Chapter Twelve - The Cricket Game
Season 2 - Episode 10
There was an Enchanted forest filled with all the classic characters we know.
Or think we know.
One day, they found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen.
Our World.
This is how it happened…
Hook anchors his ship at the docks of Storybrooke. Seeing that the coast is clear, Killian jumps off the boat. He then proceeds to assist Cora off the ship. "Well, my dear Cora, this is where we shall part ways. Thank you for everything," Killian remarks, moving away and heading for the town. "It's time for me to skin my crocodile." Cora disappears and then reappears before him, blocking his path.
"You might want to rethink this," Cora warns him.
"We had a deal. Get out of my way," He snaps at her, wanting revenge.
"Believe it or not, I'm doing you a favour," She argues.
"By preventing my vengeance?" Hook questions.
"Ask yourself how I'm doing that," Mrs Mills retorts.
"By using your dark magic," Killian answers.
"Exactly. Magic is here," Cora confirms. "And that makes matters a bit more complicated. If you go off half-cocked after an empowered Rumpelstiltskin, do you know what'll happen?" Killian looks at her, knowing he won't win against the crocodile if he has his magic. "So, you do. Good." A fisherman spots the pair on the pier and approaches them.
"Hey," the fisherman shouts, gaining their attention. "You folks need anything? Tackle Shop don't open until morning. But, if you want to go out and try and snare some of New England's finest pescatarian creatures, I'd be happy to open early for ya."
"No, thank you. We're fine," Killian replies.
"It's a fine vessel you got there. When'd you get in?" he asks, looking at the glorious ship.
"What vessel?" Cora questions.
"W-Why that one right…" The fisherman replies, and Cora waves her hand, turning the ship invisible. "Hey, that's a neat trick. You some kind of magician back in our land?" He asks, looking at her. Cora grows annoyed, magically transforming the man into a fish, who flops on the dock, and Killian kicks it into the water.
"What did you do with my ship?" Killian asks, looking at his partner in crime.
"I hid it from prying eyes," Cora replies. "For what we both want to do, we need the element of surprise. Now you ready to listen to me?"
"Go on, Your Majesty. What now?" He questions, looking at her.
"Let's go have a little look at this Storybrooke, shall we?" She retorts, holding her arm out for him.
"What about Octavia?" Hook asks, looking back at his invisible ship.
"She'll be okay. She's a strong girl," Mrs Mills dismisses him, and he can't help but look back again as they head into town.
The following morning, Mary Margaret and David are in bed at her apartment, enjoying their time alone. "What are you thinking?" David asks her.
"That it's good to be back," Mary Margaret replies, smiling at him.
"Yeah? And what are you really thinking?" He questions.
"Twenty-eight years is too long to wait between-," She says, and suddenly, Emma and Henry return home from their shopping trip.
"Hey! Guess what? Taco shells were on sale," Henry announces, not looking at his grandparents as they cover themselves.
"Apparently, tacos? Not a big item in the Enchanted-," Emma remarks, and they both pause when they see David and Mary Margaret in bed.
"What are you guys still doing in bed? It's the middle of the afternoon," He remarks, looking at them.
"The trip back was tiring, and I needed to rest," Mary Margaret replies, though Emma scrunches up her face as she knows exactly what her parents are doing.
"And I needed to… Help her rest," David adds.
"Uh, let's… Let's go make the tacos," Emma suggests, trying to take Henry away. "We have to make a lot, because there's going to be a ton of people at Granny's welcome-back party tonight." Henry heads to the kitchen while the three adults whisper.
"We thought you were going to be back later," Mary Margaret tells her.
"Yeah, well, we weren't. So maybe next time, you could put a tie on the door, or send a text, or… You know what? I'm… I'm… Going to go make some tacos," She stutters, creeped out and leaves to join her son in the kitchen.
"It's impressive that we can still provide her with a few traumatic childhood memories at this stage of the game," David jokes, and Mary Margaret looks at her husband before flopping onto the bed.
Armoured and on horseback, the Evil Queen stands on a hill overlooking King George's kingdom with her sister, Octavia, beside her. Below, they watch as it burns. Several of her men arrive on horseback. "My Queen, we've received word. Snow White and the Prince have defeated King George. His army has fallen. The kingdom is theirs," The guard announces.
"And what of George?" Regina asks him.
"His fate is unknown. But, without his forces, we are now alone. We cannot defeat them," He replies.
"Do not tell us what we can or can't do. Where is Snow White now?" She demands.
"Alone, on her way back to meet the Prince," The knight informs them.
"Excellent. I don't care how many men you lose – keep them apart long enough for us to find her. I will not let them defeat us," The Evil Queen sneers. Snow White runs through the woods until she trips over a rock on the ground, causing the Evil Queen and Cruel Princess to catch up to her.
"Leaving the battle so soon?" Octavia questions, teasing her.
"The battle's over, Regina, Octavia. Our army is too great. You can't win," Snow White taunts them.
"Well, that all depends on your definition of victory," Regina argues.
"I offer you parley – to negotiate the terms of your surrender," She replies.
"My surrender? Fair enough. My terms are quite simple… Your death," The Evil Queen sneers.
"Now!" The Princess shouts, and Regina prepares to attack. However, she stops as the Blue Fairy and Prince Charming arrive. Octavia quickly disappears at their arrival, and the Blue Fairy shoots a blast of blue magic at the Evil Queen, immobilising her.
"It was all a trap," Regina growls, glaring at Snow.
"You should've surrendered when I gave you the chance," Snow tells her, moving towards Charming.
"We knew you couldn't resist going after Snow," Prince Charming says. "And now, because of your bloodlust, the kingdom is ours. Your reign of evil is over."
The citizens of Storybrooke gather at Granny's Diner for Snow and Emma's welcome home celebration, though some are upset about losing Octavia. The Charming family arrive, making everyone cheer, and Ruby rushes towards Mary Margaret for a hug. "I wasn't worried a bit," Ruby lies poorly.
"I can tell," Mary Margaret jokes.
"Oh, we all missed you," Archie says, and they hug. Elsewhere, Emma presents Granny with a tray of tacos for everyone to pick at.
"Tacos. I cannot tell you the relief of cooking something that I didn't have to kill first," Emma laughs.
"Don't I know it. Meat loaf back home? What a bitch," Granny jokes.
"I just wanted to, uh, thank you all for joining us tonight," David says, getting everyone's attention. "Mary Margaret and I – we have a saying… That we will always find each other. And, while I believe that with all my heart, I'd like you all to raise your glasses and join me when I say… Here's to not having to look for a while. To Mary Margaret and Emma!" Everyone clinks their glasses, and Regina enters the diner with a casserole dish. "And we will find a way to get Octavia back, or she might just make it back. We all know how she can be," the crowd laughs, and Regina can't help but see the smile on her face.
"Sorry I'm late," Regina announces, and Leroy grabs a knife from the bar.
"What is she doing here?" Leroy demands, glaring at the Evil Queen.
"I invited her," Emma informs him, and Mary Margaret takes Emma to the side along with David. "We're celebrating today because of Regina. She helped us get home. No matter what she did in the past, we owe her our thanks now."
"Didn't you think to tell us about it?" Mary Margaret asks her daughter.
"I did, but you two were a little busy this afternoon," She argues, giving her a look.
"Emma, she tried to kill us – yesterday!" Snow retorts angrily.
"No, she didn't. She's trying to change for Henry," The Sheriff reminds her. "He believes in her. And, right now, that's enough for me. I couldn't have changed if I wasn't given a chance, so… She gets one, too." Henry comes over to his adopted mother, and she slices the lasagna for everyone to eat.
"I'm glad you came," Henry tells her.
"Me, too," Regina replies, and she sees Leroy, so she decides to offer him a piece of lasagna. "Oh, I made a lasagna."
"What's the secret ingredient? Poison?" Leroy accuses her.
"Red pepper flakes. Gives it some kick," she retorts. Leroy suspiciously sniffs the lasagna but takes it. Later in the evening, the party is winding down. People slip into groups talking while Regina sits alone in one of the booths. She grabs her coat and decides to leave. Emma sees Regina walk out and follows her outside.
"Archie made a cake. You don't want to stay for a piece?" Emma asks her.
"I'm fine, thank you," The Evil Queen replies.
"Okay," She says, turning to go back inside.
"Thank you," Regina says.
"You just said that," The blond woman teases her.
"F-For inviting me," She clarifies.
"Henry wanted it. I'm glad you guys got to spend some time together," Emma replies.
"Me, too. I'd like to see him more," the former Mayor requests. "Maybe you'd consider letting him stay over some time. I… I have his room just… Just waiting for him."
"Oh… I'm… I'm not sure that's best," She stutters.
"Because you know so much about parenting in the five minutes you've been with him," Regina snaps, growing angry. "Talk to David. At least he took care of him while you were away. Like I did, during the ten years you were away the first time."
"Okay. Thanks for coming," The Sheriff scoffs, turning to leave, but Regina stops her.
"No, wait. I'm sorry. I… I'm… I'm sorry. Snapping at you – I shouldn't have done that. Will you accept my apology?" She apologises, calming down.
"Okay. You're right. Archie said you were trying to change. And, well, you are," Emma says, making a mistake.
"Dr Hopper said I was trying?" The Evil Queen questions, growing annoyed.
"He said you came to see him. That you're trying not to use magic, that you're trying to be a better person. You understand, I was hesitant to invite you. I asked him, and he thought it was a good idea," She replies.
"Thank you. It was. I should be going," Regina says, leaving the diner and starting to walk home.
From a nearby rooftop, Killian and Cora spy on Regina through a telescope as she walks home. "Well, is she broken?" Killian asks her.
"Not yet," Cora replies.
Archie walks his dog along the docks the following day, around midday. He spots Regina and approaches her. "Beautiful day, isn't it, Regina?" Archie asks nicely.
"Why should I answer you, bug?" Regina snaps angrily at him for betraying her trust.
"Because I'm making friendly conversation," He argues lightly.
"That you'll just repeat to anyone with an ear. You told Miss Swan about our sessions," She retorts.
"I was simply trying to help you," He tells her.
"By betraying my trust?" The former Mayor asks.
"I… I mentioned only that you had come to see me as an example of your commitment to change," the shrink explains.
"I came to you in confidence. How am I supposed to prove to people I've changed, when you're there to chirp in their ears and remind them of my past?" Regina questions.
"I said nothing specific. I would never betray the doctor-patient confidentiality," Archie assures her.
"Doctor? Doctor?! Need I remind you got your PhD from a curse?" she snaps, and Ruby sees the two arguing and runs up to them.
"Hey! Is everything okay here?" Ruby asks, looking at them cautiously.
"Private conversation. Go take yourself for a walk," The Evil Queen snaps, and Ruby walks away, though she looks back.
"I can be trusted. I assure you," Archie promises Regina.
"You're lucky I've changed," Regina retorts before storming away.
Snow and Charming gather everyone for a meeting at their new castle. "I fear the Queen will never change. We must dispense justice," Jiminy argues strongly.
"Agreed. What are our options?" Charming questions, looking around the council.
"How about giving me five minutes alone with her and my axe? …She's still restrained, right?" Grumpy asks.
"Yes. But the magic that we used to capture her, will only keep her powerless for a short while," The Blue Fairy explains.
"How about banishing her to another realm?" Granny wonders.
"We can't. It would be unconscionable to condemn another realm to the suffering that we've endured," Jiminy argues.
"Jiminy's right. She's our problem, and we have to deal with her," Ruby agrees.
"Then only one thing is certain – as long as the Queen lives, the kingdom is in danger," Charming states, getting nods from everyone.
As Ruby closes the diner for the evening, she spots Regina walk into Archie's office from across the street. Inside, Regina knocks on the door and Archie answers. "I know it's late, but I was hoping we could talk," She asks.
"Sure. Come on in," Archie agrees, letting her inside, making Pongo bark and growl at her. "Hush, Pongo. You know Regina." He goes to his filing cabinet to retrieve her file so they can begin their session. "I know how hard it is. Real change can often be a… A struggle." Regina appears behind him closely.
"I couldn't agree more," She replies.
"Regina, is there something-," He asks, but she grabs him by the neck, lifting him into the air. Pongo jumps up, beginning to bark, but Regina magically silences and freezes the dog. Archie struggles as a cloud of purple smoke flows from Regina's hand. Later, Regina exits the building, goes around the side of the building, and is out of sight before transforming back into Cora.
Emma and Henry have breakfast at Granny's the next day. "So, what was it like? Over there?" Henry asks his mum.
"Well, let's see. There were ogres, the dead rising, people trying to kill me. And…more ogres." Emma replies.
"Awesome," He beams.
"Kid, we got to work on your sense of awesome. Come on. It's time for school. I'll walk you to the school bus," She tells him.
"It's okay. I can go on my own," The Mills boy retorts.
"I know that you can. That doesn't mean that you should," The Sheriff argues.
"David let me," Henry scoffs.
"Well, I'm not David," Emma replies.
"You used to let me," He argues.
"Well, I am not me. I'm walking you because that's what mothers do. And I'm doing it," she tells him. They leave the diner, where they are greeted by a distressed Pongo.
"Hey, Pongo. It's okay. It's okay," the young Mills boy exclaims, trying to calm him down.
"Where's Archie?" The Saviour wonders, looking around, and Ruby bolts out of the diner.
"Emma, something's wrong," Ruby informs her.
"How do you know? Never mind. The wolf thing. You know what? Eleven is old enough to walk to the bus stop. I'll pick you up later," Emma says, looking at her son.
"Okay," Henry agrees and leaves. Pongo runs off, leading Emma and Ruby to Archie's office door, which is slightly ajar.
"Archie?" She calls, entering the office and spotting Archie lying on the floor where Cora left him. "Archie? Oh, hell."
"What? What is it?" Ruby asks, moving behind her.
"Archie…" The blond woman mutters, checking for a pulse, but she doesn't find it.
"No… No…" Red gasps.
"Who would do this?" Emma wonders.
"I think I know," Ruby tells her, recalling when she saw Archie and Regina together.
In her cell tower, the Evil Queen watches the people below gather for the execution. A guard at the door breaks the silence. "You have visitors," The guard announces and leaves, showing Henry Sr and Octavia.
"Daddy. Tavia," Regina cries, seeing her father and sister, though she hates that Octavia got away before.
"This is all my fault. I failed you as a father," Henry Sr sighs, looking at his oldest daughter behind bars. "I should have done more to protect you. Can you ever forgive me, child?"
"There's no need. How could I blame the one I love most?" She replies, "The only two to stand by me… to the end."
"It doesn't have to be the end," Octavia argues.
"Snow and her Prince seem rather determined to make it so," The Evil Queen tells them.
"Show them regret for what you've done, the pain you've caused," Henry Sr suggests. "Show them you can change. They will spare you. Just give them a reason. I beg of you."
Regina sits in the interrogation room at the Sheriff's station, and Emma and David enter while Mary Margaret watches through the glass. "Glad to see the Sheriff's stations now a family business," Regina scoffs. "Why am I here?"
"You know why you're here. Because of Archie," Emma replies.
"Oh, it's now against the law to get into an argument with someone?" She questions.
"It is if you go to their office later that night and kill them," David argues.
"Archie's dead?" The former Mayor asks, shocked.
"Stop it, Regina. Ruby saw you going into his office last night," He snaps.
"Then she's lying. I was home all evening," Regina retorts. "After everything I've done to change, to win Henry back, why would I toss it all away now? And, if I did and I was going to kill Archie, you would never know it. The fact that he's dead and you caught me shows sloppiness."
"You've been caught before. Come on, Emma. Who do you think's lying – Ruby, or her? She's incapable of change, no matter how many times we've given her the chance. Why should this time be any different?" Charming argues.
Two guards escort Regina to the middle of the courtyard, where a crowd gathers to watch. Along with Snow and Charming, Rumpelstiltskin and Octavia are other notable people in the crowd. Regina is chained to a pole, and a line of guards armed with bows stands before her. Jiminy Cricket flies up to speak to her one last time. "Regina, this is your opportunity to meet your end with a clear conscience. Do you have any last words?" he asks her.
"Yes. Yes, I do. I know I'm being judged for my past," Regina replies. "A past where I've caused pain, a past where I've inflicted misery, a past where I've… Even brought death. When I look back at everything I've done, I want you all to know what I feel," She confesses. "And that is… Regret. Regret, that I was not able to cause more pain. Inflict more misery. And bring about more death. And above all else, with every ounce of my being, I regret that I was not able to kill… Snow White!"
"Arrows!" Prince Charming shouts, and the guard places a blindfold over Regina's eyes. The knights draw their weapons. "Take your aim. Fire!" Octavia closes her eyes and grabs Rumpelstiltskin's hand.
"Stop!" Snow screams. And the arrows fly towards Regina's chest, but the Blue Fairy uses her magic to stop them. Octavia opens her eyes, watching silently.
"Snow!" He shouts.
"This is not the way," She argues.
"Snow…" The Prince mutters, and the Princess storms out of the courtyard. "Take her back to the cell." Regina's blindfold is removed, and now looking somewhat deranged, she's escorted back to her cell by the guards.
After talking with Regina, Emma and David join Mary Margaret outside the interrogation room. "So what do we do with her now?" Mary Margaret asks.
"Lock her up," David replies.
"We can't lock her up, because she didn't do it," Emma argues.
"You really believe her?" He asks, looking at his daughter.
"I watched her when we told her Archie was dead. She didn't know," She tells him.
"Emma, I know that you want to believe that Regina can change for Henry, but-," Mary Margaret argues.
"I know what I saw," The blond woman retorts. "Look at her in there. The old Regina would've reduced this building to ashes. That's a woman who wants to change. She just wants everyone else to see it. I know that look. I know her. I believe her."
"With all due respect, you don't know her like we do," David reminds her.
"Maybe that's the problem. I know in your kingdom, she was the Evil Queen. But here, she's Regina. And I'm still the Sheriff, and I say she's innocent until proven guilty," Emma tells them.
"So… Uh, what do you suggest we do?" Mary Margaret asks her.
"Let her go," She answers.
"Emma, sh-," David argues.
"We let her go, and then we find the truth," The Sheriff replies firmly.
Prince Charming follows Snow White into the castle after she stops the execution of the Evil Queen. "Snow, I thought we agreed what had to be done," Charming questions. "Instead, you show the Queen mercy? She doesn't deserve it. You heard her. She's completely unrepentant."
"What I heard was a woman who didn't want to appear weak in her final moments," Snow argues.
"I've seen her kill, I've seen her terrorise. Every moment I've seen of her, has been one of evil," He retorts angrily.
"Exactly. That you've seen. But I knew her before," She reminds him. "I knew her when she was good. She saved my life when I was a little girl."
"That was years ago," The Prince replies.
"She changed before. Why can't she change back?" the raven-haired woman asks.
"You can't be serious. You want to rehabilitate the Queen?" Charming questions in shock.
"Maybe showing her mercy is the first step," Snow argues.
That evening, Snow goes for a stroll in the courtyard, and Rumpelstiltskin waits for her there. "My, my. Aren't we trouble, dearie?" He questions.
"Rumpelstiltskin. What brings you here?" Snow asks him, glaring at the Dark One.
"You have to ask? I came to witness the Queen's execution. Even had my heart set on a wee souvenir. It's all very disappointing," Rumpelstiltskin comments.
"I won't apologise for sparing her life," She argues. "Not when there's a chance she might change."
"Regina redeemed—what a novel thought. And, um… How do you plan to accomplish such an impressive feat?" he asks, knowing she will fail.
"I don't even know if it's possible. I'm probably just fooling myself," The Princess agrees.
"Maybe you need someone to show you that it is possible," The Dark One tells her.
"What do you mean?" Snow asks him.
"Simple. I provide you with a test to help determine whether the Queen can truly change," Rumpelstiltskin informs her.
"Why would I trust you, when I know you want the Queen dead? You never make a deal without a price," She argues, glaring at him,
"Maybe I just want her alive," He admits, but she doesn't hear the truth in his words.
"That I doubt." The Princess scoffs.
"Question my motives all you like, dearie, but they shall remain mine," the crocodile replies. "What is yours now is opportunity. I can help you. Do we have a deal?"
The Charmings search for evidence in Archie's office. David is looking through the filing cabinet for Regina's file. "Huh. Regina's file - it's empty," David announces.
"So she did it. She killed the kindest soul in this town," Mary Margaret sighs. "A man who only cared about helping."
"I promise we'll find whoever really did this," Emma replies.
"Isn't it time you admit we already have?" David asks his daughter. "Regina had a fight with Archie, Ruby saw her outside last night, and now, her file is empty. That's… That's a lot of evidence."
"Maybe that's the point," She argues.
"What do you mean?" He questions.
"Well, I don't know how it is in fairy tale land, but in the real world, it's usually hard to find evidence. But this has been way too easy. Unless someone wants us to find evidence," the blond woman tells them.
"What? So you think she was framed?" Mary Margaret wonders.
"Well, it wouldn't be the first time that happened in this town," Emma retorts.
"Who would want to frame her?" David questions.
"That's a long list, present company included," Mary Margaret replies.
"Yeah. But there's only one name on that list that would resort to killing to get what they want," Emma argues, and her parents look at her, knowing who it could be.
In Mr Gold's pawn shop, Belle prepares lunch for them. "Oh, well, that looks delicious," Gold compliments her. "Thank you very much, Belle." Emma, David, and Mary Margaret enter the shop, interrupting their peaceful lunch. "Ah… Nothing warms the heart more than a family reunited. You have your mother's chin, Miss Swan.
"We know that you killed him," Emma announces.
"And your father's tact," He retorts.
"Someone's dead?" Belle asks, looking at them.
"Dr Hopper," Emma answers.
"Why on earth would you think I had anything to do with that?" Mr Gold questions.
"Because all the evidence points to Regina," She replies.
"And she's not possibly capable of doing something so vile?" Belle scoffs.
"It's a frame job," The Sheriff states.
"It wouldn't be the first time you used someone to try to hurt her," Mary Margaret argues, looking at Rumpelstiltskin.
"Nice to see your memories still intact, dearie. But this time, I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint you. It wasn't me," Mr Gold tells them.
"Why should we believe you?" David questions.
"Because I can prove it. Ask the witness," He argues.
"No one was there," Emma tells him.
"Well, that's not strictly true now, is it?" The Dark One retorts and David finds Pongo and leads him into the shop. Mr Gold goes to pet him, but he doesn't like him very much. "Hey, boy. Good boy. Good boy, good boy."
"I, uh… I didn't know you were such a dog person," Belle remarks, looking at Pongo as he calms down.
"Well… A long time ago, in another life, I got to know a sheepdog or two," Mr Gold retorts.
"That's fascinating. But unless you speak dog, how is Pongo going to tell us anything?" Emma asks him.
"Through magic, of course. It won't allow us to communicate, but it will allow us to… Extract his memories," He explains.
"Extract?" David questions.
"You don't have to worry. He won't feel a thing," Mr Gold assures them.
"Why should we trust you? Couldn't you just as easily use magic to fool us?" Emma questions, not trusting him.
"Because I'm not going to be the one using magic—you are," he argues, looking at the blond woman.
"Me? How?" She asks, pointing to herself.
"You have it within you. Told me so yourself. You witnessed it, didn't you?" The Dark One argues.
"Emma, you don't have to do this," Mary Margaret tells her.
"If it tells us something about Archie's death, then so be it," Emma replies, and Mr Gold takes a dreamcatcher out of one of the cupboards and holds it up.
"Do you know what this is?" Mr Gold asks.
"A dreamcatcher," She answers.
"Well… It's capable of catching so much more," He informs her and slowly runs the dreamcatcher along Pongo's back, which causes it to start glowing a bright yellow.
"What is that?" Belle asks, watching.
"Memories. Now, Miss Swan. You show us how," The Dark One tells her.
"How? It's just a jumble," Emma questions.
"Will it," Mr Gold instructs her. "Will it, and we shall all see." Emma takes the dreamcatcher and holds it in front of her. She concentrates on the jumbling swirl in the middle of the dreamcatcher, but nothing happens.
"I can't," She huffs.
"Yes, you can," He encourages her, and Emma briefly closes her eyes, causing the jumble to transform into an actual image. The Dreamcatcher shows Pongo's memories of 'Regina' entering Archie's office.
"Emma… You're doing it," David beams as he watches.
"Regina," Emma mutters, and the memory gets to the part where 'Regina' grabs Archie by the neck. Mary Margaret watches, horrified, and turns away. Having seen enough, Emma drops the dreamcatcher and lets it fall to the floor, but she stops too soon to see the whole truth. "You were right all along." She turns to her parents.
"I'm sorry, Emma," He replies, knowing how bad this will be.
Emma rushes out of the shop, leaving David and Mary Margaret behind. "Emma!" David shouts after her. "Wait. Where are you going?"
"To get Regina," Emma replies.
"Well, can we talk about this?" Mary Margaret argues, trying to stop her.
"What's there to talk about? She killed Archie, now she's got to pay," She snaps.
"Emma, how do you plan on doing that? She has her powers back here," Snow warns her.
"Yeah, well, you just saw what happened. So do I," The blond woman retorts.
"Yeah. You have something, but you didn't even know what the hell to do with it. And now, you're going to go take on the most powerful woman in town?" David reminds her, trying to take on Regina, not wanting her to get hurt.
"Excuse me. Weren't you both the ones who've been pushing on the 'it's Regina' kick the whole time?" Emma questions. "You should be happy you were right."
"We may be right, but I also know that going after her without a plan is a mistake," Mary Margaret warns her.
"So what do we do?" She asks them.
"Even if the dwarves construct a cell to hold her, we need a way to contain her magic until then," David suggests.
"Fairy dust. Leroy said they were processing a new batch of it," Mary Margaret adds.
"Will that stop her power?" Emma asks them.
"It has before. The problem is, she'll see us coming," David tells her.
"Leave that to me. Trust me – we're locking her up," She agrees.
In the tower, a guard stands outside the Evil Queen's cell. Snow White walks up the stairs and enters the area. "Your Highness," the guard greets her.
"Leave us, please," Snow requests firmly.
"But I have direct orders from the Prince-," He argues.
"And now, you have direct orders from me," she snaps. The guard exits, leaving her and the Evil Queen alone. Snow slips a dagger in her sleeve.
"First, you stop my execution, and then, you defy your Prince to see me. Should I be worried there's trouble in paradise?" Regina questions, taunting her stepdaughter.
"I'm not here to talk about my fiancé," the raven-haired woman retorts.
"Then why are you here?" She asks.
"I know you weren't always like this, Regina. The woman who saved my life all those years ago…had good in her," Snow replies.
"That woman lost much. And now she's gone," The Evil Queen argues.
"Maybe. But as hard as you've tried to bury her, I think she's still inside you," She retorts.
"No, she's not," Regina snaps.
"All you need…" The Princess says, unlocking the cell door. "Is someone to help you let her out."
"What are you doing?" She questions, looking at her.
"I'm letting the woman who saved my life go. This is a chance to start fresh, Regina. To leave the evil behind in this cell," Snow tells her, and Regina stands up and walks towards the door.
"Just like that?" The Evil Queen wonders.
"Just like that," she answers. They walk a short distance when Regina turns and grabs Snow by the throat, holding her against the wall.
"You make change sound so easy," Regina remarks. Snow draws her dagger, but the Queen quickly stops and takes the weapon for herself. "Did you really think this would protect you? Since I can't use magic, I can think of no better way than to kill you with the blade you had meant for me. Goodbye, Snow White."
"No…" The Princess gasps, and the Evil Queen stabs Snow with the dagger.
"Yes…" She sneers.
"No," Snow says, and Regina looks down to see that the dagger hasn't injured Snow. She removes the dagger, unblooded.
"That's impossible," The Evil Queen snaps.
"No, that's magic," she argues. Charming and several guards enter.
"And this time, it wasn't thanks to fairies," Charming tells her, holding the blindfold used during the Queen's execution. "Rumpelstiltskin. He took one of your hairs from this, and used it to fashion a protection spell."
"No…" Regina growls.
"Now there's nothing you can do in this land to hurt Snow or me. You're powerless against us," He tells her.
"You tricked me," She sneers, glaring at them.
"It wasn't a trick. It was a test – one that I had truly hoped you'd pass," Snow replies.
"We wanted to give you a chance to change, Regina," Charming tells her.
"Regina, you are banished. Banished to live alone with your misery," She informs her.
"As long as you're alive in this world, you can't hurt us," He repeats.
"You saved my life once, and now I've saved yours. So we're even. And if you ever try to hurt anyone in my kingdom again, I will kill you," The Princess warns her.
Emma knocks on Regina's front door while David and Mary Margaret are standing behind her, and she answers. "Miss Swan. I assume you're here to apologise?" Regina questions.
"I saw you do it," Emma tells her.
"What?" She asks.
"I saw it. You choked the life out of Archie," The blond woman replies.
"What are you talking about? How is that even possible?" The former Mayor wonders, looking at them.
"Magic," David answers.
"You-," Regina says.
"I saw what happened, and it was you," Emma tells her.
"Gold. He helped you. You're going to trust him, of all people, when he's probably the one behind this?" She questions hostilely.
"We didn't trust him. That's why Emma used magic instead," Mary Margaret informs her.
"You can use magic… The Saviour. Of course," Regina muses. "Well, I can only assume he warned you, then."
"About what?" Emma asks.
"That magic always comes with a price," She tells her.
"Yeah? Well, that's a price we're both going to pay," The Sheriff replies.
"How's that?" The Evil Queen questions.
"Henry. He believed in you. His heart's going to break. That's both our prices," Emma retorts.
"No. I will not let you poison Henry against me," Regina snaps.
"It's an interesting word choice, since you already did," she replies. They start to leave, and Regina follows them down the walkway.
"I want to see him. He deserves to hear my side of the story! He's my son!" The former Mayor shouts.
"He's not! He's mine! And, after this, you're not getting anywhere near him! Do it!" The blond woman shouts back, and Mother Superior appears behind a tree and fires a blast of blue magic at Regina. However, she sees it coming in time and stops it.
"Did you really think that would work again?" Regina questions and casually tosses the magic orb on the ground near David and Mary Margaret. "You… You will not keep my son from me." She magically throws Emma backwards down the walkway. Mary Margaret runs to help her daughter. "So much for fairy dust. Maybe some of your newfound magic can save you now."
"I don't need it. I already won," Emma replies. "There is no way Henry will swallow your lies about Archie now. You can pretend all you want, but we know how you are, and who you will always be." Regina looks at her defeat and disappears in a puff of purple smoke.
The Charmings wait near the bus stop on the main street of Storybrooke for the school day ends. "Henry's bus is going to be here any minute," Emma announces, looking at her parents.
"You can do this," Mary Margaret assures her.
"Tell my son that someone he loved was killed by someone else he cares about? I don't know if I can," She argues, not wanting to tell him. "Yeah, I don't think I can do any of this. This is like real parent stuff. How can I be a parent if I never was one?"
"I know. I've been asking myself the same question," David agrees.
"Oh, no. You guys don't have to… It-It's different," The Sheriff replies.
"No, it isn't. And yes, we have to. We can figure it out. So can you," Mary Margaret promises her daughter.
"You don't know me. You don't know what I was before Storybrooke. And trust me, I was not parent material," Emma argues.
"Yeah, but we know who you are since you've been here," David tells her.
"What if I revert? Regina did," She replies.
"You're not going to. And the Emma I know was great with Henry," He assures her.
"I was his parent for five minutes," The Saviour argues.
"And I was yours for five minutes, too, but things are different now—for all of us. We don't have to go through any of it alone. We're family," Charming tells her. They see Henry get off the bus, and Emma walks over to meet him alone.
"Emma. I told you I could walk myself," Henry says, looking at her.
"I know. Something happened, and… I want you to hear it from me first," Emma informs him.
"What is it?" He asks her.
"Come here," She tells him, leading her son to a bench where they sit to talk. Regina sits in her car from a distance and watches the scene unfold in the mirror. She can't help but cry as she watches Emma break the news to Henry, who looks visibly upset, hugging Emma.
The Evil Queen broods in her chambers when her father and sister enter the room. "You have a visitor," Henry Sr announces.
"Who?" Regina asks, and Rumpelstiltskin appears on the chair behind her.
"You need to ask? What other friends do you have, dearie?" Rumpelstiltskin questions.
"You're no friend. Have you come to relish my suffering?" She snaps, and Octavia moves towards her sister to give her some level of comfort.
"I thought you'd want someone to help raise your spirits. Especially on a day like today," he argues.
"What's so special about today?" The Evil Queen asks, calming down.
"Snow White and Prince Charming's wedding, of course," The Dark One informs them. "Didn't you get an invitation? Me neither. Still, nice to be able to see them declare their twoo love in front of their entire kingdom. A happy ending after all."
"And, because of you, there's nothing I can do to stop it," Regina snaps. "No way to harm them in this land ever again."
"Yes. Yes, I suppose that's true… In this land," Rumpelstiltskin replies, and Octavia gasps, looking between them.
"What?" Octavia questions her former mentor.
"The deal I made was explicit. You can never harm them in 'this' land," He replies. "Now, were you to bring them to another land… Well…" Regina smiles as she realises what he means. "Told you I was your friend." Rumpelstiltskin disappears in a puff of red smoke.
"Father? Bring my carriage. We have a wedding to get to," Regina announces, looking at her sister, who nods, agreeing to join her.
At the docks, Killian sharpens his hook when Cora arrives after dealing with her business in town. "You're back. So, did you get what you wanted?" He asks her, growing bored of staying on the ship.
"Yes. My daughter's lost everything now," Cora replies.
"Ah. Well, aren't you mum of the year?" He questions, teasing her a little.
"I did what was needed," She retorts firmly.
"What about what I need? You promised you'd help me get my revenge on Rumpelstiltskin," Hook argues, glaring at her.
"And I've already started. Or didn't you notice the little gift I left you in the hold of your ship?" Mrs Mills questions.
"A gift? What is it?" Killian asks her, frowning.
"Not what. Who," Cora corrects him, and they board the invisible ship. She leads him to the hull and opens a grate, allowing Killian to look inside.
"Who's that?" He questions, looking at the man he doesn't recognise.
"Someone privy to Storybrooke's deepest secrets, including Rumpelstiltskin's. Someone who can help us determine his weaknesses here," She informs him, and Archie looks up at them, bound and gagged in the hold. "Can't you, Dr Hopper?"
"If that's him, then who did you kill?" The pirate wonders.
"How do I know? It's my first day in town," The red-haired woman retorts, shrugging.
"You disguised the body to look like him. If death wasn't punishment enough… Marvellous work," Killian muses, smirking at her.
"Thank you. Now you'll have all the knowledge you'll need. It may take some work, but this cricket will chirp," Cora assures him.
"Aye. That he will," He agrees.
"Hey! I'm still here!" They hear Octavia shouting from the Captain's chamber. "I'm hungry!"
"It seems you've not broken her spirit," Cora muses, glancing in the direction of her daughter.
"No. She's rather strong-willed," Killian replies, smirking. "I have to say, I admire that about her." He walks off, heading for his room and finds Octavia sitting in the chair, her hands and feet tied. "Well, hello, darling, how are you this evening?"
"Oh, bite me, Hook. I want out of here now," Octavia demands, trying to wriggle free from the ropes.
"Now, now. There's no need for that attitude," He sighs, moving around.
"What do you expect? I'm here against my will, and I have to deal with my mother. I'm allowed to have an attitude," She argues. "So, what's going on? Is she still set on destroying my sister?" She doesn't get an answer. "You know. I remember Rumpel telling me a story when I was being tutored by him." This gains Killian's attention. "About his wife, who left him for a pirate." She looks at him. "He also told me about how he met my mother and made her who she is today." He scoffs. "He did, you know. A young, cunning Cora always got what she wanted. And age hasn't changed her. I'm telling you this because she will use you and then spit you back out."
"I can look after myself," He argues.
"Not against her."
Chapter Twelve - The Outsider
Season 2 - Episode 11
There was an Enchanted forest filled with all the classic characters we know.
Or think we know.
One day, they found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen.
Our World.
This is how it happened…
Mr Gold stops his car before the town boundary. He gets out and then pops the trunk, where Smee is bound and gagged inside. Mr Gold removes the gag and leads the man to the town line. "This will only take a moment," Mr Gold remarks.
"Don't…push me over. If I cross the line, I'll lose my memory. It's a cruel fate," Smee pleads with him.
"A fate you were more than willing to bestow upon Belle," he argues, kicking him to the ground and taking his hat. "You've had this rag since we met," he comments. "Why is it so important to you?"
"My grandmother made it for me when I was a boy," The man replies. "It's always brought me good fortune. What difference does it make?" Mr Gold pours a potion over the hat, causing it to glow with magic.
"Oh… All the difference in the world. It's your only chance," The Dark One tells him, throwing the hat back to Smee, who quickly puts it on.
"What do you mean, my only-?" Smee asks, and suddenly, Gold pushes him over the town border. A surge of blue magic pulses through his body and then stops.
"What's your name?" Rumpelstiltskin questions.
"William Smee," He answers.
"And who am I?" Mr Gold asks.
"Rumpelstiltskin. The Dark One. I remember everything! How can this be?" Smee wonders.
"Well, it seems our little experiment was a success. Now go," He replies, and the snivelly pirate quickly flees the scene. "I have a trip to plan."
Several Storybrooke residents gather around a casket and a tombstone. It reads 'Archibald Hopper - Friend and Conscience'. Mary Margaret stands, giving her eulogy to the crowd. "Some of us knew him as Archie. Others, as Jiminy. But we all knew him as a true friend. And though he may now be gone, he will always live on inside of us. Reminding us to be our best selves, to do the right thing, to always fight for what we believe in. So, we shouldn't think of today as goodbye, just as a way of saying… Archie, we'll be listening." Marco steps towards the tombstone and lays Archie's umbrella against it.
"I miss you so much, my friend. Well, at least… You are in a better place," Marco mutters soulfully.
In the hold of Hook's ship, Killian interrogates the tied-up Archie. "Wait!" Archie shouts. "No, please, don't! Wait! Please! Please!"
"Shh… As your patient, the Dark One must've told you all manner of secrets. Where is his dagger?" Killian asks calmly.
"I don't know anything about a dagger," He confesses.
"No, you don't, do you? It's his weakness. Now, tell me, does he have any others?" The pirate questions, but Archie doesn't respond. "Very well. I've always wanted to dissect a cricket." Killian digs his hook into Archie's forehead.
"No! Wait. Wait. Please," The shrink begs.
"Ah… That's more like it. Now tell me, Cricket, what is his weakness?" Killian demands.
"Don't tell him, Archie!" Octavia shouts from above, and Killian glares up at the ceiling.
"Quiet!" He shouts back at her.
"Make me!" She yells.
Belle walks into the Pawn Shop and sees Mr Gold. "Hey. What, uh… What's wrong that you couldn't tell me on the phone?" she asks him.
"I did it. I can leave," He informs her.
"You can cross the town line?" Belle questions.
"Indeed, I can," Mr Gold confirms happily. "When I pour this potion onto the object I hold most dear, that object becomes a talisman and allows me to cross the town line and still remember who I am."
"And who you're looking for?" The bookworm asks him.
"My boy," The Dark One answers.
"What, um… What will you enchant?" Belle wonders.
"Well…" Mr Gold replies, revealing a hidden safe behind a painting at the counter. He unlocks the safe and pulls out a well-worn shawl. "This shawl…is all I have left of my Baelfire."
"I don't suppose I could come with you?" She asks, not wanting to leave him alone when he reunites with his son.
"No, I… I… I truly wish you could, but… I only have enough of this potion for one object," he tells her, putting the shawl back into the safe and locking it. "Hey. This is my journey, Belle. This is my journey. I'm afraid it's something I have to do alone." He pulls her into a hug.
"I know," Beauty replies, returning the hug.
Belle enters the library and grabs a handful of books to put away before finally opening it. She runs into Hook, who is reading a book in one of the aisles, waiting for her. "Uh, sorry. The… The library's not open yet," Belle politely tells him.
"Oh. I'm not here for the books, love," Killian replies, looking up at her and placing the book back.
"You. You're the one who broke into my cell at the Queen's palace," She recognises him and runs out into the central part of the library, and Killian follows her. "You wanted to kill Rumpelstiltskin."
"Oh, I still do. But, right now, I'll settle for you," He snaps, and she pushes a cart of books on top of him and runs into the elevator. Hook frees himself from the pile and dashes towards the lift, but the door shuts in his face. He bangs on the door while Belle calls Mr Gold from inside.
"Hey, Belle," Mr Gold greets her happily.
"Rumpel, I'm… I'm in the elevator. There's a man here. He broke in. He wants to kill me," Belle tells him in a panic.
"Belle? You're… You're breaking up. Who's in the library?" He asks, trying to listen.
"…Pirate-!" She says.
"Belle?" Rumpelstiltskin questions.
"…A hand. Missing a hand-," The bookworm adds.
"Belle?" Mr Gold calls her.
"Hello?" Belle asks, and the line cuts out, so she hangs up the phone.
"Belle?" He calls out her name again, but there's no response.
Belle stays trapped in the elevator away from Hook. Someone bangs on the door, trying to get in, and when the door opens, it luckily turns out to be Mr Gold, not Hook. She runs into his arms. "Belle," he sighs, looking at her, and she runs into his arm, crying. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. Here." He places his jacket over her shoulders.
"Where… Where is he?" Belle asks, looking around in fear.
"I don't know. But you've nothing to fear. I'm here now," Mr Gold assures her.
Henry broods on his bed at Mary Margaret's apartment, and Emma enters the room with a pop tart on a plate. "Hey, kid. You hungry?" Emma asks him. "I managed to wrangle up a pop tart."
"No, thanks," Henry replies, and she heads back to the living room to give him some space. Mary Margaret and the other funeral attendees are gathered.
"Well, that went well," She sighs, sitting down in defeat.
"Emma, you're doing all you can do," Mary Margaret assures her.
"That's what makes me feel awful," The blond woman groans.
"Ladies? The dwarves have been thinking. We have to ask – when do we go back?" Leroy asks the Charming family.
"Back? Where?" Emma questions.
"The Enchanted Forest. Our home," He clarifies.
"You want to go back?" Mary Margaret asks, looking at her old friend.
"We fought really hard to get here," Emma argues.
"But with what Regina did to Archie, Storybrooke ain't as safe as we thought," Leroy replies firmly.
"We're going to find her. There's only so many places she can hide," she assures him.
"We've dealt with her before, we'll do it again," Mary Margaret promises her friend.
"But it's not just her. The curse is broken. There's a whole world full of people beyond the town line that don't know who or what we are. Ever think of what might happen if one of them were to come pay us a visit?" Leroy asks them, growing worried.
"He's right. What if they see, you know, magic?" Ruby questions, stepping towards them. "Like a girl turning into a wolf, for example? Folks weren't exactly understanding back in our world."
"Okay, let's not worry about 'what ifs'. No one is here," Emma retorts, not wanting to think about it yet.
"Yet. Maybe they come, maybe they don't. But that doesn't change the fact that while we might enjoy things like penicillin, we're a bit homesick," Leroy replies.
Mr Gold and Belle walk along the main street back to his shop. "Where are you going?" Belle asks him.
"The shop," Mr Gold replies.
"Why?" She questions.
"Well, let's just say, there are many wonderful things in there that I could use to make sure that pirate never comes near you ever again," he tells her.
"Rumpel, no. We… We need to report this to the Sheriff," the bookworm argues. "They'll take care of him. You're so close to finding your son. Please. Please, don't let your hatred for this man get in the way of that."
"But he tried to harm you," The Dark One retorts, angry at what he did to her.
"But why? What… What happened between you two?" Belle asks him, not knowing what happened.
"Belle… This is really not your concern," Mr Gold retorts.
"He attacked me. It most definitely is my concern," She argues.
"Many years ago, I was married to a woman named Milah… Until Hook crossed our paths," He tells her, leaving some interesting details out.
"She was Baelfire's mother?" Beauty realises.
"Yeah. And because of that marauding cur, he grew up without her. He took my wife – he took Bae's mother – so I took his hand," Rumpelstiltskin adds.
"That's why he came after me. But, uh, what… What about her? What… What did he do? Rumpel, you can… You can tell me anything," Belle assures him.
"She died. That's all that matters," Mr Gold tells her. They arrive at the Pawn Shop and enter. Inside, they discover that the entire shop has been ransacked. "What happened here?" Belle wonders, looking around at everything that's been trashed.
"Hook. This is why he attacked you," Mr Gold tells her.
"To get you out of the store. What did he want?" she asks. He checks the safe and finds it empty. From a nearby rooftop, Killian spies on the couple through his telescope. Smee, holding the stolen shawl, joins Hook.
"You have it, Mr Smee?" Killian asks him.
"What is it, Captain?" Smee questions, looking at him.
"It's the end of the crocodile's hope. Now he's trapped here," he replies. Back inside the shop,Mr Gold angrily smashes things with his cane until Belle stops him, knowing he'll regret it later.
"Rumpel! Rumpel!" Belle shouts. "Stop it! Stop, please."
"No, you're right," Mr Gold sighs, calming down.
"Hey…" She mutters, looking at him.
"I'll have to retrieve what's mine," He replies, stalking towards the door.
"Let me… Let me help you," Beauty requests.
"This is my fight," The Dark One argues.
"And this is my fault! If Hook had never attacked me, you never would have left the shop," Belle retorts.
"How do you propose that we get the shawl back? Have you duelled with a pirate before? How exactly are you going to help me?" Rumpelstiltskin snaps.
"Well, I'm not just going to sit here and do nothing!" She snaps.
"No. You're going to go back to the library, lock the door, and wait for me to dispense with this problem!" He retorts, wanting her safe.
"And, if I don't? You'll… You'll cast some spell that gives me no choice?" The bookworm questions.
"No. I trust you'll do as I wish, as you trust me to be a better man. Belle, please. Hook has maybe cost me the chance of finding my son. I don't want to lose you, too. Here, look. I want you to take this," The Dark One tells her, pulling out a gun from one of the drawers and handing it to Belle. "Just in case Hook is stupid enough to come after you again. Point this, pull this trigger, and the gun'll do the rest for you. Alright? Alright?!"
"Yes, yes," Belle answers quickly, and he tries to leave again, but Belle stops him at the door. "W-Wait. Promise me that you going after Hook is just about getting the shawl back." Mr Gold doesn't say anything and abruptly leaves on a mission.
Belle cleans up the mess of books at the library, still feeling a little on edge. Amongst the pile, she finds a knotted piece of rope. Curious, she finds a book titled 'A Nautical Guide' and looks through it. She finds a page on ship knots and discovers that the piece of knotted rope is called 'the Monkey's Fist'. "Hook came here on his ship," Belle concludes, happy with her little detective work.
Carrying a bag, Smee heads down Storybrooke's main street. When he reaches a parking lot, he is confronted by Mr Gold. "Leaving town, Mr Smee?" He questions, glaring at him and using magic, Mr Gold pins Smee to the wall, who struggles to breathe. "I spared your life. And this is how you repay me? That object you stole from me – I want it back."
"I gave it to Hook," Smee replies.
"And where is he?" He asks him.
"I don't know. W-We met on a rooftop. He didn't tell me anything," The nervous pirate tells him.
"And why would he? Hook knows exactly what you are, Mr Smee – a snivelling rat," The Dark One sneers. Mr Gold magically transforms Smee into a rat with a puff of black smoke. "Now, scurry off."
Belle makes her way down to the docks, searching for Hook's ship, but finds the place deserted. "Where is it?" She mutters to herself, and above her, she notices seagulls perched on a seemingly invisible object. She grabs a handful of feed from a nearby container and throws it at the base of the 'ship'. The feed reveals a stairway leading onto the boat. "Found you." Belle smiles and carefully walks up the stairs until she crosses an invisible barrier, allowing her to see the ship herself. She goes below deck, where she hears Archie yelling out.
"Hello?" Archie calls out.
"Uh… H-Hello?" She replies cautiously.
"Down here!" He yells, and she opens the grate, finding Archie tied up inside. "Belle! Oh, thank God!"
"Archie! You're… You… You're okay!" Beauty exclaims, looking at him, happy to know he's alive.
"Yes, I… I… I am. I… I… Can… Can you, uh…" the shrink requests. She grabs a nearby sword and cuts Archie's roses. He quickly utilities his legs himself and climbs out. "She's… She's here. Octavia. She's here somewhere." He tells her, and she frowns, wondering where she could be held.
"Go. Find Mr. Gold. Tell him I'm here. Bring him back to the ship," Belle replies.
"Wait. You're not coming with me?" Archie asks her, and they hear a creaking noise from above.
"Go. Go! Go, go! There's no time to argue. I'll get Octavia," She assures him, and Archie runs out, leaving her alone on the ship.
David and Mary Margaret stand in the kitchen at the apartment, washing the dishes when everyone has gone. They see Henry sitting on his bed and calling someone. "Who's he calling?" David wonders, and they can faintly hear a recording on Archie's office phone.
"You've reached the office of Archibald Hopper. I'm sorry I can't take your call right now. I'm either with a patient-," the recording of Archie's voice says.
"Or dead," Henry mutters and hangs up. David walks over and sits beside him on the bed.
"It's okay, buddy," He says softly. "Things will get better, I promise. You just…got to hang in there."
"Doesn't feel that way," The Mills boy grumbles.
"I know. I know," Charming says, and Pongo suddenly enters through the front door and rushes towards Henry.
"Pongo!" Henry beams, looking happily at the dog.
"How did he get in here?" Mary Margaret wonders, and Emma steps inside.
"I brought him. Marco and I had a chat," Emma informs them. "Archie knew how much Henry loves this dog. We decided he should have him. That is, if you're up for taking care of him, Henry."
"Yeah, I am!" Henry eagerly agrees, and they see the mud trail Pongo brought in.
"Henry, why don't you take Pongo outside and clean him up?" She suggests quickly.
"Okay. Come on. Come on, boy! Come on! Let's go! Come on, boy," He encourages Pongo, walking out with the dog.
"Alright, look. I know that there's a lot to work out logistically, but-," The blond woman says, looking at her parents.
"No, no, no. I think giving Pongo to Henry is a great idea," Mary Margaret assures her. "It's just four people and a dalmatian in this loft. Things might get a little-."
"Cramped. I know. We'll get creative," Emma tells her.
"Or… We could get our own place," She suggests.
"You want to do what?" The Sheriff asks them.
"You want to move out?" David asks, looking at his wife.
"Whoa! I… It's just a suggestion," Mary Margaret exclaims, looking between them.
"After twenty-eight years, isn't this what we've all been waiting for? To be together under the same roof?" He asks her.
"Yes! I just… Imagined a bigger roof. …With turrets. Being here in Storybrooke, we have a chance at a fresh start. Let's take it," She argues.
Belle finds herself in the Captain's quarter and finds Octavia tied to a chair. "About time. Though I'm surprised it's you," Octavia remarks, looking at her. Belle places the gun on the desk and begins searching the room for the shawl. "I could help you look for whatever it is if you untie me." Belle moves towards her, trying to untie the knots on the rope. "Look for a knife," she suggests, and Belle moves things away.
"Right. Right," Belle mutters and finds a locked box on a shelf but no key. She eventually finds the key on one of the shelves and opens the box. Inside, however, there are only a few pieces of gold.
"Knife. Knife," Octavia repeats, moving her head in the direction of a dagger on the side. Belle moves to grab it and slices at the rope when Killian appears, entering the room behind her and holding the shawl.
"Looking for this?" Killian asks, looking at Belle.
"Uh, that doesn't belong to you," Belle replies nervously, and Octavia hastily tries untying her other hand.
"Oh, it does now," He argues, and they both glance at the gun on the desk. Belle attempts to grab it, but Hook is faster. "Oh… My dear Belle, you should've stayed with your books. Real life can get so… Messy." He points the gun at her head.
"Don't you dare!" Octavia warns her, and Hook looks at her, ignoring her for now.
"I'm not afraid of you, and I'm not leaving without that or Octavia," Belle replies firmly, and he places the shawl on the counter.
"Well, I admire your loyalty. But helping Rumpelstiltskin? I'm afraid you're fighting a lost cause," Killian retorts.
"He needs that shawl to find his son," She tells him.
"And what makes you think his son wants to be found? Mm? I'm doing that boy a favour," He argues.
"Have you not hurt Rumpel enough?" The bookworm questions and Octavia rolls her eyes at the naive lover of the Dark One.
"Oh. I've hurt him?" Hook retorts sarcastically.
"You stole his wife," Belle says, and Octavia can't help the laugh that escapes her lips.
"Tell me something, love. If a woman comes to you and begs you to take her away, is that theft?" Killian questions.
"Why would she leave him?" She asks him.
"Because he was a coward. And because she loved me," he tells her. "I should have burned this the moment I acquired it."
"Why didn't you?" Octavia asks him, not being able to hold herself back.
"Because she made it," The Captain replies, telling the women who his lost lover was.
"I'm sorry she died, but… Vengeance? Vengeance won't bring her back," Belle says, looking at him.
"Died? Like it was some kind of accident? Is that what he told you?" Killian asks her.
"He… Well, he… He didn't say," She replies nervously.
"No, of course not. Of course he'd leave out the most important detail of her passing," He sneers.
"And, uh… What would that be?" Octavia asks, already knowing the answer.
"He killed her. He ripped out her heart, and he crushed it right in front of me," Hook answers, making Belle look between them.
"No…" Belle mutters.
"Oh, yes," Killian replies.
"No!" She shouts.
"Yes. He will do anything – anything – to hold on to his power. Why do you think anyone who's ever gotten close to him, has either run away, or been killed? Now, what makes you think you're any different? Tell me something, darling. Why would you want to fight for a man like that?" He asks her.
"Because I still see good in him. Because I believe he's changed. Because his heart? Is true. And yours? Yours is rotten," Beauty snaps at him and slams the oar hanging from the ceiling into Killian's head. He stumbles backwards and falls into the storage area. Belle grabs the shawl from the counter and looks back at Octavia.
"Go! Go!" Octavia shouts at her, and Belle runs upstairs.
"You have no idea…" Killian mutters.
"Oh, shut up," she mutters, untying her hands as Hook scrambles to get out. She follows Belle above deck as she makes it, but Hook cuts her off.
"How the hell did you…" Belle gasps, looking at him.
"Oh, I know this ship like the back of my… Well, you know. I'd suggest you give that back to me now," Killian warns her, and Mr Gold arrives on deck.
"Or what?" Mr Gold questions, glaring at the pirate.
"Ah. You look different in this world, crocodile. Like the coward I met so long ago – limp and all," he comments, glancing at the Dark One.
"And yet, you still can't kill me," Rumpelstiltskin retorts.
"Let's have it, Dark One. What magic are you going to hide behind today?" The Captain questions, glaring at him.
"Oh, no. Not magic," Gold replies, hitting Killian upside the head with his cane and causing him to fall. Mr Gold then furiously begins beating Hook with his cane. Octavia makes it above deck, seeing everything and moving around to avoid the altercation.
"Rumpel! Hey, let's go. Let's go. Let's go," Belle shouts, trying to stop him.
"No, not yet, Belle," He argues, hitting Hook again.
"This – this is what you came for," she argues, holding the shawl up to him. "This is what's going to get you back to Bae."
"Ah, you're wasting your breath, love. He can't resist. He has to prove that he's not a coward," Killian remarks.
"You may want to turn away, Belle. This isn't going to be pretty," Mr Gold warns her, beginning to beat Hook with his cane. Mr Gold continues his savage beating of Killian as Belle watches.
"Do it! Do it! Kill me! He has to show you how powerful he is," He snaps, taking the hits.
"No, Rumpel. This… This is what he wants. To destroy every bit of good in you," Belle tells him.
"Rip my heart out. Kill me like you did Milah, and then I'll finally be reunited with her," Hook snaps.
"He has to die, Belle," Mr Gold argues, dropping his cane and lunging for Hook's throat.
"No! No, he doesn't! There's still good in you. I see it. I've always seen it. Please. Please show me I'm not wrong," Belle tells her, trying to calm him down and stop him from doing anything more he may regret.
"You take your little ship, and sail until you fall off the edge of the world. I never want to see you again," He warns Hook and turns to Belle. "Let's go."
At Granny's Diner, Mary Margaret and David look through the real estate available in Storybrooke. "I really like this one," She says, pointing at one.
"I don't know. The yard looks kind of small," he argues.
"You going to say that about every house we look at?" Mary Margaret asks him.
"I grew up on a farm," David retorts.
"This isn't about the houses, is it?" She questions, looking at him.
"We buried a friend this morning, Mary Margaret, and it made me realise… I don't want to die here," he replies.
"But our home, David? It doesn't exist anymore. The ogres are back. Cora's in power," Snow argues.
"Which is exactly why we need to return. To make things right – to fight," Charming tells her.
"I'm tired of fighting! That's all we've ever done. We have a chance here – a chance to be together," Mary Margaret retorts.
"But what if we don't belong here? Isn't it worth it to fight for what we really want?" David questions.
"Unless, we don't want the same thing," She says, looking at him.
Henry draws at the table in the apartment later that day while Pongo lies near his feet, and Emma walks inside. "You plotting your escape from Shawshank, kid?" Emma asks him.
"No, they're blueprints. I had some ideas for what to do if David and Mary Margaret move out. Look," Henry tells her, showing the drawing.
"You want to make Mary Margaret's room an armoury?" She questions, looking closely.
"Yeah. You know, for weapons and stuff. To protect us – from Regina," He replies.
"She's not going to hurt you. I'm not going to let her," The Sheriff promises him.
"She hurt Archie. What if she wants to take me back?" The Mills boy asks his mother.
"That's not going to happen," Emma assures him. Then, there's a knock at the door, which makes Pongo jump, becoming agitated. "Pongo? What is it?" Emma answers the door and discovers Archie standing there - alive. "Archie…"
"Hi," Archie replies.
"What happened?" She asks him.
"It was Cora. She kidnapped me," He tells her. "She had Octavia, too, but I think she escaped.
"Archie?" Henry questions, looking at him.
"Henry, oh!" the shrink cries, and they quickly embrace. "Oh, it's alright. I'm fine. I'm fine."
"Henry. We were wrong. Regina didn't do it," Emma tells him.
"I knew it. Maybe we should let her know," Henry suggests.
"I'd say," Octavia agrees, making everyone look at her, still in her clothes from the Enchanted Forest. "Hey, Little Mills." Henry launches himself at her, crying into her shirt. "I know. I'm here now." She rubs his back and looks up at Emma. "We need to find my sister now."
"Yeah. But something tells me, either way, we're going to pay the price," Emma agrees, though she knows it's not going to be good.
Mr Gold pulls up before the town boundary in his car with Belle, both sitting inside as they need to talk. "This would have been lost if it wasn't for you, Belle," He comments, holding up the shawl. "I would have been lost. After everything you've learned about me, after everything I've done, why haven't you given up on me?"
"I learned a long time ago, that when you find something that's worth fighting for, you never give up," Belle replies, looking at him. They approach the town line, and Mr Gold pours the potion over the shawl, causing it to glow with magic. "Okay…"
"Here we go," he mutters before crossing the spray-painted border, causing a surge of magic to pulse through his body. "Belle…" She edges closer to the town line and grabs the Dark One's hand.
"It… It worked," She smiles, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
"Yes, it did. It did," Rumpelstiltskin nods, smiling.
"Now you can find your son," The bookworm agrees.
"Oh, Belle, I so wish you were coming with me," Mr Gold comments.
"As do I, but… It doesn't matter," Belle replies.
"And why not?" He asks her.
"Because you'll find him. And, when you do, I'll be here waiting for you when you get back," she tells him. They hug when a shot rings out. Belle falls forward across the town line, causing the magic to surge through her. Behind them, Killian is pointing the gun in their direction.
"I wouldn't count on it," Killian smirks, feeling his revenge becoming fruitful.
"Belle!? Belle? Belle!" Gold shouts, lowering Belle to the ground. She looks up at him, confused.
"W-Who's Belle?" Belle asks, looking at him.
"Oh, no. No, no, no, no…" He gasps, trying to fix it, but it's impossible.
"Oh, fear not. She'll live. She'll just have no idea who you are," Killian tells him, grinning.
"What you've done cannot be undone," The Dark One tells him.
"Well, now you finally know how it feels! Well, go ahead, crocodile. Do your worst!" He shouts.
"Oh, I intend to," Mr Gold replies, magically producing a fireball in his hand and going to throw it. But a car suddenly barrels down the road towards them. Rumpelstiltskin grabs Belle and rolls them out of the way, but the car runs into Killian, hitting him. Hook lands on the ground unconscious on the side of the road while the car swerves and crashes into a large boulder. The car suddenly stops, and the licence plate says it's from Pennsylvania.