Characters:

HM: Henry Mills

ES: Emma Swan aka The Savior (Swan)

RM: Regina Mills aka The Evil Queen

BE: Belle

DN: David Nolan aka Prince Charming (Charming)

MM: Mary- Margret aka Snow White (Snow)

Hybrid-

Everyone gathered at the town library. Emma, Henry, Regina, David and Mary- Margret all came up with theories as to how this woman could have broken through the magical barrier that surrounded the town, concealing from the rest of the world. They enlisted Belle's help. Emma thought she might be able to help them see if there was some kind of way around the barrier. Because Belle is a bit of a book worm she was more than willing to do the research and help out.

HM: Is it possible that she has been here the whole time?

ES: They how has she stayed hidden for so long?

HM: Maybe she was living in one of the abandoned homes off of Oak Street.

ES: It is not likely. She still would have gone into town to get groceries….

RM: While the curse was enacted she would have lived a normal life, she would have had a job and a home just like David and Mary- Margret did. That was all part of the curse.

HM: Sure, but we already know that some people were living here and they knew what had happened. They knew about your curse.

ES: He's right, Jefferson was living alone in that mansion for god knows how long before he kidnapped me and tried to make me believe.

RM: Yes, but Jefferson's situation was different remember?

ES: How do we know it is different? We don't know where this woman is from. Maybe she spent time in wonderland too.

BE: If this woman has been here the whole time and she knew about the curse then why wouldn't she remember who she is?

ES: Jefferson knew everything about his life, here and the one he spent in the Enchanted Forest. He even remembered every detail of the time he spent in Wonderland. There must be another explanation.

MM: Well let's just think about this. Many of the people in Storybrooke have come at different times and in different ways. I mean just look at all of us. We weren't all brought here by the curse and we all certainly were not affected by the curse in the same way.

DN: We were all brought here directly by the curse. He said while gesturing to his wife and Regina

MM: Yes, but Regina was the one who cast the curse. She had her memory the entire time. You and I were walking around living alternate lives.

BE: Rumple also had his memory the whole time. I while I didn't. I was locked away in that cellar.

Everyone turned and looked at Regina. While it was true she was working to put her past behind her it always seemed to sneak back up on her. As much as she wanted to prove to everyone that she was now a hero rather than a villain the mistakes of her past always circled back around.

RM: If you are thinking of asking me whether or not I had this woman locked away somewhere all this time, don't! I already told you I don't know who she is. I didn't just keep a crypt full of people hidden away.

BE: No just hearts… she mumbled.

ES: Alright, alright. Emma said, clearing the air of the tension that was building. It doesn't seem like she has been here the whole time, Henry. She must have found a way to get through the barrier. We know it is possible, right? Difficult maybe but not impossible.

DN: Could she have opened a portal?

RM: You say that like it is just so easy to open a portal. Oh let me just open this door to another world. Regina mocked.

DN: You know what I meant, Regina. Of course it isn't easy. David gazed around at the group, All that work we did to try and go back to the Enchanted Forest. Of course we know there is only one way to open a portal.

MM: Magic Beans, She chimed in.

ES: Well that is not exactly true… she added hesitantly, Zeleana opened a portal to the past. She didn't use a bean she used a spell.

RM: So you think this woman might have magic?

Everyone stood quietly. They all knew how dangerous magic was if the wrong person was using it. All magic comes with a price. The idea that this woman could cause all of them to pay that price sent shivers down all of their spines. It was still too soon to know if this woman was here to hurt them or not, but the idea certainly kept playing through everyone's minds.

ES: I am not saying she does. I really don't know I am just saying we know magic beans are not the only way to travel between worlds.

Looking up from the book she was glancing through Belle suddenly had an idea.

BE: Ariel! She exclaimed. She came to Storybrooke without a bean. In fact she came without the help of a portal at all.

HM: She is a mermaid! Mermaids can travel between worlds.

RM: Well that is great and all but I don't see how it helps us any. The woman in that hospital room clearly has legs not a fish tale.

Belle rolled her eyes and handed the book she was reading to Regina. She pointed to paragraph that told the story of a hybrid, half human half mermaid. Essentially they are mermaids and have all the powers of a mermaid but the moment they step on land their tale transforms into legs. Regina read the passage out loud to everyone.

ES: How can someone be half human and half mermaid?

Belle read the following passage aloud then said, A hybrid would have had one parent who was a mermaid and one who is human.

ES: Ok but how… Emma stood their trying to understand how this could be physically possible, Oh forget it. She decided there was no point. By now she should just know that her world consists of magic and fairytales so not every question can be answered logically.

MM: Oh my! Do these hybrids actually exist?

BE: I don't know, but I will find out.

HM: Wow, so you really think she could be a hybrid? Henry asked excitedly as he hopped off of the table he had been sitting on.

ES: That is what we are going to find out. Belle, while you find out more about these hybrids I am going to head back to the hospital and see how Hook and our new friend are getting along. Maybe she will remember something or tell us something we can use to find out about this hybrid thing.