The Gap Year

One Year later...

Henry and I woke up to our daily routine I had Rounds with Mercy west's Diagnostics Team. Foreman was working there now. It was so cool to have him under me.

I made some breakfast for the Kid and I... I was seriously jonesing for Apple Pancakes last night, but I remembered a recipe and I was cooking it.

"Smells good Ma." Henry said going over to water the plants.

"Your sister is ramping up my cravings. " I said stretching and running a hand down my rounded Belly. I finally took the plunge and used Jay's sperm. I waited so long and now the Kid is almost a teenager.

Just then Remy walked out of my bedroom. It was the first time I had let her spend the night. She promised she wouldn't be squeamish around the kid. Especially since there was always one kid between us at all times.

She came out in one of my borrowed pajama tops and yawned a good morning to Henry.

Henry paused and smirked at my girlfriend. I turned and watched the interaction and was almost sure this was going to work.

Remy kissed me softly in greeting. "Pancake?" I asked.

She nodded and sat at the table. Dr. Hadly had changed drastically since I had given her an experimental drug, it seems to have fixed her Huntingtons. It was unregulated, and when I went back for more it was discontinued. If only they had gotten a hold of Remy's labs... They would still be in business.

Remy sat at the table with Henry. "What were you two talking about? She asked as I place a plate in front of her.

"The baby," I said.

"I can't wait to meet her." Henry said said.

"Me neither, 8 more weeks." I said and sat at the table with my son. When I had my first bite of apple pancakes there was a loud knock at my door.

"Someone coming over?" He asked.

I furrowed my brows. "No." I glanced at Remy and back toward the door.

More pounding at my door. So I stood and headed toward it. "Henry, wait here."

I turned off our morning soundtrack and headed toward the door. There was a roguish swarthy pirate type standing there. Like something out of a steampunk novel.

"Swan," he whispered and I furrowed my brows. No one called me Swan. he stepped forward to come into the apartment. "At Last"

"Whoa! Do I know you?" I said getting in the way, and finally he noticed my very noticeable bump.

"Whoa…" He said stepping backward a bit. He stood there staring as if in shock. Then he collected himself and dragged his eyes from my belly back to my face. "I need your help," He said quickly realizing I was about to shut the door. "Something's happened, something terrible. Your family is in trouble."

"My family's right here." I scoffed, "Who are you?"

"An Old friend." He stated. He inched closer. I stepped back. "I know you can't remember me but I can make you." Then he surged forward and Kissed me. I kneed him and he grunted falling to the ground.

"What the hell are you doing?" I asked and wiped at my lips.

"Long shot," he gasped out. "had to try. I was hoping you felt the same as I did."

The same as what? He obviously didn't know me if he thought that was something I'd do.

"Alison, Is everything okay?" Remy said, coming to the door in her disheveled state.

"Bollocks." The man said from the floor. He noticed her state of undress and her closeness. "Hello"

"Everything is fine," I said to her. "but keep your phone handy in case we gotta call the cops." I moved to shut the door

"Look I know this seems crazy" He said desperately trying to make me listen . "But you have to listen to me. You have to…"

I closed the door in his face and locked it. New york is full of crazies.

"Who was that?" Henry asked.

"No Idea, someone must have left the door open downstairs."

"I'm leaving you my taser in case he's outside when you leave." Remy said heading back to the bedroom.

"Rem I have my own." I said and sat back down to my now cold pancakes.

Remy dressed, came swaggering back out to the kitchen. She kissed the top of my head and ruffles Hery's hair as she made her way toward her things. "I have to ride to Jersey House is going to be ticked I'm late."

I smirked. "Then stay... I live to annoy that man."

She Laughed and picked up her helmet by the door "see you at Omre tonight. Wear that dress I like."

I chuckled, "yeah that was five pounds ago."

"you look beautiful in every thing babe."

Henry gagged, " please stop..."

Remy laughed melodically headed out. "Byeee..."

"you guys are gross." Henry said finishing his breakfast.

I sighed and turned to my son. "Hurry you're going to be late for school"

It was date night. Remy had come into the city from Jersey and was waiting for me at the Omre, in the swanky part of town. If memory serves me, I know Remy is a party girl. She doesn't do dates. These past three months have been…out of character, but she says it is because her disease seemed to have gone into remission and she had found a new lease on life.

But tonight, I was Running late. Forman and I had encountered a stumper, and Forman wanted to reach out to House. I strongly vetoed that notion. I didn't want to work with that man, or Chase any longer. I finally left because I had this date, which means Foreman went ahead with his plan and tomorrow I'll have Gregory House in my ear.

"Hey, Sorry I'm late." I said as I finally show up to meet Remy.

"I'm guessing this means you cleared the puzzle?" Remmy asked just before she kissed me.

"Hardly, Forman wanted to bring your team into the puzzle…" I said taking the offered seat.

"So we will be working together tomorrow?" She asked.

I smirked. "I guess you can stay the night."

"Oh Yeah." She sat across from me and sipped at her water which she drinks in soliradity to me. "Hey, how did Henry's volcano do in the science fair?"

"It was pompeii all over again." I answered. "Thank you for your help.." we clinked water glasses and drank a bit.

Remy laughed. "All I did is convince him not to use real lava."

"His teachers did appreciate that." I answered. "Lets eat, I'm starving."

We ate the most fabulous food and had the best conversation. Suddenly Remmy stared at me. So I looked up at her in question. "Happy?' She asked. My brow furrowed "With your food I mean"

I smiled. "Yes we're happy." I said indicating the baby.

she looked beyond me then down at her lap. "I'll be right back." Remy said placing her napkin on the table and walking toward the bathroom.

"Okay," I said and picked up my phone I answered a few emails as I waited .

I felt a presence come back and silently sit across from me. "Hang on I just gotta finish one quick work thing." I said and then looked up. It was not Remy. "You!"

The steampunk pirate from that morning had sat in front of me. "Let me explain." he said.

"You are a stalker" I said sliding back in my chair ready to raise a stink.

"Don't scream, just hear me out." He said "I don't do this very often, so treasure it Love." The gall "I've come to apologize."

"For trying to kiss me?"

"I was simply trying to jog your memory." He stated.

"It's time for you to go, now." I said.

"Emma, Your Parents are in grave danger." He said again with that name.

"You really have no idea what you're talking about." I said. This man clearly didn't know who I was. I don't have parents.

"Cause you think you're an orphan." he stated.

Think? All those years in the foster system were not imaginary.

"Because that's haunted you your whole life." He continued, "Well I'm here to tell you that everything you believe is wrong."

"You don't know me." I said.

"Alas, I know you better than you know yourself." He paused and went into his pocket. "I have proof."

He pulled out a note. "Take a gander, this is the address. If you wanna know who you really are, who your parents are. Go there."

"Leave. Now," I demanded.

"You've been there before. Year ago. You just don't remember." He continued as if I hadn't spoken.

"A year ago I was in Boston." I stated "Till a fire destroyed my apartment and I moved to New York to have fresh start with my son."

he narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "Regina really did a number on you." He said kind of to himself.

"You're a crazy person." I resoponded. "or a liar, or both."

"I prefer dashing rapscallion," he amended with I suppose he thought was a charming grin. I glared at him. "Scoundrel?"

"Give me one good reason not to punch you in the face." I growled.

"You really don't believe me?" He said and leaned forward. " Try using your superpower." l paused, "Yep I know abut that too," he said "Use it , see that I'm telling the truth."

Another thing he knows about me that I have never told people about.

"Just because you believe something is true does not make it real."

"Maybe, maybe not. But I know you Swan." He said moving closer. "You sense something is off. Go to that address. Take a chance. Then you'll want to talk." He stood from Remy's seat. "And when you do, I'll be in Central Park by the entrance of the zoo." He paused and looked at my bump then back at me. "Don't do it for me, or you… Do it for your family. They need your help."

Then he walked away leaving the address on the table. I picked it up before Remy got back and put it in my bag. I could barely enjoy my date after that. I listened to her and ate. All the while my mind search for any flaw in what the man said... my gut is telling me to search because I guess the orphan in me really wants to believe I have a family somewhere.

I saw Remy flag the waiter down. "I can't eat another bite" I said as the waiter brought a sundae to the table.

"You remember our first date?" She asked as he set it down in front of me. I smiled. "You were being… you, and I couldn't swing a dinner so I brought you here for lunch. Which didn't stop you from ordering an icecream sundae. Which wasn't on the menu." I smiled again at the memory. "I bribed the cheff and made one up"

"I remember, I was nervous because you knew me before… but now I'm full."

"Will you at least look at it?" Remy said pushing the sundae closer to me. I looked down at it and on the plate beside it was a ring. My mouth dropped and I looked at Remy the playgirl in shock. This was so off. It made me think of what the swarthy guy had said to me. "I don't want to freak you out, but I couldn't wait any longer." Remy said looking into my eyes. "I love you. I love Henry, I love That little one… I love our lives together, and I want us to have a future together now that I know I can have one."

Remy got out of her chair and came around to kneel beside me. I should really be happy. I really liked this girl. But there was something about swarthy dude using my real name and the Name Regina that did a number on me.

Regina...the name brought a warm feeling to my being.

Remy took my hand and said. "Allison Cameron, Will you marry me?"

my heart sped up and I looked at her I looked at the ring in her hand. And the feeling I got was different from what that one name had on me.

I panicked.

I stood and left the restaurant. Remy followed me out. She tried to make it light but my lack of an answer left her cold.

"Here I thought the worst thing that could happen was you'd say no I never thought you'd walk out on the bill." She joked.

I took a deep breath. "Remy…"

"Nonono." She said. "I was gonna pay. I was… I'm kidding."

"I'm sorry." I said shaking my head completely unfocused. I swear if she had asked me yesterday I would have had a positive answer for her. But now… I am seeing the inconsistencies in my memory. Remy and I were never like this. It was Chase… not Remy. "This wasn't…You just took me by surprise, is all. A lot of things took me by surprise tonight."

"Look, surprise was kind of part of the plan." She said "But I can see now it was not a great plan. So…"

"Doesn't it all just seem a little fast to you?" I asked her. "I mean we've only been together six months. "I've had leftovers in my fridge for longer than that."

"I know, I threw them out. Might've saved your life." She responded with a chuckle.

"How do you… we… know that this is right?" I asked.

"Alison, speaking for my self… I've known this was right since the moment you walked into that Medical conference and I saw you again. I'm hella gay… Lesbians move faster."

"Are we doing Uhaul jokes now? I asked.

Remy chuckled moving closer to me. "I have had the truck on standby for the past five months." I laughed. "This seemed the most non stereotypical I could make this. Six months is a long enough wait I think."

"You didn't even flinch when I told you I was pregnant." I told her.

"Well it saves us from having to hunt down donors now doesn't it?"

I smiled at her and leaned forward. "I do love you. You know that. Right?"

"Yeah I do. And I love you."

I shook my head. "I'm not good at fast."

She nodded. "I Know." She looked around at a blaring siren. "I knew who I was proposing to. I knew you would say this was too fast. And that's why we don't have to get married any time soon. We can wait a year. Or more." My eye brows short up. This made me feel better. "Look I don't care if we don't get married until we are 65 years old. And have grandchildren crawling around our ankles. Okay?" I laughed a little. "All I know is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I took a breath then another, and I looked Remy in the eye. "Can I have some time to think?"

"Take as much time as you need." She said. "You healed me, and I have the time. I will be here when you are ready." I hugged her goodbye and told her I needed time alone.

I went home that night and locked my dedbolt. Then walked into my living room where Henry sat in my brown leather overstuffed couch. "Mrs. Gould said you were quiet today." I said having gotten the information from my neighbor.

"Not quiet." Henry said, "Concentrating. I finally got to level 23." I quirked an eyebrow impressed and sat next to him to play with him a bit.

"Do you mind if a fifth level wizard joins you?"

He smirks. "At level 23? Good luck with that." I scoffed and jumped into the game. And leaned back after a couple of silent seconds he turned to me and asked. "So what did you say?" I looked at him. "To Remy."

"You Knew? How?" I asked.

"Come on, Mom. Your first date restaurant. Special night out. Writing was on the wall."

"Technically, the writing was in the dessert."

"So what did you say?' I didn't answer and concentrated on the game. He looked back at me with a knowing look shook his haid and said. "Poor lady."

"I didn't say no." I stated.

"Well, if you didn't say "Yes," I stand by my "Poor Lady" assessment."

"I just need some time to think about it." I stated. "I mean, its like a big step, Kid. We've got a good thing going here just the three of us."

he shrugged "Yeah, and we'd still have a good thing going if it were just the four of us, even if I were going to be outnumbered by women."

"You think Remy is worthy of joining our little family?" I asked him.

"She's okay." he said and paused the game to talk to me seriously. "Mom, not everyone is like my Dad. Not everyone is just going to leave you."

"He didn't just leave." I said."He set me up to take the fall for his crime and left me in Jail. He doesn't even know you exist. He doesn't deserve to."

"Yeah… and Jay Died, and Robert… he was a douche you needed to leave him anyway. But Remmy is none of those guys… not just because she is a girl. She wants to be with you." He glanced at my belly. "Us! She wants this to be her home. And anyways, I know you like her."

I furrowed my brows. "How?"

"Cause you never let me meet them unless you are serious. You dated Robert for a year before I even knew his name."

I looked at him surprised. The kid is so observant. Then I tried to think back to before… I don't remember me and Chase and Henry ever. I don't remember baby Henry with Jay at all. He is just not there. And I am losing the game as I hold the controller lost in thought.

"When did you get so wise?" I asked

"Somewhere after level 16, when I became a knight." He said and we were off to playing the game I needed to get my mind off of all of this.

The next morning Henry was frantic looking for something. I was ready for work just washing up the breakfast pates and Henry looked at me. "Mom, do you have it?" he asked I looked at him blankly. I needed him to elaborate. "My permission slip it is due today, and if I don't hand it in I'll miss the museum trip next week."

I looked in my coat pocket to see if I had tucked it in there, and saw the paper Swarthy guy that knows my real name gave me. And also the permission slip. "Yeah, your permission slip is right here." I said handing him the right paper. I blinked down at the address scratched out on paper and thought that maybe I could stop by there before going to Mercy. I was distracted learning the address on the paper just in case I lost the paper.

"Mom, is there something going on?' Henry asked looking at me concerned.

"No, nothing." I said heading toward the sink.

He keeps watching me. He shakes his head. "No, no… you're doing it again. You're worrying."

I immediately change my posture. "No, I am not, I am thinking. There's a difference."

He put his permission slip in his bag and looked at me. Hisbody bent at ninety degrees his cute little face looking up at me sideways. "Are you thinking about Remy?" he asked.

I forget how perceptive this kid is. I need to relax. "No, i…" I paused and decided that was the easiest thing to explain. "Yeah. I am. Can you blame me for taking 24 hours to make a life altering decision?" Henry gave me the side eye… he totally does not believe me. "Just wanna make sure that nothing is wrong."

He stands next to me. "You're always looking for something to be wrong." He said. "You don't have to do that, you know?" he stepped forward. "Sometimes it's okay to accept things are good." I smiled at him. Sometimes I just wand to kiss his beautiful face I love him so much. "I gotta go. I'm gonna be late." I settle for a quick hug and a kiss on top of his head. "See ya, Love ya."

"Love you too." I aid to him and watch him walk out of the apartment. As soon as he is gone I reached into my pocket and looked at the address. 89 Wooster Street… No apartment number, the zipcode is in Lower Manhattan, so not super far from Central Park Zoo… but there are no brownstones there… This an seems to think I will be able to find this apartment or whatever it is. I don't even know what I am searching for, and how would this help me locate my family?

I got to the building, and slid in. There was no door man. The building looked good but if you went inside. There was but one apartment occupied. I guess I have continue my journey into this, bounty hunter style. I pulled out my lock picker I placed my hand on my swollen belly and hoped I wasn't walking into Danger, because fighting back would be hard at the 7 month mark. "This is why you are a doctor Emma…" I sighed. And headed to the apartment.

The old faded brown door, and an old fashioned lock and deadbolt. Ebay pickings. I opened the door slowly and looked around. The place seemed familliar. There was a Dreamcatcher on the window, and I sighed. "Flypaper for nightmares…. Neal." I said looking around the room.

It looked like Neal had moved on to be a photographer. There were beautiful shots everywhere. I didn't know If I wanted to stay her and confront the man that had led me to Jail. Or leave before he even realized I was here.

There was some mail on the side table. It was all super dusty. Like it had been sitting here for a long time without being touched. I picked up the mail and looked at it. Confirmed, it was Neals place. Then I saw a bloody towel on the couch. Did something happen to him. The blood was old and dried, so this was a long time ago. He must have left and never come back. Then I spotted a camera.

The camera looked familiar but either way, if it had been used shortly before the bloody towel, then I could find out when Neal was here last. So I picked it up and lt had Henry on the strap. "Thats… Not Possible." I took the camera and put it in my bag. There was a 1hr. Photo on the way to the Hospital, and I knew I had to meed the pirate.

Fuck Mercy today, I needed to know what he knew.

I hightailed it to Central Park Zoo. and there he was like he said I was so angry at him. "Swan, I knew that'd work." He said coming to me smiley, Read the room pirate. "It's good to see you again."

"Why didn't you tell me that was Neal's place?' I asked angrily.

"I think the tone of your voice answers that quite clearly." He answered. "You never would have gone if I had."

"What does Neal have you up to?" I asked "Is he trying to get into Henry's life? How does he even know about him?"

"I already told you I'm not here because of Neal." He stops my questioning. "I'm here because your parents are in trouble. Their entire Kingdom has been cursed, ripped back to Storybrooke…"

"What are you talking about?" I asked stopping this nonsense. "My parents? Their kingdom? A curse? Do you know what you sound like?"

"Like a madman, I'm sure." He agreed with a slight nod. "But it's true. Your parents need you. You're the only one who can save them. If you don't believe me at all, Why did you come here?"

"Because Neal has a camera with my son's name on it." I said pulling it out of my bag. "How?'"

"Don't you see? That is proof of what I'm saying." He stated as if that explained it all. "Henry must have left that in the apartment When you were in New York Last year."

"Not good enough." I said. "I want answers. Real ones."

"There's only one way you'll get those." he said looking down at his crotch. I looked down stepping back. Then he pulled out a little blue bottle and I breathed in relief. "Drink this."

I looked at it then back at him…"I don't think so." I am a pregnant woman. I don't know what is in that. "Drink the thing the crazy guy just offered me? No, Thank you."

"It will help you remember everything you've lost." he holds it out for me. He isn't making me take it . he isn't forcing me to do anything but asking me to trust him. A complete stranger. These is how scams happen. "If one small part of you senses that, don't you owe it to yourself to find out if I am right?" He pauses and puts some warmth int his voice as if we had been something in this mysterious before from last year. "What do you say love? Take a leap of faith, give it a go. No harm will come to you or the babe I promise."

I looked at him as I reached into my bag of tools. I used to carry it when I was in the bounty business. I grabbed my cuffs and placed them on him. "Swan what are you doing?"

"I'm making sure that you don't bother me or my kids again. FInally I whistled for the cops I had on standby. "This is the guy. The one who assaulted me." I walked back.

"That was a kiss." He stated. As if he had gotten concent from me or something.

"There, he confessed." I stated.

"You're under arrest for assault and criminal harassment, sir" The police officer said and continued to read him his miranda rights.

"Swan please, you're making a mistake!" He stated yelling after me. "A terrible, terrible mistake." He yelled as I turned and walked away. "Swan! Your family needs you!"

I stole the potion he had for me. And when I got to Mercy I left Forman to his own devices and went straight to the lab. The test found nothing but herbal oils in the mixture. There was no poison nothing that would harm me… though it could possibly induce labor, but it was such a little bit it probably wouldn't. He was right. I wouldn't get hurt if i drank it. But he still sounded crazy to me.

I spent the entire afternoon pondering the situation in my office. Just like House used to do with his squishy balls, except I have a distinct memory of playing paper footbal at a very boring desk before… Before when?

At four I left to walk home with Henry. I was quiet. Because all the quesions in my head were turning round and round. Then Henry interrupted my thoughts. "You want to talk to me about Remy don't you?"

"Why would you say that?" I asked

"You bought me candy at the drug store."

I Sighed. "I guess you're right, I have been thinking about her. Maybe what happened in my past with your birth father has kept me from living my life now. Maybe it's time to start looking forward. That we… start looking forward?"

"So, does that mean you're gonna marry her?' he asked curiously.

I smiled, "ugh."

"So that's a yes. How are you gonna tell her?"

"Wait, wait… I didn't say…"

"Your can tell her at dinner tonight." He said not letting me finish my protest.

"We're not having dinner." I said. My brow furrowing.

"I might have sent her a text from your phone this morning." he said sheepishly. "She's coming over at 8… and I arranged a sleepover at Avery's so the two of you could be alone."

This kid…

"It's okay, Mom." He said. "If your gut's telling you to marry her, trust it."

I love him so much.

Then I remembered, "Crap, I forgot to pick something up." I said "I gave him the bag I was carrying, and told him to take it up. "I'll meet you up there." I watched him go into the building, then turned to go to th precinct. I bailed the pirate out and waited for him outside. "Hey, we need to talk." I shouted over at him.

"Ah, swan, I wknew you wouldn't let me rot in that cage." He said coming toward me. "I've been in my fair share of brigs but none as barbaric as that one. They force fed me something called bologna."

I rolled my eyes and pulled out the envelope in my bag. It held the photos that I had sent to print a from the film inside the camera with Henry's name on it. I asked him about them. There was a picture of me and henry in some place called Storybrooke. "We never lived in a town called storybrooke. We never took a flight from boston to New York, we never did any of this."

"So you believe me then?" he said looking at me like he'd already explained this. I still didn't get it. My scientific mind could not wrap itself around the improbablility of any of this.

"I don't know you could have photoshopped this pictures."

"What?" He said not know what I was going on about.

"Faked..." I said knwoing that he wasn't responsible for any of it.

"If I faked them, why did you spring me from the brig?" he asked . "Because as much as you deny it, deep down you know something is wrong. And you know I'm right"

"How could I forget all of this?" I asked.

"There is an explanation… at the end of the little bottle you took from me." He said to me. "Not one that makes sense, but an explanation nonetheless.

"If," I said hesitating. "If what you are saying is true I have to give up my life here… I have a great life here."

"It's all based on lies." He said.

I shook my head. "It's real, and it's pretty good. I have Henry, I'm head of diagnostic Medicine, I have a Girl I love."

"Perhaps there is someone you love in the life that you've lost." he said as if he had been that man. I furrowed my brows. "Regardless, if you want to find the truth, drink up." he said and Itook the vial out of my pocket and looked at it. "Do you really mant to live a life of lies? You know this isn't right. Trust your gut Swan. It will tell you what to do."

"Henry always says that." I said.

"Then if you won't listen to me, listen to your boy." I opened the bottle and looked at it. I took a deep breath. It wouldn't be any worse than a stomach ache. I tilted the vial to my lips and I swallowed.

The rush of memory knocked me back. I couldn't believe all of the things I had lost. And everything I had done to my son that I had been blissfully unaware of. Then there was Her… I did love Her… and it wasn't Remy.

"Regina," I whispered.

"Welcome back Swan."

By the time I got home. Henry was long gone to Avery's and Hook and I had a long catch up session. Over some Rum. "I had a life to get back to. A Pirate's Life" He said as I poured him three fingers of rum.

"Glad to see you haven't changed." I stated.

He stared at me as if what he would say next was meant for me. "There wasn't anything for me left in the enchanted forest. Why would I stay?"

I didn't know what to say. It was Just one kiss...

Regina and I shared much more than a kiss during that Trip, He can't possibly be that in love with me. Clinked glasses with him and downed my apple juice wishing it were something stronger.

Finally he continued his story.

"All was well, until I got a message. A message saying that there was a new curse. And everyone had been returned to Storybrooke. The message told me that the only hope was you."

I nodded. When he finished. But what exactly was his angle. What did he want from me? "You came all the way back here to save my family?"

"I came back to save you. " I swallowed.. I am fine right where I am… but I couldn't stop thinking of Mom, Dad, Regina… My family. Henry's Family… Henry's mother… who he doesn't remember.

"Who could have done this?" I asked.

He had a far away look on his face. "Someone powerful enough to reach into this world."

"Anymore specific thoughts?" I thought, because that could be a number of people… including me.

"Alas, you are the Savior. Not me." He answered and drank thee last of his rum.

"You know what I was yesterday?" I asked him. "A mother. A Physician, a Fiance… Then you showed up and started poking holes in everything I thought was real." Looked at my hands. "When I drank that potion it was like waking up from a dream. A beautiful dream."

"Well you have what matters most. Your son." He said, and I thought about that… I Have Regina's son.

"Now I have to figure out how to explain this to him."

"Alas, I could only scavenge together enough for one dose of memory potion."

"Better start figuring out what I'm going to tell him." I stated. My doorbell buzzed and I looked at the time.

Shit.

"Who's that?" Hook asked.

"Remy," I whispered. "Henry invited her."

"I can get rid of her…"

"No." I stopped him. "My memories might not be real, but she is. And so are the six months we spent together." I stood, "I owe her an explanation."

"What are you going to say to her?" Hook asked.

I ooked at him and sighed. "I don't know. But I care about her too much to drag her into all of this. Wait here." I went out to meet Remy and pulled her to our roof terrace. We needed to talk.

She followed me, and I just couldn't look at her. "Sorry, My places is just kind of a mess right now." I said.

"Allison, it's okay to make a grand romantic gesture, without passing it off as a housekeeping malfunction." She said taking my hand. I smiled. I wanted to kiss her, but It was only because I could imagine Rgina saying the same thing.

"Remy…" I said. "I can't marry you."

She nodded in disappointment. "Too soon huh?" she stated.

"It's not that." I stated. "I need to go home and take care of some things."

"Home?" she asked. "You said you were an orphan, you said it was just you and Henry, this was your home."

"That wasn't a lie." I clarified. "There's a part of my life that I'd been blocking out, and I think it would be impossible for you to understand."

"Come on , how do you know that? What changed over night?" She asked exasperated.

"Someone from my bast showed up." I stated.

"Henry's father." Remy said with finality. I quirked a brow. "Another ex?"

"Nothing like that. He's more like a ghost."

"Okay, so that's how I'm supposed to sleep at night?" She asked. Upset. "You're trading me for a ghost?"

"It kills me to have to make this choice at all." I whispered. "To leave us behind, my whole life…"

"Emma, if you love this life, Then Keep it." She said and I stepped back… did she just call me Emma? "Stay. Just stay."

"I-- I can't.." Something was wrong here. "I wish you could see it the way I see it."

She nodded and let my hands go. She let out a disconcerting chuckle that made the hair at the back of my neck stand on end. " I wish you hadn't drank that potion." She said.

"What?" I asked. Following her with my eyes.

"Just," She said and tossed a chair across the terrasse. "Couldn't leave well enough alone."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"It's too bad," She said her laugh even more manic. " I actually kind of liked you."

My brows furrowed. "Who are you?" I asked and I got a text in my pocket. Just as Remy's eyes glowed red and she ran at me as if to push me off the roof. I am super slow right now, and I wished I had my magic. I ducked and she fell over the edge.

I looked to see where she landed, and didn't see her. Then I saw this… Flying monkey thing like in the Wizard of Oz flying at me, and I moved as fast as I could d away from the ledge. I found a pipe laying on the ground and I picked it up. I swung it at her as Hard as I could three times and I was able to over power her with blows to the head. Disoriented the monkey woman fell over the edge and disapeared in a cloud of smoke.

Just then the roof door opened. " Swan!" Hook raced out. "What in blazes was that?' He asked and I turned to face him.

"A reminder, that I was never safe." I answered throwing the pipe back to the floor. "What I wanted, What I thought I could have, was not in the cards for the Savior." I said, with a sigh placing my hand on my growing belly. "I should have left it alone." I looked up into Hooks eyes. "We leave in the morning." then I walked away to get our things together.

The next morning I was lost in thought as I make some scrambled eggs for breakfast. While Remy had turned into a Flying monkey, Dr. Hadley had texted me telling me how sorry she was that I hadn't joined Foreman in the differentials with the Princeton Plainsboro team. She said that she was sorry that she had Ghosted me after our second date, and really wanted to make up for it now.

I had been sleeping with a Monkey!

I shuddered and turned this thought round and round in my mind I was killing the scramble in the bowl in front of me. Henry calls out to me, I was just distracted and I didn't know how to tell him that he has to leave all of his friends behind... Again. I turned to him. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure,"

"Do you believe in magic?" I asked.

"Of course," he said, no hesitation. "And the tooth fairy, and Santa Claus, and the Easter bunny." He added sarcastically. "If it gets me a present , I believe."

I chuckled and turned back to the eggs.

"You're not sure you made the right decision are you?" He asked me after a moment of silence.

"I just didn't feel like pancakes." I stated.

"About Remy." He clarified.

"Oh," I laughed. "I definitely made the right decision about that. It's going to be the three of us for a little while." I rubbed at my belly as the baby within moved. I plated his breakfast and handed it to him.

He began to dig in and then said. "As long as you're happy."

I smiled and turned back.

"Tasty but I gotta run gonna be late to school you kind of over slept." He said getting up from the table.

"Nope." I interrupted , "No school today." I took a deep breath. "How about we go on a trip?' I asked.

He walked back to the Kitchen island with a furrowed brow. "Like a vacation?"

"Like I have a strange new case… and I have been asked to consult." I stated. "And it's in Main and it might take me a while. And I think we should go." I paused trying to gage his reaction. "It would be an adventure."

"No school? " He answered. "A trip with you? Sold."

I smelled. "Good cause I already packed." I stated.

"When do we leave?" He sked.

"Now." I said grabbing the orange Juice from the island.

Then just in time, a knock on the door. "Are you expecting someone?' Henry asked.

I looked at him, hating that I have to even bring him back to that environment. But he wouldn't be safe without Regina and I. "Yeah." I answered.

I opened the door for Killian, and he swaggered. In. "You ready Swan?" He asked.

"Uh…" I said pulling Hook back by the coat so that Henry wouldn't see him before I introduced him. Pushed him behind me and waddled toward my kid. "Henry, this is Killian. He's… I'm , Um…. I'm helping him with his case."

Henry looked him over. And quirked brow. "Are you a patient?" He aked.

"Oh, he's still a little spitfire." Killian said

"Still?" Henry said confused he doesnt' remember Killian.

"He's not a patient… He's… um… a messanger. For the consulting physician."

"Why are youd dressed like that?" He asked.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Killian spat back.

"Alright!" I interrupted. " Alright, Just make yourself useful, Killian and get our bags." Then I walked away and shot a sarcastic. "Henry, Lend him a hand."

"Wait," Henry stammered. "W-n we're greally going?"

I picked up his coat and handed it to him. "Yes."

"Just need one last thing." I muttered to myself and headed to my closet… There she was, my red leather coat. My Savior's cloak. My armor. I picked it up and slid it on. Still fit my arms and shoulders even if it will not close over the belly. The belly is a temporary thing.