Once And Forever Ch 12 Operation White Rabbit
AN/ I am so so very sorry I haven't posted anything of this story for so long. It has been one thing and another. To put it mildly, technology hates me. But I am back hopefully for good, and I will get this posted! I promise! I hope you enjoy. And if the references are a bit dated, I'm sorry, but I just had to leave them in once I recovered my files. So here we go...onward and upward...
Emma headed to the station quickly as she possibly could. She knew that Jefferson was anxious to get his wife home. She had to admit that in their situation she would be anxious too. 28 years is a long time to be without the one you love. She just needed to make sure that Ruby would be able to cover the station while she was away.
She found Ruby already there and waiting for her. Jefferson had already called her in, and he was ready to leave as soon as she got there. Emma hugged him reassuringly and told him it would be ok, but he still fidgeted nervously as they drove, and Emma knew why. He was worried that Regina would find out what they were up to, and that she would take his wife away from him again. Regina was just that vindictive. She lived to make others miserable. And Emma was worried too, since she had no idea how this was going to play out. She told him her plan, including everything that she'd spoken to Gold about earlier that day. He agreed that it was a solid plan and he'd do whatever he had to do to make sure that Alice was safe. He was grateful to Gold was helping so much, and he figured he must really care about Emma if he was going to all this trouble without wanting something in return.
When they arrived at the hospital Emma, and Jefferson entered the room to find Dr. Whale looking over her neck again. Alice seemed very annoyed and looked pleadingly at her friend and husband for help. Dr. Whale looked up and smiled that creepy smile that he had.
"Well she looks good. I think that she is going to be okay," he informed them. "Looks like she's all ready to go home. She does have a place to go to doesn't she? I can help make arrangements if you like," he said hopefully, Emma grimaced. Jefferson frowned.
"No thanks Doc, I think we got it covered," he gave him a death look and then looked over at Alice ignoring the doctor completely. Whale looked around uncomfortably tugging his collar.
"Well okay if you're sure. If there's anything else that I can do for you please don't hesitate to ask me,"he then picked up his chart and exited the room quickly. Emma snickered.
"Oh Jefferson you're going to give the man a heart attack," she said shaking her head. Jefferson shrugged.
"It would serve the lecherous bastard right," he said gravely and walked over to his wife's bedside. She looked up at her husband and smiled, her blue eyes sparkling.
"Oh darling I am so anxious to get home, please can we leave right away?" she pleaded.
"We have it all planned out my sweet, never you fear," her husband assured her and motioned Emma over to her bedside as well. "Your dear sister in law is very clever when it comes to deceiving the evil queen," Jefferson said with a smirk. Emma smiled and walked over to Alice's bedside petting the girl on the hand.
"You betcha, but we have no guarantee that she won't trip us up. We have got to get moving, and get this done quickly," Emma told them both.
"Right, so let's get going " Alice said. Emma handed her the spare clothes she had brought.
"Put these on. I think all your spare clothes got torched the the crash," Emma told her.
"Oh dear. What will I do about clothing?" Alice said worriedly. Jefferson leaned close and whispered something in her ear making her blush. "Jefferson! Behave!" She admonished him, though her eyes sparkled with anticipation at the same time. Emma sighed.
"I'm too young for this. I'll be over here," she said, and Jefferson grinned wickedly, making eyes at Alice. Then he smirked and pulled the curtain so she could dress in private. There was a lot of whispering and giggling behind it and Emma groaned.
"Should I cover my ears and hum, or can this wait a little bit?" she asked, and her brother laughed.
"No worries Em. We have waited 28 plus years. A few more minute won't kill us," he replied, and pulled back the curtain. Alice was decked out in Storybrooke garb, and it honestly suited her.
"I like trousers. When we return home I think I shall were them all the time. Dresses are an annoyance," she said touching the soft denim.
"Well my love you never were one for tradition. And you will get no complaints from me," Jefferson said ogling his wife's behind.
"Hey I'm with you sister. I remember those dresses with endless petticoats, and skirts and yards of scratchy lace, ugh! No thank you. I will be wearing my jeans as often as I can get away with it!" she announced. "Now come on. Lets move it,"
Emma, Jefferson and Alice left the hospital, and were about to get in her car, when they heard Regina calling them.
"Just a moment. I have been wanting to speak with Miss Grey, so if you don't mind Miss Swan," Regina said. Emma rolled her eyes.
"Sure, but we are kinda on a deadline. She has another rental car waiting. I'll have the insurance paperwork for you by noon, I promise," Emma told her. Regina ignored her and turned her attention to Alice. Regina smiled, but her eyes were cold and hard as they bored into Alice's blue ones.
"Hello dear. I'm the mayor of Storybrooke. How have you been treated here in our little hamlet?" She asked. Alice smiled and crinkled her nose at Regina.
"It's been a blast, really. They took real good care of me. Never felt more at home, yeh know what I'm sayin'?" Alice said with a thick New Jersey accent. Regina was taken a little aback.
"Oh well that's wonderful. I'm glad. I'd like to know just how you found our town. Most people pass us by like we don't even exist." Regina said with a laugh that was false as her eyelashes. Alice giggled madly.
"That was all my bad. I'm such a dummy. See I was looking for a gift shop that I saw advertised cuz they had these little charms that were C to the U to the TE cute! I was mad about them. I got kind of a shopping jones. But anywhos, I got lost and I guess I zigged when I shoulda zagged. Then well, the mess here in town happened. I'm a total klutz. I could fall into water and hit dry land. I could fall off a cliff and go up instead of down. And even behind the wheel I tear up everything," she said ditzyly.
"Well we were glad to have you. I am sorry it was under the circumstances that it was, but perhaps when you have time you could return for a visit," she said sweetly. Alice nodded.
"Oh sure. I'd love to. But right now I gotta get home to my Sonny," she said, and Regina nodded.
"Oh you have someone waiting at home?" She asked. Alice nodded and grinned vacantly.
"Yeh, the creep really melts my buttuh. Yeh know what I'm sayin? Blue eyes for days, ass like a rock, uh what a meathead, but I love the big lug," she sighed. "Feels like ages since I seen him. We gotta lotta catchin' up to do if yeh get my drift," she said with a wink, nudging Regina roughly in the ribs. "Gonna rattle some windows, wake some neighbors, and make some waves in that water bed," she said brightly. Regina grunted, and then nodded stiffly. Jefferson swallowed hard. She wasn't lying.
"Well that's great. It's good to see you're better, and I hope you have a safe trip home," Regina told her, flashing another sickly sweet smile.
"Thanks. Ya real friendly lady. Hope to see ya 'round. Thanks for everything. And sorry again I broke Main Street. The insurance should take care of the damages," she said. Regina nodded.
"I'm sure," she backed away from the car and closed the door. "I have to run. I must pick up my son for school. The bus is broken down for some reason. Have a safe trip home," Regina said.
"Latuh!" Alice said brightly with a wave.
As they drove away Emma looked in the rear view at her sister in law. Alice looked pleased with herself. Jefferson looked confused, and turned to glance at her.
"Um love, what the hell was that?" Jefferson asked her. She sighed.
"I told you I watched you and Grace all the time. Her foster mother is addicted to that atrocious television program Jersey Shore. Ugh. But I disguised my voice like one of those people hoping that she wouldn't put two and two together," Alice said.
"Good work my love," Jefferson said with a wink and then turned to look at Emma. "Come on sis hurry up. We really need to get home now if she was sniffing around she has to be onto something," he said to her, looking around, his face full of worry. Emma nodded and stepped on the gas, she had to get them back to Jefferson's house quickly as possible.
Emma headed for the edge of town and then quickly diverted her route to the back way to Jefferson's house. She looked around for a sign of the mayor's car or any of her little spies, but there was no one in sight. She motioned to Jefferson and Alice to get out of the car. They had to do this quickly so they wouldn't get caught.
Alice got out of the car and took Jefferson's hand, and he turned and waved and to Emma who smiled and waved back at him. She was happy that she was able to make another happy ending come true. Henry would be thrilled.
Jefferson ran for the house with his wife in tow. Emma kind of winced when she thought of what was going to be happening inside that house in just a few minutes. And eww. So didn't need that thought in her head.
As she turned her car around and headed back towards the station her cellphone rang. She glanced at it and realized that it was Ruby calling from the station. Sighing, thinking it could be important she decided to answer the phone anyway even though she was driving.
"Hello?" She said, and then she heard a wailing Ruby on the other end of the line.
"Emma? Oh Emma, please you have to get to Granny's right now! It's August, I don't know what's wrong with him he's very very sick! He's having trouble breathing or something! I don't know what's wrong with him but he won't got to the doctor! Please you have to come talk some sense into him, please! He'll listen to you!"She cried.
"I'm on my way, just please calm down. Everything will be okay. We'll find a way to help him I promise. Okay?" She said calmly.
"Okay, but hurry!" Ruby pleaded.
Emma hung up the phone and floored it. It was happening, August was losing his fight with turning back to wood. What could she do? She was so scared for him. What if she was too late? No, she would make it! She would help him.
She pulled up to the bed and breakfast and ran for August's room. The door was open and both Marco and Ruby stood by his bedside. Ruby's eye makeup was smeared down her cheeks. Not the tears of a casual friend. So Red Riding Hood had a thing for Pinocchio. That was precious. What a cute couple.
"Emma what do we do? He's dying!" She cried. "He needs to go to the doctor but he won't go. He says they won't help!" She wiped her eyes, and looked down at him. August lay on the bed, and Emma could see what was wrong. She could see the wood, but they couldn't. August's chest was heaving as he struggled to breathe. Marco swallowed his tears, and wiped his face with his handkerchief.
"If only I could help you my boy," he said. Emma looked from him to Ruby.
"You guys can save him. Do you trust me?" She asked. They both nodded. "Then take my hands, and take his," she said. Ruby looked confused.
"What are we doing? Praying?" She asked.
"Yes we are. Among other things," Emma said, hoping that this was right. She was kinda winging it here. She wasn't like a fairy godmother or anything. "Look right now I need you to feel love, all the love you feel for him. Say it, and believe that that love can help him, really truly believe it," she told them. They looked at her like she had lost it.
"Emma how will this help? I'm mean love is a strong word, I don't," Ruby began, but Emma stopped her.
"I know better. I know that look, and If you don't do it he will die," Emma told her gravely. "Come on. Have faith," Emma said. Ruby looked back down at him.
"August you are a sweet guy. And so funny and cute. I never met anyone like you before. I know we haven't known each other long, but I really do love you. I do, and I want to go with you, where ever you go, so you better not leave without me!" Ruby declared. "I love you," she whispered, tears flowing from her eyes. She leaned down and kissed his lips softly. "Don't leave. Please be alright," she begged him. Then closed her eyes praying that he would be ok. Tears flowed from August's eyes.
"Love you too Red," he forced out, his eyes bulging a he took a shaky breath. Ruby nuzzled closer to him.
"You'll be ok, I know it," she said softly. Marco sighed,
"My boy. I wish you had been born my son. I would adopt you this minute if it would save you. You are the closest thing I have ever had to a child, and I love you my boy. I am proud of you, August you are a fine young man. A man anyone would be proud to call son. Please don't die," he choked, almost unable to get the words out. August looked up at Marco and teared up.
"Papa," he gasped out, and squeezed the man's hand.
Emma could feel the power in her fingers, her hands, and it was growing. She closed her eyes. And there it was. A memory. A little boy carrying her through the forest, fixing her crib so she wouldn't get hurt, making faces to make her laugh. Then the heartbroken look on his little face as he had no choice but to leave her behind. He'd kissed the tips of his fingers and pressed them to her small head. He hadn't wanted to leave. He'd seen her as a baby sister, and he had loved her. And she had loved him.
"August, you are my brother. You always were, and you always will be. I know what you were trying to tell me now. You tried to save me, to save us all. You are a hero, and I love you, as a brother. I believe in magic. I believe I can save you," She said firmly, tears coursing from her eyes. "I believe I am the savior! And I know I have the power to end this curse! I believe!" She cried, hoping and praying for the power to reverse the blue fairy's magic.
A white light emanated from around them. Followed by a shockwave of power. It flowed over them, and over August. Somewhere outside thunder rumbled and lightning struck somewhere nearby. Then the light turned gold, and flashed, then dimmed. The wood slowly began changing back into soft stubbly skin. Emma was the only one that could see it happen. A few tense moments passed, as they all stared down at him. He took a deep breath and sighed. Then he smiled, and took another. Ruby squealed with delight. Marco wept openly, smiling so wide it hurt. August slowly sat up grinning at Emma.
"You did it!" He said happily. Emma smiled, and brushed away the tears that coursed down her cheeks. Her heart swelled til it almost ached. He was alright!
"No, we all did it," she said smiling brightly, and letting go of their hands. Then he he turned at looked at his weeping father. He reached out and hugged Marco to him tightly.
"Thank you for loving me, Papa," he said thickly.
"Thank you for allowing me to my boy," Marco choked out. Then he stepped back so Emma could get closer to him. August gazed at her smiling. He held out his arms and she hugged him.
"I saw it. When we were kids. I was just a baby. You took care of me. You loved me like you really were my big brother. You never stopped believing in me. Even when you left," she said squeezing him tighter. A tear fell from his eye, and he nuzzled closer to her.
"I'm sorry I failed in protecting you princess. I will never make that mistake again," he said thickly, his voice filled with emotion. She pulled back and cupped his face in her hands.
"You didn't fail. I don't blame you for leaving. You were only seven. You were scared. But you came back. You found me. And that's all it takes to be a member of my family. We are good and finding each other when we are lost. I'm just glad I was able to help you," she said leaning in and kissing his forehead. His lip quivered and he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Thank you Emma," he said, and she grinned and stepped back so Ruby could have a turn to talk to him. He turned and looked at the flabbergasted woman, and smiled his biggest smile.
"Ruby," he said reverently, taking her hand and drawing it to his lips. He brushed them over her knuckles.
She blushed, and looked away catching a look at her reflection in the mirror.
"Oh man, I look hideous!" She cried, and started to move away from the bed when August pulled her back.
"You are always beautiful," he said and tugged her closer to him. "And I love you Ruby," he murmured, and moved to kiss her. Emma smiled, and then raised her fists up in a victorious way. One more happy ending down!
When he broke the kiss at last Ruby let out a sigh and melted down onto the bed to sit by him. He held her hand and grinned at the sweet blush creeping up his girlfriend's face. She batted her eyes in disbelief and shook her head before turning to look at Emma.
"You saved him. Oh Emma that was amazing! I don't know how you did it, or what your were babbling about, but I don't care! It worked! How did you know it would work?" Ruby asked her.
"I had faith, and hoped I was strong enough," she replied, wiping away a tear.
"You are totally the strongest woman I know," Ruby told her happily. Emma blushed.
"Thanks. Well if you guys are good here, I have a job to do," she said stepping toward the door.
"Thanks for finally believing," August said with a wink. Emma nodded and winked back.
"Better late than never," she replied. "I'm glad you're ok. Call me if you need anything," she told him turning to go.
"You bet. Be careful out there little sister," he said to her. She grinned.
"Hey I'm making happy endings right and left. It's gonna be a great day," she replied and waved at them before heading out the door, leaving Ruby and Marco to wonder what kind of miracle they had just seen.
As she stepped outside her cell phone rang again. Busy day today, she thought as she picked it up. The voice on the other line made her wince.
"Sheriff Swan? Hello?" Regina's panicked voice said.
"Yeah I'm here. What's wrong? Is Henry ok?" Emma asked panic filling her own voice.
"Yes he's fine. I need you to come get him and take him to school. There has been an accident here," she said, and Emma blinked.
"Accident?" She questioned.
"Yes accident. Hurry!" Regina commanded. Emma nodded.
"On my way." She hung up the phone and jumped in her car. For the third time that morning she floored it. She was totally gonna need new tires.
A few minutes later she pulled into the mayor's driveway. Regina stood by her car which had a large branch from one of her trees across the passenger side. Regina was white as a sheet. Henry stood beside her with a backpack. He grinned when Emma walked up.
"Was that what the lightning hit? I heard the strike all the way across town," she said, and Regina nodded dumbly. Man she was really spooked.
"Yes, it was. If it had been a few minutes later Henry would have been in the car." She trembled as she said it. Wow, she had never seen her like this. Regina was always unflappable at the best of times. This had scared the crap out of her.
"I hear you. I got Henry, no worries. You uh, just handle that and call me when you get it settled. Do you need a ride anywhere?" She asked before she thought. This was Regina. The evil queen. She was being nice to her.
"No I will manage. Just take care of Henry," she said with a little less bite than usual. Emma nodded and reached out for Henry. He went to her arms easily.
"Alright, come on kid. Let's leave her to it," she said, and ushered Henry to the car.
After they got in her turned to her excitedly. She knew he would want to know what was going on. She was anxious to tell him about her morning.
"Okay want to tell me what is happening? Mom's tree broke and crushes her car, she said it was lightning. But it wasn't even storming until that one big boom. Then nothing. its not even raining," he said knowingly, as she pulled our and started driving.
"Well it was lightning, but not from a storm. It was from me. I'm on a roll," she said. And he laughed.
"Okay tell me," he said, and she launched into her daring flight to get Jefferson and Alice home, followed by her use of true love magic to save August. Henry cheered.
"That's so awesome Emma! That must have been what broke the tree! When you saved August!" He said happily.
"Yeah, it was pretty powerful stuff. You should have seen it. All this white light and the power was intense. I think we might be close to breaking the curse," she said, and as weird as it sounded coming out of her mouth, it felt good to say it. She could finally see her home, be with her parents, raise her son in peace. It would be wonderful. And then there was Gold. Her Rumpel. He would be there too.
"Look out!" Henry yelped, and Emma put on her brakes. They screeched to a half as a man tore across the road in a dead run.
"Come back here you thief!" The shopkeeper shouted. Emma rolled her eyes and turned to Henry.
"Stay here kid. I'll be right back," she said and she took off at a run. What was with everyone today?
Henry rolled his eyes and followed her. Like he was gonna miss this!
"Hey you! Come back here!" She yelled. Fantastic, he ran into the woods. She followed him until she got to a campsite. He stopped running and turned to face her.
"Okay sheriff, you caught me," he said jovially.
"What in the hell was that about?" Emma huffed. "Why were you running?"
"I was running because I refuse to give my money to that rude little son of a pig that runs the place. When he learns about customer service, I will pay him," he said. "John, Rowland I am back," he called. A tall red bearded man and little boy popped out of the tent.
"Here you go son," he said giving the little boy the pilfered candy bar.
"All that for an Apollo bar?" Emma asked him. He nodded.
"It was worth it. Look how happy he is," he said with an indulgent smile.
"Yeah, well you know you have to pay for that. You can't steal, no matter how good the reason," she warned him.
"Yes and I will. In good time. Let him stew a bit," he said with a roguish wink. Emma eyed the strange man. she had not seem him before.
"So who are you? I don't think we've met," she asked him. He grinned and swept a skirt bow in her direction.
"My name is Robert. This is my boy Rowland, and my partner in crime John Little. The tall man held a hand to her.
"Acquitted thank you very much. Lovely to meet you sheriff. In fact you are the first sheriff I have been pleased to meet come to think of it," he joked. Emma smirked.
"Hi. Well this is my son Henry, she said and then some motion in the other tent drew her eye.
"How many of you are out here?" She asked holstering her gun.
"Just me, John and Rowland in our group. William was supposed to come but I think he must have had too much fun at the Rabbit Hole last night if you know what I mean," he said making a swigging motion. "Anyway, they came here last night. Seem nice enough. Asked to camp near us, for protection you see. We are on a hunting trip. Mister Gold said we could hunt as long as we use bows and not guns. The noise you know," he said. Emma nodded
"Well that's fine. Just make sure you pay for that candy. I think I'll have a word with them before I go," she said nodding to the other tent.
"Of course, have a pleasant day. Bye Henry. See you around," Robert called to Henry. He waved and followed his mother.
Ahead of them a pretty woman with long wild red hair came out of the tent. She waved at Emma and Henry, and stretched a bit. Then some assorted children followed her out eager to begin their day. Or at least the first two were. The third looked a bit sulky.
"Hello there," Emma called. The woman smiled at her.
"Hello yourself dearie. I'm Mari Spinnett. These two little ones are Fergus and Felicia," said the woman. She had bright blue eyes that almost danced when she spoke. Her accent was decidedly Scottish. The boy and girl looked like they must be twins. they both grinned and waved. The older girl offered a half smile. "And this is Jewel, my oldest. And somewhere around here is my husband. Bae! Where the devil have you gone off to?" She called.
"I hear yeh woman. Goodness knows they heard you in Neverland!" He replied, coming out from behind a tree. The woman stifled him.
"You hush that now! Doona be mentioning that place!" She warned. He glanced over at Emma and looked uneasy.
"Right, I know. Hello. I'm Bae Spinnett," he said holding out a hand. Emma shook it.
"Hi, I'm Emma Swan, the sheriff around here," she explained with a smile. "This is my son Henry."
"Hello Henry lad," he said nodding to him before turning his eyes back to Emma. "We decided to set off and do some exploring. Camping, hiking, all that. Good fun for the babes you know," he said. "I hope we aren't breaking any laws."
"None that I know of. The mayor hasn't outlawed family fun, yet. Did you say your name was Bae?" She asked and he nodded.
"Aye, short for Balefire. It's a wee bit unusual I know. My parents were a tad unconventional. You should have heard my father's name," he explained with a shake of his head. Emma's eyes widened. It had to be him. Bae looked like his father, in a way, but his hair and eyes had to be his mother's. Except that devilish twinkle that belonged to her Rumpel.
"It's a cool name. I like it. So how did you come to end up here of all places?" Emma asked him, her mind racing. this had to be him! He even sounded a little like him! This could do it!The happy ending that would break the curse!
"Well we just decided to take a trip. Needed to get away from home for a while, so we just took a map, and picked a place. We landed on here," he gestured around him. No idea where here is really, but what is life without a bit of adventure?" he asked rhetorically. Emma nodded.
"While you are nearby you should come into town. We have a nice bed and breakfast, a diner with the best food ever, and the fishing down at the harbor is pretty awesome so I hear," she told them.
"Fishin? I love fishin! Can we go papa?" Little Fergus asked, his eyes lighting up.
"No' without me! I wanna go too!" Felicia piped up, tugging at her father's sweater.
"Yeh can have it. I dinna like touchin nasty stinky fish," Jewel sniffed. Mari rolled her eyes.
"The little princess will do nothing that dirties her hands. She has been bitchin me ears off ever since we came here. The dirt, and the bugs, and the smells, aye yeh never heard such a ruckus. Yeh'd think she was raised in a castle instead of on a farm," Mari said to her. Jewel folded her arms.
"I wish I did live in a castle. A lovely castle with big open rooms and king sized beds. Mum can we please go into town? I am done with campin! Papa can take the twins fishin to hush them up and I can take a real bath," she whined. Mari rolled eyes again.
"Aye, anything to shut you up child! Next time you stay at home so we can have peace!" She told her daughter. "Bae we can go into town. I think we should save the campin' for you and I when we can go alone," Mari said nudging him. He grinned.
"Whatever you want to do love. I could go for a hot shower myself to tell the truth. I'm beginin' to smell a bit ripe yeh ken?" He chuckled.
"Oh aye. I do. I sleep wi' yeh remember?" Mari teased swatting at her husband. He laughed.
"Aye I know. There's three bits of proof you sleep wi' me standing there." He teased back. Mari squealed and Jewel groaned.
"Da! Did yeh have to? In front of people?" Jewel complained. Bae smirked.
"Aye because I live to embarrass you. It my job. Now, if we are gonna go, then lets get on wi it. We've a lot of gear to pack." He said shooing the children towards the tent. Mari nodded in agreement.
"Aye, lets pack. And then if you would give us directions to the bed and breakfast sheriff?" She asked tossing her wild hair back away from her face.
"Sure, it's totally easy to find. You can't miss it." Emma said as she rattled off the directions. Mari nodded.
"Thank you kindly. Perhaps we shall see you about town?" She asked lightly. Emma nodded.
"Yeah you will. I will be around." She answered, and turned to go. "Come on Henry. You need to get to school. I know Mary-Margaret will understand, but there is no need for you to be any later than you already will be," he said to her bright eyed son. He smiled.
"Yeah okay. Nice meeting you all," Henry called waving first to Bae and his family, and then to Robert and his friend and son.
"See you around Henry. Good meeting you," Robert said with a wink. "Sheriff," he said nodding roguishly to Emma. She sighed.
"Don't forget to pay for that candy bar," she reminded him dryly.
"I won't forget," he promised crossing his heart. I am a man of my word," he declared with a short bow. Emma smirked.
"Right, gotcha. Have a nice day. Good luck with the hunting thing," she said and guided Henry back to her car.
"That was Robin Hood and Little John. I don't remember Robin Hood having a son in my story. I'm not sure about the others. They don't look familiar," Henry told Emma, and she grinned.
"I know who they are. Balefire is Rumpel's son! He has to be. Besides the fact that there is a resemblance in looks and in accent, how many guys named Balefire are we gonna run across? We can get him and Rumpel together so they can talk and boom! Another one bites the dust. This curse will be as good as broken!" Emma told him. Henry's eyes danced with excitement.
"Do I have to go to school? Can't I stay with you? I can say the tree thing scared me and I need to be with my mom right now,"Henry hedged. But Emma shook her head. The last thing she needed was Regina telling her she couldn't see Henry for failing to even drop him off at school correctly.
"No kid. You need to be in school right now. Tell your friend that her parents are back together. Rumpel is working on getting Jefferson visitation, if not complete rights. Since he never actually gave up his rights then he has every right to have his daughter back. And she deserves to know the truth. That her father loves her and so does her mother," Emma said her pique rising a bit. Regina was keeping them apart and it wasn't fair! All because she got her heart broken like a lifetime ago. Geeze, overkill much! Do a shot, eat a Snickers and get over it for crying out loud!
"Right, well once we break the curse we won't have to worry. She will remember everything," Henry said sighing. "Okay, school I guess. Watch out for my mom though. She was really rattled this morning. It's only a matter of time before she finds out what is happening. If she doesn't already know," he stared out the window as his school came into view.
Emma worried her lip. He was right. What if she found out? What would she do to Henry if she did? She knew that he was the main key to her happiness. Would she really go so far as hurt Henry? She did seem to really care about him. Maybe she could play on that if worst came to worst. She glanced over at Henry and stopped the car.
"Here we are kid. Have a good day," she told him, and he nodded to her and opened the car door.
"Be careful." he said as he got out. Emma smiled at him. He was a great kid. Thoughtful, and kind. And this was Regina's influence? No couldn't be. He had other people around him besides her, thank God.
Emma pulled away from the school and fixed her eyes ahead of her. There was no stopping now. With a little luck they would be back in the Enchanted Forest before the week was out.
AN/ Hey everybody, so again I am sorry for going AWOL for so long, I hope you liked this chapter. There will be more to come, and shortly. I promise!
