Snow didn't find David that day, or rather she didn't keep looking. Instead she went to find her daughter. David would find her. He always found her. The first group she'd run into after the disturbing encounter with Regina had been the dwarfs. Seeing them bow and hug her had given Snow back some of the sense that things were going back to the way they should be.
I know what you and your dear sweet prince did.
Regina's voice still echoed in her head as did the taste of the vile liquid she'd forced her to drink. She still didn't know what the potion did but it couldn't be good.
"Snow!"
David's voice echoed across main street as he came running to her. He lifted her up and spun her around in a bear hug before leaning in to kiss her. But she stopped him with a hand on his chest... "Charming. I ... the Queen..." Regina.
I know what you and your dear sweet prince did.
David looked confused, "What's wrong? Where is that witch? Has she hurt you?"
Yes. Of course. More than even you know.
"No." Snow answered. "She has her magic back... she's ... she'll hurt people if they go after her."
"How did she get her magic back...?" David asked confused.
"Gold." Emma's voice came from behind them. Henry was holding her hand. "He tricked Regina and I into getting him something he needed. Something that I think brought the purple cloud."
"And magic to this land." Snow nodded. "She has it. I've seen it." She looked at Henry and gave a sad little smile. "And she's desperate. Regina backed into a corner is always rash."
She broke from Charming's arms, grateful for the excuse not to continue into a kiss that felt very wrong.
"She needs to be locked up," David said firmly. "She's a danger."
"Excuse me... locked up for what?" Emma asked. "I mean, yeah, I know, Evil Queen... but I'm the sheriff and all and as long as I'm the sheriff I'd prefer we not lock people up because we don't like them."
Snow smiled and ignored her husband in favor of touching her daughter's face. "The Queen can wait. I just ... want to be with my daughter for a moment."
I know what you and your dear sweet prince did.
Regina's voice echoed again in her mind as Snow looked into Emma's wide eyes. She put her hands on either side of Emma's face and pulled her into a hug and just held her head. They'd sacrificed so much for her. To make her good. To make her noble. And she'd saved them all.
They'd made themselves villains so that Emma could be guaranteed to be a hero. And there was a price for that. A price Regina was certain to make her pay. Like the avenging dark angel of all of Snow's sins. And all her desires.
Just at that moment Archie came running, "There you are! Come with me, I need your help. Dr. Whale's whipped everyone into a frenzy; they're going to Regina's house; they're gonna kill her!"
Henry looked fightened, as Leroy suggested they watch.
"No, she has her magic. It'll be a slaughter."
"And she's my mom..." Henry said with some desperation. "Please don't let them kill her."
For a moment Snow thought to tell him that the danger was less someone killing Regina, as there being a mountain of dead townspeople on his front lawn. But even she couldn't bring herself to tell that to her grandson.
By the time she, David, Emma, Henry and the dwarfs arrived at Mifflin Street, Regina was already on the porch and Dr. Whale was pushing her.
"Oh this isn't going to go well..." Snow mumbled.
The next moment the man's body went flying through the air, landing hard against the stone side walk to a sickening sound of bones crunching and a groan of pain. "You wanted to see your Queen?"
Now there was panic, and everyone but Snow, Charming, Henry and Emma were screaming. Two fireballs appeared in the mayor's hands, and Emma's eyes went wide. "Well that's new..."
"Not really, an old favorite of hers..." Snow mumbled as she walked toward the danger.
"Snow!" David shouted from behind her and tried to grab her arm.
Regina smiled, "Here to see me roast a few of your supporters Snow?"
"Mom?"
The voice came from behind Snow and Regina looked... heartbroken for a moment. She hadn't seen him apparently and quickly the fire in her hands was snuffed out. Henry walked up in front of Snow and she could see something human behind Regina's eyes for the first time in ... well... probably since that terrible day at the execution post.
"You really are the Evil Queen..."
"Henry... I'm sorry... I ..."
"Are you going to hurt people?" The groan of Dr. Whale punctuated the silence and Regina couldn't answer. She reached out to touch his face, but he stepped away.
Being a villain cost Regina everything. Would she learn? Snow wondered. Had she learned that lesson herself?
I know what you and your dear sweet prince did.
Snow put a hand on Henry's shoulder. "The Queen isn't going to hurt anyone. Everyone is going to go home..." She met Regina's eyes and she wasn't sure if she saw hatred there or gratitude.
Regina held her hand out to Henry, but he wouldn't take it. "You're... you're a villain and I don't ever want to see you again."
Snow thought she could hear Regina's heart shatter and the powerful sorceress just stood there broken. "Where... but where will you go?" She asked in a high hurt voice.
"He can stay with us," Emma answered. "Until we figure out something."
Regina didn't agree but didn't stop Henry from running to Emma's arms. But her eyes were locked on Snow's. "Be careful what judgments you make based on that book, Miss. Swan. Heroes and villains are a lot more complicated than you think."
"I think..." Emma said quietly, "that I'll try not to piss off the woman with fireballs right now."
But Regina's eyes were not on Emma, they were on Snow. "And what do you think Princess?"
"I ... think... that it's Henry's decision."
David smiled self righteously and that pained Snow even more than the mix of anger and hurt in Regina's eyes as they walked away from the house and the dwarfs took Dr. Whale to the hospital.
"I should get my things from Kathyrn's house... can I borrow your keys to the loft?" David held out his hand and Snow stared at it... "I'm not sure that's a good idea."
"What?" He asked confused.
"Jumping back into our relationship..."
"Our marriage you mean?"
"Our... our old lives." Snow said quietly. "I... think we should figure out who we are first."
"Did... did she do something to you?" David said with anger and disbelief.
"No." Snow snapped too quickly and she knew he'd see through the lie. "Listen David, just ... give me some time."
She reached out to touch his hand but he pulled away this time. "Why do you always let her get into your head?"
Snow just shook her head. She never could explain it to David. To anyone else.
"Because she sees me for who I really am."
David stared at his wife with hurt and puzzlement.