Chapter 13: Desperation
In which Daniel makes a decision
Belle has just hugged, kissed, and taken Rumple to a more private corner of the shop. Regina takes it as a sign that today's work is done. She quickly gets into her car and drives in the direction of her crypt. She enters it and finds the coffin empty. It worked, like she knew it would. Belle was ample proof of that.
Out on the streets again, she calls out for him. Over and over again. "Daniel! Daniel!" A door opens. "My Queen. He is in here. Very confused and rather sleepy." "Thank you, thank you!" She finds him lying on a rackety couch. "You're alive again. You're here!" "Regina, what has happened? What is this place?" "I'll tell you later. Let's just enjoy each other's company. I've missed you so much." She overloads him with kisses.
Blue is searching her supply cabinet. This whole problem should be solved. The Prince is trapped. Rumple and Regina could become heroes. She is suddenly the evil one, and the real evil, the Dark One, is still out there. She is sorry she walked away so soon; it appears to have encouraged a negative opinion of her. Mary Margaret seems to trust her again although even she was fearful. It is unbelievable. For ages she slaved for the welfare of these people and the moment a stupid book shows up, everything crumbles. Emma, the saviour. Ha. More like Emma, the destroyer. Emma, the competitor. Emma, the adversary.
Mary Margaret had told her about the Revealing spell that Regina had performed, instead of her, and that the situation was very grave. The cage that used to hold Rumplestiltskin was extremely powerful, since it had held him all that time. If even the Dark One cannot break out of it, what chance did David have? Mary Margaret had been overcome with sadness. Fortunately, the cage could break. A very special ink, squid ink, could dissolve its strength. She should have a very small supply of it somewhere. As she doesn't use this stuff daily, the question is where exactly?
A few days later the situation comes to a head. David is worn out. He looks like he has given up. The supply of beer and meat is rapidly declining but his defeated spirit is an even larger issue. Mary Margaret stays at his side. She has her own tent and is supported by close friends. Emma alternately walks around the shed like another caged animal, trying to summon her magic or is out in the town helping various groups to find a solution. Henry is mostly with Mary Margaret or either of his moms.
The appearance of Daniel and Belle's sudden renewed infatuation with Rumple has not gone unnoticed. Several people have warned them. It's not right to be in a relationship with these two; they are dangerous. Belle defends her Rumple against any accusation but Daniel is less adamant to defend his Regina. The whole situation is killing him. Adjusting to this strange, new world. The last thing he remembers is Cora and her hand reaching for his heart. But in this world, Cora no longer exists and he does. He is extremely confused. Plus Regina is not exactly the sweet, abused, and only a little arrogant, daughter anymore. She is a Queen, or a mayor, and people are afraid of her. She has a son, adopted, who lives with her some of the time but likes his real mother, who has recently moved to this town, better. Regina has also adopted Cora's way of handling things through magic and she permanently refuses to talk about her father's demise. On top of that, Regina's version of things and other people's seem to differ quite a bit. Daniel has a very hard time wrapping his head around all of this.
Rumple and Regina have found a counter curse for the door, but that isn't of any use at all, unless the other spell is lifted. Belle is almost always around now, which irritates Regina to no end, especially since Daniel isn't that keen to be with her. He takes to solitude, although he also frequents Granny's. As a reward for finding a part of the solution, Regina decides to have dinner with him there. Be away from Belle for a bit and be with her true love instead will make her absolutely gleeful.
Regina is in tears and completely broken down. Daniel wants some time to himself and has essentially dumped her. Rumple is her shoulder to lean on, for lack of a BFF. Belle is bringing Mary Margaret some extra blankets as it promises to be a cold night, leaving them to have a heart-to-heart. "Can't you do the same as I did? Belle is thrilled about us now." "You can only use it on a person once, so I can't do that." She wails in agony. Hmm. That means if David is saved by this thing, it's only a temporary measure, so they'd still need to break the spell. "I guess you'll have to do it the old fashioned way then. Get him to love you again. See the good in you, the real you. You may have changed, but surely he will still see whom he loved before." The words are a little hollow. It worked for him on occasion, but not all the time either. Hence his desperate action. "What good is it bringing him back if he doesn't love me?"