Chapter 36

Aurora stood there staring down at Rumple's cane in her hands. She could feel her shoulders shaking but was it from anger or fear? Oh NO! I used my magic… I used my magic in front of everyone. In front of RUMPLE-FUCKING-STILTSKIN! I did the one thing that would make this conversation worse for Jefferson! She stood there trying to figure out what to say and the only thing she could think of was one of her early lessons with Rumple.

"What do you see when you look into the mirror?" Rumple asked.

Aurora huffed, glad for the break in the training session but not wanting to give the answer. "I see a scared, stupid, girl, who is going to die by that crazy dragon's jaws because I can't protect myself let alone a kingdom."

"Do you want to know what I see?"

Aurora did not want to hear his answer knowing it had to do with her failure but Rumple gave it anyway.

"I see a young strong girl who has already surpassed my expectations in the short month you have been here. I hardly ever see that street rat Jefferson first brought me. Here stands a future ruler." Then with an insane little giggle Rumple magically tossed a wooden chair at her.

Aurora let out a cry as the chair broke through her shield and clipped her shoulder as she was too slow to get out of the way. "Can't we use something that will hurt me less when I fail?" She complained rubbing her shoulder realizing the time for any compliments were over.

"If you would just cast the spell correctly I could stop throwing things at you all together." Rumple declared with a little bounce.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Jefferson move to take a cup of tea that Belle had just brought up.

"I need a break." She all but pleaded.

"No, I think you need more motivation." Rumple flicked his wrist and the closest knife on the table floated up into the air.

"Rumple…." She started backing up a step looking over to the chairs across the room to Jefferson or Belle for help. Belle was now reading and not paying any attention. Jefferson had placed teacup cup down and was playing nervously with his hat. He spoke up when he saw her worried looked.

"Rum I don't think the Princess is ready for deadly objects. I am sure Belle doesn't fancy spending all night cleaning her blood off the floor."

Rumple ignored his comment flicking his wrist again and this time the other three knives floated up in the air. "Can you make a shield to protect yourself?"

"I don't know?" She whispered.

"So far, the answer has been no, but what if someone else depended on you?"

"No…" She shook her head. "I am not ready for this test." she pleaded realizing what Rumple was implying.

"We shall see." He flicked his wrist and the four knives flew across the room towards Jefferson and Belle.

"No!" She screamed throwing out her hand and casting her magic to protect her new-found friends.

Jefferson let out a nervous cry as he threw his hat up on to his head giving it a twist he disappeared with a loud crackle as knives hit the shield Aurora had thrown out to protect them.

He appeared on the other side of the potion table screaming. "What the hell Rumple?"

"I did it!" Aurora announced, dropping the knives from her shield with her other hand. Turning to face Jefferson she was beaming. "Jefferson, I did it!"

"Of course, you did. I knew you wouldn't let Rumple kill me."

"If that is so why are you over here and not in your chair?" Rumple questioned.

"Survival Instinct. It just kicked in." He grabbed his coat collar and rocked on his heels a moment. "When in trouble spin the hat. It's a hard habit to break. But I knew it same as you that Rory could do it. You just had to bring it out of her."

"But can the Princess do the spell again?"

"Yes." She smiled closing her eyes a moment and giving a little push with her magic to create a shield around herself.

Rumple walked over placing a hand on it. He set a small amount of energy on it. It crackled but held. "You have finally figured it out."

"Yes."

Rumple placed his hand there again and with a strong burst of energy, he broke it sending her back on her butt.

"Ow!" She cried trying to throw the shield back up but it crackled and fell. She sat there looking up at Rumple and Jefferson who was peeking over his shoulder all smiles gone from her face.

"Tomorrow we work on making it stronger," Rumple commented before disappearing with a loud crack.

"What was that?" Belle asked finally looking up from her book. Seeing Aurora on the floor, Jefferson across the room, and Rumple gone she asked. "What happened? Where is Rumple?"

"That must be some book Belle, you missed Rumple trying to kill me, and Aurora finally learning how to do a protective shield."

He moved to help Aurora stand. She stood up dusting her dress off.

"Well, that is good." Belle smiled.

"Good? You wouldn't be saying that if you saw Rumple throw the knives at my head!"

"Oh, Jefferson you are so dramatic." She went back to her book.

"That is beside the fact…" he started but Aurora's whispered to him cut his comment short.

"Are you alright?"

"I am alright. I just panicked. I should have known if you couldn't produce a proper shield he wouldn't have let the knife hit me. At least," he adjusted the scarf around his neck, "I don't think he would."

"I hate failing."

"If your standards are as high as they should be you are bound to fail again and again because try as hard as you may you are not perfect. No one is, and Rumple knows this too, but he's teaching you how to overcome failures or how to adapt to outcomes which is a skill many royals or people in general for that matter don't possess."

"How do you know that's the point of this all?"

"Because." Jefferson beam bouncing on his heels a moment before adding. "He did the same thing with me."

Aurora saw Rumple turn seeing her holding his cane. She stood there holding his cane even though she hadn't physically moved to take it from him. She was standing there her mouth moving but there was no sound coming out of it as if her mouth was trying to will her brain into producing the words which would explain what had just happened without it being she had just used magic.

"Oh, Aurora what did you just do?" Regina moved closer to her playing like she was shocked by her actions.

Regina's comment made Aurora look up from the cane in her hand.

"Did you just use magic? However, did you do that? I thought Maleficent's curse took away your powers until your True Love kissed you."

"How did you?" Rumple asked. "I haven't sensed your powers since you returned and I still don't." He moved the few steps over to her grabbing her free arm looking at the bracelet. He ripped it off sending beads all over the floor, feeling her power the second it was off her. "It seems the good Doctor Frankenstein has been busy." He looked over at Victor who had taken a step backward looking suddenly even more afraid for his well-being.

Regina walked around the table moving closer to Aurora faking concern before she added. "You didn't steal a kiss from someone other than your fiancé, now have you?"

"Aurora, what have you been doing with Jefferson?" Rumple questioned.

"Yes Aurora, just what all have you done with dear, dear, Jefferson?" Regina mocked her as she came to a stop within arm's reach of her.

Aurora's only answer was to swing the cane and she hit Regina right in the face knocking her to the ground. She moved to hit her again but Regina managed to cast a protection spell up around her and she caught the cane sending a spell up it into Aurora's arm.

"Ah!" Aurora screamed as a bolt of pain crawled up her hand through her arm hitting her hard in her chest. She dropped the cane and fell back.

Rumple moved to grab his cane as Charming put himself in between them. "That is enough Regina, Aurora you are both Queens so start acting the part."

"Aurora what did you do with Jefferson?" Phillip asked her as he helped her to her feet.

"Phillip," Aurora warned as she turned pulling away from him.

"When were you ever alone with him?"

"We are not talking about this now." Aurora hissed glancing around the room at everyone who was watching this drama.

"Answer me."

"I am not your wife, I do not have to answer to you." Aurora defended herself.

"I can no longer stand to be second to that worthless Hatter."

"Don't fool yourself, Phillip, even without him here you will never be my second anything." She took off his ring and threw it at him.

"I said answer me!" Phillip yelled clearly pissed at her confession as he gripped the ring tightly in his hand.

"I said not here!" Aurora yelled back at him not budging from her decision.

"She may not answer you Phillip, but…" Rumple grabbed Jefferson by his coat collar and pulled him back up his feet. "What did you do with Aurora?"

"It was just a kiss… I swear it." Jefferson answered nothing but pure panic showing in his eyes as Rumple held him up against the door.

Rumple bounced him off the door. "The truth Jefferson, for once don't lie to me."

"I may have exaggerated in the past but I never …"

"Just about every conversation we have ever had about Aurora has been a lie from you. Tell me the truth!"

"You are one too talk!" Jefferson shouted back at him figuring at this point he had nothing to lose. "You knew I would have done anything to save her from Maleficent, but still all those years ago you faked the True Love Potion. I didn't realize my kiss would bring back her powers because I didn't think she really loved me."

"What?" Aurora gasped.

"Who would have guessed you would have come together, the way you two did, on your own."

"You faked a True Love Potion?" Aurora questioned.

"I lied because I wanted to keep you both!" Rumple roared.

"That is your problem! We are not things to be kept!" Jefferson yelled back at him. "We are the closest thing you have to friends, and this is how you treat us? Like we are just some pieces to move around the board until you get what you want from us, not caring who gets destroyed in the process."

Rumple paused a moment Jefferson words cutting him to the core. He pushed Jefferson back against the door, as he pushed his emotions away. "I am not sorry for taking care of you both. You were both my responsibility!" He screamed. "But you just had to ruin things; running away, taking her with you."

"You should be used to people running away from you. Your wife left you for my father and your son didn't love you, leaving the first chance he had. The only thing you are truly sorry about is how you can't use me as a replacement for him anymore!"

Rumple growled as Jefferson comment cut into his heart. "Tell me just what have you done with Aurora?" Rumple bounced Jefferson off of the door a few more times in frustration. "Tell me!"

Jefferson shouted out "It was her second night here. The night Belle said she had been at Inn with her and Red."

Rumple stopped shaking him holding him against the wall. "Go on."

"I invited her up to my manor and she came. She actually came." Jefferson gave a laugh like he was still shocked by the fact that Aurora had sneaked out and came to him that night. "It was just to talk but I… well I love her, but you knew that now everyone knows that! It was just a few kisses. I…I wanted it to be more but she stopped me. I asked her to marry me but she turned me down."

"You what?" Phillip demanded but got no answer, because Rumple removed his grip from Jefferson's coat, grabbing Jefferson's scarf as he brought up his right hand with a ball of fire inches away from Jefferson's face.

"Rumple NO! Please…" Aurora cried behind him.

"If you are lying to me again," Rumple growled.

"The Queen is still a virgin!" Jefferson shrieked his eyes huge with fear as he watched the fireball inches from his face.

Regina laughed. "Are you serious?"

"Really, you are a virgin? You two never…" Victor asked shocked at Jefferson's confession. In fact, he didn't even realize he had said the words out loud until he noticed the glare Aurora was giving him and heard Ruby's low growl of "Victor."

"Shocking I know. Most men would jump at a chance to bed royalty but maybe he got that out of his system with me."

Aurora turned her glare to Regina. "I would hold your tongue, Regina. Virgin or not the curse is broken and my magic has come back tenfold. I am on or above your level now."

Regina laughed again. "Tenfold or not if you are still a virgin you are nowhere near my level little girl."

But before she could answer Jefferson's shrieks made both of them turn.

"Yes, I swear to it! I swear to it on my mother's crystal!" Jefferson watched the magic in Rumple's hands. "It was your own spell that made her ten times more powerful. She will be even more powerful once she is deflowered."

Rumple waved the magic away but he bounced Jefferson off the door one more time before he turned to face Aurora who had turned bright red at Jefferson's comment.

Rumple let Jefferson go and he fell back to the ground in front of him throwing his hands up to protect himself in case Rumple started attacking him again. "I am not lying to you!"

"There are you satisfied now Phillip?" Aurora spat out.

Before Phillip could answer Emma cut in. "Deflowered? What the hell is happening here? Why are we talking about who they sleep with? They are both adults they can sleep with whomever they want."

"That isn't the way it works for Kings and Queens. She is promised to King Phillip." Snow answered.

"And he was promised to Princess Abigail, but that didn't stop you?" She said pointing at her father.

"Emma!"

"Don't Emma me." This is Storybrooke, not some fucking backwoods medieval fairy tale world."

"Medieval world?"

"Yes, no, electricity, arranged marriages, what else would you call it?"

"We will talk more about this later." Snow hissed "Now is not the time."

"Yes, I think we should go talk things over back at the house." Phillip agreed.

Aurora glared at him and stated. "You will get no more about this from me. It was just a few kisses. I have my magic back. And I am not going back to Emma's with you."

"Where are you planning on going?"

"I am going home with Jefferson, of course."

"You will not!" Phillip stated loudly.

"That is not happening." Rumple agreed.

"You two do not get a say in my life anymore. Rumple, you want to blame someone for how things have turned out, blame yourself. It was because of you that we thought each other dead, and it was because of your protection ring that I am even here in this world."

Turning to Phillip she continued "I could kiss you a million times over and I wouldn't feel half as much of what I feel when I kiss him. Now that everyone knows how we feel about each other we can finally be together. No more denying our feelings. He loves me and I love him and I plan to spend the rest of my life with him be it here in Storybrooke or back in the Enchanted Forest as Queen and King."

"He lacks so many qualities to be your equal."

"There are multiple qualities one looks for in an equal and trust me Phillip you lack all save your birthright."

Jefferson watched her wishing all she said could really happen, but he had his daughter to worry about and George's threats repeated over and over again in his head. I think as a father you would do whatever you could to keep your daughter safe. She is Phillip's and if you value your daughter's life you will make her realize that fact as well.

He couldn't put Grace at risk any more than he had already done, no matter how much he wanted to stand by Aurora's side for the rest of time, he had to think of his daughter first, she was only a child and her happiness was more important than his. Somehow, he found a way to speak. "No," Jefferson stated looking across the room at her. "But I do."

Jefferson fought to stand his ground and not take her in his arms. I can't touch her, touching her is not a privilege I have anymore. He thought as he forced his hands back down to his sides. "No, you are not coming home with me."

"What?" Aurora asked spinning around to face Jefferson the shock of his comment showing through on her face. "Why ever not?"

Dear God, I suddenly wish to be anywhere but here, or take a half a bottle of my panic attack pills because God knows just one wouldn't be strong enough to stop these feelings. He thought but out loud he forced himself to give an explanation. "I have my daughter to think about." He got back to his feet, leaning against the door. "The last thing I want is to get involved in your bloodily mess again. I shouldn't even have come here tonight in the first place, but The Dark One insisted."

Rumple flinched slightly at Jefferson's use of his title. It has been thirty-eight years and that boy still can piss me off with his word choice in a way no one since my son has ever done. Pushing back any emotional attachments he growled. "Well, you are most certainly not invited here any longer."

"Yes, well after tonight I am done with everyone in this town, everyone expect my daughter."

"You are not making sense I am done with Phillip. We can…"

"You are not listening to me, Aurora, and it is my fault because since our days at Rumple's castle I have filled your head with an impossible dream. I can't just be your friend, and I am not your Prince."

"You once told me as long as I wanted you, Phillip wasn't allowed to have me."

"I thought you of all people would understand. My place is where I say it is, not where other people want me to be!"

"Jefferson…" She whispered shaking her head in disbelief.

"I said no Your Majesty. I am done with you. I never want to see you again, do you understand?" Jefferson rocked nervously on his heels as he forced himself to look her in the eye as he waited for her answer.

Aurora watched him rocking a moment wanting to call his bluff but knew it wasn't the right time or place. "I understand…" She somehow got the words out.

Jefferson looked away not wanting to see her upset.

"But where will I go if you don't take me in?" she whispered, blinking back tears of frustration.

Jefferson heard her question but refused to look at her. If I look at her I will not be able to do the right thing and walk away. I will give in to every selfish thing I have wished for since I first kissed her all those years ago back in Rumple's Castle. With his eyes fixed on the ground, he muttered. "That is your problem, not mine."

"He is supposed to love you?" Phillip asked. "Seriously what do you see in the lying coward?"

Jefferson held his hurt arm tightly to his chest as he bit his lip to keep any comments to himself. It is better for both of us if we stay apart. Better. Better. Better. He thought closing his eyes and trying to will his anger to pass.

"Shut up Phillip now is really not the time to test me." Aurora hissed.

Phillip moved closer trying to move her back towards him, she used her magic to make it feel like he had been burned. He cried out stepping back from her looking at his hand as Mulan stepped up drawing her sword at Aurora.

Aurora laughed at the sword. "He is all yours Mulan. But know this, I have my magic, and if he touches me like that again I will leave a scar for you both to remember his mistake by."

She took another step back from them turning to address everyone in the room, and Jefferson watched as Aurora's whole outward appearance changed. Within a breath, she dropped the shocked, hurt, and worried appearance and took on the one she used to play early on when she pretended to be Queen during one of Rumple or Belle's lesson.

"I may not be going home with Jefferson but I stand by what I said earlier I am finished with Phillip. I am not going anywhere with him ever again." She turned back to face Phillip. "I gave you back your ring, I will never marry you and you will never rule over my Kingdom."

"You are just upset and need to calm down."

"NO!" Aurora shouted. "I am not some silly helpless princess. I am quite capable of handling my problems by myself. If I ever do have a King beside me it will be a man who sees and understands both of my sides. That sure as hell isn't you Phillip. You only see my crown and the power it can give you. And you…" She turned hissing at Jefferson, "You have spent too many years with him." She pointed at Rumple. "You are too much of a coward to rule beside me!"

"That was wonderful." Cora smiled as she moved back from the mirror she had just enchanted so they could see into the library. "Did you tell her to say that?"

"I am just starting to feel better, I have barely controlled her all day." Hook watched her feeling her rage. "She has a temper are you sure her bloodline doesn't have any Irish in it?" Hook asked

"She is completely of the Enchanted Forest and not your precious Victorian World.

"Where are you going to go? You like me have nothing here." Phillip challenged Aurora.

"If the Queen needs a home, I could be of assistant." Rumple started.

"No, I am not going anywhere with you either. And I can't even believe you would suggest it!" Aurora took a deep breath looking around the room spotting Victor. "Victor! I am going home with him."

"With me?" Victor asked astonished. He had a look on his face like keep me out of this mess.

"Yes, I decided it was my best choice." She turned to him and Victor could see the anger and pain in her eyes and tone. "Do you disagree?" She questioned him.

Victor felt himself flinch at her tone, for it was too much like Regina when she was demanding something. "What about Belle?"

Aurora took a deep breath but before she could answer Belle stated. "I am too close to Rumple." Aurora gave a nod and a wave agreeing with her comment.

"Yes, well I …" Victor looked at Jefferson who wouldn't look at anyone in the room let alone him, Rumple who was glaring at him, and Ruby and Belle who smiled and both nodded at him. "Yes, I do believe you are correct. I would be honored to have you as a house guest. I only have the one bed so I guess I will be sleeping on the couch, but of course anything for an old friend."

"I think this meeting is done for the night. We will go our separate ways for the night and meet at Granny's in the morning when we are thinking clearly. We need to remember what is past is past and we have to work together if any of us want a future." Charming suggested nodding for Victor to take Aurora.

"Yes, that seems reasonable." Emma agreed moving over to Aurora.

"I am fine," Aurora told her moving back from her hand. "Your father is correct."

"Aurora" Victor moved forward offering her his arm like a good gentleman. "Let's get you home for the night." She took it and the two of them walked out past Jefferson who wouldn't look at them.

"Come along Belle." Rumple moved to follow them.

"I am not going anywhere with you." She stated crossing her arms.

"You are not what?" Rumple asked.

Jefferson couldn't help but laugh at Rumple's discomfort. He cut it short when he saw Rumple's glare, and he somehow found a way to moved closer to the wall.

"Don't act so surprised after what you just did."

"I didn't…"

"And that is where you are wrong and until you understand what you did wrong I am not going home with you," Belle said. "Ruby, can I go with you back to the inn tonight?"

"Sure, there is always a room open for you when you need one. And since my boyfriend is Queensitting, I guess I can settle for a girl's night."

Rumple was caught off guard by her comment but it was Emma who spoke up first.

"Boyfriend?" Emma asked raising her eyebrow at Ruby who just smiled and took Belle's hand leaving.

Granny followed them out with her crossbow. "Don't get any ideas Gold. But if you decided to go after Doctor Whale I wouldn't be upset."

Rumple gave her a glare as he watched them leave.

Jefferson watched as one by one they left the library. In a few moments, he was left alone with only Phillip.

Phillip pushed him against the wall. "Aurora is my property now. No matter how many touches or kisses you steal with her."

"Aurora is not anyone property, and you are a fool if you think you can control her, now that she has her magic back."

"We both know there are ways to control magic."

"You are even dumber than I thought." Jefferson declared.

"I don't care if you have a daughter. If you continued to be a problem for me I will not hesitate to kill you, and now that you have upset your old master again there won't be anyone there to save you."

"Is that your original thought or did George whisper that in your ear too?"

"Enjoy your wisecracks now Hatter, but I will see to it that you know your place before you die."

"George is doing a good job on you. Prince James used that same threat, but I am still here. Trust me I don't need Rumple or anyone to save me from the likes of you. My father was a pirate; I actually know how to use that sword you carry around as a pretty accessory. So, don't make a threat you can't follow through on because I think we both know who the better swordsmen will be."

"From what I heard a sword fight isn't what terrifies you. Tell me have you eaten pork since your time in King George's Dungeon?"

Jefferson felt his right-hand throb like it was being skinned, and fought against the memory of the pain. "I gave her up if you can't win her that is your own fault."

Phillip slammed him back against the wall. "I don't need to win her, I just have to get her back to the Enchanted Forest and then she will have no choice. This world has filled her head with lies and made her think she has more power than she does."

Jefferson laughed. "Aurora has always thought things out, it is the reason why she has been able to survive. She has a brain and we taught her how to use it even better. She will out think circles around anything you could throw at her, she will see you and George coming a mile away. It one of the things I love about her."

And with that Jefferson pushed him away from him and started for the door as Phillip called. "Make no mistake Hatter, I will have Aurora as my wife." Jefferson didn't comment as he walked out of the room.

Phillip looked around spotting the broken bracelet laying all over the floor, George's comments about Cora ringing in his ears. "No one will see us coming with this." He started picking up the pieces.

Robin followed Regina after the meeting. He felt the need to talk to her more but wasn't sure what he wanted to say to her. Finding himself on an empty street he called out to her. "Your mother is even worse than what you remember. Her time in Wonderland changed her for the worse."

Regina stopped and turned back to face him. "You didn't grow up with her. I assure you Wonderland didn't make her worse because nothing could make her worse than what she already was." She paused a moment as Robin came to a stop in front of her. "These people think I am a monster. My mother is the real monster."

"Which is why you need to stop fighting with them all." He grabbed her arm and she saw the lion tattoo on his wrist.

Regina flashed back to standing outside the pub with Tinker Bell and how she never went into the pub to see the face of the man who the stupid fairy had told her was to be her real True Love. She was lost in her memories and almost didn't hear what else he had to tell her.

"Life doesn't always go forward, sometimes it's like my arrows you have to be pulled back before you can move forward pass what is currently happening. Let your childish jealous of Aurora go and finally do the right thing for all the people who you cursed here."

Regina pulled back. "You have a lot of nerve for a common thief."

"It seems you have a past history of listening to a thief. So maybe my words will make a difference."

"I know you are new here but the woods are that way." Regina took two steps back from him and started up the walk away to her house.