Under pressure from Queen Eleanor, Neal Cassidy lets something slip. Rumple and Belle take their girlfriend out for a special evening. And something unpleasant is happening in the Sheriff's Office.

Storybrooke Hospital

"So, let me see if I've got this right..." Merida had just been told the intricacies of Neal's family and relationships. "Yer papa used to be the Dark One, but he's no that now. He's married to Belle. Aye, I well remember her, when she helped yon Merlin free me from that jail! Very clever woman, that one! They have a son, and some sort of thing going on with Ariel, who's a mermaid? And she's now also expectin' a child by yer papa?"

Neal nodded, trying not to laugh, knowing full well the ludicrousness of the situation. "Go on..."

"Then there's yer boy, Henry. Aye, I like him! Brave, bright and stupid at the same time, he wasn't supposed to come with ye to DunBroch, but he did anyway. Ye had him by the Saviour, who was also the Dark One when I met her. Years ago ye left her in jail when she was a lassie, so she could break some curse put on them by the Evil Queen, to whom she's now married? Yeah, that's too bloody weird! Emma has kids with her, although now she's good and called Regina. How that even possible? I know they have magic, but still…"

"Since Henry, they've gone on to both marry the father of the rest of their kids. Robin of Locksley. Or Robin Hood, as you'd probably know him."

"Robin Hood? Course I've heard of him! There's stories of him and the merry men even in little old DunBroch! Mulan told me a lot about them, and I've always wanted to meet him. He's supposed to be seriously guid with a bow, so I wanna challenge and beat him! So, he's got two wives as well? Like Mulan's fella?"

Neal laughed at her bewildered expression. "It's daft, right? I only found out a little while ago, myself. Apart from Henry, they've got five kids. Four girls and a boy from his earlier marriage."

"Jeez, what is it with this place and women-only marriages and weddings in threes? First Mulan, and now Hood? Either some the guys aroond here are awfy greedy; or they're awfy crap between the sheets!"

"I wouldn't know about that! Personally, I've always been a one-woman kinda guy. Mind, after meeting yours, I don't think I could take two mothers-in-law!" He dropped a kiss on her lips.

"Awfy presumptious, aren't ye there, Cassidy? I can see lettin' ye in ma bed may have been a mistake!" Though she heard herself say it, Merida was more than aware of her growing feelings for this strange man from this stranger realm! The man who helped save her family, and her, from a certain fate. The man to whom she'd finally, after she'd rejected so many of her mother's chosen suitors, given her virginity in one very wonderful night!

However, she hadn't banked on a certain visitor overhearing her last words, as a new voice came from the door!

"I knew it! I knew ye'd been intimate with her!" called Eleanor from the doorway. "So, I presume ye'll be doing the only honourable thing open to ye, given the circumstances, Cassidy?"

"Mum? Shit! Wear a bell or somethin', will ye?"

The queen's mother ignored her, looking straight at him. "I didnae hear yer answer, Cassidy?"

"That's because I didn't give you one, Eleanor." He calmly replied, refusing to be intimidated.

"She's a queen! She's no' a servin' wench ye can have yer fun with! She's-"

"Right in front of you, mamma! And I'll tell ye, what I've told you and my papa a thousand times before. If, and when, I wind up with someone, it'll be ma decision! And no one else's!"

She wasn't angry…yet…just tired of having this same discussion year after year.

"Merida, ye're the Queen of DunBroch! Ye canna just carry on wi' fellas, like other lassies! Ye have a duty to the Kingdom!"

"Here we go again! For heaven's sake, mamma. I will fight and, if need be, I'll die for ma country! I will lead it, and try to be half the leader ma papa was. But I'll no go walkin' up the aisle, just cos Neal's the first man I ever felt somethin' for!" She stopped herself from saying too much, with him so close.

"Ye canna be serious? Jeez, gurl, ye have to think of the lineage! Ye need to produce an heir one day!"

"Why? I've got three brothers; one of them can take the throne! For years, ye've been dressin' me up like a turkey, puttin' me in front of princes and sons of chieftains, just to find me a royal husband. So ye can have yer nice compliant queen and babies! What if I no want that? What if I want to find my own man? What if I don't even want a husband? And if I do, why does he even need to be royal? I mean, look at this place? Ye've got Queen Snow livin' here, and she married a damn shepherd! And by all accounts, she's bloody happy! And their daughter? The princess married another woman, a former Evil Queen! So why can't I just be left to choose if, and when, I want someone?" She huffed, folding her arms. If only she could just get up and walk out of here!

Merida wasn't the only one seething. Eleanor looked at the man sitting beside her on the bed, his feet propped up, "I canna believe ma ears! And you? What do you have to say about this? Ye've soiled ma daughter, so what ye going to do about it? Are ye a man of honour…or not?"

Neal's experiences in the Underworld, dealing with all manner of awkward and domineering people, came to the fore as he calmly looked back at her. "Eleanor…Merida is her own woman, despite the fact she's also a queen. She should decide IF, who, and when, she should marry. If that's what she even wants! Personally, I've no time for all or all the self-serving, conceited crap that surrounds you royal families. Tradition be damned! Leave the girl to choose for herself!"

Eleanor was more than surprised by his outburst. He always seemed so placid. But there was spirit there! "When she was lyin' there yesterday, unconscious, ye said ye had feelings for her. That you were in love with her! I know, I was there. So, what's changed yer tune?"

"Nothing's changed. I fell in love with her the moment I clapped eyes on her! But that's me, not her! She makes her own decisions…" He stopped talking, as a nurse came into the room.

"Good morning!" said Chloe, all bright and breezy. "Professor Whale's asked me to take your dressings off, and bathe the wound before he gives you an examination shortly. May I?"

"Yeah, sure," said Neal, lifting his feet from the sheets and standing up, hardly looking at the women. "I'll pop back in an hour or two, okay?" He quickly dropped a kiss to the redhead's brow, nodding to Eleanor as he left, not noticing the reaction on the queen's face as he left the room.

Merida sat silently looking ahead, slightly stunned. Had he really just said that? "I fell in love with her the moment I clapped eyes on her? On me..." her voice almost a whisper.

"Aye, I heard him too!" Eleanor was grinning. "So…what ye gonna do about it?"

L'Auberge Cachée

Ariel gasped in wonder as the black limousine slowly pulled up outside Pierre Roch's half-timbered restaurant and hotel by the lake edge. Belle had only told her yesterday, that they wanted to take her somewhere for a special evening, to celebrate her pregnancy, Bae's return, and the successful banishment of the Dark One.

"This is stunning! Angus, where on earth did you find out about this place?"

"Robin Locksley. He and the Saviour came here once, and the owner is the man who catered their wedding. I'm told he's an excellent chef, so the food should be good."

Belle had gone out of her way to find suitable evening gowns for them both, with Rumple using magic to make any necessary adjustments. Belle wore a sheer black satin strapless number with applique lace which accentuated her hips and bust magnificently, while Ariel chose a slightly more revealing, aptly mermaid-style, off-the-shoulder split front prom dress, in maroon satin. Stepping out of the limousine, they looked like a couple of supermodels about to grace a catwalk, and Rumple's heart skipped a beat at the vision before him.

Pierre Roch had been there to greet them all in person, having been primed by Merlin the previous evening. The Sorcerer had gone out of his way to tell him they were more special friends, wishing to celebrate an even more special occasion. So, the millionaire restaurateur had also gone out of his own way to arrange for his best table on the lakeside pontoon, as he had for Emma and Robin, surrounded by twinkling lake shore lights and the very best service he could provide. The beautiful food, cooked to perfection, was served under candle and moonlight. They eschewed any alcohol, as Ariel needed to avoid it, although they did make an exception towards the end, ordering a particularly fine bottle of champagne.

"Angus, that meal was magnificent!" Belle pushed herself back from the table. "One of the best I've ever had. And that's compared to some of the best we ate on holiday!"

"As is the company, Belle. Also, may I say you and Ariel look truly captivating, tonight."

"Thank you, kind sir" said Ariel. winking at him. "I'll have to get pregnant more often, if this is the way you'll treat me!"

"It's all worth it for you..." Belle, leant forward, taking her hand. "There's so much we can celebrate. Gideon, and now Bae, are back with us. The Dark One's been lifted from Rumple. Your parents have given you your freedom and now, the gods willing, we'll have a precious little girl of our own in the months to come!" She stopped, feeling her nerves starting to give way. Ariel had already noticed the odd look she gave her husband. Rumple merely nodded for her to continue, briefly grasping the mermaid's freer hand.

"But that's not the only reason we did this..." she leaned over, picking up her water glass. Ariel noticed how her hand seemed to be shaking. Putting it down, Belle rose, walking around to Ariel's side.

"Ariel, you came into my life less than a year ago. I'd lost everything. My baby, my husband. My self-respect. Mostlr through some rather stupid actions of my own. I'd reached my lowest point; yet you came and gave me a reason to carry on. You opened my eyes! I'd never found love with a woman before. You changed me…" She reached for her glass again, took another sip, then carried on.

"I was overjoyed when they rescued Gideon, and he allowed me to move back in to be with him. After what I'd done, he could have quite easily divorced me. He even had the papers drawn up, ready. But he didn't. Instead, he selflessly let me not only be with our son, but left me to find love for myself. Which I did. With you. I love you, Ariel."

Ariel beamed, delighted at her words but, seeing seriousness in her eyes, grew concerned, wondering where this was all leading?

Rumple stood, stepping to her other side, both now looking down at her as she sat. "As for me, even as the Dark One, I think I started falling in love with you the moment I heard you singing a lullaby to Gideon. The way you played with him; loved him like a mother. I'd never believed anything like this could happen to me, but…it has! I also love you, Ariel. The fact we're having a child together is just yet another joyful bonus…"

She was about to ask them what they were doing, when the standing pair looked at each other, a nod exchanged, before they both dropped down on one knee, a small box now appearing in Rumple's left hand.

"OH MY GOD!" the mermaid whispered, as Belle opened the box.

"Ariel, I talked with Rumple about this, and we agreed. We love you, and want you in our lives forever. I want you to be Gideon's mother, and I want to be a mother to your baby. Our baby." She nervously pulled a sparkling blue sapphire and diamond ring out of the box, offering it to the mermaidwith both hands. "Would you do us the honour of being our wife? Will you marry us?"

The redhead's jaw dropped, several tears now coursing down her cheeks. She couldn't speak at first, worrying Belle, until, finally, "Oh my god! I can't believe…yes…yes, of course I'll marry you!"

Although their table was on a pontoon at least a hundred feet away from the main restaurant, a loud cheer and clapping came from the bank of the lake! And at least a dozen fireworks and rockets, flew into the air to create a series of loud bangs, the cloudless night sky now being illuminated by silver, red and purple flashes, turning into huge balls of light.

Trembling now, Ariel stood, to be immediately embraced by the librarian, a warm mouth latching onto her own in a hungry kiss. After a few seconds, their lips parted, only for the mermaid to feel them replaced by Rumple's, as he copied her, wrapping his arms around the pair of them.

From the top floor of the manor, from his little office overlooking the lake, Pierre Roch, smiling at the sight below, picked up his phone to make a call…

Storybrooke Sheriff's Office

It was close to midnight when he'd got the call. Cursing himself for getting a new mobile phone, even if it had been at Henry's insistence!

"Hi Mulan! You said you needed me over here? But before you answer that one, first, tell me how you got my number in the first place?"

She grinned. "It took a while! Emma had gone off-shift, and suggested I call Henry. He gave it me. Sorry but, it was necessary. We have a bit of a…situation?"

"A situation the Sheriff and you guys couldn't deal with? You're married to the Mayor, aren't you?"

"True. But this is a delicate…political...situation. You best come through to the cells and see for yourself."

She led him through into a larger room with three jail cells, one of which was occupied by someone he instantly recognised.

"Harris? What the hell are you doing in there?" Merida's youngest, by a matter of minutes, brother, was propped up on a little settle, grumbling in frustration. The second, after Hubert, in line to the DunBroch throne was a big man, some six feet four and broad. His windswept wild red hair the only similarity between himself and his sister. As he looked up at the newcomer, Neal saw from his watery eyes that he'd clearly been drinking heavily!

"Tha stoopid bitch locked me in here!" He yelled, pointing at a younger woman deputy, who sat at her desk.

"Neal, this is Deputy Sheriff Butler, who arrested this man this evening. He was in the Rabbit Hole, drunk, and started arguing with one of the other dwarves, a Mister Cunningham. He appeared to punch him in the face. Clive, the owner, called the station and Julie here arrested him. During the struggle, he elbowed her in the face…"

He looked more closely at the young police officer, and saw she was sporting a nasty bruise which would no doubt turn black over the next couple of hours. "Well I have to say, Julie, you did a fine job bringing him in! He's a big lump…"

"It was easy enough once I got the cuffs on him, as he's completely pissed and could hardly stand!" Said the clearly still-annoyed deputy. "But he caught me just beforehand. Some of the guys at the bar helped, and we loaded him into the car."

"Okay, so why do you need me here?" Neal asked, confused. However, at that moment he saw two other men sitting in the opposite corner of the room, one standing to walk over to him. Hamish, another brother! Just as large but clearly not as drunk, he walked over to stand directly in front of Neal and Mulan, pointing at her.

"Because I need ye to tell these bitches, that this man is a royal prince! And to let him oot immediately, before ah tek action! Now do as I damn well say, or there'll be consequences!"

Neal looked at Mulan's reaction, amazed to see her remain so calm despite the provocation! Sighing, but feeling growing anger on her behalf, he stepped forward, looking up at him. "Hamish, you will apologise to Sheriff Briar immediately! And you will never use that word to a woman again!"

The big man wasn't impressed, deliberately putting his face into his own to intimidate him. "And who the fuck d'ye think ye are, ta tell me what to do, ye little pipsqueak? Ma sister may think the sun shines oot yer arse, but I dinnae! So again, tell these bitches ta let him oot…NOW!" He snarled.

The third man, who Neal recognised as Duncan, a foot soldier friend of the younger brother, now stood, walking over to join the fun. "Aye, ye tell him, Hame! An' if ye don't, I'll damn well tek them keys off that little cunt licker, ma self!"

Mulan was used to dealing with unpleasant drunks. Sadly, it just came with the job; but even she was surprised by the vitriol coming from these rather unpleasant individuals!

However, before she could even think of a suitable response, the two men were lifted into the air by an invisible force, and slammed hard against the wall of the station! Very hard! As Hamish gasped in shock, he then felt another unseen force, feeling almost like a hand, squeezing his throat very, very, tightly! From the corner of his eye, he could see that his friend was in the same predicament!

Disorientated and still hanging by his throat, he looked across to see his sister's new boyfriend, with his hands raised and a face as angry as thunder! Clearly the one controlling this! Hamish had all but forgotten what he'd heard from others, that the stranger Merida was smitten with, had some sort of magic. Though apparently it didn't work in DunBroch, and the man had made no attempt to do anything magical while he was there! Now though, he was facing a very different Neal Cassidy!

It took a few moments for Mulan to realise what was going on! By which time Neal had stepped over to the wall, magically forcing the two men's faces to turn to him.

"Now listen, and listen well, you revolting excuses for human beings! My father was the Dark One! My grandfather was Peter Pan! My grandmother was the Black Fairy! All vicious bastards in their day, and all would have turned you to dust if they'd heard you address someone the way you just addressed the Sheriff!" His voice was now a menacing growl. "First, you will immediately apologise for your filthy tongues! Second, you will stay in your cells till you sober up, or until the deputies decide to release you..." An unoccupied cell door opened by itself. "Third, you will stay away from any inn until you have learned how to handle drink like a normal human being. Do you understand?" he growled, angrily.

With a flick of his fingers, the two large men dropped from the wall, hitting the ground hard. Their hands rushed to their throats as they both wheezed violently, trying to regain their breath. Eventually they stood, sobering rapidly. Neal pointed to the open cell door further, for them to enter. Hamish slowly stepped inside, huffing, but knowing when he was beaten. However, the third man, Duncan, looked at Mulan's icy stare but couldn't resist yet another barb as he rubbed his neck.

"Ye call yerself a sheriff, gurly? Needing a magic man to help ye? Ye can do fuck all wi'out him, can ye?"

Neal moved to deliver a harsher response, when he felt a hand on his arm. "I'll tell you what..." Mulan, stepped around Neal, her face impassive. "You were such a brave man when you came in here, shouting and screaming. You waved that sword around like you owned the place! What was that you said earlier – how you would take the keys off me yourself? So how about a challenge? How about seeing if you can take them off me? You have a sword, after all! If you manage to so much as prick me in any way, I'll give you the keys and you can see yourselves out?"

He stepped forward, looming over her. He was a good foot taller. "Dinna be stupid woman, ye have nae sword! I'd kill ye!"

"You're right, I don't. But then, I don't need one. I'll just take yours! If you win, you can take the keys and let yourselves out. Go on. Let's see how you fare?"

As the former warrior bent her knees, now adopting a fighting stance, Neal smiled, knowing where this was going and seeing a master in combat at work.

"Very well. One scratch, and I get the keys?" He growled, pulling his short sword from its scabbard. He moved quickly for a big man, intending to hold her neck with one hand while running his sword across her side. However, she moved so much faster than he anticipated! Before his hand even managed to touch her, she feigned to his right, seizing and twisting his wrist as she moved, pulling him sideways, while spinning and taking hold of his sword, rabbit-punching his kidney hard. As he twisted, she brought her leg up, ramming her foot into the back of his knee, making him buckle. Forcefully twisting his arm around and behind his back, he had no choice but to release the sword, which she instantly collected.

A moment later, breathless and on his back, he felt Mulan's heel in his ribs, and his own sword tip pressing firmly against his throat. It had taken seconds!

"Not bad for, what was it you called me? A 'little cunt licker'?" The sword pushed a little harder into his throat, as the men in the cells looked on, horrified.

Neal chuckled, stepping close. "Gentlemen, meet Fa Mulan, one of the finest blades the Chinese Army ever produced! She's trained with the fiercest warriors in the world and has defeated thousands of better fighters than you! As for your language, young man, not only is her husband the mayor, he's a general, a warrior too. I wonder how he'll treat you, when he finds out what you just called his wife?"

The fallen man looked suitably nervous.

Mulan loomed over him. "And his other wife, my wife too as it happens, is also pretty vicious with a sword, when pushed. She'd have your balls off in a heartbeat, seeing the way you held your blade!"

Neal couldn't help adding, "You think she's tough? Just wait till your mummy comes over to bail you all out of here tomorrow! Now then…" a flick of his fingers, and Duncan was magically transported into the last cell, all doors slamming shut. "You three are going to shut up, sleep off the drink, and face the consequences in the morning…"

Julie couldn't help grinning at the fear now starting to show on their faces as Neal walked towards her.

"Now, Deputy Butler, if you'll allow me, I could use some magic on that bruise there?"

The Locksley Arms – earlier that evening.

"So that's your final decision? To travel through realms instead of continuing your education in Oxford?" The Sorcerer gave him a knowing smile.

"Yeah. When I went to England with Grandpa, I was sure that's what I wanted to do. I got the Rhodes Scholarship invitation and everything. But that was before dad came back. It's changed everything."

"I understand, though I think all your parents, including your father, would prefer you to complete your education first. What did you want to see me about?"

"You're a seer, like grandpa Gold. You might have already seen my future, so I want to know if it's a mistake or not?"

"I'm afraid I'm strictly forbidden from telling you that! If I were to, it could change your destiny. But I will tell you it's a great one. You need to form your own judgments, Henry."

"I somehow thought you'd say that!" He chuckled. "But I also wanted to ask about using my magic. There's things I want to be able to do. I was hoping you could give me some of your abilities, like you did for Robin. And dad."

"I can't add to your magical abilities, Henry. Robin was given his by Zeus himself. I merely turned on what was in there. I can do that for you, though I may also be able to help by giving you some extra knowledge about other realms. Plus, ways of coping in strange environments, medical capabilities, that kind of thing?"

"That would be huge! Thank you! I was going to tell the family tonight. I think they'll be happy I'm not going to study in England after I graduate, but I suspect my mums are going to do their crust when they find out I'm going realm jumping!"

~oOo~