↬Chapter Sixty Nine-Time Shift↬

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I only own Jade/Camilla and my ideas.

The portal spat them out in a forest and for a moment Peter thought that they were still in Storybrooke, but something didn't feel right just as a whole, none of this felt familiar but at the same time it was familiar more than anything. He found himself groaning and then he felt like a rush of panic and found himself looking for Baz.

Peter found himself relaxing when he realised that Baz was okay, and that Baz was sitting up and looking around with a confused look on his face. At least Peter knew that he was safe and that's all that mattered to Peter more than anything. Baz was fine, he was okay, and it was enough for Peter to calm him down more than he expected.

"No," Emma groaned, looking around her. "No."

It was then that Peter finally decided to take in his surroundings, knowing that everyone made it through. He knew that they were in the forest, but there was a part of him which felt like that it was more familiar than expected, like it was home from years ago. He felt the way that the dread filled him, the way that everything in his mind seemed to connect, it took Peter a moment to realise that they were back in the Enchanted Forest.

"Appears we're back in the Enchanted Forest," Hook voiced Peter's realisation.

Emma rubbed her hands against herself to get the dirt off of her. "Yeah, I got that."

Baz made a noise at that, like he was afraid to be back. He shot up from where he was kneeling and was looking around frantically as if he was watching out for someone or something. Peter found himself by Baz's side in an instant, not really knowing what was going on with Baz and wrapped his arm around Baz. Baz was shaking his head like he didn't want to believe anything and buried himself into Peter.

"The only question is when?" Hook asked. Peter caught the sigh of something which was pinned on the tree, he was sure that Emma spotted it as well given the fact that she rose to her feet in surprise. "Swan? Pan?"

Peter found himself pulling away from Baz but making sure that he still held onto Baz in some way and made his way over to the tree that both himself and Emma were staring at.

"I've got a pretty good idea." Emma stated.

There, pinned on the tree were two wanted posters side-by-side. One read: "WANTED. Snow White, for crimes against the Queen: Murder, Treason, Treachery." And the other one read: "WANTED. Jade "Shadow" Stiltskin, for crimes against the Queen: Murder, Arson, Rebellion, Treason." Both had drawing of the pair of them, though with Snow's it was more clear to see her face, whereas with Jade's poster, it was just her eyes—her face was covered in a mask, and she had her hood up.

Peter felt the way that his heart dropped. He knew the kind of person that his Jade because after being dragged from Neverland, but there was always a part of him which didn't want to believe it at all, knowing that if he believed it that there was a chance that he would shatter. He knew that it was stupid, but in his mind he hated the fact that he couldn't save her from the trouble, that he couldn't rescue her from the person that she ended up becoming and it was something that he hated more than anything.

He wished that he could have prevented this—prevented the person that Jade ended up becoming during their time apart and no matter how stupid it might seem, he just wished that this wasn't what happened. But even still, there was a part of him which knew that he would never be able to save Jade from herself no matter how much he tried and no matter how much he wished.

"I suppose we're lucky we wound up in this time," Hook was saying. "We could've appeared in the middle of the Ogre Wars or smack dab in the belly of a whale."

Peter hadn't noticed the way that Emma was kneeling down with Hook's satchel in hand, that and the fact that she'd gotten the story book out of it and was flicking through it. Hook seemed to take notice in where Peter's attention now was and just stared at Emma rather confused.

"Why are you reading that now?" Hook asked.

Emma looked towards Baz. "Cause when we were falling through, I'm guessing that Baz was thinking of the story that Henry was reading at Granny's. Right?"

Baz nodded. "I was thinking of where Jade was during this time, though it was more on the story Henry was reading—but there was a part of me which hoped that it would take us to Neverland."

Hook looked between the two, as did Peter. "You think that time portals work like any other sort? They take you back to where you're thinking of?"

"Not where," Emma said. "When."

"Excellent deduction. Alas, it appears they share another quality," Hook said, picking up his bag. "They don't stay open for the return trip."

Peter rubbed his bow then, wondering what he could do to help. If anything, he didn't want to stay here. He'd have to figure out how to get them all back, he knew that it would be expected of him and not only that, but he wanted to talk to Camilla as a whole.

"Nope," Emma muttered. Hook took the book from her grasp and snapped it shut to put back in his bag. "We're trapped in the past. I should have left Storybrooke the instant we defeated Zelena. This is exactly the kind of thing that does not happen in New York."

"On the bright side real estate's much more reasonable here," Peter commented without being able to stop himself.

"Don't." Emma glared at him.

"I understand your frustration," Hook cut in, "but we've been in dire straits before. There's no need to be antsy. We have our wits. We just have to focus on being constructive." Hook looked around as did the rest of them. Though Peter was more thinking about the ways that they could get back it was starting to hurt his head. "So, any ideas how to go back?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out." Peter told. Emma spoke over him at that. "How would any of us know how to get back to the future? Who do we look like? Marty McFly?"

The three guys shared a look with each other at the comment. Peter didn't like being called a name that he couldn't figure out which made him wonder whether or not he should comment at all. Though, all that Peter could do was narrow his eyes at Emma.

"Marty Mc—who?"

"The kid with the lightning and the DeLorean and they went back in time and then he—"

Hook cut her off then. "Is he some sort of wizard?"

"No, Marty McFly is not a wizard. He's—" She cut herself off then, like relation set in. "Maybe a wizard is exactly what we need." Emma looked towards Peter then.

Peter gave her a look. "You think that I haven't been thinking of ways to get back?"

"Surely there's a way," Emma said.

"Oh, sorry, but I haven't been on many adventures back in time," Peter told rather sarcastic. "I don't know how to get back, if I did, I would have done it already."

Emma sighed and shook her head slightly like she was already done with Peter just as a whole. "We could find Rumplestiltskin."

Peter found himself raising his finger at Emma. He didn't want to see Rumplestiltskin, knowing that he would definitely slaughter him on sight. That and the fact that Peter had a feeling that if Rumple saw him that Rumple would try and kill him too or use him as bait for Jade. Either way Peter knew that him and Rumplestiltskin seeing each other would be the worst thing that could happen.

Though before Peter could say anything, the sound of hoofs hitting the ground caught their attention which was enough for them to know that someone was on their way and that there was a chance of getting caught.

"Black Knights," Hook said. He pushed both Emma and Peter out of sight which caused Peter to drag Baz with him. The four of them ended up hiding behind a tree while a few black knights on horseback raced passed.

Once the black knights rode past the four of them, they ended up following where they were going. By the looks of it, they made their way to a village and got the villagers in line for whoever was in the carriage. Though, the one thing which Peter or any of them could quite believe was the fact that it was Regina who came out of the carriage.

Regina—or The Evil Queen—walked into the village slowly. "Listen to me very carefully," she was saying slowly. "Whatever squalor and despair your pathetic little lives have been able to tolerate until this point is nothing compared to the pain and misery I can inflict if I leave here unhappy."

"That's Regina." Emma said.

"Not Regina, love." Hook corrected, "The Evil Queen."

Something within Peter boiled then. This was the version of Regina which took his Jade from him, the one that he wished that he could've killed for what she did to him. There was a part of him which wanted to just wanted to charge forward and fight against Regina for everything that she did, and it was killing him that he was just staying hidden via a bush. He tried to focus on Baz and the fact that Baz needed him right here rather than in a fight against someone who has guards.

"You will help me," Regina continued.

"She's even worse without the sensible pantsuits," Emma commented.

"Please, Your Majesty. We're a peaceful village." Geppetto told the Queen. What do you want from us?"

"That's Marco," Emma whispered.

"Will you shut up?" Peter hissed.

"Justice," The Evil Queen responded. "If I find out, anyone in this village has helped the bandits Snow White and Shadow they will suffer dearly." She was walking around the village as she spoke. "Here's what helping Snow White and Shadow looks like." She gestured to her guard which made one of them remove a sackcloth hood from a prisoner's head.

"Help me!" The prisoner begged as the villagers gasped. "She's gonna kill me."

"Who wants to be next?" The Evil Queen asked.

"Please." The prisoner begged.

The Evil Queen laughed at her pleas. Emma went to move then which was enough to guess that there was a chance that she was going to help. Hook stopped her after realising that there was a chance that Peter wasn't going to.

"Wait," Hook whispered. "What are you doing?"

"I'm helping that woman," Emma responded. "She's just an innocent—"

"No, Swan," Hook said. "When Belle figured out Zelena wanted to change the past she warned us it was dangerous. Messing with events could do untold damage to all of us."

"I'm supposed to let her rot or die?" Emma asked.

"Whatever her fate we can't interfere." Hook said as the black knights took the prisoner back to her cage. "Not, if we want a chance at getting back to the world we know."

"We need to find Rumple," Emma muttered. "The sooner we get out of here, the better."

"Aye. Agreed." Hook agreed.

Peter groaned at that. He really didn't want to see Rumplestiltskin, he'd rather die ten-times over than see Rumple.

Hook grabbed Emma once more when Emma was about to leave. "There's one thing we need to do first." He then looked towards Peter and Baz and nodded towards their clothes.

The four of them were behind the village, they were lucky enough to know that no one was going to interfere while they waited for Emma to get changed. Peter had magic-ed some clothes for himself and for Baz and Emma asked if he could do the same for her, but Peter argued against it saying that the only clothes that he knew of were Jade's and the last thing that he wanted was to look at Emma with Jade's clothes on.

It was a lie of course, but Peter just didn't want to waste his time and magic on someone like Emma. He knew that there was a chance that he would have to use magic for Emma and Hook but for simple things such as clothes he didn't want to waste his time much.

Both himself and Baz were in Lost Boy like clothing which was something that Baz suggested because he missed the clothes that he used to wear on Neverland. And Peter would admit that there was a part of him which missed wearing his outfit on Neverland, so this was the one thing which he found comfort in. That and the fact that he knew that there was a chance that if he were to run into Jade that she might notice their clothing enough to know that they aren't an enemy to her.

"Come on, Swan, let's get a look." Hook called out after a while. Emma came out with a struggle wearing a dark dress and a brown shawl over her shoulders. "Oh, well, that's much better."

"Is this really necessary?" Emma asked with gloves in her hand.

"Yes." Peter said. Hook spoke over him, saying: ""What would you have done if Regina had spotted you back there?"

"My guess?" Emma told. "Run."

"And even if we had, she'd seen you." Hook said. "She might remember you when you first arrive in Storybrooke."

"She's gonna remember a glimpse of a face 30 years from now?" Emma asked. To be fair, Peter just gave him a look, though he didn't bother to say anything.

"The point is to minimize you making a lasting impression. Sadly, red leather jackets don't come into vogue here. Ever." Hook stated.

Emma shifted uncomfortably. "Fine. The only lasting impression I'm concerned about right now, is what this corset is making on my spleen."

"Your discomfort is a cross I'm willing to bear." Hook told. "Nothing compared to what might happen if we affect the timeline which means proceeding with all caution," he went towards Emma then and pulled her hood up. "You're not from a world of magic. The three of us are. Even the smallest of changes could have catastrophic consequences. Things must happen as they always did."

The four of them then walked deeper into the forest and there was one thing which nagged in Peter's mind, one thing which he knew would be an obvious answer but was something that was making him a little worried. As much as he knew that if he ever ran into Jade while they were here, he wanted her to trust them purely by the fact that they—himself and Baz—wore clothes similar to the Lost Boys, there was a part of him which worried what Jade would do the minute that she comes face to face with the pair of them.

He knew the amount of pain that Jade went through when she was pulled away from him and he knew that if they saw each other—if Jade saw him like this, knowing that he would have to leave her once more was going to break him in a way. He didn't want to cause her more pain simply by being in a time period that he wasn't supposed to be in, he didn't want to know the amount of pain that he was going to put his Jade through simply by them crossing paths.

"If we run into Jade," Peter brought up after a while, "and she sees either myself or Baz. . ."

"We'll make sure that we don't run into her," Hook assured. "We'll hopefully be back in Storybrooke before you even have the chance to."

Peter hoped that they would be back in Storybrooke before they saw her, but he couldn't stop worrying about it. "I know, but it's best to prepare for anything that might happen. We might need to come up with something for when the time comes if we see Jade."

Emma sighed then form behind them. "Hook's right, if we stay out of the way, we won't have to worry about it."

Peter just shook his head and decided to drop it. There was no point in him trying to talk about it if they were going to dismiss it. Though, if they do run into Jade, he knew that he would have the last laugh against them all.

At some point the four of them found themselves by a road which they decided was the best way to get to Rumplestiltskin's place. They tried to have conversations, but they eventually died down after realising that none of them wanted to talk about whatever. The main focus was trying to get back to their timeline before anything bad happens.

Peter wasn't sure how long they were walking down this path, but eventually, they came across a tree in the road. At first, Peter thought nothing of it, though after about a few seconds, there was something inside of him which seemed to go off, like there was something that he needed to do. He wasn't sure how to describe it, but it was like that he needed to protect the rest, like something bad was about to happen.

The sound of a few horses neighing behind them caught their attention as did the faint noise of a man yelling for the horses to continue. The four of them turned and for a moment there was nothing, but they knew that it could be something.

"Could be the Queen again," Hook said. Hook pulled Emma to the side, though Peter and Baz were already heading towards the treeline where the four of them could hide behind a tree on the floor.

They all ducked just as white knights and a carriage pulled up in front of the cut down tree. Peter found himself wondering what the issue would be if they were to just talk—although he knew that there was a chance of screwing over the timeline, they could always just stitch it back together, right? He shook his head slightly, realising that he was being an idiot, that he needed to think reasonably. He knew that even by them being here it was a threat to the timeline that they knew off, that if the timeline didn't stay the same that there was a chance that Jade and him wouldn't be reunited.

And that was something that he couldn't have just as a whole. Though, even still, it was tempting to talk to Jade about himself, to tell her that he still loves her and is looking for a way for them to be reunited. He wanted to tell her everything that he knew that she needed to hear. He could do that, right? But, of course, that would lead into him having to try and figure out where she would be and leave him into going by himself. As much as he wanted to take Baz with him, he knew that the minute that Baz would see Jade he'd go to her.

They heard the way that one of the White Knights "whoa'ed" at the sight of the tree and a few seconds later one addressed a Lord of some kind. Peter sat there, looking in, wondering whether or not it was a good for them to still be here, but he pushed the thoughts aside as if he were being overdramatic.

"Worry not, it's but a fallen tree," Charming called out.

Emma's eyes lit up at the sight. "Is that—"

"—Your father," Hook finished. "We should go."

They watched as Charming went to investigate the tree though they didn't move from where they were, though the one thing that made Peter wonder a little was when Emma moved to look up. The one thing that he didn't expect to see was Snow in a tree, looking down at what was going on.

Though, Emma mistakenly broke a stick on the tree that they were hiding behind which was enough to grab Snow's attention. The sudden knowledge that there was someone else there was something that took Snow by surprise as a whole. It was sudden as Snow fell from the tree. That and the fact that when Charming yelled out "it's an ambush!" nothing happened.

"We need to get this log moved, now," Charming was saying with his sword out.

The guards in the road moved to a more defensive position which was enough for Snow to leave knowing that there was no way that she would end up getting what she wanted. Peter watched as Snow ran off and there was a part of him which wanted to follow after Snow knowing that there was a chance that Jade would be with her or that she would be meeting Jade at some point.

He shook his head, trying to rid his mind of these thoughts, he knew that there was a chance that he would just cause more danger than anything else if he decided to follow after Snow. That and the fact that he knew that Snow was trained by Jade which meant that Snow was at least good in a fight.

By the time that Peter turned his attention back to the road, he realised that the log was out of the way and that the White Knights and carriage made their way back to wherever they were originally meant to be going. Once the guards were gone along with the carriage, Peter, Hook, and Baz rose from where they were hiding and made their way into the road, watching as the carriage was pulled away.

"You know that thing about small changes having consequences?" Emma asked, after a moment. Both Peter and Hook made a noise of assurance, like they both knew what Emma was talking about. "What about big changes?"

"Well, what did we do?" Hook asked.

"That bandit was Snow White," Emma told, pointing where Snow originally was hiding. "This was the moment that my parents first met."

"And because of us, now they didn't." Hook ended. Though at that comment Peter couldn't help but stare at Emma, knowing that it was the sound of a branch snapping which cause it.

Jade and Snow were meeting at the docks like they agreed upon. Jade asked Snow to meet her there where they could finally run from The Enchanted Forest and get somewhere else, she entrusted that Snow would get some form of riches that would be enough for the pair of them to buy their safe passage.

However, the one thing which Jade didn't expect was when Snow came to her at the harbour with nothing to show other than a pouch of barely enough for the pair of them. Jade wanted to ask what happened but realised that she didn't care that much that and the fact that Jade managed to steal from merchants throughout the day without them realising.

Snow muttered to her a few words about what happened, how she almost had something royal but got distracted and realised that there were bystanders that might blow her cover, so she had to leave, though there was two boys there that made her think of the stories that Jade told her. It was something that caught her attention the most, but it was something that she shook off.

The pair of them walked into the harbour tavern, which was full of life, more life than she thought that it would have been. Though, Jade always remembered harbour taverns as a place where mothers would leave their children for pirates that were nothing.

She shook her head, realising that it was best that she stayed focus rather than letting her mind wonder, she needed to be here in the now with Snow more than anything. They needed to get away for many reasons and nothing should stand in their way.

"Black Beard." Jade muttered. Both of their hoods were up, Jade had her trusted musk covering her face which she was grateful in places like this, knowing that the likelihood that someone would interrupt them would be low.

The pair of them walked over to Black Beard now that he was free and sat down at his table. He watched them as they did so. Jade knew tales of Black Beard from both Hook and some other pirate that came to Neverland and almost killed her—she forgot his name.

"Well?" Black Beard asked after a moment.

"We need to get far away from here," Jade said.

"As soon as possible," Snow added. "And we need our destinations a secret." The pair of them gave him a pouch of jewels and coins—or more correctly, they just placed it on the table.

Black Beard took hold of both bags and weighed them in hand. "Then you're talking to the right captain." He looked back and forth between the pair of them. "However, turning a blind eye will cost double. Each."

Peter, Hook, Emma, and Baz made their way towards Rumplestiltskin's castle. Both Hook and Emma asked Peter on their travels whether or not he could just teleport them there, but Peter refused to, knowing that the last thing that he wanted to do waste his magic on was a trip to the one man that Peter wanted to murder more than anything. He was sure that if Baz wasn't with him that he would just kill Rumple and be done with everything and just hope for the best.

The four of them were on top of a hill which overlooked a valley and in front of them but at a distance, there stood the Dark One castle. As Peter looked towards the castle, he couldn't help but wonder as to why Rumple would live so far away from everyone, though at the same time, he realised that the last thing that Peter would want was for Rumple to interact with an entire village of people. He was sure that the minimal interactions that he had with people were traumatic enough for the person.

"Look ahead, Swan." Hook was saying. "The Dark One's castle."

"A little more imposing that then pawnshop," Emma commented. "So, what do we do now? Knock on the door and introduce ourselves? Hey, we're from the future?"

"Might be best if Peter and I stay back." Hook told. "The pair of us have a rather complicated past with the Dark One." The pair shared a small look with each other then. "I'd wager he want to kill us on sight."

"Oh, I'll take that bet," Rumplestiltskin's voice said from behind them. The sound of his voice alone made them all jump which made Rumple giggle in that annoying tone that always annoyed Peter. "I can't tell you how long I've been looking for this." He clapped his hands together though his palms never touched. "Oops, I suppose I just did!" He whipped his hand round and using his magic choked Hook, he used his other hand to chole Peter as well.

Both men groan in pain over the fact that they couldn't breathe. He heard the way that Baz said his name and tugged on his sleeve and as much as there was a strong urge to fight against Rumple restraining his air flow, there was a voice inside of him which wanted to just give into any form of peace. However, when he looked at Rumplestiltskin like this, there was an overwhelming urge to throw himself at him and show Rumple what his insides look like.

"Swan!" Hook strained.

"Peter," Baz whispered, desperately.

"Stop!" Emma ended up being flung away by Rumple quite quickly, though it was enough time that he dropped his hand on Hook. Hook went to check on Emma though was quickly cut off when Rumple decided to choke him once more with his magic.

"I don't know who you are, dearie, but why don't you run off and let me enjoy my killing in peace?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.

"They're not gonna hurt you!" Emma defended them as she neared Rumple. "You have to trust me."

"And why would I listen to you?" Rumple asked.

Baz shot forward. "Peter is a father!" Rumple shot him a look and stared down at the ten-year-old looking boy with an odd expression as if he were wondering what to do. "He and Jade had a. . ." Baz found himself trailing off as the expression on Rumple's face seemed to harden.

Rumple looked up at Peter with confusion and then he looked towards Emma as if he expected her to catch him up on something that he wasn't aware on. "Continue, dearie." He seemed to tighten his grip on Peter's throat which made him gasp more. "Don't waste my joy of killing either of them."

Baz found himself looking down, now not knowing what to say and there was an urge for Peter to reach out and tell Baz that he don't have to continue talking to Rumple if he didn't want to, but at the same time he knew that there was a chance that Rumple would kill him for not responding.

Emma seemed to notice the hesitation in Baz's expressions and decided to cut in. "If you don't stop, you'll never see your son again!"

That seemed to be like enough for Rumple to release both Hook and Peter from his hold. The pair of them fell to the floor and even if Peter was struggling for air he still tried to push himself up. Baz came running towards him and placed his hands on Peter as if to check if he was okay which Peter was though Peter found himself glaring at Rumple.

"What do you know of my son?" Rumplestiltskin asked lowly.

Peter wanted to tell Rumple the fact that he knew Baelfire and the fact that Peter kept him alive on Neverland for so long—even if he did shove Bae in a cave, but that's something that he wouldn't mention as a whole. Peter shook his head slightly and coughed before checking on Hook to make sure that he was okay which he was.

"His name is Baelfire," Emma said. "You're planning to enact a curse in hopes of reuniting with him."

"And who told you that?" Rumplestiltskin asked, his hand was up as if he intended to use his magic at some point to strangle Emma if there was an answer he didn't like. "What are you? Some kind of witch?"

The way that Rumplestiltskin talked made Peter want to bash his head in. It made him wonder how someone hadn't murdered him beforehand—hell, it made him wonder whether or not Rumple talked like this while they were children. He shook his head slightly, realising that he couldn't go around killing someone who could help them get back to their timeline.

Baz helped Peter onto his feet while Hook struggled to get up. Baz looked at him with this concerned and worried look which made Peter's heart sting. It made him realise that as much as he wasn't sure when it came to him being a parent that he still loved Baz like he was his own. He found that there was a part of him which flared up in worry when it came to Camilla and Finn and Devin back in Storybrooke, he wondered whether or not they were okay and if them being here was affecting them too.

There was a part of him which at the thought of Finn made him worry that with him being here somehow would mean that there was a chance that Finn was in trouble or something. He realised that the dread within him was turning to panic and that he needed to get back to Storybrooke for his son, for Camilla. He needed to get back for them more than anything, he didn't want to stay in this timeline anymore if it meant that there was a chance that something bad was happening in the timeline that they're from.

"No, I'm not a witch," Emma explained. "I'm the one who breaks the curse so that you can find him. I'm the product of true love."

Rumplestiltskin backed away slightly then, staring at Emma. "That's speculation. Part of my plans. But I haven't done it."

"You will, and you will succeed." Emma said.

"If that's true," Rumplestiltskin seemed as if he didn't want to say it, "then that means—"

Hook cut him off. "We're from the future, mate."

Irritated, Rumplestiltskin shot back. "But time travel hasn't been done, mate."

"Yeah, well. Someone's cracked that code." Peter spoke up before he could stop himself. He found himself glaring at Rumple, wondering if there was a chance that he could just figure it out himself. As much as he wanted to do this himself, he knew that he needed resources which he didn't have.

"We need your help," Emma cut in before Rumple could say anything.

"Help?" Rumplestiltskin asked and then giggled in the annoying way that he does. "You need my help?" He looked between Emma and Peter like he couldn't believe that Peter was here with them asking for help. He turned to Emma. "Then answer me one question: Do I find my son?" Emma hesitated which was enough for Rumple to catch on. "Answer me!"

"Yes."

"Bae." Peter took notice of the smile on Rumple's face as he spoke. It made Peter realise how much better of a father Jade deserves. It made Peter hate Rumple more than what he did. "I find Bae. How?" Emma went to answer but was cut off. "Don't tell me. If I succeeded, I don't want anything in my head that might throw it off."

"It might already kind of be thrown off." Emma warily said.

"You've changed things." Rumplestiltskin said, half annoyed. "What have you done?"

Emma looked up at Rumple then. "We interrupted my parents meeting."

Apparently, that was enough for Rumplestiltskin to believe them, which was something which surprised Peter more than anything, though he wasn't an idiot in missing the glare that Rumple gave him. There was a sense of dread which filled Peter the most more so when Baz held onto his arm. He knew that there was a chance that he might need to plan out a way to protect themselves from Rumplestiltskin as a whole.

The five entered Rumplestiltskin's castle, and all Peter wanted to do was see if there was anything inside which might help Jade in some way. He knew that there was a chance that there was nothing, but it made him wonder whether or not he could steal something of worth and give it to her. He knew that by being inside Rumple's castle, there was a chance that he could find some form of portal in order to get Jade back to Neverland.

As much as he knows that they needed to get everything on the right track, there was still a large part of him which knew that the best thing for Jade as a whole would to get Jade back to Neverland. That's the least that he could do right? He shook his head slightly, realising that if there was a portal here, then Rumple would have already used it to get to Baelfire.

"Thank you, Mr. Gol—" Emma began though stopped herself. "Rumplestiltskin," she corrected, "for believing us. I know that time travel is hard to swallow."

"Not as hard as the other mysteries you've presented me." Rumplestiltskin said. He then pointed towards both Hook and Peter. "Why haven't I killed them?"

Peter took a step forward. "You tried to kill me but instead it ended with your life being lost instead."

Emma gave him a sharp look just as Rumple made a noise from the back of his throat. Peter couldn't help but glare at him, he hated Rumple more than anything and just staring at him made Peter wish that he had the dagger on him just so that he could get rid of Rumple once and for all. He knew that life would be so much simpler if Rumple was out of the picture as a whole.

Hook cleared his throat then, stepping in front of Peter and Baz which didn't help Peter's rage. "If it makes you feel any better, it wasn't for lack of efforts. Let's just say we bury the hatchet."

Rumplestiltskin looked between Peter and Hook. "Yes, but why not in your skull?"

Peter was about to open his mouth to say something, though before he could, he heard the sound of Belle walking in. "Oh, Rumplestiltskin. You're back. Do you, uh, do you need anything?"#

Emma turned around and gave Belle a surprised look. "Belle."

Belle looked at Emma confused on who she was. "Sorry, do. . .do we know each other?"

"Oh! Sorry, no. Mr. um- Rumple, the Dark One told me about you." Emma lied.

Peter found himself rolling his eyes at the lie.

"Did he?"

"No." Rumplestiltskin answered and looked between Emma and Belle. After a moment he made a dismissive gesture. "Go away and read a book or whatever it is you like to do. Come back and clean later." Rumple turned away then.

"You could ask nicely," Belle told.

"I could also turn you into a toad." Rumplestiltskin argued.

"It's a miracle you two fall for each other." Emma muttered under her breath just as Belle left.

Rumplestiltskin laughed at that. "What?" He gave Emma an odd look. "I mean, first you tell me I let the pirate live. And then tell me that I once tried to kill the boy and failed. Now you're telling me I fall for the help."

Peter was so ready to end his life. If there was any God listening, he prayed that life would give him the opportunity to kill him. He wasn't sure if he could survive any more time with Rumplestiltskin.

"Yes. She has a strange sense of humour." Hook interrupted before anyone else could say anything. "But let's get back to her parents."

"Yes," Rumple agreed, leaning back a little. "Who are they?"

"Snow White and Prince Charming." Emma responded.

Rumplestiltskin made his way over to the chair at the head of the table "Prince Charming?" He sat.

"His real name is Prince James." Emma informed.

Rumplestiltskin looked as if he recognised the name. "King George's son, whose wedding I've just arranged?"

"See, that's what I'm trying to tell you." Emma tried to defend. "This marriage isn't supposed to happen because the ring he was going to give her gets stolen by Snow."

Peter knew how much none of this makes sense, hell he knew that if they fell into Neverland that the version of himself there wouldn't understand any of it. Though the one thing that he knew was the fact that if it came to it, his past self would believe anything if it came to Jade but even then he knew that his past self—including the Lost boy—wouldn't believe anything even if it come from himself.

"It's quite a tale you're spinning." Rumplestiltskin said.

"Here, let me show you." Emma told, she then moved towards Hook. "It's in the book." She retrieved Henry's story book from Hook's bag and placed it near Rumple to show him only when she open the book, the pages were blank. "Wait. What?"

Peter found himself now hating the world and everything in it. All he wanted was to go back to their timeline rather than deal with whatever they were bound to now deal with. He realised that going to that warehouse was a mistake for himself, and for whatever outcome that may come if he runs into his Jade. He didn't even want to know what would happen if he were to run into her. He didn't even want to think about it just in case it somehow brought it into the world.

"It's all gone." Hook said. "Anything that was supposed to happen after they met has disappeared."

"The ripple effect." Rumplestiltskin said, rolling his 'r's. "Once you change something in the past, anything from that point forward becomes uncertain. The future, as you can see, is a blank page."

"We need to get Snow to steal that ring, so we can put their story back on track." Emma said.

"You're in luck," Rumple told, "there's a ball tonight at King Midas' castle. Prince James will be there and so will his ring."

Peter wanted to bang his head against the wall. Repeatedly, he didn't like the idea of going to a ball, nor the fact that there was a chance that other people might want to dance with him or whatever. He didn't like the fact that his first ball was going to be without Jade, he knew that if he ever wanted to go to one, he would at least go to one with Jade in hopes that it would be a memory that he shared with her.

"So, we just need to get Snow there." Emma said.

"And Jade," Peter added without meaning to. God, he knew that she was on his mind, but to know that he spoke without meaning to was something that he didn't want.

Hook looked between Emma and Peter then though his gaze lingered towards Peter for a moment. "How? We don't even know where they are."

"Allow me." Rumple said after clearing his throat. He—along with the others—walked towards a crystal ball. He waved his hand over the ball, and it was then that the crystal ball showed that both Jade and Snow White were sitting opposite of Black Beard.

"There they are." Emma said.

Peter found himself tensing up at the sight of Jade, he knew that he couldn't see her face, but there was just something about seeing her figure underneath that Cape which made him tense all over. he knew that there was a chance he was being dramatic, but he didn't really care although it's going through his brain was the fact that it was Jade.

Not only that, but he knew that there was a chance that they would have to try and talk to the pair of them which was something that he wasn't prepared for as a whole. He didn't know how she would respond if she saw him and that was something that was playing over and over in his mind which also caused him to worry a lot more than what he should. He tried to shake the thoughts off but he knew that he couldn't, because he knew that in this timeline there was a version of himself which along to see this time lines version of her and the fact that he—the present day version of himself—was going to get the chance for something that he didn't like.

Peter wanted to find a way to get her back to Neverland, but you know that was impossible considering how many years the power of them tried to get back to each other. Not only that, but it felt like that he was cheating in some way that although the past version of himself wanted her he was the one that was going to get it.

"They're with Black Beard." Hook told. "They're trying to secure passage on his ship."

In the crystal ball, it looks as if the pair of them were considering Black Beard's offer before he then left. There was a part of him that wanted to go through the crystal ball—although he knew that she wouldn't be able to hear—to ask if she could just turn around so that he could look at her once more. He knew that there was a chance he was being pathetic, but he really didn't care because it was his Jade.

"And, it appears, failing," Rumplestiltskin added as if any of them cared for his input. At least Peter didn't care that much.

"They can't escape the Queen without the money she's supposed to get from the ring." Emma told. There was a part of Peter that moment which wondered where they would go, and if they were going to new land which might have meant that there was a chance Jade could find at least something to get back to Neverland. "Can you help us?"

"Help you?" Rumple shot back. "I can work on getting your portal to the future open again, but getting your parents together? You made that mess, dearie. Only you know what you did. Now go undo it."

Rumple walked away then and there was a sense of relief that went through Peter at the fact that he didn't have to look at his father in law's face anymore. Though, there was a part of Peter that wondered as to why Rumplestiltskin looked more like a reptile that anything else, it made him want to laugh even if it was just a little.

"If they're looking for passage out of town, I might know a ship's captain who can help us." Hook said.

"Who?"

"Me."

"Oh god."

↬↬↬

I promised myself that I wouldn't split this chapter/episode up again, but clearly I lied to myself. The rest of the chapter for the episode should be out soon—and by soon I hope in the next few days because fuck me I've been on this episode for at least a month now goddamn.