The next morning, Snow demanded that Charming be allowed to come and see Emma as he was scheduled to. She also insisted that Marali be brought into the room so Snow could see her like she was meant to. George allowed this. He thought it might be good for the others to see just what he was capable of.

It was the first time Snow and Charming had been in contact since George had separated the family. Charming looked so gaunt. There were giant circles under his eyes. He had lost almost all colour from his face. He had heard the screaming from the room he was being held in. He had tried desperately to get out. He knew those screams belonged to Emma. He knew they were caused by her experiencing an outburst. It had taken seven guards to restrain him in the end. They had to knock him out. He had a lump on his head and a giant, nasty, purple bruise going down the right side of his face. He didn't care about any of that though. He cared about what they had put Emma through.

Snow's hair was lying limp around her shoulders. The toll of the strain the family was under was showing around her face. They looked at each other, doing their best not to show their fear in front of Marali.

Marali, meanwhile, was staring at Emma. This had been the first time she had seen her little sister in days. Much like Charming, Marali had heard Emma's screams the previous night. She hadn't been able to sleep afterwards. How could she? She knew what George was doing, she just wished she could get this damn cuff off so she could show him what happens when you mess with her little sister.

"Is she ok?" Charming croaked as he came over. He perched himself on the edge of Emma's bed and gently brushed some hair out of her face.

"She'll live." Snow answered him. "They stopped her before it got to full flow. I don't know what effect the poppy powder will have had on things." Snow looked up to Marali, who was standing a couple of feet away from the bed. She looked tense. She had seen Emma after an outburst before, but this was different. Snow held her free hand out to Marali.

"Come on over honey." Snow said gently. "It's ok." Marali didn't move. "Marali, please. We haven't got a lot of time before they take you both away. I'll only be allowed to stay with Emma until she's awake. Please, we won't get another opportunity like this." Marali understood what her mom was saying. Finally. They were planning their escape. Tentatively, Marali came and sat beside her mother. Charming glanced behind him to the guards at the door. They were watching carefully. They would have to be careful with what they said.

"She'll never see Marcus again." Snow said sadly. Charming and Marali were confused for a moment, until they both got the code behind the seemingly innocent message. Regina's castle remains untouched. They don't know we're in danger. Charming looked up at Snow. That was there hope, but how could they get in contact with her? Marali could feel the breeze coming through the open window.

"The birds are back from migrating." Marali commented. Send a message on a bird. Snow winked at her eldest. That was a brilliant idea. The only problem now was, how could Snow send a message on a bird? She couldn't exactly ask the guards for a scroll, a quill and some ink. Her eyes wandered around Emma's room, looking for anything that could help them. On Emma's bedside table was her little jewellery box. Inside were various little trinkets. Such as earrings. Snow didn't need a scroll or ink. She had her own blood. If she tore off a small strip from her clothing and cut her finger, she could write her message onto the strip and tie it to a bird.

"Yes, they are." Snow commented back. I'll need to listen to them more carefully tonight." Charming and Marali gave her small smiles. They knew that meant Snow was going to do it tonight. She would have a small window of opportunity. When the guards weren't looking, she would take an earring out of Emma's jewellery chest. Then at her allotted bathroom break she would tear off a strip of her clothing that wouldn't be visible to the guards and prick her finger, writing her message. When the guards were being changed over, she would quickly tie her message to a bird and have it fly to Regina's castle. They were getting out of here.

"Time's up." A gruff voice called. Charming and Marali reluctantly got off the bed. Charming kissed Emma's fevered forehead and then pulled Snow into his arms, holding her tight.

"Be careful." He murmured against her ear. "Don't get caught."

"I won't." She whispered back. She pulled back, passionately pressing her lips against his. She then turned to Marali, pulling her into her arms.

"It's all going to be over soon. We know that now." Snow promised her. Marali wasn't so sure. She still didn't really trust Regina.

Snow got back on the bed beside the still knocked out Emma. She draped an arm around her middle.

"He won't be able to hurt you again." She promised her, and she meant it.

Charming had his arm draped around Marali's shoulders as he then walked her out of Emma's room with the guards escorting them. They stopped at Marali's room. Charming bent down and hugged his daughter.

"She'll be fine." He whispered against her ear. "Your mum's still got it." Marali just smiled, but deep down she was terrified. Charming was taken off to the room he was being held in as Marali walked into her own room. She gasped in surprise at what was waiting for her inside.

"Hello, Marali, I thought it was time you and I had a proper talk." George said coldly.