Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and any unrecognizable characters and dialogue.
So, some answers to questions in the reviews:
To Bookworm2the2ndPower. That was just me being a twit and not noticing which words I was using. Lilith is currently Rumpelstiltskin's assistant. Thanks for pointing that out! And yes, in the original I had Rumple never forget and he return Lily's memories eight years before Emma arrived. However, the creators of the show said that Rumple didn't remember until he heard Emma's name - hence why he wanted to know her name so badly before the Curse hit. Hope that clears some stuff up!
And yes, Maia and Katerina are the same person! Some of you have already guessed what fairy tale character she is.
Anyway, thank you all for the reviews, faves and follows! Hope you like this chapter!
"Hey, kid." Emma greeted as Henry rode past her own his bike. When he bypassed her completely, the blonde blinked in bemusement. "Nice to see you, too." She glanced up when Lily walked towards her, lips twisted up in a wry smile. "What's with him?"
"Other than his castle being wrecked?" The teen snarked as she walked past Emma. At that remark, the blonde shrugged before she followed the two towards the playground.
"The storm!" Henry shouted, jumping off his bike before he ran towards the splintered wood.
Emma rushed after him, clearly wary of letting him go near the wood. "It's okay – we can fix it. I'll talk to Marco." She tried, only for Henry to ignore his words.
Lily, suddenly realizing what Henry was going for, brushed past Emma. When the little boy fell to his knees on the sand, the teen followed suit.
"Do you think it's still here?" Henry fretted before beginning to dig at the sand near the base of the castle. Lily didn't answer, helping him dig through the damp sand.
Emma came up behind them, peering curiously. "What are you looking for?"
"My book."
"Why'd you bury it here?"
Lily turned to glare at her with a huff. "So his mom doesn't find it."
"Hiding it under your mattress wasn't good enough?" Emma deadpanned, her eyebrow raised.
Lily tugged the red, metal box from its hole and dusted the sand of it. Henry reached for it, unlocking it as he turned to his bemused mother.
"That's the first place the Evil Queen would look." He told her shortly.
Emma's eyebrow rose higher. "How about leaving it with me?"
"That's the second place." Lily snapped as Henry opened the box, revealing his storybook.
"It's still here." He slumped with relief. "Good."
Behind them, Emma frowned curiously. "So, your mom doesn't know about the castle?" She clarified, earning a nod from the both fo them.
"No." Henry sent her a smile over his shoulder as Lily took back the box. "This is our secret."
Emma blinked down at him in shook as Lily shut the box and began to rebury it. As she finished covering it with sand, the sound of a car braking made her turn.
"Henry!" Regina called as she exited her car and stalked across the sand. "Henry! I've been looking everywhere for you. You know you have a session with Archie this morning." She scolded as Lily stood and brushed off her pants. "I should've known he was with you." Regina snapped at Emma before turning her attention back to her son. "Henry – car. Now."
Squeezing Lily's hand once, Henry raced off towards the car. After she'd made sure he was safely in the vehicle, Regina turned back to Emma.
"You let him play here?" She spat accusingly.
Emma bristled in response. "The storm hit it hard, but we can fix it."
"Well, can you fix a cracked cranium?" Regina asked flatly." Because that's what you'll have on your hands if one of these boards collapses under his weight. You're not thinking about Henry or his safety. Just ways around me." She ignored Emma's indignant look. "Miss Swan, don't let your feelings cloud your judgment. People can get hurt."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Emma said quietly, glaring at Regina through narrowed eyes.
"You're the Sheriff now – it's time to be responsible." She shot back. Turning her attention to Lily for the first time, she added, "Lillian, I expect you to pick him up after his session."
Without giving either woman time to respond, Regina spun around and stalked to her car. As they watched her speed away from the playground, Lily sighed.
"Well, at least she wasn't pissed off at me." She remarked, smirking when Emma pinned her with a glare.
Sighing at the teen's answering smirk, Emma began to walk towards her own car.
"Come on, we're gonna be late for breakfast with Mary Margaret if we don't hurry."
"Wh- Who told you that?" Jacquimo questioned in shock.
Lilith didn't reply at first, instead choosing to turn back towards the mausoleum. Carefully, she raised a hand and ran it over the doorway of the stone building. Frowning, she focused as her scanning revealed nothing amiss with the wards she'd placed on the site.
Turning back to the man, her features smoothed. "Well, since my brother screamed it while he hit me, I must have gotten the idea from him."
The rage in her eyes told him all he needed to know about the rumors surrounding her brother's death. It became startlingly obvious that Lilith had indeed murdered her own brother. However, he was having trouble separating the calm, collected young woman in front of him from the little, happy girl he'd bring flowers to.
"I... I see." Was all he could muster, especially with her flat stare focused on him. "And... What exactly is it that Darren said?"
"That I caused her illness when she had me. That I never should have been born." Her voice hardened. "Need I go on?"
He winced. "No, no that is quite enough."
"What happened to my mother?"
"Your mother... She was special. She had a... A gift that attracted the wrong sort of attention." Jacquimo began, attempting to hold the stern gaze of the person before him. "She was kidnapped for a short time... I-I helped her to escape."
The sound of footsteps made him pause in his story. Both turned to see a cloaked figure entering the graveyard. Sensing the man's fear, Lilith stood and stepped towards the figure.
"What is it, Rumple?" She called quietly, smirking when Jacquimo's fear increased. "I'm not late, am I?"
"Ooh, you're pushing it, dearie." Her mentor teased, pulling down his hood before he glanced behind her. "Making new friends, are you Lilith?"
"Dark One." Jacquimo stood and inclined his head, hoping the being before him wouldn't reveal anything to the girl before she was ready.
"Oho!" Rumpelstiltskin crooned, dancing closer to the uncomfortable looking man. "If it isn't the wayward sparrow."
Lilith raised an eyebrow at the term, though refrained from asking. Turning to the man behind her, she watched as Jacquimo rapidly paled. Frowning, she turned back to her mentor.
"What is it you know that I do not?" Her tone remained controlled, though Rumple could sense the undertone of annoyance in her voice.
"Oh, nothing." Rumpelstiltskin trilled before he lightly danced towards an uncomfortable Jacquimo. "Just a reunion between old friends."
"Don't let my feelings cloud my judgment?" Emma continued to rant as Mary Margaret and Lily watched her. "That's all Regina ever does."
"Well, she's just upset because you and Henry have a special place and she… She doesn't. Even Lillian and Henry have one." Mary Margaret tried, wincing when Emma didn't look appeased.
"What, where?" The blonde asked, looking between her dark-haired companions.
"It's near the beach... we both like to look out at the water." Lily replied softly, her fist clenching underneath the table.
Emma nodded before she switched the conversation back to its original topic. "How'd she find out about the castle in the first place?" The blonde asked, turning an accusing eye on Lily, who bristled in response.
"Please, if I told her Henry's secrets I wouldn't have lasted very long as his babysitter." At Emma's surprised look, she elaborated. "I'm only his babysitter because Henry wants me to be."
"Also," Mary Margaret interjected before a the brewing fight could start. "She knows everything about this town – she's the Mayor."
At that, a vibrate came from Mary Margaret's phone. She glanced down, frowning when she caught sight of David's message.
"Everything okay?"
Startled, Mary Margaret raised her eyes to meet Emma and Lily's concerned gazes. Attempting to keep any guilt off her face, she nodded.
"Yeah, I just need to go." She stood, reaching for her coat as she placed money on the table. "Look, if it makes you feel any better, I think you're right. I see the effect she has on Henry."
"I wish everyone else did, too." Emma whispered as Mary Margaret left them. She turned towards the teen, who was staring after their departing friend with a frown. "You see it, right?" When she received no response, she lightly tapped Lily's arm. "Hey!"
Lily jerked. "What?!" Meeting Emma's amused gaze, she colored slightly. "Sorry, what was the question?"
"You see what Regina does to Henry, right?"
Lily nodded, frown back in place. "Of course I do. I've been his babysitter almost his entire life."
At that, Emma frowned. Lillian was only seventeen and Henry was ten. How could she have been his babysitter at the age of seven? She was brought out of her musings when an inebriated Sidney plopped down in Mary Margaret's empty seat.
"I can grant your wish" He promised, practically stinking of whiskey.
Lily sneered, her nose wrinkling with disgust. "And, just like that, I've lost my appetite." Sending Emma an apologetic smile, she tossed money onto the counter before leaving the diner.
Pulling on her coat as she headed towards the pawn shop, she stopped dead when the back of her neck began to prickle. Alert now, she turned and examined the mostly empty street as the feeling worsened. Closing her eyes, she exhaled deeply and stiffened when a brush against her cheek sent tingles down her spine.
"Open your eyes, love."
"Friends?" Lilith repeated in quiet disbelief. "This man - who knew my mother - is friends with you?" Despite her words, her tone lacked little, if any, disbelief.
This worried Jacquimo while it delighted Rumpelstiltskin. His apprentice had turned out to be a rare find, what with the magic she casted on herself.
"Well... I do suppose 'friends' is a rather strong word." He admitted, delighting in Jacquimo's behavior. "He came to me... For help."
"Yes," Jacquimo agreed, eying the Dark One cautiously. "Help."
Lilith eyed them, her expression never changing even before she turned away. Disinterest was usual for her, especially when faced with her mentor's attempts to divert her attention elsewhere.
"I believe we have an engagement to attend, Rumple?" Once again, Jacquimo held back a shiver at the almost deadened tone in Lilith's voice.
"Ah, yes. We do." Bowing mockingly to the other man, Rumple danced towards his assistant and offered him arm. "Lovely to see you again, dearie!" He winked at the ashen faced man. "Don't be a stranger."
With that, the two disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving the distraught man standing in the dark.
As they approached the castle, Lily went still at the sound of machinery. Craning her head up to try and see the source of the noise, her face suddenly paled.
"Henry."
With that, the little boy left her side at a sprint. Cursing loudly, Lily pulled out her phone and dialed Emma's number. After telling the woman to get her ass to Henry's castle, she pocketed the phone and ran after him.
She reached his side, panting slightly and winced at the sight before her. As the machines continued to tear down the castle, Lily wrapped her arms around Henry tightly. Swallowing thickly, she settled for glaring at Regina's back hatefully until Emma showed up.
"Hey, what happened?" The blonde panted as she rushed to them. "I came as soon as I could."
Henry raised his hurt-filled eyes from Lily's side. "The castle! She's tearing the whole thing down! My book! It-it's gone."
Anger flashed across Emma's face before she turned it towards Regina. Stalking from them, she confronted the smug looking woman.
"Congratulations, Madam Mayor." She mocked angrily. "You destroyed the thing he loves."
Regina simply smiled serenely. "A dangerous thing that can only hurt Henry and others. You see me as a villain, Miss Swan, but that's just your perception and you're wrong." She leaned forward threateningly. "Learn your place in this town or, soon enough, you won't be in it."
She walked away, leaving Emma to glare angrily at her back. Decision made, Emma reached into her pocket and pulled out the business card Sidney had given her. Turning back to glance at Henry's distraught face, she quickly dialed the number.
"Sidney? Hi. I'm in. I want everyone to know who she really is."
"Where did you hear that song from?"
Lilith's hand froze, her humming coming to a dead halt. Turning her head, she looked up to meet Peter's emotionless face with her own.
"What does it matter?"
Incensed with her lack of response, he stepped forward and reached for her. Seconds before his fingers could grasp her cloak, she was across the clearing. Bright red eyes met his across the distance and he sighed, the anger leaving his body.
"Let's just say... I recognize it." He offered, smirking inwardly when the red faded from her eyes. Her eyes continued to stare into his, giving him the opportunity to study them. So like her mother's, yet where Katerina's had been simply blue, Lilith's were a myriad of golds, greens and blues. And red, he thought with a chuckle. But only when she was angry.
"Care to share what you find so funny?" The cautious, controlled whisper made his attention snap away from the vibrancy of her eyes.
"Oh, just thinking, love." He took a step forward.
She countered it with an immediate step back. "Don't call me that."
"Well, why not?" Undeterred, he continued to step towards her. Before, when she would have tired of this after the first sentence, she'd whisk herself to some other part of the island. Her lack of disappearing told him that, whatever she claimed, he'd made strides in gaining her trust. 'After all, I've called you that before."
She went stiff at the reminder of their shared past. Getting her to remember what Rumple had taken away hadn't been pleasant for both of them. However, it had helped. He'd catch her giving him unsure, lingering stares when she thought he wasn't paying attention.
Lilith watched him, frowning when the crease on his forehead smoothed. The look on his face made her tense. The predatory, almost hungry way he looked at her sent shivers down her spine. Shivers she couldn't claim were from disgust, which mildly terrified her.
"Calling me that in my dreams doesn't count." As always, her tone was cold and void of emotion. "And I know you didn't call me that when I was a child."
He surprised her by agreeing. "True, but you must admit our relationship is anything but-"
"We have no relationship."
He was suddenly in front of her with a small smirk on his face. "Oh, I beg to differ, love." He whispered hotly, leaning so close that his breath lightly fanned against her cheeks. "I know you feel it when I do this."
Before she could push him away, his lips brushed against her forehead in a gentle, simple caress. Raising her hand to shove him, he darted away before her fingers even touched his chest.
"Something to chew on, love." He disappeared, leaving her alone in the small clearing.
She hissed out in annoyance, pushing down the doubt that was beginning to rise in her heart. Jerking her head down, she inhaled deeply as she forced down the feelings rising up inside her. Contrary to what most believed, she had feelings. She felt emotions. She was just good at hiding it.
Losing your humanity would do that to you.
Lily walked out from behidn the tree as Emma and Sidney rushed away. She waited several heartbeats before speaking to her amused looking boss.
"So, how'd it go?"
A smirk formed on Gold's lips as they both stared after the two.
"I think they took it... rather well."
Both smirking now, they shared a look before they turned their attention back to Emma and Sidney.
"How long do you think it'll take her to figure out Sidney's true allegiances?" She questioned softly.
He let out a quick puff of air. "Hmm, depends on how well he can... reflect, Miss Swan's intentions."
That made her turn a shrewd eye toward him. He caught her expression, smirk still in place.
"You're enjoying this a little too much, aren't you?"
"Perhaps, just a little."
"Go and grab a seat." Lily told Henry with a smile. "I'll get the cocoa." After shooing him to the counter, she ordered the drinks from Ruby.
"You seem to be in a good mood." The older woman remarked with a teasing smile. "New boy?"
Lily let out a chuckle as she took the cups. "Since when was there an old boy?"
"Touche." Ruby shot back with a smirk before she waltzed away.
Shaking her head, Lily turned around and stop dead. The motorcycles guy was seated next to Henry, who was furiously scribbling onto a piece of paper. Frowning now, Lily stalked towards them and slammed the cups down with as little force as possible.
Henry didn't react. August, however, looked up at the noise and the blood drained from his face. As a child, he'd been told all about the deeds of the Dark Lilith - he'd then spent time around her before the Curse. The teen before him looked just like he'd remembered, though her personality seemed rather different.
"May I ask what you're doing?" Lily hissed out through clenched teeth.
Then again, maybe she's not so different. August thought with a wince. Shaking away his slight terror at the sight of the teen, he smiled.
"Just comparing book ideas." He tried, watching as Henry slowed down his writing.
"They're not my ideas." The boy defended quietly with a frown. "They're stories from a book that I lost."
August took the opening, mindful of Lily's searching gaze. "Must be a hell of a book. What's it about?"
"Stuff."
"Sounds exciting."
Lily leaned against the counter with a dark frown. "You seem awfully interested in him and his book."
"No, I'm just being neighborly." August replied smoothly.
Henry jumped in. "What are you doing in Storybrooke?"
"I'm a writer."
"You can write anywhere." Henry pressed. "What are you really doing here?"
August smirked slightly. "Stuff." He stood and nodded at the two. "Good luck with the stories."
Lily stared after him, her eyes narrowed in suspicion as the leather-clad man exited the diner. Shaking her head, she turned back to Henry who was still looking towards the door. Turning back to her, his brow creased thoughtfully.
"Are you sure you don't remember him?"
A soft sigh escaped her chest. "Yes, I'm positive Henry."
Holding back her snickers, Lily watched as Emma went up against Regina... only to go down in a rather large amount of flames. Sharing a glance with Gold, whose face was a blank mask, Lily stood and left the council meeting. She'd known about Regina's plan, however, Gold had forbidden her to speak of it to Emma or even Henry. While usually far less obedient, Lily figured that as long as Emma didn't lose her position as Sheriff and leave town, she let this one go.
When Gold stood, Lily followed suit and left the building with him. As the rest of the people filed out, Lily and Gold watched as Regina answered questions for a group of people. As Emma and Sidney approached the former's car, Gold quickly moved to intercept them.
"Look at her – queen of the castle." He observed quietly, eyes glinting. "You know, what you did in there was commendable, Miss Swan. But if you really want to bring her down, you're going to need a strong ally."
Emma bristled. "Like yourself? Thanks, but I'm still not interested."
"Oh, one can wish." Gold replied calmly before he turned around and headed towards his car. "Come alone, Lillian."
Sending Emma an apologetic shrug, Lily followed her guardian away from the infuriated blonde behind her.
As she watched Lillian and Gold walk away, Emma reined in the anger and humiliation rising up inside her. To make matters worse, she heard Regina's voice from behind her.
"Miss Swan. A word?" Regina sent Sidney a dark look. "Alone."
Without a word, Sidney took the hint and left, leaving Emma alone with Regina.
Regina quickly got to the heart of the matter. "I don't know what you were hoping to accomplish in there. But now, I hope you'll go back to your job. Which is upholding the law – not breaking it." Her eyes narrowed. "You don't think I know you broke into my office?"
Emma sneered in response. "Don't pretend like you're so innocent. I know you messed with the brakes on my car." She accused.
"Your brakes? Are you delusional?" Regina asked incredulously. "Why would I kill you when you just saw I had nothing to hide?"
"Nothing I can prove."
"Well, until you have something more substantial than disdain to throw my way, you're going to stay away from me. And, more importantly, from Henry." regina ordered.
"But that's- " Emma began, only for Regina to cut her off.
"Not open for discussion." The mayor snapped flatly. "You've lost the high ground, Sheriff. If I wanted to, there's not a judge in the world that would deny me a restraining order after what you've done. You don't get to see my son unless I say so. And right now?' She leaned closer. "I don't say so."
"I think we've been down this road before." Emma managed to get out.
Regina let out a harsh chuckle. "Oh, you mean Lillian? Well, unless you want her to lose her job - and contact with Henry - you'll leave her out of this."
"Are we ever going to leave?" The dark-haired boy asked, watching as Lilith continued to stare out at the waves.
"I made you a promise, Bae." Bright blue eyes focused on him. "I'm getting us home."
She turned back towards the crashing waves, the blue of her eyes giving way to a vibrant red.
"One way or another, we're getting the hell off Neverland."
Emma watched Henry on the playground with a sad smile. She watched as Henry dragged a laughing Lillian onto the playground, the teen showing a surprising skill for acrobatics.
Lily jumped down from the monkey bars and spun around, trying to grab Henry when he took her scarf. When she did, she caught sight of Emma in her squad car and sent the blonde a small wave. Henry saw and turned, sending Emma a big smile along with a wave of his own.
Pulling out his walkie-talkie, he spoke. "Why are you so far away? Come out here!"
Emma pulled out her own. "Sorry, kid. I can't today."
"You're undercover, aren't you? For Operation Cobra?" He asked, frowning when he saw the sullen expression on Lily's face.
Emma swallowed thickly before pressing the button. "No, Henry. I'm not undercover. Your mom – she doesn't want us seeing each other for a while." She forced out.
"You don't have to listen to her." Henry pointed out quietly.
"Actually, this time, I do. I screwed up, Henry. I got mad at your mom about you and the book and everything and… Well, we're just going to have to be apart for a little while."
Lily's heart twisted at Henry's response.
"I don't want to be apart."
Emma's voice was thick with sadness. "Neither do I. But, right now, we have to. Don't worry – I'll find a way back in." She swore. "And hey. If it's out there, Henry – I will find your book."
At that, Lily leaned down and pressed the button on the walkie-talkie. "Good luck. It's probably gone."
Henry pulled the walkie-talkie back.
"And it's probably never coming back."
Thoughts? Comments? Questions?