Sound of Surviving

35

STORYBROOKE - PRESENT

Mr. Gold knocked on the door to Mary Margaret's apartment and Emma answered.

"Ready to go, Miss Swan?" Mr. Gold asked, turning to see Nevaeh walking in. "Are you?"

"Almost," Emma replied.

Nevaeh nodded. "Yes, I'm ready." She clutched the shawl Jefferson had given her and smiled lightly.

Mr. Gold entered the apartment and Henry entered the room with a suitcase and his coat.

"Do you think we'll be cold where we're going, or warm?" Henry wondered.

"I think layers are always a good idea," Emma replied.

Mr. Gold frowned. "I thought the terms of our agreement were quite clear. You owe me a favor - you and Nevaeh alone."

"I'm not leaving Henry here with Cora lurking about, so either we all go, or we all stay."

"Then, we'll have to purchase one more plane ticket, won't we?"

Mary Margaret helped Henry put on his jacket as Emma said, "Wait. We're flying?"

"Don't worry, I'm covering expenses. Even the new one."

David overheard the conversation as he came down the stairs and interjected. "You're a real gentlemen, aren't you? All right, Gold, you're going out there with my family. Just know, if anything happens to them..."

"Then you'll what? Cross the town line? And David Nolan will hunt me down in his animal rescue van?"

"I'll be devastated. This isn't a threat. It's a request. Take care of them."

"I promise no harm will come to your family. After all, we have a deal."

---

As they left the apartment, Grace ran up to Nevaeh and hugged her. "I'm going to miss you, Mama."

Nevaeh hugged her stepdaughter and said, "I'll miss you too. You take care of your father and your brother and sister, all right? I'll see you soon."

Jefferson walked up and gave his wife a tender kiss while the twins cuddled up to her.

She placed a hand on her husband's cheek. "Don't miss me too much, all right?"

"Too late," he replied softly. "I love you, Veah."

"I love you, too. I'll see you soon, darling." She kissed him again and rested her forehead to his, then kissed each of her children's heads. "I'll see you three soon."

---

Mr. Gold, equipped with the shawl around his neck, was driving. Nevaeh had the shawl Jefferson gave her, equipped with the same portion Mr. Gold had used. Emma was in the passenger's seat and Henry and Nevaeh were in back. They were heading down a deserted road in Mr. Gold's car.

"So... Where are we going?" Henry asked.

"Logan International Airport," Mr. Gold replied.

"I think he meant after that," Emma said.

"Let just take things one step at a time, shall we?"

"You really think that shawl and scarf are going to work?"

"Well, if it doesn't, and Jackie and I revert to our cursed selves, we're all going to have some problems. It'll work."

They passed the 'Leaving Storybrooke ' sign and a wave of magic passed over Mr. Gold. There was a brief pause.

"So?" Emma wondered.

"My name is Rumpelstiltskin. And we're going to find my son."

Nevaeh glanced at Emma. "My name is Nevaeh Hatter. I'm the White Queen. I'm married to the Mad Hatter, we have three children, my sister is the Red Queen and Captain Hook is my adopted brother." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "My God, my life is complicated."