yes, i know it's short but i wanted to give Emma and Henry bonding time.

Chapter Four: The Price of Gold

Storybrooke

Emma was walking Henry and Leila to the bus.

Henry asked "Are you sure we can be out in the open?"

Leila spoke up "Mom said it was fine and she would talk with Regina."

Emma said "Yeah enough sneaking around. If your mom really has a problem with me walking the two of you to a school bus, I am more than happy to have that chat."

"You're brave, you'll need that for Operation Cobra" Henry said.

Leila chortled again, Henry glared at her, Leila shrugged "It's a funny name, change it and I'll stop laughing, or don't change it and I keep laughing."

Henry sighed "I'm just gonna have to put up with you laughing at the name, aren't I?"

"Yup."

Emma smiled at the two kids, it was good to see Henry was close to someone.

"Do you think we need code names?" Henry asked

"Isn't Cobra our code name?" Emma asked

"That's the mission. I mean us. I need something to call you"

Leila winced a little at how on the spot Emma looked.

"Oh. Um… well, I don't- you can just call me 'Emma' for now. "

"Okay, well, then I'll see you later, Emma." Henry said as he got on the bus they had reached.

Leila turned to look at Emma and with a wicked smile and the voice of the wicked witch from the movie said "See you later Aunty Em"

Emma was stunned for a second then snorted putting her hands on her hips. "Later kids.

The next morning, Leila and Henry were at the table finishing up their homework, while Regina droned on about Saturday city council meetings, Leila finished her homework first and walked over to Regina. "Ditch the pink…purple… what shade is it supposed to be?"

Regina sighed and looked at Leila "It's supposed to be a magenta."

Leila cocked her head and smiled "Go with red." Then she got closer and whispered so Henry wouldn't hear. "He likes you better in Red."

With a wicked smiled, she turned her back on her stunned aunt, and went back to Henry.

Regina thought about it for a moment before shrugging and pulling out a red lipstick.

"You two know the rules while Connie is out helping her clients?"

"Yes on homework and books." Henry droned.

"No on T.V. and Video Games. Leila said in monotone.

"And stay inside." They said in unison.

"Good." She then walked over to them and gently grabbed their chins "Under no circumstance do you leave this house without Connie."

"You mean don't see my mom." Henry said

"She's not your mother; she's just a woman passing through." Regina replied "Now do as I say or there will be consequences. I'll be back at 5:00 sharp."

Leila closed her eyes as Regina walked out the door. She held up a finger to hold Henry off. Then after a moment she opened her eyes and smiled at him "Go get your stuff. She didn't leave anything behind."

Henry went to go get his stuff and when he came back down he was surprised to find Leila still sitting at the table. "Aren't you coming?" Leila smiled and said "I'm letting you and Emma take this one on your own today. You don't need me."

Henry opened his mouth to protest and Leila just put her hands on her hips "Go spend time with your mom, without me!"

Henry hesitated for one more moment before running up to Leila and hugging her tightly "Thanks Le."

Leila smiled "I want a full report when you get back!" she called as he started to run out the door.

"Yes Ma'am!" He called back as he ran.

Around two o'clock Connie came home and saw Leila at the table reading a book. She sighed "Where is Henry?"

Leila looked up at her mother and smiled brightly "With Emma."

Connie sighed again and sat down at the table. "Leila, you know I love Henry, and I know he wants to get to know Emma, but you can't just keep disregarding Regina."

Leila smiled and leaned forward. "What Regina doesn't know… Won't hurt her."

Connie was gonna say more but decided against it, she wasn't gonna win this fight anymore than Regina would.

A minute before five Henry came running in the door, kicked his shoes off near the door and joined Leila at the table picking up the comic book she had ready for him. Regina came in the door a minute later and seeing her niece and son at the table she smiled at them, she went to the kitchen to see what her sister was making for dinner.

Connie turned around and smiled "I figured spaghetti would suite all of us tonight.

Regina smiled and asked "May I have a taste of the sauce?"

Connie nodded and pulled out a spoon and after getting a little sauce on it handed it to her sister.

Regina tasted it and closed her eyes in satisfaction. Connie smiled and after looking over her shoulder to see the kids busy talking to each other about that stupid book, she turned to Regina and asked "So how was Graham?"

Regina smiled and said "He's good… and looking forward to seeing you soon."

Connie nodded and called over her shoulder "Kids! Set the table! Dinner is gonna be ready in five!"

The Enchanted Forest

Irene went to answer her door wondering who could be calling on her this late at night; it was almost the 11th hour.

She opened the door to see two cloaked figures, but it was her daughter's voice behind her that made her jump "They wish to speak to me Mama. You do not want to be present for this."

Irene looked between the cloaked figures and her nine year old before leaving the room.

Leila smiled as the second figure closed the door while the first lowered the hood from her blond hair and revealing her pretty face. "Hello princess Ella." She then turned to the second cloaked figure. "Do you have a death wish Charming?"

As prince James lowered his hood he asked "Did you know we were coming?"

Leila rolled her eyes "I'm a seer Charming of course I knew you were coming. Let me guess..."

She turned to Ella with crossed arms. "You are here about your husband."

Ella stepped forward eagerly "Yes please do you know what happened to him?!"

Leila nodded "The price was paid."

Ella looked confused. "I'm sorry… what?"

Leila sighed. "All magic comes at a price. When you refused to pay the promised price you gave the Fates permission to step in and make you pay a very different price. Until your end of the deal is fulfilled, you won't see your husband."

Ella's eyes filled with tears "So I must choose between Thomas and our child?"

Leila sighed. "No Ella, be patient, and be hopeful, and if you prove worthy the Fates will intervene on your behalf, and grant you your husband, and child."

chapter 5 coming soon... lol