3rd Person's POV

storybrooke

" Trust me, if anyone knows what it's like to be pregnant behind bars, it's Emma", Scarlett says as she appears in Zelena's cell, " But, sadly, she's not here.

" The Dark One. To what do I owe this honor?", Zelena asks.

" Just wanted to have a little chat".

" Afraid I'm not in the mood".

Scarlett transports them out of the cell and to her house. She sets two bags from Granny's down at the table, and pulls out a plate of onion rings.

" I suppose I could be willing to listen. So, tell me... what kind of trouble do you want to get into?", Zelena asks as she takes the onion rings and sits down.

" Eat up. Dark Ones don't judge", Scarlett says.

" Despite these greasy treats, I know this isn't a social call. What do you want?".

" Direct-- I like that. Take a look at this".

" The Apprentice's Wand".

" You're the only one around who has wielded Merlin's magic and lived to tell about it".

" Awe, it's nice to be appreciated".

" If all goes according to plan, I'll need your help".

"{gasps} How exciting. I can't wait to hear what you're offering me in return".

" Your freedom... and my protection against my mother and anyone else who wants to hurt you".

" So the Dark One's here to make a deal? You really are just like your father, Scar. See, believe it or not, that patient with a mop loves to talk, and I hear that Emma has been very naughty, tearing out that girl's heart to break her son's. Now, something tells me she didn't do that with her own will".

" You think you're allowed to judge after everything you've done?".

" But as someone who's been on the receiving end of a mother's betrayal, I know that those feelings of hurt don't go away. They fester. So, tell Emma I say have fun with a lifetime of resentment".

" He'll forgive her. He just needs time".

" Even with all the time in the world, some things can't be forgiven".

" I don't believe that".

" I killed Neal. Ready to kiss and make up?".

" Do we have a deal or not?".

" I've got my own family problems. I don't need Emma's. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf. And with a little own on the way, I wouldn't want to involve myself with someone that might be a bad influence. Which is a little funny... because you have two on the way".

" I'm trying to do what's best for my children, believe it or not, Zelena".

" If that's all, I'd like to go back to my cell".

" You will need an ally in this town-- maybe not now, but soon. You'll be back to take my deal".

" I don't think so, Scarlett. You see, the difference between you and me is... I don't mind being alone. You may think that just because you and Emma are both Dark Ones that you're not, but really... you are all alone Scarlett Hope Jones".

Scarlett transports Zelena back to her cell, fed up with her words... no matter how true they may be.

----

" What-- where are we going?", Belle asks as Gold drives them towards the town line.

" The only place we'll be safe from Emma and her quivered friend", He responds.

" You're taking us out of Storybrooke".

" This is anti-transformation powder. This will keep us safe from any ill effects from crossing the town line".

" No, no, we can't leave, not while there are still people we care about in this town".

" Belle, I used to be the Dark One. I know Scarlett and Emma better than they know themselves. They will keep coming till they get what they want".

" Well, we'll stop them together".

" Didn't you see what happened back there? I couldn't even protect you from Merida".

" Rumple, stop the car".

" What?".

" Now!".

But when he doesn't, Belle tries to jump out of the car, to which he instantly stops.

" Belle! Belle, what are you doing? Come back in the car", Gold says as he walks after her.

" No", Belle says.

" Please".

" No. You know, running never made anyone a hero, okay?".

" Well, don't you get it? I'm not a hero".

" Well, you've been brave before".

" When? During the First Ogres War? Let me tell you the truth about that day. I didn't cripple myself to get back to my son. I did it because I was scared. I joined the army to prove I wasn't a coward. But when I saw the wounded coming back from the front lines... I didn't want to die. I'm a coward. And that's never gonna change. Please come back in the car, eh? This is the only way I know how to protect you. Come on, come on".

" Protect yourself, you mean. You're coward enough to run away from your daughter when she needs you most", Belle says, her mind set, then turns around and walks away from him.

----

" He bested me. Fair and square", Merida says as she brings Gold down to the cellar.

" I was getting worried. For a moment, I thought I was going to have to drag you down here for myself", Emma says.

" No. A hero never runs away from his problems. Now... as a former Dark One, I know you won't stop wreaking havoc till I pull that sword from that stone", Gold says.

" Good. We understand each other".

" And I also know that you won't be able to resist making a deal. So, how about I pull Excalibur in exchange for Merdia's heart?".

" And my brothers-- I want to know what happened to them", Merida says.

" We have a deal", Scarlett says as she appears next to Emma, then shoves Merida's heart back in her body, " Hello, papa".

" And her brothers?", Gold asks.

" They're fine, safe and sound by her mother's side. Now get on with it!", Scarlett exclaims.

" Wait! What happens if he can't pull it from the stone?", Belle asks.

" He can do it... I know he can", Scarlett says as she steps closer to her father.

" Scarlett... please... you don't have to do this".

" The one thing my father and I have in common is that we will do anything for our children. I'm doing what's best for mine... but in order for that, you need to do what's best for yours... papa", Scarlett says to her father.

Gold places his hand on the grip of the sword, and slowly but surely removes it from the stone.

" Well, well. A deal's a deal", Gold says as he hands the sword to his daughter, " Now, you may have Excalibur, but you've made one mistake in all of this-- one terrible mistake. You've turned me into a hero".

"There are heroes all over this town, and none of them have been able to stop us yet", Emma says.

" Well, that's because none of them... are me".