And it starts. Guys, this is the beginning of the heart of the story. We are getting into it now. Bwahaha! I'm so excited.

As always, thanks for the wonderful reviews, follows, and faves. Y'all rock so much! I wish I could give each and every one of you a hug. And then we could hang out and be bffs!

Another huge thanks to Laura. She pretty awesome, guys. I mean, like really. Y'all should thank her, as well.

I don't own OUAT. Now, that's out of the way…

The nightmares started that night. Emma would scream herself (and Regina) awake. And Regina would hold her and soothe her back to sleep. They didn't talk about it in the light of day.

Finally, about a day out from Enchanted Island, Regina couldn't take anymore of being completely clueless on the nightmares and Emma's complete avoidance. She went to the only other person who might be willing to help.

"Snow?" Regina asked softly.

Snow looked up from her studying of the maps at the galley table. She quickly smiled and beckoned Regina closer. "Regina," she said. "How are you?"

Regina shook her head and gracefully sat at the table, her hands clasped in front of her and her eyebrows furrowed together. "Can I ask you a question?"

Snow's smile slowly dropped as she took in the other woman's facial expression and she nodded. "Sure. I'll answer to the best of my ability."

Regina gave a quick nod and looked at the scratched and chipped tabletop. "Emma's been having nightmares."

At the silence from Snow, Regina finally looked up and felt her breath catch at the sad look in the First Mate's eyes.

"I'm not surprised," Snow said softly.

"Well, I am," Regina muttered. "She won't talk to me about them."

Snow sighed and sat down across from Regina, leaning her elbows on the very map she had just been studying. "She doesn't talk to anyone about them, Regina. She never has and she probably never will."

"But why?" Regina almost whined. "What happened that's so bad?"

Snow closed her eyes and sighed again. "It all has to do with Enchanted Island and her past."

"I gathered as much," Regina said sarcastically.

Snow gave a small, forced grin. "Her past, Regina, isn't pretty. I don't think there is one part of her past that she looks at fondly. Except maybe being with August."

"That's her brother, right?"

Snow nodded. "Not her real brother but close enough to a brother than she'll ever have." Snow met Regina's eyes and frowned. "But even August left her when she became a pirate."

Regina swallowed the lump that had lodged itself in her throat. "What happened on Enchanted Island?"

"What didn't happen?" Snow asked grimly. She studied Regina's face. "Look," she said seriously. "I'll tell you a bit but you have to promise me you won't let Emma know you heard it from me. She hates pity, most of all from someone she loves. That's probably why she won't tell you."

"How do you know about it?"

"I know August. I met him before he left her. And I was there for the aftermath of a lot of what happened."

"What did happen, Snow? What is it that makes Emma have such horrific nightmares?"

Snow closed her eyes once again and slowly started.

"I met Emma when we were just 14 in the colony of Boston…"

She didn't really know what the feeling was but she knew it wasn't normal to feel a slight (very slight) tugging on her arm where her small, dainty purse was.

She quickly snapped her head around and gaped at the dirty blonde girl reaching into her purse.

"What are you doing?" she whispered harshly.

Large, green eyes snapped up to meet hers and everything froze.

"Well?" she finally prompted.

"Um," the girl started. "I was…just…"

"You were trying to steal from me!"

"No, I wasn't!" the girl whispered fiercely.

"Then why is your hand in my purse?"

The green eyes widened and the girl bit her lower lip. "I thought I saw a bug on it?"

The laughter just escaped the other girl without thought. That caused the would-be-thief to laugh as well as she finally removed her hand from the purse.

"That's a terrible excuse," the girl said with a dying giggle. "What's your name?"

"Emma Swan," the blonde said quickly. "Yours?"

"Mary Margaret Blanchard."

"That's a pretty name," Emma said with a grin. "Are you rich?"

Mary Margaret blinked and then shrugged. "I suppose," she answered. "My father is governor."

"Really?" Emma asked with wide eyes. "That's…well…" she slowly started backing up. "I'm sorry," she said hurriedly. "I didn't take anything from you. I promise. Please don't get me arrested."

Mary Margaret watched in confusion as Emma backed away, her green eyes frantically looking around them. "I won't tell my father," she said, taking a couple of steps toward the blonde. "No one has to know."

Emma stopped in surprise. "Really?"

The brunette nodded. "Yes, really."

A crooked grin crossed Emma's face. "Good. I wouldn't last long in jail or in slavery anyway."

"Why were you trying to steal something?" Mary Margaret asked softly.

Emma looked down and wiped her hands on her dirty trousers. "I'm hungry."

A dark eyebrow raised. "Don't your parents feed you?"

"Don't have any," was the mumbled response.

"Have any what?"

"Parents," Emma muttered.

"You're an orphan?"

"Yeah. So?" Emma said, suddenly defensive.

"No, no," Mary Margaret said quickly, shaking her head. "There's nothing wrong with that!"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Yeah, there is. I'm alone, hungry, and a thief. I think there's a lot wrong with it."

"Why aren't you in an orphanage?"

"Who says I'm not?"

"Well, you're all dirty and hungry…" Mary Margaret trailed off.

"The orphanage isn't the King's Palace, MM."

"MM?"

Emma grinned. "Easier to say than your whole name."

The brunette just stared at the blonde.

"So, how did she get to Enchanted Island? I never knew you two lived in the colonies."

Snow shrugged. "That was before both of our lives went to Hell."

"And you were the governor's daughter?"

Snow nodded. "Governor Blanchard. In fact, he's the one that sent Emma to Storybrooke when she was finally caught trying to pickpocket someone."

"Why Storybrooke?"

"He didn't want to put her jail, she was too young. So, he sent her to work for the blacksmith in Storybrooke."

"The blacksmith?"

Snow laughed. "I asked the same thing when Father told me. But he just shrugged and said the blacksmith was a friend of his and would look after her. He also sent August, who is about 8 years older than Emma. He had August inducted into his personal guards and then sent to guard Emma."

"Did he know their connection?"

Snow nodded. "Of course. He cared for them both. At that point in time."

"What do you mean?" Regina asked.

"My father was loved by Boston. But not by the king. My father was seen as too "lenient". So, the king decided to have him and my mother killed. And guess who hired the assassins."

"Gold?"

"You got it," Snow said with a nod. "I didn't know it at the time, of course. All I knew was that I was suddenly being hunted down by some random people that had killed my parents. We were all supposed to die. Gold found me, convinced me that someone within the Wraiths had set up the assassination and sent me to the Wraith Lands, marked and everything." Snow pulled the shoulder of her shirt down and showed Regina a brand just like hers on the back of her shoulder. "If it hadn't been for Phillip and Mulan, I would have died. And if it hadn't been for Emma, Mulan would have killed me."

Regina just stared at her.

Snow grinned. "But back to Emma."

Regina just blinked at her.

"She met Neal Gold in Storybrooke."

"The father of her child, right?"

Snow blinked but then grinned. "She told you that much?"

Regina nodded. "We may have found her child," she whispered.

Snow's eyes widened but then a light entered them. "Henry?"

A slow nod from Regina caused a large smile to cross Snow's face.

"But don't tell a soul," Regina said quickly. "We are going to wait until after this mess is over to tell him. We can't let him be used against us."

"He still could be," Snow argued. "Surely Cora and Gold know."

"They do," Regina agreed. "But they don't know that we know." She sighed. "Now, tell me about Emma and the Enchanted Island."

"That's where she was put on the auction block by your mother," Snow answered. "It's where she lost her baby. Where she lived in the woods for months, going hungry. If it weren't for August, she probably would have died there."

"But the nightmares…"

"Are probably from when she finally snapped."

"Snapped?" Regina asked uncertainly. "What happened?"

"She continued to steal, even though August didn't like her doing so. But she argued that she needed the money and food. So, he let it slide. And then she met Red…"

It was an easy steal. Just sneak into the back of the store, empty the till while the store owner was busy, and sneak out. Nothing to it. Until the screaming started.

A body had been found. Mangled. Half-eaten. And a girl, around Emma's age, was found over the body, covered in blood.

Emma watched in horror as the girl screamed, blood covering the front of her dress. And the townspeople just watched in disgust and anger.

"She killed him!" one yelled.

"Ate him!"

"She killed her fiancé!"

"I didn't," the girl argued. "I found him like this. It must be wolves!"

"There aren't any wolves here!" someone yelled back. "You had to have done it!"

"Get her!"

"Stone her!"

A rock took that moment to hit the girl's shoulder.

"I bet she's a witch!"

"A werewolf!"

"Both!"

Another rock hit the girl's side. She gave a yelp of pain as she fell to the ground.

Emma's eyes widened in shock as more rocks started pelting the girl. And that's when she snapped. She pushed a nearby person, grabbed a soldier's sword and stepped in front of the girl.

"Leave her alone," she snarled.

The rocks stopped flying but the girl stayed on the ground in tears.

"Why? She's a murdering witch!"

"We should burn her!"

"Burn her!"

The yelling grew and the crowd drew closer. Emma's heart started racing.

"Take another step closer and I will kill each and every one of you!"

The crowd paused then started laughing.

"You? A small little girl?"

Emma narrowed her eyes at them, and threw off her jacket, revealing muscles on her arms that she had developed and kept since her time as a blacksmith's assistant. "Just try me," she growled.

Someone took that moment to throw another rock. And it hit the bloodied girl's back with a soft thud. And Emma went crazy.

"She didn't kill anyone," Snow said gently at Regina's horrified look. "But she did hurt them. Badly." Snow shook her head. "She didn't remember much of what happened. But she and Red were on the run after that. August tried to help but he kept telling her to go to the authorities. She argued with him, saying that the authorities were there at the time. And they let it happen."

"So, that's how she met Red?"

Snow nodded. "Ruby is her real name. And they finally found Red's grandmother in another town on the island. It turns out, Peter, Red's fiancé, was one of Gold's bodyguards. He had been sent out into the woods for something by the man and Red found him torn to shreds."

"Poor Red."

"She and Peter were best friends. Weren't really in love since Red prefers women but Peter wanted her to have a good life. Red even mentioned once that he preferred men so it would have worked out perfectly for them."

Regina blinked before she burst out laughing. Snow grinned.

"Emma finds so many lost souls, doesn't she?" Regina asked after her laughter died down.

"Definitely," Snow answered. "She met Charming while he was on the run from his father and Gold. She met me, again, after I had lost both my parents. I think she attracts us."

"So, her nightmares," Regina continued. "Are probably of her protecting Red?"

Snow shrugged. "Probably a big nightmare right there. I'm sure there are other instances from that time that haunt her. But that's the biggest one to my knowledge."

Regina gave a small smile. "Thanks, Snow. It's good to know something about them."

"Just remember," Snow stated as Regina stood up. "Don't tell her who told you."

Regina nodded as she left the galley, her head filled with her newfound knowledge of her lover.

The call of land woke Regina and Emma the next day. Emma forced a smile on her face and winked at the brunette.

"Now, the real fun begins."

She and Regina headed out of the cabin to where most of the crew was gathered at the rail.

"Head to the east side of the island, Red," Emma shouted to the helmsman. Red nodded.

"Is that where Belle's house is?"

"It was built in a secluded part of the forest. We shouldn't attract attention."

The ship slowly started making it's way to the far East End of the island while Emma addressed the crew.

"Okay, here's the plan," she started. "Grumpy, you and the boys will stay on the ship with Henry. Keep an eye out and circle the island if something looks suspicious."

"Aye, Cap'n," the man said with a nod.

"Snow, I want you, Archie, and Granny to go into the small village close by for supplies. And I need some more clothes. So does Regina."

"What?" Regina stated. "I'm fine."

"Yes," Emma answered with a smirk. "I know. But your clothes are looking a little worse for wear."

The crew chuckled.

"Snow can find you some more comfortable trousers and shirts that aren't so baggy. And maybe a coat of your own. You need something that is all yours."

"Can I get some pirate clothes, too?" Henry asked excitedly.

Emma smiled and looked at Regina, who just shrugged with a grin. "Sure, kid. Snow can pick out something for you as well." She looked to Snow. "Be careful, though. And make sure Archie and Granny are safe."

"I can take care of myself," Granny argued gruffly. "I've got my crossbow."

Red snorted from the helm. "And your sass."

The crew roared with laughter as Granny shot Red a very rude gesture.

"Granny!" Red said loudly. "How rude! There is a child on board."

Granny rolled her eyes. "A child in the midst of pirates. And you're worried that I will corrupt him?"

"If anything," Henry spoke up. "I'll be corrupted from seeing my mom and Emma attached at the lips all the time."

Sudden silence until the laughter began again, even louder than before. Regina just groaned in embarrassment while hiding her face in Emma's shoulder as Emma just glared at the crew.

"Okay, okay," she said loudly. "Enough of this. Let's get back to business." She cleared her throat and continued. "Charming, you and Abigail need to stay on board as well. We're pretty close to your home village and I don't want you getting spotted and then arrested."

Charming nodded while putting an arm around his sister's shoulders.

"And that leaves, Mulan, Aurora, Regina, Red and me. We're gonna head to Belle's."

"Wait?" Red suddenly protested, handing the helm off to Grumpy and thumping down the stairs to the deck. "Why do I have to go to Belle's?"

"Because you need to talk to her," Emma stated.

"No, I don't," Red said. Her face was red, either from anger or embarrassment.

"You do," Emma said firmly. "Last time you saw her was when you said you were going to kill the king and Gold to go along with him."

Red just pouted.

"And, in the same breath, proclaimed your love for her and tried to kiss her."

"But-"

"And when she pushed you away, you ran."

"Emma!" Red shouted. "You don't have to tell everyone!"

"Everyone knows, dear," Doc said.

"Regina didn't!" Red said, pointing at the brunette.

"I actually did."

Red just gaped at her. "How?"

"It's a small ship," Regina said with a shrug. "I overheard it."

"Guys!" Red whined. "Why?!"

Emma placed a hand on Red's shoulder. "Red, you didn't give her a chance to say anything to you. You need to face her."

"But what if she throws me out. Or alerts the guards. Or something…"

"This is Belle we're talking about," Aurora spoke up. "Belle would never do that. And besides, I know for a fact she has been wanting to see you."

Red's head snapped over so fast Emma winced. "How do you know that?"

Aurora shrugged. "We write."

Emma smirked at Red's slack face before turning back to her crew. "Everyone has their assignments. So, any questions?"

"Can't I go with you?" Henry asked softly.

"I need you on the ship, Henry," Emma said, kneeling down to be at the boy's level. The other crewmembers dispersed, getting prepared for leaving the ship.

"Why?"

"I'll tell you a secret," Emma whispered. Henry leaned closer to her, excited at hearing a secret from his favorite pirate. "I'm thinking about letting Grumpy be just under Snow."

"So, he'd be your Second Mate?"

"Something like that," Emma nodded seriously. Regina just shook her head with a grin. How did this woman get to be so good with her son? "I need you to keep an eye on him. Make sure he does what he's told and keeps a good eye on the ship. You're gonna be my spy, okay?"

Henry nodded with a grin. "I can do that!"

"Good," Emma said, standing up again. "I knew you could."

Henry ran off while the two women watched with smiles on their faces. "You are so good with him," Regina noted, putting an arm around Emma's waist.

"He's a good kid," Emma stated. "He makes it easy."

The rowboat reached the shore just at sundown. Snow, Archie, and Granny took off toward the village while the rest of the off-ship crew headed into the forest. Pretty soon, they reached a two-story house surrounded by large trees right in the middle of the forest.

"Gracious," Regina stated. "What a beautiful house!"

"She had it built just for her," Aurora said with a nod. "The entire second story is a library."

"A library?" Regina asked.

"Belle loves to read," Red said quietly. "You'll never see her without a book in her hands."

And sure enough, after the firm knock Emma gave on the front door, Belle answered with a thick book in one hand.

"Emma?"

"Hello, Belle," Emma said with a smile.

Belle didn't hesitate, she just threw her arms, book and all, around Emma's neck, pulling her down to kiss her cheek.

"Emma, oh my goodness, I never expected to see you here!"

Emma kissed Belle's cheek and gave her a quick squeeze. "I wish I could say this is a friendly visit."

Belle winked as she let go of the blonde. "It never is with you," she said. "You are always on the run." She let her eyes drift over the other people at her doorstep before landing on Red, who was trying to hide behind Aurora, who was much shorter than she was. "And speaking of running," Belle muttered. "Hello, Ruby."

Red cleared her throat and stepped out from behind Aurora, who just rolled her eyes at the brunette. "Hey, Belle."

Belle smirked at Red before pulling Aurora in for a hug as well. "Hello, old friend. It's nice to see you again. And Mulan," she said with a grin. "Looks like the whole family is here." She eyed Regina. "But I don't know you."

"Regina," the brunette said, holding out her hand for Belle to shake. Belle took the offered hand with a smile.

"No last name?"

"It tends to bring anger and further questions," Regina answered.

Belle just raised her eyebrows.

"It's Mills."

Belle's eyes widened before a smile crossed her face again. "Ah, I heard you were missing. Nice to see you are being taken care of." Her eyes fell on Emma's face. She saw the way the blonde looked at Regina and smirked. "In more ways than one."

Regina blushed while Belle just winked. "Come in, come in," she said motioning for the group to enter her house. "I'll put some tea on."

But before anyone could step foot in the house, another voice echoed through toward the doorway.

"Who's at the door, Belle?"

The voice was male and for some reason, Emma tensed. Regina looked over at her in concern but before she could ask anything, a man appeared in the doorway.

"Visitors?" he asked. His brown hair was cut short and his blue eyes had a gleam of mischief but also seriousness in them. Those very eyes slowly took in the group before landing on Emma. Shock, anger, and sadness entered them. "Emma?"

Emma took in a deep breath and bit her lip before finally speaking. "Hello, August."

To be continued…

Yes, a cliffhanger. And no, I'm not sorry. This needed to happen. The next chapter has too much to add to this. So…review! I'm working on the next chapter right after I post this one!