Father, son and grandson are finally together. Robin and his fiancees get over their argument, and Emma badly misjudges her reunion with her former lover.

Storybrooke Hospital

Rumple's head swam. So many thoughts and visions racing across his mind, all fluid and seeming to merge into one other. Faces appeared before him; his mother, father, stepmothers. Faces long forgotten, but now popping in and out. Visions of distant uncles when he was a boy. His wife and child, Milah and Baelfire. Belle. Images of happiness, pain and suffering. No linked narrative or structure. Just faces and scenes. Time was abstract and the only thing he could pick up on was the background, which started in darkness and slowly became grey and finally brighter. At some point he'd heard women's voices talking to him Soothing him. Even imagined a kiss or two?

As his mind came out of this porridge, the abstract swamp, he heard a deeper voice which seemed to be calling to him.

"Papa? I need you to wake up now. I need you to open your eyes. I want to meet my young brother and my son. Come on papa, wake up now. Please!"

The voice seemed close. Very close. Sensing bright light, his eyelids resisted it, although even behind them, the light still came through. His throat felt like sandpaper as he gradually, nervously, opened his eyes. Where the hell was he? As they slowly adjusted to the light, he blinked frantically. Finally, the blur took on shapes, darker shapes, including a blurred head directly above him. Too weak to even move, he waited till it finally cleared, to show a dark-haired, bearded man close to his face. The voice was familiar. Then as the figure finally came into focus, Rumple couldn't believe his eyes.

Baelfire?

My Bae! I'm in the Underworld!

He attempted to say his name, but nothing came out. He tried a second time; his lips moved, but only a wheezing, croaking sound came, his throat too dry to speak. Clearly, this was some cruel hoax, some preliminary torture as he prepared to face the many souls he'd sent down here. He'd died, and would now face his maker for the ultimate retribution.

Too weak to lift his arms, he felt a tear roll down his cheek. The face in front of him, the face of the son who he missed so dearly, merely looking at him, in sympathy, before it broke into a huge smile.

"Hello Papa! Miss me?"

The figure took his right, canula-free hand in his own, bringing it to his lips, to place a light kiss on the back. "Yes, it's really me, papa! It's Baelfire!"

Still shocked in disbelief, a second figure appeared in Rumple's peripheral vision. The Sorcerer.

"Good afternoon, Rumple, nice to have you back with us! I once told you you'd be reunited with both your sons, didn't I?"

~oOo~

Twenty minutes later, Henry stepped out of the elevator, onto the top floor. "Hi Joy!" he called to a young nurse on the reception desk of the IC unit. "Me again. I'll just go through, yeah?" He winked.

She smiled back at him, before realising what he was doing! Merlin specifically asked her to stop all visitors to room six until further notice, apart from Belle and Ariel, who'd left to go home and change. "Henry, no! Stop! The professor's in there, and he's got visitors! Best wait here till I check whether you can go through?"

"Visitors?" His eyes widened. "You mean he's awake?" He instantly turned, now ignoring her and heading directly to his grandfather's room.

The door was already ajar when he cautiously stepped in. Directly in front of him, Rumple was now awake, his head propped up on a pillow, looking thoroughly drained. The tube into his mouth gone, but his eyes were bright. Was that a smile? He appeared to be holding hands with a jacketed, dark-haired man who sat on the edge of the bed facing him, his back to Henry.

'Grandpa! You're awake!"

"Henry!" he croaked, looking up and smiling. Then a second later, Rumple's gaze fell to the man in front, a widening smirk on his lips as he slowly nodded at the stranger. The unknown figure slowly pulled himself off the side of the bed, turning to face the newcomer.

"Henry! My, look at you? All big and grown-up!" The man stalled, his mouth opening as he looked him up and down, with a mix of wonder and trepidation. "And a beard? I hardly recognise you!"

Henry froze. A face from his distant past. A face he'd only known for two months of his entire life! A face on only two photographs he'd held since he was ten. A face imprinted on his mind. Henry's jaw dropped, unable to speak. Unable to say, in case it wasn't true. Somehow, from within this large twenty-two year old man's body, came the whisper of a much younger, frightened little boy:

"D...dad?"

It took a few seconds for Neal to get his own words out. Finally he nodded. "Yeah Henry, it's really me. I'm back."

He slowly walked around the end of the bed towards him, scared in case the young man turned and fled. Drawing closer, he cautiously put his hands on his upper arms, looking up at his son, who was now a good six inches taller than him. "God, I've missed you so much!" he whispered, tears now falling down his cheeks.

"DAD!" Henry, now shaking violently, instantly broke into tears, pulling himself into his father and holding on for dear life. Neal, equally overcome, held him tightly in his arms. The son he'd only known he had when he was already ten years old. The son he'd only known for two months of his twenty-two years. The son he'd looked upon on, on occasion, from the Underworld. The son he'd ached to know. The son now in his arms. They held each other, crying, neither caring to stop.

The cries became sobs until eventually, they separated. Henry pulled back to wipe his face, allowing him to study the older man. He didn't look a day older than the brief memory he'd had of him, though he knew he was at least three hundred years old!

"How? How did you get back? Are you staying?" Please god, let him be staying?

Neal chuckled, relieved the initial tension was finally over. "I'm staying. Zeus sent me back, Henry. I did a few things for him. This lady here..." he waved his hand towards a tall, exceptionally beautiful blonde woman Henry hadn't noticed till now. "Is Persephone…"

The name alone made him stop. "Persephone? Goddess of the Underworld?" He gasped, his wet eyes bulging as she offered her hand. He took it nervously, bowing his head in respect. "I'm very honoured to meet you...ma'am?" She smiled, so that seemed to please her. "Sorry, I'm not sure how I'm supposed to address a goddess? Your ladyship? Majesty?"

Persephone just smiled. "I'm delighted to meet you too, Author! Persephone will do, though your father does insist on calling me 'Perse' or "Seff', which seems to irritate my own father! He's kept a watchful eye on you since he's been with us, young man. It's extremely rare for any human to be sent back to earth, let alone three to one realm! Your father's thought of very highly in Olympus."

Neal's eyes twinkled at her, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Merlin also said something about you clearing lost souls?" Henry beamed with pride at him. "But I I hope you don't need him any more - I'd really like to have him around from now on?"

"I will be, Henry, I will be. I'll spend as much time as I can here, though I do have a few errands Zeus has asked of me, before I come back properly. But I'll always make sure I have time for my boy! I missed all your childhood, so I'm damned if I'm going to miss any of your adulthood!" He smirked, taking his hand before turning to face Rumple, who'd been watching the exchange between his son and grandson with plenty of tears of his own.

"Papa, I'd like to meet my brother, soon. And what's this about you, Belle and Ariel?" he started to chuckle. "Why, you old dog!"

"How did you...?" Rumple seemed genuinely shocked at his son knowing. He glanced at Henry.

"Don't look at me, grandpa, I only just met him!"

"The gods have mirrors too, Rumpelstiltkin..." added Persephone. "As well you know!"

Sherwood

Emma had tracked down Robin and Roland to the lake next to Sherwood village, and unlike the last time he stormed out in anger, she was surprised to find he'd taken a small fishing boat out on it; just the two of them.

As she watched them from the bank, she texted Regina to let her know where they were, before taking a quick photo of the peaceful scene on the lake and sending it to her. She settled at one of the tables Tuck had put out, before ordering a coffee, while waiting patiently for them to return. An hour later, Robin tied the boat to the jetty.

Roland walked up it, holding two large fish. "Hi ma, look what I caught? Papa says we can probably have them tonight, if mum hasn't already started making something."

"Brilliant, Ro, well done! Yes, we can cook those. Can you take them over to Will, so he can gut and wrap them for you? I just need to have a quick word with your dad." The wild-haired twelve-year-old raced up to the pub to proudly show off his catch, as Robin slowly drew nearer, a bucket and rods in his hands.

"Hiya, fiancé! Finished sulking yet?" She tried to keep any tone out of her voice.

"Depends. Have you two finished nagging yet?"

"We were just worried, okay? Perhaps we went a bit too far."

"You think?"

"Look, c'mon. Robin, we're getting married Saturday! Can't we just kiss and make up?" she gave her best pout, not quite in Regina's league, but it did bring a sigh, and a smile, from the outlaw.

"Come here, then?" He called and she stepped into his arms. The moment their lips touched, all was forgotten. "It's hard to get annoyed with you for very long, and I'm not good at holding grudges!"

"You're marrying two women," she chuckled, "We're so much better at grudges - we can hold them for a lifetime!" She dragged her lips over his again, biting the lower one. "I love you, Robin Locksley."

"Yeah, but I love you more, Emma Swan-Mills."

Meanwhile...

Knowing Rumple was in good hands, even if he was still unconscious, Belle and Ariel finally decided to go home and change. The decision made easier, by the fact Gideon was now wide awake and needing attention, feeding, bathing and changing urgently.

The five-hour drive from the hotel that morning had been tiring enough. Having it followed by the traumatic experience of seeing their trusted friends attack Rumple on the town line, had turned it into a living nightmare. And now, as the effects of the day started to kick in, Belle felt wretched, and exhausted. Ariel, also shattered herself, did her best to feed and play with Gideon, though as the little tyke finally tired and settled into his cot for another nap, the mermaid collapsed on her own bed. Within minutes, Belle had joined her and the pair, lying on top of the sheets, held one another tightly as the tears came, before sleep eventually overwhelmed them.

Two hours later, they woke to Gideon's hungry screaming. As one cared for him, the other showered, as they prepared to go back to the hospital. That's when they got the call.

"Hello, is that Mrs. Gold? This is Nurse Scott, from the hospital."

Belle gulped. Please god, please say he's still alive? Don't say he's gotten worse? "Yes nurse, this is Mrs. Gold! How is he? How's my husband?"

"Mr. Gold's awake, and asking for you. He also has-" but she was cut off by her screeching.

"He's awake!" she yelled behind her, hearing a loud cheer from Ariel in another room.

"Yes. As we wasn't operated on, he's had something to eat and drink. But he does have visitors. His grandson's here and Professor Sage has been with him. There's also a couple of-"

"We're on our way! Tell him I'll bring his son and we'll be there in twenty minutes." She ended the call, not giving the nurse a chance to continue.

Belle almost screamed with relief when entering the room, she saw Rumple, sitting upright in bed. he was even eating soup. She didn't even bother looking at his visitors, as she skirted quickly around the bed, to lean over and wrap her hands his neck, kissing his cheek and almost knocking his soup over.

His eyes twinkled in happiness when she lifted his face up to plant a kiss firmly on his tomato-stained lips. Ariel was about to follow on his left side, when she noticed there were other people in the room. Henry seemed more than pleased to see them, standing close to a shorter, dark haired man sporting a big grin. Close to him was a taller, long haired woman in a blue gown, somewhat oddly dressed for a hospital visit? "Henry, it's good to see you back safe and sound." Ariel grinned at Rumple's grandson. " And who's this?"

That made Belle finally look up to see who she was talking to.

"NEAL?" Her jaw dropped, and she felt her legs starting to shake. "No! It can't be!"

"Hello Belle, it's been a while?" As she felt her legs start to give out, Ariel rushed to her side to stop her sliding to the floor.

~oOo~

Over the next few minutes, more tears were shed, especially when Ariel lifted Gideon from his buggy to finally introduce him to his big brother.

Neal gathered his baby brother in his arms, a stray tear sliding down his cheek. Henry sat, transfixed at the remarkable sight, watching the two siblings together for the very first time. Having only known his father for two months of his life so far, Henry was determined not to let him out of his sight!

Not having been operated on, or drugs administered, other than an IV, it wasn't long before the locum doctor confirmed Rumple was free to leave when he so wished. It was suggested that, as he'd been weakened from the coma, he use a wheelchair to the car park. He naturally refused, but Baelfire insisted.

"Papa, please do as the doctor's suggest for once? I'll push you…"

From the corner, Persephone stood silently watching them, before deciding she needed to have a word with the Sorcerer. "I'll be back soon. You go on ahead. I'll find you." She whispered to Neal, before surprisingly, pecking his cheek. Henry and Belle exchanged a look, clearly thinking the same thing. What's going on between these two? He placed a hand on her arm, stopping her, as Neal pushed his father's wheelchair into the elevator. "Belle, may I have a quick word?"

She nodded, waving Ariel to go with them to the car. She turned back to Henry, who then whispered, "It's about my mums. I'm not sure I want to tell them dad's back yet - at least not till after the wedding! What do you think?"

"Well, we're all going to be attending, aren't we? So don't you think Emma will be more annoyed if none of us told her? It's not like the two of them are together any more, is it?"

"No, of course not. But I just don't want to see her upset just before her wedding. Emma's a runner when she panics, so I just-"

"Talk to your father first! He needs to know exactly what's happened since he's been gone. He needs to know she's married with children now. And tell him about Robin! If he agrees, then talk to her."

"What if he's still got feelings for her, Belle? What if…it's like when Robin and Killian came back?"

~oOo~

Downstairs, Neal manouvered the wheelchair out of the elevator, and into reception, with Ariel pushing the buggy behind him. He barely noticed two people, who had been sitting in the seats near the desk for the last half hour, now stand and walk briskly towards them.

"So, it's true?" Snow White had a hint of shock in her voice. "Ruby told us you're back!"

Neal looked up to see the crop-haired woman standing in the way of the exit, Charming close by, hands on his hips. She'd hardly changed to look at, since he died.

He saw their worried looks. No doubt wanting to protect Emma. "Hello Snow, David. Yes, Zeus sent me back here this morning. That's what the thunder and lightning was about! Sorry for that, though I'd much rather we talk about this later, once we've got my dad home? Did you think to come see him? No? So, perhaps tomorrow?"

"She's married, Neal!" Snow ignored his request.

"Emma has more children," David added, for good measure.

"I am fully aware of that, David! Now, if you could…" But the royal couple weren't done.

"There's a wedding this weekend! Emma and Regina are marr-"

"Marrying Robin Hood? Yes, I am fully aware of that too, Snow. Now if you could…"

"We'd rather you weren't there, Neal! All things considered, I-"

"GET OUT THE FUCKING WAY!'" bellowed Ariel, irritated at their continued obstruction. "WE'RE TRYING TO GET HOME!"

That surprised them! Neal and Rumple both smirked at the mermaid's fiery temper. Neal leaned over to his father, whispering, "Oh, I like her, papa! I really like her!" before moving in front of the royal couple to address them, his hands raised.

"David, Snow. I know you're acting in Emma's best interests, so let me just say this. From time to time, even though I was in other realms, I was given access to see what Henry and my father have been doing. I haven't kept track of Emma, as frankly, she was less important to me than those two! I knew she'd moved on, only a week after I died. So, not much grieving there, I think?" That got a look of surprise from the royal couple. "I also knew about Killian Jones, and more recently learned about Regina and Emma getting married. Snow, I'll always love your daughter, mostly because she gave me Henry. But I am NOT in love with her! I'm painfully aware that that ship sailed a long time ago. I'm here to be with Henry and my father, and nothing, and nobody, will stand in my way. I certainly won't be going to any wedding! Now, if you'll excuse me?"

Snow and Charming, feeling suitable chastened, stood aside to let the little group pass. As they did, they saw Henry and Belle walk out of the elevator. "Grandma? grandpa? Did you see dad? Brilliant news, huh?"

"Um…yes Henry," was all Snow could manage. "Have you spoken to your mothers yet?"

"No, Belle and I thought about holding off till after the wedding, but seeing as word's already getting out, and you already know, I guess there's not much point."

Plus, you'll tell the whole bloody town anyway, won't you?

Mifflin Street – that evening

The three lovers had settled their differences with apologies, hugs and kisses. The argument was over as quickly as it had begun, with all agreeing not to bring it up again.

The children and babies were all now safely tucked up in bed, although Robin knew he'd have to pop up again soon, to make sure Roland wasn't still talking with his friends on his computer all night. They now sat around the coffee table, nursing drinks.

"Henry texted me this afternoon, saying Gold's awake and they've left the hospital," Emma sipped her hot chocolate. "I should have heard back from him by now, though? We still don't know what that lightning bolt was about!"

"We definitely have somebody new in Storybrooke! I know what I felt!" Regina agreed. "So we need to organise a search in the morning. Something's not right. Has anybody spoken to Merlin?"

"Not since we captured the Dark One this morning," Robin checked his phone. "I tried getting hold of him this afternoon, but he's been in theatre. I sent a couple of texts to Henry, as he went back there, but I haven't heard back. I think tomorrow I'll head over to-"

But he was interrupted by a loud knock on the front door. "I'll go."

A minute later, he walked back into the lounge, accompanied by two visitors. Emma was more than surprised to see them. "Mum? Dad? What are you doing here this time of night? Where's Neal?"

"He's fine, he's staying with Philip Briar," David tried to choose his next words carefully. "We needed to have a word with you, Emma. With all three of you!"

Rumple's Mansion

"So Ariel, how on earth did you wind up meeting these two?" Neal asked, nursing a glass of scotch as they sat around the dinner table. Henry and Ariel also nursed drinks, after they'd all toasted Neal's return and Rumple's safe recovery from near-death.

Although initially cautious, Ariel had soon warmed to Rumple's eldest son. She liked his refreshing honesty and bluntness, and before long they were sharing jokes and stories, as though they'd known each other for years. "My husband, Prince Eric, and I had split up. Dad's not too happy so, I came here to Storybrooke to get away. I first met Belle when you were all in Neverland and we became friends then. So, this time, she let me stay with her in the library after she and your father had separated. I guess things developed from there…"

That drew a surprised look from Neal. "So, Belle had finally had enough of you, papa?" he smirked.

"No Neal," Belle insisted. "Your father threw me out! I'd done something incredibly stupid, that caused us to lose Gideon, and he was probably right to do so! Once Merlin traced where the Black Fairy had taken him, he, Rumple and Robin Locksley went on a rescue mission to get him back. When they succeeded and got your brother safely home, Rumple allowed me to move back in to be with him, even though he didn't need to."

Neal grinned warmly at his father, placing a hand on his arm. "You did the right thing, papa! Children should never be separated from their parents, if they can help it. I'm proud of you." Rumple smiled sadly back at him. "I never should have made her leave in the first place, Bae! But unfortunately, my anger took over, as usual."

Ariel continued. "Well, to my surprise, as my feelings for Belle, and hers for me, grew, your father seemed to encourage it. He let me move in with her and I moved in a couple of months before we all left for Europe. It was then, on our European trip, I got to know Angus properly and, I fell in love with him too! I'm still not sure how it all happened myself, but…it did. And I've never been happier!"

"I'm pleased. For all of you. Though it's a bit of a surprise. Tell me about my brother? You said he was kidnapped? I never saw that. What happened? I've heard about the Black Fairy. She was supposed to be stupidly powerful. How did you get him back, papa?

Finally Rumple, who'd been quietly listening to the conversation rather than joining in, explained. "Belle had passed Gideon to the Blue moth to get him somewhere safe…from me. I'm afraid the Saviour helped them to block me from getting to him in time." Belle looked suitably ashamed at that, so the former Dark One took her hand. "Don't concern yourself Belle, it's ancient history now. Anyway, Fiona, the Black Fairy, who sadly also happened to be your grandmother, intercepted the moth and kidnapped the child. That was five years ago. Last year, Merlin located where he was kept and we mounted a rescue mission. Robin Locksley, who now has very significant, powerful magic of his own, joined us. He was ultimately killed Fiona.

Neal sighed. "I'm surprised Emma helped you, Belle. You'd have thought that, being an orphan herself most of her life, she would have known better?" He looked at his father with a sad smile. "Still, you got Gideon back, that's the important thing."

"We did. Thanks to Merlin and Locksley. He's Gideon's godfather now, Bae. It seemed fitting."

"He's become quite a friend since he returned from the Underworld!" Belle added. "Which reminds me, I owe him an apology. I punched him in the face!" That drew a surprised look from Rumple. "When they captured you on the town boundary. It looked like they were killing you!"

Rumple chuckled, "I'm sure he's had worse, Belle. Still, they succeeded. The Dark One has now been banished; held in an empty, sealed realm, hopefully never to return!"

"And how about you, papa?" Neal squeezed his hand a little tighter. "I know we haven't really talked about it yet, but…you losing the darkness? How does it feel to be finally rid of it?"

"It's hard to explain, my boy. I feel unbelievably tired, which is most unusual for me! I don't feel particularly weak but, I'm fine for the moment. But seeing you all here with me, well…" he eyes started to water again. "It's just…I never thought I would have this! My boys, Henry, Belle, Ariel. I still can't quite believe it's happened. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and you'll be gone again!"

"Not this time, papa. Once I've finished a few missions from Zeus, I intend to stay a lot closer to you and Henry for the foreseeable future." Neal stood, leaning over to place a kiss on the top of his son's head while wrapping a fatherly arm around him. "Hope that doesn't freak you out, Henry? Though I'll stay back when if want me to."

It was Henry's turn to be teary-eyed. "No, I'd like that dad, I-" Unfortunately, he was interrupted by the loud rapping noise of the front door knocker. "Who the hell? It's pissing down outside, who'd want to come around at this time of night?" But then, Henry thought he recognised the magical wave outside. "I'll get it – I think it's mum!"

~oOo~

Two minutes later, Emma walked into the dining room, having almost barged Henry out of the way. She stood, goggle-eyed, hardly believing who was standing in front of her.

"So, it's true? You really are back?"

"Hello Emma!" Neal braced himself, waiting for whatever was to come.

"You told me you were in a better place!"

"I lied. To stop you going down there! Why did you let Henry go to the Underworld, Emma? Why did you put his own life at risk, as well as yours?" His voice seemed unnaturally calm, but with something else in it. Anger?

Emma definitely wasn't expecting that! "I…I didn't…he insisted on coming!"

"He insisted? He was fifteen! You were his parent! It was unbelievably stupid, and it almost cost him his life! I know what they're capable of down there. You nearly got your entire family killed! And for what? Killian was already dead! As it was, it seemed you moved on from him in time, albeit a lot slower than you moved on from me! What was it, a week, two weeks after I died? Good to see you got over me, Emma!" The last sentence delivered in a sarcastic tone.

She felt like she'd been slapped and now stood, flustered. She had intended to first find out whether he'd really returned, before telling him she was now taken. Married. "Erm…"

But he wasn't finished yet. "Well never mind. He's all safe and grown-up now isn't he? Congratulations on getting married, by the way! I always thought you and Regina had an interesting relationship before I passed over. I'm pleased, for Henry's sake. It must have been nice having both mums together instead of fighting. I also gather you're bringing up one of Robin Hood's children, and then went on to have one of your own by him?"

"You seem to know everything already. How?"

"I've been keeping track of Henry and my dad, but Zeus's wives have brought me up to date on you two. I gather you're also both marrying Locksley this weekend?"

She nodded, not sure how to continue. "Erm…can we have a word…alone, please?"

"Perhaps tomorrow? I'd like to spend time with my family now. Would you excuse us? You see, I'm back after eight years, Henry's here and papa's spent his morning in a coma. You understand, don't you?"

"Er…sure. I guess I'll see you tomorrow." She almost whispered, feeling like she definitely wasn't wanted here.

"Good. Eight at Granny's then? Henry can join us, if he wants?"

~oOo~