Disney's Tinker Bell in Storybrooke
A Disney Fairies / Once Upon A Time Crossover
Season 1, Episode 9, Chapter 5

THE WINTER WOODS, NEVER LAND (The Late Victorian Period)

Two seasons had passed since the winter fairies' last visit to the mainland. Periwinkle still had problems forming more complex shapes with her frost as her guild mates could. On the other hand, she discovered that many of these human objects washed ashore along the icy banks of the Winter Woods. She dubbed them "found things," because she had found them.

The little fairy put less effort into practicing how to frost and more into figuring out how to make use of these strange human items she was collecting. One afternoon, Peri invited her friends so she could show them a new idea she had.

"See, if you tie these funny metal loops to your feet you can glide over the ice," Periwinkle said.

"We can already do that," Spike announced, sounding a bit annoyed. "We just step out on the ice, use our wings for balance and slide. Any winter fairy can do that. And according to Sled, so can a beagle."

"Not like this," Periwinkle answered back, determined to show her way was both unique and more fun.

Peri, who had been practicing daily, showed some of the more interesting moves she had worked out. These included spinning in one place with her body in a prone position, arms, wings and leg out; launching into the air with a forward spin and landing effortlessly on one foot. Then doing the same, but while skating backwards and with a more difficult back spin. She concluded by spinning on one foot with her body fanned out as before and then pulling in and tightening up. Her rotation increased until, when completely vertical, Periwinkle spun so fast she was like a blur.

She stopped and waited for her friends to react.

"Uh, you want us to get dizzy on the ice?" Spike said, partly joking. "I'll throw up."

"Oh, oh, oh, I know, we fly into the air and land by using our wings to glide, right?" Gliss suggested.

"No. You take off, spin and land without using you wings," Periwinkle answered.

"Without our wings?" Gliss asked sounding confused. "But we can't fly without our wings."

"Wouldn't you fall down a lot?" Spike asked suspiciously.

"At first, but once you practice enough it becomes as easy as applying frost," Peri said.

"I'll give it a try," Gliss said, grabbing two of the paperclips and tying them to her feet. Peri helped her to skate on the ice. Gliss had trouble maintaining her balance even as Periwinkle assisted her. Gliss kept using her wings to stay upright, but Peri encouraged her to take a chance.

Gliss fell flat on her bum. Spike just shook her head in disbelief. Gliss, though, was not discouraged. It took most of the afternoon, but soon she was able to stay upright without using her wings. It wasn't pretty and she wobbled a lot, but she did it.

"How did you figure this out?" Spike asked Periwinkle.

"I don't know. One day I just suddenly had this image in my head of these things on my feet while skating across the ice," Periwinkle answered. "I thought it was silly at first, but it just made sense the more I thought about it."

Gliss, who wobbled up to the shore of the ice chirped in, "Sounds like you're part tinker."

Spike, though, was not amused. "Yeah, sure, and I'm the Minister of Winter."

"So, do you want to try them?" Peri asked Spike.

The brunette thought it over for a second and answered, "Yeah, sure."

~O~

STORYBROOKE, MAINE

Regina learned that Sheriff's Swan's attempts to reunite the children with their father had not gone well. She reminded her city employee that as sheriff it was Swan's responsibility to take the boy and girl to Boston tonight. Emma tried to buy more time, but Regina was going to make sure it happened. Deep down Regina knew who these children were and was determined to keep them from being a happy family. They had turned her down in the Enchanted Forest and now they would separate them forever, both from each other and their father.

Swan was unhappy with how things were turning out, something she confided with her roommate Mary Margaret Blanchard. When Mary Margaret asked what she told Henry about his father, Emma told her what she told the boy.

"You told him the truth?"

"No, Henry's father wasn't a hero, but I don't want him to know that," Emma replied. "Henry needs to keep believing in heroes so I made it all up."

It was getting late and Emma realized she could no longer hide the truth from Ava and Nicholas. She apologized for not being able to follow through on her promise and returned the compass to the girl.

The pair looked defeated. Emma most certainly was.

~O~

THE ENCHANTED FOREST

Regina had summoned her prisoner. Hansel and Gretel's father, the woodcutter. She had a question for him, why had the children turned down her offer of a life of luxury.

"Because," he told her, "we're family and family always finds each other."

Frustrated by this answer she sent him away to see if family members really could find each other.

~O~

STORYBROOKE, MAINE

That night Regina met with Sheriff Swan who pleaded her case one last time. The mayor didn't care to listen. Ava and Nicholas were in the back seat of the police cruiser, what few possessions they owned they had in a couple of bags.

Sheriff Swan got behind the wheel of the police car and started the engine. Henry went up to talk to her. "They can't leave Storybrooke," he reminded her. "Something bad will happen."

"Something bad has already happened, kid" she responded.

The Ford Crown Vic police cruiser left the city proper behind and crossed the old toll bridge. The green road sign marking the city limits was in sight when suddenly the engine stalled. Emma tried to restart it, but it simply would not turn over. Emma couldn't believe her back luck? Or was it good luck? She called up the garage and requested a tow truck.

A few minutes later, the truck arrived. The driver was Michael Tillman the mechanic she had spoken with yesterday. When he saw the vehicle he hesitated. Sheriff Swan walked out to greet him.

As he approached, the needle in the compass that the children held suddenly began spinning around before it stopped, pointing towards the driver. The two turned to look out the window to see this man.

"Is that them?" Mr. Tillman asked Emma Swan. She nodded. Tillman stuck his head into the car window that Ava lowered. He saw them and his heart just knew, these were his children and he couldn't turn them away.

~O~

THE WINTER WOODS, NEVER LAND (The Late Victorian Period)

"C'mon, Dewey, you can do this," Periwinkle prompted.

The Keeper laughed and smiled as he was carefully pulled across the ice by Periwinkle, the little fairy who spent so much time in his library that she knew where almost every book was located. "Now why didn't I think of this?"

"You need to get out more," Spike told him.

Gliss skated past moving like a blur, her legs crossing over while she navigated the edges of the frozen lake. "This is fantastic," she squealed. "I've never moved so fast without flying."

Sled had joined the growing cadre of winter fairies who enjoyed Periwinkle's skating. "I can't believe we've been missing out on this," he told Peri. "It's a whole different experience from sliding with our wings."

"Yeah! Isn't it great?"

"I'll say. Now I just need a lovely lady to share this with," he said with a smile. Sled managed to get the attention of a pretty animal fairy who gladly skated with him, hand in hand.

"Oh, now that's interesting," Spike remarked. "They're skating together."

"Oh, ho, ho, ho, this has unleashed everyone's creativity," The Keeper said. "It's a new day in The Winter Woods, thanks to you, Periwinkle. I'll be writing about you in my books, you wait and see." The Keeper then pinched her cheek for emphasis.

A warble came from above. The shadow of a Snowy Owl circled the lake before the creature set down beside the frozen waters. Everyone stopped skating and looked on with concern. Lord Milori dismounted and approached Peri and her friends. "What goes on here?"

"Uh, well, I figured out how to use these metal loops to skate around the ice without the aid of our wings," Periwinkle told him apprehensively.

"Yes, I can see that," Milori answered. "But why are none of you at work? We have a tight schedule to keep. Winter is due in only a four weeks, we cannot fall behind."

"Oh, they're just having a little fun, that's all," The Keeper told Lord Milori.

"I know that, but we cannot be late with winter. Not this year or any year."

"Lord Milori, why are you always so dour? What do you have against us having a little fun?" Periwinkle burst out suddenly. The others around her nearly gasped at her willingness to defy the regent of the Winter Woods.

"You can have all the time to relax you want after you return from the mainland," he replied. "At the moment each of us has our assigned duties. I expect all of you to return to them immediately."

The Keeper fluttered up to Milori and spoke privately with him. "Lord Milori, a word with you, please?"

"What is it, Keeper?"

"There is no harm in having a bit of fun," Dewey said, pleading his case.

"I have nothing against fun," Milori replied. "However, responsibilities come first. When we forget that disaster strikes."

"You mean like when you broke a wing and closed off the border?"

"Watch your tongue, Keeper. You speak too much."

"Periwinkle is correct, Lord Milori. You are too dour. Your winter fairies have suffered greatly because of the border law, no need to add to their misery."

Milori sighed. "Very well." The Lord of Winter turned to the fairies at the lake-shore who were busily removing their skates. "You may continue, everyone. But I expect each of you back at work early tomorrow."

As Lord Milori flew up in the air, the winter fairies cheered their good fortune and enjoyed the rest of the day, skating about the ice.

~O~

STORYBROOKE, MAINE

Emma returned home before her night shift started. Mary Margaret was relieved to learn that Mr. Tillman took in his two children. One look and he knew they were his. Emma kept her two promises to find their father and keep them together.

Mary Margaret asked about Emma's search for her own parents. Emma disliked that they made it so hard to find them. Of course, Henry had his own theory.

"Oh, who does he think your parents are?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Well, for one, you," Emma said with a laugh.

"Snow White has a kid," Mary Margaret said with a touch of good natured humor. "Well you do have my chin."

"Yeah, that book you gave him, not exactly fairy tales in the most traditional sense," Emma remarked. "Speaking of which, I have to go."

When the sheriff left for her duty shift, Mary Margaret put away the box containing Emma's personal effects. "What a lovely blanket," she said admiring Emma's soft and fluffy baby blanket. There was, for a moment, a reaction of some sort. Possibly recognition, perhaps déjà vu. Mary Margaret quickly put it out of her mind.

~O~

Claire sat in her kitchen not sure what was happening to her family. Tina was getting downright defiant, Valerie was no longer Valerie. Jobs were few and far between and she was weeks from losing her house. Claire felt as if she were losing control and nothing she was doing was making any difference. The Kensington family was a sinking ship and it was going down fast.

She contacted Dr. Hopper who agreed to an evening session.

"How are you feeling?" he asked her.

"Nervous, anxious, unable to cope," Claire described to him her feelings. "It's like I'm unravelling right before your eyes. I can't even sleep well at nights. It's like I forget to breath."

"The loss of control can be a very intimidating sensation," he advised. "But notice that we are rarely ever in control of our surroundings. Only in how we react to them."

"Well, I'm not reacting well because I can't find work and if that doesn't change soon we'll all be out on the streets."

"I think you're much stronger than you give yourself credit for," he told her. "You've been through worse."

"Easy for you to say, you're a doctor. You get paid good money."

"Have you tried other avenues besides working as a contractor?" he asked her.

"Yes, but the only job opening I could find is working the night shift at the cannery. How can I care for my two girls if I'm working nights and sleeping days?" she replied.

"I think it's time you gave you children the occasion to show they are capable," he told her. Claire immediately responded with what Tina did behind her back and how Valerie still isn't Valerie.

"She's gone, my eldest girl is gone and I can't handle that," she said.

"Valerie isn't gone," Hopper told her. "I consulted with Dr. Whale and what I can tell you is this. Valerie Kensington is still in there somewhere."

"But in the court Dr. Whale said…"

"Not in the strictest sense," he responded. "You see when Valerie's mind collapsed it reformed itself into a life it preferred. It's still her, but with a different name and history."

"I don't know if I can. She doesn't even remember me or herself," Claire answered.

"Your previous life with Valerie has always been a contentious one," Archie Hopper began, "and I'm sure you would want nothing more than to have a fresh start with Valerie. Now is your opportunity. You can be the mother you wanted to be in the first place."

Claire was a bit apprehensive.

"I know it isn't the most ideal situation," he said, "but it is a second chance. Not many people get one like this. You should take advantage of it."

"I don't know, Dr. Hopper," Claire answered still uncertain. "I wanted a mulligan with the Valerie I knew."

"You can still get to know her, because deep down inside she is still there waiting for you. Waiting for her mother to show her the love she's always wanted."

They spoke further about Valerie and then Tina. Hopper suggested it was about time Claire started treating Tina more like an adult than a child, though in small steps. "She wants more freedom, but she has to learn that this freedom comes with responsibility. You should give her a little at a time, but emphasize the responsibility she will have along with it. I think she will eventually come to appreciate you all the more for it."

At the end of their session Claire thanked Dr. Hopper for his advice. He ended their talk by saying her problems sleeping were from stressed induced sleep apnea. "When you learn to stop fighting change and embrace it your stress will diminish. The sleep apnea should disappear. Consult with your physician if it does not."

"Thank you, Dr. Hopper."

Claire wanted to go home, but instead she wound up driving around town trying to make sense of what Dr. Hopper meant about taking a second chance with Valerie. In the end she wound up in the last place anyone would think to look.

"Funny, I never thought I would see you here outside of Christmas," Mother Superior remarked to Claire who was sitting in a pew staring at the altar. "Something must be terribly wrong."

Claire chuckled. "Oh, it is."

"Well, I'm willing to listen if you want to talk," Mother Superior replied sitting down next to her.

Claire sighed before beginning. She explained what had been happening at home, what happened with Valerie since the accident and court hearing and how Claire had been treating her since coming home.

"I don't know what to do with her," Claire admitted painfully. "Dr. Hopper says she is still in there somewhere and that I should see this as a second chance, but I don't know if there really are such things as second chances."

"Look up there," Mother Superior said pointing to the crucifix that adorned the wall over the altar. "You see that? That is the symbol of second chances. No matter what has come before, no matter how badly you think you've behaved, we are always reminded that we can change for the better and try again."

"But how? No one ever explains how to do that?"

"Love one another as you would be loved," Mother Superior answered. "It's as simple as that. Show you daughter the love she needs, completely unconditional, and all will be well."

"Is that it? Is that all it takes?" Claire asked.

"Well, the whole recipe is faith, hope and love, but that's all you need," Mother Superior replied. "Quite a simple recipe when you think about it."

"Faith, hope and love?"

"Yes, and the greatest of them is love," Mother Superior added.

"Funny, that's sort of what Dr. Hopper said, too."

"Smart man."

The two laughed. Claire then thanked Mother Superior for her advice before leaving, dropping a couple of one dollar bills into the Poor Box on the way out.

~O~

Henry Mills brought Emma some pumpkin pie to celebrate Ana and Nicholas being reunited with their father. They stood by the police cruiser as they ate and talked. It was a cold night in Storybrooke as winter was setting in. Emma was bundled up as was Henry. Their breath was visible as they talked.

The night was quiet and still with only the street lights to keep them company.

The serene silence was suddenly shattered by the roar of a motorcycle engine. A tall and handsome man with stubble on his chin stopped before them. He was dressed in blue jeans and a dark leather jacket. A mysterious wooden box was strapped to the back of his motorcycle.

The stranger asked if there was a place he could sleep tonight. Emma Swan gave him directions to Granny's Bed and Breakfast just down the street. He thanked them and rode off.

Emma looked to Henry and said, "I thought you said no one comes or goes from Storybrooke?"

"They don't," he replied as they stared at the fading red glow of the stranger's taillight.

"So who is that?" Emma asked herself.

I hope you are enjoying this story. Your feedback is always appreciated. Thank you for reading.

Author's Note: Spike's seemingly random comment that a Beagle can slide around on the ice is a reference to Snoopy.