On the Uber ride back to the park, Emma constantly interrogated Lily. She came up short with answers. All Lily revealed was that she isn't allowed to rest until Regina or Emma was awaken. That gives Emma all the more reason to believe that Cora really did do a number on Lily because it seems that Lily is too far gone already. Thank god she grabbed Ariana when she did.

By the time they made it back to the park the stars were out. Regina and the girls had already caught two jars worth of fireflies and were now enjoying each other's company at the picnic blanket. Regina was the first to notice the two women trudging up the hill and gasps at the state she sees her daughter in.

"Oh my god, Lily what happened?"

"I'm fine," Lily reassures as they meet face to face. Regina frowns at the creepy smile on her daughter and turns towards Emma. The blonde seems to have lost all hope and only looks disappointed in the current outcome.

"We need to get you back home." Is all Regina says. "Help me pack up Emma."

"Awww! I don't wanna!" Ariana whines. Emma and Regina ignore her giving Ruby all the opportunity to jump in and distract the four year old during this very serious situation.

"What happened?" Regina whispers as they clean up the snacks.

"Alot," Emma grumbles lowly. In all honesty she's sick to her stomach. What occurred previously has been too much on her and there is still more to come that she already loathes. Lily will do whatever she can to ramble about her stories.

"Was Cora there?"

"Yes–"

"Why didn't you call me?!"

"Because I couldn't!" Emma defends.

"She's trying to ruin my life again. Starting with Lily and she's going to try to take everything from me! She hates seeing me happy."

"I know," Emma reassures softly. "But for Lily's sake we have to keep cool. You and mom always said that Cora is untouchable so we just have to play along until this blows over." It sounds crazy when she listens to herself but what else can they do?

"Hey Emma. On our way back, we should stop at Gold's. I need to borrow Gideon's book."

Emma knows exactly what book Lily is talking about. It was the one she was interested in years ago when they were babysitting Gideon. Emma had absolutely no interest in it all since she was too busy having phone sex with Regina that night. Obviously that book is the start to Lily's insanity. Maybe I should burn the damn thing, yup that's exactly what I'll do.

"Okay..." Emma trails awkwardly.

"What do you need a book for?" Regina questions with skepticism.

"To tell the stories of truth. To awaken you." Lily beams. Regina tilts her head with concern, trying desperately to figure out what the hell is going on and why on earth her daughter is speaking so much nonsense.

"Ooo! Can I listen too?" Ariana asks and jumps up in front of Lily.

"Of course! Young minds are the most impressionable."

"You did not just say that!" Regina growls. She's in her right mind to knock some sense into the cult– like state her daughter is in; however, Emma blocks the straight path and shakes her head.

"Regina," Emma warns leaving no choice but for the brunette to back down. Regina sucks her teeth like a spoiled child and storms the opposite direction.

"Whatever. Come on Ruby let's go."

Ruby obeys orders like a puppy, scooping up Ariana along the way. Emma watched curiously, knowing that there's still something about Ruby that she doesn't quite understand yet.

"Ha! She's still a pet even in this world. How pleasing." Lily snarks. Emma whips around and frowns at Lily.

"What the hell does that mean?" She demands, finding herself boiling over at this point.

"Well the book awaits us but I'll explain on our way to Gold's."

That's just what Lily does. She tells Ruby's story like no other. Red was a huntress, an assassin, who never missed a kill. Along with her brother Blue, who goes by the name of Graham in this world, they were unstoppable. That's until Red encountered Emma in the woods around the time Regina was pregnant with Snow. Red was hired by Cora to Kill Emma and she failed to even put a scratch on the savior–even in wolf form.

In the end, the savior gave her mercy and brung her back to the castle. From there Emma took her in, trained her to be better, cared for her like nobody else did besides her brother, and from there Red gained an undeniable respect for Emma. Her loyalty only grew and she was known as Regina's killer pet. Sometimes she was even given the opportunity to climb in her bed and share the fun with Queen Regina who, in fact, adores the werewolf girl.

That story, the story of Ruby–even though Emma may never admit it–did have her thinking harder. Something, for a quick second, clicked in her head before her stubbornness took over. It refuses to allow her to believe Cora or Lily and this nonsense they are trying to torture Regina with. However, this powerful woman somehow has Lily wrapped around her finger and her bestfriend's life is hanging in the balance so its better to just go with the flow.

~

Regina, Ruby, and Ariana went ahead towards the mansion since Emma and Lily had to make one last stop. When they get to the Gold's Manor, Emma grows more nervous as the time tics by. But why? Is she afraid if what this book could do? It's just a fucking book. Or is she afraid of the truth..,of Lily being right and her life will change all over again.

To Emma, the life Cora and Lily keeps explaining–the past–seems very stressful. Well, her life growing up with Ingrid was stressful but at least she wasn't a 'king' and fighting in wars. Right now she has her Gi Gi and her daughter. She has all she's ever wanted and she certainly doesn't want her desires of having a Little to end with this book. Yeah, I'm just going to burn it.

"Oh hi!" Gideon beams with an adorable bright smile. He adjusts his glasses and frowns at Lily's state. "Is she okay?"

"Yeah she's fine. She's just exhausted." Emma quickly explains.

"We just need the book Gideon. You know the one of fairytales?"

"Oh," Gideon purses his lips. "So you believe now?"

"Say what?!" Emma squeaks as Lily frantically nods her tangled head of hair. "Gideon you are too smart. Don't tell me you believe that stuff."

"Why wouldn't I? I grow up to be a powerful sorcerer like my dad! Come on, I'll take you to the library." Once Gideon disappears into the house Lily gives Emma that 'told you so look' and follows.

The blonde sighs and reluctantly steps in to follow too. There's a long ways to the library in the huge home. The group has to pass through many rooms just to get to the huge room. The books are stacked neatly in bookshelves that travel dozens of feet from the ground. What could a family of three need with so many books?

That's beside the point anyways. Emma has this strong urge to end this charade and she will. Thankfully there's a lit fireplace in here already so there won't be a problem.

"Okay, here it is," Gideon informs. He walks towards the reading area where three single arm chairs surround a exotic rug that lays before the fireplace. The end table next to one of the chairs is where the book comfortably lays. Right where I want it...

"Great!" Lily says. Before she can thank Gideon, Emma springs into action as Lily reaches for the book.

The two are shocked, thinking that Emma has suddenly been interested in the stories until her step towards the fireplace causes them to panic.

"Emma! What are you doing?!" Lily shrieks as if she's going to lose her mind.

"Knocking some sense into you," The blonde glares then casually tosses the book into the fire. The flames burn bigger and cackle around the fabric of the book for only 5 seconds before the fireplace burns out all together. "What the hell?"

"Ha!" Lily teases and races towards the fireplace.

"I don't understand," Emma breathlessly murmurs with shock. She just threw the book into fire, not only did the fire just disappear, but the book is still in tact.

"Emma, poor Emma," Gideon tsks like a disappointed adult. Normally Emma would laugh at his maturity but right now she feels like she's living in a nightmare.

"That book is magic and holds history of the past and what will be. You can't destroy the past–The Queen of Hearts learned that the hard way."

"The Queen of Hearts?" Emma frowns.

"Cora, she's known for stealing hearts, controlling and crushing them. Regina is happy so the curse is breaking but once we all get our memories, she will seek revenge on her mother. That's where you come in, you have to activate the Forbidden fruit before she kills her mother and succumbs to darkness. It's always been your job to keep Regina pure. If she isn't, the realms and her destiny will shamble."

Emma is left speechless with her eyes glued to Lily scanning through the pages of the book. There's not one scratch on it, declaring that the book has won this battle. One point for Lily, Emma– Zero.

"Okay," Lily slams the book shut and struts towards the door. "Let's wake up Regina. Thanks again Gideon."

"No problem! Good luck!"