At the news of Snow's apparent overdose, David and Henry rush to the hospital, while Ruby's nowhere to be seen. Rumple does more digging into the past relationships of Ruby Lucas, while in Florida, Emma and Regina figure out what they need to do next to get home.

Storybrooke Hospital

Despite having violently crashed to the floor clutching his chest only half an hour ago, David burst through the door like a man possessed; on a mission, his adult grandson trailing behind him, having just driven him and parked.

David had collapsed to the ground in Gold's house, looking at all intents like he'd just had aheart attack. Yet hearing the news that his estranged ex-wife had been admitted suffering from a suspected overdose, he'd recovered remarkably quickly, insisting he needed to get over as soon as possible. Dorothy stayed behind with Rumple, to continue their difficult conversation.

Within minutes, they'd reached the A&E treatment room directed by a nurse, about to go in when Whale suddenly appeared, raising his hand, stopping them going further.

"Out of my way Whale! I need to see Snow."

"Hold your horses, Charming!" The medic was unusually abrupt for him, unusually for him, not cowered by the bigger man. "You can go in there in just a minute, after the trauma team have finished their checks. You'll just get in their way."

Henry appeared alongside. "What's happened, Victor?"

"Hello Henry," He was relieved to see a friendlier face. Henry Mills was one of the few in that family who treated him with any respect; and often acted as a barrier between him and Henry's more excitable, aggressive mothers. "We received a call about an hour and a half ago, to say your grandmother was found unconscious in the kitchen at her old flat. The ambulance brought her in less than an hour ago. They found an empty bottle of sleeping pills on the floor beside her."

"How is she?"

"Not great. She was unconscious when they brought her in, and still is, so we've no way of knowing how many she took, or how long ago. We started medicating just after she arrived, but her heart stopped and the crash team had to defibrillate her to restart the heart, and get her back."

Henry saw the confused look on David's face, not sure whether he understood the significance, or not? "It means they used an electric jolt on her heart, grandpa. To re-"

"I know what a defibrillator is! I've been taught how to use one. How is she now?"

"In a coma. Stable, but weak. We put her on an IV and oxygen, and we're using medication to try and flush out what's left of the pills inside her, if it isn't too late. But we'll have to see."

"You know she only has half a heart, right?"

"I'm aware. You both share it, don't you?" David nodded. "I remember it from her records when I delivered your son. Not something I'm likely to forget in a hurry!" Whale also noticed the prince's drained face and bleary eyes. "Forgive me for saying this, but you don't too great yourself, Charming?"

"We just came from my other grandpa's," Henry explained, seeing the concerned medic studying him. "It looked like this grandpa here had some sort of attack a short while ago? He collapsed just after one of your nurses here told me to come in."

"I see. What happened, Charming?"

"I was fine till just over half an hour ago, when I suddenly felt an enormous pull, like a burning pain, right across my chest? I've never felt anything like it and it took my legs from under me, completely."

"Interesting. Half an hour ago, you say?" Whale started putting two and two together. "Sounds like it was around the time we defibrillated Snow. Because magic's involved we'll make a note to use that as a very last resort. Shouldn't be needed, fingers crossed. Her heart's functioning, though it's still very weak."

David nodded, accepting the medical team had done all they could. "Thank you. Who found her? Apart from you people, is she alone now?"

"Ruby Lucas found her unconscious and called us..." Whale already knew, as did virtually all of Storybrooke, about Snow cheating on her husband with the wolf, and the subsequent split. So he felt awkward even mentioning the wolf. "For the record, if she hadn't, or we got there an hour later, Snow definitely wouldn't have made it."

"Where's Ruby now? Is she still here?"

"She was, but just after one of the nurses told her you were on your way and bringing Charming with you, she seemed desperate to get away, saying she'll come back once you'd gone. Tricia said she was acting very strange. Like, even more weird than she has recently. Like she could have been drugged?"

David looked at Henry, his grandson clearly puzzled as to why she'd abandon her lover now, remembering the vow he forced her to take the Lycaon vow at the point of a gun.

"I think I've a good idea why she left. Henry, we need to know what happened. Whether this was some sort of accidental overdose, deliberate or something else? I'll stay here, but perhaps you should go search for Ruby and speak to her? If you do find her, please call me?"

The Gold Mansion

"So you're asking me to use the dreamcatcher to display your wife's movements prior to her involvement with Snow White?" Rumple sucked air in through his teeth, making a hissing sound which never failed to irritate Belle. "That could take a lot of hair and serum, which can only be made in limited batches. Plus, the amount of time taken to view a longer period in someone's life may make your task unrealistic."

"But you heard what she said, didn't you? She having sex with other people apart from Snow, after we were married!"

"Yes, I heard. But she also said on occasion, as I recall? The images you saw earlier were very specific and only covered the time those two spent together. If you were able to narrow down when these other incidents might have occurred? Or better still, with whom, we may be able to do something." As he spoke, he watched the brunette's reactions closely. "As I also recall, the princess referred to the unknown third person as 'her'. Plus the fact the unknown woman also has a husband. That might narrow it down a bit. Do you have your own suspicions as to who it might be? If you do, we can find a way to acquire a lock of hair, then use this with your wife's, to run a similar search to what you saw."

"Yes, I have my suspicions…" Dorothy had to be careful how she answered, not wanting to make the Dark One angry by naming someone close to him. Knowing his fearsome reputation. it could easily cost a life. "But it's probably best I don't mention her name for the moment. Until I have more evidence to go on."

"Well until such time, I'm afraid I can be of no further help."

Storybrooke Library

Belle had collected their son from school a little earlier, and was now sitting at her desk in the library, finishing off her work for the day, while Gideon sat in one of the nearby armchairs, reading.

"Mamma, what does dis-in-gen-u-us, mean?"

"I'm sorry my love, what?" She lifted her eyes from the desktop screen, moving across to see where he was pointing in the book. "Disingenuous? Oh, that's a very good word to learn! It means when you're not being honest or sincere. Like you're pretending that you know less about something, than you really do? Or avoiding something, by saying something different."

"Huh. So, like you're lying?"

"No, not quite. Lying is when you say something that you know isn't true. It's more like you're avoiding or misleading someone, so not to get caught? What are you reading there?"

She looked at the book cover. It was a murder mystery by an English author, but one written for older children. Children twelve-year-old and above? Even though he was only four, nearly five, Gideon had an extremely wide vocabulary for his age, a love of reading, and a general intelligence far beyond his years. Rumple had always said his aptitude came from his super-bright mother, but Belle thought he was just flattering her. Rumple himself was extremely bright, and she sometimes wondered whether his magic played a part? While it was nice to have an exceptionally gifted son, it didn't always make him popular around children his own age. So much so, she often wondered whether home-schooling might be the best option for him.

"So was Aunty Ruby being disingenuous when she said she loved Dorothy?"

Wow! How the hell can a four-year-old be so wise beyond his years? Ruby was her closest friend in Storybrooke, and knowing the secret they held, the question shook her. They'd even had the Lucas couple to dinner a couple of times, at Belle's instigation, and they'd returned the compliment.

"What a strange thing to say? What on earth made you think of that?"

"Ruby left her to live with Snow White, didn't she? I heard some other mums talking about it. But Dorothy thought she loved her. So Ruby was being…disingenuous with her?"

"I don't think it's the same. Sometimes, people just fall out of love with those they thought they were in love with. They don't mean to. So it isn't being disingenuous."

Gideon looked at her, assimilating her answer. To her relief, he stayed silent, looking back down at his book as she completed her work. She finally closed off the computer, yawning, ready to go home. That's when he struck again:

"Mamma, are you still in love with papa?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Papa. Are you still in love with him?"

Coming so soon after his question about the Lucas's, she knew where his mind was going.

"Of course I love him, my darling! I love him very much."

"Just like Ruby loved Dorothy, before she left her?"

"No, much more than that! And I'd never willingly leave your papa! Or you!"

His eyes betrayed nothing. God, he was like his father!

Miami, Florida

Once they realised they'd probably been manipulated, either by magic or some sort of curse, Regina and Emma managed to retrieve a glimmer of hope. A hope that, if nobody in Storybrooke ever forgave them for what they'd done, at least there was a chance they could get answers. Answers to why anyone would want them to destroy their lives so cruelly. And not just theirs, but Emma's parents, Ruby's and Dorothy's.

Emma had suggested checking into separate rooms, although Regina persuaded her not to bother. They might be stuck there for a while, as they figured out what to do, so why add to the expense? Especially as, with no guaranteed income, they had to rely on money in their savings and current accounts.

As they sat eating breakfast in the dining room, they considered their options.

"I've been giving more thought to going back to Storybrooke? I think you're right. You'll probably be arrested the moment we cross the town line. Whereas for me, as I only threatened to kill Robin (even just saying it made her mouth dry) and the old wolf. Provided Sidney doesn't testify against me, which is unlikely, I'll probably just be cautioned. If I talk to Henry, I may be able to persuade him to get these damn cuffs off? I'll tell him I'd taken leave of my senses, assure him Robin will be perfectly safe, and apologise to everyone affected. And hope to god one day, Robin can find it in him to forgive me."

"So I get charged, sentenced, and spend a few years behind bars? Doesn't sound a great option for me, Regina. Plus, I'll still be away from Hope and Killian, if they'll even have me back? As for Henry, I'm not sure it'll be that easy for you, either. I remember that look on his face. He's not going to forgive either of us easily."

"But Henry's the key to fixing this! Yes, I remember all too well how angry he looked when I used the silencing spell. But without him agreeing, we can't get the cuffs off. Without those off, we can't use magic to track down how we were manipulated in the first place! No, I think it's best I go back first; then I can come get you, when I've managed to convince them we were being controlled. Morgan's a reasonable man, even if he is a bit dull."

"So you're suggesting I just what? Stay down here and sit tight?"

"No, but I think you should stay out of Storybrooke, until I know what's happening? Maybe you should stay in Portland, temporarily? After all, it's only a short drive away? I'll explain to Morgan and the new mayor, that we were somehow cursed and I'm going to uncover how it happened. That even they should accept that our behaviour was completely out of character? We need answers before you come back and face jail."

"And what if they don't accept? What if Henry doesn't believe you?"

"Then Robin won't either. And if that's the case, without magic I'll have no future there. Same as now! But I will come back for you, either way." Regina noticed the crestfallen look, so she put her hand over the top of the other woman's, giving it a squeeze. "I mean it! We're in this together. I'll come back as soon as I can. I swear."

Emma gave her a sad, appreciative, smile, as their hands stayed clasped. Unfortunately, a new voice interrupted their moment.

"Oh, what great tats!"

A waitress appearing beside them, carrying a tray to clear their dirty breakfast plates and glasses, spotted the markings on their wrists. "I've never seen ones like that before! They're like gemstones on gold bracelets? They're really pretty!"

The moment she glanced up to see where she was looking, Regina pulled her hand back, now feeling awkward and embarrassed. And the waitress picked up on it immediately.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb!" It was the waitress's turn to feel awkward. "I was just admiring those matching designs on your wrists? They look perfect. Like some more coffee?"

Emma looked at the girl's blouse, and her name badge. "That's quite all right, Liz. Yes please. Black? And a little more sugar?"

"Certainly, I'll bring another tray. Liz looked again at the cuffs. "But they really are beautiful. I'd love to get something like that done for me and my girlfriend. Whoever did them must be really good! Would you mind me asking where you went?"

Regina had heard enough and just wanted her gone. "They were privately, by a family friend to celebrate our engagement. Now, just the coffees and leave us in peace? Please?"

The chastened girl saw the scowl. "Certainly madam. Right away."

As she left with a now loaded tray of plates, Emma couldn't help smirking at her departing figure.

"Was that really necessary? She was only being nice. Besides…" she looked at the symbols all around her wrist. "She's right, they do look like matching tattoos. Something a couple might have done."

"She was being nosey! Did you notice she was also looking at our fingers? I took my rings off two weeks ago, and left them in the safe at home. She assumed we were married, or engaged."

"So what if she did? So what if she thinks we're a couple of lesbians like her? Let's face it Regina, when we first checked in, we could hardly keep our hands off each other, could we? I'm sure enough people saw us and made the obvious assumption." Despite the seriousness of their current predicament, she couldn't stop herself smiling.

"Yes, well…" Even Regina couldn't hide a smile of her own. "We were cursed, or whatever. Though I'll admit, we were both rather more enthusiastic than necessary."

"That's putting it mildly! We hardly left the bed!"

"Do I really need reminding, Swan? We both cheated on our husbands. We committed adultery! There may have been a reason for what we did, but I'm not particularly proud of the fact."

"Yeah, me neither. Though what she said and what she thought, got me thinking about us."

"You and me?"

"We admitted, even yesterday, that we'd had feelings for each other before all the craziness, even though we never acted on them. And there's mum and Ruby? Until a few days ago, I never imagined mum leaving my dad. So if we agree Gold's behind all this somehow, he must've picked up on those feelings? Does that make any sense?"

"For a man who can steal thoughts? Definitely. I wouldn't put anything past that man. But as I also said Emma, I'm still very much in love with Robin, even if I've destroyed anything he felt for me. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologise." Emma's sad smile returned, as she put her hand back on the other woman's. "The same goes for me. I love Killian with all my heart. And knowing what I did to him, even if I was cursed, is killing me. He's never going to forgive me, not after what I've done. So I guess once I find him, I'll have to somehow plead with him from a distance to let me see Hope outside of town, somehow. It's either that or spending years in jail? If he won't agree, I don't know what I'll do. Maybe I should rent a place in Portland as you suggested, and get a job there? It's a nice place and near enough to Storybrooke. Besides, if things don't work out for you, you could always come stay with me? We may even wind up raising that baby together, for all we know?""

Regina thought about it, and finally nodded. "That does kind of make sense. We did a pretty good job with Henry. And perhaps over time, if he does eventually forgive us, at least we'll have him back." She looked down at their entwined fingers, finally returning her smile. "Our relationship has certainly experienced many twists and turns, hasn't it, Swan?

"From enemies, to allies and co-parents; to friends; to temporary lovers; and back to friends again?"

"Best friends." Regina corrected her, squeezing her fingers.

But the sadness returned. "You do realise, even if we manage to get through this. Even if our husbands ever find it in their hearts to forgive us, our own relationship has changed forever either way?"

"You'll always play an important part in my life, Emma, one way or another."

The blonde leant forward, before pressing her lips against the brunette's cheek. "Ditto".

Regina returned her kiss in kind. And as they separated, eyes never leaving one another, she knew Emma was probably thinking much the same thing. What might have been, had fate chosen a very different path.

The Gold Mansion – the following morning

Belle woke around six, the sun already beaming round the edge of the curtains.

As she yawned, finally opening her eyes, she noticed that, once again, Rumple's side of the bed was empty. She wasn't surprised. The Dark One didn't need sleep or rest, even though her husband's human body craved it. But at least two or three times a week she would wake up to find him not there. Turning to climb out, she felt a sharp twinge in her left shoulder, pulling back the cotton vest to see a tiny mark. Was that a bruise? Not giving it any more thought, she got out of bed to relieve herself in the bathroom, also not having noticed the blood spots on the bottom sheet

Half an hour later, washed and dressed, she appeared in the kitchen, to find Rumple had already laid the table for breakfast. He wasn't there either. Though he knew where he would be.

So, two hours later, having dropped their son off at the nursery, instead of heading for the library, she returned home, to find him, once again working at his desk in the study.

"I've brought you some tea. Working through the night? Again?"

"Belle?" He finally looked up at her. "Good morning, dearie."

"Rumple, we've talked about this. The Dark One doesn't need to sleep, but your body does! That's five nights in a row!"

"Maybe you're right. However, I think I now have all the information I need, partly thanks to your excellent translation a few days ago? So this project is almost complete. Is Gideon at the nursery?"

"I've just dropped him off. You found out everything you wanted?" She looked uncomfortably down at the tray at the centre of the desk where, once again, there was a little folded loop, this time of only brown hair, sitting in the serum he'd developed. "About Ruby and Snow?"

His attention turned to her, looking at her, intensely. "Yes, I had everything I needed."

How? Surely without Ruby's hair he couldn't make it?

"Good. So was it as you expected? Were they all under some sort of control by Ingrid? Even though everyone thought she was dead? Did Ruby and Snow visit the cottage?"

"They did. Only two hours before our former mayor and sheriff, it would seem. We saw it all on the dreamcatcher. Looking at the residue, it's now my firm belief that the potion was created by accident. A mistake in the mixture, with too much Bainberry, left after the Ice Queen died. The mixture partly evaporated, which made a stronger, more potent mix. We witnessed the princess and the wolf inhaling it."

"So everything they did was due to them being drugged? But I remember you saying no spell or potion can make you fall in love? So how come...?"

"You said it yourself, when you first did the book translation? Ingrid meant it as a bonding potion, to gain trust. This stronger mix makes everything, all feelings, much more intense. But you're right, it can't create love. There has to be a spark of love interest, or even lust, to begin with? In the case of Emma and Regina, I could see the signs long before this happened. Even though they never acted on them."

Belle nodded. There was always a 'chemistry' between Emma and Regina, despite their squabbling. And she'd noticed the flirtatious looks the women sometimes gave each other. "Yes, I can believe that. They were always a bit odd around each other, weren't they? It didn't seem to bother Robin much, but I know it annoyed Killian sometimes. But Snow and Ruby?"

Rumple gave her his usual annoying, knowing grin. "One of Misthaven's most closely guarded secrets, dearie. The pair were secretly together before Charming appeared on the scene. It may have only been a dalliance at first, but it soon became physical, and emotional."

"In the old country? I don't believe it!"

"Perfectly true, I assure you. In fact, in the dreamcatcher, she referred to that time several times, as did Lucas. It was actually a lot more informative than her daughter's. Charming and Dorothy watched it with me. In fact, it confirmed Mrs Lucas's, or perhaps I should now say Miss Gale's, worst suspicions."

"Suspicions?"

"That the she-wolf was being regularly unfaithful, with someone other than Snow White, for quite some time before she was affected by the potion."

Belle felt her threat dry, an icy chill run down her back. And she noticed he was staring back even harder.

"Really?"

"Really. She even admitted it. She said she needed to 'scratch an itch'? Terrible thing, isn't it, being betrayed by a loved one?"

"Erm. I guess."

"You know, after she admitted it, it got me wondering. How would you react if you knew I'd done something like that? If I'd cheated on you?"

Was he playing her? "Well, I don't honestly know. I've never really thought about it."

"Nor me. Although I remember years ago when that Nottingham insect mauled you outside? Though as I recall, you were under the mistaken belief you were someone else. Lacey? I beat him to within an inch of his life, regardless."

"Rumple, why are you telling me all this?"

"No particular reason. Still, you're here at a very opportune time. Overnight, I've been watching more secrets unfold. It was most interesting." His voice seemed to acquire a coldness she hadn't heard for a long time. The calculating voice of the Dark One. "Would you like to see?"

"No thank you." She stood. "I saw enough last time, what with Emma and Regina carrying on. Contrary to the modern male perspective Rumple, most women don't like watching other women having sex with one another, or anyone else, whether they're straight or gay!"

"Oh, but this is very different, Belle. This is new. It isn't Snow and Ruby. I'm sure you'll want to see?"

"No thanks," she turned away, heading towards the door. "I'll leave you to it. I'll-"

Belle stopped talking the moment she felt her entire body stiffen, going into a form of slow motion before almost freezing up? She felt herself being physically lifted off the floor by an invisible force!

"What in the hell?" She couldn't move a muscle, apart from her head and eyes. She was moved back to where she'd been standing before, right beside him, facing the dreamcatcher.

"Rumple! What the hell are you doing?"

"Sorry Belle, but I insist!"

The eyes told her. He knew!

The Nolan Farm

"Dorothy, what's going on? I know you're hiding something, so why don't you just tell me?"

Dorothy, a hero to so many in Oz, had just put the phone down after talking to Charming. In front of her stood his son, clearly worried.

"I'm sorry, Neal. That was your father. You're right, I should have said something earlier? But I honestly didn't know what to tell you. I picked you up from school because your dad had to go to the hospital. It's something to do with your mum, apparently. She's poorly."

"Mum?" Neal had tried to block out all thoughts about his mother recently, after all the pain she'd inflicted on him nearly two weeks ago, by telling him, in front of all his friends, that she'd left his father and moved in with Ruby. And ignored his birthday completely. But knowing she was ill?

"Hospital? Why, what's happened?"

"They found her in her loft, unconscious. But she's safe and resting. And she's in good hands."

"Then I want to go there!"

"Your dad asked that you stay here for the moment? At least until he has some news."

"But I need to go! She's my mum!"

"I understand, really. But I'll tell you what? I'll call him back, and ask him if you can go over there?"

He grumbled, clearly unconvinced, muttering something to himself, until "Does Emma know?"

"I don't know, Neal."

He looked up, staring hard at her. "You're lying!"

"What? No, I'm not! I really don't know." Did he even know his big sister had fled town with the former mayor? Did he even know she was in a relationship with Regina? "I haven't seen Emma in weeks. Not since…" She stopped herself. This was territory David should be dealing with.

"Since what? What's going on, Dot? What are you not telling me? Where's my sister?"

Dorothy remembered Ruby telling her about Emma's ability to detect any lie or evasion, and last week, over dinner, David told her that Merlin had claimed Neal had magic too, which would come out one day. Magic, apparently, as powerful as his big sister's.

"I wasn't lying, Neal. Though it's unlikely Emma knows about your mother. You need to speak to your dad about this first? Because he's the one that needs to tell you what's going on."

Storybrooke Hospital

David had been at the hospital for four hours. There'd been no change. Snow was still in a coma, the IV still in her arm, and an oxygen mask lay draped over her face. Nurses had come in regularly to check her over, and apart from the regular beeping and whooshing sounds coming from the machines helping her breathe and monitoring her heart, everything was still.

He hadn't left the room since he'd arrived. And as he looked her over from the chair next to the bed, he held her hand throughout.

"Well, I'd never imagined us ever being in a situation like this? You and me? Until two weeks ago, I never imagined us apart. I thought we'd be there for each other forever. Death do us part. But well, life is a strange thing, isn't it?" He spoke softly, as though she could hear him, though she never moved a muscle. "I know you've moved on from me, whether you it was because of a potion, like Henry and Gold insist, or not. And I certainly had no idea you were in something with Ruby before we met, or even had those sorts of feelings for her. I wish you'd told me, Snow. But…despite everything, I want to know you're going to be happy, even if it's not with me." He squeezed her fingers, and never noticed the silent jump in the graph detecting her brain patterns. "Neal needs you back. So does Emma, though she has enough of her own problems, right now. And I hope-" he stopped talking the moment the door opened. A nurse appeared, a tablet in her hand, followed by Victor Whale. As the nurse adjusted her drip and set about checking her temperature, the doctor came around to his side of the bed.

"I just thought I'd pop in again and check in on her before I head off home."

"You're going home already?" David seemed irritated, but the nurse now looked back at him, even more so.

"Doctor Whale has been on duty for twelve hours straight, Mr. Nolan! He needs his sleep, just like the rest of us." She answered, sternly. "Your wife is in the best of hands and Doctor Stephenson will be in shortly to check on her!"

"Thank you, Bridget," Victor answered. "It's alright. Mr. Nolan is just worried for his…wife. These are hard times for his family."

The severe nurse silently nodded, going back to her work. David realised he may have been too curt with his tongue. "I'm…I'm sorry Whale. Victor. I know you're all doing your best." He looked down at the patient. "But, about Snow? She will be okay…won't she?"

"To be honest with you, it's too early to tell. Overdose patients often need long-term care after, and there's a likely chance of kidney damage, and possible future liver failure. Again, until we've examined what she's taken, we don't know for sure. But at least her heart's beating stronger, so that's one less thing to worry about. But again, she will need long-term care. Unless…"

"Unless what?"

"Unless there's a chance that magic might help us? It's beyond my expertise certainly, but I did discuss Snow's case with Reul Ghorm, when she was here earlier. She said her own magic wasn't powerful enough but that she'd contact someone to see if they could come."

"You mean Emma, or Regina? You know they've left the town, don't you? We don't know where they've gone."

"No, she said someone with even more powerful healing magic than them. Merlin."

"Merlin's here? I thought he left a year ago?"

"Part of him did. I don't really understand it, but basically, he splits himself up into several people at once. One of them has medical expertise. And magic, obviously. Blue said she'll contact him. That seems the only way to avoid long-term care."

Without warning, the door burst open, making them all look up to see an agitated Henry Mills.

"Henry? What is it? What's happened?"

"Sorry. It's Neal! Dorothy just rang me from the farm. He's…he's disappeared?"

"Disappeared? What do you mean, disappeared? He's run away?"

"No. She said he disappeared right in front of her! He disapparated, like mum and ma do!"

Please don't say his magic's come in early?

~oOo~