Damaged
Thessia Bells felt stuck, literally fixed in the small cave that was hidden under a well. She raised her brow, something very magical stuck in a non-magical world. Or at least that was what it had previously been, but not anymore it would seem. Thessia stuck her palm out in front of her and the now empty glass vial that had been dropped into the well jumped in her hand. She examined it, twisting and turning it in her hands. It smelled familiar, like the sea, but even more than that, it smelled like home. She heard Mr. Gold, clear as day, and her skin crawled. Oh Bell, don't worry. I won't give him the chance to kill her. Memories of two lives flooded her mind, it was so difficult to keep memories separated. She had to put her hands on her head to control herself. She grabbed her necklace, the emerald leaf was scorching hot. It was time to go.
She took one last look around the cave, hoping beyond hope that Graham would come back. He was right, the thing he loved, Tinker Bell, didn't love him the same way. But she wasn't just Tinker Bell anymore, she was Thessia Bells too… and Thessia Bells loved him very much. Both would kill the Queen slowly, make her pay for everything she did to Graham in this land and the last. Thessia dove into the water, following it back to the waterfall. It was exhilarating and probably the closest she would get to flying in this land.
Thessia climbed out of the water and walked straight towards the town. The clock showed it was 8:20 in the morning. She walked down the middle of the street, wet and without shoes, as various people stared. Did they recognize her? She couldn't care, all she kept thinking about was ripping Regina's pretty head off and kicking it into wonderland. She made her way towards the Mayor's home only to see a crowd, though judging by their tempers it was more like a mob. How classic.
"You're not my Prince."
"Who are you Whale?"
"That's my business."
"Well my business is making sure this Town doesn't go to hell. So whether or not I'm your Prince isn't the issue. We have a lot to figure out and this isn't the way to do it."
Thessia smiled, he was just so dashing. Her smile turned into a frown.
"And Regina's death won't provide any answers. She needs to be locked up, for her safety… and more importantly for ours."
"I think Whale, whoever he might be, is right. You are most definitely not my Princess, no more than that witch is my Queen. You might have heard, we live in the land of democracy and freedom, home of the brave and all that." Everyone turned to Thessia who smiled as she made her way towards the front of the party.
"Thess, Snow and her Prince are right." Archie put his hand out to grab her but came up short when she focused her gaze directly on him.
"Be careful Hopper, that's Tinker Bell you're talking to. The wicked fairy of the… well you were pretty much wicked everywhere, weren't you Miss Bells?" Regina narrowed her dark eyes at her.
"That's not what she is!" David's voice stirred something inside Thess, but she couldn't tear her gaze away from Regina's stupid smile.
"Since when has Tinker Bell been a wicked or scary for that matter?" Emma looked at Mary Margaret and back at Thessia.
"Emma, the story you know isn't quite what happened."
Thessia felt as if she were submerged in water again, everyone's voice was muffled and she couldn't focus on the words. Her sights were set on Regina, everyone else faded as she moved closer towards her mark. The mob had pushed forward, making Thessia now lead. Regina smiled as she saw David, Snow, and Emma create a perimeter around her.
"Stop right there Thess, I don't want to hurt you." Emma placed herself directly in front of Thessia.
"Move." Thessia ordered Emma though she still did not take her gaze from Regina. Emma was going to speak but before she could take a breath Thessia flung her towards the other side of the yard with a motion of her wrist. The leaf on her necklace glowed, as if the sun was directly reflecting its rays off of it. Everyone moved quickly then, like a pistol had gone off to start a race. Whale leaped towards Regina but David intercepted. Others pushed forward as Ruby and Granny tried to hold them back.
"Don't you dare hurt my daughter again!" Snow White jumped in front of Thessia, and for the first time she looked at someone other than Regina. Snow White.
"Leave my kingdom, and never return." Snow White ordered Tinker Bell, something she didn't take very kindly.
"Hmm, interesting that you should say that while James isn't here."
"He is none of your concern, not anymore."
"Careful Princess, you might start to sound like a jealous green eyed cat… well you do have the green eyes."
Tinker Bell laughed as she saw Snow raise her brow. She took a seat on his throne, she could still smell his scent. She was happy, despite everything, that James was now a king.
"Sure, you could make this about jealousy, but we both know it has nothing to do with that."
"I helped take back this little kingdom, is this appreciation I get for all my hard efforts?"
"I believe I ordered you to leave-"
"And I wasn't finished!"
Tinker Bell stood up as she raised her voice at the Snow who took a quick step back but raised her hand to stop the guards. Tinker Bell paused to control her temper, the truth was she didn't want to hurt Snow, despite what an insufferable do-gooder she was.
"I've been banished before, it didn't quite stick. But I will leave, since I see I cause you such… discomfort. I will say this, everything you have, this kingdom, the Queen rotting in a cell, everything is because of Prince James. The moment you leave him, betray him, so much as hurt him… well Princess you would do well to steer clear of me."
Tinker Bell had walked up to Snow, leaving nothing open for interpretation. Snow nodded, sure that nothing could ever drive her and James apart. Sure that she would die, had died in order to spare him once before. Tinker Bell was aware of the whole story, and for that she actually liked Snow. James had chosen well, if only she had a less evil step-mother. What a pity for that.
Snow turned to see Tinker Bell walk out of the room with great authority. She had no lands, was not royalty, yet still was treated as such. She appreciated her loyalty to James, she might have even liked her if she wasn't… well if she wasn't what she was. She moved like a predator, feline in nature with no shoes and barley any clothes. She glowed a subtle golden color, but the glow was more luminescent when she turned into her human form, which was slightly shorter than Snow herself. Snow breathed a sigh of relief when the pixie was no longer in her sight. It was better this way, James would just have to accept her decree, even if Tinker Bell didn't abide to it.
The memory struck Thessia like she had been dipped in icy water. She looked at Snow, who was still yelling at her though Thess had stopped listening. Emma was back on her feet, rushing over towards Snow and Thessia but there were several people in the way.
"Can you really call her your daughter when all you did was give birth to her? I think that would make you more of a DNA donor than an actual mother."
Thessia smiled cruelly as she saw Snow's face faltered and her eyes begin to tear. She would have enjoyed the moment more had she not heard Regina's laughter as she hid behind a pillar. Thessia gave her an I'll-deal-with-you-later look. She took a step closer to Snow, fixing the button on her nice oatmeal coat. Snow attempted to move, but Thessia had frozen her without so much as lifting a finger. She leaned in to whisper in Snow's very reluctant ear.
"I told you what would happen if you hurt him…"
Snow struggled against the spell, but that was useless. Thessia smiled at all the possibilities, she could kill Snow easily. She liked that idea, a clean break to her neck and she wouldn't even really suffer.
"Stay away from her or I will shoot you."
"Well if it isn't the protector. I think your part here is done, your services are no longer needed."
Thessia waved the gun out of her hands and frowned, it really wasn't fair to pit magic against this world. She looked at Emma and could practically see her plan of attack, it was like a gazelle fighting a lion even though it was being served as dinner. It was admirable, she must have gotten that from James… James.
Thessia felt something stir, something that told her what she was doing was very wrong. She knew she was doing bad, she knew that she didn't want to hurt anyone, but when Emma yelled as she threw a punch towards Thessia that knowledge went away very quickly.
Thessia grabbed Emma's forearm and bent down towards the floor. She brought her right leg up behind her and kicked Emma in the face in one fluid motion. Emma pulled herself out of Thessia's grip, wide eyed that she could even do that.
"No Thessia, please don't hurt her. Don't hurt my mom."
Henry's voice shook Thessia out of the fight and in to the current situation. Again, those feeling of guilt for her behavior rose and she paused as she found herself caught in Henry's gaze. He was scared, he was scared of her. She felt frozen, but her body continued to deflect Emma's advances. Emma punched and Thessia quickly moved out of the way, Emma kicked and Thess ducked. It took Emma four attempts to successfully connect with a right kick to the ribs. Unbeknown to her, Thessia had managed to stop. Snow was released, she wasn't going to continue… but then she got kicked and the pain seared her mind.
Snow grabbed her from behind in an attempt to subdue her and that was a mistake. Thessia magically sent a pulse through her body, instantly throwing back anyone who was near her. Snow White flew back towards the Mayor's door and Emma fell onto the crowd with a groan. Everyone was pushed back to varying degrees, everyone except Henry. He was the only one who stood unharmed. She turned her sights on Regina again, and was happy to see her smile had faded into genuine worry. Thessia could hear her heart beat thumping in her ears, like the sound of war drums.
Thessia gracefully appeared face to face with Regina who stood bravely still. Her eyes however, betrayed her fear and it was Thessia's turn to smile. Dr. Whale also made his way forward but stopped short when Thessia paralyzed him.
"I can help you, she ruined my life too."
"You're a purely selfish thing, aren't you? I'm not doing this because of the curse."
"Then why you little insect?"
Thessia slapped the Queen with the back of her hand so quickly nobody had realized until they saw her head turn and a red mark appeared on her cheek.
"You will remember your manners, Mayor." Thessia put her hand on her chest, slowly digging her fingers in her skin and Regina yelled in pain. "I want you to know that you owe me a heart, and I want yours. That way you know exactly what Graham felt you sadistic fucking bitch."
"Graham? She killed Graham?" Snow had to pause at the news and she saw Emma freeze, she knew the truth about that, it seemed.
"Stop this, Tink please. You're hurting my family."
David whispered this in her ear as he grabbed Thessia in a bear hug. She struggled and screamed at being interrupted from causing Regina pain. She felt his arms around hers and somewhere in the recess of her mind she felt as if she had just woken up. David motioned everyone back, including Snow and Emma who were going to try and assist in restraining her. He felt it, the connection they always had, it felt like a jolt pass through his body. She felt it too, and it made her able to submit to him. Thessia spun around and came face to face with his blue eyes looking deeply into hers.
Thessia was still angry, her magic demanded to be unleashed on him but a part of Thessia's mind was able to fight the urge. Instead, she flowed the magic internally and it sent her to her knees in pain. He held on to her, holding her, whispering in her ear that everything would be okay. Thessia felt herself go limp when the pain stopped, but she would rather kill herself than hurt David. She could never do that, not to him.
Tinker Bell flew past the blue fairy without a second glance, which was probably a good thing since she hated Tink. The room was full of people, all looking at her with fear in their eyes. She tried to be above it all, which of course she wasn't, but she would rather die than show it. Past the soldiers and flowers, through the large hallway and into the private study… there stood one of the most charismatic men she had ever met.
"Tinker Bell." He said relieved as he put the piece of parchment on the desk. Tinker Bell spelled herself to grow, slowly her legs extended to touch the floor delicately. Her clothes hung tight around her body, sheer and natural. Effortlessly her finger closed the door behind her and he noticed the markings that twirled up over her exposed shoulder and through her collar bone. She was smiling, her blue eyes glowing with magic he had never understood. Her skin illuminated deep gold as he ran to embrace her.
The Prince became overwhelmed by the smell of lavender and sunshine as he instinctively put his hand in her tangled blonde hair. He looked at her almond eyes, her pouty lips, and delicate nose. She noticed his stare, looked up at him with her young and innocent smile. He backed away quickly, Tinker Bell looked young but he knew the truth… she wasn't always what she appeared to be.
"You called, and here I am, Richard." Tinker Bell licked her slips seductively as she moved closer to him.
"My name is James." The Prince said sternly as Tinker Bell narrowed her eyes teasingly.
"I met the real James, you are a better man. You shouldn't hide it, Richard." She sighed, bringing her hand up to close his face but not close enough to touch him.
"You've met a lot of people, I've heard." James looked at her feet, bare and on the tip of her toes… anything to hide the resentment that still crept into his tone.
"I have, met many… but you were always my favorite." Tinker Bell said, wishing more than anything to feel his warm skin… but she couldn't, not without his permission… not without him wanting her to. As if he read her mind he grabbed her hand and pressed it against his check… his lips. Her touch left a golden luminescent trail that slowly spread across his face and then disappeared. He kissed her hand gently, her magic seeped into him making him feel as he did when he was young.
"Hey, that's enough… James!" Tinker Bell pulled herself back gracefully and crossed her legs seductively on his desk. James took a deep breath as he stepped back towards the window and felt the cool breeze slash his face.
"I'm sorry, I forgot how… how much…" James looked down, flustered and ashamed for still feeling this towards her. It had been so long that he thought he was sure it wouldn't resurface. He was wrong, as usual Snow was right.
"Do not feel guilty Shepard, we loved each other." Tinker Bell said with a wicked smirk and bit her lip as she added, "many times." James looked at her offended before they both began laughing hysterically. It wasn't long before their laughter turned sour and Tinker Bell stood up from the desk.
"We all have our true love, that is the way we are made… but we aren't all lucky enough to meet them in this life, and sometimes we even lose them… we can still love though, and that's okay. You've done nothing wrong, you silly ass."
"Then why does it feel like I'm being dishonest to Snow? Why does it feel like she was right to beg me not to call on you?" James asked like a little boy confused.
"You mean Snow dislikes me?" Tinker Bell asked with feigned surprise. They both smiled at her carelessness.
"Snow hasn't claimed your love your entire life, the first half was mine. Though technicalities have not always been her thing, huh? I can't help but remember how I had been banished from this kingdom." Tinker Bell stepped close, closer than she thought he would ever allow. She could feel his breath on her face, slightly spiking as she touched his chest. It was as if he was 18 again, a humble Shepard who simply wanted to enjoy everything life had to offer and help his parents with their farm.
"So have you never met your love? Or did you lose him?" James spoke rougher than he meant to and Tinker Bell's eyes glowed darker as her face flushed serious.
"Oh, that is not a story I wish to tell… I've actually never been much of a story teller, or so I was told… I much rather live the story, I suppose." Tinker Bell looked down, letting the tear spill on the floor and evaporate into wisps of smoke.
"Who was he?" James asked as he put his hand on her shoulder, instantly feeling the heat from her body.
"Hmm, you are much too smart my Prince. But what we had, what we will always have… not that or Snow can touch it, it's just how we are made." Tinker Bell said sadly as she moved around the desk and sat across from him.
"I don't think what we had could ever compare, Tink. Not to what I have with Snow" James said unable to stop himself from moving around the desk and closer to her. Snow had ruled his existence since she stole from him all that time ago, once you knew true love, nothing could ever compare.
"No, it can't… but it's pretty damn close." Tinker Bell said as she felt the familiar electric charge that burned between them.
"What is pretty close?" Snow White walked in taken aback by seeing Tinker Bell. "Oh my gosh, I didn't know you were here already."
"That's a lie, your dwarfs told you as soon as I arrived." Tinker Bell turned over her right shoulder and smiled slyly as James straightened up and cleared his throat. Way to keep it cool.
"Snow, I told you I would speak to her alone." James instructed, somewhat nervously. Snow White looked at the wild creature that made the whole room glow. Her eyes were almond and narrowed, like a lion and she looked just as dangerous.
"I was worried." Snow white said stubbornly as she walked into the room and Tinker Bell raised a brow. She stood up gracefully and walked slowly towards Snow, seductively putting one foot in front of the other.
"You know, I still don't understand the nickname… I guess it's just not what I expected from the woman they call the fairest of them all. They must mean your kindness." Tinker Bell said as she looked at the Princess up and down, her pretty brown curls cascading down her back. Still, Snow White stood her ground, defiance on her face.
"She is, Tink. She's my true love." James said staying frozen to the ground as Tinker Bell turned to give him a tamed smile and a wink. She would behave.
"She has guts, but then again that is what it takes to stand up to the Queen. I assume she has something to do with this unexpected, but very welcome call." Tinker Bell said as she quickly tapped Snow White's nose. "Told you banishing me just doesn't stick."
Tinker Bell then turned to touch the objects around the room. Snow White walked towards James and Tinker Bell turned to give her a menacing look as she shook her finger from side to side. Her golden glow turned green and James quickly moved away from Snow. Tinker Bell instantly smiled and went back to normal.
"You haven't even told her? What have you two been talking about?" Snow White said with a frown on her face, this seemed to amuse Tinker Bell.
"Wouldn't you like to know? Well too bad. What is it that you want, my friend?" Tinker Bell looked at James with a smirk that simply irked Snow White to no end.
"The Queen is planning a curse, a curse that will affect all the lands and we have to stop her. We know the child-" James began not wasting time.
"Our child." Snow White interrupted as she looked straight at Tinker Bell.
"She's a stickler for details, isn't she? Bet you need to clean everything till it's spotless, huh?" Tinker Bell said as she giggled at her obvious jealousy.
"She will be the savior, and we need to help her. I need you, Tink." James said honestly, jealous wife be damned. It was the first time Tinker Bell looked serious, and Snow tried to be grateful for that, James and this creature had a bond Snow White didn't truly understand. She kept her tongue still, after all this was one pixie and she had lived with seven dwarfs at one point. Then again, she never had this type of chemistry with any of them.
"Who told you this?" Tinker Bell frowned.
"Rumplestiltskin." James answered embarrassed. He knew she wouldn't like this.
"What?!" Tinker Bell yelled in anger.
"It was me, I wanted- I needed to know." Snow took responsibility, understanding why James had been so against her idea.
"Then you are an idiot. Defeating the Queen, taking back your throne, all that we sacrificed going to war with her and King George, that was all for not? Use your head you fools, that creature is filth, evil, and far worse than the Queen." Tinker Bell stomped as she came closer to the pair.
"Some say the same about you." Snow White raised a brow and James ran to shield her with his body. She regretted it because Tinker Bell took full advantage of the situation as she pressed her body against James, placing her hands on his chest with a sly smile.
"That is the first and last time you will ever compare me to that thing." Tinker Bell pulled her attention from James and gritted her teeth as she spoke to Snow. She looked at James again, playing with his shirt and didn't leave until she wore a satisfied smile. Snow frowned, James' reaction did not go unnoticed.
"Tinker Bell, please she didn't mean it." James said as soon as he was able to clear his head.
"No, and that is the only reason she isn't dead. That and your child in her belly." Tinker Bell said as she went to sit on the desk with her legs crossed and her hands on her lap.
"So will you help?" James asked, again not realizing he was moving closer to her.
"Yes, I will try. My price is simple-"
"You have a price?!" Snow growled.
"Of course I do, I'm honest that way… which is more than I can say for that blue fairy you like to keep around. I have no doubt that nasty thing had one as well, which your wife surely paid." Tinker Bell said with a raised brow before she continued. "You may never go to that filth in the cell, no matter how desperate you may become… and I want something from Richard, I mean James."
"Name it." James said with a relieved smile.
"No, not yet. But when you have it, I will ask." Tinkerbell said with a smile as she jumped off the desk gingerly.
"That's it, you're leaving?" Snow asked confused.
"Yes, I have a magical tree to see about." Tinkerbell absently smoothed out her very short dress.
"A tree?" Snow was lost to Tinker Bell's plan and it frustrated her.
"You are just full of questions. One would think they would learn to keep their mouth shut." Tinker Bell narrowed her eyes as Snow looked defensive, clearly the reference to Regina was not lost on her.
"And yes, trees and water are the most powerful items in the land. I will return shortly, and I'm taking the blue one." Tinker Bell said and quickly hugged James as she smiled wickedly at Snow, savoring the anger creeping into her eyes. In a flash she became her small pixie self and flew out of the window with a giggle loud enough for them to hear. James went to the window, looking at the small golden firefly twirling through the air. He had missed her more than he realized.
Thessia's mind cleared, and it was as if she was awake for the first time all day. She blinked the tears out of her eyes and hugged David desperately.
"I am so sorry, David." She whispered and he hugged her back in pure delight as he heard her words.
"It's okay, you weren't yourself. It's okay."
David slowly picked her up so that she was standing on her own two feet. Her face was pale but other than that she simply looked tired. Archie came forward and Thessia moved to hug him, also asking his forgiveness. Snow White returned to David's side and Thessia looked at her with apologetic eyes, though she couldn't bring herself to say the words aloud. Emma came to stand next to her mother, looking at Thessia wearily.
"I'm sorry Emma, here let me." Emma recoiled from Thessia's hand and they both looked at David. He nodded at Emma, as a father would to encourage their child not to be frightened. Snow looked mortified at David's nod, turning her not so friendly stare towards the woman who had hurt her child. Thessia slowly put her hand over Emma's broken lip and let the magic heal her. "I'm really sorry, this wasn't like me. I feel everything… everything is different."
Thessia turned to see Henry looking at her with widened eyes, scared.
"Henry I am so sorry. I would never hurt you."
"I know, but you hurt everyone else. I thought fairies didn't have magic here?"
Henry turned his attention to Mother Superior, who looked at Thessia very unenthusiastically. Old feelings came rushing back, but they were now mixed with new ones.
"We fairies, the sisters of the nunnery… we are not like Thessia. We have our magic through wands, through fairy dust. Regina and Mr. Gold wield magic, but Thessia is magic. She was fairy dust, she is… different."
Mother Superior looked uncomfortable even speaking about Thess. A world away from home and she was still xenophobic. The blue fairy met her gaze reluctantly, unsure of what she would become here.
"Unfortunately, that amazing book of yours does not hold all the answers. We are all very grateful to Snow for giving that to you. And I can't thank you enough for what your family has done for us." Thessia looked at each of them in turn, she had to struggle to focus on what she was saying but she was sure that she could stay in control.
"But Regina has a lot to pay for, Graham and everyone else you have hurt. I feel the curse lingering on Henry, it smells like… apples." Thessia glared at Regina who had the courtesy of looking down.
"I understand that you are Sheriff, but when the time comes to decide what to do with that witch, I want a seat at that meeting. You guys obviously botched the last one… and that's all on you Snow."
Thessia turned away from the sullen mob, leaving them to their devices. She couldn't risk losing control again with Regina, leaving was the only viable solution.
Thessia awoke startled in her room as she did not instantly recognize her apartment. She jumped off the bed, feeling her clothes weighing her down for the first time. She threw off her jacket and jeans instantly feeling less constricted. She went into the shower, replaying what had happened only a few hours ago. She let her mind wander through the past, her time in the orphanage, her time at school, her interview for her job… all of it a lie. False memories implanted by Regina, memories that never occurred.
But there were memories that did take place, memories that had been real and decisions that had been hers. Thessia let the hot water fall on her head and slid down her back as she put her hands flat on the tile. Slowly breathing in and out she thought of Graham, of her friendship with Archie, the night she went out with Ruby and Ella, even her short friendship with David.
She took a deep breath as she wandered through her closet, everything was so restraining and restrictive. Skinny jeans, belts, jackets, socks, shoes- all made to confine her! Thessia tried her magic to fabricate the sheer outfit she had loved. Over and over again she tried until she turned red from frustration. She could fling a full grown woman down a lawn but she couldn't make an outfit. Thessia growled as she impulsively grabbed her shoes and threw them against the wall. When she ran out of shoes she began with her jeans and then her hangars until her closet was empty and her room looked like a murder scene- and the victims were clothes and shoes.
She immediately began to pick everything up as her tears began to stream down her face. She picked up shoe by shoe until the shoes began to fall from her arms. By the second falling shoe she let herself fall with them on the floor. Thessia began to try and pull herself together, where was this all coming from? She was sure that a wardrobe had never produced such a breakdown in all the history of wardrobes.
Thessia brought her knees up to her face, she was having a tantrum. That was it, just a silly dramatic episode that would subside as soon as she got a grip on herself. She dug her nails into her legs as she continued to breathe in and out. She could get through this, she could manage this. She had no choice.
Tinker Bell stretched her wings slowly, since becoming a farmer's daughter she had been feeling stifled. She held her breath as she shrank back to her a more aerodynamic size. She quickly shot up into the air like a firework, meeting the force of the wind with a delightful laugh. Through the air she zoomed about, until she saw a handsome Shepard sneaking across the farm borders.
Tinker Bell flew to her home as fast as she could, but there was only enough time to pull herself under the covers as she spelled herself to grow. A trail of fairy dust seeped into the covers of her bed, it looked like sand dust to the untrained eye.
He tapped on her window, slowly at first and then impatiently as time went on. He could see her sleeping through the window and with a small stick was able to latch it open. He instantly felt a wave of guilt, this was wrong and it would ruin Tink if they were to catch him here. He was just about to leave when she turned to see him with a smirk on her face.
"You forget, this is my home. Yours is right next door, just go back exactly the way you came and I'm sure you will find it."
Tink kept herself under the blankets as she sat cross legged. He chuckled with her and after a moment's pause he jumped inside her room.
"Oh my, what would the towns people think?"
"I really don't care, you don't either."
Tinker Bell feigned offense as her hair spilled over her shoulders. She wasn't coy, and neither was he.
"What are you doing here, really?"
"I wanted to see you, I know I shouldn't be here and if you ask me to I will leave but…"
He moved to beside her, kneeling by her bed since he dared not sit on it. He grabbed her hand, keeping his eyes on her for any hint of disapproval.
"I wouldn't Shepard, you know that too."
"My name is Richard, after my father. I know you knew that but all the same, I felt like I had to officially say it."
Tink gave a smirk as she rolled her eyes at his properness, was he not after all, a farmer?
"You are mad, utterly mad."
Tinker Bell slipped her hand out of his and touched his cheek, his eyes lit up. She could feel the warmth of his breath as he grabbed her hand again and kissed it.
"No, Tink… you make me feel… free."
Richard rose up and kissed her passionately on her lips, his heart beating out of his chest when she kissed him back. He tangled one hand in her hair as the other cupped her chin, every second the smell of lavender and sunshine became more intoxicating.
"I am coming tomorrow, soon as the sun rises and asking for your hand in marriage."
Richard looked at the beautiful creature with eyes so blue they seemed to be made of crystals. What he saw in them wiped away his smile.
"But… you don't even know me. Can you even say that you love me?"
"I don't understand, I thought you would be happy. I thought you wanted-"
"Marriage? Why because I am a woman? You think my lifelong dream is to get married to a man so that what? I can cook dinner for him, have his children, and clean the house? No, that's not what I want and you would do well to remember that I am no minority in thinking this way."
"That's not what I meant-"
"I know what you meant! And it is, because you are simply old fashioned."
"When did that become a bad thing?"
"I never said it was. It's actually quite quaint."
"Well good."
"Glad that is settled."
They both looked at the other stubbornly, and now they were refusing to blink. It was Tink who broke into a smile first, but it was Richard that leaned in for the kiss.
"I just want to have fun, you do know what fun is Shepard?"
"I do. But I wouldn't mind spending every minute with you for the rest of my life."
"Oh, how sweet. But please do ask me to marry you when you feel like you cannot live the rest of your life without me. When you feel that, then you may ask me again and I will gladly accept."
Richard nodded as he kissed her once more, he didn't understand exactly what she meant but knew that all he wanted was to be near her. Anything could happen, so long as he was with her.
"What if I give you no choice? What if my parents and I barge into your home demanding that you wed me?"
"First of all, that is ridiculous. Secondly, we always have a choice. Everything comes at a price, even kindness though you may not understand that. But our choice… that is the one free thing in this world because the consequences aren't paid, they are given. You, my dear Shepard, you will always have a choice."
Thessia was pulled out of her reverie when she jumped up only to fall down again. She growled, not having wings was arguably the worse stipulation of the wretched curse- though she was sure others would disagree. She focused when the lights began to turn off and on as the ground began to shake. Earthquake? No it felt different… Ugh EVERYTHING feels different!
Thessia got up and made it to the window without stumbling again, having such a big body was natural, yet it took some getting used to. The winds picked up every bit of trash and moved it across the town- all of which would be perfectly natural had the flashing lights not been in exact sync with the wind…
Thessia gave a quick look around the room, grabbing a white lace dress that cinched slightly above her waist and fell loosely just above her knees. The first matching pair of shoes happened to be some brown rustic booties that went just above her ankle, so she slipped those on without any hesitation. The dress was a v-neck, that had lace straps but was otherwise bare but she didn't remember to put on a jacket before she ran out the door to follow the strange flicker of lights.
It turned out she didn't quite need a jacket though it was freezing outside. She sighed to herself, at least that didn't change. The flicker of lights and gusts of wind subsided and Thessia was at a loss. She looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of something that would explain such a powerful resistance from nature. Nothing caught her eye, except a thin and pretty brunette walking briskly down the street. Thessia hid, keeping a watchful eye on the stranger until she was close enough to identify. It was Belle.
Thessia looked down, she was friends with Belle… had been long before the giants stormed her town. By the time Thessia came out of hiding Belle had walked out of reach and into to the darkness of the streets. Thess tilted her head as she wondered where that girl would be going. It was then that something struck her, it didn't matter where she was going. What mattered is where she was coming from… and that was Mr. Gold's pawn shop.
Thessia quickly made her way towards the familiar shop and it occurred to her that the last time she had stepped foot in that place was when she recovered her keys and Graham's jacket. The memory made her angry, she walked faster.
"I'm closed."
"I don't care."
Thessia pushed him against the wall, breaking his shelves and a couple of antiques. He groaned as she let him drop and flung him against the wall again.
"I was wondering when you would decide to pay me a visit."
Mr. Gold laughed his very old and familiar laugh and Thessia made his head bang backwards on the wall as she held him there with her magic.
"You knew, didn't you? You knew the whole time. I keep combing over our last conversation, and the hints you dropped… you wanted me to know that you knew. Except why not just simply tell me?"
"And ruin the fun? I think-"
Thessia let him drop to the floor, kicking his cane well away from him.
"I knew someone who carried a staff once, it had the head of a snake. Since then well, I just don't like them too much."
Mr. Gold spit out a bit of blood in Thessia's direction, just enough of a distraction to send a big empty wooden trunk that had carried a sword at the temperamental pixie. It smashed against her skin, breaking into small splinters though none of it penetrated her skin. She flew back on the floor, hitting the door with a thump.
"You think you can come into my store and kill me? You think I would just let that happen?"
Mr. Gold grabbed a wand and Thessia rose up on the door, her feet inches above the floor. She began choking, like she was being suffocated and her hands were paralyzed against her side.
"No I didn't… Too much of… a coward... That's why- she left."
Thessia fell down, choking in small gasps of air as Mr. Gold looked down at the floor. Thessia thanked the stars, she had struck a nerve.
"What do you know of her?"
"I know she was running in the opposite direction of this place. You seem to have that effect on people, don't you?"
"Where did she go?"
"You threaten me with that wand again and I swear I will kill you."
Thessia began to feel a very hot and familiar feeling wash over her. The buildup of magic that ran through her veins ready to explode out of her body in the most deadly of ways heated her skin. When she saw him put the wand down she tried to banish the magic, but it wouldn't go away.
"I've put it down." Mr. Gold said wearily as he felt the magic inside her continue to swell.
"I know. I'm trying!"
"You can't control it, can you? You aren't quite the same as you once were."
Mr. Gold seemed to be enjoying this bit of knowledge and she bit her lip till it bled to stop herself from killing him. Her breathing was ragged and her face felt like it was burning up but she managed to control it. As she thought of James, and the way he had held her, the things he had whispered she took control of her power.
"It's taking some practice. But you seem to be in control… not surprising is it? After all, it was you who made this curse."
Mr. Gold could not contain his yelp of pride, he seemed exactly like the creature she remembered.
"I want to know where Belle went. You were her friend, were you not?"
"I can see two things very clearly. One, is that you are responsible for this magic here and that you used said magic, which was in clear violation of the promise you swore to Belle. Second, I am her friend and although I don't know where she went I hope with all my heart that she stays far away from you."
"If I were you, I would choose my next words carefully."
"Oh I have. So listen carefully, you have something that belongs to me. I'm here to take it back."
"Ah, I knew the story would stick with you deary."
"Give them to me, all three."
"Ah, but only one truly belongs to you. The other two are not for sale."
A gust of wind shattered the glass displays and sent papers flying everywhere. Mr. Gold did not look amused. The three blades trembled out of the debris and made its way towards Thessia.
"Oh that's good because I'm not paying."
Thessia turned and began walking through the door. She was weary of turning her back on Mr. Gold, but she needed to know. When she was at the frame of the door she turned to see Mr. Gold standing behind his desk, both hands on his staff.
"You chased me down for years, through Neverland and Agrabah and countless other lands. What's changed? Is it the name, Mr. Gold? You're still hungry for power, but it is incredibly unlike you to let me just walk away. Are you just weaker here, still a coward?"
"I AM NOT-" Mr. Gold refrained himself from losing his temper. After a deep breath he began to speak again. "Could a coward have summoned a Wraith to kill Regina?"
Thessia took pause at what he was saying. The earthquakes earlier made sense now, and she smiled.
"Ah, that would explain everything… Belle, she found out." Thessia put the three blades on her waist as she took a holster brown leather belt from his shop. "She's overreacting Gold, Regina deserves a fate worse than death."
"Yes well, we will have to see how that turns out. What with her defenders there to rescue her."
Thessia froze as she took a step outside the shop, she turned to see his face. He wasn't bluffing.
"You have got to be kidding me."
Thessia ran down the street, looking for the signs of a wraith. She managed to follow the trail towards the Sheriff's station. As she walked in she knew there had been a fight there. She looked for traces of blood but instead found something she had not expected. In the Sheriff's office, placed on the coat hanger was a very familiar brown leather jacket. She carefully touched it, not sure if she was expecting it to bite her or disappear. It did neither, but it was here and not in her closet. Thessia took a deep breath, now was not the time to get sentimental over her last fight with Graham.
The ground began to shake again and Thessia ran out of the police department. She followed the gusts of winds and blinking lights, running down the street until she heard the screams. She ran inside just in time to witness Snow White jump into the mad hatters hat.
"Neither am I!."
David jumped across the border with every intention of going into the hat. Thessia ran in and closed the portal with a quick motion of her hand. David fell belly first with nothing but a hat to break his fall.
"No."
David whispered as he raised to his knees, looking at the hat with such sorrow. Thessia jumped beside him, wanting to hug him or speak but the words wouldn't come out. He looked at Regina, anger coloring his face and it occurred to Thessia that he didn't know it was her that closed the portal. He stood up, completely ignoring Thessia's existence… but then again he stood right between her and Regina so maybe he wasn't.
"Where are they?!"
"I have no idea."
"Are they dead?"
"The curse, it destroyed all the land."
"Are they DEAD?"
"I DON'T KNOW!"
"I should kill you myself."
Thessia felt herself pulled back into a chair, vines closing her mouth and wrapping her ankles and wrists.
"Then what's stopping you?"
Regina pushed David into the wall, vines wrapping themselves around his body and neck. Thessia screamed but the vines wrapped themselves tighter.
"You think your some heroic Prince? Please, your nothing but the son of a shepard. I should have killed you when I could… and now I can."
David was gasping and Regina's words drove Thessia insane with anger. So much so that Thessia didn't realize the vines were also suffocating her too. Regina had magic, that was clear enough, but how? Thessia felt the blade at her side and it instinctively jumped into her hand. She began cutting the vines, but she wasn't fast enough and her oxyen was all but spent. She began to feel her eyes close, try as she might to flutter them open.
"Mom?"
Thessia opened her eyes again, Henry's voice shocked her into awareness. Regina unfocused her magic, and the vines gave enough slack to take in small gasps of air. She tried to keep cutting but she was too weak. The vines disappeared and both Thessia and David fell to the ground choking. Ruby came to see what she could do to help. Her eyes were wide with worry as she patted both David and Thess.
David helped Thessia up to her feet and she looked at him with sorrier than he would ever know. Ruby hugged Thessia, and she was happy to return it.
"Where will you go?"
"With me."
David turned towards Regina, stoic as he walked towards her and put a hand on Henry's shoulder. Thessia walked next to Ruby, giving Regina a mean glare but content to see that she as hurt by Henry walking away with them. She held Ruby's hand to stop herself from challenging the Queen again, from ending all of it with a flick of her blade. Evil was a contagious thing, it was like a black tar that stuck with whoever touched it regardless of intention.
"David, I am so sorry."
"Don't Tink, don't talk to me like they are dead."
David recoiled from her touch, tears still streaming down his face. Ruby grabbed Henry, taking him further up the street out of ear shot.
"That's not what I am saying!"
"Then tell me otherwise, tell me they are alive. Tink, please…"
Thessia threw herself in his embrace, caressing the back of his head and neck. She felt tears slip through her eyes, he was in such pain.
"You know I cannot lie to you. The truth is we don't know anything. That hat is a portal to many worlds and the Queen is not its rightful owner."
"So there is hope."
"Yes, so long as you have faith."
They whispered those words to each other, and she remembered what it was to love him. This whole day was held by memories of what was and questions for what will be. Did he feel the same? Did he remember any of his past that didn't involve Snow? She almost laughed aloud, of course he didn't. But he had a choice, faith is always a choice.