Once Upon A Time: The Devil's Journey, Part Twenty-Nine

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

(Tweaking some details again...)

Rumplestiltskin moved through the forest. After quite a bit of work, he had tracked down someone he had been looking for. He looked around, the forest around him seeming emptybut a blazing campfire told him otherwise. He looked around again, sensing he wasn't alone after all.

" I've been expecting you, " A woman's voice came from behind him. It was eerily familiar to when he had first met his quarry. She had been but a child then and he a normal man.

" Then you know exactly why I came here, " Rumplestiltskin replied without turning around.

" What I foretold during the Ogres' war has finally come to pass, " She said as he turned to face her. The seer was now a haggard looking grown woman. He could still see shades of the demon child he had encountered so many years before.

" Well, in a manner of speaking, " Rumpelstiltskin replied as he walked a slow circle around her. " I left my battalion... Was branded a coward... Lost my wife to suicide... Then my son was called to the front... Oh! Then I became The Dark One. "

He paused then continued, " THEN Bae left me. So yes... My actions on the battlefield left my son fatherless BUT it would have been nice to know all the pesky details. "

The seer turned towards his voice, " Knowing... Would not have made a difference. You still would have been powerless to escape your fate. "

Rumplestiltskin laughed at that, " Just... Like... YOU! "

He turned, clenching his fist and using his magic to choke the seer. She gasped for breath as he continued to talk. " Now, you know exactly why I came here. "

" You want to find your son, " The seer gasped out.

Rumplestiltskin released her throat, " Indeed. "

The seer gasped for air then took a deep breath as she lifted her hands. She looked like she was summoning her power to see into the future. Rumplestiltskin took a step back as he watched her, waiting to hear what she would say. She put her hands up, aiming her eyes at him.

" You will find him, " The seer whispered.

" How? " Rumpelstiltskin asked. " And this time, don't leave out a single detail. "

The seer moved her hands around like she was using them to look at a large picture. " It will not be an easy path. It will take many years... And require a curse... " She lifted her hands to the sky as she started to shake.

" A curse powerful enough to rip everyone from this land and others as well, " She gasped as her arms fell. Her body was weak from the effort it took to see so much.

" Yes, yes. There's more. I know it. Tell me, " Rumplestiltskin urged her.

The seer panted for air as she put her hands up again, " You will not cast the curse. Someone else will... And you will not break the curse. Someone else will. "

The seer collapsed again, her hands falling. Rumplestiltskin moved closer, " Tell me! Who will break it? "

" I don't know, " The seer shook and gasped for air. " Even my powers have their limits. "

" Ah, ah, ah, " Rumpelstiltskin said as he wagged his right index finger. " Not good enough, dearie. "

He waved his hand and started choking her again. She gasped the croaked out, " If you want to see the path you must take, there is only one way. "

The seer lifted her shaking hands, " Take this burden from me... "

Rumplestiltskin looked at her as he thought it over. He still had discernmentbut not the ability to see into the future and he wanted that power for his own. He moved closer to her, " Gladly. "

He seized her hands, the seer gasping as waves of energy encased their hands. She howled in pain as he tore her powers from her and they flowed into him. He was paralyzed by the effects, closing his eyes as he endured the transfer. Even before it was complete, he started to see a flood of images that made no sense to him at all.

" I can't... See... Anything... " He gasped. " It's too much. It's nothing but a jumble. "

" The future is like a puzzle with many pieces to be sorted, " The seer gasped. " In time, you will learn to separate what can be from what will be. "

He released her hands, sending her tumbling to the ground. " This is why you wanted to give me your power. To free yourself from this torment! "

" In time, you will work it all out, " The seer panted. She lifted her left hand, " Wait... As gratitude... I offer you one piece of the puzzle. "

Rumplestiltskin watched as she lifted her hand again. He moved closer to listen as she spoke, " You will be reunited with your son and it will come in a most unexpected way. "

" How? " Rumpelstiltskin growled. He was tired of how she drug her feet instead of spitting everything out at once.

She lifted her trembling hand to the sky again. " A boy... A young boy... Will lead you to man...That man will bring him to you, " The seer gasped. " But beware, Rumplestiltskin... For he is more than he appears. He will lead you to what you seekbut there will be a price... He will be your undoing. "

" The man or the boy? " Rumplestiltskin felt she was a little too unclear. It was like having a puzzle piece with a corner missing. It fit but still a part of the picture was absent.

The seer shook violently then stilled as she gasped a heavy last breath, her hand falling to the ground. Rumplestiltskin leaned closer to find she had died, most likely from the strain of looking into the future and transferring her powers. He stood up, " I guess I'll just have to figure out whoand I'll have to kill him. "


Emma watched as Henry talked to Neal. She couldn't hear what they were sayingbut she still wanted to make sure he was safe. Heavy footsteps drew her attention back into the apartment, furrowing her brow when she saw Baelfire storming across the room. From the looks of it, his conversation with his father hadn't gone well at all.

He was angry, his eyes red like he was about to cry. She wanted to say somethingbut he was out the door and slammed it behind himself before she could. She looked towards the bedroom, wanting to go to Mr. Gold and find out what had happened. She was scared though because he had threatened her.

She couldn't believe he had done such a thing after he had sworn to protect her and the babies. She had been given the impression he thought more of her than that. She hoped he had only been that way because of the stress he was feeling. She had more than a few moments of intense emotion where she had ended up hurting someone she normally wouldn't have.

She took one more look out the window, feeling divided. She couldn't be sure what Neal would do if she left him alone with Henry, but she also knew Mr. Gold didn't need to be alone at such a time. The decision was made for her when Mr. Gold slowly walked out of the bedroom.

He looked up, his tear filled eyes locking with hers. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, " So you're finished talking with Henry? " His voice trembledand she could see he was trying to hide his emotions.

Emma nodded, " Yeah. I am. He wanted to meet his dad. "

Mr. Gold glanced to the fire escape, " How is it going? "

Emma sighed, " They're talkingbut I'm not eavesdropping if that's what you're asking. "

" It is not, " Mr. Gold moved towards the couch. He eyed it for a moment before taking a seat on the edge of it. He folded his hands onto his cane, placing his chin on top of them.

Emma moved closer to him, " So... How did things go with your son? "

" Not as expected. He is still very angry with me, " Mr. Gold turned his eyes up to her. " How is Henry? "

Emma looked towards the window again, " Henry is disappointed in me for not telling him the truth. "

" What is the truth? " Mr. Gold asked. " And how do you know that man? "

Emma turned to look at him, deciding she would have to tell himor he would just keep asking. " I met Neal when I was not quite seventeen, just a little shy of it. "

" And how old was he? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.

Emma shrugged, " He said twenty-four. "

Mr. Gold grimaced, " And you weren't quite seventeen? " His tone let Emma know he was slightly disgusted.

Emma let out a strained chuckle, thinking it funny that he would be appalled. " You've got no room to talk buddy... I'm twenty-nineand you're... Damn, HOW old are you anyway? "

Mr. Gold put his hand up, " Point taken. Please continue with your story. "

Emma took a deep breath, picking up where she had left off. " I had dropped out of school, left my foster home and was on my own in Portland, Oregon. Withhistory like that, jobs aren't easy to get so I stole. "

" I see, " Mr. Gold nodded. " Go on. "

Emma took a few steps, " I saw this really nice yellow beetleandI decided I wanted it. "

" The car you have now, " Mr. Gold said.

" Yeah, " Emma nodded. She had somehow managed to keep it running for over ten years, a small miracle in itself. " I popped the lock andI got inside. I got it started and started driving. Next thing I know, this guy pops up from the backseat. "

" The man out there, " Mr. Gold motioned to the window with his eyes.

Emma nodded, " Yeah. Well, he stole the car first. He asked me out for drinks and... Well, we hit it off. We were even going to move to Tallahassee together. "

" How long were you together? " Mr. Gold asked.

Emma shoved her hands in her pockets as she thought. It seemed like a long time butit really wasn't. She closed her eyes and shook her head, " Long enough to get to Phoenix and get pregnant with Henry so I guess two months or maybe three. I was still seventeen when I had Henry. It didn't matter though because they don't let you keep babies in jail. "

" So you put him up for adoption, " Mr. Gold said quietly. He said it more like a statement than a question but it was detail everyone knew so Emma thought nothing of it.

" They offered to put him in foster care until my sentence was up and I was old enough to take care of him myself, " Emma said quietly. She shook her head, " But I had... Nothing. Just the beetle. Neal sent me the keys for it while I was in jail. I almost didn't take it but at least it WAS something I could call my own. "

" It was so hard to give him up, " Emma whispered as a lump rose up in her throat. " But I couldn't give him what he deserved I couldn't raise him in the backseat of a car. I didn't even look at him after he was born... I just had them take him away. I knew I couldn't let him go if I looked at him. "

" It probably would have made it harder, " Mr. Gold said.

Emma moved closer, making sure she was just out of his reach. " After I got out of jail, I just ran. I ran away from everything. I tried to reinvent myself so many times... But I never really could lose me. "

Mr. Gold looked at the floor, " I wasn't there when Baelfire was born. I was at war. "

" The war that crippled you? " Emma asked quietly. She recalled the story he told her when he was staying at the summer house. He had told her he had fought in one of the Ogres war, the ongoing conflict that had seemed to consume The Enchanted Forest.

According to the story book, there had been several. The conflict would flare up until the ogres got beat back. There would be peace for a time before the ogres would rise up and start another war. Untold numbers of people had lost their lives butthe ogres never won.

" Indeed, " He nodded. " But the moment I walked into my house and saw him in his crib, a feeling hit me. It was like being struck by lightning. I vowed I would never let him go againandI would always protect them. "

" It's funny how we say that yet they always have a different idea, " Emma let out a bitter chuckle. " I tried to protect Henry from the truth and look how great that turned out. "

" And I became the Dark One to keep my son from going to war, " Mr. Gold said quietly. " But I lost him anyway... Just not to the ogres. "

" But you let him go, " Emma said. She remembered what she had read in the book. It was one of the many stories about Rumplestiltskin, stories she had never seen until she had come to Storybrooke. " You let him fall into that portal. "

He turned his eyes to her, his lips falling into a deep frown. She thought she had made a mistake saying what she had said buthe closed his eyes. " But I was scared. I couldn't lose my power and become weak again. He wanted me back the way I was buthe forgot how hard it was. Emma, he had to take care of me when I was an ordinary man. I couldn't do anything on my own. I did not want to burden my child with that again. "

" You've seen what it is like, " He continued. " Think of all the times you've had to help me when I could not get around. Now, imagine doing it every day. As The Dark One, I could care for myself and for him the way he deserved but he did not want it. He wanted things the way they had been and to be burdened with a crippled weak father once more. "

" I was respected and feared. No one threw me down in the mud or spit at me any more, " Mr. Gold continued. " He no longer had to protect me... I could protect him. I did not have to be an embarrassment or burden to my child. "

" But maybe he didn't see you as a burden, " Emma replied. His disability did not matter to her andshe was sure it didn't matter to Baelfire. She had grown used it, not minding the fact he needed her help to walk sometimes. She wouldn't admit it out loud but there many times he had helped her walk in a figurative sense, lending enough support to keep her from falling.

" Maybe he didn't care because... Because he loved you, " Emma said quietly.

" Well I've ruined that, " Mr. Gold said sadly. " I believe that time has passedandnow he hates me. "

" Give him time, " Emma said. " He could come around and realize that he should give you another chance. "

" That will not happen, " Mr. Gold closed his eyes. " He's goneandhe's not coming back. "

Emma frowned, not knowing what to say. She moved closer to the couch, watching Mr. Gold closely. She was still a little frightened after their heated exchange buther empathy for him overpowered that. He needed to know she still cared, even if she didn't say the words.

" I hope you fared much better with your conversation with Henry, " He muttered, glancing at her.

Emma took a deep breath as she took her hands out of her pockets, " I don't know if I did. He told me that I'm no different from Regina. He says I lie just like she does. "

" You have a long way to go before you reach that level of deception, my dear, " Mr. Gold said quietly.

Emma quirked her mouth, " Thanks. Thanks a lot. "

" Did he say anything else? " Mr. Gold asked.

Emma rubbed her belly, " He said he doesn't want me to lie to the twins like I lied to him... And he wants to know who their father is. "

Mr. Gold snorted, " How fortuitous. We were going to tell him tonight anyway. "

" He said... " Emma let her voice trail off. She took a deep breath, " He said that he wants them to know you and for me not to keep them from you. "

Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow, " You hadn't planned to or have I missed something? "

" I wanted you to know them, " Emma said. " Even when I thought you were with Belle butI wasn't sure how you felt about it. I was starting to wonder after... Well, you know. "

Mr. Gold closed his eyes and licked his upper lip quickly, " I was angry, Emma. I thought you had lied to me and after what we talked about last night and this morning... I was hurt and confused. "

" Would you have hurt me if Neal and Baelfire hadn't shown up? " It was hard for Emma to ask but she needed to know if she or the babies were in any danger from him.

Mr. Gold sighed, " I fear you may have laid me out if I touched you. "

Emma blinked. He sure didn't seem scared of her when he was screaming in her face and threatening her. She had taken on guys much bigger than him buthe was armed while she wasn't. " Maybe... I guess it would have depended on how fast you were with your cane. "

" Perhaps, " He said

" So you're saying you might have hurt me? " Emma arched an eyebrow.

Mr. Gold looked at her, " Now you're the one putting words in my mouth. "

" I need to know... For me, for Henry and our children, " Emma said. She had been in a relationship with a guy that smacked her around. He had only done it once though, Emma leaving him with a broken nose and jaw. If it weren't for him, she would have stayed in Tallahassee a lot longer.

Mr. Gold chewed his lip for a moment then shook his head, " No. I don't believe I would have. There is too much at stake and I... I respect you too much to do something like that. "

Emma nodded, detecting no lies. " Okay. Let's just forget it happened. "

" I would love to, " Mr. Gold replied. " I am quite ashamed I did that to you. "

They were silent for a long moment before she moved a little closer, " So... About our deal. "

" It is done, " Mr. Gold said. " We found my son and he talked to me. The outcome was less than desiredbutyour debt is paid. "

" Really? " Emma furrowed her brow. " That's it? "

" That's it, " Mr. Gold replied. He looked at her, quirking his mouth. " Our other deals still stand. "

Emma recalled the other ones they had made. One of them had been for her to take better care of herself andthe other was to spend time with him. " I don't think those will be too hard to accomplish. "

" Good, " Mr. Gold nodded.

A question occurred to Emma andshe hoped Mr. Gold could answer it. " Gold? "

' Yes, my dear? " He replied.

" That globe was supposed to lead us to your son but it led us to Neal. How come? " Emma crossed her arms under her breasts. " You said it was accurate. "

Mr. Gold motioned to the beer bottles that were on the end tables, " Perhaps he was here when I used the globe. It looks like your Neal had some kind of company last night... And judging from the number of bottles, the night before as well. "

Emma thought it over and shrugged, " I guess that makes sense... Or Neal has one Hell of a drinking problem. "

" Perhaps, " Mr. Gold shrugged.

Emma looked at the window when she heard movement on the fire escape. It seemed that Neal and Henry were finished talking. Henry climbed in the window first, Neal following. Henry looked around and frowned, " Where's Baelfire? "

" He left, " Mr. Gold said quietly.

Henry looked at Emma, " But the deal is still finished, right? "

" Emma, " Neal said quietly. " Can we talk for a minute... Alone? "

Emma looked at Mr. Gold then Henry, " About what? "

" I'll tell you when I get you alone, " Neal said.

" Don't worry, " Mr. Gold said. " The boy will be fine with me. "

Emma nodded, " Okay. I'll be right back. "

Neal walked to the bedroom andshe followed him. He moved to the bathroom, motioning for her to come in as well. When she was inside, he closed and locked the door. " So, " Emma said as she tried to put some distance between them in the tiny room.

" I talked to Henry, " Neal said. " You weren't going to tell him about me. "

" No, " Emma said. " I wasn't. "

" Well he's my kid too so you don't get to make that decision by yourself anymore, " Neal said.

" Great, " Emma scoffed. " As long as you don't break his heart. "

" Trust me, " Neal said. " I'm not going to do what your friend in there did to his son. "

" Or what you did to me? " Emma said quietly.

Neal chuckled, " I get it. I get it. We're all going to stop. Let's say we try to avoid that with him. Alright? "

" Alright, " Emma nodded. " What else did you talk about? "

Neal looked away, " He asked if I was his dad and he introduced himself to me. I told him it was nice to meet himandI was sorry it took so long. "

" And what did he say? " Emma frowned.

" He said it was okay because I didn't know, " Neal said. He looked at her, " He's a good kid, Emma. "

Emma nodded, " He is... But he's got a lot of you in him. "

Neal furrowed his brow, " How do you mean? "

Emma took a few steps and looked at the floor, " He's slick. He stole a credit card from his school teacher and she never even knew it was gone. "

Neal chuckled, " Wow. Why? "

" To find me, " Emma looked at him. " He used it to track me down then get a bus ticket to Boston. And I think he hears better than he lets on. And he can be gone in a snap if you turn your back on him. "

" That's my boy, " Neal sighed. He looked at her, " He told me something else out there. Emma... Are you pregnant? "

Emma opened her mouth to speak but didn't. She looked at the floor again, " He told you that? "

" Yeah, " Neal said. " Who's the father? "

" It's really none of your business, " Emma said as she looked at him.

" Actually, it is. I need to know if this guy is going to treat my son right or if I should be worried, " Neal said. " Or if you're even going to tell him about them. "

" He knows, " Emma replied.

" And how does he feel about Henry? " Neal prodded.

Emma looked out the window though her thoughts were on the man in the living room. Mr. Gold had always treated Henry well. It was the nicest she had ever seen him act towards anyone in Storybrooke. He had treated her nice as well, minus the instances of trickery he had used to guide her in the right direction.

" He's always been good to him, " Emma replied quietly. " I'm not worried. "

" And what about Rumplestiltskin? " Neal said. " What did he mean when he said 'last night'? "

Emma didn't look at Neal. She couldn't tell him about them... Henry had to know first. " We discussed the dealandhe had me swear my honesty. "

" I see, " Neal said. " Anything else? "

Emma took a sharp breath and looked at him, " Did Henry say something about him? "

" He said something about if the deal fell through and you didn't find Baelfire, " Neal said. " He said he was scared Rumpelstiltskin would take the twins as payment instead. "

Emma frowned. She hadn't expected Henry to sing like a bird to someone he had barely met buthe had. " He has nothing to worry about. The deal is finished. "

" So does that mean you're finished with him? " Neal asked. " Baelfire made him sound like a pretty bad dude. "

Emma looked at the floor. She was far from finished with Mr. Gold butshe couldn't tell Neal that. " Everyone's made mistakes and done things that maybe they shouldn't have though they looked like the only choice at the time. You should know that. "

" But Emma, " Neal scoffed. " He's evil. Baelfire said it himself. You should get away from him before he hurts you or ropes you into another deal. You should leave him as soon as possible... If not sooner. "

" You can't tell me what to do, " Emma narrowed her eyes. " You gave up that right when you left me to get busted for all the crap you stole. Anyway, I have to be around him. Henry and I have to go back to Storybrooke. "

" Why? " Neal said. " The curse is broken. You don't have to stay there. You've done your job. "

Emma frowned, " Well, apparently my role as The Savior encompasses a little more than what August told you. And I have to go back for another reason. "

" What reason is that? " Neal said.

" Because my family is there, " Emma said sharply. " I worked for a long time to find themandI'm not letting them go now. "


Mr. Gold watched as Henry walked around the living room, the seer's words playing over and over in his mind. The witch said either he or the man who brought him Baelfire would be his undoing. She died before she could clarify just who she spoke of. At the time, he decided he would just kill whoever it was and be done with it.

The solution didn't seem so simple now. If he killed Henry, Emma and Neal would hate him but if he killed Neal, Henry and Emma both would hate him. He really didn't give a damn about Neal buthe couldn't hurt Henry's trust in him by taking his father away. He also couldn't hurt Emma by taking her son away.

He couldn't risk dying himself though. He had too much to live for with Emma being pregnant, not wanting the babies to grow up without their father. It gave him hope knowing Baelfire was still alive too. His son may have hated him but there was time for reconciliation as long as they both still drew breath.

Henry wandered back over to the tiny kitchenette, looking at it before moving towards the door. He glanced at Mr. Gold after acting particularly interested in an old fashioned radio. " So I guess things didn't go well with Baelfire. "

" No, they did not. I had hoped for better but I guess it was too much, " Mr. Gold replied.

" My mom never answered my question, " Henry said. He looked scared as he asked, " Is her deal complete? "

Mr. Gold nodded once, " Indeed. You have nothing to worry about. "

Henry smiled, " Good. "

" Were you afraid of what would happen if she didn't, Henry? " Mr. Gold asked.

Henry shoved his hands in his coat pockets, showing shades of Emma in the action. " From what I read in the book, something always happens that no one expects. Cinderella kept her baby but lost Thomas. Geppetto lost his parents instead of Jiminy and other stuff you already know about. I was... "

" Expecting something to go awry? " Mr. Gold offered.

" Yeah, " Henry nodded.

Mr. Gold gave a slight chuckle, " I can hardly say anything went as expected and it seems I ended up paying the price myself. "

" Because your son didn't want to see you, " Henry said. " And you didn't get him back. "

" Yes, " Mr. Gold nodded. " I believe that sums it up. "

Henry looked towards the bedroom, " Did I just hear a door open."

Mr. Gold had heard the same sound but didn't have a chance to respond. " I said no, Neal! " Emma shouted as she walked through the bedroom. She walked out into the living room, looking at Henry then at Mr. Gold. " Henry! Gold! We're leaving. "

" I see no reason to stay, " Mr. Gold stood up. " My business seems to be through. "

" Go? Where? " Henry blinked.

" Back to the hotel so we can pack. We're done here, " Emma looked angry. " We're going home. "

Henry darted forward, " But mom. I want to spend more time with Neal. Please? "

" See? " Neal pointed at Henry. " I told you he would want to spend more time with me. "

Emma turned and glared at him. She looked like she was about to start yelling at him again but Mr. Gold stepped in. Emma had enough stress for one day and she didn't need it. " Emma... May I speak? "

" What? " Emma said.

Mr. Gold frowned at her harsh tone, " I believe we can stay another day so his father can spend some time with him. I know it won't make up for eleven years but we can at least give them one day. Afterward, we can go back to Storybrooke tomorrow night. "

Emma gasped, " Who's side are you on? "

Mr. Gold nodded towards Henry, " His. "

Emma rolled her eyes and shoved her hands in her pockets, " Fine. Tomorrow. "

Henry furrowed his brow, " Why not today? "

Emma closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. She took a couple of deep breaths then opened her eyes slowly, " We've all had a VERY rough day, Henry. I think we all need to rest and start over in the morning, okay? Besides, I need to call grandma and grandpa. They'll want to know if we're alright. "

Henry slumped his shoulders, " Okay. "

" I promise, " Emma said firmly. " We'll be here first thing in the morning, okay? "

" Really? " Henry sounded cautiously excited.

" Yeah, " Emma nodded. " But we leave at sundown, okay? "

Neal stepped forward, " Uh... I'm not really a morning person, Emma. How about around eleven? We can grab an early lunch... "

Emma growled, " Fine. Whatever. "

Neal smiled then looked at Henry, " We'll have a great time, kid. "

" I hope so, " Henry smiled broadly. " I have a list of things I want to see. "

Neal chuckled, " I bet you do. "

Emma moved towards the door, " Let's go. I'm starvingand I'm exhausted. "

" Then we shall retire to the hotel and rest, " Mr. Gold nodded. " I could use some rest myself. "

They walked towards the door, Mr. Gold noticing that Henry wasn't following. He turned to find the child was hugging Neal. " See you tomorrow, dad. "

Neal smiled at being called 'dad'. " See you tomorrow, kid. "

Mr. Gold turned away from the touching scene and walked out into the hallway...