Rumple sets about trying to find out what caused the characters of the suspended Mayor and former Sheriff to change so dramatically. Meanwhile the women in question leave Storybrooke for New York, to seek out the one person who might be able to help them. And Regina's told something disturbing.

Briar House

"Dorothy? What a surprise! I haven't seen you around since…well, you know?"

"Hi Mulan. Yeah, well, nothing stays secret for long around here, does it?"

The former Hero of Oz had spent a good part of the last week crying, so she was determined she wasn't going to do it yet again, in front of one of the few friends she'd made in Storybrooke. And seeing the extra weight the normally slight yet fearsome former warrior was now carrying, was enough to distract her from her darker thoughts. "Marriages break up sometimes, I guess, though I never imagined it happening to me. So, I need cheering up. Just look at you, you're blooming! How are you feeling?"

"Like I want this pregnancy to be over! Come in and have some tea?"

Ten minutes later, they sat down at a little table overlooking the back lawn.

"So, three weeks to go? Are Rory and Phil picking up the slack? Everyone being supportive?"

"They've all been brilliant," The normally serious-faced Asian woman broke out into a beaming smile as she thought of her loved ones. "They've been doing everything, though I'm getting a bit tired of Phil's endless fussing around me like an old nanny. I'm pregnant, not an invalid! Rory said he was just like that when she was expecting Pip. But he's so sweet, Dot! Still, as we're going to be seeing a lot less of him over the next few months, so I might as well enjoy it."

"Less of Philip, why?"

"Haven't you heard? They suspended Mayor Mills! You heard about the fight in the diner, surely?"

"No, I've spent all this week on David Nolan's farm. It seemed a good place to be, considering everything that's happened, and the fact that's the last place his wife will be. They suspended Regina? Can they do that? Hell, what did she do?"

"Wow, you really have been out of it haven't you? There's an awful lot happened this week. This might take a while."

"Unfortunately, I've all the time in the world right now. But what's it got to do with Philip?"

"He sits on the Governing Council, doesn't he? After they booted out Regina for suspected criminal behaviour, they appointed Philip as the interim Mayor. If she's cleared after an investigation, Regina comes back. But if not, she goes to trial, while Phillip calls an election. Sheriff Emma's been suspended too! Hank Morgan's taken over as Sheriff for the moment. Oh, and to cap it all, Snow White's no longer Head Teacher at the middle school."

"Wow", Dorothy shook her head. "I really have missed everything, haven't I"

The Blanchard Loft – the following morning

Snow White woke up around seven, happily spooned in the arms of her lover, sheathed in the wonderful feel of warm, naked, skin against her own. Despite everything that had happened, she was happy. Despite most of the town, to her surprise, turning against her, she was happy. Despite probably losing her job, she was happy. Happy, because she had the best girlfriend in the world. She needed nothing more.

"Good morning sleepy-head. Sleep well?" Ruby's hot breath brought tingles to her neck.

"Mmmm, blissfully, thanks." Snow rolled over to face her, enjoying the sensation of warm breasts resting against her own. "You?"

"I've been awake an hour, but I couldn't get out. You're too warm and squishy." She pulled her in closer, pecking her lips, spotting Snow's grimace. "Sorry, have I got wolf-breath?"

"A little, but I don't care. I have too, probably." She kissed her back. "Do you know, since we got together, we've made love every morning, every night and even more times in between, every single day? I feel insatiable when I'm around you. You do realise we've never left each other's company, all week?"

"Yup..." Ruby pushed her onto her back, before mounting her fully, slotting her legs in between her lovers and looking down on those delicious hazel eyes. "And I wouldn't have it any other way." Then she spotted something on her lover's left arm, near the shoulder. "What's that? A bruise or something?"

"Bruise?" Snow twisted her head, to see a tiny purple-red mark, near her left shoulder. "Oh that? I hadn't noticed. And it looks like - oh look? There's also a couple of spots of blood on the sheet. Maybe I caught my arm on something sharp last night? Never mind, we were rather…engaged...as I recall?"

"Yeah. My right shoulders got a twinge, too." Ruby leant down, and licked Snow's tiny bruise, like a wolf with its cub. "We were going at it a bit rough last night, weren't we?"

"I didn't hear any complaints at the time, madam? Besides, I knew I'd definitely be having a lie-in! I don't miss getting up for school one bit."

"And I don't miss early mornings in the diner. I haven't even had any early runs all week. Not if it means I miss out on this?" She pushed her groin in hard against Snow's, to emphasise the point. "So what's your plans for today?"

"Mmm, that's nice!" She pushed back into her. "Well first, I'm going to make love to a gorgeous wolf. Then, I'm going to shower, change, and head over to Morrison Blackwell's. I phoned Johnny two days ago to start drawing up the divorce papers. He asked me to come in person to sign a few things."

"I'm surprised you're still using them? Especially as his partner was the one who suspended you!"

"Well to be fair, Danny merely does what the Governors vote on. He clashed with my father once and got kicked out of the Court for it. He may be a pedantic so-and-so but, he's honest and straightforward. Quite a rare quality in lawyers! So if he says he voted against my suspension, I believe him. But Johnny's a bit younger, and easier to deal with. He won't waste time. Come with me?"

"I was going to head over to see Mulan. She suggested I pop over last week. She's only got a few weeks before the birth so I was going to check up on her. Besides, I want to find out what's been happening in town after we told them. Especially as I can't go into the diner. But I don't want to leave you behind? It's strange but, ever since we kissed eight days ago in that weird shack, I feel like I can't bear to be away from you, for even a minute. Even when you go to the loo, I feel I have to wait outside the door. Is that weird, or what?"

"Not weird at all," Snow pecked her lips again, sliding her hands over two bare buttocks, pulling her in tighter. "In future I'll leave the door unlocked, if you prefer? I've nothing to hide from you, my darling."

"I'd like that…" She pressed her groin hard into Snow's again, now starting to grind. "I'll do the same for you."

"Now, are you going to just lie on top of me and keep staring down, Ruby Lucas. Or are you going to give me the good-morning your girlfriend richly deserves?"

"That, is a very silly question!"

The Gold Mansion

"You know Rumple, you're spending so much time in this room, I'm beginning to think you're turning into a hermit? And why on earth do you have the curtains closed?" Belle moved across to the window, to pull them back. "It's a beautiful sunny morning out there, the skies are blue, and-"

"DON'T OPEN THEM!" That stopped her. "Sorry, but please don't touch the curtains?"

"Why ever not?"

"Because some of these ingredients I'm using react to direct sunlight. If you introduce too much, you could wind up just destroying the last eight hours work!"

"Eight hours?" She looked at the weird little glass tray, containing a slushy dark-green liquid and a lump of what looked like hair lying in the centre. "Did you even go to bed last night?"

"No. I owe it to Henry to finish this. Besides…the Dark One doesn't need sleep."

"The Dark One doesn't, but your physical body does! Rumple, you've worked too long on this. You need rest! I'm sure Henry will understand."

"But I'm so close, Belle! I'm ready to play their story."

"Their story? Whose story? And what the hell is that mess in the tray?"

"Two combined locks of hair, one from the Sheriff, and one from the Mayor. Or I should say, the former Sheriff and former Mayor. They've been immersed in a discovery potion that's taken me almost a week to make. I believe we're ready to go. I trust Gideon is safely in school?"

"Ready to go where? And yes, I dropped him off this morning, why?"

"Because I'm just about to play every interaction and every conversation, between the two them, on that dream catcher over there. And I don't want to be disturbed till it's finished."

"You can really do that? That must be intruding on their privacy, surely? It's illegal!"

"Belle, we've already spoken about this at length. Those two women have, in just one week, destroyed their relationships, physically hurt children and others, conspired to get people thrown out of their homes, and that's just the things we know about! Henry, and I, and their spouses, think they are acting under a curse or a malevolent force. Do you really want this to continue? Do you want us to take off the magic-blocking bracelets, and risk the whole town?"

"Well, no…" Belle rolled her eyes, wrestling with her conscience. "I get it, I do, but how much will we see? And over how long? Emma's been living at Regina's place all week. It could take hours!"

"We can fast-forward, like a video, for moments when they're eating or sleeping, or someone's with them. You can watch it along with me if you wish?"

"How far back will you be able to go?"

"I have no idea, but this is the first batch I've made, and I've enough for three batches."

"How did you get their hair in the first place? And what's that congealed goo it's sitting in?"

"Henry brought over two hairbrushes." Although that was technically true, Rumple knew full well that the samples Henry brought over, were more than a week old. And one wasn't from Regina anyway. Plus, they were not the same locks lying in the tray. But he'd lived with so many lies in the past and to him, this time at least, the ends justify the means! "Now, Do you want to watch with me, or not?"

"Okay, let's do it."

The Briar Home – one hour later

"Maybe you're right. Maybe they're all just cursed or something."

"It makes sense, Dorothy. After all, we had Robin and Regina over here two weeks ago, for lunch. Regina was doting all over Roland! She's a natural mother to him, even though she's not his biological one. But then again, nor is Henry? I've known Robin for years. He's like a big brother to me, letting me join them when I left Rory. And I'm as certain as I could be that Regina worshipped that man as much as he did her! I can't believe that's the same woman who threatened to kill him ten days later? It doesn't make sense. I've never known Emma Jones too well, but she and Killian seemed pretty close too, and she adores her daughter. Or did! No, I think Henry might be on to something."

"Well if you're right, I guess there's hope." Dorothy didn't want to admit her other suspicions about her own wife.

"For his age, Henry is a highly intelligent young man, who's been proved right about many of these things in the past. According to Gold, he's the one who has control over his mothers' magic now, as they've been restricted by some sort of special bracelets. So I guess we have to wait and see what happens? As for you and Rubes, it's all too co-incidental, don't you think? Ruby suddenly announcing she's in love with someone else and leaving you? Emma and Regina doing the same? No, I think he's right. I reckon you should hold on, stay at David's if that makes you feel better, and wait for the outcome. Or you can always stay here with us, if you like?"

"Ha!" That finally made Dorothy laugh. "I'm not sure Phil or Rory would agree with you, Mulan? Three stroppy women, living under his roof? People would think he's setting up a harem!"

"He wouldn't mind, he's not like that. But the offer stands."

"Thanks, but I think I'll stay with David for the moment. He's a great guy, and him and Henry have really been kind to me this week. And frankly, I do love working on the farm with the sheep. So much nicer than waitressing. Maybe this will blow over but, I'm not sure."

"About Ruby? About her coming back?" She nodded. "What make you say that?"

"She may be under some sort of curse now, but I'm pretty sure this has happened before."

That came as a surprise. "What, you mean her and Snow?"

"Not sure. I was telling David. I think it might have been others. There were signs. I think it's happened a few times now." She looked up at the former warrior, who looked genuinely surprised. "A woman, not a man. I'll be honest Mulan, and please don't take offence when I say this, but I once thought the mystery woman, or one of them, could even have been you!"

"ME? Why on earth would you think that?"

"Well, you were very close to her when I first met you, weren't you? When the two of you came from, where was it, Dunbroch? I thought there might have been something between you in the past, and I kind of assumed you were gay, too."

Mulan gave her a sad smile. "Ruby and I were friends there, but never romantically. Haven't you realized, when it comes to women I prefer princesses?" She tried to make her smile, and partly succeeded. "Seriously though, as for thinking I'm gay, most people did until I got pregnant, though Aurora's the first and only woman I've ever felt that way about. Where I come from, same-sex relationships were considered shameful, punishable by death in some districts. But I actually started falling for Phillip first, when Rory was under a sleeping curse. He was still married though, so I never pursued it. Then I fell for her, after I got to know her, after he sacrificed himself to save both of us. It's only when he came back, and she had the guts to admit to him that she had feelings for me, that he did too. I was the stubborn one, at first. But when we finally got together, something clicked between all three of us. I know most people around here think we're weird, or even perverted. But it works for us."

"I don't think you're weird at all! In fact, I rather envy you, having two such lovely partners. Twice as much love as the rest of us! It must be nice."

"It takes work, admittedly, and lots of talking and honesty, but yes, it really is." She couldn't fail to notice a change in Dorothy's expression. "But hey, you'll get it too, one day, I'm sure of it! Whether it's you and Ruby getting over this hiccup, or you finding someone else. I'm sure there's someone out there for you too, Dot! Anyway, what makes you so sure Ruby's been unfaithful?"

"There's a few times she's been secretive about where she's been. She's come home smelling of scent, and I may not have her nose, but Ruby doesn't wear scent! I even found underwear in the laundry basket she'd definitely worn but I certainly didn't recognise. And she had some scratches a few times. On her neck and back and other laces. And bite marks."

She shook her head. "I'm sorry Dot, I had no idea."

"Trouble is, I love her Mulan! I really do, despite everything! I love the woman who's cheated on me and dumped me. How pathetic does that make me?"

"Well, they say love is blind, don't they? So, what are you going to do about it?"

"Not sure. David says I should hang on, and find out what's caused her to go off, before I rush to leave. I can't make up my mind. We'll see, I guess?"

"Well always know there's a place here to stay, if you need it? That is, if you don't mind hearing a screaming baby instead of screaming lambs?

Meanwhile…

Belle and Rumple had been watching the dream catcher playing for nearly an hour and a half, and Belle was astonished by the sheer detail. He would pause regularly, slowing it down when there was some sort of dialogue between Emma and Regina, write down some notes, then skipping over a number of the public scenes from the last week.

And thank god he'd had the decency to fast forward through all the sex scenes! There were a lot of those!

"I can tell by your red cheeks that you find this all very embarrassing, Belle? But we still need to do this, unfortunately. Just tell me to stop, if you see them talking? Then we can play it from that point and move on. I'll try to spare your blushes and get this over with as soon as we can. I'm not sure how long the current mixture will play for, anyway.

"Oh, thanks. Okay." She could already sense how red she must be right now. But she daren't admit to her husband that it wasn't just embarrassment, even though it was to begin with. She was actually quite aroused! The moving images, a full recording of the two seriously attractive women having a variety of sex with each other, was having an effect she hadn't expected. Fortunately, Rumple was more focused on the task in hand. If it was also arousing him in any way, he wasn't showing it!

"These scenes would appear to be from the queen's bedroom. We need to wind back some more."

"Fine. How do you know what the inside of Regina's bedroom looks like, anyway?"

"I recognise the windows. And the décor. Emma would never have gone for that look."

Typical. I must be the only woman married to a straight man, who'd watch something like this, and he'd be looking at the furnishings?

The images suddenly reversed yet again, speeding up. They must have covered at least another week of all the moments the two women were together in the same room, as when Rumple next stopped it, the pair in question now stood opposite one another, either side of her desk, with very different expressions to what they'd already seen.

The images started to play:

"Sheriff Swan-Jones, why are you wasting my time with this?" Regina appeared her usually frustrated self. "The man's clearly an habitual drunk, and you know it! He takes up a cell most Saturday nights. And then you have to process all the wretched paperwork! Why not just use your magic to knock him out, and teleport him back to his house? He can then sleep on his floor, rather than cluttering up the station! Far more efficient use of your, as you continually tell me, limited resources?"

But Emma seemed just as frustrated as her. "Because Madam Mayor, as I've already told you many times before, doing that could kill him! He could choke on his own vomit! Then we'd have a bloody damn sight more paperwork, wouldn't we? Paperwork that YOU keep creating! How much more time do my team have to waste on your endless duplication of the same ruddy thing? Buy a decent fucking IT system! Like most modern protection agencies have, for god's sake!"

"Here we go again with the IT system argument! We do not need to spend many thousands on new software! Just teach your damn deputies to use the current one properly!"

"And we do! But there's too much of it! Look at this?" The blonde appeared to be lifting up four different sheets of coloured paper. "We have to write the suspect's name, address and everything, FOUR TIMES OVER! It's plain stupid! Why not get your sodding army of useless pen-pushers at the town hall, who seem to do fuck all over there, to come up with a proper system? This is shit, Regina, and you know it!"

"I see you've picked up Guyliner's foul tongue over the years, Swan? Hardly surprising, I guess."

"Coming from the woman who told me she was going to administer another 'bollocking' to my staff? That's come straight from your husband! And when I told your former thief I was going to issue him a ticket if he didn't hurry up and move his car, he called me a 'dickhead'! And I was in uniform! What is it with him and sheriff's, anyway?"

Her husband's reference seemed to make the mayor grin, as she clearly tried not to laugh. "Well you are one, aren't you? Why don't you just-"

But she stopped when a knock on the door came one of her assistants poking her head around it.

"Madam Mayor, I have young Roland in the lobby. He's asking you to come downstairs, so he can show you something outside? Shall I tell him you're not available till after four?"

At the mere mention of her stepson, Regina's expression changed completely, and a wide smile appeared. "No, of course not, Kathy, we're done here." She looked back at Emma, who nodded, also now smiling. "Tell him I'll be down in a minute, would you? And Kathy? Please take down those cookies you held back for him, please?"

"Of course, Madam Mayor." Kathy closed the door behind her as Regina walked around her desk.

Both Sheriff and Mayor appeared completely at ease now. "So, Saturday? Can we still expect everyone before six?"

"Yeah. Killian's not sailing tomorrow, so we'll all be at the summer fete before coming over. You want me to bring dessert, like we agreed? And that dark beer Robin likes?"

"Please." She stepped forward, kissing Emma's cheek, which was returned in kind. "And tell my goddaughter I can't wait to see her, and that I have her Disney DVD. She'll know which one I'm talking about."

Emma grinned. "You know, you spoil that girl!"

"Of course I do, Hope's my favourite Swan-Jones by far!"

"I guessed," Emma sniggered. "Okay, I'll see you then. Give Rolly my love, and tell him I'm gonna whoop his ass on Mario Kart this weekend! He got lucky last time!"

"I'll say no such thing, because you know he'll win. Yet again. Goodbye, Emma."

"Yeah, yeah. Bye, Gina. See you Saturday."

As they watched the Sheriff walk out, Rumple froze the screen once again, before turning to his wife.

"So what do you make of that? Your observations?"

"Well let's see now. They spent part of the time just screaming at each other and bickering. Then the moment she found out Roland was outside, Regina changed, and so did Emma. They were acting like close sisters, in a way that they enjoy the squabbling, but underneath it all, they're great friends, and clearly close. They do seem to love each other's kids, too."

"I quite agree. Did you sense any romantic interaction between them at this point?"

"None. They just pecked each other on the cheek, and most of us do that. Their relationship seemed completely different to what we saw before."

"So from that, we can conclude that whatever changed, it hadn't happen before then. Let's scan forward a little more slowly this time, shall we?"

The previous morning…

Their suitcases loaded in the back, the Mercedes turned the final corner to leave Storybrooke, the town line a mile ahead, for the six hour drive to New York. Regina sat at the wheel for the first shift, Emma studying something on the tablet.

"I remember him being in some sort of health-food store? There's about six of them in that part of Chinatown. I think we should start there."

"Good idea. I've be glad to leave this dump for a little while."

"Me too. I'm looking forward to the beach. Hopefully, it won't take too long to find this guy. Did he go by any other name, apart from The Dragon?"

"If he does, I don't know it. I suggest we stop for gas in Portland first, then we can-" Regina stopped talking the moment they car went over the Storybrooke town line, as she suddenly felt a short, sharp, burning sensation on her left wrist.

"Agh! What in hell?"

"OW!" Emma yelped, looking at her own wrist. "SON OF A BITCH!"

The magic-blocking bracelets that Henry had fastened on both of them had suddenly disappeared! But instead of a bare wrist, they each now saw an intricate tattoo on the skin, where the bracelets had been. Dark green, red and purple symbols running all around the wrist. Emma looked over to see Regina had one too, with the same design!

"How the hell did he do that? There's no magic here?"

"Absolutely no idea," Regina shook her head in disbelief. "Well, there's no way we're going to be able to prize these off! This is going to take magic. Even more reason why we need to see the Dragon!"

"Henry's definitely got to pay for this, the little shit! You said you cancelled his cards already; I say we find a bigger punishment."

"I'll think of something."

Manhattan, New York City – The following day

Finding the Dragon had been much easier than they'd thought it would.

Arriving and checking into their downtown hotel the previous evening, Regina and Emma had set about trying to locate the man they'd last seen trapped behind a mirror by the split Evil Queen, five years ago. Emma had tried to ring around old contacts to see whether they could help. But it was disappointing to discover most had either left the business, retired, or left the city completely. So, the following morning, they decided to first walk around the areas where they'd first located the mysterious Chinaman. In the little side streets of Chinatown, the little Manhattan suburb. Thankfully, his little shop, selling Chinese herbs, medicines and health foods, was still there.

As was, unbelievably, the same quiet, mysterious little man they were looking for!

"Hello Dragon, remember me?"

"I rarely forget a face when I've been trapped alongside them. Hello Regina, I've been expecting you. And you, Emma. I understand since we last met, you've been blessed by the gift of a daughter?"

"Yeah. How do you know? Has somebody called you?"

The old man shrugged, allowing himself a small chuckle. "The magical and mystical world extends far beyond your little town. There are many other forces watching over you. Always."

"So do you know why we're here? Why we sought you out?"

"No," he eyed them both, an inscrutable look on his face. "But I'm assuming it has something to do with what you both have on your arms?" He pointed to their wrists.

Regina and Emma exchanged a cautious look. "You're right. We want to get them removed. Think you can do it?"

"I'm not sure. Come sit. Let me take a closer look?"

Regina sat down on the little flat cushion opposite him, as Emma knelt close beside her.

"There was a magic-blocking bracelet on there, on both of us, before we left Storybrooke. When we crossed over the town line to get here, they changed into these…tattoos?"

As she spoke, a small artist's paintbrush appeared in the man's hand, and a tiny pot of what looked to be water. Putting them down and holding Regina right wrist, he dabbed the brush in the pot, before wiping a small patch of the tattoo. Putting the brush down, he brought his free hand back to hover over the now damp skin. That's when Regina felt the heat pour from him, and the dark magenta light drift from his fingers, as the light seemed to work its way around the wrist.

Emma watched closely. "How come you can do magic outside, here, but the rest of us can't?"

"There are many types of magic of which you're unaware. There are a few like me, but not many. Everyone's gifts have limitations, and the wise learn to respect them."

Regina, impatient as ever, rolled her eyes. "Well we can't do anything out here, and these are stopping us doing anything back home until we get these tattoos off! What do we have to do?"

He took a while before answering, rubbing his fingers lightly over the design. "This is no tattoo. There are no dyes, inks or pigments under the skin. This has been magically created by a darker force. The Dark One himself, by any chance?"

Regina nodded, staying silent. "I thought so. It has been much improved since I last saw one. This appears to be scorched into the skin itself. I believe its core may be tied into your body, this being merely its external image. Did the Dark One say how it can be removed?"

"My son. I mean, our son, put them on us. He said he thinks we're cursed, or being controlled somehow. It's nonsense, but he said he won't take them off, until we change. He thinks we're a risk to others. As I said, it's absurd."

"Your son is now the Author?" Emma nodded. "I certainly sense a great emptiness in your heart. A great loss. Why did your son do this to you? Has there been a major change within you?"

The blonde spoke up this time. "We've split up with our husbands and got together. The two of us. As a couple. He thinks we've changed completely because of some curse, but he's wrong." She reached out for Regina's free hand. "We fell in love with each other, but he can't accept it."

"I see." He looked back down at Regina's wrist. "Well as far as this is concerned, I regret to say that this magic is beyond my capabilities, and I can do nothing for you. The simplest way to resolve this is to try and make peace with your son, who incidentally, has a great future ordained by Zeus himself."

Regina suddenly stood, rolling her eyes and huffing under her breath. "I should have known we'd get no answers here!"

"I'm sorry I can't be of help. But congratulations on your child. A wonderful gift."

"Thanks," Emma shrugged, standing up herself. "Though she's three already, and I'm not sure when I'll see her next. My husband's keeping her offshore, hiding her away from me."

"Actually," he wiggled his fingers, making the little brush and pot vaporise. "I was talking to Regina."

"ME? I don't have a child, although Henry often behaves like one!"

He frowned. "You're unaware you're carrying a child?"

"I most certainly am not! I took a potion decades ago, to stop me ever having a child of my own, to prevent my mother from using it for her own ends."

"That may well be. But for good or bad, you're most definitely with child. Even at this early stage, I can already sense the beginnings of magic."

~oOo~