Before Henry and Belle launched into their own adventures, the duo was already on their way, as was the trio. Cora was walking ahead of her two companions. "After you, Your Majesty.", Rumple had grinned, stepping aside so that Cora could go past. If Cora was pleased, Regina noticed with amusement that it was not a sign of respect from the Dark One but merely a way to keep an eye on her. Rumple and Regina didn't talk, afraid that the witch would hear them. However, about half an hour after they started following the blue path, Rumple stopped and grabbed Regina's arm. With a gesture of his head, he made her understand to look in front of her. She thought he was mentioning her mother but then understood she had to look further. On the horizon stood out two shapes.
"How many people did you left behind, Dearie ?", Rumple whispered, without hiding the reproach in his voice.
"Until today, I thought the answer was no one.", she sighed.
"Why did you stop ?", Cora wondered.
They had not noticed she had stopped as well and was now staring at them.
"Nothing, Mother.", Regina lied, "My legs were hurting, I needed some rest."
"Oh.", Cora answered, "I could have sworn you were worried about the two people I see over there."
"She heard !", Rumple exclaimed, "Did you recruit every atom while we were gone ?"
"Well, I killed the ones who resisted.", she grinned, "Now, who are those people ?", she asked on a more serious tone.
"I don't know.", Regina said, "They're too far away."
Cora made a telescope appear, gave them to her daughter and asked the question again. Her smile had gone from her face and the expression she was sporting told Regina, and Rumple, that she would not tolerate a lie. Therefore, Regina took a look in the telescope and though she was about to faint. Noticing her trouble, Rumple took the item for her hands and looked as well. Then, he gave it back to Cora and stated :
"Never seen them in my life. Probably a mother and her son."
"Standing there in the middle of nowhere ? In clothes that not only look for me like they're from the future but also that look exactly like yours ? Holding two coats that, by the way, just turned blue ? A young woman, very beautiful by the way, and a young boy ? Well, I have no idea of how they ended up here but I know exactly who they are. Belle and Henry."
Hearing those words, Regina was not able to hold her tears anymore.
"Oh there is no need to cry, my child.", Cora said, "I just want to go and say hi. After all, Henry is my grandson."
"You won't have to go anywhere.", Rumple stated, "They are coming our way."
What he did not know is that two other people were about to join them. Indeed, Emma and Hook had almost reached the point of meeting Henry had mentioned earlier. Emma had never once opened her mouth during the trip. She did not know personally the Captain but she had read Peter Pan and if the story was faithful to the reality, she had not the nicest travel companion.
"So...", Hook asked in a umpteenth attempt to start a conversation, "How exactly do you plan to come home ?"
"Gold and Regina. They are going to help us and bring them back to Storybrooke."
"Well you should have mentioned that earlier, that would have avoided me the trip.", he grumbled, "I don't intend to find the Crocodile and Cora's daughter."
"Now what ?", Emma sighed, "You preferred your fir tree ?"
"Well, I'm sure he didn't want me dead."
"You seem to be a very hard man to satisfy, Captain."
"When we'll all be safe and sound, maybe you should find that out yourself.", he grinned.
Emma didn't consider the innuendo. It was not that she didn't find Killian attractive but it was not a time to think about it. Therefore, she kept walking. Suddenly, she heard someone screaming "Henry" in the distance. She stopped, her heart racing. She listened carefully. No doubt, someone was saying her son's name. Hook had noticed too, as he had stopped and was totally silent. Emma started running towards the voice and stumbled upon the little boy. It was hard to say which one of them was the most surprised, and happy.
"Mum, you're back.", he whispered, hugging her like he would never let her go again.
Unfortunately, her and Hook were not the only ones who had heard Belle's screams. Therefore, they were quickly joined by the trio. Belle ran to Rumplestiltskin, knowing that they were surrounded by enemies and, as a consequence, that their time might be counted.
