The hunt is on to find Henry, though there's not much they can do, given the circumstances. In the other realm, Henry doscovers more about how his life could've gone. In New York with a night to themselves, Emma and Killian decide to do something...different. Regina arrives back in Storybrooke. And once he's safely back, Henry gets to meet someone very special!

Jefferson's Mansion, Storybrooke

"Rumple, Is that you? Thank god! Listen, we need to talk? Henry's gone missing!"

Jefferson had dreaded calling him, but knew that given the circumstances, and his knowledge, there was no other option.

"Henry? What the hell do you mean, he's gone missing?"

Neal was just in the middle of leaving the room when he stopped at hearing his own son's name. Turning and walking back inside, and as he drew close to his father, he could just about hear the raised voice of the caller, even from there. Noticing the anxious look on the younger man, who silently mouthed a single word, 'speaker', while pointing to the phone, Rumple turned on the hands-free so they could both hear.

Jefferson went into a hurried explanation of what'd happened three days ago. Henry calling on him, eagerly seeking answers to questions about time travel, timelines, parallel universes and jumping between realms. How he seemed keen to visit these other worlds and realms. Then his sudden disappearance, apparently hours after visiting him. His call from the Saviour three days later to say he was the last one to see him. The fact the archer was trying to find him when he found the door to his old antiques shop open, his phone and wallet on the table in Rumple's own study, now deserted. His car parked around the side of the building.

"I knew you were travelling Rumple, but I felt you needed to know asap? I'm calling you from outside your shop now. I just found Reul Ghorm sniffing around in there."

"The blue moth?" God, he hated that accursed fairy. When he'd left Storybrooke, over two weeks ago, he'd every intention of coming back. It was only the Sorcerer's offer to help him escape his dark incumbent forever, and the promise of a better life, made after he'd left on his trip with his son, that made him finally succumb. He'd even put blood magic on the shop and the mansion before he left, to prevent anyone not of his own blood line entering the shop and the mansion. So only Henry, or Gideon, could enter. But as The Dark One hadn't been back there for over two weeks, would any of that magic eroded? "What was she doing in there?"

"Henry should've been in New York three days ago for his grandmother, as she was about to have critical surgery. Locksley rang Merlin, and Merlin rang Reul Ghorm. She said she could still detect a slight portal trace having been used in there a few days ago. Rumple, I don't want to make any assumptions, but, was that old portal wand of yours in here?"

"In my green safe in the study in the shop, the last time I looked. The keys are, or were, at home in my desk drawer. With a dark green leather tag."

"The green safe in your shop? Locksley's already broken into it, looking for clues, after Ghorm told him something happened in that particular room. If that's where you kept them, they're gone. "

Of course he did. Locksley was one of the best thieves around, retired or not.

"In that case, it seems almost certain that Henry's used the wand, either by accident, or deliberately. He could be anywhere by now."

"Can he do that? It's not like he has magic. And I thought the wand was only tied to you?"

"As the Author, he has magic within him. And he's my grandson, so he's of my bloodline. Yes, he could use it."

"SO HOW DO WE FIND OUT WHERE THE HELL HE'S GONE?" Said a new, third, loud and FRUSTRATED voice.

Who that? Jefferson didn't even realise they were being listened to.

"Rumple? Who is that?"

But he ignored the question, turning instead to his son. "We can't, Bae! That wand would've taken him anywhere he selected, knowingly or otherwise. There's so many timelines and realms out there, there's no way of knowing where that could be."

"So, what do we do, just sit around and wait? What if he can't get back? For god's sake, he's my-"

"We have no choice, unfortunately. Using another wand to track him, or Jefferson using one of his old hats, would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I'm sorry, Baelfire, we just have to hope and pray he manages to return himself."

"But how? You just said it yourself, if-"

"For Henry, the process is relatively simple. He just has to wait until the wand restores itself fully, then merely think from where he came. Just pray he's kept a close hold on that wand!"

"Baelfire?" Jefferson had been listening to his conversation with the stranger. "Rumple, who the hell are you talking to?"

New York – a few hours later

Knowing Hope was in safe hands with her grandfather, Emma and Killian had taken their new friend out for the evening. After a decent sushi meal at a new, trendy, and far too expensive Japanese restaurant, they'd gone to an even trendier nightclub. And finally, to a sky lounge overlooking the city.

During the hour they spent at the nightclub, they'd danced. Altogether, and in couples for the slower, more romantic numbers. And Emma had to admit that, having her husband's permission, and him hers, to dance close to, and hold this other woman publicly, their bodies only separated by two sheer dresses, was giving her a new thrill.

But as the night drew to a close, the trio, knowing what an ultimate intention for the evening could be, became, even with plenty of drink inside them, nervous and a little awkward.

"Clare? Listen, erm…" Emma's voice betrayed her nerves. "I know what we all said earlier, about you and us kinda…coming back to our place?" The other blonde's blue eyes positively twinkled as she smiled back, nodding. "Look, If you don't want to, or you've changed your mind, it's no problem, really! We'll just-"

"Shhhhh!" Clare whispered in her ear, lifting a hand from around her shoulder to rest a finger against Emma's lips. "I know..." she looked over her shoulder, to find Killian standing by the bar, grinning straight back at her as she nuzzled Emma's cheek with her own. "It's sweet of you to say, but I feel safe with you both. So no, I haven't changed my mind…" She turned her head, giving Emma a soft, peck on the lips. "I'm definitely still up for it. That is, if you haven't changed your mind either?"

"No," Emma was still in a slight daze from the unexpected kiss. "I'm still, erm, yeah, well erm, I'm in." She mumbled, her nervousness making the younger woman giggle, which in turn made Emma grin, bashfully.

"Do you know Emma, you have the most gorgeous smile? Don't look back, not yet anyway, but your man's currently stood looking at us, with a grin the size of the moon on his face? What say we give him something to grin about?" This time the kiss was a little more adventurous, and Emma's lips moulded themselves to hers and her mind went back to how Regina kissed.

Mifflin Street

It was close to midnight when the Mercedes finally pulled up after the exhausting drive. Only stopping for food and fuel, she decided against finding somewhere to spend the night, as she was far too worried about Henry's disappearance. And as she walked up to the front door, Robin was still up, ready to greet her.

"I had a feeling you wouldn't stay the night somewhere?" He pecked her lips as she walked into his welcoming arms. "You really should've you know? In your condition. Silly lamb, you must be shattered?"

"I am rather," She tried to stifle a yawn, unsuccessfully. "But I couldn't, not with knowing Henry's out there somewhere. Any more news?"

"I got a call back from Jefferson. He spoke to Gold, who said this weird 'portal-jumping wand' of his was in a green safe in his office. I broke into it earlier but didn't find anything. Only an empty leather pouch it could've been in? So, bearing in mind what Blue said, Henry could've used it."

"To go where? If he was to break this supposed wand, or lost it, he'd never get back!"

"I know, but we must hope and pray he hasn't. Jefferson also told me Henry was asking a lot of questions about timelines and parallel universes, and mentioned his own father? So, wherever he's gone, we may have to assume he's likely trying to get to Neal somehow?"

"But that Neal won't be his father! He'll be someone else's, and completely different, and probably with his own version of Henry! What's the point?"

"I've no idea. But your lad's not stupid, Regina. So I'm sure he'll find a way back…" He held her a little closer. "Try not to worry. He's more resourceful than you imagine."

"I know, but…" She tried to hold tears back, but it was increasingly difficult. "I just think we should be doing more? If I had my magic back, I'd find a way! I need to go over there, to Gold's, to find…something?"

"Not tonight, you're way too tired. If not for you, think of the baby?" He slid his right hand down to rest over stomach as he held her. "She needs her mother properly rested. Come to bed, and we'll go over there first thing in the morning?"

"Our baby, not mine! I meant it Robin, it's…she's…yours!" She searched for any sign of doubt in his eyes, fortunately finding none. "I've got the test results in my bag. I'll just go and-"

"You'll do no such thing! You'll rest, and I'll take a look tomorrow, if you insist. Come on now, let's get to bed."

New York

Having taken a final drink from the bar up to their room, the trio now stood awkwardly, facing the large bed, the nerves starting to come back, despite all the alcohol.

"Emma?" Clare was about to remove her dress, and stopped. "You did say you haven't done anything like this before?"

"I haven't, but Killian has. A very long time ago, so he said?" More than two centuries ago, according to him, but she wasn't going to tell her that now, was she? "Killian?"

"Ladies," he smiled at the pair, trying to hide the butterflies in his own stomach. "I have, but it's hardly something I made a habit of. This is very much where you lead, and I follow, as you set the boundaries. Is there anything I need to know that you particularly don't…like?"

"Anal," the smaller blonde blurted it out without any hesitation, surprising the married couple by her candour. "Nothing anal, and I don't like any sort of tying down, bondage, that sort of thing?" Emma's eyes widened, having never discussed something like that with anyone other than Killian, least of all another woman, before. "And I'm not into any violence, hitting or any of that S&M crap? That's way too weird for me! Maybe I'm too vanilla a girl, for most?"

"Vanilla suits me just fine…" Emma finally added. "I don't like any of that stuff, either."

"And just so you know, I'm clean!" Although my boyfriend and I split recently, I had a test only last month, because being a blood donor, we have to have them twice a year. You?"

God, we're really going there, aren't we? Thought Emma, her superpower knowing she was telling the truth. Even though it was off-putting, it was only a sensible question to ask. Perhaps she should've asked herself in the past?

"We've been married for five years now, and I'm pretty sure he hasn't been with anyone else." Should she mention her and Regina? "But I admit I haven't had any tests recently, and I haven't really needed to, since before Hope was born, and that was three years ago."

"Well, that's face it, why would you?" Clare gave her a broad grin, her blue eyes twinkling. "If I was married to him, I'd never think about playing away, either! No, it's fine, I have good feelings about you both. I wouldn't be here if I didn't now, would I? So, to my last question, how do we…erm…start?"

"How about you give Emma one of those kisses you gave her on the dance floor?" Killian gave her a rakish grin. "She seemed to like it, and I'd be more than happy to wait my time and just…watch?"

"Oh no you don't, Jones!" It was Emma's turn to smirk. "You know something Clare? Ever since I married this guy, I always suspected he was a bit of a voyeur? So no, I want you two to go first."

"Well, as I have my lady's permission?" He moved in front of Clare. "May I be so bold?"

"Ever the gentleman?" Despite trying to appear cool, Clare's heart was racing, catching his eyes roaming over her, and no doubt noticing her chest was already heaving. "You may."

His lips were on hers in a heartbeat, as warm arms slid around her waist and back as he gently pulled her against his chest. As their lips moulded together, she closed her eyes, groaning as she felt a tongue slowly, cautiously enter her mouth, probing gently around the edge of her cheek, rather than thrashing around in the void like some she'd experienced, before sliding gently against her own. This guy was a good kisser! And as she gradually opened her eyes again, she caught sight of his wife, now only feet away, staring, with an odd look in her eye.

Emma had witnessed him flirting with other women before. More often than not, they tended to flirt with him. It used to bother her when they first started dating, seeing girls at least a decade younger than her showing a blatant interest. In the Rabbit Hole she could almost hear the appreciating whispers as he walked by, his roguish charm on full display. But as she got to know him, she realised he only really had eyes for her. In fact, she even became a little arrogant about it at one time, taking advantage of his apparent devotion and seeing how far she could push it by flirting with other men when it suited. She'd taken him for granted on occasion. But one Christmas, at a charity dance her mother had organised in the town hall; when she saw a gaggle of women in ball gowns fawning all over him to get the next dance, she began to realise he could have anyone he wanted, if his love for her was ever to diminish. She had to up her game, to make sure she kept that devotion! And she did, though what she'd put him through over the last month, with Regina, had trampled all over that certainty.

And now here he was, blatantl6y snogging another woman, at her request, only a couple of feet away? He hadn't asked to do so, or even suggested it. No, Emma had done that, her curiosity aroused. And now, seeing him with his full attention not on her, but someone else, was sending all sorts of mixed feelings through her. Not jealousy, or annoyance. But arousal. She was getting seriously turned on!

"Oh, wow!" Clare wheezed, inhaling as their lips separated. "Emma, your guy's seriously good at that!"

"Yeah, but don't go telling him?" Emma lent in between them, pecking her husband's freshly kiss bruised lips. Was that a taste of strawberry from clare's lips gloss? "He's big-headed enough as it is!" She felt an arm, his left, pulling her into him, against the left side of his chest, Clare now pressed to his right and Emma's left. And as both blondes looked up at him, he felt himself stiffen.

Being held so closely, now almost between them, Clare looked down to the sight of her silk-covered right breast pressed against Emma's left, her other side against Killian's chest. Now even more heated, she twisted her head, latched onto Emma's lips to begin her own onslaught.

Holding the two beautiful blondes in his arms as they began kissing heatedly and without restraint, was doing all sorts of crazy things to his insides. And one particular part of his body now brushed against Clare's hip. She noticed.

"Wow again!" She gasped as her lips separated from Emma's, looking down to her side as the other woman's gaze followed, to find a sizeable bulge pressing against the front of his jeans.

"Impressive! Let's take this to bed, shall we?"

Meanwhile, in an entirely different Storybrooke…

The Regina and Emma of this world had been as stunned as Neal Cassidy had, when faced with their eldest son's apparent doppelgange?. It was only the fact that their own son had also sat beside him for most of the time, as he retold his story yet again, that they found it credible, if not quite believable. And after meeting the mothers' younger children, a boy and girl, that Neal and his 'twin' offered to take them off to play in the garden, to give him more time with them. And both women took advantage to ask endless questions about the differences between the timelines.

"So you're saying in your world, I'm with Hook?" Emma shook her head in disbelief.

"Yep. Killian Jones. They got married at the Town Hall, five years ago. They've got a daughter, Hope."

"Unbelievable…" Though even this version of his mother could tell he wasn't lying. "I mean, I quite liked him, and could tell he liked me, but compared to your mum, there's really no contest!"

"Yeah," he chuckled, watching as his older mother beam at her wife, kissing the back of her hand. These two did seem to be very much in love. "Even in my world, you two are very…close? There was a time I imagined something could maybe happen between them, but it wasn't to be. But my Emma and Killian make a pretty great couple, actually! Regina's married, too. To Robin Hood. He died just over three years ago, sacrificing his life to save Regina's, as Hades was about to destroy her. Zeus was angry about it, and sent his soul back once Merlin tracked it down. They got married pretty soon after that. She's pregnant by him now."

"Robin Hood?" The imperious royal brow arched. "Obviously I've heard of him, from books and in a couple of films, but I don't recall ever meeting him?"

"You would've done, had you done what Tinker Bell wanted you to do all those years ago? You remember when you were younger, and Tinker Bell stole pixie dust for you to use to find your true love?" The brunette gave him a slow nod. "It took you to a pub in the forest, didn't it?" Her eyes went wide at that. She'd never discussed it with anyone, Emma included. "To a man with the lion tattoo?"

"That was Robin Hood?" She couldn't quite believe it. "But didn't I-"

"You didn't go in? You saw the tattoo on his wrist from the window, but didn't go inside?" She shook her head, her jaw wide. "Yeah, that was Robin! Or Robin Locksley as we know him. He's definitely Regina's true love and soulmate over there. Merlin said the foetus has even got traces of magic already, apparently?"

Emma gripped her stunned wife's hand a little tighter. "Well, he better not show up here, like you did! For his own sake! I don't share!"

That made Henry chuckle. "Pretty unlikely, as he doesn't have magic. But he's a pretty awesome guy, she adores him, and he's been good for her. If I hadn't left my phone behind, I could've showed you pictures of everyone."

"And we're…they're…happy together? Your mother and Robin Hood?"

"Very happy! But can I talk about you guys instead? I've already told all this stuff to Grandpa Gold, your Henry and then his dad. I'm getting bored of talking about me."

They spent a while talking about how the two women hated each other at first. Just like his own mothers. How everything seemed to run in parallel, identical to his own life, until that incident with the trigger in the dwarf mine. When Regina remained unconscious and had to be taken to hospital. How she'd lain motionless for several days until Emma, once everyone else had left, had kissed her. She'd knew she had growing feelings for the mayor for some time already, but as no one was looking, she plucked up the courage and kissed her while she lay there.

"And then she woke up! Just like you did, after eating that poisoned turnover? I was shocked because…well, I'd kinda fallen I love with her by then anyway, but I had no idea she felt the same way about me?"

They talked about the reactions of the people in their strange little town. About how Emma's mother was surprisingly hostile to their relationship, whereas Charming was more accepting. And when Emma talked about them, he could see definite sadness in her eyes.

"Dad was brilliant when we first got together. In fact, he was all for it. He even said he even saw the signs before I kissed her awake."

"So how are they? Grandma and grandpa?"

"Henry's grandfather's no longer with us..." Regina answered for her, squeezing her hand. "David was tragically killed a couple of years ago, stopping an incursion by King Arthur's Imperial Guard, while protecting the children. Snow didn't take it well." She pulled out a hanky, handing it to Emma, who now looked like she was about to weep.

"David died, but Snow's still alive? But shouldn't she be dead, as well? They share a heart, don't they?"

"Share a heart?" She looked puzzled. "Spiritually, maybe. And she was certainly broken hearted, but-"

"NO! They actually share a heart! After the-" Henry stopped, reminding himself this wasn't his realm, so there was no second curse. No second curse, so no living with Emma in New York. No Killian rescue. No Neverland trips. Everything was very different here after the incident in the mine. "Yeah. Something very different happened in my Storybrooke."

"But my dad's alive in your Storybrooke?" Emma suddenly seemed positively animated, making him realise that was just how he reacted when he learnt his father was alive in another realm.

"Yeah. They bought a farm on the west side of town a few years ago. Sheep, mainly. But they recently split up, just over a month ago."

"Split up?" Regina sounded even more surprised than Emma. "I'd never have imagined that happening to those two! After all they have, or had, true love, and that's the basis for Emma's magic. It's supposed to be unbreakable! What happened?"

He gave them the basics. About a faulty potion made by Ingrid, the Ice Queen, making Snow and Ruby cheat on their partners, going on to have a brief but tempestuous affair. How Snow had tried to take her own life less than a month ago, when it wore off. And how Ruby had fled Storybrooke for good, along with Belle, who'd also been found to have cheated on her husband for very different reasons. It didn't really matter them knowing. After all, he wasn't going to be seeing them again, was he?

"Snow and Lucas? How very interesting." Regina was smirking now. "I always knew those two had a past before Charming came on the scene. It just so happens, that in this Storybrooke, our very own she-wolf waitress moved into Snow's place just over a year after he died. They've been inseparable ever since."

But Emma no longer seemed to be listening, her mind clearly on something else, until:

"Henry? That wand you used to get here? How did you do it, again?"

Back in Henry's own realm - New York – the following morning

Emma woke much earlier than usual. She often did when she was away from home. But this was to the sensation of the warm mattress she was lying on, dipping slightly, and the cooler air hitting her bare front as the quilt pulled back She kept her eyes closed, not wanting the day to start yet.

"Coffee please, babe?" She groaned, pulling the quilt back over her.

"Okay. Just let me get my knickers on first? My bra's definitely around here somewhere…"

At the sound of the distinctly non-Killian, very female voice, Emma's eyes opened instantly, to the sight of a slim blonde girl's bare backside, as she started to put on a pair of panties? And it took a few seconds to assimilate.

"Clare? Oh, erm…hi? Sorry, I just thought you were Killian. It's okay, I'll-"

"Hi!" The younger woman turned around awkwardly, looking slightly embarrassed at being caught virtually naked, but still managed to smile back at her. "Good morning? It's alright, I'll make you a coffee before I go, but…I thought I'd just kinda sneak off early, you know? In case you both felt a bit…awkward after everything?" She seemed to be shyly cupping her breasts with her hands, something she definitely wasn't doing last night! "I don't suppose you've seen my bra, have you?"

Turning her head, Emma spotted Killian lying almost face-down on the opposite side of the bed, a gentle snoring indicating he was clearly still asleep.

"It's…it's fine. Just…hang on?" Emma crouched down under the sheets, reaching down with her hand, finding something near the bottom of the bed. "Here, I think?" Pulling it out, she then realised it was snagged on something else. "Oops no…" She ferreted down again, swiping her hand around, until…. "Here?" She pulled out two bras, holding them up to see.

"Thanks." She smiled back as she handed Clare her own, turning to put it on. Emma was reminded that she really was a rather beautiful woman. "You don't need to go yet? It's still quite early."

"That's sweet of you, but I think it's probably for the best! I work here, remember? There's security cameras on all the corridors, but hopefully as it's early there's no one in the basement right now to see me doing the 'Walk of Shame'? I hope you believe me when I say this isn't something I usually make a habit of?"

"I'd never have thought that for a minute!" She smiled, watching as the younger woman retrieved her skinny jeans from over a nearby chair. "You're way too nice for that."

"Well, I think you're rather nice too, Emma Jones!" There was that twinkle in those eyes again.

"Any regrets, now we're all…sober?"

"Far from it! That was the first ever time I've ever done something like that, and I have to admit, if I'm honest, probably my best night ever? I might even have to think about finding some apps to look for married couples, instead of singles in future? How about you?"

"As I said last night, it was my first time too. I came pretty close once, but…it was nothing like that. You were brilliant."

"Hi praise indeed!" She giggled. "Hopefully, Killian thinks the same? I was surprised he was so passionate but so gentle at the same time? You, are a very lucky girl, Emma. In fact, thinking about it, so'd he. You're both lucky."

"I know he definitely enjoyed himself, no doubt about it!"

For Emma, last night had been a unique experience. It was the first time she'd ever seen her own true love have sex with another woman. And right in front of her. And he in turn had watched her. While she should've felt jealous or possessive, she hadn't. In fact, she'd been really turned on. So turned on, that she'd actually lain close by, watching as he ploughed the younger woman into the mattress, coming herself fairly shortly after Clare had. And then as he rested, she'd turned all her attention to Emma while he watched them, recovering far quicker than usual. Then in turn, she and Killian had screwed like a pair of rabbits. It reminded her of their first time together. And then, there was that final time. With Clare directly on top of her as they kissed, with Killian standing by the bed behind them, as he drove into each of them in turn, passing between them. It was only then she realised that they really should've brought condoms, just for hygiene's sake rather than any risk of pregnancy (Clare was on the pill, like her). But it'd been a wonderful experience. And it made her wonder whether thy should do it again, sometime.

"Right, I need to go shower and change, so I'll be off." Fully dressed, she leant over Emma, that smile never waning. "And tell your man from me that last night, or should I say this morning, was brilliant! I may see you a little later if you're around, yeah?"

"He's collecting Honour from her grandpa and taking her out for the day, while I go to see my mum in hospital. You should know, you set up his itinerary! I'll probably be back her late afternoon, but we'll see. Have a lovely day yourself, Clare."

She smiled back, coming close to lean over and press her lips on Emma's in a short, chaste farewell kiss. "You too. Bye Emma."

Mifflin Street, Storybrooke

Regina hadn't had a night like Emma's, but she still woke up at five, even if it was in the loving arms of her husband.

"I assumed you'd wake early."

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll sleep properly ever again until I get Henry back? Or at the very least, find out where he's gone, so we can find him."

"He's a surprisingly ingenious young man for his age. I'm sure he'll find a way. Tea?"

"Lovely. I should be mainlining coffee to keep me awake, but just the smell of it makes me nauseous and want to hurl."

"Fair enough. You go take a long bath, while I go make it? So, what's your thoughts for today? How do you want to play this?"

"I need to get over to that wretched imp's shop as early as possible! I know what the blue moth said to you, but I want to see for myself."

The other realm…

It was late morning on the fourth day, when his paternal grandfather told him the wand appeared to have been recharged with whatever surrounding dark magic it needed. Where it got this charge from, he had no idea. But as he stood in the same study he'd arrived in four days earlier, he looked at the wand, not daring to pick it up until he was good and ready.

In front of him, stood his doppelg änger family, including their own version of Henry. He'd already said all his goodbyes to the children first, then his parents, Belle and Rumple. A large bag lay on the table next to the wand.

"Here, you should take this, too?" The other Henry, Henry Swan-Mills, handed something to him.

"Your phone? No, I couldn't possibly-"

"Take it! It's one of my old ones. It's about five years old, but I've just transferred a load of the pictures we took and showed you while you were here? Something to remember us all by? Hopefully, it'll survive the trip back. Take it, I insist."

"Thanks. If getting back is as straightforward as grandpa says," he looked over at the sitting Dark One nearby. "I may well come back again sometime."

"Cool! Maybe I could borrow my own grandpa's wand sometime, and come over to-"

"NO!" Regina barked, a serious scowl on her face.

"NO WAY!" Emma said, at almost the same time as her wife. "Way too risky!" Though she herself was sorely tempted to find a way to meet her much lamented father, or at least a version of him, again.

Their strong reactions made this version of Rumpelstiltskin chuckle. "You can always try, but it carries a big risk, dearie! You'll need to think of something very specific to this time and place, otherwise you could well end up in a very different timeline altogether."

"Here, take this while you're at it?" Neal, his doppelgänger father, stepped up next, pulling a silver necklace from around his neck, raising it up and placing it over Henry's head, and around his neck. "It's nothing magical, just a stone I've had for years. Supposed to bring me good luck? Wear it and think of me, and you never know, it may well help you get back here one day?"

"I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks…dad, if you don't mind me calling you that?" He pulled the older man into a tight hug. It was probably going to be the last time he'd ever see his father, or at least a version of him, ever again. "I really appreciate it."

"Just get back safely, that's the important thing. See you around, fella?"

He straightened up, trying to avoid them seeing him starting to well up. "I know I've only been here and known you a few days, but I'm really going to miss all of you guys! Thanks for everything." He cautiously collected the wand from the table. "Grandpa, any last advice before I do this?"

"Picture something you left behind, preferably from the room you left when you realm jumped? Something very specific. Your own phone, perhaps? Something like that. A thing, not a person."

"I'll try. Thanks…" Collecting the bag, he leant over, picking up the wand. "Wish me luck, guys?"

A second later, after closing his eyes, there was a flash of pale grey mist, followed by octarine light.

And he was gone!

The 'Other' Gold's Store

Regina rummaged through the green safe, its heavy steel door now open.

"How did you open it?" She looked through the various papers and folders inside. There were also jewellery boxes, with at least a dozen small bottles of potions, presumably, at the back. Plus, several items of clothing, scarves, a gun, and wooden boxes full of accounts."

"Let's just say the old skills came in useful?" Robin grinned, giving the green fairy a knowing wink.

"Yes well, I'm impressed, though you took a big risk, Robin. If Gold had used dark magic to secure the place, you could have had a very different result!"

"He did! There were traces of blood magic on both doors when I got here…" Tinker Bell added. "But they were surprisingly weak? So weak, even I was able to bypass them. Robin tells me he's in Europe? I guess that, and having been away for two weeks now, The Dark One's magic is slowly being…eroded?"

"Let's hope so! He left here after having almost killed his own wife and Ruby Lucas! When I last spoke to Henry, he said he still speaks to the imp every other day, usually via the man's precocious son?" She looked at a nearby table, and saw Henry's cell phone, together with his car keys, and a curious thin dark leather sleeve. As her magic was still being blocked by the cuff on her wrist, she could only sniff it, looking inside. "Has anything been moved since he went missing?"

"I don't think so. Jefferson told me he's already spoken to Gold, and there was a portal-jumping wand in that safe. You're holding its shroud? He said we should leave everything as is, as this is the most likely place Henry would return, if he manages to get the wand working for the return trip."

"I agree, best leave everything untouched." She opened a desk draw. Everything seemed to be in place, including what looked like an expensive watch she'd spotted on him previously. "Merlin told me the Dark One's apparently never coming back. Yet it feels like he's left here, fulling intending to?"

"That's because Merlin persuaded him to stay away, only after he crossed the town line." Robin closed the safe door. "If he'd proposed it while he was here, The Dark One would have immediately stopped him leaving! This way, it has no control over him?" He checked through the rest of the drawers. "And just so you know, the lawyers have already transferred this place into Henry's name, so he can sell it as soon as he wants. The mansion, the diner and most of the rental properties have already been set up in a company under his and Gideon's names. Your boy's now one of the wealthiest two residents in Storybrooke."

"You seem to know an awful lot about this?"

"Gold speaks to Henry regularly, and Henry speaks to me."

"But not his own mothers?"

"Well let's just say…you haven't exactly been yourselves over the last month or so? You, or Emma."

"Hmm. No doubt he felt he still couldn't trust us," she shrugged. "I can't say I blame him. Tink, you say there's no way we can trace where he went?"

"Sadly, Regina, there isn't a chance in hell! There are just too many timelines, so we wouldn't even know where to start. I'm sorry."

"Then we just have to hope and pray he manages to get back somehow." She sighed loudly in weary resignation, "I'd better call Emma and let her know."

"Have faith, Regina. He's a very bright young man. He'll find a way, I'm sure."

~oOo~

It was only a few minutes later, Tinker Bell having left, and them about to, when, as Robin closed the shop door behind them, they heard the loud crashing noise from somewhere at the back of the shop. A noise followed by a single expletive.

"FUCK!"

Robin, more concerned for his pregnant wife's safety, stepped quickly back inside, blocking her, shielding her from any potential threat.

"Gina, you stay out there? Please? This may not be safe!" He whispered, as more noises, the sound of something being moved across the wooden floor, and loud grumbling, came from the back.

Regina's first instinct was to run back inside, raise her hand and use magic to create a fireball ready to blast. But then, realising she was still powerless thanks to the cuff, that's when she noticed Robin already had a knife in his right hand (where the hell did that come from?) as he moved stealthily closer to where the noises were coming from.

"Robin, don't! Don't go in there!"

But he chose to ignore her, instead striding to the study door they'd just left, arching his body back and raising his left leg, slamming it hard into the door, giving it an almighty 'whump', close to the handle. Something splintered, and the door gave way instantly, opening wide so he could take whoever it was by surprise. Blade facing forward, he strode purposefully inside, ready to strike.

"WOAH!" Henry yelled, having just gotten up from the floor before the door burst open, and spotting the knife pointing directly at him.

"WHAT THE FU - Robin? What are you doing in here?"

"Henry?" He instantly lowered the knife. "I could ask you the same question?" Then he spotted a large blue nylon bag beside him on the floor, and what looked like a wand of some sort in his hand.

"Well technically, isn't this is my place now? Or one of them? Why were you-"

"HENRY" Regina yelled, spotting her son as she walked in. "OH THANK GOD!"

New York

She walked into her private room the moment the nursing team had finally left.

"Ruby?" Snow seemed surprised, but smiled as her best and oldest friend came in. "Lovely to see you, but I wasn't expecting you until, er…"

"Until David and Emma left?" Snow nodded as she watched her set a fresh basket of fruit down on the side table, where cards and flowers stood. "Yeah. I've been kinda hanging around that café downstairs the last couple of days, and I got talking to Julia. The receptionist outside? Well, she's been texting me, letting me know the comings and goings around here? She told me that David told her that he'd seen me, and to let me know he won't be back here till later this afternoon?" The former waitress stepped around the bed, before leaning over and kissing her on the lips. Snow smiled, kissing her back.

"Well at least he's talking to you now, even if it is through someone else?" Snow gave her a sad smile. Ruby and David had themselves been close, trusting friends before everything kicked off.

"I guess. Hey, nice room?"

"They only brought me up here an hour ago. But yes, it's nice to be able to see outside for a change."

"Yeah, Julie said. You're looking even better than you did yesterday? That tube in your arms been taken away, and the other one and the bag thing on the floor's gone? That's a good thing, right?"

"Hopefully, though they may put it back in, so it's a wait and see? They've stopped the dialysis for the moment. That blood cleaning they do twice a day that always left me exhausted? Merlin's daughter said that all being well, I should be ready to be taken back to Storybrooke within a week? Merlin will then deal with all the scarring once he gets there."

"Brilliant! So that's it then? After that, you're...cured?"

"Well, it usually takes months or even years, to get over it apparently. But with magic involved, who knows?"

"That's wonderful!" Ruby hitched herself onto the side of the bed, taking her hand and stroking her hair. "Maybe then I'll be able to stop worrying about you so much?"

Snow pulled her hand up, drawing it to her lips to kiss the back before resting it carefully over her heart, careful not to press down. "You've been wonderful to me, coming all the way up here? Staying with me every day? I couldn't wish for a better friend, especially as you had to leave that lovely yacht, and the couple you told me about? Are you going to go back down there, after this?"

Ruby had already told her all about Jerard and Olivia, and their last week travelling with them. Being her closest friend in the world, they confided in everything. She'd even told her about the sex! Belle would be mortified if she knew.

"I think so. Belle's already left this morning to catch a Greyhound down to somewhere called Virginia Beach? Once I know you're on the mend, I'll probably go join them."

"Sounds fun. And after Cuba? Were you serious about settling down in Portland, or somewhere near there?"

"Yeah, I think so. It's not too far from Granny. Or you. But as I said before, it partly depends where Belle's going to settle? As I told you, we're not together like that, but I'd rather be near a friend. Why?"

"Oh, I was just thinking about things. Like you, I'm not even sure I'm comfortable showing my face back in Storybrooke? Not after…everything. David's been kind but…everything's changed. Plus, I can't see the school taking me back somehow. So I thought I might possibly sell the loft and move somewhere else."

"But what about Neal and Emma? And the farm? I thought you said David's forgiven you?"

"He has, but what with Dorothy, and Mal's daughter living with him, he-"

"DOROTHY?" She interrupted, surprised, her eyes wide. "My Dorothy? She's living with David?"

"Um…" That's when Snow realised she'd forgotten to tell her.

Storybrooke – Mifflin Street

After calling Sheriff Morgan, Little John and Blue, to let them know Henry had been found safe and sound, the searches were called off. Regina also rang Emma and Merlin once they'd got home.

Their son was an adult now, and only weeks ago from starting his first year at Harvard. So she couldn't exactly berate him like she used to. Nonetheless she was still annoyed by the risk he'd taken.

"Well young man, I've just spoken to your other mother. She may have been relieved when I told her you're alive and safe, but she's furious, as am I, that you were stupid enough to use that wand in the first place! Whatever possessed you?"

"I've told you there times already, it was an accident! I only meant to take it out of the safe, and talk to Grandpa Gold about it! He's almost certainly not coming back here ever again, and that I could sell off or keep whatever contents were in the shop, so I didn't see the harm. I was going to take it to Merlin and ask him about it, when it kinda 'went off' in my hands? I just thought about something and there I was! Sorry I frightened you all, but now I'm back safe, I don't regret it for one minute. I learnt a lot!"

"Learnt never to do it again? That's one lesson I'd prefer!"

Robin came in with a pot of tea and mugs on a tray, seeing his wife getting more frustrated with her son by the minute. Best to try and calm things. "Henry, all your mother's trying to say is that they were both absolutely terrified you wouldn't be able to get back?" Robin gave him what he hoped was a sympathetic smile. "But you are, that's the important thing. So, where did you get to?"

"I'm not sure you'd even believe me if I told you!"

"Try me?" Regina's eyes blazed, exasperated at her son's nonchalance. "Tell us what was so important you'd risk your own life?

So he did. He told them about his sudden appearance in another version of the same shop, in another timeline. About the reaction of the other version of his grandfather. And meeting his own doppelganger. And then most importantly, all three of his parents, including their version of his father, and some of their own children. Regina and Robin could barely believe it.

"Baelfire?" Robin gave him a sympathetic look. "That must have been hard for you, even though it wasn't him exactly?"

"Yeah. It was at first. He's pretty great though..." Henry looked at his brunette mother. "That Neal's married, with two kids, and living in Philadelphia usually. As far as we can tell, their timeline broke from ours when you and Emma stopped that trigger exploding in the dwarf mines? Remember that mum?" Regina's mind went back to the incident in question. "Well, their Emma didn't get to it in time to share the force of it. It exploded, nearly killing Regina! So, there was never any Neverland trip, no Peter Pan coming here and screwing things up. And Robin, I guess their version of you never came to Storybrooke so I've no idea where he is."

"Astonishing…." Robin shook his head at the barely believable story, but knew Henry wasn't one to lie. "But they're all happy? Was that the timeline Merlin mentioned, where your mothers fell in love and married each other?"

"That's the one! I saw their kids, too." He reached into a bag beside him, pulling something out. "I should have some pictures here. Wanna see?"

However, just as he started to open the older cell phone he'd been given, his own phone chirruped, with a new message. He glanced down to read it.

"Hey, I've a message from Gideon! They're still in France apparently, and he says grandpa wants to set up a Skype call as soon as I can? He says Gramps needs to speak to me, and it's urgent?" Then he frowned as he realised the likely reason. "No doubt he's about to give me a first-class bollocking for taking his wand!"

"If he's still in France he'll be six hours ahead of us. So you best go and do it now, Henry…" Regina rose to her feet. "Use the study. Even if he's about to tell you off, better that, than him getting on a plane to fly back! Try to reassure him. We've only just got rid of him!"

~oOo~

Half an hour later…

"I'm sorry Gramps! I know I shouldn't have gone in the safe till I spoke to you, but I was going to, I promise! It's just, after what Merlin told me about my dad, or a version of him, being alive in a different place? I was kinda… curious? It took me somewhere else by accident!"

He sat at his mother's old writing desk, with his own MacBook open, on the web call with his grandfather. His young uncle sat next to him, in what looked like the same hotel room he'd spoken to him five days ago, grinning. Henry couldn't help noticing how different his grandfather now seemed to be to the one who'd left Storybrooke two weeks ago. He was dressed completely different, for one thing. Instead of the black shirts and jackers, he now wore much lighter colours and clothes, and currently sported what looked like a white polo neck cotton top under a pale leather jacket. He seemed so much lighter, and happier. Like twenty years had been taken off him. And he smiled, looking relieved.

"Well at least you got back safe! You're right Henry, you should have asked me first, even though the wand shouldn't have even worked for anyone but me. I must've been because you're of my bloodline! Where is it now?"

"I've got it here, in my bag."

"Well don't touch it again without gloves on! And for heaven's sake, keep it in the leather shroud it was in already when you took it out from the safe? I'll send Jefferson to collect it for safe keeping."

"Okay. Again, I'm sorry gramps." He was more surprised by how easily this grandfather, the notorious Dark One, was taking it? He thought he'd be angry? And Gideon still had a silly grin on his face, like he knew something really important, and couldn't wait to tell him?

"I'm also going to ask Merlin to call in on you when he can, and check the place over to see if there's anything else containing magic that could be...dangerous? But until then, be careful!" As he spoke, Henry thought he could hear another, deeper voice in the background, say something? It wasn't his grandfather's voice, either. Then Rumple nodded to where the voice came from?

"Now Henry, there's another reason why I asked for an urgent call! Something's happened. Something big! Now as you know, Merlin's made extensive arrangements to keep me from ever going back to Storybrooke. I have a new identity, and I-"

"I know gramps," he interrupted him. "You said. To keep The Dark One from returning to magic, to save future lives? Yeah, I get that, but-"

"Please listen, my boy!" He interrupted him in turn, cutting him off. "This is important! In addition to helping me with a new role and identity, he's also sent someone, or more precisely asked Zeus to send someone, who can help persuade me NEVER to return to darkness again, and keep me on the straight and narrow for the remainder of my days"

"Send someone back?" What the hell's he talking about?

"I hope you're sitting down, dearie, as this is going to come as quite the shock?" As he spoke, Henry heard the other voice again, as a third figure, wearing some sort of pale blue T shirt and jeans, moved into view, only his body visible, until he dropped down between father and son, to be seen by the camera. Then he turned to face him, smiling. A smile he hadn't seen for nearly a decade!

"Hello Henry! It's been a while?"

His eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets! No, it couldn't be?

"DAD?"

~oOo~