Henry strolled into Granny's in his usual happy manner. He looked around the bustling diner for the similar shock of blonde hair. His smile doubled in size as he spotted Emma sipping from a small mug of her favorite hot chocolate and cinnamon.

"Hey Emma." he said plopping down in the seat opposite her. "What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"It's about Neith." she said waving to Ruby for another drink for Henry.

Henry gritted his teeth defensively "He's not like everyone says. He's a good guy…just misunderstood."

"Okay calm down kiddo, Im not about to bash your best friend or anything." Emma laughed looking at her son with fascination " Im here to ask about his reputation and why he and Pearl 'aren't allowed to be together'." She said putting the last bit into air quotes.

"Oh," Henry blushed smiling at Ruby as she placed hot chocolate in front of him walking off after ruffling his hair a bit. "What do you want to know?"

"Why is he regarded as being …what did he call it…'the scumbag of StoryBrooke?'"

Henry took a sip from his mug and wiped some stray whipped cream from his lip. "Well you need to understand, he never did anything wrong. Not really."

"What is that suppose to mean?" Emma asked puzzled already.

"Well it all has to do with that one night. The night that he and Pearl went out by the docks. It wasn't his fault. It really wasn't and even Pearl know it." Henry said

"What happened Henry?" Emma pleaded

"It was an accident. Neith and Pearl were sitting on the edge of the dock and well they were kissing when…her father, her 'real' father caught them. He and Neith didn't exactly get along. Something happened between the two. Personally I think its because Triton didn't like humans and Eric is a human but you know he wouldn't realize that with the curse and everything…"

"Henry!" Emma scolded "The point please."

"Oh, right." Henry said blushing again "Well , he rushed at Neith and there was a big fight. No one really know what happened but somehow Mr. … was knocked unconscious. Only he suffered way more than he looked. He suffered a heart attack of something and he was so weak that he went into a coma. When he woke up he didn't remember anything, including Pearl."

Emma's eyes started tearing up despite herself. "SO that's why she lives with Mr. Gold"

Henry nodded sadly looking around him "Everyone blamed Neith for his accident. Even Neith believes its his fault. He was in an angry mood for months and one time when Ari…I mean Pearl tried to talk to him, he got angry and pushed her backward into the water."

"That's horrible." Emma whispered

Henry nodded and took a long swig of coco "They've been trying to get past it for years but something always stops them, something other than the curse. Someone making sure that they both suffer."

"The evil queen?" Emma suggested

Henry shook his head "No, not my mom. She doesn't really pay much attention to those two. I don't know why though."

"Okay so there is something else keeping them apart huh?" Emma thought. "Well im going to find out what. I promise."

Emma stormed into the shop with angry steps. "Why didn't you tell me about her father?" she demanded angrily

Gold looked tiredly up at her, a half amused smile set upon his lips "I didn't want you to treat young Neith as a Criminal I just wanted you to make him leave Pearl alone." he replied calmly shaking his head "Neith's a nice boy…I didn't want him judged anymore than he is now."

"If you think so highly of him why cant he be seen with Pearl?" Emma asked incredulously.

Gold tensed as he pondered over this " Well, Deary," he said at last " There are some things that just cannot be in this world. That includes Neith and Pearl."

"He loves her!" Emma shouted "I just don't understand. If they are happy with each other how is it not meant to be."

"Miss. Swan when I asked you to take this job I did not mean that I wanted you to question how I raise my god-daughter." Gold sighed looking away from her guiltily.

"But if it makes her happy," Emma said before Gold interrupted with a sneer.

"It will ruin her! They will tear her apart, all because of that boys reputation. I cant let my little girl be outcast. She deserves better than that."

Emma was flabbergasted. She had never before seen Gold show more emotion towards someone's care. But she still burned with the injustice of it all. This girl was being kept away from the boy that loved her with all his heart just because of one little accident.

"Have you ever asked her what she wanted? Have you ever once asked her if she loved him?"

Gold stared at her with a light scowl on his face. He looked away in hidden shame. "Believe me Miss. Swan I want her to be happy. But unfortunately it is not up to me."

Ariel moaned lightly, though no sound actually came out. She sat up sand sticking to parts of her skin. She felt sore and really hot. She put a hand on her forehead. She looked around slowly taking in the wide banks of golden sand and the foamy white waves kissing it. She clutched the canvas of a sail tight to her chest as she looked down and realized she was completely naked.

"Miss!" A voice cried out behind her "Miss are you okay?"

Ariel's neck nearly snapped as she turned her head wildly to gaze at the speaker. She was both delighted and horrified to find her prince striding quickly over to her.

She opened her mouth to reply but she clasped a hand over her mouth in shock. No words had came out! She tried again….still nothing… what had happened. She looked up at the man in front of her who watched her with concern and kindness. She was finally with the love of her life but she was unable to speak to him. What in the name of the sea was she going to do now?