Mount Sinai Medical Centre, New York
Merlin led Regina into the scanning room, an older nurse stepping inside a minute later.
"Now then Regina, I'm sure you know how this works, so I trust you have a full bladder?" While he spoke, he clicked various buttons on the machine next to the bed, a much larger scanner than the one they'd used in Storybrooke .
"I've just had three full glasses of water before I came in here, so I hope that's enough? It'd better be, because I feel like I'm bursting. Can we just get started?"
Already familiar with the procedure, having done the same thing days ago, she climbed onto the treatment bed, raising her skirt to expose her belly. Pulling the top of her underwear down a couple of inches to avoid any mess, the nurse quickly tucked tissues around the top of her panties and smeared the transducer, the scanner probe, with cold gel. Regina's breath hitched as the inevitably icy-cold device touched her skin. Then, with long-practised skill, the senior nurse, a qualified sonographer, started roaming it over her now slightly swollen abdomen. After a few seconds, various images started to form on the large, this time multi-coloured, screen. Noises started to fill the room, as all three focused, watching and listening closely.
Seeing a change in Merlin's expression, his smile now replaced by a look of deep concentration as he stared at the screen, Regina grew concerned as he clicked two more buttons and brought his hand to the screen, resting his fingers on it.
"Something wrong?"
"Not as far as I can see; but I've just increased the magnification to get a closer look? It's always a little tricky at this early stage, what with the embryo being so small."
He stopped looking at the screen for a moment, moving over to collect the envelope he'd been handed outside, opening it on the little side table to study. Unfortunately for Regina, it was just too far away to read. The sonographer also seemed to have a little remote control in her free hand, regularly stopping and clicking as the screen in turn stopped, clearly taking pictures and a recording of the scan. She worked in silence, until she suddenly stopped.
"Got him! There's our little fella."
Merlin looked up from reading the notes. "Good. Capture please, Alex?"
The medic clicked again, and the screen froze, as did Regina! Because this picture was wholly different from the one she'd seen in Storybrooke, only two days earlier Not only was it in colour, but the image quality was so much greater.
"As you probably know, this dark mass here is your bladder, Mrs. Locksley?" A bright red pointer now appeared on the screen, moving around to show her. "And if I switch it from colour to black and white…" Another click on the remote, and her full bladder suddenly changed from deep grey to a scruffy white, changing the image. "You can now see the gestational sac more clearly? This holds and protects the amniotic sac. And this in turn..." with another click, the view was suddenly magnified even more, the sight making her jaw drop. "…protects your baby. And here he is! Now as you can gather, there isn't too much detail to see at this stage, so we can't see the limbs fully just yet, or determine the sex. But we can at least see the head, body, and spine..." She pointed to each one in turn. "The umbilical cord and the yolk sac. That provides nutrients and gets absorbed by the end of the first trimester. And with a bit of luck…ah, here we go! Here's your baby's heart, see?" The red dot from her pointer circled a tiny pulsing black and white cluster of dots in the bean-shaped foetus's chest. "If you want to hear the heartbeat as well, we'll need to switch from this Doppler to a vaginal wand? Do you want to-"
But Regina had stopped listening, her eyes and mind now totally focused on the tiny beating heart. The first glimpse of her baby. Her baby! The baby she thought she could never have.
"How big?" Was all she could finally manage. And Merlin, although still immersed in the documents he was reading, handed her a box of tissues as she felt her eyes welling up, but never leaving the screen.
"Allow me?" Merlin moved to the screen, sliding his fingers across it to create a bright green line of the image from top to toe, left to right, then triangulate it with the top of the head as various numbers appeared on the bottom left. "Around 14 millimetres, Regina. About the size of a small raspberry? By next week, it'll be around twice the size. The head and upper body always grow faster than the legs at this stage."
She rolled her eyes, exasperated. "You know what I'm asking! How far along am I? Honestly?"
This was it. This was the question, the answer for which could blow her marriage, and her life, clean out the water. And Merlin was now looking at her curiously, glancing back to the papers before him. And was that a little smirk?
"Based on this? I reckon you're between eight and nine weeks, and your baby's on track. Congratulations, Regina."
It took a moment for it to sink in. It was Robin's!
"OH, THANK GOD!" She gasped, much louder than intended, her cheeks going pale as the news started to hit her. "I'VE BEEN SO WORRIED!"
"Regina?"
Emma now appeared in the doorway, as three sets of eyes left the screen and stared back at her interruption. She'd clearly been standing right outside.
"Sorry, but I thought I heard you yell?" Then she saw her friend's red, watery eyes. "Gina? Why are you crying? Is everything…okay?" Then she remembered she hadn't exactly been invited in. "Sorry for intruding, but I just got a call from Blue. About Henry?"
"It's quite alright, Emma." Merlin was the one who spoke first, as he gathered the papers and closed the folder containing the DNA and paternity test results, Regina staring at it. "We've just about finished in here, anyway." Then back to the brunette. "Regina, I'm pleased everything's looking good so far? Do give Robin my regards when you go back? I'm sure he'll be delighted."
"So, he's definitely…?" She didn't want to say it with Emma now listening. The father?
"Yes. Very much so. Now, would you like me to leave this with you?" He held up the folder. "Or would you rather come by my office later for a quick review?"
"I'll come over. Less things to carry?" Now Alex had finished cleaning the gel from her, she slipped off the bed, adjusting her underwear and dress. "Thank you…Professor." She finished dabbing her eyes again with the last tissue. "Now, Emma, what's all this about the blue moth?"
"Robin called her over to Gold's old shop a little while ago. Apparently, she was able to trace signs of dark magic having been used in the dining room! She says it's slight but must've happened within the last few days. There may have even been some sort of portal involved?" She stopped talking the moment she realised there wasn't just Regina and Merlin in the room, and she was openly talking about magic. "Let's go outside?"
Rumple's Antiquities Shop - In the 'other' Storybrooke
If Henry Mills had been surprised to meet his doppelganger, it was as nothing compared to the shock of seeing the father he'd lost almost a decade ago walk into his grandfather's living room. And the look of surprise on this version of Neal Cassidy was even greater.
"Holy crap!" The stared at his own son, the clean-shaven, shorter haired one. The young man standing next to him was almost identical, even under the light beard. Then he saw the two wands lying on the coffee table, as both young men stood up. "Henry? What the hell have you done this time?"
"Nothing! Why would you think I-" He started protesting, when the other Henry cut him off.
"It's my fault!" He interrupted him. "I came here by mistake, and he's done nothing. In fact, I only met your Henry a couple of hours ago."
Neal then looked down at his own father, who was now sitting in the large armchair, with an annoying grin on his face. "Did you know about this?"
"Bae, didn't you hear what he just said? Don't go casting aspersions. This lad's your son's doppelganger from another parallel realm. Another Storybrooke. And he needs our help."
But as he spoke, the man in question launched himself at his father's 'twin', pulling himself into his arms. "Dad!"
Taller than him, and wider, Neal was hardly able to stop him. And he seemed distraught. "I've missed you!" Although the shorter man reciprocated the hug, Henry had to remind himself this wasn't actually his own father, and slowly pulled back, now embarrassed, wiping red puffy eyes with his fingers. "Sorry," he sniffled.
"Dad, his version of you got killed when he was only twelve?" His own Henry tried to help him understand why the young man was being emotional.
"Oh! Oh, I'm sorry…Henry," he tried giving him a sympathetic smile. "Guess that kinda sucks. Not least for the other me too, I guess? So, what are you doing here?"
Henry, after composing himself, started to explain, once again, what led him here. And why he couldn't go back to his own timeline just yet. As Rumple left them to talk, he got to learn all about this world's Neal Cassidy, and what he'd been doing since their timelines separated.
This father and son were reunited after Henry repeated what he'd done to find Emma, only three years after the knocked on the door of her apartment in Boston. Based on something an extremely drunk and contrite August Booth had accidentally revealed, he discovered his biological father was very much alive. And with a b it of pressure applied, he also finally confessed the real reason why Neal Cassidy had abandoned his pregnant girlfriend, Emma Swan. To break a curse, unite her with the family she never knew, and save an entire town from tyranny by a feudal tyrant.
Armed with this information, he'd yelled at his blonde mother for lying to him, calling her a hypocrite and worse for claiming he was dead. By that time, she'd fallen in love and was living with Regina, so the very last thing she wanted to hear about was the man who'd, she still insisted, betrayed her. His older mother had been similarly scathing, and insisted he drop the matter. But he didn't.
Instead, he'd researched and eventually tracked down Neal Cassidy, in Philadelphia, three months later. The Dark One's son had left a life of petty crime behind him, and, with the love of a good woman, gone straight and set up a furniture and carpentry business, which was now flourishing. Henry met him face-to-face, having left Storybrooke without his mothers' permission.
Emma and Regina were furious when they found out!
Despite his traumatic upbringing, this Neal Cassidy seemed more relaxed, and easy going, than the one he'd known for only a few weeks. He was married now, with another three-year-old son, Michael. And his exceptionally pretty blonde wife, Samantha, who reminded Henry of his own mother, was also expecting another. Life seemed just about perfect for the little family.
Though there was nothing calm about this Neal once he discovered the thirteen-year-old was his biological son by Emma. It was a difficult introduction, though his wife had been surprisingly understanding. Emma on the other hand, once she'd discovered what Henry had done, was spitting blood! Especially after Henry rang and told her he wanted his father in his life from now on.
That first awkward meeting between Emma and Neal, suggested by Samantha, for the first time in nearly fourteen years had been difficult. But after some initial yelling, even Emma began to understand why he'd done what he felt he had to do. Anger turned to tears until, finally, watched by Regina and Samantha, they agreed they had to find a way forward for Henry's sake, for him to be able to spend time with all three parents.
"It all worked out in the end…" This land's Henry smirked at his father. "They've eventually become close mates, and even asked dad and Sam to be godparents to their other kids. And they're both Sofia, my sister's, godmothers."
Neal pulled out his phone, opening up the photos to proudly show off pictures of his two younger children, with a very pretty slim blonde woman behind them, who looked similar to Emma. "Michael and Sofia. Twelve and fifteen now. That's Sarah, my wife."
Henry took the phone, using his fingers to zoom in on the faces. "Yeah, he looks a bit like you. You're wife's really pretty! So how long have you-" But he was interrupted by noises and voices coming from outside the room.
"CASSIDY?" A loud, flustered but familiar voice rang out from inside the main shop. "Are you in there? I saw the car outside."
"We're in the living room, Gina!" Neal yelled back, his tone surprisingly friendly considering he was calling to his ex-lover's wife, Henry thought. "There's someone here you should meet!"
Back in the other realm...
The Sherwood Arms
"Regina?" Robin answered his phone without looking, knowing the familiar ring tone.
"Robin!" Judging from the background noise, she was clearly driving, on a hands-free. "Hello, my love. I'm on the way back. Any more news on Henry?"
"None that you don't already know. From the magical signature trace she found, Blue seems certain some sort of portal opened up in Gold's shop a couple of days ago, at most. How's Snow?"
"Asleep for most of the time, but it looks like she's recovering. Merlin's bringing her back in a week or two to heal the scars and finish the job. How's Roland?"
"Missing his Mama Gina…" Robin could almost feel her smile at his son's moniker for her. "He aced his maths test, which came as a surprise. How's Emma? Is Killian there with her?"
"Erm…" The mere mention of the other woman's name made her feel cautious, especially after everything that'd happened. "He was looking after Hope, keeping her out of the way, so I hardly saw him. Emma's been with her mother. Why?"
"I just wondered whether she was in there, for the scan?" He answered innocently enough, then added something which threw her completely. "And the paternity test?"
He knew!
She stayed silent for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. He knew? Was it a betrayal, having a paternity test done without telling him beforehand?
"Erm…"
"You know Gina, just taking my toothbrush would've probably gone completely unnoticed. But trying to wipe the inside of my mouth with a cotton bud, while you thought I was asleep? I guessed something was going on, as you always fall asleep before I do. Sorry, but I looked in your handbag when you went to the bathroom, just before you left? I know I shouldn't have, but once I saw the little kitchen bag in there, I guessed what you'd done and rubbed the toothbrush it in my mouth again, and put it back, just to be su-"
"I'M EIGHT WEEKS!" She suddenly blurted it out, her breath quickening. "IT'S YOURS ROBIN!" Before adding, "I'm sorry, but I needed to know! I couldn't bear the uncertainty, though I realise I should have told you first."
"Yes, you should have! But it's okay. Though I'd appreciate it if you were a little more open with me in future? No more secrets between us, eh Regina? I think I at least deserve that."
"You do, and again, I'm sorry, and I will be from now on, I promise. I've got the results with me that I can show you? And just for the record, our baby looks perfect! I even got to see his heart. I've got scan photos to show you."
"I'm looking forward to it. Oh, and Regina, I think you'll find in due course it's a her, not a him?" He could almost sense her rolling her eyes. "Just drive carefully and get home safely. Stop somewhere for the night and rest up, if you need to. Take care mi 'lady. I love you."
"Still convinced it's a girl? Well, we'll see, won't we? I love you too, Robin. More than you'll ever know."
And she meant it.
Paris – Later that afternoon
"Hi Neal!" Spotting him sitting on a sofa not too far from the reception desk, Gideon ran over to his older brother, carrying a heavy bag. His father, looking a little tired, followed him over. "We went on a boat on the river! Then to a big aquarium!"
"Sounds great, bro." He noticed his father was heavily laden with bags. "Hope you had a good time? Been shopping too, by the looks of it?"
"I swear this boy will be the death of me?" Rumple slumped into the heavily cushioned armchair opposite. Not having his magic, the Dark One's host was starting to feel his age. He spotted a large bulky envelope on the coffee table in front of the man claiming to be his older son. "What do you have there?"
"Passport, driving license, bank cards…" Neal opened the folder, pulling out a US passport, turning it around to show him. The document looked real enough and having received a similar package from one of Merlin's acolytes only two weeks earlier, he knew that wherever he was getting these things from, Merlin's contacts at senior levels of government must be astonishing. But to be able to do it so quickly? And on another continent? "…References, that sort of stuff? Everything I need to start afresh. He's even left me enough cash to be getting on with."
"Merlin did this?"
"I have to assume so, though I haven't spoken to him yet. Just after you left here, a woman came over and said she was told to give me this and sign for it? I'm just grateful they kept my name on everything. So, I went out and bought a phone," he pulled out and waved the device. "And I've checked into her for two nights. Tomorrow, I'll go buy myself a laptop and do some shopping for clothes and stuff..." He was no longer questioning the other man's identity, but he still wasn't entirely satisfied, either. "So, what are your plans for the next few days?"
"I'm not sure, and that kinda depends on you? I'll try to reach Merlin later to tell him I'm here and give him my new number. I'm desperate to speak to Henry, but I'm still not sure yet. I mean, getting a call from your dead old man? I don't want to freak him out."
As he spoke, his father's own cell phone rang, and he reached into his new suede jacket to retrieve it. He found a text from Jefferson, asking him to call as a matter of urgency.
"Aren't you supposed to be going on a date tonight with the fair Celeste?" Neal smirked at his father. "For the second time?"
"It's not a date!" He retorted. "She's going to be a work colleague, if I accept the offer."
"Papa," Gideon spoke up. "I don't really want to go out again tonight. "Why don't you let Neal look after me instead? I'll be okay here with him."
"Sounds like a good idea, bro." Neal agreed. "Papa, you can go get a decent rest before you go out again, as you look like you need it, and I'll come over to your room when you're ready? I swear I'll protect the lad with my life, if need be."
"I'm not sure..." He looked at Gideon's face, clearly eager to spend time with the man he was now convinced was his brother. It had to be said, Rumple was also quite keen to spend time alone with the former Queen Morgause. And there was certainly a lot less danger here than back in magical lands. "I think I need to speak to Merlin first."
New York. Two hours later
"I don't know what else you want me to tell you, Rumple? Zeus sent Neal back to you, at my suggestion, to help persuade you to stay away; as far away from your dagger, and magic, as possible! He's only done it a few times before. But yes, he's the real deal."
Rumple wanted it to be true. So very much. But he couldn't stop himself playing Devil's Advocate.
"But if I were to go back? To the source of my power?"
"THEN YOU'D BE A BLOODY FOOL!" It was rare for Merlin to raise his voice, but after a long and difficult morning he was getting frustrated. "I'm sorry, but you would be! The Dark One would take you over the moment you crossed over that town line! People, me included, have moved heaven and earth to give you the right conditions and comfort to stay away! To make it as comfortable as we can. And you know the reasons why. It's to save the lives of thousands long into the future. It's a trillions-to-one opportunity. Surely you can see that?"
"I can. But-"
"Let me add something else to help persuade you? You and I both know that if you were to go back, and the Dark One is reborn, one day, perhaps not for many centuries to come, you will finally be defeated by someone else, who will then become the new Dark One. After your death, you'll finally face The Celestial Court, where everyone is eventually judged. Then sent to paradise, hell or purgatory to atone. As someone who had a chance, the extremely rare opportunity, to relinquish the Dark One's powers and didn't take it, you would be judged as guilty by association with the Dark One. You will be consumed by Lucifer himself! And I'm pretty sure you'll know where you'll spend eternity."
Rumple remained silent as he told him what he already knew.
"But if you relinquish that power, and leave the darkness permanently constrained till after your death and hopefully forever? Well, then the gods of the Celestial Court will recognise this. There may be some purgatory to come, but you'll only be judged for the actions of Rumpelstiltskin, not the Dark One! Eventually, when you've atoned sufficiently, you'll be allowed into paradise, or Heaven, or whatever you choose to call it. Neal, Gideon, Henry and everyone you've ever loved deemed worthy will eventually wind up there too. Surely that's worth it?"
"I…you make a good point."
"Yes, I do! And Angus, tell me something? Since you left Storybrooke, haven't you felt lighter? Brighter? More at ease with everything? Like a huge weight's been lifted off you? Surely, you'd want that to continue?"
"I…" It was extremely rare for the Dark One's host to be lost for words.
"Seize this opportunity, Rumpelstiltskin! Embrace being Angus Gold! You now have the son who died to save you all, returned to you! The son who you once abandoned, just to keep your power, to the detriment of you both. The son who, unbelievably and all things considered, has forgiven you! Seize this time to be with your family!"
In a hotel nearby...
Having spent much of the day in the hospital with her mother, who continued to drift in and out of sleep, Emma finally got back to the hotel just after seven. She was tired and desperately needed a shower.
She'd received a text from Killian earlier that afternoon, to say her father had offered to take Hope out for the afternoon, along with her brother, and look after them both for the evening, and they could collect her in the morning. He'd accepted the offer without hesitation, much to Emma's relief. It was one less thing to worry about.
Not sure whether he was in their room yet, she strolled into the lobby, over to Reception to collect a spare key. Armed with it, and on the way to the elevators, she walked past the cocktail lounge. And there, at the bar, she spotted him.
Killian was sat on a bar stool, smiling, with what looked like his phone in his hands? But he wasn't alone. For standing directly in front of him, leaning over the bar from the opposite side, was a strikingly tall, slim, young, red-headed woman. She appeared to be chuckling as he was clearly talking to her, showing something on his phone. And next to him, on his right-hand side, much closer to him than Emma felt comfortable with, stood another woman. Blonde, a little more curvaceous than the redhead, also laughing at whatever he'd said.
And for some reason, it annoyed her.
"KILLIAN?" She called out before she even got to him. At the sound of her voice, the redhead pulled back, straightening up and adjusting her blouse. Two buttons undone, she was also showing far too much cleavage, in her opinion.
"SWAN?" Ah, good, you're back?" But he didn't seem unduly phased at being caught between the two, clearly flirtatious, women. "This delightful young lady here is Sally, and she's been introducing me to and sampling rums I've never even heard of, haven't you, love?" He gave her a beaming smile and the redhead seemed to melt before him. "While Clare here…" He looked up at the grinning blonde. "Has been more than helpful organising all our itinerary, and making suggestions for Hope and myself tomorrow. She's also found an interesting new Japanese restaurant for you and me to visit, should you fancy?"
Clearly shyer than the redhead, the blonde woman, probably a good ten years younger than Emma, smiled politely back at her, and as she came up to him, she respectfully pulled back. A little. "You're welcome, Killian. Erm, Mr. Jones." She couldn't fail to notice Emma's hard stare but continued smiling. "Let me know if you'd like me to book it for tonight? Then I'll let my mate Midori know. She owes me a favour so I'm sure she'll help."
"Thank you, Clare. Ladies, I'd like you to meet Emma, my delightful wife?" She nodded to both of them, a little too formally, unsmiling and saying nothing. "Emma, they both appear to have fallen in love with our little girl? Especially when she has a face smeared with ice-cream?" He showed Emma two pictures on his phone. Hope did indeed have her cheeks and nose heavily smeared in vanilla, the sigh of which made even Emma grin, forgetting her annoyance at the two women clearly caught flirting with her husband.
"Jeez Kill! Did you feed her, or just push it in her face? She's covered!"
"She's beautiful, Mrs. Jones…" The other blonde leaned in to take another look. "Your husband's just been showing us some photos of their day in Central Park? And now that I've met you, I can see where she gets her looks from? Like you, she's gorgeous!"
"Why thank you…Clare," Emma softened slightly as the blonde seemed genuinely pleased to see her. Unlike the redhead, who turned back to her work behind the bar. "Though personally, although we have the same hair and colouring, I think she looks much more like him?"
"Definitely in the eyes!" The redhead having heard, agreed. "She has his eyes!" Though before Emma could react, "I just got your husband another rum. Can I get you something to drink too, Mrs. Jones?"
"Beer. Please? Large?" It was fairly obvious that these two fancied her husband, but unlike them, Killian didn't seem unduly interested, just flirting like he so often did with attractive women. But as for the redhead, it was clear that had she not been arrived, she might have made a play for him.
"Swan, let's drink these, and head upstairs? We're off the leash for the evening and the night's young."
~oOo~
As they went up in the elevator to their room, she couldn't resist teasing him.
"Definitely in the eyes! She has his eyes!" She sniggered, trying to impersonate the redhead's Bronx accent. "They were all over you, admit it?" That drew the tiniest smirk from Killian, though he tried to ignore the jibe. "If I hadn't got back in time, you could've been up for a threesome there!"
"Not without you being there, Swan. In which case wouldn't it be a foursome? However, I couldn't see young Sally going for that. I'm pretty sure she's only interested in the male of the species."
"You're saying the other one, what was her name, Clare, would be?"
"Pretty sure. I noticed she was definitely interested in you when you came in."
"Bollocks!" She chuckled again. "What makes you think that?"
"The look on her face when she compared you to Hope? I've three centuries of studying faces and body language, Swan. Yes, I'm pretty sure she plays for both teams. I'd bet a rum on it."
"You wish! So…if we ever did fancy a threesome, you'd like for us to hook up with someone…like her?"
"Well, if you were, I wouldn't be averse. I'd never cheat on you, but I've no objection to a little…fun? If we were both of a mind?"
"HA! Sounds like a typical man!" They stepped out of the elevator to head to their room. "So, you'd make it look like it was all my decision, if it didn't work out?"
"Far from it, but the partner choice would ultimately be your decision. We've both admitted to assignations with our own, as well as the opposite, sex in the past, though you, more recently. Personally, though you'd probably choose to deny it, yours would be the bigger 'itch' to scratch?"
"Apart from being very patronising, what makes you say that?" Though knowing what that damn truth stone had made her confess, she had a fairly good idea.
"The ease you've always had with other women, and past experience?" He opened the door. "Now then, I don't know about you, but our girl has had me on horseback, a zip wire, up a skyscraper, and up the Statue of Liberty already! So, I need a bath. Care to join me?"
"That tub's way too tight for two, so I'll just have a shower. Have we really got the night to ourselves?"
~oOo~
Half an hour later, after a long soak, he'd stepped out of the bath, wrapped two large towels around himself, and headed back into the bedroom. Far from having changed into something for the evening, he found Emma lying under the quilt in the middle of the bed. With a glint in her eye.
"Wanting a snooze before the late night?"
"No…" She slowly pulled back the quilt, to reveal a very naked Saviour, in all her glory. "Wanting you, actually. Get in."
"Oh…" he had to admit, the view was glorious and he'd never refuse an offer from her. "You sure?"
"More than sure. Do you realise, after everything that's happened, that although we started, it's more than a month since we've been together…properly? I want to fix that."
"Well…"
"Killian, let me put this as bluntly as I can? I know I've screwed up for all sorts of reasons. But I think I've apologised enough, don't you? Seeing those women in the bar flirting with you, just like that girl on the carriage ride yesterday, reminded me of what I've been missing this last month? You, Killian Jones! I want you inside me! I want you to fuck me as hard and as fast, as you like. And I guarantee I'll be screaming your name, and no one else's, when I come! Now, are we going to do this, or not?"
~oOo~
And she did come, hard, several times! And she did scream his name out loud. It was blissful. Wonderful. And she hadn't felt so good for ages. And as she rested her head against his hairy chest, his hookless arm around her, she almost felt like going to sleep. But knew if she did, it was still early, and she'd only wake up starving.
"Killian?"
"Mm?" He sounded slightly sleepy himself. "What?"
"Were you serious?"
"About?"
"Threesomes. Have you…have you done it before?"
"Aye. A very, very long time ago. Once, as a young lad with two rather adventurous serving wenches who seemed keen. And another time, with a married couple. A count and countess, as I recall."
She gave a silent chuckle. "And id you enjoy it?"
"From what I remember, very much. Have you?"
"I came pretty close once, but no. He seemed a bit creepy as we got closer to doing something, and then she seemed to start acting like she was being…coerced into it?"
"That can happen unless everyone's totally honest with one another. Why are you bringing it up? Would you like to try again?"
"Maybe. But probably with you and another woman. Someone we don't know? I think if we involved another man, despite everything you said, you'd get sorta…competitive?"
"Possibly. I'll admit, the last time was a long time ago and I was definitely single. What's brought this on?"
"I was just thinking about Clare, downstairs. And what you said? She's certainly very pretty, and I never noticed a ring on her finger. Thinking about it, she was kinda flirting with me, too? You're sure she bi?"
"Fairly sure, but we'd never know if we didn't ask. You like the idea of the three of us together?" The slightly awkward, embarrassed look told him everything he needed to know. "I'd be more than happy to oblige Swan, but you'd need to be the one to ask her."
"Why me?"
"You're the one who needs to know she's not just into women, but into you, too. Plus, the two of you would need to be the ones to set boundaries. Penetration, that sort of thing? If you aren't in full agreement, it can never happen." She didn't seem to look too concerned about the idea. And judging by the little smirk, quite the opposite. "Are you feeling brave, Swan?"
Emma had never actually propositioned another woman before. On the few occasions she'd been with them, they'd propositioned her. But rather than do so in front of the concierge desk, she rang down and asked Clare to come up to their room, ostensibly to finalise and confirm the details for the trips Killian and the woman had organised. Then there was the other little matter.
Although terrified at first, it'd actually been a little easier than she'd imagined.
"Clare. Killian and I were thinking. Why don't you come join us tonight? For dinner?"
"Me?" After having asked some questions while they went through the itinerary, they discovered she was twenty-eight, currently single, the result of a recent breakup with a long-term boyfriend. She also came from San Francisco and had been living in New York for the last two years. She also seemed to be a natural flirt. So, at Emma's suggestion, Killian had also reciprocated the flirting, and her twinkly eyes let them know she was definitely keen on him. But only him? "Join you?"
"Yeah. We could have dinner together? We'll pay, of course. Maybe you can show us some of the sights? Take in a club or two? It's been years since I hung out around here, as I moved on to Boston, after I…well, it's not important. But we could all have some fun together?"
The girl's bright blue eyes showed her interest, though her smile was a nervous one. She didn't know these people, after all. "I guess."
"Oh, and just for the record we're not weirdos, or serial killers. At least, I'm not!" Emma grinned at Killian, digging into her bag, and pulling out her wallet, Fortunately, although she'd been suspended, her warrant card and badge were still in there. "In fact, I'm a Sheriff, from a little town in Maine. See?" She handed her the card, so she could read it for herself. "Killian's a part-time deputy there, though as he has his own ship, he spends more time as a sailing instructor. Kill, do you wanna show her your badge? Maybe that picture of the Jolly?"
"It's okay!" Said Clare, returning her card, smiling. "You don't look like serial killers! And when I saw Killian with your little girl at breakfast this morning? Hope? I'm pretty sure serial killers don't let their daughters dress them in silly hats and wings."
"What?" Emma started to laugh, looking at him.
"That fairy tale Elf costume I bought her yesterday?" Killian explained. "She was trying the hat on me for size! I could get the wings on easy enough, but the dress was a no-no. Would've been tighter than one of Regina's corsets!"
"Fancy? So, you think you'd make a great fairy?" Clare had no idea who Regina was but started to laugh aloud anyway. And Emma noticed just how pretty she was when she smiled. "Funny. With all the dark leather pants and that jacket, I kinda had you down as a pirate?"
"You're right there…" Now Emma was the one cracking up. "He's even got the ship and Captain Hook arm? See?" Killian waved his prosthetic hand at her. At which Clare suddenly looked serious, hoping that the earth would swallow her up!
"God, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-"
"It's fine, love, honestly. And I'm used to it. So, what do you say? Do you fancy spending an evening with us? No expectations, no problem if you change your mind? We can always order you a taxi to take you home at any given time? We can also make sure we only go to places where you're known and feel safe?"
"No, it's okay. I trust you, and I think you're good people, both of you, but..." She gave Emma a genuinely warm smile. "It's just, this is a little…unexpected? Why me?"
"Well, I must-" Emma started, but Killian cut her off.
"May I?" Emma nodded, letting him speak. "We like you, Clare. We both do. And Emma and I would like to get to know you a little better? No strings, no expectations, nothing like that. Now I've been married to Emma a few years now, and I know that, underneath it all, she's always had a thing not just for the guys, but the ladies as well? She's not normally shy, but in this area, she's-"
"I'm bi!" It was Emma's turn to cut across him. "Bisexual?" She watched her eyes closely to see whether she became nervous or awkward. "It's taken me a long time, but I've finally admitted it to myself only recently. I've never actually asked another girl out before, or, or, well anything like that? On very rare occasions, I've been asked by them instead. So, I may be making a complete pig's ear of this, and you can walk away now if you want, and never see us again. But I…we…were wondering if you-"
"Would like me to go out with you both for the evening? And maybe if we all get along, we could spend the night together?" Clare summarised it a lot better than they had.
"Er, yeah, I guess. Saying that, I should've asked you by now if you're also into girls as well as boys? I mean. I know it's all a bit-"
"Yes. Yes, I am." The smile seemed to be even warmer. "Bi, like you, that is? And yes, I'd love to go out with you and see how we get on? I must admit, I've never done this before, but it does sound kinda fun?"
At another New York hotel, less than a quarter of a mile away…
"So, you're definitely leaving in the morning?"
Ruby looked at the former librarian's small case, open by the side of the bed, neatly packed. "I can't persuade you to maybe hang on for another day or two?"
"No thanks, Rubes. I only came up here to keep you company, and make sure you got here safe and sound? Now you know the way back, I'm pretty sure you'll be fine. I called Olivia while you were out jogging. She said they've already passed Ocean City and should be mooring near Virginia Beach by nightfall tomorrow? I checked it out online and it looks really interesting down there, and they're planning to stay there for three nights. I thought I might join them and sail down with them from there?"
"I kinda envy you? But I did promise Snow I'd stick around a little bit longer."
"Why? From what I understood, she's over the worst, recovering, and has all her family here with her? Why do you need to stay?"
"It's hard to explain. She's my oldest friend, and I've known her since before David. I owe her my life, and-"
"You're still in love with her."
That came as a surprise. "What makes you say that?"
"The looks you keep giving her? I saw the way you two kissed her in her recovery room when we first got here? You don't kiss me, and certainly not Olivia, like that. In fact, I'm not even sure if you were quite like that with Dorothy?" That got a disapproving look from the taller woman. "Sorry, but it's true! You and Snow seem more…intense, when you're around each other, and that's really unlike you! Plus, I know what I saw on that dreamcatcher, and it's clear you two go way back."
Ruby nodded, accepting it was no more than the truth. "We do. We were less like sisters and more like a couple before she even met Charming. But she loves him so much more, and rightly so. Me and him were also close once, before…well, you get the picture? But it's because I care so much for her I want to stick around, till I know she's over the worst. You understand?"
"I do. I'm sorry Rubes."
"It's okay. Now, have you heard from Gideon?"
"He texted me. He told me something's happened and his father's changed their plans, and they'll be staying in France a few more days before they go to Italy. It also said they've met someone very important though he wouldn't say who. That he'll arrange a Skype call in two days' time. I'm missing him more than ever, Rubes. I'm counting the days."
"I know. Maybe Livvy and Jer can help take things off your mind a little, when you get down there? I'm sure they've missed you. Liv certainly has! I remember her face when we left? She seemed genuinely upset to see you go. I know she says she's a free agent and all, but if I didn't know better, I'd say she's got real feelings for you!"
"I very much doubt that. But still, they're great company. Leaving aside worrying myself sick about when I'll next see Gideon, we had some great days with them. I'm looking forward to seeing them again. "
"I'll bet!" She gave her a knowing, salacious grin. "And let's face it, the nights were pretty good, too? I'm quite envious. I might even follow you down in a day or two."
Paris – A few hours earlier. 01.00 ECT
It was nearly one in the morning when he stepped back into the hotel suite. And although tired after a long evening, he was relieved to find a sidelight still on. And Baelfire (for he was finally starting to believe it really was Baelfire, after Merlin's insistence), sitting in an armchair facing him, a book in his lap.
"Hi papa! He's fast asleep…" He whispered, smirking at his obviously tired father. "Did you have a good time? With the beautiful Mrs. Moreau?"
"Yes, thank you." Rumple also whispered, taking off his jacket and putting his wallet on the side. "Any problems?"
"None whatsoever. The kid was sound by eight. We played some of his games on the laptop and he showed me some pictures he's taken. Then we spent most of the time chatting about all sorts of stuff he's been up to since you left Storybrooke. We finally watched a film. So, what did you get up too?"
"We spent a delightful evening at a favourite restaurant Celeste frequents."
"That was five hours ago! You couldn't have spent all that time eating, surely?" That insufferable grin came out in force. Now that looked more like the adult Bae he last witnessed in Storybrooke, for those brief few weeks. "Where'd you go after that? What did you get up to?"
"That's really none of your concern! And if you really are Bae, you'd know better than to ask!"
But the slightly guilty look in his father's eyes as he looked away, and the pink cheeks, told him all he needed to know.
"You went back to her place after, didn't you?" The grin grew even wider. "Is that lipstick on your collar? Why, you old dog!"
"Baelfire, behave!" Now he was ticking him off like he used to in his youth, as he stepped over to a nearby mirror. There was no lipstick on his collar.
But Baelfire spotted the awkward smirk. Busted! But he followed it with, "Well done you!"
"Baelfire…"
"No, I mean it! After everything you've been through, If anyone deserves to spend time in…shall we say, romantic company? It's you! I'm pleased for you papa. Really."
He didn't know how to respond to that, only. "Thank you." He had indeed spent the best part of two hours at the former queen's apartment after the meal. And an hour in her bed.
"Right, I'd better get to my own room. Just so you know, Gid told me he messaged Belle to tell her he wanted to speak to her. He didn't know whether to tell her about me yet? If he did, she might think he's gone insane and cause all sorts of grief for Merlin. Should I join him on the call?"
"Perhaps it may be for the best. Thank you. I-" But his phone suddenly rang, interrupting him. Who the hell would call at this hour? He was tempted to kill it, but seeing the name of the caller…
"Jefferson? Why are calling at this ungodly hour? Surely you know I'm travelling-"
"Rumple? Is that you? Thank god! We need to talk! Henry's gone missing!"
~oOo~