New chapter up at last.

Apologies about the long wait. I just let life catch up with me, and my stories took a back seat as the result. But I have more time now and I can update more.

Not much else to say other than happy reading, I don't own OUAT - bit if I did, Regina would have wised up and left Robin ages ago gone back to storybrooke and see how Zelena liked being saddled with a whiney man child in the real world.

On leaving Regina, August made his way down the other path. His first mission was to find which one of the kids was Henry, in order to move things along he needed to gain his trust before giving him the one item in his possession that would surely be the catalyst into helping Emma breaking the curse.

He knew that Henry had gone and found Emma. She wouldn't have made it to the town otherwise. He was a tad curious as to how he had managed to do that but it wasn't an overly pressing concern. He had the book, the storybook that held the origins of where they all came from, who each person was and would make it easier to tell them from their counterparts.

That had been his plan. On reaching the cursed town, it had rather been relatively easy in its steps - find Henry, get to know him while gaining his trust and making sure no one became suspicious at the same time, before in the end giving him the book that would set him off down the path to convincing the saviour of her role.

He knew that the blonde was smart. That she was shrewd and had an innate ability to tell whether someone was lying or not, if the kid was the same – if he had his mother's deceptiveness for being more observant then he looked then he would have no problem putting two and two together and coming up with a curse.

He had looked inside the book. He had seen the tales of each of the characters and from what he could read of Snow whites – she had a struggle back in the forest with the Evil Queen Cora. He had to wonder if she was here – if she was then where was she and would she prove to be just as problematic here as she was vindictive and cruel in the forest.

He turned the corner, smiling lightly at the passers-by. He knew what he had to do, so first step would be to try and work out which one was Henry. But before all of that, he had a much bigger problem to face.

Rumpelstiltskin

His condition was worsening by the day, he didn't let on to Regina just how much but he had a feeling she knew. Either way it was getting harder for him to move without feeling the sharp stabbing pains through his body. He had to fix it and fast.

Though Emma was the one to break the curse, he hadn't gone through the twenty eight years merely relying on a simple prophecy to fix all his issues – if there was one thing this world had taught him, it was to always have a backup plan. And so as he had been on his own he took to getting as much information as he could possibly get from the book, scouring its pages and all of its characters – learning about each and every one.

Which was how he had found out about the dagger – the dark ones blade that was the only thing in the entire realm that could control him – it were both his master and his magic… with the curse being tied to the sharpened weapon.

He didn't know what he could do with such an item, but from what he had read – it was the most powerful magical item in existence. He was at the point where he wasn't going to let his affliction spread anymore. If the dagger could help then he was going to get it.

Of course in the back of his mind he knew just outright stealing it wasn't going to work. For what he had in mind, it just might have been the safest way, but having this opportunity – something that only came round once was too good to pass up.

Neal was never coming back. He made that obvious in his haste to get away from New York for when the curse broke. It really was a bit of serendipitous luck that he had happened to come across the one person that the dark one would do anything for, as it was Neal who would help him get what needed from the once powerful sorcerer.

But for now he would stay back, work out who was who, and when the time came - put his plan into motion. He just had to avoid Emma, who was the only person who was capable of blowing his cover.

After walking down what seemed like the fifth same looking street. Regina had given up, not that she had actually started looking but she was getting sick of being stared at – had this town never had visitors before… she had to stop and mentally chide herself, it was a cursed town – aside from the lucky patron who managed to find themselves here of course they never had visitors.

Looking up she realized she had found herself near the harbour – the sea rolling gently on the shore – looked peaceful, aside from when she was younger, Regina had never truly liked water – not since the Dragon made himself known that was anyway. But that wasn't to say she didn't like looking at it.

A slightly turnabout hypocrisy but that was how it went. Glancing around she spied a couple of benches on the other side near to the play park. She had been walking really without any sort of plan in mind, all she wanted was to find Mal – but now that she was here how did one go about doing that?

It was clear they all had different names and personalities here and if what Archie said was right then chances are they wouldn't know who she was; she didn't have a name to go on and so had to think about it logically.

So carefully sitting down at one of the benches, she began to formulate her plan. She was a pragmatic woman by nature; actions always did speak louder than words to her – though knowing things did always have its advantages. Not in this case it seemed if she had to go about working her way around this obvious little toy town then she needed to observe.

But if she were to do that then she had to be subtle about it, already she had been getting far too many looks than what she would have liked and soon if she wasn't careful, what August had told her – word would get round to those who would ask questions… The saviour.

She didn't know why he was going about avoiding her like death but he seemed to be doing just that – not that she cared to much, her own priorities where more important, just as long as the blonde kept away from her long enough she could find the older woman in relative peace then that was all she cared about.

There were also other things she had to think about. Like what would she say to her once she did find her – twenty eight years was a long time… a lot had changed, another would be where would they live. In the forest they had a castle – hell a whole mountain to themselves… here all she had at the moment was a room in a B&B.

She sighed looking at her hands where they rested in her lap. She definitely needed to sort her priorities out and soon before she did anything else. So immersed in her musings she didn't see or hear the footsteps until a small movement at the side of her had her jumping slightly. She closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them to see a small boy standing just at the side of her.

She looked at the little boy warily as he stood there. Neither saying a word, until finally and with a small chirp like response, he spoke. "Hi."

Still staring at him suspiciously, she looked around before finally back to him with a hesitant smile. "Hello"

"I haven't seen you around before, who are you." Pulling herself up a little, Regina fully turned her body to him. "Well that's a little rude don't you think. After all, we've only just met... besides who's to say I haven't been here before."

The little boy scrunched his face lightly at her reply before shaking his head. She looked on as he crossed the little bar and sat down next to her,

"I would have seen you before if that was the case." She frowned not liking the way he intruded in her personal space and looked around again. "Does your mother know where you are?"

Nodding he smiles and looks across the ground to the small shops on the other side. "She told me to wait here if I wanted, she would only be a few minutes."

Looking to where he was pointing, she could see the small row of building's on the other side… a whole yard and road away as her brows rose slightly.

"Parent of the year award right there," She mumbled as he looked back to her, "So who are you."

"Did she also happen to teach you manners whilst she let you run amok? Or were they fresh out of those at barns R us?" He blinked twice at her remark before shrugging and carrying on with his questions.

"Did you only just come here?" She sighed knowing there wasn't a way to get rid of him without at least appeasing his desire for answers and so nodded.

"Yes - I only arrived late last night."

"So you staying at Granny's" Another nod, he was quiet for a moment making her think she was free until another question left his lips. "So why are you here?"

"Awfully nosy aren't you" She looked down at him still with a frown. "Seriously, what do they teach you in school?" He shrugged again.

"Maths, science, English… history and geography. You know the basics, why?" a sable brow arched at his innocuous questioning.

"Why? Because my dear, for starters as you have so pointed out. I'm a stranger, and you shouldn't be talking to strangers."

"But you look nice." A small smile crept across her lips despite herself as she looked to him. "Looks can be very deceiving, what's to say I'm not nasty underneath this smile."

He remained silent contemplating her question before pursing his lips. "I don't know… you seem nice." A small chuckle left her lips at that as she looked across to the shops.

"Are you sure she said she would be a minute." He nodded again, eager to ask more questions as she sat back down resigned to the fact he wasn't going away like she hoped.

"So why are you here… you never said." Letting her head fall a little. She turns to find him peering at her and sighs again. "If you must know… I'm here to find … my family."

He nodded at her answer. "Do they know you're coming?" Another chuckle left her lips, this time a little deprecating as she shakes her head. "No, it's more of a surprise."

"Oh," He looks down not saying a word for the longest time as she gets back to staring at the sea. Finally he speaks again but to both her relief and intrigue, it's not another mini interrogation."

"No one ever comes here." She hum's pensively at the factual statement. It wasn't like she didn't know the reason why and so never took her eyes away from the crashing waves until he speaks again.

"No one ever remembers the ones that do anyway." That had her looking back to him as he still keeps his head lowered. "What do you mean?"

She stares at him as he says nothing, making her roll her eyes at the sudden turnabout in eagerness to talk when he mumbles under his breath.

"Speak up dear, I can't understand nonsense." Lifting his head, he looks to her again. "I said no one ever remembers anything."

Cocking her head she waits for him to carry on as he does moments later. "It's this town – there's something wrong with it, no one ever grows older, no one ever does anything wrong, no one ever remembers anything." He stops his little tirade as his voice quietens down again and he lowers his head.

"Except me… I remember," Still saying nothing Regina waits for a moment before replying. "Remember what exactly."

"Everything! I've lived here my whole life and I'm the only one that ever knows. I'm the only one in my class who moves up, I'm the only one who see's and knows every visitor that has come here, the rest… they seem to forget as soon as they leave."

She still says nothing, even after he stops talking. The only sound around them is the slight rush of wind and a few other kids playing just ahead. Finally getting her bearings back, she ponders her words before replying.

"Why, may I ask, did you decide to tell me all of this?" He lifts his head to look at her. "I'm just another one of those visitors myself, what makes you think I'll remember any of this in the future."

It's his turn to think on his words. For some reason he knew on seeing her she was different. Seeing her sitting on the bench he knew she wasn't like the others that had come before … if he hadn't known for a fact that he had never seen her before, he would have said she might have fitted in perfectly.

"But you're not." He watches as her face becomes unreadable for a second as her brow arches again. "Oh? And just how do you work that one out."

"You said you were looking for your family, and that she was here." She shrugs, lost at his point he was trying to make. "So,"

"So … everyone here knows each other. It's like the outside world doesn't exist to them and so no one here has family that comes to visit. If you have family here that means you had to have been looking for this place, which means you know about its weirdness as well."

"Why haven't you said this to anyone before now?" He scoffed and shook his head. "I've tried, but they don't believe me… they think I'm imagining it."

If only he knew just how wrong they were. But it wasn't the right time to prove him true and so stayed quiet. She looked down to her hands for a moment, twisting the ring she had on her finger before speaking.

"What about your Mother? Doesn't she believe you?" Once again he shakes his head. "I've tried telling her as well. But she never listens. It's like she thinks I'm mad or something."

Before she could deny or accept any of his logic which, admittedly, was rather well thought out for a child. She heard footsteps coming at the side of them and then a new voice cutting the silence.

"Hey kid. You ready to go."

He looked to her and nodded before jumping from his seat. Turning he smiles at Regina, who returns it lightly as he speaks. "It was nice talking to you; I hope you find your family soon."

"Thank you dear. I hope so to." He nods once more as a hand rests on his head and moves him to the side. Content to getting back to her thinking, she looks back out to the sea again before a small ruffling had her tilting her head a little as whoever it is at the side was waiting for her to speak.

"Can I help you?" Whoever it is fidgets a little before nodding. "Yeah, I err… just wanted to apologize."

"Whatever for."

"Well the kid can be a little adventurous. He seems to think anyone in this town is his friend and so just talks to the nearest person he can find."

She smiles tightly before nodding. "It is fine. He didn't do any harm." There's a small muttering from the pair as the small boy runs off and over to the waiting car. The other woman contents herself to waiting, clearly wanting to make conversation. The notion of small talk has Regina closing her eyes; it wasn't on her agenda to meet the neighbours just yet.

"Haven't seen you around here before. You just get in to town or something?" Another sigh, clearly this day was going to be taxing as she nodded.

"Arrived last night." She kept her gaze on the water; if she was ignorant enough maybe whoever it was would give up and follow the small child.

"Just passing through…" No such luck it would appear.

"No" Silence reigned after that, taking a deep breath, Regina counted to ten. Hopefully the other woman would have gone by then. She really wasn't in any mood to deal with people and their insipid interactions.

"So visiting, that's cool." Fighting the urge to punch the still talking woman, though by now all her patience had gone. She knew it was time to leave otherwise what peace would she ever get. But first she had to see who it was that thought it would be a good idea to engage her as she stood and turned finally, to face to culprit.

"What business of any of this is yours?"

Her blunt remark had the other woman blinking a few times in silence, before she opened her mouth to speak – stunned at the sudden turnabout.

"… I just … it's that this place doesn't get visitors." Resisting the urge to sneer, the raven haired woman cocked her head a little. "With inquisitions like this, is it any wonder."

Feeling the like conversation – one that she thought had been going somewhat ok, had taken a steep decline and looking at the slightly annoyed expression. She held up her hands.

"Ok – I'm sorry; it is none of my business." A small hum of agreement told her the other woman wasn't letting up on her attitude as she fought the little twitch to snap and tipped her head in a small show of concession. Taking a step back, she ran a hand through her hair as she knew her welcome was beginning to run short.

"I'll just be – I'll let you get back to your thinking, sorry again for the kid disturbing you."

"It's fine." This time the reply wasn't one of snappiness but thinly restrained weariness. Yep, definitely outstayed her welcome here. Turning, she was already halfway across the grass before she twisted her body once more to look back.

"I'm Emma, by the way." She spied the smaller woman having already sat back down as she snapped her head back to look at her.

"Just in case you find you need any help." With that she left her alone. Regina heard the name and couldn't believe it; she watched her go back to her car where the younger boy was waiting with a sense of disbelief and a slight need to laugh.

What higher being had she pissed off that morning. Of all the people she had to meet her first day here and it was the one she had left behind like yesterday's rubbish. Turning around she faced the ocean again, now thoughts of how to find Mal replaced by the other blonde.

She had only ever given scant thought about the saviour the times she was moving around. Wondered what had become of the ex-princess, she should have felt guilty, had done the first time but realized that if Snow was any type of friend – the one she so adamantly professed to be, then she wouldn't have done what she did in the hopes of having a permanent babysitter for her little brat.

She mused on the fact that said woman would be here … she would have to keep an eye on her promise of not harming any of them, not until the curse broke at least. But for now she could take comfort in the fact that she needn't have bothered worrying about her – however little that might have been.

The saviour turned out fine. She was healthy, she was alive and more importantly she was where she was meant to be … all in all, job done.

But that wasn't what bothered her, no … what bothered her was the fact they had talked. Though she never did pay attention to what August said half the time, much less actually did what he asked. This was one of those times they had in common. Neither had wanted the blonde to know they were here just yet; they had barely begun to make a start on their plans.

When they knew for sure things were going the way they wanted. Then the little puppet was going to make himself known, it would have been by proxy Emma worked out she was here with him.

But now that was shot. Not only had she practically been one of the first people to speak to her that day, but her admittedly short tolerance for idiots had made sure they didn't part as cordially as she would now have liked.

If Emma was indeed the type to play dog with a bone. Then chances are by the afternoon she would be asking questions as to who the newcomer was, she leant forward, hands on knees and ran her hands over her face and through her hair.

She would have to be more careful from then on, as much as she disliked most people if she wanted to get around without causing too much suspicion then she would have to play nice. The thought in itself sent a shudder running up her spine, the once thing she hated more than most was putting up with more idiots then she could handle without being able to do something about it.

But if there was one thing she had learnt over the years was patience. Those who wanted something hard enough, and was prepared to wait long enough – eventually won out at the end. She had twenty eight years to lean that particular trait that hadn't come to her in the forest. She could do this.

All she had to do was wait a little longer, then she would finally have what she wanted. Standing she decided to keep moving. If nothing else then to avoid getting caught in more tedious chats with the local fools. As she walked down the path she wondered if August was having more luck then she was at that moment.

Across and a few streets over. August was waiting in the middle of a small ally. Surprisingly it hadn't even been on his list first – but he had overheard a few people talking about how once more Mr Gold was being a heartless swine and charging more for the rent on his properties than normal.

It had the other man thinking. Now it could have been a number of people from the forest. There were so many to pick from that he might have just been jumping to conclusions. The once ruthless king George, the cruel sheriff of Nottingham or the dark one himself.

For all he knew he could have been following the wrong lead. But something in his gut told him, as he hung just across the small shop on the corner, that he had found the right person – that he had found the dark one already.

If he had then he would have to think on which was more important: getting Henry to believe him and push Emma into undoing the curse quicker, or gaining the dark ones trust long enough to get his dagger. Both equally important but at the same time both counterproductive to each other.

He sighed and zipped up his jacket. The air around here was chilling him to his bones and he regretted not getting a fleece like Regina had told him to back in New York, he scoffed a little, if she was here no doubt would be mocking him for his leather jacket he was fond of wearing, small mercies she wasn't.

But he was getting colder, so was starting to think that maybe finding Henry would be the best place to start when the sound of a door opening and a bell chiming had him looking sideways. He moved closer to the wall, eyes now trained on the sight of an older man stepping out of the door.

He was smartly dressed. A long black trench coat with grey trousers, his hair seemed a little long, just above shoulder length that seemed to ruffle with the wind. He also had a walking cane with him, which on August watching – used to help him with his obvious limp. As the man turned and began walking the other way up the street.

Living with his father on the outskirts of the Summerlands, he had been privy to seeing King George a number of times as he passed his way from one Kingdom to another. He had also seen what the Sheriff looked like as he raced his way through the forest – chasing after criminals and whoever it was his employer had ordered.

He had seen them and he knew this wasn't neither – nope – he had found the main man himself… and he didn't have a clue what to do.

He thought he would have had more time to plan … to at least have a solution thought out in regards to obtaining the magical relic, but on having found him right off the bat it kind of stumped him on how to proceed. He eyed him make his way up the sidewalk and round the corner before moving away from the entrance and leant against the wall.

Observation. That was what he could do. He would have to bide his time and study the other man. He didn't look like much in this world but even so he wasn't willing to chance occurring his wrath if he got sloppy, he needed to work him out, what his quirks were – his sore spots and most of all how to use them.

He knew that Bealfire was his biggest one. It was his whole reason for being here, and if he played it right then Bealfire was going to be the solution to his problems. Glancing once more at the now locked shop, he ducked back the way he came. He needed to work out how to stay undetected until he had enough to follow through on his goal.