Three days had come and gone, and the residents of Storybrooke, Maine, weren't any closer to finding out who murdered Teresa Holmes. On the first day, Emma and Regina completed their spell and found that Henry's soul had been unharmed by Teresa's passing, allowing them to set aside their worried thoughts and focus on finding Teresa's killer. But no matter how long and far they searched, they came up empty-handed. Everyone they questioned either had an alibi or could prove they hadn't done it. On the morning of the second day, they found another body. It was a man, floating face down in the water by the docks. When they pulled him out, they discovered that he was dead. Yet another murder had occurred at the docks, or at least they assumed it was murder. On the third day, Snow White began preparations for Teresa's funeral, unable to allow her best friend to rot away in the morgue any longer, and the rest of them could only watch as she worked hard to organize the perfect funeral for the one they had lost, finding it hard to help her as they grieved in their own way.

They piled inside Regina's manor, for that is where Henry wanted to be after he woke up, remaining in his room and refusing to come out. Snow White sat at the table in the kitchen, pouring over her work and trying to choose a flower arrangement that Teresa would have liked. David sat beside her, with Neal balanced on his knee and playing with a toy rattle. He knew he wasn't being much help to his wife, but being in her company brought Snow White the comfort she was needing right now. Killian and Emma were making lunch for everyone, hoping that Henry would eat, for he has been choosing to neglect his own health, while Regina Mills made a quick escape to Granny's for some cocoa that she hoped would shed some light on Henry's grim days.

A knock at the door captured their attention. Emma lifted her head from the stove where she was making grilled cheese sandwiches and she exchanged a look with Killian, who offered to go answer the door. When Killian reached the front door, he pulled open the door, surprised at who he found standing on the other side.

"Zelena?"

"Killian?" Her voice was full of confusion, having not expected to find the pirate answering her sister's door. "Is my sister here?"

"No, she's gone to get cocoa. She thought maybe it would help Henry," he replied.

"Well then, can I come in? I'm afraid it's urgent."

Nodding, he opened the door for her to walk in. Killian closed the door behind them before leading her to the kitchen where everyone turned to see who it was. Their faces lit up in surprise upon seeing Zelena and little Robin. After Regina told them about their spat and how Zelena rejected her sister's offer by moving out, they didn't expect to see her back so soon, and wondered if she was here to make amends.

"Zelena, what are you doing here?" asked Emma.

"I came to apologize to Regina," Zelena informed, "and to give my condolences. I heard what happened to Teresa. Who could do such a thing?"

"Unfortunately, we don't know," David muttered sadly.

Snow White offered her a slight smile, glad that she was here to make amends and be here for them as they mourned. Zelena and little Robin were family, and they deserved to be here and say goodbye to Teresa.

"You mean you haven't found out who done it yet?" Zelena asked, eyes wide.

"No," Emma replied.

"And we questioned everyone," added David.

"Not everyone, mate," Killian stated. "We have no idea where the Evil Queen is, or what she's planning next."

Zelena shook her head. "No, it wasn't her."

Emma narrowed her eyes. "How do you know she didn't do it?"

"Because I just with her," Zelena revealed, causing their eyes to widen. "After Regina and I fought, I left. I went to my house, and she came to me the next day. She wanted me to help her when the time came. At first, I agreed, desperate to have my sister. But then I realized that the Evil Queen wasn't my sister... Regina was. I knew I couldn't help her anymore, not without hurting any of you. So when I learned about Teresa, I confronted her, but she claimed she didn't do. I believed her, but still, I couldn't stay. When she left for the day, I made a run for it, and I came straight here."

They stayed silent, processing every word. None of them could believe that she would even consider siding with their enemy, but they understood why she did it. Hurt and still mourning Hades, Zelena was desperate for someone to be there for her. But they were at least glad that she was back on their side, and showed it as they offered her a small, forgiving smile. Before any of them could speak, the door opened and closed, and the clicking of heeled boots made their way toward the silent kitchen.

Regina walked in with two cup carriers of coca balanced in her arms, and she stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her sister. Anger flickered in her eyes as she asked why her sister was here.

Zelena stepped forward, a slight smile on her face. "I came to apologize... and to give you something." She turned and handed her daughter to the nearest person, who was Emma, before turning back to face her sister. She dug into her coat, pulling out a feather. "Turns out I never lost it to begin with. I had only forgotten it in my other house when I moved here. I'm sorry, Regina. Truly, I am."

Regina's eyes filled with tears at the sight of the feather that had belong to Robin. She can remember fighting with Zelena because her sister had lost it after Roland gave it to her, but here it was. Lost and now found. She smiled and placed the cocoas on the table before taking the feather from her sister's outstretched hand. "Thank you," she sniffled.

"You're welcome," Zelena smiled, and much to her surprise, Regina wrapped her in a tight hug. And just like that, the bond ruined by two their broken hearts was whole once more.

　
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After passing out, Henry Mills woke up in his bed and thought the last few hours didn't even exist. That maybe he just dreamt everything that happened. There was a hope in his chest as he kicked off the comforter and raced down the flight of stairs. But when he came upon the kitchen, somber expressions and red eyes that stared at him with sorrow greeted him, and it was that he knew that it had all been true.

And yet, he didn't cry.

Maybe he was all cried out, and it was the shock of it all that wouldn't allow him to to do anything but stare out the window in his bedroom. When the time came for dinner that night, he sat at the table in silence, staring at his plate with no appetite. He hadn't eaten all day and his family knew that, but they said nothing as they watched him sit in silence and pick at his food. The one person in the entire world that loves hot cocoa the most didn't even drink the steaming beverage his mom had gotten him from Granny's. Emma had hoped the beverage would give him the slightest bit of comfort as it had before, but he didn't even glance at it.

After dinner, Henry hid himself in his room, remaining there for the next three days. He didn't eat. Didn't sleep. All he could do was stare out the window and watch the world live without him. But then he left his room. It was hard to walk, his body so numb with emotion, but he knew what he wanted, what he needed. The boy entered the kitchen and upon seeing the pitiful stares of his family, lowered his gaze to the ground as he voiced his thoughts. "I want to see her," he had said, and many of them came to disagree with this idea. They weren't sure it was a good idea since her body was still in the morgue, sealed in a body bag and a vault to keep her preserved until they finished the preparations for her funeral, but they couldn't find it in their hearts to deny him of seeing her. None of them knew what it was like to lose a aoulmate. Sure, Emma had lost Neal, Regina had lost three of her loves, and they had all lost family, but a soulmate? That was different.

When Regina, Emma and Henry arrived at the morgue, it took a moment for Henry to step out of the car. They waited until he was ready to keep going, knowing they had to take it at his own pace. After mustering up enough courage, he stepped out of the car and entered the Emergency Room. Henry sucked in a sharp breath. Being back to the place where he saw her die was proving to be hard. Henry wasn't sure if he could continue, but when his moms asked if he wanted to leave, he shook his head and kept going. He was already here and wasn't turning back. He needed to see her and say goodbye.

They took the elevator to the lower level of the hospital, where the morgue was. Regina approached the receptionist, and the woman motioned them inside, instructing them to go through the set of doors on their right, where the medical examiner could assist them. When they walked through the doors and entered the morgue, Henry Mills expected the room to smell like death itself, but it didn't. All he could smell was cleaning products, and a burning scented candle. There were even some flowers. Why, he wasn't sure. Maybe the medical examiner liked to keep a lively bouquet around? After all, death surrounded her most of the day.

After his moms told her what they were here for, the medical examiner walked toward the vaults and opened one of the locked doors. The woman rolled out the table and Henry swallowed the lump in his throat as his eyes landed on the white sheet that covered her body. She pulled the white sheet down to Teresa's collarbones and left the room to give them some privacy to say their goodbyes. Regina and Emma followed in pursuit, informing their son they'd be right outside the door if he needed them.

His tie-toed toward her and when he reached her, his heart ached and his eyes burned. Three days she has been dead, and Henry Mills could tell, for death had taken its toll on her. Teresa's skin was milky gray, lips drained of their natural red; her eyes were hollow, circled with darkness; her hands positioned over her stomach, one hand folded over the other. Despite how she had died, Teresa Holmes looked at peace. Or at least he thought so; he could be wrong. But to him, she looked as though she was sleeping, and he wanted nothing more than to wake her up.

Henry reached out and touched her hand. It was like touching ice, nothing like the warm fingers that would envelope his own as they sat on the sofa watching a movie. His eyes burned more, his throat tightening, but still, there were no tears.

"It should be me," Henry whispered. "You are good... and kind... and funny... and strong. You've never done anything wrong to deserve something like this. I will find out who did this to you... I promise." He reached down and kissed her lips. They were cold, frozen in time. Chills ran down his spine. His eyes opened, warm brown piercing her lifeless flesh, waiting. A part of him had wished that true loves kiss would restore her life, but she remained as lifeless as before. "I love you, Teresa."

Henry stayed for a little while longer until his moms entered and told him it was time to leave. He didn't want to go, but he knew he didn't have a choice. He kissed Teresa on her forehead before allowing them to guide him from the room. When the doors of the morgue shut behind them, the boy raced toward the nearest garbage bin and emptied the contents of his stomach. Heaving with tears flowing down his cheeks and trembling mess, he collapsed against his moms and they escorted him to the car.

When they got home, Henry Mills sought comfort in the darkness of his room beneath the large comforter on his bed, and the boy planned to shut himself out of the world. Hopefully, he thought as he stared at the moonlight that streamed in through his window, forever.

　
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Three days. Three goddamn days. That's how long Teresa Holmes has been dead for. And they still haven't found this mysterious exit that Merlin knows so much about. She was growing impatient and exhausted, her hope dying out with each passing second as they continued to search for their way out. She believed they'll never find a way out. That maybe she should have followed Inman, Lavender, Rosemary and Prince Isiah across the same bridge that Regina's father crossed to find peace. If she did, maybe she'd be reunited with her mother and Robin right about now rather than being trapped in Hell.

Teresa Holmes followed Alice toward the library, where they were hoping to find information about their way out of the Underworld. Just as they came to the door, they heard a shrill cry followed by footsteps and stopped dead in their tracks. They whipped around, finding a woman who with long, curly red hair adorned in a yellow sundress. She was screaming for help, a look of pure terror on her face. Alice ran to help her, learning that she had become the savior everyone needs in the Underworld when they had a problem.

"Woah, hey!" Alice blocked the woman's path, taking her by the shoulders. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"S-She's here. She's here!" She cried, eyes wide with fear.

Teresa brows furrowed. "Who's here?"

"Queen Narissa! Please, you must help us," the woman pleaded, grasping onto Alice a little tighter than intended, which caused the blonde to grimace. She apologized, but Alice brushed it off and prodded for more information. She took a deep breath before answering. "Queen Narissa is my mother-in-law. She was hungry from my husband's throne, so we were left with no choice but to banish her. But she came back, more powerful than ever, and we were killed. She took our kingdom for herself, leaving us to rot in this place for all eternity. But she must have been killed, for she has returned. She is trying to find us ─ my Edward and I ─ so she may have this place all to herself. So I ran. But I cannot find him. I cannot find my Edward anywhere. I fear she may have found him already." She broke down into sobs and collapsed against Alice, who comforted her.

Teresa and Alice shared a look, knowing that they had to set aside their search to help the hysterical woman. Not only did they want to help her, but they also knew of her. In the Enchanted Forest there were stories about the Kingdom of Andalasia. King Harold remarried after his wife, Queen Annalise, passed away, taking a commoner by the name of Narissa as his new bride. After his own death, the throne was passed down to his only son, Prince Edward. But he could not have it without a wife. Like his father, Edward married a commoner named Giselle, who was rumored to have the brightest red hair and magical blue eyes in all the kingdoms. They married and the former queen turned dark, her jealously consuming her. After her banishment Narissa returned to Andalasia, killing Edward and Giselle, and all loyal to them, before taking the throne for herself.

"We'll help you," Alice said after the woman ─ who they assume was Giselle ─ stopped crying.

"Really?" she sniffled, pulling pack. She lifted her hand to dry her eyes. "Thank you. My name is Giselle, by the way. You should know that if you are going to be helping me."

"Yes, and you're welcome," Alice smiled. "I'm Alice, and this is Teresa. Now, where would your husband be?"

"Well, he works on the docks, but I tried there already," Giselle replied.

"Let's try again. The docks are big, so there's a lot of ground to search. You probably just missed him," Alice's voice remained calm. She always was level-headed no matter what she faced, and she didn't want to upset the already hysterical woman any further.

"O-Okay," Giselle agreed.

With a wave of her hand, Alice teleported the three of them to the docks. They landed with their feet on the wooden planks that lined the port and shared a quick look before springing into action and searching the entire area. It took them some time to cover all the ground, but they eventullay found him. The late king of Andalasia was dragging a caught barrel of fish toward a group of barrels. Upon seeing him, Giselle shrieked with joy and ran toward him. Edward caught her in time, stumbling as he wrapped his arms around her waist. He laughed at her reaction of seeing him when they had only just seen each other that morning, but after feeling her tears slip down his neck, he frowned and reeled back in concern, taking in her relieved expression.

"Giselle, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Well, well, it seems you did the work for me."

They turned, finding Queen Narissa standing before them with a wicked grin on her wrinkled face. She wore a billowing black dress that hugged her figure, paired with a long cape and a crown atop her obsidian head speckled with silver.

"No," Giselle whispered in fear, as Teresa and Alice joined their side.

"Narissa?" Edward gaped at his step-mother, taking in her aged appearance. Now he understood why his wife came to him so frantic, and why she had enlisted the help of Alice and her young, platinum-haired friend.

"Edward," Narissa mockingly gaped, snickering afterward.

"What are you doing here?" His eyes hardened, remembering how the woman he thought of as a mother since was a boy had slaughtered his entire kingdom, including his wife and himself, for her own personal gain.

"My magic couldn't keep me young forever. I welcomed death, but had I known my afterlife would include the both of you, I would have fought harder to stay," she sneered. With a motion of her hand, a ball of dark energy formed in her palm. "And I don't intend to share my afterlife with either of you."

The dark energy soared through the air, but Alice was quick to spring into action, holding up her palms and conjuring a wave of magic that connected with the darkness and caused it to reflect on Narissa, who gasped and moved out of the way. Teresa's eyebrows raised, impressed by the display of magic her companion had showed. Then, she wrung of her hands, forging ice daggers in her palms.

Narissa sneered and stepped forward, sending more magic barreling towards them, which Alice deflected once again. Edward and Giselle gasped, and Teresa hurled both her daggers toward the wicked woman. While one stabbed into the flesh of her thigh, causing the woman to grunt in pain, she avoided the other one thrown by the teenager girl. With a glare and a wave of her hand, Narissa had Teresa gasping for air, an invincible hand curling around her slender throat. She smirked, squeezing tighter, and threw the teenager out of her way. Teresa landed on her side and rolled a few times, coming to a stop and coughing. This infuriated Alice. The blonde woman stepped forward and engaged in a one-on-one magical battle. They were hit with blows, propelled backwards from spells, and were bleeding, but both of them reamained determined. Neither were backing down.

Still on the ground, her body aching from the harsh landing, Teresa slapped her palm against the ground. Ice propelled from her fingertips, slithering across the ground and coming toward Narissa. It encased her feet in a thick layer of ice, which kept her in her place, giving Alice the upper hand. But with a ferocious growl that sounded animalistic, Narissa had freed herself when she propelled her arms outward and sent a harsh wind that stung at their flesh. It knocked them all away, giving her time to blast away the ice keeping her feet bound.

Alice climbed to her feet and walked over, helping Teresa up.

"Your friends cannot keep you from me forever!" Narissa shouted, watching as Edward and Giselle clung to each other near the edge of the docks. She thrust her hand forward, sending magic their way. They moved out of the way, almost falling into the River of Lost Souls. At first Narissa was confused about why they seemed so scared to fall into the water, but she didn't care. If they feared it, she would do everything in her power to make sure they fell in.

Teresa and Alice ran forward, jumping in their path, but neither of them could have predicated the magic that Narissa would conjure next. As she cupped her hands over her mouth, harsh winds collided with their flesh once more, and while they had thrown Edward and Giselle out of the way ─ the couple grasping a rope to keep themselves from falling into the River of Lost Souls ─ Teresa could feel her body moving backward. Her foot fell over the edge, dangling over the water. Her hands reached out, desperate to grasp something and keep herself from falling in, knowing the pain that she would face because of Alice having told her.

"No!" Alice screamed. Having been the closest to Teresa, she reached out and grabbed her hand, trying to pull her to safety, but the wind grew stronger. Their screams were loud, howling louder than the wind as their bodies splashed in the water, and all they felt was pain. Like acid being poured over their flesh. Their bodies sunk deep into the River of Lost Souls, feeling as though their souls were being shredded into pieces on an endless loop.

And then came a bright light, and suddenly, the pain vanished.

They opened their eyes, finding themselves standing in an empty, white room with waxed floors that carried their reflections, and large pillars that touched a ceiling they couldn't quite see. It looked like they were in some heavenly castle made up of white marble, and not a single piece of decor was in sight. With furrowed brows, they glanced around them, wondering what happened and how they got here. Alice, however, seemed to recognize this room, as she gasped.

"I've been here before," she muttered.

"What is this place?" Teresa asked.

"It is peace," said an all too familiar voice. They turned around, startled to find a smiling Merlin standing before them in a long, purple and gold cloak with his hands folded out in front of him.

Teresa's hardened at the sight of him, and her fingers curled into fists. "You've got some nerve showing your face again," she practically growled.

"I understand the anger you hold toward me, Teresa," Merlin said, "but you must understand that I am not allowed to warn people of their future. With Emma, yes, it was different. I had no choice to tell her about Excalibur. But in order for you to have redemption for everything dark in your past, you had to die. It was the only way."

"The only way?" Teresa scoffed, a humorless laugh falling from her lips. "I was murdered, Merlin. Murdered. And you knew it would happen! I don't care about your rules, the least you could have done was given me some kind of heads up."

"You're right," Merlin hung his head, "and for that I am sorry."

"I don't want your apology," Teresa spat.

"Merlin, why are we here?" Alice asked, in an attempt to defuse the growing tension. "You told me I had to help Teresa find a way out of the Underworld, but you never told me we would fall into the River of Lost Souls."

"I did not tell you because if you had known all along that your way out of the Underworld was through the River of Lost Souls, Teresa never would have willing risked her life for two people she did not know. It was crucial for Teresa to save them, for if not, she would not have found the redemption chapter in her story."

"So sacrificing ourselves was the only way out?" Teresa asked, dumbfounded.

"Yes," Merlin confirmed with a nod. "And Teresa ─ now that you will return to Storybrooke, there is something that I must tell you. To find your redemption, you must make amends with those you have harmed and never take life for granted. Live with no regrets and be happy. Accept the love that you have been given. Will you do this?"

Teresa nodded.

Merlin turned to face Alice, and he smiled at her. "You completed your task well, Alice. Without your help, Teresa would not be standing where she is now. I am grateful for your help."

"Of course," Alice smiled back. "But I have to ask... are they okay? Edward and Giselle, I mean."

"They are fine, and you have to thank for that. Do not worry, they have found peace together." Merlin clapped his hands together with a smile. "Now, I'm sure you're both eager to return to Storybrooke ─ "

Alice's eyes widened. "Both of us?" she whispered. She glanced at Teresa, who grinned at her.

Merlin chuckled lightly. "Yes, Alice, both of you. For all the work that you have done for me, and for keeping the Underworld at peace and helping Teresa and those that needed you most, you will live a long, happy life. Did I not tell you the last time we spoke that you will have a bright future ahead of you? Surely, you did not think I meant a peaceful afterlife?"

"I'm going home?" Alice's voice was cracking as tears filled her eyes. Ever since she died, she only hoped to be with her true love again, and now her wish was coming true. She just couldn't believe it.

"Yes, Alice, you're going home," Merlin smiled. "Now, I'm afraid I must go. Good luck to you both, and may your lives be long and joyful." Just as he left, disappearing in a shimmer of bright light, there was another blinding light that enveloped them like a blanket of warmth, and suddenly, everything wasn't so cold anymore.

They were home.

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a/n: alright so 1) I know that Zelena sides with the Evil Queen for a few episodes but we're not doing that here, okay? Zelena already had her redemption arc and I'm not painting her as a villian again. She cooled down and all the bad blood between her and Regina is gone now. 2) THEY'RE BACK!!!! I'm very VERY excited that Alice is making a comeback, because its honestly what Regina deserves. Plus, you guys will get to finally see Alice in more than just a few chapters from now on!! And now I would just like to say to be prepared for more heartache. Yes, they're alive, but don't forget that evil still very much lurks within Storybrooke and the fight is far from over. However, we have finally reached Teresa's point of redemption, which is going to be something I'll enjoy writing for my baby. Thoughts on the chapter?

Also, I know what you're thinking ─ yes, I ended their time in the Underworld sooner than you guys were probably expecting, but this is how I planned it. I didn't want to waste time writing an entire Underworld chapter that ended up being really boring. So I came to this and I really liked how their time in the Underworld came to an end. I feel like having them save two complete strangers and falling into the River of Souls was a beautiful goodbye to the Underworld. But hey, that's just me.