Flashback - One Year Ago
Enchanted Forest
Night - Road
Knights on horseback led a carriage through a path in the forest. Seemingly a knight stood ahead of them in the road, blocking the way, drawing a his sword; it was Killian.
"And just who might you be?" the knight asked.
"I'm the man who's going to relieve you of that chest full of gold you're transporting," Killian told them.
The knight laughed. "You and what army?"
Killian raised his arm, and flaming arrows lit up the forest. "Well, I'm glad you asked. Your choice. Save your lives of the gold."
"Retreat!" the knight ordered.
The knights rode away, leaving the carriage behind with the gold.
Killian removed his helmet. "Smee!" Smee walked out of the forest. "Those arrows took a lot longer to light than discussed."
"It wasn't easy lighting them all by ourselves, captain, especially since Tori, Saphira and Mathias are no longer with us," Smee admitted. "Maybe if we had an actual army."
"And share in the spoils?" Killian asked. "I think not."
"I gotta say, it's good to be at your side again, sir," Smee told him, unlocking the carriage, removing a treasure chest. "And not as a rat. Saphira and Mathias may have turned me into a rat because I tried to kill Belle twice, but..."
Killian chuckled. "I know the grudge Tori, Saphira and Mathias can hold when it comes to Belle, but you becoming human is a lovely side effect of the Curse breaking for you, I'd imagine."
Smee nodded. "I did like the mobility, but being a human is good too."
Smee broke the lock on the treasure chest.
Killian laughed. "What did I tell you, mates? You don't need a ship to be a pirate."
ღ
Tavern
Killian was gambling with his crew, raising his mug in a toast. "To the most clever, dastardly band of pirates to ever set sail--" He looked at Smee, both of them laughing. "Stride on the open roads!"
Smee raised his mug. "To Captain Hook!" The men cheered, drinking. "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. The boys and I chipped in and got you something."
Smee pointed across the tavern to a wench.
"Oh, Mr. Smee, how did you know?" Killian asked.
Smee smiled. "Enjoy! To Captain Hook! Come on, one more."
The wench led Killian out of the tavern.
ღ
Outside
Killian gave the wench a pouch of coins.
"I don't understand, your men took care of me," the wench told him.
"And tomorrow, you shall tell them that you had a grand time," Killian told her. "Good night."
The wench left. Killian began to walk away, but was hit over the head with a club, falling to the ground.
Ariel, in a cloak, put a dagger to Killian's throat. "Move and I'll slit your throat."
"Not a good plan for you," Killian told her. "I'm guessing you don't know who I am."
"I know exactly who you are, Captain Hook," Ariel answered.
"Well, then I'm at a disadvantage," Killian told her.
"My name's Ariel," Ariel explained. "And you're going to pay for what you've done."
ღ Worlds Colliding (Once Upon a Time) ღ
Now
Storybrooke
Day One
Morning - Charming Loft
David, Emma and Ella were attempting to assemble a crib. Snow and Rose were sitting nearby.
David looked at the instructions. "I've seen enemy battle plans that were easier to decode than this."
"Let me see," Ella told him. "All right. It says 'take screws E, with washers D, through bar C, using wrench F. Which is not provided'."
Rose sighed. "Why don't we just call Marco? He's really good at this sort of thing."
Emma, Ella and David spoke together. "No!"
"We're fine," David told them.
Rose chuckled.
Snow was surprised by their instant reaction. "Should we even be doing this? Ever since the showdown between Regina, Alcina and Saphira against Fatale and the Wicked Witch, we haven't seen Faye, Zelena or Gold at all. Shouldn't we be focusing on their next move?"
"We are," Emma told her. "We just can't stop living."
"Yeah, this crib is a statement," David agreed. "We're not gonna lose another baby."
Regina, Alcina and the Hatters walked in.
"And thanks to us, you won't," Lisa told them. "We're finished."
"So?" David asked. "Did it work? Were you able to put up a new protection spell?"
"One that can't be undone by blood magic," Alcina answered. "Which means, Zelena and Faye won't be able to put their hands on that baby."
"Any idea why she would want to?" Snow asked.
"The number of spells involving baby parts would surprise you," Jefferson told them. "Those greenies are clearly some twisted bit..."
Freya couldn't help but chuckle in amusement. "Jefferson."
Jefferson looked from Freya to Lisa, Grace and Rose. "Witches."
The three girls nodded sarcastically.
Freya looked at the Charmings. "But as long as we're in here, we're safe."
"That's useless," Grace told them. "I think we need to stop playing defense and start taking the fight to them."
"Did you see the witted game they were playing yesterday?" Alcina asked. "They have magic, Grace. Powerful magic."
"Grace and I have magic, too," Rose replied. "You've seen us use it. Powerful magic."
"We just can't always control it," Grace agreed. "But if you taught us, Rose and I could help you. Ella and Emma could help."
"Now, why does this feel so familiar?" Lisa asked sarcastically, giving Emma and Ella a look.
"Emma and I are ready this time," Ella told them. "Rose and Grace have been begging us to teach them more for so long now."
Freya chuckled sarcastically. "Okay. But if we're teaching Rose and Grace, it's so that they can defend themselves against these witches. Not so they can go into battle. And we do this our way. This isn't drinking stale coffee at a stakeout. This is a way of life. You have to fully commit to it."
"Not a problem," Rose told them.
"Meet us at the vault in one hour," Alcina told them.
Emma looked at Snow and David. "And no complaining. We're doing this because it's the only way. And yes. We will be careful."
Snow nodded. "We know."
"Don't worry," David told them. "We'll watch Henry when he gets back from the store."
"Actually, I'm not so sure that's the best idea," Lisa told them.
"What?" Snow asked. "What is it?"
Lisa shrugged. "Well, you guys are tired. You need to rest."
"I'm pregnant, not sick with the flu," Snow told them.
"Yeah, we know," Jefferson told them. "It's just, um... well, last time you guys watched Henry and Rose, you overwhelmed them with baby tips. They're 12. They don't want to talk about pregnancies. It's not fun."
"Oh, we're fun," Snow told them.
Jefferson smirked in amusement. "I'm just saying. Maybe Henry and Rose disagree."
Snow gasped, looking at Rose, who looked away. "No."
"Magic's more fun for Rose," David told them. "We get that."
"Henry will get there," Grace told them. "You gotta remember. He doesn't remember who you are."
David sighed. "Well, if we're not fun, who is?"
Rose shrugged. "Hook."
David sighed. "I mean, we can't just sit back and do nothing."
"You're right," Snow told him. "We can be as fun as any pirate captain."
David nodded. "Exactly. Henry and Rose obviously did a lot of growing up in the past year. We just have to adjust accordingly."
ღ
Docks
Killian and the three Matthews were overlooking the sea.
Smee walked closer. "Captain Hook! Tori. Saphira. Mathias."
Saphira smirked. "Oh, Mr. Smee, it's been a long time. Lost time we saw you..."
"You and Mathias turned me into a rat," Smee finished nervously. "Don't worry, I get it, after what I did to Belle, I totally deserved it."
Tori nodded in agreement. "Yes, you did."
"It's about time," Mathias told him. "You know how much we bore waiting. What is it that's so urgent?"
"I wanted to apologize," Smee answered, looking between the four of them. "And it's just that me and the men were talking about how we haven't seen much of you since we all ended up back here."
"Is there a point to that rather odd observation?" Tori asked.
"What's keeping us from crewing up again?" Smee asked. "Hitting the high seas, getting back to pirating?"
"You mean, other than being attacked and turned into flying monkeys by my surrogate sister Faye and her other mother?" Saphira replied. "Have you forgotten? There's no safe passage out of this town."
"We've already turned you into a rodent, Mr. Smee," Mathias reminded him. "Does life as a simian interest you as well?"
"Of course there's safe passage," Smee told them. "We could outrun them."
Tori scoffed. "Not with that torso of yours."
"If we had a fast enough ship, the Jolly Roger for instance, Tori," Smee told her. "Even the Jolly Roger could be faster than Saphira and Mathias could fly sometimes. So it has to be faster than flying monkeys or Faye flying. Hook, you haven't told us whether you found her during the time none of us can remember."
"What happened during that time isn't important," Killian told him.
"Because you remember it," Tori replied. "Is the ship okay? What happened to it?"
Killian sighed. "All you need to know is that the Jolly Roger isn't here, so there will be no outrunning of anything."
"Well, I mean, what if we found another ship?" Smee asked. "Any one of these."
Saphira rolled her eyes, annoyed. "Mr. Smee, we've tried letting you down easy, now let me be more direct: We have no intention of leaving this town."
"Saphira, I agree with you," Smee told her. "This place has its bright spots. I have never tried anything quite like frozen yogurt before, but Fatale and the Wicked Witch are here, and with that sort of danger, what possible reason do you have to stay?"
"Our family," Mathias answered. "Our reasons are our own. Question them again at your peril."
Smee nodded. "Yes, Mathias."
Smee left. Ella and Rose brought Henry here, approaching.
"Didn't he used to be a rat?" Rose asked.
"Aye," Tori answered. "Saphira and Mathias turned him into one. In many ways, he still is."
Killian chuckled. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Ella?"
"I was wondering if you could take care of Henry again," Ella answered.
Killian smirked, raising an eyebrow. "If you want to get close to me, you just have to ask; there's no need to use the lad as an excuse."
Ella gave him an amused look.
Rose rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised you're making this about you?" The three Matthews smirked. "Jefferson's gonna be with Henry. But being that Uncle Jefferson doesn't have magic, and if the witches show up, we need you to help him protect my brother in case they do. We need your help because our other Mom, Aunt Ally, Aunt Freya and Lisa need to train me, this Mom, Aunt Emma, and Grace in magic. We think together, along with Saphira, Tori and Mathias, we might be able to defeat Faye and Zelena."
"Well, that's the first reasonable plan I've heard since this all began," Saphira told them.
"Magic is part of you and Rose, Ella," Killian pointed out. "Don't forget I was there when Cora tried to burn you and Emma alive; I saw the power inside of you, so it's about time you embraced it, because it's what makes you the Savior and Protector." Ella chuckled, shaking her head. "You can't just pretend someone who you're not like change never happened to you, trust me; I spent the last year trying to do just that, return to the person I used to be, and it didn't work."
"Why?" Ella asked. "What happened over the last year that you're not telling us?"
Killian shook his head. "It matters not; just take this from me, just this once: No matter how much you wish you could go back to your old life, you can't."
ღ
Beach
Tori, Saphira and Mathias walked along, hearing a commotion from up ahead.
"What's going on?" Saphira asked.
"Does anyone know what happened?" a man asked.
"She just washed up on shore," Granny answered.
There was a crowd gathered around something on the beach.
"Who did?" Mathias asked. "Who's there?"
They pushed through the crowd.
Tori was shocked to see Ariel sitting on a rock. "Ariel?"
ღღ
Tori, Saphira and Mathias each embraced Ariel. Ariel smiled as she returned each hug. Mathias put his jacket around her shoulders.
Saphira looked at Ariel. "Where have you been? We thought you'd been turned into a monkey."
"A monkey?" Ariel repeated. "No, I'm a girl who turns into a fish."
"Yeah, we know," Mathias told her. "But what happened to you?"
Ariel sighed. "I'd been under the sea, searching. I traveled to every known realm looking for Prince Eric."
"So he's missing?" Tori asked. "For how long?"
"After Pan failed, I woke up here like everybody else," Ariel told them. 'I couldn't find him. I didn't understand what happened until I overheard everybody saying that we had all gone to the Enchanted Forest and been there for a year without knowing it."
"So you still don't know what happened to him," Saphira told her.
Ariel shook her head. "That's why I came back here. I thought maybe I'd overlooked something, that he'd be here, but obviously you haven't see him."
"We're sorry," Saphira told her. "We've been trying to piece together what happened."
"All we know is that we're up against Saphira's surrogate sister, Tori's and my surrogate daughter, AKA the daughter to Regina and Alcina's half-sister, the Wicked Witch and Fatale," Mathias explained.
"Do you think that they might be responsible for Prince Eric's disappearance, Mathias?" Ariel asked.
Tori shrugged. "Without our memories, it's impossible to know everything."
"Maybe for us, but what about Hook?" Saphira asked.
"The pirate?" Ariel asked.
Mathias nodded. "Yes, he wasn't part of the witches' Curse. He has his memories."
"Maybe he can, I don't know, shed some light on what happened to Prince Eric," Tori told her.
"Well, do you think he'd help me?" Ariel asked.
Saphira shrugged. "I don't know why not."
ღ
Flashback - One Year Ago
Enchanted Forest
Night - Tavern - Outside
Ariel was holding a knife to Killian's throat.
Killian sighed. "For fear of adding insult to injury, would you mind catching me up on your particular grievance?"
"You kidnapped Prince Eric, and you're gonna return him to me," Ariel told him. "Now on your feet!"
Killian stood. "Kidnapping a prince? That sounds like something I would do, but I'm afraid you've got the wrong pirate." He grabbed the knife, holding it to Ariel's throat. "Or should I say the wrong pirate has you?"
"Go ahead, kill me, but I still know you're lying," Ariel replied. "One of Eric's men escaped, so I know the ship that took him was yours. The Jolly Roger."
"The Jolly Roger?" Killian repeated. "Are you certain? Answer me."
"You really didn't take him?" Ariel asked.
"What else do you know about who's captaining my ship?" Killian asked. "Did that man tell you anything else?"
"Only that he was able to escape with a weapon he stole from the armory, the dagger that's against my throat," Ariel answered.
Killian removed the dagger from her throat, looking at the handle. The initials "BB" were carved into it. Killian laughed, running off.
ღ
Inside
Smee was sleeping inside.
Killian opened the door, walking in. "Rise and shine, you bilge rats!" He kicked the bench that one of his men was sitting on. "No offense, Mr. Smee."
"None taken," Smee told him. "I keep dreaming of cheese. What is it?"
"I know who has the Jolly Roger, and we're gonna take her back," Killian answered.
"Who's funeral shall we be attending, sir?" Smee asked.
Killian stabbed the table with the dagger. "Black Beard."
"Black Beard?" Smee repeated. "But he's the most cutthroat pirate to ever hoist a sail, after you, of course.'
Killian smirked. "To make it all more satisfying, when I take my ship back and make him walk her lovely plank."
"Let's not be hasty," Smee told him. "We've been having fun robbing carriages, getting rich from it too. Maybe we should forget about the Jolly Roger. You said it yourself, Tori, Saphira and Mathias are no longer with us, and we don't need a ship to be--'
"She's not just a ship!" Killian snapped.
"I'm fairly certain she is," Smee replied.
"She's more than that," Killian told him. "I haven't been myself since we've returned. I should've realized the reason why. It's because I don't have her."
"Her?" Smee repeated. "You talk about the vessel as though she's a woman."
Killian scoffed. "Women come and go, Mr. Smee, but a pirate's life, it's forever."
"Still, Captain, I doubt we could even find Black Beard," Smee told him. "Without Mathias, Saphira and Tori, what chance do we have against him?"
Killian gave him a look. "Don't be a coward. I know where he moors his vessels. It's less than a day's trek, and then I'll have my ship again."
Ariel approached. "And I will have my prince."
Killian turned to give her a look. "Few people have held a dagger to my throat and lived to tell the tale. I'd leave before I changed my mind."
"No," Ariel told him. "The family you keep talking about, Tori, Saphira and Mathias? They've been my friends for a long time, and they've told me about your code. Any valuable information a pirate captain ascertains, shall be compensated in equal favor."
"I think she's right," Smee told him.
Killian looked at Smee in annoyance.
"So?" Ariel asked. "When do we leave?"
ღ
Now
Storybrooke
Day - Granny's Diner
At their table, Killian was playing a dice game with Henry and Jefferson, laughing. "You wanna know the secret to winning?"
"Practice?" Henry asked.
Killian held up the dice. "No, my boy, loaded dice."
"That's cheating," Henry told him.
"Only if you get caught," Killian replied.
Henry shook his head. "I think it's cheating either way."
Killian chuckled. "The point is, you win."
The three Matthews led Ariel inside.
Jefferson looked at Henry, chuckling. "Practice, huh?"
"So, Jefferson, you're Freya's husband and Grace's father," Henry told him. "The guy who looks after Lisa."
"Yeah," Jefferson answered. "Why?"
Henry shook his head. "No reason."
Jefferson smirked. "Of course not. I'm sure."
Jefferson and Killian stood, walking toward the Matthews.
"Hook, Jefferson, this is a friend of ours, Ariel," Tori explained. "She's looking for someone who didn't return to Storybrooke with the rest of us."
"He's from a maritime kingdom, and he loves to sail," Ariel explained. "Perhaps you came across him on the high seas? His name's Prince Eric."
Killian shook his head nervously in guilt. "Sorry, lass, I wish I could help, but I've never heard of him."
ღღ
Regina's Vault
Freya, Alcina, Regina and Lisa were preparing to teach Emma, Ella, Rose and Grace.
"Don't touch anything," Alcina told them.
"How are we supposed to learn magic if we can't touch anything?" Grace asked.
"The same way Rumple taught Gina, Cilla and me," Alcina answered. "We're going to create a solid foundation first. Then build your skills from the ground up."
Emma picked something up, looking at it.
Freya sighed. "We said..." She took the item away from Emma. "Don't touch."
"So, while we're here, who's looking after Henry?" Regina asked. "The Un-Charmings?"
"Actually, Hook and Jefferson are," Ella answered.
Regina looked at Rose. "Well, you two have been spending a lot of time with Hook lately, aren't you, Rose?"
"Hook's good with Henry and Rose," Lisa told them. "Rose and Henry like him."
Freya smirked. "He's prone to violence, impulsive, and has a hook for a hand. What about him would 12 year old kids not like?"
"I trust him," Ella told them. "He brought me and Rose back to Storybrooke. And he didn't have to."
"Of course he brought you back," Grace told her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ella asked.
"Seriously?" Lisa asked. "You're going to pretend everyone doesn't see the yearning looks and doughy eyes?"
Ella chuckled. "I don't yearn."
Freya smirked. "Well, maybe. But he does." She picked up a book. "Let's get started with roots for incantations."
Rose took the book. "Are you kidding me right now? What language is this? Spanish?"
Lisa gave Rose an amused look. "We're not making tapas. We're making magic. It's elvish. Well, half elvish."
Grace sighed. "We're never gonna get this. Is this how Grandpa taught you? Just think about your training. What other methods did he use?"
"Our father was a bully," Alcina explained. "He didn't suffer fools. He certainly didn't coddle his students. And if he tried to teach you how to swim and you couldn't learn? You drowned."
"Drowned?" Rose repeated.
"Yep," Lisa answered.
Regina realized something. "That's it."
"That's what?" Freya asked.
"Ally, Freya, Lisa, keep teaching Ella, Rose and Grace," Regina told them. "Emma and I will be back."
"Back where?" Emma asked. "Why?"
Regina disappeared with Emma in a whirl of black smoke. The others frowned in confusion.
ღ
Canyon
Emma appeared onto a rope bridge that span across a canyon, looking at Regina on the cliff ahead of her incredulously. "What the hell are you doing?"
Regina shrugged innocently. "Teaching you how to swim."
ღ
Granny's Diner
The Matthews, Jefferson and Ariel were facing Killian.
"Come on," Jefferson told him. "Think hard, Hook. Are you sure you can't remember anything that can be useful?"
Killian shook his head. "My apologies, Jefferson, but if I'd run across a prince during my adventure, I think I'd remember it."
"I just--I don't understand," Ariel told them. "How could he vanish without a trace?"
"That's it," Saphira told her. "Maybe he didn't."
"What do you mean?" Ariel asked.
"When the Curse brought us back here, it brought our things too," Mathias explained. "Gold's shop is filled with them."
"And if we find something of Eric's, we can use a locator spell to track him," Tori told her.
Ariel smiled. "Let's go."
"Sounds like a plan," Killian told them. "Best of luck with that."
"Oh, wait, no," Saphira told him. "You might remember something that we won't. Or can't."
"Come on," Tori told him. "You wanted us to be friends again, didn't you?"
"And Jefferson knows the shop better than we do," Mathias added. "Even better than Belle does because he's known it longer. You two would be a lot of help."
"Well, what about Henry?" Jefferson asked. "Someone has to keep an eye on him."
"Well, we can call Snow and David," Tori answered. "They can take over."
Killian sighed, looking at Ariel. "Could we have a talk for a moment?"
Ariel nodded, walking away.
Saphira looked at Killian. "What is it?"
"You sure this is such a good idea?" Killian asked. "Let's be honest, there's only one obvious explanation why the little mermaid here can't find her prince, he's dead. There's no reason to ply her with false hope."
"In my experience, there's no such thing," Jefferson told him. "You just have to believe."
"Now come on," Mathias told them. "Let's go."
ღ
Flashback - One Year Ago
Enchanted Forest
Day - Woods
Killian, Ariel and Smee were walking long a path in a forest.
"Trudge, trudge, trudge," Ariel muttered. "If you ask me, there is nothing more boring than land travel. I'll take my tail in the ocean any day."
"That's one thing we can agree on," Killian told her. "Minus the tail, of course. You won't be bored for much longer. Our destination is just past this rise."
Ariel smiled. "Then it won't be long until I'm reunited--"
Ariel's cloak was caught on a branch, making her stop walking.
"Here, allow me," Killian told her, pulling her cloak off the branch, tearing it in the process.
"You've ripped it," Ariel complained.
"It's a cloak," Killian told her.
"It's Eric's cloak," Ariel explained. "And he's had it since before we met. He left it with me while he was away to keep him close, and now you have ruined it."
Killian sighed. "If mending a cloak is our biggest obstacle, we're in find shape. You realize you might not find him? Or survive?"
"I will," Ariel disagreed.
"Didn't you see the fear Black Beard's name struck in my crew?" Killian asked. "You don't become a pirate captain through mercy. If I were you, I'd prepare myself for the worst."
"Why?" Ariel asked. "What are you saying? That you would kill Eric if you had him?"
"You don't believe that?" Killian asked.
"Well, honestly I was a little surprised to hear that you might be responsible for Eric's kidnapping after the stories that I've heard," Ariel admitted.
"What stories?" Killian asked.
"Well, the ones of you helping reunite the Hatters and Charmings with their family in Neverland," Ariel answered. "Some people say that you're a hero."
Killian grabbed Ariel by the arm to pull her away from Smee. "Don't believe every story you hear."
Killian signaled Smee to keep walking.
"Being good is nothing to be ashamed of," Ariel told him. "People change. Look at me. I have legs and I fell in love with a human. I don't think anyone saw that coming."
"You might have changed, but I haven't," Killian lied. "I'm a pirate, and I always will be."
ღ
Now
Storybrooke
Day - Gold's Pawnshop
The three Matthews, Jefferson and Killian brought Ariel in.
"Belle?" Tori asked.
"Hey, Tori," Belle told her. "Saphira. Mathias. Even Jefferson and Killian."
Jefferson chuckled. "Really feeling the love on the 'Even Jefferson' part."
"I've known you and Priscilla since you were kids, of course I care about you, Jefferson," Belle replied.
Jefferson smirked.
Saphira smiled. "I think we have a friend here that you'll recognize as a friend of your own."
Ariel walked into view.
"Ariel, where have you been?" Belle asked. "I--I was--I was worried I'd never see you again."
Belle hugged Ariel.
Ariel smiled in surprise as she returned the embrace. "I've been looking for Eric. He's been missing since we all returned."
"We were hoping we could find something of his here," Mathias explained.
Belle nodded in understanding. "Oh, of course, to see if he's still in Storybrooke."
"Have you seen anything of his?" Tori asked.
Belle looked around. "I, um, only just started sorting out things. But, uh, don't despair. Let's start looking."
Saphira nodded in agreement. "Okay."
The girls started looking at the shelves. Jefferson and Mathias looked around.
Killian walked into the backroom, finding his telescope, chuckling. "I've been wondering where you've went."
Ariel looked at the others. "So, about what you told me earlier? This Fatale is surrogate family to you?"
"Uh, yeah," Belle answered. "Tori and Mathias's surrogate daughter thanks to the Wicked Witch using their DNA because of jealousy of what she couldn't have. Making Faye Saphira's surrogate sister, and my surrogate niece."
"That's her name?" Ariel asked. "Faye? I've heard stories of Fatale. Is she as evil as they say?"
"I don't think Faye's evil," Mathias answered. "I just think that she was brought up in a very wrong way."
"Why would you believe she's not evil?" Ariel asked.
"Because even though Faye fought with Saphira, she didn't want to kill her," Tori answered. "And even though Zelena, the Wicked Witch, kept me locked away, Faye took care of me."
"We wanted to give her a chance," Saphira explained. "But she didn't take it."
"Are you gonna keep trying?" Ariel asked.
Belle chuckled. "It's Saphira, Tori and Mathias. Of course they're gonna keep trying. Even if Faye doesn't want them to."
"What about you, Belle?" Ariel asked. "What do you think about this 'Faye'?"
"I've always seen the good in people, even the Dark One," Belle answered. "If there can be a man behind that beast, I believe that there is an innocent girl behind the face of that Siren/Dragon, and she just needs help to break free from her mother's influence."
Ariel considered this, turning to the Mad Hatter. "What about your family, Jefferson? I mean, I heard rumors about what Fatale and Wicked Witch did to your family. Do you believe Faye can be saved?"
"She didn't seem to know what happened to Neal until it was too late," Jefferson explained. "Even if she's not completely innocent, she's not completely wicked either."
Ariel nodded knowingly. In the backroom, Killian stretched his telescope, looking through it, turning his head until he found Eric's cloak, walking over to it, grabbing it.
Ariel walked over. "That's Eric's. How did you know that was his?"
Killian shook his head. "I, uh, I wasn't sure. I saw the the sea creature clasp and remembered that he was from a maritime kingdom."
"He is," Ariel agreed. "He was. And now he's here."
Ariel hugged Killian, who looked down in guilt.
ღღ
Canyon
Emma was hanging on a rope bridge across the canyon, giving Regina an incredulous look. "Are you out of your mind?"
"Every time you've exhibited your power, it's been spurred by your instinct," Regina explained. "So today, we're going to push those instincts until you master them."
"A little reading doesn't sound so bad now," Emma told her.
"You can stop me," Regina told her.
"Stop you from what?" Emma asked.
Regina used her magic to tear the bridge down. "This."
Emma hung onto the rope. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Making the bridge collapse," Regina answered simply. "You can either stop it or die."
The wooden pieces Emma was standing on collapsed.
Emma hung onto the rope, dangling. "Regina! Enough! Stop this!"
"No, you stop it," Regina countered. "No more hand holding for the Protector. Because you're destined to be the one doing the protecting. You have to do this. Reach into your gut. You know you can do this. It's inside you, Emma. Save the bridge. Save yourself."
The rope snapped. Emma fell into the canyon, but she came back up, floating on a piece of the bridge stacked by the wooden pieces, floating toward Regina, in complete shock. "Did I... did I just do that?"
"Yes," Regina answered, a little annoyed. "When all I wanted was for you to retie the rope."
Emma was stunned. "It was like you said, instinct. Why are you pissed? I did it. Why does it matter how?"
"You think I'm mad because you didn't listen to me?" Regina asked, shaking her head. "I'm mad because look at all this potential inside you, and you've been wasting it."
Emma didn't know how to respond to that.
ღ
Regina's Vault
Ella, Rose and Grace were learning how more magic from Freya, Alcina and Lisa. Lisa was annoyed, frustrated.
"What's wrong?" Grace asked. "Are we not doing good?"
"You're doing fine, Grace," Lisa answered. "I'm not annoyed at you."
"Then what is it?" Rose asked. "What's wrong?"
"It's just nothing is going right since Neal died," Lisa answered. "Since the battle. Plus, I don't have my heart. And we haven't found really anything about the Dark Being, which is making me start to lose faith that he's real."
Alcina and Freya chuckled.
"What?" Ella asked.
"There was a time when Cilla and I didn't believe in the Light Bringer," Alcina answered. "And then we find out about Lisa. And everything that came from her being a family with Freya, Jefferson and Grace. And everything Gina and I did. Even if I was nice to her."
"Papa spent most of his life researching the Dark Being and Light Bringer," Freya explained. "And since Lisa is obviously real, I'm willing to bet now that the Dark Being is."
"So how do we find out if he is?" Grace asked. "And can we still do that even while we're practicing magic? I mean, we have to be able to. Right?"
Freya got an idea. "I believe so."
"Ooh, I don't like that look," Ella told her. "Whenever you get that look, you always do something that gets us into trouble."
Rose smiled. "What do you got?"
"We can use Lisa's vision power to see if we can find anything about him," Freya answered.
"But how is that gonna help us find a way to control magic?" Rose asked.
Alcina looked around the vault. "I'm willing to bet there's a spell around here somewhere that can allow Lisa to venture in a sleep stasis where her vision power would be heightened."
"But something like that would be a one time only thing," Lisa told them. "I wouldn't be able to use it all the time."
"True," Grace agreed.
"So how is it gonna work?" Ella asked.
"The ones who know most about the Dark Being would have to cast the spell to help Lisa concentrate on him with pretty much everything we know about him when we put her into that state," Freya answered. "It'll be like a white space with nothing inside."
"And the ones who, out of us, know most about the Dark Being besides Jefferson and our father, are me, Freya, Rose, Grace and Lisa," Alcina told them. "But, Ella, you can still help us with the spell."
"Okay," Rose agreed. "So what do we have to do?"
"Lisa, lay down," Ella told her. Lisa laid down. "So we just put her into a hypnotic state? How?"
"By doing what she normally does when she needs to see a vision," Freya answered. "In past, future, present or any given realm."
"Matches," Grace told them, picking up the matches, holding them up above Lisa to do as told. "We just strike them and it'll work?"
"Well, you and Rose will have to concentrate very hard, Grace," Alcina answered.
"You're the Illusionist and Enchantress," Lisa told them. "You can do this."
"So I put Lisa to the hypnotic state and Grace helps her gain the visions?" Rose asked. "And you three help us anchor her so she'll wake up?"
Freya smiled. "Exactly."
"It won't hurt her in the least," Alcina assured. "I promise."
"All right," Ella told them. "Let's do this."
"That's Tori, Saphira and Mathias's saying," Freya told her.
They all smiled. The girls held hands around Lisa as she settled in.
Grace used magic to strike the matches above Lisa to hypnotize her into the state. "Focus. Look here."
Rose placed a hand over Lisa's eyes, using magic to put her to sleep. "See what you can see."
ღ
White Space
Lisa appeared in the white space of nothing, looking around as the others were helping her focus with everything they had to search for the Dark Being, causing Lisa to have visions of him, but never seeing his face, or who he was, or how old he was, but it was clearly a he, and someone very young. She saw a vision of darkness surrounding her. She saw a vision of a baby where his eyes had turned black. She saw a vision of him as a young boy being surrounded by darkness, where he was crying, holding his knees to his chest. She walked over to try to help, but couldn't because it was only a vision. "Hello?"
Lisa also saw a vision of watching him turn a bracelet into a staff, gasping as she realized something.
ღ
Reality
Day - Gold's Pawnshop
Belle poured a locator potion on Eric's cloak, looking at Ariel to explain. "This is a locator spell. So whatever object it's poured on becomes enchanted and returns itself to its rightful owner."
"Thank you, Belle," Ariel told her. "And Tori, Saphira and Mathias. Jefferson, too. I know that you've been busy trying to find a way to stop Faye and her mother, or try to save Faye, and also to break Gold, Jefferson's father in law and Belle's lover, out of the witches' control. Not to mention Freya and Alcina's father. Henry, Rose and Grace's grandfather. You didn't have to do this."
"No, we did," Belle told her. "Perhaps a little good news around here will be contagious."
The spell started working on the cloak, and it started flying away.
Jefferson sighed. "Let's go."
They followed after the cloak.
ღ
Flashback - One Year Ago
Enchanted Forest
Day - Jolly Roger
Killian, Ariel and Smee arrived at the ship, kneeling down behind barrels.
"Up close, she's even more beautiful than I remember," Killian told them. "Don't worry, my dear, you'll soon be in my loving arms."
Ariel frowned in confusion. "You do realize you're talking to a boat?"
"You have your love, I have mine," Killian replied.
"So, how are we going to get on board, captain?" Smee asked. "Black Beard's crew outnumbers us."
Killian stood, coming out from behind the barrels, coming up from behind a sailor to knock him out, leading Ariel and Smee onto the ship, pulling out his sword. "Stand at attention, mates. Now boarding the ship, the rightful captain of the Jolly Roger. Now, if the coward who tried stealing her from me would kindly show his face, I'll give him the punishment he deserves."
Black Beard showed up from below deck. "Gladly, but it's not me who'll be punished." He kicked a barrel down. "You want your ship back? Then take it."
Killian hit his sword. "With pleasure."
Killian and Black Beard started to sword fight expertly, blocking each other's hits and blows, clashing swords, as the crew watched and cheered. As Black Beard tried and overhead strike, Killian raised both his hook and sword to block the move, kicking Black Beard back, flipping backward over the ground to stand up.
Black Beard laughed, taking out another sword. "Oh, yeah." They continued to fight, as Killian used his sword and hook to block both swords from Black Beard, slashing him in the side. Black Beard elbowed Killian in the face, trying to stab him in the stomach, but Killian jumped back, to which Black Beard took advantage and pushed Killian against the edge of the ship. "I was afraid you weren't going to show up. Word on the waterways is that Captain Hook had gone soft."
"The only thing soft will be your guts spilling on this deck," Killian told him, grabbing a rope to swing in the other direction, pulling the mast down, covering the crew, landing on his feet back on the deck. "I'd never give up the Jolly Roger without a fight." Killian and Black Beard continued to fight, once again blocking each other's moves, their blades eventually winding up caught above their heads, making them stop for a moment. "You think you know this ship?"
Black Beard chuckled. "Oh, every inch of it, I assure you."
"If that were the case, you'd know not to step there," Killian replied, hitting a wooden plank with his sword, making Black Beard fall into a hole, trapping him. "Oh, I've been meaning to fix that."
"Finish it!" Black Beard told him.
Killian chuckled. "Fancy a shave, do we? Well, I'll be happy to oblige."
Killian swung his sword.
Ariel stopped him. "Wait! Eric's not aboard. You have to get him to tell you where he is."
"You heard the lady," Killian told him. "Where is he?"
"So that's what this was, a rescue mission for some wench?" Black Beard asked, laughing mockingly. "They were right about you, Hook. You have gone soft."
Killian aimed his sword at him. "I can either make this painful or quite painful. Now answer!"
"I have him stashed safe and sound on a deserted island," Black Beard answered. "Only I know where. I was planning to ransom him when the time was right."
"Whatever it is, I'll pay it," Ariel told him.
"Money is not what I'm after anymore," Black Beard told her.
"Then what is it that you want?" Ariel asked.
"The satisfaction of proving Captain Hook is no longer a pirate," Black Beard answered. "Just like Tori, Saphira and Mathias Matthews are no longer either."
"How are you going to prove that?" Killian asked.
"By giving you a choice," Black Beard answered. "Surrender the ship to me, and I'll tell you where I'm holding her prince. Or refuse, and he dies along with me."
Ariel looked at Killian worriedly, who was conflicted.
ღ
Now
Storybrooke
Day - Harbor
The Matthews, Killian, Ariel and Jefferson followed Eric's floating cloak.
"We must be getting close," Saphira told them. "Maybe he's on one of the boats."
The cloak fell into the water, sucked in.
Ariel looked at them. "It must be searching."
Tori sighed, shaking her head in sympathy. "If the spell worked, and it's taken us to Eric... then he's gone."
Tears in her eyes, Ariel appeared to be trying not to cry, embracing Tori and Saphira, who returned the embrace.
Mathias patted Ariel on the shoulder, sighing. "I'm sorry."
Killian looked down in shame.
ღღ
Street
Snow and David were walking together.
"Are you sure about this?" Snow asked.
"You said you wanted to take action, so we're taking action," David pointed out.
"Well..." Snow trailed off.
"Mary Margaret, our grandson would rather spend time with a pirate than us, but not after today," David told her.
"It's dangerous," Snow told him. "Not to mention illegal."
David chuckled. "It couldn't be safer. As far as the legality, I'm a cop."
David kissed Snow on the cheek, hopping in his truck.
Henry was sitting in the driver's seat. "So, are you sure this is okay?"
"Well, if Killian can teach you and Rose how to steal a boat, I can teach you how to drive," David told him.
"Technically, we borrowed it," Henry corrected.
"Well, what do you say we see how well you can handle a land vessel?" David asked. Henry started driving. "Okay. Steady, steady. There you go. All right, steady, steady."
Henry smiled. "I got it. I got it."
"Steady, steady," David told him.
Henry nodded. "Okay."
Snow watched worriedly as Henry almost hit another car, in open-mouthed shock.
David steered the car back away. "Watch out!"
Henry hit a mailbox, knocking it over, continuing on.
Snow gasped, lowering her head, covering her eyes with her hands. "Oh!"
ღ
Regina's Vault
Once the spell was finished, Lisa woke up, gasping. The other girls, including Regina and Emma now that they had returned, were waiting for her, looking at her concern.
"Lisa?" Emma asked. "You okay? They told us about your guys' plan. Did it work?"
"I think it's pretty obvious it worked, Aunt Emma," Rose told her. "Lisa? What did you see?"
"You were in the white space of nothing?" Freya asked. "The one I told you about?" Lisa nodded. "What did you see?"
"Did you see his face?" Alcina asked. "Who he was? How old he is?"
"No, no, no, but it's definitely a he, someone very young," Lisa answered.
"You saw it," Grace told her, ecstatic. "That means he's real. It worked."
"What'd you see?" Freya asked.
"Visions of darkness," Lisa answered. "A baby where his eyes were black. A young boy surrounded by darkness where he was crying, holding his knees to his chest. And the dream I once told Henry about about a guy turning his bracelet into a staff..."
"The place where you got your idea to turn your bracelet into a wand," Emma realized. Lisa nodded. "That was him? In both visions?"
Lisa nodded.
"Was that it?" Rose asked.
Grace gave her a look for her to back off a little. "Rose."
"Grace," Rose replied. "Sorry, Lisa."
Lisa chuckled.
"It's okay," Grace told her.
"What was it?" Alcina asked.
"It looked like he was in pain," Lisa answered.
They looked at each other in distress.
Freya rubbed Lisa's shoulder. "Hey. At least now you know for a fact that he is real."
Nodding, Lisa was breathing heavily, not knowing what it meant.
ღ
Harbor
The Matthews, Jefferson, Ariel and Killian were overlooking the water.
Ariel sighed, shaking her head. "I saved Eric from the sea once before. I just never thought I would lose him to it in the end."
"A sailor couldn't hope for a better resting place," Jefferson pointed out.
Ariel nodded. "Thank you."
"We didn't do anything," Mathias told her.
"You helped me," Ariel replied. "I would've never stopped looking for him. At least now I know that our story's over. I just wish I knew how it ended. You're more than pirates or a Mad Hatter. You have true hearts. I'll always be grateful that you tried to help me."
Ariel walked away. The Matthews, Jefferson and Killian seemed to hear a double meaning behind her words, exchanging a look.
ღ
Flashback - One Year Ago
Enchanted Forest
Night - Jolly Roger
Killian had Black Beard tied up, ready to walk the plank.
Ariel was held back by Smee. "You can't do this. We had an agreement. You promised me that you would help find Eric. Please, I know that you are a good man, and I know that man is still in there somewhere. It's not too late to do the right thing. Isn't true love more important than a few planks and a sail?"
"She might just be a few planks and a sail, but she's mine," Killian replied. "She's all I need. Love brings nothing but wasted years and endless torment. I'm doing you a favor." He cut Black Beard in the shoulder. "A little something to wet the appetite of our razor toothed friends below."
Ariel struggled against Smee. "No!"
Killian pushed Black Beard off the ship. "Enjoy the feast, boys! The Jolly Roger is mine! Any man willing to swear an oath to me shall be given quarter. Those who don't, you are welcome to follow your former captain. You may release her, Mr. Smee."
Smee did as told.
Ariel slapped Killian in the face. "I was wrong about you, Captain. You're selfish and heartless, and that is what will bring you wasted years and endless torment. I feel sorry for you. You'll never be happy."
"Where do you think you're going?" Killian asked.
Ariel took off the cloak, letting it fall. "Eric's still out there, and I will find him, no matter what it takes."
Ariel jumped into the ocean, swimming away.
ღ
Now
Storybrooke
Night - Harbor
Killian chased after Ariel. "Ariel, wait!"
Ariel turned to face him. "What is it?"
"I have a confession, I haven't been entirely truthful with you, with myself," Killian answered. "You and I met before, our paths crossed during the missing year."
"What?" Ariel asked.
"Eric had been kidnapped by the pirate Black Beard, and you asked me to find him," Killian explained.
"I don't understand," Ariel told him. "Why didn't you say anything."
Killian swallowed nervously. "Because I was too ashamed that I sacrificed saving your prince for my ship. I am so sorry, Ariel."
Ariel slapped Killian in the face. "You're a coward and a monster. You let a man die for your ship? What kind of person does that?"
"The kind who's empty, who believes a ship can fill a void left from a broken heart," Killian answered.
"And that makes it okay?" Ariel asked.
"No, it doesn't," Killian answered. "I would give anything to take it back, to make this right."
Ariel couldn't help but start laughing, which Killian frowned to in confusion, before she dropped the disguise in a whirl of blue/green smoke, revealing herself as Faye. "I'm sorry. I just can't."
Killian was in shock. "Faye, it was you. Where's Ariel?"
Killian pulled out his sword.
Faye used magic to send it flying out of his hand. "Relax. She was never really here. After she left you on your beloved ship, she actually found wear Black Beard had been keeping her prince."
"She found him?" Killian asked. "How do you know that?"
"My spies are always circling, Captain," Faye answered. "Through every realm, always circling. She found him on Hangman's Island, which was outside the force of the Curse. They've been living happily ever after ever since." She smirked, winking. "Don't you just love a good twist?"
When Killian tried to fight back, Faye sang a soft Siren Song tauntingly to control him into stillness, making him not be able to move, though she didn't hurt him.
"I don't understand," Killian told her. "Why would you pretend to be her?"
"Because she's a close and dear friend of pretty much my entire family aside from Zelena," Faye answered. "I got to spend the day with Papa Mathias, Mama Tori, Sister Saphira, Aunt Belle, and even Jefferson, the husband to Aunt Ally's half-sister Freya. I got to find out what they really thought about me, realize how much they want to help me, to save me. But my mother would never allow them to, and to be honest, I don't know if I want to be helped. All I know if that I wanted to figure out for sure whether or not my mother was lying to me about how much they hated me, and I figured out she did lie to me. They don't hate me. They just don't like me either. But they want to try to save me. It's all very complicated and tragic, isn't it?"
Faye smiled, disappearing in a cloud of green/blue smoke, leaving Killian to be completely and utterly stunned.
ღ
Street
Henry was walking along, finding Lisa at the side of the street, walking closer. "Lisa, hey."
Lisa smiled. "Hi, Henry."
"I buried the box you gave me," Henry told her. "It's safe and sound."
Lisa nodded. "Oh, that's great. Why would you go on such a... leap of faith to bury a box like that for me?"
Henry blushed nervously. "I think Rose and Grace and everybody else has been saying the reason why, because they know I like you, Lisa. Like, I really like you. And I was wondering if you liked me too."
Lisa slowly, cautiously nodded. "Why--why do you like me?"
Henry chuckled nervously, not able to look up while he was saying this. "Because just from what I know about you, you're amazing. You are just like so... I don't even have words to describe it. You just make anything better without even trying, and honestly, I like being around you more than anyone else in this town, any of the people I've met."
Lisa smiled. "You really mean that, don't you?"
"Yeah, I do," Henry answered.
"Thank you, Henry," Lisa told him. "That's exactly what I needed to hear."
Lisa, in a swirl of green magic, cursed his lips.
"What..." Henry trailed off. Zelena, in a swirl of green smoke, dropped the Lisa disguise. "Who are you?"
"Zelena," Zelena answered. "You can call me Auntie."
Henry looked around in complete confusion. "Where's Lisa, and how--how did you do that?"
"Relax, I just had to get you to say what you just said," Zelena told him.
Henry frowned. "I don't understand how you looked like her, how you turned into another person."
"To get your pure confession of first love," Zelena answered. 'I knew I could use it."
"Use it for what?" Henry asked.
"When you admitted your deep, pure crush for Lisa, deep, pure and bright, light being herself, I was able to curse you," Zelena explained. "More specifically, your kiss. See, the first time your lips touch Lisa's, all of her magic will be taken. Everything that makes her special, that makes her powerful, that makes her a threat, will be gone."
Henry shook his head in complete confusion. "I have no idea what you're talking about, but I won't play along. I'll tell her, and she'll stop you."
Zelena smirked, shaking her head. "No, she won't, because you won't remember this. It no longer matters, because you're going to remove her powers. My daughter Faye, a cousin of yours through adoption, and I may not be able to hurt Lisa, but we can hurt those around her. Freya, Jefferson, Grace, Rose, you."
Henry glared at her. "I'll stop you."
Zelena laughed. "No, you won't. You may have the heart of the Truest Believer, but you don't stand a chance against me. You're out of your depth, Henry. You won't remember this. You'll know when the time is right. Kiss Lisa and remove her powers. You'll do it all on your own without knowing what will happen, not knowing any of this, because the memories..." She used a rock to capture Henry's memories of the last moment with a rock so he wouldn't remember. "Will be gone."
Zelena smirked, disappearing in a cloud of green smoke. Henry snapped out of his daze, not remembering anything of what had just happened, looking around in confusion.
ღღ
Hatter House - Living Room
The girls were gathered while practicing magic. Jefferson and the three Matthews walked in.
"Seems you girls had a busy day today," Jefferson told them.
"So did you four," Freya replied, standing, walking toward Jefferson. "Hi, Jefferson."
Jefferson wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her on the cheek. "Hi, Cilla. You okay?"
"Better now than I have been," Freya answered.
Jefferson managed a small smile. "Good."
Killian walked in to tell the Matthews and Jefferson what he had just talked to Faye about, but stopped when he saw Ella. "Ella, I didn't expect to see you here."
"What do you mean?" Ella asked. "Where's Henry? Is everything all right?"
"He's fine," Saphira answered. "He's with his grandparents. I thought they would've been back here by now."
"We haven't seen them," Emma told them. "If you're not with Henry, what have you been doing all day?"
"We were enlisted to help Ariel find her lost prince," Tori told them.
"Really?" Regina asked. "That fish is in Storybrooke?"
Tori nodded. "She was, yes. And we found a clue in Gold's shop."
"I have to say," Mathias told them. "I am kind of thinking something was off with Ariel today."
"What do you mean?" Grace asked.
"She wasn't acting like Ariel," Mathias answered.
"Well, that's because it wasn't Ariel, but Faye pretending to be Ariel," Killian explained.
They looked at him in surprise.
"What?" Rose asked. "Why? Why would Faye pretend to be Ariel?"
"Faye was with you the entire day?" Grace asked. "Why would she pretend to Ariel for that long?"
Saphira realized. "Because she was getting information from us. Not about any of you. About our family."
"In the shop, 'Ariel'..." Mathias trailed off. "Faye, apparently... was asking us and Belle about how we felt about Faye."
"About whether or not we hated her," Tori agreed. "About if we wanted to help her or not. And we told her the truth. That we do."
"She wanted to see what her family really thought of her," Alcina realized. "So what happened with Ariel?"
"She's with Eric on Hangman's Island, just off the coast of the Enchanted Forest," Killian answered.
"Faye and Zelena's Curse must not have reached that far," Regina told them.
"I don't want to take the chance of Ariel being hurt or worse," Tori told them. "She's a friend. I have to make sure she's okay."
"Really?" Jefferson asked. "How are you going to do that?"
"Well, let's find out," Alcina told them, walking over to a mirror.
"I thought you couldn't use mirror magic to look between worlds," Emma told them.
"Well, we can't," Freya answered. "But after seeing the Illusionist and Enchantress in action today, with the Light Bringer's help, I think maybe Grace, Lisa and Rose, together, they can."
Saphira smirked slightly. "Why not? We should make sure Ariel's okay. And Eric."
"Yes," Mathias agreed. "Absolutely."
Rose, Lisa and Grace exchanged a look, nodding. "Okay."
"How do we do it?" Grace asked.
"Well, you've focused," Alcina told them. "You've let your emotions awake your powers. Now you have to look inward."
Rose, Lisa and Grace held hands, closing their eyes, using their combined magic to make the magic mirror show Ariel and Eric.
Emma sighed. "So she's okay. Thank God."
"And Faye really was with us," Jefferson told them. "Trying to figure out what we were thinking about her. How we felt about her."
"Maybe it means she's not completely gone," Lisa told them.
"Maybe?" Grace repeated.
Lisa nodded. "Maybe."
"Oh, I think Mom and Dad are bringing Henry in," Ella told them. Emma walked away into the next room where Henry wouldn't see her but she could see and hear them. Snow and David brought Henry in. "Where have you been?"
Henry smiled. "Only having the best day ever. David let me drive his truck."
Regina gave David a look. "You let him what?" She realized how she acted like a mother. "Oh. As mayor, I can't let an unlicensed, underage driver on the streets of Storybrooke."
"As mayor, you might want to throw a little money towards road repair," David told her.
"Excuse me?" Regina asked.
David chuckled. "Nothing."
Regina shook her head. "This is a terrible mistake."
"She's right," Ella told them. "Someone could have been seriously hurt."
"Only if you're a mailbox," Snow told them.
Rose looked at Henry. "You really got to drive?"
Henry smiled, nodding. "Yeah. It was so much fun."
"What can I say?" David asked. "I've got a reckless, carefree, fun side."
The others gave them an amused look, but Regina remained serious, shaking her head as if to call David an idiot. Freya and Alcina couldn't help but smirk at her reaction. Ella gave David a look, but couldn't help a small smirk.
"Jefferson?" Snow asked. "Saphira. Tori. Mathias. Killian. Where's our friend?"
"It turns out her missing husband was home after all," Jefferson answered.
"It's true," Ella agreed. "We just checked on them on... Skype."
"She sends her regards, but she was too excited to wait," Freya told them.
Snow smiled. "A happy ending. Well, maybe our luck's about to change. Dinner at Granny's."
"Can I drive this time?" Rose asked.
The adults all answered together. "No!"
Lisa, Henry, Rose, Grace and Saphira smiled at their reactions.
Killian chuckled in amusement. "Well, I guess I'll leave you guys to it."
"You're not coming?" Ella asked.
Killian shook his head. "Another time, perhaps."
"Well, if you change your mind, you'll know where to find us," Ella told him. "And Killian, whatever happened this past year, whatever you're not telling me, I don't care. I'm tired of living in the past."
Killian nodded in understanding and agreement. "I know how you feel."
Killian walked toward the exit.
ღ
Granny's Diner
The Hatters, Charmings and Matthews, Regina and Alcina were eating at tables, some apart, some separate, minus Emma since Henry couldn't see her without knowing something was up.
Faye stood outside the diner, watching them from afar, smirking knowingly, chuckling quietly, looking down thoughtfully, disappearing in a cloud of green/blue smoke.