Chapter Thirty-Six: This Happy Day

When he'd been young it had been rare for his papa to be cross with him. They'd been close and Baelfire had been a good boy for the most part. Every now and again - usually when he did something dangerously foolish as young boys often do - Bae had found himself on the receiving end of a very put out father who didn't quite know how to express his own fears and anxieties in a way that a young Bae understood. He always grew very quiet, very withdrawn, and it had killed Baelfire a little inside in those few times he'd experienced it. It hadn't happened often, but each time it did Bae was a little more convinced that it should never happen again.

As he watched his father limp away, looking worn and tired, he knew just what he was on the receiving end of again. His papa was cross, and while Bae knew that he likely had overestimated his own abilities that day - okay, so there was no likely about it - he'd done it for his papa. The others often didn't bother with the man buried beneath the curse and he was sure that they didn't understand that this world limited him in ways that he was never limited in the Enchanted Forest. Bae wasn't entirely sure how great those limitations were, but he knew that his papa could die here, which was more than the others seemed to admit to when they thought that they needed something from him. Bae wasn't willing to let Rumplestiltskin take it that far again. He knew his father had it in him, but he'd be damned if he lost him again.

"Dad! Mom! You're okay!" Henry cried as he rounded a corner, the rest of the family on his heels. He launched himself into their arms and Bae breathed a strained sigh. No, he reminded himself firmly, he wouldn't let go of any of them.

"Yeah, we're okay," Emma answered as she hugged their son.

"What happened?" David demanded, worry colouring his voice.

"It's fine. We're fine," his daughter assured him.

"I'm going to go check on a Papa," Bae murmured and didn't feel quite as bad at leaving Emma to face her parents alone as he might should have. He didn't have to have his father's foresight to know this wouldn't be a pleasant conversation for either of them.

He heard Regina getting involved with all of her usual bluntness, but he forced himself to keep climbing the stairs. If he let his father stew too long there was no telling how this would turn out.

Bae knocked lightly against the bedroom door before pushing it open. His papa was nowhere in sight, but steam poured out of the half-closed bathroom door and he could hear the shower water running. He sighed, moving into the room to wait. The fact that Belle hadn't followed him upstairs meant that she knew something had happened. No matter what time he met her in, he found her ability to read the situation incredible, because he knew that his father was not an easy man to read even on his best days. He hid behind more walls and protections than any fortress he could have built, and he refused to show what he considered weakness even to those closest to him. It drove his son crazy, but so did many, many things. Right now it was just at the top of the list.

The water switched off in the bathroom and Bae perked from where he'd taken a seat on the edge of the bed. He waited a moment, hearing shuffling inside, and finally took a step forward. He would keep his calm, he swore. He would explain what he'd been thinking, what he'd meant to do, and Rumplestiltskin was bound to understand… eventually. It was for family. He'd been the one to teach him what real sacrifice was, after all, even if it wasn't something that had actually happened in this timeline.

"Papa?" he called, announcing his presence in the room. He didn't miss the frustrated sigh from behind the door. There was a little more rustling before the elder man emerged, less put together than he had been to come get them, but he certainly didn't look as bad as Bae worried he might. The lines in his face were a little deeper and he moved while leaning heavily on his cane, but he looked like he was improving at least. "Listen-"

"I told you to let me be for you're own sake, Baelfire," his father snapped, moving stiffly by him.

"Listen, I get that you're pissed," Bae began again and found his father turning on him, features carefully masked to appear calm even against the brewing storm beneath.

"Pissed?" he echoed. "Is that what you think? Do you even know what you could have done?"

His tone struck a nerve and Bae felt his own temper rising to match his father's. "I was trying to help you!"

"Help? Is that what that was meant to be? You really have no idea what that woman would be capable of if she had my dagger. She'd have had me kill you, Bae. You and likely Belle and Henry and anyone else that either of us care about! I wouldn't have had a choice, and you know that."

"You'd have never given it to her, Papa," Bae protested. "I knew that."

The utterly heartbroken expression that took over his father's entire being felt like a physical blow, and one that made Bae stagger back a step when he spoke in an equally hurt voice. "For you I would have."

"Papa, you just said it would have been pointless," his son tried to reason, but his voice was calmer now, all the bite having worked its way out.

"I know, but I'd have had to try if the option was there. I would have been desperate."

"That's why you left it with Regina."

"Yes. I'd have fought her it came down to it, capable of winning or not." He squeezed his eyes closed, looking as if he were hanging onto his composure by a mere thread. "I can't... I can't lose you, Bae. Not again."

Baelfire reached out and Rumplestiltskin instantly took the offered hand, pulling his son close to him. "I can't lose you either, Papa. That's why I went."

His father snorted a soft laugh, still holding tight. "Quite a pair we make."

"Maybe it'll just keep both of us alive?"

He felt some of the tension slide away at the words. "I hope so."

"How're we going to beat her, Papa?"

His father finally released him, an expression in his eyes that Bae didn't like one but, but he understood. "We don't have a choice, Bae. We will kill her."

"She's raising an army with magic users and people whose heart she's stolen. We can't fight that. You know we can't kill our friends. Killian saved my life today. She was going to kill me and-"

"He's not the only one she's holding. Your friend August died today."

Bae felt a chill run through him. "She killed him or…?" He didn't want to ask. He didn't want to hear that Cora had forced August to attack someone and one of their own had killed him. He knew Emma's parents didn't have it in them and the responsibility - heavy as it was - would fall to either Rumplestiltskin or Regina who were seen as detached enough to do it. If it was his son's life in the balance, he might be right there with them, though it would leave a hole in his heart that he knew couldn't be filled after.

"Cora crushed his heart after he delivered her message. She was just waiting for the right time. Apparently young Mr Booth had jumped in to save Ruby and Cora was making her point."

"How do we fight her without killing people we care about? It's not their fault."

"Of course it's not, and that's what Cora is counting on. Bae, I'm going to do everything I can, but the reality of the situation is that she has a weapon that can kill us all. Henry alone would escape it and he'd be left alone. Perhaps Emma could get him out, but that's it, and Cora would kill them."

"I won't let that happen."

"Good. You'll need that resolve, because unless I can come up with an alternative, this might become a nasty business very quickly. Don't mistake what I'm saying, son, I don't want to kill these people that she's taken, but if it's what must be done to protect my family, I will."

"But you'll look for another way?"

"Until I can't any longer and I'm forced into action, yes."

Bae managed a smile at that. "That's all I can ask from you. Listen, about today, in the town hall…"

"I don't want to talk about that."

"Papa, I'm just trying to say that I know what it meant to you. And thank you."

"It's you Bae. There's no thanks needed. I'll do what I need to to save your life every time."

"Same."

His papa smiled sadly at him, the look reminding him of when he'd thought he was nothing more than a spinner with no options left. "Never my life for yours, do you hear me?"

Baelfire pulled in a deep breath. "I hear you, Papa, and I wish that you'd promise me the same."

"I can't, Bae. I've only broken one deal in my life, and should it come down to it, I'd hate to break another with you, because you are the most precious thing in my life. I'll do what has to be done. No matter what it costs me."

"I was wondering when you'd be down for it," Regina said without bothering to rise from the chair she was seated in. "Thought maybe you'd gone upstairs and passed out."

Rumplestiltskin chuckled. One of the things he enjoyed the most about his and his former student's strange relationship was that she really didn't care to know the details. As long as he came out alive and useful on the other end, Regina would be happy enough. "Not quite so easily done in, my dear. If you please?"

The Evil Queen smirked and the dagger appeared in her hand. Rumplestiltskin felt the pull on his soul as she held it, fingers clutching the hilt tightly enough that it was a little uncomfortable. She was revelling in the power at that moment. She controlled the Dark One, and in that same moment he wondered if he'd made a mistake. He wasn't sure anyone would try to stop her from controlling him - save perhaps Bae and Belle - if they thought she was commanding him to do what they deemed was right. He could see the scenario play out and he wasn't entirely sure if it was a possible future or his own screaming paranoia. Either way it was horrifying.

"Oh the revenge I could have for all the frustration you've put me through over the years," she groused, sighing as she held the knife out. "Take it before I decide to indulge."

Rumplestiltskin reached for it, and as it left her grasp he felt the exchange and a weight lifted, the images dispersing. His soul might be bound to the curse, but he held the dagger now. He was as free as he'd ever be under it. "Thank you," he said honestly and received a quirked eyebrow for his efforts. He frowned. "Don't get used to it."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Rumple. So how was my mother? Did you leave her in one piece?"

"Sadly so," he answered and limped his way around. "She's biding her time, I fear."

"She does do that, but so are we. How're you feeling?"

The question was honest enough and Rumplestiltskin let a dangerous smile tilt his lips. He felt better after the shower, as if it really had done something to burn some of the weariness away. The wounds were mostly healed by this point with a few exceptions, including the one that she'd managed to pull back open. It would take another week or two to fully be back to himself, and he wasn't sure they had that. "She hasn't killed me yet," he answered after a moment and Regina seemed to understand what all that implied.

Her head nodded slowly and she pulled in a deep breath. "And if we don't have the time to wait?"

"Then we'll have to be more clever than your mother."

"Why the hell did you teach her?" Regina asked quietly and Rumplestiltskin frowned. He'd asked himself the same question many times and he told her the same lie he had told himself.

"I needed to make sure I remained close to have access to you. You were always going to be the one to cast my curse, so…"

"And it had nothing to do with whatever relationship you two had?" The frown tugged a little deeper and she shrugged. "I don't need nor want details. I just need to know that you're in this till the end."

"There's question?"

"I need to hear you say it, Rumple."

"I'm in this until it's finished."

"Good. I hear your house is about to get fuller again."

The Dark One twitched. "How so? There're no more beds left to fill."

"Emma found that girl's brothers. Apparently she is good for something after all."

"Don't be sour, Regina. You're not enemies anymore. I always knew that the person to stand opposing to the savior would spark a battle that only one could survive in."

"And you were betting on her coming out of it, weren't you?"

"I do tend to choose a winner, but it's been apparent for some time that you weren't going to be the one standing against her."

"How long?"

He shrugged. "I've had glimpses here and there. Had you and Henry not found each other, though, I fear we'd be in a much different set of circumstances. That boy saved you."

Rumplestiltskin watched the Evil Queen's irritated mask melt into that of a mother's that loved her son. "Yes he did. Speaking of Henry, I need a favour. Call it repaying me for holding onto your dagger and giving it back."

"Calling that in awful quick, aren't we? What is it that you want?"

"Henry's birthday is in two days. Before Emma and your son decided to run off and get themselves captured, we'd been talking about what we can do for it. Snow seems to think it'll cheer everyone up and give them hope or some nonsense, but-"

"It's Henry. Of course we'll celebrate it."

"Right, and he's been cooped up in the house since we got back. We were thinking Granny's, but I don't want to dangle him out there and tempt Mother any more than she already is."

"Granny's would be difficult to protect with people coming in and out like that. We'd need something already set." He noticed the pointed look she was giving him. "Oh no. I know how Snow and Charming handle these affairs. I already said I don't want the whole damn town into my home. Haven't I suffered enough people here?"

"Your shop has the groundwork, and the smaller space can help to limit the people."

Regina didn't want a crowd any more than Rumplestiltskin. Crowds made it difficult to control every aspect of the situation and protect those they loved. Cora wouldn't waste an opportunity to lash out at the boy that she thought had turned her daughter against her. His wards were the strongest around his home, but he didn't want them there, and if they tried to keep Henry in much longer he was going to sneak out through a window. "The shop it is," he agreed finally. It really was their best option, though he paused, shooting his former student a withering look. "Don't let Snow take this over. She's not to move anything or decorate anything without my say so. Things are as they are for a reason."

"You don't have to tell me."

"But we do have to tell her. Preferably without killing her?"

"You don't sound sure of that," Regina quipped, finally rising from her seat.

Rumplestiltskin's lips tugged into a shadow of a smile. He said nothing as he turned and left the room, his dagger once again in his possession and feeling a bit more like his usual self.

People were still disappearing all over Storybrooke, and Cora made sure the citizens of the town knew. Fear swept over them and Henry felt a little guilty that they were having a celebration for him. Grandma Snow had said it would give hope, though, and that they should go on with it. It did give him a chance to see people like Ruby and Granny, as well as some of the dwarves. Leroy still hadn't roused, so Happy and Sleepy were at his bedside on their shift. Doc was still being held by the Queen of Hearts and they hadn't heard what all that entailed.

It also gave him a chance to get to know John and Michael. Wendy's younger - now elder, in a way - brothers had made it into Storybrooke the night before. Baelfire had gone to the town line to meet them and had explained to them the dangers that they faced there. While Henry thought his dad was trying to convince them to take Wendy and go, avoiding the dangers that they had to face, it only seemed to make the brothers more determined to stay. They'd promised to talk it over with Wendy, but they were still there the next morning with no indication that they planned on leaving. They would stay and offer whatever support they could. It had been Wendy that explained that family doesn't leave each other behind, and Baelfire had pulled her into a tight hug.

That had been that morning. It was late afternoon now and Grandpa Gold and Regina had transported them to the shop instead of making Henry stay in the house. That would have been the best birthday gift that they could have given, but he had spotted a pile of presents on one of the countertops and a cake that Grandma Snow and Belle had been working on all day. Granny brought the food and for just a little while it felt like they weren't fighting for their lives.

"So are these people all your family?" Wendy asked as she came to stand next to him. Her brothers were discussing something with Bae in the corner and Tinker Bell had joined in, but that seemed to be so that she could avoid talking to Regina. That was still on his list of things to ask about when he had more time.

"Sort of," Henry answered, gaze sweeping over the crowd of sometimes-allies. "Emma and Baelfire are my birth parents, but I only met them both pretty recently. Regina raised me, so she's my mom too. Then there's Grandma Snow and Gramps, Grandpa Gold and Belle is basically family too. Granny and Ruby might as well be. They're old family friends. Same with the dwarves. It's like having seven awesome uncles!"

Wendy giggled. "Bae always said that he wanted a family. It's good to see that he has such a big one. You too, Henry. You have a lot of people that love you."

"I do," Henry agreed. "I have the best family in the world, even if they argue sometimes."

"They come together for you. That's what's important."

Henry watched the crowd of people that had gathered in his grandfather's shop. Some had been enemies, others had been friends, and some had even been willing to lay down their life so he could live. This was his family, and no matter what they said or how they protested, they were all his heroes. "Yeah, I guess so."

Wendy's smile was shy. "I'm afraid I have a confession. I haven't gotten you anything for your birthday."

"You don't have to worry. I'm just glad you're here and you have your brothers back."

"Well, I'd like to give you something. It is your birthday, after all and you did save me."

Henry blinked owlishly at her. He liked Wendy, but he had to admit that sometimes he just didn't understand girls. He'd asked his dad about it once since they'd been back and Bae had just chuckled at him and told him to give it time. Time for what, he wasn't quite sure. He was about to ask her what she meant when Wendy leaned forward suddenly and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Happy birthday, Henry," she said and he felt his whole face heat up.

"Thanks?" he managed and found his brain drawing a blank on anything else.

Her cheeks had gone vaguely pink as well and she murmured something about going to speak with Tink.

"Quite a birthday," a voice chuckled from behind and Henry felt the blush deepen and the strangest feeling of being caught - but in what he wasn't sure - washed over him as he turned and his grandfather laughed again. "I'm only teasing you, lad."

Despite the awkwardness Henry felt himself relax into a smile. "I know, Grandpa. I'm glad you're feeling better. I didn't know for sure if you'd come, even if it is your shop."

"I wouldn't miss this for the worlds."

"I'm really glad I wasn't your undoing."

Rumplestiltskin reached forward and ruffled Henry's hair affectionately. It had taken a while, but he was slowly becoming more and more comfortable with openly showing that affection, even around others that weren't part of their immediate family. It was getting to the point that Henry had to really think to come up with a time when Mr Gold hadn't been his grandpa. Oh, he knew it hadn't been that long since his dad sort of just fell into Storybrooke and rocked their little world on its axis, but it was nice. He had grandparents, parents, and more extended family than he knew what to do with, and Wendy had been right. They came together despite their differences for him.

Without too much warning Henry leaned in and carefully wrapped his arms around his grandpa's middle. The elder man chuckled. "You're not going to hurt me, lad."

Henry grinned as he tightened his grip just a little. There might be presents stacked up, but this was what he wanted. His family. As long as he had them he would be the happiest boy in any world that existed.

Candles and cake and a laughing twelve year old. Emma Swan hated to admit it, but she felt pretty good right then. There was that nagging feeling that something would go wrong, of course, but that was only because it would. As she looked out on their patchwork family she felt another certainty bubble up. It said that they could win against this.

"You look pretty happy."

Emma turned, finding David at her side. "Not allowed?" she asked with a quirked eyebrow and it pulled a grin from him and he chuckled.

"Very allowed," he countered. "It's just... Well, you can get a little focused in sometimes. Not that you don't come by it naturally, but a lot has happened. I'm just glad to see your smile."

Emma thought on what he'd said a moment before loosing a long breath. "You're right. A lot has happened and a lot is happening. It's kind of overwhelming, but... Well we got Henry back, he's happy and not possessed by Pan's crazy shadow thing. I think Neal and I might finally be... coming to... Why are you looking at me like that?"

David was grinning. "Nothing. Just glad that you're happy."

"Glad that I'm happy or glad that I'm happy with Neal?"

"Yes?"

Emma laughed, rolling her eyes.

"I'm just glad you found your good moments, that's all."

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "It's easy to get bogged down by the bad - and we've seen some truly terrible lately - but it's the good moments that keep us fighting through the bad. They give us hope."

"I guess it does," she murmured as she watched Henry on the hunt for his present from his other grandfather. Perhaps anything in the store might have been a bit dangerous when it came to Gold's shop, but if he chose something too wild then Gold and Neal were dealing with it.

"We've got a crazy family, don't we?" her father asked with a chuckle.

"But it's a family. Henry won't have to grow up like Neal and me. It's all kind of crazy, but at least he knows we love him."

David reached out and pulled her into a side hug, kissing the top of her head. "You too, Emma."

"Me too what?"

"We've always loved you, even when we couldn't reach you."

A smile, a little sad but true, perked her lips and Emma returned the embrace and leaned against him. "I know, and I think somewhere deep down I've always known. I never stopped looking for you guys."

"Mom, look what Grandpa Gold let me have!" Henry called over, waving an old, ratty ball in the air. It looked like it might have been old when the curse dragged it through, because she was pretty sure it wasn't from the Land Without Magic. "It was Dad's when he was a kid. Wasn't it, Dad?"

"Just keep it out of the street, buddy," Neal warned and their son nodded his agreement.

"At least it wasn't a wand or something," David chuckled and his daughter rolled her eyes.

"Just what we need. Henry learning magic."

"Well, I guess if Bae learned magic from Neverland..."

"Don't say it. Just don't say it."

They laughed and the festivities continued. For one brief afternoon they could be happy. She knew that this happy day was their brief calm in the eye of the storm, but it was theirs, and she'd hold onto it with all she had. David was right. It gave her hope.

TBC

Notes: Henry broke my heart in last night's episode. Absolutely broke my heart. I'd been fussing over the fact that he didn't go after Regina, so I was very, very excited to see that bit happen. That kid is awesome.

On a somewhat unrelated note, my roommate and I were watching the Hunchback of Notre Dame over the weekend and I've come to the conclusion that Clopin needs to be in Once at some point. I really feel like he and Rumple would have gotten on well in the Enchanted Forest. Just saying...

Next time - Chapter Thirty-Seven: What Must Be Done, in which Cora tips the scales in a terrifying and deadly way.