Neverland – Tinker Bell's Tree House
"I don't know what you expect me to do," exclaimed the green fairy, throwing her hands in the air. "It's not like I can magic up some old remedy that brings her memories back!"
Regina was frustrated with the recent events and determined to find a way to save her beloved. "How could she do that," she mused aloud to herself. Pacing the floor of the fairy's tree house, she continued, "It wouldn't be like her to want to lose her memories on purpose."
Pursing her lips in contemplation, Tink voiced her opinions, "Well, you did say you only knew her for a few days." Regina halted her actions and spun on her heels towards the blonde, casting her a warning glare. "I'm just saying," the woman held her hands up in defense. "Are you sure you know this girl as well as you claim to?"
Storming up to the blonde's personal space, the brunette spat, "Of course I do! How dare you say otherwise!" After making sure her point got across the fairy, the woman having shrunken into herself at the brunette's harsh tone, Regina backed away from the blonde and began to pace, once again.
"So," the fairy drawled on once she regained her composure. "What's your plan?" The siren stopped at motions and inhaled deeply.
"I have none," she admitted to the woman remorsefully. Tink offered the woman a sympathetic gaze then made her way towards the brunette, resting a supportive and on her shoulder.
"It will be okay, Regina," she comforted the now teary-eyed mermaid. "You will find happiness." Bringing her eyes back up to meet the blonde's own, Regina let out, "But that's the thing…Emma was my happiness." Tink proceeded to rub soothing circles on the other woman's back, and responded, "Well, then. We'll just have to find a way to bring her back, won't we?"
At the fairy's admission being willing to help the brunette, Regina managed a small smile. Maybe it was possible for them to find a way to save Emma…together.
Enchanted Forest – Charming's Castle
"I don't know, Charming," confessed Snow regretfully. "I'm not so sure that fating our daughter to marry the Dark One's son was worth what we traded."
Passing his wife and making his way towards the full-length mirror in their bedroom, Charming retorted, "And you think fating her to a life of darkness is any better?" Snow let out a frustrated sigh, then defended, "No, of course not! It's just that–" Her words were cut off due to the sound of a hesitant knock on the door.
"Come in," exclaimed Charming, his tone morphing from harsh into welcoming. The door creaked open, revealing Emma wearing a simple, light pink-colored dress. "Emma," Snow gasped, awing at the sight of her daughter. Smiling, she finished, "You look beautiful."
Blushing at the comment, the blonde diverted her gaze to the ground. Sensing something was slightly off with his daughter, the king spoke up, "What's the matter, dear? Married life not all what it's cracked up to be?" He let out a chuckle then joked, "I know the feeling."
Catching his wife's irritated gaze, the king watched as she stomped out of the room, leaving behind a confused Emma and a smug Charming in her wake.
"Seriously, though…what's bothering you," he questioned his daughter. Emma met his concerned expression with her own contemplative one. The blonde internally debated whether or not to reveal her answer to her father, although that had been the original reason for her visit.
Mustering up all of the courage she could, she confessed to her father, "I've been having strange dreams lately." Wincing at how crazy she must sound to the man, she was surprised when she was met with nothing but understanding.
"I know it's a difficult adjustment," he tried to convince her. "But I promise that you'll soon realize that it was right for you to have married Neal. He's a good man." Furrowing her brows in confusion, the blonde quickly realized that her father and her were on completely separate pages.
"It's not that," she reassured, "Neal and I are fine." The princess watched as her father's features curved into a smile. "Well, then," he began cheerfully. "There's nothing to worry about." Huffing to herself in frustration at her father's lack of concern, she decided to leave his presence.
"Right," she agreed in mock confidence. "Thank you for the chat, Father." Making his way towards Emma, the king placed a light kiss on his daughter's forehead and offered her a smile, "Anytime."
After the blonde had left her parent's bedchambers, she was quickly pulled aside by the arm. "What the-" Emma began, only to be cut off by a hand covering her mouth. After the mysterious person had led them to a nearby, secluded hiding place, the figure released her grip on her.
Jolting her arm and body away from the person, the princess shouted, "Hey, what gives?" Her eyes met with the familiar ones of her mother, which confused the blonde. Taking on a softer tone, she questioned the woman skeptically, "Mom, what's going on?"
Taking in a deep breath, Snow willed herself to remain strong. She knew that she had to do the right thing, but it was difficult for her to go through with the confession, due to how her daughter's opinions of her would change after she tells the girl the truth.
Snow met her daughter's alarmed gaze with her own regretful one. "Listen, Emma…you being forced to marry Neal was not all to strengthen the kingdom," the queen revealed. At her daughter's perplexed expression, she continued, "Your father and I had to go through extraordinary lengths to ensure your safety, and this was one of them."
Not wanting to believe what she was hearing, Emma scoffed at her mother, "How was marrying Neal a way of ensuring my safety?" Snow flinched at her daughter's harsh tone, then answered, "We had to make a deal with the Dark One."