Author's Notes:

I do not own Once Upon A Time which is a show on ABC that tries to torture it fans through spoilers that have no credibility. Okay? Anyway, thank you for the reads and reviews. Sorry about the lack of updates, but I had my three races at Disney last weekend and only got to work on this a little. Hopefully I can get back to normal. Anyway, please let me know what you think and happy reading.


Last Summer

Steven Moffat had been sitting in the room for hours when a guard let Mark Gatiss in.

"Mark?"

"Steven? What on earth is going on?"

"I've absolutely no idea. I was at St. Paul's filming the finale. I thought there was a problem with our filming permit and I ended up in this place."

Mark sat. "This is mad. This place looks like M's headquarters from a Bond film in the seventies."

"I know," Steven agreed. "It's as if I wrote it."

The door opened again. A ginger woman in a suit came in, followed by a tall man.

"Mr. Moffat, Mr. Gatiss," said the woman. "My name is Nellie Gillette. This is Hector Bennett."

Hector stepped forward and placed a piece of paper in front of each man.

"Gentlemen, this is the Official Secrets Act. Feel free to read through it before you sign."

"The Official Secrets Act?," asked Mark.

Steven shook his head. "Am I dreaming?"

"I am afraid not," said Nellie.

"Listen, I'm not signing anything until I at least know what's going on here," said Mark.

"Well, that's one strategy," said Nellie. "Unfortunately, that may take rather a long time."

They both signed.

"Now can we know what's going on?," asked Mark.

"Gentlemen," said Hector, opening a briefcase and pulling out a book. "This is a Sherlock Holmes' story, it's been lost until recently. The Adventure of the Gold Pendant."

"The Adventure of the Gold Pendant?," asked Mark.

"You've heard of it then?," asked Nellie.

"It was just a rumor, but some say it was a story Doyle never wanted published."

"Well, it's going to be published now. The print and digital releases are scheduled for next month," said Hector.

"And it will be adapted for the Sherlock Christmas special," said Nellie.

Mark frowned. "What Sherlock Christmas special?"

"The one the BBC is going to announce."

"But we only just settled on Series Four," said Steven. "There was no talk of a Christmas special."

"Well, there will be a Christmas special, set to air Christmas Day 2015."

"Who are you people?," Mark demanded. "You drag us down here, tell us to write a Christmas special we've not heard of off a Sherlock Holmes story we've never read."

Nellie spoke. "The British government has known for some time that all the characters from all the stories exist somewhere else, in parallel worlds. Sherlock Holmes is real and he needs your help."

"You're joking," said Steven. He looked at Mark. "This is starting to sound like something I wrote."

"And where is Sherlock Holmes? Can we meet him?," asked Mark.

"No," said Nellie. "He's currently in Maine with his girlfriend who happens to be the daughter of Rumplestiltskin and Princess Belle."

And in a bit of comeuppance, Steven Moffat was confused.


Now

Joseph opened the door to his room and was quite surprised to see his brother.

"John."

His brother glared at him as he put his suitcase and backpack on the floor.

"You keep putting me off so I thought I would come here."

"Putting you off what?"

"Coming back? Seeing your doctors?"

"Sorry?"

"Rehab!"

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not going there." He checked his watch. "I am going to be late."

"No. We are going to be late for our flight. It leaves Boston in six hours."

Joseph shook his head. "Not going." He picked up a box off the dresser and placed it in his pocket.

"Joseph!"

"Look, you can stand here and do the concerned brother thing which would be a bit stupid and entirely pointless or you can put down your things and join me."

Joseph walked out.

"Joseph!," John called after him. "Joseph, you're not listening! We are going home!"


Then

Gormlaith came through the Falls quite easily, wondering at how easily magic came back to her.

"Violeta," she said. She went to greet her cousin with a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for coming."

"I'm not alone."

Gormlaith looked up. A man walked towards her.

"Your Highness, I'm Inspector Lestrade of the Royal Guard."

Gormlaith crossed her arms. "Father knows I'm here."

"His Majesty's gave instructions for you to be brought to the palace immediately."

She glowered.

"Don't fight them, Gormlaith," said Violeta. "It won't do any good."


Now

John looked up at the pink house. "What is going on? Whose house is this?"

"This is Beatrice's house."

"What? Beatrice? The girlfriend? She's..."

"Real? Quite."

John followed him up the steps. He rang the bell and heard the barking of dogs.

Joseph turned back to John. "This all might take a bit of explaining, but I think we might do well just to immerse you in it."

The door opened and Belle appeared. Martha jumped up at Joseph.

"Down, Martha!," said Belle.

"She's fine," said Joseph, easing the dalmatian down.

Belle smiled and gave him a quick squeeze. "Joseph. And you've brought a friend!"

"Yeah, hi. John Watson."

Belle's eyes lit up. "John Watson?"

"Yes, my brother."

John was surprised now as Belle hugged him.

"It is so good to finally meet you! This is so wonderful. What a surprise! I'm Belle Gold." She looked back at Joseph. "The Foleys aren't here yet, but the others are. I'll find Rumple."

Belle vanished into the crowd of people.

"Who's she?"

"Beatrice's mother."

"Really?" John tried to follow Belle back down the crowd. "Stepmother?"

"No."

John frowned. "Adopted?"

"No."

"Joseph!," said Aurora.

Pretty soon, Aurora, Mulan and Ariel came over.

"Joseph, who's your friend?," asked Aurora.

"This is my brother, John. He's visiting from London."

"Hi," said John.

"These are Beatrice's friends. Aurora, Mulan and Ariel."

John frowned at the trio. "Right..."

"Are you staying long?," asked Ariel.

"No, not really. We're supposed to be leaving town."

"We're not," said Joseph as he spotted Regina standing in the corner. "Well, I'm not. I suppose I can't keep John a hostage. Excuse me."

"Joseph-"

Joseph made his escape, leaving John to the mercies of the women. He approached Regina.

"Odd to see you here."

"Why would I miss the eighteenth birthday party of my son's aunt?," she asked tightly.

"I would really feel much better if you stopped stalking her."

Regina scoffed. "Well, I would feel much better if we found the Author. It's been months."

"Leave it."

"Why won't you tell her?"

"And don't you dare."

John approached. "Joseph? That ginger woman, she just told me that Beatrice gave her voice back to her in Neverland and the other one? Aurora? She said she met Beatrice in a Netherworld from a sleeping curse? Are you having me on?"

Joseph looked back blankly.

"Is this a theme party? Is everyone supposed to be a character or something?"

Regina looked at Joseph with an amused smirk. "Friend of yours?"

"My brother in from London. John Watson."

"Welcome to Storybrooke, Doctor Watson."

John shook his head. "No, no, I'm not a doctor yet. Sorry? Who are you?"

"You can call me Your Majesty," said Regina as she stalked off with an empty glass.

John looked at Joseph questioningly. "She's here as the Evil Queen. Also, Beatrice's nephew's mother."

"What? Like in Snow White?"

Mary Margaret's head popped up as she bounced the baby prince on her hip. "Sorry? Did someone call me?"

"Seriously, what sort of party is this?," asked John.

"Hey, Joseph," said Emma.

"Ah, Emma. Happy birthday."

"Hey, it's Beatrice's day. I'm letting her have it." She eyed John inquisitively.

"This is my brother, John Watson. This is Beatrice's nephew's mother."

"Okay, I'm getting confused."

"Joseph?"

He looked over to where Catherine called him. She sat with Venus and Ingrid on the sofa that had been pushed to the side. He dutifully made his way.

"Catherine. Venus. Ingrid." He looked up to see John had followed him. "These are Beatrice's great grandmothers Venus and Catherine and her rather distant cousin, Ingrid. My brother, John."

"Well, well, a brother," said Venus. "How come we haven't seen you here before?"

"You didn't mention he was coming," Catherine said pointedly to Joseph. "We would have organized a proper welcome."

"That's because I didn't know."

John looked at him pointedly. "Joseph, can I talk to you a moment?"


Then

The royal guard took them back to the palace. It was made of dark marble, carved from the ground, the earth around it flattened so that it was the only structure in sight, the high mountains around it.

They walked inside. Gormlaith looked to Violeta trying to read her cousin. She was about to pose a query when they were interrupted by a woman's voice.

"Welcome home, your highness."

Gormlaith looked up to see the woman. She was quite petite, clad in a long, liquid black dress with raven hair and a slash of red lips.

She frowned. "I'm sorry. Have we met?"

Violeta took over. "Gormlaith, this is Irene Adler. The King's Official Mistress."

"It's so good to finally meet you," said Irene.

Lestrade interrupted. "I'm sorry, ma'am, we're under orders to take her to His Majesty immediately."

"Of course."

Lestrade led them off, Gormlaith looked back behind her as the woman stood behind her.


King Niall may not have been a physically imposing man, but his dark hair and serious eyes were enough to get most people to comply.

If that didn't work, there was magic.

Gormlaith walked in behind Lestrade and Violeta who quickly bowed.

Niall eyed Gormlaith critically for a moment before he turned to Lestrade. "Where did you find her?"

"She came in through the falls as promised, Your Majesty."

"And what realm did she come from?"

"The Enchanted Forest."

"Ah, the Enchanted Forest," Niall said with amusement. "One of Merlin's follies. And what did you do there, daughter?"

Gormlaith didn't answer.

"I don't see how what you've done could possibly anger me more than your running off so you may as well answer me."

"I got married."

"Married? Under whose permission?"

"I was coming here. I need your permission to bring someone back."

"And who is it you would like me to bring back? This worthless husband?"

"You don't know he's worthless."

"Is he?"

Gormlaith shrugged. "Okay, a bit, but this is about my son."

"Your son?" Niall drew a deep breath. "I have a grandchild sired by a worthless father. What is the boy's name?"

"Rumplestiltskin."

The king glared with displeasure. "And you named him after your grandfather."

"He's not magical. He's no threat to you."

"I think I'll be the one to determine what does and does not threaten me." He paused. "Why have you returned?"

"What?"

"It wasn't that you were homesick, I am certain of it. Has this worthless husband of yours been sleeping with the milk maid or whatever they have there?"

"No, I just-"

Gormlaith fell silent, not wanting to reveal the prophecy Merlin had given her.

Niall turn to the majordomo of his court. "Bring me the ball."


Now

Merlin looked up to see Richard.

"What the hell are you doing here?," asked Merlin.

Richard glared at the wizard. "Pamela invited me."

"What for?"

"Well, she's done after today, isn't she?"

Merlin shook his head in disbelief. "She is not done. Who said she was done? Did she say she was done?" He put down his drink. "Pamela!"

He made his way upstairs and into Beatrice's room. The girl herself had her hair in rollers while her nanny tended to it.

"Grandpa!," said Beatrice.

"Sorry, sweetheart," said Merlin. "Lovely dress."

"This is a TARDIS bathrobe."

"Is there something you wanted?," asked Pamela.

"A chimney sweep said you might be considering resigning."

"What?," asked Beatrice.

"Not tomorrow, but she is eighteen," said Pamela.

"But that was not our deal," said Merlin.

"What deal?," asked Beatrice.

"Never mind our deal," said Merlin. He looked at Pamela. "You are not backing out of this one."

"What do you want me to do? Go to college with her?"

"Okay."

"Okay, Grandpa, really?," asked Beatrice.

Belle and Gold entered.

"What's going on?," asked Gold.

"They're arguing," Beatrice answered.

"There is no argument," said Merlin. Belle eyed him as she stepped up to help unroll Beatrice's hair. "None at all."

Belle gave one last disapproving glare and turned her attention to Beatrice. "Joseph's arrived and he's brought his brother."

"Really?"

"No, not the Foley boys, his adopted brother from London. John Watson."

"Seriously?"

Belle squeezed Beatrice's shoulders. "Don't be nervous. I'm sure he'll love you."

"I wasn't nervous and now I'm rethinking that..."

"Has Gormlaith seen fit to show herself?," asked Merlin.

"And what does it matter to you?," asked Gold.

"It matters to me because you've all believed her story so completely."

"And why shouldn't I?"

"Because she's lying."

"Yes, dearie, I've heard what you have to say."

Merlin rolled his eyes and left.

Belle glanced at Gold. She then pressed a kiss to Beatrice's head.

"I'll be right back."

Belle darted into the hallway, catching Merlin before he descended the stairs.

"Father?"

Merlin shook his head. "Sweetheart, I can't keep having the same conversation with him. I've spent more of my life looking after him than both his parents combined, yet he would rather believe her."

"It's not that. He's never had that. You can't expect him to just give it up. Besides, how do you know Gormlaith's lying?"

Merlin closed the distance between he and Belle.

"The place she comes from."

"The Dark Forest?"

"I've only visited once. There, magic rules everything."

Belle shook her head. "I don't understand."

"The inequities of the Enchanted Forest pale in comparison to this place. Magic is still power, but only a precious few possess it."

"And she's one of those who does?"

"Oh, sweetheart, she is the one." His eyes darted back to Beatrice's door where Gold stood. Belle glanced over and looked back at Merlin.

"I want to celebrate Beatrice's birthday tonight," she said, squeezing her father's hand. "And tomorrow we can talk more."


Joseph led John into the library and shut the door.

"What the hell is going on?," he demanded.

"Beatrice's birthday party."

"You keep introducing people and it makes no sense. What sort of insane asylum is this place?"

"Everything I've told you has been true."

"A woman just answered to the name Snow White-" He paused and shook his head. "Really, Joseph? This is about the Sherlock Holmes thing again, isn't it?"

"In a way."

"Right. Because you're Sherlock Holmes and that was Snow White and the Evil Queen so I suppose I must be Doctor Watson. We are going back to London right now."

"I'm really not. It does happen to be Beatrice's birthday."

"Right and she's real? Why doesn't she have a fairy tale name?"

"Interesting question."

The door opened and Olaf stuck his head in.

John's eyes widened.

"Hey, Joseph, Belle said they're about to do the introduction. She said to come to the backyard"

"Right. Thank you, Olaf."

"He's..." John stammered.

"Of course, Olaf," said Joseph. "Would you mind coming over here? I'd like you to meet my brother, John."

Olaf bounced in. "Right! John! How nice to meet you!"

John stared at the snowman, quite shaken. "He's got a little cloud over his head."

"It's my own flurry!," said Olaf.

"Right, yeah, yeah, of course," said John as he stuck his finger in the side of Olaf's torso.

The snowman giggled. "Stop! I'm ticklish!"

"He's made of snow," said John.

"Because I'm a snowman?," Olaf slowly suggested.

"Is he..." John. "No, that's ridiculous. I mean, he can't be..."

Joseph turned. "Hey, remember that time I said I was Sherlock Holmes?"

John stared at him in shocked silence.

"Yeah... I am."

"My name is Olaf and I like warm hugs," the snowman added.


Then

The court watched through the crystal ball as the tale of Rumplestiltskin unfolded.

When it was done, the king looked to his daughter.

Niall shook his head.

"I'm sorry. No."

"But..." Gormlaith couldn't understand. "I can go back. I can change that."

"No one can alter fate. Rumplestiltskin is to be the most powerful sorcerer in all the realms." Niall sat back. "We can't have that, now can we?"

"I will change that."

"Gormlaith, be reasonable. I won't harm the boy. He can just never come here."

"I can find him. I can fix it."

"The dye is cast."

"Father, please-"

"Lestrade, take the princess to the Over Castle. She will be confined there until I decide how I can repair the damage she's done."

Lestrade nodded. "Yes, Majesty."

Lestrade took Gormlaith away unaware of her next plot.


Now

They walked out in the backyard where most of the party goers had gathered. The yard was covered in some sort of floor that appeared to be made of glass. Icicles and lights in a sort of invisible garland hung from the air.

John looked up. "What the hell is going on?"

"Magic."

"I think I died on the plane..."

"When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

"So, I'm meant to take it as truth that you've spent the past year in a magical town in Maine?"

"Has it been? You must remind me to tell you about the Wicked Witch."

The party goers silenced. They looked over to see that Belle and Gold stood on either side of Beatrice holding her hand. Gold looked uncomfortable, not that his daughter was much better off.

Belle was the one to speak.

"I just wanted to thank you all so much for coming. This is a very important birthday in our land or here and we're glad you could celebrate with us." She turned to her daughter. "Beatrice, Papa and I are so proud of you and so grateful and so fortunate to have you as our daughter."

There were some awws. Belle hugged Beatrice and then she was left to turn to the party.

"Uh, thanks for coming. Just um, have a good time?"

The music kicked on. Beatrice was spared from further speeches, but had to endure Mary Margaret and the other well wishers before she could make her way to Joseph.

"Hey," she said.

"Happy birthday." He kissed her. "This is John."

"Yeah, I guessed." She turned. "Hi."

"You have a snowman called Olaf."

"Yeah..."

John motioned at some chairs. "I'm going to go sit until I get the oxygen back to my brain."

He walked away.

Joseph turned to Beatrice.

He held out his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Beatrice took it. "You may."


The party continued until Merlin found his favorite guest.

"Gormlaith, you came," said Merlin.

"She's my granddaughter too, you know," she said with a scowl.

"And how do you feel about that?"

"I don't know what you mean. Excuse me."

The redhead left. Merlin turned towards Beatrice when he felt Belle's hand on his wrist.

"Let her have her birthday."

"I am."

"It doesn't seem like it."

Merlin nodded over at Joseph and Beatrice.

"Young love."

Belle smiled. "Yes."

"Oh, what a night..." Beatrice sang. "Come on."

Joseph spun Beatrice around. "I take it I'm missing a reference."

"We have to get you up on your Sherlock."

"Do we really?"

Beatrice nodded. "Yeah, we do." She glanced over as Ariel stepped on John's toes. "So, your brother seems cool and he does remind me a little of a hedgehog..."

"A hedgehog?"

"Oh, have I not shown you that?" She looked over and caught Gormlaith's gaze. Catherine and Venus were standing around her, but she seemed unaffected by what they were saying.

"Hey," said Beatrice, grabbing Joseph's hand and leading him away.

They disappeared to the library.

She turned to him.

"Does Gormlaith seem..."

"Completely plotting something?"

"I was going to say off..." She paused. "Merlin doesn't trust her."

"Then I believe Merlin. There's something Lestrade's not telling us." He pulled the box from his breast pocket. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you," said Beatrice.

The door opened and Gormlaith entered.

"Uh, hi," said Beatrice.

"Beatrice, I just needed to mention something to you."

"Okay..." she said putting Joseph's present down on the table.

"I just..." Gormlaith took Beatrice's hand in hers. "I'm sorry."

Beatrice felt something like a pin prick.

And she froze.

"Beatrice?," asked Joseph. He moved to face her, her expression blank, muscles still. He looked to Gormlaith. "What have you done to her?"

"She's fine." Gormlaith waved a hand, tossing Joseph against a wall. "But I don't have time to argue with you, dearie."


"Is there a reason we couldn't have a normal birthday party?," asked Neal.

"Normal party with a bunch of fairy tale characters?," Emma scoffed as she held Henry with one hand.

"It was Belle and Merlin's idea to throw a larger party this year," said Gold.

"I think it's cool," offered Henry. "And not just because of the ice floor."

Neal and Emma snorted at the pun as Belle came over.

"Rumple, have you seen Beatrice?," asked Belle.

"Have I seen her?"

"It's time for her cake and I can't find her."

"I don't see Joseph..." Neal teased.

Emma snorted. Gold shot her a glare.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that out loud."

Gold continued to glare.

"I'm going to... go get some more cocoa." She put her hands on Henry's shoulders. "Yeah, let's go."

They walked off.

"Belle, where are your bowls?," Ingrid called across the room.

"I'll be right there!," she answered back. She looked to Gold. "Would you go find her?"

"Gladly."

Belle gave him a peck on the cheek and rushed back to the kitchen.

Gold walked back in the hall. He saw John walking into the library.

"Joseph?" He walked in. "Jesus..."

Gold hurried after, suddenly struck by the most ominous feeling. His instincts were realized upon seeing the room.

John hurried to Joseph's side as the great detective stirred awake.

"What have you done?," Gold demanded.

"Rumple, I can fix it."

"Fix what?" He turned to his daughter.

"Your life, I can fix it."

"My life?!," Gold exclaimed.

They were suddenly joined by Lestrade who looked at Gormlaith.

"Not again, your highness."

It all became bright light.


Then

Leaving his new charges with Donovan and Anderson, Lestrade dashed up the stairs to where he presumed Princess Gormlaith was casting her spell.

He banged on the door.

"Your Highness!"

"Don't try to stop me! I won't even bring him here! I'll go there!"

"You can't do that-"

As Lestrade spoke, the castle began to fall apart.

When he did awaken, it was on the floor of a forest that was bitterly cold and not the Dark Forest. It was another realm, one he had never seen before.

He heard voices in the distance.

"Oh, come on, Swan, why not?"

"Well, for one thing we're in the middle of an investigation."

"Must you always make excuses?"

"I'm not making excuses, I have a job to do. The dwarfs found that woman out here, Merlin said there would be clues."

Lestrade scrambled to his feet and behind some trees where he could get a vantage point on the blonde and the leather clad man with a hook for a hand.

"I think you owe me."

Emma shined her flashlight in Hook's face.

"I owe you? How do you figure I owe you?"

"Well, I did come to warn you all about the Wicked Witch's curse."

"Yeah, you were kind of late for that and besides, you owed Neal."

"I helped you reunite your parents."

"Not a good reason to go out with someone," said Emma, moving her flashlight to the treeline. Lestrade moved to conceal himself.

"And how would you know? Your latest paramour turned out to be a flying monkey."

"You're definitely not getting anywhere with that attitude," said Emma.

Lestrade breathed a sigh of relief as the two left and wondered at the realm he had just arrived in.


Now

The light beamed through the house, making Beatrice's guests scream and generally panic.

"What the hell's that?," exclaimed Emma.

"Beatrice!," Belle cried, running for the library.

"That hag..." muttered Merlin.

Emma tried the door. "I can't get in."

"Let me," Regina offered.

As she did, a larger light blew out, knocking them aside for a moment.

"Are you alright?," Merlin asked Belle.

"What the hell is going on?," Regina snapped.

They got to their feet and the door fell open.

Once they stepped inside the library, they saw Gold staggering, his suit looking mussed. Beatrice was next to him, her hem torn and her hair ruined. John stumbled to sit in a chair, his face in his hands. Wherever they had been, it had been longer than a few minutes.

And Alec was there.

"Beatrice," Gold said softly.

Beatrice stood still, then stumbled slowly, seemingly headed for the floor.

"No, no, no," Gold said, quickly grabbing her. "It's alright, sweetheart. It's alright."

"What happened?," asked Emma.

"Rumple, what happened?," asked Belle, approaching Beatrice.

"Where's Joseph?," asked Merlin.

"He's gone," said John.

"Gone?" Belle looked up at Gold. "What do you mean he's gone?"

Gold shook his head at her as Beatrice moved to her mother's arms. "He's dead."


Last Summer

Mark stared at the couple. He looked back at Steven and to them again.

"Suppose we believe you."

"You really ought to."

"Why is it so important that we tell this particular story at this particular time?"

"Because at that time, Sherlock Holmes is going to need your help."

"Things aren't working out with the daughter of Beauty and the Beast?," he offered smartly.

"This story is a clue," said Nellie. "And we need to make certain she gets it at the correct time."