Chapter 14

It had been three days since Quinn shoved Danni's heart back in her chest. Quinn and Rachel hadn't left the rooms. Santana and Brittany had been following Belle, trying to learn everything that they could. Slowly and randomly, Rachel would tell them something and they would relay to the rest of the family. Will had taken to camping outside the rooms in hopes that she would get some good news quicker. It didn't help.

Rachel called for Belle after the first day. Danni hadn't woken and they were afraid. They'd never seen anything like it. Rachel knew that they were ill equipped to deal with anything magical, but they still had to try.

In refusing to leave Danni's side, they alienated Emma and Regina, who might have helped them. There was just something about the situation that wouldn't allow either Rachel or Quinn to ask for their help. Instead a list of questions, requests, and concerns were delivered each day to Belle at breakfast. They were all upset about the situation, but Belle assured them all that Quinn was doing the right thing.

Regina hated to admit but she was. Quinn had calmed her daughter. She had been there for Danni when she had no one else. She could understand surrounding herself with people that actually cared and weren't trying to use her for her power. The four girls that had come with her seemed worthy of her esteem, but they still frightened Regina somewhat and she didn't know why. There was no outward reason that she should be scare of four non-magical women. She didn't have a logical explanation. As Emma would say, she was trusting her gut.

Belle on the other hand gave them whatever they wanted. Snow and Emma seemed to follow their lead. They were all wary of the Latina because of her fiery temper and her boisterous nature. But, Brittany fit in with them easily. She would spend time each day with Ruby. Belle didn't understand why and every time she questioned Brittany about it, she would tell her it was because Ruby asked her to come. Belle would give her a look and then shake it off. They were in a magical world. Stranger things were known to have happened.

On the fourth day, Rachel sent for Brittany, Santana and Belle. This time the plea was urgent. There seemed to be some other sort of reason behind it, but Belle couldn't tell what. They rushed to Danni's side, Regina and Emma close on their heels. And, this time her mothers weren't refused at the door. They were just asked to wait in the living room area until there was news or they were needed.

Regina agreed reluctantly and paced before the hearth. Emma sat on one of the couch and watched her wife pace. Santana stayed with them and sat at the table with a book on heroes that she decided to read after making some comment about wanting to know Fairy Tale Lands fairy tales and the magic cures in them. If anyone had bothered to ask, Santana was really reading it so she could understand more about the stories that Brittany had been asking about.

Belle emerged from the room. She didn't look happy. She didn't look sad, either. She looked indifferent but slightly defeated. It was like she was at a loss to understand what was happening with Danni and somehow she knew that it correlated with what was going on with Ruby.

"There's no change. She's still sleeping. They say that she's been moaning in her sleep and when they try to ask her something, she opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes."

"Will they allow Wilhelmina to kiss her?" Emma asked.

"She isn't under a sleeping curse and until we know what is causing her fever, no one with magic should be near her, for their safety and hers. I know that it isn't ideal, but we have to respect Danni's wishes in this matter. She would never forgive us if we didn't," Belle told them.

"Fuck that, Bookworm. I'm going in there. I'll get her to talk," Santana told her jumping up from the table and heading for the door.

Wilhelmina had just come in at that time with some food and wine. She saw the fiery Latina stalking the door, blustered and almost peacocking her way into the room. She smiled. She couldn't help herself. The Latina reminded her too much of herself and Regina combined.

An hour later, Santana emerged from the room with a string of Spanish expletives. She walked back across the room and sat down. Will decided to join her. She wondered what the Latina would tell her about Danni's condition.

Time seemed to slow down. Snow would come in the room and get Regina and Emma to leave for at least their meals. She didn't want the castle gossiping more than it was and having the reigning sovereigns skipping meals to attend to an ill non-recognized child would make waves. Other times, Snow would bring them tea and books. Charming had even brought a load of wood for the fire. Usually Wilhelmina did this, but she had taken a shine to the Latina and decided to make her acquaintance and be friendly.

"What do you want, Fire Truck?" Santana asked her.

"Fire Truck?"

"Well I am not going to call you, Will Scarlet or Ser Knight. Cause, I am just not. And, I don't care if you are a princess, either. Hell, I really just liked the way it sounded," Santana told her.

"Fair enough," Will replied.

Santana turned her head in confusion. She wasn't prepared for Will to be so…agreeable. She had been gearing up for a fight with the woman once she could put a face with the name and the relationship with Danni. She didn't want to like the woman on principle, but Will was making it hard. She was too agreeable, stubborn and beautiful. And, Santana had to admit that she had a nice ass, but she still liked Britt's better. She cocked an eyebrow at her before continuing.

"So, what do you want, Fire Truck?"

"You're close to Coraline…Danni, I mean, back in New York?"

"Hellz yeah we are. We have a Broadway production company. It's BRSQ. That's pronounced 'brisk.' Danni is our silent partner and director. She's amazing at getting the meaning of the words from Quinn's page to her stage. And, Berry…she can sing it, act it and make you believe it. We've become a powerhouse, Broadway royalty if you will, and we enjoy it."

"You like power?"

"Who doesn't?" Santana asked.

Will looked her over again. She could see the signs and she wondered if anyone could. She doubted it, but then again, Emma was the only one that had run into magical creatures outside of Storybrooke, even if she didn't know it at the time. Will had seen many of their kind, refugees of a war or curse, learning to function in a world with magic. But, some were so strong, like the dragon in Phuket, and they overcame the pesky problem of no natural magic in that realm by simply making it themselves. She never wanted that kind of power, so she opted to blend in with the locals. When things got rough or too many questions were being asked, she simply moved.

"I don't."

"That's because you have it naturally. Oh, don't look at me like that. I've been reading up on you, Missy. I know about the little thing with Regina. Kinky I must add, just kinky, but whatever floats your boat, right? But, anyway, a race of immortal humanoid people from a land of volcanoes and islands. Do you have any relatives in Japan or Hawai'i?"

"Not that I am aware of, no. But, then again, it's been almost five years since I'd been out of Storybrooke, must less left the Eastern Seaboard. I miss Boston."

"Why?"

"It became my home," Will stated.

"And now?"

"Danni is my home."

"Oh, don't make me gag. Please…no, really, please. It is bad enough having to deal with Rachel and Quinn. I don't think I could handle two immortals. It would be just too much."

Will laughed. It was quiet but jovial. And, suddenly, the mood in the room lifted…for just a few seconds, but it was enough for them all to realize how much they were will do for love.

"Can I ask you a question?" Will asked her.

"Go ahead," Santana replied.

"Why are you here?"

"For Danni," Santana stated.

"No, really, why are you here?"

"For Danni and for Quinn."

"Why is Quinn here?"

"For Danni."

"Why?"

"Because she saved Rachel," San answered simply.

"But why are you here? That explains Rachel and Quinn, but you? You're harder than they are. Why would you make this your fight? Why would you help Danni?" Will probed.

"Because she helped Quinn."

Will cocked her head. She didn't know what to make of the women. They had been there for a few days and Will felt drawn to Santana more than the other three. She just couldn't explain it.

"How are you and Quinn friends?" Will finally asked.

"How are you and Regina?"

"Touché, but seriously, you both seem to have a different dynamic than the other two. What is it about Quinn that made you become her friend? Why do you defend her so much?" Will inquired.

"We became friends in high school."

"Why?"

"She walked in like she owned the place. She became the head cheerleader and Queen B of the school. People feared her. Girls wanted to be her. I decided that we could help each other. I realized early on at Cheer Camp that she didn't have the stomach to do certain things. I became her enforcer. Brittany, well, she is just bubbly and befriended us both. Quinn's home life wasn't the greatest and I could understand it. Mine wasn't either. We bonded over parents that threw money at us to make us happy. We didn't know what real love was supposed to be until Rachel and Brittany showed us. So, when they both wanted to help Danni, we agreed. But, I think that Quinn was going to do it on her own anyway. She and Danni have bonded so much with their writing. I don't know what happened to Danni, and it isn't my place to ask, but if anyone here hurts her, it isn't just me that you have to worry about," Santana told her.

"Quinn would hurt someone for her?" Will questioned.

"Without a second thought."

"That's good to know," Will replied.

"Why?"

"Because I love Danni and I always will."

"Look, Quinn is reacting to everything the only way she knows how. She rushes in and fights her way back out. She's been reading and trying to comprehend this magic stuff, but for us, it's hard. We've never had it. It was all make believe before, you know? And, now, we can see it, feel it, and we know that there is a lot of magic in this place. We can't deny it. And, for her that is hard, because I know what she is thinking," Santana stated.

"And, what's that?"

"How much easier her life could have been if she was magical," Santana replied.

"She's going to get better," Will stated.

"And, you know this how?"

"I have to believe it. And, I think that she is the only thing that can help Ruby. I don't know how you four fit into this, but for some reason you do. I sure that if Ruby was well she'd come up with some strange correlation or something. She was always good at sniffing things out."

"Did you just make a werewolf joke?" Santana asked her.

"I did," Will replied, laughing.

Santana couldn't help it. She did, too. But, she stopped when she saw Brittany coming out of the room. She stood up and dropped the book on the table.

Brittany looked like she had tears in her eyes. Santana set her jaw. She wasn't ready to deal with an upset Brittany. Things had been going well. There should be a reason that Brittany was upset unless…unless something happened to Danni.

Will watched them. She hoped that the thoughts running through her head were wrong. She needed Danni to be okay. She needed to tell her that she loved her. She needed Danni to know that she didn't care about the past, that they could have a future together, and that she would do anything for her. She didn't care about anything but Danni. Danni was her reason for living.

"Britt?" Santana asked, pain lacing her voice.

"Her fever is spiking. Belle says that it is magic induced. Her body is fighting it, but this is worse than she when she was becoming the Dark One. She is beside herself. She doesn't know what to do to stop the fever. She's asked Regina, but every time she nears the room to see her, Danni freaks out. She keeps calling her the Black Queen," Brittany told her.

"I know something that might help," Will stated.

"What?"

"It is a tea, but the leaves are hard to get."

"Let's go," Santana told her.

"What do you mean, 'let's go.'? I can't leave her. They need me here," Will said.

"Yes, you can. Belle and Brittany will be with her. We can go. Britt, get Quinn. Will get some horses and whatever else we might need. We leave within the hour," Santana told her.

"And, who decided that you were in charge of this endevour?" Will asked.

"I did," Regina stated as she joined them. "Take whatever you need. And, this too."

Santana reached out for the object. She glanced at it turning it over in her hands before she realized that it was a mirror. She looked up at the fiery Queen.

"Enchanted Forest cell phone?"

"You could call it that. Now, go. I don't know how much longer Belle can keep her calm and cool. We need to break this fever or we might lose her to insanity," Regina told them.

Santana nodded and started for the door. She turned around when she realized that Will wasn't with her. She went back, kissed Brittany, told her to get Quinn ready, and grabbed Will, dragging her out of the room and towards the stables.

Meanwhile in Danni's private room, Quinn and Rachel sat on a lounger and watched as Belle did some simple magic. Brittany came back in and gave Quinn a look. Deep blue met worried hazel. Quinn leaned over, kissed Rachel on the check and then went to Brittany.

"What is it?"

"Will may have an antidote or medicine or something."

"Okay, and?"

"Santana is making her go. She wants you to get ready. You're going with them. Regina has given you all full royal backing. They left to go get some horses," Brittany told her.

"How soon?"

"Within the hour," Britt replied.

"Will you stay with them?" Quinn asked.

"Of course," Britt told her.

Quinn nodded. She walked back over to where Rachel was sitting. She kissed her. Rachel turned and looked up into her eyes. She knew that Quinn was leaving. She didn't know where she was going or what she was doing, but she knew. She could see it in Quinn's eyes.

"Be careful."

"Always for you, mi Estrella," Quinn told her.

"Come back to me," Rachel demanded.

"As soon as I can, Love, as soon as I can."

And with that Quinn left Danni's side. She got into the main rooms and saw the rest of the family waiting. She looked around until she saw Emma.

"Emma?"

"Yes," the blond queen replied looking up at her.

"I need your help," Quinn stated.

"With what?"

"Do you have an archery set that I could borrow?"

Emma smiled. She nodded and headed for the door to the suite. Quinn looked around. She gave them all a weak smile. She didn't know what lay beyond the castle and at that moment, she should be frightened by that fact. She wasn't. She was worried about Danni.

"Didn't figure a cheerleader turned playwright for an archer," Emma told her as they made their way towards the armoury.

"There is a lot about me that no one knows, milady," Quinn replied.

"Oh, please don't say that. I hate that. Just call me Emma."

"Fine, Emma," Quinn said.

They walked in silence. There was really nothing for either of them to say. It was odd, because Quinn knew from the stories that Belle had told them over the last few days, and all the other literature that Quinn had gotten her hands on, that she and Emma had a very similar background. They should be able to carry on a conversation and be friendly towards one another. Instead they walked in silence, each consumed by their thoughts of Danni and her well-being.

When they walked into the armoury, Emma stopped just inside. She knew that Will would be there soon. She would take every precaution that she could. Quinn turned around to face her and Emma just pointed at a rack in the center of the room.

Quinn walked over. She grabbed a bow and tested it. She did this a few more times before she found a yew bow that was painted green with golden swirls on it. She tested it. It was perfect. She reached over into a quiver and snagged an arrow. She drew and found a target. She loosed the arrow and it found it's mark…bullseye.

"Well, shit, Q, when did you learn to do that?" Santana asked her as she and Will joined them.

"A long time ago at a camp far, far away," Quinn teased.

Will smirked. They were teasing each other to get through their pain. It was how they functioned. No wonder they were good friends with Danni. Emma couldn't suppress her smile either. She nodded at Quinn, who grabbed two quivers and then bow before rejoining them.

"Two?" Will asked.

"Yeah," Quinn replied, "One for the horse and one for me."

Will understood. Quinn was thinking like a warrior. She didn't know where she got the instinct, but even Will had to admit that Quinn was ready.

Santana grabbed a sword and threw it at Quinn before grabbing another one. They both drew them and started sparring. It was a quick fight with no clear winner.

"What kind of cheerleaders are you?" Emma asked them.

"You'd need to meet our coach. Then, you'd understand. Trust me. She was …."

"The worst person ever, but she taught us how to survive," Santana finished for her.

They gathered their weaponry and armor, keeping it light for both their sakes and the horses. They were both surprised when Emma handed them some clothes. Will just smiled as they looked at the insignias on them.

"What's this?" Quinn asked pointing at the embroidery.

"It makes you an envoy of the Three Queens. No one would dare touch you. Plus, I am sure that Regina's given them some sort of magical boost."

"What the hell does that mean?" Santana asked.

Quinn looked up at Emma. She shook her head before turning to look at her friend, the fiery Latina. She pulled the jerkin over her shirt and attached the cloak.

"Welcome to the family, Santana. We are now officially royal sister to the Loban of the Wolves, Princess Royal of the Kingdoms of the Winterlands and Summerlands, and defender of the Enchanted Forest," Quinn told her.

"In English please," Santana demanded.

"Emma basically just knighted us and added us to her family."

"Meaning?" Santana asked looking at the green-eyed Queen.

"Meaning that you have the protection of my knights and my people. If you need anything, ask. They will provide. And, other kingdoms will treat you as royalty. You are now cousins of the crown and as such will be afforded all the rights and privileges that it pertains."

"Only you, Q, could be here for a week and make us HBICs again," Santana stated with a laugh.

"We should go," Will stated.

"Emma?"

"Yeah, Quinn?"

"Do me one favor while we're gone?"

"Anything," she told her.

"Make sure that Rachel and Brittany are taken care no matter what happens to us. You promise me that you will get them back to New York. Will you do that?" Quinn demanded.

"I will."

"Then, hopefully we'll be back soon."

"How long do you want me to wait for you?" Emma asked as they mounted to head out.

Quinn looked at Emma and then Will. She didn't know. She couldn't fathom the things that they might run into while looking for these leaves that Will knew about. She didn't know what to tell her. Finally, she didn't have to, Will did it for her.

"If we aren't back by the end of the month, take them back. Use the mirror. Danni's left it open somehow I'm sure. She'd want to be able to run if things got too…"

"The spell is in the book on the table in my room," Santana stated.

They all looked to the Latina, Quinn in disbelief. Emma shook her head. She knew what it meant for them to be telling her this. She would care for their loved ones because they were caring for hers. She wouldn't fail them.

"I'll do as you ask," Emma said and slapped Santana's horse's ass.

They took off through the front gate of the castle into a world they could only dream about, searching for some mythical leaves, to try to save their friend. For Emma, it was just another day. For them, it would become the adventure of a lifetime.

"Godspeed, girls. Godspeed," Emma said at the empty gate.

Regina was pacing when Emma returned to the suite. She could see the worry in her lover's eyes. Before she could speak, could ask Emma what they were doing, she went into Danni's room. Regina didn't follow her.

Emma walked up to the bed and looked down at her daughter. She knelt down beside her and leaned over to her ear. She brushed the damp dark hair off her forehead.

"I promised them, Coraline. I will take care of your friends. But, you have to promise me. I know you can hear me in there. You promise me that you will continue to fight. Don't stop fighting. You haven't stopped before, so don't you stop now. You are the fucking Survivor, do you hear me? You will survive this. You will be stronger because of it. I am not letting you go, again, Coraline. You are my daughter and I will fight for you, so you fight for me. Got it?"

Danni's eyes fluttered. She opened her mouth and took a ragged breath. Emma knew that she had to be in pain. The fever was ravaging her brain worse than the Darkness did and that was what they didn't understand. Why couldn't Will just kiss her better? It wasn't a curse. They learned that much from Will's attempt. Magic was keeping her alive and cool, but it seemed that it was Danni's sheer will that was keeping her breathing. She hadn't given up…yet.

"Don't you quit on me, kiddo. We never quit on you. If I have to die to make you better, I will. You know that. Please, just hang on and fight. You can beat this," Emma told her.

Emma sat back. She looked over at Rachel and Brittany. They all had tears in their eyes.

They all heard Danni take another harsh breath. The only thing that made Rachel happy about hearing her breathe was that Danni was still breathing. And, it didn't sound wet. As long as it wasn't wet, Rachel didn't have a reason to be scared. She held Brittany's hand. They needed to be strong for each other, for their loves out on adventure, and their friend battling God knows what inside her.

"Ma…"

They all turned to look at Danni. Rachel was off the lounger and on the bed beside the woman. She watched with silent, but happy tears, as Danni's eyes fluttered open.

"Ma…" she moaned out again.

"I'm here, Coraline. I'm here. I promise. I'm right beside you."

"Ma…"

"I'm here, baby."

"…I…Ma…I…"

"What is it, kiddo? Just tell me. Anything, I don't care."

"…Ma…I…" she licked her lips and continued, "Ma…I…promise."

Emma stared at her daughter. Rachel reached out to check her breathing because her eyes closed. Brittany reached out to touch her leg, to let her know that she wasn't alone.

"I promise…" Danni said again before everything went quiet again.