"We keep going until we find a trail that's hot," Emma insisted, walking alongside Henry. They'd covered a significant amount of ground in the forest identical to Storybrooke's, but there was no sign of Hook.

"You think there'd be more of those in the Underworld — " Regina breathed heavily, leaning into Robin's arm as they made their way up the path, a muffled grunt leaving her lips as she felt him pull her weight up and over a steep mound of dirt.

Henry snorted to himself at his mother's joke — which no one else seemed to get.

"There's no sign of Hook in the North Woods," Regina sighed as their pace slowed, happy for even a moment to catch her breath.

"Well, we have to keep going" Emma admitted. "Emphasis on the we," she added, her eyes on Regina. "Why don't you go back to town. Find a booth at Granny's," she suggested, knowing she needed more than the break she was taking now.

Regina rolled her eyes as Emma began to suggest the Troll Bridge to Robin and Henry, but the mention of the bridge she'd tried so incredibly unsuccessfully to keep David and Snow from in Storybrooke caused her to pause.

"Wait — There may be a way to make the search quicker," Regina interrupted hopefully.

"How?" Emma asked, eyes narrowing.

"In Storybrooke — I have schematics," Regina remembered, her eyes brightening. "Maps — of the whole town, every last inch of it."

"So you think the equivalent maps of this town are here?" Emma asked, and normally she would be skeptical, but years of living in and amongst the town and its people kept that skepticism at bay.

"Everything else in this Bizarro Storybrooke has an analog so far," Regina suggested with a hopeful shrug.

"I'm on it," Robin promised, rubbing Regina's back once up and down before stepping away. "You stay with Emma." And that was not a suggestion but a demand, because if Robin wasn't at her side, he needed to know that someone else was — and Emma had magic. And a gun.

"Wait," Regina reached back out for him, grabbing his arm. "Take Henry," she said with a nod.

"It might be dangerous," Robin suggested hesitantly.

"My mother's gone now, the office should be empty," she reminded him. "And no one knows it better than Henry," she said with a smile, her gaze falling to her son. "He'll be fine. You'll be there to protect him."

Robin paused, but relented quickly, smiling as he nodded in agreement before leaning in to kiss her sweetly.

"All right, come on. Let's go."

"Regina! I found something!" Emma called over her shoulder. She was crouched over a broken plant, the leaves soaked in a sticky crimson.

Regina followed the sound of her voice, carefully making her way over. Tasks like these had been significantly easier when she was twenty pounds lighter, and not carrying it all in front. Holding onto a branch to steady her steps, she stepped cautiously over a fallen log, leaning back as she maneuvered the steep terrain.

"Blood," she recognized right away, and she bent down — if only slightly — to investigate further.

"There's a trail of it," Emma explained. "It's not dry yet. It's fresh… Killian."

Emma stood and turned in her place, shouting his name into the open forest. She stepped forward, and then began to trot off, in no direction in particular.

Regain straightened her back and let out a sigh, turning to follow her as quickly as she could — and wondering if the booth at Granny's was still an option.

"Killian?" Emma called out again — and there was movement behind a fallen tree. But when the two rounded the edge, it was clearly not the person they were looking for.

It was a young girl, dressed in faded and tattered robes, her face dirty and her eyes wide.

"Not Killian, but I know him," the girl whispered.

"Who are you? Where's Killian?" Emma asked — but any reply was interrupted by the sudden growl of some hell beast.

"We have to get out of here," Regina whispered, backing away from the sound. She knew there was no chance she could outrun whatever was out there.

"It's coming, hide me…we have to go — now!" the girl begged frantically. And that was more than enough.

Emma grabbed hold of Regina's arm and the three were whisked away from the forest in an instant.

When they reappeared, they were in familiar surroundings once again. The Charming's apartment — or something like it.

"Your parents' apartment? Really?" Regina, hoping that her sarcasm would mask her sudden unease. She stepped to the side and grabbed hold of the back of a covered arm chair for balance, her free hand pressing to the side of her belly, wincing when it earned her a sharp kick.

"It was the first place I thought of," Emma explained, ripping the sheet off of another couch and helping the young girl down.

"What if whoever — or whatever — lives here, you know, comes home?" Regina asked, fumbling with her coat, tugging at the sash and zippers to relieve herself from the sudden feeling of slowly suffocating.

"I don't think we have to worry about that," Emma said softly, reaching to life a framed photo of her parents from the end table.

Regina reached out and took it, examining it carefully, her forehead wrinkling.

"So this place is just waiting for your parents to die so they can move in?" she asked in only half disbelief.

"Creepy, but that seems to be the case…" Emma offered. "I think we're safe here."

"It's officially a cold day in hell when I move in with the Charmings," Regina muttered mostly to herself, leaning down to set the frame back in its place — this time hissing and recoiling in reaction to another movement in her belly. Her hand pressed again to the side of the swell, and she breathed out slowly, letting the pain pass.

She could hear Emma step towards her, and without turning to look, Regina held up her hand to wave her away.

"She's just moving around," she promised.

Emma sighed and turned to the girl sitting on the couch, frantic fear in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Emma asked, moving to sit beside her.

"I will be."

"And Hook?"

"I…I don't know," she admitted.

"Where is he," Emma asked, trying to keep her voice even, trying to resist the urge to reach forward and shake her until answers came.

"In an underground prison," she explained, her eyes following the dark haired woman, watching as she eased herself down into a chair. "I….escaped through tunnels," she added, her gaze moving back to the blonde at her side.

"They let out in a cave somewhere in the woods and….the next thing I knew, you found me."

"Where is the cave — could you find it again?" Emma asked hurriedly, seeing this as her best chance to rescue Hook.

"Yes," the girl answered in a whisper. "But it's being guarded by something…terrible."

"What's guarding the cave," Emma prodded gently.

"It…it has three heads. It…it's teeth can crush your bones with a single bite. And those eyes…they burn right through your soul as it finishes you off," she whispered tearfully — and it sounded as though she had witnessed it all first hand.

"Nothing can defeat that monster…"

"That's not true," Snow interrupted with a smile, she and David suddenly standing in the doorway.

"I know exactly what this beast is…and how we can defeat it," she grinned determinedly.

Snow led the way, stepping through the front door of Granny's, followed by Emma and Regina. They had argued on the way about Regina's suggestion of who to ask for help, but Regina had won out — as always.

"You really think she'll know where he is?" Emma asked, holding the door open for Regina behind her.

"Of course," Regina sang with a smirk. "We need someone who sees everyone," she added, loudly enough for the Blind Witch to hear.

"Hey child-muncher," Regina taunted, walking up to the counter with a grin. "We're looking for someone."

"Why should I help you, Regina? You burned me alive….. Unless you're offering to trade that pudgy wee thing in your belly," she sneered, blind eyes closing as she practically salivated all over the counter.

"Watch it," Emma leered, leaning in in Regina's defense.

"It was Hansel and Gretel," Regina corrected the witch.

"At your behest, and with your fireball," the witch gritted.

"Fine. Fine. But you stole my apple," Regina argued, surprised at how quickly her irritation was returning.

"What do you think happens when you steal from a witch, witch?" Regina smirked, pleased with herself at that remark.

"Fair enough," the blonde sorceress conceded with a sigh. "So, who are you looking for?"

"His name's Hercules," Snow replied for Regina. "You know, from the myths?"

"I know who Hercules is," the witch laughed to herself. "He comes in here on his lunch break every day. And no matter how hard I try to fatten him up, his muscles are always bulging. Shame. He'd make a great Sunday roast…"

"Lunch break from where," Snow asked with aggravation not well hidden in her tone.

And Snow got her answer, and left Regina and Emma to go find her old friend.

"Wait —," Robin called to Henry as he reached the door marked 'Mayor'.

Henry stopped and turned back to look at the older man, waiting for his prompt, his hand hovering inches away from the knob. Robin reached forward, grabbing hold of it, only to be pushed back by a green, crackling magic.

"Protection spell," Robin sighed, his eyes already scanning the room for a second option.

"Looks like Grandma Cora left this place locked up," Henry noted.

"Not completely," Robin said with a smile, his eyes locking on a small lip of metal poking over the back of a strategically placed sofa. Crossing the room and pulling it away from the wall, Robin sighed happily to find an intake vent, just large enough for someone to fit through. Feeling along the edges, he quickly found its weak spot, lifting it up and off of the wall, revealing a long black tunnel.

"Okay. Alright, you stay here," Robin insisted, already shedding his bow and quiver.

"No," Henry stopped him. "Someone needs to stand guard outside. And only one of us knows where to look in my mom's office," Henry added with a proud smile — because this was his alone. This was something that bound he and Regina together in a way that even Robin was not privy to.

"Be very careful," Robin insisted with a sigh, relenting, and agreeing to let Henry pass through.

Henry crawled through into the office was ease, and stood up triumphantly, dusting the clumps of lint from the palms of his hands.

But he was not alone.

"Hello, darling," the familiar woman's voice crooned, and Henry turned to find the overly thin, extraordinarily tall villain standing across from him.

"Cruella," Henry breathed out nervously.

"Tell me, how is your mother," she asked with a sharp smile.

There was a long pause, and Henry didn't know how to answer — he was certain that Regina wouldn't want her to know about the baby, or anything else for that matter.

"Oh yes," Cruella recalled with a sigh, her smile only growing. "With you I need to be more specific.." she hissed. "How is the one who killed me…"

"This is the tunnel she said she came out of," Emma said softly, leading the way, keeping Regina on the inside of their group. Snow and Hercules were right behind.

"Alright, wonder boy," Regina breathed out. "Are you sure you can do this?'

"Regina," Snow whispered, scolding her as a mother would a child who had spoken rudely.

"We'll find your friend," Hercules said with a nod. "Don't worry."

He stepped in front of them all, and insisted that they wait for him there. His steps were slow but sure, and he made his way down the tunnel, until he was alone. His sword was drawn, and his heart was pounding, praying that the confidence he was bolstering in his mind would spread through to the rest of him.

There was a familiar low growl that came from the darkest point ahead, and the wind howled as it moved through the narrow passageway. It smelled like death itself. Hercules adjusted the weight of the sword in his hand and stepped his feet apart, bracing himself, and praying this would end in his favor.

But the moment the beast stepped forward, its glowing eyes peering out from the blackness, his sword dropped — his courage gone. He turned, and ran, and as Regina caught sight of him running back toward them, she silently cursed the idiotic boy for bringing them down here with him, for putting them all in danger.

Hercules' pace didn't slow as he crashed into the group of women, and Regina stumbled back, instinctively holding her hand out towards him in protection — but the other was at her belly once again, because clearly, he was running from something.

They could hear snarling, growling and heavy breathing, and Snow lifted an arrow from her quiver, holding it taut against her bow. She stepped forward, placing herself between Regina — and whatever it was that was down that tunnel. And then there was the sound of a whistle — of a master calling off his dog.

And then silence.

"What the hell was that," Regina asked nervously, peering over Snow's shoulder.

"I called them off," a man's voice replied — and his tone send a chill through the air.

When he appeared, he was dressed in a dark suit. Medium build, but the commanding presence of a giant.

"Who are you," Emma asked, sizing him up.

"My Uncle," Hercules answered softly from behind.

"Hades?" Regina asked, her eyes narrowing. She had always expected something greater, something more magnificent — but then, she, herself, must have been a bit of a disappointment. A small, petite woman with the fearful command befitting the monicker 'Evil Queen'.

"Don't look so surprised," he spoke coolly, sauntering towards them. "Who'd you think was in charge of this place — your mommy?" he taunted.

"Well, if this is your realm, maybe you can answer a few questions," Regina offered with an arched brow. "Like why does this hell-hole look like Storybrooke?"

"I have my reasons, and I don't have to share them with you," Hades replied happily.

"We're not afraid of you," Snow interrupted, stepping forward, her arm going away from her side as if to shield Regina from any further interaction.

Hades gasped mockingly and grinned. "Snow White. My nephew said you were a spitfire, but trust me, you should be quite afraid of me. Because the next time you interfere with my family, I will come after yours."

"Bring it," Emma challenged. "We're not going to rest until we find Hook."

"Oh, and that must make you Emma," Hades deduced with a grin.

"Since your pirate likes to send you messages, I told him I would deliver this one personally." And with that said, he held up a hook, dangling it tauntingly in front of the blonde, laughing as he watched her eyes go wide at the sight of the dripping blood.

"What did you do to him…"

"It's not what I've already done that you should worry about," he laughed. "It's what I'm about to do." Hades dropped the Hook carelessly to the floor and was consumed by blue flames, disappearing from the tunnels once more.

They'd returned to the Charming's apartment after their time in the tunnels — they were all exhausted, and defeated, and had no plan this time. They needed to think. And more importantly, to rest and recharge.

Emma sat at the counter, staring at the bloodied Hook, realizing that this mission would be far more difficult than she had ever anticipated. David was offering her some comfort, promising that they would find their way out of this — they always did.

Regina was sitting in the arm chair, her head tipped back, leaning into the soft cushion, eyes closed in concentration. One hand was draped over the arm of the chair, her grip firm. The other was sweeping gently, back and forth over her outstretched womb, slow, deep breaths drawn in and let out quietly. This was not lost on Emma, despite her own internal struggles.

"..'Gina," she said softly, moving to stand over the dark haired woman, her eyes soft with concern. Because it had been two weeks already. And this was supposed to be a one day mission — in and out. But nothing was ever that easy.

Regina opened her eyes at the sound of Emma's voice, startled by her close proximity. She straightened her back and shifted her hips in the seat, stopping the movement of her hand over her belly. But she forgot about the death grip she had on the arm of the chair.

"What's going on," Emma asked, lowering herself into a chair beside Regina.

"Nothing, what do you mean," Regina asked, her voice implying her own innocence well enough.

Emma rolled her head to the side, her eyes moving to the white knuckles of Regina's hand against the chair.

Regina realized her error and quickly let go of the armrest, folding her hand quietly in her lap.

"Regina," Emma tried again, gently nudging the older woman with her words.

"I'm fine," Regina promised. "I'm just tired," she explained.

"I thought we'd had this conversation already," Emma sighed, leaning back in her seat and showing her annoyance. "I can always tell when you're lying, Regina. What's going on."

"I'm — fine. Really," Regina insisted, shaking her head.

Emma narrowed her eyes, but could tell that pressing her any further would not get them anywhere. With a sigh, she leaned forward and stood, crossing her arms over her chest.

"We'll get you home in time," Emma promised — and she meant to keep it. She knew that whatever else was going on, Regina was worried about what Cora had said to her. And in all honesty, so was everyone else.

Regina nodded and offered a half smile. She hoped that was true.

"Regina…" David's voice called from beside the window where ehe was looking out at the street below — his tone was tense and he was already backing away from whatever he had seen.

"What is it," she asked, hands moving to either side of the chair, pushing herself up to her feet. "Did Snow talk Muscles into giving it another go?" she asked, laughing to herself as she made her way to David's side — but he was backing away, still, and they collided.

"I don't think so," he said hurriedly, his eyes wide.

There was a sudden screech, and the sound of glass shattering and wood splintering above them. The bed upstairs in the loft was crashing down into the kitchen, the apartment caving in.

"RUN. GO." Emma shouted, pushing Regina out of the way of a falling ceiling lamp.

They were all sprinting to the door, David ushering each of them out before himself. They moved as quickly as they could — the girl from the tunnels ahead, then Emma, and then Regina. Regina was moving slower than she would have liked, leaning heavily into the railing as she clopped down each step.

"Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit," she muttered under her breath with each step, cursing herself for how slowly she was moving — for the heels she was wearing — for agreeing to any of this over a peaceful day at home in Storybrooke.

"Let me guess — the Cerberus?" Emma called over her shoulder as she reached the bottom step, looking up to see Regina and David still making their way down.

There was a loud growl, and then the door to the apartment was splintered into a thousand pieces as the three headed beast broke free of the doorway, three mouths snapping wildly in their direction.

The four sprinted down the main street, David holding Regina upright, helping to keep her at a pace that would allow her to live another day, when Snow and Hercules were spotted just ahead.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Snow asked frantically, her eyes locked on Regina.

She was panting to catch her breath, bending forward to rest her hands on the tops of her knees, her belly tightening strangely beneath her coat.

"Cerberus. He found us," David explained, looking down to rub Regina's back soothingly, a sigh of relief on his lips when she finally straightened to fully standing.

"Where's the girl?" Snow asked, looking around them.

"She ran when it attacked," Emma replied. "We gave her a head start, but there was only so long we could hold it off."

"We should split up again. We have to find her before that monster does," Snow sighed, and again her eyes were on Regina, unsure of how to best protect her.

"I'll stay with Regina. Go," David offered with a nod, and his arm was linked with hers once again. "Come on," he encouraged gently.

The hellhound had found Snow, Hercules and the girl easily, but thanks to Snow's quick actions — and her impossibly good aim — it was defeated. They were safe, again — for now.

At the diner, happy to accept even a few quiet moments of peace and rest, Emma, Regina, Snow and Charming watched as Hercules and the girl seemed to better acquaint themselves.

Sitting on a stool at the counter, Regina counted every aching muscle in her body. And then she counted her child's movement. And then she counted how many weeks they had remaining before giving birth in the Underworld would become a genuine problem. Letting out a sigh when the baby seemed to do a full turn within her, Regina leaned back, stretching her abdomen out to allow it just a few more inches of space.

"Looks like Herc found a friend," David said with a knowing smile, gesturing to the table where the young lovers sat.

Regina curled her lip and refused to look in their direction — because only a Charming would find this endearing. A romance in Hell.

"Henry," Robin whispered through the dark tunnel into the Mayor's office, elated when he heard the boy coming through. "Henry, you alright?"

"Yeah," Henry's voice grunted, making his way back through with a little more difficulty than before.

"Did you find anything?" Robin asked, his eyes locked on the boy's, making sure he was safe.

"Uh…no, nothing," Henry lied. "Dead end."

He said nothing of Cruella, of the information she' given him, of the request she'd made of him. Of the revelation that the Author's pen not only possessed more power than he had originally thought, but that it was its own entity — a living being — with a counterpart in the Underworld.

"The prisoner that you aided in escape has now moved on from this realm," Hades sneered, waltzing casually towards Hook, who lay broken and battered on the ground.

"Good for her," Hook replied dryly.

Hades slid a long, metal chisel from its sheath at his hip in response, smiling as he twirled it between his fingers, taunting the pirate with glee.

"Get on with it, then," Hook said gruffly, clenching his jaw to brace for whatever new torture this would be.

"Oh this?" Hades asked with a laugh. No, this…isn't for you. It's for your friends."

"What the bloody hell am I supposed to do with this," Hook asked, wincing in his words.

"Simple accounting, really. At first I wanted your friends to leave," Hades explained. "I really had such a smooth-running operation going here before they arrived. But now I've decided they've caused too much damage. So my vindictive side — it wants to punish them," he whispered, turning on his heel after handing Hook the instrument.

"So, from now on, for every soul your friends set free, one of them is going to have to stay," Hades announced with glee, waving his hand and conjuring three tomb stones in the center of his throne room.

"And captain," he added, his smile only growing. "You get to decide who…"