Earning Happy Endings

by BrainWithAMouth

All it took was one choice. Cora decided to allow Regina's curse to take her as well, though not without securing some protection of course. Now, more people from the Enchanted Forest lived a lie in Storybrooke for 28 years, and Emma will find herself in the midst of it all. With the help of her son, they'll find out who can be trusted, and who may want them gone. Canon divergence.

21. Highs and Lows

In this chapter, love is in the air, people miss each other and strengthen connections, but danger lurks around.

Also, throwing up.

Disclaimer: Everything canon belongs to A&E, ABC, and their lord and master Disney.

Another Disclaimer: I am not an official medical person and do not claim to be.

Thanks to lakariana for following this story.

Special thanks as always to Can't-Stop-My-Fandoms for helping me with this chapter.

Enjoy!

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Highs and Lows

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February 10, 2012

Watching her daughter bring the boy to school personally, Cora was struck with a profound sense of annoyance. Granted, she hadn't cared that Regina had disciplined the boy known in this life as Declan Holtzer. Cora hadn't recognized him, and she didn't care to. It was well known that the child was unruly, argumentative, and a curiosity since the Sheriff had taken the child into his home.

However, Regina had gotten sloppy. Cora had learned the details of what happened in Regina's home from the Sheriff. She had to remind herself not to accidentally crush the man's heart in her hand, as she had nearly clenched her hand in frustration.

Regina could do what she want in her home, but this situation skirted too closely to potentially going against her. If it had helped break this damnably curse, then Cora wouldn't have minded. As it stood, the curse was no less broken, and Regina had drawn undue attention to herself.

Regina had always been an impetuous child, believing that she was more clever than she was. She always thought she could keep secrets from Cora, and despite proving her wrong time and time again, Regina persisted in doing so. Even when Cora was banished to Wonderland and Regina became more of a queen, that much didn't change.

Again, she didn't care what happened to the child. She didn't even mind that the Savior had been staying away, but this just grated on Cora's senses. She had thought she raised Regina better than this, but there were simply some things she couldn't change.

Cora took a breath, remembering to smile at the children, who believed her to be Mrs. Mueller, someone who worked at the school. She'd already had to use the Sheriff's heart multiple times to convince him not to do something against her daughter, even if the man couldn't remember it. The fact that she'd had to do this more than once was troublesome.

However annoyed Cora was by this act of recklessness, there was an upside to it. In one fell swoop, Regina had solidified a number of enemies against her in this life. Not least of all the Savior and the Sheriff, though with the latter, it would prove a touch awkward to handle their interactions once the curse was over. There was also Hook to contend with, as Cora had witnessed him glaring at Regina whenever the two had come into contact.

Still, Prince Charming, the lawyer on their side, and their allies were against Regina. When the time came for the curse to break, Regina would have fewer and fewer allies on her side if old resentments flared to the surface. Then, Regina would feel more enticed to join Cora's side once more.

Cora entered the school, keeping a smile on her face, trying to pretend that this was all there was to her. Whatever complications Regina inadvertently threw her way, Cora would deal with them. If there was one thing Cora had learned in her life, it was how to turn others' disadvantages to her advantage.

What the hell was she going to do? Emma hadn't been able to see Henry in almost three weeks. Every day she was restricted to watching him from afar, to not being able to hold or talk to him made Emma anxious. Looking at the clock on the wall, even the time reminded Emma of Henry. Right now, she knew that he had just finished school.

I wonder what he learned about today, Emma suddenly thought. Did he have trouble in math? Did he find something new he wanted to read?

Even something as simple as that filled her with longing.

Right now, she was alone in the station. Graham had gone out to meet Nancy at the playground with Declan and Fernando. Graham had this guilty look on his face, as he knew that she was restricted from contacting Henry, but that was all the more reason to tell him to go. Even if it was for an hour, Emma covering for Graham and Ruby covering for Nancy, it was important that they spend time with their kids.

Emma sighed as she felt something hurt inside. "Keep it together." Emma told herself, covering her eyes with her hand. This couldn't last forever, right? She would be able to see Henry again.

"Did someone order lunch?" Killian's voice startled her. Emma took her hand off her eyes, and saw Killian standing there with a lunch bag in his hand.

"Killian?" Emma asked. "What are you doing here? I thought the kids-"

"Dada's covering for me." Killian said as he approached her desk, giving her the lunch bag. "Grilled cheese and onion rings. Your favorite."

Emma tried to smile, but couldn't quite manage it. "Thanks."

Killian saw right through her. "Still thinking about Henry?"

Emma nodded. "Yeah." She said quietly. It made her heart ache to think of him, isolated with no one but Regina for company. Especially after she would sometimes be able to watch him from afar, see him walk home alone with this sad look on his face. It made something inside her shrivel up to see her kid that sad, but no matter how much she wanted to go to him, she had to stay away.

"Hey." Killian said quietly, and Emma tried not to flinch in surprise when she felt his hand on her shoulder.

She hadn't realized under he'd touched her that she'd been getting more and more upset.

"Talk to me." Killian said, his eyes sad for her.

Emma cleared her throat, trying to let him know that it was okay, but then Henry's face popped into her mind. At first, she had been upset about being denied access to Henry, especially because she knew that Regina's claims about Declan were bullshit. She hadn't anticipated just how much she would miss the kid.

Emma ended up closing her eyes and hiding her face behind her hand.

"Emma." Killian said softly, and when she looked at him, hating how much vulnerability she was showing, she saw that he looked sad for her. "Regina won't be able to keep Henry from you forever."

Emma couldn't stop herself from saying, "But what if, before I get to see him, he's just completely shut himself off? What if he won't want to see me anymore?"

"What?" Killian asked with soft incredulity. "That's ridiculous. Henry loves you."

"I've seen this happen before." Emma told him. "There were kids that ended up in a foster home whose parents were fighting for custody, and they kept trying to convince them to hate the other parent to get custody. We both know Regina's not above trying to make him think…" Emma trailed off, trying to focus more of her energy on suppressing the urge to cry.

Get it together Emma.

"Henry's a tough lad." Killian said. "He's survived Regina this long. Besides that, you're a good mum."

"But I'm not!" Emma cried, feeling a tear streak down her face, the last of her control beginning to wane, and guilt began to sink in. "I gave him up, because I was a stupid teenager that couldn't take care of him. I gave him up, because I can't a mother!"

"Yes, you can." Killian protested.

Emma scoffed as she looked away from him.

"Emma, look at me." Killian told her.

After several moments, Emma was able to look at him from the corner of her eye.

"Maybe you did give him up because you couldn't take care of him, but that only means you did what you could to better his future." Killian told seriously. "You stayed in town to make sure he wouldn't fall back into the depression we both know he's sliding back into, and that's not on you. It's on Regina for separating him from you, and for micromanaging his life." Killian reached over and gripped her hand in his. "I admit, I'm new at this whole parenting thing, but from everything I've seen, you are doing your very best to help Henry, to make him happy. That makes you a mum, and I'm not going to let you or anyone else forget that."

Overwhelmed by the sincerity of his words and his faith in her, Emma sagged against him, burying her face into his shoulder, allowing her emotions to take control. A sob came out of her, and then another, and then more after that until her body was being wracked by sobs.

This is too much, Emma thought tiredly in her mind.

"Shh, I'm here." Killian told her, his arms wrapped around her.

"I'm so tired." Emma couldn't help but say, even if it was in a quiet voice, as her throat was constricting too much to say a lot. Sometimes it just...was so damn tiring keeping it all together, keeping it all in. Usually she'd be alone when she'd had breakdowns like this, but if there was one person she could do this in front of it, it would be…

"Killian." Emma said softly as she held onto him tighter.

"Tired you may be, maybe that's why I'm here." Killian said to her. "Maybe I'm here to help you share the load."

The fact that he wanted to share her burdens made her feel an intense surge of emotion. Emma sniffled, taking a breath to calm herself down, and she pulled back, covering her nose in case it was covered in snot. She saw tissues on her desk, so quickly grabbed one to clean her face. "Sorry." Emma told him.

Killian smiled as he shook his head. "No need to apologize. I'm here for you."

Emma, once again overcome with emotion, tossed the tissue in a nearby garbage pail before pulling Killian into a kiss.

Killian made a mild, muffled noise of surprise before giving himself into the kiss.

Emma took advantage of his surprise to deepen the kiss. Her hands, which had been gripping the lapels of his jacket, went to his neck. Killian's shuddered a little under her hands, and when he opened his mouth, Emma took advantage.

Killian moaned a little, as did Emma.

She pressed her body into his completely feeling him against her, but she needed to stop, though she was loathed to do so. This wasn't the time or the place to really get into it.

Emma reluctantly pulled back, allowing herself a little smile when she saw Killian blindly follow after her lips.

Putting a finger on his lips, causing him to open his eyes, Emma said, "Maybe we should do that some other time. Like when I'm not at work and we're not in the middle of the Sheriff's Station."

Killian pouted a little, which was pretty adorable.

"I suppose you're right." Killian said as he stood up. He seemed reluctant to leave.

Emma told him, "I'm better now. You should head back to work."

"You sure?" He asked him.

Emma nodded.

"Alright." Killian said. And then a thought occurred to him. "Perhaps...I promised to take the girls out to the park tomorrow. Do you want to join us?"

Emma smiled at his thoughtfulness. "I'd like that."

Killian smiled at her. "Great." He said. "If I don't see you later, then I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you." Emma said as Killian began to walk out.

"Enjoy your lunch." Killian said, and then he was out the door.

Emma, looking at her previously forgotten lunch, suddenly felt a rumble in her stomach. She looked into the bag, and indeed found grilled cheese and onion rings. Emma felt a little better after looking at the food.

No need to let it go to waste.

---

From his seat on a bench, Graham watched Declan push Fernando on the swings. Declan held his egg in one hand while he pushed Fernando with the other one. Fernando was having the time of his life, but Declan still had a despondent look on his face.

Graham was almost wistful for the days where Declan was argumentative. When he swore too much and his temper flashed. There were still instances of that with Declan, except they came in unexpected bursts of anger that saw Declan quickly burnt out. It would end with Graham waking up in the middle of the night to find Declan trying to muffle his crying in his pillow. One time, he was crying because Henry apparently wouldn't talk to him anymore, and Declan said it was because he was a bad kid.

Graham had been repeatedly assured by the doctor he took Declan to that there were no physical injuries. He believed the doctor, but that didn't mean what happened didn't have an effect on Declan. The boy hadn't even protested when he took him to Archie, but Archie told him that all Declan had told was remain quiet the entire time.

Graham was sure that this entire thing had reopened old wounds, and Declan's been shutting down ever since.

It felt like he was failing Declan.

"What's in your head?" Nancy asked from her seat next to him.

Graham looked at her before returning her attention to the boys. "Declan still hasn't told me everything that happened." Graham said. "He's said that Regina put him in the closet, but I know that he's holding something back."

"Have the sessions with Archie been helping?" Nancy asked with a worried look.

"I don't know." Graham said. "I just don't know how to get through to him."

Nancy bit her lip.

"I just wish I could help him." Graham sighed, before he felt a surge of anger. "Or even better, go back in time and stop Regina from ever going near him."

Nancy tried to lighten the mood. "Well, barring possession of a time machine, I'm not sure that's feasible."

"I'm serious, Nancy." Graham said, trying to control his temper. "I care less and less that Regina is mayor. She can't keep walking over all of us, especially a child, and just expect us to take it."

"Hey I'm with you there." Nancy told him. "In case you forgot, I quit because I couldn't deal with that bitch anymore."

Her language didn't startle Graham nearly as much as the vehement anger in her tone.

Nancy, seemingly realized this, visibly calmed herself. "Sorry." She apologized. "It's just that sometimes everything that happened while I was working with her all comes back out of nowhere."

Graham nodded in understanding. "I wish I could just, you know, finally catch Regina red-handed. Preferably something that would lock her away for a long time."

"If only we could spy on her." Nancy suggested half jokingly.

That...wasn't a bad plan. Maybe not spying necessarily, but a stakeout. An investigation into suspected child abuse. Not just of Declan, but of Henry as well. He knew that Regina would leave Henry at home when going to their 'council meetings,' so maybe there were more incidents like that.

Why hadn't he thought of this before? Well, he had certainly thought about it when he'd taken a crying Declan home. Even when Emma told him about what Regina threatened to do, he had wanted to. And yet...something had held him back. Every time he'd thought about doing it, for some strange reason it just went away, lost in the back of his mind. He tried to remember those times when he would push it aside, but he simply couldn't. Something wasn't right. Why could he remember it?

"You've got your thinking face on." Nancy commented. Her tone sounded a bit worried if he wasn't mistaken.

Graham just shook his head. "It's just a thought."

"Mommy!" Fernando called out, and Graham saw that Declan was helping him out of the swing. "Can we play on the saw-see?"

"See-saw." Declan corrected.

"Sure!" Nancy called back, and Roland raced to the see-saw, Declan following him. "We should probably get closer, just in case Declan gets tired of playing."

"Alright." Graham nodded, and the two of them joined the boys.

Crazy idea it might be, perhaps an investigation was in order. He had promised Declan that he would protect him, and he wasn't going to break that promise. Regina was never going to touch Declan again, that was certain.

---

February 11, 2012

Killian wanted to help Emma feel better. After their talk yesterday, where she revealed just how miserable she was without Henry, all of her insecurities about motherhood, he wanted to do something to relieve her. Killian had asked Graham to cover her shift for an hour, and the man had agreed.

Since it was Saturday, and Dada had agreed to cover for him for a while, it seemed like a good day to go to the park.

"Watch your step!" Killian called out to Mai, who was recklessly rushing ahead to the park.

"I've got her." Phoebe said as she ran ahead, Lady keeping up as Phoebe had her leash in her hand.

Killian smiled at them as he looked at Emma, but she seemed to have a distant look in her eyes. She might've stopped walking altogether if they hadn't been holding hands.

Killian and the group had been trying to find something concrete to pin on Regina, but it was taking more time than he would've hoped. That hadn't dissuaded Killian though. He was determined to keep his promise to Emma.

"How are you today?" Killian asked gently.

"A little better." Emma told him before returning her attention to the girls, who were tossing a ball for Lady to catch. "You find a place yet?"

Killian shook his head. "No such luck. I'm hopeful though."

Emma gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm sure you'll find something soon."

"Within a decent price and big enough to hold three people and a dog." Killian signed wistfully.

Emma patted his shoulder in sympathy. "It's always the simple things in life we hope for."

"Emma!" Mai called out with the ball in hand, trying to evade Lady who was persistent in regaining it. "Want to play?"

Emma paused for a moment before nodding. "Sure, why not?" Emma then went forward, and was able to catch Mai in time, as the little girl had tripped over a root.

"Are you alright?" Killian asked as Emma helped keep Mai upright, grabbed the ball, and then tossed it away, thus distracting Lady.

"Yep!" Mai said, not the least bit concerned about tripping. She then turned around and hugged Emma's leg. "Thank you."

"No problem." Emma said as she patted the top of Mai's head.

Mai then ran off to catch up to Lady, and before Phoebe followed her, Killian thought that he saw an almost wistful look on the teen's face as she looked at Emma and Mai.

Killian and Emma continued to follow the girls and the dog. Emma still looked a little distant, but at least it had been off her mind for a moment. As much as he hoped for it, he knew this situation between her and Regina, with Henry in the middle, wasn't going to end easily.

He felt guilt for thinking so, but he was glad that he didn't have to deal with the same thing.

"Killian." Emma's voice said. "Earth to Killian."

He realized that he hadn't been listening to her. "Sorry, what'd you say?"

"I was asking you what you were thinking about." Emma said.

Killian forced a smile. "It's nothing."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Didn't we have a whole thing where we agreed to not pretend like nothing's happening?"

Well...she had a point. Killian still felt a little guilty as he admitted, "I was just thinking about Phoebe and Mai's parents."

"How come?" Emma asked curiously.

Killian answered, "Well, as far as I know Phoebe's father isn't in the picture. Same with Mai's mother."

"What about Mai's dad?" Emma asked.

"As far as anyone knows, there isn't one." Killian told her. "Mother Superior told me that Phoebe found Mai wandering in the woods, calling out for her mother. As little as Mai was, she apparently didn't even know what a man was."

A pained look crossed Emma's face. "So there's no dad around, huh?" Emma asked, though it seemed like she was talking more to herself. "If she was all alone like that, maybe that's for the best."

Killian didn't miss how much Emma was trying to hold something back. So, he asked, "What're you thinking?"

"Nothing." Emma said automatically.

This time it was Killian's turn to say, "Didn't we agree to not pretend like nothing was happening?"

Emma let out a self-deprecating chuckle, knowing she'd been cornered. "Just uh..." Emma trailed off before clearing her throat. "I was just...thinking about Henry's dad."

Killian was a little surprised. Emma rarely talked about the man. The most he'd ever learned about him was from what Henry had told him. The lad was so excited to know something about his father, but at the same time it was tempered with a sort of...disappointment that the little he'd learned hadn't matched up with what he had expected, whatever that was. As such, all Killian truly knew of Henry's father was that he and Emma gone their separate ways before Emma could tell him she was pregnant.

And yet the way she spoke about him, with the subtle hints of regret and bitterness, he knew that wasn't the end of that story.

"Things didn't end well with him, did they?" Killian guessed. "Before you could tell him about Henry."

Emma tensed up. "I was sixteen. I wasn't ready to be a mom." She said defensively. "Besides, in the end, he definitely was to ready to be a dad."

"What exactly happened between you two?" Killian asked, though upon seeing Emma's look, he quickly added, "Not that it's any of my business."

"It's not." Emma said harshly.

Killian tried not to flinch.

Emma winced in guilt. "Look." Emma started. "That thing I had with Neal happened when I was young and stupid. He was an older guy who made me feel like I was special, like I mattered, but when it came down to it, he bailed."

Something stuck out to Killian. "Older?" He questioned as he tried to remember the details of what he knew of Henry's father. "I thought you said you two were the same age."

Emma swallowed, realizing that she'd been caught in a lie. "Yeah, well I lied." Emma said stiffly, unable to meet his eyes.

She was sixteen when she became pregnant with Henry. If this Neal was seventeen or, hell, even eighteen at the time, Killian didn't think Emma would have been so hesitant about revealing that. How much older was this guy, and why had he been so interested in a 16-year-old?

Killian didn't know how to ask that, or what else to ask, so he waited for Emma to speak again.

She didn't disappoint. "I met Neal after I ran away from one of my foster homes. I was alone, he was alone. We actually met after I tried to steal a car...that he'd just stolen. We stuck together after that."

He didn't want to push her, but his curiosity got the better of him. "And?" He kept his voice soft, hoping that she wouldn't shut him out.

Emma looked up at the sky for a moment as she tried to form her next words, a hint of shame on her face. "We, uh...we went off together." Emma said as she looked back down on the ground. "We stayed at motels, went on the rode in that car. And whenever money got short, we stole stuff then hawked it to whoever would take it. It wasn't easy, but it worked for us. Neal...he made it feel right, like Bonnie and Clyde without the horrible death at the end."

Killian's stomach clenched at her confession. She hadn't said how much older Neal was, but regardless, this man had still led a vulnerable 16-year-old girl to committing crimes, and then left her pregnant. "Why did he leave?" He couldn't help but ask.

Emma had a look on her face that showed just how much she was trying to hold it together. "Neal was getting worried about the cops catching up to us." She said. "He made a plan to sell some watches so we could go to Tallahassee. Thing is, I told him I'd sell it, but when I got there, he cops were waiting."

"Shit." Killian swore, seeing where this was going.

"Yeah." Emma said quietly. "He set me up. Even then, I was still in love with him, or thought I was. That's why I didn't say anything about him, and I pled guilty. The judge was lenient and gave me the minimum." Emma then got a bitter laugh. "And then, while I'm sitting in jail, I find out that Neal left me two things. The car, and Henry." Emma shook her head with a shaky smile before looking at him with a pained, vulnerable expression. "So now do you get why I couldn't be a mom? Henry didn't need a 16-year-old failed car thief with no home as a role model."

His heart clenched in pain for her. No one deserves what she had been through. "I'm so sorry." Killian told Emma. "I...I'm just so sorry."

Emma tried to shrug her shoulders nonchalantly, but she couldn't quite manage it. "It's not your fault." Emma said. "You know...I don't think I've ever told anyone this story until now."

Never? Truly? The fact that she had never shared that with anyone until him made him feel as though she entrusted him with one of her most prized possessions.

Killian hesitantly put his arm around her.

Emma didn't resist. In fact, she leaned into the hug, curling into his side.

"Thank you for sharing that." He told her gently. "You didn't have to, and I know it must've been incredibly hard for you to do so."

Emma held on tighter as she pleaded, "Please don't tell Henry."

Killian didn't know what to make of that request, but he nodded nonetheless. The last thing Henry needed was to hear this from anyone but his mother. The last thing Emma needed was to feel like Killian went behind her back.

"Are you okay?" Phoebe asked as she suddenly appeared before them, looking worriedly at Emma.

Emma sniffed and turned away from Phoebe in order to wipe at her eyes.

Phoebe looked at Killian worriedly.

"Everything's all right." Killian said, hoping to allay her fears and prevent Emma from feeling self-conscious. "Please, go watch your sister."

"Watch me?" Mai asked, and they all startled when they realized she and Lady were behind them.

"How...?" Emma trailed off.

Mai just looked up at them curiously as Lady went to paw at Emma's feet.

Emma laughed a little wetly. "Maybe it's time for a treat?" Emma suggested. "Chocolate cake?"

Mai gasped in delight. "Yay!"

Killian chuckled at the little girl's excitement.

"I'm up for it." Phoebe said with an eager smile.

Mai squealed a bit as she raced forward to grab at Killian's hand. "Daddy, can we?" Mai asked Killian hopefully.

Killian froze at her words. Daddy? Did she just call me 'Daddy'? Turning around, he found Phoebe had frozen, silently pleading with him to take it easy on her. Looking at Emma, he saw that she too was surprised by Mai's words.

I said that my new dad works at the library, Mai had told him. Phoebe clearly saw the signs. Why hadn't he? Did the little girl truly think of him as her father?

"Daddy?" Mai asked, bringing Killian down to earth. She was looking up at him with curious eyes.

Unable to correct her, especially as she looked at him with those innocent brown eyes of her, Killian nodded. "Sure." He said. "Let's find someplace in town before Emma has to go to work."

Mai bounced and hugged his leg. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Welcome." Killian said softly.

Phoebe came around, Lady's leash in hand, and she gave him such a grateful look. Mildly embarrassed, he just shook his head. It wasn't a big deal.

Phoebe then went to hook up Lady's leash to her collar.

Killian turned to look at Emma, whose expression was a mixture of pride and softness. A smile was on Emma's face, and something about her expression surprised him. He couldn't be completely sure about it, but he didn't think she'd ever looked at him admiration, adoration even.

It made his heart skip a beat and his mouth go dry. He couldn't quite stop staring at her. He was filled with the desire to do everything he could to have her look at him like that.

"Emma." Mai said, bringing Killian's attention back to the small child. She had stopped hugging his leg, and went over to grab one of Emma's hands in both of hers. "You want chocolate cake too?"

"Sure, I love chocolate." Emma said to the little girl before looking at Killian. "I mean, if you don't mind."

"I'd be remiss if you didn't join us." Killian said.

"Then can we get moving?" Phoebe asked, her eyes not meeting them, and Killian got the distinct feeling that she'd understood the looks between the two of them. "Emma has to go back to work soon right?"

Emma checked the time on her phone and hissed. "She's got a point."

Filled with a sense of urgency, Mai made sure to pull on Emma's hand and, after grabbing Killian's hand, his as well. "Let's go, hurry."

Emma looked at Killian with a small smirk. "I think they're trying to tell us something."

"No really?" Killian joked. "Alright Mai, stop pulling. It's not nice."

"Okay." Mai said, releasing their hands and going over to Phoebe, who offered her own.

"Let's go." Phoebe urged with a smile, and soon the two girls and the dog began to run off.

"Stay in sight!" Killian called out to them, and he found himself quickly walking to catch up.

Emma began to do the same. "Remind me to never get between them and a chocolate cake." She told him amusedly.

Killian nodded with a chuckle. He was still processing everything that Emma told him. However, he was glad that she told him. It made him think that she truly trusted him, that she was opening up to him more.

Returning his attention to the girls, he was also struck with the realization that someone truly considered him a father. Of course he was the girls' foster father, but perhaps it hadn't truly sunk in until now. He was still having trouble finding a place for them, and it was an adjustment from a life as a single man, but he knew that he wouldn't take it back.

With all of this in mind, Killian found that while he hadn't expected any of this, he wouldn't trade this for anything in the world.

"We can't let this keep going." LJ told the kids assembled. He, the twins, and Paige were in a backroom of the mechanic's shop, away from all of the tools, under the guise of them playing a boardgame. In reality, this was a group meeting, because LJ was done with all of this. "Things haven't been the same since Regina locked Declan in the closet. He and Henry have been miserable, and that's us miserable. No one's doing anything, and I'm tired of people hurting my friends."

"What can we do though?" Paige asked him.

That's a good question, LJ thought. "That's why we need to talk about it now. Declan hasn't said everything that happened after Regina made me leave the house, and I'm sure that something else happened."

"How do we get him to talk?" Ava asked. "It's been two weeks."

Nick offered, "Maybe we can make him feel better. He's been kind of...off lately, and maybe if he doesn't feel bad anymore, he'll say what happened."

"Maybe." LJ concurred. He knew that when Declan wanted to keep his mouth shut, trying to force it open was like opening a bear trap. LJ also knew that despite Declan distancing himself from them, despite trying to convince them that he was fine, Declan was clearly scared.

"That still leaves Mayor Mills." Paige said. "She's, well, the mayor. How are we supposed to fight that?"

"It might not just be us." LJ replied. "If we find something really good, or really bad for her, then we can get my uncle, Emma, and Graham to help."

"So we're basically Mystery Inc. now?" Ava asked slowly. "We're the meddling kids trying to find clues?"

LJ paused before saying, "Pretty much yeah."

"So is Lady our Scooby Doo?" Nick asked.

"We don't actually own her, but yeah." LJ said before shaking his head, trying to clear away this digression. "The point is, I don't like just sitting on my hands. And I don't think any of you do either."

To this, the others didn't respond, at least not verbally. Each of them had an uncomfortable look on their face, confirming what LJ had said.

"So we have to do something." LJ continued. "Two of our friends are counting on us, and we can't let them down."

"We'll have to find something first." Ava pointed out.

"Like what?" Nick asked curiously. "It's not like we can just break into her house and look for evidence, right?"

LJ definitely knew that breaking and entering was illegal. He didn't have a lawyer uncle around, and not know the lingo. Or the potential legal fees or prison sentences he'd have to deal with. One time when he was little, he accidentally forgot to give the cashier money for a candy bar. After they got home, Ray had spent the next thirty minutes at home explaining the concept of thief and juvenile offenders.

Ray was...a touch overprotective.

"No breaking the law." LJ said in a firm tone. He then tried to think. He didn't want to risk having to go back to that house, especially if Regina was in it. There had to be something...hmm... "Maybe...maybe there's somewhere else she goes, that isn't her house, where she keeps evidence or whatever?"

Like a secret lair, a voice in his head asked.

Oh wow, who knew that Henry's superpower included having his thoughts in my head, LJ thought.

"Like her office?" Ava asked.

Paige interjected, "We probably won't get in there, but maybe there's somewhere else?"

"Exactly." LJ said. "We should keep an eye out for that kind of place, and we definitely can't let anyone know what we're doing."

"So we stalk her?" Ava arched a brow. "Nick and I kind of promised our dad we wouldn't turn to a life of crime.

"It's not stalking." LJ claimed. "Just, uh, careful observation."

All three of them blinked at him.

"Yeah I didn't believe that it." He conceded. "Look, if any one of us sees anything, even if its on accident, then we'll let the others knows. Then we find a way to investigate that. Sounds good?

The others shrugged and agreement.

Satisfied that he'd at least gotten something started, LJ nodded. "Cool." He then pulled out the board game they were supposed to be playing in the first place. "Now, who wants to play?"

---

February 14, 2012

Gold didn't understand the significance of this holiday. People choosing one day out of the year to express their love to someone, spending exorbitant amounts of money on gifts that will be forgotten within the week. At least, depending on how expensive that gift supposedly is.

They had 364 other days - or 365, since this year was what was called a 'leap year' - to express their emotions, why ruin that with sappiness.

And yet...seeing so many couples walking the streets of Storybrooke, holding hands and sharing kisses, reminded him of Belle.

They had never kissed in their past life, and Gold felt a pang of regret. He had tried to forget her, had tried to make himself push her existence out of his mind, but for some reason he couldn't. When he had made that deal with her, her life in exchange for his help, he had just thought he would've gotten a helping hand.

Instead, he found someone who he could actually hold a conversation with. She was intelligent, that was certain, and had a thirst for knowledge that may have matched his own. She was always eager to learn, and after some time she had even asked him some clarifying questions.

It was...oddly nice.

She clearly disapproved of his dealings, particularly with that mess with Robin Hood, but she had known what to say to let him live. To allow the man to watch his child grow up.

Not that it mattered in the Hood finally met his end by the Evil Queen's forces, or so he had heard. Since he hadn't seen the man anywhere, and Marian was under the impression that she was a widow, he believed that the rumors had some foundation. He had almost felt bad about accepting her wedding ring in exchange for money.

Almost.

Now, 'Nancy' entered a relationship with the Sheriff, and perhaps her son would have a father after all.

That still left Gold out in the cold, reminding him of what he had lost.

Watching 'Moe French ' unload some flowers into the back of his truck, Gold suppressed his rage. 'Moe' hadn't been the only reason he'd lost Belle, but right now he was his main target. And today of all days was good enough to cause some grief for the man, for what he had done to Belle.

For what had happened to her when he wouldn't let her back in.

"Well, this is just perfect." Gold told the man as he approached the touch. "I've been looking for you, Mr. French."

Moe looked at him warily as he said, "I'll have your money next week."

Excuses, excuses, Gold said, wanting to rip the man's fat throat out. "The terms of the loan were fairly specific." Gold told him. Upon seeing his henchman arrive, he nodded to him. "Take the van."

Moe, upon seeing Gold's man and realizing what was happening, quickly turned to begging. "Wait! No!" Moe pleaded. "It's Valentine's Day. It's the biggest day of-" Moe cut himself off when the henchman got into the driver's safe of the truck. "I've got a grand of roses in the back!"

Gold, the richest man in town, wasn't moved.

The henchman then started the van.

"Stop!" Moe shouted. "You've gotta let me sell them!"

"I'm gonna leave two to continue this conversation." Gold told him, not quite able to suppress all of his satisfaction at watching the man squirm.

Moe looked angry. "Oh, this is no way to do business Gold. You are the lowest. People aren't going to put up with this."

As if to emphasize Moe's powerlessness, the van drove away, leaving Moe looking despondent on the street.

Gold walked away, for now satisfied with ruining Moe's day, and perhaps his business, when he spotted Regina watching on.

"Mr. Gold." Regina greeted. "That was quite a show back there."

Mr. Gold shrugged. "Well, Mr. French is just having a bad day, happens to the best of us."

Regina started, "I've been meaning to talk to you about something-"

"Yeah, and the moment you have something I want to discuss, we'll have that little chat." Gold told her, already done with this conversation.

Gold attempted to walk past her, but Regina made sure to step in his path. The look on her face would've scared most of the people here into submission. Gold was simply bored.

"No, we're going to do this now." Regina told him in a self-assured tone. "It'll only take a moment."

What could she possibly want, Gold thought. Why is she so insistent now?

If Regina thought he could be cowed into submission, if she truly thought he was like the other cursed people in town, or a 12-year-old boy, she had better think again.

"Is there something eating you, dear?" Gold asked blithely. "Something you need to get out in the open? 'Cause it's gonna have to wait." When she opened her mouth to sleep, he allowed himself to smile just a little bit as he emphasized, "Please."

Gold would never tire of the look on Regina's face when she realized she had to obey him.

Satisfied that this was over, Gold walked away, a little smirk on his face.

He turned his head, and found that Moe was still standing there, confounded over the loss of his van.

Gold knew that this feeling wouldn't last forever. For one thing, Moe, or Maurice, wasn't dead yet. The man's incompetence and lack of feeling for his own daughter sealed his fate long ago. In their past life, Gold had enjoyed playing a particularly vengeful trick on him, and yet that didn't ease the pain of Belle's loss.

Another man's face came to mind, and Gold clenched his teeth in anger. He hadn't been able to find the monster responsible for Belle's death in the Enchanted Forest. He had spent a long time attempting to use his powers as a seer to find the man, to rip him to shreds like he'd done to Belle. And yet, he remained hidden.

No longer. Gold had spotted him chatting with Prince Charming, the two of them unaware of the rage that boiled in Gold's blood.

This little setback to Moe had simply been a start. As he said, today of all days was ripe to avenge Belle's death. It was perfect for Gold to ease his pain.

Sooner or later, the man who took Belle away from him would die. A dark part of Gold wondered if he could find a way to feed his corpse to the animals at the shelter he loved so much.

---

David was walking down the street when he spotted a small, nearby sandwich shop. Not a moment later, David felt his stomach rumble, and he decided to go in.

Upon entering, David immediately saw that Freddie was pleading with who David assumed was the owner of the restaurant. Despite it being lunch time, there was no one else there, which didn't exactly inspire confidence in David.

"Please, I don't know how this is possible." Freddie said. "I swear, this is $20, and last time you said the meal was supposed to be $10."

"Try again, buddy." The owner said unsympathetically. "It says $20, so it costs $20."

"Hey Freddie." David greeted.

Freddie turned his way and looked both embarrassed and relieved. "Hi, David."

"What's the matter?" David asked as he approached Freddie and the owner.

Instead of addressing him, the owner just told Freddie, "Just leave before I call the police."

"Okay, okay." Freddie said, but something seemed off to David.

"No, hold on." David said. "Let me see the menu."

The owner hesitated, but Freddie grabbed a nearby menu and handed it to David. After Freddie pointed out what he got, and David noticed the $20 bill clutched in the owner's hand, David was immediately confounded.

"This says the sandwich Freddie ordered is $8." David told the owner with a dark look.

"What?" Freddie asked in a surprised tone, staring at the menu.

"Yeah, it's right there." David pointed out the price, and yet to his confusion, it still didn't seem to dawn on Freddie. It was right there in front of him. Why couldn't he see it?

Seeing the look on the owner's face, David guessed the the owner knew why Freddie couldn't seem to figure it out, and had decided to take it to his advantage.

Putting the menu back down, David glared at the owner. "Look, just give him his change, or I'm calling the police on you."

The owner quickly gave them their change, and the two of them left.

"Sorry about that." Freddie apologized as they walked away.

"Don't be sorry. That was all on the owner." David told him, and yet he couldn't get something out of his head. "Hey, tell me something. How come you didn't know that it was $8?"

Freddie shrugged, clearly hesitant on answering.

David hadn't ever really thought about it, but something just niggled in the back of his mind. "Freddie...do you have trouble reading?" David asked him, wondering if he had dyslexia or another disorder.

Freddie looked at him in embarrassment. "No." He said, but then paused uncertainly, and David knew that he was holding something back.

"Whatever it is, you can tell me." David encouraged.

Freddie opened his mouth before closing it. David waited patiently as Freddie collected himself. They made it about half a block before Freddie said, "I...never really learned to read."

David's eyes widened. "What?"

"I know, okay." Freddie said impatiently, though it was clear that he felt ashamed by this. "No one ever really cared to teach me. Besides, I've gotten by well enough so far. It's just...sometimes I end up meeting people like that sandwich shop guy."

"How have you been able to work at the pet shelter?" David asked.

Freddie gave him a look. "To them, I just shovel shit, and clean up piss. I don't actually administer any drugs. I recognize the animals by their behavior and their looks, not by the names on their collars or cages. Otherwise, I'll just mark stuff by colors."

Realizing something, David let out, "Ohh. That's why you always put those post-it notes everywhere."

"Exactly." Freddie said. Then, he sighed. "No one's...ever really noticed me, except when they wanted something. I just kind of slipped through the cracks is all."

David felt guilt hit him like a punch to the stomach. All this time, Freddie had listened to his problems. He'd been someone he could talk to or rely on, and he'd taken advantage of that. Maybe if he'd asked more about Freddie's life, then he would've learned about this sooner. Who knows how long that owner had been ripping him off? Who knows how many other people have done this to him?

Freddie stopped suddenly.

"What is it?" David asked as he also stopped.

"Listen." Freddie told him.

David said nothing, and listened, and that's when he heard it.

An animal hissing.

"It's coming from over there." Freddie said as he headed into a nearby alley.

"Freddie, wait." David said as he followed him into the alley.

"Shh." Freddie said as they headed further in. Freddie looked around, and there was another hiss coming from an overturned cardboard box.

Freddie grabbed the top of the box, and after a moment of hesitation, he quickly lifted it up.

"Watch it!" David warned as he quickly stepped back, as a ball of dirty fur shot out from under the cardboard box.

The ball of fur stopped against an opposite wall, and upon closer inspection, David realized that it was a kitten.

"Oh, hey beautiful." Freddie said in a soft voice as he kneeled in front of it. "You gave us a scare."

"Careful Freddie." David warned again, though he was less concerned about the kitten's ferocity than about any diseases it might have had.

"I think it's just scared." Freddie said before he took off his jacket.

The kitten hissed, though by now David realized it wasn't quite as ferocious as his mind made it out to be.

"It's okay." Freddie said quietly as he laid the jacket down on the ground in front of the kitten.

After a few moments, the kitten grew curious and very hesitantly walked forward towards the jacket.

"It's okay." Freddie said, and when the kitten finally got onto the jacket, Freddie slowly closed the jacket around the kitten as if he was waddling it. Freddie then picked up the jacket-wrapped kitten, and rubbed it for good measure.

David saw that the kitten was shivering, utterly quiet for the first time since they'd seen it.

"Poor thing." Freddie said sympathetically.

"It could have rabies." David pointed out.

"Or it could just be cold and scared." Freddie said. "We should probably take this one back to the shelter."

"Probably." David said, and now that things had calmed down, he once again remembered what Freddie had told him. So, he asked, "Are you going to be okay?"

Freddie looked at him with a resigned look before he gave a small smile. "I always am. I can take it from here." He told David before looking at the kitten. "Come on beautiful." Freddie told the kitten as he began to walk away. "We'll find you someplace where you'll be nice and warm. They'll feed and clean you two."

David watched Freddie walk away, and he wondered just how much more there was about Freddie that he didn't know.

---

Androcles was sitting against one of the walls of his 'room', which was heavily guarded to prevent him from leaving. He wasn't needed by King Midas right now, so the king had Art's head was in his lap, and Androcles ran a hand through her yellow fur.

Androcles wished that she had more open space to run in. She was a lioness, not a house pet, and yet the people who'd kept her in cages since she was a cub apparently thought otherwise.

"Poor girl." Androcles told her. "You don't deserve to be in this place. You deserve to…" Androcles trailed off. He wanted to tell her that she deserved be free, which only served to remind him of his own lack of freedom.

There was a loud thump on the wooden cell door, startling both Androcles and Art to startle.

"Easy, girl." Androcles told her when she began to growl.

The door to the cell opened a crack, but no one came through.

Art took the initiative and went forward to investigate, and yet there were no spears, knives, or sticks coming through to hurt her, as they usually did whenever anyone opened the cell door.

Swallowing a nervous lump in his throat, Androcles opened the cell door. To his surprise, the guards weren't there. In fact, as he and Art stepped into the hallway of the dungeon, there were no guards in sight.

Had she done it? Had Abigail finally kept her promise and freed him? What about Frederick?

Neither one was in sight, and a thrum vibrated throughout Androcles' body as he realized what may be happening.

"Art, come on." Androcles whispered in fear of alerting someone. "Come on, let's go."

Androcles and Art soon began running, and weaving through the curiously empty dungeon passageways until Art ran forward, and began pawing at a door where daylight shone through the cracks.

Androcles looked around, and found to his dismay that there was nothing around he could use as a weapon. He wasn't about to waste this chance though. He and Art had been a prisoner for too long.

Androcles tested the door, and found that it was unlocked. He threw it open, and Art raced through, though he was somewhat taken aback by the sunlight. Still, he forced himself to keep moving, and he and Art ran through the golden hallways of Midas' castle.

"There has to be an exit somewhere." Androcles said frantically as he and Art continued running.

Unfortunately, that's when two guards spotted them. "Halt!" One of them shouted.

"Run!" Androcles shouted to Art, and they ran in the other direction.

"The king's servant is escaping!" The other shouted, attempting to warn the castle.

No, no, no, Androcles thought fearfully. He couldn't go back to that place. He couldn't be the king's 'servant' anymore. He would die before his freedom was stolen from him again.

He and Art ran into the courtyard, and soon enough they were surrounded.

"You will return to your room." One of the guards said with a sword pointed at him.

"You mean my cell!" Androcles shouted back. "You'll have to kill me first."

"Your life belongs to the king." One told him as another added, "You should be grateful you can serve him the way you do."

"He stole my freedom!" Androcles told them. "You know this!"

"Enough!" One shouted, and that guard came forward with a shout, and Androcles prepared to throw himself on it when-

"See?" An unfamiliar, lively voice said, and for s disorienting moment, Androcles wondered why he could no longer feel the warm of the sun on his face. Then, he realized that he and Art were in the throne room, and he was confused as to why they were no longer in the courtyard.

Androcles looked around, and found King Midas and Princess Abigail staring at him with looks akin to horror. Near them, Frederick was trying to mouth something at him, but Androcles couldn't figure it out.

"Over here." That same giggly voice said behind Androcles.

Androcles turned around, and found a man with the skin of a lizard and the eyes of a snake. Those eyes were golden, though not quite as golden as whatever Midas touched, and his fingernails looked like claws. The clothes he wore were likely skinned from some reptiles, and his brown hair was scraggly and unkempt.

Who was this man, and why didn't Androcles like the look on his face?

"No." King Midas said, and Androcles turned and found that the man hadn't looked this desperate since the day Androcles had tried to run away. "No, this is not what I meant."

"You said it yourself." The reptile man said with a grin. "Whatever in that courtyard was mine."

"I need him here." Midas said, getting up from his throne and approaching them. "Please, Dark One, reconsider. Take anything else, but not him."

The Dark One?, Androcles thought strangely. What business did Midas have with the Dark One?

"Shall I ask for your daughter then?" The Dark One asked, and effectively shut Midas' mouth. "Now, we've already made a deal, and now I'm going to claim my end of the bargain."

"Please, don't hurt him." Abigail pleaded, also rising from her throne and approaching, though Frederick thankfully held her back. She shot her father a look as she added, "He's been through enough."

Midas actually flinched.

"What I do with him and the cat is my business." The Dark One said, and Androcles felt Art brush up against his leg. "Now, our business is concluded, and my newfound property and I shall leave."

"Property?" Androcles asked in incredulous anger, quickly realizing that somehow, someway, he had just been bought again.

Before Androcles could say more, he saw smoke before his eyes, and once again felt disoriented. The next time his feet touched the ground, Androcles couldn't find the strength to stand, and he fell to the ground in a heap.

"Oh my goodness." A woman's voice said, and soon he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Androcles flinched, and he looked up to see that he was now in a new castle, one that was darker on the inside, and he wondered if this was where the Dark One lived.

Looking at the person who touched him, Androcles found himself staring at a lovely woman with blue eyes, her brown hair held back and away from her face. She wore a light blue dress with short white sleeves.

The woman had a kind look on her face. "Are you alright?" When Androcles didn't answer, she looked around and looked surprised. "Is that a lion?"

Turning his head, Androcles found Art lying on the ground.

"Art!" Androcles called out, quickly joining the lioness' side and running a soothing hand over her neck. "Art, are you alright?"

"What did you do?" The woman asked, and when Androcles turned his head, he found that she was standing face-to-face with the Dark One, not an inch of fear on her face.

"Belle, these are our new….eh employees?" The Dark One told the woman, clearly unconcerned with them. "I figured you could use some help around here, so I've procured them."

"How?" Belle asked him persistently.

"I struck a deal with King Midas." The Dark One said as he looked at Androcles like...like he was nothing.

"You bought him?" Belle asked in a horrified tone.

"Traded, actually." The Dark One clarified, though Belle clearly wasn't happy. The Dark One waved an impatient hand. "Midas was just keeping them in a cage until he needed them. This way, they have some room to roam. Listen, I have work to do. Your new responsibility is to teach them the rules. Simple as that."

"Rumple-" Belle started, but the Dark One simply raised a hand, and he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Androcles released a shaky breath. It had all happened so fast, but he was now catching up to what had just happened. He had been traded, like a commodity. Had the Dark One arranged for him to be in the courtyard? Is that why no one was there to stop him? What exactly had Midas traded him for?

"It's okay." Belle said as she kneeled before him on the floor, Androcles still petting Art. "It's going to be alright."

"No it's not." Androcles said, trying to keep control of himself. "I'm still a...I'm never going to be free again."

"Yes you will." Belle promised.

"How?" Androcles shot back, desperation in his voice, remembering that Abigail and Frederick had made him a similar promise.

"I don't know." She told him. "But I promise, I will help you somehow."

"Why?" Androcles asked her. "You don't even know me."

Belle paused before saying, "Because you don't deserve this."

Androcles didn't answer, and instead focused on breathing.

Belle bit her lip before saying, "My name is Belle. What's your name?"

He paused before saying, "Androcles. This is Art."

"Hello Androcles." Belle said with a small smile. "Despite the circumstances, it's to meet you."

Androcles looked around the room before looking back at Belle. "Why are you here?"

Belle got a sad look on her face before saying, "I made a deal with the Dark One to stay here, so that he would save my people. I work here now."

"At least you had a choice." Androcles said bitterly.

"Mhmm." Belle hummed with a nod. "Listen, I know this has all happened fast, but it's best if we get moving. He doesn't like idle hands."

Androcles rubbed a hand over his head, and he felt Art stir next to him. "Art, are you alright?"

Art was able to get up, and growled at Belle in suspicion.

"It's okay, girl." Androcles told her, gently petting her neck. "This is Belle. We're...going to be here for a while."

He never knew how much Art understood of what he said, but soon enough, Art walked away, ignoring Belle.

Androcles and Belle eventually got up, and walked over to a window. There before them was a large expanse of forest, a stark different to the golden castle and the light blue lake of Midas' kingdom.

It was a pretty thing to look at, but it was dulled by the single overwhelming thought that pervaded Androcles mind.

I'm never going home. I'll be a slave forever.

---

Since LJ was still playing at the Zimmer twins' house, and deciding to put the Reine file on hold for today, Ray found the time to go over to Granny's. He couldn't quite keep the smile off his thought at the thought of seeing Ruby again. Since their first date, they had gone on three more.

He really hoped that Ruby didn't find his gift too forward.

Ray entered the diner, found it fairly busy, and soon spotted Ruby. His heartbeat skipped as he watched her. She had this smile on her face where she was clearly trying to make the best of a bad situation, such as what he was witnessing right now. From what he could see, one customer was taking a particularly long time decided what they wanted.

"You going to stand there all day?" Mrs. Lucas asked from next to Ray.

"Hello, Mrs. Lucas." Ray told her, still keeping his gift behind his back so Ruby wouldn't see it.

Mrs. Lucas looked at him sternly, and Ray felt his nervousness spike.

"Hey." Ruby said, finally noticing him as she walked over. She saw Granny's look, rolled her eyes, and then grabbed his hand to pull him away from the older woman.

Ray let out a nervous chuckle as they entered the back room, away from prying eyes. "This is for you." He said as he revealed his gift, a single rose with a red ribbon tied around the stem.

Ruby smiled affectionately. "Awww, thanks." She said as she accepted it. "You didn't have to get me anything."

Ray shrugged with a shy smile. "It's no problem. I'm glad you like it." He had never given a girl flowers before, but he was glad this worked out.

"So...you sure that you're not free tonight?" Ruby asked, though judging by the look on her face, she already knew the answer.

Ray shook his head. "Sorry, no. I got a massive workload I have to deal with."

"You work too much you know." Ruby pointed out before saying, "I'm kidding...mostly. It's fine." Ruby said. "Besides, I've still got girls' night with Ashley and Dada."

"Dada's joining you?" Ray asked, as this was news to him.

"Mhmm." Ruby said. "It's kind of a last minute thing. Apparently, her boyfriend had kind of a panic attack in a crowded place, and she feels bad about taking him out tonight. So, Ashley and I invited her to girls' night."

"Mmm." Ray hummed inn sympathy for both Dada and her boyfriend. She'd been so excited at the prospect of spending Valentine's Day with someone. Ray was glad that she managed to make new plans. "Well I hope you three have fun. I better let you get back to work."

"Without a kiss?" Ruby asked with a smirk. "Ray, I'm offended."

Ray smiled amusedly. "Then I am very sorry." He said in a lowered voice. "Can I make it up to you?"

When Ruby nodded, Ray leaned forward to kiss her. Ray smiled as he felt her hands on his arms, noticing the way the rose she still held brushed against him. Her lips were pressed against his, moving against his, and he distantly wondered if her red lipstick would end up on his lips.

"If you're done making out in our backroom." Mrs. Lucas announced, causing the two of them to break off the kiss and look at the stern woman. "Ruby needs to get back to work."

Ruby sighed, "Seriously?"

"No, it's okay." Ray said with a touch of embarrassment. "I should probably get going anyways."

Ruby looked at him, clearly disappointed by the interruption, but nodded.

Ray kissed him on the cheek. "Have fun with girls' night."

"Good luck with work." Ruby told him.

Ray smiled and then left, making sure avoid eye contact with Mrs. Lucas even as he said goodbye to her as well.

He'd make it up to Ruby somehow.

---

So someone finally got fed up with Gold, Emma thought as she looked at all the stuff Moe French had stolen from Mr. Gold to her desk. When she'd gotten the call, she and Graham had wondered if this was just Gold sending them after someone who owed him something. Given what happened with Ashley, it wouldn't exactly be the first time.

It turned out to be the real deal, and thankfully it had been ridiculously easy to find all of this stuff. She and Graham had taken it to the station, and placed all of it on her desk. Now that Gold was here, it should've just ended, right?

Wrong.

"You're welcome." Emma said as she and Graham stood side-by-side, watching Gold look over all of the items. "You were right. Your man Moe ripped you off. It was all still at his place."

"And the man himself?" Gold asked, not taking his eyes off of the items.

"We'll find him soon enough." Graham told him.

"So, job well half-done, then." Gold said in an unimpressed tone.

Oh give me a break, Emma thought. "In less than a day, we got all of this back." She told him. That's when Emma noticed a disappointed, almost distressed look on Gold's face. "Is something wrong?"

"You've recovered nothing." Gold said, his voice raspier than usual. "There's something missing."

Emma and Graham shared a curious look before Emma said, "We'll get it when we find Moe."

"He's the least of my problems." Gold said, and again, Emma saw something desperate beneath Gold's calm facade. Something in Emma was greatly worried when she saw a coldly determined look in his eyes. "I need to strike at the source." He said cryptically as he began to walk out.

"Don't do anything illegal Gold." Graham said, though Gold paid him no mind as he left.

"Great." Emma groused. "Now what do we do with all of this stuff?"

"Put it in evidence?" Graham suggested. "Right now, I'm more concerned with what Gold might do to Moe if he does find him."

Emma made a noise of agreement. "Think we should follow him?"

"I will." Graham said. When Emma looked at him in surprise, he turned to her and said in an amused tone, "You, Deputy, have a date to go on tonight. By the way, where are you two going?"

"A restaurant near the beach." Emma told him, unable to stop the smile on her face. "Then we're planning on taking a walk there. You?"

Graham replied, "Late shift. Nancy volunteered to keep Declan since he and Fernando have been getting on."

"That's good." Emma said before asking, "How's he been holding up, by the way? Get anything new?"

Graham shook his head. "The only thing he's really told me about what happened is that he ended up in the closet, and it reminded him of his damn parents."

Emma nodded, though she was a little worried that Declan still hadn't come out of this two weeks later.

Graham noticed the look on her face and forced himself to smile. "Don't worry about us. Tonight, your main goal is to show Killian a good time."

Emma gave a good natured roll of the eyes. "Well I aim to please."

"Shoo." Graham playfully waved her away. "Go knock Killian off his feet. Not literally though, I don't want to have to arrest you for assault." He joked. Then he tilted his head curiously. "Unless Killian is into that."

Heat stole up Emma's face. The thought of gaining some quality private time with Killian had crossed her mind. She didn't want Graham to know about that though.

Thinking about Killian more, Emma knew that it wasn't the holiday that made this date different. It was what they talked about yesterday. Between her confession about her insecurities and about Neal, two things she had sworn years ago to never reveal again, she knew that Killian was different than anyone else she'd met. She actually felt safe enough to tell him all of this, and not worry about him using it against her.

She felt that safe around someone.

Plus, with the way he handled Mai's whole calling him 'Daddy' thing, Killian somehow kept finding ways to surprise her.

"Thinking real hard about what Killian's into, are you?" Graham teased.

Emma poked her finger into his shoulder not-too-gently. "How about you focus on what Nancy's into, and I'll keep my questions to myself."

Graham blushed a little. "Oh go and seduce your librarian already."

Emma rolled her eyes as she checked the time, seeing that her shift was almost done anyways. As she grabbed her coat and keys, Emma told Graham, "Good luck with overloving couples tonight."

Graham replied, "So you and Killian then?"

Emma flipped him off as she walked out of the station, Graham laughing at her as she left.

---

"What happened next?" Belle asked intrigued as she and Androcles cleaned a particularly dusty room in the castle.

Androcles smiled at her curious tone. "Well, Penelope had just decided that she must delay the suitors further. She got her husband's bow, and stated that she would marry the suitor who can string it and then shoot an arrow through a line of twelve axes. Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, easily went unnoticed by Penelope's suitors." Androcles pretended to hold a bow and arrow, and pretended to aim at something as Belle watched in rapt attention. "The suitors, despite looking down on this 'beggar', complained, afraid that he would succeed. But then, Odysseus strings the arrows, and whoosh!" Androcles pretended to release the arrow. "The single arrow goes through the heads of all twelve axes."

"Oh, keep going." Belle pleaded as Androcles returned to his work. "There must be more."

"There is, but we should finish first." Androcles told her.

"I wonder why I've never heard of this story." Belle mused. "And here I thought I read a lot of books."

"That's because it's not in a book." Androcles told her as he scrubbed away at some particularly stubborn grime. "My mother told me this story, as it was told to her by her father, as it was told to him by his father. We learn our stories from our words, not by pages."

"Why not?" Belle asked, as if the concept had never occurred to her.

Androcles shrugged. "Because we don't need to. And if I may be frank, the people who do feel as if stories only matter if they're written down, don't exactly have an interest in writing down our stories."

"That makes no sense." Belle said. "Why wouldn't they want more knowledge?"

"Probably because they prefer their own." Androcles said. "They think that their knowledge is the only one that matters."

"Well- Ah!" Belle shouted, and in a split second Art began to run towards her as Belle, who had been dusting a high shelf, fell off the ladder.

"Belle!" Androcles shouted as he rushed forward, and barely managed to keep standing as he caught her. Androcles helped her get on her feet, but kept her hands on her arms to keep her steady. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Belle said, then laughed as Art nudged against her. "I'm fine Art."

"She's worried about you." Androcles told her.

"She didn't used to." Belle pointed out.

Androcles scoffed. "That was weeks ago. She knows you're good people."

Belle smiled a little before saying, "Just like I know you're good people."

Androcles smiled back, and that's when he noticed that his hands were still on Belle's arms. Furthermore, he realized that Belle's hands had been on his chest. He looked up, and found himself looking into Belle's eyes, and that she was doing the same with him.

Androcles paused a little before clearing his throat, taking a step back. "Sorry." He said.

"For what?" Belle asked, taking a step forward to close the distance between them.

Androcles couldn't quite take his eyes away from Belle's face, and yet he said, "Belle we can't."

"Why not?" Belle insisted, a small, hopeful smile on her face.

"It's bad enough we're stuck here." Androcles told her. "But...I do care about you. The thing is, what if we're separated? What if the Dark One decides to toy with us further?"

"He can't control our hearts." Belle told him, taking one of his hands in hers.

Androcles' heart pounded in his chest. Without thinking, he linked his fingers through Belle's. She had been perhaps the only solace besides Art in this place. Even if he wasn't sure she could keep her promise about freeing him, he knew that his day became better once he saw her again.

She kept him sane.

"Unless I'm wrong." Belle said with slight hesitation. "Am I?"

"You're not wrong." Androcles told her immediately. He then paused before adding, "I...You make me happy, Belle. I want…"

"What do you want?" Belle asked.

Androcles hesitated before saying, "Well, first I want freedom. And if I have that, then I'd like to spend that freedom with you." Art then nudged against his leg, and Androcles let out a nervous chuckle. "And Art of course."

"Oh, absolutely." Belle said with a nervous chuckle of her own. "How could you forget her?"

Androcles swore he almost saw a smirk on Art's face.

Androcles nodded. He wanted to be free. He wanted to be with Belle, in whatever capacity that meant. There was only one thing standing in their way.

"We're getting out of here." Androcles told her, his tone serious. "One way or another, Belle, we will be free of this place. There's always a way out of a cell, and we will find it."

Belle nodded, clearly on board with this plan, but before she could saw anything, someone new spoke.

"It has come to my attention that you two aren't satisfied with the terms of your employment." The Dark One said, appearing in the room suddenly with a grin on his reptilian face, and Androcles felt his stomach drop. "In fact, I find you two are quite...distracted. I believe it's time to correct that."

---

There's more than one way out a cell, Androcles thought worriedly. I just hope our way out doesn't include a shallow grave.

Killian finished buttoning up his shirt and looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. After everything that happened, he wanted this night to go well. Checking on his appearance once last time, making sure that everything was alright, Killian stepped out of the bathroom.

And was immediately assaulted by the sight of his two foster daughters clapping ferociously, with Mai trying to whistle but only blowing air.

Even Lady barked along with them.

He rolled his eyes, though his lips curled up in a smile.

"Alright, settle down." Killian told them as he went to find his coat. "Are you two going to behave for Mary Margaret?"

"Don't we always?" Phoebe asked with a smirk.

Mai groaned for a second.

"Is everything okay?" Killian asked her in concern.

"My stomach hurts." Mai said.

"I told you to go to the bathroom already." Phoebe said before looking at Killian. "She keeps trying to hold it in."

"Mai, that's not good for your bladder." Killian told her. "Go to the bathroom."

Mai looked like she wanted to argue, but ended up saying, "Yes Daddy." She then went to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. There was a click of the lock.

"Unlock the door." Killian said, mindful of the fact that even though there was a stool there for her to get on the toilet, anything could happen with a little kid.

A second later, there was another click, signifying that the door was unlocked.

"Are you sure it's alright?" Phoebe asked him a little hesitantly. "You know, about her calling you her dad? I can make her stop if you want."

"I already told you, it's fine." Killian said. "Why are you so worried about this?"

Phoebe paused. "Because...because I don't want her to get hurt. I...I think you're a really nice guy, you know?" Phoebe said, and now her expression held an undertone of stress. Her breath stuttered a bit as she spoke again. "I mean you'd have to be. You didn't owe us anything, especially me, but you took us in. I'm just...worried that something's gonna happen, and then we'll have to leave, and then Mai will get all sad and weepy because she got really close to you and…"

"Phoebe, you don't have to worry about that." Killian assured her as he stepped forward until he was close enough to place his hand on her shoulder. Phoebe bit her lip, stress clear on every part of her face. Killian thought over his words before speaking. "I know things haven't always been easy, especially between us, but I'm doing everything I can to keep you girls here. Let me worry about it. You just go to school and have fun."

Phoebe nodded silently. A few moments passed before she looked at him again, and though the stress remained there, there was a touch of humor as well. "I hope you don't think school and fun mean the same thing." She joked quietly.

"As a father, I definitely do mean that they are the same thing." He teased in return.

Phoebe rolled her eyes with a scoff.

"Ah, don't you roll your eyes at me young lady." Killian told her, taking his hand off her shoulder to shake a teasing finger at her. "Do you roll your eyes at Mary Margaret?"

"Nope." Phoebe said as she grabbed her jacket and put it on. He could hear the sound of the toilet flushing. "She gives me treats."

"I'm ready." Mai said as she opened the door.

"Did you wash your hands?" Killian asked.

Mai froze before turning around. "I'm not ready." She said, trying to reach the sink but being too short to do so.

"Let me." Killian said, going forward to fetch the stool, and then placing it in front of the sink. He then helped Mai up onto the stool. "There we go."

"Thanks." Mai said as Killian helped put the soap in her hand. It didn't take too long before she was cleaned up. By the time they got their jackets and shoes on, Phoebe had gotten Lady's collar and leash on. She'd also grabbed the bag of Lady's toys.

"Come on Dad-Romeo." Phoebe smirked. "We've got to get you to your princess."

Killian was a little surprised at her use of the word 'Dad', even if it was a mild one, but smiled to himself. They were really coming around. He still found it in him to roll his eyes at Phoebe's use of Mai's belief that Emma was a princess.

Killian grabbed his keys, and soon the four of them were out the door and on the way to Mary Margaret's.

---

"Okay." Sean said, clearly anxious as he kept a hand in the pocket the engagement ring was in. The other hand held a small bouquet of red roses. "I just go in, make a nice speech, and ask her to marry me. Yeah, yeah that'll work."

"You can do it in private." Ray said. "That way, whatever happens, you'll be fine." He still had time before he had to go back to work, and he wanted to help Sean with this.

"Whatever happens?" Sean asked nervously. "As in she'll say no?"

"Or that she'll say yes but this way it'll just be between you two." Ray told him. "Relax, it's going to be fine."

Sean nodded a bit frantically.

Ray put a hand on Sean's shoulder and made the anxious young man face him. "Sean, remember to breathe."

Sean nodded, momentarily forgetting to breathe before Ray reminded him to do so. "Maybe this isn't a good idea."

"We can turn back if you want." Ray offered. "After all, you're young and you can always try later."

Sean immediately backpedaled. "But I want to ask her. I love her, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

"Why?" Ray asked, hoping this would prompt Sean the way he thought it would.

Sean looked incredulous. "Why? Because she's the nicest girl I've ever met. She makes me smile. I love spending time with her, and I can't imagine anyone else being my kid's mom. I know we had a rough start, but these past months are just proof that we are good together."

Ray smirked.

It took Sean a moment before he said, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"Yep." Ray said as he patted Sean's shoulders before urging him to get moving again. "Just tell Ashley everything you just said, but add more puppy eyes."

Sean glared at him.

Ray chuckled. "Remember to smile."

"You're the worst." Sean said with a chagrined smile. They spotted Granny's head. Ashley was going to finish up her shift before going on her girls' night with Ruby and Dada, and Sean knew it was probably the only time he had today to ask her. "I can do this."

"Yes you can." Ray said as they headed inside the diner.

"Funny seeing you again." Ruby saw upon seeing him.

"It's always a pleasure to see you, but right now we need to know where Ashley is." Ray said as he clapped the shoulder of a nervous Sean.

Ruby immediately looked apprehensive. "Oh, no. Is she in trouble again? Is it Gold?"

"Quite the opposite, actually." Ray said, then silently mouthed to 'Just go with it'.

Ruby got the message, and said, "She's in the laundry room."

"Cool, thanks." Sean said nervously before taking a deep breath, and headed to the laundry room.

"Is he doing what I think he's doing?" Ruby asked in anticipation.

"Whatever happens between Sean and Ashley is their business." Ray told her. "But, yes."

Ruby grinned before saying, "I'm kind of hoping she says yes."

There was a sound from the laundry room that could only be described as 'joy'. About a minute later, Ashley and Sean came out, with Ashley wearing a wedding ring. Both of them looked incredibly happy.

Ray smiled. "I think she just did."

---

David wasn't sure what exactly he was doing here. He didn't know where else to be. But hey, if Mary Margaret didn't want him there, he would just leave.

Taking a breath, he knocked on the door.

Soon, Mary Margaret opened it with a surprised look on her face. "David?" Mary Margaret asked. "What are you doing here?"

"I was just in the neighborhood." David said before stammering, "Besides, I didn't really, you know, have anyone else to be with. As in someone to hang out with. You know, everyone's doing something or other."

From inside the loft, he heard a little girl asked, "Mary Margaret, can I have a cookie?"

Mary Margaret turned to the voice and said, "Just wait. I'll be there in a second."

"You're babysitting?" David asked, feeling awkwarder by the second.

"Yep." Mary Margaret said. "Killian and Emma are out on a date."

David didn't know why, but he suddenly wondered what Killian was doing with Emma before the thought drifted away.

"Ah." David said, feeling a little embarrassed. "I'll just, uh, go now."

"Wait." Mary Margaret said.

"Yes?" David asked, knowing he sounded a little too hopeful.

"Why don't you come in?" Mary Margaret suggested. "I'm sure that us babysitting together is just the scandal the town needs."

David joked, "Ah yes. We are known for our fast and loose living."

Mary Margaret chuckled before opening the door wider, another invitation to come in.

David took her up on her offer.

After she closed the door, David was immediately confronted by two young girls and a dog.

"Hi." Mai said. After a pause, she noticed her sister hadn't done the same, and she poked her leg.

"Quit it." Phoebe said before looking at David. "Hi Mr. Nolan."

"Hi. You can call me David." He replied.

"You want to play checkers with us?" Mai asked.

"You don't even know how to play." Phoebe told her.

"Yes I do!" Mai protested.

Mary Margaret whispered lowly to him, "She really doesn't."

David chuckled. "Well, Mai, if you know how to play, why don't you teach me?"

Mai grinned widely. "Okay!" She then went forward, took his hand in hers, and tugged him over to a nearby coffee table. "I'll get the checkers."

Mai grabbed the checkers boxed, and then nearly spilled everything on the floor when she mishandled it.

"I got it." Phoebe said, swiftly taking possession of the box to the little girl's frustration. Phoebe quickly set up the checkers playset on the table, to which Mai's irritation went away.

David sat on one side of the coffee table while Mai sat on the other. What followed was a series of increasingly strange rules of how to play the game, which included what Mai called 'the slide hop'. This was evidenced when at some point in the game, Mai managed to collect three checkers by 'hopping' one of her checkers in a single diagonal line.

David had to admit, he was impressed with the little girl's ingenuity and determination to collect all of the checkers. Not just his, as was the point of actual checkers, but hers too.

"Noooooooooooo." David drew out dramatically as Mai ended up having the most checkers on her side.

"Yay!" Mai nearly shouted in victory, before quietly whispering it when Mary Margaret told her to use her 'inside voice'. "I won." She continued to whisper.

"Nooooo." David whispered as well. "You beat me." He then dramatically flopped on the floor.

Mai giggled. "Silly David."

"Tricks are for kids." Phoebe said in a deadpan tone.

Mary Margaret snorted adorably.

David, still on the floor, looked up at her with a smile he couldn't seem to get rid of. He hadn't gotten to spend as much time with her as he would've liked, but he hoped that he would make up for it. This wasn't exactly how he imagined spending time with Mary Margaret, but he liked it nonetheless.

The way Mary Margaret looked at him, he had a feeling she felt the same way.

"Mm." Mai hummed, though she seemed displeased. David looked over, and found that she was clutching her stomach.

"Mai, are you okay?" Mary Margaret asked as she quickly came by the little girl's side. David sat up, seeing the concerned look on Phoebe's face.

"My stomach hur-" Mai couldn't speak as she retched. Before anyone could say anything, Mai threw up over her shirt.

David and Mary Margaret immediately sprung into action. Mary Margaret tried to get Mai up, and Mai threw up a little more, this time on the floor. Mai started crying.

"Bathroom, bathroom!" Mary Margaret said frantically.

David, trying hard not to get any vomit on him, picked up Mai in his arms and followed Mary Margaret to the bathroom. He managed to get Mai to toilet before she threw up again.

"Ow." Mai whimpered before throwing up again.

"I'll find a shirt." Mary Margaret said before disappearing. Phoebe soon came in, and with surprisingly firmness for someone who was half his age and much shorter than he was, she took his place comforting Mai, holding her up so she could reach the toilet.

"That's it, just let it out." Phoebe said as she held Mai's hair back in one hand, rubbing her back with the other.

Next to David, Lady whimpered at Mai's plight.

"It hur-" Mai started, tears streaming down her face before her face disappeared again, crying as she vomited into the toilet.

"I know." Phoebe said sympathetically. "Don't worry, just keep doing it."

"Where-" Mai retched, calming herself down enough to finished, "Where's Daddy?"

"We're going to call him soon." David said comfortingly, grabbing some nearby wipes to clean Mai's face.

"I want Dad-" Mai threw up again, crying into the toilet.

Poor kid, David thought as Mai spit out the last of her vomit into the toilet. Phoebe helped set Mai down on her feet.

"Here we go." David said as he began to wipe away the saliva and vomit from Mai's face.

"Sorry." Mai whimpered.

"Ah, it's okay." David told her. "We all get a little sick sometimes.

"Okay, I found a shirt." Mary Margaret said as she appeared with a shirt in hand. It looked a little big for Mai, and David guessed that it was perhaps one of Mary Margaret or Emma's T-Shirts. David threw the wipe away, and then left the bathroom to give the girls privacy. Not too long afterwards, Mary Margaret was leading Mai (now in a clean shirt) out of the bathroom, the vomit-covered shirt balled up in her hand.

"I think you need a little something to eat." Mary Margaret told Mai, who shook her head. "Aw, I know your tummy doesn't feel too good, but eating some crackers and ginger ale will help."

"Ginger ale?" Mai asked curiously.

"Mhmm." Mary Margaret said before standing up, and offering her hand. When Mai took it, she grabbed the vomited shirt and led her out of the bathroom. She then told David, "I'm going to put this in the laundry. You mind taking her to the kitchen?"

"Of course." David said, offering his hand to Mai.

Mai looked at it hesitantly before taking it, and David, Phoebe, Mai and Lady headed to the kitchen as Mary Margaret headed to the laundry.

"There we go." David said as he picked Mai up and placed her on one of the stools by the kitchen counter.

Soon Mary Margaret brought some ginger ale and crackers for Mai to eat. While Phoebe got Mai to start hesitantly start eating them, Mary Margaret pulled David aside.

"Well, her shirt is in the laundry, and hopefully she can keep down those crackers." Mary Margaret told him. "Sorry about this whole thing."

"It's fine." David replied. "It's not like you could predict her getting sick. Any idea what could've caused it?"

Mary Margaret paused before shrugging. "It could be food poisoning. Kids her age tend to get sick a little more easily."

David nodded. "Let's hope it passes quickly."

---

Ruby couldn't help but stare at Ashley's engagement ring, especially since Ashley couldn't stop showing it off. It was a simple ring with a single simple jewel in the middle. It was cute and sweet, kind of like Ashley and Sean.

"Wooooow." Ruby said as she looked at Ashley's happy face.

"Congratulations." Dada told Ashley.

"I'm just…" Ashley trailed off, a grin on her face. "Oh, I'm just so happy. I mean, I was all sad earlier because he'd be working, and we wouldn't get to spend today together, but-" Ashley cut herself off as a grin once again came on her face. "Okay, okay, enough about me. What's going on with you two?"

Ruby sighed. "Well Ray's super busy tonight, so he couldn't come." The guy worked way too much, but maybe it was for the best. They were only sort-of dating, or necessarily exclusive, and it hadn't been for long. Maybe this was a way to avoid making things weird.

Ruby looked over at the bar, and found some patrons were interested in her. Before, she'd probably go for it, but right now it just didn't feel right. Mainly because Ray's face appeared in her mind, and because she found that despite her attempts to ignore it, she was disappointed that he couldn't be here tonight.

Ashley nodded. "What about you, Dada?"

Dada answered with a sad look on her face, "Jefferson tried to come out today, but he had a panic attack. He can't really handle too many people at once."

Ruby and Ashley looked at him sympathetically.

"Well, tell him I hope he feels better." Ashley said.

"Same here." Ruby added.

"I will." Dada said just as their drinks (well, Ruby's drink and Ashley and Dada's sodas) got to them.

"I can't wait until you guys are 21 and can actually drink." Ruby said as she took a sip.

"I wonder what my first drink will be." Ashley asked thoughtfully.

"It's probably not that big a deal." Dada said, though something about her tone made Ruby immediately suspicious.

"Dada, is there something you want to tell us?" Ruby asked.

"What? No." Dada denied.

Ruby smiled. "You've already had something to drink, haven't you?" She said lowly.

Dada opened her mouth, probably to deny it, but eventually conceded, "Okay, yes, just once."

"What?" Ashley asked with a curious smile. "When? What'd you have to drink?"

"Uh…" Dada trailed off as she thought about it. "It was on Thanksgiving at the Rabbit Hole. I had a beer and it tasted, well, like beer. Not sure what I expected, really."

"What were you doing at the Rabbit Hole?" Ashley asked.

"And how come they didn't card you?" Ruby added.

"It was pretty busy in there." Dada answered. "I didn't stay long because Jefferson got anxiety. I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did."

"Wait, Jefferson was there?" Ruby asked.

"Why was he there?" Ashley asked her. "Why did he let you drink?"

"He didn't let me do anything." Dada said, seemingly offended by the implication. "I just kind of...got it when no one was looking. We left before I could even finish it."

Ashley didn't seem convinced.

"He's a good guy." Dada defended, a little fire in her eyes.

"We're not doubting that." Ruby said diplomatically. "Come on. This is our night out. We're supposed to be having fun, right?"

Ashley and Dada paused before nodding in agreement.

"Right." Ruby said with a smile. "So, how about we-" That's when Ruby noticed something, or rather someone around the bar. "Hey, isn't that August?" She asked, subtly pointing the man out.

The girls turned their heads in that direction, and Dada nodded in recognition. August was roaming the bar, chatting people up, but never really staying in one place for long. He looked over in their direction, and raised up his drink in greeting.

Ruby waved back, and found that Dada was doing the same.

"So." Dada started, looking at Ashley. "Have you and Sean talked about when the wedding might be?"

"We didn't have the time." Ashley said. "He had to go back to work. Hopefully we can set a date soon."

"You planning on going anywhere?" Ruby asked.

Ashley scoffed. "On our salaries, nowhere far. Besides, we would need someone to take care of Alexandra."

"I could do it." Ruby said before self-consciously adding, "Or maybe not. After what happened with Fernando and Declan, my career as a babysitter is probably dead."

"No one blames you for what happened." Ashley told her firmly. "Things just got crazy."

Ruby nodded but didn't say anything. Granny had scolded her for losing them, but even the old woman had limits for how much she could rake Ruby over the coals for this. She didn't need to say anything, though. Ruby knew that deep down, Granny wasn't about to trust her to look after a kid again. Why would she? Ruby didn't even trust herself.

"Stop that." Ashley said gently. "You said that this was a night to enjoy ourselves, and I'm not going to let you feel guilty about this."

"Exactly." Dada concurred. "How about we, uh...bar hop or something? Or maybe we just go somewhere else? A change of scene could help."

Ruby thought it over before nodded with a little smile.

"That's the spirit." Dada said. "After we're done here, we can go somewhere else."

"Like the Rabbit Hole for a beer?" Ruby teased.

Dada gave her a flat look. "I'm going to regret telling you that, aren't I?"

"What? Noooo." Ruby drew out, laughing a little when Dada comically deflated. "I'm kidding. Besides, it's nice to know that even you're not above breaking the rules a little."

"I do not." Dada said. At Ruby and Ashley's looks, she added with a little smile, "Okay, maybe a little."

Ashley smiled as she raised her glass. "Cheers."

"Cheers." Ruby and Dada said, clinking their glasses together.

There might not be a lot to do in this little, out of the way town, but Ruby figured that it was nice to have two people to hang out with.

---

Emma and Killian held hands as they walked along the beach, relieved as they were very few people there. It was nice out tonight, and the relative quiet calmed Emma. She felt...at peace.

It was something that she hadn't felt in a while.

"You okay?" Killian asked her.

"I'm fine." Emma told him.

"Just fine?" Killian asked curiously.

Emma looked over and smiled at him. "I'm just...happy. I'm not really used to that." She told him truthfully.

Killian smiled. "Me too. It's nice to spend some time alone with you."

"Not too alone." Emma pointed out as she nodded at the few on the beach.

"Fair enough." Killian conceded. "Still, it's nice out and there isn't a crisis."

Emma chuckled. "Don't tempt fate. I'm kind of hoping that Graham can hold down the fort until tomorrow."

"And if everything goes well, I won't have to pick up the girls for, oh, another two hours or so." Killian said before bringing her hand up to his lips. "So until then, we are left to our own devices."

Emma arched a curious eyebrow as she asked, "And what exactly did you have in mind?"

Killian answered her by stopping them, and then bringing her into a kiss.

"We've done this a lot." Emma said, briefly pulling back before returning to the kiss. "I was hoping you might have something else in mind."

"And what would that be?" Killian asked.

Emma didn't verbally respond, but she did allow her hands to slide oh so lightly to the waistband of his pants.

Killian's breath stuttered. "I never took you for an exhibitionist." He tried to joke, though Emma didn't miss the pinkness that appeared on his cheeks.

"Then how about we go somewhere more private?" Emma suggested, her heart beating faster in anticipation. "Like your place?"

Killian swallowed. "Are you sure?"

"I want this." Emma told him truthfully. If she had made this offer way back when they first met, then it would've just been attraction and some friendship. She'd held herself back because she hadn't wanted to potentially ruin that friendship. Now though, as much as it frightened her, Emma felt exhilarated at the idea of being this intimate with Killian. It felt right, because, to Emma's surprise, she found that she really trusted him.

"I want this." Emma reaffirmed softly. "Do you?"

"Yes." Killian replies immediately.

Emma pulled him into another deep kiss, her heart now hammering because this was happening. After breaking off the kiss, Emma grabbed his hand and began to pull him in the direction of where she had parked her car. "Then let's go, sailor."

They walked faster than normal getting back to her car, though Emma remembered to drive at the speed limit. No need to ruin the night because she was a little too excited to get to his place. Once she parked her car by the library, they once again picked up the speed by hurrying into the library and into his apartment.

Killian closed the door of his apartment behind him, and the minute he turned back around Emma was on him. She mumbled a sorry as she pressed him against the door a little too hard. He mumbled back that it was fine, and he seemed too preoccupied getting his jacket off to mind.

"You got any protection here?" Emma asked as she pulled back to take off her jacket.

"Yeah." Killian said as he tried to unbutton his shirt with one hand, but seemed to be having some trouble.

Emma helped him off, trying not to break off the buttons in the process. "You're prepared for everything, huh?"

"Only after we started dating." Killian told her as they got off the last button.

As he shrugged it off, Emma took the time to look at him. His chest hair down to his waistline, drawing her eyes up and down his torso. When Emma couldn't help but place her hands on his chest, she felt her chest constrict a little as she felt the firmness of his muscles.

"Like what you see?" Killian asked with a little smirk.

"Yep." Emma said, leaning forward to kiss him. As they kissed, she felt his hand go to the hem of her shirt. Briefly breaking the kiss, Emma said, "My turn," before she helped him out and pulled her shirt over her head, letting it fall forgotten to the floor. She went back into the kiss, and they both moaned as they felt their bodies, their skin, pressed against each other.

Killian pushed her towards the couch, and Emma sat herself on the armrest of the couch.

"Where's the condom?" Emma asked.

"I'll go get it." Killian said before giving her a peck on the lips. "Don't go anywhere."

"Hurry up then." Emma teased as he walked over to the nearby kitchen. He went to grab something from the top of the cabinet, and soon came back with the condom in his hand.

"Smart with kids around." Emma commented.

Killian smiled as he asked, "Now, where were we?"

Emma got up from the armrest, and pulled him towards the couch by the belt. Once the back of his knees were facing the couch, Emma pushed him to sit down. Judging by the smile on his face, Killian liked it.

Emma bit her lip as she took off her bra, and let it fall to the floor.

Killian gave her a burning look, one that caused Emma to cover her breasts with her crossed arms.

"Okay." She said with a self-conscious laugh. "Now you take something off."

Killian maintained eye contact as he took off his belt.

"That doesn't seem fair." Emma said as she stepped closer to him, until she was standing between his opened legs. She made a point to show that her arms were still crossed over her chest. "You're going to need to take off more."

"Alright then." Killian said as he undid the button and zipped of his pants. Emma swallowed a small lump in her throat, and felt herself throb as he took off his pants. He even took off his shoes and socks for good measure.

"You turn." Killian told her.

Emma simply smiled in anticipation as she uncrossed her arms, and enjoyed watching the way his eyes wandered over her as she slowly took off her pants, socks, and shoes.

Once those were off, Emma sat on his lap, her legs on each side of him, and when they kissed again, her heart jumped at how much skin contact there was. Killian moaned into the kiss, which encouraged Emma to rub against him.

"Oh shit." Killian said breathlessly, and Emma laughed a little. "Oh, so now you're laughing at me?" Killian said with a pout.

Emma smiled. "Not at all." She said softly.

His eyes practically glowed with desire as he placed the condom on the couch beside him. He then teasingly trailed his hands up her leg, from her knee to her thigh. His hand then trailed the line of her underwear, dipped down and-

"Oh fuck." Emma instinctively keened as she felt Killian's hands rubbed her through her underwear.

"You like this?" Killian asked almost breathlessly.

"Yeah, yeah." Emma replied just as breathlessly. "Keep going."

As Emma began to toy with the waistband of his underwear, Killian's phone began to ring.

Both of them froze, their eyes immediately connecting.

Emma reluctantly said, "That might be important."

"I should answer that." Killian conceded as he took his hand away.

"Yeah, you should." Emma said as she got off him, taking a seat next to him.

Killian got up and went over to where his jacket was discarded and answered the phone. "Hello?" Killian said as he went to sit back down next to Emma. "Mary Margaret, slow down. What happened?"

Emma straightened up, worried as she saw growing concern on Killian's face.

"Wait, a fever?" Killian asked. "Okay, I'll be there soon. Bye." Killian then ended the call.

"What happened?" Emma asked as Killian began to quickly put on his pants.

"Mai's sick." Killian said as he began to zip up and button his pants.

"Oh crap." Emma said worriedly, getting up to begin putting on her own clothes. "What happened?"

"Apparently she threw up an hour ago." Killian said as he began to put on the rest of his clothes. "At first, Mary Margaret thought she just got bad food, but now she's got a fever and she keeps shivering. I'm really sorry, but we'll have to end this."

"Hey, it's no problem." Emma assured him as she got on the rest of her clothes sans her jacket. She soon grabbed that and said, "I'll drive."

Once Killian was fully dressed, they headed straight over to the loft. However surprised they were to see that David was also there, that was put out of their minds because of Mai. The poor kid was sitting miserably on the couch, clutching a little garbage pail to her body.

"Daddy." Mai said, nearly dropping the garbage pail had it not been for Phoebe's quick thinking in catching it, and placing it on the floor. Mai stretched out her arms, and Killian soon caught her in a hug.

"I'm here, it's okay." Killian told her.

"Her fever isn't going down." Mary Margaret said with a concerned look on her. "You need to take her to the doctor."

"That's what we'll do." Killian said. "Can someone get her coat?"

"I'll get it." Phoebe said, immediately jumping up to complete the task.

"You want me to keep Phoebe and Lady here?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Are you sure?" Killian asked, but before Mary Margaret could speak again, Phoebe interrupted.

"I'm going with them." Phoebe immediately insisted as she brought Mai's coat.

"You don't have to." Killian said as he helped Mai put on her coat. "Besides it's a school night. You need your rest, not potentially staying up all night at the hospital."

"But-" Phoebe started.

"No." Killian said firmly. Then added in a gentler tone, "I promise you, I won't let anything happen to her."

Phoebe looked around, but after seeing that she wouldn't get support, she nodded silently before sitting next to Mai, who looked at her tiredly.

"It's okay." Phoebe said as she brushed hair away from Mai's face. "Dad's going to take you to the hospital, and a doctor's going to make you feel better."

Mai nodded silently.

"I'll go to." Emma said suddenly. When Killian and Phoebe looked at her in surprise, she added, "I've got a car. It'll be faster than going on foot."

Killian nodded at her gratefully before he picked up Mai. "I'll call to let you know how it goes." Killian told Mary Margaret. He then told Phoebe, "Remember, behave, and try to get some sleep."

"No promises on the second one." Phoebe said a little too seriously. She quickly got up, and then stood on her toes so she could give Mai a kiss on the forehead.

Killian and Emma began to walk out, and Lady tried to follow them.

"Stay here, girl." Killian said to the pup as Emma opened the door just enough to let them out. "We'll be back before you know it."

Emma closed and locked the door behind them, and soon they were in her car.

"I don't feel good." Mai said as Killian put a seatbelt on her.

Emma, who was already seated behind the wheel, turned around to look at her with what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "It'll be fine." Emma told her. "The doctor will look you over and give you some medicine to feel better, okay?"

"Okay." Mai said as Killian, having successfully put the seatbelt on her, shut the door. He then quickly got into the passenger's side, and got his seatbelt on. With that, Emma immediately drove to the hospital.

It was...a little distressing that this was now the fourth time in a year Emma had gone to the hospital regarding someone she knew. Fifth if she counted David, though she hadn't known him at the time. Once there, they were quickly directed to an examination room.

Or, Killian and Mai were.

"I'm sorry, next of kin only." One of the nurses said.

"It's alright, she's with me." Killian told them, Mai still in his arms.

"Are you sure?" The nurse asked.

"Well I said it, didn't I?" Killian asked impatiently, though Emma knew that it wasn't said out of anger so much as stress.

The nurse, despite being clearly incensed at his tone, allowed her through. They went into the examination room, and it felt like an eternity before the doctor finally got there. The doctor then spent the next several minutes doing a checkup, which included checking Mai's temperature, her mouth and throat, her ears, and about half a dozen other things. As the doctor asked Killian questions, Mai reached over to hold onto Emma's hand, and she didn't have the heart to let go.

Finally, the doctor said with a sympathetic sigh, "She has the flu. That's why she was throwing up, and why her fever spiked."

"She felt fine before." Killian told the doctor. Emma could see the subtle lines of stress on his face.

Emma looked down at Mai, and she was struck with sympathy when she saw the little girl had let go her her hand, was now holding onto Killian like her life depended on it.

"That's the nature of the beast." The doctor said as they grabbed a pad and began writing something down. "Patient appears fine, and little warning signs like as stomachache are innocuous enough, but then it seems to appear out of nowhere. Normally, if it was just the fever, I'd suggest taking her home and waiting twenty-four hours. However, because she's not keeping fluids down, we're going to need her to stay overnight to give her access to an IV."

"An IV?" Killian asked, and Emma reached over to rub his back soothingly.

"It's just to give her fluids." The doctor then turned to give Mai a kind smile. "Alright sweetie, I'm just going to recommend some stuff to get so you feel better. And if you're feeling a little better tomorrow, I'm also going to recommend that you stay home for school for about a week. Okay?"

"Okay." Mai said quickly, cuddling into Killian's side.

"I'll be right back." The doctor said before leaving the room.

Killian looked down at the poor girl in his arms with a worried look.

Emma walked over and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "See, the doctor's are going to fix everything." She told Mai.

Mai nodded with a whimper.

Emma gently squeezed it back. "You did pretty good when he was checking up on you."

"I did?" Mai asked her.

"Yeah." Emma said. "You did really well."

"See? You've got the Deputy's approval." Killian told Mai. "That means it's true."

Mai paused before nodding, seemingly taking it to heart. Killian looked at Emma thankfully.

Emma's phone began to ring. She went to check the caller, and saw that it was Graham. "Sorry, I've got to take this." She told Killian as she went to another part of the room. She answered the phone with, "Hey Graham, what's up?"

Graham got straight to the point. "Remember how you said we should follow Gold? Well, I took your suggestion and ran with it. I just saw Gold drive off in Moe French's truck."

"What's suspicious about that?" Emma asked.

"Because I saw Gold put a gun in his coat." Graham replied. "I checked, and Gold doesn't have a permit for that weapon."

A cold feeling settled in Emma's stomach. "Did you happen to see Moe in the back of that truck?"

"No, but I am curious as to what Gold plans to use that gun for." Graham said seriously. "I'd prefer back up on this one."

"Okay. Send me your location." Emma said, and after Graham told her, she said she'd meet him soon. Emma then hung up the phone.

"Important business then?" Killian asked as she turned to face him.

Emma sent him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, but Graham needs some backup on this one."

Killian shook his head understandingly. "It's alright. I've got things here."

Emma nodded before going over to kiss his cheek. She then bent down to look at Mai. "I hope you feel better."

"Okay." Mai mumbled. "Bye Emma."

"Bye Mai." Emma said, adding, "Bye Killian."

"Go and save the day." Killian said with a small smile.

Emma returned one of her own and left, her mind quickly going back to business. Emma didn't know what Gold was up to, but it couldn't be good. She just hoped that he didn't have Moe or anyone else in the back of that truck.

---

Gold drove Moe French's truck to a cabin out in the woods. It was further away from anyone who might hear any screaming, so it made the ideal place for Gold to avenge Belle's death in pull. She had died a horrible death, and he would make her murdered pay.

After this was done, he'd regain what Moe had stolen from him. Perhaps if this went well, then Moe wouldn't have to die after all. Some pain would be required, but death for him was an option. Perhaps Moe could rectify the crimes of Maurice by taking the fall for this.

At this point, Gold didn't care. For the beastly man in the back, there was only one way out for him.

Gold arrived in front of the cabin, and parked the truck. He got out and shut the door behind him. He made his back to the back of the truck, and opened it up.

There stood the monster who was now called 'Freddie', hands duct taped behind his back, and tape on his mouth. Such a banal name for a vile creature. It hadn't been easy to get him there. He was young and strong, but a well-placed attack with a cane to the back of the head knocked him out.

Thankfully, he was awake and alert now.

Gold reached into his coat and pulled out a gun, and pointed it at the beast. "Walk!" He ordered.

With some difficulty, 'Freddie' got up and out of the truck, nearly stumbling to the ground since his hands were behind his back, denying him balance.

With a nod, Gold forced the creature to walk towards the cabin. Gold opened the door, keeping his gun trained on him at all times, and forcing the thing to enter.

When the thing turned to face him, Gold made sure to keep some distance between them. "Here's the thing." Gold told him, trying to keep his rage under check, shutting the door behind them. "You may not remember me, but I remember what you did to her."

The creature looked confused.

"I don't let people cross me for a reason." Gold said. "I remember everything, and that's why you are not leaving this cabin."

The theft of Belle's tea cup had reopened old wounds. At first, Gold contemplated just going after Moe, killing him for this final offense. However, the more he thought about it, the more the loss of the chipped tea cup reminded him of Belle and her murderer.

The animal before him was the reason he lost Belle, the reason why…

Gold cleared his throat, feeling satisfied at the creature's frightened eyes.

One thing was for certain. 'Freddie' would die for the crimes of Androcles.

---

Rumpelstiltskin was far from a stupid man, and since becoming the Dark One, he was no longer a weak one. He'd had hundreds of years to refine his skills, to strengthen his deals with the knowledge. He practically had the world at his fingertips, though he reminded him that he was doing all of this to be reunited with Baelfire.

And yet, he was distracted. Like he said, he was far from a stupid man, which is how he noticed the way Androcles had been looking at Belle.

She is nothing to me, Rumplestiltskin tried to tell him. She is just the help.

Still, he couldn't get her out of his mind. She...she was interesting to say the least. She could actually hold a conversation with him. She didn't approve of everything he did, but she...strangely enough, she made him happy.

Now that...that man was looking at her. Rumplestiltskin hated to admit it, but his black heart clenched, because he knew that Belle was looking at Androcles the same way.

For the first time in a long while, Milah came to mind. Milah and that...that pirate. Even though, Rumplestiltskin felt nothing but contempt for the pirate for stealing his wife, for depriving Milah of his mother. He remembered the rage he felt when Milah claimed that she never loved him, the way her heart turned to dust in his mind.

It's happening again, a voice in his mind said. Do what needs to be done.

Watching the magic mirror, witnessing Belle and Androcles hold hands and looking at each other softly, Rumplestiltskin wanted to hurt Androcles. He couldn't bring himself to hurt Belle. Why deprive himself of such a mind?

However, if he killed Androcles, then Belle would never be his. She would forever see him as a monster. Even if he made it look like someone else killed him, or if he made it look like natural causes, Belle...she would know somehow. She would simply know.

Rumplestiltskin couldn't lose that, but he wasn't about to lose to a younger man again.

What if...what if Belle simply lost interest? The thought was intriguing, but had their own problems. After all, Belle spent more and more time with Androcles, as they were the only people besides Rumplestiltskin in the castle. Even with that tamed lioness there, there weren't exactly a lot of options for Belle.

That's when a thought occurred to Rumplestiltskin. What if...what if Belle had more options? What if Rumplestiltskin could show that Androcles was an inferior option. That way, Belle would tired of him.

A thought forming in Rumplestiltskin's mind, he smiled.

With a wave of his hand, smoke appeared around Rumplestiltskin before it dissipated, and he found himself in the same room as Belle and Androcles. The two of them were startled and looked at him warily, Androcles touching the lioness to calm her.

How had he not foreseen what a problem he would be? This gift he received from the Seer certainly had its limitations. All he had seen was that he would bargain for the man and the lion, that this was the course to take, and yet he hadn't foreseen this little complication.

Something Rumplestiltskin was determined to rectify.

Putting on a deliberately cheery voice, Rumplestiltskin said, "It has come to my attention that you two aren't satisfied with the terms of your employment. In fact, I find you two are quite...distracted. I believe it's time to correct that."

"Rumple-" Belle started, but Rumplestiltskin wouldn't let her finish.

"That is why I have come to a decision." Rumplestiltskin said with a wave of his hand. "You two...shall leave."

Both of them looked surprised.

"I'm...sorry?" Androcles asked, hope visibly rising inside him.

Just wait, Rumplestiltskin thought darkly. "Why yes." Rumplestiltskin told them. "Since I've heard how disagreeable you find this place, I am allowing you two to simply leave."

Belle looked at him with both confusion and a touch of softness. "You're...truly letting us go?" She asked him.

Rumplestiltskin couldn't quite keep up the act with her. "Yes." Rumplestiltskin said before straightening his back. "Of course, I will be taking something for my troubles." With a wave of his hand, the lioness disappeared in a puff of smoke, and Rumplestiltskin knew she was placed in the cage with the other creatures he had collected.

"Art!" Androcles called out, looking around for his lost lioness. The fool looked at him with anger, and brazely began advancing on him until Belle held him back.

"Androcles, stop." Belle told him.

"Where is she?" Androcles ordered.

"She stays. You go." Rumplestiltskin said, and now Belle looked at him with betrayal. Before either could say anything anything, Rumplestiltskin waved his hand again. "Goodbye."

Belle and Androcles disappeared in a cloud of smoke, and Rumplestiltskin returned to his magic mirror. Looking into it, Rumplestiltskin saw Androcles futilely attempting to cross back over the boundaries of his land. Thanks to a spell Rumplestiltskin had put there since Belle's idiotic fiance decided to challenge him.

"Rumplestiltskin!" Androcles shouted, pounding his fist against the magical boundary. "Let us back in! Please! Let Art come with us! Art!"

"Androcles!" Belle shouted, placing a hand on his shoulder, and turning him until he faced her. "Androcles." She added softly. "We'll get Art back."

"I can't-" Androcles stopped himself, a pained look on his face. "She looks tough, but she gets scared when I'm not with her. She's already been hurt enough. What is he going to do to her?"

"I don't know." Belle said, cupping his face in her hands. "And I don't know why he let us go, but we'll figure something out. Perhaps my father could help."

Androcles looked unconvinced. "Your father could turn me over to Midas."

"He won't." Belle told him seriously. "I won't let anyone touch you."

Androcles looked at her hopefully, his eyes softening. "You promise?"

Belle nodded with a smile. "I promise."

Now's the perfect time to fulfill that promise, Rumplestiltskin thought darkly. Just now in the way you thought.

Rumplestiltskin concentrated some magic in his hand, whispering incantations until the spell was ready. Then, when the time was ripe, Rumplestiltskin held his hand out, and the spell shout out of the window and headed straight towards Androcles. Because they were too focused on each other, neither Belle nor Androcles noticed the spell until it was too late.

Androcles cried out, first in shock, then in pain.

"Androcles, what is it?" Belle asked fearfully.

"I don't-" Androcles started, then fell to the ground in pain, his fingers digging into the earth. Then, those same fingers became longer, harder, and sharper, his fingernails slowly becoming claws.

"Oh gods." Belle gasped, looking fearful for Androcles.

"Stay back!" Androcles shouted before another wave of pain overcame him. His shoulders became painfully wider, his back arching as his clothes began ripping. He let out another cry of pain, and Belle's eyes widened in shock when it came out as a mix between a human cry and the roar of a beast. His mouth opened, and his human teeth became fangs. He stood up with a wobble, his skin slowly being covered with fur, until there was no visible skin left. His human nose became more akin to a snout, and by the time it was all over, Androcles the man had become Androcles the beast.

"Androcles." Belle whispered in horror, though not of him, to Rumplestiltskin's disappointment. She sounded scared for him.

Androcles looked at his hands, which were now more akin to paws, and his eyes widened. "What's happened to me?" Androcles asked, seemingly not aware of Belle's speaking. His voice was now deeper, distorted between a human voice and an animal's growl. "What's happened to me?!"

Even as Belle tried to assure him it would be alright, Rumplestiltskin knew it would never be. This was the beginning of the end. They could not travel together without turning heads. Soldiers and knights from every kingdom would want to hunt down the creature for the glory of capturing or killing it. Belle could never hope for marriage or children with this thing, and she would eventually grow tired of him.

No matter what infatuation Belle held for the man, she couldn't hope to gain anything from the beast.

---

About halfway into their roaming around, Ashley got a call saying that Alexandra was acting up. The call was just to let her know what was going on, and that Ashley didn't need to come back, but Ashley took it as a sign for her to go home. After Ashley was gone, Dada realized the time, and saw that it was getting pretty late.

"We've still got a whole night to kill." Ruby told her.

"I have work tomorrow." Dada pointed out, then guiltily added, "I'm really sorry."

"Nah, it's fine." Ruby said. "I'll walk you back."

"It's fine." Dada said. "Besides, it's not far from here."

"You sure?" Ruby asked concernedly.

"I'm sure." Dada told her.

Ruby then pulled her into a hug. "Just be safe." Ruby told her.

"I will." Dada promised. After releasing Ruby from the hug, Dada said, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Ruby replied. "Seriously be safe."

"I will." Dada said, and she began to walk home, and she saw Ruby do the same.

It was when she was nearly there that Dada realized something was missing.

"Oh, shit. Shit, shit, shit." Dada swore in rising panic as she realized that the key to her place was gone. Dada walked back the way she came, and her breathing started becoming erratic as she realized that she hadn't dropped them recently. Did someone take it? Did she drop it and now she'd never see it again? Oh god she was so stupid. "Fuck! Okay." Dada suddenly said, stopping herself and remembering to breathe. "Think for a second. Maybe someone found it. Okay, where have you been...the bar. Yeah, the bar. It could be there." Dada began walking in the direction of the bar, muttering under her breath, "Please be there."

Dada was nearly out of breath by the time she got to the bar, though she did manage a sigh of relief when the bartender showed the key to her apartment.

"Oh thank god." Dada laughed shakily as her key was back in her hand.

"Try not losing it next time." The bartender said not unkindly, though it made Dada feel self-conscious nonetheless.

Dada nodded silently, clutching the key in her hand, and left the bar. She didn't make it far before she heard someone behind her.

"Dada? That you?" Someone asked behind her, slurring their words.

Dada turned around, and found that August was standing there. He was leaning against the doorframe of the bar, and he stumbled out. More to the point, he was clearly drunk.'

"Yeah, it's me, August." Dada said, looking at him in worry. "Are you okay?"

"I'm f-" August stopped as he nearly stumbled again. He then gave her a grin. "I'm fine. Just a liiiiiittle tipsy."

Dada paused before asking, "You need me to get you home?" She didn't feel good with the idea of August getting himself back to Granny's Inn. What if in getting there he walked straight into traffic, or someone mugged him?

"Home?" August asked confusedly, leaning against the outside wall of the bar. "This isn't home. My home's...I can't go home yet."

"Why not?" Dada asked him gently.

From her interactions with August, Dada typically saw a level of confidence that could be both endearing and a touch disconcerting. He was also pretty tight-lipped about where he came from, if not his travels. Right now, August couldn't seem to muster up any confidence, and just seemed...ashamed.

August shook his head. "I'm not doing enough. I still can't figure out how to help her break it."

"Help who break what?" Dada asked.

August was silent, and he began sliding down the wall.

"Oh, no you don't." Dada said as she went forward to help him stay upright, and she ended up having to wrap her arms around him and try to lift him up.

"You're seriously strong." August said as Dada was able to keep him upright, and then she maneuvered them so that one of his arms was wrapped around her shoulder.

"Only when I have to be." Dada replied. "Come on, let's get walking."

August slowly did so, and then strangely asked, "I wonder who you are."

"Oh boy, you must've have more to drink than I thought." Dada told him as they began walking in the direction of the inn.

"I totally screwed up her life." August blurted out remorsefully. "Papa would be so ashamed of me."

Dada looked at him sympathetically before returning her attention to their route. "Did you and your dad have a fight?"

"He told me to take care of her." August said. "I tried but I got scared. I was little, what was I supposed to do?"

Who is he talking about, Dada wondered. "Who're you talking about?" Dada asked him.

August pulled away from her just in time to throw up in a bush.

"Nevermind then." Dada said.

"Sorry." August moaned.

"It's fine." She said as she awkwardly patted his back. "Just let it out."

August then threw up again.

A few minutes later, August seemed done throwing up, and they started walking again, though August tried to walk on his own. Dada was grateful for that, because his breath smelled pretty bad. It wasn't totally his fault, but still.

"Hey, are we friends?" August asked suddenly.

"Um...I don't know, maybe." Dada offered up. "I mean we don't exactly hang out a lot."

"Sorry about that." August said. "You're really nice."

"I'm not that nice." Dada tried to tell him. "Just trying to help out however I can."

"Selfless." August said, though as Dada looked at him, he seemed to be saying it less to her, and more like he was answering something in his mind. "Not me. I'm a selfish bastard."

"Hey, you're not that bad." Dada tried to joke, but August didn't respond. She then asked, "Is it about her?"

"Yeah." August said, and Dada caught him as he nearly stumbled.

"You know where she is?" Dada asked. When August nodded, she said, "Then maybe there's still time to make it up to her."

"I can't." August told her. "I'm a coward."

Dada sighed. "If you're sober enough to remember this tomorrow, then try to remember that...if she's still around, it's not too late. You'll never know unless you try."

August didn't verbally respond, but from the way he looked at her, Dada thought that maybe he understood.

She just hoped that he would remember this tomorrow.

---

'Freddie' tried to suppress a cry of pain as Gold ripped the tape from his mouth. He was seated on the ground, his back against a chair, and before he could speak, the tip of Gold's cane was against his throat.

Gold sneered at the man before him. "I want you to know something." Gold said, pressing the cane deeper into the man's throat. "You deserve every bit of this."

Gold pressed a bit further before taking the cane again.

'Freddie' gasped and coughed as he tried to regain his breath. "Wha-" The man started but ended up coughing. "What is this? Why?"

"I have had a very bad day." Gold told him. "I had something I treasure taken from me, and it just reminded me of what I lost. Of what you took from me." Gold shuddered as he said, "You took her from me."

"Who?" 'Freddie' asked.

Gold shook his head, a sneer forming on his face even as he felt a lump in his throat. "She was more precious to me than you could ever know. You had her love, and you hurt her!" Gold raised the cane up and brought it down as hard as he could against the man's head.

The man moved at the last second, and the cane came down on his shoulder, bringing out a cry of pain.

"It's your fault!" Gold shouted, bringing down his cane again and again and again. "Not mine! You're the reason she's gone! She's never coming back, and it's because of you!"

The man tried to move out of the way of his blows, but Gold following him, bringing his cane down on his shoulders, back, legs, and arms, not wanting to hit his head just yet. He wanted this to last. This beast ripped Belle to shreds, and for that he had to-

Gold felt something sharp against his ankle. He halted his assaulted as he quickly looked down, and found a dirty, yellow kitten biting and scratching his ankle. He tried to shake it off, but she held on. He distantly wondered with dark humor if this was the form the monster's lion had taken in this life.

Before he could knock the kitten off with his cane, he was pushed to the ground. He found that 'Freddie' had used the distraction to rush Gold, body checking them to the ground. Gold had lost his cane in the chaos, and tried to push the man off. Freddie squirmed around and bit one of Gold's hands.

"Get off, you beast!" Gold growled, trying to get away from him. He managed to reach out far enough to reclaim his cane, and slammed the end of it against the man's forehead.

"Ah!" The man cried out as he rolled away, trying to create distance between him and Gold. He then leaned back and sent a powerful kick against Gold's weak leg, sending Gold to the ground.

"Stop!" Emma's voice permeated the air, soon followed by the Sheriff shouting, "Hands in the air!"

Gold looked up, and found Emma and the Sheriff pointing guns at them. Well, at him, as Emma quickly took note of 'Freddie's' bound form on the ground, and went to attend to him.

He felt a surge of anger. They were interfering with his revenge. They were stopping him from avenging Belle.

"Mr. Gold, turn around with your hands on your head." The Sheriff told him in a serious tone.

"You can't be serious." Gold said incredulously, watching Emma try to undo the restraints on the monster's wrists. The little ball of bur went to 'Freddie', and when she looked at him, she hissed.

"Now, Gold!" The Sheriff shouted, and Gold knew he wasn't about to get a third warning.

He did as directed, and soon he was handcuffed and had his rights read to him as Emma undid the beast's restraints. An ambulance arrived as Gold was being placed in the back of the Sheriff's car, and the beast left the cabin on a gurney, unfortunately alive.

"Wait, wait!" 'Freddie' shouted, and the confused EMTs stopped. He groaned in pain as he reached over the side of the gurney, and Gold saw the kitten jump up to hold onto his outstretched arms. He couldn't hear what the EMTs were saying, though it was clear that they didn't want the cat to come along. After some protest, and likely working under a time constraint, simply loaded him into the ambulance, and drove away.

The Sheriff and Emma came back around to talk to Gold.

"Now, you've understood your rights as I've read them to you." The Sheriff said. "However, is there anything you'd like to say?"

Gold wisely held his tongue. The charges, if any were to be filed, would never stand up. He'd be out of a cell before any of them realized it.

"What the hell was that, Gold?" Emma asked angrily. "Why did you attack him?"

Gold still said nothing.

"Unbelievable." Emma scoffed. "You know, I knew you're capable of being a real piece of shit, but I never thought you'd just attack an innocent person at random."

Gold glared at her, wanting to prove to her that 'Freddie' wasn't as innocent as his persona made him out to be. Ah, but she still didn't believe in the curse. There'd be no point in telling her the truth if she wouldn't believe it. It didn't help that she was in some way friends with the monster.

"Emma, can you secure the scene before talking to Freddie?" Graham asked. "I'll take care of Gold."

Emma agreed, and soon they went their separate ways. Emma to the beast, and Graham to the Sheriff's Station.

Gold said nothing the whole way there. He didn't need to. He'd been too reckless, too consumed with the idea of finally ridding the realms of Belle's murdered. Next time he'd do some more careful planning, but for now he needed to beat these charges.

I promise Belle, Gold thought to himself. He will pay for what he did.

---

What did you think? Did you think that Henry actually cares about you? He can do better than a bad kid with no future.

Two weeks later, and that bitch's words still played over in his head, and Declan stared up at the ceiling. LJ's uncle had already picked him up a while ago, but Graham couldn't get there yet. Nancy hadn't said what Graham called her about, only that it was police related. Nancy had been nice enough to roll out a sleeping bag and let him sleep in Fernando's room.

Maybe she's just buying time for Graham, some dark part of Declan's mind theorized. Maybe it isn't police related at all, and the truth is that Graham's finally gotten tired of you.

Declan tried not to flinch, and when he tried to push that thought out of his mind, it instead went to when he was stuck in that closet. Everything was fine until she banged on the door after Declan starting cursing at her. Declan tried to keep his breathing steady as he remembered being in that dark, empty closet.

Put the dumbass in the trunk. He remembered his mother's voice, ordering his brothers to stuff him in the trunk. He couldn't be sure, but he just knew that his mom was the one that dragged the trunk outside to the backyard. When Declan had demanded to be let out, his mom had banged on the box, and left him outside in that trunk for hours. Feeling the cold creep up on him, trying hard to hold it in but peeing himself in the process.

It was only after his parents were both passed out drunk that Gavin had finally plucked up the courage to come out and get him out.

Declan knew that his parents would've beaten them if they didn't do it, but a part of Declan never fully forgave Gavin or Oscar for that.

It was his own fault. He's the one who snuck out. He...he's the one who…

"Dec?" Fernando asked sleepily. Declan looked over, and saw Fernando was sitting up in bed, looking at him in the dark. "Why are you sad?"

"I'm not-" Declan cleared his throat when he heard how weak his voice was. He also realized that there were tears streaming down his face, and that he might have been audibly crying. "I'm not sad." He said tearily. "Go back to sleep."

Fucking damn it, Declan thought, hating how even his thoughts sounded sad.

Fernando got out of bed, and Declan wiped at his eyes as he held onto his egg. Fernando sat next to Declan, who was still laying on the floor, and Declan saw that Fernando was holding a plush fox toy. Fernando then nearly smacked Declan in the face with that toy.

"What are you doing?" Declan asked irritatingly.

"It's Rob." Fernando said. "He makes me happy. Can he make you happy?"

Declan shook his head. "I'm okay."

Declan didn't even move as Fernando placed the fox on his face.

"I'm good." Declan said muffled, though his breath hitched because he's dumb. Jesus, a 3-year-old has to comfort him. "I'm so dumb."

"No." Fernando said as Declan sat up, and Declan placed Rob back in Fernando's lap.

Declan wiped his eyes. "Yeah, I am." Declan said quietly, trying not to alert Nancy. "I'm just a big a dummy."

"Mm." Fernando whimpered, obviously becoming upset at Declan's tears.

"No, no, hey, don't cry." Declan said. When Fernando's lip wobbled, Declan forced himself to smile. "Hey, look, not sad anymore."

"No?" Fernando asked.

"No." Declan said with a shake of his head. He then got out of his sleeping bag, and picked up Fernando before placing him on the bed. "Now go to sleep."

Fernando just climbed out of bed.

"Okay then." Declan said before once again picking up Fernando. The little boy rested his hand on Declan's shoulder, and Declan began rocking him back and forth. "Sleep, sleep, sleep."

"Story." Fernando said sleepily.

Declan nodded before putting Fernando in bed. Tucking him in, Declan asked, "Um...what story?"

"Hobbit." Fernando said sleepily.

Ah crap, Declan thought as he realized he left the book at home. Guess I'll have to do this from memory. "Um, okay...a long time ago, in a realm called Middle Earth, there was a place called the Shire…"

It took maybe five minutes before Fernando fell asleep again. On impulse, Declan kissed him on the forehead, and then reeled back thinking, The fuck? When did that become a thing?

Declan placed Rob back with Fernando before awkwardly returning to his sleeping bag with his egg in hand, wondering just what the hell happened. Yeah, he liked the kid, but the kiss on the forehead? Where had that come from? Sure, he knew other people whose parents did that, but his parents never did. Declan wasn't even sure his brothers did that for him.

Did they ever love me?, Declan asked. Has anyone ever loved me?

Sure, his friends and Graham cared, but love? Was that even possible for someone like him?

He can do better than a bad kid with no future, Regina had said. Say anything, and I promise you will spend the rest of your life in a place like this, and Graham will be better off.

What're you going to do, call the cops?, Declan's dad had asked him when Declan finally got back into the house. It's not like anyone will care. You'll just end up in foster care where absolutely no one will give a collective shit.

Declan swallowed a hard lump in his throat. He knew that Regina was bad, and he'd taken her words to heart. It was the same reason he never told anyone what his parents were like when they were still around. They'd find a way to get him and kick his ass.

He could keep a secret. That's what he was good at. Maybe it was the only thing he was good at.

---

You're the reason she's gone!, Gold's shout reverberated throughout Freddie's mind.

What had he been talking about? Who was this 'she' he kept talking about?

It was too confusing. He had never done anything to Gold.

She's never coming back, and it's because of you!

The way he'd said it, the way he'd looked at Freddie...Freddie knew that if Emma and Graham hadn't gotten there at that time, he likely wouldn't have left that cabin alive.

"Excuse me." A nurse said, and when Freddie turned he found that kitten from the cabin in her arms. "I think this belongs to you."

"Actually-" Freddie started to deny that he owned the cat, but given how the kitten pretty much helped save his life, he couldn't quite bring himself to do it. "Thanks, but doesn't this violate some sort of regulation?"

"Probably, but this is the third time she's managed to sneak back in, and we're all too tired to stop her tonight." The nurse said as she brought the kitten into the room, and placed it on Freddie's bad. The kitten then proceeded to climb on Freddie's lap, allowing Freddie to pet her.

The kitten immediately snuggled up to him, and the nurse left to attend to another patient.

"Thanks for saving me." Freddie told the kitten as he scratched her under the chin. "You really helped me out back there. You're a good girl."

Freddie then picked up the kitchen, and double-checked to make sure it was a girl. "Yes, you are good girl."

Freddie put the kitten down, this time resting her on his chest.

The kitten yawned.

Freddie chuckled. "Yeah, it's been a long day." Freddie paused before saying, "You'll be adopted in no time. You'll have a nice family."

Freddie could've sworn that the kitten glared at him.

Since he had no one else to talk to right now, Freddie asked, "What? You think I should take you?"

The kitten rested her head against his chest.

Freddie smiled a little. "Well, I don't know about that. I mean I've kind of taken care of animals before, but always for someone else." Freddie rested his head, looking up at the ceiling as he said, "If I were to take you, I'd have to come up with a name."

The kitten meowed almost impatiently.

"Don't take that tone with me, missy." Freddie told her, and then it struck him. "Hmm...how about Missy? You think that's a good name?"

Looking back down, he found the kitten was fast asleep.

"Alright, I'll follow you're lead." Freddie said, feeling exhaustion seep into every bit of his body. As he closed his eyes, he sleepily said, "Goodnight, Missy."

Freddie then finally, peacefully drifted off to sleep.

---

Mai woke up in a fit, and Killian, who had been half-asleep, immediately awoke.

"Daddy?" Mai asked as she laid in her hospital bed, a colorful thing in a hospital room with cute little drawings.

"I'm right here." Killian said as he gently squeezed her hand in his.

"Phoebe?" Mai called out quietly.

"She's at Mary Margaret's place with Lady." Killian said. They had come by after Mai fell asleep the first time. Killian had given Mary Margaret the keys to his place to get some overnight things for Phoebe and Lady, and Phoebe had been remiss to leave. She had required repeated assurances that Mai would be alright before she would leave.

"Sick." Mai said.

"I know, sweetheart." Killian said, letting go her her hand to brush some hair out of his fight.

"Sleepy." Mai added. "Can't sleep."

"I'm sorry." Killian said sympathetically. He waited a bit for Mai to fall asleep, but she seemed to have trouble settling down.

"Daddy, I can't sleep." Mai moaned.

Killian tried to think of something, but what could settle her down? What got him to settle down as a child? He didn't usually get sick, but one time his mother...wait. That's it. "Would you like a little song?"

"A song?" Mai asked.

"Mhmm." Killian told her. "My mum used to sing it to me when I was little, like her mum sang it to her."

"Mum? Mai repeated curiously. "Grandmum?"

Killian didn't answer that, unsure about how to explain the logistics of this, and instead asked, "Would you like me to sing?"

"Okay." Mai breathed out, clearly trying to calm down and sleep, but frustrated that she couldn't.

Killian gently cleared his throat, his thumb gently brushed away hair from Mai's forehead on its own. Killian tried remembering the words and the tune of the lullaby his mother used to sing him. For a moment, he was afraid that it was lost to him, and his mind became distant. However, for once, it seemed like this led his mind to the right place.

Killian opened his mouth and softly sang, "I see the moon, the moon sees me. Shining through the leaves of the old oak tree. Oh, let the light that shines on me, shine on the one I love." As he continued singing, he remembered being a young boy, lying in bed as he mother gently ran her thumb over his forehead, how he had focused on that and the song to get him to sleep. He remembered the way his bed rocked, as the ship swayed from side to side.

Wait, ship?, Killian thought to himself, abruptly stopping. The memory became fleeting, and as he looked over at Mai, it all but disappeared. To his profound relief, he found that she was fast asleep, her little chest gently going up and down.

Killian sighed in thanks before leaning over to kiss her forehead. "Goodnight, sweetheart."

Killian then sat back in the chair beside Mai's bed, ready to stand vigil once more.

---

February 15, 2012

Jefferson waited in the lobby of Dada's building, wanting to surprise her with breakfast today. He had felt bad about not going out with her yesterday. He had really tried to make it, but it just became too overwhelming. He'd felt so embarrassed over the whole thing, and he didn't really protest when Dada told him that she'd be fine, that he should just go home.

Once he actually got home, he felt a deep sense of guilt. Both because he couldn't be with Dada yesterday, and because a part of him was relieved that he had an excuse to go.

The person Dada really was weighed heavily on his mind. He knew that it was selfish of him to accept it, but he couldn't help it. Still, the more time passed, the more he felt scared that he was truly going to mess this up. He knew that he cared about her, a lot, but he still didn't have the assurance he needed that he wasn't taking things too far.

Maybe he should just...go back to the days where he stayed in his house, watching everyone from afar. Dada would be hurt, but it'd be for the best, right?

Last night, Jefferson had taken a few looks at the town with his telescope. He'd seen Grace with her cursed parents, and his heart ached at how his little girl was growing up every day. Jefferson had to step away for several minutes after his chest started constricting painfully, from how it felt like something inside of him was ripping open because his daughter was out of his reach.

When Jefferson had finally managed to calm down, he set his telescope to another part of town, hoping to take his mind off of things. He had eventually found Dada walking a clearly drunk August home. Feeling awkward about watching her from afar, he'd only continued doing so since he didn't know what a drunk August would do.

Once Dada had gotten home, Jefferson had ended his watch for the night.

Because that's not creepy at all, Jefferson thought. He didn't use to be like this. He remembered a time when talking to people was second nature to him, especially if he needed to charm them for something he needed. While Jefferson was glad that that part of him was gone, he wondered, not for the first time, just what kind of person he ended up becoming.

"Jefferson?" Dada's voice caused him to look up, and at the bottom of the stairs Dada stood there. She smiled at him as she stepped forward. "Hi."

She then leaned up to give him a peck on the lips, which Jefferson accepted with some amount of guilt.''

Dada leaned back with a smile, but then seemed to notice his awkwardness. "Something wrong?"

Jefferson smiled and shook his head. "It's nothing."

Dada arched an eyebrow before her features softened. "Is it about what happened yesterday?"

Jefferson told her, "No."

"It's okay if it is." Dada insisted. "Really, I get it. You can't handle a bunch of people at once." She then reached over to hold his hand in hers. "It was nice that you tried, but you shouldn't push yourself."

Jefferson squeezed her hand, wanting to tell her the truth about the situation, but he knew that doing so would only result in his stay in the asylum. Instead, he told her another truth. "I just want you to be happy."

"You make me happy." Dada told him sincerely. "And it also makes me happy knowing you're comfortable."

How comfortable can I be knowing the truth when you don't?, Jefferson asked himself. "You don't have to worry about me." He told her.

"And you don't have to worry about me, but I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon." Dada smirked at him. She then cupped his face in his hands, and he couldn't help but lean into them. "I know something's bothering you, and you don't have to tell me right now, but I'm here if you need."

A smile briefly flitted over his face at her kindness before he took her hands in his. Without thinking, he pressed them to his lips, and saw her smile shyly.

Jefferson knew that Dada had feelings for him, just like he had feelings for her. If who she was truly didn't care about him, then he would respect her wishes and leave. If she did, then…

He stopped himself before he could hope for too much. He needed a sign first, something to point to the truth. Jefferson was indeed a selfish man, but sooner or later, he'd have to make a choice that could potentially leave them both heartbroken.

---

Freddie opened his eyes, and immediately realized that there was something meowing next to him. Wincing in pain from his wounds, Freddie managed to move enough to see that the kitten was there, looking up at him and meowing impatiently.

"What are you doing?" He asked Missy, wondering how no one had spotted her yet.

Missy tried to stand on its hind legs in an attempt to reach Freddie.

Freddie, who was already sick of being in bed, climbed off and soon Missy was climbing up his legs.

"Ow, ow, easy." Freddie said as he felt Missy sink her claws into him. However, when Freddie reached down to grab her, she hopped off, and began to run. "Hey, wait."

Freddie followed her, and to his curiosity, everytime Missy nearly got too far, he found her waiting for him to catch up. Whenever he nearly did, she would once again speed off. She certainly had an idea of where she was going.

Eventually, Missy finally stopped in front of a door that had a red sign with the word in white letters on it. Next to the door was a keypad on it, and it looked like you'd have to insert a numbered code.

Freddie tried to open the door, but it was locked.

"Whoa whoa, hey." A security guard came over, her brows furrowed as she looked at him. She had a name tag, but he couldn't tell what it said.

"I'm just trying to get in." Freddie said.

"More like get out." The woman said. "This is an exit door."

"It is?" Freddie asked, looking back at the door, but of course he couldn't tell what it said. "Wait, if this is an exit, why is there a keypad? What if there's an emergency and no one knows the code?"

It looked like the thought had never occurred to the woman. She then called out to the person at the front desk.

"Yeah, Wen?" The bored desk secretary asked.

"Where does this door lead?" Wen asked.

"Probably an exit." The secretary said without looking up.

Wen rolled her eyes before looking at Freddie. "You should go back to your room." Looking down at the kitten, Wen sighed. "I swear, this one cat is becoming the bane of my existence."

"Sorry." Freddie said with a nervous smile.

"It's yours?" Wen asked.

"Uh, yes." Freddie told her, wincing as he bent down and picked Missy up. "I just got her."

"Well, call someone to look after her." Wen said not unkindly. "We have patients here that might be allergic to cats."

"I understand." Freddie said, hesitating before asking, "Do you have a quarter? I want to call a friend."

Wen forked over the quarters needed for Freddie to use a nearby payphone, and after getting help from Wen looking through the phone back, Freddie made his call.

"Hello?" David greeted.

"Hey David, it's me." Freddie said, holding the phone in one hand and Missy in the other.

"Hey Freddie." David greeted. "I didn't recognize the number. Then again, I don't think you've ever called me."

"That's because I'm at the hospital." Freddie said, and then winced at the volume of David's voice.

"What?!" David shouted before bringing his voice down to normal. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"I'll explain more in person." Freddie said as he held onto Missy. "Listen, I need to ask you for a pretty big favor."

"Anything." David said immediately, and Freddie thought he heard the sounds of David frantically getting ready in the background.

"I'm probably not going to leave this hospital anytime soon." Freddie told him. "So I'm going to need you to take care of some things for me."

"Of course." David said. "We'll talk more when I get there. See you soon."

"See you." Freddie said, and he hung up the phone. Freddie then began walking to his hospital room. "It'll be alright Missy." Freddie told the kitten, who curled closer to him. "I'll heal up, and when I'm out of here, we'll be together. I promise."

---

Gold had finally shown his hand. No one else had realized it, but Regina did. She knew that the only reason why Gold would attack the pet shelter janitor seemingly at random was if he remembered. After all, they never interacted in this life, so this so-called random attack was anything but.

Regina needed to talk to Gold in private, and since he was sitting in a cell, she brought along just the thing to distract Ms. Swan. She just had to find a way to get Graham out of the way.

Luckily for her, upon entering the bullpen of the Sheriff's Station with Henry, she found that Graham's office was empty. Good, she just needed him to stay away just long enough to get some answers.

Henry was practically vibrating with excitement at being allowed to spend some time with that woman. For now, Regina would let that go.

"Deputy Swan." Regina called out.

"Regina?" The woman asked confusedly before spotting Henry, a smile immediately appearing on her face. "Henry."

"Emma!" Henry called out, rushing over to give her a hug, which she returned.

Regina suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. She had to do something, and she wasn't about to let this go to waste. "I'm letting you have thirty minutes with Henry. Take him out, buy him ice cream." Regina told her.

Emma stood up, still keeping an arm around Henry's shoulders as Regina's son held onto her. "You want me to leave you alone with a prisoner?" She asked suspiciously.

Regina set her eyes on Gold as she responded, "Twenty-nine and a half minutes."

"Bring me back a cone." Gold said blithely.

Emma didn't like it, but Regina didn't care if she did.

Regardless, Emma grabbed her coat and grabbed Henry's hand. "Come on, let's go!"

"Yeah!" Henry smiled, and the two were out the door.

"So you've finally grown a conscience." Gold said in a bored tone. "Decided to let the boy see his mother."

"I'm his mother." Regina corrected as she grabbed a chair and set it in front of Gold's cell. Once she was seated, she continued, "I think it's time we finally had our chat."

"I don't suppose I have much of a choice." Gold replied.

"No, you don't." Regina smiled.

Gold said, "When two people want something the other has, a deal can always be struck. Do you have what I want?"

"Yes." Regina said, anticipation building, knowing she had Gold right where she wanted him.

Gold looked at her coldly. "So...you did put him up to it then."

Regina shrugged a little. "I merely suggested that... strong men take what they need."

"Oh yeah." Gold scoffed. "And you told him just what to take, didn't you?"

"Indeed." Regina said. "I'm surprised though. I would've thought you would go after Moe, not some poor janitor."

"Don't feel too sorry for him." Gold nearly growled. "He isn't so deserving of mercy."

"You certainly didn't show any." Regina smirked. "We used to know each other so well, Mr. Gold. Has it really come down to this?"

"It seems it has, yeah, But you know what I want." Gold said, becoming more impatient. "What is it you want?"

Finally, Regina thought. "I want you to answer one question. And answer it simply. What's your name?"

Gold looked smug as he said, "It's Mr. Gold."

Regina gave him a stern look. "Your real name."

"Every moment I've spent on this earth, that's been my name." Gold told her, weaving his words to give himself some leeway.

Regina wasn't having it. "But what about moments spent elsewhere?"

Gold paused for a few beats before asking, "What are you asking me?"

"I think you know." Regina said. "If you want me to return what's yours, tell me your name."

Regina barely suppressed the urge the grin gleefully as she saw the look of realization on his face. It was the look of a man who knew he was cornered with no way out, especially when Regina had something he wanted.

At long last, he said, "Rumplestiltskin. Now give me what I want."

Regina smiled as she reached into her bag and took out a chipped cup. "Oh this?" When Gold tried to reach for it, she managed to keep it just out of his reach. "Such a...sentimental little keepsake." After toying with him for a few more moments, she allowed him to keep the thing.

"Thank you...Your Majesty." He said bitterly as he sat back down on his cot. "So... now that we're being honest with each other, let's remember how things used to be, shall we? And don't let these bars fool you, dear. I'm the one with the power around here. I'm gonna be out of here in no time, and nothing between us will change."

"We shall see." Regina said, getting up and taking a look at the clock on the wall. She still had some time left before the woman was due back with her son. Since she had gotten a little something to mark the day, and because she had wanted to do so anyways, she decided to visit another prisoner.

Regina got in her car, and drove to the hospital. Taking the rose that she had previously gotten from her car, Regina quickly made her way to the psychiatric ward in the hospital's basement.

Regina handed the rose to Nurse Ratched.

"Pretty." The nurse said, accepting the rose.

"Well, I know how hard you work." Regina said congenially. Then, just to make sure, she asked, "Has anyone been to see her?"

The nurse smiled a little. "No, ma'am. Not today. Not ever."

Regina nodded, and made her way towards the cell of one of the 'patients' here.

Opening the slot, Regina peered in and looked at the husk of a woman who was once known as Belle. The amnesiac looked at her through her tangled brown locks, and Regina smiled.

She knew it was a good idea to keep this particular prisoner a secret. After all, she had told Rumplestiltskin in their past life that Belle had been ripped to shreds by her creature lover. If she popped up alive and well as any other cursed person in town, he would've seen through her deception. Regina only wanted this one alive long enough to act as...insurance against Rumplestiltskin.

Now that he was confirmed as awake, she knew that Belle would have to remain a secret.

She only visited her every once in a while. After all, this cursed persona of Belle's never talked. Where was the fun in engaging with someone who never responded? She had once thought about keeping Belle's lover in a cell such as this, but ultimately the curse had its own ideas. The Dark Curse was hers, no mistake about that, but sometimes it still found ways to surprise her.

Regina closed the slot, leaving the amnesiac woman back in her loneliness.

Regina released a breath with a smile on her face. Her suspicions about Gold were confirmed, and he made his little threats. It didn't matter. He didn't have magic, and he couldn't touch her.

Besides, Regina had other enemies she wanted to focus on. Rumplestiltskin would just have to wait.

---

She thinks she's won, Gold thought as he sat alone in his cell, Emma still spending time with her boy.

Regina had always been a touch too smug for her own good. She thought because the curse was still active, he couldn't move against her. While he couldn't rip her black heart out of her chest and crush it, that didn't make him helpless.

When he discovered his things missing, his first thought was to check under the floorboards of his shop. To his profound relief, the idiotic Moe had not discovered the potion. It was still there, waiting for Gold to work on it.

This chat with Regina did provide him with some insight. He had been sloppy. He hadn't planned out Androcles' murder nearly as much as he thought.

He needed to work on that potion, and fast. He needed some countermeasure against Regina if she decided that locking him in a closet wasn't good enough. He very much wanted to live thank you.

He wouldn't let hundreds of years of darkness and sacrifice go in vain. He wouldn't lose the chance to see his son again.

This was a temporary setback. He'd get the charges dropped in no time.

Once he was out, he would gather the materials needed for his potion. First, he'd find a test subject. Then he'd go after his true target.

Gold could be patient. He could wait for his chance to strike. And when he did, no one would be able to stop him.

---

And that's it! Valentine's Day - the day where villains giving their victims a beatdown. Oh, and love. That's especially important ;)

Seriously though, it was fun to explore these relationships further in this chapter. It was also fun to have CS get so close to have some sexy times. Sorry about that ;P

The lullaby Killian sings Mai is called "I See the Moon," which is an old lullaby.

Freddie and Missy are based off the man and lion from "Androcles' Lion," except in this case it's a lioness named Art/Missy (lol Missy as a kitten still makes me smile).

Also, for those of you who are wondering - no, I am not a fan of Rumbelle. I kind of was in the beginning, but over time it just became such a toxic relationship, and honestly Belle deserves better.

Let me know what you think below!

See you same time next week!