I do not own Once Upon a Time.

Last chapter. I like to end stories on a 'oh crap' chapter title.

For the next few days, Bernadette spent pacing, going over a plan in her head. Plan? More like a scheme that had a large chance of backfiring at her. Could she break her promise to herself and make a deal? Would it be worth it? If Derek didn't remember her, or more importantly, if she didn't remember herself, there was nothing she could do to save him. Bernadette now had to admit she was desperate. And she only saw one way out.

She went the mines and made her way down to Rumpelstiltskin's cell. There were two guards standing there. Bernadette skillfully threw two knives, hitting the guards in the neck. They fell to the ground quietly. But that did not escape Dark One's notice.

"You really need to work on your timing, dearie." His voice came from deep inside the cell.

"Better late than never." Bernadette casually walked towards the cell. She would not allow him to see her desperation. In reality, she wanted to run to the cell door, grab his throat and force him to help me, with no price. "I wanted to prove you wrong, but circumstances are less than favorable at the moment." She looked over the prison and shuddered, knowing there was one waiting for her.

"Now why are you here?" he asked, knowing exactly why. "Don't be shy now, just say it."

Bernadette bit her lip and shook her head. She had never done anything this horrible before and she had murdered in cold blood multiple times. "I need to make a deal." She almost growled.

"Now was that so hard?" He giggled. "But you know I'm powerless here, right?"

She wasn't buying that; he was the Dark One. "You always find a way to make a deal; you can't say no to one. It's your one weakness. So here's the deal, I want, no let me reword that, I will keep my memories when we go to this new land. I will still be me."

Rumpelstiltskin finally stepped into the light and closer to the bars. "A bit selfish, dearie, wouldn't you say?"

"Like you didn't or wouldn't ask for the same thing if you had the chance. I call it survival."

"Remember everything comes with a price. What could you possibly offer me in this new world?"

"I'm a bounty hunter, remember? I can find anyone anywhere, here…" She paused and saw a change in his eyes. A spark of humanity or a weakness maybe and she took it for all it was worth. "There." Bernadette leaned in closer, meeting his eyes. You have someone there, don't you? I will find them."

There was silence. He had to regain the upper hand. "You, dearie, get the last deal I make in this realm. Do not fail me. The only problem is I have nothing here, wasn't excepting to end up in a cell. Everything is in my manor."

Of course it wasn't easy. "Tell me what I need and how to get it." Bernadette asked.

"You still have that enchanted bracelet? Use it. So our deal is you keep the memories of your twisted life and you do me a favor later?"

"Yes." They locked eyes. "This was your plan along, wasn't it? To find a way to whomever you are looking for?"

"The things one does for the important things. You of all people should understand that. You are running out of time, the curse is coming. So if you want to keep your memories, I suggest you leave now."

Bernadette rushed out of the dungeon, then leaped on a stolen horse and despite the dwarves yelling, took off in the direction of Rumplestitskin's manor. And they were yelling with good reason, a purple cloud was sweeping over the land. The curse was here.

However, coming in her direction were the queen's soldiers and a carriage. No doubt, the queen herself to see the beginning of the end. They stopped when they saw her and Bernadette expected them to chase her when she continued on her way. But only one took up the chase. She kicked the horse faster; she knew time was running out.

Suddenly the solider leaped off his horse, and onto her, knocking them both to the ground. Ready with her dagger in hand to take a life, Bernadette punched the solider then pulled his helmet off to see the Derek staring at her.

"What are you doing?" She yelled, standing up and pulling him with her.

"I'm protecting the prince and princess." He answered. His hand went to his cheek; the cut was already bleeding.

"I need you to make sure the princess gets in the wardrobe. Snow White's child will save us, break the curse." She told him.

Derek nodded. "Where are you going?" He asked.

"I made a deal with the Dark One. I will not have you get hurt again. I will save you, Derek." Bernadette said.

"You made a deal with him? How could you?" He tried to hold back his anger.

"We won't know each other in this new realm! I can't have that; desperate times call for desperate measures! You have protected for so long, I'm returning the favor!" She held up her wrist. "I will see you again, I promise! "

He pulled her into a tight hug. "Take care of yourself."

"You too." She said.

He took a step back to look at her, for the last time in this world. "Go!" He helped her back onto the horse and watched her ride off.

Faster than lightning, she found herself at the manor and unsure how to use the bracelet to find what she needed. Until it jumped off her wrist and flew through the manor, when it stopped, it was rested on a small vial. Bernadette only had a moment to stare at it before she grabbed it and downed the liquid inside. Just as she was finishing it, the cloud of the curse swept over her.

She, and the residents of the Enchanted Forest were going to a new land.

But she would keep the upper hand. Somehow Bernadette would win.

Yay, done with the first story. Thank you for reading this, I really enjoyed writing and rewriting this. The second story rewrite will be published September 2nd. That is all season one.

Reviews?