It was a few days before Emma could get to the docks, and she found herself missing having Ruby around as her deputy.

She could have asked her father to step in, she supposed, but that led to a second problem - telling her parents that she had been to Jefferson's house after he had held her hostage.

And, okay, she promised to talk to them, but she was a grown woman - she did not need her parents to hold her hand.

Despite the delay, caused by Henry and August's obvious trauma, and then Archie's funeral, she kept an eye on the docks, alert for any reports of anything suspicious.

Nothing cropped up.

Including the mysterious schoolgirl Henry had spoken to.

Emma's suspicions were proven correct when Snow didn't recognise Grace's picture of the girl, and when the other teachers confirmed that they had not heard about the murder until after school was out for the day, meaning that none of the children should have been aware of it either.

The whole thing reeked of magical interference, and Emma found herself faltering outside the pawn shop more than once, contemplating asking for further help.

Her parents' stories dissuaded her, so a week after Archie's murder, Emma found herself wandering along the dockside in her lunch break, trying to figure out how to unmask an invisible ship without making herself look mad or falling in the water.

Her phone rang, and she answered, grateful for the distraction. "Sheriff Swan."

"Where's Henry?!"

Emma's heart leapt into her mouth at the fear in Regina's voice. "He's at home with Snow and David, why?"

To her surprise, the mayor let out a sigh of relief at that. "Good. Make sure he stays there."

Emma frowned. "Regina, what's going on?"

"It's my mother. She's in Storybrooke."

"What?! How?!" Emma demanded, sitting down on one of the benches when her legs threatened to give out. "We closed the portal, didn't we?" As she spoke, her eyes fell on the space where the ship was cloaked, and she silently scolded herself for not making the connection between an invisible ship and a pirate working with a powerful sorceress.

"I don't know," Regina said. "But she did it; she killed him."

"Of course she did," Emma said. "But why?"

"She wanted me to see that none of you would ever trust me," Regina said. "I didn't tell her that you did; she says that she wants us to be mother and daughter again, and that she'd help me get Henry back, but …"

"But?" Emma prompted, forcing herself to stay calm.

"But you're right," Regina said in a small voice. "That's not what Henry would want. He wouldn't be happy. I need to be better. For him."

"Do you believe her?" Emma asked hesitantly. "About her motivations?"

Regina's silence spoke volumes. "I want to. She's … I want to believe her."

Part of Emma wanted to scream at Regina, to tell her that obviously Cora was not to be trusted, and she almost certainly did not have her daughter's best interests at heart now, when she never had before.

But she also knew what it was like, never being quite able to shake the tiny glimmer of hope that maybe things would get better.

"I get it," she said. "If you find out anything else, let me know, yeah?"

"Just make sure Henry is safe. I'll keep her distracted."

The earlier vulnerability that had been tinging Regina's voice had vanished, and Emma allowed herself a small smile. "Of course. I have a tip to follow up on. I'll …"

The call ended.

"… talk to you later," Emma finished with a sigh, putting her phone away. She caught sight of a figure slowly drawing nearer. "Belle?"

August had mentioned, very briefly, that Gold had a girlfriend, and Emma had made the connection between that statement and the woman he had been having lunch with when she confronted him about Archie.

However, she had yet to have a proper conversation with the new librarian - and she had not been expecting to see her at the docks.

Then again, she wouldn't have expected to see the woman with Gold either.

Belle gave her a bright smile, albeit a little shakily. "Hi Sheriff."

"Is everything alright?" Emma asked. "You look a little pale."

Belle hesitated, but sank on to the bench beside her. "Rumple got attacked."

"Attacked?!" Emma repeated. "What … Who?"

"A pirate," Belle answered. "Apparently he had a history with Rumple's wife."

"Hook," Emma said darkly. "Of course."

"Rumple dealt with him, but he got away," Belle said. "And I figured that if he's a pirate, he's probably got a ship."

"And you didn't come to me because …?" Emma asked.

Belle shrugged. "I don't know if you've noticed but most people in town aren't fussed what happens to Rumple."

Emma sighed. "Fair enough. Look, he's not my favourite person and I doubt we'll ever see eye to eye. But my job as sheriff is to treat everyone equally. If someone is attacked, I investigate. I don't care who the victim is and who the attacker is."

"Even if one's a hero and one's a villain?" Belle asked.

"Well, I wouldn't call Hook a hero," Emma grumbled. "Look, Belle, I don't care what it was like in the Enchanted Forest, I grew up in this world. People are not inherently good or inherently evil. We are all a culmination of experiences and decisions and influences. And maybe that's not the reality for people in Storybrooke but it's my reality."

Belle's smile became more genuine. "It's mine too."

"I haven't got the best track record," Emma said, "but I want to believe that love happens when you least expect it. So I might not understand what's going on with you and Gold, but I will absolutely defend your right to it."

She shouldn't have been surprised that Belle was a hugger, even if she couldn't picture someone so openly affectionate with Gold, but it still took her by surprise when the younger woman hugged her.

"Thank you," Belle whispered. "There's so few people I feel like I can trust around here."

"Well, I'm one of them," Emma said firmly, patting the woman on the shoulder. "You said you were looking for a ship?"

"Yeah." Belle pulled back, wiping her eyes a little. "I just … I want to be useful, you know?"

"I'm looking for one too," Emma said quietly, "and I think it's right in front of us. Look at the birds."

Belle focused on the sky and her eyes narrowed almost immediately. "Huh."

"The only question," Emma said, "is how we check that without falling in the water."

Belle glanced around and jumped to her feet. "I've got an idea."

Emma followed her along the dock. She should send Belle home really, rather than drag a civilian in on this.

Except she wasn't dragging anyone - Belle was clearly eager to help. And, unlike her parents, Belle wouldn't constantly check in on her.

Also, she had a feeling that Belle would follow her anyway, whatever she said; best keep her in sight so she could keep her safe.

Coming to a stop alongside one of the bags of grit used to cover the docks when they were wet, Belle took up a big handful and threw it into the sea.

Except it never landed in the water, scattering instead across what must have been a gangplank.

"You're a genius," Emma whispered, drawing her gun. "Stay behind me, alright?" She didn't wait for Belle's nod, tentatively putting a foot on top of the grit to test the illusion.

The wood beneath her feet held and she stepped forwards, biting back a gasp when a ship materialised around her.

At some point, magic would stop surprising her.

"Hello!" She called. "Storybrooke Sheriff's Department."

Loud banging echoed beneath them.

"Should we …?" Belle began.

"Carefully," Emma said. "We go together."

Belle nodded, hovering at her shoulder, while Emma slowly made her way inside the ship.

"Sheriff's Department," she called again.

"Should you be announcing it?" Belle whispered.

"I've got the long range weapon," Emma murmured back.

The banging was coming from a door in front of them. Raising her gun, Emma positioned herself to one side and nodded for Belle to pull the door open.

In front of them, down a few steps, bound and gagged, was a very much alive Archie Hopper.

Belle clapped her hands over her mouth to stifle her scream of shock, and Emma lowered her gun, glancing over her shoulder to check that they were still alone.

"Belle, can you …?"

Belle was already moving, hurrying down the steps and removing the gag before starting on the ropes.

"Emma," Archie gasped out. "I'm so glad to see you. He'll be back soon, I'm sure."

"I know," Emma said. "Are you hurt?"

"Just my pride," Archie said, wincing as he stood up. "There's a woman - she wants to know about Regina."

"Cora," Emma said darkly.

Footsteps on the deck caught her attention and she sighed. "Wait here."

She made her way back out, unsurprised to find Hook waiting with a sword.

"We meet again," he said with a smirk. "Miss me?"

"I'm the Sheriff," Emma said, raising her gun again. "An invisible ship caught my attention. I assume this is yours?"

"It is." Hook eyed the weapon in her hand. "Is that supposed to scare me?"

"I doubt it will, without knowing what it is," Emma said. "If this is your ship, I suppose it's you I need to arrest for kidnapping and unlawful detainment then."

"That was all Cora, love," Hook said. "Not me."

"And the attack?" Emma asked.

"The crocodile has everything coming to him," Hook said darkly.

"Don't care," Emma said bluntly. "Sheriff. Drop your sword."

"Why should I?" Hook asked. "I seem to recall getting the better of you last time."

It was the wink that did it, she decided.

Really, he was lucky that she shifted her aim, so that her bullet whistled just past him, embedding itself in the mast.

"Shall we try that again?" She asked.

The sword fell to the deck with a clang and he kicked it towards her.

"Interesting weapon."

Emma allowed herself a smile, as Belle and Archie emerged from behind her. "Welcome to Storybrooke."

The gunshot had gotten people's attention, and by the time they emerged from the invisible ship, quite a crowd had formed, including (of course) her parents.

Archie's appearance just about blew everyone's minds, but as soon as she saw Hook, Snow was thoroughly distracted and whispered something to David who stepped up to meet Emma as she stepped back on to the docks.

"I assume this was unplanned?"

"I was just looking for an invisible ship," Emma said. "Wasn't expecting a hostage situation. Alright, people, settle down! Give the man some breathing room!"

"What on earth would possess you to fake a man's death and kidnap him?" Snow asked in bewilderment. "How did you even get here?!"

"I think you'll find that both of those questions have the same answer," Emma said. "Cora's here. Do you mind taking the captain into custody for me?" She asked David, before either of them could react. "I have a few more enquiries to make."

"This town needs two sheriffs?" Hook asked.

"He's not the sheriff," Emma said. "He's my father. Good luck."

Ignoring Hook's protests, she took her mother's arm and guided her away out of earshot.

"Before you ask, Regina called and told me about Cora; I just didn't get a chance to let you know before … this happened."

"Why would Cora fake Archie's death to frame Regina?" Snow asked.

"I was hoping you might be able to tell me," Emma said. "Regina says that she wanted to prove that no one will ever trust her."

Snow shook her head. "All Cora wants is power. I just don't see how this gets her that. Maybe I should …"

"No," Emma said hastily. "I'll talk to Regina. Henry's …"

"… with Ruby," Snow assured her. "I'll go back and join them now; make sure Cora doesn't get near him."

Emma nodded. "Thanks. I'll take Archie to Geppetto's; I don't think he should be on his own."

The two parted ways and Emma collected an overwhelmed-looking Archie from the crowd, guiding him away from the docks.

"So there was a funeral," Archie said after while.

"It was a lovely service," Emma said. "I'll bring Henry by later; he's been a bit of a mess."

Archie shook his head. "So who is Cora, exactly?"

"Regina's mother," Emma said grimly. "And that answers so many questions."

"What sort of mother kidnaps her daughter's therapist to try and get answers about her?" Archie asked.

"The kind that murdered her first love so she could force her into an arranged marriage," Emma answered as they neared the workshop. "Let me call ahead so we don't give the poor man a heart attack."

August called her first. "Emma? We heard a gunshot and you haven't answered any texts; are you alright?!"

Emma winced. "Sorry - I was arresting someone and then dealing with my parents. I didn't even notice my phone. Is your dad with you?"

"Yeah, why? Have you found the murderer?"

"It was Cora," Emma answered. "Regina's mother. Except … we don't know who the victim was."

"What are you talking about?"

"Belle and I found Archie, August," Emma said, grinning. "He's alive. We're just coming round the corner now."

When the workshop came into sight, Geppetto and August were waiting outside. When they saw Archie, they both sprinted towards them, colliding with their old friend in a group hug that had Emma in a fit of relieved giggles.

August extracted himself a few minutes later, sweeping her into his arms. "Thank you."

"I didn't do much," Emma said, tilting her head back so he could kiss her. "I arrested a pirate; that's all. David's taken him into custody. I still need to find Cora and figure out what to do about her."

"And it looks like Belle still needs some help," August said, glancing over her shoulder.

Emma followed his gaze to see that Belle had followed them and was loitering on the other side of the street. "I'll bring Henry and Pongo over later."

"Sure thing," August said, dropping another kiss on her lips. "Duty calls."

Emma crossed the street. "You okay?"

"A bit shaken," Belle admitted. "Actually, I was hoping you could help me."

"What's up?" Emma asked.

"Rumple wants to leave town," Belle said, fidgeting. "I don't … I'm worried. He's trying to find a way to cross the town line without losing his memories, but … what if Hook figures out the same thing and follows him?"

"Hook's in jail," Emma reminded her, but she knew that Cora would be able to get him out fairly easily. "Although he didn't come with the curse, so he should be free to cross the line, same as me and August."

"Rumple's got no defence without magic," Belle said, her voice trembling. "Can't you talk some sense into him?"

"I think you're better placed to do that," Emma said kindly. "But … is he going to look for his son?"

Belle started. "How do you know about Baelfire?"

"It's a long story," Emma said. "But I need to know - why is Baelfire running from him?"

"He's not," Belle said. "At least, not exactly. He got hold of a magic bean just after Rumple became the Dark One and wanted them to go to a place without magic. But Rumple was too scared and he let go. He's never forgiven himself, Emma. He just wants his son back."

Emma sighed. "Alright, come on then."

"You think you can talk him round?" Belle asked.

"Not sure," Emma admitted. "But I've got a bit of leverage."

The pawnshop was empty when they arrived - no change there; Emma was fairly sure she'd never actually seen anyone in it.

"Rumple?" Belle called. "Hook's been arrested."

"Has he now?" Gold asked, emerging from the back room. "Well done, Sheriff. I assume you'll be wanting me to press charges then?"

"Technically, I arrested him for unlawful detainment," Emma said, examining a mobile that was hanging from the ceiling. "Turns out Dr Hopper is alive and Cora killed someone else."

Gold paused. "Cora's here? In Storybrooke?"

"She is," Emma said. "You see my problem."

Gold sighed. "I suppose you're here to ask for my help."

"Not exactly," Emma said. "I owe you a favour."

"You do," Gold agreed.

Emma pulled out her phone and pulled up a map of New York, zooming in on one of the addresses. "Does that look familiar?"

Gold frowned. "No. I've never left Storybrooke, Miss Swan. And currently, no one can."

"No one who came with the curse can," Emma said. "I can. So can August. And Henry. Technically Hook and Cora, I would think, as well."

Gold sighed. "What am I looking at?"

"The address of a man called Neal Cassidy," Emma said. "Otherwise known as Baelfire."

Belle gasped. "How?!"

"And how did you know?" Gold asked tightly.

"August told me," Emma said. "Neal Cassidy is Henry's father."

For a second, she thought Gold might argue, insist that she was wrong, but then he chuckled, his face softening. "Of course he is."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "I thought you'd be harder to convince."

In response, Gold reached under the counter and pulled out a worn leather wallet. Inside, on yellowing parchment, was a sketch of a young boy, with the name Baelfire scrawled beneath it.

"That's …"

"That's my Bae," Gold said, his voice uncharacteristically tender. "Now you see why I believe you."

Emma could. Young Baelfire bore an almost uncanny resemblance to Henry, one she hadn't seen before. "Henry wants to meet his dad. I'm going to go to New York and find him. But I need you to stay here."

"I don't recall our deal having conditions," Gold said, sounding far more like himself again.

Emma sighed. "Look. Cora is in town and Hook seems pretty intent on killing you. Assuming you can find a way over the town line, do you really want to leave Belle in those conditions?"

Belle looked as though she was going to protest, but Emma gave her a quelling glance; if she wanted her Rumple to stay in Storybrooke, it was more likely to be for her protection than his own.

"No," Gold conceded reluctantly. "Will he really come with you?"

"He'll come for Henry," Emma said, with more certainty than she felt. "I can't make him stay. I can't even make him talk to you. But I can get him here."

"That's all I need," Gold said. "Very well, Miss Swan. Consider that your favour and we'll call it even. You say our pirate friend is in custody?"

"He is," Emma said, "but I assume that Cora's not going to leave it that way."

Henry cried when he saw Archie again, and even Emma had to blink back a tear or two at the reunion, Pongo dancing joyfully around their feet.

While Henry caught up with his friend, Emma slipped a hand into August's and tugged him outside.

"Uh oh," August said, seeing the look on her face. "Is everything okay?"

Emma took a deep breath. "I'm leaving town tonight. Not for long," she added hastily, when he opened his mouth. "I'm going to New York."

"Looking for Neal?" August asked. "Now?"

"I owe Gold a favour," Emma said. "And the last thing I need is him trying to leave town to go himself. I don't think Regina's got the power or the nerve to go after her mother; Gold's our only shot."

August nodded. "I know you're right, it's just … You'll be careful, right?"

"Of course," Emma said, resting her head against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

August nuzzled her hair. "Are you taking Henry?"

"No," Emma said.

August winced. "He's not going to be happy about that."

Henry wasn't happy about that.

Neither were her parents, but for other reasons.

"Alright, enough," she said firmly, cutting through the arguments. "Henry, you're not coming with me, for two reasons. First of all, your mom would have a heart attack. Your other mom," she added before he could argue. "Second of all, I know Neal, and I know that he's going to put his foot in his mouth at least once before he gets used to the idea. So let me get that out of the way without you there, alright?"

"Emma …" Snow began.

"Cora is not going to follow me," Emma said. "Hook might but his focus is on Gold, not me. Cora's strength is in her magic, which does not exist across the town line."

"But …"

"That is my world," Emma said with finality. "It's where I grew up. It's what I know. I will be gone a few days, at most, and then I am coming back. I promise."

A knock at the door put paid to any further arguments, and Emma opened it to find Belle standing there.

"I know you're probably packing," Belle said apologetically.

"Not much to pack," Emma said waving her inside. "You know Snow and David, I assume."

"I do," Belle said with a smile. "And you must be Henry."

Henry grinned at her. "Are you my new grandma?"

"Henry!" Emma chided. "She's younger than me, be nice!"

Thankfully, Belle just giggled, not offended in the slightest. "To be fair, his other grandmother's younger than you as well."

"She's got a point," Snow said with a smile.

"Yes, but …" Emma faltered. "That's …"

"Rumple's going to take some getting used to," Belle said, "but you can call me Grandma if you like, Henry. Or just Belle is fine."

Emma shook her head. "Was there something you needed, Belle?"

"Actually, yes," Belle said. "I was wondering if you could do me one more favour."