I Remember
Regina felt her blood boil as Mr. Gold walked around his shop. He had the smirk of the dealmaker on his face. The very one she'd known so well while in the Enchanted Forest.
"So, can you help me or not?" she demanded. Mr. Gold smiled again. He knew an opportunity when he saw one.
"Of course my dear. I'm sure we can work out some sort of deal." He walked out from behind the counter, leading Regina to one of the display cases.
"Some lovely items in this shop, dear. So many different stories. So many lost tales. However, sooner or later, they will all be… reunited." He swiped his finger across the glass, while he gave Regina a thoughtful look.
"What exactly do you need, Ms. Mills?" he asked. Regina narrowed her eyes at him. He was confident, cool. It was clear who was in charge in this conversation.
"I need to make David Nolan remember who he is." Mr. Gold gave her a confused look.
"I'm afraid I don't follow Madame Mayor," he said. Regina rolled her eyes. This was getting her nowhere.
"Do you or do you now have something of David's?" she demanded. Mr. Gold gave her another confident smile and led her to another case.
"Perhaps this is what you want," he said. He unlocked one of the cases and pulled out a dusty lamp.
"Now, I believe that this is something from his, what did you call it? His former life? Something from his old life with your dear friend Kathryn." He smiled again and handed her the lamp. She grabbed it from him, running her hands over the glass. She could feel an entire cascade of memories shiver through her. She shuddered slightly, feeling the magic pulse throughout the lamp. So, the cursed memories worked after all. This was going to be very helpful.
"What do you want for it?" she asked. Oh, she knew Mr. Gold. And one way or another, she would end up paying for this. But it didn't matter. Nothing mattered. Nothing but her revenge on Snow White.
She felt another surge of grief for Daniel, the last moments of his life flashing before her. With it, came a wave of anger. Oh she would make Mary Margaret pay.
"How about this; you owe me a favor," Gold suggested. Regina looked up from the lamp to the pawnshop owner.
"A favor?" she asked. She narrowed her eyes. He just nodded.
"Indeed, Madame Mayor. Just a simple favor. For something you greatly desire." Gold leaned in closer, brown eyes dark. Dangerous.
"Deal," Regina said, clutching the lamp even tighter. Mr. Gold simply shrugged and resumed his place at the register.
"Indeed Regina. Until we meet again. I hope the lamp brings you whatever it is you want."
Hey Emma, do you wanna order in?" Mary Margaret asked, glancing over at the blonde. The girl was busy reading the newspaper and drinking a cup of tea. She glanced up as Mary Margaret spoke.
"Oh, sure. Whatever you want," she said, before turning back to the paper. Mary Margaret sighed and went to pick up the phone. As she was dialing, however, there was a knock on the door. Emma put her paper down, as Mary Margaret went to answer the door. She pulled it open, surprised to the see the person outside.
"David?" she asked, voice sharp with surprise. David just stood there, grinning slightly.
"Uh, hey what's, uh, what's going on?" he asked, looking at the two of them.
"Oh, uh we were just ordering some takeout," Mary Margaret answered, pointing to the phone.
"Ah, well I think I might be able to remedy that," David said, holding up a bag. "I got Chinese." Mary Margaret stared at him as he stepped into the apartment. He dumped the containers out on the counter, making sure they were all right side up. Both girls felt pangs of hunger as the smell began to waft through the apartment.
"Uh, Kathryn and I were supposed to have dinner tonight, but she had a… prior engagement she had to attend," David explained, running a hand through his hair. Mary Margaret swallowed hard, wondering what exactly to do. David Nolan was in her apartment.
"Uh, so you decided to come here?" she questioned. Emma smiled slightly when she saw his flustered look.
"I'm starved," she announced. "It could be Regina coming with takeout and I'd welcome her." With that, she grabbed a container and flipped it open.
"Ooh, spring rolls. You have good taste." Mary Margaret and David shared a look, before shrugging and joining Emma. Mary Margaret grabbed some plates from the cupboard, and they all began dishing out the food. Emma led them over to the comfortable couch, with plenty of room for the three of them.
"So, won't you wife be unhappy that you're here?" Mary Margaret asked once they'd gotten settled. David shifted slightly, swallowing before answering.
"I think she doesn't know what to do with me," he admitted. Mary Margaret gave him a sympathetic smile.
"So, you still don't remember?" she asked. David just shook his head.
"No, but it's only been a little while. Maybe…" David trailed off, trying his best to look hopeful.
David sighed as he entered his house. It was still so weird to call it that. He didn't remember a thing. The only thing in this entire world that felt right, that felt real was Mary Margaret and Emma. Tonight had been great.
"Hey hun, I'm home," Kathryn called out, opening the front door. David sighed, and tried to relax onto the couch. But everything with Kathryn just felt… wrong.
"I'm in here," he called out, adjusting his body. She entered the room, holding her purse, and a weird lamp.
"Uh, what is that?" he asked, as she sat down. She set the lamp on a nearby table.
"Oh, this was a gift from the mayor. Isn't it so nice? She said that she wanted us to have it." Kathryn smiled and got up again. She began to move another bookshelf, looking for an outlet.
"She… she just gave it to you?" David asked, confusion sparking in her eyes.
"Yeah. She's been so kind to us ever since you woke up." Kathryn smiled again and plugged the lamp in. David flinched away as the bright light stung his eyes.
He gasped, taking a sharp intake of breath. Staring into the light, and suddenly, suddenly he could remember. Memories came flooding back. Meeting Kathryn, his life in Storybrooke. He gasped again, still staring at the lamp.
"I… I remember."
Sorry for the lack of updates recently. I'll try to pick up a schedule soon.
Next time… With David's cursed memories back in play, it seems like Regina may have finally won.
R&R
NightLightning21
