Grumpy heard voices as he walked towards Snow and Charming's resting place. They distracted him enough that he didn't notice that his two new friends slowed down leaving him to enter alone. He saw the blonde first, standing between the two ex-Royals, so he scowled, raised his axe and prepared to confront her about going to close to the sleeping pair.
"Hey Grumpy, she's with me."
He turned slowly, lowering the axe in surprise when he recognised Red's voice. She stood off to the side, near to Sleepy.
"It's been a while Red. Heard you went over to the other side," Grumpy glared at her.
"I can see you're still the same as ever," Red countered cheerfully, then nodded at the sleeping dwarf, "him too."
"He's absolutely useless at guarding this place, I don't know why Doc sends him out here."
"Because someone needs to share your shifts." Sleepy turned over, yawning as he sat up, then looked over at Red with a smile, "he refuses to work with Sneezy..."
"Have you any idea how annoying it is listening to someone sneeze 24/7 especially in a cave likes this one? The sounds get amplified and echo off the walls. It drove me insane."
"Happy had a mini-breakdown after a super-long shift with him. He should be grateful that I don't tell Doc that he wanders off to the Hill."
"Just stretching my legs."
"Oh please, we all know why..."
""So, how is Doc? What about the others?" Red quickly interrupted him, before they started to really argue.
"They're fine. How's your Granny doing?" Sleepy asked, "I still have those socks she knitted for me, they're so comfortable in the winter."
"I'm sure she's fine. I've been a little busy lately so I haven't had a chance to go home and see her."
Emma had been slowly walking over to Red while she spoke to the dwarves; she smiled at their banter and wondered how they all knew each other.
"This is Emma," Red continued, "we're supposed to be here meeting some friends of hers..."
"This isn't a social place, you can wait outside," Grumpy told her. "Unless you've changed allegiances back to us you're not welcome here."
"It's not like that, if you weren't so stubborn you'd have let me explain."
"What? That you're a traitor?"
Red curled her hands into fists, "take that back."
Emma put a hand on Red's arm, then looked at Grumpy, "we're not here to cause any trouble."
"Then leave."
"Actually," Pinocchio stepped into the room, "we need her to stay."
"August? Neal?" Emma looked between her two friends. "Where have you been?"
"It's a long story," Neal began. "We're so sorry Emma."
"You left me alone in this crazy world and then I got whisked away by magic! Magic! It's real!"
She wanted to go over and shake them, she was so angry and relieved at the same time.
"At least you got our message."
"Yeah, with barely enough time to figure it out and come here."
"But we sent it ages ago."
"Clearly your postal service here isn't as good as the one back home."
Neal looked at August, then back to Emma, "this is your home. Our home, in fact. Remember, we told you..."
"Yeah, yeah some wacky story about a White Kingdom, which DOESN'T EXIST, by the way."
August silently pointed to the two sleeping figures behind her. Emma looked at them and then back to her friends.
"Snow White and Prince Charming, just like the fairy tales. So what?"
August smiled, "Snow White... White Kingdom. We just got here a little too late, but once you wake them up everything will be put right again."
Both dwarves and Red looked at him with open-mouths, while Emma shook her head.
Neal stepped towards her, "they're your parents, Emma."
"They only lost their child a few years ago. I've been gone for over two decades!"
"Time moves differently in the other realm. Trust me, I've travelled to enough places that I've seen this before."
"It's not possible."
"Not so long ago you'd have said the same thing about magic."
"I don't believe that my parents are royalty. I'm just a foster kid that no-one's ever wanted."
"They wanted you," Neal pointed to Snow White and Charming. "They just sent you away to protect you."
"Protect me from what?"
"From the Evil Queen. From the curse she had threatened to cast over everyone to destroy their happiness."
"Then why..."
"The Queen changed her mind. There was no curse but it was too late and you were already gone."
"Why didn't they come after me?"
"They couldn't, they'd used the last of the portal magic for you. The prophecy said you'd save them from the curse, but they didn't know if you would return without the curse," he took her hand and walked her towards her parents. "they're waiting for you to save them now."
"But I don't know how."
"Don't you remember the fairy tale?"
"True Loves Kiss?"
"Yes."
"But I don't even know them."
"Search your heart, they're your parents Emma, you must love them. They love you."
"No!" Emma pulled her hand away and ran from the cave, ignoring the voices calling to her.
She ran so fast that she wasn't paying attention to her surroundings and barrelled straight into someone standing right outside. Familiar arms enveloped her, a soothing voice whispered her name.
"Emma, what happened? Are you alright?"
"We have to get out of here," Emma grabbed Regina's hand to pull her away from the White Memorial.
Regina looked at her in surprise. It wasn't like Emma to want to run away, the Emma she had come to know was brave. When Red had first sent the message of their final destination she had been afraid, remembering her mothers spell - using a strand of Emma's hair they had looked into her future and seen her standing with Snow White and Prince Charming. Regina looked towards the cave, was this where it would all begin? Perhaps Emma was right and they should leave. Mal had flown her to the other side of the Dwarf Mines and she had used her magic to come to the cave, but now she allowed Emma to lead her to the carriage.
"What about Red?" she thought to ask as Emma climbed in after her.
"I just want to go home. Please."
Regina waved her hand, once the carriage door was closed, "I have hidden us from sight, though Red will know where we are. Now tell me what happened."
Emma looked up at Regina, tears in her eyes, "I found my parents."
"That's wonderful news."
Emma shook her head, unable to speak.
"Are your parents really so terrible?" Regina placed her hands over Emma's, trying to comfort her.
"I need you to tell me everything about Snow White and Prince Charming. All of it. I know you don't like to talk about them, but it's important."
"Are your parents part of the rebellion? I know there are still those who want to kill me, and if yours..."
"Regina, my friends think I can wake them."
"Wake them?"
Emma took a deep breath, "Snow and Charming are my parents. At least, that's what they told me."
Regina stilled, feeling an icy chill over her heart at Emma's words. Then she shook her head and smiled.
"Emma, you are far too old to be the lost princess."
"Not if it's true that time moved differently in the other world where I grew up."
"And you're nothing like Snow or her husband. I remember what a spoilt little... princess Snow was and how she would force her way to be the centre of attention. Charming was good with a sword but he was blind to Snow's faults and just followed where she led like some kind of idiot. Emma you're a strong, independent person who can take care of herself, who realises the world is more than good vs evil and you'll make a real difference in this world."
"Wow, you really believe all of that?"
"Of course I do. You're special Emma, but you're not the lost princess."
Emma smiled, "it does sound kind of silly. Princess Emma."
"I'm sure Snow named her child something long and flowery, or maybe she named her after her own mother."
Taking a deep breath, Emma relaxed her shoulders, "I guess that means my friends lied to me. I wonder if my parents are even from this world. They might be back where I came from."
"I'm sorry you didn't find your answer here. Perhaps when we return to the palace we can ask Mal if she knows any spells that could help you. I know simple spells to find lost objects, but you need to be able to picture them clearly in your mind and if you don't remember your parents... well, she might have some ideas."
Emma wrapped her arms around Regina's neck, "have I told you today how wonderful you are?"
"I'm sure I wouldn't mind hearing it again," Regina smiled at her.
"And how much I love you?" Emma leaned in, her lips hovering over the Queen's.
"Tell me more, or maybe show me," Regina whispered before claiming a kiss.
Emma closed her eyes, moving her hands through Regina's hair as she kissed her back. She could feel Regina's hands tightening on her hips, pulling her closer and she shifted on the seat moving her right foot closer to Regina's left. Suddenly Regina's fingers were tugging her shirt out of her trousers and reaching underneath to touch Emma's skin.
Emma broke from the kiss to catch her breath, then asked, "are you sure you want to do this here?"
"No-one can enter and they can't hear us. Unless you're uncomfortable..?"
"No, I was just surprised. There isn't much room, but I'm sure we can manage."
"I want you Emma."
"I'm all yours."
At those words Regina snapped her fingers and their clothes vanished. She smiled as Emma looked around surprised, and wondered whether to explain that they were neatly folded into the secret compartment of the carriage. Then Emma straddled her lap and the clothes were forgotten.