Word on the breakdown of the royal marriages is starting to spread. And Snow discovers she's not as popular as she thought.

Nolan Farm

It was just after ten in the morning, and David Nolan was currently in a lower field, penning around thirty sheep, separating them from the pregnant ewes. He'd already been up for five hours, having desperately tried to sleep. But even after the best part of a bottle of scotch, he'd only managed two hours before he decided he needed to make himself busy, keeping his mind off his problems.

"HEY GRANDPA!"

Someone yelled from nearby, walking down the field towards him.

"HENRY? I wasn't expecting you back so soon? How was the induction?"

"Great thanks. It was just a couple of days spent getting to meet the tutors, where we're going to be staying, campus rules, and that sort of stuff? It's really cool! I got back here early this morning, and popped into the diner for breakfast." Henry couldn't help noticing the moment he mentioned the cafe, his grandfather's smile dimmed. "Yeah, I met Violet there, too. I was going to go over to mum's straight after that, but then I heard something, so I thought I'd come here first. So, is it true? About Grandma and Ruby?"

David shook his head, resigned. "I had a horrible feeling everyone would get to know pretty quickly. What have you heard so far?"

"Grandma's been having an affair with Ruby? That they've moved out and shacked up in the old loft? I couldn't believe it at first, but then Doc, who'd been listening in, told me it's true. Apparently, Granny threw them out, and told them never to come back. What's going on?"

David shuttered the pen, shooing the rest of the sheep away. "Your guess is as good as mine. I really can't explain it. I had no idea, till yesterday, when I came back here. I never even knew there was anything between them, till I…" He seemed to wince at the memory. "Well let's just say I found out the worst possible way?"

"Ouch!" Henry guessed what must have happened. "I still can't believe it. I'm sorry. I mean…you two splitting up?" Henrywanted to ask more, but could see the look on his face. "Sorry. How's Neal taking it? Have you told him?"

"I'm telling him tonight. I need to fairly quickly, especially now it's already leaking out. As for Emma, I haven't seen her. I'm not due back at the Sheriff's Office till Friday, but I guess I'll have to tell her sooner."

"Yeah, about that. Have you heard about my mums? It's one of the reasons I came over here, first. I thought it best if I found out what's been going on around here before I left."

"Emma and Regina? What about them?"

"Vi's been talking to the some of Kill's crew last night, when she was serving in the Rabbit Hole. Seems something weird is been happening between them."

"They're not fighting again, surely? I thought they were great friends these days? They spend enough time together, after all."

"No, they're definitely not fighting! Quite the opposite. Look, why don't I help you finish off here, and we both go back inside and talk properly?"

~oOo~

Over the next half hour, Henry relayed everything Violet told him. About how Doc had told her about the argument on board the Jolly; and Emma trying to strangle Killian. About what she'd said about her and Regina. About how, according to Alan-a-Dale, Regina seemed to have thrown Robin and Roland out of the mansion. And the argument in the diner.

"I haven't been home yet, or spoken to either of them because I figured something really odd's going on. You and gran are destined to be forever! Kissing her awake from a sleeping curse? Creating mum, with all that magic inside her? The split heart? Hell, something's wrong, grandpa! And I figured something else. You remember when Cora came here, disguising herself as Regina and nearly killing Archie? Then, when the split Evil Queen came back and disguised herself as mum? I reckon it might be something like that."

"You're suggesting the Snow I saw yesterday wasn't my Snow?" Now he said it, it kind of made sense. "She definitely seemed…different!"

"Exactly! I'm not saying I'm certain, but it does sound like they're not in control of themselves."

"I can believe that," said a new voice from someone who'd just entered the room from upstairs.

"Dorothy?" Henry was about to go hug her, but guessed by the way she looked, she was still too raw. "Grandpa told me you stayed over. I'm sorry to hear about everything that's happened, what with-"

But Dorothy wasn't listening, interrupting. "She didn't sound like my Ruby either. There was no warmth in her eyes! No compassion. She was just so damn…hard? So you're saying it wasn't really her telling me she's left me for Snow? Someone's controlling her?"

"It's possible. When Doc told me about Emma, he said it didn't seem like her either. She even reminded him of when she was the Dark One. She tried to choke Killian on the deck of the ship when he said something about Regina, right in front of Hope! That's not something Emma would ever do, is it? You've got four people, in two brilliant marriages, suddenly leaving their partners, all virtually on the same day? Sounds like someone's been cursed, or something."

David felt a glimmer of hope. "If you're right Henry, we need serious help from someone with magic, who knows about this sort of thing."

"Well if Merlin's not around, there's only one person I can think of."

Granny's Diner – later that afternoon

"GET OUT!"

The old wolf growled angrily at the woman who had just walked in through the entrance.

"YOU'RE NOT WELCOME!"

"Look granny, I know you're angry, but-"

"I'm not angry, Snow White, I'm furious! How dare you just walk in here, after what you've done? I told you yesterday, the pair of you are banned. Now go!."

The schoolteacher looked at her like she was trying to calm a confused and angry child. "Eugenia. I'm sorry, but you're being ridiculous. I know you don't want to see us right now, but come on? I only came in to collect Ruby's clothes. I'll just go up and-"

"You'll do no such thing!" Granny went right up into her face, nostrils flaring. "You'll leave my premises right now! I'll have her rooms cleared today, but only after I've checked with Dorothy first. Then and only then, I'll have them dropped off, wherever. But Dorothy decides, not you! You remember Dorothy, don't you? Her wife? The wife who's been betrayed and her marriage destroyed. All because of you?"

Snow shrugged, rolling her eyes. "Okay fine, have it your own way. Just have someone call me first, to let me know when they're coming?" Then she spotted Grumpy, who'd been sitting watching the altercation from the counter, while he was eating. "Leroy, when she's done, could you pick up Ruby's things from here, and have them dropped off at my place? The loft?"

The wizened old dwarf, halfway through his sandwich, looked up at her shaking his head. "Not interested, sister! I'll be doing nothing for you from now on. Not anymore. Not after what you've done to that girl! To Charming? To your son? Nope, you can fetch and carry your own things from now on. I'm done with you."

Two of the dwarves sitting next to him nodded, and as she looked around the room, she could see a number of hostile faces. Clearly word had got out and she wasn't wanted.

"I see. So it's like that is it? You may have forgotten something Leroy. How many times have I helped save your worthless arses over the years? How many times have I put my life on the line for you? I happen to be your queen, and I think you owe me a modicum of respect, don't you?"

"You were our queen. Were! But I saw how you acted in here yesterday, with Ruby. I saw how you treated Dot! You're not my queen anymore, whatever you think."

"I see…" She folded her arms indignantly. "Fine. If that's how you want to play it? I'll remember this the next time you come screaming through that door in blind panic, because you think something's attacking us! Who was it the other day? The Black Fairy? Let's see how you cope doing things for yourselves for a change?"

"We'll survive." Granny had already walked over to the front door, opening it. "Without marriage wreckers like you! Time for you to leave. Now get out!"

The Sherwood Arms

Killian and Robin sat in the corner of the main bar in Robin's woodland pub, in the little hamlet they'd created in the forest, nicknamed Sherwood by the residents.

"So she threw out all your things already?"

"I found them inside the barn this morning, after a ten word text! Everything Rolly and I had in the mansion. She told me yesterday she'd give us time for Roland to choose and pick some things up first. But I guess she changed her mind."

"Seems unduly harsh. How did the boy take it?"

"Badly. He's gone quiet on me. He couldn't believe the woman he adored could ever do such a thing. Nor can I! Until two days ago, she loved that boy."

"I saw her in the park with him only a few days ago when I was on duty. I'd always assumed she was as smitten with him, as she was with you. That must've hurt."

"Well, I guess at least she didn't attack me, like Emma did, you? You know Killian, I've gone over and over things in my mind time and time again, but I can't for the life of me figure out what changed? I mean, this affair with Emma? Did you have any idea?"

"No. But I do know that the woman who choked me in front of my own daughter wasn't the woman I married. The last time I saw that look, she was the Dark One! I knew she and the queen were closer than ever, but I never for one moment imagined it'd become more."

"People change, I guess?" Robin shrugged, draining the last of his pint. "So what are you going to do?"

"Hope's my biggest concern, right now. She's not sure why she hasn't seen anything of her mother these last three days, and when she saw her yesterday, Emma barely seemed interested. So I've collected her things from the house and put them on the Jolly. But until I speak to her, I'm not sure. The last text said she was moving her into Mifflin Street. Not asking me, telling me."

"Into Roland's cleared room, no doubt. Hence our brutal eviction. But at least I have this place, thanks to Merlin. We'll survive. Have you spoken to Henry?"

"An hour ago. He hasn't seen either mother yet, but he's upset by their behaviour, to put it mildly? Apparently, something similar has happened between Snow and Charming. I gather she's had some sort of dalliance with the wolf, and left David and the boy."

"Those two as well? I can't believe it! That's is one of the strongest marriages ever!"

"Not anymore. The lad thinks dirty work's afoot. He and Charming are going to call in on the Crocodile to see what can be done. I told him for all he knew, the Dark One could be behind all this!"

"Mm...doesn't sound like Gold's sort of thing," Robin waved a hand to Gilbert at the bar, ordering another pint. "But you could be on to something. Four women, all in supposedly good relationships, suddenly up sticks and leave, and for another woman? Could that be a clue?"

The Gold Mansion

When he rang his grandfather, asking to see him urgently, Rumple told him to come to his home, rather than the pawnshop.

Over the last three years, Henry had become much closer to the man everyone else knew as the feared Dark One. His last remaining link to his lost son, Rumpelstiltskin had also come to cherish the changing relationship, and saw in the young man more of Baelfire's character traits, nature and looks, by the month. Apart from Belle and Gideon, Henry was the only one who seemed to value him just for himself, not for someone to go, to when they needed something.

"Come on in, Henry. I've made tea, so perhaps we-" That's when Rumple spotted David behind him, his smile temporarily leaving him. "Ah. I see you haven't come alone? Mr. Nolan, rarely a pleasure."

"Mr. Gold," David nodded. He wasn't a fan of Henry's other grandfather either. "Thanks for seeing us at short notice. Henry rang because we have a problem. We're hoping you can help?"

~oOo~

Several minutes later, all were now sat around the table, mugs in front of them, Rumple saying nothing, waiting for one of them to begin. As he watched his grandfather fidget uncomfortably, Henry finally broke the silence.

"Grandpa, when I said it was serious, I wasn't kidding! We have a problem. With Grandma Snow."

"Pray continue…" His large brown eyes studied them like bugs in a jar.

"It's about her true love marriage to grandpa? Something's happened recently."

"I assume by that, you mean the queen's sudden infatuation with the wolf?"

"Erm, yeah." Henry should have guessed he already knew. He knew everything that happened in the town. "Though it's a bit more than an infatuation. She's moved out. They're living together."

"So I understand." His attention turned to Charming, "And I expect you're wondering whether this is something real, or whether the pair of them are under some sort of outside influence?"

David's eyes widened. How the hell does he always know? Does he use mirrors, like the Evil Queen used to, to spy on them? "Are they? Being influenced?"

"Gramps, you once said true love was the strongest magic of all? So if grandma and grandpa had so much of it that he could break a sleeping curse, and even give Emma her Saviour magic, how come something like this can happen? With Ruby? That must mean Snow's being controlled, right?"

"I've been pondering the same issue, my boy. It's possible to control someone if you have their heart; something your older mother has long experience of. Remember Sheriff Graham? Or, an entire curse can be placed, such as the one she used to create Storybrooke. Charming, you'll recall you once believed you were married to the former Princess Abigail, but felt nothing for her? That sort of curse can't create real love, which is one of the reasons you were drawn back to Snow White."

"So you're saying Regina could be behind this? Makes sense, seeing as she's the only one, apart from you, who has a history of ripping hearts out?"

"No, I'm not saying that! Because it wouldn't account for Regina's own bizarre behaviour recently. The outlaw was definitely her own true love and soulmate, yet she appears to have abandoned her marriage, to be with the Saviour. I assume you're aware?" The Author nodded, looking glum. "Pixie dust doesn't lie."

"So what are you saying? I can't imagine someone else managing to take out and control four hearts? If it's not a curse, it must be some other form of magic, surely?"

"Possibly. That's why I've been looking into this. If it's indeed a spell, then it's one with which I'm unfamiliar. And I'm familiar with most spells!"

"So what do we do?"

"Establish whether the Saviour really is under a magical influence. You could go home and bring back something that's been in direct contact with her body very recently. A hairbrush perhaps? I can then run some spells to see what I can detect. Sheriff, you could do the same with your wife's? It's either that, or a blood sample."

"And if you find something, you can remove it right?"

"One thing at a time, Henry. One thing at a time."

Later that evening…

Earlier, after meeting Rumple, Henry had called in on Emma's large Nantucket-style town house on 10th Street. As it was unoccupied, he had no problem in finding and taking a hairbrush he knew Emma used, from her bathroom. But on the way out, he also spotted a large dream catcher lying on the dinner table downstairs. Could it reveal anything more of the last few days? He took it with him just in case, dropping it, and the hairbrush, off at his grandfather's mansion before returning to the farm.

Although he'd been back in Storybrooke three days now, staying the evenings at his grandfather's farm, Henry didn't return to either of his mothers' homes, and didn't even speak to them, preferring to wait until he had more information. But what had surprised him was that Emma and Regina knew he'd returned on the Friday, yet made no attempt to contact him either, to find out where he was?

Perhaps they were annoyed he hadn't called one of them?

The Blanchard Loft

As she lay fully reclined on the sofa, her back resting against Ruby's front, they watched the credits roll on the TV. Snow knew she'd never felt happier.

To her, the last three days had been nothing short of an epiphany. A wake up call to who she truly was, and what she wanted. Namely, the woman whose arms were currently wrapped around her, as they watched the end of the film.

Snow and Ruby had been close for many years. Ever since the time her lover had discovered her wolf within, after accidentally slaughtering a poor, unfortunate boy in the forest. Already on the run herself, she'd helped her escape from the hunters desperate for revenge. A kindness returned when Ruby had prevented her own killing at the hands of her mother. The young she-wolf had even been the first to find her almost-fatally wounded husband, after he'd fought off the royal guards and put baby Emma into that enchanted tree to save her. The same husband who'd treated her so shabbily at the farm this week, threating her at the point of a gun.

"What was that vow Charming made you take, when he threatened to shoot you? 'Lican', or something? What did he do to you?"

"Lycaon." Ruby lifted her head up, turning Snow's to peck her on the lips. "Our wolf god. Used to be the king of Arcadia. After a quarrel, Zeus turned him into a wolf. Wolves worship him and swearing on his name is a blood vow. Basically, if you break a blood vow, you're supposed to kill yourself. If you don't, other wolves are honour bound to kill you."

"End yourself? But that's just crazy!"

"Not to wolves. Once they find out, and wolves always do eventually, if I break that vow, I'm dead. Even Granny would try and kill me."

"I can't believe this! So, what do we have to do to make them stop?"

"We can't. Only your husband can release me from it. The only way to survive is by not breaking it in the first place. I vowed I'd stay away from the farm, from him, and all your family. So that means Neal and Emma, too."

"You're saying we can't have Neal over to stay here?"

"He can come to be with you, but if he does, I have to leave till he's gone. Afraid so. Sorry, babe." She saw the worried look on her lover. "Snow, are you having second thoughts? About us?"

"No!" The crop-haired brunette turned on top of her, resting between her thighs, face to face. "Absolutely not! I'm yours, Rubes, forever! I meant what I said."

"And what about Neal?"

"I told him yesterday, at school. I thought it best to just come straight out with it. He didn't say a lot, then he started crying. Finally, he said we wanted to be with his father. So that's that. He'll come round, I guess, given time? But I'm not giving up on you. If Neal doesn't like it, that's too bad! And the same goes for Emma."

"Have you spoken to her?"

"No. I tried her phone yesterday, but she seems to have it switched off, and nobody's seen her since Monday. After all that nonsense at the diner, I went over to the Sheriff's Office, but they hadn't seen her either. I'll speak to her sometime too, but it's not important. Frankly, the only thing that's important is you right now! You and me." She lowered her lips onto the other woman's, before lifting her head back up. "And if they don't like it, they can just-"

But a large banging on the front door interrupted her.

"Visitors? At ten at night? You stay, I'll go get rid of them."

~oOo~

Ruby opened the door, to find Marco, the village carpenter, standing outside.

"Evening, Ruby. I'm sorry to come round so late, but I was asked by Granny to drop a few things off. They're on the back of the truck. I'm not as young as I was, and a couple are a bit bulky?" He looked awkward, almost embarrassed. "She also said to tell you they cleared your flat completely."

"Sure, I'll help." Ruby looked over at the vehicle. It looked like there were eight to ten boxes and two suitcases on board. He held out an envelope. "Dorothy was there. She asked me to give you this…in person?" He handed her a small envelope. As she tore it open, now Snow appeared alongside her. She looked inside to find her wife's wedding and engagement rings, sliding them out onto her open palm.

Snow instantly picked them up, looking closer. "At least she's accepted the inevitable, Rubes." Snow studied the engagement ring closer. "I can do much better than this, though!" She handed them back, Ruby returning them to the envelope. "When you're ready, of course."

Ruby smiled, dropping a quick kiss on her lips, right in front of the old carpenter. "I don't want them, Marco," she offered the envelope back. "Tell her she can sell them, and keep the money."

He noticed she'd already taken off her own ring, as had Snow. "I'd rather not, if you don't mind, Mrs. Lucas? I really don't want to get involved. Help me just unload the truck, okay?"

"Marco," Snow stepped in front of him. "Call me Ruby, you always have in the past. Are they still talking about us in town? You can be honest."

"Yes." Clearly uncomfortable, Marco kept looking down, not meeting her eyes. "You could say that."

"And we're still the villains?"

He didn't answer until eventually, "It's really none of my business, Mrs. Nolan."

"It's Blanchard now! I'm getting a divorce as soon as I can. You know Marco, people fall in love with others and split up all the time? Doesn't make them bad!" But he still couldn't look at her. "Or is it the gay thing? Because we're two women, is that it?"

"As I said, Miss Blanchard, it's none of my business, so could you help me with the heaviest boxes, and I'll leave?"

The Gold Mansion

"So there's nothing there, grandpa? No sign of any magic, or curse?"

"Not from the hair on the brushes you and Charming dropped off earlier. Recent magic would have shown up quickly based on the spell I used, but there was nothing to show that either the Saviour or Snow White are under any existing curses."

"Well four women can't just change like that, can they? Does it mean someone's controlling their hearts then?"

"Removing all four and controlling them? Seems unlikely. No, the only thing of I can think of is a potion of some sort. But I've never heard of a potion having this effect, and to detect anything I'd need to take very recent blood samples from all four of them. However, if it were indeed such a potion, the effects would tend to be permanent. Like the one your adopted mother took to make herself barren.

"So that's it? There's nothing we can do? I have to sit back and watch four of the best marriages ever destroy themselves before our eyes?"

"I'm afraid so," That's when he spotted the dream catcher Henry had brought over from Emma's house. "Although it's possible that, using this, I may be able to access the Saviour's memories? That may at least give us a clue."

~oOo~