Hello everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the story. This chapter is pretty long, 22 pages to be exact so I'm pretty proud of myself. Please keep the reviews up people, they inspire me to update quicker!

Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT, its characters or any of its dialogue. But if I did, I would once again give Neal more screen time because I feel like he hasn't been getting enough.

Enjoy!

No one had any idea why Ruby had reacted they way she had but they couldn't afford to waste anymore time pondering over it.

They could only hope that things would work themselves out

"There's no point in trying to surprise her, she has eyes and ears everywhere so I think the only thing we can do is confront her and be the last ones standing in the end. Unless anyone has any other ideas?" Emma looked around at the group and was met with silence.

Taking that as their answer she continued.

"The sooner we do this the better, so I vote for tonight. We all gather our weapons and best spells and got to her house. I know we're all tired but Regina has to sleep just like the rest of us so let's hope that we can use this to our advantage" after her speech was done the small group took a moment to rifle through other ideas and when no other plan had less risk factors then Emma's they unanimously agreed, though Gold was the holdout who took about ten minutes to agree to the plan as well.

Snow and David finished ironing out the last few details while Emma walked over to Neal who was handling one of Henry's wooden swords.

She sat down beside him and placed her hands in her lap.

"This is my fault. I somehow I made myself vulnerable enough for her to take my heart. It doesn't matter that I didn't have control of myself, Henry is with that woman because she exploited the trust that Henry was slowly developing towards me. The worst part is that I can't even help get him back because at any point Regina could taken control of me" he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

During the time Neal and her had spent together one of the traits that she learned about Neal was that he had a large capacity for self hate and guilt, especially when it concerned people he cared about. It was one of the qualities that showed how big his heart was and one that had helped her fall in love with him.

Even though they had been thieves both had gone out of their way for the other. They hadn't stolen for pleasure, it had been for survival, and they had survived together.

Yes, she had and was still angry at him but she hated seeing him this way.

What had happened to Henry wasn't his fault. She had to help him see that.

Giving in she reached out and took one of his hands, her fingers interlacing with his and reflexively her thumb rubbed circles into his skin.

His eyes opened and he lowered his hand from his face. This was the second time in under an hour that she had touched him hand he hoped it was an occurrence that would continue.

"Stop beating yourself up over this. You didn't know what she was planning" she insisted.

"You warned me that she had something like this before. I should have been prepared" Emma could see that she wasn't going to be able to change his mind and maybe not even when they got Henry back.

David walked over to hem and stood before Emma, his own gun in its holster and his jacket was on.

"We're heading out now" though he was looking at Emma the message was for both of them.

"Okay" she looked at Neal and both were reluctant to let the other go but they knew that there was work to be done.

Standing up Emma gave Neal one last look then followed David over to the breakfast bar and holstered her gun.

"Has anyone gotten into contact with Ruby?" Emma asked, wondering where she had run off to and why she had reacted the way she had. They could really use her help in this, especially her wolf.

"Snow shook her head, "no, but I left her a message on her cell telling her our plan" that was all they could do and now they needed to set out.

"Let's go" they started walking out but were met with Neal by the door.

For a moment they were afraid that Regina had taken control of him again but looking into his eyes Emma just knew that that wasn't the case.

"You need to lock me up. She may try to use me against you again and I refuse to let that happen. Please Emma" he could see the internal struggle she was at war with.

Though he was pleased to know that she still cared for him she needed to put those feelings aside and do what needed to be done.

David stepped up, he too sensing her confliction.

"He's right Emma, she's used him before and she'll likely use him again. We need to be prepared" his words getting through to her she nodded.

"Step aside" doing as she said Neal watched as she led the group through the door then turned to face him.

Digging into her pocket she took out the invisible chalk, bent down and drew a line in front of the doorway then stood back up.

"This will prevent you from leaving. I'll come back and let you out when we have Henry and your heart back" she promised.

It wasn't a foolproof plan but it was the only one she had time to do.

"Good luck" he had every faith in her that she could do this but just in case he was going to send all the luck he could divine her way.

"We'll be back, with Henry and your heart. I promise" with this vow the group left.

Leaving behind an ally and a potential enemy.

~Break~

Emma and her small group were walking down the street to Regina's house when Ruby and Granny came into view and were fast approaching them.

The two groups met in front of the old clock tower.

"Where are you guys going?" Ruby asked, noticing snow's arrows and David and Emma's guns she had an idea as to whom they were meeting.

"Regina's house" Emma answered, her body vibrating with the need to keep moving.

Having heard nothing of Henry's abduction Granny was confused as to why, "what did she do this time?" "

she took Henry and Neal's heart" Emma was on the verge of pushing the two aside if the questioning didn't stop.

Granny turned to her granddaughter, a disapproving glint in her eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?" she may be old but that didn't mean she was too frail to engage in battle and she refused to be sheltered.

"I'm sorry Granny, but there wasn't time" Ruby explained, her mind had been elsewhere when she had sought Granny out.

Granny conveyed without words but with a strong glove that they would discuss this more later.

"Red, you go with them and help them get Henry and Neal's heart back. I'll take care of that other problem on my own. Be careful, all of you" her eyes lingered on Rumple, the distrust she held towards the man was so potent at that moment that it made everyone uncomfortable.

"But Granny-"

"No Red! You need to go with them, this is the night your at your strongest and they can use that strength. So please go with them and I promise I'll tell you everything later" before Red could argue further Granny stalked off towards Emma and Snow's loft.

Red huffed and watched Granny turn a corner and disappear from sight.

"If that's finally been established can we please get going?" Emma's patience was running out.

Agreeing, the group, now including Red, continued the short trek to Regina's house.

~Break~

Granny entered the apartment building and climbed the stairs leading up to the last apartment on the top floor.

Reaching the door she could smell a strong source of magic that was centered around the door and being wise instead of attempting to touch the door she took a small step back and called out Neal's name.

She could hear movement on the other side and instead of the door opening the peephole flipped open.

"What are you doing here Granny?" no matter how absurd the thought may seem he couldn't be 100% sure that she wasn't being controlled by Regina.

"Neal, open the door. I feel rather silly talking to you from the other side" she could understand his caution but she didn't have time to ease back into his trust.

They needed to talk, now.

"How do I know you're not just another pawn of Regina's?" like him, his mind supplied with Shame.

"Ask me anything Neal, something that Regina couldn't possibly know" the faster this was taken care of the sooner her questions could be answered.

Giving it great thought Neal came up with a question that only Ruby, Granny and himself knew the answer to.

"How many months has it been since I last turned?" he waited for her answer with a pounding heart.

Granny smiled, "not months, years, and you told Red and myself at the B&B after the scuffle Red and you got into that it had been 18 years. Can you please open the door now?" he laughed at her embellished answer he opened the door.

"I'm sorry Granny, with everything that's happened I can't be too careful" he apologized, he wanted to give her a hug in apology as well but he remembered the magical shield that Emma had drawn.

"That's okay. Emma has told me what is going on so it's understandable to be cautious" she assured him but then the seriousness seeped into the comfortable atmosphere.

"There is something that we need to discuss. Ruby has shown me the drawing of who she says is your mother" he nodded, not sure where this was going.

"Can I come in?' though she sensed the magic she didn't know what it's use currently was.

Though Neal didn't know what he guessed was a shield would do he didn't want her to get hurt so he foolishly pushed his hands out when he saw her making a move to enter and a strong, bone rattling shock streamed through his body and he staggered back, his body still convulsing from the shock.

Her concern for him so great she almost made the mistake of stepping through the door but stopped herself.

"Emma did something that prevents me from leaving" he explained as his body started to calm down.

Limping back to the door he faced her and both fully acknowledged the shield that separated them.

"We're going to have to have this conversation here" he stated.

It wasn't ideal but this conversation couldn't wait and though she had wished to speak more privately this would have to do.

"As I was saying before Red showed me a drawing that you claim is of your mother" she started again.

"I'm not claiming, I'm telling. I drew that memory of my mother shortly after I came to this world. I have no reason to lie about this" he was confused as to why Ruby and Granny were obsessing over the drawing. It didn't make any sense.

Granny took the drawing out of her pocket and held it up for him to look at, as if it was evidence of a crime.

"What time did you leave for this world?" it was an odd question and he had to juggle it around in his head to fully understand what she was asking of him.

In their land time was kept differently, there wasn't calendars or systems that were based around the phases of the moon, time was based on the seasons. He didn't know if that system had changed since he had been transported to this world but he could only answer in the way that would made sense for both of them.

"It was four seasons after the first Ogre Wars" he watched her expression darken and knew that he was about to be blasted.

"That can't be possible! This woman can't be your mother! There's just no way that you could be her son!" she insisted, on the verge of losing her mind.

Neal was sure that Granny had heard of knew of his mother and the same could be said about Ruby and the way she had reacted.

"She is my mother. Her name was Milah and she died when I was eight. Did you know her?" he didn't think it was possible seeing as he himself was technically older than Granny and nearly the entire town, besides Gold of course.

The name he had voiced circled around in Granny's mind.

Milah.

A simple name but contained such meaning.

She couldn't sense any dishonesty in him and she found herself believing him.

But the time lines didn't make sense.

Her eyes zeroed in on the necklace he wore.

A lump formed in her throat at the achingly familiar pendent, and the memories the sight invoked.

~Flashback to fairytale land that was~

Widow Lucas watched as the young girl unwrapped the gift and her eyes light up at the intricate necklace in her small hands.

She walked over to the young girl and kneeled down in front of her.

"Now listen carefully Milah, this is a very special necklace that I had made especially for you by a kind wizard. It will protect you from the influence of the moon. But you must promise that you will never take if off or else its power won't work" she stated, taking the necklace and placing it around her neck.

Since Milah was only seven and still a small girl the necklace went down to her stomach but in time, as she grew, the necklace would come up to a decent place over her chest.

Milah cradled the necklace in awe and traced the stunning patterns the melted silver created.

Beaming, the younger girl threw her arms around Widow's waist and buried her face in the material of her modest dress.

After giving her a hug Milah ran over to the man in the room, Thomas, and hugged him with enthusiasm.

Profuse bursts of gratitude continued to come from her and Widow and Thomas shared loving looks.

Pulling back but never moving far from the two she continued to fondle the pendent around her neck.

"I'll never take it off and I promise to take care of it" she promised.

~End Flashback~

Noticeably swallowing she had to take a long moment to compose herself before she could speak.

It had been so long since she had thought back to that moment of a life that felt like it had been nothing more than a dream.

Neal could see the tears that were forming and he became concerned.

"Granny, are you okay?" he received a shaky nod but he wasn't convinced.

"What's going on?" she continued to remain silent and this only heightened his worry for her.

She knew that he had no reason to lie about this and in a way that made this even worse.

"Yes, I knew her, I knew her very well. But we had a difficult relationship and eventually she left and I never saw her again" since finding out the earth shattering news she had been avoiding looking directly at him but she could no longer hold herself back and she really looked at the man before her.

It took her breath away at the subtle similarities she saw in him.

His eyes were the same hazel nut as Milah's , many people had probably thought that they matched Rumple's but Granny didn't think so, she could only see Milah in those expressive eyes of his eyes.

She could recall the smile that she had seen on his face and there was no doubt that Milah had passed on her compassionate smile as well.

Granny was sure that there were other shared traits as well but his eyes and smile were the ones that evoked the strongest memories.

She wasn't answering his question, not completely.

He could sense that she was keeping something from him.

From the way she talked about his mother he could tell that her and his mother had been more than just a friends, best friends wasn't strong enough because he could sense the undercurrent of love that haunted her spirit.

Milah had been important to Granny, that much was clear, but he had no idea what area their relationship stood in but it was really high up there.

"Who was she to you? She has to have been important for you and Ruby to be reacting this way, stop beating around the bush and just answer me!" he was struggling to not shout out his frustration.

Granny was battling with the action she should take, on the one hand he was only asking the same of her that Ruby had asked of him. He deserved the same honesty that he had shown them.

But then again, her answer could be more than Neal could handle, it had almost been too much for her, and he was already dealing with so much right now that this could be the thing that pushed him over the edge.

"I have been nothing but honest with your questions and all I'm asking for is the same in return" and that was the rock that tipped the wagon over.

Treat others as you yourself would like to be treated. It was a lesson that had been translated into this world and their world and one that she valued greatly.

Meeting his determined gaze she prepared herself to unveil a truth that could either bring them closer or tear them apart.

~Break~

They looked up at the lavish home that was home to one Regina Mills. The Evil Queen and many would argue benevolent mayor.

"Once we do this, there's no going back. We'll likely have to be on guard for the rest of our lives" Red stated, her red cloak shining from the glow of the moon.

"We already are. She crossed the line the moment she made this curse. As long as we're together, as a family, we can't be stopped" Snow defended, looking to David who gave the hand he held a squeeze then to Emma who continued to eye the house in silent resoluteness.

"Let's take this Queen down" taking her gun out she marched forward, her posse keeping stride as they approached the door.

For a moment they stood there before Gold spoke.

"I don't know about you but I'm not feeling all that neighborly" in true Gold fashion he held out his hand and the door sprung open, the oak door banging against the entryway wall.

Entering the home all eyes scanned the area, looking for the woman they came to fight.

"You are aware that all of you are trespassing" looking up at the top of the stairs they watched as Regina calmly made her way downstairs, not an air of surprise or concern in her fluid steps or voice.

"Where's Henry?" Emma demanded, a glare dominating her features.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs Regina walked over to them.

She was dressed in a black A-Line dress with a polished black belt and black high heels. Her appearance may be that of a sophisticated woman but all Emma saw an Evil Queen who had terrorized her family and cursed this entire town.

"Where is he Regina?" she repeated her earlier question, her grip on her gun tightening.

Regina continued to maintain an infuriating aura of calmness.

"He's in his room, asleep so I would suggest keeping your voices down" the smile she gave them brought Emma over the edge and she pointed her gun at Regina's sneering face.

This didn't faze the Queen.

"Didn't you learn anything from our last encounter?" raising her hand she steadily gripping it into a tightening fist and Emma quickly found that her airways were closing off and her gun dropped from her hand as well as her hands reflexively going to her neck.

"Emma!" without thought Snow nocked an arrow and her experienced mind and eyes took aim and fired.

Regina was prepared for the attack and froze the arrow in mid air, its sharpened arrowhead only inches from her throat.

With a single thought the arrow dropped uselessly to the floor.

Emma's face was turning a sickly pale and her lips converted to a startling ashen blue.

Growling David and Ruby teamed up and charged at her but only managed to get so far before Regina flicked them aside and against the wall.

This attack was followed by Snow, who managed to get in a few hits before she was flung aside as well.

Gold had been waiting in the background for the perfect moment to enter the fight and once the "heroes" were tossed aside he knew that it was time for him to step in.

With a fast push of his hand Regina was thrown back against the side of the stairwell.

Gold's attack had made her lose focus and thus Emma dropped to the floor, her airway opening up and color slowly returned to her face as she coughed and wheezed in air.

The battle between Regina and Gold continued as the Queen rose from the floor and conjured a ball of dark magic and hurled it at the Dark One, hitting him right in the chest but he was powerful enough that it didn't knock him down.

He counter attacked with dark magic streaming from his fingers and hitting their target 90% of the time.

Continuing to be stuck in a coughing fit Emma struggled to lift herself up from the floor.

Snow and David hurried to her side and helped her up from the floor while Ruby threw herself back into the fight and managed to topple Regina to the floor and place some well aimed punches and scratches on her face.

Emma wanted to rejoin the fight as well but David held her back.

"Listen to me, I know you want to make her pay but this is the perfect moment to get Henry and get out of here" he urged, keeping her in place to get his message across.

Logically he was right, with Regina locked in battle the time to get Henry and leave this place were more than ideal. But she was still pissed and that warranted at least one good hit or two.

David and Snow watched as she approached the stairs but grew anxious when she paused near the fight that was raging between Regina and Ruby and Gold who had ganged together.

The need to fight was still strong, enamoring even, but with David's words and the knowledge that Henry wouldn't want that she looked away and forced herself up the stairs.

While she ascended the stairs Regina saw her and sent orb after orb of dark magic at one, one almost blowing her head off, and leaving singe marks on the white walls behind her.

Seeing what she was doing Snow knocked another arrow, took aim and sent the arrow through the air until it sliced clean through her outstretched hand.

Shrieking in pain Regina clutched her bleeding, disfigured hand to her chest. Spinning around she glowered at Snow and used her other hand to send wave after wave after wave of deadly magic at her sworn enemy.

David pushed his wife out of the way and once he was sure she hadn't been hit he looked to Gold.

"I need a sword!" he requested, knowing that the imp could easily conjure one up for him.

Normally, there would be a price to pay but Regina had attacked his son and that was a crime that many had died for.

Doing as David requested a mighty sword with a gold hilt materialized in David's hand.

The familiar weight of the sword brought him back to his fights in the Enchanted Forest and the courage and pride each strike of his sword brought him the strength of a thousand ogres, along with the rage of five hundred dragons.

Twirling the weapon he catalogued each vulnerable spot on Regina's body then raced forward and struck.

Seeing his sword Regina smirked and summoned her own sword, one that was bathed in flames that did not burn her but would burn and maim David if she had her way.

The two swords clanged together as Emma hurried down the deceptively long hallway and searched each room for the one Henry was in.

"Henry?1 Henry, where are you?" she called, anxiously, waiting for a reply.

The longer she went without receiving a response the more anxious she became.

Just as her fears were coming to a boil she finally heard him.

"Mom!" Henry shouted from the other side of his locked door.

Following his calls she ran to his door and tried the knob but found it to be locked.

"Henry stand back! I'm going to try to break the door down!" waiting until she received an ok she took a step back then braced herself and with a hard kick to the center of the door the door thankfully splintered open and into the room.

Stepping over the destroyed door she opened her arms to Henry who eagerly accepted the hug.

"C'mon kid, let's get out here" with much reluctance she released him and led him from the room, down the hall and the stairs.

Emma saw that David was in a sword fight with Regina and she could also see the blood that was dropping from her hand that stained her wounded hand down to her elbow.

Not wanting Henry to see that she quickly led him towards the back door by leading him through the kitchen until they were finally outside.

Regina could sense the moment Henry had left the house and she knew exactly who had taken him: Emma.

Seething she locked eyes with David and delivered a few strong thrusts before faking left and slicing open his shoulder.

The firey sword bit in his fragile tissue and he cried out in agony at the unexpected raw pain and burning flesh.

David had been wounded many times during sword fights, and in a regular duel this wouldn't be considered deadly but Regina's sword was magical and had a fatal venomous bite to it.

Seeing that he was quickly losing strength Snow picked up a vase then snuck up behind Regina and bashed it against her head and was satisfied when she dropped to the floor unconscious.

Rushing to David's side she inspected the wound on his shoulder then took her scarf off and applied pressure to the wound.

She was relieved when she saw that the wound wasn't as severe as she thought it was so she was about to tie her scarf around his shoulder when Gold appeared beside her and she watched in stunned silence as the man leaned on his cane and healed David's wound.

Rising from the floor, with the help of Snow, David nodded in gratitude at the man while Snow gave a quiet "thank you." Gold didn't response and instead walked towards the door. Stepping over Regina as he went.

"We need to get out here before Regina wakes up" Snow stated, following Gold's example.

Agreeing they exited the house and met Emma and Henry in the front yard.

They met Emma and Henry outside on the front lawn and after Snow and David checked their daughter and grandson over, Emma doing the same to them as well, they smartly decided that this wasn't the smartest place for a reunion they began to trek back to the apartment.

It was when they were a block away from Regina's house that Emma suddenly stopped.

The first to notice Emma's abrupt stop was Snow and she walked back to Emma.

"Emma, what is it?' it had to be important if she was reacting this way.

Meeting her mother's gaze she spoke, "we forgot Neal's heart."

How could she let something that precious slip her mind? Letting her heart take control she turned and made a mad dash back towards Regina's house.

~Break~

Regina came to shortly after her enemies had left.

Her head was aching and her hand was almost completely numb.

Rising from the floor she inspected her hand the lifted her good hand over the wound and a misty cloud of purple glided down and healed her wounded hand.

Her other injuries were only mild annoyances so she let them be. Looking around, she surveyed the damage done to her home.

Walls were cracked from bodies hitting them, singe marks were scattered all over the walls, furniture was destroyed and blood stained her once spotless floor.

She didn't have to check to know that Henry was gone.

Her son had been taken from her again and the rage that filled her rivaled any anger she had ever felt before.

They had entered her home, uninvited, and taken the one person in town that she loved and was willing to die for, a huge mistake that she would avenge in spilt blood.

This was far from over.

With unwavering determination she entered her office and went straight to her desk.

Emma may have taken what Regina held most sacred but she had something that was not just cherished by Emma but a certain Dark One as well.

With a plan formulating she unlocked the drawer and took out the box that held Neal's heart.

Opening the box she looked down at the glowing heart and smiled.

If Emma wanted to play with hearts, Regina was more than willing to comply.

After all, she was the reigning champion of stealing and crushing hearts.

Let the game begin.

~Break~

He was aware that whatever Granny was keeping back was serious and hard for her to get out, and as a result he was becoming anxious about what she was going to tell him.

As he was opening his mouth to bet to just answer his question she finally answered him with news that nearly made his mind explode.

"Milah was my daughter" her voice was choked with emotion.

Neal couldn't believe his ears.

It wasn't possible.

It couldn't be.

The time lines were impossible.

No, no she and Ruby had to be mistaken.

It was just a drawing that he had made as a kid so it was bound to be open to interpretation.

Now willing to believe he spoke, "that's not possible. My mother lived and died before your time. There's no way she could your daughter. Maybe the picture I drew resembles your Milah but you've made a mistake" he insisted.

Turning his back he walked away from her. Not willing to believe her words.

"I know it's hard to believe, and maybe your right, maybe this is just a case of mistaken identity but please, hear me out" he halted but didn't turn around.

Granny took this as an invitation to continue.

"That necklace is the same one that I gave Milah on her eigth birthday. I had it engraved on the back by the wizard who made it" the memory of the first time she read the message to her daughter interloped with her voice as she recited the words that she had carried with her all these years. Not even the curse that brought them here was enough to make her forget.

"Though the moon may bring anguish, with it, come strength" tears fell from her eyes but she didn't bother wiping them away.

Neal traced the words on the back of the pendent.

His arguments were losing strength and he was having difficulties coming up with ways to word the few, albeit weak, arguments he had left.

"Maybe, maybe my mother came across it..." the fight that had been in him before was leaving him and soon any refutes he had left fizzled out.

The one thing, the most important fact, that was still bothering him was how his mother had traveled from Granny's time to what he would suppose was his papa's time?

Finally turning he was about to voice his last question but Regina's voice entered his mind and all control was taken away from him.

Like all other times Regina had "taken the wheel" he was shut away in a cramped part of his mind but he had no idea of what Regina forced him to do.

Granny watched as the life that once filled her eyes turned off and was filled with a dark emptiness.

She found herself backing up as he approached her. This wasn't Neal. She had to keep reminding herself of that.

The closer he got to her the more aggravated her subdued wolf instincts became. This was a powerful predator. Dark magic tainted its scent.

Bad, very, very bad.

Fight or flee, fight or flee.

Her fight or flee instincts were tumbling around like a washing machine.

When it looked like she would have to make an absolute last second decision he made contact with the invisible shield and was repeatedly shocked that her delayed mind finally put together the memories that there was an invisible shield that separated them.

Red jagged marks blistered his arms, neck and face when he suddenly froze and took a step back.

He was receiving new orders.

Granny knew there was no use in trying to get through to him.

Regina was in control now.

All she could do was watch as he looked around the loft then focused in on the large window above a bed.

Stepping onto the mattress he tore the curtains off then bent over and lifted the bedside table from the ground, a lamp shattered, an alarm clock thudded and miscellaneous items fell to the floor as well.

Taking a step back Neal hurled the furniture through the window and watched people scatter as glass shards and the bedside table crash to the street.

Stepping forward he hunched through the opening, numb to the remaining shards of glass that dug and scratched his skin as he moved.

With no emotions he leaped from the window, much to the horror of the bystanders, and landed directly on his feet. Glass cracking beneath his feet upon impact.

People tried to come and help him, concerned that he may be inured but he brutally shoved and tossed the do-gooders aside.

The bystanders wisely backed off and fled the scene, taking the injured with them.

Listening to the voice in his head he followed her instructions and began the walk for the town line.

~Break~

Emma exploded through the door.

Snow and David were the first to notice that Regina was no longer unconscious on the floor.

"Where did she go?" Snow voiced, looking around.

Without waiting for an answer Emma stormed into Regina's office but found it to be empty. Looking around the room she noticed the wooden box on the immaculately kept desk.

For some reason or another she was drawn to the box and she walked over to it and picked the antique box up.

It was left open and obviously open.

Snow, David, Gold and Ruby entered the room after having the checked the other rooms in the house.

"She's not here. We checked every room" Ruby reported, having used her heightened sense of smell and sight to hunt for her.

Gold had been going through the items in the office but stopped when his eyes zeroed in on the box in Emma's hands.

Striding over to her he snatched the box out of her hands and with a quick examination his frazzled mind supplied the answer to what this box once contained.

"Bae's heart. She took it with her" he uttered.

His already dark eyes turned black with bubbling tar.

Hearing these words Emma's heart boiled with fear.

His heart was gone.

What if...what if Regina had...he couldn't be...

Snow saw the fear and grief consume her daughter and her maternal instincts kicked into overdrive.

Walking to her she took the shaken woman into her arms, knowing that it was what she needed but would never admit to.

While their relationship was still not to the point where Emma felt comfortable calling David and her mom and dad, opening up to them about her past and accepting comfort from them, and Snow wanted and needed to be there for her.

Emma didn't want to give into the soothing embrace but she couldn't help herself.

For so long she had wanted to have this but now that she had been given the gift of parents she was still having trouble trusting..

But it just felt so good.

Giving in, at least this once, she returned the hug and buried her face into her mother's neck, inhaling the scent of raspberries and honey.

"We have to keep thinking positively. We don't know what she 's planning" David joined his family and tenderly kissed Emma on the top of her head, offering his own comfort.

Not having time for their sappy "family hug" Gold spoke up.

"As much tender as this family moment is we need to focus on finding Regina and saving my son. Now she wouldn't just kill him, she would use him as leverage to get Henry back. We ened to figure out she is" taking control of the situation Gold set the box down and headed for the door, knowing that they would follow him.

Knowing that he was right Emma pulled herself away from her parents and walked over to Henry who was staring at a picture of Regina and him.

It had been taken by Snow, before her memories returned, at the school science fair after he won first place for his experiment on how fog was created.

They had both been happy. A mother and son enjoying the event together. Before he found out she was the Evil Queen and the one who had cursed everyone in town, including his grandparents.

After that they had grown apart.

It wasn't that she had been a bad mother, in fact she had been phenomenal, but once Henry stopped giving into her love so easily she had made the mistake of trying to win him back through gifts and over protectiveness once he had found and brought Emma to town.

Her actions against, and the lock and key she had placed him under was a main reason he had retreated from her.

Emma stood before him and waited for Henry to acknowledge her.

"How you doing kid?" she asked, concerned that everything that had happened had finally cracked his fragile mind.

"It's all my fault. If I had never gone to Boston and brought you here my mom wouldn't have done all that horrible things she's done. Magic wouldn't be here and Neal would still have his heart" he sniffed, a black cloud of guilt shadowing him.

Determined not to let him carry this guilt she lifted his chin so that he had to look at her.

"Henry, listen to me. None of this is your fault. Sometimes things happen that we can't control and all we can do now is try to make things right. (She looked over at David and Snow). As a family"

The sentimental moment was interrupted when Emma's phone rang.

Answering the call she didn't check the screen and was unprepared for the panicked voice of Dr. Hopper.

"Emma you need to come back to your apartment! Neal jumped out a window and attacked three people. I don't know what's going on but people are hurt and panicking. We need you down here to calm everyone down" he begged.

Emma inhaled sharply and closed her eyes.

"How badly were they hurt? And Neal, how was he?" she hoped for Neal's sake of mind that the people who had been injured were not in serious condition. He wouldn't be able to live with himself.

"From what I know the most serious injury was a fractured wrist, as for Neal I'm not sure, I was too far away to tell" he answered.

She breathed a sigh of relief, at least there was that small mercy.

"I'll try to be there as soon as I can. Tell people to calm down and assure them that everything is going to be okay"

Now the answer he wanted but knowing it was the best he was going to get he agreed and hung up.

"Who was it?" Snow asked.

They had all only heard her side of the conversation and were greatly concerned at the mention of hurt people and Neal, even Gold had tuned in at the mention of his son.

"Archie, Neal jumped from a window and hurt some people. None of the injuries were too severe but he didn't know if Neal was hurt as well. She's in control of him and she's making him do God knows what!" She relayed.

"I suggest we find out then" storming from the room the others were quick to follow him but as they were approaching the door Regina's office phone began to ring ominously, its shrilling ring echoing in their eardrums.

Henry recognized the ring and turned to walk back into the office but Snow held him back.

The all had a strong feeling as to who the caller was and for whom the call was for.

Gold sighed in annoyance.

It always seemed like just as they were setting out something would always pull them back in.

Emma re-entered the office and approached the ringing phone.

Picking the phone up she brought the receiver to her ear and spoke.

"Hello?"

"Hello Ms. Swan, I'm sure by now your well aware that I've taken Neal's heart, and I've been having loads of fun playing with him. But playtimes over. I'm going to make you a deal, I give you Neal and his heart if you return my son to me. Refuse, and I'll make sure that Neal's death is anything but peaceful. Have we got a deal?" Emma couldn't help but hear Gold in her voice, his deal spinning ways being perfected to a T in every way as she tried to manipulate Emma into giving her what she wanted.

Emma looked over at Henry, his innocent eyes looking straight into her soul.

What Regina was bargaining for was a situation where Emma lost either way. If she refused to give her Henry she would kill Neal and not only take away any chance she and him had of potentially starting over but Henry would lose his father. If she did then Regina would never let her, or Neal and her family see Henry ever again.

She knew that Neal would willingly sacrifice himself for Henry and she would do the same but ever since Neal had come into her life the feelings that she never thought would resurface ached her to the core and the idea that he could be permanently taken away from her was terrifying and heartbreaking.

"Make your choice *savior*, Henry or Neal. You can't have both, I won't allow it. Meet me at the town line in one hour with your choice" she hung up and continued to seethe, her hatred and envy and ugly monster of ink and slime.

With the phone becoming heavy from shock she set the phone down and turned to face her parents.

"She wants to make a trade: Henry for Neal and his heart. We have to meet her in an hour at the town line with our decision" her voice was hollow and her eyes almost lifeless.

Henry's eyes widened. He may only be eleven but he knew what Regina would do to his dad if they refused. He wouldn't let her kill his dad, especially not when he was only just getting to know him.

"I'll do what she wants. That way she won't kill him and I can convince her not to hurt any of you guys if I promise to never leave her again" he insisted, taking this as him time to be a hero and save his family.

Emma felt immense pride at her son's words.

Heroism really did run in this family.

But she wouldn't let him do this.

Neal wouldn't want that and there was no guarantee that even if he did hand himself over she wouldn't kill Neal anyway out of spite.

"I know you want to be a hero kid, but we can't let you do that. As hard and...final as it is, I have to choose you over him. It's what he would want Henry. You can hate me all you want but I can't lose you. I won't" tears fell like rain from her eyes and her voice cracked with every word.

A part of her heart shattered as soon as she decided Neal's fate.

Her mourning had already begun.

Shaking his head the young boy turned and made a run for the door but Ruby caught him, pulling his struggling form into her arms and doing her best to shush him.

Snow had tears in her eyes as well and even David silently mourned.

They were all aware that they could pick up weapon or a spell or two and gang together to try and force her to give them Neal and his heart back but all it would take was the sight of them toting weapons and prepared to fight for her to squeeze Neal's heart to dust.

Emma's eyes flitted from each body in the room when she realized that someone was missing: Gold.

"Where's Gold?" she asked, hoping that maybe hearing his name would bring him out.

No such luck.

They were given their answer by the crashing of furniture.

Following the noise they found Gold in the living room. The phone in the room was off its cradle and the glass coffee table lay in ruins where he had thrown it across the room.

It was obvious that he had been listening in on the call and was irate when he correctly guessed what Emma would decide.

"I'm doing what Neal would want. That has to mean something to you" Emma defended herself.

Everyone in town knew that Gold could be a cruel man but there were a few who knew that he cherished his loved ones, i.e. Bella and Baelfire and he would do anything to keep them happy.

She was hopeful that he would see that his son wouldn't want them to give in.

Her hopes were dashed though by his words, "I have spent centuries looking for him. I helped Regina make this curse to help me be reunited with him! Do you really believe that I'm going to just stand by and let her kill him, all in the sake of saving Henry? He may hate me for the rest of eternity but I won't lose him!" before anyone could move he blinked out of sight and reappeared behind Henry.

His arm wrapped around the boy's neck and pulled him back into his chest.

Emma started to run to them but he flickered out of sight, taking Henry with him.

Knowing where he was going the remaining four fled the home and raced for Emma's car. It would take too long for them to go on foot.

~Break~

Regina stood before the town line with Neal standing beside her in complete silence.

She was maintaining control of him.

Neal's heart beat in her hand as it's glows lit up her face as she waited for her enemies to arrive.

Suddenly the atmosphere rippled and Gold and Henry appeared before her in a bloom of black clouds that faded out.

Seeing Henry she smiled.

"I knew it would be you."

A/N: What did you think? I purposely left the cliffhanger at the end, I know very mean of me. Please review and I will do my best to update as soon as I can!