Belle opened the door to the library and was surprised to see Killian Jones waiting for her inside. He stood by the reception desk and looked up as she entered the building, plopping the book he was perusing through down upon her desk.

"No one is allowed in here after hours. How did you get in here?"

"Uh… pirate?" he said as if she was insulting his intelligence. "Besides, these locks aren't very secure. In fact, I think these were the same exact ones I was able to pick into last time."

"I'll keep that in mind when I change them," she said out loud making a mental note to herself. "Where's Emma? Because I'm sure you're not here to eagerly check out a book."

"She doesn't know I'm here-"

"-then get out!" she said cutting him off and pointing sternly at the door. When she saw that he wasn't moving she immediately reached into her purse and grabbed her cell phone.

"No, wait," he said raising both of his empty hands to show that he wasn't a threat.

"Get out, or the next person I call will be my husband and not Emma."

"Would you just hear me out for a moment?" pleaded Killian, "If you hear what I have to say, I'll leave your library peacefully. I didn't come here to cause you any harm. I just wanted to talk to you discreetly."

With one hand she covered her belly protectively and with the other her thumb hovered hesitantly over the send button to call her husband. She still had the faux dagger in her purse and although it wouldn't summon him to her she could still use it to defend herself. Then she remembered her wedding ring and knew to use it for emergencies only. Was this an emergency? Would it even work? There was no way to test it and know for sure. If he harmed her, Emma would surely find out about it and if not her, then definitely her husband. If Rumplestiltskin ever found out about this peculiar and suspicious interaction, Killian would surely be a dead man, magic or not. She knew that Killian wouldn't risk his life unless what he had to say was worth that kind of trouble.

"You've got five minutes. And keep your distance! Believe it or not, I am actually carrying a weapon."

Killian stepped back a few feet as he explained his presence, "I know that Rumplestiltskin is without magic and that he believes magic will make everything better. It won't. Trust me, I've been hunting after him for quite some time and I got to know his son during his stay at Neverland. Magic was what severed his relationship with his father and I'd hate to see history repeat itself."

"And so now you're suddenly a humanitarian? What did you want to tell me Killian?"

"What if I were to tell you that it is possible to live happily and peacefully without magic?"

"In Storybrooke?"

"No, outside of Storybrooke. Beyond the town line."

"Anyone who crosses the border loses their memories. Everyone knows that. Besides, even when it was possible to retain your memories and cross the line only Rumple was able to do it… and that was when there was magic in Storybrooke."

"Not everyone lost their magic," countered Killian. Belle was taken by surprise over the insight and her face twisted in both confusion and curiosity. He continued, "Elsa and Hercules are currently living in Storybrooke and they still have their powers. Their abilities were never tethered to Storybrooke's magic because of their familial ties to gods."

"What are you implying?"

"If you and Rumplestiltskin move out of Storybrooke, you both can live out the rest of your days in bliss. Out in that world nobody will know who you are or require his magic. And now that you have such a good report with Elsa, perhaps she could somehow find a spell to help both of you retain your memories when you cross the border."

The notion stopped her in her tracks. Hadn't she thought about this just days ago? It was something she had intended to bring up to Rumple in her own time and in her own way, but like this? To convince Rumple of crossing the border would take time; time to convince him that he no longer needed magic. She knew that it was an issue that wasn't going to be resolved in a day, so why was Killian telling her this now? So many questions ran through her mind all at once and it made her suspicious of his intentions.

"And what do you get out of all of this?" she inquired, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

"I get to live happily with Emma in peace. The Dark One and I have been after each other for centuries and if he's around he'll continue to be a threat to my happiness till the day I die. And if we continue to be trapped in this bloody town together, we'll surely find a way to destroy each other and I'll be damned if I die by his hands."

"If you're so concerned about your happily ever after, why don't you and Emma just move to New York? Surely you'll both retain your memories without the need of magic."

"Emma's home is here in Storybrooke with her family and knowing her, she will never move away from her family." Killian looked at the library's doors and gestured his intent to leave. He crossed the room slowly and made his way toward the library's exit when he smiled and added, "Besides, if you both leave Storybrooke, you'll never have to see my gorgeous face again."

As soon as Killian left, she took her seat behind the circulation desk and pondered. She had to admit, not having to see Killian ever again was quite the incentive, but how to make this all possible seemed well… impossible. But was it? Belle may not have seen eye to eye with Killian, but he wasn't unintelligent. His words carried merit, not because he said them, but because she had thought about this same thing before.

Perhaps now was the time for her to share her insights. The whole situation was incredibly ironic because it was typically the other way around. Maybe it was her turn to tell him of what she saw in their future. Belle thought that perhaps the reason Killian was telling her now was because he knew just as she did that it was only a matter of time before Rumplestiltskin figured out a way to bring magic back. And it was only this morning that he stated confidently that magic would be coming back. She needed to seize this moment while there wasn't any magic for him to be tempted by. So it was then that she decided to tell him, reasoning that the sooner she'd make her intentions known the sooner they could get to living their happily ever after.

"At lunch," she said to herself. "I'll tell him at lunch."

… …

Mary opened the doors to the pawn shop and entered the building. At the sound of the bell that jingled, Gold stepped out from behind the display case where he was tinkering with a giant gemstone to greet the expected visitor.

"Mary," greeted Gold as he walked over to her using the cane Belle gave him, "How kind of you to come by my shop again."

"I did receive your invitation at the inn and thank you for inviting me back. I had thought, if only for a brief moment, that our friendship was in jeopardy because of our little discord from yesterday. I do hope you and Belle were able to mend things."

"We were able to mend things. However, there were just a few holes in our story that didn't make sense. Like for example, why you left Belle and Maurice in the Enchanted Forest. That part still eludes me."

"If you really must know, not all kingdoms celebrated, appreciated or understood magic. When Belle was born, the people of Maurice's kingdom did not understand me or my magic."

"Hmm," Gold chuckled with amusement, "how ironic. Who'd have thought that all it would take is a plaguing of ogres to change a kingdom's political stance on magic."

Mary looked down at a particular spot on the floor. Based off of Gold's last comment she was able to put together the pieces of the missing years after she left Maurice and Belle. As her eyes trailed upwards she noticed the cane Gold was using and questioned, "My dear Rumplestiltskin, what has happened to your leg?"

"It's a long story," he began, briefly looking down at his leg, "an old injury I had acquired during my stint as a soldier during the ogres war."

"But you didn't need the cane yesterday… why are you suddenly using it?" she asked bluntly.

"This is a side effect of living without magic. Look, I didn't invite you here to ask me about my leg…"

"Yes," she said cutting him off as she walked around his shop. As she paced around the room, she began touching random objects. "I read in your message that you had some insight on valuable information for me."

"I wanted to let you know that I found your missing ingredient. I know who will cast your Impossible Possible spell. Just curious though, what are the words to this infamous spell? You never told me what it was."

"Why do you need to know?" she asked forwardly as she looked intensely at a pair of earrings through a glass display case.

"I am asking because this town could use a little injection of magic."

"This town does not need magic. No, my friend, I am afraid that it is you who wishes magic to return."

"Regardless of whether or not I want magic to return, I know that you are here because you are in search for the last ingredient to your spell. And I know what… or shall I say… who it is." Mary's ears perked at his words and she turned to look at him giving him her undivided attention. When he saw that he finally captured her interest, he continued, "I know magic will return to Storybrooke. I knew it the moment you arrived in town. And when it does come back, I have plans. So let's make a deal… I will tell you who your caster is, if you tell me the spell."

"And what, may I ask, would you do with that power upon receiving said knowledge?"

"I don't normally make it a habit of sharing my intentions, but since we are such good friends, well… family now technically, I'll tell you. I-"

"-want to keep your magic by taking my Impossible Possible spell and use it to cleave yourself from the dagger's curse, that which perpetually tethers you to being a slave to whoever wields it." Gold, stunned by her acute knowledge and frank foresight, was rendered speechless. Seeing the look on his face she knew she was correct in her assessment. She shook her head and continued, "Oh dear. I am afraid your issue runs deeper than simply knowing my spell."

She looked down at his leg once more and noted her observation out loud with a tone of pity, "And it appears that you are suffering from withdrawals."

"Withdrawals from what?" he said with a bit of a bite at his last word, showing his irritability.

"Magic," she said looking pitifully at her friend. "You don't need it, my friend. You have everything you could need right here in this town. Why would you need magic?"

He could hear Belle's words echo through Mary's voice and he knew that there was no hiding from Mary's perception. He should have known that she knew more than what she led others to believe. He replied more honestly, "Alright… I need magic because I don't ever want to be powerless as the coward I once was. Magic told me of my son, Baelfire. Magic saved him from the Ogres War and it was magic that allowed me to see him again."

"Don't you see what magic has done to you? Yes, magic may have allowed you to live, but it is not the panacea for living. Sooner or later you will come to realize that the tax of magic is the forsaking of life." As soon as she mentioned it, she knew that he couldn't relate to what it was that she was saying. So she drew upon a personal experience, "If you can believe it, there was once a time when I could not wield magic."

"Yeah?" he said in disbelief, "and when was that?"

"When I was pregnant with Belle," she answered. Gold looked up in surprise at her response. She added, "Actually, I found that those were the best moments of my life; being normal. Without magic I felt what it was like to be human and it was… beautiful. Although I was incredibly vulnerable, I found that it was in those vulnerable moments that made every moment I lived precious. Strange," she said chuckling to herself at the realization, "it appears that we both desire what the other one has."

"If that's the case, then a deal can always be struck," he remarked.

"No deal. I will not help you rid yourself of the curse so that you can retain your power. You made that decision long ago to take on the role of being the Dark One. Besides, I already know that my own daughter is the missing ingredient to my spell. So it would not be me who changes our fates, it would be her."

"You knew all along? Then how come you never returned and had her enact the spell then?"

"When I left Belle she was much too young to understand magic and I couldn't do that to her," Mary explained as she heaved a sigh filled with grief, "I never wanted to leave her, but it was because I stayed that my magic made matters worse in the kingdom. And since you already know that my power is dictated by the wind, you also know that it tells me when I leave and where I go. And for as long as I can remember, I never had a choice in that regard. That is why I could not come back to her."

Gold was disappointed by her reluctance to share the spell but was more saddened by the knowledge he learned of his wife's history through her mother. The whole conversation they were having made him wonder why Belle never told him about her mother in the first place. But if this conversation was any indication, it was Mary's inability to be forthright that made him see why Belle was constantly frustrated and disinclined to talk about her. Mary was quite the elusive and enigmatic person who always left with the last word. He certainly picked up on that quality. No matter what it was that Mary said, in the end, Mary somehow got what she wanted. With her cheery disposition and sweet way with words, it was as if all it took was a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down. Mary out-manipulated the manipulator and dominated every conversation they ever had and it was in her methods that left him constantly flabbergasted.

"However…," said Mary, interrupting his thoughts, "I will tell you the word to the spell but only because you know that all magic comes with a price and that only you can live with the fate of those consequences."

"The word?"

She leaned forward and whispered the spell into his ear. An instant grin appeared on his face as she spoke the powerful word softly. Even at the softest tone, the enticing word made him feel unconquerable, invincible and… dare he think it… happy. The spell was indeed potent if it was already having this kind of effect on him.

He leaned back from Mary, in awe that she was freely and willingly sharing the spell with him. His curiosity begged him to find out why, "That's quite the intricate and powerful spell. You were reluctant to tell me before, why on earth did you just share it with me?"

"I told you because you know the price of magic and the tax that comes with it. And just so you know, the nature of the spell comes from my magic. That is why in order for the spell to work as intended Belle must be the caster. Otherwise, when casted by yourself or anyone else, the results may not be as you expected."

Just as Mary ended her sentence, Belle entered the shop. Belle looked into the shop and to her dismay saw her mother standing once again next to her husband. She gave an exasperated sigh as Gold and Mary looked up at her.

"I'm… I'm sorry, I'll just come back later," Belle said as she made her way back to the door.

"Belle, I invited her here," called out Rumplestiltskin.

His response made Belle pause at the door's threshold. Suddenly, it all became clear as she reentered the shop with vigor and frustration. She stormed right up to Gold and spoke furiously, "You invited her right at lunch time so that I would be forced to confront her. Didn't you?! Rumple, I told you I would talk to her when I was ready!"

"Yes I did. And now that you're here," he said while moving cleverly around her, blocking the shop's exit, "You both can talk."

Belle squinted and furrowed her eyebrows angrily at her husband. When he smiled at her, proud over what he had accomplished, she turned away from him with disgust and faced her mother.

"It appears that my husband is preventing my escape, so unless I speak with you I will never leave. What do you want to talk about?" Belle said harshly.

"Oh, my Bluebell…" Mary replied hurtfully, reaching out to touch her face.

"Do NOT call me that!" Belle replied brashly, blocking her mother's hand which was nearing her face, "I am not a child anymore!"

"No matter what you think, you will always be my child," Mary corrected, withdrawing her hand.

Belle was left speechless stewing in her own anger. She crossed her arms over her chest and stood there silently not knowing what to say or how to respond. Mary was also rendered speechless, unsure as to how to even start a conversation with her own daughter without hostility taking over. The three individuals stood silently in front of each other and waited for someone to say or do something. When nobody was moving, Belle assumed that this would take a while so she walked behind the counter and sat down carefully on one of Gold's work stools. When Belle walked past her mother to sit down, Mary caught sight of Belle's pregnant belly and thought of a mutual topic to discuss. She calmly spoke to her, "How far along are you?"

When Belle didn't respond, Gold stepped in and replied on her behalf, "We're about eight months, almost nine."

"Oh, very soon then?"

"Yep," replied Gold, nodding his head slightly.

Mary looked over at Belle and asked, "Any names picked out yet?"

Belle was looking everywhere but her mother's face when she replied softly, "no."

"No?" Mary said with surprise. A response. This is progress, Mary thought. She looked over at Gold who was still standing over by the door, cane in hand. "That's very surprising, especially for you, sir. I would have thought you, the connoisseur of names, had at least a dozen or so names lined up for my grandchild."

"Oh, we've discussed names. We just haven't agreed on one for her yet."

"Her… So you already know the gender. Is that what the doctor said? Which hospital will you be delivering at?"

Belle immediately spoke up and spoke emphatically, "We're not going to be delivering at a hospital."

Gold added, "We haven't had many good experiences with the physicians here."

"A home delivery then. How traditional! I assume you've chosen a midwife…" Both Belle and Gold looked at each other with expressions that implied that they haven't. Mary looked back and forth at the two of them and replied with shock, "You haven't? Oh Belle, if you don't have a midwife, you must go see a doctor and be checked out. If anything, you can see if the progression of the child is in order and that everything is ok."

"No. No hospitals," insisted Belle.

"But you must find a midwife to help you with your home delivery. What if something goes wrong?"

"So now you're an expert on deliveries?" Belle replied bitterly. "This is so comforting coming from a person who abandons children. Why don't you go back to Jane and Michael? You seem to return to them for some reason."

Mary closed her eyes and bit her lip at Belle's hurtful remark. At Belle's comment, Gold was more sympathetic to Mary's situation and tried to reason with his wife, "Belle, that's not-" but was immediately cut off by Mary, who raised her hand to stop him from trying to intercede.

"No. I know when I'm not wanted," Mary said looking away from her daughter. She looked over at Gold and said, "I appreciate your effort in trying to mend our relationship, but I'm afraid we are just not ready."

Before any tears could be shed, Mary straightened her back trying incredibly hard to keep her cool composure and quietly strode out the door. Gold stepped aside granting Mary passage and turned to look at his wife who remained unmoved. When the shop's doorbell chimed, signaling Mary's departure, Belle relaxed her statuesque pose and exhaled a frustrated sigh.

"So that went well," Gold finally said, breaking the silence that had fallen between them inside the Pawn Shop. For as long as he had known Belle he had never encountered this side of her before and it took him by surprise. But then he thought about Lacey and how, at first, she didn't seem anything at all like the Belle he knew and loved. As he continued thinking about Lacey, he realized that Belle's brash and bold comments to her mother were really just Lacey coming out. Belle had these qualities in her all along. What was surprising then was not what Belle said, but that it took Mary, her own mother, to push these buttons and invoke these Lacey responses; and the revelation intrigued him. He moved hesitantly forward toward his wife, unsure as to whether she would attack him as well for arranging the meeting and noted, "You know, I think you may be the only person in this universe that doesn't like Mary Poppins."

Belle scoffed at his comment and rolled her eyes. She resumed her silence trying to simmer the anger down as he continued, "As much as you want to believe that your mother is wrong… your mother is actually quite right. We need to find a midwife if we intend on doing an at-home delivery. I know I told you before that I would be fine delivering our child, but that was when I still had magic. Granted, I would still be able to do it without magic, however, if something does go wrong… I wouldn't know what to do. I don't want to take any risks. Look," he said reaching for her hand, "I, of all people, can understand your aversion towards hospitals, but in order to find a midwife we must go to the hospital and get checked out first."

Belle finally looked up at Gold, calmer but still upset. He could see the tears forming in her eyes, so he encouraged as gently as possible tightening her hand as he assured, "I will be right by your side the entire time and I will personally make sure that no harm comes to either one of you."

At Gold's gentle and sensible insistence, Belle nodded. Whether she liked it or not, they were going to go to the hospital.