Regina's faced Robin to explain everything, and now it's Emma's turn to face Killian. However, he needs proof that she's changed for the better, and the proof he's given makes uncomfortable viewing. Meanwhile, the implications for Storybrooke without Rumpelstiltskin are just being realised.
The Jolly Roger, Storybrooke Harbour
Once she'd climbed up the metal bridge and on to the deck, Killian turned his back, staying silent as he led her toward the steps at the front of the ship, pausing only to make sure she was still following him.
And as he walked down the steps towards the larger room under the raised fo'c'sle, she wondered why he was taking her to the crew's quarters, instead of the captain's? After all, that's where Hope's berth lay. But he stopped at the little door beside it, which Emma knew from having been here enough times, once served as the ship's brig.
He can't be thinking of locking me up, surely? Without magic, it's not like I could easily stop him without a fight.
But the ridiculous notion was dismissed the moment he opened the cell door, to find the former jail had now been converted into something very different. The walls had been painted pale cream, and posters, pictures and a wooden pin board with drawings on it, hung on the dark oak walls. She didn't like to think how many pirates and hostages to fortune may have once perished in there over centuries, but now, seeing a large, clearly new, wooden toy castle in the centre of the room, with toys and dolls strewn all around, it'd clearly been taken over by the little figure currently hidden, moving around inside her new playhouse.
"Hope?" His voice was soft and assuring. "Come on out, my love? There's someone here to see you."
"Daddy!" A frustrated little voice huffed from inside. "Can't you see I'm busy?" He couldn't help grinning as his three-year-old griped at having her important play interrupted. "Draco the Dragon's trying to get in, and I'm trying to stop him from-" Popping her head up from behind it, she instantly stopped she moment she saw who was there with him. And for a moment, Emma thought she looked frightened?
"Hello baby?"
Emma gave her daughter, who she hadn't seen in nearly a month, the brightest of smiles she could manage, even though her heart was turning cartwheels. Seeing the look on her face, she held back from just rushing over to take her in her arms. "That's a lovely new castle you've got there? Did daddy buy it for you?"
But instead of answering, Hope stepping further back; back against the wall, clearly nervous as she looked up at her father, who smiled down at her.
"We found it in New York, didn't we, my love?" He answered for her. But the little blonde still didn't say anything as he stepped around the toy castle toward her; instead, she just carried on glaring at her mother. "It's alright, princess. Come here?"
Emma watched him drop to his knees, gathering her in his arms and lifting her up as she clung to his neck. Then, the pair stared back at her as one, and she'd never felt so apart from her own family in her entire life.
"You hurt my daddy!" Hope suddenly called out, an angry scowl appearing, leaving Emma speechless. She should have expected this.
"I did, and I'm so very sorry about that, my love. But you see, my head wasn't well? It was telling me to do some terrible things that were wrong! I'm very sorry, but something bad happened to me." She waited for a reaction, but none was forthcoming. Just the hard stare. "I still love your dad, very very much, and I came here to say sorry, and try and tell him about what happened?" She tried to give him what she thought was an apologetic smile. "But before I go and talk to him on my own, would you let me sit here with you and tell you a little story first?" Her eyes silently questioned him, to make sure he was okay with it. "It's a story about a grown-up princess, who smelt a really bad poison by accident, which made her do some crazy things! Can I tell you about it?"
~oOo~
Half an hour later, having tried hard not to weep in front of her, as she told her what had happened by way of a story, Hope finally allowed her mother to hug her. Which she did, gratefully, assuring her many times that she was better now, again that she loved her daddy, and that no harm would come to him.
It was only after that, she realised Killian had disappeared. So after taking a little time to play with her daughter in the toy castle, she finally left her be, and went to find Killian, knowing he'd probably be a totally different nut to crack! She finally found him in the galley, boiling a kettle.
"Why did you leave us?"
"I figured needed time alone with her. Coffee?"
"After what I've just been through, I'd prefer scotch. Or rum?" She watched as he turned to a side cupboard, taking out a bottle and two glasses. "I've drunk way too much coffee recently."
He still didn't speak as he opened the bottle, pouring a decent measure for both, before sitting opposite her at the long table. As the last thirty minutes had been emotional enough, she didn't want to start on the awkward stuff, just yet. Better to start with something easier, before she had to no doubt apologise, and start blubbing all over again?
"So…You took Hope shopping in New York? Before you sailed to Portland?"
"Part of the time, aye."
"You managed to sail all that way, without being picked up by the coast guards?"
"Easier than you think, when you're already registered as a tourist vessel. We wound up spending a week in Hamilton, though Nassau's overrated these days."
"Nassau?" She almost spat her drink out. "You went all the way to Bermuda? That's miles away!"
"About seven hundred and fifty nautical, give or take. I looked in on an old friend."
"But…" She wasn't sure where to even start? He'd obviously taken their daughter away from her for their safety, but to go that far? Just to stay out of her reach? But seeing the look on her face, he'd already anticipated her next question.
"I promised Henry I'd keep his sister in this realm, rather than use a magic bean and jump to another. Besides, if another realm held magic, there'd always be a risk you'd find a way to get to her. So, it made sense to stay in this one, but further away."
"Killian, I'd never hurt my own flesh and blood! Not in a million years, potion or no potion!"
"Yet you had no problem choking the life out of her father right in front of her?" His voice sounded noticeably cooler. "You were psychotic and dangerous, Swan! A law unto yourself. You know, when I was hanging by my throat under your magic, my breath gone and straining to stay conscious, I saw that look in your eyes? It was a look beyond caring. I was facing the Dark One all over again."
"I told you, I was out of control!" She shook her head in weary resignation. "And I've never stopped apologising since I came back."
"Aye, to Hope; to Henry; even Locksley and his boy..." She looked up when he stood, walking around to retrieve something from the bureau beside him. A large envelope. "And yes Swan, Locksley's already spoken to me about meeting you and his dramatic wife earlier. We've spoken a lot over the last few weeks, However, it's clearly escaped your notice, you still haven't apologised to me."
"You're right. I thought you were listening when I was talking to Hope? Killian, I apologise. I really am very sorry for everything I've done to you and this family, after sniffing that weird stuff at the cottage. But as I told her, I wasn't in my own mind! It was like I was controlled to think very differently, and you all suffered as a result. Regina, Ruby, and even my own mum were affected in just the same way, and we're all struggling now it's worn off. Hell, mum even took an overdose! Snow White, the source of all hope? Again, I'm sorry."
He grunted something, pulling out some typewritten sheets from inside the envelope. "Just after Locksley left, I received these?" He slid them across the table. She could see they were divorce proceedings that'd been drafted by Regina's lawyer. "There was a young man waiting for me on the dockside this morning, saying he as here to 'serve me' with legal papers. Some serving!"
She'd forgotten all about that. She looked over the divorce papers that she'd requested be drawn up at the same time as Regina's, flicking through them, spotting her own hastily-scrawled signature on several. A signature she'd given without even reading them! Another insult to him and their marriage.
"But this wasn't your Emma asking for this, it was me three weeks ago! I notice you still didn't sign them? Do you want to?"
"I'd never sign anything affecting my access to my own daughter. You of all people should know that, Swan? All the more reason for me to take her far away from here."
She nodded, quickly pulling the documents together, tearing them in half. Then into quarters. Then eights. Leaving a large pile of ripped up paper in front of her.
"There! Killian, as I said, that woman wasn't me! That potion made me believe weird things, stupid things, and made me think that the only thing that mattered was Regina. Do you honestly think I'd ever knowingly slap Henry around the face? In front of everyone? Could you seriously imagine me belting Roland, or slamming his dad into a wall? Hurting you? What do I need to do to make you believe me?"
But he didn't answer. Instead he just stayed staring as he refreshed the glasses. His calm just made her feel even more anxious.
"Before I came over here, I'd just spent the morning watching Regina getting the third degree from Roland. And that's before he started on me! Robin finally accepted her apology, and mine, and he's forgiven her because he knows she couldn't help herself. So I can keep apologising to you over and over again, but what do I have to do for you to forgive me?
"Henry tells me you've been living at her place since you got back? Instead of your own?
The topic change threw her. 'Your own' place? Not 'ours'?
"What? Er, yeah, I couldn't stay there, not without you two. I just couldn't face being in our family home, without my family? It just felt weird and empty, so I just popped in and picked up some clothes. Besides, I was suspended as Sheriff before we left, and Hank Morgan's now Acting Sheriff now until they call an election. He's got us both under house arrest. Strictly speaking, I shouldn't even be here! Merlin's bailed me out, so I don't have to stay in the cells. I've been charged with assault, and Regina's been-"
"Charged with slavery and entrapment?" He cut across her. "Yes, I'm aware. She used her former personal genie, no less? It seems our reformed former Evil Queen still couldn't quite give up that final means of controlling everyone, could she? Just as I always suspected. Henry, Merlin and Robin were here earlier, and I've been told all about the contents of the dream catcher. Locksley tells me it was rather unpleasant to watch…" She didn't know what to say, so she just nodded. "But quite informative? So I asked Merlin if, as the Crocodile's left to go on some sort of long vacation with his son, he could show it to me? He said he could, but with some minor modifications."
"You want to see the dream catcher?" Emma shook her head in disbelief. "Why the hell would you want to do that? It'll just make things worse. Robin said when he watched it, he-"
"Believe me Swan, I've no desire to see you and Regina having sex, despite what you might think! Or hearing you being derogatory about my performance, or lack of it compared to her, in the bedroom?" She cringed, remembering the sort of things they'd said to each other. "Oh yes, Locksley mentioned that, too! You were both rather disparaging about the inferior nature of the male of the species compared to the female in all ways, I gather? What was that word he used now? Dispiriting?"
"I didn't mean any of it! I wouldn't. Why would you even want to see it, then?"
"I asked Merlin if it could show what you did after you left Storybrooke, and after this supposed potion wore off? I want to be sure that when, or should I say if, those cuffs come off, you're not going to revert back to how you were before."
"But my own mother got affected! And she's not chasing after Ruby now, is she?"
"No, but they haven't got magic like you, have they?" He interrupted her, again. "Magic capable of easily killing husbands or wiping inconvenient memories? No, that's the difference, and I can't take the risk yet. Not with Hope, anyway."
"Okay, okay, I get it!" She rolled her eyes, frustrated. "So Merlin's going to set it up, so you get to see everything we did in Miami?" He nodded. "Good! Then you can also get to see how I threw my guts up in that hotel bathroom after it'd worn off, and I realised what I'd done! You'll get to see Regina and me admitting we weren't in love, that we loved you two, and wondering why the hell we did everything we did? You'll see two grown women bawling their bloody eyes out like kids! Me, a shitty, snotty, devastated, fucking mess! But you know what? Do it! If it finally gets you to see what really happened, watch it!"
"I received a message from Merlin not half an hour ago. He said he'll be able to show me around midday tomorrow. But he needs your consent, plus your contribution. And Regina's."
"Contribution?"
"A blood sample and lock of hair from each of you. You best check with him."
"And if I give it, and you get to see I'm telling the truth, you'll finally be able to forgive me? You'll bring Hope home, and we can start to try and get over this?"
"First, I need to know in my heart that there's no way you'll go back to how you were, the moment you get your magic back."
"Okay, I'll call him. I'll also get Regina to give hers, too. Where is Merlin, anyway?"
"I gather he and Henry are planning to address a gathering in the Town Hall. And perhaps see the old wolf at the diner. Apparently news of your return has led to some civil unrest? It appears nobody wants two out-of-control psycho witches posing yet another risk to the town. Fancy that?"
She shook her head, taking the bottle to pour herself another rum.
Storybrooke Town Hall – two hours later
A small crowd of nearly one hundred citizens sat in the little hall, watching as Merlin addressed them, the Author standing by his side.
Henry, already a long-recognised hero of Storybrooke, had explained everything he knew as to what'd happened. From that first day over a month ago, when Leroy raised the alarm about a possible sighting of The Black Fairy. Through to the extreme and abnormal behaviour of Snow White, Ruby Lucas and both his mothers. He told them all about the hidden cottage in the forest, Ingrid's faulty potion, and his investigation with Robin and the Dark One to uncover what'd really happened. And how the four women afflicted had reacted when the mysterious potion had worn off. And Snow White's attempted suicide.
Merlin had backed up Henry's version of events, telling them of his own investigation into the failed potion. As he also told them, in not so many words, about Snow's current critical condition, many quiet sniffles were heard around the hall as some realised they may have misjudged the unfortunate women too soon. Even Granny, sitting in the front row, seemed conflicted.
And finally, they opened the floor up to questions. As usual, Grumpy the first to jump up:
"So, where was The Dark One when all this was going on? He's usually behind anything bad that happens around here!"
"Well this time, he wasn't! in fact, he actually helped Henry locate the cottage, diagnose the problemand uncover the truth. And he-"
"Yeah? So what the hell's he done with Belle? She wasn't even involved! Last I heard, he threw her over the town line with Ruby! Nova saw him do it!"
Henry looked back at Merlin, rolling his eyes. This was going to be a long night.
Mifflin Street
"The devious old bastard!" Regina shook her head in disbelief. "So that's how he did it!"
Emma had just told her about facing Killian and Hope, and the outcome. And the dreamcatcher he planned to watch, with Merlin's help.
"Did what? Who, Merlin?"
"No, the Imp! Now I know how he got that dreamcatcher to reveal everything that'd happened in the cottage! He used our blood and hair and mixed it up. He must've done the same to Snow and Ruby!"
"When? I don't remember giving any blood sample?"
"You wouldn't have, knowingly! Remember that morning before we left to find The Dragon, when I woke up with a bruise on my shoulder and blood on the bottom sheet? There were blood spots one on your side, too. I only remember it, because I couldn't use magic to change the bedding, and had to do it by hand. It was that morning I tried to reach Sidney and couldn't find him?"
"So you're saying he took our blood when we were asleep? I'm a pretty heavy sleeper Gina, but I think I would've noticed!"
"Not if you were unconscious! He had magic and we didn't. It doesn't take much. That swine must've knocked us out, sneaked in, took what he needed, and pulled Sidney out of the mirror at the same time."
"The little shit. But I suppose at least something good's come from it?" Regina looked at her, confused. "At least Sidney finally got his freedom, and Henry got to find out what the hell happened? Let's face it, if they hadn't seen it all in that dream catcher, how would we have persuaded Killian and Robin, and Henry, that we were acting under some sort of influence?"
"There's that, I suppose. Apart from the part where I'm now going to court charged with Entrapment and Slavery? I'm probably facing a few years in jail. Not that I don't deserve it."
"So…you'll do it? You'll give Merlin your blood and hair samples?"
Regina pondered over the question for a while, thinking it through.
"Yes, but only because it's you, and if it'll help you unite with Hope. But I'll be honest Emma, I'm concerned. I know only too well how blood and hair can be misused with magic? It's not hard to place charms, spells, and all manner of controls over someone when you have their blood. That's how Voodoo practitioners do it. I've even done it myself, and I'm ashamed to say, it's how I first got Sidney to devote himself to me, and only me. No, I think if I allow my blood to be used, then I want to be there when he does it. And to know for certain that Merlin destroys it once he's finished."
"Jeez! I'd forgotten just how devious you wizards and witches really are? So, you want to be there when he makes up this weird…potion-thing?"
"Strictly speaking, it's a serum, not a potion, and yes, I do. I need to see just how it's being used."
"To see him link it to the dream catcher? Or watch it with them?"
"Both."
"You're serious? With Killian sitting there?"
"I'm painfully aware it'll be uncomfortable, with or without your one-handed wonder watching. But the risk of my blood, or yours for that matter, being misused by anyone is too great. It has magical properties in itself. Besides, if one of us is there we can at least try to monitor what he sees? Because you can be certain he'll report back to Robin."
"He said he wants to see what happened after we left and the potion wore off. I gather Robin told him the rest."
"Another reason why I need to be there, to make sure they don't go too far back."
Storybrooke Hospital
Snow, using the laptop Henry had brought her from her loft, pressed 'SEND' on the email:
Dearest Ruby,
I'm lying in a hospital bed, having just read your letter. It made me cry.
My own marriage is over, too. David had already signed the papers I told Johnny to send. Yes, it's hard to believe. Though he never said as much, I know David well enough to know I've pushed him too far, once too often. And it wasn't us that caused it, but me. It was all down to me, for lying to him right from the start, about us. I can't blame him for deciding to move on.
I'm truly sorry about you and Dorothy, and for my own part in wrecking your marriage, even though Henry said it was caused by a potion. Like David, Dorothy didn't deserve that either.
I gather Henry told you I was very ill? Well, I'm afraid it's even worse than that. After taking all those pills, I've damaged my liver and kidneys so badly that, even with dialysis, it's unlikely I'll live more than another year without a transplant. At least, that's what Victor finally admitted, after a lot of nagging to tell me the truth. Merlin's here too, and he's trying to help but I think it may be too late. I curse the day we ever went into that cottage! He's arranging for me to go to a hospital in New York for a transplant, so I leave here in the morning. Say a little prayer for me?
You didn't tell me where, but you mentioned you were travelling somewhere with Belle? Sounds fun. Does that mean you're together, maybe as something more than friends? I always suspected there was something between the two of you, so it'd be nice to see you settled. You're my best friend and I just want you to be happy.
Unlike poor Dorothy, I've always understood your werewolf side and accepted it as the price of loving the wonderful woman who is Ruby Lucas, or Red to me. Although I hope you find love, I know you could never be truly happy with loving only one person physically. I can only hope that the man or woman you finally settle with will understand this is a part of you. If you and Belle are together, you need to be honest with her about your nature.
Thanks for writing all those sweet things. You know me almost as well as Charming, and I love you just as much. I always have. And I'll forever cherish the memories of that year we spent together back in Misthaven, on the run, before fate led us down different paths.
After losing David, I couldn't bear the thought of never seeing you again. So, if I do manage to get the match for a transplant, and it takes, and I survive, then yes, I'd love to come see you. I might even come stay for a while, if you'd let me? After all, apart from Neal and Emma, there's not much for me here now, is there?
Please don't be a stranger.
I love you and miss you.
Your friend forever,
Snow xxx
Mifflin Street - The following morning
It was eight in the morning when Henry, sitting in his bedroom, started the web call with his paternal grandfather and uncle. A call that, he didn't realise at the time, would set off a chain of events that would change the lives of the citizens of the hidden Maine town, forever.
"Hi gramps, hi Gid! How's you? What's it like in London?"
His grandfather, The Dark One, appeared to be in his hotel room, probably by a desk, with Gideon, sitting on the bed behind him, playing with something. There were what looked like toys, scattered around him, as he worked excitedly with something on his knees. His grandfather, although in another realm he was over three centuries old, he never looked over sixty, despite always wearing his traditional dark suits and ties. But this time, he was completely different? In place of the black shirt and tie, he had what looked like a bright d summer polo on? And the hair looked – different? Had he had some sort of makeover? And he this time was smiling? This was very different to how he'd last seen him, back in Portland, when he'd just ended his marriage.
"Warmer than expected! We're well my boy, despite the jet lag. And it's lovely to see you too," Even his voice sounded brighter. "Gideon, come say hello to your uncle?"
"HI HENRY!" The boy, also smiling, yelled across, clearly focused on something else. "Sorry, I was just trying to get this laptop set up?" He proudly lifted and showed him his new toy. "I wanna get Outlook going, but…don't you have a MacBook too?"
Henry knew his young uncle was stupidly smart for his age, like his parents, but this?
"Wow, that's one heck of a present for your age! Did your papa buy you that?"
Rumple explained to his grandson how they'd been shopping in London for new clothes and things for their trip, and he'd bought the computer for Gideon to keep in touch with his friends and family, though he never mentioned Belle, once. As he told him all about their plans for the coming weeks, Henry felt he was now talking to a very different grandfather. He even sounded younger. Like a huge weight had been lifted from the man everyone knew as The Dark One, the epitome of evil. This grandfather was cheerful, happy, and even smiled?
"Sounds like you're having a brilliant time; and you only just got there yesterday? So you're away for six weeks?"
"That's what I need to talk to you about, Henry. Something's happened since we left, and I have very important things we need to discuss. We'll need at least an hour to talk? Preferably later this evening, around six your time, after Gideon's gone to bed? Would you be available?"
"Sure. You said important? What is it?"
"All in good time, my boy. Now, would you show this young man how to set up his wretched machine? Mr. Dove configured mine, and for the life of me, I can't remember how."
Storybrooke - The Gold Mansion – five hours later
"Did it have to be here?"
Regina groaned, cautiously looking around as she strode warily into Rumple's study, as though The Dark One himself was about to jump out.
She'd only been in his home once before, instead of the shop, when Belle had insisted on throwing a birthday party there for Gideon, two years ago. She'd never admit it but, just sensing his presence, or anything to do with him, always gave her the creeps.
Earlier that morning, Merlin had arrived in Mifflin Street to take a syringe of blood from Emma and herself, plus a fresh lock of hair. They'd watched closely as he'd then entwined the blonde and brunette locks into a single knot, before placing it in a small plastic container, pouring in both blood vials while adding a little magic of his own. Ever cautious of its misuse, Regina had even wanted to place her own sealing spell over the little box, to stop it being interfered with before they were ready. But without her magic, all she could do was watch.
"Sorry Regina, but I promised Henry, at his insistence I might add, that I wouldn't remove anything if he allowed me access while Rumple's away." Merlin smiled, putting up his palms in defence. "Well, no more than strictly necessary. The original serum Ingrid used, although sealed, his potions and the spell book are all here too."
"And you're certain he's gone? He hasn't left any curses or traps? I know the imp all too well. He-" But she stopped talking the moment she spotted the former pirate, sitting in the large chair, staring right back at her. Almost lost for words, she nodded, acknowledging his presence. Which he mirrored.
"He left a few cloaks, mainly in this room, but I've neutralised all of them. Plus, I'm pretty sure that with Henry here regularly, he wouldn't deliberately put too much harm in his way?"
Although she'd insisted on being there, she now felt more than uncomfortable in the presence of Killian Jones. But Emma's husband seemed oddly nonchalant, just waiting to get on with it. At least he was until Emma walked in behind her.
"Emma! So you decided to join us, after all?" At least Merlin seemed surprised.
"Yeah. Well, after Regina told me about this 'misuse of magical blood' thing? I thought it best." It was an easy lie. She hadn't wanted to come, but after the queen told her she insisted on being present herself, she'd wondered whether, without her magic, there was the slightest possibility Killian might lash out at the brunette, after everything they'd put him through. Without magic, she could be vulnerable.
"Emma, as I already told you both this morning when you gave blood, it'll be destroyed straight after this viewing. So, do please come in and sit yourself down?"
She spotted a spare chair close to where Regina went to sit. Should she pull it out and move it closer to Killian? Or just sit quietly next to her friend, making the distance between him and the women even more obvious?
"I'll, erm…" she hesitated.
"For god's sake sit down, Swan!" Killian's eyes now lasered on her, irritated, seeing why she was dithering. "If you'd rather sit beside your girlfriend, it's fine. Merlin, can we just get on with this?"
Scorned, Emma sat down beside her, trying not to respond to the dig. The Sorcerer, sensing the increasing tension, sought to break it.
"Well, as you requested Killian, I've been able to replicate the original serum Rumple used to do this, with fresh hair and blood samples Emma and Regina willingly gave me this morning. Now, as it's drawn from their shared memories, I should remind you that you'll only be able to see all the times they were together, wherever that may be, but nothing else. So, I've set things up to start from the time they left Storybrooke, to find the Dragon."
"No, start it from where the potion wore off!" Regina insisted. "They've seen everything before that."
"Wrong!" Killian was equally insistent, throwing a look at Emma. "Robin and Henry may have, but I haven't! And I've no intention of allowing either of you to censor this in any way. Please continue as you were, Merlin?"
From the look she gave him, he knew Regina would have thrown a fireball if she still had magic. But he refused to be intimidated, least of all by her.
"Regina, please?" This time it was Emma, squeezing her arm. "Let's just get this over with?"
Without waiting for further arguments, Merlin twirled his fingers to cast a spell, which made the four-foot-wide dream catcher suddenly brighten, the pattern cloth at its centre instantly replaced by a blue screen, which in turn was replaced by the sight of a busy city road in front of them. It took a few moments for Emma to recognise it as one of New York's streets, and they were in Regina's car, close to where they'd stayed, Emma at the wheel. Seconds later, the sound came.
~oOo~
Ten minutes later, as all four watched in silence, the couple on the dreamcatcher finally pulled up in front of one of Manhattan's finest hotels, handing the keys to the concierge and checking in. Emma still couldn't quite believe she was seeing herself, and Regina, from only three weeks ago. The view wasn't from her eyes, but rather like it would be from a camera held a short distance away, capturing both women's faces. Every few minutes, she glanced at Killian, though his eyes never left the screen. And now, as on-screen Emma handed a tip to a baggage girl before she left, the women were finally alone in their suite. And as the Emma watching them tried to remember what happened next, her discomfort increased by the second.
On screen:-
"Look at that view?" Emma gazed out over Central Park, now sparkling in the summer sun. "I lived here for years, but I never stayed anywhere like this. It's amazing! Gina, come take a look?"
"I rather prefer the view from over here?" Said a deeper voice behind her. "And personally, I happen to think it's more amazing than any park." She turned to find Regina, now lying in the centre of the huge bed, looking right back at her, seductively. "Why don't you join me?"
Emma grinned, moving to the bed. "Well, it was a very tiring drive, wasn't it? Maybe we should take an hour to…rest?"
"Make it two."
It took but a moment to climb onto the bed beside her, before seizing her lips in a hungry kiss, eliciting moans from both as they keenly explored one another's mouths. Seizing the initiative, Emma pushed the brunette onto her back, before easing her thighs apart, lifting up both skirts before slotting herself in between, pressing into her.
"IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY?" The Regina watching events unfold on the dream catcher was now on her feet, while the Emma sitting beside her was cringing in embarrassment, finding the sight of her making out with the brunette on screen, while being watched by her husband, unbearable. "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SHOWING-"
But Killian was also on his feet.
"EITHER STAY AND WATCH IT, WITHOUT INTERRUPTING, OR FUCK OFF!" The contempt and venom in his voice clear. Emma was astonished by his instant change, and wondered whether he was about to attack her? "You choose! Either way, I'm watching this. Or would you rather I call your husband, and tell him you appear still to have something to hide? Perhaps we can get him over to watch it, too?"
Even Merlin was surprised when, instead of launching a verbal assault by the hot-headed royal, the scowling, furious brunette sat back down.
"Please try to stay calm, both of you? Regina, I did agree to destroy the serum after this, but Captain Jones is perfectly entitled to watch, given the unusual circumstances? Killian, I have a little device here..." he handed him what looked like a small tray with a black line on it. "...which will allow you to fast forward, or even rewind and replay what you're seeing? If you swipe from left to right you can even change the volume, rather like a TV remote control? It may save time and make it easier to pass over certain…parts, more quickly? "
"'Parts' like my wife having sex with the queen, you mean? Yes, perhaps that'd be for the best."
~oOo~
The next ten minutes were the most uncomfortable in Emma's entire life.
The moment Killian slid his finger up on the tray, the images had restarted, and the two women on the bed in the dreamcatcher began making out aggressively. After that, Emma had to look away for most of it, from the moment they started undressing, as the enthusiastic moans and groans increased. She looked at the floor or the wall mostly; anywhere but that dreamcatcher. And when she glanced at her husband from time to time, he continued staring impassively at the moving images.
She must have been insane to agree to this? What the hell's going through his head? Probably some way of keeping Hope away from me, after seeing this! She felt worse than awful. It was bad enough that she'd cheated, regardless of the reason. But having to sit here while he watched her doing just that, made her want to run and never come back. And now she started remembering everything she and Regina had done since, in New York and Miami. But somehow, she managed to stay seated, albeit fearing the worst. She needed to know how he'd finally react, one way or another.
But when he did suddenly pause the moving images, and the sound stopped, she looked over at the queen, who'd remained stony-faced throughout.
But Killian had now turned, looking directly at Regina.
"I'm surprised you never used your magic to get rid of that moon-tattoo? What's it been now, forty years?"
"What?"
Emma looked back at the screen. And there, paused, frozen in time, was Regina, her head back on the pillow, her knees up, legs splayed, while Emma's blonde head was wedged in between them, clearly eating her out, her face hidden. The sight was almost pornographic. And there, on the top of her left inner thigh, just above Emma's hair, was the small, bluey-grey image of a half-moon and stars, that Emma only discovered the woman had nearly a month ago.
The Emma watching wanted to curl up and die! Stunned, speechless, she looked back at the Regina beside her. But the older woman, open-mouthed in horror, had her eyes wide, right arm extended, fingers pointing at the dream catcher, slightly curled. Emma guessed she'd probably just tried to stop the images with her magic, before realising she couldn't?
But Killian wasn't finished. "Didn't she ever tell you, Swan? Your girlfriend here seduced me years ago! Was it twice? Three times? I hardly recall. Still, it was long before your time. Then the next time we met, under very different circumstances, she locked me in a dungeon instead. Isn't that right, Regina?"
"I should've left you there to rot!" The woman in question snarled at him.
"You did! And not for the first time, I had to break out. But then, your knights were never the brightest, were they Locksley? Or is it Mills, or whatever the hell you're calling yourself these days?"
"YOU SLEPT WITH HIM?" Emma was mortified.
The way Regina's head slumped, closing her eyes in weary resignation, slowly shaking her head, gave Emma the answer. And Killian gave her a malicious stare.
"Well not exactly slept. It was just sex, wasn't it, love? And speaking of love, there was none of that whatsoever, as I recall. No emotion. No tenderness. Just an itch you needed to scratch, isn't that right, Regina? When the Evil Queen had an itch, anyone would do when needed, wouldn't they?"
Emma was now on her feet. "I can't believe I'm hearing this? Why didn't either of you tell me?"
"What'd be the point? To be fair Swan, allowing for the time lapse with her first curse, you weren't even a twinkle in your father's eye when it happened. I guess at that time your mother was probably off, making the beast with two backs with the she-wolf?"
"And as for you!" Emma glared at the brunette, who refused to look up at her. "You're supposed to be my friend!"
"I am!" Her voice finally came, croaking. "But I…I...as he said, it was all a very, very long time ago. Before you were even born. It meant nothing at the time. It never did."
Emma wanted to scream at both of them, but how could she? They were right, of course, it was decades ago; but she'd never imagined her best friend had once had sex with the man who went on to become her husband? Three times? But then, Killian had just watched her going down on Regina, hadn't he? In fact, the frozen image of her, from behind, as clear as day, naked and on her knees, her bare ass in the air, was still there! After that, how could she possibly complain about his own behaviour? At least they were single when they did it.
Killian broke the tension. "Merlin, while I have no wish to see these two indulging their sapphic tendencies, I do want to hear what they said once they'd finished? How do we speed this thing up?"
Merlin showed him how, using two fingers to slide along the tray. He'd clearly got the idea from a computer mouse. And as he moved it, the images restarted, the women on screen continuing their activities, only this time, much faster! Had anyone else seen it, it would've look almost comical. Like some sort of speeded-up porn film?
But this was serious! And it wasn't just Emma's marriage at stake.
He paused the dreamcatcher again, the moment the two women on screen stopped, screen-Regina having climbed off screen-Emma to lie on her back, before resting her head on her exposed chest. Touching the tray again, Killian allowed the images to move slower this time, to a point where the pair sat up, their backs against the pillows and headboard as they lay under under the sheets. That's when he let it play again:
Screen-Emma self-consciously rubbed at the tattoo on her wrist. "I needed that! I'd glad you chose here. It's good to finally see the back of Storybrooke. Even if it's only for a few weeks."
"Please don't mention that damn town." Screen-Regina yawned. "Or our treacherous son."
"Okay, enough said. I'm just as pissed off with him as you are. Remind me again, what's our plan for tomorrow?"
She yawned again, stretching her arms out, her wrist tattoo clearly visible. "First, we need to find the Dragon, and try and get these damn things off. After that, Miami here we come?"
"Perfect. I tried texting some of my old links from my bail-bond days when you were driving, but I've heard nothing back yet. It's been over ten years, so I shouldn't be surprised? I reckon we should walk around Chinatown first? There's some little streets with those weird tourist shops, and all that chinese mystic-crap? If we ask around, they might know something."
"It's worth a try. But once we get these off and the magic back, there's going to be hell to pay! I've got scores to settle, starting with Henry."
"You just told me not to mention him?" She grinned. "Look, we promised ourselves a decent break, and we're going to have one! I'm really looking forward to lazing on a Miami beach on a sunbed, with a tequila in hand."
"You and me both," the screen-brunette grinned, pecking her lover's cheek. "But as for tonight, I'm too tired to go out again. What say we just eat here and have an early night? And when I say early night, Swan, I meant sleeping!"
"What's the matter, babe?" She nudged her bare shoulder, smirking. Am I starting to get too much for you?"
"On the contrary..." Regina sniggered, pushing her back and trying to climb back on top of her. "I've way more stamina than you could possibly imagine, Swan dear!" Her arms now curled around her lover, continuing to push. "And I've never had any complaints so far!"
"Well you won't get any from me!" Giggling, the blonde fought back, using her extra body strength to push against her, chest-to-chest, reaching down to tickle her bare sides, which in turn caused the brunette to squeal loudly. Taking advantage of the distraction, Emma quickly remounted her, pinning her down with her full body length, leaving Regina gazing up at her, with a mixture of lust, adoration and devotion for the green-eyed blonde above, who now pecked her lips. "No complaints whatsoever. How about you?"
"Well I'm certainly not used to getting so much inventive attention from my past lovers? Though there haven't been that many, despite my reputation. The last one was, I thought, rather good in that department but, Miss Swan, you're on another level entirely! Maybe it's a girl-girl thing? After all, who'd know a woman's body better than another woman?" She reached around, grabbing at the blonde's exposed bum cheeks with her hands, digging her nails in and pulling her in closer. "How about you? How do I compare to the one-handed-wonder?"
Watching the scene playing out, Killian was sorely tempted to stop it there and then, and leave. It was bad enough watching the woman he thought his soulmate cheating on him. But now he had to hear about his own shortcomings in bed too? It was painful but, remembering the two women on screen were supposed to be under an enchantment, he gritted his teeth, stayed silent, and let it continue. But even though he was now having serious second thoughts about having asked Merlin to arrange this, his inner turmoil was as nothing compared to Emma's, whose eyes were only focused on him, briefly glancing back at the images on the dreamcatcher from time to time, trying to shut the sounds from her head.
How the hell will he ever get over this? She must have been mad! She should have stayed in Portland.
"Well, with you I've never had to fake an orgasm, so I can stop and get some sleep!" She sniggered as the Emma watching blanched. "It's like comparing chalk and cheese? Maybe you're right and it's another woman thing? You certainly know what you're doing down there! I thought Hook was good, but you? I've never come so hard in my life! You sure I was the first girl you ever-"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
This time, real-life Emma was the one on her feet, nauseous and embarrassed beyond belief, causing Killian to pause the dream catcher again, to look up at her.
"Killian, watch whatever you want, but I just can't take any more of this! If you decide you can't forgive me after, then so be it. But this? I'm feeling humiliated enough as it is!"
"Emma…" Merlin spoke up for the first time. "Why don't you both wait outside? I know roughly what's coming, and I can let you know when Killian reaches the point where the potion's worn off? Or, I can meet you at the hospital after two-thirty?"
"Hospital?"
"For your mother? Snow's leaving at three."
Dammit! With everything that'd happened, she'd all but forgotten her mother was being taken by ambulance to New York for a transplant. How could she forget something like that? Was she so selfish, so distracted with her own problems, that her mother's life-saving surgery became insignificant?
The Nolan Farm
Henry finally finished the hour-long web call with his paternal grandfather, shaking his head in disbelief as he put the laptop lid down. Minutes later, he walked into the living room to find his other grandfather, David, and his young uncle, sitting at the dinner table going through Neal's homework.
"Henry?" He noticed his grandson seemed a little…shellshocked. "Are you okay?"
"Erm, I'm not sure, to be honest gramps. Where's Dot and Lily?"
"Gone to see Lily's mother. What's wrong? You look as white as a sheet!"
"Er…I just came off a long call with Grandpa Gold. He's not coming back."
"I don't understand?"
"He's staying away from Storybrooke for good! He said it's to stop the Dark One taking him over. He said he won't cross the Storybrooke town line ever again, and when he flies back, he wants to meet me somewhere else. Anywhere but here."
"Whaaaat?" David shook his head, incredulous. "But he'd never do that, he owns the damn town! Never mind Regina's curse Henry, Gold created it! He's the one who really runs the place!"
"But he sounds very serious, grandpa! He's already started making arrangements with Mr. Dove and Merlin to move things out. We're going to talk again in two weeks' time."
"Merli, yet n again? That guy seems to be everywhere right now. What's he really up to?"
"I asked myself, and him, the same thing when we drove back from Portland. He's a seer, remember? He can see into the future. It's only the fact he has pure white magic that I even trust him."
"Well, we'd better let Emma know asap. And if Gideon's with him, we probably need to reach Belle somehow, and let her know too. No matter what she did, she's still his mother!"
Back at the Gold Mansion
Both women stood outside the front door of the huge riverside house, neither of them able to watch any more of that accursed dream catcher. Mortified by the vivid reminder of what she'd done to him, Emma had immediately vomited into the hedge the moment she left the building.
"Emma, wait? Come here, you missed a bit?" Regina, having pulled out a wet wipe from her bag, dabbed at her friend's mouth. "There. Feeling any better?"
"Not really, no! I can't believe I just watched all that in front of my own husband?"
"Me neither. I'm still not sure why the hell I even insisted on being there. It was awful."
"Something about abusing blood samples after Merlin used them? Though I remember everything, I still can't believe that was me? I was really vile! Did you see the look on his face when we left?"
"I could hardly miss it. At one point I thought he was going to reach over and tear my throat out. It's made me realise just what Robin had to sit through. According to Henry, he saw and heard everything that happened before we even left for New York. And I mean everything!"
"I still can't quite believe he forgave you, or me, for that matter. I can't see Killian doing something like that. Not after what he just saw."
"Yes, but he's only seen us like that once, so far, whereas Robin must've have seen us having sex at least a dozen times?" She shivered at the thought. "We were a lot more physical, in those first few days."
"Yeah, but I know we also did it a few more times after what we saw just now, including Miami, before the potion wore off. He's watching all that right now!"
"True, but he's also going to see what happened after, when it did, isn't he? He's going to see us bawling our eyes out, telling each other it was all a dreadful mistake! He's going to see you broken when you realise what you've done! Don't give up hope just yet, Emma. You might even find-" But she was interrupted by the phone in her bag ringing. She would have ignored it, but it was Henry's ringtone.
"Henry?"
"Hi mum. Is ma with you?"
"Standing right beside me. Why?"
"Put me on speaker? You both need to hear this!"
As they stood listening, their son repeated what he'd told David, and his earlier web call with Gold. Namely, that his paternal grandfather would not be returning to Storybrooke. For good! That it was the only way to control The Dark One from taking even more of a hold, if that were possible, of his mind. That he would organise the sale and liquidating of all his assets and look for somewhere to live between there and Boston when he gets back, but steer clear of anywhere with magic.
"What the hell brought that on?" Emma was mystified, shaking her head. "It can't just be because Belle's gone, surely? And how's he think he's gonna sell all those rental properties? It's not like there's people around here with that sort of money, and people from outside can't get in."
"Yeah, he kinda said something like that, too. He's going to transfer most of them into mine and Gideon's names. It's sort of our inheritance? He also said it was the right thing to do, because now he's staying away, he'll grow old and die eventually. Unlike before, when he never needed a will. But you know the weird thing? It's like he sounds so much happier? A lot happier! He's even started to dress differently. He was wearing shorts!"
"But…" Emma wasn't sure where to even start. "If that's true Hen, then you and Gideon are going to become the richest guys in town!" It was only then she noticed Regina's worried expression. "Gina, that's a good thing, right?"
"No Swan, it isn't. The Imp leaving for good and not coming back is a very, very bad thing!"
"Why?"
"His magic's here! I may have cast the spell that created this town but Rumpelstiltskin created the spell! Without him, I don't know how long it'll hold up? Possibly not very long."
"But he died before, and we were all okay. And when he stabbed Pan? And then, that time Belle forced him over the town line? Everything stayed the same here then, didn't it?"
"He was only gone six weeks when he came back with the Queens of Darkness. I should know, I was pretending to work with them! And as for dying, he didn't. He was stuck inside his son's body, remember? That was only for a year and even then, the magic shield wore down heavily. Remember when we started to get outsiders coming in? Gold had to reinforce the boundary once he returned. But if he's gone for good…"
"The magic goes as well? What happens then?"
"Then…we either get strangers in here, from outside. Lots of them! Government agencies, wondering where the hell Storybrooke suddenly appeared from? Who are we? Where did we come from? Who's in charge? Then, what happens to all of the non-humans like the fairies, Maleficent, Ariel and Tink, who only survive in magical realms? All the questions, the implications? We couldn't possibly keep it all a secret for long. Or worse, once the boundary weakens and magic disappears, so does Storybrooke."
"Shit!" Said the voice on the other end of the phone, Henry having heard everything. "So that's the real reason he came back!"
"Who?" They answered, almost together. "Who came back?" Emma added.
"Merlin! He's a seer. He sees into the future. He knew this was going to happen!"
"Henry, you're not making any sense. What are you talking about?"
"I'll tell you shortly. Do you know where Merlin is now?"
~oOo~