Seattle

It was late when her flight got in from Boston. She wasn't able to get back to sleep on the plane so she was exhausted when she finally got to the hotel. Ordinarily she refused when bellhops offered to take her bags to the room, but Emma was too tired to even pull her suitcase and carry-on through the lobby. He led her to her suite and she tipped him after he opened the door.

The suite was an elegant one, one that she was sure Regina would appreciate. She hoped that after their reunion they could come back here and celebrate. She could never afford something like this on her own. That was one of the perks of being engaged to a queen, a credit card with no limit. Regina was savvy enough to bring all the treasure from her castle when the curse was cast. The woman was loaded. When Regina first told Emma how much money she had it nearly floored the former group home resident.

In the Enchanted Forest Regina had been born into wealth and had never wanted for anything. When she informed Emma about her bank balance she had said it in an offhand manner. The little girl who sometimes went to bed without having had anything to eat all day inside Emma could not understand Regina's nonchalance. In the past Emma used to dream about money and how happy she would be if she was rich. Then as she learned more about her lover's past she truly began to understand how happiness couldn't be bought. Regina had always been rich, but until Henry she had never been happy.

Emma made her happy too, the blonde thought with a smile. Emma remembered how sometimes she would be doing something like reading or just watching television and she would look up to see Regina staring at her and smiling. The happiness would be plainly visible on the mayor's face as she looked lovingly at Emma. Those smiles would be kept in Emma's heart forever. Whenever the sheriff got depressed she would open the vault of her heart and recall one of those smiles and feel whole and loved.

Like a zombie she stumbled to the huge bed and flopped down onto her back. God, it felt so good, like she was lying on a cloud. Her eyelids were heavy as a grin crept on her face. They were going to make use of this bed when they reunited. Emma knew she wouldn't even get to take of her jacket before sleep took her, but she didn't care. She just wanted to sleep and dream of her beautiful, smart, loving, and brave Regina.

Emma looked around at the darkened landscape of stone formations and… mirrors?

"Damn it. I'm in that 'behind the mirror' world again."

Every kind of mirror could be seen, from intricately ornamented full length ones to small ones from makeup compacts. They were all darkened by swirling black clouds except for one that she could just make out ahead of her. It was about half a football field away and was on an elevated peak that she would have to climb.

"Well, I don't have anything better to do." she muttered as she walked toward it. There was a narrow valley with mirrors on both sides leading to her destination. She looked in some of the mirrors along the way just to make sure there was nothing to see inside them.

The mirror she was walking to was going to be different. She knew in her heart that the mirror was going to show her exactly what she was looking for. This mirror was going to let her see Regina.

Time seemed to pass quickly and slowly at the same time, there was no real feeling of the passage of time in this mirror world. Then she was climbing the rock formation, it seemed like she had just been walking a minute ago. She made it to the summit and faced the mirror.

Colors and light began to take form in the mirror. Emma held her breath as she waited for the image to focus. Then she was there in the mirror, Regina. Her Regina.

A smile spread on Emma's face and she felt tears pricking her eyes. It had been so long since she had seen her true love and it was nearly overwhelming her with joy. Instinctively her hand reached for the image.

"Look at her, she's so beautiful. Her hair is shorter, shorter than I've ever seen it. And curly too? Ooo I like it. Sexy." Emma was smiling, she had missed seeing her so much.

"What is she wearing? A tshirt? A Rolling Stones tshirt! Oh my God! Regina wearing a Stones tshirt!" This is fantastic! I wish I had a camera!" She laughed for what felt like the first time in forever.

"Hey, that's a bar. She's in a bar, wait is she a bartender?" Emma could see that Regina was behind the bar and appeared to be serving drinks. "Okay, so she has a job in a bar. But where?" Emma squinted as she tried to find anything that might identify the bar.

Then Regina looked like she saw someone. "Who is she looking at? And why is she giving THAT look? That's MY look!"

Emma saw that a man was coming toward her but all she could see was his back. "No." She whispered, anxiety was building inside her. The man leaned in and Regina's lips parted, Emma knew Regina's facial movements by heart. She was about to kiss this man! Her fear was growing. Their faces moved together and they kissed passionately. Emma felt that she was going to be sick. They pulled apart and Regina turned away to get a drink order from another person and moved out of Emma's view.

The man slowly began to turn to face Emma and her heart rate accelerated. She knew that leather jacket. Her hands closed tightly into fists. The man was now fully visible and Emma saw him clearly, her jaw clenched. There stood August with a smug look on his face.

"You fucker!" Emma screamed at the reflection.

He seemed to be looking right at her. How? How could he see her? Then he winked at her. He winked right at Emma. She screamed and pounded the mirror with her fists, shattering it into a hundred pieces.

"No!" Emma screamed as she shot up from the hotel bed. She was covered in sweat and breathing hard. "He's playing with me." She said to the empty room. Her brows furrowed in anger. "Well I'm here you fucker and I'm coming for you."

Storybrooke (the library)

"You want to go and bring my Rumple back?" Belle asked, trying not to get her hopes up. She was well aware of Rumple's popularity among the citizens of Storybrooke. While he was alive he was barely tolerated around town. If she was being honest with herself, their tolerance of the 'Dark One' was fueled mostly from fear. Fear of upsetting him in any way. When Rumplestiltskin died Belle would characterize the mood of the people as relief for most and happiness for a few. He had made many enemies through his bargains during his long life. Belle wished that people had taken the time to get to know the real him. Although she knew that Rumple had never made that easy for anyone, not even her.

"Yeah, I need to find a way to beat August for good, and only Grandpa can figure out how." Henry explained to her.

"You're right about that Henry. I've pored over book after book and I still haven't the slightest idea on how to stop the Author. But if there was anyone who knew how, it would be Rumple." She nodded back to him. "How do you expect to get him back? He's over in Whale's realm, and that's populated by vampires! You could be killed Henry. Your mothers would never allow you to go, it's too dangerous."

"I know, I know. No one trusts little baby Henry to take care of himself." He said in sing-song while rolling his eyes.

"Henry, you know that is not true. We just don't want you to be reckless with your life." Belle placed her hand on Henry's forearm.

He sighed. "Sure, but I wasn't planning on going alone. I was going to ask David and Mary Margaret. Also I think I could get Mulan and Elsa to come along too. Maybe Mal and Lily too. Might come in handy to have a dragon or two on my side." He finished with a smile.

"I'm not your mothers so I can't stop you if you really want this. You're a man now and able to make your own decisions. But Henry, I need you to understand how dangerous this is. If you go there and something happens to you while trying to get Rumple back I'll never forgive myself. He would never forgive himself. So please, I'm asking you one last time, is this what you really want?" Belle said with a heavy voice.

Henry thought for a long time. What he planned on doing was dangerous, and this time he wouldn't have either of his mothers to bail him out. He would be truly on his own, because even if the others came with him he knew that he might have to make his stand alone. That's when he realized that he had already made his choice.

"Yes. I'm going."

Belle searched his eyes and saw the resolve in them.

"Right then." She said standing up. "Let's get to work."

Storybrooke (Granny's diner)

Henry cleared his throat. "Okay, can I get everyone's attention?". He looked around the dinner and sighed as the conversations between everybody in the diner continued. "Hey! Everybody!" At last all the sidetalk ceased after he raised his voice to a shout. "Okay, thank you."

Assembled in front of him where his grandparents Snow and David, Belle, Zelena, Mulan, Elsa, Anna, Maleficent, Lily, Tinkerbell, Ruby, Dorothy, Granny, and Violet. Henry noticed that Violet looked nervous, she had been since he called her. It felt like she needed to tell him something but didn't want to. Instead of trying to push her to talk he decided to let her tell him whatever was bothering her when she was ready. He had other things to worry about anyway.

"I gathered you all here because I have an announcement. I'm going to the vampire realm to bring Gold back."

"What?" Snow and David said simultaneously, their shock mirrored on both of their faces. The rest of the crowd broke out into exclamations of disbelief. Henry shook his head at the white noise that they were all creating and held his hands up to stop them. Of course his grandparents wouldn't be stopped that easily.

"Henry, what are you thinking?" Snow said in admonishment.

"It's too dangerous." David spoke at the same time.

Henry did a very Mills-like eyeroll, their reactions were so predictable that he had known exactly what they would say. "I have to go and bring him back. He's the only one who can help me use my author powers to stop August once and for all. If I don't do this he is just going to keep screwing with my moms. Look, I know it's risky but I have to do this. And I'm not planning on going alone, that's why I asked you all here. I'm looking for volunteers."

There was muttering coming from the group. He hoped that he had gotten past the objections and they were discussing who was going to accompany him. His grandparents were the first to respond. Once again, predictably.

"If you are set on going then we're coming too." Snow said. David stopped her.

"Not so fast Mary Margaret. I'll go, you should stay here."

"What?" Snow turned to him surprised. "I'm going with you."

"If something happens to both of us who is going to be there for Neal? It would be irresponsible for both of us to leave him here. You know that."

She looked as if she was about to argue but then stopped herself. Finally she looked down at her feet and then back up to him. "You're right, we can't leave our son all alone. Fine, you can go and I'll stay here." She poked him in the chest with her finger. "But you bring my grandson back here safe and sound!"

He chuckled and put his hands on her shoulders. "I promise."

"Well, I'm not going." Zelena spoke up. "I have a baby too, if anyone cared to remember. And besides, I never liked the little man anyway."

Mulan raised her hand. "I will go with you Henry." Henry nodded his appreciation, he had hoped the warrior would agree to come with. He assumed he would need her fighting ability over there.

"If Mulan is going then I'm going too." Elsa stated as she squeezed one of Mulan's arms and looked into the samurai's eyes. A silent message to keep each other safe passed between them.

"Well I want to go if Elsa's going!" Anna said. Elsa shook her head.

"No Anna, if I don't make it back then you will be the ruler of Arendelle." Elsa pleaded with her sister.

Anna sighed. "Fine. But you better be careful."

"Great!" Henry exclaimed. "Anyone else?" He looked around at the others in the diner. Dorothy looked at Ruby who looked like she wanted to speak.

"No." Dorothy told her wife firmly.

"Oh come on Dottie! Werewolves are supposed to hate vampires! It's like I have to go!" Ruby whined.

"You listen to your wife missy!" Granny interjected. "I don't want you running around and getting bitten by a vampire!"

"Yeah, I married a wolf not a bat. And it looks like you're out voted." Dorothy said as she tapped Ruby's nose with her finger.

Ruby gave Henry an apologetic look. "Sorry kid. Gotta do what the wife says."

"It's alright Ruby." Henry acknowledged.

"I'll go Henry." Lily announced.

"No. Absolutely not!" Malificent exclaimed. "You could be killed and I just got you back."

"Mom, Emma's my friend. If I sat on the sidelines and something happened to her son I would never forgive myself." Lily explained to her mother. "And she would kill me, so I better make sure he gets home safe."

Malificent sighed. "I guess, you're right. We don't need to get the Savior or Regina angry at us. I'm not going to have them lock us both under the library for letting Henry get killed. But I'm coming with you."

"Cool!" Henry said. He had hoped to get at least one dragon, but both coming would greatly increase their odds of survival.

"Well, we're staying put." Tinkerbell said. "We fairies are going to be busy here."

Violet looked stricken. Henry looked puzzled.

"We?" The wheels were turning in his mind. "You're a fairy?" He pointed to Violet. She nodded as a tear rolled down her cheek. Tinkerbell looked back and forth between the two.

"Should I not have said anything?" She asked.

Seattle (hotel room)

She sat in the bed hunched over her laptop. She sipped on her third root beer that was now room temperature. Emma ran her fingers through her hair and gave her scalp a good scratch. She checked the time on the computer. It was a little past three in the afternoon, she had been going at this since about six in the morning.

She had started by searching for any bar named Regina's. No luck. Then any named Mill's. Nothing. Henry's? No dice. Emma's, maybe? Nada. That would have been cute though, Emma thought. She shook her head and got back to work. After that she had to begin the laborious task of searching different combinations. Regina's Place, Regina's Tavern, Regina's Bar. Mill's Place, Mill's Tavern, Mill's Bar. Henry's Place, Henry's Tavern, and so on and so on. Queenies. The Poisoned Apple. Enchanted Forest. Hours upon hours, combinations upon combinations, variations upon variations.

Finally after her brain was completely frazzled she tried a different tactic. Emma started down a directory of all the bars in the city and looked for any that had a website. If they did she checked if any had pictures of the owners or the workers on them. It was torturous, but she kept at it.

After a few hours of that she came away with nothing to show for her efforts. A short break for pizza and then she went back to work, this time listing all the bars that didn't have websites. She would have to go to each one in person and look for her. Emma's eyelids began to droop and she caught herself nodding her head a few times. With a yawn she decided to take a nap. If she was going to be up all night doing a bar crawl then she better try and get some sleep. By the time her head hit the pillow she was already on her way to dreamland.

"Regina!" There was some kind of purple fog everywhere. It was thick and Emma could barely see ten feet in front of her. Something deep inside her felt like Regina was close. "Regina!"

"Who are you?" Emma heard the voice she had been longing to hear for months.

"Regina? Where are you?" Emma cried out as she started forward. She hadn't been able to tell which direction the voice had come from.

"Who is Regina? My name is Roni. And who the hell are you?"

"It's me Emma!" There was a form starting to appear in front of her. Emma ran to it. It began to come into focus and take the shape of her true love.

"Emma? Emma Swan? The crazy bitch who is stalking my fiance?" Roni said with an angry snarl.

Emma could see Regina clearly now and her heart fluttered being so close to her. She wanted to take her in her arms and kiss her but she stopped short. "Fiance? Are you talking about August?!" Emma said with a mix of anger and disgust.

"Yes my fiance August! He told me all about you and how much of a crazy stalker you are! Stay away from us!" Roni threw up her hands. "Why am I arguing with you in my dream? I can't even see you. None of this is real, I just have to wake up now."

Emma was now only a foot away from Regina and she waved her hands in front of the chocolate brown eyes. "You can't see me? I'm right in front of you."

"No I can't see you, crazy stalker bitch." She spat. Emma missed the sass from the mayor but right now she could do without it.

"I'm not a stalker! Listen August has put a spell on you!" Emma explained.

"A spell? What, like magic? This is the craziest dream ever." Regina sighed.

"Yes, your name is not Roni! It's Regina Mills! You were born in the Enchanted Forest! We share a son Henry! You have to remember him right? Henry? You adopted him!" Emma pleaded.

For a moment it looked like Emma had triggered something, a look flickered on Regina's face. Emma's heart soared with hope but then it was crushed a moment later when the looked disappeared from her face. "Henry, that was my father's name. But I don't have a son lady and I definitely wouldn't share him with you."

"But we do Regina! You have to believe me! We're getting married! I had our daughter, Jeanie Maria!" Emma was getting emotional, why couldn't she remember her?

"You had our daughter? How exactly did that work? Oh let me guess. Magic?" Regina smirked.

"Look Regina, if you don't remember our kids maybe you'll remember this!" In frustration Emma lunged forward and grabbed the brunette by the shoulders. She pulled her hard into her lips and kissed her with everything she had. Roni brought her hands up in surprise and tried to push Emma off of her but the blonde was stronger than she was. Roni tried to speak to demand Emma to stop but her lips were pressed to tight with the other woman. She began to wiggle but couldn't escape the vice grip of Emma's hands.

Emma tried to put all of her love into the kiss. Tears rolled down her cheeks as

she felt her true love struggle against her. Why couldn't she remember her? True love was supposed to break any curse. Why wasn't it working?

Then Emma felt Regina stop pushing her away. Regina's hands began to relax against Emma's arms. Her lips started to relax and Emma felt them part a little. A small moan came from Regina and Emma felt like there were butterflies inside her. Emma was able to slowly slide her tongue into Regina's mouth. Regina's hands started to pull her closer instead of push her away. Emma felt her kiss her back and the tears of sadness on her cheeks were replaced by tears of happiness. They kissed for a long time and Emma never wanted it to end, but then she felt Regina slowly pull away. Emma watched carefully as Regina's eyes focused on her, slowly a smile spread on the mayor's face.

"Emma, you found me." Regina said softly.