Killian goes to help a friend, without letting his wife know. David has one of the most worrying and embarrassing times of his life. Merida gets released from hospital, and Robin gets challenged to an archery contest. Just a typical day in Storybrooke and Sherwood.

"I've been checking things out and...I'm pretty sure I have cancer."

The oddly calm way he said it was disturbing. "My dying doesn't worry me. But, the thought I'd take Snow with me, as half her heart beats inside me? Killian, that scares the shit out of me! What about the baby?"

"Dave…I really don't know what to say. Are you sure about this? There couldn't be some mistake?"

"I don't think so. I looked everything up on the internet and…well, the signs are all there." Charming seemed resigned.

"The internet? Mate, that's not good enough! You really need to see a doctor about this, fast! I don't know what you're facing but…imagine if Emma or Neal told you they were ill? You'd do anything, right? So, now's the time. Come on, I'm taking you in-"

Without another word, a swirl of mist transported the pair of them outside the hospital.

Back on the Jolly Roger...

"He's not up here, Rosie!" said Ruby, yelling down the steps. "I've checked. Can't see him anywhere."

"I think we hurt his feelings," Dorothy shook her head as she put cereal bowls in front of the boys highchairs.

"Just like that? Just because we pretended he wasn't there? Dot, he just spent half the night in bed with all three of us! I hardly think he's going to go off in a huff just for being ignored him for a few minutes! No, he's probably just being melodramatic, as per usual!" At least I hope so. "Hang on, give me a minute. I'll speak to dad and Anna. See if they've seen him!" After travelling to Arendelle with Rosie and Killian on the Jolly only a few weeks before, Ruby and Dorothy had witnessed for themselves just what Merlin's family could do with their minds. How they could communicate without words.

For the next few minutes, they watched as Rosie his daughter sit at the galley table, her hands flat in front of her, her eyes closed.

[Dad? Anna? Anybody there?]

It took a few seconds before a voice came into her mind. Her sister.

[Rosie? I think Dad's in appointments all morning. You OK?]

[Yeah. I just can't find Killian. I only got up a few minutes ago and he was gone. Not sure where you are but…could you let me know if you see him?]

[Just got up? I've been awake three hours already! Some of us have to work for a living! Well, nice to know some of us are still ladies of leisure. Trying to keep tabs on your husband, sis? Or just had a lover's tiff?]

[Neither. Just want to know he's okay. He left a bit…dramatically this morning. You know him…]

[Yeah? Well lucky for you, I do happen to know where the gorgeous pirate is! He's here, in the hospital. I think I spotted him in reception, waiting with someone]

[Hospital? Shit, what is it?]

[It's a big building with sick people in it!']

Rosie sighed. Jeez, her sister always made stupid jokes, or recycled old ones! [Ha, ha! Is he alright?]

[How the hell do I know? All I know is he seemed to be looking worried. Want me to go talk to him?]

[Please. I've got my hands full. I'll get over there as soon as I get someone to look after Liam. See ya later]

Dorothy and Ruby watched the odd sight of their friend communicating telepathically. She'd sit with her eyes closed and the only sign she wasn't asleep was usually the rolling of eyes under her eyelids and occasional lip movements as she reacted to someone. Finally, her eyes opened:

"Anna's seen him! He's in hospital with someone. Don't know who, or why yet, but…could one of you look after Liam for a little while?"

"Of course, babe!" said Dorothy. "Go."

Storybrooke Hospital

"Killian – how are you?"

The captain looked up into the warm blue eyes of his sister-in-law.

"Anna? What are you-" stopping when he realized it would have been a stupid question. She's a doctor for god's sake! "It's nice to see you, Anna. Busy?"

"Never too busy to see my favourite brother-in-law. What's the problem?" She said it before noticing the man sitting next to Killian. Someone she's met but never had a proper conversation with. "Sorry. You're Mr. Nolan, aren't you? Emma Locksley's father?"

The man was still deep in thought, tense. Killian nudged him, looking up. "Eh, sorry, what? Oh…yes, I'm Emma's father. David Nolan. Nice to meet you…doctor!" He offered a hand which she took.

"Just call me Anna. Which of you is waiting to be seen by a doctor? Most people here have appointments. Can I help?" She looked down at Killian, who seemed to be nodding David to speak.

"Oh…no! That's fine, thank you! I'd rather wait for…" He looked embarrassed. She guessed why.

"For a male doctor? No problem. Most of the women here tend to prefer seeing a female doctor, but I had some availability. Dad and Professor Whale are also covering for us today, even though strictly speaking they're supposed to be focusing on gynaecology and neurology. But we're shorthanded. Let me find out if one of them can see you, Mr. Nolan?" She walked over to the receptionist, to check her screen. Giving Killian a chance to whisper quietly to Charming.

"Listen mate, there's no need to feel embarrassed! This lot have to deal with this sort of thing all the time! Anna's a first-rate doctor."

"Maybe..." He whispered back. "But it's bad enough having to have someone look at a growth on my balls, without it being some pretty blonde thing younger than my own daughter! If I have to have it done, at least let it be some older guy like Merlin? Or even, god forbid, Whale!" He groaned, partly in discomfort.

"Fair enough. I'm just saying-"

"Noted! And for the record, I don't want this getting out. I mean it, Killian! This is STRICTLY confidential! Not even Snow knows about this yet, and god knows how I'm going to tell her!"

~oOo~

While David was waiting to be seen, two floors up, Merida was packed and saying goodbye to the surgical team that had saved her life and looked after her over the last week. Fortunately, only a small shaved area of the back of her head, buried by her long wild red hair and a surgical plaster, was evidence of the major surgery she had undergone. Victor Whale had given her a thorough final check over before, after much begging from the queen herself, finally agreeing to release her.

"But seriously, Merida. If you feel any headaches, any blurred vision or dizziness, you MUST get someone to call me or come over! I know you're a very brave woman, but this is important! Is that clear?"

"Jeez man, I promised ye already, I will! Ye startin' to sound like ma mither!" Despite rolling her eyes, she stepped in front and gave him a hug. "Thanks for savin' ma life, Doc. I can never repay that!"

"Repay me by staying alive, young lady! Now, Chloe and I are going to push you down to reception in that wheelchair. Hospital policy. In you go…"

"Hospital policy? I'll no go in that thing! I'm no a cripple!"

"No arguments!" Neal grinned at her as she glared back. "He won't let you out of the building otherwise. If you get in this chair without a fuss, I might stop calling you Ginge…Ginge!"

"I'll 'Ginge' you in a minute! Where's ma mither? She was supposed to be here!"

"She just popped down to the Sheriff Station, to deal with a little problem."

"Sheriff? What sort of problem?" A red eyebrow went up.

"Nothing she can't handle, I'm sure! Come on, let's get you out of here. There's a little group waiting for us at a pub called the Locksley Arms, celebrating your return to health. Everyone's meeting there…"

"Sounds grand, but a pub? The doc said I canna drink as the medicine he gave me will send me loony! Where are you stayin'? Where's home?"

Neal sighed, a little more loudly than intended. "That's a very good question. You have to remember, I was dead a few weeks ago! Dad has a big house, a wife, my baby brother, plus their girlfriend, who also happens to be pregnant! I've a decent room there, though I'll need to find my own place sometime. Then there's Henry, who's supposed to be at university, a few hundred miles away, near a city called Boston. I've only spent a few weeks in his entire life so far, so I need to be close. But for tonight, I guess I could stay at the pub where your party's being held."

"At the pub? Is there a decent bed there?" She enquired, innocently, earning a knowing smirk.

"Not sure, never stayed. As it's Robin's place, and he's now Emma husband, I kinda kept my distance."

"Can we go back to your place then? I'd like to meet your family." She gave him a shy smile, the first in days.

The Sheriff's Office

The Dowager Queen Eleanor was angry. Furious!

Ten minutes earlier she'd walked into the sheriff's office, only to be told about the terrible behavior of two of her sons and their friend the night before. The drunkenness, the punching of an innocent bystander in the Rabbit Hole, the assault of Deputy Sheriff Butler when being arrested, and finally, the verbal assaults on her and Deputy Sheriff Briar. A formal charge sheet was issued, listing all the misdemeanours, in detail, of the night before. The only description left out, at Mulan's request, were the actual words Duncan had used specifically to insult her.

"Ye did this to that wee lassie?" Eleanor roared at Harris, pointing to Julie's black eye, now almost closed up. Julie had decided not to let Neal to fix it, just so she would have the satisfaction of showing it to their mother. "Ye struck a sheriff of this toon? The toon that's takin' yer sister in, tryin' ta save her life?" She gave him an almighty hard clip around the head, which even made Mulan flinch. "Even if ye were drunk, I'm so ashamed of ye! And you..." her glare transferred to Hamish. "Ye've always been a blitherin' idiot, but I thought ye had at least a little sense!" She gave him an equally hard clout. "Thank the gods ye fatha wasnae here to see this! He woulda beaten ye senseless, with his bare hands! Get oot! Wait outside!"

Then her ire turned to Duncan, sitting silently, ashamed. "Sheriff, what did this man say to ye both that was 'verbal abuse'?"

"I'd rather not say, Your Majesty. If Julie had written it down, it might be seen by my husband. He's the Mayor here, so he gets access to all our reports. I'm thinking of this man's safety!" Philip would have skinned the little bastard for what he'd called her!

That earned a surprised look from the Queen Mother. "Come on, whisper it in ma ear, Sheriff? We're grown women, after all…" she urged.

Reluctantly, Mulan did so, watching the woman's features change from anger to disgust, as she looked down on the culprit in utter contempt. "He said that? Why, ye dirty little swine! I'll no hit ye, as ye're no son of mine, but by heaven's I'll be tellin' yer fatha when we get back! He can punish ye as he sees fit. Ye're demoted forthwith. And ye'll stay away from my sons!"

She turned back to face Mulan. "Now then, will there be a payment for releasin' these buggers? I'm afraid we don't have coin of this realm, but we do have some gold and jewellery we can set against it?"

"No need. The bail for your sons was paid early this morning, by a donor who wants to remain anonymous. He asked me not to name him, saying I should only accept it if they were released into your charge, as and when you saw fit. You just need to sign here…" She turned the release papers for her signature.

"This 'anonymous donor'. His last name wouldn't be Cassidy, would it?"

The warrior smiled an enigmatic smile. "I couldn't possibly comment!"

Mifflin Street

Henry had forgotten just how good his bed really was in Mifflin Street! Snuggling back under the covers and pulling the sheets around him, he resolved to have his first decent lie-in since he left Harvard for the recess. However, his bladder had other ideas, so he reluctantly rose, walking into his little bathroom. Finishing and washing his hands, as he left to go back to bed the delicious aroma of coffee and pancakes from downstairs started to hit him. "Hmm."

Grabbing a dressing gown and trudging slowly downstairs, his eyes still bleary and his hair disheveled, he smiled as he heard the happy banter and morning chat of his stepbrother and sisters coming from nearby. Ambling slowly into the kitchen to pour himself an emergency coffee, the first sight he encountered were his two mothers. Unfortunately, Emma had Regina pressed against the kitchen sink, the brunette's arms around her waist, as they shared a warm kiss.

"Eugh! Bit early for that, isn't it, mums?" He groaned.

Both women broke away immediately at his voice, Regina sporting an embarrassed smile, as she flicked hair off her face, back over her ear. "Henry!" She'd almost forgotten he was home!

"What can I say, Hen? When you got something good, you don't let it go!" The blonde countered, deliberately planting a follow-up kiss on her wife's lips, as he heard a deeper-voice chuckling nearby.

Looking over, Robin was standing in front of the stove, sliding yet another pancake onto a large serving plate. "You try living with them, Henry? This is a daily occurrence. Best close your eyes, if I were you…" That earned a glare from his wives.

"You're up early," said Regina. "For you?"

"Yeah well, I smelled coffee. Any left?"

His blonde mother poured him a cup and he took it gratefully, slowly trudging towards the dining room. Honour and Margot cheered at the funny-looking sleepyhead in pyjamas, the noise of which in turn made little Faith cheer, her gummy smile smothered in butter, which in turn made the others laugh, then setting off Hope, who started giggling for no reason whatsoever. The happy noises drew the attention of Regina, who looked in to see what the fuss was about. She beamed with happiness at the sight. All four of their girls were laughing, giggling at whatever Henry had done. Emma's head appeared, resting on her shoulder to see what was going on. Seeing everyone all cheerful and happy, Regina felt rather emotional, a stray tear of happiness sliding down her cheek.

"Look at them all? We did this, Emma..." She whispered, as arms enfolded her waist from behind.

"Yeah, we did. Quite something, eh?"

Their precious little moment was broken, when Emma felt a light smack on her bottom, Robin appearing from behind. "More pancakes, kiddiwinks?" Earning another cheer from the table. "Miladies, come eat?"

Henry, his coffee gradually taking effect, watched their little morning family scene play out. He'd hardly stayed with them much over the last year, except during the university breaks; so seeing the simple, happy domesticity before him filled him with his own sense of happiness.

As Robin leant over the older girls, loading their plates, Emma wiped the goo and yuck from Faith and Hope's faces in turn, as Regina wiped their highchair trays, replacing their own plates with fresh food. As Robin stepped towards his wives places to do the same, Emma swiveled her head, meeting her husband's lips in a quick, chaste kiss, Robin holding her waist, before dropping two pancakes onto her plate. A moment later, and Regina had grabbed him to do much the same, as the three worked around each other in their well-practised roles. It was so obvious to Henry, or anyone witnessing it, just how much the three of them were very much in love, just two years after Robin returned from death.

Regina looked across at her son, as he seemed to be lost in thought. "Something wrong, Henry?"

"Hmm? Erm...no mum, nothing's wrong at all! Something's very right, actually. I guess I just missed this. You know, all you guys?"

"You don't need to miss anything. This is your home, Henry. It always will be, for as long as you want it to be. You know that, right?"

"Yeah. I just…well, I hope I have something like this for myself, one day."

"I'm sure you'll find your own happiness, in your own way," Robin patted his back as he moved to sit down.

"What's your plans for today, Hen?" Emma asked. "You don't leave for Boston till Monday, right? We were thinking about going over to the lake and staying in Sherwood tonight. We'd love it if you joined us?"

"Sounds fun. Yeah, I'd like that. Honnie, could you pass the pancake plate over, before ma snaffles what's left?"

As Robin and Regina chuckled and before Emma could say anything sarky, a heavy clump was heard on the stairs, followed by a wild-haired almost-thirteen-year-old shuffling slowly into the room. "Mornin' all!" said Roland, yawning.

"Gina, you never told me you released the Kraken?" said Robin, earning a light slap on the arm from the brunette. "Good morning, my fresh-as-a-daisy boy! Come eat. We're going to the lake. You want to come?" Roland was, until very recently, usually one of the first to wake up in the mornings. However, as his hormones started to kick in, the normally effervescent boy was starting to change.

He yawned again, loudly, ambling to his seat, still bleary-eyed. "Um, I dunno. Need to think about it. Can I have some coffee please?"

"Not for a few more years, Roland," said Regina. "Come sit. I'll fetch you a milk. Pancakes?"

"He's tired because he was up talking to Freya all night..." said Honour, earning a glare from her brother. "She's his girlfriend!" If looks could kill, Honour would be dust right now! His parents said nothing, merely exchanging knowing looks.

However, Henry couldn't resist picking at it. "Girlfriend? That true, Ro?" The boy grunted, not committing, just throwing his mouthy sister a look.

But she continued. "I saw them kissing in the locker room, like mum and ma do, when they think we can't see…"

That brought a blush to both women's cheeks, as Robin grinned, choosing to stay silent.

"Well good for you, Ro! I hope she's nice…" His bug brother encouraged.

"I think Freya's lovely!" Margot added. "She has beautiful, dreamy eyes and a nice smile. I like her."

Emma gave Robin a silent look before turning to him, in a lowered voice. "This is one for you, dad! We agreed Gina and I would do the girls, so, perhaps time for a father-son chat?"

Unfortunately, Roland understood exactly what she was saying. "Please don't tell me you're asking him to have a 'birds and the bees' chat with me? Dear god, anything but that! It's fine, dad, I know what's what, and me and Freya aren't um…anyway, you don't need to worry."

After that, Robin was DEFINITELY going to have a chat with him later!

As an awkward silence hung in the air, Henry's phone beeped a distinctive ringtone. "That'll be a text from dad!" Before Regina could admonish him for using a phone at the table, Henry had already read it. "Oh great. Dad says Merida's being released this morning. He's heading to grandpa's, and they'll all be staying over at the Earl, with her family, tonight! If you're all going over there anyway, I can have ALL my family together, before I drive back to Boston tomorrow night!"

"Robin, did you know Queen Merida's family were staying in your pub?" asked Regina.

"I didn't. Though Tuck and Will usually sort out all the bookings without referring to me. Is that a problem? I'll talk to them this morning. Emma, you okay?"

Although everyone had moved on, Emma still didn't feel entirely comfortable in either Neal or Killian's company these days. The fact Henry's dad now seemed to be close to Merida, the DunBroch queen, still made her feel...uneasy. And as for Killian? Well, who on earth knew what he was playing at, being a sperm donor to Ruby and Dorothy, when he's already got one of his own? "I'm fine. It's just that, perhaps we could do something else today? Seeing as the Earl is going to be quite crowded later."

"No!" Margot frowned. "I want to meet Queen Merida! I watched Brave last week. And I also want to see Henry's daddy, too! He's...funny."

"Ma..." Henry spoke softly. "Does being around my dad still bother you? I thought you talked it all out? It's ancient history after all. And when will I next have a chance to get everyone together, including him?"

"It's not that, Hen..." The blonde sighed. It's just...heck, you know what? You're right. Okay, let's go to Sherwood."

Storybrooke Hospital

"Dad, I know you're busy but - can you spare a minute?"

Merlin, walking with Victor Whale and on his way between consultations, stopped in the corridor. "Anna, something wrong?"

"I've got Killian in outpatients. He's brought someone in, who needs to see a male doctor, urgently! He doesn't want to tell me what's wrong, but he looks to be in a lot of pain. Could you fit him in?

"I can't right now, I've got Mrs. Rutherford's operation and the surgical team are waiting. Perhaps he can wait till this afternoon?"

"I can fit him in," said Victor. "I just had a cancellation, so I'll take him on. Who is it, Annabelle?"

"A Mr. Nolan? Emma Locksley's father. I think you may know him?"

Victor groaned inwardly, as Merlin smirked. "Oh yes…I know him! Unfortunately! Okay, let's go see what's bothering our arrogant prince today?"

~oOo~

Minutes later, David found himself ushered into Victor Whale's office, leaving Killian to wait outside.

The two men had been equally unenthusiastic about the consultation, or each other. Whenever he saw the medic, David's mind always went back to the fact the man had had a one-night stand with Snow, when they were under the curse.

"Whale," greeted the surly shepherd, walking awkwardly into his office.

"Nolan," Victor responded in kind. "Always a pleasure, never a chore." Well two can play at that game! "You asked for an urgent appointment?" His coldness toward the former deputy sheriff obvious.

"Yeah. I have quite a bad pain. A swelling…below!"

Okay. Victor was going to make him work for this. For all the slights, injustices and snubs he'd shown him in the past. "Below? Can you be more specific?"

"Um…it's a growth. A swelling. On...on my balls." The last three words were delivered in close to a whisper. "Any idea what it could be?"

God, what is wrong with these people? "Without seeing it, no! Mr. Nolan, just take your trousers and underwear off and lie on that gurney over there?" He pointed to the bed opposite, enjoying watching David squirm with embarrassment and not moving. Oh for heaven's sake!

"Mr. Nolan, there is no need to feel embarrassed! In the course of an average working week, we doctors see and examine everything and anything. Penises, vaginas, anuses, you name it! We've seen it all, so please, just drop your pants? The quicker we get started, the quicker we'll finish!"

~oOo~

Back in the waiting room, Killian sat nursing some godawful drink from the vending machine, waiting for David to come back out.

He grimaced after the first sip. "Hell's above, what is this supposed to be? I pressed the button for coffee and appear to have been given the swilled contents of a chum bucket!"

"Hello, sailor!" said a warm voice now standing over him. "I know we gave you a bit of a workout last night..." she looked down at his lap. "But I didn't realise we'd actually broken something?"

It took a moment for him to figure what what she meant. Oh! "Hello, love. Sorry, I got called away. A man in distress. I would've called you, but...I left my phone on the ship."

"You mean this one?" She took the missing item out of her pocket, waving it at him. "I found it on the dressing table. The 'man in distress' wouldn't be you, by any chance?" She sat down beside him, taking his free hand.

"Thankfully not, love. I discovered someone in pain at the dockside. I brought him over here, in rather a hurry. He's being seen by Whale, as we speak."

She let out a breath. "Well that's a relief! Dot seemed to think we'd hurt your feelings…earlier?"

He smiled up at her. "Hmm? Oh, that? No, love, I knew you were fooling with me. Still, for a moment I did feel rather...slighted. Bit unnecessary, I thought."

"Oh, poor you! After what you did last night? After what we all did together last night, I have no sympathy whatsoever!" She whispered. "So...who's the poor guy? I mind-called Anna earlier. She said it might be Emma's father?"

"Are there any secrets kept in Storybrooke, that the Sage women can't get around? Yes, it is David Nolan, but it's a deeply personal, serious matter, Rosie! There may be bad news to come. So, best keep quiet about it love, until we know…"

~oOo~

One hour later

"Okay, Mr. Nolan, we have the results of the ultrasound scan. Please sit yourself down?"

David had stood silently in a side room since they'd taken the x-ray. The indignity of having the man with whom Snow had once had a one-night stand, showing sympathy towards him, was compounded by the same man feeling his swollen testicles for signs of disease! It was not a good day for Prince Charming.

"So…first, let's put you out of your misery. As I suspected, you don't have cancer…"

David had been so braced for bad news, his stomach in a tight knot, that Whale's comment shook him. "I…I don't?"

"No. You have something call epididymitis. It's usually, but not always, a painful swelling caused by a bacterial infection, in a small tube called the epididymis. This sits behind each testicle and carries sperm. We can treat it with antibiotics and painkillers…"

David sat in shock, trying to absorb the news. "So…it's not going to kill me?" He could feel his eyes start to water.

"Highly unlikely, though if you'd left it unchecked, the pain and swelling would become unbearable. However, we do need to book you in to get your hernia taken care of. I'm really surprised you didn't come and see us sooner?"

"My what? Hernia? I don't understand."

"Were you having discomfort, pain even, in your groin when you were lifting heavy things? Bending over, or even coughing?"

"Well, yes. But I just assumed that was a sign of getting old. I never thought…"

"Most men don't, sadly. Women tend to be better at checking their health regularly than we are. From what I can tell, you have a small piece of your intestinal tissue pushing through a weakness in your abdominal muscles. It's quite common but we will need to operate and repair it. I'll organize some optional dates for surgery. You can pick up the antibiotics and painkillers for the other matter, in an hour or so…"

David never cried. Never. However, he could do nothing to stop several stray tears fall in relief. Victor, seeing this sort of reaction daily, had a box of tissues close by, handing them to him.

"Here. It's not every day a man gets told he's not dying."

"It's not just that! Snow and I share her heart. She split it, to get us back to Emma after the second curse. If I were to die, so would she! And she's pregnant, as you know."

"Ah. Now I begin to understand! All the more reason to take care of your health, Mr. Nolan. And hers! Now, I'd best get on…" He stood to indicate the consultation was over. Though David sat, thinking through his words.

"Whale? Sorry, I mean…Professor?" The man raised a brow, waiting for him to speak. "Victor. I'm…I apologise."

"Hmm? For what?"

"For the way that I've treated over the years. Since the curse. Because of you, and…and Snow. We were all cursed. Since then, you've treated most of my family here one time or another. And I've often been…well, less than grateful. I'm sorry for being such an arsehole." He carried on looking down, feeling ashamed.

Victor saw how hard it was for the normally assured, assertive man to say that. "Well…I guess that's all history now? Thank you. I accept your apology. We all seem to be living happier lives these days." He offered his hand to David to shake. "Let's move on and let bygones be bygones? "

David took it gratefully. "Thank you. And, erm, I understand congratulations are in order? I gather you're about to be married. To Caroline Locksley?"

"It's true. Next month. She's made my life worth living again. That, and getting to further my training away from here. We'll be spending more time in New York fairly soon, but I'll be back helping out from time to time. She does want to be near her family, after all."

"She seems a very fine lady. Beautiful too. I wish you luck."

A few minutes later, as David sat on his own outside the dispensary, the tears flowed in blessed relief.

The Gold Mansion

After introducing Merida to his dad, stepmother and their girlfriend, Neal sat around the table with his family, recounting all the events of the three weeks spent in DunBroch. He skirted over his burgeoning relationship with the young queen. Merida was fascinated by the odd little family, particularly Rumple. "I canna believe ye used ta be the Dark One? Ye seem too lovely. An yer lovely ladyship here. Neal tells me ye're a princess of the auld country?"

Belle gushed. "It's true. My father still lives in Storybrooke, but we're estranged, sadly. He never really took to Rumple; so I no longer took to him!"

Then she looked at Ariel, not sure how to address her relationship with the others without causing offence. "So, Neal tells me ye're a mermaid? I canna see any tail, but I have'ta say, ye have beautiful hair for a redhead, Ariel! I canna do anythin' wi' mine, so ye have to teach me how ta make it shine like yours?" Ariel blushed at the compliment.

Seeing her wanting to ask, and feeling awkward, Neal stepped in. "Ariel's Belle's girlfriend, Mer!"

"Well…I'm actually Belle and Rumple's girlfriend. We're together…" She looked to her partners, not sure whether whether she should say any more at this stage. But Belle nodded to her husband that it was okay to say something.

"Bae, we have something to tell you, and you're the first to know. Last night, we asked Ariel to be our wife. I'm delighted to say, she's accepted!"

Neal's jaw dropped, before morphing into a huge grin as he stood. "That's wonderful, papa! I was only back a week, but I saw how happy you all were; how you all fitted. Ariel, welcome to the family!" He stepped around the table, taking her in a warm hug, to the relief of the mermaid.

Merida looked on, a grin of her own as the odd little family celebrated, Rumple using magic to make a chilled bottle of champagne and glasses appear on the table. As Neal eventually sat back next to her, she leaned into him, to whisper, "Another family with two wives? Don't go gettin' ideas, Cassidy!"

Sherwood – later the same day

The moment they arrived at the Earl of Locksley, the Dunbroch family erupted in a huge cheer for the safe recovery of their queen from near death. Merida hugged her three brothers, though couldn't help noticing how her mother only hugged Hubert, completely ignoring Hamish and Harris, who seemed to scuttle away from the group, to the bar, keeping their distance. What's happened? She wondered, though chose not to ask till later.

What did throw her though, was seeing her own mother make a point of coming over and hugging Neal, whispering something in his ear!

Everyone seemed to show up at the pub in the forest that afternoon. Ruby and Dorothy arriving with the boys to catch the sun by the lake, with Rosie and Killian joining them after returning from the hospital.

It was another hour before the Locksley-Swan-Mills entourage finally appeared. The large family had also spent most of the day walking in the forest and playing by the lake, though Emma had had to leave them for an hour, after hearing disturbing news about her father earlier, returning an hour later.

The dinner was at Henry's insistence, as it was his last opportunity to be with his entire family, before leaving for Harvard in the morning. Regina was more than surprised at the loud cheer reserved for Victor Whale, walking in with his fiancée. Queen Eleanor insisted on giving him a bear hug, before Hubert shook his hand in grateful thanks for saving his sister, turning the slight medic around and lifting him easily onto his shoulders, to a "Woah!" from Victor, and a loud guffaw from Caroline, as the DunBroch party paraded him around the room like a hero, thrusting a drink into his hands.

"Caroline? What on earth is going on? And why is Wha…your fiance, being trooped around like a cheerleader?"

"Gina!" Robin's cousin kissed her cheek, bringing her into a hug. "You're looking lovely, as always. Victor operated on Queen Merida. Her family are just...showing their gratitude!"

As Merida scanned all the new arrivals, she couldn't help but notice Neal's blonde ex-lover, a former Dark One, who at one time had ripped her heart clean from her chest, almost killing her before being stopped by her family. She'd heard a lot about the woman. A saviour, someone who had broken a curse to save her entire town and unite her with her parents. The woman who had produced a child by the same man she was definitely falling in love with! The blonde appeared to be arm-in-arm with a tall, dark-blonde haired man. Rather handsome, she thought. Then she remembered what Neal had told her. So, getting up and walking cautiously over to the pair, she stopped at Emma.

"Emma Swan, isn't it? Henry's mither? Do ye remember me?"

Emma had tried avoiding her, remembering her first dark act. How she'd almost killed her. "Of course. Hello, Merida. Though it's Emma Locksley now. I'm pleased they managed to save you. I heard it was touch-and-go at one point? I came to the hospital to see Henry when you were brought in. Not sure whether you've ever met my husband, Robin?"

Merida grinned self-consciously, like a teenage groupie meeting her idol for the first time. "No, I havenae. But his name's known in DunBroch! Robin of Locksley, the Prince of Thieves, defender of the poor? The merry man who protects the forest folk against the mighty? I've heard much about ye!" She gushed.

Emma could have sworn she was flirting with him, right in front of her? She held onto his arm, just a little tighter.

"I'm very honoured to meet you, Your Majesty!" Robin gave a polite bow. "I hope you like our forest pub?"

But she wasn't done, ignoring his greeting. "I read books about ye! About stealin' from the Wicked Witch an' the Dark One, an' livin' to tell the tale? How ye shot an arrow into an Ogre's eye from a half-mile away? How ye men saved villages by the score? Is it true ye killed King George and the Black Fairy with yer sword?"

Emma now feeling distinctly irritated.

"Well to be fair, the men did most of the work. I couldn't have done it alone..." He felt slightly embarrassed at the praise. "I'll have to introduce you to everyone, though sadly Little John is now living in Arendelle."

"Have ye ever been bested?"

Well, that was a segue. "Well, of course! Mulan over there is still the finest swordsman, I've ever known. I've beaten her on a few rare occasions, but most of the time she reigns supreme. She's also a much valued and loved friend."

"I know her! She says the same about you. But that's wi' a sword. I'm talkin' about a bow! Have ye ever been bested at the finest sport there is?"

Robin pondered what she was getting at and why she was asking? He hated boasting, but he hated lying even more.

"Well…no, I guess not. But then again-" As he was again interrupted, he noticed Regina and Mulan, now joining them, had started listening in.

"I'd like to try. I'd like to try an' beat the famous Robin Hood in an archery contest, because I know I can best ye! Only a wee competition, nothing serious, ye understand? We have nothin' here to give ye as a prize, but, just for a wee bit of fun? If ye're as guid as they say, ye'll have no problem against little me?" She could see the reluctance on his face. "Or are ye worried about bein' beaten by a wee gurl?"

His wives knew she was trying to goad him.

"I have no problem being beaten by a better man, or a better woman, as Mulan here can testify?" As his warrior friend nodded in agreement, he saw Regina's brow arched and sensed an incoming message coming to him telepathically. From Emma:

[Do it, Rob! Take her on. She's a cocky little bugger]

Then he felt his other wife's words come through:

[But younger and practised. I've never seen you compete. If you're out of practice, I don't want you feeling embarrassed in front of the family! Perhaps you should politely decline?]

Emma looked crossly at her, annoyed with her discouraging words and lack of faith in their husband.

[Gina, what the hell? Don't put him off. Robin, ignore her. If you do this, I'll make sure you get a reward. Win or lose, you'll still get a reward - from me!]

Robin looked up at her, a sly smirk on his lips, knowing the games she was inclined to play.

[What kind of 'reward' are you talking about, my love?]

[Oh, I'll make it something worth your while, I promise. I'm thinking…your turn to be Dom?']

She wiped her tongue over her lower lip, knowing he understood.

Oh, that stiffened his resolve - amongst other things!

"Well, your majesty, it seems you have yourself a contest!"

~oOo~