"Dora, you have to listen to me. This isn't the way to solve this," Archie pleaded. "Death is not an answer."

"For me it is," she answered softly. "And for all of you, as well. You'll all be safe, and Zeus can't use me. It's the only way."

"No, it isn't." Archie was firm, grabbing her arms and turning her to face him. "It can't be. I won't let it be." He bit his lip, looking around in frustration. "We just need more time."

"There is no more time. Zeus is here, and he is determined. No one stands against him."

"I will." Archie raised his chin mutinously.

Dora reached up, touching his face gently. "You'll die. I couldn't bear that. Please. Don't make it harder for me."

"What if..." he looked around again, as if an answer might somehow sprout of the flowered pattern on the wallpaper. "What if we found a safe place for you...somewhere that Zeus couldn't get to?"

"There is no such place."

"You don't know that! We have magic in this town, and people who can wield it. Regina and Emma - and even Rumplestiltskin. We could get a protection spell!"

"He would be able to get through it, eventually," Dora said. "He's too powerful."

"According to David, Emma was able to throw him with her magic. Light magic. It's the most powerful thing in the universe, born of true love."

Dora looked at him warily. "Why would she help me?'

"I told you, Dora," Archie said, cupping her face in both his hands. "We all want to help you. And I think I know just where we can take you. It's secluded and away from everyone. You don't have to worry about accidentally hurting anyone."

"I don't know..."

"Let me take you there. We'll get Emma to set a protection spell, and that'll buy us some time. And we'll work this out. I swear to you, Dora. I'll find a way to free you."

She laid her head against his chest. "I'm so afraid. For you."

Archie put his arms around her. "And I'm afraid to be without you."

###

"I don't trust him," Killian said. "Rumplestiltskin." They walked together toward the bug, the scene in the shop replaying in their minds.

"Big surprise," she retorted. "I don't trust him, either. But I'm learning how to play his little word games."

"Meaning?"

Emma opened the car door and leaned a moment on the roof. "Meaning...I asked him point blank if my magic could defeat Zeus, and he didn't say no."

Killian smiled, a slow but devious smile. "No, he didn't. Did he?"

"I'm betting I'm as powerful as he is. Otherwise Zeus would have just taken what he wanted. He's not a guy who's big on patience."

"He enjoys the game," Killian said. "He's biding his time for the opportune moment. I know that type of vermin, but on a human scale. That personality in a god doesn't bode well."

"He doesn't scare me," Emma scoffed. Killian walked around the car, pulling her into his arms.

"I didn't think that he did," Killian said. "You're a bloody lioness. But I swear if he touches you again, I'll find a way to end him."

"Down sailor," she smiled up at him. "I get the first swing. And you can't kill an immortal anyway."

"I could slice him apart with a cutlass and drop all over the sea," Killian suggested.

"I don't think it works that way," Emma said. "You'd probably only bend your cutlass."

He looked chagrined. "He's not worth a good cutlass."

"He's not worth your time and trouble, either," Emma said. "I've got this one. I promise, you can have the next villain that comes along."

He looked over his shoulder. "That could be any minute, in this town."

"Tell me about it," she smirked. "Now let's get some burgers before we head over to the library." She smacked his butt, giving him a push, and he grinned as he opened his door.

"Could we get the orange stuff?" He asked. "Cheese wooze?"

"Cheese Whiz," she corrected. "And don't eat too much of that on your fries. It's bad for your heart."

He slid into the seat next to her, closing the door and giving her a wink.

"My heart is in good hands, love."

Emma smiled, and put the car in gear.

###

Regina curled herself against Robin's back, nuzzling into his neck as he chuckled.

"Something funny?" she asked, running her fingers up and down his arm.

He rolled abruptly, flipping her over and moving in behind her. "You." He slid an arm around her, pulling her tighter in.

"I thought we agreed that I was going to be the big spoon," he said, rubbing his nose along her ear. She shivered in reaction.

"You were asleep. I wanted to hold you but I didn't want to wake you."

"Thought you were a queen who takes what she wants."

She looked over her shoulder. "I'm not a queen. Not here. Not anymore."

"So you don't want a round of "Common Thief meets Power Hungry Mayor?"

He gave her backside a squeeze and she rolled to face him, giving him a push on his chest. "You are incorrigible."

She lifted her face for his kiss, and he obliged, taking his time with her, his hands moving across her body with practiced ease as he stroked and pressed and learned every inch of her again.

He lifted her leg over his hip, and in one smooth movement, he rolled her beneath him.

"So you want me taking over this time?" he asked, pushing himself against her, teasing her as she arched to receive him. Her eyes were brilliant, shining with an excitement she only found with him. Regina wasn't a woman who ceded control easily.

"Yes," she breathed.

"My lady...I am at your service." Robin's eyes darkened as pushed her legs more widely apart, almost roughly, and Regina's breath left her in a rush, returning in small gasps as he readied her.

And then came the knock at the door.

They froze, then Regina murmured quietly, "Ignore it..."

Robin shook his head as the knock sounded again. "It could be important."

He rolled off her, reaching for his clothing, and she did the same with a sigh.

"Just a minute," she called from the top of the stairs, as Robin reached behind her to fasten the back of her blouse. She smoothed her hair and after a look from Robin that promised they weren't done, she headed down the stairs and opened the door.

"Belle." She looked at her curiously. "Is something wrong?"

"We've got a problem," Bella said. "May I come in?"

Regina looked over her shoulder to make sure Robin was presentable, then she stepped back, opening the door wider. "Of course."

Belle stepped inside, starting a bit as she saw Robin - who was still buttoning his shirt. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't realize you had company."

"You could have called first," Regina said, more than a little put out still.

"This couldn't wait. I saw Zeus. He was with Rumplestiltskin."

"What?" Robin stepped forward in alarm. "What were they doing?"

"I can't be sure - I was watching through the window. It looked like they were making some sort of deal, and then Emma interrupted them."

"What kind of a deal would Rumple be making with Zeus?" Regina pondered.

"You didn't get any closer? Overhear anything?" Robin asked.

"That would have tipped him off," Regina said. "Since Belle used the dagger to command him to keep his distance, if she'd walked into the shop he would have reappeared somewhere else."

"Can you use the dagger to command him to tell you what they said?" Robin suggested.

Belle nodded. "I could, but there may not be time. I'm afraid he told Zeus where the box is. We need to get to Pandora - she should be able to find it. Once you have it, I can move it to a new location in the shop - it's a protected safe with an enchantment over it. Rumplestiltskin won't be able to get to it if you enact the enchantment."

Regina nodded slowly. "That's a good plan."

"It is," Robin agreed.

"I'm sure it's exactly what Zeus would like us to do," Regina said, crossing her arms. "Isn't that right?" She stared at Belle pointedly, raising one dark brow. Belle looked back, and a moment later she shimmered, and Zeus stood in her place.

"What tipped you off?" he asked blandly.

"She usually calls Rumplestiltskin 'Rumple'. You also called Dora by her full name. And Belle is one of the most polite people I know. She would have called first." Regina gave him a look of extreme displeasure.

"I didn't realize I'd be interrupting," Zeus said smoothly. "I'd be happy to take over if you'd like some real excitement."

Robin started forward, already drawing his arm back into a fist, but Regina stepped between them. "Don't bother," she said. "He's not worth dirtying your fist over. And he's definitely not enticing."

Zeus leaned negligently against the wall. "I need that box. Rumplestiltskin knows where it is, and he's willing to bargain with me in order to get what he wants."

"Oh, so you weren't lying about that?"

"No."

"And what is it that he wants?" Robin asked.

Zeus shrugged. "A favor."

Regina's brows both went up and she sucked in a quiet breath. Robin looked confused. "Is that bad?"

She turned to look at him. "An open-ended favor? From the king of the Gods?"

"I see what you mean," Robin said distastefully. "But why tell us?"

"Because he enjoys the discord," Regina said. "He wants to play us against each other."

"Anyone who claims Rumplestiltskin as an ally is a fool," Zeus pointed out. "But I will end up with the box. You know that. One way or the other, it will reveal itself. It'll be faster if we do it my way, and then I can leave. And Rumplestiltskin won't get what he wants. Whatever that is."

"Or you could just leave now," Regina suggested with a wide, false smile. "You certainly seem to be losing your edge with the women of Storybrooke."

Zeus gave her a dark look. "I have other strategies in play," he growled. "And you are well-advised to stay out of my way."

And with that, he was gone - not even a puff of smoke or a shimmer this time, and his ominous warning hung in the air.

"So..." Regina said, turning slowly. "Back to bed?"

Robin was on her in two strides, wrapping his fist in her hair and pulling her head back. "No. Here. On the floor."

Regina's eyes widened, and a moan tore from her throat as he pulled her down, but a moment later she stilled his hand as it tugged at her blouse.

"Wait."

He pushed her hand away. "I'm in charge this time, remember?"

She sat up. "I just realized something. I told him that Belle commands the dagger."

Realization dawned behind Robin's eyes. "The prophecy," he said. "It takes more than one weapon to build an army."

"Belle is in danger," Regina said. "And Zeus is going to have another weapon."