When Henry Met Penny

by Model Builder

When the Jupiter 2 lands in Storybrooke, Mr. Gold sees the Robinson's ship and the remaining magic bean as his way back to the Enchanted Forest. But Dr. Smith has ideas of his own. And matters get even more complicated for the Robinsons and the Mills/Swan/Charming Charming families when Penny Robinson and Henry Mills discover that they have fallen in love with each other . . . .

3. Young Love, Interrupted

Chapter 3: Young Love, Interrupted

It was after 9:00 am when Will Robinson finally woke up. Major West was not in his bed. In fact, Don's bed was made up military fashion; so he must be out and about. Dr. Smith, of course, was still soundly asleep. Will dressed, and went to his sister's room. But before he could knock on the door, he saw two notes on the door written on small, yellow squares of paper that were stuck to the door without a thumbtack or tape. One was from Penny, stating that she went to meet with Ava and Grace for her Storybrooke makeover, and would see everyone at Granny's Diner by eleven in the morning. The other one was from Judy, who simply said that she went for a walk to ". . . think things over."

Next, Will went to his parents' room. Again, he saw a note on the door written on the same strange yellow self-adhering paper that said they went for their walk on the beach, and would meet everyone at Granny's Diner around noonish. Will went to the refrigerator in the room to get what was left of his hamburger from last night for breakfast. Not fully trusting the microwave ovens of this backward world (they probably scrimped on the radiation shielding,) he ate his burger cold. Even as a cold leftover, it tasted like a slice of heaven, and Will ate slowly, savoring every bite of a meal that on his own Earth would probably cost over $50.00.

When Will had finished the very last crumb, he then decided to go to Granny's Diner, hoping to get there before Penny (and His Sublime Royalness, Prince Henry,) did. As Will Robinson walked to Granny's Diner, he passed several Storybrooke residents on the way. Many nodded in greeting, and said, "Welcome to Storybrooke," as he went by. Will responded politely, but was somewhat unnerved by the almost casual way the people of Storybrooke responded to the presence of newcomers who had just landed in an interstellar spaceship as though they just came to town on a bus.

Inside the diner, there were only a few people, including the nice lady who ran the diner and the Bed and Breakfast where his family stayed the night before. The elderly lady smiled at him, and motioned him to come over to the counter, where she set a steaming cup of (real!) hot chocolate in front of him. "On the house, young man," said Granny Lucas smiling as warm and sweet as he imagined the chocolate drink must taste like. "Everyone else is supposed to come here around noon. Did you have a good night's sleep?"

"Oh, yes Ma'am!" said Will, taking a tentative sip of the hot drink, which was garnished with whipped cream that was sprinkled with cinnamon; a drink that probably could not even be made on his own Earth; at least not without spending a small fortune. "I've never had anything like this before back home!"

Granny Lucas thanked Will for his compliment, and said, "Things must be very different in your world." Will nodded, and gave Granny Lucas a brief description of his version of Earth. In return, Granny told Will a few things about the world that Storybrooke had become a part of; including why everyone was laughing at him the night before when he tried to get his sister's attention, and he had inadvertently imitated a character from a popular television show. Will made a mental note to use a different way to get his sister's attention in the future.

"Thanks for letting me know about "The Big Bang Theory" and Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Mrs. Lucas," said Will. "That explains a lot. And thanks again for the delicious hot chocolate!"

"Well, just let me know if you want anymore," said Granny Lucas smiling. "You know, this drink is Henry's favorite, too."

From behind Will, as if on cue, Henry Mills said, "Mmmmmm! 'Morning Mrs. Lucas. Do I smell hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon? Oh, hi Will. Did you have a good night's sleep? Have you heard from Penny this morning? She said that she would be here about this time, and I'm anxious to see what she looks like."

Will just glared at Henry. But Granny Lucas said, "Good morning, Henry," as she placed a mug of hot chocolate in front of the boy.

Henry thanked Granny Lucas. But before he could say anything else, Will Robinson said, "I'd like to have a word with you in private, Your Highness."

Henry shrugged, rolled his eyes, and motioned for Will to join him in a corner booth. When both boys sat down, Will said, "Look, Your Majesty –"

"Will, can you please knock-off the grandiose titles?" said Henry. "Yeah, I'm technically a prince. But nobody here calls me any of that stuff. And FYI, I am fourth in line to the throne of Storybrooke, after my grandmother, my mother Emma, and my Uncle Neil. And if grandma and grandpa have any more children, I'll be moved even further back.

"But frankly, I don't want to sit on any throne. I don't know what I want to do when I'm older. But if I am asked to perform any Noble Obligations, I will do them."

"Like answer my questions about Storybrooke and this world? Like your mom the Queen told you to do when we first got here . . . ? As I recall, you were only interested in talking with my sister. And that is actually the reason why I want to talk with you.

"I want you to back-off from Penny!" said Will. "My sister has always had a thing for Fairy Tales, and that is the only reason why she's even spending any time with you! She's a very intelligent girl, and way too good for some immature prankster like you!"

"Will," said Henry seriously. "I would never do anything to hurt your sister in any way! And I won't stop seeing her. We like each other very, very much. In fact –" But Henry's train of speech was derailed when Penny, Ava and Grace came into the diner. Henry stood up and said, "Good morning, Penny. Ava. Grace." The three girls all returned Henry's greeting with giggles. Henry said, "Penny, you look absolutely . . . absolutely . . . ."

"Try up-to-date, Henry," said Ava.

"We're sorry it took so long," added Grace. "We just couldn't decide what Penny should wear!"

Penny took a few steps forward, and did a twirl like a model on a catwalk. She smiled at Henry, and said, "Well, Henry, how do I look . . . ?"

Henry Mills was at a complete loss for words. Penny Robinson had traded her purple and green Retro-Future outfit for a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt decorated with My Little Pony artwork. Her hair was in a more contemporary style, and she wore sandals and carried a small, matching handbag. Henry wanted to draw her close in a nice, warm hug and kiss her . . . .

"Penny, I bet that you would look pretty in a spacesuit," said Henry. "But I really, really like what you have on, now." Penny smiled while Ava and Grace high-fived each other and giggled some more.

Penny and Henry went toward each other, taking each other's hands as they met, then leaning in and kissing each other gently on the lips. Will planted both hands on his hips, and said, "How about showing some daylight between the two of you, Your Most Awesome Majesty?"

Penny rounded to Will, and said, "Will Robinson, mind your manners! Who I date is none of your business!"

"Sure it is!" Will said seriously. "I'm your brother!"

Penny softened a bit, and said, "Will, I appreciate your concern, but Henry Mills is my One True Love! I knew that from the moment that I first saw him. And I didn't know that he was a Fairy Tale, much less a Fairy Tale Prince when I met him. I only knew that then and there, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him."

"And I feel the same way about Penny," said Henry, putting his arm around her. "I'm sorry that you don't like me now, Will. But I'm sure that you will change your mind about me after you have been here for a while and you get to know me better." Then Henry turned to Penny, and said, "Our families won't be here for another couple of hours, Penny. Would you like to share a strawberry milkshake while you tell me more about your adventures in space?"

"Oh, I'd love that," said Penny. "I only had a real strawberry once, and that was for my tenth birthday!"

Henry escorted Penny to a small, two person table in the middle of the diner and Will set himself down in the table next to them. "I've got my eye on you, Your Worshipfulness. Just keep your hands to yourself!"

Penny was about to snap at her brother, but before she could, Henry said, "Listen, Will, believe it or not, I do respect your sister and I respect you. In fact, I have something for you . . . ."

Henry reached into his jacket pocket and removed one of the electronic Swiss Army Knives that everyone here in Storybrooke seemed to carry with them at all times. "Since your family is going to be here in Storybrooke indefinitely, I think that you need to learn how to use the local tech." Henry fiddled with the keypad a bit, and then handed the device to Will. "This is an introductory app that will help you familiarize yourself with the controls."

Will accepted the device from Henry, glanced at the screen, and said, "Thank you. But if you think that this will keep me from watching you and my sister closely, you've got another thought coming. It just so happens that I can, what's your word for it, "multitask" pretty well, myself."

Will began to operate the cellphone app that Henry had set up for him. Ruby came over, and Henry ordered a large strawberry milkshake and two straws, and a glass of cold, chocolate milk for Will, who just grunted a "thanks" as he divided his attention between the two teens and the cellphone that Henry gave him as he worked the app.

About ten minutes later, Henry said, "If you don't believe me, Penny, just say something that is sure to get Will's attention."

Penny smiled, and said, "I know just the thing, Henry!" She then turned to her younger brother, raised her voice and said, "If it's alright with you, Will, I'm going to tell Henry about the time that the people from the Green Dimension turned you green. I took some pictures when you weren't looking and I'm going to show them to Henry. Would that be alright with you, Will?"

Will didn't even grunt a reply as his attention was completely focused on the cellphone screen.

"As you might imagine," said Penny. "Will was so embarrassed when that happened!"

"It's alright, Will," said Henry also smiling. "I have an aunt named Zelena who is green, also. We're not too close, though . . . ."

Again, Will did not reply. Now Penny looked concerned. "Will? Will?" Then she turned back to Henry, and said, "Oh, Henry, you didn't put him under some kind of magic spell, did you?"

"Not at all," said Henry. "I don't even know how to do magic, nor do I ever want to learn any. I hope that is alright with you. That, and the fact that I will never sit on the Throne of Storybrooke. Despite what your brother may think, I am not a spoiled royal, or anything like that. And don't worry about Will. It's just something I had up my sleeve, or rather, in my back pocket, so we can talk without him interrupting us.

"Now, tell me about when Will was green."

Penny described the Green Will incident in full detail. Then she told Will about being trapped in an alien magic mirror. She then told Henry about her encounter with a non-corporeal entity she met who she named "Mr. Nobody." As she spoke, Henry listened with rapt attention, taking everything in as he lost himself in Penny's melodic voice and her deep, hazel eyes. And as Penny told Henry about her adventures in space, Will's attention never left the cellphone's screen.

Then Penny told Henry about how she and her sister Judy helped save a female android named Verda from two, male androids called "IDAK's" that were sent to destroy her. When Penny was finished, she asked Henry to tell her about his time in Neverland. But before Henry could begin, his moms, grandparents, and the rest of the Robinson family, Major West and Dr. Smith came into the diner; something that neither of the teens would have noticed if they were not at a segue point when Penny and Henry were about to trade places of teller and listener.

Regina Mills and Emma Swan came over to the teens' table. Their expressions were pleasant, but slightly maudlin as they looked at their son and his girlfriend.

"Hi, moms!" said Henry enthusiastically. "Mom. Mom. You've got to hear what Penny just told me! She and her family helped a female android that was trying to escape from other androids called IDAK's that were sent to destroy her! Moms, these IDAK 'droids were kind of like Terminators, or something, and-"

"That's very interesting, Henry," said Regina neutrally. "But we have a very important meeting to take care of, and we want the two of you and Will to be there since it concerns you kids, as well." Regina waved her hand, and the empty tables in the center of the room all moved together to form one, large one. "I'm afraid we'll need your two tables, as well kids."

Henry and Penny stood up from their table, and stepped back so Regina could magic it into position. But Will Robinson's attention was focused completely on the cellphone that Henry had given to him a few hours earlier.

Emma said, "Will, please put your cellphone away. We need your table and you need to come to the meeting." Again, Will did not acknowledge being addressed.

Maureen Robinson came over, and said, "William Edward Robinson! Look at me when I am talking to you!" When Will ignored her, Maureen turned to Regina, and said, "What's going on here? It's not like Will to ignore me or his father."

Emma turned to Henry, and said, "You know anything about this, kid?"

"No mom," said Henry with exaggerated innocence. "I just thought that Henry would like to have a cellphone for his own use, so I gave him my old one to experiment with."

"I wonder . . . ," said Regina. She waved her hand again, and Will's cellphone vanished from his hands in a puff of blue smoke and reappear in her hand, making Will Robinson protest when he realized what had just happened. Regina looked at the screen, and then turned to Henry and scowled.

"Please, Mayor Mills," said Will. "I'm almost to the next level! Please give me just a few more minutes!"

"What is it?" said Maureen nodding to the cellphone in Regina's hand.

Regina handed the cellphone to Emma, who glanced at it, sighed, and then turned to Henry wide eyed, and said, "Candy Crush?" She shook her head, and added, "Seriously, Henry . . . ?"

Both Henry and Penny giggled. Penny said, "I was afraid that Will was going to pester us as we tried to have a conversation. But Henry said that he had something up his sleeve to keep him from doing it if he tried."

"That was very impolite of you, William," said Maureen. "And I don't just mean trying to bother your sister and her friend when they wanted to talk in private. I spoke directly to you, and you ignored me!"

"Yes, Ma'am," said Will, hanging his head in genuine shame.

Regina and Emma exchanged a quick glance. Though the Land of Yesterday's Tomorrows had highly developed, (albeit retro,) space technology, their social mores were more akin to those of the ideal 1950's families of classic television realms. Obedience and politeness was the default setting for the children from the Robinsons' world. And theirs was probably one of the few Realms in all the Multiverse - fact or fiction - which could make that outstanding claim.

"I'm very sorry mom," continued Will without the slightest trace of sarcasm. "It won't ever happen again, I promise."

"I know it won't, son," said Maureen softening a bit. "And, Penny, I want you to know that your father and I are truly sorry."

Before Penny could ask her mom what she had to apologize for, John came up and said, "We're all here, except for Judy." He shook his head. "I told her to be here at Granny's Diner no later than noon! Now, where could she be?"

Don came up to John, Maureen, and Henry's moms, and said, "I, uh, saw her go out the back door with Ruby a few minutes ago."

"Well, why would they do that?" said John. "We told Judy that this meeting is important!"

"They were having what looked like a heated discussion, John," said Don. "I guess they went out back to discuss whatever it was in private."

"We'll get them!" said Henry as he took Penny's hand and lead her to the back door of Granny's Diner before anyone could tell them to sit at the big table. When the two teens were out of earshot from the main group, they stopped, hugged and kissed each other, and Henry said, "We can tell our families at the meeting that we are going to get married when we are older!"

Penny smiled at Henry, but looked somewhat distracted. "Henry, why do you think that my mom apologized to me just now?"

"I don't know," said Henry. "Maybe for breaking up our conversation so they could have their meeting, or something . . . ?" Henry kissed Penny gently on her cheek, and added, "But don't worry. I have a feeling that when we make our announcement, everyone will be happy for us; even your brother!"

The two teen lovers kissed and hugged again, and then opened the door to the back alley behind Granny's Diner just in time to see Judy and Ruby Lucas having a very heated argument, and it quickly became apparent to Henry and Penny what the argument was about.

". . . . think that I am flirting with your boyfriend?" said Ruby. "Well, let me tell you something, Little Miss Retro-Rocket; that wasn't flirting.

"If you want to see some real flirting, just give me a few moments to go home and change into my short skirt and halter-top and less sensible shoes. Let's see how your Major West handles that! Maybe even put on a bit more makeup, and add a few, minor accessories . . . .

"Hmmmm . . . now, where did I put my bellybutton ring . . . ? Oh, yeah! I'm wearing it right now!" Ruby untucked her button-down blouse, tying it off halter-style to reveal a small, gold ring through her navel, which Judy saw was actually pierced in the manner of an earlobe!

Judy swallowed hard. She felt slightly nauseous at the sight of Ruby's little bauble. Judy could not imagine getting one of those herself – her mom and dad would go thermonuclear if she even thought about getting an "accessory" like that! But Judy could also imagine that a young man like Don might just find such an "accessory" intriguing and exotic.

Judy stammered, "Why you . . . you . . . you . . . . You little . . . . You little hussy!"

"Hussy?" said Ruby, raising an eyebrow and shaking her head in mock admonishment. "Hussy? Oh, Judy Robinson! Do you really kiss your mother with that filthy mouth . . . ?"

"That's it!" said Judy as she assumed a fighting stance with both fists up like an old-time boxer. "We're going to settle this with a little, good old-fashioned cat-fight! Prepare to have your hair pulled like you've never had it pulled, before!"

Ruby, who had been watching a lot of MMA on cable lately, took a fighting stance of her own, and said, "Just shut up and bring it, Judy Jetson!"

But before the fight could begin, Henry said, "Ruby, NO!" Then Henry and Penny ran up to the two older girls just in time before the first punch was thrown. "Please don't hurt Judy!"

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't, Henry," said Ruby fiercely. "But make it quick, because I'm about to go Ronda Rousey on Sally Ride, here!"

"BECAUSE I'M IN LOVE WITH HER SISTER!" blurted Henry.

The two older girls stopped what they were about to do. Shifting their gaze from Henry to Penny a few times, they simultaneously said, "WHAT?!"

"J-Judy," said Penny. "Henry Mills and I are in love with each other." She moved closer to Henry and he put his arm around her shoulder and she leaned into him. "And we want to get married and have a family! Not now, of course, but when we get older . . . ."

Again, both older girls simultaneously said, "WHAT?!"

"Penny," said Judy. "You don't know what you are talking about. You're too young to understand something like love." Judy glanced over at Henry, and said, "Penny, is this because Henry is a Fairy Tale Prince . . . ?"

"No, Judy," said Penny. "I – I didn't even know that he was a prince when we first met! It was Love at First Sight!"

Ruby said, "Look, Henry, I can imagine that it must be exciting to date an astronaut . . . ."

"It has nothing to do with that, either, Ruby," said Henry.

"Alright," said Ruby. "What exactly happened?"

"Well," said Henry, "It was like this . . . ." Henry told Ruby how he felt when he first saw Penny and their eyes met. About how their heartbeats actually synchronized and how they both knew that they had fallen in love with each other right then and there.

Ruby nodded and sighed. "Yeah, that definitely sounds like True Love at First Sight, alright . . . ."

Before anyone could say anything else, Will came out back to tell everybody to get inside for the important meeting. Will said, "What are you all doing out here, anyway? We're supposed to be at the family meeting!"

Judy quickly told her little brother what had happened; making Will shoot daggers from his eyes at Henry.

"Of course I told Penny that she was being ridiculous," said Judy, who then turned to Penny and said, "That this is probably just a puppy-love crush. I mean, Penny, it's not like you have had a lot of actual experience with boys, you know."

"That's not true," said Penny immediately. "I've met lots of boys since we left Earth."

"Mr. Nobody doesn't count, sis," said Will flatly.

Penny rounded to Will, and said, "I wasn't thinking of Mr. Nobody, Will. I was talking about the Boy in the Mirror, and Uggo the Cave Boy, and J-5, and . . . and –" Penny fixed Will with a hard stare, and added, "And I even thought that The Ruler's son Quano was cute! There! I said it!"

"Quano wasn't so bad, once you got to know him," Will came back quickly. He then turned to Henry, and added, "And I bet that he knows that you DON'T kiss another guy's sister after just meeting her a few hours earlier . . . ."

"Uh, listen, everybody," said Ruby softly. "I think that we'd all better get inside, now. The four of you have a meeting to attend and I have tables to wait on."

Penny took Henry's arm, and said, "And we have an announcement to make. Don't we, Henry?"

"We sure do, Penny," said Henry, gently taking her hand. "And I think we should announce it before the meeting gets started."

When the five young people came back inside, Ruby was taken aside by her grandmother, who told her in no uncertain terms to get ready to take food orders. Henry and the Robinson children went over to the big table and sat down as Henry held the chair for Penny, who sat down gracefully as Henry took his place beside her, holding hands with each other as soon as they sat down. Don attempted to do the same for Judy, who took her seat by herself, remaining aloof as Don sat beside her, refusing to take his hand.

But while Penny's attention was focused on Henry and vice-versa, and Don was focused on Judy who was focused on herself, Will could see that something was amiss. Both his mom and dad and Henry's "moms," (Oh, there had to be a good story behind THAT!) and the rest of the Storybrooke people seemed somewhat subdued when compared with last night. The general mood was far from happy, much less festive. Something was definitely wrong. And whatever it was, Will couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen when Penny and His Royal High Majesty made their Big Announcement.

When everyone was seated, they immediately went quiet. Professor Robinson took his wife's hand and she gave him a reassuring look. He then cleared his throat and was about to speak when Henry and Penny suddenly stood up. Henry, addressing Penny's parents, said, "Professor Robinson, Dr. Robinson; Penny and I have something that we would like to say to everybody here before the meeting begins."

"An announcement, actually, mom and dad," said Penny.

Before anyone could say anything more, Henry said, "Professor and Dr. Robinson. Mom. Mom. Grandma and Grandpas. I realize that this is sudden. But over the past day, Penny and I have discovered that we are each other's' True Love, and that we want to get married when we get older."

"Oh, mom, dad," said Penny. "Please give us your blessing! This is True Love at First Sight!"

Professor Robinson was at a complete loss for words, trying to find them as he softly spoke, "Penny . . . your mother and I . . . Henry . . . please don't misunderstand us . . . but we . . . ."

"Oh, Penny," said Maureen, who looked like she was about to cry. "I was afraid that you were going to say something like this. I was hoping that I was wrong, and that you and Henry just had a simple infatuation with each other."

"W-what are you saying, mom?" said Penny she moved in closer to Henry, who put a reassuring arm around her.

Henry said, "We're not talking about getting married now, Professor and Dr. Robinson. I'm just fourteen and Penny is thirteen. I mean, when we are older and finish school and I start working." Henry smiled warmly. "But until then, it's going to be a long engagement!"

Again, the Robinson elders were at a loss for words, and both were thankful that Regina stepped in, and said, "Henry. I understand that you are . . . in love. But I'm afraid that a marriage to Penny Robinson is out of the question. There is something that you and Penny need to know . . . ."

Henry turned his attention to Regina, and said, "Please tell me that it isn't because you've already picked out someone for me to marry? Do I have a betrothal contract with a princess from some other realm that you forgot to tell me about?"

"Henry!" said Regina genuinely shocked. "I would never do anything like that to you in a million years! How could you even think that I would do something like that to you knowing what happened to me when I was a little older than you are now . . . ?"

"Then is it because we're Fairytales and Penny's family is Science Fiction?" persisted Henry. "Because if that's the reason you guys don't want us to be together, then we've already figured that part out!"

Penny added, "We've decided to expose our children to both genres and let them decide for themselves when they get older!"

Regina had enough, and gave her son a hard look. "Henry Daniel Mills! Sit down and listen to what we have to say!"

Maureen added, "And that goes for you as well, Penelope Roberta Robinson!"

The teens sat down nervously, not letting go of each other's hand. A few moments of silence followed. Then Professor John Robinson shook his head, smiled wanly, and said, "Henry, Penny, I want to make it perfectly clear – especially to you, Henry - that this is not a "Romeo and Juliette" situation. It just so happens that Maureen and I like you very much, Henry, and we trust you with our daughter. If the situation were different, we would be honored to call you son-in-law, ten or so years from now."

"Your, ah, 'mothers,' told us a lot of good things about you, Henry," said Maureen nodding. "About how brave and level-headed you are in a crisis. How mature you are beyond your years. And more to the point, I can see that you love our daughter very, very much."

Regina said, "And please believe us Penny; Emma, Snow and Charming and Mr. Gold and I all feel the same way about you."

Emma added, "We like you very much, Penny. We can tell that you truly love our son."

John continued, "But we cannot stay here in Storybrooke, Penny. Not in All Good Conscience. We realized that this morning when your mother and I took a walk on the beach like you and Henry did, yesterday."

Penny's eyes went wide. "W-what do you mean . . . ?"

Maureen said, "Penny, when we first left Earth – Our Earth, we did so for a very important reason; to pave the way for the colonization of Alpha Centauri." Maureen gestured around her. "Oh, Penny, this world may not be perfect. But compared to Our Earth, it is practically a garden paradise! Storybrooke exists in a world where a couple may safely experience the simple pleasure of a barefoot walk on a beach as they breathe the sea air without cutting their feet on toxic garbage and wearing a protective suit and a filter mask. But the people of Our Earth are not able to do this. Our Earth is polluted and severely overpopulated, and we were sent into space to bring them relief."

Professor Robinson nodded, and said, "Penny, we call the Jupiter 2 "our ship." But in a very real way, the Jupiter 2 belongs to all of the people of Our Earth – all sixteen billion of them. And they are counting on us to help them by finding a new world to settle. But we cannot do this if we selfishly decide to remain here in This World, in Storybrooke."

"And that is the purpose of this meeting," said Regina. "Professor Robinson has asked the people of Storybrooke for help in provisioning the Jupiter 2 so that your family may complete their mission to the Alpha Centauri of your own realm."

"We are going to use the last magic bean to get there," said John. "Hopefully, without Cora's interference, we will have no trouble this time. But in case the bean has been somehow tampered with or the other Jupiter missions have yet to reach Alpha Centauri, we will need a full stock of food, water, and other essentials if we find ourselves again lost in space.

"And that is why we called this meeting; to determine what we need and if Storybrooke is able to provide it. Then after Don and I check out the ship, I want to be able to leave for our original intended destination as soon as possible."

Before anyone could say another word, Penny broke into tears, jumped from her seat, and ran out the door. John and Maureen both stood up and called after her, moving to get around the table to the doorway. But Henry said, "Sir, Ma'am, please let me go after her!" Seconds later, Henry was running out of Granny's Diner after Penny.

Dr. Whale shook his head, and said, "We really should go after them! A couple of teenagers in love who have just been told that they are about to be separated, forever? We have to get to them before they do something drastic!"

"Oh, Dr. Whale," said Maureen with a sharp gasp. "Y-you're not suggesting what I think you are suggesting? You're not saying that they may try to, you know, follow Romeo's and Juliette's, ah, example and . . . and . . . ."

"Absolutely not," said Dr. Wale. "But they are a couple of normal, healthy people in their early teens that are very much in love!"

Professor Robinson shook his head. "Dr. Whale, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"Well, you know, they are a boy and a girl who are very much in love, and . . . ."

"Spit it out, my good man!" said Dr. Smith. "This is no time to mince words! Surely you are not suggesting that they may attempt to run away from Storybrooke?"

Dr. Whale looked at John and Maureen Robinson, and found their expressions to be a veritable cocktail of emotion that made them difficult to read. Though Dr. Whale was from a Realm of Storytelling not too far removed from the Realm the Robinsons hailed from, their naiveté was unnerving. Dr. Whale went over to where Dr. Smith was sitting, and whispered into his ear.

The effect was instantaneous. Dr. Smith drew a sharp breath, stood from his place at the table, and said, "HOW DARE YOU EVEN SUGGEST SUCH A THING! THE VERY IDEA THAT OUR PRECIOUS PENNY WOULD EVEN CONSIDER SUCH A THING, AND FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD OF YOUNG HENRY MILLS, THAT HE WOULD EVEN SUGGEST SOMETHING SO . . . SO . . . VULGAR! AND I TOOK YOU TO BE A CIVILIZED MAN OF MEDICINE! IN-DEED . . . !"

"Oh, Dr. Smith," said Maureen. "What did Dr. Whale say?"

Calming himself down, Dr. Smith said, "Please, Mrs. Robinson. Do NOT make me repeat what this . . . this . . . scoundrel just breathed into my ears! Not in front of ladies and gentlemen, and especially not in front of dear, sweet William! To hear such a thing mentioned in the same breath as our Penelope would scar him for life!"

John went around to where Dr. Whale was standing, and said seriously, "Now, I want you to tell me exactly what you just told Dr. Smith! What do you think it is that Penny and Henry may attempt to do?"

Dr. Whale shrugged, whispered into John's ear, and was promptly sent flying by a powerful punch to his jaw from Penny's father. Dr. Whale slammed into the wall, and fell to the floor, unconscious.

For several moments, no one in the diner spoke. Then Henry's maternal grandfather David said, "Way to go, Professor Robinson!"

Mary-Margaret added, "And, on behalf of all the women of Storybrooke, I cannot thank you enough!"

Other Storybrooke women voiced their assent and many began clapping loudly.

Maureen went over to her husband, and said, "Oh, John, what did Dr. Whale say to make you strike him, so?"

"Trust me, Maureen. You do NOT want to know . . . ."

When things began to settle down, Mr. Gold said, "Professor Robinson, I would like to have a word with Dr. Smith in private. We need to discuss some business as he intends to remain here in Storybrooke when you and the others depart. And while we are out, we'll also keep an eye peeled for Henry and Penny, and call you the moment we find them.

"And Professor, you may rest assured that my grandson Henry is a perfect gentleman in every respect. As much as Penny would not have what the, ah, 'Good Doctor' undoubtedly suggested," Mr. Gold nodded to the unconscious form of Dr. Whale, "you may rest assured that Henry would not have it, either!" No, thought Mr. Gold. Henry would never, ever, father a child that he could not be there for. That particular family legacy ends with him . . . .

Dr. Smith joined Mr. Gold outside, where they went to Mr. Gold's car, a Cadillac. Though only a few decades old by this world's standards, the car looked very primitive to Dr. Smith's eyes. A solid roof supported by pillars with a windshield and side and back windows instead of a proper bubble top; wheels with actual tires, instead of an antigrav generator; and a steering wheel and peddles instead of a proper control stick! And if Mr. Gold could be persuaded to lift the hood, Dr. Smith just knew that he would find a piston-engine instead of a gas turbine power plant. Seconds later, Dr. Smith was proven correct when Mr. Gold started the car and the engine roared instead of whistled as they pulled away from the curb.

"There will be a slight change in our plans, Aeolis Fourteen Umbra," said Mr. Gold. "When we leave Storybrooke and this world, I want my grandson and Penny Robinson to accompany us."

"I see," said Dr. Smith neutrally.

"Oh, don't worry about our deal, Dearie," said Mr. Gold. "It will not affect your payment for services rendered. When we arrive in the Enchanted Forest, you shall have that manor that I promised you. Trust me; you will live the life of a wealthy nobleman once we get there."

Dr. Smith nodded politely and smiled. But he had no intention to escape from this benighted, primitive world that is Storybrooke only to end up spending the rest of his days on a world even more benighted and primitive! No, he intended to go somewhere that he could experience all the comforts of a modern world, such as indoor plumbing, air conditioning and a comfortable bed, to say nothing of antibiotics.

Though the presence of Penny and her boyfriend aboard the Jupiter 2 when they departed would present a new set of problems, Dr. Smith was confident that they were problems that could be easily solved.

If nothing else, the freezing tubes aboard the Jupiter 2 were still operational.