X. "That snivelling little worm."
A week before everything happened with Mary Magaret and Kathryn. Regina sits at her desk in her office, fiddling with her ring. She holds it to her lips when Mr Gold enters. "Remembrance of things past?" Mr Gold wonders, looking at the woman.
"What do you want?" Regina asks, looking back at him.
"I need a favour," he requests, not liking the words coming from his lips.
"You need a favour from me?" She questions, smirking.
"Well, as you know, there are battery charges against me…pending. I really don't relish the thought of spending any more time locked up in a cage. Now, someone with your influence can make the D.A. suddenly realise what a flimsy case they have. Isn't that right… Your Majesty?" The Dark One explains, cringing a little on the inside.
"What do I get out of it?" The Mayor wonders.
"Help, with your Mary Margaret problem," Mr Gold replies. "You see, I've noticed that no matter how hard you seem to try to stop them, she and her 'charming' friend just keep finding ways to be together."
"What are you suggesting?" Regina asks.
"If you want to inflict pain… Then you must inflict pain. If something tragic were to happen to David's wife, and if Mary Margaret should take the blame-," he suggests, shrugging.
"She'd be ruined," she muses, thinking about it.
"And you'd have your victory, at last," Gold agrees.
"A trial could be very messy," the Evil Queen retorts, smiling.
"A trial? Who said anything about a trial?" Mr Gold questions. "Now, once Miss Blanchard has been incarcerated, you can plant one of your lovely skeleton keys in her cell. And, once she tries to leave Storybrooke, well… We all know what happens to people who attempt to leave town."
"Give me one good reason why I should trust you," Regina asks, glaring at him.
"Because I always honour my agreements. Do we have a deal?" He requests, holding out his hand.
(BLESSING)
A long time ago, a younger version of the Evil Queen practised horseback riding as Henry Sr watches in the Enchanted Forest. She jumps over several barricades and then comes to a stop near her father. She smiles at him and jumps off, rushing over to him and giving him a hug. "That's beautiful, sweetheart," Henry I compliments her, smiling lovingly at his daughter.
"Thank you, Daddy," Regina gushes when Cora approaches, followed by Landon, skinnier than his older counterpart, while Daniel, holding a saddle, trails behind them.
"Beautiful? I'd hardly call that beautiful," Cora argues, frowning at her daughter's display.
"You didn't like it, mother?" She asks, looking at her mother and older brother.
"You ride like a man. A lady should be graceful. You should use a saddle," Mrs Mills retorts, and Landon smiles at his sister.
"I was just having fun," the young Mills girl argues, shrugging.
"Well, you're getting a little old for fun," Cora remarks. "Who's going to want to marry you when you behave like a commoner?"
"Honey, please leave her alone," Henry I pleads, and Landon rolls his eyes at his submissive father.
"Stop coddling her," she snaps, glaring at her husband. "She's becoming an old maid. All the other girls her age are married. I had such high hopes."
"What about Landon?" He argues, looking at his son. "What about him marrying someone?"
"Milady, perhaps this saddle-," Daniel suggests, trying to defuse the situation.
"I'm done riding for the day. And don't ever interrupt me and my family again," Regina snaps, handing her horse to Daniel, who leads the horse away. "Why do you always have to criticise me?"
"I'm not criticising you – I'm helping you," Cora argues, and Regina storms away. "Don't you walk away from me." Cora lifts her hands and uses magic to lift Regina off the ground and bring her closer.
"Mother, please stop," Landon begs, looking at Cora, who glances at her son.
"Mother! You know I don't like it when you use magic," Regina yells, struggling in the air.
"And I don't like insolence," Cora reminds her. "I'll stop using magic, when you start being an obedient daughter."
"Why can't I just be myself?" She wonders, wanting to be free from her mother and be herself.
"Oh, because you can be so much more. If you'd just let me help you…" The Mills' Mother argues, and Landon sighs, looking at his twin and mother.
"I don't care about status. I just want to be-," the younger Mills twin snaps and Cora magically wraps the reins around Regina, cutting off her air supply.
"Mother, stop!" Landon shouts, moving towards her. "Mother!"
"Cora, please," Henry I begs with his wife.
"Please… I'll be good," Regina promises.
"Excellent. That's all I wanted to hear," Cora remarks, letting her go, and Landon catches Regina before she falls to the ground. Landon waves his hand over the brightening red marks around his twin's throat.
"I'm sorry, Gina," Landon mutters, feeling weak and promising to get stronger to protect his younger twin sister.
(BLESSING)
Daniel enters the stable and brushes one of the horses, leaving the Mills family outside. Regina storms inside after encountering her mother and Landon healing her throat. "Daniel. I'm sorry I snapped at you," Regina apologises, looking at her secret lover.
"That's alright. You'll just have to find some way to make it up to me," Daniel muses and leans towards her. Regina smiles as she leans towards him, sharing a sweet and loving kiss.
(BLESSING)
In the present, Emma walks out of Granny's Diner with Landon, having a quick lunch together before they head out for work, when David calls out to her, needing to talk to her. "Emma. Hey."
"David. I don't have time," Emma tells him as they walk towards Landon's car.
"No, I-I understand. It's Mary Margaret. How's she doing?" He asks.
"How do you think she's doing?" Landon retorts, glaring at him as they walk up the street.
"Well, I think the last time we spoke, she didn't quite get what I meant," Nolan argues, and Landon rolls his eyes.
"Oh, you mean that you basically told her you thought she might be guilty?" Emma questions, looking at him.
"Look, it's this situation. It's been confusing and horrible for everyone," David reasons. "But, Emma, I don't think she's guilty. I need her to know that. Can I see her?"
"She doesn't want visitors," she tells him.
"You mean me. She doesn't want to see me," he guesses.
"Honestly, David. I'm sure your heart is in the right place, but the last thing she needs right now is words of encouragement from you," Landon retorts, stepping in David's way.
"What does she need?" Nolan asks.
"A miracle," Emma replies, getting into Landon's car.
"And I doubt you can give her that," Landon remarks before entering the driver's seat.
(BLESSING)
Meanwhile, Mary Margaret sleeps in her cell at the Sheriff's station, and when she wakes up, she finds Regina watching her. "They say only the guilty sleep in prison," Regina comments, stepping towards her.
"What are you doing here? Where's Emma?" Mary Margaret asks, moving from her makeshift bed.
"She hasn't arrived yet. I just wanted to stop by to offer you a chance. A chance to spare yourself and this town the messiness of a trial. The chance to confess," she replies, moving towards the cell bars.
"But I didn't kill Kathryn. Why won't anyone believe me?" The teacher snaps, at least wanting someone other than Emma and Landon to believe she's innocent.
"The murder weapon was found in your apartment, your fingerprint was on the box containing Kathryn's heart… Shall I go on? Why not, for once, make it easier on everyone? Because confession or not, you're leaving Storybrooke," the Mayor warns her.
"And you like that. Why? Why do you take such pleasure in this? What did I ever do to you to make you hate me so much?" Mary Margaret asks, and Regina looks at her, hating the woman for their shared past.
(BLESSING)
In the earlier days in the Enchanted Forest, by horseback, the young Regina meets Daniel in a secret field and gets off to greet him. "I thought we could take a ride to Firefly Hill. We can make it by sundown, have a picnic-," Daniel suggests, wanting to spend time with his lover.
"I can't. I have to be back in an hour – tea time. A lady never misses her tea time," Regina tells him, imitating her mother.
"This is absurd. Stealing kisses between lunch and tea? When are you going to tell your parents about us?" He asks her, wanting to spend more time with Regina.
"It's not my parents. It's her," she argues, thinking of her mother.
"I don't understand. So, I work in the stables. She started out as the daughter of a miller. Wouldn't she, of all people, understand?" The stable boy wonders.
"She does. But… But, she thinks one's trajectory needs to keep moving up and…" the young Mills woman explains.
"And I'm down," Daniel concludes, hanging his head.
"She believes that, Daniel. I know better," Regina assures him.
"Regina, tell her. She'll get over it. What can she do?" He argues, wanting to spend the rest of his life with her.
"Have you not seen her magic?" She retorts, waving her hands. "Th-The real question is, what can't she do?"
"Who cares about magic? True love is the most powerful magic of all. It can overcome anything," the stable boy assures her when they hear a distressed voice calling out for help in the distance and getting closer.
"Shh. Someone's here," the Mills girl warns him, and they see a young raven-haired girl flying past them on an out-of-control horse.
"Somebody, help me!" Snow screams, and Regina gets on her horse quickly and chases after the Princess. "Come on, please, stop! Help me! Help! Help me! Please help me!" Regina eventually catches up with the runaway horse and extends her hand to Snow White.
"Give me your hand!" Regina shouts, close to tears, making Snow look at her as she feels fear coursing through her. Snow takes Regina's hand, pulling the young girl onto her horse. Snow's former horse continues to run without its rider, while Regina's comes to a stop. Snow tumbles off the horse, and Regina assists her. "It's okay, dear. You're safe," Regina assures the young Princess.
"You saved my life," Snow declares, smiling brightly at Regina.
"Are you alright?" She asks, checking her over for any injuries.
"Yes. But I'll never ride again," the young Princess assures her, joking.
"Nonsense. The only way to overcome fear is to face it. To get back on that horse as soon as possible," the Mills woman encourages her.
"Thank you," Snow says.
"Regina," Regina introduces herself.
"I'm Snow. Snow White," she replies, hugging the kind woman.
(BLESSING)
Mary Margaret sits in her cell at the station while Emma and Mr Gold argue before her. "A pretrial interview with the prosecution? Explain to me how that is a good idea," Emma snaps, glaring at him.
"The D.A. merely wishes to ask Miss Blanchard a few questions," Mr Gold explains to her again.
"She's done answering questions," she argues. "And why are we kissing up to the D.A.? Why aren't we going after Regina? She's the one who's setting up Mary Margaret."
"And what proof do we have of that, Sheriff? Just because you found the Mayor's skeleton key in the cell, doesn't mean we can prove she put it there," he reminds her.
"So, what's your plan?" The Sheriff asks him.
"I believe our best chance of winning this case is to employ our most valuable asset," Gold informs her.
"What's that?" Mary Margaret asks, looking at them.
"Well, that's you, dear," Mr Gold replies. "A sweet, kind, elementary school teacher. Doesn't exactly fit the prototype of a killer, now, does it?"
"That's how you're going to get her acquitted? By using her personality?" Emma questions, shaking her head in disbelief at his idea.
"Perception is everything, Miss Swan – not just in the courtroom, but in life. As such, I'm sure you can imagine how the jury would perceive Miss Blanchard if she agreed to cooperate with the District Attorney. These things engender trust. It shows the jury she's at least trying-," he explains when Sidney enters with a vase of flowers, interrupting their conversation.
"Emma? Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt," Sidney says, looking at the others. "I just, uh, came by to drop these off. I thought they might brighten the place up." Sidney goes into Emma's office to set the vase down, and Emma joins him, still suspicious of him.
"What did you find?" Emma asks him, keeping her voice low.
"Nothing. I-I'm sorry, Emma. I tried, I really did. I looked into her phone records. I talked to the people at the Toll Bridge. But look, what can I say? Regina knows how to cover her tracks," he argues, though he's not bothered looking into anything as he's still on Regina's side.
"What about the murder weapon? You find anything tying her to that?" She wonders, leaving Landon out of most of it because it's his twin sister.
"From what I can tell, she never bought or owned a hunting knife," Glass informs her.
"That's all you were able to uncover?" The Sheriff questions, feeling disappointed.
"Don't worry – I'm going to keep digging. And I won't stop until I do find something," Sidney promises before leaving, and Emma returns to Mr Gold and Mary Margaret.
"I'm going to do it. I'm going to talk to the D.A.," Mary Margaret announces.
"Are you sure?" Emma asks her, not wanting her to go to prison.
"Mr Gold's right. I know I have nothing to hide, but no one else does. I need to let people see me for who I am," she argues, and the D.A., Albert Spencer, and Regina enter.
"Excellent decision, Miss Blanchard. My name is Spencer. I'm the District Attorney. Shall we begin?" Albert asks.
"Yeah," the teacher agrees, looking a little nervous now that it's happening.
(BLESSING)
Mary Margaret, Mr Gold, and Albert settle in the interrogation room. Regina and Emma watch from behind the mirror, listening to the conversation through the speaker. "After she learned about your affair, Misses Nolan, the deceased, came to your school to confront you. Is that correct?" Albert asks, looking at his notepad.
"She was hurt, and she felt betrayed," Mary Margaret replies.
"She struck you… In the face, was it?" He questions.
"Yes, but-," she agrees but wishes to clarify more.
"That must've made you angry," The D.A. retorts, looking at her.
"You… You don't have to answer that," Mr Gold advises Mary Margaret, who looks at him.
"No, it's okay. I was not angry. I was sorry for all the pain I had caused her," Mary Margaret replies, looking at the D.A.
"Miss Blanchard, this is not a courtroom. I'm not here to judge you. You can be honest with me," Albert assures her.
"Shall we end this?" Mr Gold asks, looking at his client.
"I am being honest with you," Mary Margaret argues.
"The wife of the man you loved humiliated you in a public forum. Surely, you must have felt some anger towards Kathryn?" Albert wonders.
"Yes, I was angry-," she replies, trying to explain.
"And did you ever think about acting upon that anger?" He asks her.
"Of course not," the excused snaps.
"I have a hard time believing that," the D.A. retorts.
"Wh… Why?" Mary Margaret asks, shaking her head.
"Because you wanted Kathryn Nolan gone," Albert explains, looking at her.
"I never said that," she argues.
"Alright. My client is answering no more questions for the day," Mr Gold announces.
"Your client agreed to this interview because she claimed she had nothing to hide," Albert reminds him.
"I don't have anything to hide," Mary Margaret assures them.
"Then, what is your answer? You wanted Kathryn gone, didn't you?" He repeats, looking at her.
"No," she repeats.
"Even after she tried to keep you and David apart?" The D.A. ponders. "After she slapped you in public? After she made you a pariah in your own town?"
"Yes, of course I wanted her gone. She was the only thing keeping us apart. So, yeah, I wanted her gone. Is that what you want to hear?" The teacher snaps, losing her mind, and Albert leans back in his chair.
(BLESSING)
Sometime after rescuing Snow White, Regina dresses in her usual riding outfit, checking herself over in the mirror in her room when Cora enters. "No, this won't do," Cora dismisses, magically engulfing her daughter in a puff of purple smoke. When the smoke clears, Regina's riding outfit transforms into a gown, and her hair is worn down.
"What are you doing?" Regina asks, looking at herself.
"We have a guest. He'll be here any moment," she informs her daughter, smiling.
"I can't. I have a riding lesson with Daniel," the younger Mills woman argues, wanting to spend time with him.
"Well, that's been cancelled. Now, smile. We don't want to disappoint him," Mrs Mills retorts, smiling.
"Disappoint who?" Regina wonders, looking at her mother.
"The King," Cora announces, and Regina looks at her in shock.
"The King? Why is the King coming?" She wonders, looking outside as if he'll appear suddenly.
"Because you've finally done something right," the red-haired woman replies. "That little girl you saved? Is the King's daughter." Cora leads Regina outside to where Henry I, Landon, and King Leopold, with his escorts, are waiting.
"Is that her?" Leopold asks, looking at Henry Senior.
"Yes. Regina, honey, this is Snow White's father," Henry I introduces them. Cora bows and Regina starts to kneel, but King Leopold stops her.
"No. It is I who should bow to you," he replies, smiling kindly at the woman. "You saved my daughter's life. There is no way to repay that debt. It is an honour to meet you."
"Regina, dear, the King's honoured to meet you. Say something," Cora mutters, looking at her daughter.
"The honour is mine," Regina says, looking at him.
"You're quite lucky to have a mother who looks out for you," Leopold remarks, and Landon smirks, glancing at his mother, who smiles back at him. "My dear Snow has many things, but a mother is not one of them. We lost her years ago."
"I'm so sorry," she replies.
"Since then, I have scoured the land looking for a wife. I've yet to find a woman with an interest in my daughter… Until now," He announces before turning around and taking a ring from one of his guards. He goes down on one knee and proposes to the beautiful woman. "Will you marry me, Regina?" Regina looks at her father, who shakes his head, but Cora ignores him.
"Yes. Yes," Cora announces, answering for her daughter.
"Welcome to the family," Landon mutters, earning a nudge from Henry Senior, who glares at his son.
(BLESSING)
Regina abruptly enters the stables, trying to find Daniel, needing to talk to him. "Daniel?" Regina calls for him, and he comes out of the pen. "Daniel!" She rushes to him.
"What is it?" Daniel asks, seeing how stressed she appears.
"Marry me," she declares, making him look at her in shock.
"Regina, what are you doing? What's happened? Did you tell your mother?" He asks her.
"No. Now, I can never tell her. She won't understand," the dark-haired woman tells him. "That girl I saved…was the King's daughter. And now, he's proposed to me."
"What?" The stable boy gasps.
"My mother accepted!" Regina exclaims. "The only way out is to run. For us to leave this place, for us to be married, for us to never come back."
"Regina… Do you understand what that would mean? Life with a stable boy is a far cry from a life as Queen," Daniel argues, trying to help her.
"Being Queen means nothing. Daniel… All I care about is you," she argues, wanting to spend her life with him.
"Then, if I am to marry you, we must do this properly," he proposes, going over to one of the saddles and unclipping a ring. He walks back over to her and puts the ring on her finger. "Here." They sweetly kiss but quickly break apart when they hear a noise. They turn to see Snow White standing at the entrance of the stables.
"Snow! Dear, what are you doing?" Regina asks, looking at the young Princess.
"You said to get back on the horse and… What are you doing with him?" Snow White wonders with her childish innocence.
"Snow, I can explain," she tells her, but Snow takes off. "No, no, no. Snow! Snow!"
(BLESSING)
Regina chases after Snow White through the forest. Snow accidentally trips, and Regina catches up to her and tries to help her. "Snow! Snow! Wait! Snow! Snow! Are you okay?" Regina asks her.
"No. No. Why were you kissing that man in the stable? You're to marry my father. You're to be my mother," Snow argues, shaking her head.
"Oh, Snow, please. Listen to me. Hey. Your father, King Leopold, he's a kind and fair man… But I don't love him," she explains to the child.
"I don't understand. Why not?" The young Princess asks, looking at her as Regina helps the girl to her feet.
"Love doesn't work that way. Love, true love, is magic. And not just any magic – the most powerful magic of all. It creates happiness," the Mills girl replies.
"And that man in the stables… You love him?" Snow questions.
"With all my heart," Regina confirms, smiling.
"Then you must marry him. I will go tell Father right away," she tells her, going to run off, but Regina stops her.
"No, no, no, no. You can't," the dark-haired woman argues.
"Why not? Surely he'll understand," the young Princess assures her.
"Perhaps. But not everyone will. My mother, for one. She'll stand in the way," Regina tells her, wanting to keep her meddling mother in the dark.
"That's why you're running," Snow realises.
"It's the only way our love can survive. Snow, do you know what a secret is?" She asks the young girl, who nods. "If you really, truly want to help me…"
"I do," the Princess replies.
"Then, what you saw, what I told you – you must keep it a secret. Can you do that?" The Mills girl requests, hoping the young Princess can keep her secret before she runs away with Daniel.
"I think so," Snow White tells her.
"I need you to be certain. You can never speak of this. And, above all, you mustn't tell my mother. Will you do that for me?" Regina asks again, ensuring their promise.
"Yes, I promise," she replies firmly, nodding. "What about your brother?"
"Landon?" The dark-haired woman questions and the Princess smiles, blushing a little. "Oh, well, I think he knows. He always seems to know everything. But I don't want him to have to lie to my mother." She explains.
"I see," the Princess agrees, thinking of the handsome Mills boy she met earlier.
(BLESSING)
At Storybrooke Piers, Emma sits on a bench as she reads through Henry's book. August strolls past, spots her, and steps towards her. "What you doing?" August asks her, looking around as if Landon will appear out of nowhere just because he's talking to him.
"Grasping at straws," Emma replies, glancing up at him.
"Still trying to find a way to prove your friend's been framed?" He guesses.
"Every time I go down a path I think leads somewhere, it ends up being a dead end. I used to think I had these great instincts… Superpower. Ah, I don't know," she sighs, wanting to help Mary Margaret.
"It sounds like you got a case of writer's block. Only without the whole writing part," the writer muses about it.
"Maybe," the blond woman says, thinking about it a little.
"You know, when I get struck by a block, I usually reread what I've done, rather than plough ahead blindly. Sometimes, I find there'll be a little nugget of inspiration left behind," August suggests, trying to help her.
"You mean start over?" Emma asks, looking at him as if an idea had come to mind.
"I mean, when I start writing, I usually have one idea. And then, in the middle, I may get another idea, and things are different," he explains.
"So, your perspective changes," she argues, catching on to the idea.
"Exactly. When you started this investigation, what was it about?" The stranger asks her, sitting down with her.
"A missing person," the Sheriff replies, thinking about it as if it was years ago, not months. "Then, it became a murder, and then a cover-up."
"If you knew that then, maybe you would have approached things differently," August suggests, and Emma gets an idea, jumping up from the bench. "Where you going?"
"Scene of the crime," Emma announces, smiling.
"I'll drive," he offers, following her.
"No, I'm fine," she assures him.
"No, you're not. You haven't slept in days. And, let's be honest – it was my idea," the writer argues. "And I don't think your boyfriend would be too happy about you going off on your own."
(BLESSING)
August and Emma ride on his motorbike to the Toll Bridge. August parks the bike, and they get off and walk down an incline to the spot under the bridge where Ruby and Landon found the heart. "Ruby and Landon found the box with the heart right over here, just by the shore," Emma says, spotting August grimace in pain. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," August replies, feeling a twinge in his leg.
"It doesn't seem like nothing. Here, let me look," she says, moving towards him.
"No, it's okay. It's just a shin splint. Just…let me walk it off. Sorry. I know this must be hard on you," he replies, moving around as he tries to work through the pain.
"Yeah, that's an understatement," the Sheriff mutters, beginning to clear rocks away from the site where the heart was found.
"I don't know you that well, but, it seems to me, that aside from Henry, Mary Margaret's the closest thing to family you've got. It's okay to admit it," the writer tells her.
"August, look," Emma yelps, pulling a piece of metal from the sand where the heart was buried.
"What is it?" August asks, moving towards her.
"It's a shard," she announces, beaming. "From a shovel. Must've broken off when it hit a rock. If we can find the shovel that it broke off of, we can prove that Mary Margaret didn't bury the heart. We can prove that she's innocent."
"And I'm going to guess you know exactly whose shovel it is," he muses, looking at her and sharing a smirk.
(BLESSING)
At Regina's house, she checks on her son, who is pretending to be asleep. When Regina gets into the shower, he grabs the walkie-talkie from under his pillow. Emma and August are outside the house awaiting instructions. "The eagle is in the nest, and the package is secure," Henry announces.
"Henry. I left the code book at home," Emma mutters, talking into the walkie-talkie.
"She's getting in the shower and the keys are under the mat," he replies. Emma takes the key from under the mat, and she and August enter the garage, trying to be quiet, not wanting to make a scene.
"Don't touch a thing," she warns August as they search Regina's garage with flashlights. Emma comes across several shovels, one missing a piece in the corner. Emma quietly calls August over. "Hey." She takes out the shard and tests it on the shovel, and it ends up being a perfect fit. "We got her."
(BLESSING)
A young Snow White stares at the flowers in the castle for the preparations for the wedding. She reaches out to touch one, but Cora notices and stops the young Princess. "Careful, sweetheart. A flower is a delicate thing," Cora warns, holding the girl's hand. "Be gentle. You want it to grow and not pluck it before its time."
"Sorry," Snow mutters, hanging her head.
"It's alright. You needn't fear me," she assures her. "I'm only trying to help. Perhaps, you can be the flower girl at the wedding. I can already see how close you and Regina have become. She's going to make a fine mother for you." Cora leads her to a couch to sit and talk.
"She is kind to me," the Princess replies, smiling.
"Indeed. It warms my heart how you two share everything…" Mrs Mills muses. "Already. Perhaps, you could share something with me. Why has she pulled away from me?"
"What do you mean?" Snow White asks her.
"A mother knows her daughter," Cora argues. "Regina's pulled away. I love her so much, but she's not letting me help her. And I… I know she's unhappy. Has she said something? I'd do anything to make her happy."
"You'd do anything?" She asks, thinking about everything.
"Of course, dear. You know, I talked to the King about your mother. He told me how much she loved you. Losing her must've been so hard," the red-haired woman replies, playing with the girl's feelings.
"It was," the Princess mutters, thinking of her late mother.
"Hearing him, I realised he might as well have been talking about me and Regina. I don't want us to lose each other. If only I could show her how I feel. That, no matter what, all I want is her happiness," Cora says, and Snow White abruptly stands up.
"Then, don't make her get married," Snow declares, making Cora look at her in shock.
"I'm sorry?" She asks, looking at the Princess.
"She doesn't love my father. She loves someone else. She made me promise not to tell… But she'll lose you. She can't lose her mother. No one should," the Princess explains, breaking her promise to Regina.
"Oh, sweet Snow. It's alright. She won't lose me. You can tell me. You must tell me," Mrs Mills pleads, and Snow looks at her.
(BLESSING)
Emma knocks on Regina's door, and she answers, looking at the Sheriff. "Can I help you, Sheriff Swan?" Regina asks.
"Yes. I need you to unlock the garage for me," Emma requests, trying to be polite.
"And, why would I do that?" She asks, glaring at the woman.
"Because I have a search warrant that says that you have to," the Sheriff retorts, handing Regina a piece of paper.
"On what grounds?" The dark-haired woman asks, and Emma holds up a bag containing the metal shard.
"I found this near where the heart was buried. Figured whoever buried it might have left something behind," Emma explains. "Then, I got an anonymous call from someone who said they saw you digging near the Toll Bridge the day the heart was found."
"An anonymous call?" Regina questions, shaking her head at the lie.
"Yeah. Well, I can't control the fact they didn't leave a name. I suppose they didn't want to risk pissing you off," she retorts, shrugging, and Regina humans. "Now, open the garage, or I'll find a way to do it myself." Regina leads Emma to the garage. Emma goes over to where she found the broken shovel but instead finds an entirely intact one. "Where is it?"
"Where is what, Sheriff?" The Mayor asks, musing, already ten steps ahead of the Sheriff.
"You knew I was coming," the blond woman snaps, turning to the other woman.
"How on earth would I know that?" Regina questions, folding her arms as she smiles.
"Mary Margaret is a good person. She doesn't deserve this," Emma argues.
"Miss Blanchard is a liar and a murderer. No matter what accusations you throw my way, that won't change. She's going to pay for what she's done. That woman has destroyed the last life she is ever going to destroy," she retorts sternly, hating Snow White and Mary Margaret.
(BLESSING)
Emma storms to August's room at the bed and breakfast and knocks angrily; August answers, looking at her. "Hey," August greets her.
"How could you do this? How could you do this to me? To Mary Margaret?" Emma snaps, glaring at him.
"Whoa. Slow down. Do what?" He asks, looking at her in confusion.
"The shovel was gone when I got there. Regina knew I was coming for it," she explains angrily.
"You… You think that I told her?" The writer wonders, shaking his head in disbelief.
"You were the only other person who knew about it," the Sheriff argues. She didn't even tell Landon last night.
"I would hope that you would have enough faith to know that I would never betray you," August retorts.
"Why should I? How do I know you're not lying about this? About everything?" Emma asks, getting angrier.
"I'm not a liar," he tells her, though he's not telling the truth about a few things.
"That is exactly what a liar would say," she snaps before storming away.
(BLESSING)
After Emma stops at Regina's, she heads to the Sheriff's station and finds Mary Margaret sitting in her cell with her head in her hands. "Having a bad day?" Regina asks, moving towards the cell.
"What are you doing here?" Mary Margaret wonders, looking at the Mayor.
"I wanted to see you while I can," she replies, glancing at the prisoner.
"What does that mean?" The raven-haired woman asks.
"Simply, that the trial starts tomorrow, and it won't be a long one. And, you'll be sent out of Storybrooke for good, and I will never have to see you again. Oh, I want to enjoy this while I still can," the Mayor muses, smirking happily.
"Enjoy what?" Mary Margaret wonders.
"Justice," Regina replies.
"Justice? Watching an innocent suffer?" She asks.
"You've always seen yourself that way, haven't you? Innocent," the dark-haired woman muses, hating the other woman.
"I am innocent! I don't know what this is about! I don't know what I ever did to you, but whatever it was, Regina… I'm sorry. I truly am," the teacher yells, wanting this all to end.
"Apology not accepted," Regina replies, shrugging.
"Please. Don't do this to me. I don't deserve this. I did not kill Kathryn," Mary Margaret argues.
"Oh, I know," she says, smirking, reaching through the bars to stroke the side of Mary Margaret's face and then grabbing her chin. "But you do deserve this."
(BLESSING)
Regina, with a bag in tow, meets Daniel at the stables for their escape. "Are you ready?" Daniel asks her.
"Let's go," Regina tells him, and they go to leave but run into Cora at the entrance.
"You could've at least left a note," Cora remarks, producing a wave of magic and pushing Regina and Daniel back into the stable. She then proceeds to shut all of the doors and lock them in.
"Mother, I-," she gasps.
"Don't. You sneak out of my house in the dead of night, and think I won't notice? How dare you," Mrs Mills hisses at her daughter.
"You're impossible to talk to. Stop with the magic and listen to me. I want to be with Daniel," the dark-haired woman argues, wanting to be free.
"Oh, you don't know what you want. But I do," Cora retorts, sighing. "I didn't make the sacrifices I did in life, to get you to the cusp of greatness, so that you could end up the wife of a stable boy."
"But it's my life," Regina snaps.
"You foolish girl. It's mine," the red-haired woman argues. "After what I had to do… The deals I had to make to get us out of poverty, to get us this life, and you just want to toss it away?"
"Stay strong, Regina," Daniel tells her.
"Your magic can't keep us apart. I love him," Regina snaps.
"And I love her," he says, smiling at Regina.
"And I love her, too," Cora retorts, glancing at them and wanting better for her daughter and son.
"If you loved me, you wouldn't try to keep us apart," Regina argues, looking at Daniel and then her mother.
"And if you loved me, you wouldn't try to run away," she replies, sighing.
"I'm sorry, but this is my happiness. We're going," the dark-haired woman snaps.
"No, you're not," Mrs Mills argues.
"So, what's your plan? You're going to keep us here forever?" Regina asks her, shaking her head. "Because that's what you'll have to do.
"So, this is… Your decision? This will make you happy?" Cora asks, glancing at them.
"It already has," she tells her.
"Then, who am I to stop you?" The red-haired woman questions and Regina pulls Cora in a hug.
"Thank you, mother," the young Mills girl smiles, and Cora takes Daniel aside to talk to him.
"Daniel. If you want to have a life together, a family… Then, there's one important lesson I can impart on you. It's what it means to be a parent. You always have to do what's best for your children," Cora tells him.
"Thank you. I understand. Because that's what you're doing now," Daniel assures her.
"Yes. It is," she agrees before plunging her hand inside Daniel's chest.
"Mother!" Regina shouts, watching in shock as Cora rips Daniel's heart out. He falls to the ground, and Regina rushes over to him in horror. "No! No! No, no, no." Cora quickly crushes Daniel's heart to dust. "Mother, why have you done this?"
"Because this is your happy ending," Mrs Mills argues calmly, not feeling guilty about it at all.
"What?" The dark-haired woman asks, looking at Cora.
"Oh, you have to trust me, Regina. I know best," Cora assures her. "Love is weakness, Regina. It feels real now. At the start, it always does. But, it's an illusion. It fades. And then, you're left with nothing. But power, true power, endures. And then, you don't have to rely on anyone to get what you want. I've saved you, my love."
"You've ruined everything. I loved him. I loved him!" Regina shouts, tears streaming down her face.
"Enough! I've endured this long enough. Now, clean yourself up, wipe away your tears, because now… You're going to be Queen," she declares, walking away, and Landon comes into the stables.
"Regina?" Landon asks. "Mother, what have you done?"
"What needed to be done," the red-haired woman replies, and Landon rushes to his sister, pulling her into his arms.
"It's okay. It's okay," he whispers, rocking Regina back and forth as she sobs loudly.
(BLESSING)
Regina stands in her chambers at her home, being fitted for her wedding dress, when Snow White enters. "Wow…" Snow beams. "You are most certainly the fairest of them all!"
"Thank you, dear," Regina replies, unhappy about what's happening now.
"I hope for my wedding day I will be as beautiful," she says, looking at the beautiful dress.
"I'm sure you will be," the future Queen sighs, her mind on Daniel, her former lover.
"I know you and Daniel will be so happy together," the young raven-haired girl remarks and Regina looks at her in surprise.
"What?" Regina asks, turning to the Princess.
"Well, I just knew your mother would let you marry him," Snow replies, smiling. "Once she knew how happy it'd make you, once she knew how much you love him. You have such a wonderful mother. She would do anything for your happiness."
"Snow… Did… Did you…tell her about me and Daniel?" She wonders, hoping she misheard her.
"Yes," the young Princess replies.
"But I…told you…very specifically not to," the dark-haired woman argues, glaring slightly at the girl.
"I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to lose your mother. Like I've lost mine. Are you mad?" Snow asks, looking upset.
"No. I'm not mad at all," Regina lies. "You were just trying to help me. However, I'm not marrying Daniel. This dress is for your father."
"But… I thought… You were in love," she wonders, looking confused at her future stepmother.
"So did I. But I was wrong," the future Queen replies, thinking of Daniel and then looking at Snow, not wanting to hurt her feelings even if her heart breaks. "Daniel has run away. What I had with Daniel wasn't real. It was an infatuation. You see, that's the thing about love. It can come in the most unexpected places. Your father and I have something even more special because it's not just about the two of us. It's about all of us. We're going to be a family." Landon comes into the room, dressed in his new suit for the wedding.
"We are?" The young raven-haired girl asks, smiling happily.
"That's right. I'm going to be your stepmother, and I couldn't be happier," Regina tells her, and Landon moves into the room, seeing Regina close to tears.
"Me, too," Snow beams, hugging Regina, and Cora enters.
"Snow. You need to go to your room and help with the packing," Cora tells her. "Your father wants you ready for the journey, and we're heading to your castle first thing in the morning."
"You're all going to love it there," she assures them, looking at the Mills twins and Cora.
"I know we will," Landon replies, and Snow White leaves the mother with her twins alone in the room.
"Well-played, dear. You're learning," Cora remarks, smirking at her daughter.
"I should change. I wouldn't want to ruin the dress before my big day," Regina remarks, moving away from the window.
"I am so proud of you," she muses.
"You knew the King was travelling through our land, didn't you?" The future Queen asks, glaring at her mother. "That steed with Snow on it… It didn't go wild on its own, did it?"
"I have no idea what you're saying," Mrs Mills replies, and Regina begins to leave.
"I should've let her die on that horse," Regina mutters, and Landon moves towards her.
"Don't turn into our mother," Landon whispers. "Hold on to something."
(BLESSING)
Regina fiddles with the ring Daniel gave her all those years ago. She holds it to her lips and whispers to herself. "We got her, Daniel. We got her."
(BLESSING)
At the Sheriff's station, Mary Margaret is being handcuffed by the police as Emma, Mr Gold, and Landon watch. "Mary Margaret…" Emma mutters, and Mary Margaret is led out of the room. "You told me you could fix this, that's why I came to you. So that you could make sure Regina didn't win."
"She hasn't, yet," Mr Gold assures her.
"Well, she's going to. And now, my friend is going to pay for me trusting you," she argues.
"Look, Sheriff. I know this is emotional, but it's also not over. You must have faith. There's still time," he tells her, and Landon looks at him.
"Time for what?" Landon asks him, glaring at the slimy man.
"For me to work a little magic," Gold replies before leaving, and Emma enters her office. Landon follows her inside. She leans against her desk and then picks up the vase of flowers that Sidney brought the other day. She throws it against the wall, smashing it to pieces. Landon flinches and moves towards her, pulling Emma away from the shards, but they notice a wiretap amongst the debris.
"That snivelling little worm," he hisses, glaring at the listening device.
(BLESSING)
Emma waits for August with Landon as he exits Granny's Diner. "Hey, I'm sorry," Emma apologises for accusing him of helping Regina.
"What for?" August asks, looking at her with a smirk.
"For doubting you. I made a mistake," she replies, handing him an evidence bag containing the listening device from the vase in her office.
"What's that?" He asks, examining it.
"Evidence. Evidence that proves that I've been trusting all the wrong people. I should have listened to you, and Landon, who won't let it go. This bug was from Sidney," the Sheriff explains and glances at Landon, who smirks.
"The newspaper guy?" The writer questions and Landon scoffs.
"Former newspaper guy," Landon corrects.
"I should've seen it," Emma sighs.
"Well, don't beat yourself up about it, Emma. Sometimes, it's hard to see what's right in front of us, but I knew you would," August assures her.
"I'm trying," she tells him. "Landon's been trying to drill it into me."
"Well, let's be honest, I've never trusted Sidney as far as I could throw him," Landon remarks. Suddenly, a scream pierces from behind the Diner. Emma, Landon, and August investigate and find Ruby walking in the opposite direction.
"Ruby! What's going on?" She asks, catching her as she points towards the area behind the Diner.
"She… She… She's in the alley," Ruby gasps, stuttering.
"Who, Ruby? What happened?" Landon asks, leaning towards her.
"Hey, you alright?" August asks, and Emma goes around to the car park at the back of the Diner. There is a body lying face down on the ground. Emma leans down to turn the body over, revealing a barely conscious and very alive Kathryn.
(BLESSING)
A day after finding Kathryn, August sleeps in his bed at the bed and breakfast and wakes up to find his leg shaking uncontrollably. He attempts to grab his leg but stiffly falls out of the bed. He hobbles to his phone on the table and dials a number. "Hey, you there? Good. This is taking too long. We need to accelerate the plan," August says before getting dressed.
(BLESSING)
August meets Henry across the street from Mr Gold's Pawn Shop. "It's almost nine," August announces. "You all set? You know what to do?"
"Operation Cobra is always ready. I just…" Henry replies, looking nervously at the shop.
"You just what?" He asks, looking at the boy.
"I don't understand what this has to do with getting Emma to believe," the Mills boy argues.
"Sometimes, other priorities assert themselves. Can you handle a little improvisation?" The writer retorts, glancing at Henry.
"Yeah. Can you?" Henry asks.
(BLESSING)
Meanwhile, Kathryn is awake at the hospital and being assessed by Dr Whale when Emma enters the room. "Emma. Come on in. Look who's awake," Dr Whale muses, smiling.
"Kathryn, hi. Listen, I don't want to take a lot of your time. But, do you remember what happened?" Emma asks her politely.
"I don't know much," Kathryn replies. "Um, I was in a car accident, and…I remember the airbag going off. And the next thing I knew, I was in the dark, in some basement. I didn't see anyone, but there was food and water. And then, I guess I was drugged."
"Yeah. We're still trying to flush that out of your system," Dr Whale informs the Sheriff.
"And then, I woke up in a field at the edge of town, and I started walking. That was it," she explains.
"You saw no one? You didn't hear a voice? Smell perfume? Cologne? Anything?" Emma asks her.
"Nothing, no. I'm sorry. I wish I could help," Kathryn replies. "Especially since… While I was gone, you thought I was dead?"
"Your DNA matched the heart we found," she informs her.
"They're grilling everybody down at the hospital lab to see who doctored the DNA results," Dr Whale tells them.
"Why would anyone do this?" Kathryn wonders.
"I think someone was trying to frame Mary Margaret," Emma suggests.
"But why? I mean, who would do something like that?" She asks.
(BLESSING)
At Mr Gold's Pawn Shop, after August and Henry's stunt, Regina and Mr Gold talk. "You broke our deal," she snaps after learning about Kathryn's return to the living.
"I broke one deal in my life, dear. And it certainly wasn't this one," Mr Gold argues.
"Kathryn was supposed to die, and Mary Margaret was to get the blame," Regina hisses angrily.
"Yeah, murder seems so much worse here, though, doesn't it?" He muses. "You can't just turn someone into a snail and then step on them, can you? You didn't say 'kill her'. We agreed that something tragic should happen to her. Now, abduction is tragic."
"The intent was perfectly clear," she argues, glaring at him.
"Oh, let's not talk about intent. Intent is meaningless," Gold tells her.
"Intent is everything," the Mayor snaps.
"Please," Mr Gold huffs, having enough of their argument.
"This is going to raise all kinds of questions about where she was and how the test results were fake." Regina reminds him.
"Oh, yes. And, um… And who put the key in her cell," he retorts, tilting his head towards her.
"It's all going to lead to me, isn't it? You bastard. This doesn't make any sense. You and I – we've been in this, together, from the start," she argues, glaring at him with such hate.
"Oh, have we?" The Dark One wonders.
"You created the curse for me. The curse that brought us here, and built all this," the dark-haired woman snaps, gesturing around them.
"Yes, it's about time you said thank you," Mr Gold replies, shrugging.
"Why did you do it?" Regina asks, wondering why he did all this.
"Well, you're a smart woman, Your Majesty. Figure it out," he retorts, and Regina storms out of the shop, needing to do some damage control.
(BLESSING)
David arrives at the hospital after hearing the news about his wife and comes into Kathryn's room to find her asleep. He leans over to kiss her on the forehead, but she wakes up, startled. "I'm sorry," David says, moving back.
"What are you doing?" Kathryn asks, looking at him in surprise.
"I was trying to kiss you on your forehead. It was meant to be sweet," he explains.
"Well, thank you. It's good to see you," she replies.
"Kathryn, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I lied to you. I'm sorry I cheated on you. I'm just… I'm sorry for all of this," Nolan apologises.
"David, it's okay. You know, what we had… It wasn't it for you. Maybe for both of us. I can't blame you for just being the first one to see it," Mrs Nolan assures him.
"You are, uh… Kind of amazing," David remarks, smiling.
"Yeah, I am. Now, go on. Get out of here so I can get some rest," Kathryn tells him, shooing him away.
"I'm going to give you that kiss on the forehead now," he informs her.
"Knock yourself out," she replies, and he kisses her forehead.
(BLESSING)
Most of the citizens of Storybrooke gather in Mary Margaret's apartment for her welcome home party. Mary Margaret and Emma are at the punch bowl watching everyone. "Hi!" Granny exclaims, hugging her.
"Hey. How are you? Would you like some?" Archie asks, hovering over Mary Margaret.
"All of these people… Just to welcome me home?" Mary Margaret wonders, looking around the apartment.
"You've got a lot of friends," Emma tells her, and Landon comes over, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Didn't feel like that yesterday," she mutters, leaving to serve drinks. "Here you go."
"Thank you," the man replies.
"So, what should we do now?" Landon asks Emma. "About Glass?" Off to the side, Henry and August are talking and watching Mr Gold from afar.
"How bad was it?" Henry asks.
"Getting caught in his office? Not bad. I played it off," August assures him.
"What were you looking for? Did you find it?" He wonders.
"Nope. But I have a feeling it's going to find me," the writer tells him and spots Mary Margaret. "There she is. Why don't you give her your present?"
"Hey. I have something for you," the Mills boy says, handing Mary Margaret a present and a giant card.
"Well, thank you," Mary Margaret smiles, looking at the gift from the class.
"We're so glad you didn't kill Misses Nolan…" Henry replies, looking at his teacher. "It's from the whole class, and I got you a bell."
"Thank you. Tell everyone I'll be back soon," she tells him.
"Okay," he grins.
"Hey, Henry, we should get you home before your mum finds out. That won't be pretty," Emma warns him, walking over with Landon. Landon grabs Henry by the shoulder.
"We'll see you later," Landon mutters before heading for the door. They find David standing on the other side. Emma turns around to look at Mary Margaret, whose face clearly shows her disapproval.
"Hey, Henry. Leaving already?" David asks, looking at the couple and Henry.
"Yeah. Got to get home and do homework," Henry replies.
"She's kind of tired. I think if you just give it some time…" Emma suggests, looking at David, who wants to talk with Mary Margaret.
"I just wanted to-," David says, needing to talk.
"Hey, Henry. Why don't you head home with David?" She tells him, looking at Henry and Landon.
"Okay," Henry replies, looking at his biological mother.
"Sorry," the blond woman mutters and glances at Landon.
"Okay," David agrees, moving away with Henry, and Emma shuts the door when Mr Gold approaches her.
"Hard to let him go, isn't it? Your son," Mr Gold comments, glancing at the door.
"Yeah. Pretty much the hardest thing. Speaking of something we weren't talking about, was it you?" Emma asks, and Landon moves back into the room.
"Was what me?" He wonders.
"Did you make Kathryn suddenly materialise?" She questions. "Cause it sure played that way to me. Was that the magic you were going to work? Because if you kidnapped that poor, innocent woman, just to let her go-."
"Are you proposing I'm working with Regina, or against her?" Gold asks, smiling softly.
"I don't know. Maybe, diagonally," the Sheriff suggests, shrugging, not knowing what to do about the whole situation.
"Well, you keep working on that one. My question's about something else – what do you know about him?" Mr Gold wonders, looking at August.
"Goes by August. He's a writer. Typewriter wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in stubble. Why?" Emma replies, shrugging.
"He was poking around my shop today," he explains. "August Wayne Booth. Clearly a false name. There's one thing I know about – it's names."
"Writers go by pseudonyms. What does it matter?" She argues, not seeing the problem.
"You trust him?" The Dark One asks, looking at the Sheriff.
"Yeah. A lot more than I trust you," the blond woman retorts and heads back to Landon.
"Anything interesting?" Landon asks, wrapping his arm around Emma's shoulder.
"I'm not sure yet," Emma muses, glancing between August and Mr Gold.
(BLESSING)
A little while later, Mr Gold picks the lock to August's room at the bed and breakfast, needing some answers. With everyone at Mary Margaret's welcome home party, he finds it the best time to go and gets inside the room. He finds August's typewriter on his desk, stacks of papers and a donkey-shaped paperweight. He moves aside a paper, revealing a drawing of Rumpelstiltskin's dagger.
(BLESSING)
The following day, Sidney drinks another cup of coffee at Granny's Diner, and Emma enters, sitting across from him. "Hey, Sidney," Emma greets him.
"Emma, hey. So, things certainly did work out, didn't they? For… For your friend?" Sidney muses, glancing at her.
"You told me you could help me with Mary Margaret, and I wanted to believe you. But, eventually, there are things that even a blind Sheriff cannot ignore," she argues, pulling out the wiretap and placing it on the table.
"Is that a bug?" He asks, looking at the listening device.
"Oh, for God sakes, Sidney," the Sheriff snaps. "Drop it. You fooled me, you spied on me, and you reported it all back to that sick, crazy woman. I can't even imagine what she has on you, but it must be something huge."
"She's a good Mayor," Glass argues, still deadly loyal to Regina, even in another land.
"She tried to get Mary Margaret convicted of a murder that didn't even happen," Emma hisses. "You're in a lot of trouble. There is a DNA trail in a basement of some house out there, and I'm going to find it. And she's going to go away."
"Maybe. But, I wouldn't bet against her. She's an amazing woman," Sidney tells her, shrugging.
"Do you… Are you in love with her?" She asks him. "…Fine. Whatever. Here's the thing – before you know it, I will have that evidence. And you need to think long and hard. You can either help me, and help yourself, or you're going to go down with her, too."
(BLESSING)
Meanwhile, on the main street, August gets on his motorcycle and drives off with Mr Gold watching from a distance, following him in his car, still needing to get some answers about the stranger.
(BLESSING)
David waits outside Mary Margaret's apartment building, really wanting to talk to her, and when Mary Margaret appears, he approaches her. "Mary Margaret," David calls out to her, but she ignores him. "Please wait. Look, I'll leave if you want. I… I just think we need to talk."
"So, talk," Mary Margaret snaps, turning to him.
"I need to apologise," he confesses.
"Yes, you do. Keep going," she replies, folding her arms.
"I didn't believe you. I didn't stand with you," Nolan says, and she scoffs, rolling her eyes.
"You know, I will never forget that moment…" the teacher comments. "The moment the world sort of blows you backwards, and the one person you thought would always be there to catch you… He isn't there."
"Look at what was going on. It was your jewellery box, your fingerprints, knife in your apartment-," David argues, trying to explain.
"It was a setup," Mary Margaret snaps.
"And a really good one," he agrees. "I'm human. I fell for it. I'm sorry, but… We have to move forward."
"But we can't. It's like something in this world doesn't want us together," she muses, shaking her head.
"Like what? Dark forces?" Nolan asks, thinking she's joking.
"Maybe. I don't know, but it's like something just keeps pouring poison between us," the raven-haired woman comments. "And what I don't want is to have all of those good memories… Replaced by moments like that. When I looked at you, and I saw that you didn't believe me…"
"No. I know. I am so sorry," David apologises again.
"I know. I know," Mary Margaret replies, but she still doesn't trust him.
"But, I love you," he confesses.
"And that… Is what makes it all so sad," she says before walking away.
(BLESSING)
Emma and Landon arrive at the Sheriff's station, where Regina is waiting for her, wanting to talk. "Congratulations, Sheriff Swan," Regina says. "There's about to be a big break in your case. You just got yourself a confession. But, I want you to listen to the whole explanation, so you understand why this happened."
"Oh, I'll hang on every word you say," Emma assures her, smiling as she thinks Regina has finally lost.
"Sidney. You can come in now," she announces, and Sidney slips into the room. "Tell her what you told me."
"It was me. I confess," Sidney says, and Emma looks at him in shock. "I abducted Kathryn, and I held her in the basement of an abandoned summer home by the lake. I bribed a lab tech to get me the heart from the hospital, and I used that same person to doctor the lab results."
"And the other thing," the Mayor reminds him, glaring.
"I…borrowed some skeleton keys from Regina and…planted the knife in your apartment," he adds.
"My keys. Can't help but feel personally violated about that part," Regina remarks, and Landon comes into the room.
"I am supposed to believe you did this for why now?" Landon asks, looking at him. "You've never had much of a brain to begin with Glass, but this is pushing it."
"Silence, Landon." she hisses at her older brother.
"I was going to find her after the conviction, be a hero. Then, get the inside track on the biggest story to ever hit this town. I'd get my job back," Sidney explains, glancing at Landon, who scoffs. "Plus, a novel, and a movie, and… I don't know. It sounds crazy now."
"I don't know about crazy. But false, yes. False as hell," Emma retorts, rolling her eyes.
"I have maps to where the house is. You'll find chains in the basement. Lots of fingerprints, I'm sure – hers and mine. But, I didn't hurt her," he assures them.
"The man has obviously suffered some kind of mental break," Regina comments. "He clearly hasn't been himself for a while."
"Yeah. It's like his words aren't his at all," Emma remarks, looking at Regina.
"Wow. You are so sold on your own rush to judgement that you can't even see the truth anymore," she muses, looking at the blond woman.
"A word in the hallway, please," the Sheriff snaps, and they head into the hallway alone, leaving Landon with Sidney. "Well, that's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard."
"I'm pretty sure that's not true," the dark-haired woman argues, smirking.
"That poor man. I know you are behind all this. I understand that you own the game, and that you've set the board so that no one else can win," Emma growls angrily. "But I am about to start playing an entirely different game. I don't care about what happens to you. I don't care about what happens to me. All I care about is what happens to my kid. And you are going to leave him alone."
"Am I?" Regina wonders.
"Uh-uh. I'm talking. You're a sociopath, lady. You tried to take away someone that I love. And now… I'm going to take away someone you love. I am taking back my son," she informs her, and Regina looks at her in shock as Emma returns to the other room. "Landon, leave him alone."
(BLESSING)
A few days after Sidney's confession, Landon comes to Mary Margaret's apartment, installing a deadbolt on the front door as Emma and Mary Margaret watch. "No one… Is getting through that," Landon assures the two women.
"Wow. When are you installing the torture chamber?" Emma remarks, teasing her boyfriend.
"You don't like it? I call it Medieval Chic," he jokes, moving towards her as he puts his tools away.
"I don't care what it looks like, as long as it keeps Regina and her skeleton keys out," Mary Margaret argues, looking at the new deadbolt.
"This is pretty handy for a journalist. Where'd you learn how to do all this?" Emma asks, smiling.
"I have my secrets," Landon retorts, smirking and pulling her towards him, wrapping his arms around her waist. "It may have been wood shop."
"Oh, speaking of school, I have to get going," Mary Margaret announces, grabbing her bag and coat.
"Um, are you sure you're ready to go back?" Emma asks her, worried about her friend.
"After a stint behind bars, how tough can a room full of fourth graders be? Besides, aren't you the one we need to be worried about?" She argues.
"Me? Why?" The Sheriff wonders.
"Well… You did threaten to take Henry away from Regina," Landon retorts, looking at her. "And I have not mentioned it till now."
"Oh, that wasn't a threat," Emma tells them. "I'm hiring Mr Gold to help build a case against her. She tried to frame you for murder."
"But, you do know what happens if you win?" Mary Margaret reminds her.
"Yeah," she agrees, finally wanting to be a real mother for Henry.
"And you're ready? To be his mum?" The teacher wonders.
"Yeah," the blond woman replies.
"Code red. Code red," Henry says, his voice coming through the walkie-talkie on the kitchen counter. Emma rushes over and picks it up before responding.
"Hey, Henry. What's going on?" Emma asks.
"Meet me at Granny's. It's an Operation Cobra emergency," he announces.
"I'm on my way," she replies, leaving the apartment.
"Have a fun day at school," Landon says before heading off after Emma.
(BLESSING)
Emma rushes out of the apartment building onto the main street and heads towards Granny's Diner, and Landon follows her. "Emma, wait up," he calls after her.
"You heard the kid – Operation Cobra calls," Emma retorts, shrugging.
"I didn't think you believed any of that," Landon argues, looking at her.
"Oh, I don't. But, sometimes, it's the only way to get through to Henry," she reminds him.
"You know, a custody battle against Regina isn't going to accomplish anything," he warns her, thinking about Henry, his nephew. "You need to look at the big picture. That's the only way you're going to understand what you're up against. That's the only way you'll know how to beat Regina."
"I know she's your sister and I get that, but I need to do this," the blond woman argues. "I want to do this for Henry more than anything."
"Okay, okay. I love you," Landon mutters, kissing her. Emma stares after him in shock, and August appears, looking between them.
"Everything okay?" August asks, looking at Emma.
"Yeah, I just need to go see Henry, sorry," Emma tells him, walking off to Granny's Diner. "I have things to do."
"Oh, come on, take the day off. Come with me," he suggests.
"And where exactly would we be going on this magical mystery tour?" She wonders, glancing at him.
"If I told you, you would never come," the writer argues, and Emma walks ahead. "Oh, come on. Take a leap of faith. You come with me, and I promise you – you'll find exactly what you're looking for."
"My kid needs me. I don't have time for faith," the Sheriff argues and enters the Diner.
(BLESSING)
Henry sits at a booth in the Diner as he waits for Emma to arrive with a cup of hot chocolate, a plate of food, and his book on the table. Emma enters, looking around for him, and she sits beside him. "Hey. What's the emergency?" Emma asks, looking at him.
"Shh! This is sensitive," Henry whispers, looking around as if anyone is listening.
"If it's sensitive, why are we at Granny's, out in the open?" She wonders.
"I'm hungry. Who else knows that we hid the book at the Sheriff's station?" He argues.
"No one. Why?" The blond woman asks, frowning.
"Someone changed it. There's a new story in it," the Mills boy tells her.
"Why would someone add a new story?" Emma wonders.
"To tell something we need to know about the curse," Henry suggests, showing her the book.
"And what would that be?" She asks, glancing at the book.
"I don't know. The story isn't finished," he informs her, frowning.
"Why would someone go to so much trouble to add a new story, and then not bother finishing it?" The Sheriff wonders.
"That's what's weird. The story's about Pinocchio. Everyone knows how that ends," the Mills boy argues.
"Well, maybe that's why it was left out," Emma argues, not seeing the problem.
"Or, maybe, there's more to it," Henry retorts, looking at Emma.
"Henry, you are going to be late for school. Let's go," she tells him, getting up.
(BLESSING)
August returns to his room at the bed and breakfast and sits at his desk, staring at a small hat resembling the one Pinocchio used to wear. He picks up the phone and dials a number. "Mr Gold? We need to meet. It's about Emma. There's a…problem. Mmhmm," August says before hanging up. August goes to leave but grimaces in pain as he reaches the door. He falls onto the bed and pulls his trouser leg up, revealing a wooden leg.
(BLESSING)
Mary Margaret arrives at the school and stands outside, watching the kids play, smiling. Regina comes with a lunchbox. "Miss Blanchard. I see you're back," Regina remarks, looking at the woman.
"Yes. Isn't it wonderful? Everything worked out," Mary Margaret muses, smiling.
"Henry forgot his lunch. Have you seen him?" She asks, holding out the packed lunch.
"He's with his mother," the teacher replies, making Regina growl in anger.
"Miss Blanchard, is there a problem?" The dark-haired woman asks, frowning.
"Not any more. Though, someone did go to a lot of trouble to make it look like I had done something horrible. But they failed," Mary Margaret argues, shrugging, which angers the Mayor further.
"Yes, Sidney Glass. Who's safely incarcerated," Regina retorts, still blaming Sidney.
"If it was Sidney," she replies.
"Well, ask your roommate. He confessed," the Mayor argues.
"Of course he did," the raven-haired woman says, still not believing the story, and neither does Emma.
"Are you insinuating something?" Regina wonders, though she already knows.
"Yes, I am. But I forgive you," Mary Margaret replies, surprising Regina a little. "Even if you can't admit what you did, I forgive you anyway. Your life must be filled with such incredible loneliness if your only joy comes from destroying everyone else's happiness. It's so sad, Mayor Mills, because, despite what you think, it won't make you happy. It's only going to leave a giant hole in your heart. There's Henry now." She walks off, leaving Regina alone to her thoughts momentarily when Henry approaches.
"What are you doing here?" Henry asks, looking at his mum.
"You forgot your lunchbox," Regina replies, handing it over.
"Thanks?" He questions, looking at it.
"Henry, it's time for a change. I think it's time to transfer you to a new class with a new teacher," she suggests, wanting her son away from Mary Margaret.
"Why do you want me out of Miss Blanchard's class? Is it because you framed her?" The Mills boy wonders, making Regina look at him in shock.
"Henry! Do you really think I'm capable of doing something so horrible?" The dark-haired woman gasps, but Henry isn't bothered.
"Of course. You're the Evil Queen," Henry replies calmly.
"Enough. Those fairy tales are not real," Regina snaps. "Miss Blanchard should never have given you that book. She should be grateful I'm not trying to get her fired."
"Go ahead and try. It won't work," he argues. "No matter what you do, Snow White will have her happy ending. She and Prince Charming will be together. The curse will end. Good will win. And I'm not transferring classes."
(BLESSING)
Emma decides to go to Mr Gold's shop, needing to talk to him. "I have to save him," Emma tells him about Henry. "I have to get Henry away from Regina."
"I must admit, your intentions are admirable. However, I won't be taking your case," Mr Gold replies, making the blond woman look at him in surprise.
"What? You know what Regina did," she argues.
"Yes, but we can't prove it," he reminds her. "And, given the Mayor's sway in this town, any proceedings against her would be long and drawn out and futile. The only certainty is, Henry would suffer. You can't do that to your boy."
"So, we leave him in the same house with that sociopath?" The Sheriff snaps, wanting to protect Henry.
"I'm sorry, Sheriff. My mind's made up," Gold tells her.
"Well, then change it. The only person I've ever seen go head-to-head with Regina and win is you," Emma growls.
"That's because I know how to pick my battles," Mr Gold argues calmly, not taking her mood seriously.
"Then, pick this one," she demands.
"I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'm just simply not the man to help you beat Mayor Mills," he tells him.
"No. You're not," the blond woman snaps before storming out of the Pawn Shop.
(BLESSING)
Emma decides to go to August's room at the bed and breakfast, as she doesn't want to go to Landon about this, mainly because it's his sister, and she doesn't want to put him in the middle. She knocks on the door, and August answers. "Emma," he greets her.
"Hey," Emma replies, pushing past him and stepping into the room.
"Take it easy. Is everything okay?" August asks.
"No. I am just about out of options," she replies, getting angrier.
"Just about?" He muses, looking at her and earning a glare from the blond woman.
"You told me to beat Regina, I need to see the big picture. Show it to me," the Sheriff demands, running out of options.
(BLESSING)
Emma and August ride on August's motorcycle, approaching the boundary of Storybrooke. "August, you going to tell me where we're going, and how it's going to help me beat Regina?" Emma asks him.
"We're going on a trip, Emma, so I can tell you somebody's story," August replies.
"Whose story?" She asks.
"Mine," he says, and they drive past the Storybrooke sign, leaving the town behind them.
(BLESSING)
With their cohorts, the Evil Queen and the Historian travel through the forest towards the castle. The dark purple smoke of the Dark Curse stormed behind them. Snow White, who is in labour, screams as Prince Charming tries to comfort her. "Doc, do something," Prince Charming snaps at the Dwarf before returning to his wife. "It's going to be okay. The wardrobe's almost finished. Just… Just hold on."
(BLESSING)
Emma and August arrive at their destination, which turns out to be a Diner at the side of the road a few miles away from Storybrooke. "What the hell is this?" Emma asks, looking around.
"Last I checked, it was a Diner," August retorts, grinning.
"No more screwing around," she argues. "I am not a character in one of your books. What the hell are we doing here?"
"I think you know. You've been here before," he tells her, taking out a newspaper article from his jacket pocket and showing it to Emma. "This is the Diner you were brought to when you were found as a baby."
"So, you found an article about me. So what?" She asks, looking at the newspaper article. "I thought this trip was supposed to be about you."
"It is. This is my story, and it's your story," the writer informs her.
"And how is that?" The Sheriff asks, giving him the newspaper clipping back.
"That seven year old boy who found you… That was me," August reveals, and Emma stares at him in shock, but before she can ask anything else, he heads across the road towards the forest.
(BLESSING)
August leads Emma through the forest, walking further in. "Why are we in the woods?" Emma asks him.
"All the answers you've been searching for are right where I found you," August assures her.
"See? You're not that seven year old boy. I wasn't found in the woods. I was found on the side of a highway," she argues, having read the newspaper articles and other things for years trying to find answers.
"Why do you think that? Because you read it in the newspaper?" He questions, making her look at him. "Did it ever occur to you that, maybe, that seven year old boy lied about where he found you?"
"No. But it occurs to me that you've been lying to me about everything. And I'm done listening," the blond woman snaps, turning around.
"When I found you, you were wrapped in a blanket," the writer says, making her stop in her tracks. "And the name 'Emma' was embroidered along the bottom of it. That wasn't in the article, was it? How would I know that unless I was there?"
"Okay. Let's say you were that kid. Why lie about where you found me?" Emma asks him.
"I lied to protect you," August tells her.
"From what?" She asks.
"That," he replies, pointing to a tree before them.
"A tree?" The Sheriff questions, frowning.
"You've read Henry's book, right?" The stranger reminds her. "You know about the curse, don't you? Your role in it? It's true, Emma. We both came into this world… Through this tree."
"You're asking me to believe that you are a fairy tale character?" Emma wonders, still not believing anything about magic or fairy tales.
"Pinocchio," August reveals.
"Right, of course. Pinocchio," she scoffs. "Explains all the lying. You're the one who added the story to Henry's book."
"I needed you to know the truth," he tells her.
"The truth is, you are out of your mind, and you're not even a very good liar. Why not write the end of that story?" The blond woman argues angrily.
"Because this is the ending, and we're writing it right now," the writer retorts, shrugging.
"And how does this story end?" Emma wonders, looking at him.
"With you believing," August replies calmly.
"Not going to happen," she argues, starting to leave.
"Emma? Emma, wait," he shouts and attempts to chase after her, but the pain in his leg becomes too much, causing him to fall to the ground.
"What is wrong with your leg?" The Sheriff asks, moving towards him.
"I failed," Pinocchio mutters.
"What are you talking about?" Emma snaps, looking at him.
"It doesn't matter. You don't believe," August argues.
"If you think that by making me feel sorry for you that something's going to change, you are wrong." She retorts angrily.
"I am not screwing around here," he tells her. "Whatever you believe, or don't, this is real, Emma. I am sick."
"That's an understatement," the blond woman scoffs.
"You ever been to Phuket? It's beautiful. Amazing island, full of pleasures. The perfect place to lose oneself," the writer reminiscences. "That's where I was when you decided to stay in Storybrooke."
"How do you know when I decided to stay in Storybrooke?" Emma wonders, surprised.
"Because at eight fifteen in the morning, I woke up with a shooting pain in my leg. That's eight fifteen at night in Storybrooke. Sound familiar?" August tells her. "That's when time there started to move forward again. I was supposed to be there for you. And I wasn't. Because I was halfway around the world, I got a painful reminder of just how far I'd strayed. If that tree won't make you believe, maybe this will." August pulls up his trouser leg, revealing his wooden leg. However, because of Emma's disbelief in the Dark Curse, all she sees is his regular leg.
"How does that prove anything?" Emma asks, not seeing anything different.
"Look," August tries telling her.
"August, I'm looking," she argues, still not seeing anything different.
"You don't see it, do you?" He guesses, looking at her, his heart sinking with dread.
"See what?" The blond woman snaps.
"Your denial is more powerful than I thought. It's preventing you from seeing the truth," Pinocchio scoffs.
"Okay, one of us is losing it here, and it's not me," Emma remarks, sighing.
"You don't want to believe. After everything you've seen, why can't you just do it?" August asks her, shaking his head.
"Why is it so important to you that I do?" She wonders, still not seeing the big picture.
"Because I, the town… Everyone needs you," he reminds her.
"I don't want them to need me," the Sheriff argues, hating the idea of that kind of pressure.
"Well, that's too bad, because we all do," the writer retorts.
"You're saying that I am responsible for everyone's happiness?" Emma asks before scoffing. "That is crap! I didn't ask for that. I don't want it."
"Right now. A little while ago, you didn't want Henry, either. But then, he came to you, and now, you are fighting like hell for him," August argues, and she looks at him.
"For him! Because that is all I can handle right now," she tells him, not wanting any more than Henry and Landon. "And I'm not even doing a good job at that! Now, you're telling me I have to save everyone? That is beyond ridiculous. I don't want any of it."
"Well, that's too bad, Emma, because that doesn't change the truth. You are our only hope," he warns her, needing her to believe more than ever now.
"Then you're all screwed," the blond woman scoffs.
(BLESSING)
Emma arrives back in Storybrooke when night falls and goes to Regina's house as Henry sleeps. "Code red," Emma's voice comes through the walkie-talkie. "Code red. Henry?" Henry slowly wakes up.
"Emma, what's wrong?" Henry asks, responding.
"I need to talk to you," she tells him, needing to talk to him and maybe do something rash.
"About Operation Cobra?" He wonders.
"No. About us. Meet me downstairs," the blond woman replies, and Henry looks around before deciding to join her.
(BLESSING)
Henry grabs his coat for the cold night air and meets Emma in her yellow bug parked outside the house. "If my mom sees me out here talking to you, she'll get really mad," Henry warns her.
"Henry, I need to ask you something very important. Do you want to get away from Regina? Do you want to come and live with me?" Emma asks him, biting the bullet.
"More than anything," he replies, smiling at his biological mother.
"Okay. Then, buckle up. You ready?" She asks him again, wanting to make sure before she heads out of Storybrooke.
"Why? Where we going?" The Mayor's son wonders, making sure his seatbelt is clicked into place.
"We're leaving Storybrooke," the blond woman informs him, starting the car before driving off.