Author's Notes: I do not own Once Upon A Time which is a show on ABC where I was so close on Belle's mom's name! Colette not Reinette! That's practically halfway right. Anyway, thank you for the reads and reviews. I really appreciate it. I haven't gotten back to everyone and this chapter is a long time coming. One reason is I probably had three different versions of every scene in this chapter. The bigger reason is that I work for a multinational retailer and this company decided to have their executive conference in the city I happen to live in and therefore I was at work basically keeping it perfect the whole week. Did I mention we also had inventory? Yeah, not sure who plans these things. Okay, so this chapter is shorter than usual, but that is because I am hoping to get another chapter to you by Tuesday because I go on a much-needed vacation on Wednesday and honestly, I probably won't write. So, thank you again, please let me know what you think and happy reading!


Before

Joseph stared across the table.

Siger and Violet.

Mark and Lila.

It was definitely them. He had his eyes, he sipped his tea the same way as her.

"We lived near Edelweiss back in the Enchanted Forest," said Mark. "Do you remember it?"

"Of course I do."

"One day, the Blue Fairy came to visit us. She wanted us to leave the realm because she claimed you were destined to be the consort of the Dark Princess."

"Oh, is that what I am?," Joseph asked somewhat bemused.

"She seemed to think the girl was dangerous," said Lila.

"When she drives," said Mark.

"The last we knew, you and Mike-"

"Mycroft," Joseph said softly.

"Yes, of course, Mycroft," said Lila. "You two went into the forest which you had done a hundred times before and you fell into a portal. The Dark Curse came not long after. We didn't remember any of this until last night."

Joseph sipped his tea.

"So," said Mark, "I suppose we ought to ask where you have been."

"Well, let's see," said Joseph, "I fell through a portal to another world which happened to be Chiswick. I was in the back garden of the Watson-Gillettes. John was my age when he found me and hid me in his sister's playhouse. That ruse eventually failed when the family bull pup sold me out. The authorities took me in and I was placed in an institution because I claimed I was Sherlock Holmes. John didn't let up until his parents agreed to take me in. My father was an army captain, he died in the Balkans. My mother died in an automobile accident a few years ago. I've spent my time in various asylums, hospitals, rehabs and two years at uni. I also solve crimes."

"Yes, I suppose you do," said Lila.

"Yes," said Joseph. "You really ought to expect that sort of thing when you name your child Sherlock Holmes. Excuse me."

He walked over to Emma leaving Lila and Mark befuddled.

"Miss Swan."

"Oh, Joseph, hey," said Emma. "I can't talk long. I've got a lot to do."

"What are your plans for the witch?"

Emma took her to go cup from Ruby.

"We're still working that out."

"So you're saying you still don't have a plan."

"I guess," said Emma.

She began walking away.

"So you mean to give her a second chance," said Joseph.

Emma stopped and turned.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because as I understand it the woman who cursed you all for twenty-eight years eats Christmas dinner with you."

"That was Belle."

"So, is that your plan?"

"Everyone deserves a second chance."

"You can't be serious."

"Look, we gave Regina a second chance and it's mostly worked out."

"Zelena is not Regina."

"You barely know her."

"When Rumplestiltskin and Captain Hook tell me someone's not to be trusted, I listen."

"I have to go," said Emma. "We can talk about this later if you want."

Emma left.

"Sherlock?," asked Lila.

He turned.

"Joseph," she corrected herself. "We would still like to talk."

"I have to go," said Joseph, picking up his scarf and coat.

"And why is that?," asked Mark.

"Because psychopaths don't stop," he said as he walked out.


Now

"Is it always like this?," Joseph asked Beatrice as he got up from her desk.

"What do you mean?"

"Witches. Dark Curses. People trying to get their hands on a magical infant."

"Yeah, pretty much."

The iPhone dinged and Beatrice picked it up.

"Witch fight?," she asked.

"Witch fight?," Joseph echoed.

"Dad!," Beatrice called. "Why does he keep walking off? Dad!"

Gold walked in, Belle at his heels.

Beatrice held up her phone. "Emma just texted. Witch fight? What does that mean?"

Belle's phone went off. She looked at it.

"It's from Mary Margaret. Zelena's challenged Regina."

Gold sighed. "Wonderful."

"Well, it's Regina," said Beatrice.

Gold didn't say anything.

"I mean, Maleficent's a dragon under the library. Regina didn't get here by sucking," said Beatrice. Her father didn't answer. "You trained her."

"I also trained Zelena."

Joseph turned back to Beatrice. "He thinks the Wicked Witch is better than the Evil Queen."

"Oh my God, Zelena is better than Regina?," asked Beatrice. "Why didn't you mention that to start with?!"

"Why don't you not worry about such matters?," asked Gold.

"We should go see if there's anything we can do to help," said Belle.

"Okay," said Beatrice.

"Not you," said Gold. He looked at Joseph. "Actually, not you, either."

Joseph narrowed his eyes. "To what do I owe this special treatment?"

"We have a lasagna in the freezer," said Belle. "You can make that. Joseph, you're more than welcome to stay."

Gold and Belle left.

Beatrice turned to Joseph. "They are being weird."

"Yes, I had noticed."

"I don't want lasagna," said Beatrice. "I could go for Greek food. You?"

"Oh, do you mean from that place slightly off Main?"

"I do," said Beatrice.

"So close to the obvious location for the witch fight?"

"I guess we'll just have to deal with it."

She smiled and Joseph smiled back.

"I suppose we will," said Joseph.


Then

Beatrice stared out the tiny back window of the pawn shop.

It had been a week since the night in the barn. Or fifty years since the night in the barn had started depending on how she looked at it.

She didn't like to look at it.

Martha nuzzled up against her as she sat on the cot. She had finally been pulled from the house which was just as well because she couldn't seem to find any joy in TV since she got back a sentiment that both saddened and frightened her. So she had been given her choice of library or pawn shop, she picked pawn shop. It was almost like being in her father's turret back in the Ice Palace...

Which had never happened.

"I mended this," Gold announced.

Beatrice looked up. Gold was holding her cloak, the one she'd been wearing when she got back. It was another lavender affair with a seal of snowflakes, embroidered in white with the special gold thread hidden in them.

"You what?"

"The hem had fallen. I mended it," said Gold. He set it down in her lap. "I also had the dress cleaned."

"Great, next time I need a cloak, I'll..." She glanced up and stopped, fearing her father's disappointment. "Thank you."

Gold frowned and sat next to her. "Beatrice, what can I do?"

"Nothing."

"Now there must be something. I'll do anything I can to make you happy, you know that."

"There is nothing anyone can do," said Beatrice, fingering the snowflakes on the cloak.

Gold heard the doorbell ring. He sighed and kissed Beatrice on the cheek.

"Let me scare off whoever this is," he said.

Gold walked out into the shop. Mary Margaret and David were there.

"Whatever it is, make it quick," said Gold.

Mary Margaret caught a glance at Beatrice as the curtains closed.

"How is she?"

"About as well as one might expect," said Gold. "Now what do you want?"

The couple glanced at each other which gave Gold the hint that he would not like whatever the request was.

"We need a way to take Cora's powers from her," said David.

"Death does that," Gold said without humor.

"We're not going to murder her," said Mary Margaret.

"Murder has such an ugly connotation," said Gold. He caught David's self-righteous glare. "One I'm willing to accept if necessary."

"We want to give her a second chance," Mary Margaret insisted.

"You're really taking this fairest of them all bit to an extreme, aren't you, dearie?"

"We gave Regina a second chance."

"Regina is different. Regina has Henry," Gold pointed out. "Cora has nothing, not even her own heart. If you value your lives, you'll keep her in the cage Merlin made for her."

"Well, Zelena-" Mary Margaret began and quickly stopped.

"What about Zelena?"

"Dearie, if the next words are anything but rotting in her grave..."

"We can't kill her, either," said David. "That's not what we do."

"Perhaps it's not what you do, but the second that witch gives my family so much as a sideways glance, she is dead."

"She's not like that," said Mary Margaret.

"Oh, here we go..." muttered Gold. "Her time travel spell worked. Do you get that? Time changed. The only reason you exist right now, Your Highness, is that Beatrice changed it back. Zelena knows that. Do you think one failed attempt is really enough to deter her?"

"She's powerless," said David. "Besides, Beatrice was the sacrifice for her spell and you won't let that happen again."

"Are you really that stupid?" Gold shook his head. "Beatrice had all the necessary elements for the spell within her. Her mother's heart and courage, my brain and her innocence. Do you not think she can look for those ingredients somewhere else?"

"Then we'll stop her," Mary Margaret insisted.

"Let's just save ourselves the trouble!," sneered Gold.

"So you won't help us," said David.

"See? Now you're getting it, dearie," said Gold.

David and Mary Margaret left, passing Belle as she entered.

"I take it from the lack of a greeting they told you what they wanted to discuss with me," said Gold.

"They did," said Belle. She glanced towards the curtains. "How is she?"

Gold shook his head.

"We have to do something," said Belle.

Gold sighed.

"What?," asked Belle.

"I have an idea of something that might cheer her up."


"Mr. Gillette."

Joseph looked up. "Mr. Gold."

"You can pick Beatrice up at six o'clock."

Joseph frowned. "To do what precisely?"

"You may take her to dinner. Tony's, Mushu's or George's Taverna will do nicely. You might try getting dessert afterwards. I suppose Granny's will do as well, but I thought you might want to be more inventive."

The frown grew deeper. "I may take her to dinner?"

"Yes. You may have her back home at eleven. I trust she'll be in roughly the same condition as when she left."

"Why are you doing this?"

Gold stopped and turned back around.

"Mr. Gillette, my daughter is... well, whatever she is, I can't fix it. You're her True Love."

"I don't believe in True Love."

Gold smiled and walked back to the booth.

"That may sound clever to the people of this world, but as we both know you're not of this world. The kiss that broke the curse would not have worked if you did not believe. That's my proof. Rational thought, empirical evidence, isn't that what you like best?" He waved his hand in thought. "You lived in a village near the Dark Castle. You were sent away and you manage to find a girl who you ought to have met years ago. Do you think that's a coincidence?"

"The universe is rarely so lazy," Joseph said under his breath.

"My thoughts precisely," said Gold. "I'll see you at six."


Beatrice stared at her plate. She had never noticed quite how loud the diner could be. Ruby and Granny arguing. The kitchen. Plates dropping. It was all just too much.

Joseph stared at her.

"You don't like your meal."

"I can't stand my meal," said Beatrice.

"Perhaps we should try somewhere more to your liking."

"Nothing is to my liking."

"Right," said Joseph.

"Why are you still here?," asked Beatrice. She looked up at him. "The curse is gone. You can leave."

"I just found my family," said Joseph. "I just found out I'm not mad, well, at least not for the reason I thought I was."

Beatrice stared at him.

"Do you want me to leave?"

Carefully, Beatrice reached into her coat pocket and took out an envelope. Hesitantly, she handed it to Joseph.

"What is this?"

"It was a gift."

Joseph opened it and opened the paper. "This is my handwriting."

Beatrice didn't answer.

"I'm quite skilled in handwriting analysis. There might be some technical differences in the style, but I certainly know my own hand."

"It's Sherlock Holmes' handwriting."

"It's a waltz."

"So I'm told." She shrugged. "I don't do music."

"I wrote you a waltz."

"He wrote me a waltz."

"I am him."

"I just met you and we kissed and we broke a curse, but I haven't seen you in fifty years and I barely know who I am." She picked up her purse. "Don't feel obligated to drag yourself into that."

"Beatrice," Joseph protested as she walked out.


Now

Beatrice sat across from Joseph. She checked her watch and resumed scarfing her moussaka. Hopefully he wasn't the type of boy to care how girls ate.

Not that she cared.

"How will we know when it's begun?," asked Joseph.

"I don't know. I don't know the basic form of the witch fight, but if I had to guess, I would go with twenty minutes of banter followed by stuff flying."

"Is that typical among your people?"

"Yeah, I don't think they had a clock in the Enchanted Forest."

"What do you suppose happened in your encounter with the Wicked Witch?"

Beatrice shrugged. "How should I know?"

"What would happen if you found yourself in Oz?"

"I've never been to Oz."

"You know what you would do."

"Try to cast my own production of Wicked from the people who I met?" She frowned. "That makes Zelena Idina Menzel."

"You would try to go home." He glanced outside. "There's a crowd headed towards Main Street."

Beatrice turned back to the kitchen. "So, we'll take those kataifi to go."


Before

Beatrice came out of the diner and walked straight into Zelena.

"Beatrice," said Regina. "We didn't realize you were out and about yet."

Beatrice looked back at Zelena who had put on a visage of complete innocence.

"I am," said Beatrice. "I didn't realize she was or that she would ever be."

"I'm turning over a new leaf," said Zelena.

Beatrice glared.

"I just want to say how sorry I am for all the pain I've caused you," said Zelena. "Can you forgive me?"

Joseph came out of the diner.

"No," said Beatrice.

"Beatrice-" said Mary Margaret.

Beatrice shot the princess a look. "You don't know her. I do."

"People change," said Mary Margaret.

"Not her. Not now. Not ever," said Beatrice.

"Well, how am I supposed to change if no one will believe in me?," Zelena asked tearfully which Mary Margaret seemed to be totally falling for.

"You might be able to fool them, but you will never fool me and if there's one thing that you should have learned from your little experiment in time travel." She stepped closer and looked up at the witch. "Whatever world you try to make, I will stop you."

"Is she just allowed to threaten me?," asked Zelena.

"I don't threaten," said Beatrice as she walked off.

Regina looked at Joseph. "And what do you want to say?"

Joseph smiled. "Beatrice covered the high points."


Now

The air in Main Street was electric as more people gathered to the spot where Zelena had challenged Regina. The Charmings were trying to control the situation as Gold, Belle and Merlin held down their own corner.

"Regina's going to show, isn't she?," asked Mary Margaret.

"Not like her to not show up for a fight."

"People could get hurt," said David. "We should start clearing the street."

Merlin turned to Belle and Gold. "How are the lovebirds?"

Emma frowned. "What?"

"Not your concern, Savior. I'm just trying to solve the problem." He looked back at Belle. "So?"

"We think Beatrice may have been in Oz," said Belle.

"Oz?," asked Merlin. "Do you think she met the witch there?"

"She had her slippers," said Gold. "I thought it best that she keep as wide a berth between her and Zelena as possible."

"How very, very wise of you, sunshine," said Merlin. "It's so good that you were able to come up with such an ingenious plan with absolutely no chance of failure."

Gold eyed Merlin suspiciously.

That was when Beatrice walked up with Joseph in tow.

"Did we miss the witch fight?," she asked.

"Beatrice, what are you doing here?," asked Gold.

She held up the bag from George's Taverna. "I am walking my dessert home."

"Did you get any of the baklava with the pistachio?," asked Merlin.

Belle shot him a look.

"I mean as long as she's here," said Merlin opening the paper bag.

"Go now," said Gold, gripping her by the shoulders.

"Oh, please, don't send her home on my account."

The crowd parted as Zelena walked through. Beatrice observed her outfit.

"You wore a pointy hat," said Beatrice. "That's kind of on the nose. Do you have red and white striped socks?"

"Such a rude little thing," said Zelena.

Gold pulled Beatrice aside. Belle held onto her daughter with a firm grip.

"Leave her alone," said Belle.

"Watch yourself, witchy," said Merlin. "You wouldn't want me to have to interfere."

Zelena scoffed. "Do you expect me to be scared of you?"

"No, fear would indicate intelligence," Merlin said as he bit off the corner of his pistachio baklava.

"Don't underestimate me, old man," said Zelena, leaning in.

"Would you mind getting your cleavage out of my face?," asked Merlin. "I'm trying to eat here. I thought this was meant to be a witch fight not a burlesque performance."

Zelena shot a glare and walked away.

"Where is she?," demanded Zelena. "She's a coward. If my sister isn't here in five minutes, I let my pretties fly."

Zelena waved her hand. Suddenly Main Street was covered by Flying Monkeys lining the roof of every building. The crowd of townspeople gasped.

She cast a glance at Beatrice. "And I wouldn't count on your Dark Princess to save you all."

Beatrice snorted. "Yeah, like anybody's counting on me to save them."

Emma stepped up. "If you want to fight someone, fight me."

"I don't deal with amateurs."

"I'm not an amateur. I'm the Savior."

"With a half day of magic lessons..." muttered Merlin.

"Merlin!," Belle hissed.

Soon enough Zelena had Emma flying back with a wave of her hand.

"What's wrong with her right arm?," asked Joseph.

"What?," asked Beatrice.

"It's stiff. Get her to move it again."

Beatrice turned to look at Joseph. "When she moves her arm, magic comes out."

"It's stiff. She hasn't bent it."

Beatrice watched.

"You know, I think he's right," said Merlin.

"Of course I'm right," said Joseph.

Gold turned. "And your point is what?"

"What if she's cursed or something?," asked Beatrice. She looked at her father. "If we knew what curse, we could use it against her."

"What are the rules of this witch fight?," asked Joseph.

"No one may interfere with magic," said Gold.

"Not a problem," said Joseph.

Gold furrowed his brow and before they realized what he was doing, Joseph had walked over to Zelena.

"Such lovely gloves," remarked Joseph, grabbing at the green leather. "Are they munchkin skin?"

"Back off, Great Detective."

"What?"

Before he could question it further, he was flying back. Beatrice rushed over.

"What was that?," she snapped.

"Her hand is ice cold."

"Anybody else want to give it a go?," asked Zelena.

"I do," a voice called.

"About bloody time," muttered Merlin as the crowd parted for Regina.

"Didn't anybody tell you black is my color?"

Joseph got up and walked back over as the crowd formed around Regina and Zelena.

"Ice cold," said Joseph. "What curse would make her hand ice cold?"

Belle and Gold frowned.

"I'll make this simple for you," said Joseph. "When I say ice cold, I don't mean cold, I mean as cold as ice. Add to that her arm is stiff. Is there an explanation for that?"

Eyes slowly turned to Beatrice.

"What?"

"The old ice princesses had legends..." said Belle.

"What? You think I did something and turned the Wicked Witch into a block of ice?"

"Are we boring you?," asked Zelena.

"Yes, actually," said Joseph.

"This is between us, sis," Regina said tersely. "Or are you afraid?"

"Rumplestiltskin should have chosen me!"

Regina scoffed. "You're jealous? Is that what this is all about?"

The two women started at each other. Joseph turned back.

"Could you have done something to her with ice?"

Beatrice looked at Merlin. At some point, they noticed a traffic light falling.

"Ice is the most dangerous of elements. If you have done something to her, only True Love will save her."

"Hardly likely," said Gold.

"Yes, but what about the damage she'll cause in the meantime?," asked Belle.

They heard a crash. Suddenly things got quiet and they looked to see the two witches gone as Emma, David and Mary Margaret ran into the library.

"What happened to the witch fight?," asked Beatrice.

"Zelena threw Regina into the clock tower while you guys were talking," Leroy offered.

"What?!," Belle shouted. She looked up to see the broken clock face over her beloved library.

Just then, the Wicked Witch flew out on her broom.

"Don't think you can hide!," Belle shouted.

Joseph leaned over to Beatrice. "Your mother is strange."

"No question."

Belle turned to Gold. "She broke my clock!"

"Well, if you care to find her, look to the western sky..." said Beatrice.

"I didn't see her bring a broom," said Joseph.

"Oh, that's not so hard," said Beatrice.

"Isn't it?," asked Joseph.

Beatrice held out her hand and a broom appeared.

"Beatrice..." said Merlin.

"What? Like it's hard?"

"What about the flying part?," asked Joseph.

"Oh, sure," said Beatrice.

"Beatrice," Merlin repeated.

Before Beatrice could process her grandfather's objections, she had the broom and consequently herself in the air.

"Then this would be the part where you go 'So if you care to find me, look to the western sky, as someone told me lately everyone deserves a chance to-'"

"Rumple, she's flying," said Belle.

"I noticed."

Beatrice then realized that she was looking down on her family, Joseph and the rest of the townspeople that had gathered to watch the witch fight. Regina and the Charmings came out of the library to share in the gawking.

"Okay, yeah," said Beatrice, "I just noticed that."

"Why is she flying?," asked Regina.

"Oh, come on, let me finish the song," said Beatrice.

"What did the witch want?," Gold asked Regina.

"My heart," said Regina. "Luckily I didn't bring it."

"A heart, David's courage. If there was a brain, that would almost sound like..." Emma looked at Beatrice in the air. "Well, I think you can guess what that would sound like."

"You forget the infant," said Joseph. "That must symbolize something."

"Lots of spells have baby parts as ingredients," said Regina.

"Yes, but she's using symbols as ingredients," said Joseph. "The hilt of a sword for courage. Your heart I would presume is love. A little on the nose, but why not? What's the infant?"

"Beatrice, get down," said Belle.

"I just really have an urge to sing," said Beatrice. She resumed singing. "And nobody in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was is ever going to bring me-"

Belle looked at Gold. He raised his hand, lowering both broom and daughter to the ground.

"Down..." Beatrice finished anti-climatically. "Can anyone else fly? We could have the best quidditch team ever. You know, in that we would actually be able to fly and not just be running around with brooms on a field."

"I think perhaps it's time we learn just what happened in Oz," said Merlin.


Before

Gold and Belle leapt to their feet as they heard Beatrice's footsteps on the porch.

"It's too early," said Belle. "Have they even had time to finish dinner?"

The door opened. Beatrice walked in and shot her parents a knowing look.

"How was it?," asked Gold.

"Did you and Joseph have a good time?," asked Belle.

"No," said Beatrice. "I'll be in my room until I'm dead or you guys are dead, which for one of you will be a while," Beatrice said as she went up the staircase.

Belle exchanged a glance with Gold and followed her upstairs. She entered the room not bothering to knock.

"Tell me what's wrong."

"You don't get it."

"Try me," said Belle. She threw her arms up in exasperation. "Tell me anything, everything. What's wrong?"

"You really want to know?"

"Of course I do," Belle insisted.

"This house is hot."

"Okay."

"See my house was made of ice."

"Alright, we'll turn down the thermostat."

"I can't deal with the food here. Everything has a million flavors."

"We'll make porridge," said Belle. She stepped forward. "But I don't think that's what's bothering you."

"Nothing is right. I used to have people like me. Then again, maybe they didn't really like me. Maybe they liked the idea of me. And Joseph? I barely know him. I knew Sherlock Holmes since I was three."

"Well, I can tell you from experience that location changes nothing. True Love is True Love wherever you are."

Beatrice shook her head. "I don't think so."

"I do think so," said Belle, running her fingers through Beatrice's hair. "What I know for certain is that in any realm, any version of reality, I would love you. Always."

Belle was surprised as Beatrice fell into her arms.

"You smelled different there," Beatrice said muffled by Belle's sweater.

"I don't think I can change that," said Belle. She took a sniff of Beatrice's hair. "I wouldn't change your scent for anything."

"And I need to know what I was doing in Oz with Zelena."

Belle frowned. "Okay."

Beatrice broke off the hug. "I know she can't be trusted."

Belle nodded. "Then we'll stop her like we always do."