Life was different without the royal family and Gold in town. It was definitely quiet but also sad. Everyone was worried about Henry and no one knew where they had went to. Jefferson was sure that Gold had a complete handle on things. He trusted his friend would find his grandson. He felt sorry for Emma for losing Neil. He was grateful he was not in her position.
Life went on even though the mayor, the sheriff and the deputy were gone. Belle was back to her true self and was successful in cloaking the town just as Gold had asked her to do.
There appeared two new people in town. Brothers. They kept to themselves and actually seemed to not want to be noticed and remained as unnoticed as possible. The brothers drove into town, but the latest visitor swam. She brought the news as to where they were looking for Henry.
"Neverland!" Star exclaimed and held Hawk closer to her. They were sitting in Granny's diner as Ruby told them what she knew from the Dwarves. "Poor Henry among those evil boys! That's what Peter does, he recruits boys to run amuck in the land."
Jefferson had no words to reassure her. He was thankful Grace wasn't around to hear of Henry's whereabouts. Those Lost Boys truly were lost, but he hadn't heard of any recruiting of boys in quite some time. What would Mendel and his girlfriend have to do with it all? Such mysteries. Ruby went on to serve the newest members in Storybrook some more coffee. Maybe he did have something to say. "I trust Gold. Once he sets his mind to something he will succeed."
"But does Mr. Gold know just how bad Peter can be? He's a liar and a trickster. He's selfish and manipulative. He had my whole tribe murdered!" Jefferson could see Star was trying very hard to not cry and panic. "What if someone else comes to town looking to kidnap boys?" She held Hawk even closer. "What if the shadow comes to take our baby?"
"Sweetheart, that's not going to happen. I won't let that happen."
"Now I think you did have the right idea in staying in the house. I'm so sorry I doubted you."
He got up and put his arms around her. "Right now we have very little information. There's nothing to go off of other than the message of Ariel. And all she said was where they went to search for Henry. No one else is kidnapping boys."
Star wasn't fully convinced but it always felt safer and more comforting in her husband's arms. Unfortunately that night the nightmares of The Shadow came back. Star hadn't had one in such a long time.
"It was terrible. Instead of kidnapping Henry, The Shadow came and murdered everyone while I watched."
"Shh. There there," Jefferson said as he tried to comfort her. "It was your mind playing tricks on you. You're safe here. We're all safe here. I won't let anything happen to you. Try to get some sleep and I'll stay up and keep watch." It broke his heart to see her so frightened.
The next day, Jefferson gets a call from Belle and asks to meet him without Star. He agrees and they meet at the library with Hawk. He convinced Star it was completely safe to go on her run and hoped it would make her feel better. "I know Star was really worried and upset about Neverland so I didn't want her to be upset further." Belle explained. "But there has been some events."
Jefferson felt fear shoot up his spine. "Events" never went over well in Storybrook.
"Those new brothers in town they actually tried to shoot Ariel and I."
"What!? And you're just telling me this now? With no law enforcement in town, there should be someone to aid. Were you harmed? How is the new girl?"
"No, no. We're fine. We handled it. We're ok. Ariel went home. Well, actually she went back to Neverland with Pandora's box to rid the land of Peter." Belle explained. "The town was in danger but not anymore."
"Was?" Jefferson said then sighed. "When isn't the town in danger?" He said sarcastically.
Belle ignored the comment and went on, "Rumplestilskin is alive! He's going to rid Neverland of Peter Pan. They are doing their best to find Henry. I know he'll succeed. He took Michael and John's sister Wendy. Peter did. They were just doing what they were told. Much like Greg and Tamara."
"But they kidnapped Henry. Killed his father." Jefferson adamantly said.
"Yes, and they have paid the ultimate price. Both are dead. And," Belle perked up, "Baelfire is still alive! He survived the gunshot wound and made it to the Enchanted forest. Though it's not the same, our home is still there. We can go back. I mean, if those who want to go, they can."
"But there are no beans."
"Yes, I know, but I'm sure we can work something out. But the good news is the town is safe. And now we just wait until Runple comes back. With Henry and his whole family, of course."
"So what do you suggest we do about town security in the mean time? It worries me that the two newcomers were able to accost two women and there was no one to call. I would have helped if I had known."
"Oh Jefferson, we were fine. In my heart I know they'll be coming home soon. Ariel will be on her way back and one of her six sisters will report with any news."
"So in your opinion, the town is safe for now." Jefferson said.
"Absolutely."
/-/-/-/
News came that the Jolly Roger was on the way back. All the adults that went, plus two more, and a whole group of Lost Boys. The whole town seemed to be waiting at the docks to greet the royal family home.
As the passengers disembarked there were plenty of hugs and greetings to go around. Star had been a little more reserved the past two days but the light in her face made Jefferson's heart soar when his wife laid eyes on the petite blonde. She ran forward calling her name.
"Tinkerbelle!"
She was looking a bit lost as she took in the whole scene but once she heard her name called and saw who was running toward her, she too propelled forward. Arms opened wide. "Tiger Lily!" Hawk was in the carrier on Star's back, which was a good thing or he would have been smashed between the embrace of the two old friends.
"It's Star now. Like my ring." Star showed the ring to Tinkerbelle. "And it's Harris. Jefferson," Star pulled him over. "I found him! We're married now. Well, we were married before too." Star was just so happy her huge smile was contagious.
"I remember. " Tinkerbelle said with just as big a smile. "And this is your baby?"
"Yes!" Star said and removed Hawk off her back.
"May I hold him? You had such a beautiful baby boy!"
"Hawk, meet Tinkerbelle my very dear friend." She said as she handed over the child. "Tinkerbelle, meet my son, Hawk Daystar Archer Harris."
Hawk didn't say much. Just babbled and held onto his toy.
"Nice to meet you sir. I knew you back when you were a tiny pea in your mama's belly."
"Mama." Hawk said. Tinkerbelle patted his loose curls and squeezed him tight.
"So I see you made it out of Neverland. Safely I hope or I might have to hurt that scoundrel Hook."
Star put her arm around her friend. "Yes, I'll tell you all about it. Let's get something to eat at Granny's."
The three adults had a nice lunch at Granny's. Tinkerbelle told as much as she knew about Neverland and Star told the whole tale of her journeys and adventures.
"Do you have a place to stay?" Star asked. "You can stay with us. We have plenty of room." She offered. Then she turned to Jefferson. "It's okay with you, isn't it, Darling?"
"Of course." He had absolutely no problem with that.
"It's ok. I don't want to intrude. Emma said there's an inn. I'll check for a room." As she said that Emma walked in. She spotted the trio at the table.
"Hey Tink. I just wanted to thank you for your help. I got you a cell phone and programmed some numbers in it, in case you get lost or need some help. Also, I talked to Granny and there's a room available for you. Upstairs room 24" Emma stood long enough to teach Tinkerbelle how to use the phone. She was surprised to hear another person's voice when making her first call.
The meal was long over and they needed to pick up Grace. Star stood up and hugged her friend dearly. "That offer to stay with us still stands."
"I'll keep it in mind."
As the couple was waiting for Grace, Star got a call from Tinkerbelle. "Was your room not satisfactory?"
"The room is fine, it's the pirate next door! He thinks he can get somewhere with me? Really?! Like I'd be willing to be his next willing conquest to be forgotten the next day. Is it okay if I take you up on that offer?"
"Absolutely." Star responded.
/-/-/-/
Jefferson didn't know where the two women found more things to talk about. But they did. And Grace joined them too. It felt really nice to have his house filled with such joyous chatter. "What do you say me and you discuss manly stuff, Son?" Jefferson asked Hawk.
"Mama." Was the only intelligible part of the toddler's response.
"I'm sure Mama still loves us, she's just so excited to have her friend. And that's ok. We can hang out together." Jefferson told Hawk.
"Goodnight Papa." Grace said approaching in her nightgown. "Do you think if Henry doesn't go to school, that we can go visit him after school tomorrow? He seemed... I don't know, maybe it was his time spent being Kidnapped, but he doesn't seem like himself."
"Sure Baby. He just might need a little time. We don't know what he went through."
"Great, Papa!" She said as she threw her arms around him. To Jefferson, there was nothing better. "I love you." She said as she picked up Hawk. "I really like Miss Tinkerbelle, she's so nice. I hope she stays with us."
"Well that's up to her."
"Good. I'm glad you're my Papa." To Jefferson, no words could make him feel better.
/-/-/-/
Tinkerbelle spent her days in town with Emma and possibly Regina as well, Jefferson didn't ask, but at night she would go and stay with Star and their family. Jefferson wasn't sure what big project they were working on, but he was content to be at home with an overly happy wife and her pleasant friend, far, far away from any 'events'.
Of course, in Storybrook it depends on what qualifies as an event, who was disgruntled with who, who stole who's life, someone inadvertently killed someone else's mother with a candle or who was kidnapping someone else. For a few days at least, life was calm and happy.
The weather was getting cooler. Fall was full on. Wind gusting around. Jefferson was at home with Star. He was working on a few repairs to some of the townfolk's winter coats. He was in his craft room when he heard Star's frantic voice. He immediately came out.
Once she saw him she put her phone on speaker. It was Tinkerbelle's voice. "I'm telling you, Tig-, Star, you need to get out now! Peter is Here. We got the shadow."
"The Shadow?" Star asked, terror in her voice, "but, but-"
"Star, there's no need to worry about that, we got it. It's contained. Neil took care of it. But I need you to know Peter was about town. We know where he is. Rumplestilskin is going to take care of him, but you need to get out. There is no time." Tinkerbelle said urgently.
"What-? Where-?" Star asked but could not finish.
"Peter was set to destroy the town. But Regina stopped him. Well, she can't completely stop it. Everything is going back-"
"'Going back?!' What does that mean?"
"Wait, hold on." There was muffling as if she was running, "Rumplestilskin just killed Peter! And himself too! Oh Star, you need to go! Regina is sending Henry and Emma across the town lines." Her voice was in a full panic. "Henry can't go back. He wasn't born in the Enchanted Forest. You need to get your baby out of town. NOW!"
