The Girl and the Nutcracker ~ A Once Upon a Time Story

2x04: The Crocodile

"Alright..." Milah said and she looked over to Clara, "How about I show you your room? It's next to the Captain's quarters."

Together, Clara and Milah headed down in the ship and entered the room. Clara looked around in wonder, "I never knew that ships have such rooms! It's wonderful."

Clara sat down on the bed, "So, how do you know the Dark One? From that conversation, it seemed like you know him."

"He was my husband once." Milah answered, and Clara widened her eyes in shock, "Really? Wait... so Baelfire is your son?"

"You know Bae?" Milah asked her, and Clara smiled, "Yes, I met him a couple days ago. He was very kind to me, and he's doing well if you wonder."

Milah smiled back at the teen, "That's good to hear... I haven't seen him in quite some years. I'm glad he's still the sweet boy he was. Now, get a good night's rest. You will enjoy your time on this ship, the crew are all good people once you get to know them."

~ Storybrooke ~

After Clara had made her rounds around Storybrooke to help people who were still afflicted by the Wraith, she had made her way over to Main Street. Apparently, Gold had asked David for help to find Belle who was now missing. She saw David talking with someone across the street as she approached Gold, "What happened with Belle?"

"She's gone, and I can't find her anywhere." Gold replied as David walked towards him, "Do you remember turning a butcher into a pig?"

Gold gave a shrug, "Can't say that I do. Why?"

"Well, he does." David said as he pointed to the man across the street, "Apparently, it was his father. I'm beginning to understand why nobody wants to help you."

"Has he seen Belle?" Gold asked and David shook his head, "Afraid not."

"So, what's next then?" Clara asked and David started walking, "Granny's. We can see who else he terrorised there." Gold sighed and he stood in front of David to make him stop walking, "Look, uh, can I ask you a question about you and Mary Margaret? H-How does that work?"

David and Clara looked dumbfounded at the man in front of them, and David asked, "Are you asking dating advice?"

"Of course not, no." Gold denied and David sighed as he answered him, "Honesty. That's how we did it. Hard work and being honest with one another."

"Well, I don't lie." Gold responded, and Clara laughed, "There's a difference between telling the truth and being honest. You can twist words and hide behind half truths, but honesty isn't something you have ever shown to Belle. That's why she doesn't trust you."

~ The Enchanted Forest ~

In the morning, Clara was waiting anxiously for Killian to return to the ship. Milah had left a little while ago, to make sure the Dark One wouldn't kill Killian. Clara heard commotion behind her, and saw Milah helping an injured Killian to get aboard the ship, "Fetch some water! And get me that prisoner from below deck along with the booty he carried. Now!"

Clara saw the pirates going below deck, as Rumplestiltskin followed Milah and Killian, "Well, well, seems like you finally found the family you could never have with me."

One of the pirates gathered the prisoner from below. Milah and Killian explained to Clara he was a trader in rare magical items, which is exactly what Rumplestiltskin needed. Milah showed a magic bean in her hand, and tossed it to Killian when the Dark One reached for it.