I sadly do not own OUAT, only my renditions of this brilliant series.

Chapter four: Some People Aren't so Charming…

It had been hours since the towns people had dispersed, in order to find and track down the Blue Fairy, all of the allies of good had grouped and had started a rather determined search party… That is, after they had all stopped arguing about the Blue Fairy's motives. Snow had stayed in Granny's diner alone, as it was the meeting point if one group had news; they would come back and report back to her, and she would send her beautiful blue birds out to the rest of the groups still out there.

Snow sat depressed in a booth, and made circles with some spilt water on the table top. Her thoughts were consumed with remembering everything from her life in this town, trying to recall every moment in which she had been with Emma, and also with Henry. She also recalled times with Regina, these memories caused her to scowl with fury, and the misery she had cursed them all with had not ended, it was still playing horrid games on her mind.

She suddenly heard a large crash and screams from far down the street, she bolted up right and rushed over to the window and pressed her cheek against the glass desperately, as a deep sense of foreboding filled her, making her stomach churn sickeningly. The window quickly fogged from her desperate breaths and she wiped the fog away desperately. But she saw a flash of fire and she ducked as a store up the street exploded with fire. Snow hurried behind the counter and peered over it anxiously, awaiting the same to happen to Granny's diner as when the blast had rocked the structure, the glass of the windows had cracked and all but shattered ominously.

Snow ducked in cautiousness as another blast sounded, along with a dreadful roar of fury.

She heard the bell of Granny's diner sound with an unceremoniously chipper "Ding" amongst the chaos. She suddenly was thrown to the ground behind the counter in a flash of unceremonious tackling.

Emma pulled back and they both did a slight double take at seeing the other, Snow opened her mouth and spluttered, not being able to form a proper sentence at seeing her lovely daughter, wearing her lovely husbands sword at her hip. Emma on the other hand, was already getting to her feet and dragging Snow along with her, hissing "Quickly! "She dragged her bodily into the kitchen, they steadied the swinging door and Emma peered out the circular window into the diner as another roar shook the entire diner.

Snow was staring hypnotised at Emma, unable to tear her eyes away, but her throat dry with nervousness.

Emma turned carefully to look at her mother, but was struck by the sudden awkwardness, she cleared her throat, "Sorry about the tackle ", she said uncomfortably, shuffling her feet sub-consciously and glancing inadvertently away, trying to find interest in anything but her stunned mother and old friend.

Snow shook her head, getting her thoughts together, she smiled with excitement and threw her arms around Emma, "Oh Emma! "She beamed and gripped her tightly.

Emma stood frozen, unsure what to do and feeling mortified at her inability to think of anything to say or do. She patted her on the back awkwardly, silently begging for the hug to end.

Snow pulled back and wiped a tear away, She held her at arm's length and beamed.

Emma cleared her throat, "Look… This is unnerving for me ", she let that hang for several seconds, then continued, "It's been twenty-eight years, and its just a lot to take in… I mean… "She sighed and shrugged with discomfort, "It's a lot to ask of someone to do all at once… "She trailed off when she saw the devastated look on Snows face. Her throat constricted and the atrocious feeling of guilt raided her senses. She cleared her throat and embraced her mother stiffly, "Look, Mar- er I mean, Snow ", she spluttered and pulled back, "Uh I mean… Mom ", she glanced at Snow anxiously, to see warm delight and a faint smile on her lips.

"Oh Emma ", she whispered, embracing her once again, "I'm sorry for being a nag ", she blushed slightly, "It's a little disorienting for me as well ", she muttered coyly.

There was another roar, closer now. There was suddenly silence, which sent chills up their spines. They both heard the inappropriate cheerful "Ding" of the diner's door opening. Both Snow and Emma threw each other a look of alarm, they backed away from the door and Emma indicated to the side door. They crept slowly and quietly towards it, but the swinging door suddenly blew off its hinges and they both recoiled. Emma pulled her father's sword from its sheath at her hip and held it tightly and nervously.

Maleficent stood in the doorway ominously smiling, "Well well well, isn't this a coincidence ".

OOOOO

James was running towards the nerve racking explosions and screams of terror; his mind reeling because he knew they came from the area of Granny's diner, and his thoughts immediately went to his beloved Snow.

He suddenly saw to his surprise Henry sprinting out from a street to stop fifty feet in front of James in a explosion of huffing. A young woman appeared behind him, also panting, but seeming anxious as well. "Henry! We can't be out here; I can't protect you when you're out here! "She cried desperately.

Henry pouted indignantly, "Emma is out here! Why didn't you stop her from leaving? "He accused between breaths. "She needs protecting too! She's the saviour! "

Nova sighed wearily, "She left without telling me! "She burst out.

Henry crossed his arms stubbornly, and James approached them quickly, "Henry! "He exclaimed.

The young boy spun around, and his entire face lighted up with joy, he sprinted and leapt into his grandfathers arms, "You're here! "He slid down and frowned almost accusingly at Nova, "Can you talk some sense into her? "He asked innocently.

James frowned at Nova, "You are a fairy ", he observed tactfully, even though she lacked wings, he appraised her and found it all together… Fairy-like. "Is the Blue Fairy intending to show her traitorous side anytime soon? "He accused.

Nova spluttered, "N-no! "She squeaked, she seemed very flustered, "She isn't a traitor "She babbled aghast.

James scowled and crossed his arms, "She kidnapped my daughter, Emma and my grandson, Henry here. "

Nova jogged up and down stunned, "No! No, she only wanted to protect them against the magic ", she exclaimed flustered.

James seemed stunned, the dark clouds above rumbled with promised rain and Henry glanced from his Grandfather, back to Nova. "What do you mean magic? This is a land without magic ", he said testily.

Nova shook her head wildly, "Rumplestiltskin brought magic here, that purple mist… "She trailed off with a squeak and she clapped her hands over her mouth, staring horrified at something past James and Henry…

Enjoy! Hopefully it wasn't too cliffhanger-y ;0

Will update quicker (Hopefully), I'll update my twitter/FF profile on progress.

Reviews would be appreciated

LR