Finding You ( A sequel to A thief who stole her heart)

5. A method for my madness

Emma came back to Regina's home later in the evening liked they planned. Regina walked out of the door, locking it behind her, after receiving a call from Emma.

"Is Henry asleep?" Emma asked as Regina made her way towards her.

She hadn't talked to him since losing Neal. She was afraid that if she did, he'd instantly know what happened. She knew he wouldn't of course, but he'd notice Neal's absence and she still wasn't reading to answer for that.

"If he wasn't, do you think I'd be out here with you?" Regina sassed.

Emma held her tongue. She wouldn't be distracted from her main goal here by going by and forth with Regina.

"I'm just worried about him." Emma said instead.

"Obviously," Regina said sarcastically.

She was still baiting her, trying her hardest to ruffle Emma's feathers. She hoped that if she succeeded, then Emma would drop this ludicrous idea and she could go back to her warm bed.

Emma wouldn't be easily deterred though.

"We need to find some way of tracking him. I'm assuming you know more about portals than I do. Any idea where people end up once they fall through? Emma asked.

"If memory serves me correctly, didn't you fall through one not too long ago?"

"That was different. We were saving you, Regina."

"Oh and are you still waiting on that thank you? I didn't make you do anything."

Emma clenched her jaw tightly. She never considered Regina a friend; however she thought they had made progress in their..whatever it was. Apparently, she assumed incorrectly.

"Right. So any ideas?" Emma asked, ignoring her and sticking to the issue at hand.

Regina thought for a moment. Thanks to her, the magic beans had been destroyed. But hey, it's what the town deserved for trying to hide them from her in the first place! She saved a few before doing her damage, but those too were gone thanks to Greg and Tamara. And the last one was probably the one that sent Neal down the rabbit hole.

She regretted not hiding the few she stashed away better. However, she hadn't anticipated getting kidnapped by Captain Guyliner.

There was only one person who might be able to help them; however she knew he would refuse.

"You won't like it." Regina stated.

"Try me,"

"Gold. He's spent forever looking into them since losing...well, Neal. He won't help us though."

"I already know that." Emma agreed.

"Maybe we could convince him? I mean he would want Neal back too." Emma began to suggest.

"Or maybe he has actually made peace with it? Maybe he's finally letting his son rest." Regina countered.

"Really? The man who tricked you into casting a dark curse just to get Neal back would give up so easily?"

Regina knew she was right; although she'd never admit it.

"He won't work with us."

"He will. He will do it for Neal." Emma reassured her.

"Well it's your funeral, Miss Swan. Lead the way?"

With that, Emma and Regina headed for the yellow bug. Regina didn't like their plan one bit, but then again she was never truly in agreement with this to begin with. Emma, on the other hand, wouldn't be stopped. If she needed Gold's help, then she was going to get it. No matter what.

~

"This is where you grew up?" Mulan asked in disbelief.

The place was literally a mansion. It made no sense for a young boy to ever dream about, let on, running away from it.

"Don't be fooled," Neal told her as he waved his hand around, "It wasn't as nice as you might think."

Neal was use to people's assumption. They thought he had it all and looked at him with envy. But what Neal remembered most of all was how lonely he was. He had too many memories of friendships that had fallen apart after they discovered who his father was. No one wanted to play with him out of fear of him getting hurt and even upset. After all, who'd want to get on the Dark One's bad side? No one. No one ever went against him. No one dared to challenge him that was until he did.

He had made a deal with his father. He agreed to give up his magic and start over in a new land, but at the very last moment he backed out like the coward he was. Neal, then Baelfire, had fallen through that portal alone. The only thing he felt other than disappointment was hatred towards the man he once called Papa.

"Very well. What have we come for?" Mulan said, pulling Neal away from his thoughts.

"I don't know yet. I was hoping I'd know whenever I see it." Neal answered.

If he knew his father, and he did, then he'd have magical objects stashed away for a rainy day. He was never unprepared and he hoped that something useful had been left behind.

Neal was about to open one of the cabinets when an arrow came speeding past him.

Mulan drew her sword and turned to face their attacker.

"That was a warning shot; next time you won't be so lucky." The man promised as he aimed his arrow at Neal.

"Who are you?" Mulan hissed as she prepared to strike.

"I am the owner of this place and you two are trespassing." He answered.

"My father owns this house." Neal said as he eyed the man dressed in green. "Who are you, Robin Hood?"

"I..." Robin sputtered as he lowered his bow. "Baelfire?"

"No one has called me that in a very long time." Neal said with a haunted look on his face.

"No one would claim to be that man's son if they weren't. My apologies" Robin said with a nod.

Mulan sheathed the weapon, but still guarded the other man with distrust.

"I won't be here long, hopefully. I just need something to help me get home." Neal explained.

"Take whatever you want. Anything worth value was stolen after the Queen's curse long ago I'm afraid." Robin informed him.

Neal nodded in understanding.

"Do you at least have an idea of what you need?" Mulan asked curiously.

"Well...I need a magic bean. Seen any of those around?" Neal inquired.

"Funny. Emma and Snow needed the same thing." Mulan noted.

"Why?"

"They were trapped here and needed to get back home. They too fell through a portal."

Neal took in the new information. He was curious as to how they fell, but he didn't ask.

"And they found one?" Neal wondered.

"Indeed."

"Do you know how they got it?"

"The giant. They stole it from him."

Mulan told the two men what she knew of Emma and Hook's adventures up the bean stalk.

"Hook? As in Captain Hook?" Neal asked in disbelief.

"No one has seen him or Cora since." Mulan replied.

It made sense. He must have been the reason Cora ended up in Storybrooke to begin with.

"She won't be a problem anymore." Neal mumbled.

"I need to find this giant." Neal announced.

"He hasn't been seen either." Mulan said.

"Great," Neal groaned.