35,000 feet above the Atlantic

"Baelfire?"

"Hello Papa. Have you missed me?"

Rumple felt like his heart had stopped. There, right in front of him, and wearing what appeared to be a pilot's uniform, stood his first son, who he hadn't seen in over ten years. The son who'd died, sacrificing his life to save Storybrooke from Zelena.

It was impossible, but there he was, staring down at him?

"No! This…this…you can't be real?" He immediately became flustered. "You can't be real?" he repeated, watching as his beloved son, deceased for over nearly a decade, just gave him that lopsided grin. "Am I dreaming this?"

"Your dead son returns, wearing a Captain's uniform, and stands in front of you on a plane, seven miles up, half-way over the Atlantic? Yes, of course it's a dream. Take a look around you?"

Tearing his eyes from Baelfire's, he noticed the air stewardess who'd spoken to him just a moment ago, now seemed to be frozen as she perched over Gideon's bed-seat, still, as though she'd been frozen. Everything and everyone seemed to have stopped, apart from an odd low noise of the engine sounding very different. Even a male steward nearby seemed to be caught midway through pouring out a tea for a passenger, the brown liquid suspended in mid-air.

"So none of this is real? My mind playing tricks on me?"

"Well…it's coming from your mind, but who's to say it's not real?"

Baelfire, or Neal to those who who remembered him, looked down at the sleeping youngster in the seat next to Rumple's. "My little brother's becoming a handsome little fella, isn't he? Gideon? Unusual name, but better than the one you gave me, I guess. Do you think he looks anything like me?"

He ignored the question, still trying to take it all in. "If this is a dream…"

"Even when you're dreaming, you can still get up and give me a hug, you know?"

With that he was on his feet in an instant, trying to stand, not waiting for the buttons to make the bed turn back into a seat. And as he did so, Neal/Baelfire immediately gathering him into a hug. The feeling of his solid frame resting against him overwhelmed Rumple completely, and he tried, unsuccessfully, to stop himself weeping.

"Oh, Bae…" was all he could manage, as sobs came regardless. It may have been a dream, but it felt real enough to him right now, and he didn't want the moment to end. "I've missed you so much..."

Neal pulled his father in tighter, kissing the top of his head, but not letting him go. They stayed like that for at least a minute until Rumple composed himself.

"You do know I'm in the better place now? But you'd be surprised just how much I've seen of you all, since I've been gone."

Rumple stepped back, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket to dab his eyes.

"So you've been keeping an eye on Henry?"

"Him more than anyone," he gave him a proud grin. "When you next see him, tell him you spoke to me? He'll believe you, despite what you might think. Oh, and if you remember, tell him I said not to let his mothers' personal problems put him off starting at Harvard next month? And when he does finally get there, not to sign up for that Modernism and Poetry crap they suggested he register for! He should stick on the Classic Literature modules. He's got a flair for that! It'll help because he's going to make a brilliant writer one day. "

"You seem to know an awful lot about it? Considering you're…um…"

"Dead? Yeah well, what can I say? He's my boy! And most important, tell him I'm very proud of him."

"I've already told him..." He felt his lower lip start to tremble, still trying to control himself. "Several times recently."

"Good, keep doing it. And I've even checked up on my little brother from time to time. Bright lad, isn't he, Gid, for his age?"

"Very! He takes after his-" Rumple stopped himself, remembering recent events, and he could from the change of expression that Baelfire already knew something, as his smile dimmed.

"Yeah. I'm sorry about what happened between you and Belle, papa. That was definitely not something I was expecting!"

"You and me both, my boy." He shook his head. But then a disturbing thought suddenly came.

"Wait! You knew about that?" Was he being set up? "This is all Merlin's doing, isn't it? This is just him trying to stop me from going back to Storybrooke!" He looked around at the still-frozen-in-time passengers. "He said he'd get someone to talk to me! To persuade me! You're not my Bae, you're an imposter! Who are you? How could you-"

"Papa, calm down!" He interrupted him putting a hand on his shoulder. "Yes, you're right, Merlin did have a hand in this, but not in the way you think! You may be dreaming all this, but only because it was the only way to get through to you. I really am Bae, though even you know I prefer to be called Neal since I grew up? To prove it, ask me a question? Any question about your son, and I'll prove to you I am who I say I am!"

But no question came as Rumple still tried to figure out what was happening.

"After you left him, Merlin reached out to Olympus and asked a favour of the gods, for a very good reason. In fact, Zeus himself appeared to me, and he told me - no, he asked me - to reach out to you and gave me the means to do it. Imagine that? The Lord of the Gods asking little me? It's not something they do, but they felt under the circumstances, it was justified."

"The circumstances? You mean keeping me from going back to the source of my power?"

"Back to being the Dark One? Yes. That's exactly what they've asked me to do. They want me to persuade you never to go back. Ever."

"Bae, even now, after everything you've seen, you still don't seem to understand? I don't have control! It's immortal! It can't be killed, and if any fool kills me, they become-"

"Precisely! The Dark one can't be killed, but it can be stopped! Papa, the more you stay away from the world of magic, the weaker it gets. You can't escape it, but it's completely supressed while you're away from anywhere with magic. You're already a very rich man and you can easily live a very comfortable life away from there, surely? Just think, you could enjoy the rest of your life uncontrolled! Imagine that? Having real freedom!"

"Then what? Freedom to grow old and die? Then I go face the Celestial Court, and after they look at my history, then send me straight to Hell for all eternity! I know I can't avoid that fate forever, but anything's got to be better than that too early?"

"What makes you so certain you'd go to Hell? Why wouldn't you go to Purgatory, until you've confessed and atoned, like everyone else?"

"You can't be serious?" His voice started to rise. "Because I'm the Dark One! I'm murdered thousands! I've caused misery and suffering over centuries!"

"Very true, but it was The Dark One did all that, not you! Papa, it's you that doesn't understand. When you finally die and face the Court, you'll be tried as Rumpelstiltskin, not the Dark One! Provided you haven't committed any more serious crimes, like murder, or rape or something else like that before you were taken over, you'd only be tried and judged as you. The real you! Rumpelstiltskin, the spinner! Zeus and the Gods already know how the Darkness works with their hosts and they take that into account. Do you remember Zoso, the Dark One before you? Well, believe it or not, he's in Paradise now, not Hell, happy with his family after spending a long time in Purgatory for his own crimes. Again, not the Dark One's! Yes, it's true that Nimue and Gorgon are being punished for eternity in Hell, but that's only because they committed murders before the darkness even got to them!"

Baelfire watched him as he tried to process everything he was being told. He guessed he had, until now, expected nothing less than his eventual eternal damnation. Yet another reason for him to cling on to the power of the Dark One?

"Think about it, papa. Of the last twenty-three Dark Ones before you, over half have ended up, eventually, in the better place, or Paradise or Heaven or wherever you choose to call it, after going through a long Purgatory. Both your parents, like Cora, ended up in the other place. But you don't have to!"

"If that was true, and I'd be forgiven eventually, then why did Zeus go to all the trouble of sending you to-"

"Because you have an extremely rare chance, a one-off chance, to end the reign of the Dark One's terror forever! You can't kill it, but you can enslave it, by not going back. You can stop it ruining some other poor bastard's life after you! That alone's got to be worth it, surely? Think how many future lives you'll save by not letting it get out yet again the moment you cross that town line? And you know what? The god's would take that sacrifice into account. And you'd finally have a chance to live your own life? Maybe meet someone else, someone who appreciates you for you? Let's face it, you're a wealthy guy and you're not unattractive. There's bound to be someone out there for you. How about letting Gideon grow up without all the magic and dark crap that I had to go through? And as for all our Storybrooke property, the businesses and money, how about getting Henry to sell it for you?"

"And when I die? What happens to the Dark One then?"

"You already know the answer to that. It'll remain stuck inside your corpse, unable to escape unless someone's stupid enough to bring your bones back to a land with magic, where it could escape." He could see he was getting through to him. "It'll dissolve over the centuries because it'll have nowhere to go, especially if you get yourself cremated. Now, do you see why Merlin got Zeus to talk to me, to talk to you? You could do this, papa! You could save thousands who haven't even been born yet? Papa, this is your one chance to do the right thing!"

"But-"

"Let's go sit over here?" He pointed to the back of the First Class lounge. "I see they've even got a bar on her? Nice, very nice. Not exactly slumming it on this trip, are you? Two tickets up here instead of Coach must have cost you a bloody fortune?" He looked at the seats in front of the bar, in front of the frozen steward. "You know something? It's been a very long time since I had a decent scotch. Fancy joining me?"

"Bae. I-"

This was unbelievable! He was now supposedly in a more than vivid dream, standing with his ten-years-dead son, on a frozen-in-time airplane, being asked if he wanted a drink? But whatever happened next, he didn't want to wake up from it. Or him. Or let go of the moment!

"I know what you're thinking. But in this dream, we're not frozen in time, we're just moving super quickly, if that makes sense? That's why you can still hear an engine noise? Come on, let me fix you that drink, and we'll talk."

Storybrooke Harbour

The Jolly Roger sailed in on the first high tide, just before six in the morning, Robin and a few others already waiting by the dockside, including Henry. And as they watched the legendary brigantine finally moor into place, Henry took the former outlaw to one side.

"So, do you know what you're going to do? Have you spoken to Roland?"

"I told him almost everything I knew. Namely, that his stepmother was not in control of her mind, and that she'd been poisoned against us, and the same thing had happened to Emma, Snow and Ruby. And that the poison's worn off now, and we'd met."

"What did he say?"

"He wants to meet her. And your other mother."

"Good. So, are you going to forgive her? Because either way, mum's carrying that baby of yours, so it's kinda important?"

"I'm painfully aware, and it's one of several reasons why I've barely slept since she came back. I'll talk to her, but a lot will hinge on Roland's reaction, once they've spoken." They watched as a metal bridge was attached to the side of the ship. "First, I need to have a private chat with Killian. Come on, let's get on with it."

~oOo~

As they started to board the ship, they were unaware they were being watched from high up on one of the hills surrounding the harbour. By two women, one holding a pair of binoculars.

"Who's down there?" Emma squinted hard to see, against the rising of the low sun on the horizon. "I can't tell from this far out. Dammit, life's so much easier with magic! Can you see Hope yet?"

"No," Regina adjusted Henry's old student field binoculars. "Guyliner's…Killian's on deck by the wheel, but there's no sign of her."

"He's probably keeping her down below, to keep her safe." Safe from me.

"Probably. But I can see Robin! He's standing next to Henry, by the pier. And Merlin's on his right, by the look of it."

"This is unbearable! I know Henry asked us to stay away till he's met him, but Hope's down there! No, it's no good, I'm going down."

"No Emma, wait? Look, he's managed to bring them all here without our help so far, so just be patient. If they see either of us too soon, it could just make things worse, you know that!"

Inside the Jolly Roger

In the legendary sailing ship in the harbour, over the next hour Henry and Robin brought Killian up to speed with everything that had happened since he'd first sailed from Storybrooke almost one month ago. Half an hour in, and David Nolan appeared, and joined them, having been invited by Henry. And as they now sat around the large galley table, mulling over their next steps, Henry left the four of them to take Honour up top to play on the deck.

"So, they're both staying at Regina's, they've been charged, and are awaiting trial?"

"That's right, Killian," Merlin answered for them. "Snow's charges have been dropped in view of the fact they were relatively minor, and her recent misfortune means she'll remain in hospital for the foreseeable future, pending a transplant. That's what I need to talk to her about. Ruby's now left Storybrooke, so I gather from Hank there's little point in him taking any action against her. Unless-"

"I doubt you'll be seeing her back here," Killian interjected. "I spoke to her an hour before we left Portland. She told me she and Belle had decided to hitch a ride on a schooner heading south later today. In fact…" He stood, walking over to a small wooden dresser, opening a drawer to pull something out. "She's pretty sure she won't be returning here ever again. She asked me to pass on these letters she's written for you David, Dorothy, Snow, and Granny." He passed Charming a white envelope addressed to him.

Merlin, sitting at the end of the table, stood. "Gentlemen, may I offer my own thoughts?Having listened to and spending some time with Henry this week. And having talked to Ruby, Belle, and, most importantly, Rumpelstiltskin, I do believe the unfortunate potion Henry spoke of, did indeed cause the recent problems and the calamitous results. None of them were in control of their feelings or thoughts, as he suspected. Hence the reason three of them are now overwhelmed with guilt. So much so, in Snow's case, that she attempted to end her own life." Charming turned away, looking down at the floor. "I'm sorry. I'll do all I can to help her of course, but under the circumstances, I probably need to remove her from Storybrooke and take her to see a hepatologist, a liver specialist, probably in New York or Boston. I'll explain everything to you after, David, once we're finished here."

"You said Regina abased herself?" Killian changed the subject, the question aimed at Robin. "She took the knee when she returned, in front of others?"

He nodded. "Yes, in front of the entire pub. I told her to stop and get up."

Killian's brow rose as he slowly shook his head. "It's the ultimate act of submission amongst the nobles that have faced defeat. I've seen it happen once before. It was followed by the wretched prince concerned having his head sliced clean from his shoulders, in front of his family. Very grim."

Robin winced. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because it's a sign that whatever she said to you when she did it, Regina meant every word. It's a total public humiliation, awaiting your sentence in whatever form it takes. Hearing that, I believe she truly regrets everything."

"And I believe her. Which is why, subject to what happens when she sees Roland, I'm going to tell her I've forgiven her. If he does."

"I've already forgiven Snow, and told her," David added. "For what happened with Ruby, anyway. I saw from the dream catcher everything started from that day the two of them went into the cottage? As Henry's probably told you, we saw the moment they inhaled the poison. Sadly I also found out about something else, dating back to before Snow and I were married. So things aren't the same. I'm visiting her again today but, we'll see, I guess."

"And how about you, Killian?" Merlin fixed him with a beady eye and the former pirate had the unnerving sense that the man already knew the outcome of any question he asked. "Have you reached any conclusions?"

"I haven't even spoken to Emma yet. Henry's already told me everything he knows but, I'd like to see those dream catcher images Robin's viewed, before I make up my mind."

"I really wouldn't recommend it, Killian!" Robin shook his head. "It was bad enough seeing our wives having sex with each other, but listening to what they were saying about us after was very…dispiriting, to say the least? That's what hurt me the most if I'm honest."

"I have to agreed with Robin, Killian." David remembered sitting there, in Gold's study, watching Snow and Ruby. "You have to keep reminding yourself they were acting under the effects of a potion. It wasn't them."

"Regardless, if I still wished to see it before reaching a decision? Merlin, could you arrange it for me?"

Meanwhile…

"Papa, wake up?"

In the darkness, the distant voice to his right seemed to be becoming louder.

"Wake up!"

"Wha? Erm…what?" Rumple, lying flat out on his sky bed, shivered as he pulled up the side of his eye mask, tossing his blanket aside, to find his son staring at him. "Gideon?"

"Papa, the lady asked me if you wanted dinner, ages ago!" He pointed to a stewardess nearby, who was busy laying out a loaded tray on the table of another passenger. "You ordered it before we took off, remember? She tried to wake you before, but she couldn't!"

"Erm…" It took a few moments to compose himself, shaking himself out of his sleepiness. As The Dark One, he had no need of sleep, but away from all his magical powers, he needed it just like everyone else. "I'm sorry my boy, I was fast asleep."

"I'm hungry, papa. Can I have some dinner too now?"

Rumple pushed the relevant buttons, yawning and stretching as it slowly turned back into a seat. As his head started to clear and his eyes focused, he saw Gideon now had his seat upright with his tray in place, having worked out the buttons already. And behind him, a pretty young stewardess was also looking back at him with a wide smile.

"Of course you can. I'm so sorry Gideon, go ahead and order what you want?" He felt a little deflated at having woken up, as he'd been dreaming about Baelfire, and the two of them having a long conversation over drinks at the bar. One of the best dreams he'd ever had in his entire life. And now, the stewardess now turned back to him.

"Hello again, sir. You were asleep when I last passed. Would you like your food now, with your son? You ordered boeuf en-croute, I believe?"

As he nodded and sat up, he noticed Gideon was playing with something he thought he recognised. Something that jogged a memory.

"What's that, my boy? That little straw doll? Where did you get it?"

"The Captain gave it to me when you were fast asleep. He was really nice papa! He even sat down here with me for a little while, and asked me what we were going to do in London when we got there? I told him I was a little bit nervous of flying and he gave me this to squeeze if I get frightened when we start to land? He said he used to get frightened too, so it's got a little bit of magic inside to help me keep calm. But I think he was just being silly."

Rumple looked closer. The little twisted straw doll, about six inches tall and wearing a little red costume, barely bigger than the boy's hand, reminded him of one he'd once given to another little boy, centuries ago. In fact, it looked almost identical.

"The Captain you say? That must have been a nice surprise? And he sat here, with you?"

"For a little while. He left his glass behind, though?" Gideon pointed to the opposite aisle seat, and an almost empty crystal whisky glass on the little side table. "He must have forgotten it."

He sat up and moved over his son to the glass, picking it up, before smelling the remaining contents. It was whisky all right, but no captain on duty would ever drink alcohol?

"I see. Did he say anything else."

"Yes. He said something really odd. He told me to tell you, to always do what was right, and not make the same mistake twice. Not sure what he meant though?"

Mifflin Street

An hour after they'd left the spot overlooking the harbour. As Regina sat in the lounge and Emma paced the room like a caged tigress, both waiting to hear back from Henry, the large brass knocker on the front door echoed through the room.

Henry had already forewarned Regina that they were coming, so she was more than anxious when she opened it, to find her husband staring up at her from the steps.

"Robin."

"Regina. May we come in?"

It was only then she noticed his twelve-year-old son, standing nervously behind him. He appeared to be having another growth spurt, as he seemed to be at least another inch taller than last month?

"Of course you can! After all, it's your-" She just managed to stop herself. It was his home, until she threw him out. "Come on in, you too Roland."

The boy didn't answer, just looked at her curiously as he followed his father inside, his eyes, like Robin's, never leaving her, before, into the lobby of the house that had been his home until a month ago.

Roland waited until they'd been led into the drawing room.

"Is Emma here?"

"She's just gone upstairs. She thought it would be best to stay back. She didn't want to frighten you, after what happened…last time?"

"I'm not frightened of her!" Roland's tone wasn't cold, but it was unusually direct for him. "I want to see her anyway! Is it true she doesn't have any magic right now?"

"It's true. Neither of us have. Do you remember in Grannie's, when Henry put these on us?" She showed him her wrist, with the multi-coloured tattoo on it, like a bangle. "They block all of our magic."

"Good, it makes you the same as us!" He looked closer. "So, what happens when you take them off? Do you go all stupid and weird again?"

She tried to ignore his tone. "No Rolly. My being horrible like that, had nothing to do with my magic. I, or I should say we, were under the effects of a potion. I-"

"I know!" Henry told me. Merlin did too. They told me what happened."

She wasn't sure how to answer that. They both sat down on the sofa facing her. Fortunately, Robin spoke first.

"Regina, as you can imagine, ever since I watched that dream catcher at Gold's place, I've had many conversations with Roland about this. I also told him about you coming to the inn the other day, and the fact you said you were pregnant with our baby."

She nodded. "It's true, I'd never lie about something like that, Robin. I took a test at a clinic in Miami after someone called the Dragon told me I was pregnant in New York. I'll make an appointment to be seen here, once I know I'll be safe from being attacked if I leave here, because I may not be able to defend myself. I'm probably now between seven and right weeks gone. You're welcome to join me, if…" If he cared? If he still felt anything for her? But she knew she had to get this out first. And knew she'd probably be repeating herself for weeks to come. But first she needed to convince his son. If she couldn't convince Roland, Robin would probably never accept her either. "…if you want to come?"

He nodded but didn't say anything. So, she turned back to his son.

"Roland, despite everything that's happened, I love your father, and you, very, very much! But that terrible potion that Emma and I accidently ingested in that cottage, made me think that Emma was the only one I loved? It made me think very different thoughts and do terrible things. I wanted Emma, and only her, and nothing else mattered. Not you, not Henry, not your father; none of it mattered! Only Emma. And that was why I acted so abysmally. I would give anything to take back the last month, and I will never be able to apologise to you enough for what happened." She watched his eyes closely as he listened, to see if he believed her? "Did Henry also tell you about his grandmother, and Ruby, from the diner?"

"Yeah. He said Snow was so upset after, she tried to kill herself."

"Yes. Well that's how I felt when the potion first wore off!" She looked down at the floor in shame just as Robin's eyes widened in surprise. She'd never mentioned that bit? "I first woke up from it in Miami, and I felt sick as a result. And the only thing that stopped me trying to, was the fact I was carrying your father's child! Your little brother or sister. I could never do that to my baby."

Roland sat quietly, thinking through everything he'd heard, until, slowly nodding to himself, he looked back at his father.

"Can we see Emma now?"

Portland Harbour – that same afternoon

"Having second thoughts?"

The two women sat side-by-side near the stern of the boat, watching the mouth of the port grow smaller as the yacht moved out into open water.

"Hundreds. Two weeks ago, I was happily married, and living with my son in the nearest thing to a fairy tale town." She sighed, loudly. "And now? I'm divorced, and can't be sure just when I'll see my son again. I screwed up, Livvy! Big time!"

"We all do, Belle. I'm sure you'll see him again, as your husband promised." The taller woman draped an arm around her shoulder, as she watched Ruby, now wearing the tightest crop top and shorts as she stood at the wheel, standing in front of Jerard, being instructed how to sail into the gentle breeze. "From what you were saying, he's put enough time into arranging a lawyer to act for you, and sort out the money and stuff, so it doesn't sound like he'd go back on a deal."

"No, Rumple never goes back on a deal!" His name left her lips before she thought better.

"Rumple?" Olivia looked confused.

"It was his nickname. Rumplestiltskin?"

"Oh, I see." She pulled the smaller woman into her a little tighter. "Well let's see if we can help take your mind off everything, over the next few days? We'll be in Boston tomorrow, and New York two days after that, so we'll be busy."

As she spoke, Ruby let out a loud, high-pitched scream, which dissolved into laughter, making both women turn, to see Jerard with his arms wrapped around her, having apparently found a ticklish spot on the brunette, who still clung to the wheel. Olivia merely smiled at the pair.

"Does it bother you? Seeing him doing that, with another woman?"

"I'm surprised you ask me, after the other night?" She grinned as Belle blushed. "No, as I said before, we're not exclusive. And we're both bi."

"So you've had other 'hitchhikers' sail with you before? Other single women?"

"Women, and men. Only a handful, and this is the first time travelling with two passengers. The bed's a little small for four, but it should be fun, although there's a smaller berth at the back if it's too tight. Why, does it bother you?"

"No. not really, it's just so different to anything I've ever known before, you know?"

"I know. I was married too, remember? It didn't work out." They turned again to find Jerard had his hands back on the wheel as Ruby, now facing him, appeared to be pulled herself into him, kissing him enthusiastically. "Looks like they're having fun? So Belle, when did you realise you liked women, too?"

"I found out after a drunken girls' night out four years ago. It was Ruby. I kinda fell into it by accident, found it exciting, should've stopped, but I didn't. My husband only found out a week ago." She looked back towards the port. "How about you?"

"I was boarding at a Catholic girl's school when it happened the first time. I still like guys, though. I should never have got married. Doesn't suit me, I guess?" She gave a last look back at Portland before turning to face her, pulling herself closer and pulling a stray lock of hair off her face, putting it behind her ear,and smiling at her.

"Look Belle, as I said to you the other night, if anything here makes you feel uncomfortable, anything at all, you only have to say, okay? Just say the word, and I'll step back. And I know Jer definitely feels the same as me."

"I'm fine. It's just, everything's just so unexpected? So different to what I've ever know." She finally managed a shy smile as she looked back into the pale blue eyes of the chestnut-haired woman. She really was rather stunning, she thought.

"What say we both go inside, out of the breeze? I've an idea of something that might…take your mind off things?"

"Erm, now? Surely, we're sailing?"

"Jer can sail this thing single-handed till we get into Boston tonight. I can, too. Why don't we make ourselves a little more comfortable? I'm sure Ruby can keep him company? Or she can even come join us, if you like? I'm sure he won't mind."

Storybrooke Hospital

"So you want to take me to New York? When I'm like this?"

Snow, thoroughly worn down and looking a pale shadow of herself, had just come back from the daily dialysis, feeling washed out. Again. Merlin looked over her chart as Whale gave her the news. David and Neil stood nearby, waiting for them to leave, so they could have some privacy.

"I think it's for the best. They've got much better facilities down there than we have here, and there's more chance of getting you a liver transplant sooner. Besides, as he explained to you earlier, Merlin can do things with a healthy donor liver and kidneys, using magic, that we just can't do from here."

"David," She looked up at her now ex-husband, who'd been listening quietly as Whale and Merlin explained the process. "What do you think I should do?"

"Personally, I think you should go. We know that if you stay here, it'll just be endless kidney dialysis and treatments, and they're not sure how long your liver-" He stopped himself, not wanting to mention the inevitable in front of their son. "Well, if Merlin says there's more chance of a full recovery by staying there, even if it's for months, it seems the only option."

"I'll come see you mum, as often as I can!" Neal smiled at her, now squeezing her hand. "Dad, Henry and Emma can all take turns driving there."

"Very well, I'll go."

"We'll make all the arrangements..." Victor Whale gathered his notes, before leaving the room. "I'd best be off. It's going to be a busy night, tonight."

Merlin however, stayed, opening a small folder he'd been holding. "I'll get going too. I still need to talk to Henry. But before I so…" He pulled a white envelope from the folder. "Killian Jones asked me to pass on this to you? It was written by Ruby Lucas. I also have letters she wrote for her grandmother. And Dorothy."

"You met Ruby?" Snow looked up, wide-eyed. "How is she?"

"She's well, but she's decided not to come back to Storybrooke. The letter explains things, I gather."

"We could take Dorothy's letter back, dad?" Neal suddenly piped up from beside his father. "As she's staying with us?"

Snow turned in surprise "Dorothy's staying with you? At the farm?" He gave a cautious nod. "Since when?"

David knew this was going to come up eventually; but with all Snow's health issues, he didn't want to discuss it till a later date. "Since the night you…moved out."

"I see." Her tone suddenly changed to icy.

"And Lily's staying with us too, mum!" Neal added, unhelpfully as far as David was concerned. "Lily Page. Her mum's Maleficent, the dragon lady, and she said-"

"Let's leave your mother to rest now, shall we?" Merlin cut in, already seeing the look on her face. The two women whose lives Snow had wrecked the most, one before she was even born and the other by causing her marriage to break up, were living at her old home with her husband? She was under enough stress already. "Snow, I'll make the arrangements with Doctor Whale for you to travel to New York, and I'll let you know everything as soon as I can. Now everyone, let's let her rest shall we?"

"Neal, come give me a kiss?" Snow held out her hand for him to come close again. "And maybe wait outside for a few minutes? I need to talk to your dad. In private."

Later that day…

It was around six in the evening, when she finally got Killian's text:

'Come to the Jolly alone. Hope's here, waiting for you.'

Emma had read and re-read it several times. A message she'd been hoping for, but at the same time, dreading. A message much more curt than his usual messages. There were no 'my love's, no 'Swan', and no kisses at the end. Just ten words. It felt like, after whatever happened earlier when he'd met the others, he was still angry?

Now, as she stood by the old disused cannery on the edge of the dockside; where they'd once rescued Regina from the clutches of a deranged madman who went on to kidnap Henry, she looked up at the masts of the centuries-old galleon.

It was time to face her husband, and their little girl. The last chance to save her marriage.

Emma had already felt drained after having to face Regina's husband and stepson, two hours earlier. She wasn't the sort of woman who made grovelling apologies, but this time, she did. There was just too much at stake for either of them. And by the end of it, even she'd broken down in tears, twice, in front of Robin and Roland.

Regina's husband had, by and large, seemed almost sympathetic. He already knew most of the story from Henry and watching whatever was on that horrible dreamcatcher. But despite coming from a twelve-year-old, Roland's almost surgical questioning had been brutal. And it reminded her of a time, long ago, when she'd been found guilty of stealing watches and been sent to prison.

Roland was the worst. He didn't even bother asking about why she hit him, in the diner; instead, he only questioned her on her relationship with Regina. He'd started off with an easy one.

"Do you love her? Are you still in love with Regina?"

That was easy to handle. She'd researched her answers many times, even with Henry.

"No Roland. But that potion made me think I was, like your mum said. That's why I was so horrible to you. And like Regina, I can't apologise enough for what I did."

"But that can't be true? Henry, and Mr. Merlin, both said you had to have real feelings for her for the potion to have worked like that. Merlin doesn't lie, so you must be lying. You must have feelings for her."

It had been embarrassing as she admitted in front of them that, yes, she and Regina had become very close, and that she loved her as the closest friend she'd ever had, but that was very different to being in love. Like she was with Killian.

But he went on. What did Regina mean to her? How long had they had feelings for each other? When did they become close. Why did they run away. And did they really think they deserved to have Henry take the magic-blocking cuff off? And if he didn't, would she live in Storybrooke without her magic, or would she run away again?

Regina had told them that, without any doubt, she could, if they could find it in themselves to forgive her and move on. But if they couldn't, after serving any possible jail time, she would probably leave Storybrooke, and settle somewhere where she could still see Henry, and bring up the baby.

But finally, after all his questions, Emma watched as, sitting beside Regina her on the sofa, father and son sitting opposite, Roland nodded slowly at his father.

"I believe them. They couldn't help it."

Robin slowly nodded. "And does that mean you forgive them, my boy?"

"Well, if they couldn't help it, and they were out of control, there's really anything to forgive is there, papa? So yes, I do. What about you?"

"Yes, I forgive them." He draped an arm around his shoulder, as he looked at the two women. "It's been a horrible time for everyone, but I think we need to move on now. We also have a new brother or sister to consider, don't we?"

"Really?" Regina bit her bottom lip to stop it wobbling. "You're serious? Does that mean you'll be moving back home? As in…here?"

Emma had watched as a very shaky Regina rose to her feet, racing across to him as he finally opened his arms, to hold for the first time in over a month. Her friend now looked so much smaller as she buried her face into his chest, tears starting to fall, yet again. Even she found it emotional, wiping tears from her own eyes.

After everything they'd gone through over the last month, could all the pain, the guilt, and the regrets, be over? Could it really be that easy?

Would Killian be so forgiving? He was a very different man to Robin.

"You've been standing down there half an hour, Swan!" His voice instantly brought Emma out of her reverie, looking up to find her husband, who she hadn't seen in weeks, staring down at her. "We're waiting."

The Nolan Farm

When David first handed her the envelope, she put it straight in the bin, before charging up to her bedroom (well, David's) to avoid them seeing her cry. It was only when, a few minutes later, Lily knocked on her door. She'd retrieved it, and now offered it to her, suggesting she'd only regret it if she never found out what it contained.

So finally, with trembling hands, she opened it:

My Darling Dorothy,

I'm so sorry for being such a terrible wife.

And for everything I've put you through.

I have no excuses. No defence. Only the fact that I'm not entirely human, like you, a throwback to the father I never knew.

I love you Dorothy, and I have been since the day we met. Please never doubt that. I always thought of you as my one true love. But despite everything, I was unfaithful to you, and you never deserved that. But my wolf urges overcame our love. If I could have controlled them and prevented it, I would, but I was too weak.

Please don't blame Snow for what happened? As Henry's already told you, she and I were acting under a terrible potion that neither of us could control, which brought out very old, long suppressed feelings we once held for each other. But until then, she'd never been unfaithful to David, her own true love and soulmate, from the moment she met him. A good man who, until all this happened, I regarded as my best male friend. Snow is innocent though, as you're now aware, I'm not. And I know you've already heard by now about Belle, and the others. She's been banished by Gold, too. I never loved Belle, and she never loved me; but once again my urges took control and again, I'm sorry. But sorry will never be good enough, will it?

Now the potion has worn off, I want to come and apologise, to your face, even though I know you'll never forgive me. But as I've been banished by The Dark One, and David has set a wolf-god vow on my head, which I fully deserved, I can never come back.

So, when you read this, I will probably be sailing south and plan to return to Portland in a month or so. As there's no out magic here, my wolf nature is gone and I find it much easier to control my base instincts. Perhaps I'll settle there, eventually? Henry and Merlin knos my forwarding address in Portland, and my new cell number, and Belle's, should you ever decide to forgive me and want to speak to me again, which I know is unlikely.

The years we had together were the best of my life, and I would give anything not to have hurt you. But while I stay in Storybrooke, or possibly anywhere with magic, I'll never be able to fully control the monster deep within me. You deserve so much better than me, and I can only hope and pray that one day, you'll find someone truly worthy of your heart.

I love you and will always love you,

Ruby

xxx

Storybrooke Hospital

Someone else was reading her own letter:

Dear Snow,

We've been through so much together, you and I, over the years, haven't we?

From that first time I met you in the forest, hiding from the Evil Queen's guards, I knew you were someone truly special. Unique. And over the next year we were together, I fell in love with you. In many ways, I still am. And I will always treasure that year we had together as a couple. You already understood my wolf nature, but you loved me despite it, as I loved you. At the time I imagined we could be together forever, like everyone else. But it wasn't to be.

From the moment you met David, I knew from the way you looked at him that you were smitten. So I had no hesitation in letting you go, because I knew he would make you happy. As he did. He's a wonderful man, your true love, and you deserved each other.

Henry told me all about the potion in a wretched cottage, that caused us to do so much damage to our loved ones, especially Dorothy and David. And it breaks my heart to know that even though we were out of control, it's not only destroyed our relationships with them the ones we hold most dear, but it has seriously damaged your own health. I would do anything to be able to come and stay with you in hospital, to hold your hand and big you a big hug, but I can't. The Dark One would probably kill me the moment I stepped over the town line!

Belle was banished too, so by the time you read this, we'll probably be travelling with some friends we've made. We should be back in a month, and it's more than likely I'll be settling in Portland when I get back, after which I need to find a job. So I'll only be an hour's drive from you once you leave hospital?

I really hope you and David find a way back to each other, for Neal's sake. Unfortunately for me, Dorothy finding out about my repeated infidelity, because of my nature, has killed off any chance of her ever forgiving me. Grannie certainly won't!

I've left my new phone number and forwarding address below. If I can't come to you, I hope and pray that one day, when you're feeling better you will be able to come visit me instead? You've always understood me better than anyone I've ever known. Another reason why I fell in love with you.

Your friend forever,

Ruby

xxx

As she folded the letter, putting it back into the envelope, Snow considered her options. Although he didn't specifically say anything at the time, it seemed clear to her that David's feelings towards her had changed, possibly forever. Before everything that had happened with that wretched potion, he'd almost worshipped her, as she had, him. But now it was very different, and she knew that, if only she'd been honest with him right from the start, he probably wouldn't have even cared about her past. But she'd lied to him. And David, like Emma, didn't take well to being lied to.

But now she was going to leave Storybrooke, to hopefully get a liver and kidney transplant. Snow wasn't stupid. She knew full well that if it wasn't successful, she'd need continuing dialysis, would regardless deteriorate further, and likely be dead within the next eighteen months. But what if they succeeded? What would she do next? Come back here and live in her flat, alone, for the rest of her days, Neal dividing his time between seeing her and his father?

She now had no job, and no prospects either. Perhaps it would be better if she didn't return? Perhaps she should try and start again, like Ruby and Belle? After all, Portland was only an hour away, so she and David could somehow work things out with Neal. Perhaps she could live with Ruby for a while, until she figured out what to do? After all, she was her oldest and closest friend. She was even her lover once upon a time, and their friendship had never suffered for it. She was the one person, after David, she could always turn to, wasn't she?

~oOo~