Thicker than Water Part II

by Sara K M

Sequel to the original Thicker than Water. The Charmings' have found each other (again), after Storybrooke was destroyed. Now they face even more challenges as they adjust to life in the real world. Pairings: Mostly Snowing and also minor Abirick. Eventual Captain Swan and Red/OC

4. Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Disclaimers: I don't own Once Upon a Time. Also this is a sequel to "Thicker than Water", which was written by La Lisboa.

As soon as they got back to the new apartment, Snow gathered the things they had bought to treat her husband's burn. Then she ushered him into the bathroom, despite his protests. "Snow, it's fine. I don't think you really need to - ugh!" Charming grunted as she took off his shirt.

Snow rolled her eyes. He may be the best man in any world, but when it came to injuries he was such a…man! He couldn't show how much they really bothered him. "Charming didn't we talk about this already? We talked to Emma about how to treat the burn, and she helped us buy some things for it. I want to help you."

Charming sighed. "I know. I just…don't want you to worry about it. Why can't it wait until later?"

Snow chuckled. "Hypocrite," she teased him. "How long did you wait for me to see Doc when I had my burns?"

He paused, and Snow was sure he was remembering how he would rush her to Doc the second he saw them. "Okay. Fine," he finally agreed.

Snow picked up the bottle of clear liquid and poured some of it on his chest. "Ahhh," he started to scream, and then bit his lip, obviously trying to stifle the noise. "That stings!" his whispered to her, his face showing clear pain. "I think I'd rather leave it alone.!"

"But then it could become worse," Snow argued, wrapping his chest in bandages. "I need to know you'll be okay."

He nodded, and adjusted his expression as they walked out of the bathroom together. At least he let her see his pain more than anyone else. It made her feel special.

Emma meanwhile was talking on the phone in the kitchen. When, she hung up, however, she appeared upset. Even though she was in another room, Snow could tell there was something wrong with her daughter. Her posture was all stiff. And she hadn't moved in three minutes. "Emma?" she called. "Is something the matter? You look a little…upset."

Emma came into the living room with a determined look on her face. "No, I'm fine. I'm going to go over to the school department to fill out some paper work for Henry. You guys stay here." She lowered her voice. "And keep an eye on Henry for me please?" She glanced at Henry, who had been staring at the window since they returned from the shopping establishment.

"Sure," Charming replied. "Hey, Henry! How about we tell you some more stories about the Enchanted Forest?"

"Sure," Henry said in the fake – cheerful voice they were all used to by now. At least he turned around to face them. As Emma left the apartment Snow shook her head. She knew there was something bothering Emma. Why wouldn't she let Snow help? Snow had, admittedly gone overboard the other day, trying to help Emma when she didn't need it. But now…there was something troubling Emma. Would Emma ever accept help with problems?

At least Emma let them help her with Henry. She turned to Henry. "Which story do you want to hear?"

Henry shrugged.

Snow, Red, and Charming tried to think of a good one. The problem was, a lot of their stories from the Enchanted Forest involved problems with Regina. Defeating her in battle, Snow and Charming's wedding, even Charming waking Snow from the sleeping curse all portrayed Regina negatively. Would Henry really want to hear that, especially since he was so affected by Regina's death?

Then Charming's eyes lit up. "What about when we found out you were pregnant with Emma?"

Snow nodded eagerly, and Red nodded as well. That was perfect. It was a very happy occasion for all of them, and Regina wasn't involved at all. Maybe it would really cheer up Henry.

"So…it was about a month after our wedding," Snow began. "We had decided to spend the day riding. But I kept falling asleep on the horse!" She laughed at the memory. "Of course your grandfather decided that meant I had some horrible disease and started panicking. It always amazed me he was okay with me in battle, but he was scared to death because I was a little tired after a horseback ride!"

Charming smiled at Snow and at Henry. "That's because your grandma could always hold her own in battle. And usually I was around to help her. But how could she hold her own against a disease? How could I defeat that? And as for 'a little tired,' she was falling asleep on the horse! Do you know how hard it is to fall asleep on a horse? The only reason I could think of for that happening was she was very sick!"

Henry nodded. At least he seemed to be listening to the story.

Red continued, "And then he came in, complaining to Granny and me about how sick she was, and she needed to see Doc." A shadow passed all of their faces as they thought of their friend and adopted brother that had passed away. But then Red brightened as she went back to the story. "Granny burst out laughing, telling him he had nothing to worry about, and Doc would give him good news very soon."

"And so I went to see Doc," Snow continued, picking up the story. "I explained that I was tired all the time lately, and he did a brief examination. And he looked at me, all smiles, and said, 'You'll have a new prince or princess soon!' I gave him a big hug. Then I couldn't get to your grandfather fast enough."

"And when I saw her again, and she almost knocked me over, she crashed into me so hard!" Charming laughed. "Here I was, dreading the minute she got done seeing Doc, ready to tell her we'd face whatever illness she had together, and she comes in with the biggest smile I've ever seen, and almost knocking me over. Despite what Granny had already told me, I really didn't know what to make of it."

"And when I finally told him I was pregnant with your mother, he's the one who fainted! Luckily, he just fell on the bed…but still." Snow laughed, smiling at the memory.

"And when they finally announced it to the rest of us, we all had a big celebration at the palace," Red finished the story.

Henry nodded again. Snow was hoping for a little more enthusiasm, but at least he seemed interested. What else? "What about the time we wanted to go hunting with the men, and they told us it wasn't for 'proper ladies at the palace'?" Red asked Snow.

Snow nodded. "That's a great one! Your mother would love this story, too Henry. I'll tell it to her later. So all the knights were planning a hunting trip. Red and I hadn't been hunting in ages, and we thought it would be fun but the knights didn't really think so…."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

After a couple of hours and several stories to Henry, Emma burst back into the apartment. "We're going to have to leave right away!" she announced as soon as she opened the door. "We'll go back to the woods again. Maybe we can find the same cave as before. Or another spot like it."

Everyone looked at Emma and then at the others, bewildered. Emma had been the one who insisted they needed to leave the woods and now she said they had to go back? "But, Emma, honey didn't you say we had to leave the woods? You said we couldn't find enough food there. You said Henry needed to be enrolled in school…Weren't you supposed to be doing that this afternoon?" Snow asked, confused.

Emma nodded, "Yes, but there are more important things to worry about. I'll explain later; we have to make it back before it gets dark!"

Charming shook his head, looking out the window as he did so. "Emma, it's summer time. We have at least three hours before it gets dark. It didn't take us that long to walk to town before. We have plenty of time for you to explain why you suddenly find it so necessary to return to the woods. I'm sure we'll support your decision…but we'd really like to know why."

Emma sighed. "Yeah." She grinded her teeth. Snow had to resist the urge to tell her not to do that. She reminded herself that Emma was an adult and was something was obviously bothering her. Listening to Emma was a lot more important than being all "motherly" and telling her not grind her teeth! "I called the school department to enroll Henry…and the lady on the phone told me I could come right over and fill out the paper work for him. I did that, and I showed her my photo ID and our lease…but then she asked for his birth certificate." Emma looked at the floor. "I didn't have one for him because I had given him up for an adoption when he was born."

Snow nodded for Emma to continue, although she wondered what a birth certificate was and why it was so important. This world seemed obsessed with paper work. Emma continued, "To make matters worse, she was able to find Henry's birth certificate by calling some who works at the State of Maine Records. It said Regina was Henry's mother. Because I had asked for a closed adoption, my name wasn't on the birth certificate at all." Emma was still looking at the floor as she told them this, and her voice was full of regret. "So she didn't allow me to enroll him at all."

"But Regina's dead!" Snow replied, confused. She glanced at Henry, not sure how much he wanted to be reminded of that. But Henry was still staring at Emma, along with the rest of them. "I mean, I know Regina was his mother…before. But obviously you're the only mother he has, right? So what difference does it make what this…birth certificate says?"

Emma grunted. "A lot, unfortunately. The lady at the school called…someone else." The way Emma said 'someone else' was the way Regina had once said Snow's name. "This…person said that even though Regina is dead, I can't take care of Henry because I don't currently have a job, and we apparently have too many people living in this small apartment. She's coming tomorrow morning to put him in a…foster home!" Emma said that word with such malice…such anger, Snow barely recognized her daughter. Just what was this foster home? "We have to leave tonight before she can take Henry from me!"

Snow was still confused. Why was this birth certificate so important? What difference did it make how many people were living with them? Yes, so it might be a little cramped, but they were all happy together. And there were less people living with them now than there had been when they were living in the cave! And Emma should find a job soon, right? But Snow still knew one thing. Running wasn't the answer. Emma was going to have to face these people that were trying to take her son away from her.

She sighed. "I wish we could go back to the cave. In many ways, I was more home there than I am here."

Emma began nodding eagerly, before Snow could finish her thought about why they couldn't return. "That's what I thought. If we go back there, everyone will be better off. You'll all feel more at home. Henry will probably be happier in the woods where he can have more adventures, and be closer to Regina's grave."

But Snow sighed and shook her head, even before Emma finished talking. "You were right before, Emma. We couldn't stay there, and we can't go back. We were running out of food, remember?"

Emma shrugged, unaffected by that argument. "We can find more. Maybe they'll be some more berries in another area. And I'm sure your hunting skills will come back to you soon." Emma's eyes shown with confidence in her mother, and a big part of Snow's heart soared at seeing Emma finally depending on her.

But Snow still knew, as much as she wanted to, they couldn't go back there. She shook head slowly. "I'm glad you think I can, Emma, but we still can't go back. Didn't you say something about people catching us? Do you really want to live as an outlaw? I can tell you from personal experience, it's not much fun."

Emma looked at Snow sternly. "No, of course I don't. But sometimes people don't have a choice. You didn't have a choice when you were running from Regina. And if they're going to try to take Henry from me, then we don't have a choice either. I will not let Henry be sent to a foster home! Emma turned away from Snow. "I thought you said you were going to support my decisions from now on!" she snapped. "I wanted all of us to go together, but I'll go by myself if I have to! I'm sure I can figure out 'wilderness survival' on my own eventually. I've done everything else on my own already!" She disappeared into the bedroom she was using and began packing Henry's new clothes.

At that last comment Snow flinched like Emma had slapped her across the face. Emma had done everything on her own already. All because of a decision Snow had made that forced her daughter to grow up alone. Emma was only trying to prevent Henry from suffering the same fate. For a minute, she was tempted to agree with Emma. But then she remembered the reason why she disagreed with Emma to begin with. A person couldn't run away from their problems. Besides, Emma was still conveniently ignoring the practical details why her plan wouldn't work. Snow glanced at Charming and he smiled and nodded at Snow in support. Henry looked conflicted, like he wasn't sure what to think.

Snow took a deep breath and marched after Emma to the bedroom. "I'm sure you could figure out how to survive in the woods on your own. You've become…very good at doing things on your own. And I'm proud of you for it." Emma nodded, to show she was listening, but still kept her back turned. Now came the hard part. "But Emma…as far as running from Regina…in some ways, you're right. I didn't have a choice. I mean obviously; I didn't want to be killed. But in other ways…I ran away from my problems, Emma. I was supposed to be the queen of my people; they expected me to take care of them. But for so long after I was exiled…I didn't want to confront Regina. The peasants constantly asked me when I was going to overthrow Regina and take back the throne. But I just didn't want to bother, and I didn't have enough confidence in myself."

Snow paused, to make sure Emma was still listening. It was hard, considering Emma was still turned around. "Emma?" she asked.

"Yeah," Emma grunted. She still didn't sound happy, but at least she was listening.

"I didn't finally change my mind until after I met your father. He gave me confidence to face Regina and fight for my kingdom. And I realized if he and I were going to have a family…I couldn't run anymore. It would be a lot easier for Regina's knights to catch two or three people than one thing. And if the knights got to Charming or my child...I'd never be able to handle that. And a good mother doesn't run from her problems."

Emma grunted, acknowledging that she was still listening. "Can you imagine what would happen if the guards…or whatever they use in this world, found Henry? Can you really take that chance? Or are you ready to be the kind of mother he can be proud of…and stand up for Henry?"

Emma finally turned around and faced her mother. "I understand what you're saying. There was a time, right before the Curse broke when I thought I'd have to leave town. That running…was the only way out. Henry was really angry at me for that. And if the game warden's found Henry with me…living illegally… that could be a problem. But I already have a problem! They want to put Henry in foster care! I'd kill myself before I'd ever let that happen to him!"

Snow's mouth dropped open at that comment. Emma actually mentioned taking her own life? Under the stress she was under, Snow wasn't sure she was serious. But still the very idea of Emma saying that…How much had Snow sacrificed to make sure Emma didn't die? "Emma you can't…talk like that. Please. Don't even think it." Snow looked Emma straight into her eyes to let her know how serious she was about this.

Emma sighed and nodded. "Yeah, I understand. I wouldn't want my son ever thinking about killing himself, either. But still…what do I do about Henry?" Emma said that last sentence a little louder.

Charming, who was still in the other room, heard the question. "I've been thinking about that. I agree with Snow; running isn't the answer. We have to face this problem head –on. Whoever thinks they can take Henry away from us isn't going to get away with it! We'll handle it just like we handled George and Regina, and . We'll overthrow the king that supports this idea and put this child – stealer in jail!" Charming's voice was excited, like it usually was when he had chosen a "cause" he believed in. Especially when that cause involved his own family. Back in the Enchanted Forest, it had been Snow's idea to "take back the kingdom." But Charming was on board immediately, becoming more excited about the campaign than Snow herself had been. Snow smiled lovingly at him as she and Emma returned to the other room where everyone else was. She loved it when he became passionate about a cause, especially one that involved their family.

"Sounds good to me," Snow replied, eagerly agreeing with her husband. "Too bad I don't have a bow anymore. Can you make me another one?" she asked Red.

Red nodded. "Of course." She was on board immediately.

But Emma was shaking her head sadly. "It won't work. Look…maybe running away wasn't the answer, but trying to overthrow the government is a really, really bad idea!"

Charming smiled confidently at Emma. "I know it can seem overwhelming at first, but we can do it! We've done it before and we can do it again. I'm sure there are others who will agree taking a child away from his home is wrong."

Emma shook her head again, her blond hair flying all over her face. "Look, I know that worked for you in Fairy Tale Land, but it won't work here. In the first place…we don't have kings and queens. We have elected officials. If someone wants to change the government, they vote someone out of power. Or they run for office themselves. If we try to overthrow the government, we won't be considered heroes. We'll be considered criminals. And then they'll never let any of us see Henry again."

Charming's face fell. Snow could tell he had really thought he had the right solution. Really, she thought so too. But for Charming…who was so used to being able to find solutions to problems and find the bright side of a bad situation, it had to be even worse. She stroked his arm, hoping to make him feel a little better.

And what kind of world was this? No kings or queens? Rulers are voted in and out of power? It sounded very unstable. It made Snow a little nervous, although she didn't say anything.

"So what if we do this - running for office - to keep Henry or return him to us? Would that work?"

"Not in the near future", Emma grumbled. "Election season isn't until November. Right now it's only August. You'd never get elected when no one knows you, anyway. You just got here. In a couple of years…you could try that if you wanted. I will agree the foster system needs a lot of reworking. That's one of the reasons I'm in law enforcement now. I take care of the criminals and villains, of course. But when I see a kid just trying to get by, I try to get him a lighter sentence."

"So you use the rules of this world to fight with the system in this world?" Charming asked, beginning to catch on.

Emma nodded. "Sort of."

"So how can we use that to keep Henry? Or at least, rescue Henry?" Charming prompted. That was her Charming, Snow thought to herself. He wouldn't let a setback affect him for long. If one thing didn't work, then something else would. He always knew they'd win in the end.

Emma shrugged. "The…woman said if Henry and I took a blood test to prove I was his mother, found a steady job, and we all got a bigger apartment, she'd... return Henry to me…within a month or two."

Charming nodded. "Then that's what we need to do. You'll find a job soon, Emma I know you will. You applied to even more places than we did! Any establishment or…whatever would be happy to have you. And then we'll look for a bigger place of residence. And then Henry will come home. You can show - that woman that she can't keep Henry away from you! That's how you fight, Emma." Snow smiled at her husband and nodded, showing him how much she appreciated his ideas and the way he explained them. Would Emma listen?

But Emma shook her head. "Yeah, but Henry would still have to go to the foster home for a month or two. Those places..." Emma shook her head in horror. "Seriously, I'd give anything, anything to prevent Henry from going to a foster home. I just…can't do that. I can't give him to - that woman tomorrow to be taken to one." She looked at the floor.

"Emma, what's so horrible about these foster homes?" Snow asked, trying to understand.

"Everything!" Emma growled. "Most of the foster parents only care about the money they're being sent to take care of the kids. They ignore you, or make you feel like an outsider. Some of them are even abusive, especially if they have a problem with alcohol. And if they have other foster kids…they can be just as bad if not worse….I can't put Henry through what I went through as a kid."

What Emma went through? Emma had been in these "foster homes" herself! Snow was horrified and from the look on Charming's face, he seemed just as horrified. Could they really ask Emma to put her son through something she knew first - hand was horrible? Even if it was only temporary?

But Henry, who had been sitting on the floor, listening quietly (after all, it was about him), finally spoke up. "I think I should go to the foster home, Mom. I'll only be for a little while. I'm strong enough to handle it. Just like you were." Emma eyes darted back and forth between Snow and Charming and Henry. When she looked at Henry, she looked happy that he had finally spoke without first being spoken to. Better than that, Henry's voice sounded determined, not like the fake – cheerful voice they were so used to hearing. But when Emma looked at Snow and Charming, her face showed horror, that she might have to send Henry to the foster home after all.

Just then, Red broke the tension. "It's almost five o'clock. I should catch that bus contraption so I can go to my job. Let me know what happens with Henry tonight. I hope you'll work it out. I hope I don't meet any strange people on the bus tonight. Last night I sat next to a woman who talked on and on about this new show called a "movie." I really had no idea what she was talking about." Red shuddered she left the apartment.

The rest of the group looked at each other and chuckled. Given the…situation at her workplace, they were all surprised Red was most worried about a woman talking to her too much while she was on the bus. It didn't make sense. But it felt good to laugh.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Henry continued to insist he needed to go to the foster home for the rest of the night. He understood why his mom didn't want him going to one; he knew she had really bad experiences with foster homes. And it wasn't like it was something Henry was looking forward to. He wanted to stay with his family. After losing his other mom, Henry was really grateful to be reunited with the rest of his family and friends. But Henry wasn't going to run away, either. That's not what heroes did. And as much as overthrowing the government so he could stay with his family sounded like a big adventure, Henry knew that wouldn't work, either. Like Grandpa had said, there was only one thing they could do. They had to fight the system by using this world's rules. And that meant Henry needed to go to the foster home now, and trust he'd be reunited with his family soon.

Besides that, in some ways he was glad to be doing something on his own. Ever since they had left his other mom's grave site, Henry had a hard time getting excited about anything. What was the point of going on adventures and having operations if his mom had to die? Why should he bother? He knew Emma was really worried about him, so Henry tried to sound happier than he was. Henry didn't want to worry mom or his grandparents; they had enough to worry about getting used to this new life. But still…how could he get excited about anything when the mother who raised him was dead?

But now with this foster home thing…Henry had a chance to prove how brave and strong he was. Like his grandparents who fought for what they believed in. Like his mom, who had to learn how to survive all by herself. Henry felt like he had a purpose for the first time in days. Surviving the foster home could be his own personal mission. And a tiny part of him was happy he wouldn't have to pretend he was happier than he was while he was at the foster home. After all, at the foster home there wouldn't be anyone worrying that he wasn't acting like himself.

By the end of the night, Henry finally convinced his Mom and the rest of his family that he should go to the foster home the next morning. That meant their first night in their new apartment would also be the last night they would be together for a while. Henry tried not to dwell on that as he went to bed. Despite the problems he was having living with his family, he would miss them. Instead he tried to concentrate on the fact that he had been selected for a special mission. Henry hadn't felt this much like a hero since he found out he could help his mom and his grandma come home from the Enchanted Forest.

Unfortunately for him, being in a new bed and having so much on his mind did not allow him to have much sleep. He tossed and turned and tossed and turned all night, it seemed to Henry. By the time he finally woke up, he acted as grumpy as Mom did in the morning. "But I don't want to get up!" Henry protested, trying to dive back on to the air mattress.

"Well, I don't want to, either, but we really don't have a choice," his mother grumbled and yawned. "If we really are going to fight this woman by playing her rules, you have to be ready when she gets here."

"Come on, Henry." Mom left the room and went into the kitchen. To get a cup of coffee, no doubt. Mom lived on coffee early in the morning.

As Henry finally dragged himself out of bed, he stumbled into the kitchen. Today, he really wished he could have a cup of coffee himself. But Henry was pretty sure his Mom would say "no." So Henry settled on the corn flakes they had bought the day before.

As they all munched, Red asked the inevitable question. "Are we all still agreed that Henry has to go to the foster home today? I just want to know what the plan is."

"Yeah," Henry replied, yawning. He was pretty tired, but he still believed it was the right decision.

"I guess" replied Grandpa and Grandma as they looked at each other and then at Henry and Mom. Their faces showed they knew it was the right decision, but they didn't want to cause Mom pain or have their family separated.

"I…" Mom began. She took a huge bite of cornflakes as she paused. "I…" Mom began again. She looked at the floor. "Well…..No!" she finally answered, looking back up at everyone else. "I'm sorry, I really am…I know running away isn't the answer. But…I can't do this! I can't give Henry away again. I can't put him in…that foster home! Did you know one of the reasons I put him up for adoption the first time was so he'd never have to spend any time in foster care!" Mom blinked several times. Did she have something in her eyes? "If we hurry we might still be able to leave before that woman gets here!" Mom got up and ran into the bedroom they were sharing.

Great. What was he going to do now? It had taken Henry most of the night to convince Mom to let him go the first time. How was he going to convince her all over again? Especially when he was still so tired? Henry yawned again and went in after his mother. "Mom, I have to go! We have to beat this woman at her own game, remember? That's what we decided!" Henry picked up his new underwear and new blue shirt he had bought yesterday.

Mom was gathering her things as quickly as she could. "I know Henry…I know. But you need to try to understand... It was the hardest thing I ever had to do to give you up the first time…to do it again…especially when I know you won't be going to a better place! It won't be your best chance this time!" Mom blinked again. What was wrong with her eyes?

"But it will be my best chance!" Henry protested. "It will be my best chance for us to be back together permanently soon! If we run and we get caught, I can never be part of our family. This for the best, Mom." He leaned over and gave her a hug, then went into the bathroom to change. Hopefully that would convince her.

As Henry was exiting the bathroom, he heard someone open the door. He was pretty sure Mom's chance to run was gone now, even if she still wanted to. That was probably the woman who would take him away. Henry put on the bravest face he could. As he stepped toward the woman, he reminded himself who he was. He was the grandson of Snow White and Prince Charming. The son of the Savior. He had brought the Savior back to Storybrooke by himself. He had taken on the Evil Queen before, trying to convince her why she couldn't win. Henry tried not to remember that Evil Queen was also his mother, who died because she couldn't win. He needed to be strong.

"I'm Miss Jordan," the woman announced, introducing herself. She had bright blond hair and wore glasses. She was dressed in a gray suit. She looked very professional. "And you must be Henry?"

she asked him cheerfully, as she looked at Henry. His mom looked like she was ready to punch the woman across the face. Henry decided he'd better get in the middle of them before that happened. It would not end well. He shuttered as he remembered how Grandpa had hit one of the police officers that took Grandma away. It didn't go well, either.

Henry marched right in front of the woman and held out his hand, making sure to stand in such a way that Mom would have to hit him first in order to hit the other woman. "I'm Henry," he told her as they shook hands. "I'll go with you for now; I've decided that's okay. But we're going to fight by your rules! I will be back with my family soon. You'll see!" Henry had chosen to tell the woman their plans so she knew their family would win in the end.

The woman looked at Henry, surprised. "I'm glad you've decided to go with me Henry. I really wish I didn't have to take you away from you family. But we have to make sure your family follows the rules, too."

Henry blinked, surprised himself. He hadn't expected this woman to want him to remain with his family. From his experience, people who try to take you away from your family enjoyed splitting you up. Rumplestiltskin (although he turned out to be not so bad when they found out he was Henry's other grandfather), had enjoyed trying to take Ashley/Ella's baby. Regina, had loved when she was able to take him away from Emma. Cora had also been planning on taking him away from his family and seemed to be enjoying it. (He still didn't know exactly what happened there. His family kept him away from everything!) But this woman would rather him be with his family? Henry wasn't sure he could trust her. "I see." He told her, unimpressed. But he still stood between her and his mother. If his Mom still wanted to punch the woman….

"I've set you up with a once – a week supervised visit schedule," the woman continued, talking to Mom. "I will be present at all times during these visits, observing you and your family's interaction with you son." The woman turned around and looked at the others in the room as she said this. They all nodded, although they looked at her like she was the Evil Queen. "You can also use these visits to inform me of your progress on completing the blood test, finding a job, and finding a living residence with at least three bedrooms. I will use these visits to make my recommendation to the judge on where Henry should live permanently. The visits will take place here, unless you get a new residence, or you inform me of special plans in advance. I'll mail you your court date as soon as possible." The woman paused. "I will say, again, I'm sorry about these circumstances. I know Henry just lost his adoptive mother. It's too bad he as to lose his other family, too." Her voice sounded like she was sorry, but Henry still wasn't sure.

Mom reappeared beside Henry. (When had she disappeared?) She handed him a shopping bag with his new underwear, his other shirt, and a new toothbrush. That was all the possessions he had now. The bag felt empty. Especially since it was missing his most important possession: his fairytale book. That book had been blown up when Storybrooke had been destroyed, he supposed. If he had to leave Mom, Grandpa and Grandma and their friends, he really wished he could at least take that book with him.

That book gave him hope when he had none. It wasn't just adventure stories, although Henry did love reading the adventures. It showed him that good always won. It's what taught him about the Curse and convinced him to find his biological mother. It wasn't just a storybook. It was his family's personal history book. If he had to be away from his family, why couldn't he have that book?

But as he turned around to face his Mom, he reminded himself to be strong. Mom needed to know this was still the right decision. She needed to know he would be okay. So Henry put on his bravest face again as he hugged his mother and whispered, "I'll be okay, Mom. Really. I'll see you next weekend." Then he followed the woman out the door and into her car.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

"I'm taking you to Portland, Henry." The woman began as they drove away from Henry's family. For now, he reminded himself. It was only temporary. Charming's were never separated permanently.

"I have a nice family that has already taken in four boys." The woman continued as she turned onto the interstate. She was still using that friendly voice, but Henry still didn't know if he could trust her. In Storybrooke, it was really easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Even under the Curse, it had been obvious Mr. Gold was extremely manipulative. And it didn't take Henry long to realize his other mom lived to make most of the town miserable, especially Grandma. Even though they redeemed themselves, Henry hadn't forgotten who they used to be and what they used to be like. Cora had been even worse than his other mom. She had Regina framed, and then did….whatever…to try to kill his whole family.

But in the real world…Henry couldn't figure out who to trust and who not to trust. Red's boss seemed like a nice man, and he had provided Red with a job that allowed them to get an apartment and buy some things yesterday. But he had been looking at Mom, Grandma, and Red kind of funny. And Mom and Grandma seemed to dislike him. This woman was taking him away from his family. She acted friendly and seemed sorry that she had to do it, but if she really was sorry…why couldn't she try harder to keep him and his family together? The main reason why Henry was going with her was because she and the rest of the people she worked for would come after his family if he didn't.

"Two of the boys are your age; maybe you can play together." Henry remained quiet. He found that unlikely. He had a very hard time relating to kids his own age. When he was living in Storybrooke under the Curse, he had realized making friends was pointless when most kids were scared of your mother. Besides, all of the other kids stayed the same age year after year, while he moved on. Even after the Curse broke, most kids didn't want to play with him. He didn't know if they were intimidated by him because of whom his family was, or if they were just keeping the same friends they always had and didn't want to make more. It didn't help that after years of not bothering to talk to the other kids; he really didn't know what to say to them. The best friend he had had in years had been Pinocchio. But Henry had no idea what happened to him since Storybrooke had been destroyed. Even Pinocchio had been three years younger than he was.

It didn't matter, Henry told himself. His mission was to get through this foster home until it was time for him to return to his family. He was strong and brave. Just like the rest of them.

It took two hours for the woman to drive him to Portland. During the time, she continued to try to explain all the good things about the foster home she was sending him to. She also constantly apologized for taking him away from his home. Henry didn't really answer. He wasn't sure what this woman's plan was or whether she was good or evil. Until he was, he didn't want to talk to her that much. Rumpellestiltskin used to use all the information you gave him against you. Would this woman do the same? Besides, he was still really tired this morning, considering he hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. He dozed as they drove along the Maine Interstate.

Finally Henry felt the car pull to a complete stop. "Okay Henry we're here." He opened his eyes and looked around. In front of him was a moderately tall brown building. It was about four or five floors tall. It was completely surrounded by concrete. Grandpa would hate it, Henry said to himself. At least the apartment back in Bangor had a small front lawn, similar to the one they had had in Storybrooke. Some seagulls hobbled by, pecking at the cement for food. Grandma would like that. Too bad there hadn't been enough time for her to teach him how to use birds to send messages. Henry ached to have his family right next to him, making this journey with him. Henry remembered how sick he had felt before, when his family was separated after Storybrooke was destroyed. He felt kind of similar now. At least he didn't have to worry about his family. They'd be okay. As long as he did as he was supposed to do, he thought with a gulp. He took a deep breath and got out of the car.

The woman led Henry up to the third floor of the apartment building. She knocked on the door that said "3D." "Come in," called a happy voice from inside. The woman opened the door and ushered Henry in.

"Hello!" said a woman with shoulder – length brown hair and heavy make – up. "You must be Henry. I'm Mrs. Collard. Were so happy to have you join are family, aren't we?"

The woman looked at the man, who nodded as well. "Of course." The man was tall, with glasses and really, really dark hair. It was almost black.

The two older kids – one had brown hair about same shade as Henry's and the other had blond hair – scowled.

The younger boys looked about five or six years old. They both had red hair. They smiled brightly at Henry.

Henry nodded at the adults, deciding to tell them his plan to fight for his family right away. "I'll only be staying in this family for a little while. Then I'll go back to my real family." He stared right at them, making sure they understood how serious he was.

Mrs. Collard blinked, obviously surprised. "Well, we're happy to have you for as long as you're going to be here, Henry."

From the background , the other older boys rolled their eyes and muttered, "yeah, right." They obviously didn't believe him. It didn't matter to Henry, though. Every story had someone who didn't believe the hero could complete his mission. Henry just had to prove them wrong.

The younger boys nodded eagerly. "I wish I could go back to my real family. But they're dead. I hope someday some relatives will find me, though," one of them commented.

"Me too. I mean I hope my family will come back for me someday," the other young boy added.

Henry smiled at the hope in their eyes. He might get along okay with them.

"We're just happy to have you for as long as you need," Mrs. Collard smiled at all of the boys.

"Well, I need to be heading out. I'll pick you up next Saturday afternoon, Henry." The woman smiled at him again and left.

Henry looked around at his new temporary home. This was it.