Chapter 2: Coming Home
"Come on Gideon," Belle mutters in frustration as her son continues to twist and whimper protesting being dressed. "Of all the days Gideon puts up a fuss, it's the day his big sister is coming home,"
"I believe he is entering the phase that Snow called 'the terrible twos,'" Rumpelstiltskin says, coming into the room before going to his wife's vanity and adjusting his tie accordingly.
"He's not even one yet,"
"Then perhaps he's chosen to start early," the Dark One jokes, coming over to help his wife.
"He gets if from you, you know," Belle says teasingly.
"I have my doubts about that statement, I've heard many a story about how rambunctious you were as a child."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," the beauty smirks. "Have you been talking to my father?"
Rumple frowns in disgust, the hatred for his father-in-law written all over his face. "Hardly, never would I discuss anything with that man, but I derive this observation due to your own adventurous spirit and determination to do everything on your own."
He reaches over and holds Gideon's tiny hands, allowing his wife to finish buttoning their son's shirt.
"You would have fought for that too back in our kingdom where women had no value unless they were married."
The Dark One just smiles, happy that the curse had brought freedom for his wife to make her own decisions and be independent, something her father still to this day did not want her to do and that included marrying the man she chose and loved. While he could partially understand not wanting to marry the Dark One, Maurice went beyond disapproval of marriage and tried to control everything in his daughter's life, which would not be forgiven for the rest of time.
Rumple kisses his wife's cheek and then reaches over to tickle his son's belly. The tot's squeals of laughter fill the room and make both parents beam in happiness. They had been blessed with the chance to start over with their son after he'd been stolen by the Black Fairy; it was the happy ending they so desperately craved and with Rumple putting his family before power, the world could not have been better for them.
"I still believe it comes from you if Crystal is anything to go by."
"For that child, you can blame her nature on me. Lillian was far from adventurous. She was very cautious and quiet, the opposite of her daughter."
"Your daughter," Belle corrects.
"She is your daughter too," he adds.
"I know… but I have no ownership over her sarcasm,"
"No, I do believe that was something she developed on her own," Rumple admits.
"Let's try to avoid that with Gideon," his wife smiles.
The two parents play with their son for a period of time before they go to meet the returning member of the family. The last message they received from Crystal was about a month ago… sent via a magic mirror, one of the few ways to communicate across realms. The girl looked happier than she had in a long time. Gone was the hatred for her father, the confusion of her role of hero or villain, the depression of losing her thought to be true love, and the inner turmoil of her light and dark magic battling for control. She was simply going with the flow and enjoying every moment of it. Crystal had promised to return within the month and had so much to share with them. They looked forward to hearing about her exploits.
"Your sister is going to tell us all about what she did," Belle explains to her happy son, before tickling his belly to make him squeal in delight. "She'll be telling these stories until you're old enough to go on your… own…"
Rumple watches as his wife's demeanour changes completely. Her blue eyes become distant, her voice is softer, and a frown crawls across her face. He knew immediately why she was becoming melancholy.
He leans over and whispers in her ears.
"I promise, as soon as Gideon is a little older, we'll go on adventures like that too."
It had always been Belle's desire to see the world and do the most exciting things that so far, she'd only read in books. While they'd all had their fair share of adventures, Storybrooke was hardly ever dull for long, the beauty wanted to explore and study everything. Her sheltered life had led to her rebellious streak, but also made her ambitions stronger. Several promises had been made and broken about travelling, due to circumstances beyond their control, but with Gideon, the plans had been postponed. Rumple could tell that his wife longed to go anywhere and everywhere with her family together.
She shakes the sadness from her face and smiles again. "I know we will, but right now… I'm just happy, things going at the pace we need…"
The Dark One leans in and kisses his wife deeply.
…
"Why would she want to come through on Main Street?" Zelena asks. Robin is on her hip as the group stands near the clock tower, awaiting the reappearance of the Dark One's daughter. "You'd assume the forest might be a little less… public."
"She has a flair for the dramatic sometimes," Emma says.
"Gets it from her father I'm sure," David says. Neal sits on his dad's shoulders, loving the view and enjoying being taller than everyone.
"What was that?" Rumple says, walking up with Belle and Gideon.
"Nothing," the prince mutters.
Just then:
"Once upon a time a song inspired them - be brave. They gave me up because my fate was as the one who'd save. The world from your dark magic and the wicked things you do. They placed a song inside my heart more powerful than you."
Emma fumbles into her leather jacket pocket and removes her phone.
"Who is it?" Regina asks.
"Crystal…" the Saviour says checking the caller ID.
"Wait, how can she be calling you? She's realms away from here?" Snow asks.
"Maybe the lass is closer than we think," Killian suggests.
Emma answers.
"Hello?"
"Hey Emma," a familiar voice practically shouts. The need to do so is because of the deafening sound surrounding the call. At first, Emma assumes it's the connection, allegedly being literally realms apart, but it was as if she was flying on the wings of an airplane.
"Crystal where are you?"
"On my way home…"
"What was that? What the hell is that noise?"
"I'm literally feet from home, just make sure the whole of Main Street is clear…"
"What was that?" Emma asks. "Where are you?"
"I said clear the way!" the voice shouts as loud as she can manage.
"What's going on?" Snow asks.
"Where are you?" Emma shouts as clearly as she can.
"Watch the skies! Incoming!"
The blonde looks upwards, and everyone soon follows her gaze.
In mid-air, sparks of orange are beginning to form and dance across the blue sky. Soon, a strong orange line forms a perfect circle and begins to spin rapidly. Yellow, fire-like energy spews out of from the orange and everyone knew what it meant. They step back a few steps, watching and wondering why the portal was in the sky. Soon, a hole forms in the centre, opening up the sky and connecting two worlds. A very faint form is rapidly falling towards the opening. As it gets closer, everyone realizes who it is.
Falling through the glowing orange portal is Crystal Miller, the daughter of the Dark One.
"INCOMIIIINNNNNNGGGGGG!" the voice shouts in glee as continues her free fall.
People become concerned as the girl does not seem to be slowing down at all, she was plummeting towards almost certain death if something didn't happen.
The girl finally crosses the threshold into town and still does not slow down. As she falls near the roof of the clock tower, Regina, Rumple, and Emma's hands glow with magic, afraid they might not be quick enough.
Then, inches from the ground, the girl stops abruptly, invisible wires appearing to catch her and keeping her from hitting the pavement. She jolts up, but not enough to cause whiplash or anything serious.
A strange blue light is underneath her body before Crystal rightens herself as if hovering or even walking in mid-air, gives a small leap as if jumping from a platform and lands almost like a superhero on the ground, pose and all. A flare for the dramatic my foot.
The portal above everyone sputters and then closes completely, creating a barrier between realms and sealing it.
With the adrenaline slowly dissipating from everyone, they finally get a good look at the daughter of the Dark One.
Crystal's hair is pulled up and tucked behind a gladiator helmet. She's wearing what appears to be a faded grey tunic, with a leather vest and belt, dangling with all kinds of weapons and tools. She wears peculiar-looking golden boots and two heavy that appear to be duffle bags on her back.
The girl smiles widely upon seeing Storybrooke
"Home sweet home," she says to herself, removing the helmet.
A/N: Doctor Who world next chapter. Recognize Emma's ringtone?