Regina received many glares and angry looks while she and Henry were eating their lunch. Nobody wanted anything to do with the Evil Queen but they were watching her like hawks anyway. They were all probably afraid of what she would do to them if they weren't watching. Then Granny entered with a steaming tray of pancakes and eggs.

"Here is your hot cocoa with cinnamon, Henry," Granny said smiling towards the little boy, "and your all-you-can-eat pancakes."

"Thank you, Granny," Henry smiled towards the woman.

"You're welcome," Granny winked. She turned towards Regina with a scowl falling on her face, "and here's your egg white omelet, your majesty. Be sure not to do us all a favor and choke on it."

"I will, Granny," Regina smiled tightly, ignoring the threat like she never used to.

She dismissed Granny but the older woman stayed. She watched as Henry dug into his food with a kind smile. Then she stared at Regina with watchful, warning eyes.

"I promise I won't use any magic to trick you out of giving me the bill," Regina replied, "and I'll even give you a twenty-five percent tip!"

"You know you will," Granny nodded as she left towards the kitchen, "It's bad enough Red is off for the weekend."

"Why is that?" Henry asked softly.

"Full moon, dear," Regina smiled kindly towards the boy.

"Why?" A perky blonde demanded, "Is she a werewolf or something?"

"Parker!" A black man growled towards the tiny thing.

The duo was sitting at the bar section of the Granny's diner. They were the only ones who weren't outright staring at her so Regina hadn't even noticed them before. The black man was young, about mid-twenties easily. He wore a cardigan sweater, blue jeans and a beanie on his head. He had headphones hanging around his neck and a computer in his arms. The blonde beside him was wearing an all-black ensemble. Her hair was straightened and had a knit barrette on top. Her black converse matched her bar-mate's perfectly. She was staring at the pair with wide blue eyes.

"Hey, Parker," Henry waved, "Hi Hardison."

"You know them, Henry?" Regina asked.

Henry nodded as he finished chewing his mouthful of pancake.

"They're friends of Sophie," he replied.

Then he waved the pair over. The young black man, Hardison, at least had the decency to decline the offer. The blonde got up to join them. Hardison grabbed her by the elbow and shook his head.

"But I want to know why it's such a big deal that the girl they were talking about wasn't working today," Parker complained, "What does a full moon have to do with it?"

"She lost a friend during the last full moon," Regina explained quickly, "It's no big deal really. So you are friends of my sister?"

As if on cue, a big bulky man appeared in the doorway. He took in the room as a whole and quickly made his way to Hardison and Parker. It was Eliot Spencer, of course.

"Hey Eliot," Henry called waving and smiling like he was expecting them.

"Is this why you wanted to come here?" Regina demanded of her son in confusion, "Henry, did you know they were going to be here?"

"Well, where else are they going to go?" Henry asked softly. Then the evil genius took a big swig of his hot cocoa.

"I'm Parker," the blonde said, suddenly appearing at their table with no sound of approach. She held out her hand for a handshake and looked towards the older woman expectantly.

"Regina," she replied accepting the handshake because she didn't have any other choice.

"I smell cinnamon," Parker said. Her nose crinkled as she sniffed the air. Then she zeroed in on Henry's cup and stared with wide eyes. "You put cinnamon in your hot cocoa too?"

"Yeah," Henry laughed, "It's the best."

"Sophie and I do that too," Parker replied excitedly. She looked to be in her late twenties but she acted like she wasn't even in her preteens yet. "Everybody else finds that disgusting."

"Well isn't that an interesting coincidence," a male voice replied.

Regina immediately grimaced at the sound. She turned to her right to verify her worst fears. Rumpelstilskin was smiling at her table. He even had that little twinkle in his eye that suggested he knew something. He was accompanied by Belle as usual. They had lately made it a habit of eating at Granny's whenever it was possible.

"Mr. Gold," Regina smiled towards him kindly. She was trying to be a better person for Henry, even if she loathed the man for everything that had happened and more.

"Regina," Rumpelstilskin replied pleasantly enough, at least the ice wasn't as apparent. "Who are your lovely guests?"

"Oh," Hardison giggled, "No, we're not with her. We're just visiting from out of town. We're not involved in anything at all, whatsoever."

"Hardison," Eliot growled. Despite the fact that his scowl was directed at the young man, his ice blue eyes were opened wide as they stared at the new customers.

"Mr. Gold," Rumpelstilskin replied to the younger man. He extended his hand for a handshake and stared at the man with long hair in intense interest.

"Eliot," he replied, "The blonde's Parker and the other guy's Hardison."

"OH," Mr. Gold nodded with a smile forming on his face, "Your friends of our long lost Sophie Devereaux."

"Devereaux?" Regina asked.

"Your sister," Mr. Gold replied, "She's going by a different name. Probably to protect herself from you."

"I would never harm my sister," Regina scowled. Of course, the guilt in her stomach said otherwise.

"Of course," Mr. Gold laughed. Then he turned his attention to Belle and introduced her to the small group. He lingered on Parker's name for a few minutes and even stumbled on Eliot's. He knew something, something very important about the people Marian was hanging with.

"Well," Eliot smiled towards the group apologetically, "I don't mean to be rude or anything but my friends and I have plans with that library of yours."

"Right," Hardison squeaked unconvincingly, "Got to hit those books."

"Got a lot of studying to do," Parker nodded.

Then the three exited without another word. They didn't even say good-bye. They just paid their bill and left as if nothing happened. Everybody in the diner watched them go in surprise. Nobody knew what to make of these strangers. Something was up.

Regina immediately raced to Rumpelstilskin's side. She pulled him towards her and whispered into his ear.

"What do you know?" She demanded angrily.

"Eliot and Parker aren't who they say they are," he replied, "but you already knew that, didn't you?"

Regina stared at him in confusion. She shook her head and tried to figure out what he meant.

"What's going on?" Henry demanded worriedly.

"Eliot and Parker are not they're real names, Henry," Regina replied automatically, "But who are they?"

"That is the question," Rumpelstilskin replied, "Because even I don't know."

"You don't know?" Regina repeated in confusion.

"I thought you knew everything," Henry gasped.

"Exactly," Rumpelstilskin nodded, "I wonder."

"What?" Regina demanded, grabbing his arm and forcing him to look at her.

"Oh nothing," Mr. Gold giggled towards her, "I was just wondering if Marian is subconsciously protecting their real identities from me."

"She can do that?" Henry asked in wonder, "But I thought that was impossible. She doesn't remember who she is. David talked to her. He says he's not the same."

"Maybe Marian is more aware than she lets on," Mr. Gold hinted smartly.

"No," Regina shook her head confidently, "She couldn't possibly."

"You're right," Rumpelstilskin grinned, "You'd be dead by now."

Regina gulped at the implication. She immediately grabbed her throat as sickening thoughts of the past poured into her head. She closed her eyes and accidentally allowed her fear to show for a moment. Henry, of course, was looking towards his adoptive mother with concern.

"Mom?" He asked, "What is he talking about?"

"Don't worry about it, henry," Regina replied.

David had just picked that moment to pick up his grandson. He went towards Henry to give him a hug and noticed the tension in the room. He stared at Regina and Mr. Gold's exchange with cautious eyes. Mr. Gold got the hint and beckoned Belle towards their favorite booth. He bowed his head towards Charming and stopped by the Evil Queen to deliver another piece of advice.

"If I were you I would avoid your sister at all costs," Mr. Gold warned with a wink.

Then he was gone and the others were left staring at Regina with concern and confusion.

"What was that about?" David asked immediately.

"A reminder," Regina responded. Then she immediately emptied out her wallet and raced towards the cash register. She gave Granny forty dollars and prayed that was enough. Granny actually looked impressed with the kind offer and tried to hand over some change. But Regina shook her head and went straight to Henry.

"I have to go," she said hugging him tightly, "but I'll see you again tomorrow. You have a good day at school. I'll pick you up right there."

"We're not meeting at Granny's?" Henry questioned in confusion.

"I can't, Henry," Regina shook her head. Then she looked at David with pleading eyes, "I can't take the chance of Marian seeing me and remembering."

And just like that, she was gone.

%

Snow was riding her horse as fast as it would go and still she urged it to run faster. Her cloak was flying through the air behind her and there was panic in her heart. She urged the horse faster again and let out a groan of agony. At her current pace she wouldn't reach her destination until dawn. By then it would be too late. Still she rode the horse on and prayed for a miracle to happen. That was when the thirteen year old girl was struck by a branch.

The girl flew through the air and hissed when she landed. The air was no longer filling her lungs and tears were stinging her eyes. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't move, she couldn't even see past those damn tears.

It was her fault. It was all her fault. She did this. She ruined everything with her stupid promise. Now Marian was paying the price.

Snow screamed when she felt a pair of rough hands on her. She kicked and swung fists. She was aiming blindly now because of the tears but that didn't matter. She wasn't going to give up without a fight. She was successful too if the howls of pain were anything to go by.

"Dammit Snow, it's me!" A familiar voice grumbled towards the girl.

"Robin!" Snow cried. Relief was flooding her senses now and she couldn't help but to tackle her savior in a hug. She squeezed his neck tight and burst into sobs.

"Hush, Snow," Robin sighed, comforting the girl with small pats on the back, "Everything's fine."

"No," Snow shook her head, "It's not. It's all my fault!"

"What is?" Robin asked shaking the girl a bit for information.

"Marian!" Snow cried, "It's all my fault!"

"What happened?" Robin asked immediately.

He shook the girl again and this time it was roughly. He was obviously still angry with her interference in his relationship with the woman. His eyes were cold now. The light that had once enveloped them was gone. They were dark blue and filled with despair now. They were just as cold as Marian's had become.

"He took her," Snow explained, her voice whisper thin. "He took Marian because you weren't there to stop him and now everything's ruined!"

"Who?" Robin asked his voice immediately filling with fear at the child's words. "Who took Marian?"

"Your brother," Snow replied, "Prince John."

Robin stared at the little girl with pure horror on his features.

"What?"

%

"So I've been reading up on Maid Marian and Robin Hood," Henry informed his grandfather in a matter of fact manner.

They were walking on the sidewalk, as usual. They were on their way to school and all set for a new adventure. Charming was drinking his usual cup of coffee and Henry was carrying his book. Things were going along like usual now. With the exception of Robin Hood and his new crew of thieves of course.

"What have you discovered?" Charming asked softly, a smile to his lips at the memories of the couple in another time.

"Marian has powers too," Henry replied, "like my mom."

"Indeed she does," Charming nodded.

"Only she uses her powers for good," Henry continued, "unlike my mom."

"She's more powerful too," Charming agreed.

"So if Marian can use her magic for good," Henry concluded softly, "my mom can too. That's if we convince her to be good again, right?"

"Henry, I can't give you what you're asking for," Charming sighed. He was hoping he wouldn't have to have this conversation with his grandson.

"Well, my mom's mom is the reason she's so cruel, right?" Henry said, "That's what you told me, right? Well if that's true and Marian still became good, why can't my mom?"

"You're asking the wrong question, Henry," Charming replied.

There was a grim look on his face now. His eyes were softer but his entire posture was one of defeat. He was shaking his head and trying his hardest to comfort his grandson. His hand was on the boy's shoulder.

"What question am I supposed to be asking?" Henry whispered.

"Why is Regina so afraid of Marian regaining her memory?" Charming replied, "If we figure out that then I'm certain all of our questions will be answered."

"You think Marian would become like my mom?" Henry asked.

"No," Charming shook his head, "If Marian turned to the dark side she would be so much worse."

"What happened to her can't be that bad," Henry thought aloud.

"If I know Regina, it's worse."

Henry swallowed at his grandfather's foreboding words. He pulled his book tighter across his chest and quickly kept pace with the older man. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck in Storybrooke alone. Not when something far worse than the Evil Queen was about to be unleashed.

%

Robin raced through the woods as fast as his horse would allow him. He kept one hand securely around Princess Snow while his other ushered the horse faster. The wind was whipping their hair from side to side without even having the decency to be warm.

"We're not going to make it," Snow groaned.

"Yes, we will," Robin replied, urging the horse faster despite everything.

The horse couldn't keep up with their pace. The massive beauty reared up at the abuse and finally laid itself upon the ground. It drank water from the nearby stream and refused to do anything more its masters demanded of it.

"It's alright," Robin said softly to his horse, "We'll continue on foot. You rest. I'll whistle for you when I need you."

The horse neighed in reply and immediately went back to work on restoring its energy. It bowed its head gracefully towards the princess and carried on as if nothing unusual was happening.

"Is that it?" Snow asked, "We're just going to give up?"

"Of course not, Snow," Robin smiled at the girl, "We're just going to have to come up with a different plan of action."

"What was our first plan of action?" Snow demanded in exasperation.

She was following the older man through the woods in the middle of the night with no idea where they were going. The moon was barely visible through the thick branches of the trees. Her dress was thoroughly soaked and ruined. She was tired from riding in search of the wooded bandit all day. Hope had finally abandoned her precious heart.

"We were going to ride into my father's kingdom and demand a stop to the wedding," Robin shrugged, "Now I'm just going to have to steal my brother's bride."

"But it's a trap!" Snow complained, "They only took her so they could get you and stop you from keeping your brother from the crown. Prince John is going to marry Marian and make her his queen."

"He can't do that while my father is still alive," Robin replied.

"Marian told me he was going to kill your father," Snow whimpered, "And then Prince John took her because she asked me to warn you."

"Does Leopold know this?" Robin asked softly.

Snow shook her head. "I haven't told him yet. As soon as they took Marian I came looking for you."

"As soon as dawn arrives I want you to take my horse and ride home and tell your father everything you told me!" Robin ordered the little girl briskly, "I'm going to continue on foot. If I know my brother, Marian won't have very long before he makes her his bride. She's your father's ward so his arrival should stop any wedding ceremony at his arrival."

"What do you want us to do when we get there?" Snow demanded angrily. For the man of her dreams he sure was a bit slow. His plan had at least a million flaws and he wasn't even thinking it out clearly.

"Tell your father to host a tournament for the lady's hand," Robin winked.

Then he was disappearing into the shadows on his way to rescue the fair maiden.

"What kind of tournament?" Snow shouted towards her faithful prince.

"Bow and arrow!" Robin called back. Then he was gone, swallowed whole into the night. He left nothing behind; not even a whisper of where he was going. There was only Snow and the tired horse.

%

Sophie and Nate were carefully walking through the school grounds. They had just finished interviewing the head nun for information on everything. So far, they were turning up empty. All of the corruption that had been affecting the town was no more. Regina and Mr. Gold were apparently out of business.

"We should go home," Sophie proposed softly. She knew what she was saying wouldn't go over well with the mastermind. He finally had a taste of her past and he would not let that slip through his hands easily. "There's nothing we can do that hasn't been done already."

"We could reunite you with your sister," Nate replied readily.

The grifter stopped in her tracks at his statement. She stared at him in complete wonder. Honestly, she couldn't possibly understand how his mind worked sometimes.

"Some things you cannot fix, Nate," she sighed, "Regina doesn't want anything to do with me and I am going to respect her wishes. Please respect me enough to do the same."

"What if I don't care what she wants?" The mastermind demanded softly, stepping closer to her with every word, "What if it's exactly what you need?"

Sophie stared at him with sadness. She smiled at his thoughtful statement and shook her head. Then she gave him a kiss on the cheek and a firm hug.

"You bastard," she exclaimed into his ear, "Sometimes you are more than I deserve."

"Liar," Nate laughed returning the hug.

"Come on, love," Sophie sighed, breaking away from the hug enough to straighten his collar and grab his hand, "Let's go home."

They turned around just in time to meet an unexpected challenge. Henry was staring at them with big eyes, a book in his arms and his backpack firmly on both shoulders. Regina was staring at them mouth opened wide in horror and surprise.

"Sophie," she gasped in alarm.