"Actually, I prefer it with the lights on." The bag that was obscuring Hook's head was quickly removed. "I've spent enough time below deck to not be afraid of the dark, so if this is your idea of torture, well you're just gonna have to try a little harder," he drawled.

"Torture you? No, we just wanna offer you a job," Greg said innocently.

"Oh. And then you're gonna let me go" Hook laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry, I already did that last job. I killed Rumplestiltskin. I'm sated. Replete. My life's purpose met."

"I wish I could have been there, to see you stab the Dark One." Tamara moved around him, probably too look intimidating but girl, it ain't working.

"Well look who's up to speed."

"I'm a quick learner," she bragged.

"Then you know my work here is done!" he smiled happily.

"Yeah, I don't think so. Take a look." Roughly grabbing the chair Hook was tied to, Greg and Tamara faced him towards the face of the clock. A window pane was opened to allow them to look outside. One of them handed Killian a telescope. Through it, he could clearly see Rumplestiltskin alive and well along with a scantily dressed Belle.

"No, no!"

"He's alive, Hook," Tamara said condescendingly.

"He beat you. Now this guy has some powerful magic here, mate," he said in a cringy imitation of a pirate. "He's untouchable. You'll never get another chance to take him down."

"Oh, I will indeed."

"Not unless we help you." She continued her intimidation walk around (which really wasn't working for her, take a seat).

"How can you help me?"

"We know how to kill magical creatures." (Again with intimidating walk and voice that don't work for her).

"And the price?"

"I need you to help me find someone. My father. He was taken in this town a long time ago."

"Why the bloody hell do you think I'll be able to help you find your father?"

"Because you know the woman who took him—Regina. Do we have a deal?"

"I haven't done anything. I simply exposed the world as it is," Rita said haughtily. Bellatrix glared at her. Before she could say anything else, she felt her pocket heat up.

"Ugh, I don't have time for this," she snarled. Hitting the other woman with a stunner, she answered the mirror.

"Bella?" a voice came from the reflective glass.

"Gina?"

Regina rushed through her explanation of why she was calling. All Bella could pick up was 'Henry', 'leaving', 'magic beans' and 'Swan'.

"Sorry, slow down. What's this about? Leaving?"

"Yes, leaving. You have to come back as soon as you can. They're planning on going to the Enchanted Forest either without me or they're going to lock me up in Rumple's old cell. Also, while we're on Rumple, what the hell? Why did you bring him back? I want a real answer. Not the half-assed one fake Gold gave to me."

"Alright. First of all, the explanation my Rumple gave was perfectly fine. If you need me to elaborate more I'll tell you in person. Ah, no, no interrupting. I'll be there as fast as possible. I might be even faster than I was the first time coming here."

"Well, please hurry. Storybrooke might not be here when you get back. It's nice to see you again."

"You too. Now go. There is something I must deal with for the time being. I should be there soon enough."

The mirror dimmed, showing only her reflection. The next question was how was she going to deal with Rita?

After finishing her mirror call with Bellatrix, Regina left the field to find Henry. She needed someone else to talk to.

"Good morning, Henry," she greeted as she walked up to him. She watched as he turned his attention from the bird house to his mother.

"Um, what are you doing here?""I've missed you. And I wanted to show you something." Coming closer to him, Regina pulled out a clear plastic bag with cuts from the beanstalks in it. "Emma, Mary Margaret and David have been keeping this from you, darling. They've been growing magic beans in secret. They want to take you to the Enchanted Forest without me."

Being the naïve, hopeful child he was, Henry said, "Maybe we're all going together and they just haven't told you yet?"

Regina resisted the urge to laugh. "No, they won't let me help. They don't see the good in me. The good you've seen."Better not mention Bella at this point,she thought to herself. "All they see is the Evil Queen, which they made me and I don't want to be that anymore. This is my chance to go back and start over, for me to be the hero. You'd like that, right?"

"I-I'd love it!" he beamed.

"Here's how it'll work — there's a fail-safe built into the curse, a trigger," she whispered conspiratorially.

Getting excited at the prospect of a new operation he added, "Like a self-destruct button, like you never did it?"

"Yes. It's the next best thing to turning back time."

"That's amazing. What happens to Storybrooke?"

"It disappears. Forever. But no need to worry, dear. We can get away first, back to the Enchanted Forest, using this."

"But, what about everyone else?"

"They die."

"What?!" Henry's jaw dropped.

"I don't have another choice. As long as there are other people in our lives, you can never fully be mine. You loved me once. With them gone, you'll love me again. And you can see me for what I really am: a hero."

"Not if you kill everyone. You're a villain." The words cut through her even harder than before but she mustn't show such weakness in front of her son. Getting upset and frustrated at his inability to see her perspective, her eyes teared up slightly.

"Me? They're the ones that have been keeping us apart, they're the villains!" she tried to reason with him.

"How can I ever love anyone who would do such horrible things?" he yelled. "Why are you even telling me this?"

"Because I don't have anyone else here to talk to." Her voice shook a little.

"Well I'm gonna stop you," he announced with determination. His time with the Charmings had become quite apparent.

Rolling her eyes, she took out her mother's spell book from her handbag, flicking through the pages. "Everything I just said will come to pass."

"Never! Why would I let you do any of this?"

"Because you won't remember a thing." Regina waved her hand over Henry, causing him to forget the whole conversation. She stowed the book away in her bag while wiping away a stray tear.

Henry looked up out of his daze. "Mom. What are you doing here?" he smiled.

Sniffling slightly, she laughed then shrugged. "Just came to say hello. I've missed you. Why don't you show me that bird feeder?" Henry walked over to the feeder and opened the lid. "I'm sure it will make the birds very happy."

Ah, Rita. Rita, Rita, Rita. What am I going to have to do with you?Bellatrix pondered as she looked at the other woman's unconscious form. She knew she didn't have much time. Storybrooke might not be there if she didn't hurry up. Tilting her head to the side she aimed her wand at the other witch's head. "Obliviate."

A quick, temporary solution. It would have to do for now. They will have to wait. Regina needs her.

She disappeared in the cloud of black smoke to start her journey back to Storybrooke.

Regina admired the stalk she had cultivated form the bean clippings in her office. She startled as she hear a knock on the door. Moving to the middle of the room to draw attention away from the plant, she straightened herself up. To her surprise, Killian Jones came through the door.

"Captain! You look like you've had a rough time."

"Indeed, I have. I've come to ask you for your protection."

"From Gold? I'm surprised you'd show your face in this town after you noticed your murder didn't take."

"Well we've bigger problems. That man Greg Mendell, the one who hit me the night I shot Belle, Well he's in league with some woman. She abducted me in New York and dragged me back to Mendell. They want me to make an alliance with you. That's why they ;et me go."

"Mhmm."

"Well, I say you and I make an alliance, and we'll skip the unpleasant betrayal business."

"Why should I trust you?"

"I took up with your mother for a reason. Perhaps the three of us could re-establish in our alliance, with that other lass if you see fit."

"She's out of the country and… my mother died."

"That is sad news indeed. I'm sorry, she will be missed. But I tell you this, Regina. I knew her well enough to know what she wanted most in the world was to see you win. Now I failed in my revenge, the best tribute I could give her is to help you with yours."

"Well, can I… Let me show you something." Regina walked back to the glass enclosure that housed the magic beans.

"An escape plan?" Hook looked at them in awe. "She would have loved that. She brought that giant for the beans so she could go back and start over with you."

"And now I'm going to do that with Henry," she said with a smile. Her face turned serious. "If you'll help me. This is how we're going to escape the total destruction of Storybrooke. If I cantrustyou."

"Now when you say total destruction, including the crocodile, yes?"

"Oh, yes. Rumplestiltskin will die. If you help me."

A large expanse of blue ocean was all that could be seen as a dark cloud passed over the Atlantic Ocean. Light bounced up from the depths leaving a blinding shine. Shadows of fish schools could be seen under the surface.

Wind blew into her ears as she flew. Forgetting all about her own world, she thought only of the world she wanted to be a part of. She thought of her home, in Storybrooke with her queen and her little prince.

Hey, how y'all doing? XD

So, I know it's been a while and it'll probably be another while until the next chapter but I just got a spurt of energy/motivation/whatever you call it today and wrote this bit. I hope you enjoyed, it might be a bit short but oh well.

Again, fell free to leave any comments or kudos, they are greatly appreciated. :)

-Snowy