Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or the characters. This is just one of the
many sandboxes I like to play in. :)
AN: I just want to say thanks for the great feedback. As you would guess by now, this story is AU, though I will be including many canon events, I will also be including new elements.
And a small note on the dwarves. It seems that only a few of them have actual curse identities. I looked it up and we know Sneezy is Tom Clark, Grumpy is Leroy, and Sleepy is Walter. The other dwarves don't have curse identities and so I will be giving them Storybrooke identities for the purpose of this story.
Pairings: Primarily Snowing - With eventual OutlawQueen. Down the road, there will also be brief SwanFire and eventually Captain Swan.
Finding You Always
Chapter 8: Pressing On
The mood in Storybrooke was somber that Monday morning. The whole town was very nearly shut down, including the school, as the entire town mourned the sudden passing of their Sheriff. Emma clung to her father and he held her tightly, as she cried. Neither of them had known Graham very long, but they had grown very fond of him in just the few short days they knew him. His heart ached for his little girl too. He wanted to protect her from ugliness like this as long as possible, but he learned when he had to tell her Saturday morning that Graham was dead, that his baby girl had already experienced more than she should have.
Flashback
David's eyes were red and puffy that morning, as he attempted to drink some coffee. Emma would be awake soon and he would have to tell her about Graham. He hadn't slept a wink and had been forced to take charge as acting Sheriff. Graham's collapse was a mystery. He had been fine one minute and dead the next. The paramedics had tried to revive him, but it was no use. They had taken the body to the hospital morgue and there would be an autopsy straight away. The rest of the evening, he had grieved with Mary Margaret, Ruby and Granny at the diner. Then came the really difficult part in the morning.
Emma had awakened cheerfully, but had immediately noticed that something was very wrong. Daddy was already awake, though that wasn't unusual itself, she noticed his red eyes and sad expression immediately.
"Daddy…" she asked quietly. He looked over and managed a small smile just for her, though this one didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Come here princess," he whispered. His voice was hoarse and he swallowed the lump in his throat, as he pulled her into his lap.
"Why are you sad?" she asked. He gently tucked a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear.
"Something happened last night and it's very sad. But I want you to know that daddy is here for you and I'm not going anywhere," he started to say.
"What happened?" Emma asked.
"Sheriff Graham died last night," he told her, as he rubbed her back soothingly.
"Do you understand what that means?" he asked gently. Tears slipped down her cheeks and she nodded.
"Sometimes people died at the group home," Emma said quietly. David's heart broke a little more at that. Emma's file from social services had arrived yesterday and he had yet to look through it. He was almost afraid to. What else had his baby girl seen in her short ten years? What had he been unable to protect her from? He pondered this, as he held her while she cried.
End Flashback
People began to slowly disperse, as the casket was lowered into the ground. Granny was holding a wake at the diner and he took Emma's hand to follow Mary Margaret and Ruby when Regina stopped them.
"I know this isn't a great time, but we still need to talk about the town's protection," Regina stated.
"You don't have to worry. I'm more than able to take on Graham's role. This town will have a Sheriff," David promised.
"A little presumptuous of you, don't you think? You've barely been a deputy and now you think you can be Sheriff? Regina asked incredulously.
"Yes, Graham thought I could do the job and I will not let him down," David snapped back.
"That's noble, but I'll be appointing Sidney Glass as the new Sheriff. You'll answer to him, deputy," Regina replied.
"And what experience does a reporter have to be Sheriff?" David countered.
"My decision is final," Regina snapped.
"Actually, it's not. I've been reading and if more than one person wants the job as Sheriff, then there has to be an election. The people get to decide who they want protecting them...not you," David snapped in return. Regina clenched her teeth, wishing for nothing more than to be able to rip his heart out right now.
"Fine...you'll have your election," Regina spat. Mary Margaret gently touched his arm.
"I know who I'm voting for," she said, smiling at him. He smiled back shyly.
"Thanks. I think it's just time that the people run this town. You'd think the Mayor has no concept of democracy the way she tried to run things," he replied, as they walked to Granny's.
"That's Regina," Mary Margaret agreed.
"How long has she been mayor anyway?" David asked curiously. Mary Margaret opened her mouth to answer, but realized that she couldn't really remember.
"Huh...as long as I can remember I guess," Mary Margaret replied, as little uneasy that it seemed she could never remember a time that was different. David and Emma's arrival was the first change she could remember and now Graham's death.
"I probably shouldn't expect a clean race then. Regina will fight to put someone in there that will do what she wants," he said.
"Then we'll fight back. We'll start making posters right away," Mary Margaret said.
"Can I help?" Emma asked.
"Of course, we'll start right after lunch," Mary Margaret replied. David smiled.
"You really think I can win?" he asked.
"I believe you can. You're a good man and this town deserves someone like you. Sidney is a brown nosing rat. And...good always wins," Mary Margaret rambled. Emma smiled. It was exactly what Snow White would say. David smiled.
"Thanks," he said, as they went into Granny's.
The next day, after seeing Emma off to the bus, David arrived at the station. It already felt empty and cold without Graham. He hadn't known him long, but they were friends. He had given David and Emma a place to belong and a job David loved. He also didn't buy the official autopsy report. It had been ruled as heart failure. Graham had to be about his age and generally people in their thirties didn't just have heart failure. He was determined to win the Sheriff election and give the people a voice in their town. He heard footsteps and turned his head toward the entrance, seeing a woman in a navy blue coat step in.
"Can I help you?" David asked.
"Excuse me Sheriff, I'm Mother Superior from the convent and I believe I need to file a missing person's report," she stated. He motioned for her to take a seat.
"Is it one of your charges?" he asked.
"No...thank goodness no. But I have reason to believe that Dr. Whale may be in some sort of trouble. He hasn't showed up for a shift at the hospital in two days. I volunteer there regularly and no one has seen him since Friday night," Mother Superior said.
"And you believe he was last seen at the hospital?" David asked.
"According to the staff, yes. Dr. Whale is not the most...virtuous person, so there may have been other places he went after his shift that night," she replied.
"I'll start by formally questioning the staff and then see if I can recreate any kind of path that night. In the meantime, we don't have a doctor. The hospital should be making calls to see if we can get a doctor to come fill his position in case of an emergency," David suggested.
"They have been making calls, but all requests have gone unanswered," Mother Superior replied. His brow furrowed in confusion. That was really strange.
"We do have Doc for any non serious injuries though," she mentioned.
"Doc?" he asked. She looked embarrassed.
"Forgive me, doctor Samuel Reed, but everyone just calls him Doc," she replied.
"He's a doctor too?" David asked.
"Not a surgeon though. He handles all minor treatments and routine physicals for Whale," she informed.
"That's something then. We should still have a surgeon though for emergencies. I'll speak with Mayor Mills. Maybe she has connections in Boston or Augusta. For now, I'll head to the hospital and start interviewing people that saw him that night," David said. Mother Superior smiled kindly.
"Thank you Sheriff," she said.
"Well...acting Sheriff for now," he corrected. She nodded.
"Well, from what I've seen, you're the Sheriff this town needs. I scarcely doubt Mr. Glass will be as fair and dedicated as you are, Mr. Nolan. The whole convent will be behind you," she said graciously, humbling David.
"Thank you Mother Superior. I'll let you know if and when I find anything," he said. She nodded gratefully. He wasn't obligated to share anything with her, but believed he would, because he cared.
A Thousand of year ago...
The Kingdom of the Dragon was the richest and most prosperous in the entire realm. The benevolent Dragon King ruled with a firm, but gentle hand. Despite his extraordinary powers and immortality, he did not abuse his gifts. Many said that was in part due to the true and powerful love he shared with his Queen. But as one would learn, even the power of the Dragon King had its limits.
The Kingdom was bustling with excitement. The Royal couple were traveling, visiting many villages along the way. It was well known that those with ailments or those that needed help, and deemed worthy if they were good people, of course, could be recipients of the King's gifts. His powers were not unlike that of a mystical genie of Agrabah. But the Dragon King did not require a Master and was free to use his powers as he saw fit. There were whispers that he had long ago been such a genie, but freed by one of his Master's own wishes. Others denied that story though and said that his powers were bestowed upon him by an ancient God. Whichever story was true, it was well known and clear that the source of his power lay in the mystical orb that topped the long staff he always carried. And no one quite knew where it had come from or how it came to be, thus the wild stories and rumors.
But for one man, the King was his only hope for his family's survival…
The man bowed before the King, as he arrived at his village.
"Please rise," the King requested.
"I've been told that you are a good man and that you have need of my gifts," the King said.
"Yes Your Majesty, it is my wife. She was very ill and passed away just this morning. My children and I need her. Can you help?" he asked. The King frowned.
"I am very sorry, but even my magic has its limits. Bringing back those that are deceased defies the laws of magic. Perhaps if she were still alive, I could have healed her, but if she has passed on...there is nothing I can do," the King said regrettably. The man was crushed.
"But you must...she is my true love…" he cried. The King looked truly said.
"I'm afraid not even true love can transcend death. I am truly sorry," the King said, as he left the man to grieve.
"No...if you won't help me...then I'll help myself to your power. I will find a way," the man growled, all his grief overwhelming him.
Present Day
Hong Kong
"Father…" a young man called, as he quietly entered his father's study
"Satoshi...my son, has your sister made contact?" he asked.
"Yes Father...I believe we are in luck. It seems that Storybrooke needs a doctor," he said. The Dragon smiled.
"It is good to know that your years at medical school will not go to waste then. Answer the call," the Dragon ordered. The young man nodded. He didn't dare question his father. Like his sister, he was born in this world and did not always understand his Father's quest for magic. He watched, as his Father took something from his cabinet and carefully unfolded the item wrapped in a special cloth.
"You will need a talisman or magical object to enter the town," he said, as he handed him a shiny, scaly item.
"What is it?" he asked.
"A scale from the tail of a mermaid. Since I do not have an object from Storybrooke, this is the only way in. Mermaids can travel across realms and their scales can allow passage through magical barriers," he stated.
"Yes Father, I will leave at once," he said, bowing respectfully.
It had been a frustrating afternoon for David, as he interviewed any that had seen Whale on the day of he disappeared. This included most of the nurses, two of which Whale had been "entertained" by in a broom closet. He thought maybe there was the possibility of a jealous husband or boyfriend in there, but both nurses turned out to be single. Both seemed very adamant that he know of their relationship status or lack thereof and were disappointed when he left without giving either the time of day.
He arrived back in time for the bus to drop Emma off and once he got her settled with a snack, he went about reading through his witness statements. There wasn't much there and he needed to go canvas the parking lot. The town wasn't that big itself, though there was a considerable amount of forest ground to cover. No one had seen him though and he almost wondered if Whale had just taken off on an impromptu trip. He had no family and quite a bit of job security, so he didn't put it past him to just take off. His pondering was interrupted though, as Sidney Glass strolled into the station.
"Any leads?" Sidney asked. David looked up at him. He didn't really have to share anything with him. He didn't have the job yet and if David had anything to do with it, he wouldn't. But he decided that being civil would probably be best.
"Not yet. No sightings or hits on his car, but I'm going to go canvas the hospital parking lot soon," David responded. Sidney glanced over at Emma.
"And how do you plan to do that while babysitting?" the reporter asked. David snapped the pencil he was holding in two, as he glared at Sidney. He was about to retort when someone beat him to it.
"Emma will be with me tonight while David handles this. He is the Sheriff," Mary Margaret said. Sidney looked surprised. The meek Mary Margaret Blanchard never talked back to anyone. She could barely make eye contact with anyone in authority either. He looked between the two, guessing that David might be responsible for these changes.
"Very well, let me know if you find anything," Sidney said, as left.
"I'm sorry if I was being presumptuous. I just heard about Whale missing and I thought you might need someone to watch Emma," she fretted, afraid she had overstepped. He smiled and stood up, surprising her by cupping her face and kissing her tenderly. Her face flushed and she felt like she was floating, as their lips parted.
"Sorry...I've just wanted to do that all day," he said.
"Don't be sorry," she replied, clearly saying he could do that any time he wanted.
"Are you sure you wouldn't mind watching her for a bit?" he asked.
"I'd love to. She can come home with me and then you can pick her up when you're done," she suggested.
"Thanks," he said, as he knelt beside Emma.
"Daddy has to work late tonight. Would you be okay going home with Mary Margaret for a while? I'll be by to pick you later," he promised.
"Okay," she replied. He kissed her head and she packed her things up, including her book.
"I'll see you later Princess," he said. Mary Margaret smiled and led her out by the hand. David grabbed his jacket and headed for the patrol car.
Greg Mendell sat nervously in the "home office", which was little more than an empty run down apartment this time, waiting for his superior to see him. Failing his first mission right out of the gate was unacceptable. The girl was important, they had told him. It was too soon for her to be reunited with her father, they had said. Greg had felt a pang of both envy and satisfaction at that. He was Emma's age when he lost his father and part of him was glad she was reunited with her family. But he would never voice that opinion. He still had a mission and he had to complete it if he were to ever learn answers about what happened to his own father. And make the woman responsible for ruining his life pay dearly.
Regina...the name was bitter in his mouth. She was an evil witch, a sorceress with the power to hold a heart in her hand and control a person. Such an abomination didn't belong in this world.
A woman walked through the door and he stood anxiously. He didn't know her and the confusion on his face was evident.
"Sit," she ordered and he obeyed.
"Where is the boss?" he asked cautiously.
"He was dismissed. I'm your new...handler," she replied. He was certain though she couldn't be much older than him.
"I lost the girl," he admitted.
"We know. She's lost to us for now, but that won't always be the case. Another opportunity will eventually present itself," she replied.
"Another opportunity?" he asked.
"Plans have changed. What's important now is that you are properly prepared to do what we must when the time comes. What will take years to culminate," she replied.
"Years? But I was promised answers!" he exclaimed.
"And you'll have them! But another blunder like this will not be tolerated. Come," she said.
"Where are we going?" he asked. She smirked.
"Why...to travel the world, of course," she answered. He looked confused.
"Magic is very rare in the world, but not so rare that it can be found nearly on every continent on the planet. You need to learn about everything we're up against," she explained.
"You mean in Storybrooke?" he asked. She nodded.
"That place is the most unnatural in all existence, but before we take on magic that powerful, you need to be study," she replied.
"Study?" he asked incredulously.
"Study how to destroy magic, of course. And to do that, we must seek out what most in this world consider non-existent. Then we destroy magic by using this world's own sort of magic," she answered.
"And that is?" he prompted.
"Science," she clarified.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"My name is Tamara," she answered, as she handed him a notebook with pages of scribbled names and facts.
"What is this?" he asked.
"Everything I've learned about Storybrooke and the people in it," she replied...
