A/N: Here's a long one where some shit happens. We're getting really close to the ending, but there are still some bumps in the road ahead for Ava and Neal. Thanks for sticking by this story that I drew out so long by not updating. And shout out to Terri411-you are one faithful-ass reviewer, and I love it! :)

"So, what's the point of this again?"

I knit my brow, eyes closed, and lips pulled down in irritation. "Mom taught me this. I have to use my magic to track down the book. To do that I have to focus. Which usually works better when I meditate. And when you're quiet. So, shut up and let me concentrate."

There were a few more minutes of silence.

"I just don't see how this is supposed to help anything."

"Neal, for God's sake!" I opened my eyes and glared up at him impatiently from my perch on the floor. "Shut up before I punch you in the throat."

"Look, we know the book is in the vault, right?" he said. "Why do you need to tap into your magic to track it down?"

"Because that book is dangerous, Neal. Even more than we originally thought. It was my grandmother's. Y'know, scary, evil Cora who ripped out hearts for the hell of it and sent my mother on the path to become the Evil Queen? There's no telling how much bad juju she left in the book. If there is one thing all this has taught me, it's that we have to have a plan. We can't just run around guns blazing and expect it to all work because we're the good guys. We have to be smart. If we don't, we will fail. And if we fail, not only are we never getting back home, but there probably won't even be a home to get back to. How long do you think we can be keep this up before we're found out? If that happens, we are so beyond screwed. The future, life as we know it, will be gone. So—and I'm only going to say this once more—shut up."

"Fine." He held his hands up in surrender. "Do your voodoo."

I closed my eyes again and refolded my legs underneath me. "And it isn't voodoo, FYI. It's magic."

"Hey, guys. What's up?" Henry walked into my bedroom, still dressed in his school uniform with his book bag slung over his shoulder.

"Sh, she's concentrating," Neal hissed.

"Oh, sorry," Henry whispered before dropping his bag and sitting down on the bed beside Neal. "What's she concentrating on?"

"Her magic."

"What's that going to do?"

"She's going to use it to track the book down. Something about magical breadcrumb trails. I don't understand it all."

"Oh, that sounds cool."

"Not really. She's just sitting there with her legs crossed and her eyes closed."

"How long she been doing this?"

"Hours. It's so boring."

"That's it!" I jumped to my feet, glaring at the two. "I am going to do this outside in the backyard. Nobody follow me—you'll just distract me. No offense, but you two don't know how to be quiet. I'll yell if I get anything."

"Okay," Henry shrugged. "Hey, Neal. Want to play video games?"

"Is that even a question?"

I stomped outside to the backyard, grumbling under my breath about the two of them as I did. Standing square-shouldered under my mom's apple tree, I closed my eyes again and quieted my mind. No more distractions. Just me and my magic.

Mom always told me that everything I ever needed was inside me. I was capable of anything if I believed in myself, but there were times when I wasn't so sure of that. I wasn't the smartest or strongest or most powerful magic user, and I barely had a grasp on my magic as it was. Really, I was a giant screw-up. After all, it was my fault Neal and I were trapped in the past. But that was it, wasn't it? It was my magic that activated that book. That awoke it. It was my magic that got us there, and it was my magic that would get us out.

I could practically hear my mother's voice then, guiding me along.

"The magic is inside you, Ava. Everything you need to accomplish your goal is within you. You just have to reach far enough to grasp it. Go within yourself. Don't think about what's around you. Don't think about the things you sense. Don't even think about my voice. Turn your distractions into white noise that helps you better concentrate on your goal."

I thought about the book. How much I needed it. I thought about Neal. About home. My moms. Henry. Gran and Gramps. Aunt Zelena. My entire family. I thought about how much I just wanted to get back to my life. The one where I had two parents who remembered me. Who loved me, and whom I loved back more than anything. I thought about how much I missed making apple cider with my mom. How much I missed going to the gym and working out with Ma. How much I even missed school. How I just wanted to be with them. To be home.

A dull hum thrummed in my ears, drowning out all other sounds, and I felt something in my throat. A warmth rolling through me. Growing larger by the minute. It was travelling downwards like a runaway cannonball, choking me on its way to my sternum. Pin-balling around my rib cage. Shooting down the length of my outstretched arms before erupting from the open palms of my hands.

My eyes flashed open as I gasped for air, and I blinked hastily to regain my bearings. I had nearly fallen over from the power of the blast, and there were several apples fallen onto the ground from the tree above me from the impact. From the backdoor of the house, Henry and Neal raced towards me.

"Ava, what happened?" Neal demanded, eyes wide. "We heard a loud boom, and then there was like this pulse of light and wind. It was crazy."

"Are you okay?" Henry questioned.

"I'm fine." I frowned, shaking the haze from my head. "I just…" I looked up, and my jaw dropped. There, right in front of me, was a trail of pale blue light leading out to the sidewalk.

"Oh shit," I breathed, a dazed smile spreading over my lips. "It worked."

"What worked?" Neal followed my eye line and furrowed his brow. "What are you looking at?"

"You don't see it?" I asked, and the two of them shook their heads. "I've got a trail to the book. All we have to do is follow it, and we'll find it."

"What are we waiting for then?" Henry said excitedly. "Let's go!"

The three of us raced through town, Neal and Henry following while I chased the trail before me. The closer we grew to the vault, the stronger it seemed to get, growing brighter and brighter with every step. By the time we reached the Mills family mausoleum in the middle of the cemetery, it was pulsing, and I could physically feel the vibrations coming off it.

"So, it is in there," Neal said as we approached the tomb. He shivered. "Ugh. No offense to your mom, Ava, but this place always gave me the creeps."

"I think that was what she was going for, Neal," I rolled my eyes back at him. "It's her father's resting place and her magical vault. She didn't really want people around it." I rested my hand on the solid oak door and stared at the handles a moment before looking back at Henry and Neal. "I have to go in alone."

"What?" they chorused.

"Guys—" I started.

"No way," Neal shook his head. "You're not going in there alone."

"We're in this together," Henry added. "Operation Nemo is a team effort."

I smiled. "Operation Nemo. Like the movie?"

"Yeah, because you guys are trying to find your way home. That's what I'm calling it."

"Very creative. I like it."

"Yeah, yeah. Whiskey, foxtrot, tango, and all that crap," Neal said impatiently with a wave of his hand. "Ava, we're not letting you go in that thing alone."

"I have to. Mom said she has the place guarded with blood magic. The only people who can enter without raising an alarm are her or someone who shares her DNA. And I'm the only one here that fits the bill."

He crossed his arms, looking so much like Gramps. "I don't like it. Not at all."

"Relax." I squeezed his shoulder. "It's not like it would be the first time I've ever been in there. Mom and I are in here once a week for magic lessons. It's fine." He still didn't look totally convinced. "I can't believe I'm going to say this to the direct offspring of Snow White and Prince Charming but have a little faith." His expression softened. "I'll be back before you know it."

"Be careful, Ava. I'm serious."

"Always am, Neal. You guys keep an eye out for trouble." I turned and faced the door again. Taking a deep breath, I gripped the handles and pushed each door open. There was no alarm. No ringing. No magical force blasting me backwards. Nothing kept me from stepping inside the small stone crypt. I coughed at the musty air as the doors closed with a thunk behind me and turned to face the marble casket. Sighing, I placed my palms down on top of it and stared down at it as guilt rose up in my chest as it always did whenever I came there.

"Sorry, Grandpa," I whispered. "One day, I swear I'll stop disturbing your final resting place. I really hope dead people don't hold grudges." With that, I pushed the coffin as hard as I could. Accompanied by the sound of stone grinding over stone, it slid against the wall revealing the hidden stairway beneath. I hurried down, still led by the now vibrant blue dust.

Inside the vault, the light led me straight to an old chest in the corner of the room. I was eternally grateful for the trail as I bypassed all the other possible hiding spots and knelt in front of the chest. I pried at the lid but found it locked tight. I tried my hand at opening it with magic, but it seemed that I wasn't strong enough so soon after creating the locator spell.

"Damn," I cursed under my breath and looked around for a key or at least an object to force it open. "Come on. Don't do this now. Not when I'm so close."

"Close to what, my dear?"

I froze at the chilling voice as it echoed off the stone walls. A cold breeze seemed to accompany it, freezing me to my very bones. Gulping, I turned slowly and faced my mother. Who looked a lot less like Mom and a whole lot more like the Evil Queen as her dark eyes glinted at me.

Out of all the things that I could've said in that moment, only one syllable fell from my lips. "Shit."

Mom raised an eyebrow at me as she stalked a few steps closer. "Indeed. What are you doing down here, hm?"

I paused, glancing around for an answer that wasn't there. "Uh… scavenger hunt?"

Her smile was tight and callous. "Nice try."

"Where are Henry and Neal?" I questioned, placing my body firmly between her and the chest. I wasn't going to screw this up. Not when the book was right there.

"I sent your brother home to Mary Margaret," she said. "And Henry is in his bedroom, where he will remain for the rest of the evening. You should choose better guards next time you break into someone else's property." Her cold mask slipped as regret filled her eyes. "Why are you here, Ava? How did you even get inside?"

"I just walked in," I answered, and she frowned. "I needed something out of here."

"Something?" she repeated. "I don't understand." Suddenly, her expression turned to stone again. "You should never have come here."

"I had to."

"Why?"

"You really want to know?" I snapped back. My patience had just run out, and I cracked under the immense amount of pressure and fear I'd been carrying on my back since falling into that stupid world. "Fine then—I'll tell you! But don't say I didn't warn you." I took a step closer to her. "I know everything. I know about the curse." Her eyes widened, and her lips parted in shock. "I know about magic. All of it. And I know exactly who you are."

She managed to compose herself enough to speak. "And who is that?"

My façade crumbled, and my voice came out as little more than a whimper. "My mom." She frowned in confusion. "I know I shouldn't tell you this, but I have to. I know that deep down inside of you, you're still the person I know. I know it. This—" I gestured to her wall of beating hearts— "isn't you. Not really. I know you're still hurt and angry over what happened to Daniel, and I know that right now all you think you want is revenge. But this isn't your happy ending. It never was. Our family is your happy ending."

"What are you talking about?"

I sighed, shoulders slumping. "My name isn't Ava Swift, and Neal isn't my brother. I'm Ava Isabelle Swan-Mills, and I'm your daughter."

She was barely able to speak. "S-Swan-Mills? What? How?"

"I'm not from this world. I'm from the future. Neal and I both are. We got dropped off here because of a magical fluke from one of your mother's spell books. In the future, the curse has been broken for a long time, and you're married." I hesitated, knowing this was the part she would like least. "To Emma Swan."

"I beg your pardon?" She seemed more angry than shocked.

"Yeah, I know it's a lot to swallow. Although, just so you know, the romantic tension between you guys even right now in this world is insane. Like, seriously, you've got to notice that. Anyway, you and Ma fell in love and got married, right? Well, since Ma's the Savior and all, she has magic. And you have magic, too." She knit her brow, and I sighed. "Because you both have magic, you made me. Y'know, like, sex stuff."

Her mouth formed a perfect "Oh."

"Yeah. Gross, but it happened. That's why I was able to get in here without setting off any alarms. I'm your blood. And that's why you, me, Henry, and Ma have all been drawn together since I got here. We're family, no matter what world we're in. The book that I need to get back to my world is in this chest, and it is the only way I can set things right. Please, you've got to believe me." She looked uncertain, and I grew desperate. "Look into my eyes. You have to know." I grasped her hand and pressed it against my chest where my heart pounded erratically as hot tears blurred my vision. "Please, Mom. Believe me."

She stared at me for a long moment, and I hoped and prayed that somehow, by some miracle, she would recognize me. For what felt like forever, she looked at me like I might be crazy. Then, her face lit up, and her eyes grew wide.

Under her breath, a quiet "Ava" was exhaled, and I knew just by the way she said my name that she knew.

I smiled widely, cheeks wet with tear tracks. "Mom."

She pulled me close in a hug. "Oh my God, Ava." I breathed in her perfume and nuzzled deeper into her shoulder as she held me like I was priceless. "It's you."

"Do you remember me?" I asked, looking up at her. "Do you remember our world?"

She wrinkled her forehead. "It's all… fuzzy. I can't recall individual moments. It's not really like I remember it. I just… I feel it." She smiled back at me sweetly and cupped my face. "But I remember you clearly. My beautiful, miracle girl." She kissed my forehead. "I'm so sorry I didn't see it sooner."

"It's okay. Technically, we are in the past. I'm not even born yet, so you get a pass." She laughed hoarsely and stroked my cheekbones with her thumbs. "I love you, Mom."

Tears built up in her eyes. "I love you, too, Ava."

"And I'd love to stay here with you all day now that you know who I am," I said, "but I can't. I have to get back home before I fuck up the whole timeline."

"Language," she reprimanded me.

I smiled goofily. "Whoa. Déjà vu." Turning, I picked up the chest and lifted it towards her. "Don't suppose you have a key for this, do you?" She smirked at me before pointing a finger at the lock. The tumblers all clicked at once, and the lid sprang open. "Or that works." Reaching inside, I pulled out the black spell book that had caused me so much trouble and sighed down at it. "I really hate this thing."

"You and me both." Mom furrowed her brow at it. "That was Cora's. The first one she ever passed down to me. I forgot I even had it. It's one of her oldest books. The amount of dark magic she's summoned from it is immeasurable."

"Explains why it's vibrating in my hand," I remarked before placing a flat palm on either side of the book. "I'm going to try something. Something you taught me." Closing my eyes, I knit my brow together in concentration and channeled my magic from my hands into the book. Seconds later, the book flew open in my hands, and the pages began to flip of their own volition. They came to a stop on a familiar page that made me grimace. "This is it. This is the spell that brought Neal and me here."

"Very impressive, dear," Mom noted proudly, and I smiled back at her.

"You've taught me well," I said back before turning the book towards her. "We never got to the lesson on gibberish, though. Can you read this?"

"Not gibberish," she corrected. "Elvish, and yes, I can." Taking the book, she skimmed over the page with her lips pursed. "It's a time travelling spell alright and a powerful one at that. It's a miracle neither of you were hurt during it. It's very complex. How did you cast it?"

"I sneezed." She looked over the book at me incredulously, and I shrugged. "You said once that magic seeks out other magic. The book is filled with magic. I'm made of magic. There was a strong reaction when the two of us clashed."

"That does make sense," she said. "Mother's book would try to attach itself to the most powerful entity near it."

"Does it say how we can reverse the spell?" I questioned. "Should I just sneeze on it again or something?"

"I think we'd do well to follow the formal instructions this time around. You and Neal might not get so lucky a second time."

"Good thinking. Can you help us?"

She took my hand in hers. "Of course, Ava. Always."

"Good." I chewed my lower lip. "And, um, there's something else we should probably do."

"What's that?"

"A forgetting spell," I answered, and she frowned. "I mean, Neal and I did time travel, and you and Henry both know in the past who we are. Everyone in town has seen us around. Imagine how that could mess up the future if we just left without cleaning up after ourselves. I really don't want you to forget about me again, but I think it's the only way we can ensure that everything still comes out fine in the end."

She smiled sadly at me. "You're so smart and responsible."

"Clearly, I didn't take after Ma," I joked, and she grinned.

"Only in some ways. In others, I see Emma Swan all over you. Surprisingly enough, that doesn't make me want to hurl." I laughed. "You somehow came out with the best of both of us." She sighed heavily. "You're right. Once you and Neal are on your way home, I'll cast a forgetting spell over the entire town, myself included. As much as it breaks my heart, I must forget about you."

"I'm sorry, Mom." I hugged her waist. "I wish things could be different."

"It's alright, sweetie. You're going to the future where I have you, Henry, and your mother in my life. Like you said, that is my happy ending. I may not remember all of it right now, but I know I am happy in the future. I have everything I ever wanted." She kissed the top of my hair. "A family I love."

"And who loves you back just as much," I beamed up at her, and she squeezed me closer.

"Precisely. Now, hurry. We need to act quickly to get you and Neal back where you belong."