A/N: Hey look, a new chapter. Please review and let me know people are still reading. Thank you kindly and enjoy.

Icarus was staring at his locket in wonder. He was twirling it around and around and around. It would occasionally glow every time it got close to Mommy's room. Daddy was pacing back and forth in front of it, muttering words he didn't quite understand.

"Too long," Daddy cried, "She should have been done hours ago."

Icarus did understand one thing though. He knew Daddy was worried. He could tell simply by the way he would freeze every time Mommy screamed. She sounded as though she was in desperate pain. The little boy often wondered if he could help her. But every time he tried, there was always some nursemaid telling him that Mommy was a little busy and needed him to be a good boy.

"There must be something wrong with the baby," Daddy said.

Icarus was really worried now. His Daddy was Robin Hood, King of Thieves and Prince of Sherwood Forest. There was no reason for him to be scared. If he was scared, something terrible was about to happen.

It started when Mommy had a fight with Aunt Regina. Snow had come home crying and Mommy did everything to see what was wrong. Finally Aunt Regina walked in and Mommy looked really mad. She ordered Snow to leave the room immediately, even though she wasn't bad. Snow listened too. Well, Snow pretended to listen. She raced towards Icarus and immediately started cuddling with him. Icarus liked it when Snow came over. She was the best big sister ever.

"Did you steal back the castle?" Icarus asked.

Snow grinned. She gave him a wink and tickled him mercilessly. Then she combed her fingers through his hair and pulled him close.

"Charming's going to have it soon," she said, "But there are bigger problems at the moment."

"How did Aunt Regina break through the barrier?" He asked, "Mommy never lets anybody break through anything."

"Marian's pregnant, Icky," Snow replied, "She can't always protect us. She has to think about the baby."

"Would she be mad if I used my magic to help her?"

Snow flicked him on the nose and laughed. "Of course she would," she said, "Your mother would kill us both for even thinking about it."

"This is a sanctuary!" Mommy screamed, "You cannot come here any longer. Do not force my hand, Regina!"

"You're siding with that brat!" Aunt Regina shouted, "I will not respect your wishes!"

"Out!"

The lights flickered. Snow and Icarus shared a look. They both scrambled to their feet and looked over the balcony in horror. Mommy and Regina were at war. Blue and red flames were flickering between them. Mirrors and vases were smashing into bits and pieces. Things were exploding and disappearing everywhere. The magic was coursing through both witches at too great a speed.

Then the magic stopped. Regina huffed, out of breath and doggedly tired. Mommy looked pale and exhausted.

"I'll be back," Regina promised, "and I'll return with reinforcements too."

She was up in smoke in seconds flat. Her purple haze was slowly dissipating when Mommy finally started to move. She gripped her stomach and breathed deeply.

"Mother!" Icarus cried. He'd been worried. Mommy wasn't the right color. She was too pale, too white. Even Snow didn't have skin that fair.

Mommy turned towards him and smiled. She waved off their concern with practiced ease. She even managed to bring color to her cheeks. Then she stepped forward up the steps as carefully as possible. She made it half-way before she screamed in agony and collapsed to the floor.

"Marian!" Snow cried.

She rushed down the steps with Icarus at her side. Mommy wouldn't wake up. Her hand was on her stomach and Snow looked scared. They called Daddy immediately and Mommy was rushed to her room. Snow was the only one allowed inside and she wouldn't reveal anything when she actually came out. Now she was bringing in more hot towels.

"Snow!" He shouted. His concern for his Mommy was too much now. He had to know. "How is she? Is she okay? Do I have a baby brother or a sister?"

Snow remained quiet. She just ruffled his hair and shook her head. Then she started to head back into the room as if nothing was out of the ordinary. He couldn't have that. He had to distract her somehow. Daddy wanted to see Mommy. He couldn't sneak in if Snow was blocking the way.

"My locket's glowing," he cheered, holding the little trinket up for viewing, "It glows every time it comes near Mommy's room, see!"

And Snow did see. She was staring at the locket in wonder as it glowed brighter and brighter the closer it got to Mommy. She looked absolutely amazed. She even stared at it in wonder for a bit. But then she turned just as Daddy was about to cross the threshold into Mommy's room. She was really upset with him for it.

"Robin not now!" She yelled, "I don't… You need to stay here with your son."

"How bad?" Daddy asked, "What's going on? Icarus never took this long to arrive! Is the baby alright?"

A crying sound erupted into the air right on cue. It sounded loud and small. Whatever the creature was, Icarus was not a fan. The thing was annoying. He already didn't like it. It sounding like a dying sparrow stuck in a frog's throat.

"The baby's fine," Snow said, "It's Marian we're worried about."

"What's wrong with Mommy?" Icarus asked. He may have been eight years old but he still needed his Mother to take care of him. Who was going to make his meals? Who was going to kiss his wounds? Who was going to keep Daddy in line? He couldn't do it. He wasn't big enough yet.

"She's just a little sick, Icky," Snow replied, "But don't worry. Me and the other midwives are going to take great care of her."

"Snow!" A woman called.

"Excuse me," she said. Then she was gone.

"It'll be alright, buddy," Daddy said. He ruffled his hair and lightly bumped him on the shoulder. "Mommy's going to be just fine."

Icarus nodded his head and continued to stand watch. He wasn't too sure he believed Daddy though. There was something in his voice, something off. He sounded scratchy and his eyes were a little puffy. It sounded as though he wanted to cry. That wasn't good. Something was definitely wrong with Mommy.

He turned towards his locket and watched as it slowly glowed and faded away. Something inside of him told him it wasn't Mommy that made it glow.

It has to be the baby, he decided, what else could it be?

"Mommy's going to be alright," he promised to it, "we'll make sure of it."

You're not ready for that sacrifice little one, the locket replied.

%%%%%%%%%

Jefferson ran around the corner at top speed. He forgot his hat at his mansion. He wouldn't be able to turn back and get it anytime soon. He didn't have the time. He was being hunted by a professional thief and a sherrif. Neither of them seemed to know the other was tailing him. They were both avoiding each other perfectly. It wasn't fair.

"Please!" Robin called, "I have to know what you do!"

Like that's going to happen, Jefferson thought.

He knew the burden of knowing two lives instead of one. He wasn't going to place that on his best friend's husband. He couldn't. He still owed her so much. He had to find a way out of here. His hat was almost ready. He just had a few more stitches to make and he would be home free, reunited with his beautiful daughter Grace. He'd never have to worry about this ever again.

Except the Red Queen was bound to still be alive.

That woman was evil incarnate. The only person in Wonderland who didn't fear her was Marian. She would constantly cause some kind of ruckus while there. She laughed and was highly amused when Alice first arrived. She pulled pranks right and left. She was so full of life, so full of laughter. The hatter often wondered how Robin ended up winning her heart.

A great force slammed into him, wiping him out instantly. He couldn't quite understand it. How had the Prince managed to get there so quickly? He didn't even see him coming.

Marian must have given away some of her magic, he thought.

He knew the rumors. He'd kept his ears open for such dangerous knowledge. He couldn't bear the fear of the unknown. Yet that was all Marian seemed to be. For the past few days alone she'd been in and out of consciousness. The Prince had to constantly find excuses to remove the others from the room. Marian would occasionally surface. Sometimes Sophie would return. The drugs they pumped into her system did nothing. The magic burning under her skin was nothing but a violent rage burning away at today's modern magic.

Jefferson knew what she was capable of. He knew what would soon be coming their way. He wasn't going to stay there. He wasn't going to relive such torture.

But the Prince was on top of him, holding him to the ground with all of his strength. There was no escape. He couldn't make it back to his mansion in time. He could barely even leave this land. He didn't have enough hair. His hat was useless to him anyway. His darling Grace had it with her. He still had materials to collect. There was no way out.

"Please!" Robin called, the distance between him and them wasn't nearly as great as it had been only moments before. "I just need answers!"

"We need to get out of here," Charming said.

Jefferson laughed at that. Apparently they were in agreement. Avoiding the great and fearsome Robin Hood was the only option. He didn't know enough and if he remembered… then he would know far too much.

"The bar," Jefferson said, "We can lose him in the bar."

The Prince nodded. He pulled the mad hatter by the lapels of his shirt, tugging him roughly to enforce the knowledge that they were not friends. They lunged into the building as if they belonged there. Neither of them raised any eyebrows. Nobody even glanced their way. They just kept talking and drinking as if nothing was happening.

Jefferson took the lead despite the hand on his jacket. He pointed towards the restrooms and the prince followed. Together they found their way out the side door, partially hidden by a wide array of boxes and the closet door located directly beside it. The Prince even took an extra measure. He barricaded the other side of the door and acted as if they were merely stepping out for a few seconds.

"Wait!" Robin called.

He was running through the bar. They could tell by the panic in his steps, a steep staccato on the wooden floor. His shoes weren't used to the abuse. They were squeaking as if they had been running for decades, their owner too cheap to adequately replace them. The swish of his coat added onto the ambiance. It sounded like a razor cutting through the air. Even his pace was frazzled and dismayed. It was nothing but a quick tap, tap, tock! on the floor before they were listening to the slam of the other door. He ran past them, desperation being the only reason he missed them altogether.

"Dammit!" He screamed, "I just want to talk to you!"

Then he was gone, chasing after a ghost. Both of them heaved a sigh of relief. But the friendliness was over. The Prince had him slammed up against the outside wall, his hand wrapped around the Mad Hatter's throat. There was a fire in his eyes. He wanted something Jefferson couldn't honestly give.

He wanted answers.

"I don't know anything," the hatter said.

"I didn't ask you if you did," Charming replied, "That usually implies guilt of some kind. Perhaps you should try talking about. I hear it relieves the weight on your shoulders."

Jefferson knew what he was doing. Marian taught him how to read people. The Prince merely wanted the same thing Robin wanted. Only Robin wasn't aware of his true self and the information would be wasted on him.

"You know what triggered Marian," the prince cried, "I want you to tell me now!"

"Actually I don't," Jefferson said, "I bet the Dark One does though. Have you tried talking to him yet?"

He got his answer. It wasn't very subtle either. There was just a sudden pressure on his throat and stars were dancing before his eyes. Breathing was relatively impossible and his fingers were clawing away at the hand in hopes of a release. Then, just as suddenly, the pressure seized and he could breathe again. Sure it came out in staggered coughs but the message was clear.

"You're not really interested in that though," Jefferson said, "There's a rumor around the mill that suggests you're looking for something a bit rarer."

The Prince merely arched an eyebrow in reply. Yet there was a subtle rise to the corner of his lips. Satisfaction sparkled in his eyes. It was his silent go on. Jefferson recognized it from the last time they met. That had also been an interesting experience.

"You're looking for the girl," Jefferson supplied, "Yet another one to add to your long lists of hopeless causes. You'll never find her."

"What do you know?" Charming hissed.

Jefferson shrugged. "You have to find out how she went missing," he said, "Otherwise you'll never find her. I can't help you there. I don't know what happened but I have an idea who might. Two actually."

"Yeah," the prince sighed, "me too."

Then he released the hatter as if he weighed like paper. He started walking away, casting thoughtful warning looks his way. It was very clear this was not the end of their conversation. This was only the beginning, a slight interlude. There was more to this story, a story Jefferson would not stick around to hear.

"Don't go around thinking you're off the hook just yet," the prince warned, "I made certain everybody knows not to sell you anything. You can't make a new hat without the supplies."

Damn, the hatter thought.

%%%%%%%%

Parker could feel the necklace around her neck burning and cooling at odd intervals. It was the first time it dared to do anything other than glow. Now it was pressing hard against her chest, warming the skin just enough to make its presence known. Then the voice began to fill her head.

It started small and built in ferocity. The voice was practically screaming at her by the end. Yet she refused to be swayed. So it tried a different approach. Images began to fill her head, people she didn't know, faces she'd never before seen. But the scariest of these was a room, just one single stupid room.

It was in a castle. She was positive of it though she had no idea why. It was just a feeling like she'd been there before. It was a hallways that led towards giant mahogany wood colored doors. A crest made up the door handle. It was something simple and stupid. It held two swords against a black backdrop. The swords were crossed against each other with something shiny in front of it. It was an eagle encrusted in diamonds. There was one emerald eye shining towards the ceiling. The wings formed the handles themselves while the rest of the crest merely acted as the molding. It was quite beautiful and held some feeling of home.

This is home, Parker, the necklace said. Don't you know who you really are?

Parker was going to answer. She had the name on the tip of her tongue along with everything that one name could supply. But there was something shaking her away from it. Somebody was whispering in her ear. There was a hand on her shoulder too.

Her eyes opened just enough to realize she was still in the hospital. She had to shut them tight and open them slowly to adjust, but she knew exactly where she was. Hardison was there above her. His big amber eyes had deep purple circles under them. She silently wondered when he finally decided to show up again.

"Sophie isn't awake yet," he said as a greeting.

Parker rolled her eyes. Of course she wasn't. The grifter hadn't been properly awake since she arrived. The doctors were constantly rushing in, giving her drugs and muddling her mind. They were constantly poking and prodding and trying to get her to tell them what happened. She wasn't even allowed to see them. They were her family. Why would she answer those stupid doctors when she didn't have anybody telling her what to say?

"You came back," she finally replied.

There was a tiny sparkle of guilt that sizzled in the hacker's eyes. The thief felt glad of it too. He deserved to feel guilty. He left them to go do something unhelpful. He didn't even tell them where he went. He just left and acted as if it was okay. He wasn't there when Nate left. He didn't help her stop the hitter from hurting himself. Hell, Nate at least stopped by every once in a while.

"I tried to find something," he shrugged, "I didn't realize-"

"Don't lie to me, Alec!"

Hardison flinched at that. It wasn't very often Parker would use his real name. Usually it was only for comfort or in fear. She rarely ever raised her voice against him. They didn't even disagree often, at least not to the Nate and Sophie level. They didn't even yell properly, except during a con. But this was the first time she'd ever truly been upset with Hardison. She didn't like it.

"I can't find him," he shrugged, "I can't find anybody Sophie would want to kill her own sister over. Her father died but Sophie was there for the funeral. Their mother isn't even mentioned. I have no idea why she would be so upset."

You don't have enough information, the necklace said.

Parker held the annoying locket and sent it a warning to quiet down. It merely grew heavy in protest but it listened to her plea. She had enough problems on the table. She didn't need an extra voice in her head making stupid comments.

You're one to talk, it replied.

"Maybe it had something to do with the thing at the school she didn't want us to know about," she said.

Wrong!

"No," Hardison shook his head, "I checked. The only thing hinky is the fact that the guy who caught her is now locked away in the mental portion of this hospital right now. I guess it could help us out if they're neighbors though."

Parker couldn't help the gasp that escaped her lips. She wasn't exactly used to this. Hardison was always the positive member of their crew. He never said anything even remotely demeaning or negative. He sounded as though he'd given up all hope completely. That wasn't good. He was supposed to be convincing her everything would okay.

He was supposed to tell her that Sophie wasn't going to leave them again.

"Hardison," she cried, "don't…"

"I'm sorry mama," he said. He looked like he meant it too. His amber eyes were blown wide with surprise and fear. He must not have realized he was going to say that. That had to be it. "I didn't mean… Okay, I did mean it but I didn't mean it like that. We both know Sophie Devereaux is too stubborn to just up and leave us like that. The woman had to deal with Nathan Ford for a whole eight years before us."

"Ten years," Parker corrected absentmindedly.

"I just," Hardison sighed in anguish, "I've never seen her like that before. There was actual hate in her eyes, Parker!"

"I know." And she did. That was probably the single most disturbing thing about this whole mess. Sophie Devereaux not only lost her cool, but she allowed a tiny sliver of truth out in front of people. She was willing to kill her own sister for whatever this was. That was very… un-Sophie-like.

"Even when Nate was at his worst," Hardison continued, "She only really slapped him when he needed it. She didn't ever threaten to kill him and then try to do it herself afterwards."

"Except for that time he almost got us killed in that elevator on that job with the big fish and that bearded guy with the big yellow cap," Parker shrugged.

Hardison smiled. Good, that was her goal. She loved it when he smiled. It made her heart warm. The locket even glowed a bit. Clearly it agreed with her. Hardison's smile was something worthy of the angels Nate believed in.

"I'm scared, Mama," he said, his voice whisper thin.

It was a small admission, one that even the strongest of men would never be able to admit. Yet this was the Hardison she knew and loved. This was the one she needed. Only this time he needed her to be the positive one. Oh well, it was about time she started pulling her own weight around.

"It's going to be okay," she said. She pulled him into one of her tightest embraces and tried to hide her own tears in his neck. "It's Sophie. She'll snap out of it. She loves us too much."

"Well who else is going to protect us from Nate?"

That voice was Eliot's. He sounded pleased. Why would he sound pleased? Parker shot to her feet just in time to see her boyfriend's happy face. His bright amber eyes were glowing in a way that hadn't only moments before. That meant…

"She's awake," Eliot cried.

%%%%%%%%

Icarus was confused. Snow was crying. Daddy was shooting targets day and night. The Prince, the one Snow brought home with her, was practicing his swordsmanship with all of the guards and the locals. Everybody was unhappy. Nobody would look at him. And worst of all, he wasn't allowed to visit Mommy.

But he was allowed to see his new sister. That was what he was doing right now. Daddy had just left. They were having fun playing with their new addition. Icarus asked what was taking Mommy so long to say hello. Daddy's face got very scary and he left without even patting him on the head.

"Keep an eye on your sister," was his Daddy's only order.

And that was exactly what he was going to do.

"Daddy will come back soon, sissy," he said, "Usually Mommy would be with you but she's not feeling so good right now. She's sick and Daddy isn't very happy about it."

His new little sister did nothing much as far as talking went. She just stared at him with those big blue-grey eyes, unblinking and observant. Her tiny hands reached up a bit but there was no other sign that she was listening. Of course, she was his little sister so she was always going to be a very good listener just like him. Mommy said so long before she was even born.

"Snow isn't happy either," he continued, "She keeps telling that prince of hers that Aunty Regina did something. It sounds like she cursed her but Aunty Regina wouldn't do that. She likes us too much, sissy! She wouldn't hurt Mommy. She loves Mommy."

The little boy frowned as he thought about that incident all over again. Mommy had been fine until Aunt Regina showed up. She'd been fine before that rotten prince of Snow's showed up too. She wasn't as stressed. Icarus was only eight but even he knew things were changing quite drastically.

"Mommy and Aunty Regina don't like talking to each other anymore," Icarus sighed, "Daddy says it's because Aunt Regina was really mean to Snow and Mommy loves Snow too much to let Aunt Regina be mean to her. Mommy said that sometimes big sisters and little sisters don't get along."

Then a funny thought came into his mind. He smiled that dashingly silly smile of his. He turned his happy face towards his little sister, sharing a conspiratorial grin with her. She was absolutely clueless to what he found so funny. He could tell simply by the blank stare she gave him. So, it was only fair that he would enlighten her.

"But I'm a big brother," he said, "so you won't ever have to worry about that. I'm going to protect you. It's my job. Daddy says so. And I'm going to take care of you and make sure nobody hurts and you're not allowed to cry because I don't like it when you cry. You're kind of annoying and it's not a very good sound. But don't worry, you'll never cry as long as I'm your big brother."

Icarus could tell his little sister believed him. She was smiling. It wasn't much of a smile though. She didn't have any teeth or anything after all. But her tiny lips parted and tilted upward ever so slightly. Plus she was making this weird noise that sounded like water falling through the drain of a bathtub. It was kind of funny sounding.

"I've got a present for you," he said. He pulled out the locket that had been attached to his neck for a very long time. It glowed brightly for all the world to see. It captured the sunlight well as he twirled it around his sister's head. The necklace, in turn, glowed brighter. It seemed as though it was laughing with the baby. Icarus liked that idea.

"This necklace is enchanted," he said, "Mommy made it so you will always know who you are and where you come from. She enchanted it herself. Do you know what that means, sissy?"

She didn't. She was just a baby. She was only holding up her hands to clasp the locket twirling around her head. She even made a little sound that might have been laughter. She was clapping her hands, willing the necklace to come to her. And it wanted to go to her too. It kept glowing brighter the closer and closer it got. Icarus figured it was time to give in to its wishes.

"Mommy told me it would only glow for the woman it was meant for," he said, "and it glows for you. That means I'm supposed to protect you and take care of you and never let anything bad ever happen to you."

He gently dropped the necklace into his sister's hands. The necklace glowed brightly, reflecting in those blue-grey eyes of hers.

"Now it will remind you of what you love most when you need it to," Icarus winked, "Mommy says it will always lead you back to where you belong when you need it most."

Thank you, it said.

Icarus smiled at the necklace's polite demeanor. He echoed the reply Mommy always told him was the best. He could feel his ears burning in embarrassment.

"Icky!" Snow shouted. She sounded very happy all of a sudden. "Icky where are you? Marian's awake! Icky, come here now."

The boy didn't need telling twice.