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

8. D is for determination

Emma, Regina and Mr. Gold had gone their separate ways hours ago. Regina needed to get back home to Henry before he woke up. Mr. Gold was busy making preparations for Neal's rescue. And Emma, well for the first time since Neal had been gone, she was actually happy.

Her hope was renewed when they found Neal's location. He was alive and they would soon be reunited. Things were looking up at last.

"Emma, you're home!" Mary Margaret said happily when her daughter walked through the door.

"It's late." David commented sternly.

"We found Neal!" Emma announced excitedly.

"You...you did?" Mary Margaret asked in disbelief. David's mouth fell open and he couldn't express his thoughts.

"Sort of. We know where he is and now we just have to find him." Emma explained.

"Honey, that's wonderful news!" Mary Margaret joined in her daughter's excitement.

They had doubts, but they knew she wasn't going to give up on her search. Mary Margaret was proud that their daughter held onto hope even when things seemed unfavorable.

"That's great, Emma." David smiled from the sofa.

Emma nodded as she took a seat opposite of the sofa her parents occupied.

"Gold is working on getting us to him. We need a magic bean, and he says that he can probably find one." Emma informed them.

"But where are you going exactly?" Mary Margaret wondered.

"The Enchanted Forest; that's where he landed."

"Home..." David whispered.

"Do you trust Gold, are you sure you want to work with him?" David voiced his concern.

"Well this is one thing he can't screw me over with. He wants to find Neal nearly as bad as I do. I trust that he will be a team player." Emma answered.

Her father nodded, accepting her answer.

"I should probably get some sleep. Tomorrow I have to find Tiny and speak with him about growing some more beans if Gold is unsuccessful in his search. Good night." Emma bid them goodbye as she headed towards her bedroom.

"Night," Mary Margaret called after her.

"I can't believe it, David. She did it. She found him."

"Neither can I. The battle has yet to begin, though."

"I know. I have faith in her and we will be right by her side." Mary Margaret said and placed her hand over her husband's.

"I'll never let you both out of my sight." David vowed as he kissed his wife's forehead.

"Good," She said as she laid her head against his shoulder.

~

Robin and his merry men had fallen asleep leaving Neal and Mulan wide awake.

"You can get some sleep you know? I'll keep watch." Neal suggested.

"A warrior never rests on the job," Mulan joked.

Neal laughed heartily.

"Right. Everyone needs sleep at some point, warrior." Neal countered.

"Why aren't you sleeping then?"

"I'm too excited to sleep honestly. I just can't believe I might actually get home to them."

Mulan shook her head at his lack of faith.

"You're doubtful," She commented.

"I'm not doubtful, I'm realistic. Being trapped in Neverland would do that to ya." Neal replied.

"You were in Neverland with Peter Pan?" Mulan inquired. She had heard tales, but she had never before met someone who claimed to have been there.

"Yeah," Neal answered sadly. His time on the island was no fairytale. It was nothing like the books. Pan was no one a child would want to meet, ever.

"You don't want to talk about it." Mulan noticed the change in his expression.

"Maybe another time," Neal promised.

Mulan nodded her head once.

"I just wish there was a way I could speak with them. I need to tell them I'm okay and I'm coming home." Neal changed the subject.

"There might be a way..." Mulan surprised him.

"How?" Neal asked with hope.

"Aurora. She can visit people in their dreams if they have been under a sleeping curse. Henry was. They met one another I believe. It was how Snow was able to speak with her husband actually..." Mulan recalled.

Neal's breath was caught in his chest as he listened. Was it really true? Would it be that simple for him to reach out to his family?

"We have to go. We have to speak to Aurora." Neal insisted as he began to stand.

"Wait," Mulan put a hand up. "It doesn't work like that. They both have to be sleep."

"Of course. Nothing was ever that simple..." Neal groaned.

"Who knows what time it is there?" Neal wondered aloud.

Mulan nodded understandingly.

"You'll get back to them; that's the only thing that matters." Mulan reassured him as she touched his forearm.

"Thanks," Neal said with a genuine smile.

"Now get some rest. It's an order." Mulan commanded with a smile of her own.

"Alright, yes ma'am." Neal conceded. He returned to a chair nearby and soon drifted off to sleep.