"Dora?" Archie knocked once again. "Dora? It's Doctor Hopper. I'm here with the Nolans."
The door to the apartment opened a crack, and Dora peered out. She nodded slightly, opening the door wider. "Yes, of course. Come in."
She motioned them into the living room. "Neal is sleeping," she said quietly, taking a seat on the couch. "Henry came by – he's told me so much about you that I feel as if I know you already." She smiled tentatively.
Catherine smiled back, squeezing David's hand. David looked at Archie, who nodded reassuringly.
"Well, Henry is pretty persuasive," David said. "He's stuck by my side like glue since I lost my memory. He's even nicknamed me "Grandpa", for some reason." David smiled.
"He's a charming boy," Catherine said, and David gave her an odd look.
"Yes…" he agreed. "Charming. That's a good word to describe him." He looked faintly puzzled, then pasted a smile on his face.
"We're here to talk some more about what I'd spoken with you about yesterday," Archie said, taking a seat on the couch next to Dora. "We're very grateful to you for looking after Mary Margaret's child, but as your doctor, I am concerned that it's a lot to have on your plate. David and Catherine can give the child a stable home until Mary Margaret is…uh…recovered."
Dora looked stricken, and her eyes filled with tears. "But…I've been taking care of him," she said.
"And you've done well," Catherine said, taking a seat on the other side of Dora and reaching out for her hand. "But a child needs two parents, and David and I would give Neal everything he needs."
Dora nodded, dabbing at her eyes. "I suppose it's what's best," she agreed. "For the babe."
"We just want what's best," David reiterated.
"It's just…" Dora bit her lip, taking a breath to hold the tears at bay. "I've been alone for so long. Having Neal to look after has been wonderful. So wonderful." She looked at Archie helplessly. "But I understand if you don't think I'm best for him," she finished sadly.
Catherine looked over at David, who raised his brows in response. Archie gave Dora an empathetic smile.
"Dora, I think you have a great capacity for love and to be loved," Archie said. "But we both agree that you haven't reached the point in your life where you can easily accept that yet."
"No," she said softly. "I don't suppose that I am." She looked up at David. "Would you like to take him now? He's sleeping, but I can go and get him."
"Please," Catherine said.
"I've put his things in the corner there," Dora said. "And you're welcome to take the crib, as well."
"I'll come back for it with my truck," David said. "We've got Catherine's car right now."
Dora nodded. "I'll only be a moment."
She left the room, and Catherine began going through the bags in the corner.
"We'll have to get him some new clothes," she said, holding up a onesie. "These don't have much flair." She shoved them down in the bag, then slung the bag over her shoulder and reached for the car seat. "I'll get this set up in the car," she said, heading for the door.
David reached for a large bag of diapers, then stopped and turned to Archie. "Are you sure about this?" he asked. "I don't know that I'm much stronger of a choice for this kid."
"You're a fine choice," Archie said. "And I think this maybe might be just the thing you and Catherine need. Put you on the same team, so to speak."
Dora re-entered the room, and David watched her, shifting nervously from one foot to the other.
"He's just woken up," she said, rubbing a finger softly across his cheek. "He'll need to be fed soon." She looked up at David. "Did Dr. Hopper tell you about our arrangement at the hospital?"
David nodded. "Yes. We'll make sure to pick up the milk. Does he sleep through the night?"
"Usually," she answered, smiling down at Neal. "He also eats solid food a little. Cereal and some fruits and vegetables. He loves creamed spinach."
David smiled. "I'll remember that." He stepped closer. "May I…?"
"Of course," she said, carefully passing the baby over. David reached out and settled Neal into the crook of his arm. The baby looked up at him, making a soft gurgling sound. His hand reached up, grasping David's nose firmly, and when David made a face, the baby smiled, as if delighted.
"You're a natural," Archie said, clapping David on the back.
"He seems to like me," David agreed. He looked up at Dora. "We'll take good care of him, Dora. And you're welcome to come and visit him anytime. I mean, we're going to need a babysitter now, right?"
Dora smiled, though it was plain to see she was still very torn at the thought of losing Neal. "Of course," she said. "Anytime. And if I'm not available, Henry would be happy to do it. Neal adores him."
"Is that so?" David smiled down at Neal, making silly cooing noises as the front door opened and Catherine came back in.
"Are we ready?" she asked.
David nodded. "Yeah. We have to stop by the hospital, though – he's due for a feeding."
"Why don't I drop you off there?" Catherine said. "I can take this stuff home, stop and shop for a few more things, and then pick you up in the truck so we can come and get the crib?"
"Oh…okay," David said. "If you're sure I won't drop him or something." He smiled down at Neal again, and Neal let out a squeal of delight.
"He likes you," Dora said quietly.
"See?" Catherine said with a smile. "It's all going to be good." She turned and walked out the door.
David looked over at Archie. "Maybe now I can talk her into a bigger house. I wish she'd hear me out on that."
"You'll have lots to do while you figure that out," Archie said.
Neal began to fuss slightly, and David moved him to his shoulder, rubbing his back soothingly.
"Did you have younger brothers and sisters?" Archie asked him. "You seem like you've done this before."
"I – I don't think so," David said, a frown creasing his forehead. "I'll have to ask Catherine. She'd know."
He turned once more to Dora. "Thanks for taking such good care of him. I meant what I said…anytime you want to visit, the door is open."
"Thank you," she said softly. She stepped over, getting up on her tiptoes to kiss Neal gently on the forehead. "Be well, little one. I'll miss you."
Neal looked back at her solemnly as he chewed on his fist, drooling all over David's shoulder.
###
"So your grandfather is picking him up today?" Regina paced back and forth.
"Right now," Henry said. "I'll stop by and see him later just to see if anything's changed."
"That's a good idea. No change in your grandmother, either?" she asked.
"Nothing yet."
"And Ariel's working on getting Hook out of Neverland. Not the easiest of tasks."
"Neither is breaking someone out of prison," Henry said morosely. "I tried to call every prison in Arizona and I got nowhere. They don't give out inmate information."
"If we could find Sidney," Regina said, tapping her chin. "Maybe he could –"
"Sidney's stuck in your house. In a mirror." Henry said. "And he has no idea what's happened, either."
"Of course," Regina sighed. "Stuck in a mirror. Great."
"Maybe if we could find Belle?" Henry suggested. "I looked for her at the shop, but it's all closed up and she's not at my grandfather's house. She might be able to figure things out."
"Belle?" Regina stopped pacing. "I know where she is. I know exactly where she is. Henry, you need to go to the hospital."
###
"Dr. Whale?"
"David!" Dr. Whale called out, stepping out from behind the nurse's desk. "I'd heard you were fostering the baby. How's that going?"
David looked down at Neal uncertainly. "I'll have to let you know. We just picked him up, and Dora tells me he's due for a feeding."
Whale nodded. "That's right. We are doing some pumping, as well, but if you or Catherine could bring him by at least once or twice a day - the bonding is important. It'll only be for a few more months until he's old enough to wean."
David smiled. "Of course. We want what's best for him."
"I'll have Rose show you the way," he gestured over to one of the nurses, who stepped out from behind the counter, motioning for David to follow her. She opened the door to the private area where Mary Margaret lay sleeping, and David followed her inside. Neal, as if sensing that food was near, started fussing.
"He's hungry, all right," Rose said, smiling. "Here, I'll get him set up."
David turned away, averting his eyes as she arranged Neal at Snow's breast, covering him partially to maintain some modesty. She arranged a pillow behind him to keep him from rolling.
"There now," she said. "He's a pro - he'll let you know when he's done and I'll be back to switch him to the other side."
"You have to do that?" David asked.
She laughed a little. "Yes. Don't want to be lopsided."
He laughed, too. "Never thought of it that way, but I guess it makes sense."
"I'll be right outside if you need me," she said, peeking at Neal once more before she stepped outside and the door closed behind her.
David looked around helplessly. He felt like the ultimate third wheel, but at the same time, he felt like he ought to stay, just in case Neal squirmed away or something.
He pulled up a chair to the side of Mary Margaret's bed and looked at her curiously.
She was beautiful. He had no memory of ever meeting her, but he must have, because she seemed terribly familiar. Whoever the jerk was that left her alone to raise a baby must have been an incredible fool. From what everyone told him, she was a wonderful person. Kind. Caring. A schoolteacher. And now, to have this happen...
He let out a huffing sound that was something like a laugh.
"Well, if we aren't living proof that bad things happen for no reason, I don't know who is," he said softly. "But I'll do the best I can for Neal. I promise you."
He reached out and closed his hand around hers.
And then his eyes flew open wide as she squeezed his fingers.
###
"Where are we?" Emma asked. "We seem to be slowing down."
"I'm as lost as you are," Killian answered, trying to peer out through the slight crack in the door. "I wouldn't recognize the scenery regardless."
"Let me over there," Emma said, moving up to the door. "At least we're in the center of town," she said. "If we slow a little more, we might be able to jump."
"You don't want to wait until the train stops?"
"Better to get off before that happens," Emma said. "Just in case they're looking - and they probably are."
"Good point," he agreed. "And perhaps in town we can find a new cellphone."
"That's a great idea," Emma said. "If I can call Henry, we can try to get more information on this strange woman."
The car lurched sharply, and Emma fell into Killian.
"We're slowing down even more," she said, pushing back over to the door again. "It's a crossing - they have to go slower. We're not going to get a better chance than this."
"Agreed." Killian pulled hard on the door, and even though the train had slowed quite a bit, the ground still seemed to be rushing by at an alarming rate. Emma braced herself on the door frame.
"Don't think about it," she said. "Just jump."
"Don't worry, Swan - I'm right behind you." He moved in closer, and they both watched for an opening, trying to lean back into the shadows so people on the crossroads that were waiting wouldn't see them.
"There! Up ahead!" Emma called out, pointing at a section of grass sloping down just on the other side of the curve they were entering.
"I see it!" Killian shouted back. "Ready?"
"Ready - one, two, now!" Emma jumped, with Killian leaping right after. They hit the ground hard, rolling over and over until they landed in a heap at the bottom of the hill, coughing and groaning.
"Emma! Are you all right?" Killian was up on his elbows, crawling over to her.
"I took a rock to the knee, and my backside is sore, but I think it's just a bruise," she said, rubbing it gingerly.
"Well, I'd be more than happy to help with that."
She looked over at him with a smirk that changed to alarm. "You're bleeding!"
He swiped at a gash on his forehead. "My hook caught me on the way down. Either that or I re-opened the wound you gave me last night when you tried to blind me."
The smirk was back. "Don't be a baby." She pulled the sleeve of her coveralls down, pulling it in her fist so she could dab at his head. "Let's go find a store, and a meal and a room. In that order."
"Any idea where we are?" he asked, glancing around.
"Let's get back up the hill - the landmarks were going by too fast and it was hard to see from the train. We're still in the desert, but that covers a lot of territory." She took a step and limped a little. Killian stepped up, sliding his arm around her.
"I've got you, Swan."
She smiled at him. "I know."
He helped her up the hill, and Emma's eyes widened as she got a glimpse of their surroundings. They were on the very outskirts of town, but there was no mistaking the town.
"So where are we?" he asked.
"We're in luck," she said. "You're going to have us bankrolled in no time. We're someplace that's very, very easy to get lost in. "
"And where is that, exactly?"
She smiled a cat-like smile. "Vegas, baby."