Chapter 1

Arising


Thessia awoke startled, dreams had plagued her sleep. Dreams might have been the wrong word… nightmares seemed a better fit. She was flying, which was enough to be a nightmare because she was terrified of heights. Yet nothing compared to the man who had stood in front of her with a smile. He was older, dark skinned with white hair, normal by any definition except his eyes… that was what scared her the most. Eyes so blue they may as well been ice with an electric spark inside that made them glow. He was hugging her… saving her from something… but she knew in her heart that he was evil. Why would something evil save her?

Thessia got out of bed, trying to recall the dream in detail but it faded so fast the only thing she could grasp tightly was his eyes and the way they subtly glowed. She sighed in frustration, she really felt as if she should remember something. Thessia digressed and went into the kitchen to make herself some green tea, it was her favorite. She took a nice hot shower and opted for a green dress that cinched at her waist. She let her hair cascade down her face with her loose curls, it was longer than she liked but she did not have time for a haircut. Her daily routine consisted of moisturizer and a little blush… someone had once told her that less is more with a face like hers. She took it to heart, though honestly she doubted her will to commit to anything that would take more than 15 minutes. She looked at herself in the mirror happy with everything she could help. There were things she could have done without, like being so tall. 5'9 for a girl was not typical here in Maine. She was also not super skinny as most women her height seemed to be, she felt more like a Kardashian than a Klum. These were genetics, nothing she could do about it less she starved herself- which she was not. Her eyes fell upon her necklace on the vanity, it was a long thin bronze chain that held an emerald leaf with a gold outline. She remembered when she was given her necklace, by Mother Superior in the nunnery. She had said it belonged to Thessia, but that we were not defined by our possessions. Thessia had never understood what she meant, the truth was she never tried, all she knew was that she had no intention of becoming a nun- much to the dismay of the others. The emerald leaf would seem to be made of liquid if she stared into it long enough. It was her only treasure. She clasped it around her neck, now seemed like a good day to put it on.

She heard seven loud chimes and it made her jump with fright. After a second she realized it was the Storybrooke clock tower so she put on some sheer lip gloss, grabbed her bag and ran out the door.

"Thess, you look startled?" Archie was walking his Dalmatian and always looked concerned for her. Archie had been her newest friend, okay, her only friend. Thessia had coworkers, acquaintances, and such but she never really had friends. It was no big deal, friendships required a degree of commitment and work which Thessia never cared for. Yet, here was Archie… after three weeks of catching her walking to work every morning he had final broken through- he was her friend. For better or worse, she was beginning to enjoy speaking with someone whom she needed absolutely nothing from, and who needed nothing from her.

"Yeah, the clock scarred me half to death. Since when did that thing start working?" Thessia responded, looking up at the clock.

"Oh, I am not sure. Are you on your way to Granny's?" He continued.

"Yes, I am. Would you mind if I joined you and Pongo in your walk?" Thessia asked as she leaned down to pet the full grown dog. Archie smile and offered her his arm, which Thessia took with a giggle. Thessia often wondered if he purposely brought Pongo, she really liked that dog.

"How is Henry doing? I only ask because Regina is throwing a tirade at the office. I imagine that must be spilling into her home life." Thessia asked concerned, Archie looked at her stunned.

"Thess, I think this is the first time you have said her name." Archie said befuddled.

"Well, yesterday she was particularly condescending to me. I think it might have been the first time she really noticed me. She even called me a temp." Thessia said with a smile on her lips.

"I see. Well, I think it's safer to say that it is her home life spilling into your office. Seems Henry's biological mother is here. I only mention this because you will undoubtedly hear this later and I don't want you getting any surprises at work. Which, may I say you are too young for." Archie gave her hand a squeeze to show his sincerity and Thessia looked down… her age was never lost on him.

"What should I be doing Archie? I get to have a say in what happens to our forest and our parks and like it or not, I like it. Besides, I am only in the office a couple of days out of the week. The rest of my time is out there, playing in the dirt. I mean I hate any buildings more than two stories high but I can climb a tree up to the very top. It's the only thing I want to do, and it's plenty far away from our Madame Mayor." Thessia often had to defend the choices she made in joining the political arena, but she knew that was necessary to be able to do the thing she loved. Archie felt she was hiding herself from the world in those woods, it felt nice for someone to worry about her. So few ever had.

"Thess, I only want you to be happy. There is happiness out here amongst the town folk as well. I just think you are entirely too dedicated to your job, and there is nothing wrong with that. Yet, you're losing out on making relationships with the people around you. I just wish others knew you as well as I have come to know you, there are a lot of people out here that could use you as a friend." Archie stopped when he said the last part and Thessia could easily see he genuinely believed what he was saying.

"Archie… I don't know. I… I think about the commitment it would take to develop those kinds of relationships you want me to have and I shudder. You know I grew up in the nunnery, I never belonged there among the others. For a long time I felt so disconnected from anyone and everything. You may not think it, but I have come a long way since then." Thessia looked up at Archie with wide eyes, hoping for him to drop it. Archie narrowed his eyes, declaring that even her baby blues would not stop him today. Thessia sighed, Archie had established a parental authority with her and he would be enforcing it today.

"I do believe it, but I think you can do more. You are an amazing young woman, who deserves a full life." Archie began.

"Let me stop you right there. Archie, you are like a tree to me. Yes, a tree, which means I care about you a lot. But please stop worrying about me because I am doing an excellent job at being me. I don't take drugs, I don't sleep around, and I don't waste my nights in loud clubs looking for someone that will pretend to love me. By anyone's standards I am a model young adult." Thessia smiled carefully as she spoke, she honestly didn't know what he wanted from her and it made her feel sick to think she was disappointing him.

"You know I take nothing away from your accomplishments, but the thing with models is that they leave behind statues of their greatness. But Thess, no matter how you put it, those statues are always standing alone." Archie said with the sadness he felt for the road Thessia was walking. Thessia looked at him with a small scowl on her face, she heard the truth in Archie's words. Was that what she really wanted? Thessia let out a long sigh, she had never looked at it through that perspective… no, it was not what she wanted at all.

"Thanks for the company. I will try to be friendlier, I promise." Thessia teasingly smiled at Archie and he seemed to get brighter. He hugged her kindly, knowing he was accepting her apology.

Archie continued to stare after Thessia with worry. She was special to him, like a daughter… though he would never tell her that. Archie knew Thessia was an orphan and kept her distance from everyone. Thessia had not accepted his friendship easily, it took weeks of two minute conversations for her to even call him Archie instead of Dr. Hopper. He would never regret it, Thessia was family to him now.

Thessia walked into Granny's and saw Ruby stare at her. She would have normally ignored her, Ruby was not someone who she thought highly of. Oftentimes she would find herself thinking that somebody should have told her the "less is more" speech. Then she would look at what she wore and ponder if maybe somebody had… either way Ruby was no tree. Thessia bit her lip, she had promised Archie to be nicer... fine. Thessia smiled at Ruby, hoping to send the "friendly" vibes her way. Ruby looked confused, turn around to see if anyone was behind her. When she saw no one she looked even more puzzled. Thessia put her head down, embarrassed and probably turning red. Maybe she needed to work on her smiles…

"Hi. I don't think I know you. I mean I know you, like of you… but I don't know your name. I'm Ruby." Ruby said smiling carelessly and only slightly self-conscious that she stumbled her words. She had way more practice at being friendly than Thessia could ever hope to have.

"I'm Thessia Bells." Thessia said shortly, trying to focus on her smile. Ruby looked down, and Thessia kicked herself, she should have said it warmer.

"Nice to meet you Thessia Bells, what can I get for you?" Ruby said turning into strictly a waitress. Thessia was losing her fast.

"It's pronounced Tessia, silent h. But you can call me Thess, Ruby." She smiled and Ruby warmed up again. This made Thessia smile wider.

"Okay Thess, what a pretty necklace." Ruby said staring at the leaf… for some reason it made Thessia very uncomfortable.

"Thank you, it's uh… I actually don't remember where I got it from." Thessia said grabbing the leaf and casually tucked it into her dress. Only then did Ruby look up, apologetically.

"It's really very pretty. So what will you be getting today?" Ruby asked rather flustered.

"I will have… a spinach and tomato omelet with extra cheese. With an orange juice. And no hash brown. Thank you Ruby." Thessia said with a little extra cheer as Ruby nodded and placed the order.

She had not noticed the others in the diner, and might had been oblivious until she heard the Sheriffs voice and a girl saying that she did not want to flirt with him. That struck Thessia odd for several reasons, mostly being that the Sherriff was a good looking man that you would have to be insane to reject. The other and perhaps lesser known was that he belonged to the Mayor. Thessia slightly turned to see blonde hair and a red jacket leaning on his table. She didn't let herself glance again until she saw the woman leaving with Henry… that must have been his biological mother.

"You heard that, did you?" Sheriff Graham asks as he takes the seat next to her.

"If that wasn't your intention then you shouldn't have spoken in this diner, Sheriff." Thessia said slightly sarcastically. Graham stared back at her, confused at her attempt at a joke.

"I was joking…" Thessia focused on the food that just arrived in front of her. She was starving.

"I didn't know you made jokes. When did that begin to happen exactly?" Graham said with a smile tugging at his lips.

"Perhaps when you decided you wanted a death wish. I mean that must obviously be the case if you are flirting with that woman." Thessia said as she took a bite into her omelet. She had made a point to avoid the Sheriff at all costs, except when the parks or forest had a safety issue. Their relationship had been strictly professional, but still she liked him.

"Oh, you know her?" The Sheriff asked puzzled.

"Not at all, but I know who she is. You do too, I presume." Thessia said as she arched her eyebrow in a slight scold. He smiled at her, unbelieving.

"I know everyone, Miss Bells. That is my job." The Sheriff said coolly.

"Indeed. Well, you have a dangerous job." Thessia said as she turned her blue eyes on him. He looked amused.

"Coming from someone who spends most hours of the day in those woods…" Graham began incredulously but Thessia interrupted.

"No, if you have a sure foot then the woods are fine. Animals are predictable, all they ever are is hungry. Now can you say the same about those you encounter in your job?"

"I don't work with animals." Graham said assuredly.

"No, you don't work with wild animals. Trust me, it's safer out there." Thessia said as she pushed her plate back and gave Ruby her tip. "And Sheriff, call me Thess."

"There is something different about you." Sheriff said as he felt himself smile because she smiled at him.

"I don't know. Maybe. Don't be late for the survey today." Thessia said as she walked out of Granny's Diner with both the Sheriff and Ruby staring after her.


It was really easy for everyone, with Archie being the exception, to forget how old Thessia was. She was taller, more mature, had a career along with a very respectable wardrobe. Not many would remember that she was still a teenager, though she was so glad this would be her last year as such. She had put her time in the office and managed to avoid the Mayor's wrath. It was looking to be a great day.

Thessia went home and switched her open toed wedges for calf high hiking boots. She wore a V-neck t-shirt and jeans, put her hair into a high ponytail and walked out of her apartment with a backpack that contained her lunch and three bottles of water. She was going home.

Thessia parked her car into the makeshift dirt parking lot and took the trail down into the woods. She had her compass and knew exactly where she was going. She breathed in the air and made a habit of touching every tree on her way to the spot she would meet the Sheriff in. Surveying was one of her favorite responsibilities, although technically she could have other, lower level employees do it. It was a hard job, the hike itself took hours but she would never trade it for anything. Of course she couldn't say the same for the Sheriff, the only reason he came with her was because the others in the station did not have the stamina required for this job.

"I knew you would be here early." A voice boomed behind her and it made her jump even though she instantly recognized it.

"Sheriff, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Thessia gasped and took some water.

"No, not at all. Are you at risk? Because if that is the case then it is my professional opinion that you should not be here, in the middle of nowhere- with a faulty heart." The Sheriff said feigning concern.

"Oh, I didn't know you cared." Thessia said laughing and rolling her eyes to his feigned worry.

"See, it was I who did not know you had a sense of humor! These trips could have been much more entertaining. And it's Graham, Thess." The Sheriff said with a sly smile.

"Hmm, I guess I can tell Emma Swan not to worry, you seem to flirt with everyone who speaks to you. I am sure she will be so relieved." Thess said with a devilish smile, tilting her head to one side.

"Who says I am flirting? I must warn you, women tend to fall in love with me. It's quite a curse and one that often makes said women think that I am being charming, when in fact, I have no such intention." Graham said as he easily kept up with her pace.

"That so? Should I be worried that one of your obsessed women may follow us and kill me to have you all to themselves? Perhaps that is something I should have known sooner. Oh wait… no… no one is here. Guess your curse may not work after all." Thessia said as she quickened her pace. Perhaps something had changed after all, or was it that she really did not want to be a statue.

"Oh, you know how to break a man's heart. Consider me crushed, but while we are speaking I had been meaning to ask you, why do you like doing this so much?" Graham turned serious, it was swift but it still made Thessia feel like she had tripped.

"I am an outdoor kind of person. And from what I have seen, you may be one too." Thessia answered lightly.

"Not exactly the answer I was looking for, but it is a start. Oh, I meant to tell you to be rather careful here on your own. Emma Swan said she saw a white wolf, a big white wolf, on the main road."

"A white wolf? No that is impossible, we don't have any packs here."

"What if it is a lone wolf?" Graham asked curiously.

"An interesting thought… I will have to do more research on the subject." Thessia bit her lower lip as she spun the idea of a lone wolf in her forest. It was not an idea she would much care for, lone wolf's were sporadic, less inclined to live in harmony with their surroundings.

"Yes, well back to what we were saying. Do you really think 'outdoorsman' covers what you do?" Graham asked with a sly smile.

"Sheriff, when you are out here… when you are amongst the trees and dirt don't you feel like-" Thessia began to try and explain.

"Home." Graham almost whispered.

Thessia turned to look at the Graham and search for ridicule in his eyes, but there was none. He was being honest and it seemed to confuse him. It stunned her, mostly because it was exactly the way she felt.

"Why haven't we ever talked like this before?" Graham asked her and it took Thessia several moments to disengage herself from his blue eyes.

"I… I don't know Graham, but… but I like it." Thessia said shyly. It seemed to her that she had tripled her friend list.

"I like the way you bite your lip, it's cute." Graham said and Thessia slightly blushed. His brown hair was becoming disheveled from the hike and he took off his leather jacket.

"Yes, but your apparent lack of hiking attire is not. Here, let me…" Thessia stepped right in front of Graham and swiftly loosened his tie. She paused, this was the closest she had ever been to anyone since… well since she could remember. She felt his breath on her face and realized her breathing was also shallow.

Graham grazed her cheek and became lost in the girl in front of him. The air that had smelled like rich earth now smelled sweet, as if Thessia's scent saturated harmoniously with their surroundings. It made Graham drunk, it made him feel like he belonged here… they both belonged here.

Thessia wasn't sure who leaned in first, it was probably simultaneous. She felt her lips part against his, the heat of his hands on her face, and the feel of his soft hair as she brushed through it with her hands. Thessia began to open her eyes as the kiss came to an end and instinctively bit his lower lip. His stare made its way through her, holding her securely in place.

"That was..."

"Different. Thessia, I think I may be more complicated than you think." Graham looked at her, slightly worried.

"Because of Regina? I can take care of myself Graham. Besides, I am not even sure I like you enough to care about your endeavors outside of these woods." Thessia smiled wickedly.

"You cannot tell me that wasn't… this is something-" Graham seemed offended at Thessia's careless attitude.

"Different." It was Thessia's turn to interrupt, the truth of that was self-evident.

Graham kissed her again, enjoyed the rush when he felt the same thing he had before. This time he slipped his hands down her back and she swiftly slipped out of his reach. Her face was blush but her eyes were ablaze and she smiled the most charming smile Graham had ever seen. She had his tie in her hands and kept his gaze steady, taming their wild breaths. With one last smile, Thessia turned and ran as fast as she could deeper into the woods knowing that Graham would be able to keep up.

Graham saw a small little blonde blur into the trees and chuckled deeply as he began the chase. Thessia was quick, but he had good instincts and was right on her trail. As they ran he could hear her whimsical giggle, it enticed him, made the adrenaline surge through him, and made catching her as necessary as breathing. As the air slashed their faces, they felt the soft earth under their feet and smelled the trees as they ran past them. Thessia bounced from one direction to the other, unafraid of falling… it reminded me her of a dream… as if she was flying…

Before she could remember the dream that was on the verge of spilling into her conscious she was seized by a strong iron grip and spun into the air. She held on to him, grasping his arms and pulled herself into him. She kissed him lightly, pulling back before he could enjoy the feel of a full kiss. She teased him this way until he growled her into submission. There, on the grass with the sun shining through her golden blonde curls she felt… like herself.

Graham took her in his arms, undid her high ponytail and watched as the curls engulfed her face. Her pouty lips smirked wickedly as she pushed his back against the tree.

"Close your eyes…" She whispered and gently covered his eyes using his own tie. His senses were engulfed, as were hers, though at least she could speak. She began taking off his leather jacket, biting his lip and moving down to his neck. He could smell her, feel her soft hands intertwine with his, and longed to hear her voice.

"I trust I have your attention, Sheriff." Thessia continued to whisper.

"Undivided." Graham growled, she could only barley make out the word but she felt the intent.

"Good. Then that is enough for now." She whispered right into his ear and in an instant her fragrance, smell, and touches were gone. He took the tie off of his eyes and tried to listen for her giggle but it was gone. The air cleared his senses, but she was gone and so was his jacket. He took in a deep breath, feeling as if he had stepped into another world. A world he very much liked.