AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER
Belongs to ABC Studios and whoever else owns the show. I only own the plot. This chapter includes violence against a pregnant woman and an unborn child so if that's something that would upset you, I would skip the part that starts with 'In their home' and ends with ''No ill effects''.
"EMMA!" Snow and Charming chorused, running towards her, Neal and Rumplestiltskin close behind them. Shit, shit! No! Neal thought to himself. He couldn't lose her. Emma moaned in pain as she carefully sat up. Damn that hurt, she thought to herself.
"Oh thank God," Neal sighed in relief. She's okay, he thought. He had been so worried.
"We need to get you checked out and cleaned up at the hospital," David stated. Checked out? Hospital? No! Emma thought to herself as she started to rise. No hospitals! She couldn't risk that! Hospitals meant questions! Questions were bad!
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy," Neal soothed, steadying her.
"No. No hospitals. Neal," she said urgently.
"I know, I know. But I think we'll have to risk it," he said.
"No. Neal. Please. You know why. Please no hospitals. If they look, they'll see," she said, her voice panicked. Of course. The scars. She doesn't want any of them to see the scars, he realized.
"What if it's just me and Tom with you and the doctor? We both know you and you'll be safe," Neal suggested.
"I don't know," Emma replied. What are they hiding? Rumplestiltskin wondered. And why did the Savior seem so scared?
"Please, Emma," Neal said.
"Neal, I can't," Emma responded and then shrank back as David tried to lift part of her shirt to inspect one of her wounds. Vulnerable. She was vulnerable.
"Easy, Em," Neal comforted.
"How is she?" Regina queried as she and the others came up to them.
"Needing a hospital but refusing to go," David replied. I don't understand why she's so frightened about going to a hospital, he mused. They had medicine that helped you get well. And it wasn't like she had refused to go before for some bumps and bruises she had gotten in previous battles, so why was this time any different?
"Emma," Regina said in surprise. I've never seen her like this. What's going on? she wondered. She wasn't used to seeing the Savior rattled and she had to admit, it was a bit unnerving.
"Neal, I can't. Too many questions," Emma stated.
"Baby, we might have to risk it…just like we did the last time," Neal murmured. At this, their eyes locked and his mind went back.
Emma coughed and shivered violently.
"You're still burning up," Neal realized as he smoothed back her hair. Hate this. Hate seeing her like this, he mused. But what was he going to do? They didn't have any money. What little they had stolen, he had spent on medicine for her. But he couldn't let her get sicker and potentially die. Making a decision, he picked her up.
"Neal?" she murmured.
"You're going to be okay. I'm going to get you some help," replied.
"No. We can't. There'll be too many questions."
"I don't care."
"Neal," Emma said, breaking through his reverie.
"Please?" he asked.
"Okay," she agreed and he gently lifted her in his arms, the woman leaning into her ex.
"Regina, can you find Tom?" Neal requested.
"I'm here," Tom replied, stepping closer tothem.
"She needs to be looked over but she's freaked and in this state-" Neal began to say
"She'll only trust us," Tom realized. Of course she's freaked out…way she grew up…he thought to himself.
"Yeah," Neal confirmed.
"You need to be looked too, son. That bitch put you through hell," Rumplestiltskin reminded.
"Papa," Neal said and Regina inhaled sharply when she saw the dullness of pain in his eyes. Those had been the huntsman's eyes before she had taken his heart and even afterwards. Before anyone could stop her, she ran off, tears streaming down her face. Away. I need to get away, she thought. She was a monster who ruined everything she touched. Oh, she was able to pretend for a year and a half that she wasn't, but it didn't change the truth.
The huntsman's eyes were wide after the Evil Queen pulled away from him after the kiss.
"Guards! Take him to my bedchambers!" she barked. A moment later, the doors opened and two guards came out, grabbed the huntsman, and the dragged him away.
"Regina?" she gasped at the sound of Robin's voice. "Regina, are you all right?' he asked, reaching out to place his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't touch me, Robin! I'm a monster!" she exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion. How can he even bear to look at me much less touch me? she wondered. He should be running away from her, not trying to comfort her.
"You're not," Robin protested. Why would she that? he wondered.
"I am. Zelena was right: I don't deserve my happiness," Regina replied. I wanted to pretend that I did. That I changed. But I'm a villain and I don't deserve to be married to him or to have a stepson or even have Henry, she thought to herself. Why was she even fooling herself anymore? She didn't deserve this. Not one bit of it.
"Regina, you're not the Evil Queen anymore and everyone knows that," Robin reminded. "Where is this coming from, my love?" he wondered. I thought we had worked past this. Why is she once more insisting that she doesn't deserve to be happy? he mused.
"The look in Neal's eyes," Regina replied. "I put that look into the huntsman after I stole his heart. I raped him for years and then when he started to remember who he truly was, I killed him. I used to have a vault full of hearts that I had stolen," she continued. So glad I emptied that out and got rid of it, she thought. That had taken forever, but she had done it, returning hearts where they rightfully belonged.
"Gina, as you say, what you did and how you acted back then was truly horrible, but it was back then. You're different now," her husband reminded her, taking her hands in his and squeezing them gently.
"But-"
"No." Regina looked at him. How can he still love me after what I just told him? she wondered.
"I'm a monster, Robin. I don't deserve any of this."
Frowning, Snow watched as Regina and Robin talked. Should she go to her? She didn't want to interrupt, but she was worried about her stepmother. But what if she just made things worse? I'll talk to her later. She probably needs Robin right now, she decided. There were just some things she couldn't help with, especially when she was responsible for Regina's unhappiness in the first place. If only I hadn't fallen for Cora's fake sweetness back then, she thought to herself. Sure she had been a little girl, but ten years old was quite old enough to know when someone was bullshitting and she should've known Cora was. How could she have been so stupid as to fall for it? And how was she going to help Regina? She then watched as Regina said something to Robin and then ran off, Robin following her.
"Regina!" she exclaimed and started after her, only to have David grab her arm.
"Snow," he said.
"David I'm not going to ignore her pain!" she insisted.
"She may not be in the right frame of mind to listen," he reminded her and the woman sighed.
"You're right," she said.
"We will talk to her. I promise," he said. Don't know if I'll ever get as close to her as Snow wants, but I'll support her, he mused.
In Granny's diner, Ruby was cleaning up the mess that had been created in the diner.
"I'm really sorry, Granny. I really tried to-" she started to apologize.
"Oh honey, if I'm going to blame anyone, it'll be the witch and her monkeys," the woman stated and the younger wolf chuckled.
While this was going on, Killian had hurried towards the convent. I didn't see Tinkerbell out there during the attack and I saw Flying Monkeys heading here, he worried. As he approached, the pit he had in his stomach grew. He had a really bad feeling. He then skidded to a stop when he saw the structure which had gone lopsided from the attack. Oh damn, he thought. Tinkerbell. He had to find her. Without even thinking about it, he started to run in.
"Killian?" The sound of her voice behind him caused him to slow and turn.
"Tink?" he asked in relief. She's alive, he thought, letting go of the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding and took her in his arms.
"Were you worried about me?" she asked. I've never had anybody worry about me before, she thought to herself. While it was certainly nice, it was a bit weird.
"Aye," he replied. "I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost ya." I've never loved anyone as much as I have her. Not even Milah, he mused. How had he gotten so lucky? He didn't deserve this type of happiness, he knew that. He had killed countless scores of people and he had pillaged realms and kingdoms, and yet…he had someone who made him want to be a better man. He wasn't sure how he had gotten so lucky, but he wasn't going to muck it up. Then, he let out a small noise of surprise as the woman pulled him close and kissed him. He moaned and then deepened the kiss, placing one hand on the small of her back. Love her…so much, he thought to himself. No matter what, he was going to work on being the man she deserved.
Grumpy looked around and then seeing Nova, he went to her.
"Grumpy," she stated in surprise as he approached her. What is he doing? He looks so serious and determined, she thought to herself. Without waiting for a response, the dwarf pulled the fairy close and kissed her. Nova made a noise of surprise as she pulled away.
"Grumpy, we can't. You know what-"
"I don't care what everyone else says. I want you and I'm going to fight for you. For us," he interrupted. Nova smiled. He was willing to fight for her? Aw, screw it, she thought and kissed him. She had nearly died in that attack and she was so sick of denying her heart what it really wanted. And she wanted Grumpy, Blue's rules be damned. With a moan, Grumpy reciprocated the kiss, making his own kiss passionate and heartfelt. Damn, is this what it feels like to be in love? he wondered. If not, it had to be pretty damn close, and he was lucky to have it. If someone tried to take it from him, well…he wouldn't let it happen anymore.
While this was going on, Neal had taken Emma to the hospital and had gotten her into an examination room where they were met by one of the female doctors as well as Doctor Whale.
"Well, what do we have here?" Dr. Whale asked.
"The witch blasted Emma pretty hard and she needs to be looked over," Neal replied.
"Dr. Whale, we might need some privacy," the female doctor stated.
"No, it's okay. He can stay," Emma stated.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes.''
"Okay. How about them? Do you want them to leave?" she queried.
"No. I want them to stay." At this, the other woman nodded and Emma removed her shirt and Tom and Neal watched as her flesh was revealed, Neal's eyes becoming pained as he started seeing the familiar scars, his mind going back.
Neal removed his shirt, his eyes lust-filled as he saw the same emotion mirrored in the girl's eyes even as he removed her shirt. Almost immediately, Emma launched herself at him, kissing him roughly as he fell on his back.
"Emma," Neal moaned and as if by their own volition, his hands caressed her sides, moving upward. Feeling the smooth skin give way to puckered gashes, Neal's brows furrowed in confusion. "Emma…what is that?" he murmured, pulling away slightly.
"Skin, baby," she replied.
"Emma," Neal said.
"It's skin, that's all," she insisted.
"Baby, I think you're beautiful, no matter what. You know this," he stated. Emma sighed and then removed her shirt and Neal's eyes widened when he saw the scars adorning her chest. "Oh, baby. Who hurt you?" he murmured, trying to keep the anger out of his voice.
"You know the system as well as I do," Emma pointed out and he inhaled sharpy.
"I'm so sorry, baby. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again," he murmured, pulling her close. He then began placing kisses on her neck and the girl moaned.
Neal gave himself a mental shake and focused on the doctor who had started looking Emma over. Without a word, he stepped closer to her and slipped his hand into hers, their fingers intertwining. Emma smiled at Neal gratefully. Glad he's here, she thought. She wasn't really sure what she'd do without him right now. If he hadn't been here, she would've just insisted that she was fine and taken care of the wounds Zelena had given her by herself. And why not? She had taken care great care of herself as a kid. She didn't need anyone else fussing over her. She was fine. Just fine. Her eyes then flickered to Dr. Whale as he finished his examination.
"There's nothing too serious here but I'm going to prescribe some antibiotics to ward off infection. As long as you take the medication, you shouldn't need to worry," he announced.
"Thanks, Dr. Frankenstein," Emma said.
"Please. Let's stick with Whale," the man requested. "And you're welcome," he added. I never thought I'd be using my skills this way, he thought to himself. But honestly, it felt right. He was actually doing a lot of good as a doctor here and that was something he hadn't had for a long time. Yes, he had been looking for a way to revive his brother, but after the fiasco of transplanting a different heart into Regina's ex, he had finally realized that what he was doing was atrocious. Why did it take me so long to realize how wrong it was? he wondered. Well, no matter. He had changed and he was going to do what he could to prove it. Neal nodded as Emma put her shirt back on.
"Anything we should look for besides the usual?" Neal wondered.
"Not that I'm seeing, but if she starts feeling short of breath or something doesn't feel right, come see me," Dr. Whale replied.
"Babe, I'm fine. Let's go," Emma said, tugging on Neal's arm and grinning, Neal let the Savior pull him away, Tom close behind them. Babe. She had called him 'Babe'. Never thought I'd hear another pet name from her, he thought to himself. It felt nice, if he was going to be completely honest. And he was going to be. Missed her so much, he thought to himself. And now he had her back. How had he gotten so lucky? He had a second chance and he knew that he didn't deserve it, but he had it. And he was going to do whatever it took to protect it. He just needed to remember that. They walked out of the doctor's office and to Emma's surprise, the others were waiting for her.
"I'm okay," she assured them. Not going to let them worry about me, she thought to herself. plus, she didn't really want to get into things at the moment.
"Are you sure?" Snow White queried.
"Yes," Emma replied. "Let's just get out of here," she insisted.
"Emma," David said.
"Dad…please…just not now," Emma responded. At this, he sighed and nodded. She just got put through the wringer. Of course she doesn't feel like talking things out, he thought to himself.
"Come on. Let me take you home," Neal said.
''I don't have a home here,'' Emma corrected him. "I mean, not anymore,'' she continued.
"You can stay with us," Snow offered.
"Isn't my room the nursery?" Emma asked. I was gone and they had a baby. They wouldn't need me, she thought to herself. After all, it was what the Parkers had done when she was three.
"No. We added another room,'' David told her, looking at her in confusion. Why would she think that we would get rid of her room? he wondered. She was their daughter and would always have a home with them.
''You're our daughter,'' Snow said. What is she getting at? she thought to herself.
''Y-you still want me?" their daughter asked softly. I thought for sure…her thought trailed off as she looked at them.
"Emma. As Snow said, you're our daughter. Just because we're having another baby, that doesn't mean we're getting rid of you. That's not how it works," David stated.
"Okay," the woman responded. They'll get tired of me eventually, but I'll take what they'll give me for now, she mused.
"Come on. Let's go," Snow said and Emma nodded and let Neal and her parents lead her back to the loft where Snow and David watched as Neal and Emma sat on the bed. What's going on with them? They're both acting like they can't trust us, the prince thought to himself. Why would they think that? It didn't make any sense. They knew them. They knew that they would do anything to protect them.
"Do you mind…?" Emma asked softly.
"Of course not," Snow interjected and then glared at David who seemed like he was about to interject. Then, the fairytale couple went downstairs.
"I don't like this," David admitted.
"I don't either but it wouldn't be fair to crowd her when she needs him," Snow responded. And it's hard. I just want to wrap her in a hug and tell her everything's going to be okay, she thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Regina had reached her home and was throwing things into a suitcase haphazardly. I need to go. If I leave, Henry, Robin, and Roland won't be touched by my darkness. I won't ruin them, she thought to herself. She didn't want to ruin them. They were good, she was evil. She didn't deserve to be around them. She didn't deserve the happy ending she had gotten.
"What-why are you packing your clothes?" At the sound of her son's voice, Regina whirled around just in to see Robin and Roland hurry into the room.
"Regina?" Robin asked. What's going on here? he wondered.
"I have to go. I don't deserve this-this happiness," Regina stated.
"Bullshit!" Henry spat out.
"Henry Daniel Mills, you watch your language," Regina scolded.
"Gina, don't you like me anymore?" Roland asked and the woman closed her eyes, trying not to cry at the plaintive tone.
"Mom?"
"Henry, I'm a villain. I hunted a little girl down because of a momentary lapse of judgment, I decimated entire villages full of people just because they helped her. I-I ruined the Huntsman and…I killed him." Henry inhaled sharply. I knew that she had something to do with Graham's death. It's why I had been so afraid to get close to my other mom for a time. I was afraid she'd hurt her too, he thought. But he had been ten-years old then and he was two years older now. He knew that things weren't as black and white as he had previously thought.
"Mom, I know. I knew right away when he-" Regina's voice trailed off.
"I know that," Henry reminded.
"And that's why I have to leave. You have what you wanted. You brought the happy endings back for Snow and everyone else. I'm a villain. Villains don't get happy endings," Regina said.
"No!" Henry exclaimed. "I was wrong, Mom. I was wrong! Good, evil…I knew the book, but I didn't-I didn't really-"
"See that everyone has good and bad sides," Robin finished.
"Yes," Henry agreed.
"Regina, would you change any of it if you could?" Robin asked. She let out a deep breath, mulling things over. Would she have changed anything? After all, it was like she said in Neverland, she didn't truly regret her actions because they had led her to Henry
"Some. I don't-I know I shouldn't have blamed Snow. But everything I did…it got me Henry, so I don't know," she answered and the man nodded. That was an honest answer. Not that he expected anything less from his wife.
"I love you, Mom. And I want you to stay with us," Henry told her. Regina smiled as she blinked back tears. I haven't lost him, she thought. She hadn't lost him. He still loved her. They still loved her..even knowing what they did about her. But how could they?
"Henry," she whispered and then pulled the boy into a hug, holding him tight, reveling in the embrace that was just as vise-like. Robin watched the scene, his eyes clouded. Don't want her to leave, he thought to himself.
"Gina," Roland's voice was quiet as he walked up to them. At this, both Regina and Henry turned to him.
"So, uh, I guess you guys are my stepbrother and stepdad, huh?" he queried.
"We had no intention of keeping it from you and the way you found out about us-" Robin began.
"Wasn't ideal, but knowing Mom, she probably had something planned for telling me," Henry interrupted.
"Yes," Robin confirmed, smiling and Regina sighed in relief. He knew I wasn't deliberately keeping it from him. Thank God, she thought to herself. She then smiled at Robin as she thought back to the day they had made things official.
Regina smoothed out the wrinkles in the dress and blew out a breath as she stared at herself in the mirror. The dress was a shimmering pale blue that was almost white, stopping just above her knees, with a collar of roses and tulips embroidered at the neck. Here goes nothing, she thought to herself.
"Well, aren't you the fairest in all the land?" Regina chuckled and turned around to see her stepdaughter.
"That's your moniker, Dear," she reminded.
"No. It's yours. You look absolutely gorgeous. Even better than-" Flushing, Snow cut herself off as she realized what she was saying. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything," she hurriedly apologized and the older woman waved her hand dismissively.
"Quite all right," she told her.
"I just came to see if you needed anything before we got started, but I can send in someone else if you'd prefer," came the response.
"Snow, you're fine," Regina assured. "And no, I don't need anything, Dear," she continued. Snow gave her a hesitant smile and Regina sighed. Didn't think I'd be having this conversation now, but it's not like there's ever going to a great time have it, she thought to herself. "Daniel wasn't your fault. I realize that now. I should've realized it sooner," she said. "You were a child."
"I was ten. That's old enough to know when someone's bullshitting and I should've realized it," Snow pointed out. I can't believe I was so stupid and naïve, she thought to herself.
"You had just lost your mother and she played on your emotions from that. I should've realized. I know my mother," Regina stated. Why didn't I see it back then? Why did I let my grief and anger consume me so much? she wondered.
"It's okay. I have you back now," Snow told her. "And even if you never forgive me for my part in Daniel's death, that's okay. Because I don't deserve it," she continued.
"I'm…still working on that part," Regina admitted and Snow nodded in understanding. The younger woman started to say something when the sounds of an organ was heard.
"It's time. Again, you look beautiful," Snow stated, giving her a quick hug before rushing back to the others. Regina let out a laughing scoff as she shook her head and walked down the aisle, a small bouquet of flowers in her hand. When she reached the end of the aisle, she smiled at Robin, her eyes perusing the man as she took in the nice suit. He sure cleans up nicely, she thought to herself. Granted, she would've married him even in his forest clothes, but she could admit, she was definitely appreciating the view. She then gave herself a mental shake as she listened to the official who was speaking and turned to smile at the man who had captured her heart.
"Do you, Robin Locksley, take Regina Mills as your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do," Robin confirmed.
"And do you, Regina Mills, take Robin Locksley as your lawfully wedded husband?" the officiant queried.
"I do," Regina responded.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Grinning, the couple kissed.
Feeling a hand on her wrist, Regina gave herself a shake.
"I'm sorry. What?" she queried.
"I was wondering how you knew…that he was The One. I thought True Love only came around once," Henry said, his voice a bit hesitant. Not that I don't want her happy. I'm just confused as to how this all works, he mused.
"Not necessarily. Within magic users it's a bit more special but if you love someone-like really love someone-it's classified as True Love," Regina explained.
"But Grandma and Grandpa aren't magic users, and according to my book, Grandpa Rumple bottled their True Love for the Curse," Henry pointed out.
"They're Snow and David. That's the best explanation I can give you even though I don't understand it myself," Regina replied. I'll have to ask him about that, she thought to herself. at this, Henry nodded.
"Have you seen Archie and Pongo around?" he queried.
"I haven't," the woman answered. "But I'm sure they came back with the curse," she assured. I'll have to look into that, she mused. If someone else was missing, she needed to figure it out and decide what they were going to do about finding them. Yeah, she still wasn't used to trying to protect people, but she was trying.
In her farmhouse, Zelena watched the events through a mirror. NO! They're rallying around her! This isn't how it's supposed to go! she thought to herself, resisting the urge to stamp her foot. As she ground her teeth, an itching sensation came over her hand and she looked down to see the skin going from a pale white to a blotchy green. With an enraged exclamation, she clapped a hand over the skin. I'm not jealous. I'm not jealous, she thought. She had no reason to be. Hearing a thump, she sighed. Oh, right. Them, she thought to herself with a sigh and then teleported herself to the room she was keeping them in and with a wave of her hand, revealed a man who was bound and gagged with a stuffed dalmatian plush lying next to him.
"What's that, Dearie? I can't hear you," she taunted and then laughed. "But honestly, seeing a grown man with child's toy is ridiculous," she sneered, waving a hand at the toy. Immediately, it became real and the dog lunged at her, teeth bared. Zelena quickly flicked her wrist at the animal and it disappeared from the house, appearing on Main Street. With a whimper, the dog began running. Help. Help. Need to get help, he thought. His master was in danger. In Granny's diner, Ruby and Granny looked up at the faint barking.
"Is that-" Granny asked.
"Pongo?" Ruby finished as she opened the door and the dog bounded into the establishment, barking and whining. "Pongo, what's wrong? Where's Archie?" she asked, kneeling down so that she and the dog were eye level. Danger! Danger! Witch has him! Pongo told her, though anyone else would just hear barks. The witch we're all fighting? Ruby asked. Yes! Pongo barked. They needed to save his human.
"Okay. Don't worry. We're going to save him," Ruby assured, rubbing his head soothingly. "Come on. Let's get you inside." The dog followed her inside. Hopefully, they would be able to help him.
At her farmhouse, Zelena fumed as she prepared her cauldron. I've got the brain and the heart. I just need courage and the blood of an innocent, she thought to herself. Once she had that, everything would be better. She was going to have everything she wanted. She just needed two ingredients. Summoning her magic, she pulled a hand mirror to her and grinned when she spotted Snow White. Perfect, she thought to herself. As she said a spell, she focused on the dark-haired woman, grinning as she saw the magic working.
In their home, Snow let out a cry of pain as she clutched her stomach and David grabbed her.
''Snow!'' he shouted.
''David, it hurts,'' she whimpered.
''I'm here,'' he soothed even as he texted Regina to let her know what was going on.
In her home, Regina's eyes flickered towards her phone and she answered it.
''Little late for a call, Sheriff,'' she noted.
''Something's happening to Snow and the baby,'' David said and Regina immediately teleported herself there as Snow screamed again.
''Snow!'' Regina exclaimed as she went to her. Almost immediately, Zelena teleported herself in.
''Having problems are we?'' she taunted. David raised his gun and Zelena majicked it away, the weapon landing in her cauldron.
''You're not getting the baby,'' Regina declared and for a response, Zelena tossed her across the room with a flick of her wrist, causing the woman to moan and slump forward.
''Regina!" Zelena smirked at the cries of the Charmings and turned to the couple even as David tried to rush her. However, Zelena just whisked him across the room the same way she had Regina.
''David!'' Snow exclaimed.
''Oh don't worry, Dear. Everything will be okay once I have what I need,'' Zelena told her as she placed a hand on her stomach. Snow cried out in pain and Zelena smiled as she summoned a small bottle to her. When the blood came, Zelena whisked some of the blood downward and into the bottle. Once it was full, she poofed it away. Then, she touched Snow's stomach again and she whimpered as the witch began whispering in a foreign language and the blood that had leaked out started receding back into the woman's body and smiled as she felt everything go back to how it was. ''There you go. Your little one is safe and sound with no ill effects." With a delighted cackle, she poofed away, returning to her farm. She poured the blood into the cauldron and her eyes lit up as the mixture bubbled and crackled. Then, a beacon of green and black light appeared. My time portal, she thought to herself. This was her ticket to everything she desired. Smiling, she summoned her broom to her and took off, going into the portal. Then, she disappeared.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Full disclosure, when I started this fic, I had a specific conclusion for the story in mind but then-as it often happens-this plan changed and I came up with a new idea. I'm not sure how long it'll take for me to get to the end, but I hope you all enjoy the ride.