Magic is unholy.

Sorry didn’t bring his son back. Sorry didn’t change a thing. Regardless of what was said here, she was going to die. He had made up his mind the moment that Regina and Emma had stopped Storybrooke from imploding on itself. He was alive, and he would get revenge. It just so happened that revenge went so comfortably in hand with saving Henry. 

He wasn’t going to make it out of Neverland alive, he was certain of that, but he would die knowing three things; Belle was herself and their love was beauty itself, Bae would have his death avenged and he would have his revenge, and Henry would be safe.

All things considered, there was a certain peace that he felt at knowing what was inevitable. 

“Because you’re a fool that fell for the lies of a madman… right? Or is it going to be something deeper, like you ‘found a meaning to your miserable little life’,” he drawled, taunting her as he gave her heart a small - but painful for her - squeeze.

“No, I--” From the feeling of his hand squeezing her heart, she gasped from the pain that coursed through her. Perhaps begging to live was a lost cause, but what else did she have now after losing Greg? “No, that’s-- that’s not it. That’s not it at all. Magic somehow came into the real world years ago. It took my mom from me and then eventually my dad went crazy and left as a result. I vowed to never let anyone get hurt from it again, then I meet Greg and he told me his experiences... We set out to destroy magic and not once did we ask questions.” Tears fell down her face once more as she remained on her hands and knees begging to live. “Please. Give me a second chance. Pan’s Lost Boys or whoever they are killed the person I loved. I no longer want any part of this. I want to change and make up for what I’ve done. Pan is behind all of this and I can help you get Henry back.”

No, anon. Not until now. Henry is a smart kid. Greg and I should have asked before we agreed to do anything. Greg is dead as a result of our carelessness, and I’m stuck in Neverland with an arrow in my shoulder. I hope Henry is okay and that he found a safe place to hide.

I believe in the cause Greg and I are fighting for. Why ask questions when we’re getting results? It would be best if you didn’t ask questions either.

How could he not? You were great with him. I’m just getting to know him too, so it’s a bit of a learning experience for both of us.

I’ve been told I’m not good with kids... even though I love them. I have a soft spot for them. I hope he liked me. If I’m going to be marrying his dad, well, I just want him to know I’ll care about him and don’t want to replace the mother of your child.

What things? Mary Margaret and Cora? I don’t know who or what you’re talking about, anon. Sorry.

I have a few dresses in mind for the big day, but I don’t want to spoil anything for Neal. Someone could easily tell Neal what I have in mind and ruin everything.

Despite the strange behavior going on around town, and whatever feelings for Emma he felt rushing forward upon entering, Neal needed to see Tamara. Maybe to convince himself it was nostalgia or something like that. To find any sort of explanation that didn’t prove he was falling for the blonde all over again or to be more precise, still in love with her.

Neal decided not to come to Storybrooke after receiving the postcard August sent. He could have easily turned away from the life he was building and maybe would’ve if not for Tamara. They were getting married and in truth, he wanted to spend his life with her. The was no questioning his choices, New York was his home and so was she. Yes, matters were more complicated now, with Emma, Henry and his father to consider, but they just needed to talk and reach level ground.

“What do you mean you want nothing to do with me?” Confusion set in immediacy, Tamara’s overall personality seeming to shift. “I know I’ve asked a lot of you to lately, but we can work through this.” Neal came over, taking her hand in his. “If I did something to get you mad, I’m sorry. As soon as everything settles down, we can go back home if that’s what you want.”

Tamara scoffed as she watched him take hold of her hand. “How stupid are you? Really?” She laughed, pulling her hand back from his grip, and pacing the room as she shook her head in amusement. “Do you really think what we’ve had this past year was real? It wasn’t. I don’t love you.” While it was strange for Tamara to be so open with Neal, she didn’t question it for she knew it had to be due to a curse. She hated magic, acted like it didn’t exist in this world, and knowing that a curse was probably behind her being so honest? Tamara hit the mother-load of magic and once she found Greg in town, the two would have an easy way of wiping it off the map. “I never did love you. You can’t be dumb enough to think I did? I’m not a fool, Neal. I can see you never got over your blonde girl in town. Emma’s her name, right? The Savior? I’d hate to be you right now.”

When she grew up and learned that magic was the culprit, and meeting a man who possibly lost his father from similar circumstances, Tamara knew they were destined to work together. A quest to rid this world of magic seemed like a great idea, which lead them to finding the Home Office and come up with a plan, along with falling in love shortly after. Tamara faked her engagement with Neal and longed for the day she could finally end things and pursue what her heart really desired the most.

“You again?” Tamara was sitting in their room in Granny’s Bed and Breakfast when she saw Neal walk in. Her attitude definitely changed from someone who loved another to that of someone who loathed them. “I can’t believe how foolish you’re being and not realizing that I want nothing to do with you.”

“The vague text messages, yeah Emma’s partly the reason for that,” Neal explained with an apologetic look coming to his features. The last thing he wanted to do was keep anything from Tamara, besides the obvious fact that he wasn’t from this world. But that wasn’t a conversation for now, maybe not ever. “We haven’t seen each other in eleven years, which is why you never met. Emma’s – we were dating back then.” He glanced at her before speaking again. “The whole things kind of a long story.”

“I see.” Tamara forced a smile as she glanced in Emma’s direction briefly. “Eleven years? That’s a long time. I can see why it would be a long story.” Acting concerned that her "fiancé“ was spending time with another woman came easy to Tamara, especially since this was the plan from the start for not just herself, but for the true love of her life to get justice for his father. It wasn’t her problem if Neal was blinded by love to not see past her facade. “Well, I’m happy to provide you with the car since you said it was an emergency, but you should have told me the truth, sweetie. Do you have to go right this second? We could sit down over a drink and you can tell me anything else you haven’t told me.”

“Emma.”

“Are you going to tell me who your friend is?” Tamara asked, still holding onto Neal’s hand and pretending not to notice Emma’s pained expression after Neal’s response. “I’ve never met her before.” With all the research she’s done about Neal to plan this whole ruse, Tamara knew it would be only a matter of time before she met Neal’s old flame. She just didn’t know his old flame would be Emma. The blonde forced a smile and excused herself to let the two talk. “Is Emma the reason why you were being so vague in your text messages earlier?” Tamara asked, looking at her fiancé.

Fiancé 5:45 PM: Sorry I didn’t mean to miss lunch 

Fiancé 5:50 PM: I can explain better in person later

Fiancé 6:15 PM: It’s been a weird day, that’s all

Fiancé 6:17 PM: Complicated would probably be a better word to use. I don’t mean to be so cryptic about the whole thing

Fiancé 6:20 PM: I guess I also missed the wedding planning too. Also sorry

Fiancé 💍 6:30 PM: I don’t see how letting me know you can’t make it today and what’s going on complicated.

Fiancé 💍 6:32 PM: Especially when I was waiting for you and you never showed.