Ariel paced back and forth. Her husband had been called away to another kingdom on urgent business and she was awaiting his return. She could hear the sea rumble and groan against the wall they had built around their kingdom. A guard pushed open the door mid pace and she turned to see Eric come through the doors looking distressed.

"What happened!" she asked pulling his arm

"They've got him." He said pulling her into his arms

"They? Who do they have?"

"King James and Queen Snow they have him. RUmplestiltskin." He said not looking her in the eyes.

"They have Rumplestiltskin! But why? What has he done this time?" she asked sitting on the window seat.

"It appears he made a deal with Cinderella. In exchange for her child he allowed her to go to the ball. She did not want to give up the child naturally and they set up a plot to catch him. He is currently locked away in their dungeon."

"And knowing them they have already enchanted it to make it impossible for him to escape." She nodded knowingly. "But still how could they lock him away!"

"Well love to be fair, although Rumplestiltskin is our friend, he has done some pretty gruesome things and made some pretty unfair deals. They do not often see the kindness he shows us."

Ariel said nothing but pondered some more over the fate of her friend. "I will have to go to their kingdom at once!" she said resolutely and stood "Maybe I can convince them to let him serve his scentence here. It will keep him out of their kingdom. I will promise to made sure he doesn't make any more deals while he is here, and he will not be treated like a prisoner."

"Ariel they will not see it that way." Eric said rationally catching her by her arm "They will see it as a way out of his punishment. WE cannot control Rumple even if we tried and they know it. We would basically be let him get away with all the wrong doing he has done."

Ariel stared at him. Her eyebrows were creased angrily. "What do you want me to do Eric? That man has shown nothing but kindness to me in this world. He has never let me down. That man has been more of a father to me then my own. He gave me you. And now that he needs help you expect me to just turn away? I'm not saying he should get out of being punished. I simply do not think he should be locked away like a common dungeon dragon. I am going to Snow White and James, and I am going to bring Rumple home, with me, where he belongs. You can stay if you wish. But I am going. I am going to save my friend."

She stormed out of the room leaving Eric to gape behind her. He felt awful for putting her in this situation. Maybe it would have been better to keep her out of the loop. He huffed before running after her.

Pearl couldn't stand all the looks and the constant whispers that often contained hurtful words such as 'slut' and 'whore'. She kept her head down as she walked through the halls Hattie and Neith on either side of her. She sighed as they made their way to Ms. Desemonda's classroom. She was not there thanks to the investigation but it was still the worst class she had. Everyone smirked as she took her seat, her personal body guards sitting in the seats next to her.

"Well, well, well if it isn't the little tramp now. I'm surprised you are back in school after all that has happened. I would have thought that you would have wanted to stay at home, maybe get a few teachers fired while you're at it."

"She deserved it." Pearl muttered under her breath

"What was that?" the girl asked filing her nails against the grain of the wooden desk

"She deserved it!" Pearl said with confidence

"For what outing you as the skank you are." The girl said standing in front of her "You are un-wed and going to be a mother. You just couldn't keep your legs closed could you Gold?"

Pearl tried to bite her tongue. She knew that if her secret got out she would be labeled as easy and loose but being attacked in such a way was pushing her over the edge. She slammed her fists down against the table and stood up crossing to the front of the room. She held her head up high as she stared at each and every one of them.

"Now listen here I will not tolerate your bullying any longer. Once upon a time I was your friend. You were my equals. But ever since last week when you found out that I was pregnant you have treated me like dirt. And contrary to popular belief I am not easy! Nor am I a slut. The only person I have ever been with is Neith." Neith blushed a little as they gave him a quick glance "And as to me being un-wed who cares! I love Neith more than anything in this world. It would have happened anyway married or not. Sure I wish it would have happened later but you know what there is no stopping it now. I made a mistake and I am going to pay for it. I am under enough pressure as it is trying to finish school and being pregnant! I do not need you hypocritical, dog breathed, acne ridden, asses trying to bring me down."

They all stared at her open mouthed. She was breathing heavy and her cheeks were red. She waited for anything but saw no signs of life in her classmates. Neith was grinning and Hattie had tears streaming down her face. She growled and went back to her desk picking up her back of the table and giving Neith a kiss. She hurtled her backpack onto her shoulders, letting it knock against the girl's head.

"Tell them I felt ill yeah." She said making her way out the door.

Neith nodded and smiled watching her leave through the door. "And that ladies and gentleman." He smiled biting his lower lip "Is my future wife."

Hattie smiled at him as he twirled the simple diamond ring around on his pinky.