Several Hours Earlier

"What do you mean you have to go to Alaska?"

"Rose wants to speak to our cousins before Carlisle does, so I said we could go up there today."

"I thought she was with Alice for the rest of the weekend?"

"She was, but- oh, hold that thought." Emmett pulled his phone out and answered it. "Hey. Yeah, yeah, I'll meet you there. Yeah, I know. Okay, bye."

Emmett hung up, and he put his phone back in his pocket.

"What was I saying?" he asked.

"Nothing. Is this an important talk? Do you want me to come with you?" Bella asked.

"There'd be no point," he said dismissively. "We should be back before tomorrow morning."

"Yeah. Sure," Bella muttered.

Emmett sighed and held out his hand. Bella didn't take it.

"Seriously? Look, if you're not going to use your words right now, then take my hand since that's the only way you can communicate like an adult." Bella shook her head, and Emmett gave up. "Whatever. Text me when you're done being a brat," he said.

Emmett went and jumped out of the window, and Bella's face finally fell. She swiped at her eyes and went over to her desk. Bella picked up the two tickets to the weapons convention in Seattle and ripped one in half.

Charlie came home at five and found Bella in the kitchen with a bag and Chinese take-out. She was still in her clothes, almost like she just got home, but the half-empty bottle of scotch told him that wasn't the case. He hung up his jacket and sat down across from her.

"How was the convention?" he asked carefully.

"Fun," she murmured, picking out her food. "I saw a lot of cool things."

"What did Emmett think?"

"He went to Alaska with Rose."

"I thought she was in Portland for the weekend?"

"She came back early, I guess."

"And she didn't tell you?"

"No. And I'm assuming Emmett… forgot."

"You've been talking about it all week!"

Bella sniffed and shrugged one shoulder.

"It's okay," she said.

Charlie got up and sat next to her. He pulled her into his arms and rubbed her shoulder.

"Tell me about the convention," he said.

Emmett was frustrated. Kate wasn't back from Seattle, and Rose didn't want to say anything without the whole Denali coven there. Eventually, Kate rushed into the door with a bag and a grimace.

"I am so sorry," Kate apologized. "The traffic was awful."

Emmett's eyes landed on the bag Kate carried, and if his heart had still been beating, it would've stopped.

"Oh, no," he whispered. All eyes turned to him, and he looked at Kate. "Please tell me that weapons convention wasn't today," he pleaded.

"Yep! One day only, dude. Why, were you planning on going?" she asked.

"Fuck!" Emmett shouted.

"What's wrong?" Rosalie asked.

"Since you and Alice were taking a trip to Portland, I told Bella I'd take her to the weapons convention. When you came back early, I completely spaced and told you we could come up here." Emmett remembered Bella's behavior from that morning before he left, and he groaned. "That's why she was so upset, and I was a total asshole to her," he said.

"What did you do?" Rosalie asked.

"You want the entire play by play?"

"I want to know every single thing you said to her before we left," Rosalie huffed.

Emmett sighed and went through the conversation piece by piece, wincing as Rosalie got angrier at him. When he finished, Rosalie punched him in the shoulder.

"You fucking idiot!"

"Okay, whoa, let's calm down," Tanya said. "Can someone explain who this Bella is?"

"She's my sister," Emmett said. "It's a long story, but Bella and I aren't from this realm. We landed here at different times, and I thought she was dead. I found her last week, and she has- there are things I can't get into right now. All you need to know is that I've made a huge mistake, and I need to get back there to make it right."

"Great. I guess our conversation will have to be put on hold," Rosalie sighed. "Please don't take Carlisle's or Edward's words at face value."

"We will take into consideration that we have not heard the entire story," Eleazar said reassuringly.

"Thank you."

"It's not a problem, Rosalie. We understand," Tanya said.

"Speak for yourself," Kate muttered.

Irina hit Kate in warning, and the younger sister held up her hands in surrender. Emmett smiled awkwardly in thanks before running out of the house. Rosalie caught up with him and tripped him. Emmett stumbled a few times before stopping and spinning on Rosalie.

"What the hell-

"Shut up," she hissed. "Because despite your behavior right now, I don't think you understand what you're walking into."

"What are you talking about? She's mad I forgot about the convention," he said.

"No, dumbass. You told Isabella you didn't need her."

"What? No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did. When Isabella asked you if you wanted her to come with us, you essentially said you didn't need her around," Rosalie explained.

"That's not at all what I said!"

"You said there would be no point in her coming and that it would be a waste of time."

"But I didn't mean it like that!"

"What's the one thing you warned me about Bella with being her mate?"

Emmett's shoulders slumped, and he said, "That you needed to say what you mean the first time."

"And if the point didn't come across the way I intended, then I should explain." Emmett ground his teeth, and Rosalie shook her head. "Do you see now why she wouldn't touch your hand?" she asked.

"Because she was mad?"

"Hurt," Rosalie corrected. "The brother that she hasn't seen in years, a brother she thought was gone for good, made her feel like she didn't belong in his new life."

"But-

"Isabella is your little sister, and all she wants is to be included. When she asked if she could come, all you had to do was explain that being human in a house full of vampires, some with gifts, wouldn't be the best environment for her. Instead, you dismiss her presence entirely. I had no idea about this convention. And had I known, I would've come up here alone."

Emmett flinched and looked down. He could hear his mother's words echoing in his head, a promise he swore to keep and had already broken.

"Promise you will be patient with your sisters, Emmett. All they need is your patience and love."

Bella and Charlie were in the living room on the couch.

"I'm tempted to look into retirement," he said. "This town's so-

"-unbelievably boring," Bella finished. "Yeah, I know."

"I was going to say this town's so small that crime can be handled by a rookie," he said. "But I get your point."

"So retire."

"It's not that easy," Charlie sighed.

"Why not? You have that Lieutenant chick, right?"

"Elaine."

"I don't care about her name, Charlie. I'm asking if she's good enough to replace you."

"Yeah, she does most of the work now. I'm the glorified paycheck guy, at this point."

"Then there you go."

Charlie's response was lost when the house began to shake. Charlie stood and took out his gun, aiming it at the ground. Bella cocked her head and rose from the couch. She eyed the spot in front of them, and she moved over behind the television.

"Hey, can you take three steps to your right?" she asked distractedly.

Charlie went to the spot she specified, and she told him to lift his gun. A portal opened. Bella moved out of sight as the blonde fell on her hands and knees. Charlie put the gun against the woman's head and cocked it, glancing at Bella in confusion. Bella pulled out her phone. She was about to text Emmett when the woman started speaking.

"Wait! My name is Emma Swan. I was born in the Enchanted Forest, technically. And I am here on behalf of her Majesty looking for Princess Isabella."

Bella stiffened and stepped up to the woman, placing her phone in her pocket. Emmett was busy, and he could wait. Bella stopped in front of the blonde – Emma – and stared down at her.

"What do you mean, technically?"

"That is a long story," Emma said.

"My experience with portals is that they do not stay open for long, so I recommend you make it short. And I sincerely hope you tell the truth," Bella said. "Because I have had a long day, and I am in no mood for games."

Bella let a bit of her magic shine in her eyes, and Emma swallowed roughly.

"Please, give me a chance to explain?"

"Fine. But my name is Bella, not Isabella."

"Got it."

Bella waved off Charlie, who moved the gun away from Emma and pulled Emma off the ground.

"Thanks." Emma glanced at Charlie and added, "Also, I'm usually the one pointing that at people."

"You a cop?" he asked.

"Sheriff," Emma said. "I used to be a bounty hunter, but that's not important at the moment."

"You're running out of time to explain what's going on," Bella said. "And who you are."

Emma visibly grimaced and said, "I would rather keep that last part to myself until we get to Storybrooke. Preferably until Ruby tells you."

"Ruby's alive?"

"So is Granny. Storybrooke, where I came from, is the town your mother created in the curse-

"Wait, what? What curse?" Bella asked.

"Right, you don't know about that. Fuck, I would love to tell you, but I have less than fifteen minutes, so I can't get into the entire story. But everyone, or mostly everyone, from the Enchanted Forest, lives there now." Emma scratched at her jaw. "And to answer what I meant by technically, I was born in the Enchanted Forest, but I didn't grow up there. I was put into a wardrobe-type portal when I was an infant."

"On purpose?" Charlie and Bella asked in unison.

"It genuinely is complicated, but question, what day is it? I was told to ask that."

"November 5th, 2016," Bella said.

Emma blinked at her, and she cleared her throat, saying, "I'm not a portal expert or anything, but what are the odds you have the same date that I do in Storybrooke? From your perspective?"

"That should be nearly impossible. What time is it where you're from?"

"I think it might be closer to nine p.m. The portal messed with my head," Emma said, wincing.

"You're three hours ahead of us," Charlie said, pointing to the clock. "We're on West Coast time."

"Oh, makes sense seeing that Storybrooke is in Maine. What state is this?"

"Washington."

Emma hummed and looked around.

"That explains the overall dreariness outside."

"Hold on." Bella held up her hands and took a deep breath. "Are you saying I've been in the same realm as my mother this entire time? And that she's in Maine, of all places?" she asked.

"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask her about that. Storybrooke is protected by magic, so for all intents and purposes, the town doesn't exist," Emma said.

Bella scoffed and ran a hand through her hair.

"What, so why are you here? My mother too busy to get me herself?"

It was a joke that didn't land as Emma grimaced and said, "Your mother has Cordis Stasis."

Bella's stomach lurched, and she fought back a wave of nausea.

"Sorry to interrupt, but what is that?" Charlie asked.

Emma looked to Bella for help, who said, "It's when magical beings experience repetitive high emotional trauma. It causes a strain on their heart. Seeing as magic comes from emotions, the trauma makes the magic toxic, wearing down the heart until fractures appear. From those fractures, raw magic leaks into the bloodstream. When it goes unchecked, it causes the physical body to shut down and the heart to," Bella paused, "stop beating until the fractures heal."

"Oh. That sounds… bad."

"It is," Bella murmured. "The only way to cure it is to reverse the event that caused the most trauma."

"Right, which is why I'm here. Regina needs all of you back to have a chance," Emma said.

The three of them shielded their faces as the portal started to collapse.

"Look, I know this is a lot, but this is the fastest way to your mother, same realm or not. We have to go if you're coming," Emma said.

"But I-

"You should go, Bella," Charlie said. "I'll explain everything when the others get back."

Bella lunged forward and hugged Charlie.

"Hey, none of that. You're still in my world, so I'll see you again. You text me when you get there."

"I promise," she whispered.

Bella pulled away and rubbed her hands on her pants.

"Fuck, this is the worst way to see my family after all this time," she said.

"Too late to back out now," Emma said, grabbing Bella's hand.

Bella yelped as Emma fell backward into the portal, tugging her along with her. Bella clenched her eyes shut, feeling a squeeze on her heart and body, and she groaned when she landed on solid wood. Emma clamped a hand over Bella's mouth, looking around with narrowed eyes. Bella didn't bother asking what was wrong. She felt the fear and wariness rolling off Emma in waves. Footsteps sounded in the distance on the stairs, and Emma kicked the bean off the stone, letting it roll under the table. The portal flickered out like a light, and the duo was cast in near darkness. Both froze when a voice echoed through the door.

"Last chance."

"I told you, Snow. She's not here."

Emma and Bella stiffened, and Emma was not ready for that confrontation. She focused her magic and got them out of there before the door opened.

Ruby twitched when she heard two thuds coming from the cabin. She was in the front of the group with Neal, who was too busy arguing with Rumple to see the light coming from under the last door on the right. Snow and Killian were behind her, and Ruby was glad Snow wasn't tall enough to see past Ruby's shoulder.

Come on, Emma. Get her out of here.

The light went out, and Ruby relaxed. While she was excited that Emma had found Isabella, she hoped Emma got off the ship. Snow White stopped at the door where they opened the portal, and David pushed Killian forward.

"Last chance."

"I told you, Snow. She's not here."

"Fine."

Ruby held her breath as Snow opened the door, and Rumple had his hand prepared and ready to cast, but the room was dark. Ruby's enhanced sight let her see the remnants of magic, signaling Emma had only just left in time. Snow searched every corner, but if you didn't know what a dragon's eye stone looked like, then you wouldn't think anything of it. Just like Snow as she barely glanced at it.

"She's not here," Snow said.

"I told you that," Killian pointed out.

"Then where did she go?" Neal asked, pushing Killian in the back.

"Oy!" Neal pushed him again, and Killian clenched his fists. "Knock it off, Baelfire," he warned.

"I saw Emma come on board with you three, and now she's just gone? Bullshit."

Neal pushed Killian again, and Ruby figured it out a little too late. Killian swung on Neal and caught him in the stomach. Neal went down, and David pushed past Ruby. He pinned Killian to the wall and cuffed him.

"You're under arrest for assaulting an officer. Emma's not going to get you out of this one, Hook."

"Officer of the law?" Ruby exclaimed.

Even Rumple seemed disturbed by that, and Snow nodded.

"Neal was deputized this morning by Emma," she said.

Ruby knew there was more to that story.

"This is ridiculous, Snow."

"Please, stay out of this, Ruby." Snow glanced at Rumple, then added, "And I suggest you take a good hard look at the people you associate yourself with," she said.

Ruby ground her teeth and glared at Snow.

"Why do you think I stopped hanging around you as soon as the curse broke?"

"Ruby," Killian said. "Go home. I'll be okay."

"Yes, Miss Lucas, perhaps you should go home," Rumple suggested. "I'm sure Granny is worried."

Ruby knew what they were telling her, but she was too annoyed to care. She stomped up the stairs and stormed off of the ship, bursting into a dead sprint once she was on the docks.

Bella landed in the foyer of some kind of mansion, and she pulled away from Emma. The near-dead plants in the room came to life as soon as she arrived, and Bella made a mental note to water those later. Bella's hand shot out, catching an arrow in mid-air, and she snapped it in half. Emma gave her a weird look, but Bella ignored it. She turned around, finding Granny at the top of the stairs. Bella grinned and ran down the hall, taking the stairs two at a time. She wrapped Granny in a hug and buried her face into her neck.

"Hi, Granny. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, young one."

Granny broke the hug first, and she kissed Bella's forehead before looking down at Emma.

"Thank you for bringing her home," she said.

"It's no problem, but Rumple just messaged me and told me I needed to get to the station. You guys gonna be okay?"

"Rumple?" Bella repeated. "As in The Dark One?"

"I told you. Long story," Emma joked weakly.

"We'll be fine," Granny said. "But be safe. Regina needs you as much as she needs her children."

Bella cocked an eyebrow at the comment plus Emma's reaction, but she filed it away for later. Her magic was tugging her further up the stairs. She dropped Granny's hand and followed the feeling into a large bedroom. Her knees buckled when she saw her mother on the bed, but Bella managed to find her footing and shuffled across the room. She dropped down to the floor and grabbed Regina's hand. In a matter of seconds, Bella's a little girl without a father, looking at the first mother she'd ever had on death's door.

"Hi, Mom," she greeted, her voice cracking.

There was no response, but Bella didn't expect one. She kissed Regina's knuckles and cleared her throat.

"You look the same, and you grew out your hair," Bella forced out a laugh, "Oh, man. I- this is not- listen, I might steal some of your clothes until you wake up. I kind of left a lot of stuff behind to get here. And you should know Emmett's alive too. Sort of? I'll let him explain what happened when he makes his way here, but we're okay. I don't- I haven't heard from Kieran. She's somewhere out there, but I'm going to find her. I promise. But you need to fight this because we have to put our family back together again. And I-"

Bella choked out a sob, and the dam over her emotions finally broke.

"Mommy, don't leave me. Please, I can't- I'm not strong enough without you. I'm not good enough-

Bella fell forward and cried into Regina's side. Unbeknownst to Bella, Granny watched from the hallway. She covered her mouth as silent tears ran down her face, but she nearly gasped when Bella's magic curled and wrapped around Regina's body. Even at her old age, Granny had better sight than a good portion of the town. She saw the hand not clutched in Bella's twitch, almost as if Regina was forcing her body to move. Granny held her breath, but nothing else happened. She slowly backed away from the door and made her way downstairs.

It was working, but if they couldn't get back in contact with Kieran, it would be for naught.

Emma stormed into the station and ignored Neal and David. She took out her keys and unlocked the cell that held Killian.

"What are you doing?" David asked. "He assaulted a police officer."

"Also, what are you wearing?" Neal added.

Emma ignored them both. She removed the cuffs from Killian's wrist and rubbed the red marks.

"I'm alright," he said softly.

"Look, I'll get a statement from you tomorrow. But I think it'd be good if you went home."

Killian squeezed her hand before letting go and saying, "Thanks, Swan."

Emma waved him off, and Killian left the station. Emma was too wired, too exhausted to deal with Neal and David, but she had no choice. She turned around and put her hands on her hips, summoning a bit of Regina to help her deal with them, but the thought of Regina made her more exhausted. They had little time to find Kieran, and it would be at least ten hours before Emmett ever made it to Maine. Emma pushed all those thoughts aside and exhaled tiredly.

"When I deputized you, Neal, it was for Henry. But if this is all you're going to do, arrest people you don't like, then I'll rip that badge off and shove it down your throat so you can choke on it. I am still the Sheriff, and this is still my town. You are tap-dancing on a thin line." Emma looked at David. "And you. I have half a mind to put you on suspension," she said.

"Emma-

"Sheriff Swan," she corrected. "Because right now, that title is the one you should be most concerned about."

"He assaulted Neal, and by law, I am allowed to arrest him."

"Did Killian hit Neal for no apparent and with malicious intent, or was he defending himself from what he believed was an attack on his person?"

Neither one responded, which told Emma all she needed to know. She went over to David and held out her hand.

"Gun and badge," she ordered.

"What? Emma, I was doing my job!"

"Give me your goddamned gun, David," Emma snapped.

"Don't talk to me like that. I'm still your father," he said.

"In this station, while you are in that uniform, I am in control. And right now, I am telling you to hand over your weapon, Deputy."

"That's not fair. We were trying to save your life," Neal argued.

"From what? Killian's shitty cooking? Ruby's crap jokes? What, Neal, were you trying to save me from?"

"Killian and Rumple are not good people-

"And you are? Fuck, Neal, get out of my face. I'm too tired to deal with your bullshit."

Neal scoffed and left the station, knocking over a few chairs in the process. Emma felt a headache coming, and she returned her attention to David.

"This is my last time telling you to hand over your weapon."

David clenched his jaw and unholstered his gun. He handed it to Emma, who threw it on her desk and stepped back.

"You are dismissed from duty until further notice," she said.

David wasn't happy, but he didn't push. He snatched his jacket off the chair and left. Finally alone, Emma sat down at her desk and rubbed her eyes.

She needed Regina.

Emmett burst into the house with Rosalie. They were a lot later than planned, so Emmett was a little frantic. Neither one paid much attention to the two suitcases by the door. Charlie poked his head around the corner from the kitchen, phone tucked against his ear, and he held up his finger.

"Thanks, Elaine. I appreciate this. I'll keep you updated, okay?" Charlie said.

Emmett heard the woman on the other line end the call, and Charlie hung up the phone. He then stared at the screen, scratching at his jaw.

"You two got enough money to cover three tickets to Maine?" he asked.

"Maine?" Rosalie repeated.

"Yeah, that's where Bella is. We're supposed to go to Augusta, then ride South for two hours."

"Why is Bella- no, scratch that. How is Bella in Maine?" Emmett asked. "She was just here!"

"A portal opened in my living room. Out pops Emma Swan, who lives in Storybrooke, Maine, a place your mother, Emmett, created during some curse. Storybrooke is in this realm, so that was a doozy to find out. Anyway, your mother has something called Cordis Stasis, and Bella had to go back with Emma before the portal closed to help. I think I covered everything, but the rest can be explained once we get to Maine. Bella's message is so damned vague."

"I'm sorry?" Emmett asked.

"Listen, I would love to go through that again, but we need to be in Storybrooke by tomorrow. So, money for tickets or not?"

"Charlie, what-

"We don't need tickets," Rosalie said. "I have a plane, and I can get us there in no time. I can also handle the car we'll need once in Maine. I assume you're already packed?"

"You walked past the bags on your way in," Charlie said pointedly. "One is mine, and the other is Bella's. I grabbed her favorite pajamas, some hoodies, and some boots.

"Okay, good. Good. It's a forty-five-minute trip to my plane, so double-check that you have everything, and then we'll leave."

"What about him?" Charlie asked.

Emmett was short-circuiting, so Rosalie took over and said, "He'll be fine once this settles."

Bella had just finished her text to Charlie when she heard the front door open. Ruby stumbled over the threshold with an arm full of photo albums, and she managed to close the door behind her. Ruby stretched to lock it, and Bella grinned from her place on the couch. Ruby dumped the albums next to Bella before putting her hands on her lips. They stared at one another for a minute before Ruby broke first.

"Bella!"

"Ruby!"

Bella swept Ruby into her arms once she was close enough and swung her around. Ruby laughed as she was placed back on the floor, and she held Bella at arm's length, looking her over.

"You're so tall," Ruby said, her eyes welling with tears.

"Hey, no, don't cry," Bella said, hugging Ruby again. "Don't cry."

"I thought you were gone forever," Ruby whimpered. "I thought I lost you."

"Never. You're stuck with me, cousin."

"Forever?"

"And ever." Bella pressed a kiss to Ruby's temple and moved away. "Okay. So. Emma told me I needed to come to you for the story of what's happened," she said.

"Ah. That was because Emma knew you wouldn't trust her if she told you who she was."

"Why? Who is she?"

"Do you promise to keep in mind that Granny and I trust Emma with our lives and that she means more than you think to your mother?"

"Yeah, sure. Just tell me."

Ruby grimaced and said, "Emma is Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter."

Later that night, Killian slipped through the door.

"It's nearly two in the morning," Rumple hissed sleepily.

"Give me that other bean," Killian said.

"What?"

"The bean you used for Kieran? Give it to me."

Rumple blinked away the sleepiness, and he said, "Killian, that is a suicide mission at best. That bean is too unstable, and it might not stay open long enough for you to even get through. We could lose you, or worse, you die."

Killian clenched his jaw and said, "Regina's my best friend. I have some of those polar pictures from my ship that I can use to prove who I am, and you said you sent Kieran clues."

"If anything happens to you, Regina will kill me."

"And if anything happens to Regina, I'll kill you."

Emma dragged herself out of the station and stopped. She found Isabella leaning against the cruiser.

"Here to yell at me? Try to kill me, perhaps? I have to say, your mother's done that a few times."

Isabella cracked a smile and said, "Not this time."

Emma unlocked her car door. Her bug was in the shop, so she was stuck with the cruiser. Isabella slipped into the passenger seat while Emma got comfortable behind the wheel.

"The drive to my mother's house is what, ten minutes?"

"Give or take."

"Then that's how long you have."

"Dare I ask to do what?" Emma asked warily.

"To tell me your story, Emma Swan. And how my mother fits into it."

Killian adjusted the sack around his shoulders and exhaled through his nose. He held the bean from Rumple in the air, kissed it, and then placed it on the stone. Killian took the last of the fairy water and poured it on the bean, hoping that the dragon's eye allowed the portal to stay open long enough for Killian to get through. If it closed while he was there, then so be it.

That time, the portal was a deep blue, and Killian didn't hesitate before throwing himself forward. Killian cursed as he landed on top of a table. He groaned and rose on his elbows, staring at the occupants around the table he'd crashed on.

"Sorry about the interruption, but by chance, are any of you named Kieran Mills?" he asked.

The one with super long, brunette hair and a jaw that could cut steel, sitting directly beside him, raised her hand. Killian sighed in relief and slumped down. He turned his head to look at Kieran and gave a tired grin.

"Name's Captain Hook, love. I'm a friend of your mother's, and I'm here to get you home."