A/N: Sorry about the small wait for this one, and sorry for what happens. Enjoy!
"Swan, wake up," Killian said, nudging at Emma who was still asleep, the blankets curled up towards her face. Emma whined and rolled over, clearly not welcoming his good morning. He sat up, smirking at her. While she was still rolled over, he reached for his pocket and took a breath.
Today was the day.
"Please, love, we need to get going. Regina called." Emma sat up at this, her eyes squinting in the light of the windows.
"What time is it?" She reached up and moved the blonde hair from her face. She was always turning in her sleep, her hair ended up matting over every morning.
Killian smiled. "Nearly noon. We stayed up late talking, don't you remember?"
Emma nodded. "Yeah, there was a lot of wine, wasn't there?" When Killian nodded back, she smiled and shoved herself back down on the bed. "Do I have to get up?"
Killian laughed and grabbed her arm, pulling her up and out of bed. "Yes, Regina wants you down at the waterfront. Something about one of the dwarves finding something down there. I think we should hurry over."
Emma nodded and stood, stretching. "Okay, give me a half hour to get ready. We can go in a bit."
Once they were ready, Killian handed Emma a coffee he had made her to-go and held the door open. "I wonder what they found," Emma said. "Maybe something that has to do with Moriarty? I'm surprised she didn't just say over the phone."
Killian tried not to show any emotion. It was difficult for him to lie to her, even though he was excited. "No idea, maybe you'll just have to see for yourself." His stomach was turning over and over, the closer they got to the water the more scared he felt. He didn't usually feel scared of anything, but something about Emma made him less confident than his normal self.
He kept going over the words in his head, he had been thinking about them for weeks now. Ever since she had been the Dark One, he knew he had to do it. Life was far too short to pretend that love wasn't the most important thing in it. Once Moriarty had turned up he thought that he should wait until things blew over, but it rarely seemed like life slowed down in Storybrooke, if he wanted something, perhaps the only way to get it was in the midst of everything else.
Once they were by the water Emma was frantically searching for where Regina was. Killian snuck next to her and grabbed her hand. "Emma, wait."
She looked up, her large eyes confused, waiting for him to continue. "Regina isn't down here. She didn't call me."
Emma took a step back. "What are you talking about?"
For a moment he thought that maybe this was the wrong time. "I just wanted to have some time alone with you. I thought it would be nice to get away from everything going on. I know how stressful everything has been for you. For us, for everyone really, I mean."
The instant he started talking, he regretted it. Why can't you just say what you mean? His mind was racing, his heart pounding.
But instead of getting upset, Emma looked up at him, concerned. "Killian, are you okay? You look pale, should we go home?"
He felt pale. It was the nerves. But before he could give in to them, he took a breath and stood up a little straighter, willing himself to be confident. Of course this was the right thing to do.
"Actually, Swan, I'm more than okay." He reached for his pocket and pulled out the little velvet box. Before he opened it, he continued. "Look, I've wanted this for a long time now, and I didn't think I would ever get over Milah, or past my selfish ways, but it seems, with you, I have. I don't intend on spending the rest of my life with anyone else." He took a moment, that wasn't romantic enough. "I just mean that I'm in love with you, Emma. And I don't need a life threatening moment or a near-death experience to tell you that. Or to ask if you might want to spend the rest of your life with me, too."
He stepped back and took a knee, looking up at her surprised face. Her lips were parted slightly, and he could just make out her hands shaking slightly, but this time not from a lack of sleep. "I don't care if we're battling evil men or Dark Ones or kings or queens for the rest of our lives, I only know that I want to be with you through everything. So," he took another deep breath, and reached for her hand, pulling her closer. He opened the little box and held up the ring. "If you would do me the honor, Emma Swan, and make me the happiest man in all the realms, marry me."
Emma held his hand tightly, and held her other hand to her face. He could see small tears in her eyes, and before he knew it, she was smiling and saying yes. He took the ring out and placed it on her left hand, then stood. She wrapped herself around him, and for a while, they stood as close as possible. He hoped this feeling would never end.
On the list of things Jefferson never expected to do in his life, happily going to Town Hall had to be pretty high. Considering how much he disliked Regina, he tried to avoid the place at all costs. But today, he had a good reason for going. A pleasing reason.
A terrifying reason.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, his mind froze. Was he really going to do this? What would he even say? What if he messed everything up? Horrifying scenario after horrifying scenario popped up in his head, and he nearly stopped in his tracks. This was a bad idea. It had to be.
But it seemed like his body didn't want to cooperate with his mind, and his feet carried him the rest of the way. Before he knew it, he was in the basement, facing the door to the makeshift lab.
Molly's lab.
Since the first moment he had met her, Jefferson had been intrigued. She offered a new perspective on things: A scientific perspective. Back when he was working with Victor Frankenstein, he'd come into contact with it, but it was fleeting and he'd brushed it off. But with Molly, it felt different. It felt exciting.
And aside from that, she was the only person besides his daughter who treated him like he wasn't insane, or worse. She was always polite and sincere. It warmed him in ways he hadn't been in a very long time.
Before he could lose his courage, he knocked on the door before poking his head inside. Molly was hunched over a microscope, but she looked up the minute Jefferson knocked. A bright smile spread across her face, and she stumbled off her stool in her haste to stand.
"Jefferson! It's so lovely to see you." She blushed, and the corners of Jefferson's mouth quirked up. "What brings you here?"
Be cool, Jefferson, he told himself. Moving farther into the lab, he kept his hands behind his back, concealing what he was holding.
"I was just thinking," he said, "about how you want to study magical objects." He paused, suddenly feeling awkward. "And, I, um - well, I doubt we'll get the Ash Apple any time soon, so…" He was making a mess of it. Molly was giving him a polite, confused smile, and Jefferson wished he could disappear through a portal.
"Yes?" she prompted when he didn't speak for a few moments. He cleared his throat and brought his hands out, showing her what he was holding. Her eyebrows furrowed a bit, and he felt ridiculous.
"It's-it's my hat. You know, the Mad Hatter…"
"Oh. Oh." Realization spread across Molly's face, and her eyes shone with excitement. She was by his side in an instant, her hands fluttering around the hat. Jefferson felt some of his fear melt away.
"It's not the original," he admitted. "That got destroyed. But I made a new one in case of an emergency. I just thought - I thought that maybe you'd like to examine it."
Molly looked up at him with wide eyes. "Really? You trust me with it?"
Jefferson smiled. "I wouldn't be giving it to you if I didn't, would I?"
He held it out, and she tentatively took it from him, twisting it this way and that in her hands. The wonder in her expression made everything worth it.
"Will you stay?" she asked, tearing her gaze away from the hat. She blushed as soon as she asked it. Jefferson nodded.
"As long as I won't be a bother." Truthfully, he wanted to see how she worked, but he didn't want to impose.
"Not at all. It'll be nice to have company."
The two shared a smile before Molly led him over to her equipment. As she talked, Jefferson felt something he hadn't experienced in a while.
Pure contentment.
"Get up, we're leaving." Moriarty lifted his hand to his head. It seemed like every time he was around Anastasia he got a headache, for she was one of the most annoying people he had ever met. Luckily for him, if everything worked out - and it certainly would, seeing as he was the one conducting all of it - he wouldn't have to deal with her much longer.
Ana rose from her perch at the couch and walked to him, automatically. Moriarty went to the hutch on the side of the wall and took out a little key from his pocket. Within a few seconds, the glass cupboard doors opened and he pulled down the box with the apple. Ash Apple, he thought. What a stupid name. He liked counting all of the stupid things in the room, it relaxed him, and it often took some time, considering most things he considered to be very, very stupid.
"Where are we going?" Ana asked.
Moriarty rolled his eyes. He hated explaining everything to everyone. Nobody could match him, it seemed, not in all the realms. "The park." He carried the box from the room, ushering her to come with. "Maybe your stupid little boyfriend will be there."
Ana stopped midway down the hall. "He's my husband, actually."
Moriarty stared deadly at her. "I don't care. Let's go."
He didn't have time for annoyances today. He knew exactly what was going to happen, and he wanted to enjoy every second of it.
"Regina. Sweetheart. Regina."
Regina's head snapped up at her husband's insistent tone. Robin was watching her patiently, but she could see the worry in his eyes.
"Sorry," she said. "What were you saying?"
Robin sighed and sat down next to her. They were in the living room of their house, and the storybook was open on Regina's lap. She'd been poring over it for any sign of Moriarty. She shuddered to think that he could have been in there all these years, but so far she'd been unsuccessful. It both frustrated and relieved her.
"You've been staring at that for ages," Robin said. "I think you could use a break."
Regina blew out a breath. "I would love one, but-"
"Excellent." Robin snatched the book out of her grasp and shut it with a snap. He set it aside, smirking at Regina's indignant look.
"You know I could use magic to get it back, right?"
"Yes, but you won't." Regina raised an eyebrow.
"And how do you know?"
Robin wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her close. "Because I want you to rest, and you could never resist me."
She laughed, though she made no effort to leave the comfort of his arms. In all the realms, there was no place she felt safer. He was her rock, her security.
"This is a nightmare," she whispered. He pressed a kiss to her head. "Having him here."
"Don't think about it," he whispered back. "Right now, don't even let it cross your mind."
Regina closed her eyes, but as soon as she did all she could picture was Moriarty's smirking face. "That's easier said than done."
Robin moved away, causing Regina to frown. He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head so they were looking each other in the eyes.
"We'll stop him. Like we always do. And then we can move on with our lives. Things will be back to normal, and we'll be able to relax." He smiled. "We'll be able to enjoy domestic, married life."
She sighed in contentment. "That sounds beautiful."
"What do you want to do?" he asked. "Once we're back to our regular lives?"
Regina wanted to say that fighting great evils was their regular lives, but she bit her tongue, wanting to imagine just for once. "I want… to take the boys to the park. Let Roland and Henry play."
Robin hummed, his smile growing as he pictured it. "We could sign Roland up for a sports team."
"Oh, he'd be perfect for soccer!"
"Mmm, perhaps." Robin settled back against the cushions, and Regina curled up against his side once more. "I want to build the boys a treehouse. That was something I had always wanted as a boy, a place that was entirely my own. I want to give that to them."
"Henry would love to help you with that."
"And I'll let him, that's a lot of work for one person."
The two of them laughed. Regina was afraid her heart would burst out of her chest from envisioning it all. With all the craziness, she sometimes forgot she still had a future ahead of her with her boys.
Regina's cell phone rang, disrupting the peaceful moment she and Robin had been sharing. She grabbed it and hit the 'answer' button, shooting him an apologetic look. The voice on the other end of the line didn't have any good news for her. In fact, by the time she hung up, her stomach had dropped like a hundred pound weight.
"What is it?" Robin asked, noticing her discomfort immediately.
"Moriarty's left the mansion." She looked at him, her face pale. "He hasn't left in days."
Robin took her hand, squeezing tightly. "Let's go."
"I'll go," she said. He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. "Take the boys to the Charmings'. I can handle this."
"Regina…"
"Please, Robin." She touched his cheek. "I need you safe. I want that future of ours."
Robin leaned forward and pressed their foreheads together. "Okay. But if something goes wrong, call me and I'll be there in an instant."
"I don't doubt it." She kissed him, one hand still on his cheek. He cradled the back of her neck, his thumb rubbing soothing circles. She wished she could stay there, in that moment, forever.
But nothing lasted forever.
John awoke with the feeling that something was terribly wrong. He turned over in bed, forgetting for a moment that he was in Storybrooke now, and not back in London.
"Oh good, you're up." John jerked his head up and to the other side of the room where Mary stood, pacing back and forth with her large, pregnant belly. "Alright now, I don't want you to freak out."
John stood, his eyes growing wide. "You're in labor, aren't you?"
Mary held up her hands, peacefully. "Because I know you, John, and we are very prepared for this and I really can't have you getting flustered right now."
"Okay, my wife is in labor. Why didn't you wake me up?" John's voice rose and he skirted the room, first putting on clothes and then grabbing the hospital bag they had prepared. "Come on, we've got to wake Sherlock."
John could feel Mary rolling her eyes behind him as they exited the apartment. Before long, he was banging on his best friend's door and checking to make sure Mary could walk alright on her own.
Sherlock opened the door and looked startled at a panting Mary. "Oh no, how's he doing?" He asked to Mary, referring to John.
John dropped the bag in front of him. "Seriously? I'm the doctor here!" His voice rose again, upset. "And I say we need to go right now! Sherlock, bring whatever you have prepared, let's go."
Sherlock smiled, making a joke out of everything. John wanted to smile back, but he was too concerned with his wife.
"Oh bloody hell, Sherlock, come on!" Sherlock laughed and ran to grab the bag he had prepared, then the three of them were out the door.
Maleficent hurried down the stairs of the mansion. Moriarty had been gone for twenty minutes, and she knew that if she wanted to find Lily, she would have to be fast about it. There was no telling when he might be back.
Her eyes surveyed every room she entered, looking for trap doors in the floor, secret passageways behind bookcases, anything that might lead her to her daughter. Too scared to call for her out loud, she only hurried around, trying to find any trace that Moriarty might have left. She has to be here, Maleficent thought as she turned a doorknob into another dusty room, she's here somewhere.
She kept looking out of the windows in each room, making sure that Moriarty wasn't back yet. She didn't know what the man might do if he found her downstairs. She took a breath and entered another room. On the far side there was a little door, slightly shorter than herself. She hurried over and tried twisting the knob, but closed her eyes in frustration when she found it locked. She had to make a decision quickly. Should she use magic? It would undoubtedly leave a trace, and if Moriarty came back and saw what she had done, all deals might be off. She closed her eyes and lifted her hands, terrified, but ready. Within a second, the door crashed down, skidding down a flight of stairs behind it.
Maleficent hustled down the stairs, forcing her eyes to adjust to the dark.
"Hello?" someone at the bottom called out, and Maleficent perked up.
"Lily? Where are you?"
She heard the voice, and walked to it. "He has me tied up. Be careful."
Maleficent lit a fire in her palm to illuminate the room. It was small and dank, and Lily sat on a box in the corner, her arms tied behind her, attached to the brick wall behind. "You poor thing, let me help." She rushed over and reached behind her daughter, concerned.
"No, Mom, please don't, he'll kill both of us." Lily's eyes looked full of terror. Maleficent was too scared to ask if the man had done anything more to her than this.
Maleficent shook her head. "He left a little while ago, if I get you out now-"
"No." Lily shook her head, frightened. "He'll find us. Go back upstairs. Maybe if Regina and Emma can stop him, we can leave, but you can't do this. If he wins, we're as good as dead."
Maleficent didn't want to admit that she was right. If Regina and Emma stopped him, they would be out free, forever. But if they didn't, and if he came back, there was no doubt he would kill Lily if Maleficent had tried to run away. All of the time she had spent building a relationship with her daughter would be ruined in an instant. She couldn't let that happen.
A tear stained her cheek, and she looked her daughter in the eyes. "I'm sorry this is happening. I promise I'll keep you safe."
Lily nodded. "I'm a big girl, don't worry about me. Keep yourself safe."
Maleficent swallowed and wondered if she could repair the door at the top of the stairs in a way that Moriarty might not notice. She nodded at Lily and gave her one last hug. Hopefully she would be able to save her girl.
She stood and went to leave, bringing the door with her.
"Mom?"
Maleficent turned, trying to hide the pain in her eyes. "Yes?"
"I love you."
She sighed, hating the situation they were in. "I love you too, Lily."
Robin knocked on the Charmings' door, shooting a reassuring smile at Roland, who clutched his hand. He was trying to put on a good face for his sons, but his mind was with Regina. He couldn't stop worrying about her safety. Roland seemed to be mostly oblivious about what was going on, but Henry hadn't been fooled as easily. He'd initially objected to going with Robin, but after some pleading he'd come around.
Snow opened the door, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion at the sight of all three Mills men standing before her. Robin spoke in a gentle tone so as to not frighten Roland.
"Hello. Would you mind terribly if we hung out here for a while?"
His eyes must have conveyed some sense of urgency, for realization dawned on Snow's face, and she stepped aside immediately. She plastered an overly bright smile on her face for Roland's sake. She set about getting snacks for them all while simultaneously giving Robin a look that said he had some explaining to do.
"Papa?" Roland tugged on Robin's pant leg. "Why are we here? Where's Mama?"
Robin swallowed the lump in his throat. He guided Roland over to the couch and settled down with him, drawing Roland onto his lap.
"Mama is taking care of some things," Robin said carefully. "She'll be back soon enough."
"Is she fighting the bad guys?"
Robin glanced at Henry, Snow, and Charming, who had just entered the room. They were pretending they weren't listening, but based on their lack of movement, they weren't doing a good job. Sighing, he turned back to his son.
"She's working to make this place safer," he said slowly. "You know why?" Roland shook his head. Robin smiled and tapped his son's nose. "You. She's doing it to make sure you're protected. She loves you so much, Roland. So much."
"Like you?" Roland asked. Robin felt a tug at his heartstrings. Right after Marian had died, Robin had made it his goal to tell Roland how much he loved him every single day. If there was one thing Roland could be sure of, it was his father's undying love for him.
"Just like me," Robin said. He dropped his voice into a conspiratorial tone. "Though no one loves you more than me. Remember that."
Roland grinned and threw himself against Robin. Robin pressed a kiss to Roland's head, wishing that for once everything could be simple. His son deserved that much.
And they had been so close to living a normal life. Moriarty threw a wrench into that plan, and now Robin's wife was off facing him. It left a very bad feeling in his gut, one that spurred him to action.
Kissing Roland again, he delicately moved the boy to the side and stood up. He was halfway to the door when Henry stepped in his way.
"Where are you going?"
The lie was on his tongue, but he knew Henry would see right through him. Squaring his shoulders, Robin answered.
"I'm going to help your mother, and you're going to stay here and take care of your brother."
Henry held his gaze for a moment before nodding. Robin smiled and ruffled Henry's hair before moving to the door.
"Robin."
He turned, his hand on the doorknob. Henry was facing him, biting his lip.
"Come back safe, okay? Both of you."
Robin nodded. "Of course, Henry."
As the door shut behind him and he started to make his way downstairs, Robin prayed he hadn't lied to Henry.
Sherlock found John pacing the hospital's hallway, his fist clenched by his sides. He looked like he was about to snap. Rolling his eyes a bit, Sherlock walked up to his friend and stopped him, placing his hands on John's shoulders.
"Why are you out here?" he asked. "You should be inside with Mary."
John sucked in a breath, his eyes darting to the closed delivery room door. Mary let out a particularly loud wail just then, and John winced.
"I'm not - I can't do this."
"You're a bloody doctor, John, surely you can stomach-"
"It's not that," John said. "I can't - Sherlock, I'm not ready to be a father."
Sherlock froze. This was out of his league. He was bad enough at comforting people, but about something like fatherhood? He didn't know a damn thing.
"John…"
"What if I mess up? What if my child gets into, I don't know, drugs, or a gang? What if he or she grows to hate me?"
Sherlock loathed the look of fear on John's face. Sliding his hands down to John's upper arms, he focused intently on his friend.
"Listen to me now, John Watson. Your child will not hate you. I believe it's impossible for a person to do so. You and Mary will make fine parents, I know it."
John seemed utterly taken aback at Sherlock's words. "You know it? It must be true then." He said it like a joke, but there was something in his words that showed he truly believed it. Turning to the delivery room door, he took a deep breath and strode over to it. Pausing before entering, he glanced back at Sherlock.
"Thank you," he said. Sherlock managed a small smile.
"Go on. Bring little Sherlock into the world."
"We're not naming it after you."
"William is believed by many to be a nice name."
"Goodbye, Sherlock."
The door shut behind John, and Sherlock felt a wave of loneliness crash over him. John would be gone for who knows how long, as he should be. He needed to be with his wife right now, Sherlock knew that. But like many times before, it was a painful reminder that he wasn't the most important person in John's life.
Sherlock felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Digging it out, he saw he had a text from Regina. His mood lifted briefly before he read the message.
Moriarty is on the move. Meet me at the park.
He glanced once more at the delivery room door. John would be alright for a while. He would have to be. Pocketing his phone, Sherlock all but ran out of the hospital, trying to put thoughts of his friends and their unborn child out of his mind.
It was time to finish this.
"Another cup of coffee?" Will looked up from his stale cinnamon roll to see Granny standing above him, holding a kettle. He shook his head, and the woman nodded and turned away.
So much for getting his mind off Ana. After a long conversation with Belle the night before, he thought it would be best if he distracted himself for a while. He was never the hero sort, he knew it would be impossible to fight Moriarty on his own, and Belle had assured him that Regina and Emma would do a good job of it if he would let them. But even so, he had barely slept at all, racking his brains for some idea that could get him inside the mansion in order to break the curse that Ana was under.
He tried thinking about why Ana might have cursed herself in the first place. She was usually tough when it came to people controlling her, but he'd seen her go down the path before. It frightened him to think that she might be after riches or power again, though. He had thought she was finished with that sort of thing, after they had married he doubted money would ever come between them again, though now, he started to doubt it. If she really had changed, he didn't know what he might do.
He picked at the pastry in front of him and laid his head in his hand on the table. Maybe he should have gotten that second cup of coffee.
"Is that Moriarty?" Will looked up quickly to see one of the dwarves looking out the window up front. He stood and walked over.
It can't be, he thought. But it was, less than twenty feet outside the door, Moriarty and Ana walked down the road. His stomach flipped, and he took less than a second to decide what to do. He rushed over the door and placed his hand on the knob.
"I wouldn't go out there if I were you, that man is dangerous." The dwarf shook his head towards Will, motioning for him to stay inside.
Will stared deadly at the man. "Well you aren't me, are you?" With one motion, he opened the door and flung himself outside. If he was careful, the two of them might not notice him. Maybe with some stealth he could follow them to where they were going, even find a solution along the way.
He took a deep breath and followed along, hiding behind shrubs and buildings, though he had a feeling Moriarty and Ana didn't care who might be following them.
John stumbled out of the delivery room, dazed beyond belief. He hated to leave Mary right now, but he desperately needed to use the bathroom. Apparently his constant bouncing back and forth had irritated Mary, and she told him to hurry back.
He halted when he reached the waiting room and found Lestrade sitting there instead of Sherlock. Lestrade jumped up when he saw John, hope etched on his face.
"Well?" Lestrade asked. "Do I have a niece or a nephew?"
"Um, neither, it hasn't happened yet. Where's Sherlock?"
Lestrade's gaze shifted, and he shoved his hands into his pockets. John frowned.
"Greg? Where is Sherlock?"
Lestrade blew out a breath. "He's with Regina. That's all you need to know."
"This is about Moriarty, isn't it?" John felt the panic he was experiencing over the labor increase exponentially, and he was afraid he would pass out from it.
"Don't worry about it," Lestrade said firmly. "Your mind needs to be here now. It's under control, just know that."
John was torn between wanting to find his best friend and staying for the birth of his child. He knew he would stay at the hospital, but he couldn't help but remember the last time Sherlock had gone after Moriarty by himself.
"He has Regina," he murmured half to himself. "He'll be fine."
"Exactly," Lestrade said. "Now go be with your wife."
John nodded, forcing himself to be calm. He flashed Lestrade a wary smile before searching for the bathroom. Lestrade was right. His mind needed to be there, not with Sherlock.
Regina tightened her coat around her as she rushed through the streets. The wind bristled the hair at the back of her neck, forcing it to stand on end. She had a terrible feeling about what might happen today.
She stopped suddenly and stared down Main Street, towards the park. Her gut told her not to go any further, this would only end badly. But she had to, there was nobody else to stop such a terrible villain. And she had a past with him. With Moriarty out of the way, nobody would see her as the Evil Queen any more, and nobody would want her to be her old self ever again. She thought of the small cringes that Robin made when he heard about Regina's past. With Moriarty in town, she knew those little looks wouldn't end. This was supposed to be her happy ending, she wouldn't let him take it from her. Not like this.
In her mind, she started going through everything that Moriarty had screwed up. It helped give her motivation when she was going to kill someone. When she was the Evil Queen, she needed only a small, mediocre thing on the list to do such a terrible deed, but now it took much more. He had ruined the beginning of her life with Robin, causing trouble everywhere. He had kidnapped Belle, taken Lily, and forced Maleficent to do his dirty work in order to keep her safe. He had cursed Ana and sent Will spiraling into misery. Before she could go any further, she heard Sherlock's voice behind her, calling out.
"Regina, wait!" She turned quickly, facing the man. He stopped in front of her, catching his breath. "Don't go over there alone, you need help. Maybe we can bring Emma, too, and Belle, since she knows about the apple."
Regina looked up at him, annoyed. "No, if we wait too long he might be gone." She watched as his face became scared, not for himself, but for her. She needed to do this now, she might not get another chance.
"I just wanted to give you your best chance. I figured if you had backup, maybe an extra object up your sleeve you might-"
Regina laughed humorlessly. He was starting to sound like the Charmings. "Sherlock, let's go, I need to do this now."
He nodded, she figured he knew his place here, he knew not to go against what she wanted. She turned and walked quickly down the street, watching the trees from the park get bigger and bigger. Regina could feel Sherlock's presence behind her, quietly assessing the area.
Once she reached the park she headed toward the two figures, but soon realized there were three. Getting closer, she saw Will, standing straight up, clearly immobile.
"Let him go!" She shouted towards Moriarty, who had a hand on Ana's shoulder. "You don't want him, you want me. Let him go or else I won't negotiate with you." She stood her ground, stepping in front of Will. Sherlock stood near, clearly trying to put on a good face. She felt like telling him to run away, it would be easier if she knew nobody else was in danger, but she doubted he would listen on this front.
Moriarty only smiled and took a step away from Ana, who released Will. He fell onto the ground in a heap of quick breaths and groans. Regina helped him up, and stood to face the man again. "Oh Regina," Moriarty said, tilting his head at her. "It's adorable the way you think you could even negotiate with me. I own you." He smiled sinisterly at her, and she balled her hands into fists at her sides, ready to take control at any moment.
"You don't own me, Moriarty," she said through gritted teeth.
He nodded and smiled. "I do." Then, still smiling, he turned towards Sherlock. "And I own you, too, don't I?"
She was too scared to turn towards Sherlock, afraid that if she took her eyes off him for a second he would attack. She could only imagine how Sherlock would be, his face etched with disgust.
"What do you want?" Regina asked quickly, drawing Moriarty's attention back to her. With magic, Sherlock stood no chance against Moriarty. Even if he was far more smart.
Moriarty bobbed his head up and down a few times, pretending to ponder the question. "I want to watch your downfall, Regina." His words were soft, as if reciting a poem, but then, they grew sinister, loud, "I want to END YOU."
She tried not to show fear, she didn't step back or hesitate. She held up her hands and braced herself for the power that would quickly flow out. But before she could, Moriarty motioned towards Ana, and Regina was frozen in the air. She turned her head to see that Will and Sherlock were as well, completely defenseless. She might not have a chance now. Maybe she could convince Moriarty to take her, she could pretend that she was willing to be on his side if only he left everyone else alone, even gave Ana back to Will. Though she doubted anything she said would work at this point.
"Oh look, the main event has just arrived!" Regina looked up at Moriarty who was facing his right, towards the entrance of the park. She turned her head, looking to see what he was talking about. Running towards them was her husband, a concerned look on his face. His run became softer as he realized they were all looking at him. He called out Regina's name, worried for her. No, no, no, Regina thought, she couldn't let this happen. Moriarty would stop at nothing.
"Ah, your precious little happy ending. Doesn't look like he's going to happy much longer." Moriarty sneered.
Regina shook her head. "Robin! No! Run! Go back!" She yelled as loud as she could, her voice cracking in fear. She knew he wouldn't listen, though. He wouldn't let her be in danger without trying to stop it. She could feel her eyes welling with tears. She didn't know how to stop any of this.
Once Robin was stopped, only a few feet from her, she could figure out what he was thinking. He hadn't known that Regina was frozen until he was up close, and now his eyes were growing large. He turned towards Moriarty. "Listen, mate, I'm sure we can work something out. Just leave Regina alone. We can get you anything you want." Regina cried, hearing him so pleading.
"Don't touch him, Moriarty, I swear, I will-"
But Moriarty held up his hand and a little flash of red came from Ana's palm, forcing Regina to be quiet. "I'm really not that bad of a person, Regina. I won't make him suffer." He walked over to Ana and touched his hand to her shoulder again. "Quickly now, why don't you?"
Ana reached out and plunged her hand into Robin's chest. Regina tried to scream, but her voice was gone. She watched as Robin's face cringed with pain, and Ana pulled his gleaming heart from him.
Robin looked over at Regina, his face covered in what was not pain or fear, but longing. She watched through eyes blurred with tears as he mouthed "I love you" one last time.
"Now." Moriarty's voice rang in Regina's ears, and Ana crushed the heart in her hand. She stared down at the ashes in her hand, and dropped them to the ground, onto the grass. Robin's body fell to the ground, lifeless.
"Hold out your hand, Ana." Ana did as she was told, and within an instant, Moriarty placed the Ash Apple into her palm, while holding onto it himself. A gust of red left Ana's body and was pulled into Moriarty's. His eyes filled with awe, and a grotesque smile smeared his face. "Finally."
Then, with a swish of his hand, he disappeared into a cloud of red smoke and was gone. Ana dropped to the ground as well, not dead, but clearly not well after being drained of her magic.
Once Ana was on the ground, Regina felt the spell that had frozen her vanish. She ran to Robin and grabbed his head in her arms, cradling it, crying.
"No, no, please don't leave me, Robin." She gritted her teeth, shaking. Her entire body was numb, and his body, in her hands, was growing cold.
Only weeks before had they both stood in this same place, reciting their vows. Her life was happy, and now, this. This wasn't okay, this wasn't her happy ending.
This was her fault.
"Please, please, I love you, please stay." She kissed the top of his forehead, leaning over him as close as possible. "You can't leave. I need you, Roland needs you, Henry needs you." Her hands shook under the weight of his head and shoulders, now laying in her lap. She kissed him on the lips, remembering their first kiss.
She didn't know what to do. No spell could reverse this. He was gone. Before she realized what she was doing she began saying her vows to him, quietly, into his ear. "Whatever happens, I will do everything in my power to protect you. I will always be there for you, and I will always love you." She said them, over and over, crying harder and harder. She could feel people coming up, trying to comfort her, watching the scene, but she wasn't aware of any of it. She didn't care what else was going on, she only wanted him back.
"Come on." Will heard Belle's voice above him as he helped Ana to her feet. She looked scared, weak. "There's a car waiting for you two, I'm bringing you back to your apartment."
He didn't quite know what was going on. Only that there was a dead body just feet from him, and the love of his life pale and weak in his arms. He held her close as they walked from the scene, getting closer to the street. Gold was in a car at the edge of the sidewalk, his face grim, the back door open for the two of them to slide into.
Belle got into the front and Will helped Ana inside. Once they were seated he could feel her crying, leaning against him, shaking slightly. "It's okay, it's okay, you're here now, you're with me," he said softly to only her. She leaned against his chest.
"I had a feeling he was going to transfer her magic to him. I've never seen someone lose theirs before, but I figured it wouldn't leave her very strong." Belle motioned for Gold to drive. "If Moriarty is still in Storybrooke he might come after her. Rumple had a protection potion that he put on your apartment until we can secure the town. Right now it might be the only safe place for her."
Will understood, though he was barely listening. Part of him was happy, or rather, relieved, that Ana was back. Once her magic was gone, that must mean that the curse was as well, if it had been self-inflicted. There was no way that she wouldn't be with him again. But seeing her so broken, so weak, he wanted to cry. And Robin...
Once they were at his place, Belle helped the two inside. "Call me if you need anything. I think she should rest for a few days. Don't let anyone in, keep her safe." She gave Will a hug and he locked the door once she was gone.
He brought Ana to the couch and lay down with her, her head on his chest, her breaths short and sparse. "What have I done?" She asked, looking up at him with teary eyes.
He shook his head. "What do you mean?"
Her eyes dropped. "I killed him."
Will shook his head again. He lifted her chin up, staring at her. "That was Moriarty, you didn't have a choice." She didn't believe him. He said it again, louder, "You didn't have a choice, Ana. You didn't do that. You're his victim!"
"Not anymore." She sat up, still shaky. He stared at her, surprised. "The whole time I wanted out. I hate what he had me doing. I'm so sorry, Will. I should have been stronger."
He shook his head and pulled her in close. "You're the strongest person I know. Don't ever say that."
He could see that she was calming down. After a few minutes her breaths became longer and was finished shaking. "I'm sorry I left."
"You just said you never wanted to, it isn't your fault."
She nodded, clearly trying to convince herself. "Will?"
"Yeah?"
"Will you kiss me?"
He nodded and pressed his lips against hers, never having wanted to do so more than he did in that moment. "Ana," he whispered, "I love you. And no madman will ever take that away from me."
"I don't know how much longer I can do this, John," Mary panted. She let out a vicious screech as another contraction wracked her body. John gritted his teeth as she gripped his hand. He was convinced that any tighter would break his fingers.
"A few more pushes, come on, sweetheart," John said as soothingly as he could. "Right?" He directed this at Doctor Whale, who looked up from his position between Mary's legs.
"Your husband is right, Mary, you're almost there."
A thin sheen of sweat shone on Mary's face, and she looked at John with wild eyes. He smiled and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. He hated seeing how much pain she was in, but he knew it would all be worth it in the end.
Underneath Mary's wails, a shriller cry could be heard. John's heart practically stopped as Mary fell silent and the only sound in the room was a baby's cries. His baby.
"Congratulations," Whale breathed. "It's a girl."
A girl.
A girl.
Mary's smile was blinding, and John was certain he looked the same way. Tears blurred his vision, but he didn't care because suddenly his wife was holding their crying newborn.
"Hello, little one," Mary cooed. "Hello, my darling."
John thought his heart would burst. People always talked about what it felt like to see your baby for the first time, but their words could never capture the emotions he was feeling at that moment. Everything paled in comparison.
He barely had time to stroke his daughter's cheek before she was whisked away to be cleaned up. Mary gripped his hand the whole time she was gone, though with less intensity than earlier.
"We have a daughter," he whispered. Mary beamed.
"Yes, we do. We're parents now."
John exhaled loudly. "Damn. Who let that happen?"
Mary laughed, but her laughter subsided at the reappearance of their baby girl. The nurse placed the baby into Mary's arms, flashed them a smile, and left.
"She's beautiful," Mary whispered, not wanting to disturb the now sleeping girl.
"Indeed." John cleared his throat in an attempt to will away the lump present there. "What shall we name her?"
Both of them had been considering some names as they approached the due date, and they'd only just begun to narrow them down the night before. John was convinced he would have a difficult time deciding, but then Mary said one name he liked instantly.
"Jemma." She looked up at him. "What do you think?"
John tested it. "Jemma Watson."
The baby's eyes opened at his voice, and his throat constricted at the sight of her. She made a cooing noise before drifting back to sleep.
"I think she likes it," Mary whispered. John managed a nod.
"Jemma, then." His daughter's name was Jemma.
"Would you like to…?" Mary lifted Jemma a bit, indicating that John should take her. Swallowing, he held out his hands and carefully brought her up to his chest.
"Hello, Jemma. Welcome to the world." He chuckled a bit, his eyes watery. "God, I already love you so much. You hear me? I love you."
Mary grasped his arm. John was certain his heart did finally burst then. Nothing could compare to that moment, when he was with both of his girls. He doubted he could ever be happier.
Sherlock knelt down beside Regina, hesitating. "Regina," he said softly, moving his hand in the air to make everyone leave, she didn't need all of this attention right now. His heart dropped as he looked down at Robin's face. He knew he couldn't even try and look at Regina's face. "Regina," he said again, clutching her arm this time. He knew he needed to get her to safety. And maybe away from the body as well. "It's not safe here. You need to do something."
She looked up for a moment, staring off into the forest. "He's gone."
Sherlock didn't know how to respond. "I'm sorry, Regina, nobody deserves this."
"I mean Moriarty."
Sherlock furrowed his brow. "How do you know?"
She raised her head higher and looked him in the eye. "He wouldn't dare stay here after this."
Sherlock doubted if this were true. "You should put up a spell around the town. I know you've done it before."
Regina didn't react to this, she only looked back down, still clutching Robin's head in her arms.
"If he's still here then we'll trap him inside, and if he isn't we'll be protecting him from the town. We need to hurry, you're the only one who can do this, Regina. You need to be strong." As soon as Moriarty had left, he knew this was the only choice.
Regina took a deep breath, and with a grimace, let Robin onto the ground. She took hold of Sherlock's arm for assistance and stood, shakily. He gave her a questioning look and she nodded back, showing the strength he knew was in her.
For a moment she didn't do anything. He watched as she took one last look down at her husband, and another tear escaped her fluttering eyes. Then, with a clenched jaw and a pale face, and held up her hands and shot out the purple smoke that would soon engulf Storybrooke.
After a few minutes, Sherlock brought Regina over to a bench where she sat in a daze. Someone, he hadn't known who, maybe one of the dwarves, had come to retrieve the body. He told her not to watch. "We're safe now, everyone is. Henry, and Roland, and everyone." He tried to comfort her with words but he knew nothing would help right now. He decided it would be best to bring her to David and Mary Margaret's, they might be the only ones who could help. And a tiny, almost guilty, voice in his mind reminded him that John had just had a baby as well, and he needed to be there for him, too.
A few more minutes passed in the windy park, and after a bit, a woman came and stood in front of them. Sherlock felt like he needed to step between her and Regina, but Regina shook her head, as if she knew what he was thinking.
"What?" Her voice came out as more depressed than annoyed, like it usually might. For a moment Sherlock prayed that someday she would be back to her old self, at this moment he couldn't necessarily see that happening.
The woman looked down on her with hatred, but the same sad look that Regina had given her. "You need to get her back."
Regina began to stand, but Sherlock forced her back down. She rolled her eyes and stayed seated. "Who?"
"Lily, Moriarty took her, wherever he went."
Sherlock watched as another tear escaped onto Regina's cheek. "I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do right now." She stood up and turned towards Sherlock. "I need to go see my sons."
He nodded and stood, to bring her home. He was afraid that the woman would follow, but she didn't, she only stayed standing on the grass. Sherlock let Regina use him as a crutch the whole way home. He knew she was being as strong as she could. If it were John who had died, he didn't know how he might be reacting.
Mary was taking a nap when the door to the hospital room inched open. John tore his gaze from Jemma, sleeping in his arms, to see who had entered. A smile spread across his face.
"Sherlock!" He spoke as loudly as he dared without waking his girls. "Are you ready to meet your goddaughter?"
The words were barely out of his mouth before he realized something was wrong. Sherlock's lips were drawn tight, and his eyes shone with an incredible sadness. The happy world John had created with the birth of his daughter shattered at the reminder of what was happening outside.
"What's happened?" he asked, his mind jumping to endless possibilities, each one worse than the last. He held Jemma just a bit tighter.
Sherlock shook his head. "Now isn't the time. Not on this," he swallowed, "happy day."
"You don't seem happy."
Sherlock stared at him for a moment before crossing the room. He stopped right next to the chair John was sitting in and gazed down at Jemma.
"She's beautiful, John." His voice was sincere, even if his eyes still looked faraway. "What's her name?"
"Jemma."
Sherlock smiled faintly. "Jemma Watson. Wonderful." He looked at John. "Congratulations."
"What happened, Sherlock?" John's heart was hammering. "Why weren't you here earlier? Did something happen to Regina?"
The smile disappeared from Sherlock's face so quickly John would've doubted it had been there in the first place if he hadn't seen it. Sherlock looked back at Jemma.
"In a way, yes. She's physically fine, but…"
"But what?"
"John, please." Sherlock's gaze was imploring. "I promise you, it is nothing that will harm you right now. Enjoy this moment of happiness."
John wanted to say he doubted he could continue to be happy with the threat of something looming over his head, but he refrained. Staying unaware for a while might not be a bad thing.
Jemma fussed a bit in his arms, directing his thoughts away from whatever tragedy had occurred. He shushed her gently, rocking her in an attempt to calm her.
"Would you like to hold her?" John asked Sherlock. Sherlock blinked at him, startled, before nodding. Hesitantly, he held out his arms and allowed John to transfer her over.
Years ago, if someone had told John to picture Sherlock holding a baby, he would have laughed in their faces. But there was something oddly comforting at seeing Sherlock cradle Jemma in his arms, at the adoring look in his eyes. For the moment, it seemed enough to chase away the sadness that had clung to Sherlock when he came in.
John closed his eyes, suddenly exhausted. There was something terrible waiting for him, and he knew he would have to confront it soon. But for now, he relaxed and focused on categorizing every detail of his daughter's birth.
Emma smiled up at Killian, taking in a breath before she opened the door to her parents' home. She had been wondering how they would react to the engagement all afternoon, picturing their happy faces. But she cared more about telling Henry than anyone else. And even Regina, too. It was about time that Emma got her happy ending just like everyone else.
She peered into the room and stepped inside, Killian right behind her. But as she entered she could feel something that wasn't right. Her mom looked up quickly from the counter and rushed over, pulling her into a hug. "Mom? What's going on?"
Snow let go and wiped a tear from her face. "Where have you been? We tried calling a dozen times, we didn't know if-" Snow looked over to David with a worried expression, as if refusing to say what they had thought. Had something happened with Moriarty?
"Mom, what happened?"
Her dad walked over and told them to take a seat. Once they were down, he clasped his hands together and rubbed his face. "We think he's out of the town now, and luckily Regina put up a spell so that he can't get back inside, but I'm afraid there's been a death."
Emma's mind went immediately to Henry. Her breath caught in her throat as she was about to ask who had died.
Snow cut in, a painful look on her face. "Moriarty killed Robin."
A saddened feeling flooded Emma. She looked over to Killian who seemed just as grief stricken. She wanted to go and see Regina, to comfort her. "That's insane, there's no way we can reverse it?"
David shook his head, looking at the ground. "Regina is upstairs with Henry and Roland. We might need you two to look after them for a little while. I think Regina is going to stay here with us, until she can get back on her feet."
Emma nodded. Her heart sunk for Regina, nobody should have to go through something as horrific as that. Without thinking too much about it, she moved her hand behind her and slipped the ring off, pushing it into her back pocket before anyone could notice. This certainly wasn't the time for good news.
A/N: As usual, thanks for reading, and happy holidays!