Chapter 10: Hero

Ten years earlier

David walked down the darkened street toward his apartment, glad it was Friday and that he had the weekend off. It had been six months since leaving Albert's home and the only regret he had was that his mother didn't go with him. James had moved out also, but chose a lavish condo near the university where he was to eventually attend law school after getting his undergraduate degree. Albert payed for everything, of course, leaving James plenty of time to do whatever it was that he did these days. It had been a while since they'd talked, but neither brother seemed too bothered by it.

David wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life yet, so he had started off by enrolling at the local community college for general education courses. Ruth had balked at this, knowing David was offered admittance at several schools, but he couldn't justify spending an exorbitant amount of money on college when he wasn't sure what he wanted to do yet and he had no desire to accept any money belonging to Albert. He also couldn't bring himself to leave his mother in New Haven alone.

So, David had enrolled in school and found two jobs upon moving into his new place. It had been lonely at first, but classes in the morning, part time work at the animal shelter in the afternoon, and working at the gym in the evening kept him productively busy. When his mother was not around to fret, he got plenty of it from Mabel, the apartment front desk clerk. He was sure both women were in constant contact with each other over the state of his well being, but he just rolled his eyes good naturedly at them whenever they became too overbearing.

He shifted his bag on his shoulder as he rounded the corner, coming to a sudden halt as he heard scuffling noises coming from across the street.

"Let go!" a voice screamed desperately. "Let me go! Stop!"

David heard a thump and a deep grunt coming from the alleyway across the street and he immediately dropped his bag and sprinted toward the noise. He could barely see a thing, but he could make out three silhouettes struggling against each other. They were heading in the other direction and didn't see him.

"Stop fighting before I make you," a deep voice grunted harshly, almost lifting the smaller person into the air with the force of his pull.

David saw that it was a girl and she was fighting tooth and nail to get free. Her scream was quickly muffled by the second man. David's heart leapt into his throat. He had no phone to call the police and who knew what would happen if he left this girl to fend for herself while he ran and got help. He needed to do something. Options limited, surprise seemed like the best tactic. He looked around and saw a discarded piece of metal piping that was about as long as his arm. He picked it up off of the ground and gripped it in his hand like a sword as he crept forward.

"Don't hurt yourself. You're only making this worse," the second voice said as the girl flailed her legs out, trying in vain to kick the two larger men holding her. David could see she was getting tired from fighting.

Now or never.

"HEY!"

Both men spun around, still holding the girl. Even through the darkness, David could see that she couldn't be much older than himself. Her eyes were wild, her long blonde hair a mess from her struggle. The men wore ski masks and dark clothing.

"Let her go," he said firmly, tightening his grip on the pipe in his hand.

"Or what?" the larger man spat, tightening his own grip on the girl as she renewed her struggle.

"I called the police," David said coolly, fighting to keep his voice even in his anger. "They'll be here any minute."

The smaller man shifted, as if contemplating running away, but the larger man shoved the girl into his arms as he started stalking his way toward David.

"By the time they get here you won't be in any shape to tell them anything," he growled at David, reaching for his pocket.

A surge of adrenaline went through David and he brought the pipe down on the man's arm before he could pull out whatever he was reaching for. At that same moment, the girl side stepped onto the smaller man's foot in his distraction and elbowed him in the ribs. He grunted in pain, but moved his arm up to grip her around the neck as she almost freed herself. She twisted around, trying to get a good shot at the man's shins and managed to get a solid swipe at his nose. He yelped and let go of her.

David braced himself as the larger man rushed at him. He side stepped and grabbed the man's arm and shoulder to throw him against the brick wall of the nearest building.

"Run!" David yelled at the girl. She hesitated, then ran out of the alleyway to safety.

David turned back around to make sure the men couldn't follow her, and not a moment too soon. The larger man had pulled out a long knife and made a swipe that David barely blocked with the pipe. He let out short, hoarse cry as he felt the blade rip along his left shoulder. David knocked the man down with a backswing of the pipe, then reach for his wound with his good arm. It felt like his shoulder was on fire and his arm didn't seem to want to work properly.

He staggered backwards and blocked a punch from the smaller man, who was bleeding profusely from his nose. David knew he wouldn't be able to run for it, not with these men so close and armed. All he could do was stand his ground and try to take the action to the street where someone might see them. He tried to focus despite the pain radiating into his upper body from his shoulder.

Both men came at him now. David managed to block the knife fully this time, despite his hindered mobility, but took a kick to the ribs from the second man instead. He knew he'd lost before it happened, but he tried anyways. David tried to backswing the pipe again, but the second man grabbed him around both shoulders from behind and the first lunged at him with the knife.

If he thought the pain in his shoulder hurt, it didn't compare to this. He could feel his body go into shock, the strength leave his limbs as the blade pierced his abdomen. David didn't think he made a sound, but the roaring in his ears as the blade was wrenched free of him could have drowned it out. It was a strange sensation, he thought, the feeling of so much pain and relative numbness at the same time, like he was an outsider in his own body.

"That's what you get for meddling and trying to be a hero," the larger man growled as David fell to the ground.

"We need to get out of here, dude. He's as good as dead anyways," the smaller man said, looking nervously at the alley entrance. "We can't get caught here, it'll start an all out war."

The larger man let out a grunt in response before kicking David on his injured side and taking off down the alleyway in the other direction. David let out a gasp at the contact, his breathing harsh and labored, and clutched his stab wound with his right hand.

So this is how it ends, he thought ruefully, feeling the blood seep through his fingers.

At least he went out doing something of meaning.

He could feel his body shaking, already felt the urge to close his eyes.

He thought of his mother, his brother, his father, the farm.

At least the girl was safe.

The world was beginning to spin slowly as he looked up at the sky.

How many moments had passed?

It seemed to be going strangely quiet...

"Oh my God! Oh my God, oh my God," came a voice beyond his blurry vision. He turned his head to see the blonde girl kneeling down next to him, pulling her jacket off.

"NEAL!" she screamed, removing David's hand from his stomach and pressing her jacket into the wound. The resulting pain slammed him back to earth, and he could vaguely hear the guttural groan that escaped his lips. She must have seen the person she called for because she looked up and yelled "Neal get help!"

"Ok, on it!" came another voice.

The girl turned her attention back to him, shaky hands still pressing the jacket into his wound. "It's ok. You're gonna be ok. We're getting help."

David nodded stiffly, unable to speak with his jaw clenched against the throbbing radiating throughout his entire body.

"What's your name?" the girl asked.

"David Nolan," he gasped shakily, grasping at the chance for a distraction. She nodded.

"I'm Emma Swan."

"Hi."

"Hi. I need you to stay awake ok?"

" 'kay," he said.

"Here," Emma removed one hand from her jacket and placed it under his head as a cushion against the cold pavement. "Better?"

"Mm" he mumbled, eyes getting heavy. She leaned harder against his wound and his eyes flew open again as he uttered a sharp gasp.

"Don't close your eyes, David. You saved me, now I'm saving you right? Just.. just hold on." She was looking toward the entrance of the alley again.

"You ok?" he asked softly, searching her face. She sucked in a breath and gazed at him for a moment, clearly not expecting that. She had a bloody lip and her eye was bruising but David could sense that any real pain Emma had wasn't physical. He saw it in her eyes.

"I'm fine," she said softly, if not a little awkwardly.

"Are.. y.. safe?" he mumbled, brain growing steadily fuzzier.

"What are you my dad?" she responded sarcastically, though amusement laced her voice and her lips curved into a slight smile. Her smiled faltered as David gazed at her intently. "Yeah," she breathed. "Yeah I'm safe. I'm gonna get you help then get to where it's safe."

"Good," he whispered. He heard footsteps, but they sounded like echoes in his foggy brain. The world was beginning to spin again and it took all of David's remaining strength to focus on keeping Emma's face upright in his vision.

"An ambulance is coming Em. We need to get out of here before the cops show up," the young man said as he knelt beside David and Emma, panting from running.

Emma glanced down at David, then back to Neal, clearly torn. David could see the tension in Neal's face and briefly wondered why they thought the police would be worrisome. Yet, Emma had said she would be safe. If he were to die here, which was feeling likelier by the minute, David could feel at peace with that at least.

"Did you tell them he was in the alleyway?" Emma asked Neal.

"Yes, I told them exactly," he responded earnestly. Emma took a deep breath, moving her eyes back to David's.

"Go," David said, voice hoarse. She shook her head and opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off before she could respond. "Go."

He couldn't tell her it would be alright. Firstly, because it probably wouldn't be and he wasn't going to lie to the woman who was trying to save his life. Secondly, David could see fear in her eyes again and he just couldn't take that. Thirdly, he could tell she knew all of this already and wanted to do the honorable thing but needed to run at the same time.

Sirens echoed from a distance, and Emma tensed as she continued to stare at David. Then, she was leaning over him and placing a kiss on his forehead. David closed his eyes, accepting her thank you and goodbye and everything the gesture was. He struggled to re open his eyes as Emma pulled back, her eyes brimming with tears. She pulled off her stocking hat and placed it under his head. He couldn't help but see how much of his blood was on her hands. David could hear the sirens getting closer. He mustered his last bit of strength to bring his good arm across his body to squeeze one of her hands with his.

"Go."

"I..." she started, tears finally falling.

"I know. Now go."

Emma nodded, looking down to make sure her jacket was still on his wound properly before standing up. With one last look at David, Emma and Neal ran out of the alley and into the street, turning in the opposite direction the ambulance appeared to be coming from.

David vaguely thought he should feel cold, lying there on the cement, but he wasn't feeling much of anything. His body throbbed, but his brain felt dull and fuzzy, adding a strange numbness to the pain. Relieved that Emma wouldn't see him die, he gazed up at the sky again and watched it spin. It felt like his body was floating, trying to join the sky that was now filled with flickering lights. Finally giving in, David closed his eyes, hoping that whatever lay beyond this moment was, at least, a good adventure.

II

Beep..beep..beep..beep

David furrowed his brow, wondering what that incessant noise was. He tried to roll over onto his left side but was met with piercing pain. He let out a groan as he recoiled back onto his back, eyes blearily snapping open. His throat felt dry and his thoughts slow. Glancing around, he realized he was in a hospital room and vaguely wondered how that happened.

Right. Emma.

Wherever she was, he hoped she was safe now.

"David?"

His eyes darted to his right at the sound of that familiar voice. James was sitting in the chair nearest him, eying him with what looked like a mixture of emotions. David looked to the couch behind James and saw his mother laying on it, fast asleep. Only exhaustion would have forced Ruth to sleep when one of her sons was in the hospital.

"How long was I out?" David asked, surprised at how sore and scratchy his throat was.

James immediately got up and grabbed a glass of water, helping David hold it to his lips as he drank. After a few moments, David settled back onto his pillow, feeling dizzy. James pulled the chair closer to David's bed.

"You've been out for three days. Your intestine was punctured and a few other things got knicked but nothing they couldn't fix. Your shoulder was repairable and they said with therapy you should be able to regain full use of it. You lost a lot of blood and had to have a few transfusions."

David nodded, remembering how red Emmas' hands were. James looked down, fiddling with David's empty cup. He was sorting through his thoughts, so David waited patiently.

"What were you doing out there?"

"Walking home," David responded. "Just finished work. I heard a girl in trouble and went to help."

"Why didn't you call anyone?"

"I don't have a cell phone, James."

James raised an eyebrow, whether at David's tone or the fact that his twin didn't have a cell phone, David wasn't sure. Probably both.

"Did you get a good look at the guys that did it?" James asked nonchalantly. Too nonchalantly.

"How do you know it was more than one?" David asked, not answering his brother's question.

"Because it would take more than one person to bring you down," James replied coolly, clearly not liking the direction David was taking the conversation.

They stared at each other for a few moments, stuck in a stalemate. Finally, David broke the silence.

"They were wearing masks. I didn't see anything. One was bigger built. That's all I've got."

"Did they slip names? Say if they were working for anyone?"

"No," David said, wincing at the twinge of pain that shot through his shoulder as he shook his head. James was staring away from him now, a far off look in his eyes. It was the same look his mother had had when she and David were discussing leaving Albert. Drugged up as he was, David knew these weren't random questions.

"You know something," David guessed, watching James' reaction. His twin's attention snapped back to him.

"This shouldn't have happened."

"James, what are you talking about? What do you know?"

James started shaking his head even before David stopped speaking, jaw clenched tight. David leaned as far as he could toward James.

"What have you gotten yourself into?" he whispered.

James exhaled. "Nothing that concerns you, big brother."

David opened his mouth to argue but a small gasp behind James made both brothers jump. He had to bite back a curse as a jolt of pain coursed through him.

"Oh David. Oh my boy," Ruth said tearfully, coming to his bedside. James moved, giving their mother room.

"I'll give you two some time. Call me when you're ready to get dinner Mother," he said as he made his way toward the door.

"We'll talk later," David said pointedly, gazing intently at his twin.

James stopped, turning to face him. David could see he was on the edge of spilling, but James just shrugged and said "Sure," before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

David exhaled and sank back into his pillows, fatigue and pain finally taking their toll. Ruth ran a hand over his forehead, stopping to cup his cheek as her eyes filled with tears, her eyes saying everything that needed to be said. He managed a small smile, moving his good arm to clasp her hand in his.

A nurse came in, saying James had informed the doctor that David was awake and that the doctor prescribed another round of pain medicine. She took his vitals before injecting the medicine into his IV. David relaxed, reveling in the glorious numbness that was spreading throughout his body, lulling him back to sleep.

Present day

A date. He had a date with Mary Margaret.

Was Margaret her last name?

He hadn't thought to ask before.

David rotated his left shoulder gingerly as he walked through the station door. The cold continued to aggravate his old injury, but nothing could dampen his spirits today. He made his way down the hall, greeting his coworkers as he passed. Opening the door revealed Sean already at work reading through files. His partner's eyes snapped up from the file in front of him, and the slight look of guilt on his face made David's heart leap into his throat.

He found James' file.

David swallowed and cleared his throat. "Morning."

"Morning," Sean responded, still staring.

"What?" David asked after a moment, too anxious to even attempt levity.

"Nothing," Sean said quickly, eyes darting down to the file on the table. "I just.. didn't know."

David took a deep breath. "Look Sean-"

"They really never found out who the two guys were?" Sean asked.

David blinked. "What?"

"The two guys that attacked you."

David quickly turned to pick up a box of files on the floor to hide his relief. Of course his file would be in these boxes. The police never found out who attacked he and Emma in that alley.

"No, they didn't," he responded lightly. " but I like to hope they reformed."

Sean shook his head, reading the file. "Is that why you went into law enforcement?"

"Yes," David said, nodding.

Though, it hadn't really been what had happened to him that cemented the decision. It was the fear in Emma's eyes when the police were mentioned. He could still see the picture clearly in his mind even all these years later. No one should fear law enforcement. Respect, yes. But not fear. He liked to hope he was somehow paying her back for saving his life.

There was a poignant silence, neither man quite sure what to say. Sean cleared his throat.

"So, why are you late again?"

David rolled his eyes. "I'm not late."

"But you were somewhere?"

David pulled a few files out of the box. "Maybe."

"And?"

"And I told her I couldn't make it to the coffee shop for the rest of the week because of work. But.. we have a date on Saturday morning." He looked up, catching Sean's Cheshire Cat grin before he could hide it. David held up a particularly thick file. "Don't make me chuck this at you," he said in mock seriousness.

Sean chuckled. "Noted."

This chapter took control and I barely held on for the ride. :) Hope you liked it! Please review, I'd love to hear what you think! Thanks for reading!