And Straight On Till Morning

Orabella waited for Gold in the back of his shop, Neal's old shawl drawn around her as she stared at the objects in front of her. She heard the dwarves rummaging around in the front of the shop and her lover discovering them. She waited until the intruders had left before revealing herself to him.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly.

He didn't turn to face her just yet. "Is he alive?"

"In the Enchanted Forest," she confirmed. "I gave him my strongest health potion. He'll be fine."

Gold turned to her. "You're sure?"

"With Absolute Certainty." They both smiled tearily at her joke. A wave of magic passed through them. Orabella nodded at the window. "When this is over, we have to go to the factory."

"We live through this?"

"And more." She rounded the counter and he pulled her close. "Greg and Tamara will have taken Henry by the time we get out of here."

"Taken him where?" He looked down at her when she paused.

"To Neverland."

"What?" He took a step away from her. "They're taking him to 'him'?"

"Yes, but 'his' plan will fail if we go." She stepped closer to him. "I know you're afraid. You can't hide that from me. But you know as well as I that the price of magic must always be paid. And you know that I'll pay it with you when the time comes. So, will you help me save our grandson from 'him'. Please?"

Gold pulled himself back to her and kissed her on the head. "Of course I will. Henry will be home before we know it."

They walked along the docks to meet the Charmings. "They've taken Henry?" Gold spoke in his usual 'I know what's happening' manner.

"Yeah," David confirmed. "You're the Dark One. Do something. And Ora. Why didn't you tell us about this?"

Emma placed a hand on her father's arm. "Gold, help us."

"There's no way," he tried to explain. "I spent a life time trying to cross worlds to find my son. There's no way in this world with out a portal."

"So, that's it," Regina accused. "He's gone forever?" The Charmings looked dismayed at the lack of options. "I refuse to believe that."

"Good, because here comes Hook back," Orabella said as she pointed out to the harbor. Indeed, the 'Jolly Rodger' was on her way back to them.

Orabella called her daughter to grab her uncle and meet down at the harbor. The lot of them waited for the ship to be secured before approaching. As the Charmings gave a brief rundown to Hook about what was now happening, Cecilia and Devon ran up to Orabella. "Please tell me I don't have to go," Devon begged. "You know I get horribly sea sick."

"It's my turn to go off on an adventure as you hold down the home fort," Orabella assured. "You too, Sissy."

"I'm coming with, mama. He's my nephew." Cecilia quickly walked up the gang plank.

"Anything I need to do," Devon asked as he watched his niece board the ship.

"After we've gone, follow these instructions," Gold said holding a small ribbon bound scroll.

"And activate this," Orabella said as she pulled out her own spell scroll.

"A Cloaking spell."

"And a Grand Protection spell."

"They'll shield the town, making it impossible for anyone to find."

"Then how will you get back?" Devon looked worriedly at the pair in front of him.

"We'll find a way," Orabella said assuredly as she gave him a hug. "Congratulations on making it through season 2." Devon laugh/sobbed comically as he hugged her back. "Season 3 is worse." The sob became real. "I'll see you again." She handed him a red journal. "A copy of my secrets, so you won't become too lost."

Gold pulled her arm. "We need to go." They boarded the ship and waved farewell to Devon. Gold spotted Hook as he made ready to sail. "So... Are you done trying to kill me?"

"I believe so," Hook said as the three of them met on deck.

"Excellent, then you can live." Gold lifted his hand to summon the tracking globe.

"Hold on a moment," Orabella said stoping her lover. "I still have something to say before we start." Both men bid her speak and she punched Hook in the lip. "That's for shooting me." She grabbed him by the hair and kneed him in the nose. "That's for poisoning me." She threw him to the ground and kicked him in the stomach. "And that is for handing my son over to 'him'." She turned to Gold. "Okay, we can go now," she said as she wiped her hands and fixed her hair.

Gold smirked as he summoned the globe from his shop. Hook stood as Gold picked himself and dropped his blood on the surface. As the map formed, Regina asked, "where is that? Where did they take Henry?"

"Neverland," Hook answered gravely.

Emma dug out the bean and gave it to Cecilia who threw it out to the water away from them.

"So who are we up against," David asked over the noise of the portal. "Who are Greg and Tamara?"

"They're merely pawns," Gold answered as he kept an arm around Orabella and helped secure them to the ship. "Manipulated by forces far greater than they can conceive. They have no idea who they're truly working for.

"And who's that," Cecilia asked from her place by the helm.

"Someone we all should fear," her mother answered as they approached the green glowing vortex.

All other conversation had to wait until that reached Neverland.

'His' realm.

A/n: Happy Holidays! The adventure is continuing in season three, I promise. With my new hours I may have more time to write than before. I have started writing my Skyrim/Dragon Age crossover. If you have time, the first character is posted on my list; tell me what you think of her.

Here's to a Happy New Year!