"Emma wants to leave town."

That small statement made me dizzy.

She couldn't leave town, not when I found Jefferson, not when we're so close to breaking the curse. If she leaves...the curse will never be broken and Jefferson would never be with me again.

"You have to stop it," I told August, who was lying on his bed with a pained expression on his face. "You have to do something, there's chemistry between the two of you, I've seen it. If someone can convince her to stay its you. Have you shown her that wooden leg of yours? That surely has to make her realise the curse is indeed real."

August gave me an annoyed face. "Of course I showed her my leg. But she's so blind...she's such an unbeliever...she doesn't want to see it, so she saw it as a normal leg."

I was going to say something, but I stopped when August winced in pain. He looked pale and weak, and I felt embarrassed that instead of helping him I was asking him to do something when I hadn't done anything. Everyone has done something to try and get Emma to believe, but I hadn't.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly, sitting besides him on the bed.

August sighed before slowly sitting up on the bed and patting my shoulder. "I've been better. How about you, goddess? How are things with Jefferson?"

I hid a smile at his stupid nickname for me. Jefferson used to call me that, but not in the same way August does. Jefferson's tone held love and admiration while August's held tease and an internal joke. But the smile dropped off my face when I went to answer his question.

"I'm okay, I'm relieved after I found him. But things are hard, you know, he blames himself for stuff that wasn't his fault, and we can't be together yet."

August stared at me. "Why?"

"Grace," I explained softly. "She doesn't remember anything, and the priority is for them to be together and then...we'll see what happens between us. I want this curse broken so badly, Grace deserves to be with her father, and Jefferson needs to understand nothing was his fault."

"You can still try. Go after Emma and...I don't know, try to convince her to stay or try to convince her the curse is real. Who knows? Maybe you have better luck than us." August said. "The thing is, hope's on Henry right now, Jefferson can't approach her because he's...not mentally stable, and Emma would send him to jail for kidnapping her and Mary Margaret. And, well, I'm turning to wood, so...I'm pretty much useless right now."

"I wish I could help," I told him sincerely. "I want to help, but I've got too many things on my shoulders right now. I have Grace and I'm still battling with what to do with Jefferson, how to convince him to see Grace. And I still have a job to which I've been skipping for two days straight..."

"It's okay, Artemis" August winced again, and I moved worriedly to help him, but he held a hand up for me to stop. "It's okay. Emma's not ready to believe yet, she's not ready to affront what it means for the curse to be real. When she's ready...that's the day the curse'll break."

There was a small pause in which I ended up sighing and nodding.

"The thing is, you and I both need it to break as soon as possible," I said. "You have to stop turning to wood and I have a father to reconnect with his child."

He was going to say something, but my phone interrupted us both. Glancing at the phone screen, I sighed. "It's Rumple, I have to go."

I rose from the bed and after taking my coat and wrapping myself over it I looked back at my new friend. The first time we met I never thought we could even be friends, but it was, after all, because of him that I found Jefferson.

I owed him for it, and now that he was alone and turning to wood, I decided to "help" him in all I could.

"Will you be alright alone, woody?"

He glared at me, clearly hating the nickname. "Yeah, yeah, just go."

I nodded. "Call me if you need anything or if...you know, you turn to wood completely." He grimaced, but nodded nevertheless.

...

When I arrived at the shop, I found Rumple toying with an old box. When he realised I was there he quickly closed the box. After apologising for being late, I took my side behind the counter.

Rumple moved the box away from it, and I rose my eyebrows at him.

"This is for later, dear," he said nonchantly, but I sensed whatever was there was important. He started to move towards his office, but I stopped him, grabbing his elbow softly. He turned towards me again, and I dropped his elbow. "Yes?"

"Are you mad at me?"

"Why would I be mad at you? It's not like you skipped two days of work, ignored my calls and completely neglected the store." he smiled sarcastically at me, and I pursed my lips.

"I know I neglected my responsibilities here, but I was busy."

"Busy with Pinocchio?" Rumple scoffed. He clearly still despised August for trying to pass as Baelfire and for trying to use the dagger against him. And of course, he was angry at me for befriending him after what happened.

I stared at him, trying to find a way to tell him his friend and my boyfriend was here.

"Jefferson's in Storybrooke." I waited until I saw the realisation shine on his eyes, and as he started to look at me with happiness over my discovery, I continued. "And he remembers."

"Why, dear that is great!" he grinned at me, a wide real grin that lighted his whole face.

I grinned back at him, unable to stop myself from glowing. "I found him, he lives in my same street. August took me to his house, its because of him I found Jefferson, that's why I'm being so friendly towards him."

"I understand that now, but, dear, if you found Jefferson why aren't you with him?"

The smile dropped from my face slowly, and I bit my lips. "He remembers, and...he blames himself for all that happened, he blames himself for leaving Grace and leaving me...he's being stubborn, he's hurt, he doesn't want anything to do with us until the curse is broken and Grace remembers."

Rumple nodded in understanding. He knew Jefferson very well too, and he knew how stubborn he could be.

"The poor dear, the guilt must be so overwhelming. Don't you worry, Artemis. It won't be long until this curse breaks."

I simply nodded. I wanted to tell him there was a slight possibility that the Curse wouldn't break, but I was afraid that if I ever say it out loud it will become true.

We were in silence for a second, but then Rumple took my hand in his and squeezed softly while he held his cane under his arm.

I returned the squeeze with a small smile. He looked sincere now, looking at me with softness and gentleness that I hadn't seen on his eyes in a long time.

"I'm really happy for you, Artemis. I truly hope Jefferson comes to his senses and gets back with you and Grace; you deserve it. After everything you deserve to be with him."

I felt selfish, but I believed his words were completely true.

After everything my hatter and I have gone through...we really deserved to be together; that if Jefferson wanted to be with me. I did. I really wanted to be back with him, but I understood my boundaries in that moment.

If he wanted to be left alone until he could sort out his feelings, I wouldn't push him nor pressure him. At least not for now. I would give him space if that's what he wanted, but don't doubt for a second I won't fight for him. I'll never stop fighting for him.

I shook my head, trying to send those thoughts away for a second. I focused on Rumple there, and I smiled softly at him. "Thank you, darling."

He turned to leave, but before I could I spoke again. I had told him this a million times, but knowing him my words were probably something he needed to hear. He was carrying way too many weight on his shoulders. A little reassurance was always needed.

"You deserve to be happy too, you know? Even if you don't believe it, you do. Just give it time, I'm sure everything will end up alright. I'm sure you'll find Baelfire, and everything will turn out okay."

Rumple looked into my eyes, a greatfull gleam into his eyes. He looked like he wanted to say something to me, but stopped himself on the last moment. He simply moved and kissed my forehead. "I hope that too, dear."

I smiled at the gesture. He turned to leave, but in the process grabbed the box from earlier.

"What's in that box?"

"Curiosity killed the cat, dearie." Rumple smirked at me, amusement on his eyes.

"But knowledge brought it back." I shoot back, a smirk on my lips. I crossed my arms and gave Rumple my best knowing look. "What is it? Magic?"

"Something that'll bring magic back," he admitted, turning to look at me. "Now that Henry is dying, I know both Emma and Regina will come asking for help, and I'll just need one little thing to—"

I blinked back at him, shock and confusion on my face. "What? What happened to Henry?"

"You don't know?"

I shook my head, my eyes wide.

"Regina wanted to give Emma a sleeping curse, but Henry was the one that fell under it. He's at the hospital, he's probably about to die, in this land that spell is very different from the Enchanted Forest. There's a very small possibility of recovery; I don't think he'll make it."

I stood there, gaping like a fish out of the water. I was suprised by how much I worried after hearing that, but Henry was a sweetheart. He'd always been a sweet little thing, I've always liked him. He was the first change this place had, and the only thing that changed for years. He's always been very nice to me and he was the one that told me Jefferson was alive... I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"I'm surprised you don't know, considering you have taken quite the fancy to Henry."

"Henry's a sweetheart," I defended him, but deep down I knew Rumple cared about him too, we all did. He was the light of this place for so many years..."A poor boy who doesn't deserve what happened to him, he's too sweet, too kind..."

"The innocents are the first to fall," Rumple said darkly. "It was bound to happen. Regina's competition with Emma was meant to end badly. Henry Mills was, sadly, the result of their bickering."

"Regina can be many things," I said, distaste in my voice as I said her name. "But she truly loves Henry, I'm sure she didn't meant to curse him."

He shrugged.

"They're gonna to be here soon, I suggest you leave before they come; unless you want to stay and see them."

I shook my head. Emma was nice, but Regina I couldn't even stand. I knew that if I saw her I would burst after my knowledge of what he did to my hatter, so I said goodbye to Rumple and left, heading towards the hospital.

On my way there I sensed something different. The day was darker, more tense than before. A change could be smell from the distance.

I found myself fidgeting with my jacket as I approached the entrance doors of the hospital.

I approached the secretary on reception; a young girl with bright blue hair and sparkling brown eyes. "Yes? What can I help you with?"

"Hey, uh, I'm here to visit a patient; Henry Mills." I said.

She searched for something on her computer, but when she shook her head I groaned internally. "Mr. Mills can't receive visits right now. The mayor prohibited any visits from anyone apart her, Ms. Swan and Ms. Blanchard."

"But I—"

She stated to cut me off, but behind me a voice interrupted her. "Ms. Grace?"

I turned and saw Dr. Whale. Relief flooded through me instantly.

We were friends, well, back on our land we were. He was Frankeinstein; he, Rumple, Jefferson and I worked together once. Here there wasn't that much connection nor friendship, but there was at least some friendly comfort in knowing he was here.

"Dr. Whale," I said, nodding at him with a polite smile on my face. "Hi."

"Is there a problem?" he eyed the receptionist, to then turn his full attention to me.

"I heard what happened to Henry," I explained quickly. "May I see him?"

"I already told her Henry can't receive any visits right now—" the young girl started to say, buy Dr. Whale shook his head at her softly, and then he gently lead me away from there.

I shoot the girl a sheepish smile, because I knew how frustrating it could be, and followed Whale.

"How is him?" I dared to ask. "And be honest, cut the bullshit and be honest."

Whale gave me a sideways glance. "He's not going to make it. His body is in a comatose state, and we can't find what he has. We're still trying, but..."

I nodded in understanding. A sore dry feel on my mouth as I catch a glimpse of Henry on a hospital bed, several machinery connected to his body. Mary Margaret was with him, reading for him.

I faintly heard Whale excusing himself, all I could see was a poor 10 years old boy laying on a hospital bed, his life sucked right out of him.

I opened the door and stepped inside the restricted area.

I nodded softly at Mary Margaret, who offered me a broken look as her voice cracked and she had to close her eyes momentarily before continuing her read.

I looked timidly at Henry.

"May I?" I whispered.

Mary Margaret nodded, and I approached Henry's bed. He looked paler, sicker, and worry grow inside me.

I knew the only way to wake him up was a true love's kiss, but I didn't knew if it could work here. I wondered if Regina ever thought about it. She was smart, and I was left to wonder if she tried breaking him out of her spell or if she simply let the hospital do their work on him.

"He's so young," Mary Margaret spoke, her voice barely a whisper.

Then, a thought startled me. Regina loved him. She loved this little kid with all her twisted dark heart, and this was causing her pain. This was my doing; this was my curse.

Henry Mills was dying now because I cursed Regina to lose everything she loved.

I was the cause that Henry was dying.

I closed my eyes tightly in horror and fought to keep the tears on my eyes. I wanted to convince myself this wasn't because of me, that I wasn't that important, but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.

I cursed Regina in the Enchanted Forest to lose anything she could ever love after she told me Jefferson was dead, and after I realised I couldn't kill her. I cursed her, and now this poor little kid was dying because of me.

"I'm sorry, Henry." I whispered, leaning down and kissing his forehead. "This is my fault. If I hadn't cursed Regina..." I closed my eyes, separating from him slowly. "I'm sorry, kid."

Nothing I could say could change what was happening, but I truly hoped Henry could hear me. I wanted him to know I was sorry, that I hadn't meant for him to get hurt.

Deep down I was sorry I ever cursed Regina as well; no one should be cursed in that way. That curse was made by a broken hearted villain, a broken hearted me who thought it was the best thing, and I felt so horrible.

I hated Regina with passion, but what I did to her...that was far more horrible.

"I didn't knew you two were close," Mary Margaret said.

I moved slowly so I was sitting at his side, my hand taking his on mine and squeezing softly.

"We weren't after a couple of weeks ago. But I still cared for him; he was always so nice." I paused softly. "Such an special child..."

Mary Margaret nodded sadly.

"What were you reading to him?" I asked softly, trying to blink away my tears and regret.

She looked down at the storybook on her hands. "Snow White and Prince Charming's story. He loved it so much, that's why I gave this book to him." She swallowed, trying to be strong and keep herself composed.

"To give him hope," I nodded gently.

"In a way, yes. But..." she took a deep breath and looked at Henry, speaking to him this time. "Henry… When I gave you this book, it was because I knew…I know life doesn't always have a happy end. But I thought…"

She was interrupted when Henry's machine monitors started to go crazy.

My eyes widened and I shared a frightful look with Mary Margaret. I had seen enough movies to know that sound, and that sound of the machinery going off was worrisome. That couldn't mean anything good.

"What is it?" Mary Margaret said frightful. "Dr. Whale?"

We both called for him quickly. "Dr. Whale!"

When he entered we were forced to leave. But the doors were crystal, and we could see everything happening. I stifled a gasped cry when they started to try and resuscitate him. I closed my eyes tightly, and felt Mary Margaret's hand clutching mine in fear.

Time seemed to stop drastically.

The whole place seemed out of a very bad movie, and then we saw Dr. Whale's broken expression when he realised he lost a very young patient. Mary Margaret cried out in agony and I quickly found myself hugging the woman.

My own heart shattered, and I felt tears dropping from my eyes.

I sobbed silently as I held Mary Margaret to myself. My guilt was killing me along with the overwhelming sadness that I felt when the words settled in, and I fully processed that he was dead...and I wouldn't see him again, I wouldn't see his bright smile again, nor would I hear his voice nor would I see his kind actions again...

And I cried harder.

Henry was dead.

Henry Mills was dead.

...

After the news I couldn't stay there any longer.

I couldn't stand the way the nurses disconnected him and started to write about his dead. It was too much for me. I left just as Regina and Emma entered the hospital. My broken expression was enough words for them, and they rushed inside.

For once, I felt sorry for Regina.

Henry was the age Grace was supposed to be in the Enchanted Forest before the curse, and losing someone so young...

I shuddered, trying to convince myself Henry's death had nothing to do with the curse I put on Regina, but deep down I knew it was.

And that killed me inside.

I walked away, tears blurring my vision. I saw people all around me, but I felt completely alone and lost. For a couple of minutes I wandered alone in the streets, my regret and sadness eating me alive once again.

The tickling clock tower in the distance reminded me what hour it was, I was supposed to pick Grace from school. I dried my tears, not wanting Grace to see me crying, and walked towards the school.

On the way I was stopped when a whoosh of magic burst through me and the whole town seemed to shook.

I gasped loudly, my head burning as my memories forced their way back into my brain, and I was forced momentarily to remember everything again.

When it ended a couple of seconds before, I still stood there wide eyed.

The curse...broke.

Everyone around me looked startled and scared. Panicked cries started to sound seconds after the shock wore off, and everyone started to run towards their beloved family and friends.

I stood there, still in shock.

Then a wide grin appeared on my face.

The curse broke, it finally broke!

We were free!

The curse was broken!

I started to run, back to the hospital to see what had happened, but I stopped midways. The curse was actually broken, Jefferson probably felt it too. I needed to take him to Grace...they needed to be together.

"Mama!"

My heart tightened on my chest, and I turned around. In the distance Grace was running towards me. I took on a run and quickly enveloped her in a big hug. New tears falling from my eyes at her recognising eyes and her words.

"Mama..." Grace sounded as startled as everyone looked, and I knew the questions were going to come soon, but I simply stared at her with a big wide smile of happiness.

"My darling Grace," I whispered, brushing her hair with my hands.

Tears kept coming out of my eyes, but for once they didn't bothered me.

These tears weren't tears of pain, they were tears of happiness.

She looked at me with a big grin that light up the whole place, though her eyes still looked confused.

Then we hugged again, and I closed my eyes, not noting how a familiar figure looked at our reunion in the distance with a broken expression on his face; he wanted to join, but was scared of what they could think after he left them...so he closed his eyes with a pained expression, turned around and left before they could see him.

"The curse..." Grace whispered, looking around. "It's over."

"Yes, darling," I smiled brightly at her, "It's over. We're together now."

But we weren't, not completely.

There was someone missing, our Jefferson.