Nate arose with a hollow feeling in his chest. He then sat up and felt his back's pain. The couch was just as uncomfortable as ever. He wasn't going to miss it's soft touch. He wasn't going to miss anything about this town really, except the pie. He really liked that pie.

He was considering buying out their pies when he entered the bathroom. Sophie's stuff was still pack perfectly away. It often disturbed him how quickly she could pack up her make-up. He actually found it quite attractive. He didn't know why. He just thought it was interesting how quickly she could pack her essentials, whether or not they were actual essentials. He often wondered how she learned do that. Those thoughts often made him uncomfortable after a while.

He couldn't quite stomach the idea of her not being quick enough.

He showered and shaved without incident. He even managed to pick out a reasonably presentable outfit. It lacked the grifter's stylish touch, but it was suitable for travel. He just added the ascot because they were going to be in his hot car. Hardison said the weather would be acting against them. He didn't want to feel the sweat dripping down his neck. He added the hat simply to see the grifter's reaction. She had a weird distaste for his hats. It probably developed during that bank job where they were held hostage.

And he was shot.

"Okay, Soph," Nate called, "Time to wake up-"

His voice fell on deaf ears. Sophie wasn't in bed. Her sheets were pristinely made. Her pillows were fluffed. Her suitcases were the only sign that she had yet to leave. They were all sitting at the edge of the bed waiting for departure. He sighed heavily. He should have expected her to make that move.

He took the back way out. He figured it would be more seemly if he didn't attract attention. Too many of the good townsfolk were interested in Sophie. Many of them were constantly bombarding him with inquiries on her health. He often wondered how Regina successfully removed her from Storybrooke. The residents clearly loved her little sister more.

He decided to have himself a slice of pie for breakfast and a protein shake to avoid Sophie's accusing looks. Lately she was on a health food craze. It was the only normal thing she did since her breakdown. He embraced her demands without complaint. He knew it would eventually pass. Besides, it brought a smile to her face whenever he ate something he hated because she asked. He wasn't too willing to argue much.

Sophie wasn't in the diner. He was aware of that before he even opened the door. It was that little radar in the back of his mind. He couldn't remember when that radar developed exactly. He knew it happened sometime during those ten years of cat and mouse. It became stronger the more they got to know each other. Now his mind was whirling in full alert.

He entered just to be sure. Eliot, Parker and Hardison were cheerfully eating a healthy breakfast that was far more balanced than Sophie could ever hope for. They had each fully embraced Sophie's health kick without complaint as well. Parker even willingly ate broccoli, the one food on earth she refused to even be near. They were cracking jokes and laughing without a care. They clearly had no idea Sophie wasn't there. He walked towards them cautiously, softly.

"Have any of you seen Sophie?" He asked. He tried his best to hide the tremor in his voice. HE was vaguely aware of the fact that Eliot heard it. He was more worried about the fact that Parker and Hardison had both turned towards him with worried gazes. They must have been on high alert.

"She told us she was going to wait for you before she came down," Parker sputtered.

"She told me she was taking a shower," Eliot cursed, "And I woke up an hour after they did."

"Maybe she's in the bathroom," Hardison said. He nudged the tiny thief, forcing her out of the booth. She left to fulfill his wish. She even tried to make it look begrudging. The flash of panic on her features wasn't quite encouraging.

"Are you guys looking for Sophie?" Ruby asked. Nate didn't even bother to jump. He'd gotten used to the waitress just suddenly appearing to answer their questions. He assumed it was a norm in this strange town. He could tell it didn't really bother the hitter any when she came.

"Yeah," Eliot replied, "Do you know where she went? We apparently got our information crossed."

"She left," Ruby said, "Out the back. I know because I took out the trash. I always take out the trash two hours before the trash truck comes by. She mentioned something about saying good-bye to an old friend."

"Jefferson?" Eliot asked.

"Could be," Nate shrugged.

"She wasn't too happy that Gold gave Parker that locket," Hardison said, "Do you think she'd go after him?"

"She's not in the bathroom and I'm pretty sure she's nowhere near the car," Parker hissed. She was not a happy camper to have returned empty-handed. The mastermind could practically feel the panic in his teammates.

"There's only one way to find out," Nate said, "Call the sheriff. We're going to go find Sophie."

%%%%%%%%%%

Jefferson ran as fast as his feet could carry him. He did what Marian said. He stole the truck, hid it in the woods where it would never be found. He didn't even think about demanding to know the other part of her plan. If he had been thinking, that would have been his first question. Now Spencer and Nolan were chasing after him with every belief that he had kidnapped the witch.

"It would have been nice to know you weren't planning on staying, Marian," he cursed.

He knew why she left. Robin announced they were leaving the moment she returned from their meeting. He knew what would happen once she crossed the barrier. She would have forgotten who she was. Granted that would have ended her grief, it would have also destroyed any chance of revenge. Marian was all about revenge now. She could practically taste her sister's blood on her tongue. It was best to do as she wished and get out of the way as quickly as possible. He had her hair. Now all he needed was his hat.

He heard footsteps in the distance. He could even hear a couple of disgruntled shouts. Eliot was on his tail again. He was getting far too close for comfort. It would be only a few more hours until he was caught. He needed to double back to his mansion and fast. He wouldn't be able to get out without his hat.

He realized it was a trap far too late. He was caught up by the arm and on the pavement in seconds flat. David Nolan stood over him, a satisfied grin on his features. Great, the Mad Hatter thought, of all the people to be caught by it was Prince Charming.

He tried to make a run for it anyway, knowing it was useless. The prince had him by his scruff in seconds. They were both nose to nose with nothing more than a quick tug. David's smile only grew wider at this. Jefferson tried swinging his arm to hit him, but he was too afraid of losing the precious hair. That thin thread was the only thing separating him from his beloved daughter. He couldn't risk losing it now. He was too close.

"Hello, Jefferson," the prince growled, "It's time to talk."

The prince pulled him to the side rather roughly. It was odd to see that he wasn't calling for help but the hatter felt it wasn't his job to be concerned. Clearly the partners weren't true partners after all. If he were in a better position, he would use that against him. But he was in a horrible position. The only thing that could possibly save him would be his hat. He had nothing else to live for. His hat was his only world. He was caught. There was nothing he could do.

"Now," the prince said, "I remember there was something special you held to a higher pedestal than anything else in this world."

David Nolan held the hat up for him to see. It was fixed. The stitches weren't perfect, but they were enough. The holes were gone completely. The hat would work the way he wanted it to. He just needed to get it out of the prince's hands. Apparently there was only going to be one way to do it.

"You talk and you will get this back," the prince said.

"Okay," Jefferson smiled at the offer. He back up against the wall and sat down. "I'll talk."

The prince was satisfied with that answer. He slammed the door shut and hit ignore on his phone. He started moving boxes in front of it. He kept the hat with him at all times. He even made certain to keep an eye on his prisoner. Jefferson raised his hands in the air to show he was innocent. He wasn't going to do anything inhonorable. His hat was almost in his grasp.

"So." Jefferson waited until the room was perfectly blocked off. It was darker in this tiny little shed they invaded. The small cracks of light were blocked off by the boxes and crates. There was no other way out. Well, the prince didn't have another way out. He could be as civil as he needed to be.

"What did you want to talk about?" He asked.

The prince didn't seem to be in the mood to be nice. He just fisted his hands into the hatter's shirt and lifted him into the air. His back was against the wall before he could even move. They were nose to chin, his head being above the prince now. His feet weren't even touching the ground. But his hat was within grasp. He was almost home.

"Marian," the prince said, "Tell me everything you know about what Regina did to her."

Jefferson rolled his eyes. He was expecting an easy question. This wasn't easy. He had to tell the truth this time around. The prince didn't even look willing to consider another possibility. He could milk this moment. He had the ability. All he had to do was hedge and haw until the prince gave up. But that wasn't his style. Besides, Marian needed them distracted long enough for things to work out. And the story of how big sister destroyed little sister was the perfect length.

"Alright," Jefferson sighed, "You want to learn the truth about your perfect Marian? Fine! I'll tell you what Regina did to her. Maybe then you'd understand why she's such a mess. But you're going to have-"

"I already promised you your hat," David snarled, "Don't expect any negotiations with me!"

"Actually I was just hoping you would let me go," Jefferson replied, "It's awfully hard to think when you're cutting off the blood flow to my brain."

The prince dropped him instantly. He almost wished he hadn't said anything. His rump definitely wasn't a fan of the landing. He had to stop himself from hissing in pain. Judging by the smirk on the prince's face, he failed miserably. He shrugged and tried to make himself as unsuspicious as possible. The hat was no longer the prince's.

"Alright," Jefferson said, "Let's start at the beginning."

"A perfect place to start," David agreed."

"So Regina was just about to cast the curse…"

%%%%%%%%%%

Marian raced through her sister's castle, anger boiling in her veins. Guards immediately began attacking her right and left. Arrows and spears were missing her by inches; bouncing off of a blue bubble she created to surround her. She flung them back with a simple wave of her hands. Sounds of metal clattering into stone walls filled the air. Marian grimaced at the tiny massacre she created. She stepped over the knocked out soldiers and the few dying from their own weapons. She raced up the stairs to her sister's living quarters. The guard at the door lowered his ax threateningly. Marian smiled towards him and disappeared in a puff of smoke. She reappeared in front of the familiar fireplace.

"You're not supposed to be here," the magic mirror said.

"Tell your mistress of my arrival and stop pretending I haven't been here before," Marian replied, dutifully ignoring him to bolt the door.

"Beware of what truth lies behind you," the mirror called before he disappeared to follow orders.

Marian studied the magical barrier with carefully trained eyes. She heard her sister's arrival. The magic she sensed hadn't changed within the room. They were free to talk as equals.

"It's about time you got here, little sister," Regina called, "I've been expecting you."

Marian turned around with a snappy retort already on the top of her tongue. Instead her breath caught in her throat and a scream swelled in her chest. Her father was lying on the floor, motionless.

"NO!" Marian called rushing towards her father in anguish.

She pulled him into her arms, eyes foggy with tears. She gently, lovingly reached into his chest to find the heart. She failed.

"Why doesn't our father have a heart?" She rasped accusingly, "What have you done to him?"

"I killed him," Regina replied as if she was still in shock, "He was the thing I loved most. Be happy, it used to be you. Now he is how the curse will exist."

"The curse," Marian growled in distaste, "The curse that you promised me would never happen!"

"Circumstances change," Regina replied, watching as her dear sister mourned their father. A mournful tear of her own fell down her cheek at the sight.

"How could you do this?" Marian screamed, "He was our father!"

"Snow White robbed me of my happiness," Regina shrugged, "I will not rest until I have done the same."

"Then you will never be happy," Marian cried, "You've just lost everything and I will make certain you never obtain your goal."

"I thought you would say that," Regina smiled, "I've got a present for you, sister dear."

Then she waved her arm through the air. A cradle appeared in the middle of the room. Marian didn't notice it at first because she was still mourning her father. But the soft cry of an infant filled her ears. Her head snapped up at the familiar sound, her eyes instantly drawn to the center. Her face went white and drained of all color at the recognition of her daughter's crib.

"No," she whimpered, turning towards her sister in complete fear.

"I'm sorry," Regina sighed, "but you will never be on my side until you understand my pain."

Marian jumped to her feet in moments, her head shaking in horror.

"NO, you can't!" Marian gasped, "You wouldn't dare."

"I have no choice," Regina replied, "You won't understand until you've experienced the same loss. You've forced my hand."

The elder sister flung her hand, power radiating from it. The magnificent power would have easily destroyed the crib and its tiny occupant. Luckily, the infant's mother had magic too. Marian swung her hand and a blue field surrounded the tiny thing. The force of the rebound was enough to knock the two witches off their feet. Regina fell through one of her beloved mirrors while Marian slammed into a wall, bringing a tapestry down with her. Her nose was bleeding profusely when she finally sat up. Regina was far luckier. She appeared untouched and perfect as ever.

"Really?" The Evil Queen asked, "Is that the best you can do?"

Marian, still stunned from her battle with the wall, merely shrugged.

"What are you doing, Regina?" She asked.

"I'm rearranging the world order," Regina shrugged, "Isn't that good enough for you?"

"This isn't you." Marian shook her head. "This isn't what you do."

"Let's not," Regina said.

She waved her hand in the air, Marian only seconds behind her. A giant ball of rainbows glittered in the air. Sparks flared as the two witches continued their duel. There was almost no sign of a fight really. Just the air turning and twisting and manipulating itself for their purpose. The furniture was slowly destroying itself. The magic in the air was only growing. The castle was literally tearing itself apart.

The baby cried out. She wasn't very happy with what was going on. The magic must have upset her, waking her from a powerful slumber. It was a sound that disturbed both witches enough. Their fight stopped. The mother began to walk to her baby. But one small figure beat her to the punch.

"Shh," Icarus said, "It's alright, sissy. Your big brother's here!"

Marian's heart stopped. Her eyes went wide in fright. She turned towards the woman who brought her children here. The true horror had yet to really hit her. All she could do was just stare. This was her sister's plan. She wanted to destroy her family completely.

"What are you doing?" Marian hissed.

"Taking care of the problem," Regina replied.

Her hand waved through the air again. Marian was right there with her. The two were fighting with everything they had. The baby still cried while Icarus tried to comfort her. He watched his aunt and mother duel together. His eyes were wider than they'd ever been before. Marian could tell her children were scared. She could feel it in her bones.

"What have you done with him?" She hissed. She didn't have to ask who.

"Robin is safely tucked away," Regina shrugged, "He's waiting for this magnificent curse to take effect."

"You didn't kill him?" Marian asked. Her first thought must have been wrong.

"No," Regina shook her head, "Where we're going is so much worse."

Marian didn't like the sounds of that. That paired with the presence of her children forced her to fight harder. She had to. She couldn't trust her sister anymore. The woman didn't care about the meaning of blood. Their father's dead body was proof of that. She was on her own little power high. She wanted revenge and she didn't care how she got it. Things couldn't continue this way.

"You will not harm my children!" Marian screamed.

She was growing weaker now. She didn't know how and she didn't know why. It was just something she couldn't contain. She could feel herself falling apart. She was too distracted. She couldn't give her magic full attention when she was busily trying to make certain her children were safe. Her mind was torn and it reflected in Regina's eyes.

"What's the matter baby sister?" Regina asked, "A little rusty?"

Marian almost retorted. She kept her tongue, barely. She focused her mind solely on protecting her children. She focused all of her energy, all of her thoughts on her children. She could feel it drain her but what else did she have? Her family were all that mattered.

"Magic comes with a price!" Regina replied.

She rushed her younger sister with magic. Marian had nothing else to lean on. A wall of power pulsed towards her and there was nothing she could do. She flung against the wall, pinned there. She couldn't move. She couldn't even breathe. She was just forced to watch. A single tear fell down the contours of her cheek.

Regina threw a fireball in the direction of the cradle. It zoomed towards the crib and the sleeping baby as fast as possible. Icarus turned to look at the wrong moment. His big blue eyes grew wide in surprise. He jumped away from his sister's side, abandoning her to her doom. Then he ran straight towards the fireball and disappeared.

"No!" Marian fell to the ground weeping. The magic her sister used against her was done. She was free to move as much as she wished. Only she couldn't move and for a very different reason. Her son was gone. Her baby boy was dead.

Regina looked disturbed too. It was obviously her intention to harm the girl, not the boy. Her fingers grew into blue fire. She then threw it towards the crib before the grieving mother could even comprehend what happened. The baby and cradle were gone forever just like her brother.

Regina picked up the cursed bottle. She walked gently to the center of the room. She spoke few words, not even batting an eye at the evil deed she performed. She waved the bottle over the stone. It was their father's heart, the last ingredient they needed. She broke them both on the ground. A giant purple haze filled the air. The Evil Queen was at her little sister's side, hand outstretched for comfort. Marian moved away in disgust.

"I'm sorry, sissy," Regina said. "You left me no choice."

Marian did the only thing left to do. She spit on her sister's face. Then she turned into a sobbing, babbling fool. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Misery captured her soul. There was nothing to live for now. There was nothing left now that her children were gone.

Regina wiped the spittle from her face. Then a dagger appeared out of nowhere. She plunged it into her sister's stomach without a second thought. There was no intention of killing her. She was dead already. That would just keep her there while she went after Snow and her precious Prince Charming.

"Now you understand why I'm doing this," she whispered.

%%%%%%%%%%

Eliot was horrified. He hadn't felt fear like this since his first time in battle. He didn't like feeling so horrible, vulnerable. He failed. He'd finally failed.

"Where did he go?" Hardison asked.

He was out of breath. He was huffing and puffing and showing all signs that he really needed to start listening to the hitter. His eyes were red and puffy though. He was showing the panic the hitter felt. It only caused Eliot to feel worse than he did already.

"I lost him," Eliot scowled. He hadn't lost anyone since he was a rookie. He was the best in their squadron. He only lost when his training began. It was his captain and he learned quickly how to correct his mistakes. It was impossible that he was making them all over again.

"You lost him?" Parker scowled, "How do you lose someone? He's got Sophie!"

Eliot turned towards the thief and cringed. She was scared. He could tell simply by the size of her eyes and the way she was grasping the locket around her neck. He didn't know why she was so attached to the trinket. He had a theory. He was just too afraid to think about it at the moment.

"Nolan set us up on a wild goose chase!" Hardison growled, "That bastard! He's probably been working with that madman from day one. We should have never trusted him."

"He's not working with Jefferson," Parker said, "He just wants information. The same as the rest of us."

"With his own hidden agenda," Eliot nodded. He had forgotten how perceptive the thief had become. It was more Sophie's guidance than anything else. The two girls were connected in more ways than Eliot could even imagine. He really hoped his theory was wrong.

A noise bellowed through the air. It sounded as though a wolf were crying out in pain. If it wasn't broad daylight, it would be a good theory. But Eliot was experienced in telling the difference. He listened carefully. Yep, it was the sound of boxes moving away from a barricaded door. He even knew exactly where it was too.

"The alley," he explained.

The thief and hacker moved as one. They raced towards the object of noise without question. They weren't even surprised when the hitter instructed them to hide. He waved to a garbage bin that they could hide behind. Hardison nodded while Parker made room for them. She even produced her taser from thin air. They were out of view and thus out of trouble within seconds. Eliot took a deep breath and stepped forward.

David was already a small figure disappearing behind the wall before he even finished turning the corner. The door he left still swung loosely against its hinges. Whatever news he heard, he was in a hurry to get out of it. Eliot thundered through the door in the nick of time. Jefferson was still there, his hat twirling on the floor. The portal was just opening up.

"Where is she?" Eliot hollered.

"Where else?" Jefferson replied, "She's getting revenge."

He jumped before the hitter could ask more. Eliot slowly stepped forward, debating the pros and cons of following. The portal closed before his mind could be made up. He stepped back, right into Parker and Hardison. He turned to the two, ready to yell their heads off. The snarl fell from his lips at the ashen expression on the thief's small face.

"Revenge?" Hardison coughed, "What did he mean by revenge, Eliot? Why would Sophie want revenge?"

Eliot ignored him. He could tell simply by the deer in the headlights look on Parker's face. She knew what was going on. At the very least she had a suspicion on where the grifter would be going. Her big blue eyes looked exactly as Nate's did when frightened. Her cheeks were pink in the way Sophie's would be when flushed or exasperated. Her blonde hair rustled in the wind. Her lips parted to speak then closed. She shook her head, almost in disbelief of the treacherous idea.

"Parker?" Eliot urged his voice pitched low and tender, "Parker, where is she going?"

Parker looked reluctant to speak. She stepped away from the hitter, her head shaking. She was grasping thin at thin air. She looked exactly as a child discovering a parent's wrong-doing would. She was so frightened, so desperate to believe it wasn't true. She didn't want it to be true.

"Why?" Hardison demanded, "Why would you believe him? Sophie's too nice. She wouldn't hurt a fly."

"This isn't Sophie," Eliot replied. His eyes were trained on the scared little thief, waiting for the other shoe to drop. "Parker, we can still stop her?"

"Henry," Parker said, "She's going after Henry."

The hitter nodded. He stepped the few feet it took to move closer to the thief. He grabbed her by the forearms and pulled her against him. They were nose to nose now. His hand supported her neck while his right arm kept her balanced and bound. He stared deeply into the eyes that reminded him so much of home.

"Where is he?" He asked.

The thief's mind clicked back into place in an instant. Her eyes changed back to that of the determined woman who knew how to handle these situations. She was no longer the abandoned child from years ago. Now she was Parker, the most untouchable woman in the world. She nodded her head and started running towards the outskirts of town. Eliot smiled and waited for the hacker to follow.

"We're comin', Soph," he said.