"Well, I didn't think we'd have to sedate her."

Red uncomfortably looked at the little princess, still peaceful in Snow's arms. She was awake, but clearly at the point of feeling exhausted, her eyes fluttering open and shut. Her soft fur blanket was still wrapped around her, but it was under a thick, protective layer of leather, both for her sake and to keep her warm. They hadn't counted on the little princess always being cold, but, then again, even in the summer Misthaven did not get particularly warm. Still, she wouldn't quite call herself comfortable with Charming's 'solution' to the little princess' screaming, tantrums. She wasn't surprised that he knew a safe way to use herbs to sedate someone, and especially someone so small and so miniature, but it was difficult to reckon with. Snow seemed a little uncomfortable, though more so because she felt almost upset that the little princess didn't take to her. She was her step sister, after all. She should trust her, love her. Shouldn't she?

"We're going to need to dye her hair," Snow eventually said, looking at her step sister worriedly while they walked. "She's too recognisable with dark hair."

"It's not hard to make a dye mixture that will turn her hair blonde," Charming reassured her. "I watched my adoptive mother do it so many times; it won't take long for me to get what we need to turn her hair a wispy, white blonde."

Red sighed. "Sure, but what's going to be our explanation for how and why we have a child with us, or, specifically, with me? I'm the only one of the three of us who can safely go in and out of towns, get things we need. Before confirming that you two will have a safe haven there, of course."

"If people ask, just tell them she's your daughter," Charming said. "If they press more, you can tell them you're widowed."

"I don't think we should lie that much," Snow frowned.

"No, he's right," Red said rather dejectedly. "The best way to keep her safe will to be her mother."

Snow chewed at the inside of her cheek, watching her little step sister stir a little in her sleep.

"She's completely dependent on Regina," She said quietly. "That can't be healthy. She never would have been able to be her own person, would she?"

"I don't know," Red said, looking at the little girl in Snow's arms. "But I heard Regina realise she was missing. And I've never heard someone sound so aggressive, so…so fucking unhinged."

"That's Regina," Charming frowned. "The few times I've seen and interacted with her, she was…rather obsessive about her daughter. It's more than she loves her. Snow," He reached over and brushed a hand against her face before resting it on her shoulder. "You said Lynn is completely dependent on her. I think Regina is completely dependent on her too. That is what's unhealthy. It's a codependent relationship, and that's never healthy for anyone."

Snow considered that, looking down at her step sister again.

"You may very well be right," She said softly. "I simply hope we'll be able to take care of her, help her become independent."

"We will," Charming said, reaching for his sword, drawing it when they heard footsteps. "What -"

Without warning, three members of the Queen's guard, alone, came out of the woods.

It was all over in a matter of seconds.

Red lunged at them before they could get Snow and the princess, grabbing one of them by their neck with her teeth, pulling the flesh out of their neck in a matter of seconds. Her nails all but disembowelled one of the others. In almost the same instant, Charming ran the third one through with his sword.

It was over.

They were dead.

"Let's get out of here," Red panted, her lips and chin nearly as crimson, now, as her cloak.

"Agreed," Charming said, sheathing his sword. "Last thing we want is to risk running into more of them."

Snow nodded, shaking.

Then, they ran.

And all three of them escaped into the night, reaching a village that offered them safe harbour before sunrise, a place to stay for days, to get the little princess into her true self. Whatever that was.

Regina was shaking, her entire body too electrified for there to be any moment of reprieve. It was all too much, knowing that not only was her daughter not safely with her but that she was probably with Snow. She wanted to throw up every time she thought about it, the mere thought being more than enough to make her skin crawl. She resented it more than anything else, and there was something even more discomforting about the fact she had been unable to sleep. Her mind was spinning, her head ached, and her stomach twisted itself into knots that never released. There was no reprieve, and there never would be, not until her daughter was safely back in her arms. The Queen couldn't even cry anymore, her eyes so painfully dry that, when she finally laid down on her bed, she had to close her eyes, though she didn't believe she could fall asleep. It was all too much, and she wasn't sure when the last time she slept even was.

The memories.

They were all there.

Spinning.

Taunting.

Crying.

They all felt like they were happening, all over again, disjointed, but clear as day.

"Your majesty!"

She had looked up, barely holding herself up against her bed. Water was pooling at her feet, pain stabbing through her.

"The baby…" She had whispered. "The baby's coming."

Leopold was gone. Finally dead.

"You're perfect," Regina had cradled her baby girl. "I'll do anything for you….anything for your happiness."

"Lynn, darling," Regina like always knelt down to her daughter's height, the two of them in the snow, kept warm within beautiful fur coats. "You need to keep your gloves on," She gently tugged them back onto her daughter's hands, the little girl giggling. "I don't want you to get too cold."

Lynn jumped up into her mother's arms, wrapping her small arms around her neck. "Love love momma."

Regina smiled, cupping her daughter's cheek. "I love you too, darling."

"Ah, darling," Regina had smiled, shifting to kiss the top of her daughter's head. "Did you sleep well?"

Lynn had happily bobbed her head. "Happy dreams!"

"I promise, Lynn," Regina sat down on the throne, her daughter tightly in her arms and her own gown cascading down the steps. "He would have loved you as much as I do. You know I love you unconditionally, don't you?"

Lynn had grinned, her hair bouncing. "I love you too momma."

Regina matched her smile. "I'll let you in on a little secret," She had said, tapping her daughter's nose. "Your father knew about you before he passed," Her voice fell soft. "And he was happier than I had ever seen him when I told him. I will never forget the moment he pressed his hands against my belly and kissed me, ecstatic to know we were going to have a child together."

"I love you momma," Lynn stared at her mum with wide eyes.

Regina smiled. "I love you too, darling, as constant as the stars above."

"It's going to be okay, darling," Regina laid down beside her daughter. "The nightmares aren't real. I promise. Nothing is ever going to hurt you."

Lynn's eyes fluttered open, her bright green eyes staring at her, her small body shaking.

"Hey," Regina smiled. "You're safe with me, okay?"

"Oh, Lynn," Regina tightly embraced her daughter upon seeing her little girl manage to summon a small, pale purple flame in her hands. "I'm so proud of you!"

Lynn giggled. "Momma!"

Regina's eyes snapped open, her heart racing.

"I'm going to find them," She quietly vowed. "And I'm going to kill them."

There was something amusing about playing both the devil and the angel for two parties, and it was certainly something Rumplestiltskin of all people had become quite the master at.

He prided himself greatly on it.

But he also enjoyed the more simple side of life.

"Good to see you, dearie."

Belle turned around, surprised when Rumple walked into the library.

"My apologies," She bowed her head. "I know I should be cleaning, I just -"

"You're enraptured by books," He said simply. "I merely wanted to see what you're interested in."

She blinked, absolutely stunned.

"You're interested in me?" She squeaked out. "I hadn't -"

"You live here," He reminded her. "I have not neglected that fact."

She uncomfortably squirmed.

"Something tinkering around your brain, dearie?"

"I'm surprised," She sheepishly replied. "I'm your servant."

"Can I not show interest in my servant's life?" He cocked his head to the side. "That is rather presumptuous on your part, dearie. I might go so far as to say I'm offended."

Belle squeaked.

"I am joshing you," Rumple rolled his eyes. "You need to loosen up, dearie. No reason to be as stiff as the spines of those books you so love."

She stared down at her feet, taking in her thinly clad, nearly slipper like shoes which peeked out from under her long, simple yellow dress.

"I ask again," He continued. "What are you interested in? With the books, of course."

"Fantasy," Belle mumbled.

"What was that, dearie?" Rumple started to walk towards her. "I couldn't quite understand you."

"Fantasy," Belle's breath hitched when she realised his face was mere inches away from her own. "I like to consider worlds different from our own."

"Is that so?"

She awkwardly nodded.

"I'm rather curious about the…the idea of a world without magic."

"A world without magic?" Rumple breathed. "Hmm, dearie, that's quite an interesting thought, now isn't it?"

Belle shivered a bit, chewing on her lower lip.

"What do you think of a world without magic?" He whispered into her ear, his scaly fingers grabbing her by the chin. "Is it….a world you would be comfortable with?"

Belle looked down again, unable to meet his eyes.

"I want an honest answer, dearie," Rumple's mouth curled into a smile, one she didn't look at but could very much feel while his surprisingly cold breath wrapped around her neck. "How would you feel about, how would you feel in a world without magic?"

Belle swallowed hard, her heart racing.

"I…" She barely croaked out. "It might be a more fair world."

Rumple pushed her face up to meet his eyes again.

"Fair? In what way?"

Belle's chest began to rise and fall quickly, her heart still pounding and her stomach churning.

"People would be more equal," She whispered. "They wouldn't be able to step over each other with so much force. It seems magic just…hurts people."

Rumple leaned a little further in, his nose touching hers.

"So, you think that a world that had no magic would put people on more even ground?"

Belle nodded. "Yes."

Rumple pulled back a little, but his fingers still dug into her chin.

"You think a great deal," He remarked. "Quite introspective, dearie, and of that I am quite impressed."

Belle bit her lip. "Thank you?"

Rumple laughed. "That is the correct answer, dearie."