When they were sailing back, Dagian occasionally turned back to look at Killian. And sometimes she let herself think about what it would've been like if he hadn't turned back and he took her home.

It would've been the smart thing to stay with him. To hear Emma tell it, there were few, if any, survivors left. And Dagian didn't really feel comfortable raising her daughter on land with so many ogres.

But to raise her with the pirate? This pirate? Could she put Lily through that?

The ship would've been safe.

The pirate would not be. And how was that even supposed to work? Killian assured her he had honorable intentions for her this time around (right). What, were they going to play parents to Lily while bickering about everything else?

Bae's memory wouldn't be enough for them to forgive the other.

So she thanked the gods that Killian wasn't forcing her to go through with his plans and she kept a sharp eye toward the town while Lily squirmed in her arms.

But it didn't look like…people were running. It didn't look like the town was being destroyed. So…what was going on?

She looked through one of the spyglasses and saw that people weren't fleeing in terror. They were…sort of walking around like they were stunned. Dagian looked back to Hook and turned back in confusion.

Did they stop it?

They anchored at the docks; Dagian was the first off the ship. She saw Jefferson moving towards her, he was quite ahead of the others. Despite her previous fear and reservation, her heart leapt in her chest as she saw him and Grace walking toward her and she raced towards him, "Jefferson!"

His eyes widened briefly and he let go of his daughter for a second to wrap his arms around her. He held her close but not close enough to squish Lily. She wrapped her free arm around his neck and breathed him in.

"I thought you were dead," He whispered, his voice caught, "I thought Greg and Tamara, I thought they-."

"I'm okay," she whispered and looked behind her where Killian was walking down the ramp.

"Did he-," Jefferson looked up and shot the man an accusatory glance.

"I'm fine," she moved him to look at her, "I'm fine."

She just had a killer headache.

The others caught up. Dagian took in Regina with narrowed eyes. She was here…why?

"What are you doing here?" Emma demanded.

Killian fought not to roll his eyes, "Helping."

"Well, you're too late," Emma muttered bitterly.

"Am I?" he asked.

Emma hesitated, "I thought you didn't care about anyone but yourself."

Killian pulled the pouch off his belt, "Maybe I just needed reminding that I could."

Jefferson watched the man warily. He pulled Dagian and Grace closer. They all watched as Emma gave Killian a look that said she didn't trust him and checked the pouch to see the bean.

"Enough waiting around," Regina snapped, "Let's go."

Killian gave a quick confused look to Dagian, "Go? Where? I thought we were saving the town."

"We already did," Charming informed them.

Well, that was good to know, Dagian would've liked to know that as soon as they arrived.

"We need to get Henry," Emma explained to Killian, "Greg and Tamara took him through a portal."

Dagian exchanged a look with her ex and felt her heart start to race. It was bad enough they murdered their son, but they took their grandson too? Where? What happened? How did they save the town?

Killian just stared at Emma, "Well…I offer my ship and my services to help find them."

Dagian looked over at her ex-husband again. She saw that dangerous anger just brewing underneath the surface.

"Well, that's great Hook," Regina muttered, "But…how will we track them?"

"Leave that to me," Rumpelstiltskin moved towards them. Lacey was leaning against his arm…no wait…that wasn't…that wasn't Lacey. The look in her eyes and her stance was different, "I can get us where we need to go

Was Belle back?

This all seemed to be falling in together perfectly conveniently.

When Rumpelstiltskin volunteered, Killian gave him a worried an annoyed look.

"Well…then let's do it," Snow breathed.

Killian started to move up on the boat again. And something urged Dagian forward, "Killian!"

He stopped and looked back at her. Jefferson's hand tightened on Dagian's but he let her go when she pulled away.

She and Killian moved off to the side. Killian smirked as soon as they were alone, "Oh, now do I have the lady's favor?"

Her mouth felt dry as she stared into his mocking eyes, his guard was up and he would be a pain to deal with.

"Thank you," she told him, "for taking us back."

"Well," he averted his gaze, "Like I said love, I didn't do it for you."

"You did it for Bae."

He was quiet, "Aye."

Dagian fought tears as she realized she never even got to tell her son 'goodbye', "Perhaps one day, you can tell me about his stay aboard your ship."

"It's not a very lovely tale."

"Stories involving my family hardly ever are," she looked down at the baby in her arms. She glanced back and saw Rumpelstiltskin and Belle speaking.

"Will there be anything else?" he asked.

She looked up at him. He hardly deserved what she was going to say next. She honestly doubted he was truly regretful for what he put her though. But she grabbed his good hand gently and looked up at him.

Gods, she was so honestly tired of holding grudges.

"I forgive you," she told him honestly, "For….everything that's happened. I'm sorry you lost your family."

She wasn't sure how much she meant it either, but he had turned the ship around for Bae's memory. She felt like she had to give him something.

He almost looked touched by what she said, but whatever emotions he was feeling were immediately blinked back. He gave a smaller smile and gave a slight bow, "Thank you, m'lady."

He snuck a quick peck on the cheek and Jefferson moved forward to defend her. He gave an arrogant smirk at Jefferson; just to show her he was still Killian under everything.

Dagian held her daughter close to her chest.

"If I don't come back and you have a baby with the boy over there," Killian nodded to Jefferson with another smirk, "Would you name it after me?"

"Of course," Dagian said and started to turn, "If it's born a girl."

Killian gave an amused smile, "And to think that all these centuries, I was terrified you'd changed. But you're still the same."

Dagian just stared at him, "I'll take that as a compliment."

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Rumpelstiltskin knew as soon as he volunteered to go that most if not all of them probably wouldn't return.

Which was why both women had to stay there. Belle; because…as good as she was in an unwinnable situation sometimes, she wasn't a warrior. That went without saying. And Dagian; because of Lily. If he didn't return, he wanted his daughter to at least have her mother. He wanted his family to be safe.

Everyone filed on the boat but Dagian stayed behind and was talking to Killian. He was relieved that Dagian wasn't hurt or killed…far more relieved than he was letting on…but he would talk to her in a minute. He imagined she would stay once he made his case. Dagian wasn't a warrior either, by any means but she had the resources to help Belle protect the town.

"Belle," he said and turned to her, "I-I have to go. You have to stay here."

"No!" she refused, "Why? I want to help!"

A pirate ship was no place for a lady. Especially the pirate that tried to kill her several times. And once again, Belle wasn't a warrior. She was much safer here. She had already suffered so much because of him, he wanted her safe.

But he couldn't tell her that. He was going to give her a position of authority, he couldn't tell her she couldn't make it on a ship full of the people that either abused her or ignored her.

"The town is no longer safe," he explained.

Belle's eyebrows furrowed as she tried to make sense of what he was saying, "What?"

Charming was listening in to things he shouldn't be listening into, "What?"

He just glanced at the prince and then turned back to Belle, "Well Greg and Tamara weren't working alone. Others will follow."

"No," Charming said (Who invited HIM to this conversation?), "We can't leave people in danger.

Rumpelstiltskin pulled out a scrolled piece of paper. He should've done this a long time ago but he was worried about not making it back in the town. And then he heard his son had a fiancé, and he subconsciously wanted her to be able to make it in as well.

Gods, that'd been a mistake.

"After we're gone, follow these instructions."

Charming leaned forward and Rumpelstiltskin gave him a bit of an irritated look and explained before he could be accused of doing something 'nefarious' "It's a cloaking spell…it'll shield the town making it impossible to find."

Belle nodded at the description and gave him a look that…oh gods, he didn't want to leave her again, "W-well then, how will you find your way back to me?"

Charming finally took that as his cue to leave. Rumpelstiltskin just stared at Belle…unable to say the words that they both knew didn't need to be said.

Horror and sadness came over Belle's face, "You're not coming back, are you?"

"The prophecy," he explained, 'the boy is my undoing'…but he's also my grandson. I must save him. I must do this to honor Baelfire."

And to…at least atone for some of the sins he had done. What he would've done if not interrupted early that day.

Oh gods, he nearly killed Henry

Belle struggled to hold back tears and grabbed his shoulders "I understand, but I also know…that the future isn't always what it seems…I will see you again."

She moved towards him and they kissed. Belle started sobbing as he embraced her and he rested his forehead against hers.

He would hold her forever like this if he had time. But Belle pulled away…very reluctantly and she started crying harder. She stopped and turned, "Baelfire would be…very proud of you."

The words made the tears surface…he'd been trying so hard to hold them back…

Belle started to walk away and he watched her crying.

He turned to look behind him. Killian had already gone to the ship. Dagian waited for him to finish with Belle before she walked over with his daughter.

"Should I take his other hand?" he asked quietly.

Dagian shook her head and looked back to the boat, "Nothing I can't handle."

"It seems I'm attracted to women that land themselves in all sorts of trouble," he noted.

Dagian smiled wryly and without a word she handed him his daughter. Rumpelstiltskin nearly jumped in surprise as he held his little girl. Lily smiled up at him and he saw a child's love in those big brown eyes.

His only living child. And he was leaving her. Unsure of when he would return.

He pressed his lips to Lily's forehead and hugged her for a few seconds. Lily reached up to touch his face and the tears came. He would come back. He would return for Belle and his daughter. He would bring back Henry. He would find a way to make this all right.

Dagian looked up and he saw she was crying, "I'm sorry. I should never have taken Lily from you."

"No," he looked down at his little one and then back up at her, "It was best…I wasn't…in my best mind."

He had nearly killed Henry.

Dagian started sobbing, "They…they killed Bae."

He felt his own countenance failing as he stared at his son's mother and wrapped his arm around her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and they took a few seconds to cry and comfort the other.

"I promise," he whispered, "Justice will be done."

Whether their justice or his justice, he was unsure yet.

Perhaps that was subconsciously another reason he didn't bring Belle.

Dagian pulled back and he saw the guilt in her eyes, "The ship is no place for a baby."

"No, it's not," he nodded. She seemed to understand that he didn't wish her to go. He saw the desire to accompany them in her eyes, but she was a practical woman. She had to stay for their daughter.

"Will I see you again?" she asked.

He hesitated, "I don't know."

"I lost Bae," she pleaded, "I can't lose anymore."

"I'll bring them home," he promised and then looked at Regina and Killian. Well, he might try a little harder with some than others.

He turned to her, they didn't have much time, "Everything I told you on the boat the last time we were on it still stands. I ask that you honor my last requests."

She didn't argue, "I know."

"Protect Belle and just…find happiness," he looked at her, "Even if it means finding happiness with him."

He gave an annoyed jealous look at the Hatter. He still didn't know what she saw in him. Some things couldn't be helped he supposed. He couldn't control whom she saw, especially now that she was gone and Jefferson would make a good enough father in case he didn't get back he supposed. At least Lily would have a bigger sister.

Dagian gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. He returned the gesture. Lily yawned in his arms. He pressed his lips against her head again and held her tighter, "I love you, Lily," he whispered.

He reluctantly handed her to Dagian and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He moved on the ship. Dagian turned to go back to Jefferson and he gave her and Belle and his beautiful little girl one last fleeting look before he climbed on board.

Killian was claiming down from the helm when Rumpelstiltskin approached him, "So….are you done trying to kill me?"

Killian looked cautious, "I believe so…"

Rumpelstiltskin wanted to also ask if he was done trying to play 'house' with Rumpelsittksin's wife and children but that seemed in bad taste, "Excellent! Then you can live!"

Killian just looked bored.

Rumpelstiltskin summoned the globe that Cora had brought over with her and everyone started to gather.

He shoved his finger hard against the needle to draw blood and he flicked it on the globe. Immediately the blood pooled, spread out and took shape of land that Rumpelstiltskin recognized immediately and it made his heart grow colds. .

Gods, anywhere but there.

"Where is it?" Regina demanded, "Where did they take Henry?"

Killian spoke first, "Neverland."

He looked up at Rumpelstiltskin, his eyes betrayed his fear. Rumpelstiltskin refused to look at his enemy; he just focused on… that place.

So, Greg and Tamara's secrets were suddenly starting to make sense

And if that…thing was responsible… he knew he most likely wouldn't come back.

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They pulled away from the docks and Dagian watched next to Jefferson. Belle moved to stand beside Dagian. She had stopped crying but her eyes were red and puffy and her face was splotched with redder marks around her eyes.

Dagian didn't hate Belle. She just made her feel uncomfortable. And she took back nothing of what she said about Lacey. Some might prefer to think of themselves as a mesh between their cursed selves and their former selves. Dagian did not. She thought of herself and as Dawn as two separate individuals sharing the same body. She thought of everybody like that. So it was easy for her to say she…dealt with Belle loads better than she could stomach even hearing Lacey's name.

She looked at Belle and felt something protective wash over her. Dagian still had Jefferson and Grace. Belle still wasn't talking to her father. She had no one.

So Dagian reached out and offered her hand. They were in the same boat now. Left behind because it was best.

Belle looked up at her and then back down to the hand. There was no suspicion on her face. Both had tried to be pleasant to the other as much as the ex and the girlfriend could be off a new divorce. It was Lacey that Dagian didn't want to deal with.

Without a word, Belle grabbed he hand and held tight. Jefferson watched the entire wordless interaction as the others sailed towards the waters. He wrapped a strong arm around her and pressed his lips to her temple.

Dagian pulled him a bit closer. Grace was on his other side, she had reclaimed her almost 'big sister' right on Lily and held her in her arms.

The portal formed and they watched the boat sail for it.

They would be gone. What happened if they didn't come back?

Dagian looked at Jefferson. They could do this. Both she and he knew enough about magic to make the cloaking spell…and if they didn't then Blue would help.

They would save the town.

And….one day…if Jefferson wasn't tired of Dagian's previously constant rejections, he might ask her to marry him again.

And then, she might trust that she had healed enough mentally and emotionally to say 'yes'.

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Rumpelstiltskin watched as Killian examined the bean for a quick instant and then threw it as hard as he could out into the water.

Immediately the portal turned blue and started swirling. The waters began to grow choppy; Rumpelstiltskin wrapped his arms around some of the ropes. He didn't turn back to see what Emma and Regina were doing but Charming was holding onto one rope while holding onto his wife with the other hand.

"So, who are we up against?" Charming asked and looked back to no one in particular, "Who are Greg and Tamara?"

"They're merely pawns," Rumpelstiltskin explained, "Manipulated by forces far greater than they can conceive. They have no idea who they're truly working for."

"And who's that?" Emma asked over the waves. He could barely hear her

He looked over his shoulder, his heart was racing as he thought about…him and he felt his hair on the back of his neck stand up. He wasn't sure it was just the cause of the water, "Someone we all should fear!

Rumpelstiltskin was a coward through several faults of his own.

But as the ship sailed towards the portal and into the whirlpool it created, he stared bolding into it. Some of them turned away but not him. Neither did Killian. Someone would have to be on their guard when they arrived.

They went into the portal…Rumpelstiltskin felt his heart leap into his chest as the boat almost seemed like it was falling towards Neverland, and the world closed around them…

And then there was nothing.

The End.

Of course as per last time, there will most likely be a sequel but it probably won't happen until a few episodes into season 3.