Hyperion Heights, Present Day

The couple glared at one another. Their water remained untouched on the table.

Alena jumped up from the chair – the legs scraped across the floor.

"I can't even look at you right now."

She turned her back to him, her eyes lingering on the door.

"Then just leave. I don't need you to tell me how to live my life."

She spun around. "It's not just your life, Jack! It's ours! Did you ever even stop and think about how this would affect me?"

"That's all I thought about! Why are you having such a hard time with this?"

"Because it's wrong! It's bloody wrong! Not to mention how you've put everything in jeopardy!"

"Well, excuse me for thinking that you and the girls are more important."

"Don't do that, Jack."

"Do what?"

"Try to make me feel bad because your heart was in the right place. But that doesn't make it okay."

"So, I've been told about 12 times."

"Well, maybe if you would actually hear what I'm saying, I wouldn't have to keep saying it!"

She ran her fingers through her hair. "Gods, I can't believe you. Just because Dr. Sage was in the Coven, doesn't mean she deserved to die."

She found Jack staring at her, his eyes wide. His gaze focused on her wrist. Before she could form a question, he gestured toward the white star.

"How long have you had that?"

Alena looked down at the mark, taking a deep breath as she did so. When she brought her eyes back up to his, she ran her fingers back through her hair.

"I don't know exactly, but I know I first noticed it shortly after I moved back to Storybrooke after graduation."

She took another deep breath before she added, "I researched all I could, but I wasn't able to find anything other than the general meaning of hope and new beginnings."

Jack took a deep breath of his own, placing his hands flat on the table.

"It's way more than just that."

Alena furrowed her eyebrows and tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

His eyes bored into hers, his hand curling into a fist. She gasped.

"You mean…?"

"Yes – the exact same mark."

Alena's eyes widened. "I need to sit down for this."

She eased back in the chair. She buried her face in her hands as she breathed in and out slowly.

She brought her eyes back up to his. "B-but you never knew exactly what it meant."

He rubbed the back of his head. "I still don't." He sighed – he then tilted his head.

"But Regina and Henry mentioned something about it. I don't know, uh…" He ran his fingers through his hair.

"It was, uh, something about someone using the Coven for good. They thought it might help break the curse."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "I'm sensing they weren't too sure about it."

He gestured with both hands. "Would you be?" She sighed and shook her head.

"I can't…fathom this. My memories are screwed up, so I don't even know how or when I'm supposed to do any of this, so many people I love are still cursed, and you! You killed Dr. Sage, and you tried to do the same to the baker! How in the hell am I supposed to bloody deal with any of it!"

She scowled. "I did not need this, Jack. I would rather you stay cursed than pull this."

He scoffed and crossed his arms. "So, that's the thanks I get? That's what you have to say to me?"

She opened her mouth to argue when he waved his hand. "What if they pushed your buttons and set off that temper? What if they had one of those magic-blocking cuffs, hmm? Or better yet…"

He paused and focused on her wrist, "Or what if they caught you off guard? What the hell do you think would happen?"

Alena closed her eyes, letting his words sink in. She took a deep breath, her blue eyes opening.

"I would be defenseless."

"Exactly! Now you know why I did what I needed to keep you and our family safe."

She exhaled. "What I do know, Jack, is that you know that feeling all too well – and I know you were trying to keep the same from happening to me."

Her voice cracked. "But did you ever once think about the fact that you're doing the exact same thing to them? They're cursed in a land without magic – you know they don't have a chance. They are defenseless – you left them defenseless."

He remained unflinching. His mouth set in a hard line as his jaw clenched. His hands balled into fists as he stood rigid.

He continued to stare at her, his gaze shifting between the star on her arm to the pleading look in her blue eyes.

Her words replayed themselves in his head – one line stood out among the rest: "They are defenseless."

His own pain flashed in his mind – his fist tightened even harder. As two sets of brown eyes - his eyes - joined the image, his gaze hardened.

And yet, as he found himself pulled to images of blonde hair spilling over shoulders, his attention drew to this stubborn woman in front of him – the woman whose words he couldn't shake.

"You left them defenseless."

New Enchanted Forest, Four Years Ago

The cloud of magic dissipated around Alena. Her blue eyes narrowed as they loomed around Tent Alley.

"If anything happens to Jack, there will be hell to pay."

She marched toward Facilier's when she heard her name. She spun around to find Tiana.

"What are you doing here? I thought you'd be heading back toward the palace."

"I had planned on going back, but I was worried about you," Tiana explained. She then took a deep breath and offered her hand, which closed around something.

"And Mama Odie wanted me to give you this."

A smile flitted across her face. She then shook her head.

"I know she means well, but I can't think about that right now. Jack is in trouble, and I can't let him get hurt."

Tears pricked the corner of her eyes. Tiana held her shoulder. "You'll get to him in time – and this will remind you just how strong you are."

She opened her hand to reveal a lotus flower. A white glow emitted from it.

Alena found her eyes widening. "Why a lotus flower? What does it mean?"

A scream cut off any answer. Alena took off running – her hand gripped around the hilt of her sword.

She flung open the door. "Leave him the bloody hell alone, Facilier."

The witch doctor continued to choke Jack. His strangled screams bounced off the walls and shook the various relics.

Alena gritted her teeth. "I. Said. Leave. Him. Alone!"

She shot a wave of magic toward him. He jumped out of the way, his grip loosening in the process.

Jack collapsed on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath.

Alena ran over and knelt down beside him. She cupped his face in her hands.

"Are you okay?"

His breathing evened out. "Yeah, I'm okay." He then cut his eyes toward the witch doctor.

Alena jumped up from the floor – her teeth gritted and her fists clenched. "How dare you touch him."

Facilier spread his hands wide. "Au contraire – I didn't lay a finger on him."

Alena fumed as Jack rose to his feet beside her. She seethed, "This is between you and me – it has nothing to do with him."

"Actually," Facilier began as he gestured between the two of them, "It has quite a lot to do with both of you."

"Stop with the damn riddles and tell us what the hell you want." Jack's brown eyes flared with anger – his hands balled into fists.

"What fun would that be?" Facilier offered as he grinned. He then folded his hands.

"Besides, it doesn't benefit me to reveal my plans."

Alena's hands tightened around her sword. "Make no mistake – we will find out what you are up to, Facilier."

"I have no doubt you will – but by then, everything will be in motion."

"And then we'll stop you," Jack argued, his mouth set in a hard line.

Facilier chuckled. "You two really are cut from the same cloth." His expression darkened.

"But no amount of swords…" He zapped Alena's blade from its sheath. "…Or magic…" When he made a move to toss she and Jack against the wall, she responded in kind.

She met his magic with just as much force. Her light magic began to swallow the dark when it erupted in sparks.

She smirked. "You were saying?"

Facilier regarded her as he tapped his fingers against his chin. "I suppose we'll see exactly how powerful you are when we meet again."

He disappeared in a puff of red smoke. Their swords then clanked on the ground.

Alena grabbed hers while Jack remained a few feet back. She shoved it in her sheath – only to let out a cry of pain.

"Bloody hell!" she cursed as she watched blood trickle down her thigh. Jack reached for the fabric of his shirt when Alena put up her hand.

"I'll take care of it." She waved her hand and the wound healed. She then planted her hands on her hips.

"I cannot believe him! You know what? Actually, I can because he's only out for his own twisted agenda."

Jack remained silent as he drummed his fingers against the hilt of his sword. Alena glared at him.

"Don't you have anything to say?"

He sighed. "Only that this is all my fault." He ran his fingers through his hair.

Alena furrowed her eyebrows, her expression softening. "Your fault? How is it your fault?"

"I walked right into Facilier's trap. He wants to bait both of us so that when he carries out whatever plan he has, we'll be distracted."

"Jack, you wanted to protect me. Sure, going up against a voodoo witch doctor with only a sword probably isn't the greatest idea…"

"That's exactly what I mean! I put you in danger for no reason – you had to save me! I should have left it alone."

Alena took his face in her hands. "Jack – I'm not angry at you. You only wanted to know what Facilier wanted with me and these nightmares. Your heart was in the right place."

He stepped out of her reach. "What I wanted doesn't matter because my stupidity could have gotten both of us killed."

He marched out the door. Tiana slipped in behind him.

"I didn't want to leave until I knew you were both okay – which clearly you're not. What happened?"

Alena shook her head. "Just Facilier's tricks. But we're okay – or we will be once I find Jack. Just head back to the palace."

Tiana nodded. She still held the flower in her hand – she opened her mouth to mention it, but promptly shut it. She then began making her way back.

Alena surveyed the Alley around her. She soon spotted a familiar pair of broad shoulders stalking toward the forest.

She ran off after him, her ears ringing. Gods, she really hoped he would be okay – that they would be okay.

Hyperion Heights, Present Day

He staggered backwards – his eyes widened. The sound of his own name being repeated seemed a million miles away.

He dropped to the floor, his knees hitting with a thud. His hands shook as he held them on either side of his head.

"Oh, gods…"

His breathing shallowed as he ran his fingers through his hair. He jumped when Alena cupped his face.

"Hey, I'm here, Jack. I'm here for you, okay?"

He only shook his head. "How can you even stand to be near me?"

"Because I love you. Nothing is ever going to change that."

Jack rested his forehead against hers. "I really don't deserve you." She smiled and ran her fingers across his cheek.

Alena then took a deep breath. "It will be okay, Jack. I promise it will be."

He sighed and sank further on the floor. "I think you have the wrong definition of "okay". You can't just wave your hand and make it go away."

"I know." She ran her fingers through her hair before she took a deep breath.

"But our love – the love that created our beautiful, amazing daughters – has kept me going since the moment we said goodbye. And I know we can face this, too."

He smiled. "You always believed in us - in me - when I didn't always know if I could."

"And I always will."

His smile only grew. He leaned in to kiss her forehead when he stopped himself with a groan.

"When I pictured seeing you again, this is not how I wanted it to go."

Despite herself, Alena giggled. "And what did you have in mind?"

"I don't know - something romantic. Like your grandparents."

She bit her lip to keep from laughing. She nudged his shoulder with hers.

"Now who sounds like Henry?"

He shook his head. His expression then sobered. "Any idea on how to break this curse without hurting him?"

She couldn't help the sigh that escaped. "No, not yet. If anything, we have more questions than answers."

She then squared her shoulders. "But Roni and Kelly can help because they're both awake. And so is Weaver – between all of us, I think we're in good hands."

Jack smiled. "I think that's a pretty safe bet." He then tilted his head. "And they're really all awake? Gothel and Drizella just let it happen?"

"I don't think they had too much say in the matter – but knowing them, they'd use it to their advantage. Especially Gothel."

She then gave him a pointed look. "And that begs the question – how are you awake?"

He ran his fingers through his hair. "I have no idea. One day, I was Nick…the music lawyer. I'm taking a blood test trying to save my daughter from a mysterious illness. And then…all my memories came flooding back."

Alena furrowed her eyebrows – her thoughts raced. The words she tried to form died on her lips. She ran her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath.

"And in between that time, you decided to give me a heart attack."

He ran his fingers back through his hair and averted his eyes. He then took a deep breath of his own. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to upset you or cause you worry."

She squeezed his hand. "I know you didn't – but you had to know if it was possible that the twins were actually yours."

He nodded. "I had no reason to doubt Lucy was mine – everything I remembered about me and Jacinda told me that she was. But from the moment I met Emma and Lily, I felt something with them that I never did with Lucy."

He paused. He then gestured and continued, "And you. I felt more just hearing you laugh than I did when I ki…"

His eyes widened. He ducked his head and rubbed the back of it. Alena found herself rubbing her hands together.

She exhaled before she supplied, "Than when you kissed Jacinda." At his questioning look, she explained, "She told me - and assured me - that it didn't mean anything. She wanted to clear the air with me because we're friends. And because she knows how we," pointing between the two of them, "feel about each other."

Jack couldn't help the laugh that escaped. "We really have no idea how to be subtle, do we?"

Alena shook her head as a giggle escaped. A sobering realization then entered her mind.

"And at some point after you took the blood test, someone must have woken you."

He sighed and folded his hands on his knees. "I just wish I knew who - and why. I mean, what do they even want?"

Alena furrowed her eyebrows, her thoughts gathering themselves. She then balled her fists and clenched her jaw.

"I know two people who would love nothing more than to use you to get to me. The two people who conspired to bring you all here in the first place."

Jack furrowed his eyebrows. He then let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Drizella and Gothel."

Alena nodded. She gestured as she explained, "I mean, Drizella already tried to use you as a twisted bargaining chip. She offered to wake you and let us live in peace."

He scoffed. "Let me guess – you had to leave her and Hyperion Heights alone?"

Alena nodded, her mouth set in a thin line. She then shook her head.

"I guess she thought if she actually woke you, I would change my mind."

Jack couldn't help but smile. "She clearly doesn't know you very well." He then ran his fingers through her hair.

He then rubbed his forehead. "But she clearly sees you as a threat. What is she gonna do when she realizes it didn't work?"

Alena fell silent, receiving a confused expression from her boyfriend. She took a breath.

"Regardless of how we feel about each other, she just lost her mom. I want to give her space."

Jack hummed his reply, his features turning sympathetic. He then fell silent, his forehead wrinkling, and his eyebrows knitting together.

"What is it?" Alena questioned as she rubbed his arm.

"There's someone else who could have woken me. Someone who made it clear he's out to use both of us."

Her eyes widened. "Dr. Facilier." She then shook her head.

"Wait, no, he's asleep. Henry and I met him earlier – I mean, he's strange, but he's not the voodoo witch doctor."

Jack breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God. I don't know what we would do next if he was awake, too."

"You have no idea how relieved I am."

As soon as she uttered those words, her love's words echoed in her mind. Her hands trembled.

Jack took them and squeezed. "Hey, what is it?"

"You, Jack. We have to think about what's next for you."

"I know. It's been in the back of my mind this whole time." He sighed and rubbed the back of his head. When he brought his eyes back to hers, he saw the unshed tears in them.

"I-I have to turn myself in – I have to pay for my crimes."

Her tears flowed freely as she nodded. "I know you do – and I know it's the right thing to do, but…"

She trailed off and shook her head. He took her in his arms and squeezed her tight. She buried her head in his neck.

They stayed embraced until she lifted her head and locked eyes with him. "We can get through this – I've spent four years without you. I can last until the curse is broken."

He couldn't help but smile. "I love how strong and determined you are – but you don't have to be all the time."

She caressed his cheek. "I know – but I want to do it for us, for me, and for our girls. So we can all be together."

He rested his forehead against hers. "I love you. So much." "I love you, too."

They held each other until the desire for more overwhelmed them. They pulled apart just as Alena's phone beeped.

She couldn't help but smile as she read the text message. "It's Natalie. The girls wanted to say goodnight – she just wanted to let me know so I'd know why she called."

Jack nodded before she rose to her feet. She walked over to the counter and sat on the stool. Her phone rang.

She beamed when she answered. Her two little girls came into view.

"Hey, Mommy!"

"Hey, Emma! Hey, Lily! Are you two having fun with Ms. Natalie and Sophie?"

"So much fun, Mommy!" "Bestest time!"

"I'm so happy it's fun." The girls nodded excitedly. Alena then heard Natalie's voice as the twins looked over the phone.

Emma then whispered, "Got to sleep, Mommy!" "Say night!" Lily added.

Alena nodded. "Goodnight, my sweet girls. Mommy loves you."

"Love you!" The girls said as they both beamed. "Night, Mommy," Emma then added, followed by Lily, "See morrow!"

They then waved as Alena did the same. Natalie's face then came into view.

"I've loved having them over – and so has Sophie. They've had such a great time."

"I'm so glad they've all enjoyed themselves!"

Alena paused before she continued, "I'll let you put the girls to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

"See you in the morning." The screen then went black. Alena put her phone back in her pocket.

When she looked up, she found Jack leaned over the counter. He smiled at her.

"You really are an amazing mom. The girls are so lucky to have you."

Alena returned his smile. She grabbed his hands. "They're lucky to have you, too. I know you'll be a great father."

He rubbed the back of his head. "I don't know about that, but I know I already love them so incredibly much."

She squeezed his hands and rubbed circles over his thumbs. He returned the gesture.

She then took a breath and let go. She stood and placed her hands in her back pockets. "So, I should head back home. I, uh, guess we should say goodbye."

Tears pricked the corner of her eyes. He cleared his throat before he suggested, "Maybe not just yet."

She furrowed her eyebrows as he ran his fingers through his hair. He took a deep breath.

"C-Could you stay here tonight?"

A sigh escaped her lips. Her heart ached at the pleading in his voice.

"Oh, Jack…you know that isn't a good idea. You know that I love how affectionate we are with each other – all the good morning kisses on heads and shoulders. And that's exactly why we can't. We can't risk breaking the curse."

He clasped his hands together and rested his forehead on them, taking a deep breath as he did so. When he brought his eyes back to hers, he couldn't help the tears that formed.

"I d-don't want to be alone, Alena. I can't face this on my own – I need youhere with me."

He then gestured toward the couch. "I can sleep there while you take the bed. Just knowing you're only a room away will be more of a comfort than you know."

She let out a breath she didn't know she held. She closed her eyes and considered his request.

"I can only imagine the pain you're in – and how the guilt is eating you. I won't leave you, Jack –

I'll stay."

He wrapped his arms around her. He squeezed her waist and tangled his fingers in her hair. "Thank you. Thank you."

She nodded against him as she rubbed soothing circles on his back. When they pulled away, she twirled her hair around her fingers.

"You wouldn't happen to have some pajamas I could borrow, would you?"

He couldn't help but chuckle. "They're not gonna fit you, but yeah, I have something you can wear."

He shuffled off to the bedroom while she plopped down on the couch.

She sank against the cushions. The happiness she had dreamed about was so close – and yet, still so far.

His head still spun – and she found herself wondering if peace, happiness, and true love would even find her family again.

She shook her head from those thoughts. She didn't know what it would take or how it would happen, but this curse would be broken.

She turned her head at the sound of footsteps. She took a deep breath as she remembered all the people she fought for. As three sets of brown eyes flooded her mind, she knew she wouldn't stop until they were a family.

Jack appeared beside her. He held out the pajamas in his hands.

"Like I said, they won't quite fit, but you'll be comfortable."

She nodded as she took the clothes from him. He then pointed behind him.

"Bathroom's through there if you want to shower, and the washer and dryer is around the corner so you can wash what you're wearing."

"All of that sounds great – especially the shower part. You've got plenty of hot water, right?"

He couldn't help but chuckle. "Knock yourself out. And I also have some sweatshirts in the bottom drawer."

Alena rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I'm drained, not cold. There's a difference, you know."

"Oh, I do. But I also know you – you'll be needing that sweatshirt later."

She narrowed her eyes while he only grinned. She then sighed and relented, "I really should have known better – you know me better than practically anyone."

He only hummed while his grin remained. She smiled and shook her head before she headed off to the bathroom.