Author's note: It's been a long time since I've uploaded a chapter for this fanfic. For everyone that's still around to read, here's chapter 14!

Chapter 14 – Good vs. Evil

Even though it wasn't winter yet, a light cold breeze blew through the slightly cracked open window. It was the first thing Jack noticed upon waking and the teen felt the strong urge to close his eyes again and just enjoy the prickling cold on his skin. A second thought, however, presented him with a frown. He was in his room. His own bedroom. Why was he here? A few fuzzy memories surfaced. He remembered how David had shown up shortly after his conversation with Rumpelstiltskin. While the older man had kept their person of interest busy, Jack had crawled behind the counters and delicately placed the windmill on one of the displays, exposed to whomever wanted to the depart the shop. Too tired to crawl all the way back, he just stayed there, hidden from the view of Mr. Gold and David, until the later one crossed sight with the precious object. He waited and then… nothing.

Once again, Jack observed his surroundings. Then how did he get upstairs? For a fraction of a second the thought of Rumpelstiltskin helping him to his room flickered through Jack's confused brain, but he quickly diminished it. No way the old man was capable of that! Perhaps David had helped the elder man? Jack wasn't able to formulate a more plausible explanation.

Untangling himself from the blankets, the teen placed his feet on the wooden floor. A chilly feeling crept through his limbs in a welcoming way. Compared how hot and tired he'd felt the night before, this coolness made his mind finally relax. The exhaustion hadn't quite left his body, which wasn't to be expected, but at least his thoughts were coherent once again. So the attempt to restore David's fake memories had succeeded? Jack wasn't sure how he felt about that.

Standing up on his own two feet, Jack stretched his muscles and noticed with relieve that although he was still sore and weary all over, his body functioned as it should. Glad he could take on the day without having to act like a grandpa, Jack grabbed a fresh set of clothes and made his way over to the small bathroom across the hallway. After having been rained on by a cold shower, Jack put on his clean clothes; a pair of old jeans, a dark blue shirt with long sleeves and well fitted white sneakers. The dimension of Storybook may have its strange limitations if it concerned magic, but Jack had to admit the clothing fashion was okay. After cooling down to a temperature that fitted a winter spirit, he felt somewhat re-energized and took the stairs down. Breakfast didn't settle well with his stomach, but Jack forced himself to eat some fruit and drink a glass of milk. No use to starve himself to death while he was just on his way to beat this stupid being-off-balance-curse.

From the shop he heard the sounds of someone moving around, indicating Rumple's presence. With a small amount of aversion, Jack lifted himself up and strolled towards the shops.

"Good morning," Rumple greeted while giving the teen a look over. The pawn keeper busied himself with polishing one of the many articles from the display case, but upon noticing Jack he nodded towards the broom stick in the corner of the room, hinting no too subtle what he expected from the teen. "Seems like you're in better spirits today."

Jack ignored the lame word pun, but followed order and set to the task of sweeping dust. "The trick worked, David got his fake memories," the winter spirit stated, not seeing a point in doubting the results of last night. "What I don't understand is why you helped me – and with that Regina. Last time I checked, you were quite persistent in destroying this curse."

The antiquarian switched to a new object from the cabinet and shook his head slightly. "I never intended to destroy the curse myself, young lad. That would be a waste after all the effort it took to set it in the first place." The man grinned to himself. "Luckily, I have others to accomplish this vital task, namely one newly uncovered Saviour. Though, there are multiple reasons for my deeds yesterday. None of which are in your interest."

"What?" Jacks offence was mirrored on his face. "Nice partner I have…"

The older man however didn't take the bite and with the conversation stilled, Jack set back to work. He was about halfway through the shop when his broom touched something quite unusual. Well, the shop practically existed of usual items, but this one caught Jack's curious mind. A shovel with fresh dirt.

"Have you been gardening, Rumple? I didn't really expect you to nurse a flower bed."

Rumpelstiltskin lifted his head from polishing a tea can. "Ah well yes, "he answered. "I used it this morning in the woods." And as often happened with the shop owner, he didn't give any more explanation. "You never know who I encountered on my early trip."

Jack's face held a questionable look as his mind ran over the possibilities. Mr. Gold however saved him the effort by answering his own question.

"Our dear sheriff, Graham."

"Really?" Jack raised his eyebrow. He set the broom stick against the wall and walked back to the counter. "How come?"

"Apparently the man was confused by what he believed to be a daydream," Rumpelstiltskin elaborated. He also stopped his work momentarily and leaned on the counter to bring his face closer to Jack. Almost in a whisper he continued: "The sheriff might be regaining his memories."

Regaining memories? That was impossible. Even though the Evil Queen had cursed the Enchanted Forrest and its citizens, Rumpelstiltskin had meddled with it for his own good. He had created a loophole to ensure that he and Jack were not affected by the curse. At least not to its full extent. So aside from Rumple, Jack and Regina (who obviously had protected her own memories) there was nobody who remembered anything form before their time in Storybook. The subtle attraction David had felt for Mary Margaret was probably due to their true love for each other. But even David hadn't been able to fully remember. So how could Graham? A sheriff, a hunter, with no magic?

Jack narrowed his eyes and watch the man before him with suspicion. "He is not regaining his memories," he answered slowly, but firm. "What's really going on?"

A small smile crept up on Mr. Gold's face. "Ah, I knew there was a reason I kept you around," he said, pleased with himself. "Smart as ever." The man leaned back and put the polishing towel in a box behind the counter. "You are right. It is not possible for the sheriff to actually regain his memory. The curse however is weakening and in his daydream Graham does see parts of his previous life, the wolves. Which could be alarming."

Even before the man had finished his last word, Jack's mind was already actively analysing the situation. "Henry wants him to remember," he started slowly. "But Regina will do everything to stop that."

"Exactly," nodded the older man. "If Henry talks with Emma about the Enchanted Forrest there will be little harm. It will annoy Regina and she definitely will send Emma back to Boston if she had the chance, but Henry could never make Emma remember. She was far too young when she left the Enchanted Forrest, too young to remember anything. But with Graham that is not the case. Although it shouldn't be possible to actually regain Graham's memories, Regina won't take the risk."

"Meaning that either Henry will succeed or Regina will interfere in an Evil-Queen-like way," Jack summarized. A bad feeling was creping up on him. He and Graham had clashed often enough, but Jack dreaded the action of Regina when things escalated.

Somehow Rumple must have seen his uneasiness for the next question cut right to the core.

"Are you willing to pick a side?"

All possible scenarios entered Jack's thoughts, but in the end his sore and tired body answered the question. His energy may have gone up by giving David his fake memories, there was no way he could pick the side of good in his current state. And going evil? No matter how many lectures he had to endure from Graham, he was not going to help the Queen if it would involve harming the sheriff in any way. Therefore, he straightened his back and tried to look as convincing as possible while he locked eyes with the Dark One.

"I am a spirit. I don't pick sides."

A.