…same day, later that evening…

The sun made its last appearance of the day over Storybrooke and a hooded figure made his way to downtown's main street through the shadows of back alleys and side streets. The bow and holster snug tight against his body as he carefully dodged particular objects along the way that would alert to his whereabouts. The hooded figure rounded the corner of a building and spotted a couple nearing his position. He ducked quickly behind a dumpster and waited patiently. He held the spray paint can close to his side to avoid making extraneous sounds as he crouched down beside the unit. When the two individuals passed he got up and slowly approached the end of the alley, checking both directions for more people. Seeing that the coast was clear he scurried to the Nolan residence and swiftly withdrew his purple paint can.

The Vigilante spray-painted an enormous 'M' on the outside door to the apartment unit and encircled it, finalizing the symbol with a line crossed through it. Seeing that the deed was done he placed the can back in the sack that was attached to his hip and moved across the street. He scaled the outside emergency stairs until he reached the rooftop. From the roof he had a clear shot of the giant purple 'M' and took off the bow that was draped around his body. He withdrew an arrow from his holster and placed it on its arrow shelf. After a slow relaxed exhale he pulled back on the bow string, matching it's pullback with a strong inhale. He took aim, matching the 'M' in his crosshairs.

There was a slight wind coming in from the east. He took that into account as he focused on the target before him. He took his time. As soon as he felt confident in his shot he released, sending the arrow darting through the air. Seeing that it landed perfectly and deeply into the door, the Vigilante exhaled slowly. Pleased with the accuracy of the shot, he darted off down the stairs and disappeared into the night.

…

Henry looked up from the menu nervously as he waited for Paige inside Tony's restaurant. It took him weeks to get permission from Jefferson for even the opportunity to speak with her. Jefferson was always a hard person to impress so it took Henry time to prove his worth. After much convincing he won another opportunity to speak with Paige and he was able to set up a date. Or, really, a business dinner. It was the only angle Henry had that worked.

He looked around the table making sure all the silverware was perfectly lined up and organized when he heard a voice from above him, "This isn't a date. Strictly business."

Paige wore a gray business dress with a white sleeve-less floral blouse that seemed to tuff out a little bit around the neck. She placed her briefcase down beside her as Henry quickly stood up to come around and pull out her chair for her. "Of course not," he agreed. "Strictly business."

"Good," she replied as she sat down in the chair he offered. Without so much as looking down at the menu she immediately asked, "My father says that you have work for me that I might be interested in, but he wouldn't go into further detail. Care to explain further?"

"Yes, uh…," Henry said, fumbling with his words as he pulled back his chair. He went to sit down but quickly found that his bottom never made it into the seat and he fell embarrassingly to the floor. The couples around them gasped and the attention in the restaurant was immediately drawn to them.

"Oh!" cried out Paige as she saw what happened. Out of concern she stood back up to peer over the table and asked, "Are you alright, Henry?"

"I'm fine!" exclaimed Henry as he gingerly got up from the floor, grabbing the edge of the table for support. "Just a little nervous I guess."

"Tough day at the office, I gather," acknowledged Paige as Henry moved his chair closer to their table. For some reason the chair was much further back than he had remembered.

"You can say that," he replied as he looked around the restaurant. With a slight nod he embarrassingly acknowledged the gawkers around him that he was fine. He fluffed out his overcoat to straighten it out, temporarily exposing the gold chain connecting to Cogsworth that rested inside his vest's small pocket. The moment he resumed his seat he exhaled trying to forget the embarrassing moment and said, "Now, back to business."

"Yes, uh, you had mentioned something about a business partnership. I have yet to connect how my services compliment yours," Paige said as she took a sip of the water that was on the table.

"Well, as you know there's a great trafficking of people from other worlds into our own. I was hoping to get your assistance or feedback into upstarting an assimilation program to get those individuals acquainted to the rules and decorum of this world…" For the first time all evening, Paige smiled at the idea. From her perspective, she was glad to see that he was true to his word. This evening was strictly business. However, it was a reminder as to why they had broken up to begin with; his job had come before their relationship. Despite her mind deviating slightly, she was still able to listen Henry as he continued, "…Individuals arriving to Storybrooke for the first time will not know the technologies and vernacular used here and I was thinking that with this new program it will help bring those people up to speed for those who weren't affected by the curse."

"I think that's a marvelous idea," remarked Paige coolly as she tried to be professional in her demeanor. Suddenly, a cool breeze came from out of nowhere within the restaurant and it caused Paige to shiver.

"You're cold," observed Henry. Before Paige could object, in one fluid motion Henry got up from his chair removing his suit jacket and hung it delicately over Paige's exposed arms.

"Oh," gasped Paige in surprise, "Um, thank you."

"Always," said Henry smoothly with a congenial smile as he carefully sat back down in his chair.

Paige paused for a moment as she analyzed what was going on. The gesture, however kind it was, was a signal for something else. Henry still cared for her. He still loved her and she knew it. Truth was, she still loved him, but she just couldn't bear another disappointment by him. She looked down at the warm coat around her and then coyly up at Henry as she pointed out, "This wasn't a business meeting after all. You can't fool me with your charm."

Henry bit on his lip trying not to look so guilty but was failing miserably. In his defense he replied cheekily, "Well, being charming does run in my family."

"I suppose it does," said Paige in response to his cheesy reply, giving him back a small smile of her own.

Just when things were beginning to settle down in the restaurant, the waiter that was walking past their table mysteriously tripped and the items that were on the tray in his hands flew through the air. A giant glob of hot marinara sauce accompanied with a plate of pasta landed perfectly onto Henry's white shirt seeping down into his vest, scorching his skin below. Out of pain, Henry leapt into the air to shake off the hot dinner. The sudden movement did him no favors as Henry quickly removed his vest to wipe away the scolding meal that was now saturating through to his abdomen.

"Henry!" shouted Paige as she got up to help. As soon as the server saw what had happened he quickly got up and out of guilt tried to assist Henry, damping, wiping and apologizing along the way. "I'm so sorry sir! My apologies! My apologies!"

Henry quickly unbuttoned the top portion of his business shirt and tossed his vest onto his chair. When he turned back around, he found himself face to face with Paige who was dabbing away residual pasta sauce with a clean napkin from off of their table. "Are you ok?" she asked, focused and extremely concerned for his welfare.

"I am now," said Henry calmly while looking down at Paige. The response caught her by surprise and gave her pause. When Paige looked up she saw the biggest grin on his face. "If I had known that pouring searing hot pasta sauce on myself would bring you closer to me, I would have done it a long time ago."

Realizing how intimately close she was to Henry, Paige stepped back from Henry and immediately began to blush. "I'm-I'm sorry," she apologized timidly as Tony, the restaurant owner, rushed over to Henry to apologize as well.

"Mr. Mills!" Tony exclaimed out of anxiety.

"Tony, everything's fine. But I-uh, I think we'll just leave now," said Henry as he gathered his belongings he tossed onto the chair over the crook of his arm.

"Please! I am so incredibly sorry that this wasn't a more pleasurable experience. Come back to us again. On me! Please! My restaurant can't have a bad review," begged Tony.

"I still favor your restaurant, Tony," assured Henry as he dusted himself. "Tonight was surprisingly," he began to say as he turned to look at Paige who had already gathered her belongings. He took Paige by the hand and while looking at her said, "a great evening." Tony appeared confused by Henry's words and pleased disposition and watched as both Henry and Paige made their way towards the exit. Before they left through the front door with Paige he turned to Tony and said, "But I'll be sure to take you up on your offer for when I come back. Bene notte, Tony."

"Oh yes! Yes! Sir! Very good, sir. You won't be disappointed. I'll let you dine in the private-"

But Henry and Paige never heard the rest of what Tony was saying. They left the restaurant fingers intertwined with each other's, smiling over a love rekindled. It was a successful evening; one which Henry was sure he was going to visit with Paige again.

They both couldn't stop casting each other flirtatious glances as Henry escorted Paige to her car in the parking lot. When they both finally arrived to her vehicle, she confessed, "I've missed you."

"I've missed you more," said Henry as he stood in front of her with both of her hands still in his. For a moment he couldn't look at her, embarrassed by the reasons they weren't still together. When he looked back up into her eyes he admitted, "I'm a fool." He shook his head out of disappointment in himself. "I should have never let you go."

"You're not a fool."

"But I am! I never made you… us, a priority. I should have-" before Henry could finish his sentence, Paige placed her forefinger gently onto his lips which quieted him and replied, "I would love to have another… business meeting to discuss your priorities about us."

Beneath the parking lot's glowing lamp light, Henry slowly lowered his face to hers and they kissed. The kiss was equally slow as it was sweet. When their lips parted, they looked admirably into each other's eyes which were twinkling like the night sky. Paige gave an abrupt cough breaking the moment between the two and replied, "So I guess I'll be seeing you again. You know, to talk business and such."

"Of course. I look forward to our next encounter," Henry stated with a warm smile. He lifted her hand to his mouth and without looking down he kissed the top of it like a noble prince properly parting a gentlewoman. She beamed and after a few moments of more flirting she finally got into her car and started it. Henry closed her car door for her and watched as she pulled away from the restaurant. He stood there completely enamored, staring after her car's silhouette until it blurred into the darkness.

When Henry decided that it was time for him to go home too, he began checking the pockets of his vest for Cogsworth. He shook out the clothing that was folded over his arm and was alarmed to see nothing fall out. When he couldn't find the pocket-watch, his face morphed to concern and he turned immediately back around into the restaurant. As soon as Henry re-entered the restaurant, Lily magically popped into existence and appeared by the front entrance doors where Henry just entered. She, too, had a successful evening but for different reasons. She looked down and in her hands sparkled Henry's pocket-watch.

"You have magic!" said a voice from out of nowhere. Lily looked around in the darkness for the source of the voice and found Neal stepping out into the lamplight from within the shadows. "I knew it."

"You've been following me! What are you doing following me around at night?" accused Lily.

"You think you're the only one that knows what goes on in town? We're supposed to be working on a project together, remember? And what do I find when I go to search for you? That you have magic! And that you were using it on Henry to get to his pocket-watch."

Lily looked guiltily down at the watch in her hands and shamefully shoved it into her back pocket as she pleaded, "Please! It's personal. You mustn't tell anybody! It's important. I've got to find somebody."

"I'll tell you what, if you use Cogsworth and we bring back Pocahontas for our project, then I won't say that you've been using magic on Henry," proposed Neal as he authoritatively crossed his arms over his chest like his father.

"Can't we just go to the library and research like normal people?" countered Lily.

"And give up on the opportunity for an adventure? No way. Besides, you stopped being normal when you and your family decided to move back to Storybrooke."

Lily rolled her eyes, and seeing that she was given little choice over the matter she complied, "Fine. We go, we find her and then we get out." Lily sighed with frustration as she added remorsefully to herself, "Our parents are going to kill us." She pulled out the pocket-watch from her back pocket and turned the hand a quarter turn to the left. With the available hand, she offered it to Neal and asked, "Do we have a deal?"

Neal looked down and smiled as he shook her hand, "Deal."

She glanced down at their hands touching and recalled the first moment their hands met. In that memory, just like this moment, she felt her hand surge. As she tried to sear this new kind memory into her brain, she truly felt that her hand was always supposed to be in his. Before the moment got too awkward, she took a breath and said, "Cogsworth, take us to Pocohantas." With her thumb, Lily tapped on the pocket-watch three times and in a sudden orange poof! the two young individuals disappeared from Storybrooke.

Thank you Grace5231973, Actress10, and ladybugsmomma for reading and reviewing the previous chapter! As you might have noticed before in previous chapters, there's a little chemistry happening between Neal and Lily. Now I know what you're thinking, Skitzo aren't they related? No, they aren't related by blood (though I must admit that Henry being both their nephew is just a little too close for comfort) so I think we're still ok on that front (Oh, OUAT and your ridiculously integrated family tree). Also, I understand that they're both 8 and 9 but love can still exist on an elementary school level. Nothing sensual, obviously, just the beginning to something... innocent. We shall see where this goes. See you next chapter!