Disclaimer: As always, I don't own OUAT...as painful as that is to say, Adam and Eddy still own it and the characters.
So, now to answer the question, does David remember or not?
Read and find out!
Please Review!
Enjoy!
Chapter 6: Questions and Answers
They were all back at the hospital. John Doe had passed out after they found him. The doctors were now doing tests to make sure that he was okay.
Mary Margaret chewed at her lip. I found you. That's what he had said when he had looked at her. At first, she was so relieved that they had found him and that he was alive, that she hadn't thought about it.
Now, she was torn. He could've said that because he actually heard those words as she read the story, because apparently finding each other was Snow White and Prince Charming's thing, or he actually had been looking for her like Henry had said, or he was simply confused and had no idea what was going on.
Twisting her ring around her finger, she couldn't take her eyes off of him through the windows of his room.
"You keep doing that, that finger of yours is bound to come off." Killian said stepping beside her. He handed her a cup of coffee.
Mary Margaret quirked a brow. "I thought coffee was yours and Emma's thing."
"Shush." Killian leaned in to whisper conspiratorially, "It's best not to advertise that."
Shaking her head at him, she sipped the not too terrible coffee.
"I figured that you needed it." Killian said.
They sipped the coffee in silence, Mary Margaret lightly bouncing on the balls of her feet and Killian watching her in his peripheral.
"He found me." Mary Margaret said. "That's what he said."
"And you don't know what he meant?"
"Henry said that he was looking for me."
"But you think that he could just be confused." Killian nodded. "You don't want to get your hopes up."
"I don't know him." Mary Margaret said. "He's been in a coma. Why would he be looking for me?"
"It is curious."
"Hey." Emma said, walking over to them. "I finally got Henry home, but Regina's on her way."
"Why?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Because she's his emergency contact." Killian said.
Graham came over after talking with the doctor. "He'll be fine so long as he stays until the doctor releases him. And he's awake now, so we can go in and ask him questions."
The others nodded and they entered John Doe's room as a nurse left.
He looked up at them, slightly shocked, before he recovered. His light hair was mussed from all of the activity, his blue eyes wide and bright.
Killian and Emma noted how he looked at Mary Margaret and Graham with recognition. However, John Doe covered it up with a confused expression.
"Hello, I'm Sheriff Graham Humbert." Graham said. "This is my deputy Killian Jones, and the women who helped us find you, Mary Margaret Blanchard and Emma Swan."
John Doe nodded, "Hello." His voice was rough from disuse, but he had been given water; the cup and straw on his bed table.
"I know that it mustn't be easy for you right now," Graham said, "but we need to ask you some questions."
"All right."
"First, do you remember who you are?" Graham asked.
John Doe swallowed, hesitating. "Um, no...I don't."
Killian narrowed his eyes, suspicious. He could practically feel Emma's suspiciousness as well.
"Really?" Killian asked. "No name comes to mind? None at all?"
John Doe shook his head.
"Do you know where you are?" Graham asked.
"The doctor said the hospital." John Doe said. "In...Storybrooke?"
"Aye." Killian nodded. "Have you ever heard of Storybrooke?"
"No."
"Do you recognize anyone?" Emma asked. "I mean, do any of the nurses or doctors seem familiar?"
Killian glanced at her. Nice cover, Swan. He knew she was trying to bait John Doe; trying to make him slip, because she knew, just as Killian knew, that John Doe was hiding something.
"No."
"Can you recall anything at all?" Graham asked. "Do you know how you ended up here? How you ended up in your coma?"
John Doe hesitated again, but he recovered faster this time. "No."
"What about after you woke up?" Killian asked.
Regina burst into the room then. Her eyes landed on John Doe. "Hello." She smiled tight and polite. "I'm Mayor Regina Mills."
John Doe twitched ever so slightly that everyone but Killian missed it. He only caught it because his eyes were studying John Doe carefully.
"Hello." John Doe said.
"How are you feeling?" Regina asked.
"Um..." John Doe looked helplessly at the others.
"Regina, let's talk outside." Graham urged. They left the room, and the others saw Regina's polite demeanor drop instantly.
"I don't think I like her." John Doe said.
Killian snorted, "That makes four of us."
"So do you remember anything after you woke up?" Emma repeated.
"I...I remember woods." John Doe said. "I was...looking for someone."
"Who?" Mary Margaret asked, slightly desperate to know.
John Doe's flicked to Mary Margaret, but his eyes were quick to look at the others.
"I don't know."
Emma stepped forward, "Look, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I can tell when someone is lying to me. I've always been able to, and I know that you are lying."
"I'm not lying."
"It's Regina, isn't it?" Killian asked. "You fear her wrath if she finds out that you remember."
"I don't know what you're talking about." John Doe glared. He was on edge with Killian and Emma cornering him.
"Look, you can trust us." Emma said. "We don't answer to Regina. If there's trouble between the two of you..."
"There's nothing." John Doe said. "I remember nothing."
Emma and Killian looked at each other.
How do you want to handle this, Swan? His eyes and eyebrow asked.
Don't know. She sighed. All I know is that he is lying. You're the deputy.
Killian sighed, and stepped up to the end of the bed, eyes meeting John Doe's.
"Whatever it is that you're hiding," Killian began, "you can trust us. We can help you. Even protect you from Regina."
John Doe held gazes with Killian before his eyes flicked again to Mary Margaret, emotions swirling in his blue irises. Shaking himself, he looked at Killian and Emma. "I don't know anything. I don't even know my own name."
Graham and Regina entered the room again, effectively ending the conversation.
"Find anything else out?" Graham asked.
"No." Killian said. "He doesn't remember the accident or how it happened."
John Doe schooled his features to hide his surprise.
"Very well." Regina said. She turned to Emma and Mary Margaret, speaking with barely concealed contempt, "Perhaps it's time that you two should leave."
Mary Margaret, who had been unusually quiet as they had questioned John Doe, nodded. "You're right. It's late." She turned to Emma. "Let's go."
Reluctantly, Emma followed Mary Margaret out. She had to sprint a little to catch up with Mary Margaret's hurried steps.
"Hey, are you okay?" Emma asked.
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
Mary Margaret shook her head. "It's nothing."
"I can tell when people are lying." Emma said. "I...I know that we don't know each other, but I was hoping that, maybe..."
"Yes." Mary Margaret said. "We're friends."
Emma looked stunned by Mary Margaret's blunt answer.
"Which is why, we're going to my apartment, and we're going to have some hot cocoa with cinnamon and take it from there."
Emma could only nod and give her a small smile.
When Regina and Graham finally left, Killian returned to John Doe's room. Regina had dismissed him some time ago, but instead of heading to the station, he hid down the hall until he saw the Mayor leave.
"I thought you left." John Doe said.
"Yeah, well, I needed to question you again." Killian said. "Without our dear Mayor and my boss present."
"Why?"
"Look, you know that Emma and I know you were lying."
"I wasn't lying." John Doe snarled.
Killian pushed a hand through his hair. This approach wasn't getting him anywhere. He bit his bottom lip before sliding his tongue over it, as he thought of a different way to approach the situation.
Remembering the way John Doe looked at her earlier, Killian figured that he had a bargaining chip. He felt bad for using her, because Mary Margaret was his friend, but if it got him answers...
"You were looking for Mary Margaret." Killian said. "Who is she to you?"
John Doe glared, his tone defensive when he spoke, "I don't know her."
"No?" Killian asked. "Then why are you in love with her?"
The shocked expression on John Doe's face would've made Killian laugh if the situation wasn't serious. At least, Killian felt that it was serious if this guy was faking amnesia to protect himself from Regina.
"Look, I care about Mary Margaret." Killian said. "If she could be in danger because of you, then I need to know why."
John Doe studied Killian for a long moment, the silence growing tense.
"Who are you?"
"Killian Jones." Killian said. "You knew that."
"Who are you really?" John Doe asked, arms across his chest.
Killian cocked his head to the right. What the bloody hell?
"I am Killian Jones."
John Doe sighed, looking and sounding defeated. "So no one remembers?" Though it seemed that the question was rhetorical, Killian couldn't help himself.
"Remembers what?"
"It's complicated." John Doe said. "Look, I don't think that I can tell you anything. Not that...I think that I can trust you, but I can't trust anyone else. If I tell you anything, who knows what will get back to Regina."
Killian nodded. "All right, mate. I'll let it go for now, but when you can leave, you and I need to talk."
"Okay."
Killian made for the door, but paused, turning back. "I don't know if you have a place to stay or anyone that cares for you, so if you need a place..."
"Thanks...mate."
Nodding again, Killian left. On his way to the elevator, Killian had more questions, no answers, and a lot of new suspicions. Especially in regards to the John Doe and Regina. Though something about the John Doe seemed trustworthy, unlike Regina.
But all he could do was wait. Once John Doe was out of the hospital, then he was getting answers.
He couldn't believe it. No one remembered their previous lives. No one remembered the Enchanted Forest, or that Regina was the Evil Queen. The Huntsman didn't remember him. Snow...Snow didn't remember him.
Charming swallowed thickly, trying to keep from crying.
His hospital room was dark now; he was trying to get to sleep.
But he knew he'd never be able to. Not when Regina had won. Not when Snow didn't remember him. And it killed him.
She had looked at him as though he was familiar, but she didn't know who he was. There was no love in her eyes. She didn't know that he had been looking for her. There was no recognition. She was Mary Margaret here, not Snow White. Snow White loved him, knew him better than he knew himself, and fought by his side. But Mary Margaret wasn't any of those things, and it broke Charming's heart, because that meant that he couldn't kiss her, hold her, tell her how much he loved her.
Mary Margaret was a stranger, someone who didn't know him, someone who was cursed and would remain cursed until the Savior arrived.
Emma. He knew the moment that he saw Emma Swan that she was his Emma. Snow's eyes, chin, and cheekbones; his lighter hair, mouth, and nose. His baby girl, all grown up.
Charming choked back a sob. His little girl was grown up. He missed everything. He missed her first smile. Her first words. He missed her learning to crawl, to walk, to talk. He missed birthdays and holidays. He missed out on training her to be a knight. No archery lessons, no sparring, no sword play, no riding lesson. No balls, no dances. Nothing. He got absolutely nothing. Yes, he knew that the prophecy said that Emma wouldn't break the curse until she was twenty-eight, and yes, he and Snow gave her up for her best chance...but to actually face the reality of their decision. To see the baby that he held in his arms, the baby that he fought for, the baby that he placed inside the enchanted wardrobe, to see her all grown up and realizing just what he missed, to realize that he wanted to be selfish and go back and change it so that he and Snow kept her...it hurt.
Oh god, did it hurt. He felt like his heart was trying to rip itself out of his chest. His throat was tight and his eyes stung horribly. He gritted his teeth, jaw clenching. He felt like a failure. He failed to protect his family and his kingdom. He failed Snow and Emma. He was worthless. A coma? He had been in a godforsaken coma for twenty-eight goddamn years!
His family, his life, it had all been taken away from him by Regina and that damn curse. And there was nothing that he could do about it. He couldn't break the curse. He couldn't go back in time and stop it from happening. There was nothing that he could do.
When it became too much, he buried his face in his pillow and cried. He cried for himself. He cried for Snow, for Emma. For the kingdom. He cried out of anger and self-pity. And god, did he cry out of pain and regret and sadness.
Until finally he cried himself into exhaustion and fell into a restless sleep.
When he woke up in the morning, he decided, whoever Killian Jones was, that he needed an ally, and Killian seemed as good as any. At least until Charming could get to know Emma and see how much she knew about the curse.
While he was happy that Emma had found them and while had faith that she would save them, because he always had faith in his girls no matter what, he couldn't help but wonder about what Emma was like and if she knew just how much he loved her after only minutes of knowing her. But he would have to wait.
For now, he had to rest. Then he was getting out of this damn hospital, and he was going to get his family back.
Against Emma's judgement, Mary Margaret went to visit John Doe at the hospital.
He was still in the same room, picking at his breakfast.
Mary Margaret's heart clenched when she saw the sadness etched into his shoulders. He seemed so lonely and lost. Taking a deep breath, Mary Margaret strode forward and knocked when she reached his door.
He looked up at her, and her stomach flipped at seeing how his face lit up at the sight of her.
"Hello." He said.
"Hi." She walked into the room, hovering near the end of the bed, "I just came to make sure that you were doing better."
"I am."
"That...that's good." Mary Margaret nodded. "Good, um, do you...do you need anything?"
"A friendly face to chat with is always nice." He flashed her a smile that made her heart beat quicken.
Mary Margaret bit her lip. "Well, I can always go and get one of the nurses for you." She teased.
"Why would I want one of the nurses, when you're here." He smirked.
Oh god, were they flirting? Mary Margaret felt her cheeks warm. "If that's the case, maybe I should go. Make you pine for me."
He laughed a full throaty laugh that made his face as bright as the sun.
"Trust me, it's not that hard."
His words made her blush harder. She shook her head. "Do you flirt with every woman in your amnesiac state, or am I just that unfortunate?"
"Oh it's all you."
Mary Margaret laughed. She couldn't help it. He was sweet, flirty, cute, and...charming.
Yeah, charming suited him.
"Careful there Charming, I might just take you seriously."
His face fell at the nickname, something unreadable flashing in his eyes.
Thinking that she did something wrong, all of her confidence left her, and she stood back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"Ms. Blanchard, what are you doing here?" Dr. Whale asked.
"Oh, um, I was just coming to check on..." Mary Margaret glanced at him, wondering if he remembered his name yet, "...John? Um, I was worried."
"Right." Whale nodded. "Since you're here, I'd like to apologize for my behavior the other night. I know I was a less than spectacular date."
"Oh, that, yeah." Mary Margaret nodded. She practically felt Charming's, um, John's eyes narrow on the doctor, and she sensed that his full attention was on them. "It's fine."
"Even so, I was wondering if maybe..."
"What's going on here?" Regina asked.
The other three turned their attention to her.
"David?" A blonde woman appeared behind Regina, her eyes on John Doe. "David, is that you?" She walked over to the bed. "It is. Oh my god, David." She hugged him tightly.
David for his part looked absolutely shocked.
"Um, excuse me," Whale started, "but may I ask who you are?"
"Kathryn Nolan." Regina answered.
Kathryn pulled away from David, tears in her eyes.
David just stared at her like he was terrified of her presence.
"I'm David's wife." Kathryn said, glancing at the doctor, before her attention was back on David.
Mary Margaret's heart sank. His wife. He's married.
"Don't you remember me?" Kathryn asked him.
"Um, no." David said. "I don't remember anything."
All the while his head was screaming. Abigail? I'm married to Abigail. Of all the people, Abigail? He really could not, did not want to, believe that this was happening.
"I don't understand." Mary Margaret spoke up. "You didn't know that he was here?"
Regina glared at the brunette, but Kathryn simply gave her a sad smile.
"A few years ago, David and I were not getting along." Kathryn said. "It was my fault, I know that now. I was difficult and I told him to leave. He did. And not going after him, letting him go, it was the worst mistake I ever made."
"You didn't go look for him?" Whale asked, a tad curious.
"I thought he left town." Kathryn said. "I thought that he never wanted to talk to me again and that that was why I never heard from him. I know differently now." She turned to David. "I am so sorry for everything. Please, can we have a second chance?"
David swallowed. What the hell do I do now? If I refuse, what will Regina do? If I accept, what will I do about Snow and Emma? I don't...ugh, why now? Why was this happening? Dammit Regina.
"I...I don't..." David shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I don't remember you...and I don't...I can't. I'm sorry but I don't even know who I am."
"All the more reason to go home with her." Regina said. "Perhaps, it could jog your memories."
"That's true." Whale said. "Familiar surroundings do help with amnesia."
"See, there you go." Regina smiled. "Ms. Blanchard, perhaps we should leave the happy couple to get reacquainted?"
"Of course." Mary Margaret nodded. The two women left, heading towards the elevators. When they entered, Regina spoke.
"I hope that you know what's good for you Ms. Blanchard."
"Excuse me?"
"Stay away from David Nolan." Regina said. "The poor man doesn't need to be more confused than he already is."
"How does me checking up on a man that I helped, confuse him?"
"Just stay away."
When the elevator dinged open on the first floor, Regina strutted out leaving Mary Margaret dumbfounded.
"What was that about?"
"I don't buy it." Emma said upon entering the Sheriff's Station.
Killian was leaning back in his chair, legs stretched out with his ankles crossed, hands intwined behind his head. A to-go container of a burger and french fries on his desk.
"Do you always burst into a building as though you own it?" Killian asked.
Emma rolled her eyes at him. "I think the whole mystery wife of our lying amnesiac thing is kind of priority here."
"What are you talking about, darling?"
"You haven't heard?" Emma asked. "About John Doe's wife?"
"That must be the call that Graham took earlier." Killian said. "No, I haven't."
Emma told him what Mary Margaret told her about visiting the John Doe, who they could now call David Nolan, and what had happened with David's wife and Regina. She sat on the edge of his desk, arms across her chest.
"And what?" Killian cocked his head. "You think Regina hired Kathryn?"
"No, well, I don't know." Emma said. "Mary Margaret said that it all seemed pretty genuine."
Killian bit his bottom lip and flicked his tongue. "It is suspicious, I agree. David's been in a coma for who knows how many years, but I don't recall a missing person's report filed. Nor did I ever see anything in the news."
"Exactly." Emma nodded. "There is something wrong here. Especially with David faking his amnesia, and him not recognizing his "wife"."
"True."
"So what are we going to do?"
"We?" He cocked a brow. We? Well now Swan, getting attached much?
Emma shot him a dry look. "Fine, what are you and Graham going to do?" Crap, I can't believe I said that. "We?" Really Emma, what is your problem? Why are you even here anyway? This isn't your business.
"Well, I'm on the clock, so right now, I do whatever Graham tells me."
"So you are his bitch?" Emma smirked.
"Oi, watch it Swan girl." Killian mock glared. "I can lock you up again if you're not careful."
"Oh, didn't know that insulting an officer of the law was a crime?" What are you doing? Are you flirting with him? Seriously? Dammit Emma, you know better. This is not a good idea. Just back out now, and leave him to do his job.
Killian stood from his chair and leaned into her personal space. He could see the emotions swirling in her eyes. Panic, desire, amusement, fear. He just hoped that her flirting meant that she could overcome her flight response. He just had to challenge her. "Oh it is a very serious crime."
Emma quirked a brow, leaning closer to him, accepting his challenge. Her eyelashes fluttered. "And just what are you going to do about it?" What are you doing? Jesus fucking Christ, stop. Do not keep flirting. Not with him, and his infuriatingly, cocky attitude and his damn perfect eyebrows. Wait, hold on, perfect eyebrows? What is wrong with you Emma Swan? Why the hell are you letting this guy get to you?
"I might very well have to..."
A throat clearing had both of their heads whipping so fast, they were both certain to have whiplash.
Graham was staring at them, curiously though his eyes had the whole "wounded puppy" look.
Killian stepped away, scratching his right ear.
Emma blushed and ducked her head.
"So Killian, did you ask her?" Graham asked.
"Ask me what?"
"Um, well, we just..." Killian licked his lips, "You helped a lot with finding David, and Henry, and well, you seem to know what you're doing..."
Chuckling to hide his surprise at seeing Killian actually flustered, Graham stepped forward.
"What Killian means to say is, we would like to hire you." Graham said. "We have it in our budget for another deputy."
"Yeah, and all you need is the badge." Killian continued. "We have the uniforms, but as you can see," he motioned between Graham and himself, "we don't really wear them."
"You want me to be a deputy?"
"Well, since you are staying in Storybrooke, we figured that you'd need a job." Graham said.
Killian nodded.
Looking between the two men, and seeing how serious they were, Emma sighed. "I'll...can I think about it?"
"Sure." Graham said. "Just don't take too long."
"Okay." Emma said. "I'll see you guys around then?" Emma left without waiting for answer.
"So," Graham turned to Killian, "what was that?"
"Flirting." Killian said, his tone sarcastic. "Try it sometime and maybe you'll be able to recognize it when you see it."
Graham held his hands up in mock surrender. "Easy there Killy, no need to get snippy."
"Whatever." Killian huffed before plopping down in his chair.
As Killian returned to his lunch and paperwork, Graham studied him and wondered if his friend was more than interested in flirting with Miss Swan.
Whatever it was that Killian wanted, all Graham wanted was for his friend to not get hurt. And, maybe it was his crush on Emma talking, but Graham felt like Emma could have the potential to really hurt Killian.
However, Killian was an adult and Emma was still virtually a stranger, Graham had no say in what either did with their private lives.
So, instead of prying Killian for answers, Graham entered his office ready yet reluctant to do his own paperwork.
As he stared at his cluttered desk, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was changing. It was going to be a long week.
Yeah, I made Charming remember sorry (not sorry).
I figured that it was a good way to keep it in canon yet make it completely AU as well.
Now with Charming, Gold, and Regina all knowing about the curse, it should be a very interesting story...hehe
And of course, I had to throw in Captain Swan at the end, because this was primarily a Charming and Snowing chapter.
No worries, Captain Swan is the ship of our story, but Snowing plays just as important of a role and this chapter reflects that.
Hopefully I'll be able to update soon, but it is Finals week...ugh
Please Review!
