What happens when you watch Once Upon A Time and read Dr. Sleep in the same time frame? This story, at least for me. This is an AU, starting in season 2. There is an OC, but aside from Belle/Gold and Snow/Charming, I really don't have other pairings set at this time.

My other stories are not abandoned, and I hope to do some more updating on those.

Granny's Diner, 1530.

The diner had a steady stream of customers, the normal amount of chaos for the time of day. It seemed to be a fairly typical day for Storybrooke. Until the door opened and a man no one recognized walked in. Everyone stopped in their tracks, staring with their mouths wide open. To say this was unexpected would be an understatement. The last "stranger" to come to town had been August, and he'd really belonged their, since he was from their land as well.

The stranger walked up to an empty table, and turned the coffee cup over, as he waited to be served. He didn't seem to notice or care that he was the object over everyone's attention. It took a few minutes for Ruby to pull herself together, and serve him coffee. He shook his head when asked if he wanted a menu.

"Just coffee, thanks." She walked away from the table feeling uneasy. She'd keep an eye on this guy, just to be on the safe side. She wasn't alone in that. Everyone in Granny's was watching, subtly or not.

The Stables, same time.

Henry raced out of the stables, but he didn't run far. He found a couple of boxes near one of the windows and peeked inside. His eyes widened as he heard them arguing over the man who'd attacked him. Since when had the evil Queen had a fiance? There was nothing about this in his book. She'd married the king, Snow White's father. And if the book hadn't mentioned that, what else had been left out? And he'd never, ever heard his mother plead like that before, for any reason. The desperation in her voice was as clear as day. Henry was relieved when David finally agreed, and left. But that couldn't prepare him for what he'd see and hear next.

Regina stood still, facing Daniel as he moved awkwardly towards her. The man she had loved for so long, was in there somewhere. His hands made their way to her face, but instead of the gentle caress she'd been hoping for, they wrapped around her throat, cutting off her oxygen. For a brief moment, she was too stunned to do anything. The only thing that made Daniel pause was when she choked out three small words,

"I love you." Then he dropped his hands, freeing Regina to gasp for air, leaning against the corral. Even before she fully caught her breath, she was in his arms, at last. Their reunion was not meant to be a joyful one, though. There was nothing Regina could do. There was no happy ending in this story. She had to do stop Daniel, before he hurt anyone else. And she couldn't bear seeing him in so much pain. She knew what she had to do, even though she hated the thought of it. She immobilized him, and then with a wave of her hand, Daniel was gone.

Regina fell to her knees, blinking back the tears that filled her eyes. Losing Daniel the first time had been bad enough. Now, she'd lost him again, and there was no coming back from that. To lose the love of her life twice in one lifetime was excruciating. Pain like she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years overwhelmed her. For a brief, grief stricken second, she even thought death would be a preferable alternative to this feeling.

At that moment, the strange man had finished his coffee and was standing up, looking to pay for it. He made it to the counter before his expression became pained. He wobbled on his feet for a moment, grabbing his head as he tried not to scream. Before anyone asked him what was wrong, his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed on the diner floor.

Back at the stables, Henry rushed back inside, David following behind at a much slower pace. Henry went straight to his mother, holding her as she struggled to regain her self control. David stayed back, knowing on instinct Regina would not want him to see her like this. Regina seemed lost in her pain and sorrow, barely registering Henry's arms around her.

David's phone chirped, and he glanced at the caller id. It was Ruby. He answered, walking away from Regina and Henry. This day was not getting any more fun, that was for sure.

"Just when I thought today couldn't get any weirder. All right, we'll meet you at the hospital in a few minutes." David hung up the phone and headed over to Regina and Henry. Though she was paler than usual Regina seemed to have her composure.

"I need to go to the hospital. There's a stranger in town, who just passsed out at the diner for no apparent reason." To David's surprise, there is no argument from Regina. And Henry was too surprised at the thought of a new person arriving in town. For years, until Emma had brought him home, no one had just "shown up". Things were definitely changing in the little town of Storybrooke.

Regina requested to be dropped off at Dr. Hopper's office along the way to the hospital. When Archie opened the door, he was surprised to see Regina again. He hadn't thought she'd return. Then she confessed in a sad whisper,

"I used magic."

"Come in, and we'll talk about it."

"It all really started years ago, with Daniel."

To Be Continued. I would appreciate feedback.