Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or the characters. This is just one of the

many sandboxes I like to play in. :)

AN:Thanks for all the great feedback. As you would guess by now, this story is AU, though I will be including many canon events, I will also be including new elements.

Pairings: Primarily Snowing - With eventual OutlawQueen. Down the road, there will also be brief SwanFire and eventually Captain Swan.

Finding You Always

Chapter 11: Prelude to a Storm

David put Keith in the jail cell. Jason had informed him that he was a regular at his bar known for minor harassment, bullying, and a few fights here and there. He thought armed robbery and attempted assault was a big leap from those minor altercations and now the man seemed as equally confused by his actions. Being behind bars could bring clarity though, David figured.

Mary Margaret and Emma came in with a man he didn't recognize.

"Hi," he greeted.

"This is Dr. Sakura...Whale's replacement," Mary Margaret said.

"Nice to meet you," he said, shaking David's hand.

"Likewise...he's roughed up a bit, but I'm not sure he requires a Doctor," David replied. Sakura smiled.

"Miss Blanchard says you were grazed by his blade," the doctor clarified, indicating the long scratch on his neck.

"It's just a scratch," he insisted.

"Made with a dirty blade," Mary Margaret replied. The doctor smiled.

"She's right, we don't know where that blade has been. She asked me to treat it and I recommend a tetanus shot, just for good measure," he said. David noticed the look on Mary Margaret's face. Her worry was tangible and sweet. But he made no mistake. Her expression said there would be no arguments so he relented and took a seat.

"Daddy...do you have to get a shot?" Emma asked a little fearfully.

"Yes, but it's nothing to worry about, princess," he assured, as he squeezed her little hand in his big one. The doctor cleaned the cut with gauze swabbed in alcohol to sterilize it, then used a clean pad to dab his arm, before giving him the shot.

"There...quick and painless," Sakura assured, looking more at the worried little girl than at David.

"Thank you Doctor," Mary Margaret said graciously. Paul felt a small stab of guilt, as he unknowingly bagged the swab which contained both blood and hair from the unknowing prince.

"You're both most welcome," he said, as he quietly left.

"I'll finish the paperwork on him in the morning. We should probably get back to City Hall," David suggested.

"Probably, though I'm not sure there's much point. The whole town saw you fight that guy while Sidney cowered in the nearest corner," she replied. He smirked.

"I'm sure he'll spin some tale about how he simply couldn't take action while I was handling the situation with violence," David said. She nodded.

"He did imply that he could have talked him down, but I don't think anyone is buying it," Mary Margaret replied, as they arrived in time to see Sidney finish his spiel. All eyes turned to David, as he reluctantly took center stage, fresh, albeit minor wound visible.

"I'm not really one for speeches…" David started.

"I know I'm new in town, but I'm dedicated to seeing that this town is kept safe. I'm not interested in politics and I can't be bought," he said, as his eyes traversed over some of Storybrooke's wealthy, most notably, Regina, Albert Spencer, Mr. Gold, and Principal Jenkins.

"I won't result to violence first, but I'm not afraid to fight when it's necessary. I will protect this town and its people. And I will always do what's just and right," he stated. To his surprise, there was applause from most and Mary Margaret beamed brightly at him. The crowd slowly dispersed, as they went to cast their votes.

"My vote is cast and I'm starved. What do you say we go to Granny's, Sheriff?" she asked. He smirked.

"I haven't won yet," he warned. She rolled her eyes.

"Please, you're going to win," she insisted, as she took his arm and Emma trotted happily beside her father, her hand in his.

Regina glared at them as they left and turned to Sidney, who was likely waiting for her to start screaming at him.

"If you want me to win this thing, then you better stuff the ballot box," he whispered. She smirked.

"You're right...but David likely won fair and square, so we're going to let him," she replied. He looked perplexed.

"It's time for the next phase of our plan. We'll just see how much Sheriff Nolan likes his job when he has to arrest his pretty Miss Blanchard," Regina said, her smile twisting evilly.

The next morning when David awoke, it was early, as usual. His internal clock it seemed didn't usually let him sleep much past six. As Emma still slept, he showered and dressed, as per normal and quietly ventured out into the diner. Granny had a cup of coffee waiting for him and not surprisingly a copy of the Daily Mirror. She wore a smile, as he sipped at the hot liquid.

"Good morning Sheriff," she said. David unfolded the paper and read the headline, written by his competition, no less, declaring him the winner. He smiled.

"Good morning," he replied, as he finished his first cup.

"Refill?" a new voice asked. He looked up to find a young woman he hadn't seen before.

"Sure," he replied.

"Congratulations," she said.

"Thanks. New here?" he asked.

"Oh...not to Storybrooke. I've lived here all my life. But I'm Ashley Boyd, Granny's new waitress," she said.

"Nice to meet you," he said genuinely. As she stepped from the behind the counter, he saw the swell of her belly.

"I'd say congratulations are in order for you too," he mentioned with a smile. She smiled happily for a moment, positively glowing, but it faded fast and he winced, thinking he had probably overstepped.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," he said.

"You didn't...it's just that I can't keep her," she replied. His heart sunk.

"Oh...I'm sorry," he said.

"It's okay. It would just be too hard. Sean said it was a mistake," she said sadly.

"Sean?" he asked.

"My boyfriend...or he was. His father threatened to cut him off if he didn't dump me. His father owns a law firm," she said.

"What about your parents?" he asked. Ashley laughed bitterly.

"I'm little more than a maid to my stepmother and the butt of my step-sister's jokes. She arranged for Mr. Gold to take custody of my baby when she's born. He says he'll find a good home for her. I can't care for her, I'm just a part time waitress," Ashley fretted.

"I might be overstepping my boundaries here, but you have the right to change your mind, Ashley. I'm not saying that it would be easy, but you can take charge of your future. Others have no right to decide it for you," David said. He had an inkling that he was speaking from experience, but he had no idea why.

"It's not that simple. You've never made a deal with Mr. Gold have you?" she asked.

"Can't say that I have," he replied.

"People who go back on their deals with Mr. Gold get hurt," she warned. He pondered that, as he finished his second cup and went back to the his room. He gently shook his sleeping daughter.

"Time to get up, Em," he said gently.

"No...five more minutes, daddy," she whined. David shook his head. She had not inherited his penchant for mornings.

"Sorry princess, but you need to clean up and get dressed if you want to have time for breakfast before school," David replied.

Emma sat up, wild blonde hair everywhere and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She noticed the paper and remembered the events of the previous day.

"Daddy...you won!" she exclaimed. He chuckled, as she threw her arms around him.

"Sure did princess. Clean up and we'll go order some pancakes," he said. Emma trotted into the bathroom.

After breakfast with Mary Margaret, he saw them off to school and headed for the station, wasting no time posting a listing for a new deputy. He would need help and someone to be on duty at night.

He set into the paperwork from the previous days' incident and almost didn't realize it was after one until his prisoner hollered at him.

"Hey Sheriff, it's been hours since breakfast. You gonna feed me or let me starve?" Keith asked. David rolled his eyes. Johnny wasn't back from his graffiti detail at the docks yet, so he decide he better make a sandwich run when Ruby came in.

"Hey Ruby, how goes the job hunt?" he asked.

"Terrible...there's nothing in this stupid town!" she complained, as she sat down at a desk. The phone rang and she answered.

"Sheriff's station...Ruby speaking," she said, effortlessly giving information before hanging up. He smirked.

"You know, I could use a little help around here until I find a deputy," he mentioned.

"Me?" she asked in disbelief. He shrugged.

"Nothing dangerous. Just answering phones, paperwork, filing, maybe fetching lunch orders," he replied.

"I can do that!" she exclaimed. He held up some cash for her.

"I'll be right back with lunch," she replied.

"Finally!" Keith said in exasperation.

"So when's my public defender getting here?" Keith asked. David sighed.

"This afternoon," he replied.

"Look, I don't even remember doing what you say I did," Keith said.

"Yeah, well the whole town saw you so that's a moot point. Besides, if D.A. Spencer decides to push charges through, it's out of my hands," David replied, as they waited for Ruby to return.

Enchanted Forest

11 years ago…

Swords clashed furiously, as Charming fiercely dueled his opponent. A troll, a particular nasty and strong one. He had survived that fateful day Snow and he had fought him and his brothers. For Goren the troll, it began a long, deep seeded hatred for the Prince and his bandit, now Princess. A routine ride in the forest had become an ambush, as the troll bent on revenge against him had attacked.

"Word has it that your pretty bandit is with child. Too bad you're not going to live to see your charming brat," Goren growled, as he slashed at his nemesis.

"This duel will end like the others, Goren, with you running away like the coward you are," David spat.

"I'll cut out your tongue for that, boy!" he spat, as he lunged at Charming. But the shepherd turned Prince was ready and parried the troll's blade in a high arc, before kicking him in the stomach. The troll grunted in pain and Charming forced his blade down. With the flick of his wrist, he disarmed the troll and now held both swords to the troll's neck.

"Go ahead...get it over with," Goren goaded.

"You're 's no honor in killing an unarmed man...or troll," Charming replied.

"But if you ever come near my family...then I'll do just as you asked and end you," Charming warned. The troll clenched his dirty, crooked teeth.

"I'll make you pay...someday I'll make you pay!" Goren snarled.

Storybrooke

Present Day

David glared at Albert Spencer, as he and the public defender signed a deal. Spencer noticed the new Sheriff's gaze.

"Is there a problem, Sheriff?" he asked in a goading manner. David crossed his arms over his chest.

"I just find it interesting how you wanted to send Johnny Sellers to prison for ten years on petty theft charges last week, but Keith is getting probation for armed robbery, hostage taking, and assault," David replied.

"Mr. Anderson has no priors...other than a few drunk and disorderlies. I feel probation is enough to keep him in check," Spencer responded dismissively. David snorted and unlocked his cell, ignoring Keith's smug smile.

"Stay out of trouble, Mr. Anderson. You might not get off so lucky next time," David replied.

"Albert Spencer is a good friend, so I wouldn't count on it," Keith goaded. David clenched his fists. This was the exact kind of thing he wanted to prevent from happening and he vowed to fight Albert Spencer on everything.

"David…" Ruby called, as he turned to her.

"There's a guy on the phone that says he saw some suspicious stuff down by the toll bridge the other day," Ruby said. He nodded.

"Tell him we'll be right there," David replied.

"We?" Ruby asked. David smiled.

"It might be exciting," he tempted. She smiled back and nodded, before telling the man to expect them soon.

Ned Graybridge had been the forest and wildlife handler in Storybrooke for as long as he could remember. It was a good job for him, as he hated people and much preferred the solace of the wilderness. He wasn't above, however, carrying out errands for the Mayor when commissioned. It always paid very well and he never dealt with her in person. Usually she sent the slippery reporter to give him requests. One time in particular, ten years ago, he had buried a body for her at a campsite and he was paid handsomely to never say a word.

There had been other favors as well, but this one kind of irked him. He was to feed the Sheriff a story about seeing Dr. Whale arguing with a person by the toll bridge. It seemed simple enough, but he didn't like people poking around his woods. He didn't like people period and the feeling was mutual. His appearance was as ugly as his disposition. Scraggly hair and crooked teeth, with questionable hygiene and a permanent scowl on his face. And having to let some pretty boy Sheriff poke around his forest soured his mood even further.

"I'm Sheriff Nolan," David said, as he put his hand out. Ned eyed him with contempt for coming here and stomping around his forest, but he reluctantly shook his hand.

"Can you tell me what you saw, Mr. Graybridge?" David asked.

"Bout a week ago, saw that doctor fellow that's missing out here arguin' with someone," Ned replied.

"A week ago? Why didn't you report it earlier?" David asked. Ned glared at him.

"Didn't seem important. Blasted teenagers and adults alike come out here like it's the ideal spot for their rendezvous. I chase 'em off," he spat. David sighed.

"Fine. Did you get a look at the person he was with?" David asked.

"Nah...didn't see 'em. But she sounded angry," he replied.

"Then you're sure it was a female with him?" David asked.

"Ain't that what I just said?" Graybridge snapped. David rolled his eyes.

"Okay...my associate and I are going to take a look around," David said.

"What exactly am I supposed to be looking for?" Ruby asked.

"Well, since it's been a week, I'm not sure what there will be to find. Look for any ground being disturbed or any objects. If there was a struggle, it's possible something was dropped," David replied. Ruby looked around and huffed in annoyance. She then smelled something peculiar. She looked over at David and he didn't seem to notice anything. She felt silly, but followed the smell down to the stream. She saw something sticking out of the mud near the bank.

"David!" she called and pointed to what she was looking out. He grabbed his shovel and dug out what appeared to be a box. He opened it and Ruby screamed in terror. He quickly closed it and realized it was the worst case scenario. He had a murder investigation on his hands...