Disclaimer: Some lines taken from 7x02, 3x22, and 1x07. Thanks to ForeverDreaming and Youtube.
Chapter Twelve: The Land Without Magic
When Neal had first arrived in the Land without Magic, it had been a different time. Other than magic being the stuff of stories, it hadn't been all the different from the Enchanted Forest, except for all the smog in the air. That and the recent emergence of certain machines which were replacing people in their jobs more and more every day. He'd spent some time in a workhouse, but that had been worse than the Enchanted Forest, so he'd chosen to live on the street, stealing and begging until the Darlings were kind enough to take him in.
The second time Neal arrived in the Land without Magic, it had been the 1990s. It hadn't been like he remembered. It hadn't been like the Enchanted Forest either. It certainly hadn't been like Neverland. He'd been happy to be out of that hellscape, happy to be alive, and aging, finally aging, after so long as a fifteen-year-old. That didn't mean it had been easy.
And Neal knew that it wouldn't be easy for Emma's parents either. They had records in this world, which would help, but there was a question of how well those records would hold up outside of Storybrooke.
Henry's records had held up, somehow. He'd been able to transfer from a school in a town that didn't exist to a school in New York without anyone batting an eye, or so Neal assumed. Children were easier. They fell through the cracks a lot, in fact, out there in the world. Neal knew that his age had worked to his advantage in some ways when he first showed up. It had worked against him in other ways, which was why when he was finally able to forge some identification for himself, he'd aged himself up a bit.
Mary Margaret and David (he preferred not to think of them as Snow White and Prince Charming) were adults. They were adults with memories of this world, even if New York was a far cry from Storybrooke. He could tell them how hard it was for him out there. Maybe he'd give them an abbreviated version of it, just so he didn't feel like a liar. It would be good to get it off his chest. But he knew what it meant to Emma to have her parents around. He knew what it meant for an orphan to not have their parents out there. If he screwed this up for her, she'd never forgive him.
"I had to create a fake life for myself," he said, deciding to get that out of the way first. "I was a homeless boy on the streets, as far as anyone knew, but I was good at stealing without getting caught. I fell in with a group of immigrant kids, and we did odd jobs for this Fagin-type who gave us birth certificates for our time. I don't know who the real Neal Cassidy was, and I didn't want to ever know. If I had to guess, I'd say he was either missing or dead. Probably dead. That helps me sleep better. Once I had a birth certificate—which aged me up about eight years, because that made it easier to get a job—I applied for a social security number."
"Goodness," Mary Margaret said.
"Yeah, well, you guys have ID, right? Because of the curse? You won't need that stuff?"
"I'm not sure," David said thoughtfully. "That's a question for Regina, I guess."
"Well, anyway, I had to take jobs that weren't exactly on the up and up, you know? Low pay type stuff. I didn't want anyone checking my papers too much. I ran into some trouble at one job, went on the run, and well, you probably know how Emma and I met, trying to steal the same car."
"Actually, we didn't," Mary Margaret said, "She never really filled us in on … everything, with you two."
"So, she probably didn't tell you how I sold her out, either? That was nice of her."
"You did what?" David asked.
"It wasn't my best moment. Anyway, after Emma and I parted ways on terms that weren't too great, I was just a penniless criminal on my own, and I felt like shit. I didn't have much will to live, so I enlisted. I'd been meant to die in the Ogres' War anyway, so I figured, why not? But I learned some skills and made some connections. Once I got out, I had enough to form a life for myself. And none of it was easy."
"But the worst part was the cycle of abandonment. My dad abandoned me. I was just a kid on my own, and then I found Emma, and her parents had abandoned her. And we promised we'd never do that to each other, but I abandoned her anyhow. It sucks. It sucked for her, and me. Emma's been abandoned plenty. She deserves better, always has, but it kept happening to her. I'm glad she found a guy who she can build a life with out there."
"And the thing is, Henry's my kid too. I sure as hell won't abandon him, even if he has more parents than a kid needs. Because when you love someone, you find a way not to do that. It isn't always easy. It won't be easy. But I made it out there, and if I can do it, then a warrior princess and a shepherd turned prince certainly can. It won't be easy, but Emma deserves better than to lose you guys. So, make it work. That's my advice. Frankly, she'd kill me if I told you anything else."
Snow White and Prince Charming walked back to the loft, pushing their as-yet-unnamed baby in his stroller.
"Do you think he's right? We've always fought for each other, for our love, and we've always won. Fighting for Emma should be the easiest choice we've ever made."
David placed his hand on hers. "You're right. It is."
When they got back to the loft, Snow put the baby down as Emma chewed them out for leaving Henry alone. Somehow, eventually, they got around to the topic at hand, and Emma asked them if they'd made a decision.
"We're going to talk to Regina about setting us, all of us, up with lives out there, making sure we have the paperwork and everything. It may not happen overnight; it might take some time, but –"
There was a whoop from the bedroom upstairs, and Henry came rushing down the steps. "Really?" he asked, already launching himself at his grandparents.
"Yeah, kid. We're coming to New York with you." David said, ruffling Henry's hair affectionately.
"Emma?" Snow asked tentatively, approaching her daughter who stood stock-still, her eyes wide.
"I guess I just … I didn't think you would really …" Snow could see that her daughter was trying to blink back tears. "I … Thank you."
Snow took her daughter in a hug. "I'm so sorry that you ever had to be in the Land without Magic alone," she said, rubbing her daughter's back. "I'm so sorry."
In order to get to the Enchanted Forest, Killian knew he would need a magic bean, and there was only one former giant to get it from. He tracked down Tiny in the bean fields, impressed by how quickly the crop had grown back. He also saw a familiar figure speaking with Tiny.
"Princess Aurora?" he asked.
She stepped back from him, fear in her eyes. "Don't come near me."
"You have nothing to fear from me. I've reformed. You must have heard?"
The princess nodded, though she didn't appear any calmer. "Yes. I have. I'm just not sure I believe it."
Killian turned to Tiny. "It's been some time, friend."
Tiny scoffed. "I missed the part where we became friends, Captain Hook."
"Such hostility," Killian tsked. He meant it in fun, but honestly, he was getting a little tired of everyone judging him for his past. He'd changed, hadn't he? What was the point of that, if all everybody saw was the man he had once been? "I know we have had our differences, but I mean you no harm. I simply wish to procure a bean to return to the Enchanted Forest, and I'm willing to pay handsomely for it."
"I've come for the same thing, actually," Aurora said. "So, you'll have to wait. I confess I … I haven't acquired much by way of the currency of this land. But I will find a way to compensate you."
"You think I can be bought?" Tiny asked, sounding quite insulted at the idea. "I'll decide who gets the bean, and it'll be about who needs it more and who deserves it more."
"The bean? As in, there's only one?" Killian asked.
"Our crop was destroyed not too long ago. I've worked hard with the dwarves to replant, and it's finally yielded results. But if we want them to keep growing, we need to keep replanting. So yes, I can only spare one."
"Well, what proof do you need? A character reference of some sort?" Killian asked.
"Snow White and Emma Swan can vouch for me," Aurora said.
"Aye. They can for me as well," Killian put in.
"Didn't she have me watch you at the top of my beanstalk once, just so she could get away from you?" Tiny asked.
"That was a long time ago. We're friendly now. And I don't think she'd object to my leaving this realm for another one."
"I have to find someone," Aurora said. "A dear friend who has gone missing in this new curse."
"Well, perhaps your friend is somewhere in Storybrooke. Have you truly had time to look around?"
"Of course, I've –"
"Not to mention, didn't you just have a child, your majesty?" Killian asked. "And now you plan to go on a journey and leave the baby behind?"
Aurora's face flushed. "We have adequate care set up for … It won't be a long journey. My priorities are straight."
"As are mine," Killian said, though he was not wholly satisfied with her answer, and he suspected the giant wasn't either. He could use that.
"What are they? Revenge, perhaps?"
"I've let go of revenge," Killian said., "I simply mean to help a woman retrieve something stolen from her. A noble quest, indeed."
"And I need to rescue someone who could be in grave danger!"
"Could be? Meaning you don't know for sure? Perhaps this person is fine. Meanwhile, your baby needs you. And frankly, princess, you seem tired, which makes sense as you've just had a baby. A long journey would probably make that worse. Stay home with your babe and leave the heroic quests to men who know what they are doing."
"Enough!" Tiny said. "I've made my decision." He turned to Aurora. "I want to trust you. I hardly trust him. But I know him, and he makes a good point about leaving your baby behind. It doesn't sit well with me. Maybe you aren't the best person to give the bean to. I'm sorry."
Killian smiled. "Apologies, your majesty. But he is right. Go home and rest like a good mother should."
"I hardly think a man would let having a baby keep him from saving a friend. Why should it matter if a woman does?"
"Because a man can't have a baby. Besides, I don't have a child at home to look after. If I did … I wouldn't abandon him." Again, Killian tried not to think. He wasn't abandoning Baelfire again. The man was grown, and had made his way in the world. Though, perhaps, he should leave the lad a way to reach him, just in case.
Tiny held out the bean to Killian, who took it, and began to walk away. Aurora rushed after him. "Wait, there's an easier way to settle this."
"It's already been settled. Go home, Princess."
"You don't think I want to? But this land … it isn't my home. It isn't yours either. Moreover, it isn't where my baby was meant to grow up. He's a prince of Misthaven and deserves to have a life there. I understand why you would want to return, epic quest or no. Surely, you can understand the same about me?"
"What I understand, is that you are trying my last nerve. He gave me the bean. I will be the one returning to the Enchanted Forest."
"Then let us go with you, aboard your ship. That's how you plan to travel, is it not? Surely, two more passengers would be no trouble, and once we've found Mulan, we can go our separate ways."
"I don't fancy taking a lass who would leave her child behind for an adventure," Killian said, thoughts of Milah filling his mind.
"My child will be more than cared for. I've seen to it. And my husband and I will return when we've completed our quest, and the four of us will live happily in the land of our birth."
"Parents who abandon their child always promise to return. They never do."
"I'm not abandoning him!" Aurora paused for a moment to regain her composure. Then she smiled. "You will take us with you. It is no longer a request, but a demand, and you will heed it."
"Beg pardon?"
"May I remind you, Captain," she spat, "that you owe me?"
Killian looked at her through squinted eyes, "How do you figure that?"
"You took my heart, gave it Cora. She controlled me and forced me to betray my friends."
"If memory serves, I also returned your heart."
"Mulan brought my heart back."
"Yes, after I gave it to her. I saved it from falling into a portal."
Aurora shook her head. "I don't believe you. She never mentioned any of that to me, and frankly, Captain, I have little reason to trust you. You lied to me, stole from me, manipulated me, and I was never anything but kind to you."
Killian sighed. She was right. When he had been playing possum in Cora's camp, she had been the one to find him. And when Emma had tied him to a tree and threatened to alert the ogres if he wasn't truthful, Aurora had been the one who spoke up on account of his safety. Oh, it had all been a ruse. The girl was incredibly naïve. But she had been kind, and he had manipulated her. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps he did owe her something, "Apologies, lass. I am not that man anymore."
"If that's true, then help me. I need to go to The Enchanted Forest. I must find Mulan. She is my dear friend, and once I've found her, everything will be right again."
"Well, I must find my ship. I won't budge on that. However, if you can make yourself useful, there's no reason you can't accompany me."
"And Philip too?"
"Philip?"
"My husband. I won't go without him."
"And you promise to return for your child?"
Aurora nodded. "I will be a good mother. I will come back. Now, I am needed elsewhere."
"Very well. If the lady insists. Quite a crew I'm assembling."
"Well, if it isn't my favorite comics fan," Periwinkle said.
Neal smiled. He was glad he was able to find her without running into Blue; he had no patience for her anymore. Running into Tink would be mostly fine, except, well, she was likely to tease him for what he was about to do.
It was strange, because at first Periwinkle had made him uncomfortable. She was very forward, especially for someone in a nun's uniform. Neal didn't mind assertive women. He liked them, in fact, but something about the way she had just come on to him and laughed at his discomfort was, well, discomforting. Usually with the girls Neal liked, he was the one being pushy. He wasn't super pushy. He would back off if they weren't interested, but when he got that feeling in his gut that a girl was special, it was usually he who pursued her. Maybe he, like Killian, enjoyed the challenge. That was a dark thought.
"Hey. So, listen, you hear about the baby naming thing happening at the end of the week?"
Periwinkle nodded. "Of course. Mother Superior is going to be the child's godmother, because of course she is. It's a royal baby, and from a family she's patron to."
"You seem … less than okay with that?"
"I just … I love kids, and I want to be a godmother. We all do. But I'm not exactly popular around here. I'm not famous or important. I don't even have a patron family. It blows."
"Sounds like it," Neal said.
"But you didn't come here to talk about my problems."
"No, I didn't, but I don't mind listening."
"What did you come here to talk about?"
"Well, not a lot of people know this, but after the baby naming, my dad and Belle are going to have a small service. A," he coughed, "wedding. I'm going to be best man and, well, I was wondering if you'd like to come?"
"Are you asking me to be your date?"
"Yeah. Is that okay?"
"Well, Blue doesn't like us dating, so I guess I just won't tell her. I'll sneak out. It'll be fun."
"I don't want to get you in trouble."
"I don't mind trouble. In fact, I like it. And I think it would be cool to get in trouble for a guy like you."
"You don't actually know me that well."
"Are you trying to talk me out of it?'
"No, I just … guess I don't know why you like me."
"At first, because I was jealous of Tink, and you blushed adorably at my advances. Guess I like the chase. But then… I don't know, I feel like we connected. Plus, you love your kid a lot, and that counts for something in my book."
"Okay. So, I'll come pick you up after the baby naming invitation gets out?"
"It's a date."
"I can't believe you're all going along with this," Regina said. "The idea is ludicrous. Going out into the world and pretending to be like everyone else? And for what? So Miss Swan can make a relationship work with someone she picked up at a PTA meeting?"
"This is the best way for us to all stay together, as a family," Snow said. "You should come with us. I'm sure Henry would like that."
Regina nodded. "He would. And I'm … thinking about it. But I have reservations. There are a lot of factors to consider. It won't be so easy."
"I know it will be hard," Emma said. "And you don't have to come if you don't want to, Regina. I get why it would be hard for you to leave magic behind. But my parents want this, and we could use your help. Please."
Regina looked at Emma suspiciously. "I know why I don't want to go, but why do I get the feeling you don't me to either?"
Emma stood there for a second, her eyes wide. Then she muttered, "I just … I think you need a little distance from Henry."
"Excuse me?"
Emma squared her shoulders, stood up straighter, and looked Regina right in the eyes. "Actually, I think he needs distance from you."
"So, you're finally trying to do what I accused you of all those years ago. You want to take Henry away from me."
"No. Not completely. He wouldn't want that, and I don't either. I know you love him, Regina, but Storybrooke isn't a safe place for him, and you're part of the reason for that."
"I –"
"I know you're trying to be better, but right now Henry thinks he's the only thing standing between you and a life of evil and killing. He's twelve. That's not fair to put on his head. He needs to know that you can be good without him around."
"How do you know I can? Henry is everything. Take that away and -"
"If you can't be good without Henry as an added incentive, you were never really good. I think you can be good. I think you want to be. But until you actually are, having you in Henry's life every day just isn't good for him. I'm sorry."
"Not good for him? As you just reminded me, he's twelve. He needs his mother."
"And he'll have her, once I'm sure she isn't hurting him. In the meantime, he'll have his other mother, and Aaron, friends, a life, maybe Neal too. You don't need to be in his life every day to be his mother. There are phone calls; you can visit him, he can visit you. It's not all or nothing."
"Interesting how you apply that to me, but not yourself."
"My role in Henry's life –"
"I'm not talking about your role in his life, regardless of its newness. I'm talking about your parents' role in yours. Rather selfish of all of you to decide you can't be separated, but it's fine for Henry to be separated from me. Last I checked, you, Miss Swan, are not twelve. You are a fully grown woman, and you don't need your parents around to hold your hand. Asking them to come with you into the Land without Magic and leave Storybrooke behind is selfish."
"We really don't mind," Snow said. "In fact, we want to go. We know it will be hard, but we'll be together. We can make lives out there. I'm sure of it."
"How nice for you, but it's not you I'm worried about. Have you given any thought to what happens to Storybrooke with you two out there?"
"What do you mean?" David asked.
"Well, for starters, if you can go out there, people can come here. And they might. Even without memories of this place, Emma's boyfriend sent her to a psychiatrist because her story didn't add up. And you, my dear, have never kept a secret in your life. How long until you slip up and people from the outside come to investigate our magical, fairy tale town?"
"Snow can keep a secret," David said.
"Then you'll have no problem naming a time she did." Snow and David looked down awkwardly, which Regina seemed to think proved her point. "Exactly. In any case, what you do out there isn't the only issue. Did it ever occur to either of you that you might be needed here? Snow, you're the mayor of this town."
"I thought you –"
"The person who casts the curse becomes the mayor. You cast this curse. You're the mayor. People will look to you for help. If memory serves, it wasn't too long ago that you were fighting for the right to lead these people, to protect them. Now you'll leave them to me? Even if I wanted to take them, they've never elected me mayor, they've never chosen me, and I have no interest in leading by force. It didn't work out so well last time.
"They want you to run things because they trust you. You were their princess. And when the next crisis strikes, the next monster or sorcerer shows up, it's you they'll look to for protection. The Savior may have selfishly given up her magic, but that doesn't mean your responsibilities are gone."
"There was nothing selfish about it. I saved someone's life."
"And you've done what to get your powers back? If you don't need them, that means Storybrooke is safe. And if Storybrooke is safe, you can stay. Unless this really is just about keeping me from Henry."
"It's not always about you."
"But it is about you, this selfish desire not to be the Savior anymore. Remind me, when Henry tracked you down, was it to be his mother, or was it to save this town? Is giving up on that part of you what he would want?"
"He wants to go back to New York. He had a normal life there. He deserves a normal childhood."
"Except he's not normal, and neither are you. Don't you think you should stop pretending?"
"There are other people here who can deal with a crisis," Emma said. "Mr. Gold, for one –"
"Rumpelstiltskin has never done anything unless there was something in it for him. And given that you're taking his son back to New York, he may not be so keen to step in and protect a bunch of people he doesn't care about. He'll take Belle somewhere safe and leave us all to rot."
"Well, what about you? If you stay, then you can prove yourself good by protecting this town."
"So you don't trust me with Henry, but you trust me with Storybrooke? Interesting."
"I know you can be good, Regina. I just –"
"Please, don't preach to me about goodness. You don't actually believe I can be good; you just want what you want, regardless of who it hurts. You want your parents, and my son, and your boyfriend. Something has to give. You can't cling to them forever just because you grew up without them."
"And whose fault is it that I grew up without them? Who started all of this? If it weren't for you, I would have grown up in the Enchanted Forest with my parents and … "
"No, please, finish the thought. You would have been a princess. You would never have had Henry. You would never have met your boyfriend. You see, the reality you seek doesn't exist. The worlds don't mesh."
"Maybe not. But I know that taking Henry with me back to New York is the right thing. You aren't talking me out of it. You can try to fight me on it, but all that will do is prove you're still a villain."
Regina shook her head. "It seems like everything is going your way then, doesn't it? My hands are tied. I can't lift a finger against you. And I lose my son. But if you think I'm going to help your parents pass as Mary Margaret and David Nolan in New York, you have another think coming. Why don't you go talk to Mr. Gold? Tell him you plan to take his grandson from this town and entice his son to join you. See how willing he is to help. Now, I think we're done here."
Regina rushed the three of them out the door. Just before she closed it in their faces, Emma said coolly, "Graham cared about this town. He would have wanted you to protect it. You want to honor his memory, honor that."
Then Regina slammed the door and the Charmings were left out in the cold.
When Rumpelstiltskin heard the tiny bell ring outside his shop, he assumed it would be the Charmings, or possibly Regina.
Yes, Regina would be angry about Henry leaving Storybrooke. He wasn't pleased about it himself, but he understood Ms. Swan's perspective, and he knew it wasn't his place to interfere. He had Belle. He would have Neal and Henry both for a good portion of the year. That would have to do for the foreseeable future.
The Charmings on the other hand would need help surviving out there, false documents and such. Assuming they'd decided to go. Again, it was a stupid idea, but not his place to comment. Let them throw their lives away.
To Rumple's surprise, when he came out from the backroom in his shop, he didn't find the Charmings or the sometimes-Evil Queen. He found a man he hadn't seen since his days as Zelena's prisoner. His mind nearly went back there, but he could hardly let this monkey-turned-man see him cower. Not again. "What brings you round, Dearie?" he asked, as though he hadn't a care in the world.
"I need a favor," the Wizard of Oz said to him.
"Well, I didn't think you were here for an antique," Rumple said dryly.
"I'm not exactly welcome here, despite the fact that I killed the Wicked Witch. I can't say I blame them, given what I did under her control, but … you'd think in the balance, given how it all ended –"
"They aren't always the most forgiving. With their friends they are, but with people they consider villains, the most you can hope for is tolerance." The Wizard nodded, and Rumple shot him a small smile. "For whatever it's worth, I'm certainly glad she's dead."
"Yes, you would be. Well, I imagine they want me gone, and I should respect that. I'll get my affairs in order and make my way back to Oz. Except …"
"Except you have no magic, no bean, and therefore, no way to get to Oz?" Rumple asked.
"Exactly. I have this," he took out a wand. "It belonged to a friend in Oz. Glinda. And it should be able to get me home, but it needs magic to activate it. And as you said, I have none. Can you help me?"
"For a price, I can. What have you to offer?"
The Wizard laughed, "I had hoped that killing your former captor would be payment enough, but I wasn't naïve enough to think it was a guarantee. So I brought something." He didn't continue.
"Are you waiting for me to ask what it is you've brought?"
"I am a showman," the Wizard said. "As Zelena's pet," he spat out the word, "I was privy to a great deal of information, some of it about you. And in my time as the Wizard, I collected a great many items, some of which came over with me. I am in possession of a certain elixir of the heart, and I have reason to believe that is something you might want. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but someday?"
Rumple growled a little. He didn't like it when other people had the upper hand, though if he were honest, a part of him respected this man. Oh, he hated him for having seen him when he was weak, but he respected his courage, his frankness, and his awareness that he couldn't get something for nothing. All he said was, "Indeed."
"So, do we have a deal?" the Wizard asked, holding out the elixir in one hand, and the wand in the other.
Rumple nodded. "We do." He took the wand, and charged it with a simple spell. "This wand can only take you to the last place it took someone to or from. Hopefully, that is Oz. And it will only hold the magic for, hm, two weeks at most. Is that sufficient time?"
The Wizard nodded, handing over the elixir. "Pleasure doing business with you."
Rumple laughed. "Very few say that."
"Very few realize what they are willing to lose for what they have to gain. Besides, from what I hear, you're getting married soon. Perhaps it's softened you."
"Perhaps you should be glad to get out of this deal intact and take your leave before I get angry."
The Wizard nodded. "Congratulations, Dark One. May you have a lifetime of happiness with the one thing we all seek: a true love."
"So, you're really doing this?" Neal asked. He was trying to be strong about this whole thing. He was happy for Killian, really. He wanted him to find his purpose, be it this Mary Ormond woman, or some epic quest. And it wasn't as though he didn't have his Papa back, plus Belle, Henry, a whole family. Still … "I'm going to miss you, man."
"I'll miss you as well. But I wanted to leave you with a little parting gift." Killian took out the old object which he'd thankfully been able to locate.
"An empty bottle? Let me guess, it was full of rum, but you just couldn't help yourself?"
"No. it's a bottle of magic. If ever you need me, all you need to do is speak the name of your favorite pirate into the bottle, drop it in the water, and before you can say 'yo-ho-ho,' it'll find the person you seek." Hook held the bottle out to Neal, but Neal hesitated. Hook sighed. "I know you're none too fond of magic, lad, but you may have to get over that. It's here to stay in this land, and your father is the Dark One."
"I haven't forgotten."
"So … "
Neal took the bottle. "Thanks, man. Hopefully, I won't need it, but … it's good to have."
"Aye. Now, if you want to see me off, come to the marina at 5:00. That's when we're setting sail."
"What, already?"
"No point in delaying. Besides, it seems the longer I wait, the more people will want to come along. Already I have Blackbeard's vengeful ex-wife, a new mother, and her husband."
"A new mother?" Neal asked, and Killian knew right away what he was thinking.
"I've made her promise to return to her babe once her mission is complete, and I will ensure her safety. The lad shall grow up with a mother and father. I give you my word."
Neal nodded. "Okay, man. I'll, uh, see you in a bit then."
"A wedding? Between those two? Well, that's … interesting," Dr. Whale said.
"I think it's romantic," Ruby said. "Don't you?"
"I don't know either of them well. And my interactions with Mr. Gold have been … less than favorable. I recall him getting rather aggressive with me when I looked at Belle once, as though I was still the same man I was when cursed."
Ruby shrugged. "Well, were you checking her out?" Dr. Whale's eyes went wide, and Ruby laughed. "It's fine if you were. Belle is very attractive, and nobody could blame you for looking."
"He seemed to think otherwise."
"Well, are you interested in her now?" Ruby asked.
"Of course not. There's only one woman I'm interested in now," Dr. Whale said.
"Hmm, let me guess," Ruby said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Is it … Mary Margaret?"
"That's not funny."
Ruby laughed again. "You need to get a sense of humor, Victor. I know you have demons. I have them too. But if we never learn to laugh at ourselves, we'll never be able to move on from them. And you never answered my question."
"What question was that?"
"To be my plus one to the wedding."
He smiled, "Of course. I hear girls get very … er, emotional at weddings. I wouldn't want to miss that."
"I mean, I'm not some girl desperate to get married, but if by emotional you mean horny, then yeah, I could get a little emotional."
"Then I wouldn't miss it," he said with a smile. "Actually, I wouldn't miss it either way. Because it's you asking me."
"I'm so glad you're not one of those guys who feels he needs to do the asking."
Dr. Whale shook his head. "I like a girl who knows what she wants, especially if what she wants is me."
Ruby laughed again. "That's your cursed personality talking. You were such an entitled, arrogant bastard then."
"Maybe. But now we're here, so it's okay."
"Yeah. Now we're here."
This was not happening! Regina was not going to let Emma take Henry out of Storybrooke without her. It was ludicrous. She'd thought she and Emma were friends. Well, not friends. Friendly. She thought they'd moved past all this. Oh, she knew Emma was still angry about Graham, and it had been a low blow to mention how he would have wanted Regina to prioritize the town. Emma wasn't prioritizing the town. She'd given up being the Savior. She certainly didn't get to leave it all behind like Regina meant nothing!
Well, Rumple would put a stop to it. They may not agree on everything, but Regina knew they both valued family. He wouldn't want Emma to take his grandson, and likely his son, to New York. He certainly wouldn't want to go himself. He would be too scared to give up magic, more scared than she was. Not that she was scared of that, she just didn't think it was the most logical thing.
She was heading towards Gold's shop when she ran into the Wizard of Oz.
"Regina. I'm glad to bump into you," he said, smiling.
"Oh?"
"Yes. I've found a way to return to Oz."
"But I … I thought you wanted to make things right."
"I do, but given how my presence has been received, it seems leaving is the best way to do that, don't you think?"
Something in Regina deflated. Everyone was leaving her. Robin, Henry, Emma, Snow, even the pirate. The scuttlebutt about town was that he was going on some quest. Not that she cared overmuch for him, it was just …
"Are you alright?" the Wizard asked.
"Now that you mention it, no," she said. Realizing that her statement was, perhaps, too revealing, and that she didn't know him that well, Regina decided to go for a more sentimental approach. "What I mean is, I'm disappointed. You said we might be friends."
"Friends, at least. Yes, I had hoped for that."
"At least?" Regina asked, her eyebrows going up slightly.
"Well, as you said, you're seeing someone." There was something sheepish and genuine about the way he looked at her then.
"Yes, well, that might not be turning out how I had hoped."
He nodded. "You're welcome to accompany me to Oz."
"I can't do that! I have … actually, I'm not sure I have anything anymore." He arched his eyebrow at her curiously, so Regina continued. "What I mean is, I thought I had something with Robin, but that's likely over. I killed his wife, apparently. And Henry is my son, but Emma, who I thought was my friend, is taking him back to New York."
The Wizard nodded. "That must be hard for you. Have you considered going with them?"
"Of course, I've considered it! But there are other factors."
"Is it magic? Are you afraid to live without it? To give it up for good?"
"No!" Regina said, almost too emphatically. "No. It's that they don't want me. And this town might need me with them gone. Crazy as it seems, I have come to care for Storybrooke."
"You were the mayor for 28 years. It stands to reason you would have grown to care for the people you served."
"Care for my people? Funny, my mother would have sneered at such an idea. Wait, how do you know how long I was mayor?"
"I was Zelena's slave for a long time. She used to study you, watch you. I saw … some things."
"Well, that's creepy."
"It wasn't by choice on my part. Not that I wasn't intrigued by what I saw. There aren't quite words to describe what you are."
"Well, I'm sure some could come up with a few. Evil, for one."
"Not always. Sometimes you were just lost, sometimes you just wanted to be loved. Oh, I'm not saying you didn't do truly evil things. I've done my fair of evil myself."
"You were being controlled."
"Not always."
"When you killed your mother?"
"Yes. You see, I didn't have to. I knew it wouldn't get me what I wanted. But I was angry. I committed one great act of evil, and in doing so, I lost everything."
"Did you ever get back what you lost?" Regina asked, feeling like a child.
"That remains to be seen. But I think, if a person truly wants to be better, if they try, if they persevere, eventually, life becomes worth living again."
"And if I lose my son?"
"There's an old saying. If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it was always yours. If it doesn't, it never was."
"I'm familiar."
"Well, I've found it to be true."
Regina nodded. "So you think I should let Emma take Henry?"
"I think, you should think about what's best for him, over what's best for you," the Wizard said. "But I don't know everything. I'm simply a showman, a wanderer, a collector of rare magical items. Take my wisdom or leave it."
"When do you leave for Oz?"
"By week's end. I will miss our talks, Regina. I was so looking forward to getting to know you."
"From the sound of it, you know me plenty."
"It's different when the person chooses to let you in. And now, I bid you goodbye. Parting is such sweet sorrow."
Regina watched him leave. Another person walking away from her. Unbidden, a memory popped into her head, of the day Graham died. "Henry came and found me. Graham kissed me. Both were miserable," Emma had said. "Maybe, Madam Mayor, you need to take a good hard look in the mirror and ask yourself why that is. Why is everyone running away from you?"
Finally able to get a good look at the ship, Killian knew what was wrong with it. "By god, what have you done?"
"I beg your pardon?" Mary said, coming up behind him.
"The masts! There're only five of them!" Mary didn't react, so Killian repeated himself, as if explaining to a dumb child, "You've reduced the masts, leaving only five. She'll never sail like that. She won't be able to catch wind."
"She doesn't need to. I installed an auxiliary engine."
"A what?"
"Really Captain, you must join the 21st century. The plumbing alone makes it worth it."
"Yes, I've enjoyed the toilets and showers of this world quite a bit, but what does that have to do with a ship?"
"Observe," she said, as they boarded the ship. Once aboard, it seemed she simply flicked her wrist and the sails rolled into the masts of their own accord.
He turned on her, furious. "Liar! You claimed not to be a witch, but clearly –"
"It's not magic. It's technology. I pressed this button," she pointed to something aboard the ship, "This ship once required hundreds of men for its crew. Now, it can get by with twenty I've automated the steering, as well."
"You've –"
"It goes on autopilot now." Before Killian could ask, she pressed something else near where the ship's wheel should have been, and the ship began moving. She had the gall to laugh at his expression, before pressing whatever she had pressed before to bring the ship to a halt.
"I don't understand," Killian said, feeling as though his heart were in his chest.
"And what is it specifically that you don't understand? It could be so many things."
"Why am I here? I am a captain, but I don't know how to steer this ship, and you do. So, what am I needed for? What is my purpose?"
"You'll provide the magic bean, of course."
He stared at her, gobsmacked. "That's all? I'm simply to be a passenger on this expedition?"
"Oh, you look so defeated now. Chin up. If you gain my trust, I'll teach you how to steer the ship."
"I know how to steer the ship. I don't know what you're doing, but it isn't steering."
"Are we interrupting?" Princess Aurora called from the land.
"No," Killian said glumly. "Ms. Ormond, meet Princess Aurora and the man I presume is Prince Philip?" The prince in question nodded. "They seek passage to the Enchanted Forest, and I've promised it to them. Now, I had thought we could put them to work, but since you use magic for all a crew would do –"
"It's not magic, and we'll still need a small crew. Aurora and Philip, was it?"
"Prince Philip," the prince corrected.
"No use for such titles here. Though I supposed we are going back to the stone age, so I'd best remember them. Still, aboard my ship, I'd rather just call you Philip and Aurora, if it's all the same to you."
Both nodded. "Do you not like royalty, then?" Aurora asked.
"Not at all. It's pirates I don't like. Royals, well, I've scarcely known any."
"Are you not a pirate yourself?" Philip asked.
Mary shook her head. "I'm a computer teacher. And welcome aboard. Hook, I assume the rest of your crew is coming along soon?"
"I told them to meet me here at 4:30. I've let those who are inclined know that they may come and see us off at five."
"Excellent. Well, it's half past three now, so why don't you three get settled, hm?"
"I don't suppose I'll be sleeping in the captain's quarters."
"No, but if it makes you feel better, you can make up a special name for the room you're sharing with the other men. Hook's special place? The land of Hook? Hook's island?"
"Enough! If we're to travel together, work together, you must know we need to treat each other with respect."
Mary nodded. "Yes, indeed. So, respect me, and I shall endeavor to do the same."
He wanted to growl that he knew who she was, that she had been Blackbeard's wife, and that he would not be cowed by her. But he had learned the virtue of patience long ago, so he would bide his time.
He hit her with his most charming smile and said, "Very well, milady. Please show me to my quarters."
He, Philip, and Aurora trailed behind her. It was going to be a long journey.
Regina had heard that the pirate was down at the marina, saying his goodbyes. She considered going but thought it best that they left things as they had. So, she sat at Granny's and took a large sip from her glass of wine.
Snow White sidled in next to her.
"I don't want to talk," Regina said. "I can't take your brand of optimism today."
"Oh, I'm not sure how optimistic I'm feeling," Snow said. "You made some good points."
"About Henry?" Regina asked, hopefully.
"No. About David and me. We do owe everyone in the town a lot. It's just that Emma feels we've chosen everyone in this town over her from before the curse was even cast, and I … can't see that she was wrong. We could have kept her, but we sent her away."
"And how exactly could you have kept her? You know I was coming to your castle to kill her, right? And suppose I'd had a change of heart and decided to let her live. I still wouldn't have let her be your daughter in Storybrooke. Perhaps she would have been an orphan raised by the nuns. Or, when I started longing for a child, I might have taken her in myself. In any case, she would have stayed a baby, and everyone would have stayed cursed for all eternity. Do you really think she would have wanted that?"
Snow shook her head. "Of course not. But how can I ever make up for the fact that she grew up alone?"
"You can't. Just like I can never make up for the fact that I killed Graham, that I killed Robin's wife, or that I tried to make Henry think he was crazy to preserve my curse. What I can do is what's best for them, even if it hurts me." She took another drink. "What I can do is let them go, and hope that when they're ready, they'll come back to me."
"I still don't like this," Philip said, as he and Aurora got situated. "You've just had a baby! We should be home with him."
"And we will be soon," Aurora replied, fluffing her mattress, "but first, Mulan needs us."
"Surely, we could wait a few –"
"We can't wait. Who knows when passage to the Enchanted Forest will be available again?"
Philip noticed she still hadn't met his eyes. He tried to turn her towards him, "Aurora," he began, but she cut him off.
"We need to do this. I need to do this." She collapsed into his chest. "Don't make me do it alone." He felt his shirt getting wet from her tears, so he did what a good husband should do. He stroked her back and promised it would all be all right.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye," Emma said, holding her arms tight to stave off the chill. "Um, be safe, okay?"
"Aye," Killian said. "I would have stayed for you. You know that, don't you?"
Emma nodded. "But I think this is right. This is what you need to do, for now. And maybe we'll see each other again someday. Maybe then, you'll be ready to be friends."
"I would be honored to be your friend someday, Swan," he said. "Did, um, do you happen to know if Regina plans to say her goodbyes?" he asked as casually as he could, scanning the horizon.
Emma shrugged. "Haven't seen her. Why?"
"Oh, no reason," Killian said, turning to David before Emma could ask more questions.
Emma shrugged again and headed back over to Henry.
"So, you're just fine with leaving everyone here behind to go back to the Enchanted Forest? You won't miss anyone?" David asked.
"Why Dave, I didn't know you cared," Hook bantered back.
"I don't mean me. I just mean …"
"If you're referring to Emma, that's between me and her. As for Baelfire, Neal," Killian said, nodding at the man standing at the outskirts, who affectionately lifted a familiar bottle, as if in a toast, "he doesn't need me anymore."
David sighed. "You two seem close. Almost like family. I mean, I don't know the full story, but –"
"I was like a father to him once, which was an honor. And while it ended badly, we've made amends. I've made amends. I'd like to think he still sees me that way.
"But he's a fully grown man now. He doesn't need to live with his family right around the corner."
"Kids don't ever really stop needing their parents, do they?" David asked, a desperation in his voice that Killian couldn't place.
"If he needs me, he'll know how to find me, and I will be there. But I can't watch over him his whole life. I'd do anything for my child, including allowing him to grow up."
Something passed over David's face, and then it was gone. He nodded, grabbing Killian's hand and clapping him on the back. "Well, it's been interesting getting to know you, pirate." The word has less bite to it, and Dave was smiling.
"Aye, and you, prince."
Henry waved from over by Emma, but made no move to come say goodbye himself. It was just as well. Killian was sick of goodbyes. He'd said enough in his day.
Mary Ormond took the helm, much to Killian's chagrin, and pressed things that made no sense to him, until he heard a noise that reminded him of the horseless carriages so popular in this time.
"Now," she said, "I believe you've a magic bean?"
Killian nodded, taking the bean out and throwing it into the water. "To the Enchanted Forest," he said. You didn't need to call out the directions, of course, but it was more dramatic. He looked once more at those waving goodbye at the shore, and then focused on the ship. It might have been different, but it was still a ship. He could take comfort in that, at least. And soon he would have his own ship back. His crew—because they would always be his crew, regardless of what that infuriating woman said—headed for the eye of the portal. On to a new adventure.
"And so," Snow White said, holding up the baby for all the diner to see, "I'd like to introduce you to Prince Charles Rutherford Nolan."
"Charles Rutherford?" someone in the crowd asked.
"Rutherford is for my mother, Ruth," David explained, "but it's an old-world name, so we thought it suited better as a middle name."
"And we wanted to give him the first name Charming," Snow said. "Except that wouldn't work here, in the real world. We gave him a name that means that someday, he can go out and … live his life."
"Someday," Emma said quietly into her drink, though she clapped along with everyone else.
As the festivities wore down, she found a place by her mother and said what she'd known she needed to say since they'd left Regina's earlier in the week. "This isn't going to work, is it? You guys coming with us?"
"Oh, Emma. I want nothing more than for us all to be together. Regina was lashing out. She was hurt and angry and feeling defensive."
"But she was right, wasn't she? You guys are needed here?"
"I think we are."
"Am I? Am I abandoning everyone?"
"No. Your job as the Savior was to break the curse, to bring back the happy endings. You've done that. You should get to rest, now. You deserve whatever life you want. I wish you could stay. I want you to stay. But it is your choice."
Emma sighed. "If it were just me, maybe, but Aaron and his kids don't belong here. And Henry … he deserves as normal a life as possible. It isn't safe here, not for kids. I have to put them first: Henry, Andrea, Jason. They have to come first. They're just kids. I don't know, maybe down the line, someday, I can move back. If years pass, and the kids are in college, and no monsters have come around, maybe it'll be safe. But I need to put being a mother first."
"And you don't think I did?" Emma started to interrupt, but Snow stopped her. "It's okay. I can think of a million reasons why we had to do what we did. I can say we saved our people and your life, but none of that matters as much as the fact that you were alone, and I should have been there. I am so, so sorry."
"This isn't the end," Emma said. "You can visit us, and we can visit you, and Henry will teach you guys Skype and Facetime. Regina was right; I am a grown woman. You said that I needed to believe in myself before you guys went back into the Enchanted Forest. It's time. It's time I believed that being on my own isn't the same as you guys not wanting me. I am good enough."
"You are. We love you so much, Emma. And we're so proud of you."
The two of them shared a hug.
"When do you leave?" Snow asked.
"Tomorrow morning," Emma said. "But let's not talk about that tonight. Let's just … be a family. Hey, can I hold my brother?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
At first, they thought they might get married at the wishing well, where they had first said 'I love you'. But, well, Bae and Ruby had both brought dates. And Bae wanted Henry to come, which Rumple had no issue with. But Emma didn't want Henry to go without her, so she had come, and brought her boyfriend and his kids, and her parents and new brother.
All and all, it was far too many people, and Rumple had protested, but Belle had just seemed so happy to have everyone want to celebrate with them that he'd caved. Still, he'd make his objections clear to the Charmings when the time came. In any case, it had become too big an affair for the woods, so they'd decided to host it at town hall.
Rumple was put out by all the changes, but when he saw Belle walking down the aisle in her white dress, none of it mattered.
The cricket began to speak. "It is my great honor to officiate this most lovely reunion." He turned to Belle, who simply glowed, in Rumple's eyes. "If you'd like to begin your vows."
"Rumpelstiltskin," Belle began, "this thing we have, it's never been easy. I've… I've lost you so many times. I've lost you to darkness. To weakness and... And finally, to death. But now I realize… I realize that I have not spent my life losing you. I've spent my life finding you."
She had a way with words, and Rumple's heart expanded. Archie nodded to him, indicating it was his time to speak. "Belle, when we met, I wasn't just unloved and unloving. I was an enemy of love. Love had only brought me pain. My walls were up. But you broke them down. You brought me home. You brought light into my life and chased away all the darkness. And I vow to you I will never forget the distance between who I was," he placed a ring on her finger, "and what I am. I owe more to you than I can ever say. How you can see the man behind the monster, I will never know."
"But the monster is gone," Belle said. "And the man beneath him may be flawed, but we all are. And I love you for it. Sometimes the best book has the dustiest jacket. And sometimes the best teacup is chipped."
Both of them were bawling at this point, but they didn't let their tears get in the way of a sweet and tender kiss. Henry cheered and Bae whistled, while the others clapped.
"I can't believe I'm at Beauty and the Beast's wedding," Andrea said, causing Belle to laugh.
The two shared their first dance to the classic, "Tale as Old as Time," Rumple changing their outfits with a snap of his fingers. The girl in the crowd burst into a fit of giggles, but Rumple just rolled his eyes. He wouldn't let a childish fan ruin his and Belle's day.
Around them, he noticed Ms. Swan dancing with her beau, the wolf girl with the good doctor, his son with the fairy he had mentioned, and the Charmings with each other, their new baby held fast between them. It was a lovely wedding. His new wife, his son, and grandson, plus a handful of others. He finally had all he would ever need.
The day had finally come. They were all standing out by the bug, luggage packed and ready to go. Now, all that was left were the goodbyes.
"Are you really sure about this?" Snow asked for the final time.
"Yes," Emma said, "I am."
"Okay. Then we support you. And we'll see you again …?"
"As soon as Henry gets a break from school. Unless you guys want to venture into New York for a surprise visit? Actually, no, don't do that. I mean, do it but … but call first. In case we have plans or … or Aaron and I are making tacos, or something."
Snow laughed, hugging her daughter with tears in her eyes. "Oh, I love you, Emma. And if there were any way we could have kept you –"
"I know. I do know that. It'll always hurt but … I know you guys love me. And I'm so glad I got to know you." She rubbed at her eyes. "And I'll call tomorrow to let you know that we've gotten there safely. We'll keep in touch, right?"
"Of course, sweetie. Of course."
Snow hugged her again, and David, who had been hanging on the sidelines with baby Charles, came in to join the hug. They stood like that for a few minutes.
"So, you're really not coming?" Henry asked Regina.
"Oh, I want to, Henry. I love you and I will miss you. But the town needs me. And you need … you need to go with Emma."
"The town needs you?"
"Yes. In case of trouble."
"You really are becoming a hero, aren't you?"
Regina preened at his praise. "We'll have phone calls, and I'll see you when you come to visit. This isn't goodbye. I will always be your mother."
"I know, Mom," Henry said, hugging her.
"Okay, you guys set?" Emma asked.
Regina nodded, wiping at her eyes. "I believe so, yes."
"All right, get in the car, kid," Emma said. Once he had, she turned to his other mother. "You're doing the right thing, Regina."
"I hope to god you're right."
"All right, gang. Let's hit the road."
She got into the bug, closing the door behind her, and started it up.
Snow, David, and Regina watched as their children passed the Welcome to Storybrooke sign.
"They'll come back, right?" Regina asked.
"Oh, I hope so," Snow said. "I really hope so."
A few days had passed since Emma and Henry had left town. Snow and David were at Granny's having breakfast and trying to get Charles to take his bottle.
David noticed Snow heave a big sigh. "Something you want to say?" he asked.
"You know what I keep thinking?" Snow asked.
"That you wish Emma had stayed," David said.
"Well, yes that. But also, that if Storybrooke weren't such a dangerous place, maybe she could have."
"And how could we make that happen?"
"There must be some way. Some way to make this a land without magic again. Without magic, it would just be an ordinary small town. It would be safe." Her eyes lit up. "Maybe Regina…"
"I don't think Regina is going to help us get rid of magic," David said, lifting the bottle a little so Charles could better drink from it.
"Perhaps I can be of assistance," the Wizard said, approaching.
"Where did you come from?" Snow asked.
"Oz, originally."
"I think Snow meant," David said between his teeth, "how long have you been listening to our private conversation?"
"That's not important. What is important is that I'm returning to Oz, and I happen to know that in Oz, there is a very special object. This object can help you get rid of magic for good. I'm happy to take you there, if you wish."
"Why would you help us?" David asked.
"Because I owe Emma a debt, and while I'm sure a part of her is happy to be in New York, I know she will miss her family here. She missed you even when she couldn't remember you. Consider this offer my penance."
Snow nodded. "All right."
"Snow, are you sure?" David asked.
"This is the answer to everything, David. It's how we get our daughter back, and our grandson. It will make sure Regina can't hurt anyone, that Mr. Gold can't, that none of these villains who keep popping up can do anything. Because there will be no magic! It's what Emma would want. We have to try. What's one quick trip to Oz?"
David nodded his acquiescence. "Okay. What do we have to do?"
"Come with me," the Wizard said, and the three of them headed outside, David pushing Charles in his stroller. They didn't notice Regina trailing behind them.
"We'll need physical contact. I can only take you along if we're touching."
David nodded. He couldn't let go of baby Charles's stroller, of course, so Snow grabbed his shoulders with one hand, and the Wizard's hand with the other. Just as the Wizard lifted his wand to create the tornado that would take them to Oz, Regina hurried forward and grabbed hold of Snow from behind.
"What are you doing?" Snow shouted over the tornado.
"I'm not letting you idiots go on some quest to get rid of magic!" Regina shouted back.
Before Snow could reply, the five of them were swept up in the tornado, bound for the land of Oz. Citizens of Storybrooke who had heard the tornado raging came outside to find their prince, princess, and formerly evil queen gone. Their savior was in New York. Their rulers had gone off on some quest to erase magic. And here they all stood, staring at one another, and wondering what would happen next.
To Be Continued …
Author's Note: So, the Charmings, Regina and the Wizard are headed to Oz, Killian, Mary, Aurora, and Philip are on a quest in the Enchanted Forest, Emma and co. are in New York, and Storybrooke is left to Rumple and Belle. What could go wrong? I'd like to thank everyone who has stuck along for the ride of Part III of ESDARB. It has been a long and beautiful journey, and while I considered ending the fic with this part, I realized that there was so much more story to tell soon after I realized that Emma would have to choose between Aaron and her parents. It's never as simple as that in the Onceverse. I have plans for Part IV, but I'm not sure when I'll get to them, as I have other fics I've neglected, and I may want to prioritize those. However, I hope you'll be patient with me and come to read Part IV when it goes up. For those who've commented, thank you, particularly Naivesilver and Bewilderedmouth. You may have noticed that Killian has a couple of options in his love life right now, and Regina has a few also. If you'd like to share your two cents on who they each end up with, I'm all ears. Also, a big thank you to Ellynne, who gave me some great ideas for how Neal acclimated to the Land without Magic, and Rylieblu who spent time working out with me if/how The Charmings and Regina could live out in the world. And of course, as always, thank you to Dragonbat for being my beta, sounding board, and friend. See you in the next one.