Author's Note: There is a scene in this chapter that Naivesilver and Bewilderedmoth may particularly enjoy. And yes, it was written with you guys in mind.
Thanks to my Beta Esther-Channah
Disclaimer: Any dialogue from the show is not mine and is taken from the Forever Dreaming transcript of 3x16: It's Not Easy Being Green
Chapter Three: Reality Is Stranger than Fiction
"I've got to say, it's a bit bizarre, holding someone's heart," Robin said, staring at the glowing red object.
"It was for me too, the first time," Regina said with a chuckle. "Not that this is something you should be getting used to. But hide it somewhere she won't think to look. I … trust you, to look after it."
"I appreciate that, though I admit, I'm curious as to why."
"I don't know. But it's a nice feeling. I haven't had someone I could trust with my heart in a long time."
Robin smiled, placing Regina's heart in the box she'd given him. She turned so he could bury it where she couldn't see.
"I didn't get a chance to say, but I had a good time the other night."
"As did I. Perhaps we could do it again sometime?"
"I'd like that."
Just then, a screech tore through the air.
"It's coming from the town line," Robin said, grabbing his gear and breaking into a run.
"That makes no sense. Everyone was warned to stay away. They know what could happen."
The two of them rushed towards the town line. There was a car there that Regina didn't recognize, but her heart caught in her throat as she recognized one of the passengers. "Henry!"
A monkey had torn the car door off its hinges. Two more were trying to pull the passengers out of the car. The driver seemed to be attempting to get the car moving, but their path was blocked and one of the wheels was punctured.
Robin shot an arrow at one of the monkeys, and it peeled off. Another monkey was lifting Henry into the air. Regina quickly transformed that one into a stuffed toy. She levitated Henry down safely.
Shortly afterward, Emma came driving up in her bug. She ran out of the car, slamming the door behind her, a look of terror on her face.
"Mom!" Henry ran to Emma and she pulled him close, holding him tightly.
Regina turned the second monkey into a toy. The third flew off.
She turned furiously on Emma, "What was Henry doing heading for the town line? What were any of them doing here?"
"You wanted them to leave town."
"Not with Henry, I didn't! Were you even going to tell me?"
"I – "
"You had no right to send him away without consulting me. Putting that aside, you endangered him! Along with your boyfriend. You know the town line is dangerous."
"They were safe coming in."
"Well, it appears she didn't want anyone leaving. At the very least, I should have been standing by in case it came to this."
"That was awesome!" Henry's friend said, running over. "Did you see that?"
"Awesome? I was lifted into the air and nearly flown off with!" Henry said.
"Yeah, but did you see it turn into a toy? That was so cool!"
The visibly shaken man and his daughter made their way over.
Once he reached them, he turned to Emma. "What just happened? What the hell was that … that thing?"
Emma took a deep breath. "A flying monkey."
He gaped at her. Emma, for her part, looked smaller than Regina had ever seen her. Her heart went out to the Savior. Explaining their world to her boyfriend was going to be a chore, and it might cost Emma her happiness.
"I'd like to take Henry back if that's all right with you?" she asked Emma, trying to be gentle. "I think you and your boyfriend need to have a conversation."
Emma nodded. "Um, The rental car is kind of totaled. We shouldn't be out in the open like this. I brought the bug. Regina, how did you get here?"
"I walked, but we don't have time for that. And there's no point in pretending now."
"Okay. Kid? Regina's going to take you back to the loft. It'll be … weird, but I promise, you're safe with her. And when I get back, we'll have a real talk about … about everything. But first I gotta drive the Davidsons back to Granny's and then Aaron and I," she turned to look over at him, "we have to talk about some stuff. Okay?"
"Yeah. Okay," Henry said.
Regina nodded at Emma in a way she hoped was reassuring and then teleported Henry and herself back to the loft.
Ruby and Belle were in the back room of Gold's shop, going through magic tomes, and looking for information on poppies and sleeping curses when they heard the bell jangle.
"Belle?" a man's voice called uncertainly.
"Coming!" Belle called back.
She stood, wiped off her skirt, and made her way to the counter. "Neal? What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you. I was worried you might be here."
"Worried? Why?"
"Zelena challenged Regina to some epic magic-off on Main Street at sundown, which is only a few hours away at this point. And this shop is way too close."
Belle's heart warmed a little. She and Neal might not know each other very well, but he cared enough to not want her to get hurt.
"I guess we could go back to Rumple's," Belle said, as Ruby emerged from the back. "It's more out of the way, and his magic stock is there."
Neal nodded. "A lot of people are gathering at the convent, though honestly, that's the last place I want to be right now."
"I imagine she'll bring Rumple with her to this battle. You don't suppose I should…?"
"Give her an excuse to use him to hurt you?" Ruby asked. "No. You shouldn't. You need to be as far from there as possible. We all do."
"I just wish … "
"Hey, we have a plan, okay? We're going to help Gold. We're going to help everybody. We just need to figure this out, right?"
"Poppies, right? That was the plan?" Neal asked.
Belle shook her head. "Maybe not. They're quite rare. I don't know where we'd find them. Besides, we'd have to catch Zelena unawares and get her to inhale them. Tricking her into eating something with a sleeping curse in it is probably smarter."
"A sleeping curse? Isn't that a little … dark?"
Belle nodded. "It is. But it's also our best shot at defeating her. Now I just need to figure out how to make one and how to get her to eat it."
Neal eyed Belle skeptically. "Shouldn't you have a magic-user help you with that?"
"Who am I going to ask? The woman who held me prisoner for over 28 years? Maleficent is dead, Rumple's enslaved, Zelena is the person we're trying to curse, and, last I checked, Emma could barely light a candle."
"What about Tink?"
"Tink?"
"Tinkerbell. She's a fairy. We knew each other in Neverland, and if memory serves, poppies were her weapon of choice. And she might not know about curses, but she'll know about magic. I know it's not a lot to go on, but it's better than flying blind, right?"
Ruby smiled. "I guess we're going to the convent after all."
"Regina! Henry?" Snow exclaimed when the two of them appeared in the middle of the loft.
"Are you okay?" Regina asked her son, ignoring the shocked and concerned looks on the Charmings' faces. Henry nodded, not saying anything. "Why don't we get you some cocoa?" Henry still didn't say anything.
The three of them went to the kitchen. "We've been looking all over for you!" Snow whispered. "Zelena's deadline is approaching, and we were worried— "
"There's no need to whisper. Henry already nearly got carted off by a flying monkey, and I just teleported us here, so I'd say the cat is well and truly out of the bag."
"Is he okay?"
Regina nodded. "As for Zelena, I have a plan."
"That's something at least," David said.
Mary Margaret approached Henry. "Would you like to talk, Henry? About what you've been through today?"
"I would. But to my mom. No offense, but I don't really know any of you."
Mary Margaret nodded, turning to Regina, "Well, I guess we'll stay with him while you head into town— "
"We've got a few hours, yet. I'm going to put up some protection spells while we wait."
Emma wasn't sure what to say. It helped that Aaron seemed to be so in shock that he didn't talk during the whole car ride back to Granny's. Andrea and Jason kept whispering in the back seat, and if the glances they kept stealing at Emma were any indication, they were probably whispering about her. She tried not to let it bother her.
When they got back to Granny's, the four of them headed up to the Davidsons' room. A part of her wanted to talk to Aaron alone, but another part of her was terrified of having that conversation. Maybe it would be easier having it with all three of them? At least then, she'd only have to do it once.
Well, twice. Henry was going to be hard too, maybe harder than Aaron. How could she tell him she hadn't really raised him? How could she tell him she'd chosen to give him up?
She couldn't think about that now. She needed to talk to Aaron—and his kids, who seemed much more willing to look her in the eye than he did at the moment.
She was saved the trouble of figuring out how to start the conversation when Jason blurted out, "Are you a superhero?"
Andrea elbowed him in the stomach.
Emma wanted to laugh, but was the truth any more ridiculous than being a superhero? "I mean, I don't have a secret identity or wear spandex, so no. I'm not. Not … not exactly."
"Then what are you?" Jason asked. Then he yelped when Andrea elbowed him again. "Ow, quit doing that, it's just a question!"
She turned to her boyfriend, who was leaning against the wall, his face more unreadable than she'd ever seen it. "Do you … do you want to ask anything?"
Aaron sighed, "You said those … those things were flying monkeys, right? So I guess I wanna ask, how are there flying monkeys? And why did they attack my family?"
Emma took a deep breath. "Yeah, I figured that'd be your first question. So, the monkeys actually used to be people. They were turned into flying monkeys by the wicked witch – "
"Like in the Wizard of Oz?" Jason asked.
She shot him a smile. "Exactly like, yeah."
"But that's a book series. And a movie. And a musical which I've been trying to get dad to take us to see, but the point is, it's fiction." Andrea said.
"I used to think the same thing too. I used to think all those stories, Snow White, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz … all of them were just stories. But they're not. They're real. They're all real."
"Cool!" Jason said.
Aaron was shaking his head. "How … What do you mean, real? How can they be real?"
"I mean, they really happened. Not like how they did in the Disney movies. Some of the facts are kind of off. But … well, there was a storybook that would be… real useful, right about now. I don't know what happened to it. It has the real stories."
"I know the real stories," Andrea said, "Someone gave Snow White the Heimlich accidentally and Sleeping Beauty was raped."
Emma's eyes went wide, as did Aaron's. "What?"
Andrea shrugged. "In the original oral tales, which go back way before Disney, or the German or French versions. I've also read J.M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy, which is rather different from Disney's version. The Oz books are the earliest version of that story, but they're also pretty different from the movie. And then of course there's Wicked – "
"You're such a know-it-all," Jason said.
Andrea stuck her tongue out at him.
They were so … normal. A real family. And here she was, selfishly torpedoing things.
"I haven't read … I don't know all those versions, but I'm pretty sure Aurora wasn't raped. And I can ask my mother about this Heimlich thing," Emma said, waving vaguely. "We're getting off-topic. I … the point I was trying to make was that fairy tales are… sort of… real? Or true. They happened."
Aaron cleared his throat. "Emma, have you spoken with Dr. Frank since you got here?"
Her heart stuttered at that. She got it but having him not trust her hurt, "No, because before I left New York, Dr. Frank turned into a freaking flying monkey and tried to kill me. Don't look at me like that. You know I was attacked, and you saw those things that attacked your car at the town line. Those were the same as what he turned into to stop me from coming back here. And now, apparently, the wicked witch doesn't want anybody to leave."
"Why? What did we do to her?"
"You, nothing. Regina … well, I'm not really sure, but we're looking into it."
"So, the mayor of this town pissed off a wicked witch and now we're stuck here?"
"That's the Cliff Notes version."
Aaron began pacing the room.
Andrea sat up straighter. "Well, where's Dorothy? Or Glinda? Or Ozma, even? Shouldn't one of them be helping out right now? Oh, are you Glinda?"
"I'm not Glinda. And I have no clue who Ozma is."
"Read the original – "
"So, who are you?" Jason asked.
"I'm … I'm Emma."
Aaron stopped pacing, "I'm not saying I buy all of this. But if you're just … just Emma, then why are you here? Why did you need to come to this town with wicked witches and flying monkeys?"
"So, you know how Snow White and Prince Charming defeat the Evil Queen and live happily ever after?"
Andrea nodded. "In the original, the queen dances herself to death with white-hot iron shoes, but in the Disney movie, she falls off a cliff."
"Right. Well, they didn't actually kill her. She's still alive. I mean, she's not so evil anymore, but back when she was, she cast a curse to send all the fairy tale characters to our world, to take away their happy endings and make them miserable. She created this town and they all forgot who they were. They lived here like that until … until I saved them."
"Saved them? How?"
"With true love's kiss. I know it sounds ridiculous, but —"
"So, then you are a fairy tale character! Which one are you?"
"No, I'm not. I … I grew up here. In this world. I didn't even know about magic until a couple of years ago. I was just a normal person living a normal life."
"It can't be that simple," Andrea said.
"It's not. I grew up here, but I wasn't born here. When the curse was cast, my mother had just given birth to me, and she sent me through a magical wardrobe to escape the curse, and to someday come back and break it."
"So, kind of like Superman?" Jason asked.
"More like baby Moses, I'd say," Andrea said. "But honestly, the trope has been recycled so many times, I'm sure you could find tons of examples if you looked for them."
Aaron stopped pacing, finally making eye contact with Emma. "So, your parents. Who are they?"
"Snow White and Prince Charming," Emma said, wincing.
"Seriously?"
"I know how it sounds. Believe me. I didn't buy it either in the beginning. But … Please, say something."
"I don't know what to say. You're telling me you're a princess from a fairy tale world. I don't know what to do with that."
"Technically, yes, I'm a princess from a fairy tale world, but I'm also a woman who grew up in this world." She approached him like one might a deer they didn't want to spook. When she grabbed his hands, he kept them clenched, but he didn't pull away. It was something. "This is my world. Your world. New York. That's my life."
For a minute, he was silent. "But this is too?" he finally asked, his voice going up slightly at the end of the question.
Emma dropped her head. She wanted to give him a different answer. She wanted to tell him they could take the kids and leave this all behind. "Yes, this is too. My parents … They need me. There's a wicked witch and someone needs to stop her. I don't know if that someone is me, but I have to try."
They stood like that for a bit, neither of them speaking. Finally, Andrea cut in, "So, the Mayor, she's Snow White?"
"Actually, she's the Evil Queen. I mean, the formerly Evil Queen. She's getting better."
"You left Henry with a formerly Evil Queen?"
"She wouldn't hurt him. She loves him. She's his mother too."
"She's what? How?"
Emma glanced at Andrea and Jason, then back at Aaron. "Can you guys give us a minute?"
Andrea nodded, dragging Jason along with her to the bathroom.
"You know they're probably just going to listen at the door, right?" Aaron asked.
"It's not safe for them to go far," Emma said firmly. "This is all the privacy we're going to get. It'll have to do."
Aaron nodded. "I gotta say, given all the bombshells you just dropped, I shudder to think what you didn't want to say in front of the kids." He gave her a weak smile, and she felt her heart light up for a second.
Emma sighed, "You remember how I was having trouble remembering things when we met?"
"And I encouraged you to see a doctor? Yeah, I remember. Did he … did he really try to kill you?" He looked slightly like a wounded puppy at that moment and it hurt Emma's heart.
"You couldn't have known. It wasn't your fault." Aaron didn't say anything, and Emma kept talking. "Well, the reason I couldn't remember… the reason my life didn't add up, was because of magic. Magic changed my memories. My life was … different than what I thought it was."
"So, the person I got to know, fell in love with, that amazing badass single mother wasn't you?"
"No, it was. I … Everything I told you about my life up until Henry was born is one hundred percent true. Foster care. Neal. Jail. That all happened. But then …" there was something in Emma's throat she had to swallow back. When had she gotten so emotional? She had to keep it together, even if she just wanted to bawl like a baby right now. Despite her resolve, she felt her eyes start to water. "I love Henry so much, but back then I was just a scared kid with no money, a broken heart, and a few months left in lock-up. I didn't think I could be a mother. I didn't think I could give him a good life. So I gave him up."
She'd abandoned Henry and let Regina raise him. What right did she have to …? How could Aaron possibly still love a woman who would abandon her child? How could he forgive her, when she couldn't even …?
She felt Aaron's hand start to unclench. He pulled her towards him and her head found its familiar place beneath his chin. His arms wrapped around her and he made soothing circles on her back with his hands.
"It's okay."
"It's not. I'm horrible. I'm not a badass single mother. When Henry was born, I couldn't even look at him." The tears were flowing freely now. She couldn't stop them.
"You love him. I know you do. You look at him like I look at Andrea and Jason."
"You raised them. And I missed it. I missed all of it. I didn't even meet him until he was ten years old!"
"It's not about what you missed. It's about being here, now. And you are here for him. You are a badass single mother." He dropped a kiss to her hairline, and she wants to just collapse into him.
They stayed like that for a while. "I can't believe you're comforting me after everything." Slowly, she stepped out of his grasp. "I'm so sorry for pulling you into this."
"I can't say I'm … thrilled about it. Honestly, I'm freaking out. A lot. And I'm terrified. And a couple of seconds ago, I was pissed as hell at you."
"Wait, you were pissed at me?"
"I'm not proud of it, but … You're telling me that magic is real, and I just dragged my kids into a magical warzone."
"I know. I'm sorry. I never wanted you to be a part of this. It's why I tried to break things off in New York. This crazy, magical mess … I wish we could just cut and run, but we can't. I can't."
"But I can."
Emma nodded. "Well, I mean, not just yet. You saw what happened when you tried to cross the town line. But after we defeat Zelena, the wicked witch? After it's safe? Yeah. You can go. You can go back to your life." You can leave me behind.
Aaron reached out his hand, grabbing Emma's. "You are a part of my life. You and Henry. I can't just leave you behind."
"I don't want you to. But … I can't escape this part of me. I wish I could. And you deserve so much better than to be dragged into all of this magic shit."
"I appreciate that. I'm … having some trouble wrapping my head around this. I could look up a therapist back in New York, except, they'd probably lock me up. And I'm not convinced they'd be wrong to do so."
"We … we have a therapist. Here in Storybrooke."
"Right. A fairy tale therapist. Who is it? Dr. Scratchansniff?"
"Jiminy Cricket. Although here, he goes by Dr. Hopper."
"Of course he does. And the mayor is the Evil Queen. And the guy with a hook for a hand, I'm guessing he's Captain Hook?"
"Yeah."
"Am I going to meet Tinkerbell and Peter Pan, too?"
"Tinkerbell is here. Peter Pan is dead, thankfully. And yes, I do get how crazy this all is. It was crazy to me too. It still is. It's batshit crazy, and I'm still playing catch-up to this world that I didn't grow up with and don't understand. I didn't learn about any of this until I turned 28 and Henry showed up at my door," she smiled at the now bittersweet memory. "This precocious runaway who said he was my son and I needed to come with him to Storybrooke where he lived because there was a curse I needed to break and his mom was the Evil Queen. I thought he was crazy! But I also cared enough to want to make sure he was okay. So I came. And I stayed. And I saw that crazy didn't even begin to cover it. And I didn't want to believe for a long time, but I saw it with my own eyes, and I had to. Because it's real. All of it. I know how hard it is to wrap your head around, but I can help you. Because I've been there.
"There was a curse. There's magic in this town. Snow White and Prince Charming are my parents, and I'm the Savior. I have a family here, and I saved them once, and now they need me to do it again.
"Henry and I were made to forget. We were given false memories where I kept him. But then, Killian came to New York and helped me remember. And I knew I couldn't turn my back on my family.
So … So now you know everything, more or less. Who I am. Why we're here. And I am so sorry I dragged you into this. The last thing I ever wanted was for you to get hurt. I wish I could just go back to New York, but I can't. Not until the wicked witch is defeated. Not until everyone is safe."
"It's a lot."
"I know. I know it's a lot."
"Who did you share true love's kiss with?"
"What? Oh, Henry."
Aaron smiled. "That's good to know. So, there isn't some prince out there waiting for you to ride off into the sunset with him?"
Emma shook her head, laughing. "I'm not really interested in being a princess or marrying a prince. It's all still pretty insane to me, too."
"And Henry's father? How does he fit into this?"
"He's, um, kind of Rumpelstiltskin's son."
"Of course he is. And are you and him … ?"
"He wants to be I think. So does Killian, if I'm being completely honest. And I … care about both of them. We all have history, I guess. But I'm in love with someone else. The question is, now that he knows the truth … is he still in love with me?"
"He's … having a hard time wrapping his head around all this. And he's terrified, for himself, his kids. He's confused, scared, maybe a little angry. But he also knows that you're a good mom. He knows you never meant to lie to him. He wants to get to know this version of you and … I don't know. I don't know if this can work, but I'm not ready to walk away from you and Henry. And seeing as we can't leave town anyway … Can you give me time?"
"Absolutely. And we'll do everything we can to keep you safe. Regina is facing off with Zelena at sundown, so a bunch of people are gathering at the convent because the nuns are really fairies and they can put up protective shields or force fields, or something."
Aaron nodded. "Okay. So, I guess we should head over there?"
"Yeah. I mean, Granny's is out of the way of Main Street, but the fight could escalate. You'll be better off protected. I want you protected and safe."
"Okay. In that case, I'll go get the kids, who may or may not be listening at the door."
Emma wasn't in her room. Baelfire wasn't in his room. The first wasn't surprising, if slightly disappointing. Emma would need to be where the action was when Regina faced off with Zelena. Really, it seemed to Killian that Emma was the one Zelena should be fighting. She was the bloody savior after all. Regina was nothing in comparison.
Well, perhaps that was unfair. Regina was certainly powerful, just in a different way. She had lost more times than Emma, but then, she'd always been on the losing side. She'd been a villain like him, and villains didn't get happy endings.
Was she still a villain? Killian didn't know. Despite having known her longer than most of Storybrooke's residents, he and Regina hadn't spent a lot of time bonding and paying attention to each other's lives. Was he still a villain? Now there was a question indeed.
Once, he'd seen himself as the hero. He'd defied a corrupt king. He'd rescued Milah from a loveless marriage with a coward. He'd gone to the ends of the earth to avenge her death. He'd handed Bae over to Pan. Bae had called him a villain for breaking up his family. He'd killed, pillaged, and plundered innocent people. He'd killed his own father—who was far from innocent—but he'd orphaned a boy who had been.
Perhaps it was time for a drink. Killian took his flask out and downed quite a large amount in one go. His mind wandered to Emma and her new boyfriend. Was he more the sort of man deserving of the affections of a hero like Emma than Killian himself? He didn't know the fellow enough to say one way or the other, yet, Emma seemed to think so, despite the challenges the two were bound to face. Perhaps Emma, much like her parents, would get a happy ending.
Where would that leave him? It had taken him literal centuries to even consider moving on from the greatest love he'd ever known. He'd been a shell of himself this past year, wandering around with no purpose. He'd lost Milah. He might have lost his chance with Emma. What was he left with? Was this simply another time he would lose because fate had decided that villains didn't get happy endings?
And where was Baelfire? Where was anybody? Granny's appeared more or less deserted. Perhaps they had sought higher ground, given the threat of the fight at sundown. But where would they go?
If Killian had still had the Jolly Roger, he would have taken to sea. No place was safer. It wasn't as though he was needed for the battle; it was a magic fight and he had no magic. No magic, no one to look after, and a lot of rum. Well, that sounded like the beginning of an adventure. Perhaps instead of feeling sorry for himself, he should go out discover where it led.
"Tink!" Neal called out, once he spotted the fairy.
"Bae!" She had a smile for him. She usually did. And the smile was followed by a hug. "I haven't seen you since we reappeared here. Did you really trade your life for your father's?"
"Apparently. Though I don't remember it, and it sounds like it wasn't my smartest moment. It all worked out though. Um, anyway, this is Belle," he said, gesturing.
"Nice to meet you,"
"And, uh, I think you know Ruby, right?"
"Sure, from Granny's?"
Ruby nodded. "Extra runny eggs, and a lot of sugar in your coffee."
"What can I say? We never had anything that bitter in Neverland. I don't see how any of you can stand it!"
"If you have a minute, we'd like to talk to you."
Tink nodded. "I'm supposed to corral the crowd and work on the protection spell, but if we survive the night, sure. Anything for an old friend."
Neal smiled at her. She gave him another quick hug, then headed away.
"Are you sure she's just a friend?" Ruby asked innocently.
Neal nodded his head. "Pretty sure, yeah. I was, like, fourteen when we met, and I can't get her to call me by my grown-up name."
Ruby gave his shoulder an encouraging squeeze. "Well, having two names is pretty normal for Storybrooke. You're fitting in great."
Out of the corner of his eye, Neal saw Emma entering with her boyfriend and his two children. He sighed. Now I know how she felt when I was with Tamara.
"I have to be out there. Regina might need backup," Emma said. She glanced around the room full of scared people, hoping to find someone she trusted to leave Aaron with.
Ruby was there, but so was Neal, and as much as she wanted to trust him, she remembered the pissing contest he and Hook had gotten into in Neverland. Plus, did she really want Aaron asking him questions right now?
There were others she trusted, but none were in this room. Her parents were watching Henry back at the loft, and Regina should be on her way. She didn't see Hook, but even if he were here, he posed the same problem Neal had.
There were familiar faces, of course. Everyone from Ashley, to Marco, to— "Archie! Hey, can you come here a sec?"
Dr. Hopper came over. "Emma, hi. I'm trying to keep people calm. And they all know I'll be there if they need me. Beyond that, I don't know what else I can do."
"You're doing the exact right thing. The thing is, most of the people here, as scared as they are, are used to crap like this. These three," she motioned behind her, "aren't. They're just normal people from New York who are mixed up in this because of me, and they learned about magic less than 24 hours ago. Maybe you can … help them a little?"
Archie nodded. "Sure. I'll be happy to."
"Great. Thanks." She led him back to Aaron, "I found you a local to keep your company and show you the ropes."
"Okay. Well, be careful out there. I guess? I don't really know how these things go."
"If it were theater, I'd tell you to break a leg," Andrea cut in.
"Thanks, Andrea. I'll do my best."
She wanted to kiss Aaron goodbye so badly. But things were different now. He was thinking things over, processing all that he'd learned. She didn't know what he was comfortable with.
"I'll see you," she said awkwardly, before heading out of the convent and into the crowd.
After Regina had disappeared with the boy, Robin had headed back to the woods. The Merry Men were watching Roland, but he didn't like to be far from his son for too long.
As he made his way through the trees, he heard a noise coming from a cluster of trees.
It could be Regina, but he doubted he stumble on her in this spot again. Still, it was too close to her heart for his comfort.
He drew his bow and took aim. "Who goes there?" he asked.
The man stumbled forward with his hands up. He looked familiar. Robin was sure he'd seen him around town. Still, he didn't lower his bow.
"That's not necessary, mate," the man said.
"I'll be the judge of that. Who are you? What are you doing this far out in the woods?"
"Looking to avoid that blasted witch and, if I'm being honest, maybe find some fun of my own."
"Then why not go to the convent? That's where all the townsfolk went for safety."
"Is it? Well, that explains why I couldn't find anyone at Granny's."
The man seemed somewhat inebriated, but not dangerous. Robin lowered his bow. "Well, we're closing in on sundown. I wouldn't recommend going back now. I can, however, lead you to my camp, where you might just find this combination of safety and mischief you're apparently looking for." He held out his hand to the stranger. "Name's Robin."
"Killian Jones," Killian said, shaking Robin's hand with a hook in place of his own. He smiled when he noticed Robin looking at the hook. "You've heard of me, then. I can see it in your eyes."
Robin nodded. "Rumors, mostly. Mulan wasn't all that fond of you, for the brief period she was with us."
"Can't say I'm surprised by that. But I assure you, I'm a changed man. I bear you no ill will. I want nothing more than a fresh start. Is there perhaps someone in this town you do trust? Perchance they might vouch for me."
Robin smiled. "Regina."
Killian's eyes widened. "Well, that's a surprise, but she can tell you I'm harmless when I want to be."
"No need to focus on that now. Let's get back to camp."
"Interesting. You still don't trust me, but you're leading me away from here. That tells me that you don't want me in this clearing," Killian smirked. "There's buried treasure here, of one sort or another."
Robin raised his bow again. "I was being friendly. I bear you no ill will either. But if you decide to go sniffing about where you aren't wanted, we will have a problem."
"You think I'm scared of an arrow?"
"Perhaps not. While I've heard of you, you clearly haven't heard of me. Let me catch you up." His eyes met Killian's. "I never miss."
"I'm going to try and find Granny, make sure she's okay. You two sit tight," Ruby said, leaving Neal and Belle to wait for Tink.
"Thank you for being willing to help," Belle said.
"Of course. If anyone understands how dangerous Papa can be, it's me."
"He doesn't want to be dangerous!"
"I know. I didn't mean … I'm sorry."
Belle shook her head. "None of this is your fault."
"It is, though. I brought him back. If I hadn't, none of this would have happened."
"But you would have been separated from Emma and Henry. If you're anything like your father, you couldn't have let that be."
Neal shook his head. "Yeah, well. I guess I'm more like him than I realized."
"That doesn't have to be a bad thing. There's a good man underneath all the darkness."
"I remember," Neal said, looking down.
"He … doesn't talk about his past much. I think he's afraid to open up. Afraid to trust me. If you have any stories, I'd love to hear them."
"I don't know if I should. It seems to me that that's between you and him, what he wants to tell you."
Belle nodded. "Well, what about you? I barely know you. I … Rumple wanted to find you so badly, and I believe he wanted us to know each other. Someday, if he ever … we could be family. Although I'll admit, when he spoke of you, I was picturing someone rather younger."
"And if I were going to picture a step-mom, I would picture someone kind of older," Neal winced. "No offense. I just mean … you're kind of around my age, aren't you?"
"Actually, I believe you're a couple of centuries older than me. But I understand what you mean. I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable."
"It's not your fault."
"I'm also sorry about … when we met, before. When I was Lacey. The curse made me different. I'm not proud of how I acted then."
"I was more upset about his behavior than yours, honestly."
"Yes, well, I don't condone his beating people up. But I do love him, and I know he struggles with the darkness. He wants to be better, for me, for you, for the man you knew all those years ago. He really was trying. I can only imagine what that awful witch is making him do."
"As someone who lived under Pan's rule, saw torture happen more than he'd like, was sometimes the victim of it … Yeah, it's best not to imagine."
"How long do you think until we can talk to your friend?"
Neal shrugged. "She's kind of busy, but hopefully soon. It's getting a little claustrophobic in here."
Suddenly, Emma burst into the room. All eyes were turned instantly to her. "It's over," she said. "Regina won."
It was strange, hearing everyone cheering that The Evil Queen had won. Belle supposed she better get used to it.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ruby hugging Dr. Whale, something she would surely ask her friend about later. Right now, she had a more important question for Emma.
"Is Rumple … ?" She didn't know what she was asking, really. she just wanted to know something.
"He was there. Zelena's keeping him on a tight leash. He … he left when she did. I'm sorry, Belle. That's all I know."
Belle sighed, her shoulders falling. Well, it was no worse than she'd expected. That was something, at least.
Tinkerbell came up to them then, smiling. "So, you wanted to talk?"
Emma scanned the room for Aaron. There were a lot of people at the convent, but eventually, she spotted him. He was sitting on a chair with Jason on his right and Andrea on his left.
Across from him sat Archie and Pinocchio. She approached the group.
…So just when it seems like he's going to collapse and die, he starts glowing, and beams of light shoot out of his hands and all of his body. And boom, it's a totally different guy. He has a totally different face. He doesn't look remotely the same. But he goes on talking to Rose like he's the same person about the same exact stuff because he is the same guy, but he regenerated and now he has a new face."
"I got a new face once. I used to be made of wood. Now I'm made of flesh and blood."
"Did it hurt?"
Pinocchio shook his head. "I don't remember. I just woke up, and I was a real boy."
"What are you guys talking about?" Emma asked, taking a seat.
"We thought we could read to pass the time, but Dr. Hopper said that the only books the convent has are hit-you-over-the-head morality tales about Jesus—"
"That's not exactly what I said," Archie said, readjusting his glasses.
Jason just rolled his eyes. "Anyway, we were sharing stories and this kid here has never seen Doctor Who, so I was filling him in."
"My name is Pinocchio."
Jason shook his head. "Yeah, but that's, like, weird to say, you know?"
"I said I wanted to hear some of his story, see if it's more Disney or Collodi, but Jason wouldn't shut up about sci-fi stuff."
"Glad you were all having fun." She looked at Aaron. "And what were you doing?"
He smiled. "Enjoying the show, for now. Jason's pretty good at telling stories. It was … familiar."
Emma's smile faltered. Familiar. A reminder of a life where stories were just stories. "Right. Well, speaking of good storytellers, I need to check in on Henry."
"Can we come?" Jason asked.
Emma shook her head. "I need to have a talk with him, like I did with you guys. And it's going to be … It needs to be just me and him."
Aaron shot her a sympathetic look. She gave him a shaky smile.
"Well, then I guess we better head back to the inn."
"I still want to meet a bunch of fairy tale characters," Andrea said. "We've barely met anyone, and seriously, who gets a chance to meet someone from a story, and, instead of asking them about their experiences, bores them with Doctor Who?"
"He wasn't bored! You just don't know a good story when you hear it!"
"I could tell you some stuff," Pinocchio said a little shyly. "I like telling stories."
Andrea smiled. "Why don't you walk back with us?"
Regina was feeling slightly high on her victory. She had beaten Zelena, more or less. Rumple might think her sister was more powerful, but she clearly wasn't more clever. She hadn't been raised by the nightmare of a woman who had raised Regina.
While still curious about Zelena's plan, Regina thought the best course of action was to go check on Robin. He represented the beautiful possibility of a fresh start. It was something she hadn't had in a long time, and she rather enjoyed kissing him. It eased the ache in her chest from not being able to go check on Henry.
As she neared the clearing, she heard a familiar voice. It wasn't Robin, though.
"…will get out of this. I've been in worse spots."
"Oh, I'm sure you have. Alas, I don't care."
The two men came into view, Robin standing proudly, and the pirate tied to a tree, with an arrow in his leg.
"What on earth is going on here?"
Robin turned, his whole face lighting up at the sight of her. That felt nice, "Did it work?"
"It … Assuming what I left in your care is still in your care, yes. It did. She didn't see it coming at any rate. Just like I didn't see this coming. Why is he tied to a tree?"
"Is he a friend of yours? He was a bit unclear on the subject and … I was concerned. He was sniffing around your heart."
Killian laughed. "Is that what this is about? She's all yours mate, and my deepest sympathies."
Regina rolled her eyes. "He's being literal," she told Killian, then softening, she turned back to Robin. "He's an annoyance, but he isn't a threat. The one time I enlisted him to steal a heart, he was unsuccessful. I imagine he would be just as incompetent were he to try again."
"I switched sides because you weren't being truthful with me. I am more than capable of thievery when I want to be."
"You aren't helping your case," she shot back at him. Then she turned back to Robin again and said more softly, "He's on our side, for now, at least. You can untie him."
Robin nodded and went to do just that.
"Next time, in a fair fight, a duel, I'll destroy you," Killian said as Robin untied him.
"Regina says we're allies. Perhaps there won't be a next time, hm?" Once Killian was free, both men stepped back to examine each other. Then Robin offered his hand. "Robin Hood," he said.
Killian scoffed, but then Regina cleared her throat. "If you are really on our side, maybe you can try being friends with our allies."
Reluctantly, Killian took the other man's hand and shook it. "You may call me Killian. Or Hook. I answer to both."
"Well, Killian, Regina and I have some business to attend to. Can you find your way back safely?"
"Way back where?" Killian asked with a sigh. Regina gathered it was a rhetorical question. He began to head away from the clearing.
"I'll be back in a minute," Regina said to Robin, following after Killian.
It didn't take long to catch up with him. He hadn't been in Storybrooke long enough to know the area, and Regina suspected he was less than sober.
When he saw her, he scoffed. "No need for apologies, your majesty."
"And why exactly would I apologize?" Regina asked, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms, "Because you behaved like a child and got yourself tied up?" Killian turned to leave. "Wait," Regina called out to him. "I need to talk to you."
"Whatever for?"
"Robin raised a good point. I chose to vouch for you with him, and I just want to make sure my faith hasn't been misplaced."
"Unbelievable."
"You helped us out in Neverland because you had designs on Emma. She's apparently chosen some simpleton as her lover, and I wonder about your motivation to stay on the side of good."
"And what of your motivation?"
"It's me Zelena is going after! And in case you've forgotten, you've chosen a member of my family over me before."
"Yes, I believe we've just discussed this. But I was a different man then."
"Were you? I know you, Hook. You only do things when there is something in it for you. So what is it this time? Why should I trust you won't betray me? After all, without Emma to fight for, you might go back to wanting to get revenge on the Dark One, who is now a slave to the very person I'm trying to defeat."
"The Dark One gave his life to save Baelfire, who in turn nearly died to save him. Trying to kill him now … seems a bit redundant, doesn't it?"
"Why do I get the feeling that wasn't what you were going to say?"
"It hardly matters. Worry not, your majesty. I know better than to make enemies of those on the winning side. And I'm not convinced that Emma is a lost cause."
"So you're playing the long game? Is that it?"
"Perhaps."
"And if she does choose this Manhattan man of hers, will you betray us?"
"Did it ever occur to you that I have more people I care about than Emma?"
"I've only ever known you to care about yourself," Regina scoffed.
"Then you don't know me as well as I thought. Meanwhile, suppose the lad never remembers you? Or suppose, even with his memories intact, he chooses to follow Emma and her new family back to that dreaded city?" Regina looked like she'd been slapped. "You've considered it then? You've considered that they might all abandon you?"
"Watch what you say to me, pirate," Regina spat.
"All I'm saying is, faced with rejection, what's to stop you from going back to your old ways?"
"I'm different now."
"Yes, I saw. The doe-eyed innocent act you put on for the archer. That's not who you are."
"I don't pretend to be doe-eyed and innocent. I've done things. I know that. But I've changed."
"Well, perhaps I have, too. A bit of trust goes a long way, your majesty."
"It would be easier if I hadn't been betrayed by you multiple times in the past."
"Aye. But where's the fun in easy? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm headed back to town. Your new boyfriend poured my flask out, and I'm in need of some rum."
Regina let him walk off, feeling she had all the answers she was going to get from him, and headed back toward Robin.
"Is everything all right?"
"Just tell me it's still here?" She didn't want to talk about Killian, her concerns, or the rather close-to-home things he had said to her.
Robin produced the box with her heart in it. "Here you are, milady."
"It's your majesty," Regina said, grinning.
"Well, I've never been fond of royalty, but you may be an exception."
Henry had been stuck with David and Mary Margaret for the past few hours. It felt like a lot longer. He kept thinking about what had happened earlier. A monster had picked him up and tried to fly away with him.
His mother had said it was a flying monkey. He didn't know what to do with that. A flying monkey? It made no sense.
He knew the reference, of course. He'd seen The Wizard of Oz as a kid. His mom had hated it because of how many times he made her watch it with him. Plus, she said Glinda bugged her. And he knew Andrea had been dropping hints about Wicked to her dad for a while. He got the appeal of a villain origin story.
But this wasn't a story. This was his life. This was reality. Where had he heard that before?
Finally, his mom burst through the front door. Apparently, David and Mary Margaret had given her the keys. So weird.
"She won," his mom said, directing her words to David and Mary Margaret.
"That's great!" David said. "So, this is over? We don't have to worry?"
Emma shook her head. "I mean she … She won the battle. Not the war. It isn't over. But, it's something, you know?" Both of them nodded their heads like what Emma was saying made sense. "Hey, guys? You think you could go out and … get ice cream or something? I kinda need to talk to Henry."
The couple nodded, making themselves scarce. Mary Margaret shot him a smile like he would find that reassuring or something.
"So, you're going to be honest with me now?" Henry asked.
Emma nodded. "Yeah, kid. I am. I wasn't before because … it's a lot to swallow. But … seeing is believing sometimes and I kind of need you to believe right now. Which is ironic."
"Why?"
"Because it used to be you trying to get me to believe."
"When did I do that?"
" … Before."
"So much for telling me things and not being vague and shit anymore."
"Henry!"
"What? You can lie to me but I can't swear?"
"I'm not lying anymore. It's just … a lot. And I'm trying to figure out how to get there," Emma sighed. "Henry, do you think you can believe in magic?"
"Is this the part where you tell me I'm a wizard? Because I think that was supposed to be a couple of birthdays ago."
"No. We're not wizards or superheroes, but … There is magic in our family. Your grandparents - "
"I thought you didn't know anything about your parents?"
"I didn't, but now I do."
"Well, that's cool, I guess. Um, who are they?"
"Well, my parents, are the couple who just left us alone to talk."
"Seriously? But they're like, you're age."
"They were frozen in time for a while. It's why they had to give me up."
"So, it's kind of like you're Superman and they're Supergirl, stuck in suspended animation all that time?"
"Yeah. I guess."
"So, we're living in a comic book?"
"More like a fairy tale."
"Which fairy tale has suspended animation?"
"No, I mean, it is a fairy tale. Fairy tales are real. Geez, this is my second time doing this today. You'd think I'd've gotten better at it."
"Why second? Why did you have to talk to Mr. Davidson before me?"
"Honestly? I think that conversation was easier to have. I love him. Like, really love him. But … I also wouldn't be surprised if he ran off. I couldn't blame him for running. You … I need you to stay. I need you to be safe. I need you to know how much I love you."
"I know you love me. I just … I've been mad. And hurt. Because you never used to lie to me, but now you're lying all the time, and I felt like I was going crazy."
"This town makes you crazy. It made me crazy. I've seen serious stuff happen here. I've seen people get swallowed up by portals and recover from fatal wounds. I've seen hearts literally pulled out of people's chests."
"Cool! But also, ew."
"It's not cool. It's dangerous. This town is dangerous."
"Then why are we here?"
"Because my parents need me. And your father. And his father."
"My father?"
"Yeah."
"My father's here?"
"Yeah.
"What the hell? Were you not going to tell me?"
"No. Or yes, eventually, once I could explain. Once I could explain that he left because of magic and destiny and stuff I didn't even know about back then. Once I could explain that magic ruins everything, and I wish it would just go away and we could go back to New York and pretend this never happened. But I can't. I have to be an adult. I have to be the Savior. I have to help my parents, and your dad, and his dad, and everyone in this town. They're counting on me."
"To defeat some big evil, I'm guessing?"
"Yep."
"And … and, 'the trouble is, the other side can do magic too?' "
"Fudge was a terrible prime minister, but I swear, that time he was spot on." Emma reached out her hand to squeeze Henry's. "So you believe all this? Magic?"
Henry nodded. "I was almost carted off by a flying monkey and then someone put up what I heard them calling magical protection spells."
"And you're … okay with it? I mean, you're handling this really well."
"I'm a writer. This is just like … being in the story for once, I guess. It's weird but … anyway, you could have just told me. Or shown me. If you needed to prove it."
Emma nodded. "Okay."
"So, can I meet him?"
"Meet who?"
"My dad?"
"Oh. Uh, yeah. He'd like that. Just … go easy on him, okay?"
"After what he did to you?"
"Henry, he's trying. And he's different now."
"Right. Well, I'll be the judge of that."
Neal had taken Belle, Ruby, and Tink back to his room to talk. He didn't want to be at the convent. It was too close to Blue and he couldn't deal with her right now. And he certainly didn't need to see Emma being happy with her new boyfriend.
"When I lost my wings, I needed something. I didn't want to be caught unawares; that's dangerous in Neverland. Pan would never give someone a power they could use on him, but he taught me to use a dagger. And he gave me poppies, taught me how to use those."
"Pan … helped you?" Neal asked, surprised.
"Well, I'm sure he had his reasons. He can be rather charming when he wants to be. Remember, I went to Neverland because I had nowhere else to go. I'd heard of another fairy who left the order once. She sought refuge in Neverland, and I thought if I could find her, at least I wouldn't be alone. But when she heard Blue had stripped me of my wings, she assumed the worst. She thought I was like the Black Fairy, and she wouldn't listen to me. I was helpless and … Pan saved me. He said he could use a fairy on his side, even a former one. And I was grateful to have an ally, someone to show me the lay of the land.
"Eventually, I learned what he was like, but I also learned not to cross him. We stayed out of each other's way and helped each other when it was needed. All of us knew better than to oppose Pan on his island. Killian could tell you that. And there were … rewards. "
"Talking about me?" The four of them turned to see Killian coming into the room. He didn't have a key, but it wasn't like Neal didn't know that Killian could pick a lock. After all, Killian had been the one to teach him, back when he'd been a boy.
"Where have you been?"
"The woods. I fancied an adventure." He shot a wink at Tink and Ruby, both of whom rolled their eyes. "I got a ride back into town with one of the dwarves. So, can I be a part of this conversation?"
Neal glanced at Belle, who cleared her throat before answering. "I still don't trust you. But we aren't discussing the dagger anymore. We're talking about taking out Zelena. What do you think?" she asked, turning to Neal.
"He can stay, I guess. It can't hurt."
"As I was saying," Tink continued, "poppies were available in Neverland, though I'm not sure exactly where Pan got them. But he supplied me, and they were useful."
"He supplied me as well, for a time," Killian added. "Emma and I used them on a giant once. It was our first adventure together."
Neal rolled his eyes. "Either of you ever use them on a magic-user?"
Killian shook his head, but Tink nodded. "Once. When you two and the others showed up in Neverland, I used them on Regina. She had come to appeal to me, and she didn't know I'd lost my wings. I suspect she was expecting me to use magic. I caught her by surprise."
"How?" Ruby asked. "Maybe we can catch Zelena by surprise if you walk us through it."
"She just has to inhale the stuff. It's not overly difficult."
"Except if she sees us throw something at her, she can just shield herself with magic," Neal said. "We need to catch her unawares."
"The best of foes can be caught unawares."
"I suppose you would know about that, judging by the scratch on your face and the way you're limping," Tink said, a teasing lilt to her voice.
Damn. Neal hadn't even noticed. "What happened, man?"
"I found myself on the wrong side of an arrow. A certain Robin Hood, it seems, is trying to win Regina's affections by using me as a pincushion."
Neal couldn't help it. He burst out laughing.
Belle gave him a startled look, "Robin Hood is here?"
Killian nodded, "Indeed."
"You know, Robin shot Rumple once. He had a bow that never missed its target. But Rumple was invulnerable, so it didn't matter. The bow … It's at the shop now. I could return it to him."
"Why?"
"Because maybe there's a way we can use that bow and Robin's aim to get Zelena to inhale the poppies. Or to fix her with a sleeping curse or something. Also, he's my friend."
Ruby nodded. "Killian, you should really get your leg looked at. I can take you to see Dr. Whale."
Belle snorted and she and Ruby exchanged a look that Neal didn't know how to interpret.
"I'm not very fond of Dr. Whale," Killian grumbled. "Last time he looked at me, I was chained to a bed after one of those ridiculous vehicles nearly flattened me."
"A car, you mean?" Ruby said, "Yeah, I remember. You hit on me back then. I wouldn't recommend repeating that."
"I'll take him," Neal said. To Killian, he said, "She's right, man. You should get checked out."
"I didn't know you cared." Hook's tone was mocking. And yet…
"Yeah, well." Neal shrugged awkwardly, but Hook softened slightly.
"All right, Bae. To Dr. Whale it is."
"I'll drive," Ruby said. Again, some communication seemed to pass between Belle and Ruby that flew over Neal's head.
"I can go with you to the forest," Tink said to Belle. "Robin may be your friend, but there's still a wicked witch out there. You shouldn't be alone."
"Thanks."
The five of them headed off to their different destinations, and that was that.
It was late by the time Snow and David returned home. Henry was curled up asleep next to Emma, her laptop open in front of them.
"We watched Snow White," Emma said, whispering.
"Oh," Snow said, "So, he knows then. Who we are?"
Emma nodded. "He knows. Sort of. We'll … you can talk to him tomorrow. He's excited to meet you guys."
David nodded. "So, he knows, but he doesn't remember."
Emma shook her head. "Is it cool if we crash here tonight?"
David smiled, "Of course. I'll make up the guest room."
Andrea was worried. Her dad kept asking them how they were doing. He'd been like that before, when Andrea's mom had died. Back then, she'd been too young to know what to say. Now she was older, but she wasn't sure she was wiser.
"How are you guys doing with everything?" he asked again.
"How are you doing, Dad?" she countered.
"I'm just worried about you."
Andrea shook her head. "I don't buy that. I mean, yeah, you're worried about us. But you're also worried about Emma, and Henry, and you and Emma. And you're worried about you. You're worried in general."
"You're kind of a worrywart," Jason added.
"Am I?"
"Totally."
"I just … This is hard. I brought you guys here, and there's this magical war."
"You brought us here because Henry needed us. We care about Henry."
"Of course we care about Henry. I'm not saying we don't. But I don't want you guys to be in danger, either."
"And you're not sure if you can have a relationship with a Disney Princess?"
"No. That's not … You guys know I love Emma."
"Right. But you're wigged. That's cool. I'd be wigged too if Chris turned into a wizard or something. I mean, he could be a vampire or werewolf, which would be super hot, but realistically, yeah, it would scare the shit out of me."
"Andrea!"
"Sorry. Just, like, I am scared. But it's also kind of cool, you know? I love stories and fairy tales. So does Jason. So does Henry. Now we get to live in one. It's kind of like Disneyworld, but better."
"Nu-uh, Disneyworld has rides. There are no rides here," Jason argued.
"You're such an idiot. We could meet the actual characters, and you just want to go on something that makes you throw up."
"I wouldn't throw up."
"You always throw up. And next time a flying monkey comes after us, maybe you can take a ride with that, huh?"
"No. Guys, this is … It's real. I get that you think it's cool to meet Pinocchio. I won't deny that it's cool. But I need to know that you understand that danger here. You need to be careful and listen to me. And to Emma, because she knows this world better than us."
"So, you still trust her?"
After a minute, Aaron nodded. "Yeah. I still trust her."
Andrea yawned, "Can we meet some princesses tomorrow?"
"Sure. But it's been a big day. Why don't you guys get in your pj's and I'll read you a story."
"We're living a story."
"So, what's the story with you and Bae?" Tink asked.
"I could ask you the same."
"Well, we knew each other in Neverland. We weren't exactly friends. He was hiding from Pan and, while I sympathized, I couldn't risk losing Pan's goodwill by helping him. Still, I didn't turn him in. He was a cute kid."
Belle nodded, "Rumple and I were—are—in love. And Rumple's his father. So, someday, he could be my stepson. Which is," she smiled a bit self-consciously, a "little scary. I have no idea how to be a mother, much less a mother to a fully-grown man."
"A fully-grown man with daddy issues. But I wouldn't worry. His mother left him and he hates her for it. As long as you stick around, you'll do just fine. He seems to like you well enough."
"I suppose. So, if you two weren't friends, do you think you might be now?"
"He saw me at my lowest and still found it in himself to be kind to me. And I don't have many friends here at any rate. So how could we be anything else?"
"Well, you could be something else. If you both wanted."
Tink shook her head, "I'm not looking for anything right now. Fairies aren't even supposed to be able to fall in love, for all we help other people find it. And the closest thing to it I've ever had was more like lust."
"You and Hook?" Tink nodded. "Well, there's no shame in desire, but love is worth fighting for. Whether it's Hook, Neal, or someone else."
"I just don't think it's in the cards for me. But I will help you get your happy ending. Speaking of love … "
She motioned to the Evil Queen and Robin, who were sitting on a rock, making out. Watching them, Belle felt her face heat up. It was quite the display. She cleared her throat.
Neither seemed happy to break apart, but Robin smiled when he recognized her. "Belle! I didn't know you were in Storybrooke. I would have come to say hi."
Belle smiled. "It's good to see you."
"You two know each other?" Regina asked, seemingly put out.
"She saved my life once. Twice, actually, if my theory is correct. I owe her a debt."
Her smile growing, Belle said, "I'm glad to hear you say that, because I have an idea, and I think maybe you can help. But first, I believe this is yours." She handed the bow over to him.
He looked like a kid at Christmas when he saw it. "Much obliged."
"The lion tattoo!" Tink exclaimed. They all stared at her and she flushed. "Sorry."
"It's quite all right," Robin said, though he looked as though he felt rather awkward. "Belle, what was it you needed help with?"
"A plan."
Henry was all set up in the spare room; Emma's old room. He was asleep. Emma had tucked him in, and now she and Mary Margaret were sipping hot chocolate.
"So, how did it go?"
"He didn't like me lying to him, but now that I've told him about magic, he seems more open."
"It will make things easier. Secrets are never a good thing. I'm glad it's all out in the open."
"Actually, it's not … all out in the open."
"What do you mean? Emma?"
Emma didn't meet her mother's eyes. "He knows about magic. He knows you guys are his grandparents, and that you're Snow White and Prince Charming. He knows that Neal is his dad, and also Rumpelstiltskin's son. But he doesn't … I didn't lie to him about when I found out. I just, didn't tell him. I didn't … He doesn't know about the fake memories. Our lives being a lie. He doesn't know that I … I didn't raise him."
"Emma – "
"I know. But how can I tell him? How can I tell him I gave him up? How can I tell him a woman he met less than a month ago is more his mother than I am?"
"You're both his mothers, Emma."
"But I didn't raise him."
"I know," her mother said, placing her hand on her daughter's hand.
"I gave him away."
"I know."
"I feel like shit, knowing that. And once he knows … How can I expect him to trust me if I tell him everything he knows is a lie?"
"How can you expect him to trust you if you don't tell him?"
"I know. I know. I know I'm being … It's selfish, but … knowing him, knowing what we could have had? I hate myself for not keeping him. More than I ever did before. How can I expect him to not hate me too?"