A doorbell jingled as Rogers and Weaver entered a bakery. They approached the counter – a woman stood behind it and piped on a gingerbread house.

Rogers addressed her, "Excuse me, ma'am. Are you, uh, Hilda, the proprietor of this bakery?" He walked around to the side of the counter.

She continued to decorate the house. "Mm-hmm. This is delicate work. I will be right with you."

Rogers pressed on nonetheless: "I'm Detective Rogers, this is Detective Weaver," gesturing toward him, "We're investigating the murder of Dr. Andrea Sage. She purchased something here the morning of her death. Was wondering if you remember seeing her?"

Hilda sighed. "I remember. But I didn't see her." She then turned to face them, revealing her blindness.

Rogers closed his eyes and glanced downward. "I…I apologize. I didn't…" Hilda then walked toward the counter.

She empathized, "Dreadful what happened. Absolutely dreadful," as Weaver shot a glance toward his partner.

The older man then remarked, "Bit off-season for gingerbread, isn't it?" Rogers side-eyed him.

"Never. It's my number-one seller," Hilda told him. "Of course, Dr. Sage had her usual tea cake that morning. Wanted to let me know in person that my test results came back clean. She was a dear like that."

Weaver then nodded toward Rogers, and he started to head toward the back. Hilda continued, "I-I can't imagine anyone wanting to hurt her."

"And yet someone did," Weaver mused. As soon as he got the words out, she sensed Rogers's movement.

"Sorry, that's off limits. Health inspector would have my letter if anyone got into the sugar." A frustrated look crossed Weaver's features as Rogers looped back around the counter.

"I wish I could be more help, but with my condition, you may have better luck talking to the butcher next door," Hilda then offered. Weaver returned, "Of course. Thanks for your help."

She then reached for a gingerbread cookie with a napkin. "Cookie for the road? They're fresh out of the oven."

She then offered the cookie to them – her sleeve slid down, revealing the coven symbol on her wrist. Weaver only looked at his partner before he turned and began to head toward the door.

Rogers then offered, "Oh, no, thank you. Though, they look delicious. Have a good day." She moved her hand back as she listened to them leave.

The door opened as the bell jingled. Once outside, they walked along the sidewalk. Rogers questioned, "Did you see that?"

A determined look spread across Weaver's features. "Oh, she may be blind, but I'm not. She's obviously hiding something. Whatever it is, we'll find it."

New Enchanted Forest, Four Years Ago

Alena waited outside the throne room. She rubbed her hands together as she paced back and forth.

As the wooden doors opened, she stepped off to the side. She kept her eyes peeled for Tiana. When she emerged, she spoke with Ella.

Once they finished, Ella offered a wave and a smile to her sister-in-law before she headed into another part of the palace.

Tiana then turned toward Alena. "Did you need to talk to me?"

"I did, actually," she confirmed with a nod. With a deep breath, she then told her, "But it's, uh, a little sensitive. Can we talk in private?"

Tiana furrowed her eyebrows. She placed a hand on Alena's arm. "Of course - let's head into the throne room."

With a nod, Alena followed her. Once inside, Tiana pulled the doors closed before she let out a deep breath.

"I have to admit I'm a little surprised you came to me. I would have thought you would have wanted to talk this out with Jack, Henry, or Regina."

Alena released another deep breath. "Jack is the only one who knows the whole story, but there isn't anything he can really do about it."

A thoughtful expression crossed Tiana's features. "In that case, I will do whatever I can to help."

"I knew you would." Alena then ran her fingers through her hair as her eyes roamed the room.

"We should probably sit for this."

Tiana nodded before she gestured toward two chairs. Once the pair were seated, she folded her hands in her lap.

"So, what is it you want to tell me?"

Alena breathed in and out slowly. "Ever since I was a kid, I've had these nightmares. I travel through this grove - a villain grove. It has the domains of all the villains my family defeated back in Storybrooke."

With widened eyes, Tiana interjected, "That can't be at all pleasant. It has to be absolutely horrifying."

At her nod, she then questioned, "Do you know why you have them?"

"Somewhat," Alena began, eliciting a confused expression. She then continued, "I know they're supposed to help me face some great evil or darkness - but I have no idea what I'll be facing. Or even when."

"I can't even imagine what that must be like. I'm so sorry you have to endure it," Tiana offered as she placed a hand on her arm.

"Consider yourself lucky that you don't." With a deep breath, the blonde then added, "And thank you for saying so. I do appreciate it."

Tiana nodded. She then surmised, "I'm sure you were going to get to it, but I did want to know how you're even able to wake from these nightmares?"

"A blue wisp leads me through the grove. And it eventually leads me out and allows me to wake."

With a deep breath, she then said, "And now for the reason I came to you – in the nightmare I had last night, I had a visitor. He left me this."

She then reached in her pocket and pulled out a tarot card. She held it up to Tiana.

The queen gasped. "Dr. Facilier? Why would he come into your nightmare?"

"He says nightmares are a connection to the other side, and that he can help me figure out exactly what they mean."

"He would know more about them - but I wouldn't trust him to help without a price."

"Oh, don't worry - I know enough about him from you guys to know he can't be trusted. But he won't give up so easily."

"It's good that you realize that - I sometimes still find myself reeling from my last encounter with him."

Alena nodded. She bit her lip before she ventured, "Do you mind telling me more? I don't know all the details – just enough to know that he's dangerous."

"It's really alright - I'll tell you. I do think it'll help you better understand with whom you're dealing."

Tiana then took a deep breath of her own. She launched into the story.

"It was years ago – right before my coronation. Facilier showed up with a warning about a gator terrorizing the bayou. Though worried about a trap, I couldn't take any chances with my people."

Alena rested her chin in her hands. "So, I'm guessing you went to the bayou?"

She nodded. "Myself, Ella, and Hook. We were able to track him – and we found some help along the way."

Tiana couldn't help the smile that made its way on her face. Alena smiled as well.

"I'm guessing this help is someone pretty special?"

A light blush stained her cheeks. She then cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders.

"Not at first – we clashed and argued. It was pretty substantial actually."

Alena waved a hand. "You two could not have been worse than me and Jack. We could not have a single conversation without it turning into a screaming match. I mean, you were here."

Tiana laughed. "You two are not subtle. And I have to admit I'm surprised that nothing imploded on us."

Alena found herself laughing as well. When she sobered, she spoke, "Okay, back to hunting this gator. What happened next?"

"We tracked it to a lake. Myself - and Naveen - took a boat out there to find it. I learned that he actually sought vengeance because this gator had taken his brother from him."

"That's incredibly sad. I feel so sorry for him."

With a nod - and an empathetic expression - Tiana then finished, "We connected so much on this adventure - but it all came to a halt. Though we managed to kill the gator, Naveen was injured in the process. When Facilier showed up to retrieve a bauble from the creature, I begged for Naveen's life. Facilier healed him, but it came at a cost."

Alena sighed. "I don't like where this is going."

Tiana sighed. "My price was paid, but Naveen's was not – since it was his life Facilier saved. He then took him away, and I haven't seen him since."

"Oh, Tiana, I'm so, so sorry. I can only imagine your pain – I know it cuts deep."

"Thank you, Alena. I do appreciate your sympathy."

She then let out a deep breath. "But one thing I am is a fighter – I will keep fighting for a way to get him back."

Alena smiled. "I don't doubt it." Her expression then grew somber.

"So, do you have any ideas about how I can fight Facilier? Or at least keep him from trying to make deals with me?"

Tiana tilted her head as a thoughtful expression crossed her features.

"Actually, I believe I do have something that will help. Or rather someone."

"Really?" Alena questioned with wide eyes, "Who are they? Where can we find them?"

Tiana shifted in her seat before she answered, "I've never actually met her, but I've heard stories from people she's helped. Her name is Mama Odie – she's a voodoo priestess who lives deep in the bayou."

Alena rested her chin in her hands and tapped her finger against it. "So, she could use her magic to help determine what these nightmares mean."

With a nod, Tiana continued, "She is a bit eccentric – but she has a heart of gold. And her understanding surpasses either of ours."

"Great! I would love to meet her and talk with her."

She then rose from her chair and planted her hands on her hips. "So, I'm guessing we're now headed to the bayou."

Her eyes then widened. She then waved her hands. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed that you could just come with me."

Tiana chuckled as she stood. She reassured her, "It's perfectly fine – I knew as soon as I mentioned Mama Odie, you would be eager to see her."

Alena chuckled. She then ran her fingers through her hair. "Yeah – I should have figured as much."

With a deep breath, she then questioned, "So, should we get going?"

Tiana glanced down at her clothes. "Let me just change into something more conducive to traipsing through forests, swamps, and the bayou."

Alena nodded and gestured behind her. "And I'll grab my sword and a few supplies. Meet you just outside the castle?"

She received a nod in reply. She and Tiana then exited the throne room and headed their separate ways to prepare for the journey ahead.

Hyperion Heights, Present Day

Kelly cleaned glasses behind the bar, placing them beside the others. She turned around as she heard the door close and footsteps approach.

Samdi sauntered in and removed his gloves. "I'm looking for Roni. We spoke on the phone."

"Roni" spread her hands wide. "Well, you found her. The one and only." Samdi stopped at the bar, holding his gloves in one hand. He hummed, "Hmm," as he peered at her.

She smiled. "How can I help you?"

"Actually, I was hoping I could help you," Samdi began, earning a curious expression from "Roni".

"I'm an investor. With a little extra capital," he continued, as he gestured with his fingers, "you could expand. Maybe even franchise." He spread his hands wide.

"Roni" let out a chuckle. "Well, I am a dreamer." A hesitant countenance then appeared as she told him, "But I don't think my sister would go for it."

"Your sister?"

"Kelly. We own this place together."

"Perhaps I could chat with Kelly, if she's around," Samdi then offered. A voice then came from behind him: "Always seem to be."

He turned to face "Kelly". She stated, "But I'm afraid I'm not interested."

"Are you sure? We could discuss it over a drink." He then gestured toward the bar.

"Mm, don't need to. I've heard more than enough."

"Well, Well, I'm sorry to hear that. If you ever change your mind," Samdi began as he pointed toward her, "you have my number."

He then waltzed past her with a smile and exited the bar. "Kelly'' leaned against one of the brick pillars as she and "Roni" both watched him.