Chapter Twelve~

When the two arrived back at Mary's places they found not only Mary waiting for them but David and Henry also, all three of them jumping up when they walked through the door.

"So, what happened?" Mary asked in a clearly worried voice so that Emma said in a voice dripping with distain,

"We let Gold out so he could help us, I made a deal with him." in an instant David was at her side putting a hand on her shoulder asking her,

"Why would you do that?"

"Because I had no other choice David! I made a deal that he would help us fight Regina with whatever she's planning and he'd protect our family. That was part of our deal."

"And what was the other end of the deal then?" David persisted so that Emma turned to look at Darcy who gave her an encouraging half-smile as Emma huffed out,

"That Darcy or Odette chooses what side she stays on—whatever that means." only David saw the danger lurking behind those words and said dangerously,

"Emma, you have no idea what you've just done." but before she could say anything a knock on the door causing everyone in the apartment to turn towards the door in wonder—and worry. It was Darcy who dared to go over and see who it might be with the worried voice of David saying,

"Be careful." turning to see him, she nodded and gave him a smile of assurance before opening the door to find Sidney behind the door smiling dressed in a tan suit.

"What do you want?" Darcy asked carefully as she felt Emma come up from behind her, David and Mary next with Henry at her other side—a family united.

"Regina would like to talk out the problem at hand. She invites you, Emma and Mr. Gold to her home tonight around nine—if you're willing to be civil that is." Sidney said calmly so that Darcy replied,

"And what if we refuse? What will she do then?"

"Nothing, honestly she all she wishes to do is to talk out this messy matter." Sidney told them but Emma read between the lines so said,

"Ok, but we'll meet someplace even, even turf—the park. If she doesn't agree then that's her problem." Sidney rose an eyebrow but shrugged saying casually,

"I don't see why she wouldn't agree."

"Then we're agreed." Darcy said so that Sidney nodded before leaving them to shut the door and Darcy to say,

"We got to tell Mr. Gold."

"I'll go inform him, you girls stay here for the day. I want to make sure you're safe." David said in all honesty, not wanting to put his family at risk again when he knew he could protect them. Exchanging glances, the two nodded so watched as David left the apartment. The rest of the day was spent setting up strategies and back up plans for the worse. Finally it was around eight thirty when Henry ended up falling asleep on the couch with the three women in the kitchen talking over hot coco. Suddenly David, who had been gone since morning, arrived and said,

"You guys best visit Golds shop before meeting up with Regina."

"Why?" Mary asked in a hush stepping over to him so that he replied honestly,

"He's figured out a way to protect them if she tries anything funny tonight. But they'll have to go to his shop first."

"You didn't make a deal with him did you?" Mary asked with fear evident in her voice and eyes wide with dread but he shook his head and smiled taking her cheeks in her hands saying,

"Never, I would never do that." then he turned to Emma and Darcy and nodded towards the door so that they took the hint and headed out. While walking towards the shop it was Darcy, who had changed into something for a fight—just in case she had to—who said,

"Everything will work out Emma." but Emma shook her head saying,

"I have a bad feeling in my gut about this Darcy." only she felt a hand take her own and looked down to see it was Darcy and gave it a squeeze as they stopped before Mr. Gold's shop. Both took a deep breath before it was Darcy who opened the door to find Mr. Gold cleaning a vase. When the door shut it locked on its own behind them so that Emma snapped,

"What's up Gold?"

"Can't have Regina trying anything funny now can we?" he said easily while turning towards them with two bracelets in his hands of simple silver with a charm that looked like a leaf.

"These, will protect you for this night alone from anything Regina tries to harm you two. Anything of Regina's Magic will be deflected against these bracelets. As long as you have them on during our conversation you'll be safe." Mr. Gold said setting them down on the counter top as Emma picked one up sensing a strange sort of tingle coming from the bracelet. Darcy felt it too as she instantly put it on but Emma snapped,

"Darcy!"

"What? I trust him." she said not seeing the spark of joy in the man's eye at her words that vanished when Emma turned to him to say,

"And what if this plan backfires?" he shrugged saying to her honestly,

"Listen my dear Sheriff, these bracelets are meant to wear for only a one night and day cycle to ward off any sort of Magic. They have never failed me before in the past and I've had plenty of experience with them. But if you don't want protection then I can always put this one away," and here he made to put the other bracelet away but Emma was quicker and snatched it off the counter quickly putting it on. When they were done they all left the shop and headed for the park where upon reaching it they discovered Regina and Sidney already there sitting on a bench.

"How nice to arrive." Regina commented dressed in a strange casually all black outfit of dress pants and blouse.

"We just had to sort a few things out." Emma said standing a few feet from the bench alongside Darcy who was next to Mr. Gold. Regina stood and smiled sweetly saying with a flip of her hand,

"This whole thing has been awfully foolish on our parts I think. You did managed to Break the Curse dearest Savior as prophesied so very long ago and clearly I lost."

"Yes, you did. But if that's what you honestly feel then why are you still so bent on destroying everyone's joy?" Darcy dared to ask so that Regina smiled again saying,

"Not everyone's anymore dear—just yours. You see, I had a sort of strange clarity while I had a moment to think. Who is it that can bring down the Charming Family with one fowl swoop of a cutting sword? Who can destroy a whole Kingdoms legacy and place on the map? And who can break the heart of one certain imp of a man who can spin straw into gold?" as she spoke she slowly started to walk closer toward Darcy but she held up her hand saying,

"One step closer and I will defend myself lady." Regina blinked but chuckled because she caught sight of the bracelet on her wrist.

"Still using Magic I see Gold." Regina told him eyeing him from the corner of her eyes before turning her attention right back to Darcy to say,

"Whatever you think my dear, whatever 'Magic' you think you might have on your side, it won't matter when the stars are align." and glancing up at the stars waited for the three to do the same before she blasted the three of them with lightning sending the three flying several feet away from her and into the other side of the park. When Darcy hit the ground however her bracelet clasp broke and she started to hyperventilate as Regina and Sidney disappeared from the park. It took a moment before both Emma and Mr. Gold got their senses back and it was Emma who spied Darcy convulsing on the ground.

"Darcy!" she screamed crawling over to her friend as Mr. Gold got up to go over to the two women on the ground.

"Do something damn it!" Emma snapped with tears in her eyes watching her friend shaking so horribly. So helplessly Emma watched as Mr. Gold got out a small vial filled with a blue tinted liquid and told Emma to open her mouth. As he poured the liquid into Darcy's mouth and Emma closed her mouth slowly she stopped shaking before falling limp leaving the two panting and watching her breathing to make sure it was even.

"I'm going to kill that bitch." Emma said making Mr. Gold smirk the most wicked smirk ever.