Snow apologises to an unconscious man, Emma owns up to her feelings, Robin wakes up, and Belle is reunited with the baby she's missed for five long years.

After they left the hospital, with Robin still unconscious, Regina and Emma went their separate ways. Emma to start work at the Sheriff's Office, and Regina back home to see John. It was now just after nine, and the children were late for school.

Looking at her phone, she spotted a message from Robin's best friend:

'Thought you had enough to deal with, so I dressed and took them. I'll be going to Ruby's after that. Buy you a coffee?'

She smiled as she thumbed it. It was so typical of John to help, just as he had always after his dearest friend was killed five years ago. Though younger than Regina, John acted like a protective older brother. He'd helped Roland come to terms with his father's death, been an extra shoulder to cry on, supported her, and even encouraged her burgeoning relationship with Emma. But he was more than a brother. After Robin and Daniel, he was the only male friend she'd ever had.

'No, I'll buy them. I owe you yet again. I'll see you there? Robin's still unconscious but they tell me he's going to be okay. x'

Emma had already taken the car so, as magic wasn't viable, she decided to walk to the diner and give herself some fresh air. But as she ambled in the sunny, cool morning, Regina felt something was different? Several villagers, who wouldn't normally give her the time of day, or deliberately avoided her, now seemed to be smiling back as she walked by? One sullen young woman she barely knew beamed back at her, giving her a 'good morning' as she passed. Even Ferguson, the strange little miner they called Bashful, now greeted her by doffing his cap.

It was as she finally reached the door of the cafe that it dawned on her. They know!

John waved from a table by a window. "Over 'ere?" When she got to him, he enveloped her in a hug. She always rolled her eyes when he did it, but underneath all that brashness, she actually loved his simple, genuine warmth. And that forest smell, which always reminded her of someone else.

"Morning," he dropped his voice, so not to be overheard. "I know about Rob, but how are you?"

"Fine. Have you said anything to anyone, about…you know?" She looked down at her small, but still noticeable, bulge.

"Course not! I promised I wouldn't. Mind you, Snow White's been in here. So…"

"That probably explains it. Sorry John, I know you'd never do that to us."

"Enough said. Now sit ye down, and tell me about our boy? What happened?"

Regina relayed all the events as far as she knew them, including Merlin's version. "So now he's pretty beaten up. Once he's safe to leave, he'll come back to our place."

"Good. He'll like that, havin' family around him. It's when he's happiest. Can I go visit him in hospital today?"

"Of course. Hopefully he'll wake soon, but check with Caroline first? I'm going back there once I've spoken to Philip Briar. You know about the children they brought back?"

"Yup. Blue's taken the ones who didn't need the hospital over to Sherwood. They're doing something to find their parents, if the poor little buggers even still have any!"

"That's why I'm going over to see Briar. I've had some experience with Henry and adoption agencies, so I thought I could perhaps offer help."

"Great idea. Sorting out eighty kid's lives is goin' to take some doin'! Can I tag along? I've got a free day from the pub, and I'd love to help."

The Sheriff's Office

Telling Sheriff Hank Morgan that she was almost four months pregnant, and having to cut back in a few months, wasn't as hard as Emma thought it would be. Nonetheless, he seemed startled by the news.

"Well, I'm very happy for you Emma, and I'll be sorry to lose you. Though I must admit I'm surprised! If you and Regina were planning to have another child, it would've been helpful to know that when he asked me about the deputy role? Especially as you knew Mulan would be leaving shortly? I'll need to find two new deputies, not one."

She wanted to snap back that it was none of his business, but realized he was just thinking ahead. "I'm sorry Hank, this wasn't planned. I was completely unaware I was pregnant when I applied."

"Oh well, these things happen. Provided you're happy, I'm happy for you. I guess Henry's thrilled he's going to be a big brother once again?" The moment he said it he could see by the look on her face there was an issue. "I'm assuming he knows?" A horrible thought came over him. Emma was in a lesbian relationship. It wasn't planned, but she's gay. Has she been unfaithful to Regina?

The Saviour could see the concern, as he ruminated on what could have happened. Knowing news would leak out soon anyway, she decided it was time to tell him and get it over with.

"Look…Hank, you're probably going to be hearing bad things about us very soon, thanks to my mother and others, so best that you hear it from me rather than town gossip." She steeled herself to explain, taking a breath. "The truth is, although it wasn't planned, Regina and I are BOTH pregnant, both due around the same time, and they share the same father!"

Hank brows rose at the last piece of news. However, both he and Emma nearly jumped at a voice nearby.

"Robin?" Mulan walked in through the doorway. "They're Robin's, right?" The former warrior, now seven months pregnant herself, and looking decidedly uncomfortable in a maternity dress, stepped up to the seated blonde, placing a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to make her feel less awkward. "Seems like you and I have more in common than I thought?"

"Don't tell me you're expecting his baby too?" Emma joked. "I've had enough unexpected shocks these last few months!"

Mulan chuckled, Very unusual for her! "Nope, this is definitely Philip's!" She lightly massaged her abdomen. "And Rory's, of course. No, I meant the situation between you, Regina and Robin."

Emma was surprised! Surprised, but not offended. "No. We aren't together like you three."

"You quite sure about that?" She smirked. "I was in the diner yesterday, and saw the three of you. You all seemed…close?"

Hank saw her cheeks redden, so decided to change the subject, to spare her blushes. "Emma, let's assume you have three or four more months working, before you go on maternity leave? I'll let you choose whatever level of physical work you're comfortable with. Mulan here's stopping at the end of this week, so if you're okay being more office-based, that would help? But, we have a mini crisis on our hands today. You heard about the children being rescued from the Dark Realm?"

"I just came back from the hospital. Robin's been wounded, and has just had surgery. But there's a load of lost kids milling around down there, while some are being operated on. Apparently, most of the rest are in Sherwood right now, so Regina's gone over there to help find homes for them."

"Robin's wounded?" Mulan looked worried. "You never said! I should go over there."

"Ride with Emma then, Mulan?" Hank suggested. "There's thirty-odd children at the hospital that Blue hasn't processed yet. Apparently, they're checking everyone for hidden curses or something before they go out. Until we figure out where, we need to get some accommodation sorted out. I've a couple of rooms free at my place, so I could take up to four if that helps? Let me know how you get on. And give Robin my best? That man's a bloody hero!"

"I know!" both women answered, almost simultaneously, looking at one another awkwardly, before trooping off to Emma's car.

As they rode the short journey to the Hospital, Emma looked over the heavily-pregnant passenger.

"So? You and Robin? I know you go way back. What's your story? You're obviously close?" Emma tried to hide a hint of jealousy.

"Clearly not as close as you, eh?" The former warrior glanced back, trying and failing to hide a smirk. "Sorry. Yes, we're close. Nothing romantic you understand, but Robin's been like an older brother to me for a long time. He invited me in to join the men at one of the worst times of my life. You know, he was the first person I ever admitted my feelings about Aurora to? He never judged me. He just told me to just follow my heart, and tell her. I tried, but just as I was about to, she told me she was pregnant! I couldn't stay after that, so I left with them. Robin and the guys accepted me without any reservation, and I loved him for it. I taught most of them how to use the sword, and close combat, properly. And they taught me archery and knife throwing, and cooking and animal husbandry, that sort of thing?"

"Merlin told me yesterday that Robin used the short-sword to kill the Black Fairy? That's the way he finished Albert Spencer."

"Yes, that's his usual method, when he has to. He said it's the quickest, most painless way to do it. Though you should know he agonises for weeks after, even when he's been forced to kill or be killed. Though they all deserved it for their crimes, he suffers immense guilt afterwards. After my own father, Robin's the most decent man I ever met."

"Did you ever get to meet Marian?"

"Very briefly. She was lovely. Very beautiful, and a great fighter. He was a truly broken man when she died!" Emma noticed the normally controlled woman's eyes mist up at the memory. "It was so sad. She was definitely his first true love."

Emma silently gulped at the woman's unusual reaction but carried on. "So, what does that make Regina?"

"His second true love, I guess? I never really saw them together, though from what Will told me it was there again. If we're very lucky, we can get more than one, if we're lucky."

"That explains you, Phil and Rory, I guess?"

"They own my heart and soul, and I wouldn't have it any other way." Watery eyes gave way to a smile. "So, what about you? When are you going to finally admit you're in love with two people, not one? You know, you don't need to wait as long as I did."

Emma could have argued, but she could see it was pointless. "It's complicated. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have the same feelings for me. Regina yes, but me? Not so sure."

"Nor will you ever be, if you hide from it! Take the chance Emma, and tell him. I don't think you'll regret it."

"Is that because you don't want to be the only three-way marrieds in town?"

"We call ourselves a 'throuple'. And yes, it would be nice to have others around, like us." Then as they pulled into the hospital car park, she couldn't resist. "So he got both of you pregnant, around the same time then? That's unusual, seeing as he hasn't been back long?"

"Keep this to yourself but, not around the same time – the same bloody night!"

"Must have been quite the night?" Mulan managed to stop herself laughing. "Different isn't it – three of you?"

Emma could only nod, finally sharing a knowing grin with one of the very few people with an understanding of what she was going through.

Storybrooke Hospital

As they walked into Reception, it looked like things were slowly getting back to normal. There were now only a dozen or so children waiting to be seen by the fairies.

"Okay, let's see who we have here?" As Mulan left to deal with a separate group, Kathryn, the former Princess Abigail, who'd once been engaged to her own father during the curse, stepped up to Emma, clipboard in hand.

"Emma, nice to see you. We've covered most of the children and found them places to stay, but we've still got a few waiting for Silvermist or Blue to try. You just missed your mother. Snow's gone up to see Robin."

"She's here visiting Robin?" Emma definitely didn't like the sound of that!

"Yes, she went up to the Post-Op rooms a few minutes ago. You should- "

She ran through the corridors toward the room Robin had been in a few hours ago. If she hits him again, I'll ring her bloody neck! However, as she moved closer to the room, as she was about to charge in to find the mother doing or saying god-knows-what, she hesitated, on hearing Snow's voice. She sounded, different.

Opening the door carefully, she leant in to listen to what her mother was saying to the clearly still-unconscious man.

Snow was sitting on a stool at the side of Robin's gurney, a machine nearby steadily beeping to check any changes in his heart rate, a separate pump ensuring his breathing. As some of the bruises had now come out, making his face swell, he looked even worse than this morning. Emma tried to ignore it as she craned to listen.

"Robin...I've lost her too many times. You should've seen her when Neal died? She was devastated! Then, when she found out what I did to Maleficent's daughter, I still thought I was helping her. She never fully trusted me after that. David yes, but not me, and it was all my fault. I persuaded him to go along with it, even though he was dead against. That poor girl! What I did to her. Then I lost Emma again when she took on the darkness to save Regina. It took Hook to bring her out of it." She stopped to dab her eyes with a hankie. Emma wanted to go in and say something, but held back.

"It was horrible when Killian died, but I never expected her grieving to get that bad! She wrecked her liver with drink, but thank god she didn't try to take her own life like Regina? They were lost souls, Robin. We all tried pulling them both out of it, but when the two of them eventually got together I was, yet again, stupid! Henry said it was a good thing, but me? I didn't help. David made me see sense before I lost her again. And now you've come back? Regina's true love; her soulmate? You sacrificed your life for her just like David did for me once, so when you came back I knew Emma could never compete with that! I admit I hated you, Robin, for destroying what Emma and Regina had, but yet again, it seems, I was wrong." She paused, taking gulps of air. "I don't know what's going on between the three of you, but I can only guess. You know, I even stole Gold's dagger? Because I imagined I could use it to force him to get you out of the way? That's the person I've become."

Emma froze at the confession.

"Gold confirmed everything! He said not only were they both carrying your children, but that you gave Emma a true love's kiss when she was bleeding to death. You actually brought my dead daughter back to life with a kiss? Yet here I was, trying to get rid of you? I'm sorry. I was wrong, yet again, and now Emma hates me. Again! I don't know how to make it up to you Robin. But I need you to come back. Emma's daughter will need her father!"

"Daughter?" Snow froze when she realized she was overheard. "I'm having a girl?"

"Emma! I didn't see you there."

"Gold said I'm having a girl? Is that true?"

Snow felt more stupid than ever. Her big mouth, again. "That's what he said, plus calling me a fool."

"Can't argue there! You stole his dagger? How stupid is that? You could've got yourself killed! He threatened to end me, if I so much as went back in his shop again. How are you even still here?"

"He probably didn't want to kill me in front of Belle. I know I've been stupid. I'd better go." She stood up to leave, but Emma stood in her way.

"Mum, wait. I don't hate you! I just wish you'd think before you act, sometimes? I'm a grown woman for god's sake, and I don't need protecting! And I'll choose whoever I want to be with. Whether it's Regina, Killian…or even Robin. Things are complicated right now, but…when he wakes up, you need to give him a real grovelling apology, not just one when he's still unconscious!"

Emma stepped around her mother to sit on the vacated stool, collecting Robin's hand and rubbing it gently. As there was no response. She stood to lean over him, placing a small kiss on his sweaty brow, his cheeks covered by bandages. Snow watched the tender moment and the softer, caring look on her daughter's face as her eyes never left his heavily bruised face.

"I will, I promise. Emma, do you really think you love him?"

"If I'm honest with myself, I think I started falling in love with him when we went out to dinner a few months ago. It's all been a bit strange. For all of us. I denied my feelings, for Regina's sake. But she seems to be encouraging us."

"She probably wants what Aurora's got. A beautiful wife and a handsome husband, plus children? But is that what you want, Emma? If you take up with Robin, there's other people you need to consider. How will it affect your marriage? If it is true love between you? Would Regina get side-lined? Or will you? What about Henry? How's this going to affect him?"

"Look it's complicated, okay? I don't have the answers but, it just…feels right. I think I want this though."

"Then if you're sure, I'll support you. I just don't want to see you hurt!"

Emma looked down at Robin's heavily bruised face and exposed chest. The bandage had already been taken from his head. With a sad smile, she started to run her fingers through his now blood-matted, dark blonde hear, still sweaty from having been bound.

"He'd never deliberately hurt me. I'm sure of that now." She gently massaged his head, monitors continuing to ping and the respirator gurgle. "Do you know how he got into this state?"

"No, not really," Snow watched her daughter tenderly caress him. "I rang Little John to find out where he was, to apologise, and they told me he'd just been hurt."

"He did this saving over eighty children from the Dark Fairy! Her guards hit him with dark magic, but he got them out in the end."

"The Dark Fairy? Fiona? How did he get back? How on earth's he even alive?"

"Robin, Gold and Merlin went on the mission together. Fiona's dead. Robin killed her."

"She's dead? But I saw Gold yesterday! He couldn't have."

"Magic and time travel, mum! They took two or three weeks over there but over here it seemed like they got back this morning. According to Merlin, Robin got hit the hardest because he took on the worst job. Filleting the bitch!"

Somehow the news just made Snow feel even worse. Robin had, once again, put his life at risk, and this time not just for Regina. "I misjudged him. I misjudged his motives when it came to you two."

"Yes you did." Emma's eyes never left him. "But to be fair, I did too, when he first came back. He accidentally read my mind once with his new magic, and because he felt so guilty, he made me read his! He's suffered a hell of a lot in his life. But having seen it first-hand, I'm beginning to think he's the most honourable man I've ever met. Even compared to dad!"

"Perhaps that's just as well, seeing as he's going to be your daughter's father. I'll leave you be." Snow silently turned, walking out of the room as her daughter continued to preen him.

"Wake up?" She whispered, bringing her lips again down on his forehead. She so wanted to get on with using magic to heal his bruises but knew from Merlin she should wait until he woke, as even healing magic might make her dizzy. "The kids need you back. I know Regina does! And though I'm scared to admit it, I do too." If it hadn't been for that damn tube invading his throat to force air into his lungs, Emma would have sealed his mouth with her own. Instead, she had to settle for his cheek before whispering even more quietly,

"I remember what you said last night, but I couldn't answer you. I did what I usually do, and built a wall. But Archie's right, I need to own up to my feelings. It took me a while just to admit it to myself. But I do love you, Robin Hood!"

A moment after she kissed him, the rate of the electronic pinging noise from that infernal machine next to him accelerated dramatically, followed by another, harsher ringing noise from a bell next to the respirator. "Shit! What've I done now? NURSE!" She pulled back, going to the door to shout down the corridor. "NURSE? ANYONE? COME QUICKLY!"

A nurse she didn't recognize came out of a side room before rushing into Robin's. As Emma went back in, she heard gurgling and saw Robin's chest lurching up. "WHAT'S HAPPENING TO HIM?"

"It's okay miss. He's just coming out of the coma. Let me focus, please?"

The woman quickly turned off various switches on one of the machines before pushing a hand firmly under the back of Robin's head while speaking into his ear. "It's okay, Robin. It's Livvy! Try to stay calm? You have a tube in your throat that's helping you breathe. I'll have it out shortly!" In a smooth, expert manoeuvre, she lifted and tilted his head back and with her other hand, drew the tube out from his mouth and throat, causing him to loudly gag and wretch, although his eyes never opened and he remained still. After a few changes to the settings, Nurse Whitehand turned the heart monitor back on.

"There now, he's breathing on his own. I think he'll be waking up before long. Are you family?"

"Well…I'm carrying his baby, if that counts?" her hand tapped her stomach, making the nurse chuckle.

"Well good for you! Now, if he wakes over the next few minutes, could you press that buzzer?" She pointed to the device. "He'll probably be very thirsty now the tube's out, but we don't want to give him too much liquid too quickly. Don't be surprised if he's a little disorientated at first. Now, if you'll excuse me?"

"Thanks. Sorry I panicked a little back there, nurse? I don't think we've met? I'm Emma, Emma Swan-Mills."

She nodded back. "Ah yes, I know of you, but we've never actually met. I'm Lavinia Whitehand, though everyone calls me Livvy. Gilbert's wife? You remember Gilbert? One of Robin's men?"

"Of course. He's one of the guys who saved us at the clinic? The sword-thrower?" She smiled, taking the nurse's hand and shaking it. "Thanks again, Livvy. My family owes you big time!"

~oOo~

It was another three hours before Robin finally opened his eyes.

Emma had earlier gone back downstairs to help Mulan and the others find and put the children in temporary housing around the town. Nova had now been joined by the Sorcerer, still wearing scrubs from theatre, to help identify the children and their families by using magic.

As some of the older children had been clearly traumatized, having been held in captivity by up to a decade, Merlin had earlier come up with a surprising proposition.

"If we can identify their parents or next of kin, I could wipe their memories from the time they were captured. Obviously, their minds would be younger, so we could have them revert back to the bodies they had at that time? It'll be like the Dark Fairy never happened, though their families will be a bit older."

"You can do that?" an astonished Snow White, now joined by Charming, looked on. "Wipe all the bad memories AND make them as they were before she kidnapped them?"

"I can, provided their guardians are in agreement. If so, it's a fairly straightforward process."

For the next two hours, as parents, now older siblings and guardians came to reclaim their lost children, Merlin's idea was presented to them. Nearly all agreed, and the Sorcerer had spent the next two hours reading each child's mind to locate the exact time of capture before casting the memory wipe and turning adolescents and younger children back into the babies they were. Many families were finally reunited and, amidst many tears by all, left to start raising their new, or restored, babies.

~oOo~

Upstairs, as the former outlaw slowly opened his eyes, they were met by a friendly, relieved figure looming over him.

"Hi, Big Bro! Make a hobby out of getting yourself killed then?" She squeezed her older brother's hand as a stray tear fell down hercheek. "I've only just started getting to know you again, you bastard! Stick around a bit longer, yeah?"

Robin tried to say something but, as his throat felt like sandpaper, all he could manage was "Gah." He raised his hand to wipe the tear from his sister's cheek; that's when he saw the canula in his arm, and a little clip on his thumb. "Hey, keep still! They've wired you up for sound here. Let me get a nurse, and we'll have all this stuff off you in a jiffy, yeah?" He saw her call out and someone shortly appeared on his opposite side.

"Hello, Robin. Nice to see you're back with us? Now, give me a moment and I'll sort you out. Your throat's going to be very sore from a tube we had down it, so don't try to speak, until I've at least given you a little water?"

Livvy? Tube? What the hell was going on? Robin wasn't sure, but as his senses slowly recovered he realised he was lying in a hospital bed. Maria saw the confused look, and took his free hand. "Merlin told me you collapsed straight after you killed some bitch and her goons. Something about 'dark magic contamination'? Yeah, I didn't understand either. You broke your leg too. Anyway, you all got back here, and you fell into a coma last night and they operated on you this morning. You've been out all day! Livvy here's been keeping an eye on you. I gather you know each other?"

"Oh, I know this rogue all too well, don't I Robin?" The nurse propped his head up, giving him a few sips of water from a beaker, which made him cough and splutter. When he stopped, he croaked:

"Maria, never play cards, or darts, with this woman or her husband! They'll take you to the cleaners!" He managed a weak smile, just visible under the bruises.

"You cheeky sod!" Livvy chuckled, "I'll take that as a compliment, from the card sharp master himself!"

"Maria, what are you doing here?" He shifted, to look at her.

"Trying to check up on my older brother after his dumb adventures? You look like shit, Rob. I got a call from Carrie saying you were hurt. What were you thinking?"

He ignored her chiding. "What about the children we brought back? Are they safe?"

"There's a whole bunch of people downstairs trying to sort them out. Snow, some of the fairies. Most of the kids have gone, but there's still a few. You know you had a few visitors today? Regina and Emma were here first thing, and then Emma came back later."

"Emma was here?" He sounded surprised. In his dream he thought he saw her leaning over, talking to him, kissing him.

"She was here quite a long time," Livvy chipped in. "Her mother was here too. Snow left with her tail between her legs! I think Emma was annoyed with her about something. Still, mustn't gossip; must get on. I'll bring you something to eat in a little while, after the Professor has looked in on you? Now don't do anything stupid, like try to get up, because your leg's been operated on! Trust me, we'll try to get you out of here as soon as possible."

"I do. And thanks Liv, I just want-" Though before he could finish, he was interrupted by a door crashing open, and Honour bursting in, closely followed by Little John trying to keep up with the excited five-year-old.

"Papa? You're awake?" Her smile turned to worry as she saw the massively bruised face. "Papa?" She started to sniffle. Roland had silently entered the room, sauntering over to the gurney while collecting his little sister in his arms and hopping up on to the side of it, putting Honour on his lap, next to their father. "Don't be frightened Hon! It's really daddy under all that, but he got beaten up by some bad people!"

Robin saw the frightened expression so he took her hands in his. "It's me, Honny. Please don't be frightened? It's only a few bruises, I'm sure. I'll be out of here soon." The little blonde slowly smiled, curling to leave her brother's lap and rest on her father's right side, head on his chest.

"Be gentle, you two!" warned Lavinia. "Go easy, he's just woken up! And don't go near his left leg, either of you."

Honour looked up adoringly. "Daddy, Rolly says mummy and ma are both going to have babies?" As the little blonde spoke, Robin saw his son blush with embarrassment.

"What? It's not like you told me not to say anything?" he defended himself, his smirk and dimples going in to overdrive. Robin sighed, knowing the next bit was going to be awkward, especially with his sister and friend present, but couldn't be avoided.

"It's true, my darling. Your mums are both pregnant, and in a few months' time, you're going to be a big sister."

His daughter beamed with happiness. "And you're their daddy?" She asked, a picture of innocence. Robin nodded.

A stunned Maria looked at her brother, open-mouthed. At least he looked embarrassed, she thought, as he silently pleaded for her to keep the news confidential. At least for the moment. She exchanged a quick look with Lavinia, who was clearly as surprised as her. "Well that's lovely. More nephews or nieces for me, I guess?" She smirked at Robin, a look that said, 'What the fuck have you been up to?'

The door opened again, making everyone turn. Victor Whale walked in, with Merlin close behind. "Ah! It's my future cousin-in-law, I gather?" said Maria, "I hear congratulations are in order?"

That drew Robin's attention while Victor Whale suddenly smiled, looking almost smug. "Thank you. Yes, it's true, I've asked Carrie to be my wife. I'm delighted to say she accepted."

Robin looked astonished. "Well, er, congratulations?" was all he managed.

Fortunately, Merlin, or Professor Sage when at work, stepped in. "Good to see you awake, Robin. I know you're keen to get out of here, so let's allow Victor to check your leg as he did the important bit? If he's happy, I'll get to work on the muscle and skin repair. Then we can make a decision." Merlin had already adopted the manner of a professional, business-like medic. Victor politely made his way around Maria to lift the sheet over his leg, the woman quickly getting the hint and getting out of the way for the two men to check him over.

"Well, it all appears to be healing, though if you stand on it without sufficient time to heal, you'll probably cause more harm than good! I'll give you a choice. Either stay her one or two nights more to rest up, or we release you, but on the strict condition that wherever you go, you do not stand on it for at least two days? And rest, and have someone keep an eye on you!"

"The second option. No offence Merlin, and I'm grateful for all you've done, but I want to leave sooner than later. I'm sure John and some of the guys would help me."

Livvy interrupted just as another figure walked into the room. "Actually Rob, Emma said they want to take you back to their place. She was quite insistent!"

"Robin, you're awake?" Regina strode in, with a wide smile, despite looking tired but relieved. "Lavinia's correct. We want him to convalesce at our place. With your family." She beamed down at him as though they were quite alone. "Emma and I want you home."

"In that case," Merlin added, "let's get that muscle tissue sorted out?" It took him a matter of moments to wave his hands over the damaged area. The feeling of ripped and torn muscles moving back into place made Robin wince loudly and flinch, though he held it together until it had finished. Regina and Maria held his hands either side, encouraging him to bear with the discomfort. Once Whale checked the results and nodded, Merlin got to work on repairing the skin tissue on the leg itself, earning yet another loud hiss.

"Better. Now what about those facial bruises? Let's see about tidying those, shall we?" As Merlin raised his palms, Regina stepped in.

"Professor, may I?" Her eyes begged. She knew that in her present state, healing magic was all she could manage. Merlin nodded. Bringing both hands to Robin's cheeks, Regina focused her energy onto his face, Honour and Roland watching open-mouthed as the swelling started to subside and the bruises evaporate, to leave normal, albeit unshaved, skin.

"There, handsome as ever." She grinned as she took her hands away, but not before Robin curled his right hand around the back of her head, pulling her in for a chaste peck on the lips. It made her blush, Honour grin, Roland roll his eyes, and Maria and Livvy give one another a curious look.

Victor seemed satisfied with the result. "Right, that all seems to be in order, so I'll get the paperwork signed. Livvy, could you kindly get us a wheelchair, so Mr. Locksley can finally be on his way?"

"I don't need a damn wheelchair!" Grumbled Robin. "A couple of crutches will do!"

"You'll do no such thing!" Regina glared back at him. "You broke your leg, so you're going to rest it! No arguing!"

Merlin sniggered. "Robin, I think you're going to be in good hands."

Granny's Diner

"Wow, I can't believe it! Dot's pregnant?"

Belle hadn't been to the diner for nearly a month, so was eager to catch up on local news and gossip with her friend. "I didn't even know you were trying, Rubes?" She tried to hide the disappointment at not being told sooner.

"I know, but under the circumstances, I wasn't sure whether it would upset you, babe. Especially after, well, you know?" Ruby tried not to mention Gideon, but saw Belle's eyes redden at the reminder of her lost son. "Dorothy had talked about it before but, well Merlin told us it was possible for the two of us to have a combined baby…with the right donor."

"'Combined baby'? Sorry I don't understand."

"Merlin used magic to join our DNA. I don't quite understand it myself, but it basically means the baby Dot's carrying, has just as much of my genes in it, as hers. Just add magic sperm and...voilà?"

"'Magic sperm'? Haven't seen that advertised in the gazette!"

"From a donor who has magic. It's needed to make the fusion work…" Ruby regretted her answer the moment it left her lips, knowing what question was coming next. But it was her friend, after all.

"So go on then, who's the father? There aren't too many magical males around. The Sorcerer? His son? Kathryn and Ella both told me 'Merlin Junior' looks like a Greek god!"

Ruby sniggered. "His name's Charlie, and yes he does! He's fucking gorgeous. Dot and I both have a bit of a crush on him, but no, he isn't the donor."

"Then who? Come on Rubes, tell me? We're friends, and you did hold out on telling me you were trying for a baby! It's not…it's not Robin, is it? It's either him or Merlin. Or Jeff? Now I now you liked mature guys in the past."

"For heaven's sake Belle, stop!" She giggled. "It's none of them. We did think of asking Robin, but it's just as well we didn't, seeing as he's now got two more on the way! Have you heard about Regina and Emma?"

"Yes, Rumple came into the flat to confront Snow. She stole his dagger to try and…well, never mind all that. He told her that Emma and Regina were pregnant by Robin, and that he was a true love to both of them?"

"That explains how he brought Emma back to life! Earlier I saw the two of them kinda smooching in the corner of the diner yesterday. I think they got pregnant around the same time Dot and I did. I reckon we've got another poly family like Rory, Mulan and Phil brewing? I don't know whether to congratulate him or feel sorry for him. Five kids, if you include Henry? Mind you, he's got other problems right now, what with being in the hospital all bashed up and all."

"He's back from the Dark Realm already? But they only went yesterday."

"You been living in a cave, Belle? Haven't you heard? Robin killed Fionapp but her guards injured him. He was in a coma, the last I heard. Him, Merlin and Gold brought loads of kids back with them first thing. Everyone's at the hospital or Sherwood trying to find their folks! Belle? Belle, are you alright?"

Belle had gone as white as a sheet. "Gideon! Did they bring Gideon back?" She yelled. "RUBES, IS MY SON ALIVE?" she moved to grab her bag and coat. "Where are they now?! Ruby, this is important! Where's Rumple?"

"Last I heard, he was at Robin's pub, helping sort out the lost parents." She pulled her phone out. "Here, let me phone around."

The Gold Mansion

It was a good twenty minutes later, when the two women banged furiously on the door of one of Storybrooke's largest houses. The house keys for which Belle had handed over to him five years ago.

Rumple sat quietly in a mothering chair, next to the new crib, feeding a bottle to his now one-week-old baby. The baby who, in the Dark Realm, had been a feisty five-year old-boy. Magic was a truly remarkable thing.

"That sounds like your mother, Gideon. Shall we let her in, or not?" He looked down at the baby, suckling contentedly. He's only had him home a matter of hours and already he was thoroughly smitten, knowing he would willingly die for this child. "I guess we'd better let her in. I'm supposed to be not such a Dark One these days, after all." With a flick of his fingers, the lock on the front door clicked and the door opened, to the surprise of both women.

Belle rushed in ahead of Ruby, ready to yell. However at that moment, a large yellow cardboard sign appeared directly in front of them, which read:

Come in QUIETLY!

In the spare bedroom!

Belle tiptoed into the back and up the staircase, Ruby following close behind. As they slowly moved to the bedroom, it already opened just before they reached it. She held her breath in anticipation, and the last thing she expected to see was her estranged husband, sitting quietly in a Victorian nursing chair, with what appeared to be a new born baby in his arms, administering a small milk bottle.

"Come in. We've been expecting you, haven't we…Gideon?"

Belle's mouth hung open in astonishment as she felt herself welling up. "Is this…is it really him?" she whimpered.

"It is. Gideon is as good as he was! As good as the day you sent him away…" his voice hardened towards the end.

"May I hold him?" she trembled as she asked. "Please may I hold my son, Rumple?"

The Dark One stayed quiet for a few moments, his eyes searing into Belle's. "You may…but on three very strict provisos!"

"What…strict provisos?"

"First, that you vow NEVER to separate, or even attempt to separate, me from my son ever again! Second, that you never allow or assist anyone to use my dagger against me. And third, you NEVER leave him in the hands of, or anywhere near, that fucking blue moth, or the ginger witch, ever again!" His eyes tore into her, showing he meant every word. "If you insist on continuing to have sex with that vile bitch, I want my son nowhere near you!"

That last comment really threw Ruby! She knew that Belle had recently experimented. She'd heard something about Ariel. But had no idea she and Zelena had been together?

"I promise! Anything! Just please let me hold my…our son?" He studied her closely, the woman he had loved. He knew how desperate she had been these last five years. He knew that, despite all his anger at being deprived by her, of his son at a time he could have saved him, he still had feelings for her. Nodding silently, he stood, walking across and placing the tiny life into her arms.

Overcome with emotion, all she could manage was, "Ooh, my god!" For the first time in five years, a trembling Belle gathered the baby, now slightly dozy, closer. "Oh, my little darling! I've dreamt of this!" Tears cascaded, as she placed a kiss on the baby's head, the little one opening his brown eyes for a moment. "Gideon…I'm your mummy. I'm so, so sorry I ever let you go!"

Ruby had stood watching, unnoticed and now felt like an intruder. The Dark One seemed unusually tired, probably not surprising, seeing what he had been through. "Mr. Gold, I'm really pleased you got him back. Is there anything you need?"

He slowly looked up at her, exhausted. "Thank you, Mrs. Lucas, but we're fine. And congratulations to you and your wife on her pregnancy? A child with three genetic parents? Highly unusual, though a growing trend in this town, it would appear."

How the hell did he know that? Oh yeah, he's the Dark One. But 'growing trend'?. "Thank you, yes, we're thrilled. But growing trend?"

"It would appear so. Now, Mrs. Lucas, as I said, we'll be fine here. Perhaps you should get off home?" His tone indicating that this was not a suggestion.

"Yeah, sure. Belle, you okay if I head off?"

But Belle heard nothing, except for the contented gurgles of her baby.

~oOo~