Facing Nightmares
Bae and Vella awoke to birds chirping as they lied in the hay of the stables. They slowly processed where they were as last night replayed in their heads.
"Oh no! My roommates are probably wondering where I am. I should call them." Vella said then called them quickly. "… Thanks again." She said after ending the phone conversation with Amy.
"You don't have to thank me. I'd do it all over again if I had to." Bae said.
"Believe me, you won't have to. Never wanted to be the damsel in distress but here I am. I guess that really does makes you Prince Charming. You even came on a white horse. The only thing missing was the shining armor."
"I left it back at the castle." He joked. "Seriously…" He moved a strand of hair from her face. "You have nothing to be ashamed of. My grandma Snow always says, everyone needs to be saved sometimes and if no one ever saves you, how can you be there to save someone else?"
"Your grandmother sounds like a wise woman."
"She is but because what didn't kill her made her stronger and the same will happen for you."
"That's a Kelly Clarkson song to live by while I'm rushing to pack."
"Pack?"
"I'm going to Texas with Amy for Thanksgiving break. I hate Texas… And I must look awful." She hadn't seen her face yet but she was pretty sure there were bruises and she was right. She sure was aching enough.
"That's not possible." Bae touched her face sweetly, healing her to the lack of her knowledge. She suddenly felt better for reasons she could not explain. "I realize this may be a leap but if you don't want to go to Texas, an invitation is open to come to New York with me." She hadn't been back to New York since she went to college. She was kind of avoiding it due to bad memories. "My sister, uncle and I will be spending the holiday with family friends. Remember Astrea? I was with her when we met. My family actually doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving but it's a big deal to Astrea so it should be nice."
"My grandmother was Native American, she didn't celebrate it either. I've always felt, you don't need a day to dedicate to being thankful, you should do that every day… As you said, this is a leap but why not. I'll go with you. We always have a good time together, right?"
"Absolutely. We'll stay in a hotel but we can have separate beds or rooms. Whatever you prefer."
Vella smiled. "Charming."
Bae made sure she got to her door at the dorms then went back to Maleficent's and filled everyone in on what was going on. Maleficent insisted they stayed at the house. Bae was afraid he was putting them out but no worries. The more the merrier and Vella could share the guest room with Hope. So that all worked out well.
"We are going to take a plane here in just a couple hours." Bae informed.
They all looked at each other.
"Here's an idea, why don't you just tell her the truth about your powers and everything else and save yourselves time and money." Emery suggested.
"I can't just drop that on her, it has to be eased into." Bae replied.
"That's what your mom said when she was keeping that secret from your dad. She ended up not telling him until she was backed into a corner. You know when she was pregnant with you." Astrea reminded.
"That won't be happening. I'm just waiting until the time is right. Timing is everything. So no magic."
-v-
Vella just finished packing her clothes. Her roommates were sitting on their beds waiting for her.
"There's been a change of plans. Instead of going to Texas, I'm going to New York with Baelfire." Vella informed.
"What?" Amy and Sam exclaimed in shock.
"What about Damon?" Sam asked.
"What about Damon? Damon and I are finally over. I wish I had the courage to end it a long time ago. Damon is the past and the light to the future is looking so much brighter." Vella replied.
"What are you talking about? You guys were a perfect couple." Sam said.
"Except we weren't. I love you guys but you're both oblivious and haven't the slightest clue what's been going on with me and you see me every day."
"So what has been going on?" Amy asked.
"This isn't the time."
"Fine but are you going to be okay? You haven't been to New York since-" Amy started to ask before Vella stopped her mid-sentence.
"I'll be fine. I'll be with Baelfire."
"Don't get me wrong, he seems like an amazing guy but still, it's only been a few months. Why do you have so much trust in this guy?" Sam asked.
"It's just a feeling. A feeling I hope you all have a chance to feel one day." There was a knock at the door. "The prince awaits. I'll see you both after the break." Vella grabbed her bag and glanced at the mirror once more. She still couldn't believe there wasn't a bruise in sight. For months, she generally wore sweats and t-shirts unless she was working or performing but it was time to change that. It was time to find Vella again. She looked like the fashionista she is as she left the dorm.
"Your chariot awaits, my lady." Bae said.
"Really?"
"No, I actually got a cab this time." He took her bags then they headed for the airport.
-v-
Back in the Enchanted Forest, what was left of the family was gathered in the family room of the castle except Regina who came bursting in with news.
"I've got the spell! It's the same spell my cousin used to spy on Giselle and Prince Edward." Regina said.
"Are there any sane people in your family?" David asked.
"Nope, just me and Jane." Neal joked.
"You two are hilarious." Regina said dryly. A servant entered with a pan of water and sat it on the center table. "Thank you Reeves. That will be all." Reeves left the room. "Let's see what the prodigal son has been up to, shall we? I hope he's all right." She cast the spell and they looked into the water. What they saw was a nightmare come true. Henry and Goldie had invaded a village, forcing the people to be their servants.
"I guess Henry isn't the one we should have been worried about." Neal said.
"This is a disaster." Robin said.
"I can't- I can't- I just can't- How? Why would he?" Regina paced the floor. "I don't want to do this but I have to. We need to seize Henry and that girl. Who is she anyway?"
"Not sure but she was with him when we found him before." Emma replied.
"How long has this been going on?" Regina asked.
"It couldn't have been long. There was an inspection of the entire kingdom just last week. There were no reports of any problems or takeovers." Snow said.
"He knew that. That's why he did it after the inspection." Regina shook her head. Intelligent family, too bad they tended to use their intelligence for evil. "We must bring this to an end immediately. Robin and I will handle Henry and the little girl. Snow and David, you should deal with the villagers. You're much better with the people. I just hope they don't lose all trust in us again."
Regina, Robin, Snow and David went to the far end of the kingdom to the village Henry conquered along with their knights.
Henry's eyes widened and his heart began to race as he saw his parents' grey carriage (people were pretty intimidated by the black one and it brought up bad memories) followed by his sister's white carriage. He looked around for Goldie and ran over to her once he spotted her.
"We must go! The kings and queens are here. They must have gotten word of what we've been doing." Henry said.
Regina pushed open the carriage door. The villagers didn't know rather to be happy or afraid considering they knew who Henry was though no one said so aloud.
Henry started to teleport out of there but Regina put her power to use and stopped him.
"What happened?" Goldie asked.
"She stopped me." Henry informed.
Regina, Robin, Snow and David walked to the center of everything.
"Good people, please stop your labor. We apologize for my brother's actions. We do not approve and his deeds will not go unpunished." Snow informed.
Regina nodded her head signaling the knights to take Henry and Goldie under arrest. She stopped them for a moment to put a magic binding bracelet on Henry's wrist.
"Mom! Papa! Really? Snow!" He didn't think they'd actually do all this to him. "Let her go, okay! She's with child!"
Regina almost lost her balance. She took a deep breath. "Be gentle." She told the knights but let her go she would not.
The knights walked away with them.
"We will do everything in our power to make up for this. It is our mission to keep peace and love in this kingdom. That has not and will not change." David announced.
-v-
Bae and Vella arrived at Maleficent's. He introduced her and got her settled in. Later they played games; Twister, Charades, Clue and Life. It was all Astrea's idea. She knew exactly how she wanted this holiday to go. She missed her other parents and she grew up an only child so there were a couple things she wanted to make up for. They were all having fun so it didn't matter that she was the only one enthused for the holiday.
After a few good hours of that, Astrea went to start preparing dinner for tomorrow's feast. Vella walked past the kitchen and saw Astrea cooking alone.
"You're going to cook the entire dinner by yourself?" Vella asked.
"Yeah. They offered to help but none of them can cook and I don't want them ruining my dinner." Astrea replied.
"I can cook if you want the help."
"Yay! You're a lifesaver."
-v-
Regina and Robin went down to visit Henry in his cell. He sat in the corner with his arms folded and tapping his foot.
"You've locked up your own son, great parenting." Henry said.
"It is actually. This is for your own good. No wrongful act goes unpunished. What you did to those people was unacceptable and you know it." Robin reprimanded.
"What punishment did you or mom ever get?"
"Believe me, we're still paying for our sins. I wish my mother and Rumple didn't push me toward the darkness and I wish my father would have tried to stop me before I was too far gone but I should've been stronger. We won't let you fall. Say what you want about us but we won't stop trying to push you to be your best and keep you in the light. That's our job. You're not alone, Henry. If you keep telling yourself that you are, you'll start to believe it and one day it'll be true and that's a terrible place to be." Regina said.
"He'll always have me." Goldie said from the cell next door.
"I don't trust you." Regina stated coldly.
Goldie smiled innocently. "Your son does. We're going to be a family." She touched her stomach. "Can I call you mom?"
"I don't see a ring on that finger." Regina said.
"I just haven't gotten around to it." Henry chimed in.
"… Right." Regina said with disbelief. "Enjoy your cells."
"This is your solution? Turn into Grandma Cora?" Henry asked.
"Believe me, that's not something you want but I am taking one thing out of my mother's book. You won't be leaving this castle." Regina said before she and Robin walked away.
"I see why they call your mother The Evil Queen." Goldie said.
"No, you don't and you don't want to see it either so I suggest you not test her." Henry replied.
"So why didn't you tell me you were the Prince Henry of Misthaven?" Goldie asked.
"I just wanted you to love me for me, is that too much to ask?"
"No. Not at all." Goldie smiled and they held hands through the cell bars.
-v-
Hope was comfortably in bed eating mint chocolate chip ice cream and binge watching on Netflix when Vella walked in the room.
"You know, this binge watching thing should really be a crime." Hope said.
"Tell me about it. What are you watching?" Vella asked.
"Beauty and the Beast, the TV show. It's so romantic."
"I love that show." Vella got in the bed. "Thanks for sharing the room with me."
"My pleasure. Ice cream?" Hope had a spoon waiting on her. Vella joined her in her binging.
"Is everyone in your family so kind?"
"Generally." Hope looked at the television. "I bet Vince is there!" Hope excitedly said about the scene she was watching. "I knew it! He's always there! Talk about, I will always find you."
"In real life, that may be a little creepy but it's totally romantic here… You know, especially since she always finds herself in trouble." Vella's mood changed. She got quiet. Since detecting vibes tends to be the superpower of Hope's powers, she felt the change instantly so she paused the show.
"What's up? I know we barely know each other but I can stand to have another friend and I'm a good listening ear."
"If worst comes to worst and Vince didn't show up, Catherine could hold her own. Just reminds me of…" Vella stopped talking abruptly. She was totally about to be a downer but Hope insisted it was okay. "Reminds me of how weak I am. I could never do that."
"Nonsense. All it takes is a little confidence and a little training."
"Can you fight?"
"Yeah. We all can. We started training pretty young. However, I don't like to fight, you know, very messy. If they manage to get a hit in, it hurts, they could mess up my face. So what's that term people use? Not about that life? Yeah, I'm not but I'm good!"
"Okay… Would it be too much for you to teach me? I just – I want to be strong. I don't want to always be the damsel in distress."
"There's nothing wrong with being a damsel in distress. I mean, how else do you find your man?" Hope joked. "I don't think you know what you're getting into with me. Bae or even Emery would probably be much gentler than I."
"I don't need to be babied. I need to be badass."
"Don't say I didn't warn you but you got it dude. Sorry, I binge watched Full House too. I have a problem. Somebody stop me."
-v-
Snow went to visit Henry in his cell. She hoped she could talk some sense into him.
"Here we go with the judgement!" Henry rolled his eyes.
"I will do no such thing. I just want to talk to you. Why'd you do it? I know it isn't about power." Snow asked. Henry just looked at her with a blatant stare. "Fine, don't answer. You probably don't have one. I just don't understand why you're choosing this life, choosing to be alone. Do you understand how much I wished for the love and support that you have when I was your age?"
"Whose fault was it that you were alone in the first place?"
"Let it go, Henry. We have. The past is the past."
"So you've let it go, what about everyone else mom hurt?"
"I don't understand you. You're angry about your parents' past so you want to repeat it?"
"Why not? They had no consequences, why should I?"
"That makes about as much sense as declaring a ten year old as your enemy." She said to remind him that he was becoming what he seemed to hate. "This conversation has been had so I won't waste my time but you know right from wrong. Love is stronger than hate. Whatever demons you're fighting, we won't give up on you. We will love them out of you."
Snow walked away. A tear fell from Goldie's eye, she quickly wiped it away. His family truly loved him.
"Your sister's hopefulness is quite nauseating." Goldie said.
-v-
Bright and early Thanksgiving day, Hope was training Vella in the backyard. Hope was almost like a drill sergeant, Vella really didn't know what she was getting herself into. She started out teaching her basic self-defense and got more and more in depth the more she got it.
Emery looked out the kitchen window into the backyard and saw them then Bae walked in.
"Did you know Hope was teaching Vella to fight?" Emery asked. Bae went over to the window and looked out.
"No but good for her." Bae smiled.
"It's times like this I realize how intense Hope can be." Emery said. "You and Vella have been a long time coming but it was still very sudden."
Bae sighed. It was bothering him and he hadn't talked about it to anyone. "He hit her. He'd been hitting her. Sometimes I'd get this feeling like something was wrong. I never trusted him. Then when I found him." He took a deep breath. "I told him I'd snap his neck into a million pieces if he ever touched her again."
"Quite violent for the truest believer… I can't imagine what I would have done if it were Mel. How do you feel now?"
"Every time I see a genuine smile on her face, I feel a little bit better."
"The adults in our lives really made true love look easy."
"That's why we have the storybook to remind us that it isn't."
When dinner rolled around it was the perfection that Astrea was looking for. She was happy she actually pull it off. This was pretty much a typical dinner back at the castle so Bae, Hope, Emery and Maleficent didn't quite understand what the big deal was but it made Astrea feel better. They don't know the history of this world though, Hope was learning about it in school. What they did understand was being thankful, that was a universal understanding.
It turned out to be sweetly beautiful. Moments like this made Maleficent appreciate this second chance she was getting with Astrea even more. It was the first time Vella had enjoyed a holiday in a long time.
After dinner they volunteered to serve dinner to the homeless. The amount of people without homes was heart-wrenching.
Afterward, they waited on their Uber van to come. Bae intertwined his hand with Vella's.
"I have a few things to be thankful for this year and you know, one of those things is you." Vella said.
"And I'm really, really, really thankful for you." They kissed.
A few people walking by would stare at her. That had been happening all day.
"Why do they stare?" Bae questioned.
"What happened to my family, it was on the news. They must recognize me. That's part of the reason, I don't come here."
"We've dealt with that a bit because of certain family members' history but they know not what they do. All we can do is create our own destiny, our own legacies and hope that they see us for who we really are."
Vella smiled. "Yeah. I'm trying, no matter how scary it may be." She said before the Uber arrived.
-v-
On a beautiful autumn night, Roland and Alexandra walked back to the castle from the orphanage arm and arm.
"Are you concerned about your brother?" Alexandra asked.
"Of course but I'm also a bit annoyed. I know this is terrible but it's always about him. Shouldn't I get something for being the good son?" Roland sighed. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize for how you feel Ro."
"I just need to get away or something but it's hard enough on my parents, I don't want to leave on top of it."
"Every so often, you need to put yourself first. They have Snow, Emma and Neal. If you could go anywhere, where would you go?"
"Another world, somewhere fun and adventurous, just for a week. That's all I need."
"The land with no magic?"
"The land where I had to be a servant to The Queen of No Heart? I think not."
"It would be different this time. You miss Bae, Emery and Hope, don't you?"
"Sure but getting there and back wouldn't be so easy and even if I did, I wouldn't know where to find them."
"Mel's been visiting. She knows where they are."
"Okay… If we find a way, will you go with me?"
"I was hoping you'd ask." She kissed his cheek.
-v-
Thanksgiving break was over and they were back in Michigan at Bedrock Diner.
"I really enjoyed Thanksgiving with you guys." Vella said.
"So did we, new good friend for sure." Hope said.
"We must take a selfie to celebrate." Vella said, they looked lost.
"What's a selfie?" They asked.
"OMG. You're time travelers, aren't you? You can tell me, I'll believe you." Vella joked.
"No. Not time travelers." Emery said.
"More like universe travelers." Hope said. Bae tapped Hope under the table. "Ow!" She said in the midst of a laugh.
"Anyway, let's just take the picture." Vella held out her phone and they took the picture.
"To new beginnings." Bae said and kissed Vella's dimple.
"Someone isn't too happy to see you two together." Hope noticed Damon watching from across the room.
"That's his problem." Vella kissed Bae. "Hope, I found gym for us to train."
"Great. Now I need a favor. You know I'm a fashion design major at school. Would you model my designs?"
"Sure!"
"It's a lot harder than I thought it'd be, not the designing but the actual making is. Why can't I just call some mice and birds to make them for me?" Hope joked.
"Cinderella or Enchanted? You guys are really Disney fans, huh? I enjoy fairy tales myself, they've always given me a reason to dream. It's not odd to you guys that you have a family friend named Maleficent and a grandmother named Snow?"
"No! We also have a grandfather named Rumplestiltskin." Hope said playfully but the look on Bae's face didn't say playful. The look on his face said, "Stoooooppppp!" Hope got a kick out of it but that was her last one. She excused herself for the ladies room. When she came back out Damon was standing outside and she started to walk past him but he grabbed her. She looked him up and down.
"Has he lost his mind? I think he lost his mind." Hope thought.
"A pretty thing like you should be with a real man." Damon said.
"The name is Hope and it's a good thing I have one and know many because what I know is, a real man doesn't raise his hand to a woman. A real man is a kind gentlemen who prides himself on supporting the woman by his side and isn't afraid of a strong one. So if you would like to be introduced to a real man, I could help you with that but oh yeah, I guess you got to know my brother well enough when he let you know he'd break your neck into a million little pieces…"
"Watch who you're talking to."
"No. You watch who you are talking to." Hope said with a dark tone and pushed him to the wall behind him then put her hand around his neck but all the force really came from her power. He couldn't understand how she could be so strong. "I may be young and I may seem sweet but passive I am not and if you ever touch me again, believe me, you will regret it. I know you're trying to make Vella jealous but it won't work. I know you're trying to upset my brother and that wouldn't be wise. So grow up and get some help you little asshole because one day, you will cross the wrong woman and you will pay the price." She finally let his neck go. He clutched his neck and grasped for air. "Now I know you don't understand this word but be a gentlemen and open the door for me, would you?" He just looked at her, still clutching his neck. "I'm waiting." He headed toward the door. "Oh and do something about your hair. All the product makes it look absolutely dreadful." He opened the door. "Thank you Demon, you should be so kind." She walked out of the hallway and back to their table then saw Andy coming in. "Andy!" She exclaimed and hugged him. Damon just couldn't understand how they were getting the girls and he was single.
-v-
Jane taught Tarzan how to dance as her father played his and her mother's song with a harmonica. Rumple was in his tent playing it for himself but he was loud enough for them to hear it. Tarzan was learning to speak quickly which obviously made it a hell of a lot easier to communicate. He was spending more and more time with her. They couldn't wait to see each other any time they were apart. When they were together, they would constantly make eyes at each other. They were both beginning to feel things they had never felt before.
After the dance, she explained the stars to him. It was quite romantic over Rumple's harmonica playing. He seemed to play that song all night, undoubtedly, it gave him comfort.
Over the last few months, Tarzan and Jane introducing each other to their worlds not only broadened their horizons but quickly brought each other together. Unfortunately, Jane would eventually have to leave and Tarzan hoped that she never would.
-v-
Emma was walking down the castle halls to her chamber when she heard Roland call for her. She stopped and turned to him with Alexandra by his side.
"May I ask a favor of you, considering you can actually do this?" Roland asked.
"Of course." Emma replied, inviting the two of them into her room where Neal waited. Emma took a seat at the bed bench while Roland and Alexandra sat on the couch across from her. "What do you need, love?"
"Is it possible that we could go to the land with no magic, just for a few days? I would like to get away for a little while so, why not visit Bae, Hope and Emery? Can your magic do that?"
"Uh…" Emma never tried to do such a thing and really wasn't sure if she could. She's powerful but that powerful? Eh. "I doubt it. That's some powerful magic. As far as we know, the only people who can do that with their magic alone is the author and Bae, Hope and Emery together. That takes a lot of them and they can only transport lands if all three of them are going together."
"Why do you want to go there anyway?" Neal inquired.
"I just want a break from it all and a bit of an adventure would be nice." Roland replied.
"I take it, you haven't spoken to grandma and Robin about this." Emma said.
"I haven't but I'd only be gone for a few days." Roland said.
"I'll try and see what I can do but I can't make any promises. Give me a few weeks, okay." Emma said.
Nara barged in the room and it's fair to say she wasn't very happy. "Are you serious? So you're going to leave me too?" Nara questioned Roland. They were all caught off guard to hear such a thing from her.
"What? I didn't think you'd care." Roland said.
"I wouldn't care that everyone I look up to is either leaving or losing their mind?"
"I'm sorry. You never want to be around us or anything. You're always with your friends. I didn't know."
"I'm twelve. That's what we do but that's because everyone is always supposed to be there and they're not! Because I'm always with my friends gives everyone else a right to just leave me behind? Poof! Just left in the dust?"
"Aww! Baby, they all love you. They're not leaving you behind." Emma assured but Nara looked at her with her arms folded and an eyebrow raised.
"Emma's right." Roland confirmed and hugged Nara. "I'll only be gone a few days. I'm coming right back. I promise."
"Really? Then take me with you." Nara said.
"No." Neal said.
"You let Hope go! Don't tell me she's older. I'll be chaperoned. It's only a few days, right?" Nara pleaded her case.
"Alex, you wouldn't mind if Nara went with me instead, would you?" Roland asked.
"No. You all deserve to reunite for a few days. I'm sure they miss you both as much as you miss them." Alexandra replied.
"I'll take care of her if you let her go." Roland said to Emma and Neal.
"If I actually manage to pull this off then we'll think about it." Emma said before Roland, Alexandra and Nara left the room.
-v-
Hope was training Vella at a gym. She'd been training her for a few weeks now and they were really becoming good friends and they admired each other. Vella admired how strong and tough Hope was and Hope actually admired Vella for the same thing. Vella didn't see herself that way but it's easy to be strong and tough growing up with the people Hope grew up with and she'd never really been through anything but for Vella to have gone through all that she's gone through and to still have that glimmer of hope and will to keep fighting, that's true strength. Yet, Vella reminded Hope of herself, a bit flimsy on the hope train. She also reminded her of her grandmas Snow and Regina. No wonder her brother loved her so, she's like a combination of all the women in his life but that said, she knew what she needed to do to really help her and it probably wouldn't be pretty. This training was about to be taken to another level.
Vella punched on the punching bag but just wasn't giving it everything she had.
"Harder!" Hope yelled. "How are you supposed to kick someone's ass punching like a toddler?"
Vella punched harder, followed by a few strong kicks.
"Good! More! Punch that thing like it's all the people who have hurt you, like it's Damon, like it's your father."
Vella gave a few angry punches.
"Do you really have to bring them up?" Vella questioned.
"Yes! You keep everything inside and this is where you need to channel all that pent up energy, all that anger."
"I'm not angry."
"Really? Your father."
Vella punched the bag so hard it swung about a foot away.
"Not angry, huh?" Hope asked. "Be honest with your feelings, especially with yourself."
"There's nothing to tell."
"Really? So it doesn't bother you that people only see you as a pretty face and not like someone with a brain or that Damon hit you for months and no one noticed or how awful your foster home was or having to fend for yourself before you were ready and all that because your father, the man who was supposed to be there to protect you kill-"
Vella was boiling on the inside. "Okay! I'm angry! I'm. Pissed. Off. I'm pissed off and alone. I've been alone for a long time and it's not fair. My whole life isn't fair! Is that what you wanted to hear?" Vella yelled while failing to hold back tears.
"No. I wanted you to hear it. Now, channel all of that and use everything that I've taught you… Billy!" Hope called. A basketball player type of man with extra padding walked in. "Billy is a trained professional, not as well as I but he's allowing you to throw him around a bit."
"What?"
"How would you have the confidence to fight a man if you don't know that you can?"
"Come on, a woman can't beat a man."
"At the risk of hurting my face…" Hope stepped up to Billy and fought him like a superwoman then flipped him over onto the mat.
"Damn! You're really powerful for such a little woman." Billy was in shock then got up.
"Wow. I can't-" Vella started.
"Do not finish that sentence. Do what I taught you? You can do it." Billy walked up to Vella and they went one on one. "Channel your anger!" Vella fought him harder, it ended with her pinning Billy to the mat.
"I did it." Vella said as she stood.
"I told you, you could." Hope said as Billy left the room. "I'm sorry I pushed you like that. It's just that, I know what can happen to people when they keep their feelings bottled inside. Nothing good ever comes of that but you have to channel it in the right place, the right way."
