Once Upon A Time: The Devil's Dilemma, Part Twenty-Six

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

(A few minor changes in this chapter.)

David watched as Henry slept. After getting home, he put the child to bed. It seemed he had not gotten much coffee in him since he went to sleep within twenty minutes of laying down. It was either that or the poor kid was just so tired, even coffee wasn't going to help.

The night had been quiet, David waking up every couple of hours to find Henry sleeping soundly. He had slept on the floor next to the bed just like he promised he would. He wondered if that security had given Henry the peace he needed to get some rest. He looked out the window, the sky brightening with the sunrise.

He got up from the floor, stretching and hissing. His muscle were stiff from not only the floor but the stress that kept him wound tight as a spring. He didn't know how much more he could stand but he knew he had to endure just a little longer. They had found diamonds for fairy dust and Jefferson's hat was locked away in the gun safe at the police station.

With both things, Emma and Mary-Margret's return was assured. The last couple of hurdles would hopefully be cleared soon and he would have them back. That brought other worries bubbling to the top but he pushed them down the best he could, telling himself he had to take it one step at a time. Once they were home, he could move on to the other things.

He walked to the kitchen, heading for the refrigerator. His mind was set on a glass of orange juice but the vibrating of his cell phone on the counter stopped him. He furrowed his brow as he picked it up, his heart leaping into his throat when he saw the caller ID. It was the number for Granny's.

He answered the call, " Hello? "

" David, " It was Granny. She sounded panicked. " It's Ruby. She's gone. "

" Gone? " David repeated. " What do you mean gone? "

" The freezer is torn up and the door is knocked off the hinges and she's not here, " Granny said. " We need to go find her. There's no telling where she ended up or what she's done. "

" Calm down, " David said though her words worried him too. He had recalled how she had helped in the battle against Regina and her forces, even doing reconnaissance when he was being held captive. He hadn't thought about it the night before but he had a lot of things going on. " I'll be down there as fast as I can. "

" Hurry, " Granny said. " Please. "

" I'll throw something on and I'll... " He looked over to the bedroom and frowned. If he left, there would be no one to watch Henry.

" You'll what? " Granny asked. " David? Are you still there? "

" Yeah, " David replied. He really didn't have many options when it came to who to call. If Henry needed watching, it was either Granny or Ruby who would do it. They weren't options at that moment though.

" David? " Granny asked firmly. " She could be hurt or worse. "

David growled, " I know. I know. I have to find someone to watch Henry though. "

" Oh, " Granny said. " You come over as soon as you do. "

" I will, " David said.

" I'll go sniff around and see if I can pick up her trail while I'm waiting, " Granny said.

" That will help, " David replied. " Thanks. "

" No problem, " Granny said and hung up the phone.

David hung up, unable to think. He wasn't about to call Mr. Gold to watch the boy but he really didn't have any other options. He took a sharp breath as he realized he did have one last option. " Regina... " He muttered.

He had been keeping Regina abreast of Henry's well-being after she had saved him at the stables. He felt he at least owed that to her since it seemed she really was trying to be a good. He dialed her number, the former mayor answering on the second ring. " David? " She sounded surprised.

" Regina, " David said. " I need you to do something for me. "

" Oh? " Regina asked. " And what would be so important that you would ask me for help? "

David frowned, " It's a favor for Henry actually. He's having nightmares just like Snow did after you put her under the sleeping curse. "

Regina gasped, " I'll be right over. "

David listened as she hung up. He hung up as well, setting the phone back down on the counter. He moved quickly, pulling off his sleep shirt as he walked. He rushed to get dressed, running his fingers through his hair once he was. He headed for the bathroom to check himself when there was a light knock at the door.

He turned on his heel, heading for it instead. He slid the lock open and unlocked the deadbolt, turning the knob and opening it. He blinked when he saw Regina standing there. " That was fast, " David said.

" There's not much traffic his time of morning, " Regina stammered.

David quirked his mouth, " Did you just will yourself over here? "

" What does it matter? " Regina asked. " I'm here and you told me to hurry. Now, go. He'll be safe with me. I swear. "

David got right in her face and narrowed his eyes, " He better be here when I get back. "

Regina swallowed but she tried to hide it. " He will be, " She said as firmly as she could manage.

David glared at her as he walked out the door, closing it behind him...

Flames covered the walls, the heat unbearable. There were no windows or door, just the flames and the luminescent floor. He found himself there... Again. He had slept so long before he woke up to go to the bathroom, managing to slip out and back into the bed without waking David.

When he returned to the bed, he went back to sleep. He fell into a deeper sleep than before, the deep kind that would bring him into the room. He would have just stayed awake if he had known but it was too late. He fought to wake himself but to no avail.

The flames danced around him, reaching out and licking at him as he tried to avoid them. He was surrounded though, each move just bringing him closer to another set. " HELP! " He screamed, the roar of the fire drowning his voice out.

As the flames ebbed and flowed around him, he caught sight of the woman that always seemed to be in the room when he was. She seemed to be trying to avoid the flames as hard as he was. " HEY! " He shouted, hoping she would be able to hear him. " HEY! WHO ARE YOU? "

He seemed to be able to move closer but she had her face covered with her lavender dress, protecting herself from the flames. " WHERE ARE WE? " He shouted when he got a little closer to her. He reached for her, a wall of flames leaping upward to separate them.

" HENRY! " Regina's voice echoed in his mind. " HENRY! WAKE UP! "

He bolted up in the bed, gasping for air. He found Regina was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at him with concern. " It's okay, it's okay, " She said as she reached for him.

He was confused by her presence, expecting to see his grandfather at his side. " Wh-wh-what are you doing here? Where's David? "

Regina's expression was hard to read as she said, " He got an emergency call this morning and he asked me to look after you. "

Henry thought it was strange then realized it must have been a big emergency for him to call Regina. He knew they were trying to get along but he had kept him away from her since the incident at the stables. He assumed David wanted her to make a serious effort just like he did. He hated not seeing his mom but he really did want her to change.

" He told me you've been having nightmares, " She kept her tone even and calm, just like she always did when she was trying to comfort him. She reached out and touched his left hand, " It's okay... "

When her fingers touched his skin, shooting pain traveled through the limb. He jerked it away as he cried out, turning his hand to see why it hurt. Regina gasped as he revealed a severe burn on the side of his hand. She tried to hold his hand still as he tried to pull it away.

" Is that a burn? " She gasped. She then turned her eyes to Henry, " You need to tell me everything right now. "

Henry pulled his hand out of Regina's hand, cradling it to his chest. " I dream I'm in this burning red room. There's no doors or windows... Just a glowing floor and curtains. Everything is on fire. "

" What happens when you're there? " Regina asked, her eyes fixed intently on him.

Henry whimpered, his hand throbbing from the burn. He hissed, " I try not to get burned but the fire is everywhere. It's like I was in an oven... "

" Can you control anything when you're there? " Regina put her hands on his shoulders. " Anything at all? "

Henry shook his head and closed his eyes, " No. I can't even wake myself up half the time. David slept in here last night to make sure I would be alright. "

Regina let go of his shoulder and sat back. He opened his eyes in time to see her pull out her cell phone. She hit a couple of buttons and put it to her ear. She frowned deeply as she waited for the other person to answer.

" Who are you calling? " Henry asked. " Archie? "

Regina pulled the phone away from her ear and ended the call. She pressed a few more buttons and put the phone back to her ear. " That bug can't help you. I'm calling someone who knows something about magic. "

Henry blinked, realizing she was calling Mr. Gold. He opened his mouth to speak but Regina put her hand up to silence him. He assumed it was because she got an answer. He sat back, waiting to hear the conversation.

" Gold, " Regina said sharply. " I need your help. Why? I can't tell you over the phone. Don't you dare... "

Regina growled as she jerked the phone away from her ear and re-dialed the number. " That son of a... " She cut herself off before she cussed.

" Hung up on you? " Henry asked. Regina nodded, putting her hand up again. She frowned when Mr. Gold answered again. He couldn't hear what he was saying though.

" It's for Henry, not me! " She said quickly, probably to avoid getting hung up on again. Regina quirked her mouth, " Now, are you listening? I thought so. "

Henry waited as Regina described his predicament to Mr. Gold. " Of course I don't know what's happening! Just get over here! " She nearly shouted, looking panicked.

A few moments later, she hung up the phone. " So... What did he say? " Henry hesitated as he asked.

Regina put her phone back in her jacket pocket, " He's on his way. "

David followed Granny as she tracked Ruby's scent through the woods. She climbed over a log and pointed ahead of them, " This way. Over here. "

David continued to follow her until they reached where Ruby slept on the ground under a pile of branches that had been placed over a divot in the dirt. Granny had brought along her crossbow in case of danger but she lowered it as she knelt down to wake her granddaughter. She called her name as she gently shook her awake. " Wake up, " She urged.

Ruby stirred, her eyes fluttering open. " Where am I? " She asked groggily. " What happened? "

David reached down and helped Granny help Ruby to her feet. " You're in the forest. You must have fallen asleep here last night. "

Ruby got a strange look on her face as she thought about David's words. She pulled away from David, " No... I don't understand. Granny put me in that cage. You saw it when she locked me up. "

Granny gave David a wary glance then looked at Ruby as she put her hands on her shoulders, " The freezer was torn to shreds. When I came to check in on you this morning... "

Ruby turned away before Granny finished speaking. David reached for her, " Ruby... Ruby, it's alright. "

Ruby pushed them away, " NO! It's not! I don't remember anything from last night. This is exactly what I was afraid of. "

She looked around in a panic before turning back to David, " Oh my God... Did I do something last night? "

" Ruby... All we know for sure is that you broke out and ran through the woods. There's no reason to assume the worst, " David's phone started to vibrate as he finished speaking. He pulled it out to see if it was Regina calling but it wasn't. It was the dispatcher.

He answered, " Sheriff. "

" Sheriff Nolan, " The dispatch officer said. " You need to get down to the cannery. Someone is double parked. "

" Yeah, " David said. He hated the little nuisance calls he got but it was part of his duty since he was the only cop in town. He would have to go see the problem and if it was a lousy parking job, he would have to call Billy for a tow. " I'll be right there. "

" What is it? " Ruby's voice trembled as she asked.

David turned to her after he hung up, " Somebody left their car double parked in front of the cannery. I gotta go check it out on our way back into town. Hey, relax... Everything is going to be okay. "

Ruby still looked worried in spite of David's assurances and Granny nodding her head in agreement. She sighed, " I hope so. "

David motioned to them, " Come on. I need to get you ladies back to town. "

" Yes, " Granny said. " We have a breakfast rush to worry about. "

Ruby let out a nervous chuckle as they began to walk out of the woods, " Hope they don't mind the wait... Or the fact there's no muffins. "

Granny smiled gently, " There's plenty of muffins, Ruby. I stayed up all night baking them. "

Ruby blinked, " You did? "

Granny smirked, " I couldn't sleep so I had to do something. "

" Oh, " Ruby sighed. They walked along in silence for the rest of the way to the police car, Ruby hesitating when they reached it. She looked at Granny then David, " Can I ride up front? I mean I don't want people to see me in the back and think... "

" I understand, " David walked to the passenger side door and opened it for her.

Granny got the back passenger side door, " I do too. "

The ladies got in and David closed their doors before walking over to the driver's side door as he got the car keys out. He opened it and got in, putting the keys in the ignition and starting the car as he closed the door. He shifted into gear then pulled back onto the road and glanced at Ruby, " Hey... There's something I meant to ask you last night. "

Ruby looked at him, " What's that? "

" Henry had coffee at the diner, " David said. " Did you give it to him? "

Ruby shook her head, " Uh, no. He must have slipped behind the counter when I wasn't looking. I would never give him coffee. He's hyper enough as it is. "

David nodded, " I wouldn't put it past him to do something like that. "

Ruby frowned, " But I have noticed he's looked a little tired the last few days. Is he okay? "

David thought about what he was going to say next. He didn't want to worry Granny or Ruby since they had enough to worry about already. He decided to go with the easy answer, " He's not been sleeping enough since Mary-Margret and Emma were taken. "

" Poor kid, " Ruby said. " He's been so quiet. I can't imagine how he feels. "

" He's got faith we'll get them back, " David replied. " It's just... He's worried. "

The conversation stopped as they pulled up to the cannery, a white pick-up truck double parked out front just as the dispatcher had said. It looked familiar to David but he wasn't sure why. Ruby frowned, " Isn't that Mark Hansen's truck? I thought he went into hiding after... "

" I did too, " David went cold. He wondered if the pressure had gotten too much for Doctor Hargreaves' former assistant. He would have been a fool to think that the man didn't have a hand in the things the coroner had done. DNA results and autopsy reports didn't type themselves.

He turned off the engine and opened his door, " Wait here. I just need to check things out and call Billy. "

" Alright, " Ruby nodded. She then frowned as she sniffed the air. She looked scared as she said, " I smell blood. Lots of blood. "

" It's a cannery, " David replied. " Fish have blood. "

Ruby looked at him, " It's not fish blood. It's human. "

" Maybe someone cut themselves, " David said gently. " I'm sure it happens every single day. Everything is alright. "

Ruby frowned, " I hope so. "

David got out of the car and walked over to the truck. He opened the driver's side door, finding the keys were still in the ignition. He checked the visor and found an insurance card that confirmed what Ruby had thought. It was registered to Mark, his name on the card.

He walked around to the front of the car and touched the hood, finding it cold. The truck had definitely been there for a few hours at least. He went to walk around the front, nearly tripping over something on the ground. He looked down to find it was Mark but he barely recognized him.

He was on his front, his head turned at a weird angle. His face was slashed, gashes marring his features. The blood there was thick and drying, letting him know he had been there all night at least. His tattered clothes were soaked with blood, a pool of it peeking out from under the truck.

Whoever or whatever had gotten a hold of him ravaged him brutally. David looked towards the police car, his eyes locking with Ruby's. The expression on his face made her frown deeper and look more nervous. She could tell something was terribly wrong.

Granny leaned over the back seat, touching her shoulder. David could tell Granny said something to the effect of, " I'll go see what's wrong. "

He watched as Granny got out of the car and slowly walked over. Her nose twitched and she started to look as worried as Ruby. " Is there something the matter? "

He took a deep breath, " Keep Ruby in the car. She doesn't need to... "

Granny came closer, covering her mouth when she saw the grisly scene. " Oh no... "

" Just go and keep Ruby in the car, " David got out his cell phone. " I'll call Billy to give you two a lift back to the diner. She doesn't need to see this. "

" I don't need to see what? " Ruby stood outside of the police car. David hadn't seen her get out but he silently prayed she wouldn't come any closer. Her eyes became wide, " David? What's wrong? "

" Nothing, " David motioned for her to stay back. " Just go back to the car. "

Ruby walked closer, stopping when something in an orange dumpster to her left caught her eye. David hadn't noticed it until Ruby had. It was Mark's legs, his jeans drenched and splattered with more blood. Ruby froze then started screaming uncontrollably.

David ran to her and put his hands on her violently shaking shoulders, " Shh... Shh... Calm down. "

" It was the wolf! " Ruby words were almost unintelligible as sobs wracked her body. " IT WAS ME! "

Mr. Gold lifted his cane and knocked on the door, The sound of Regina's high heels reaching his ears. She opened the door, her expression cold as usual. " Where's the boy? " He asked.

Regina opened the door to reveal Henry was sitting at the kitchen counter, an empty plate in front of him. The plate had some crumbs on it so Mr. Gold figured Regina had given him toast as they waited. He gave him a warm smile, " Having nightmares? "

Henry nodded as he turned to face him. He looked a little uncomfortable but he wasn't sure if it was his or Regina's presence that was making him so. " Yeah. "

Mr. Gold walked to the table and set the black leather bag he had brought along down. Regina has been short with the details over the phone but he understood what was happening. Henry was suffering from the rather nasty after effects of a sleeping curse. " And just how long has this been going on? " He opened the bag.

" Since I... " Henry's words trailed off as he looked at Regina. " Since I came to ask for your help. "

" Oh? " Regina arched an eyebrow as she looked at Mr. Gold. " And what did he ask you for help with? "

Mr. Gold frowned, " That's our business. None of your concern. "

Regina backed off but he could see it in her eyes that she knew something. He would have to confront her about it later though. If it was what he thought it was, he didn't want to talk about it in front of Henry. " I see, " She said quietly.

Mr. Gold refocused his attention on Henry as he placed his cane in front of himself and rested his hands on it, " And is it as Regina described on the phone? "

Henry nodded, " Exactly like that. "

" Show him your hand, Henry, " Regina looked at the boy.

He held his left hand up, revealing a terrible burn on the outside of his left hand. Mr. Gold nodded, " Oh yes. You were quite right to call me. "

" So, " Henry stammered. " You can help? It was just a dream... "

Mr. Gold stopped him, " Well, what you're describing is certainly not a dream. "

" Then what was it? " Regina asked.

" A side effect, " Mr. Gold looked at her, surprised she didn't know. She liked to cast spells regardless of the after effects where he liked to research and practice a little so he knew what he would have to deal with afterward. " You know, it's remarkable that you would cast a curse you know so little about. "

" My victims are NOT supposed to wake up, " Regina pursed her mouth. " So I certainly never cared what happened to them after... Until now. "

Mr. Gold walked over to the table and opened the bag he had brought with him. In it were some things from his lab, things that could help. He had made a small one at the shop, trying different things in hopes he would get an idea of how to bring Mary-Margret and Emma back.

He was working on other things as well but those were for himself and didn't need to be discussed with anyone. He got out the things he would need as he said, " When people fall under a sleeping curse, the soul travels to a netherworld where it resides until they are woken. "

He glanced at Regina to find she was listening intently. Henry was listening as well but he looked like a zombie, the lack of sleep and nightmares taking their toll on him. Even then, he looked like he was about to fall asleep sitting up. It hurt him to see the child in such a shape and knew Emma would have been upset by it.

He laid out the things from the bag as he continued to speak and worked on what Henry needed, " Now, this netherworld is between life and death... And it's very real. However, even when the curse is broken, sometimes in sleep the victims find their way back to that world. "

Henry moved closer to see what he was doing. Mr. Gold had made a potion at the shop and brought it with him along with a special enchanted vial. He had gotten a dropper full of the potion and carefully put it in the vial as he spoke. He turned and pointed at Henry, " Victims like you. "

Regina walked over to stand behind Henry, the move very protective. " This other world is tormenting my son every time he sleeps. I want you to give him something that will keep him from going there. "

" Well I'm afraid that's not possible, " Mr. Gold said as he screwed on the top of the vial. It was attached to a necklace so Henry could wear it around his neck. " I can, however, provide you with something that will allow him to control his actions whilst in that world... And once one controls something, one no longer need fear it. "

Mr. Gold held the necklace up to Henry. The child stared at it for a long moment before he said, " A necklace? "

Mr. Gold leaned down a little, " You wear this while you're sleeping. Once you control the journey, the fear will stop. And then, you can come and go as you please. "

Henry reached for it but Regina stopped him. Mr. Gold looked up at her to find she had narrowed her eyes and was giving him a hard stare. " Everything comes at a price with you... What do you want for this? "

" For a house call? " Mr. Gold scoffed. He paused as he quirked his mouth, " You couldn't afford it... But this is for Henry. This one's on me. "

He offered the child the necklace again, Henry hesitating a little as he took it. He held it in his hand and stared at it. He looked at Mr. Gold, " So I can control the dream now? "

" Indeed, " Mr. Gold stood up straight to find Regina was still staring at him. He narrowed his eyes just slightly, " Problem, dearie? "

Regina took a step back, " Not at all. Are you done? "

" I believe so, " Mr. Gold shrugged slightly. He walked back to the table and started packing up his things, " If you don't need anything else. "

" Then let me see you out, " Regina stepped around Henry. She looked down at him, " Put that on and wait at the counter. I'll fix you a proper breakfast since David hasn't returned. "

" Okay, " Henry replied and padded off to the chair he had been sitting in.

Regina waited until he was seated before looking at Mr. Gold, " Ready? "

Mr. Gold closed the bag and picked it up, " Yes. I believe I am. "

" Then come along, " Regina walked to the door and opened it.

Mr. Gold quirked his mouth, " Kicking me out so soon, dearie? We haven't seen each other in a while. Don't you want to catch up? " He teased.

" I said come along, " Regina's tone took on a subtly demanding air.

Mr. Gold walked to the door, " Oh my. A bit pushy this morning, aren't we? "

" Out, " Regina said sharply.

" As you wish, " He said as he walked out the door and towards the stairs. He heard the door close but sensed he was not alone. He didn't turn as he said, " I thought you were through with me, dearie. "

" Walk, " Regina said.

" If you have something to ask me, you had better ask me here, " Mr. Gold replied. " Wouldn't want any accidents to happen. "

Regina scoffed, " You're the one in front of me and at the disadvantage here. "

Mr. Gold turned to face her, " I always have the advantage over you. "

" Maybe not this time, " Regina purred. She then crossed her arms over her chest. " So... Do you know? "

" Do I know what? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow. He was keeping an eye on her. He was three steps below her but still in reach of his cane.

If she happened to try something stupid like bump him down the stairs, he could easily reach up and bring her tumbling down with him. They would both get injured but he could just heal himself and leave her to her own devices. Then again, Henry would probably hear the commotion and come rushing to see what had happened. He knew that Regina would blame him for the incident, possibly damaging the child's trust in him.

" Don't play dumb with me, " Regina moved closer. " I may have been in hiding but at least I still had connections to town. I'm asking you if YOU know. "

" I don't have time for your guessing games, " Mr. Gold frowned. He knew exactly what Regina was getting at but he wanted her to say it. " Tell me what you're talking about or I'm... "

" That Emma's pregnant? " Regina whispered sharply.

Mr. Gold looked at her for a long moment then frowned, " I don't think it is any of your concern. "

Regina smirked, " So you do know. Does she know? "

Mr. Gold blinked, " I would assume so. It is her body after all. "

" I don't mean Emma, " Regina quirked her mouth. " I mean Belle. I mean, the baby IS yours, isn't it? "

Mr. Gold cut his eyes to the side. Regina didn't know that Emma was having twins. Whoever her little spy was, they were not accurate. He scoffed, " Again... None of your concern. "

Regina took a step back, " Well, I can draw my own conclusions from those poor excuses for answers. "

" You always do, " Mr. Gold replied. He sneered, " And you're usually wrong. Now, you had best get back to Henry. He needs to go back to bed. "

Regina frowned, " You don't need to tell me that. "

" It seems I do since you're still standing there, " Mr. Gold pointed out.

Regina took another step back, " Fine then. Goodbye. "

Mr. Gold watched as she turned and opened the door to the apartment. He waited for her to step inside and close the door before walking down the remaining steps...