AN: As much as I love Rumple, this chapter will be a slight divergence from that. Because of the changes so far, other this will be changed in the story, and they have to be shown.
Rumple wasn't the only one who distrusted Tamara. Henry had a bad feeling about her too, one that Emma didn't exactly discourage. She still kept her distance from Neal, and Henry was quick to pick up on that. By now, he knew his mother had known Neal before, and was eager to hear stories about their past. All Emma would tell him was that it had been years since she'd seen him, and they hadn't parted on the best of terms. Henry had no trouble telling there was more to the story than that, and easily picked up on the fact that there were still feelings between them. Emma denied that was why she was willing to help him dig up dirt on Tamara. Henry didn't believe that, but was glad of her involvement either way.
Tamara claimed to go for hikes in the woods, and that was where Emma and Henry found the trailer. At first Emma wondered if it had something to do with Tamara. Whether it did or not, as Sheriff she had to investigate it. She made Henry stay back and had her gun aimed.
"Hello?" she called. "Is anyone in here?" At first there was no answer, but then she heard creaking as an entirely wooden August stepped out.
"Just me," he answered miserably.
"August?" Emma gasped. "What happened to you? The curse broke." By now both she and Henry were in the trailer, realizing there was no threat.
August shook his head at Emma's question.
"Not for me. When it lifted, I could move again but I stayed like this. This is my own punishment, not the Queens, I did this to myself."
"You need to go see your dad," Henry said firmly.
"I can't let him see me like this," August answered, fear in his voice. "The woodpile of failure." He looked at Emma. "I didn't want you to see me like this either. I'm the reason you grew up thinking you didn't have a family who loves you. I'm the reason you didn't grow up knowing the truth."
"You were a child at the time," Emma told him. "You shouldn't have been expected to look after a baby."
"Your dad will understand that you were just a kid," Henry said. "Families stick together. Mr. Gold's son is starting to forgive him. My dad is dead, and so I'll never get the chance to talk to him. You have the chance I never will. Your dad will finally know who you are, You can't just waste that."
August's wooden face showed surprise. "Mr. Gold's son is back? And you're dad's dead? But I-" Behind Henry, Emma was frantically shaking her head. August gave her just the slightest of nods. He was sure if Henry had found her, he'd learn the truth eventually, but that wasn't his secret to tell. "I'm sorry to hear that kid., but I am glad you found your mom and your grandparents. Looks like your family really always does find each other."
Emma didn't miss the hint in his words and tone. If she didn't tell Henry, he'd find out somehow. It would be better if she told him and explained.
"So," Henry prompted "You'll come back with us to town then? At least then you and your dad will be together, and maybe we can find a way to help you. The Blue Fairy changed you once."
"She can't help me this time," August answered. "I broke the terms to keep me real. It's my own fault. I was supposed to be brave, truthful, and unselfish. Instead I've lived a life of cowardice, selfishness, and dishonesty."
"Then wouldn't the first step to fixing things be being brave enough to see your dad, telling him the truth, and thinking about how much he misses you and doing something to fix it?" August stared at Henry. Sometimes it was easy to forget he was only eleven.
"Told you before you're a smart kid." he sighed. "All right. I have nothing to lose but having him be ashamed of me, and at least then he'll know I'm all right. It's better than him worrying."
Suddenly something felt strange on his head. August reached back, and felt hair. Actual hair! Not wood. It was just a slight tuft, but it was an improvement. Henry grinned at him.
"You see? It's starting to help already."