Emma slumped down in her cell, back against the wall and tried to hold back her tears, knowing that Snow was still observing her. The woman had taken to standing there, for hours at a time, and to be honest, it was creepy.

Even though Emma had forced herself to say horrible things to Regina, she knew that Regina had understood. Her wife had cleverly repeated back to her the password and code that Emma had carefully slipped into her rants. Emma had been relieved that her wife had understood, and more importantly played along. She had felt the love that Regina had for her, pulsing through the bond and filling her with warmth even as the words she had uttered should have made her cold.

Yes, Emma had been relieved, and delighted and had a difficult time not letting those emotions show on her face. It was only after Regina and Mal had left, though, that it hit her. Regina's stomach was flat.

Emma had cried for the loss of their baby, feeling like it was her fault, but even in the depths of her darkest despair, a little voice, hopeful and optimistic, had whispered in her ear. What if they had managed to find a way to protect the baby, by severing the bond or blocking it somehow. What if they had done that to keep her safe, and that was why she could no longer feel her.

Now Emma knew. The harsh truth sinking in and making her feel sick. Regina's stomach had been flat, her baby really was gone. She wanted to cry and scream, maybe even hit things, but she forced herself to stay calm, until she was aware of Snow leaving.

Then she fell apart.

xxxxxxxxxx

Regina was still in the library with Mal when she felt Emma's emotions change so drastically from happiness back to sadness, and she wished she knew why. She wished she could be there to hold her wife tightly, offering her comfort and helping her with whatever had caused her to become so upset again.

"What are we going to do, Mal?" Regina asked, "she is suffering in there, and we need to get her out. Emma is so strong, but even she has her limits. I'm worried about her."

"Emma will be fine, and she will recover from this ordeal as though it never happened, because she has all of us to help her. The only thing Emma will be left with is complete mortification," Mal grinned, trying to cheer Regina up.

"Mortification? What for?"

"Did you see that dress Snow put her in? Trust me, I'm never going to let her live it down.I just wish I could have taken a photo!" Mal laughed.

Regina rolled her eyes, "you two are terrible! Why must you tease each other so much?"

"I only tease the people I love," Mal explained, making Regina feel warm because of the bond between her wife and her best friend.

"You have a funny way of showing it sometimes," Regina smiled.

"She gives as good as she gets," Mal countered.

"She loves you too," Regina told her, "you're her favourite big bad scary dragon."

"And she will always be the sword wielding maniac that was brave enough to take me on. I will always respect her for that."

"She would do anything for her family, and that includes you now," Regina got up, and gestured to the door, "shall we call a meeting and see what we can do to get her out of there?"

"That's probably a smart idea. Let's see what ideas people can come up with."

xxxxxxxxxxx

"So, she's ok then?" Henry asked, looking for any signs of deception in his mother as she answered.

"Yes, Henry, she is ok. I won't deny, it must be very unpleasant being locked in a cell and enduring Snow and Blue, but she is not being physically harmed. Whatever mind games they are playing with her, are not working, and Emma was able to tell me that, in her own way," Regina reassured him.

"How do we get Mom home?" Willow asked.

"Well, that's what we need to discuss now, but we have to be very careful, little dragon," Mal told her.

"Our spies in the castle told us that Blue had a secondary device, which she used to transfer the magic she leached from Storybrooke, into herself. We need to be careful, because we don't know how powerful Blue is now," Kathryn spoke up.

"We also know that she has been having trouble adjusting to it though, and her magic has been erratic. Maybe it's because the magic contained the dark curse and so is not as compatible with her own fairy magic as she expected," Belle informed them.

"I think we need to consider that, when making plans. Whatever we do, we need to do it fast, because who knows how dangerous she will be once the magic settles," David suggested.

"I agree. Does anyone have any ideas?" Mal looked around at the people in the room, praying inwardly that someone would have a suggestion.

Belle started talking, "it was squid ink that was needed before, to open the cell. What if we went to Rumples old place, and looked there. If anyone had some, it would be him."

"That's actually a great suggestion. We should go today. We can transport ourselves outside with magic. I just hope that no one has taken up residence there. That could be difficult," Regina told them.

"Ok, well you and I can go and check it out. We both have magic, and can protect ourselves if there is anyone there," Mal suggested.

"I know your initial response will be to say 'no', but I think I should come with you," Belle looked at Mal.

"No,"

"Mal! I'm the only one that knows where those kinds of things are kept. No one else here knows the castle as well as I do," Belle advised her.

Regina kept quiet. She knew that the dragon could be overprotective at times. She also knew that between them they could keep both Belle and the baby safe, but this was for them to figure out. Mal could be very headstrong and stubborn, but Belle could usually handle her just fine.

In the end, Mal struggled her shoulders, "fine" she said, unhappily, "I guess it would be more helpful if you are there, but at the first sign of trouble I am transporting you out of there."

"Of course you are. I agree," Belle reached forward to kiss her gently, as Mal shut her eyes and melted slightly.

"I would like to come too," David told them, "I'm good with a sword and this is to get my daughter back. I need to feel involved, because honestly? Sitting around on the sidelines and doing nothing will drive me crazy."

"Ok, the four of us then. Kathryn, will you be ok keeping an eye on these two monkeys?" Regina pointed to Henry and Willow, who sat there looking like butter wouldn't melt in their mouth.

Kathryn winked at the children, "these two innocents won't give me any trouble."

Looking around, Mal stood up, "are we ready?"

Three very determined nods were sent her way.

"Let's go" Regina spoke, reaching for David's hand, as Mal reached for Belle's.

"Let's aim for the main gate, just outside, so we can determine if anyone is in there," Mal suggested.

"Ok," Regina agreed, summoning her magic and transporting her and David, as Mal transported herself and Belle.

xxxxxxxxxx

Arriving outside the main gate, it was immediately obvious that no one had been inside for a very long time. The windows were dirty, and the pathways around the castle were overgrown with weeds and brambles. No one had seen the Dark One for a long time, after he left Storybrooke, but he obviously hadn't come back here. His reputation had apparently protected the place from being pillaged though, because no one had dared to risk his wrath by gaining entry without permission. His treatment of thieves in the past was the stuff of legends, and the people feared his gruesome reputation.

David drew his sword and began clearing a path to the door, making Regina and Mal laugh at him, "David, we can just transport inside," Regina told him, smiling.

Looking embarrassed he just held out his hand for Regina to take and the four of them were transported into the main hall.

"Where do you think we should start looking," Mal asked Belle.

"He had a number of secret cupboards, that are hidden unless you know how to access them. If we start in the main dining room, it's probably the most likely," Belle pointed to a door leading from the main hallway.

"Ok, but keep your ears and eyes open. This place is giving me the creeps," Regina shuddered. She had spent a lot of time here in her youth, but somehow the place was more scary when it was empty, than it was with the Dark One inside.

They systematically searched the room for hours, but nothing had been found. There were a few other items which they took, including a magic bean, and some healing herbs which were always useful.

The other downstairs rooms also turned up nothing, as worry started to creep in that maybe this wouldn't be as easy as they thought.

"We could try the cellar," Belle reluctantly suggested, feeling irrationally fearful of the place. She had never liked cleaning down there, because the atmosphere felt thick and like it was touching your skin. It felt alive.

"Why do you sound hesitant?" Mal asked her with concern.

"I've just never liked it down there. It feels… wrong, for want of a better word."

Mal worried for the woman, she already looked tired and was swaying slightly, "stay here, ok? Sit with David while Regina and I go and search."

Belle gratefully agreed and took a seat, as David pulled over a footstool so she could raise her legs, "thank you," she mumbled gratefully, half asleep.

Mal cast an 'intruder alert' spell, to make sure that they would know if anyone entered the castle, not wanting to leave Belle and the baby with just David for protection, before they made their way down to the cellar. Belle was right, this place was horrible, but Mal felt weirdly optimistic. Somewhere, deep down inside, she just knew that this would be the place.

Sure enough, it took less than ten minutes for them to find a considerable amount of squid ink, sitting in a jar, which they took before hurrying back upstairs again.

One look at Belle had Mal and Regina immediately concerned. Taking her hand, Regina realised what the problem was, "Belle, you're really drained, why didn't you say something?" Regina chided her.

"Helping Emma was more important," Belle shrugged.

"Emma would want you to take care of yourself, love," Mal told her, taking her other hand, "just sit and relax, and let us help you."

Mal and Regina channelled their magic into the younger woman, watching with relief as her face started to gain some colour again and her eyes came back to life.

"Did you find it?" Belle asked, remembering why they were there.

"We found it," Regina grinned, "we can get Emma out now and bring her home."

"When will you try? Who will you take with you?" asked David.

"I think it should just be Regina and I," Mal told him, "less people means less chance of getting caught,"

Feeling excitement rise up through her stomach, Regina couldn't stop herself grinning as she spoke, "Mal and I can transport in, get Emma, and then get away, quickly. Having other people there will potentially slow us down. As for when, I think we should go now. Mal?"

"I agree. No point in waiting around, let's go get our girl."

Summoning their magic, they sent David and Belle home before transporting themselves to Rumple's old cell, where Emma was being held captive.

xxxxxxxxxx

Emma took advantage of being on her own for a change, to drop her mask and just let herself feel. She had cried so many tears over the baby, but she couldn't cry for her any more. Instead, she let herself think of her family. What were they doing? Were they trying to find a way to rescue her? Would they be able to?

The air swirled with colourful mist in front of her, and revealed a smiling Mal and Regina, who immediately walked towards her.

"Are you alone?" whispered Regina, looking around them.

"Yes! Oh baby, I am so sorry about the other day, I had no choice."

"I know darling," reassured Regina, "I understood the code. We're here to get you out."

Emma jumped to her feet, "really?!' she asked excitedly, watching as Mal took out a jar and unscrewed the lid.

"Really, Saviour," Mal told her grinning. She poured a small amount of squid ink into her hand and then blew it towards the bars, watching as they disappeared entirely.

Emma threw herself forwards, and straight into Regina's arms, unable to stop the tears flowing.

"I knew you'd come from me. No matter what Blue did, no matter what Snow told me, I always knew you would come for me," Emma told Regina, "they tried to break me and turn me against you, but you kept me strong. I could feel you, and your love through the bond, and it gave me the strength I needed to get through this."

"I would never give up on you, Emma, if I had to spend the rest of my life searching, I would, darling," Regina replied, kissing her, "I have missed you so much! Life without you, is not something I ever wish to experience again."

Mal realised that neither of them were in any state to use their magic, so walked over, put an arm around both of them, and transported them into the library at Regina's castle.

Looking around, Regina realised where they were, "thank you, Mal."

Emma disconnected herself and then hugged the dragon fiercely, "thank you! I know that you would have taken care of Regina for me and I am so grateful to you."

Mal blushed, this was not what they did, these honest, heartfelt declarations. Usually they chose teasing and banter when it came to each other, but she rubbed her hands up and down Emma's back comfortingly, "you're welcome. It's good to see you."

Emma kissed her cheek in response, before pulling back and standing there looking around.

"Where are we?"

"My old castle," Regina told her, "the whole family is here as well as half of Storybrooke. They will want to see you, are you ready?"

Holding out her arm, she pointed to her cuff, "can you remove this for me," she practically begged.

"Of course," Regina reached forward to slide the cuff from her wrist.

Feeling her magic flood her system again, Emma's eyes flashed vivid green, and her blood felt electric, as she let the magic flow through her. Once the sensations had calmed down, she flicked her wrist and changed her outfit. Now wearing jeans, a tank top, leather jacket and boots, she turned to the other two women, "now I'm ready!" she grinned.

"Wait!" Mal stopped them from leaving, flicking her wrist and transporting a very confused Belle to the library.

Emma looked at her, seeing her bump and momentarily felt sad. Pushing it to one side, she walked up to Belle and gave her a hug, "congratulations, Belle, I'm so happy for you both," she said, smiling as genuinely as she could while hiding her own pain.

"No, Emma, congratulations are in order, but not to me. This is your baby," Belle smiled, "I've just been keeping her safe for you!"

Emma looked like she was going to faint, as Regina guided her into a chair.

"Really? How? I don't understand?"

Regina spoke up to explain, "we had to protect the baby, from Blue, when she tortured you, because it affected me too. I'm so sorry Emma, I could feel how devastated you were, but we had to do it. Belle is our surrogate."

"Honestly, all the pain was worth it. This has been the best day. Thank you. All of you! I'm free, and our baby is ok. That's a gift I can never repay."

"We're all family, Emma, there is nothing to repay. Now, are you ready to see everyone else?" Mal asked.

"Ready? I will die if I don't!" Emma declared dramatically.

"This way, then," Regina pointed to the door, leading them out into the hall and then across it, where they passed through another door leading to the main living area.

As she walked in the thrum of conversation ceased, and the piercing shrieks of Henry and Willow met her ears.

"Mom!"