Chapter 4

Hours away the next morning Neal Cassidy sat on his steps on the small deck of his apartment. It was six in the morning and he didn't have to go into work until ten.

He tried to keep his mind from racing but it was hard not to, not when he knew that it had been a couple weeks since August had left to go find Emma. Neal knew he was being a coward, it should have been him to go but he wasn't ready and so he let August go instead. He couldn't help but wonder if August had found Emma and had he done so was she a believer yet, had she broken the curse? Neal also thought of the simple things, had ten years changed her. Of course they had, he reconsidered. She probably didn't know the truth as to how or why things happened the way it did with them, she probably just thought he abandoned her and needed someone to take the fall.

Neal placed his head in his hands. Letting his guilt take over. It always did whenever he thought of Emma. Even though it had been ten years he still loved her and was willing to wait as long as it took. It was why he had passed up so many opportunities with the women that tried to enter his life. He couldn't let her go despite not doing a thing about it out of his own fear.

He could hear the sound of pigeons nearby, one came close and stood on the railing. Neal tried to ignore it but it wouldn't stop making noises as if to get its attention. Sure enough, ready to shoo the pesky pest away Neal saw that it had something in its feet.

A postcard.

The front of the card was facing him and he took it. The words, "Greetings from Storybrooke, Maine" were on the front next to what looked like a lighthouse clock tower on the left of the wording. He flipped it over and read-

Emma in trouble

Need help

There was no signature but Neal knew that it had to have been from August. Maybe him turning back to wood was causing him to have trouble writing. He continued to look at the postcard and just sigh, unsure about what to do.

Come the evening Neal had been home from work. He tossed his stuff on the couch and pulled out the postcard that was in his pocket taunting him, reminding him of Emma as the dream catcher had in the window. He went to the window and crossed his arms.

He had hated the way the day had been. Forget the menial job, the postcard he had received earlier that morning had been messing with his head. He was used to thinking of Emma but now he couldn't stop. He had agonized over what to do all day making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

Neal turned at the sound of a knock on the door.

He wasn't expecting anyone.

Rumpelstiltskin. His father. Maybe Emma had broken the curse after all and the card about her being in trouble was a trick.

"I know you're in there, I can hear you walking."

Neal looked confused. It wasn't his father at all. The voice was that of someone younger. Hesitantly he went to the door and opened it. In front of him stood a kid that he didn't know but somehow the boy looked familiar.

"Do I know you?"

"Not exactly," Henry said making his way into the apartment without invitation much like he did with Emma when he had found her in Boston. "I'm your son," Henry said to Neal after taking in the place.

Neal shut the door and stared at the kid. "I'm sorry, you're my what?"

"My name's Henry. Ten years ago Emma Swan had a baby in jail and then gave him up for adoption, I'm that kid, I'm your kid."

A thousand images flashed through Neal's mind at once: his time spent with Emma, him being responsible for sending her to prison and more importantly the fact that Emma had been pregnant when he left her. As if he hadn't all ready had enough guilt in his life over leaving Emma now it felt like more of it had been added on. He scolded himself. He never should have listened to August.

"How did you find me?"

"August told me," Henry said.

Now meeting his father, though still angry at Emma, he was thinking calmly. It was like it was with Emma that first time, same scenario different circumstances.

"You know August?"

Henry nodded. "That's not why I'm here though. Emma needs you. You're the only one who can help her."

"What makes you think I can or that I even want to?"

"Who do you think sent the postcard? I figured you coming to Storybrooke was a long shot so I thought it might make it better if you saw me in person."

"And why is that?"

"Because I'm Emma's son too and you love her right?"

Neal was at a loss of words. He didn't know what to say to this kid. He was so smart and observant. He did have some of Emma's looks. He could even see a bit of his own features in the boy.

"I'm sorry kid but I can't go to…what did you call it…Storybrooke? Even if I wanted to I can't, not with-,"

"Your father, Rumpelstiltskin, I know everything," Henry said knowingly to the point where Neal had to believe in this kid. "Not even if it means saving my mom's life?"

Damn it Neal thought, why did this kid have to be so good. He was so tenacious the way he had been drawn to Emma all those years ago.

"Why does she need my help?"

"Because you're the only one who can help her," Henry said. "The Evil Queen gave Emma an apple turnover and put her in a sleeping curse."

"Oh no," Neal said knowing where this was going. "Forget it. I'm not going to Storybrooke just so I can kiss her."

"You have to," Henry pleaded. "No one else can."

"Look Henry, I haven't seen Emma in ten years, it would be too weird."

"Sure maybe but at least she would wake up. Please Neal, I can't lose my mom. You know what it's like to lose her right? Wouldn't you give anything for another chance?"

Neal looked at Henry. He reminded him so much of Emma. Strong and determined to do whatever it took to accomplish something.

He sighed. "Did you come on your own?" Henry nodded. "Then let's get you back to Storybrooke."

Henry smiled as Neal led him out.