Grandpa and I walked down the main street of Storybrooke. I was going to school. "So, what's on the agenda for Operation Scorpion?" I asked as Grandpa wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "What's Operation Scorpion?" Grandpa asked. "The code name for our mission to find Emma and Snow? Do you prefer viper? That was my second choice," I said.

"Rose, we need to talk," Grandpa said. "Yeah, scorpion's better," I said. "No, it's not that. It's . . ." Grandpa trailed off. We stopped next to the school bus and I stood in front of Grandpa. "I'm not coming with you. But I . . . I thought we were going to find Jefferson?"

"I already did," He replied. "What? Is he going to help us?" I asked. "No. No, Rose, he's not," He said. "But why didn't you tell me you talked to him?" I asked. "Because I didn't want to disappoint you. I know you want to find your Mom, but Jefferson can't help us. I need to find a way to restore the hat," He said.

"So, why can't I help you look?" I asked. "It'll require magic, Rose," Grandpa started, "And magic -"

"Always comes with a price," I cut him off, "I've read the book, you know."

"I'm sorry, but I just can't let you anywhere near this stuff. Especially with your powers. If you really want to help me, you'll go to school where I know you'll be safe, okay?" He said. "Alright," I said. I walked towards the school bus. I stopped and looked back and saw Grandpa gone and I ran.

I saw Jefferson sitting on a bench by the docks and I walked over to him. "Jefferson . . . Right? The Mad Hatter? I need your help," I said as I sat down next to him. "Look, I already told your grandfather. I can't do anything," Jefferson said.

"I know. But, there must be something we can do," I said. "I'm the wrong person to talk to, kid. Magic's not my thing. Try your mother. Maybe she's got something in that vault of hers she can help you with," He said. "Vault? Her vault is here? In Storybrooke?" I asked.

"It's none of my business. Talk to her," He said. I looked at the piece of paper he was holding. "What's that?" I asked. Jefferson folded up the paper and tucked it in his coat pocket. "Your daughter's looking for you, isn't she?" I asked. "What do you know about it?" He asked.

"I read your story. I know how the two of you were separated. Why are you here? She's at school," I said. "I've got to go home, kid," He said as he got up and he started to walk away and I followed.

"She probably wants to see you," I said. "Get out of my way," Jefferson said as I blocked his path. "Get out of my way."

"Why aren't you trying to find her?" I asked. Jefferson grabbed me by the shoulders, "Because I left her! And she'll hate me," He said. "How do you know that?" I asked and he let go of me.

"I was on my way . . . Fate reminded me I shouldn't," He replied. "You should. I've been left, too. Anything's better than nothing. She'll spend her whole life wondering why you left her. Not knowing is the worst," I said before walking away, leaving him alone.

I got to Regina's office and hide behind a door before I called her. "Rose," Regina said. "Hey Mom, are you busy?" I asked. "I'm just packing up the office. I've been asked to leave," She replied. "Oh. Can it wait? I thought maybe we could go to lunch together," I said. "No, of course it can wait. I'd love to have lunch with you. Granny's - ten minutes," She said. "Okay, bye," I said and I hang up.

I heard the door close and I slowly opened the door I was hiding. The coast was clear! I came out. I looked in one of the drawers of a filing cabinet, locating the ring of Regina's skeleton keys. I grabbed it and left.

I used the book to find the vault and I did. Using the skeleton keys to get inside, I spotted scrape marks along the floor, figuring out that the sarcophagus can be moved.

I pushed it aside and headed down to Regina's vault. I paused at the wall, which can be heard hearts beating inside of their boxes. I got farther into the vault to where several vases and chests were held.

I took one of the chests and opened it slowly with one of the keys. Then two snakes spring out of the box and I jumped back, but Grandpa arrived just in time to shut the lid.

"Maybe we should've gone with Operation Viper," Grandpa said and I smiled a little. "You alright?" He asked as he helped me up. "Yeah. How'd you know I was down here?" I asked.

"Your Mom said you asked her to lunch and, when you stood her up, she checked her office, saw her keys missing, figured out the rest. She would've come herself, but she didn't think you'd go with her. Rose, what were you thinking?" He asked as he got down on his knees.

"I just want them back. It wasn't supposed to be this way. I should be over there with them. Riding horses, learning how to sword fight, to be strong girl, like Mulan," I said. "I know. I know. It's okay. Because we're going to do this together," He said and he stood up. "Come on, now. You got to get to school, and I got to make sure no one else finds this place."

... ...

After school, I was in Mom's car and watched as Jefferson and Grace reunited. Then, Grandpa knocked on the window with a bag in his hand and I rolled down the window.

"I've been thinking . . . If you're going to start helping me, we've got to make sure we do this right. So, I picked these up on my way home," He said and took out two wooden swords from the bag. "Seriously?" I asked.

"Yeah, you're the granddaughter of a prince. I think it's about time you learned how to use a sword. Rose, I can't get 'em back without you. So, what do you say? You with me?" He asked with a smile. "Can you teach me how to fight a dragon?" I asked with a smile. "We'll work our way up to it," He said with a smile.

Grandpa opened the door of my side and I got out. "My liege," Grandpa said and I took the sword. "En garde!" We started to play fight on the sidewalk.