Hello guys! Here comes chapter 12! Entirely written by me, once again. Enjoy! :)
A.N.S Akita asked me once again: is Bae/Neal currently 14 or older? And the answer is... he's about 17 years old. (I'm quite sure I mentioned he was about 16 when he dated Emma...)
Disclamer: I own nothing, non profit. OUAT goes to Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis; SM goes to Naoko Takeuchi/Toei.
Lost memories. The mysterious stranger.
Storybrooke
Belle was really confused and panicked, not understanding where she was and who the man next to her was. In fact, she couldn't even remember her own name. Plus, she was injured in her shoulder, due to the shot she got from the pirate. Mr Gold used his magic to heal her, after what she asked:
"How are you doing this…?"
"It's alright, Belle, there's nothing to be afraid about…" – Gold tried to reassure her.
But Belle's panic and agitation only rose. Good thing for her, the sheriff car arrived. David, Mary Margaret and Emma went out of the car. Mary Margaret helped Belle get up, and David asked what happened.
"She crossed the line, she remembers nothing!" – Gold exclaimed.
Emma joined her friend Emily and asked if she was okay, to what she just slightly nodded. They approached the pirate lying on the ground. When he saw Emma, he said:
"Hello, beauty… I thought you won't notice me…"
"It seems like you have broken ribs…" – Emma said, after she quickly observed him.
"So, that's why it's painful to laugh…" – Hook commented – "Did you see his face? That face he had, when his love disappeared in one moment, just like with Milah, crocodile! Just like when you took her from me!"
Mr Gold angrily approached the pirate and said, before hitting him violently:
"You took her from me first!"
Gold wanted to struggle the pirate, but Emma, Emily and David did their best to stop him. David said:
"You can't do it!"
"I can, if you let her go!" – the Dark One replied.
"Please, I don't want you do it…! I can't see it…" – Emily said with tears.
The girl was really emotional at that moment. She just "lost" her mother, but her father wanted to commit a murder in her eyes! Even though Hook was the responsible of Belle's state, killing him was still very wrong; the murder wouldn't solve anything.
"Do you think Belle would have liked to see you like this?" – David asked which made Gold release the pirate, even though he did it very unwillingly.
At that moment, an ambulance arrived. The hospital men were about to grab Hook first, but Emma commented that he would wait; they had to take care of the man in the car first. Mary Margaret and David got a very surprised, it was the first time they were seeing that man.
"That's because he entered the town." – David commented.
"It seems like the outside world entered Storybrooke…" – Emma said, a bit shocked.
Meantime, Dr Whale was in the hospital, doing what was the most unusual thing for a doctor to do: drinking. He ignored the calls he was getting from the hospital personal, which were about preparing the operation room and the that he was needed in the emergency department.
Land Without Color
Victor, his brother Gerhardt and father Alphonse were having a drink for the New Year. The father was proud of his younger son, who had a medal, the "Silver Crest".
"It's embarrassing that everyone makes a big deal of it…" – Gerhardt commented.
Then, the father approached his sons and gave to each one a package, a gift for the New Year. Gerhardt got a watch, which their father got from their mother. Gerhardt and Victor exchanged a look, because the watch should have been given to the elder, which was Victor. The latter got army convocation.
"Father, you must be kidding." – Victor commented – "My researches are too important to leave it now."
"I got the convocation for you; you'll be the battlefield doctor of the 34th division. That's an honor." – Alphonse replied.
"It is, but you don't seem to realize the importance of the science works Victor does." – Gerhardt said on his brother's defense.
"I do, but how will he work without my financial support?"
"Father, I need this money…" – Victor said.
"I already allowed you to use our summer house for your stupid ideas." – Alphonse commented harshly – "Isn't it enough?"
"I'm making progresses…!" – Victor protested – "The name 'Frankenstein' will be the meaning of life! An eternal life, here, on the earth…"
Storybrooke
Hook, the new arrival and Belle were brought to the hospital. David ordered the nurses to find a room for Hook and isolate him there, to avoid the contact between and others. Everybody was agitated, and Gold wanted to speak with Belle. But Dr Whale arrived, calming everyone down, and he reassured that Belle would get a good care there. A bit later, Mr Gold walked in Belle's hospital room, intending to try the true love's kiss. It was a powerful thing, it normally could break curses. Emily was standing outside the room, hoping that it would work. But as Gold kissed Belle, she woke up and she became hysterical, seeing him. Two male nurses came in, to calm the young woman.
"I'm sorry, I… I'll away… Sorry…" – Gold mumbled, before he walked out the room.
Emily's eyes got teary as she watched the scene. She shook her head and walked further in the corridor. Gold gently grabbed her forearm, making her face him:
"It didn't work, but I'll find a way to bring her memories back…"
Emily didn't respond, she just nodded, not able to prevent tears from falling. Gold stroke her hair in a comforting manner, before he walked away.
Meantime, Hook awoke in his own hospital room. Emma was sitting here too, and as soon as his eyes were open, she asked:
"Where is Cora?"
"I have no idea; we don't have the same interests." – Hook replied.
It was quite painful for him to move, because as Emma guessed earlier, he had broken ribs. He pursued:
"Let's talk about my own interests instead: my hook. Can I get it back?"
"You're a bit talkative for a man who failed to kill his enemy and who got hit by a car." – Emma commented sternly.
"But I gave him a lesson." – Hook said.
"You injured Belle." – Emma pointed out; she hated how dirty the pirate acted.
"I hurt his heart; Belle is the one where he keeps it." – Hook explained – "He killed my love. I know how it is."
"What you mostly did, is that you took away my friend's mother." – Emma said – "Do you know how long it took her to reunite with her? Fourteen years, they have been apart. Now, that they began to be happy together, you just… Your act was very cruel."
"Get used to it, my pretty. That's how I am." – Hook grinned – "Deep inside, you love it."
"No, I don't." – Emma said sternly – "Believe whatever you want, Hook. But my friends' interests come first. And the ones who hurt them hurt me too."
Emma then walked away, leaving the pirate alone. During a moment, she wondered how the hell she even managed to develop a crush on this guy. But it seemed like those things were out of control, Gold and Belle were a good example. But, crush or not, it didn't justify him, his act towards Emily's family was no less horrible.
Land Without Color
Victor went out of the house, while his brother followed him outside.
"Victor, wait…! He'll calm down…"
Gerhardt then put out the watch he just got for the New Year, and he said:
"Here… take it. You're the eldest, she would have liked give it to you."
"No, keep it for yourself. Don't worry about me, I'll find another way." – Victor said with a weak smile, trying to reassure his brother.
Then, Victor Frankenstein walked away, unaware that he was observed by Rumplestiltskin from behind trees.
Storybrooke
Emma, Mary Margaret, Ruby, Cecilia and Emily were anxiously waiting in the hospital corridor. David arrived; he said that he found the new arrival's identity, that his name was Greg, according to his personal things found in the car.
"So, whatever was preventing people enter Storybrooke the whole fourteen years…" – Ruby started.
"…disappeared." – Mary Margaret finished for her friend.
"Anybody could arrive now…" – David commented – "Why have I the feeling that it isn't a good thing?"
"Because in all movies, when people discover something magical or supernatural, they make researches and experiments on it, until it dies." – Cecilia replied, her stress rising.
"Greg's family will look for him soon…" – Mary Margaret added, anxious too.
"Okay, let's not panic now…" – Emma said, even though she wasn't feeling any better.
"But Cecilia is right, we don't need strangers here." – David protested.
"Hook knows where Cora is… If people begin to arrive here, while she's still around, that won't end well…" – Emma commented.
"We must inform Regina about it." – Mary Margaret suggested – "She could do something about her."
"Rosalie told Danielle today." – Cecilia said – "The latter surely told Regina."
Mary Margaret nodded slightly, relieved. But then, Dr Whale came to them and informed about Greg's condition. He had internal hemorrhage, and without any intervention he would drown in his own blood.
"Well, you're a doctor! Do something about it…!" – Emma exclaimed, under tension.
But then, Dr Whale saw Gold and he approached him, asking:
"Gold… you healed me, now heal him. It will take a couple of seconds and it costs you nothing…"
"No. I owe you nothing, Whale. I owe nothing to anybody in this room. But there's someone owes me." – Gold said, obviously referring to Emma and her guardian friends – "And by the way, the driver saw me use magic. If you want to get rid of him, you better hope that he dies! Otherwise, he'll lead touristic bus on our main street! Good thing I don't care about it."
At those words, Mr Gold went out the hospital, leaving everyone even more worried about the fate of their town. Then, Whale said in a low tone:
"Look… let him die is easy… I can do this. If it's what you'll decide."
"Let's talk about it somewhere else…" – Emma commented, under shock by what Dr Whale was suggesting.
They walked in the supply room, and Whale said:
"It's not an actual murder, letting him die."
"Yes, it is." – Emma commented.
"Of course, we'll save him!" – Mary Margaret added.
"Hmm… well…" – Cecilia mumbled – "I don't know…"
"Cecilia, how dare you even consider this?!" – Ruby exclaimed – "That's not very Sailor Guardian-like, don't you think?"
"I'm not saying that letting him die is a good thing to do…! But… I don't know… winds bring me a disturbing feeling about him. Can't explain it, but… it's like he's emitting some negative aura. He could be dangerous for our town!" – Cecilia shared her thoughts.
"We'll take care of the town later." – David reassured the girl – "We'll think about that, after we save a person's life."
Then, David asked Dr Whale to get ready for the operation. The doctor nodded and silently walked out the room. Then, Mary Margaret said:
"Did anybody notice that he was drunk?"
After her statement, everybody exchanged anxious glances. Suddenly, a "Star Wars" ringtone rang. It was Greg's phone. Emma commented nervously:
"Somebody's looking for Greg… How soon will they arrive here…?"
Land Without Color
Victor Frankenstein and his assistant were putting all their material back in the boxes, since they couldn't pursue their researches without the necessary financial support. As soon as the assistant went in another room, a voice got heard:
"Good evening, Doctor."
"How did you get in there?" – Victor asked, seeing a strange man – "Who are you?"
"Stiltskin. Rumple Von Stiltskin." – the Dark One replied – "I didn't see much in your lands, but I am very interested in your work."
"Well, you're a bit late; I am forced to stop it. And by the way, I can't resurrect dead lovers, if that's why you came here."
"No, mine better leaves where she is now, thank you very much." – Rumple laughed – "I am actually interested by how you do what you do. You see, where I come from, we do everything differently. In your world, the magic is poor and abandoned, but in ours, it's very powerful!"
Doctor Frankenstein frown his brows slightly in confusion, when Rumplestiltskin talked about magic. Rumple pursued:
"But the problem is that it can't bring back from death. If you can do this, well, I want to know more and I'm ready to pay you."
At those words, he opened his small bag, letting fall hundreds of golden coins. Very surprised, Victor asked:
"How are you doing this…?"
"You're missing what truly matters: the money is yours."
"Are you a philanthropist…?"
"Some people called me like that too…" – Rumple replied – "This is the price for your knowledge. You'll teach me use whatever you're using. That's the deal."
"Deal then…" – Victor agreed, impressed by what was happening.
At that moment, the assistant went back to the room. Victor wanted to introduce him Rumplestiltskin, but he was already gone. Seeing the huge pile of coins on the floor, the assistant asked confused:
"What happened…?"
"Bring all our material back. We're staying. And we'll need a corpse." – Victor replied, having a small smile of anticipation.
Storybrooke
Mr Gold was in his pawnshop, looking at the chipped cup. Suddenly, Cora appeared.
"Hello, Rumple." – she said.
"I knew it was only a question of time… I hoped you were dead, but oh well, disappointment is a part of our life. I'm sure you agree on this one."
"The crocodile is slamming its moth… while I came with a gift." – Cora commented, with a huge grin.
"Does the antidote come along with it?" – Gold asked.
"Oh, Rumple…" – Cora said amused – "The gift is a sign of peace between us."
"And what do you want, for this 'sign of peace'?"
"My daughter. You had enough of her, by asking her cast the Dark Curse for you. Now, you don't need her anymore. Let me try getting her back."
"And what will I get for it?" – Gold asked, amused by what Cora wanted.
"Your son." – Cora said, making a huge box appear.
When Gold opened the box, he saw a white globe inside. He got a bit shocked, that object would magically locate his son's position. Cora explained that she wanted him to get back a person who loves him, as she was trying to do the same. Gold then asked:
"Do you know any spells of restoring memories?"
"I know only what you learned me." – Cora answered – "So, are you accepting my offer of making peace between us?"
"Peace." – Gold said, after what they shook their hands.
"Let's put a seal, like we used to do." – Cora said, confusing Gold a little.
Then, the witch gave a quick kiss to the Dark One, before leaving his pawnshop. Once Gold was alone again, he got surprised to hear the cats' voices from behind him:
"That was… disturbing." – Athena commented.
"Just don't tell Emily about this, okay?" – Gold replied.
"No, we won't…" – Lux said, before he added – "But about the deal… I'm less sure."
"But that deal is nothing." – Gold protested – "I just agreed that Cora and I aren't in war anymore. And concerning Regina, it's her job to resist her mother."
Both cats nodded, understanding that Gold was quite right, after all. Gold then asked them, wrinkling his brows a little:
"And what are you doing here, anyway?"
"Nothing, we weren't touching your things." – Athena answered – "We just thought that it was the best place to hide meantime… you know, we're powerless against Cora."
The Dark One could only agree on that one.
Meantime, Dr Whale was standing in the hospital corridor, staring at his watch. David approached him, asking what was it.
"One of the personal things of that guy… I get the best watches this way. Just kidding, you know… too bad it's cracked." – Whale replied.
"I thought you were already washing your hands for the operation?" – David commented.
"Yes… I'm about to do it."
Giving to the doctor a suspicious glance, David asked:
"Is your arm okay?"
"I am not drunk." – Whale stated, seeing where the conversation was going.
"Alright… Just, let's save him, okay?" – David said – "Whatever he could have seen, we don't abandon anyone."
After that, David left Whale alone, who glanced once more at the watch.
Land Without Color
Frankenstein was in a cemetery, digging to get a corpse. Then, his brother approached him, saying:
"Victor… Igor told me I'll find you here… I can't believe this!"
"I thought you support me." – Victor commented.
"But not in this…!"
Suddenly, a gendarme shouted from afar, ordering them not to move.
"Don't shot!" – Victor cried – "We have an order! He's in uniform!"
But the gendarme shot anyway, which made both brothers run to their coach. But once inside, Gerhardt died, due to the injury he got from the shot, and their mother's watch cracked.
Storybrooke
The group was standing the main hall of the hospital, observing how Greg's phone just kept ringing. Every time, it showed the calling person as "her".
"Perhaps his girlfriend…" – David commented.
"Let's say her he's alright." – Mary Margaret suggested.
"But he's not." – Emma protested.
"But he's alive, let's say her at least this." – Ruby said.
"No, the police would track the call." – David argued back.
"She could initiate the tracking of the phone, even if we don't unhook." – Emma corrected her father, since she knew a little bit about the subject.
"It seems like there's no difference…" – Cecilia sighed, lowering her head in despair.
"My nerves can't bear this…" – Mary Margaret looked up in anxiousness – "Will the operation be over soon…?"
David saw a male nurse walking by, and he asked him if there were any news. The man replied that he was only searching for the doctor. This surprised everyone; that Whale wasn't in the operation room. Then, they found his doctor jacket, abandoned. Emma understood that he just ran away. Ruby tried to smell it, in order to find him, but it mostly smelled alcohol.
"Maybe he was kidnapped by Cora?" – Mary Margaret suggested.
"No, I don't think so… He's not like himself, since the day he resurrected Daniel." – David commented.
"You mean… Regina's dead lover…?" – Emma asked, astonished by this – "And he had… resurrected him?"
"Yep, and he also got his arm ripped off and then, reattached back." – Cecilia added.
"But… it's like… Frankenstein or something…?" – Emma asked, still surprised.
"That's who Whale used to be, before the curse." – David explained.
Ruby and Cecilia decided to go after Dr Whale, leaving all the others in the hall, worried about the state in which they would find him.
Land Without Color
"I'll bring you back, brother. I promise." – Victor said, after what he switched on all his machines, which he connected to Gerhardt's body.
But after a short while, both Victor and Igor noticed that there was something wrong. Victor cut back a hole he already had made previously, and saw that Gerhardt's heart was completely burnt. That was why the operation wasn't successful. Suddenly, Alphonse arrived, saying:
"Victor, people saw how you brought a corpse in this house! Explain yourself!"
Then, the father saw that the corpse was none other's than his son's, Gerhardt's.
"Gerhardt… my boy… my dear son…" – he said in shock, after what he turned to Victor, asking angrily – "What did you do?!"
"It was an accident. I was working…" – Victor tried to explain.
"It's all you! And what you do…!" – Alphonse yelled, after what he uncovered the corpse, seeing what Victor did to the body – "You're cutting your own brother?! You're doing all those dirty things with him?!"
"I will succeed!" – Victor shouted back – "I did it for you too, father! I wanted you to have two sons again…"
"And now, I have none!"
At those words, Alphonse walked out the house, leaving Victor devastated.
Later that day, Doctor Frankenstein was pacing in his experiment room, frustrated by his failure. Rumplestiltskin suddenly appeared behind him again, asking:
"Did you do it? No…?"
"There's a little problem about what a heart can endure." – Victor replied.
"Heart problems, always the same… You know, where I came from, there are hearts which can endure anything, thanks to magic."
"Do you have one?" – Victor asked.
"Here's the deal… I'll introduce you to a friend, a hatter. He'll lead you to a young woman, who has what you need. You'll make for her a show, and then you'll return here, with all the answer you needed, with a heart for your brother."
Victor nodded in agreement, with a small grin of contentment on his face. He asked:
"Who's that woman?"
"Her name is Regina." – Rumple answered.
Storybrooke
Regina quietly opened the door of Danielle's new room. She had fallen asleep fully clothed, the light turned on. Regina switched the light off and closed the door. She then paced nervously. Hours ago, Rosalie informed them that Cora was in Storybrooke, and it really worried her. She knew that her mother would appear at any moment now, and she would most likely try restoring the relationship between them. But Regina knew she couldn't, because of what Cora did. Suddenly, Cora appeared just in front of her.
"Mother…" – Regina said, shocked to see her after all those years, even though she expected her arrival – "What are you doing here?"
"I needed to see you. I wanted to say that I know why you sent me on the other side of the mirror, as well as I know why you ordered a pirate to kill me. And… it's all alright." "No, I think it's not alright." – Regina protested.
"I love you." – Cora said – "I just… didn't show this love in a right way. I should have never forced you to marry the king. I am really sorry. When you cried over my coffin, everything has changed."
"That was before I found out the worst thing you could have done to me." - Regina said, with tears of anger in her eyes – "You got rid of my girl, and you lied to me!"
"I said you; it was because I wanted the best for you. I wanted you to have power, to be queen." – Cora justified herself – "But I'm ready to make it up for you, Regina. Just, tell me how."
"I'll tell you how: don't approach me or Danielle ever again!" – Regina said – "I do everything in my power, to become a better person, a mother Danielle deserves!"
Meanwhile, Doctor Whale was standing at the edge of the town's port. He was about to jump into the cold sea water, wanting to end with his own life. Ruby and Cecilia arrived just in time, and called for him. He asked them not to get any closer and jumped. But thanks to her werewolf speed, Ruby managed to grab him before he reached the water.
Land Without Color
Victor had just resurrected his brother. After that, he went to his father's house, informing him about his success. He made Gerhardt enter the room.
"He's still recovering, the process is slow…" – Victor warned his father – "So, don't expect for him to…"
"You did it…" – the father silenced him, and then said to his youngest son happily – "It's… it's really you…!"
Then, he grabbed a candle, with the words:
"Let me look at you, son…"
But seeing the fire Gerhardt stepped back, putting his arm in front of his face, as trying to protect himself. Alphonse got a bit surprised by his reaction and asked:
"What…? What's wrong…? Is he alright…? Why isn't he talking?"
Then, Gerhardt pushed the candle a bit harshly, before going to a corner of the room. Victor tried to reassure his father.
"I told you, everything isn't solved yet…"
"I had believed you… The worst part is that for a little moment, I had believed that you did it…! But this is a monster! This is not my son! And you aren't my son either! You're a shame for our family!" – the father shouted angrily at Victor.
Seeing how he was insulting Victor, Gerhardt attacked him. He put him on the floor and began beating him violently. After a moment, Victor approached his brother and said:
"Enough… Gerhardt, enough."
As he stopped, Victor touched a spot on Alphonse's neck, checking if there was a pulse. There was none, so he said:
"You killed our father."
Seeing what he did, Gerhardt quickly ran in another room.
Storybrooke
"I wanted that my name gets associated with life…" – Whale said, with Ruby and Cecilia sitting on each of his sides, listening – "But everyone considers it as a name of a monster… I think they're right… Rumplestiltskin says that magic always comes with a price. But now, I see that science does too. Every time I try to save a life, somebody else dies."
"Look…" – Ruby started – "You're Frankenstein. And I am a werewolf. I… ate my boyfriend. But now, in Storybrooke, we have a chance to start everything all over."
"I wasn't that bad… I wanted to bring life back." – Victor said – "He still didn't accept our mother's death. If only I could have brought her back…"
"I can understand you, you know…" – Cecilia said – "There was a man… his name was Forzer… he used to be a bad guy, but… I fell in love with him, regardless this detail. But then, he… died. If only you saw in which state I was, after this happened. It was really hard to accept and… and even now, I would have given anything, just to bring him back, to see him again, even if that would be for a minute… We all have this feeling, when somebody we love dies. And you, you tried to make this possible. Even if you failed, it's still very impressing."
Dr Whale grinned a bit at that girl. Cecilia just smiled back, after what Ruby and she, led him back to the hospital. They suggested that he should save Greg, because somebody constantly calls on his phone. At least something can be fixed. Dr Whale could only agree with the two ladies, as he regained his self-confidence.
Meantime, Regina and Cora were pursuing their conversation. Regina said, trying to keep her calm. Losing her temper would have been a wrong thing to do at that moment.
"How can you even expect that I'll so easily forgive you? Because of you, Danielle lived long years all alone, while I suffered and let myself consume by darkness, thinking that she died. Now that we found each other, I have no intention to let anything break us apart, mother. I am the only family she has, thanks to you, yet again."
The latter words were said with sarcasm evident in Regina's tone. That was true, Danielle had to grow up fatherless, because Cora killed him, just for Regina to get wear that stupid crown, a crown Cora failed to get for herself.
"Oh, my dear, your Danielle is like an angel in your eyes, isn't she?" – Cora commented with her usual subtle cruelty – "Do you know that she wanted to kill me, in the Enchanted Forest?"
"From what I heard, you tried to kill her too, for the second time." – Regina talked back.
"Well, we all made mistakes…" – Cora said, as admitting that one – "Just like you did. Do you really think people around need you? They can't forget that easily the Evil Queen they knew so many years."
"The Sailor Guardians didn't see me like this." – Regina said – "Thanks to them, I can have a second chance."
"Oh, come on! People might have softened towards you, but you are not welcome in their hearts, Regina. They just tolerate you, because your daughter saved their town. She is their hero, not you. As long as Snow White and her prince are here, they will be the ones people will truly listen and follow. But if you have me on your side, I can help you with this problem." – Cora said, sounding convincing.
Regina sighed and shook her head. Cora had this power to manipulate people's minds; she always knew the right words to chose. But she can't give up, not after having put so much effort in changing herself. She just said, trying to sound calm:
"Get out, mother. I won't follow you, no matter what you say."
"So… is this your final decision?" – Cora asked.
"Yes. It is." – Regina answered sternly.
"Alright then… If you ever change your mind, I'll welcome you." – Cora said, after what she disappeared in a purple smoke, teleporting herself away.
Land Without Color
Gerhardt was locked in a dungeon, located in the underground of Victor's house. Victor entered, as his brother was just sitting on the ground, looking nowhere in particular.
"Gerhardt… my brother… I tried to bring you back… Do you hear me? Gerhardt..?"
Then, Gerhardt suddenly attacked Victor, trying to struggle him. But then, he seemed to recognize him, because he managed to say:
"Vi… ctor…"
"Yes… Yes, it's me."
Horrified by what he just tried to do, Gerhardt went to a corner of the room, putting his head between his hands. Slowly, Victor approached him, and he pointed a gun on his brother's head. Then, Gerhardt looked at him and Victor lowered the gun, unable to do it. But Gerhardt grabbed it and pointed it to his forehead, as to encourage him to do this. He just waited Victor to shot him, ending him forever. But Victor lowered the weapon again, saying:
"No… I won't do this. I will save you."
Gerhardt shook his head in response; as far as he was able to think, he understood that there was no way he could ever become himself again, he would never be really alive. But Victor didn't seem to share his opinion, because he pursued:
"Father was wrong, I will find a way."
After that, Victor left the dungeon.
Storybrooke
Dr Whale walked in the main hall, the operation over. Ruby asked what the verdict was, to what Whale replied:
"He will live."
"You did it!" – Ruby exclaimed happily.
"Well, he'll need a couple of weeks to recover, but he will live." – Whale added.
"So, I guess I should go have a talk with him, as the sheriff." – David informed.
Mary Margaret, Emma and others agreed to this, and Whale led David to the room where Greg was lying.
At that same time, Gold was in Belle's room, tending her the chipped cup.
"I know, you remember nothing, but… just, look at it, please." – Gold said.
Belle took a cup in her hands, and then she said:
"That's a… cup… a chipped one."
"Just look at it. Concentrate, it's your talisman." – Gold insisted.
"It's a cup." – Belle replied, really not seeing what was so special about this cup.
"You dropped it once, in my castle." – Gold said, and Belle looked at him confused – "You got scared that you might have angered me."
"Look, you better go, and take your cup." – Belle said, feeling very nervous again.
"No, no, no… I enchanted it, if you concentrate, it will work. It's magic." – Gold kept insisting.
"Now, enough..! Go away; stop talking about magic and take your cup back…!" – Belle said, her agitation growing again.
But as Gold asked her look at the cup again, under pressure and stress, Belle threw the cup against a wall, making it break in pieces. Belle once more asked Gold to leave, which he did with an apology, feeling heartbroken.
Arrived in Greg's room, David introduced himself and gave him back his personal things.
"Mr Mendel, I wanted talk to you about the accident."
"Did I hit someone…?" – Greg asked, and after seeing David's expression, he said – "Oh God, I did… is he alive…?"
"Don't worry about him. I mean, the injuries aren't serious." – David calmed him down.
"Thanks God…" – Greg mumbled.
"But I need testimony about the accident. What did you see? What were you doing?"
"Well, I saw nothing…"
"But you were driving." – David pointed out.
"Yes, but… I saw the road, of course…"
"It's just that I think I could reassure you; maybe give some explanation, if you saw…"
"I was writing a SMS." – Greg cut him off – "I looked down, just for one second… and as I looked back up, he was there and he was too close, I hadn't enough time to turn. I know it's illegal in Maine…"
"It's alright, I'm glad you're honest with me." – David said – "I won't make a charge against you, just a warning."
"Thank you…" – Greg sighed in relief – "And… when can I go back home?"
"You can as soon as the doctor will authorize it." – David replied, before walking away.
David went to his friends and family, informing that Greg saw nothing. Everybody got relieved and glad that they could finally get some rest after a night full of nervousness. But Emma noticed that Cecilia was standing, leant against a wall, a bit further from everyone. She approached her friend and asked:
"Hey… is everything okay…?"
"I… I'm not sure of that." – Cecilia replied – "It's a good thing that the man was saved, but… like I said earlier, a strange smell is emitting from him."
"A… smell…?" – Emma asked, not understanding.
"Not a literal smell, of course. Just like a… sensation. I feel alarmed." – Cecilia explained.
"But David just talked to him, Greg saw nothing." – Emma said.
"Yes, but… but I don't know. It's like there's still a threat. I don't know if it's towards the town, or one of us, but that feeling is there."
"Look, we were all overstressed tonight. You maybe just need some rest…" – Emma suggested, but she got interrupted by Cecilia, who shook her head.
"No, Emma, that's not it. There… there was one time, when I sensed something similar, when the winds were agitated, charged with negative emissions…"
Cecilia then paused, and looked at her friend with a look revealing worry, sadness and even fear. What she said next, made Emma gasp.
"That was… short time before the fall of the Celestial Kingdom."
At that same time, Danielle awoke in her room, surprised to see that she fell asleep a bit sooner than usual, before even she had the chance to change her closed. The girl guessed that it was due to the lack of sleep she got, during her time in the Enchanted Forest. She was the one who slept the less among the three guardians. She then stood up, and walked to Regina's room. She saw her mother very pensive, and perhaps a little upset. Danielle approached her and asked:
"Regina… Did something happen…?"
"Cora." – Regina replied – "She gave me a visit last night. She tried to convince me to make up with her, that I needed her… the same old story."
"And… what did you say?" – Danielle asked carefully.
"I rejected her offer, of course. Danielle… you're what I truly need. I don't need anything my mother could offer. You are enough to me." – Regina said, taking her daughter's hands and looking straight into her eyes.
They stayed in that position a few moments, before Danielle's face suddenly lighted up, as if an idea just crossed her mind. Then, she saw:
"You must say you thought about it and that you accept after all."
"What…?!" – Regina asked, not believing her own ears.
"The best way to find out what she's really up to is to team up with her!" – Danielle exclaimed – "If you pretend being on her side, I can learn her plans and inform the others. Only then, we could think of an effective plan, of how to win over her."
Regina looked a bit shocked by what her daughter just said. Not only because the plan was dangerous and smart, but also because Danielle actually trusted her, that she wouldn't return on her evil paths by spending time with Cora.
Meanwhile, Emily was staring at her mother lying in the hospital bed. She observed how Gold's attempts failed to restore Belle's memories, and that the latter wasn't really cooperative in it. Her heart ached, but she had to talk to her. No matter that she didn't remember who she was; she needed to interact with her. Belle was the person she loved the most in the world and she would try to speak to her, even if there was a risk that Belle could be hysterical again. Emily entered the room slowly, carefully approaching the bed her mother was lying in. Belle saw her and her eyes met the girl's teary ones. She was confused: why was the girl crying? But what surprised her more was what the girl said a second after.
"Mum…" – Emily almost whispered.
Belle stared at her in confusion, before she finally dared to ask:
"I… I'm your… your mother?"
"You don't remember anymore, but… but yes, you… you're my mum." – Emily replied.
Within the moments which followed after the statement, Belle's face changed several times. At first, she scowled her brows in wonder. Then, she opened her mouth but closed it again, as if she wanted to protest but understood there was no point. She was the one with amnesia after all. And then, something Emily didn't dare to expect, Belle smiled.
"I… I am a mother…!" – she exclaimed, feeling a strange happiness.
Then, she tended her hand, inviting Emily to grab it. The girl didn't wait long, before doing so. She hugged her mother, with tears of happiness and sadness at the same time. Happiness because Belle welcomed her and sadness because Belle still had no memories of her. But what she learned in two lifetimes, that hopes dies the last. Belle then asked:
"Can you… repeat your name for me…?"
"Emily." – the girl replied with a small smile.
"Emily…" – Belle repeated – "That's a so pretty name…"
In Greg's hospital room, the man was lying in his bed and looking around. As soon as he made sure nobody was too close, he grabbed his phone and made a call.
"Darling…? Yes, I know… wait a moment, I… listen to me, okay…? Yes, I'm alright, I had a car accident… Darling, you… you'll never believe what I saw."
A/N: Not that much changes in this chapter, except the whole Regina and Danielle, Emily and Belle, Cecilia with Ruby and Whale stuff... oh wait, that's quite alot, lol. But the next chapter goes quite diffrently from the tv show, I promise (in Storybrooke at least). So, reviews please...?
