Finally, I finished a chapter and posted it. Thanks for those that have reviewed. I enjoy getting them. As you all know I own nothing of OUAT. Please read and review.

...

Dr. Brook stood inside the courtyard, or the remains of what was once a courtyard. He was never brought to the Dark Castle in his former life of black and white. He held no interest and the owner held no interest in inviting him. He looked at the surroundings that were once lush and full of life. Though he never saw gardens in color growing up he knew when care was taken in their design. Rumplestiltskin cared about the surroundings of the castle it seemed. Now all that remained were dried up husks of shrubs, flowers and brown greying trees. It saddened him a little.

He held the cloth with Rumplestiltskin's blood and entered through the large ornate doors. Upon entering he found that the outside was a huge contrast to inside. Nothing was marked or damaged. It was lavish and the colors invaded his mind. Making sure he wasn't seeing things he looked outside at the plant graveyard then at the interior. How had any of this survived? Despite his dislike of magic Dr. Brook had to admire its uses.

Moving past the entrance he explored the castle only to find that the refinement was confined to only certain areas of the castle. The entrance, a hall where things were put on display along with what could only be bedrooms and a very expansive library. Everything else was dull and functional at best.

Dr. Brook stood in the hall for a moment to study his surroundings. He was fascinated by what he saw. Only a small area of the castle was truly refined. It was for show.

"Ah, so you were not born into wealth." He would know being born into wealth and all the pomp and show that went into that lifestyle. Then he spotted something in the corner of the hall. There was a mess on the floor of an otherwise perfectly clean hall. He reached down and picked up a piece of straw out of the stray fibres from the floor. "A work area?"

Dr. Brook looked at the surroundings again and realized how isolated this area was. "Spinning straw into gold." This area he realized was a place of solitude. He found this aspect of Rumplestiltskin's work was kept separate from other endeavours.

Shaking himself from his thoughts he finally found the study and absorbed the familiar feel and smell that comes with a room that explores knowledge in its most concentrated form.

There were bookshelves and notes scattered about set amongst a few tables dedicated to a particular field of study as he had done in his world. Dr. Brook realized that Rumplestiltskin was a man of knowledge but self taught. This was a room of an educated man that had devoted time to go beyond the books of previous learned men. It was with this realization that Dr. Brook felt a chill filter through him. Rumplestiltskin is a man that understood what a man of science was. In essence Rumplestiltskin understood him.

After he finished studying the room as a whole his eyes turned to a table that was cleared of everything save a single sheet of paper on one half of it. It was rolled up and tied with gold string.

Dr. Brook undid the string and read the note and turned a shade paler.

Welcome Dr. Frankenstein,

I am pleased you decided to pursue the noble quest to understand magic. I have spent decades up on decades in that very quest. Or rather learned to manipulate it.

Oh, I might have forgotten to mention that in order to read the books that have the knowledge that you seek you'll have to burn the material with my blood and inhale some of the smoke. Don't worry it will be a sight to behold and write about in our journal I could only assume a man of your position would carry.

Keep in mind once its burned you cannot leave the castle until I return. There is plenty of food and drink in the castle to more than sustain you until I eventually return. Enjoy your stay.

Rumplestiltskin

Throwing the note on the table not believing a word written. Then like any good scientist he had to find proof to confirm what he was told and he went to one of the books and opened it. It was written in a language he didn't understand. Another book seemed to have empty pages as did many of the books and notes. One book had pages were the words moved aimlessly on the page.

"Smart bastard."

The idea occurred to him that he may be able to take the books from the castle but there were too many to carry and he had no idea what ones would be useful and which ones would not.

He pulled out the rag with the blood on it and sighed. Once again he was given a choice. He could go back and not play this game or figure out why Rumplestilskin wanted him here. There was always a reason for everything Rumplestiltskin did. Dr. Brook wanted to first discover the reason before he delved into his own endeavour.

Dr. Brook took left one bag on the table with the note and took the other with his personal items and decided to find a room to sleep in for the night. Tomorrow he'll decide what to do and how to find out in why he was here in accordance to Rumplestiltskin's plans.

...

The shards of glass caught Emma's attention as she walked into the room Henry was occupying. "Henry wake up I need to..." She stopped when she saw that Henry wasn't there. The bed hadn't been slept in. It was perfectly made. Emma wasn't sure if she was upset that he wasn't there or that he hadn't thought enough ahead to make a better escape plan. When the dagger went missing she had a sinking feeling that it was Henry. He had grown attached to Rumplestiltskin who had become more of a father figure rather than a character from some story.

A crunching sound filled the room when she walked around Henry's desk. She picked up a small piece of glass from the floor. It looked like something from a mirror. Upon inspection she noticed some dust on the desk next to some notes scattered about.

"Oh, Henry you didn't." Emma raced out of the room and found Snow and Charming. They were in the main hall with many other members of the court. They were arguing amongst themselves what had to be done about Rumplestiltskin and who took the dagger.

The hall became quiet when they noticed that Emma had approached her parents. She didn't waste any time. "Henry took the dagger and is no doubt on his way to the prison to free Rumplestiltskin."

The hall ignited in shouts and whispers. Charming silenced them all and allowed Emma to explain further.

"Henry has grown attached to Rumplestiltskin in the past few months. He took the dagger. We have to get to the prison before he does. Let's go before anything else happens." Emma was starting to get scared. She held no fear of Rumplestiltskin as he would never harm Henry but that could not be said of anyone else that approached him with the dagger in hand.

Snow spoke up. "No, let him go Emma. Rumplestiltskin won't harm Henry and he won't do anything to jeopardize his relationship with you or Henry."

Charming spoke up. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, I am very serious. Every time we try to push him in a corner he finds a way out of it with disastrous results. Let's all be honest that he was only caught the first time because he wanted to be." Snow turned to Emma. "You need to go to the prison and speak with them both if they are still there."

Charming wasn't so sure of this plan but he nodded in approval. "She's right, as much as I don't want you near him you seem to have this calming effect on him."

Emma understood what was being asked of her. She was being asked to get the dagger back and Henry would not be punished. This wasn't as simple as everyone wanted. Rumplestiltskin told her that he didn't want her to let him go or give him the dagger. He said nothing of Henry. She was so foolish.

"No, I changed my mind. I'm not going anywhere. Henry will be fine. Rumplestilkskin is up to something and I'm not getting involved until I have to. Let Henry go." Emma looked at her parents and saw relief on their faces. "I am not in the mood for his games. He'll never force me into doing anything. Yes, he'll use manipulation but I'm carrying his child so he'll be careful with me."

This time Charming smiled. "You're forcing him to come to you."

"I suppose so. Now let's just ignore what happened and I'll return to the manor. He'll show up there eventually." Emma was more embarassed than she wanted to let on. She was well aware of how dangerously cleaver Rumplestiltskin is and yet she felt that she was foolish somehow. To be honest she was angry with him for not trusting her with his plans.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a comment about the manor.

"We'll set up a trap at Princess Emma's manor." Blue suggested to Snow and Charming. "It won't take much and he'll arrive to see Emma."

Emma grew rather defensive. "You and the fairies will do no such thing. He can see into the future you know and will see your trap coming a mile away."

"Then what do you suggest." Blue snapped. "Let him do as he desires?"

"Would it make any difference either way?" Emma snapped back.

Charming stepped in. "That's enough, please. Emma how about we set up detection spells around your manor? Just to let us know where he is, just to track him."

The idea didn't bother her too much so she agreed. "He'll know about those spells and find a way to counteract them."

"Let him try." Blue added with more bitterness than Emma was used to.

Emma turned to Blue. "You're a little different now. Will you be a threat to me in a few weeks time?"

Emma's words struck a chord with the de-winged fairy. "I am not sure, Emma. I am very sorry for being so cross. I am not used to so many of these hateful emotions. I felt anger before but never hate." She scratched her arms. "These clothes are so irritating." Blue started to tear up in frustration.

"Try an outfit made of leather or pure silk. There is nothing softer than those two fabrics on the skin. It may help you. Never fur as it may itch."

Blue nodded her thanks then left. Emma felt for Blue and it hurt to know that one day Blue may become a worrisome advisory. Part of her hoped that this was not one of Rumplestilkskin's manipulative tricks that she would end up having to deal with or come to him for help with.

She closed her eyes and made her way to her room, within the hour she was on her way to the manor.

...

Rumplestilkstin knew who was at his door before he turned around. "Henry, you really did cause a lot of trouble by coming here."

Henry was at the door holding the dagger, half afraid of it. Because he held it he could control one of the most powerful men in this land. "I don't care."

"Are you here to give me the dagger?" Rumplestiltskin turned around quickly but his face was just out of the light. "Your mother would be rather disappointed in you."

"She'll forgive me." Henry strained to hear Rumplestiltskin's voice. There was something different about it. "Why are you not approaching the door?"

"I am a little different than what you are used to."

"You've reverted to who you used to be. Before Storybrooke. You've forgotten Gold haven't you?" His voiced was laced with disappointment.

Rumplestiltskin stepped toward the door and allowed Henry to see the full transformation of his face and features. "I have not forgotten Storybrooke or the fact that I was Mr. Gold the greedy pawnbroker that collected rent from everyone in that cursed little town."

Henry stepped back and saw the reptilian eyes and was surprised at how such a shrill voice could be so intimidating. This was not the man he was used to speaking with.

"Having second thoughts, Henry?" Rumplestiltskin stepped closer to the door. If Henry were one foot closer he could easily take the dagger if it were not for Emma's orders to not attempt to escape. "If you decide to free me, there is no going back. You'll be helping the most feared man in the land."

For a fraction of a second fear danced in Henry's eyes then it was gone. "You want me to give this dagger to you. Everything you told me was to get me here. I was so stupid not to believe you weren't manipulating me!"

"If you believe that, then go back to your mother." Without another word Rumplestiltskin turned and went back into the shadows of his cell. He was at his desk pretending to do work. Henry stepped closer to the door. There was a soft clink of metal against the dragon teeth, signalling that Henry was holding onto the bars of the door to get a closer look.

Neither one spoke for over five minutes. Rumplestiltskin held his ground and kept his back to Henry. The younger man bit his lip knowing that this was just another one of Rumplestiltskin's manipulations and he knew he really needed to win something over this complicated man. It saddened him as he was starting to see him as the father he never had growing up. Neal was there a short time before...Henry shook those thoughts from his head and decided to play the manipulation game.

"My mother will be upset with you for this." Henry stepped from the door, pleased to see a sudden movement of Rumplestiltskin's head. "She won't blame me for this at all. I'm just an innocent, yet cleaver child that you manipulated to get around the rules that prevent you from trying to escape."

Henry couldn't see it but Rumplestiltskin wore the largest smile and took great strains not to get out a giggle. The boy was taught well, a far better student at manipulation than he gave the boy credit for. Rumplestiltskin slowly turned around and glided to the door and laced his arms around a couple of dragon's teeth.

"Did you tell anyone about the mirror or the fact that you collected the materials used to escape undetected?"

Henry remained silent knowing that he was being pinned into a corner. "Nope, not going to bite. You're over 300 I'm under 20. Who do you think people are going to think was manipulated?"

"You really are my grandson." He spoke with pride. "So now the question is, if you now know I am manipulating you why are you still here?"

That was a very good question and Henry wasn't sure he was able to answer it. Rumplestiltskin's face held a subtle smile that warned Henry that he already knew the answer. "I wanted to know if you would predict what I would do or not."

"I wouldn't have given all the information and the mirror for nothing. Now answer the question, you're stalling."

"Did you manipulate me in order to escape? I order you to answer me!"

Rumplestiltskin's smile vanished and his hands gripped the teeth that composed the door. He had not foreseen this as a real potential. He hoped that Henry had his mother's ability to feel empathy when he answered the question. "Yes, I did." Pain shot through his body and he let out a blood curdling scream. He fell to the ground in agonizing pain. He broke one of the rules placed upon him. As long as he wasn't direct about it then he could escape through a loophole. His skin felt as if it were on fire. Rumplestiltskin never realized the power Emma had when setting the rules.

Any anger or humiliation Henry felt vanished when he realized what he had forced Rumplestiltskin to do. "No, I'm sorry! Here I order you to take the dagger and no longer follow the rules that are harming you! TAKE THE DAGGER!" He shoved it under the door and into Rumplestiltskin's hand.

In that instant Rumplestiltskin stood with the Dagger in hand and stepped into the area of the room that held the least amount of power over him. He vanished in his familiar puff of burgundy smoke. Henry knew that instant that Rumplestiltskin was behind him without even looking.

Henry turned and for the first time faced the real Rumplestiltskin who giggled in delight. This wasn't the controlled, conservative man that he knew growing up. And for the first time Henry understood what regret felt like. Before he could call out for help he was enveloped in smoke.

...

Storybrooke (Day 3)

Regina prepared what she knew was Henry's favourite breakfast and called him down from his bedroom. A few minutes passed and there was no answer. Then there was a scream. Regina ran to Henry's room and found him entangled in the magically enhanced vines that caught Henry as he was trying to escape.

"Let me go! This is why you're the Evil Queen! I hate you!"

His words stung but she shoved them aside thinking them as nothing more than the upset and misguided rants of a child. "I know you don't mean that. Now come inside." She moved her hand and the vines pushed Henry into the window he had only moments before attempted to escape from.

"I do, why must you take everything away from everybody?"

That was the phrase that cut the deepest. "Everything had been taken from me."

"What did I take from you?" Henry was tired of this fight and upset that he was being used. All he wanted was to be a normal child not some trophy to be fought over.

Regina had no answer but didn't allow that to interfere with ensuring that he wouldn't leave her. He was her son and she loved him. Soon he'll love her in return.

"You did nothing, you're too young to understand." With another wave she locked the window. "Now come on, I have breakfast made for you. It's your favourite, banana chocolate chip pancakes."

Henry knew it was a bribe and wanted to ruin things for her but for now would have to play along in order to get another chance to escape. He followed Regina down stairs and sat in his usual place at the table. Despite what he thought of her and everything she had done Henry did enjoy Regina's cooking. He was sad that she was too involved with power than pursuing something she was good at and even enjoyed. It was one of the few times he saw her truly happy.

"Here you go Henry."

A huge plate of pancakes tempted Henry and he felt it was rather cruel of her to present his favourite breakfast to him after everything she did. He wanted to find a way to ruffle her feathers and smiled realizing how it can be done.

"I am glad you're back. I was worried about you." Regina said as she poured some cream into her coffee.

"You didn't need to. Despite you hating Emma and Mr. Gold they would never harm me. I wanted to go. I feel trapped in this town."

That earned him a sour look but she held her temper in check not wanting to push Henry further away emotionally.

"I met my father in New York. I also met my grandfather." Henry poured some maple syrup onto the top pancake and acted as if he had never spoken.

"Excuse me?"

Henry was pleased to hear a gesture of anger and if he didn't know any better jealosy. "Yeah, apparently my father is the man that Rumplesktiltkin was looking for." Henry slipped up a little but he was happy to see that in doing so Regina's vein in her forehead was ready to burst.

"You need to stop telling stories Henry. You don't have a father." Regina prayed that Henry wasn't saying what she thought he was saying.

"I'm not telling stories. My father was the one Rumplestiltskin was looking for in New York. Guess who my grandfather is?" Henry went back to eating again and acting like nothing unusual was said. He was really enjoying the pancakes now.

It took a moment to process what Henry had said before Regina could respond. Before she could interrogate Henry further there was a knock at the door. This wasn't good.

"Henry stay here and enjoy your breakfast."

Regina's heart thumped in her chest each step she took to the door. Things could become very ugly very quickly if it was the person she thought it would be. She took a breath and composed herself before opening the door.

Rumplestiltskin stood outside dressed in one of his usual expensive suits with a sour smile on his face. "Good morning your highness. We really need to talk."

The thought of slamming the door in his face was tempting but thought better of it. "Then do come in."

Regina let Gold into her house and had him follow her to an office. He had other plans upon seeing Henry enjoying a large place of pancakes. He approached Henry and noticed that there were some marks on his wrists. Gold surmised that Regina had hired some tree vines to be Henry's prison guards.

"Good morning Henry."

Henry swallowed some pancake. "Good morning Mr. Gold."

"I see Regina is feeling particularly guilty for kidnapping you. Now why don't you take this plate up to your bedroom. I have to have a few words with her royal highness."

Henry didn't need to be told twice and ran up the stairs with the plate before Regina could object. Regina shot daggers at Gold who now wore a rather satisfied smile on his face.

"You came here to talk, so talk."

Gold waited until he was sure that Henry had closed the door. "I have come to tell you some good news. Well good for me at any rate. Henry will be living with me from now on, and with Emma."

"Over my dead body. You have no claim to him."

"Oh but I do Dearie. I recently discovered that I have a grandson. You see Henry's father is my son." He stepped closer to her and his smile vanished. "I heard how Henry was taken from his mother and grandparents. Shocking behaviour coming from royalty."

Regina steeled herself. "Then go ahead and kill me. I know you've wanted to for a while now."

"Oh, I had never wanted to kill you. Dead people owe you nothing and are therefore worthless. There are worse things in life than death. Why don't you visit your dear friend Maleficent and ask her how life is." Gold edged a little closer to her. "It would have been only too easy to end your miserable selfish life. I learned that if you kill someone their suffering ends." Gold turned toward the stairs and called out. "Come down Henry we're leaving."

Regina vanished in a cloud of smoke and reappeared in front of Henry. "I'm doing this to protect you, Henry. Rumplestiltskin is a very dangerous man."

Before Gold could stop her she vanished with Henry in a cloud of purple smoke.

...