After Emma refuses to speak to her until she apologises for hitting Robin, Snow tries to return the Dark One dagger, via Belle. But someone's waiting for her. The following day, having returned from a successful mission to the Dark Realm, Rumple is reunited with a VERY special boy.
During the day, Emma had received numerous messages from Snow. None apologizing for lashing out at Robin, but just asking to meet. She ignored them all, until yet another arrived:
'Mum: Emma, stop avoiding me. Call me. I want to see you!
The blonde felt annoyed her mother still didn't seem to get what she'd done? So, she finally texted back:
'Emma: Well I don't want to see you! I'm still angry. I'll call when I'm ready '
The response was almost immediate:
'Mum: I'm sorry if I upset you. We still need to talk'
'Emma: You did enough talking last night. You punched Robin. When you've apologised to him, then we'll talk'
'Mum: You can't be serious? He got you pregnant! '
'Emma: I'm not discussing this. You know what you have to do'
'Mum: He's controlling you, Emma. See sense! '
'Emma: Bullshit! Don't text, apologise. To ROBIN, not me! '
"Arrghh!" Snow grumbled, annoyed at her refusal to even talk to her. She angrily threw the phone across the room into the sofa.
As she seethed, David walked in. He was smiling? Somehow this made Snow feel even worse. She knew she was being petulant, but couldn't help herself. "What's with the stupid grin? Did you even see Gold?"
Charming's smile changed to a scowl in a heartbeat, once he saw his fuming wife. Normally, he could put up with her mood swings. Not this time.
"DON'T take that tone with me, Snow White!" He almost growled the name. "Did you speak to Emma?"
"No. She won't talk to me until I've apologized to Hood, and I'm not doing that till I've spoken to her!"
"Then I guess you know what you have to do? And for the record, Gold said yes, she's pregnant, and so's Regina. Emma's carrying our granddaughter, who also has magic, and there's nothing he'll do about it."
"A granddaughter? She's carrying a girl?"
"Yup, so if Blue doesn't find any proof of Robin forcing her, or controlling her, then we owe him an apology!"
Mifflin Street
After Robin left that morning to take Roland and Honour to school, Regina and Emma studiously avoided the subject of him sleeping, yet again, in their bed last night, instead focusing on getting ready for the day. Regina now stood in the kitchen preparing coffee and toast, her mind reflecting on how comfortable and natural everything had felt last night. That had been the third time in a row that Emma had instigated something between the two of them and the outlaw, but this time it had been different. There was no sex involved, just the three of them hugging and cuddling into each other. Somehow, she and Emma had changed places in the night and waking to find her wife in Robin's arms had been a strange experience. Knowing her lovers appeared to be getting closer by the day, made her feel comforted; secure. Unfortunately, her pleasant thoughts were disturbed by a yell from upstairs.
"Oh, fuck no! Come on? That's way too early!"
Curious, she went upstairs into their bedroom, only to find her wife standing in front of the long mirror, in her sheriff's uniform, half dressed, neither her shirt nor pants fully buttoned. "What's wrong?"
"I'm getting fat, that's what's wrong! My ass is the size of a fucking horse and I can't get into these bloody pants. They fit me last week!"
Regina stepped up to her and could see the problem. She'd definitely taken a couple more weeks for her pregnancy bulge to show; now here it was, in all its glory, and the fact she always wore ultra-slim jeans didn't help.
"You look fine. Here, allow me?"
The brunette waved her fingers, momentarily forgetting that there was a very good reason she wasn't supposed to use her magic, as a wave of dizziness overwhelmed her. She turned, sitting on the bed, a hand to her head, groaning.
"You okay?"
"I keep forgetting I'm not supposed to use magic. It's alright, it was a minor spell. Just...give me a moment."
"I did the same thing in the kitchen yesterday. Hurts, doesn't it?" Emma felt the fabric had been loosened, the waist of the pants expanded at least two inches. "Guess we'll have to find another way of doing it, or start buying maternity clothes."
"I'd go to Tink to use her magic, but as she's away with Guyliner, so that's out."
"We'll have to live like everyone else then. I'm leaving a little earlier, as i need to see Hank alone. I need to tell him I'm not going to be able to deputy in a few months time, though it's going to be bloody obvious when he sees this!" Her hand roamed over the small bulge. "Geez, Mulan's on leave next month too! I'm really going to drop him right in it, aren't I?"
'Nonsense, I'm sure he'll find someone to fill in. There's plenty of men and women in the militia who could step up. This baby's more important! Now, shall we talk about what happened last night?" She arched a brow, challenging Emma to avoid it. "The fact we invited Robin into our bed yet again?"
"Must we? You enjoyed having him there, didn't you?"
"You know I did. If it was left to me, I'd have him over more often. But we're married."
"It's no biggie for me. You love him, he loves you. The kids love having him here, he's their dad, and we're having his kids. Heck, he might as well move in."
"I believe he loves you too Emma! Or at the very least, he's starting to fall in love with you. I'm not blind! I see the way he looks at you; like the way he looks at me. Something's changed between all of us, even if we all choose to deny it. And that kiss outside Sherwood Clinic? I'm convinced it was a true love kiss that brought you back. That means something, Emma. And I think you…wait...what? What was that you said about him moving in?"
"It makes sense. Odd that we'll be raising four of his kids, and he's living somewhere else? I mean, you love him, I like him, the kids adore him. Even Henry, for god's sake!"
"You like him? Sure it isn't a little more than that?"
"I know where you're going with this Gina, and I honestly don't know! I mean, I like him…a lot. But that's hardly the same as being in love, is it? I admit I like being with him. After all, he's warm, kind and considerate. Gentle even. I'm not used to that from a guy, even Killian. I have to admit, he's brilliant in bed, but he's more than a fuck buddy or a friend with benefits. I honestly don't know what to tell you? What do you want me to tell you?"
Regina studied her closely. "I want you to be happy, Emma, in whatever form that takes. I think you two are dancing around each other, because you both feel embarrassed to admit you've real feelings for one another. You feel guilty, because you're married to me, and feeling something for someone else. He feels guilty because he definitely feels something for you, something strong, so he's worried about me and possibly breaking up our marriage. But that's not going to happen! I WANT you two to be close. I even dream the two of you two will eventually fall in love. I hope the three of us can be together, raising our family. But only if that's what you want!"
Emma said nothing, merely exchanging a curious glance, before pulling her close, until eventually, "We'll talk to him."
The Library
Belle yawned, turning off the desktop computer. It had been a relatively quiet day and she was bored. Locking the card indexes away for the night, she found the keys to lock the main door. She'd been using the flat above the library as her home for four years now, ever since her separation. It was cramped, especially when compared to their gothic mansion on the hill above Storybrooke, or even the spacious flat above the antique shop. But it was a home, of sorts.
Belle and Rumple's separation came as no surprise to most people in Storybrooke. But the nature of it, had. In the first years of their marriage, Belle had regularly threatened to leave him on numerous occasions, unless he reformed. On two occasions, she'd even used his dagger to force him over the town line, and he'd had to trick his way back. However, this time, it was the Dark One who threw Belle out, after she sent her new-born son out of his reach. Reul Ghorm had intended, at Belle's request, to take the baby to a place of safety, but had been intercepted on the way, almost killed, by the Black Fairy, who kidnapped the new born, who had never been seen since.
Despite efforts to locate their lost son, it had been fruitless.
The Dark One had sworn revenge on all those who had brought it about. Especially the Blue Fairy and the Saviour. But it was only his own wife's hysterical reaction to the kidnapping that placated him. Nonetheless he found it impossible to fully forgive the woman who had hidden his son from him, until it was too late. Rumple had told her to leave, for good. He'd used magic to convert the flat above the library into reasonable quarters, given her a lump sum of money and insisted he was no longer beholden to her, or her to him, in any way, shape or form, and that she was free to live her life as she wished. He even drafted up divorce papers, and said when she wanted to, he would sign it and she was free to take another partner, if she so wished.
Belle Gold had lived alone these past years. Initially enjoying her independence for the first time in her life, she'd gradually become lonely and in need of some sort of companionship. She's taken several lovers, including Will Scarlett. Her relationship with one of Robin's men had lasted several months, until it was discovered that his former love, the Red Queen Anastasia, was alive. He'd let her down gently, before heading off and scouring the realms to find her. Then came Jonathon, the owner of the Rabbit Hole. One night, after drowning her sorrows yet again over the loss of Gideon, the man had offered her some comfort and a sympathetic ear. One thing led to another, and they eventually became lovers for several months, although his obsession with body building and spending an excessive amount of time with his male friends had soured the relationship.
Her next intimacy came as more of a surprise. Her friend Ariel came to stay, following a heated bust-up with her husband Prince Eric. Over a tearful evening bemoaning the shortcomings of their respective husbands, Belle and Ariel had hugged it out over wine. Rather then let her sleep on the uncomfortable sofa, She'd insisted the mermaid share her bed. Later that night, lying together and sobbing, they held one another in comfort before, quite unexpectedly, Ariel kissed her on the lips. Belle had responded in kind, grateful for affection, and before long the two frustrated women had, from nervous fumblings, gone on to have an hour of frenetic, surprisingly passionate, sex. Neither had ever been intimate with another woman before, and they both found the experience liberating. One night had turned into several, before the mermaid's guilt over her adulterous behaviour made her go finally back to attempt reconciliation with her husband.
The experience with Ariel had changed Belle's perception of her own sexuality and she decided to broaden her horizons. After a couple of no-strings-attached, one-night stands with two other women, one night she found herself back in the Rabbit Hole, sharing the bar with an equally despondent Zelena Mills.
What her estranged husband would think of her taking the woman responsible for his son's death to her bed, she couldn't imagine! The sex had been fierce, passionate and satisfying, but nothing more. Zelena had made it clear from the start that it was just sex she wanted. It suited them both. Though unlike Ariel, because it came without any love or affection, Belle always felt dirty afterwards. Soiled and dirty. And unfortunately, Belle knew why she couldn't seem to form more permanent relationships; it was because, despite everything, she was still in love with him. Always him!
Her thoughts were interrupted by the library door clunking shut behind a visitor.
"Sorry, I wasn't sure if you were still open?" Snow White stood before her, looking sheepish.
"Did you manage to get it?" Asked the chestnut-haired beauty. "The dagger?"
"Erm, yes, I did. But I don't want to use it, after all. I guess I was wrong about something. I want to give it back."
"Wrong about…what are you talking about? You went to all the trouble of breaking in and stealing the dagger, then you change your mind? What did you want it for any way?"
"To see whether Hood's controlling Emma. By magic or a spell or something? I was going to get Blue or Gold to examine them, to see…"
"Blue could do that! Why Rumple's dagger?" She now wished she hadn't told the woman where to find it.
"To send him over the town line." The former princess looked suitably ashamed.
"Send Robin? Why on earth would you do that? The man's a goddamn saint! He even saved Emma's life, and he's my friend! What about his children? They've only just got him back! Snow, how could you think-"
"HOW INDEED?" Rumple dramatically apparated in front of them in a swirl of mist, causing Belle to freeze, shocked, Snow falling back as though struck.
"Gold! I nearly shit myself!" Said the unusually potty-mouthed princess.
"Good! Now dearie, I believe you owe me something?" He opened his hand out.
Slightly shaking, Snow picked up her large handbag, withdrawing the oilcloth containing the ornate dagger, and placing it in his palm. "I'm…I'm sorry. I just sort of panicked about something. I apologise."
"For breaking into my shop? For stealing the dagger? For damaging the locks? Well dearie, I've a good mind to report this to Sheriff Morgan. Unlike his predecessors, he doesn't believe royal family members to be above the law! Perhaps a little spell behind bars may do you good? I should know, that's where I usually end up when someone takes control of my dagger!"
Again, I'm sorry. I panicked."
"You did, didn't you? That's no excuse for stealing. The law's the law!"
"Rumple," Belle intervened. "She didn't mean to–"
"I'm not talking to you," he cut her off. "I'm talking to her! I'll deal with you, shortly!" His voice contained a hint of menace, something Belle hadn't heard directed at her for quite some time. He stared hard at Snow, who now looked even more contrite, and afraid.
"I know why you stole my dagger, Snow White. And I also saw you do it. I was there! You were a fool to even try, as you could easily have been killed, depriving your young boy, my son's namesake, of a mother!" He continued to study her as she stayed quiet, considering his next actions. Whatever the two women were thinking, they weren't expecting what came next.
"Take this!" He offered back the dagger to Snow. "Take it, hold it, and ask me your questions."
Belle was aghast. She knew that anyone squeezing the dagger felt, to Rumple, like someone holding his throat. "Ask me, and I can only tell the truth while you hold it. However, you may not like the answers."
Snow gulped, taking the dagger in her trembling hand, remembering not to squeeze it.
"Is there any spell, or any magic currently controlling Emma or Regina?"
"None that I'm aware of. Next question."
"Is it true Emma and Regina are both pregnant by Robin Hood?" Belle looked shocked at that one!
"They are. They both carry the Locksley magic signature. Next question."
"I heard Robin brought Emma back to life with a kiss outside the hospital. Is that true, and if so, how?"
"You know the answer to that already, dearie, you just can't accept it! Yes, he used true love's kiss; the magical wave that followed was quite definite. Next question."
"So, you're saying Robin is Emma's true love - as well as Regina's?"
"Well done! Give the woman a biscuit! You still want me to send the father of your grandchild to another realm?"
Snow felt sick, as the full weight of what she'd tried to do, crushed her. "It's probably me who deserves that. What have I done?"
"Another good question! You've made a blithering idiot of yourself, struck the man who saved your daughter's life, and then planned to deprive him of his children. Just like you did to the dragon all those years ago, despite your husband's protestations? Quite the hero indeed! Perhaps you should consider working for the blue moth?" He turned, scowling at his estranged wife. "After all, she's particularly gifted in depriving children of their father!"
"Thank you." Snow said, handing the dagger back to him. "Once again, I'm sorry."
"Luckily for you, I'm feeling in a generous mood, so I'll allow you to live. Expect an invoice for the broken lock." Before she could say anything, a flick of his fingers transported Snow back into her loft, leaving him and Belle alone, for the first time in five years.
"Thank you. For not hurting her." Belle felt awkward now, seeing the strange look on his face.
"Well, the Sorcerer is trying to encourage me to be more…benevolent? Though I'm more than very disappointed, that you so willingly told her where the dagger could be found?" He brandished the weapon. "You're aware of course, what it does to me? That ginger malevolent bitch held me captive with it, and her psychotic sister before her. You understand the pain that goes with it's use. You knew, but you told her anyway."
"I'm sorry Rumple, she was desperate."
"Desperate enough to separate a man from his children? Tell me, has the male of the species become so insignificant to you now, Belle?"
That last comment surprised her. "What…what do you mean by that?"
"You can't honestly believe I wasn't aware of you and the witch? You have the freedom to do as you wish, with whomsoever you wish. But surely, repeatedly having sex with the very same woman who murdered my son? Who held me captive in a cage underground and tortured me? Have you no sense of shame?"
Belle had no idea he knew about her and Zelena, but she still felt angry at the stinging accusation. "Shame? After everything you've done? You've got to be kidding me? And Zelena is not that person anymore!"
"Keep telling yourself that, dearie. Anyone capable of the foul deeds that woman's carried out, will never be capable of change. I could understand you're wishing to be with someone for comfort. Will Scarlett. Graves, that over-muscled moron that now runs the Rabbit Hole. Why, I believe you even traded up with the mermaid for a short while, didn't you? What's her name – Ariel? Nice girl. She could be good for you. Shame she told her husband about the two of you. I gather they've now split, thanks to your...appetites. Maybe she'll come back? I could see you finding happiness with her. Still, I don't care anymore, whether your sordid interests lie in other women, or men, are now irrelevant to me. But the witch? My how you've fallen, Belle."
"HOW DARE YOU?" She yelled, furious how he seemed to look at her with disgust. "GET OUT! JUST…GET OUT!"
"All in good time, dearie! You forget yourself. You happen to be working in a library owned by me, living in a flat owned by me, and you even receive a generous stipend from me! Yet you thought nothing of revealing the whereabouts of the dagger which ultimately controls me? Without even asking how it would be used? The dagger which causes me immense physical and mental pain when handled by others. Yet you thought nothing of telling Snow White?"
"What do you want from me, Rumple? An apology? Yes, I apologise for telling her where to find it! I'm sorry she intended to hurt Robin. I'm sorry-"
"But you went ahead and did it anyway. Just as well it was a fake."
"Look, I already said that…hold on…a fake?"
"Of course. After you sent me across the town line, forcing me into the land without magic against my will, to hobble thirty miles to get help. Do you seriously think I could ever trust you again with the very object that controls my existence?"
Belle knew everything he'd said was true, so she changed the subject.
"All that business with Snow. What you said to her about Emma and Robin? Was any of it true?"
"All of it. Frankly, I don't care whether you choose to believe me or not, as I have bigger fish to fry. I'm leaving next week to hopefully recover our son. The son you lost by trusting his new life to the blue moth and the Saviour? Yet another poor judgment, Belle."
"Gideon? You've found him?" She'd long lost hope of ever being united with the baby she handed over to Blue within a day of his birth; all to avoid his father infecting him with darkness.
"Merlin's located him. He's still being held captive by Fiona, so Merlin is mounting a rescue mission. We leave shortly. We're also being assisted by Robin Hood, the man your friend would have me remove from Storybrooke?"
Belle ignored the aside, remembering the last time she saw him. Gideon. Her tears welled. "You think you can bring him back? Bring back my baby?"
"OUR baby, Belle! You so easily forget he's my child, too. I will readily die trying. I can't lose him like I lost Baelfire. There's also a chance I may not return. I've made arrangements for that eventuality, and updated my will to leave my entire estate to Henry, though I have made a small provision for you as well. Good day." There was no warmth in his voice.
Without another word, he apparated from the room in a cloud of smoke, leaving Belle speechless, with tears in her eyes, at the remotest possibility of being reunited with her son. The baby she so stupidly gave up. The biggest regret of her life.
Granny's
"So, you're risking your own life to save Gold's son? What the hell?"
Emma was angry, though tried to keep her voice down when they met in the diner. Robin had fetched Honour, from school and agreed to meet. He'd just broken the news of the Sorcerer's mission.
"Merlin's asked me to help. He thinks the three of us, with the intelligence he's already got from his doppelgänger there, should be more than enough. He thinks Fiona's also got around fifty child slaves captive. Under those circumstances, I couldn't refuse."
"Of course you could!" Regina was also angry. "Robin, you've got two children here, and two more to come! What the hell were you thinking? What if something happens to you?"
"Tell me the two of you would have refused? You've both risked everything to save people. We've even gone to the Underworld for Emma! Regina, Zeus gave me this magic, this 'gift'. As a father, I couldn't refuse."
"And if you don't come back? How do I explain to my child that the father he or she has never met decided to sacrifice himself on a fool's errand?" Emma knew that, under the circumstance, she was being unreasonable. She knew she would have gone if asked. "And why didn't Merlin speak to me or Regina? We have powerful magic ourselves, unless you've forgotten? Or is it just a cock-waving thing? All boys together?"
"You know why, Emma. Of course, you're powerful, but you're both pregnant! You know Merlin and Whale advised you not to use any magic. It'd be bad for our unborn children, you know that! You get dizzy using basic spells. Apparating could put you in a coma!"
He could see they weren't convinced, their angry glares hiding the worry they both felt. "We'll take care, I promise. Merlin has some sort of time control on his realm jumping. Apparently, while we may be away for a few weeks in their time, we'll be returning here shortly after we've left. He thinks that, all being well, it'll seem like less than a day here."
Regina recognised the determined look in his eyes, knowing he wasn't going to change his mind. He was a natural hero, and the plight of others always took priority. She and Emma shared a concern, but realized how it must have felt for Henry seeing them regularly battle some demon or crisis, unable to help.
Robin refocused on Emma. "Now, you said you wanted to ask me something?"
Emma had been about to suggest he move in with them but, after what she had just heard, now wasn't the time. She stood up to call Honour, who had been playing at the back of the diner with Alex. "It can wait till you're back. Just…just be careful there, okay? Regina's gonna be worried sick until you get back safe. Just make sure these babies' father comes back in one piece!"
Robin had never publicly shown any affection to Emma in Storybrooke, to prevent idle gossip. But this time, he placed his hands on her upper arms, leant down and dropped a small, soft kiss on her lips. "I'll do my best, I promise." As he pulled back, he witnessed the smile, no longer embarrassed or awkward. Regina appeared by her side, grinning. He turned, placing an identical kiss on her own lips. As though this wasn't enough, and oblivious to those around them, Regina brought her right arm around his back, her left arm around Emma's, pulling them both into her. Robin and Emma copied her movements, until the three formed a small huddle, three foreheads almost touching, as though in a conspiracy.
"Take good care of each other, love each other and our babies. I'll be back. I love you. Both of you!"
The last three words came as a shock to Emma, leaving her momentarily speechless, while Regina's mind whirled at the admission. Emma, tell him you love him too? she thought, though the blonde couldn't, or didn't, reply. Just stood there with her mouth open.
As the three finally pulled back from the hug, Regina became aware of their surroundings, blushing slightly, and moving over towards the small play area where Honour and Alexandra sat. Robin nodded to Emma before walking out of the diner.
As Emma walked across to join her wife, they were unaware that one person in the room had not only seen their behaviour, but had heard everything.
So Emma and Regina are both pregnant, and Robin's the father? Stepping from her stool behind the counter, Ruby Lucas waited patiently until Robin and the Swan-Mills family finally left. Almost immediately, she raced back to the sitting room at the rear.
"Dot? You have no idea what I've just heard!"
Mifflin Street, the following morning...
Just after six o'clock, their sleep was disturbed yet again, this time not by the children, but Emma's phone. They tried ignoring it, but it persisted.
"Ugh, hell! Am I never to be allowed a lie-in anymore?" As her brain started to function, she realized that, as people usually left a text, it could be serious. Leaning across, she picked it up from the side table. "Emma Swan-Mills! You better have a good reason for calling at this godforsaken hour?"
"Emma? It's Merlin. Sorry to disturb you so early, but I thought you should know we're back. We've succeeded in recovering Rumple's son, but-"
"You're back?" The blonde was awake and sitting up in seconds. "You only left yesterday!" Then she remembered Robin's comment about time travel. "You said 'but'? Is everything okay?"
"We've been away about three weeks in the Dark Realm. Robin's hurt, Emma. I thought you should know. He's in Storybrooke Hospital right now. He's undergoing surgery as we speak, but he's stable."
In hospital? She suddenly felt overcome with nausea, her stomach lurching as she bolted, racing into the bathroom, to vomit violently into the toilet bowl.
"Emma? Emma? Are you still there?" Merlin's voice rang from the speaker.
The sudden movements woke Regina, who yawned, wondering what'd happened, and why she could hear a tinny voice nearby. Hearing the noise of Emma heaving her stomach in the bathroom, she looked to where the voice came from, seeing the phone lying there.
"Hello? Who is this?"
Inside the bathroom, Emma wiped her mouth, sitting back on the floor, trying to figure out her next steps. Regina appeared, in a dressing gown.
"Are you okay? I just spoke to Merlin. I need a shower. I'm going to the hospital!"
"I'm coming with you! We can't just poof there, not like this. We need to drive. Give me a chance to get ready."
Storybrooke Hospital
The Mercedes pulled up at the hospital forty minutes later, Regina having earlier phoned John, whod willingly agreed to rush over to the mansion, rather than have them drag Roland and Honour out of bed. As the pair walked into the reception area, it seemed to be packed with people, including many children, despite it only being ten to seven in the morning?
It was pandemonium. Several children were being moved on gurneys, crying parents seemed to be hugging others, and the usual calm seemed to be replaced by noisy chaos and a sense of urgency. From a side door, Caroline Locksley appeared.
"Regina, Emma! Good, you're here. Come with me?" She instructed, leading them to a side corridor. "Robin's out of surgery now. I'll take you to him."
"Surgery? What's going on, Carrie? Who are all these children?"
"They're from the Dark Realm. These are the children the Black Fairy kidnapped over many years. I've counted over eighty so far. We're trying to identify them all, so we can try to reunite them with their families if at all possible."
"Eighty?" Emma whistled, realizing the full scale of the rescue operation.
"Yes, Merlin can tell you the full story. Apparently, there were several deaths during the rescue. We've about twenty children injured, as it seems the bitch lashed out at a number fleeing. Can you imagine that, trying to kill small children? Doesn't bear thinking about! We're trying to operate on all of the seriously injured as quickly as we can, though as you can see, we're a bit understaffed? Last I looked, Anna and her father are sharing one theatre, and I gather Victor's just operated on Robin. He's probably still unconscious, but we'll see in a moment."
~oOo~
As the trio turned into a ward room, they passed Victor Whale, still in scrubs, consulting with a nurse about his next patient. He hardly had a moment to acknowledge them before darting into another room. Regina shivered when she saw the blood stains on his scrubs. How much of that is Robin's?
Caroline led them into a recovery room, where they were shocked to see Robin, his left arm and leg heavily bandaged, lying flat with tubes heading into his mouth, arms and side, a heart monitor beating quietly. Regina brought her hands to her mouth as she looked on, horrified by all the bruises on his face. She looked to Emma, who seemed just as worried. Leaning over Robin was the Sorcerer, now shining a light into his pupils.
"Ah, Emma and Regina. Just the people!"
"The Black Fairy did this? What happened?"
"What happened Regina, was the successful rescue of over eighty children, including Rumple's son, plus the vanquishing of three extremely fierce, powerful, dark magicians. This man's a hero!"
Emma wasn't impressed. "Successful? Look at the bloody state of him!"
"Yes, it does look bad, doesn't it? But I can assure you, he'll make a complete recovery. He did take on the darkest fae force in all the realms. He killed her, too."
"ROBIN KILLED THE BLACK FAIRY?" Emma couldn't believe her ears. The fairy who had placed a curse on them all, sending her into a mental institution. The woman whose power exceeded everyone else's. The woman who was only defeated by Gold's sleight of hand, sealing her in her own realm with no hope of escape. "I don't believe it!"
"It's true, all right. He drove a short sword right through her brain, just like he did King George. Death was instant of course, though six of her most trusted acolytes, all with magic, set about attacking him after she was slain. He dealt with most of them, but a few blows got through. His tibia and femur on his left leg were broken and he got some wounds to the head. Victor's repaired the bones with steel pins and a plate. Don't worry about all the tubes, they're just assisting his breathing and monitoring him till he wakes. Once he's awake and the bruises have come out fully, we'll set about repairing his body with magic. Just like we did with you, Regina."
Regina winced but exhaled heavily, relieved to know he'd recover. "What now? How long will he be here?"
"Victor's done the hard stuff. As soon as everything comes out, which won't look pretty, we can repair the muscle and skin tissue. You could both help with that as healing magic shouldn't affect your foetuses or make you dizzy. Three to four days, and he could go home, although I'm not sure who would look after him. Perhaps better if he stayed in Sherwood Clinic. We're looking to at least at a two-week recovery."
"We'll take care of him!" Emma insisted, earning a sad smile from Regina. "We've got a spare room. He'll be surrounded by his children, in more ways than one."
"Talking of children, what's going on with all of those downstairs?" asked Regina. "It's chaos down there!"
"Rumple's already on the case. He's using a few tools to help locate their next of kin, if they're still alive. Reul and Silvermist are getting pixie dust to use, similar to finding a true love or a soulmate. It'll take a while, and some may have to be adopted, but it has to be better than a life in chains down a mine?"
"Gold's helping? Not just looking after his own son?" Emma remembered the Dark One's self interests were always placed ahead of any noble cause.
"More than helping! He destroyed at least a dozen of her demonic guard! We couldn't have done it without him. Robin took on the Dark Fairy and her personal guard himself. It was quite a magical battle, and they were closely matched. Remarkable, when you consider he's only had magic for a few months? Quite the scrapper is our Mr. Locksley when he's in a corner. I certainly wouldn't want to come up against him!" he smiled down at the patient.
The Gold Mansion
Rumple sat back in his favourite rocking chair, his baby boy now fast asleep in his arms.
When they'd rescued the children from the Black Fairy, it hadn't taken him long to recognize his now five-year-old boy, even if he hadn't been armed with pixie dust purloined from the fairies. Gideon had eyes just like his mother's, and an expression to match. The boy had been kept separate from most of the children, probably due to the fact he was the Fiona's grandson. He hadn't been put to work in the mines, but was instead heavily guarded by Fiona's most trusted demons. Battling them had taken its toll, and Rumple winced at the aches and pains running throughout his body. He was covered in bruises, but it had all been worth it. He now had his son!
What he hadn't accounted for was the change in the youngster, as they escaped from the Dark Realm. Gideon had instantly been transformed from a relieved and tired five-year-old, into the baby in swaddling his father had never had the chance to meet! The Sorcerer was the only one who didn't seem shocked, even though the age change didn't seem to happen to the other children rescued. The moment they all reappeared at the hospital, Merlin had instructed one of the fairies, Nova, to assist in getting him everything the Dark One needed for a couple of days, until he found his feet with his new charge. And now, after the fairy had assisted him in transforming an unused bedroom into a nursery, set up the bottle heating equipment and supplies. She turned to him, smiling.
"Well, that seems to be all in order. Is there anything else you think you may need, Mr. Gold? Perhaps a cup of tea while you settle your son?"
Rumple gave her a tired smile. "No thank you dearie, you've already done more than enough. It's been a while since I raised a son, but I think I'll take it from here."
"Very well. I'll leave you in peace. Just let me know if you need anything?" With that, she pulled her wand from a hidden pocket, apparating in a golden mist.
"Well my boy, alone at last?" He stroked the baby's pink cheek. "I can see your mother in your eyes, but I also see your brother. I think you would have got along well with my Bae."
The tiny bundle's mouth turned up in a sleepy smile at his touch, completely captivating the Dark One, who had fallen in love all over again.
~oOo~