Emma had been riding around in the patrol car, in the pouring rain since leaving the station after the altercation with Hook. Pondering her thoughts, she had to wonder if perhaps she had been a little irrational in calling it off with him. He had been downright cruel though, Sophia was an important person she had to focus on. She was a saviour, the saviour and she had a duty to fulfill. If Sophia would cause any harm to the town, or hers and Regina's son, their son, then she should at least be prepared to confront it.

After many tears, cried out of anger rather than hurt and upset, Emma pulled the patrol car up outside Granny's diner. She had every intention of heading inside to drown her break-up sorrows in a large tumbler of whisky on the rocks, but she wouldn't get the chance. The blonde had just unbuckled her seatbelt, when she looked up and saw her son leaving the diner via the side alley. She scrutinised his somewhat sneaky behaviour, wondering what he was up to now.

Sinking down in her seat, she tried to hide, hoping he wouldn't suspect she was actually in the vehicle. Peeking up and over the steering wheel every second, she could see him glancing around to check he wasn't being watched, and luckily he hadn't clocked her. With half an eye on him, she pushed back up in her seat, and grabbed her cell from her pocket. Emma knew she needed to follow Henry, but first she needed to call for backup; she needed Regina.

"Emma."

Regina answered her phone, tone quipped and sharp.

"Well hello to you to Regina." Emma sarcastically quipped, but before Regina could scold her for her insubordination, she quickly continued. "Henry's up to something."

"Henry is always up to something Emma, he just can't help himself." she sighed.

Regina sounded fed up, as if either she didn't want to be at the Mayor's office, or she was dealing with something particularly depressing to do. Perhaps she was dealing with something difficult, or maybe someone, but that was highly unlikely now Gold wasn't in town.

"Well I could use a helping hand, you know if you're free?"

Emma waited for a further scolding, only to be surprised when Regina accepted the request. Suddenly she didn't quite know what to say, but Henry was disappearing down the street now, so she had to be quick or she'd lose him.

"Meet you in ten, i'll swing by the office?"

"I'll be ready and waiting." Regina sang as Emma abruptly hung up on her.

"And goodbye to you too, Miss Swan" she sighed, rolling her eyes as she placed the receiver of her desk phone back on the base, and rose from her chair.

Within minutes, Regina had her coat on and had thundered down the town hall stairs from her office, flying out to the front, where Emma was nowhere to be seen yet. She pulled out her cell from her pocket and dialled Emma's number for an update. She didn't want to be standing out there, in the damp, chilly, autumnal winds waiting for her long.

"Regina, ummm change of plan. You're going to have to meet me at the forest. I followed Henry and he has disappeared in there."

Emma rushed her words, mumbling some of them so they just bled together as they escaped her mouth. Regina could tell she was still driving and shook her head. If Emma could be any more irresponsible, she would swear she was still a child. She confirmed she would be there, not bothering to hang up her cell as she rolled her eyes, and listened to Emma try to talk and drive. Multitasking wasn't a skill the blonde possessed well.

With a simple wave of her hand, Regina disappeared in a plume of purple smoke, and suddenly poofed up at the edge of the forest, as Emma's patrol car came tearing up the road. The screeching of the brakes was enough to pierce her ears, and make her wince. Why Emma hadn't yet perfected the art of getting around town in a more magical fashion, Regina would never know. Sometimes, it was just easier, especially during times of surveillance.

"You got here quick. Where's your car?" The blonde asked in her own hurried fumble to exit the patrol car.

Regina just shook her head at the ridiculous question, and eyed Emma. If her request for help was urgent, they hadn't time for this chit chat small talk, they needed to find Henry. She gestured towards the forest, signalling for Emma to lead the way.

"Oh right, yeah, Henry"

Emma marched passed Regina, up the slightly raised dirt edge of the forest where it met with the roadside, and ploded into the shaded surroundings. Regina stepped up and followed, her heels sinking in the dirt as she followed the path of her blonde companion. She should really change her shoes, but they hadn't time, even if it would just take a second with the swipe of a magic hand.

Together they headed deep into the forest, stopping every time they thought they heard a noise that might be Henry. Twigs snapping, or the rustling of leaves, but they hadn't found him yet. After a while of searching, Regina wondered if Emma was even right about the whereabouts of their son. If she had to trek much further, she really would be annoyed, especially if it was a waste of her time. She detested the forest these days, and couldn't really stand to be in there. It was too painful.

It brought back to her fond memories of Robin, a love that now thanks to that jealous ice queen she had lost. She tried not to think about him. Pushing the thoughts far to the back of her mind, but with every breath of fresh forest air they resurfaced. God she missed him, his companionship and the love, but she had for once done the right thing. Being a hero really sucked though, all that pain and suffering just to be a good person, how the Charmings' did it for all those selfless years she would never know.

A loud crack of a branch bought her back to reality just moments before she would have walked directly into the back of Emma. The blonde had stopped in her tracks, eyes widened, and mouth almost gaping as she glanced around at her surroundings. Regina scowled.

"What are you do-"

The brunette started to question the blonde, furious with herself for losing concentration and almost having a most embarrassing moment. Emma silenced her. Holding her hand up she looked around, and then whispered.

"Do you hear that?" she asked.

Regina pointedly moved her head, only to hear running stream water, leaves blowing in the breeze, and general foresty sounds. If Emma heard something suspicious, then it was completely inaudible and probably in her own head.

"You don't hear voices?"

"No, Miss Swan! I hear forest."

"Shhhhh" Emma insisted, taking a small step forward and straining to hear.

"Do you know how stupid you look?!" Regina tilted her head, hoping the blonde would answer her quip, mistaking it for an honest question. She loved to tease, and wind Emma up, it was just too easy. Not to mention amusing.

"There, that's Henry isn't it?" Emma whispered, looking to Regina for clarification.

That time Regina had heard it, a faint voice carried by the breeze, or was it voices? It was hard to tell. Her amused smile quickly changed to one of concern, as she stepped up beside Emma and listened. That was definitely Henry, there was no doubt her mind. She would recognise his optimistic little voice anywhere, even though it was beginning to croak.

Emma hurried forward, heading in the direction of the voice with Regina, a little slower in pace behind her. Henry wasn't alone that was for sure now, and from the tone of voice they both suspected he had to be with her, Sophia.

The two woman dashed through the forestry. Emerging in the edge of a clearing where Henry was heading towards Sophia, and three new strangers stood the opposite side of the little babbling brook that ran through the heart of the forest.. Emma skidded to a stop, holding back and hoping their presence hadn't already been noted. Her arm flew up and out to stop Regina, and she turned to her, finger on lips to indicate to the mayor that she should keep quiet. Of course, Regina was just about to protest when she saw Emma retrieve her cell from her jacket pocket.

"Just gonna call mom and dad for backup" she whispered.

Regina rolled her eyes. Great, the un-charmings, because of course they were always helpful! She gave Emma a look that told the blonde she wasn't as keen on that idea as she was, but Emma had already begun making the call.

No matter how hard Regina strained to try and overhear the hushed, calls from her son, the newcomer and the three strangers, but nothing was coherent over the noises made by their natural surroundings. If only she could use her magic, but summoning just the littlest of spells would give away their location. She listened to Emma on the phone, growing increasingly agitated by the lack of any interference, and wasn't sure how much more she would take before she just had to take matters into her own hands.

Regina glanced down to see some of the dirt falling beneath her feet, rolling down the muddy lip into the clearing missably. Her intuition alerted her that something was wrong. Reaching for Emma's arm she tugged it and pointed to the crumbling earth beneath them, something was a foot but what? The blonde was just ending her conversation, glancing down where Regina indicated before noting Henry had crossed the brook and was running towards Sophia.

"Now Miss Swan, can we do something?!" Regina's eyes were wide and warning of her built up fury.

Emma agreed, and as they took a step forward to enter the clearing they both slipped. Something had caused them to lose their footing. An exchanged glance told both of them they were thinking the same thing, danger was imminent. Together they scrambled to their feet, every move hurried. Regina called out to Henry, her voice torn as it projected and carried on the breeze as his had earlier.

"Mom!" Henry was alarmed to see both of them coming dashing across the forest.

She shouldn't have been there. Neither of them were supposed to be there!

Suddenly the ground began to quake, making both women unsteady on their feet. Their eyes widened, wary as they fixated on their son who shared that look of worry. They had to get to him, to keep him safe from this mystical stranger, and whatever harm came with her.

"Henry, get away from Sophia. Quickly Henry!" Regina's desperate voice called as the ground caused her to stumble and lose balance.

The quaking seemed to worsen the closer that they got. So bad in fact it had gotten to the point a crack had formed in the dry dirt, stopping them from reaching him. All the two women could hear over the loud rumbles of earth breaking apart beneath their feet, was Sophia yelling at their son. She appeared terribly upset, tears forming as her voice ebbed with disappointed tones, but what she was saying to him they couldn't make out.

"I swear, I didn't! I never would!" Henry cried, he hadn't quite reached Sophia closely enough that he didn't have to shout to her, and he did so in a louder, deeper tone they could understand.

"What is he apologising for?" Emma quizzed, trying hard to keep her balance and get closer if she could.

Of course, in typical fashion, Regina just blamed her. Whenever Henry found himself in bother, she did without fail, just as she had in Neverland. Emma scowled, it wasn't the time or the place for the blame game, they had to work together if they were going to save their son from danger.

"Emma!"

"EMMA!"

She heard the screeching voices of her concerned parents calling to her in unison, as they dashed through the forest, and spotted her and Regina in the clearing. Concern was etched on their features as she called back to them to take care, as they hurried down to meet them.

With all the commotion going on Sophia began to feel confused, the ground had suddenly stopped quaking, but they weren't out of the woods just yet; she knew it. She tried to call to them all to run, but Emma and Regina were already clambering over the split earth to get to their son. They looked furious, both glaring at her as if this were all her fault, yet still when she pleaded with them once again to run, they believed her request to be genuine.

As much as they both wanted to stick around, question her and her friends, they sensed as did Sophia that something was still a foot in the forest. The quickly ushered a protesting Henry, who didn't want to leave Sophia and the strangers, towards David and Mary Margaret, who were ready and waiting to help pull him back into the clearing.

"You really must go! Please go!" Sophia cried.

Regina and Emma were reluctant, wanting to know what suspicious activities her and her friends were up to, but they felt compelled to just do as they were told. Nodding in agreement with one another, Regina went ahead and Emma followed, glancing back at Sophia as they headed towards her parents and Henry, when the ground unexpectedly started quaking once more.

There was no time to hesitate, the ground was splitting and they had to try and make the jump, however, Regina froze, sighting something swooping down at them from above. Her eyes widened, recognising the type of beast instantly, and knowing of the danger.

"Get down!" she cried, dropping to the dirt without hesitation.

Emma glanced up, a wing shadowing her as a huge dragon swooped down, narrowly missing her head, and went straight for Sophia. Brushing flying blonde strands of hair out of her eyes, Emma looked up again just in time to see red magic shoot from Sophia's tensed palms, directed at the beast as she battled to hold it back.

"Regina, we should help," Emma cried, scrambling on her feet towards Sophia.

The brunette pulled herself up from the dirt, brushing her clothing down quickly of any remnants of soil before dashing after Emma. The dragon turned on them both as Sophia struggled to keep it a bay. She cried for them to retreat but the saviour, and the former queen just continued to approach. The scaly beast opened its mouth, spying them both approaching and spat fire at them, keeping them back far enough by scorching the ground before them.

"We can't get passed that" Regina scolded.

She could see the blonde looking for a way through the flame and quickly warned her otherwise. There was no way they could get Sophia and the others now.

"Emma, Don't!" Regina warned as the blonde tried to combat the flames.

"Protect them!" Sophia cried to her friends.

Her worries for their safety was distracting her and giving the dragon the upper hand in their stand-off. She needed to focus if she was going to keep everyone from getting harmed. While she refocused, her friend's quickly gathered closer to the broken earth underfoot, and each using different magical powers, they managed to help. One took care of the flames, whilst the other worked to sew the ground back together. The third lingered with Sophia, attempting to assist with the dragon but to no avail.

Sophia battled the dragon best she could, only stunning it with some powerful magic before it suddenly flapped it wings ferociously taking to flight. The long haired young woman finally allowed herself to breathe, exhausted as she dropped to her knees and her three friends quickly crowded around her.

"Are you ok Sophia?" cried the long haired blonde one of her friends as she dropped her own magic, and dashed to her assistance.

Sophia nodded, just catching her breath and allowing the blonde to help her up. While she was busy being fussed over by her friends she didn't happen to notice the Charming family grouping with Regina in a suspicious mass, eyeing them all uneasily. Sophia's eyes met with the chocolate pools of Regina's and she quickly brushed her friend's aside to approach the family.

"What the hell just happened?!"

Regina's abruptive question came unexpectedly to Sophia. She knew, and at the same time she really didn't. However, they couldn't stay there, and she certainly couldn't continue to reside with Regina; the risk to them both was just too great. Graciously, Sophia requested that perhaps they retreat to the dinner, and after a moment of consideration she was relieved when Regina accepted, and instructed the others of the plan.

At the diner it was unusually quiet as they made their entrance. The charmings headed straight for a table, Emma and Regina lingering behind with Henry and Sophia as her friends collected awkwardly at the bar. Regina was on a mission to have her questions about the gathering in the woods, and about the sudden appearance of a dragon in her town answered. She hadn't had any dragon issues since Maleficent in the enchanted forest, and she wasn't about to be going through all that again.

Before Regina could say a word though, Sophia began to profusely apologise for what had back in the woods. She felt truly awful, and she knew it was all her fault. They couldn't go on like this, if Regina, Emma, Henry or any of their family came to harm she would never forgive herself, so with a heavy heart she had to do something.

"I really am sorry, and I promise there will be no further bother. I just have to stop staying at your home and this will all go away." she explained.

Regina stuttered for words. She wanted to protest that idea, but she just couldn't seem to bring herself to say what she was actually thinking. Regina was terribly confused though. She didn't understand what difference it made where Sophia stayed, and neither did Emma. Thankfully, the blonde stepped in where Regina was struggling and just had to ask why.

"Please, I can't explain. You just have to trust me that this is for the best."

Sophia's eyes pleaded, the shade of green in them turning to a darker emerald shade than their normal colour, showing somewhat her sincerity. Her explanation still made no sense to either of the woman, yet they couldn't work out why. Worse for Regina was that she was saddened by the sudden announcement of departure.

Her house would return to a quiet state. Henry spent most of his nights with his mother and Hook, and only one night a week at the mansion if she was lucky. Although Sophia had only stayed one night, she knew she was going to miss her. She also hoped that it wasn't her fault that the young woman suddenly wanted to leave. Silently, as she watched Sophia and Emma continue to converse, she faded away into thought. If only she hadn't been so harsh in forest, toned down her attitude and been less accusatory they wouldn't be in this position now. As she lost herself in questioning her actions and behaviour, Emma and their son had dispersed and taken a seat the booth with her parents.

As Emma spoke with her parents, who were deeply concerned by what they had witnessed in the woods, although they didn't seem to blame Sophia for any of it in the slightest. Henry found himself staring across the empty bar at the newer strangers who had arrived in town. One in particular had his attention. She was simply beautiful and he found himself entranced by it. Girl's had never bothered him before, but this young woman, well there was just something different about her.

He had met them all for half a second in the clearing before his mothers had interrupted. He had quickly learned that each of them had an air of mystery, Phoenix and Atlantis less so than the one named Mel, but he instantly was captivated, much as he had been with Sophia, by all of them. It was exciting to have new people to learn all about.

Phoenix had flowing red, straight, dynamic hair, the brightest blue eyes Henry had ever seen, and a milky complexion. Atlantis was demure, yet edgy, her dark skin free of any inflection and her short hair sweeping elegantly across her forehead. But then there Mel, she had beautiful blonde hair, her skin just tanned, and her eyes a golden hazel colour. They were big and sparkled beneath, thick long black lashes, and perfectly shaped eyebrows. Henry just couldn't help himself staring at her.

Every now and again he would catch her eye. She would smile at him and his cheeks would erupt in a crimson blush, and he would momentarily look away embarrassed. Mel would inwardly chuckle to herself and return her attention back to her friends. She knew his eyes were back on her the second she turned, but she really didn't mind at all. He was just a young lad with a crush, and well who could blame him. Mel had always been told how beautiful she was, she was also used to all men staring at her wherever she went. It was nice for a change to have it be a young, handsome man, who didn't have only one goal in mind, watching her so intently, yet he was still a kid.