Protected - Chapter One
I'd like to say a huge thank you to those who reviewed! Your comments mean a lot to me! Here is chapter one; as promised it's a bit longer. It starts out as the prologue but with David's thoughts instead of Regina's. I hope you enjoy it; even though there isn't must Regina in this chapter. She's there, just not, you know, present. So anyways, on with the story!
Italics are flashbacks, by the way.
I own nothing…still.
He's staring into the very point of the spinning needle containing the poison the fate of his family is now sealed in, and feeling a rare bout of fear taking hold. David curses himself for this, for feeling like a coward when the safe return of his wife and daughter depends on him. Still, he can't help but hesitate with his hand hovering unsteadily above the needle. He completely forgets about the others in the room until Regina - who, he has to remind himself, is the cause of his problems, though he can't quite bring himself to scorn her anymore - breaks the silence.
"David, I can't let you do this; we'll find another way."
He finally notices her then, her wide, pleading brown eyes; face contorted in what can only be worry. He's worried too, so much so that he almost wishes Regina would find another way. The less naive part of him knows, though, that they've exhausted every other option, and sending Henry back into the inferno is absolutely out of the question. He needs to make sure she isn't going to try anything stupid or dangerous and so he musters up the most threatening tone he can.
"What could you possibly do to stop me? You and I both know there isn't another option at this point."
It's really the best David can do when she's melting his insides with the look she's giving him. He watches her back away and breathes a sigh of relief. He looks to Henry and gives what he hopes is a reassuring smile, then to Mr. Gold who nods his head once in acknowledgement, and finally, back to the spinning needle. David lowers his hand, but never makes contact with the pointed end, instead his hand lands on something soft, and just like that Regina has done the stupid, dangerous thing he was worried she would. He looks up to find her numbly starting down at her trembling hand, as if shocked by her own actions. As small, choked gasp leaves her throat and she blindly reaches for his arm. He watches her eyes roll into the back of her head and catches her before she can hit the floor.
"Mom!" Henry cries, falling to her side and clearly forgetting the Evil Queen she's supposed to be. "Why did she do this? She doesn't even have a true love; she'll never wake up!"
"We'll find a way," David reassures, though he isn't certain himself whether the former queen will ever awaken.
"Henry, you need to know that this is not your fault, okay? I don't want you blaming yourself."
Henry nods, but never takes his sullen gaze away from Regina's face. David tears his eyes away from the young boy clinging to his mother's pale hand, to Mr. Gold who looks surprised, despite himself, yet amused that the Evil Queen has just fallen victim to her own curse. Finally, his gaze rests on Regina. She's warm, softer than he would have thought her to be, and he realizes he's never really touched her before apart from small, friendly gestures when they were cursed. She feels right cradled in his arms, albeit limp and unconscious. She's barely breathing, just enough to keep her alive. Would it be enough though? After all, magic in Storybrooke is unpredictable.
"Should she be in a hospital?" David asks, feeling for a pulse, that's slow and weak, but thankfully still steady beneath his fingers. He waits for an answer, sparing a quick glance at Mr. Gold, who is still quietly observing the scene before him unfold.
Gold considers this for a moment; after all, Henry had nearly died of the very same curse just a few weeks prior.
"She should be alright, as long as we're careful. If you would kindly lay her Majesty down on the cot, I'll keep a close watch on her for now."
"And if I don't trust you?" David challenges.
"That, dearie, is entirely up to you. If you should like to stay and babysit our dear queen, I'll be only too happy to provide a chair for you; however, I do believe there is a town in need of governing."
"I don't think the citizens will have burned everything to the ground by the time we've taken a minute to discuss what we're going to do," David argues, subconsciously pulling Regina closer. He's not quite ready to release her into the care of Rumpelstiltskin completely defenseless; he knows the two are not exactly on friendly terms.
"What if she remains in Snow's apartment for now? That way Henry could be with her."
"And if something goes wrong?" Gold says, "Don't let your hero complex get in the way; we wouldn't want a tragedy to occur. Now, the cot, if you please; or would you prefer we leave her on the ground?"
David glares, not making any attempt to mask the unadulterated hatred in his eyes, but obliges by gently gathering Regina off the ground and carrying her to the cot by the wall at the very back of the pawn shop. Her face is serene, but he knows she's not resting peacefully in the depths of her mind, plagued by her every regret. With a pang in his chest, David realizes he may never again see her warm, brown eyes or see those rare, beautiful smiles she saves just for Henry, and lately, for him. Slowly, the frequent meetings that very strictly revolved around bringing Snow and Emma home, evolved into late night conversations. It was shocking for David to find out he really knew nothing about the woman he used to call his enemy, and even more so to realize he wanted to know more.
Regina stepped onto the plush carpet in the living room, removing her shoes, and lowered herself down beside the roaring fire. She tucked her bare legs beneath the hem of her dress and smoothed out each wrinkle with care, not paying any mind to David watching, utterly entranced, a few steps away. Finally, she turned her head lazily and addressed him with a soft smirk playing on her lips, "Don't be shy, Charming. Make yourself comfortable."
Never removing his eyes from her as the firelight danced enticingly across her striking features, David slowly lowered himself down beside her. At last managing to find his voice, David lamely reminded, "You know I hate it when you call me that."
"Precisely why I continue to do so, dear," she replied, stifling a yawn, which, quite frankly was the sexist thing David had ever seen.
He had to mentally slap himself, then, for thinking about Regina in that way. After all, she was Snow's sworn enemy, and therefore, his as well. Still, part of him - whether David or James, he couldn't tell - felt sorry for her. The other half; however, couldn't forgive her for enacting the curse and ripping his loved ones away.
Regina cocked her head slightly. "What are you looking at?"
"You... I mean, you look tired. It's been a long day; we should get some rest," he covered quickly.
David could have sworn in that moment that he saw an immense amount of sadness shine in Regina's eyes briefly, before the mask was firmly back in place once more. That was the first time she had ever allowed him to see the pure, raw emotion beneath the cool façade."I think that's a good idea," she replied quickly, refusing to meet his eyes. Regina rose quickly and padded towards the stairs, picking up her discarded heals along the way. She paused at the banister, remembering that she hadn't offered a place for him to stay.
"I suppose you'll be staying the night, won't you?" It was more of a statement than a question, a sort of reluctant acceptance. He wouldn't leave Henry here alone with her. "There is a guest room up the stairs, third door on the right. Make yourself at home."
With that she retreated up the stairs before David's voice calling her name softly, caused her to falter, and turn around again.
"Thank you."
The small smile that graced her lips caused a familiar warmth to spread in his chest. He certainly couldn't explain it - probably never would be able to - but found he didn't really mind much anymore.
"Of course," she replied, slightly taken aback. "Goodnight, David."
"Goodnight, Regina."
"Gramps, you okay?"
"Hmm?" David's head snaps up as his mind is pulled from its memories. "Yeah, just thinking."
"Do you think she'll find the Red Room and pass the information along to Snow White and my mom? Henry asks with that hopeful gleam in his eyes that makes David envy his enthusiasm in this kind of situation.
"I sure hope so, kid," David says, but he can't bring himself to feel it amidst the confusion. At this point, he isn't sure whether to be angry with Regina for screwing up the intended plan, or to admire her sacrifice, even though her motivations are unclear.
"We'll figure it out, but for now, I think it's time we take you home, Henry."
The boy nods sadly glancing at his adoptive mother one more time before slinging his backpack over his shoulder. David wills himself - and it does take a considerable amount of restraint - not to look at Regina as he grabs his keys and follows Henry out the door.
Once Henry is far enough out of ear shot, David turns to Mr. Gold. "We'll be discussing this tomorrow," he says, leaving no room for an argument.
"Indeed we will," the imp replies.
David turns to leave, but with one last thought, stops again. "If you try anything, if I don't come back to find Regina exactly how I left her, there will be trouble."
"Funny," Gold retorts coolly, "I was under the impression you didn't care about her well-being. May I remind you, sheriff, that this woman is the very reason your family has now been separated not once, but twice."
"Emma made a promise to Henry that no harm would come to Regina, and I intend to honor that promise while she's gone," David states carefully, successfully covering up any indication that he may actually care for the Evil Queen.
Gold seems to accept this, but remains skeptical as always. "Rest assured her majesty will be very much alive when you return. If she dies, it certainly won't be my doing."
David studies the manipulative man, searching to find the ever-existing loop hole in his words, but realizes he's too tired at the moment to care. He hates himself, because there are far too many things wrong with what he's feeling. He needs to leave, he really is trying, but walking out the door is much more difficult than it should be. Somehow, thankfully, he manages to put one foot in front of the other and climb into his truck.
The drive back to Snow and Emma's apartment is uneventful and silent. Henry sits still, head resting on his arm, looking out the window. He's lost in thought, that much David can tell, but about what, he hasn't a clue. He won't push the kid tonight though; it's been a rough day. Hell, it's been a rough week.
David tucks Henry into bed with no words exchanged but a soft "goodnight," and sits alone in the living room, swirling around a glass of scotch. It isn't strong enough; not by as long shot. Soon he gives up and goes to bed, and lies awake plagued by thoughts of the wrong brunette, and haunted by deep, brown pools of emotion. Their pain burns into his restless mind and settles like a ton of bricks in his heart. I shouldn't be thinking about her, he tells himself, but it's no use. Somewhere along the way he started liking her, and now David can't help but feel that she really isn't evil at all, just a lost queen who, for once, needs to feel loved... protected.
I'm sure you can guess the theme of this story by now…
Hope you enjoyed the first real chapter! Chapter two should be up within the next week. I don't want to go too fast, but it's hard not to!