A/N: Whew, been a long time hasn't it...sorry about that. Anyway this ones a bit shorter than my other chapters and not a whole lot of new stuff if you've been watching the new series. Also a little less Golden Swan centric this episode but that will be coming, likely in the next chapter.

There's some Enchanted Forest (and Mufire potential) and some Storybrooke (with some Red Beauty thrown in) and finally some Neverland at the end.

This is going to be an AU storyline but will include some elements from canon as they fit into my tale here.

"I think I might know of a place we can look," Neal announced to his Enchanted Forest companions.

"Great," Mulan said. "Where?"

"My father's castle."

"And who might that be?" Mulan asked.

"Rumplestiltskin," he answered shifting his gaze from them all. No doubt they had all heard tales of Rumplestiltskin and his evil deeds.

And just as he expected all three of their mouths dropped down in surprise that he was Rumplestiltskin's son. They probably didn't even know that Rumplestiltskin had a son at all. As much as his father may truly love him deep down, despite what he did, Neal doubted he shared that little detail with many people.

"Really?" Phillip asked.

"You really think I'd lie about something like that?"

"I suppose not, no," Phillip commented.

"Well then," Mulan began in her commanding tone of voice, "we should get going now and you can take us to this castle."

She then helped Neal up from where he sat, being careful to not mess up her handiwork on his injury. As she lifted him an arm wrapped around behind his back he looked curiously at her.

"So you're Mulan, huh?"

"Yes," she answered dryly.

"You know, they made a movie about you…it's pretty good actually."

"What's a movie?" She asked as she took her arm out from around him as he steadied himself.

He nodded at her to let her know that he was steady enough on his own to walk.

"Oh uh, it's like pictures that move…moving pictures. Get it? Moving pictures, movie…"

She nodded absently at him but she still didn't really understand what he meant. All she could think was that this strange land Emma and him came from was far stranger than any world she'd ever heard of.

"Anyway, it doesn't matter…uh if I'm remembering correctly his castle should be about a half a day's walk that direction," he said pointing east.

"Then that's where we'll head," Mulan said, again using that demanding tone Neal was already becoming accustomed to.

"So, what'll it be?" Ruby asked Belle as she walked her over to the counter and sat her on a stool, rubbing her back comfortingly.

The first thing that came to Belle's mind was a cheeseburger; Granny sure did make an excellent one. But then that just made her think of Rumplestiltskin and she struggled not to break down in tears right then and there. She'd done enough crying in front of Ruby, burdening her with her problems for the day, she had to be brave now and not let her breakup get her down.

"I'll have a cheeseburger," she said, deciding whether or not it reminded her of Rumple she wanted one anyway. They really were quite delicious.

"Great idea," Ruby commented. "I'll even throw some pickles on there for you," she said with a wink as she turned and made her way to the kitchen to put the order in.

Belle laughed at Ruby's comment. It was the first real laugh she'd had as her real self in so long it seemed. And in that moment she was so grateful she had made a friend in Ruby so quickly and easily.

Back in the Enchanted Forest all she had ever really known was her father's small kingdom and a few of the lords and knights that frequented her father's castle. And then of course she'd been sent off with Rumplestiltskin. She had, of course, gone off and done a few things on her own after leaving him, like fighting the yaoguai with Mulan and counseling Dreamy with his true love but that wasn't so much given how fast it had all gone.

She'd never had a long-term friend that wasn't simply her friend because she was royalty. The only friends she'd had as a child were the children of those who served her father inside the castle. No doubt they felt some sort of obligation to be her friend, regardless of whether they really actually did like her. Those few friends and her books had been her only companions before being betrothed to Gaston.

Oh how she had hated Gaston. He was such a brute. Handsome, sure, but what good were looks when one had a terrible personality. Not once had she ever found herself romantically or even sexually attracted to Gaston. Whatever hardships she'd gone through due to her being sent off with Rumplestiltskin, she would always be glad she hadn't ended up being forced to marry that man. And whatever fate was in store for her, she felt certain it would be better than a life with him.

"Here's your burger…I made sure they gave you the extra salty fries too," Ruby said placing the plate of steaming hot food in front of her. "You want something to drink?"

"Thank you," she said with a small smile. "And is it too early for a drink drink?" Belle asked only half joking. Lunchtime or not, she could use something a little stronger than a regular afternoon drink.

"For the kind of week you've been having, not at all," Ruby replied. "What me to fix you up with my specialty?"

Belle smiled lightly again, very glad that Ruby wasn't going to judge her.

"Uh, sure, why not," Belle said throwing up her arms.

"You won't regret it, I promise." Ruby's specialty was town legend and completely secret. Even Granny didn't know exactly what she put in it, though she'd tried on several occasions to try guessing after having one and by trying to sneak a peek every time she made it.

Ruby moved about behind the counter grabbing things from the cupboards below as she mixed this 'specialty' of hers.

A few moments later she popped back up and passed a tall glass to Belle across the counter. It was a cream sort of color and was thick like a smoothie almost and Belle eyed it suspiciously really wondering what could be in it.

She brought it up to her nose and sniffed it once. Deciding it didn't smell weird or anything she tentatively brought it down to her lips and took the smallest of possible sips.

Across the bar Ruby watched her anxiously wondering what she would think of it. Her 'specialty' and its popularity within the town was something she was quite proud of and she really wanted Belle to like it.

"Wow, Ruby, this is delicious!" She exclaimed, and then she took a second, much larger sip of it.

"Well I'm glad you like it," Ruby replied, a wide, ear-to-ear grin on her face, the kind that showed off her brilliantly white teeth. "And, like the burger, it's on me," she added.

"Oh no, no, I couldn't," Belle sputtered as she hastily set the glass back down on the table.

"Oh god, don't be silly Belle, it's fine. You deserve it; you've been through a lot lately. And besides, what are friends for if not buying you a few drinks and a meal when you're feeling down?"

"Well thank you," Belle muttered shyly. "I really appreciate it."

"It's really no problem."

"You truly are such a great friend," Belle said smiling up at Ruby.

'A great friend'…oh god that hurts…if only she knew, Ruby thought to herself. But now wasn't really the time to think on that right now, there was another issue at hand she wanted to talk to Belle about.

"Well thanks, so are you….Say, Belle, some of us were talking earlier and realized we no longer have a Mayor of Storybrooke. Sure things are different here now, but we are still a town and I think having a Mayor again would bring some normalcy back to this town and a few of us thought you might make a good Mayor. There's no pressure or anything but they wanted me to tell you," Ruby said not looking Belle in the eye and instead playing with a napkin sitting on the counter.

"I—Well, I'd never thought about that…um I already run the library though," Belle said.

"Yeah, I know, but you could definitely do both things pretty easily and just work on your Mayoral duties straight from the library…"

"I'll, uh, I'll definitely think about it," Belle replied.

And she meant it too. It was true; she probably could handle both jobs just fine. Plus stepping up and being the Mayor would give her a chance to take control of her fate and prove to herself and everyone else that she was brave and could make her own decisions. She wasn't ready to sign up just yet, but she vowed she would definitely consider it.

"Great, that's all we really wanted, just for you to think about it. I think you'd make a great Mayor," Ruby said with a smile and then without another word, made her way out from behind the counter to take the orders of the other diners.

"I'll need some help gathering supplies," Hook announced to the group at large. "We'll need whatever weapons we can carry, something to help us set up a shelter and any food you can find."

They all nodded their assent and headed below decks to find anything they could use and carry with them on their journey of undetermined time. It didn't take very long since there wasn't a whole lot on Hooks ship. Apparently he hadn't been using it in quite some time. A few swords were scattered about the ship and Mary Margaret already had her bow and arrow so she was all set with that.

"Here love," Hook said holding out a sword for her as they stood on the deck of the ship as the sun shone brightly above them. "It was Baelfire's."

She looked at it a bit forlornly. Whatever had been between them in the past, she was sad that he was gone. "He was always Neal to me," she mumbled back as she took the sword turning it over in her hands, getting a feel for it.

"Well, I think you should have it," he added offhandedly.

"Thanks," she replied.

Then there was a sudden puff of deep blue smoke and Mr. Gold appeared a few feet away from them.

"Show off, " Emma heard Regina whisper under her breath.

Emma was already sufficiently stunned by Gold's sudden appearance, not really quite used to magic happing around her yet. But what was more surprising was the way he looked. He was dressed in an all black leather ensemble. It looked kind of like crocodile leather…she supposed this must be why Hook always referred to Gold as the crocodile.

Involuntarily she took a step or two towards him tilting her head in awe, as she looked him up and down. Emma had only ever seen him dressed in his finely tailored suits and this was…different. She never thought she'd see the day she'd see him dressed in all leather like that. More pressing, however, she never thought she'd find herself so attracted to him dressed like that, and that was really not something that needed to be happening right now.

She had more important things to worry about and focus on than Gold. For Christ's sake she was here to find and save Henry, the last thing she needed was to be thinking about Gold and how good he looked.

That was never going to happen, no matter what he may have said or hinted at, she was convinced he felt nothing towards her like she did for him. He was still with Belle regardless of how he had agreed with the things she had told him earlier in regards to Belle. He loved her, she was his true love, and she needed to forget about Gold in that way. But that was easier said than done when he looked the way he did. She'd always had a thing for leather.

"Oh, that's an excellent use of our time," Hook huffed rolling his eyes to the high heavens, "a wardrobe change."

Gold shot him a glare letting him know he was walking on thin ice and it was best not to piss him off.

"I think it's more fitting for Neverland than my suit," he began. "Don't you think?" He asked, speaking to everyone but looking particularly at Emma. He couldn't help but smirk the slightest as he watched her look him over in awe.

Only ten seconds of wearing his old ensemble and he was feeling a bit more mischievous and playful than he used to, at least in regards to Emma. Wearing the leather outfit also made him feel a bit darker than he'd been back in Storybrooke and the magic in this place made him feel so powerful again. It sacred and excited him, feeling all that power again. This time he told himself he'd try using it for good like he had intended all those centuries ago.

"I uh—" Emma stuttered and then realizing she was staring as well as being incoherent mumbled a quick, "whatever," as she turned away from him to start putting the supplies they'd gathered into the small ship that would take them ashore.

Once everything was loaded up in the little boat they all piled in. Hook slipped in next to her much to her relief as well as her chagrin. She supposed at this point it was better him than Gold, but she also secretly would've preferred Regina over Hook.

That left Gold to sit by Regina, since Mary Margaret and David obviously seated themselves next to each other. Neither Gold nor Regina looked particularly pleased with the seating arrangements. Emma suspected this sort of thing would be a consistent problem their group had to deal with, the fact that half of them didn't like each other.

"Ready to go, love?" He asked in his heavily accented voice.

"Yeah, let's just get there, get Henry and get the hell out of here and back to Storybrooke," she said as Hook and David each took a rope and began to lower the dinghy into the water.