November 20th 2024

Samishtara sat at his desk in his bedroom, Virosha entered without knocking. "Samishtara, your tools are ready. Shall we prepare a ride for your trip?"

Samishtara shook his head. "No. No need. My journey will be short and simple. The Evil Queen's castle is not as heavily fortified as she would like to believe."

"Well, then I wish you luck."

"Thank you, my friend. When I get back, we'll go down to the bar and share a drink."

Virosha laughed, pretending he had a cup in his hand and mimicked a toast. "To the death of the Evil Queen."

Samishtara followed the fake-toast. "To the death of the Evil Queen."

Henry and Sam had entered one of the few stores in Storybrooke, not to buy anything important, but to look at comic books (which both would argue was even more important). They didn't have many comics there, only a couple but they often had one or two good ones. They were primarily Marvel and DC but sometimes if they were lucky, there would also be a random Image, Archie, Boom!, IDW, Valiant, or Vertigo (which was just a branch of DC but they were still less popular than the main branch) issue lying about. Henry was flicking through the pages of a Ultimate Wolverine Vs Hulk issue three from 2009. It came from a row of Marvel, mixed in with the very first issue of Ka-Zar the Savage 1981 and two Fantastic Four's, one was Fantastic Four two-sixty-six from 1984 and two-sixty-eight of the same year.

"Some very good finds today." Sam said, putting those three issues in a neat stack for him to hold. "If your mom asks, I bought nothing, and if she insinuates anything about me having a spending habit, she's a filthy fucking liar."

Henry glanced up from the comic he was holding with a smile. "Sure thing, Sam. Thanks for bringing me here, by the way."

"Don't thank me, I'd have come here by myself anyway. But your mom insists I have to hang out with you and this is the only thing other than the curse and shared movie taste that we have in common."

Henry flicked to the next page. "You writing anything exciting at the moment?"

Sam shrugged. "Nothing that your mom wouldn't kill me for telling you about. You want that issue?" Henry nodded, Sam took it and placed it on top of the pile. "Be back in a minute." He disappeared down one of the aisles.

Henry then heard a voice behind him. "Hey. You're in Miss Blanchard's class, right?"

He turned around, talking to him was a curly haired blonde of similar age to him, smiling. "Uh, yeah."

"I'm Ava." She introduced. "I've seen you around school."

Henry hid his confusion and tried to place her but couldn't. I don't think I've seen you around school.

"Almost ready, Ava?" A boy with brown hair and of a similar age, but just a little younger looking than Ava, appeared from out one of the aisles. He stood next to her, his eyes fixed on Henry.

"This is my brother, Nicholas." Ava further introduced.

"Hey." He greeted simply.

Henry awkwardly smiled back.

"Come on. Lets go." Nicholas eyes went quickly from Ava to Henry back to Ava, and without waiting for a response, he already started going for the door.

"Do you want to come hang out with us?" Ava asked.

I probably shouldn't...and Uncle Sam will be back any moment now.

Henry knew he should stay where he was but another part of him pointed out that he had no friends and how this was the perfect opportunity to make ones. "Oh, uh, sure." Henry threw his bag over his shoulder and followed them to the door.

As Nicholas pulled open the door, the owner, Mr. Clark, shut the door firmly, an irritated tone in his voice. "Where do you think you're going?" He sneezed, a tissue firmly in his hand which he used to blow his nose. He sounded unwell. Henry had figured out a while ago that Mr. Clark was Sneezy of the seven dwarfs. "Open up your bag." He gestured to Henry, his tissue still in his hand as he pointed.

"What?"

"Don't think I didn't see you rob me. Open your bag."

Ava and Nicholas exchanged nervous glances.

"But I didn't take anything."

Mr. Clark angrily thrusted his non-tissue hand forward and pulled the bag off Henry's shoulder. He unzipped it and pulled out some candy bars. What? How did those get in there? "And a liar too."

Henry was quick to realise what happened, he turned to the siblings. "That's why you were talking to me. So your brother could put that stuff in there."

Ava and Nicholas continued to exchange glances.

"Henry, I'm shocked." Mr. Clark said. "As for you two, who do you think you are?"

Sam then appeared from the same way Mr. Clark had. "Henry didn't do it. I was with him. He says those two did it. It's not his fault."

The shock of hearing Sam's voice right next to him without hearing him approach caused Mr. Clark to flinch, which led to him sneezing again. He blew his nose. "Excuse me." He sniffled. "Now, Deputy Swan, I understand as your neph-" Sam interrupted. "Should I get the other Deputy Swan involved? Or perhaps Mayor Mills? What would she say if she got a call that her son is some petty chocolate thief? Do you think that'd put her in a happy mood? I don't think so."

Mr. Clark's eyes widened. "We don't have to get the mayor involved."

Sam rolled his eyes. "Henry's a thief, right? Child thieves usually have a parent called if they have one. Last time I checked, Mayor Mills holds that responsibility."

Mr. Clark felt another sneeze coming but held it back this time. "I suppose I could be mistaken." He quickly turned to Henry. "Sorry, Henry."

"It's alright." Henry looked down at his feet, embarrassed over being tricked by two kids he just met and then even further embarrassed by his uncle trying to get the rest of his family involved. This is just perfect. I knew I should have just stayed where I was.

Mr. Clark then glared at the two siblings. "As for you two. I'll be ca-" Sam interrupted again. "They'll be coming down to the station."

Mr. Clark was going to retort but held it back. "Of course, Deputy. You three...can be on your way now."

"You three wait outside." Sam ordered, which they immediately did. "Sorry about all this trouble, Mr. Clark." Sam took out some more money from his wallet. "For all the trouble."

Mr. Clark took the money gratefully. "Thank you."

"Have a nice day, Mr. Clark."

"You too."

As Sam exited the store, he heard one final sneeze behind him. "Alright, you three. We're waiting for my sister or the sheriff or both to get here. Till then, shut the fuck up." They all nodded. "And Henry, let this be a lesson, don't trust random fucking strangers and always make sure your bag is safe."

"Yes, uncle." Henry mumbled.

"Again, shut the fuck up." Sam pulled his phone out of his pocket and called Emma's number.

After twenty minutes, Emma arrived in a police car, stepping out with a stern look on her face.

"What happened?"

"Regina never taught the kid stranger danger. Dumb and dumber tried getting stupid's bag to carry supplies. Candy, toothpaste, various other things."

Emma sighed. "Regina's gonna be pissed."

"Tell me about it."

Emma bent down to look at the two siblings. "What's your parents' phone number?" They answered and Emma gave it a call, as it rung Henry continued to look down at his feet in shame. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. You know better than that. Moms gonna kill me. I'm going to be grounded forever now. Emma then put her phone away without having to say a word. "The number's disconnected."

"Did you give us a fake number?" Sam asked. The siblings shook their heads. "Then why is it disconnected? Let me guess, economic struggles? That's why you're stealing all the essentials with some candy on the side?"

"They couldn't pay the bill." Ava started pleading. "Please. Please don't arrest us. It'll just make things so much worse for our parents."

Emma and Sam had drove Henry home to a very pissed off Regina and then went to the address the siblings had given them. From the looks of things, they were telling the truth about their financial troubles. It was a bland home, from the outside it looked perfectly normal, but the appearance of no decorations on the outside and no random items on the inner part of the windows revealed the truth about the place. If they looked through the window, there would likely be a lack of essentials inside. It seemed more like it was for show than it was a place to live and something certainly felt off. "This it?"

Ava nodded. Emma and Sam then unbuckled their seatbelt's and opened their respective doors. "Please. No. If our parents see you, they'll be so embarrassed."

Emma slammed her door shut and peered into the back. "Did Henry tell you about my superpower?"

"We just met him."

"I have the ability to tell when anyone is lying. Tell me the truth, money problems aside, is everything going okay at home?"

"Yeah. We're great. Can we go?"

No matter who I say that to, they always try to lie.

"Alright." The two siblings got out and waved the Swans as they drove off from the front steps of their home.

They waved back and when out of view stopped the car. The Swan's exchanged a look. "That was bullshit, right?" Sam asked.

"Definitely."

"What are we thinking? Homeless? Do the parents have an addiction? Neglect?"

"I have no idea. Let's find out."

"Should we call Graham?"

"We've already seen Regina pissed off today, I don't want to make it more awkward by getting Graham involved. Even if he and Regina broke it off, its really awkward being around him."

"Probably for the best." Sam mumbled. "I'm pretty sure he and Archie are having a therapy session about now."

"Graham's in therapy?" Emma's brow raised.

"Yeah." Sam replied, trying to get into as little detail as possible due to the whole memory wipe about a month ago. "Probably from something traumatic on the job. I don't know. Confidentiality and all that." Riiiggghhhttt. "Anyway, let's go." Emma and Sam went up to the house and to neither of their's surprise, it was unlocked, and the house was near-empty. They did a quick look around and no parents were in sight. "My bet is homelessness."

"Let's find out." Emma replied, hitting a pan in the kitchen to make noise. After a minute the two kids slipped out from their hiding place. "Why'd you lie to us? Where are your parents?"

Ava gulped. "We don't have any."

"Called it!" Sam cheered, then noticed the sad looks on the kid's faces. "Sorry. That's awful."

Graham knocked on Archie's office door and Archie opened the door with a smile. "Sheriff, come in." Graham did so and Archie closed the door behind him.

"Where's Sam?"

"He called ahead, something came up. He didn't say what."

Graham sat down. "This is his plan, he should be here."

Archie adjusted his glasses. "While I do agree, he's insistent and trusts us to make these decisions."

These decisions? "And what decisions would that be?"

"Sam thinks the more people we get in Operation Cobra, the better we'll do. And maybe even get more information. But, he wants it limited, too many people leave risks and he really doesn't want Regina finding out." Archie explained. "Furthermore, he wants us to be selective. He worries that some may be harder to work with than others with their memories."

"So, who do we recruit?"

"I'm thinking Snow and Charming? Their leadership would be valuable."

Graham frowned. "Is that best? After all that happened with them and Sam?"

Archie didn't need to whisper, yet he still chose to. "It's probably for the best. If we're being honest, I don't fully trust Sam. He wanted to kill us before, who knows what he'll do with unresisted control of the town. He needs some restraint."

Graham nodded.

Emma and Mary Margaret were whispering in the corner of their shared place, a file in Emma's hands, the two siblings eating at the dinner table at the other side of the room. "Do you know them? Do they go to your school?"

Mary Margaret shook her head. "I've seen them, but I had no idea. None of us knew."

Emma opened the file. "Ava and Nicholas Zimmer, says their mother was someone named Dory Zimmer. She died a few years ago. No one seems to know her or remember her."

"The father?"

"There isn't one, at least not one that they know."

"What does social services say?" Emma tried to speak but struggled to. I can't do that. "You didn't report them?"

"I report them, I can't help them. They go into the system."

"The system is supposed to help." Mary Margaret argued.

"Yeah, says the woman who wasn't in it for sixteen years." Emma retorted. "Do you know what happens? They get thrown into homes where they are nothing more than a meal ticket. These families are paid to take in these kids and as soon as they get to much, they get tossed out and it starts all over again."

"But they're not all like that."

"All the ones I was in." Emma reiterated. "You go through a lot of homes in sixteen years. I want to look for their father. They don't know him. He may not know they exist."

"And you think if he knows, he'll want them?"

"I don't know. But what I do know is that its hard enough for foster families to take in one kid that isn't there's, let alone two. It's their best shot. Or..." Emma was interrupted by sobbing behind her, Ava was crying, having overheard. "We're gonna be separated?"

"No. That's not gonna happen."

"Please. Please don't let it."

Sam was sitting in the corner of the hall of records as Mr. Krzyszkowski was searching for the Zimmer files. Emma entered, leaning as she spoke. "Excuse me. Mr Kryzowski?"

Sam spoke up from the corner. "Its pronounced like Krystovski but everyone calls him Mr. K."

Emma looked surprised to see him there. "What are you doing here?"

Sam did his typical shrug. "Most likely the same reason you're here. The Zimmers."

"Look at you, caring for children."

"Yeah, care for them till they leave the nest and never have to deal with them again."

Mr. Krzszkowski dropped three pieces of paper in front of Emma and stamped them all. "You'll need to fill these out." He returned to searching through the filing cabinets.

"Okay."

"Isn't paperwork just so sexy?" Sam asked, now leaning over Emma's shoulder. "So clear and orderly."

Emma grimaced. "I do not want to hear your weird fetishes, little brother."

Sam leaned back and stuck his tongue out.

Mr Krzszkowski turned to them after searching through one of the top cabinets. "I'm so sorry. Those files have been recently removed."

"By who?"

"Mayor Mills."

Sam and Emma gave each other the same annoyed look. Sam spoke with irritation. "Really ruins the fun paperwork mood. Back to the mayor's for the second time today too. Our job is just fucking groundhog day but with tiny, miniscule differences each time."

Perfect. Just fucking perfect. The one time Regina has a hate boner for kids, its today.

When they had arrived at Regina's office to ask about the situation, Regina spoke in a calm voice, as she for probably the first time since their first day in town, was playing nice without gaining any personal benefits. "Don't worry, deputies. You can relax. I've contacted social services." Today is an Emma spiral then. Regina has a hate boner for kids, Emma has a hate boner for social services, when can I have a hate boner today? Really starting to feel left out. "Turns out these kids are on their own. They need help."

"Which is exactly what we're trying to do. We're trying to find their father." Emma explained.

"Well." Regina handed her the birth certificates of the two Zimmers.

"He has to." Emma analysed the certificates, her eyes going over them multiple times to try and find something linking a father, whether it be a person name, place name, address, anything at all that may make things slightly easier for them.

"Well, of course biologically he exists. But there's no record of him. Which means we have no choice. These children need a home. So, they will be put into the foster system."

"Storybrooke has a foster system?" Emma asked in disbelief.

"No. But I've contacted the state." The curse created an economy, jobs fit for this society despite not being in the same realm as ours natively, created a hierarchy, embedded ideas and memories of what this world is like for schools and work, but can't have a foster system. What are the rules here? How does the economy function even? Magic aside, this curse both has everything and nothing. How does Storybrooke fucking function? Sam held his tongue as he'd be having to ask Regina all this later in private (he can't help himself and is unable to let it go), as Regina continues speaking. "Maine's group homes are unfortunately filled, but they put us in touch with two homes in Boston. A boys home and a girls."

"That can't happen!" Sam exclaimed. "Regina, come on. You love the tiny little bastards, you wouldn't have Henry if you didn't. Can't you look after them, even for just a little while?"

Regina frowned but spoke matter-of-factly. "Sam, I hate it just as much as you two, but I can't just handle that much responsibility. Being the mayor and having one kid is difficult enough. You've met Henry, he doesn't exactly sit still. The last time he refused to sit still, we had to rescue him and Dr. Hopper from a mine." Sam nodded, unable to disagree with that. "Graham will be taking them to Boston tonight."

"I promised them they wouldn't be separated." Emma said.

"Well, then maybe you should stop making promises you can't keep. These children need the best home, I'm just trying to find the best one."

Graham was sitting in his office, looking over some paperwork when Sam knocked on the door, he was then waving at him through the window. "Come in, Sam."

Sam entered. "You're taking the Zimmer kids out to Boston?"

"Regina told you then?"

"You have to let me drive them. Or Emma. You won't be able to pass because of the spell but we can protect them as we pass through."

As true as that is, you might give those kids their memories back. And, I do not trust you to manipulate them to get what you want. The best thing for these kids is to be far away from you, Regina, and the curse, I have my memories back now. I will take the risks. "I have my memories back now. I may be able to pass."

"You may. They may not. I want those kids safe. You do too, so I implore you to see reason."

Graham's expression was unmoving, he had no intention of backing down, but he also had no intention of giving away his distrust of Sam just yet. "Regina asked me to do it. If someone else does it, she'll be suspicious."

"She won't know."

"Sam, you trusted me enough to meet with Archie without you there, I would think that means I'm capable of going to Boston without you with me also."

Sam's determined look faltered. "Fine. But, you make sure the Zimmers are able to visit each other. I can't keep them together, but they can still be close. I don't enjoy failing promises."

"I won't take no for an answer."

"Good."

Henry entered the station as Emma looked through more of the Zimmer files and as Sam exited Graham's office. Henry had his bag over his shoulder and his storybook in his hand. "Any luck?"

"No." Emma replied.

"I know who they are." Henry placed the book on Emma desk and started flicking through the pages.

"Hansel and Gretel." Sam said, then switching to a sarcastic tone. "Super obvious. Pretty much everyone is. Except Whale. Who the fuck is that guy?"

"They fit all the requirements." Henry stated. "No parents. Lost and alone. Siblings."

"Look like they attended Oktoberfest." Sam added.

"What does it say about their father?" Emma asked.

"Just that he abandoned them." Henry said.

"Sounds familiar, whoever this guy is, he could be in Laos right now."

"No. He's here."

Emma chuckled. "And just how do you know that?"

"Because nobody leaves Storybrooke. No one comes here, no one goes. Its just the way it goes."

"We came here."

"Because you're special."

Sam interrupted to unload more sarcastic cynicism. "Saviour breaks magical curse crap, Emma. Do you just not listen to anything that happens? It's what takes up a good eighty percent of our conversations nowadays."

"Right..." Emma sat back down with some files.

Henry sat down on the edge of the desk. "Can you tell me about him?"

"I don't know anything yet."

"Not their father. Mine." Emma looked up from her work and to Henry, his eyes practically begging. Please. "I told you about your parents. You're even living with your mom."

"Mary Margaret isn't-" Emma stopped when seeing his disbelieving expression. "Never mind."

"Please. If not, I'll ask Uncle Sam."

"Woah! Let's not go there. Fine, I'll tell you about your dad." Henry noticed Emma's quick change of attitude when mentioning Sam. What are you hiding from me? "I was pretty young, I had just gotten out of the foster care system. And the only job I could get was at this twenty-four hour diner just off the interstate. And, um, your dad was training to be a fireman. They always got the worst shifts and would always come in and order coffee and pie. And he'd sit at the counter and always complain we never served pumpkin pie. But, he always came back the next night anyway."

"Did you get married?"

"Oh, no. Nothing like that. We just hung out a few times out of work, and life happened." Henry glanced away from Emma for a moment and noticed Sam was still there, unusually quiet, an annoyed and disapproving look on his face. His eyes quickly went back to Emma as she talked. "His got better and mine got worse. And I got in some trouble."

"What happened?"

Emma hesitated but decided to tell Henry anyway. "I got arrested, and you were born in jail." Her look was full of sorrow for a moment, but was soon gone as she realised Henry wasn't mad or confused or sad or anything really of the sort. Altogether, he seemed pretty accepting, which made the conversation a whole lot easier. "Before I went, I found out I was pregnant with you. And, I tried to contact him. And I found out, that he died saving a family from a burning apartment building. So, if you think I'm the Saviour, Henry. He was. Your father was a real hero."

"Do you have anything of his? Something you can remember him by? Something I can see?"

Emma thought for a moment, thought hard, but came to a realisation. "I don't. Henry, I'm sorry. I gotta go. I may know how to find this guy." Emma stood up with the Zimmer files tightly in her hands.

Emma and Sam were driving to Mary Margaret's in silence till Sam broke it, just as they pulled up to her house. "You lied to Henry."

Really? This, right now?

"I had to. He's not ready yet."

"He's perfectly ready, and he has a right to know his dad was a piece of shit, and I have a right to know the full story about you and Neal."

"Can we not do this, right now?"

"No. We keep arguing about this but we don't let it resolve because you won't tell me anything. You have to be able to talk about this, Emma. It altered you. It altered our relationship, and right now it's altering your relationship with Henry. If you don't sort your shit out, Regina may use it against you, and we both know she's not above doing that. Worse, Regina does nothing with it, and your issues, they tear Henry away from you, and then nobody will be to blame for ruining your relationship with your kid. Not Regina and her schemes, not me, not anybody else, not even Neal for what he did. It will all be you. Protecting others by shielding them is important, but sometimes that shield is cracked, and that flawed shield, that flawed wielder, they become the biggest contributor to harming those they wish to protect."

Sam, please stop. We've been over this a thousand times.

Emma sighed. "We'll talk about this when this is all over, alright?"

Sam opened the passenger side door and stepped out. "You promise?"

"I promise."

"Fine, but remember, I hate failed promises." He slammed the door shut.

Ava and Nicholas were both eating gingerbread when the two Swan siblings came downstairs from the loft with a blanket.

"What's that?" Nicholas asked.

"It's my baby blanket." Emma said with a smile. "It's something I held onto my whole life."

"Quite literally, it goes with her almost everywhere." Sam saying that caused Emma to gently push him, to which he pushed her back.

Emma laughed faintly. "Anyway, it's the only thing I have left from my parents. We spent a lot of time with a lot of kids in your situation. And all of them, all of us, we held onto stuff. I want to find your father but I need your help. Is there anything of his you've held on to?"

"I might have something." Ava responded. "But if I give it to you, you'll make sure we stay together, right?"

Emma's hesitance was there once more for just a second, quickly gone, despite her better judgement she was sure of herself, she was going to get these kids to stay together. "Right." Emma put her baby blanket down and Ava pulled a black and brown compass out from her pocket, placing it gently in Emma's palm. "A compass?"

"Our mom kept it." Ava explained. "She said it was our dad's."

"Thank you."

"Did you find them?"

"Who?"

"Your parents."

Sam shook his head as Emma spoke. "Not yet. But we're gonna find yours."

Emma and Sam stepped outside. "You're more optimistic than me." Sam said. "But also a bigger liar. Really? All of them keep something of their parents? I didn't. Many don't get anything but their DNA that resembles their parents in some way."

"Most. All. Same thing." Emma mimicked Sam's usual shrug. "Gonna complain that I lied?"

"No. Like I said, sometimes the shield is cracked, but sometimes, it's not."

Gold was cleaning an old golden oil lamp as the Swan siblings entered his store, their presence made known by the ringing bell. "How lovely to see you two. I'm flattered you took time out of your busy schedule for me. What can I do for you?"

"We're looking for information on this old compass." Emma said, placing it on the counter between them. "Any idea where it could have come from?"

Gold picked it up, his fingers stroking it and his eyes flicking back and forth between its various parts, soaking in every little detail. "Oh, well. Look at the detail." He pointed to the front. "Y'know this is crystal. This jewelled setting. Despite the rather unfortunate shape it's in, this is actually quite the unusual piece." He handed the watch back. A wonderful piece, indeed. I expect nothing less from something from my very own store. "The person who owned this obviously had great taste."

"And where would someone like that buy it?" Sam asked, his expression suggesting he already knew the answer to that.

"Right here, of course."

"You knew him?" Emma asked.

"I did. A piece like this is quite difficult to forget."

"Do you happen to remember who bought it?"

"Well, I'm good with names, Miss Swan." Gold limped from out behind the counter and started searching through his records. "But, maybe not that good. However, as luck would have it, I do keep quite extensive records. And, yes." He pulled out a little white card. "Here we are." He held out the card, waiting for one of them to take it.

Neither did, expecting one of Gold's typical games. "What's your price?" Emma asked.

"No price today, dearie. Call it generosity. Or maybe I'm just in a good mood."

"Bullshit." Sam exclaimed. "What are you really playing at?"

Always so assuming, dearie.

"I simply heard of what you're doing for those poor children, word gets around fast, and it really is such a tragedy. I wish to only help where I can." He smirked, speaking slower and in a more sly tone. "As you may recall, I do have a soft spot for children."

"Whatever." Sam scoffed. "Just give us the name."

"The compass was purchased by Mr. Michael Tillman."

"Anything else?" Emma asked.

"Just a name, but I generally find that's all one needs." Emma and Sam turned to leave. "Good luck on your investigation."

When Sam and Emma arrived at Mr. Tillman's automobile shop, they showed him the Zimmer's file, and as they expected, they received an initial refusal. "Not possible." Mr. Tillman said, not believing them.

"Actually it is." Emma replied.

"I'm sorry, but Dory, she wasn't my, um...It was just once."

"Sometimes that's all it takes."

"My sister knows all about that." Sam pushed the Zimmer file into Mr. Tillman's face. "Now come on, take a good look. Don't they look just a little bit like you."

"Listen, we met when we went camping, and it's not possible, I don't have twins."

"Dude, in a tent? With someone you barely knew?" Sam smirked. "That's gross. This isn't the CW, or some soap that's somehow been running since 1947, or a strangely really captivating Korean drama, hormone control, my guy. Clearly you lacked it, now you have two kids who were conceived in a tent, which while not the worst place to be conceived, is pretty up there, just off the top of my head but a much worse place would be conceived in a cheap, shitty motel or something and then being born in a prison. Wickedly bad combo." He gave a smug look to Emma before returning his attention to Mr. Tillman. "Would be super embarrassing if they found out. I will tell them if you don't, by the way."

Mr. Tillman looked irritated now. "Listen, I can barely look after myself and this garage, even if they were my kids, I can't look after two kids as well. I don't even want kids."

"We get that." Emma said. "but these kids have been homeless ever since their mother died because they don't want to be separated from each other. Your kids are about to be shipped off to Boston, unless you take responsibility for them."

"Why are you so certain they're mine?!"

"Other than the timing?" Emma held out his old compass. "Have you ever seen this?"

"I lost this." Michael Tillman looked shocked to have seen it again, forgotten memories looked to have flooded his mind.

"Let me guess, twelve years and nine months ago? I know it's a lot, believe me, I know. A month ago, a kid showed up on my doorstep, I gave up for adoption, asking for help with... something, I ended up moving here for him."

"I heard about that. It's the mayor's son. But staying in town is a lot different from taking him in."

"Emma, stop!" Sam ordered.

Emma ignored him. "I don't have my kid, because I don't have a choice. You do. Those kids did not ask to be brought to this world. You brought them into this world, you and their mother. And they need you. If you choose not to take them, you are going to have to answer for that every day of your life. And sooner or later when they find you, because believe me they will find you, you are going to have to answer to them."

"I'm really sorry, I am." Tillman put the compass back in Emma's hand. "I don't know anything about being a dad. If it's a good home you're looking for, it's not with me. Kids aren't my thing, and even if I were to make that sacrifice, I can't provide for them in the way they would deserve. Social services are their best shot." Without attempting to hear Emma out anymore, he left, shutting a door behind him.

"You can't guilt trip him for his decision, Emma. Even if this whole thing is as tragic as it is. And, you especially can't guilt trip him because you regret your own actions." Sam scowled.

Emma looked down at the floor, similar to how Henry had done when he was ashamed. "I know. I know. I just don't want to break our promise."

"Me either..." Sam paused, his face twisted to one of realization. "I have an idea. When's Graham leaving for Boston?"

"Tonight, but Graham usually leaves really early when he's going longer distances so he can maintain his sleep schedule. Why? What's up?"

"I gotta hurry! Call the hospital, have them clear up space! We may need a couple beds!"

Samishtara sat on the edge of one of the many balconies of the Evil Queen's castle. He had a gun on his lap, which he had shot into the sky multiple times, whenever a guard came to stop him, he'd knock them out. By now, nearly thirty guards were piled up inside. That was enough to get the queen's attention as she stormed onto the balcony and shot a fireball at him. Samishtara flicked his index finger up and the fireball stopped in its place, quickly disappearing into a large smoke that was in the shape of the fireball. "Kids can be such trouble, right? I mean, no to a castle? Wow. They must have really cared for their father. By the way, I know very much what you did, and while that would make me want to kill you more, I won't. Because it told me something I didn't once know about you."

Regina scowled. "I have no idea who you are, but I demand you leave my castle immediately!"

"Samishtara. My name is Samishtara." Regina's face showed realization but she didn't stand down from her stance. "Leave!"

"I won't kill you." Samishtara reiterated.

"Oh, really?" Regina replied snidely. "And why's that?"

"I realized you can be saved. You want someone to love you, you want to care for someone else. This shows progress, but I cannot interfere with this, it would make things not natural. I'm biased now. As are you, whether it be to follow what I say, or to try and prove me wrong."

"How dare you! You don't know me or what I want! I should throw you off this balcony right now!"

"Maybe you should, but you won't." Regina readied another spell but Samishtara was faster, he grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the floor. He used his free hand to reach into his pocket and pull out a potion. "I'm sorry for being so rough, but you make things more difficult than they need to be."

"Get off me!" Regina shot another fireball from her hand, this time it hit Samistara in his stomach, he fell back but lunged back onto her before she could finish standing up.

Samishtara pushed his hand down on her throat, causing Regina to gasp out, leaving him an opportunity to pour the potion down her throat. He fell back and took a deep breath. "Again, really sorry about this." Samishtara then vanished, appearing far away from the castle, deep into the surrounding forest. He looked down at the potion, half was left. "Gross, her lips touched this." He pulled his head back and opened his mouth wide, raising the potion up and pouring it into his mouth, once it was all gone he threw the potion off in a random direction. Samishtara then looked around confused. "What the fuck am I doing here? Man, I need to stop zoning out."

Sam immediately pressed his foot down on the brake as he reached the sign, Graham's car had gone over the side, and flipped over a couple times before hitting a tree. Sam ran towards the flipped over car, adrenaline rushing through his body. Glass grazed his feet as pieces cut into his shoes. Sam went to the driver seat and pulled the door open, undoing Graham's seatbelt. Graham fell forward and Sam grabbed him by his shirt, to avoid Graham getting cut by glass, Sam put his back to the seat and threw Graham as far as he could from the car. Glass cut through his back as he pulled himself out of the car. When checking Graham's pulse, he found one, faint but definitely there. "Why didn't you listen to me, you stupid bastard?" Sam opened Nicholas' door next, and gagged as a result. Nicholas' head had thrusted forward into the back of Graham's seat and got smushed, bits of blood, bone and brain stuck all over the car. Continuing to act before thinking, he ran to Ava's side and forced her door open. He pulled it open with enough force to break more of the glass still stuck in the window and cut his chest and right arm. He fell back and glass got in that same arm's hand. "Agh! Fuck!" Sam bit his lip and checked Ava's pulse. She looked more hurt than Graham but was certainly in much better condition than her brother who's pulse didn't even need checking. Her pulse was slower than Graham's. Sam undid her seatbelt and carried her in his arms. Breaking into a sprint as he went back to his car to put her in the back passenger seat. When she was safely put in, he ran back to do the same with Graham (who he put in the front passenger seat). He used his injured hand to drive and his non-injured hand to call Emma and place his phone between his head and left shoulder. Come on! Come on! Pick up!

Emma's voice then came from the phone. "Sam? I did what you told me, what's going on?"

"Graham crashed, he looks like he'll be fine, but I don't think Ava can last much longer."

"What about Nicholas?"

"Nicholas didn't make it. Listen, I'm injured, it's nothing too serious, and not to be a hypochondriac, but I love you so if I do die, know that."

"You're not going to die, idiot! Where are you?"

"Five minutes away give or take." Sam nearly swerves off the road. "Get staff waiting out the front of the hospital. I'll call you back." Sam hung up without waiting for Emma to reply.

When Sam had arrived at the hospital, a large crowd had formed (some people in the crowd were: Emma, Ashley, Archie, Sean, Mr. Tillman, Regina, David, Mary Margaret, and Kathryn). Sam's adrenaline was gone now and he struggled to keep going, his vision going blurry. He stumbled out the car and pulled open the back passenger door, carrying Ava once again. "MOVE!" He shouted at the crowd, pushing through them as he tried to get Ava to once of the stretchers.

"Sam! Are you okay?!" Emma had tears in her eyes as she tried to hug him.

"Wait." Sam ordered, pushing past her too as he finally got to a stretcher. He carefully placed her down and looked to the medical staff, a demanding look on his face. "Go!"

Sam turned back around to Emma and pulled her into a hug, unable to keep his eyes open, he was about to collapse. And, Emma felt him go limp in her arms. "Sam?!"

Sam Swan woke up in a hospital bed a little while later, bandages around his back and hand. Dr. Whale stood over him, grinning. "You're awake. That's good."

"I'm not dead." Sam replied cynically.

"That you are not. You're in good condition."

"How are the others?"

"They both made it, they'll be fine too."

"Thank god."

"You're very popular, y'know. Lots of visitors."

"How long can I expect to be half-mummy?"

"Not long, week or so, same with the other two." Whale smiled. "Very lucky all things considered. People went to check out the crash, pretty gnarly stuff."

Sam winced at the thought. "Can you bring Emma in?"

"Yeah, sure."

Whale left and a couple minutes later, Emma came in, a big smile on her face. "You asshole, I can't believe you hung up on me." She ruffled Sam's hair. "I'm so glad you're safe."

"I needed to drive properly. By the way, what do you think of the scars? Ugly? I hope so, might get Ruby to be less clingy."

"I think she'll love them."

"Damn."

"They said you can come home later tonight."

"Good. Good." Sam paused. "Listen, I need you to go get Graham if he's allowed out of his bed, and Archie. If not, get Ruby. I have a lot of things to say to a couple people." Emma nodded, heading for the door. "Oh, and let Henry know I'm okay."

"Will do."

Graham entered a minute later with his own bandages. Most of the bandages were wrapped around his forehead. "You were right, Sam. I'm sorry. They shouldn't have gone with me. It's my fault Nicholas Zimmer is dead."

"No, you did what you thought was best. Now where's Archie?"

"Here." Archie said, appearing in the doorway. "How are you both doing?"

"Well." Sam replied, Graham agreed with a nod. "Now we need to talk about Operation Cobra. Who did you both decide on?"

"Mary Margaret and David."

That's the best you got? Pitiful.

The Samishtara part of Sam spoke this time. "No. Too risky. Their 'True Love' would be too obvious. Never mind, we'll workshop it."

"I disagr-" Graham was interrupted by Sam. "I'm taking full control of this operation now, and now I am telling you we'll workshop it. So, we are gonna fucking workshop it instead of throwing our chance away because of..." Sam put on a overly feminine voice. "twue wove".

"If I may." Archie started, but once again Sam spoke. "You may not. Now, get out. Get Ashley next."

Deciding not to fight him on it, they left and Ashley came in. "You're okay."

Sam smiled. "It'll take a lot more than glass to kill me, you know that. But, just goes to show, kids are more trouble than they're worth."

Ashley chuckled. "Well, I'm already attached to mine now."

"Sucker. How is she anyway?"

"Asleep."

"So, she's sleeping while I risked my life? Selfish little bitch. She's a month old, she should stop being so selfish by now."

"I'll be sure to tell her that."

"You better. Now, listen. I'm still exhausted and if I don't check in on everyone before I collapse, I'm gonna feel like a piece of shit, so, can you go and get Ruby for me?"

"Of course I can. Keep comfortable, Sam."

"I will."

Ashley left and then Ruby entered, running to his side and pulling Sam into a tight hug which only ended when he groaned in pain. "Sorry, I'm just so glad you're okay, handsome."

"Yeah, I'm great or whatever. How's the diner? Granny handling doing your job as well as hers?"

Ruby smirked. "Yeah. She is."

"Probably doing better at it than you too."

"Hey!"

"Just telling you the truth." Sam rested his head on her chest. "I'm okay. You don't need to worry."

"I have to worry, flirting is so much more boring when you're not around."

"Right. Right. How's the scars, by the way?"

Ruby's hand caressed the bandages, one of the scars poking out underneath. "Very sexy."

"You should have seen the car, it was even worse than yours." Sam laughed, but stopped as he felt a sharp pain in his chest.

"I didn't thank you enough for taking that trip to Boston like you promised." She gently moved his head back from her chest and kissed him on the lips, it was quick but nice. It felt right. "That seems like enough of a thank you." She pulled away, smirking.

Sam's face went a light green blush. "Thanks."

"So, let me guess, you need me to bring someone else in?"

"Yeah, Regina." He paused. "Oh, and do you know Mr. Tillman?" Ruby nodded. "Bring him too."

Minutes later, Regina and Mr. Tillman entered.

"You should have been more careful!" Regina said in a stern tone.

"Should have, could have, would have." Sam replied. "Just happy to see you care, Reg'."

"I'm sorry, Deputy Swan." Michael Tillman apologised, approaching the bed. "This wouldn't have happened if I had taken them in."

"No, it's not. You had no idea they'd crash, we came to you and tried to flip your life over with such big news, and you didn't want kids, that was your decision. And you are allowed to have that decision. You aren't to blame for this at all. All of this, was all just one big, bad tragedy. That being said, are you still certain you don't want to look after Ava?" Mr. Tillman gave a low nod. I'm probably going to regret this. "Then I know another way to keep Ava in Storybrooke."

"How?" Regina asked.

"I'd like to adopt her myself."

Silence filled the room for a moment till Regina loudly interrupted. "You're joking!"

"No, I'm not. I'll look after her. I want to."

"You're nineteen."

"I don't care."

"You don't have an actual home."

"I'll find one, till then, the diner."

"This is ridiculous."

"Please, Reg'. She needs someone right now more than ever, she lost her little brother. Social services can't do that, she has no connection to them. Not like she has me and Emma."

Regina sighed. "Fine. I'll get the paperwork ready, but Ava has to agree to it herself too. I won't do it unless she wants to go with you."

"Agreed."

November 21st 2024.

Gold stood in his store, staring down at the chipped teacup in his hand. Belle. Sweet, sweet, Belle. A smash of glass pulled his attention away from the teacup, the door window was smashed open by a rock. What is the meaning of this? Gold limped out to the door and peered out the hole where the window once was, nobody was there.

"Sorry, I just found the place too stuffy." Gold turned around to where the voice was coming from, Sam was by the counter, he was staring down at the teacup.

"Deputy Swan, what is the meaning of this?"

"Enough with the crap, you may not know who I am because we never met in person, but you do know me, and you won't forget me."

"I'd appreciate if you were careful with that teacup." Gold spoke through gritted teeth. "It's a rarity."

Sam ignored his words. "It smells of Belle."

Gold's facade was gone, he was shocked. "How do you know her?"

"I met her one time, before her unfortunate death. Such a shame. But it was expected. She reeked of your scent, practically begged Regina to extinguish her."

I've had enough of this!

"Do not speak of Belle! You keep her name out of your mouth!"

"So pure, corrupted by such darkness." Sam moved away from the teacup. "You may want her name out of my mouth, but I want my name in your mouth. Kinky, I know. And a Breaking Bad reference aside, say my name."

"I have no idea who you are!"

"I thought you were much smarter than this, fine, let me tell you, I'm Samishtara."

No. That's not possible.

"Samishtara is dead. The curse was made to only bring Humans, Hasjin were meant to be killed by it."

"I had help from a friend. I'm sure you know her without me having to give you the answer."

Gold grimaced. "Lady Morgana. The Queen of Magic."

"Good. Very good." Sam went around the corner and hit Gold in the face. "I have wanted to do that for a while."

"You can't kill me."

"I don't need the dagger to kill a Dark One."

"No, but I know you're also here to break the curse. You'll need me." Gold said, trying to maintain his smug demeanour which was slowly reforming after his initial shock.

"True. But, I will still kill you. Like I said a month ago, I can wait, even if it takes years."

"Enjoy waiting."

"I will." Sam hit him again. "And you can enjoy knowing I could kill you any time."

Gold smirked, rubbing his cheek. "I don't think an injured man should do much talking of violence."

Sam gestured to Gold's cane. "I suppose we're finally on par, but there is a difference between us."

"And what's that?"

Sam leaned in and whispered into Gold's ear. "I gained all my wounds honourably."

You are playing a big game, dearie, and I assure you, I know all the plays.

"It's closing time. I think you should leave."

"Very well." Sam grabbed Gold's cane and threw it into the corner of the room out of spite. "Have a nice day, Rumple."

"You too." Gold replied, in the same gritted teeth.

Sam eventually made his way to the main street where Emma and Henry were. "There you two are."

"We said we'd be here." Henry said.

"Well..." Sam paused. "I have no argument for that."

"The kid was telling me how brave you were." Emma explained. "I have to agree."

"Thanks."

"You did good." Henry started excited. "You really are changing things. For the first time ever, not including you two, we had a visitor!"

"Really? Who?"

"I don't know but he had a cool bike."

"Did he smell like pine wood?" Sam sniffed. "It smells like a lot of pine wood. Like Marco."

"He did smell of pine wood." Henry was gushing. "This is incredible!"

Glad you're finding new adults to be your friend, kid. Just really be careful with that. And maybe find one kid that'll be your friend to even it out.

"Really? No joke so far? Maybe you got a head injury too." Emma said, trying to tease Sam.

"Fuck you. I can have self-control."

"I don't believe that for a second." Emma changed the topic of conversation. "I know we agreed to talk after the Zimmer case is resolved, but we can talk in the morning, I promise. You just need your rest."

"Yeah. I was thinking the same thing. But first thing in the morning, alright?"

Emma chuckled, smiling back. "Yeah. Alright."