Chapter 17

Emma pulled them up off the floor. She and Regina still bore the weight of the exhausted Coraline. She helped Regina get her back to the table and set her down in a chair. Emma grabbed Coraline's coffee cup and headed across the kitchen. Regina went to the sink, grabbed a kitchen towel and wet it. She went back to Coraline and handed her the towel to clean up her face. Emma came back over with three cups of coffee, handing them each one. Regina sat down on her left and Emma on her right.

"I know I keep saying this, but it is the truth. You can be angry with us, you know? But, you can trust us, your family, because we aren't going to give up now that we know," Emma told her.

"Why?"

"Because we aren't there for you. I know what that is like. Be angry, but let us try to help you now. I can't apologize to you when I don't know what I've done exactly. I can't apologize for something that I haven't done yet. You being here could change things. If you don't tell us what happens, how can we help?" Emma asked her.

"If I change things, it could cause problems."

"I know that, but if it means saving our family, I don't give a rat's ass. We will do it. I never wanted any of my children to be alone. I didn't want that for you. I lived that and I promised myself that I would fight to keep that from happening," Emma told her.

"You did," Coraline stated and took a sip of her coffee.

"I did what? I fought to keep us together? Then why are you so angry about it?" Emma asked her.

"Because you died."

Emma gasped. She had begun to wonder how she would finally meet her end now that she was part of the Fairy Tale World. Sure, she had magic, but that didn't stop her from wondering. When she was younger she had always wondered if she would be alone, then she found her family and she swore that she would do anything to keep them together. Now her own daughter was telling her that is how she died, protecting her family, and trying to keep them together.

"Coraline…"

"Don't apologize for that. I've read Mom's journals. I know what you went through. I understand why family was always the highest priority for you. I admired that. But, I was still alone. I didn't have either of you. I was too young to understand that you took the fight to the Darkness to protect me. I was too young to understand that you didn't mean to die. We are Charmings after all. We don't believe in giving up, ever." Coraline told them, almost laughing at the end.

"Charmings? I refuse to be a Charming. Please tell me that we took another name. I don't like that name. Anything but Charming as a family name," Regina begged.

"No, Mom, you don't. We are the Swan-Mills family. Most of the kingdom just refers to us as the House of Swan, the royal house of the Winterlands. Snow and Charming took the Summerlands."

"What about your uncle?"

"Neal?"

"You haven't told Snow, have you?" Regina asked and took a sip of coffee.

"No, it would destroy her. It does destroy her to a degree. It is one of the reasons that she allows you both more freedoms later. She dotes on Henry and me, spoiling us at every turn."

"We need to tell her," Emma slated.

"We can't," Coraline replied.

"Why not?" Regina asked.

"I will not spoil this time she has with him. She deserves it. Don't break her with this. I will bear that knowledge and pain for her. I owe her that much and more," Coraline told them.

"She needs to know," Emma stated.

"No, Coraline is right. It is bad enough that we know we all die but Ruby and Belle. We need to protect her from this for now. If she asks, then we'll address it. Until then, we'll let everyone be blissfully ignorant. It will be better for us all, until then. I'm still going to work on potions for him though. I promised that I would do everything in my power to protect this family, and that includes your baby brother. I am not going to let it happen if I can help it," Regina told her.

"It isn't fair," Emma replied.

"No, it isn't. None of our futures are fair. It won't do any good to upset everyone. You are the Savior and Queen. You are the Evil Queen, who became Queen Regina. I can remember how happy we all were. Henry had become a knight to the White Kingdom and the Swan Kingdom. Live with that and not the destruction and death that followed. Please, help me keep that memory alive," Coraline said.

Regina looked at her and saw her younger self reflected back. How had it come to this? Why was it that her daughter had to endure so much without them? Regina made another pledge then, they would find a way to stop it. They would be together. She would keep her family.

"I know what you are thinking, Mom. You will do your damnedest, but it still won't be enough. The Darkness is stronger than anyone knew or believed. Please don't drive yourself insane trying to defeat it. I almost did. It cannot be defeated. It wants me. It will eventually get me," Coraline stated, resigning to the reality of the future situation.

"We will find a way, Coraline. I refuse to give up. I refuse to let it happen," Emma told her.

"There is nothing you can do. There is nothing anyone can do. Don't waste your time fretting about it. You should spend every moment with those you love, letting them know how much you love them, because in the end, they are all that is important," Coraline replied.

"We will find a way," Regina told her as she reached across the table and look her hand. "We will not abandon you. This family will fight and we will fight until it is defeated. We will find a way."

"Yes, we will," Snow repeated as she came back into the room with Henry in tow.

He was rubbing his eyes free of sleep as the sun just began to crest the horizon outside. The sunlight shone through the windows of the kitchen, promising at new day, a better day. Coraline sank down in her chair and hugged her cup of coffee. Henry looked at her with a questioning look. Snow left but came back with a chair from the dining room. She put herself between Emma and Coraline, knowing what was about to happen. He eyed them suspiciously until Regina got up and made him some cocoa.

She came back with two cups and a spice container of cinnamon. She handed one cup to Henry and the other to Emma. She pushed Emma's coffee cup over to Snow.

"Mom, why did you get Grams to get me up so early? What's so important? It isn't even a school day or did your forget, again? What's going on?" he asked and then took at long drink of his cocoa.

"There is something that Emma and I have to tell you."

"What?" Henry asked, taking another sip, trying to wake himself up.

"This isn't really easy for us, Kid, but you deserve to know," Emma started.

"Just tell me. Okay, I get it. It must be something big if you woke me up to tell me. You both promised to not lie to me anymore because you didn't think that I could handle it. So, just tell me," he replied.

"I would like you to meet someone, Henry."

"Who? Coraline? I already know her. She is Belle's little sister." he told them.

"That isn't exactly true," Coraline stated.

"Is that why Grandpa has been so angry these last few days?"

"Partially, yes, Henry, Coraline is...well...she's..." Emma started, as she watched Henry take another drink of cocoa, unsure how to continue.

"Henry, she is your sister," Regina told him.

He spit out his cocoa across the table. He looked from Emma to Regina and back again. When he settled on Snow, he watched her nod in affirmation. He set his cup down and stared at them.

"She's my sister. Like how is she my sister? She is as old as you are," he stated.

"Henry, I know that this is hard for you, but it is the truth. I can prove it to you. Will you let me?" Coraline asked him as she stood up. "I can give you something that will prove it, but you have to allow me. You have to want to believe. I know that you might be scared, but you can trust me."

"I don't know why, but I do. I trust you. Show me."

"This isn't going to be easy for me. I apologize in advance if this frightens you, but it is the only way I know how to show you. Mom and Ma could tell you all day, but it might not be enough for you to believe," she explained, sighed and then continued. "Thank you for at least trying to believe now."

She knelt down beside him. She reached into her boot and pulled out a dagger. She placed it on the table beside them. She reached into her shirt and look off the leather corded boot lace that still had Snow's ring on it. She caught Snow's eyes and saw the look of apprehension as Snow checked her own hand to make sure it was still there. Then, she took off a small silver band off her left ring finger and placed it in the pile of other things. His hazel eyes searched hers as she reached out for his hand.

"I want you to take the dagger."

"Why?"

"Promise me that you won't question what I am about to do and just believe in me, Henry," she stated.

"I do."

"Then, take the dagger."

Henry reached over into the pile and picked up the dagger. He looked at the hilt and the pommel. He studied them, noting the richness of the etching and similarity to Charming's sword.

"This looks like a smaller version of Gramp's sword."

"That is because it is. Now, I want you to hand it to Mom," she told him and he did as asked. Regina took the dagger from him and looked at Coraline with wonder. "Now, Mom, try to draw it."

Regina did as asked but the dagger wouldn't budge. She gave her a questioning look but didn't say anything out loud. She put the dagger back on the table.

"Now, Ma, you try."

Emma reached over and picked up the dagger. They all watched as Emma drew the dagger. She admired the hilt. It was then that she noticed the motif carved into the pommel.

"It's a swan," she stated.

"It is, Ma. It is yours. That is a dagger that Mom had forged and then cast a spell on. No one but the line of Swan can draw it. But, that isn't all that it does. May I?" she asked holding out her hand.

Emma replaced the blade to the scabbard and handed her the dagger. She held it in front of Henry. She took his hand and wrapped it around the hilt. He watched her as she stood back.

"Snow can't draw it, Henry, but Charming can. You can. Ma can. And, I can. But, that isn't just a dagger. I want you to draw it out, hold it out in front of you and will it to be a sword," she commanded him taking another step back.

"You want me to what?"

"Believe that it is a sword, Henry."

Coraline took another step back. Henry concentrated. He felt the dagger begin to weigh more and he brought up his other hand to help him continue to hold it. The blade started to shoot out towards Coraline. She smiled as the rest of them gasped. Henry kept a hold of the growing sword and believed in it as he continued to concentrate on its length.

"That's good, Henry. That's real good. Now, hand me the sword," Coraline told him holding out her hand. He passed her the sword and it didn't shrink. She held it up in front of her face, looking into the blade as she touched it, testing its weight.

"Now watch this," she told him and handed the sword to Snow. "This might sting just a little, but I am just trying to prove my point. I'm sorry."

Snow took the sword. It burned her hand and dropped to the table returning it to its dagger size. Coraline was immediately grabbing Snow's hand, knowing how the pain and burns would hurt. She took it in both her hands and began to mumble some words under her breath. Snow watched Regina's eyes get wide as Coraline kept mumbling. When she let go, Snow's hand was completely healed. Snow held her hand up. Regina reached across the table to touch it. She couldn't believe what she had just seen. Snow marveled in Coraline's abilities.

"Grams?" Henry asked.

"I'm fine, Henry. See, not even a scar. It is like it never happened," Snow reassured him.

"Who taught you that?" Regina asked.

"Belle, well she taught me from books. She is most amazing at different languages. She would have made a great sorceress if she had magical blood. She really has a knack for it. Unfortunately, she can't conjure anything herself. She's tried. Oh, by the heavens, did she try." Coraline explained.

"But, you're scars?" Regina questioned, suddenly emotional.

"Some things even magic can't heal," was the simple statement she got in response.

Regina sat back. Her daughter was really a wonder. The more time she spent with her the more she was amazed at her abilities. She really was the best of both her and Emma. She couldn't deny it, now.

"Henry, do you believe me?" Coraline asked him.

"I do, but you're older than me."

"Actually, I haven't been born yet in this time. I am your baby sister. I will be born soon, though. But, that isn't what matters. What matters is that we are family. I am here to protect us all," she told him.

"You're from the future? And, you came back to save us? From what?" he asked.

"In my time we call it the Darkness or the Blackness. I don't know what it is. I just know that I have to find a way to stop it before it destroys everything. I need your help with this. Do you think that you can help me? Will you do what I ask you to do to help?" Coraline asked him, as she saw Regina and Emma begin to squirm at the thought of Henry helping and getting hurt.

"Of course, I'll help. But, first we need to come up with a code name for this operation. How about Operation: Dark Horse? That sounds good to me. So what do you need me to do?" he asked getting excited that he was being allowed to help.

"That sounds fine, Henry. Operation: Dark Horse it is, then. But, I need you to do something important. I need you to learn to use a bow," Coraline told him, laughing in the beginning.

"A bow? But, Gramps is teaching me to use a sword. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing is wrong with that. And, that is perfectly fine. Keep working with Gramps. But, I need you to work with Grams, too. She is best archer among us. She will teach you at lot. Can you do that?"

Regina looked at Snow, nodding and giving her permission to teach him. Emma smiled at Coraline. She didn't know why Coraline wanted him to spend time with Snow, but learning to use a bow was a good skill to have if they were going to end up back in the Enchanted Forest. Regina didn't seem to mind too much now that they knew what she wanted him to do.

"Yeah, I can do that, Coraline." he answered.

"Good, because one day, you are going to teach me how to shoot a bow. So you need to pay attention to everything that Grams tells you. It is important and it will save your life, and mine. Okay, Henry?" she asked.

"I will."

"Okay, good."

"Is there anything else that you can tell us?" Snow asked looking at the other items on the table.

"You want to know more about these?" Coraline asked pointing to her artifacts.

"Yes," Snow answered simply.

"The cord is from Ma. It is Graham's boot lace. Upon it is your wedding ring. You give it to Henry to give to his betrothed when finally chooses a bride. He put it on the boot lace and wore it around his neck like a talisman. Until…well, he gave it to me to keep safe."

"And the silver band?" Snow asked.

"It is Mom's wedding band. Red found it for me. She figured that I would like to have it. It was just pure coincidence that it fit my finger. Today is the first time that I have taken it off since it was given to me."

"The dagger is Ma's. The ring is Grams'. The boot lace is Graham's. The silver ring is Mom's. The crest is Gramps', but yours at the same time. You have something to remember your family by in what you carry, but why? Why do you have something for everyone?" Henry asked her.

"Because things are that pleasant in my time, Henry."

"Tell me."

"Now isn't the time to tell you, Henry."

"You promised that you wouldn't lie to me. You want me to believe you. Then trust in me."

"Henry…" Regina started.

"No, Mom, I am old enough to know. What happens? What is it that you are scared to tell me?"

"I am the only survivor."

"We are all dead?" Henry asked.

"Yes…"

Meanwhile at Granny's.

Ruby watched the new dark haired woman come in. She couldn't place her, but she knew that a lot of new people had come over in the last curse. And, a lot of them were friends of Robin's who kept to themselves, she seemed to be one of them. She smelled like forest. She carried herself similarly to Mulan. She didn't want to question her, but there was something familiar about her. Ruby shook her head. She didn't need to be worried about this new person. She needed to be worried about Belle.

No sooner had the thoughts crossed her mind then Belle came through the door. She looked upset and distressed about something. She knew that Ruby had the later shift today which is why she called her so early in the morning. Ruby was sitting in the booth in the back near the bathrooms when she finally saw her. She joined her there, sitting down across from Ruby with a huff and not the normal dignified air that she possessed.

"What's wrong?"

"I told Rumple."

"And?" Ruby asked.

"He kicked Coraline out of the house."

"Where did she go?" Ruby asked her.

"I don't know. I've been calling her phone all morning. She hasn't answered."

"Have you tried Regina?"

"No," Belle stated.

"Why not?"

"I…I don't know. She is…Coraline is still my sister in my heart, Ruby. I can't just let that go."

"No one is asking you to, Belle, least of all Coraline. She chose you, remember? She chose you to be her family. She came back here to save us all and her family. She didn't go to Regina or Emma. She came to you as your sister."

"I know. That is why I can't turn my back on her like that. It doesn't matter to me that she isn't blood. She is still my sister, and will soon be like my daughter if we can't figure out how to stop the Blackness that is coming. How can I turn her away like that? How could he?"

"He is the Dark One. She lied to us all and she has magic. Maybe, he feels threatened by her."

"I don't think that is it. If he was threatened by her, he would have done more than kicked her out of my old house. There is something that he isn't telling me. There is something that he is hiding. He promised me no more secrets. He promised that he wouldn't lie to me," Belle told her.

"I know that, sweetie. You should talk to him. Tell him how this makes you feel."

"I've tried. He just tells me that it is for the best. He won't explain why though."

"Use the dagger."

Belle gasped. She knew that she could force the answers from him, but she didn't want to manipulate him that way. She didn't want to force her hand with him, but she knew that it was option. There was something about the way he was acting. It was like he knew Coraline was important for something, but he wouldn't tell her why. She just couldn't…not yet.

"I want to try to talk to him first."

"And, if he doesn't agree?" Ruby asked.

"Then, I will talk to Regina before I use the dagger. I don't want to stoop to his level. I want to try to do this right. I don't know why, but I think he is scared of her."

"Scare of Coraline?" Ruby questioned.

"Yeah, and I want to know why, Ruby. You didn't see him after I told him. He was scared. And, then when he came home last night, he seemed happy. There was a smugness about him."

"And, he told you why?"

"Yeah, he told me that he kicked Coraline out. I wanted to go look for her, but it started raining. I didn't even know where to begin. I didn't know if she would run away again or if she would go to Regina or Emma. It was late. I figured that I would start looking for her early this morning. I called her several times last night, though."

"And, she still hasn't called you back?"

"No, and now, I am really worried," Belle told her.

"I can try to track her, but it rained last night, heavily. I don't know how much of a trail there will actually be. Maybe, we should call Regina and tell her. She could do a locater spell."

"Do you think that it would be for the best?"

"It will answer your questions."

"Will you call her?" Belle asked.

"Of course, Belle, I'll call her. Wait here. I'll be right back," Ruby told her as she stood from the booth. She made her way across the diner and behind the counter. She grabbed her cell from underneath the counter and returned to the booth.

She started to call when she realized that she had several texts. She looked over at Belle and smiled. She opened the first two from Snow and got the story of Rumple kicking Coraline out late last night. Emma left earlier to go to her because she'd gone to Regina's for the night.

"I don't need to call her."

"Why not?"

"Coraline went to Regina's last night. Evidently Regina called Emma and Emma went over there to make sure that she was okay and stayed the night. Emma left Snow a note about what was going on so she wouldn't be worried when she woke up and Emma wasn't home."

"Can we call her anyway?"

"Yes, we can. Do you want to do it? Or, do you want me to?"

"Will you do it please?"

"No problem, Belle," Ruby stated, reaching across the table and holding her hand, "She's okay. She went to her mother. Even though she and Regina are estranged she went to her mother's."

"I know."

Ruby scrolled through her phone until she landed on Regina's cell number. She pushed the buttons so the phone would call her. When she looked up, she caught the dark haired woman's icy blue eyes. Ruby's face scrunched up in question, but before she could say anything Regina answered and the woman left the diner.

"Hey, ya, Regina…No, I am calling because Belle was worried about Coraline…yeah, Snow already let me know that she was there…Can we come over? I think that Belle needs to see her for herself…Oh, yeah, she is plenty mad. Well, as mad as Belle gets….She's real upset. She's sorry that he reacted that way, but they promised to not lie to each other.… Oh, yeah, she said that he came home and told her. She's been looking for her all morning. She called me but with the rain, I didn't have a trail to follow. She finally let me call you…. Yeah, ten minutes, no problem…. Do you want me to bring some bear claws and coffee? … Hmm, okay, I'll bring extra just in case…Yeah, see you in a few," Ruby said and rang off.

"She's there?"

"Yeah, and she's okay. She showed up around three AM soaking wet. Needless to say, Regina is not happy with Rumple, but she promised Coraline that she would confront him. She said we could come over. They just need a little time to clean up. It has been an emotional morning for them. Are you going to be okay?" Ruby asked her.

"I will once I see that my sister…that Coraline is okay," Belle answered.

Will heard the quiet conversation between Belle and Red. She knew they were friends. She also knew from the quiet rumors that had been circulating through town since before she made it. She didn't know what to do. She knew that Coraline, Regina and Emma were back. She wasn't sure what that meant for her, but she knew that she would have to hide now. It was bad enough that Red almost recognized her.

She knew that she couldn't get anything past the wolf. She remembered little Red and knew how much trouble she could be. If Red remembered who she was, then she wouldn't be able to hide. It was a chance that she would have to take. She wasn't hiding really, but she wasn't out and about in town.

Today had been the first time since she'd been in town that she visited the diner and now, she knew it would be her last. She would just have to deal with that. She was glad that her room had a small kitchen in it. It was a small blessing. She would be able to survive on her own until she decided to make her presence known. She needed to find Rumple, but she didn't know his name here. He would be the only one who could help her now.

She thought about what Belle and Red had been talking about. Belle knew Rumple. She would be able to lead her to him. She would watch Belle or track her movements. She knew that today wasn't the day to try it. Today, she would lie low and bide her time. Tomorrow, she would seek out Rumple and figure out what the Hell was really going on in this sleepy town.

Belle and Red stood on Regina's front porch. Red knocked on the door and wasn't surprised when Regina answered the door. She ushered them in to the house and to the living room. That is where they found Coraline, Henry and Emma playing some game on one of Henry's gaming systems. Snow was sitting close by in a chair, coffee cup in hand, smiling at her family.

"Thank you for letting me come over," Belle told her.

"Belle, for what's it worth, you are family here. You are Rumple's wife which makes you Henry's grandmother after a fashion. But, more importantly, I considered you trustworthy enough to raise my daughter. And, she thinks of you as a sister. You are welcome here."

"Thank you," Belle replied.

"Would you like some coffee?" Regina asked.

"I'll get us some," Ruby replied, heading to the kitchen with the bear claws.

Belle followed Regina into her study and sat down, facing each other. Belle seemed more nervous than she wanted and she tried to calm herself. She knew that Regina wasn't the same person that imprisoned her, but they were far from being friends.

"What is it, Bookworm?" Regina asked her.

"Why me?"

"Why you what?"

"Why would you choose me to care for your child?"

"I can only hope that I chose you because you have proven yourself to be a valuable ally."

"A valuable ally?"

"Belle, let's not sugarcoat this. We have a tenuous relationship and that is because of the relationship that I had with your husband. I would like to apologize to you for what we put you through, because I cannot take all the blame for it. But, I can promise you this. I have promised Coraline that I will not confront him. I won't. There is nothing that he can do for me now."

"What about fighting the Blackness that Coraline is so worried about?"

"That is would be where you would come in, my dear. I would ask that you would aid on our behalf to deal with Rumple. I really don't want him near my family. I don't mind that Henry is working with him at the shop, because I know that you are there most days and you check up on Henry. I want to believe that Rumple made a mistake in his haste last night. I do not want a war with him, Belle. I want what is best for my family."

"I am angry with him."

"Why?"

"She may be your daughter, Regina, but I am the one that raises her in the future. But, she did chose to be my sister, here, now. I can't let that go. She thought enough of me to be family. I will not sit back and watch her suffer. I will deal with Rumple."

"How?"

"How? I am not sure yet. I don't even know what spell he used on the house, but I am sure that it was some sort of blood magic. Don't look at me like that. We both know that he had to use some sort of spell to eject her from the house. I haven't had enough time to research it yet. I have been too busy worrying about Coraline."

"Then what do you need me to do?" Regina asked her.

"Can you give me a few days before you let Emma go off on him?"

"I will do my best, but I can't promise anything when it comes to the Savior. She tends to do as she pleases. I'll talk to her though. But, I doubt that it is Emma you need to really worry about."

"Who then?"

"Charming and Snow. You know how fiercely protective they are of their family. If Snow already knew before she came over this morning, you can bet that the other idiot knows as well. He is the only one that isn't here. He can be unpredictable. Where do you think Emma gets it from?"

"Gets what from?" Emma asked coming into the study, with two mugs of coffee.

"Your unpredictability, Dear," Regina replied, taking one.

"What's going on?" Emma questioned, as she handed Belle the other.

"I've talked with Rumple," Belle offered.

"And?" Emma asked, sitting down, trying to dampen her anger at the man.

"He told me about kicking Coraline out. He's put a spell on the house. She can't enter it. I am trying to figure out what spell he used so you can counter it. But, I need time. I need to know that both of you aren't going to do something rash."

"Rash! You're worried about me doing something rash? Rash was kicking my daughter out of the only house that she knew in town during a thunderstorm. Rash was going over there to begin with. Rash was casting a spell on the house so she can't get back in it. That is rash. I haven't done anything rash…yet."

Regina reached over and touched her leg. She immediately felt Emma calm. Belle watched them, but didn't say anything. She saw the differences that their trip to Boston had confirmed.

"I understand that, Emma. He is a difficult man. He can be complicated and he is…"

"Is lucky that I wasn't over there first thing when I found out about what happened," Emma stated and again Regina squeezed her leg.

"I know that. I'm doing what I can. I care for her as well. She may not really be my sister, but part of me thinks that she still is. I am not going to abandon her because he got mad that she lied about her true parentage. It will take time, but I'll figure it out. I just need you to promise me that you and your family won't do anything to him. Let me deal with him," Belle stated.

"Fine!" she answered forcefully and got up. She was halfway across the room and gone when she turned around to face them both, again. "I'll give you a week and then I'm beating down his door. He's done enough to this family and he's been given a free pass. I will not give him any more. One week, Belle, and then I don't care who the fuck he is. He will pay."

Belle watched her go. The anger in her body had kept Emma rigid. She turned to back to Regina only to find her smirking. She shook her head.

"She means every word of that," Regina told her.

"And, I thought I had to be worried about you," Belle replied.

"She's found her family, Belle. She isn't going to give it up. And, now, she knows that she is happy. She's with me and we love each other. Coraline has given her the answers to so many questions that she has been asking herself for so long. She isn't going to give it up willingly."

"I am not asking her to. I am asking for patience from both of you. She's given me a time limit, and I'll work with that, Regina. I just need to know that you aren't going to do anything until my time is up," Belle told her.

"I promise you that I am not going to do anything. I've already told you that. Coraline made me promise. I am not going to go against my word. I'll do my best to keep the Charmings reigned in. But, I would suggest you deliver on that spell soon, Bookworm. I have a very good feeling that Emma will actually time you and when that clock expires…"

"She'll be a loose cannon."

"Exactly."

"Just remember how bad you thought that I was, Belle. You've never seen her upset. She'll fight and she will fight hard. She will be almost uncontrollable if she decides to be."

"I know."

"No, you don't. She is stronger than me with her magic and she doesn't have full control of it. She might do something that we can't stop. And, we both don't want that."

"I'll do my best."

"I know you will, Belle. You always have. I think that is why I think I might like you."

"Excuse me?"

"I choose you to take care of her, Belle. I give you my daughter. I know that you will care for her and I know that you will fight for her. And, do you know why?"

"No," she answered puzzled.

"Because you don't give up. You never have, especially with Rumple. Even when I had you imprisoned, you never gave up that you would be freed and then you would save Rumple. I actually admire that, but I'll tell you this. If you tell anyone I said that, I'll end you."

"I have no doubts. Now, can I see my sister? I need to talk to her to start the investigation."

"She is the other room with her brother and family. Be my guest. You're welcome here anytime, my dear. However, Rumple might be another case."

She gave Belle a sweet smile and ushered her into the other room. Belle stopped as she watched Coraline and Henry interacting and playing the game. She saw Regina's smile grow bigger at the sight. Emma met their eyes and smiled. Snow was even smiling. The family was all together for now and they would all, even Red and Belle, would fight to keep it that way.

"I'll do my best, Regina. I will not fail. We will find a way."

"We have to, Belle. I will not lose my family. I will not let that happen," Regina told her.