#castle 7x22

[bunysliper]

Hey! I’m the anon who asked you about the scene. It’s from 7x22, when Danny Valentine flirts with Kate and she flirts back a bit. I think she does it because she's excited and Kate tends to act a little different when she's in fangirl mode, but I'm not comfortable with that interaction. I know it comes from my own insecurities if a situation like that occurred, cause from my baggage I would think that my partner would leave me for that crush... Silly? Yes, but I can't help it. So I would like to know your point of view.

Hi Anon, so in keeping with the trend, apologies for how long it's taken me to answer you.

I don't want to be insensitive to you with this answer, since you have said you're bothered, and it is absolutely valid to not love the scene for any reason, of course, but I don't think we can always apply our own personal comfort levels for situations to the characters. After all, for some, the entire premise of the show is something they would not personally want to experience, but they can put that aside to enjoy the story we're being told.

Personally, I don't have a problem with the scene. It's a little bit of hero-worship/fangirl (similar to when she met 'Captain Max' in the Final Frontier), which is a totally normal thing in general, but also an established reaction for Beckett, so nothing out of the ordinary or indicative of any desire she has to look elsewhere. I would also throw out an idea for another aspect of what we see in the scene: Beckett playing a part to get information from the guy who's flirting with her by returning the flirtation. We've seen her do that before as well - think Last Call, for one. She knows how to work a person for information, and sometimes, that involves a little bit of femininity and flirting.

Another thing you can do is look at the situation from the characters' point of view. How are they reacting? Beckett is flattered and a little flustered. Castle seems surprised that it's happening but not upset at her. He gives ol' Danny a nudge to the chest when he gets closer than necessary and kind of side-eyes Beckett as they're walking out. And part of his reaction with the side-eye could come from the fact that Beckett teased him about his long-time schoolboy crush on Kat Kingsley and the gaga eyes he was making at her not that long ago (in Last Action Hero), and/or about the fact that she was unimpressed when strippers flirted with him (in Bad Santa), but is a bit flippant this time. Or he could be reacting to the fact that she entertained the flirting at all, when Beckett used to be literally all business all the time and only "flirted" as long as was necessary to get the information she wanted.

Either way, his reaction doesn't seem like he's especially upset with Beckett or concerned about it having lasting effects on their relationship. Maybe he's a little miffed, but even saying that, with the exception of one line later in the episode when they think Valentine is involved (the moment when Castle says, "Oh ho ho. I knew it. That smug, no talent playboy is up to his neck in this." which is classic Castle when he feels like they've found their killer and it just happens to maybe be someone who dissed him), it's mostly forgotten after that moment. There doesn't seem like there's any discontent between them; from what we see, they are good. Which is what matters, right?

Anyway, this is long and like a million years late, but I hope this maybe helped a little bit!

[katherinehoughtoncastle47]

KATE BECKETT

7.22 - DEAD FROM NEW YORK

[renegadesstuff]

“Be honest, when you vowed 'for better or for worse', you really had no idea what you.were agreeing to, did you?” 🤭

S7E22, “Dead From New York” aired 9 years ago (May 4, 2015) ❤️

[nikki-rook]

Castle being jealous in 7x22

[katebeckett]

favorite caskett scenes → 52/? ♪ I really, really, really, really, really, really like you And I want you, do you want me, do you want me too? I really, really, really, really, really, really like you And I want you, do you want me, do you want me too? ♪

happy birthday, @nameisariel ♥︎

[dailycaskett]

and i want you, do you want me, do you want me, too?

to the extraordinary @katecastle and all my friends at the #castlegc

[bronx-bomber87]

Just as adorable.

I Know We Talk A Lot About Jealous!Beckett....BUT Jealous!Castle is Just As Priceless

[kate--beckett]

We can stay at a hotel.

[3cops-and-a-writer]

Please don’t let some idiot with a cell phone take that away from you.

[kathrynmhahn]

This, believe it or not, is her little ritual for getting into character. Okay, so this is...normal?

CASTLE 7x22

[lorelaigilmo]

I was tagged by @reputayswift! thanks for this ily 🌈

rules: pick 5 shows, then answer the following questions. don’t cheat. tag 10 (or however many) people.

gilmore girls

castle

house md

zoey’s extraordinary playlist

the bold type

what’s your favourite character from 1? lorelai gilmore. who would’ve guessed???

who’s your least favourite character in 2? vikrum from s08. just... no.

what’s your favourite episode of 4? 1x03. which had lauren graham singing satisfaction. so I mean you really can’t argue with that.

what is your favourite season of 5? of wow I literally binged the whole thing in like 3 days I have no idea what happened in what season! I just went back to look at episode summaries and stuff and I’ll say season 1.

what’s your favourite couple of 3? house x cuddy. with cameron x chase as runner up.

what’s your favourite couple in 2? castle and beckett!!!

what’s your favourite episode in 1? hmm there’s 1x08 love and war and snow, 4x21 last week fights this week tights + 4x22 raincoats and recepies if you exclude any rory and dean scenes this should count as one ep, 5x03 written in the stars with luke and lorelai’s first official date, and lastly 7x22 bon voyage. no I can’t be any more specific.

what’s your favourite episode in 5? I don’t think I really have a favorite ep because I only watched it once in a crazy binge exactly 1 week ago, but I’ll go with 1x10 carry the weight, because I think they handled that difficult subject really well

what’s your favourite season in 2? ahhhh this is really hard but probably season 4!

how long have you been watching 1? since about august of 2019! which is crazy it feels like home you know

how did you get into 3? umm it was on tv and my brother was watching it so that how I knew of it, but I started watching after a few friends told me they really loved it so I was like ah well then I must watch it all

favourite actor in 4? lauren graham! I’m biased towards her, but also jane levy gives an excellent performance!

which do you prefer? 1, 2 or 5? ahhh this is terrible! both castle and gilmore girls are like my home shows, with characters that inspire me and make me laugh and cry and UGH!!! I guess I’ll go with castle because it’s been with me longer and also it has less episodes that make me wanna die (entire season 6 of gilmore girls, I’m looking at you)

which show have you seen more of, 1 or 3? as I said I only watch tbt once, and I think I only watch house all the way through once, with very little specific episode rewatches, so I’ll say gilmore girls because I’ve been rewatching an episode at least once a week for months now. yes I know I’m crazy what of it??

if you could be anyone from 4, who would you be? umm I guess zoey. she’s got a pretty cool superpower and I mean have you SEEN the men that are into her???

would a crossover of 3 and 4 work? asdffgjkhdjkgh house trying to diagnose what is causing zoey to see songs and being very frustrated not being able to prove she’s hallucinating I would pay good money to see that

pair two characters in 1 who would make an unlikely but strangely okay couple? I mean I really can’t top taylor’s answer (rory + getting her life together??? I died) but I’ll say... rory and paris??? that would be... interesting...

overall, which show has the better storyline, 3 or 5? house md! they had some pretty brilliant things going there, although I am strongly ignoring season 8.

which has better theme music, 2 or 4? I don’t think zep really has theme music?? but it’s a musical show and all of the songs are good?? but also castle’s theme music is great?? idk how to handle this

I tag @superhero-bastards​, @acaptainandhisrunaway​, @lorelaigilmoure​ + anyone else who sees this! (feel free to ignore)

[renegadesstuff]

Castle x Beckett 🤍💫

[intothewickedwood]

Once Upon A Time Re-watch: 1x01 Pilot

So, I decided to do a Once Upon A Time re-watch! I haven’t watched a lot of the episodes in a while (I’ve just finished watching season 7 for the third time because I freaking love it!) so I thought I’d write down some of my thoughts as I watch coz, hey, why not? I’ve started making gifs for it over on my other account wicked-storybrooke.tumblr.com and I may make some here too.

I get so excited about season one. It’s my favourite season. It’s just so goddamn magical! I can’t put into words just what it is that makes it so wonderful to me.

The opening scene with Charming riding in on the horse and snowing being perfect. Iconic. Gives me chills every time

The Evil Queen scared me so much in this season. She’s so formidable. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I would just run and hide if I ever crossed her.  

I wish we could have seen more of their wedding but I love how The Evil Queen interrupts it

Henry is so freaking cute!!

I really wanna know what it says on Emma’s apartment door

Girl, if I were you Emma, I’d have gotten a bigger cake for myself xD

Her wish came true!

Holy cow. Henry’s brave to be travelling so far on his own like that

I can’t imagine what must have been going through Emma’s head when he revealed his identity.

Emma’s nursery is so pretty! I love the flooring!

Henry introducing the book to Emma! I remember at this point when I first watched it, I wasn’t sure if the fairytales were in fact just stories in Henry’s book. I thought the curse was in Henry’s imagination.

Rumple used to scare the bejezus out of me!! I legit had to close my eyes when he was on screen for the first few episodes. He’s so creepy! Help!

‘Welcome to Storybrooke’ Datz right I’m back bitches! I left in 7x22 and now I’m coming right back! Bet you thought you’d seen the last of me ;P

Archie! I adore him! Emma seems mildly creeped out by him for some reason?

The beginning of Emma and Regina’s rivalry! I live for it! And my boy Graham! Gremma has been slowly becoming my otp for Emma lately

The wolf. They never did explain why wolves kept popping out in front of Emma’s car at just the right time.

The book opens to Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of oz. That’s pretty interesting! Because Emma sort of does go through her own wonderland adventure in choosing to stay in the peculiar town of Storybrooke. I still wonder if anything that happens past the initial car crash is real. My mum and I have some wild conspiracy theories about this show.

Snowing breaking my heart. “What’s 28 years when you have eternal love.” Charming’s so full of hope and is always there to support snow when her faith wavers.

Who’syourmama.org omg xD

Mary Margaret!! My Girl!! I freaking love her with my whole soul!!!!

That look of recognition she gives Emma :’)! That’s your mama Emma!  

I love everything about their first meeting “What do you think stories are for? These stories are classics. There's a reason we all know them. They're a way for us to deal with our world. A world that doesn't always make sense.” “Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing.” I love these quotes!

Snow and David having to put Emma through the wardrobe is so heartbreaking.

One of my favourite scenes of all time; David sword fighting with baby Emma in one arm. So cool! I like to watch everyone’s sword fighting styles and I have to say, David’s is my favourite.

Who stabbed my boy! NOOOOOOOO!! That smile when he see’s Emma made it through though <3

I want a castle like Henry’s goddamn it!  

Noo! Everyone’s sad! Aww. Henry reaching for Emma to hold his hand when they leave the castle <3

Snowing are hurting my heart again! Poor Snow. She believes so fiercely that true loves kiss will awaken him and unfortunately its almost too late. She loves him so much. Help!

Regina why you gotta be like this girl?? Mum, she’s frightening me again! But I do love how evil she can be (I’m one of those people who loves villains for how evil they are, even when they hurt my babies, not that I approve of their actions in real life. Why am I like this?)

“Where are we going.” “Somewhere horrible.” I really like Storybrooke. I wonder if Regina expected them to end up somewhere a lot worse or if it’s the curse that makes it horrible.

Ooooh things are heating up between Emma and Regina. It’s so fun to watch!

Emma’s face when she asks Regina if she loves him. She’s become so attached already.

Ruby and Granny arguing haha!

Granny looks so excited for Emma to stay. I love the look of Granny’s here.

Mr. Gold remembers!

Henry watching as the clock ticks. Chills!!

[mareyshelley]

2019 TEAs - autumnstar

I only started writing Rumbelle last year, so I don't have an awful lot to nominate, but these are my suggestions for categories for each if you're thinking of nominating any of them! ❤️

Echoing Hearts - Best Wish!Rumple and Best Rumbelle Fic I wanted to give Wish!Rumple a Belle and that’s what I’ve done. After he "died" in 7x22, he ended up in a new realm where he was reunited with Belle. Well, a version of her.

The Image of Her - Best Historical AU and Best Unexpected Twist This was my Halloween/Gothic Horror/Edwardian!Rumbelle fic for October. It was a lot of things, and Belle had no idea what was going on for most of it.

What the Heart Wants - Best Woven Beauty and Best Detective Weaver This fic is still ongoing, but I'd like to suggest it anyway. It's a Season 7 AU, where Belle and baby Gideon were included in the curse. Sort of.

The Sounding Sea - Best Creature AU and Best AU Belle It's almost like Skin Deep but if Belle was a mermaid. She's non-verbal in this, and her and Rumple gradually fall for one another as they try to find ways to communicate.

Mirrored Memories - Best Dark Castle This is a Season 1 AU, split between present day Storybrooke and flashbacks to their time in the Dark Castle.

[emmas-storybook]

Once GTKY tag game:

Tagged by: @mr-and-mrs-killian-jones (thank you for the tag!)

When did you start watching Once, and do you remember why?

I believe I started watching Once in 2015...I was traveling and got bored in the car so I started watching the first season of Once on Netflix! I guess you could say I was...”hooked”                                             

Musical episode: Yay or nay?

Definitely, absolutely YAY, because CS got married AND we got to hear Colin sing. A win-win if you ask me. 

What made watching Once worthwhile?

Seeing a plot twist to the classic fairy tales we know, and having a real-life aspect to them.

First + Current Main Ships?

Before Hook came along, my first ship was Snowing. Emma-wise, I first shipped her with Graham. But as soon as Hook came along, i was a goner for CS. 

First + Current Favorite character?

My first favorite character was Emma, I love that she is such an independent badass that takes nothing from anyone, and knows what she deserves. I’d say she’s still my current favorite character.

Favorite arc (Why?)

I’d have to agree with @mr-and-mrs-killian-jones, my favorite arc is Neverland. I feel like that’s when we first really saw Emma’s motherly instincts for Henry come out, and we started to see a relationship forming between Killian and Emma.

Favorite plot twist?

My favorite plot twist had to be finding out that Ruby/Red was the wolf, not Peter.

Hardest Death to Watch

Killian’s death in 5x11, or Ingrid’s death.

This character should have gotten more time?

Graham        

Favorite Once specific trope (think memory wipe, family trees, glowing walkey-talkey hearts, head achey timelines…)

Does pancakes time count?

Three quotes that mean a lot to you?

There’s a lot of great quotes in OUAT! My top three would have to be...

“If it can be broken, it means it still works”

“I will find you, I will always find you.” 

Anddd Emma’s speech to Ashley in season 1 (I couldn’t find the whole quote)

How do you summarize the show to your friends? (max. 3 sentences):

Fairytale characters that live in our world, while also facing real-world and fantasy obstacles. And y’know, captain swan.

Favorite platonic ship?

��100% Captain Charming

Favorite dish from Granny’s?

Grilled Cheese? or pancakes, if she serves them LOL.

Favorite funny scene?

Henry and Hook’s rescue of Emma, where Henry references Star Wars 

OR

Past Hook being drunk and calling the Jolly Roger the Rolly Joger 

What part of the newly merged realms would you like to live in?

Storybrooke or Snow and Charming’s castle.

A question for the people I tag. Do you have a new fandom you’re addicted to now that ouat no longer airs?

Nope

And my question for the people I tag. What is the best thing about season 7x02 and 7x22?

Getting to see Hope Swan-Jones (impossibly cute)

Sorry if you been tagged already.

Tagging: @laschatzi @cat-sophia @castielamigos @mayquita

[enixamyram]

OUAT ReWrite: 7x22 - Part 6

Some of my added scenes, I won’t lie, are purely for me. I wanted more, but I don’t necessarily think they would have been needed in the episode. However if I had been in charge of the finale, I would have fought for either an extra long episode or an extra episode 23, which meant I could have included all these scenes without problem!

Sadly, for now, we’ll just have to contend ourselves with my little fic instead.

Chapter Six: Alice, Robin, Henry & Killian In The Rescue

  “You okay?” Robin asked quietly.

  The two girls were trailing a fair distance behind Henry and Killian as they made their way towards Wish Charming’s castle. They kept the space to avoid causing Killian any more suffering but already Robin could see he was walking stiffly, like a man doing his best to pretend he wasn’t in incredible pain with every step he took. She glanced at Alice but the other girl was walking with her head lowered towards the ground, not focusing on anything else but her own feet.

  Good. Robin didn’t want to her to notice and feel any worse than she already did.

  “Yeah,” Alice mumbled, leaning against her.

  Robin squeezed the arm she had around Alice’s shoulders gently. “It was an accident, Alice. It’s not your fault.”

  “I should know better,” Alice hissed, wincing like her own words had struck her.

  “Alice…” Robin cut herself off. She wanted to say something to make her feel better about it but what could possibly make any of this better? It was all one great big mess.

  Alice shook her head again, looking like she was on the verge of tears. Robin helplessly glanced up at the others, seeing Henry and Killian’s backs as they wandered slightly further ahead of them. Still, it wasn’t enough for Robin’s liking and so she slowed her pace and pulled Alice back with her, forcing her love to drag her feet slightly until there was an even larger gap between them and the men that Robin was satisfied with. And only then did she pull Alice to a complete stop.

  With a slight jerk, Alice glanced up at her, meeting her love’s gaze just as Robin reached up and cradled the side of her face, leaning in for a long kiss. She pressed her lips against Alice hard before releasing her face in order to wrap her arms around her torso and pull her into a tight and proper embrace. Alice only resisted for a moment of surprise before she let go of the bad thoughts and wrapped her arms around Robin’s shoulders in turn, opening her mouth and allow Robin sweet entrance. She pressed closely against her love and happily would have lost herself in this moment for the rest of her life if she could.

  Ahead of them, Henry happened to pause and glance back. When caught sight of them, he came to a sharp and slightly annoyed stop. “Seriously? We don’t have time for this.” He grumbled, turning around to call after them, only to stop when he felt Killian grab onto his shoulder.

  “Come on, mate.” Killian said softly. “Let them have a moment.”

  Henry seemed reluctant, but looking in the pained eyes of his friend allowed him to nod his head and turn back around, giving the girls their moment as well as some privacy to go with it.

  When they pulled away, Alice felt light headed and almost drunkenly happy. She smiled at Robin and nearly forgot why they were even here in the first place. Then, slowly, the memory of earlier came back and her smiled dimmed, though at least it didn’t vanish. Because it was impossible for it to truly vanish completely while Robin was looking down at her with such a loving gaze.

  “Everyone makes mistakes, Alice.” Robin said softly. She paused, wetting her lips nervously before sighing. “I never told you this but… I once tried to join Gothel’s side.”

  “Wait, what?” Alice blinked. “When? In Hyperion Heights?”

  “No, no, no, way before we even met.” Robin said quickly. “I was a bratty teenager looking for someone to teach me about magic and I ran away from home and met Gothel. She made it seem like she could teach me so when my mum and your dad showed up to bring me back, I turned away from them and stayed with Gothel instead.” She sighed. “It was a big mistake. I nearly died and then nearly got my mum killed because of it, too. I was such an idiot.”

  “I didn’t know that…” Alice mumbled, staring at Robin in surprise.

  “It’s not something I’m proud of.” Robin snorted. “Like I said, I was an idiot. I nearly got so many people hurt, all because I wasn’t thinking straight.” She reached up, stroking her thumb over Alice’s cheek. “But my point is; people make mistakes. And sometimes those mistakes put people in danger and cause everyone a little pain. But the important thing is that we learn from them, too. For example, I learned not to trust a women who keeps animal skulls decorating her hidden cabin in the woods.” She added lightly.

  Alice laughed, stepping forward and hugging Robin closely, tucking her head between her shoulder and chin with a sweet smile of content. “Yeah… Thought that would have been obvious.”

  “You’d think!” Robin giggled, wrapping her arms tightly around her and squeezing her close. “But apparently eighteen year old girls from Storybrooke are a lot dumber than you’d realise.” She pulled back to glance at Alice. “Luckily they fall in love with smarter girls who’ll steer them clear of trouble.” Alice looked up with a raised eyebrow and Robin grinned. “Or, you know, drag them head first into it.”

  “That’s more like it!” Alice giggled, leaning up and pecking the side of her mouth softly.

  “Come on, we’re on a mission.” Robin said. “And after we’ve completed this one, we’ll start the mission to find a cure for you and your father. Together.”

  “Thank you,” Alice whispered, kissing her deeply once more before they were forced to turn back to the path. Quickly linking their arms, the girls hurrying ahead to catch up to where Henry and Killian had temporarily disappeared from their sight.

  As they caught up with them, they found Henry and Killian had come to a pause among a small space between the trees. “What’s happened?” Robin asked, still standing with a slight gap between them to keep Alice away from her father.

  “It’s like we figured. There are guards in front of the entrance.” Henry noted. “No way to get in.”

  “So we’ll have to split up,” Robin nodded.

  “Where’s the backup you were talking about?” Killian pressed.

  “They’re coming,” Alice insisted. “Don’t worry. They’ll be here.”

  “They will be, but we don’t have time to wait for them all the same. We should go now.” Robin explained.

  “Okay, Alice, you’re with me.” Henry said, reaching a hand to press on her back and gently lead her off to the side, taking the long way towards the back of the castle.

  As they walked away, Alice glanced over her shoulder towards where Robin and Killian hovered on the spot behind her, giving the two of them a gentle smile before looking away. She followed Henry quickly into the thickness of the trees, making their way around the back entrance as quickly and quietly as they could manage, not even risking talking to one another as they made their way, for fear that they would be discovered before they could reach their intended destination.

  As Alice and Henry jogged lightly off into the trees and out of sight, Killian and Robin turned back to the gap in the bush and peered through towards where the guards were currently crowding outside the entrance just before the main bridge. Killian pulled out his telescope, glancing towards where they were lined up at the ready, one of them sat atop of a horse with his head held high even in the dark armour that covered them almost entirely and made them seem more like shadow demons than actual human beings. They all probably thought they were the heroes in this situation, but then villains always did.

  With a sigh, Killian lowered the telescope, fighting the aching pain that was throbbing through his chest. Alice and Henry had already gone off on their own, and yet it still felt like she was too close. The pain had been a gradual thing, growing worse over the years every time they encountered one another. At first he had been able to be near Alice so long as he wasn’t touched by her but now, even a distance away, he could feel the effects of the curse bruising him from the inside out.

  “Look I’m pretty good with a bow, but that’s a lot of bad guys.” Robin noted, looking nervously towards the amount of men between them and their rescue attempt.

  “We just have to create a diversion.” Killian breathed, even talking was becoming a struggle now. “So the others can sneak Henry in to rescue Regina… Uh!” He groaned, turning away as the pain became too much for him.

  Robin turned with him, watching the older man rest an arm against the tree behind them for support. “It’s getting worse isn’t it…?” She asked nervously.

  “Aye,” Killian agreed, turning to lean his back against the tree. “I survived this long but… Now my end is close at hand.” He looked up at Robin’s worried face and saw the kind compassion in her soft green eyes and in that moment he understood now more than ever, why his daughter loved her so. And he was relieved to know that after he was gone, Alice would not be alone. “Take care of Alice.” He said quietly.

  “Of course, I will.” Robin said instantly, then took a deep breath. “Look there’s something I wanted to ask you.” She paused, glancing over her shoulder where she knew the guards and her aunt were waiting for them. “I’m just not sure right now’s the right time.” She said, nervously turning back to face him.

  “This might be your only time.” Killian groaned.

  Well he had a point there.

  “Can I…” Taking a breath and giving him a strained smile, Robin forced the words out before she could let her nerves get the best of her and change her mind. “Have your blessing, to marry Alice.”

  There was a pause that felt like it lasted an age longer than it really did. Killian stared at her with a slight frown on his face that made Robin second guess what she had assumed would have been a sure fire yes to her question. Killian always seemed to have liked her, after all, but maybe he still thought she wasn’t good enough for his daughter. Alice was special. Robin whole heartedly agreed that she deserved the very best in the world, but maybe Killian didn’t think Robin was the best…

  However, before Robin’s mind could get too ahead of her, Killian’s face broke into a wide smile and he gave a light laugh. “Of course! Of course you have my blessing.” He said, pushing away from the tree and moving to pull her into his arms.

  Relief and happiness swam through Robin all at once and for a moment she clung to him tightly, just as much for Alice as for herself. And in that moment, she knew this couldn’t be the end for him. Because Killian was right in his belief that Alice deserved the very best in the world, and that included all the time with her father that she had already missed out on thanks to Gothel and her stupid curse.

  So when they pulled away, Robin found she had gained a newfound courage from the hug. Even as Killian’s face continued to pale and sweat from the effort of just standing there, Robin was determined to get him through this.

  “And here’s the thing. You’re wrong. Your ending isn’t at hand. I don’t care what we’re up against. You are walking Alice down that aisle.” Robin said firmly, reaching back for an arrow and loading her bow with strong determination. She paused, waiting for his reaction.

  Killian chuckled. “Aye. I wouldn’t dare argue with my future daughter in law.”

  Robin smiled at him, watching as he fought through the remaining pain and managed to stumble out into the opening, even as Robin ducked further along the side, still hiding in amongst the trees. She dropped down out of view while Killian stood in the middle of the path and waited for the guards to notice him. It certainly didn’t take them very long. Then, with a loud cry that was more to encourage his limbs to move than anything else, he stared forward, lifting the sword into the air and charging towards them.

  As the guards immediately copied the charge and started towards him, Robin began setting off arrows from her hiding place, one after another, catching many of them while they were distracted with Killian. She took down the horse and his rider first before turning on the others, getting them in their backs and along their lower legs. However, a great number still reached Killian and Robin dashed out from her hiding place as soon as they were all safely away from the bridge.

  “Hey!” She called.

  At least half of the remaining guards paused and looked back at her, shocked to see the lone girl standing among their fallen friends. While they were distracted, Killian lashed out at those closest to him and Robin continued her own assault from afar. The guards stumbled for a moment as they struggled to get back to their senses and quickly mentally debated over which person they should attack before finally separating into two much smaller groups and dividing themselves, moving towards the enemy closest to them.

  Just then, a second pair of guards appeared from the forest opposite the road from where Killian and Robin had come from. They came rushing forward and cut down two of the men that were about to catch Killian off guard in a matter of seconds.

  “What took you?” Robin called as the other guards once again stalled in their surprise.

  “We had to pick up some armour along the way,” Came the reply from the first guard. The voice was familiar but only distantly so and Killian shot Robin a confused look but there was no time to explain. She could fill him in when they had beaten these guys back and safely had Regina returned to them.

  “Henry’s gone ahead inside. Hurry! He may need help. We can handle these guys.” Robin said, turning to one of the remaining men and firing an arrow into his knee.

  With that, the two new guards nodded at her before they turned and dashed back passed Robin and towards the castle, knocking down anyone stupid enough to get in their way as they did. When they swung passed Robin’s side, she fired at those who tried to follow and Killian closed in on them behind. Finally the last few seemed to sense this wasn’t going to end well for them and turned tail to run, making their way around Killian in a desperate break for an escape. Little did they know that Jacinda and Zelena were waiting for them on the other side of the hill.

O*U*A*T

  Meanwhile, as all this played out, Alice and Henry hurried towards the back entrance that Zelena and the others had told them about. There wasn’t time to ask how they knew about it but Henry trusted them and so rushed along regardless of the uncertainty.

  “Alice, wait here.” Henry said as the short door came into sight.

  “But-” Alice began.

  “I need you to stand watch!” Henry called even as he hurried inside without pause. It was only a half lie. Someone should make sure no one else was coming but there shouldn’t be any need while Robin and Killian kept them distracted. More than anything Henry just wanted to keep Alice away from the danger that was no doubt waiting inside the dark tunnels of the castle dungeons.

  And anyway. It was his mother who needed rescuing. It only seemed fit that he should be the one to save her.

  So while Alice lingered in the entrance, glancing around nervously and listening to the cries and shouts from both her father and her love, Henry hurried deeper into the underground caves. He stumbled blindly for only a short time before he found himself following the lights hanging from the walls, rushing down the uneven ground until he finally tripped along a dead end where one of the man cells were located. As he rushed forward, he caught sight of a pair of iron keys hanging off the wall before he saw his mother, sitting curled up on the floor of her cell.

  “Henry!” Regina gasped as she caught sight of him, scrambling to her feet as far as the chains around her wrist would allow her to go.

  Henry closed the distance between them, grabbing the bars and temporarily looking down at her with unsurpressed joy. Thank god she was safe.

  “I got this,” He grinned, turning back to the keys he had passed.

  He had just managed to grab onto them when a sword appeared by the side of his face, pointed to the back of his hand threateningly. Two guards had somehow gotten in without his knowing and snuck up on them. Now they were there, he was kicking himself for not noticing them sooner, silently wondering how they had gotten in. He hoped they had come in through the castle and not the secret entrance where Alice was supposed to be standing guard. He sent a silent prayer that she was okay as he slowly released the keys and pulled his hand away…

  Regina’s chains rattled as she fought against them, feeling more useless now than ever before, just as Henry spun around sharply. He knocked the guards arm down and let the sword fall away from him before reaching up and punching him through an opening in his helmet. While the first guard fell away and Regina continued to struggle against her chains, Henry turned quickly to deal with the second. He dodged a blow for his head and made for one of his own, only for the guard to grab onto him and spin him around sharply, pushing him backwards at the same time. Henry lost his footing and fell against the bars of his mother’s cage, helpless as the second guards returned with his sword once more, this time pulling it back and aiming for his head while he was pinned.

  “NO!” Regina cried.

  However, just before he could attack, something struck the guard from behind. His body jolted for a moment before it dropped to the floor and they looked over him to find two more guards had joined the fight. There was a short second of confusion among them as the first guard released his hold on Henry and turned to face them just as one ran straight for him. Only he was too slow and the new guard closed the distance between them, swinging his own sword in hand. It was almost too easy for the new arrival to use the handle of his weapon to crack against the others helmet, knocking him unconscious with a single blow and letting him drop down to the ground at their feet along with his friend.

  “Who are you…?” Henry asked, feeling breathless and confused as the new guards came to a stop in front of him. This hadn’t been part of the plan, had it?

  Suddenly the two guards pulled off their helmets and Henry almost laughed in relief at the sight of the familiar faces hiding underneath.

  “Your grandparents,” Snow confirmed needlessly.

  “We heard you needed some help.” David noted, grinning at Henry and Regina. “Sorry we took so long,” He quickly passed Henry the keys to Regina’s cell. “Snow and I had a mission of our own to deal with first. We were hoping to stop Rumplestiltskin here and now but he escaped before we could reach him, so we came here to help you instead.”

  “Hey, you’re here now. That’s all that matters.” Henry beamed, unlocking Regina’s cell and then the chains on her wrists. “You okay?” He asked her.

  “I’m fine. Just so relieved you’re okay.” Regina beamed up at him, her eyes misting.

  As they turned back to the others, Henry saw Snow was close to tears of her own. “Hey, grandma, you alright?”

  “Yes. It’s just…” She laughed. “You’re so grown up!”

  With a soft smile, Henry moved forward and hugged her. “It’s certainly been a while…” He agreed quietly.

  “Come on,” Regina said, patting Henry and Snow’s backs. “We can continue this reunion somewhere less depressing.”

To Be Continued...

I added that scene between Robin and Alice partly because there wasn't enough of them in the finale, partly because I wanted to address Alice's guilt over her mistake and partly because I wanted to bring up a moment where Robin confesses she almost sided with Gothel. In other words, I wanted to kill three birds with one stone!

And then, again, added some minor bits here and there, including explaining why Snow and David weren't with them originally, and having a bit of a proper reunion between them and the future version of their grandson!