Sound of Surviving

50

"No, no, no," David argued. "She already lost Neal once. And if this is a game, we can't put her through losing him again."

"He's right," Hook agreed. "Either way, telling her is what Pan wants, which is why we shouldn't do it."

"You want to find him without letting her know?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Why hurt her unnecessarily?"

"I've never lied to her before."

"You're not lying. You're just keeping a secret until confirmation."

"Secrets always seem to keep us from the people we really care about."

"And sometimes secrets protect the people we love," David added.

Jefferson, who'd overhead David's last statement, nodded sadly as he glanced at his wife.

PRINCE ERIC'S CASTLE - PAST

Snow and Ariel were by the shore.

"What on earth would possess you to jump like that?" Ariel wondered.

"You ever been chased by an evil queen?" Snow White replied.

"I can't say that I have."

"Makes you do crazy things."

"Well, that I know."

"Are you on the run from someone?"

"More like on the run to someone."

"What's his name? Come on. The one thing that makes everyone crazy is love."

"Eric. He's a prince in this kingdom."

"So wait. He... Lives on land? He's human?"

"Okay. Here's the thing. About a year ago, his ship wrecked, and I rescued him. I do that. He was unconscious. We never spoke, but... When I looked at his face, I just... I knew."

"Love at first sight."

"It sounds dumb. I know."

"No. It doesn't sound dumb at all." Ariel emptied her bag, which surprised Snow. "Interesting."

"I collect things... And I found this." She showed her a piece of paper. "There's a ball at his castle tonight... the annual under the sea celebration honoring the sea goddess Ursula... And I was hoping to meet him there."

"How are you planning on doing that? With a tail? How did you do that?"

"You really know nothing of your mermaid mythology, do you?"

"Uh, probably about as much as you know about people mythology, I think."

"Good point. Well, anyway, every year at the highest tide, the legend says that the sea goddess Ursula grants our kind with the ability to walk on dry land until the next high tide."

"Which is when?"

"Twelve hours. Enough time for dinner and dancing and..."

"Twelve hours? Why don't you ask this Ursula for a little more time?"

"Well, no one's seen her in a thousand years. She's a bit of a myth."

"Well, myth or no myth, you saved my life. The least I can do is help you find the love of yours."

"Thank you. But can you keep a secret?"

"Mm-hmm."

"I'm a mermaid."