They headed back to the apartment block where Baelfire and Henry headed upstairs.
"So, uh, did you talk to him?" he asked Emma.
"He said it's complicated." Rumple's heart sunk.
"Oh, I see."
"Well, maybe he just needs some time. I don't know," replied Emma.
"Emma's right. This is all a shock for him and he probably does have a life here. Complicated isn't a no." Belle assured him. Rumple shot her a wry smile.
"Ever my optimist." Any reply was cut off as the door to the lobby was wrenched open and Hook came tearing in. He shoved Belle and Emma out of the way both crying out as they fell, and pinned Rumple to the gate stabbing him with his hook. Rumple screamed as the hook sank into his flesh before being pulled out.
"Tick-tock. Time's up, Crocodile. You took Milah, my love, my happiness. And for that, I now take your life."
Then Emma was behind Hook hitting him over the head with a fire extinguisher knocking him out and causing him to release Rumple who sank to the ground. Belle was immediately by his side trying to see the extent of the damage and stem the blood with a scarf handed to her by Emma.
"Rumple! How bad is it?" Rumple heard the clattering of feat behind them and Bae and Henry came into his line of vision.
"What the hell is going on?" Bae demanded.
"One of your dad's enemies found us," said Emma.
"Hook." said Bae and even through the pain Rumple heard the shock and recognition.
"You know him?" asked Emma as Belle moved out of the way and Bae knelt in front of Rumple checking the wound.
"Papa?" he whispered. It was strange how one word even in such a dire moment was enough to make Rumple's blackened heart soar.
"We should get him out of here," said Belle.
"We can take him up to my apartment," said Bae.
"I'll take care of the swashbuckling psychopath," said Emma and Rumple would have laughed had he the strength.
OUAT
With help from Bae and Belle he was taken up to the apartment and laid out on the couch. Belle opened his shirt and started to clean the wound with some water and cloth provided by Bae.
"Try and stay still."
"I can't do much else," he said. Belle was unbothered by his words. A few minutes later Emma reentered.
"Found a storage room and locked our stab-happy pirate in there. He shouldn't be causing anyone else any problems. And get this—he had a map on him. It looks like he sailed his ship here."
"How'd he get a pirate ship into New York?" asked Bae.
"It's cloaked," replied Belle.
"Is Grandpa gonna be okay?" asked Henry who had been standing back with a worried look.
"Henry, he's gonna be fine," said Emma.
"It will take worse than that roguish wretch to kill your grandfather," said Belle. Henry still seemed unsure but Bae interrupted.
"Oh, man. We gotta get him to an E.R. fast."
"No, it's pointless," sighed Rumple gesturing to the wound which was turning yellowish green.
"What the hell is that?" asked Emma.
"It's poison. It's one of Hook's own making. There's no antidote in this world. It's... it's not from here."
"Dreamshade from Neverland if I had to guess going off the symptoms," said Belle and Rumple nodded.
"Hey. Hey, hey. There's gotta be some way we can save you," said Bae sounding genuinely desperate.
"There is. There is." said Rumple.
"Storybrooke. There's magic there now," said Emma catching on.
"I could easily brew the antidote if we got back," said Belle.
"I'll get a car," said Bae getting up from Rumple's side.
"No, no, no. We don't have time. We need something faster." He gave a grunt. "The Captain's ship."
"The Jolly Roger instead of a car?" asked Emma sounding skeptical.
"It's the fastest vessel in all the realms," said Belle.
"Well, that's great, but who's gonna captain it since the only guy qualified wants you dead?" replied the blond.
"I can do it," said Bae. Rumple looked at him in shock. Both at the fact that he knew how to sail a pirate ship and that he would be willing to do so to save Rumple.
"Bae?"
"Yeah. I can do it."
"You know how to sail a pirate ship?" Emma asked in surprise.
"Yeah. I do."
OUAT
Rumple lay on the couch as everyone rushed around preparing to leave. Everyone except Henry who to his surprise approached and sat on the side of the couch.
"Are you really going to be ok?" the boy asked.
"If we can get back to Storybrooke...yes," said Rumple quietly.
"Good. Cause I don't want to lose my grandpa when I've just found him," said Henry with a small smile taking Rumple's hand.
Rumple felt his heart warm to the boy. He knew now for sure that Henry was the one meant in the prophecy. That he would be his downfall. In fact, perhaps this was it. After all he had found his son. Yet he knew for certain he could never harm Henry.
He didn't think he could have done it after having gotten to know him, but the blood relation was the final nail in the coffin that saved the boy from any chance of the Dark One ever coming for him.
"You have another grandpa. One who I'm sure your parents would much prefer as a role model." Henry shrugged.
"So? Having one grandpa doesn't make the other less important. And I don't think you're as bad as most people like to believe. I think Grace and Grandma are right about you."
"Grace and your grandmother have always been rather exceptional in that regard."
"Then I guess that makes me exceptional too," said Henry with a smile and Rumple would have laughed if it didn't hurt so much.
"Oh yes Henry you are most certainly exceptional," he said.
"And I think my dad will come round to see who you are now if you give him some time. I think he's just hurt over whatever happened between you two."
"He's right to be. But whatever happens. I'm very glad you're my grandson Henry," Rumple told the eleven year old with a shaky breath. Henry beamed.
OUAT
They all waited on the sidewalk for the ride called by Bae to come and pick them up. Suddenly Henry said.
"Grandma, Emma, you need to see this," he held out her phone which had a text. "It's a text from David and Mary Margaret. You need to read it now." Both Emma and Belle scanned the text and Belle felt her heart stop for a moment.
"Bad news, Gold." said Emma.
"What, worse than incurable poison?" quipped Rumple which restarted Belle's heart. He couldn't be near death yet if he was still making quips.
"It's no laughing matter Rumple," said Belle with a sigh.
"I don't know. You tell me. You got a dagger hidden somewhere in Storybrooke that's the source of all your power?" asked Emma. Rumple, Belle, and Bae all exchanged a glance before Rumple said.
"Get to your point."
"Cora's after it."
"According to them, the only way to stop her is have David and Mary Margaret get to it first." Belle had an air of skepticism in her tone. Even though she knew she held the true dagger she hated the idea of the heroes knowing about it. It could give them ideas.
"Yeah, let Cora try," scoffed Rumple.
"You can't seriously be willing to risk this, not with your son coming back with you to Storybrooke," said Emma
"Ms. Swan, that dagger has not left my possession for centuries." Rumple's voice dropped to a whisper. "It's not about to now." Of course, he was lying so nobody would know Belle actually had it.
"That's the thing there's a reason, it controls his very free will. You think it's easy to hand that over to people who have tried to double cross you in the past?" asked Belle.
"Look. I get it. David and Mary Margaret were WAY out of line with that Cinderella bull crap and ordinarily I'd totally agree with you. But here's the thing. You're dying... and right now we are your best hope. Times come for you to start trusting someone. If I were you, I'd start with family. And if it goes South I promise I'll make them return it."
Belle believed the Savior when she said the words. She glanced at Rumple. Then back at Emma.
"Give us a moment." They moved slightly out of earshot.
"Cora will go after anyone close to you for information about the dagger. If we send the Charmings after the fake..."
"She'll have no reason to target the Hatters," said Rumple he took a deep breath and they moved back to the group.
"Very well."
OUAT
Regina honestly thought that playing double agent was one of the most miserable things she'd had to do. The more time she spent with her mother the more she began to remember how truly awful and manipulative she was. Regina certainly wasn't buying the crock of crap that Cora said about wanting to be a family again.
However, the point at which she could no longer continue the charade came not long after she'd faked an argument with Snow White.
"We'll follow Snow White and her little love. They will lead us to the dagger," said Cora.
"What?" asked Regina who was sitting behind her desk in her office.
"Well something tells me they have a much better shot than we do, that and I have my ways of spying besides your little technological boxes. And my little birds tell me Rumplestiltskin is dying."
"So?"
"So if he's dying and has been warned about what's going on there's a good chance in order to prevent us getting our hands on the dagger he'll tell those little heroes where to find it." Regina's heart dropped. Her mother having control of the Dark One was the LAST thing they needed.
"That does sound logical," she said.
"All we need is a little leverage. And I think I know just the person," said Cora. That was it. Henry wouldn't want Regina to let Cora hurt an innocent person. Regina slowly strolled around the desk while her mother had her back to her gathering her power. Her mother turned just as Regina sent a jet of magic at her throwing her back against the wall.
Cora let out a cry of shock however unfortunately she wasn't off kilter for long even as Regina made to get her by the throat Cora flicked her hand freezing Regina in place. Regina tried to fight it as her mother stood.
"Why?" asked Cora.
"Because I know you. You don't care about me. You only care about power. You'll hurt Henry. And he wouldn't love me anyway if I acted like you," said Regina.
"Such a pity," said Cora clucking her tongue. "I'd have liked you to join me...but I can't have you stopping me." She waved her hand and Regina found herself trapped in the nearest mirror.
"Sorry dear. Mother knows best," said Cora with a slight smirk.
OUAT
They borrowed the car of a woman called Tamara who turned out to be Bae's fiancée. Belle would have analyzed the situation further but was more concerned with getting her husband back to Storybrooke alive. She could see him weakening.
Once on board the ship they took him below and got him settled on the captain's bed.
"We'll be back in no time," said Belle trying to sound hopeful.
"Hopefully," said Rumple.
"Stop being a pessimist," she told him. "I survived Ondine's curse. Now it's your turn to fight. I won't let you leave me."
"Your wish is my command," said Rumple dryly. Belle shook her head.
"Just rest." She pressed a kiss to his lips before pulling back and gently carding her fingers through his hair.
"I love you." he whispered.
"And I love you," replied Belle.
"I don't deserve you," he said. "I never have." Belle sighed.
"You know you always put me on a pedestal but have you ever considered that I might be the lesser one?" Rumple gave her a look of confusion so she elaborated. "You wonder why I chose you yet I often wonder the same. I may be pretty, but that will fade with time, I may be smart and I would hope brave but those are hardly singular qualities. When you think about it I don't really have anything that sets me apart. At least not without you. You who are so unique the cleverest and most powerful man in the realms."
"Belle you are so much..." but Rumple's words were cut off by a coughing fit.
"A discussion for another time," she said. "Just rest." Rumple looked like he wanted to argue but a stern look from Belle stopped him. Belle watched as he closed his eyes. The Dark One couldn't sleep but they could go into a sort of meditative state similar to sleep. She stayed with Rumple for several hours before finally standing up and heading above deck. It was dark now and the stars were out. She passed Emma who was heading towards where the crew's quarters were presumably.
"Where's Henry?" she asked.
"Well he had a ball learning to sail but I sent him to bed and now I'm going to," said Emma. "How's Gold?"
"The same," replied Belle.
"He's a stubborn bastard. He'll make it through," said Emma patting her arm before walking past. Belle shot her a small smile, grateful that she actually seemed to care, then approached Bae somewhat nervously.
OUAT
Neal had had a great time teaching his son how to sail the ship. It helped take away some of the worry he was feeling over his own father's troubles and it was wonderful to be bonding with his son, who was great kid. Not that he was biased. Now after Henry and Emma had gone to bed he stared up at the stars. That was until Belle approached.
He wasn't quite sure what to make of her. She certainly lived up to her name. He couldn't deny being shocked when they first met. It was strange seeing his father with a pretty young woman. Hell his own mother had been, nice enough looking but Belle was a whole different league.
Emma hadn't been wrong it seemed going off the interactions he'd seen her have with Henry Belle really was a sweet and caring individual. There wasn't a hint of hunger for power or darkness about her. That said she wasn't just nice or a pretty face. After Hook's attack Belle had kept her cool a steeliness coming into her blue eyes. She was stronger than she looked.
Kind, pretty, intelligent, and brave. Belle was about as great as you could get objectively. Which made him wonder what the HELL she was doing with his father? Because Emma had been right on that score to. Belle was devoted to his father. And not blindly so, he didn't think. Neal couldn't detect any sort of con his father might be trying to pull over the woman.
"Hey," said Belle coming to stand by him.
"Hi," said Neal. "How is he?"
"Sleeping now. Hopefully that will help him regain some strength. It really is nice to meet you Baelfire. Although I'm sorry the circumstances have turned so dire," said Belle.
"It's Neal now actually," he said.
"My apologies. I've spent so long hearing so many wonderful things about you with your old name attached the new one is something of an adjustment."
"He talked about me?" asked Neal. Belle nodded.
"Oh yes. He always said you were the best thing to ever happen to him. That you were kind and brave. How proud he was of you. And of course, how much he missed you." Neal scoffed.
"He wouldn't have to have missed me if he'd gone with me in the first place. Did he tell you what actually happened? What he did?"
"He knows that. And he did tell me everything. Rumple and I have no secrets." THAT surprised him. His father was not an open person especially since taking the curse.
"He's regretted what he did every moment of every day for hundreds of years. And that doesn't take away the pain it caused you I'm sure."
"No it doesn't. He chose power over me plain and simple." Belle made a noise almost like a hum of disagreement.
"He made his choice yes. But it wasn't as simple as you made out. The curse was more complicated than he let you see as a child. And there was more going on in his mind at the moment." Neal's brow furrowed at the words.
"More to the curse? What do you mean?" Belle shrugged.
"I suggest you ask him."
"I don't particularly want to speak with him once this is over. I don't want him to die but that's it."
"Is it?" asked Belle raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," said Neal defensively. "I don't care anymore." Belle still had that calm demeanor.
"If you didn't care you wouldn't be so upset all these years later. You're angry at your father and rightfully so. But if you didn't care you'd be apathetic. That isn't the case. Deep down you still love your father and you miss what once was." It was uncomfortable how she'd managed to hit the nail on the head.
"Supposing you're right and I do care I assume that means you think I need to forgive him. For his sake and mine? That because he's sorry about what he did I should accept his apology?"
"I'll tell you the same thing I told Henry. It's not my place to tell you whether to forgive someone. I'm not asking you to forget the past or trying to pressure you to make Rumple feel good. What I suggest, is that even if you understandably aren't ready to forgive him, at least keep your mind open to the idea that he isn't the man you remember letting go. That you might CONSIDER a second chance. If...I mean WHEN we get things fixed, I truly believe you'll see he's worth it."
A part of Neal really WANTED to believe it. Wanted to believe a second chance with his Papa was possible. But every time he considered it he remembered his father letting go.
"I'll think on it." Belle let out a soft laugh.
"Like father like son." She gave him a gentle smile. "That's all anyone can ask."
"How did you two end up together?" asked Neal. Belle shook her head.
"That is a long and complicated story for a different time. Goodnight," she patted his arm with her gloved hand and walked away leaving Neal with a whirl wind of thoughts.
OUAT
Rumple came out of his resting state, to find Belle wasn't there however Emma was.
"Belle just popped above deck quick to check how far away we are," the woman said. "You don't look comfortable."
"The poison racing towards my heart will have that effect," he replied dryly and Emma gave a snort of amusement.
"Tell me about this, uh knife of yours...If Cora has it she can make you do anything?"
"Indeed." Emma's eyes widened.
"Like, kill us all?"
"Yeah. You're hoping I bleed to death now, aren't you?" to his surprise Emma shook her head.
"You're Henry's grandfather. We're family now. I'm gonna save you."
"Oh, I feel so reassured." he said sarcastically.
"Hey, I'm trying to be comforting you miserable bastard," said Emma with an eye roll.
"You realize your family has tried to double cross me twice?" Rumple pointed out.
"Sure, but have I?" asked Emma. Rumple raised an eyebrow.
"No Ms. Swan. You have not. And I must admit you have impressed me."
"Gee thanks I was going mad worrying over your approval," snarked Emma. There was a brief silence and then Rumple managed a snicker.
"Well played Miss Swan."
OUAT
They arrived at the docks of Storybrooke the following morning Neal found the town surprisingly ordinary looking. He'd half expected it to look like something from the Enchanted Forest.
He and Belle helped his father down the gangplank and to a bench where they were met by two people. The woman had a black pixie cut and Emma's green eyes. The man was traditionally handsome with brown hair and a square jaw. He presumed these were Emma's parents.
"Are you okay?" asked the woman he guessed was so Snow White rushing forward.
"Some of us," said Emma gesturing to Neal's father. There was an awkward silence as Neal Emma and her parents stood there.
"Uh, I drove a ship."" said Henry.
"Did you, now?" said the fellow he supposed was David.
"Yeah, my dad showed me how," said Henry beaming. Neal gave an awkward wave.
"That's me."
"Hi," said David chillily. Suddenly a convertible drove up and a blond woman hopped out running towards them. As he got a look at her face Neal was thrown for a bit of a loop.
"Auntie Row?" he said in shock staring at the blond who was the literal copy of his former surrogate Aunt.
"No not quite. Just her descendent. Alice at your service. Though most call me Piper. You must be Baelfire."
"Neal," he corrected. The woman shrugged before turning her attention to her father.
"Jesus Rum! I thought you were leaving here to get away from the danger."
"It seems I was mistaken," said his father.
"What happened to Hook?" asked the man he presumed to be Prince Charming.
"Left him duck taped to a chair in a closet," said Emma. Alice looked disappointed.
"A shame you didn't bring him with. I'd have liked a crack at him," her grey eyes flashed dangerously. This woman reminded him more of his Papa post Dark One.
"Did you get the dagger?" Emma asked her parents. Snow White looked distraught.
"We had it but then Cora took my old Nanny Johanna hostage..."
"And let me guess she threatened her so you gave up the dagger," drawled Alice.
"Cora killed her anyway," said Snow. "But I had to I thought her life was in danger and it would save her."
"Cora didn't keeper her word. What a shock. Say what you like about Rum and I but we stick to a bargain. And now thanks to you everyone else is in danger," said the blond.
"Heroes are predictable," said Neal's father and Neal didn't know quite how to feel about that. He sympathized with Snow White but now his son and everyone else was in more danger if that woman had control of his father.
"Is Cora trying to control you now?" asked David.
"Well, you'd know if she was, because most of you would be dead by now," scoffed Neal's father.
"Fortunately she can't control him anyway," added Belle causing looks of confusion. Then Emma said.
"Wait. You mean that wasn't the real dagger?"
"Of course not. You may say trust family Miss Swan and I do but we only just learned of our connection. I'd never let it in the hands of anyone I didn't trust implicitly."
"Your parent's actions were sadly predictable as were Cora's," said Belle and Neal now saw another side to her. She wasn't manipulative per se but there was a trickier aspect of her personality. Alice smirked looking like his Aunt Row whenever she'd been proven right about something.
"So you had a false dagger stored in case someone ever went after it. Clever as ever Rum."
"I can't believe you didn't trust us!" said Snow White.
"Well, you did kind of prove them right," said Emma and Neal tried not to laugh at his ex-girlfriend's tone.
"Emma!" said David.
"Well where's the dagger now?" asked Snow White and Neal held back a sound of disbelief after all his father and Belle just said these two expected he'd give up its location? Pissed as he was even he didn't think that was a good idea.
"Safe," said Belle. The two monarchs didn't look happy but Snow White changed the subject.
"Dagger or not we'll just have to take the fight to her she's still dangerous."
"We will." said David.
"And this time, we finish it." said Snow.
"Snow!"
"David. She needs to be stopped. She needs to be killed. This is our family. We are going to protect it."
"Of course we will. But what you're talking about goes beyond that."
"Does it? Because she is the reason you've never met my mother."
"This is an interesting twist," said Alice. David shot the blond a dirty look.
"I know. I know what happened to Queen Eva, and I have zero problem with Cora dying for it. But not by your hand. And not out of vengeance."
"Why?"
"Because you wouldn't be able to live with yourself. You have the purest heart of anyone I have ever known. That's who you are. And that's who you're going to stay."
"Look if you are gonna get squeamish about taking out a person trying to murder us I'll do it," said Alice bluntly.
Now that was different. Neal's Aunt Row wasn't that...bloodthirsty though she made a decent point. Neal wasn't above killing if it meant protecting Henry, Emma, and even his Father. Neal, Henry and Emma made their way closer to Rumplestiltskin.
"You okay Grandpa?" asked Henry and against his will it warmed Neal's heart to see the soft way his father looked at the boy and to hear Henry call Neal's father Grandpa.
"Ah, I'm beginning to feel a bit stronger. Take me back to my shop. There's magic there can protect us."
"Enough to keep out Cora?" asked Neal he didn't love magic but he could see it's usefulness.
"Hopefully," said his father and without thinking Neal laid a hand on his father's shoulder.
OUAT
Belle was glad the dagger deception had worked if slightly depressed that the heroes really had proven so irritatingly predictable. Alice came over to join their little group.
"Hattie's already at your house Rum with Grace."
"Good," said Rumple. "Belle..."
"I know," she said softly. "I have to leave."
"Cora is going to come for me, I won't have her near you," said Rumple raising a weak hand to her cheek.
"This isn't goodbye," she told him firmly.
"I hope not my brave Belle," he replied and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. When she pulled back she turned to Emma. Who was deliberately looking away along with Neal, Henry, and Alice.
"I'd suggest that you let me take Henry with me to the house. It's the most well protected place in town. Plus, Hattie and I can protect him along with Grace. She watched as Emma and Neal exchanged a look.
"Fine, Henry go with your grandma," said Emma. Henry looked a bit put out about being taken out of the action but didn't argue simply hugging his parents while Belle helped Rumple to the Charming's car. She gave him a final kiss before hopping in the convertible.
"Seat belt on?" she asked glancing over at Henry who nodded.
"Grandpa will be ok. They'll stop Cora." Belle nodded.
"I'm sure they will."
Author's Note: So I added a bit more interaction with both Emma and Henry here because as I've said I love the dynamic they had with Rumple and I think it was a wasted opportunity. Henry was so sweet showing concern for Rumple in the show. Belle also get's to finally have a little one-on-one with Bae so I do hope that lived up to satisfaction. In this fic Regina is a double agent so I needed a way for her to be out of the way hence the getting trapped in the mirror. I also just want to point out that in the show when the Charmings get the dagger they literally say "Now the dark one can be controlled" meaning that had zero intention of giving that thing back. So I thought it would be nice to have them get taken to task for being so selfishly predictable and being willing to put the town at risk for the sake of one person. Thanks again to all my readers and especially those that leave comments if you like the story please leave a note below with your thoughts the encouragement really helps keep this going! Until next time!