Chapter 12:

After that, it was constant training. She had to get ready for this battle. She didn't know how she would, but she knew she had to. She had to defend these people against Regina, she had to stop her.

Her father was teaching her everything she needed to know about war, about fighting. In the beginning of her lessons she could barely hold her own against her talented father. But by now she was able to go on offense. And like now, she was able to catch him off his guard and swipe his feet out from under him.

"Ha!" she breathed heavily as she held the sword at him. The tip barely grazed the underside of his chin. It had taken some slick strategy, but she had finally won a round. Instead of looking put out though, James just grinned proudly up at her, his chest rising and falling from the fight a few moments earlier.

"I finally beat you." She beamed, tired but feeling so rejuvenated at her victory.

She heard footsteps behind her, and she knew it was her mother, "Alright, alright, you've won. Now will you please take a break…and let your father up, will you? He's not as young as he used to be." Emma could hear the teasing lilt to her mother's voice, but kept her sword where it was, only lowering it slightly."I'd love to, mom, but you know I can't. I have to train."

She heard the sliding of a sword out its sheath, "Alright. How about this, then? If you can beat me…then you can continue. If not…," she trailed off, and Emma felt the air behind her shift, knowing that the sword was pointed at the back of her neck, "Then you take a rest."

Emma stared at her father in front of her, who's grin had grown throughout the entire conversation. She knew he saw the glint that entered her eyes. "Okay," she said, subtly regaining her grip on her weapon. Suddenly she twirled in a complex maneuvering, away from her father, and found herself crossing blades with her mother, the fair Snow White.

She held her sword out, challengingly, "You're on."

Snow White smirked, and the two began to circle one another. Out of the corner of her eye she could see her father get up and out of the way. He didn't leave however, he just sat back and watched the show.

Emma, seeing an opening, dove in-

And then found herself on the floor, weaponless. She looked dumbly up at her mother who stood above her, smugly holding her own sword at Emma. "I win," she smirked. Emma's mouth dropped open.

Snow sheathed her sword and began walking toward her husband, "Now go! Get some rest. You're no use to us in battle if you're dead on your feet." She turned her head and smiled at her daughter, "You deserve some rest, Emma. You need it."

Emma stood up, with help from her father. He leaned in when she was on her feet, "You should've known not to fight her," he grinned, "She's the best fighter in all the land. She beats me every time."

"I beat you," Emma smirked up at him.

He held up his index finger at her, "Once. You beat me once, little girl."

Emma rolled her eyes, "Yes, papa," she replied mockingly. He smiled at her and ruffled her hair, "Go get some rest. If you're too wound up, though, I've found that a good walk is nice." He rested a hand on her shoulder briefly before heading over to where Snow was waiting.

Emma smiled too, "Thanks." Both her parents turned to return her grin.

When they were gone, Emma let out a breath. What to do, what to do. She was too keyed up to sit down or rest. Maybe she would take her dad's advice and go for a walk. She hadn't gotten a chance to explore the outside grounds, the majority of the beginning of her life here had been mostly indoors.

She thought for a moment, and remembered there was a garden somewhere around here. 'Why not?' she thought, and with that she began heading that way.

It took awhile, but she finally found it. She wondered how she could've missed it, it so huge. She began walking along the edge, next to a grass wall that lined the perimeter. She walked along the outside, keeping one eye on the castle wall. Somewhere along here, she knew Henry's room was, where he learned and studied and such. She hoped to catch a glimpse of him, if possible.

She sighed. She hated to admit it, but she was tired. Her bones ached and she felt like she could drop. But she had so much adrenaline running through her veins, knowing that a battle was coming. A battle she needed to be ready for. She knew that she couldn't rest, not with that looming over her.

A rustle of leaves dragged her out of her gloomy thoughts. She jerked her head to the right, where the wall of grass lined the courtyard. Something was messing around in there and she wished she had brought a weapon with her. Instead she squared her shoulders and readied herself for a fight.

"Who's there?" she demanded, her voice strong and hard. She could see where the intruder was parting through the hedges, she kept her eyes on it diligently. A chuckle came out of it, confusing her. It sounded familiar. She walked a bit closer, squinting to see who it was. And suddenly-

Found herself face to face with a Mad Hatter.

Shocked, she moved back a bit to let him drop to the ground next to her. "Hello, your Majesty. How does this fine evening find you?" he smiled at her, and Emma was surprised at how loose and relaxed he was. She supposed that finally getting his daughter back in this world was a great load off. She sort of nodded, turning on her heel to begin walking again, expecting him to follow. "Yea, I'm doing okay, I suppose…given the circumstances."

They walked a few more paces down the path before she asked, "Why are you here anyway, Jefferson? Are you going to fight?" she glanced over at him. His head was down, so she couldn't see his expression. He lifted it for a second and she saw a smile, "Grace made me come over here. She wouldn't let me hide in the woods, she wanted to help."

"Where is she? Is she here too?" Emma looked around the grounds to see if she could see the girl. Jefferson shook his head, "Yes, she's here. She's with Henry. She's been going to the school with him for a while now. We've been here the whole time, you know?" he turned a smirk on her, and Emma looked at him dumbfounded. "You've been here the whole time?"

He nodded, "Yup."

She turned back forward, her eyes widened in shock. "Oh…I didn't know that." Jefferson shrugged, "We've been keeping a low profile, so it's okay." They continued down the walk, letting a semi-comfortable silence follow them. The wariness she used to feel around her former-kidnapper had lessened considerably, especially when she looked at the fact that it was all for his daughter. She knew that if she had been in his situation she would've done anything for Henry, same as him.

She then remembered her thoughts about Belle, and about Jefferson's maybe-involvement with her. Now would be a good time to bring that up…

"So, um," she began, "Are you…were you the guy that visited Belle? Or rather…Beth?" she glanced at him, only to see his face tighten. She wondered if she had hit a nerve and if she had, what it was. "I mean, it's just that she mentioned someone visiting her in her cell, and I saw you two at the ball, and well…you still had your memory back in Storybrooke, so...I was just wondering…" she trailed off awkwardly at the end of her rambling.

He let out a sigh, "Yes, I was." He paused and Emma nodded her head for him to continue. He couldn't just leave it at that. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and seeing her expression he let out another sigh. "I-…I knew her," he admitted.

Despite the fact that she was expecting it, it still shocked her a bit. "You mean before-?"

He nodded, "Yes, before the curse."

Emma stared ahead, "But…how? When?" she turned back to him, "What?"

He smirked, "Where, and why?" she scowled at him and he became serious again. "It was after the imp kicked her out. I found her…she was walking in the woods, and I…" he exhaled, "I decided to let her stay with me. At least until she got back on her feet."

Emma was still curious though, "Did anything else happen?"

Jefferson seemed to grow frustrated though, "Why does this matter to you? Why do you care?" he looked at her with such sad eyes, Emma could see the pain there. The pain that she knew was reflected in her own eyes when she talked about the previously mentioned imp.

And suddenly she knew.

"You're in love with her."

The pain bloomed even more if possible. Jefferson looked stricken at her deduction. He turned away from her and continued walking down the path. They stayed in silence, but Emma knew what he wouldn't tell.

He didn't deny it.

"You know…" she began, and she saw him tilt his head to her, the only indication that he was listening to her, "This is the only place where The Mad Hatter is in love with Belle, Little Red Riding Hood is the Big Bad Wolf, and Jiminy Cricket is taller than me. Or, well used to be."

Jefferson chuckled bitterly, "Not to mention the fact that Snow White actually fights for her Prince and goes looking for him, the Evil Queen's mother is the Red Queen of Hearts, and the Princess of this story is in love with Rumplestiltskin." He turned a pointed look on her, and Emma felt ice grip her bones. Her feet stopped moving, planting themselves in the ground and he paused with her, his eyes never leaving her own.

What?

"N-no, I-" she began, her voice strangling in her throat. But he wouldn't let her, his expression cutting her off. She shook her head weakly, "I don't…" Jefferson's eyes softened and he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay," he suddenly grinned, "We all do stupid things," he jested. Emma felt a chuckle bubble up, unbidden. It sounded tearful and Emma realized how close she was to crying. She had done a stupid thing. A very stupid thing.

"I guess we're both idiots, huh?" she smirked at him. He let out a laugh, "Yes, I suppose we are." He pressed his hand against her back to start moving again. They walked in a companionable silence, Emma feeling like she had a friend in her former-kidnapper, now that she knew they shared something in common.

Unrequited love.

It was even more ironic that the ones they had affection for were in a relationship of their own. Emma felt another chuckle bubble up, but this time she kept it back and just smiled.

Finally he spoke up again, "Would you…like to hear my story? Our…story?" Emma turned to him, he looked a bit vulnerable, but she guessed that she did as well. She gently smiled at him and nodded. "Okay."

And so he told her about how they had met on his Grace's birthday. And how Belle came to live with him and his daughter, slowly becoming a part of the small family despite not meaning to. He told her about how she had stayed with them for almost a year and that during that time Jefferson felt his fondness for the brunette grow, as did his daughter's. He told her how he had begun bringing her flowers from a nearby garden, and then she would bring him some. How she would read to him and Grace on picnics, and then later that night after Grace had gone to bed, would continue reading to him. His head in her lap, her fingers combing through his hair (something he admitted he'd never thought he'd enjoy, but turned out that it soothed him like nothing else). And how they would hold tea parties, just the three of them, having a grand ole time. He told her how he had slowly figured out how much he loved the brunette, and that he was going to tell her on his birthday.

"She told me that morning that she was going out to get my present from the market that wasn't far from the house. And I tried wheedling it out of her, what she was getting me, but she wouldn't budge, the stubborn little thing," he smiled affectionately. "And then she left. And she didn't come back. I grew worried when it got later in the evening and I went out to find her. I thought something had befallen her, maybe she was hurt. But before I got far down the path, Regina showed up. She told me that Belle had not gone to the market, but instead back to Rumplestiltskin and her father. That she wanted to be with the people she loved. My heart broke, because at the time I thought we were people that she loved, but I was blinded by Regina's trickery. Wounded, I acted like I did not care, and did not question such thinly veiled lies. I should have known that Belle wouldn't have done that, that she wouldn't have left us without saying goodbye."

He paused, taking a breath. They had been walking for a while, the path seeming unending. Emma listened with rapt attention at his story. She felt sympathetic at Jefferson's plight, knowing how difficult it must have been. She didn't speak though, waiting for him to finish his story.

"It wasn't long after that that I was torn away from my Grace. Regina tricked me yet again and I was left standing with nothing this time. I had done one last job, needing the money for Grace, for a better life. But it was all lies. Regina left me in Wonderland," his voice grew angry, "I stayed there until the curse was activated, making hat after hat until I could make one where I could get out of there, but it never worked. When the curse hit, I found myself in a mansion all alone. My memories were intact and I could go anywhere. But my Grace didn't remember me. No one remembered anything. I had that telescope-You remember the telescope," at this he turned a sarcastic look at her, and Emma had the manners to look a little guilty, knowing that he was talking about her mini-lesson in batting. "Anyway, I used the telescope to watch everyone, still unsure of what was happening. Finally the Queen decided to grace me with her presence."

His expression turned dark at the mention of the Evil woman, and Emma could understand the feeling. He continued, "She told me exactly what was happening, and then proceeded to mock me. But she let slip on a few of her aces in the hole. I was able to figure out that she was hiding Belle in a containment cell. After that it was a bit easy, I was able to find out where she was and what cell. You know the one I'm talking about," he looked over at her briefly and she nodded, "I visited her. She was lonely, like me. She didn't remember anything, and if she had, they had probably filled her with enough drugs to make it seem like a hallucination, like she was crazy," he scoffed angrily.

"So," Emma started, "You kept visiting her, right?" he nodded, "But you never told her who you were? Your name?"

He shook his head, "No. I didn't want to do that to her. It's exactly what I told you about Grace, I didn't want to burden them. But I did want to break her out. I wanted to go in there and rescue her, but I just…couldn't. I would have had to tell her, and at the time I still wasn't sure if she had left us willingly or not. I didn't want to know, honestly. So I just continued to watch her, watch over her. I made sure she was treated right. I gave her someone to talk to."

Emma nodded, this making sense to her. "And then you met at the ball again, right? Did you tell her?"

He smirked, "She knew. As soon as her memory came back, she said that she knew it was me. The minute she saw me and Grace she came up and hugged us. She told us what really happened." He turned and saw Emma's question in her eyes, "Regina had tricked her as well, and had kidnapped her and kept her prisoner, all the way up to the curse." He smiled a little, "She never wanted to leave us."

Emma smiled back at him, but then his face darkened once more, "And then Rumplestiltskin showed up, and it wasn't in me to keep her from him. She was unsure, I could tell. She thinks he's her True Love." He paused, "And who am I to stop True Love?" he whispered morosely.

Emma swallowed, knowing the feeling. They continued in silence.

"You know…I watched you."

Emma startled, "Why would you tell me that?" She turned wide eyes on him. He smirked, "I had been watching you as soon as you came to Storybrooke. And…I had been watching your interactions with him." Emma, still in shock, said nothing.

"It makes sense, actually. How you fell for him." He chuckled, "You never really had a chance, did you?"

Emma turned back to the path, and she could see that they were coming up upon the castle. This little walk was coming to an end.

"No," she mumbled, "I suppose I didn't."

After the walk was over, Emma left Jefferson with Grace and Henry in a classroom of sorts. After kissing Henry good night, because it had turned out to be later than she thought, she walked off to the library. As they were entering the castle, Emma had suddenly remembered that she had a magic lesson tonight. Needless to say, she would've rather cut off her foot than face him tonight.

But, she remembered, she had to train. For her friends, for everyone. And she needed his help if she was going to do it.

She let out a great sigh as she pushed open the giant doors to the library. She walked in, a bit cautiously since she hadn't really been here before. The place really was huge and Emma craned her neck to look up at the ceiling.

It was gorgeous. Emma let a little grin overcome her face, she felt like a little girl who still believed in fairytales. In that moment, she felt like the little girl that she used to be. She breathed deeply, letting herself relax.

"It's beautiful, isn't it, dearie?"

She almost jumped out of her skin. Spinning around she once again found herself face-to-face with a character from a storybook. Only this time it was the one and only Rumplestiltskin, and he was right behind her. He grinned at her, and Emma took a few steps back to put some distance between them. His eyes followed her, and Emma suppressed a shiver, "You're a bit early."

His grin widened, "Oh, I didn't want to miss this, dearie." He began to circle her, but he didn't look at her, "This, princess," she followed him with her eyes, slowly rotating with him, "is going to be our last lesson." He spun on his heel, once again facing her, nose-to-nose. This time she didn't back away.

She narrowed her eyes up at him, "Why?"

He tilted his chin up, "Because the battle begins," he leaned in closer and she felt his breath hit her face, "tomorrow," he squinted is face dramatically with the word. Emma's eyes widened, "What? Tomorrow?"

He didn't say anything. Emma stared at him, waiting for a reply, but he never moved to make one. "D-do my parents know? We need to prepare everyone!"

He pulled away from her quickly, "Oh, they know, dearie. I've already informed them." He walked farther into the room towards the sofa and chairs around a coffee table. "It's you that still needed informing."

"Me? But, no one told me…"

He twirled in her direction, "That's because they wanted you to relax a little." He put a hand up as though he were sharing a secret, "Between you and me, you really were strung out a bit. Even for you." He winked exaggeratedly at her, and she scowled at him.

"Oh come now, princess. Put a smile on! After all, how many people get to say that they get something for free from me?" Emma rolled her eyes, "Oh please. Nothing from you is free. Everything comes with a price!"

Rumplestiltskin looked shocked, before a giant grin split his face. He giggled and hopped up and down, clapping his hands. "Oh, I knew there was something I liked about you. Ever since I learned your name I knew we'd get along." He slinked up near her, "In more ways than one, if you catch my drift," he added behind his fingers again. He giggled again, and Emma felt her face flush. She shoved him away, "Shut up," she mumbled. She knew he was referencing Henry. She didn't know how it made her feel when he mentioned it like that. She stomped over to the sofa, "Let's just get this over with."

He chuckled, "As you wish, your Majesty." And with that he sat down on the chair right next to the couch. Emma tried to subtly scoot her legs away from his, but he had firmly placed his against hers.

She looked up at him and was surprised to see his face very solemn. He looked more like Mr. Gold than Rumplestiltskin in this moment, and so Emma quickly sobered up. If he was going to be serious then so was she.

"You've already learned much, Emma. There really isn't much else for me to teach you verbally."

Emma cocked her head, "What about nonverbally then?"

He smirked, "Patience, young grasshopper." He closed his eyes, and in a split-second decision she stuck her tongue out at him. "I saw that." Emma stared in shock. He had his eyes closed! He did not see that!

"You did not," she shot back. "Oh yes I did, dearie. You forget," he lifted his hands and wiggled his fingers, "I'm magic." She rolled her eyes. "And I saw that too," he said, his eyes still closed. Emma huffed and he chuckled.

Lowering his hands, he rested them palm up on his knees. "Give me your hands, love."

Emma did as he told, her heart pounding at the endearment even though she knew he always said stuff like that. And usually he didn't mean them, it was just who he is. She set her hands on top of his, noting the odd texture of his skin and how warm they were.

"Close your eyes, too."

She obeyed again. She felt nervous, not liking her eyesight being taken away. Swallowing, she shifted in her seat, unintentionally bringing herself closer to him. He clenched her hands, making her clench his as well on instinct.

"Stay still," he muttered. She scoffed under her breath, "It'd be a lot easier if you told me what you were doing."

He let out an aggrieved sigh, "You were born with a different type of magic in you, Princess. With the love your parents had for each other, they were able to create the most powerful magic of all: you. You are the result of True Love at its finest." Emma sat dumbfounded, unable to respond. "But this is not normal magic, the kind that I have. This is a difficult, more tricky kind. It has been locked within you for twenty-eight years now. Somewhere deep inside that you have unconsciously protected it." He pulled her hands slightly closer to him, leaning his head towards her, "I am trying to unlock it for you."

Emma exhaled in wonder. True Love? She was the product of True Love?

Thinking more about it, it made sense. After all, the child of Prince Charming and Snow White? It just seemed logical.

"What I need you to do," Rumplestiltskin ripped her from her thoughts, "Is to focus. Look inside you, help me locate the place you have hidden it. I need your help."

Emma took a breath and did as he said, focusing all her energy and mind on locating this magic inside her. And she did, she really did try. But her mind snagged on the feeling of his hands around hers, the sensation of his knee against hers, and the warmth of him beside her. She felt herself falling into that, despite her attempts not to. But once she fell, she couldn't seem to care after that. She let a smile flit over her mouth. This may be the closest she will ever get to him, but she'll take it.

So lost in her thoughts she was, that when he spoke again it was like being jolted by thunder, "Yes, whatever it is you're doing, keep doing it. I can see it, Just keep focusing."

Emma didn't know what to do, and floundered for a moment. But then he gripped her hands tighter and rubbed his thumb across the back and she felt warm again. Her breathing sped up and the room seemed to get hotter and hotter.

And then suddenly…it all clicked. Everything snapped into place.

Emma's eyes flew open, and she could see that she was glowing. Literally glowing. Light was pouring out of her and Rumplestiltskin was grinning madly in front of her. Emma felt power running through her veins and felt stronger than ever. She felt like she could do anything, that she was ready for anything. She gulped in air, as though she had been drowning, and she blinked multiple times.

"Do you feel it, princess? That is the power of True Love." Rumplestiltskin's fingers intertwined with hers almost unconsciously, and Emma's breath was knocked out of her at the sight of how happy he looked. He was smiling, not grinning or smirking, but smiling from ear to ear. The light calmed down, but she could still feel the power rushing through her.

She felt…happy.

They sat there, her catching her breath, him just staring at her. She felt the tension building out of the blue, and she felt her heart begin to tremble. He was too close, she realized. She tried backing away, but his hands secured her to her seat. He began leaning closer, and she felt a peace roll over her and she let him. His breath touched against her face and she felt her eyes get hooded, unable to tear hers away from his. His darkened as he watched her give in, and he tilted his head, letting his nose brush her cheek. He was almost there, and Emma could feel the anticipation build and the rope that seemed to bind them together get shorter and shorter with every inch he came closer.

And right when he was about to reach her lips the door to the library banged open. Rumplestiltskin ripped himself away from her and she did the same, as well as tear her hands away.

"O-oh, I didn't…," Belle stumbled from where she was standing in the doorway, unsure of how to proceed, "I didn't mean to…interrupt?" it sounded like a question, as she still seemed to confused as to what she interrupted. But Rumplestiltskin stood up, swiftly, "Not to worry, dearie. I was, uh…done here." He turned back to Emma, but she kept her head down, unable to look at him. "I will…see you tomorrow, before the battle, princess." She nodded, not trying to verbally respond, knowing her voice would shake. He didn't say anything else, but stalled near her for a few moments. Then he strode over to where the brunette was still standing, "Until tomorrow, your Majesty." And he was gone, the doors pulled shut.

Curling her hands into fists, she put her arms around herself and one hand against her mouth. The mouth that he almost kissed. But…he didn't. He pulled away as soon as she showed up. Because he didn't love her. He loved the Beauty. Because he was the Beast and it was their story. Not hers. She wasn't a part of it, and she never would be a part of his story.

And then she started to cry. For the first time since she realized her predicament she let herself cry. Giant tears rolled down her face in streams and she pressed a hand over her face. She couldn't believe how stupid she had been. To let him get so close. She began to sob, not caring who heard her. She allowed herself this one breakdown.

She didn't hear the door opening over the sounds of her tears, and was startled when a hand rested itself on her shoulder. "Oh, sweetheart," Snow murmured, and Emma found herself enfolded in warm and loving arms. She cried into her mother's shoulder, unsure of how long she did this. Snow patted her shoulder, comforting her. "It's him, isn't it?"

Emma nodded, sniffling. She let out another sob. "I can't believe I let myself do that, I feel so stupid."

Snow rubbed her daughter's back, "We all do stupid things for love." Emma snorted, that was the same thing Jefferson had said to her earlier. She pulled back and wiped her eyes as best she could, but she could still feel the tears coming. She sniffed again and looked to the ground, unable to look at her mother.

"What am I going to do?" she asked wearily. Snow kept a hand on Emma's back, "I know that right now it's difficult." Emma shot a disbelieving look at her mother, "I do. Do you know how difficult it was for me and your father? We had every obstacle imaginable."

Emma scoffed, "Well, that makes me feel loads better."

Snow ignored her and kept on, "But, we got through it. The road to True Love is not easy. It never has been. We kept fighting for what we wanted. And you know what drove us?" Emma slowly looked up at her mother as she continued. "Hope. Because believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing."

Emma couldn't help it, she chuckled. Snow looked at her in confusion. "That's actually one of the first things you ever said to me." She glanced over at her mother, "You know, back in Storybrooke?"

A light dawned in her eyes, "Oh, yes, that's right, isn't it?" Snow smiled. They were both silent for a few seconds and then just burst out laughing.

That carried on for however long, Emma couldn't tell. When they finally began to stop, Emma leaned back on the cushions and tried to catch her breath. Snow gently combed her fingers through her daughter's hair.

"Do you really think I'm ready for tomorrow?" She could see her mother turn to her out of her peripheral vision. A few beats of silence, "Yes, I think you are."

Emma turned to her mother, who only greeted her with a loving smile.

"Come on," Snow said, getting up. "We need our rest. Especially you." Emma let out a great sigh, but followed her mother to the door. Before they reached it though Emma paused a bit. "Hey mom?"

"Yes?" she asked, turning to look back at her.

Emma bit her lip, "Thanks."

Snow smiled, "Your welcome." She waved her hand, "Now come on! You got to get to bed, its past your curfew, young lady!" Snow giggled at her little joke.

Emma rolled her eyes, "Yes, mother."

Whew! That was pretty long! :D Longer than any chapter I've ever written, I think xD Hope you enjoyed this, those that are still reading, sorry for taking so long. I have like a bunch of open projects right now, and I'm trying to keep up with them all xD

Btw, fun fact: This is the longest chapter story I have :) Congratulations on this being the only story I've cared enough about to keep going this long xD

Next up: The Battle! :D

Please review, and let me know what you think :)