Long Lost | Once Upon a Time (EDITING)

XVII. The Jolly Roger

"We didn't find Rumplestiltskin, but Neal came to his shop. He's at the hospital now," David announced grimly as he strode into Regina's office, Emma, Hook, and Snow trailing close behind. His tone was clipped, focused, but the moment his eyes swept the room and failed to land on his other daughter, his composure faltered. "Where's Grace?"

Regina looked up from the desk where she'd been trying to create a memory potion for the teen, dark brows knitting together. "How should I know? I'm not her parent," she snapped, voice edged with her usual venom, but the second she saw Snow and David's expressions shift from weary to alarmed, her tone cooled just slightly.

Emma's head jerked toward her father. "She was headed this way after we left Gold's shop. She's not here?"

"Obviously not," Regina said dryly, though there was a faint note of uncertainty creeping into her voice now. "If she was, trust me, I'd know. She's not exactly quiet." A tense silence hung in the air. The hum of the fluorescent lights felt too loud. Regina crossed her arms, trying to sound dismissive but not quite pulling it off. "She's probably fine. Maybe she got sidetracked. Teenagers are notorious for--"

"She's not just any teenager," David cut in sharply. "She's my daughter, and the Wicked Witch has already made it clear she's targeting my family."

Hook's brow furrowed as he crossed his arms, his tone suddenly clipped. "And despite this, you let her go alone?"

David's jaw tightened. "She wasn't alone for long. I thought she'd--"

"You thought?" Hook snapped, stepping forward. His voice rose, the concern bleeding through the sarcasm. "Bloody hell, mate, we know the witch wants her dead! And you just let her wander off alone?" Emma tried to intervene, but he wasn't finished. "You're supposed to be keeping her safe, not giving Zelena a head start!"

David's expression hardened, guilt flashing in his eyes before he could mask it. "Don't talk to me like I don't care about my daughter."

Hook didn't back down. "Then act like it," he said sharply. The room went still. The tension between them was almost tangible, like static before a storm.

Snow's voice finally cut through, tight and low. "Enough, alright? Fighting about it isn't going to bring Grace back."

David exhaled shakily, running a hand over his jaw. "You're right," he muttered, guilt sinking in deeper with every second Grace wasn't accounted for. "You're right. We need to find her."

Emma nodded, already reaching for her phone. "I'll let everyone know to keep an eye out for her. I'm gonna retrace our steps to Gold's shop, maybe she doubled back."

Regina nodded in agreement. "I'll check Zelena's farmhouse," she let out firmly.

Hook moved toward the door, his voice low and grim. "I'll check the surrounding woods. If she's there, I'll find her."

David lingered for a moment longer, the weight of his mistake settling in his chest. "If you find anything--anything at all--call me."

Hook and Emma nodded before exiting, Regina doing the same before disappearing in a swirl of violet smoke, leaving David with his regret. He stared at the empty space where the group previously stood, Hook's words still ringing in his ears. As much as it pained him to admit, he knew the pirate was right. Snow noticed his disheartened gaze and pressed a gentle hand into his arm with that quiet reassurance of, "we'll find her." With that thought in mind, he let out a disgruntled sigh before finally reaching the door and leaving Regina's office, Snow following close behind with the sole determination of finding their daughter.