Storybrooke - Present
I sat in Dr. West's office as he looked me over.
"Breathe in." I did so. "Breathe out." I exhaled. "Good. It seems to me like you're doing better."
"I haven't had an attack in weeks," I told him.
"Are you taking the medication I gave you?"
"Not really."
"Clarissa..." he sighed.
"I don't need it." I countered the usual argument.
"You have an unknown heart condition that can only to managed with medication." he reminded me and I rolled my eyes. "You have to be better at taking it."
"If I don't need it, I don't need it," I told him jumping off the table. "Are we done here?"
"I will have to tell your aunt you aren't taking your medication," I warned me.
"Unless she forces it down my throat, not much she can do."
"You do understand that without that medication, you will die."
"I have a feeling I'll be fine."
"There's nothing else here that can help you except surgery, which you've refused." he reminded me. I sighed and clenched my fists in my anger.
"I haven't had an attack in weeks, this condition is improving and it going to go away," I told him confidently as my phone rang. Regina. "Yeah?"
"Meet me at the pharmacy. Henry got himself into trouble." I sighed before hanging up and walking out of the office.
The Enchanted Forest - Past
"Clarissa!" I rolled my eyes at my aunt's call before going to her.
"Your majesty called me?" I asked her and she turned to me with a smile on her face.
"I feel the need for a carriage ride," she told me. "Come, and I told you to call me Aunt."
"I apologize, Aunt," I said before taking a deep breath. "I was not feeling well this morning and I was hoping to stay in my chambers."
"On such a lovely day? Not a chance," she told me and I followed her to the carriage. "Besides who better to be with when you're feeling ill but me? I can heal you with my magic."
"That's true," I stated. I really hadn't been feeling well, but I was also looking for a way to get out of the carriage ride.
"Speaking of magic..." here it comes. "When will you let me instruct you on how to use your powers? You must learn in order to control them.
"Aunt Regina," I stopped walking and she turned to look at me. "I don't want to control this power. I just want it to go away."
"If you don't control this magic inside of you it will eat you alive," Aunt Regina warned me. "You will die."
"Maybe that's what I want." I stormed off to the carriage, my red and black dress moving with every step.
We'd been sitting in the carriage for some time now in silence. Aunt Regina stared at me as I looked out the window as the trees passed us by.
"Did you really mean what you said?" I turned to her and showed her my confusion. "Do you truly want to die?"
"Something is missing in my life, Aunt Regina," I sighed. "I don't know what's wrong but I know I'm not whole."
"I wouldn't see why you wouldn't be whole," she told me looking at the window. "You've only ever had your father, sister, her mother, daddy, and me in your life."
"Believe me, I'm aware," I told her before looking back out the window. I felt like there was someone missing, yet I had no memories of any other important people. We were suddenly stopped and a guard knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty, we have the man as ordered," the guard told us through the door. She smirked and I glared slightly at her.
"What have you done?" I asked her as she rose from her seat and went to the door.
"I've ensured my victory against Snow White." she left the carriage and I followed her.
"And how will he do that?"
"He won't," she said as we exited the carriage to see a man being held by two guards. "But his children will."
After her orders for the father, we were back on the road again.
"I can't believe you would separate a family like that," I told her with my arms crossed under my bust. "Shouldn't you, of all people, understand what it's like to be forced away from someone you care for?"
"Don't worry about it. After I get what I want they'll be free to leave together. As a family." The carriage stopped for a second time and my aunt poked her head out of the door. "What are you doing in my forest?"
Storybrooke - Present
I stood next to my aunt in the Dark Star Pharmacy with Henry and two children standing next to us at the counter.
"I'm sorry, madam mayor, but your son was shoplifting," Mr. Clark told her.
"Were you?" Aunt Regina asked turning to Henry. Henry shook his head as an answer and he turned back to Mr. Clark.
"Well, look for yourself." Mr. Clark pointed to a bench that Henry's backpack rested on along with candy, toothpaste, cereal and other goods. Aunt Regina moved to the bench and picked up one of the candy bars.
"My son doesn't eat candy. And he knows better than to steal." She grabbed Henry's backpack and zipped it back up. "It was obviously those two. We're going." Aunt Regina grabbed Henry by his shoulder and moved to leave the pharmacy as Emma entered.
"Henry. What happened?" Emma asked confused.
"Miss Swan, must I remind you that genetics mean nothing? You are not his mother and it's all taken care of." Aunt Regina told her.
"Aunt Regina..." she just sent me a look and I sighed before shaking my head.
"I'm here because I'm the sheriff." Emma reminded her.
"Oh, that's right. Go on, do your job." Emma moved past her as my aunt continued speaking. "Take care of those miscreants." Aunt Regina grabbed my arm and pulled me with her and Henry to her car.
"Did you really have to pull me away like that?" I asked her as we got into the car.
"I don't want my family near thieves." she started her car and left the pharmacy.
"Did you see what they had?" I asked her. "They weren't just stealing candy."
"Does that matter?" she asked and I just looked at her.
"Maybe not today, but one day," I said looking out the window.
"What are you going on about?" she asked me her anger showing in her voice. I turned to her and stared at her as she drove.
"Nothing."
The Enchanted Forest - Past
I climbed out of the carriage after my aunt as the two children stared up at us.
"Please forgive us. We didn't mean to bother you. We're just, we just lost our father." the girl told us.
"Two helpless children lost and alone, a family torn asunder. Such a sad and moving story." My aunt turned to me, smirking, before looking back at them. "Guards, seize them."
"Hansel, run!" The boy turned and ran as his sister threw a stone at a guard with a sling before following him. A guard started going after them, drawing his sword, but my aunt stopped them. My aunt followed them with magic and I moved away from the guards. I was close enough to let them see me, but not enough so they could do anything if I needed help.
"Poor little princess," a voice called out to me. "So far away from her protection."
"I don't need protection from a voice," I said. "Who are you?"
"Does that matter?" it asked. "Why do you stray from your guard, princess?"
"That's my business," I said.
"Such an untrusting princess," it said.
"What do you want?" I called out. "Who are you?"
"I wouldn't trust her if I were you."
"Why not?"
Storybrooke - Present
When Aunt Regina's car stopped at a light I got out of the car.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked me angrily getting out of the car.
"Gotta go see a friend," I told her. I heard her park the car and tell Henry to stay in it as she followed me.
"This the same friend you staying with?" she asked as she followed me.
"Why would I tell you?" I asked finally turning to her.
"I'm your Aunt," she said and I laughed before turning to her.
"So?"
"Why are you doing this?" she asked me looking confused.
"I don't trust you, Aunt Regina," I finally told her. "I haven't for some time."
"I'm your only family left."
"Are you?" I asked her before turning and leaving her behind.
I stood outside the door and took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
"Clarissa?" I turned to look at Mary Margaret standing in the door. "What are you doing here?"
"I figured Emma would bring the kids earlier here," she looked at me confused. "Look, I just want to help them. Please." She looked behind her before turning to me and nodding. I walked inside to see the two kids eating and Emma staring at me.
"What do you want?" the blonde asked me.
"I want to help them." She stared at me before turning to Mary Margaret.
"Do you know them? Do they go to your school?"
"I've seen them, but I had no idea, none of us did," Mary Margaret told her.
"Know what?" I asked them.
"They're orphans." Emma opened a file and looked it over. "Ava and Nicholas Zimmer. Their mother was a woman named Dory Zimmer. She died a few years ago." Mary Margaret and I shared a look before shaking our heads. "No one seems to know her or remember her."
"And the father?" Mary Margaret asked her.
"There isn't one, at least not one that they know," Emma said.
"And Social Services? What do they say?" I asked and Emma gave me us a look.
"You didn't report them?" Mary Margaret asked shocked.
"I report them I can't help them. They go into the system." Emma explained.
"The system that's supposed to help." Mary Margaret reminded her.
"Yeah, says the woman who wasn't in it for sixteen years." Emma retaliated. "Do you know what happens? They get thrown into homes where they earn meal ticket, nothing more. These families get paid for these kids and as soon as they're too much work, they get tossed out and all starts over again."
"But they're not all are like that." Mary Margaret told her.
"All the ones I was in."
"What, we're just gonna adopt them?" Mary Margaret asked her.
"What about their father?" I asked them.
"They don't know him," Emma told me before it dawned on her. "Which means he may not know they exist."
"Exactly."
"And you think if he knows, he'll want them?" Mary Margaret asked them.
"I don't know. But what I do know is that it's hard enough finding foster families to take one kid that isn't theirs, let alone two. It's the best shot, or..."
"...we're gonna be separated?" We looked to see Ava standing behind us with tears in her eyes.
"No, that's not gonna happen," Emma promised.
"Please, please don't let it." Ava looked at her brother before turning back to us.
While Emma went to the Hall of Records, Mary Margaret and I stayed in the loft with the twins.
"So, why are you working so hard so help these kids?" Mary Margaret asked me.
"Do I really need a reason?" I asked her before sighing. "I'm just trying to make up for the past."
"What happened?" she asked and I looked at her for a moment.
"It's not my past I'm trying to make up for," I sighed. "It's not doing anything to prevent something from happening."
"How could you?" she asked. "You were sick."
"Technically I still am. Any moment I could drop into a coma or die, but I'm done letting that stop me from living my life," I told her. "I won't let her win again."
"Let who win?" I stared at her before shaking my head.
"No one worth mentioning." Ava and Nicholas brought their bowls and Mary Margeret cleaned them up as they went to go watch TV.
"So, who's this mystery woman?" I gave Mary Margaret a look and she just patiently waited for the story.
"She's not important, Mary Margaret."
"If she's worth mentioning even once then she is important."
"I won't say a name."
"Then tell me about her."
"She's controlling, evil and wants everyone to be as miserable as she is."
"That sounds like a character from a book." Mary Margaret laughed.
"A very real character." I murmured.
"Is there a way to change her?" she asked and I laughed lightly.
"Few have tried. None have succeeded."
"Have you ever tried?" she asked me. I stared at her before looking down at my hands.
"Broken can't fix broken, Mary Margaret," I told her. "Besides, she did the unforgivable to me."
"Nothing is unforgivable."
"One day, you may think differently."
The Enchanted Forest - Past
I followed my aunt as she led the children to where she wanted them.
"What is that?" she asked Gretel, the young girl, who was holding a compass.
"My father's compass. He gave it to me so I can find him. But now it's broken." Gretel told us.
"When are you gonna tell us where we're going?" Hansel asked us.
"This is close enough." Aunt Regina said slowing down and stopping us.
"Close enough to what?" Gretel asked her.
"The home of the Blind Witch." Aunt Regina told them.
"Aunt Regina..." She gave me a look as the twins exchanged a glance.
"That doesn't sound good," Gretel said.
"She has something of mine and I need you to get it back." Aunt Regina told them.
"What is it?" Gretel asked.
"Something I need to defeat a very wicked and powerful enemy. It's kept in a black leather satchel inside her house." Aunt Regina explained.
"Well, why don't you get it yourself? How come you need us?" Gretel asked her.
"Because the house is protected by magic. Clarissa and I can't enter. But luckily the spell doesn't work on children. You'll have to wait here until nightfall, and then once the witch is asleep, you can sneak in." Aunt Regina told them.
"And if we do this, you promise you'll find our father." the silent demand wasn't lost on either of us.
"Oh, indeed I will." Gretel nodded at the answer. "But there's one more thing. The witch's house is, unique. And because of this, you have to take special precaution once you're inside."
"Like what?"
"No matter what you do, no matter how you're tempted, don't eat anything." Aunt Regina pushed away a leafy branch and revealed the Blind Witch's gingerbread house.
Storybrooke - Present
An hour later I entered the Pawn Shop and saw Mr. Gold behind the counter.
"You're late," he told me as I made my way to him.
"Sorry, I was just helping someone." I placed my jacket.
"Oh? Who's that?" he asked me.
"Just some orphans," I told him. "Their mother died a few years ago and their father abandoned them."
"A familiar tale." I thought about his words and just shook my head. There was no way he could remember, is there?
"Depends on who you ask. Knowing Henry he has a fairy tale story in mind for it," I told him.
"Fairy tale story?" he asked me.
"So, you haven't heard?" I asked him smiling. "Henry thinks everyone is a character from his storybook."
"Oh really?" he asked me seeming interested.
"Yep. Like Regina's the Evil Queen. Mary Margaret is Snow White and Emma's her daughter who's come to save us all from Regina's curse," I told him smiling. He seemed to think on my words for a moment. "You okay?"
"Of course," he told me. "Come. We've work to do." I just stared at him.
"Alright."
The Enchanted Forest - Past
I sat in my art room on the balcony overlooking my aunt's lands. In front of me was my easel and I was supposed to be painting the view before me but that wasn't what was on my canvas. On my canvas was a large castle with a garden by the door. This garden didn't have flowers vegetables in it, but herbs of all kinds. Both deadly and harmless.
"Clarissa," I turned and smiled at my grandfather. "What are you painting?"
"I wish I knew," I said turning back to my painting. "Have you ever seen this place?" Grandfather joined me at my side and stared at the painting.
"Where did you see this place?" he asked me and I looked up at him to see his face was so much paler than the moment before.
"Grandfather? What is it?" I asked him curiously.
"You must tell me where you saw this place," he told me and I just stared at him.
"I honestly don't know," I swore to him. I looked back to my painting and stared at it. "It's familiar to me, but I can't place why. Do you know?" I turned back to my grandfather and he simply stared. If possible, he seemed paler than before. "You know this place." It was no longer a question. I knew he knew something. I could feel it from him. "Where is this? Can we go?"
"Never," he denied and I was almost shocked by it. He'd never denied me anything. "If you go leave we cannot protect you. I hope you understand that." and with that, he was gone. I looked back to the painting and stared.
Storybrooke - Present
Later that afternoon, Emma walked into the pawn shop while Mr. Gold cleaned an oil lamp and I checked the records.
"Emma, how lovely to see you." Mr. Gold put down the lamp. "I'm flattered to take time off your busy schedule for me. What can I do for you, sheriff?" Emma put a compass on the table in front of Mr. Gold and I moved to his side and picked it up.
"I'm looking for information on this old compass. Any idea where it could've come from?" she asked him.
"It's beautiful. Too bad it's cracked," I said as Mr. Gold held out his hand for it. I handed it over and he looked it over.
"Well, well, look at the detail. You know this is crystal. This jeweled setting. Despite the rather unfortunate shape, it's in, this is actually quite an unusual piece." He placed it down on the table again. "The person who owned this obviously had great taste."
"And where would someone like that buy it?" Emma asked.
"Right here, of course," Mr. Gold told her motioning to the shop we were in.
"You know it?" She asked him slightly relieved.
"Indeed. Piece like this is difficult to forget."
"Do you happen to remember who bought it?" She asked, her voice full of hope.
"Well, I'm good with names, Miss Swan, but maybe not that good." Mr. Gold moved to the other side of the store and the pair of us followed him. "However, As luck would have it, I do keep quite extensive records." He opened a drawer and started to search through it. "And, yes," he said as he took out a white card. "Here we are."
"What's your price?" Emma sighed, finally starting to understand the game.
"Forgiveness." She gave him a look.
"How about tolerance?"
"Well, that's a start. The compass was purchased by Mr. Michael Tillman," he told her placing the white card on the others so it would lean but not show the information on it.
"Anything else?" She asked him, expecting more.
"Just a name. But I generally find that's all one needs." Emma nodded before turning to leave. "Good luck with your investigation." Emma looked back at the two of us before leaving the store. I turned and looked at him before taking the card and looking at it. I looked back up at him and flipped it over to show the blank side.
"Liar."
The Enchanted Forest - Past
I quietly snuck down the corridor and tried keeping my eyes out for my aunt, grandfather or her guards. Her newest guard, the Huntsman she'd chosen to go after Snow, was deadly and saw everything.
"Clarissa!" I stilled and sunk into the shadows around me. I couldn't let them see me or they'd just lock me in my rooms.
"Where is she!" My aunt screamed at her guards. I peaked at them to see her yelling at the former Huntsman.
"I haven't seen her," he told her. I flinched and looked away as she slapped him.
"Don't tell me what you haven't done and go do it!" she ordered and most of the men scattered, except the Huntsman. "What are you waiting for? Go!" He bowed before doing as ordered.
"As her majesty wishes." With that, he was gone. My aunt paced the hallway and my grandfather placed his hands on her upper arms.
"She'll be fine," he tried assuring her rubbing her arms gently trying to calm her.
"How can you know! That spell..."
"Will keep her safe," he told her. Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and I gasped turning to see the Huntsman staring down at me.
"Found you."
Hunstman escorted me to my aunt who was greeting the two children from the woods before.
"My dear children, were you successful in your task?" she asked them.
"Yes, your majesty. Though we were almost made into dinner," Gretel told her.
"Oh, how barbaric." She glanced up at me before signaling the other guards to leave. All but the Huntsman leave us alone. "Now, if I could have my satchel." Gretel handed her the black satchel. "I've waited for a very long time for this. Let's hope you didn't let me down." We watched my aunt put her hand in the satchel and took out an apple. "Oh, you did it."
"Yeah, we did," Gretel agreed.
"You've got a strong heart, girl," My aunt said reaching to Gretel's chest where her heart rested. "You remind me of myself at your age."
"We did all that, for an apple?" Hansel asked his tone saying how much he couldn't believe the hardship they just went through was for an apple.
"Oh, trust me, dear, this is not just an apple. It's a weapon," My aunt told them walking to her dressing table. "A weapon for a particular and devious enemy. One who still under the delusion that she's safe." She told them putting the apple into a chest.
"Whatever your plan is, we did what you asked. Now you have to keep your promise and find our father," Gretel reminded her.
"Of course," my aunt agreed walking back to them. "To reunite your family so you can live happily ever after. You were left alone in the woods. You deserve better than a father who'd abandon you."
"But he is all we have," Gretel told her sadly.
"Aunt..."
"Perhaps," Aunt Regina threw me a look before bending down to their level. "He doesn't have to be."
"What do you mean?" Gretel asked her confused.
"You and your brother have impressed me. You aren't the first boy or girl that I've sent into that sticky, sweet house. But you are the first to emerge. And as a reward, I've decided to invite the two of you to live with me, here." My aunt smiled at them warmly, throwing her arms out open wide.
"You mean, that we get to live in a castle?" Hansel asked in awe and I sighed.
"Yes, you would have your own rooms, of course, personal carriages, valets, too. All of your dreams could come true," she told them.
"No," Gretel said quickly and loudly. "We want our father back. He would never abandon us." I watched my aunt start to get angry. "And even if he did, we would never want to live with someone as terrible as you."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. We're going to find him, with or without your help. And when we do, we're going to prove you wrong," Gretel told her strongly.
"We'll see about that." She used her magic to create a black smoke that enveloped the children and they soon disappeared. "Now to deal with you."
"I'm allowed to leave, Aunt Regina," I told her. "You can't hold me prisoner here."
"You're not a prisoner, Clarissa," she sighed. "You're allowed to leave whenever you like with an armed guard."
"To make sure I return to you," I said and she just stared at me. "You can't be serious!"
"Of course I am! I am doing this for your protection! I know what's best for you!"
"How?!" I shouted at her, throwing the Huntsman's hand off my arm. "How is this what's best for me?!"
"Daddy and I are the only family you have left!" she tried telling me.
"I have a father and a sister! At least they wouldn't try to keep me locked up in their castle!"
"Enough! I am YOUR queen and your aunt and you will give me the respect I deserve!" she ordered.
"Respect is earned, not given," I told her and she just stared at me angrily until the door opened behind me.
"Your majesty, the prisoner you requested is here."
"Bring him in," she ordered and moved to stand in front of me so it would look as though I was by her side by choice. I turned as the Woodcutter was brought before us in chains.
"I demand to be released. My children are in that forest that you took me from, alone. They could be in great danger," he insisted.
"Yes, I know all about your children. That compass you gave sweet little Gretel. Well, I'm afraid it didn't help her find you though now, did it?" my aunt asked smirking at him.
"Tell me where they are!" he demanded, trying to get close to my aunt, but he was stopped by a guard.
"Gone. I told them you abandoned them, leaving nothing but a compass to find their way. But I didn't bring you here to answer your questions. You're here to answer mine," She demanded moving close to him. "I offered your children everything, whatever their hearts desire, and they still chose uncertainty because of their blind faith in you. Tell me why. Why did your children refuse me?"
"Because we're a family. And a family always finds one another," he told her and I smiled softly.
"Release him," My aunt ordered after a brief pause.
"You're letting me go?" he asked her confused.
"You can all be together as a family as soon as you all find one another."
Storybrooke - Present
I walked up to the door of the place I was staying at and unlocked it with the key I'd been provided.
"I'm back!" I called out while closing the door and locking up.
"What took you so long?" he asked and I looked up at the stairs and smiled.
"My boss is a hard ass sometimes," I joked and he chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, Mr. Gold, it's not like I mind."
"I'd hope not. I'd hate to think I was treating you poorly."
"Never," I said placing my keys in the bowl next to the door.
"I know someone who'd disagree with you," he said and I looked at him confused.
"Who?" I asked before nodding. "Ah, the girl who's feelings you rejected, right?"
"Yes."
"What was she like? This mystery girl?" I asked him.
"She fought for what she believed in, even if she could have died in the process," he told me looking down at his hands. "She did whatever she could to protect the ones she cared for."
"Sounds like a wonderful girl," I said smiling gently.
"She was."
"Did she die?" I asked him curiously.
"In a manner of speaking. I'm headed to bed."
"Join me tonight?" I asked him placing my hands on the rails and staring up at him.
"Some other night, perhaps," he told me and I sighed.
"Just another night of wine and a good book then." I went up the stairs and passed him before going to my borrowed room.
