Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

Chapter Three

"Everyone, the time has come." The young man swiped his dark brown hair out of his eyes and adjusted his glasses. "If this works," he continued, "we could bring all of these stories to life. We could fight the forces of evil, dance with Mr. Darcy, attend Hogwarts." He grinned as the group cheered loudly before him. "We've located the Author. With his power and the magic of his mothers', nothing will be able to stop us."


"Alright, lad," Killian held up his prosthetic hand, "What's this about someone following you?"

Slowly, Henry nodded, "It was odd. Everything was fine until I got these new neighbors. Then it seemed like I was never alone anymore."

Reaching out, Emma instinctively searched for some form of injury on his body. "Did you tell the police?"

Grabbing his mother's hand to still it, Henry replied, "I'm fine, Mom. I promise. And no, what proof would I take to the police?"

"Swan, love, relax." Killian tried to soothe her. "The boy's fine. And he's right, this isn't Storybrooke where we even go running for Leroy's fake crises. Besides, Regina doesn't appear to be worried."

Regina's dark eyes cut over to the pirate. "Like hell I'm not worried! I'm just trying to figure out what it all means right now."

"I think the first step would be to identify the group. From there we can determine their plans and stop them." Killian began to strategize. He glanced over at Henry hoping to see the excitement at a new adventure sparkle in the young man's eyes. Killian deflated slightly when he saw it wasn't there. Instead Henry's eyes held a weary look, like he'd been down this road too many times. Perhaps this new adventure would remind Henry of who he truly was and where he belonged, perhaps it would bring excitement and enthusiasm instead of exhaustion.

Rising, Regina reached for her purse. "Let's start by going back to Henry's apartment. Perhaps we can looking into your neighbors. And maybe we will draw out whoever is watching you and introduce them to the Evil Queen and Captain Hook."

Helping Emma out of her chair, Killian tossed enough cash on the table to cover their small tab. "That sounds like a fine plan to start with." He motioned for Regina to lead the way. "After you, your majesty." He bowed mockingly.

Rolling her eyes, Regina hooked her arm through Henry's. "Annoying pirate." She muttered as she led them out of the bar and into the rain.


When they arrived at Henry's apartment, he put on a kettle of water for tea before they all took a seat in the sparsely furnished living room. Looking around, Emma finally asked, "Are you doing okay for yourself, kid?"

Henry shrugged. "I make do. I'm just bartending right now." He murmured.

Instead of commenting or causing Emma and Regina any more worry, Killian questioned. "Lad, do you have your storybook handy? Perhaps we could all refresh our memories and go through it. There may be some stories of the apprentice that could help us figure out who is watching you." He suggested.

Standing, Henry nodded. "It's probably shoved in a box in the closet somewhere." He muttered. A few minutes later, Regina and Emma were passing out cups of tea before joining Killian and Henry on the living room floor surrounded by boxes. Opening the first box, henry finally admitted, "I haven't looked at the book in so long I could've left it in New York."

Remembering when they went searching for the book in the Storybrooke loft before Henry had his memories back, Emma grinned, "Don't worry, kid." She advised. "That book has a tendency to pop up just when it's needed."

After nearly an hour of sifting through every box and cabinet in the small apartment, though, Emma was even beginning to lose hope. "I told you guys," Henry mumbled, "for all I know I left it back in New York or threw it out."

Shaking her head, Emma toed a box towards him. She'd already checked it, but Henry hadn't. "Just try one more." She bargained, "Then we'll come up with a new plan."

With a skeptical look and a resigned sigh, Henry opened the box. Sure enough right on top was the storybook. Glancing up at everyone, Henry shook his head. "But I thought you looked in that box?"

With a soft smile, Emma nodded. "I did, but you didn't."

Carefully, Henry lifted the book from the box. He felt the familiar thrum of magic course through him. It left him feeling warm inside. It was a comforting feeling, a bit like coming home. Emma recognized the look on her son's face. She'd seen it when he'd gotten his memories back, and when he was rescued in Neverland, and when they returned from the Underworld. "It was here all along. . ." Henry murmured. Shaking his head, he passed the book off to Killian. "I'm going to make us some grilled cheese sandwiches."

Emma, Regina, and Killian watched as Henry moved into the kitchen. "Love, he may be more stubborn and determined to abandon his home than you were."

Lightly shoving her husband's shoulder, Emma took the book from him. "Let's just see if we can find any clues in the book."

Regina, who'd been largely ignoring them all, finally spoke from her place near the window. "I think there's someone watching us. Three someones actually." She motioned to the window. "There are definitely people outside."

Before Emma could even comment, Killian and Henry were already out the door. "Bloody hell," she muttered, "we better help them."

"I better help them. You and your pregnant magic should stay here." Regina corrected.

Mumbling under breath about bossy evil queens, Emma instead darted to the kitchen to turn off the stove and clean up the now burned grilled cheese Henry had been making. She'd just finished wiping down the countertop when the apartment door opened and Henry, Killian, and Regina entered with three teenage girls in town. "That's who is watching us?" She questioned skeptically. "Wow, real threatening. I'm glad I stayed out of harm's way.'

"Oi! I'll have you know, love, that they've all made multiple grabs for my necklace."

Snickering, Emma teased. "Oh my, well, I'm certainly glad you made it out of that battle alive."

At her words the small brunette Regina had in hand made a lunge for Henry. "You're both just so cute!" She squealed.

The girl Killian was holding onto nearly swooned. "So hot. I just want to do so many naughty things to you." She winked.

At her words, the tips of Killian's ears turned bright red and his hook rose to scratch the back of his ear uncomfortably. "Alright, girls," Emma took the one Killian was holding onto and led her to the sofa. "All three of you sit." She ordered. "Now, what in the name of the seven seas is going on?"

The blonde girl batted her brown eyes up at Killian. "I'd write a story where you fell in love with an OC and she just happened to be me."

Letting out an aggravated sigh, Regina asked impatiently, "What are you talking about?" When the three girls just continued to stare helplessly at Killian and Henry, she turned away from them. "Perhaps you two best wait in the bedroom. You're only going to be a distraction it seems." Once Henry and Killian had willingly fled from their admirers, Regina and Emma faced the girls again. "Now, let's start from the beginning."

The brunette's eyes stared longingly at the closed bedroom door. "I just can't believe Henry is real. He's so handsome." She looked up at Emma. "You're all real."

The redhead, who had yet to speak, turned her green eyes on the brunette. "Shut up, Amber!" She snapped.

Emma and Regina shared a look. "Whoever is in charge clearly lives in this world." Emma began, "But you know about ours. And you should know that Regina's magic and her temper are fully intact, so," she paused, "what do you want with our son?"

When no one responded, Regina allowed a ball of fire to float menacingly above her open palm. Before she could do anything else, the girl named Amber spoke rapidly, "We just want your magic so we can go to the Enchanted Forest and fall in love with a prince. Or go to Hogwarts. Or fight evil!"

Sharing a look of confusion, Emma and Regina responded at the same time, "What?"


"Caleb!" Caleb turned, again brushing his brown hair away from his eyes, "They caught three of our own. They know they're being watched."


XOXO

MAF