Snow was not generally one to be off in her own little world, but it was ridiculous how easily she'd slipped back into an innocent frame of mind since meeting David. It was equally ridiculous how in love they were really, but she didn't care. Right now she was too busy remembering the events of the night before: her and David alone in the dark barn, lying in the hay, holding, kissing, loving, and afterward he'd done the impossible. He'd given her the millionth kiss of the night, told her once again that he loved her, and… asked her to marry him.
So now she had her head in the clouds and Ruth's wedding ring as her own engagement ring as she walked back to the farm from an errand in the village proper. But her bliss came crashing down around her feet when she saw David… no, she was too late to help; it was only his still-warm body lying by the door of the house. And there, just inside the partially-open door, Snow glimpsed Ruth's gray hair; her future mother-in-law was also already dead.
Snow wanted to scream, but she didn't – she couldn't. Quicker than her instincts had left, they returned, and she heard two people rummaging around in the house. Looters had stolen more than whatever they wanted from the farm; they'd taken away her new family, her happily ever after, in the worst way possible… and they were going to pay.
She stepped over the threshold, intent on committing two murders of her own today, and looked into the eyes of… "David?"
"James, actually," an amused female said, appearing out of nowhere to press a blade against Snow's throat.
Enraged, Snow White wrenched the dagger away from the woman and whipped around, slitting her throat and watching her crumble lifelessly to the ground.
"Poor Jaq," the David look-alike muttered carelessly, then turned his attention straight back to the clock on the mantle – Ruth's prized wedding present from David's father. "Thanks for doing that for me before she got to the point where she wanted to divide up the spoils."
"What?"
James looked over his shoulder at her. "I was going to abandon or kill her myself; you spared me the trouble."
Snow shook her head, not caring, as she declared acridly, "I should tie you up and go for the sheriff."
"Oh, please do." He turned to her with the oil-slick smile of a con artist. "I'll convince them I'm my twin – that's David, by the way – and show them this."
He took out of his pocket a "wanted" poster with her face plastered on it. Snow froze. What now?
James appeared to read her mind, saying calmly, "Now, the way I see it, you have three options: die like Jaq, go for the sheriff and get arrested yourself," he smiled, obviously coming to his favorite option. "Or partner up with me."
Snow snorted in surprise, started to make a sarcastic comment, and then realized, feeling like a bucket of ice water had been dumped on her head, "You knew I was here."
James nodded, his grin widening. "Jaq was always expendable, but you, Snow White – you're a natural at thieving. We could be magnificent together." He raised his eyebrows expectantly, adding, "If you'll have me?"
He extended his hand and the part of Snow that was a bandit, the part she'd not shown as "Mary," felt almost relieved when she accepted it. Loving David and playing pure little Mary had been wonderful for awhile… but truthfully she wasn't pure anymore. She was a tainted, darkening thief, and James was really much more her speed.
So she took James' hand and walked back into the forest – Sherwood Forest – with him, leaving Mary and her goodness in the house and as dead as David. She was and would no longer ever be anything but a thief.
Not even giving birth to Emma, the daughter she and David conceived on the night of their getting engaged, changed that fact.
Years later
Bae grinned in amusement, watching a hustler at work on the other side of the tavern as he enjoyed his own drink. She was doing her job well, smiling innocently right up to the second that she claimed some poor sap's life savings.
She would be perfect for the con he wanted to see happen…
Bae was about to stand and meander over to her when his mother spoke up from across the table. "I don't see why you or I couldn't do this instead."
He sighed, looking at the woman who appeared no older than him now. Killian had eventually caved and dragged Milah back to Never Land, leaving Bae in the Enchanted Forest. Thus his parental figures hadn't changed… and he had.
"Because he's smarter and stronger than you remember by far. He doesn't trust you so far as he can throw you, and I won't be enough of a distraction. It'll be better this way." He went to the card table abruptly then, asking the brunette hustler, "What's your name?"
She looked slowly up at him over her cards, innocence gone and eyes raking over him, accessing before she decided to indulge the information and answered, "Lacey."
Lacey had seen the con man – Baelfire, he said his name was – watching her, had seen him coming, but she was still thoroughly impressed by the intricate simplicity of his plan – not to mention his audacity! He wanted the Dark One "stolen blind," and he thought she was the one to do it!
He drew her over to a table with his parents and explained the plan – the most intricate plan she'd ever heard, Lacey began to realize, which was presumably a necessity, considering who they were dealing with. It was part con and part burglary, and a surprisingly large part of this proposed plan would rest on her shoulders. The plan was layered and dangerous, but when Baelfire told her how much money she'd make it all went well… well, that made it worthwhile, regardless.
