Hey everyone, so I am going to apparently have to make the statement that yes, this is a very, very, very alternative universe and yes characters will be "out of character" but I hope that people will look past this and continue to read a story that I worked hard on.

Anyways, I want to thank everyone who reviewed and will hopefully continue to support this story. If not, it is your choice, but to everyone else thank you.

In this chapter you will find that as I promised a major plot point is revealed, and it is quite obvious so you shouldn't have to look too deeply.

Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT, any of its characters or dialogue. But if I did, it would be awesome if Neal had a storyline twist like the one I've written out for him.

Neal was due to arrive any minute now and Mary Margaret was just putting the finishing touches on the roast. She watched as Emma set the table and Henry helped David mash the potatoes.

Her family was together under one roof and soon a new member would be joining them, her family was coming together and she couldn't be more thrilled.

Mary Margaret was aware of the less than saintly history between the two and that Emma was still and would be hurt by Neal's actions but she hoped that this dinner would lead to a good future between them. There was no doubt that she was on Emma's side, David as well, but she could also understand, to a degree, why Neal had made his choices.

He could have ignored Augusts' insistences that he leave Emma, and set her back on track to her destiny and instead stay with her and continue their wild romance. But he hadn't, he had done as August said and let her go, not in the most ideal or noble way, but he set her back on track, breaking both or their hearts in one shot.

In part she was thankful for his actions, if not for his choice Emma could have never been brought to Storybrooke and broken the curse.

Knocking at the door caught everyone's attention and Henry was quick to sprint to the door, unlock it and open it to show Neal carrying a brown paper bag.

"Hey buddy! How you doing?" Neal asked as he stepped inside the apartment and ruffled the boy's hair.

Henry sent him a blinding smile and followed him as he walked to the kitchen and set the bag down.

"Hi Neal, I hope you're hungry" Mary Margaret greeted, leaning over to give him a hug.

"Starving. I felt like I should bring something so I brought some sparkling cider" he explained, reaching into the bag and pulling out the green bottle.

"Thank you, that's very kind of you. I'll set this on the table so we can all have some" taking the bottle she set it on the table then walked over to David to see how the potatoes were coming along. Seeing that everything was ready they all sat down at the table and started serving themselves.

Everyone ate in silence and so feeling that someone should break the ice Mary Margaret spoke the first thing that came to mind,

"So Neal, how are you liking Storybrooke so far?"

All eyes were on him now so Neal answered, "I really like it here. It's a definite change from Manhattan" the conversation flowed from there and before they knew it an hour had gone by and Henry was sitting on the couch with Neal looking at his book of fairytales; currently they were discussing more about Neal's life growing up in the Enchanted Forest.

"Did you ever see any dragons?" he asked, enthralled by Neal's stories about getting lost in the woods when he was around Henry's age.

Neal chuckled, "no, but I did see a family of unicorns once while I was collecting firewood" he shared, happy that his son was enjoying their time together.

Time went by so quickly and soon it was nearing 10 and Henry's eyes were starting to droop, signaling that it was time for bed.

Emma walked over to Henry and placed her hand on his shoulder, getting his attention. "Okay kid, time for bed" she said, having noticed the drooping eyes and the constant yawning.

Henry shook his head. "I'm not tired" he protested, though was betrayed by a loud, long yawn that followed.

"Your mom's right bud, but I'll be here tomorrow at noon to pick you up for the guided tour" Neal said, backing Emma up as he got up from the couch to begin the process of heading out.

After saying goodnight Henry hugged Neal goodbye then went up to his room.

Slipping into his coat Neal headed for the door, adjusting his scarf as he walked. When he was at the door he turned to face Emma who had followed him.

"Henry's an amazing kid Emma. He kind of remembers of myself when I was his age" he commented, enjoying the idea that some of his own traits had been passed down, hopefully few to none of his bad ones had, especially one in particular.

"Yeah, I've noticed that too, just like I've noticed that he has one of the purest hearts I've ever seen" she added, looking over at Mary Margaret and David as they were sealing up leftover food.

Neal followed her gaze and smiled warmly, "I'm really glad you found your parents and that you've united this small family" he stated, grateful that she had found her parents and that they were such wonderful, loving people.

"I am too" she replied, a tension forming between them but there was nothing uncomfortable about it, it was almost...pleasant.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow" Emma could not hide the awkwardness in her voice, the close proximity arousing past feelings that were fighting for dominance.

" Yeah...I had a really good time. Goodnight Emma" his body twitched, as if wanting to hug her or something but he held himself back, knowing that it was still too soon.

She was quiet for a moment before she responded, "I did too, goodnight Neal" smiling she watched as Neal opened the door and left.

She could feel eyes on the back of her head and when she turned around she met the eyes of her mother whose eyes held the unmistakable glint of amusement.

"Don't say it" she warned as she headed for the stairs. She could hear Mary Margaret chuckling in response and mumble something to David.

Mary Margaret was never going to let her hear the end of this and she was not looking forward to the further teasing.

Entering her room she closed the door behind her and after a moment of hesitation walked over to her dresser and pulled out the first drawer. Reaching in she dug around until her fingers brushed against a familiar wooden box. Pulling the box out she set it on top of the dresser and flipped the top open to show the contents inside.

To anyone else besides her and Neal the contents inside the box would just be random objects but to her they were remnants of a happier time.

The object that shone the brightest to her was a cheap thrift store ring that had a thin metal band and a small blue crystal at the base.

She remembered when Neal had presented the ring to her.

Flashback

Emma was waiting outside in the yellow beetle while Neal was inside a gas station getting themselves something to eat using some of the money they had collected for the jewelry Neal had pawned earlier.

She couldn't be more thrilled and in bliss with Neal by her side. As Neal liked to say they were like "Bonnie & Clyde." Before she had met Neal she had been living in and out of abandoned stores and factories, surviving on food she bought with items she nicked from tourist in airports and going to soup lines.

The day she "stole" the yellow beetle changed everything. After Neal had surprised her by popping up in the backseat, where he had been sleeping, and she discovered that she had stolen a stolen car she found herself agreeing to have a drink with the man. It still amazed her that she hadn't reacted more frightened. A strange man had just sprung up from the back of the car, she had no idea who he was and he could be dangerous, but the instincts that had kept her alive thus far told her that she didn't have anything to be afraid of.

Her choice to trust him had been the best decision she could have made.

She watched Neal jog across the street to the driver's side and get in. "I got your favorite: a sausage dog with mustard and ketchup along with a strawberry lemonade" he said as he handed her the items from the white paper bag, along with taking his own food and beverage out.

"Thank you" she smiled, uncapping the plastic bottle and taking a drink.

"I also got you something else" she watched curiously as he reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a ring.

"While we were in that thrift store I bought this for you. I figured it would have more value if I actually paid for it. Do you like it?" he asked, holding it out for her to take.

Setting down her food she took the ring and admired it.

"It's beautiful Neal, I love it! Thank you" she slid the ring on and like a Cinderella story it was a perfect fit.

Looking back at him and seeing his smiling face she leaned over and pulled him into a kiss that expressed how happy she was.

End Flashback

A few tears had slipped from her eyes and it wasn't until one landed on her hand that she even realized that she was crying. Wiping the tears away she placed the ring back in the box and put it back in the drawer.

That was the past, no use in crying over it now and she needed to move on and focus on the now. But that annoying voice reared its ugly head again, "but you're not, your heart is still bleeding in the past." Knocking the voice aside she decides to make sure that Henry was in bed. She left the room and went down the hallway to Henry's room.

Knocking on the door she called out Henry's name, waiting a moment for a reply and when she didn't receive one she opened the door and peeked inside. Henry was in bed, asleep, the toy wolf Neal had bought him lay beside him.

Stepping into the room she quietly walked into the room and approached the bed, stopping when she was standing beside him and looked down at her sleeping son. Smiling she bent down and kissed him on the head. He briefly reacted to the touch but did not wake.

"Goodnight Henry, I love you" she whispered then turned and left the room just as quietly as she had come in.

Heading back to her room she got ready for bed, not feeling up to staying up any longer.

~Break~

The following morning at around 7:30 the shops began to open and people started to go about their day; including that of Ruby, otherwise known as Red Riding Hood.

As she walked to the diner the events of yesterday between her and that mysterious man revolved like a carousel in her mind.

Upon her return to the diner she had been lectured by Granny about not just wandering off during her shift and her responsibilities. She had also noticed that the man had left.

When she asked Isabelle where he had gone she told her that she didn't know but suspected it was back to the B&B.

Needing to know more she had leaned forward and braced herself for the gossip inside Isabelle to burst forth.

Flashback

"Tell me everything you know about him" she ordered, her voice low so that no one could overhear their conversation.

Isabelle sensed the seriousness of the question and did her best to remember every piece of information she had learned about the man.

"His name is Neal Cassidy but in our land his name was Baelfire. He's here visiting from Manhattan and get this...he's Henry's father! Can you believe it? What are the odds of Emma hooking up with someone from our land, especially someone besides here 11 years ago? I just-" she had continued speaking but had gone off on some tangent about how it must have been meant to be but Ruby tuned her out.

He was Henry's father? Picturing Henry in her mind alongside an image of Neal she could see the facial similarities but she wondered what other traits the two might share. Then another question entered her mind: why hadn't he been cursed as well?

She asked Isabelle this and was told that he had told her that he had fallen through a portal to this world when he was younger and thus had avoided the curse. If he was telling the truth, which she suspected he was, then that made the connection they seemed to have make more sense.

She had then been herded off by Granny to service another table.

End Flashback

Entering the diner she flipped on the lights then went about setting out the napkin dispensers and such. As she was checking the amount of ketchup in each of the booths Tony, the cook, entered and greeted her.

"Hey Ruby, is Granny in yet?" he asked as he passed her to head to the kitchen.

"No, she had to take care of something at the B&B so she'll be in a little later today" she explained as she took the mainly empty bottles over to the counter to refill.

"Let me guess, the heater shut down again?" he remarked, the topic a well discussed one that was often laughed over.

"Yeah, it shut down just as we were heading out" she explained, not able to help the light chuckle that followed.

"I keep telling her to switch her old system out but she won't listen, I'm actually shocked that none of the other appliances she has, has clonked out yet" he added, laughing as well.

They engaged in small talk as they worked, eventually Sandy and Emily showed up and took care of placing out the menus.

Just as Ruby was headed for the door to flip the sign over to 'OPEN' Sandy stopped her with a question.

"What happened to you yesterday? I saw you were talking to Isabelle and some guy then you ran out, what happened?" she asked, tying her white apron on around her waist.

Ruby had hoped that no one had noticed her sudden exit but with only 4 wait staff people, herself included, that was a tall order.

"I...I had to make a phone call and you know how Granny feels about using phones for personal reasons during work hours" it was a weak lie but it was the best she could come up with on the spot.

Even though her back was to her Ruby knew that Sandy was doubting her story but thankfully didn't call her on her lie. Flipping the sign over she walked behind the counter and waited for the steady stream of the breakfast crowd to come in.

A huge part of her was hoping and praying against the possibility that Neal would be among the customers today.

~Break~

When Neal had woken up that morning it was to an icy environment that chilled the wooden floorboards causing cold tentacles to slither up his body when he made contact with the floor.

Picking up his cell phone from the nightstand he turned the alarm off and checked the time, 7:30. Setting the phone down he walked over to the dresser and got ready for the day.

Once he was dressed he grabbed his phone, wallet and room key then left the room and walked down the short flight of stairs. It was as he was walking that he again noticed a foreign yet so achingly familiar scent but this time it was subdued, not as strong.

Curious he followed the scent and found an elderly woman, likely Granny, covered in dust and even some dirt. Concerned he stepped over to her to ask if she was okay.

"That damn heater broke down on me and I've been trying to fix it for the past hour now" she explained, trying to shake the dust off her clothing and hair.

"You want me to take a look at it for you? I have a little experience with air conditioning and heating systems" he added, sensing that she wasn't having much luck.

She eyed him up and down, probably trying to see if he was any threat to her but she must not have found any because she nodded in consent.

"If you want to, I'll show you where it's at" leading him through the door and down a flight of stairs she marched up to a large system that resembled a beer keg.

"This is it, I've been working on it for a while now and I can't figure out what's wrong with it" she explained as he took his jacket and scarf off then set them down on a nearby box.

"Well let's just have a look" kneeling down in front of the system he set to work, every once in a while asking for Granny to hand him a tool. About a half hour later it was fixed and warming the house up once more.

"Thank you, I never did get your name" she said as they walked back up the stairs and noticing the noticeably warmer air when they reached the top of the stairs.

"It's Neal Cassidy and it was no problem. You get to have a warmer house and I got to brush up on my repair skills" he replied as she walked back behind the counter.

Neal checked his watch and saw that it was 8:30, his stomach also reminded him that he hadn't eaten yet. As if in reply to his hunger Granny asked him if he had eaten yet, he replied no and Granny told him that he was welcome to a free breakfast at the diner.

Neal wanted to refuse but he could tell that she wanted to repay him in some way so he agreed. After Granny had gotten her coat on Neal and her left the B&B for the diner.

~Break~

Ruby had just finished taking an order when she heard the bell above the door jingle, followed by the familiar scent of Granny and Neal.

Her body and mind alert she followed his movements as he took a stool at the counter, almost the exact spot he had occupied yesterday.

She noticed that Granny and Neal were talking, focusing in she listened in towards the end of their conversation.

"...So, what will you have? There's the special: apple crunch pancakes with a choice of strawberries or apples as a topping and a side order of eggs and bacon" she said as she pointed to the chalkboard behind her.

Mulling it over Neal decided to order just a small order of pancakes and a side order of eggs with a cup of coffee. Writing down his order she pinned it on the order line then went to get him a cup for his coffee.

She knew that he could sense her as she approached, so she wasn't surprised when he turned to face her.

"You and I need to talk" she stated, no room for argument in her voice.

Neal nodded, "okay" getting up from his stool she found that he had a good few inches on her but she wasn't going to let that deter her.

"Where do you want to talk?" his voice was calm and steady, showing her that he was trying to appear as non-challenging as possible.

"Out back, this way" she jerked her head to the left.

It looked like a hostage situation as Neal walked in front of her, his steps slow and deliberate as they reached the back door that led to the alley.

Pushing open the door he stepped out in the cold air and was soon joined by Ruby, the door closing behind her.

~Break~

He turned to face her, the primal instincts inside him making sure to keep a safe distance between them.

Neal could feel the tension in the air as they stood in silence, waiting for the other to speak. Subconsciously they both began to circle each other, every move the other made catalogued in their minds as either a threat or a simple twitch.

Finally they both stopped moving , almost at the same time, eyes still wary of the other.

Ruby broke the silence, "what were you doing with Granny?" she demanded, not liking this 'outsider' anywhere near her grandmother, even though she knew that the woman was more than capable of taking care of herself.

"I helped her fix the heater at the B&B and she invited me here for a free breakfast as payment. look, I'm not here to cause trouble, all I want is to be near my son and get to know him" he explained, aware that his presence was making her anxious in what was essentially her territory.

Her features softened at the mention of his son, but that did not stop her from keeping a distance and on her toes for a sudden attack.

"Henry. Isabelle told me your his father. So if you're his father your aware that there's a chance that Henry has the curse too right?"she pointed out.

The thought of Henry wolfing out one day was almost too painful to consider. Neal shook his head, "god I hope not. I don't want this life for him. The constant fear of being caught, always feeling different and isolated, especially during the full moon" he answered, letting his guard down for a moment before quickly building it back up.

"And if he is?" she questioned, wondering how he would handle that.

Neal closed his eyes, the thought enough to break his heart "If Henry is a wolf then I'll make sure he knows everything I myself know about our heritage and I'll take the precautions necessary to teach him how to control his wolf" he replied, hoping that he would never have to.

Both were quiet as they contemplated the thought that Henry could be like them; it was too stunning to comprehend.

"How long are you going to be here?" she asked, feeling more in control if she knew how long he was going to be in town.

"Depends, I have two weeks off but I'm not attached to anything or anyone in Manhattan so I might move down here" he confessed, aware that Ruby would not take too kindly to this news. He was proven right.

She growled a little and dug her nails into her palms.

"Storybrooke is mine! It's dangerous enough with one wolf being here but two is just asking for trouble!" her wolf was gnashing inside her, enraged that another wolf would dare encroach on her territory and was eager for a fight.

Neal could sense her agitation and his own wolf was gearing up for a fight as well, not willing to submit to her, he mimicked Ruby by digging his blunt nails into his palms, grounding himself.

"And what are you going to do if Henry is a wolf? Run him out of town too? Away from his family and the only home he's ever known?!" he challenged, anger strengthening his words.

Ruby was past the ability to formulate words. How dare this mongrel insinuate that she would dare cast out young Henry! The boy her wolf considered part of its pack.

Launching herself at him she collided with him against a wall and proceeded to try to beat him into submission. Seeing exposed skin on his collarbone she couldn't stop herself and she bit down, her canines sharper than one would expect. He cried out But Neal's wolf wouldn't submit.

Throwing her off him she landed hard against the diner wall but quickly righted herself, with blood dribbling down her chin, she flung herself back into the fight.

Animalistic growls filled the air as the two dueled and with it being so close to the full moon their wolves were able to have more influence over their human counterparts.

Ruby slashed her surprisingly sharp nails across his face leaving behind three bloody jagged lines down his left cheek and part of his chin. Neal retaliated by delivering a hard blow to her chin and stomach, successfully knocking her off him but she was quick to return and continue her own assault.

She leashed out a few kicks that made contact but her ankle was caught in his hands and she was flipped harshly onto her back, knocking the breath out of her.

Seeing that his prey was down and vulnerable he moved in for the kill but an arrow that narrowly missed his face and imbedded itself in the wall behind him stopped him. His wolf retreated, giving back control to its human counterpart.

Looking towards the direction the arrow had come from he saw Granny holding a repeating crossbow and another arrow lined up and aimed at him.

"That was a warning shot. Next one goes between the eyes!" she threatened, a cold calculating look in her eyes.

Trying to calm himself down he took in deep breaths and flexed his hands, the adrenaline though continued to rattle his body.

Ruby got up from the ground and moved to stand beside Granny. A bruise was already starting to form below her chin. She carefully wiped the rapidly drying blood from her aching chin. Her hands and body were shaking as well.

"Now does someone want to tell me what in the hell is going on or do I have to fire off another round?" she exclaimed, looking between the two of them for answers.

Ruby was able to shake off enough of the fight instincts that were trying to consume her to speak. "You can lower your weapon Granny, he's a wolf, like me" she explained, still wary of the wolf in front of her.

Granny scoffed, "I'm aware of that Red, but that doesn't make me want to lower my weapon" she retorted, continuing to keep a distrustful eye on the man who had been attacking her granddaughter.

"Granny please, we're done fighting. Our wolves got the best of us but we've gotten them under control again" Ruby tried to assure her, inside hoping that she was right.

Though Granny's wolf may have almost completely vanished with age she still had enough wolf senses left to interpret the aura coming from the two as no longer as hostile as it had been before.

Trusting Red and her own instincts Granny slowly lowered her weapon until it was hanging by her side, still prepared to fire if needed though. Granny studied the man in front of her with quiet intensity. How could she have missed such a vital piece of information? If she had known another wolf was in Storybrooke she could have prevented this confrontation.

Not feeling any fear Granny approached Neal, continuing to size him up. Neal stayed perfectly still as Granny approached, curious to see what she would do.

"What are you doing in Storybrooke?" she questioned.

Neal wanted to roll his eyes at the repeating question he had been asked for what felt like the 100th time but he knew it was in his best interest to be cooperative.

"I'm visiting my son Henry and I honestly don't know how long I'll be here" he answered the other question that was sure to follow.

Granny's eyes widened and she took a step back.

"Henry...Emma's son?" she was unsure if she should believe him but she couldn't sense any dishonesty in his previous words.

"Yes" he confirmed, hoping that she wouldn't question him further about his involvement with Emma.

She shook her head, "you two come with me to the B&B now. We have a lot to discuss, especially if Neal is going to be here for a while" beckoning them to follow her she led them back inside the diner. After talking to Tony, explaining to him where she would be if something came up she then ordered Neal and Ruby to follow her to the B&B for a serious discussion.

A/N: There it is, I hope you liked the twist I created, and I'm sure all of you are curious as to how this is possible. I will be revealing this in later chapters so don't quit reading just yet! Trust me, your questions will be answered. Please review, they make me update sooner!