Rumpelstiltskin did not open his home to visitors. He opened his home to family. His daughter, his son, the in-laws…grandkids…occasionally Snow White and Charming but not often as they would probably like.

So when Emma brought Red to the house, Rumpelstiltskin was not happy. This was his home and his sanctuary; it wasn't like the Dark Castle, where everyone came to him for their problems. He didn't have magic, he didn't have foresight and he didn't have a goal. He just wanted to be left out of it now.

"And so what, she's supposed to stay here?"

"Until this whole mess is sorted out," Emma muttered.

"So then you are doing it," Rumpelstiltskin said, he struggled not to let his voice rise in anger, "You are getting involved."

Emma gave him a hurt look, "Of course I'm getting involved, I'm the savior."

"Not anymore, that stopped when you brought us home!"

"It'll never stop, I have responsibilities," Emma told him and she looked like she hated herself for saying that, "Midas was my friend, papa. Red is the one that's supposed to keep the peace. If she's being framed….I can't ignore that. She's my godmother."

He wanted to snap that he never appointed anyone to be her godmother but then he remembered that she had other parents as well.

Emma looked over to the dining area, where Red sat with her head in her hands, "Who else could rip a man's throat out, papa?"

"You sure she didn't? Sometimes lycanthropy is hard to control"

"It's not wolf's time, and if she was a werewolf, she'd have had to break through the door or the window or something and nothing was disturbed. You know everyone better than they know themselves, who could've done this?"

"No one, Emma. No one else is a werewolf or can…turn into an animal as far as I've seen."

"Then who did it?" Emma whispered, "Did someone…rip out his neck with their teeth?"

"Oh gods, that's a disturbing though."

"Well, what else am I dealing with, papa?"

"There could be those that were left behind because of the curse."

"But there was no one left, just us."

"How are you so certain of that?"

Emma cringed, "Hook told me."

"Hook wanted to keep you on the ship and win you as a way to hurt me, of course he'd lie and say there was no one left. There would be nowhere for you to run to."

"He also had Cora with him, I have no doubts that they'd wipe out anyone that I could seek help from or could stop them."

"Yes, that's true," he muttered, "But it's the only other answer."

"What about portals?" Emma asked.

Rumpelstiltskin hesitated, "It's possible."

"But you'd think we'd have heard about anyone suspicious," Emma muttered, "Or…anyone hearing about anyone suspicious."

"We don't go into town much, sweetie."

"Jefferson is in town all the time…but everything's been quiet."

"Then we'll just have to keep an eye out," Rumpelstiltskin told her and kissed her forehead, "Jefferson's coming."

Emma looked over her shoulder to see Jefferson coming down the stairs. Her father moved away to give them a moment alone. Jefferson didn't say anything as he walked over and embraced her. Emma held him tightly, "I'm sorry."

"So you're doing it then? Getting involved?"

And therefore breaking her promise to him that they'd settle down and be a normal family, "Are you mad?"

"Furious," he told her without any anger in his voice. He rested his forehead against hers, "But I know why you're doing it. I don't want you hurt."

"I know," she whispered.

"Whatever it was ripped a man's throat out, Emma. You could be hurt."

Emma wrapped her arms around him, "Do you support me?"

"Of course," he replied, "Because I love you and that won't ever stop."

Emma held him tightly, "Thank you."

"But I'm still mad…even though I get it."

Emma gave a small smile, "I'm certain you would be."

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Rumpelstiltskin did not want Red in his house. She would disrupt his schedule and he didn't want to talk to her. She was one of the ones that supported his going to the cage when they were here almost 30 years ago.

He WANTED it…but still….it was the principal of the matter.

Emma said that no one would expect Red to be at his house of all things. HE supposed that made sense. He supported his daughter but didn't care all that much for those he'd given her the task of protecting. They wouldn't look here…and if they did…well…they would be a fool to mess with him.

He didn't have magic but the house was enchanted. No one came in without his allowance.

He watched through the window as Baelfire approached her. He said something with a kind smile and offered her some cracker jacks from the bag he had bought at the store earlier.

Rumpelstiltskin knew that look…

Oh no….

The door opened; Jefferson, Emma and Grace all walked out. Rumpelstiltskin felt his heart leap to his throat when he realized they were leaving him alone with a werewolf that didn't like him and his son with a crush and he stood, "You're leaving?"

"Yeah, we have some things at the house to do," Emma walked over and kissed him on the cheek.

"Tell your parents to take precautions, if someone's going after members of the council," he trailed off, "And in her state, it would be wise."

"They'll be fine, they're going to set up some enchantments I gave them a few months back after the talk with the midwife.'

"Your mother's getting a midwife?"

"Yeah, mom sent me a message saying they were," Emma looked up, "Guess some people like home births. Give me an epidural any day…"

"How's this for an odd name?" Jefferson muttered, "Her name's Zelena. And here I thought Rumpelstiltskin was bad."

Rumpelstiltskin's eyes widened. "No, it couldn't be…"

And next time….he remembered the snarl, you will choose me.

"Papa?" Emma asked.

"You need to take me to your mother," he told her, "Now."

A/N: Okay, just taking the time to say.

I AM doing Peter Pan, but it is not till the kids are older. Pan doesn't happen until after the Honor thy Father epilogue in which they're about 17.

Will I do time travel with Zelena? I don't know. It'd be interesting to put Emma in that environment...especially to see what her father used to be. It's always been easy for Emma to distance herself from the things her father's done, to see him actually in his FTL element...that would be an interesting opportunity. And if I skip out on writing Rumple raising Emma and she gets to go back in FTL to see him...then who else will write it?"