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''So where will we go?'' asks Emma to Mr Gold as they're walking to his car.
Henry doesn't leave his mother's side. Getting into a car with Rumplestilksin himself, is quite scary.
Emma shoves the suitcases of her and her son in the trunk of Gold's Caddy. ''Hey, I asked you a question. Where will we be going?'' she asks again, impatient this time.
''Miss Swan, every deal I make is under my conditions. One of the conditions for this deal in specific is that I share as much information with you as I wish, which does not include telling the destination of this trip. That I allowed to take Henry with you, is one of the few exceptions I've made in my life.''
''I'm impressed,'' says Emma sarcastically. ''You just knew that if you didn't allow me to take Henry with me, that I wouldn't have come at all.''
They all get in the car. Emma and Henry sit in the back, as far away as possible from Mr Gold.
''We should not turn things around here Emma. You knew the consequences, I've laid it all out for you. You didn't have a choice. It's as simple as that.''
Emma's expression hardens. She holds Henry's hand as she doesn't want to break contact between them.
They pass Granny's diner.
Red is just cleaning some tables that are outside as she sees the car coming. The bizarre composition of occupants of the vehicle inevitably raises questions.
Emma casts a look at her friend that says: ''I didn't choose to be in this car with this man at all, but I don't have a choice.''
Henry slowly raises a hand.
The next location they pass is Regina's house.
In Henry's eyes, regret and pain is clearly visible as he thinks about how they falsely accused his adoptive mother of the murder of Archie.
Emma sees that her son has a hard time and she gives a comforting squeeze in his hand.
Not long after, shops and houses make place for trees and dark forest roads. It will not be long before they pass the town line, knows Emma. She sighs deeply as they pass the sign ''Leaving Storybrooke.'' She knows that she and Henry are fine, but the idea that they actually leave the village where she had found her long-awaited family scares her a bit. ''But wait a minute. How the hell are YOU able to leave Storybrooke without losing your memory?'' she asks Mr Gold.
''No questions, remember?'' Is his short reply. His eyes stay on the road ahead of them.
How talkative Henry is most of the time, how quiet he is now. He clearly feels the tension hanging in the air and doesn't lose grip of his mother's hand.
''Did you bring your government issued ID's?'' asks Gold as they're driving for almost an hour. No-one had said I word in the meantime.
''Why?'' asks Emma suspiciously.
''Because we'll have to catch a flight.''
''Are you serious? We have to fly to the destination?''
''That's the idea.''
Shocked, Henry looks to his mother. They're going further away than both of them had expected.
Snow's answers the door of their apartment.
''Snow, what's that all about? Rumplestiltskin just came driving passed the diner and Emma and Henry were in the car with him?'' Red asks in bewilderment.
''Oh Red,'' sighs Snow,'' please come in.
Red follows her friend to the living room. ''Where's Charming?''
''He's at the hospital, organizing a schedule with the dwarfs. They´ll take turns watching Hook. Would you like something to drink?'' Snow hushes to the kitchen.
Red sees that the other brunette is stressed. ''What about you sit down and I make you a hot cocoa?'' Gently she pushes Snow to the couch in the living room. After a few minutes she comes back with two steaming cups of cocoa, one with cinnamon topping for Snow and one with extra milk for herself. She sits down next to her friend. ''So why don't you tell me what happened?''
Snow's voice tremors as she starts to speak. ''And now I'm afraid that he'll hurt them and I'm unable to do anything. I hate that powerless feeling. It's like experiencing sending her away all over again.'' she ends the story desperately.
Red takes her hands. ''Hey, where is that though girl that I used to know as Snow White? Where's that girl that goes through fire and water for the ones she loves? That isn't afraid for anything or anyone?''
''I think she's gone.''
''Come on! I don't believe that. Do you?''
''I don't know. It's like the Mary Margaret in me has taken the upper hand and all her uncertainties and doubts are taking over.''
''You know, you saying this reminds me of something your husband told us when you and Emma were gone. Something he taught us.''
''And what's that?'' asks Snow, sincerely wondering what it could be Charming had said.
Red smiles as she remembers the speech Charming had given to the town people when they were trying to cross the town line. ''He taught us that our strengths and weaknesses, of both of our identities, is who we are. That we're both, that the town is both.''
''Did he really say all of that?''
''Yes he did, and you know what? He's right. We've to embrace both of our identities, because they both are part of us. We've to learn how to balance it, but we can. You can do that as well, I'm sure of that.''
''Thanks Red. I'm so lucky with having you as my friend.''
''You bet,'' grins the brunette. She gives an encouraging squeeze in Snow's hand.
The beeping sound of an incoming text message disrupts the moment.
Snow quickly takes her phone from the coffee table and opens the text.
''Mary, he's taking us to an airport, but won't say anything about the destination. Keep you posted. Try not to worry. Love, Emma.''
''What is it saying?'' asks Red.
''Rumple is taking them to an airport, but doesn't say anything to them about the destination their travelling to. This doesn't feel good Red…''
''They'll be fine Snow. Rumple won't hurt them, because he needs them to find his son. He didn't demanded Emma for nothing to come with him.''
''I guess you're probably right.''
''Shall we go check on Belle, see how she's doing?'' asks Red to distract her friend's mind.
''Hey Belle, how're you feeling?'' asks Snow as she carefully enters the hospital room.
Red decided to stay a bit behind, not to scare the girl in the hospital bed even more as she has no idea who the brunette is.
''You're the woman who stayed with me when I had the accident!'' establishes Belle as she is relieved to see a familiar face.
''Yes I am. And I brought a friend. Is it okay if she comes in?'' She beckons to Red to allow her to enter as Belle gives an approving nod.
''Hi Belle, my name is Red. How're you feeling?'' She takes a chair which she puts next to Snow and sits down.
''Okay, I guess, given the circumstances. The doctors did an amazing job and the pain is much less now.'' She pauses. ''But who's that man that keeps entering my room? He frightens me.''
Snow and Red look at each other, no idea what they have to tell her.
''Please,'' begs Belle, ''I may not remember, but at least you can tell me who the man is that scares the hell out of me.''
''That man, is… your boyfriend,'' manages Red.
''Red!'' cries Snow.
''No Snow, Belle is right, she earns to know the truth. Maybe something like this will jog her memory.''
''Boyfriend? You're kidding me right? That aggressive, obsessive person is my boyfriend?!''
''Yes he is,'' confirms Snow. ''But don't worry about him, he's gone now and won't be back for a while. And believe it or not, he loves you. He truly loves you.''
''Well he has some strange ways of showing me …'' She looks at the two woman next to her bed if they're crazy. It's like the whole world is crazy and she as the only sane person being stuck right in the middle.
''Can I get you something?'' asks Red to the girl.
''A tea please,'' she answers.
''Let me come with you,'' says Snow to Red. As soon as they leave the room she continues: ''You see? I told you this wasn't a good idea. Now she thinks we're insane.''
''She would have found out sooner or later. And it's better that she hears it from us than from some random person. ''
As they stand at the coffee machine, Grumpy enters the hallway.
''Hey Grumpy, is Charming here too?'' asks Snow as soon as she sees her friend.
''He left an hour ago. Told me he had some things to figure out at the station. What are you girls doing here?''
''We're visiting Belle,'' answers Snow. ''Who's staying with Hook?''
''Happy is taking his shift now. I'll take over in a few.
''Has he gained consciousness yet?'' asks Red, referring to Hook.
''No, Doctor Whale keeps him asleep and will operate on him tomorrow. He said Hook's situation is too unstable right now to be able for him to have surgery.''
The coffee machine makes a beeping sound, indicating that the tea is ready.
''We better get back,'' says Red.
''See you later Grumpy, say 'hi' to Happy from me, will you?'' asks Snow.
''I will Snow. Bye Red.'' The dwarf disappears around the corner.
When they pass the hospital's gift shop, Snow stops. ''Shall we buy a book for Belle? I bet that'll get her mood up.''
'''Great idea,'' agrees Red.
On the recommendation of Red, they decide to go for Bridget Jones, by Helen Fielding.
Once back in the hospital room, Snow gives the book and the tea to Belle. ''It might be boring here, so we thought you might appreciate a book to read?''
''It's a real fun one,'' adds Red.
''Thanks guys, that's real sweet of you.'' Belle takes the book from Snow and starts flipping through the pages. She suddenly puts her nose in the book and sniffs loudly. I remember the smell!'' she cries out as Snow and Red cast funny looks at her. ''I liked books didn't I?!''
''Yes!'' cries Snow, happy with the first baby steps Belle makes into the right direction. ''And you even work in the local library, because you love books so much you can't be without them!''
A wide smile appears also on Red's face.
''That's amazing! Thanks girls for bringing back a piece of my memory.''
''I'm sure the rest will come back too, you just have to give it some time,'' assures Snow.
''I really hope so.''
A nurse comes walking in Belle's room with a new IV bag of fluids. ''Visiting hours are over,'' she surly informs the two visitors. But when she's removing the old IV bag and attaches the new one, she sees who the two women are. ''My apologies, my Queen, you and your friend are obviously more than welcome to stay as long as you want.''
''No it's fine,'' says Snow as she looks at Belle. The girl has difficulties staying awake. ''It's late anyway.''
The two friends get up.
''Can't you stay just a little longer?'' asks Belle. ''I'm glad to finally have some friendly company.''
''We'll be back, I promise,'' answers Snow as she gently squeezes the girl's hand. ''Bye Belle.''
''See you later,'' says Red.
A soft squeaking sound of the door, tells Snow that her husband is finally home. ''Hey stranger,'' she says smilingly as she turns around from her position on the couch.
''You didn't have to stay up for me,'' says Charming as he walks towards her to give her a kiss. The twinkling in his eyes however gives away that he's glad she did.
''I wanted to,'' admits Snow as she answers his kiss. ''How was the rest of your day?''
''Useless,'' he says as he plumps down on the couch next to his wife. ''There are no traces whatsoever of Cora, or Regina for that matter, to find. Have you heard from Emma and Henry today?''
Snow tells him what Emma texted her that afternoon.
''They're catching a plane? I don't like the sound of that,'' he ponders.
''No me neither,'' says Snow as she gently rubs his back. She lays her head against his shoulders.
They sit for a while like this, staring into the distance.
Snow turns her head slightly to face Charming. ''Belle remembered something,'' she says. ''When Red and I gave her a paperback, she remembered that she loves books.''
''Snow that's amazing! I'm so proud of you!'' He kisses her forehead.
''It's a start.''
''Yes it is. A good start.'' Teasingly, he starts tickling the sensitive spot on her belly.
''Charming… stop!'' Snow manages between her giggles. ''Stop… You know I can't…!''
''Do I hear a 'please'?'' he asks agonizing.
''PLEASE!'' Snow yells out.
''I didn't catch that?''
''PLEASE!'' she cries again. The tickling finally stops and she's out of breath. ''You're so mean!'' she says as she hits his arm.
''Ouch, that hurts,'' grins Charming. ''Do I need to tickle you again?''
'''No, no, sorry!'' Snow laughs.
''Good. Shall we go upstairs then?'' He takes his wife's hand and leads her up the stairs.
When they pass the photo frame with a photo of Emma and Henry on the cabinet, Snow stops to look at it.
Charming turns his head and looks at it too. ''They'll be fine Snow. They'll be fine.''
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