Rumple was the first to react. "But if Regina freed Jafar, she wouldn't have a genie to use for the spell."

Belle considered this, but it was hard to think when her mind was reeling with the frightening news. "I don't know how it's going to work, but if Jafar gets free, it won't be good for anyone."

Rumple sighed and set his earnest gaze on her. "What can we do to stop her?"

It felt so strange to Belle that he was looking to her for an idea, for a plan, for deliverance. It had always been the other way around, but this time she was the one with the knowledge. She got to play the hero now, but she knew from experience that it wasn't always as great as it seemed to be.

Belle shut her eyes for a moment, thinking through the book. "I…I don't know." She blinked her eyes open and looked at Henry, who was still staring with wide eyes, and at Rumple, whose expression was set and determined. "If we could get to Wonderland, maybe we could stop her from returning the water to Nyx."

"There's no way for us to travel between worlds anymore," Rumple stated. "All of the beans were destroyed, and Jefferson's hat as well. Unless someone casts another powerful curse- which I am not doing- I'm afraid we're stuck here."

"So my mom gets what she wants?" Henry wondered, his shoulders sagging.

Belle wasn't sure how to reply to that. It seemed hopeless, but there had to be something they could do…

Movement caught her eye out of the library window. She turned and looked, the view allowing her to see across the street behind an abandoned shop. A clothed rabbit seemed to emerge from the brick wall of the building, coming to rest at the feet of a man with buzzed hair and a black jacket.

Belle smiled. "There's always hope, Henry." She walked out from behind the desk and practically ran out the door, pausing only for a moment at the sidewalk before she crossed the street.

"Belle!" Rumple called out behind her. But she didn't wait for him. Instead, she found herself face to face with the stranger and his rabbit across the road.

"Look," he sighed, "I can explain about the rabbit."

Belle smiled. It was like having a storybook character come to life before your very eyes. "There's no need. I'm Belle- Belle Gold," she added before she could stop herself. It was the first time she had introduced herself that way, and she couldn't stop grinning because of it.

He looked at her like she might be crazy. "Will Scarlet. Nice to meet you. Now, how do you know about the rabbit?"

"I have a name, you know," the White Rabbit protested, tapping his foot and crossing his arms.

"It's a long story, but right now we need your help. Our mayor…" But she trailed off as Will's gaze trained over her shoulder. She turned to see Rumple arriving, Henry on his heels.

"Mr. Scarlet." Rumple nodded his head in acknowledgement.

Fear and anger shone in Will's eyes. "Rumplestiltskin."

"As I've told you, I prefer to be called Mr. Gold here."

Bell noted how he didn't mind that she called him "Rumple."

"Fine, Mr. Gold," Will amended.

"Do we get to go through a portal?" Henry asked, though whether he purposefully broke the tension or not was unsure. He glanced up at Will, as if just noticing that he was there. "Oh, hey Will."

"Hello there, Henry. Is your mum around? I need to ask her about something."

"Well, she's with her boyfriend, and she hates getting interrupted on her dates…"

"Me too," Rumple muttered, and Belle had to smile, just a little.

"…so I wouldn't if I were you."

Will nodded absentmindedly while looking at Belle, and then at Rumple, as if something had just clicked in his brain. "Gold?" he asked. "As in, him?" He shook his head. "How did you ever manage that? Made some sort of deal? Or a potion?"

Rumple took a step forward, gripping his cane so hard that the blood left his fingers. Belle reached out for his other hand and pressed it. "Rumple," she said as an undertone. Louder, she added, looking Will directly in the eyes, "I chose to be with him. He's changed since the Enchanted Forest."

"Oh, I'm sure he has," he said with sarcastic laugh.

"You listen here-" Rumple began through gritted teeth.

"Stop!" Henry looked between the two men, the tension between them almost tangible. "You're the only one who can help us, Will. Belle was right; he has changed." He shrugged his shoulders. "And he's also kind of my grandpa."

His eyebrows shot upward. "I'm not even going to ask how that happened. Now tell me what you need," he said, crossing his arms over his chest, "and I'll tell you whether or not I'll help." His gaze swept to Rumple, who returned a hard glare.

"We need to know if there's any way Jafar could be released," Belle said. "Regina is in Wonderland, and we think she's trying to free him."

Will sighed, his expression relaxing. "There are only two people who could answer that question, and it just so happens that I have a magical Rabbit who can get me to them."

"Cool." Henry grinned. "Where are we going?"

"Not 'we,'" Will corrected. "Me."

"Oh, no." Rumple stepped forward. "If we leave you to go alone, how do we know you'll come back?"

Will spread his arms out with a questioning look. "Ever heard of trust? I have a heart, you know."

"I trust you," Belle cut in, "but we need to save as much time as possible, even if it's only a second. If we come with you, it will save a trip back here before we go to Wonderland."

"Who said I'm taking any of you anywhere?"

"I know your heart, Will. Help us, please." Belle looked at him imploringly. She knew he had kindness in there somewhere.

His eyes rolled upward. "Fine, but only because I wouldn't be keen on Jafar being free either. But we should leave now-"

"Wait!" Henry pulled a phone out of his pocket and pressed a button. "We need to bring my mom too. And probably Hook."

"I didn't say you could bring the whole bloody town!" With a sigh, Will shook his head, the White Rabbit looking up at him with an accusing expression.