"This is it," Emma said, slowing the van to a stop and pulling off to the side of the road. "And now for the moment of truth." She switched off the ignition, and turned to look back at Robin and Gold.

"According to Henry, I'm supposed to be covered," Robin said. "Something about special water from a well."

"Will that work for you, too?" Emma asked Gold.

"Alas, the water only returns that which was lost to you. It does nothing for that which you told to leave." He gave her a mirthless smile. "And as Belle has reluctantly agreed to let me back in, I would say we're going to need the Snow Queen's scroll to get me through the barrier."

"I'll call my parents and have them bring it along," Emma said, just as her phone rang. "It's Regina," she said, holding it up to her ear. "She can see us," she said to Robin. "Okay. He's going to try now." Emma ended the call and gave Robin a smile. "Let's see if this works."

They all exited the vehicle, and Emma stepped between Killian and Gold. He gave her an arched brow in response, but didn't make any comment. Robin, in the meantime, was walking slowly toward the barrier, extending a protective hand as he went. A moment later, the air seemed to shimmer, and he was through.

"We're next," Emma said to Killian.

"What about him?" Killian jabbed a thumb over his shoulder at Gold.

Emma pasted on a patronizing smile. "He's just going to have to trust us. And then he's going to have to behave." She turned to face him. "And I'll have your word on that or you're not setting foot in there."

"We've had this discussion, Miss Swan," he replied coldly. "And as I am not in possession of my dagger, I'm hardly in a position to do you any harm."

"It's not me I'm worried about," she said. "I want your word that you will not harm - or influence anyone else to harm - anyone in this town."

He stared at her, obviously not pleased. "You have my word." His voice was quiet, but carried the weight of the promise. Emma gave him a pointed look, and with a nod to Killian, they stepped through.

Henry was there to greet them.

"Mom!" He threw his arms around her, hugging her tight.

"Hey, kid," she said, rocking as she hugged him back. "Miss me?"

"It's been crazy," he said, pulling back to smile at her. "But I think we're on top of it now. We just need the box."

He looked over Emma's shoulder at Gold, who was standing patiently on the other side of the barrier. Emma turned to look at him.

"No Belle?" she asked.

"She didn't want to be here. She said she had a way to keep him from interacting with her."

"That'll go over well," Emma said.

"She needs to hide that bloody dagger," Killian replied. "Before he gets here."

"She's got it all taken care of," Henry said. "And Grandpa and Grandma are here." He pointed toward the road, where David's truck had just pulled up.

"Emma!" Snow barely waited for the truck to stop moving before she was in motion, running to throw her arms around her daughter. "Oh, Emma!"

"I'm back," Emma said, grinning.

"You're back." Snow grinned back, then turned to look at Killian. "And we have you to thank for it."

Killian smiled a little uncomfortably, rubbing his ear with embarrassment. "She'd have worked it out eventually. I just hurried things along."

"Well, whatever you did, it was appreciated," David said, coming up behind Snow to have his turn at hugging Emma. "Leave it to you to figure out a way, Killian."

"Henry and Regina helped," Killian said. "They knew where she'd gone."

"Speaking of Regina," Emma said, looking over at Regina, who hadn't stopped kissing Robin yet. "Have they been doing that since Robin stepped through?"

Henry wrinkled up his nose. "Yep."

"Guess they've got some lost time to make up for," Emma said, a little embarrassed at the sight of the two of them, kissing each other senseless. She turned to her parents. "Have you got the scroll?"

David held it up. "Right here. Are you sure we can trust him?"

"Are you nuts?" Emma said. "No, we can't trust him. But he's the only one who knows where the damn box is."

"Then let's get this over with." David walked over to the barrier, throwing the scroll across. Gold leaned down and picked it up, reading and then stepping through. He stared at the blank and impassive faces of everyone, including Regina - who had finally stopped kissing Robin.

"I suppose a cheery welcome is out of the question?" Gold quipped dryly.

"You're coming with me," David said.

"We need to grab something to go at Granny's - we skipped dinner and drove straight through," Emma replied. "Where are we meeting?"

"At the library," he said. He caught the slight widening of Gold's eyes and held up a hand to forestall that thought. "Belle won't be there," David said. "She doesn't want to see you."

"Can you at least be good enough to reassure me that she's all right? Despite our newest resident?" Gold's voice was terse, and the tension in his body was evident.

"She's fine," David said. "But she was firm on that point. She doesn't want to talk to you."

Gold gave a reluctant nod, then opened the door and got in the truck. Regina took Henry and Robin, following in her car as Emma turned back to Killian.

"I almost feel sorry for him," Emma said.

Killian looked incredulous. "Are you mad?"

"I'm not saying he didn't earn it," she replied. "It's just sad what power can do to you, if you let it."

"The crocodile made his bed," Killian said, with a good deal of venom. "A man who won't fight for what he wants, deserves what he gets. Especially if the one he needs to fight is himself."

"Like the way you gave up your vengeance?" she said quietly.

His eyes softened. "It was an easy trade. And that kind of anger can sustain you, but it doesn't heal you."

She reached out, taking his hand. "Stay close to me. They might think our resident calamity is safe, but I'm not taking any chances."

He squeezed her fingers. "I've got you, love."

She leaned in, kissing him softly. "We've got each other,' she said.

And when she turned to walk to the van, he stood frozen a moment, his fingers lingering on his lips, wondering if she even realized the wealth of meaning she'd just put into those words.

###

The man slid into a seat at the counter at Granny's, and Red's mouth dropped open. Granny raised a brow and turned to see what got her attention, and her own jaw dropped a little.

"Okay," she whispered. "I'll give you that one. Where did he come from?"

"Do I care?" Red answered. "I've got his order." She strolled to the other end of the counter, leaning in provocatively. "Hi there," she breathed. "Can I help you?"

The man looked up, slowly and appreciatively. "I don't know," he answered. "But I might want to find out."

"I'm Red," she answered. "I don't think I've seen you around before. Did you come over in the second curse?"

"I'm relatively new," he hedged, with a smile that made Red forget what she was asking. She fumbled for her order pad. "Uh...can I - get you something? To eat?"

"Surprise me."

She flushed, and turned away, fighting the urge to fan herself. Granny shook her head as Red walked into the doorjamb on her way to the back.

The man at the counter turned his head as the front door opened, his eyes locking on Emma as she walked up to the register, with Killian behind her.

"Hey, Granny," she said.

"Welcome back," Granny smiled.

"Any chance of us getting a stack of grilled cheese sandwiches and a bag of fries?"

"I can make that happen. I can maybe throw in a pie, too."

Emma's eyes nearly rolled back in her head. "That would be so appreciated."

"I'm just going to go and wash up," Killian said, giving her a peck on the cheek before heading to the back. Emma stood waiting, drumming her fingers on the counter. She was completely oblivious to the man who was staring at her so intently. Red pushed through the doors a moment later.

"Hi Emma!" she called out, balancing a plate in one hand. "Granny's packing your order. It'll only be a minute."

"Thanks." Emma pulled out her phone, scrolling through the messages and texting Henry to let him know they were soon to be on their way.

"Her name is Emma?" The man asked Red, leaning in a bit and lowering his voice.

Red's brow creased. "Uh...yeah. She's the sheriff here. Were you...looking for her?"

He smiled a slow and very, very sexy smile. "I think I might be."

Red slid his plate towards him. "I can save you some time," she said. "Emma's with Hook - the guy she came in with."

"Is that so?" He didn't seem phased at all.

"Yeah." Red was not feeling so friendly now. "That's Granny's lasagna. It's a house specialty." She ripped off the ticket, laying it down next to his plate. "You pay up front."

She turned and walked into the kitchen without a backward glance, but the man didn't seem to notice. His eyes were still firmly on his prize. He hadn't come here for entertainment, but she was an unexpected bonus. The other one would do, but this one...this Emma...he could feel the power in her, even from here. Someone with that much power radiating around them was guaranteed to burn like fire once you ignited them.

His gaze flicked to Killian as he passed by. And he took note of the proprietary hand Killian put to Emma's back. A few moments later, Granny emerged with a large box loaded with food, and the two of them took it and left.

The mortal was handsome, he supposed, but he was no obstacle. Mortals never were.

He'd take his pleasures, and when he found Rumplestiltskin, he'd turn him to dust - and maybe the town as well, just to teach them all a lesson.