Turning Tides

by xXSapphirewatersXx

It's been two months since the curse broke and a spell has been placed on the town line, stopping people from crossing and keeping their memories. Rumplestiltskin and Belle have been enjoying their time together without any distractions. When Rumple does finally cross, what happens in Stoybrooke and in New York is an adventure neither of them know if they're ready to face.

5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

---

No.

There was no way that was Rumple. She had just finished talking to him. Granted, lying about where he was just to mess with her is something he would do, but not now.

Silvermist is still barking, as the car nears the town line. Belle prays that it isn't able to cross, but her hope is tarnished when the car drives on past the red painted line and enters Storybrooke. Belle flicks her wrist once and the two back tires of the car pop and causes the car to drive into the dirt. The driver, a man, steps out of the car and is coughing from the smoke coming from inside.

Whoops, Belle bites her lip. She must've overdone it a bit. "Sir, are you alright?" She tells Silvermist to stay before running over to him.

"Yeah, I…I think so." He replies, clutching one of his ribs. "I think I'm a bit bruised, but fine."

"What the hell happened?" She asks, putting a hand on his shoulder to help keep him balanced while he checks other parts of his body.

"I don't know, the tires just…exploded on me and I ended up in the dirt." He looks back at his, now wrecked, car. Belle had definitely overdone it. "I guess I'm just lucky I nearly made it to my destination before my car decided to freak out."

"Oh yeah?" Belle starts nervously. "Where are you going?"

"Here, actually, Storybrooke Maine."

Belle's blood runs cold, the prophecy coming to mind. "What…what could you want in our little town?" He just looks at her and she catches a flicker of recognition in his eyes, scaring her. "I'm sorry." Belle smiles quickly, changing her demeanor. "I'm being terribly rude, I'm-"She pauses and holds out her hand. "Rosalina Gold."

"Greg Mendell." He shakes her hand and recoils quickly.

Damn.

Belle had forgotten to cover her hands with gloves. Granted, she was wearing a tank top so gloves wouldn't have helped much, but it would've taken longer for him to notice.

"What in the hell is that?" His eyes travel up from her arm and up to her neck.

"Have you never seen a tattoo before?" Belle remarks coldly, pulling her hand away.

"I'm sorry, I just, I've never seen a tattoo quite like that." He stammers apologetically. "Truly, I am sorry."

Belle is about to respond when she hears Silvermist bark from behind them. "No. Stay." Belle calls back to him.

"Is that a wolf!?" Greg asks her in utter surprise. "I didn't think there were any wolves in Maine."

"There isn't, but this one found me…on one of my darkest days." She looks back at Silvermist and smiles. She had just met him that day, but she knows already. "I love him."

"You can't have a wolf." He warns.

"A wolf is just another breed of dog." Belle argues. "Besides, shouldn't we be dealing with your problem at the moment? What are you even doing in Storybrooke?"

"Why do you want to know so badly?"

"We don't get visitors." Belle states. "We live so far out in the middle of nowhere and there's literally nothing but forest. I'm simply curious as to what prompted you to come, well, here of all places."

"I'm…looking for someone, my father." He finally gets out.

For a brief moment Belle believes Greg is Baelfire, but shakes her head of that. Rumple was in New York with his son at this very moment. "Who's your father?" She asks curiously.

"I'll know him when I see him." He snaps.

"I was simply asking to see if I know who he is." Belle murmurs calmly. "After all, I do live in town."

"What brings you all the way out here?"

"My…husband called earlier and told me he would be home within the next few days." She lies easily. "I just figured I'd come out here and wait for him."

"You're that bored?"

"I miss him." She states stubbornly. "He's been out of town for over a month and…technically, we haven't been married for very long."

"Wow. Work?"

"It doesn't matter." Belle shakes her head. "Look why don't I call someone to come out and help with your car?"

"That would be great, thanks." He breathes a sigh of relief.

Belle smiles and takes her phone out again, to call Charming.

He picks up after a few rings. "Belle? What's up?"

"David." Belle exclaims happily. "Glad I got a hold of you."

"Belle, what are you-?"

"How many times do I have to tell you David, it's Rosalina. Look, we have another crash at the town line. Could you come and help us out?"

"…Yeah, I'll be right there." Charming hangs up and sounds confused.

Belle sighs inwardly, putting her phone back in her pocket. He hopes he talks to Mary Margret before coming out, she would understand what Belle was trying to explain to him. "Someone should be right out." She informs him.

"Great, thanks."

Belle smiles at him again and whistles, causing Silvermist, who was rolling around in the dirt, to perk his ears up and come running over. Belle leans down to pet him.

"Wow, is that yours?" Greg suddenly asks.

Belle looks up to see him looking at Pinocchio's bike. "Oh, no." Belle laughs, standing back up. "It's my-" She pauses, about to call Pinocchio her son. "…Friend's, he just let me borrow it for a while. No, my husband would kill me if he knew I was driving that thing around." She scoffs. "In fact, the only reason he got me a car was in order to stop me from riding the thing."

"He sounds a bit…possessive."

Belle sighs. "Honestly, why doesn't anyone realize that when I say something like that about him, I'm kidding." She leans back down to pet Silvermist again. "He would be upset about the bike, but he wouldn't do anything about it because he knows it's my choice. Anthony knows I do as I please and accepts that." Belle shakes her head. Rumple's other name sounding almost foreign on her lips.

"Well, the two of you have an interesting relationship then."

"Jealous?" Belle jokes, standing back up.

"Haven't even met the guy."

Belle just laughs and whistles to Silvermist, who was running off again. "Where are you going?" She calls and can hear the distant sound of tires passing over gravel. Silvermist turns around to look at her, but doesn't move. "Understood, go." She waves to him and he disappears into the woods.

Neal had watched the exchange and gives her a look. What in the hell was that? Were you just communicating with the wolf?"

"We have company." Belle states, gesturing to the pair of headlights coming their way. "Silvermist doesn't like other people."

"Good to know I'm not the only one that wolf doesn't like." Greg murmurs just as the tow truck pulls up behind Greg's car.

Charming and, thankfully, Snow step out of the truck and look at the two of them in surprise. "David, Mary Margret, thanks for coming." Belle waves, walking over to them.

"It was no problem…Rosie." Charming almost looking pained having to use Belle's other name. "What happened here?"

"I'm not entirely sure." Greg comes over. "I crossed the oddly spray painted line, and my two rear tires just kinda…popped."

"Well that's, odd." Charming blinks. Snow looks at Belle, who only shrugs and Snow gives her an accusing glance. Charming continues. "Well, I'm sorry that happened to you-?"

"Greg Mendell." Greg smiles and holds out his hand.

Charming shakes his hand and Mary Margret does the same. "David and Mary Margret…Charming." Belle mentally groans. David really wasn't helping matters.

"I was just lucky Rosalina was out here, or I probably would've had a hard time getting the rest of the way into town." Greg laughs.

"Yes Rosie, what are you doing all the way out here?" Snow asks.

"Anthony was telling me that he might be home within the next few days, so I thought I'd come out here and, well, wait for him." Belle answers easily. Besides, I think we can both agree I needed to get out of town for a while."

"…Right." Snow looks away. "Sorry."

"Look, it doesn't matter." Belle shakes her head. "I can't really blame all of you for being mad at me."

"We're not-"

"Greg!" Charming interrupts. "Why don't we see what we can do about your car?" He clamps his hand on Greg's shoulder and leads him back to their cars.

Snow shakes her head. "Anyways," She turns back to Belle. "We're not mad at you. Granted, the Blue Fairy's looked better, but it's obvious that has something to do between the Dark One and her, not you."

"Thanks." Belle smiles and breathes a sigh of relief. "I should apologize to her too, but I'm afraid of attacking her again." Belle looks over at the two men trying to get Greg's car hooked up. "And it doesn't help that Rumple won't tell me anything."

Snow places her hand on Belle's shoulder gently. "I'm sure he just doesn't know how to tell you Belle, he is…centuries old."

Belle laughs. "I know and I'm sure-"Belle turns back to Snow and hears something unexpected coming from her. "Snow…are you-?" She shakes her head. "No, nothing, never mind."

Snow gives her a concerned glance. "Belle, are you alright?"

"No." Belle admits. "I don't, I don't know what's going on and I'm scared." Snow moves to hug her and Belle flinches drastically, moving away. "I'm sorry Snow I just-"

"It's alright." Snow assures her. "You're not comfortable."

"I'm not." Belle almost laughs. "Having all of Rumple's power is messing me up, I attacked the Blue Fairy, and now we have a man enter town."

"I don't quite understand that one." Snow looks back over at the two men. "I thought you and Rumplestiltskin put a shield over the town?"

"That's what worries me." Belle bites her lip. "The only people who can come back into town are people who have been here before." Belle sighs. "Rumple only added that loophole in the shield so that if someone from town accidently crossed they could get back in."

"So by doing us a favor he unintentionally allowed someone to cross the line."

Belle scratches her head. "I can hear him now. See this is what I get for trying to be nice."

Snow laughs. "Well, it can't be helped now."

"I suppose not, but you know that if he's been here before then he'll probably recognize the people in town and realize that they haven't aged."

"What are we going to do? If he starts calling people and they show up-"

"They won't be able to cross." Belle assures her. "Unless they've been here before, there's no way they can come into town. The shield will be in effect until Rumple or I die."

"You're sure?" She asks worriedly.

"Snow, we'll get through this."

"Yet you're the one who admitted she's scared." Snow almost laughs.

"Of course I'm scared, but I'm always scared about the welfare of this town." Belle sighs. "I'm starting to think Pinocchio's right."

"About what?"

"Nothing." Belle smiles and looks up to see the two guys finishing up and walking back over. Belle clenches her hands once, making sure the car is truly secured.

"I think we're good." Charming states catching up to them. "Are you ready to head into town?"

"Yeah, do you want Greg to ride with me and I can just drop him off at Granny's inn?" Belle asks, looking at Snow and praying she gets the hint.

"Yeah, we can deal with the garage no problem." Snow assures her, winking once, before taking Charming's hand. "We'll talk to you tomorrow Greg, Rosie?"

"Yes, thank you." Greg nods. "Seriously you two, thanks so much."

"Talk to you guys later." Belle waves, watching them walk away towards the cars.

"Well they seem friendly." Greg notes, as the Charming's step into the truck and drive off.

"Small town." Belle reminds him, walking over to Pinocchio's bike. "Everybody knows everyone and have for years." She hands him a helmet and jumps on.

"Are you sure about leaving your wolf out here?" He asks cautiously, looking around.

"He knows where I live." Belle argues. "I'm pretty sure if he can follow me all the way out here then he can find his way home." She laughs, before starting the bike up and driving into town.

---

"Granny!" Belle calls out as the two of them walk into the inn. "Granny are you here, Ruby?" She walks into the other room.

"Rosie?" Belle breathes a sigh of relief and walks back around the corner. Thank the gods, Snow had called Granny to let her know they were coming and Granny was standing behind the desk looking at Greg curiously.

"Granny!" Belle smiles, walking up to the desk and giving her a hug. "Good to see you again."

"You too dear, who's this?"

Belle looks back at Greg and sees him staring at Granny in shock. Belle realizes quickly that he recognizes Granny and is probably shocked to see her still alive, or at the very least, still looking the same.

This wasn't off to a great start.

"Greg Mendell." Greg smiles and walks up to the front desk, holding out his hand in greeting. Granny takes it willingly and smiles warmly. "I'm afraid I had a bit of an accident at the town line and was wondering if I could get a room here for a few weeks."

Weeks!?

Belle curses softly. This was really bad. The damn prophecy kept creeping up in her mind.

"Of course, no problem." Granny smiles again and her eyes flicker over to Belle, who can only shrug weakly. Granny nods once, before beginning the process of checking him into a room.

"Have you been here before Greg?" Belle asks curiously. "The way you were looking around the inn as we walked in and you said you were looking for your father-"

"I was ten years old when my father and I kinda just…ended up here." He explains, handing Granny his credit card. "We kind of got separated and I haven't seen him since. I know you probably think I'm crazy for looking here for him, but my gut tells me he's still in this town."

"You were ten? That's…quite a long time ago then huh?" Belle taps her fingers against her leg nervously. If he had been a kid back then he would definitely recognize everyone in town.

"Okay, you're all set up." Granny smiles, handing Greg his room key.

Belle clenches her hands to her sides. "Okay, you seem to be all set up here, I should probably-"Belle turns as if to leave.

"Yeah, of course, thanks for everything Rosalina." He calls back, picking up his bag.

"Anytime," She smiles. "I'll talk to you later alright?" By now the Charming's should have called a town meeting to figure out what to do. "Sleep well." She calls back, before leaving the inn.

---

Outside Belle checks her phone and isn't surprised to see a text from Snow. 'Town meeting at the diner-Now.' The message was sent a few minutes ago so, assuming, everyone is already there, Belle teleports herself outside the diner and walks in.

Every pair of eyes looks at her. "No you haven't run me out of town yet." Belle scoffs. "It would probably be easier to kill me than get rid of me." She continues, sitting on the chair in the farthest corner of the bar. The murmuring begins and Belle simply rolls her eyes and is surprised to see Regina leaning against the wall in the back of the diner. Then again, she supposes, this matter did involve the whole town.

Snow and Charming enter the diner with Ruby right behind them, who barrels into Belle. "Belle, what are we going to do?" She murmurs. "Snow and Charming told me what's going on."

"I don't know yet Ruby." Belle admits, as Ruby lets her go and sits in the seat next to her. "Hopefully this meeting gives me a few ideas."

"Belle." Snow calls out to her. "Why don't you tell us what happened at the town line?"

Belle nods and takes a deep breath. "I was…working on something out in the woods and when I got bored, I didn't feel like coming back into town so I went out to the town line and-"The door opens and Pinocchio sneaks in with Granny behind him.

She got here quickly.

"I was hanging out when I saw a pair of headlights coming into town." She continues. "At first, I thought it was Rumple coming back with Emma and Henry, but as he crossed the line I didn't recognize the car so…I popped the two back tires, causing him to drive off onto the side of the road. He gets out of his car and we start talking." She sighs deeply. "Apparently, he and his father visited a long time ago, thy got separated and now Greg is back-"

"To look for his father." Pinocchio finishes for her.

"Yes." Belle purses her lips. "And if he's anything like Rumple, Greg won't stop until he succeeds."

"So what do you suggest we do?"

"Pretend to be a normal functioning town." Belle states irritably. "If he talks to you, try and have a normal conversation like you would have with a stranger, and if anything…let me deal with him." She continues a thought comes to mind. It wouldn't work, she knew Greg recognized her at the town line, but it would satisfy the people of the town.

"Why though?" Grumpy asks. "I mean no offense Sister, but aren't you kinda…the last person who should talk to him?"

"Because I have magic?" Belle smirks.

"Because," Grumpy states carefully. "You kinda have the most magic in town."

"I kept it from all of you for over a month." Belle lies. Most of the town believes she is only holding Rumple's powers, and she wasn't about to change that. "I think I can handle keeping it a secret from one man." They all just look at her and she continues. "Besides, there's a slight chance that, at the time Greg and his father found the town, I was already being kept under the hospital. Time was frozen here, so we don't know when he and his father actually showed up." She shrugs. "It's possible he won't recognize me."

"That's…logical." Grumpy agrees, nodding his head.

"It's actually a pretty good idea." Snow concurs. "Do we all agree to allow Belle to handle Greg?" There was an outbreak of agreements and Snow nods her head once. "Then it's settled."

"Very well," Belle nods in agreement and sees Regina smirk, before teleporting herself out of the room. It occurs to Belle that Regina had made herself semi invisible and only Belle could even see her. "Look, there's…something I have to take care of Snow, I'll talk to you all later okay?"

"Belle-"

"Don't forget to text me Ruby." Belle smiles at her friend before getting up and disappearing.

---

She lands in one of Regina's chairs in her study, just as Regina's front door opens and closes. "What kind of game are you playing Regina?" Belle calls out, standing up and pulling out two glasses from one of the cupboards. She grabs the bottle of wine off of Regina's desk and pours the liquid into one of the glasses, while filling the other with water.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Regina states, walking in and accepting the glass of wine Belle hands her.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Belle growls, finishing her water in on gulp and falling into a chair again, just as Regina does the same behind her desk.

"Oh, you mean this morning." Regina gives her a malicious grin and takes a sip of her wine. "I figured it was about time they knew. Besides," She shrugs. "After that incident earlier isn't it a good thing they now know?"

"You're lucky it turned out to be not that big of a deal."

"I don't understand why you hid it in the first place." Regina argues.

"Fear, Regina." Belle snaps. "I've told you this once before. I don't want the people of this town to have any reason to fear me."

"I think you lost that opportunity when you said I do to the most notorious man in all the realms."

Belle glares. "I love him Regina you of all people know that."

"I do." Regina grins, swigging around her wine before taking another sip. Belle rolls her eyes once at the joke.

It suddenly goes very quiet and Belle sighs deeply. "How do you feel about this Regina? You're now related to one of the biggest families in this town."

"I should be asking you that." Regina places her glass down on the desk and places her chin on her folded hands, on top of the desk. "After all, you did marry into it."

"So did you." Belle points out.

"I knew what I was getting myself into." Regina argues.

"Did you really?" Belle scoffs. "Because, as I recall, you didn't want to do the marriage to Snow's father in the first place."

"I changed my mind."

"You sought revenge." Belle snaps. "And you couldn't even do that right."

"I got my revenge."

"You did." Belle notes. "Until the curse broke. Now you have your son, who is related to the people you hate most in the world and your worst enemy is now-"Belle bites her bottom lip, not sure if Regina, or hell, even Snow knows it yet.

"Pregnant?" Regina sighs, finishing her sentence for her. "You know too then?"

"I heard the two heartbeats earlier." Belle confirms.

"Do you think she knows?"

"I doubt it. It's only been a few months and we're only realizing it now."

"Are you going to tell her?"

"Of course I'm not going to tell her and you had better not either."

"I'm not going to tell her Belle, when would I even have the time?" Regina scoffs, taking the last sip of her wine. "With Greg in town I'm going to have to be a bit more careful."

"You're willing to work with us?" Belle blinks in surprise.

"I don't want other people in this town Belle."

"Since when do you call me by my name?"

"Since I've realized I want to go back to the Enchanted Forest and my castle." Regina gives her a hard look. "You and Rumple know a way to get back don't you?"

"…Yes." Belle admits. "We've always known the way to get back, but-"Belle snaps, before Regina says anything. "A lot has to happen, and in the right order." She smiles weakly. "With Greg in town though, it actually brings us a step closer."

Regina grins. "I'll leave him to you then, just call if you need any assistance."

Belle stands up. "Thank you Regina, I will." She smiles and stops by the door. "Actually, there is one other thing." She turns back to face her. "Greg Mendell, you've been mayor here since its beginning, do you recognize the name?"

"No, I don't, but if I do I'll let you know." Regina answers and Belle can tell she's being honest. With a nod of her head Belle snaps her fingers once and disappears.

---

"I don't understand this." Neal states again, causing Emma to sigh deeply. The four of them were at a breakfast buffet place a few days after they had all found one another. Neal and Emma had just sat down, after filling their plates, and were watching Rumplestiltskin and Henry arguing over something at the pancake table.

"What don't you get?" Emma sighs in exasperation. "Your father is really good with Henry and as I hear it, he was really good with you when you were younger." Neal opens his mouth to say something, but closes it again. "Besides," Emma continues. "Henry is his grandson."

"But they got along before either of them knew that."

"Henry's a kid." Emma shrugs, eating her cereal. "Gold's never had a problem with any of the kid's in town. They fear him, but only because of their parents. Henry's simply more willing to…"

"Try and understand people?" Neal finishes for her, taking a bite of his toast.

"Something like that." Emma smirks. That and the fact Rosalina always made sure that Henry and Gold talked every once and a while, but Emma wasn't going to be the one to bring up the fact Gold was married. Emma is brought back from her thoughts when Henry sits down, alone. "Henry, where's Gold?" She asks worriedly, looking around and not seeing the familiar man.

"He ah-"Henry scratches his head and looks at Neal once. "Got a phone call, he'll be right back."

"Right." Emma nods her head once. "I suppose it is about that time in the morning huh?"

"Who the hell is he always talking to?" Neal asks. "He is on his phone all the time, is it the same person?"

Emma and Henry share a look. All three of them had agreed that Rumplestiltskin should be the one to tell his son that he is married. "He…Gold does own the town. I'm sure it's just a call dealing with…issues." Emma answers. The minute those words passes her lips she knew Neal wouldn't buy it.

"Wow. You've gotten even worse at lying since the last time." Neal states, causing Emma to glare at him again and look away. "Oh come on." He continues. "You both know who he's on the phone with don't you?"

"Trust me Neal; you wouldn't believe me even if I did tell you." Emma almost laughs, turning back to face him.

"Try me."

Emma shakes her head. "That's not going to make me tell you."

"Emma-"Neal opens his mouth to argue, but stops as Rumplestiltskin comes back over and sits down, groaning deeply.

"What's with you?" Emma raises an eyebrow, almost enjoying the look of defeat on his face.

"Guess who found a wolf pup in the forest and has decided to keep him?"

"You can't be serious?" Emma looks at his face and can't help but start laughing. "Dear god, she finally did it."

"Did what?" Rumple narrows his eyes. "What are you going on about Miss Swan?"

"Rosie has continuously threatened to get a pet if you ever piss her off enough."

"Why doesn't this surprise me?" Rumple sighs deeply again. "Look, it's not as if I mind her having a pet, but a wolf?"

"This is Belle." Henry points out. "Why would she get a normal pet?"

Rumplestiltskin looks at Henry and can't help but nod his head in agreement, before turning to face Emma. "Your boy brings up a good point."

"What did she name him?" Emma asks curiously.

"Silvermist."

"Yep. Definitely sounds like a name Rosie would come up with."

"I like it." Henry laughs.

"Of course you do." Both Emma and Rumplestiltskin state at the same time.

Rumple shakes his head as Emma glares at him again. "We have got to stop doing that."

"Agreed." Emma states, leaning back in her chair.

"Wait a minute, what? Who's Belle, or Rosie?" Neal asks, looking between the three of them.

Emma looks at Rumplestiltskin and quickly turns her head away. Rumple opens his mouth, but closes it again, not quite sure what to tell him and, out of habit, plays with his wedding ring.

"Look, one of you had better tell me what's going-"

"Belle is my wife." Rumplestiltskin finally states nervously. If Belle had taught him anything it would be to just get what you need to say out in the open and there was no easy way to say this. "Belle's her name, but Rosalina was her cursed name."

Neal just gapes at him.

"I'm married." Rumple states again, not knowing what else to say. "I've been married to Belle for over ten years now."

Neal is still just staring at him, but recalls the other day when he answered his father's phone and a female's voice had called him Rumple.

"Neal…please, at least say something." Rumple almost begs. "Yell, laugh, and tell me I must be joking, something."

"You." Neal finally manages to get out and swallows once. "You." He actually points to Rumple. "You're married?"

"Yes." Rumple sighs, pulling off his left glove and showing him his wedding ring, as if to prove it to him. Rumple was waiting for a reaction to his mark, as Neal was looking at the ring, but it never comes.

"Belle, as in-"

"Beauty and the Beast." Henry pipes up.

"Yes, thank you Henry." Rumple sighs. "Yes, as in Belle from Beauty and the Beast story in this land."

"How." Neal shakes his head. "How in the hell did that happen?"

"Yes." Emma looks at him. "I know how the two of you got married the first time, but Belle mentioned once that the two of you have been married twice?"

"Yeah, a few months ago, just before the curse broke."

"Before or after she got her full memory back?"

"Before." Both Henry and Rumplestiltskin state. Seriously, what was it with these two? Rumple wonders briefly.

"Granted, the second on was more of a renewal of vows, but Belle continues to call it out second wedding." Rumple almost laughs. "Personally, I liked the second one a bit more."

"Because you managed to do it while the town was cursed and under all of our noses?" Emma smirks.

"They were both done right under the town's noses." Rumple smirks.

"True."

"Will somebody please tell me what's going on?" Neal groans and points to Rumple's arm. "And you're going to have to explain to me what the hell that mark on your arm is."

Ah. So he had noticed.

"Look, why don't you all finish breakfast and we can talk somewhere a bit more…private." Rumplestiltskin suggests.

"You're not going to eat anything?" Emma asks.

"Not hungry." Rumple murmurs, putting his glove back on and staring off past Emma.

"Would you please eat something?" Emma nearly begs. "You've hardly eaten anything since we got to New York. Rosie will literally kill me if anything happens to you."

"You keep telling me that, but I can assure you Miss Swan, she'd be angrier at me."

"I know she would, but that girl can fight and I'd rather not be on the receiving end of one of her punches."

"She would never lay another hand on you." Rumple assures her, but takes the piece of toast Henry hands him anyways.

"What do you mean again?" Neal asks.

Emma opens her mouth, but closes it and turns to face him. "Rosie and I kinda…ah, got into an argument about the curse before it broke. She got me good too, my arm hurt for about a week after that."

"If it makes you feel any better Belle felt horrible after she had punched you." Rumple brings up and bites into the bread, only to satisfy Emma.

"Why? I deserved it."

"I'll be sure to tell her you said that when we get back into town." He jokes. She glares at him, but his mind goes elsewhere. He takes another bite of the toast and listens to the light banter going on between his, dare he admit, family.

---

Rumplestiltskin was lying.

That was a lie. He was telling the truth, just not the whole truth. He looks at Emma who knows that he's lying to her, but is smart enough not to say anything. The four of them were in Central Park and Rumplestiltskin had just finished telling the three of them about his wedding, well weddings, Rumple had made the blood exchange as vague as possible, leaving out the fact that Belle's source of power is split from his own and that when they returned to town she would still be able to use magic. Belle's only told a few people and unless she admitted in having powers herself than he wasn't going to say anything, especially not anything about her being immortal. As far as these three know the mark only allows Belle to be able to hold his power in case anything happens, such as leaving the town.

"There's actually something I still don't get." Emma finally speaks up. "Not about the weddings or Rosie-"She assures Rumple quickly, "But about you." She turns to Neal. "Didn't August live with you at some point or another How do you not know about Rosie…like, at all?"

"I don't know who this woman is." Neal shakes his head.

"Long curly brown hair?" Emma pulls her hair slightly, trying to describe Rosie to him. "Blue eyes, kinda short-"

"Unusual accent?" Henry offers.

"Pinocchio really never mentioned a woman like her?" Rumple asks curiously and shakes his head. "He never shuts up about her back in town."

"Wait." Neal looks at him in surprise. "His mother? Belle's his mother?"

"Not literally."

"I know that." He scoffs. "And yes, he mentioned a certain woman a lot; I just didn't know the same woman happens to be your wife."

"So you are upset about it." Rumple sighs, watching Henry jump up on a stone wall and walk along it, as Emma warns him to be careful. "I've done a lot of wrong things in my life Neal and you are the person I've hurt the most in the world, but I'm not going to apologize for getting married again."

"I'm not expecting you too." Neal nearly snaps. "I just…don't get this." He sighs. "I knew you. I know what the Dark One's magic turned you into. August did tell me a lot of stories about this woman…Belle, but I don't get it. You were a nightmare, and she-" He pauses, as if not knowing what to say.

After a long pause with Rumple watching Henry jump off of the wall and run back over to them. "I got a lot worse." He admits and takes a deep breath. "I mean a lot worse. You aren't the only one who saw me at one of my lowest points Neal. I met Belle through a deal. Well, technically, she was the deal." He sighs, ignoring the incredulous look he was receiving from Neal. "And she was stuck with me for nearly eight months before…Regina got involved." He shakes his head, still haunted by that damn memory. "Look, Belle was, well…is, the light of my life and the bravest woman I've ever met. She believes I can be a better man and I want to try my best to prove to her-" He pauses. "And you, that I can be."

Neal stares at him a moment. "You're honesty in love with this woman." He states, not as a question, but as a fact.

"I am, and will protect her with my life."

"The only problem with that, in your opinion, is that she would do the same for you." Emma brings up.

Rumple groans. "I know and I'm terrified that she would die for me."

"She would."

"I know."

It grows silent again until Neal speaks up. "How did you find me? I realize I never asked."

"You have Pinocchio to thank for that." Rumple smirks. "Before he turned back into wood he confessed to Belle that he knew where you were."

"That damn puppet." Neal murmurs. "So much for promising not to tell anyone."

"He thinks of Belle as his mother." Emma argues. "This surprises you?"

"Well I didn't know she was alive." Neal argues. "Even August believed her to be dead."

"Everyone did." Rumple growls, growing quiet.

"Do I even want to ask?"

"Regina captured her and locked her up for over ten years." Henry answers. "And we still don't know how long she was locked up back in the Enchanted Forest."

"Henry…what exactly did that book tell you about Belle's story?" Rumple asks curiously.

"Only that Belle is the one who summoned you and made a deal." He shrugs. "Oh, and the fact that she stopped you from killing Robin Hood, you gave her a library, you let her go, she came back, and then you kicked her out."

"Yeah, yeah that sounds about right." Rumple scratches the back of his head. Personally, he was happy about that. Their time in the castle was private, but he was still surprised the book didn't mention anything.

Henry gravitates over to walk next to him, and opens his mouth as if to say something, but Rumplestiltskin puts his hand over Henry's mouth and pushes him back towards his mother. Henry looks up at him in confusion, but sees Rumplestiltskin staring straight ahead. Henry follows his gaze and looks down the path to see the exact same man from the other day, wearing the same outfit, walking towards them. Henry instinctively moves so that he is between both his mother and father. The man makes eye-contact with Rumplestiltskin as he passes and grins before moving along.

"What's with you two?" Emma asks as Henry moves back over to walk next to Rumplestiltskin.

"A few days ago Henry and I were walking here in the park and that man passed us before."

"So?"

"He makes me uneasy Miss Swan." Rumple admits. "You really don't get a sense of anything when he's around?"

"We pass hundreds of people every day." Emma argues. "And I don't trust any of them, but no, I don't get a sense of unease when I see him."

"You sure you're not just a bit paranoid?" Neal asks. "After all, new land, new city, no power-"

"I'm fine." Rumple insists. "No I don't like being away from town for this long, but that man makes me uneasy."

"I don't like him either." Henry pipes up. "That's the second time we've seen him, on a different day, different time, and he's wearing the same clothes."

"Henry-"

"Remember the last time you didn't believe me?" Henry snaps. Rumplestiltskin raises an eyebrow in surprise. He didn't expect Henry to bring that up. "I had to eat the poisoned apple turnover and be put in a coma before you realized I was telling the truth."

"I-"Emma pauses and bites her bottom lip. "…You're right, sorry." She sighs and looks back behind them. "What in the hell? Where did he go?"

Rumple turns around to see the path was clear. The man had only just passed them a few moments ago, there was only one path, and there was no one in sight. He smirks. "Do you believe us now?"

"I apologize." Emma states, narrowing her eyes and looking around carefully. "I don't understand he was just here."

"Look, let's just ignore it for now, if he shows up again we'll deal with him." Neal suggests. Emma glares at him and Neal holds up his hands in defense. "I'm just saying, there really isn't anything we can do at this moment."

Rumple opens his mouth to say something, but his phone starts going off.

"Rosie?" Emma asks.

"Probably." Rumple notes, taking out his phone and excusing himself.

"Rumple!"

"Belle, what is it, what's wrong?"

"I should've told you this morning, but I was too afraid, so I told you about Silvermist instead."

"Are you telling me you don't have a wolf?"

"No. No, he's still part of the picture." She hears him sigh and she smiles. "No Rumple, there's another problem." She continues. "There's…a man has entered town."

"What do you-"

"A man has entered town. Apparently, when he was a child he and his father showed up and now the boy has found himself back in town to look for his missing father."

"So much for putting a shield over the town." He groans. "I told you putting that loophole in the spell would come back to bite me in the ass."

"I'm sorry."

"It's hardly your fault."

"No, but because of it…we're one step closer to going home."

"Belle-"

"I heard it from the Seer." Belle explains quickly. "I was messing with the memory potion and a bottle fell off the shelf, it broke and I…well, heard the prophecy." He stays silent. "I wrote it down." She assures him. "I didn't mean to break the bottle, but I wrote down everything that I heard and-"

"Belle its fine, really." He states, shutting her up. "Thank you, for writing it down, but I think it would be for the best if you burned it."

"Rumple-"

"I have it memorized, I'm sure you have it memorized, there's no reason anyone else should hear it." He argues and pauses. "We are the only two people who know about it right?"

"Yes." Belle states honestly. "I have not told anyone about it Rumple, I promise, and I will burn the piece of paper."

"Thank you."

"Are you alright?"

"No." Belle admits. "No Rumple I'm not. Three loved ones will die?"

"Yeah." She hears him sigh deeply. "Yeah that's the right prophecy, but don't forget, the one we hate the most will also die."

"How is that supposed to cheer me up Rumple?" She argues. "I don't want anyone to die."

"I know." She can practically hear the smile in his voice. "And I love you for that."

"I love you too Rumple." She smiles warmly. "Even if you are a pain in my ass."

"I'm not going to deny that."

She laughs and plays with her ring. "What do you want me to do Rumple? Do you think Greg is the man in the prophecy?" She asks cautiously and lays back down on her bed.

"Just try and get close to him." Rumple tells her. "If there's anyone who can do that it's you."

"Thanks for that vote of confidence, but you don't have to worry, I've already told the town I would."

"Be careful Belle, I can't stress that enough."

"Don't worry, I will be." She grins. "Besides, he can't kill me."

"Belle-"

"Rumple I promise you the dagger is hidden away so well that only you and I can even get to it."

"…The cellar under the shop?" He guesses.

She laughs heartily. "Yep."

"That is a good place." He concurs.

"So don't worry okay?"

"I promise."

"Then I promise to be careful." Belle giggles lightly and scratches Silvermist under the chin. "Rumple, when are you planning on coming back? I'm not rushing you!" She states hurriedly. "I just…need you home."

"I know." She hears him sigh. "Belle I know, I'm going to talk to Neal tonight and I hope he comes with us. Plus Henry's coming back with us so if anything, he'll come in order to stay with his son."

"I know he'll come back with you Rumple, you just can't be afraid to talk to him."

"I know. I love you Belle."

"Love you too Rumple, talk to you later." She hangs up her phone and pets Silvermist, who was curled up at the end of her bed, lazily.

"Mother." Pinocchio walks into the room and pauses at the door when Silvermist lifts his head up.

"He won't hurt you." Belle laughs, patting Silvermist's head again.

Pinocchio just shakes his head. "How the hell did you end up with a wolf in the first place?"

"I told you what happened." Belle argues.

"And I still don't believe you." He states, approaching the bed slowly. "Anyways, I'm off to my father's."

"Alright, I'll see you later, have fun." Belle smiles warmly up at him and wraps an arm around him in a kind of hug.

"Enjoy your day with Ruby." He kisses the top of her head and waves back at her, as he walks out of the room.

She watches him leave and Silvermist turns to look at her and whines softly. "Yes I know I promised to keep an eye on Greg, but I made a promise to Ruby as well." He just looks at her and lays his head down again. Belle just shakes her head and her phone goes off, alerting her of a text.

"Belle, sorry, can you meet me at Granny's"-Ruby

She's probably hungry. Belle smirks and sends back her reply.

"Yeah, I'll be right there." –Belle

Belle pats Silvermist's head again, before getting out of bed. "Stay here okay, I'll be back later." He barks once. "I don't know, an hour maybe?" She sighs. "Look, if I need you I'll whistle alright? I know you can hear me from anywhere in town." He just whines again and rolls over on his back, occupying the space he had just left. "You know, for a puppy, you take up a lot of room." She laughs. He growls. "You're four months old?" He just looks at her lazily. "Huh, well okay. See you later." She waves before changing her outfit and disappearing.

---

Belle appears in the alleyway just beside Granny's. She pulls out her pocket mirror just to make sure her eyes weren't shaped like a cat's, before walking out of the alley and making her way up the steps into Granny's.

"Rosie!" Belle sees Ruby sitting in the corner booth of the diner and gesturing her to come over. Belle smiles warmly and begins walking over, when she hears a voice behind her.

"Rosalina, good morning."

Belle blood runs cold and she turns around to see Greg at the bar with a cup of coffee in his hand. Her conversation with Rumplestiltskin coming back to mind and she gives him a warm smile. "Good morning Greg. I hope you slept well."

"I did." He raises his cup. "Thank you."

"Well…enjoy your breakfast." Belle nods her head and practically runs over to where Ruby was sitting.

"I swear he walked in after I sent you that text." She states, as Belle slides into the booth. "I just wanted something to eat."

"I believe you." Belle smirks, looking back to see Greg talking to Granny.

"I don't like this." Ruby whines. "It's weird having someone new in town."

"I don't like it either Ruby." Belle murmurs as Granny walks over to their table.

"Good morning you two." She smiles. "What can I get you?"

"Just hot tea for me thanks." Belle murmurs, still watching Greg.

"French toast and chocolate milk." Ruby smiles.

Granny whacks her lightly on the head. "You are such a child girl."

"You love me."

"I do." Granny smirks. "I'll be back with your drinks in a moment."

"Thank you."

"Are you alright Belle?" Ruby asks her. "You look…well, exhausted."

"Yeah, sorry." Belle finally takes her eyes off of Greg and looks at Ruby. "It's been a hell of a month Ruby, I'm sorry."

"I know, you've been busy." Ruby sighs deeply and leans back in her seat. "I'm sorry, should we not hang out today? I know you would probably rather-"

"No." Belle states hastily. "I want to hang out with you."

"And I want to know why Greg is really in town." Ruby argues. "Come on, we can do what we plan to do later, why don't we spend the day figuring out what his history here is?"

"Ruby, are you sure?"

"It's what I want to do."

Belle knows Ruby's lying, but doesn't comment on it as Granny walks back over and places two cups on the table, smiles, and walks away again. "Thank you Ruby." Belle smiles warmly. "But you really don't have to-"

"I'm doing this with you." Ruby snaps. "I'm still insisting on spending the day with you."

"Fine." Belle smirks, taking a sip of her tea.

"So-" Ruby finishes nearly half her milk. "What's the plan?"

"I was thinking about visiting Jefferson." Belle murmurs, crossing her legs and throwing her arm across the bench seat. "If there's anyone in town who would remember Greg Mendell and his father it would be him."

"The Mad Hatter right?"

"That's him."

"Are you sure?" Ruby asks nervously. "Isn't he kinda…crazy?"

"You just have to know how to deal with him."

"He think of you as his mother too?" Ruby jokes.

"Shut up." Belle laughs. "He's the one who officiated both my weddings."

"To the same man I hope."

"Funny." Belle rolls her napkin up in a ball and tosses it at her, just as Granny walks over to their table and places Ruby's plate of French Toast in front of her.

"Thank you Granny." Ruby smiles gratefully. "I've been craving Mike's French Toast for days."

"You're always craving French Toast." Granny laughs and walks away.

"Would you rather I be into human flesh?" Ruby calls back jokingly.

"Ruby!" Belle hisses, gesturing to Greg, who was looking at the two of them in concern. Belle quickly looks away.

"Sorry." Ruby murmurs quickly.

"It's fine…just, be careful." Belle sighs, finishing up her tea and waving her hand once, refilling Ruby's drink.

"Will do, and thanks." Ruby exclaims gratefully and starts on her breakfast.

---

"Did you bring some way to get here , or did you just…poof here?" Ruby asks, as the two of them walk outside of Granny's and round the corner.

"Poof?" Belle laughs, leading Ruby into the alleyway and making sure the two of them weren't followed.

"Well, what else do you call it?"

"Teleporting?" Belle suggests, taking Ruby's hand and snapping her fingers.

Within seconds the two of them are standing in front of Jefferson's house. "I like poofing better." Ruby sticks her tongue out at her and stares up at the massive castle like house. "This is where he lives?" Ruby gawks.

"It's like a bloody castle right?" Belle smirks, walking up to the front door and knocking.

"Bluebird!" The door opens, revealing Jefferson, who pulls Belle in for a massive bear hug.

"Good to see you too Jefferson." Belle manages to get out as he lets her go.

"Belle?" They all hear a child's voice.

Jefferson moves to reveal his daughter standing behind him. "Grace!" Belle smiles warmly and the girl runs over to hug her. "How are you doing sweetie?"

"I'm doing well, I like it up here." She answers, but with slight hesitation in her voice.

"Grace." Belle looks at her gently. "What is it, what's wrong?"

"She doesn't like having this much space." Jefferson smiles weakly, placing a hand on Grace's shoulders. "She wants to go home."

"We all do." Ruby smiles gently, walking into the house. "It's one of the reasons we're here. I'm Ruby by the way" Ruby closes the door behind her and means to hold out her hand in greeting, but her mouth drops open in amazement at the inside of the house.

"Yes, the werewolf, it's nice to meet you, I'm Jefferson." Jefferson nods his head in greeting.

Belle hugs Grace tightly again and finally lets her go, but Grace takes a hold of her hand. "Yeah Jefferson I need to talk to you."

Jefferson simply nods, and gestures past him. "Why don't we talk in the sitting room Bluebird?"

"Which one?" Belle jokes.

Jefferson smiles again and takes Grace's other hand. "Follow me."

Ruby is still gawking and viewing the objects in Jefferson's house as he leads them into a familiar sitting room. Belle kisses the top of Grace's head, before she leaves the room and heads upstairs, and falls onto one of the loveseats beside the fireplace.

"What can I do for you Bluebird?" Jefferson asks, sitting down gracefully in the chair beside her.

"You still keep an eye on what's going on in town right?"

"Of course, I'm not just going to let all of you return to the Enchanted Forest without me."

"We're not just going to leave you here." Belle argues. "But you could help yourself a bit by coming into town every once in a while. You realize no one even knows you're up here."

"The only people who know I'm up here are the people I want to know I am up here."

Belle just shakes her head, as Ruby finally sits down next to her. "Are you done?" Belle asks, laughing at the expression on her face.

"This place is incredible." Ruby shakes her head in awe and leans up against Belle. "No wonder you got married up here, twice." She shoves her playfully.

"We didn't stay here long."

"Either time." Jefferson notes.

"You never came back into town, where did you go?" Ruby asks curiously.

"Oh, Rumple has a cabin up in the woods." Belle explains, blushing slightly. "We got married up here and then headed to the cabin."

Ruby just stares at her. "The more I talk to you the more I realize I know nothing about you or this town."

"I love you Ruby."

"I know." Ruby shakes her head. "I love you too Belle."

"So-"Jefferson leans forward in his seat. "What can I do for you ladies?"

"I wanted to ask if you remember anyone by the name of Greg Mendell coming into town." Belle asks him.

"Greg Mendell." Jefferson bites his bottom lip as if in thought. "I remember two people I didn't know coming into town a long time ago, but I don't remember their names."

"Do you remember what they looked like?"

"One was a boy-"

"Shit." Ruby curses softly and turns to Belle. "So Greg was telling the truth, he has been in town before."

"Ruby, we knew that already." Belle points out. "There's no way Greg could've gotten into town unless he's been here before." Belle turns back to Jefferson. "I mostly came up here to find out if you knew what happened with the two strangers."

"I remember the father wanted to leave, but Regina wanted to have the boy stay with her, at the time she wanted a child, but the father…disappeared and the boy left."

"You don't know what happened?"

"I really don't." Jefferson shakes his head apologetically. "I wish I could help you Bluebird, but the two of them were here less than a week, before the boy was forced behind the town line and the father disappeared."

"Why-"Belle sighs deeply and shakes her head, leaning back in her seat. "Never mind, you have no idea why Greg was sent across the line do you, or where his father disappeared to?"

"No I don't. I really am sorry Bluebird."

Belle curses softly and scratches the back of her head in annoyance.

"What if-"Ruby speaks up softly. "Belle I know you said Regina was telling the truth earlier when she told you she didn't know who Greg was, but what if she forgot?"

"Ruby what on earth are you implying?"

"She basically forgot about you for years, what if Greg's father is in the same position as you were nearly a year ago?" Ruby suggests. "What if he's in another one of those rooms under the hospital?"

Belle just looks at her a moment. "Oh gods." She gasps. "Ruby you could be right." Belle turns back to Jefferson quickly. "Did you ever see someone, besides me, under the hospital?"

"I didn't even know you were under there Bluebird, I've told you that."

"You really didn't did you?" She eyes him curiously, always believing he had been lying, but not really caring.

"I'm telling you the truth Bluebird. I thought you were dead."

"Yeah, common mistake." Belle sighs again and stands up. "I believe you Jefferson and thanks." She moves over and hugs him tightly.

"Of course Bluebird." He wraps his arms around her.

"Come down to town every once and a while would you?" Belle lets go and slaps his chest once. "Keep spending your time up here and I might just forget about you when we do go back."

"You wouldn't dare." He smirks.

"Of course not." She grins and turns back to Ruby. "Ready to go?"

Ruby stands up. "Yeah, you want to check out the hospital?"

Belle clenches her hands to her sides tightly. "…Yes."

"Are you going to be alright?" Both Jefferson and Ruby ask her.

"Guess, we'll just have to find out when we get there." Belle smiles weakly and kisses Jefferson's cheek, before taking Ruby's hand and disappearing.

"Wow. You really are good at that aren't you?" Ruby comments as the two of them appear behind the hospital.

"Rumple's a very good teacher and I know this town like the back of my hand." Belle smiles warmly as the two of the make their way to the front of the building.

They walk inside and head to the door in the corner, which leads to the asylum underground. Belle's body begins to shake and can no longer go any further.

"Belle?" Ruby puts a hand on her shoulder in concern.

"I'm fine." Belle insists, as her stomach curls and she's forced to run into the women's restroom and coughs up blood into the sink. Why is it that anytime she throws up, it always seems to be blood? Belle wonders briefly, as Ruby trails in behind her.

Her vision starts to get hazy and Belle begins to hear her old nurse asking. "What's your name?"

Belle leans against the wall to keep herself upright. "I can't do this." She admits, shaking her head. "I can't go back down there. I thought I could, but the memories-"

"It's okay." Ruby crosses her arms and leans against the wall next to Belle. "You were kidnapped and stuck as Regina's prisoner for over ten years. I can't really blame you for not wanting to go down there." Belle looks up at her and Ruby continues. "Look, why don't I go down there and check it out? You can go and bother Geppetto or something."

"Ruby I don't want-"

"Me to get too involved for safety reasons?" She asks smirking. "Belle you can't even make it to the door. Just let me do this for you, please."

"…Thank you Ruby."

"Better yet." Ruby grins. "Why don't you go and grab us some beers for tonight? Gods know we'll need a few after this."

"I don't drink Ruby." Belle reminds her.

"Still?"

"It makes me nauseous." Belle shrugs and wipes her mouth again before washing her hands. She stares down at the remains in the sink. She was going to have to seriously talk to Rumple about this. There's no way she should still be coughing up blood.

"That's really surprising considering how bad you were back before you started dating Gold."

"I don't know what to say Ruby." Belle shrugs half-heartily. "It just makes me sick now." She moves over and grabs a towel. "But I will head over to the store and grab you your favorite."

"Thank you." Ruby smiles warmly and gives her a hug.

"No, really, thank you." Belle laughs, her head still a bit fuzzy. "But remember, if anything happens down there-"

"You'll be the first to know." Ruby laughs and turns as if heading out the door. "Now go and leave me to do your dirty work."

"I love you Ruby."

"You better." She laughs. "Meet you at your place in a bit?"

"Yeah, good luck on your end."

"Don't forget your promise."

Belle moves one hand up to her forehead and gives a mock salute. "Blue Moon beer got it." Ruby smiles at her again, before finally leaving the restroom. Belle waves a hand again and is outside. She breathes in a breath of fresh air, happy to be out of that place and begins jogging into town.

---

"Rosalina!" Geppetto greets her with a smile, as Belle peeks inside his shop.

Geppetto and Pinocchio were seemingly in the middle of a project as Belle walks deeper into the shop to see Pinocchio with his shirt off and holding a rather large hammer in his right hand.

"Afternoon Marco, August." Belle greets them warmly, throwing her arms around Geppetto in a tight hug.

"Rosie what are you doing here?" August asks, putting the hammer down on the table before embracing her. "I thought you were spending the day with Ruby?"

"She's…doing me a favor first." Belle smiles weakly, scratching the back of her head. "We were trying to figure out where Greg's father could be and Ruby came up with the idea that he could be under the hospital where I was for however many years. So, the two of us got to the hospital, but when we got to the door leading down there I…I couldn't do it, I couldn't go down there again."

Geppetto moves over and gives her a hug again. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault." Belle shrugs. "I'm just lucky to have the friends that I do. Escaping from that hospital was one of the best decisions I've ever made."

"If anything you'd probably still be stuck down there." Pinocchio points out. "Has anyone even been down there since the curse broke?"

Belle shudders at the thought and Geppetto slaps the back of Pinocchio's head. "Don't say crap like that."

"She would've gotten herself out." Geppetto argues. "One way or another."

"Gods Rumple would've actually killed Regina if I got out after the curse broke."

"Because he would remember the past he had with you?"

"He already remembered the past he had with me." Belle points out. "I mean if I got out after the curse broke. I already had to ask him once before not to kill her, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have listened to me if I had just gotten out."

"Why would he do that now? Because you changed him into such a nice guy now?" Pinocchio jokes.

"That's not what I said, but you have to admit he's gotten a lot better." Belle argues.

"He has." Pinocchio notes. "But he still scares the hell out of me."

"Well maybe if you would stop behaving like and ass he wouldn't scare you." Belle shakes her head.

"Well maybe if you hadn't married him I wouldn't have to act like such an ass." He retorts.

"You two haven't changed at all." Geppetto sighs deeply.

"What do you mean?"

"In the presence of anyone else the two of you behave like the perfect mother and son couple, and then there's the Pinocchio and Belle I dealt with back in the enchanted forest. Both of you always having to have the last word and arguing like a couple of children."

Belle looks back at Pinocchio and blinks. "Dear gods we do act like that."

Pinocchio only nods his head and turns to Geppetto. "I'm sorry papa."

"It's okay you two, really." Geppetto laughs. "I know that the two of you will protect one another to the best of your abilities and that's all I really care about. I just want to two of you safe."

"Unfortunately mother here can probably protect the both of us better than I ever can." Pinocchio jokes.

Belle sighs. "If you would let me teach you combat we wouldn't be having this problem." She argues. "But no, this one." She gestures to Pinocchio. "Is afraid of swords."

"I don't like them, especially not when they're right in front of my face."

"And whose fault was that?" Belle laughs. "You got those men riled up in the first place."

"I'm sorry." Pinocchio exclaims in exasperation and tilts his head down. "I know I screwed up and I'm sorry."

Belle moves back over and hugs him tightly. "Pinocchio, I love you, you know that."

"I love you too mother." He smiles and hugs her back tightly.

Geppetto moves over and has the two of them locked in a bear hug. "Well I love you both."

Belle laughs again. "We love you too Geppetto." She kisses the top of both their heads and let's goes. "I'm sorry, but I have to get going, I have to go get Ruby's beer."

"I thought you didn't drink?" Pinocchio looks at her in confusion.

"I don't that's why I said Ruby's beer." Belle smirks, kissing the two of them and heading out of the shop. "See you guys later and can't wait to see the finished project."

"Have fun tonight you two." Geppetto calls out, as Belle gives them both another wave before making her way out of the garage.

---

A while later Belle is in the kitchen just finishing up the steaks she's making for dinner, when she hears a knock on her front door. Silvermist starts barking and Belle, assuming its Ruby at the door calls out, "Come on in Ruby, I'm in the kitchen." She bends down to grab Silvermist and tells him to stay, before continuing her task.

A few minutes later Belle hears Ruby wandering around and finally heading to the kitchen. "Damn Belle, this place is-"Ruby pauses at the door as Silvermist perks his ears up and stares at her curiously. "When in the hell…no, where in the hell did you find him?"

"He found me actually." Belle smiles warmly, petting Silvermist on the head, who only stands up and continues staring at Ruby. "His name is Silvermist."

"Hi sweetie." Ruby coos, getting down on her knees and gesturing for Silvermist to come over. Silvermist looks at Belle once before moving to roll over in front of Ruby. "He's gorgeous Belle and so well behaved." Ruby laughs as Silvermist rolls back over and climbs into Ruby's lap in order to lick her face.

"I wouldn't say behaved is the right word." Belle jokes and Silvermist barks. "Oh shut up, you know I'm kidding." She retorts.

Ruby looks at her curiously. "You can understand him?"

"Of course I can, can't you?"

Ruby shakes her head. "Even in my wolf form it's…difficult."

"So why can I understand you?" Belle looks at Silvermist who, at this point, was having his head stroked lazily by Ruby. He looks at her and gives her a small whine. "I didn't call you." Belle argues again. "I told you before; I didn't get my powers back until after Regina pissed m off back in town." He growls again and she narrows her eyes, before grabbing a piece of meat and tossing it to him. He catches it. "Shut up." She laughs.

Ruby looks between the two of them. "Well at least I don't have to worry about you being alone up here in this house." She laughs.

"I keep forgetting you've never been in my house, what do you think?" Belle asks, walking over to the fridge and tossing Ruby one of her beers. Silvermist catches the can in his mouth and drops it into Ruby's hand.

"First of all, that was awesome." Ruby laughs, petting Silvermist again and taking a large swig of her drink. "Second, it's not what I expected the Dark One's house to look like." She admits. "It's far too…homely, but I suppose you have something to do with that?"

"A bit yeah." Belle laughs. "So did you find anything at the hospital?"

Ruby finishes her beer and tosses it to Belle, who catches it and flicks it into the recycle bin. "I'm sorry Belle; there wasn't anyone in any of the rooms."

"It's alright Ruby." Belle waves her hand in an unconcerned manner and accidently freezes the refrigerator. "Damn it." She sighs, snapping her fingers and restoring the fridge to normal. "Seriously I am sick of having all of the Dark One's power. Anyways-"She shakes her head. "It's not like I expected to find him right away, we just have to keep looking."

"But I want to help you."

"Ruby you are helping, trust me." Belle smiles warmly at her, as Ruby moves over and sits down at the table. "Believe me, you and very few others are keeping me from going completely insane and I will be forever grateful for that."

"See, it's when you say things like that, that causes me to worry about you." Ruby argues, as Belle sits down next to her.

"I'm-"Belle pauses. "Ruby, I'm fine. There's a…situation that's come up that's scaring the hell out of me, but I need some normalcy and you are giving that to me."

"What do you mean something's come up?" Ruby asks narrowing her eyes threateningly.

"I…I know how to get back to the Enchanted Forest and the wheels have been set into motion. It's the reason I've been so stressed out lately and I'm sorry."

"Then stop putting it all on your shoulders and let someone else in." Ruby encourages.

"I can't." Belle smiles weakly. "I'm sorry Ruby, I just can't."

Ruby stares at her for a long time before finally sighing deeply. "Okay, okay." She waves her hands in defeat. "If the best I can do is keep you distracted, then fine."

"Thanks Ruby."

"Just get us back home huh?"

"I promise." Belle states confidently and places her hands on the table, pushing herself up. "Now, are you ready for dinner?"

"Starving, what are we having?" Ruby asks as Belle walks back into the kitchen, Silvermist trailing behind her.

"Steak, potatoes, and grilled asparagus." Belle answers.

"Well it smells amazing." Ruby laughs, as Silvermist tries to jump up onto the counter.

"Thanks." Belle grins, grabbing a patch of Silvermist's fur and dragging him down. "No." She snaps and places a piece of meat on his snout. "Stay." Silvermist obeys and Belle prepares two plates for her and Ruby.

Belle walks back over to the table and sets a plate down in front of Ruby, along with another can of beer, before sitting down herself. "Good boy." Belle calls back to Silvermist, who drops the piece of meat and eats it happily.

"Wow." Ruby remarks, impressed. "He really listens to you."

"He loves me." Belle pats the top of his head, when Silvermist wanders over to her. "I'm just worried I won't be able to feed him what he needs, or as often."

"This-"Ruby holds up a piece of steak and throws it over to Silvermist, who devours it. "Should be enough for now. Just be generous with the raw meat as well."

"There's gotta be game or something h can hunt out in the forest too right?"

"Sure, but not enough for a wolf like Silvermist."

"Thanks Ruby, real helpful." Belle glares and tosses another piece of meat to Silvermist. "I want to keep him healthy."

"He'll be fine; he's got the Dark One and his wife protecting him." Ruby laughs. "Belle, I promise he'll be fine." Silvermist barks. "What did he say?"

"He agrees with you and assures me he'll protect me more than I can protect him." Belle laughs.

"Wow, quite a snarky wolf you have there."

"I know."

"Still don't get how you can understand him though."

"I don't either, but I'm not going to complain." Belle shrugs. Silvermist rolls over onto his back and the girls can't help but start laughing.

"Is this his way of telling you he wants a belly rub?" Ruby asks.

"No, I think he's preparing to take a nap." Belle notes, as Silvermist rolls back over and curls into a ball. "Silvermist, if you're going to go to sleep, go upstairs and sleep in one of the beds upstairs."

Silvermist yawns, gets up, and much to Ruby's surprise, leaves the room. "You've had that wolf two days?" Ruby asks in utter disbelief.

"Technically a day and a half." Belle smirks. "But yes."

"That's incredible." Ruby states, shaking her head.

"I love him and honestly can't wait to see Rumple's reaction."

"You've told him then?"

"As I've said before Ruby I tell him everything."

"Greg?"

"Yep."

"So when are they coming back?"

"Rumple's hoping in the next few days."

"But-?"

"Rumple wants Bae to come with them, but they haven't talked to him about it yet."

"Well he needs to hurry up, you need him back."

"Yes I do." Belle admits, and with a wave of her hand, the table is cleared off and the dishes are clean. "But I'm not going to make him come home when he's doing his own thing."

"If you're sure." Ruby shrugs and stands up. "Are you ready to get started?"

"Yep, everything's set up in the living room."

"Set up in the-?" Ruby gives her a look as Belle gets up. "I passed the living room on the way in here, what do you mean it's all set up?"

"Come on." Belle laughs, grabbing Ruby's arm and leading her into the other room.

"Holy crap." Ruby gapes as the two of them enter the completely transformed living room.

The mattress from Belle's bed is placed in the center of the room, in front of the TV and on top of it is, Ruby assumes, all of the pillows in the house strategically placed to provide comfort for the two of them. There was a long table full of sweets arranged neatly on top that included a chocolate fountain placed in the middle. A bucket full of ice was placed under the table, holding drinks. Dad's and magazines were stacked all around the mattress; it actually looked like the two of them were having an actual party rather than just a sleepover for the two of them.

""What do you think?" Belle asks.

"When the hell did you wave your hand and set this up?"

"Secret." Belle grins, holding her index finger up to her lips and winking at her. "C'mon-"She continues, dragging Ruby over to the mattress and pushing her down. "What do you want to watch first?"

"Christ Belle." Ruby laughs, as Belle nearly falls on top of her.

"Sorry." Belle is still laughing as Ruby manages to free herself and whacks Belle with one of the pillows.

"It's not as if you got hurt." Belle scoffs, hitting her back.

"Alright, alright I give." Ruby gasps, as she falls off. "Would you just put something in?"

"What do you want to watch?" Belle asks, helping her stand back up.

"Don't care." Ruby smirks, wiping dust off of her shirt. "It's not as if it matters anyways, we're just going to end up talking over it."

"True." Belle laughs and reaches over to the pile. "In that case I'm just going to put in Romeo and Juliet."

"Of course you are."

"You said pick something." Belle argues, grabbing the disk out of the case and putting it into the DVD player. "You know it's my favorite."

"I do." Ruby shakes her head and walks over to the table in order to grab some popcorn. "Besides, it's as you said, we're not going to be watching the movies anyways."

"No we're not." Belle agrees, managing to find the menu button and pressing play. "And we're not just going to sit here and talk about me this time. I want you to talk to me."

"About what?"

"Oh come on Ruby." Belle urges. "What's going on with you?" She asks, stealing some of the popcorn Ruby brings over.

"Nothing is going on with me." Ruby assures her, handing Belle the popcorn in order to get comfortable on the mattress.

Belle knows she's lying and pokes Ruby on the arm like an annoying child. "Come on Ruby." She whines.

"Alright!" Ruby finally sighs deeply. "But you have to promise not to judge me, or say anything to anyone, especially Granny."

Belle gives her an incredulous look. "Look who I'm married too Ruby, if this is about a guy you know I'm the last person who would judge you."

Ruby bites her lip before grabbing another handful of popcorn and putting it into her mouth. "I've…been seeing Dr. Whale." She finally admits.

Belle raises an eyebrow in surprise. "Wow. Is it serious?"

"I…think so, but it's hard to tell with him." Ruby sighs.

"Well, wow, when did this happen?"

"A few weeks after the curse broke." Ruby starts, laying back on one of the pillows. "I was visiting Ashley in the hospital, she had broken her arm, and Dr. Whale wasn't around, or answering any of his calls, he was basically being a giant piss baby." Ruby laughs weakly. "No one could find him, so they asked me to track him down, me being a wolf and all, and I found him sitting at the end of the docks. I sat down with him and we just started…talking, I don't know." She shrugs. "It works for us."

Belle lays her head on Ruby's shoulder. "I'm happy for you Ruby."

"Thanks." She smiles. "You'd be surprised how different he behaves when it's just the two of us, but I suppose that shouldn't be too surprising seeing how he acted before the curse broke."

"Careful there Ruby." Belle warns, knowing where her friend was going with this. "You start talking about your sex life I'm going to talk about mine, and I know you don't want to hear it." Belle laughs at the expression on Ruby's face.

"No." Ruby shakes her head. "No I do not. Look, sorry, but I just can't get the actual Dark One Rumplestiltskin out of my head."

"Did you ever meet him back in the enchanted forest?" Belle asks curiously.

"Once, but I was in my wolf form." She explains. "I don't know, I was hunting and he seemed to be looking for something, or someone."

"Yeah, he's never cared much for wolves." Belle notes.

"Yet you now have one as a pet?"

"He's just going to have to deal with that."

"You really have him wrapped around your finger don't you?"

"I really don't."

"He does whatever you want." She argues.

"He really doesn't."

"He really does."

"Shut up." Belle takes a handful of popcorn and throws the kernels at her. "What about you and Whale, what are you?"

"We're official and he seems to really like me, but I know that he really wants to go home and I don't know how I feel about that."

"Why's that?"

"Belle, he's not from the Enchanted Forest." Ruby reminds her. "So when we do go back, is he going to come back with us, or go back to his land?"

"He should be able to choose where he wants to go." Belle informs her. "Still won't go into detail, but I'm sure that all of us will be sent back to the Enchanted Forest."

"Yeah, I'll be helping Snow and Charming and you'll be living with the Dark One in his castle won't you?" Ruby almost laughs.

Belle bites her bottom lip and watches the movie for a moment. "…I hope so."

"Why do you sound so dishearten?"

"There's a huge possibility Rumple…won't be able to come back with us."

"Wait, why?" Ruby asks.

"Well he did…create the curse in the first place." Belle points out. "Unfortunately, he may have to pay the price in order to go back."

"But what about you?"

"It's not going to be that simple Ruby. It won't be a giant portal where some of us choose to stay behind, when it happens, all of us get sent back."

"Just like that?"

Belle snaps her fingers once. "Just like that."

"That's insane!"

Belle shrugs. "It can't be helped."

"And you're just going to accept that?"

"What other choice do I have Ruby?" Belle cries out. "Everyone wants to go home and it's too risky to stay here any longer."

"But-?"

"In the end it's Rumple's choice." Belle states.

Ruby looks at her somberly. "In the end he's going to choose whatever keeps you safe.

Belle clenches her hands tightly and sighs. "I know." They sit in silence for a few moments, the only sound was coming from the movie, still playing in the background.

Ruby picks up one of the pillows and whacks Belle with it. Belle flinches and glares at Ruby, who pouts. "Come on, we're supposed to be having fun. This is your night of distractions, brought to you by me your-"

Ruby is unable to continue as Belle climbs on top of her. "Bring it on wolf." Belle grins, whacking her again and is happily reminded of her life in Storybrooke before she regained her memories of the curse.

---

"So, Rosie's in the middle of the lake, Henry comes out of nowhere and scares the hell out of her-" Emma is laughing as the four of them are finishing up dinner in an Italian place. Rumple had just finished telling them that, while Belle is incredible at whatever she puts her mind to, her sense of direction is abysmal. Emma was currently in the middle of telling a story of her own. "Naturally, out of panic, she sends a giant wave of water towards him and Henry nearly drowns because of it."

"It really wasn't Belle's fault." Henry argues weakly. "She did apologize and she did help me get back to dry land."

"I wasn't upset Henry." Emma laughs. "Besides, now we all know not to sneak up on Rosie and I was simply stating that if a situation arises, I would place my bet on Rosie surviving, or at least be the last one standing."

"She adapts to situations quickly." Rumple notes offhand. "That's what's important. She knows how to look at a situation and find the best solution."

"She does." Emma nods her head in agreement and takes a sip of her drink. She sighs deeply, placing the glass down again. "I will never forget when Henry ate that poisoned turnover and she managed to get both me and Regina back to the hospital."

"Belle staying with the two of you was the plan from the start." Rumple reminds her.

"I know that." Emma states in exasperation. "But I was still grateful she stuck around convincing me that my son, who I thought was dying, would be alright."

"She does love you Emma." Henry smiles. "And I'm just grateful she believed the curse was real in the first place, but-" He looks at Rumple curiously. "I still don't understand how she remembered in the first place."

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that Henry."

"And why's that?" Emma groans, tired of the secrets he is still hiding from her."

"I'm sorry Miss Swan, I just can't." He shakes his head.

Emma looks at him carefully and narrows her eyes. "Why do I get the feeling the reason you can't tell us is because you yourself don't know?"

"I don't know for certain." Rumple admits. "We have a theory, that we believe to be correct, but we don't know."

"I suppose remembering at all was unheard of huh?"

"The only people who knew where myself, Belle, Jefferson, Regina, of course, and Henry." Rumple confirms, taking another sip of his wine.

"And Pinocchio." Henry adds.

Rumple groans. "Yes, the puppet to, but I referring to people who actually went through the curse, he managed to get here before it was enacted."

"Wait, didn't Graham remember his past as well?" Henry inquires, looking at his mother.

"Wait, who's Graham?" Neal asks. He had been relatively silent as the three of them talked all throughout dinner, but the way Emma tensed after Graham's name was brought up, he had to intervene.

"The Huntsman." Henry answers.

"The Hunts-you mean from the story of Snow White?" Neal gapes. "But why would he have remembered?"

"Because I helped him find his heart." Emma states icily, catching Rumple's eyes and glaring, as if daring him to say more.

"But why would-?" Neal looks at Emma again and bites his lip. "Right. Daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. That would make sense."

"Actually." Rumple notes, looking at Emma again. "I have a question for you, since I have you relatively alone."

"Oh yeah?" Emma smirks, picking up her glass again and leaning back in the booth. "And what's that?"

"Are you going back to the Enchanted Forest with everyone?"

"…Yes, I have decided to go back with them." She finally admits and shrugs weakly. "I can't…I can't lose them again. If they go and I don't, I'll probably never be able to see them, or anyone else, ever again and I don't want that."

"Finally, the Savior makes a decision on her own."

"Oh shut it." Emma crosses her arms. "How long have you known how to get back anyways?"

"Since the beginning." He admits. "Belle found out by accident a few days after we left."

"You mean you didn't tell her?" She raises a curious eyebrow. "I thought you tell her everything."

"I told her only what was necessary."

"No…no, you only told her what parts would keep her safe."

Rumple sighs deeply. "Miss Swan there is no keeping her safe from this damned prophecy. The wheels have already been set and Belle is right in the middle of it, but I will protect her in any way I can." He looks at Neal. "Which is why, we need to be heading back to Storybrooke."

"Right." Emma leans forward, her arms resting on the table and turning to face Neal. "So are you coming with us or what?"

"Miss Swan." Rumple warns.

"I don't know." Neal answers honestly. "Do I want to know how all of this plays out?"

"Neal-"

"Miss Swan, would you and Henry please give us a moment?"

"Yeah." Emma smiles weakly and stands, placing a hand on Henry's shoulder. "C'mon Henry, let's go outside for a bit."

"Right." Henry stands up and follows his mother out of the restaurant.

Rumple takes another deep breath and leans back in his seat. "If you won't go back for me, at least go back for your son's sake. If they do go back to the Enchanted Forest you won't be able to see him again." Neal catches his mistake and opens his mouth to make a comment, but stays silent. Rumplestiltskin continues. "I don't think you want to put your own son through the same thing I put you through."

"No. I don't." Neal states flatly and is surprised his father is bringing up his mistake again. "I don't want to put anyone through that, but I don't know what I'm doing."

"Let me ask you something." Rumple leans forward in his chair. "I knew nothing about raising a child before you were born and I know I messed up, but before all of the Dark One crap, was I a good father?"

"Yes." Neal answers, seconds after Rumple had finished his sentence. "I loved you, I truly did, you always did what you could for me, despite our situation, and you protected me the best you could."

"I had idea what I was doing, I lied to you about your mother-"

"Yeah I know." Neal snaps. "You were never even honest to me about what happened to her, I had to learn the truth from Captain Hook."

"I know, and I'm afraid all I can do is continue apologizing for that too, but my initial point is, even though you don't know what you're doing I'm sure you can step up and be a good father to Henry." Neal just stares at him for what seems like a lifetime. "Neal-"

"I'll go back with the three of you." He finally sighs and finishes his glass of wine. "For Henry's sake." He almost grins. "And partially because I'm interested in meeting your new wife."

"Fair enough." Rumple laughs once, just as Henry and Emma return to the table as if in a hurry.

"What's wrong?" Neal asks.

"That man, we saw that man from the park again." Henry sighs, breathing a sigh of relief as he sits down. "We were walking along the sidewalk when I saw him looking at us. I tell Emma and the two of us practically run back towards the restaurant and run back in."

"Still going to tell me it's a coincidence?" Emma asks Neal, gripping the back of his chair tightly, trying to catch her breath.

"There's no such thing." Rumple murmurs. "Everything happens for a reason."

"You really believe that?" Emma gives him a curious glance.

"I do." Rumple nods once, finishing up his glance. "Well, if anything, Miss Swan will handle this mysterious man the next we all meet, shall we head back to the hotel?" He inquires grabbing his cane and standing up.

"Yeah course, but did the two of you-?"

"Oh right." Rumple notes. "I'll call the airport later and see if we can get seats on a flight the day after tomorrow."

"You coming then?" Emma faces Neal as he stands up.

"I am, you're not getting rid of me that easily, not when I know I have a son." Neal scoffs.

"Fair enough." Emma sighs. "Are you ready to get going Henry?"

"Actually…could I go to dad's place tonight?" Henry asks timidly, surprising Rumplestiltskin, usually the boy was outright with the things he wanted.

Emma looks at Neal again, who only shrugs. "I don't see why not."

After a minute Emma finally nods her head. "…Okay just, be careful?"

"Where's he going to go?" Neal shakes his head.

"You'd be surprised how many times this one's snuck out of the house he's sleeping, or rather not sleeping in." Emma laughs, gesturing to Henry.

Neal looks between the two of them in mock surprise. "He's our son, of course he picked up a few bad habits."

Emma is about to respond when Henry speaks up. "I promise not to sneak out or even leave the building until you and Grandpa-" Rumple flinches again. He was never going to get used to that. "Come back tomorrow morning." Henry finishes.

"Miss Swan, I'm sure he'll be fine." Rumple tries assuring her.

"Right well, have fun." Emma smiles weakly and watches the two of them leave the restaurant.

"He'll be fine." Rumple puts a hand on Emma's shoulder. "Besides, where are they going to go?"

"You're right." Emma sighs.

"If you want, I could head back to the hotel and you could try your luck on chasing our mystery guy down." He suggests as the two of them move to leave.

"No, he's long gone by now." Emma shakes her head. "Let's just go back to the hotel."

"You'll see him again tomorrow."

"I know." Emma laughs once and the two of them finally leave.

---

Rumplestiltskin wakes up to the sound of his phone going off. He groans and reaches over to answer it. "Belle, you know I don't like to be woken up this early." He groans, glancing at the clock and reading 6:30.

"Papa!"

"Neal?" Rumple sits up quickly. "What's wrong?" He asks. He hasn't heard Neal call him that since back in the Enchanted Forest.

"It's…Henry, I…he's been kidnapped."

"What happened?" Rumple asks calmly.

"I got up this morning and saw Henry still sleeping on the couch so I thought I'd go get us something to eat." Neal starts off, he was talking so quickly Rumple could hardly keep up. "When I got back I found Henry's shoe outside the building, up in my apartment the door was open, the living room was a mess, and Henry was gone."

"Neal."

"Papa, I don't know what to do!" His son sounded so distraught Rumple didn't really know what to do either.

"It's not your fault."

"Isn't it though? I should've listened to the three of you when you said that guy we saw everywhere made you uncomfortable."

"You think he took Henry?" Rumple asks, curling his hands into fists. He was angry, of course he was, Henry was innocent and to be used as a possible bargaining chip made his blood boil, but he had to stay calm, for now.

"Don't you?" Neal argues, as Rumple gets out of bed and puts on a change of clothes. "You said so yourself papa, the guy makes you uncomfortable, and Emma and Henry saw him again last night. Who's to say he didn't follow us back to my apartment and wait for his chance."

"Look." Rumple states. "It's too late to be thinking of the what ifs, it's already been done. All we can do now is think of a plan and find him. We'll get him back Neal, no matter what."

"Get who back?" Rumple turns around to see Emma walking into his room. He can only look at her, not knowing what to say. "Is there something on my face Gold, what's up?" She continues.

"…Emma, you may want to sit down." Rumple sighs deeply. This was going to be fun.

"Since when do you call me by my first name?" Emma backs away from him slowly. "What's going on?"

"Emma-" There was no easy way to do this. "Henry's missing."

Emma grips the table by the side of his bed tightly. "What do you mean he's…missing?" She hisses, through gritted teeth.

"Neal-"

"Put me on speaker." Rumple hears Neal. He had nearly forgotten Neal was still on the phone. "There's no reason for her to get angry at you when it's my fault. Rumple blinks and finds the button for the speaker. "Emma, it's my fault." Neal's voice echo's across the room. "I woke up this morning to find Henry still asleep on the couch, so I left to go get something to eat for the two of us, and when I returned…Henry was gone."

Emma doesn't say anything, but moves over to stand in front of Rumplestiltskin, takes the phone from him and hangs up. "We're going over there, now."

"Miss Swan, wait." Rumple grabs her arm. "You need to calm down first. It wasn't his fault."

"No, it isn't, it's my fault for bringing him here in the first place." She snaps and Rumple can see her trying her best not to start crying.

"Miss Swan-"

Emma gets herself free from his grasp and lets her arms go limp at her side. "I should've never brought him here Gold." She cries. "I was afraid something like this would happen here."

"Miss Swan." Rumple purses his lips not really knowing how to handle a crying Savior. Granted he didn't know how to handle his crying wife either, but at least he could hold Belle. "Miss Swan…What's done is done, we can't change the past, but we can change what happens from here on out. We will find Henry and we're going to go back home.

Emma looks at him and finally takes a deep breath. "Okay." She nods, before wiping the last of her tears and smiling weakly. "Let's go."

Rumple nods once and the two of them leave the room.

---

Apologizes, it's been...an interesting month. Look, the next one is probably going to take even longer, sorry again, but i'm going to be doing something that is going to be...difficult I guess, or at the very least something I haven't done before. So, I hope this over 15k chapter will satisfy you for a while, thanks for reading and sticking around. xD