The ripples on the lake disappeared somewhere in the smoke as the boat drew to a halt.

"That's it, we're here? We can find Hook?" Emma's anxious voice broke the silence as Rumplestiltskin scowled and Regina and Henry rolled their eyes. Even Snow seems concerned now. David drew his wife into a brief hug, enjoying the fleeting sensation of her arms across his chest keeping him grounded in this new, unfamiliar land well, ship.

"Indeed Miss Swan. Now who wants to be the first in exploring this new exciting realm?" Rumplestiltskin grimaced even as he spoke. Whatever it was that he saw, it can't have been good.

Wait- "I thought you said you'd been here before."

"He has. He's just messing with you Charming, don't pay him any attention. Gold, stop teasing the shepherd." I swear she loves calling me that. Regina scowled at Rumplestiltskin who simply waved his hand in the air as if he could will all of their problems away with his illusions and magic.

"Well I just thought we could use a few laughs. Once we step onto that shore there's few to be had."

"Live in the moment, I mean I get it but maybe some better t-"

"-DAD we can argue about this later! Right now…we- who knows what's going to happen to Hook if we don't help him!" David watched his daughter practically bound off the ship with only the briefest of glances at Henry.

"David…?"

"Hmm?" Lowering his eyes to meet Mary Margaret's he waited until she felt comfortable to speak.

"I don't feel so good about this." The words were barely a whisper but they could have been as loud as a thunderclap.

"…Me neither."

"Mom's acting strange right?" Their heads jerked towards the grandson they had forgotten was standing right there, and his annoyed mother. Great! "Step-mother in-law's" mad at me again.

"Uh- no, Henry. Why, um why would you think that?" Snow you expect him to believe that?

"A little more tact is normally required in such conversations, but I fear that your grandparents are right in this case. Emma… isn't acting quite like herself." Regina seemed to be somewhere else for a moment, is she… remembering something? Before she remembered her audience.

"Right! Well, come on Henry we've got to catch up to your mother… and apparently your grandfather, when did the imp leave the boat?" Both Henry and Snow gazed heavenwards momentarily. See Regina, it's not just me. OK I'm being petty again.

David cleared his throat looking vaguely guilty, then gestured for the other three members of his family to depart first. With a minute inclination of her head, Regina accepted the gesture and lead the depleted family of three off of the ship and down the forest path, Robin following behind.

A little further ahead, Regina saw something yellow resting at the crest of the hill.

"EMMA!"

"MOM!"

"EMMA?"

"EMMA!"

"Don't worry, Miss Swan is fine." Argh, I knew we shouldn't have trusted Rumplestiltskin. He hurt my baby girl.

"Rumplestiltskin! I swear to God if you've killed her I will skin you alive! You taught me incredibly well, don't doubt I know how to do it." And here comes the Evil Queen. Fantastic.

"Mom! It's okay. Look, she's waking up." Regina's attentions snapped immediately to Henry and then slowly, almost exaggeratedly nonchalantly to the body sprawled out on the ground. Snow exchanged a look with David. Well, that's weird…

Emma's eyes snapped open and she sprang to her feet.

"Rumplestiltskin! What the hell did you knock me out for?"

"Oh goody, I'm popular today just what I've always wanted. Now, before you go rushing off as you seem prone to do… allow me to make a few suggestions."

"H-hurry up Gold, I don't have all day!" Hold on… There were tears starting to form in Emma's eyes as she looked at the pawn-shop owner. Snow gently wound a hand around Emma's back temporarily letting her lean on her before pulling away as Henry leant over and placed his hand on her forearm. Emma tenderly covered it with her own.

"Now! As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. I know you like to work alone Miss Swan. But you've seen how successful you are when you try that, yes?"

"…Yes."

"Right then-" Gold began to speak through gritted teeth and Emma glared at him, she's the spitting image of what she looked like when she was the Dark One. "-If you're determined to help the pirate… you are going to need these people. Make sure you can trust them, dearie. Each and every one of them is essential to getting out of here safely. This place plays tricks on the mind."

"Even Henry?"

"…Especially your son. Love is a powerful motivator dearie. It can be a weapon. Or simply a source of strength."

"But I'll have Hook…" She's serious?

"Emma, that's enough! Our son-" …Regina's right, and I hate saying that in any form. Saving her, helping her - fine. Her being right? No.

"-shouldn't even be here! This is my mistake, and I'm not using him as shadow bait."

"And you think that's what I'm suggesting, Miss Swan. Really?"

"And we're back to Miss Swan, hooray!" OK, what is up-

"Moms!" Everyone's attention was drawn to the teenager whose eyes had suddenly turned desperate. "Just, stop fighting for one minute!" He turned to Emma. "We're here to help you, Mom. And I'm not leaving, that doesn't mean that you're using me, or-" he turned back to face Regina. "-that you're going to lose me, either. I believe in you." He looked between both of them. "I believe in us."

"Yeah, me too Kid." Charming looked at his daughter with pride, being patient with Henry and putting him first come what may. I wish I'd learned how to do that. Maybe then she wouldn't feel so let down.

"Us too, Henry." David let Snow melt into his side, come hell or high water- he cherished these moments.

"When did you get so smart, my little prince?" The change in Regina was amazing, there wasn't a single edge to be found anywhere, and her eyes held only love, even when she looks at Emma.

"When he grew up with my blood rushing through his veins, of course." Regina cast a dubious look towards Rumplestiltskin, who shrugged with a perfect expression of childlike innocence. Regina rolled her eyes and let it go.

"So, codenames? Every good operation needs a good set of codenames." Everyone grinned.

"Alright, I'll be… well, I'll be Storybrooke I guess." She did look like the happy go-lucky sheriff David had first befriended when he woke from his "coma". Unsure, awesome bright red leather jacket, and trying to support her son in any and every way she could. Good choice.

His eyes zipped from Emma to Regina. That's one thing they definitely have in common.

"Alright me next. I'll be… The Thief." Robin gave a genial smile and wink as Henry nodded his approval and Regina looked at him with fond exasperation.

"I can't be The Author that's too obvious." Henry tapped his fingers nervously against his jeans.

"You can be HQ Kid." Emma put a gentle arm around his shoulders.

"Yeah but, isn't that kind of obvious?" He's not giving an inch.

"Hen, I'm calling myself Storybrooke!"

"Fair point, moving on… Grandpa?" David and Rumplestiltskin exchanged identically confused looks.

"Well, uh- age before beauty?"

"Now I can see why your wife calls you Charming! That being said, could I perhaps be The Landlord?"

"Call yourself the Loan Shark and we've got a deal buster." Rumplestiltskin let out a prolonged sigh.

"Miss Swan I'm talking to my grandson… Well, Henry?"

"Sorry Grandpa… it is kinda Mom's mission. So… Grandpa?"

"Oh…" Why was I not thinking of my own?

"The Princeling." Huh? This must be a miracle because I could swear that was Regina and she didn't call me a shepherd.

"Ooh, I know. How about, 'Knight-in-Training'?" Please tell me Robin Hood isn't serious. Except of course he is because he looks so proud of himself. Going with Regina on this. Damn it!

"I think I'm gonna stick with The Princeling. Thanks though… Robin."

"Did you just take Regina's side over Robin Hood's?" Why is Snow looking at me like I never do this?

"Well you know she took care not to step on-"

"-David I think you've said more than enough. Me next?" Regina's eyes bored into his across the small clearing as everyone else minus David nodded their agreement. Right, we agreed not to speak of that ever again.

"OK, I will be-"

"-hope." Snow does know she's not actually immune to Regina right?

"NO! How about, you be the Jolly Roger Regina?" OK I know I'm slow but this makes no sense.

"Emma you want me to be the name of that pirate's damned ship?"

"Well, help me remember why we're doing this. And you're maybe the one person… competent enough to get us home." Regina's got that Henry look again. Maybe I should rename it the Henry and Emma look. "And you could figure out a way to help Hook, right?"

"Speaking of your boyfriend. What's his codename?" I don't blame Regina this time. I'd be annoyed if someone compared me to a ship too. Damn it! Note to self: stop having so many things in common with an ex-Evil Queen.

"Tallahassee." Regina's face dropped.

"Darling what's wrong? Are you alright?" Robin was supporting Regina immediately. Let her breathe. That's one thing I do know.

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm just worried about Hook. That's all. We can't really afford to take too much time otherwise… We promised to help you, Emma and we're not gonna let you fail." Everyone's eyes landed on Snow who appeared lost in thought.

Visibly shaken up, Emma stepped forward.

"M-Mom? Who do you want to be?"

"… The friend you met in Phoenix." And for the first time since becoming the Dark One, David saw his daughter give her no-holds barred smile.

"Alright everyone, Hen stay close. Operation Save Hook is underway!" Snow and Regina looked at each other then gave a small shake of their heads. What's that all about?