After Emma rushes out of Granny's Snow looks around the table. The Blue Fairy, Belle, David, and Regina are all looking at her expectantly. She averts her gaze, pretending to be interested in the rushing fairies around her. She locks eyes with Rumplestilskin and there is something disconcerting in the way his lips are almost smiling. She looks away and shakes herself internally; the man can't be taking pleasure from the chaos around him, he isn't that evil imp any more. She turns back to the table only to find that everyone is still looking at her. She can't handle their questioning stares, can't handle Regina's pursed lips and disapproving eyes. The room feels suddenly too small and crowded. She turns and flees, letting the door slam behind her. She makes it to the sidewalk before she hears Charming's voice.
"Snow! " She keeps walking, uninterested in anything he has to say. "Snow! Wait!" he catches up to her and places a hand on her shoulder "Just stop."
She turns with tears in her eyes. She isn't sure if they are from anger or sadness; it's probably both.
"I don't want to hear it David!" she pulls out of his grasp. "I don't want to listen to some speech about how I need to have hope. Because I have been mayor for a month, a month." She points wildly at the oncoming cloud her voice rising. "And there is already a curse threatening the entire town. And I can't do anything to stop it. It's going to come and it's going hurt everyone we love and there is nothing we can do. Because our only chance just disappeared down a mine shaft. So spare me the motivational pep talk. Now is not the time. " She dashes the tears from her face and tries to steady her breathing. Her anger is rapidly fading, escaping with the words of her speech, leaving only fear.
"I know." David reaches for her, resting his hands on her shoulders.
"What?"
"I agree with you. There is nothing we can do." He shakes his head and Snow sees her own despair reflected in his eyes and it makes everything worse. If he is unable to find a way to have hope then perhaps they are truly lost. He pulls her into his arms in a fierce hug that holds none of it's usual comfort. She wraps her arms around him and buries her head in his shoulder, breathing in. He is her constant and she wonders if they can just stay here, embracing, until the curse hits.
"Really? You know last time I checked true loves hug wasn't able to stop curses." The cold sass of Regina's voice breaks them apart. The former Queen has spent the day questioning Snow's decisions and she doesn't have the strength to put up with it anymore. She turns to face her but keeps an arm firmly wrapped around her husband.
"Save it Regina." David speaks first but Snow follows right behind.
"What do you want?" She can't keep the venom from her voice.
"I want to know the plan." Regina speaks levelly, ignoring their hostility.
"What plan? There is no plan." Snow gives a small shake of her head but resists rolling her eyes.
"Seriously?" Regina places her hands on her hips and looks from Snow to Charming in disbelieve. "You are just giving up? One set back and you are ready to let this frigid witch win?"
"What to you expect us to do?" Snow bites back, hating the ring of challenge in Regina's voice.
"I don't know, something." Regina waves her hands vaguely. "In my experience you two always seem to find a way. You always win."
Snow shakes her head and sighs. Leaning into her husband. "Not today. Today I am fresh out of miracles." Snow closes her eyes.
"No."
Her eyes fly open. "Excuse me?"
Regina steps closer her voice and demeanor firm. "You don't get to give up. You were just telling me yesterday to have hope. That even in the darkest hour there is something to hold on to, to believe in." Her eyes flash between the couple but when they don't respond she continues. "You are going to come up with a plan and we are going to follow it and we are going to beat this witch."
Snow can't help but be proud of Regina for trying, for a moment she almost thinks of believing her. But then her eyes catch sight of the menacing clouds and she shakes her head. "Regina. All I want to do is get Neal from Ruby and hold him as much as I can before I become a danger to everyone around me."
"Ruby! That's it. Snow you're a genius!" David nearly jumps in his excitement and presses a kiss to Snow's wrinkled forehead.
"I am?"
"Yes! Ruby!" David looks expectantly between the two women.
"What does Lassie have to do with anything?" Regina shoots the prince a critical glance.
"Every month Ruby is a danger to everyone. She can control it now but before she learned how…"
"She would lock herself up so she couldn't hurt anyone!" Snow finishes excitedly, catching her husband's vision. They can't stop the curse but maybe they can mitigate the damage.
"Exactly." David's grin grows wider and Snow swears she can see the hope flooding back into his electric blue eyes.
"So we tell everyone to tie themselves up or lock themselves in a room? Keep them separated from each other?" Regina asks, a note of excitement in her own voice.
"Yes. And that will give Emma and Elsa time to figure out how to break the curse." Snow nods her own hope growing with the plan.
"I'll notify the Emergency Alert System." David says before pulling out his phone and walking away.
"We have one of those?" Regina doesn't try to keep the surprise from her voice.
"Well we have Leroy and a mass text message service." Snow manages a small grin.
"That will have to do." Regina nods. "I will go get Henry and then lock myself in my vault."
"Good idea. We will meet Emma at the Sheriff's station and have her put us in the cells."
Regina begins to walk away but Snow calls her back. "Wait." She reaches into her pocket and holds out her hand "Here."
"What's that?" Regina arches an eyebrow as she steps closer.
Snow grins mischievously "A quarter; from the hope commission."
Regina rolls her eyes but smiles before turning and hurrying away.
Everything is a blur as Snow and David rush to get everyone ready for the curse. The plan isn't foolproof but it is something. When it is all settled they make their way to the Sheriff's station. They fall silent as they both try to memorize Neal and wait for Emma to arrive.
"Regina was right you know." David breaks the silence. His arm wrapping around her and pulling her closer. "No matter the odds we have always managed to prevail. We always find each other. You crushed my heart and still figured out a way to keep me alive."
"I know." Snow looks up into his eyes and pulls him down for a kiss. It's soft and tender and tastes of hope. When they pull apart their foreheads met and their breathe steadies.
"Do you remember that day in our castle, when the Blue Fairy told us to have faith that Emma would find us, that she would break the curse? Do you remember what you said?" David asks as his hand caresses her cheek. Snow lifts her eyebrows in surprise because she has been thinking of that exact same moment. How frustrated she was at first with the fairies words. How David had calmed her.
"I don't remember. But I do remember what you said. You told me that life was full of twists and turns and that the curse was just a turn. You said we could find a new happy ending. And you were right. " She pulls away so she can take in his entire face. He leaves his hand anchored to her cheek and she leans into his touch gratefully.
"And you, despite being scared and frustrated, you decided to hope. You chose to believe that Emma would save us. And she did save us and she will save us again. We need to have faith in her one more time."
Snow nods a single tear escaping down her cheek. David wipes it away with a smile. Neal makes a noise in his sleep and squirms against his tight swaddling. They both look down and watch their tiny son, joy tinged with sadness, filling their hearts.
"What about true loves kiss? Do you think it could break this curse?" Snow asks as she adjusts the babies little hat.
"It could. Except once we are cursed we won't be able to truly love each other."
"But Emma is immune. What if she kissed Henry or Killian?" Snow feels Charming going slightly rigid at her words.
"Wait. I thought we agreed that it was too soon for Emma and Hook to be true loves?"
Snow looks at him with a teasing glint in her eyes. "I'm just trying to have hope."
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Author's Note: Anyone else feel like this scene is absolutely needed? Because Snow and Charming go from hopeless and angry to having faith and hope in Emma, kind of out of nowhere. So lets consider this a deleted scene shall we? Also this is my first time writing Regina...how did I do? Hopefully I made you smile. Thanks for the follows and reviews. It's always a joy to see them in my inbox.