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: I'm so grateful that so many are enjoying this story. There is much ahead, including lots of Snowing romance and Charming Family Feels among the drama, adventure and danger.
During hiatus, I will be updating on Sundays as a rule.
Seven Years Later- the year in the Land Without Magic is now 2000.
Cell phones have come to Storybrooke, thanks to the curse's magic still in place, so you'll see the characters using them going forward.
Pairings: Primarily Snowing - With OutlawQueen. And soon – Brief SwanFire.
Lots of Charming Family feels ;)
Emma is now eighteen
Alexandra Herman is eight
Leo and Eva Nolan are seven
Everyone else has remained the same, as Storybrooke is still frozen in time.
Thank you for all the awesome reviews and feed back. Here are some individual responses:
Emmamme: Aw, thanks! So glad you're enjoying the story. Yep, Drizella is turning out to be horrible and she won't be getting any better. Yes, SwanFire will be brief, but sweet in the moment. But ultimately, I prefer Captain Swan too, so that's where we're heading. ;)
FancyPants73: Glad I could make your Monday better! Yeah, Drizella is out of her mind and she won't be getting any better. SwanFire will be a thing very briefly. Captain Swan is the end game, but I need Henry to exist. ;)
killiansbutt: I love your reviews. I think I responded in a PM, but I wanted to say thank you here. So glad you like the story so much. Enjoy this new chapter!
Sexystarwarslover: Thanks, glad you thought the last chapter was incredible. There's much in store, including a lot more Snowing and cute, albeit brief SwanFire. Yep, Drizella is psychotic and will remain so.
Thanks also to the Guest reviewer, EmmaAthena2013, and baratta jennifer,
Finding You Always
Chapter 36: Aftermath
After hours of making love in the early dawn, the storm started to fade and soon sunlight could be seen over the horizon. Fallen tree limbs littered the ground around the cabin, but the sky was clear and indicated it would be a beautiful day.
They started to get dressed so they could head back into town. They were eager to get home to the twins and after breakfast, Snow was taking her husband to see Dr. Sakura, even if she had to drag him there.
They stood, as he finished buttoning his now dry shirt and she pulled her jeans on. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and nuzzled her neck, placing tender kisses along her soft skin. She smiled.
"I love you…" he whispered. She turned in his arms and kissed him soundly on the lips, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"And I love you…" she said, as their lips parted.
"You saved me last night...in more ways than one," he mentioned.
"It was dangerous for you to be out in the storm though. I can't lose you, Snow," he fretted.
"And I can't lose you or let some psychotic woman hurt you. I would think you'd know by now that I'd walk through hell itself to find you if I had to, Charming," she said fiercely. He smiled.
"Just as I would for you. We make quite a pair," he mentioned fondly. She smiled, as their lips met again. They jumped in surprise, however, when the door burst open to reveal a frantic Thomas.
"Do you two idiots have any idea how worried Ella and I have been? How worried the whole damn town is?" he exclaimed. They winced.
"Sorry, cell reception was down all night and I'm sure you saw the flat on the cruiser," David replied.
"Yes, but that doesn't explain why Snow went out in a storm like we just had," Thomas remarked.
"Charming was in trouble. Storm or not, I had to find him," Snow replied. Thomas sighed. He loved them both, but they were so damned infuriating at times.
"Guess I brought you out here for nothing, Doctor," Thomas said to Paul.
"Actually, Charming needs checked out. I think he was drugged," Snow replied. Thomas' eyebrows were in his hair.
"Snow...I feel fine now," David insisted.
"Drugged? What the hell happened out here last night?" Thomas asked.
"It's quite a story," Snow said. Paul chuckled and Thomas rolled his eyes.
"It's always a story with you two," he said with a sigh.
Charming sat down so Paul could give him an exam, while they both explained the events of the previous night.
Emma answered her phone, as she was getting ready for class.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Emma…" Neal said.
"Neal…" she said in surprise.
"Don't sound so surprised," he joked.
"Sorry, but I honestly never thought I'd hear from you again," she replied.
"Hey, do you really take me for the type of guy to never call again? Neal asked.
"Do you really want me to answer that?" she quipped. He chuckled.
"Okay...you got me. But I guess you're different. I find a girl that's willing to mace me for almost stealing her car attractive," he confessed. Emma felt her heart skip a beat and was glad he couldn't see her face right now.
"So…" he said, breaking the awkward silence.
"I was wondering if you want to get coffee again?" he asked.
"I have class," she replied.
"Oh...okay," he said, disappointed.
"But I have a couple hours open until my afternoon class. If you throw in a bear claw, I'll meet you at the coffee shop down the street from campus at ten-thirty," Emma replied. She could hear the smile in his voice, as he spoke.
"Deal," he said.
"See you then," Emma replied, as she hung up.
After getting checked out and taking blood from David to get it tested, Dr. Sakura declared he was fine and they headed back to town. They called Ruby and she was meeting them at the diner with the twins. David also called Belle and told her the situation. Bashful was currently dusting the cabin for prints, but it was likely nothing was missing and the whole thing had been a ruse to lure Charming out there. He suggested though that she and Gold visit later that day to make sure nothing was missing and he promised to stop by with the police report later.
They entered the diner hand in hand.
"Mommy! Daddy!" two voices called excitedly. Snow and David caught them in their arms and hugged them both tightly.
"We were worried," Eva whimpered.
"I know, I'm so sorry babies. But we're fine," Snow assured them.
"Yeah, Mommy found me, but we had to stay in Mr. Gold's cabin for the night, because of the storm," David explained, as they filled their usual booth.
"I'll get breakfast up for you four right away," Granny told them. Snow smiled.
"Thanks Granny," she replied appreciatively.
They enjoyed breakfast with their precocious twins sitting across from them, chatting animatedly about their, in Leo's words, "super awesome sleepover with Auntie Red" and smiled at each other with Snow cuddling against him after they had finished their meal.
Snow's contentment soured though when Drizella and her greasy camera man came into the diner and ordered coffee to go. The woman turned to their table with a smile that Snow wanted to smack off her face.
"Sheriff...it's so good to see that you're all right. We were all dreadfully worried when we heard you were caught out in that awful storm," Drizella fretted. Snow clenched her fist and felt her husband squeeze her hip tenderly.
"I'm fine...thanks to my beautiful Snow. She found me, as she always does," he said, fondly pressing a kiss to his wife's temple. Drizella frowned and the two women glared daggers at each other, before Snow simply smirked, making sure the crazy woman could see her hand slide down Charming's thigh. It was subtle, but effective.
"Yes...well, I'll be covering the story of Mr. Gold's cabin being broken into. Any details you can give me on your investigation?" she asked.
"Yeah...I think the break in was staged," he said bluntly, gauging her reaction. But the woman feigned surprise.
"Really? Why would someone do such a thing?" she asked. He smirked.
"Good question. Someone wanted to isolate me out there and I intend to do everything possible to find out who and why," he promised.
"Well...I wish you luck in your investigation, Sheriff," she said confidently. Snow didn't like how confident she was at all.
"Where were you last night between five pm and eight pm?" David questioned.
"Me? I was home all evening, of course. Mother and I rode out the storm together," Drizella replied smugly.
"Of course you did," he responded.
"Have a good day, Sheriff...and if you'd like to discuss this more, please feel free to stop by my office," she said seductively. With another glare to Snow, she left.
"She's lying David," Snow insisted.
"I know, my darling. I just hope we can prove it," he replied. Johanna arrived soon to take the twins for the day. Snow parted ways from them, after kissing her husband and children, and headed for her office, while David headed to the station.
Neal laughed and Emma rolled her eyes.
"You can stop laughing now," she said, as she threw a balled up napkin at him.
"I'm sorry, just never thought I'd date a girl that is majoring in criminal justice," he joked.
"I'm a Sheriff's daughter too so you better watch it," she teased.
"You gonna become a cop too?" he asked curiously. She shrugged.
"I don't know. I'll probably take the deputy job that my dad's already offering me," Emma replied. He quirked an eyebrow.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing...it's just surprising that you'd go back to small town life after experiencing a big city," Neal replied. She shrugged.
"It's where my family is and Storybrooke isn't as boring as you'd think," Emma replied.
"What about you? Have you ever considered small town life?" she asked.
"No way...I like obscurity. I like to walk down the street and know that no one knows who I am," he replied.
"I guess I can understand that. I mean...everyone knows me in my hometown, which is nice sometimes, but it can be annoying too I guess," she admitted.
"You can always visit your family, but if you ask me, the city is where things happen," he said. She smiled and finished her coffee.
"I have class soon so I should get back," Emma said.
"If you're free tonight, I can show you how great the city can be," he tempted. She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Meet me outside my building at six then," she replied. He smiled and watched her go. She was so different than any girl he'd ever met.
"Come on...I barely touched the guy!" Keith complained, as David prodded him into the station.
"That guy is on his way to the hospital to get stitches," David said.
"Oh, so it's my fault that he hit the corner of the table on the way down?" Keith griped, as he noticed Belle and Gold were there. He gave Belle a good look up and down, before David shoved him into his cell.
"Yep, it's your fault, because you started the fight...again," David replied, as he locked him up.
"Busy day?" Belle asked. David smiled.
"Yeah...Storybrooke is never boring," he joked.
"We're here to sign our statement," Gold said.
"Then nothing was missing?" David asked.
"Not one thing," Belle replied.
"It seems you were the target, Sheriff," Gold added. David sighed.
"It seems that way," he replied, as he saw Thomas return with Bashful.
"Well...if it is who you suspect, I have to say that she has guts," Gold commented. Belle nudged him.
"Rumple!" she scolded.
"I'm merely saying that, because I've seen Snow White shoot a bow," Gold clarified. David chuckled.
"He's got a point. Snow was ready to storm her mansion after breakfast this morning," he admitted.
"I don't blame her. I just hope you can get some proof this time," Belle said.
"Me too. Everything should be good on your statement. Just need signatures," David said, as he excused himself and went to speak with Bashful and Thomas.
"Did you get anything?" David asked.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but there were no prints anywhere," Bashful said regrettably. David sighed, but he wasn't really surprised.
"And when he means no prints, he means not even Gold's or Belle's. The place was wiped clean...professionally," Thomas added. David nodded, as his phone rang.
"Sheriff," he answered and listened to the person on the other end.
"Yeah…I'll be right there," he said, as he hung up.
"That was Dr. Sakura. My tox screen is in. I'm going to swing by and get Snow and then go to the hospital," he said.
"Good luck," Thomas called to his retreating boss and friend.
Hand in hand, Snow and David arrived at the hospital and quickly made their way to Paul's office door, before knocking and peeking in. He smiled at them.
"Please come in," he said, as they did and closed the door.
"That was fast. Didn't think you'd have the tests back already," David mentioned. Paul gave him a tight smile.
"I ran the tests myself," Paul replied. Snow smiled.
"Thank you," she said. He smiled back kindly.
"You're my friends. I was glad to," he said.
"What did you find?" David asked.
"I'm glad I took a blood sample when I did. Had we waited, the drug cocktail you were given would have already been out of your system by now, as it was a very low dose," he replied.
"Drug cocktail?" Snow asked with concern.
"I found traces of ordinary over the counter meds. Whoever concocted it knew exactly what to mix in order to mimic the effects of a weak version of Rohypnol. I also found traces of antihistamines, which in the right dose, can act like a mild sedative," Paul explained to his stunned friends.
"Had this been an actual Rohypnol, you'd still be out of it today," Paul continued.
"Why would they use a weaker version then? Someone obviously wanted me unable to...fight back," David replied.
"Because Rohypnols are prescription drugs and ultimately traceable. The ingredients in what you were given only mimicked the effects of a real Rohypnol and are available to anyone for purchase at the pharmacy. Someone didn't want it traceable," Paul deduced.
"Are you saying we won't be able to prove anything?" Snow asked. He looked down.
"I'm sorry Snow...I wish I could offer more," he replied.
"We know who did this," Snow insisted to her husband.
"I know my darling, but short of a confession, we have no way to prove it," he said.
"Rohypnol...it's a rape drug, isn't it?" Snow asked bluntly. Paul shifted uncomfortably.
"Yes, it has been known to be commonly used for such purposes," Paul replied. Snow nodded and stood up.
"Snow...where are you going?" David asked, with just a touch of panic in his voice. He knew that look on his wife's face all too well.
"Is my bow still in your truck?" she asked. He sighed.
"Snow…" he pleaded.
"It is, Charming?" she asked again.
"Yes," he answered.
"Then I'm going to get a confession," Snow said, as she stormed out. David sighed.
"Thanks Paul, but I have to go before my wife goes all bandit on the Tremaines," he said. Paul chuckled.
"Good luck," he called.
"Snow…" he called, as he hurried after her.
"Slow down," he called, as he finally caught up to her at the truck. She grabbed her bow and quiver of arrows.
"You know if you force a confession, it won't hold up," he reminded.
"I'm not letting her get away with what she did to you," Snow replied. He put his hands firmly on her shoulders.
"I'm fine Snow. Please, let's just go home. The twins will be out of school in a couple hours and then we can pick them up together and take them to the stables. Us being together is how we truly get justice," he reasoned. She sighed.
"I know...but she drugged you! She could have given you something that could have killed you! And if I hadn't got there when I did...she would have...violated you!" Snow cried, her voice choking on the last part.
"I know my darling, but I'm fine. I'm here in your arms, exactly where I should be," he replied.
"Doesn't what she did and tried to do bother you?" she asked.
"Of course it does. Snow, the thought of anyone else but you...touching me makes me sick to my stomach," he confessed. She softened and melted into his arms. Their lips crashed together with heated passion. Snow mewled with desire, as he moved his lips feverishly over hers and his tongue danced with hers.
"You're right…" she said breathlessly, as their lips finally parted.
"This…" she said, as she kissed him again.
"Is justice," she continued, kissing him hungrily again.
"Take me home...because I want justice. And justice involves you and me with a lot less clothing," she whispered. Desire rippled through him and he practically lifted her up and put her in the truck, before hurrying to the driver's side.
Emma laughed and lightly shoved him.
"There is no way that story is true!" she protested.
"You doubt me?" Neal asked, putting a hand to his chest with mock hurt. She glanced at him and sighed.
"I suppose it's not too hard to believe that my car isn't the first you stole...or tried to steal," she admitted.
"Yeah, I'm not proud of most of it, but the guy I snatched the Mercedes from totally deserved it for running a light and nearly running me over," he replied. She smirked.
"I suppose he did. Posing as a valet at that fancy restaurant was pretty genius," she said. He shrugged.
"Besides, I just did a little joy riding and messed his precious hunk of metal up a bit. Then I returned it...so technically it was borrowing," Neal added. She smirked again.
"If you say so, Cassidy," she said, as she finished her hot chocolate and discarded the cup in the trash. They had arrived back at her dorm building.
"So...was the city more thrilling than your little not-so-boring hometown?" he asked. She smiled.
"It was pretty exciting and the tour guide was pretty good," she replied slyly.
"Good...then maybe you'll have dinner with the tour guide tomorrow night?" he asked. Emma smirked and responded by kissing him tenderly on the lips, before walking toward her building.
"Is that a yes?" he called.
"You're smart. You'll figure it out," she replied, as she winked at him and went inside.
"I think that was a yes," he mumbled, grinning like a fool.
Snow smirked and threaded an arrow, aiming it expertly and let go, just as Drizella Tremaine exited her office that afternoon. The woman cried out in fear, as it embedded itself in the door, mere inches from her face. Drizella looked up, finding Snow White glaring at her from across the street. She seethed, as the raven haired beauty strolled up to her with purpose.
"What the hell is wrong with you, you bitch?!" Drizella hissed.
"Oh, I think you know exactly why I want to put an arrow in you," Snow hissed back. Drizella smirked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," the woman replied with an air of superiority, sourly reminding Snow of the woman's evil mother.
"You drugged my husband and you were going to violate him. Don't bother denying it and know that the only reason I didn't put that arrow in your skull is that you're not worth it," Snow growled. Drizella seethed.
"And what proof do you have to back up these outlandish claims?" she hissed. Snow was silent, but continued to glower at the other woman. Drizella smirked.
"I thought so and I don't take kindly to your threats, Madam Mayor," she said with disdain.
"I may not have proof...but I know what you did and if you ever come near my Charming again, I'll put an arrow between your beady little eyes," Snow threatened.
"My, my, threats are very unbecoming of a Princess. What would your handsome, darling husband think if he was here?" she taunted. Snow smirked.
"He'd be cheering me on," she replied. Drizella scoffed.
"Oh really? Then where he is? Perhaps he was tired of you clinging to him like a leech," she hissed. Snow laughed.
"Oh, I'm the leech? That's rich. But if you must know, he's home in bed. Our bed," she boasted. Drizella seethed.
"See...my husband and I had a bit of trouble keeping our hands off each other earlier, so he took me home," she said, smirking wickedly at her.
"I guess he's still a bit tired from the ordeal you put him through yesterday, because I think I wore him out a bit. He's sleeping at home, in my bed, where he belongs, because he's my husband!" Snow growled, as her face was only inches from the other woman's.
"This is your final warning, you psychotic, stalking bitch! Stay away from my David or I will end you. He is my true love and I will destroy anyone that tries to hurt him," Snow threatened. Drizella clenched her teeth.
"I'll heed your warning for now, Princess. But someday, you'll be put in your place and I'll be there to relish your suffering," Drizella promised. Snow's emerald stare bore into her, before she reached up and pulled her arrow from the door, waving it warningly in front of the other woman, before stalking back to her car.
It only took her a few minutes to drive home and she quietly slipped into the house, shedding her coat. She slipped back into the bedroom and shed the rest of her clothes, before slipping back into bed with her husband. He stirred and she smiled, as he opened his blue eyes.
"Hey...did I fall asleep?" he asked. She smiled and kissed him tenderly.
"You did, but we did wear each other out a bit," she replied, nuzzling his neck.
"I have a confession though. I might have slipped out for a bit and kind of put an arrow next to Drizella Tremaine's head as she was leaving her office," she confessed. He laughed and held her close.
"So...you're confessing your crimes to the Sheriff?" he questioned. She bit her bottom lip.
"I am...you should punish me," she whispered sultrily in his ear. He felt desire ripple through him, as he gazed at his beautiful, sexy vixen of a wife. He pinned her beneath him and then she knew nothing but pure ecstasy...
Two hours later, they somehow managed to get dressed and make it to the elementary school on time to get the twins. Being the Sheriff was a good thing, especially when it came to speeding. But it's worth it to see the twins' faces light up at the sight of both of them picking them up and the news of an impromptu trip to the stables...
In the next chapter, 4 months have passed and it is nearing Christmas...
Please review and let me know what you think!