Author's note: Here's the next new chapter! I hope you guys like it, and please review!
Can't Stop Running
Snow sat in the back bedroom, feeding her son on the bed. Red and Granny had gone to a town meeting with Gepetto and the dwarves, so Snow and her baby were finally alone for a while. Eric smiled up at his mother, those big blue eyes meeting her green. He was so handsome already, a spitting image of his father (except for the dark hair). If only her Charming could see the toothless smile of their little boy he didn't know about…
She tried to tell him about Eric when she was going to kill the queen. Charming snapped her out of it, and she was getting ready to tell him about their little son. Then the guards started running towards them, and she didn't want to risk the safety of her baby by blurting it out. She would find him though. She would always find him.
Eric started squirming in her lap, whining a little as she scooted his head onto her shoulder. "Are you tired, baby?" She asked, knowing he wouldn't tell her an answer. He fought to keep his eyes open and fixed on her. "I'll lay you down for a nap." She set him down on a pillow and rested on her side supporting him. His eyelids fluttered, but he was stubborn enough to not sleep. "How about a bedtime story, huh?" She saw a little grin make it's way across his face. He rolled into her and she held him close, preparing her story mentally. "Once upon a time…"
...later, a plan is made to save Charming…
Snow, Red, Granny, the dwarves and the fairies all gathered outside King George's castle. During that "town meeting", they had planned how to get back the prince that Snow (and Eric) needed. The attack had begun already, and soon enough Snow was scaling the castle wall with nothing on her mind but her boys. Gepetto agreed to take care of Eric once more, he had become like a makeshift father to Eric (only until, Gepetto realized, his real father came back into his life, then he'd just be an old man).
Taking the castle by storm, well, Snow realized it took determination. And she was wickedly determined. Her Charming was in there, and she had to find him and bring him back so that their baby had a real father in his life. The dwarves stalled the guards while she wandered down into the dungeon, where all she saw was a mirror with her Charming standing steadfast, hands clasped in front of him. "No no no no no." She called out, putting her hands on either side of the mirror frame, letting out cry. "But I'm rescuing you."
"I will find you." He said, seemingly quoting himself. "This is just a bump in the road, Snow."
Snow cleared the lump in her throat. She had to tell him about Eric, or she felt like she was going to die! "Charming, there's something I have to tell you." He raised his eyebrows but seemed ready to listen. She looked around to check for guards. "We have a son." His eyes widened with shock, and his mouth opened as if he was about to ask a question. "I know we only spent that night together in the woods, and I'm sorry I even have to pull you into this… his name is Eric, he's six months old… you don't have to be… be in his life if you don't want to…"
He smiled. "I- I love you." He muttered, but it was almost insincere. She didn't care. She finally heard it to her face. She leaned in, about to kiss the mirror when Charming disappeared in a cloud of smoke and Regina appeared cackling. Snow was absolutely puzzled.
Regina spoke to her with absolute mockery. "Oh, Eric, was an adorable name."
"Leave him out of this!" Snow barked at her evil stepmother. Her maternal side was kicking in, and Regina seemed to be fond of this newfound strength. "Him and Charming, leave them out of this. It's between the two of us."
Regina smiled. "I couldn't agree more. Let's cut off this messy fighting and go for a parlay. You know what parlay is right?" Snow nodded. It was one of the things Regina and her father struggled to teach her about. "Good. No weapons, and come completely alone. So… get child care." Her voice dripped the mean-spirited teasing.
"Where should I meet you?" Snow asked, determined to make this work. She had to keep Eric safe, and she didn't want him to lose every chance of him having a father.
"Where it all began." Regina answered, then the mirror faded to black.
…meanwhile, in Regina's castle…
James sat against the wall of the dungeon. He was too tired to fight back or rattle the bars. He owed his life to Regina currently, the least he could do was not fight the guards. A part of James didn't want to believe his father had attempted to execute him. But he had, and Regina saved his life. Now he had to find Snow.
Why had Rumplestiltkin been so unclear with how to find her? He brought her back to reality, but he lost her so quickly. Now she was no doubt going back to her home in the woods, and then she'd try to singlehandedly storm her castle to get him. Maybe he was in the right place now for the time being.
Regina came in and smiled at him with that devilish grin she had. "Seems like your pretty princess went to get you." She cackled and James rushed to the door and tried once more to break free. "It's a pity."
"What have you done to her?!" He asked angrily, and Regina only seemed to get giddier. A giddy Regina? He never imagined such a creature!
Regina held out a small bag towards the cell door. "Oh dear, I haven't done anything. Yet." She pulled out an apple, and he continued to try to free himself. An apple didn't feel like a punishment, but he knew for some reason it had to be. He had to bust out, and he had to save her.
