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Thanks to the awesome RainMirror to beta this chapter for me!
Emma opened the loft door to be greeted by the smell of Snow's cooking. Roasted chicken with root vegetables.
"Hmm, it smells nice. Can we eat now?" She still needed to adjust to the idea that she had a home to go back to and parents who loved her.
"Not for another half an hour."
Henry looked up from his homework and ran to hug her. He seemed to like to hug more since Neal came to Storybrooke. "Emma, you're home early. How was it?"
It referred to how to handle Greg. They had discussed it for days. It was hard since they didn't want to kill or transfigure him into something, as was suggested by Gold. They couldn't lock him up in a cell forever either. Surprisingly, it was Regina who came up with a solution.
Emma sat next to Henry. "It's solved now. Greg has left Storybrooke. I dropped him into a deserted park in the next town. When he wakes up, he will forget about the existence of magic and Storybrooke."
David came out of the bathroom and sat opposite Henry. "Wouldn't it be strange for him to have nothing to remember for the last 29 years?"
"Don't worry. Regina has planted false memories. She should be an expert by now since she had a lot of practice with all the Storybrooke residents."
"Is it safe?" David still felt uncomfortable since he had been in a coma for 28 years and had false memories for a few months afterward.
"Do you mean for Greg or for us?"
"Both."
"Since he doesn't remember anything about Storybrooke, we're safe. He'll be fine. After all, nobody really got hurt with Regina's false memories."
"I think the residents may argue with you about that but I get your point. So Regina really helped."
"Yes, she did. She felt bad after what she did to his father. Do you think I have the power to perform such magic? Personally, I'd ask Whale whether he has any memory-altering-drug."
Henry perked up at the mention of Regina. "You see, my mom is capable of changing if she is given the chance."
"Henry is Regina's biggest and only cheerleader," Emma thought. She rubbed Henry's hair. "I know Henry, I know."
David looked a bit uncomfortable with Henry's blind faith in Regina. "Any other news?"
"Do you mean Tamara? You don't need to speak in codes in front of me," Henry answered.
David was shocked. "Henry, how do you know about Tamara?"
"Emma has promised me that there won't be any secrets between us. She told me how Greg and Tamara planned to kidnap me. I'll always be supervised by an adult as long as Tamara is free, so you guys don't need to worry."
David looked at Emma questioningly. Emma just shrugged. "Well, I believe it's better to be prepared and it's not good to keep secrets."
"Well, I can't exactly give any parental advice as we're also very new in parenting. So there is still no trace of Tamara?"
"Unfortunately, no. I've asked Ruby to trace her scent but she came up empty. She said if someone used Wolfsbane then she wouldn't be able to detect the scent."
"So basically she could be anywhere."
"Yes," Emma answered grimly. She still remembered how Tamara shot Neal, who apparently didn't remember even that part. She needed to stop her train of thought now. "We just need to be extra careful since we don't know who else is working with her. Luckily, Gold's cloaking spell has been implemented, so we shouldn't have to worry too much about newcomers."
"Henry, how about we practice sword play every day after school?"
"OK, Gramps."
"Do your homework, Henry."
"OK, Emma."
"David, could we talk for a second, somewhere more private?"
They went to the corner near David's bed, away from Henry's ears. "David, not that I don't appreciate what you do but how useful is it to go against the Home Office using a sword?"
"I know , Emma. I just need an excuse to give him extra protection after school. He loves sword practice. I think he also misses his dad and swordplay reminds him of Neal." Emma's heart ached at the comment. "Besides, the sword play gives him extra confidence and who knows? It may come in handy sometime."
"In that case, thanks."
"Anything for you, my …" David decided not to add the word princess as he knew Emma was sensitive that word. "Emma."
Emma raised her eyebrows, "Seriously? My Emma?"
"If you have a better suggestion, you let me know."
They both saw a flash and turned toward Snow who had somehow managed to sneak near them and take a picture. Her years of becoming a bandit had really paid off.
"Mary Margaret, what're you doing?" Emma asked.
"Oh, nothing. I rarely see you two talk. This is a rare opportunity."
Emma felt her heart warm up with the thought of her first picture with her dad. "But we talk all the time in the Sheriff's office."
"Yes, mostly about work but this is something else."
Henry came over to join them. Snow said, "How about a group picture?"
"Can we eat first? I'm famished."
"No, Emma, it'll be quick."
Five minutes later, they had taken different pictures with different combinations of family members. The final three pictures were taken using a timer so they could all be in them.
"That was fun," Snow concluded. "We should do it more often."
"Yes, it was, Gram. Next time we should ask Neal, Belle and Mr. Gold, plus Regina."
Snow smiled at Henry's optimism. "Sure, Henry. When they can all stand to be in the same room with each other for more than five minutes, we can take a family picture."
David whispered in Snow's ear, "At least it'll only be group pictures. Not Thanksgiving, so no knives will be involved."
Snow swiped at him playfully. "Oh Charming, you're so bad. I think we can smooth out our family problems eventually."
"I doubt it'll be within this century. That's what I like about you, Snow, your eternal optimism."
"Is that the only thing you like?" Snow put her hands on her hip. "You're in so much trouble now, Mister."
Henry grinned from ear to ear seeing his grandparents behave like hormonal teenagers. Emma was also happy for her parents.
"When are you going to talk to Neal next?" Henry asked.
Emma was taken by surprise by Henry's sudden question. "Honestly, I don't know Henry. He did ask about me and Gold when he talked to Archie this morning."
"Does it mean he'll be OK to see you now?"
"I don't know, kid. Anything can happen. Let's eat first, OK."
David helped Snow prepare the table.
Henry opened his phone and showed Emma some pictures. "Archie forwarded some of these to me. Look at what Neal drew. It's me. He's really good."
"They're indeed very good." That reminded Emma of Neal drawing her portrait back in Portland.
"Don't you see that these are in Storybrooke? That means there is hope his memory will recover."
Emma looked at the pictures closely. Those were indeed in Storybrooke. "There was never any doubt that he won't remember, Henry. The problem is how to deal with his nightmares."
"And the feeling of being betrayed," Emma continued internally.
Snow noticed Emma getting tense and Henry looked disappointed. "Shall we start eating now?"
After dinner and cleaning up, David offered to accompany Henry upstairs to read some superhero comic books.
Both Snow and Emma sat with mugs of hot cinnamon chocolate.
"Do you want to talk about what Archie said?"
Emma had asked Archie earlier whether telling her and Gold about the session was against Doctor-Patient Confidentiality. Archie said it depends on the content being disclosed. In some conditions, it was best to inform the family. It was especially true with Neal's case as he could harm himself on purpose. Besides, they didn't really discuss anything very private.
"Is that the reason David went upstairs? I was surprised that he was interested in superheroes."
"Oh, he is really interested in superheroes. However, you're right. He wants us to talk."
Emma then told Snow about the session.
"Oh, Emma. How do you feel?"
"I think you are asking the wrong person. You should ask Neal how he feels."
"Whatever happens in the hospital affects you too. You're my daughter so of course I care about how you feel."
"Well, as long you promise not to offer me rainbow kisses and unicorn stickers to make me feel better, I'll talk, but please be in my best friend mode and not my mother mode."
"Oh Emma, I know you're not a fourth grader so I won't offer you the unicorn stickers. I have some very cute blue bird stickers though."
"Mary Margaret!"
"Sorry, Emma, I couldn't help but joke about it. OK, I'm listening now."
"Well, I'm just worried about him. He doesn't want to eat or sleep or even meet certain people. I know he had nightmares in Portland but not to this extent. He still talked to people although he never told me what his nightmares were. At least I know what his nightmare is this time and I'm part of it."
"Oh, Emma." Snow wrapped her hands around Emma's. "You're not the source of his nightmare. It was just him projecting his guilt."
"I know that but I still feel bad about it. I dropped by last night when he was asleep to bring him his dreamcatcher but it doesn't seem to help."
"Have you asked Rumpelstiltskin about the effectiveness of the dreamcatcher?"
"I would have but it seems Whale suggested that it would be best for Neal to remember his nightmare so that Archie could analyze it. The nightmare is only the symptom, not the problem, so we need to go to the root of the problem."
"OK, that's tricky. You said you were worried. That was not exactly a feeling. How do you feel?"
"Are you asking me as a mother or a friend?"
"Why can't it be both? My mother and I were best friends. Well, not for long."
Snow looked a bit misty eyed so it was Emma's turn to comfort her mother. "I think she did a great job because you turned out so pure and, well, unlike me."
"Don't say that, Emma. You're good."
"Arguable. OK, I will try to articulate how I feel. I'm really not used to this whole talking-about-my-feelings thing."
"You can start small."
"Well, this is not small but it's what bothers me the most. I feel sad, mostly because I admitted my feelings to him over the portal. He also admitted his but he remembers none of it now. I can't admit my feelings all over again if he isn't dying."
"Emma, you don't tell someone how you feel only when he or she is about to die. You can tell the person anytime."
"Obviously you don't know me that well. I don't do feelings well. I'm actually feeling uncomfortable talking to you right now, but I'm trying."
"You're doing great, Emma."
"Thanks. Do you know what's worse? I thought he only admitted his feelings because he was about to die. After all, his fiancée had just shot him so he might have transferred her rejection to me. However, when they cut off his shirt for the operation, they handed his belongings for safe keeping. Do you know what I found? The swan pendant."
"Isn't that the pendant you used to wear? I've wondered what happened to it ever since you came back from New York, but I didn't dare ask."
"Yes, that pendant. It was a gift from Neal. Well, he stole it for me." Emma winced.
"That's OK, Emma. I'm not judging you. I was a bandit."
"Well, I returned the pendant to him saying that I only kept it to remind myself not to trust anyone. That was a lie of course. I didn't know he kept it all this time."
"I guess he values it as much as you."
"If he still has feelings for me, why did he never admit it? Why did he act like I was behaving like a jealous ex?"
"You did act like a jealous ex."
"Not helping."
Snow's lips quivered into a smile. "Sorry. Well, men are strange creatures. Perhaps he was afraid of rejection because you did say you had no feelings for him. Besides, he had a fiancée. You couldn't expect him to dump her as it would look bad and he didn't want you to be the third party."
"This is too complex."
"Most relationships are. My relationship with David is not simple either."
"So what do I do? I know he still has feelings for me although he'll never admit it unless I open up first which I won't. He doesn't know that I know about his feelings. He also doesn't know that his feelings are reciprocated and I don't plan to tell him anytime soon."
Snow covered her face. "OK, I agree this is more complex than my problem. What's wrong with you two?"
"I don't know, perhaps fear of rejection from an early age."
"I'm so sorry, Emma, I didn't mean to leave you alone in this world."
"I know. I should blame Pinocchio for that. I was merely stating the facts. Besides, Neal had it worse, being abandoned by both parents. I could still fantasize that I was a lost princess although it seems to be a fact now. Neal didn't have that luxury."
"I guess you two just need to talk, not admit feelings straight away. Just talk normally likes friends."
"I'm not sure about talking but I'll go check on his condition tomorrow morning before his session with Archie. If he is up to talking, we'll talk. Otherwise, I could just leave and let Archie handle whatever reactions my visit triggered."
"That sounds like a plan. I'm proud of you for taking the initiative. Now do you want another cup of hot chocolate?"
"Rumpel, why are you spinning so late at night?"
"I can't sleep and I didn't want to disturb you."
"Is this about Baelfire?"
"Yes, I'm worried about what Dr. Hopper told me."
"Oh, Rumpel, I'm sure there is a solution for everything. People have come back stronger from much worse situations all the time."
"Please give me an example."
"I know of this guy who lost his arms after an accident but he still competes in Paralympics and even paints using his legs. There is always hope."
"Belle, where did you read such a story? I don't think it's in any classical books."
"Silly, there is the Internet. You can read all sorts of things online."
"You were locked up until a few months ago and then lost your memory until just recently. Who could have possibly taught you how to use the Internet in the last few days?"
"Ruby, of course. It's surprisingly easy to use. I still need to learn to type faster but at least I can type a query into Google or read the news or motivational stories."
Rumpelstiltskin smirked despite his mood. "I believe you as you are a quick learner. Is that how you spent your time with Ruby?"
"Of course, Rumpel. What do you think I do with her?"
"I don't know. Shopping? Talking about men perhaps?"
Belle sat on his lap and smiled. "That is such a bad stereotype. Don't flatter yourself! Why should I talk about you all the time?"
"So you talk about me some of the time then."
"I'm not telling." Belle pouted playfully. "So what are your worries? You could tell me over dinner. It's not a burden for me. I love Baelfire too."
"Thanks, Belle. What have I done to deserve you? Really? You love him. You haven't even officially met."
"I have eyes and ears. From what I have heard so far from others and from what I observed when he was in a coma, he has a good soul. But lost, just like you."
"I'm to blame for that."
"Not entirely. I think his mother played an important part too as you told me she left when he was only five. Not to mention what he had encountered afterward."
"But he looked up to me the most and I have disappointed him."
"All is not lost. He still loves you as he responded to you in his coma. We can just learn from our mistakes and move forward. Besides, Archie said he was looking for you so he still misses you."
"But Belle, I am in his nightmares. Both versions of them. I'm not sure I can make it better if I'm the cause of them. He doesn't even want to sleep and eat. He stabbed himself to keep himself awake." He was now on the verge of tears.
"Nightmares are so complicated that we can't blame it entirely on just one thing. Even if you are to blame, there is nothing to be done as it was in the past. Just amend your relationship with him now."
"You're such an amazing person. You know that, Belle?"
"I know and you could be too if you believed in yourself more. Is there anything you can do for his fear?"
"Well, I can remove it magically but Whale said it can be handled by science. After Archie left, Whale injected Bae with some dreamless sleeping medicine. It's not good to stay awake for too long as he's supposed to be on the mend. What if he can't wake up again because of the medicine?"
"I'm sure Dr Whale has learned his lesson after the last time. We'll find a way if he really can't wake up again but I'm confident he will. How about eating then?"
"I think his trauma caused him to lose his appetite. We'll see what Dr Hopper suggests we do to make him eat after tomorrow's session."
"I'm sure we'll find a solution. It seems that he suffers the same problems as you, Rumpel."
"What is that? Cowardice? I don't think he's a coward."
"No, Rumpel. The feeling that you're not worthy enough to be loved and the fear of rejection."
"How could you possibly surmise that with your non-interaction with him?"
"From what you said about his interactions with Emma. That was exactly how you reacted to me, Rumpel. You constantly rejected me, remember?"
"Sorry, dearie. I didn't mean to. I'm still not sure why you love me."
"See, that's what I mean. You keep questioning that. I love you despite your flaws and you still feel you're not worthy of it. Baelfire suffers the same thing but he covers it better."
"Do you mean that if he feels secure and loved, he'll get better?"
"That's exactly what I mean."
"Thanks, Belle. You seem to know psychology better than Dr Hopper.
"Not really. I just know from personal experience."
"I love you. You know that right? I can never say that enough."
Belle smiled. "I know. I know. I love you too."
"Let's go to bed."
Rumpelstiltskin decided that he'd see Bae before his session with Dr Hopper. If he didn't want to talk to him, that's fine. He would learn to handle rejection better, like Belle said. He would just wait outside during the session as he felt the need to stay close to his son, at least physically.
Notes:
-The Wolfbane was inspired by the NBC's Grimm.
-I planned to wipe Greg's memory. Initially Gold was supposed to do that but Pace1818 said it's better for Regina to do it so she can start her redemption and I agree. As Snapegirlkmf said it was the Harry Potter treatment. Also thanks to RainMirror to remind me about the cloaking spell.
-I hope they're in characters. I know Emma doesn't talk about feelings but perhaps she can start somewhere. Archie may get the Doctor-Patient Confidentiality wrong because he got the degree from a curse. He meant well.
-I'm not used to write fluff or romance so I hope the Charmings, Snowing and Rumbelle come out OK.
-I've just watched "Nasty Habits". Poor three generations of Stiltskin men. I was surprised with Emma's admission of her feelings and I wrote this chapter before it aired. But then again she will kiss Hook in the next episode so I'm not sure what's going on, LOL.
-Please leave me a feedback to know whether I get things right. Nothing much happened in this chapter but it's a setup for the next chapter. Thanks.
