Chapter Fourteen

"Snow, slow down. I'm not sure what's going on."

The dark haired princess looked up and David thought she might snap. It was fear in her eyes, though, and not anger, and she turned back to her frantic packing of the baby bag. "Emma's been put under a Sleeping Curse," she said at last.

David thought the world might have shifted under his feet and he moved to put little Neal down in his carrier. They needed to be ready to go immediately. "Who was that?"

"Hook. David, do you think he can save her? Should we call Henry? Henry can save her if Killian can't, right? What if-"

"Snow, stop," David said as he finished strapping their son in and straightened to take hold of her and slow the panic. He understood it, and as soon as the words left her mouth he felt it rising in him as well, but panic wouldn't save their daughter. "Breathe. Emma has a lot of people here that love her. Someone will be able to wake her up. Take Neal down to the car and get it started. I'll be down in half a second."

"Who would do this, David?" she asked, the fear resounding in every word.

"The clerics. They're making a point, I think."

He already had his cell in his hand and Snow watched him carefully. "Who are you calling? Henry?"

"Henry's at Gold's. I'm calling them all."

"Neal," Snow murmured softly, as if in the flurry the thought hadn't occurred to her. "Do you think...?"

"It doesn't matter what I think," David answered as he pulled the phone up to his ear. "It matters what they feel, and I've seen the reaction she's given before, just not from her."

"What do you mean?"

"When you thought you would protect me by pretending you didn't love me."

She nodded and grabbed hold of the baby carrier on her way out. The phone was already ringing in his ear as they headed down the stairs and towards their daughter.

Quiet did not always equate peace in Rumplestiltskin's many years of experience, so the fact that they had not heard anything out of their enemies didn't put him at ease. They were at the eye of the storm, waiting in a calmness that would not last, and in his experience, what came after was usually worse than what came before.

For that moment though, Rumplestiltskin couldn't help being at least a little content with the fact that he was able to enjoy a bit of peace with his family. Belle was busy picking through some old books she'd found in a cupboard in the shop, deciding if any were worthy to be displayed in her library. Bae was on the lookout for any objects he actually recognize. He was determined that he'd seen something more than just the old ball that sat in a place of honour when he'd been in the shop before, and Bae and Henry had turned it into a search. It left Rumplestiltskin to watch, soaking in at least a few moments of peace.

And then his cell began to buzz. Well, peace never last forever, especially when war had been declared.

A small sigh escaped him as he reached into his jacket and fished the buzzing contraption out. "Good afternoon, Charming. What terrible catastrophe has befallen us now?"

"Someone has put Emma under a Sleeping Curse."

Rumplestiltskin's gaze went immediately to his son and grandson who were currently unaware of what was happening. "When?"

"Hook just called. I don't know all the details, but Snow and I are on our way over to the station."

"We're on our way," Rumplestiltskin answered and he heard the small sound of acknowledgement the other man gave. "If she looks like she'll stop breathing, take her to the hospital. Henry had some time before the poison took full effect."

That got some attention. Bae popped up from where he'd been knelt down studying something with his son and Henry leaned around the shelves. "What's going on?" the teen demanded as his grandfather ended the call.

"Someone has poisoned Emma," Rumplestiltskin answered as he pulled his potions catch-all bag from under the counter. He opened it up and started checking a few things. "David and Snow think it's a Sleeping Curse. Bae, you need to go over there."

"Well, yeah, but I'm not sure -"

"It won't hurt to try. I'd say our less-than-friendly pirate has already tried and failed."

"We can wake her up though, right?" Henry demanded.

"Of course."

"Is there anything else we'll need?" Belle asked and she was already shrugging on her coat, handing Henry his from the back.

The door chimed, gaining all of their attentions. Rumplestiltskin frowned. "I'm afraid we're closed," he told the dark haired man that he vaguely recognized from the first round of the curse.

"My mistress will not let me deliver this to anyone other than you, Dark One. Straight into your hands."

Rumplestiltskin snorted and rolled his eyes. What a waste of time. He rounded the counter and motioned impatiently for the letter the man held. It was delivered promptly and he tore it open, taking in the scripted writing that he had seen appear in his castle time and again over the centuries. His scowl grew.

"Papa?" Bae called, worry etched into his features.

"It's something I have to take care of." He turned an irritated glare on the dark haired messenger that he was sure that he knew now. "She should have come herself."

"She didn't have to send anything at all," Diaval answered.

"Oh, I know her well enough to know there's plenty more. She wants this handled on her grounds and not mine."

"Can you blame her after everything that's happened?"

"I wasn't the one that locked her up under the clock tower," Rumplestiltskin grumbled. He turned back to his wife and motioned to the bag. "Maleficent sold the ingredients to the clerics."

"Isn't she really good at making a Sleeping Curse?" Henry asked.

"Quite," his grandfather answered with an irritated glare tossed in the so-called Mistress of All Evil's pet's direction. "I'll make sure there isn't something we weren't expecting."

Diaval grimaced at that and Rumplestiltskin had his answer, even if it wasn't one he was happy with. "Belle, anything you should need is in there. Take it with you and I'll call."

"What could she have added?"

"Any number of things. She wrote the original curse."

"We should hurry," Diaval pressed.

Rumplestiltskin nodded and glanced to his son and grandson. All curses could be broken, but he knew better than to think that the clerics would make it easy. They had to know that people loved Storybrooke's little savior. This could not be a simple Sleeping Curse, and Maleficent would want something for the information. Good thing he was quite the bargainer.

"I'll call you with any news," he assured them as he followed the messenger out the door. Whatever lesson they were trying to teach the heroes of Storybrooke would backfire on them now. This would only serve to unite them further. As long as they could save her.

She was surrounded by crushing silence. Every thought seemed to echo out into the mirrored void that she found herself in, bouncing back and surrounding her. There was no escaping it and no telling how long she'd been there.

Another terrible cracking sound shot through the room and Emma ducked, ready for glass to shatter around her. It held, though, as if it would hold for all of time. It was just she and the mirrors that reminded her just who she was supposed to be and just what she was. There was no question where she was. Henry and her mother had both described it far too well.

It shouldn't have been nearly as terrifying as it was. Henry could wake her up. She wouldn't be in here long, she was certain. If not Henry than at least her mom or dad. Someone could.

A low, terrible sound came from the emptiness and she resisted the urge to find a corner to crawl into. She forced her back to straighten and narrowed her eyes. "If someone's there, come out," she called, her voice surprisingly steady.

A low, strange chuckle echoed through the doorless room and Emma could feel the hairs on the back of her neck begin to rise. She stood her ground, though, and readied herself for a fight.

"Storybrooke's savior. This is an honour," a voice said from behind and she turned, taking a swing and finding only air.

"Now, there is no reason for violence. We mean you no harm," the voice said from an entirely different direction.

"Funny, I seem to remember Sleeping Curses causing a whole lot of harm," Emma growled, turning and looking for the source of the voice. They'd been playing tricks on her all along, and she was more than done with it. "Why don't you face me, huh?" She turned again and found herself staring at a giant of a man that she had to step back and away from just to see his face. Strange, milky eyes stared back at her, and something deep within her soul knew this was the man that had started it all. This was the man that wanted to take her son away and that had held Neal to use his connection to his father. He'd used and hurt too many people that she cared about, and Emma was about ready to end it. She took a swing at him, her fist slamming into an unseen shield of some sort and she was thrown back, skidding all the way across the mirrored room.

The man tilted his head. "Emma Swan, are you aware of the power that you hold inside of you?"

"Pretty aware," she growled out. Normally she didn't mind that her magic had never come back with Zelena's curse, but right now she thought she could have made use of it. She wanted to put this man through one of those stupid mirrors and find a way out of there.

"Yet your regrets hold you back. You could be quite powerful if you would learn to let those go."

Emma snorted. "Funny, but it sounds like your regrets are what started this whole mess. Listen, it's not our fault you lobbed a bunch of dark magic into a pit without thinking of the consequences."

Magnus - at least she was pretty sure that's who he was - snarled at her. "Ignorant girl. You know nothing of what you speak of."

"I think I know plenty. Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling Gold innocent by any stretch, but I'd rather have him on my side than you any day."

"Until he is done with you and betrays you. All Dark Ones do."

"Because I'm going to trust the word of the man that tried to steal my son away? I may not be able to touch you in here, but I'm going to make you regret ever taking me on as soon as I get out."

His lips thinned out. "You will not leave this place."

"There's a lot that I question, but if nothing else, I know at least three people that could break a Sleeping Curse on me."

"That's where you are wrong, little savior."

Emma glared. "And I'm sure you're going to tell me how wrong I am about my family, aren't you?"

"No, there is no point in lying to you. Had you fallen under a traditional Sleeping Curse, your family might pull you out, but we are not fools. Your own troubled heart will trap you here, just as surely as it traps your magic."

If they'd been teleported to the sheriff's station, Henry wasn't sure they would have gotten there any faster. He called Regina, barely able to spill the story out between the fear that was rising within him. He didn't like that Grandpa Gold had scooted off with the strange man that had run the little tea and spice shop as long as Henry could remember. He didn't like the ideas if complications - it was a terrible enough place to be trapped in without them - but Regina hadn't been able to give him any insight. She did, however, promise to check with someone she knew would.

Grandpa Gold had left them with his car as he followed Diaval and Henry barely let it stop as he piled out. No one yelled after him, but he was certain that his dad barely threw it into park before following, Belle on his heels with the bag of potions that might be useful, depending on just what Maleficent had sold to the clerics.

They met Gramps, Grandma Snow, and baby Neal at the entrance. Henry had told his dad about the new little prince that bore his name, but their actual meeting would have to wait. No one seemed willing to pause long enough.

Killian Jones was waiting very impatiently at the door to the office. "She's still breathing, but..." His bright blue eyes fell on Henry. "Up to you, lad."

The teen felt the knot in his stomach tighten and Gramps patted his shoulder. "She was able to save you once," he reminded his grandson. "It goes both ways."

He looked back at his dad who offered him an encouraging smile before Captain Hook motioned him and David off to the side, their voices low. Henry pulled in a steadying breath, eyes focused on his mom who lay still as death. He inched forward and sank down to the couch Killian had gotten her to, his leather jacket draped across to keep her warm. He felt like all eyes were on him and perhaps they were, but his were focused on his mom.

"Hey," he murmured, almost as if he were hoping she'd wake just to the sound of his voice. "Love you, Mom."

Henry leaned over and kissed Emma's forehead just as she had to wake him a couple of years earlier. He sat up, waiting for the sudden intake of breath that indicated she had come out of it. He blinked and waited, her breathing still shallow, almost to the point that he couldn't hear it.

"Nothing's happening," he managed, trying to crush the rising fear. "Maybe it's not a Sleeping Curse?"

"It is," Grandma Snow said firmly.

"Rumple will find out exactly what Maleficent gave them," Belle promised, "and then we can counter it."

Henry looked back down to his mother. Grandpa Gold needed to hurry.

Maleficent had been expecting Rumplestiltskin, but she hadn't been expecting a visit from the Evil Queen. She blinked in surprise as she felt the tug of a warning that her wards gave to her, feeding her information that Regina did not seem to be attempting to hide. The front door, easily opened by anyone else, wouldn't budge for the dark haired mayor and she looked irked at best. She tugged once more before Maleficent felt magic leap forward, doing nothing against her protections. That brought a smile to her face, and while she would have loved to have watched her continue to waste her efforts, there was a good chance that Rumple had sent his little pet queen - because if Regina knew it or not, she'd always played right into her former teacher's plans - instead of coming himself. That either meant that she was ahead of the situation - preferable - or the curse had been cast on someone that had no ties to the Dark One and he simply didn't care, which was even more preferable.

The former fairy twitched her hand in the air and the door swung open. Regina stood there for a moment, obviously having not expected the sudden welcome, and regained her composure with all of her usual grace. "I do hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all, though my door did seem to be winning the battle you were ready to wage against it. What can I get you, Regina dear?"

"I'm not here for something that I can get off your shelves. I need something else, and I'm willing to pay."

"I'm not sure you can afford what I charge, Madame Mayor," Maleficent all but purred. "My prices are quite steep at times."

The younger woman snorted. "This isn't for me, so you can quit with the games."

A small smile worked it's way to the former fairy's lips. Yes, Rumplestiltskin must have sent her. Interesting that the great and powerful Evil Queen had been reduced to errand girl, but the elder woman wasn't overly surprised. Everything was bound to come back around on her sooner or later. She had tried to warn her, after all. Not that Rumple didn't pay for services rendered. He'd always been quite particular about that. "If you're involved, dear, you're getting something out of it."

Regina glared, but there wasn't a great deal of her old ire in it. In fact, Maleficent would almost go as far as to say there was a little bit of regret there. Not that she was quite ready to give her a pass just yet. Nearly thirty years as Regina's prisoner was nothing in her long life, but the younger woman had been her friend. She would risk putting herself in the same situation again for the sake of a bit of sentimentality.

A sigh escaped the younger woman. "You know that I have a son now."

It wasn't a question, and at least Regina was giving her the credit she deserved. Maleficent picked up a jar and studied the half blossomed flower inside. "I believe I heard something if the sort. The savior's boy, so wouldn't that make him, technically, you step-grandson as well?" She let loose a low chuckle with the look she received. "That must have been interesting." The smile remained and even grew as the woman that had once been her friend glared a little darker than before. "Oh do lighten up, Regina. Don't tell me the boy was the one that the curse was for."

The Evil Queen blinked in surprise. "How did you already-"

It was Maleficent's turn to be irritated. "Surely Rumple told you what he was sending you for."

"Rumple didn't send me. We're not exactly on friendly terms right now."

"Oh? Do tell."

Regina ducked her head a little. "That really doesn't matter at the moment."

"I think it does, since you're likely to cross paths here. I was expecting him, after all. You could see where I assumed he sent you instead. He's never been the trusting sort."

"No, he hasn't," the dark haired mayor answered softly.

The bell rang out, causing both women to turn. Diaval entered and Rumplestiltskin followed in behind him. His dark eyes narrowed a bit when his gaze fell on Regina and her lips tugged downward.

"I suppose you've heard then," he said sharply.

"Henry called."

Maleficent watched carefully and pulled what she could from her mind in regards to what she knew. A rumour had floated about - caught hold by Diaval and delivered - that the Dark One was the savior's son's paternal grandfather. Perhaps it was the boy that had been cursed after all. She was now a little less comfortable with her decision to reach out to him. Belle would have unleashed his wrath, but a grandchild... Maleficent wasn't quite sure what dangers that might bring with it. Especially with the kck she'd added to the spell. Perhaps it would have been best if he hadn't thought her involved at all. Too late now.

Regina spun on Maleficent suddenly. "Do you know anything about the Sleeping Curse given to Emma Swan?"

The Mistress of All Evil blinked. "The savior? Snow's girl?" She was there for her son. Now it made sense. It wasn't the boy, but his biological mother that had been cursed. No wonder the clerics wanted that extra kick to the ingredients. Without it, she'd have at least three people that could have woken her.

"You implied this was no ordinary Sleeping Curse," Rumplestiltskin pressed. "What have you done?"

"Magnus - a very old and persistently irritating cleric - is here. He sent one of his boys to my shop to collect the ingredients."

"What was different about it?" Regina asked.

"As both of you know, all curses can be broken, though I think you'll find that this one is a bit more difficult."

"It would be in your best interest to tell me what you know with your delays," Rumplestiltskin said dangerously.

"Unless the dear girl is in love with the person trying to wake her, she'll continue on in sleep."

"True Love in a specific form?" The Dark One murmured, and Maleficent could see his clever mind calculating something, but her own was distracted by the trembling of her wards. It had nothing to do with Regina's near forced entry or the not-so-subtle antagonistic feelings between she and Rumplestiltskin, but instead felt someone familiar.

"Damn it," Maleficent growled, gaining both of their attentions and Diaval's worried look. The two other magic users must have felt it too because she saw their attention shift just before the glass of the shop's windows shattered inward, a strong wind sending the shards flying.

"They're here?" Regina demanded, turning an accusing glare on Maleficent.

"I certainly didn't call them over," the fallen fairy argued. If she had, she certainly wouldn't have put herself in the middle of the chaos.

It was brute strength in numbers that forced her wards to break and they were surrounded before they knew it was coming. Maleficent's dark violet gaze shifted between clerics, knowing that there were more than they could see. The shop was surrounded, and from the feel of it, the first thing they had done was toss out a spell to follow them wherever they teleported. Herself and Diaval included.

"Apparently discretion means something different in this world," one of the clerics said, and Maleficent recognized the one from that morning. Silas. She'd meant to give Rumplestiltskin that name in return for something useful. Now the four of them would be fighting just to survive the encounter. Typical. Just when she had decided that she was growing comfortable in the Land Without Magic, something like this had to happen. Well, at least if her shop had to be ground zero for this battle, she knew she wasn't in it alone. It really had been far too long since she'd taught a do-gooder how foolish it was to toy with the Mistress of All Evil.

TBC

Notes: Wow, so sorry I didn't get to update on Wednesday. A plot bunny grabbed hold of my ankle and wouldn't let go until 10K of a short was written. It's actually a bit of a background for another story I have in the works relatively shortly. I'll likely put it up to FFN just before I start in on the full-length, but I'll have the first half up on AO3 if you want to go take a look. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Next time - Bae fears breaking Henry's heart if his kiss won't wake Emma and a battle erupts outside of Maleficent's shop, pitting Rumplestiltskin against Caiden.