As Lily wakes from her 'surgery', her mother is there to deliver an even bigger surprise. Henry comes face-to-face with his mothers, Ruby makes a decision on her future, and Snow makes a decision in her life.

Storybrooke Hospital – the following morning

Despite so many reassurances, Lily hadn't expected to ever wake up again! Being in the final stages of lung cancer, she'd been more resigned to her fate than her mother, who now stood hovering over her, red-eyed as she sat up in the hospital bed. At the very least, she'd expected to see tubes sticking out of her, and feeling even more shit than when the man they called Merlin put her to sleep.

At the time, he'd carefully explained how it wouldn't be a normal operation. That there wouldn't be any knives, although perhaps a little oxygen when she woke up. That everything would be done with magic, and that she'd pull through.

What she hadn't been expecting was to be able to draw breath more easily. She still felt unbelievably tired, but apart from that, better than she had in months.

"So, you're saying the cancer's gone, just like that? It was supposed to be incurable!"

"In a world without magic, that's certainly true, Lily." He gave her a kindly, almost loving smile. "You'd probably have been dead within two weeks, tops."

She'd already checked under her gown, to find no sign of stitches, bruising, scarring or…anything.

"Did you even open me up?"

"He did, my love. One of the nurses here recorded some of it on camera in case you refused to believe him." Maleficent drew even closer, taking her daughter's hand, pecking the back of it with her lips. "I was also here, watching throughout. You've just cured by the greatest sorcerer who ever lived." She smiled up at Merlin, who now appeared to be embarrassed. "And the Dark One, surprisingly."

"I don't understand. Why both of you?"

"I removed your cancer, and with Rumpelstiltskin's help, the darkness which was wrongly transferred into you by my apprentice before you were born. It should never have happened, but it's gone, too."

"The Darkness? But how? It's in my brain, surely?"

"Darkness attracts darkness., Lily. It's something I couldn't have done alone, even with my powers."

"What was the price? Mamma told me with him, there's always a price!"

"A price that's already been paid, my love," Mal moved a lock of sweat-sodden hair off her face. "By me. A mere magical object, which I wasn't using. And a few questions answered."

"So that's it? I'm cured and free to go? It won't come back again the moment I cross the town line?"

"Only if you start smoking again, young lady! Mind you, Doctor Whale ran some tests while you were under, and told me to tell you it might be a good idea to cut down on the alcohol intake? It plays hell with the body eventually, and he said he speaks from long experience."

She sat more upright, wanting to get up, but feeling slightly dizzy. "Oh hell…"

"Lily, wait! Just give your body a chance to recover?" Her mother exchanged a nervous look with Merlin. "You haven't been using those legs recently and besides, there's no rush is there? And there's something very important I need to tell you."

"If it's about the quarrel, forget about it okay? I just got hot-headed, as usual."

"Consider it forgotten. No, this is about something much more important. Your father."

"My father? Why? I never even knew him, and you said he was dead. Long dead!" She spotted the way the dragon looked at the man on the opposite side of the bed. "Isn't he?"

"I'm sorry my hatchling. That's what I believed for a very long time. Centuries, in fact."

"Centuries? How the fuck? I'm forty-two!"

"Forty two years since you hatched in this realm, yes. But you were originally conceived over fifteen centuries ago, Lilith. And between conception and birth, I've been killed three times. The last two by Prince Charming and his daughter. That accounts for the time. Waiting for resurrection can sometimes take an awfully long time, millennia even!"

"Fifteen hundred years?" She shook her head again, bewildered.

"And just so you know, the man who originally fathered you was wholly unaware of your existence. Until now."

"Man? You mean he's human? You told me he was a dragon called Draco!"

"He was. But he also turned out to be a wizard in dragon form. An unusually powerful sorcerer, as it happens."

Lily's jaw dropped, her eyes turning slowly to the only wizard in the room. The wizard who was now giving her a sympathetic smile.

"Don't tell me – it's you?"

"Hello, Lilith. It was as big a surprise for me as it was for you."

Portland, Maine

Henry arrived at the little hotel an hour earlier than expected. And Regina suddenly found herself shaking with nerves once she'd received a call to say he was in the lobby downstairs.

She shuddered, remembering the last time she'd seen him face-to-face, three weeks ago. When they'd argued. When she's threatened him, and Emma had hit him. But Henry hadn't flinched. Instead, he'd challenged them. This wasn't the same little boy; this was a man. A very defiant young man. A man who'd stared down at them with an expression she'd never seen on his face before.

Disgust.

And although they'd been under some sort of ridiculous potion, he'd seen a side of her she'd tried so hard to bury long ago. The Evil Queen. Robin had also seen it when she'd sworn to kill him, if he ever returned. Kill him? Kill the man who saved her certain obliteration with his own life? If there was even the slightest hope he'd ever forgive her, she knew she had to first convince Henry that everything she'd done was completely beyond her control. And pray, he could then convince Robin.

Having expected him at least an hour later, Emma had gone for a run along the Portland waterfront, taking Ruby with her. That was the way Emma usually handled stress. By running from it. So now, Regina had to face him alone. And for the first time in her life, she dreaded facing her own son.

She found him in the little dining room, talking to and laughing with an older couple she didn't recognise. Possibly the owners? She'd already met the manager and staff.

"Henry?"

"Hello mum." The now six-foot-four inch young man turned around on hearing her voice, the other two stepping back. He had an odd expression.

"You're looking well? Nice tan you've got there. Enjoy Miami Beach then?"

"Not really." She rushed towards him, silently grateful when he didn't resist, opening his arms to receive her as she pulled herself into him in a tight hug, staying silent for a few moments until eventually: "I'm so very sorry. For everything."

"Yeah, me too. Where's Emma?"

She silently cursed herself when rogue tears slid down her cheeks, but refused to pull away from his hold. "Jogging, as she didn't expect you here for another hour. Have you eaten?"

"Have I hell, I'm starving!" He released her from the hug, pulling a small pack of tissues from his jacket pocket, handing them over. "How about you?"

"Knowing that you were coming, I was, frankly, far too nervous to eat. I love you dearly Henry, but I must admit, I've been dreading this."

~oOo~

A few minutes later she watched as, with only a black coffee in front of her, Henry gradually demolished a huge breakfast plate of fried food he'd taken from the buffet, as though it was going to be his last meal ever.

"You know, all that cholesterol will play hell with your weight in the years to come, young man?" She chided, shaking her head though pleased to see him happy as he shovelled it away. "When you consider how I brought you up to eat healthily? You're clearly taking after your other mother far more these days!"

"What can I say? I got the best of both of you, didn't I?" He picked up his mug of tea, downing what remained in one. "Besides, you're a fine one to talk about diet! You virtually live on coffee most days and that's hardly great for someone with your…" He hesitated, grinning, when the usual imperial eyebrow arched. "…anger? You know, Robin's right to drink tea most of the time? I've only ever seen him angry once, whereas you're angry most of the time-" he stopped himself, not intending to hurt her feelings anymore. "Sorry."

"Why be sorry? It's no more than the truth. You're right; Archie Hopper once said something similar to me years ago." She watched him finish the last mouthful, picking up the teapot to pour himself more. "How's Robin?"

"Haven't seen either of him for a few days, not since he watched the dream catcher. I know the Sherwood's been busy, but I spoke to him on the phone last night. Apparently, Merlin asked to meet him, but I've no idea why. I haven't seen Roland since the diner three weeks ago." It was then he spotted the tattoo on her wrist. "What's that on your wrist? That's not the magic cuff."

"It is, actually." She self-consciously rubbed it. "It changed, as did Emma's, the moment we crossed the town line! The Dragon told us it's not a tattoo but something under the skin. From within."

"You went to see the Dragon? Well, that explains why you went to New York first?"

"Yes, but he couldn't help either. Only you can remove the damn things, apparently."

He nodded, studying the ornate design. "I'm sorry I had to put those on you, but you were out of control. After Emma attacked Roland and Robin? Enough was enough."

"I understand." She went back to sipping her coffee. "And once again, I'm sorry."

"I know you are, mum." He reached over to take her hand. "I blame Ingrid for this."

"Do you think Robin will forgive me? Eventually?"

"Quite honestly, I don't know. He certainly watched more of that dreamcatcher than I did! It was tough for him, but I think it was what you and Emma said to each other, about him, that hurt him more than, well, all the other stuff?"

"Henry, whatever you saw and whatever you heard, that wasn't the real me! You know that! I love Robin more than you could possibly imagine. And it's not just because he once gave his life for me. I fell in love with that man way before that. He's my true love. My soulmate!"

"Yeah, but then there's ma, isn't there? You love her too, right? As I said the other day, you can't make someone love you, something has to be there already. Ingrid's potion just…exaggerated and drew it out a bit. The potion wouldn't have worked on you otherwise."

"No, I've told you already, I only love Emma as a friend. A very close friend these days granted, but I'm definitely not in love with her! That's three times I've had to tell you, why won't you believe me? She doesn't even begin to compare to Robin, and she feels just the same about me, when it comes to Guyliner! She adores that drunken, disease-ridden pirate, and they've even gone on produce a little girl with magic themselves. That proves theirs is true love! You said it yourself, Henry; everything that happened was down to that damn witch's potion playing havoc with our minds. If you don't believe me, how is anyone else going to?"

"I hear you, but it's not me you need to persuade, is it? It's Robin. Him and Killian have been through a hell of a lot with you two. I can't be sure about Killian, but then, he doesn't know about the potion yet because he's been offshore. But Robin watched everything on that dreamcatcher, including when you two sniffed the potion in the cottage. Maybe you can win him around."

"I have to, Henry. If only for his children."

"Children?" He'd already noticed how her right hand had never left her stomach, covering it, almost protectively. He also recalled an item he'd spotted on her recent credit card bills which stuck out like a sore thumb. Unbeknown to her, while she was away, he'd broken into hers, and Emma's, online bank accounts to trace where they were. "Roland's okay, and Margot's not due back from California till Christmas."

"Yes, but, but…" Dammit, must he picks up on every damn slip? "He's going to be looking after her for most of next year, when Zelena goes back. With Roland, he'll then need all the help he can get."

"I guess so." He looked down at her cup, drawing the obvious conclusions. "Another thing you should know about coffee? As well as not being great for stress, or insomnia, you know what else it isn't great for?" He looked pointedly down at the hand over her stomach. Pregnant women!"

Regina jerked her head back up, to see a knowing smirk on his face. He knows?

"You are pregnant mum, aren't you?"

Back in Storybrooke Hospital…

Snow spotted him as her bed was being wheeled to another room, to begin her dialysis programme.

Regina's husband was standing in the little reception area with the Briars and a couple of others, holding a tiny bundle in his arms, smiling down at it lovingly.

"Robin? What are you doing here? Who's this?"

"Snow?" He looked up. "This beautiful little girl, is Li. My new goddaughter!" he proudly announced, walking closer, lowering himself so she could see. "Take a look. Isn't she gorgeous?"

Seeing the tiny, dark-haired newborn, with her almond shaped eyes, it was obvious she was Mulan's child, even as her tired mother, who now sat in a wheelchair close by, looked on. Aurora and Philip Briar stood close either side of her, watching the proud man show off their new daughter. The happy sight made her temporarily forget her own problems.

"You're right Robin, she's stunning. Congratulations Mulan! You must be so proud. Li, you say?"

"Thanks. Yes, she's named after my mother, Fa Li. But she'll be taking Rory's family name, Briar."

"And your name too, soon enough!" Aurora added, Philip's brow arching, though the grin never left his face. "Sorry, was it supposed to be a secret?"

"It clearly isn't any more!" Mulan chuckled, giving her a tired smile. "Snow, a few days ago Philip and Rory asked me to marry them and make the three of us official." She raised a hand to show a new ring. "It's a little unusual, but I said yes of course. I guess it means we've got a wedding to organise, as well as a new baby."

"Well that's just wonderful!" Although her own marriage had just fallen apart, Snow could see that this odd trio did seem perfect together. The unusual relationship between the town's young mayor, his royal wife, and the former warrior had been a major topic of prurient interest and gossip in town, ever since they'd returned. "I'm sure you'll all be very happy together. You know, I really miss the time when Neal as a baby. You're truly blessed."

"Thanks…" Seeing her slightly less than genuine smile, her washed-out appearance, the drip in her arm and the catheter , Philip was reminded of everything the woman had been through recently. So their news was probably the very last thing she wanted to talk about. After all, from what he's heard, she'd lost just about everything.

"Sheriff Morgan told me that you were brought in three days ago, so I called in to see how you were, but they said you were still…asleep. How are you?"

"Surviving. I'll live, I guess." Hearing their usually indefatigable princess, the symbol of hope for all in her realm sound so defeated, was disturbing for all of them. And their faces told her so, so she quickly changed the subject. "I think you made a good decision with Robin. He seems the perfect choice to be her godfather."

"Yes, we think so too. He's been a big brother to me for a long time, and I'd trust him with my life." Mulan looked fondly at the outlaw, who was still lovingly cradling her daughter, rubbing her cheek with his finger. "And he's a brilliant dad to Rolly. Phil's asked him to be his Best Man, too."

"And Dorothy's agreed to be her godmother!" As Aurora spoke, she glanced over her shoulder, smiling at the dark-haired woman in question, who was standing a few feet away, having not been noticed until now. However, Aurora couldn't fail to notice the filthylook Dorothy was already giving the woman in the bed. Then she remembered the reason why!

"Anyway, we need to get this little one and her mother home! Come on guys, let's go? Lovely to see you again, Snow." She almost stammered, desperate to leave. "I hope you get well soon."

As Aurora made her excuses, Snow felt the day couldn't get any worse. However, that was until Maleficent brushed past, with her daughter beside her. Like Dorothy, here was another woman who's life Snow had managed to screw over long ago, by asking the Sorcerer's Apprentice to transfer Emma's potential darkness into the dragon's egg before either were even born. It had backfired badly, and Lilith's life had been cursed with darkness ever since.

The dragon's daughter gave her an odd look, as though she was about to come over and say something. But instead, she took her mother's arm and led her away, pausing to exchange a nod with the former Princess Aurora.

Snow shuddered. "Cathy, can we go please?" Anywhere but here? "Now?"

Snow was starting to wish those sleeping pills had worked!

Portland

When Emma returned from her jog, it was to find Henry had already arrived.

Initially, she was even more nervous than Regina had been earlier, and it turned out to be a very tearful reunion. But fortunately, Henry was blessed with, in Emma's mind, the biggest, most forgiving heart. Like Regina, he'd hugged her while she begged forgiveness for hitting him once again, and her treatment before they'd left for New York. Tears finally drying, He sat them down and told them everything he knew about recent events, and the fact he hadn't seen Killian, or her daughter, for over two weeks.

But before they could talk about how he'd already planned to intercede with Robin, Killian and Hank Morgan on their behalf, Ruby and Belle reappeared, joining them at the table overlooking the bay.

"Have you spoken to Rumple since he threw us over the town line?" Belle wrung her hands. "About me? Does Gideon even know why his mother isn't around?"

"Yeah. I saw grandpa the night it happened. He was devastated, as you can imagine? I also told him I went after you and that you're here." He tried not to look up at the guilty women. "The next day he told Gid you were out of town, and I spoke to him myself yesterday and he's okay, but missing you. I also called grandpa Gold this morning. He's up at the hospital for something to do with Lily. Mal's daughter? He said it's really not safe for you to go back." He finally looked up at Ruby. "For either of you, quite frankly. He thinks the moment you come back The Dark One would probably take control of him again and kill one of you. This time, he said he probably wouldn't be able to stop it."

But Ruby just shrugged. "It's just as well I'm not going back then, isn't it?"

"You're what?" Emma seemed the most surprised. "You're not going back?"

"What's the point? After Dot, Granny's my only living relative, and she's disowned me and barred me from ever coming back to the only place I've ever called home! I've destroyed my marriage, Belle's, and Snow and David's. Because of the wolf vow, I can't even go anywhere his place or his family. But more important than all that, I've lost Dorothy, the only woman I've ever truly loved. I don't have kids, and I'm under a sentence death if I cross the town line? No, I'm staying away for good."

Emma was shocked. "But where would you go? What would you do? Where would you even live?"

"I've no idea, but there's nothing for me back in Storybrooke."

"Ruby," Henry leant across, taking her hand. He knew that unlike his mothers and grandmothers, she'd brought most of it on herself without the excuse of a curse. But even so, how could she even survive in the real world? "Don't go making any sudden decisions just yet? I'm going to be having a word with Grandpa Gold when I get back tonight, so there might be some way; I'll speak to granny too, and explain about the curse. But if you decide to stay here, you'll still need money and a job, won't you? And to get that, you'll need help. An identity. A history. Also, Merlin came back to save grandma's life, and he's staying for a little while. If anyone can figure out a way through all this, it's him! Just…give me a day or two to try and fix this, okay?"

Ruby slowly nodded, realising she had no other option. "Alright, Henry." Her free hand squeezed Belle's knee as she gave her a sad smile. "Looks like you're stuck with me a few more days, Belle?"

"Looks like I'm stuck here for good too, if he can't get Rumple to see sense!"

Sherwood

Now she'd had her cancer removed, together with the darkness that had plagued her entire life, Lily Page felt like a new woman. For the first time in a long time, she felt genuinely…happy?

She had so many questions she wanted to ask Merlin, the father she'd only discovered existed just over a hour ago. The man she'd only read about in books. A mythical figure. So many questions to ask both her parents. And Merlin had promised to answer everything he could, once he dealt with some urgently pressing matters, suggesting she join him for lunch and to bring her mother along.

having been deprived of decent food and drink throughout her chemotherapy, it was an offer she couldn't refuse!

And that's how, despite Mal's reluctance, Lily now found herself gazing up in wonder at the intricately carved ceiling and beautiful oak-timbers of the inn in the middle of the forest. A pub that resembled something out of the old vampire films she used to love.

"This pub's absolutely brilliant! It's like a few I used to see when I toured around Europe, but I don't remember hearing about this place the last time I was here?"

"It wasn't here then." Mal also looked around the room and at the men near the bar. "It was built by Robin Hood and his men two years ago, along with the entire hamlet. Merlin helped them with magic, apparently. That's Hood over there, talking to your father?" She pointed at the outlaw.

"Yeah, I remember him. After you sent Emma to find me in New York, they went for him too. Some business about the queen's sister? But last time I was here, Emma said he'd been killed?"

"It's a long story but yes, he died saving Regina from being murdered by Hades. But Zeus sent him back." She looked over at the man currently chatting and laughing with three other men at the bar, barely believing herself, that he'd once been cursed into a dragon form by a dark wizard, and that she'd actually conceived a child by him over two millennia ago. "Your father helped with that one, too."

"I hear you say it, but I still can't believe he's really my dad." Lily followed where her mother was looking, to the group of men surrounding Merlin as they all raised pint glasses, laughing. "Anyway, I need to go thank Paul and Clive, properly. You fancy a drink?"

"Do you really think it wise having alcohol so soon after everything you've just been through?"

"Are you kidding me? I haven't had a beer in nearly two years! Besides, I'm feeling a hell of a lot better than I have in ages. So yeah, I'm drinking. Come on…"

Storybrooke Hospital – two hours later

After her first ever round of kidney dialysis treatment, Snow felt even more exhausted than ever. But nonetheless before she went in, she'd arranged for her personal lawyer, Johnny Blackwell, to come directly to her bed to deal with a matter of some urgency. After explaining what she wanted, he called his office, dictating a letter and having drawn up and brought to her for signature, while he waited.

"Snow, you're quite sure about this? Once I take this to the judge and he stamps it, the farm and the two main accounts all get transferred into your ex-husband's name. It overwrites the last will we drew up, apart from the provisions for Emma and Neal! There's no going back!"

"Johnny, for the third and final time, I'm sure! I know what you're trying to say, but I want it all to go to David, then he can decide how it's split when I'm gone."

"Well I'm more than surprised! But as I understood it, because of your split heart, if you die, David dies! That's why we originally planned to put it all in trust, till Neal's an adult."

"That's all history now, thanks to Merlin. He's fixed the heart problem so David's heart is now free of mine. That's one of several reasons why I'm changing the will."

"But so soon after you divorced him? I don't get it? You're now independent, Snow. A single woman again. But you're giving him nearly all your assets? That's a lot of money, Snow!"

"Johnny, I really don't care any more. Even before all our recent problems, I did something terrible before David and I were married. I lied to him about something important, and that matters to someone like David. I've wronged him. So, this is just something I need to do, before I die."

"Die? But I thought they said you were only going through dialysis? Snow, I'm no medic but even I know people can live for 20 or 30 years on dialysis."

"That's as maybe, but I just want to be ready." She watched as he put the signed papers into his bag. "How quickly can you get everything changed?"

"Well, as this overrides all the other documents, almost immediately, once the judge sees it and stamps it. Just like she did your divorce papers. I can run it over with Judge Merryweather this afternoon, if you like?"

"I do. Just make it happen as soon as possible please? And Johnathan?"

"Yes, your highness?"

"Not a word about this to anyone, other than Judge Merryweather. Do you understand?"

The Sherwood Arms

The last two hours in the forest pub had flown by, and Lily Page hadn't had so much fun in years!

Finally released from a darkness that had consumed her entire life, she felt lighter, brighter, happier. She'd warmly hugged and drank with the two men who'd brought her back to Storybrooke, discovering that in an earlier life they were actually two former Knights of the Round Table in Camelot, as was the town's current Sheriff, Hank Morgan, who was now laughing and sharing a beer with them. Surprised to find Emma was no longer sheriff, she'd asked where she was and why she stepped down. The look the received from the current sheriff told her something was wrong. She also noticed an odd glance he gave Robin Hood. She'd have to find out what happened later, as she was distracted by a tall brunette holding two glasses, offering them to her and her mother.

"Champagne?"

"Oh, erm, thanks." She looked up to find dark-blue eyes staring right back at her, belonging to an athletically-built woman, probably in her early thirties, with a gorgeous smile. "What are we celebrating?"

"Mulan's baby daughter! I saw you coming out of the hospital earlier with your mother? I'm Dorothy. Dorothy Gale, Li's new godmother," she smiled back at the man at the bar, who was also smiling. "And Robin's here's going to be her godfather."

Lily and Mal took the glasses. "Well congratulations. Wait…Dorothy Gale? As in 'The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale?"

"That's me…" the other woman chuckled, a noise Lily found even more endearing than her smile. She was gorgeous, and if Lily didn't know better, she'd swear she was flirting slightly. "That's me. Sorry, I've only been here a few years, and although it's a small town, I don't think we've ever met?"

"Lily," she offered her hand to shake. "Lily Page. I don't actually live around here."

"Well, it's lovely to meet you, Lily Page." Dorothy took her hand and held it, but didn't let go. "I hope you're not planning on leaving us too soon?"

She batted her eyes, giving her a shy smile. "Well…I guess I might be persuaded to stick around?"

~oOo~

As he walked into the pub only half an hour later, Henry was surprised to find it so busy of an afternoon. The atmosphere inside was bubbling, people were smiling and laughing, including several faces he didn't even recognise. One, a large man a good four inches taller than even him, had his arm draped around the shoulders of Sheriff Morgan as they drank together. What the hell? Even Robin, despite everything he'd been through recently, was grinning widely as he chatted to The Sorcerer.

"Hi Robin, you seem busy today?" He spotted the empty Champagne bottles and glasses. "What's the celebration?"

"Hello Henry…" Unusually for the former outlaw, his smile dimmed slightly on seeing his adult stepson. "I'm a godfather! Mulan had a girl this morning. Plus, Merlin here recently discovered he has a daughter he didn't know about. And over there, Hank's been reuniting with two of his old former brother knights of Camelot, and…well, that's three reasons? What have you been up to?"

"Well that's great. Congratulations, I guess?" He was pleased, but there was a more pressing matter. "Erm…I've just come back from Portland. About an hour away from here? Emma and Regina stayed there last night, so I went to see them." At the mere mention of his estranged wife, Robin's face fell. "Look…can we talk somewhere private? Merlin, it's a bit complicated. Perhaps you should join us?"

Back at the hospital

"Now is there anything I can get for you, Mrs. Nolan? Sorry…Miss Blanchard? Do I need to ask the doctor for any more painkillers?" Faith Carter, one of the duty nurses and an old family friend, had just reset the drip in her arm, having changed the catheter bag, before tidying the bedsheets again. "I was sure I'd left a spare bottle of them in here, not an hour ago? I guess Wendy must have taken them back. She told me to make sure you had one every four hours."

"I'm fine now Faith, the pain's not so bad. It's already the end of your shift so you get off home. Paul must be expecting you. Although I do have one small favour to ask?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Would you drop something off at the farm for me?" She pulled out a leather folder that her lawyer had left with her, with several envelopes inside. "I've just been writing a few letters, one for each of the family, and one for Ruby Lucas. Could you pass these on to David for me? And if you do happen to hear from Ruby, give her this, separately?"

"No problem." She didn't have the heart to tell her that the former waitress had been thrown over the town line, along with his wife, by The Dark One.

~oOo~

Ten minutes later, after the evening shift nurses had checked on her, Snow asked to be left alone to sleep, with just the side light left on. And as she listened to them go about their duties outside, she cautiously pulled out the full bottle of diazepam tablets she'd earlier spotted and secreted in her underwear, carefully opening the bottle top.

It was time to stop selfishly hurting the ones she loved.

"It's worn off! For both my mums, Snow and Ruby."

That was a surprise. Robin had watched Emma and Regina sniff the strange green liquid on the dream catcher, and its aftereffects. But he had no way of knowing whether the effect was permanent, or not.

"Tell me everything."

"You remember I told you Emma and Regina flew to Miami? Well when they were there, Ingrid's potion wore off. But they both remember everything that happened beforehand, and what they did, and they're devastated! It's killing Emma, knowing she choked Killian half to death, and slapped Rolly! Grandma Snow seems to have come off the worst. She was so horrified at what she'd done to grandpa, she took an overdose. They got to her just in time and she had her stomach pumped, but she's still in hospital. She almost died!"

"It's perfectly true, Robin," Merlin added."I didn't know why she tried to end her life, but I used magic to repair her heart. But unfortunately, now she and David are fully separated in more ways than one, though she may well have caused her kidneys permanent damage."

"Dear god! I saw her on the ward this morning when I went to see Mulan, and she looked fairly dreadful, but it was the wrong time to ask her what happened. And David?"

"He's already been to the hospital. I'm going back over there later."

"What about Regina?"

"She still can't believe she did all that. She needs to talk to you but, to be honest, she's still frightened to face you. I've really never seen her like that before! She knows she'll be arrested the moment Hank sees her walk in, but she's not bothered about any of that. She just wants to see you and Roland first."

"I see," Robin considered his options. He knew in his heart Regina's mind had been poisoned, even temporarily, but seeing the cruel way the woman he loved had treated his son, and the look of sheer fury and hatred on her face when he last saw her in the diner, when she'd promised to kill him if he ever showed his face there again, made him hesitant.

"Then I'll go to Portland and talk to her; but frankly Henry, I want her nowhere near Roland, right now. And as for Emma, she may be your mother, but I want her nowhere near my son!"

"I get it. But just so you know, they still have the magic-blocking cuffs on. I promised you, and Killian, I wouldn't take them off till you both said it was okay. Can I bring her in?"

"Bring her in? What, she's here?"

~oOo~