Somewhere in the time between the phone call and the arrival of the police, Regina's email came to life. They were from anonymous, which normally would get sent directly to the trash but the subject line of YOUR SON had her clicking through. Regina clenched her teeth as the image of Henry and Roland tied up in the back of a van or truck came up on the screen. A hand vised on her shoulder and looking up, Regina saw Robin standing behind her also staring at the screen.

There was no return address there was no tag giving any information about where the email had come from. Just the picture of the two boys, arms tied together with rope and the word UNHARMED. Roland's long dark brown curls fell into his face, obscuring his eyes. Henry's eyes were visible though and Regina was proud to see there was some anger in there with the fear.

How to get them out and home safely was the next problem. Were they even still in the back of this vehicle? There was nothing major that identified what they were inside of, at least not to Regina's eyes.

"White van," Robin answered her as if she had read his mind.

Regina glanced around the picture, trying to get any identifying details. "How do you know?"

"The inside." Robin's tan hand slid past her head and began noting details on the screen. "If it were a larger truck there would be wood on the sides to tie large things to so they don't fall. The walls also slope up slightly. If it were a freezer truck they would be perpendicular to the top."

A ping went off and a envelope popped up in the corner of her display with the anonymous tag and the words: FIRST REQUEST.

Regina's hand hovered over the mouse before she clicked. Her stomach roiled as she waited for the screen to load. What did they want from her? Why would they feel the need to take her son to get her to do it?

YOU WILL PROPOSE SIGNIFICANT TAX BREAKS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES AND RENTAL PROPERTIES IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET MEETINGS.

"Are they insane?" She blurted.

"What?"

Regina gaped at the screen. "They want to cripple my town and use my son to do it."

Her mind raced. There were people on the council who wanted to decrease taxes like this, but enough to take her son? There were business people as well that could see this going in their favor. But still, to take Henry and think they could just get away with it. It made no sense to her. Whoever it was would have to be someone the boys would at least recognize.

It didn't make sense.

"This will cripple the town?" Robin asked, gaping at her.

Regina scoffed and rolled her eyes. Why did people insist on knowing so little about their government structure? No one made informed decisions anymore. That was quite clear. "Where do you think we get most of our money? Rental properties are huge and the taxes on them are higher than our full residential homes."

"Who would want this?"

She went through the list in her head, poring over the names and faces in her mind and hoping that one would stick out. "Anyone who wants to keep more money or make things easier for them to afford. Lots of people in town own rental properties that they fill in the summer."

Staring at the message, Regina tried to understand. Usually people just wanted money. Money she could handle giving over. Control of her town, however, was another matter entirely. Throwing the whole town into chaos and this was only the first request. After the budget for the year was set, there would be little she could do to rectify this.

Trina's pale face was covered with a blush as her high-binned head dipped back in, "Regina, the Sheriff and Deputies Piccolo and duLac are here."

Brushing right past Trina without a second thought was Sheriff Nottingham. He voice dripped with charming tones, "I came right over, Regina. Had I realized the importance-"

Her jaw clenched, wishing she could burn him where he stood. "It is Madam Mayor to you, Sheriff and had you listened when Robin called you the first time we might be a step closer to finding them," she reminded him in short tones as the round, curly haired Deputy Piccolo and the tall, broad Deputy du Lac followed in behind him.

Eric Nottingham's grin froze on his face but did not fall. He rubbed at his coarse stubble before gesturing to her to take a seat again. "Of course, Madam Mayor. Let's get started so that we can find the boys as quickly as possible." His tone changed as he looked behind her at Robin, who still stood rooted to the spot he had been in when the officers entered. "You were the first to realize their disappearance, Mr. Locksley?"

Raising an eyebrow, Regina looked past the officers to where her assistant remained in the doorway. "Trina, would you bring some refreshments for the officers?" She moved around her desk with practiced grace and came to the gathering of chairs and sofas that Regina preferred for informal meetings. "Why don't we all have a seat and we can talk here."

Nottingham followed and took a seat in the large, wingback chair that always reminded Regina of her mother, neither of the deputies sat but stood behind the sheriff, each off to either side looking less than comfortable. When Robin came and sat on the couch, Regina sat beside him. Their children were missing together and in Regina's mind that put them on the same team.

Once everyone was settled, Nottingham opened his notepad and fixed his gaze on Robin. "Mr. Locksley, you were the first to become aware of the disappearance of the boys?"

Regina watched as Robin squeezed his hands together and released three times, before he spoke. "Yes. They were supposed to come to my house straight after school. I received a text around 3:30 that they were on their way to get snacks and be home."

"School gets out at 2:30, doesn't it?" Nottingham questioned, making notes on his pad. "Why would they wait so long?"

"Henry takes band after school. He plays clarinet," she clarified, glancing to Robin. "It gets out at 3:30."

Robin caught her gaze and nodded. Something inside his blue eyes made her feel calmer than she had since the messages rolled in. "Roland waits outside unless he has detention."

Nottingham looked up sharply with a sneer. "Did he?"

"Did he what?"

"Have detention?"

Robin's eyes were filled with ice as he clipped out, "No."

To her trained eye, the deputies looked even less comfortable than they had before. They reminded her of any time she had watched her mother go in for the kill, so to speak, when roasting people. Likely they felt for their boss the way she did her mother.

Exasperated, she snapped at the sheriff, "I don't understand what this has to do with anything. The boys are missing and you need to find them."

His smile was smug and she wanted to take her hand to his cream colored face. "Just getting an idea of what their routine is and who might have known about that." He smiled but covered it quickly, and Regina wished the mayor had the power to recall a sheriff. "And what time did you notice them missing?"

"Around six. I finished up work in my shop in the garage and came out to find them. We typically order pizza if they aren't too full on junk but they weren't playing on the Xbox, they weren't in Roland's room. That's when I tried calling them and got no answer and then I began calling friends to see if they had gone somewhere else."

Nottingham continued his lazy scrawl across the page. "I assume those calls are logged in your phone."

"Yes," Robin When they weren't found at any friends' homes I began canvassing the neighborhood."

"Why didn't you call the Sheriff's office then?"

Robin barked out a laugh and sat back on the couch, folding his arms over his chest. "Two twelve year old boys who had been missing for three hours? They are good boys and they don't just go missing without telling anyone, but mischief does begin to happen at that stage. I didn't call until after I had gone in the convenience store and found Roland's skateboard."

"Are you certain it's his skateboard?"

"Of course I am certain. It has all his stickers on it and his name."

Nottingham nudged the skateboard with his foot as if it's existence offended him. "You removed this from the crime scene?"

Robin ran a hand through his hair and yanked at the ends. "When I called you it wasn't a crime scene, or at least that is what you told me. I took photos of how it looked before I picked it up. I just didn't want some kid to take it on their way by. You can have it for evidence."

Nottingham continued to scribble and frowned. "So you allegedly found this skateboard in the bushes and knew that your son had been kidnapped?"

"He never goes anywhere without it."

"What are you suggesting?" Regina cut in sharply. The way that Nottingham had thrown the word allegedly in there bothered her.

"He's suggesting that I planted it there after kidnapping the boys."

"Do you have an alibi?" Nottingham returned.

"Is this your way of telling me I may need a lawyer?"

"This is absurd!" Regina interjected finally. She was not here to play games with Nottingham. Whatever issues Robin and the sheriff had were none of her business. Certainly, it could have nothing to do with finding Henry. "His child is missing as is mine. Find the real person who did this."

"Family members are the most likely to kidnap children," Nottingham drawled, leaning back in his chair as his lip curled up like smoke, "It's part of the job. Robin understands."

Robin nodded tightly, but didn't speak. Regina glanced between the two men who seemed to be having some sort of conversation she couldn't quite get in on. Whatever it was, it wasn't pleasant. This was insanity. There was not going to be a fucking contest of the dicks keeping her son from her. She would not have it.

"Robin called you and then when you wouldn't help," Regina snapped, not willing to wait for the next question,"he came to me to tell me the boys were missing and that's when I got the call. It was from Henry, but it wasn't just Henry. The kidnapper came on after and told me that he and his friend were fine but only so long as I was useful."

"I see." Nottingham sat up at that and leaned forward. If nothing else, being the mayor and Cora's daughter had its benefits. "Could you identify this man?"

Regina ransacked her mind for some small detail that could help the case. As it was, there was nothing she could think of. "I don't know if it was a man. The person sounded like a robot, but Henry sounded like Henry." She knew he had been alive less than an hour ago. It would have to be enough to get her through. "Then the emails came."

"Let me see."

Regina stood and wound him through the furniture and over to the computer. She wondered if this wasn't a case for someone bigger than a small town sheriff who apparently had something to prove. Katheryn would have to be asked about the best course of action here. Through she couldn't imagine telling anyone that her son was missing. Closing her eyes to focus, Regina inhaled and exhaled, smoothing her skirt as she sat at the desk.

With a few deft keystrokes, she was in. The nightmare continued to be real.

The whole thing sucked. Trying not to be scared when you were petrified was not one of Roland's strong suits, but he was working on it. He hadn't felt normal since he had asked, "Am I right?" Three times with no answer. He had turned on his skateboard to see two guys manhandling Henry into a truck. Fear had pumped through him then but what must have been what his gran referred to as the 'Locksley gene of stupidity' kicked in and he turned around to face the men.

When the gun had pointed at his chest, Roland had been terrified. His dad crying after Mom died, at the funeral, at night when he thought Roland was asleep came to him in that moment. If he died, what would his dad have?

Nothing. So somehow he had talked the guys into taking him along with Henry and not shooting him.

Not the greatest plan ever but at least they both weren't dead.

Roland wasn't sure how long they had driven in the van but now they were in a cabin somewhere in Maine's vast woods and it was dark. Darker than it even got in Storybrooke. There were no lights out here.

Long shadows crept over the walls from the one lamp that sat on the wooden table in the corner. For whatever reason, they had been left untied but the chubby dude with the red hat and mask who had brought them in here was right outside. Every now and then Roland could see him move through the window. There was a light on outside and Roland was convinced the guy was talking to someone. But who?

Henry sniffled and Roland looked over at his friend on the worn, flowered sofa. Henry had been doing great until they had made him call Regina. Hearing her voice had sent Henry over the edge. It could have had to do with how the guy who had them kept it on speaker phone and how Ms. Mills had sounded when she asked what the guy wanted.

"They're going to find us," Roland said, trying to reassure himself as much as Henry, "You know."

Henry wiped at his eyes, but in that secretive, I may have had something in my eye way. Roland knew that move well. Henry squared his shoulders and gave Roland a bit of a smile. "Of course they are going to find us. I know that." Anything else was unthinkable. Nothing good ever happened to kidnapped kids who weren't found. "I just wish I knew what these guys wanted."

"Yeah, if we knew what they wanted, we might know what to expect."

"Exactly."

"Money!" Roland exclaimed. Not that his family had money, but he hadn't been the target. Henry was. And Henry's whole damn family was loaded. "Money is usually a factor, right?"

Every movie he had ever seen where a kid got snatched it was always for money. Why else would you boost a kid? Everyone was after money anyways. It made the world go 'round. If Henry's mom paid the money, they might just get to go home.

"Yeah," Henry replied, but he didn't look happy about it, "but it's not like my mom is rich."

Roland just stared at Henry until his friend squirmed. "Maybe a little money but not like kidnapper money. Don't kidnappers usually want like millions of dollars?"

They usually did. Roland would have settled for way less, but he wasn't a kidnapper. He thought about the situation. If Henry's mom's house was big, his grandmother's house was enormous. The one time Roland had gone over there with Henry he had been terrified of breaking one of her statues or spilling anything on the legions of white that were in that house.

"Doesn't your grandma have money?" Roland asked, bringing up the image of Henry's grandmother.

Henry sighed and leaned back against the couch. "Not that she uses on us."

Roland leaned back as well and scraped his palms against the rough, wooden arms of his chair. The cabin was a bit dingy and the bark still on the furniture was a super rustic Maine choice. During the season, people probably paid way too much money for this place. Anyone who could rent during the year shouldn't need to snatch kids either. But here they were, trapped in a dingy cell that at least boasted a bed.

"My mom is the mayor though. Maybe it's someone who doesn't want her to be mayor anymore. Or doesn't like what she does as mayor."

"So they kidnap you?"

"Who said kidnapping was a solid plan?" Henry asked.

It wasn't funny, but Roland laughed anyway. "No one."

When he had escaped getting a goodbye kiss from his dad this morning because he was twelve and getting a goodbye kiss from your dad was gross, at least in America, he hadn't pictured he would end up here. If it was dark, Dad definitely knew he was missing. Things were rough enough, dad didn't need this too.

"They regretted it when they kidnapped Franklin Richards," Henry said, clearly still on his earlier train of thoughts, "but he's the most powerful kid in the galaxy. Oh," Henry continued, shooting up from the couch in excitement, "and when they kidnapped Nate Summers and brought him to the future he became Cable. Huge mistake."

None of which applied to them as they were not born to mutants or individuals who had powers due to interstellar radiation. "Cable is also super powerful, though and his mom is Jean Grey, who is so powerful she goes crazy."

"It's true." Henry sighed and looked out to the window. "Sometimes I wish I had super powers."

"It would be nice." Roland kicked at the coffee table but the thing stayed put. Was it bolted to the floor. "Instead we are just your average twelve year old kids."

Silence fell between them again. Roland's mind went back to home and the pizza they would have eaten. Dad would have wanted to play something like Super Smash Bros. And they would have pretended it was babyish when really it remained one of Roland's favorites.

Then Dad would say, Please, for your dear ol' Da. They would have relented and played that until Mrs. Mills came for Henry and Roland would beg for her to let him stay and she would promise later in the week.

"Which superpower would you want most at this moment?"

Roland only had to think for a moment and he knew. "Teleportation. If I were Nightcrawler we could have BAMFed right out of that truck and into my house and none of this shit would be happening."

Dad would force him into pajamas but they would play for another few hours yet. Sometimes, Roland woke up on Saturday mornings on the couch, covered by a blanket. It was one of the cool things about just having a dad. He'd let you sleep on the couch rather than wake you up to go to your bed or get the little cereal boxes that turned into a bowl (though Roland always thought of them as monsters chests that had cereal inside instead of organs) because it saved dishes.

"I wouldn't mind psychic powers," Henry answered, bringing Roland back from his fantasy of it being morning and eating out of a chest box. "Being able to force these guys into taking us home and then turning themselves in would be awesome. Or invisibility, but we would both need to be able to go invisible, though, to get out."

Roland nodded. They would need a miracle. At this point he just had to believe that his dad would do anything to find him and Mrs. Mills anything to find Henry. Nothing else could be true.

Roland shifted in the chair and felt something hard in his back pocket. Frowning he shifted again, wondering what would be in there. Fuck, it was his phone. If this end of the earth cabin got a signal, they might just have a chance.

"Hey, is the guy still outside?" Roland asked, trying to casually get his hand in his back pocket.

Henry craned his neck and shoved himself half off the couch as he peered out into the night. Silence blanketed the room before Henry lifted it with a, "Yeah. Why?"

Working quickly, Roland twisted to get the phone free. "Just make sure you let me know if it looks like he plans to come in, ok?"

"Why?"

Roland grinned as he lifted up the gift from his pocket. "They forgot to take my phone."

Being stuck in the stark black and white mayors office was starting to drive Robin insane. Everything was posed for effect, the room, the art, the positioning of the furniture. Likely the effect was to make you feel like Regina had authority and power, but it made him feel trapped. His boy was out there, somewhere, and being forced to endure the questioning glare of Nottingham was lighting a fire inside. Not even John's or Lance's presence could temper it.

Anyone who knew him would know that he couldn't have taken his son. He could barely discipline the boy who looked so much like his mother, Robin hated seeing any sort of fear or pain in his eyes. Better if he could dissipate the darkness that he had not been able to remove from Marian's life. The shadows had taken her but his son would grow old.

"Being the mayor isn't popular, Sheriff," Regina sighed. Her crossed leg bounced with impatience as she ran her fingers through her hair. "They elect me because I am competent and the town runs well under my care but I likely get more complaints than you. Based on the demand, and from this week: Moe French is peeved about zoning ordinances and the taxes that are levied against his shop. Mr. Gold owns a significant portion of the rental properties and the mortgages on nearly every other property. He also hates that I do not follow his every whim, but I didn't when he was married to my mother, either. My sister hates that my mother somewhat approves of my life choices and her mangey husband wishes he were mayor. My mother had hoped, after Daniel died, I would give my son up for adoption so I would not be burdened with children as she had been with us girls."

She looked hollowed out as long fingers rubbed at her brow, causing canyons to form on her forehead and eroding them a moment later. "Is that the kind of list you were looking for?"

The pad snapped shut and Robin wondered, unkindly, if the man had written anything of use. "You need to call if they contact you again. This is no joke."

Regina stood and her glare was one to stop men in their tracks. "No one is laughing, Sheriff Nottingham."

Robin was ready to go. He would offer to see Regina home, once Nottingham left. When he had told her the boys were missing, her eyes had gotten the same look they had when he had come to tell her about Daniel's accident on 95. Neither of them should be going home alone, but he would rather make sure she got in safe. The longer he stayed away from his own empty home, Robin was certain would be the better.

"What would she think if she were alive?" Nottingham challenged, pulling Robin away from his thoughts.

The fire that had been burning exploded into an inferno. Robin felt the hands press back against his arms and came to realize his feet were not on the floor. Lance's large, brown hands had captured one arm while John's pale ones has snared the other. He felt the way his fists were clenched and could hear his hummingbird heart trying to escape his chest. Everything was raised and all he wanted was to break Nottingham into pieces.

Most of all, because Nottingham was not entirely off target.

It's not worth it. You just need to get your son home, Robin reminded himself. A night spent in the town jail would only tie up resources that needed to be dedicated to the return of Henry and Roland.

Exhaling, Robin forced his stone shoulders to slide down his back. His feet once again touched the floor.

"How about we make sure you get home alright?" Lance's voice rumbled like quiet thunder and Robin knew it wasn't a threat.

Nottingham smirked, "Yes, wouldn't want you arrested for assaulting the sheriff. Still, detention frequently enough, missing on your watch."

Robin shook off the arms of his friends and stared down the man who had never forgiven him for winning a date with Marian when he never had been able to. If Roland's life was not at stake, Robin would have done this man serious harm. As it was, he needed Nottingham. Had he been holding a badge still, he wouldn't have been allowed to wield it anyway.

Robin wrenched his leather jacket off the back of the sofa and began stuffing his arms into the sleeves. "What would she think of you not trying to find her son?"

"We'll be in touch," Nottingham insisted, and stalked out.

Regina twisted her fingers together until it looked like she might injure herself. . "Well, that was unpleasant," she said to the room at large.

"Yes. Nottingham has never been pleasant."

"Never should have left, Rob," John said. The unsaid you would be sheriff hung in the air.

Too exhausted, Robin lifted a hand to his old friend. "Not having this argument tonight, John. You two make sure Regina gets home alright. I will be fine."

"No, no. I am fine. I actually have work to finish up and Trina is still here." The smile she gave never reached her eyes. "I promise you I will get home safely."

"What work could you possibly do?"

"I doubt they will cancel my budget meeting tomorrow with the council. As I said, my brother-in-law wishes he were mayor. This will just be an excuse to push me out."

"So might continuing to work," Robin argued.

"John, go make sure Nottingham logs everything fairly. He likes you better than me. I'll get Rob home and then come back to make sure you don't need anything, Mayor Mills."

"I said-"

"Don't care. You wouldn't let me drive home if the roles were reversed. Not about to do it to you."

Robin knew once the steady hand landed on his shoulder, there was no way out. Lance had a sense of honor and duty that had made them friends. Lance would not let him back out of it now. Instead he let himself be propelled towards the entryway to the office. Stopping before they crossed the threshold, Robin looked back at Regina, "You'll let me know if something happens?"

"Of course," Regina answered stiffly.

He didn't want to leave her but what could he do? They could sit in their grief and helplessness together or she could stay and get her work done. Which she apparently intended to do. He couldn't pretend to understand. With one last glance at the statue of a woman, Robin left the office.

The ride home in the passenger seat of his own truck was remarkably silent. The grinding sound of the transmission that needed to be fixed and the whirring of the engine filled the cab of the truck as they hurtled on towards home. When they pulled into the gravel drive, Robin glanced up at the house.

The tiny cape house looked so sad and small to him. When he had bought it with Marian what seemed like years ago, he had been so full of hope. The house was a foundation on which to build their lives. Marian had always said how with the two dormered windows, the house looked like it had a face. She had often seen a smile but Robin couldn't pull it out today. All that stood was a frown. The shingled sides had needed replacing for years now, giving it a shabby appearance, patched appearance where the few necessary new patches sat.

"You know he's coming home, Rob," Lance promised, snapping off the ignition and removing the keys.

Robin looked at his friend's face that nearly blended into the shadows that fell into the truck. "I knew Marian was going to survive, too. See what that got me."

The bleak nature of the situation collapsed on him and Robin had to fight off the despair from taking him. Roland would come home and if the sheriff's department couldn't find him, Robin would. If he had to tear Maine apart to do it, he would bring his boy home.

Robin curved his fingers into the cool door handle and pulled, springing the door open. Snapping the buckle undone, he glanced at Lance's forlorn face. "Thanks for the ride. I'll let you know if I need anything."

Lance gave a half smile, and let himself out of the truck. After Robin had slid to the gravel and both had slammed their doors shu, Lance came around and enveloped him in a hug Robin hadn't been expecting. "We'll be checking in," Lance promised, as Robin worked to keep his body stiff. Letting go would only mean a disaster and he was not prepared to lose it in the driveway of his house.

Patting Lance on the shoulder, Robin said, "Wouldn't expect any different." Even he could hear the tightness in his own voice.

Lance released him and rocked back on his heels, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I'll just see you in then I'll head back in."

Feeling ridiculously like a girl being watched on her way into the house after a date, Robin walked up the drive and to the short flight of stairs that led into the home. Robin made sure the key slid into the lock and opened the door before turning and offering Lance a wave. Lance waved back and Robin sealed himself inside the tomb-silent home.

Two steps in his foot caught on something in the middle of the entryway and Robin cursed, catching himself on the wall of spring jackets that hung on the wall. A worn sneaker looked back at him, tongue hanging out. "Damn it, Roland, how many-"

The shoe continued to stare at him as the words dried up in his throat. They lodged themselves between his chest and his mouth and no amount of swallowing could dissolve the lump. Robin slid to the tiled floor, unable to keep his eyes off of the offending shoe, it's sole holding on by a string, just like his own.

The sob ripped from his chest with a violent gasp and the flood of tears came as he picked up the shoe. Robin's head came to rest against the slippery fabric of the rain slicker Roland often refused to wear as he cradled the shoe much as he had his son as a baby. The sobs wracked his whole body, which no longer felt like his own. Tears cascaded down his face and Robin held to the scuffed shoe as if it were a life raft that could rescue him from the storm that sought to drag him under the waves.