Being chained to a poll was not something new to Henry, unfortunately. Nor was being used for curse casting. One good thing that was never in short supplies with Henry was hope. So, when the rescue appeared in the purple mist, he wasn't all too surprised. The identity of his rescuer, however, threw him off for a moment.

"Wow, grandpa! You've-" he tilted his head, watching the light play on the scaly surface of his grandfather's skin. "Changed."

"Yes. Well, it's been some time."

"Yeah." he was circling around Henry, which was making him sort of uncomfortable. "Can you unchain me, my wrists are kind of sore?"

He giggled, "That is unfortunate for I cannot do that, dearie."

Henry snorted, "Grandpa, you're awesome and all that but let's just say humor is not your strong suit."

"It's no joke, my boy. I sent Alice to warn you but you didn't listen."

"You sent her to drug me. And why does it matter, anyway? That was ages ago."

"It does. You entered the story that was not yours by destiny."

"I thought I got to chose my own destiny."

"You did. And here you are." Rumpelstiltskin waved his hands making his trademark 'voila' gesture.

"And now you won't to help me?"

"If I do, I will only make it worse. You forget I know everything."

"I can't believe you're doing this."

"I can..." a crystal ball appeared in his hand. It was glowing like it had flames inside. "Show you what you lost. Here are all the things that you had, or would have had."

"Thanks but no thanks. I'm more interested in getting out of here before Drizella and those witches cast the curse. So, if you're not helping your only grandson, at least get someone who wants to." Henry retorted angrily.

"Like a match and the rock, you both started this pyre, burning all the possibilities."

"Both?"

"Both. Apart, you went down the opposite paths and now this is the only crossroad possible."

"Can you stop with so many different metaphors and just tell me?"

Instead, Rumpelstiltskin yanked his arm and pressed the crystal ball into his palm. A shocking fiery sensation coursed through Henry's body, paralyzing him. Unfamiliar images invaded his mind.

It was the middle of the day when he decided to change his guard post. The twig snapped behind him and he swiftly drew a sword, "Show yourself." he demanded.

A small figure emerged and removed the purple hood. Henry tightened the grip on the hilt of the sword. He's been through a lot to be fooled by appearances, "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I asked you first."

She rolled her eyes, "Put that down, you're making a fool of yourself."

When he didn't, she waved her hand and the weapon appeared in her hand.

"You're a witch!"

"In training." instead of attacking him, she extended her hand, "I don't think we've officially been introduced. Drizella Tremaine."

"You know me?"

"I know of you." her hand was still hovering in the air. She smiled.

He knew of her, too. The daughter of the infamous Lady Tremailne. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Reluctantly, he accepted the offer, "Henry." he was thinking of a strategy to overpower her, and added, "Mills."

As their hands were still interlocked, his mother appeared, "Sorry, I'm late."

"You did not!" they were walking across the meadow after her lesson with Regina, while Henry was retelling (not at all bragging) about his adventures.

"Of course I did!"

"You did not infiltrate a guarded fortress at the age of thirteen."

"I did! We did the Wookie prisoner gag. With Hook, the other one. It's where one guy pretends to be the guard escorting the other, the prisoner, and then they knock everybody out."

"It doesn't sound like anyone would fall for that, but all right." she pulled him by the hand when she noticed he was becoming sulky, "Fine, I believe you."

He gave her a flower he had been twirling in his hand for the past 20 minutes, "You didn't deserve it, though."

She laughed and squeezed his hand, "Thank you."

"Do you do this often?"

"Do what often?"

"Take girls on a late night strolls, tell them about, what do you call them, movies? And play music."

"No, I-" then it hit him. This was his move with the girls, especially from other realms. He didn't know he had moves, "Oh, God... I'm sorry. I don't have any ulterior motives, I swear. I just thought... I wasn't thinking, actually-"

"Henry?"

"Hm?"

"Relax, I was just teasing you."

Fearing he would put his foot in his mouth, he just pressed play on his ipod.

Amazed by the magical device and enchanting tones, it was only when the first chorus ended did Drizella look at him. His heart skipped and he realized what exactly was the feeling that has been sneaking up on him for some time.

"You can't leave." Henry repeated and snatched her bag.

"I have to. I've stayed in the camp too long." she reached for the bag but he was faster.

"We can keep you safe."

Drizella huffed, "I cannot believe Regina told you." she waved her hand and the bag appeared in front of her again.

"Well, someone has to try and knock some sense into you."

"And you're the guy for the job?"

He didn't appreciate the sarcasm in her voice but chose to disregard it, "I am."

"My mother wants to rip my heart out, Henry. Leaving is the most sensible option. Trust me, the alternative would be much worse."

"All right. I'll leave with you."

"You're so infuriating!"

"I hate to break it to you, but so are you."

"Why can't you just let me go?" she sounded almost defeated.

"I had a plan and it can't work without you."

"What plan?"

"To take you on a date and kiss you." he retorted, he didn't mean to sound so angry. But it stopped her from packing so he didn't regret it.

She shook her head in disbelief, "Don't say things like that just to keep me-"

He cupped her face with both hands, "I like you. A lot. So, I'm going to kiss you now, and then you do what you think it's best." he wavered a moment, from fear and excitement, before brushing his lips against hers. He then kissed her really, knowing she won't push him away. "Does this mean you plan to stay?" he asked, his voice low.

She nodded.

"Good, because i don't want to stop kissing you."

Henry was on the ground, his back hurt and sword was out of his reach. Drizella was hovering over him. "This is your end, Henry." she smirked victoriously as a fireball formed in her hand, "Give up."

He rolled to the left towards the magic deflecting weapon. He grabbed it and picked himself off the ground, "Never."

She hurled the fireball at him and he escaped it. However he couldn't escape her next move. With another wave of the hand she pinned him to a tree.

"Agh." he groaned. Trying to fight was futile, he couldn't move, "I think I broke something."

The magic gave in instantly and Drizella ran to him, "I'm sorry, Henry. I didn't kn-"

He wrapped his arms around her, hands clasped in hers, "I win."

Now, pressed against him, it was her who couldn't move. For couple of reasons, Henry liked this situation much better. She tried to wriggle out of it but to no avail, "You cheated."

"Technically, no." he pecked her on the cheek, "It is a strategic maneuver to exploit opponent's weakness."

"I guess you did learn a thing or two from Hook. Just for the record, if i didn't love you, you never would have beaten me."

"Well, let's agree to-" he let go of her suddenly, "What did you say?"

"That you-" then she recalled her actual words, "That I love you?"

"Really?"

"I'm not big on romantic statements, but yes."

She yelped as he lifted her from the ground, "I love you too. So much."

"So... I'm leaving."

Drizella crossed her arms and looked away.

"I'm off with Hook to fight a dragon and this is how you want us to part?"

"Yes! This is how I part with fools who fight dragons for fun."

"It's not for fun."

"Oh, pardon me. For glory."

"It's not for- my mom and grandpa both slayed dragons and-"

"And I don't care. You're risking your life for nothing."

"Thank you, Drizella for having such confidence in me." and with that he left, ignoring her calls.

Two days after, he returned not as victorious as initially planned. But the things he realized were more valuable than his intended goal. Drizella ran towards him and he spread his arms in greeting. She punched him on the shoulder than wrapped her arms around him, "You smell awful."

"Um... those are some very mixed signals."

"I'm glad you're back safe and I love you. Clear now?"

"Yes. And I promise I won't ever needlessly endanger my life." he gave her a peck on the lips, "And I have many things to promise and something to ask you, but yeah I got to shower first."

"I still cannot believe Anna is here." Drizella looked at her maid of honor playing with Henry's little brother.

He couldn't as well. Anastasia brought out some of the lightens Drizella harbored deep beneath all the pain, "I'm sorry your mom had to-"

"It's all right, we parted on good terms. It was her choice... You know, nothing about this day turned out the way my child self thought it would."

He furrowed his brows, "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." she smiled and pulled him closer, "I thought for a long time that my mother would marry me off to some rich prince and I would live in a cold castle wearing constricting dresses. And here I am, with most wonderful, humble man in all the realms whom I love more than I thought possible."

"Well... I am a prince but I know what you mean. Almost my entire life I wanted a Snow White and Prince Charming adventure filled romance. And ours isn't that, not a smooth sailing either, but it is the most exciting and I wouldn't change a single thing."

"How about we add another twist to the story?"

"As long as is not a curse, I'm for it."

"I'm pregnant."

"Wow." he stared at his child, "He's perfect."

"He is, right?" Drizella sat up, "It's not just me?"

"No, he is beautiful." as of on cue, the newest member of his family cooed and Henry held him closer. He turned to his wife, "How are you?"

"Great."

"You were very brave. That did not look easy."

"Yeah... sorry I called you all those names."

He chucked, "For a nice lady, you sure are imaginative with curse words. But I could never be mad at the person who gave me perfection." he leaned in and kissed her, "Thank you."

A crashing sound brought him to reality. The crystal ball was at his feet, shattered into ash. His heart was drumming inside his rib cage. Somehow on his knees, his whole body was shaking. It was from the magic that took over his body and mind, it was from the memories of the life unrealized. He would never be the same again, never see those things again. Only when Gothel and Drizella entered the chamber, did he managed to tear his gaze from the remnants of the crystal ball.

The woman who could have been, should have been, the love of his life was walking up to him, with a poisoned danger in hand, "I believe it's time to finish what we started. Her dark lips spread into smirk, "Don't you think?"

Those eyes capable of being filled with intense love and adoration, were now watching with gleeful malice. There she was again in front of him, unbuttoning his shirt. He shivered as her fingers brushed against his skin. She pressed the tip of the blade against his chest.

"I'm sorry." Henry let out.

Her demeanor changed and she stopped. The confusion was soon replaced by a strange expression on her face. He could now recognize it as self-doubt.

"What are you waiting for?" Gothel growled, "This is the only way!"

Drizella shut her eyes and pressed the blade into his chest. He screamed.