It wasn't the first time she'd woken in Hook's cabin, but it was still nice that despite the whole kidnapping incident. He still tucked her in, and he put a pillow on the side and another on the floor in case she fell of the bunk. Artemis couldn't really help, but smirk. Killian was such a softie. Even when he tried not to be.
Reflecting upon it, he and Emma suited each other well. It was pity she couldn't come to the wedding.
MONDAY:
"You were out all night. Where were you? Did you find Artemis? Granny wouldn't tell me anything. Did I miss it all?" Henry asked, bounding down the steps to the counter. It was late morning, by the time they'd all returned from the hospital. David already opening cupboards and drawers, Snow turning on the kettle with Emma slouching on the counter.
"Cereal okay?" David said, holding up a bowl. Emma 'hmmed' from her place, still too tired to move just yet.
"Rumpelstiltskin and Captain Hook had a fight, and someone got hurt." Snow explained. "We weren't sure if Dr. Frankenstein could fix him, but he did. As for Artemis. Hook said she's somewhere safe-"
David scoffed. "If we can trust that."
Emma shook her head, getting up. "He's telling the truth. They know each other, well. He seemed to genuinely care about her." she mused, taking a bite of cereal. Snow set down her cup. "How would Artemis know Captain Hook?"
Emma shrugged.
"So, she's going to be okay?" Henry asked nervously. Snow smiled, rubbing David's shoulder. "Of course, Artemis is strong. She's strong."
David nodded stiffly. Artemis was strong. Stronger than she was meant to be. Artemis grew up too fast; faster than she was meant to. As much as he tried to ignore it, it seemed like he'd failed both his sister and his daughter. Children, who he'd given away for their best chance, only to for them to grow up and fight the battles meant for them.
They weren't born strong. They had to learn it, not from them, but from themselves. It made them indestructible. It made them, who they were. It made him proud; yet it cut him deeper than any sword.
TUESDAY:
"You didn't even ask me about my recovery," Hook grunted, holding his side with his arm, as he hobbled towards his ship. Leroy and David behind him and Snow next to him. Snow smirked. "How are you feeling Hook?"
Hook smiled. "Come closer and feel for yourself-ugh!" he cried. David hitting him in the gut, making him double over. "You wanna lose the other hand? Where's the ship? Come on, Archie told us it's shielded somehow, isn't it mate?"
"Aye, that it is. I have to say, I can see the family resemblance, though," Hook said, turning around. "I prefer your sister, much better company." David made a move towards him, Snow catching his arm, giving him a disapproving look.
"I don't know what you expect to find. Cora won't be there." Hook added.
"Well, maybe she left something behind that will tell us where she went. Let's go." David said, giving Hook a push forwards.
"No, funny business. I'm watching you, pirate." Leroy growled from behind. Hook scoffed. "Yes, Dwarf. That should deter me from any maleficence."
"Oh, don't worry, Leroy." Snow said gently. "He'll help us."
Hook stopped. "What makes you so sure?" he asked.
"Because you're a pirate." Snow said knowingly. "You know which way the wind blows, and, right now, it is gusting towards us."
Hook smirked. "Oh. I see where your daughter got her gumption. Follow me." he said, turning back, walking up the seemingly into the air. Snow, David, and Leroy following him up the invisible stairs, the cloaking dissolving, revealing the Jolly Roger.
The Jolly Roger was a large ship, made of deep red-brown wood, with yellow rims, large white sails and of course, its black skull flag. But what made the Jolly Roger exceptionally special was that it was the only ship that had water pressure, and a decent shower.
"You sailed this ship from our land. Can you sail it back?" Leroy asked, still gazing around the ship.
"My ship?" Hook said, moving around, peeking behind the cargo, before moving closer towards below the deck, that lend to the cabins. "She's a marvel. Made from enchanted wood. We weathered many a storm together, seen many strange, glittering shores. But, to travel between lands, she must go through a portal." he said.
"Where's Artemis?" David snapped, glancing around the ship.
"That's what I've been wondering," Hook mused, bringing his hand to his lips, letting out a whistle.
"Seriously?" Snow said.
"Hey, Killi!" Artemis said, walking out blew the deck, rubbing her hair with a towel. "Your water pressure is gone all outta wack again." she said, hanging the towel, on one of the pulleys. "Thanks for letting me borrow this by the way," she added, gesturing to her coat.
"Is that my coat?" Hook said, pointing at it. It was black, almost identical to the one he was wearing, but slightly shorter. Artemis was sure he had it made for the kid, he picked up one of the days…Bae-something-whatever.
"It was. I'm keeping it. Think of it as breaking even for the subpar kidnapping." Artemis said, pulling up the collar. "Look we're twins."
Oddly enough, Killian and Artemis, standing next to each other, kitted out in full black did look similar; much to David's chagrin. Maybe it was the eyes it irked him more; that a pirate and his sister seemed to be on friendlier terms with each than Artemis with him.
Hook scoffed. "You'd kill to be this handsome, love." Artemis grinned. "Is that a challenge?"
"Alright, David said. Snow smiled, taking Artemis in her arms. "You, okay?"
"I'm fine," Artemis said, squeezing Snow's hand.
"Told you." Hook grumbled. David sighed. "Fine…What do you know about Cora's plans?"
"Yeah, I wanna give her a present," Artemis said, folding her arms. "Her death." she said. Snow hissing 'Missy!' under her breath. Artemis and Hook shared a smirk. Hook's falling when he caught David glaring at him.
Hook sighed. "Cora's not the most communicative of lasses. I will tell you this – whatever malice she has in mind, her weapon of choice is in here." he said, gesturing to a tarp covered box that was strapped to the ship.
Leroy and David pulled back the tarp, revealing a wooden cage, with a man, with a large bushy brown beard with matching bushy brown hair, wearing a long dusty red-brown coloured cloak and thick boots. He was also unconscious.
"Who's that?" Snow asked. Artemis shrugged. "You guess is good as mine."
"So, Cora used magic to make him travel-sized." Leroy said, patting the cage.
"Whatever she intends to do with him, it's important." Hook said seriously. David fixed his eyes on Hook, looking at him with a little more hatred than Artemis though necessary. "Oh, I think you know exactly what she intends. You're holding out."
"Well, either have your lovely wife torture it out of me, which I promise will be fun for both-" Hook started. David grabbing him by the throat, shoving him against the wall. "Why don't you and I have some fun?"
"David, let him go!" Artemis said, pulling him away from Hook, by the straps of his holster. "Hitting him isn't going to do anything." she said. Total lie. Personally, she thought if you hit Hook in the right place, he'd spill the tea faster than…(well Snow,) unless it didn't benefit him. Truth. She didn't want Killian to get hurt anymore than he already was.
"I don't know what she's planning. Why don't you wake the bloody giant and ask him yourself?" Hook spat. Artemis nodded. "Good idea," she said, taking the key from him, handing it to Snow.
"Are you alright?" she asked, pulling him to the side. "Not all of those are my brother's, he doesn't have the stomach to beat you to a pulp." she said. He looked quite awful. He nodded in agreement. "I got hit by a car, chasing the crocodile."
Artemis bit the inside of her cheek. "Now that's a fight I've wanted to see. The malevolent Captain Hook vs car, was it Emma? She's all smiles, but she's got the guts."
"No." Hook scoffed. "It was-"
"You!" came a yell from behind them. The not-so-giant from the cage was awake and rightfully, rather cross. The not-so-giant-giant punched, David in the face sending him flying backwards onto the deck like a deflated punching bag.
"David!"
Artemis whistled. "Damn that's gotta hurt-" she said, turning to Hook, how had conveniently vanished from site. "So, nothing's changed." she mumbled, jumping up onto a crate, watching the fight between Snow, David, Leroy and the not-so-giant-giant. It was kinda going well. Leroy went tumbling down the stairs of the ship. David and his gun went flying next. Nevermind, it was going terribly. Snow drew her bow, shooting an arrow past the not-so-giant-giant's head. "Step away from my husband."
Now this was a fight, she would watch.
The not-so-giant-giant, stepped back, running out of the ship down the harbour. "You may have me outnumbered, but this isn't over. You think I forgot what you did? I didn't. You'll pay for your evil. I promise! You'll pay!"
"So, I didn't miss much then." Artemis drawled. "Cool."
ARTEMIS. NEVERLAND.
She didn't know what to think when she left Hook on the beach, walking back towards the camp. On one hand, he was offering what she had wanted since she'd arrived onto the island. On the other hand, Neverland, Neverland, felt like home. She and friends, Felix, Rufio and Curly, even Tinkerbell. she had nature, the sea breeze. The wonderous coves and magically embedded trees…Peter Pan and of course, his deal.
If she left, the boy in the picture, the Truest Believer would die. Like it or not, she couldn't do that. She couldn't have him die. Not matter what…but David, Snow, they could be dead already or going to die if she stayed. On the other hand, her showing up would simply make matters worse.
She was trapped here, by far more than tides and the trees of the island.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Speak of the devil. Pan flipped the coin, Artemis catching it. It was a small gold coin, solid gold, mind you, the kind that the Evil Queen had in stacks and stacks while her people starved in the streets.
She twirled the coin between her fingers. "My fee is much higher than a penny, I'm afraid," she said softly. Pan made a long, dramatic drawn out sigh. "Prefer a pot of gold than?"
"I'm not the one dressed as a leprechaun."
Pan chuckled, a real genuine one, that pulled her gaze from the ocean. He didn't look so evil here. Hair that looked golden, fluffy and light. He must have been flying. His face oddly relaxed, peaceful almost.
She didn't really know how old Peter Pan was, but now, especially now, he didn't look even a day over seventeen. His face from his eyes that could so, dark….were young and when he looked at her…When he looked at her, they were so bright, so hopeful.
"What are you thinking about?" Peter mumbled. She didn't realize he moved from his place near the trees. That he was standing right in front of her, she didn't realize…
What are you thinking about? You're a killer
"Hmm?" Peter whispered, brushing some hair behind her ear. Instead his hand didn't move from and get stiffly held at the side like normal. It went slowly behind her head, so light if she wasn't hyper focusing on him, she would have missed it.
What are you thinking about? You manipulate people. You lie. You hurt others and laugh.
He brain was tell her something, say, think…she could look. She couldn't breath, why, she tried, but it seemed stuck. He heart was going, miles in seconds.
He had freckles, so light, but she could see them now. He smiled.
It was a real one.
It was beautiful.
He moved closer, leaning his head forward-What are you thinking about? You don't care for me. You don't care for anyone else. Other than yourself.
He moved closer to her, his other hand, slowly cupping her cheek, tracing a pattern with his thumb.
What are you thinking about?
He was so close, she could his breath on her cheek. She didn't want to, but she eyes seemed to close already leaning into him.
Peter took a breath, blowing hard on the top of her head, before dusting it with his hand. "There," he said, smiling at her dropping his hands from her face. "Got it."
"Huh?"
Peter tucked his hands in his pockets. "There was something in your hair."
Artemis blinked. "Oh…yes, yes."
He chuckled again. "My, my Artie," he said, tilting his head slightly, lowering himself to eye-level with her. "What were you thinking about?"
I think…I love you.
After the ship, David and Snow had sent her straight back home, straight to bed. But she couldn't sleep. Not without them nearby. She couldn't dream, she refused to dream. Not of him. Lucky, she hadn't because terrified screams of everyone in the town soon began.
"That's right! Run! Run!" echoed the yells from the Giant, which was now, well giant. While the rest of the citizens of Storybrooke took to running away. Artemis had grabbed her bow and her arrows from Snow and David's, running back though the fray of screams and shouts. Catching sight of David's brown leather jacket, Artemis ran up to them.
"Hey! How'd he get big again?" Artemis called out, jogging towards them. Snow whipped around. "Artemis! What are you doing here?" she said worriedly.
"Helping." she said, holding up her bow. "Looks like you need it."
"You shouldn't be here, you should home, you just got kidnapped." David started. Artemis made a 'pft' sound. "That was barely a kidnapping, and I can help!"
"You've stopped a giant before?" David asked. Artemis bit her lower. "Nope, but…I'm optimistic." Snow smiled. "Well that a first."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah! Good for you." Snow praised. Artemis smiled, tucking a bit of hair behind her ear. "Thanks." she said shyly. Snow stroked her hair. David smiled. "Well…Here's to new firsts." he said, raising his voice. "Wait! You don't have to do this!"
"Yeah, I do. You destroyed everything in my life. Now you're going to know what that feels like!" the giant shouted. David slowly edged towards him. "The man who hurt you? That wasn't me. That was my twin brother James. We were separated at birth. He was raised by a, a ruthless King."
"Oh, I forgot about that," Artemis mumbled to Snow. "That's wild."
"You're not James?"
" No!"
"Then where is he?"
"He paid the ultimate price for his arrogance. He's dead!" David shouted. "There is nothing more you can do to him."
"We're on your side, Anton!" Snow chimed in. "We're good! We're here because of you. You know our daughter Emma. You gave her the magic compass." Snow said, standing next to David.
"Emma?" the giant, Anton said. "Let me talk to her. She says you're okay, then I'll stop."
Snow wordlessly blubbered for a minute, glancing between her and David. Of course, the one time they really needed Emma, to prevent further damage to property she was out of town. Typical.
"Yeah, about that…um, she's kinda outta town at the moment." Artemis added, trying a smile. Leroy jogging up to them. Artemis turned, still smiling. "Hey Leroy." Leroy jumped back. "What are you doing?"
"I'm smiling, with all my teeth to appear more friendly." Artemis said, still smiling. Leroy's face became even more sour than it normally was. "You look like an axe murderer."
Artemis's smile dropped. "I hope Anton steps on you." she hissed under her breath.
"Glad your back to normal."
"You're the worst, Leroy." Artemis said.
"How convenient." Anton yelled. "Everyone I'm looking for isn't around! All you humans do is lie, and cheat, and kill, and I'm sick of it!" he shouted, taking a step, that shook the ground.
"Oh, that's not good," Artemis said, stepping back. Leroy following her. "Run." he cried. Anton charging after them. They were being chased a giant, and if it weren't for the Storybrooke power cables, they may have been human pancakes to be scraped off.
"So let me get this straight – " Leroy yelled to David, as they ran down the street. "You got a twin brother and a sister?"
"Yeah." David said, he and Snow joining hands as they ran. It was so cute…she missed that…
"Younger sister!" Artemis added. "And the twin is dead."
"His name is James?" Leroy asked. David nodded. "Right."
"Well, your name is James." Leroy cried. Artemis and David answering at the same time.
"Nope!"
"No, actually, it's not."
"It's Charming, then?" Leroy asked.
"No, that's the nickname I gave him." Snow shouted.
"Hey, hold on. What the hell is your name?" Leroy yelled.
"David." David said.
"Your curse name?" Leroy said. "My real name!" David yelled. Leroy paused. "What, you're David, James, and Charming? Is David like a middle name?"
"No! It's my name-name." David shouted.
"It's not that difficult Leroy!" Artemis snapped.
"You know what? I'm going to call you whatever I damn well please! Is that okay?!" Leroy shouted.
"Sure, Leroy." David sighed.
"So what's the plan?" Snow asked. "I like running, running's great." Artemis said.
"Lead the giant away from here, so he can't hurt anyone." David said.
"Wait. If we keep heading in this direction, we're going to hit the town line!" Snow said. David pausing, stopping at the docks. "Okay, new plan." David stopping, walking towards Anton.
"What are you doing?" Snow cried.
"Giving him what he wants." David said, turning to Anton. "Anton! How about we make a deal?"
"I don't make deals with humans."
"Just hear me out. I'll surrender myself to you, if you spare the lives of everyone in Storybrooke." David said calmly. Artemis gripping her bow tightly. "David don't be stupid!"
"David, you can't do this." Snow said. David shook his head; even now, despite everything Artemis saw love, real pure love in his eyes when he looked at Snow. "If I don't, the whole town will suffer. I can't allow that." he said, looking back at Anton. "Well, what do you say?"
She would never let him lose it.
Anton paused. "Deal." he said, running towards them, almost jumping on top of David. Snow and Artemis grabbed David by the shoulders, pulling him away from Anton.
David fell backwards onto the pebbles, a large hole of splintered wood and dust covering them. Artemis dropping her bow, bending down to David. "You okay?" she asked, gently holding his hand. David nodded, giving her a tight hug. "I'm okay." he said, rubbing her head, letting her rest her head on his shoulder.
"Where did he go?" Snow asked, leaning over the hole. Artemis and David got up; Anton was gone, a giant hole in the ground. David leaned over the hole. "I'm not sure."
"There he is," Artemis said, pointing to Anton, who was hanging onto an underground pip. "We have to help him up right?"
David smiled. "Yeah."
"I'll get Granny."
After the rescue of the Anton, sleep had once again beckoned to Artemis, deciding to forgo the rescue party and instead do what David and Snow had told her to do after Cora's kidnapping. Rest. And simply hope not to dream again.
A FEW HOURS LATER:
The window slowly creaked open, the shadow sliding into the room.
Pan edged closer, slowly coming into focus. He closed the window slowly. She felt the weight shift on the bed, dripping to the left. "I know you're awake, Artie." he whispered, stroking some hair from her face.
The shadow drifted across, casting Artemis in darkness. She was shifted uncomfortably in her sleep, throwing off some of the covers, the haze over her slowly coming into focus.
She slowly lifted her head.
There she was.
There he was.
He looked different at night, more like the demon, less like the boy. The moon highlighter the dark shadows under his eyes, the cheekbones the sharpness to his jaw that made him look, dangerous.
But she didn't fear Peter Pan. She didn't think she ever truly did.
"How-" she started. Peter placed his finger to his lips, shaking it head slowly, the moonlight starting to illuminate the room. "It doesn't matter, lets go home." he said, taking her hand in his.
"But Dav-"
"I took care of it," Peter mumbled, the moonlight making the blood on his cheek gleam. He was covered in it, blood smeared across his cheek, a few drops in his hair. The dagger that was tucked into his blood-soaked clothes leaving droplets of blood onto her light coloured sheets.
"I took care of all of them," he whispered, cupping her cheek gently. It was still warm, oh god it was still warm. "Don't cry, Artie." Peter said, wiping her tears with his hand.
"You-you, no, no-why, why-"
He smiled. "I love you."
WEDNESDAY:
"So Rumpelstiltskin is Henry's grandfather?" David said. Artemis choking on her chocolate milk. "What?!"
"Apparently." Snow said, patting Artemis back, while she coughed.
"But I'm his grandfather." David said, gesturing to himself.
"You can have more than one." Snow said.
"Oh my god, we're related to Gold, through blood." Artemis said, taking another sip of her chocolate milk.
"And, his…step-grandmother is Regina, the Evil Queen." David added. Artemis choked again, half-spraying David with her chocolate milk. "What?!"
"Actually, his step-great-grandmother. And she's also his adoptive mother." Snow said thoughtfully, handing David a paper-towel. David took it gratefully. "It's a good thing we don't have Thanksgiving in our land, cause that dinner would suck."
"It wouldn't be dinner, it would be a warzone." Artemis mused. 'Wrap Peter in it, it may be a war of the worlds.' She nearly shivered at the thought after that nightmare, she struggled to sleep after that. Imagine, all of them at a large dinner table. He'd probably poison them and revive them for fun.
"Or," Snow said, her eyes lighting up. "Maybe this will mellow everyone out." Artemis snorted. Snow sighed. "I'm seriously, Missy." Snow said, folding her arms. "Maybe Henry could bring everyone together."
Artemis set down her chocolate milk. "Sorry, Snow, but I'm not that optimistic."
It was a good thing she wasn't. Because of what happened the very next day.
THURSADAY:
Artemis sighed, watching Snow plant flowers on top of Johanna's grave. "I'm really sorry Snow," she mumbled, placing a hand on Snow's shoulder.
"It was a beautiful service." David said softly. Snow shook her head, standing up. "That never should've happened. Johanna was an innocent."
"You can't blame yourself. You did the best you could do in an impossible situation." David said, rubbing her shoulder. Artemis nodded. "David's right. The only one to blame is Cora, you didn't so anything wrong."
"Really?" Snow said, turning to Artemis. For the first time, since Artemis had met her, she looked broken somehow, something deep inside Snow White had cracked and now that she met Snow's unnaturally dimmed eyes. Regina and Cora had crossed a line.
"You wouldn't have fallen for it. You would have, you would have found a way to win-''
"But I'm not a good person Snow, not like you." Artemis started. Snow shook her head. "But you're not a monster. You always find a way to win. I chose good, yet here I am, and Regina's family mausoleum remains untouched."
"Mary Margaret…" David started, glancing at Artemis. She quickly took the hint, stepping back giving them some space.
She'd often wondered if she was a good person. She'd done good things, she'd sacrificed she'd did her best. That what she was, just a person, who did their best. That was alright…wasn't it?
FRIDAY
"Are you okay?" Snow asked, the second David parked the car. David helping who-Artemis presumed to be his son 'Bae'.
"Yeah. Yeah, we're alright." Emma said, she and Snow embracing. Artemis opening the back of the truck, where she put in a few blankets and a pillow. "Put him here," she said. David and Bae setting him down on the blankets.
"Thank you, thank you." Rumple grunted.
"You look terrible." Artemis said, bending down.
"You try taking a hook to the heart and see how you fair?" Rumple grunted.
"Tsk. Why are you so crass?" she said, gently touching his shoulder. "Can I see?" she asked. Rumple nodded, removing his hand and the white rag he'd had pressed against his wound. Artemis leaned over, the wound bubbling yellow with purple lines of poison drifting into his bloodstream.
"Well, good news, you're not going to die soon," Artemis said, placing the rag back over the wound. Rumple scoffed. "Good news?"
"There's no pleasing you." Artemis snapped. "It'll be slow and painful, like a lifetime with you, so not that much different, I suppose."
"Is Cora trying to control you with the dagger?" David interjected. Artemis smirked. "Not yet."
"Oh, you'd know if she was, cause most of you would be dead by now." Rumple added.
"Well, then we'll just have to take the fight to her before that can happen." Snow said, folding her arms, her face set. David sighed. "We will."
"And this time, we finish it."
"Mary Margaret…"
"David. She needs to be stopped. She needs to be killed. This is our family. We are going to protect it." Snow snapped.
"Okay, dying person, can you guys fight over there," Artemis started. David taking Snow by the arm pulling her away from her and Rumple. Rumple poked his head up. "Lover's spat?"
"Of sorts, Cora and Regina killed Johanna, someone Snow knew since she was a child. And she found out that, Cora also killed her mother, so, I'd say she's not taking it well." Artemis said, placing a pillow behind his head.
"Moral dilemma, understandable." Rumple said, leaning back against it. "Thank you," he said. Artemis smiled. "Least I can do."
"You okay?" Emma asked. Rumple nodded. "Ah, I'm beginning to feel a bit stronger. Take me back to my shop. There's magic there that can protect us."
"Let me guess. I get to go with Ruby." Henry said. Emma patted his head. "You got it, kid."
"I'll keep him out of the crossfire." Ruby said, taking Henry's shoulder. Artemis nodded. "It's probably for the best, it could get nasty pretty fast."
"Exactly," Emma said, looking pointed at Artemis. Artemis blinked back. "Yeah."
Emma sighed. "Missy, we think it's best, you go with Henry and Ruby." she said firmly.
"Seriously?" she asked, glancing between Rumple and Henry. "Your, not kidding. No way, I can help, I can-"
"No." Rumple said. "What?" Artemis yelled, an octave higher than normal.
"No. You stay with Henry," Rumple said sternly. "Cora is dangerous, and your magic is meant to keep you alive, not kill you."
Artemis opened her mouth to argue, Henry gently touching her arm. "Don't look so worried." Henry said, patting Artemis's arm. "They'll stop Cora. They won't let her get away."
Artemis smiled tightly, taking his hand. "I'm not worried about that."
SATURDAY:
"He deserves to know. Here's the thing, Henry. Cora's death... Mary Margaret was partially responsible for it, and that's why she's so upset." Emma said gently to Henry. Artemis trudging downstairs, someone knocking at the door.
"No, it's too early," Artemis groaned, yanking open the door. "What?! Oh, hey Rumple." she said. David marching over from the kitchen. "Get out!"
"I think you're gonna wanna hear what I have to say - for her sake." Rumple said, gesturing to Snow, who lay crumpled on the bed, in the same position as yesterday.
"What are you talking about?" Emma said, standing up too. Rumple sighed. "Regina. She's planning to strike back - against your mother."
"Are you freaking kidding me? It's Saturday! We've been dealing with her crap for like four days now. Can't she take a break?" Artemis whined. Rumple flicking her on the forehead, walking inside. "Be quiet."
"Oh, come on in." Artemis said to the empty doorway, slamming the door.
"What is she gonna do to her?" Henry said anxiously.
"Oh, she didn't say."
"Well, that's helpful." Artemis scoffed. Emma lightly smacking her on the shoulder.
"No. You don't get to come in here and just drop a bomb like that. You're gonna figure this out. And you're gonna help us." David said, squaring up to Rumple.
"And why should I?" Rumple asked, as usual not backing down.
"Because aside from us being family now, Mary Margaret saved your life. Now you owe her a debt. And you always pay your debts, don't you? You're gonna help us stop Regina." David said. Artemis grinned. "He gotcha there, Rumpie." she said.
David lightly smacking her shoulder. Artemis's smile dropped. "Alright, the next person to flick me, gets a punch to the throat."
"What the hell does that do?" Emma asked Rumple and David, when they had returned from their trip to Regina's mausoleum.
"In theory, it has the power to make someone love you." Rumple explained.
"Doesn't that break magic laws? You can't bring back to life, you can't force someone to love you." Emma said, tucking her hands into her pockets.
Artemis smiled. "You've been studying. The spell Rumple's talking about makes someone think they love you. But it does not actually manifest any real love." Artemis said, taking a sip of her tea.
"And if you're as desperate for love as Regina appears to be, you just might believe it." Rumple said.
"She's using it on me, isn't she." Henry said, coming down the steps.
"Hey buddy, why don't you go back upstairs, let us handle this." David started, trying to guide Henry back upstairs.
"No!" Henry shouted, pushing past David, running towards Emma. "Emma! You said you were going to be honest with me. Now, why is Regina using this curse?"
Rumple sighed. "Because it's the only way she can get everything she wants. That she can get you."
"But if all she wants is me..." Henry started. Rumple sighed. "Your mother is a complicated woman. She wants your love of course, but she also wants vengeance. On Mary Margaret."
"How does the curse give her both?" David asked. Rumple glanced at Artemis. Artemis sighed, setting down her mug. "In a spell like this, the last ingredient to cast the curse is the heart of the person she hates the most. Which is, well," Artemis said, inclining her head towards Snow. "You know."
"You have to stop her." Emma said instantly. Rumple scoffed. "Oh, I don't have to do anything. On the contrary, I believe warning you fulfil s my debt."
"Not even close! This is my wife's life we're talking about." David shouted.
"Not to mention your grandson's!" Emma yelled. Rumple sighed. "Well wars have costs."
"Nice." Emma scoffed, glancing at Artemis. "Artemis?"
"No one likes my ideas here, okay?" Artemis said. "This a blood feud, those usually end in one way. And once again, everyone doesn't like the ending."
"Artemis is right," Rumple said. "This is a blood feud, dearie. One that goes back a long time. And the only way you can end a blood feud, is by the spilling of more blood. That is the only way I know to eliminate your Regina problem."
"How, by killing her?" David said.
"Yes, David, by killing her, that's what we've been saying this whole time."
"Is there no other option?" Emma asked, looking at Artemis. Artemis sighed. "Theoretically, if Henry is over the town line, the spell wouldn't affected him. But, Regina would still come to kill Snow and it's doubtful that'll she change her mind if Henry isn't here-"
"In short," Rumple interjected. "I'm afraid not."
"Stop!" Henry shouted. "Listen to yourselves. You're talking about killing my mom! You used to be heroes. What happened to you?" he cried, running out of the apartment, a few of his tears landing on the floor.
"Henry." Emma said, getting up. "No matter how this plays out, we need to keep him as far away from it as possible." she said, running after him.
Rumple sighed. "She's right. Cora is more dangerous because she didn't have a heart. Regina is even more dangerous because she does."
Artemis scoffed. "Funny."
"Okay." Rumple said, hanging up his phone. "That was your husband. It seems that Henry convinced Regina to destroy the curse. Which means my services are no longer required." he said.
"Aw, and here I thought you were just missing us," Artemis joked. Rumple cracked a smile. "It would be a shame, if Regina crushed the heart of my apprentice after so many years."
"Sentiment, Rumple. Gross." Artemis said, biting down a smile.
"How do you both do it?" Snow asked, looking up and Rumple imploringly. The smiles between them dropped. "Do what?" Rumple asked.
"Live with yourself. Knowing all the bad things you've done." Snow whispered.
How did she? Upon thought, she could name almost every wrong doing: she stole, she lied, she tricked, she killed. Yet, somehow, she didn't feel guilty. She stole to feed children, she lied to help families in need, she tricked to save her friends, she killed to save her family, the person she loved. She never felt proud, she didn't revel in the kill.
But, she would be lying to say she didn't enjoy the chaos. The thrill of the chase when she would steal from rich and give to the poor, the joy that would tickled at her when others fell for a trick, the thankful smiles of the children she'd given bread and butter too, the feeling to safety when she knew in her heart, the one that threatened them, wouldn't be able to, ever again.
She hurt people to save others. She made the tough choices that were right, regardless of whether it fit into Snow and David's rigorous moral code. She was no saint. She wasn't a sinner either. And she never pretended to be either one. She was a shade of grey, a hero and a villain.
"Well, you tell yourself you did the right thing." Rumple started. "And if you say it often enough, one day you might actually believe it."
She couldn't have put it any better.
Thoughts?
Hope you liked this
Till next time...