Third Person POV:
August was sleeping in his bed at the inn and woke up to find his leg shaking uncontrollably. He attempted to grab his leg, but fell stiffly out of the bed.
He hobbled to the phone and dialed a number. "Hey, you there? Good. This is taking too long. We need to accelerate the plan."
Aubree's POV:
August, Henry and I were lurking across the street from Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop.
"It's almost nine," August said. "You two all set? You two know what to do?"
Henry and I nodded as he said, "Operation Cobra is always ready. We just..."
"You two just what?"
"We don't understand what this has to do with getting Emma to believe," I finished.
"Sometimes, other priorities assert themselves. Can you two handle a little improvisation?"
I grinned. "Call it my middle name. After trouble."
Henry nodded. "Yeah. Can you?"
"We're a go," August told us.
Henry and I ran across the street and entered the shop.
"Hey, Mr. Gold," Henry and I greeted.
"Good morning, Henry. Good morning, Aubree," Mr. Gold replied. "What can I do for you two?"
"We want to get a gift for Miss Blanchard," Henry said.
"Oh, I see."
"Since, she didn't kill that woman," I added.
"Good thinking."
Hopefully August had managed to sneak in.
"Are these bells?" Henry asked, pointing. "Cool. Bree. They're cool, right?"
I looked at the bells. "Yeah. They are cool."
"See anything you two fancy?" Mr. Gold asked.
We continued discussing bell purchasing with Mr. Gold.
Third Person POV:
August searched through Mr. Gold's office out back and was caught snooping.
"May I help you?" Mr. Gold questioned.
August nodded. "Yeah. I'm looking for some maps. I'm a bit of a collector."
"Yes. Well, there's maps through in the shop. This is my office."
"I thought this was the entrance."
"It's not. The shop's through there."
HOSPITAL
Kathryn was awake and was being assessed by Dr. Whale. Emma entered.
"Emma," Dr. Whale greeted. "Come on in. Look who's awake."
Emma smiled briefly. "Kathryn, hi. Listen, I don't want to take a lot of your time. But, do you remember what happened?"
"I don't know much," Kathryn replied. "Um, I was in a car accident, and... I remember the airbag going of. And the next thing I knew, I was in the dark, in some basement. I didn't see anyone, but there was food and water. And then, I guess I was drugged."
Dr. Whale nodded. "Yeah. We're still trying to flush that out of your system."
"And then, I woke up in a field at the edge of town, and I started walking. That was it."
"You saw no one?" Emma asked. "You didn't hear a voice? Smell perfume? Cologne? Anything?"
"Nothing, no. I'm sorry. I wish I could help. Especially since... While I was gone, you thought I was dead?"
"Your DNA matched the heart we found."
"They're grilling everybody down at the hospital lab to see who doctored the DNA results."
"Why would anyone do this?"
"I think someone was trying to frame Mary Margaret."
"But why? I mean, who would do something like that?"
MR. GOLD'S PAWN SHOP
"You broke our deal," Regina said.
"I broke one deal in my life, dear," Mr. Gold replied. "And it certainly wasn't this one."
"Kathryn was supposed to die, and Mary Margaret was to get the blame."
"Yeah, murder seems so much worse here, though, doesn't it? You can't just turn someone into a snail and then step on them, can you? You didn't say 'kill her'. We agreed that something tragic should happen to her. Now, abduction is tragic."
"The intent was pretty clear."
"Oh, let's not talk about intent. Intent is meaningless."
"Intent is everything."
"Please."
"This is going to raise all kinds of questions about where she was and how the test results were fake."
"Oh, yes. And, um... And who put the key in her cell."
"It's all going to lead to me, isn't it? You bastard. This doesn't make any sense. You and I -- we've been in this, together, from the start."
"Oh, have we?"
"You created the curse for me. The curse that brought us here, and built all this."
"Yes, it's about time you said thank you."
"Why did you do it?"
"Well, you're a smart woman, Your Majesty. Figure it out."
HOSPITAL
David was in Kathryn's room. She was asleep. He leaned over to kiss her on the forehead, but she woke up.
"I'm sorry," David apologized.
"What are you doing?" Kathryn asked.
"I was trying to kiss you on your forehead. It was meant to be sweet."
"Well, thank you. It's good to see you."
"Kathryn, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I lied to you. I'm sorry I cheated on you. I'm just... I'm sorry for all of this."
"David, it's okay. You know, what we had... It wasn't it for you. Maybe for both of us. I can't blame you for just being the first one to see it."
"You are, uh... Kind of amazing."
Kathryn smiled. "Yeah, I am. Now, go on. Get out of here so I can get some rest."
"I'm going to give you that kiss on the forehead now."
"Knock yourself out."
David kissed her forehead.
MARY MARGARET'S APARTMENT
Citizens of Storybrooke were gathered for Mary Margaret's Welcome Home Party. Mary Margaret and Emma were at the punch bowl watching everyone.
"Hi!" Granny said.
Archie smiled. "Hey. How are you? Would you like some?"
"All of these people... Just to welcome me home?" Mary Margaret asked.
Emma nodded. "You've got a lot of friends."
"Didn't feel like that yesterday."
Mary Margaret left to serve drinks. "Here you go."
"Thank you," a man replied.
Aubree's POV:
Henry, August and I were talking as we watched Mr. Gold from a distance.
"How bad was it?" Henry asked.
"Getting caught in his office?" August wondered. "Not bad. I played it off."
I turned to August. "What were you looking for? Did you find it?"
"Nope. But I have a feeling it's going to find me."
August found Miss Blanchard. "There she is. Why don't you two give her your present?"
Henry and I walked up to Miss Blanchard and he said, "Hey. Bree and I have something for you."
Henry handed Miss Blanchard a present and I handed her a giant card. If it was any taller, it would've completely covered me.
Miss Blanchard smiled. "Well, thank you." She read the card. "We're so glad you didn't kill Missus Nolan..."
I cut her off. "It's from the whole class, and Henry and I got you a bell."
"Thank you. Tell everyone I'll be back soon."
Henry and I nodded. "Okay."
Emma walked up to us. "Hey, Henry, Aubree, we should get you two home before your mom finds out. That won't be pretty."
Emma, Henry and I headed for the door and saw David standing on the other side. Emma turned back to Miss Blanchard while David looked at me and Henry.
"Hey, Henry. Hey, Aubree," David greeted. "Leaving already?"
"Yeah," Henry replied. "Got to get home and do homework."
"She's kind of tired," Emma told him. "I think if you just give it some time..."
"I just wanted to-" David began.
Emma looked to us. "Hey, Henry, Aubree. Why don't you two head home with David?"
"Okay," Henry and I agreed.
"Sorry."
"Okay," David decided.
David, Henry and I left and climbed into his truck.
Third Person POV:
Emma shut the door and Mr. Gold walked up to her.
"Hard to let them go, isn't it?" Mr. Gold said. "Your son and daughter."
Emma nodded. "Yeah. Pretty much the hardest thing. Speaking of something we weren't talking about, was it you?"
"Was what me?"
"Did you make Kathryn suddenly materialize? 'Cause it sure played that way to me. Was that the magic you were going to work? Because if you kidnapped that poor, innocent woman, just to let her go-"
"Are you proposing I'm working with Regina, or against her?"
"I don't know. Maybe, diagonally."
"Well, you keep working on that one. My question's about something else -- what do you know about him?"
"Goes by August. He's a writer. Typewriter wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in stubble. Why?"
"He was poking around my shop today. August Wayne Booth. Clearly a false name. There's one thing I know about -- it's names."
"Writers go by pseudonyms. What does it mean?"
"You trust him?"
"Yeah. A lot more than I trust you."
Mr. Gold made his way to the inn and picked the lock to August's room. Inside, he found August's typewriter on his desk, along with stacks of paper and a donkey shaped paperweight. He moved aside a paper, revealing a drawing of Rumpelstiltskin's dagger.
GRANNY'S DINER
Sidney was drinking a coffee. Emma entered and sat across from him. "Hey, Sidney."
"Emma, hey," Sidney greeted. "So, things certainly did work out, didn't they? For... For your friend."
"You told me you could help me with Mary Margaret, and I wanted to believe you. But, eventually, there are things that even a blind Sheriff cannot ignore." She pulled out the wire tap and placed it on the table.
"Is that a bug?"
"Oh, for God sakes, Sidney. Drop it. You fooled me, you spied on me, and you reported it all back to that sick, crazy woman. I can't even imagine what she has on you, but it must be something huge."
"She's a good Mayor."
"She tried to get Mary Margaret convicted of a murder that didn't even happen. You're in a lot of trouble. There is a DNA trail in a basement of some house out there, and I'm going to find it. And she's going to go away."
"Maybe. But, I wouldn't bet against her. She's an amazing woman."
"Do you... Are you in love with her? ...Fine. Whatever. Here's the thing -- before you know it, I will have that evidence. And you need to think long and hard. You can either help me, and help yourself, or you're going to go down with her, too."
MAIN STREET
August got on his motorcycle and drove off. Mr. Gold, who was watching from a distance, followed him in his car.
CONVENT
August and Mother Superior were chatting. August left, and Mother Superior ran into Mr. Gold on the step.
"Mother Superior," Mr. Gold greeted. "Good afternoon."
"Our rent is paid in full," Mother Superior replied.
"I'm not here about the rent."
"Well, good day to you, then."
"Tell me -- that man who just left here... Who did he say he was? What did he want?"
"I don't have to tell you that."
"And I don't have to not double your rent. What did he want?"
"Advice and counsel. He came to town looking for his father after a long separation, and he recently found him."
"Ah. And a happy reunion has already taken place?"
"No. He hasn't spoken to him yet."
"And why not?"
"Mm, it was a difficult parting. There are many issues to be resolved between them."
"I see."
David was waiting outside a building. When Mary Margaret appeared, he approached her. "Mary Margaret." She ignored him. "Please wait. Look, I'll leave if you want. I... I just think we need to talk."
"So, talk," Mary Margaret deadpanned.
"I need to apologize."
"Yes, you do. Keep going."
"I didn't believe you. I didn't stand with you."
"You know, I will never forget that moment... The moment the world sort of blows you backwards, and the one person you thought would always be there to catch you... He isn't there."
"Look at what was going on. It was your jewelry box, your fingerprints, knife in your apartment-"
"It was a setup."
"And a really good on. I'm human. I fell for it. I'm sorry, but... We have to move forward."
"But we can't. It's like something in this world doesn't want us together."
"Like what? Dark forces?"
"Maybe. I don't know, but it's like something just keeps pouring poison between us. And what I don't want, is to have all of those good memories... Replaced by moments like that. When I looked at you, and I saw that you didn't believe me..."
"No. I know. I am so sorry."
"I know. I know."
"But, I love you."
"And that... Is what makes it all so sad."
Mr. Gold knocked on Archie's door.
Archie answered. "Mr. Gold? Are you here for the rent?"
Mr. Gold frowned. "Why does everyone ask that?"
"Well, because you, uh... Never mind. Would... Would you like to talk?"
"I don't know."
"Well, um... If you'd like to get something off your chest, please come in."
They walked into Archie's office.
"A son?" Archie repeated. "Wow, I-I didn't know you had a son. How... How old is he?"
"Let's start with something easier," Mr. Gold suggested.
"O-Okay. Um, what do you mean to say that you may have found him?"
"Let's just say, there's something acting the way I would expect them to act."
"So, you... So, you recognize him?"
"Maybe. Or, perhaps, I'm just seeing what I want to see. I don't know."
"Okay, well, I mean, wouldn't he recognize you?"
"There was a conflict. I'm not sure he's ready for a tear-soaked reunion."
"So, he sought you out and he's hanging back? Maybe, he's watching to see if he's welcome. Looking for a sign that all is forgiven."
"No, no, no. He's not the one that needs to be... I think he might still be very angry."
"Anger between a parent and a child is the most natural thing in the world."
"I think he might be here to try to kill me."
"Ah. Right. That's... That's not."
"I let him go. I've spent my entire life since trying to fix it, and now, he's finally here. And I just don't know what to do."
"Be honest. Just tell him what you told me, and ask him for forgiveness. And when you're face-to-face, you'll know what to do."
"Honesty's never been the best color on me."
"There's no other way."
August was roaming around outside the cabin in the woods, looking for something.
Mr. Gold approached him. "I know who you are. And I know what you're looking for."
"Well, then... I guess all the lying can stop... Papa," August said.
"You were right, Bae. You were always right. I was a coward, and I never should've let you go. I know it's little consolation, but... I just want you to know, that ever since you left, ever since you crossed the barriers of time and space, in very waking moment... I've been looking for you. And now that I've finally found you... I know I can't make up for the past, for the lost time. All I can do, is to ask you to do what you've always done. And that's to be the bigger man... And forgive me. I'm so sorry, son. I'm so sorry, Bae."
August went to hug him and Mr. Gold returned the embrace.
"Oh, my boy. My beautiful boy. Can you truly, truly forgive me?"
"I forgive you, Papa."
"You were looking for the knife."
"I thought that if you still had it, it would mean that you hadn't changed."
"Well, let's go and find it and see."
They made their way to a spot in the woods. August began digging with a shovel.
"I buried it here shortly after Emma came to town," Mr. Gold explained. "Things were changing. Didn't want to take the chance of Regina finding it."
"Of course," August replied.
"It should be right about here, son. Here. Look, look." He picked up the dagger from the hole, which was wrapped in a cloth. He unwrapped the dagger and handed it to August. "I want you to take it. Destroy it, the way I know you always wanted to. I found you, and I don't need it anymore. I chose it once. Now, I choose you."
August took the dagger and examined it. "It's remarkable." He held up the dagger and pointed it at Mr. Gold. "By the power of the darkness, I command the... Dark One."
"You're trying to control me?"
"I command thee, Dark One!"
"You're not my son. You're not Baelfire."
"Papa, why would you say that? I'm just trying to use your power to help us."
"Enough! It's over, Booth. Or whoever you are. My son would never try to use me. And he would know, that this knife cannot harness any magic in this world, because there is no magic in this world. That's why he chose this place. He didn't want me..." Mr. Gold grabbed the dagger from August. "Dabbling."
"So, why bury a useless knife?"
"Oh, I wouldn't say it was useless. It still cuts through flesh rather nicely. It's about time you start answering some questions, sunshine. Why the theatrics? Why didn't you just come to me?"
"I needed you to work for it. I needed you to want it so bad, you would ignore what your eyes were seeing. Do I even look like him at all?"
"How do you know about this knife?"
"I hear things."
Mr. Gold pointed the dagger at August, until he ended up backed up against a tree. "No one here knows about this knife."
"No one here remembers."
"And, yet, you do. You're from there, aren't you? From my world."
"And the fact that you're asking the question means you know the answer."
"Well, now that that's settled..." Mr. Gold lunged at August, pinning him against the tree behind him and held the dagger to his throat. "How about my other question? Who told you about me and the knife?"
"A little fairy."
"Why did you want it? If you know who I am, then you know who I am. The chances of you surviving this little encounter are pretty slim. So, why take the risk?"
"Because I'll die anyway."
"What?"
"I'm sick. I'm sick, and I need magic. I was going to get the savior to believe. But that woman... I don't think I'm going to make it long enough to see that happen."
Mr. Gold removed the dagger from August's throat. "She trusts you -- it might be enough. Try again."
"You're going to let me live?"
"You're going to die either way. This way, at least I might get something out of it."
STATION
Emma arrived and found Regina waiting for her.
"Congratulations, Sheriff Swan," Regina said. "There's about to be a big break in your case. You just got yourself a confession. But, I want you to listen to the whole explanation, so you understand why this happened."
"Oh, I'll hang on to every word you say," Emma replied.
"Sidney. You can come in now," she said as Sidney entered. "Tell her what you told me."
"It was me," Sidney told Emma. "I confess. I abducted Kathryn, and I held her in the basement of an abandoned summer home by the lake. I bribed a lab tech to get me the heart from the hospital, and I used that same person to doctor the lab results."
"And the other thing."
"I... borrowed some skeleton keys from Regina and... planted the knife in your apartment."
"My keys. Can't help but feel personally violated about that part."
Emma's eyes narrowed. "I am supposed to believe you did this for why now?"
Sidney looked at her. "I was going to find her after the conviction, be a hero. Then, get the inside track on the biggest story to ever hit this town. I'd get my job back. Plus, a novel, and a movie, and... I don't know. It sounds crazy now."
"I don't know about crazy. But false, yes. False as hell."
"I have maps to where the house is. You'll find chains in the basement. Lots of fingerprints, I'm sure -- hers and mind. But, I didn't hurt her."
"The man has obviously suffered some kind of mental break," Regina said. "He clearly hasn't been himself for awhile."
Emma eyed Regina suspiciously. "Yeah. It's like his words aren't his own at all."
"Wow. You are so sold on your own rush to judgment that you can't even see the truth anymore."
"A word in the hallway, please."
The two women stepped into the hallway and Emma said, "Well, that's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard."
"I'm pretty sure that's not true," Regina replied.
"That poor man. I know you are behind all this. I understand that you own the game, and that you've set the board so that no one else can win. But I am about to start playing a different game. I don't care about what happens to you. I don't care about what happens to me. All I care about, is what happens to my kids. And you are going to leave them alone."
"Am I?"
"Uh-uh. I'm talking. You're a sociopath, lady. You tried to take away someone that I love. And now... I'm going to take away someone you love. Two someones. I am taking back my son and daughter."