A/N: Charming's fairytale name in this story is going to be James to make it easier to separate everything out later and it always annoyed me that he didn't get a second name like everyone else did in Once.

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Enjoy this one!

/

Emma was still shaking as she pushed her way into Sultan's, eyes scanning for her roommate around the sparse area. She had called an ambulance as soon as possible and after much protest from David and almost pleading on her part she had managed to convince him to go in for a check-up. She couldn't get the sight of him lying on the floor of the station out of her head and Emma was scared about how much seeing her friend like that had affected her.

She had gone with him to the hospital and Dr Whale had made sure whatever was wrong had nothing to do with his coma but the doctor was confused about what actually did happen. Graham had turned up not long after, looking as worried as Emma internally felt, and after a somewhat awkward conversation between them, considering their kiss was still on both their minds, Graham had told Emma to get some air and he'd make sure David got home okay.

Emma didn't want to leave him. That was the first thing she registered when the shock of what had happened had dissipated. That wasn't something she was used to experiencing and she found she couldn't place where that feeling towards David had come from or when it started.

It seemed like a natural reaction though, like it was ingrained in her to want him to be okay. To need him to be okay.

She never really stopped to consider what David meant to her. He was her friend of course but there was more than that. A kinship, maybe? For the man who seemed to always be honest with her and always had her back.

Family.

That was a nagging tug in her gut that she refused to acknowledge because really she was still accepting Henry into that bracket and that was more than enough for someone as emotionally closed off as herself.

Emma knew David had seemed to sneak into it anyway.

That should have bothered her.

But it didn't.

She found Mary wiping down tables at the far side of the bar, her roommate having yet to notice her as she continued about her work. She looked less weary now a days, like the weight of everything wasn't so firmly on her shoulders. Emma briefly wondered if David was the reason for that.

She hoped so.

If he was though, that made what she came here for a lot harder to say.

"Mary." She called out softly, not wanting to cause alarm, "You got a minute?"

Mary's eyes met hers and Emma could tell her roommate instantly knew something was wrong. "What is it?"

Emma sighed, "I don't want you to panic, okay. David kind of collapsed at the station earlier today and I promise you he is fine. Dr Whale gave him the all clear."

"What? He's okay, right? What caused it?" Mary's eyes were wide with fear.

"He's okay, I was with him when it happened and it was scary as hell but it stopped and the only reason he went to the hospital was because I was practically begging him to. He is going to be okay, Mary, he's strong." Emma's hands caught Mary's arms and rubbed them soothingly.

Mary nodded, "I need to go see him."

"Okay, Graham probably took him home to rest. I'll give you a lift." Emma offered.

Mary stopped for a moment, taking in Emma's worn out features and dark circles under her eyes, "Oh, Emma. How are you doing with this?"

Emma frowned, "David's the one that collapsed."

"And I know you care about him."

"I was… I was so scared, Mary. I never thought about how comfortable I am here and that's because of David, you, Graham. I thought I was losing him and I…" Emma trailed off, not sure how to finish.

Mary threw her arms around her roommate, "It's okay, Emma."

"He's had my back from the moment I met him, you know?" Emma sighed, refusing to cry, "I just don't know what I'd do if something happened to him."

"Letting people into your heart is okay, Emma." Mary replied softly as she pulled away, "It's okay to care about them."

Emma smiled, "Did you ever think about taking your own advice?"

Mary frowned, "What do you mean?"

"I know why I don't let people in. It's just as a child whenever I did they would always leave." Emma said, "That's okay, I got used to it but you don't have that excuse."

"I just know these things never end well." Mary replied with a sigh.

Emma nodded, "Okay, but here is this guy who is so clearly head over heels for you already and you're throwing away any chance you might have because you're scared of something that might not even happen."

"You think I'm being ridiculous?"

"I think you're being guarded." Emma amended, "And as you just pointed out it's okay to let people through those defences. If you think they're worth the risk."

Mary paused for a moment before responding, "Do you think you can give me that lift now?" She asked, "I really need to talk to David."

Emma simply gave her an encouraging smile.

…

James sighed as Graham handed him over two painkillers Dr Whale had prescribed at the hospital and a glass of water. He took them from Graham's hands with a scowl from his seat on the couch.

"Doctor's orders." Graham replied as James pooped the pills into his mouth and took a gulp of water to wash them down.

"There's nothing wrong with me. I told you, I was remembering my life as David Nolan. Regina had to be behind it." James insisted as he placed the glass on the coffee table.

Graham sat down next to him on the couch, "What stopped it?"

"Emma." James stated with a smile, "I don't know how but she was crying and all I could focus on was making sure she was okay. That she knew I wasn't going anywhere."

"She was a mess when I got to the hospital." Graham admitted, "She might not know who are you but she senses something, James. She has to."

James sighed again, "It doesn't matter if Regina continues targeting me and my family. I won't be able to protect everyone for long."

"Regina will think her plan worked, you just need to be careful." Graham said with a frown, "Be less like a husband and a father and more like a man who is confused about who he is and what he is doing."

James knew Graham was right but that was easier said than done. Still, if Regina was going to believe she was in control then she needed to see him as David Nolan, a man that posed no threat to her, and for that James would have to take care of how he acted. Especially in public.

He nodded, "Okay, but I can't give up. If Gold is right Emma is going to need all of us to break this curse."

Graham sat up straighter, "Gold?"

"Rumpelstiltskin." James corrected himself.

"I know who he is, James. Are you telling me he remembers?"

The former prince nodded, "Yes and apparently he wants Emma to break this curse just as much as we do."

Graham frowned and opened his mouth to say something when there was a small knock on the door. He glanced over to it before rising to his feet, "This conversation isn't over." He muttered to his friend as he opened the door to reveal Mary.

"Hi, Sheriff." She nodded, "Is he here?"

Graham smiled at the concerned look on her face and stepped aside to allow her entry to the apartment. Perhaps James was closer to reaching Snow than he first thought. Graham quickly retracted that statement when he saw Mary go back to her insecure herself, looking anxiously around the room like she wasn't sure why she was there.

Oh, Snow.

The Sheriff coughed awkwardly, "I'll just pop down to Granny's. We don't have any food in and Dr Whale mentioned you need to eat properly on those tablets." He said to the pair as he grabbed his jacket and retreated out the door. He sensed whatever conversation they were about to have wasn't one he particularly wanted to be a part of.

James eyed Mary cautiously as she stood in the middle of the room, her eyes scanning Graham's home, "You didn't have to come." He said softly but he was thrilled she had.

Mary's eyes met his, "I wanted to. Emma told me what happened, I wanted to see you were okay for myself."

"I'm okay, I promise." James said with a smile, "Apparently killer headaches are a side effect of being in a coma for so long."

Mary came to sit down on the edge of the couch, green eyes meeting blue again, "Were you serious the other night?" She bit her lip, "About… us?"

James nodded, "I've never been more serious about everything in my entire life."

"I think I want to try it." She replied softly, "Letting people in. Letting you in."

His smile grew, "I'd love that."

Mary returned his smile, "I don't exactly know how to do this but I was thinking about taking you somewhere. One of my favourite places in Storybrooke."

"Let's go." James replied instantly, getting to his feet.

"You need to rest, you just got out of hospital." Mary pointed out.

"I'm fine and what I need is to spend time with you." He flashed her a charming smile that had her stomach erupting in butterflies.

That's how they found themselves zipping up their jackets and heading to the Toll Bridge with a grey sky above them and Mary's fingers threaded through his own. James felt closer to his wife than he ever had before and he wondered if this meant he was making a difference to her heart. Allowing his Snow to shine through.

He didn't know but he certainly hoped so.

"I don't know why I like this place so much." Mary smiled shyly, "I just get a sense of calm whenever I come here. Like nothing can hurt me."

James wanted to point out this was where they met, the Troll Bridge where she had saved his life and they had started this whole journey but she won't have any clue what he was even taking about. So instead he smiled and leaned up against the railing with her, "I like it here. Thank you for showing me." He replied.

That's when they heard the distant roar of thunder in the sky and not a moment later did the sky open up and the rain start to pelt down around them.

Mary laughed as her coat started to get wet, "Still think this was a good idea?"

James looked over to her, her smile could light up the whole sky and her eyes were sparkling in that way that meant she was happy, "The best."

Mary's eyes caught his and James grabbed her hand, rushing into the centre of the Toll Bridge and twirling her to him with their joined hands. Mary laughed as she all but collided with his chest, "What are you doing?"

James smiled and settled his other hand on her waist, turning them in a slow circle, "Dancing." He replied softly.

"In the rain?" Mary asked as she ducked under the arm that was twirling her.

James brought her back to his arms, "Just let yourself feel this."

His voice was barely a whisper but he felt her melt into his arms as he lead her in a dance that had little rhythm or structure. It wasn't the elaborate dances they'd once taken part in at the palace balls. This one was private and intimidate like the times they'd danced in their chambers without eyes watching their every move.

The rain was soaking through to their skin but James had never felt warmer, his arms holding the woman he loved most in any world. She was smiling and occasionally laughed as he spun her or lifted her. Her hand always stayed in his, her fingers burning as they touched his skin with a kind of passionate only she could ignite in him. The air around them felt electric and James didn't think he had ever wanted to kiss her as much as he did now. They were so close, their breath mingling in puffs before their eyes and they continued their dance.

She was feeling this, trusting him with the one thing in this world that she kept guarded. The one thing in their world she had already give him.

He leaned down, needing to touch her. Needing to feel her lips curve along his own and know she was still here, still his. Mary's eyes fluttered closed and James knew she wanted this as much as he did, the fire prickling under both of their skin.

Her lips were cool as they touched his, her mouth hesitant but soft as she returned his kiss. James could feel his heart hammering against his chest as the hand on her waist gripped her tighter, not wanting to lose this moment. He'd happily stay here and drown in it instead. Mary's hand – or was this Snow? – had moved along his jaw to the back of his neck as her tongue found his.

She wasn't used to this in this land, he realised.

Being loved.

His softness was different to her harshness and while in their world they had been rough as many times as tender with each other James knew the reason for it here wasn't the same. Mary didn't know what it was to be loved, she almost seemed scared of the intensity of it.

James was determined to show her, his lips ghosting over hers now as one hand cupped her cheek, thumb stroking her cheekbone.

He loved her. He just needed to show her that.

Mary pulled back first, breathing hard as she stepped out of his embrace, "Sorry, I…" She didn't know where to look.

James smiled, "It's okay. At least I'm not getting punched this time."

"I just don't know how to do this with the idea of long-term and feelings involved." She admitted, eyes looking down.

He nodded, fingers lifting her chin gently, "Then we'll figure it out together. I'm in this, I want this. You, forever, if you'll have me." He vowed as he planted a small kiss on her forehead.

Mary laughed, "We need to get you back before Graham arrests me for kidnapping you."

"I'll tell him I was a willing victim." James replied with a smirk.

…

"Where the bloody hell have you been?" Graham demanded as soon as he walked through the door after leaving Mary at her door to change and head back to work.

James winced at his friend's anger as he shut the door, "I'm getting through to her, Graham. Snow, she's in there." He replied as he took in sight of what Graham was actually doing. On the kitchen table was two guns and extra bullets, a pair of walkie talkies and some other stuff that looked like Graham was planning something illegal. "What's all this?"

Graham glanced over at his friend and grimaced, "Regina's got my heart. I'm going to get it back." He said as he began to shove his supplies into a bag.

James frowned, "She's got your heart? That's not possible, Graham we got it back."

"Then she took it again!" He exclaimed and abandoned his task to start pacing the length of the small kitchen, "I know how it sounds but it's the only thing that makes sense. I haven't felt anything since being in Storybrooke, James, not a damn thing and we both know what that means. I went to see Henry today and he told me how that storybook of his ends. When Regina storms the castle and I go to fight her off so you can get Emma into the wardrobe she didn't kill me."

"She ripped your heart out again." James finished for him.

Graham nodded, "Her own brand of irony in this world I suppose."

"Do you know where she is keeping it?" James asked as Graham stopped pacing to look at him.

The Sheriff shrugged, "How many places could she hide a heart? She'd keep it close, that's how she sent me after Emma. She's been pulling at my strings this whole time."

James stepped towards him, placing one hand on Graham's shoulder, "We'll go after it, Graham, but you have to calm down. Just this afternoon you told me we have to be carefully. If we go storming into her home then she is going to realise we're awake."

"Easy for you to say, you're not the one she has been forcing into her bed for years." Graham bit out.

James eyes softened, "I know, I'm sorry."

He knew there was nothing he could stay to make this better for Graham, nothing he could offer that would give his friend any comfort. Regina was abusing him both physically and literally in terms of her manipulation and James couldn't even begin to imagine the torture that must be putting Graham through.

"I need to get it back, James. It's the only chance I have to feel something, I knew she had it the moment I kissed Emma, I could feel it…"

James eyes went wide, "You kissed Emma? You kissed my daughter!?"

Graham winced, "I know you probably want to punch me and you can but it's not going to change my feelings for her."

"How can you have feelings for her without a heart?" James asked.

"I don't know, she made me feel something though. I can't explain it, James. I didn't want it to happen." Graham insisted.

James' shoulders were tense, blue eyes glaring in his direction, "She's my daughter."

Graham nodded, "And you already know I'd do anything to make her safe. The night she was born I was fully intending to give up my life for her."

James paused for a moment before nodding, "I know." He replied, "I can't say I'm thrilled about this but I don't get the right to judge her decisions or yours, Graham. I stuck my newborn into a wardrobe with nothing but faith to see us through."

"You did what you thought was right." Graham replied softly.

"And you know if you hurt her…"

Graham held his hands up in a mock surrender, "I won't even try to run."

James nodded once. A sort of understanding reach both men about the woman they both cared for and would – have – sacrificed themselves to protect.

"So what is your plan? Storm over to Regina's and break the door now?" James asked with a smile.

Graham shrugged, "I hadn't actually thought that much into it."

"I know you want your heart, I swear we'll get it back but we have to have a plan. We have to be careful otherwise we're all dead."

"Have you really forgotten who you are?" Graham asked with a raised eyebrow.

James frowned, "What?"

"You." Graham insisted, "The man who fell in love with a bandit who robbed him on the road. Who fought against a tyrant King and an Evil Queen to get your happy ending with that bandit. The man who rescued a lowly Huntsman from the Queen's clutches and helped to restore a Kingdom to peace. You don't give up and you don't back down. That's why I stood beside you on the battlefield, James. Because you were a man of honour, you fought for what's right."

"I still do," James replied, "But we aren't in our land anymore and everything I fought for then is at risk here. I want to storm over to Regina's just as much as you do. Demand her to fix everything, demand answers but we can't because it won't solve anything."

Graham nodded, "I just hate the idea of being at her beck and call."

"We'll get your heart, we just need a plan to make sure we don't fail." James insisted, "Besides if what you say about your feelings for my daughter are true then it seems you have someone to give it to."

"You're not mad?" Graham asked.

James chuckled, "I want to be but I can't think of anyone I trust or respect more than you, Graham. Besides how can I lecture you on love when as you pointed out, mine wasn't the most conventional either."

"So we'll get my heart."

James nodded, "We'll get your heart then what happens next is up to you and Emma."

/

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Next chapter includes: A nice Daddy Charming moment for you all and Alfie gets close to finding his happy ending.