Neal was glad to be alive he'd been lucky enough when he'd landed in the Enchanted Forest to find people that actually knew Emma and thus were willing to help him. The wound in his shoulder had also been patched up and while it still ached, he would mend.

Now it was just a matter of trying to get home. But to do that he'd need magic and the best place he could think of to find that, was his father's castle.

So, he and Mulan, man it was admittedly cool meeting her, made their way to the Dark Castle as it was called. They pushed through the doors which had opened up with ease. Entering they found a grand hall that seemed empty.

Neal had to admit. It seemed his father had done very well for himself. Then again Rumplestiltskin had always wanted more than their little hovel after gaining his powers. Even if Neal had only wanted his father.

"It appears abandoned," said Mulan. Neal stepped forward and dipped a finger into a goblet of wine on the table tasting it. It was still fresh.

"No, someone's here." As he spoke an arrow whooshed past his ear and embedded itself in the wall.

"Whoa!" yelped Neal as Mulan drew her sword pointing it at a hooded figure with a bow who spoke.

"The first was a warning, m'lady. Chivalry and all that."

"Who are you?" asked Mulan

"The name's Robin," said the man removing his hood to reveal blond hair. Neal felt a sense of awe.

"No way. Robin Hood?" the man smiled slightly.

"I'd bow, but this quivers rather tight. Now, what are you doing trespassing in my castle."

"This castle belongs to The Dark One. It is you who trespasses."

"He hasn't been seen since the curse. If he ever shows up, I'll be happy to vacate." quipped the man. Neal held up his hands to show he wasn't a threat.

"No need at the moment." He didn't know if his father would ever come back to this realm but he couldn't quite just give the place away. "I just-I need to look around for a bit. Which I would say is my right."

"And who would you be to make such a claim?" asked Robin.

"In this land I'm known as Baelfire. I'm his son," shock crossed the bowman's face then he chuckled.

"My apologies. Go ahead." Neal raised an eyebrow.

"You don't wanna see ID?" Robin scoffed.

"Who would claim to be that who wasn't?" Neal paused then nodded.

"Yeah, good point."

"Your father would not stand for imposters. He had quite a temper."

"You knew my father?" asked Neal in surprise.

"We crossed paths once, yes."

"Most crossings with my father don't end well," observed Neal. Robin shrugged.

"It was touch and go. He spared my life. I owe him a debt. Though I do wonder what happened to that lovely maid of his. She refused to leave when I offered after she freed me. I fear for her life." Neal couldn't help but laugh.

"Ah actually umm no need to worry on that count. She married him and now they are both blissfully in love believe it or not."

"The Dark One found true love?" asked Robin in surprise. Neal shrugged.

"I guess it can happen to anyone. As for that favor. I'm happy to collect. I'm looking for something he left here. Magical item."

"Well, I'm very sorry to disappoint, but I arrived shortly after the curse, the place was cleaned out. Nothing of any value remains." Neal seriously doubted that. Maybe the trivial things but Belle had mentioned the important magic items had been spelled to carry over with the curse and he was willing to guess any remaining ones had been well protected. His father was generally ten steps ahead.

"No. Thieves and looters would only take what they could see." he looked around and his eyes landed on a familiar notched cane. He walked over to it.

"What's magical of a knotted old cane? Probably belonged to one of the looters." suggest Mulan but Neal shook his head.

"No. It belonged to him. See these markings? He's keeping track of me growing. " He twirled the stick like a staff and a painting in the corner of the room disappeared revealing a large cupboard of objects.

"I've handled that walking stick a dozen times. It never released a cloaking spell before." said Robin in surprise.

"My father enchanted objects so that what might be a useless piece of wood in the hands of a looter would become magical in his."

"Or in the hands of his only son." guessed Mulan.

"Yeah, blood magic he called it. Might not always seem like it, but family was important to dear old dad." Neal might not have always liked magic but he'd certainly listened and picked up a few things.

"So... what's in there?" asked Robin.

"Let's find out," said Neal

OUAT

Henry tried not to show fear as Pan and his lost boys pulled him along into an open space. Henry was still quite certain his family would come for him.

After all his maternal family had an entire catch phrase regarding the matter. Regina would sooner burn the world down than lose him these days. As for the paternal side of his family...His Grandpa Gold had shown on more than one occasion that he cared about Henry. Family was important to him. He'd spent centuries trying to find Henry's dad. He wouldn't abandon his grandson.

With that said there was no reason to just sit around and wait if he could help it. If he could find or facilitate an escape he would. He was suddenly reminded of when his Grandma Belle was locked up in the enchanted forest. She'd never given up fighting to get back to her loved ones. He wouldn't either.

Pan had dipped an arrow in what he called dreamshade and instructed Henry to fire it at the apple on top of Felix's head. Henry was terrified. He didn't want to miss and hurt the boy. The other boys started chanting trying to egg him on. As he raised the crossbow an idea came.

Pan was the leader. Perhaps without him the boys would scatter. Just as he was about to fire the arrow at Felix Henry changed his aim firing towards Pan. His heart sunk as the boy simply laughed catching the arrow inches from his face.

"Very clever Henry. But not quite clever enough. I told you it was exhilarating. Come on I have something to show you. Henry sighed and was forced to follow hoping his family was on the way.

OUAT

Belle and Rumplestiltskin continued their search the following morning.

"So what's our plan for today?" asked Belle. "We can hardly wander the forest calling Henry."

"No, I do have something a little more subtle," said her husband with a wry smile. He pulled out a scrap off cloth.

"I got this off the boy last night. It's admittedly a bit of a long shot..."

"If we can track the boy with that cloth, it could lead us to Pan's camp and Henry!" said Belle already searching her bag for a locator potion.

"Right in one. Let's try the potion it's more potent than the spell." Belle poured the potion over the cloth and it began to float. The pair shared a smile before following it.

OUAT

What seemed like a smart plan eventually proved futile after following for most of the day. Rumple scowled.

"We're going in circles."

"Why won't it work?" asked Belle.

"Pan's magic must be interfering."

"Damn it," muttered Belle. "Alright have we got a new plan?"

"Well we could try and find a lost boy and force them to take us to Henry," suggested Rumple.

"Though that doesn't deal with the issue of Pan," said Belle with a sigh.

"No but it's a possible start." They continued their search till nightfall when they made camp. Rumple then asked.

"Belle might I borrow the dagger?"

"Yes," she said summoning it and handing it over. Rumple took the dagger and began to cut away near the bottom of his foot.

"What exactly are you doing?" asked Belle as he continued.

"You'll see," said Rumple. After about ten more minutes of cutting and spell casting his shadow peeled away from him and floated in front of them.

"What on earth?" asked Belle as Rumple handed back the dagger and she replaced it.

"Pan has a shadow I figured we ought to have one just in case. It will now do my bidding," responded Rumple.

"Wonderful, a shadow minion what's not to love?" asked Belle and Rumple chuckled.

OUAT

Bae searched the cabinet he'd found for something that could get him a portal home surprisingly he found a leather-bound book in the cabinet. Looking at the curly hand writing he recognized it as Belle's. It seemed she'd extensively cataloged the magic items and how to use them.

He flipped through and while he didn't find anything on portals, he found a hand mirror that suspiciously reminded him of a certain fairytale. Checking the book it said,

One hand mirror formerly the property of the sorceress Agatha Cromwell, simply say the name of the person you wish to find into it and they shall appear.

"Show me Emma Swan," he said the mirror lit up however instead of showing him the streets or rooms of Storybrooke, Neal was horrified to see Emma in a familiar jungle along with Regina, Hook and the rest of her family. Going out on a limb he asked.

"Show me Rumplestiltskin," an image of his father appeared dressed in a leather coat and accompanied by Belle who looked like an adventurer in a story book. They too were in the jungle both appeared frustrated. Neal's stomach dropped. He could only imagine one common thing that would draw that specific group of people to Neverland.

"Show me Henry Mills." The image swapped to Henry sitting in a terribly familiar camp with Pan in the background. Neal closed his eyes. His son was in terrible danger. Quite frankly all of them were. None of them knew the island. He set down the mirror and searched the cabinet further.

"You found the mirror. What else are you looking for?" asked Mulan.

"It showed me where Emma and the others were, not how to get them."

"Um, not sure you can find a horse in there, mate." quipped Robin.

"I don't need a horse. I need a way to create a portal," said Neal in an agitated tone.

"Why don't you calm down and tell me what the problem is? Perhaps I can assist." asked Robin.

"Henry is trapped in Neverland with Peter Pan who's hands-down the nastiest person I've ever met."

"You think this Pan has your son?" asked Mulan.

"Listen, I was in Neverland. Pan was looking for a boy. A specific boy. I know he had some picture of him on a scroll. He called him the truest believer."

"And you believe that to be Henry?"

"It has to be. That's the only reason Emma and everyone else related to Henry would be in Neverland." He did have to note that his father and Belle specifically had both chosen to go help save Henry. Maybe his papa really was turning over a new leaf. "Help me look. Lots of things make portals." The doors suddenly opened and they looked up as two men and a child came in.

"What the hell was that?" asked the larger of the men.

"Stand down, Little John. We're fine." said Robin. The young boy regarded the strangers curiously and approached Robin. Neal smiled and knelt down. The kid had to only be about 4 or so.

"Who's this?" Robin scooped the boy up.

"Merry Men come in all sizes. This is my son, Roland."

"Hello," said Neal with a small wave. Then suddenly an idea came to him.

"I know how to get to Neverland. I know how to get to Henry."

OUAT

"So what do you think about the pirate's change of heart?" Rumple asked Belle the jungle seemed to be getting denser and it was becoming harder to keep track of day and night. It wasn't an incredibly relevant topic but it helped pass the time as they looked for their grandson and kept the eerie sounds of the jungle at bay.

"I must say I find his last-minute choice to help odd," said Belle. "I suppose it could have to do with Bae but that seems awfully generous for a boy whose mother you ran off with."

"I'm willing to bet it has more to do with Miss. Swan," said Rumple. Belle raised an eyebrow.

"You think he's trying to play good to get in Emma's good books. Since the bad boy routine only goes so far."

"Precisely," said Rumple. Belle wrinkled her nose.

"Well, that's utterly insensitive and disgusting. Even if Bae and Emma weren't together the father of her child is possibly dead for all he knows and he's making a move on her."

"Since when was our dear Captain known for being sensitive?" asked Rumple dryly. Belle snorted.

"True enough. I'm not sure he'll get far though. That kind of change isn't genuine. Emma's a guarded person. Hopefully she'll see him for what he is."

"Yes, I'd rather not have the pirate marrying into the family," said Rumple.

"God forbid," scoffed Belle. "If the man wants to turn over a new leaf good for him but changing your act just because your prior one won't get you the girl isn't genuine. And I'm reasonable about second chances."

"Not to mention this family tree probably doesn't need to get any more twisted than it already is," added Rumple.

"True enough. That would mean that Hook would be Henry's step father but also slept with his grandmother. And I thought Regina being Henry's adoptive mother and step great grandmother was odd enough."

"On the bright side it at least keeps him useful to us for the time being," said Rumple. "So I suppose there are advantages."

"Yes I suppose so," agreed Belle. "You know speaking of romance I never imagined when I thought about adventuring with you that this would be the scenario leading to it."

"Well, we are here on a rescue mission rather than exploration," said Rumple.

"I was thinking more of the days when I was just your maid and you would go off. I'd often wish you'd take me with you."

"You were never "just my maid," my darling Belle," replied Rumple with a small smile. "And if things go your way here we'll save Henry, go home and have plenty of much less...dangerous adventures to come."

OUAT

"Are you out of your mind? He's four years old!" exclaimed Robin Hood as Neal explained his plan to have Roland summon Pan's shadow so Neal could hitch a ride to Neverland.

"The shadow won't touch him, I promise." Neal assured him.

"How do you know that?" asked Robin disbelievingly.

"Because I've done that before. It was what took me to Neverland as a kid. All Roland has to do is summon it. That's it. I'll take it from there. I'll be the one going to Neverland. Not him." Neal thought sadly on the Darling family. He hoped they'd gone on to live happy lives.

"At best, my toddler is a bait. At worst something goes wrong and a demonic shadow carries him through a portal to the nastiest person you've ever met." said Robin and Neal couldn't blame the man for being against the plan. It wasn't like he was thrilled about it either but it was his only shot. He wondered if this was similar to how his father had felt about using the curse. He'd stated he'd tried for other options but found none.

"Look, Robin. I have to get there." Robin sighed.

"I lost my wife a while back. Before that, we almost didn't have Roland. She was so sick. Now, she's gone. He's all I have. I can't lose him."

"So you know how I feel. I need my boy. And Emma. They're all I have." Well maybe he had his father but that was still up in the air.

"So, because I know what it is to value family, I should risk mine?" asked Robin angrily. Neal felt like a bit of a bastard playing this next card but didn't feel he had much of a choice.

"When she was sick, your wife, how did she live so that she could have your boy?" frustration crossed Robin's face.

"You know how."

"My father. He saved her. And your son." Robin looked uneasy and he turned away for a moment thinking. At last he looked back.

"Once. He stands at the window. He calls out once. That doesn't take, that's it. No second chance."

"You've got to understand this is my second chance."

OUAT

Neal knelt in the shadows as Robin and Mulan prepared Roland to try and call Pan's shadow. Neal only hoped with all his heart that this plan wasn't going to backfire spectacularly.

Robin crouched behind the table and Mulan stood by the window just out of view. Roland stepped up to the window.

"Okay, Roland. Say it." said Robin.

"I believe." Roland spoke into the window Nothing happened and Neal's heart sunk.

"Maybe if he says it again. Just once more." begged Neal but Robin shook his head beginning to walk over to his son.

"No, I'm sorry, mate. That's it." Suddenly there was a blast of air and the windows blew open. In swooped the shadow reaching for Roland's hand as Robin moved to take his son out of its reach.

"No!" cried Roland in fear.

"I got him," said Mulan as she wielded her sword and cut into the shadow which to Neal's surprise recoiled as it retreated Neal leapt out the window catching a hold of the shadow and soon he was flying high above the scenery of the Enchanted Forest and away to Neverland and with any luck...his family.

OUAT

Belle and Rumple had once more made camp after a fruitless day of searching for Henry. Rumple took a seat on a rock.

"I'm going to try and see if I can see the future perhaps there's something there that will give us a hint," Belle nodded.

"I'll keep quiet." Rumple stretched out his hands concentrating hard on what he wanted to see. Henry's fate, Pan's plan's, anything that would give them a hint of how to move forward but where normally a variety of images would flash, though not always related to what he wanted here he got nothing. It was like trying to push through a dense fog.

Suddenly he heard a gasp from Belle and a voice spoke up.

"You can't see the future here. It's impossible to see the future in a place where time stands still." Rumple's eyes flew open. In front of him was none other than Pan standing over the fire Belle had lit. Though there was now a pan with three eggs.

As for Belle. His wife had wisely immediately put distance between herself and the little fiend. Though if looks could kill Pan would be dead on the spot.

Rumple immediately stepped in front of his wife his arm slightly in front of her protectively.

"I may not see the future here, but I can make one happen."

"Was that a threat?" he scoffed. "And here I made you your favourite breakfast... eggs in a basket. I thought you could use it. You looked a little down in the dumps. All these days and still no luck."

"The only thing we want from you is our grandson. And since that's out of the bargain you may as well leave," spat Belle. Rumple sometimes forgot how fierce Belle could get regarding those she deemed as having done him harm. Though this was a very different tactic than his wife had taken with Cora. Pan laughed.

"Oh, really did do well for yourself didn't you Rumple? She's a feisty one. Belle, isn't it?"

OUAT

Anger coursed through Belle as she looked at the boy before her. The boy she knew was in truth a selfish old man who had been the first of many to hurt her Rumple. The first to abandon him leaving him with his greatest fear.

Surprise at the fact he knew her name though must have shown on her face because Pan looked amused.

"This is MY island. You really think I wouldn't learn exactly who was on it eventually. Though not openly giving your name to Felix was a smart move I suppose. Smarter than your choice in partner."

"Leave her out of this. Now what do you want?" snarled Rumple who still stood between them and Belle was suddenly reminded of that day in the war room where Gaston had pushed her behind him to "protect" her from Rumple. The difference though was he'd done that out of possessiveness and pride. Rumple did it out of true love.

"Before I get to that let's look at how things stand here. You've lost your son. AGAIN. This time to a much more permanent fate. And Henry is unattainable because... Well, you'd have to go through me, and we both know you can't. You still like the yolk runny, don't you?"

"I wouldn't be so sure of that. We don't even know for certain Bae is dead." said Belle. "Now get. To. The. Point." Pan chuckled.

"Really she is good Rumple I don't know how you got her but you're a fool alone for risking her life and yours."

"Enough games."

"Well, if you won't eat, then I will." said Pan with a shrug. "I'm just trying to point out the silver lining in your cloudy life."

"That by killing you, all our troubles end?" offered Rumple.

"We both know that's not going to happen, because the only way to do that is for you to die, too. You can go, leave the island."

"And abandon all that remains of my son? My beloved grandson Henry? I don't think so."

"Yeah that's not happening," agreed Belle. Pan sighed heavily. "Look, even if you did save him... which you won't... what would be the point? He'll never truly consider you family. Not when he has that band of heroes to look up to. Hell even if your son is alive he'll never forgive you once he hears of all the horrible things you've done."

"You don't know that," argued Rumple.

"Have you forgiven your father?"

"The situations aren't remotely similar," interjected Belle. "Rumple spent years trying to remedy his mistake and find his son. You tossed yours away without a second thought." Pan raised an eyebrow.

"You told her. Now that is interesting."

"I don't keep secrets from my wife. So you'll find that an ineffective technique to divide us," replied Rumple.

"Well my point still stands. Back to that silver lining... you have a nice girl right here," he gestured to Belle who glared at him. Honestly, he was worse than Cora. "Stop this foolishness and go back with her. Make a new start. She looks fertile. Maybe a new child." That comment nearly made Belle's jaw drop and she snapped.

"Not all of us consider children to be disposable beings. Malcom," she'd suddenly recalled Rumple once mentioning that being his father's original name. For the first time Pan's eyes actually flashed with anger though it was quickly hidden.

"You and I both know that's the only future for you...Assuming you both want to live. Enjoy the eggs." Then he disappeared back into the trees.

OUAT

Rumple and Belle waited another minute before relaxing slightly.

"So that was your father," she said at last.

"Indeed. You shouldn't have angered him like that. Look what happened with Cora," said her husband. Belle shrugged.

"I can't help it when I see people that hurt you. And given we've no intention of giving up this venture he's going to come for the both of us anyway. I might as well get a good shot in verbally speaking."

"I can't help but worry all the same," replied Rumple pulling her into his arms. She rested her head against his chest.

"You always worry. Don't listen to what he said though. If Bae is alive then he won't hold the past against you. He already likely had a decent idea that you got up to some...unsavory things."

"That's one way to put it," said Rumple. Belle rolled her eyes.

"And Henry already loves you. He said it himself." Rumple brushed back some of Belle's now rather messy hair.

"You always know what to say."

"I've been right before. Trust that I'll be right again," she replied.

"Very well," sighed Rumple as they both took a seat. There was silence for a moment and then he asked.

"What about the other thing he said?"

"What other thing?" asked Belle.

"Would you want a child with me?" Belle gave him a small smile.

"I suppose I...I would like that. Eventually. Before I was more concerned with finding Bae than adding another. You know I consider or considered him as good as my own."

"I do, and I'm grateful for that. You cared more than his real mother," said Rumple.

"But I wouldn't want you to think I was trying to replace Bae."

"I would never think that," said Rumple.

"What about you? Would you ever want another child?" asked Belle. Rumple sighed.

"I've spent so long focusing on Bae I haven't given the matter a lot of thought. Truth be told I'd be terrified of making the same mistakes. Of failing another child as I did Bae. But thinking about it, I can't say I'm wholly opposed to the idea. Especially as it would be with someone I truly love and who for some reason loves me."

Belle reached out and took his hand.

"Any child would be lucky to have you for a father. I've seen you with children often enough to know how devoted you would be. There's no other man I would dream of having a child with." Rumple gave her a small smile.

"Perhaps something to consider at a later time. If we survive and once we know things are safe." Belle nodded.

"I'd rather not be pregnant in the middle of a catastrophe and I think we can both agree that neither of us are interested in taking your father's offer. Any future of ours includes Henry."

Rumple kissed the back of her hand.

"Agreed my brave Belle."

Author's Note: So Belle get's to take Pan down a peg! Don't hurt her Rumple! I had a lot of fun adding Belle into that scene so I hope you enjoyed it. I also hope people appreciated the Halloweentown nod. I wanted to use a mirror instead of a crystal ball since a mirror was used in beauty and the beast. Finally Rumple and Belle gossip about Hook's intentions. Which honestly I think they are spot on. His change was for Emma because she wasn't buying the bad boy act. I don't HATE hook but I don't ship CaptainSwan sooo he's not going to be getting loads of favorable coverage. Thanks to all my readers if you like the story please leave a note below with your thoughts on it! Until next week!