A/N: Just a quick reminder, this story takes place after Heroes and Villains. So Zelena is living with Robin and Roland, unbeknownst to either of them. And this chapter takes place after Gold was in the hospital with his heart issues, but before he finds the Queens of Darkness (Ursula, Cruella, and Maleficent).

REVIEWS KEEP ME WRITING!

Honestly, is anyone still reading this story? It won't let me see even how many views it has, so tell me if you guys (if anyone's out there) think I should continue?

On a side note, Ruby's coming back in Season 5! I'm so excited!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything! :(

Previously: Regina, Snow, David, Killian, Belle, Grumpy, and Henry found out that they had less than six months to live. Meanwhile, Emma discovered where the others are and learned about their impending deaths—she resolved to leave town and find Rumpelstiltskin.

Chapter 4

Henry could do nothing but watch as his mother tried fruitlessly to get the barrier down. No matter how much magic she threw at it, it held strong, refusing to break in the slightest. At times like these, the frustration really got to him. Why couldn't he have been born with magic? Why couldn't he have been born useful? He knew he apparently had the heart of the truest believer, but how had that ever helped anyone? The only thing it managed to do was get him kidnapped and nearly killed.

Right now, he wished more than anything he could go and at least help his mother take the barrier down—two magic-users would be better than one. Unfortunately, he could do nothing but stand there; offering verbal encouragement and hoping to god they would find a way out of here before they were all crushed. When Henry had first learned of their impending doom, he had been scared. But soon, the fear had been replaced with an unrelenting determination. He would not let his loved ones die here. He would get back to his other mom in Storybrooke.

Hook stood beside him, also gazing over at Regina. He and the pirate had become close in the past few weeks, especially after they had appeared in this new realm. Killian comforted him; helped him get through it all. The Queen had ordered the two of them to keep an eye out for any cracks or fluctuations in the impenetrable barrier around them, but so far there had been nothing (and that was saying a lot, since his mom had been at it for hours now). He could almost see the transparent dome around them shrinking inwards—there couldn't be much time left before it crushed them. His mom had said six months, but he was willing to bet they had even less time.

Belle was perched on a rock only a little ways away from them, immersed in thought. Henry could tell the woman was thinking—trying to remember whatever it was she had gleaned from Gold during the past years. She was convinced her ex-husband might have mentioned something in the past about this strange land they were in, but she hadn't been able to recall it yet.

"That's it," sighed Regina after awhile, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. "There's no way we're going to get past this barrier." Henry offered his mother a half-hearted pat on the back, but he knew it didn't do much.

He saw Killian watching the two of them thoughtfully, the gears in his mind evidently moving. "Rather than attempting to break through the barrier—a task that isn't likely to be completed soon," began the former pirate, "we could try to contact Swan back in Storybrooke. Perhaps she has answers we don't."

Henry's mother looked up, something new sparking in her gaze, and Belle's stare also turned upward from her perch on the rock. What Killian said was true—maybe Emma had found something back at the Storybrooke library, or in Regina's vault. If they found a way to communicate with her, then maybe all hope wasn't lost.

"You could be right," murmured the former Evil Queen, looking contemplatively ahead of her. "I have tried to make contact with Storybrooke, especially when Henry was still there, but I found nothing." His mother hesitated. "But this time, I have more resources. Belle can help me."

The brunette nodded, standing up and walking toward the rest of them. "Even if Emma hasn't found anything," began Belle slowly, "there are other people back in our world who would have information."

Henry stared at her, comprehension dawning on his face. "Gold."

Belle nodded, and Henry could tell she was slightly uncomfortable speaking of her ex-husband. He knew it must have been hard for the woman to banish Gold from Storybrooke, and he respected her for gathering up the courage to do it in the first place.

"Well, then I'll get right to it," sighed his mom, standing up and gesturing for Belle to follow her back to the campsite. The next moment they were gone, leaving only Henry and Killian back in the clearing.

Henry looked up at the pirate to see him staring pensively at the barrier, clearly fearing for what was to come. It had shrunk inwards slightly in the mere few hours they had been there—an omen that definitely didn't bode well.

"We don't have much time, do we?" asked Henry quietly.

"No, lad. We don't," replied Killian quite honestly. It was one of the things Henry appreciated about his mom's boyfriend—he didn't treat Henry like a child. He treated him like an able companion; someone who could handle things, no matter how harsh they were.

A few minutes of silence passed before Killian gestured for Henry to lead the way out of the clearing. Neither of them wanted to stay and watch the barrier steadily move inwards. Neither of them wanted to watch the cause of their impending deaths. He had to believe they would get out of this alive. He had to believe he would get back to his mom.

When they reached the campsite, Henry could tell something was off. There wasn't the usual ruckus and bustle of the encampment. Instead, it was completely silent—you could hear a pin drop. He exchanged a mystified glance with Killian before moving forward. Soon enough, he heard muffled whispers coming from the main tent and he rushed to see what was going on, Killian matching him pace for pace.

Henry entered the shelter, only to see a loud crowd obstructing his view. They were all staring at something in the middle of the small living area, and he growled in frustration as people milled about him. He pushed past them, determined to find out what was happening and what had everyone in such a state of unrest.

He stopped dead when he saw whom everyone was staring at.

It was Doc. Well, not quite as much Doc as it was the dwarf's mangled body.

Blood stained the floor where the small man lay, and it appeared as if something, or someone had ripped off half of his face, not to mention several other appendages. A stark, white bone could be seen where Doc's arm used to be—the dwarf was very clearly dead. Henry nearly threw up right there and then.

"Henry!" shouted his mother suddenly, approaching him and grabbing him by the arm. "What are you doing here? You shouldn't be seeing this."

"What happened?" he asked Regina, wrenching his arm out of her grip. "How did he...?"

The Queen shook her head sadly, and then gave him a stern glance. "It doesn't matter. Just promise me you'll stay here, in the camp from now on. You are not to go out in the forest."

"Mom!" he growled, his voice heavily tinged with annoyance. "I'm not a kid anymore! I can handle the truth!"

Regina sighed, closing her eyes briefly. She seemed stressed, and Henry almost felt sorry for arguing with her. Almost. The guilt was heavily overshadowed with irritation at being treated like a child.

"We don't know what happened," said Regina after a while. "Grumpy brought his body back only a few moments ago—said he had been raving about man-eating plants and whatnot before he died."

Henry gulped. "What do you think killed him?"

His mother's face was grim. "It doesn't matter," she said quietly. "All that matters is what his death means."

"And what does it mean?" he asked, fearing for the answer.

"It means that the decreasing barrier isn't our only problem." She looked him directly in the eyes. "It also means you'll stay here, where it's safe, no matter what."

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Emma sighed and got into her bug. She had performed the spell found in one of Regina's books from the vault successfully, and the barrier around Storybrooke came down without any penalties. Emma made a mental checklist in her head: she had the Snow Queen's scroll, some rations, the diary entry from Circe, and various other essentials she would need for a journey out into the real world.

She took a deep breath, and entered her bug, ready to leave. It was with a melancholy silence that she drove out of Storybrooke, not sure when she would come back—not sure if she would come back. If the search for Gold turned up fruitless, would she return to Storybrooke, or try to make a living in the real world?

No. That wasn't an option. She wouldn't fail—she couldn't.

Emma knew that if her family died, she wouldn't be able to live with herself. Besides, she was good at finding people. On the one trip out of Storybrooke with Gold, they had gone to New York City. He was slightly familiar with the place, so he most likely would have gone there—it was only a few hours away from Storybrooke. If he wasn't in New York City, then she would try Boston next.

Panicked thoughts raced through her head as she drove—thoughts about her family, Henry, Killian...what would she do if they died? She refused to think of anything to do with her loved ones' deaths, so she did just that. Her mind stayed relatively silent for the next few hours, until she had reached New York City. The first place she thought to look was Neal's old apartment.

The rickety steps to his room brought back memories, both joyful and sad. Once she reached the top, she decided against knocking the door down. Instead, she rapped the wood thrice and waited.

To her surprise, the one who answered wasn't Gold, but Robin Hood. The former outlaw looked shocked to see her, but let her in without any questions. He could evidently tell something was wrong. Roland recognized her instantly and ran to give her a little hug, of which she accepted gratefully. They had never really been close, but the little boy was probably thankful to see a familiar face.

In contrast, Marian looked almost a little upset when she saw her. The woman's face brightened right after, but not quickly enough for Emma to miss a flash of something unrecognizable in her eyes. She shrugged it off, however, and got right down to business.

"Do you know where Gold is?"

Robin looked surprised to say the least. "Y-yes," answered the man. "He came here only a short while ago...he was suffering heart pains and had me procure the Elixir of the Wounded Heart for him." He paused. "It healed him, and he left—to where, I have no idea." The archer tilted his head slightly. "Why? Is something wrong? Is Regina okay?"

Emma saw Marian cast a glance at the two of them from the kitchen when Robin uttered the last few words. "Not exactly..." she said quietly.

She told Robin (and Marian, who was listening from the kitchen attentively while she boiled water on the kettle) about the recent events of the past few weeks. This, of course, agitated Robin greatly, although Emma left out the part about the others dying soon if she didn't do anything to bring them back.

"Look," she told Robin. "There's really not much you can do to help. You have a wife and a kid to take care of." Emma hesitated. "If there is anything you remember...maybe Gold dropped a hint as to where he was going?"

Robin thought for a moment. "I believe he is still in New York City," said the man finally. "But where in the city, I do not know." He looked apologetic and Emma sighed.

They talked a bit more and then she took her leave, telling Robin confidently (a bit more confidently than she felt) that everything would be all right, and that she would contact him as soon as all of them were safe and together. Robin still looked unsettled, but Emma convinced him the right place for him was with his family.

"Please," he said, grabbing her arm right when she was about to shut the door. "Promise me you'll get Regina back."

Emma hesitated, but nodded nonetheless. "I promise."

Robin let her go, looking slightly more satisfied, and she made her way out of the apartment complex, at a loss as to what to do next. She got back in her bug and leaned her head against the seat, closing her eyes. The hopelessness of it all came rushing back to her, quick and fierce. The stakes were higher than ever now—she needed to get her loved ones back, no matter what. When Emma opened her eyes a minute later, she nearly jumped up at the sight she saw in front of her.

It was Gold.

The man was staring at her, and for a brief moment their gazes met. Then he was off and running, as quickly as he could with his little, wooden cane. Emma smiled to herself and revved up the engine.

The chase was on.