Disclaimer: Nothing of the awesomeness that is Once Upon a Time belongs to me.

A/N: Well, here you go, Lazey/not so anonymous anon. It's two days, another chapter. Just don't get too comfortable. Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I'm so glad that you all enjoyed the big reveals. This chapter has even more of them - it's what you've all been waiting for (no, not James' curse being broken, unfortunately).

Much thanks to Melissa for betaing. Despite being cray cray.


"Judging from the look on your face, it would seem you've been standing there for awhile."

Snow blinked, her mind still reeling from what she'd just heard. Rumpelstiltskin's question caught her off guard, though obviously it would be no use to lie. Of course she had been standing there.

She hesitated before nodding. Rumpelstiltskin smiled, as though pleased she had told the truth. "But you didn't come here to eavesdrop."

"No." Snow felt like her brain was on fast-forward, trying to process everything Regina and Rumpelstiltskin had said. There was so much she wanted to ask, so much she didn't understand, that she hardly knew where to begin.

"It was all true," Rumpelstiltskin offered. He didn't look at her, but walked over to the door and turned the sign from 'Closed' to 'Open.' "In case you wanted to know."

"Why?" was all Snow could say.

Rumpelstiltskin turned. "Why what?"

"Why are you doing this? Why are you protecting Emma?" The words came in a rush now. "Why did you wake me? Why here? Why Storybrooke?"

Rumpelstiltskin considered her for a moment. "If you were standing at the door for last long as I think you were, then you already know the answers to those questions."

"Magic?" Snow asked. "You're protecting Emma so that she'll break the curse and release magic into this world?" Rumpelstiltskin didn't answer, but she took his silence as assent. "And me? You gave me the potion so that I would help her remember – or tell her about the magic world – or do whatever to get her to believe?"

Again, Rumpelstiltskin did not respond.

"But why create the curse at all?" Snow asked. "What is this place?"

"It's a land without magic," he replied finally.

"But you created this curse," Snow pointed out. "Why take us to a land without magic if you just wanted to bring magic back?"

Rumpelstiltskin looked at her, and Snow thought she saw something harden in his face. For a fleeting moment, it looked like she had struck a nerve. But then Rumpelstiltskin's expression cleared. "I believe you had some questions of your own."

"Why Storybrooke?" Snow questioned, unwilling to give up so easily. "What's so special about Storybrooke? Why is everyone here now…?" The realization suddenly came to her. "It's Emma," she concluded. "It's because of Emma, right? She's here – so everyone else is here – and she's…" Snow gasped as the pieces fell together at last. "And she's twenty-eight. You told me – you said she would return on her twenty-eighth birthday. And that was yesterday, so…" Snow's voice trailed off. Rumpelstiltskin continued to stare at her. "I'm right, aren't I?" she finally said.

"It sounds like you've figured everything out already," he said. "So you tell me, dearie."

"What's supposed to happen?" Snow inquired. "She's twenty-eight, she's here – why haven't we gone back yet? Why isn't the curse broken?"

"She doesn't believe."

"In what? Magic?"

"In any of it." Rumpelstiltskin looked at her reproachfully. "That's why I told you that you had to make her believe."

"But if I make her believe," Snow began, "then she'll break the curse. Regina will get her magic back. So will you."

Rumpelstiltskin stared. "And?"

"And that would put her in danger – that would put all of us in-" Snow froze. The crushing weight pressed down on her from above, and the horrible taste, the putrid smell of rotting apples filled her nostrils…

"Ah."

Suddenly the smell was gone. Snow sucked in fresh air, trying not to throw up on the floor of Rumpelstiltskin's shop. Her eyes watered as she struggled to clear her mind of the memory. It was even worse than last time.

"How long has that been going on?"

She knew it was no use trying to hide her symptoms from him. "Ever since you gave me the potion," she replied bitterly.

"I see," he muttered.

Snow looked up. "What's that supposed to mean? Did you know this was going to happen?"

She could tell from the glint in his eye that he did. "I tried to warn you."

Snow's eyes narrowed. "When?"

"That night I gave you the true love potion-"

"Was it actually true love?" Snow interrupted.

"Of course it was. You know that only true love can end a sleeping curse." He raised his eyebrows. Snow wondered if that was a hint about what she should do with James.

"So it wasn't – poi – something else?"

"It wasn't poison, no," he answered. "Why would I poison you?"

Snow could think of several reasons, but decided not to mention any. She didn't want to let Rumpelstiltskin in on her suspicions so easily, especially when she couldn't tell how loyal he was to Regina.

"As I was saying," he continued. "I told you there were other constraints on your time."

The phrase stirred in Snow's memory. "But what does that mean?" she pressed, her heart fluttering. "You said the effects of the potion would be permanent."

"They are."

"Then what?"

"Oh, come now," Rumpelstiltskin said impatiently. "Surely you've figured this out, too."

"Is it the curse?" Snow asked. "You said there's no magic in this world. Is it because you used magic to end the sleeping curse? Is that why this is happening to me?"

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. "Tsk, tsk. Have you forgotten already?"

"Forgotten what?"

"She's twenty-eight."

"So?" But as soon as she said it, Snow knew. It was everything. The same reason Regina couldn't leave Storybrooke. Emma had turned twenty-eight. The curse had to be broken. They were running out of time.

"You get it now, dearie?"

"You – you did this to me?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"You created this curse. You made it breakable. You separated me from Emma all those years ago." Snow was shaking with anger. "You did this to me. You woke me up when you realized Emma wouldn't believe without my help, and you'd never get your magic back without her. And you knew that I would be forced to help you because otherwise I would, what, die? Is that what you want, Rumpelstiltskin? You want me dead, too?"

Rumpelstiltskin looked taken aback by her outburst. He was silent for nearly a minute before replying, "I've never wanted you dead, dearie. I'm invested in your future."

"Only because it helps you get what you want," Snow retorted.

"Let's not forget you made a deal."

"A deal?" Snow burst out. "A deal for what? A death sentence?"

"An exchange," he replied calmly. "I gave you your life, a chance to be with your daughter again. And you'd make Emma believe in return."

"You gave me no choice."

"And you gave me your word."

Snow stared at him, but Rumpelstiltskin refused to break eye contact. Finally, Snow said, "You're despicable."

Rumpelstiltskin smiled. "So I've been told. Take it as extra incentive, dearie. It's quite the bargain. Emma believes in the curse, you fulfill your end of the deal. And you get to keep your life as well."

"And if she doesn't believe?"

"You'll continue to decline," Rumpelstiltskin said simply. "Until you finally wither away and die."

Snow felt the blood drain from her face.

"I suggest you avoid that. It would be a most tragic ending."

"Then you have to help me," Snow said forcefully. "You want Emma to believe? Help me. Let me tell her I'm her mother."

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. "Can't do that. She'd never believe you, and you'd just frighten her away." He raised his eyebrows. "You tried it, didn't you?"

"Yes." Snow didn't see the point in lying.

"I did mean it literally, you know. When I said you couldn't tell her that you were her mother. Should have listened to me."

"You promised her a father," Snow reminded him, choosing to ignore his last comment. "That's why she came to Storybrooke in the first place. You promised her a father."

"She has a father."

"Then let me take her to him."

Rumpelstiltskin shrugged. "Take her to him. You know where he is. He's not going anywhere anytime soon."

Snow's eyes narrowed. "You know that's no use. I can't get into his room."

"I can get you in."

Snow wondered why Rumpelstiltskin was suddenly so open to letting her into James' room. Surely he had to know that if she got in there, she would kiss him and break his curse. Unless a kiss wouldn't work? Snow immediately pushed that thought from her mind. It had to work. True love's kiss could undo any curse.

But Rumpelstiltskin never did anything unless it benefited him. Did that mean he wanted James awake now, too?

"She's never going to believe that James is her father," Snow began. "He's her age."

"You're her age, too," Rumpelstiltskin pointed out. "It's hardly different than asking her to believe that you're her mother."

Snow knew he was right. He had set her a nearly impossible task. She wondered again if he was hoping that she would fail. Could he really want her dead?

He wants whatever he wants, she answered herself. You'll be alive as long as he needs you.

Suddenly the bells on the door rang. Snow turned around. Archie – she still couldn't think of him as Jiminy Cricket – entered with his dog.

"Morning, Mr. Gold, Miss Blanchard," he greeted them.

"Hello," Snow said, forcing herself to smile. She knew it was time to leave.

"I'll be right with you," Rumpelstiltskin said to Archie. "Miss Blanchard was just leaving."

Snow allowed him to lead her to the door. Archie tipped his hat to her as she walked out.

"Don't think this is over," Snow hissed once they were out of earshot.

Rumpelstiltskin smirked. "I'm counting on it."

Snow turned to leave, but Rumpelstiltskin caught her arm.

"The cleaning staff comes between two and three. The door is always open." He winked. "In case you get any ideas."


A/N: So there you have it! adventuresinstorybrooke you called this a few chapters ago with Snow "doing an August." Not exactly a brain tumor, but basically the magical equivalent. Next chapter is devoted to Snow and Emma, and the chapter after that is the one you've actually all been waiting for (and yes, this time I am talking about James). Please make my day with a review in the meantime. This is the middle of finals hell for me, and your reviews really brighten my day. I'll post again soon!