Henry groaned, putting a pillow over his face as the sunlight trickled into the room. The bright rays were hurting his eyes. He didn't get a good night's sleep from the night before. Getting up from his supine position on the bed, his hands went to sooth his aching head. He sighed, realizing why he couldn't sleep. His argument with his mother replayed in his mind. He couldn't understand how his mom was willing to leave her family behind in Storybrooke. Mary Margaret, or in his case grandmother, grew on him during his mother's absence. He noticed that the hot chocolate with cinnamon was a family trait, and she made it to help him sleep when he worried about his mother. As she read him stories before he went to bed, he started to envision what having a grandmother felt like. Emma was his family, but Mary Margaret was an extension that he didn't want to live without. Emma and he had been alone for so long, and it was time to make their family whole again. He knew deep down that once the curse was broken, Snow White and Prince Charming would want to be a family again. It had to happen, and he was going to make it happen.

Speaking of his mother, where was she? He frowned as he got up from the bed. Emma was so adamant on wanting to leave, and he was surprised that she didn't confront him at all since their argument last night. The floorboards creaked as he made his way in the big house. The sound of water running caused him to stop in front of the bathroom.

Emma was dressed in her traditional red leather jacket and vigorously brushing her teeth in front of the bathroom mirror. She was staring at it intently as she looked over each tooth she covered with a brush. Henry raised an eyebrow when she repeated her thorough brushing a second time. Despite her denial, he was sure that she didn't brush her teeth at all in the Enchanted Forest. His thoughts were short lived when he heard the faucet turn back on, and Emma moved to repeat her third brushing.

"Um, mom."

He winced when he saw Emma flinch. She swore under her breath as she looked at him, her obsessive brushing habit finally broken. "Why are you brushing your teeth again? Wasn't the first two times enough?" He finished with a laugh.

Emma smiled at him sheepishly, before staring at the object in question.

"You're right. I just wanted to make extra sure I don't get cavities," She answered with a shrug before frowning at him.

Henry knew that she was going to reprimand him from that look. She was probably going to tell him to pack. He let out a heavy sigh at the thought. He hated that he was going to have to argue with his mother again.

"Why aren't you dressed for school?" Emma reprimanded with a sly smile. Her question caused him to gape. Surely, he misheard? His mother wouldn't voluntarily stay in Storybrooke. He opened his mouth to ask if he heard the question correctly, but Emma interrupted him.

"You told Mary Margaret that you would see her today," Emma reminded with a teasing smile.

"You mean we're staying?" Henry asked, disbelief laced in his tone. This was definitely a dream that he was going to wake up from. Emma laughed when he absently raised his right hand to pinch his left arm.

"No need for that, kiddo. Operation Cobra, remember," Emma chided with a laugh as she nudged him gently out of the bathroom door. "Breakfast is on the table."

Henry dumbly walked to the kitchen. His mind was still reeling from his mother's change in behavior. He knew she was spooked by something that happened in the Enchanted Forest, but whatever happened the previous night seemed to change her mind to stay. The smell of bacon broke him out of his funk ,and he went to sit down and eat his breakfast. He wasn't going to ask his mother about her change of mind. That wasn't important in the grand scheme of things. Now that she was back, the final showdown would soon begin. Their family will be made whole. The thought a brought a smile to his face as he dug in to eat his waffles.

Emma couldn't stop thinking about her interaction with Henry this morning. His smile was infectious ,and she couldn't stop smiling even after she dropped him off to school. Even the task of sorting through this ungodly amount of paperwork was bearable. She glared at the remaining stack she still needed to examine. Being gone for two weeks left a monstrous amount of stuff for her to do. Who would have thought that crime could still happen in this small town? Although, many of the incidents involved Leroy getting passed out drunk somewhere and public intoxication. She was glad Regina didn't go on a murdering rampage while she was gone. As she put down a paper about a break in, a report caught her eye.

This isn't right. Emma thought, brows furrowed. Emma read the report a couple of times to make sure she wasn't misreading.

"Gold bailed Jefferson out last night." Emma voiced her concern out loud, looking at David for confirmation.

She didn't know why Rumpelstiltskin would personally bail out her kidnapper. He didn't do anything, unless he had an ulterior motive. This action screamed he had another agenda up his sleeve.

"Yes, he said you weren't going to press any charges," David answered, looking at her with concern. Emma had to clutch the side of the desk at his statement. "I believed him so I filled out the paperwork," He finished with a shrug.

"Did he?" Emma said through clenched teeth. She didn't like that Rumple used her as a scapegoat to pursue his agenda. She had a feeling he was going to use Jefferson to get back at Regina.

"Look who decided to finally check-in." Emma froze at the snide voice.

Speak of the devil. Emma thought, rubbing her brow in frustration. She didn't want to deal with Regina because she had to confront Gold. Emma could hear the malice in Regina's tone. The queen was angry about something, and Emma had a feeling that she was blaming her for it.

"Regina, can I help you?" Emma asked, crossing her arms. She didn't falter under Regina's hard gaze.

"Where have you been these past few weeks?" Regina demanded.

"I got kidnapped." Emma stated.

At her response, Regina calmly walked in front of Emma's desk, putting the palms of both of her hands on top of it.

"It appears so, yet your kidnapper is walking free after you returned. I find it kind of hard to call that a mere coincidence," Regina stated knowingly.

Emma could feel Regina's hot breath on her because she was leaning so close. Emma was still waiting for Regina to continue her accusation. She could tell from Regina's tone that she was trying to pin her for something, but she was at a loss of what she did to piss off the queen. Emma didn't have time to ask because the mayor continued.

"Regardless, I see a pattern with you, Ms. Swan. Why is it that every time something happens in this town, you disappear?" Regina asked.

Emma read all the reports on her desk and none caught her eye. What happened when she was gone? The way Regina's mouth was clenched, Emma could tell how much self-control it took for Regina to not strangle her. Emma was glad that David was there to be a witness to this confrontation

"What are you getting at?" Emma asked impatiently, throwing a confused look in David's direction.

"A few weeks ago, you took a day off work and you were covered in filth. Now, you are gone for two weeks and Roland has ended up missing from his daycare," Regina stated, pointing an accusatory finger at Emma.

Not this again. The last thing she needed was Roland to be missing when she got back. Henry didn't even mention hanging out with him.

"Are you accusing me of taking Roland?" Emma snapped, rising from her chair.

Mayor, queen, or pissed off mother, Emma wasn't going to let Regina walk all over her and accuse her of something she didn't do.

"This isn't the first time you took him without my consent," Regina reminded, her hands clenching at her sides.

"I already apologized for the last time. I haven't seen him since. If you want, I can look for him," Emma offered, running a hand through her hair in frustration.

Emma thought to stop this feud, she could offer to look for Roland. If Regina had her son back, the gesture should pacify her.

"No, you already caused enough trouble," Regina dismissed her offer with a sneer.

Why was Regina still around then? If she was accusing her of taking her son what did she want from her?

"If you don't need my help, why you are here?" Emma asked, her tone incredulous.

Regina opened her mouth to continue her outburst until she froze with her mouth hanging open. Emma wanted to yell out something snarky like the cat grabbing Regina's tongue until she realized what was happening. Her eyes widened when she felt electricity coursing through her veins. The familiar aura of magic surrounded her. Emma didn't miss the look of shock that briefly flashed on Regina's face before masking it with an evil smile. Rumple had brought magic to Storybrooke, and Regina knew it was here.

Emma stood her ground when Regina threw a murderous glare in her direction. She was prepared to defend herself if Regina decided to attack. Regina's eyes darted to David's direction and back at her. Her eyes narrowed as she decided her next course of action.

"I wanted to say that I will never need your help"- Regina stated to Emma before her eyes darted to David as she continued- "I don't need anyone's help. I will get my son back," Regina promised darkly and began to walk away. Emma let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, realizing Regina wasn't going to attack with magic. Her head lifted up when she heard Regina's heels stop at the door. Her eyes met Regina's glare with her green eyes.

"I would watch my back if I were you, Ms. Swan," Regina warned, giving her a glare before turning around. Her shoes clicked against the floor as she walked away.

Emma had to lean against the desk for support. Events were moving too fast for her liking. She really wished Rumple would have given her a heads up before he decided to bring magic to Storybrooke. She knew she could defend herself if Regina decided to attack her, but now, the queen was very unpredictable.

"I swear. I thought a fight was going to break out from the tension in the room. What was that all about? Why does she think you took her son?" David asked, his tone was filled with concern.

"I really don't know," Emma admitted, shaking her head in bewilderment. "I guess it's easier for her to accuse me because Henry invited Roland over once without my permission. I have a suspicion that once Regina has a grudge against someone, it's awfully hard for her to let it go," She said, opening her desk drawer to fetch her keys.

Emma looked at the clock and saw that it was getting close for Henry to get out of school. Now that Regina had magic, Henry wasn't safe as long as Roland was missing. Emma needed to get him before Regina did.

Rumpelstiltskin was reading through some of the old tomes for brewing up a potion to find Bae. He brought magic to Storybrooke and had Jefferson kidnap Roland so that he could use the boy as leverage to force Regina to break the curse. He was going to need Emma's help to subdue the queen. He smirked at the turn of events, Regina should find out that Roland was missing by now. She would come to him for assistance to help defeat Emma, but the queen didn't know that the cards were against her. Once she came to him, he would set her up in a trap. Oh, he was going to love getting his revenge on her for what she did to Belle. The bell of the shop chiming caused him to look up from his task. A man with blue eyes and brown hair walked into the shop with a limp. The man's scruffy appearance was unfamiliar, and Rumple was under the impression that this person was new and didn't come with the curse.

"Can I help you?" Rumple asked politely, his voice filled with interest.

The man looked at the objects around the shop with curiosity, ignoring Rumple's question. Rumple was getting impatient from being ignored. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the stranger spoke.

"That depends on you, Papa," the man said, looking at Rumple pensively.

Rumple froze- the instructions of his locator potion forgotten. Could Bae really be in front of him? His heart fluttered with nervousness, and his cane shook. His legs seemed to move automatically. He walked forward in awe trying to take in every facet of the man's appearance. The man was in his late twenties or early thirties. Rumple's eyes roved over the man's face ,trying to determine how much his son had changed.

"Bae? Is it really you?" Rumpelstiltskin asked, his voice breaking a little.

So much time was wasted because he refused to give up his power. His son had grown up so much from the little boy he remembered.

"Yes, I see you finally found me," Bae confirmed with a small smile.

"How did you find Storybrooke? "Rumpel asked. It didn't make any sense how Bae was here; because Rumple had a hard time contacting Emma. No one could find Storybrooke without prior knowledge

"I ran into Emma a long time ago," he said.

Those words caused Rumpel's eyes to widen. All this time, Emma knew where Bae was but didn't tell him. The thought caused his blood to boil, as he tightened the grip on his cane. After everything he did for Emma, she refused to give him the location.

"You mean she knew where you were this whole time?" He asked with barely controlled anger.

"Calm down. She didn't know I was your son," Bae soothed, holding out a hand to stop Rumpel's outburst.

The gesture caused Rumpel to look down in shame. He was already making a bad impression in front of his son. Anger was an emotion that came easily to him. He was sure that his display was reminding Bae of this fact. He had to make Bae understand.

"I'm sorry. It's just that all these years have been wasted because of my cowardness. Do you think you can forgive me?" He pleaded.

Rumpel had dreams and nightmares of reuniting with his son. They all ended the same. Bae never forgave him. For once, he prayed that this was not another nightmare he was forced to endure. Power didn't matter anymore. All he wanted was to spend the rest of his life with his son.

"You loved your dagger more last time. I really don't know if you still do," Bae reminded sadly.

"I made a mistake last time. To show that I have changed, I will give you the dagger," Rumple swore, holding his hand out as a promise.

Bae looked at the offered hand for a moment, considering it. Rumple's heart thudded frantically because there was a possibility that Bae wouldn't take his hand.

"Lead the way, Papa." Bae smiled, taking Rumpel's hand.

Both father and son walked deep into the woods. The leaves crunched behind them as they walked passed the well where Rumple brought magic. During the walk, Bae was oddly quiet. He didn't talk much, except to answer questions that were directed towards him. When he did, the words were clipped and brief.

"You hid it in the woods?" Bae asked, disbelief laced in his tone as he watched Rumple walk into the clearing.

"It was the only place Regina wouldn't know where to look," Rumple said a matter of factly. With a wave of his hand the dirt disappeared, leaving a gleaming blade with his name facing upward.

"Here you go." Rumple grabbed it and offered the dagger to his son.

Bae looked at it for a moment before grabbing it. He stared at it with awe and held it horizontally with Rumpelstiltskin's name facing towards Rumple.

"Dark One"- Bae's address caused Rumple's eyes to widen as he felt the power of the dagger start to take over his control. Rumple didn't have time to think as Bae continued-"I command you to stop my transformation into wood."

Rumple should have felt the foreign magic when this "Bae" walked into the shop. He would have picked up on the signature. Hell, he should have remembered that Bae had brown eyes not blue. He was so blinded by the imposter's words that he fell for the trap. As much as he wanted to kill this man, he had to listen to his will. With a wave of his hand, he casted the spell to stop this imposter's transformation.

"Bae would never use the dagger against me. You're definitely not Bae. Who are you?" Rumple asked, his tone murderous.

Rumple never got his answer. As soon as the imposter began to speak, he was knocked into a nearby tree by magic. The dagger seemed to fall to the ground in slow motion, but it was caught by the handle by Regina.

"Bae might not use the dagger, but I would." Regina smiled evilly, lifting the dagger to be eyelevel with him.

"Now, Rumpelstiltskin, tell me what happened to my son."

Rumple clenched his jaw in irritation. His plan was getting shot to hell. It would have worked if he wasn't blinded by the imposter. His eyes shut in defeat as he had to reveal all his cards.

"I had Jefferson kidnap him," Rumple answered, clenching his hands at his sides in anger.

"I see," Regina replied, her fingers playing with the tip of the dagger. As she began to circle him, she continued, "I will get him back"- All he could do was watch as she stared into his eyes, smiling triumphantly- "but first, you're going to help me get rid of a little pest," she instructed.

Since Regina had his dagger, there was a chance that he would never see Bae again. Emma was the only one able to stop her.

"You can't kill her. That will automatically break the curse," Rumple reminded. That would get Regina to rethink her moves.

"I know. I have something in mind. But first, I want to show Ms. Swan her place in this town. And you, Rumpelstiltskin, are going to help me," Regina answered as she leaned towards Rumpelstiltskin conspiratorially, ready to reveal her plan.

After Regina's encounter, Emma didn't want to leave anything to chance. She sped to Henry's school and picked him up. They had been at the house already for hours in peaceful silence. She worked in the kitchen to prepare dinner. Emma could hear the music in Henry's room as he did his homework. She was glad he was safe, but she wished that this thing with Regina would blow over. . Like that was ever going to happen. She sighed as she put the plates on the table. Suddenly, a figure materialized before her, causing her to drop the plate on the ground and shattering it on impact.

"Just because you have magic now, don't pop in like this," Emma scolded, clutching her chest. She glared at the Dark One as she continued, "The curse isn't broken."

Something seemed off about Rumple. He opened his mouth and quickly closed it. It was as though he was fighting an inner battle. A brief apologetic look crossed his face before he let out a weary sigh.

"Ms. Swan, there seems to be an unfortunate change of plans. Come with me."

As soon as she opened her mouth to question him, he transported her with a wave of his hand.

"What-" Emma couldn't finish her question because she saw Regina.

Regina and Rumple standing together wasn't a good sign. She didn't have time to contemplate their alliance because Regina thought this was the most opportune moment to speak.

"Well. Well. Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence," Regina taunted. Her eyes were sizing Emma up as though she wanted to know how to break her.

"Regina," Emma acknowledged before a figure caught her attention. She saw the familiar mop of hair, but he was tied to a tree." August!" Emma yelled to get the man's attention, but he was unconscious. "What did you do to him?" Emma accused the queen.

"Oh, him. I'll deal with him later. I don't take kindly to intruders being in my town, " Regina reminded.

Emma took in her surroundings. She didn't know which part of the woods Rumple took her. If she ran, Rumple would find her. She had a feeling she was going to be up against him as well.

"I suppose since you have magic now, you're going to use it. Tell me what do you want?" Emma demanded. She wanted to see what the queen's problem was against her.

Shit, Emma thought as she saw Regina bring her hand back. Emma closed her eyes, barely missing a fireball aimed at her as she teleported behind a nearby tree.

Boom. The tree Emma was taking cover behind shook as Regina continued to throw fireballs at it. Emma closed her eyes as she tried to come up with a plan to take on both Regina and Rumple. It was kind of odd that Rumple hadn't intervened yet. What was he waiting for?

"You're a blight in this town that I need to cure," Regina snarled, and Emma had to dodge the vines that were trying to grab her. Hiding behind another nearby tree, Emma had to listen as Regina continued,"The week before you came here, Graham tried to leave town."

What the hell was this woman's problem? She was mad at her over a guy.

"I had nothing to do with Graham," Emma yelled, from behind the tree.

"The day the clock started moving, Graham broke free from my control. He tried leaving me because he remembered what I did. It was because you got to him didn't you?" Regina yelled.

Emma's eyes furrowed when she heard a crack. The tree she was taking cover behind started to splinter. Emma swore as the tree magically split in two. Regina was trying to keep her from hiding, trying to flush her out of possible hiding spots.

If the queen wanted a fight, she would get a fight. Emma stepped from behind her cover and faced Regina.

"I don't know who Graham is, but you killed him didn't you?" Emma accused, bringing her hands up to ready her white magic.

"I did what I must. Now, you will pay for interfering with my happy ending! With you gone, I will correct everything that you tainted with you presence," Regina stated ,bringing her hand back up to ready a fireball.

As soon as Emma brought her hand back to lunge her ball of white magic at Regina, she was knocked to the ground by magic

"Rumpelstiltskin, what are you doing?!" Emma asked, hurt laced in her tone.

She always thought that Rumple had her back in this town. He wasn't lying about helping her, but she didn't know how Regina got to him.

"I'm afraid I've no control in this matter. She has my dagger," Rumple answered, nodding to Regina's clenched hand for emphasis. A glimmer of silver caught Emma's eyes, and Emma saw the name Rumpelstiltskin engraved on the dagger. Regina was controlling him. This fight was one Emma couldn't win. It was perfectly rigged for her to fail.

"I had my suspicions that you two were working together, and this proves everything." Regina stated, angrily lunging another fireball at Emma." Emma had to use her magic to project it back at Regina. The other woman just sidestepped to the right and avoided getting hit.

Emma panted after her use of magic. Being bullied around by both magic users was taking a toll on her.

"Ever since you appeared, the equilibrium of this town has shifted," Regina stated, walking towards Emma tried to think of a plan to overcome the queen. If she attacked Regina directly, she would have to deal with Rumple. The only option was to subdue them both at once.

"Well, this town is hardly Outside magazine material. You probably made up that Storybrooke was the best town in America to make you feel better about yourself," Emma sassed, walking backwards to allow Rumple and Regina into the clearing.

She used her magic to slowly summon the vines in the trees and the ground to subdue them both. Her eyes widened when she was pushed up against a tree by magic, and vines wrapped around her body to keep her in place.

Emma squirmed, trying to break free. She didn't miss Regina slowly making her way in her direction.

"I'm so going to enjoy this." Regina laughed at Emma's predicament

"Dammit Rumple," Emma yelled, her shoulders sagging in exhaustion. He subdued her because he sensed what she was doing. Her attempts at breaking free were futile.

"My apologize. It's Regina's orders," he said while glaring at Regina.

Regina ignored his glare as she began to circle the tree. The evil queen was trying to unnerve Emma, but she wasn't going to give the witch the satisfaction by showing any emotion.

"What will be a fitting punishment?" Regina stopped in front of Emma and examined her curiously as though she was looking at a specimen she was going to dissect. " I know I am definitely going to put you under the sleeping curse. Hm… Maybe I'll have Maleficent guard your sleeping body," Regina mused until her eyes brightened at another thought.

Emma stared at the evil queen with her lips pursed. She wasn't going to have to ask Regina what she was thinking, because the queen would eventually give her some clichéd monologue about her evil plans. To prove her point, the mayor turned her hard gaze at Emma and began to speak.

"I have to correct the damage you have caused and erase your existence. I'm going to wipe everyone's memory of you and take your son as my own. Roland always wanted an older brother." Emma's eyes widened at Regina's plan. The bitch was planning on stealing her son. Emma lunged forward to try and wipe the smirking look off Regina's face, but her movements were halted because of the vines. Instead, she threw Regina a murderous glare.

"Don't you dare touch my son. You evil witch!" Emma screamed- not missing the amused expression on Regina's face. Her magic was sputtering out of control, trying to help her break free of her bindings, but Regina wasn't fazed by the outburst.

"What are you going to do about it?" Regina smiled evilly, bringing up a hand. Emma could feel the air become suddenly drier in response to the queen's magic. The flames reflected off the woman's eyes as she stared at the fireball that was forming in her hand. Satisfied with her weapon, she looked at Emma gleefully. "It looks like it's the end of the line for you."

"I thought you weren't going to kill me," Emma questioned, trying to buy some time. Her attempts were futile because there was no way she could get out of her predicament unscathed.

"I'm not, but it doesn't mean I can't make you suffer before you fall asleep forever," Regina taunted, bringing her hand back to ready the flaming projectile.

Emma closed her eyes, bracing herself for the imminent fireball that was coming her way. The only thing Emma could think about was how much she failed Henry and Killian. Oh, God, Killian. Tears started to fall from her face as she remembered how she left things with him. She never told him about Henry, or that she had completely forgiven him. She hinted at it but never told him directly. She knew that Regina would keep her promise and wipe everyone's memories, but since he didn't come with the original curse, would Regina kill him instead? Please, forgive me, Killian. Emma silently prayed for his forgiveness.

"Who the hell are you?" Regina's shocked voice caused Emma's eyes to open

Emma felt the unfamiliar magic before she saw it. Ice surrounded Regina's body, and the sudden attack caused her to drop the dagger.

Rumple took the opportunity to grab the fallen object, freeing him from Regina's control. He turned around to Emma with a sneer and freed her with a wave of his hand, dropping Emma unceremoniously to the ground.

Emma rubbed her side where she made impact with the ground. She was definitely going to have a bruise in the morning. An offered hand was held out to her. Emma frowned when she looked up to see who the hand belonged to. Her eyes widened when she took in the familiar profile of a woman with blonde hair." Are you alright, Emma?" The woman asked, voice filled with concern.

Oh, this was ironic. The psychopathic woman, who once threw her in front of a car to force her to use magic, was now saving her ass with magic.

"Ingrid, I can honestly say this is the first time I am happy to see you," Emma said, accepting the woman's offered hand with a smile.

First, Killian and now Ingrid. As Emma was getting back to her feet, she had some revelations. It seemed like her time in Storybrooke was breaking all her misconceptions about everyone she knew. She had a feeling that this wouldn't be the last time either.

Next: Roland

How awesome was this past Sunday's episode? We finally got a darn CS kiss! Haha, sorry I'm still recovering from the feels if you'll can't tell. Plus, it was somewhat scary how the one scene in the episode almost corresponded to Chapter 5 in this story in regards to Liam. I was scared at first since we didn't know much about Killian's pre-navy days, so I made Killian very emotional in Part 1 of this story based on what we saw in Good form, but this episode put my fears to rest. It also provided me more material to use in multiple chapters in part 2 . I am going to reedit this tomorrow ,but I wanted to hurry up and post this to not leave you all too long without an update. Anyways, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your support. You all have been very awesome in my motivation. The next chapter will be somewhat busy. Until next time, Dearies!