Chapter 22:

"So, what did Gold have to say about Cora?" Emma asked Bella in a low voice so that only she and Mulan, who was by her side, could hear her question.

"Well, he totally agrees with our decision not to trust her and to think that she'll come back for us. He thinks that we can trap her in his old cell, the one your parents trapped him in before the curse. Inside, there's a scroll we need to get before we lock her in or she'll be able to get out. It's written in squid ink that we can use to paralyze her. Then we simply put her in the cell and she'll never be able to escape, not unless someone lets her out." Bella replied in an equally low voice.

"Do you think it'll work?" Mulan asked her.

"I do. I think we should separate once we get to the beanstalk. As soon as Hook gets up there with whoever we decide goes with him, a few of us should go to the cell and get the scroll. We need to be ready to fight her as soon as possible." Bella replied.

"Good idea." Emma nodded before she went to repeat everything to her mother while making sure that Hook, who was presently getting to know Robin Hood and Little John, couldn't hear them.

Once they arrived at the Beanstalk, it was decided that Robin would get up there with Hook, even though the pirate had hinted that he would have preferred Bella or Emma to go with him. As soon as the two men were out of sight, Little John, Mulan and Snow made their way to Rumpelstiltskin's old cell to get the scroll while the other waited at the foot of the beanstalk.

"Are you okay Bella?" Emma asked her while they waited by the fire.

"I'm fine. Just… I miss August… I thought it would be easier once I got back to my everyday life but it's not. Every day, in everything I do, I miss him by my side. I know that we weren't together that long but it felt as though we had been together forever. We would have lasted, I know it and now every time I do something, I can't help but wonder what he'd be doing. If he'd be here with us or stuck back in Storybrook with David, Henry and Graham…" Bella replied while watching Roland play on the other side of the fire to try and hide her emotions.

"I get it, but like my mother would tell you, it will all get better eventually." Emma assured her.

"I hope you're right." Bella smiled.

"Does it feel the same as a break up?" Emma asked her.

"No. Much different. I feel like he died, but he's still alive, only out of reach because of the age he has now. It's worst than a break up because I know that he still loved me and that he wanted a future with me just like I did. And it's worst than if he had died because he's still around, in a different form. It's hard to explain how I'm feeling." Bella tried to explain.

"Maybe you'll meet someone new." Emma suggested.

"Maybe, but I wonder if I'll ever love anyone the way I loved him. It felt so strong, so complete and final… Like it was the best love I'll ever have… I feel like there's no one else for me but do I feel like this because I'm still grieving or because of some magical instinct? I just… I'm confused." Bella asked her friend.

"I don't know. I wish I could answer you but I have no idea." Emma shook her head before snapping it to the left, along with Bella and everyone else in the camp, to look what the noise they just heard was.

.

While Hook and Robin were busy bonding and stealing a compass from a lonely and angry giant, Snow and her team had reached Rumpelstiltskin's old cell and were looking for the scroll while watching out for Cora and hoping she wouldn't attack them now.

"Can that scroll really stop the witch?" Little John asked Snow.

"Yes, are we sure that we can trust the Dark one's word?" Mulan added.

"We can. He's done terrible things in the past, we all know that but he's in love, trying to be a better man for the woman he loves. He also wants to find his son and wants to be able to prove to him that he's better. He's sincerely helping us. We can trust him." Snow nodded.

"Let's go then. Who knows what happened while we were gone." Mulan nodded while Snow hid the scroll between her breasts, where nobody would look for it.

.

When Snow, Mulan and Little John arrived, the camp was under attack. Bella was standing in front of Roland and using her magic the best way she could to keep their assailants away while everyone else fought. Immediately, the three of them jumped into action and tried to stop the people attacking their camp.

"Who are these people?" Snow asked.

"It looks like their hearts were ripped out. Cora's probably controlling them." Emma yelled back as she fought one of them.

"Where is she?" Mulan asked, looking around for the evil woman.

"Probably hiding and letting other people fight her battles for her." Bella replied angrily, hoping to provoke the woman if she was listening.

"No, I'm just waiting for them to clear the place for me." Cora announced, stepping out of a bush.

"What do you want?" Emma asked Cora while Snow circled her and took the scroll out, opened it and, before Cora could speak, used it to paralyze her.

"What now?" Bella asked.

"Now we take her back to Rumpelstiltskin's old cell and lock her up in it before the ink stops working and she attacks us again." Snow decided.

"I'll do it. I'm not coming with you anyway. I'll lock her in there and go on my way." Mulan offered.

"Don't you need help?" Bella asked her.

"No, I'll be fine, don't worry. I don't mind being on my own until I find where I'm supposed to be." Mulan replied.

"Well, if you ever have a way to visit us in Storybrook, you'll always be welcome. If the hat really works like I think it will, we'll be able to visit you as well." Bella told her as she hugged her new friend.

"I'll be waiting your visit then." Mulan smiled, hoping she'd see Bella again someday.

Before Mulan left, Bella gave her one of the enchanted mirror so she'd be able to contact them, even between realms. This way they'd stay in touch.

Bella and Mulan both remembered the previous night when, a little away from the campfire and the others, they had talked about their love lives and had exchanged a kiss or two. Bella had hoped it would help her forget about August a bit and, when it didn't, she apologized to Mulan for leading her on. Of course Mulan forgave her and told her that it was worth it and that they could still be friends. Mulan was a fighter and she wasn't about to give up on finding love, just because it was difficult.

.

In Storybrook, Henry had taken on a whole new mission that captured his entire focus: find Bella's father or, at least, the old man who had dropped the magic book in front of her door. It wasn't easy for him since he hadn't seen the man and only heard his description but he hoped that there wouldn't be too many old men with long white beard around town.

He proceeded patiently, following one trail after the other until he found the one he thought was the right one. Writing down the address the man lived at, Henry decided to wait until Bella was back, to be sure he was the right one. Then they'd go talk to him together and see what he knew about Bella's father, or what he was willing to tell them.

"Everything alright Henry? Ruby told me that she saw you lurking around here during one of her deliveries. Why are you spying on this old man?" Graham told him, surprising him by his presence.

"I think he's the one who dropped the magic book in front of Bella's door. He must know something about her father. I just found him. I'll wait until Bella comes back to talk to him though." Henry replied.

"It's best I think." Graham nodded before he added:

"Come on, jump in the patrol car with me. We'll go get some lunch before I drop you back up at school." The sheriff suggested and Henry nodded.

None of them noticed that the old man was watching them with an amused smile through his window. He was glad that Henry had found him, he wanted his mentor and friend to be reunited with his daughter and this young boy was the way, he knew it.

Still smiling, the apprentice went to his desk and started to write a letter for Henry explaining everything he needed to know, just in case something happened to him before they talked.

.

Once Hook and Robin came back down with the compass, they quickly packed up the camp while Bella used her magic to insert the compass in the hat and make it so it would always work with it.

"So, is it going to work, Love?" Hook asked her with a flirtatious smile that she didn't recognize.

"I think so. Are you sure you want to come with us though?" She asked him.

"I am. I want my revenge on the Dark One for what he did." Hook replied.

"He's changed. He found Love and is trying to be a better man. All he wants right now is a chance to find his son and tell him that he loves him." Bella informed him, hoping to change his mind.

"What makes you think that his son even wants to see him? Last time I saw the boy, he wanted to keep his father as far away from him as possible."

"It might change. Time and people change things. He deserves that chance. I know that as the Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin did a lot of wrong, but he's not responsible for everything. It's the result of his upbringing." Bella insisted.

"So I should just forgive and forget?" Hook asked her, his tone slightly snappy.

"Maybe just give him a chance to make peace with his son before you act on your revenge desire. Take this time to observe, see for yourself if he's really changed or not. Maybe you won't even recognize the man he's become." She suggested.

"Maybe." He nodded.

"Could you… Could you promise me not to try and use Belle against him?" Bella asked him.

"I've tried that once already. It didn't work." He simply replied.

"She's my friend too, she's innocent." Bella insisted.

"Fine, I promise you that I won't try to use her against him but if he tries to do anything against me, I will go back to my plans to kill that cowardly crocodile." Killian promised Bella.

"Sounds fair. Thank you. Apparently you're not that evil of a pirate after all. I knew I was right to believe that there was good in everyone. Are you just going to leave your ship behind though?" She asked him as the compass finally disappeared inside the hat, like it was dissolving inside it.

"I don't really have a choice, unless you have a way to bring it with us." He nodded.

"Well, I'm guessing your ship is important to you given the stories I've heard and read… Maybe I can miniaturize it so that it can fit in your pocket and make it big again once we arrive back home." She offered.

"That would be most appreciated. My ship isn't too far, a few hours walk maybe." He nodded.

"Well, we need to wait until the compass' power expends to the whole hat anyway so why not head this way in the mean time." Bella told him with a smile before she placed the hat back in its box and went to tell the others of their new plans.

Everyone understood and they started walking in the ship's direction while Snow used the mirror to contact her husband and told him that they should be able to make it home in a few hours.

In his pocket, the pirate wrapped his hand around the vial he had stolen from the giant, the one with the seed to grow more magic beans. Robin and he had had to fight the big man and ended up sticking him with a sword they found on the floor, with the name Jack on it. It must have been poisoned because it killed the giant very quickly. Robin and Killian, thieves by trait, took what they could carry that could be useful. Robin had taken the dried up bean and Killian the seed. Even if they didn't need it to leave this land, he could find a way to use it or trade it later. Of course, he had also gotten his hand on a few gold coins, he wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to fill his pockets. He knew that Robin had also taken a souvenir, for his son, but he hadn't seen what it was. Something small and shiny though.

They walked quietly, knowing that they'd soon be home.

David informed them that they had run into Regina and since she still couldn't use magic, they agreed to let her go free, as long as she tried to make it up to the people she'd hurt and that she didn't try to hurt anyone ever again. He also told them that, to prove that she just wanted a chance to be free and happy, she offered to let Robin Hood and his men stay at her house with her until they could find another place. Her house was big and if they still didn't have enough room, she said they could camp out in her garden. They were thankful and Robin accepted, happy to know that he'd have a better and safer place to raise his son. One without wild beasts running around.

.The sorcerer's thoughts.

I was watching my daughter make her way to Captain Hook's ship with her friends when I felt the familiar sensation of a vision coming. I instantly knew that it had to do with my precious daughter.

I was right.

The vision was a short and confusing one though.

Bella was standing on a ship, it looked like the Jolly Roger but I guess all ships must look alike, right? I had no proof that it was the Jolly Roger. She didn't look much older than she was now and she looked very, VERY pregnant. She was watching the sunset and the magical colors it spread over the ocean. She was smiling and was lovingly stroking her stomach like only a loving mother could do. She looked blissfully happy, like someone who was living through their happy ending. I noticed that she had, around her wrist, a bracelet with wooden charms like August had planned to make for her.

I wanted to look further but I couldn't, the vision ended before I could see whose ship she was on, why she was on it and who was the father of her coming child.

Could this vision have anything to do with her present company? Could the pirate be her future? The one who'll make her happy in the long run? Was the bracelet a sign that she'd be reunited with august again some day?

There could be a thousand explanations behind this visions and I was frustrated by the fact that I couldn't find anything more about it. Usually, a vision gave me answers, brought me reassurance or guidance for the future but this one brought on more questions than answers.

I guess it told me the most important though: My daughter would be happy eventually, she'd find love again and I'd have no choice but to accept who it was, even if it ended up being the pirate.

.End of the sorcerer's thoughts.

.

Eventually, the group arrived in front of the Jolly Roger and Bella used her magic to miniaturize the ship before she used the hat, concentrating on their home, and told them all to jump in.

When they arrived, Bella had the hat in her hand, the portal was closed and they were all standing in front of Granny's dinner. Quickly, everyone around came to great them, David, Henry and Graham arrived and happily hugged Snow and Emma while Bella rushed to reassure Gold and Belle that even though Hook was there, he had agreed to wait until Gold had reunited with his son to do anything, to use that time to check that Rumpelstiltskin had changed and, if he ended up going after Gold, not to hurt Belle in the process.

"Thank you." Belle nodded.

"Yes, I hope he'll keep his word." Gold replied with a nod.

"I have a pretty good feeling about him. I think he'll keep his word. He apparently spent some time with your son when he was stuck in Neverland, they bonded and he told me that he owes your son. Baelfire wanting to stay with you, forgiving you, would be enough to convince him to let go of his revenge quest. I know it." Bella explained.

"Let's hope you're right. Welcome back." Gold told her sincerely.

"Thanks, I kind of missed this place, even though I liked it back there, somehow it made me feel closer to my father." She replied.

"You did a good job with the portal." He complimented her s the three of them made their way to Granny's for the celebration party.

"About that, here, can you look at it, check it out and tell me if I can use it again?" She asked him, handing him the hat.

"Of course." He smiled, took the hat in his hand and looked at it several minutes before he told her:

"You did an even better job than I thought. This hat doesn't obey the same rules as Jefferson's." Gold told her.

"How so?" Belle asked the question Bella was about to ask him.

"With Jefferson's hat, the same number of person who goes one way has to come back the other way. Not for this one. I think this hat needs time to recharge between trips but it'll work again. You did a very good job Bella, I'm sure your father is very proud of you, wherever he is." Gold complimented Bella who blushed and thanked him.

.

Robin and his Merry men were immediately welcomed in Storybrook. From afar, he saw Will Scarlet, who looked back at him before turning around and leaving. Robin didn't waste time thinking about it. They'd have plenty of time to talk things out later.

He smiled as he watched Emma's son, Henry, showing his son the different kind of foods he could get here that he never tried before.

"Robin? This is Regina." Snow made the introductions.

"Nice to meet you. And thank you for letting us stay with you. I hope it's not a bother." Robin replied, mesmerized by the beautiful woman standing before him.

"It's the least I can do. I have a lot of wrong to make up for." Regina replied.

"Well, I'm thankful for the shelter you're offering. My son will have a safe place to stay in." Robin smiled.

Seeing something happening between them, Snow smiled and left them alone. Regina offered to share a drink with Robin, who agreed. He took his jacket off to get comfortable and they sat down.

"The lion tattoo… It's you…" Regina whispered when she saw his forearm.

"My tattoo? What is it? Have you seen it before?" Robin asked her, surprised.

"I have." She nodded before she decided to take a page out of Snow's book and try to be open and honest.

She told him about meeting Tinkerbelle, about being promised a soul mate, seeing his tattoo but being too afraid to walk in that pub. The entire time, Robin was smiling back encouragingly at her.

"Maybe it was meant to happen like this. Maybe we were meant to meet today, here. You shouldn't feel too bad about the past. If you had walked in, I wouldn't have Roland." He told her kindly, letting her know subtly that he wasn't against the idea of them being eventually together.

"I guess it's a good thing you have a child… It's something I wouldn't be able to give you." She told him, trying, and failing, to hide her sadness.

"How come?" he asked her.

"A while after I walked away from you, my mother came back from Wonderland and she wanted me to have a child, an heir. She was just being herself, manipulating me, or trying to do so. She even go someone to pretend he was you. I quickly saw that the tattoo was fake. I sent him in one of my jail cells and, to punish my mother, to hurt her, I cursed myself to be unable to have children. I guess I was too angry and full of rage to understand that I was hurting myself more than I was hurting her." Regina replied.

"Well, if it's a curse, maybe it can be lifted." He told her with a smile.

"Maybe… But I haven't found a way so far." She shook her head sadly.

"Give it time, Regina. Don't they say that True Love's kiss can lift any curse? Give us a chance, let's get to know each other and try. We'll see. And if it can't be lifted, well, we'll find another solution. Have hope." He replied kindly.

"It seems so easy to be hopeful with you." She smiled back.

"Good. Now let me introduce you to Roland." He replied with smile before he called his son over and introduced him to Regina.

.

After giving Hook's ship his original size, Bella went back to Granny's for the party. Hook quickly found Smee and his old mates and rushed to them to catch up, Emma was with her son and Graham, Snow and David were happily catching up, Robin was chatting happily with Regina, it seemed like everyone had someone and, when she spotted Marco and Pinocchio on the other side of the dinner, she felt lonelier than ever. Marco smiled at her, letting her know he was glad that she was back safely, even the young boy smiled at her like she was the best thing that had happened to him all week. It hurt more than she thought it would.

"Welcome back." Maleficent told her from behind her.

"Thanks." Bella smiled.

"I know it's hard for you, seeing everyone like this and not being able to be with the one you want." Maleficent told her as she guided Bella to the counter so they could get something to drink.

"I heard you put your anger aside and offered to help David while we were away. Thank you." Bella told her friend.

"Well, you're my friend, I always help my friends and Archie helps me put my resentment aside. The past can't be changed but the future can. If I want my happy ending, I need to stop thinking like a villain, try to be a good person." Maleficent replied.

"Well, I think you're doing pretty well." Bella smiled.

"Doctor Hopper thinks so too." She smiled back.

"Maybe he'll end up having group session with ex villains. I mean there's you, Gold, Regina, Hook… Lots of people trying to change and become good people." Bella thought out loud.

"We'll see, I don't think Regina or Hook would do well in a therapy room with Rumpelstiltskin." Maleficent smiled.

"You're right. We'd have to make it so none of them can move or use magic." Bella chuckled.

"Hey Aunt Bella! I have something to show you." Henry interrupted them before apologizing to Maleficent.

"Don't worry about it Henry, if this is what I think it is about, it's important. I should go and help Granny anyway. See you later Bella." Maleficent said with a smile before she walked to the kitchen.

"So, what is this about?" Bella asked him, liking that he called her Aunt.

"I think I found the man who dropped the magic book at your door." Henry replied excitedly.

"Really?" Bella smiled.

"Yes, come, I'll take you to his house." Henry started to pull her hand to the door.

"Henry, wait a minute. It's late and if he's not here, then he's probably home asleep or busy. We can't just knock on his door a 10pm, not even for this. Let's wait until tomorrow." She smiled.

"Fine. Tomorrow after school then. Wait for me here." Henry told her before he walked off.

Well, this one is longer than the precedent chapter. What did you think?

What do you think the sorcerer's vision means? Not everything is what is seems.

Review please?

Lorelei Candice Black