A/N: So this is my first attempt at writing a David/MM oneshot, let alone "Once Upon a Time." I am in love with this show and even more in love with David!Charming/Mary!Snow. This oneshot, based from Sunday's episode, explores my ideas on what might have happened had the storm not stopped and David and MM were trapped in the cabin for a while longer.

All mistakes are mine. Reviews are very much appreciated and loved. Enjoy!

Six Words

Howling like a maddened wolf, the vicious wind slammed against the surrounding trees and tore up the earth around the cabin. Rain pummelled the windows and droplets cascaded down the glass like miniature waterfalls. She could hear the torrential downpour pounding on the cabin roof, and in the heavens thunder rumbled as if a great beasts stomach was moaning in desperation for food. Angry clouds gathered above, their underbellies tinged with black. With each passing second it grew closer until it seemed like the entire system was right over them, and from her position at a window she jumped with shock as a magnificent bolt of forked lightning lit up the darkened sky.

"You know," a familiar voice came from behind her. "It's not really a good idea to stand by a window during a storm."

She turned to face the speaker, who was tending to a newly roaring fire. "Yes, well clearly we're not going anywhere for a while. Besides, I find storms rather entrancing."

Her male companion smiled in the firelight. "You can come sit here with me if you like."

It was a very tantalizing offer, and she was cold, but she knew moving would prove dangerous. Sitting beside him would only make things worse than they already were. If being trapped in a cabin during a wicked storm wasn't bad enough, she was stuck with him. She had to constantly fight her emotions, continuously tell herself not to madly kiss him until they were both struggling for oxygen.

Although that was also rather enticing.

She secretly knew he would come after her. No matter what either did, they could not stay away from each other. It was as if some unseen force was gently pushing them towards one another, like it knew how badly they wanted the other. She admired how he refused to give on her, on them.

The fire called to her then, its mystifying flames urging her onward. She tried to fight it, attempted to stay back in fear of what could happen lest she close the distance between them. But, as always, her efforts proved fruitless and she found herself walking towards him. The fire crackled, as if approving her decision.

She didn't sit directly beside him - that definitely wouldn't have been a good idea as she wasn't sure how much longer she could control her emotions - but he didn't appear to be bothered by this. They sat quietly, neither saying a word but both stealing small glances. The only sounds that could be heard was the gentle wisps from the fire and the soft coos coming from the caged dove. Not a single word was spoken for quite some time, each lost in their own thoughts and trying to make sense of the whole matter.

From the corner of his vision he could see her, staring into the mesmerizing flames. When she thought he wasn't looking she would quickly dart her eyes in his direction. How he longed to hold her and feel her skin against his. He couldn't quite explain the permanent feeling that welled in his chest; it was as if he had finally found what he had been searching for. In all honesty he was thrilled they were alone in the cabin even though she remained hesitant. Since awakening from his coma she consumed his mind. No matter where he was or what he did, her serene features refused to vanish from the corridors of his dreams. Simply put, he loved her with every fibre of his being.

Her gaze quickly moved from him to the fire, and she hoped he had not noticed. For reasons unbeknownst to her, she always found herself wanting to study him. He was rugged yet handsome, with a muscular build and square jaw. His large arms appeared simultaneously powerful and gentle, and she wondered what it would feel like to be held by them. She bet it would be indescribable.

Why am I even thinking about this when he's married to another woman? she chided herself silently. Shaking her head ever so slightly, she blinked and returned to reality. Both were totally unaware that over the course of their internal thoughts, the space between them was drastically decreasing. They had unknowingly shuffled closer to one another, continuing to do so until there was no more room and their knees were touching.

She suddenly became aware about what had just occurred. There was no way she could be this close to him, not with her pent-up emotions. But for some strange reason she did not retreat. Her mind screamed at her heart, her heart fought with her mind, but still she remained.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she spoke two words. "I'm afraid."

He furrowed his brow, puzzled by her confession. "I'm sorry, I don't understand."

Taking a deep breath and fighting back an onslaught of tears, she released everything that had been bottled up inside her. "I so desperately want to be with you, but I'm terrified because that can't happen."

"Why not? Who says we can't be together?"

"You're married. I can't be with a married man."

He showed his disagreement by shaking his head. "My memories of her are fake; whatever I felt for her is gone. I don't feel like I'm married. With you though...with you, it's real."

A loud burst of thunder suddenly cracked in the sky, catching them both by surprise. Obviously frightened by the freak storm, the dove started flapping its wings in pure terror. The young woman went over to comfort it, whispering soothing words until the bird calmed. When she was certain it was okay, she returned to her former position alongside him. As she sat down, he marvelled at her simple beauty. Everything about her was extraordinary, but he especially loved her eyes. He could stare into her green-hazel irises for endless hours, though he knew this probably wasn't the most intelligent idea as he often lost his way in their depths. He mentally shook his head and brought himself back to the present. Not wanting to pressure her, he patiently waited until she was ready to continue their previous conversation.

She leaned back on her right arm, studying the bright flames that warmed her entire body. From his spot beside her, he could see the fire's reflection in her gaze. "Why?"

He instinctively knew what she was referring to and presented a strong argument. "I have no recollections of our life together. How can I call myself a married man when I hardly remember anything about her, when I don't feel anything for her?"

Without thinking he took her smaller hand in his, rubbing the pad of his thumb over her knuckles and speaking in a low tone as if someone was listening in on their intimate moment. "When I'm with you, it feels right. I feel like I'm home, and I don't want to lose that."

She began to sob quietly, and with his free hand he wiped away a single tear that had fallen from her welling lids. "Talk to me," he urged her gently. "Please. I hate to see you so distraught."

"Don't you get it?" Her voice was hoarse from the constant sobs that escaped her throat. "We take that leap, everything could go wrong."

"But what if it doesn't? What if it's the best thing that's ever happened to us?"

She looked at him with pleading eyes. "How can you be so sure?"

He squeezed her hand gently in an attempt to comfort her. "I'm not, but I would much rather find out now than wait. We won't know unless we give it a shot, and when that happens I'll be right there to hold you."

She knew he was right, of course. She obviously had no way of knowing what would happen, and her heart longed for him. Often she would lay awake at night, thinking about him until sleep overcame her weary body. But even slumber would not allow him to escape her mind and she often dreamed of him. He had crept his way into her very spirit, and regardless of their current situation she wouldn't have had it any other way.

It was then that she found out just how gentle his arms really were. They snaked across her small waist, pulling her in until her back was resting against his chest. She shivered from the contact and, against her better judgment, allowed him to wrap his muscular limbs around her stomach. Despite all her previous emotions she knew fighting was useless. A smile crept over her lips, and for the first time she let herself relax. She could feel his soft heartbeat through her clothing, the rise and fall of his chest with each breath he took. His scent assaulted her nostrils, but it was a familiar smell and one that radiated peace. With one finger she traced the outline of his muscles until she reached the back of his left hand. She ran a slender digit along one of his tendons, but before she could go any further he intertwined their fingers.

Just like the unseen force that constantly pushed them towards each other, the same power had purposely moulded the crevices and crooks of their fingers so they fit perfectly regardless of his hand being larger than hers. She sighed happily and melted into his protective embrace, his arms wrapped securely around her as if shielding her from any possible harm. She inhaled his homely scent and rested her head against his collarbone, enjoying this tender moment and smiling as he pressed his cheek to her temple. His previous words remained in her heart, and she knew she would have to eventually take that intimidating leap.

She felt his lips brush against her ear as he whispered six words that caused her spine to tingle. "I've fallen in love with you."

With that confession and her current position, the idea of it all didn't seem so frightening.