A/N: I apologize for the extremely long wait. My goal is to get you guys another chapter going this weekend but who knows? I'm sorry this exposition is taking so long but this story idea sort of spans the season as an arc for Marian and Regina. Again, I apologize for taking so long in getting to the main part of the plot but the twists and turns can only be brought when all of the characters are in play. Next chapter, should be the beginning of the fun though. Keep your fingers crossed. Enjoy!

"I think I know who Parker is," Henry called out, sounding highly triumphant.

David groaned at the ten year old's happy voice. He was having such a pleasant dream, a memory really. He and Snow were preparing for Emma's arrival. They had the nursery decked out with butterflies and magical stars. The little princess was going to have lights that would turn on the moment she cried so she would never be alone. Unfortunately, the prince was snapped out of his reverie by an insistent ten year old grandchild.

"What?" Charming moaned. Then he observed the clock and discovered it was only two in the morning.

"Goldilocks," Henry said without a pause, "Parker is Goldilocks and Eliot is Paul Bunyan. I'm still working on finding out who Hardison is but that's who the other two are."

David stared at his grandson in complete confusion. Then he sat up and adjusted his position on the bed. He tapped the empty place beside him and smiled at the way the kid immediately jumped at the invitation. Henry even pointed at some pictures to show off his theory.

"See," he said, "Parker even looks like her except her hair is longer and her nose is different."

"Henry," Charming sighed, "I know Goldilocks. Parker is not Goldilocks. I know this because Goldilocks was Robin's mother."

"Oh," the boy sighed, "Well, what about Paul Bunyan?"

"I never met him," Charming laughed, "but that doesn't really matter at two o'clock in the morning."

"Oh," Henry chuckled guiltily, "Is it really that late? I'm sorry. I should get to bed then."

David stopped the retreating boy with a hand on his shoulder. He tugged him into a hug and ruffled the boy's hair.

"You know what's perfect at two o'clock in the morning?" He asked with a grin, "A steaming cup of hot cocoa with cinnamon."

"Yeah," Henry agreed immediately.

The two raced each other towards the dinner table. The prince started gathering ingredients while the boy rifled through his story book. He smiled at the library book still where he had it. Then he ruffled through those pages as well. An image of his grandparents laughing over steaming teacups caught his attention. Curiosity quickly won him over.

"Where did cinnamon in hot cocoa come from anyway?" He asked.

Charming chuckled at his grandson's question. He quickly brought out two cups and set them down. Then he decided to explain the story.

"Well," he replied, "It was Marian actually. She had fallen in love with the combination when she was a child and decided to carry it on to adulthood I guess. All I really know is that Snow used to scoff at the drink for years until one day when she was sick."

"Wait," Henry stared at his grandfather in shock, "Fairy-tale characters still get sick in Fairy-tale land?"

"Yes," Charming said, rolling his eyes at the child's imagination, "We are human, Henry. Everybody gets sick at some point in their lives. Anyway, your grandmother was sick and Marian made her a cup of cocoa to make her feel better and added the cinnamon to clear up her sinuses. Long story short, Snow loved it so much that she can't drink the stuff without the cinnamon now."

Henry giggled at the story. It was lame and a perfect description for the things that made their family whole. It also left a lot more questions that needed to be answered.

"Where was my mom throughout all of this?" The boy asked, "Wasn't she supposed to be Snow White's step-mother?"

"Regina was there, Henry," Charming replied with a sad smile, "but Marian cared. I don't know the details but from what Snow has told me, Marian was the one who raised her. Regina was more of an aunt than a mother. Marian was the one who…"

"Who was her mother," Henry nodded in understanding, "Doesn't that kind of make her my aunt and my great grandmother?"

"In a way," Charming said, laughing at his grandson's thoughts, "But I always thought of her as Snow's mentor more than anything else."

"But what about Robin?" The boy asked.

"Who do you think taught Snow how to shoot arrows?" Charming winked.

"She can shoot arrows?" Henry repeated in pleased dismay.

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Snow held her bow steady. She gently closed one eye and aimed her arrow at the target. She let loose the feathers between her fingers and squealed in delight as the arrow zoomed away. She groaned in annoyance when it immediately fell towards the ground without even passing the fence she was on. Then she frustratingly tried to pull back and fire another arrow. She was stunned when the arrow that had fallen on the ground was suddenly in the center of the target.

"You're too tight," Robin giggled into the girl's ear, "You need to take a relaxing breath before you let loose another arrow."

"How do you make it look so easy?" Snow grumbled when her second attempt fared no better.

"Easy," Robin said, helping her assemble the arrow and bow in the proper alignment, "I practice."

"But I've been practicing and practicing for hours," the princess whined, aiming her arrow towards the target yet again.

"Hours aren't enough, Snow," Robin sighed, "It takes years to perfect the art of archery. Keep both eyes open when you fire. You can't judge distance, speed and correct errors with just one eye if you're used to two."

"But you can shoot with one eye?" Snow commented simply. She loosed her arrow, carefully obeying his instructions. She was successful in getting the arrow to almost hit the target before her. She just failed by a few feet.

"I've been shooting arrows since I was two," Robin replied, "You, however, have only been learning for a few years."

"Why do I even have to learn how to shoot arrows?" the princess pouted, "I already know how to fight with swords."

"Swords," Robin replied, "Are only useful in hand to hand combat. Arrows are meant for distance. They allow you to pick off your enemies before they can get close enough to kill you. Swordsmanship is great but it doesn't guarantee success. Arrows ensure that you and the ones you love will survive, at least for a little longer."

"But Marian will use her magic to protect me," Snow sighed, "She'll just make them all disappear."

"Magic comes with a price, Snow."

"I know but Marian…"

"Marian pays the price every time she heals you," Robin said, his voice displaying his displeasure, "Every break that is life threatening. Everything you do that nearly kills you. She gains that when she heals you."

"Why didn't she say anything?" Snow asked, guilt filling her stomach immediately.

"Because you would have felt guilty," Robing explained, "Unlike your favorite aunt I believe you are finally old enough to understand the consequences of your actions as well as Marian's."

"Do you think she can teach me?" Snow asked, her face suddenly turning to one of pure thought.

"Magic?" Robin huffed, "You'd have to contain it within your blood first."

"I'm going to go ask Marian!" Snow said, throwing aside her bow and arrow in excitement.

"Ask Marian what?"

Both Snow and Robin turned towards the source of sound, guilty expressions on their faces. Marian was carrying a sleeping Icarus in her arms, bouncing and singing as she went. The boy was three now and on the verge of becoming too big for coddling. His small arms were wrapped tightly around his mother's neck as he slept. His unruly curls looked as if he collapsed while playing with his own bow and arrows.

"Hello darling," Robin cooed, kissing his wife on the cheek and ruffling his son's hair, "I see you found a straggler on your way over here."

"What do you want to ask me, Snow?" Marian asked, ignoring her husband's distraction for the moment.

"If… I… I was wondering if you would teach me magic?" Snow replied, her expression switching to one of pure hope.

"No," Marian said, "and it is not because I think you aren't old enough. The magic in you would only end up killing you in the end."

"What do you mean?" Snow asked.

"It's not enough for even the simplest of spells," Marian explained, "Your children might be able to use it but you never will. But I can teach you the importance of magic in everyday life if you wish."

"That would be amazing!" Snow cheered, feeling all of her hopes and dreams come true, "When do we start?"

"When your lessons with Robin are completed," Marian replied winking towards her husband quite smugly.

The young girl moaned at the dismal response. She immediately picked up her bow and strung an arrow. She pulled back with hope filling her lungs. She missed the target by miles. She had a long way to go before she learned about magic just like her step-mother and aunt.

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Jefferson was busy packing his bags. He placed his daughter's beloved rabbit in her suitcase and zipped it up. Then he started working on his own luggage.

"But Papa," Grace said, "We can't cross the border. Why are you packing our bags?"

"Because Marian has come to Storybrooke, Grace," Jefferson explained.

He moved towards his daughter with a worried smile. He cupped her cheeks gently and gave her a brief eskimo kiss.

"There's a war coming, darling," he said, "and I don't want to be here when it starts."

"But Papa," Grace said, "You told me that Maid Marian is a good witch. Why are we running?"

"Because the Evil Queen did something very bad to Marian and when she remembers…"

"If she remembers, Papa."

"If she remembers, darling, the Evil Queen is going to want me to work for her," Jefferson explained, "We can't work for her because she will separate us again. Running is our only option."

"But what happens if we don't remember each other?" Grace demanded, her worst fears coming to light.

"I'm going to find a way to get us across the border, sweetheart," Jefferson promised, "I'm making a hat. As soon as it is finished we're going to travel back home and stay there forever. I just need one more ingredient."

"What?" Grace asked, her curiosity outweighing her fear.

Jefferson swallowed at her thoughts. Then he debated whether or not he should tell her. Her anxious face and twenty-eight years of separation won out.

"Hair from another portal jumper," he said, "One that doesn't need a hat to do it."

"Where are you going to get that?" His daughter asked, her voice cracking with emotion.

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Regina was busy sipping away at her favorite cup of hot cocoa. She tried to ignore the hateful glares pointing her way, but that was pretty difficult. The worst part of her day was trying to ignore Eliot Spencer's careful gaze. The hitter seemed to be counting every sip she took despite the fact that she was indeed the least interesting person in the room. All she did was sip away at her cocoa and received angry glares from all of the patrons. She didn't do anything worthy of his interest. Finally, she had enough.

"Why are you staring at me?" She hissed, sending glares his way to emphasize her confusion.

"I can see Sophie in you," Eliot shrugged, "It's very disconcerting, especially when you don't add cinnamon to your cocoa like she does."

Regina smiled, "I never did understand what she enjoyed about that particular combination. I prefer mint with my chocolate."

"Now, that is something I can agree with," he said, scooting into the chair beside her looking for all the world like she had invited him over.

Regina stared at him in absolute shock.

"What?" He asked.

"Why are you still here?" She asked, "I thought your boss was taking you out of town. Last I heard my little sister was more than willing to flee from her past just as quickly as she had the last time."

Silence enveloped between them as the hitter absorbed her words. He ordered a quick glass of something that smelled like beer and took a sip. Then he returned to staring at her with calculating eyes.

"Is that what happened last time?"

Regina nearly choked on her chocolate. She hadn't expected such a direct approach. She would have to remember that for next time.

"Look, I know it's none of my business but your sister is my friend and I figured it was my right to know why you hate her."

Eliot didn't even look ashamed of his words. In fact, he looked almost nonchalant. He just hooked his fingers together and watched her out of the corner of his eyes. He was calculating his next move, waiting for her response. Well, she was never one to disappoint.

"Despite what she may have told you I do not hate my sister," she replied, "I am merely angry with her."

"For what?" Eliot asked, "From what it sounds like you're the one who kicked her out. You told her to leave and never come back and she did that. Why are you angry?"

"Because she obeyed," Regina sighed, "She didn't have to obey."

"Listen," Eliot sighed, trying his hardest to get his emotions back in order, "I know Sophie and I know how she acts around me. I have never seen her so flustered in my life. Obviously your opinion matters. She didn't even want to leave until she came face to face with you."

"Maybe you don't know my sister as well as you think," Regina turned towards the man with fire in her eyes, "Because her leaving is the best thing for all of us."

"And why is that?" Eliot said, quirking an eyebrow at her unusual answer.

"The town knows she is a thief," Regina replied, "Most of them work understand what went on. I was neglecting her and she really was trying to help. We were going through a difficult time and she chose the wrong way to work through it. The town members understand that, but here is the problem. Not everyone in town actually cares. I've made enemies while I was mayor. Those enemies are looking for any excuse they can to make me look bad. Those same enemies won't hesitate to demand the sheriff to arrest her for some crime she may or may not have committed, just to cause me harm. I say get out while you still can Mr. Spencer."

"Yeah," Eliot grunted in reply, "there's only one problem with your statement though."

"And what would that be?" Regina sneered towards the man.

"You're the one everybody seems to have a problem with, not her."

Eliot left the table immediately, paying for the tab as he went. Regina watched him go with narrowed eyes. Sure she enjoyed the view but it wasn't exactly fair that he left with the upper hand. She took a swig of her hot cocoa and immediately spit it back out. The substance had gone cold while she was talking to the muscle man of the crew. Now she was going to have to endure another one of Granny's gibes. That woman was so lucky she promised Henry she would never use magic again. Otherwise she would have been pudding a long time ago.

"I see you've let it go cold again," Granny hummed, sliding over a fresh cup without being asked.

"Thank you Granny," Regina replied, surprising herself with the easy slide into polite conversation, "It's not on purpose I assure you. This is the best hot chocolate I have ever tasted."

"And yet you still cursed us all into this land," Granny gibed, "but I'm glad to see you are finally suffering the consequences of those actions. How is the no magic thing going, by the way?"

"It's been over a week," Regina sighed in annoyance, the lecture was about to start.

"You know what I think," Granny hummed.

Regina rolled her eyes and thought about the fact that she did not care what the woman thought. Granny smiled towards her as if knowing her thoughts. She waited until the Evil Queen was finished with her first sip of the new cup before she finished speaking.

"I think the reason you're being so nice to everybody in town is because you're lonely," Granny sniped, "and not just lonely. Marian's found her way back to us and you immediately start making a bigger show of mending shattered fences."

"What are you getting at old woman!" Regina snarled, hating the fact that she was indulging such a creature.

"You're scared to death that she's going to remember what you did to her," Granny supplied. Then she walked away as if she had never given a death omen at all.

"That's the problem," Regina whispered, knowing Granny's wolf ears were honing in on her voice, "I can't decide if I'm petrified, or happy."

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"Why are you teaching that girl magic?"

Regina was furious. NO, scratch that. She was more than furious. She was downright dangerous. She had to remember to maintain control of her breathing. She just had to focus and soon everything would be revealed. Good things were going to happen. Her plan was coming together quite nicely.

"I'm not," Marian rolled her eyes, "I'm teaching my son. Snow is just there to act as witness and learn the true importance of magic."

"You're teaching her how to control you," Regina countered, her fury escaping to the surface once again, "I don't want her to learn magic, Marian. She could get hurt."

"Do you honestly think I would let anything happen to that child?" Marian scowled at the woman, "I care for her too, Regina. I'm only teaching them what is important, what is sacrificed. I'm teaching them that we all must gain and lose certain things in order to prepare us for Destiny's embrace. I'm teaching her how to cope with the loss of her mother!"

"I am her mother," Regina hissed.

"Step-mother," Marian corrected, "and you haven't been doing too good a job of that."

Silence filled the room as both women's fury began to dissipate. There was nothing but two pairs of black eyes connecting, engaging in a meaningful conversation of pain and companionship. They didn't even have to move to know what the other was thinking.

"You need to spend more time with her," Marian said, "You can't keep yourself locked away in your tower all day. You need to be in the sunlight."

"I go out into the sunlight," Regina rolled her eyes at her sister's thoughts.

"For training," Marian nodded, "not for fun. You should join us. It will get your head in the right place, get you away from the magic for a little while."

Regina stared at her sister for a few moments, trying to decide how next to proceed. Her plan wouldn't do well if she engaged with the enemy. But, she did miss the joys of a stress-free day. She hadn't enjoyed any of her family's company for ages.

"We'll have a picnic, a family picnic," she decided, "You, me, Father, Robin and Icarus."

"And Snow," Marian added.

Regina's expression turned dark for only a moment. Then she plastered her fake smile back on and nodded, chuckling softly.

"And Snow, of course, she's family too."