YOOOOOOOOOOO-

Second chapter! Sorry it took so long, I was busy procrastinating. Hehe…Anywho, thank you all for the amazing reviews! I actually didn't expect any. I guess there are benefits for writing a rather uncommon OTP. Now, on with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time. I own this laptop. That's pretty much it.


"What do you mean you can 'train her'?" Frederick asked, suspiciously. Rumple sighed, in a rather over the top manner. He had caused quite a stir when he casually appeared in the king's throne.

"I mean," he said irritably. "She has magic. And I can teach her how to control it." Rumple tried to ignore the five year old girl staring up at him, her expression unreadable. He couldn't be distracted while he was making a deal. He was a professional, after all. Emma tugged her nanny's sleeve, and the older women bent down to the child's height.

"He's looks sort of weird," Emma whispered in her ear. 'Ruby', as Red was calling herself now, smirked. Abigail, however, narrowed her eyes. She knew the Dark One's power. After all, it was Rumple who gave Midas his curse.

"And why should we trust you?" the queen demanded. "You were the one who trained Regina!" Rumple frowned.

"I've made…many mistakes," he responded.

"So you're, what?" Frederick asked. "Trying to atone?"

"Of course not!" he giggled. "I've traveled much too far down the dark path to ever find my way back." He said it so casually, as if he had accepted it long ago. For once, Frederick almost felt sorry for the Dark One. He couldn't imagine what it must've been like to consider yourself beyond redemption. The queen, however, felt no such pity.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked. "What's in it for you?"

"I've seen the future, dearies," Rumple answered. "You're daughter plays a very big part in it. It's in my, and everyone's, best interest if she remains alive. And if she learns how to control her magic, the odds of that happening increase. A lot." Frederick considered Rumple's words, but before he could say anything, Abigail answered.

"No deal," she said flatly. Frederick stared at her, surprised.

"Excellent!" Rumple said. "We star-wait, what!?" He seemed shocked.

"I said 'no deal'," she responded. The Dark One regained his composure.

"So, she'll die," he shot back. Abigail shook her head.

"You won't teach her," she answered. "But someone else can. Someone without your…history."

"…Well," Rumple finally replied. "I suppose I know of someone who can help. Someone who happens to owe me a favor."

"Who?" Frederick asked. Rumple smiled.

"Merlin."


Rumple hummed to himself as he was mixing potions together, in his castle. He poured a vial of glowing yellow liquid into a pot what he was almost positive was Manticore venom. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the pot exploded.

He coughed as he waved the smoke away, then smiled. Then he jumped at the voice behind him.

"Another failure, Rumple?" Regina asked, reclining on his favorite chair.

"On the contrary!" he responded, jubilantly. "The potion is a success."

"It exploded," his former student deadpanned.

"Noooo," he said. "The pot exploded! Thanks to this potion, I can make anything, or anyone, explode like dragon dust!"

"Why?" the queen asked.

"Well…" he answered. "Why not?" Regina rolled her eyes. "So, what do you want?" the Dark One asked.

"A child," she said. Rumple suddenly looked apprehensive.

"Why have you come to me?" he asked, warily.

"So that you can find me one," she answered.

"That's a relief," he sighed. Regina blinked, then rolled her eyes again as she realized what he meant. "So, why this sudden desire for motherhood?" he asked.

"I'm not happy," she replied, somewhat hesitantly. Rumple nodded.

"It's because you spent so much time focused on revenge," he said. "Eventually, it was all you had left." Regina nodded, but only slightly. "You have a hole in your heart, and you think a child will fill it."

"Whatever," she said. "What do you want, in exchange?"

"A hellhound!" he giggled. "I know you have a few."

"Deal," Regina said.


That's the end of chapter two! Don't worry, Frozen Swan fans, Emma and Elsa will have their big meeting in chapter three. That's also when we meet Merlin, and get more focus on Red.

I know Regina's behavior might not make sense, but remember, it's been five years since she got her revenge, and she doesn't feel satisfied. Of course, that may change when she finds out about Emma, buuuuuut…we'll see.