Life Without Love part 2 – The Return

Ok this chapter doesn't have the best pacing in the world; but I want to get all of this out the way so I can focus on the main parts of this Act. Either way I hope you like the reunion between everyone's favourite couple :)


Bigby threw himself forward after tackling Nick for a short distance and the pair landed in a deep pool of freshwater that must've been a good 3-4 feet deep.

Nick thrashed about wildly and screamed like a man that had been set on fire as the water seemed to be melting his skin from his bones, he was steaming and crying and yelling in the hopes that the unbearable pain would end.

Bigby pushed Nick under the surface and proceeded to choke him with as much strength as he could muster with both hands as he pinned him down with his weight; Nick continued to struggle and yell under the water and he wrapped a hand tightly around Bigby's neck.

Bigby felt himself getting considerably weaker as Nick continued to grip him but eventually the creature let go and Bigby saw the brightest white lights flash all around him and he felt himself being lifted high up into the air as he found sleep for the first time since he had reached that terrible place.


O The Cemetery, Bigby's grave

When Bigby woke up he wished that he hadn't: the smell was like being surrounded by rotting human flesh, dead flowers and the very essence of the earth, it was dark and quiet, very quiet. Bigby felt movement in his hands again and immediately searched his pockets for anything he could find, he found his lighter in the breast pocket of his suit jacket...

"Am I wearing a suit?" Bigby's eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness and he realised that he was lying down inside a coffin.

He was alive again!

He sparked up the lighter after many failed attempts and saw dead roses and old notes scattered around him; he didn't have time to read them though, right now he needed to get back up to ground level.

Bigby tried to morph into a different form but again nothing was happening; he felt a sudden rush of adrenaline at the thought of being helpless and began to punch and dig his hands into the wooden lid of his casket, ignoring the pain and his bleeding knuckles. The wood eventually broke away and the dirt began to spill in as Bigby forced his way through the earth, his hand reached a space of thin air that he could only assume was above ground.

Bigby clawed his way out of the ground and lay on his back, breathing in deeply and heavily; he started chuckling lowly to himself at his victory: he had cheated a fate worse than death at the hands of a so-called Devil. Bigby stood up and stumbled about aimlessly in the dark humidity of the night, following the smells of nearby familiar people in the hopes that he could rest and eat something before returning to normality.


O The Trip Trap, 8 months after Bigby's death

Woody and Gren were both drinking at the bar whilst Holly cleaned up some empty glasses. Woody had been more secluded since Bigby died and Holly and Gren felt for him, they missed Bigby too and in memory of him, Holly had his picture on the wall for regulars framed and enhanced.

The photo was of Bigby smoking with a half smile of course, but it held the same emotions regardless.

The door swung open violently and a rough looking man covered in dirt and wearing a foul smelling suit fell inside and collapsed limply to the floor; Holly rushed over to the man and instantly filled with a mix of surprise and joy.

"Holy- Guys, its Bigby!"

Gren and Woody quickly rushed over to Holly as she shifted Bigby onto his back; he was breathing slowly and looked like he was passed out drunk.

Woody cradled Bigby's head and yelled "We need to call Swineheart now!"

Gren ran over to the phone and had to dial the number twice before he got the right one; Swineheart picked up on the 2nd ring "Hello?"

"Swineheart, get your ass over to the Trip Trap right now and be ready for this, it's Bigby!"

Bigby stirred a little and grabbed for Woody's shoulder tightly and brought him closer before speaking at a coarse whisper "Don't... tell... Snow"

And then he fell limp once again.


O The Knights of Malta Hospital, that same evening

Bigby woke up in what he assumed was a Hospital ward as a rush of smells like medicine hit him all at once. He shifted himself to the side but fell out of the bed he was in; he began shaking violently on the floor and suddenly felt sick.

He coughed and sputtered before he violently threw up a large amount of disgusting black and brown bile that made him cry a little at how much it was burning his insides.

He felt suddenly felt hands picking him up and putting him back onto the bed and he heard a varied mix of voices all around him, his vision was blurry and so was his hearing.

The voices sounded panicked and they were a mix of male and female; Bigby slowly fell back into unconsciousness as he saw an older looking man in a white coat come up to him.

When Bigby opened his eyes again he was met with shining light and familiar silhouettes of those he once called friends staring back at him.

Bigby tried to move but the slightest bit of movement made him ache all over and he felt sick again; he threw his head over the side of the bed and threw up once more, it didn't burn as much as it did previously but it did make Bigby feel like shit.

"Don't worry old boy; that won't last for much longer" Bigby looked up again to see Swineheart in a white lab coat standing in front of him smirking; behind him were Gren, Holly, Woody, Beauty and Beast

"What's... happening... to me?" Bigby spoke with a gruffer tone than usual, his throat was dry as a bone and so was his mouth. He glanced down to see that he wasn't wearing a shirt, but he could feel thick cotton on his lower body so at least he wasn't completely nude...

"I don't know how to tell you this Bigby but... you've been dead and buried for nearly 8 months, it's the middle of June right now!" Beast spoke to his friend and stood next to the bed; he put his hand on Bigby's shoulder and Bigby relaxed a little at the gesture.

"Yes Beast, thank you for that; you see Bigby because you have been 'dead' for so long your body had started to decompose and now it has to get used to restarting all over again. Your wounds have all healed up though, which means that you must've been alive for quite some time before you broke out of that coffin..." Swineheart's voice was the same as it always was, but it did seem to have a hint of relief in it.

"I was buried alive... Nick took my soul... tortured me... tried to break me... motherfucker" Bigby was trying to shift himself up but failed so Beast helped him move further up the pillow instead.

"That's another thing Bigby... Nick escaped custody back in late November" Beast spoke with a look of sorrow on his face, Bigby filled with rage and clenched his fists as tight as he could at the thought of Nick being not only alive, but no longer secure in the Woodland's.

"It would seem that you have been 'buried alive' as you put it for months now; it would explain why you're dehydrated and malnourished for a start. The bile is just dead tissue being expelled by your system as a clear out, well I guess you could put that way..." The last part of Swineheart's sentence was more of a whisper to himself rather than to anyone else.

Bigby shook his head slowly with his eyes closed as he tried to think about something other than the so-called Devil; Beauty offered Bigby a large glass of cold water and he drank it down within a few seconds, he sighed and spoke "Who's the new Sheriff then?" He certainly sounded much better afterwards.

The group all looked at each other for a moment and Woody spoke up "There isn't one, not really. Snow couldn't bring herself to appoint a new Sheriff officially so Bluebeard does all the physical work and she and Boy Blue do all the extra paperwork when he's not around..."

Bigby sat up straight without help this time and stared at Woody with an open mouth "Bluebeard is the fucking Sheriff!?"

Beast spoke next "Not officially, he just deals with problems that don't require just paperwork to solve. To be honest though his method of working is either attacking or paying off Fables so that they'll shut up about their problems, he sits in your office all day relaxing and only does work when he wants to. Mayor Cole's afraid to tell him to quit in case he decides to stop funding Fabletown altogether..."

Bigby sat up on the edge of the bed but didn't stand "Fine; did anyone tell Snow I'm alive?" The others in the room all shook their heads; Bigby heaved a sigh of relief.

Beauty then spoke "Why don't you want her to know your alive? She's been a mess ever since you, well you know..."

Bigby looked at her "I want to tell her myself, I owe her that much..."


O 2 days later, evening

"Are you sure you're good to leave the hospital so soon, Bigby?"

Bigby was walking with Cindy out of the hospital; he had recovered quickly from his problems and decided to get back on track with things. He called Cindy to pick him up because she was trustworthy and could provide him with what he needed, he was wearing jeans and a blue plaid shirt with rolled up sleeves (courtesy of Cindy) and had sparked up a cigarette for the first time since his return from the grave.

He inhaled the cheap smoke and exhaled it slowly, the familiar taste was soothing and it blocked his senses just as it always would "Yes Cindy, I'm sure; can we go now?"

Bigby had been adamant on getting out of the Hospital since the morning after his return; however his body ached so much that moving was painful and he stumbled and tripped quite a lot before finally regaining the full use of his muscles after repeated attempts at trying, and of course intense physiotherapy with Swineheart.

Cindy and Bigby walked to her car and she drove them both down to her apartment. Much like Rose, Cindy didn't live in the Woodland's but unlike Rose she did live fairly close to Bullfinch Street as her shoe shop was located there.

It was the usual when Bigby crashed at Cindy's: she would play the perfect host and cook him an amazing steak dinner and offer him either her large sofa or even her own bed for him to sleep in. This time around however, Bigby had chosen her bed.

"Why do you want to sleep in the bed with me?" This was the first time that Bigby had accepted Cindy's 'second offer' and she was utterly confused by it.

"Good steak as always by the way; I don't want to be alone for too long, you know in case I seize up or something and besides the mattress will be comfier than your sofa..." He gave her a puppy face and she giggled at it.

"Ok fine"

Bigby had gotten under the covers in just his briefs and completely ignored Cindy when she got in next to him in her black lace underwear; he wouldn't deny that Cindy was hot, but he was with Snow and he and Cindy were just friends.

Cindy gave him a 'goodnight kiss' on the cheek and rolled over and away from the heat that he was giving off.

Bigby tried to find sleep but every now and then he would wake up at the faintest smell of something sad; he couldn't quite make out whose scent it was at first, but it suddenly hit him in full force and Bigby climbed out of the bed and slipped on his clothes.

He sprinted through the pain of his tired out muscles all the way down to the Woodland's and was relieved to find that Trusty John wasn't manning the door and Grimble was asleep as usual; he jumped into the elevator and pushed the button for Snow's floor frantically until the doors closed.

Grimble knew that someone had come into the building however and he smiled a big smile at seeing Bigby rushing into the elevator, "Welcome back, Bigby" It was Grimble's last thought before he drifted back to sleep again with the smile still on his face.


O The Woodland's, Snow's apartment

Snow was about ready to take a long hot shower before she heard loud knocking at the door. She had had a few glasses of wine to drink and the thought of Bigby had come back to her without warning, she would have to hide her sorrow as best she could for now.

"Just who the hell could that be, it's nearly 11pm!" She slipped on her bath robe and wrapped it up tightly to conceal any exposed flesh and answered the door.

Bigby was shifting nervously on his feet as he waited with bated breath for the door to open; when he saw Snow his heart sank: she had slight bruises under her eyes and they were red and sore as well, so not only had she been losing sleep but she had been crying (a lot it seemed) as well, the necklace around her neck was spotless but the feint rash where the chain was proved that she never took it off.

Bigby stood in front of Snow and her mouth hung open in disbelief at the sight of him; Bigby looked at her with a mix of overwhelming love and utter sadness.

"Snow I-" Bigby was interrupted as Snow hit him in the face; she looked angry and was sobbing heavily now.

She sputtered her words as she spoke through her tears "You left me" Bigby closed his eyes and nodded his head in defeat before looking back up and putting his hand to Snow's cheek. She froze up at first but leaned into his hand with her eyes closed.

He whispered softly "I know... but I came back" He smiled sweetly at her and Snow began to cry even more. He was back.

Snow threw herself at Bigby and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as she sobbed loudly into his shoulder; he wrapped his arms tightly around her in response and whispered words of comfort into her ear.

She pulled back and kissed him hard but with passion; the familiar feel of his lips against her own brought complete happiness to Snow and Bigby deepened the kiss not long after it had begun.

The two stumbled back into the apartment and Bigby shut the door with his foot; he forced Snow against the wall and the kiss became even fiercer as their hands roamed each other's bodies without hesitation.

Snow ripped off Bigby's shirt and he undid the tie around Snow's waist; he shivered and groaned as her fingers roamed his torso and he teased the skin of her shoulders as he slowly slipped the robe off of her, making her moan quietly; it fell to the floor and Snow pressed herself closer to Bigby to feel his tight muscles against her bare curves once again.

He hoisted her up around his waist and carried her into the bathroom, they stumbled into the shower and Snow turned it on. Bigby kicked off the rest of his clothing and returned his mouth to Snow's own with haste; she was still sobbing though her tears had turned to ones of mirth instead of sadness.

Bigby pulled away and rested his forehead against Snow's, speaking softly "I'm never leaving you again, Snow" Snow's lips parted to say something but she decided against it and tilted her head back as Bigby started to kiss all over her neck with the grace of a God, lingering his lips around the pendant, as she gasped and moaned at the long lost feeling of pleasure and love.

He lifted her up once again and the two became lost in their primal instincts with nothing but the fast flow of the warm water from the shower to help wash away their pains and sorrows.


O The next morning

Bigby woke up slowly at what he could assume was 6am; he couldn't tell though as the annoying alarm clock was gone from Snow's bedside table. He quickly noticed that Snow was on top of him, hugging his torso as her head rested on top of his chiselled chest, feeling the steady pace of his heartbeat. She was being covered by the bed sheets from the waist down.

He couldn't remember exactly what happened after they had finished up in the shower, but it couldn't have been much as he and Snow were both still naked but the bed wasn't damp at all.

She still looked sad; maybe that was why she was clinging to him the way she was, for fear that last night had been some cruel trick of magic or her own imagination and he would disappear when she woke up, he thought it was cute at least.

Bigby moved his hands from his sides and hugged Snow tighter to him, she stirred at his contact and shifted herself further up so the top of her head was touching his chin. Bigby kissed her head softly and Snow awoke and looked up at him with a blank expression; he leaned down and kissed her nose and she cuddled him a little tighter, her legs wrapping loosely around one of his own like he was some kind of giant pillow.

"I'm still here" He whispered to her and she nodded in response; they stayed like that for a long time until Snow looked back up at Bigby and kissed his chin, Bigby looked down at her and kissed her soft lips with longing, she seemed hesitant to pull away so he stayed like that for a little longer until she was satisfied. Eventually she pulled away and he stroked her hair and one of her shoulders as she sniffled quietly against his chest.

"I thought I'd lost you forever" Her voice quivered a little as she spoke.

Bigby grunted his concurrence "Nothing is going to keep me away from you forever, Snow. I'm back and I'm here to stay by your side until the end of time".

She buried her face into the crook of his neck and he held her there until she pulled away of her own free will.

After a long time of pleasant cuddling; Bigby shifted himself up so he was resting against the headboard, Snow rested against him, using his left shoulder like a pillow. Bigby rested his hands on her stomach and Snow played with his fingers absent-mindedly.

"Where have you been, Bigby?"

Bigby buried his nose against Snow's hair and breathed her in as he spoke "Nick didn't kill me; he stole my soul or something like that. He tortured me hoping that I would break and succumb to him; but, I held out for the hope that I would see you again..."

Snow smiled and leaned her head back into Bigby's shoulder to look into his eyes "You held out for 8 months all so you could see me again?"

Bigby looked more serious now "You are what holds me together Snow; without you what have I got left to lose... to live for?"

Snow replied with something that she could only ever tell him "I feel the same way Bigby; when you were gone nothing made sense anymore, I mourned you every day and I... I-I betrayed you."

Bigby touched his head to Snow's "I know what you did and Charming's an asshole. Nick showed me what happened between you two and I know that he took advantage, he showed me my own funeral as well..."

Snow looked a little surprised at hearing those words but she was so overwhelmed with happiness that Bigby was alive and still loved her that she realised she didn't care.

Bigby leaned in and kissed Snow, laying her down as he pinned her with his weight. She giggled as he nibbled on her lower lip and the feel of him bare against her was arousing...

He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers; they were just smiling at each other now as Snow wrapped her arms loosely around his neck.

"Beast told me that Nick escaped... how did that happen?"

Snow looked remorseful and turned her head away, but Bigby moved it back gently and kissed her once.

She sighed and spoke "Ok, it's a long story, but, prepare to be amazed"


Next time: We flashback and see the entirety of Nick's overly violent escape from the Woodland's and the Mundane world.

Again it didn't feel right to put in an overly graphic shower scene between Bigby and Snow because it was meant to be a tender moment.

Also the cover photo for this Act and the previous one is an artwork of the Nuckelavee, the picture is what Nick is meant to look like in his true form (of course I desribed him a little differently to make him seem creepier)