Earning Happy Endings

by BrainWithAMouth

All it took was one choice. Cora decided to allow Regina's curse to take her as well, though not without securing some protection of course. Now, more people from the Enchanted Forest lived a lie in Storybrooke for 28 years, and Emma will find herself in the midst of it all. With the help of her son, they'll find out who can be trusted, and who may want them gone. Canon divergence.

30. Our Desperate Hour

Here it is folks! The last chapter of season one. It's been a long journey and I'm glad you've stuck it out with me.

Disclaimer: Yeah you know I own nothing, otherwise you would've been watching this instead of reading this. My OCS are mine though :P

Thanks to Can't-Stop-My-Fandoms for helping me edit this.

And thanks to jkrfan7 for following this story.

Enjoy!

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Our Desperate Hour

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February 29, 2012

Jefferson was a moron. He knew that as he tried to stop the flow of blood from the three stab wounds in his gut. It's not the first time he was stabbed - that honored belonged to when he was first starting out his life as a criminal, back when Faith-

He groaned in pain, both because of his wounds and because of Faith's memory. It'd been awhile since he thought about her, about anything relating to his life before he became a conman. It made things easier that way.

Maybe if he'd been smarter, about anything really, he could avoid dying at the hands of a woman who'd already betrayed him.

Gods, if he ever did see Priscilla again, he fully expected for her to never let him hear the end of this. He was stupid to think he could maybe outsmart Regina, to keep her at arm's length in order to get what he wanted, and screw her over, but he hadn't been thinking rationally. He hadn't been thinking at all. He wanted so badly to believe he could have it all, and fear and paranoia of not being able to trust those around him, to not be able to have Grace in his arms again, drove him towards his death.

Jefferson would at least try to get out of this. He managed to drag himself over to where Regina had kicked the walkie talkie, blood staining the floor in a trail, and he very gingerly tried not to move anymore than necessary, as each time he pushed himself forward on his side, he felt like he was stretching open his wounds.

At last, he managed to reach out far enough to grab the walkie talkie, and click the button.

Laying halfway on his back, Jefferson pressed the button and croaked out, "Help. I need help.

No response.

Panicked, Jefferson pressed the button and weakly said, "Help. It's...it's Jefferson. I need help. I'm...in...the mauso...mausoleum…"

Again, no response.

Are you coming back? A little girl's voice asked, and for a moment, he thought it was Grace. When he thought about it, it was someone from long, long ago, locked away in a lifetime he rarely thought about anymore. He tried not to think of his own childhood, and yet now, he could feel the blood seep from out of him, dripping to the floor as he weakly laid on his back.

There was a crackle, but it was so distant to him now.

Please, please don't go, the girl said. We can run off...or...or we can go together...

He closed his eyes. Maybe...just maybe he could-

Just promise me you'll come back…

His breath stuttered and stilled.

You have to promise…

His mind began to drift.

For our tea party.

Jefferson's eyes shot open, and he sucked in a breath, groaning in pain when he felt his wounds radiate pain throughout his body.

Grace. Grace. He...he had to get back to Grace. She was here.

Whoever I am - Dada or Rapunzel, hell both of them - I still care about you. I lo-

Dada, she's here too.

Faith isn't here. She's been gone for a long time, and although he shut her away so far into his mind that she almost disappeared, guilt overwhelmed him.

If I manage to live through this, Jefferson thought as he rolled himself onto his side with a cry of pain, I won't forget. I won't shut her away.

He started slowly making his way toward the stairs again. If he managed to get to the top, he might have a chance. Maybe someone would hear him.

Jefferson arrived at the bottom of the staircase, and he managed to sit on the bottom stair before his vision briefly went black. Well, not so much sitting as laying on that part of the staircase. Gods, if he managed to get to stair two, it would be a miracle.

Realizing the walkie talkie was still in his hand, his fingers nearly going numb with how hard he was clenching it, he brought it close to his lips. It took a lot of energy to press the button, and he could only whisper, "I'm here...I'm here…"

"Jefferson?" Graham's voice crackled through.

A jolt shot through Jefferson's body.

"Jefferson, you there?" Graham said, and he sounded like he was panting. "Just stay awake. I'm almost there."

Jefferson tried to stay awake as he pressed the button again. Please don't be some dying dream, some false comfort his mind provided.

"Graham?" He whispered as a new wave of pain shot through him.

"I'm here!" Graham shouted through the walkie talkie, and yet, he sounded closer...so close…

Scraping of stone. Scraping. Scraping. Scraping.

"Jefferson!" Someone called down, and there was a light so bright it made Jefferson close his eyes with a groan.

Clapping on the steps, and then a hand on his arm.

"Oh no," someone said, and they shook him gently. "Jefferson, are you-"

"Who…?" Jefferson whispered out.

"It's me, Graham," he said before he said to someone else, "This is Sheriff Graham Humbert. I'm at-"

Jefferson must've fallen asleep, because the next time he opened his eyes, he let out a cry of pain as something jostled him. He tried to wriggle away, but those arms held him tight.

"I'm sorry," they said, and when Jefferson opened his eyes, he saw Graham's face, and the sky above him.

He was out of the mausoleum. Wait...the mausoleum...and Regina…

"Regina," Jefferson said as they neared something. "Regina...she's got...an ap...app…"

"Don't talk," Graham said as he lowered him down into what Jefferson realized was the back of Graham's police car. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No, Regina," Jefferson said frantically. "Regina's...got...apple."

"What?" Graham gasped.

Jefferson couldn't answer him, because he fell into blackness.

---

Emma could hardly breathe, and it took all of her willpower to not trip over herself trying to keep up with the gurney. The one holding her baby, who was getting paler by the minute as Dr. Whale and a nurse pushed it towards the emergency room.

"Henry, can you hear me? Come on Henry, wake up, please!" Emma begged, trying to find any sign that he would wake up. "Come on Henry. Come on, you can do it!"

Please, please, please wake up. Please wake up, baby, please. Just open your eyes, something.

Henry was put in a room, and hands tried to pull her away.

"Ma'am, you need to-"

"No!" Emma protested as she fought against those hands. She couldn't leave him. "I am not going anywhere. Henry!"

She registered Whale, who pulled back Henry's eyelids and flashed a light at them. "There's no pupil response. What happened, did he fall? Hit his head?"

Emma produced the apple turnover. She only grabbed it because maybe, just maybe, there was a thin hope they could find out what was in it and cure him. "He ate this. I think it's poisoned."

"His airway's clear," Whale said. "Did he vomit? Any convulsions or disorientation?"

"He took a bite of this and just collapsed!" Emma shouted, not meaning to, but not caring that she did. "So run the tests for whatever could have done this to him!"

Whale looked at her and said, "The boy is showing no symptoms that would suggest neurotoxins, and I know Henry's not allergic to apples, so whatever's going on," Whale took the plastic bag with the turnover, "this is not the culprit."

"Emma!" David's voice called out, and soon he and Killian raced in, Phoebe and Mai trailing after them.

"Da- David," Emma said as the nurse, realizing Emma's distraction, took the opportunity to lead her out of the room to their visitors.

"We came as soon as we could," Killian said, his eyes looking over to Henry, a stricken look on his face.

"Is he going to be okay?" Phoebe asked, her own face paling.

"What are you…" Emma trailed off.

"We had to come," Mai of all people said. "We even left Lady in the car. We had to see Henry."

"What happened?" David asked Emma, his eyes flitting between her scared face and Henry's unconscious one.

"He, uh, he ate apple turnover," Emma said. "He got sick, and I had a neighbor get Copper so I, so...I-It came-" she cleared her throat. "It was from Regina. It was for me. No one knows how to help Henry."

"Come here," Killian said as he drew her in, and she clung onto him.

Emma then reached an arm out and drew in a scared looking Phoebe and Mai.

He's going to be okay, Emma thought to herself. He has to be. He has to.

"You've got to be shitting me," David whispered out.

Emma didn't know why he said that, or why Killian's body stiffened, until a rush of air went past her, like when someone was running past you. She then heard something that made her blood boil.

"How's my son?" Regina asked.

Emma turned around, and saw Regina staring at Henry.

"You," Emma whispered dangerously, pulling himself out of Killian's arms, and releasing Phoebe and Mai as she raced forward. She gripped Regina's arm, dragging her into the nearest closet, and throwing her in before Emma entered, slamming the door behind her. "You did this!"

"What the hell are you doing?!" Regina demanded as Emma attacked her, throwing her against one of the shelves of the closet, pressing her forearm against the witch's throat. "Stop this! My son-"

"Is sick because of you!" Emma shouted back. "That apple turnover you gave me - he ate it!"

Silence fell as Regina took in what Emma was saying. "What?" She whispered in disbelief. When she saw Emma wasn't lying, she said, "It was meant for you!"

"This is your fault," Emma told her, her voice raw.

"I don't know what your-"

"I know what you did!" Emma shouted, pressing her forearm further against your throat. "I know you're the Evil Queen."

Regina could only stare at her.

The door opened, and both women turned their head to see who it was.

Killian entered, and upon viewing the scene, he closed the door behind him.

"The...the girls," Emma said.

"David's looking after them," Killian told her before sending Regina a black glare. "You've made a right mess of things, haven't you...Your Majesty."

Emma thought she could feel Regina swallow a lump in her throat.

"How…?" Regina trailed off.

"We've known for awhile," Emma told her hatefully as she pushed Regina into the shelves one more time before stepping back. "You tried to kill me."

"No, I didn't," Regina told her.

"What the hell do you call that then?" Killian nearly shouted at her, gesturing to the room behind the closed door, where Henry was lying on a hospital bed.

"She was supposed to eat it, not my son," Regina said, as if it was Emma's fault.

"Then undo it!" Emma shouted.

"I can't!" Regina shouted back.

The air left Emma.

From the look on Killian's face, so did he. "What do you mean you can't?"

"I used the last of my magic getting the apple for that turnover," Regina admitted. She turned to Emma. "It was supposed to put you to sleep."

Emma felt her lungs constrict. "What's it gonna do to him?"

"I don't know," Regina answered honestly, for once. "Magic here is unpredictable."

"So...so he could…" Emma wouldn't finish that sentence. She couldn't.

"Yes," Regina said.

Killian stepped forward, and for a second, Emma thought he might hit Regina, but he only pointed a finger in her face. The look he was giving her though…

"You caused this," Killian said in a deadly whisper. "Henry is lying in there right now because of you."

"But she-"

"No," Killian interrupted as Regina tried to speak. "This is on you. No one made you put poison in that food. You did this to that little boy, and now you're going to fix it."

Regina glared at him, as if she wanted to fight against his rebuke. For once though, she seemed to listen.

At last she said, "We need help. There's one other person in town who knows about this. Knows about magic."

"Gold," Emma said. "Or Rumplestiltskin."

"No way," Killian denied.

"You want to bet Henry's life on that?" Regina asked him.

Killian didn't have an answer. Instead, he said, "How is he even going to help?" He then realized something. "He's awake, isn't he?"

"Ever since she came to Storybrooke." Regina nodded at Emma. "It'll be tough handling him. After all, you've been dating his arch-enemy."

"Arch-enemy?" Emma asked, looking at Killian, who mildly shook his head in confusion.

"Oh yes," Regina said vindictively, almost smiling at Killian's discomfort. "Saint Killian here got his hands dirty-"

Emma lost it. She pulled her arm back and let her first fly forward, landing her mark - Regina's face.

The hateful woman was knocked back once more into the shelves, and looked like she was seconds away from clawing Emma's eyes out. Seeing Killian there reminded her she was outnumbered.

Emma then said through gritted teeth, "Come on. We're saving my son."

---

Freddie knew just about one thing: everything was pure chaos.

At the hospital, Henry was unconscious, Emma just left with Killian and Regina, and unless he was mistaken, he just saw Graham carry in a bleeding Jefferson not long after.

Oh, on top of that, Mary Margaret was still in jail.

At least Paige Schafer was safe, as her parents decided to go for Granny's for a meal, and according to Ray, Ruby would keep an eye on them. It helped that Dada decided to visit Ruby there. At least that part of life hadn't imploded.

He wasn't sure how much Ray had told Ruby, but he appreciated the assist nonetheless. God knows they desperately needed it.

Freddie was there for, he guessed, emotional support. Oh, and making sure David, who had called him about what happened, didn't keel over from lack of food. Freddie found that he was good at sneaking things into a hospital, namely food and a kitten under his jacket.

He found David in the waiting room, with Phoebe sitting next to him, barely paying attention to the magazine in her hand, and Mai trying to have fun with one of the toys the hospital provided.

"Hey," Freddie greeted, briefly thinking about making some joke to lighten the mood, but then deciding against it when nothing came to mind.

"Hey," David said back tiredly.

"I brought you guys something," Freddie said as he looked over at the clerk. Once he was confident that they were distracted, he slightly unzipped his jacket, lowering it enough to pull out a cookie package. Handing it to David, Freddie felt movement under his jacket, and soon Missy stuck her head out.

Mai gasped, but David gently shushed her so she wouldn't end up revealing the critter Freddie snuck in.

"How's everyone doing?" Freddie asked as he sat in the chair next to David.

David looked at Phoebe before grabbing some money from his wallet. "Hey, Phoebe, you mind getting us some sodas from the machine."

"Okay," Phoebe said, her tone making it clear that she was too emotionally out of it to put up much of a fight.

David watched her go, and once she was out of earshot he sighed. "We're waiting on word to see how Henry's doing."

"What exactly happened?" Freddie asked.

David leaned closer to whisper lowly, "Henry ate apple turnover Regina made. Killian says she put some kind of poison in it." Before Freddie could ask what it was, David answered, "He said it had something to do with magic. They had to leave to find something to cure it."

"You think they'll find it?" Freddie asked, not knowing what he'd do if the answer was no.

Thankfully, David nodded. "I have faith in them."

The two of them fell into silence as Phoebe came back with soda, and as they sat there in silence, Freddie felt Missy snuggle into his jacket again. He knew it wouldn't be long before the kitten got antsy for movement, at which point Freddie would have to let her roam around outside.

For the moment, sitting in silence in a stationary place, no people to keep an eye on constantly moving around, let Freddie's mind wander.

So much had happened, so much had been learned. The borders of what he thought possible were pushed, and at the same time scarily realistic things like children being threatened and people being hurt were happening all over the place. This poor boy…

Freddie tried to stay optimistic, making himself give David a smile, letting himself speak a little louder as he saw Phoebe come back. "Well, you know Emma and Killian. I'm sure everything will work out."

David, whether or not he truly believed it, appreciated Freddie's words, especially since it did seem to perk up Phoebe and Mai.

"You can go home if you want," David offered.

"Nah," Freddie said. "I think I'm right where I'm supposed to be."

And whatever ended up happening, he would be right here for them.

---

When Killian entered Gold's shop, he allowed himself to feel some vicious satisfaction that Gold hadn't quite managed to clear all of the glass away. He almost felt tempted to finish the job, and maybe fulfill that dark wish to crack open Gold's rotten head.

As it was, he had more important business to take care of, and a boy who needed his help.

Gold noticed the two women accompanying Killian, but his eyes zeroed in on Killian.

"And here I thought criminals returning to the scene of the crime was a myth," he said, his expression calm but his tone betraying a note of contempt. "I knew you were reckless, but I didn't think you a stupid man."

"We don't have time for your games, Gold," Killian said, as much as he hated even trying to remain diplomatic in the snake's presence.

Yet, he had to do it. Henry's life was in the balance. That sweet boy, who did nothing wrong, who simply wanted to be loved by friends and family, was now struggling to stay alive. And all because of Regina, who had tried to harm Emma. That only served to make him angrier, wanting to toss her out so he and Emma could deal with this on their own, but, as with Gold, Killian had to play nice. For now.

Gold looked over at Emma, and after seemingly evaluating her, he smiled. "Do my eyes deceive me, or is that the look of a believer?"

"We need your help," Emma said, looking as though it pained her to admit it.

"Indeed, you do," Gold said as he walked around from behind his ruined counter (Killian tried not to smile too much at the sight) to approach the three of them. He continued saying to Emma, "I knew something was different about you earlier, and at last you've seen the light. So to speak. However, it is quite tragic that an ailment has befallen our young friend." Gold looked over at Regina now. "I told you magic comes with a price."

"Henry shouldn't have to pay it," Regina said, and Killian hoped that maybe there was remorse somewhere in her black soul, but he didn't take losing bets.

"No, you should," Gold replied, "but alas, we are where we are."

"Can you help us?" Emma asked impatiently.

"Of course," Gold answered her. "True Love, Miss Swan — the only magic strong enough to transcend realms and break any curse. Luckily for you, I happen to have bottled some."

Even Regina seemed surprised by this. "You did?"

"Oh yes," Gold said as he once again addressed Emma. "From strands of your parents' hair, I made the most powerful potion in all the realm. So powerful, that, when I created the Dark Curse, I placed a single drop on the parchment. Just a little safety valve."

"That's why I'm the Savior," Emma realized. "That's why I can break the curse."

He pointed at her. "Now you're getting it."

"We can break the curse later," Emma said. "Right now, all I'm concerned about is saving Henry."

"Which is why it's your lucky day," Gold nodded. "I didn't use all of the potion. I saved some. For a rainy day."

"Well it's storming like a bitch," Emma retorted. "Where is it?"

The bastard got an amused glint in his dark eyes. "Where it is, isn't the problem. Getting it is what should worry you."

"Dispense with the riddles already," Killian said impatiently. "Where is the damn thing?"

"You, pirate, do nothing," Gold coldly snapped.

Pirate? Is that who he used to be? What did Gold, or Rumplestiltskin, as Henry figured, know about him?

Gold returned his attention to Emma. "For your boy's sake, I certainly hope you don't bring him along. He might just leave you for dead when you take it from Regina's friend in the basement."

Regina looked aghast. "Oh, you twisted little imp. You hid it with her?"

"Oh no no no, not with her," Gold clarified. "In her. I knew you couldn't resist bringing her over."

"Who is her?" Emma asked.

"Maleficent," Regina answered, keeping her eyes on Gold. "And let me guess, she's not sporting her blonde look right now."

"Afraid not," Gold said cooly. "She did always prefer her scales over skin."

Killian racked his brain to remember Maleficent...and then it hit him.

"A bloody dragon?" Killian asked.

"Indeed," Gold said as he once again returned to his desk, and bent down to retrieve something from underneath the counter. He then placed a sword on top of the counter, looking at Emma. "Where you're going, you're gonna need this. Your father's sword."

Emma looked intently at the weapon before her. Killian knew she'd never used a sword before, and to him, it didn't make sense. Why not use a gun? Could this be a trap? Even so, Killian didn't think Gold would need to do more than just direct her to wherever Maleficent was.

Speaking of…

"Where is Maleficent?" Killian asked.

It was Regina who answered. "Deep under the library."

"What?" Killian's head whipped toward her. "There's a monster underneath the library and you didn't think to put a warning? I teach children there, I teach Henry there."

Before Regina could refute his claim, Gold interrupted with, "That'll be taught unless Miss Swan gets a move on."

Regina said, "But he's my son. It should be me."

Gold rebutted, "All due respect, but it's her son. And it has to be her. She's the product of the magic. She must be the one to find it."

Emma grabbed the sword without further hesitation. "Let's get going." She began to walk out of the shop, with Regina following her, but just before Killian could join them, Gold's voice stopped him.

"Actually," Gold said. "I'd like a moment with Jones."

"I don't care what you like," Killian said venomously, Phoebe's tear stained face coming to mind.

Sensing a fight, however, Killian looked to Emma and said, "Go on. I'll catch up."

Emma stepped closer to her, quietly asking, "You sure?"

"I'm sure, love," Killian told her reassuringly. "Go on."

She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, and normally Killian would try to prolong the moment, but time was of the essence. Emma pulled back first, told them she would visit Henry briefly at the hospital, and soon she and Regina left.

"How lovely," Gold commented.

"What is it you wanted?" Killian asked, making it clear that he'd leave the minute this became more tedious than he could handle.

"I just wanted to talk to you," he said, his eyes cold. "And I wanted to let you know that when the Savior succeeds, when this infernal curse is broken, I can't wait to rip you to pieces."

"And what could I have done to upset you so?" Killian asked carelessly, feeling a deep bitterness rise up.

"Oh, I imagine you'll remember soon enough," Gold said.

"I bet I will," Killian said in an equally cold tone. "Truth be told, I don't know why we hated each other then, but I know why we do now. You tried to hurt someone I care deeply about, a child."

"That girl is no mere child," Gold said. "In reality, she's a fairy, and that lot is trickier and more devious than you can even imagine."

Killian smirked, but there was no mirth in it. "Even so, I can't imagine she'd threaten a 4-year-old like you did." The smirk fell from his face, and his expression hardened. "Come near my girls again, and I swear on every god that exists, I don't care if you are Rumplestiltskin - I'll make sure you hurt."

Killian left the shop without another word.

---

The last time Emma was with Henry in a hospital, she refused the doctor's offer to hold him. As stupid as she had been as a teenager, she knew that if she held that tiny, crying baby in her arms, she wouldn't let him go.

It was the same now. If Emma leaned down to hold Henry, she knew that she would stay too long, want nothing more than to stay with him.

She had a job to do, one that would save Henry if it went well.

For now, as Emma stood at Henry's bedside, taking note of the machines he was hooked up to and trying not to let that sink in too deeply, she reached a hand out and gently combed his hair back.

"Henry," Emma said, noticing how much his paling skin contrasted with his dark hair, "you were right, this whole time. I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner." Emma's throat began to close up, and she cleared it. "I'm so sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, love," Killian told her as he went to stand beside her. She had almost forgotten he was there. He wrapped his arm around her. "This wasn't your fault."

"I could've stopped him from eating the turnover," Emma confessed, internally admonishing herself for being so stupid.

"And Regina could've tried not to hurt you," Killian told her as he gently pulled her against him. "Lay the blame at her feet, not your own."

"I hate her," Emma told him as anger jolted through her like lightning. Her hand still gently brushed back Henry's hair as she added, "She just couldn't leave us alone. Even Henry knew this...and I couldn't just throw that stupid turnover in the trash. I just wanted to have one day without having to deal with her, and now-"

"Emma," Killian said gently, and it was only then that Emma realized she was working herself up too much.

Emma took in a deep breath before slowly releasing it. It didn't relieve all of the pressure inside her, but it helped a little.

"I have to fight a dragon," Emma said aloud, the sentence not seeming real to her. Somehow, her threshold for what was believable didn't quite include dragons yet, but she figured that would change soon. "With a sword I've never used before. I'm probably just going to use my gun anyway."

"Still," Killian said, "best to keep it on hand."

Emma stepped away a bit to look at him with disbelief.

"I know," Killian added, "I can't believe I just agreed with Gold. Still, if he wanted you dead, he could've sent you down there with nothing."

"Good point," Emma said before looking at Henry. "Anything you want to say to him?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Killian looked at her before approaching Henry, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Don't you worry," Killian softly told him, "you'll be coming home soon. I promise."

Killian looked like he wanted to say more, but didn't quite know what words to use.

Emma said, "You really care about him, don't you?"

"Of course I do," Killian replied.

"No, I know that, it's just…" Emma trailed off, words on the tip of her tongue. Hesitation tried digging in, but, for once, it didn't win out. On nothing but pure impulse, "Hey, after all this, maybe we should...help each other out. With the kids, you know? Together."

That's it. It was out there. It came out stilted and awkward, but she at least gave a hint on what she wanted, what felt right.

Killian looked at her for a moment, slowly registering what she had just said, and there was hope there. She could tell he was wondering how much she really meant, what she really wanted. Emma could also see that there was hope there.

Before he could say anything, two new people entered.

"Daddy," Mai said as she raced forward to hug his leg.

"Hey, Mai," Killian said as he bent forward to hold her. "I thought I told you to wait with David and Freddie."

"We know you have to leave again," Phoebe said. At Emma and Killians' surprised expressions, she clarified, "We heard you talking to David. I don't know what you're doing, but whatever it is...just be careful. I need you two to be careful, okay? Please just-"

"Hey, hey," Emma said gently as she placed her hands on Phoebe's shoulders, stilling the girl. "It's going to be fine."

Phoebe looked between her and Henry. "It's just...Henry's there and…"

"We're all going to be fine," Emma promised, and even as a part of her told her not to make such a risky move, she couldn't take it back now. "We'll be back before you know it, and Henry's going to be fine"

The teen girl looked at her with those dark brown eyes of her, searching her face for any hesitation, any deception, before she simply nodded.

Emma pulled her in a bit, not sure what she was planning, but before she knew it, Phoebe was in her arms, holding her tightly. Emma was a touch surprised, but that didn't stop her from holding the now shaking girl.

Soon, Killian and Mai joined the hug, and as they held each other, Emma had one thought.

This is a promise I have to keep. I have to.

---

Declan knew it was a bad idea to sneak out of the house, especially since he was supposed to be staying with Ray. Still, he was already in the hospital. He'd already managed to sneak past the front desk - turns out walking like you know where you're going works.

He had been in the hospital long enough to know who generally is supposed to go on one level, and thankfully it only took a few wrong turns for him to find who he was looking for.

"Huh," August, aka Pinocchio, said as he laid stiffly on his hospital back. "Didn't expect that you'd be my first visitor."

"Yeah, well, I'm nice like that," Declan said as went over to stand next to August's bed. Looking at the man now, he seemed to not only be having trouble moving his legs, but his arms were shaking with effort in trying to move. "How bad is it?"

August sighed. "My legs are completely stiff. I can't move my hips too well, and my arms feel like they're frozen. So, now my best week."

"At least your mouth still works," Declan commented.

The older man turned his head as best he could, and Declan didn't doubt that whatever was happening to him was creeping up his body. Seeing the normally cocky man look so helpless chilled Declan's spine.

"No offense," August said confusedly, "but why are you here?"

Declan folded his arms over his chest, shifting his shoulders, feeling the straps of his backpack. Inside that backpack was the box Henry had given him, and inside that his egg securely rested.

"I remember when people were waiting with me," Declan answered. "I was stuck in the hospital for awhile, and there were people who stuck with me. Consider this my way of paying that forward or some shit."

August nodded as much as he could. "I heard you were in the hospital, but that doesn't explain why you're here for me specifically. I was under the impression that you didn't like me."

Declan sighed. "Look man, I think you are shifty as hell, and I'm kind of a- okay I am a smartass. Still, even a smartass like me managed to get someone to care about him. It just...didn't feel right, you laying here all by yourself."

That was the truth of it. Declan had spent a long time after Henry went back home thinking about August. How he was stuck in the hospital alone. Declan hadn't gotten a chance to look at the Pinocchio story in Henry's book, but from everything he'd seen and heard about August, he was alone.

Realizing that those 'feeling' things were starting to overwhelm him, Declan stood up straighter, and added flippantness to his tone. "So, yeah, I figured even a shady as hell guy could use a smartass to keep him company."

August blinked at him, and for a moment Declan felt like maybe this was a terrible, very bad, no good idea. Namely because he would like to melt into the floor in embarrassment if August started laughing or some shit.

At last the older man said, "That was probably the most brutally honest but nicest thing I've heard in awhile, even if I'm pretty sure you should have a swear jar in that backpack of yours."

"You're welcome, weirdo," Declan said with a quirk on his lips.

"Declan?" A familiar voice asked.

Declan turned around, and saw Phoebe standing in the doorway.

"Oh, hey there," Declan said a touch nervously. He didn't think Phoebe was a snitch, but you could never be too sure. "Whatcha doing?"

"I decided to take a walk," Phoebe answered. "I just needed to get out of the waiting room for a little bit. Are you here to see Henry?"

Declan's train of thought came to a halt. Phoebe's words didn't quite register yet. Why would Henry be here? Was he visiting someone? Yeah, yeah, yeah, he had to be visiting someone. Why else would Henry be in the hospital?

"What?" Declan mumbled, hoping that the pit that formed in his stomach would close up.

Phoebe's empathetic look only deeped that pit. "He...he got sick. I don't know all of the details, but he passed out and-"

"Where is he?" Declan asked suddenly. Henry? Passed out? No, no. It...It just couldn't be right, but Phoebe didn't bullshit people on things like this. He didn't know her too well, but he knew her well enough. What happened to Henry? Where was he?

His interruption must've taken Phoebe aback, because he asked again, "Where is Henry?"

The second Phoebe answered him, Declan shot out of the room, racing toward where Henry was.

---

"As the Prince chased the thief on horseback," David read aloud from his seat next to Henry's bed, holding the book in his lap, "through the treacherous forest, his betrothed crossed her arms and pouted, wondering how many dreadful, boring minutes it would take until they could resume their journey again. The thief vaulted over a fallen tree, and went to claim what would soon be her stolen prize."

Phoebe paid some attention to him, though he didn't blame her for using him mainly as background noise. He didn't mind. At the moment, she, Mai, and Declan were playing on the floor with Missy, who alternated between reveling in the attention and making them beg for it. Freddie, meanwhile, collected some trash and threw it away, being mindful of Missy. After all, the kitten occasionally gave into the urge to zip out of the kids' reach, and race around his legs before returning to the kids. It was her best method to make them beg for her.

After Declan raced into Henry's room, panting as Phoebe raced in not long after, asking many questions about his friend's state with a worried expression, the relative calm was preferable.

David didn't know who had the bigger freakout - Declan looking at Henry's unconscious form, or Ray over the phone when he finally learned where Declan was after panicking for about twenty minutes.

Just then, Missy raced over to Freddie, but this time she began pawing at the door.

"I know what that means," Freddie said as he picked up the kitten. "This one needs to go to the bathroom." Then, as he looked at the other (conscious) habitants of the room, Freddie hastily added, "It won't take long."

"Don't worry about us," David told him with a smile.

"You sure?" Freddie asked.

"Take your time," David reaffirmed.

With another promise to come back soon, Freddie left the room with Missy.

David turned his attention back to the book, or at least he tried to when he heard Declan say, "Uh, what?"

He turned to the boy, and when he turned to what Declan and Phoebe were looking at, he noticed that Mai had somehow managed to climb onto Henry's bed. She crawled up until she was next to him, and gently leaned down to place a kiss on his cheek.

"Mai, honey, what are you doing?" David asked as he closed the book, standing up to get her before she accidentally pulled out one of the wires connected to Henry. How she managed to avoid doing so escaped him.

Mai looked at David. "In Henry's storybook, kisses wake people up."

David felt his heart drop. He didn't want to disappoint the girl, but he couldn't let her believe that she'd done something wrong, that her kiss didn't work. How do you help a little girl wrap her head around the fact that a 10-year-old boy might not wake up?

He will wake up, David told himself fiercely. He will, because there's no way Emma can handle it if he didn't.

None of them could handle it.

Henry wasn't his son, but that didn't mean David didn't care about the boy. Something inside him welled up with pride whenever Henry stood up for himself, or constricted with sadness when Henry's spirit fell, particularly during the custody battle. David couldn't explain it - it's just how he felt.

Mai then asked, "Did I do it wrong?"

"No, Mai," David said as he reached up and picked her up, mindful to keep her feet from accidentally kicking Henry. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"He's right," Phoebe interjected. Then, clearly having just thought something up, she added, "Sometimes when people fall asleep like this, they can hear what's going on around them. That's why it's good for us to talk, so that Henry knows we're here."

Phoebe then gently nudged Declan, who got the hint and said, "Yeah. He loves those stories, so it's good that he's listening to them." Declan's blue eyes took on a sorrowful tone that just felt wrong on an 11-year-old's face. "He really loves the one about Snow White and Prince Charming. Probably knows it by heart."

Not wanting the bad mood to overtake them, David reclaimed his seat, letting Mai sit on his lap as he opened up the book again. "Come here," David urged as he began to flip through the pages. Or rather, Mai began to turn the pages for him. "Let's see if we can find something new to read."

For lack of anything else to do, the two other kids joined him and Mai. The kids talked quietly amongst themselves as to what story they should read next. Declan made note of "Hansel and Gretel" and "The Golden Goose," while Phoebe made note of a story mentioning Mulan and Prince Phillip, though it seemed to be more for Mai's sake.

It was Mai who chose the next story.

"Thumbelina and the Changeling," David read the title out loud. "Excellent choice."

He hadn't actually heard of it before, but hey might as well give it a shot.

David began reading, "In a shack in the woods lived a woman named Barbara, and her tiny daughter named Thumbelina. The little girl earned her name for being no bigger than her mother's thumb-"

"Henry?" Declan asked, breaking away from the group to lean over to look at his friend.

"What's up?" Phoebe asked, sounding as confused as David felt.

"I don't know," Declan said, searching Henry's face for something. "I thought I saw-"

Declan let out a gasp as the machine started beeping rapidly, and David's own heart plummeted as he realized something was terribly wrong.

"What's happening?" Declan asked, reaching over to touch Henry's arms. David stood up with a whimpering Mai in his arms. "Henry? Henry!"

"Everybody clear the room!" Dr. Whale ordered as he and a nurse rushed in. "Everyone clear the room now!"

"Henry?!" Declan called out again as the nurse struggled to pull him out. David hurried the girls out, both of them with tears in their eyes. Phoebe looked like someone had just punched her in the chest, while Mai clutched onto David and began crying.

"His heart rate is falling," Dr. Whale said as he began to form CPR. "Come on, Henry!"

The nurse managed to get Declan out of the room, and hurried back inside to assist Dr. Whale.

Declan tried to go back inside, but Phoebe was quicker, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him back.

"No, no no no," Declan protested, trying and failing to squirm out of her arms, his face twisted in pain. "Please, no. Henry!"

---

Freddie had to clean off Missy extra well before he dared bring her back inside. Thankfully, the tissues he nabbed from the front desk seemed to do the job, though he went into the bathroom to wash his hands and Missy, just to be safe.

He was on his way back to Henry's room when his mind suddenly brought up Jefferson's bloodied body being carried into the hospital, bringing his body to a halt.

Under his jacket, Missy gave a muffled meow.

Truth be told, he'd allowed Jefferson's situation to go to the back of his mind, unattended while he focused on helping everyone with Henry. Now that he had time though…

You should head back, one part of his mind told him. You promised you'd be back soon.

Jefferson looked really hurt, another, loud part said. Just check in on him. For all you know, he could be asleep-

If not dead.

Freddie ignored that last thought, or at least tried to. Now he couldn't get it out of his head, he made his way toward where he thought Jefferson might be. He ended up on the wrong floor twice, and he was getting more worried about if this was the right thing to do or not.

Even worse, Missy somehow managed to wrestled herself out of his coat, and onto the floor before running off.

"Missy," Freddie whispered as loudly as he dared, thankful no one was around. He took off after her, noting how she seemed to slow down, making sure he caught up, before taking off again.

Where are you leading me, girl?, Freddie thought.

He didn't have to wait long for his answer.

Missy sat in front of a door, and didn't protest when Freddie picked her up, though the noise she made indicated she was getting a little sick of being in his jacket.

"I'll let you roam later, beautiful," Freddie said as he stood in front of the door.

It could be the wrong room, Freddie thought doubtfully.

Just take a quick peek, he told himself. If it's the wrong person, just apologize and go back to Henry.

With that, Freddie opened the door and looked inside.

He found Jefferson, and he almost wished he hadn't.

Stepping inside, he got a better view of the man, lying on his hospital bed in a hospital down. His eyes were closed as he breathed almost painfully.

Freddie stepped inside, and let the door shut quietly behind him.

Not quietly enough, Freddie thought as, with a start, Jefferson's eyes shot open.

"Ow," Jefferson moaned, eyes shutting once more but now with pain, curling in on himself.

"Sorry," Freddie apologized as he stepped closer. It was then he noticed something bulging from under the hospital gown.

"Where...am I?" Jefferson said, his fingers absentmindedly coiling around the IV attached to him, the one with blood in it.

"Whoa, whoa," Freddie said warningly, feeling Missy peek her head over the top of the zipper, watching as he gently extricated Jefferson's fingers from the tube. "You're in the hospital. Graham brought you in. You were bleeding. What happened?"

Jefferson took a moment to catch his breath, and shook with the effort to say. "Got. Stabbed."

"Stabbed?" Freddie repeated in surprise. That must've been what was under the hospital gown - bandages. Gently getting Jefferson to lay back down, Freddie said, "Just try to relax. I don't know where Graham is, but-"

Jefferson gasped. "The hospital. We're at the hospital."

Oh man, he must be really out of it, Freddie thought. "Yeah we are-"

"Regina," Jefferson said. "Regina stabbed me."

"Shit," Freddie swore, but before he could even think to offer to get help, Jefferson grabbed his jacket sleeve.

Missy hissed in warning.

"Listen," Jefferson said, clearly struggling to stay awake. His heart monitor began to spike, and Freddie just hoped that it wasn't enough to signal real damage being done to Jefferson, or that someone would come in to check on him. "I think...Regina's...got something or someone down in the hospital basement. I don't know what...but-"

The man cut himself off with a small cry of pain.

"Easy," Freddie tried telling him. "Try not to move too got stabbed, man."

"Get to the basement," Jefferson told him, his eyes lighting up in a way that was disconcerting. "You've got to find...something...to stop Regina."

Jefferson then laid back on the hospital bed, his eyes shut once more in fitful sleep, and his heart rate returned to normal.

Freddie thought on Jefferson's words. Was there really something in the hospital basement? If so, what could it be? And how could Regina possibly hide anything in a building designed to have people crawling all over it-

Why would an exit door need a key pad?, Freddie suddenly thought, his mind thrown back to his own stay in the hospital, when Missy went to a door, and how the security guard had no clue how to answer Freddie's question.

If Jefferson was right, and Regina really was hiding something, he bet that would be the place to do it.

Sorry David, Freddie thought to himself. I'll be right there. I just need to solve a mystery first.

Freddie headed downstairs once more, and on the way he formed a plan. He wouldn't open the door with the keypad. He couldn't anyways - he'd started working on his numbers but, to his shame, he wasn't quite there yet.

No, he'd need to wait for the opportunity, just the right-

There, he thought, as a wave of people rushed past him to head upstairs. He half heard the PA system announced some sort of 'code'? He wasn't sure. Either way, he hoped whoever it concerned was alright. He saw someone open the 'Exit' door, and Freddie raced there.

"Hey! Hey!" A voice called out, and Freddie saw the security guard from before - Wen - rushing towards him. "You can't go in there!"

Missy once again escaped the confines of Freddie's jacket, and rushed around Wen's legs, distracting her long enough for Freddie to just manage to catch the door before it closed.

Freddie opened it wider, called out, "Missy! Here girl!"

He flung the door open just enough to let her inside, ignoring Wen in hot pursuit, and raced down the stairs to whatever place this was meant to lead to.

"I said you can't go down there," Wen said, and Freddie felt his body nearly stiffen in shock at nearly being caught. He couldn't afford it, though, and nearly tripped down the rest of the stairwell before he came upon a landing.

"I said-" Wen stopped herself as she caught up to him, taking note of what he did - a single desk where a severe looking nurse stared back at them.

"You're not allowed to be here," the nurse said in an authoritative voice, though Freddie caught the tremor in her tone.

"What is this place?" Wen asked as she approached the desk, a hard and inquisitive look on her face.

"As I said before-" the nurse started, obviously from the standpoint of someone used to getting their way, since her tone left no room for argument.

She'd clearly never meant Wen before.

"What's your name?" Wen demanded. When the woman opened her mouth, her eyes signaling her intention to refuse the question, Wen interrupted with, "Tell me your name, or I'll bring in the other guard and make a call to the Sheriff's Station. I've worked at this hospital for as long as I can remember, and this place isn't in the hospital blueprint. As it stands, you're in an illegal...working space." That pause conveyed the utmost contempt mixed with disbelief. "Now answer me - who are you and what are you doing here?"

The nurse pursed her lips together, and began to answer Wen's questions.

Freddie didn't really pay attention though, as he heard Missy meowing down the hall. When he looked, he saw that she was in a hallway adjacent to the desk, sitting in front of a door.

Curious, Freddie went over to investigate, and passed a man with long hair sweeping the floor. For a moment, Freddie thought the man would try to stop him, but he merely stared silently, continuing his work without making a move towards Freddie.

Emboldened, Freddie arrived at where Missy was, and found her pawing at the metal door in front of her. That's when he saw that the door was locked from the outside, and there was a panel with a handle that you could slide it open with.

The kitten looked at him insistently, pawing faster at the door and meowing, like a command.

We're already here, Freddie said. Then, urged on when he sensed Wen approaching him, Freddie grasped the panel's handle and slid it open.

The room inside was dark, with barely any light flickering in. That's why, at first, he thought there was nothing there.

Then, something shifted, and when it saw him looking at it, the figure moved forward, and he saw the light reflect dimly on long brown hair.

"What in the world?" Freddie asked as he saw it was a woman, sitting on a bed with her knees up to her chest. He heard Wen mutter something similar, Missy now yowling.

He then unlocked the door, grabbed the handle, and pulled it open.

The person inside jumped, getting off the bed and pressing themselves against a wall as Missy raced in. At first, the woman was taken aback by the kitten, but seemed to calm down once Missy actually pressed herself against her legs.

Her eyes darted up to Freddie's, and he felt something in his gut pull him closer.

Gingerly, the woman approached him, even as they heard Wen arguing with the nurse, who loudly protested them being there.

Who are you?, Freddie asked, looking into the blue eyes of the woman before him, who seemed to be asking herself the same question of him. Why are you here?

This must be who Regina was hiding, who Jefferson warned him about. A person. Regina was holding a person captive here.

Freddie didn't think he could hate someone so much.

Not knowing what else to do, Freddie offered his hand to her, giving her a soft, comforting smile. It's alright, take my hand.

The woman looked at him, then his hand. After silently evaluating him, she placed her hand in his.

It felt right.

---

"A bloody dragon," Killian said as he unlocked the front door of the library. Emma could see his body thrumming with energy.

"Where is that assistant of yours?" Regina asked as they entered the building. "You'd think she'd be here to dust the books."

"I told her to take the day off," Killian told her with a glare. "I wanted her to be with someone in case you tried to hurt her."

"Why would I do that?" Regina asked as they went further in.

"To hurt one of us," Emma supplied. "Or just pure spite. Those are your usual flavors, right?"

Regina just rolled her eyes as she led them to a wall.

To Emma's surprise, the wall lifted up, revealing an elevator. "Whoa."

"Get in," Regina ordered.

Emma stared at her distrustfully. "After you."

Regina looked at them both with a frown. "It's a two-man job. The elevator's hand-operated, so I'll stay up and lower you two down."

"And leave us to die the moment it suits you," Killian rebutted sharply. No way in hell would he place Emma's safety, let alone his own, in Regina's hand.

"Besides, why can't you talk to her?" Emma questioned.

"I trapped her in dragon form as her punishment," Regina answered grimly. "Trust me - she doesn't want to hear from me."

"Some day, we might just meet someone whose life you haven't ruined," Killian glared.

"And that doesn't mean you can't do something useful," Emma said harshly.

The evil queen looked angered before visibly calming herself before she spoke to Emma. "Remember when Henry was trapped in the mine? You're the one who pointed out that I spent years behind a desk, and, as much as I hate to admit it, you two are our best fighters."

Emma might've taken some satisfaction from Regina admitting Emma was right about something if the situation wasn't so dire.

"Killian can stay up here," Emma told the two of them. "It's like Gold said. I'm the one who needs to face Maleficent."

"Alone?" Killian asked, his worry clear.

Emma stepped closer to him. "I'll be fine." At his skeptical look, she used the hand not holding her father's sword to grab his hand. "I promise. No way a dragon is going to stand between me and Henry's cure."

Killian tried to smile back at her, but it looked strained, and he squeezed her hand.

Emma leaned forward as if to kiss him on the cheek, but whispered into his ear. "Be careful around Regina."

She still kissed him on the cheek, then the lips. The latter kiss was longer than the former, and their separation was reluctant.

Her lover nodded, letting her know he understood.

Unfortunately, Emma let go of Killian's hand and stepped inside the elevator. Turning around, she looked at Regina with a sharp glare. "Let's be clear about something 'Your Majesty'. The only reason you're not dead is because we need your help to save Henry. If he dies, so do you."

"Well then," Regina said as the elevator began to close, "let's get on with it."

Emma managed to look at Killian one last time before the doors shut, and the elevator began to descend.

The ride down only took a minute, maybe less, but it felt like an hour. The rumbling sound as the elevator went down echoed in Emma's ears, and her legs tensed up. She tried to steel herself as the elevator finally reached its destination, and Emma used her free hand to lift up the grate. Stepping out, she found herself in a rocky tunnel, similar to the mines Henry, Declan, and LJ were once trapped in. The ceiling had a row of overhead lights, which were all that illuminated the place.

Emma walked through the tunnel, a feeling of determination pushing her forward, driving her to walk faster. None of them knew how much time Henry had left, so she needed to get that cure fast.

At last, she reached the end of the tunnel, entering a great, dark cavern. The crunch of gravel underneath her boots as she walked further in, her eyes searching for a place where the dragon could be hiding.

Upon investigation, the first thing she found was an elongated item, notable because it was made of glass. After inspecting it further, Emma realized that there was an intricate pattern of the glass and metal, given what she soon realized was a coffin a forest-like theme.

An image flashed in her mind's eye, one from Henry's book, of the story about the prince awakening Snow White from True Love's Kiss. Not a story, her parents' story. Her story.

The realization caused Emma to stumble back and hit a wall.

The wall breathed.

Her heart clenched as she spun around, seeing the 'stone' wall slither upward, revealing the dark scales of a great dragon. The dragon's furious green eyes flashed, and it shot a stream of fire from its mouth to the ceiling, her chest glowing hot like lava.

Smoke came out of the dragon's mouth and nose when the fire stopped, and it - she - glared down at Emma.

For all that everyone kept warily talking about Maleficent, it didn't do the real thing justice.

Emma raised the sword up to the dragon, and was convinced that the thing was a damn toothpick compared to the giant creature before her. "To hell with this."

She dropped the sword and took out her gun. She aimed her weapon at the dragon and fired a few shots, but to her shock she saw the bullets bounce off the dragon's hide like it was nothing. The next second, Emma dove out of the way and behind a rock when the dragon released a stream of flames from her mouth.

Taking a peak around the corner, the instance she saw the dragon distractedly trying to adjust herself in the cavern, Emma dove to another pillar as cover. She began to sweat from the sheer heat of the flames, even though she was lucky enough to avoid getting hit by them.

Out of the corner of her eye, Emma saw that as big as the cavern was for her, it wasn't nearly enough room for Maleficent to navigate comfortably in. The area also wasn't stable enough to support the dragon's weight, as the ground underneath one of her paws caused it to crack, and she fell into an abyss.

Emma carefully peered over the edge of the drop, trying to see through the cloud of dust where the dragon was.

She didn't have to wait long, as the force of Maleficent flying back up knocked Emma off her feet and onto her back.

Emma frantically pushed herself backwards, trying to stand up as Maleficent landed on the ground in front of her, looking down on Emma like a cat would a mouse. She raised up her gun again and fired a few more shots at Maleficent. Some even hit her snout, but the dragon wasn't phased.

"Really?!" Emma yelled out incredulously as she finally got to her feet, firing off more shots as she took cover behind a pillar.

The click of the empty barrel warned Emma that she was out of bullets.

"Shit," she hissed under her breath as the dragon growled.

I just need something, anything, to hit her with, Emma thought. Looking around for another place to take cover, something shined and drew Emma's eye.

Back in the place she dropped it lay her father's sword.

The dragon gave a long, high hiss as she began to rear her head back in a familiar stance.

Fuck it, Emma thought as she ran out of the fire's path, running as fast as she could towards the sword. She jumped onto the rocky bridge from one platform to another, carefully but speedily avoiding any movement that could send her careening toward the abyss. Unlike Maleficent, she wouldn't survive a fall like that.

Emma got closer and closer until she was within reach of the sword. She immediately dragged it up, holding the hilt with both hands as she turned to face Maleficent.

No way I'm going to get close enough to her, Emma thought. That hide was impenetrable. The only weaknesses Emma could think that Maleficent had were her eyes, the inside of her mouth, or-

The dragon made a low growling noise as she once again lifted her head to draw up the flames from deep inside her, and her chest began to glow again.

Her chest! Emma thought. Looking at the sword once more, she raised it above her head and thought, Come on, work work work work work!

Just as Maleficent lifted her head up to rain fire down on Emma, the woman in question throw the sword with all her might, watching it sail through the air, and driving its blade into Maleficent's chest.

Maleficent roared as fire-red cracks appeared all over her body, and before Emma could think of anything else, Maleficent crackled and creaked as she thrashed around, reducing herself to ashes on the cavern floor. Embers licked the air as Emma dropped down. When she dared to look back up again, the ashes dropping like snow all around her, Emma saw it - a golden egg lying in the center of a pile of ash.

Walking forward and kneeling down before it, Emma brushed it off and lifted it up.

I did it, she thought weakly, her knees shaking with the effort it took to stand back up again. She held the egg close to her chest, and began to walk back to the tunnel.

"I'm coming Henry," Emma whispered hoarsely. "Mom's coming."

---

"Uncle Ray, what's happening?" LJ asked as he and Ray stepped into the hospital lobby.

Ray looked around, and saw multiple members of the medical staff, both security guards, and inquiring visitors and patients standing around Graham, who was desperately trying to get everyone organized. A door below an emergency exit sign was kept open, but instead of leading outside, Ray saw that it led to someplace dark.

"Everyone, please listen!" Graham raised his voice over the thrum of multiple people talking at once. "If everyone will just- I need you all to-"

A loud whistle resounded, and everyone turned to the female security guard, who gave all of them a hard stare. She was also keeping a tight hold of a nurse's arm, and Ray guessed from the way the nurse's hands were behind her back that they were cuffed. "Stop talking and listen to Sheriff Humbert." She then nodded to Graham.

"Thank you," Graham said thankfully. He then began to direct people to stand in different places to wait until he could question them. The female security guard led the nurse to a chair and forced her to sit down, looking at her as if daring the nurse to move.

She didn't.

He spotted Ray and immediately walked forward.

"Ray, you're here," Graham said.

"Yeah, we heard about him, and we figured that this is where Declan ran off to," Ray said, hugging LJ to his side when his nephew stiffened and his face crumpled.

"Yeah, I saw him pass by awhile ago," Graham said with a shake of his head. "Oh, I'm going to talk to him about this later. Uh, listen, I need you to-" Graham looked at LJ again before saying, "Hey, LJ, you mind going on ahead? I need to talk to your uncle." He looked back up at Graham. "If that's alright with you."

Ray nodded, and after Graham gave LJ instructions on how to get there, Ray's nephew went up the elevator to see Henry.

Before Ray could say anything, Graham let out an exasperated, "Shit has hit the fan so fucking fast."

Surprised by his outburst, Ray could only respond with, "What?"

Graham sounded out of breath as he said, "First, there's Henry being poisoned. Next, or maybe before that, Jefferson went missing from his cell, and next I hear from him is from one of the walkie talkies, and I find him stabbed in Regina's mausoleum. And, if that weren't enough-" Graham pointed at the open door, "Freddie and Lea Wen find a fucking asylum under the hospital, which apparently no one else except Nurse Ratched and a mute janitor knew about, with an amnesiac woman locked in one the cellars."

Ray...he really tried to think of some thoughtful response, some answer to this situation they found themselves in. All he could muster up though was a "...Wow."

"Yeah," Graham immediately replied before giving a sigh and dragging a hand over his face. "Not to mention that I haven't seen Emma at all. I think I heard from David that she had gone somewhere with Regina and Killian, but I don't know. I tried calling but she must've turned it off or it lost power or something because I can't get an answer through."

"You think Regina did something to her?" Ray asked worriedly.

"She could try, but she'd have to deal with Killian too," Graham said.

"Should we go after them?" Ray asked.

Graham paused before reluctantly shaking his head. "I'd love to, but I've no idea where they headed off to. Besides, I have to deal with this lot here."

"Speaking of," Ray inquired, "what's this I hear of a captive woman?"

Graham's eyes strayed back over to Nurse Ratched, who remained in her seat at Wen's unwavering glare. Wen was saying something to her but Ray couldn't hear it.

"Freddie and Wen followed his cat through that doorway," Graham said as he nodded at the open door. "Apparently, Jefferson sent him to investigate something, and Freddie had suspicions about it before. He just used Missy as an excuse to make his way in. They go down the stairs, and they find a mental hospital. Just this entire hallway of reinforced rooms with dim lighting. All empty, except for one."

"Who is she?" Ray asked, wondering just how in the world someone could've hidden something like this in plain sight. He certainly had no idea, and he'd been in and out of this hospital more often than he'd like.

"No idea," Graham replied. "She doesn't remember, and we're having Walter- oi, Walter!"

The suddenly sleepy guard stood upright.

"Didn't I say I wanted those files sorted?" Graham barked, and it was enough to send Walter scampering and have Ray staring. Flushing, Graham apologized, "Sorry, it's just…"

"A shitshow?" Ray asked.

Graham huffed a laugh. "Must be serious if you're swearing that casually." The smile disappeared soon enough. "Walter is now sorting through whatever files we can find to match her. I deputized Wen so that she could interrogate her. I was going to head upstairs to where the young woman is."

"Mind if I tag along?" Ray offered. "I should be useful somehow."

"You always are," Graham told him encouragingly before urging him to follow.

The journey to the young woman's room was short but no less worrying. This was the last thing any of them needed right now. Not that it was this poor woman's fault, because if she had amnesia, her files weren't easily accessible, and the 'nurse' wasn't talking, Ray had the high suspicion that she wasn't there voluntarily.

This suspicion was confirmed when he and Graham arrived at her room, where she skittishly moved away from the nurse drawing her blood. She looked ready to bolt, and probably would have if it wasn't for the kitten curled up in her lap, or Freddie standing by her side murmuring encouragements.

"There, all done," the nurse said comfortingly. "You did very well, Jane."

"Jane?" Graham asked, thereby announcing his and Ray's presence. "Did you remember something?"

The nurse nervously answered for them. "No, sorry. We didn't know what to call her, and it felt a little awkward trying to say 'You', you know? So I thought…"

Coming to the nurse's rescue, 'Jane' interjected with, "Jane is a nice enough name, like...Freddie, what was the name of that author?"

"Jane Austen," Freddie replied smiling at her before addressing the others. "I read it on the front of a book at the library."

'Jane' smiled warmly at Freddie.

Soon enough, the now-less-nervous nurse left with the blood sample, as well as other tests she'd conducted while she was there, leaving Graham and Ray alone with Freddie, Jane, and Missy.

"How are you feeling?" Graham asked Jane kindly.

"Not so bad," Jane said as she absentmindedly stroked an appreciative Missy's fur. "The sun was a bit much, but Freddie was nice enough to close the blinds."

Sensitivity to the sun, huh?, Ray thought. She must've been in there for awhile if sunlight in this weather is bothering her that much.

"Jane, this is Raymond Fitzroy," Graham introduced them, with Jane hesitantly accepting Ray's handshake. "He's a lawyer and a friend of mine. Do you mind if he stays here?"

"Am I in trouble?" Jane asked before adding, "Well, more than I was?"

"No," Graham assured her. "He's just going to listen in while I ask you some questions. Do you think you're up for it?"

Jane looked at Freddie again, who gave her an encouraging smile. Jane looked back at Graham and nodded.

"Jane, do you know how long you were in the mental hospital for?" Graham asked her.

Jane shook her head. "I don't know. Sometimes I tried counting the days, but it was hard. My cell was dark, and having a light through the window helped, but then there were days where I wondered if minutes or hours passed. And then when night fell..." Jane cleared her throat, her eyes having gone misty.

Ray's heart went out to the woman, as well as anger at whoever subjected her to such treatment. Whatever else may be wrong with her, isolation like she described couldn't possibly be good for her!

"Did anyone ever visit you?" Graham asked her gently, though Ray heard the steely undertone in his voice.

Looks like Ray wasn't the only one angered by this.

"Nurse Ratched would deliver my food. It would always be on this tray that she's pushed through a slot in my door, the food slot," Jane said as she shifted under the blankets of the hospital bed. "I guess the janitor too. He'd stand outside my door when he swept the floor, but he never said anything. Then there was this one woman. She'd look through a slot - one above my food tray slot - which was smaller, so I could see some of her face. She didn't say anything either. She just...watched, and sometimes she'd smile at me."

Jane shivered.

Ray looked over at Graham, and he couldn't stop himself from asking Jane, "Do you know who she was?"

Jane shook her head as confusion and frustration melded together in her expression.

"Can you describe her?" Graham prompted.

"Um…" Jane trailed off as her eyes glanced up to the ceiling, searching her mind for the right words. "She...had dark brown eyes, and she had black hair that framed her face. I can't be sure about her skin tone because of the lighting, but I think she might've been light-skinned. Oh. There was something else." Jane's hand went up to her lips, her fingertips gently tracing an invisible line on the right side of her top lip. "She had a tiny scar there, it was little and I missed it at first, but it was there."

At that, Graham inhaled sharply through his nose and gave Ray a look that just screamed he realized something.

"Jane," Graham said, "do you think you'd be up for describing her to a sketch artist?"

"Uh, sure," Jane replied, looking at him once more. "How long until they get here?"

"I'll try to get someone here in half an hour, maybe less," Graham promised.

Ray didn't miss the tremor of nerves that, while well hidden to the others, showed that Graham had just added another thing to this growing list of problems today.

"Can Freddie stay here?" Jane asked impulsively. "It's just...I haven't had someone to talk to in awhile, except for when Nurse Ratched would tell me it's breakfast time, it's lunch time, here's the tray, give it back-"

Jane cut herself off, her eyes straying to her lap, but they didn't focus on anything. Not even Missy who, upon realizing the petting had stopped, began pawing insistently at Jane's hand.

The kitten only stopped when Freddie scooped her up in one hand, and began stroking her with his thumb as he wrapped an arm around Jane.

He seemed just as surprised by this action as Jane was, but when he moved to take his arm away, Jane just leaned further into his side.

Did something happen before we got here?, Ray thought before a new idea struck him. Wait, maybe they knew each other before the curse took effect, and now they're drawn to each other. Like David and Mary Margaret. Who were you two?

"Sure, he can stay," Graham said, already knowing Freddie's answer. After all, what else could you say to the soft look Freddie was giving Jane, or how comforted Jane looked with his arm around her.

Graham then handed Jane a card. "If you remember anything, don't hesitate to call."

Not wanting to miss out, Ray handed her his own card. "And, if you need any assistance with anything involving legalities, just call."

"Thank you," Jane said. "If I find a phone, I'll try it."

"Oh, there's one in the hospital," Freddie offered helpfully as Graham and Ray saw themselves out. "We'll probably have to get quarters though. I can buy gum. Hey, can you count?"

"Son of a bitch," Graham growled, his eyes glaring.

"What is it?" Ray asked.

"The woman Jane described," Graham answered. "At first, I thought maybe it was just a random woman, but that scar on her lip. Does that sound like anyone you know?"

Instantly, one woman's face came to mind.

Oh, Ray realized. I'm an idiot.

"Regina," Ray said as they began walking away. "Can't believe it took me so long to realize. She has her hand in everything."

"The second I see her, I'm hauling her to the station in cuffs," Graham promised. "I don't care what she'll do. She won't-"

Just then, the elevator door dinged, and a boy came running out. He looked around confusedly, his watery eyes searching for an exit he couldn't find. He looked about ready to run back into the elevator before Graham called out to him.

"Declan?" Graham asked.

The young boy's head whipped towards him, giving both men a clearer view of his tear-stained face and red eyes. Without another word, Declan ran for Graham and wrapped his arms around him, nearly dropping his precious egg as he sobbed hard into Graham's chest.

"Hey, hey, hey," Graham said soothingly, wrapping his arms around the crying boy. "What is it? What's the matter?"

"Henry," Declan sobbed, his voice so choked he couldn't speak anymore.

Ray heard a woman's voice over the PA warn of a code blue in the ICU, and his blood ran cold.

Oh, please no, Ray thought. Please not Henry. No. LJ's there. I've got to find him! He can't see this!

Even as Ray went to the elevator to find Henry, find LJ, the sound of Declan's sobs and Graham's frantic attempts to calm the boy down made him fear what he was going to find.

---

"Killian!" Emma's voice echoed faintly from the elevator shaft, startling both Killian and Regina who stood by.

"Emma!" Killian shouted down. "Emma, you there?!"

"Did you get it?!" Regina shouted also.

"Yes!" Emma replied. "Let me up!"

Wasting no time, Killian pulled on the lever to get the elevator to ascend. She did it. Emma did it! They would need to run as soon as Emma made it topside. If they ran at top speed, or better if they found someone who could give them a lift, then they had a chance of getting the cure to Henry-

A sharp pain spread across the back of Killian's skull. His knees hit the floor before the second wave of pain came, and Killian fell to the ground facedown.

"Hook!" Regina shouted before letting out a cry of pain, the sound just a distant echo in Killian's ears.

Why do they always aim for the head?, Killian thought blearily.

"Killian?!" Emma's voice called out worriedly. This time, it broke through the fog over Killian's mind enough for him to try to move again.

Killian forced himself to turn over on his back, and his head throbbed as he turned it to the side. Just in time to see Gold bring his cane down on Regina's head, simultaneously dealing a blow while smacking her head against the floor.

Regina groaned but she seemed in worse shape than Killian, who at least was able to sit up.

Or, he tried to. Thinking fast, Gold walked as quickly as he could to a nearby mobile bookshelf, and with a great groan shoved it over so that it fell on Killian.

A rush of air left Killian as the bookshelf weighed down on him, and he winced as a few books hit him in the face, especially the corners of the books.

"Killian!" Emma shouted. "Regina, if you hurt him I swear-"

"Miss Swan," Gold replied calmly. "You've got it?"

"Gold?" Emma called out, and even through his haze, Killian knew she was putting the pieces together. "What are you doing here?"

Killian opened his mouth to call out to her, to warn her, but Gold put an end to that by pressing the end of his cane to Killian's windpipe. He only managed to get one hand free of the bookcase, but even then the angle it was stuck in prevented him from being able to push the cane away.

"I've come to check on you," Gold told her, like they were in his bloody shop looking over 'his' wares. Not a waver in his tone even - or perhaps especially - as he looked down at Killian with a cold smile as he pressed the cane down a quarter of an inch into his throat.

A beat passed before Emma's voice became steely. "Where's Killian? Killian! You there?"

"He's had a fall," Gold said. "I think Regina got to him. You should pass me the egg."

"Not on your life," Emma snapped back.

"How about his then?" Gold asked before pulling the cane back just enough that the tip rested on Killian's throat but didn't press in.

Killian coughed harshly, sucking in a breath before saying as loudly as he could, "Emma, don't-"

He was cut off by his own groan as Gold pressed the cane back into his throat.

"Gold!" Emma shouted. "Whatever you're doing, stop!"

"Then I suggest you toss up that egg," Gold told her.

"I can't!" Emma called back in a disbelieving tone that gave away her desperation. "This is Henry's only chance."

"At the moment, that's not my concern," Gold told her. "I have a feeling you can come up with an alternative for Henry. The captain, on the other hand, can't exactly produce another windpipe."

Killian tried to growl at him, but it came out as a groan as pain, one he regretted as he lost more air, and the light above him became brighter…

After what felt like an eternity, the clang of metal hitting against the library floor rattled in Killian's mind. This immediately preceded Gold's cane disappearing. Killian sucked in a ragged breath, and all his mind could process was the way his lungs burned as they desperately sucked in air. That, and the throbbing in the back of his head, the feel of something wet there.

More echoes, this time closer, clearer, more rhythmic as something vibrated on the floor, and something appeared in Killian's vision.

Killian. Killian.

Whispers around him.

Killian.

More insistent. Louder.

"Killian," Emma's voice pierced through his mind, making Killian suck in a ragged breath. It was easier now that Emma had shoved the bloody bookcase off him. "Killian, are you okay? No, of course you're not. I'm going to kill Gold."

Killian looked at her, and he hated the fear he saw on her face, but there was something else. She was looking at him, but couldn't look him in the eye. He looked around, and saw that Regina was getting up.

It was only when Emma helped him to his feet that Killian realized what was wrong.

"Emma," Killian started, his voice rough from the effort it took to catch his breath, "where's the egg?"

Emma looked away, but Regina answered for her.

"Gold has it," Regina said angrily, glaring at Emma hatefully. "She handed it over to Gold."

"He was going to kill Killian," Emma snapped back defensively.

No, no, Killian thought in despair. Not for me. Tell me you didn't do it for me. Not with Henry on the line.

But that's just it, isn't it? Emma had a choice - let Gold kill Killian or risk Henry's life. It was an impossible choice that Gold knew, what with Emma's tendency toward heroics, would end in his favor.

Killian was going to kill Gold.

"Oh that's great," Regina retorted as she shakily stood her ground, her hand touching the spot on her head where Gold had hit her. "Maybe we'll have enough time to tell Henry that as he's dying."

Emma looked away, and Killian just kissed her on the forehead, trying to convey somehow, even without words, that he understood.

Cell phones began ringing, causing Emma to step away from Killian to check her phone. Looking over, Killian saw Regina do the same.

"It's the hospital," Emma told Killian as he answered the phone, "Hello?"

The next second, all of the blood drained from Emma's face, and she gasped.

"Emma?" Killian asked quietly, his own heart seizing at the implication.

In the background, he heard Regina's tone change from anger to disbelief to horror.

"When?" Emma asked ignoring him, listening intently to whoever it was on the other line. Tears sprung to Emma's eyes as she looked at nothing, focusing solely on what the other person was saying. When she spoke again, she could barely keep her voice steady. "O-Okay. I-I'm on my way over. Right now. Bye."

"Emma?" Killian asked again, his throat closing up. "Emma, what is it?"

Emma finally looked up at him, and his heart wrenched at the sight of her heartbroken face.

"It's Henry," she finally said in tears. "He's...he's not going to make it."

---

Let it be me, Emma thought as she, Killian, and Regina raced into the hospital. Killian and Regina were slower on account of their head injuries, but they were still trying to keep up with Emma.

Please, someone, anyone, Emma continued thinking as they piled into the elevator, heading straight to Henry's room. Take me instead. Not Henry. He's only a boy. He's my baby.

The elevator doors barely opened before the three of them piled out, walking so quickly they were nearly running to Henry's room.

They didn't even get there before they all realized what had happened. Because outside Henry's room were a number of their friends and loved ones in absolute tears.

David's eyes were red as he held a crying Mai in his arms, her face buried in his shoulder as she shook with sobs. Mary Margaret, also teary eyed, held Phoebe in her arms. Try as she might, Phoebe couldn't stop the tears from coming out of her eyes.

Nearby, Graham and Ray held Declan and LJ, respectively. The men were trying to comfort the boys, who could do little more than try to breathe with how much they were crying. Graham and Ray looked close to crying themselves.

Mary Margaret was the first to notice them. "Emma," she breathed out in a voice that all but said 'I'm so, so sorry'.

The others looked their way, and all of the adults looked so painfully sorry for her that it nearly broke Emma.

Maybe they're wrong, she thought desperately. Maybe it's not as bad as Dr. Whale said. Maybe…

"Daddy!" Mai cried out, and David nearly dropped her as Mai scrambled to get out of his arms. Killian met her halfway, walking over to pull her into his arms, and she began crying anew into his shoulder.

Killian held out an arm, and Phoebe soon left Mary Margaret's arms to let Killian fold her in his.

The face of the man Emma loved began to crumple, barely held together by sheer force.

But only just.

It's alright, Emma thought distantly as she moved past David and Mary Margaret, who had wanted to reach out and comfort her. It's not that bad. It can't be that bad.

Emma, with Regina behind her, got to the doorway of Henry's room. There, Dr. Whale came met them with a sorrowful expression, and he came up to Emma and said the worst thing he ever told her.

"We did everything we could."

It's not true, Emma thought as her eyes stung with tears. She barely noticed Mother Superior in the room, hardly understood her words of condolence. Regina's sobs failed to enter her mind, because Emma's focus was on one thing.

Her baby, lying pale and still on his hospital bed, electrodes taped to his chest. His eyes were closed.

Come on, Emma urged gently as she felt something disappear inside her. Please, just open your eyes. Just open your eyes, baby. Let me know you're okay.

Henry didn't heed her silent pleading. He was hardly breathing now.

Everything and everyone else was just background now. The world consisted solely of Emma arriving at her son's bedside, and of Henry fading away.

Why him?, Emma demanded of the world. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be sweet, smart, funny Henry? Why him, when all he wanted was someone to love him-

The thought was cut off by Emma's sob, and she hastened to steady herself at Henry's side.

She gingerly placed a hand on his head, smoothing back his hair, shivering at how cold he was becoming.

My fault, Emma thought as her face crumpled. I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so so sorry. I love you. Please, you have to know that I love you. So many people love you. You have to know that.

Why hadn't she told him more? Why hadn't she hugged and kissed and given him all the love she'd been denied as a child? Why did she only realize this now?

Emma bent down, tears running down her cheeks as she could only whisper, "I love you, Henry."

She then closed her eyes, and gently pressed her lips against Henry's forehead.

A force like the wind blew past her. It wasn't enough to knock her down or push her back, but her hair blew back, and she heard the others gasp.

Emma pulled back just in time for Henry's eyes to shoot open, for him to suck in a deep breath.

"Henry!" Emma nearly shouted, shock subsiding to pure unbridled joy.

He was alive. He was alive!

Henry turned his head and looked at her, and Emma had never been more grateful for the sight of Henry's eyes.

Her baby smiled at her. "Mom, I love you too."

Emma laugh held tears, but she didn't care. She gathered him gently in her arms, and began to kiss his forehead, his cheeks, anything she could reach.

"Henry?" Phoebe's voice broke in.

Emma reluctantly stopped kissing and hugging Henry long enough to let them both look at the doorway, and soon they found that their loved ones were piled into the room.

"Henry!" Declan shouted a second before he and LJ raced forward and nearly tackled him in a hug. Phoebe just barely held herself back as she stepped up to his bed, with Mai calling Henry's name.

LJ was inquiring over his health, his hands on Henry's arms before he hugged him again with the biggest smile on his face. Declan joined in the hug as he cried, "Oh my fucking god, dude."

Killian stepped forward with Mai in his arms, and Emma hugged him with one arm.

As relieved as everyone looked, Emma noticed something. They all seemed to be looking around, as if registering where it was they were. Even Killian, who was right next to her, seemed to be in the process of piecing together what had just happened.

"What's going on?" Emma asked aloud.

"No," Regina said, and for the first time since they got the call, Emma paid attention to her presence. On Regina's face was a clear look of horror.

"Emma," Mary Margaret said again, except this time the tears in her eyes showed joy, as shown by the identical looks on her and David's faces. "Emma, you came back to us."

Oh...my god, Emma thought.

"Uncle Percival?" LJ asked inquirining, looking at Ray.

"Huntsman?" David asked as he looked at Graham, his expression shocked like he hadn't just seen Graham a moment ago.

"Blue!" Phoebe cried out, running over to hug Mother Superior, who hugged her back

"The curse," Henry said with a big smile, holding onto both LJ and Declan's hands. "I think you broke it."

"That was True Love's Kiss," Mother Superior announced happily.

"No," Regina said again in denial. "No."

Instantly, everyone's eyes turned toward her, and Emma was both glad that she wasn't the recipient of so much hatred, and seconds away from going at Regina herself.

"If I were you, Your Majesty," Mother Superior said in a steely voice, protectively moving Phoebe behind her, "I'd find a place to hide."

"Henry-" Regina started, but was cut off.

"Regina," Graham said, and Emma was really glad that she wasn't on the receiving end of the death glare Graham sent Regina's way, "I think it's time we had a chat."

Regina ran out of the room, and Graham gave chase as Declan shouted "Kick her ass!"

David was the first to laugh, and laughs of relief bubbled up from the rest of them.

Emma stood up from the bed, letting the kids clamber up to hug Henry (or in Mai's case, just drape herself over him), while reminding them to take it easy on Henry.

She was soon distracted by two people hugging her tightly, their bodies shaking with light crying.

"You found us," Mary Margaret - no, Snow White - said happily, and Emma felt David - Prince Charming - cup the back of her head.

Mary Margaret and David.

Snow White and Prince Charming.

Mom and Dad.

Emma's knees began to shake.

After gently extricating herself from them, something occurred to Emma. They were all still in the hospital. Why were they all still in the hospital?

"Henry," Emma started, catching her son's attention, "what's going on here? If the curse is broken, why didn't they go back?"

"I…" Henry trailed off, looking at his friends' faces with a lost expression. "I don't know."

Suddenly, a loud resounding boom echoed around them. David and Mary Margaret - Charming and Snow, god, this was going to take some getting used to - held her protectively. Mother Superior held onto Phoebe while Ray grabbed LJ and Declan.

"What's that?" Phoebe asked.

"Something's coming, Thumbee," Mai replied in a scared voice.

Thumbee?, Emma thought as she went back to Henry's side, holding him while Killian got the girls. From the look on his face, he seemed just as confused.

Looking through the window, that's when Emma saw it. A rolling cloud of purple smoke barreling straight for them. And it was only a few hundred feet away!

"Get down!" Emma shouted, wrapping Henry in her arms and pushing him to the bed, laying her body over him. Before she shut her eyes, she saw Killian hold tightly onto the girls and huddle close to her, with Ray covering LJ with his body on the floor, and Mary Margaret and David holding each other as they too went to the floor.

That was all Emma saw before the smoke enveloped them all.

---

YES! OH MY GOD! IT'S DONE! SEASON 1 IS FINISHED!

Jesus H. Christ this took forever and I am so sorry about it. Like holy god-

*clears throat*

Anyways, thank you all for your patience, and thanks again to Can't-Stop-My-Fandoms for helping me get over this slump.

The next chapter will contain the start of season 2 :D

See you next week!