/Storybrooke\

"M.M, I'm sorry you feel that way, but we both know Regina is Henry's mom, not Emma Swan. Plus, I think Emma Swan left last night. Why would she stay?"

I decided to visit Mary Margaret right when I woke up since she messaged me last night that she wanted to talk to me about something. I didn't realize it was going to be about Emma Swan.

I was sitting on her couch, watching as she sat down at the window with a bowl of cereal in her hands.

"I don't understand why you are being rude towards Emma. From what I saw yesterday, she seems like a very nice person. Before she came, you and I used to hang out every day. Now, you're taking Regina's side," she said with sadness in her voice.

I stood up from the couch, walking towards her. I leaned against the wall, staring down at her when I said, "Look, Mary. I used to like being your friend. Your heart is always in a good place, but that's not always good. I told Regina the same thing about you. Look, we started to drift away from each other even before Henry came into town. I miss my friend, but I don't know if we can be close like we were when I was younger, M.M. I'm sorry."

I watched as sadness filled up in Mary Margaret's eyes when she questioned in a soft voice, "So, that's it. Is our friendship over?"

I didn't reply, hurting this feeling I was having. Did I really want to end our friendship? Not really, but she's always so optimistic. I don't mind it, but it does get a bit annoying. Plus, the main reason I'm ending our friendship is because she's trying to be like a mother to me. I admit I never wanted that with her.

I took a seat in front of her, leaning in a bit, "Look, Mary Margaret. We don't have to end our friendship. But I don't think you can stop trying to act like a mother to me. I only see you as a friend. Not even a best friend — just a friend. I have my papa and he's the only parent I need and want."

Mary Margaret opened and closed her mouth like a fish before looking away from me with a hurt in her eyes. I tilted my head slightly when I noticed the hurt vanished from her face. I followed her eyes, noticing the clock. It wasn't on 8:15 anymore. From where I can see it, it looks like it was almost eight. Mary Margaret and I glanced at each other with confusion in our eyes. For twenty eight years of my life, this was the first time the clock moved. Why was the clock moving now after two decades of not working?

"Papa!" I shouted when I stepped into our shop.

My papa glanced up from when he was doing. I stopped, not saying a word when I glanced over at him. I narrowed my eyes when I saw the sadness in his eyes again. Last night when he spoke to me, there was sadness in his eyes and voice.

/\Last Night/\

When I got home, I dug out my keys to unlock my door, but it was already unlocked. Without thinking, I slammed my door open to see a guy sitting on my couch with his feet on the coffee table and my ice cream in his hands. He has black hair and blue eyes. He was wearing dark clothing and his eyes were on the television before he looked at me when I slammed the door shut.

He stood up quickly, placing the ice cream on the table.

"Look, I didn't mean to break in or whatever… I was trying to…"

"Don't bother with excuses, I know why you were here," I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You do?" Travis Kroger asked me with a bit of confusion in his voice.

"Yes, you were here to ravish me, weren't you?" I purred, uncrossing my arms, walking slowly over towards Travis.

"Uh, you?"

"Why else would you be breaking into my apartment?" I asked, standing in front of Travis, "You could have asked to visit, you know? It's been a long time, but I have a very good memory."

"Yeah, well, uh, you know I figured you since you're Mr. Gold's son and all, it might be just easier to scale the walls and slip on it. Certainly easier than going through your daddy's little fucking spies."

I was going to reply, but I was cut off by a tap at the door. Travis and I looked at each other with wide eyes before I raced over to the door to reveal my papa — Mr. R. Gold. I opened my door wider, smirking at him, "Hello, papa."

"Son," he nodded, stepping into my apartment and heading towards the couch, "I assume you have met Miss. Swan."

I nodded my head, sitting on the couch, "Yes, I have. I'm not a fan of Emma, papa. I know for sure she's trying to push herself into Henry's life. She gave him up for adoption. She's not his mother anymore. Regina is Henry's mother."

My papa was silent and I knew he was thinking. I didn't say a word since I knew he was going to say something. He does this when he's thinking about what he's going to say. His eyes drifted towards me and for the first time, I saw sadness in his brown eyes. This was a shock since my papa barely shows his emotions to anyone, even to me.

"Papa, what's wrong?"

"Son," my papa breathed lightly, "I know I don't say this much, however, I do love you. You are my son and no one will take you from me again."

I don't know where this was coming from, but my heart was aching at the thought of being taken from my papa. Like before. I hope this has nothing to do with Emma or her being in town.

"Papa, I don't know why you think someone will take me from you again. You are the only parent I have. I know you don't say 'I love you' much to me, but that doesn't mean you don't love me. I know you love me. You never showed that you didn't. Every diaper charged. Soothed every fever. Every tantrum. You have been there for me Even when I was taken from you when I was fifteen. Nothing will change my opinion on you. No matter what. I love you, papa. I hope you know that."

A sad smile formed on my papa's face, "I wish that is true, son."

"What do you mean?"

Without replying, my papa stood up, heading towards the door. He stopped and turned towards me, "I think Emma Swan will be staying in town for a bit. How would you feel about that, son?"

I leaned on the arm of the couch, replying coldly, "I think she should leave since I know the only reason why she's here. She's trying to be part of Henry's life. If Regina needs to help, I will help her keep her son away from Emma. Plus, Emma is already annoying me. She's calling me 'Markus' instead of 'Marcellus.'"

"I think it will be a good change for Storybrooke," said my papa casually, "We need visitors I think. I need to go. Will you be at work in the morning, son?"

I looked at him confused since he's always calling me 'Marc.' Now, he's calling me 'son.' Yeah, I am his son, but it seems like he knows something will happen. I don't think anything will happen. What is going on with papa? I thought to myself before replying to his question, "Yeah, of course. I have to stop at Mary Margaret's apartment before I head to work."

Something in his eyes changed when I said that.

"I don't like how you're so close with Miss. Blanchard," my papa told me, which I had a feeling of already. But this time, I noticed his voice was a bit tight and his eyes were holding a bit of sadness and anger. Something is going on with my papa, but I don't know what.

Before I could comment on it, he turned towards the door, saying, "I will see you in the morning. And next time, please don't have your lover here when I'm visiting."

My eyes widened when Travis popped his head out of the closet he was in. We both watched as my papa left before we looked at each other with shock in our eyes. I won't stay we're dating, but we do fool around with each other, but I didn't know my papa knew that. I can never hide anything from my papa.

/\Present/\

I shook my head a bit before commenting on the clock, "Papa, did you see that clock? It's working again."

"I noticed that when I walked here, son," my papa replied, fully turning towards me.

Sadness was on his face again. This was hurting me. Something was hurting my papa and he is hiding it in. I decided to not comment on the clock again. Instead, I walked over to him, hugging him. He wrapped his arms around me, holding tightly on me. We didn't say a word, just hugged each other. I want to know what's going on, but I know my papa will never share what's bothering him.

I pulled away, looking my papa in the eyes, "Will you be alright, papa?"

"Yes, Marc, I will. You have nothing to worry about. I know for sure everything will be fine now," my papa replied.

I chuckled lightly, knowing for sure he's hiding something. I do trust my papa and if he says everything will be fine, then it will be fine. My papa patted my shoulder before entering the backroom. I sighed lightly, having a feeling something will happen, but I don't know what. I hope it has nothing to do with my papa.

/Enchanted Forest\

"I shall destroy your happiness, if it is the last thing I do," said the Evil Queen before turning and heading for the door.

"Hey!" the prince calls after her.

The queen turns around. The prince throws his sword at her, but she dissipates before it hits her. The Evil Queen appears in another castle. The prince's sword also appears and sticks into a wall. There is a man at the castle holding a tray with drinks on it, "Would you like something to drink?"

"Do I look like I need a drink?" the Evil Queen replied with a question.

"I was only trying to help," said the man, who was the Evil Queen's father – Henry Mills I.

"Thank you," said the Evil Queen after Henry I handed her a glass.

The mirror on the wall behind them speaks, "Now, that was an awfully big threat. Destroy everyone's happiness? How do you plan on accomplishing that?"

"The dark curse."

"Are you sure, Your Majesty?" asked Henry before the Mirror said, "But you said you'd never use it."

"You made a deal when you gave away that cure," Henry commented and the mirror spoke after him, "You traded it away."

"She won't be happy to see you," Henry spoke again.

"Since when do I care about anyone else's happiness but mine? Prepare the carriage. We're going to the forbidden fortress."

A castle is shown in the mountains. The Evil Queen and Maleficent sat by a fire.

"How are you, dear?" asked Maleficent.

"I'm doing fine," replied the Evil Queen, but Maleficent didn't believe her, "Are you? If it were me, I'd be simply tortured watching that flake of Snow so happy. Weren't you about the same age when you were to be married? Before she ruined it all. Yes, you were."

Not liking what Maleficent said, the Evil Queen retorted, "Yes, it was about the same age you were when Sleeping Beauty got the best of you, my dear Maleficent."

"I soldiered on, as you will too. Hopefully."

The Evil Queen was having enough with what Maleficent was trying to do, "Enough games. You know why I'm here. I need my curse back."

"It's not yours anymore," Maleficent reminds the Evil Queen, "A deal's a deal. I traded you my sleeping curse."

"Which failed. Undone by a simple kiss. Now, please, return what's mine."

"The dark curse?" asked Maleficent, "Really? You must know that not even its unholy power can bring your loved one back from the dead. Have you considered a pet? They can be quite comforting."

"The only comfort for me is Snow White's suffering right now."

"Well, it's her wedding night. I doubt she's suffering right now," the woman reminded the queen.

The Evil Queen didn't care for that or Snow White, "I need that curse. I know you keep it hidden in the orb above your staff."

"Hidden for the good of all, old friend. Whoever created that monstrosity, makes the two of us look positively… moral. Who gave it to you?" Maleficent asked, feeling curious about the creator of the curse.

The Evil Queen, who knew the creator of the curse, didn't tell Maleficent, "Where I got it's none of your concern. Hand it back."

"Must we do this?"

"Alas, we must," replied the Evil Queen before using her magic to control the fire in the fireplace. She aims it at Maleficent, but she deflects it. The Evil Queen then summons multiple weapons in the room and aims it at Maleficent's pet unicorn.

"No!" yelled Maleficent, jumping in front of her pet and, again, deflects the Queen's attack. While distracted, the Evil Queen causes the chandelier to fall on top of Maleficent, and she is trapped. The Evil Queen takes Maleficent's staff.

"Love is weakness, Maleficent. I thought you knew that?"

"If you're going to kill me, kill me!"

"Why would I do that? You're my only friend," said the Evil Queen before she shatters the orb on the staff and takes the curse scroll.

"Don't do this. This… curse. There are lines even we shouldn't cross. All power comes with a price. Enacting it will take a terrible toll. It will leave an emptiness inside you. A void you will never be able to fill."

"So be it."

The Evil Queen, along with multiple other characters, stands at the end of a forest around a fire. Various things are being thrown into the fire.

"Who among us is tired of losing? That's why I called you here. To put an end to our misery. Today, we claim victory and move to a new, better realm. A place where we can finally win."

"And we'll be happy?"

"I guarantee it. But first, I need something from you. A lock of hair from those with the darkest souls. You must trust me. Because if you don't, there are other ways."

The trees around them started to grow taller until the group was completely surrounded. The people in the group relent, and each give a lock of their hair.

"A wise decision. All that remains is the final ingredient. The prized heart from my childhood steed. The glorious beast whose passing will fuel our victory. Let my wrath be unleashed."

The heart is removed from a box and thrown into the fire. A large pillar of smoke appears briefly, but then suddenly disappears. Laughter is then heard in the background.

"Yeah, you really unleashed something there," a gnome laughed.

The Evil Queen turns the Gnome to stone.

/Storybrooke\

I was bored out of my mind since no one was in the shop. My papa was still in the backroom and sometimes he would check if I'm still here. I would shrug it off. I was leaning against the counter, reading a book when the bell of the door rang. I glanced up, noticing Regina speed walking towards me. I straightened up and stepped around the counter.

"Gina, what's wrong?" I questioned her.

"It's Emma Swan!" snapped Regina in anger, "She's staying in town! She's trying to force herself into my son's life! I need your help. Sidney was very useless. I need you to come with me."

I opened my mouth to speak, but I was cut off by my papa's voice, "Madam Mayor, my son is working. I am sure you can handle this Swan solution on your own."

I turned to see my papa standing behind me. His eyes were on Regina. I know for sure my papa and Regina do not get along much. When I was younger, he kept me away from Regina. I started to hang around her when I was eighteen, when Henry came into town. At first, she wanted a babysitter and she didn't want Mary Margaret to look over her son. So, she had me watch the young boy. And our some-what friendship started like that. Now, I see her as a sister.

"Marc, you said you will always be by my side," said Regina, having me turn towards her, "I need your help now."

I did say that, didn't I?

My eyes drifted back at my papa, "Papa, I promise you. I will be back. Regina is my friend. And friends help each other. How about this? I help Regina. And in turn, I will stay at your place so you know where I am. Deal?"

I heard my papa chuckled a bit before saying creepy, "Deal. I see you at supper at my home."

I nodded before following Regina out of the shop.

"How am I supposed to help you, Gina?" I asked her.

"Just stick with me," replied Regina, "I know you can help me more than Sidney. You seemed to not like Miss. Swan. Also, I need you to try to help Henry see this woman isn't right for him and she needs to leave our town."

"I agree, Gina. Swan needs to leave. But how are we going to force her out of Storybrooke?"

A smirk formed the mayor's face when she replied a bit dark, "I have a few ideas."

I walked down the street where Henry was sitting with the rest of his class. Regina sent me here to send the news to Henry that Emma was in jail. I know what Regina was planning, and hopefully, Emma Swan will leave Storybrooke for good.

" – water, synthesize," said Mary Margaret towards the children around her before I cut her off, "Ahem. May I speak with Henry?"

Mary Margaret wore a confused look on her face when I mentioned Henry. I know why. That's because Regina is usually the one that will come and get Henry. Not this time. And Regina was fine with that.

"We're in the middle of a lesson. Is it important?"

"Do you think I'd be here if it wasn't?" I questioned her rudely.

I didn't wait for my ex-friend to answer. I walked over to Henry, and bent down to his height, telling him the news about Emma, "Henry, bud. I have some bad news. Emma Swan, who we brought here – she's been arrested. She broke into Dr. Hopper's office and stole his files. She's a con-woman. She's trying to learn about us in order to take advantage of us. That's why she's sticking around. I'm sorry."

I saw the disbelief in Henry's eyes when he said, "No, you're not."

"I know you think otherwise, but all your mother and I are doing is trying to protect you. This is going to be good for us. You'll see. Things will get better."

Henry looked like he wanted to say something, but instead he said, "I got to get back to class."

I straightened up, not feeling so happy. I glanced over at my shoulder, noticing Mary Margaret was staring at me. I saw the sadness on her face before it turned to disappointment. I shook my head at her before turning to go back to Regina's home.

"I like your ideas, Gina, but won't this push him away from us?" I asked her, sitting in her office.

She looked up at me and was going to reply, but we both heard a noise from outside. We quickly stood up and raced over to the window to see Emma out of jail and cut down one of Regina's apple trees with a chainsaw.

"That's it," growled Regina before racing outside. I followed quickly to see what Regina would do when she confronted Emma.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Emma threw the chainsaw to the ground and replied casually, "Picking apples."

"You're out of your mind!" I snapped, standing next to Regina.

Emma looked at both Regina and me before replying, "No, you two are if you think a shoddy frame job's enough to scare me off. Both of you are going to have to do better than that. You come after me one more time, I'm coming back for the rest of this tree. Because, brother and sister, you have no idea what I am capable of. Your move."

I glanced at Regina, who kept her eyes on Emma, who was walking away. She stayed like that for a few moments before glancing at me, "I hate that woman."

"I know, Gina. I promise you, we will get her out of town and soon, Henry will realize he does not need that woman."

/Enchanted Forest\

The Evil Queen and Henry I were standing where the failed curse took place.

"Maybe it's for the best," said Henry, happy the curse didn't work, "The forces you are summoning are darker than we can conceive."

"Oh?" said the Evil Queen, "Now, you're trying to protect me?"

"It's what I do."

"I know. You're the only one who does."

"Helping you is my life," said Henry.

"Well, then, help me understand why this curse isn't working," snapped the Evil Queen.

"If you want to know that, then you need to go back to the person who gave it to you in the first place. Revenge is a dark and lonely road and once you go down it, there is no heading back."

"What is there for me to head back to?"

The dungeon is where Rumpelstiltskin was kept. There were mice everywhere. However, Rumpelstiltskin knew one of the mice was not really a mouse.

"It's just us, dearie. You can show yourself."

One of the mice transforms into the Evil Queen, "That curse you gave me – it's not working."

"Oh, so worried. So, so worried. Like Snow and her lovely new husband."

"What?" asked the Evil Queen in shock.

Rumpelstiltskin stepped forward, taking hold of the bars, "They paid me a visit, as well. They were very anxious… about you and the curse."

"What'd you tell them?"

"The truth!" replied Rumpelstiltskin, "That nothing can stop the darkness. Except, of course, one of their unborn children. You see, no matter how powerful, all curses can be broken. One of their children will be the key. Of course, the curse has to be enacted first."

"Tell me what I did wrong," demanded the Evil Queen.

"For that, there's a price."

Annoyed with Rumpelstiltskin, the Evil Queen asked, "What do you want?"

"Simple. In this new land, I want comfort. I want a good life," replied Rumpelstiltskin.

"Fine. You'll have an estate. Be rich."

"I wasn't finished. There's more!"

"There always is with you," the Evil Queen commented, shaking her head slightly.

"Snow and her lovely husband will be having twins… I want the boy. Get me the boy," said Rumpelstiltskin, "Also, in this new land, should I ever come to you for any reason, you must heed my every request. You must do whatever I say. So long as I say 'please.'"

"Why do you want the boy?"

"If the curse isn't enacted, the young child will not have a good life… He will be treated like an outcast! If I raised that child… Can you imagine how Snow and her lovely husband would feel if their son was raised by the Dark One?"

The Evil Queen kept her eyes on Rumpelstiltskin, thinking about what he said. Snow and her husband were having twins. And it's like the family will care for one twin over the other. Normally, Rumpelstiltskin doesn't lie. If it is the truth, she could just imagine Snow's "little boy" being raised by Rumpelstiltskin – the Dark One. But how would she get the boy for Rumpelstiltskin?

Not answering the question, the Evil Queen replied, "You realize, that should I succeed, you won't remember any of this."

"Oh, well then. What's the harm? I still want the boy."

"Deal. What must I do to enact this curse?" the Evil Queen asked.

"You need to sacrifice a heart."

"I sacrificed my prized steed."

Rumpelstiltskin took the Evil Queen by the throat, saying very close to her face, "Ooh. Is there no one else you truly love? This curse isn't going to be easy. Vengeance never is, dearie. You have to ask yourself the simple question: How far are you willing to go?"

"As far as it takes."

"Then please don't waste everyone's time and just do it. You know what you love. Now, go kill it."

/Storybrooke\

I was helping Regina pick up apples off the ground when I noticed Graham walking up behind her. His eyes landed on me before he looked back at Regina when she scowled, "She destroyed city property. I want her arrested."

"Again?"

I chuckled under my breath when the police officer questioned Regina like that. Normally, he does everything Regina tells him. I think because of Emma, Graham isn't listening to our mayor anymore.

"What are you waiting for?"

"I'm just not convinced arresting her is the right plan," he replied, looking at Regina and me, "and I'm not talking about your tree. We three know she didn't steal those files."

I raised my eyebrow at Graham, "Oh, do we?"

"I mean, she looked pretty shocked when I leveled the charges against her," he replied, looking straight at me.

I admit Graham and I don't get along much, however, I do own him since he did find me when I was taken years ago.

"It's because she doesn't like being caught," Regina replied, having both of us look at the mayor.

"Or because she was set up. And if she was, that means Dr. Hopper was lying. And if he's lying, that means that someone asked him to. Are we really confident that the man's conscience won't eventually get the best of him?"

I rolled my head a bit before crossing my arms over my chest, "I think your schoolboy crush is clouding your judgment. Remember — Regina made you sheriff. And she can take it away just as easily."

His eyes drifted between Regina and me before he looked back at our mayor, "If you want me to arrest her again, I will."

"Good."

"But she's going to keep comin at you two. And I know that you two are going to keep coming at her and you, Madam Mayor, will do whatever it takes to get her out of here and you may succeed."

"No. I will succeed. He's my son. It's what's best for him."

"I know that's what you believe. Yeah, but if this escalates, it seems to me the only one who will get hurt is Henry," Graham said before walking away.

I couldn't believe he would say that to Regina. He's either stupid or brave. But that doesn't give Graham the right to be like that to Regina.

"What do you think, Marc?" I heard Regina ask, "Do you think Henry will be hurt?"

I glanced at Regina, giving her the truth, "If Emma Swan does stay, then Henry will get hurt by her. I know for sure he loves you, but he wants his birth mother. I don't know why, but he seems to like her. I believe you will be the one that will get hurt because your son might abandon you for his birth mom. I will help you as much as I can so he doesn't do that to you, Gina. You know, Regina, maybe we can make Henry hate her."

A smirk formed on Regina's face seconds after I said that. And I knew this woman had a plan in mind.

I know I shouldn't be here. However, Regina wanted me to. I don't mind since I was helping her try to get Emma out of town. Hopefully, this will work and this woman will never and never show her face in our town again.

"I'd like to start by apologizing, Miss. Swan." Regina said.

"Same here," I nodded.

"What?" her eyes drifted between Regina and me.

"Regina and I just have to accept the reality that you want to be here," I told her with a small shrug.

"That's right. I do."

"And that you're here to take my son from me," said Regina, keeping her eyes on Emma.

My eyes drifted away from Emma, noticing Henry near the door. He looked confused and was wondering why Emma was here. I looked away from him when he wanted me to say that he was there. But I wasn't going to do that since Regina has something up her sleeve.

"Okay, let's be clear. I have no intention of taking him from anyone," said Emma.

I almost rolled my eyes at the sentence. Both Regina and I won't stupid. We knew Emma wanted Henry, but I know for sure Regina wasn't going to allow that.

"Well, then," I said, faking being confused, "What are you doing here?"

"I know I'm not a mother. I think that's pretty self-evident. But I did have him. And I can't help that he got in my head and I want to make sure he's okay. The more you two try to push me out, the more I want to be here. Especially after seeing how troubled he is."

"You think he's troubled?" asked Regina.

"Well, he's in therapy. And I only got through a couple of pages of his shrink's notes before you had me arrested. But putting all that aside. He thinks everyone in this town is a fairy tale character."

"And you don't?" Regina and I asked in unison.

"How can I? The poor kid can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality and it's only getting worse. It's crazy."

"You think I'm crazy?" Henry asked Emma, who quickly turned around.

Regina and I shared a look, knowing he was there the whole time. Hopefully, Henry will stop trying to get close to Emma and sees she's not a good person.

"Henry…"

The ten year old boy raced out of the office. Emma turned back to us with an angry look on her face, "How long was he there?"

"Long enough," I shrugged my shoulders, not caring Henry heard Emma.

"You knew he would be here."

"Did I know that my son comes to my office every Thursday at precisely 5:00pm so I can take him for dinner before his therapy session?" Regina asked before answering her own question, "Of course, I did. I'm his mother. Your move."

I chuckled slightly before frowning when Emma said, "You two have no soul. How in the hell did you get like this?"

After Emma asked that, she walked out of the office. I looked at Regina, who was also frowning. I reached over, placing my hand in her hand. Her eyes drifted towards me with no emotions in them.

"Don't listen to her, Gina. You do have a soul and don't let anyone tell you differently."

/Enchanted Forest\

The Evil Queen is walking down a hall in her castle. There are several mirrors on the wall.

While she was walking down the hall, the mirror was asking, "What happened? Did you get your answer? What's going on? Your Majesty? Your Majesty!"

But the Evil Queen didn't answer the mirror. She entered a room where Henry I was and he was lighting candles. He walked up to the Evil Queen when she entered the room, asking, "Did Rumpelstiltskin tell you what you needed to know?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"I'm not sure I should say. I'm conflicted."

She walked away from him when he asked, "How bad is it? Maybe I can help."

At first, the Evil Queen didn't say a word because she didn't want him to know. But she wanted to enact the curse.

"I have to cut out the heart of the thing I love most."

Silence filled up the room. Neither of them talked. They both knew what the Evil Queen loved the most and it scared both of them.

"Me?" asked Henry I after a few moments of silence.

She turned around, looking at Henry, saying in a soft voice, "Daddy, I don't know what to do."

"My dear, please. You don't have to do this."

"I have to do something," claimed the Evil Queen.

"Then move past this. I know this may sound self-serving, but you don't need to enact this curse," her father begged.

"But I can't keep living like this. What Snow did to me, what she took from me? It's eating me alive, daddy. Her very existence mocks me. She must be punished," said the Evil Queen in a rough tone.

"But, if the price is a hole that will never be filled, why do it? Stop worrying about Snow White and start over. We can have a new life."

The Evil Queen didn't want a new life. She wanted Snow White gone after what she did to her years ago. The Queen hasn't forgiven her step-daughter for that and she might never will. Plus, she didn't want to give up her powers.

"But what kind of life? All I've worked for, all I've built, would be gone. My power will disappear. They already think I'm nothing."

"Power is seductive. But so is love. You can have that again."

"I just want to be happy."

"You can be. Of this, I'm sure. But I believe, given the chance, we can find happiness. Together. But the choice is yours."

The Evil Queen knew her father was right, "I think you're right. I can be happy… Just not here."

She pulled her father's heart out, watching as he fell to the ground, lifeless.

"I'm sorry."

The Evil Queen is, again, at the cliff where they previously tried to enact the curse. She throws the heart into the fire. A large pillar of smoke appears as before; but this time, it doesn't disappear. The Queen walks over to another area of the cliff. She places a rose at the base of the tombstone. The tombstones read 'Henry.'

"I love you, Daddy."

/Storybrooke\

I was helping Regina clean up the damage to her apple tree when I paused my movements. My papa entered her yard. His eyes drifted to me before looking away.

"What a mess," my papa commented, having Regina look at him. I stepped up next to my papa. I know for sure he would want me to leave with him. But why was he here in Regina's yard?

"Not for long. What could I do for you, Mr. Gold?"

"I was just in the neighborhood. Thought I'd pop by. Lovely to see you in such high spirits," my papa replied, having me glanced at him confused.

He was here for a reason, but what was that reason?

"Well," I said, having my papa and Regina look at me, "it's been a good day. Regina and I just rid the town of an unwanted nuisance."

"Emma Swann. Really?" my papa questioned me.

I nodded, "Yes."

"I imagine she's halfway to Boston by now," Regina said with a smirk on her lips.

I agreed with her, which my papa noticed. He chuckled, looking over at Regina, "Oh, I wouldn't bet on that. I just seen her strolling down the main street with your boy. Thick as thieves, they looked."

"What?" both Regina and I asked in unison.

"Perhaps you should have come to me instead of my boy. If Miss. Swan is a problem you can't fix, I'm only too happy to help. For a prince, of course."

"I'm not in the business of making deals with you anymore," Regina said, not too happy.

At first, I was confused until I remembered my papa helped Regina get Henry. But I don't see how getting Henry was a bad thing. I know for sure Regina loves her boy. Standing there, I noticed a look in my papa's eyes. He looked different, but the same. Something was going on, but what?

"To which deal are you referring?"

"You know what deal."

"Oh, right. Yeah. The boy I procured for you. Henry. Did I ever tell you want a lovely name that was? However, did you pick it?"

"Papa!" I hissed, thinking he shouldn't have asked that.

He shushed me before turning back to Regina, who replied with a question of her own, "Did you want her to come to town? You wanted all of this to happen, didn't you? You finding Henry wasn't an accident, was it?"

Now, I'm confused. I don't understand what's happening. I opened my mouth to speak, but I was cut off by my papa placing his hand on my shoulder. I know that means to not speak. And I always listen to that movement he would make.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Where did you get him? Do you know something?"

I rolled my eyes at that question. Regina knows my papa always knows something. But she is right. What does my papa know?

"I have no idea what you're implying," he replied.

An angry look formed on Regina's face when she stepped closer to my papa, "I think you do. Who is this woman, his mother, this… Emma Swan?"

"I would say you think you know exactly who she is," replied my papa, "Marcellus and I really must be going."

I allowed him to guard me away from Regina. But we were stopped when she raced in front of us, "Tell me what you know about her."

"I'm not going to answer you, dear. So, I suggest you excuse me. Please," he said, guarding me away once more.

I didn't know what was going on. But it seems to me things are changing in our town of Storybrooke. I'm blaming Emma Swan for this. If she didn't come to town (which was my fault), then none of this would be happening. My papa seems to be a different person, but still the same.

"Papa?"

"Everything will be fine, my son," replied my papa, "You have nothing to worry about. I want to make another deal with you, my son."

I nodded, "Of course, papa."

He stopped us, looking at me very seriously, "I don't want you near Miss. Swan. I know you're helping the mayor. However, I want you to stay clear from this woman."

I didn't know why he wanted me to stay away from Emma, but do I care? Not really since I don't like Emma Swan.

"Deal."