Everyone's waiting on news from Henry. Rumple finally comes face-to-face with Belle after throwing her out of Storybrooke. Merlin gives him some news that will definitely change his life.
Mifflin Street
"Why haven't we heard yet?" Emma paced the room, anxiously looking at her watch for the umpteenth time. "He should've phoned by now!"
"He's only been gone three hours! And it takes at least an hour to get there. Just give him a chance to speak to them first and for heaven's sake, sit down. You're making me more anxious than I was to begin with!"
'Sorry…" She moved back to the kitchen stool, sitting down opposite Regina, before picking up her cup, sipping it and grimacing. "Eugh! What the hell's this?"
"Lemon and ginger tea."
"It's disgusting! Have you run out of coffee?"
"I tried making it this morning, but just the smell now makes me nauseous now. I'm pregnant, remember?"
"Well, pregnant or not, I think I'll be sick too if I drink any more of this muck!" She got up again, walking over to Regina's food cupboard, already knowing where to find everything. She grabbed a tin of chocolate powder before going to the fridge for milk, filling the cup and, as she raised her hand, about to use her magic to heat it, she noticed the cuff. Shaking her head, she placed it in the microwave instead. Without magic, everything became more of a hassle and she now realised how much she'd come to depend on it. "So, what did Robin say when you told him you're expecting his kid?"
"Not much. I told him just before I left, and he looked dumbstruck. After everything I've done, can you blame him? Then I got arrested by Morgan the moment I walked out of his office. I hadn't even noticed him in the bar when I first walked in."
"But how did the rest of it go? You told him about Ingrid's potion, right? Surely, he knows you well enough to know it wasn't you doing all that? What did he say?"
"I didn't need to tell him, he saw it all in the the dream catcher! As for excuses, I think he believes me. But he's worried the moment these things come off..." She rubbed the pattern around her wrist. "And our magic returns, we might revert back, putting everyone in danger all over again."
"But that's stupid! I mean, look at my mum? She never had any magic to begin with, she got affected, and she's now over it. Well, if now lying in a hospital bed having tried to top herself is over it!"
"He's just being cautious for Roland's sake, and I can't say I blame him. Frankly, if he'd done to me what I've done to him over the last few weeks. If I'd seen what he's seen, I'm not sure I could've ever forgiven him, potion or no potion."
"Yeah, Henry said some of it was so graphic he had to leave the room once we started…well, you know?"
"Having sex? You might as well say it like it is. Yes, but unfortunately Robin watched all of it! Everything we did, everything we said, before and after, which, according to him, was worse than the act itself."
Emma grimaced, recalling how they'd been highly critical about their partners' performances in the bedroom, compared to having sexwith each other. It was completely untrue, so why would she have said it? Killian was brilliant between the sheets. She had no complaints about that side of their relationship whatsoever.
"Though apparently what hurt him the most was the look on my face when you hit Roland, and then after that, when I threatened him after he punched you out cold. He said he'd never seen the Evil Queen before, but in that moment she was staring right back at him."
Emma slowly shook her head, hardly believing she was even capable of violence towards a child. "I need to go and apologise. To both of them."
"Not yet. Seeing you might just make him angry. And we both know what happened last time? Without magic you're not exactly able to stop him, are you, even if you are strong. No, we should wait."
"You know, my jaw still isn't right, even though Whale reset it? It's clicking when I open wide. Still, I guess I deserved it. I know if anyone thumped Henry or Hope like I did, I'd char them to a crisp!"
"No you wouldn't, because I would have beaten you to it! It's even more reason why Henry was right to get these cuffs from the imp. We were completely out of control. I still can't believe I took his voice away like that? Or threatened the old wolf?"
"Still, at least you didn't throttle your own husband in front of your daughter. I still can't believe I had that much hate inside me? And I was The Dark One!"
"Roland even told him he saw me grinning, delighted when you hurled his father into the wall."
They both sat in silence drinking, and this time it was Emma's turn to rub her hand over the pattern on her wrist. "You know, I'd willingly leave this on for good if I knew it meant Killian would forgive me for everything I did."
"The cuff? You'd get rid of your magic?"
"Why not? I'm beginning to understand why Henry's dad wanted to get rid of magic forever. Maybe Neal had the right idea? After all, he's seen more bad magic than anyone!"
"You're being serious? So what happens when the next weirdo, villain or psycho fairy comes calling? What happens if-" Regina stopped talking the moment she felt a powerful, warm surge of energy close by, followed by a whitish-grey swirl of mist, that now deposited a figure into the kitchen right beside them! Emma dropped her hot chocolate, shocked!
"WHAT THE HELL?"
Regina gasped, also spilling her tea on the worktop, at the sight of a familiar eight-year-old now standing in her kitchen only feet away, looking just as surprised as her.
"NEAL?"
"I DID IT!" The boy yelled excitedly, looking at his tingling hands. "IT WORKED!" Then he looked down to see the spilt brown liquid pouring over the worktop, and onto the floor. "Sorry, did I do that?"
"Neal?" His big sister, astonished, ignored the spill, stepping in front of her brother. "You poofed here?" She shook her head in disbelief as the other woman grabbed paper towels to clean up the mess. "Dad said your magic came in, but…who taught you how to do that?"
"Er…no one. I just remembered when I once asked Gina how she did it, and she said she pictured where she wanted to go in her head. So that's kinda what I did?"
"Well I certainly couldn't do that when I was nine!" It was Regina's turn to shake her head. "That was very clever of you Neal, but also very dangerous! You could've easily teleported into a wall or something." She pulled her favourite Nolan into a hug. She'd always had a soft spot for Emma's young brother. "I was a older teenager when it first happened to me, but your magic's come in much earlier than I'd expected. But don't worry, Emma and I can help you through it. When did it first happen?"
"It was just after Dorothy told me mum had been taken to hospital. She's been staying with us since Ruby left her for mum. I asked her what was going on but she still wouldn't tell me anything, just to wait till dad got home and ask him? I knew she was hiding something, so I got really angry and…kinda poofed into the forest?" He could feel his eyes starting to water.
"You must have felt angry and upset, and that would have been enough to trigger your magic." She continued hugging him as she felt him heard him sniffle, trying desperately to avoid crying, which in itself made her feel weepy herself, as she looked at Emma, over his shoulder. "You poor thing. You've really gone through a horrible time, haven't you? Why don't you stay here with us a while? In fact I'll tell you what; I'll make you a hot chocolate, and you can tell me everything that's happened?"
"Okay." He stepped back from her, wiping his tears on his sleeve. "But I'd better call dad first and tell when where I've gone? He's gonna be cross, cos he thinks I'm at home."
"How about you let me talk to him, instead?" Emma, upset on his behalf, took his arm, gently pulling him away from the brunette and into her own arms to give him a sisterly hug. "You know something, my big, brave, magical brother? Right now, you've got more magic in you than me and Regina put together! But she's right, it can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Nonetheless, I'm proud of you, bro."
"More magic than you? How do you mean?"
"I'll tell you what, let Gina make you that drink, and we'll call dad together. Then I'll tell you all about it ok?"
"Okay," After hugging his sister, Neal noticed a strange look the women shared. "So is it true about you two? You fell in love with each other, then threw Killian and Robin out? Or were you under that weird potion
like Henry said? Like mum and Ruby?"
"The potion!"
"Definitely the potion!"
They blurted the words out almost as one, both women sharing an awkward glance, Emma adding: "It did crazy things to our heads, and made us think we were in love at the time. But it's worn off now."
"Bit awkward, you two being really close mates anyway? Bit embarrassing?"
"Let's go call dad, eh?"
As Emma led him out from the kitchen and Regina started to clean tge worktop properly, they heard the heavy knocker on the front door rap loudly.
"Neal, you pop into the living room while I see who it is?" But the moment she went into the lobby to open the door, she instantly regretted it.
"Hank? Sorry…erm, Sheriff Morgan?"
Hank Morgan didn't seem happy to be there either.
"Hello Emma. Look, I'm sorry to have to do this, but I'm afraid I have to arrest you and take you in for questioning?" He looked a uncomfortably over her shoulder, checking they weren't being overheard. "It's regarding the assault that took place in Granny's a couple of weeks ago? You know how this works, so I just need you to come with me?" I really don't want to put the cuffs on you, but-"
"It's okay Hank, I get it. You're just doing the job. No exceptions, right? Could you give me a couple of minutes to let my dad knew and speak to my brother?"
"I'll give you ten. You might want to bring a change of clothes, just in case?"
Portland Harbour
Over the last hour, Henry explained to Killian everything he knew about recent events in Storybrooke.
About the appalling behaviour of both his mothers in the diner, leading to punches being thrown. About the magic-blocking cuffs he'd used to constrain them. About how they'd both been suspended by the Council, and their fleeing the town for New York and Miami, initially to find some way to remove the cuffs. Then he told him about the dream catcher revelations, leading to the mysterious cottage in the forest, and the discovery of Ingrid's potion. How the potion wore off, leaving both women devastated by the full realisation of what they'd done. Then Snow and Ruby, and how his grandmother was currently in Storybrooke Hospital on dialysis, after trying but failing to take her own life.
And Killian sat listening, taking it all in.
"Dear god, I still can't believe Snow would ever try to kill herself. So Emma and Regina are back, you say?"
"Yeah, but I had to help them get back over the town line. They're both under a sort of house arrest? Hank Morgan's the new Acting Sheriff; and you know him, he's playing everything by the book! No special favours. I even phoned Vi to see if she could help soften him up? I've posted a heavy bail to get Regina out last night after he finally agreed, but he still hasn't seen Emma yet. He'll no doubt still be charging her too, after what she did to Robin and Roland."
"But they still have those magic-blocking cuffs on?"
"Yeah, but once they crossed the town line the cuffs kinda changed into tattoos? They still block the magic though and Grandpa Gold says only I will be able to release them. But I won't be doing that until you and Robin agree it's okay. I saw him last night, and he's not ready for that to happen just yet. He's worried about Roland and wondering what'll happen if the potion kicks in again once their magic's back."
"He's right to be cautious. And what about you, lad? After everything that's happened, do you think it's safe to take Hope back there?"
"I do. They're completely broken, Killian!" Henry looked across to his little sister to make sure she still couldn't hear. "It's hard to explain, but I've never seen either of them acting like this before. It's like all their old confidence and cockiness is gone? They both know they've screwed up badly and worse, they remember everything but can't fathom why they did it? And I believe them when they say they weren't in control of their minds. I mean let's face it, could you ever imagine Emma thumping a kid?" The former pirate shook his head. "Or my other mum threatening to kill the guy who once saved her life with his, if she ever sees him again? No, they're a mess right now. And worse, they're worried you and Robin aren't ever going to even believe, let alone forgive them!" He drained his coffee. "Still, it could be worse. At least neither of them are in hospital. Unlike Snow."
"Your grandparents were always a symbol of hope in the old realm. Her especially! I still find it hard to believe she'd do something like that."
"None of us did! But when she woke up after the potion wore off, it seems she was so disgusted by what she'd done to grandpa and Neal, that she lost her mind and took the pills. Fortunately for her, Ruby found her in the nick of time and called an ambulance."
"And Ruby? Why didn't she stay with her? Why's she out here instead of Storybrooke? Why's Belle with her? I still can't believe the Dark One would throw her out."
Henry went on to explain how his grandfather, as a result of using the dreamcatcher, had stumbled across the previously hidden intimacies that had been happening on a regular basis between his wife and the former waitress. That he still hadn't discovered why they took such a terrible risk of getting caught for over four years. That as a result, the Dark One had taken even more control of its host and had almost killed Ruby. But relenting at the last moment, he'd instead thrown both women over the town line.
"So you're planning to take them with you?"
"Belle, possibly. But Ruby wants to stay here instead. Dorothy told me she suspected Ruby was being unfaithful long before Ingrid's potion, though she'd always denied it. After he found her with Grandma, David forced her to make some sort of weird wolf-vow thing never to show her face anywhere near them. And then Granny threw her out! So she wants out of there for good. That's partly why Merlin's here. New identity, new life? Fresh start?"
Killian looked across at the white schooner from where she'd appeared, along with Belle and the amorous couple, just over an hour earlier. He thought about telling Henry but decided against, until his suspicions were confirmed. Similarly, Henry decided not to mention that his magical grandfather had also arrived in Portland, knowing the contempt Killian still held for him.
"I'm driving back tonight. Can I tell mum you'll be sailing home with Hope? I swear nothing will happen to her, Killian. And those cuffs will stay on until you and Robin agree."
"Aye lad. You can tell her I'll be leaving on the high tide this evening. I should be there tomorrow morning."
Portland – An hour later
Ruby and Belle had been waiting in the little hotel garden for Henry to appear, as agreed on his call an hour ago. He finally arrived, along with Merlin, as expected, along with…
"GIDEON!"
The moment Belle spotted her son standing alongside Henry, she raced across the lawn, dropping down to her knees in front of him, and dragging him into her arms. It'd only been days, but to her it felt like years!
"I've missed you so much, my darling!"
"I missed you too, mama." Gideon looked across the lawn to the former waitress, who now stood a little further away, greeting Merlin. "You're staying here? With Ruby?" Then before she had a chance to answer, he followed it up with. "Is it because you love her now, not papa?"
He'd always been wise for his years, but that still shocked her. She was about to deny it and try to explain when, over her son's shoulder she spotted a man in a dark suit and cane, standing in the porchway leading back into the hotel, about fifty yards away from them, staring at her, his face impassive. The sight of the instantly recognisable figure made her freeze.
"No, Giddy my love, absolutely not! I just-" She searched her mind for a suitable explanation. If she went straight to blaming Rumple, she'd no doubt come to regret it when her son eventually found out what led to her being thrown out of town in the first place. What had he already been told? "I did something bad."
"You went to bed and had sex with Ruby. Yes, I know. Papa told me."
"He told you?" She was mortified. Rumple actually told him? He told his five-year-old son his mother cheated on him? Now she felt angry, even though it was no more than the truth. Should a child ever be told something like that? About his own mother?
"Is it true?" His voice was surprisingly calm as he pulled back to look at her. And all the time, in the distance, Rumple's eyes also never left her, his face betraying no emotion. "He said I could come here, after he spoke to Mr. Merlin. He also said he needs to talk to you."
"I…erm," she almost felt faint as she got up off her knees, glancing at her husband. "Maybe that'd be for the best?" Henry now appeared alongside her. "Henry, would you mind Gideon for a few minutes, while I go and talk to his father? I'll be back shortly."
As she walked over to him, standing there, ramrod straight as usual, she felt like she was going to her execution. His eyes were impassive, impossible to read. As she drew closer, without saying hello he suggested the pair sit inside, to avoid being overheard. She followed him in without comment when he led her to an almost empty dining room, where they found a table in a corner to sit, Rumple opposite.
She took a few large breaths to calm herself before she began.
"May I say something first?"
He nodded, staying silent.
"I know what I did was completely unacceptable, and I have no excuse I can give you. I'm very sorry, Rumple. It was very selfish on my part, and I'd do anything to take it back."
"Anything else?" His tone was icy.
"I'm not in love with her. I never have been. I know what I did was wrong. It was just-"
"Sex? Excitement? You craved something new? Yes, I know and I heard everything. Including how you thought things between you and I had become…how did you describe it? Stale and boring? Yes that's it."
The dismissive, casual way he said it told her this was going to be every bit as difficult as she thought it would. She wasn't sure where to go with this, so she kept quiet as he sat back, studying her like a headmaster with an errant pupil about to be expelled .
"Rumple, whatever happens in the future, do you think you'll ever come to forgive me?"
"No." His simple, immediate answer threw her. But he continued. "A one-off incident? Perhaps. An indiscretion? Understandable. But four years, Belle? Hardly a drunken one-night stand is it? No, the marriage is over and I've now made arrangements."
Although she knew this was a distinct possibility, she'd still held a small glimmer of hope he'd eventually come to forgive her, somehow, and they could move on. But the certainty in his voice made her realise he really had given up on her. And that felt like a lead weight dragging her to the bottom of the sea.
"And Gideon? Will you at least allow me reasonable access to my son?"
"That's why I'm here. Despite what you may think, I've no wish for him to suffer any more than he has already." He pulled out a thick white envelope from a case she hadn't even noticed he was carrying till now. "In here you'll find various legal papers. I'm petitioning for divorce on grounds of adultery. Despite everything, I've arranged for a sufficient stipend and a financial settlement which I regard as more than generous, considering your recent actions? The Sorcerer has been informed, and he'll help you find a lawyer with knowledge of this realm to act on your behalf. I suggest you read everything carefully with whoever, before signing."
"You never answered my question." She looked at the envelope, but didn't take it. "What about Gideon?"
"We'll find a way to co-parent him."
"So, you'll let me back in to Storybrooke?"
"I fear if you were to do so, the darkness within me may not be so lenient next time. I'd probably kill you, even if I tried not to."
"But you promised never to harm me? That was a Dark One promise! And you said The Dark One never breaks his promises!"
"I did, but I fear your infidelity has…changed the balance? I used to be able to control its wilder actions, to a small extent, but I can no longer guarantee anything if you go back."
"So how do we co-parent if I have to live away from his home?"
"We'll finalise that in due course. But if you live somewhere near here, you're only an hour away."
"Live here, with Gideon in Storybrooke? How's that fair? Why is it that you get to control when I get to see my own son?
"It's not perfect, I grant you. But under the circumstances-"
"UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES?" She was angry now. "FUCK YOU, RUMPLE!"
Noticing her cussing, the only other people in the room, an elderly couple at the other end and almost out of earshot, turned to look. So she lowered her voice again, seething.
"Fuck you! I know what I did was wrong, but I've just as much right to see my own son as you have! Whatever you think! I know you hate me, and I can't say I don't deserve it, but I'm still his mother! I need to be with him, and he needs to be with me."
"Then perhaps you should have thought about that before destroying our marriage by cheating on me? By having sex for four years, with a woman renowned for doing it with just about anybody and everybody?" His eyes were cold. Cold and resentful. "Just be grateful I managed to stop my darkness from killing you." She looked away, just in time to see the older couple doing the same. Thank god they couldn't hear. "How could you have done that to me? Four years? How often have you lectured me about doing the right thing? Being honest?"
She had no answer. He was right, how could she? So she stayed silent, grateful when a waitress appeared with a coffee jug and cups, giving her a chance to think. Once the waitress left, he started again.
"No. I've provided you with more than sufficient funds in the settlement, for a comfortable life. There should be enough there for you to buy a reasonable home, something suitable for Gideon when he comes to stay, plus a very generous settlement. It's your choice, but I suggest you buy something around here, as it's only an hour away? We'll come to a suitable arrangement, given time."
"Doesn't sound like you're giving me much choice does it? It's your way, or the highway?"
"Given the circumstances, I believe it's for the best."
"Best for you, but not Gideon! Rumple, he needs me!"
"Many children have to split their time between parents. Henry, for instance."
"Emma and Regina live in the same damn town! But I'll be over an hour away."
"Yes, but at least you'll still get to see him!" Rumple rose from the table, straightening himself. "Your lawyer can discuss access with mine, but that's all I'm saying on the subject for the moment. I'll try to be accommodating, for our son's sake, but I suggest you read those documents carefully."
She looked down at the envelope, picking it up. It was heavy.
"So that's it? Ten years of marriage? Eight years raising our child? All that time, brought to an end by a bunch of papers?"
"No, Belle. All that brought to an end when you decided to repeatedly put your face between the legs of a waitress, rather than uphold your marriage vows."
That stung, because it was true. She'd tried desperately to hold back tears as she looked up at him. But his eyes remained cold. Scornful. Until today, she'd never seen him look at her like that, not even on the day he threw her over the town line.
It was over. There was no way back.
"Dove will be in touch with you shortly, to arrange for collection of your things and delivery wherever you want them. Use him as you see fit. Merlin's people will also assist you in the coming days. Use your time with Gideon well today, as we're going away for a few weeks, and we won't be coming back until September."
"Going away?" She was now on her feet. "What do you mean, going away? Going away where?"
"Europe. I've decided to use the rest of the summer taking him to see the old country. We'll be travelling to England first, then Scotland, France and Italy. It'll be good for him and give us a chance to plan what we do next. He seems rather excited. It'll be good for him."
"I can't believe I'm hearing this? You're taking him away from me for five weeks? Without me having any say in the matter? How dare you? I'll see you in court, Rumple! I'll-"
"That's your choice, should you so wish. I'm merely taking him on holiday, and I will be returning in due course. More than enough time for you to find yourself somewhere to live around here? You'll find that in this land, with the amount of money I've left you, you'll be a wealthy woman in your own right. I'll keep to my side of the agreement, within reason, and make sure Gideon's time is even split between us. That's my final word on the matter."
"But I still won't be allowed to see him in Storybrooke. His home. You're casting me out!"
"Isn't that what you once did to me? Twice, as I recall?"
~oOo~
In the garden, outside…
Merlin sat in a corner, handing documents to Ruby and talking through the next stage of creating a backstory, and her new identity.
"So there's your birth certificate, new driving license and passport. Your history's all in the folder, though if you call Emily on the number I gave you, she'll be able to help with things like past work references, college history, that sort of thing?"
The former waitress looked through the documents, which looked genuine enough. She recognised her photo in the passport as having been copied from one left in the diner.
"This is amazing, Merlin. How did you get all this stuff? You must have done this before?"
"Yes, a few times, but it's not all me. You'd be surprised how many people there are currently living in this world, who originally came from magical realms. Camelot, the Enchanted Forest, Fairy Tale Land, Wishworld, Asgard? The list is endless. Many escaped over the years, mostly to seek a better life. There's always people who can help. You just need to know where to find them."
"I'm glad you kept my name. It'll make it easier to blend in, quite frankly." She put the folder down. "Have you heard anything from Dorothy? My wife?"
"I did." The Sorcerer gave her a sad smile. "Oddly enough I saw her last night. She was in Robin Locksley's forest pub. She seems to have made some new friends. One of them, a young lady I've only just discovered to be my own daughter."
"That's nice." But Ruby wasn't really listening any more as she thought about what she'd done to Dorothy. "Do you think I could give you a message to take back to her? Sort of an apology for everything?"
The Nolan Farm – earlier that morning
"Good morning. Sleep okay?"
After having spent a wonderful evening in a pub in the forest, and having had far too much to drink, Lily Page woke up with a parched throat and one hell of a hangover. Worse still, as she reluctantly opened her eyes, she found herself in a large oak-ceilinged room she definitely didn't recognise, in a large bed she'd also never slept in before. But at least the sheets were warm and soft. As were the sympathetic brown eyes staring right back at her, on the pillow right beside her.
"Dorothy?"
"Hiya," the other woman smiled back at her. "How are you feeling?"
"Hungover. Like I drained a pub dry..." She groaned, stretching and yawning. "First alcohol for over two years? Where the hell am I?"
"David's farm. In his bed. He's downstairs making bacon sandwiches for all of us. Best cure for hangovers, he reckons. There's some water and Advil by the side of the bed."
"David's bedroom?" She lifted the sheets, relieved to find herself still wearing the underwear she had on yesterday. "Prince Charming? I'm sleeping in Snow White's bed?"
"It used to be. They split up, remember? I told you everything yesterday. She cheated on him with Ruby, my bitch of a wife. Well, ex-wife, once I get the divorce finalised."
"Yeah…" Parts of last night were coming back to her. Snow White and Prince Charming, once her mortal enemies, had split up because Snow had been unfaithful with Little Red Riding Hood. She never saw that one coming! But with her darkness removed, she was too tired to continue holding a lifetime's grudge. "You're right, you did tell me. So, what am I doing in his bed, with you? Did we, erm-?"
"Sleep together?" Dorothy was enjoying this. She was always good at handling alcohol and fortunately, rarely suffered from its after-effects the following morning . But she could see how uncomfortable the other woman looked. "Yeah, we did, but we didn't have sex, if that's what you mean? You were quite keen to, and definitely let me know in no uncertain terms you were into girls as much as boys! We left the pub quite late and, despite your mum wanting you to go home with her, you weren't too keen. So, I kinda promised I'd look after you? Later on, David suggested you sleep in here. I've been staying here the last few weeks, helping out on the farm, till I decide what to do next."
"But in his own bed? Isn't there a spare room?"
"Of course, but we've been kinda sharing this one, on and off? He thought it'd be better for you here as the bathroom's next door if you needed to puke?" She nodded to a door behind her. "He slept next door, and I slept here in case you woke up and panicked."
"Thanks for that..." Lily pulled herself up, reaching out for the tablets and water, before realising what she'd just said. "You've been sharing his bed?" She also noticed a hint of a blush? "So, Dorothy Gale isn't quite as gay as I first thought?"
"Ruby was the first person, boy or girl, I'd ever been with. David the second, after they left us. I'm not sure what I am quite frankly. I guess I'm probably bisexual, like you?
"Yeah, there's more of us around than you might think? Keep your options open, I say." She swallowed two Advil, chasing them down with water. "So you and him? Is it serious? There's no chance of Charming's old beloved being forgiven and coming back?"
"Unlikely I'd say, though it's always possible. They signed the divorce papers before, if Henry's right, the potion I told you about last night, wore off. She took an overdose. I haven't organised my divorce yet but, as for me and Ruby, we're history. As for David and me, we've kinda been there for each other at a bad time, you know?"
"So, you're now single? What are you going to do next?"
"I'm still not sure…" Dorothy smiled back, pulling a lock of stray hair off the other woman's face, draping it over her ear. "I was going to ask you the same thing. You plan on sticking around? Or are you going back to New York?"
"Well, my boyfriend ditched me once he found out I had terminal cancer. Nice guy, eh? And I faced the last year slowly dying a painful death. I know my mother's here but I barely know her and she was never part of my life to begin with, and I grew up an orphan. And now I find out I've also got a dad? One who's not only alive, but never even knew I existed till a couple of days ago? According to the guys who brought me here, and my mum, he's like the oldest guy on the planet, and the most powerful wizard ever? And it seems I've even got some half-brothers and sisters living in England? He's offered to take me and introduce me to all of them."
"Then you have to go! I'd love to have had siblings, but my mum and dad died when I was a baby, so I got raised by my aunt and uncle. I'm quite jealous!"
"Why not come with me?"
"Me? Go to England? You've gotta be kidding?"
"Why not? It's not like there's anything here for you here is there? Merlin's paying, as money's nothing to him, so we could have some real fun! it could be like a big holiday? Besides, I could really do with the company."
Back in Portland
"I'm still not convinced she'll bring him back."
Rumple shook his head, watching as his furious, soon to be ex-wife, having stormed off out of the hotel and back into the garden, found their son playing boules with Henry. Ruby Lucas was nowhere to be seen. He finally watched from the door as Belle said something to them, picked up her bag to put the big envelope inside and the trio left the garden along the path, in the direction of the harbour.
"They'll be back. Henry's gone off with them, so you can be sure if it. Besides, you and I need to talk, Rumpelstiltskin."
He looked up at the man, who appeared unnaturally calm, impassive, but deadly serious. The Dark One knew all too well of the man's powers, having the memories of Nimuë and several previous Dark Ones over centuries, ingrained. He was standing next to the only human being, if indeed he was still a human being (having died multiple times) on earth older than himself. And probably the only man with powers greater than his own. But Rumple had become a master at hiding his fear.
"Talk about what, may I ask?"
"Your future happiness. Your happy ending, Rumple. As opposed to The Dark One's, should you grasp it."
"We're almost one and the same person these days, Sorcerer." He shrugged. "You of all people, should know that by now?"
"Ah, yet you use the word, 'almost'? While we're here, I'm speaking to the former spinner, not the embodiment of darkness, am I not?" He received the slightest hint of a nod. "I take it you remember nothing of the conversation we had this side of the town line? While we waited for that ambulance to bring my daughter back?" Another clearly confused look from the other man as he shook his head. "Good. Because at the time you agreed to my wiping your memory of our conversation, so the Dark One would have no access to it when he crossed back over the line." Merlin reached into his jacket, pulling out a white envelope with script on the front, handing it to him. The front bore a message.
Πιστέψτε τον Ραμπλ. Πιστεύω
It was written in Rumple's own handwriting? The words would mean nothing to anyone else. But to Rumple it was a clear confirmation, using his own personally cipher to himself, that whatever Merlin was about to say, the conversation he referred to, had actually happened.
"Well as you wiped my memory, care to refresh me?"
"We spoke of the Dark One's increasing control over you. And how after recent events, you felt it had gained even more, to the extent you may even pose a danger to those you care for? You knew that the moment you returned to Storybrooke, that the dark force would read your mind and seek to protect itself within you, seeking reprisals and dealing with any potential threat ruthlessly. That's why we agreed to the obliviate spell after we talked."
"I see. Well, what was your solution to this…dilemma?"
"Leaving Storybrooke, for good. Never returning to any magic land. That way, the Dark One can never control you again. You can be free to get on with the rest of your life."
"You're serious? You're suggesting I just up and leave everything behind? My businesses, my properties, my-"
"Your power? Rumple, you've gained considerable wealth over centuries. Vast wealth, compared to most. More than enough to live in great comfort in the non-magical world for the rest of your natural days. As for your estate in Storybrooke, you can always sell it. "
"The rest of my - you do know I'm an immortal, don't you?"
"Gorgon and Zoso said much the same thing! So did Nimuë. The Dark One's immortal, but they weren't, and nor are you," Merlin saw the confused, almost angry glare, that would have had most Storybrooke inhabitants running for their lives. "But I can help you avoid their fates, Rumple. Some of them, never having tried to renounce the darkness when they could, and instead took full advantage. They now rest among Lucifer's brethren in Hell, in eternal torment, for the rest of time. I can help you avoid that fate."
Rumple tried not to laugh, but it was difficult. "You do know about my crimes? I've killed hundreds if not thousands! Do you seriously imagine the Celestial Court would do anything other than throw me into the very depths of Hell the moment I appear? I've no chance! I'm resigned to my eventual fate, Sorcerer, and I'm in no rush to shorten my time till then."
"And that's one of the reasons you guard your dagger and life so zealously, isn't it? To avoid what you believe to be…inevitable."
"IT IS INEVITABLE!"
"Ah, but it isn't! Not every host of The Dark One has gone to hell. Only those who never tried to relinquish it. Rumple, you have a chance! If you renounce it by ensuring it can be contained, you'll live, grow old, and eventually die like everyone else. Then, I can assure you, the crimes of the Dark One will be judged as just that! The Dark One's! A dark force that can barely be controlled by any human. But the crimes of Rumpelstiltskin will be judged separately, as yours, and yours alone."
"You don't know that!" Rumple stared hard into the unusual violet irises of the legendary wizard. "And if you're wrong, I'm the one paying the price!"
"Rumple…" the wizard led him to the table vacated by Ruby earlier, sitting himself down and resting his elbows on the table, intertwining his fingers. "What do you know about me? What have you heard?"
"That you're supposedly the greatest practitioner of white magic that ever lived? That you can travel not just between realms, but times between realms?" He finally sat down opposite. "That you've been killed on numerous occasions, yet keep come back to the living every time?"
"Thirty-three times over the last two millennia, to be exact. And yes, Zeus sent me back on every occasion. In some ways, I now consider myself his messenger."
"That's quite the boast. Your point being?"
"I know what happens to us after we die, more than any human alive! The Celestial Court and final judgment. Purgatory, which was what the Underworld was originally intended for? And Heaven or the Better Place, as most would call it. I know how the gods think, Rumple."
"So, what if I do as you suggest, and stay away from anywhere magical? I'll grow old and die, but face some sort of purgatory for minor crimes, instead of eternal damnation for the vast sins of the Dark One? Is that what you're saying?"
"Precisely. Think about it? If you go back, and stay immortal, then one day, perhaps many centuries ahead, you'll be killed and the next unfortunate will become The Dark One. While you on the other hand, having never renounced it, will be damned for its crimes by association." He watched as the other man considered his words, clearly starting to weigh up the options. "But if you don't believe me, maybe I can send someone to talk to you? Someone who I guarantee you'll listen to? And someone who I'm sure I'll have far more of an effect on your final decision than me!"
"It'll have to wait. Gideon and I leave for New York this evening to catch an early flight tomorrow. So whoever you have in mind to persuade me will have quite the job on their hands! So who else have you talked to about this to? Who else knows?"
"Someone you can trust when you see him. And I know he'll find you, wherever you are in the world! Just get an early night and rest. We'll be speaking again Rumple. Sooner than you can imagine."
~oOo~