Chapter 2

It was a miracle they had not been discovered yet. Hiding in a dense bush Snow and David felt their hearts hammering as a group of Black Knights marched into view. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword as one got closer and closer, picking up on Emma's gurgling.

"No!" Snow whispered harshly, imploring him to wait with only her eyes. Sure enough Emma stilled as she sucked on Snow's finger. She really was hungry and as soon as this idiot was gone, her baby bandit could have as much milk as she wanted. They just had to be patient.

With a scratch of his helmet and a shrug of his shoulders the knight followed his disgruntled comrades and somehow, they were safe.

They both exhaled a sigh of relief. "That was close." David gasped; a mix of joy and adrenaline present in his words however; Snow's face was a picture of worry. "Too close."

Placing a gentle hand on Snow's, David looked deeply into her eyes as he said his next words. "They will never touch you again."

"Promises, promises Charming." Snow grinned, that gorgeous smile lighting her eyes.

His lips had suddenly found themselves mere inches from his bandit's and if he thought his heart was beating hard before, it was on fire now.

"Snow."

"Charming." She was so close he could practically feel her breath tickling his cheek. And Snow in turn could feel his but, the fear the fear was crippling.

"Yes Snow?" Please! Please! Let me hold you. David's mind pleads.

"I think..." As much as the little girl inside her wants nothing more than to kiss him, Bandit Snow just cannot take the risk. Pulling back slightly she turns her words to Emma. "It's time we found somewhere to rest for the night."

"Yes." "Of course." But his mother's farm was another days ride at least and even longer on foot. So he admitted private defeat and said: "Any ideas?"

Her eyes lit up again and she beamed. "I know the perfect place."

The hideaway was tiny, a treasure trove in the heart of the forest mere moments away from where he'd caught her in the net. Where Snow had fought and cursed and... called him Charming for the first time.

"Aren't you a real Prince Charming?" The exquisitely infuriating woman had quipped. And now, he was here marvelling in awe at every detail. There was a copper lantern, illuminating the darkness, a pile of blankets, furs and rags complete with a reclaimed pillow. It was her bed.

"I know it's not as comfortable as what you're used to. I have some food for the month from a friend, some meat and bread there's some wine too. But, that was courtesy of a drunken Lord." Snow chuckled, settling Emma down in her arms before shedding her cloak and inviting him to sit with them. "You said Emma had you." The seriousness in Snow's voice captivated him. "I was wondering if.. Charming would you like to stay. Here?"

Stammering she was stammering like a child. "For Emma... I mean."

The answer, comes in him sitting down beside her and kissing Baby Emma's tired cheek before moving his attention to Snow's forehead and pressing a loving peck upon it, making her sigh wondrously. "Of course."

"Alright Emma. Let's see if we-" A burning sensation cut off Snow's words as Baby Emma latched on, suckling heartily. Truth be known she did not know or care what strange magic had befallen her body, only that she could finally give the heavenly babe something. "Ooh. That's it."

"Sweet Baby. I'm here. Mama's here." The bond that she felt was indescribable. It was only compounded by the feeling of Charming's arm around them. He'd tried to excuse himself, even going out to wash the sodden blanket in the stream. Snow's heart however, wouldn't have it.

"Papa's here." David states just as tenderly.

"Charming. You never told me what you were doing out here in the woods?"

"I didn't."

Her classic eye-roll.

"It appears I can't get you out of my head."

"So you decided to follow me, like the dashing Prince Charming you are." Snow teases as Emma finishes before securing her blanket more. She'll sleep with them, with Ruby's basket acting as a crib.

"Something like that."

"How long can we stay here Snow?"

"Not long. A day or two at most. There's only so much fairies can do."

He looked confused. "The fairies, Blue she's tired of the bloodshed. The kingdom, it's under a veil. She can't cross it. She can't hurt anyone that's why she sends her soldiers." A single tear falls. "This place, is protected as are all my hideouts. And anywhere I choose to go."

"Sanctuary." David wipes away her tear with his delicate thumb before Snow covers herself again. "For now. They can't hide me forever. And now I have Emma. She's just another target."

"I don't know anything about her or where she came from and yet, she's mine."

"I love her Charming. I love her."

"I know." David knows the feeling. "From the moment I saw Emma and... " Something stops him. No, he can't tell her. Not yet.

Tears well and a lump forms in her throat. "I can't lose her. I can't lose you."

"Look at me. Look at me Snow." He brings her face up gently as she sobs. 'You will never lose me. Do you hear me?' MA!" Without thinking David had just kissed her. Instinctively, like they had done it a thousand times before. Perhaps, in another life they had.

"I'm sorry. I.." But, he is cut off by the feeling of Snow gently returning the kiss. It's very brief with their baby in her arms though, the look she gives him almost certainly promises more.

"It's late. We should all get some rest." Snow can't help the smile that comes. "Yes." Her Charming agrees. "We should."

And so, after tucking in a blissfully asleep little girl into her makeshift crib, Snow and Charming hold each other underneath the den of blankets and furs. A exquisite silence passing between them that is only broken to say slightly nervously.

"Goodnight Snow."

"Hmm. Goodnight. Charming."