The streets were empty and clear. Most of the town's residents have already retreated back into their homes, having sought refuge from the cold winds. Storybrooke has begun for the day, while a hooded figure remained wide eyed and alert in the shadows of a dark alley.

Not far, right across the alley, a couple stood in front of Granny's Diner, arguing. They conversed rather animatedly, making a splendid show for the phantom patrons seated outside.

"David, how many times do I have to tell you that I don't eat meat?" the blonde woman said, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation.

"Right, right. I'm sorry. That was stupid," David sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Have fun with your leftovers," she added, gesturing towards the to-go bag David held, before turning to leave. I'm going home."

"Abigail," David started weakly. "At least let me drive you home."

"No thank you!" she called back, waving goodbye but not even turning to give him a second look.

David watched as Abigail stalked off and sank into the nearest chair, defeated. Dropping the paper bag on to the ground next to him, he hung his head back and closed his eyes.

You screwed up big time, Nolan. Father's going to kill y-

But before he could finish the sentence, his train of thoughts was interrupted by the sound of soft footsteps and rustling paper. His eyes snapped open. A hooded figure was running away with a paper bag in hand- his paper bag in hand! David quickly got up a chased after the thief.

"Stop! Thief!" he yelled, as the thief turned to the next street. David anticipated the turn and dived for the thief, sending them both to the ground.

"Show your face you coward!" David said, pinning the culprit down and removing the hood.

David expected a hundred and one probable faces to see underneath the hood, but he had not imagined what was before him.

"You're… a girl," he said, dumbstruck. He was still mesmerized by the fiery emerald eyes, porcelain skin, blood red lips, and ebony hair.

"Woman," the woman corrected as she groped for the phone David had dropped in his fall. But before David's expression could grow even more confused, she hit him squarely on the jaw with his phone. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, the bandit woman hurried onto her feet and escaped with the Granny's To-Go paper bag with her.

David gingerly got back onto his feet, cradling his chin. "Where ever you are, I will find you! I will always find you!"

Xxx

Snow White may have been new to this foreign land, but she was definitely no stranger to the ways of survival. She knew that if she were to last one more day in this Storybrooke, she had no choice but to steal from that innocent man (even if it did mean permanently marking his perfectly chiseled jaw).

The next step to making it to tomorrow was not freezing to death. She rubbed her hands together and pulled her cloak around herself tighter as she walked around town for a warm place to stay. Her bandit's outfit may have been thick and made of fur, but it still wasn't enough to beat the cold.

What am I going to do? Steal someone's clothes now?

However, before being able to arrive at a decision, she was forcefully grabbed from behind and pushed into the backseat of a car.

Her kidnapper appeared shortly at the driver's seat and chuckled at the sight of her struggling to open the door.

What on earth is this box he's just placed me in?!

"I told you I'd find you. Where ever you go, I will always find you," David said smugly, turning from the front seat to face Snow.

"Is this the only way you can catch a woman? By entrapping her?" Snow spat.

"It's the only way to catch thieving scum," David replied, unaffected.

"Well aren't you a real Prince Charming," Snow rolled her eyes.

"I have a name you know,"

"Don't care. Charming suits you,"

"Where is my paper bag?"

An eyebrow shot up into Snow's forehead.

All this for a that?

"What?" Snow said.

"My paper bag. Where is it? The one you stole from me," David explained seriously.

I've thrown it away. Oops.

"Please, just give it back. And I'll give you anything you want," David pleaded, tone changing, when Snow did not answer.

An idea formed in the bandit princess' head.

"I need a place to stay for the night," she demanded confidently, holding her chin high.

"What," now it was David's turn to be confused.

"I have nowhere to keep warm. So if you want to see your precious paper bag, you will give me a place to stay in for the night," she said clearly.

David paused for a moment and sighed deeply, "Alright, then."

Xxx

"You can stay here for the night," David said, pointing towards the couch in his living room.

What the hell am I doing?

Snow walked in carefully, wary of everything around her.

"Hey, don't worry. My house won't chew you up," David chuckled.

Snow straightened herself, "Of course." Houses here are so strange.

"Alright, so, where's my ring?" David finally asked, settling into a nearby chair.

Snow's gazed shifted from the TV to David.

"I threw it away," Snow murmered, lowering herself onto the couch.

"WHAT?!"

"What do you care? It was just boxes of leftover food," she started.

"Yes. But among them was a ring. A ring that belonged to my mother and a ring I was going to give to-"

"The nag with the band attitude- that's what this is about?" Snow gibed.

"She's my fiancé,"

"Good luck with that," Snow laughed. "You must be getting something impressive for agreeing to that union."

"Excuse me?" David folded his arms.

"I know how this works. True love, it doesn't exist. It's all just arranged marriages and business transactions. There's no such thing as love at first sight or first kiss," she shrugged her shoulders.

"And what do you know about true love?" David sneered.

"Nothing. But I know plenty about mergers such as this," she said, gesturing towards David.

David paused and looked at her thoughtfully. "Well, I'm sorry, Miss. But the deal's off then."

"Slow down, Charming! I said I threw the bag out, but you didn't really think I'd throw something as precious as a ring, did you? As much as I don't really do rings and all," she said, digging through her jacket pockets.

David let out a relieved breath when Snow held out the jade ring.

David reached out for it, "Not really your style?"

"Well there's only way to find out," she said, taking the ring back and placing it on her finger. It fit perfectly on her finger and glowed beautifully. The jade even matched her eyes. And this, David noticed.

After a beat, Snow White pulled the ring off. "You're right, not me at all."

She handed the ring back to him and they sat in silence for a while.

David cleared his throat and spoke, "So… since you'll be staying here for the night. Mind telling me what your name is?"

"Snow. Snow White," she smiled.

David gawked in disbelief.