Chapter Eleven: Secrets

Henry Darling had prepared for every possible reaction he would receive from his parents as he wove his realizations into a tale for them. That was why he had waited this long, having suspected thing for close to a year, because he needed to make absolutely sure before he opened himself up to what could follow. He had pictured his parents taking away his fairy-tale book once and for all while banning the subject from the house. There was also the possibility that they would decide something was wrong with his head and send him to Dr. Hopper, who he believed to be Jiminy Cricket, for therapy because obviously he was crazy. And maybe he was, but he didn't think so. But the worst idea, the one that he had tried to banish but still flitted through his mind, was that they would simply be done with him altogether. That he would look so crazy they wouldn't want to be his parents anymore. He didn't know if he could take that.

"But you also need to think about my friends," Henry told his stoic and quiet parents. "Bonnie used to be older than me, remember. But while I kept growing bigger and getting older she didn't change at all. Soon I was as old as her and now I'm older than her." He flipped the book to a picture of Little Bo Peep and showed it to them. "I know these aren't the best pictures, but it does look a lot like her, right? Plus it explains why she always carried that sheep around."

They just kept staring. He decided to wrap it up. "In conclusion, this town in under a curse where they come from the Enchanted Forest and are fairy-tale characters, but they don't know that. They're trapped not knowing who they really are, and they will be until Emma comes back to save all of them. But for some reason I don't really get, I'm not affected. I grow and age. I'm not sure if you guys are affected or not- you don't look any older but you're not as out of it as everyone else is." He took a deep breath. "So… there it is." He closed his eyes waiting for their reaction, fearing the disownment that was coming.

The first words he heard were definitely not what he had been expecting. "Well, that was actually a lot more thorough than I was expecting." He opened his eyes just in time to see his uncle pat him on the back. "You did a good job, buddy."

"Wait… you believe me?" He had never quite accounted for this possibility. He thought it would take a lot more convincing. "About all of it?" Uncle Michael gestured for him to have a seat, and the young boy did- staring expectantly at the two parental figures that stood across the counter from him.

"The reason you age is because you have nothing to do with the curse," John began. "We did not come from the Enchanted Forest. We moved here shortly after adopting you. That's why we're not living the same day over and over while being aware that everyone else is."

Henry just stared at his dad in disbelief. "It's true," he whispered. "It's really true." Something came to him, the first among a barrage of questions. "Then why aren't the two of you any older?"

Michael took this one, hesitating but a moment. "We think it has to do with being around so much magic. Maybe being in town affects us as adults somehow." And that wasn't a lie- they often wondered if this had something to do with it. They just had stronger inklings that it was Pan continuing to keep them as he desired from afar. It kind of made his skin crawl though so he chose not to dwell on it, instead focusing on Henry.

Henry accepted this and quickly moved on to the next one he had lined up. "Do you know how long we have left until the Emma in the book comes?"

John took this one, the two starting to look like a tag-team. "Uncle Jefferson says we have a little more than three years left." Henry didn't catch the littlest choke in his words, but this brother did. It was too soon. It was coming way too fast. They weren't ready, but he was starting to think they'd never be. There was never going to be a moment anymore where they could just fly Henry to Neverland and switch him out, even for their sister. Pan would turn the long-awaited reunion of their family into the most agonizing and heart-wrenching moment of their life.

"Who is Uncle Jefferson? Why does her remember? Do I finally get to meet him?" Henry started rapid fire, actually kneeling on his chair to get closer to eye level in excitement.

Michael couldn't help but laugh, John joining. "Slow down, kid. Uncle Jefferson is the Mad Hatter from Wonderland. Hence why he remembers- his brain is still a little… from the whole situation. That and the Queen tried to make it even worse by giving him new memories on top of that. So we were hesitant to introduce you until you really understood his whole situation, but I think we could consider it." John gave him a look, so the next sentence was under his breath. "He might actually be better at explaining some of this than we are."

"We'll talk later," John whispered back intensely in a way that showed he clearly meant it.

Henry was starting to come to the end of his questions, serving up the penultimate one. "Why haven't you told everyone? No one's with who they're supposed to be," he reminded them. "They don't even know who they really are. We can help them. We can-"

"Henry," John cut off his passionate rant gently. "How did you expect us to react when you told us all this? Honestly did you think we were going to believe you?"

Henry shook his head after a moment. "I thought you would tell me I was crazy. You would take away the book and maybe even not want me anymore." His voice broke on the last part despite his attempts to hold it in, leading Michael and John to lean over the counter to meet his eyes.

"Now, Henry, nothing you could possibly say would ever, ever be so bad or so out there that we would not want you," Michael assured him. "We love you no matter what, I promise. And-"

"A Darling always keeps his promises," Henry parroted the family motto with a smile of relief. He sometimes forgot what great parents he had. "I know. I love you guys too. I won't doubt that again." He missed the sad smile the two exchanged, back to the point at hand. "But you're saying we can't tell them because they would think we're crazy. They don't believe."

"Sometimes we wonder if Regina has a power to make it that way," John added his own two cents. "She has control over them, and if we go around telling everyone the truth she won't be very happy with us."

"I just can't believe you let the Evil Queen baby-sit me," Henry says in slight disbelief.

"Well, of course we didn't know that at first," Michael was quick to inform him. "It would have certainly influenced our decision, I can promise you that." He then felt inclined to add, "But when we did find out we thought it would be safest for you to stay around her."

Henry looked and was very confused by this statement, so John decided some clarification was needed. "It was a slightly risky part of the plan, but we figured the more she cared about you personally the less she would be willing to notice the fact that you were growing and not part of the curse."

"So… because she likes me so much she doesn't want to believe I'm not part of the curse?"

"Exactly."

"That's awesome!" Henry had to give his parents credit. It seemed like they had thought through every angle of their existence in Storybrooke. He had always felt safe, like he could depend on them for any problem he had, but this made all that trust seem founded. It was great to know that as things were changing and shifting around him he had two people to always cling to no matter what. It made him feel unbelievably safe, even if the Evil Queen was his babysitter.

Now that he thought about it, his parents had gone so far as striking up a relationship with the Evil Queen herself to make sure he was kept out of harm's way. He could vaguely remember the day a stranger grabbed him and dragged him away before Regina had been able to come to his rescue. He had been too young to remember exact details, but the emotions were still very clear and present. Regina controlled the curse and stood the best chance at protecting them from people like that man. So it was important to continue the operations his parents had started and remain in her good graces for all their sakes. He didn't know at this moment if she could care about him since she was the villain who did all this, but looking back on how she treated him he had enough evidence to doubt the black and white nature of the book.

"So what's the plan?" was his final question. He needed to know how to move forward from this point- needed his parents to help him get through this revelation in a way that he didn't cause the entire town to burn itself to the ground. Every time he saw someone he just wanted to tell them the life they should be leading and who they were. He wanted Mary Margaret to find Prince Charming, wherever he had ended up. He wanted Ruby and Granny to have their true relationship. He wanted Graham to be free with his heart. But he knew now that wouldn't work despite the words constantly wanting to burst out of his mouth. He desperately needed their guidance.

"Honestly," John answered, "nothing unfortunately." Henry wrinkled his nose, making his dad laugh. "I know, Henry. It's not the best option and it certainly isn't the heroic one. But there is a plan is place to free them from the curse, and it's not our responsibility," he reminded his son, hoping to keep him from anything too reckless. "That belongs to the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White, remember? Emma."

Henry nodded, remembering the passage he had looked over many times in the past few weeks. He couldn't rob her at the chance of finding her parents and having a real family. But then again, maybe she had found an adopted family just like he had. But of course she'd want to meet her broth parents. He did, despite how happy he was. Part of him just wanted to know who they were… and why they had chosen to give him up.

He saw his dad and Uncle Michael were both slightly concerned by his hesitation, so he gave them a thumbs up and smile. "We'll just have to help Emma out as much as we can when she comes then."

He was so busy with his act that he didn't notice his parents put on one of their own, smiling in agreement despite their hesitancy in Emma completing her task. It meant the end of a lot of things, one of which they certainly weren't ready to face. But this train of though was promptly cut off by Henry running around the counter to hug the both of them.

"Thank you."

"For what?" they both asked in unison.

"For not lying to me," Henry answered, looking up at the two of them. "You could have lied and kept it a secret, but you didn't."

"We didn't," John repeated, shooting Michael the most thankful look he could for having suggested and pushing for this when Henry was still in a stroller. It had definitely been the right thing to do, and he tried to convey that. "We couldn't."

With one last hug Henry started bounding back up the stairs towards his room, book tucked under his arm to do more research. He still wasn't sure if he could handle treating everyone in town the same and not letting some details slip out. He was still just a kid after all. His excitement did get the better of him sometimes. But as long as he had his dad and Uncle Michael, everything was going to work out just fine. They would get him through it.

XXX

Jefferson answered the door with his usual wide grin the next morning, having already set out the tea and biscuits in one of the living rooms. He hated how weak he was, desperately clinging to the Darling brothers as his only contact with the outside world like a child. But his moods had become much more stable in the almost year they had started visiting and the seas of his mind a lot calmer as he was actually able to speak them rather than just let them rattle around inside. He felt the most normal he had been in a very long time, and it kind of delighted him knowing how much that would anger Regina if she ever knew.

"Just you today?" he asked, seeing only John at the doorstep. The older brother of the Darling siblings had taken a far longer time in coming around to him, despite Michael saying the contrary, but it had still been a few months since he had looked this uncomfortable around the Mad Hatter. "What seems to be the problem? Come on. Spit it out."

"Michael is with Henry in the car," John started, completely solemn and almost warning. "He figured the curse out."

Jefferson couldn't help but be impressed. "Smart kid. We were giving him at least another year before it really starting coming together."

"Trust me, I know," he told the hatter, looking slightly exhausted. "But Michael and I had a very long argument last night about him now finally being able to meet you, especially given your past history with him." Jefferson recognized a lot of himself in John, honestly. Especially in the way he valued and put his child above all else- though he doubted the man would ever make such a foolish decision as he did. From what he had learned of their past and the hardships they had faced, this was the man who had his head sewn on straight. His priorities were clearly aligned quite rightly and tightly. Right now he was being the intimidating father, and playing the part brilliantly.

The Jefferson of the past would have been very nonchalant- rolled his eyes and made a witty quip. But this was one of his only two friends. He couldn't afford to lose them, this now desperate man who clung to their visits. Especially now that the possibility of a third person to interact with had unexpectedly arisen- he'd have to set out another cup. So he made his best solemn face and nodded. "Of course. I will be on my very best behavior: no temper tantrums or outbursts to be found here today. He'll be completely safe, John. I promise," he vowed.

John seemed to accept this and gave a wave to the car. "I'm hoping he doesn't recognize you," he couldn't help but admit as he adjusted his glasses.

"I feel the exact same way," Jefferson echoed.

And then there he was, looking a great deal older then when Jefferson had last seen him in person. His eyes were bright with glasses exactly like his father's, his hair cut nice and neat and wearing khaki shorts with a short-sleeved button-up shirt.

But at sight of the Mad Hatter, Henry suddenly stopped with his hand going to grab onto Michael. Everyone knew exactly what that meant. Henry recognized his kidnapper and was naturally very afraid to approach the man. Jefferson played with the scarf around his neck absently, knowing this was the end of all the visits he had grown to cherish.

But at the very least he could make up for his wrongs. "So you are Henry. We've met before as you are obviously aware, but that was under different… circumstances. I just wanted to apologize for my actions that day. I was desperate to get back to my daughter- I know you're aware of the story. I was just trying to be a good parent and get back to her. But I wasn't and what I did was very not right. It was very not right at all. You were never worth putting in danger and it was incredibly selfish of me. It seems I haven't learned very much at all." Henry betrayed nothing, so he awkwardly waited a beat before speaking again. "I'm sorry."

There was a long beat of silence that never seemed to end before Henry looked at his dad and uncle. He slowly let go of the hand he had been so desperately clinging to and took a few steps forward to the Mad Hatter. "Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite books," he said in the quietest voices. "But do you think you can tell me what really happened?"

The Hatter's face nearly split in relief, making him look almost like the Cheshire Cat. "Nothing would make me happier Henry. Let's head inside." Michael led Henry inside the mansion, the boy letting out a cry of amazement, and John followed with a quick thump on Jefferson's back.

"It wasn't me," Jefferson felt the need to state his observation. "He doesn't trust me at all, forgiven or not. What he does trust is his parents, so much that he's willing to walk into the house of a man who kidnapped him."

A storm cloud of emotions played out on his friend's face. Jefferson wasn't blind or daft yet. He knew what their real purpose in Henry had been since they mentioned that their sister was still kidnapped. But he liked to think that maybe with a little guidance in him; they could prevent the same parenting mistakes he had made with Grace. So he did his best to help them along in as subtle a way as a half mad man could.

"Don't worry. It means you're doing a good job. Better than most actually. Now, let's go have some tea!"

XXX

John looked over his desk to see Sheriff Graham sitting in his office, absently scribbling out some paperwork that had been filled out the day before but mysteriously vanished from the filing cabinets that morning. John had almost completely given up on the notion of filing his first week upon discovering all those hand cramps for the justice system were all for naught. But he still made sure to get his work done- though he preferred pursuits outside of the office. It helped that he knew every criminal activity that was going to occur by the end of the day like the back of his hand and was sometimes able to be there before they committed it. Graham had asked him about it and John had replied that he was psychic. That was the last time Graham ever brought it up.

He glanced at the clock, seeing he still had another hour and a half before he had to go apprehend Will Scarlett from stealing the keys to The Rabbit Hole in order to procure himself some alcohol. Plenty of time to strike up a conversation. He rose and made his way over, gently knocking on the door.

Graham didn't even look up. "What can I do for you, John?"

John took a beat, not really knowing how to begin. He knew what he wanted to say, but he had never had a conversation outside of work business with Graham. He used to avoid it at all costs, due to believing Regina had him firmly locked in her pocket. He still knew that to be true, but the context was far more disturbing than he had thought. Graham was a good guy who deserved better, and despite telling Henry there was nothing they could do before Emma came his sheer respect and sadness for the man was inspiring him to suck it up and try.

"I… I was wondering if you wanted to go have a drink tonight at The Rabbit Hole," he proposed, causing his co-worker to look up with a raised eyebrow. "I just want to spend some more time together… outside of here. I mean, we've worked together for years and I've just been realizing I don't even know you favorite color."

"I appreciate the offer, don't get me wrong," Graham began, looking a bit guilty. "But I have plans for the evening already."

"With Regina," John let slip, only realizing that statement was out loud when Graham suddenly rose, face going pale.

"How-what-?"

"I'm sorry. That wasn't my plan. I mean, I didn't come in here just so I could drop that on you. I honestly was just asking about a drink. You see-"

"How long have you known?" Graham cut in, hand holding his head.

John paused, but knew he had to come clean now. "For a long time, honestly. Years even."

"It's not like you think," Graham said almost sadly. "It's not- I don't know how to describe it. We're not just sleeping together, but there's no real feeling involved. At least… I don't feel anything with her."

"Then why do you stay with her?" John had not come into this office expecting to play shrink, but falling into the role quickly as he noted the Sheriff's distress. "Graham, you are an exceptionally good guy. Just ask the dogs at the animal shelter." This at least managed to get a crack of a smile. "You deserve to be with someone who makes you unbelievably happy."

"I don't know, honestly. I just feel… this pull to her. Like we're somehow tied together," he desperately tried to explain, searching for words. He didn't have to say anymore to John, who knew more about it than he did himself. John knew Regina still had his heart and would keep using her influence on him as long as she held it. He was literally trapped and it kind of broke John's heart.

He secretly vowed then and there that as soon as the curse was broken he would help Graham retrieve his heart. And that until then he would encourage him in any way he could to avoid Regina. It didn't seem like that option would work, but he had to at least put in the effort. "Graham, I'd like to help you sort through this. We really should get that drink."

"Well… I suppose I could cancel one night," Graham admitted. John tapped his knuckles on the table.

"Great. We'll head out after I take Henry and Michael home. I'm looking forward to it." With that, he went back to the useless paperwork on his desk. Something these past few years had opened him up to the idea of having friends, and Graham seemed like an excellent place to truly start.

"It's green by the way!" he heard come from the office, making him smile.

They would not end up going out that evening as Regina's influence and wishes ended up being too strong. But John resolved to keep trying, hoping one day he could help his friend overcome the curse in some small respect… for his sake.

XXX

Michael knew as soon as the bell rang that Leroy had arrived. It was time to pull out the big guns and get his special ready. He only hoped he could make up for the slight disappointment of yesterday when his ratatouille had not delivered to the small town diner crowd. Today he had went for simple burger-with a seasoning of his own design. He considered one day opening up his own restaurant, but he didn't have the heart to do it to Granny. He was loyal to a fault.

"I hate you!" he heard Ruby shout from outside in the dining area before there was the inevitable slamming of the door, bell jingling.

"Right on cue," he muttered to himself as he got to work. It had been difficult for Henry to accept that Granny and Ruby acted this way around one another upon learning of their true identities. It had recently started to rub Michael the wrong way more as well. He had tried a few days to broker a conversation between the two warring sides, but nothing ever seemed to move forward. They would just have to wait for Emma Swan for a real chance at repairing what Regina had broken for them.

There were only two year to go. Henry was eight now, and after a year of adjusting to his knowledge of the curse he was doing quite well. The clock was running down rapidly now on everything, and it was almost becoming too much to bear. They still had not told him the Peter Pan part of the story- they simply hadn't been able to. But the time had to be soon or he'd never forgive them. He probably still wouldn't anyway. They were foolish enough to throw away the best thing that had ever happened to their lives. They deserved to have him hate them.

Granny stuck her head in to interrupt his thoughts, clearly in a bad mood from the fight. "Michael, the school's on the phone. It's about Henry."

Michael quickly washed his hands and headed out to answer the phone. "It'll be ready in just a moment," he informed a waiting Leroy. He picked up the phone, not expecting what was about to come. "Hello?" There was a beat before a deep frown appeared. "Henry did what, Miss Blanchard?"

XXX

Henry hadn't intended to do it. Things had been going well the past year in terms of keeping the whole curse thing from coming out of his mouth every five minutes- his parents only had to shoot him a look every great once and while these days. He tried not to let it affect how he treated people here- they were different Uncle Michael had told him constantly. They were different people altogether with no clue who they once were.

But then they had all gone out for recess and one of the boys in class had started talking with Piper, a kid named Thomas. The two sat next to each other in class, but had never been friends. They instead chose to argue everyday about anything that came to mind- both disagreeing with the other on basically everything. So Henry had avoided him quite a bit as well- knowing his penchant for telling fibs was nothing but bad news. It had become clear to Henry quite early on that today Thomas was saying things that were making his friend upset, so he was quick to rush to her aid. A knight never turns down an opportunity to rescue a damsel, after all.

Before he could get there, Thomas had climbed on one of the picnic tables as Piper desperately tried to pull him down. "Hey everybody!" he shouted as loud as he could, earning the attention of the entire playground. "Piper stole a stapler from the teacher's desk! It was her!" The stapler had been quite the to-do last week, as the kids were not able to operate it at this point without a teacher present. So all the desks had been searched when it didn't show up last week, but the teachers had not been able to find it anywhere. So the kids all acted accordingly, pointing and gasping that it seemed to be Piper who was the culprit of such a lofty crime in the school world.

Piper was in tears as Henry made it to her. "No! No! I didn't!" She grabbed Henry by his arm. "Henry, he's lying! I would never do it!" Miss Blanchard had noticed the commotion from the window and was making her way outside to see what all the commotion was about. Henry didn't have time for her to get there though. A hero never waited. He just did what needed to be done.

"I know. I believe you," he assured his sobbing friend. "Thomas just likes to tell lies!" he shouted across the playground, stealing all the attention. He knew very clearly who Thomas was and was surprised at how little had changed from his Enchanted Forest counterpart. "He's the boy who cried wolf!" he continued, climbing on the table himself.

The next few moments all happened very quickly. Miss Blanchard shouted for both of them to get down from the table as Thomas muttered something about Henry wanting to defend his girlfriend. It just made something in him snap that he had a new lie he was going to try and spread to all the gathered kids now. Especially since Paige was watching and might end up believing it. All Thomas ever did was tell lies. All he ever would do was tell lies, even when the curse broke. So he had retaliated, giving the boy a shove as he shouted, "She's not my girlfriend! Stop lying!" Thomas had not been expecting that and fell off the table to the asphalt below.

If it was worth anything, Henry was instantly apologetic. He climbed down to help him to his feet, but Thomas was clutching his arm crying his eyes out. Miss Blanchard arrived a moment after that and helped Thomas to his feet, whispering and soothing him. The two of them started away when she turned back to a very pale, upset Henry. "Henry Darling, you come with me this instant!" With an apologetic look from Piper, he made a slow walk across the playground with everyone staring and whispering around him. "We are going to call your Dad and Uncle as soon as we get inside. I know they taught you better."

So Henry sat inside her office while she called Uncle Michael, dreading what was to come. But there was a slight sliver of hope in him. His parents knew who Thomas truly was. Surely they wouldn't punish him for what he had done knowing that is was stopping a boy who only told lies. They might even be proud of him for sticking up for his friend like that. He tried to cling to that idea, rather than the sinking feeling in his stomach- especially when his dad came in with Uncle Michael. Now his chances of getting off easy weren't looking so good.

They spent what seemed like an eternity talking to Miss Blanchard in her office, before emerging with poker faces that didn't betray anything. "Thank you," John said politely before turning his gaze to Henry. It was stern enough to make everything in him go cold. "March to the car right now." They started down the hallway in silence and it was bringing him close to tears as his dad didn't even look at him.

"Dad-"

"What were you thinking Henry?" his dad cut in, in the scariest of his dad voices. "That boy, Thomas, he broke his arm because of you. We don't know how that works with the curse. He might be stuck with it for the next three years."

"Or it could be like it never happened tomorrow," Michael cut in, earning a glare from his older brother. "I'm not excusing it. I'm just offering another possibility."

"Do you know who he is though?" Henry argued. "He's the boy who cried wolf! He was telling lies about Piper and he was about to do that about me. He deserved it, Dad!" He regretted the words the instant they left his mouth, and especially when his dad came to a halt.

"Henry Darling, you listen to me right now. No one, I repeat no one, deserves being shoved on a table or no. That's not how we solve things and I know you know that. We have also not talked about judging people based on who they were before. You know better than this."

"I was defending Piper!"

"You were being a bully, which is something I never thought I would say about you. It is also something I will never say again," John said warningly.

"It's good you want to stick up for your friends," Michael added. "But this wasn't the way to go about it. Miss Blanchard would have been happy to listen and help solve the situation." Henry looked down, tears forming in his eyes that his parents just weren't getting it. Why were they refusing it to see it like he had? Why were they being so mean to him?

Plus they had never talked to him like this before. It was almost making his heart fall into his stomach as he realized what that could mean. What if this was it? What if this was the last straw? This could be the point where they decided to send him back. Sure they had promised, but that was before he had ruined everything. Did they want to be his family anymore? What if they didn't love him anymore?

They exited the school building and to the car, climbing in silently. Henry just sat in the back as John climbed in on the driver's side and started the car. "We're very disappointed in you Henry."

There is was. Henry felt like he couldn't breathe hearing his dad say those words. So as they turned on Main Street he did the only thing he could think of. He wasn't going to let them send him away. He was going to run away first. He threw open the car door, and before either brother could fully register it Henry had climbed out and was running in the opposite direction. He ducked down an alley and quickly scrambled over a fence, refusing to stop even for a second.

"Henry!" he heard the frantic cry behind him, but he didn't slow down even a little bit. He had to go somewhere to hide and he had just the place in mind. He's get some supplies and then set out away from town to start a new life. Someone who would love him rather than just yell at him. Maybe even his real mom and dad.

Jefferson opened the door on the fourth knock, clearly surprised to see just him. "I need your help, Uncle Jefferson."