Rumple finally reaches a decision on his future. Belle gets to speak to her son during her sail to the Caribbean. Snow leaves for the hospital in New York to await a transplant, and Regina and Emma finally return to their loved ones now they've been forgiven. But a little slip up by Emma may cause a rift once again with her former pirate.

Rhode Island

As the others groaned at having had their fun interrupted, Belle slipped out from under Jerard, clambering off from the bed and reaching for her phone.

She took it to the berth at the back of the boat, grabbing Olivia's dressing gown on the way to cover herself. Somehow, it felt wrong to read her first ever email from her son, while naked?

She'd missed Gideon terribly since being thrown over the town line, by her no-doubt now ex-husband, from Storybrooke just over a week ago. Although he'd only be five next month, her beloved only child was already displaying an intelligence far beyond his years. He was admittedly, precocious; and always found it difficult to establish close friendships among his peers at school. His English teacher had especially admired his photographic memory, even insisting he was a prodigy and suggested he'd be better off receiving more advanced tuition outside of Storybrooke, in a school better suited to the more academically gifted. But the boy also had a mental maturity far beyond his years. So much so that Belle put it down to the fact that, when they'd first got him back following his kidnapping by the Black Fairy, Rumple's mother, he was already physically and mentally in his mid-twenties (and had powerful magic of his own). But with the curse broken after challenging and stabbing Emma, which resulted in her almost dying and being saved by Henry, Gideon had magically reverted to being the baby he was at the time he was kidnapped.

Belle remained convinced that somehow, although his memories of that awful adulthood in another realm had been wiped, His already highly-developed acuity and ability to absorb information, remained.

So much so, that the relationship between Rumple and his son was more like it would be with a young man. And as a result, he'd felt no hesitation in telling Gideon the reason why she was no longer living with them. In Belle's view, unnecessarily. The boy already knew that she and Ruby had been having what he called 'an affair', for the past four years, without his father suspecting. And because of that, he'd assumed she'd fallen in love with the waitress and moved on.

When they'd reunited only days ago, Belle had assured him it hadn't been an affair; just a terribly bad decision, and that she wasn't in love with the she-wolf. That it'd just been a stupid, selfish thing which she couldn't explain, it'd been wrong, and came at the expense of her marriage to a man she still, despite everything he'd done since, loved. She could tell he was still troubled by her betrayal. His initial reaction and treatment of her had been even more devastating than Rumple's cold indifference, when he'd told her a short time ago that the marriage would be terminated as soon as possible, on the grounds of adultery. After apologising to Gideon repeatedly, acknowledging she'd been the one at fault, and as a result had hurt them both, she also assured him that despite everything that'd happened, she loved him more than any other. That he was still by far and away the most important person in her life. And hoping, no praying, that, although she'd lost his father, Gideon would one day find it in his heart to forgive her.

Towards the end of their short time together and before he left, he'd finally allowed her to hug him. And that's when his own tears finally came. Underneath it all, he was still a small child who missed a mother's tenderness. And that gave her a glimmer of hope that, provided Rumple stayed true to his word and let her see him regularly, she would one day be forgiven.

So now, three days later, on a yacht sailing south, she nervously opened his first ever email to her, sitting on the little cabin bed, her knees up to her chest.

Storybrooke Hospital

"It's brilliant! Thanks mum."

Neal Nolan held the large unopened box, having just removed the gift wrap, containing a belated present his currently bedridden mother had just handed over. She'd missed his birthday weeks ago, only days after she'd betrayed his father. But unknown to him, Snow had yesterday asked Aurora Briar to choose and buy something for her to give to him. Something big. Something expensive. Something to at least start to make amends for everything she'd put him through?

After talking to her husband Phillip, the Acting Mayor, for advice on boy's toys, Aurora had chosen something their own son, a little older, had talked about.

"I've always wanted a drone! Dad, have you seen this?"

"It looks terrific, Neal. I've heard about these..." He exchanged a look with his ex-wife, who managed a small smile. "Mayve once you learn how to fly it, you could teach me and use it to help me round up the sheep? Maybe we could give Flossy some time off?"

"That's a great idea! Dot and Lily could do it with me? They're bound to want to have a go." He looked up at his older sister, who'd just arrived, like the rest of them, to see their mother off, the ambulance now waiting outside. "Emma, have you seen this? Mum got me a drone!"

"It's brilliant, bro. I think I'll definitely be wanting a turn too…" she smiled, trying to hide the anxiety over their mother's clearly deteriorating health. She'd already noticed the way her parents were looking at one another, both probably thinking much the same thing. Would she even live to see the transplants? Would she ever come home? "But listen, I think mum and dad need a quick chat on their own before she leaves, don't you? Why don't we go wait outside a minute, and let them talk, yeah? We'll come back they're done, and stay till the ambulance takes her off?"

Neal understood, nodding, and went outside without a fuss, leaving their parents watching them as the door closed behind them.

"She's such as perceptive girl, isn't she?" Snow finally said. "She reminds me of your mother? I'm sure Ruth would be so proud if she'd met her."

"Very. So's her brother. They make quite the pair."

"I just hope her marriage holds up. Killian would be a fool to let her go."

"Well, it's between them, isn't it? But he's been through the mill as well, Snow. However, I heard Robin's forgiven Regina. So, fingers crossed?"

An awkward silence followed, which Snow eventually broke.

"What about you, David? Have you finally forgiven me?"

"For what happened after you smelt that potion?" She nodded. "You know I have. I saw it all in the dreamcatcher. But then, I told you that before, didn't I?"

"You did. Though you know I wasn't talking about that. It was about what happened between Ruby and me before we were married? Before we'd even met? Have you forgiven me for not telling you?"

"I accept you were never unfaithful, leaving aside recent events. I can also see how you were just trying to protect yourself, and the succession. It's just... I hate secrets like that? But I know I probably overreacted."

"And I know I said it before, but I'm very sorry I lied to you. It's just that, well, back in the old country, it was considered shameful, wasn't it? Me, the Misthaven Crown Princess, the heir to the throne, in a relationship with not just a commoner, but another woman?"

"I suppose. You've apologised enough."

"So, where does that leave Dorothy?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Dorothy Lucas. Neal told me she's been living with you since, well, since everything happened?"

"She's calling herself Dorothy Gale again. She's already started divorce proceedings, and-"

"Have you slept with her?"

Well that was unexpected!

"I'm sorry?"

"Have you slept with her? I asked Neal which room she was sleeping in, and he became awkward, and wouldn't say. Most unusual, for him. Are you and Dorothy together?"

"What?" The question took him completely by surprise. "I'm, er, well, I-"

"So you are! David, I'm not one to judge, especially after everything that's happened. You're single now, both of you. I just wondered, that's all? And we do have our son living with you. And what about Lily? Maleficent's daughter? I gather she's also been living at the farm too, rather than staying at her mother's?"

"News still travels fast around here, doesn't it? Well yes, but it's...complicated."

"So, Dorothy? Do you love her?"

"It's not like that, Snow. She's actually getting closer to Lily by the day. They seem to have hit it off. Last night they even went to stay at Maleficent's. They're planning on going back to New York soon to clear out what's left in her old flat, and bring it all back here. Did you know Lily happens to be Merlin's daughter? She's very different to how you remember her. Merlin was also able to remove that added darkness his apprentice transferred from Emma to her before she was even born. The darkness we asked him to put inside her egg?"

"You're kidding me? Merlin's Lily's father?"

"Apparently so. He was disguised as some sort of dragon when he met Maleficent, centuries ago. He didn't know he'd even gotten her pregnant until last week. I guess he took being 'in character' a little bit too seriously?"

"Merlin's daughter, would you believe it? Can you imagine what he might've done to us, had he known that before he operated on my heart?" She looked him in the eye again. "I notice you're still avoiding the question? You and Dorothy?"

"Snow," He shook his head. "I'm sorry to say this, but it isn't really any of your business. Not anymore. Why do you even want to know?"

"Because I was, until recently, your wife? Your true love? I just want to figure out whether there's any chance for the two of us in the future, whatsoever? That is, if I even manage to come home."

"If?"

"Come on David, we both know I'm dying! If Merlin can't rush these transplants, there's a reasonable chance I'll be dead in the next three months. Six, tops. I checked. If that happens, I need to know you've got a future to look forward to. And the same goes for Neal and Emma. I want you all to be happy, even if I'm no longer a part of it. David, I love you! I always have and I always will, despite everything I said to you on that horrible day! The worst part is, I told you those lies just to make you angry! You may not believe that, and never accept me, but I still need to know my son's going to be growing up in a safe, loving, stable home with his father. So, whoever you choose to be with next, is kind of important to me?"

"Merlin's pretty sure he'll get you the transplants, and you'll recover." Again, he avoided her question. "In the meantime, you don't need to worry about me, or the children; just focus on getting better? I'll also make sure we come see you in New York. All of us, me included. I swear."

"Thank you. I know you always keep your promises. But there's a few things I need you to know before I leave. I had my lawyer in yesterday. Malcolm? We've-"

"Snow, stop! Please?"

"No, this is important! I was about to say I've updated my will. Or at least the parts that were in my name? I've arranged for him to transfer my half of everything to you. The farm, everything, apart from the loft. I want Emma and Neal splitting that between them. That way-"

"You're going to live! Merlin thinks so, and I believe him! He sees the future, remember?"

~oOo~

Emma had only just stepped outside her room, with Neal holding his birthday present, when the lift door opened, two instantly recognisable figures walking out.

"Mama?"

It was Hope, just in front of Killian. The little blonde looked up, striding over to her, before stopping, spotting the large box her uncle was holding. "Hiya Neal! Wassat you got?"

"It's a birthday present from my mum, Hopey. From your grandma." He dropped down to show it to his young niece. "You can make it fly in the sky, and take pictures!"

Emma had wanted to hug her but was instead distracted by the sight of Killian staring straight back at her, an unreadable look in his eyes. She hadn't seen him since she walked out of Gold's mansion, when he continued to watch the events unfold in Miami, on the dreamcatcher.

"Killian?"

"Hello, Swan." She raised her eyebrows, silently asking why he was here. "I saw most of it. The dreamcatcher? And what happened when you came out from under that potion? I'd heard enough."

"And?"

This was it. This would decide whether she even had a marriage to go back to.

"You were telling me the truth about not being in control." Then, to her surprise, although his face was still serious, he slowly opened his arms. "Come over here?"

And in that moment, she didn't so much come, as fall into him!

"Thank god!" She sniffed, feeling his arms wind round her, pulling her close as those wretched tears, tears she so rarely shed in the past, fell yet again. She was never one for crying until recently, but she'd done it so often since Miami. And this time, she was just too tired to fight her emotions anymore. "I know I couldn't help myself, but I'm still sorry."

He didn't answer at first, too busy enjoying the long-missed sensation of having his wife in his arms again, as she wept. He even planted a kiss on her cheek. "I'm sorry too."

"You've got nothing to be sorry for. This was all down to me!"

"You were poisoned, and I treated you too harshly, even after Henry told me. I should've believed him sooner."

She pressed her head into his chest, not wanting to say any more, just savouring the moment, as she sniffled, rubbing now-reddened eyes. Looking down, she noticed Hope was looking straight up at her, with a little smile on her face. Unfortunately, their precious moment was interrupted by another loud ping from the elevator, followed by Neal calling out as more arrivals stepped out from it.

"Henry? Gina? Over here!"

"We're not too late, are we?" Henry stepped over and, spotting his blonde mother in the arms of her husband, smiled, lifting his little sister up and into his arms, as he spotted Neal holding a large box on the floor. "What's that you got there? A drone? Brilliant! Even I I wouldn't mind having a play with that later, if you let me? But what about your mum? She hasn't left yet, has she?"

"Not yet. Dad's in there with her." He pointed at the door. "They needed to be alone. And we're waiting for Merlin to get here, before she goes. Where you been?"

But before Henry could answer, they all felt a sudden warm breeze brush over them. Like a blast from a powerful hairdryer, accompanied by a thick white mist now swirling close by. Two figures suddenly appeared from nowhere, causing everyone to turn, and stare.

"Bloody hell!"

A shocked Hank Morgan cursed, stopping himself when he spotted the children staring back at him. And everyone else. He took a moment to steady himself.

"Sorry for cussing! I just-"

"His first teleportation?" Merlin explained with a grin, while looking at the disorientated sheriff. "It's a perfectly normal reaction, Hank, I assure you. It happens to everyone the first time. Don't worry about it."

"I can teleport too, Mr. Merlin!" Neal called out proudly. "Would you like to see?"

"NO!" Emma and Regina said it at almost the same time.

"No Neal," Regina came alongside him. "It's best not to, until you've had a bit more practice? Hospitals aren't really the best places to use that particular brand of magic, my love. There's people here carrying babies, and could quite easily drop them? And then there's people with weak hearts?"

Emma looked up at the current acting Sheriff, realising she'd just been caught breaking her bail conditions! As had Regina. So, under the rules, Henry and Merlin could easily lose all the bail money they'd lodged at the court.

"Hank, sorry, I mean Sheriff? It's not what it looks like, I promise! I haven't been skipping bail. I just-" But what could she say? She had broken bail! "Erm…"

"I'm not here to arrest you, Emma." Hank studied the now unusually nervous, former sheriff. "Or you, Regina. I came with Merlin to see Snow before she leaves for New York. Though as you're here, maybe I can kill three birds with one stone?" He saw only confused looks. "Emma, I had Robin Locksley come see me earlier. He told me he had no wish for you to be prosecuted, even though he and his boy were the main victims of your witnessed assaults. In fact, he also said that if we were to proceed, he'd probably act as a witness for your defence."

"Oh!" It took a moment to sink in. "So...you're dropping the charges?"

"Not quite. You still need to appear before Judge Roberts on the other offences. But, seeing as Robin's appealing on the basis you were mentally incapacitated, albeit temporarily, it probably won't go any further than a reprimand. It was a publicly witnessed assault, after all? So, under the circumstances, I'm releasing you from house arrest, pending the outcome. I've already told Merlin, and we'll release your bail, provided Captain Jones here also wishes us to drop the prosecution for your assault on him in the harbour?"

"Just do it." The former pirate nodded. "She wasn't in control. I saw all the proof I needed."

"Oh. Well, erm, thanks?" Emma owed Robin big time! "Where does that leave Regina?"

"Well, that depends..." He looked at the brunette in question. "Under the slavery charge against her, the primary witness, Sidney Glass, doesn't wish to come forward. He's currently living outside Storybrooke, in the land without magic, and rather enjoying himself, so he says? He's concerned that if he were to return, a certain enchantment Regina placed over him could easily take control again. He's enjoying his freedom for the first time in decades. So, without him as the main witness-"

"So that's good, isn't it?" Emma looked at her friend. "You can let her go?"

"Again, that's for the judge to decide. Then there's still the matter of coercing Glass to falsify evidence against the Merry Men, to get them evicted? The evidence has already been seen by the Council, after all."

"I'm prepared to face justice, Sheriff." Regina stared back. "I know it's no more than I deserve. I should've released him from that enchantment long before they introduced the clemency act. I won't fight it."

"Well again, that's for Judge Roberts, not me, to decide whether it goes to trial or not. In your defence Regina, Merlin's also given me a statement as to what he saw at Mr. Gold's house. And he told me about your co-operation to help Captain Jones here with the dreamcatcher? So, we'll have to see."

"So until then, I'm still under house arrest?"

"No, but the bail still applies! Fortunately for you, Henry had the good sense to leave those magic-blocking cuffs on you. Otherwise, I'd probably be insisting on you both staying in the Sheriff's Office till the court. Now, I need to see Snow before she leaves. So if you'll excuse me?"

Rhode Island

After reading what Gideon had sent, Belle sat back on the little bed, in sheer disbelief.

His text had given her a new phone number she didn't recognise, and an email address. And it asked her to read the emails he'd sent. Not yet five, and he was sending emails?

They were, unsurprisingly for his young age, brief. One told her he was having a great time in London. There were some attachments. Pictures of Tower Bridge. Buckingham Palace. The Houses of Parliament. And another of him standing in front of a big wheel, eating an ice cream. There were no pictures of his father.

But it was the second, even shorter email, that worried her. Reading it through several times, she sat back, looking over the ocean from the little porthole, trying to understand what it meant for her future. Would she see her son ever again?

~oOo~

"Belle?"

Grabbing her phone and leaving them ten minutes earlier, the former librarian had brought an unexpected pause to their fun and games. But when she reappeared, it was to find Ruby sitting topless, resting her back against the headboard, sandwiched between their two new lovers, all three exposed from the waist up, holding chilled glasses of wine.

"Are you okay? How's Gideon?"

"They're not coming back, Rubes!" In her state, Belle barely noticed she was face-to-face with three naked people staring back at her from under the sheets. "He says when they get back, they're going to stay in New York, until his dad finds a place to live?"

"He's not going back to Storybrooke?" Ruby shook her head in disbelief. "The Dark One leaving the town he's controlled for decades? Not a chance! That's just-"

"The Dark One?" Jerard couldn't help chuckling, Olivia also smirking back at him. "You're talking about Belle's ex? I know you don't like the man, ladies. But 'The Dark One'? Really? That's quite a label! I doubt he's the devil? You make him sound more like a mafia boss!"

"You don't know him like we do. He's not far off!" Ruby knew she'd already slipped up badly. They'd agreed not to mention the name of their former town, let alone compound it by mentioning Rumpelstiltskin's real-life alter ego? Seeing the look on Belle's face she decided to say no more.

"Sadly, Ruby's right, Jerard. My former husband is…well, let's just say he can be a dangerous man when he's crossed?" A dangerous man who, despite finding out I cheated on him for years, still gave me a financial settlement and hopefully, some access to my son without fighting for it? "I need to find out what's going on, and Gideon wants to have a Skype call with me Friday afternoon, their time. They're five hours ahead of us. So would you mind if we were to stay ashore a little longer when we're there? Or I can leave and find somewhere with a decent signal? I know you've got plans, but I-"

"No problem!" Jerard interrupted her. "Please don't worry, Belle. Sure, we can stay longer. You can even take the call in here? Use my laptop if you like, but a Skype call? I thought you said he was only just turning five?"

"I did…" She gave them a sad smile. "But he's also incredibly bright for his age and has a photographic memory. Thanks Jerard, I appreciate it. But I think I need to find somewhere quieter to take it, preferably alone?"

Meanwhile, three thousand miles away…

Gold. Angus Archibald. Date of Birth 17th November 1957. Place of Birth. Aberdeen, Scotland.

He kept looking at the name on the British passport, his face and biometric details staring back at him, looking as authentic as any other. On the desk nearby lay his naturalisation papers for a permanent resident now living in the USA. Plus a copy of his birth certificate, law degree and qualifications, amended driving license, and all manner of accreditations from various professors and luminaries, none of whom he'd ever met. All of them forged. Next to them lay another full envelope, containing more false, but convincing documents, all in the name of his son.

When Merlin created a new identity, he didn't do anything by halves!

It was everything he needed to create their new life, without being encumbered by awkward questions.

When he'd spoken to the Sorcerer just after they arrived in London, and agreed he would stay away from Storybrooke, the two millennia-old sorcerer had swing into action, calling on his many friends and contacts. Within a matter of days, two mostly-new identities and histories had been created. He'd clearly done this many times before? Angus Gold was now a qualified lawyer and accountant, with certifications to prove it. But in return for a new chance, there was a catch.

The Dark one must never, ever, be allowed to return to Storybrooke!

While he initially thought it would be too much of a burden to comply, and the urge to reunite with his dark powers too strong, a second visit by his deceased son Baelfire, this time in his sleep, had sealed the deal. Bae had told him how proud he was of him for taking the huge step that no previous host of The Dark One host ever dared. How it would all be worth it in the end. And now, he was beginning to believe it for himself. Once he'd made the decision, he felt a heavy load had left him.

~oOo~

Two days earlier…

Last night, he'd discussed recent events with Gideon. He'd told him about the strange man who'd talked to them both on the flight over, less than a week ago. But it was when his son told him he'd also had a second vision earlier, a visit by the same man from the plane, that hairs on the back of his head rose and his jaw dropped.

"Yes, he said his name was Neal. Though he knew you and you used to call him Bae? That was my brother's name, wasn't it?"

"Baelfire. Indeed it was, my boy. When was this?"

"When you went downstairs to meet a man to get those papers? There was a knock on the door and when I answered, there he was, but instead of looking like he did on the plane, he had a suit on. He said he was staying here, but someone brought that food trolley to his room by mistake? But it was meant for here. I thought you'd only got a cheese toastie for me, papa?"

He'd seen the trolley last night and assumed the precocious boy had cheekily ordered more food for himself. At the time he didn't give it much thought. He'd been through enough recently, after all.

Rumple's mind raced. Clearly he wasn't going mad, as his son had seen the same thing?

"He brought that?" He looked again at the shiny silver food trolley now standing by the door, waiting to be collected. "But I thought…what did this man, this Bae, say to you?"

The boy went on to explain how the man had told him his father was being asked to stay away from Storybrooke, for everyone's sake, not least his own, because of his powerful dark magic. How he was a rich man who should buy a big house somewhere within easy reach of Gideon's mother, Somewhere nice, and near a good school. But somewhere his dark magic couldn't return. Bae had promised the boy that if he did, they would all be happier, and could start afresh, without everyone knowing who his father was, and being afraid of him by association.

"I think we should do it, papa! Stay away, I mean?"

"You, do?" That surprised him. Rumple was dreading having to tell him what he was planning. "But what about your friends? Wouldn't you miss Storybrooke?"

"What friends? I don't really have any! The ones in my class thinks I'm just a smart-ass, and the older ones are scared because I'm the son of the Dark One! They all ignore me in the playground and Miss Potter says I'm way too clever for that class and the one above me. And Miss Higgs said I'd probably really enjoy it more if I went to a school for more child…prodities? Progities?"

"Prodigies, my love. It means you're exceptionally clever."

"Yeah, those! So, I think we should. I'd like to live somewhere mamma can get to see me? I know she did something really bad to you, papa. And I'm still feeling angry but I still want to be able to see her again? Maybe I can split the time between you? Like Henry said he used to do with Emma and Regina?"

~oOo~

The present day…

They talked more that evening, before Gideon went to bed, and Rumple promised he'd think on it. He had no wish to see Belle again, especially after what she'd done to him. But he knew in his heart it was unfair, cruel even, to keep his boy from her. Maybe that was the advantage of being away from Storybrooke? He could see things with a lighter heart, without wanting to constantly punish. Or condemn. And the more he thought about it, the more the idea of living somewhere different seemed appealing. Bae's visitation in his dreams had only reinforced it.

So that evening, he'd reached for the phone and called Merlin.

How he did it so quickly, he'd never know. But two days later, in another time zone, he was now staring at a whole raft of documents for a new identity in the world without magic. Were they really going to do this?

"Papa, when do we fly to Italy?" His son broke his thoughts.

"Wednesday morning, after Paris. So I need you all packed up the night before, ready to go. Why do you ask?"

"I want to have a call with mum tomorrow. I kinda asked her to call me?"

"You've spoken to your mother?" His eyes bulged, his jaw dropping. He'd only just bought him the laptop after they'd arrived. He wasn't yet five? "When was this?"

"I didn't speak to her, I sent a message before I went to bed. After you told me what we were doing when we go back? I sent some pictures and told her we weren't going back to Storybrooke."

Sherwood – the following morning

Regina had had he best sleep she'd had since the effects of the potion wore off. But this time, she woke in the arms of the man she'd betrayed over a month ago.

She never begged. It just wasn't in her nature to beg. In fact, the last time she'd begged anyone was to stop her own mother from crushing the heart of her first love, Daniel, without success. But yesterday, after they'd left the hospital having seen Snow off, she'd begged, actually begged, for Robin to let her stay with him at the inn last night, rather than go back to Mifflin Street alone. The thought of going back to that empty mausoleum to her grandiose past, on her own, was too much to face. Especially as he'd said he'd forgiven her. She needed proof he really had, so they could gradually put all the harm, all the hurt, behind them. And he'd agreed. Although the moment they lay together, and he finally held her in his arms, she'd briefly thought about instigating sex. But she knew it was far too early. It certainly was for him. So, he just held her. All night. And it was still wonderful.

And now, as she woke to his soft snoring, her head resting on his bare chest, she heard a deep rumble.

"Good morning, milady." She felt a warm hand cup the side of her head, his other arm over her shoulder and back. "Sleep well?"

"Better than you can possibly imagine. You?"

"The same. A few days ago, I never imagined I'd wake up to this again." He reached down to take the hand resting on his stomach, bringing it to his lips. "Coffee?"

"Ugh! The mere thought of it makes me want to wretch! There's some ginger tea I bought?"

"I'll go check." He kissed the back of her hand, noticing something missing. Her wedding and engagement rings? He didn't say anything, but Regina realised what he'd spotted.

"They're both in the safe at Mifflin Street. It sounds silly, but I didn't want to put them back on until I knew for certain you'd forgiven me? Plus, without any magic, if I get put in jail this week, I'll need to know they're somewhere safe." Although his arm held her, she turned to grab his own left hand, kissing it and rubbing equally ringless fingers. "Where's yours?"

"I took them off when I received your divorce papers. They're in the same envelope."

She gulped. It was a harsh reminder of something else she'd done to hurt him, having originally pre-signed the papers just after her lawyer drew them up. The afternoon Emma went to hospital with a bust jaw. She barely wanted to ask, but she had to know.

"Did you sign them?"

"I was just about to, especially when I saw you had already. But I opened the envelope just before Henry told me about the dreamcatcher. I held off, so yes, we're still married."

"Thank god. Tear them up, please? I don't want that horrible reminder of…everything."

"Of course." As she released his hand, his fingers roamed over her shoulder, down her bare arm and landed on her hip, before drifting further to settle on a still-flat stomach. Enjoying the sensation of his hands back on her, she wanted him to go down further. But he didn't. "Not that I'm complaining, but you're not even showing, despite being two month's pregnant?"

"You won't be saying that in another two months! Apparently, everything starts to change around twelve weeks. I was going to book in for a scan. Tt was too early for one in Miami."

"Will told me he went to Ana's first scan. Said it was quite something. May I come with you?"

"Of course you can! You must, it's your baby! I'd love it if you came with me." I'm just pleased you still want to be with me?

"Good, then it's settled." He spotted the ornate pattern where the magic-blocking cuff once sat. "Shall I ask Henry to take this off?"

"No. I prefer him to be satisfied for himself. I also need to stand trial, and if I have magic back, I may be sorely tempted to…challenge the verdict?" There was also a small part of her that was also terrified that the return of her magic could also in some way trigger whatever could be left of the potion inside of her. But she wasn't going to tell him that!

"Fair enough." He pulled back, starting to get out of the bed. "Now, let's see about that tea."

"No, don't go yet!" She latched onto him a little tighter. "Please? There's no rush, and I'm enjoying this. Besides, I'll go make it for you. You're always doing that for me. It's got to be my turn."

"I'm not the one who's pregnant."

"Exactly. You'll e nursing me soon enough!"

Rhode Island

"You're really on a ship? Where?"

Belle smiled, watching his face on the screen. So young, yet so old for his years. But from the moment the connection was made, for the first few minutes she'd sat and listened as he rambled on excitedly, telling her about everything he'd been doing since he and his father left for Europe a week ago. She barely got a word in edgeways! But such was his excitement that she let him. He seemed to be in a hotel room, his father noticeably absent. Probably for the best. But finally, he asked her what she was doing.

"It's not a big ship like Killian Jones's, but a yacht like Mr. Leroy's, although a bit bigger? We're moored in a port between Boston and New York."

"Is Ruby still with you?" The way he asked seemed innocent enough. She'd already insisted days ago she wasn't in love with the woman. Though she knew he was good at hiding his feelings.

"Yes, but she's not here at the moment. She's gone into town with the others, to get supplies. We'll be sailing tomorrow, heading south towards New York, and eventually Florida. The man who owns the yacht, and his girlfriend, have let us travel with them to Havana. Havana's in-"

"Cuba?"

"Yes, clever boy! Cuba. They're sailing around the world and Ruby and I are spending a few weeks with them before we fly back to Portland, where you met me? We need to find a place to live somewhere around there, if I'm to be nearer you. Then I need to start looking for a job. Henry and Mr. Merlin said they're going to help me." She remembered yesterday's email. "But that really depends on where you're going, Giddy? Your email said your father's taking you to stay in New York when you come back eventually? To find somewhere to live?"

"Yeah. He's been talking to Merlin, too. He said we're going to stay away from Storybrooke, or anywhere with magic, from now on. That way, the Dark One can't make him do bad things ever again."

So where does that leave me?

"I don't understand? He has a shop, his rent properties, the hotel, and everything he owns is there! Are you quite sure you heard right, Giddy? Is he with you right now? Can I speak to him?"

"No, he's in the other room talking to someone else, but he said he doesn't want to talk to you." He frowned, sharing the same look as his mother. "But he also said he's going to get Mr. Merlin to speak to you before we get back?"

"And how do you feel about that? Wouldn't you miss your friends? School?"

"I don't have any friends there, do I? No, Neal's right, it's a great idea." His mother now looked even more confused. A confusion that would only grow. "Mama, you met Neal, didn't you?"

"Neal? Neal Nolan? Snow and David's boy?"

"No, Neal! My big brother. The one who died. Baelfire."

"Baelfire?"

"Yeah. I met him, on the plane, and here. He's here in London."

"HE'S WHAT?"

Storybrooke – The Nolan Farm

It was just after six in the morning when Emma finally reached the door of the farmhouse, having just spent the last hour and a half walking and jogging, all the way from the other side of town in the early morning light. She decided not to drive, wanting to clear her head instead, after a rough, sleepless night.

Earlier…

Last night she'd returned home with Killian and Hope, for the first time in over a month. Back to the home, and bed, they'd shared for the last five years. Back home, after waving her mother off in the ambulance the previous afternoon, just after she'd vowed to come visit her in the New York hospital where she'd been taken, as soon as she could, after her imminent appearance before the judge.

She'd handled their first night back together, badly. Although there'd been plenty of hugs before bedtime, and quite a few kisses, after putting Hope to bed they'd finally settled between the sheets. But then she'd messed up royally, by trying to initiate sex with him far too early. After much kissing and hugging, when she'd first reached a hand into his boxers to pleasure him, he'd been surprisingly reluctant? Very unusual for him, but perhaps not too surprising, given recent events. However she'd persisted, determined to physically prove to him that she loved him every bit as much as she did before everything went wrong.

She decided to pleasure him in ways she knew he always loved; and although it took a little while to get his interest in taking things further, he was eventually persuaded. The complete opposite of what usually happened! So much so that, after taking him in her mouth, something she'd also grown to enjoy, and missed recently, he responded in kind after. And relishing the wonderful sensations overwhelming her as his head worked between her legs, two fingers buried deep inside and his mouth on her clit, she came much quicker than usual.

But that's when it all went horribly wrong!

For when she finally peaked, her eyes closed, gritting her teeth, and clutching the back of his head against her, a very different vision floated into her mind! A vision of someone else who'd also recently lain where he now lay. A vision of a dark brunette, with chocolate brown eyes, not blue, staring back at her from over her lightly shaved mound. And in those final gasps as her orgasm hit, that's when it happened.

"Yes! Yes! God…Ginaaaaaaaaaaa!"

She hadn't yelled it out loud. The words coming out more like a wheezing pant. But although his hearing would've mostly been muffled between her thighs, it'd been just enough for him to suddenly stop, lifting his head up from between them.

"What?"

Fortunately, her mind worked quickly enough to realise her faux pas.

"I just…it was…that was…brilliant! Wonderful!"

His brow arched, and he gave her an odd look, though he didn't respond. But he clearly thought he'd heard something else! And whatever he was thinking, it'd been enough to kill the mood stone dead! Lifting himself back onto his knees and wiping his mouth, he made some excuse about needing to pee, before climbing off the bed, and heading silently to the bathroom, not turning back despite her calling him back.

Shit!

What the hell should she do? Deny it? Ask him what was wrong an pretend he'd misheard? She always promised she'd never lie to him. But if she said anything to in any way acknowledge he'd heard correctly, or even try to apologise, it'd only reignite all the problems she'd recently caused.

What the hell was she thinking?

He finally reappeared, fifteen agonising minutes later, but this time wearing a white T shirt and silk boxers. And for a moment he stared back at her, as though considering his options, before making some comment about an early start, and being too tired to continue what they were doing. He was clearly upset! But at least he climbed back in the bed while she was still in it.

He turned his back to her, and although she spooned him from behind, she herself never slept after that.

What am I going to do?

Early the following morning…

In her past, whenever Emma had a problem she couldn't handle, she ran. She ran from orphanages, from foster homes, from shops where she'd stolen. She ran to get away. And that's what she did this time.

It was just after five in the morning, before the break of dawn, and having lain awake in the dark all night while he slept, she finally decided to get up and go for a run like she had in the past, to clear her thoughts. So after digging out her jogging gear, she left their hilltop home, to run down to the hills surrounding the port, across the edge of the forest, through the town, and eventually decided, instead of going back to face him, to head over to her father's farm. And that's how she found herself at her parents' farmhouse an hour later, the ache of the last hour's run starting to kick in.

An hour earlier, as dawn broke on the horizon as she ran, once she decided to head there, she thought about what she wanted to say to her dad. Snow had previously told her about the situation with Ruby, and what it had done to the best marriage in Storybrooke. But she hadn't heard David's point of view. Yes, she'd been unfaithful, but it'd been the result of the same potion she'd smelt herself. But if Robin had been willing to forgive Regina; and Killian had been willing to forgive her (at least until what happened a few hours ago), could she not persuade her father, Prince Charming, to reconsider?

It was early, but her father, now a part-time farmer again, always rose at the crack of dawn most days. So he was bound to be up and about, although she'd have to walk in quietly so not to wake up her brother. Cursing herself for not having her magic to get in, she was relieved to find the large oak door unlocked as she tip-toed inside.

Pushing off her running pumps in the hallway, she heard clattering noises coming from the kitchen. Clearly, he was already up. As she walked further inside, she half-expected to find him there, making his morning tea. Possibly breakfast? Her stomach grumbled at the mere thought. She could murder some pancakes right now!

"Morning dad!" She called out as she stepped into the doorway. "How's-"

"SHIT!" Said the stranger in the kitchen, dropping a pot of coffee on the worktop in shock, turning.

"WHAT THE FUCK" Emma barked back, equally shocked.

"EMMA?"

"LILY?"

She yelled, looking at the former friend she hadn't seen in over six years, now staring right back at her. The brunette, Maleficent's daughter, was now turning to deal with the spilled metal cafetiere, hot coffee spreading all over the surface. And Emma noticed she was only wearing a long white T-shirt that barely covered her modesty?

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

"Erm, wiping up coffee because you scared the shit out of me?" She turned to grab the paper towels, looking for something more substantial. "Though I suppose I could ask you the same thing?"

"This happens to be my parent's home!" Although confused by the unexpected appearance of the woman, she recovered. "Just answer the question, Lily? What the hell are doing here?" Then a horrible thought occurred to her. This was the same woman who'd once vowed to find and kill her parents! "What have you done to…where's my father?"

"Nothing! He's still in bed. He's awake and I'm…" Then Lily herself paused amid the dripping coffee, as it dawned on her she was now standing in front of the man's daughter, wearing one of his large baseball tops, and nothing else? And Emma looked just about ready to kill her! "He's fine…look, hang on a second while I clear this? Don't just stand there! Where are the fucking towels around here to mop this stuff up? Can't you 'magic' them, or something?"

"Bottom drawer on the right!" She barked back as the brunette followed her eyes by bending over to pull open the drawers and grab two large cotton towels, revealing something she didn't expect to see! "And for god's sake, put some panties on or something? I've got a little brother living here!"

Embarrassed, realising she'd exposed a little too much, Lily straightened again, before pulling the cotton material down as far as it would go. "I'm sorry! Don't worry, Neal's not here. He stayed over at a friend's last night. That's why we-" but she stopped herself, before smirking at the Saviour. "I'm surprised you're that bothered? Last thing I heard, you're into girls yourself these days too, Swan?"

"I'm-" Incensed, Emma was about to bite back, when she heard noises coming from upstairs. Was that laughing? "What was that?"

"Erm…" Lily's grin disappeared in an instant, realising her, or their, predicament. "Nothing! Just…look, stay down here a minute, okay? I'll go up and get changed. I'll be down again in a minute. Just-"

But unfortunately, Emma had already turned away, before darting out and heading for the staircase. Hearing the sound of laughter coming from above, she automatically raced up, taking two at a time, before reaching her parents' bedroom, where it appeared to be coming from, quickly opening the door, before striding in.

Hearing her enter, and some yelling by Lily from the staircase, the two people currently in the large bed immediately rose up, to face their intruder.

"DOROTHY?" She looked at the other, bare-chested occupant. "DAD?"

"Emma?" David looked just as mortified, as Dorothy reached for her slip to cover herself

"What the hell's going on?"

~oOo~