Meanwhile, back at the Rabbit Hole…

Emma sat, head in her hands, as Killian passed her a scotch. The rest of Killian's leaving party had left or dispersed, some embarrassed by her behaviour.

"Here, I think you need this more than me? He sat opposite, noticing how wretched she looked.

"I wrecked your evening. Everyone was happy, till I came and screwed up!" She avoided looking directly at him, expecting some sort of sarcastic aside. Instead, she was greeted with silence. A silence that finally made her look up.

"That's true. They were, and you did. Your intentions were noble, but completely wrong."

"Thanks for stating the blindingly obvious!"

"Try not to be too despondent, Swan. Learn from it. Henry's grown up now, and needs to be treated accordingly. I'm guessing living with two overprotective mothers is always going to be an issue for a young man."

"You know nothing!" She took a slug from the glass, welcoming the burn at the back of her throat. "Things have changed since you were here. He's living two hundreds of miles away most of the time, and just comes back during the holidays. He prefers it there. Since he went away, he seems, colder to me. And Regina. Not to Roland or Honour, just us! Even though we've done everything for him, the ungrateful sod! He's been even more horrible since yesterday. Since, well, you know..." She looked sheepish, avoiding his stare.

"Since Locksley and I came back from the dead? Os that what you mean? You think his behaviour has something to do with us?"

"I don't think you're to blame, but it's just…got worse over the last two days. The kid hardly even talks to me!"

"Perhaps a good start might be to stop calling him a 'kid'? Like he requested? He clearly thinks it condescending, especially in front of other adults. Also, stop trying to order a twenty-year-old man back home like a whipped dog? Not impressive Swan. I'm rather surprised at you."

Anger flitted across her face, and she was about to deliver a suitably tart put down, when she felt a large warm hand rest gently on her own, trying to calm her. "I wasn't trying to order him around, just protect him! He over-reacted!"

"Did he? And what did you do before that, to anger him? I can't imagine any young man taking well to that sort of treatment. Especially in front of his fair lady. You removed his dignity, Swan. You humiliated him. Argue all you want, but you owe him a sincere apology. And I think you're angry, because you know it!"

She harrumphed, not wanting to acknowledge his simple truth. She picked up the glass, downing the rest in one gulp. They sat opposite each other in silence for a good minute, each quietly reflecting, as he raised a hand to someone to order another.

"So. You and the mayor?"

"It's Regina, and she's not the mayor anymore. She hasn't been for a long time. And I'm not the sheriff any more, either."

"Aye. I heard Spencer won the election. Locksley said that was a bigger surprise than hearing about you two. In fact, he won a wager with me on that one."

"Wager? You were betting on us?"

"In the Underworld. We were talking in that depressing little bar, about what would become of the ones we left behind. Locksley was worried sick about his children, as well as having just left his supposed soulmate behind. We got chatting, and ran through all the various characters who would make a play for you both."

Emma's eyes lifted, for the first time, interested.

"We went through the usual bunch of chancers and ne'er-do-wells in Storybrooke. Then he reckoned you'd both probably spurn the selection available, and take some sort of comfort in one another."

"He actually said that?' Emma was flabbergasted. "He guessed Regina and I would be get together?"

"He said there was always some sort of…what was his word for it now? Chemistry? Yes, that's it. He said the two of you shared a chemistry, and a look. There was always a certain intimacy in your conversations. Plus, you'd saved each other's lives on several times. And you share Henry of course. Personally, I couldn't see it. I laughed at the notion at the time, and we even laid a small bet on it; assuming we could get hold of one of those viewing crystal-mirror things they have down there to see what's going on up here. I was surprised to say the least, Swan. I never even knew you were into women? Had I known, I'm not sure I would have pursued you."

"I wasn't into other women! Just Regina. She's the first. The only one."

"Well, either way, it was a shock, I won't deny it."

Now feeling irritated and defensive, her voice rose. "Why? Because I happened to fall in love with another woman? Or because it's Regina?"

"The latter, obviously." The former pirate seemed nonplussed. "I wasn't too surprised about it being with the fairer sex. That appears to be the fashion in Storybrooke these days, doesn't it? You always seemed more than close to several women here. I remember Ruby always seemed to flirt excessively with you? I'd always assumed she played for both teams, so seeing her with that Dorothy girl came as no surprise. But Regina? Yes, that surprised me. Don't forget, five years passed for you up here, but only a few weeks for me. I recall you and her forever clashing. First over Henry, then your parents, then the town."

"It really bothers you, doesn't it, seeing me with her?"

"No. Despite everything, I want you to be happy, even if it's without me. I thought I made you happy once." He said the last few words almost in a whisper, his eyes watery.

Emma saw it. The hurt. She reached across, trying to take his hand. "You did make me happy, you really did! I was happy being with you, despite all the shit we went through. I loved you! So much so, I even went to the Underworld to split my own heart for you. After I killed you."

"You didn't kill me, Swan. I handed you Excalibur, and made you run me through. There was no other choice."

"I know. But I turned you into a Dark One, in the first place! So in a way, it's still my fault. I'm sorry, Killian." A stray tear now ran down her cheek from the memory of that horrendous day. The last day of his life. She quickly wiped it away, hunching, before cupping her face in her hands again. "Can you forgive me?"

Killian thought to take the grief-stricken blonde in his arms and comfort her, but held back knowing that comfort would almost certainly be misinterpreted, probably making her worse. "Nothing to forgive. Though if it makes you feel better, I forgive you for avoiding me since I returned. I admit, coming three weeks after we last spoke in Hades' crypt, that annoyed me."

"Five long years ago for me, Killian! Look, I'm sorry I sprung that on you and yes, I could have handled it better." She wiped her eyes on a napkin quietly handed to her by a concerned, passing waitress.

"For me, three weeks ago, you and I were whispering sweet nothings, pledging undying love, and promising we'll always be there for one another forever. But you moved on. So must I."

"It wasn't like that. I didn't just move on, from you, Jones! When we got back, after I had to leave you there, I mourned you. Shortly after, Hades murdered Hood. He sacrificed himself, throwing himself in front of Regina to save her life. She and I were completely wrecked, Killian! Then Henry stole that fucking crystal Hades used and took the magic away, nearly getting himself killed by Gold in the process. We went to New York to get him back. As it was, he turned out to be the hero. Then we had a duplicate Evil Queen bitch to deal with, Jekyll and Hyde, Gold's mother, and all manner of shit thrown at us!"

"Just another day in Storybrooke then?" He gave her a small smirk.

God, he's still sexy when he smiles! But she wasn't going to be distracted. "No, listen, I need to say this. It took a month, the worst month of my life, and I've had a few, for me to even start to grieve. It was just the same for Regina. That's when it hit us. Both of us. We'd lost the most important men in our lives, and I don't care whether you call it soulmates, true loves or any of that other bullshit the fairies spout about. All I know is it hurt! I grieved you! I was inconsolable. Poor Henry had me and Regina to deal with; two useless, constantly crying or depressed mothers. Mum and dad tried their best to hold me together, but it was useless. I ran away to Boston for a week and stayed in hiding. I didn't eat, I lost a lot of weight and didn't speak to anyone…"

He listened, knowing she wasn't done. Another two large glasses of scotch were brought to the table, along with the rest of the bottle, eagerly snatched up by the blonde, again taking another large slug before continuing.

"Dad tracked me down. He brought Archie. Henry and Mum wanted to come, but Dad made them stay here as Regina was in a bad way. Archie was brilliant. So patient. We spent days just talking. They eventually brought me back here, and Whale was waiting. He said I was so sick that he confined me to the sanatorium until I started eating and drinking again. Normally I would have kicked him shitless, but the fight had gone from me. Gold put a bracelet on me, at Henry's request, to stop my magic making me do something stupid. They had me on an IV for a week! It seems I also did some permanent damage to my kidneys with all the drinking. It took about six weeks before he released me..."

Jones was appalled. His death had really had that much of an effect on her? "I'm sorry. Nobody should have to experience that."

But she carried on as though she hadn't heard him. "I was going downhill fast. So was Regina. She locked herself away, for days at a time, ignoring everyone. Henry tried, god bless him. Like me, she didn't eat. She'd wander aimlessly around the town, and several times mum found her at Robin's grave of an evening, just sitting there. She's never been overweight, but she lost over two stone in one month! Mum and Dad tried their best to take care of her. Even Zelena. It was hopeless."

He studied her tired eyes. Her hunched shoulders. Her vacant gaze into the whisky glass.

"You don't need to talk about it if you-"

But Emma ploughed on. "One week, Henry stayed at mum and dad's. Anything to get away from our problems? Dad was great. He took him everywhere, and they even went to Boston for a weekend, mum keeping an eye on me. Henry was away, and Robin was gone. I think that's what took Regina over the edge."

"The edge?"

"She took an overdose."

"Sorry, I don't-"

"She swallowed sleeping pills, Killian! A lot of them. She tried to kill herself."

"Because of Robin? How could she do that to Henry?"

"Because she flipped out! She was so depressed and in so much pain, that she just wanted to end it all! It wasn't that Henry wasn't important any more, it's just that she was so lost and out of control, she wasn't even aware what she was doing to him. That's what depression does! It destroys you from the inside when you lose all hope. Dammit, I should know!"

"And you? Surely, you never thought of doing something like that?"

"I came pretty close. Again, I can thank Archie for pulling me out."

"Seems you owe quite a lot to the Cricket? Funny how that quiet little chap can have such an effect."

"I came back with dad. Archie had me assessed by Whale. I wasn't broken like Regina, but they still kept me in. Archie threw everything at us; grief counselling, therapy, massage, the lot. As I picked up, he suggested Regina and I took them together, as we were going through similar problems and could relate."

"And that's when you two got together?"

"Not quite. The man you derisively call the 'cricket', made us work through everything with him. Childhood, foster homes, estranged parents, abuse, anger, everything. You know I'm not good with talking about that sort of stuff."

Killian now studied his former lover, who looked exhausted. He wanting to say something comforting. Some sort of reassurance. But she clearly needed to get this off her chest. "We spent so many hours just talking. She's had an even more shitty life than me, Killian! You know about Daniel, right? Her first love? How Cora murdered him?"

"I do, sadly. I worked for her mother. Cora was one of the vilest pieces of shit you could ever imagine. To think I saved her from Hades? I'm aware just how bad she had it."

"After a while, she started to recover. She got Roland back from the Enchanted Forest, as Little John told her he felt he needed a mother in his life, after Marian and everything. John stayed, and the Merry Men followed shortly after." Emma started smiling at the memory. "It's funny. When John, Tuck, Will, Mulan and the guys came back, it seemed to lift everyone around here."

"They're a decent bunch. Locksley knew how to pick 'em."

"After that, John let Roland move in with her permanently. That seemed to help, giving her something to do, someone who needed mothering. Like me, she was still unstable. Zelena moved out to a cottage on the edge of the forest with baby Robyn. I helped a little, looking after Roland so Regina could go back to working part-time. But within a week she'd been voted out of office by the council. An emergency vote, they called it. Then she found out she was pregnant with Hope. Everything changed after that, so I started helping more."

"So you then moved in with her?"

"Eventually. We were both still raw, but we helped each other recover, and we gradually became closer." She saw his reaction and knew where his mind was going. "I can tell by your face just now and you didn't believe me earlier. I know you're itching to ask me the question, so let me do it for you? Was I previously interested in women when we were together? No. Neither of us were. Had I been with Regina, or any other woman before I met you? No. A couple years after Honour was born, I moved in with her permanently, and after about three months I realised my feelings were changing. I'm not going to tell you everything, but, Regina had growing feelings for me too. That's when we decided we wanted to be together. It grew from there." She stopped, taking another swig on the scotch.

"And then marrying her? That's quite the change, Swan!"

Emma looked up at him, her tone hardening and a note of steel entering her voice as it rose. "It's Swan-Mills now. Yes, well what can I say? I fell in love with Regina Mills, another woman. Shock! Horror! Hold the front page! Yes, it happens. Sometimes women can fall in love with each other, you know?"

The former pirate didn't drop his stare, unaffected by the outburst. "Indeed, I do. Wind your neck in Swan, I wasn't judging you. I've lived nearly six times longer than you, remember? I've known plenty of men and women, who've preferred their own kind. Personally, I couldn't give a damn whether you're into...whatever, but-"

"But what?" Emma waited for the barb.

"But it still hurts knowing that, for me, only three weeks ago we parted, with you in tears declaring your undying love. Then I come back here, only to find you shacked up in the arms of the same woman who spent most of her life trying to murder your mother? The woman who killed the king? The same woman who virtually forced me to murder my own father? Whose sister murdered Robin wife? Then Baelfire, you remember him? Henry's father? Together, the three Mills women have been responsible for the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands of people. And yes Swan, or Swan-Mills or whatever fucking moniker you choose to be known as these days, I know you'll remind me how she's changed. How she's not that person anymore. But she was responsible! And anywhere else but in this stupid fucking world, she'd be tried, convicted, and if not executed, at least be in prison! But she's escaped any sort of rightful justice, just because she now feels bad about it? Well how convenient! And it's not as though your idea of law is going to do anything about it, because the former mass murderer now shares a bed with the former Sheriff!"

She listened, dumbfounded, rolling her eyes and looking at him like a teacher about to scold a schoolboy. But he didn't care, carrying on regardless.

"Glare at me, and roll your eyes all you like, Swan. But which part of what I said was untrue? None of it! Your wife murdered people. Lots of people! Men, women and yes, children too! And don't believe all that bullshit about Regina never harming children, because I saw the broken bodies! No execution for her, and she doesn't even sit behind bars? Her sister, that foul, loathsome bitch, also roams free! I guess life's just dandy if you're former royalty, or connected with the Charming family, isn't it? No apology. No punishment. No retribution! Leroy goes to jail when he gets pissed of an evening. But for your lover, sorry…your wife, nothing?" His tone remained calm but had turned distinctly icy.

"THAT'S UNFAIR!" She barked back. "She has changed! You're just sore because she's with me! Well, get over it!"

"Trust me, I'm now over it, as you so succinctly put our past. Believe it or not, my life doesn't just revolve around you? Don't worry, four days from now I'll be gone forever. I'll be history, just like Neal! Then you'll enjoy the rest of your perfect life, with your perfect wife, in peace. No nasty men buggering up the place, eh?"

"Don't you dare bring Neal into this! I loved him! Wait - what do you mean, gone? Gone where? Where are you going?"

"Neverland. I sail Saturday on the first tide. With Pan dead, there's still kids stranded there, you may recall? Then on to Arendelle, to drop them off. Then Agrabah. Then, wherever fate takes me."

"Why are you leaving so soon? You just got here."

"There's nothing here for me. Not now, anyway."

"Will you be coming back?"

"Probably not. I have some tasks. Things I need to do."

"Tasks?" she mocked. "What tasks does a former pirate have to 'do'?"

"You may have noticed Zeus restored the Jolly to its former glory? And my hand? He also left me with a few extra...gifts." Killian placed his new hand directly in front of her, opening his palm slowly. A small clutch of gold coins slowly apparating in his palm.

"So Blue was right?" Emma looked at the money, picking up a coin. "You do have magic? Like Hood?"

"So it seems. Blue will give me a few lessons over the next couple of days. Nothing like as powerful as Locksley's, though. Not sure why, but as Zeus already gave me my hand and the Jolly back, I'm not complaining, just grateful. Fortune hunting is no longer necessary for this particular ex-pirate to survive. However, Zeus has also given me a list of tasks he wants me to perform. Good deeds, if you will? So, given how things have changed here, it'd be churlish to refuse."

Their relationship may be over, but the thought of never seeing him again made her feel more than sad.

"But you don't need to leave for good? Not forever! We may not be a couple anymore Killian, but can't we part as...friends? Surely I still mean something to you?"

"Do you seriously think I could bear being near the woman I still have feelings for, knowing she's with someone else? That you can never be mine? No, that's unacceptable to me. I lost Milah, and now I've lost you. It's time to move on. Zeus gave me an opportunity for a new life, so it's time I took it."

He stood up from the table, dropping two hundred dollar bills on to the counter, before slowly turning away, with a glance back at his former lover. "Have a long and rich life, Emma. Be happy."

And with that, he strode out, leaving Emma staring blankly at his back as he left. Then her phone rang. Violet?

"Um…Vi? What's happening?"

"Get over here. Now!" barked Henry's girlfriend, her tone almost unrecognisable.

"Where? What's going on?"

"The Sheriff's Office, of course! Where you fucking well locked up Henry. He's gone!"

Mifflin Street

After Robin settled his daughters, he joined Regina downstairs for their long awaited, and dreaded 'chat'. Remembering how he'd acquired some sort of ability to read minds, Regina deliberately chose to spend as long as possible talking about Honour and Robyn rather than anything else. She talked about their habits, favourite stories, toys and games; all to avoid what was to come. However, Robin recognised obfuscation when he saw it and decided to cut to the chase.

"Gina, let's stop beating about the bush?" He placed his hand over hers as it rested on the table. Regina looked resigned, but nervous.

"I'm sorry Robin, but this is a little difficult for me."

"It doesn't have to be. It'd probably easier if I go first? Yesterday, I discovered the woman I thought was my true love and soulmate had moved on with someone else. And married her no less. I'll admit that hurt, though as it's been five years and as you thought I was dead, I understand completely. I also now begin to understand just what you went through when Emma brought Marian back. Or at least, the woman we thought was Marian."

Regina's thoughts went back to that horrible day. The day she lost him the first time.

"However, to discover I now have a second beautiful four-year-old daughter? That's incredible! She's perfect, and regardless of what's happened, I'll always be grateful she has you for her mother. You've taken wonderful care of her, and Roland."

She finally smiled. "That boy's been a saviour himself. For me, and Emma. He's such a sweet, loving child. One of the things that pulled me through!"

Regina looked wistful. Robin, on the other hand, just picked up on the other name. "Yes. Emma. Well, I'm not completely surprised, given what happened. Does she make you happy?"

"Yes, very much. I love her Robin." She felt defensive just saying it.

He smirked. "Well I would hope so, seeing as you married her?"

"Robin, I didn't mean I didn't' love…um…what I mean to say is…" she stuttered.

"Don't fret Gina, I understand, I really do! I get it. I died, you went downhill, then you recovered, and gradually found a new love. Believe it or not, I happen to like Emma! Shame she hates me, though."

"Hate's a strong word, Robin, it's just, well, she finds this very difficult."

"We all do, and I'm afraid she does hate me, Regina! I'm sorry, but her hatred is quite intense at the moment. Remember I can sense this sort of thing now? I can actually hear thoughts? Her mind was flipping a bit and when she walked past me in the park earlier today. I could sense the visceral hatred. She wished that I was still dead. Reading her mind, she was figuring out how to remove me. A memory curse, drowning on the Jolly, that sort of thing?"

"No! That can't be true." Regina was horrified, scowling back at him, "Not Emma! She'd never-"

"I never said she would harm me! Only that her mind considered it. She was disturbed. Personally, I don't think she'd ever try to harm me either. She's a good woman, but it was a shock, seeing me yesterday. She clearly thinks I'm a threat to you both, so, in a way I am responsible. I'm sorry."

She didn't know what to say. Emma would never actually think about harming her former love! Impossible, surely?

Robin carried on regardless. "Gina, what's done is done. I was dead, and you moved on. I get it. Remember, for me it's only been three weeks! Unfortunately, I am still in love with you and this is painful for me; but I would never do anything to harm your marriage. You're with Emma now. I respect that."

Regina missed the last part of what he said, the mind frozen by seven words. I am still in love with you! Tears started to fall as she tried to focus on what he had to say next.

"But I have three children now, not just Roland. Had it not been for Honour and Robyn, I would take Roland and sail away with Killian this week. He has a lot planned. However, that's no longer an option for me. I'm a father and I insist on being able to see my children. Nothing will deflect me from that. I'll readily share whatever arrangement is necessary with yourself and Zelena. But I'll not abandon them!"

"Of course not, I'd never expect you to." Her nervous reply was interrupted by the mobile phone ringing loudly. "Sorry, just give me a moment?"

Irritated, she answered it. "Tink, can I call you back? I'm a little busy right now, and…no…it's…what? What?" Robin could hear the fairy yelling even from over there. "Tink, calm down! What do you mean, Henry? He's gone?" Then her eyes bulged. " HE'S DONE WHAT?" She looked across at her former lover, now starting to panic herself. "Stay right there, I'm coming! You're in the Sheriff's Office?"

Robin knew the news was bad as she slammed the phone down. "Robin, I need to-."

"Go! I'll keep an eye on the girls, till one of you comes back. Roland's safe with John. Go sort things out with Henry?"

"Thank you." Without thinking, she leant forward to put her hand on his shoulder, kissing his right cheek. Robin responded in kind, attempting to also chastely peck her cheek too. However, for a moment, it felt to Regina like a magnet, pulling her mouth slightly to the right, as did Robin's. The accidental touch of lips on lips, albeit with mouths closed and puckered, brought a sharp spark of light and a static buzz which they both felt. Surprised, they both tilted heads back, looking in on another's eyes. Regina trembled at the effect, muttering, "I need to go," before releasing Robin and teleporting from his arms in a whirl of purple smoke.

The Sheriff's Office - Moments later

After Henry had ripped the jail cell apart, and the front door off its hinges, leaving a large hole in the front of the station, Mulan and Tinker Bell had both texted and called his two mothers.

A minute later, a large white plume of mist appeared, revealing an exhausted-looking Emma. Then quickly followed by a purple plume as Henry's other mother appeared.

Regina was the first to speak, looking at her wife, then the warrior and fairy.

"Where is he? Where's my son? What's happened?" Then she noticed all the damage. "Who the hell did this?"

Emma stayed silent. Tinker Bell was the first to speak up. "Henry did. He has magic now."

"What? No, that's impossible! He couldn't have." She looked at her wife. "How is that possible? Emma?"

Mulan stepped in. "Mrs. Swan-Mills, your son appeared in the cell over there, by magic. I tried to talk to him, but he seemed very angry. He flicked his wrist, the cell exploded, and he just walked out."

"And you didn't try to stop him?" If it was an Olympic event, Regina could scowl for her country.

"How would you suggest? He blew me over. He has magic, and we don't."

"What was Henry doing in a jail cell anyway?" Regina couldn't help but notice the glares the other women gave her wife. "Emma, what's going on? Where is our son?"

Emma looked at the brunette, eyes laden with guilt though, before she could say anything, Violet stepped in front of them.

"Yes, Emma! Why don't you tell her why Henry was in that jail cell in the first place? Against his will! Why don't you tell her who 'poofed' him there? For the crime of being an adult in a bar!"

Regina had never heard her son's girlfriend's anger before. Violet always seemed so calm and mature for her age. But in front of her now was a wound-up ball of fury, about to explode, seemingly at Emma.

Regina stepped in front of her, trying to calm her down. "Violet, wait a minute. Emma? You…you put Henry in the cells?

"He was being disrespectful! Downright rude! I just…I just lost it, okay? I needed to teach him a lesson." Emma tried to justify herself but knew this would not end well.

That's when Violet lost it completely! walking straight into Emma's face, she bellowed at her: "HE'S A TWENTY-YEAR-OLD MAN, NOT A FUCKING BOY! TREAT HIM LIKE A MAN, AND HE MIGHT ONE DAY TREAT YOU WITH RESPECT! YOU HUMILIATED HIM, THEN POOFED HIM AWAY IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY! INTO A JAIL CELL, BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T LIKE HOW HE WAS TALKING TO YOU!" The furious young woman spat the words, before storming out of the building with her phone, to try and reach him.

Regina was stunned by the sheer fury. The normally placid girl had never spoken to any of them like that before!

"You put Henry in a cell? You jailed our son? Just…tell me what happened." Regina looked at her face, seeing the small silver tracks, puffy eyes and tiredness etched on her face. Clearly distraught, but trying to stay strong in the face of the latest crisis, she moved her hands to her face as Regina moved to hold her.

"It's all my fault!" The blonde gulped as she tried to hold back tears. "I saw him in the Rabbit Hole when I went to meet Killian. I thought he'd been drinking, but he hadn't. I told him to go home. Then he yelled at me, I yelled back, and it's true, I guess I made him look stupid in front of our friends. So he swore at me! I overreacted, like I usually do and I...I poofed him into a cell. I lost my temper."

Regina groaned, knowing her wife and son well enough to picture how that would have gone. Unfortunately, with age, Henry seemed to have acquired both of his mothers' quick tempers, and he was certainly no longer afraid to challenge either of them.

"Emma, I understand. And although Violet overreacted just now, she's right, Henry IS a man now. Young, and very proud. And I can't imagine he'd take well to being forcibly removed and locked up against his will."

Tink couldn't help but add, in a voice she hoped was sympathetic. "And his magic's come in? We now have a very angry, rather unstable, young sorcerer on the loose!"

Regina tried to ignore the implications. "Okay, so, let's try to remain calm. First, we need to find him!"

Gold's Antiques

An hour later, the knocker on Gold's store rattled loudly, accompanied by continuous banging on the glass; loud enough, it seemed to the Dark One, to wake the dead.

Rumple was working on a timepiece at his desk, a jeweller's loupe held in his right eye. Irritated by the interruption, he quietly huffed, flicking his left hand to magically release and open the front door.

Regina immediately strode through and into the back of the shop, not seeking permission to enter, with Emma following closely behind. "Gold? We need your help!" she barked.

Gold's head didn't lift from his task, though with suppressed irritation in his voice, he said, "And good evening, Mrs. Swan-Mills and Mrs. Swan-Mills. Thank you for not breaking the glass! Oh wait, I forgot. Normal manners and courtesy don't apply to you, do they?"

Regina ignored the comment, even if it was justified. "Gold, this is serious! I-"

"It usually is with you two. I'm not interested. Go away." His voice gaining a harder edge.

Regina knew she had to play this differently, if she was to get any help from him tonight. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I barged in, but you know I'd never willingly come here, unless I had no other option."

"What have you managed to screw up this time, Your Majesty, that makes you seek help from one you detest so much?"

Emma never liked hearing Regina being criticised; she stepped around the brunette, getting closer to Gold, to angrily growl back at him. "Now look here Gold, Regina and I may not like you but-" Her voice stopped immediately, as she felt her entire body lift from the ground, her throat held in a vice-like magical grip!

"I didn't give you permission to speak! You forget yourself." It was his turn to growl, his Dark One voice emerging. "I've heard quite enough from you recently, and it's partly thanks to you that my second son is still missing, my first son having died to save your worthless arse! Mills, I will give you one minute to explain yourself, before I remove you both!"

Regina recognised the genuine anger in her former mentor. Seeing Emma struggle in his grip, she had the good sense to get on with it.

"It's Henry. He's in trouble!"

"How have you mistreated my grandson this time?" His eyes rose finally, boring into hers.

"I resent that! I've done nothing to him whatsoever. Emma and Henry got into an argument, he lost his temper and it seems he now has magic. He's upset and disappeared. I need to find him, before he accidentally does something rash, or foolish."

"My grandson is neither rash nor foolish, unlike his mothers! Any other details you missed out?"

Regina considered Emma's eyes, and sensed the silent, struggling woman trying to shake her head to avoid telling him all the facts." "I don't think so."

"So, you don't intend telling me how the 'Saviour' humiliated him at a bar this evening? How she spirited him into a jail cell against his will? How Henry destroyed half the Sheriff's Office to escape, using his newly discovered magic, which came in as a result of his anger? You don't think any of that relevant?"

How the hell does he always know? Before she could answer, Rumple twitched a finger, Emma falling to the floor, her voice restored. Regina moved quickly to help her up.

"I will not help you, not after what she has done." He pointed to the blonde. "That woman encouraged Belle to leave my protection to go to the convent, then helped delay my getting into said convent with a shield. Thanks to her, Belle gave birth to my son without my knowledge and allowed the blue moth to take him away. Thanks to her, my son was captured by the Black Fairy. Partly thanks to her, Baelfire's dead! Not that she cares. She took up with the rum soaked, disease-ridden pirate within days of his death. She blackmailed me to get into the Underworld for him, but not my boy. Not my Bae! And now, she's shacked up with you, whilst trying to act with my grandson as though his father never happened! So no, I will not help you. Take her away now, or I will destroy her where she stands."

Emma realised this was getting out of hand when her senses told her he wasn't threatening; he was serious!

"Gold, look! I'm sorry, but-" she started to explain, but, with a flash of octarine light, both women vanished.

The Sheriff's Office

"Gold, look! I'm sorry, but-"

Emma started to stammer, but within a moment another flick of the Dark One's hand transported both the women directly from the shop, back into the Sheriff's Office which appeared to magically repair itself. They'd materialised within the formerly destroyed jail, the lock firmly securing the metal door! Emma composed herself momentarily, and blasted the locked door with magic.

Nothing happened.

"WHAT THE HELL?" Emma shouted as she tried again, the magic merely bouncing from the metal bars.

Regina stood next to her. "Together?" The blonde nodded and they combined their powers. The white and purple magic swirling together, as it had so often, forming a knot as it hit the heavy metal. However, the magic was repelled once again!

Regina looked closely at the lock and bars. They weren't even scorched! She could sense the magic. Dark magic. And it was very strong indeed. The brunette realised this wasn't going to open.

"Emma, he's sealed this with blood magic! We're going to need help!"

As the two women looked around the small cell for anything that would help them escape, a single sheet of paper fell slowly down to the floor between them. Emma picked it up, opened and read the handwritten message out aloud:

"Mrs. Swan-Mills,

Not nice being transported against your will, is it? It's also not very nice being forced into a small cell. Trust me I know, having experienced the same several times as the result of the Mills family. Perhaps you should think twice before ever doing that again to Baelfire's son?

Try as much as you like, your magic will not open the door. However, it will open in twenty-four hours, regardless. Meanwhile, basic facilities have been provided."

As she spoke, a bowl of cold water, and an empty silver bucket, containing a roll of toilet paper, appeared next to them. Regina sighed. "I'm not using that!"

Emma continued reading:

"Henry came to me today, distressed. Not surprising really, considering how you have treated him. You may recall, he told you yesterday that his father died exactly six years ago to the day. He intended to go to the grave with you, but it seems you either forgot or chose to overlook the passing of the man jointly responsible for creating your son. The man who gave his life for you to live. It doesn't surprise me that the former mayor overlooked that fact, but I expected a little more from you?"

"No wonder he hates me!"

Regina lifted the letter from her and continued to read:

Mark my words carefully, Emma Swan-Mills. Despite the many difficulties I now face as a direct result of you, your wife and her vile sister, I will never harm them, or you, provided three basic rules are maintained:

You will never again use magic to control my grandson. You will never again come into my shop or house uninvited. Henry is always welcome. You're not. You will never interfere in my relationship with my estranged wife or my son, if I find him, ever again.

Fail to observe the first two, and I will punish you. Fail to observe the last point and I will kill you!

Henry asked to stay with me until he returns to university, and I have agreed. I'll help him with his magical induction, if he wishes. He's free to come and go as he pleases, and I'll not interfere in his life.

Never again interfere in mine.

Rumpelstiltskin

"Emma, we can't just let Henry stay with him? It's out of the question!"

"I agree, but he's also his grandfather. Henry's safe until we get out of here. What about Honour?"

"I'm not so worried about her. Honour and Robyn are with their father, and he'd never let anything happen to them. They're safe, and Roland's in the forest with John. But we need to get a message back to him, so he knows where we are. You have your phone on you? Mine's missing."

She padded her back pocket. "So's mine. Gold, I guess? We just have to wait till someone comes in."

"One thing's for sure," Regina looking at the silver pail, "I'm damned, if I'm going to use that bucket!"

~oOo~