Rumple, Belle, and Bae all sat glumly around a campfire. Rumple was feeling rather helpless. For all his power he'd been unable to protect his grandson. He supposed he should consider it a blessing that Bae had decided to stick with them.
"What do we do now?" asked Belle.
"Well, the squid ink/arrow trick worked once but it won't work again," said Bae tossing tossed some twigs on to the fire rather aggressively.
"I suppose maybe if I could find a way to draw Pan out and get him to face me alone..." began Rumple but Belle interrupted him.
"No. Setting aside you'll be at disadvantage on his terf I thought we'd nixed that little suicide mission idea."
"You are seriously committed to that after all," said Bae raising an eyebrow.
"My grandson's life is more important than beating a prophecy," replied Rumple with a shrug.
"Yes, all of us are WILLING to sacrifice our lives in this endeavor but it doesn't mean plan A has to involve looking for death," said Belle.
"She's got a point," said Bae. "I'll die for Henry but I'd rather be alive an in his life."
"I thought you didn't trust me?" asked Rumple in surprise.
"I don't entirely. But Henry believed in you, and you definitely love Belle enough to not want her dead. What I don't get is why Pan is so focused on you. What's between you two?" Rumple glanced at Belle who gave him an encouraging nod.
"Because he's, my father."
"What?" asked Bae and Rumple stood turning his back to the other two. "That teenaged hell spawn is my grandfather?"
"Yes," replied Rumple. "He abandoned me as a child for eternal youth."
"Why didn't you tell me when I told you I spent time in Neverland?"
"Because I didn't want you to know I was as much of a failure as a father to you as mine was to me." He glanced back but any response Bae might have made positive or negative was postponed by a rustling in the bushes by their camp.
They all immediately were on the defensive. Belle drew her sword, Bae raised his bow, and Rumple summoned a ball of fire.
"Show yourself dearie!" he called threateningly.
"Keep your hair it's me!" said a familiar voice and to his only slight surprise out walked Regina.
"What are you doing here?" asked Belle.
"Sorry to barge in on the Stiltskin family picnic bookworm but I've spent the past week camping with the Charming's and gotten basically nowhere. Not to mention I've had about as much sanctimonious bull crap as I can take from Snow."
"Told you," said Rumple glancing at Belle who scoffed.
"I never took the bet." Regina rolled her eyes.
"Look I briefly spoke to Henry...he's alright for now," she said holding up a hand to forestall any questions from Bae and Belle, "and he said you guys temporarily got him out. I figure add me into the mix and we should be able to stop Pan and rescue Henry permanently," Rumple shrugged.
"I know what it will take to defeat Pan. Which is my own life," Regina scoffed.
"You're not gonna die at anyone's hands but my own. We're the two most powerful practitioners of magic who have ever lived. The Evil Queen and the Dark One joining forces? I'd say we can find another way to handle one smug teenager."
"I never thought I would say this but I'm with Regina on this one Rumple," said Belle.
"Seconded. I haven't heard great things about the Evil Queen but...Henry has said some good things about his other mother," said Bae.
"Good to have you back to Junior," replied Regina sarcastically. Rumple was oddly touched by Regina not wanting him to die it was the closest she probably would say to caring. Still he shook his head for he still lacked high hopes about defying the prophecy.
"You've never faced him. I have. There is no way around this."
"Do we have to kill him?" asked Bae. "Not that I'm opposed on principle but surely you the king of loopholes can come up with something."
Regina began to pace.
"Junior has a point, as much as I want to, maybe we don't have to kill him. If that's the case, then... Maybe we can find another way... something to contain him, some other fate."
Suddenly Belle clapped her gloved hands together in a gesture of realization.
"Samuel!" she met Rumple's gaze and he immediately understood what she was thinking of. He smirked.
"A fate worse than death. Oh, my Belle you are brilliant." Regina grinned deviously.
"Now we're talkin'. There's my malevolent imp. Is there a spell you know? Something we can enact?"
"And who the hell is Samuel?" asked Bae. Belle sighed.
"A childhood friend of mine who was foolish enough to think he could trap the Dark One."
"Bet that turned out well for the idiot," snarked Regina.
"The idiot in question ended up in a mite infested bog," replied Rumple. "He probably survived." Bae appeared somewhat shocked probably at the tameness of the punishment.
"Anyway, Rumple confiscated the item he brought with him and it would be perfect for trapping Pan," said Belle then she frowned. "The only problem is it's back in the shop."
"Why didn't you bring it with you?" asked Regina.
"Because I came here to kill him and die in the process!" replied Rumple tersely. Regina laughed.
"As if your true love would let that happen. So now we just need a change of plans. We need to get back to your shop, pick up this magical item, and then all of our problems are solved."
"No offense but you make that sound rather easy and speaking as someone that has crossed several realms including escaping this hellhole, I can tell you...it is not," replied Bae.
"Bae's right crossing realms? Is that all?" Regina's smile however had not dimmed.
"Yes. That's all."
OUAT
They returned to the beach where Regina picked up a conch shell leaving Rumple rather perplexed.
"If you think summoning a giant squid is the answer, I've already tried that," said Bae.
"Oh, you've had fun, haven't you? I have no intention of ordering calamari." She whispered into the shell and after a moment a red-haired mermaid surfaced. "Hello, Ariel. Long time," said the queen. Gold was impressed but still unsure.
"It's true mermaids can travel across realms. But they can't be trusted."
"This one can. We have history together," said Regina.
"Well, that would explain the distasteful look on her face," quipped Belle.
"And now she's going to help us." The mermaid seemed to disagree as she mouthed NO.
"You sure about that?" asked Bae.
"Oh, right, your voice," said Regina and with a wave of her hand the mermaid could speak.
"Why would I help you?"
"Because I can give you what you want." She held waved her hand and a bracelet appeared in the mermaid's hand. "I can give you legs, Ariel, and this time, control over them. But more importantly, I can give you what you need most."
"What?" asked Ariel.
"The place I'm sending you... among its residents... is your Prince Eric." The mermaid's face lit up and Rumple knew they had her.
"What's the name of this place?" asked the mermaid.
"Storybrooke." replied Regina.
OUAT
They sent Ariel off with a sand dollar containing a message for Pip and instructions for the mermaid to find the Piper who would help her retrieve the box.
"So how long is that going to take?" asked Bae.
"We can't be sure time moves differently between the realms," said Rumple.
"In that case Bae why don't you and I take a walk?" said Belle slipping her arm through Bae's and gesturing a little way down the beach. "You can tell me all about how Robin is doing."
"Oh. Sure." said Bae. Rumple watched the pair walk down the sand together and out of earshot.
Awkward silence reigned for a while between the two then Regina spoke.
"I'm sorry."
"I beg your pardon dearie?" asked Rumple.
"I'm SORRY." Regina took a seat next to him on the sand. "For kidnapping Belle. Twice. For crossing you. For attacking Jefferson and his family. Basically, anything I've done to piss you off in our acquaintance I apologize."
"And where is this coming from?" Rumple queried raising an eyebrow. Regina shrugged.
"The cricket told me I ought to make amends with those I hurt. As part of the whole 'redemption' process."
"I know you dearie you don't actually regret all that do you?" Regina tilted her head.
"I'm willing to acknowledge I was in the wrong. Besides we're family now whether we like it or not. And you and I will always be getting the side eye from most of the heroes. So we might as well make up and band together."
Rumple sighed.
"Who knew Henry would unite so many enemies?"
"You sure knew how to pick him. You seriously didn't know he was your own grandkid?" asked Regina.
"No idea what so ever. Fate simply has a funny sense of humor," replied Rumple.
"You're telling me," responded Regina. There was silence as Rumple thought over Regina's apology. He remembered Belle saying the Queen had already apologized to her. A part of him knew he'd played a part in making Regina the Evil Queen that was undeniable. Sweet innocent Regina would never have considered kidnapping and torturing his Belle. In which case he supposed perhaps she deserved some leeway?
"So?" asked Regina. Rumple sighed.
"Truce. For now. No more fighting no more attacks on each other. We'll co-exist around Henry and tolerate the heroes. Forgiveness is a bit far for me but I'm willing to make peace." Regina shrugged.
"I'll take that."
OUAT
Belle walked with Bae down the beach keeping the pair of magic users in sight just in case they got on each other's nerves. However, she had sensed there was something Regina had wanted to say to Rumple without prying ears.
"So how is Robin?" she enquired.
"Oh, he's fine for the most part. He and his merry men have been camping out in the Dark Castle," said Bae. Belle smiled.
"Well, I suppose if it's going to be used at least it's by someone nice. What about his wife the one he saved?"
"Unfortunately, she apparently died they have a little boy though so at least he has something to hold on to." Belle felt her heart go out to the thief.
"I am sorry to hear that. But as you say at least he has his son."
"He asked about you, you know."
"Oh?" asked Belle surprised she'd made that much of an impression.
"Yeah, said he was worried my father might have hurt you for freeing him." Belle shrugged.
"I wasn't. I knew your father would be angry and he was. But I didn't think he was going to kill me. In fact, I think when he spared Robin was when I first started falling in love with him. Kind of Robin to think of me though."
"Yeah, I uh told him you two were quite happily married." replied Bae. Belle smiled.
"Thank you. You...are alright with me and your father being together, correct? I realized I never really asked."
"Papa can do what he wants with his life. But...you do seem to bring out a better side of him. One that I didn't expect. And you've been a good grandma to Henry. I can't say I've got any complaints."
"Thank goodness. You know I was worried before we met that you might not like me."
"I didn't know my mother well enough to feel any resentment on that score," replied Bae. "Do you think this box plan will work?" Belle sighed.
"Well we haven't got any better ideas. And it doesn't sound like team hero does either."
"I'm not sure you can call a team with Captain Hook on it, team hero," replied Bae. Belle laughed.
"You might be right there."
OUAT
Henry figured if he was stuck around Pan he might as well try and work out the boy's plan so when he saw Felix leaving camp he followed the boy stealthily. Eventually Felix stopped beneath a tree house where he dropped off some supplies.
Once the coast was clear Henry scurried up the ladder where he found a blond girl lying on a bed coughing.
"Who are you?" he asked figuring this was another prisoner of Pan's.
"You're not supposed to be here," said the girl.
"I know. I thought Pan might be keeping my family here. Why are you so far away from the camp?" Henry cautiously approached. She coughed again.
"I'm-I'm sick. He's afraid someone might catch it."
"Who are you?"
"My name's Wendy." Henry's eyes widened.
"Wendy Darling?" she nodded as he took a seat on the side of the bed.
"I'm Henry. What's wrong?"
"It's the island, Henry. Its power is fading. I've been here a long time, but, well, for some reason it's affecting me more than the others. You look like him."
"Like who?" asked Henry.
"Your father." said the girl with a small smile.
"You knew my father?" asked Henry.
"We were friends, a long time ago. When he was just a little bit older than you. He saved my brothers from danger. He would do anything for my family." She coughed again and Henry felt sympathy for the girl. Setting aside he wouldn't want anything to happen to an innocent girl, she also reminded him a bit of his best friend Grace with her blond hair.
"Are you gonna be okay?" he asked. Wendy didn't answer the question instead replying.
"You should go."
"Maybe there's something I can do to help?" he offered.
"Just-please, I don't want you to catch what I have. Pan is already doing everything that he can, but the magic here... I fear it is not enough." Henry's brow furrowed. Why would Pan want to help Wendy? And what did she mean about magic not being enough?
"There has to be a way. My grandfather and mum are both magic users they might be able to find a cure when they save me," offered Henry. Wendy smiled.
"You are kind but as I said Pan tried everything already. Please go. Before you, too, become ill." Henry nodded. And stood up.
"I'll come back for you. I promise." and he would when his family rescued him he'd make sure they got Wendy too especially since his dad apparently knew her. He'd save Wendy.
Author's Note: Soo. Rumple comes clean about the relationship with Pan but doesn't get Bae's reaction quite yet. I did have fun with Regina joining the group. I figured Junior was a decent enough nickname for Bae (if not as good as Captain Guylinerš) Anyway Regina and Rumple have finally made peace. Regina has that whole no regret speech later but I do think that there's a difference between full regret and being able to acknowledge things you did wrong. So I hope you all found that in character. We get some more Bae and Belle bonding. I'm really trying to help build up their relationship as well. And Henry is a little bit smarter here trying to suggest his parents help and think critically about the situation. Obviously certain things still need to happen for plot sake but I am trying to make him a bit less naĆÆve. If you like the story please leave a note with your thoughts below! Until next time!