A/N: I want to thank reviewer Willofthewisp ten times over for commenting on every single post I've ever made in one day. That was a LOT of reading, so thanks, and THANK YOU MUCHLY (yes I know, fake word… )for all the criticisms. Once again, don't forget to comment and if you have any ideas for this you'd like to share, feel free to leave a review or Private Message me. Sorry it's been so long, but I'm back on track now!
"This is just so weird." Graham whispered, gazing from the middle of the Town Square, as if he were some kind of a foreigner. On my inquisitive look, he finally answered, "It's just so quiet. These people are going about their regular lives, as if nothing is happening; all the while, there is this war going on right under their noses."
"I think I'd consider it a cold war," I chuckled, as we continued our patrol, "It's only a matter of time though until someone drops a bomb, then the shit hits the fan."
"Do you really want to go back?" he finally asked, "It just seems like you've been out of it. I just want to know that I'm putting my life and the lives of many of the townsfolk on the line for a valuable cause."
It took me a moment to answer back. I had to form my words carefully, or this was going to come off quite brash, "I just want what's best for my son. And really…going back to a time when he doesn't exist, just isn't fair. He's only ten. He hasn't seen anything outside of this town, or done anything outside of Storybrooke. He deserves to see what life has to offer."
"Well, forgive my saying, but it's been my experience that life has a way of making a 180 and biting you in the ass." Graham replied. I could tell he was trying to make a joke of telling me how wrong he thought I was, but he was really starting to clear some things up for me.
"And if that is what life has in store for Henry, then he deserves to experience it. He deserves to live a day when he isn't under Regina's microscope. He deserves to know what it feels like to be normal. I can't live being the one who was responsible for taking his life away from him."
"Well, I really can't challenge that, can I?" he chuckled, and we walked in a comfortable silence, side by side for a good part of the rest of our patrol, until I heard him heave a heavy breath and start up once more, "I really like you." He finally said, and I whipped my head to face him completely, but we didn't stop walking simply for the fact that we didn't need the entire town to hear our conversation, "I do, I really do, and I want to take you out. On a real date. Not out to the shooting range or for an ongoing patrol talk, but a real date."
That had my head spinning. I never thought Graham to be a person who would be so blunt. When I finally looked up to him again, he seemed to be nervous, fearful even, "Okay, what did you have in mind?"
"I don't know, I really didn't think that far in advance." He admitted, "I was kind of preparing myself to state my case."
"Well, I don't want you to 'state your case', Graham. I want you to tell me what you consider an 'actual date'."
He spluttered when he finally managed to find the words he was looking for, "We could go for drinks at the Diner, and then -" he froze, shaking his head.
"What is it?" I asked, my voice now oozing with curiousity.
"It's nothing. It was a stupid idea."
"No, tell me!" I laughed out loud, as I managed to step in front of him and stop him, in the middle of the street.
"No, it's silly. You'd think it was ridiculous."
"Well, maybe I won't," I threw back, catching his eyes and his hands in the same fluent motion, "You won't know until you try it."
"They're showing Gone With the Wind, as a Fundraiser for the Elementary school in the Square. I don't know. I thought it'd be kind of nice…to go…as a –couple?"
I giggled-yes, and actual giggle- at how awkwardly he managed to display his words. It was as if he were asking a Senior girl to the Junior prom. I nodded, and the stress was almost automatically released from his features, "I guess we better go tell Mary Margaret to cash in."
"I'm going to call her," he laughed, pulling out his phone. We ducked into the nearest alley and he dialed Mary Margaret's number hastily, putting his phone on speaker.
"Hello?" Whoa; she sounded pretty ticked that we called, and it took a lot to get Mary Margaret mad, "This better be important, because I was in the middle of… something."
"I just wanted you to know that you can cash in now. Graham and I are a thing now." I answered, using her terminology from a prior conversation.
Suddenly another voice came through the receiver in the peripheral, "Who is it?"
"Mary Margaret, is that…David I just heard?" Through the silence on the other end, Graham and I seemed to be picking up the context clues at the exact same speed as he furiously attempted to choke down his laughter and I finally realized what we had just caught her in the middle of, "Oh! Oh, well, in this case; I'm sorry I called, and- we'll make sure to be home late."
The other end went dead as Graham and I both collapsed against the wall in a fit of laughter, "It was only a matter of time." I managed to cackle in between laughs.
Of course, nothing good lasts very long in these parts, it seems, and soon enough, there was a voice to interrupt our hysterics, "Deputy," the voice quickly killed the happiness, as it was that of the ever-present Mr. Gold, "I see you still haven't completed the task I've asked of you."
"Not now, Gold."
"Well, I suggest you get it done soon. You see, something's coming; a dark force. And once it's here, there's no turning back."
"And when do you estimate, this 'dark force' will be here? Because as far as I can tell, the only dark force in this entire town is standing right in front of me, demanding I kill the Mayor. As soon as you have any real information, we'll talk, but for now, can't you just leave me be?"
"As you wish. Just be very aware, Sir; I'm not the only person with eyes on the ground in this town. There are more people working against you than for you, and when you get an opportunity, you'd best be taking advantage of it." Finally Gold turned to me and with a nod, and a fluttering of his fingers, he muttered, "Good day, Sheriff Swan."
Once he was far enough way that he couldn't hear or see us anymore, Graham and I shared an exasperated glance. I had a feeling that our date tonight was definitely not going to be as careless and pain free as we were hoping.
A/N: So I want to hear from you all! My lovely VIEWERS! Do you like this chapter? Do you like the feel of the story on whole? Do you think we'll be seeing more of the Huntsman on OUAT? I want to hear all of your opinions! Thanks for hanging in there during my hiatus! xMags
