AN: Thanks for all the incredible responses! Keep them coming! I know replies get long, but I love that so many are still following me on the incredible journey that is this story. See previous chapter for explanation on realms. Now that the realms are united, everyone is on Storybrooke time and aging for adults is very slow due to the Chalice.
Thanks for the great reviews! Keep them coming! The feedback gives this story life, so please consider leaving a review! Unless you're a troll, because then your reviews get deleted. You can also follow me on Tumblr Lilacmoon83. All my stories, plus artwork is posted there, as well as all things Snowing and Charming family. So give me a follow!
This story is now updated bi-weekly. I love Finding You Always and this story is going to continue, but I want to give attention to my other verses that are not getting updated. So I hope you'll continue to enjoy this story and my other verses. As always, reviews on all stories are very much appreciated, so please consider leaving reviews. :)
I also had a request for some face claims of original characters and villains. Some of those are on the artwork for the story when it's posted on Tumblr so some might have seen those. But here's some written out face claims and names that can be googled for anyone that wants to.
Face Claims:
Leo Charming Nolan: Matt Lanter
Eva Charming Nolan: Bailee Madison
Summer Charming Nolan: Joey King(young) and Luna Blaise(older)
Bobby Charming: Logan Lerman (for now. This one is probably going to change as he ages)
Christopher Sean: Dr. Paul Sakura
Aphrodite: used to be Charlize Theron, but other reviewers prefer a blonde Ginny for her and I'm inclined to agree now that she's with James.
Xander(Robert) Nolan Charming: David Cubitt(the actor they cast for Robert in canon)
Clayton(even though he's finally dead): Vincent Irizarry
Mephisto: in the movie Ghost Rider, Mephisto was played by Henry Fonda so that's who I'm using here too.
Amora the Enchantress: Laura Dern
Seth: Rami Malek (which pains me, cause I adore him, but I have based Seth on Set from Egyptian mythology as well as Typhon from Greek Mythology so using Rami Malek as an Egyptian God is too perfect). He is my favorite part of the Night at the Museum movies.
If I missed any, let me know and I will add to the face claims. :)
Here are individual responses to reviews:
Raven Joy: Glad you loved it. :)
Grace5231973: I agree. Snow had a personal connection with Regina and had known her before she was a monster. I think that hindered Snow's decisions when it came to her. I really think Snowing was damned if they did and damned if they didn't, because there are so many Regina fans that demonize them for the test they gave her in 2x10, which she failed spectacularly and then demonize them again in 2x10 for not knowing that it wasn't Regina in Pongo's memory. And I'm like why? She had not shown them anything different up to that point. There was no reason for them to believe she wasn't a killer at that point. On the other hand with Rumple, no one knew about Baelfire at that point and David only had a vague inkling about a lost love. They met the monster first so I think that had a lot to do with it too. I agree that they were far too easy on her. I think Cora played into that too. Snow knew what a monster she was and hold she had on Regina too. I could probably do an entire meta on 2x10 alone. It's actually a good idea for a one-shot to break down exactly why Regina deserved no trust at that point. Anyway, I do get why Rumple fans think they were too hard on him vs. Regina. Snow's personal feelings clouded her judgement, but I get it. She saw her as her step-mom for a long time and didn't actually realize that Regina really hated her until after her father died. This fandom loves to focus on Regina's pain, but they like to forget the ringer that Snow went through when she was chased out of her Kingdom. Anyway, I know I get defensive of Snowing, but it comes from seeing them demonized on multiple sides of this fandom. I have to be careful about even reading anything on A03 anymore. I've been burned by too many fics that tag them only to read about them being bashed, evil, or way out of character. It's just...not fun. Anyway, I'm rambling again. No worries on the Drizella thing. Way back in the beginning, I wrote her in as a villain thinking that they probably wouldn't use her as a character, at least not to the extent they did in season 7. The curse scene was really tough. I was like...why am I doing this? And then I have to tell myself, it's going to be fun and epic and there is a Rumple scene you'll like here. I won't say anymore, but there's a lot of smoke and mirrors type stuff going on with this curse. I know you enjoy Snowing and this story and for that I'm very glad and enjoying conversing with you. :)
Ciara Rain: Thanks! Glad you liked it. Happy New Year to you too.
Jennifer Baratta: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and you're right, Seth's days are definitely numbered.
Number Ten: Yep, more of their plan will become clear in this chapter and exactly whose in on it. There's a lot of smoke and mirrors type stuff going on. Yep, baby Hope is a thing now. And no, the curse will not be broken before Emma gives birth as you'll find out in this chapter. Yep, no one will suspect it's their wedding rings, not even the Major. :)
Lucy Maia: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Sexystarwarslover: Yeah, I hope it works too! Some things become clear and let's just say a lot of what's going on in the United Realms will not be as it seems. Glad you like my casting choices, especially with Leo. And with Seth, I just couldn't resist. I didn't like making Rami Malek evil, but I just love him so much and since Seth is of Egyptian origin, it's just too perfect, cause you're right, he does a great villain. Yep, the curse to end all curses, basically meaning that the dark curse is going to fizzle away when this one is broken. Jekyll will be eventually be sent to the Underworld. I promise a painful demise, lol. Yep, Mephisto is no match for dark Charmz. He got put in his place nicely. And Amora is neutralized. Yes, Emma's second pregnancy is definitely different from her first. I don't like the Charmings being separated either, but I promise this is going to be a fun and interesting ride. :)
Aylaa Grace: Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Princess Me 21: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Lemoncello: Thanks! Glad you liked it!
AnonSnowing: You're welcome on the face claims! Yeah, it's okay to cheer for Wintering. You'll get more insight to the curse in this chapter and I think it's going to be a fun ride. Yeah, Gosh and Lana do have good chemistry, I agree. The star seeds look like tiny little gemstones that are actually in the shape of seeds. A normal star seed probably would lack color, but special ones glow and have a unique color. For instance, back when Gothel tried to take Snowing's, we found out that Snow's is white and Charming's is red. Eva's is probably pink, Leo's would be probably a royal blue, Emma's probably white or silver, Summer's lavender, and Bobby's the blue/green teal type color(like the earth). The star seeds are based a bit on the concept of the heart crystals from the third season of Sailor Moon. Anyway, no Amora is strictly from the comics. She was Asgardian, but no I wrote the history she had with Fandral. She's neutralized for now. We'll see if it sticks, cause you know me. I love how emotional Snowing got over the sonogram too. I know, I kind of miss little Summer too. Yes, there will be a flashback on when they discovered Bobby could make earthquakes. It will be after he remembers and his powers awaken again. It will be a pretty funny instance I think. It won't go on quite that long, but I elude to how long it's been so far in this chapter. I'm glad you're excited for this chapter. I do not think it will disappoint and you're welcome. I really enjoy writing, especially this story. Yes, I think Luna Blaise could pass as Snowing's daughter. Her skin is light enough I think. I liked Joey as little Summer, but older Joey...I just don't as much. I think Luna fits an older Summer better. I think it's because we see little Joey in scenes with Ginny and Luna in scenes with Josh so it's easy connections there. :)
Finding You Always
Chapter 202: Walking on a Dream
Laughter echoed, as a young man and woman lovingly chased each other around the creek in a wooded area. The creek had an old wooden bridge in which they sat on, after the young couple was done with their playful romp. They were very young, teenagers, but so in love. Many said they were too young, but they were all wrong, for these two knew a love that did not happen for most. True love was but a myth or a thing of fairy tales, but they had found it. They were two of the very lucky in a world where no one believed in anything anymore; certainly not true love. Love was more than enough for them, but jealous people and evil threatened to try and separate them.
"What are we going to do? You know my father...he'll lock me away the moment he finds out and send me off somewhere until the baby is born. He'll never let me have her and he'll never let us be together," she fretted.
"Not here...but that's why we must leave. We can't be together here, because of your evil father. But out there...we can. We can escape this little backwater town and out there, we can get married, have our baby, and be together forever," he said.
"My father is powerful...what if he finds us?" she asked.
"I know someone...she's a friend and she says that she can get us new identities if I agree to work for her. I need a job anyway, so it's kind of perfect," he replied. She looked hopeful.
"That could work...we can escape and be together," he said, as he placed a hand on her still flat belly. She wasn't showing yet, but it wouldn't be long.
"You're all I need and want...you and our baby," he promised. She smiled and looked at the glistening ring on her finger. It was his mother's and all he had left of her and she wore it now with pride, having burst into happy tears when he proposed last night after they made love under the stars.
"When do we leave? Because I cannot wait to start my life with the man I love and the father of our baby," she said. He smiled and kissed her passionately.
"My truck is packed. We leave when you're ready," he said. She smiled and kissed him again.
"Then we leave now," she said, as he helped her to her feet and they hurried off to escape a trapped life in the small town her father controlled like a King for a life out there, together and free…
Her green eyes opened and she stretched her arms over her head, rolling away from the sun streaming through the blinds, burying her face in his shoulder and breathing in his scent. She could lay like this with him all day and never desire to get up, but their alarm had other ideas as it chose that moment to go off.
"No…" she whined and she heard him chuckle. He pressed a kiss to her head and she peered up at him with a sleepy smile.
"Good morning," he said.
"Morning," she muttered, as he kissed her tenderly.
"Waking up in your arms is always a good morning, but it could better," she mused playfully, as she gave him a sultry stare.
"I love the way you think," he agreed, as their lips met again, this time with more heat and passion. Hands began to roam and the bedclothes rustled, as he shifted her onto her back, before settling between her legs. He kissed her lips passionately and then began to trail kisses down her neck, while she arched against him.
"Mom...have you seen my cleats? I need them for soccer," she heard their son call through the door. She sighed.
"Did you check the basement?" she called, trying to bite back a moan as she did.
"Oh yeah…" he said, as they heard him pad away from the door. She mewled into his kiss and passion swallowed them in a bout of morning lovemaking.
She lay against him after, as they cuddled for a few moments, knowing they would have to get up soon to face the day.
"Dad...I need a ride to campus this morning," their daughter called through the door. They smiled at each other and shared another kiss.
"We'll be out soon, peanut and I'll drop you off on my way to work," he called, as they heard her footsteps retreating.
"Guess we'll have to pick this up tonight," he said in a husky tone.
"Mmm...promise?" she asked, as he kissed her again.
"Always," he replied, as they went to clean up for the day.
A bit later, they finally exited their bedroom, dressed and ready for the day and joined their two kids in the kitchen. To look at them, most would say that they were a pretty typical nuclear family, though seemed a tad young to have a college age daughter and even a fourteen-year-old son.
But that was them. David Nolan and Mary Margaret Blanchard had once been two kids from a smallish town in Maine. She had been the daughter of the rich owner of their town's lucrative cannery company and he had owned most of the real estate in town like some sort of King. Even the Mayor hadn't had as much power as him and he had expected his daughter to follow in his footsteps.
Her father was not a fair man though and much of the town was impoverished due to his unfair rent and high prices on all his goods. Mary Margaret wanted no part of it and it made her sad, for her father had not always been that way. After her mother died though, he had become lost in his bitterness and greed. She suspected that she reminded him too much of her mother and he had wanted to thus mold her into his image instead. He had very specific ideas about who his daughter was to be and it clashed with every single idea of who Mary Margaret wanted to be.
David grew up on his mother's farm, very poor, and was home schooled until high school. David's father had been an alcoholic and left them when he was very young. But both their lives had changed on the first day of High School. After the first day was over, she had been sneaking through the woods, trying to ditch the handler her father had sent to pick her up when she accidentally hit him in the face with a rock, thinking he was the handler.
Instead of being upset, he had helped her evade her father's hired goon and they became friends. But it wasn't long until they fell in love and it was pretty quickly determined that this wasn't just some frivolous high school relationship or puppy love.
Her father, of course, loathed that his daughter was involved with a farm boy and forbid them to see each other. She ignored him and refused to stop seeing him.
By the time they were sixteen in their junior year, David's mother passed away and her father had capitalized on the opportunity, as he took the farm when David couldn't pay, leaving him homeless. He forbade anyone else in town to give him housing, thinking it would force him to leave. But his friend refused to turn him away. She was an older woman, former military, and revealed that she had once worked with his father.
David had been shocked to learn that Robert had actually gotten sober after he left them and was an undercover agent. Sadly, he was killed in the line of duty and Major Patricia Donovan vowed to see that his son was taken care of after his father had saved her life or so the story went.
So when Mary Margaret discovered she was pregnant, Pat suggested that they leave town and promised to help them if David worked for her once he finished high school. So they had and had never been happier since.
They got married right away in a small, private ceremony and they had finished High School online after their daughter was born. Then David went into a specialized training that Pat set up for him that included military and law enforcement training.
In the meantime, Pat returned to her former post in the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the Boston office and when he was ready, she bypassed all the red tape, making David a part of her special task force the Bureau had charged her with. Margaret, as she had started going by, had been worried at first, as this task force went after the worst criminals and serial killers, but her husband was really good at what he did and liked that he was really making a difference.
His job also provided for them well enough that it allowed for free federal daycare, which had allowed her to go to college for a teaching degree. By the time Summer was five, Margaret was pregnant with their son, whom they had named after David's father.
Now, Margaret taught high school science and social studies, they lived in a very nice Boston suburb, and were more in love than ever.
Summer was a freshman at Boston College and a member of one of their prestigious dance and cheer squads, while Bobby was a freshman at the same high school his mother taught at.
Margaret was actually new to the school too and had just begun teaching there at the beginning of the school year about a week ago. She was still getting her bearings and finding her stride, as she used to teach fifth grade. High School was new waters and she was still wading in the shallow end.
"Can I have pop-tarts for breakfast?" Bobby asked, as he rummaged through the pantry.
"Pop-tarts are not a healthy breakfast," Margaret said, as she took the eggs out of the fridge.
"And fortunately, we have time for some quick scrambled eggs. But you can help me make toast," she said, as she tossed the bread to him.
"Okay," he said, as he took the bread and grabbed the peanut butter. David chuckled, as he made coffee, while she made eggs and they ate a quick breakfast together, just as he heard his phone go off.
"Do you have a case?" Margaret asked.
"No...just a meeting. Looks like a boring office day," he said, as he pocketed his phone and kissed her tenderly.
"So you'll make it to my game?" Bobby asked.
"I should," David replied, as he kissed both his kids on the head, before kissing his wife again.
"See you tonight," she whispered.
"Love you," he whispered back.
"Love you too," she said fondly, as she kissed her daughter.
"Have a good day, sweetie," she said.
"Come on peanut, I'll drop you on my way," David said, as they left. Margaret put the dishes in the sink and gathered her stuff.
"Ready?" she asked her son. He nodded and they were off for the day too.
The United Realms
The United Realms was a peaceful place under the stern rule of the mighty Seth. Too peaceful. Most lived good lives and under the guise of their cursed lives, they knew nothing else. Or at least nothing else they could remember. If they could have, then things would surely be different and a rebellion would rise. And it soon would, or so Winter and Charming hoped.
They had played their part of loyal subordinates to Seth these last two years, as had the Evil Queen, running their own Kingdoms, while he ruled over all from the newly recreated Mount Olympus.
Adorning all the Kingdoms now though were golden statues, erected in Seth's likeness and his subjects woefully bowed to their God and his likeness in thankfulness for their good lives. Honestly, it made Winter and Charming want to retch on a daily basis, but they knew this was the way it had to be until it was time for everyone to wake and for the resistance to begin. No one questioned their God. Dissenters were dealt with in severity or so it appeared.
With this curse, everyone still had their Enchanted Forest identities, being that this was now the United Realms, but all the events of the past thirty years had almost all been erased.
Everyone only remembered Seth as their hero and ruler after he came many years ago and liberated them all from Zeus' tyrannical rule. Everyone in the United Realms lead happy lives and worshiped Seth as their God. Those who did not were shunned and harshly ridiculed by their peers, mostly to endear themselves to Seth and appease him.
Rulers of each Kingdom were expected to answer to Seth as well, all while keeping their Kingdoms in strict order. Misthaven, under the joint rule of Queen Winter, King Charming, and the Evil Queen had flourished. Arendelle had as well under Queen Elsa and King Leo, as they were closely knit with Misthaven.
Many of the other Kingdoms had fallen in line as well, including Andresia, Starcomb, Oz, and most others. Some Kingdoms had struggled and those were dealt with, which usually led to Seth appointing new leaders for those Kingdoms.
Thanks to their subterfuge and careful crafting of the curse, they still had the dome area at Bald Mountain, which was still perfectly and irrevocably sealed away from Seth. And, as Charming was summoned to Seth's Throne room that morning, he knew he would pull off yet another elaborate faux execution.
"I am done bowing to you in forced servitude! I did not build my Kingdom into the magnificence that it is only for the people to worship your golden statue instead of mine!" Midas ranted. Charming rolled his eyes. This one he was actually going to enjoy.
"You will conform to my rule, King Midas or the consequences will be severe," Seth warned.
"Father please…" Abigail pleaded, as she and Frederick stood by fearfully.
"I will do no such thing! And I'm not afraid of the pretty lapdog you have to do your dirty work!" the pompous King announced, as he held his hand up, intending to use it if he had to.
"If you're not afraid of my power, then you're a bigger fool than I thought," Charming said, as he made his entrance with Winter on his arm in a gorgeous, shimmering white gown. He was dressed in his familiar garb of all black leather and the chalice sword swinging at his hip.
"Oh it speaks," Midas hissed derisively.
"You are on my last nerve, Your Majesty. I suggest you leave here, bring order to your Kingdom as I have mandated to you, or the consequences of your refusal will be dealt to you," Seth said. Midas growled and made an enraged lunge toward Seth, intending to strike with his touch. He was foolhardy enough to believe he could get close enough to turn the God into a real life gold statue, but as usual, he would be proven to be a fool to think that.
Seth raised his hand and froze the King in place. He cried out in pain, as Seth used his signature mind meld to bring unspeakable agony upon him without even touching him.
"Please! "Abigail pleaded, as her husband held her back.
"My Lord...please allow me to add his soul to my collection," Mephisto requested.
"Why...so his loudmouth can keep annoying our Lord even in death?" Charming retorted, causing the demon King to sneer at him. He said nothing though, for he was Charming's subordinate; something he entirely loathed.
"Charming is right. Please deliver a swift execution, my right hand," Seth ordered.
"As you wish, my Lord," Charming answered, as he drew his sword and it lit with a white glow.
"Please Charming...please! You were once a man of honor that would never do something like this!" Abigail pleaded. But her cries fell on deaf ears, as he brought his blade down upon the King and he appeared to be incinerated into nothing upon contact with the chalice sword. Abigail cried out, as Frederick held her crying form.
"I suggest that you and your husband rule your Kingdom in a more orderly and strict fashion than your father did, Queen Abigail. If you do not please me, you shall be replaced as he was," Seth said harshly, as he sat back in his Throne.
"If there is nothing else, my Lord...my Queen and I will return to Misthaven," Charming said, as he bowed in respect before him.
"You have done well, as always, my charge. You may go until I am in need of your services again," Seth said. Winter bowed respectfully too, as they exited the palace arm in arm. Hearing Abigail's sobs was hard to take, even for them, but it would all be worth it in the end. Thanks to the nearly unending crop of beans they now had, they often used them for quick transport around the United Realms, so Charming threw one down and transported them back to their palace.
Winter kissed his cheek and went to their magic looking glass that they used to see around the realms and they made sure any of Seth's other lackeys, particularly Mephisto was still there and not trying to follow them as they had caught him trying to do a few times.
"We're clear," she said, as he tossed down another bean and created another spinning orange portal before them. She raised her part of the chalice, which was in the form of an apple pendant around her neck and it glowed, allowing them access to the secret and unknown realm they had been harboring during the curse.
They stepped through the portal and found themselves just outside Bald Mountain. The Mountain itself had been transformed from a once volcanic death trap to barracks to house those that now lived in them. The dead. Or at least those thought to be dead and dealt punishment from Seth at the hands of Charming.
"Unhand me you brute! What is happening? Where am I?" Midas demanded.
"Oh for the love of...shut up!" Winter snapped, as she and Charming arrived.
"You!" Midas growled.
"What is this?" he demanded to know.
"I take it your memories are back," Charming stated calmly.
"You were going to kill me…" he uttered.
"He saved your sorry skin, you ungrateful twit!" Winter growled, as she came face to face with him.
"He could have allowed Mephisto to rid us of your loud mouth...permanently," she reminded.
"I don't understand what any of this is," he said.
"Welcome to the resistance," Fandral said.
"The resistance?" he said, as he looked at them all in confusion.
"You mean...all this time you've been working against Seth?" Midas questioned.
"Yes...and you'll remain here until the time for the revolution is upon us," Fandral answered, as he nodded curtly to Charming and Winter.
"I must return to Rose," he said, as he opened a portal and stepped through.
"Grumpy...see that Midas gets settled," Charming said, as he and Winter turned to leave as well.
"Wait...you can't just expect me to stay here in limbo!" Midas protested.
"If you want to live and you want everyone else you love to live, then you will," Charming warned, as they left through a portal as well and back to their palace, just in time to see Emma coming in with their newest grand baby.
"Hi sweetheart," Winter cooed, as she kissed her daughter's cheek and then cooed to baby Hope, as she took her from Emma, cuddling her close.
"Hi Mom...hi Daddy," she said, as her father kissed her forehead.
"We were hoping you'd come join us for breakfast at Granny's?" she asked.
"Of course, princess. Just let us change into something a little more casual for Storybrooke and we'll go," Charming said, as they went to their room to change. They may have been supreme rulers to their Kingdom, among many other duties, but they never missed an opportunity to be with their family. They missed Summer and Bobby terribly and were saddened that their three eldest didn't even remember they existed right now, but they knew it would all be worth it in the end and everything they were doing would ensure the ultimate survival of their legacy.
The bell rang and her tenth graders started putting their stuff away.
"Okay...remember to read chapters fourteen and fifteen for tomorrow and be ready for discussion. There will be a quiz on Friday," she announced to them, as they left to move onto their next class. She had a free period now so she sat down to look over her lesson plan for her afternoon classes. Her phone chimed and she smiled, before texting her husband back. It wasn't unusual for them to text periodically during the day when time allotted.
"Slow day...I hate paperwork. How's your day, my darling?" She read, smiling as she did.
"Good...pretty normal. Better now though that I'm talking to you, my love," she texted back, just as there was a knock at her door.
I'm glad. Looks like Pat might have something though so I'll see you later at Bobby's game. I love you," she read, as she motioned for the person to come in.
"Come in," she called to the person at her classroom door, as she quickly texted her husband back.
"Love you too and please be careful out there," she texted quickly, before putting her phone down.
"Can I help you?" she asked the bespectacled gentleman. She vaguely recognized him as someone on staff here and had seen him in passing a couple times in her first week here.
"Yes...I am Dr. Ian Jenkins, head of the science department here at the High School," he said, introducing himself.
"Oh of course...it's nice to meet you, Doctor. I'm Margaret Nolan," she replied, as they shook hands and she missed the enthralled look on his face.
"Yes, I know...you have an impressive resume," he complimented.
"Oh, I don't know about that. Teaching High School is so much bigger than teaching fifth grade. I'll admit, it's been a little intimidating," she said.
"You seemed to have adjusted well and I think you're being modest. I heard you've ran the last two very successful science fairs and your fifth graders scores in mathematics and science were the highest in the district," he said.
"Well...I guess I enjoy teaching as much as they enjoyed learning," she replied, slightly uncomfortable with the praise.
"Yes...anyway, I wanted to discuss the possibility of you assisting me in running the High School's version. I'm afraid my science fair's have not been so successful and the other teachers in our department are loathe to help with it," he said.
"You want my help?" she asked in surprise.
"Yes of course...why does that surprise you?" he questioned.
"Well, it's just that I know that you used to teach at prestigious Universities and you have three PHD's. It just doesn't seem like I could be very helpful to someone with your pedigree. What I know about science is probably miniscule compared to you," she said.
"Oh, I think you know more than you give yourself credit for. Besides, there is more to running a science fair than knowledge of science. Organization and planning skills are not my strong suit," he replied.
"Oh, well I do enjoy that part of it. I'd be happy to help," she said. He smiled.
"Excellent. Perhaps we can meet in my lab after class hours to begin?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm afraid that won't work today. My son Bobby has a soccer game this afternoon," she replied.
"Oh...you have a son?" he inquired. She nodded.
"He's a freshman here, actually and then we have a daughter that just started her sophomore year at Boston University," she replied. He shook his head.
"You can't possibly have a college aged daughter," he said in amazement. She smiled.
"My husband and I were very young when she was born. We were so in love...still are, even more now, if it's possible," she mentioned.
"How wonderful," he said, though his voice was tight at that.
"Well, perhaps tomorrow during your free period?" he asked. She nodded.
"That should work. I'll come to your lab," she agreed.
"Excellent. Tell your son good luck in his game," he said, as he turned to leave.
"I will...thank you, doctor," she replied.
"Oh please, Margaret...call me Ian," he said, as he left and she went back to planning for her next class.
David got out of the car with his boss and he looked up at the roof of the building, clearly seeing the situation and they had put their FBI Kevlar vests on as was standard procedure for any situation. Boston P.D. was there, trying to diffuse the situation and he wasn't surprised that they had called his boss to assist.
Patricia was former military and FBI, formerly and presently. His father, though David barely remembered him, had worked with her in the Bureau. She had left the agency for a while and moved to his hometown when his mother died, having gotten word. She told him at the time that she had promised his father, knowing the demons he had struggled with, that she would step in to take care of him if something ever happened to him and David's mother.
Patricia had taken him under her wing and kept him off the streets when the Mayor of their town, also Margaret's father, had seen to it that the farm was taken. She had also helped them escape that small minded town and kept them out of poverty when they found out they were having a baby at sixteen. She had seen the potential in David for a career in law enforcement and put him through the Academy. Then she had fast tracked him through the Bureau.
When he got his badge and credentials, she had finally been awarded the special FBI task force she had long been vying for and they moved from Virginia to Boston when the kids were still little. Their task force usually went after the toughest cases. Serial killers, drug cartels, human trafficking, and even hostage situations. But they usually didn't get called in for jumpers.
"Agent Donovan. This is agent Nolan...what can you tell us?" she asked, as they flashed their credentials to the officer at the door.
"Not sure...the guy is clearly strung out on something. He's out of his mind," the uniformed officer explained, as they went in.
"They called us in for a suicide situation?" David asked.
"I got a call from one of my contacts at the DEA this morning. Word has it that someone is experimenting with a new drug and testing it out on willing and unwilling victims. Rumor has it that it causes wild hallucinations," she explained.
"And they think this guy is hopped on this new substance," David realized.
"We won't really know until he's drug tested, but if it is...we might have an epidemic on our hands," she said quietly, as they climbed the stairs.
"The drug is really this radical?" David asked.
"No survivors yet. Apparently...and this is just conjecture at this point, the drug is so powerful that it's driving people into madness. Total personality change," she replied.
"You think it's being smuggled in from other countries?" he asked.
"That's the scariest part. The DEA thinks it's being brewed right here in Boston," she answered, as they arrived on the roof.
"Stay back!" they heard the man shout. His eyes were purely bloodshot and he was holding his head like it was in agony. His bloodshot, glassy eyes kept darting around in paranoia; a very clear sign that he was on something. It was extreme though. David hadn't seen a lot of addicts, but enough to know that whatever this guy was on was definitely something very potent. David put his hands up, as he slowly approached.
"It's okay...we're not here to hurt you," David said.
"No...you're demons! They're all around me!" he cried, clearly hallucinating. David looked at Pat in concern. The man's eyes darkened, as he cried out in sheer terror.
"It's telling me to kill!" he cried in anguish.
"What is? What's telling you to kill?" David asked. He looked confused by his question though.
"The voice inside me...it's me…" he rambled.
"It's my bad side…" he cried, as he held his head again, creating more confusion from the officers and agents.
"Whatever this is...it's not like anything we've seen before," Pat said.
"I want to get you some help…" David said softly, but stopped when the guy pulled a knife out of his pocket.
"Stay back!" he said, as he lunged at him, causing all the officers and Pat to pull their guns.
"Wait…" David called, as he kept trying to reason with the guy.
"I know you're scared...but you need to put the knife down," he pleaded.
"I can't take it anymore…" he said, as he started backing away toward the ledge.
"No...don't do that. I can get you some help," David promised. But he shook his head and looked over the edge.
"I'm sorry...I just need it to stop. I don't want to be bad…" he cried.
"NO DON'T!" David cried, as the young man threw himself off the roof and David slammed his hands against the ledge and turned away from the gruesome scene below.
"You tried...he was obviously very troubled," Pat said, as she put a hand on his shoulder.
"Or maybe he could have been helped if he hadn't been so out of his mind. I mean, I've seen addicts out of their minds before...but this was different," David said.
"You're right...I'm not sure I've even seen anything like it and I've seen way more than you," she admitted.
"Do they have any idea what this is?" he asked. She shook her head.
"No...and we now have four bodies that we know of. Hopefully toxicology reports on all the victims will tell us more," she replied, as they filed down the stairs. He put up crime scene tape and allowed the medical examiner into the vicinity when the van arrived. There were plenty of spectators around outside the scene, trying to get a look and it wasn't long until news vans began to show up.
"Detective...can you tell us anything?" one of the reporters shouted.
"Agent Nolan and I have no comment at this time," Pat interjected.
"And you are?" the reporter asked.
"Supervising Special Agent Patricia Donovan. When we're ready, I'll make a statement on behalf of my task force," she replied.
"And just what kind of FBI task force do you run?" another reporter asked.
"One that is dedicated to solving this and any other crime that we're assigned," she answered simply, as they retreated away from them and back to the scene.
"I loathe reporters. They're going to be relentless when they learn we might have multiple victims connected to a new drug," he muttered to her.
"They will...but hopefully we can learn more when we compare all the autopsies. For now, there's not much more we can do. You can go," she said.
"Seriously? In the middle of a case?" he asked incredulously.
"I'll call you if we get an update or a break. But you standing around here waiting while missing Bobby's game doesn't make sense. Go," she urged. He smiled.
"Thanks," he said, as he headed off. He would be a little late, but it was better than missing it all. And honestly, after such a bad afternoon, he couldn't wait to be with his family.
Storybrooke
The bell on the shop door rang and Rumple looked up from his spell book. He rolled his eyes, seeing that it really wasn't a customer, but just the Evil Queen.
"You used the door...are you feeling ill?" he joked. She smirked.
"Cute...but sometimes I like the whimsy of doing things the way muggles do. Magic can get boring," she said.
"You and I have led different lives," he quipped in disagreement.
"Fine, fine...I'll dispense with the pleasantries. Do you have eyes on them?" she asked.
"I told you that I have even less power than you in this United Realms. And we both know why. If he could find the dagger...well, then I wouldn't be here," he hissed.
"And you're sure he won't find it?" she questioned.
"Expressly sure," he replied. She smirked.
"It's not even here in the United Realms anymore, is it?" she asked.
"I have no idea what you're blathering on about, Your Majesty. Are you going to buy something from my humble shop or not?" he asked. She smirked and walked around idly, pretending to browse the cases.
"Hmm...that is a nice bauble," she mentioned, referring to the ruby necklace in the case.
"As always, you have good taste," he replied, as he took it out and showed it to her.
"Exquisite…" she complimented.
"It is indeed and quite bold, but then a woman of your caliber can easily pull it off," he said, as she put it on.
"Do you have a mirror?" she asked. He nodded curtly and led her into the back. There were no cameras back there and no one would question it now if they were watching. After all, she was just trying on a necklace.
He pulled the tarp away from the mirror and she saw her nemesis in her classroom and then witnessed none other than Dr. Jekyll poke his head into the classroom and introduce himself.
"So...he's finally found his way to her," she mused.
"Yes...which means it won't be long now. He'll unravel their new life with all his crazy in no time," Rumple stated.
"Are you sure?" she asked. He scoffed.
"Of course I'm sure...I saw it," he replied.
"But we both know that you don't see everything," she countered.
"Well this...I did," he said, as he clenched his teeth and the mirror went transparent again, as he grabbed his tablet.
"Take a look at this," he said, as she read an article from Boston. It mentioned an Agent Nolan.
"What am I looking at?" she asked.
"Jekyll has already devolved and he's back to experimenting. This suicide that Agent Nolan is investigating isn't what it seems. And now that the unhinged doctor has met Margaret Nolan, he'll descend further into his madness. They're awakening is on the horizon at last," he assured.
"I hope you're right...I'm not sure how much more of Seth's United Realms I can take and if he finds out what the Charmings have been doing right under his nose and how we've helped, it could spell the end for all of us," she warned.
"The Charmings, whole and complete once again, will stand against him...I've seen it," he assured.
"Do they...do we win?" she asked. He scoffed.
"You know I don't know that part," he reminded.
"Well...I guess once again, we're putting all our cards on their true love," she said in disgust.
"It's won the day countless times before. We must hope it does again," he replied. She chuckled.
"Rumpelstiltskin has hope?" she poked at him, as she saw him look out back at the sound of a car door closing. It was Belle and he smiled.
"Even the Dark One can have hope, dearie," he mused.
"Well, I wouldn't know what that's like," she spat.
"You can again though...and you know how," he told her.
"Now...be on your way," he said shooing her out. She scoffed.
"Thanks for the ruby necklace," she called, as she walked out of the shop and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Hope...she hated that it always came down to hope.