Under the Town

Chapter 16: The Way Home

* I suggest reading the author's note at the end of this chapter, if you want an alternate universe of OUAT!*

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"Hello darling," The woman at the doorway greeted.

Emma slowly put down her hands as an irritated look formed on her face.

"Cruella." Emma breathed, surprised. As sudden pang of guilt formed in her chest.

"Don't look so glum, I came baring good news" Cruella taunted. She let herself in, taking in the apartment.

"Lovely place," Cruella complimented. "Could use a better dusting don't you agree?" She said, turning around to face everyone. David shut the door.

"What do you want Cruella?" Emma asked.

"I heard about your little dispute with the lord of the Underworld," Cruella mentioned.

"How?" Regina interjected. Cruella looked at Regina with an insulted look, though it soon faded.

"You'd be surprised how fast gossip spreads among the dead," She continued.

"How does this have anything to do with you?" David asked, crossing his arms.

"Hades needs the Savior, the Savior needs her boyfriend, and her boyfriend needs her heart. Though, the only way he gets your heart is if Hades is distracted. Lucky for you, I know how to distract him."

"It's not the problem of splitting my heart, it's the problem of getting out of here after we split my heart," Emma said. At this, Cruella rolled her eyes.

"And that's beside the point," Emma continued. "why would you want to help us?" 

"I have my reasons," Cruella states. "I don't think I need to remind you of why I'm down here in the first place." She snapped, causing Emma to get angry.

"Fine. How do we distract Hades?" Emma asked.

"Leave it to me," 

"No" Emma said stubbornly. David looked over at his daughter with contemplating eyes.

"Emma," he said, grabbing the attention of everyone else in the room. 

"You're not going to tell me that we should let Cruella help us get out of here? You can't tell me you trust her after everything she's done?" Emma's voice grew irritated.

"It's not a terrible plan. If Cruella wants to help, she's more than welcome but Emma, remember she isn't a threat to us anymore, anything she can do, we can too." 

Emma gave him a doubtful look.

"He's right Emma, as crazy as it might be, we need her help." Regina said, glancing over at an over-confident Cruella.

Emma bit her lip, full of uncertainty. 

"Fine," She said, turning back to Cruella. "Just don't try anything," Emma warned. Cruella smirked at this and went for the door.

"Glad we got this sorted, I'll meet you all at the farmhouse come noon" She said, opening the door.

"Farmhouse? You mean Zelena's farmhouse?" Regina questioned.

"Of course," She said as-a-matter-of-fact. She put her hand up as a goodbye and left without another word.

~~~

Belle wanted to leave, she really did. But something kept her from walking out Zelena's door. Maybe it was her sense of heroism, or her curiosity. Whatever it was, it prevented her from opening the door when her hand rested on the doorknob. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the noises of the crying baby to stop. It was only when the cries were hushed when she realized she was still in the house of her supposed enemy. She dropped her hand from the doorknob, and turned around to face the house again. She let herself roam throughout the bottom level of Zelena's house, noticing the small details in her house. Like how she had a basket full of green apples in the middle of her table, and how everything gave off an eerie feel. It gave Belle a chill. Belle was just about to leave Zelena's dining room when a bright note caught her attention. The front spelled out 'Zelena' in beautiful calligraphy. Belle slowly walked over to it, and picked it up. Curiously, Belle turned it around to open it.