Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and any unrecognizable characters and dialogue.

Since it was mentioned in a review, there's a reason why Lillian is being a wee bit standoffish with Peter...

The bottom line is, she doesn't trust him - and he doesn't trust her either. In his eyes, when she refused to go with Felix and hand over Henry, she chose the wrong side. Until she comes back into the fold, so to speak, Peter isn't going to trust her. With her, Peter kidnapped Henry, won't tell her why, and won't take off the cuff. For someone like Lily, who thrives on magic, cutting her off from that is as good as crippling her in a way.

Honestly, these two kiddos just need to trust one another, but as this is OUAT, you best be prepared for some drama in the next few chapters!

Also, can I just say I wish they'd done more with Tinkerbell and Regina's friendship? I absolutely adore them - they really wasted the potential of a lot of the Neverland Arc characters.

Chapter Playlist: 'The Treason of Isengard' from 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring OST'

Neverland

On Hook's advice, the group traveled through the Dark Jungle in single file with Mary Margaret currently leading the way, David just behind her. Humidity pressed in on all sides, causing all of them to periodically strip layers of clothing in an effort to stave off the unwelcome heat. Winded from the long walk - and secretly vowing to never again take a car or horse for granted - David caught up to his wife.

"Hey, need a break?" He panted, though tried to hide it.

"No," Mary Margaret answered easily, though there was a catch in her words. "I'm good."

"Are you sure?" He pressed as they continued on. "In this heat, you shouldn't overtax yourself."

Chuckling softly to herself, she ducked under a leaf and tossed over her shoulder, "Oh, so you need a break."

"No, no. I'm good." He protested lightly.

"David Nolan let himself go."

Catching her smirk, David returned it. "Does he look like he'd let himself go?"

Her only response was to laugh.

Just behind David was Regina, pressing a handkerchief to her neck. "How much further?" She asked, peering around the seemingly endless expanse of jungle.

Caught in the face by the leaf Regina had just shoved by, Emma sputtered. "We should be getting closer." She held out the map as they all caught up to one another, pausing their trek. "Pan's there. We are on a straight line course…" Unfolding the map, she trailed off once she realized the 'X' that marked the camp disappeared, only to reappear in the direction they had just come from. "Son of a…" She jerked to stare open mouthed at Hook. "How is it now behind us?"

Mary Margaret peered over David's shoulder. "How can that be?"

"You got us lost." Regina accused flatly, murder in her eyes.

Holding a lamp closer to the parchment, Hook shook his head. "No, she didn't. It's the camp," the pirate explained with a heavy sigh. "Pan's moving it."

"He's playing tricks on us." David breathed, looking around the Jungle warily.

Emma's eyes focused on the map before she raised them. "If Pan's camp keeps moving, how are we ever gonna find Henry and Lillian?"

As the camp began to come alive in the morning, Pan strode through the half-awake lost boys, Felix beside him. The blond lost boy was in a mood after their run-in with Hook and the others, though as usual, he said little about it. Twisting his head, Pan swallowed slightly at the sight of Lillian and Henry on the ground, curled up at the base of a tree.

Though he'd returned her to her tree house after putting her to sleep, his princess had been in a rage when she awoke halfway through the night. Without a word, she had gathered a bewildered and worried Henry, threatened to castrate any and all lost boys that came anywhere near them, before settling at the base of one of the many trees in the camp.

If he was honest with himself, Peter found her hostile behavior to be rather ridiculous. The way she was acting reminded him of her early years on the island, where she had always met his efforts with a snarled threat of bodily harm. While he had been charmed by her behavior, he'd soon found that her affectionate, loving behavior was a much better drug.

Coming to a stop several feet away from the sleeping duo, frowning slightly at the sight of little Henry wrapped tightly in Lillian's arm, he turned to glance at Felix. "Is everything ready?"

With a nod, Felix produced a shiny, red apple from his cloak and handed it over, followed by a crossbow. His job done for now, the oldest of the lost boys turned and crossed the camp to settle on a stump, content to watch until it was his turn to play.

Satisfied, Peter turned back to the sleeping pair and released a loud, bird-like cry that had both of their newest guests stirring. Stalking closer, he raised his voice. "Wake up!" At his voice, Lillian was up and alert, eyes narrowed in suspicion at the sight of him. Ignoring the pang that sent through his chest, he tossed the apple towards the still groggy boy at her side. "Catch."

Awake now, Henry stared down at the apple, lip curled in distaste. Sitting up, aware of Lillian hovering protectively just behind him, he raised his eyes to meet Pan's. "Sorry, I don't like apples."

"Who doesn't like apples?" Pan queried, though he already knew the answer, as he strode closer.

"It's a family thing."

Peter smiled at that, catching Lillian's eye before winking cheekily at her. "Don't worry," he reassured lightly, crouching down to be eye level with the boy. "They're not for eating. It's for a kind of game - a really fun game." As he spoke, several of the lost boys began to close in on the duo, causing Lillian to bristle in warning. Peter wasted no time in pointing the weapon at Henry's face. "I call it target practice."

Enchanted Forest

Horrified by what the implications of Emma on Neverland meant for Henry and, more than likely Lillian, Neal returned his attention to the formerly hidden wardrobe. Mulan and Robin Hood watched warily as he first dragged a chair to stand on before he began to practically tear the inside of the wardrobe apart, acting like a man possessed.

"You found the crystal ball," Mulan reminded him gently, frowning despite herself. "What else are you looking for?"

Neal didn't turn around. "It should me where Emma is, now I have to get to her."

Robin approached. "Uh, not sure you're gonna find a horse in there, mate."

"I don't need a horse." Neal replied, stumbling over his words. "I need a portal. A way to create a portal."

"Why don't you calm down and tell me what the problem is." Robin raised a placating hand, hoping to calm the obviously agitated man before him. "Perhaps I can assist."

Neal paused in his frantic searching, head hanging in defeat. "Henry and Lillian are trapped in Neverland with Peter Pan," he explained in a low voice, turning to face them. "Who is, hands-down, the nastiest person I've ever met."

Unfamiliar with the name of this new adversary, both Robin and Mulan stared at him in confusion.

"I saw Emma in that ball." Mulan pointed out, brow creased in thought. "Not Henry. Or Lillian, for that matter."

Neal turned to fully face her. "Listen, I was in Neverland." He confided shortly, unwilling to revisit such awful memories, but knowing her had to. "Pan was looking for a boy - a specific boy. I-I know he had some picture of him on a scroll. He called him the 'truest believer'."

Mulan's voice softened. "And you believe that to be Henry?"

"It has to be." Neal swallowed, stricken by the thought of his son dealing with the dark, malicious boy that called Neverland home. Lillian… he couldn't think about that, not now. "That's the only reason Emma would be in Neverland. Help me look." He all but begged, changing the subject to the more important task at hand. "Uh, lots of things make portals - beans, magic mirrors, uh, ruby slippers," relieved when the other two began to look about the room, he reached up towards an urn. "Some kinds of ashes."

Unable to fully reach the urn, Neal struggled to grab hold of it, only for it to slip from the shelf and his fingers. The urn clattered onto the ground, the sound echoing loudly.

Seconds later, a large, bearded man carrying a stick stormed into the room. "What the hell was that?" He demanded, flanked by two other of the Merry Men.

"Stand down, Little John," Robin called, "we're fine."

As he spoke, Neal caught sight of a little boy in a dark green cloak peering out from behind Little John's legs. Curiosity sparkling in his dark eyes, the little boy soon ducked between the large man's legs and ran full tilt in Robin's direction. Kneeling to the boy's level, Robin opened his arms, scooping the smiling boy up with a grunt.

Smiling at the sight, Neal asked, "Who's this?"

"Merry Men come in all sizes." Robin explained brightly, adjusting the boy on his hip. The child smiled at Mulan, who was unable to do anything but return the bright expression. "This is my son, Roland."

Still smiling, a speculative gleam entered Neal's eye. "I know how to get to Neverland." He revealed with breathless excitement, stepping off the chair. "I know how to get to Henry."

Neverland

"So, this whole track has been for nothing." Emma huffed irritably, finding it hard not to tear the map to shreds.

Regina groaned. "I told you walking was idiotic." Moping up the sweat on her neck, though she refused to part with her sensible blazer, she glared at Emma for the hundredth time. "I suggest using magic. We can materialize in the camp and grab Lillian and Henry."

Mary Margaret shook her head, eyes narrowed. "We don't know where the camp is, have you even been listening?"

"Pan will have shields against magic." Hook told them plainly, expression suddenly closed off. "And, such an attempt to take his princess and the boy from him after all the effort he expended to get them, would likely end in your deaths and, more importantly, mine." He told the overeager queen with a pinched expression. "Which is why we're walking."

Exhaling, Regina managed to reign in her temper. "Well then, what's your idea?" She asked, voice tight and controlled. "How are we going to find it?"

"By using someone he trusts." Loathe to involve said someone, Hook could admit that Pan had outplayed them.

"Who?" David asked, brow furrowed. "'Cause I guess he certainly doesn't trust you."

"One of the fairies who lived here when I was about." Hook announced, the information causing them all to look at one another. "She might still be on the island. She'd be an inside source," he informed them quickly, "knows all about the camp, can get us in." A speculative look entered his eye. "She might even have some pixie dust left - perhaps we could fly in."

Emma stirred at that. "You mean fairy dust."

"No," David refuted, seeing Hook was deep in thought. "pixie dust. It's stronger, like nuclear fairy dust."

Emma raised a hand, face screwed up in pained thought. "Wait… A fairy?" Struggling to vocalize the insane thought, she somehow managed. "Tinker Bell?"

At the name, Regina's expression swiftly changed from cautious interest to one of foreboding.

"Oh, you know her?"

Emma blinked at him, still in disbelief. "Every kid in the world… knows her." She admitted, rolling her eyes.

"It's bad idea." Regina rushed to say, holding back a wince when everyone turned to look at her. "Mark my words; this Tinker Bell is not going to save us."

Enchanted Forest

Seated at the head of a long table, Regina drained her goblet of the last of its wine. Setting it down, she reached for the jug of wine to refill it, nearly losing her grip from fright when a high-pitched, sneering voice came from the opposite end of the table.

"I thought you were dead."

The young queen's surprise melted away quickly, giving way to a black scowl that looked out of place on her otherwise innocent features. "Go away." She ordered, raising the goblet to her lips.

"When you didn't show up for your lessons today," he continued, as if she hadn't spoke, "I assumed you'd went toes up! And yet… here you are."

Regina held back another flinch at the undercurrent of anger in his otherwise pleasant voice. The Dark One was obviously angry at her refusal to be at his beck and call and had no problems voicing it.

Rising to his feet, Rumpelstiltskin eyed the sumptuous banquet laid out before the young woman. Privately, he wondered if this was how King Leopold assuaged his guilt of keeping his young bride a virtual prisoner while he and his daughter gallivanted across the countryside.

Golden eyes fell on the roasted swan at the center of the table. "Roast Swan." He giggled madly at the irony. "That's amusing." Catching Regina's confused gaze, he dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "You'll get that later."

"I'm not sure about these lessons anymore," Regina began cautiously, not willing to risk upsetting the being before her. "I don't want to have a future that looks like…"

He arched a brow at her obvious hesitance. "Like what?"

"Like you."

"Oh!" Gasping in mock hurt, the Dark One placed a scaled hand on his chest, expression outraged. "Feeling a little persecuted, are we, your Majesty?"

"Well, why shouldn't I?" Regina demanded, tossing her napkin down in disgust, glowering at him all the while. "I'm the queen, but… I'm practically a prisoner. With a husband whose heart is still with his dead wife, and his insipid daughter…" Teeth clenched and hands balled into fists, she trailed off, unable to finish without falling into a rage.

Rumpelstiltskin watched in silence, letting her speak her peace. Inwardly, he delighted that the plan was working so well, that the girl before him was nearly consumed with anger and hatred.

"It's intolerable." She continued, regaining control of the simmering rage that threatened to engulf her at the thought of Snow White. "I have nothing to do, and nowhere to go." Struggling to hold back tears, she rose from her chair, needing to move. "I need freedom. I need options."

Turning, she rounded her chair, clutching the back of it, needing the support to keep her upright. Not for the first time, a scream threatened to claw its way from her throat, and it was hard to draw breath into her lungs.

"Uh, can't be done. You see, this is how it is." The Dark One dismissed her words with a flick of his fingers, causing her to turn back around. "You think you're the diner at the feast, tasting the offerings. A little love, a little darkness." He explained with a flourish, sensing he had her attention. "What you don't realize is, you are… the feast. And the darkness has tasted you."

"Oh, you're vile." She breathed in revulsion, lip curled into a sneer to hide the fear she felt at his words. "Leave my home."

"The darkness likes how you taste, dearie. It doesn't mind the bitter. And now that it's started the meal," he gestured towards the banquet laid out for her consumption. "It's gonna finish it. You can no more fly from your fate, than can that swan." Pointing to said swan, still inwardly chuckling over the irony, he turned back to her. "See you tomorrow. Don't be late. Ooh! And bring that simmering rage," he encouraged, leaning in close. "It's all you have."

Eyes falling to the swan, Regina's gaze darted towards him, only to find that he had vanished as silently as he'd come. Despair clawed its way up her throat, threatening to choke her, and she marched through her rooms, needing air. Walking past her girlish, empty bed, she scowled but continued on towards the balcony.

Gazing down at the courtyard, emotions reaching a fever pitch, she slammed her hands onto the railing. "I…" She muttered, voice thick with tears. "Just…" Once more, she brought her fists down onto the railing, unaware that it was beginning to give way beneath the blows. "Need…"

The railing gave with with a thunderous clanging sound and fell forward. Losing her balance, Regina followed with a piercing scream, eyes wide as the ground rushed up to meet her. Suddenly, she was enveloped in a cloud of green, sparkling dust that halted her just before she hit the ground.

Gasping, she looked around wildly, following the tinkling noise before her eyes landed on a small, glimmering fairy. "Put me down!" She ordered, though wasn't even fully aware of what she was saying. "What are you doing?"

The green fairy merely smiled widely, not the least bit offended by the dark-haired woman's lack of gratitude. "Giving you a second chance."

Raising her wand, the fairy began to carefully raise Regina back to the balcony. Smiling gently at the obviously terrified woman, the fairy gently set her on her feet once they reached the room, making sure they were several feet away from where she'd fallen.

"Who are you?" Regina asked, gasping when the fairy was enveloped by a bright green shimmer that only cleared when a slightly shorter blonde woman was standing before her.

"I'm Tinker Bell."

It was a testament to how unknown Regina was, to how little the people of the kingdom cared to know their new queen, that she and Tinker Bell were able to travel to a tavern without even a glamour spell of the young queen.

"'Snow White'?" Tinker Bell repeated, once Regina had confided in her the source of her pain. "That's her name? Even I think that's a bit precious and mine's 'Tinker Bell'."

Raising the cup to her lips, the blonde fairy didn't miss the way Regina's lips curled at the mention of her step-daughter.

"She's a monster." Regina hissed lowly, relieved to have a confidant at last, someone she could speak to without judgement. "Totally indulgent and adored. She sort of ricochets through life, telling people's secrets." Glancing around, she lowered her voice. "She had my fiance killed."

While she had been listening, taking Regina's words with a grain of salt, but knowing she needed someone to talk to, Tink couldn't stop her eyes from widening in horror at the secret the young queen had just revealed.

"No!"

Shaking her head, Regina slumped on the bench in defeat. "The only way I can get through it is that she and the king are gone all the time."

"You're glad your husband is gone?" Tinker Bell asked, bewilderment coating every syllable.

Chuckling at the innocence in the fairy's words, Regina revealed, "It's not a marriage. It's a farce." Glancing around to make sure no one was paying them any attention, she leaned closer and lowered her voice. "I may be the queen, but alone in that palace, I feel like the queen of nothing."

Taking Regina's words in stride, Tinker Bell raised her cup to her lips. "No wonder you jumped."

Taken aback by the fairy's assumption, Regina could only stare for several heartbeats. "I didn't jump." She finally defended with a scoff. "I fell."

"Right." Tinker Bell agreed, sensing that pressing the issue would only harm the rapport she and the queen had built. Clearing her throat, the fairy agreed, "You 'fell'."

"I did." Regina insisted at the sight of Tinker Bell fighting the urge to smile. "But if I had…" Grabbing her cup of ale, Regina held it up, clinking it against Tinker Bell's with an easy chuckle. "Here's to good reasons."

Instead of take a drink, Tinker Bell pursed her lips in thought. "You know, I've got an idea."

Glancing up in interest, Regina brushed away a lock of hair from her eyes. "Hmm?"

"I can help people find what they need, Regina." Tink told her, smiling widely.

"And what do I need?"

A sad smile formed on the fairy's lips at Regina's open, trusting words. "You don't even know? That's so sad." Arms crossed on the table, Tink leaned forward. "Regina, love. You need love."

Unable to stop herself, Regina chuckled wryly. "You're gonna help me find another soulmate?"

"It is possible to find love again." Tink told her brightly. "I've never seen pixie dust fail. It will find you your perfect match." She ignored Regina's faint scoff of disbelief. "If you let it, it will find your happy ending."

"My happy ending looks like Snow's head on a plate." Regina muttered, expression darkening as she relived Daniel's death over his her mind's eye.

"No." Tinker Belle refuted, refusing to let the woman before her fall into such dark thoughts. "Aren't you at least curious? What if I can do what I say?"

"Well, then, I'd say that that's real magic."

If she hoped that Tinker Bell would be offended by her obvious doubt, Regina was doomed to be disappointed.

"I'm a fairy." Tinker Bell reminded her, arching a brow in challenge. "You might wanna try believing in me."

Despite herself, Regina found her lips twitching to return the wide, excited smile Tinker Bell wore.

Neverland

Unlike the others, who were either in good physical condition or just good at pretending such a thing, Regina was unable to keep up with the grueling pace that was set. Panting heavily, she paused, consciously aware that she was already falling behind at the back of the group, and dabbed at the sweat on her forehead.

Glancing around, she caught sight of the back of Emma's head and started forward, stashing the handkerchief in her pocket. Striding off, she was unaware of the scrap of cloth falling from her pocket to the ground. She was equally unaware of the slim, green-clad figure that stooped to grab the cloth before they continued to stalk her through the trees.

Increasing the length of her strides, Regina rounded a corner to see Emma. Brushing a branch out of her way, the dark-haired woman called to the blonde. "Emma."

Stopping in her tracks, the blonde woman turned to gaze at the older woman in silent question. Once Regina had caught up, Emma began to walk again, thinking the other woman wanted to make sure she didn't fall behind and get lost.

"There is another way."

"Is there?" Emma retorted flatly, hoping Regina would get the hint.

"Magic."

Scoffing, Emma stopped and turned to glare at her. "Didn't we just go through this?"

"I'm not talking about my magic." Regina snapped back, trying to get her point through the blonde's thick skull. "I'm talking about our magic."

"I am not interested!" Emma replied, loud enough that the other three members of their group had paused several paces ahead, gazing back warily at the duo. "One thing I've learn is it always comes with a price."

Refusing to admit the blonde was right, Regina came up with a way to refute the blonde's valid point. "Well, sometimes not using it comes with a price, too." She lowered her voice. "I bet you and I combined are strong enough to overpower Pan."

Drawn back by their raised voices, Mary Margaret arrived to flank her daughter just as she quietly shot down Regina's plan.

"What is we're not? I'm not gonna take a chance on that." She told Regina, no inflection in her tone. "We're talking about Henry and Lillian's lives."

"I'm aware of that."

"Look, I know you don't like this plan." Emma tried to soothe Regina's obviously ruffled feathers, recognizing that she was just worried about their son. "Let's just see it through. Let's at least see if we can find… Tinker Bell."

"And you think it's the best plan because your boyfriend came up with it?" The moment the snide words left her mouth, Regina regretted them.

"My boyfriend? Hook? What's your problem?" Emma demanded hotly.

Though she'd remained silent until now, Mary Margaret couldn't stop herself from adding, "She just lost Neal."

Lips pursed, Regina's gaze darted between the two of them before she closed her eyes. "I'm sorry." She muttered, eyes raising to meet Emma's once more. "I'm just worried about Henry."

Though Lillian hissed at him to remain put, Henry found himself oddly curious about what Pan was doing halfway across the camp. Rising to his feet, Henry drew closer to where Pan stood, a hooded lost boy flanking him.

"What's that?" Henry asked, only half-aware of Lillian just behind him.

"Dreamshade." Peter replied as he dipped the tip of an arrow into the vial of poison. "It's a nasty poison." Blowing on the arrow tip, satisfied that there was enough of the poison on it, he took the crossbow back from the lost boy that had held the vial of dreamshade. "We have a story here about a man who once shot an apple off his son's head with an arrow." Loading the arrow into the crossbow, Peter's gaze went to Henry's, then Lillian's. "Let's find out if that's possible."

Given her history with the island, the lost boys, and Peter himself, Lillian had a very good idea of what Peter was trying to do. Refusing to let Henry fall under the spell of the island, she decided it was time to derail Peter's plan to make Henry a lost boy.

"If you're shooting an apple, then what's the point of using dreamshade?" Lillian drawled, chin raised in defiant challenge when all eyes focused on her. "

"Motivation not to miss." Peter retorted, winking at her as he raised the crossbow and aimed with it. "Felix! Get over here!"

Glancing up from where he knelt at the fire, the blond lost boy obligingly rose and came to stand by Peter. Passing by Lillian, Felix tossed her a mocking smirk that had her snarling loud enough to wake the dead.

"Is-is Felix good?" Frightened, and trying desperately to hide it, Henry couldn't stop his voice from cracking. "Is his aim good?"

"It doesn't matter." Lillian dismissed, voice like eyes and eyes the color of blood. At her words, the entire camp fell silent, all waiting with bated breath to see what their leader would do when his princess denied him. "Because you're not playing his game, Henry."

Placing a hand on Henry's shoulder, she drew him closer, protecting him from their view with her body. Glaring at Peter to contradict her, she didn't need to wait long.

Lips frozen in a twisted smirk, Peter shoved the crossbow at Felix, boots quickly closing the distance between Lillian and himself. Ushering Henry to stand completely behind her, she refused to back down when smoldering green eyes stared down at her.

"What are you going to do?" She whispered, refusing to react when he reached out to sweep loose curls behind her ear. Hurt glinted in his eyes, and she knew that same hurt was mirrored in her own. "What can you do to hurt me that you haven't done already?"

Every word was a pointed barb, designed to make him hurt as much as she was. The situation they found themselves in was intolerable, but she couldn't see a way out. A stormy expression found its way onto his face, before it was replaced by cold contemplation.

"Sooner, rather than later, you're going to want to stay, Lillian." He breathed hotly, refusing to allow her to guilt him into taking off the cuff. "You and Henry. But, until then, you aren't the one in control, love."

Before she could respond, he gripped the back of her neck, fingers taking in the curls there, and claimed her lips in a heated kiss. Stunned, she stood still for several heartbeats before, with a wrenching gasp, yanked herself from his grasp.

Fingers raised to her swollen, bruised lips, she bit the inside of her cheek hard enough to draw blood in an effort to keep the tears at bay. "I don't know what you think you're doing, Peter, but you will not punish me like this.

Wearing a lost expression, Henry looked from Lillian to Pan, blinking at the stricken expression the green-eyed boy wore. Having heard bits and pieces of the love story between his sister and the first lost boy, the little boy found that after seeing them interact with one another, he was more confused than ever.

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, pushing aside the pain her words brought and his own self-recrimination at treating her like that, Peter returned his attention to little Henry Mills.

"You'll be the one doing the shooting." He told the boy, nodding at Luca to drag Lillian away from him.

"No! Henry, don't!" Twisting wildly in Luca's grip, unable to use the magic that simmered wildly just beneath her skin, Lillian resorted to stomping on her old friend's foot.

Glancing at her in fright, Henry took the crossbow with limp hands. "But I-I don't want to shoot."

Following his quiet denial, it was as if a dam broke. Every lost boy in the clearing began to chant the word 'shoot'. Shaking from terror, and trying desperately to hide it, Henry immediately tried to find a way out of the situation. Lillian, who had calmed her struggles, renewed them when she caught sight of Henry's fear.

"You won't hit him." Peter encouraged, backing away from Henry as the boy lifted the crossbow, brow creased in determination. "Trust yourself, go on." Catching the apple when his leader tossed it, Felix placed the fruit on his head and backed up several paces, quietly joining the chanting lost boys. "It's exhilarating!"

Everywhere he looked, all Henry could see were lost boys, all encouraging him to shoot. The only ones who didn't make noise was Lillian, who was silently shaking her head. Unsure what to do, Henry adjusted his grip on the crossbow and looked towards where Felix stood, an eyebrow arched in challenge.

Swallowing thickly, Henry raised the crossbow and took aim. Seeing this, Pan threw out one arm. At his signal, the lost boys stopped chanting, instead gazing quietly at the newest recruit. Mindful of every eye on him, Henry tightened his grip on the weapon, making a decision at the last moment.

Twisting around, Henry changed targets and loosed the arrow in the direction of Peter. Grinning, he caught the arrow inches before it pierced the skin of his chest. Even though she knew he'd catch it, Lillian couldn't stop the whimper of protest that escaped her lips.

The lost boys began to laugh and cheer, to Henry's bewilderment.

Panting heavily, Lillian stared at the crossbow bolt, watching as the dreamshade dripped off the tip. Trembling from head to toe, she didn't react when Peter threw the bolt away, or when Luca's hands tightened on her shoulders. Honestly, she needed the support, given how her legs suddenly felt like jelly. Unable to watch any further, she closed her eyes in defeat and leaned back against Luca's chest.

"Told you it was exhilarating," Peter's voice was low with satisfaction as tossed the arrow away. Coming to stand beside Henry, the taller boy clapped a hand on his trembling shoulder. "Come on, I have something to show you."

At the head of the group, Hook jumped down the small ledge and turned, watching to make sure the rest of them made it. Holding up his lantern, he nodded when they all made it, though eyed David shrewdly when he brought up the rear.

Watching as the blond man's hand went to grip his right side, face twisting into an unconscious grimace of pain, Hook could no longer hold his tongue.

"So, you gonna tell her?" The pirate asked quietly, his words halting David in his tracks.

"Tell her what?"

The dark-haired pirate wore an unimpressed look at the prince's forced nonchalant behavior. "I saw what happened to you, mate. Let me see." Expression silently advising the other man that he was not to be trifled with, Hook waited.

David, after looking around to make sure none of the others saw, began to lift his shirt. "The arrow only nicked me."

Though he knew what to expect, Hook still hissed at the sight of the gash along David's rib cage. Despite only being hours old, it had the look of at least a week's worth of neglect, and the blackened, diseased looking veins that stretched across his skin indicated that the poison was spreading.

"I'm sorry, mate." Hook whispered, a frighting sincerity in his face expression.

Caught off guard by it, David paused before shoving his shirt back down to cover the wound. "Do you know how long?"

"Days." Hook answered candidly, seeing no reason to lie. David's head snapped up at the bleak answer. "Weeks at most. You won't see summer." Biting his lip, he advised, "It a really bad break, you might want to tell her."

"No." David snapped, turning on his heel and following the path.

Hook chased after him, refusing to allow the prince to run away from the truth. "Well you have to."

Suddenly, David came to a sudden halt, causing Hook to nearly run into him. "Maybe I don't."

Hook arched a brow. "Well, how's that?"

"Pixie dust. You believe in this Tinker Bell's power?" David pressed. "In her pixie dust?"

Hook nodded. "Indeed I do."

"Then let's get her and that dust."

Enchanted Forest

Deciding she had been away from the castle long enough, Regina regretfully mentioned she'd need to head back. Though she very much doubted that any of the servants would notice if she'd dropped dead, never mind disappeared, she wasn't willing to take any chances with the small amount of freedom she had left. Arm in arm, the two women strode away from the tavern, conversing easily despite their brief acquaintance.

"You really think this will make me happy?" Regina pressed, still unsure if she could really believe in love again after what happened to Daniel.

Stopping, Tinkerbell turned to face her, smiling encouragingly. "I know it will." From the village, the bells of the church began to ring. Eyes widening, she looked around, realizing how late it was, she flashed Regina an apologetic smile. "I'm late. I have to go." Raising her wand, she flashed the hesitant, yet smiling, queen one last grin as her wings unfurled. "See you soon!"

"What…" Startling somewhat when Tinkerbell was enveloped in that shimmering green dust, Regina could only watch in awe as the fairy shrunk down to her normal size and flew away.

Flying as fast as her wings would take her, Tinkerbell flew across the Enchanted Forest, heading towards the Vale of the Fairies. Almost giddy over all she'd accomplished with the Regina, she was still brimming with excitement when she touched down in the center of several closed blossoms. Making her way carefully to the flower designated as her own, she bit back a yelp of surprise when the flower bloomed, revealed the Blue Fairy.

"Good evening, Green." The long suffering head of the fairies greeted coolly.

"Hey, Blue!" Remaining upbeat, Tinkerbell refused to bow under the weight of Blue's obvious disapproval. "You look amazing. Did you to something to your-"

"You're late." Blue cut her off, serene expression threatening to crack. "You've already broken every rule in the book - curfew, dust discipline, you got big for no reason."

Tinkerbell held up a hand to stop anymore recriminations on Blue's part. "Listen. I have news - amazing news. I was helping someone." Once more, her excitement threatened to spill over. "A queen in the Enchanted Forest - Regina."

Blue smiled, but there was no humor in it. "Do you know who she is? Her mother was Cora, the one who ripped out hearts." Miming the act the sorceress was famous for, the elder fairy all but radiated disapproval. "Her teacher is the Dark One."

"So?"

"So, consider yourself lucky you are still alive!" Sighing, Blue reigned in her anger at the blatant disregard Green had for the truth. "Green, this is not a woman you can help. She is surrounded by darkness."

Refusing to give up, Tinkerbell stood her ground. "Sounds to me like she's exactly someone who could use help. Well, maybe if you let me have some pixie dust…"

"Not a chance!" Blue couldn't help the faint scoff that left her lips. "You fly away from this one, Green."

Lips pursed to stop herself from scowling, Tinkerbell tossed her head back to stare her teacher down. "My name isn't Green. It's Tinkerbell. And I can't believe you want me to ignore someone who needs help. It's not very fairy-like."

Given the suddenly angry expression on Blue's normally calm features, that was the wrong thing to say. "I will be the judge of what is 'fairy-like'." She told Green, incensed that the fairy-in-training would flout her decree like that.

Realizing she'd gone to far, Tinkerbell attempted to steer the conversation to less troubled waters. "But I-"

"No discussion. Until further notice, you are to remain her and continue your training under my direct supervision." Gazing down coldly at the younger fairy, Blue arched a brow. "Understood?"

Properly cowed, Tinkerbell lowered her head in submission. "Yes, Blue."

Satisfied that her commands would be obeyed this time, the Blue Fairy flew off in a trail of glimmering, blue dust. Waiting until the older fairy had left the area, and sure that she was alone, Tinkerbell took to the air once more. Rather than remain in her flower bud, she instead flew off to where the collection of pixie dust was kept, knowing she was going to be breaking the most important rule of all.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Robin demanded the moment the doors closed behind Neal and himself. Though originally curious about what plan Neal could have suddenly come up with, Robin Hood soon decided that falling through a portal had left the man before him with a concussion that impaired judgement. "He's four years old!"

"The Shadow won't touch him, I promise." Neal vowed as they went further into the room, inwardly praying that he was right. A small voice of reason told him that the plan was insane, as Robin was suggesting, but it was drowned out by a louder voice that reminded him of the danger his family was currently in.

Robin stared him down. "How do you know that?"

"Because I've done that before." Neal revealed, remembering how the Shadow was sentient enough to bargain with a group of frightened children. "It was what took me to Neverland as a kid. All Roland has to do is summon it. That's it." Gesturing towards the still playing boy, he touched his open hand to his chest.
"I'll take it from there. I'll be the one going to Neverland. not him."

Robin stormed towards the table to set down his lantern. "Oh, so at best, my toddler is bait. At worst, something goes wrong, and a demonic Shadow carries him through a portal to the 'nastiest person you ever met'."

Though he winced at having his own words thrown back at him, Neal pressed on. "Look, Robin, I have to get there."

Heaving another sigh, refusing to crumble at the sight of Neal's desperate, heart-wrenching expression, Robin lowered his voice. "I lost my wife a while back. For that, we almost never even had Roland, she was so sick." Pausing, he determinedly pushed the memories away, refusing to spiral into the pain that was losing his wife. "Now, she's gone. He's all I have, I can't lose him."

"So, you know how I feel." Despite the wary expression Robin wore, Neal sensed the other man's resolve was crumbling. "I need my boy and Emma and Lillian. They're all I have."

Angry at having been put in this position, Robin couldn't stop the ice from creeping into his words. "So, because I know what it is to value family, I should risk mine?"

Sighing, Neal looked away, hating the depths to which he was about to stoop. "When she was sick - your wife… how did she live so she could have your boy?"

Lips thinning, Robin glared. "You know how."

"My father. He saved her…" Neal pressed quietly, not too proud to call upon the favor that was owed to his family. "And your son."

Irked at having his words thrown back at him, Robin turned away from Neal. "Ah, right." Inhaling deeply, he gave a single, tight nod of his head. "Once. He stands at the window, and he calls out once." Turning his head to meet Neal's eye, Robin found his own narrowing. "That doesn't take, that's it. No second chance."

Neal nodded somberly. "You've got to understand this is my second chance."

Neverland

Clearing her throat loud enough for Emma to hear, Regina stopped and set her lantern down on a fallen log. Throwing her arms out in exasperation at the sight of the other woman stopping again, though she conceded the mayor was very unused to such physical activity.

"Hey!" She called lightly just as Regina finished stretching her legs.

Head turning to stare at the blonde, Regina returned the greeting warily. "Hey."

"You're falling behind. Hook thinks her place is right up ahead." Keeping her voice light, Emma gestured in the direction of the others. "Come on."

"Well, if she still lives there." Regina muttered, looking away when Emma's face twisted up in thought. "You go waste your time searching and I'll wait."

Fed up with Regina's many excuses, Emma asked the question that had been plaguing her since Tinkerbell was first brought up. "What did you do to her?"

"What?" Regina had the gall to wear an offended expression. "Why would you assume I did something?"

"You've met her before, right? In the Enchanted Forest?" Without waiting for Regina to deflect, Emma continued, "What'd you do, kill her brother? Steal her halo?"

Regina arched a brow at that last one. "She's not an angel." When the blonde out her hands on her hips, clearly unwilling to back down, Regina caved. "Okay, we have a complicated history."

"I knew it."

Deciding to head off Emma before she could begin peppering her with questions, Regina raised a hand. "You don't need to know the details. But, if she sees me, she won't help." And, privately, Regina couldn't find it in herself to blame the fairy if she did so. "And if she's the way in, well then trust me," Regina sighed heavily, "my staying out of her sight is probably best for Operation: Henry."

Emma found her lips twitching. "Operation: Henry?"

Regina gave a self-conscious shrug as she sat beside her lantern. "That's… what I've been calling it in my head because…"

"He'd call it that." Emma finished wryly.

"He'd have a better name." Regina admitted. "But …it's the best I could do."

"Okay." Taking pity on the clearly uncomfortable woman before her, Emma made the decision to let her off the hook. "We'll get her and then come get you."

Regina shook her head at that plan. "No, don't bother. It's better if we never see one another." Straightening to her full height, the dark-haired woman spared Emma a forced, empty smile. "And if you don't find her, keep going. Just get Henry. Don't worry about Tinkerbell."

"What the hell did you do to her?" Emma asked quietly, surprised when Regina looked away, regret filling her eyes.

"What I always do." Regina admitted quietly, shaking her head with a sigh.

Realizing her presence wasn't appreciated and, not wanting to push Regina on the subject, Emma nodded and headed to catch up with the others.

When Henry disappeared with Peter, all the fight went out of Lillian. Ashamed of herself, she didn't protest when Luca led her to sit at a stump near the edge of the campsite. Grateful for the illusion of privacy, she slumped over, hiding her face in her hands and breathed in deeply to quell the rising nausea. They'd only been on this stupid island for a handful of days and Henry was already beginning to fall under Peter's spell.

"Lily?" Luca asked carefully, lips a thin, worried slash against his face. "What is it?"

"I'm losing him." She said flatly, eyes filling with pain at the thought.

"Who? Pan? I'm sure he didn't mean what happened earlier. You know what he's like Lily, but he still…" He trailed off when she began to violently shake her head and it was like a light bulb went off. Had the situation been different, she would have smiled at how nothing had changed for him. "Oh. You mean Henry. Is… is that such a bad thing? I mean, if Henry wants to stay, then you could stop trying to get him home?"

The look she threw him could have curdled milk. "What kind of question is that?!" She demanded angrily, not entirely sure who she was more angry at. "Henry doesn't belong here!"

"But you do." Luca reminded her, and she wanted to cry at the earnest, eager expression he wore. "You belong here, Lily, with Pan and with us!" He paused, abruptly sobering, as if coming to a unwelcome realization. "Don't you?"

Eyes brimming with tears, Lillian couldn't make herself meet his eye. But she wouldn't, couldn't, lie to him. Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, she didn't react when he cautiously approached and enveloped her under his arm.

"I don't know, Luca." She whispered into the rough fabric of his cloak. "I really don't know."

Enchanted Forest

Seated at her writing desk, Regina was so focused on her letter that she almost didn't realize Tinkerbell had arrived until the fairy was right next to her. Twisting in her seat, she watched as the fairy flew around.

"Wanna fly?" The blonde fairy queried, practically bouncing with excitement.

Regina shared her enthusiasm. "You've got it?" She asked, abandoning the letter without a care. Somehow, she'd convinced herself that meeting Tinkerbell was all in her mind, dreamed up as a way to stave off the crippling isolation she felt all day every day. It was somewhat of a relief that Tinkerbell had come back at all, never mind with the promised pixie dust.

"And then some," Tink promised gravely, ruining the effect with a wide smile. "Let's get started. Helping you find your happiness, saving you… that's what's gonna save me."

Regina hesitated at the way Tink spoke. "This isn't your pixie dust, is it?" She asked, following the hovering fairy as she backed towards the balcony.

"Well, when you think about it, does anyone really own pixie dust?"

"The fairies are quite proprietary about it." Concern twisted Regina's formerly excited features. Unused to having someone go to so much trouble for her, she didn't want her new friend to get into trouble on her account. "They find out you stole it, they would-"

"Don't worry about me." Tinkerbell reassured her with a lightness she didn't feel. "This is about you." With that, she tossed a handful of glittering pixie dust over Regina's head. Within seconds, the dust took effect, covering Regina head to toe in a greenish glow. "Come on," she urged, waiting for Regina to nod before she raised her wand to lift the dark-haired, laughing woman off her feet. Soon, they were both flying out the window and into the open sky. "Now, watch."

Retrieving another handful of the dust, Tinkerbell threw it out into the sky. Soon, there was a wide, sparkling green trail that went on as far as they could see.

"What's that?" Regina asked curiously.

Tink threw her an excited grin. "That's your happy ending." With another wave of her wand, she and Regina were gliding across the sky, following the gleaming trail. Several minutes later, she began to steer them back towards the ground. "He's down there."

Gracefully, Tinkerbell brought them back to the ground in a dim alleyway just outside a village pub. Walking hand in hand towards the lively, brightly lit building, Regina felt her stomach begin to writhe violently with her nerves.

"Inside here," Tink whispered, carefully watching Regina's face in the faded light, "lies the beginning of your happiness. All the pain in your past will be just that - the past." She promised, walking to the window to peer inside.

Regina hung back. "I just need a moment."

"You're nervous, I get it." Tink soothed, brightening when she glanced back inside. "But look!" A seated man with his back to them carried a faint, greenish glow that was unnoticeable to the untrained eye. "There he is!" Curiosity overcoming her fear, Regina joined her at the window. Tink pointed to the man just as he raised his arm for a refill, sleeve slipping down to reveal a lion tattoo on his right arm. "The guy with the lion tattoo."

Compared to Daniel, the man Tink pointed to was the complete opposite of Regina's first love. "That's him?" She found herself asking, flinching at the doubt in her voice.

"Pixie dust doesn't lie." Tink reminded her, though there was no censure in her tone. "Come on, this is your chance at love and happiness. A fresh start, no baggage." Reaching out, the fairy wrapped an arm around Regina's shoulders, feeling how she trembled. "You can let go of all the anger that weighs you down. Go get him!"

Giving Tink a trembling smile, Regina inhaled deeply. "Okay. Okay, I can do this. I can be happy."

"I know you can." Tinkerbell told her, eyes growing wet at the hopeful, terrified expression Regina wore. "Go."

With that last push, the fairy turned and ran off, sensing Regina needed to do this alone. Hesitating for another moment after Tink had left, Regina gathered her courage and threw open the door. The pub was too loud for any to notice the white-garbed woman in the door, and she watched her supposed 'soulmate' as he laughed and cheered with the men at his table.

She went to take a step forward, only to freeze in sudden terror. Without a word, she turned and fled the pub, leaving the man with the lion tattoo behind.

Neverland

Seated on the log, giving her aching feet a break, Regina listened intently to the jungle around her. Despite what the person that had been stalking her through the jungle believed, Regina had been aware of their presence all along. When rustling came from just out of sight, Regina rose to her feet.

"Let's get this over with, shall we?" She called in a dry, bored tone.

Obligingly, Tinkerbell strode from the underbrush, looking much worse for the wear than the last time Regina had seen her. "A complicated history?" the blonde fairy mocked, expression pinched. "That's quite a diplomatic way of describing it."

"You look terrible."

The fairy's expression, if possible, hardened further. "You trying to provoke me?"

Regina arched a brow in challenge. "Come and get me, Tinkerbell."

"You think you're so smart," Tinkerbell sneered, stalking towards Regina in a threatening manner. "But you're gonna fail."

Without warning, she held out a hand and blew poppy dust into Regina's startled face. Standing back, she watched with grim satisfaction as the dark-haired woman crumpled to the ground in a dead sleep.

Though he normally wouldn't enter a lady's private chambers without an invitation, Hook decided that drastic times called for drastic measures. Hauling himself up the ladder, he peered cautiously into the tree house, hoping its own would ask questions before shooting. Once he'd gathered that the lady of the house wasn't in, he called down to his companions.

"No one's home. Come on up."

David was the first up the ladder. "Where would it be?" He muttered, scanning the small room with keen eyes.

"She won't leave dust just lying around, mate." Hook told him in an undertone before David could tear the place apart. "It's not here, I promise. Sorry."

"It's pretty bare." Emma observed, pausing at the top of the ladder. "Reminds me of someplace."

Bringing up the rear, Mary Margaret sighed deeply at the dark, depressing room. "You'd think a tree house would be more cheery."

"Where I used to live, that's it!" Emma snapped her finger, looking around with tired eyes.

As she and Hook headed to check the balcony, Mary Margaret looked at the place with sad eyes. "Because it's just a place to sleep."

Glancing from the view off the balcony, Emma walked past her mother and asked, "What would you know about that?"

Mary Margaret huffed at the skepticism in her daughter's tone. "I didn't always have a canopy bed in a palace. I had a place like this, too. Once."

"You did?"

"A tree stump." The dark-haired princess smiled wryly at her daughter's surprise. "When I was running from the Queen. Believe it or not, I understand this Tinkerbell." Wanting to move on from such a personal topic, she crossed her arms and glanced from the ladder to Hook. "The real question is, why does she have a ladder? Fairies have wings."

"Hey, guys?" Bent over, David's muffled voice stopped Hook from having to answer that question. "I've found something. It's a handkerchief." Flattening out the cloth, he didn't resist when his wife grabbed for it.

"That's Regina's." She muttered, tracing the embroidered initials in one corner. "How did it get here?"

"She's tracking us, watching Regina."

Mary Margaret's eyes widened. "But, if she's been watching her…

"Then we're in the wrong place." Hook finished darkly.

"Regina." David breathed before they all went to the ladder.

Groggily, Regina struggled to open her eyes, groaning quietly. Going to move, she paused, realizing that her wrists were tied together. Looking around, she met Tinkerbell's hard, unforgiving gaze trained on her.

"About time you woke up. I've been looking forward to this chat for a long time."

"Look… you don't know why I'm here-"

"Oh, I know exactly why you're here." Tinkerbell cut her off. "You're trying to find your son."

Still dizzy from the poppy dust, Regina struggled to sit up. "I take it by the restraints, you're not helping."

"Hell, no." The blonde swore, offended by the very suggestion. "You're the last person I'd ever help, after how you burned me."

"Burned you?" Regina repeated, bewildered. "You're the one who interfered in my life."

"And threw away my own in the process."

"So what do you want from me? To kill me? You think it's that easy?" Lowering her voice, Regina met Tink's gaze head on. "Whatever you knocked me out with I can tell it's not magic." Tasting the unique flavor on her still slightly numb lips, she smacked them together. "Maybe poppies. But they're wearing off." She observed, rising shakily to her feet. "And since you had to resort to that, it only means one thing. You don't have magic. But I do."

Ripping away the bindings, Regina was still too sluggish to react when Tinkerbell reacted. Rising up, she grabbed the arrow at her side and held it up to Regina's throat.

"Yeah, I know." The fairy said over Regina's gasp. "But even your magic can't stop this. Ever hear of dreamshade?"

Scarcely daring to move, Regina eye the woman before her with new eyes. "Yes."

"Good."

"How the hell did you get like this?"

"I met you."

"Okay, you wanna kill me?" Regina whispered, careful of the arrow centimeters from her skin. "I can make it easier."

"What are you-" Tinkerbell trailed off, watching in horror as Regina ripped her own heart out with a sickening sound.

Gasping through the pain, Regina held up her beating heart. "You wanna kill me? Oh, don't let the poison do it. You should do it. Go ahead. Crush it!" She snapped when the fairy hesitated.

Recovering her nerve, Tinkerbell glared at the other woman. "You think I won't take it?"

"No, I'm counting on it." Regina retorted quietly, trying to goad her into action. "Show me who you are… Tinkerbell."

"Gladly."

Enchanted Forest

Swallowing her hurt, Tinkerbell did as Regina ordered and flew away from the palace. She'd barely made it past the castle and into the surrounding forest when a heartbroken, familiar voice called out.

"Stop." Face crumpling, Tinkerbell turned in midair to see Blue behind her, expression full of disappointment. "You stole that dust."

"I know." Tink admitted, voice thick with tears. "I thought I needed it to prove to you that I was a good fairy."

"You could have proven that by being a good fairy, by listening to me."

"I was following my instincts." Tinkerbell defended, fluttering closer.

"Which are so far from being correct." Sighing, Blue began to shake her head. "This can't be forgiven."

Tinkerbell's heart seized. "Wait. Wait, wait. Everyone deserves a second chance. We always tell people that."

"But, Tinkerbell, this was your second chance."

"Please." She begged, voice breaking. "I promise. I'm so sorry."

"You betrayed my trust."

"I can regain it. Give me a chance."

Blue shook her head resolutely. "You can't, for one simple, tragic reason - I no longer believe in you."

Gasping, Tinkerbell twisted to stare at her rapidly fading wings in shock. When they disappeared, she fell onto the ground with a resounding thud. Gasping, Blue gazed down at her sorrowfully before flying off.

Rising to a kneeling position, Tinkerbell gazed hopelessly at nothing, heart breaking.

Neverland

Holding Regina's heart in her hand, poisoned arrow forgotten, Tinkerbell began to squeeze the organ. Regina jerked at the pain with a soft groan.

"Do you know what you've cost me?" The blonde asked lowly, turning around and staling towards the small fire, allowing Regina to see her back.

Regina couldn't stop the faint gasp that left her lips. "Your wings."

"Why?"

"Why what? Why did I hand over my heart?"

"No! Why did you lie?!" Tinkerbell demanded, spinning on her heel to glare hatefully at her. "Because I've been over a million times, and that spell worked! You never went in!" She accused, anger growing when Regina refused to look directly at her. "It's the only explanation. Why couldn't you just go through that door and meet your soulmate? Was being happy such a terrible fate?"

"Yes. Yes, it was." Regina claimed heatedly. Taken aback, Tinkerbell stared at her, mouth open. "You're right. I never went in. I was afraid. I didn't… you said I ould let go off the anger that was weighting me down and suddenly it felt like without it I would just… float away. That anger was all I had. What would I be without it?"

"Happy."

Regina shook her head in denial. "Weak."

"And look what good it did you." Tinkerbell snapped as she stalked forward, tired of her excuses. "That 'strength' you gained. 'Cause I'm holding your heart in my hand, and I'm not hearing one reason not to squeeze it into ash."

"Alright, you wanna a reason? Here you go." Regina snapped. "You think I was afraid? You think I did the wrong thing? Well, Fairy, right now you're making the same choice. I picked revenge over hope, and you're holding the result-" Reaching down, she cupped the heart and Tink's hand. "A small, hard… dark heart." She snapped, forcing Tink's hand until the heart was right before her wary eyes. "If you make the same choice I did, then what you're looking at is your own future." Scowling, the blonde ripped her hand from Regina's touch. "I'm not gonna tell you what to do. The choice is yours. Kill me or… act like the fairy you are."

"You said I was a terrible fairy." Tinkerbell accused, putting several steps between them.

"Well, then prove me wrong." Regina dared her, catching sight of the pain in the fairy's eyes. "Pick hope over anger. Choose love and help me get my son back."

"You love your son?" Tink asked, almost as if she couldn't believe it.

Regina smiled freely. "Very much. With Henry, I finally got something right." She admitted. "Don't you wanna be able to say the same thing?"

"It's too late for me."

"Only if you kill me."

"I won't kill you, but I won't help you either." Tink revealed, stalking back to stand before Regina. The malice left her eyes, revealing only a desolate sadness. "Besides, it's probably too late. He's been with him too long."

Gazing down at the heart, she handed it off to Regina before she walked away.

Shaken by what he'd almost done, Henry allowed Peter to lead him where he wanted. Spending time with Peter Pan, the boy who had orchestrated his kidnapping - and Lillian's - wasn't on the top of his list of favorite things to do. Pausing, Henry found his eyes drawn towards the group of boys playing with knives.

Following Henry's gaze, Peter smirked. "Look at the fun they're having." He pointed out, seeing that the younger boy's eyes were constantly drawn to the shouting boys. "The thing of this place, Henry, is that no one ever tells you no. You can do whatever you want."

"They never hurt themselves?" Henry asked as they sat down on a pair of stumps.

"All the time." Peter admitted with a scoff. "At one point, I had four boys with missing fingers. Lily worked herself up into a right snit when that happened. Cost of the game." Peter told him with a crooked smile. "They didn't mind."

"I don't belong here." Henry said abruptly, suddenly searching the camp for any trace of Lillian.

"Actually," Pan countered, crossing his leg and resting his elbow on it. "You do. We've been waiting for you for a very long time, Henry - long before you were even born."

"I don't believe that."

Peter huffed a laugh at Henry's easy dismissal. "You should. This place runs on imagination, on belief." Wearing a serious, drawn expression, Peter leaned forward and lowered his voice. "But your world stopped believing. Magic is dying and you, Henry, need to save it."

Curious despite himself, Henry tilted his head. "In my world, you mean?"

"In every world." Seeing he had the young boy's attention, Peter pressed further. "You need to bring it back. That's your destiny, to return the magic. To be the Savior."

"My mom Emma's the Savior. Not me."

Peter scoffed. "Yeah, she broke some curse, yeah." He smirked at Henry's surprised expression. "Oh, I know more than you think. But what if breaking the curse wasn't the thing that made her the Savior? What if having you was? Think about it. You're descended from the greatest of light and of dark," he pointed out, not bothering to explain how he knew that tidbit either. "What, you think it's a coincidence that the spawn of the Dark One met your mother? You were created for a reason, and I can help you find it"

"So. you're thinking I'm supposed to save magic." Wearing a skeptical expression, Henry pulled away.

Peter shook his head. "I'm don't think, I believe. Remember I, uh, said I had something to show you." Reaching into his tunic, he pulled out a tightly wound scroll and handed it to Henry. "Here. I've had this for a very long time, long before you were even thought of. Take a look and you'll know why I'm so sure that you're the hero magic has been waiting for."

Taking the scroll, Henry didn't even bother unrolling it. When Pan stood up, Henry threw it behind the log with a determined expression. "I don't believe you."

Rather than look offended or upset, Pan gave a small, knowing smirk. "You remind me of your father." He commented lightly as he walked off, leaving Henry to stare after him in shock.

Enchanted Forest

Once they'd let her in on the plan, Mulan took charge, ordering them with the ease of the general she had been.

"I'll be right here, next to the window. Robin," she pointed at the deeply worried man, "behind the table. Neal, you need to be there, under the sill. You'll come up right under the Shadow."

"It's a good plan." Robin commented.

Mulan moved an overturned table. "I know." She acknowledged blithely.

Following her instructions, Neal and Robin began to shift the overturned and broken furniture, clearing a space before the chosen window.

"Hook," Neal sighed as they lifted a chaise lounge together, "Man, thanks again.

"Thank me when your family is back together." Robin ordered him, brow creasing when Neal shrugged uneasily. "What?"

"I, uh, ya know… Uh, I'm gonna save them." He said, sitting down on the chaise. "But back together? We'll see."

Robin stared down at him, still confused. "I thought you said you loved them?"

"I do." Neal agreed, eyes going to where Mulan watched. "We'll see if I can earn it back."

"Why wouldn't you?" She asked, kneeling down to move some ruined books.

"'Cause I screwed up the first time." He admitted sheepishly, suddenly finding his clasped hands very interesting. "Hopefully, I get another chance. When Emma told me that she loved me, I… I waited way too long before I said I felt the same. I won't make that same mistake again."

Mulan's expression was soft. "I'm sure she will forgive you."

"I hope so." Though he didn't sound too sure about it. "I learned that lesson the hard way. When you love someone, you don't keep it in. You say it."

The door creaked open, revealing Little John, Roland in one arm. "You're ready?" He asked, not liking the plan one bit.

"I suppose." Holding out his arms, Robin took his son from Little John, groaning. "Come here, little man. Okay." Setting Roland down, he went over the plan once more. "Now… Daddy's gonna be right there, okay?" He pointed at the table and waited until Roland nodded. "Now it might be loud but nothing's gonna hurt you. Do you understand?" The little boy nodded again. "Now you remember what you have to say?"

"Yeah. I say-"

"No! No! Not yet! No! Wait! Wait!"

Puzzled as all three adults began to shout before he could finish, Roland fell silent.

"Not yet." Mulan added, heart racing. Glancing from the child, she ordered, "Positions." Before drawing her sword.

"Okay. All right." Clutching Roland close, Robin pressed a kiss to his head before going to his spot by the table. "Okay, Roland. Say it."

Standing tall, somewhat excited for the important task he'd been given, Roland gazed determinedly at the window. "I believe."

Everyone tensed in their hiding spot, growing more and more on edge the longer nothing happened.

Gazing at the window, Neal looked to Robin. "Maybe if he says it again, just once more."

Rising to his feet, Robin crossed the floor to his boy. "No, I'm sorry, mate. That's it."

Just as Neal let his head fall in defeat, the windows opened with a clang. Wind rushing inside, the Shadow flew in, eyes focused intently on Roland. Picking up his son, Robin flinched back when the Shadow grabbed hold of his son's sleeve.

Crying out, Roland clutched at his father with his free arm, struggling to free his other one from the Shadow.

"No!"

Jumping from his hiding spot, Neal shouted, "Hey," trying to gain the Shadow's attention.

"I got it!" Tumbling from her hiding spot, Mulan sliced through the Shadow's arm, releasing Roland from its grasp. Roaring in pain, the being looked around before it flew back out the window. "Neal, go!"

Sprinting to the window, Neal leapt out of it, managing to grab hold of the Shadow at the last minute.

Both Mulan and Robin rushed to the window to see the Shadow and Neal flying away before they disappeared.

Some time later, Mulan slipped quietly into the large room Robin had claimed as a bedroom. Kneeling over his son's sleeping form, Robin watched Roland sleep, instinctively matching his breathing with the boy.

"Is he alright?" Mulan asked quietly.

Robin rose, coming to join her by the door. "Yes. Thank you, Mulan. I owe you much." A smile formed as he turned to look at the sleeping child. "He doesn't have a scratch on him."

She gave a proud smile. "I planned it that way."

"So… what now for you? What shall you do?" He asked, hoping he wansn't overstepping, but wishing to extend the offer all the same. "If you'd cared to put your considerable skills to use, there's a place for you among my Merry Man. You'd be the first woman. I hope that's no deterrent."

She chuckled wryly. "I've been in that position before."

"Is that a 'yes'?"

"I'm honored." She demurred, looking thoughtful. "But… there's someone I need to talk to before it's too late.

Robin nodded sagely. "A loved one."

"We shall see."

Neverland

Thankfully, it wasn't too hard to find and ambush Tinkerbell when she came out of the small system of caves. Raising her hands when the three strangers - and Hook - leapt out of the trees.

"Where's Regina?" Emma demanded.

Tink answered in kind. "Who the hell are you?"

"A pissed off mother." Emma retorted while Hook rolled his eyes. "Where is she?"

"I'm fine." Regina drawled, exiting the cave behind the fairy. "I'm fine."

"You mind removing those?" Tink asked acidly, while Hook looked like he'd rather be anywhere but there. "You may stick me, but I'll take you down with me."

"She's okay," Regina sighed, rubbing the back of her sore neck. "She's not gonna hurt us. Just stand down."

"But is she going to help us?" Hook asked wearily.

Tinkerbell swept her mocking eyes his way. "Well… look who the queen dragged along. Hello, Hook."

Hook nodded her way, sheathing his blade. "Lady Bell."

"She's not gonna help us." Regina announced tiredly.

"Why not?" Emma asked, glancing to Regina's troubled expression in silent accusation.

"Tink… after all we've been through together…" Hook shrugged helplessly at the cool, unimpressed look Tinkerbell wore. "Would a little assistance be too much to ask?" He paused, unsure if revealing the other person Pan had kidnapped would work for or against their cause. "He has Lily, Tink."

All remaining color leached from Tinkerbell's face. "What? You didn't tell me that!" She twisted to glare at Regina, ignored the woman's attempt to reply, and rounded on Hook. "We can't let Tiger Lily find out - she's in a bad way, Hook. If she finds out Lily's here... it might push her over the edge."

"Wait, wait," Emma held up her hands, head spinning. "I thought Lillian was 'Tiger Lily'?"

Tinkerbell wore a bewildered expression. "Not even close. Tiger Lily is a former fairy, like me - Lily is a princess. Pan's princess. If you think I'm going to get involved in that torrid love affair again, Hook, you've got another thing coming."

"'Torrid love affair'?" David repeated, looking severely disturbed by the notion that their current enemy had nefarious, amorous designs on Lillian. "What the hell does that mean?" Seeing his wife studiously avoiding everyone's eye, he frowned. "Mary Margaret? What do you know?"

"Nothing!" His wife denied, voice pitched too high to be casual. "Nothing at all!"

Rolling her eyes - Lillian's love life didn't exactly interest her - Regina cleared her throat loudly. "As rousing a discussion as this is, perhaps we should focus on more important matters? Namely, that Tinkerbell doesn't have any magic left."

At that, all thoughts of Lillian's alleged relationship with Pan flew out the window. Struggling to keep his face clear of the despair Regina's words brought him, David clarified, "No pixie dust?"

"Not even her wings."

Blinking rapidly, Emma looked at the former fairy. "How?"

"I guess people just stopped believing in me." Tinkerbell shrugged carelessly, unable to hide the tremor in her low voice. "And even if I would have helped you, he's too powerful."

Mary Margaret seized onto the possibility. "But you know where Pan is?"

"Sure." Tink agreed; having lived long enough on the island, she was attuned to the magic within it, even when she no longer possessed her own. "But it won't do you a bit of good."

"Let us be the judge of that." Mary Margaret replied, eyes speculative. "Does he trust you?"

Emma moved closer, eager for any chance they had at finding Henry. "Can you get us inside his compound?"

"Maybe." Tinkerbell dodged the question with one of her own. "Why should I help you?"

"Because I believe in you." Mary Margaret replied quietly, smiling faintly when the former fairy visibly recoiled in surprise.

"Just get us inside." Emma begged, not sure what they would do if Tinkerbell refused. "We'll take care of things from there."

"And what's in there for me? Other than a death sentence from Pan when you're gone with your boy."

Emma offered the first thing that came to mind. "You can come with us."

"That's right." Mary Margaret agreed, smiling. "A home. That is what you want, isn't it?"

Staring at them in disbelief for several heartbeats, Tinkerbell swallowed thickly before possibly signing her death warrant. "Okay. Listen closely. Pan trusts me. He'll let me in. And maybe, just maybe I'll leave a way open for you. But you've only get one shot. So you'd better have a good plan."

"Thank you." Emma whispered. "We will."

"Come with us to our camp." Mary Margaret offered, smiling faintly. "We'll figure it out." Though she glanced at Hook before following them, Tinkerbell went without a word. Catching sight of her husband hanging back, Mary Margaret reached for him. "Hey, are you alright? You look upset."

"Yeah." He sighed deeply, stroking her arm. "I just wanna get Henry back."

"We're on the way."

"How did you know that would work?" He asked. "Offering her a home?"

"It worked for me." He tilted his head. "When I was a bandit living alone all I wanted was a home and… The thing is I never found it till you came along." She admitted with a shrug and a smile. "Even now, when I'm with you that's all I need." Her brow creased in concern at his distracted nod. "You sure you're okay?"

"I love you." He said in reply before kissing her.

Drawing back, she smiled and held his hand. "Come on, the last thing we need is to lost in here."

Having been left alone with his thoughts, Henry finally gave in to the curiosity that had been gnawing at him since Pan handed him the scroll. Swinging around on the stump, he reached down to pick the scroll from the ground.

Unfurling it, he stared at the drawn image of his face with wide-eyes. Rustling caught his attention, and relief so powerful he thought me might pass out overwhelmed him at the sight of Lillian entering the camp, Luca just behind her.

Without a word, he pocketed the scroll and ran to her, flinging himself into her arms.

Elsewhere on the island, the Shadow flew above the treetops, clutching onto Neal. Suddenly, it let go, dropping the man into the middle of the Jungle.

Groaning in pain at the long drop, Neal looked around and warily began to stand up. As he discarded his overcoat, a low, drawling voice made him stop in his tracks.

"Welcome home, Baelfire." Felix greeted from where he leaned against a tree. "Pan will be so happy to see you."

Reclining beside Emma, Hook continued to drill a hole into a coconut with his hook. Handing off the opened one to Emma, who took it with a quiet thanks, he began to start on another one.

Seated on a rock, one knee up to her chest, Tinkerbell gazed across the camp at Regina. Rising, she crossed the camp to go and sit by the silent woman at the base of the tree.

"Did you ever go back and find him?" She whispered it, knowing it was a private matter. "The man with the lion tattoo?"

"No."

"Unreal." The fairy scoffed. "Do you know how selfish that is?"

Taken aback, Regina turned her head to stare at her in confusion. "It's a lot of things. But how is it selfish?"

"Because you didn't just ruin your life." Tinkerbell told her shortly, turning to gaze at Regina's growing discomfort. "You ruined his."

Glancing up from his bowl of food, Robin smiled at the sight of one of the Merry Men leading a familiar, armored figure into the camp. Rising, he extended his hand with a warm smile of welcome.

"Welcome," he greeted, sleeve slipping down to reveal a lion tattoo on his right arm. Gesturing for her to proceed him, he and Mulan rejoined the others at the fire.

Thoughts? Comments? Questions?