A/N: I see Charming/Snow, Hook/Emma, and Robin Hood/Regina as having the same traits as the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. In the books, the three characters already had what they were looking for (brains, heart, and courage). In OUAT, Charming shares his brain with Snow, Hook gives his heart to Emma, and Robin gives Regina the courage she needs to face her fears.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy it.
"Mary Margaret..." David called out to his very pregnant wife who was standing still in the middle of their living room almost as if she were listening for something even though she wasn't hearing him. Getting no answer from her, he called her again, this time a little louder. "Mary Margaret?" When she continued to stand there, oblivious to his call with a puzzled look on her face, he tried one more time. "Snow!" he practically shouted.
Snow White gasped, startled, and turned to David, a somewhat pained smile on her face. "David! I didn't hear you come down."
David walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. "What's the matter? Are you ok? Is it the baby?"
Snow chuckled lightly and put her hands protectively over her baby bump. "We're both fine, David. It's stupid, really. I came in here and promptly forgot why. Again. I was just trying to remember what it was is all." Snow sighed deeply and rolled her eyes. "This happens more than I care to admit these days."
David pulled her in for a hug and rested his cheek on the top of her head. "That used to happen when you were pregnant with Emma too, if I recall correctly. Sometimes I would see you walk in and out of a room two or three times in a row with that same look on your face."
Her muffled voice sounded tired as she leaned into him. "Mmm hmm. I remember too, but it wasn't as bad then, though. I think this curse is making it worse. There's so much more I'm missing. It's like everything is just out of my mental reach and I'm really starting to feel..." she trailed off, but looked up at David, her eyebrows furrowed and lips pinched together as she worked through her thoughts for the right word.
"Disoriented?" David offered.
"Yeah. That," she said and smiled at him sadly before her face fell again. "And useless," she added softly.
David held her out at arm's length and searched her face trying to make eye contact. She looked down at the floor just past him with a small frown and tears starting to well in her eyes. He brushed the tear that spilled over onto her cheek with his thumb then placed the palm of his hand over her very round belly. The baby moved under him and he beamed. "Useless? You are far from useless, Mary Margaret."
"It's bad enough that I have...pregnant brain and can barely remember either of my names," Snow complained, "but not being able to remember the last year too, it's a bit much." She put her hands on top of her head and rubbed back and forth as if to shake her stuck words and memories loose. "I just feel like my head is full of straw. I am of no help to Emma figuring out who could have done this to us and it's making me feel so..."
"Frustrated," David finished.
"Yeah," Snow sighed.
David held both of Snow's hands in his and gave each of them a small squeeze. "Listen, I get it. We are all frustrated. And angry, and anxious. But we'll figure it out—we always do. Emma's got lots of help with this, and you'll still be able to contribute, I'm sure. I know Emma really appreciates you spending time with Henry so she can have the leeway to follow up on leads," he said, consoling her as best as he could.
Snow swung their hands in unison and gave David a dissatisfied grimace. "I know she does. I just feel like I'm failing her...again."
"Snow," David said sternly. "You are not failing her. If there was one thing I wish you'd forget it's that."
Letting go of his hands, Snow replied, "I wish I could." Something on the end table by the couch caught her eye and her face lit up. "Oh! I just remembered what it was I came in here for!" she cried. She waddled over to the table and picked up a baby book she had been reading. She turned to David with a big grin. "My book! I need to return it to the library."
"Do you want me to return it for you? I'm heading out now to meet up with Emma and Hook to see if we can't track down where those flying monkeys are nesting...or whatever it is they do."
Snow shook her head and hugged the book to her chest. "No, that's ok. I've got to go pick up Henry at Granny's. He and I can drop it off later. Thanks though. And Charming..." she said, sidling up to him.
"Hmmm?" he intoned as she caressed the side of his face.
"Be careful," she whispered and kissed him tenderly.
"How could I forget that?" he asked and kissed her again.
Snow woke up the next morning after another fitful night's sleep thanks to her internal night owl who felt the need to kick and roll every time she was about to doze off. She was exhausted, weary, and foggy, but part of her was grateful she was almost at the end of her pregnancy, if only because she wasn't sure she could take too many more sleepless nights like that. There was no one to share the duty of carrying a baby.
David had already left for the morning and Snow hauled herself to her feet and patted her belly and said good morning to her constant companion. She noticed something different in her room and laughed when she saw all the brightly-colored pads of sticky notes and pens on various surfaces in their bedroom and bathroom. Snow could see them in the living room and in the kitchen, too, as she made her way to the kettle for her morning tea. She even found a set in the pocket of her robe and could see one sticking out of her coat pocket and tucked into the pocket of her purse.
But that was nothing compared to what she found next. On the island in the kitchen, was a large box with an enormous, fluffy red bow on top. Curious, Snow pulled the bow off and opened the box to find a Nerf archery set and a note.
Snow,
Thought this might help you clear your mind. The target is set up on the bedroom door.
Don't forget, I love you.
Charming
"Always thinkin', that one," she said, shaking her head as she explored the contents of the box.
Snow stifled an excited giggle that was dangerously close to leading to a round of happy sobbing. She pulled out the bow and found the best way to position it around her girth and drew on the target, her mind completely focused for the first time since they woke up back in Storybrooke.
