Chapters eight

Swan Queen

Peter and Henry found a secluded room in the hospital. It had no bed in it just two chairs. It was used for Psychiatric appointments but the staff were letting them use it. It wasn't like there were many therapy sessions this time of day anyway. The chairs were large and comfortable. Both young men sat down. They were silent for a while and then finally Henry spoke.

'I can't leave' he said 'for all they have put me through they are still my mothers, they are far from perfect but they are still my mothers, it was her egg and her uterus that made me. We need to put things back together and that includes me' Peter nodded letting Henry continue 'I've realized that I'm a lot more like Emma then I wanted to see. If I had left with you I would have just been running away from my problems like Emma did when she left Regina. Poor Regina always gets left behind. I can't do that. I was being rather selfish' Henry put his face in his hands. His whole body was shaking. He felt his cheeks growing wet. Peter too started crying. Large tears spilled down his cheeks and onto the floor.

'I know I get that, so many times I told myself that living the life I was living was making me happy but it really wasn't' said Peter 'I though having power, having the time of my life every night, fighting even killing would be so much better then having a family' he swallowed 'the reason why that dream is always haunting me...you know the one of me being locked out of my nursery by mother is because I thought she would never want me back. But, I was wrong, I want to make things right with my parents and my brother...I want to give them a second chance'.

'But you know that means' said Henry 'if I stay here to give Emma and Regina a second chance and you go away to give your parents a second chance...we will be separated for who knows how long'.

'I know...maybe we can find a way to make it work though' said Peter.

'Long distance has been known to kill even the best of relationships and if my mums find out we our in contact...' said Henry.

'What are you saying that you want to break up' said Peter. He was crying now.

'Do you?' said Henry. Both of them were sobbing now. Henry stood and almost fell into Peter's arms as they held onto each other. So tight. Tighter then had before. Tighter then when they had had sex. They wanted to disappear into each other. They kissed.

'I don't want our different worlds to pull us apart' said Peter.

'Neither do I' said Henry.

'Then...we'll make this work' Peter said 'we'll find a way to make it work'.

'What if we can't?' said Henry. Peter cupped Henry's face and smiled.

'We will, Peter Pan never fails' Peter said 'I need to you to believe that'.

'Okay I will' said Henry 'I will believe it with all my heart'.

'Do you know what happens when they say you believe in something?' said Peter.

'It comes true' Henry said.

'Look we will be apart for sometime and maybe at the start won't be able to communicate with each other but we will find a way to get back together. Once we make things right with our families' said Peter.

'Now to the other problem' Henry said with a hiccup.

'Which is?' said Peter.

'Emma still wants to lock you up the only reason she hasn't is because she is sick with worry about Regina' said Peter.

'You have to be kidding me even after everything I just did?' said Peter.

'No I am not joking but I will say this she is distraught right now, she cant be blamed if you and your friends slipped away'.

'Got it' said Peter and kissed Henry lips once again 'but before we leave I want you to come to the nearest Jewellery shop with me'.

'Why?'

'You'll see' said Peter.

Ruby being an expert tracker found the two DeVil brothers in no time. They had been abandoned in the house where Cora had placed them. It was a well to do town house. It reminded Wendy of house she had grown up in.

'Cora has twisted sense of humour' said Wendy 'or rather had' she added as an afterthought.

'There is no one here to guard them?' said Bell.

'Of course not' said Ruby 'Cora most likely hired mercenary or else had some of Golds men she got by using Wendy. Once she was dead however there was no one keeping checking in on this place for to many hours then those boys would have been comfortable with. So they abandoned their post'.

'It must be so hard for crime bosses these days' said Dorothy 'good henchmen are just so hard to find'.

'So too are good police men and women' said Ruby. Both of the DeVil boys were thin and pale. They been handled with the exactly the best care from the looks of it. Wendy hugged both of her brothers tightly.

'There is one thing' said Bell 'now that all this commotion is over...Wendy, Peter and I are still criminals aren't we?'

'Yes you are' said Ruby.

'So aren't you going to arrest us?' said Wendy.

'No' said Dorothy 'the Swan is too busy right to be bothered with you. The mayor is in critical condition. We are only human after all. We can hardly be blamed if some criminals were to just slip by us'.

'But if you ever show your faces in Storybrooke again' said Ruby 'we will have you arrested. Then we will show no mercy in exacting the law'. Both Wendy and Bell nodded. They understood. They were being given a chance to escape this once and only this once.

It was about seven in the evening as Peter and Henry left the Hospital and heading toward the nearest Jewellery shop. It was to close in just an hour. Which gave the two young men just enough time. It was a handsome shop with a pretty girl serving behind the counter. Peter had something in particular in mind for what he wanted. So he approached the girl speaking to her in a low whisper. Henry however had no idea so he just looked at all the different pieces. There were so many. In Gold, Silver and Bronze. With many different stones and many different cuts. He didn't know what to choose for his Peter. But then he saw it. It was a necklace-the chain was gold and the piece attached to the chain was a miniature pipes. Pied Pipes. Like the ones the God Pan used in classical mythology or the ones the Pied Piper of Hamelin used. Henry had what he wanted for Peter. They paid the girl and left. Once outside the two exchanged what they had bought. Peter gift for Henry was a gold necklace as well but the pendent was very different. It was a love heart with an arrow going though it. But when Henry looked closer he realized it wasn't a heart but a pen-a quill going through the heart. He smiled. Before place it around his neck. He then lent into Peter one last time and was held by one last time. How long they would go without this they didn't know.

'I'll wear it everyday to remember you by' said Henry.

'Likewise' said Peter as he smelled Henry's hair.

'I love you' said Henry.

'I love you too' said Peter.

'We've never said that to each before' said Henry.

'No and if it is the last thing I do I going to make sure one day we can say to each other again, I am going to miss you so much' said Peter. They kissed again.

'I think its best that I leave now' said Henry 'its better I don't know how you're getting home. I might let something slip or my mothers might force it out of me'.

'Go' said Peter 'back to your mothers, they need you right now'. With that Henry was gone and Peter was alone. He turned and made his way to the bus stop to meet his brother and his ex-girlfriend.

Tiger Lily had booked them tickets on the next bus out of Storybrooke. It was agreed that it would be better that Henry didn't know where they were going. Ruby and Dorothy returned with Bell and Wendy. Wendy's younger brothers clutched at their sisters skirt and refused to speak to anyone else. Ruby and Dorothy only dropped the two young women and the boys to the corner of the street where the bus stop was. It was for the best that no one knew where the small group of former criminals was heading. This was the agreement. One chance to escape and that was all. Peter wished more then anything that Henry could have been there to see him off. To see him once more before he left. But Henry had gone back to the hospital and to his mothers side. It was decided for the best that he didn't know where the others were going. The only other person who could stay safely in Storybrooke now was Felix. He had no criminal record having never had his link to Peter officially discovered. Everything about this day had to stay off the books. Zelena would create some cover story for the newspapers. It would all for into place perfectly. As they bordered the bus Peter made his way down the back and sat by himself. He didn't want company. He wanted nothing. He needed to be alone. It was then a thought occurred to him that made him smile and even laugh.

'Regina had sworn to clean up the city, sworn to get rid of me and Gold' he grinned 'in a way she had kept that promise, I am no longer Peter Pan. That boy is dead and now I am once again Malcolm. Pan and Gold are gone. What will Madam Mayor do next?' he calmed then 'if she survives that is'. It was then that Malcolm noticed someone down to sit next them. It was Tiger Lily.

'I wanted to check on you' she said 'make sure you're okay, well as okay as you can be considering the circumstance'.

'I'm as about as okay as you can get considering the circumstances' said Malcolm 'but I do have one question how did you find out that I was been Peter Pan?'

'That was what made it so difficult' said Tiger Lily 'and why it took so long. We had only small clues at first. In the end we found someone who recognized your photo from before you joined the shadow. You had hitch hiked your way to Storybrooke so it became a matter of tracking down drivers who had give you lifts'.

'Ah, I see' said Malcolm. He closed his eyes 'I've done a lot of horrible things and all for what? It felt like Storybrooke was a candy shop and I was a kid who could do whatever I wanted'.

'Welcome back to reality' said Tiger Lily 'what made the heartless Peter Pan grow a conscience? Was it Henry Mills?'

'No, I always had a conscience he just made me realize I was lying to myself, something no one else could' said Malcolm. His hand found its way to the pendent around his neck and he squeezed it tightly.

'I know what it is like to be apart from someone you love' Tiger Lily.

'I know' said Malcolm 'as I said before you have nothing to be sorry for or to atone for...me on the other hand...'

'This is not about me' she said 'what I am saying is I understand your pain and I am here if you need me'.

'You don't have to be' said Malcolm.

'I want to be' said Tiger Lily. With that Malcolm started to cry. Clutching the pipes so hard in his hand it hurt. Tiger Lily folded him in her arms and held him close. She stroked his hair as his body shook.

'Do you remember when you saved my life' she said suddenly.

'You mean when I stopped you from drowning' he said.

'Yes, it was then I fell in love with you' she said.

'I'm sorry I couldn't love you back the way you deserve' said Malcolm but Tiger Lily just shrugged.

'It doesn't matter I'm well over it. Now we can start to put things to right all of us' she said. The Bus charged past the Hospital on its way out of Storybrooke. Malcolm looked out the window for perhaps one last glimpse of Henry but of course the other young man was by now well inside. Malcolm closed his eyes and let Tiger Lily rock him to sleep.

Henry had returned to the hospital around the same time Malcolm was boarding the bus set for ….Henry didn't know where. He didn't want to think about that for the moment though. He hurried back to the waiting room. Back his mother and aunt.

Zelena was asleep in the waiting room but Emma was up and pacing. She was ringing hands together and pulling her hair. Pulling it so hard that when her hands dropped back to her side she felt a hair or two come loose from head. She could easy make out the golden strands on the floor of waiting room. The vibrant colour standing out in front of the black carpet. It was then that Henry came back.

'Well?' said Emma looking at her son.

'They're all gone' he said.

'It's the right thing kid' she said. He nodded and then took his seat. Emma returned to her pacing and pulling at her hair.

'I take it there has been no news' said Henry.

'No and that is what worries me' said Emma 'there should be news, why the hell is it taking so long?'

'Life saving surgery doesn't exactly following a timetable Swan' came Zelena's voice. Both mother and son jumped.

'I thought you were asleep' said Emma.

'Who could sleep with you pacing and pulling at your hair' said Zelena 'I'm worried and so are you we all are Swan but behaving like that won't help Regina'.

'Oh really and what would you know about help Regina' said Emma 'when you first showed up in this city it was to make Regina pay for having Cora for a mother wasn't it?'

'Yes it was, it was sometime after you left' said Zelena. Emma froze at that.

'I'm sorry' said Emma.

'So am I' said Zelena 'look just sit down, arguing won't solve anything and that pacing will just make us all nervous'. Emma slumped in her seat.

'Regina is always telling me to have good posture' said Henry 'Mum sitting like that is bad for your spine'.

'I don't care right now' said Emma as she started to drum her fingers on the arms of her chair.

'She finally sits down only to continue getting worked up' said Zelena. But then they all heard footsteps. Everyone fell silent and stopped moving. They hardly dared to breathe. Dr Wale walked back into the room.

'She is going to be okay' he said 'one of you can go into see her'. Zelena and Henry looked at Emma. The Swan got to her feet. She followed the doctor down the hall and towards the room where Regina was being kept. The mayor was in a bed in a private room. She was breathing very slowly. But her eyes were open. Emma approached slowly. She stood next to her ex(?) wife bed. She couldn't think of what to say but for one thing.

'I love you Regina' she said 'I always have and I always will'.

'I love you too Emma, even with all the mistakes we have both made' said Regina. Emma took hold of Regina's hand and stroked her thumb over Regina's knuckle. It was then and only then did the Swan bend down and kissed the Queen on the mouth. The Queen's fingers slid into Gold hair. But then Emma withdrew.

'Later' Emma said 'our son and your sister are waiting. The doctor said you were okay but they will want to see it for themselves'. Regina nodded.

'Send them in' she said.

Zelena and her nephew walked into the hospital room. Henry walked to his mothers side and made to hold her hand but she reached out and pulled him into an embrace.

'You stupid, stupid boy' she said 'falling in love with a man like that. Like I said before we are going to seriously have a talk about your taste in men'

'Well we can have that talk as much as you want but it's not going to change my mind' said Henry. He started crying then silently.

'What happened?' said Regina.

'I had them all sent away' said Emma 'it's too dangerous right now. Considering their pasts giving them a chance to escape was beyond kind'.

'It doesn't have to be forever Henry' said Regina 'true love is magic it always finds way, you two will be reunited'. Henry moved apart from his mother then and Regina looked at her sister.

'What happened to our mother?' said Regina.

'She's dead, so is Hades and Nimue' said Zelena. Regina nodded and the two sisters embraced. Both crying softly.

'She was a monster' said Regina.

'Maybe so but she was our monster' said Zelena 'her body has been collected though, it would be the least we could do to give her a good burial'. Regina nodded. She took hold of her sisters hand then. Zelena then took hold of Emma's hand. Who in turn put her other hand in Henry's. Henry took hold of Regina's other hand.

'We've been very stupid all of us' said Regina 'but we must move past all of that and remember we are a family no matter how fucked up we maybe'. They all nodded before dropping hands.

'Have you figured out what you are going to do accommodation wise?' said Zelena looking at Emma.

'No' said Emma 'there has been too much drama'.

'Accommodation?' said Henry and Regina.

'I'm moving out of mine and Killian's apartment' said 'Emma there are just too many memories there. I was very unfair to him' said Emma.

'We have a spare room at the house' said Regina 'you can stay there'.

'Wait does this mean-'began Henry.

'We're just going to couples counselling at the minute kid. Taking this slow' said Emma. But Henry still grinned.

'By it's very nature mums couple's counselling is for couples' he said. All three women rolled their eyes. But he had a point which also brought a smile to their lips.

Malcolm awoke in Tiger Lily's arms as the bus came to a halt. He looked out the widow. They were no longer in Storybrooke now but another city. An Untold City was the name of this place. They were here to see an old acquaintance of his before catching a flight back to flight back to London. To his parents. Malcolm felt his face. Plastic Surgery could only be reversed so much but hopefully. He shrugged and followed Tiger Lily off the bus. Malcolm was by now so tired that he let Wendy and Bell lead the way. They knew as well as he did where they were going. To large red brick building. Wendy knocked three times and then rang the bell twice. A woman opened the door.

'Hello Mary, long time no see' said Wendy 'we're here to see Mr Hyde is he in?'

'Yes of course he is' said Mary 'follow me'. She brought them first to the waiting room 'who are the patients?' Bell, Wendy and Malcolm followed her down another passage to the office. Hyde was a large and intimidating man with black hair and a strong beard.

'Ah Mr Pan, Miss Darling and Miss Green' he said 'what bring you all back to me, not satisfied with the faces I gave you?'

'Its not truly a matter of satisfaction that brings us here Mr Hyde but because these faces no longer serve us' said Malcolm 'I wish to return to the face I had when I first came to you can you make that happen?'

'Hmm, I believe in your case Pan it may be possible, the hardest part would be restoring your nose but I can think of ways. Do you ladies wish to become who you once were as well?' said Hyde.

'No' said Wendy 'Bell and I need new identities entirely, both our former selves and our current selves have too much blood on their hands'.

'I see and what of price' said Hyde.

'Consider all the favour you owe me repaid' said Malcolm. Hyde considered this very silently for a moment.

'Very well, I will speak with the Good Dr. Jekyll and we will see what we can do for you all. In the mean time please feel free to settle into the guest accommodation here' Hyde concluded bringing an end to the meeting.

'Have you though of the new name you will take?' said Bell.

'No' said Wendy 'in a way it is somewhat freeing though isn't our chance to start a new'. Bell nodded.

'I think the name Jane would suit you' Bell said.

'Jane, you know I rather like that and for you Mallory would suit you' Wendy said.

'For a surname how about Spiderwick' both girls nodded and kissed on that. From that they on they were known as Jane and Mallory Spiderwick. This story will now address them as such.

Felix drove Violet home. It had been a hell of night for all of them. After they had had word Regina was okay they left the hospital. Violet was silent the entire journey. Felix had hoped she would start the conversation but he guessed not. So he did.

'I know you like Henry' he said 'not me, I know you're not happy with the way things turned out but if you could just give me a chance I think I could make you really happy. Would do everything in my power to anyway'.

'From the minute I saw Henry I never thought about other boys' said Violet 'even now that he has his eyes on other boys I never thought of anyone else. I don't know if I feel about you that way'.

'I can accept that' said Felix. They pulled up outside her house.

'One date' said Violet.

'Really?' said Felix.

'Yes but like I said I don't know how I feel it might only go as far as that but since Henry and me is never going to happen I don't see why I should give another guy a chance' said Violet. Felix nodded. Violet gave him a kiss on the cheek before stepping out of the car and into her house. Felix smiled and drove home grinning.

Mal spent the week the hospital with her daughter Lily next to her. Lily refused to go despite her mothers protests. They gotten word that Regina was going to okay a few hours ago. Lily was now sleeping next to Mal's bed in a chair. Mal was reading the even newspaper. A story about a drug bust down by the docs covered the front lines. But it had been put down by Emma Swan. Nothing about Henry or Pan in any of it. On the inside was a smaller article about the Mayor's mother dying.

'Zelena sure works fast' said Mal to herself. She clicked her tongue wondering if she was in any of the newspapers. Maybe even just as causality?

A mere two week later Regina and Mal were both discharged from the hospital. Now came the next step for the Mills-Swan family marriage counselling.