Live as Regina

by Mac NorthSea

On the way to Neverland,Emma is troubled by the moments in the mines she and Regina had at moment of Regina's self-sacrifice that changed everything,even Emma herself.With understanding her upbringing gave her,the Savior decides to save not only Henry but his mother as well. Doing so will take her and her family through harrowing challenges of love,duty,conflict,and magic.

9. Chapter 9

It gives me a great trouble to write without Emma in the story... Hope you like it... Standard claimers blah blah blah...

Enjoy!

Chapter 9.

Slowly unlocking her limbs, Regina sighed in exhaustion. Henry looked up at her with concern, rising from his place at the pallet. When Regina did not follow him up, but lowered her head tiredly, he took her hand, that wasn't holding her up and squeezed it in question. Slowly, the older woman gripped the small hand in hers and smiled weakly at the boy waiting for her. "I just need a moment," she whispered, still not looking at him, knowing that she would seem even more tired after that last bit of magic.

"Go to bed, mom." Henry spoke gently, not appeased with her reassuring grip on his hand. Having a pretty good idea what she had done in the previous minutes to keep him and Emma from knocking themselves around the cabin, and that she was at the end of her rope, he gestured her to lie down, guiding her with a hand on her shoulder. "Emma won't mind," he whispered with a smile, as he watched Regina sigh in comfort as she stretched out on the bed. "I'll go to Snow, and see what's up." But before he left, he leaned over his barely awake mother and kissed her forehead, replicating the ritual Regina had used to send him to sleep every night before he had run away. "Sleep tight," he said with a slight smirk, as he covered her with a light blanket.

"Henry?" Regina spoke, her eyes already closing. As he turned to her, on his way to the door, she continued, "Wake me if you need me, or if something happens."

With a soft murmur of agreement, Henry watched his mother fall asleep almost instantly, her hands on her belly, mirroring Emma's position. Softly, he opened the door, and with the last look toward the women who had the title of mother in his life, he left the room closing the door behind him, and went in search for Snow.

He found his grandmother with the children in the Crew quarters, while Rumplestiltskin was absent from the room. The younger ones were sleeping peacefully, while Elias and Robert were talking to the woman, at ease with the gentle and mothering figure. As he walked in, the boys stopped talking, looking at him with interest. Waving at them, he sat beside his grandmother, accepting the kind and affectionate ruffle of his hair with the suffering smile.

"How is your mother?" Snow asked, turning slightly to her grandson. She didn't know if he was aware of what the brunette sorceress had done, but she wanted to make sure that Regina was taken care of, knowing what the woman had gone through.

Knowing that the pixie haired woman meant the older woman, he shrugged his shoulder, leaning onto the cabin wall, beside Snow. "Tired. I guess magic took the little she had left of energy, so I left her to sleep a bit." Looking into approving eyes of his grandmother, he smiled. "How did you manage through the ride?"

Snow watched him closely, picking up the awakening and fussing Kyle into her arms. "We did OK, after your mother managed to secure all the children in their places. I would've never been able to hold them all down." At his surprised look, she knew he had not been conscious of the safeguard his mother had provided for them all. "I don't know how but the purple smoke strapped the children down during the jump, like the harness in the baby seats of the car."

At the information, Henry almost jumped off the pallet, worried about the tired woman. But, before he could move away, Snow took his hand and held him in place. "Don't go storming in there, it would give her a start." Gesturing him next to Elias and Robert, she placed Kyle in his arms, kissing his forehead in affection. "Elias will help you, while I check on her." Rising, she saw Henry panic with a small baby in his arms, but it was soon enough that gentle guiding voice of the leader of the boys soothed him enough to relax, making Kyle smile and giggle with his own goofing grin.

Moving swiftly, but quietly, Snow went in the direction of the Captain's cabin. Although she was reassuring and comforting toward Henry, she was worried about the older woman. She had known that Regina hadn't slept the day before they had gone in rescue attempt, and that her sleep had been anything but good before that. Emma had shared offhandedly once that Regina had nightmares, and by her daughter's daunting expression, they had been terrible. Once upon a time, she would be glad to hear that her nemesis was suffering at the hands of her own conscience, but at the moment, she was only concerned for the woman so prominent in her and her family's life.

The knowledge that Regina had used magic to secure them during the journey through the portal, although she had been overwhelmed and tired enough for Snow to notice the sluggish movements during the meal in the galley, made her worry. She had never seen Regina not move in economical and precise movements, each with its purpose. Considering the memories of the woman in question, she amended her thought. She had seen Regina move more freely before the wedding to King Leopold, and only days before, with Emma. Must have been really exhausting to keep the mask on, all the time, all those years, Snow wondered. And, Emma had said once that sometimes the only protection someone could get was to be the meanest kid in the crowd.

Instead of pity, Snow was flooded with amazement and sympathy for the older woman, fighting the evils of her past the only way she had known how. Following her mother's example, even though she hadn't liked the woman at all, Regina had built herself powerful and mighty. But, as Emma had said, Cora had been the only mother she had known, and following the wrong example only made it more impossible for her to repent and accept help.

However, she had seen Regina as a parent many times during their time spent in the curse. As Mary Margaret she had seen the indulgent, loving and proud side of the powerful Mayor that now she could only connect with Prince Henry and with his care toward his daughter, for she had been in deed if not in blood. And now, Henry, her grandson was exhibiting the same care and kindness that he had learned from his adoptive mother. Right after the curse broke, she was all for denying Regina's part in Henry's upbringing, but faced with many facts and choices, she chose to follow Emma and accept her once nemesis as the irrefutable and undeniable parent to her grandson and thus, part of her family.

Opening the door slowly, she peaked inside, smiling at the sight that had welcomed her. Regina was deeply asleep, her body on her side, turned toward Emma. Although they were not touching, there was a sense of closeness and belonging that made Snow sigh, shaking her head at the older woman's stubbornness and defensive attitude. But, Regina needed time to accept the facts, and Snow was willing to give it to her, as long as Emma was safe. She knew how Regina dealt with being pushed into a corner, and that was the situation Snow hoped to avoid.

Sneaking in, watching for the creaking floorboards she fixed the blanket over her former step mother, smiling in relief when she heard the soft inhalation of two people, breathing in rhythm. Moving over, she noticed that Emma seemed undisturbed, so she turned to leave. Then she found a shadow on the door, startling her a bit. Recognizing her husband, she waved him off and walked out the room, softly closing the door behind her.

"Is something wrong?" David asked softly, following Snow into the galley, it being the only empty room.

"She is just sleeping." Snow turned to her husband and noticed his wet appearance. "What is going on?" She asked gesturing toward his clothes.

David went with his fingers through his hair, pushing the remaining raindrops of his face. "We came up right in the cove off our castle." The grieving voice accompanying his slumped shoulders made Snow's heart ache at David's downtrodden posture. "I know you have said it was in ruins, but to actually see it, stark against the lightning…" He shook his head and smiled weakly at her, his blue eyes hopeful once more, defiance burning through them. "But, we will rebuild. We did it once before, we will do it again. The children deserve their home." He spoke with confidence, but Snow knew he was covering his fear and doubt with his need to do something.

"We will." Simply agreeing with him, Snow reached for him and pulled him into her embrace, running her soothing hands over his broad back. They stood in silence for several minutes, soaking in their love, reaffirming their connection and devotion to each other.

"Gold is up there with Hook." David continued, pulling out of the embrace. With a sheepish smirk he pulled them toward the cooker in the galley in order to dry out, as Snow's clothes were almost soaked as his, in the front. "The Captain estimated it would take more than several hours to navigate to the Safe Haven in the storm, and as it would be much longer and more arduous on feet, he suggested we just wait it out, while he gets us closer to the village."

"Is it wise to leave them alone?" Snow asked, having silently agreed with the plan. The rain storm would have passed by then and Regina would have rested enough to go on with them into the fortification. However, despite Rumplestiltskin being without his powers, it did not make him much less dangerous. Nevertheless, Killian had promised that his revenge was done, and on that she trusted him.

David only smirked, having witnessed the conversation between the men in question just before he had come down, and looking for Snow. It could have passed for civil, even cordial one. "It is their problem to solve."

Snow nodded and smiled, pulling her husband toward the Crew quarters, expecting Henry would be at the end of his wits surrounded by much younger children. When they came in, they stopped at the door, watching the scene developing right before their eyes. Henry was sitting on the bed, his knees akimbo and ankles crossed, holding the young Kyle on his lap. The youngest of the group was sleeping, leaning onto Henry's belly, while the rest were entranced with what the oldest boy was telling them. Elias had Samuel on his lap, sitting next to Henry, and Robert had Damian, on the other side. As the adults paused, they could hear the story that had captivated the boys.

"… And so, the former Evil Queen, looking into her son's eyes, nodded. She will be a hero, if only for the boy before her. She took his hand and squeezed it lightly, before pushing him away. With a fortifying breath, she looked at the magic well and seeing the deadly greenish gleam, she started walking toward it, her decision made. One way or the other, the death curse would be lifted as soon as she came to the well, and she will do her best to do as her son told her. Raising her hands high in the air, she glanced toward her boy, seeing the fear and hope in his eyes, and once more she nodded.

Placing her hands over the well, she closed her eyes, waiting for the death curse to work. It took a moment but then the green light attacked the woman, going into her hands, her skin, making her body glow with sickness. Shaking in pain, she endured the light until there was none of it left. As it disappeared, the woman was pushed back, thrown onto the ground, breathing heavily. For a moment, she thought that she had failed and sacrificed her life for nothing, but then her boy's voice pierced the air." Henry had seen his grandparents enter the room silently, and he appreciated the care they showed not to interrupt him. Looking into Snow's eyes for a second, he continued on. "The Savior, followed by Snow, the fair Queen, climbed out of the well, proving the boy right and the woman glad she had listened to her son. But, she kept one dark secret, the former Evil Queen. Secret she didn't want anyone to know. Secret that was not so much a secret as information everyone had forgotten about." He liked that feeling, when everyone was hanging on his words, waiting impatiently for him to continue. Once, Emma had called him the storyteller, and she had been right. When August had agreed with her assessment, and had given him idea to write his own story he had balked, thinking that they had been wrong to say that. But now, he realized that perhaps he had always been meant to tell stories, real or not.

"Later, when she was alone at home, she looked herself in the mirror and saw the green light simmer on her skin, even swirl in her eyes. With sadness, she touched her face feeling her skin burn with the light touch. Slowly, she climbed to her son's room, silently saying goodbye to him by touching his things and preparing his bed. Not letting her tears fall, she breathed in deeply, shaking off the weakness that engulfed her and walked toward her own room. Her secret was so dangerous, so powerful she dared to tell no one. And, she thought scoffing at the mirror in her room – someone would figure it out sooner or later, but it would be too late. Perhaps, it would be better that way, she thought." Henry spoke, intentionally letting his voice drop, making the words sound more ominous. He knew he had the attention of everyone in the room, including his grandparents. He didn't think they knew what had happened to Regina that day, nor that they even remembered what she had done. But he was to make sure that Snow knew what she had done that day, and maybe give them the new incentive to keep her safe from the angry villagers. And also, he wanted his new friends to know the other side of his mother, not just the Evil Queen.

"But then, the message came. The Savior herself wanted her to attend the welcome back party in their honor. After making a promise that she would try to get to the party, for her own son, she looked at the mirror with grief and helplessness. It was more than likely that she would break her promise, but she would try to get to the party, if only to see her boy one more time. You see, the secret she kept so closely was not a secret at all. She just didn't want anyone to know that she was…" Henry looked up, his eyes boring into his grandmother's green ones, keeping them locked into the intense gaze. "Dying."

The startled gasps could be heard all around him. Then the boy at his left moved in discomfort. "But she can't die!" the boy said with fear in his voice. "She saved the Savior. She is the hero."

Pleased that he wasn't the only one who saw it that way, Henry just shrugged, letting Elias intervene. "Shh, Bobby, let Henry finish. It will be OK, I promise." At the last bit, he looked at Henry and smiled, gesturing him to continue. As Elias was the one to recognize Regina in the Neverland, Henry knew that the boy knew without a doubt that the woman would survive the ending of the tale. Ignoring his grandparents for the moment, he continued his story, letting his mind shape it into words.

"The death curse she had taken was made to stop the evil witch from the other side of the well. And as the witch was the most powerful sorceress in the realm, the curse was very strong. And being one of the people, who made it, helped only a bit. So, sitting in her room, the former Evil Queen conserved her energy for the battle that would wage in her own body. And not wanting to disappoint her son, she was to at least try to fight it. After long hours of pain and misery, the burning sensation stopped being so strong, making her able to move. And the pain and the curse itself made her so violently sick that she couldn't lift her head of the pot. In that moment, her son walked in, knowing that something was wrong with his mother." Letting his own memories fill the gaps of the story, Henry felt the fear that had engulfed him that day, which seemed so long ago. "When he saw his mother weak, kneeling on the bathroom floor he rushed toward her, touching her skin. In that moment he was hit with the realization that he could have lost this woman before him, not knowing for a long time. If not for the nagging feeling in his belly he would never come by to check upon his mother and the thought made him feel so guilty. With a kind smile, his mother welcomed his affectionate hug, but still not willing him to witness her in such a weak state, she sent him away, knowing that she would see him again, very soon. It was the care she had seen in her son's eyes that had given her the additional strength to fight the curse, in order to fulfill her promise to the boy and his other mother. After he was gone, she sighed, feeling her strength return slowly into her body. And after the long and hard battle with the magic poison, she won with the help of her son. The former Evil Queen was a hero, of only for a day, but that day was remembered and it helped the Queen be good, and the Evil Queen was no more." Henry finished his story, laughing at the clapping he had received from the younger children. Elias patted his shoulder and moved away, letting Samuel down gently, leaving him to sleep. Soon the other children followed the young boy's example, dropping into sleep with Elias watching over them.

"If you say the Evil Queen does not exist anymore, Prince Henry, I believe you," Elias whispered to Henry before the older boy rose from the pallet. Taking the youngest into his arms, Elias smiled at the boy and went into another pallet, lying down with Kyle in his arms.

With a soft murmur of wishing them a good sleep, he followed his grandparents out to the galley, suddenly hungry.

Snow, remembering his voracious appetite that he had apparently inherited from Emma started preparing a light meal for him while David took his seat beside the boy. "She never said anything about that. Not even Gold." David spoke, leaning his chin onto his heel of the palm.

Snow placed a plate full of sandwiches in front of them and sat across of them. "She would never divulge something she considers a weakness, not even to boast about something else," the pixie haired woman spoke softly, considering the memories she had of the woman in question. And feeling shame at the attack she had initiated the moment Madame Mayor showed up at the party, carrying her lasagna.

Thanks to Henry, the conversation ventured into more pleasing and fun areas. They talked about the past adventures Snow and Charming had in the Enchanted Forest, how they had met other princes and princesses, their grandiose balls and quiet evenings. David talked about his first heroic deed as Prince James, slaying the dragon for King Midas. All in all, it was a nice family evening spent in laughter and storytelling.

"Sorry to interrupt," Captain Hook said entering the galley. Taking off his leather coat and hanging it close to the cooker, he sat next to Snow, keeping close to the warmth of the fire. He was soaking wet, and murmuring his thanks when Snow offered him a towel, he picked up the remaining sandwich on the plate and ate it quickly.

"It doesn't feel inside like there is a storm outside," Snow spoke, remembering how David had been wet, just hours ago. But then, the ship had rocked with the wind and the waves, but now it was lulling away peacefully, for the ship at the sea.

"It's not a storm. Just rain." Hook said, wiping his head. Leaving the towel around his neck, he picked a jug of warm, spicy tea Snow had made during their midday meal. "It's quiet outside, not much of a wind, no thunders, just the rain that makes visibility non-existent. And, it's past Sunset anyways, so there is no hope in searching for the markers in the dark." He drained the jug, silently asking for more. While Snow was puttering around, boiling water for another batch of tea, he explained that he had no idea where they were at the moment, because of the rain. He was reluctant to continue his blind wandering, for the coast around the Safe Haven was filled with sand ridges and if Jolly was to get stuck, they would get nowhere.

"So, you want us to wait out the rain, and continue in the morning?" Snow asked, putting some fresh tea in front of the Captain.

He took a long sip of tea and sighed when the hot liquid streamed along his insides. "That's right."

"And, it is dangerous to cruise along the shore when you can see much of anything," David added, agreeing with the pirate wholeheartedly. "Do you need help with the anchor?" the light haired man asked, preparing to rise from his chair. When the man in leather waved him away, he relaxed his posture.

"No, it's fine. I have already released it, and we are anchored safely." Looking at everyone in the galley, he smiled and lifted his jug in mock salutation. "Nothing to do but to sleep and eat." With that, he drained the jug once more and rose from his seat. "The hatch to the deck is battened down, the anchor is secure, and the helm is fixed. We are set 'till the morning." He took the coat and started toward the exit, but the moment he reached the door, he turned back. "At dawn, we go on. Good night, lad." Tapping the frame of the door in rapid rhythm, he left toward the Crew quarters, silently sneaking in, in case the children were asleep.

"Now, why don't you stay here with your grandfather, while I take something for Regina to eat," Snow spoke gently, having already prepared a vegetable broth and several pieces of twice baked bread. Pouring the broth into a bowl and taking the bread, Snow set off to the Captain's Cabin, leaving her men to entertain themselves for several minutes.

Opening the door with her shoulder, Snow sneaked in the room and left the food on the table beside the mattress. Quietly, she sat on Regina's side and placed her hand onto the shoulder that peaked from below the blanket. Even though her touch was gentle and light, the contact startled Regina right out of her sleep. Moving onto her back with her hands already crackling with magic, Regina prepared to defend herself from the evils that had decided to follow her from her dreams.

"Hey, it's OK." Snow raised her hands in the air, remaining still. "Regina?" She called at the frightened woman, and saw the moment when the woman realized that she was awake. It was like shutters were slammed over her brown eyes, making them cold and distant in a blink of an eye. The fear was replaced by worry and irritation, and Snow was very well aware that it covered the shame for overreacting in such way.

"Henry?" Regina asked, lifting herself up, having doused the magic out of her hands. She looked around, before her eyes finding the pixie haired woman sitting before her once more.

"He is fine, with David in the galley." Snow spoke, lowering her hands, now that Regina seemed aware of her surroundings. "I brought you something to eat." Slowly bringing still hot broth to the older woman she noticed the collecting breaths Regina was taking. Having given her the bread and a spoon, Snow moved slightly away, giving the other woman some space.

Taking the offered meal with the look of gratitude, Regina ate quickly, not saying a word. Leaning her head against the wall, she looked at Snow who was busy at the moment watching her daughter with a frown on her face. The worry and impatience were easy to spot for Regina, who had watched the woman before her grow from a charming and wonderful child into the Queen. Underlying it all, Regina sensed fear in the other woman must have felt for the blonde woman lying next to her peacefully, lost to the world.

Noticing that she was being watched, Snow glanced toward the other woman, placing her hands onto her lap. Regina had placed the bowl onto the table, empty and wiped clean, and now she was watching her former step daughter, sitting on her bed. Calmly placing one palm over the other and putting them on her belly, Regina gave out the look of the elegance and style, even though her hair and clothes were bedraggled from sleep. The pose and the calm consideration reminded Snow of her childhood, when she would run into the Queen's quarters for an evening story or a morning talk.

Knowing that they were at the stalemate and not having patience for this to go on, Regina sighed and shifting her shoulder, prepared herself to talk. "I am grateful for the food but what are you doing here?" Regina said softly, minding her voice, even though there was no one there that would mind the noise of the normal level of conversation.

"I came to check on you. Henry has been worried that you overdid with magic, so I told him I would keep an eye at you." Snow said, also minding her tone, although she knew that Emma couldn't hear them. "After you slept for several hours, I figured you would be a bit hungry."

"Several hours?" Regina asked, surprised by the amount of time that had passed while she had slept. But before she could rise, Snow placed a hand on one of her legs, stilling her movement. "What time is it?" She asked, grabbing Snow's wrist and looking at the watch situated there. "Half past nine?" she whispered with astonishment.

"You needed to rest." Snow said gently, taking hold of Regina's hand, easing her wrist out of the grip.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't…" Regina started speaking, pulling her hand but it was held in both of Snow's.

"I know, it is OK." The pixie haired woman squeezed gently the hand in hers' and smiled at the older woman. "That brings me to one of the things I wanted to ask you. Do you want Henry to sleep here with you?" The younger woman gestured at the mattress, wide enough to hold two people easily, but it would be a bit of a tight fit for three. And Henry was not a peaceful sleeper. "Or do you want him to be with us?" Snow offered.

"Here," Regina answered, thinking it through. "I doubt he would be willing to sleep away from Emma. And, I am not ready to leave him alone in here." Gesturing to Snow to move, she lifted herself up, and rose, folding the blanket automatically. With her magic, she moved Emma a little bit toward the edge of the pallet, leaving more space on the other side. "We will manage," she spoke smiling at Snow. After she had made sleeping arrangements for her son and herself, she turned to Snow. "Are we that far out, that we need to sleep on the ship?" In her knowledge, the portals opened more or less near the place one wanted to go. They should not be that far away.

"It was raining a lot, and Hook didn't want to risk us getting wrecked because of the weather." Snow picked up the bowl, while Regina stepped away, toward her bag of things. "We emerged at the Charming's Castle." Snow glanced toward Regina over her shoulder and noticed the woman stopping her motion for a second, before continuing like nothing happened. The place from where the Evil Queen and the Charmings had been taken into the new world, and where the execution for Regina had been decided – making it one of the more complicated places for the older woman. But it was also Emma's birth place, the home of the Charmings and for Snow the place held some of the best memories in her life. "The Safe Haven is not far, but in the rain and dark…" Snow continued as if she did not witness the complicated reaction from Regina.

"So, we wait." Regina had picked up pajamas from her bag, and held them in her hand. Shifting her shoulder she walked to the pallet and started taking off the turtle neck she had been wearing.

Snow just hummed in confirmation and turned to leave the room. "I will send Henry here."

"Miss Blanchard?" Regina spoke surprised at the name that had left her lips. Looking over to Snow, she noticed that the younger woman also seemed startled by the former Madame Mayor's choice of name. "Snow…" Regina said, her voice firmer this time. "Thank you for dinner."

Snow looked at the older woman and nodded with appreciating smile on her face. With the last incline of her head, she left the room, leaving her former step mother to change into the sleeping wear. Several minutes later, Henry walked through the door, closing it behind him.

Regina turned down their side of the bed, while Henry changed into his pajamas. Without any preamble, he jumped on the mattress, claiming the middle. Soon, Regina joined him and covered them both, careful not to disturb Emma's side of the bed. For a while, they lied in silence, both watching the blonde woman beside them, lost to their own thoughts. But, before long, Henry turned to Regina, and looking at her with watery eyes, so much like Emma's, and Snow's. The older woman moved instantly, pulling him into her arms, holding him tight, trying to soothe the boy.

"Snow mentioned you became friends in these few days," Henry spoke when he calmed himself down. With his head on Regina's shoulder, he remembered all the times she had stayed with him in his bed, whenever he had been afraid or ill. Holding him in her arms until he had felt better, not once complaining about sleeping in small bed or in an uncomfortable position, she had spent countless hours just loving him. When the gentle hand passing up and down his back paused in the soothing movement, he continued, taking it as a silent question asking him to elaborate on his conversation starter. "Can you tell me about that?"

It was a plea in his voice that made Regina even consider talking about shared moments with the Savior to her son. It was his wish to hear about his blonde mother, to feel close to her, even though she was not a foot away from him – but under the curse, she could have been realms away. "What do you want to know?" Regina spoke, pleased that his position made it very hard to look into her eyes.

"She knew how to fight with a sword. When she had told me the story about the dragon, she had said she didn't know to use one."

"Well, she didn't know. I must say I enjoyed the time spent teaching her the moves, because I got to kick her butt time and time again." Regina spoke, letting the humor color her voice. With the forced lightness in her tone, she proceeded to tell her son the anecdotes from the time spent with Emma on the ship. There had been many poorly done moves, badly shaped magic, all giving Regina a great fodder for entertaining Henry. But, not once did Regina mock Emma or her mistakes, telling the stories with fairness and good natured wit, and Henry, the precocious boy as he was, noticed that. Chuckling at the stories, he asked many questions, expecting his mother to make a sarcastic remark any time, but the longer he waited, the more he realized that Regina treasured the moments she had spent with his blonde mother. It was a miracle in itself that Regina had shared so much of her with him, and that she had made an honest connection with the Savior was unbelievable. Relaxed, and pleased about his mothers making things better for themselves, Henry fell asleep, holding his brunette mother close. Regina followed him not long after his eyes closed.

The morning came and the boy woke up only with Emma in bed. Sometime earlier, his mother must have risen, careful not to wake him up. Even at home she was an early riser, so he wasn't surprised to find himself, well not alone, but without Regina. Getting out of the bed, he went to the circular window on one side of the wall, and opened the wooden cover, peering through the glass. It was light outside, the Sun was shining, and in the distance, he could see shapes forming in the distance, getting cleared every minute. Land ahoy, Henry sniggered to himself and changed his clothes, anticipating an exciting day.

"Ah, you are awake," a voice came from the door, startling the boy away from the window. "And dressed. Good." Rumplestiltskin walked slowly in, leaning heavily onto his cane. Seeing that Henry was still startled, he reached with his hand, letting it hang in the air as an invitation to the boy. "Just an old man, dearie, nothing to be afraid of." He smiled when Henry accepted the hand, coming closer to the man, and shouldering the outreached arm. "I was sent to fetch you for breakfast," Rumplestiltskin said while leading them out of the room.

"I thought only the blind witch ate children," Henry asked in faux frightened voice, smiling at the old man.

"Ah, I see you are good with words. Just like me…" As they walked toward the galley, the voices could be heard from it, cheering the freshly delivered meal.

But before they entered in, Henry stopped them, pulling his grandfather aside for a moment. "What is going on between you and mom?" he asked in whisper, knowing that only the old man heard him. As the silence prolonged, he thought he wouldn't get an answer but at last the old man sighed heavily and nodded to himself.

"It is something that you should know, I agree." Leaning down toward the boy, Rumplestiltskin placed his palm under Henry's chin. "But, it is something that I would like to talk to Bae first, so I would ask you for time. You will find out, but not now." Looking into the boy's eyes, he smirked as he lowered his hand and placed it in front of himself, prepared for a handshake. "Do we have a deal?"

Henry watched him closely for several seconds, before accepting the hand, and shaking it in agreement. "Deal." With a quick roguish smile, he dashed into the kitchen and ran straight to his mother, who was delivering pitchers to the small bar in the galley at the moment. "Mom, you wanted me for breakfast?" he spoke, letting his outrage fill his voice, instantly shutting everyone in the galley up. Before Regina, or Snow could react at the strange behavior, Henry went on. "I will not be eaten!" he said with a firm defiant tone, his hands upon his hips, glaring at his mother and grandmother, but there was a glimmer of humor in his eyes that Regina had recognized instantly. After a moment of pregnant silence, she started laughing, lowering the pitchers down and opening her arms wide for a hug for little prankster. Her joyous laugh was quickly joined by several snickers from other adults in the room, while the other children stood by, confused by the show.

After a hearty hug, Regina kissed the forehead of her son, ruffling his hair. Snow came by them, patting the boy on the back, smiling at the comfortable family picture in front of her. "You looked just like Regina, and Emma at that moment," Snow spoke softly, glancing up at Regina's misty eyes. It was clear to Snow that even the hard assed former Evil Queen missed the Savior, perhaps even more than everyone else. After a second, she turned to the rest of the children explaining the joke, easing their confusion.

They ate quickly, the adults and Henry discussing the plan for the day. Hook had already brought them close to the Safe Haven and unwilling to risk his ship, and his life, he anchored Jolly Roger close to the island, but still safely away. They would need the boat to come ashore, and they all agreed it was the best. With a quick deliberation, it was decided that Rumplestiltskin and Hook would stay with the rescued children aboard, while the others would disembark and go into the village, and if they found Neal there Regina would send word to Rumplestiltskin.

After the breakfast, when everyone was off to their quarters, preparing for the journey, Regina pulled Henry close, closing the door.

"I need you to promise me that you won't go off running around, no matter how something interesting is." Regina knelt in front of the boy, holding his upper arms. "We don't know what is out there, and I don't want you to get hurt." She looked into his troubled eyes and saw the spark of defiance and petulance but after narrowing her glare, it disappeared. "Promise me."

Henry nodded readily. "I promise." With that he looked at his clothes, searching for a jacket or something else, as Hook had mentioned that it was a chilly morning. But before he could put the coat he found on, Regina gave him the chainmail. When he looked at her with question in his expression, she just put it over his head, fixing the straps, as she once had done for Emma. "But, mom, you could use this…" he was saying before her whisper shut him up.

"You are more important." Letting the mail fall over Henry's hips, she did the straps on his chest. "And I know how to take care of myself," she said, reminded of the last time she had spoken the same words. She glanced toward the blonde woman on the pallet, feeling the quiet anguish seize her heart. She missed the woman and her quirky smile. She looked at her boy, seeing his inquisitive eyes directed at her in concern. "There," she spoke distracting him. "You look like the prince you are." Placing the knife Emma had given him onto his belt, covered with sheath, she looked over him once more. With a pleased nod, she rose, and fixed the scabbard of her own weapon on her hip, taking a short jacket with her.

The journey to the shore was spent in quiet rumination, no one knowing what could wait for them. As the ship could be seen from the coast, the village was no doubt informed of their presence, but if they were welcoming it remained to be seen. With a soft whisper, Snow asked Regina if she could cover her face with the scarf she had brought, in order to delay the inevitable recognition. Regina obliged, knowing that her face had been very well known and feared throughout the kingdoms.

Jumping lightly onto the sandy beach, Snow turned to help Henry to leave the boat. Regina followed, staying close to the boy. And, as last, David stepped out of the boat into the shallow water, pushing the vessel onto the shore, above the sea level. Snow waited for David to join her and Regina, while Henry was close, looking over the washed out logs on the beach.

Snow guided them toward the village, across the sandy beach and sporadic grass. When they reached the shrub, Snow showed them the path. But as they entered the shadowed space filled with growth, Snow suddenly froze, lifting her hand up, warning them to stop.

Rustling could be heard all around them and at once, archers surrounded them, their faces hidden in the shadows. "What is your business here?" A voice came from the deepest shadow, the person concealed by the high growing bush.

"We are looking for someone," Snow answered but before she could elaborate, one of the archers released the arrow at the sudden movement. Henry had moved closer to Regina, searching for safety she had often offered him, but he had tripped onto an exposed root. Regina, having seen the direction of the arrow lifted her hand and incinerated the projectile in the air, pulling Henry behind her with her other hand. But, with her movement the scarf covering the lower part of her face drifted down onto her neck, uncovering her identity.

"The Witch! She is here to finish the job!" Someone shouted in the crowd, inciting panic and fear, making the many hands that held arrows aimed at the newcomers tremble.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Regina scoffed, ready to destroy every one who moved against them in the moment's notice. "If I wanted you dead, we wouldn't have this problem. On the other hand, it is an idea…"

"Regina, you are not helping," Snow warned, knowing that the former Evil Queen only reacted when Henry had been in danger of the arrow. "We mean you no harm," she spoke to the bushes, trying to reason with the guard.

"You can kill us all, witch, but we have people coming," the voice answered back, giving the order to archers to shoot, but Regina was quicker. Before the last vowel left the mouth of the speaker, every bow and crossbow directed at the small group vanished in the purple mist.

"What is going on here?" Another voice joined in, and immediately the bushes parted letting two people through, one of them pointing a sword in Regina's direction. "What do you want, witch?" A young man, dressed in the warrior's garb but with the posture of a ruler turned to Regina, his hands on the hilt of his sword.

"We are looking for someone," Regina answered looking at the woman holding the sword on her. The woman was a warrior that was clear by her planted feet and strength in her grip of the weapon. And if she was indeed the woman Regina had an inkling she might be, the conflict soon would be over. As soon as Snow opened her mouth and addressed the woman. But Snow kept silent as the woman was hidden behind the two men and the spokesperson that had come out of the shrubbery. "That boy over there released an arrow at my son and if I had not interfered, he would have killed him."

"Son?" The ruler asked quietly, looking at the newcomers carefully, and then he noticed Henry hiding behind his mother. "Are you alright?" He directed the question at Henry, hearing the soft footsteps behind him that meant only one thing. His love was joining them.

Henry moved slightly away from Regina, but still staying really close in case something else happened. "I am fine. Mom is right, she only was protecting me." He then looked at the woman behind the man, showing directly into his line of sight, still obscured from the rest of his group. "Aurora!" he exclaimed happily, startling the ruler and the woman beside him.

"Henry? What are you doing here?" Aurora spoke, showing herself into the small clearing. Then she saw Mulan pointing the sword at the Evil Queen and others still edgy around the remaining two of the newcomers. "Snow?" At her surprised exclamation Mulan lowered her sword turning toward the other two of the group.

"It is really good to see you, Aurora," Snow spoke seeing that everyone relaxed as soon as they heard her name. Stepping toward the princess, she pulled her into a heartfelt hug. Turning toward the man, she nodded in recognition, realizing that he was Prince Phillip.

"Stand down, men." Phillip waved away the guard, inclining his head toward Snow and David. "Your Highnesses, I am pleased to finally meet you."

"Well met, Phillip. If we could move away from this spot, it would be great." Snow spoke, as Aurora approached Henry and Regina by herself. While under careful watch of the warrior woman, the princess and the boy officially introduced themselves to each other.

"You may know her as the Evil Queen, but she is my mom," Henry spoke, taking one of Regina's hands.

Aurora and Mulan looked at him with surprise, the Prince turning in their direction as well, confused with the boy's answer. "I was under the impression that he was the Savior's child," Phillip said to Snow, but his voice was heard by all.

"It is complicated and yet not so much," David answered, stepping closer to Regina. "She is the boy's mother." He spoke, placing his hands gently onto her shoulders. "And, Emma is his mother, as well. It is the truth on both counts, and let's just leave it at that." With the unyielding look, he glared at Mulan and Phillip who still held their hands on the hilts, ready to strike. But, his conduct convicted the hosts that the Evil Queen was accepted part of the newcomers' group, and as such they agreed to let it go, for the moment.

"Come, you must see what we did with the place," Aurora spoke, breaking the tension, taking Henry's hand and leading the way, careful not to step too much away from the former Evil Queen with her son. Guiding them out of the shrubbery, she showed them the palisades and the watch towers. As the gate opened, Snow stepped by Regina, taking her hand in support. By now, the entire village would know that the Evil Queen was back, and hiding would not help.

"We will protect you," Snow whispered, squeezing gently the hand she had in her own. She smiled when David came to flank Regina from the other side, talking with Phillip like he was not aware who was beside him. That show of unity and ease would do wonders for the villagers to settle their minds and appease their fears.

When they entered the village she saw the renovation had been finished, with new additions. Now the meager village of Safe Haven looked like a fort, with palisades and upper walkways for archers. The warning bells hung on every watch tower and guards stood by them, looking out for anything that could mean the danger for the village. But there were more men in the village as well, much more than there had been before, and after Cora had slaughtered almost all, it was surprising to see that number of people milling around.

"As Mulan returned my heart, we returned the remaining ones to their owners." Aurora spoke to Snow, interpreting her awe and confusion correctly. "It had something to do with the magic of the heart, because as soon as we returned the hearts, the bodies turned back into the living beings." With a welcoming gesture, she led them into the village hall, telling them to sit wherever they would like. "As for the rest, after Mulan and I restored Phillip, we set out to search for survivors. Emma told me that the town had too little people to hold the entire population of the Enchanted Forest, and that some must have remained here."

"The Savior was right," Phillip spoke, having sat down and gestured someone to bring out drinks. "Most of them were found in the Dragon caves at the edge of Midas' Kingdom, hidden in the belly of the mountain. By some old legends the rocks contained powerful magic because they had been soaked in the blood of many dragons that lived there." He ignored Regina's interested humming and continued. "The others were found roaming the wilderness, escaping the ogres and other creatures."

Receiving the ale with gratitude, Regina nodded in appreciation to the matron who had given it to her. But, before she could take a sip, Henry took the cup away from her hand, flinging the offending drink into the hearth. In the same moment, Snow pulled the dagger on the matron, placing it on the woman's neck , forcing her down onto her knees. Ignoring Phillip and Mulan's roar, knowing that she would be protected by her husband, she directed her look at the matron, recognizing one of the servants from her castle.

"What have you put in it, Martha?" Snow asked, her clear voice ringing in the room. The regal tone she adopted was the same one she used as the just and rightful ruler, the voice that many people respected and adored, but all obeyed.

"What are you doing?" Phillip angrily spoke, his sword in his hand, ready to attack, with Mulan by his side, and Aurora behind them. However, David stood with his sword out of the scabbard, tall and menacing. But before anyone could move, Regina rose and with gentle and soft smile patted her son's cheek, soothing his worry lines with her fingers.

"What?" Snow asked the captured woman again, making her wince.

"You must be under her spell to willingly ally yourself with her," Martha spoke, her voice trembling. "Why else would you suffer the company of the Evil Queen?"

Regina walked toward Snow and the woman, placing her hand on her former step daughter's shoulder, easing the dagger of the woman's throat. "So you thought the suffering could end with a little of nightshade and wolf's bane?" When the woman gasped in surprise at the knowledge, Regina let her mouth quirk into her famous grin, instantly bringing the veneer of the Evil Queen onto her face. Grabbing the woman's chin, she leaned down. "Oh, yes, my dear, I knew exactly what you gave me." The icy mocking edge in her voice chilled the adults in the room, aware of the Queen's abilities and deeds. "I have thwarted much better attempts of assassination, as your Queen can testify."

"I am not afraid to die," the woman spoke, and Regina laughed, chilling the room even further.

"Who mentioned anything about dying?" Regina spoke, her voice piercing the air. "That would just take the fun out of the things, don't you think, Martha?" Releasing the woman, Regina stepped back, looking at Henry. When he cautiously looked into her eyes, she winked, cluing him in her performance. She saw his instant relaxation, and his raised brow, in a gesture so much like her own, gave her his permission to continue.

"Wait!" Aurora said, moving aside from Phillip. "I am aware that as she tried to kill you, you want retribution, but…"

"Do not presume to know what I want, Princess," Regina spoke with hard edge. Turning to the young woman her eyes flashed violet for a second, but quickly they turned back into the color of dark chocolate. "I don't want retribution or anything of the sort."

"You don't?" Aurora asked, surprised with the answer. "But, why?"

People can change for the better, even you, Regina. One step and one choice at the time, accepting that you won't be perfect and you will have setbacks. But, you will continue as best as you can and it will be enough. You'll see.

Emma's words, spoken in the dark hours of the night, when Regina had lost all the hope of atoning for her crimes, were heard in her mind, reminding her why she spared the woman's life. "I made a promise." She turned to her son, looking into the green eyes that were so alike his mother's. With a gentle smile, she continued. "The one I intend to keep."

To all it seemed that Regina meant her son, as she had made a promise to Henry to do better, to be better. But, Snow had an inkling that her former step mother did not think of Henry, or not entirely of him, but of the woman who was lying cursed in the Captain's Cabin on Jolly Roger. The promise, made to Emma, because she had been the one to understand and comfort her.

"I am not under spell or controlled by Regina," Snow said to the still kneeling woman. "She is the mother of my grandson, and that makes her my family. And she is under my protection." At the stunned expression, and the darting eyes going between Snow and the former Evil Queen, Snow gestured the woman to rise. "Spread the word," she dismissed her former servant and watched the woman rush out of the room, no doubt to tell everyone the tale how she had survived the Evil Queen. Turning to Regina, who had sat back in her place, she watched the older woman with interest. "If you knew the ale was poisoned, why did you take it?"

Regina looked at Henry, ignoring the rest of the intrigued faces, willing to know the answer. "I didn't want to make a scene." Henry took her hand, and sat by her side, leaning into her side. "The ale would have done nothing to me, as I have neutralized the poisons. There was no need for such actions, although I appreciate the valiant effort greatly." She looked up at Snow and David, seeing that they had taken their former places as well. "Thank you."

As everyone settled they talked about the village, the fortifications Phillip had helped make, and the Ogres attacks. "Now, we all know you didn't just stop by to chat. You mentioned you were looking for someone?" Phillip said after the small talk. As Snow was preparing to answer, Aurora jumped in, asking where Emma was. The silence meeting her made her look at Henry, her face taking the look of sympathy.

"Oh, she is not dead," Henry spoke, correctly reading the expression of the princess. "But, she is cursed. And the person we are looking for can help with that."

"There is one man, who might be who you are looking for." Mulan rose, ready to lead them to the man in question, assuming that he was the answer, as he was the only out-world person she had seen since Emma and Snow had left for Storybrooke. "He is with the healer. But be warned, the outcome is not good as he is suffering from fever for two days now."

"Fever?" Henry asked, as the group rose to follow Mulan. The warrior woman glanced toward the boy and nodded grimly.

"The wound he has got infected." Leading them toward the healer's house, she explained how she and the ruling couple found the man on the shore, dressed in the clothes similar to what the newcomers were wearing. Having lost a lot of blood, the man had been unconscious, lying in the sand as the tide was coming up. They had brought him up to the healer of the village, but the man had been steadily getting worse each day. Lastly, the infection had set in, despite the best efforts of the healer and his apprentice to prevent it, causing a variety of new problems for the stranger.

Opening the door of the healer's house, Mulan let them enter before her, as she called out for the small and frail man who was dressed in the traditional garb of the village healer, announcing his station. As he welcomed in, he asked his apprentice to guide Regina and Henry to one of the back rooms, where the man was placed.

"We did all we could, Your Majesty." The young man inclined his head in supplication, leading them toward the patient. "But, it is a wound we have not encountered before, and it appears that there is still a fragment of the weapon inside, but Master Bryce could not take it out without making the wound worse." Taking them into the room, the young man showed them the man dressed only in his underwear and covered with light sheet. Regina instantly recognized Neal and held Henry to her side, not letting him near the unconscious man just yet. Dismissing the apprentice she uncovered the patient and saw the bandage over the infected wound. Reaching the bed, she knelt beside it, taking the look at the bandage.

"Henry, fill that basin with water from that pitcher and bring it over here," she spoke, taking off her jacket and blazer. Placing her clothes carefully over the back of the only chair in the room, she gestured to Henry where she wanted the basin. Pushing her turtle neck sleeves up, she showed Henry the blood soaked bandage. "Go to the other side."

She waited until Henry knelt beside the bed on the other side taking one of his father's hands, holding it tight. With a worried frown she unwrapped the bandage and peeled the dressing off the wound. She heard Henry gasp at the raw and diseased wound, covered with yellow puss and the skin colored red from the infection. She looked at her son and saw him lose his color, his skin turning pale and his forehead clammy. "Out," she spoke gently, giving him a nod toward the door, but Henry just shook his head, his jaw clenching.

"I want to stay," he spoke through his teeth, refusing to move. But, he had never seen something so disgusting and terrible and it wasn't glamorous at all to be wounded. "I am OK," he replied to his mother's inquisitive look. Nodding at his resolution, she continued to examine the wound.

Covering the angry injury with her hand she closed her eyes focusing on her magic. She needed to pull the bullet out without causing more damage to the surrounding tissue and just making it vanish was not the answer, because it could move deeper into the flesh, making everything worse. Gently, she guided the projectile out of the wound, clenching her teeth at the fresh blood seeping from the entrance hole. After several seconds she reached for the small piece of lead that had been capable of making such horrific damage. Making sure that there were no remaining fragments in the flesh, she gave Henry the bullet. Again, focusing her magic, she healed the wound, making it disappear as if it had never been there. Soaking the rag into the basin Henry had brought, she wiped the skin where the wound had been, cleaning it from blood and puss, further destroying the evidence of the existence of the injury. Washing her hands, she smiled at Henry, seeing that his color was back.

"He is going to be fine." She said covering him up. "But, he needs rest and uninterrupted sleep. You can stay here, as long as you don't wake him up." When he nodded in acceptance, she rose picking her things up. "I'll be downstairs. If anything happens, come and get me." She was loath to leave him, but she needed to inform Rumplestiltskin and to give an update to the Charmings. With the last look toward her son, she left the room, closing the door behind her.

"Is it him?" David asked the moment Regina stepped back into the receiving area of the house. When she nodded, he rose from his seat and walked to her, taking the things out of her hands. As he watched her pull the sleeves down, smoothing the creases made in the fabric he continued his inquiry. "Were you able to heal him?"

She pierced him with a sharp look, scoffing at his question. Taking the blazer out of his hands and putting it on, she looked at Snow. Seeing that the woman was smiling at the two of them, she just gave up even trying to muster up the strength to feel outraged at the insult. She sat beside the pixie haired woman, leaning back, having left David with her coat in his hands. "He is going to be fine." Closing her eyes, she pushed the cloud of purple fog through the walls of the healer's house, knowing that Rumplestiltskin would get the message, and in time, he would reach them, perhaps just as his son would be waking up. "Now, Gold knows that too." Not daring to call him by his name where certainly the interested ears listened every word they spoke, she used the identity Rumplestiltskin had in Storybrooke. "It will take time for him to rest, as he was weakened by the fever, but he is OK."

"I am surprised you left Henry alone with him," Snow whispered gently, leaning beside Regina's head.

"I did placed warning spells on the door," Regina answered causing Snow to smile at the older woman. Reaching for her hand, Snow offered silent comfort. It must have been harrowing, healing the man who had turned out to be her half-brother, and the father of her son, at the same time, the danger to her because he threatened her position as the parent to Henry and Emma's whatever she was. Snow looked at the dark eyes staring straight in front of them but seeing nothing. Regina was lost inside her mind, probably doing her own share of thinking heavy thoughts.

If it wasn't for Henry sitting in Neal's room, Regina would have already left the village, retreating onto the ship, away from the happy family reunion. She had nothing against the man in person, but the idea of him. It had surprised her when she had realized that she had been and still was jealous of the man lying unconscious in the room down the hall. Not daring to qualify even for herself of what exactly had she been jealous of, she avoided the thoughts of her emotions. But, it was impossible to ignore the turmoil Regina was feeling, having seen the man. He was her half-brother! She had healed him because it had been expected of her, as the hero of the story, but honestly she didn't know what she would have done if Henry hadn't been in the room, with her. Most likely, she would have stared at the man, confused by the emotions swirling in her.

The hours passed seemingly in silence. After the first hour of waiting, Snow had left for the ship, to check on the children and make them something to eat, believing that Neal would not wake up for several more hours. As it turned out, she had been right. Right before she had left for the ship, Rumplestiltskin had come to the healer's house, gaining entrance, not recognized by the local folk. As David addressed him as Gold in front of the locals, he was sure to remain undiscovered. After a couple of hours, Snow rejoined them, explaining in hushed whisper that she had brought the children to the village and left them in Aurora's care for the time being, as Hook was anxious to leave the ship for a bit of exploring. As he would return in the evening, David volunteered to spend his time on Jolly Roger, acting as the safeguard for Emma and the vessel itself. All the while Regina stared at the wood paneled wall, ignoring the world around her, waiting for Henry to leave the room.

Finally, the boy came to her, announcing that his father was awake and talking with Rumplestiltskin. Henry walked to his mother, seeing her desolate outlook, and hugged her, climbing into her lap. "He asked for Emma. Grandfather had to explain to him what happened." Looking into her tired eyes, he placed his palm on her cheek, in the gesture of affection he had learned from her. "I love you."

Soon, Neal left the room, dressed in the clothes he had been found in, washed and mended by the local seamstress. As they all prepared to go to the ship, where Emma was, Regina pulled Henry aside. "Do you mind if I stayed here for a while?" she asked him, not really looking him in the eyes, fearing the question he might ask her: why. She didn't know how to explain to him that she dreaded the fuss of awakening the Savior. And she did not want to be there for the immediate aftermath. Therefore, before he could ask her, she pressed on. "I thought to keep the children here, out of the way while…" she left the sentence hanging, knowing Henry would get the point.

He frowned at her shifty look, but not seeing any reason for her not to stay behind, as Regina had clearly demonstrated that she was capable of defending herself, and with children, the rulers of the village wouldn't let anything happen to her. He wanted her to come along, to be right by his side when Emma waked, however he understood her need to be away from so many people. So, he just nodded, saddened by obvious feeling of abandonment Regina had been dealing with. As he watched her put her coat on, he came to her, hugging her firmly, not knowing how to prove to her that she had a permanent place in his heart. The last year proved to have such devastating effect on his mother, as his denial of her position as a mother destroyed her confidence that he loved her. As she leaned down, touching his head with her cheek, she held him tight to her body. With the pat on his shoulder she left him in care of his grandmother, leaving the house without looking back.

"What happened?" Snow asked the obviously distressed boy, as they watched Regina join Aurora and the children in the walk through the village.

"She doesn't believe that I won't leave her alone," Henry spoke, feeling his eyes filling with tears at the shame and sorrow he felt at the realization how much he had actually hurt the woman that had raised him. "She lied to me about her being the Evil Queen to protect the curse, and, well, it did sound really crazy. But, what I did was much worse, and even when Emma warned me that I was wrong, I continued to punish her for everything in the cruelest of ways for her." Henry said, looking up at the patient and kind eyes of his grandmother.

"You denied her love, the one thing she wanted most," Snow replied, understanding Henry's point perfectly. "She had forgiven you for it, a long time ago." But, that wasn't what Henry wanted to hear. He knew that she had, she had told him so herself. "For everything else, she would need time to heal. As we all do." Snow debated with herself whether she should tell the boy about her suspicions but it wasn't her place to do so. And, there were more important things to deal with. "It has been very rough week for her, and everybody else. It overwhelms the person, and sometimes the only way to deal with it is to step back and away for a short period of time." Pulling the boy to herself, she left her arm on his shoulders. "Give her time."

They went back to the ship, meeting with David on board. As Neal was taken to the Captain's Cabin, although he still remembered the layout of the ship, Snow pulled the boy aside, asking for moment of his time, before he would run off to the cabin, following his father.

"Henry, I don't want you to be surprised if it doesn't work out." At her words he looked at her with frown on his face, his confusion evident. "He may not be her True Love."

"He has to be," Henry spoke vehemently, his posture adamant. With nothing else coming from his grandmother, he dashed below deck, after Neal, wanting to be there when his mother opened her eyes. He knew he had been harsh with Snow, but he could not imagine Neal not being Emma's True Love. The repercussions of such situation would be devastating. Regina's protective spell could not keep Emma safe for much longer, he knew. He was a child, but he wasn't stupid, and definitely not blind. He had noticed the worried looks Regina would have after inspecting the containment magic, and he had interpreted it as worry over the eventual failure of the spell. Emma did not have time for them to search for someone who could be her True Love. Refusing to even consider the possibility, he did not realize he was just like his adoptive mother on the subject.

Henry entered the room he had slept in, and saw his father sitting on the mattress, looking at the Savior. Staying by the door, he gave Neal the space.

The man slowly leaned down, gently touching Emma's hair with his hand, passing through the gold tresses with his fingers. Leaning his head down he lowered his lips on hers, closing his own eyes, expecting the pulse of magic to explode over him. But, as seconds passed, nothing had changed. The absence of magic Henry was intimately familiar with, made him enter the room, coming closer to the bed. Neal reached down and lifted the lifeless body of Emma Swan into his arms, kissing her lips again, closing his eyes in desperation, replicating the stories he had heard in his childhood about the True Love.

"I don't understand," Neal whispered, looking down at the unchanged body.

"Try again," Henry spoke, startling his father. As the man turned toward him, Henry reached the bed, and knelt beside it, just like he had been kneeling beside his father's bed just several hours before. "Try again, only this time think about your love for her."

Neal nodded and gently lifting Emma's upper body, cradling her head with one of his hands, he looked into her face, focusing onto his love for her, love he had tried to forget for thirteen long years. With all the memories of their time spent together, he lowered his head once more, kissing the mother of his son with all the love he had for the woman in his arms. But, nothing happened...