As Snow wakes from her coma, the realisation of everything she'd done to her family hits her, hard. David can't even face her. Belle and Ruby are desperate for news, while Emma and Regina come back from Miami to yet another unexpected hitch.

Storybrooke ICU

She finally opened her eyes, to bright lights and blurred images of three figures staring down at her, as others moved around in the background.

She could barely move a muscle, even if she wanted to. She certainly couldn't speak, and her throat felt like she'd swallowed razor blades whenever she'd even tried to gulp. Yet as he came into focus, the sight of a certain green-eyed sandy-blonde haired boy sitting on the bed, hovering over her, looking down and wearing a sad smirk, surprised her. He said something she couldn't grasp. Then a woman, a nurse, also said something and ushered him away, as more people appeared from…wherever.

Then her eyes closed, sheer exhaustion overwhelming her.

~oOo~

Earlier that week...

Three days ago, Snow White had gone to bed in the loft her whole family once occupied, after disturbing visions had clouded her head. She'd told Ruby she had a headache and retired early. But she'd woken up at three in the morning, the sheets drenched in sweat, after the most horrible nightmare imaginable. A nightmare in which she's been killed. Impaled on a sword. A sword wielded by the one man she'd devoted most of her life to. A man who'd sacrificed his heart for her, causing her to split her own for him in turn. And in her nightmare, an argument had broken out between them, with her screaming at David, as he'd come to kill Ruby. And as he threatened her with the very sword he'd once used to kill a dragon, she'd thrown herself directly in front of her lover, shielding her wolf behind her. But that hadn't stopped him. Instead, with a savage smile he'd merely plunged the long sword directly straight into her guts. Through her, out the back and into Ruby, impaling them both on it in a single blow. She'd felt the taller woman behind her slump forward to rest, lifeless, on her own back, as she looked down and saw the hilt, now dripping with blood, sticking out from her stomach as they fell together, as one, to the floor in absolute agony.

And the images faded to one of him standing over her. Smiling.

Now wide awake, Snow had risen from the bed, still naked, trembling, but with Ruby still fast asleep behind her, having been spooning her. But the momentary relief she'd felt as she'd realised it had all a nightmare was now replaced by very different images. Images of everything that had happened over the last weeks. Images of her last time with David at the farm, when he'd caught her in their bedroom having sex with Ruby, and his furious reaction. Images of her son looking devastated when she'd proudly told him at the school, in front of his friends, that she had left his father because she was now in love with her, and would move out from the farm they'd made their home. Images of Granny bellowing at them. And Leroy and the dwarves, who'd sneered at her and looked at her with a contempt the complete opposite of his former adoration. Images of the two frightened boys she'd lashed out at when she and Ruby had been caught heatedly petting in a secluded area of the park. So many images were flashing through her mind.

But the image that kept coming back, was David's. Her Prince Charming. Her true love. And then the awful realisation of everything she'd done. Her betrayal. And his disgust.

Having fled the bedroom, she'd rushed to the bathroom, to vomit violently as even more images came. Daniel Morrison confirming her suspension by the governors. The blatant spurning of her by former loyal friends. Asking her lawyer to draw up a divorce agreement to be presented to David as quickly as possible.

And through it all, the total conviction she was doing the right thing by leaving everything behind, for Ruby. The woman she loved?

Later, after she'd almost limped downstairs into the kitchen to get a glass of water to rid herself of the taste in her mouth, the full horror and implications of everything she'd done, finally dawned. For whatever reason, she'd destroyed everything she held dear. Everything! Her marriage to a wonderful man. Her relationship with her son. Maybe her daughter, too. Her relationship with everyone who cared for her. And for what? She loved Ruby dearly; she really did! They'd found each other when she'd been on the run from Regina's Black Knights. They'd shielded and protected one another from so many threats and dangers. They'd crouched, hidden in bunkers together, fought together, and even slept together. They'd even comforted one another physically in the harshest of times. And in the not so harsh times when the threats subsided. They'd enjoyed each other's bodies intimately and willingly, the she-wolf being the first person she'd ever had sex with. The woman she'd lost her virginity to. And ever since, she and Ruby had been the most loyal and trusting of friends.

But she wasn't in love with Ruby, was she? And Ruby certainly wasn't in love with her.

For that love could simply never compare to what she held for David. Her Prince. For David had brought out something completely different. A deep devotion. A need to be with him, not just for comfort, but for something deeper. Within days of meeting him, she'd fallen for the humble boy shepherd hook, line and sinker; as he had for her. And his waking her from Regina's sleeping curse had only proved they were meant to be together. True loves and soulmates. And their daughter's magic was clear proof if it were needed.

Ruby had never been bothered by her best friend's burgeoning relationship with David. Quite the opposite. She regarded Snow's happiness as paramount, and was always easily able to separate physical pleasure from love. It was the werewolf in her. So far from regarding him as a rival, she welcomed him as a friend. An ally and accomplice, to whom she lent her support whenever he needed it.

So why did everything change? Why did they ruin everything?

And as she stood hunched over the sink, the vomiting returned as images continued to flash across her mind. Her betrayal of everything she stood for.

That's when she'd noticed the medicine cabinet door ajar. And the bottle of sleeping pills.

~oOo~

"Snow?"

Rosemary, the senior nurse on duty, propped her up on pillows, lifting a small plastic beaker to her lips.

"Don't try talking! Not yet, anyway. You've had a plastic tube down your throat since you were brought in, so your throat's very sore. Just take small sips on this?" After letting her take a desperately needed slug of water, she passed her what looked like a large lump of soaked cotton wool. "Not gulps, or you'll be sick."

"Where's my son?" The sound came out as croak as she winced in pain. "Where's Neal? I saw him!"

"I said try not to talk? Not until you've had a little more of this, but very slowly. Snow, please listen to me very carefully? You were brought in here in a coma, and you've been on a ventilator, with a tube down your throat, right up until your operation. But you still have a drip in your arm, and you've had a urostomy, so you've got a tube draining your bladder and kidneys. We may be able to take it out soon, but I need you to lie still, until I get Merlin and the doctor in here."

"What about Neal? What's Merlin got to do with this?"

"All in good time. Neal and Henry were in here when you first woke up, and they're outside; you fell asleep again, so we sent them out while the crash team came in as a precaution. Now rest up, try not to move and I'll be back shortly to explain everything."

The next ten minutes felt like ten hours, until finally the surgeon and Sorcerer walked in together.

"Snow, nice to have you back with us?" Whale glanced up at the monitor. "You gave us quite a run for our money over the last few days!"

"DAYS?" She gasped.

"Afraid so. You were in a pretty deep coma. That's what comes from taking a bottle of sleeping pills?" Merlin frowned at Whale for the flippant remark. "Sorry. But you were very lucky we had this man in town to perform the heart op!" He pointed at Merlin. "If you can call it an operation?"

"You operated on me?" With her free hand, Snow lifted the top of her hospital gown to look down at her bare chest and stomach. Apart from a tube coming out much lower down, there were no scars or stitches. She looked confused, and Merlin picked up on it.

"You're wondering why there's no scar tissue? It's because I used magic instead of knives. Victor asked for my assistance. Well, to be more accurate, Reul Ghorm did. With only half a heart, you would have surely died."

"He got here just in time!" Whale added.

"Well not that I'm not grateful, but what did you do?"

"I re-joined both halves of your heart, making it easier for you to recover. I gather from Victor they had to use a defibrillator on you when you first came in."

"The other half? So David-?"

"Was also operated on, yes. I removed his half, fused them together, then made a copy, a sort of doppelgänger? There's always a risk, but fortunately, it worked."

"RISK? YOU COULD'VE KILLED HIM!" But even as her voice rose, she knew what was coming. From Whale.

"That's true, but he would've died anyway, if he hadn't? That's why he agreed. Your 'half-heart' could never have survived. And you know what? When we used the defib on you, your husband was two miles away. Yet Henry said he flew backwards across the room like a scalded cat!"

This was awful. And she realized just how selfish she'd been by trying to end it all. She almost took David with her, after everything she'd done to him already. Destroying Neal's family forever.

"Wh…where is he now? How is he?" She just about held the tears back.

"Weak, but in a lot better state than you, right now, because he doesn't have all your liver and kidney damage. Unfortunately, those pills you took did some pretty savage things! He's back on his feet, and left here over half an hour ago. But Henry and your son are still outside."

Despite the cannula in the back of one hand, Snow brought both up to cover her face in shame, feeling overwhelming guilt. The two men shared a look, guessing what was going through her mind. Merlin cautiously rested a hand on her arm.

"Snow, I'll leave you for now and let Doctor Whale finish his tests. I've had a long conversation with Henry, Blue, and David. I gather a lot of things have happened here over the last few weeks? Some of which you may not have been responsible for and certainly weren't aware of. Henry's the one you need to be speaking to right now. Shall I send him in once Victor's finished?"

"Please. Maybe give me a moment, though? I'm not sure I can face him just yet."

~oOo~

Meanwhile…

Outside in the hospital car park, David sat drumming his fingers over the car dashboard, wondering what to do.

He'd kissed her. He'd kissed Snow when she was unconscious, but this time, it had no effect, and he wasn't really surprised; after all, Merlin pointed out she was in a coma, not a sleeping curse. But when Neal kissed her five minutes later, she woke up.

That's when he remembered Merlin's warning. Their soulmate connection, their true love bond, had gone, with the joining of the two halves of her heart. Possibly forever. And the worst thing about it was that he didn't feel too bad about it. Should he?

~oOo~

A little later…

When Henry walked into his grandmother's hospital room, he was genuinely shocked, but tried not to show it. The last time he'd seen her awake had been just prior to him leaving for his induction, nearly a month ago. And when he'd returned, she'd already left David to set up home with Ruby. Snow White had always been a woman younger than her years, full of energy and vitality. But now, the supposed fairest of them all looked a pale shadow of her former self. Still, he had to put on a brave face.

"Hey Grandma! How are you feeling?"

"Hello Henry. Very tired. Like I've been run over by grandpa's station wagon. Where's the rest of the family? Merlin said you knew more than anyone else?"

He's prepared himself for this, knowing there were going to be some awkward questions and even more awkward answers. But he wouldn't reveal too much too soon, thinking of her weakened heart.

"Neal's waiting outside, gran. He's been here a couple of hours now, but he's gone downstairs with Sarah, one of the nurses, to get him something to eat. Grandpa was here earlier, but had to go."

"And Emma? I asked but nobody seems to want to tell me anything?"

Great. So they've all left him to break the news?

"She left town with my other mum a week ago. I spoke to her this morning and they're kinda coming back today. I told them you were in here."

"Really?" The last time she'd seen Emma was when she went over to Mifflin Street, only to find she and Regina were trying to get away as quickly as possible. "They're still together, then?"

"Er, it's a long story. A lot's happened, gran."

"Well, it's not like I'm going anywhere, is it? You might as well tell me the worst."

~oOo~

Over the next half hour, Henry told her all about Ingrid's weird potion and the dreamcatcher. About how it seemed to have made both his mothers think they were madly in love with one another to the detriment of everything else, including their loved ones. How Emma had gone on to physically hurt Roland and Robin in the diner. How Killian had taken their daughter out of reach of his changed mother. How he himself put magic-blocking cuffs on them. How the city council had suspended both of them from office. How they'd fled to Miami. But as he explained, he'd avoided talking about her and Ruby. And despite her exhaustion, she slowly took it all in.

"You say you saw what caused it in this dreamcatcher, at your grandfather's? You're quite sure it wasn't Gold up to his old tricks?"

"No!" He was annoyed she could even imply it. "I asked him to help me. Whatever you all think of him, he's different with me, because of my dad. Plus, he's helped me out recently in ways you couldn't possibly know." Seeing her surprised look, he calmed a little. "Look grandma, I was with him when we went to that little cottage in the forest where we found the potion. So was Robin, who also watched the dreamcatcher play out with us, later. And we saw everything. All the time my mums spent together after that. Everything they said to each other; everything! From the time they sniffed Ingrid's potion, which you left lying in broken glass in the sink, right up to when they left town. I had to look away for most of it! It was pretty hard on Robin, though."

"And you said you spoke to Emma this morning?"

"Both my mums. Last night too, on my way back from Portland. It's like they've suddenly woken up and realised what they've done? They were both in floods of tears, grandma. They were planning on staying in Miami longer, but when I told them what'd happened to you, Emma said she'd come straight back. They landed in New York a few hours ago."

She had to ask, even though she dreaded the probable answer. "What did you tell her, Henry?"

"That you'd taken an overdose. I already knew you and Ruby had been in that cottage earlier the same day. Because grandpa was able to create another mix after my mums, but using yours and Ruby's hairbrushes (best not mention the blood), to do the same thing to see what you two had been doing and what caused you to go crazy. Ruby was the one who opened the cupboard door first, which made the potion fall out into the sink in the first plac?" He saw her slowly nod, as she recalled the incident in question.

"That's when everything changed. You kinda 'made out' after that, didn't you?"

She winced at the thought that her and Ruby's resulting intimacy, which went far beyond making out, had been seen by her own grandson. She lifted a palm to her brow, shaking her head.

"So, I'm guessing the potion's now worn off, you've realised what you've done, and, like both my mums, you're regretting everything you two did ever since?"

"Oh Henry…" That opened up the floodgates completely, and tears started raining down her cheeks, as her grandson pulled a handful of tissues from a box on the table, passing them over. "You've no idea just how much!"

She smothered her face in the tissues, muttering something unintelligible as the deep sobs came. It took a while for her to calm herself. But after eventually gulping down the water Henry offered her, she finally looked back up at him through misty red eyes, wiping her nose.

"So you both saw us in the dreamcatcher?"

"Yeah. Everything changed after you smelt it. And just so you know, I left the room and waited outside when you two started getting…well, you know? I left them to watch, not that it helps."

"Thank you for preserving whatever's left of my dignity, at least. You said 'them'? Who else?"

Now Henry was the one avoiding eye contact. "Grandpa David. Dorothy watched it too. I'm sorry."

The final indignity. It was bad enough everyone knowing she'd tried to take her own life. That in so doing, she'd also almost killed her husband. But knowing David had also seen and heard her having sex with Ruby, made it even worse. Though, according to Henry, he'd also seen that she was under some sort of influence? After everything she'd said and done, and the way she'd treated him at the farm, would David ever be able forgive her? Was there any hope she could salvage her marriage? If there was even anything left to salvage?

"Henry, would you let Neal come in, please?"

Portland, Maine

They'd been brutally thrown across the town line by The Dark One. And Belle knew that, without help from Henry or someone in Storybrooke, it would be virtually impossible to get back to her son.

Having left the inconsolable pair in a room of a hotel belonging to his friend's parents in Portland, the nearest large town about fifty miles south, Henry had promised the two women he'd call them as soon as he had news, to figure out a way to help. That was two days ago but it felt like weeks. And now, as Belle and Ruby slowly came to terms with what they'd done, the regular sobs and outbursts gradually lessened as they waited for news.

Despite sharing the same room for the last two nights, they'd barely spoken, other than the basics and to be polite in front of others in the dining room. They hadn't really talked about what had happened to bring them to this point, or what they were going to do next. They'd even kept their distance from one another yesterday. But not having had word from Henry yet, when the cleaners arrived on the second morning to change the sheets and room, Ruby finally suggested they get out and walk along the seafront Maybe that would help clear their heads?

That's how they found themselves at a little bar at the harbour, sitting on the deckside, overlooking the sea. And as Belle pulled out her wallet to order more, she silently thanked the stars that the tiny part of Rumple left within the Dark One had put her handbag, phone and bank cards, as well as clothes, in her car. Otherwise, she'd be even more stuck! Ruby on the other hand, was less fortunate, having been thrown across the town line in the clothes she wore, and nothing else. Belle could see the problem and, seeing the taller woman sitting uncomfortably, decided to help.

"I noticed you washing your underwear in the sink this morning? They can't be dry yet, surely?"

"Course not; why do you think I'm fidgeting? I was going to leave them out on the balcony to dry in the sun, but then they wanted to change the room, didn't they?"

"You can't wear wet clothes, Rubes, you'll catch a cold! You should've said something. Rumple put two suitcases full of mine in the car, so I can sort you out a few things, but you're a lot taller than me for most of it. We need to go shopping for you, as soon as we can."

"I can't go asking you to buy clothes for me, Belle. I'll find a way, it's fine."

"Don't be silly! He threw you over the line without money, clothes, or anything! It's not a problem, really. I've got plenty in the account to last us till we figure something out. We'll shop, don't argue."

"Thanks. I'll pay you back when I…when I…I don't know, find a job around here, I guess?"

"Don't worry about all that just yet. Let's just wait for Henry? God, I hope he hurries up and calls!"

The next ten minutes passed by in silence as they sat nursing their third round of coffees. They watched a small yacht sail close by, across the historic waterfront, captained by a bare-chested handsome young blonde man wearing shorts, who bore a slight resemblance to Killian Jones, albeit a bit taller and a good ten years younger.

"Ooh, will you look at that chest? He's ripped!" Ruby licked the top lip, subconsciously. "Great body, don't you think?"

"Very nice…" Although Belle could still admire a handsome man, the fact she was stuck here because she cheated on her husband made her feel even worse for even looking. "A bit young for me, though?" As she spoke, another equally shirtless, equally handsome, darker-haired crew member came up on deck to join him in the sunshine, along with a slim, sun-kissed brunette girl wearing a bikini. None of them looked more than thirty, standing on either side of the man at the wheel.

"Gotta disagree with you there, babe…" Ruby's keen eyes stayed on all three of them as they came closer and slowly sailed past, the man nearest turning and smiling at her, before giving a little wave. She waved back. "I think they keep you young. Take those three, for example? They're all gorgeous. There isn't one of them I wouldn't-" She stopped when she noticed Belle frowning. "What?"

"As gorgeous as Dorothy?"

Well that killed the mood. Belle felt bad for the remark, especially when her guilt over her own cheating was so much worse. Nonetheless, she could see she'd hurt her.

"I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry."

"It's okay..." she nodded. "I probably deserved it anyway. After all, it was me that got you in this mess in the first place."

"No, that was down to both of us! We both managed to screw things up."

They stayed quiet for another few minutes, watching several more boats drift by. At least it was a beautiful warm, sunny day. Another ten minutes passed, until Ruby suggested they move from coffee to beer. Perhaps that'd lighten the mood?

"So…" Ruby took a long pull on the ice-cold lager before finally opening up about everything that had happened. "At least we didn't die then?"

"True. But I'd say you came closer than me!"

"Why didn't he just kill me, and have done with it? After all, I gave him enough reason, didn't I?"

"I'm not quite sure. When he was choking you, I mentioned his first son, Baelfire. You remember Neal? I said he wouldn't want him to do this. That's when I saw him soften, just a little. I think that's what saved you. And saved me."

"But it all happened so quick? One minute I'm crouched by a tree, talking to Robin. The next Gold appears, says he's going to kill me, and whisks me off to his place? He throws me into a chair, holds me down and makes me watch some sort of video of you and me, that first time we hooked up at your flat? Next thing I know, he disappears, comes back with you holding that stick in front of you to try and stop him, and seconds later we're on the town line?"

"I made him take us there..." Belle lowered her head, ashamed. "I was holding the Dark One Dagger, or at least what I thought was the dagger. I was going to make him walk over the line, to take away his magic until I figured out what to do. But he made a copy. Seems I wasn't really controlling him after all." Belle recalled his exact words when she'd used the dagger against him:

'Since that last time you made me cross the line, I've never fully trusted you.'

"I have to get back there Rubes, no matter what happens to me. Rumple may never forgive me, but I've still got Gideon, and I can't give up on him!"

"But he might kill you."

"I don't think so. He once made a vow never to hurt me, and he wouldn't go back on it, no matter what. What about you? You haven't mentioned Dorothy once since we left?"

"She'll never forgive me. Not after everything I've done, and I can't say I blame her. You heard what Henry said? Dot and David watched me and Snow in a dream catcher, and now she almost certainly knows about you and me, too. No, I've lost her for good."

"There's always a chance, Ruby! Granted, the two of us didn't have an excuse like Ingrid's potion. But a marriage can recover from something like this if you both want it to."

"Not this time." She downed the rest of the beer, waving for a waiter to get another. "Dorothy already suspected."

"What?" Belle's eyes widened. "Suspected you and me?" Belle was horrified. Four years ago, they'd started occasional nights together, mostly a month or so apart, after Friday girls' nights at the Rabbit Hole. Ruby used the excuse of having too much to drink and staying over at Belle's flat. It started as curiosity. But the sex became an itch neither wanted to give up. But Dorothy suspected? "How? We were really discrete, weren't we? Or at least, I was!"

"We both were…" Ruby downed the rest of the pint glass, waving to a passing waiter for another. "But there were...others."

"WHAAAT?" Belle was mortified. Did she really know anything about the woman opposite? The same woman she'd been secretly having monthly extra-marital sex with over the last four years, just to add some forbidden spice to her life; but ultimately resulting in the destruction of her marriage? Both marriages. "You mean apart from me, then Snow, there were others?"

"It's only sex, Belle! And we both agreed after that first time, didn't we? We talked about it."

"Yes, I know that, but, but…" Belle was lost for words. What Ruby had said was true. It was only sex. An illicit thrill. The danger of being found out being part of the excitement. But there was no love involved. Friendship yes, but not love. Nothing like she felt for Rumple. So why was she upset?

"How many? Who? Men? Women?" She realised she now sounded more like a jealous lover. "Anyone I know?"

"I'd never betray a confidence, you know that! But yes, there were. Men too."

"More than one or two? At the same time as the two of us were…you know?"

"Don't look at me like that-I'm a lycanthrope!" She kept her voice down as a waitress came nearer, collecting glasses and leaving. "I'm a werewolf-human hybrid, not a wolf-human. I'm driven by werewolf urges. That's why I find it easier to separate sex from love. But that doesn't make me a bad person, Belle."

"I never say you were! And look, I've no right to preach any moral high ground here Rubes, especially after what I've done. But for me, it started off a curiosity and became something I should've stopped straight after it happened the first time. But you? Have you ever discussed any of this with Dorothy? Do you even still love her?"

"Of course I love her! She's probably the only one I've ever truly loved, since Sno-" she stopped herself. "It's not important. But she's a human, like you, so she wouldn't understand."

"I still think she deserves an explanation though, don't you?"

"It's irrelevant now, no matter what I say. No, I've lost everything. Her, Granny, the only family I've ever had. Friends. David making me take the Lycaon oath kinda saw to that! No, I need to stay away from Storybrooke for good. I'm kinda hoping Henry can help me move on? He knows this world better than anyone I know."

Meanwhile, in New York…

As Belle and Ruby mulled over how to get their lives back on track, two hundred miles south, in a hospital nursing home just outside of New York city, another woman sat in a wheelchair, staring out of the window, looking over the sun-drenched lawn, contemplated her impending death.

Lilith, or Lily Page to most, was dying of cancer. A cancer almost certainly caused by too much smoking, and so many bad health decisions. Despite being only in her mid-forties, or at least mid-forties in this realm, she'd lived a hard life, and been alone for most of it. She'd had friends and lovers in the past, but nearly all of them had deserted her over the years. Then two years ago she'd met someone who she finally hoped she could build a life with. However, just a year ago, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. And it was advanced. So advanced, that just eight months later, she was told by the specialists it couldn't be arrested sufficiently to save her life. She was terminal. And after radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and all manner of treatments which thoroughly weakened her body and fighting spirit. Following a final treatment just over a month ago, she was moved to a small private hospice adjoining the hospital, having been told she probably had less than a month to live. Less than two weeks prior, she'd received yet another blow, by being abandoned by Chris, her boyfriend, her final source of comfort, leaving her facing her final weeks truly alone.

Now too frail to walk, barely able to talk, too frail to even kill herself, which was what she wanted to do more than anything right now, Lilith sat quietly, staring out the window.

Yet despite everything, Lily held a secret not even those closest to her ever knew about. Her true origins. Where she came from, or her legendary mother, Maleficent, the Dragon. A mother she last saw three years ago, when she'd last been persuaded to go back to Storybrooke. It culminated in a ferocious row, and a vow never to return. But knowing her days were now numbered, she'd finally plucked up the courage to call her back three days ago, to make her final peace with the woman who'd given birth to her, but she hardly knew. It turned out to be an emotional call for both, with apologies made when she told her mother of her predicament. Many tears had flowed, on both sides, during that call, and Lily had never imagined her mother could ever be so emotional, and overwrought.

So much so that a day later, Mal phoned her errant daughter back.

"Lilith my love, I think I've found a way to save you! I-"

"It can't be done, mamma. I'm in the final stages; I've had everything they could throw at me and it hasn't worked. All they can do is lessen the pain until the inevitable. I'm sorry."

"No, my darling, there is something! But you have to trust me? We need to bring you back here and treat you. With magic."

"Mamma, it's too late, believe me!"

"Lilith, please listen to me my love? We can cure you, in a way they can't possibly in that land. I've already arranged for someone to come fetch you."

"Mamma, they wouldn't let me leave here, even if I said yes! I can't walk, I need oxygen tanks, and painkillers that would flatten a horse! And I'm beginning to find it hard to speak sometimes."

"They will, and permission has already been given! There'll be someone with you within the next day or so, with special transport to carry you safely. Trust them and go with them, Lily! We need you back her to cure you!"

~oOo~

It was as she sat, staring out the window, thinking about her mother's call yesterday, that Lily heard the loud commotion outside, finally interrupted by a loud, hard banging on the door, as three visitors walking into her room.

"I'm sorry Mr. Kay, but this is completely unacceptable!" She recognised the voice of Prim, the Senior Ward Manager. "Miss Page is in no fit state to travel! She's seriously ill!"

But the next voice Lily heard was deeper, making her turn her head to see a much larger, bald man, looking at least six foot six in height and as broad as a quarterback. And he spoke with an English accent and seemed to be wearing a paramedics blue uniform.

"And as I've already told you, Mr…Prim, isn't it? I've got permission from your CEO, plus a letter from Professor Sage. I must insist."

"This is most improper!" Added the senior nurse who's name Lily couldn't remember. "I've never known a late-stage hospice patient being-" But she was interrupted by Prim's phone ringing, the man pressing a button and putting it to his ear.

"Professor Drake?" The shorter man brought a finger to his mouth, requesting silence so he could hear properly. "Yes, this is Prim. How can I help you Professor?"

As Lily watched the little scene, she looked up at the much taller man. Despite his size, the man who said his name was Kay seemed to have a warm smile for her. And was that a wink?

"Very well, Professor. If you and the august Professor Sage believe this is truly in her best interests, who am I to argue? I'll complete the paperwork immediately, and she'll be free to go with your man."

~oOo~

Half an hour later, Lily found herself being wheeled outside, to a strange looking ambulance with its back doors open and a ramp ready, while another man in uniform sat at the wheel.

Once inside, she was effortlessly lifted by the larger man into a softer chair, harnesses expertly fastened, a gas mask rested on the lap, and a little sensor pad attached to the back of her hand. And as soon as he closed the rear doors, he sat next to her, giving her another smile, ready to explain.

"I'm sorry about all that fuss back there, Miss Page." He checked something on his laptop screen. "Or may I call you Lily?" He had a softer, more reassuring voice now, and she nodded. "I'm Paul Kay. Though please just call me Paul? We need to get you back to Storybrooke as quickly as possible Lily, as I know your mother's waiting for you there." That made her look up, surprised. "I think it'll take us anything from five to six hours in this old thing, so if you start feeling more uncomfortable, or need us to stop, just tell me, okay? Clive and I can't drive over the Storybrooke town line to get in without assistance, so there'll be someone waiting for us when we get there. Probably Professor Sage himself. Now, we'll try to keep the drive as smooth as possible. Any questions?"

She gave him a tired smile. "Paul, why can't you get over the line? And if you're not from there, how do you even know about Storybrooke in the first place? And who's this mysterious 'Professor Sage" you and Prim kept talking about?"

He grinned down at her. "Excellent questions! You're right, we can't get in because we come from a different realm, and Storybrooke's protected from outsiders and invisible to anyone else. And I know about it from Professor Sage himself, or as he's better known, Merlin."

"Merlin? Like Camelot Merlin? King Arthur Merlin? Sword in the stone Merlin?"

"Yep, that's the one! Though most people call him the Sorcerer. I've known him a long time. Clive, can you hurry up and get us the hell out of here?"

Meanwhile - a mile outside Storybrooke

"Henry's still not answering." Regina started typing. "I'll message him."

Emma was behind the wheel, driving. "He could be at the hospital? You know they don't like anyone using phones there. You wanna try Reception, instead? They might know where he is."

Regina pulled up the number, realising there was another problem. "And there's no signal, either! What's going on? I know it was always weak around here, but I could always pick up something by now?"

"Best give it a minute till we get over the line?" She looked at her wrist, and the tattoo emblazoned on her skin, then glancing up at it's twin on Emma's wrist. "I'm assuming these just switch back to bracelets once we drive across?"

"No idea. The last time I saw one, was you wearing it when we came back from Camelot. I didn't even know they could change into tattoos. I assumed they'd just disappear or be neutralised when we left. I guess that means the first priority will have to be finding Henry, apologising and somehow persuading him to take them off us. That is, if Hank Morgan doesn't arrest us first!"

"You heard what he said. He's not taking them off us until Robin and Killian say it's okay. Since when did our son become a control freak?"

"Since I stole his voice, you slapped him, and we started controlling everyone ourselves? I can see it from his point of view."

"That's all very well Regina, but how the hell do I go find my husband and daughter without magic? And if Henry's right and Belle's gone, that leaves the Dark One in complete control with no one able to stop him!"

Emma slowed the car down as the road made its final right curve, to approach where she knew the town line lay. In a few seconds she would see the green 'Entering Storybrooke' sign appear just after crossing, and they'd know for sure whether the tattoos would transform back into cuffs, stay the same, or disappear.

Any moment now.

However, no sign appeared. And the scenery didn't change. And the wrist tattoos remained, as they continued driving along the open road heading towards the next bend.

"WHAT THE HELL?"

Regina looked behind her, confused. "We should've gone over it by now!"

"It's gone!" Emma added, equally bewildered. "Do we need one of those scrolls or something to get in?"

"No of course not. I do this drive several times a year."

"Me too. Then you'd better call Henry when you get a signal, otherwise, we might as well head back to Portland."

~oOo~