry to say, you won't be getting that. An ingredient that strong, well there's no trading for that."
"So you are a being of darkness." Regina proclaims as she stands from her chair.
With a slow shrug Howl begins to answer, "Sometimes I am, and sometimes I'm not. It depends on what the situation calls for. I don't pretend to belong to any particular role, even my current name is only my latest moniker."
"What are you?" The anger in her voice seems to be rising.
"Keep asking, I'm sure you'll figure it out someday." Howl begins to laugh.
He just keeps laughing and doesn't seem intent to stop as he and the cottage slowly begin to fade. Seeing this attempt at getting what she wants slipping between her fingers magic starts dancing on Regina's finger tips. But just when she's ready to start throwing magic all that seems to be left are three bottles filled with a green liquid that were laid on an old tree stump.
With them was note. "I'll be by to collect your debt later. 😉"
{Chess}
Rats were squeaking in the corners, not particularly interested in anything more than the scraps they squabbled over, even as her shadow crossed their pelts. In fact, they didn't seem to notice her until it was too late- particularly for a rat who was picking on a mouse… in a yellow shirt.
But all she did was swipe the demented thing out of her way to continue down the dark corridor. There was barely any light, and the mouse quickly scurried out of her range of hearing. Rather quick for a mouse.
"Dearie, dearie, dearie," Rumpelstiltskin chimed softly, almost like a spell he weaved through the air as she stopped outside of his cage, little more than a hole in the wall, in that the hole was just large enough for him to not touch should he stand in the middle. Her amber eyes glowed in the torchlight. "We're alone, Dearie. Just you and Rumple." He promised.
She didn't seem to pay his words any mind, certainly, as her ears flicked one way and then another, even as she transformed, though, her eyes stayed upon him. Not that it did much good on her vantage point. She was still rather scrawny and shorter than most. Though, those ears certainly made a difference as they still maneuvered about her head. Without a word, she reached forward, a hunk of bread in hand.
They both knew he didn't need to eat, but the feeling of an empty belly on top of being in a cage was nothing short of adding insult to injury. "I despise seeing you like this." She said as he accepted it. Her voice was raspy from disuse. He could see bruises on her fair skin, even in such dim light. She also seemed to be favoring her right side.
"As do I, though, the roles were reversed." He mused, taking a bite. "Not that the view was much different."
"No time to play games, Rumple." She warned, walking a bit closer, closer than anyone else might dare. "She's announced the curse. Her desperation has grown."
"I know."
"I know you know!" She snapped at his nasally tone, that malicious grin, that glint in his eye. Her hand braced her weight against the cage, even as the metal- that strange enchanted metal- sapped at what little strength she had. He quickly took her hand in his, stopping the touch.
"What's happened?" He asked, though answering his own question immediately. "The boy was saved?"
"They blamed me anyways. Nothing for it. Human nature." She dismissed.
"They should know better than to treat you such a way." His tone was soft, consoling.
But she pulled away from him. "They only know what they've been told for centuries. I'm an evil creature. A monster. No better. That's not why I came." She said with a shake of her head, placing a hand upon his cheek. "I miss you dearly."
"I you." He said even as his eyes jumped with things she couldn't see. "Regina's desperation grows. And she's gone to see Howl."
"Yes, for the Hydra spit." She gave a small laugh at his tone. "She'll need the hair from the darkest witches and the shell of a wyvern egg soon."
"Yes, soon. Soon, so soon!" He jumped in his cell, excited like never before. "Soon, we'll be in the other land. Soon, I'll have my son at hand!" A manic giggle and a wave of his hands ended at the look on her face.
"Rumple, this… this other land. It… I cannot go." She chided softly.
"No, no, you'll be fine." He assured, going back to her.
But she shook her head, "No. There's no magic, Rumple. I can't."
"You can."
"How?"
"Trust me, Dearie. Trust me." He grinned once more from between the bars, the torches lit on his skin like a crocodile just surfaced from the river waters, refracting from the golden flecks to glitter and flicker before her. To anyone else, he looked dangerous. To anyone else, he looked deadly. To her, she could only see him.
[Boston- Present Day]
{Howl}
"So you think this will work?" Henry asks me as we pull up to an apartment complex in busy little area in Boston.
"Kid, if anyone can get Emma to visit Storybrooke, it's you. Now, you go on ahead, I'm going to take off." I assure the boy.
"What? What happened to making sure I don't do this alone?"
I sigh, "It's like this. If you had a way to get back, wouldn't that make it easy for her to get rid of you? If you're by yourself, then she has to take you home. That way she has to come to Storybrooke no matter what."
"Right, got it." He let out a quick breath of air as he prepared himself.
I smile, "Hey kid, you got this. I'm sure you can do it."
"Thanks, Mr. Howl." I watched as the Henry climbed the stairs into the building and closed the door behind him.
"Now to pick up my clone and book it back to Storybrooke. Regina's probably freaking out right about now."
[Enchanted Forest- 28 years ago]
{Chess}
"Trust me, Ember. Go to Howl, Ember. See that I'm right, Ember." I pushed the tree branch from my twisted face. "Easier said than done, Rumple!" I hissed, knowing if he was watching, he could hear me. "Easier to find someone when you aren't looking for them."
I went to say something else, but my ankle rolled underneath me as the hillside crumbled under my feet. Only a yelp escaped my lips as I tumbled down the mountain… only to find myself in a seat.
"If you really wanted to visit me that badly, Dear Sister, you only had to ask."
"You ass!" I cried, holding my ankle, "Did you have to do that?"
"To be fair, rolling your ankle wasn't my intention. Now, what's this about trouble between you and your little lover?"
My eyes finally lit on the man before me, stormy eyed and powerful as ever with his black hair and stubble upon his chin, cloak draped across his shoulders. He looked all the world like he'd been there all along. "It's what happened and there's no trouble…. If him being in a cage is no trouble. That's neither here nor there." I waved away. "I have a question."
"I'll try to give you an answer." He hummed, "Just remember, it may not be the one you want."
"I just… This- this land, where we're going… There's no magic there. How can I go?"
"Well, by the curse, of course." He smirked.
"I stepped in that." I admitted, "I meant, how do I go and not die?"
"The curse will make sure of that at first. Other than that, I'll be there."
"Wait, really?" My heart swelled with relief.
"Sweetie, I wouldn't miss this story for the world." He smiled, seemingly laughing at his own joke.
"What do you mean, the curse will make sure of it?" I asked, refocusing.
"Hmmm, what can I tell you?" He mused, finger to his chin, "I'll put it this way," He said, leaning forward, like a teacher ready to give a lesson, "The goal is to send us to a land without magic, to do that, everyone needs to be put in a non-magical state. Including you. So as long as the curse isn't broken, you'll be fine."
"And when it is?"
"I wouldn't worry about that."
"Course not, you don't have to."
He laughed at that, "If I know Rumple at all, and trust me, I've known him at least as long as you have if not longer, he will want magic back as soon as possible. And will find a way to get it back."
Nothing he was saying rang false, but then, this was the one man who'd never lied to me. At least, not maliciously. He'd leaned back in his chair, lesson seemingly over. "How are you?" I asked, curiously.
He gave me a curious look as if I had somehow grown an increasing number of heads and he wasn't sure what to do about
it. "Look, if you're really worried about the curse, then I can give you this." He pulls a small charm bracelet with a small white pearl attached to it. "It contains enough magic, that should you need it to stall between the breaking of the spell and the return of magic, that it should keep you safe."
"I can work with should." I said, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, accepting the charm. "What should you require in return?"
"Eh, consider it a gift for old times sake." He waved off.
I couldn't help it. I wrapped my arms about his neck for a moment and then with a swirl of yellow smoke, disappeared.
"Yeah," He scoffed, "Old time's sake." With that said, he faded, leaving only empty wooden chairs, awaiting their next guest.
[Storybrooke, Maine]
{Chess}
Dina brushed her hair from her face, as she exited the sheriff's office, dismissed for the night. There was still no Henry.
Where could that boy be? Her heart felt heavy and a panic was welling within her. A boy, lost, alone…
The silence of the streets was interrupted by a bark. Startled, she jumped, clutching at the light pole like it might save her life, only to see Archie Hopper, resident head shrink, walking his dog, Pongo.
"Pongo, Pongo! Down!" He urged, rather ineffectively.
"Dr. Hopper, you frightened me."
"Yes, well, I apologize." He admonished, finally getting hold of his dog, who was wagging his tail rather emphatically. "What are you doing out here so late?"
"Oh, I was helping out in the sheriff's office today." She admitted, hugging her jacket a little tighter, clearly uncomfortable.
"Are you- are you well?" He asked, adjusting his glasses.
"…As well as can be expected, I suppose."
"Yes, I, uh, How is- how is living with Mr. Howl?"
"Uh…" She looked away as she muttered, "He says you shrink heads."
"Yes, well, not- not literally." He stuttered with a smile. "More the figurative sense of the, uh, the word."
"I should hope not." She sniffed. "I hear it's an uncomfortable experience."
Luckily, any further awkwardness was staved off with the squeal of unfamiliar tires on familiar pavement. Both turned their attention as a yellow VW beetle stopped in the middle of the otherwise empty street.
"What the…?" Dina trailed off, as confused as Dr. Hopper for once, as their curiosity got the better of them, choosing to watch the newcomers in the night rather than continue their rather awkward conversation.
However, the spell was broken when their eyes lit upon the occupants as they exited the vehicle. While they seemed to be having a conversation that just barely trickled to their ears, Dina took in the unfamiliar blonde woman, tall and no nonsense while her companion was rather short and full of mischief. She might have thought nothing of it, but her feet were already taking her towards them, like they knew something her brain did not.
"That clock hasn't moved my whole life." Came the familiar tenor of the child, dark hair not even hiding his awkward ears.
"Time's frozen here."
She knew that voice. She knew that voice very well. She babysat the owner of that voice.
"Excuse me?" The blonde gave him an incredulous look as Dina's feet took her ever closer to the two. And hers weren't the only ones moving. Archie and Pongo were apparently joining her.
Which was good, because she didn't know this strange blonde woman with her charge.
"The Evil Queen did it with her curse." Henry- for that was surely the boy- said, rather matter-of-fact. "She sent everyone from the Enchanted Forest here."
Disbelieving, the woman let her hands fall to her hips, eyebrow raised. "Okay, the Evil Queen sent a bunch of fairy tale characters here?"
Unperturbed, Henry agreed, "Yeah, and now they're trapped."
"Frozen in time, stuck in Storybrooke, Maine. That's what you're going with?" She all but scoffed at the boy.
It seemed so as he grinned, happy she seemed to be getting it. "It's true!" He insisted when he noticed her look was still unbelieving.
"Then why doesn't everybody just leave?"
Dina's heart hurt. Her breathing was heavy and she wasn't even running yet. But upon realizing the feeling clawing its way up her throat, making her muscles ache and her skin tingle was not excitement upon seeing Henry, the lost little boy, but desperation upon reaching him quickly, she certainly started.
"They can't." Henry said, neither of them taking notice of their rapidly approaching company, "If they try, bad things happen."
Archie's voice was in her ear, loud and close, as though just realizing who it was they were reaching. "Henry! What are you doing here? Is everything all right?" He added, watching Dina scoop the boy into her arms, relief upon her face.
Henry hugged her back just as enthusiastically. "I'm fine." He grinned, like he had everything he needed.
"Who's this?" Archie asked, thankfully taking charge of the situation while Dina searched Henry for any mistreatment.
"Just someone trying to give him a ride home." The blonde woman was not any more familiar now that they were closer and Dina tugged Henry a little closer to herself at the realization.
"She's my mom." He answered at Archie and Dina's continued confusion.
"I see." Archie realized, though Dina's confusion only grew.
"What?"
"You know where he lives?" The blonde asked.
Archie nodded, pointing with his free hand as Pongo wormed his way to Henry's side. "Yeah, sure. Just, ah, right up on Mifflin Street. The Mayor's house is the biggest one on the block."
The woman gave Henry a surprised and betrayed look, "You're the Mayor's kid?"
Henry had the sense to seem sheepish, "Uh, maybe."
"Hey, Henry, where were you today? You missed our session."
"Oh, uh, I forgot to tell you. I went on a field trip."
Archie took Dina's place, kneeling before Henry to look him in the eye. "Henry, what did I tell you about lying?" He scolded lightly, "Giving into one's dark side never accomplishes anything."
Henry should have known that wouldn't work on Archie, but Dina's gaze burned into the other woman's, who seemed to be feeling it as she shifted uncomfortably.
"Ooookay, well, I should be getting him home." She said, getting Archie's attention off of Henry.
"Right, yeah, uh…" Archie seemed unsure once again. "Well, listen, um… Have a good night, and Henry? You be good."
Dina gave him a confused look as well as the doctor left them alone and turned to the blonde once again. "Would you like some company returning Henry to his rightful place?" She asked, not unkindly, though reluctant to leave a stranger with Henry's care. And rather confused as to why Dr. Hopper would… Perhaps Thomas was right about him?
"Actually-" The blonde started, looking grateful, but Henry jumped in.
"I know how to get there!"
"Oh, now you're helpful?" The blonde accused and the boy just smiled.
"Not the issue," Dina stepped in. "Who are you?"
"I already said!" Henry chimed again. "She's my mom!"
Dina sighed, a bit exasperated with his energetic tugging on her sleeve. "Name, Henry. Names are important for introductions."
"
Well, I'd say they're for more than introductions, but they are good for that as well." The deep tones of Howl's voice rang out as he joined the conversation.
"Another one?" The blonde woman mumbled, a bit exasperated herself.
"Oh, Thomas." Dina called, watching him. She started to wonder what he was doing out so late before she realized… It was Thomas. He was always doing strange things at odd times.
"So, names Henry?" Howl prompted.
But it was the woman who answered, "Emma, Emma Swan. I'm just trying to get him home." She reminded, gesturing to Henry.
"Dina Cheshire." She offered, though neither moved, seemingly taking stock of each other for the moment before she turned to the boy. "Your mother has been worried sick. Everyone has been. Disappearing like that, what were you thinking?"
"I had to find her!" Henry defended, standing his ground as he glared defiantly at his sitter.
Dina knelt before him so they were eye to eye. "That's not the issue." She said, her tone gentler than the one before, making Henry pause in his own anger. She took his hands in her own. "It's how you did it, Henry. We were worried." She stressed, trying to get through to him. That doing things like this was not the way.
There was a tense moment before Emma interrupted, "We'd best get going before we give the mayor any more grief." Everyone turned to her.
"Right." Dina stood once more, hugging the child to her.
"He didn't leave on your watch, did he?" Emma asked.
Dina shook her head. "Thankfully, no."
"Hm," She hummed, walking back to the car as Dina opened the passenger door to admit Henry.
"What?" Henry asked, settling into his spot. "I'm not crazy."
"Didn't say that." Emma allowed, sticking her keys into the ignition, eyes going to Dina's back as she buckled Henry in. "Just doesn't seem cursed to me. Maybe they're trying to help you?"
"They are the ones who need help, they all do, because they don't know."
"Who doesn't know what, Henry?" Dina asked, confused once again.
"His mother doesn't know where he is." Howl interrupted, turning to her, "Unless you've managed to call her during this little chat? And if you haven't," He added, "then I suggest we just leave Miss Swan to take him home."
Her confused gaze turned to Howl. "Of course I haven't been able to call. But why is everyone so intent on leaving him with a stranger?" She finally asked, gesturing to the very woman, who's gaze narrowed on Howl, seemingly agreeing with her.
"Well, we've seen her face. I've got her plates, at the very least, if he does go missing again, we'll know where to start looking. However, Ms. Swan seems to have a very… honest face. I think we can let her handle two blocks." Howl answered, giving the woman a knowing nod.
Dina thought for a moment before accepting that answer.
"Besides," Howl added, turning back to her, "you haven't eaten yet."
"Uh…" She blushed and ducked her head. "I've been busy." She mumbled.
"Come on, Little Chess, let's head home." He ushered, wrapping an arm over her shoulders. He started to lead them both away, when he looked back at Emma. "Good night, Miss Swan."
"Yeah… you too." She called back, as confused as ever, as she got in the car.
"So… you're still just gonna let her drive off with him?" Dina asked, looking up at the man.
"Who said this was done?" Thomas replied with a knowing smile. "Trust me, I have my own plans where Emma is concerned."
"Wait- you knew? What?!" Confusion mixed with anger mixed with just a touch of excitement and a dash of envy laced her voice, kicking the tone an octave higher.
Thomas' smile seemed to grow, "My dear girl, I'm sure I have no clue what you're talking about. This is the first time I've ever actually met Miss. Swan."
"But you just said…" She trailed off, confused all over again as she pursed her lips, eyes widening at his words, "But you know something!"
Thomas just turned around and began to walk away, "Have you eaten yet, Little Chess?" He reminded.
She looked between the car as it turned the corner and her friend walking away from her, caught in a tug-o'-war moment, before jogging after Thomas. "No." she sighed. "I was otherwise occupied."
[Enchanted Forest- 28 years ago]
The conference table was large, accommodating, for all of the royal council. They'd been at it a while, if the boredom in the eyes of certain listeners was anything to go by. The topic of discussion? What could be done about the curse the Evil Queen was to cast soon. How soon would it be? What kind of Curse was off the table, no one could know- and those who did weren't talking.
"I say we fight!" The Prince exclaimed, banging a fist against the table as he stood in his place next to a wistful Snow White.
"Fighting is a bad idea," Jiminy cricket spoke up, into his megaphone so all could hear, wings twittering on his back as he felt the scrutinizing gaze of more than one… predator. "Giving into one's dark side is never the answer." He added.
"Then, how many wars has a clear conscience won? We need to take the Queen out before she can inflict her curse." Charming adamantly insisted.
"And if we're honest." The low level words seem to come effortlessly from one of the aforementioned glassy-eyed listeners. "When was self-defense ever really dark?" No one could see much behind the cloak covering his face, but the words did seem to give Charming's a certain weight.
Doc, one of the seven dwarves seated at the table, spoke up, "Can we even trust Rumpelstiltskin?" More than one gaze flickered to the cat, shimmering yellow fur with large amber eyes, who's only response was to flick an ear back at her companion, before they were dragged back to the Prince, who spoke on her behalf.
"I've already sent those we trust into the forest. The animals are abuzz with the Queen's plan. This is going to happen, unless we do something."
"There's no point." Snow spoke up, the first time all meeting, "The future is written."
Her husband gave her his attention, bending to her level as he placed a hand on her own, "No, I refuse to believe that. Good can't just lose."
"Maybe it can." She insisted.
"No. No, not so long as we have each other." He pushed right back at her, his tone urgent as he prodded his wife out of such doldrums, "If you believe him about the curse, you must also believe him about our child. She will be the savior."
A noise at the end of the hall caught everyone's attention, guards soon came through the doors, lugging a flatbed trailer with the trunk of a tree behind them. Magic flooded the room, causing the cat to jump from her spot on the table to stand between Charming and Howl, glaring as the Blue Fairy also fluttered in.
The cat transformed as close to human as she dared, eyes never ceasing their glaring at the little blue gnat.
"What the hell is this?" The prince demanded.
"Our only hope of saving that child." Blue's voice was regal and heavy as she stared solemnly at the prince.
"A tree?" Grumpy piped up gruffly, "Our fate rests on a tree? Can we go back to the fighting thing?"
"The tree is enchanted." The once-cat spat, never taking her eyes from the fairy. Her voice was raspy from disuse and hard with unnamed emotion, "A rarity even in the best of times. If fashioned into a vessel, it can ward off any curse." Her head tilted to the woodcarver, his child at his feet, "Gepetto, can you do this?" Too late to protest the use of such an item, the damage was done, best to at least put it to use.
"Me and my boy, we can do it." He smiled, his hand on the bent head of his son as the child worked on a toy whale.
"This will work," Blue assured, "We all must have faith. There is, however, a catch."
"Isn't there always." Growled the once-cat as she leaned her weight on to the table. "What is it this time?"
"The enchantment is, indeed powerful, but all power has its limits." Blue allowed, her words careful as she looked from the cat to the royal couple, "And this tree can protect only one."
A sudden silence seemed to fill the room as everyone began to stare at Charming and Snow White. The prince turned his attention to the previously cloaked figure on the other side of the once-cat woman. "Howl, the only one who might know more about magic than the fairies, is you. Are they telling the truth?"
Howl, his cloak now removed, showed decisively handsome features with brown hair and green eyes. His expression having changed since the entry of the tree, his eyes not leaving the wooden spectacle since. "The fairy's words are true. This tree should, indeed, protect," he glanced at the fairy, "one, from the might of the curse. Better yet, this may be our only solution."
Words of decent began to fly from a few different places, the most notable however seemed to come from the cat. "Truly a disaster should we be believing the words of a fairy. Truly is there no other course of action? Like, perchance, NOT chopping down an enchanted tree before plans are set in stone?! Or perhaps one that does not separate whole families?!"
Howl's gaze finally seemed to move as his glance went to each of the protesters in turn, seeming to last slightly longer, almost as if in conversation, when landing upon the once-cat who seemed to turn with a frown. "We have little information about the Queen's curse. Without knowing the ingredients, or even how much time we might still have left, it's difficult to prepare a counter. As it is, we would be lucky if Gepetto has enough time to even finish his work. Preparing random spells blindly is a fool's occupation, and with the time it would take to get the missing information, it might already be too late. Other options might be followed, but for now, the fairy is right. This might just be the best hope these lands have."
Glaring at the man before her, eyes flashing with slight betrayal, she stepped away from the table, "For all of our sakes, I hope you are right."
Howl seemed to return her glare, "For your sake, I hope I am as well."
"And where do you go?" Red asked, large brown eyes fixated on her like a dog with a bone.
Without breaking her stride, the tail flicked in the direction of the speaker, "You would do well to mind your business."
"And why should I- why should any of us trust you?"
This did give the cat woman pause as she turned her amber glare upon the woman in the red cloak, "I go back to my post to watch the Queen. To see how much time we might truly have, unless, you perchance, wish to take my place?" The silence was answer enough, "Thought not."
Howl quickly shut the door behind him, glad for what little privacy the borrowed room afforded him. "I knew there was a reason I hated court life." The thought went on as a complaint but it was interrupted by the agitated mewing of a yellow cat.
"Stopped your pouting have you? It's about time." Howl remarked at her as he let the magic of his handsome features fall reveal his more ordinary appearance of black hair, the only stunning difference being his grey eyes.
He wasn't the only one to change his features as the cat once again turned into a bipedal form, with long yellow hair, fuzzy ears atop her head, and a long golden tail swishing from her backside. She hissed at him. "I do not pout. I am not some petulant child, no matter how you see me." She propped her hands on her hips, glaring at the man before her as she gave a small jump to the floor. It was to her disadvantage as she was so much shorter than he. Disproving two points of hers.
It was difficult for Howl not to laugh, "It's not as if it's your fault. I see everyone as a petulant child. Besides, it's not as if I truly wished to agree with that blue bitch. But without one of the two of us coming forward, there is no other way."
"There's nothing for me to come forward about." She sniffed, choosing to turn her glare at the wall. "I only know of the end result of the curse. It helps no one." Her gaze softened at her next words. "Rumple kept many things from me. One of them being the finer details of this curse." She admitted before finally looking back to meet his gaze. "This is all that fly on the wall's doing!" She looked very much like she wanted to hit him now. "You could have done something- anything else! Why… why didn't you stop her?" She asked him, eyes filling with tears, though she didn't let a single one fall.
"Stop her? Stop what? The tree? You think I wouldn't have advised against cutting it down had I known what she was planning? You were not wrong to state that it was a waste of magic, but you know as well as I that that poor excuse for a woman does many things ahead of its time." Howl complained with her as he fumed about the Blue fairy's actions.
"Yes…" She allowed, choosing to wrap her arms over herself, as though she might hold herself together sharp nails digging into the skin. "Must they be split apart? Can we truly do nothing?" This hardship was not one she would wish upon even her worst enemy. Did David truly have to be separated from his family once again?
"And what would you have me do?" Howl asked, "What object of immense power should I give them? What long forgotten magic should I use? Don't forget the price that comes with such gifts not to mention the other reasons why I can not do such a thing."
"NOT MY HOME!" She blurted, heart wrenchingly trying her best not to sob in front of him. She let her hands flail, knocking the washbasin and a mirror fall to the floor with a clatter.
Howl sighed as he finally made the connection. "And for that you have my condolences, but to act on any other path would change the result, or is it no longer your goal to see the boy again?"
"Of course I want to see him!" She snapped, swiping the stray tears away, one hand scarring the wood of the chair before her. "I just… I wish it didn't have to be at the expense… of everything else." Her melancholy seemed to take on its own aura around her, darkening her features, eyes smoldering like dying coals.
Howl sighed as he let her have her moment, long distant memories flashing before his own eyes as he gave her these words of comfort. "Sometimes, 'everything' changes."
[Storybrooke, Maine]
{Chess}
Dina barely made it inside, flipping on the entryway light, when the phone started ringing. "Hello?" She asked, tiredly, waving to Howl as they went their separate ways to their respective rooms..
"Did you find him?" Gold asked.
"Yes, he's fine." She answered, not bothering to ask how he knew. Like Thomas, he always seemed to know when things were awry in Storybrooke.
"Thank God." He sighed.
"Yeah." She sat down hard on the bed, kicking off her shoes. "You're not going to believe this, but he left town."
"What?"
"Yeah, he found his birth mother. She's actually like, really tall. And blonde. And awkward."
"He went to find his birth mother?"
"And succeeded. She brought him back. She's… awkward." Dina repeated.
" You met her?"
"Mhmm." She yawned into her free hand, trying to hide it from Gold.
There was silence for a few moments and she nearly passed out. "Are… Are you still there?" She asked.
"Yes, yes, I'm here." He assured. "Dina, why don't you get some sleep? We'll talk more tomorrow, yes? I just wanted to make sure everything was fine."
"Yeah, no problem. Everything's a-ok. ...I can't believe I just said that. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Mr. Gold."
"Actually, why don't you sleep in? There's really no rush tomorrow. I have rent to collect and I can do that until you're ready? It's very late."
"You're up just as late as I am." She chuckled. "But if you're giving me the option, I won't oppose it."
"Very well, until tomorrow, Miss Cheshire."
"Goodnight, Mr. Gold."
{Howl}
The morning fell and I was only just getting to my job in the clock tower when I stopped in front of the library proper. A young ten year old boy seemed to be waiting for my arrival, curious of what might have happened I approached as my eyebrow rose, "Henry? What are you doing here kiddo? I thought you had school."
I could see pretty easily that the kid was in a bad mood as he looked up to the clock and back to me before saying anxiously, "It didn't work. The clock hasn't started yet."
"Well, you didn't think it would be that easy did you?" I ask him as I let out a small sigh in my own mind.
"I thought that was all it would take. The book doesn't say that there's more." Henry complained.
"Henry." I start, "If every adventure was that easy, then what's the point of the hero being special?" I explained. "Maybe you just need to take another try at it?"
"What could I do?" Henry said, defeated.
I gave him an odd look. "Okay, well then I guess we are going to have to re-introduce ourselves."
"What?" Henry gave me an odd look.
I went on as if I didn't hear him, "Because you, aren't the little boy I drove to Boston. You aren't the Henry who was so determined to bring back his mom, that he was willing to steal his teacher's credit card." I let that sink in a moment before I carried on with another tangent, "'What can you do'? What do you mean what can you do? You got her here in the first place kid. I couldn't have done that. Why don't you try talking to her again?"
Henry still seemed down, but at least a little better, "You really think so?" How did Chess always make this look so easy?
"Tell you what, why don't you go find somewhere to hide out for a while and I'll go see if I can't snag you a sundae from Granny's to help boost your confidence."
The boy gave me a sad little smile that seemed to hold the eternal hope of ice cream, "Okay." I watched as he walked away, I really will have to get him that ice cream sometime.
{Chess}
Dina's phone rang in her pocket as she dusted Mr. Gold's shelves once again. Without even looking at the caller ID, she flipped the phone to her ear, "Dina Chesh-"
"Where is my son?" Regina Mill's voice demanded to know.
"M- uh- Madam- Madam Mayor!" She stuttered, nearly banging her head on the wooden framing of an otherwise glass showcase.
Mr. Gold looked over, curious as to what the mayor would want with her today.
"Where. Is. My son?" Regina asked again like she was asking the question of a particularly stupid child.
"I haven't- I haven't seen him. I just-"
"Well, you're going to help us look for him. Meet at my house. Now." Without further adieu, the line went dead.
She made a face, "Oh…. Oh…." Looking particularly flustered, she ran a hand through her hair, even though it was tied up and out of her face for her cleaning.
"Dina?" Gold attempted, taking a hesitant step forward. "What's happened?"
"Uh… M…. Mayor Mills, can't- she can't find Henry again."
Was that all the panic? He started to ask, but from the frantic behaviour, he'd say no. "And?" He prompted, gently placing his hands on her shoulders, trying to calm her, "Dina?"
"I… She wants me to meet at her house to help find him and I can't just leave because then I'll be leaving a job not finished. And then, the fact that Henry's missing, means that he probably went after that woman again and that means he's not in town and that means that I'll have to leave town. And then, I might never finish the job. And If I don't finish the job, then I won't get paid and if I don't get paid, I'll have to leave forever because I can't pay rent and I won't have a place to come back to anyways and-"
"Dina- Dina! Dina! Stop, take a breath, Dearie." He urged, holding her to him for a moment, trying to get her to take slow deep breaths. Once she was, he held her at arm's length, bending a little to look her in the eye. "Now, you- you have my permission to go look for Henry. And when you come back, you can finish the cleaning, in which I will pay you. Alright?" She nodded, grateful. "Now, go before you get another call from Regina."
"Thank- thank you, Mr. Gold."
"Hurry on now."
When Dina got to the manor, Regina was waiting for her with Graham and Emma, surprising her. "Oh, hello."
Regina rolled her eyes at the tentative greeting and Graham took charge, "Are you sure you don't know where Henry is?"
Dina could only shake her head, "I… I thought if he was missing it'd be to go after you." She said, looking to Emma.
"Well, I never got far."
"Does Henry know that?" The three authority figures looked at each other exasperatedly, "Well, we can probably find out rather fast." She pointed up the stairs, Regina took the lead, showing them to her son's room.
The bed wasn't made and there were a few loose socks on the floor beside his hamper, drawers to his dresser were stuck in lopsided positions, and his computer was powered down. Emma took a seat at the desk, but Dina was the one to type in the password. At Regina's incredulous look, she shied away with a mumble, "We had to look something up for homework a few days ago."
Emma quickly took over, scanning the screen, "Smart kid. Cleared his inbox." She smirked, fixing a thumb drive into the USB port, "I'm smart too. Little hard recovery utility I like to use." In seconds, his inbox was before their eyes.
Dina stayed back, trying to take deep breaths like Gold told her to. She felt sick. She couldn't lose him again. So soon? What was it with this kid?! Why did he have to run all the time? What was he thinking? Why would he be missing if his goal was to bond with his mother?
"I'm a bit more old fashioned in my techniques." Graham spoke up in his baritone brogue. "Pounding the pavement, knocking on doors. That sort of thing."
"You're on salary, I get paid for delivery. Pounding the pavement is not a luxury that I get." There was a moment's silence,
"Huh, there's a receipt for a website- . It's expensive. He's got a credit card?" She asked, turning to Regina.
"He's ten." She scoffed, of course he didn't have a credit card.
"Well, he used one." Emma defended, pointing to the screen and Regina bent to look. "Let's pull up a transaction record." A few clack of the keys and then another mutter, "Mary Margaret Blanchard… Who's Mary Margaret Blanchard?"
Dina's stomach dropped about the level of her feet. "Henry's teacher." Regina answered, mouth a hard line.
She followed them to the vehicles, but outside, Regina rounded on her, "You've done enough. Don't you think?"
"Me?" Dina squeaked, eyes wide.
"If it weren't for your influence, he never would have taken off to Boston in the first place." She snapped.
"What?" Her voice going breathy and taking on the panic her eyes were showing. It caught Graham's attention.
"Actually, wouldn't it be good if she were to stick around, if this doesn't pan out, she's the next best thing to a lead that we'll have."
"Excuse me?" Regina's tone was dangerous as she glared daggers at Graham now.
"I just mean that he could call her or she might know where to look next." He defended.
Regina scowled and went to Graham's car. Dina gave him a grateful sigh, heart pounding a mile a minute as she joined Emma in the back seat.
She quickly swallowed back her fear and trepidation at being anywhere near Regina or in the back of the Sheriff's vehicle. Or perhaps that was just vomit at being in the back seat… Could really go either way at this point.
The school wasn't that far of a drive, nothing was though. Five minutes- ten tops. To get anywhere within the borders of Storybrooke if only a person had a vehicle.
The classrooms were emptying for lunch as Regina plowed the way through the children, a few wrapping their little arms about Dina's waist, happy to see her. The rest, dodging Regina and Emma like the plague as they scurried on their way.
"No Running!" Mary Margaret called to her students as Regina stormed up to her. "Ms. Mills, what are you doing here?" She asked, surprised.
"Where's my son?" She asked once more.
"Henry? I assumed he was out sick with you." She said, ducking to prepare her class for the next lesson, picking up stray markers to cap them, sticking papers on the proper desks, restacking books that might have been knocked over in the mass exodus.
"You think I'd be here if he was?" She snapped, sharp eyes cutting into Mary Margaret like she were fabric with little more use than a dirty rag. "Did you give him your credit card so he could find her?"
Mary Margaret's eyes went to Emma, who stood there sheepishly with Dina, who tried to make herself as small as possible. Pity in her gaze made Dina bristle a bit. That was never a look she liked seeing on anyone's face when it was pointed in her direction.
"I'm sorry, who are you?"
"I'm…I'm just..." Emma tried to answer, not really sure how she should, in all actuality.
"The woman who gave him up for adoption." Regina cut in, trying to get back to the point.
"You don't know anything about this, do you?" Emma offered.
"No, unfortunately not." She said, looking through her purse to fish out her wallet, only to find a credit card was missing.
"Clever boy." Her gaze went thoughtful as they focused on something far away. "I never should have given him that book
back." She sighed.
"What in the hell is this book I keep hearing about?" Regina all but shouted in exasperation.
"Oh, it seems he had a book filled with some old stories and he was reading it while in class, so obviously I had to take it from him. But, as you well know, Henry is a special boy. So smart, so creative, and as you might be aware, lonely. I felt like he needed it back." Mary Margaret said the pity in her tone extremely evident.
Regina shouted with a frustrated sigh, her hands in fists at her side. "What he needs is a good dose of reality." She gave another frustrated sigh, "This is a waste of time." After that Regina quickly stormed out of the room.
Dina wasted no time in chasing after the angry mayor- which turned out to be a very bad idea. "Is this your idea of a joke?"
Caught in the crossfire like a deer in season, Dina stopped, staring at the mayor. "What? No, I-"
"My son is not some project you can sink your claws into, Ms. Cheshire. I know for a fact, he didn't just decide to steal a credit card!"
"What?" She all but shrank, even nearly bent backwards as she was, quite the feat of balance she hadn't toppled over yet.
"You are not going to teach him anything else, Ms. Cheshire. Go back to napping or manicuring or whatever it is you do all day." She dismissed.
"You- …." She started to try to defend herself, but upon receiving another glare, the fight went out of her. "I'm so sorry." And with that said, she all but flew towards Gold's shop.
[Enchanted Forest- 28 Years ago]
{Chess}
Screaming rang throughout the castle, echoing and reverberating into my ears as Snow White went through the pains of labor. David bracing her, her hands in his own as she pushed.
"I can't have this baby now!" She kept protesting even as her body went through the motions.
"Doc, do something!" David cried with a grimace at her grip. "The wardrobe is almost finished. Just hold on, it's going to be okay."
Doc looked helpless at me and I shoved him out of the way to check Snow's progress. "Snow, you don't have a choice. This baby is coming." Snow and David shared heartbroken glances as Gepetto rushed in.
"It's ready." He panted, thankfully the bed was situated so the door was to the side.
"It's too late. She can't be moved." David started, only to be interrupted by Snow's screaming.
"Push, push!" Her hands fisted in the sheets as I grit my teeth, the feeling of approaching magic and the sound of her cries making me feel like I'd been struck by lightning as skin tingled and every muscle ached with the strain not to bolt from the room just to be rid of the noise. Snow took another breath and with the next contraction, the baby was out. "It's a girl!" I cheered, swaddling her, with Doc's help, into the blanket her mother had painstakingly knitted for her. I quickly handed her to
Snow as David looked over her shoulder for his first peek at his daughter's face.
"The wardrobe," Snow turned to her husband, "It only takes one."
They turned to me, my eyes on the child, rising to meet theirs. Resigned, at least this way David could keep his family.
"Then our plan has failed." David turned back to the child, seemingly sharing my sentiment, "At least we'll be together."
"No," Snow pushed the baby into his arms, "You have to take her. Take the baby to the wardrobe."
"Are you out of your mind?" David asked, surprised and overwhelmed as he held the baby to his chest.
"No, it's the only way." Snow insisted. "You have to save her."
I shook my head, unable to say anything. No, they didn't have to be separated. Don't break apart this family before it even had a chance! "No, no, no. You don't know what you're saying." David denied.
"No, I do." She looked from David to her child, "We have to believe that she'll come back for us. We have to give her her best chance."
My head fell as David looked from his wife to his child. They share kisses I couldn't watch, "Goodbye, Emma."
"Chess," David called, grabbing his sword- only to find I was already there, holding it. "Give me the sword. There's no time."
"I know." I said, solemn. "The curse is coming and Regina's guards are already in the castle. You can't hope to get her to the wardrobe alone." He nodded.
"Come on, then." He said, letting me take the lead.
Which was good, because nearly as soon as we exited the royal chambers, the black guards were upon us. I blocked a heavy handed swing, letting the blade slide to the side rather than hold it straight on. In the opening, I used my claws to slice through armor and flesh as the other guard tried to get past me and I kicked him back.
Seeing his own opening, David tried to rush through as they attempted to recover themselves. The two guards charged once again and I leapt up, out of reach, knocking one unconscious as I landed behind the other and sliced a new line down his spine. Blood pooled at my feet as I heard David shout.
I ran forward, watching him dodge and knock a sword from his enemy's grasp. I stabbed one through the back, the blade coming out of his stomach before ripping it back out as David slashed another, his back to mine. "Duck!" I shouted, doing
just that as the faceless men kept attacking. He stumbled, over balanced, and I shoved David to the side, baby and all, as he landed on his comrade's blade. I noticed David's hands were empty again and gave him his sword back.
Without care, the body was tossed aside and more took his place. I knocked another blade to the side to take a punch to the cheek. I cried out, falling to the floor. Snatching a dagger from the boot of a body, I flung it at someone who was going after David as he protected his child. I cried out again at the sting of a blade cutting into my calf.
He tumbled into the nursery with the wardrobe. Safe. David was Safe.
Without him to worry about, I lashed out at the man who'd cut me, finding myself surrounded. I took the sword from my leg. Four of the queen's guards, faceless men. I hissed at them, ears flat against my skull as I lunged forward.
One tried to block, but I merely ducked underneath to shove my hand through his chest. Twirling away to block another, I threw the glowing heart at his friend, who batted it aside and I spun to my knees to slice at their legs- only one managed to dodge, falling backwards. Claws and blades and the clash was loud and violent as we danced. I felt the bite of a blade at my ribs, a glancing blow, but painful nonetheless- or would be should I manage to survive past the adrenaline rushing through my veins.
But soon enough, only one was left standing and at my roar, he fled back the way he came. I stumbled into the nursery- to find two guards who'd been waiting for David on the floor… a bloody David with them. The child missing.
"No… NO!" I denied, unable to stay. A rage overtaking me as the cloud of magic swirled and swelled about the castle, ripping everything I'd ever known- ripping everything anyone had ever known- into another world. And the only thing I could think of
was to at least look upon Rumple one last time. If he were to be the last thing I ever saw… If he would be the last thing I would know until the curse was broken…. My strength left me in the dark, the howling of high winds and the crash of thunder sending me into a panic, torches long since blown out. But the earthen corridor was the very one that lead to his cell.
I was going to make it if it killed me. No matter the burning in my lungs nor the slickness of the blood that trailed behind me.
And I did. And he was not alone.
[Storybrooke, Maine]
{Howl}
I sit in the shadow of a nearby tree, a wooden play place not far off. I look carefully so as not to be seen and spy a sad Henry sitting all by his lonesome in the wooden castle section of the play place. "Sorry kid, but this was the easiest way to help you." I mutter to myself under my breath.
Thankfully, the sound of tires coming down the road begin to approach and I watch as Emma steps out, alone, and makes her way to Henry, the book I gave him in hand.
"You left this in my car." Emma says, handing over the book by way of a peace offering. She watches as his eyes move to the clock tower, following his gaze. "Still hasn't moved, huh?"
The boy let out a depressed sigh, "I was hoping that when I brought you back, things would change here. That the final battle would begin."
I could feel my heart reach out to the boy, he wasn't the only one counting on this after all.
Emma reacted negatively, "I'm not fighting any battle kid."
"Yes, you are," Henry proclaimed as my appreciation grew for the little brat, his tenacity was not to be looked down upon. "It's your destiny. You're going to bring back the happy endings."
Although a valiant effort Emma did not seem swayed, "Would you cut it with the book crap?"
I could see the little gears working in the kids mind as he tried another approach. "You don't have to be hostile. I know you like me - I can tell. I know I make you feel guilty. It's okay. I don't blame you for giving me away. I know you were just giving me my best chance."
A blow finally struck, Emma seemed stunned, "How do you know that?"
Henry gave a simple shrug, "It's the same reason Snow White gave you away."
"Listen to me, kid. I'm not in any book. I'm a real person. And I'm no savior." Emma protested. Trust me sweetheart, no one worthy of it thinks they are. She continued, "You were right about one thing, though. I wanted you to have your best chance. But that's not with me. Now come on, let's go."
"Please don't take me back there." Henry begged, pulling out all the stops now I see. "Just stay with me for a week. Just one week and you'll see. You'll see I'm not crazy."
Emma gave an exasperated sigh, but I could already see her resolve weakening, "I have to get you back to your mom."
Like a chip off the old block, Henry only laid it on thicker. "You don't know what it's like with her. My life sucks!"
"Oh, you want to know what sucking is?" Emma asked in frustration, I think I hear her voice crack a bit. "My parents left me on the side of the free-way. They didn't even take me to a hospital. I was in the foster system and had a family until I was three. Then they sent me back when they finally had their own. Look, your mom is trying her best. I know it's hard, and sometimes it might seem like she doesn't love you, but she is trying."
Henry, once again, flawlessly changed gears. I should really consider teaching him a few of my tricks. "Your parents didn't leave you on the side of the free-way. That's just where you came through."
"What?" Emma asked with astounding disbelief.
"The wardrobe." Henry explained, "When you went through the wardrobe you appeared in the street. Your parents were trying to save you from the curse."
Emma let out another exasperated sigh, "Sure they were. Come on Henry."
I let out a small sigh as I watch her leave. I had to admit it wasn't the perfect ending, but it would at least keep her in Storybrooke for a time.
[Enchanted Forest - 28 Years Ago]
{Howl}
The cave was dark and had oddly little to no actual smell to it. This didn't stop Howl from showing great distaste as he appeared past the guards and made his way to the lone occupant of the caves prison.
"Rumple, it's good to see you. It looks like your plan is going to work perfectly. The curse is falling as we speak, Snow is in labor, and Regina won't be able to stop the child from entering the tree." Howl congratulated as he walked closer to the cell.
Surprise was evident in the wide eyed gaze of the man addressed, "Well, well, well, lookie what we have here. Little far from your cozy, little castle." He giggled, that high pitch grating giggle that got on most everyone else's nerves, set their teeth on edge. "Doubt you've come to tell me what I already know, I'd offer tea and crumpets, but… the maid service is decidedly lacking today."
"How unfortunate, and here I had heard they were taking care of you well." Howl said faking sympathy, "In truth, I really am here for no more than an honorary congratulations, after all, it's not easy to use someone else to cast such a strong curse.
The final hour has arrived and I find myself with little to do until the final bell tolls, so I thought I would entertain the both of us with a small conversation."
"Well, I do enjoy a good conversation." Rumple allowed, though his eyes flickered with more than excitement, he was watching something not quite before him. "But the entertainment could have taken care of itself." His eyes flickered back and forth as though watching a fierce battle. "Always was so agile."
"Hmm," Howl smiled, "Still following that seer's madness I see, quite adept at it too, it seems. You're right, I could be watching Regina's men trying to stop Charming, or even Chess helping to protect. But honestly, I was slightly more curious about how you were going to deal with the waiting. Twenty-eight years with no magic? Seems like it might be quite the challenge for you."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," He tutted, teasing, "Not quite so for me, not asking for advice are you? Here I thought you were smart. You
should stay awake, one of us should. Would I could, but alas, I cannot. Regina would watch to closely."
Howl seemed to give a slight sneer before recovering, "So it's true then, you really are letting the sight lead you. To think, to use the . . . the savior." Even for the newly born, names held power here, "A powerful trigger. Fine, I'll remember, on one condition."
Rumple cocked his head slightly, reminiscent of Chess- they did seem to spend so much time together- to show his interest.
"And what's that then?"
"When you hear her name," Howl started, "when you remember, you have to buy me a drink."
Rumple giggled maniacally, agreeing emphatically. "It's a deal!" He cried.
"RUMPLE!" Both heads turned towards the frantic cry as someone stumbled down the corridor, the smell of blood filled their nostrils as Chess solidified, stumbling right towards the bars. "It's here."
"The child-" He started.
"David…" She slid to the ground, despite Rumple trying to steady her through the bars. She hissed in pain and Rumple's own hands came away bloody, he cast a look to Howl. "David…"She sobbed, heartbroken.
Howl sighed as he waved his hand. Chess' wounds quickly began to heal as the purple smoke that was the curse roll through the tunnel, "Well, I guess it's time to get this started." With that the smoke surrounded them.
[Storybrooke, Maine]
{Howl}
Some time passes and once I figure Emma's finally managed to bring Henry to Regina, I make a call. I hate using phones, but I feel this one might be necessary.
I put the overrated piece of plastic to my ear and wait as I hear it ring once, twice. "What is it Howl?"
"Gold?" I asked surprised, "I thought this was Chess' number."
"She's busy." Short and curt, right, if she was with anyone else I might have been worried.
"Well, when you get the chance, tell her that Henry's been found. I just saw him and his mom pass by me in her car." I explain.
"I'll be sure to let her know. Anything else I can do for you, Mr. Howl?" I could do without the sarcasm but I guess even without memories he wouldn't be the same without it.
"You might want to finish collecting rent soon if you haven't yet. I think it might be in your best interest."
"Don't see how that concerns you." Gold replied.
"We both have our investment, Mr. Gold." I reply before hanging up and immediately making my way over to Granny's Inn.
I'm in luck and happen to make it there just in time to Emma leave her bug and head into the building. I wait a little longer and also happen to see the limping Mr. Gold slowly enter behind her. I can't help but feel myself smile as I walk over and wait by the door.
It takes a little while, but eventually I see Gold pass me as he walks out. "How's it feel to remember?"
He doesn't look towards me, but from what I can see I can tell his lips have lifted into a light smile. "It's like I never forgot."
"Then, I guess you can buy me that bottle now." I insisted.
Rumple turned to me, firmly placing his cane in front of him, "I believe the deal was a cup." He voice was stiff.
"We can call it interest." I reply.
Rumple hesitates until we both here a light tick come from the clock tower down the road. He smiles again. "Interest it is."