I have a feeling the writers are setting up a big chase between Gold and Nealfire this seaon. Rumpel will leave Storybrooke to go looking for Baelfire, while at the same time, Neal leaves New York to visit Storybrooke. I think we’re going to have a few episodes with Gold and Neafirel constantly losing track of each other’s trail.
Could be. Assuming Emma and Henry go with Gold (I don't think Emma will leave Henry for that long with Regina on her rampage), that is keeping them from SB for a long time though. But I can picture that…