See previous chapters for summaries and warnings.

Thanks for the incredible response to this fic! Keep the reviews coming.

Once more, it is important to remember that Cora has cursed Kathryn to be this way and she is the Evil Queen here. She married Leopold. Regina and Snow are step-sisters and love each other. Thanks for all the reviews. Except the negative troll reviews. I delete those and respond to them accordingly. This story is for true Snowing fans that know something like an age gap would never hinder their love.

The curse has lasted 20 years in this verse until they found Storybrooke.

Here are individual responses:

JDubReaderWriter555: Yep, everyone is pulling out all the stops on all sides. Glad you think so! Hope you continue to enjoy!

Jennifer Baratta: Yeah, Cora is taking a lot of risks here. Glad you're enjoying it.

Number Ten: Yep, Cora doesn't like to lose or do so gracefully. She's going for the diamond. Kathryn starts to see the danger Cora is in this chapter and that will bleed into the next chapter. There is no magic, but I don't think that would prevent the diamond from working. Remember, in the show, Regina said she had the ability to use it at any time. But the totality of whether it will work to its full potential is something Cora thinks about and I won't say more than that. I love Snow and August's bond too and he has a moment where he really defends her in this chapter too. His conversation with Tink turned out pretty intense. Thanks! I like when there's a chapter that fits a song title too. :)

Grace5231973: Yep, Cora refuses to lose and is going for broke. August has an intense conversation with Tink in this chapter and I like seeing Rumple and Charming in protective daddy mode too. :)

Sexystarwarslover: Yep, Cora went for the diamond and is going for broke, cause she refuses to lose. Yep, Gold is not going to lose Bae again. I know, I loved protective Daddy Charming too. Yeah, there is a bit more going on with Tink than we realize and August gets it out of her in this chapter. I know, Kathryn is just along for the ride at this point. Yeah, Lacey is interested in the dark side right now, but that won't last. Glad you're enjoying!

AnonSnowing: Yeah, I doubt they'd make it past an hour, lol. Yeah, Kathryn's snobby circle is scary and I love protective Snowing too. I know, poor Snow, but now she has Charming by her side again. Yep, the fake documents came back to bite. Yep, David is officially a deputy. Yeah, it was a risky move, but distracting enough that it did the job for now. Yeah, we get their reactions when the DNA comes back in this chapter. I feel bad for Kathryn too at this point. She's going to hate herself when the curse breaks. Yep, Charming will do whatever he has to for his family. I agree. Yep, Cora doesn't care that she's trying to destroy a little boy's family. Yeah, August lived with him a long time as a puppet, but only a few years as a real boy, so after being raised by Snow, it's hard for him to see Geppetto as his father anymore. Cora is the worst...literally the worst. Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

A Darker Curse

Chapter 24: Calm Before the Storm

Michael paced the floor impatiently, as they waited for the DNA results.

"You know, I don't even know why we're doing this? What does it matter if that guy is her father or not?" he asked. Greg raised an eyebrow.

"So you're not just a tad curious? I mean, what if it's true? Cause if it is...I sure as hell want to know how it's possible. It could mean that more is going on here than we can imagine," Greg replied.

"Did the district attorney even approve this little detour? Because I've been in law enforcement a long time and the district attorney just wants this conviction, I can assure you. He or she won't give a damn about some paternity test," Michael snapped. Greg rolled his eyes and shrugged.

"Then call my boss, because regardless...I think this is important. I don't why yet, but this town is lousy with something weird and I want to know everything. This I think is where it starts," Greg replied. Michael was about to call him on his bluff and make the call when the doctor came out. He had introduced himself as Dr. Whale and the seasoned detective could tell that the results had shocked the doctor.

"The results you asked for are back," he said.

"Took you long enough," Greg complained.

"Yes...well when you told me who the subjects were, I had to run it three times just to make sure it was right. But it is," he said, as he handed the folder to him. Greg opened it.

"Familial match is nearly one hundred percent," he read.

"Wait...familial match. Couldn't that mean that they're siblings?" Michael asked. But Greg shook his head.

"No...those would be hitting different markers. I tested Emma Swan against David Nolan and he is biologically her father. I don't know how it's possible, but he fathered her. He's even the same blood type," he mentioned.

"And this story he told about Swan's mother and her being forced to leave to save their daughter?" Michael asked suspiciously.

"Well...I don't remember anything like that, but it wouldn't surprise me if they had to run from Cora. Our former Mayor, up until her ousting, ruled this town with an iron fist. If she wanted something...she got it," Whale replied.

"Why didn't anyone ever report her for abuse of power or any of her supposed crimes?" Michael questioned in frustration.

"Do you really think someone willing to kill a child, if his story is true, would leave any evidence? Or that anyone would be brave enough to report her?" Whale asked, as he walked away.

"He's right…" another voice said, as they turned to see a ginger haired man with a dalmatian.

"I am sorry to eavesdrop, but you must know that Cora Mills is a monster. She thinks nothing of violating a person, whether it be their privacy or physically," the man said.

"And you are?" Greg asked

"Dr. Archie Hopper...I'm a psychiatrist," he answered.

"And do you have any examples of this abuse?" Michael asked. Archie smiled thinly.

"Too many. I would say David has suffered more than most under the elite people in this town. He even tried talking to me, only for Cora and his ex to threaten me for counseling him and then stealing his confidential files," Archie said.

"And no one did anything?" Michael asked skeptically. Archie handed him a copy of a recent newspaper.

"Now that she's not in power anymore, the people are taking their power back and exposing just a little of what Cora and her cronies are responsible for," he said, referring to the article written by August Swan.

"I know you gentleman did not ask for my input, but if you are going after a wonderful family like the Swans, and that includes David Nolan now, then you're going after the wrong family," Archie said, as he moved along. Michael sighed.

"As interesting as all of this is...it's way above my pay grade," he complained.

"Are you going to call the state police in for this?" Greg asked.

"I really don't see how we have any other choice," Michael replied.

"Maybe we do. Hold off for at least another day," Greg said.

"But we're leaving tomorrow!" Michael called, as the assistant district attorney walked away.

"No...we're not," Greg called back. But that was unacceptable to Michael and he decided he was going to call Greg Mendel's boss. There was definitely something lousy in this town like he had said, but he was beginning to think that there was also something off about this man as well.


Snow and David arrived home at the loft and he led her inside. She sighed and collapsed on the couch. He closed the door and locked it, before collapsing next to her. She sniffed, but felt safe and protected in his arms, as she cuddled against him. He dropped a kiss on her head.

"They're not taking her," he promised again and she looked up at him.

"Even if we have to go live like bandits?" she asked, only half joking. He smiled.

"Any life with you would be wonderful...even one as bandits," he promised. She took his hands in her own.

"You were so strong for me back there, even after everything you've been through with Kathryn," she said.

"I still have things to work through. I guess it's easier now with my memories though," he explained.

"It doesn't erase what happened...but I can't blame her completely. It's Cora that is the reason for all of this," he replied.

"Which scares me...because I know her. I'm worried about what she's going to try next," she feared.

"Me too...but she has no magic here. That's in our favor and I'm going to fight whatever she throws at us and I don't care what I have to do to neutralize her, even if it means I have to take her out myself," he admitted.

"There was a time when you stopped me from doing that...to save me from darkening my heart. How can I not stop you from doing the same?" she asked, troubled by that. He sighed and knew exactly the time she was referring to.


Snow glared at the Queen, as she emerged from her carriage. She took aim and felt the need for revenge fill her senses. One arrow and she would end the Queen's life and thus her pursuit of her. Then she could finally leave the Kingdom and be free. She spared a quick glance at the man that she had knocked out and tied to a tree. She shook any thoughts of him away though. She didn't care what he said or about the absurd claims he had that he was her true love. It was a lie. It had to be, because she stopped believing in love long ago. True love was a myth. Marriage was just a business transaction. She wanted none of it. She breathed and fired the arrow, only to have her heart practically jump into her throat, as the handsome idiot she had tied to a tree foolishly jumped in the path of the arrow. It struck him in the shoulder and she was infuriated.

"Why? Why would you do that?" she cried, as she knelt beside him. He was in obvious pain, but managed to pull himself up against the tree.

"I refuse to let you darken your heart by killing in revenge...especially over that evil witch. I'd rather die," he confessed and she was taken aback by that.

"You'd...you'd die for me?" she asked in disbelief.

"Does it look like I'm making this up?" he joked.

"No one has ever been willing to die for me," she stated sadly.

"No one you can remember," he said, as she approached him and he gently caressed his face. Though the dark thoughts swirling in her mind were fighting her, the part of her mind begging her to kiss him was louder. So she pressed her lips to his and the rush of memories was instant. Her eyes flew open in surprise and she gasped, as she looked at him in wonder, before her surprise melted into a bright smile.

"Charming…" she gushed.

"Yes…" he uttered, as she kissed him again.


"I remember and I still don't see how that's different from this," she complained, but he knew she did and sighed.

"You didn't have love in your heart when you almost killed Cora then and only sought revenge. But this is different. If I do this now, I do it knowing that it is the only way to protect my family. I won't do it for revenge...I'll do it, because she has left us no choice and the survival of our family depends upon it," he promised. She smiled gently.

"Look at you...getting all old and wise on me. Except I'm the only one that got old," she mentioned.

"Snow...you are not old. Far from it," he said, as he lifted her chin with his hand.

"You are so beautiful...you still take my breath away, so much so that it makes me eternally grateful that you still want me. I know it had to be so hard out there...being alone and I know there had to be men that probably asked you out," he said, as he looked down at that.

"It was hard...but you're the love of my life. I'd never feel comfortable with anyone else, nor could I ever love someone the way I love you," she assured him. He nodded.

"I know...but then there were propositions?" he asked. She sighed.

"Yes...especially when I was a waitress. But most of them were only interested in one thing and the moment they found out about the kids, that was pretty much it. Trust me, I made sure to get the message across that I had two kids to save myself the awkwardness of turning them down. Because I could never want anyone else," she replied.

"I know...it's the same for me," he promised, as he pecked her on the lips.

"So...do you think they have the DNA results by now?" she asked curiously. He smirked.

"Probably..but we're not going to worry about that right now," he replied. She raised an eyebrow.

"We're not?" she asked coyly.

"No...we'll have to deal with all of it, but not until morning," he replied and she yelped in surprise, as he swept her into his arms.

"I take it you have something in mind to pass the time and it has nothing to do with sleeping," she mused playfully. He smirked.

"Just me making love to the most beautiful woman in all the realms," he replied, as he gently sat her on the bed. She blushed and looked down a little shyly. She had missed the way he made her feel that she was exactly as he saw her. She had not felt that way in a very long time. Her experiences in the Land Without Magic had weathered her and buried Snow White beneath the guise of Mary Margaret Swan, whom she had to become to survive.

Men like her husband did not exist out there. Even the nice ones fell short and it made the bad ones even worse. But he peeled away those weathered layers just by being him and Snow White emerged without fear. She was finally herself again without feeling the burden of what she had lost, for she had finally gotten it all back. He was worth everything she had suffered through and more.

"All those lonely nights...all the hardships...it was worth it for just one more night with you," she confessed. He smiled.

"I feel the same...everything I went through...it was worth it to know that you and Emma escaped Cora. But I promise you, as long as there is breath in my body that we will have more than just one night. We will have a lifetime...we will have eternity," he confessed in return. A tear slipped down her cheek.

"Charming…" she uttered, as their lips crashed together and passion swallowed them in its perfect storm.


Emma watched fondly, as her son gave big belly laughs, as Neal pushed him on one of the baby swings.

"You love this...you little daredevil," he joked, as their eyes met and she smiled.

"So...how about we go grab something at Granny's after this? You know, my last meal as a free man," he said. She rolled her eyes.

"You are not going anywhere. Your Dad isn't going to let it happen and apparently mine isn't either after what he did," Emma replied. Neal smiled.

"Yeah...watching them try to figure out how he's your father when that test comes back positive should be fun. He's way more intimidating than I expected," he said. She smirked.

"Aw, does my daddy scare you?" he teased. He scoffed.

"No," he said too quickly and she raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, so I'm the guy that got his little girl pregnant and then left her. He would have every right to want my guts on a stick," he admitted. She nodded.

"He knows there was more to it than that now though...so do I," she admitted in return.

"I was too hard on my dad for that, because I did the same thing," he said.

"I need to forgive him," he realized. She nodded.

"You do. But in your defense, you didn't know about the baby," she said.

"But I love you...and leaving you, because I was too cowardly to deal with my own issues with my dad was wrong. I wouldn't blame you if you never forgave me," he replied. She shrugged.

"Sometimes I want to stay mad at you...but my mom just didn't raise me that way," she said.

"I grew up hearing about hope and this amazing true love that my parents have. And then...I finally got to see it and my mom was right. True love really is magic. You made mistakes, but I forgive you," she told him. He swallowed thickly at that.

"Wow...yeah I don't deserve it, but thank you," he replied. She smiled.

"You do and so does your dad, because he's not the enemy here. Cora is," Emma said.

"Yeah...she is way worse than I thought possible," he said. She snorted.

"Tell me about. I mean, mom and August always told me how bad she was, but seeing it, especially after finding out what she did to my dad...yeah there is no forgiving her," Emma replied.

"Yeah...honestly, I don't know how your parents are still standing after everything she's put them through," he admitted.

"True love is magic," she reminded and he smiled.

"It's also really embarrassing public displays of affection and Granny's sounds great, because I have a feeling that it's not safe to go back to the loft for a while," she joked and he chuckled.

"Cherish it...cause my parents, yeah...that was not true love," he replied.

"You never told me about your Mom," she said.

"You know about my dad's past in the book though, so you know her," he replied.

"Milah...but I'd like to hear it from you," she said. He sighed.

"Well...I think at one time, they may have loved each other, but then came the ogre wars," he began.

"Dad had no choice and went off to war. It was considered an instant honor if your husband died in the war," he continued.

"Stupid," she commented.

"Really stupid...and he got scared. I get it...because you either died or were so horribly crippled that you wished you were dead after going to war," he explained.

"So...he crippled himself just enough," she said. He nodded.

"I never blamed him for that though...but my mom did. She was so hateful to him after that and eventually, she ran off with Hook, before he was actually Hook," he replied. She nodded.

"Then...after he was the Dark One, he caught up to them and got his revenge," he added. She squeezed his hand.

"He was hurt and he lashed out. It wasn't right, but sounds like your Mom and Hook weren't angels," Emma said.

"They weren't. Hook sold me out to Pan and that's how I got stuck there for two hundred years," he replied.

"So that's how you know Tinkerbell?" she asked. He nodded.

"Yeah...she hated Pan too," he replied.

"Apparently not enough not to work for him," she muttered.

"That's what I don't get. I mean...I get if she is working for him to get off that hell hole island, but I can figure out why he has an interest in Storybrooke. There's no magic here, so he'd never want to come to a place without it," he replied.

"Well...my brother is the author and if he wants a story, he'll get it," she assured, as she saw Rumple arrive with a young woman that she recognized as Lacey.

"Where did you go?" Neal asked.

"To the shop to see what I might have to work with. As you know, since there are certain conditions in Storybrooke as of now, I'm limited as to what I have to work with," he said and they knew that was code for there was no magic.

"Yeah, well that's a blessing in disguise, because if you had what you need, then Cora would have it too," Neal reminded him.

'Yes...which is why taking her out might be messy," Rumple said. He rolled his eyes.

"I was thinking of locking her up...not murdering her," he said.

"A cell isn't going to stop her," Rumple argued.

"He might be right," Emma said and he looked at her in surprise.

"Emma…" he said in disbelief.

"I'm sorry...but she's put my parents through hell. And now she's trying to put us in jail and take us away from our son!" she reminded him. He sighed.

"Yeah...I know," Neal agreed.

"So what do we do? Because I know you talk a big game, Em...but I know you aren't just going to walk up and cap her," he said. Emma huffed.

"Sure feel like it sometimes, but since the curse is't broken, I'd rather not have Graham arrest any of us for murder," she replied.

"Curse?" Lacey asked.

"It's complicated," Rumple answered, only confusing her more.

"Let's just table the murder talk for the moment and get some onion rings," Emma said, as she put her son in his stroller.

"Hungry buddy?" she asked.

"Pancakes!" he called and Neal chuckled.

"Dinner for breakfast...yeah he's yours," he teased.

"Shut up," she replied, as she nudged him.

"Just so you know...this is the furthest thing from dark that there is," Lacey commented to him. Rumple smirked, as they followed.

"It is...but stick around. It might grow on you and I assure you, dark things will come to Cora Mills when I'm done with her," he promised.


Tinkerbell found her way to the park and wanted to appreciate the beauty of this world, but it was hard when her mind, heart, and soul were so burdened by the deals she had made to escape that nightmare of an island.

"You know, if you're trying to sneak up on me...you're really bad at it," she snapped, as she looked at the man that was following her.

"Oh, I'm not trying to sneak up on you. If I was...you'd never see me coming," August replied.

"Really?" she asked skeptically.

"My Mom is a former bandit...she taught me some skills," he replied. She scoffed.

"But she's not really you mom," Tink commented.

"Yes she is. She raised me from age seven and I'm everything I am, because of her. And she's the best woman you'll ever meet," he said, fiercely defending her.

"Okay...sorry, I didn't realize that you really saw her as your mother," she replied.

"Well...I do. I was dumped in this strange, new land and she's the only reason I became the person I am. She raised me, loved me, and gave me a home, even when I knew she was in pain," he said.

"I'm not here to hurt Snow White," Tink assured.

"If you take Emma and Neal away...you're going to hurt her. Neal is the father of her grandson and Emma's best moves may be deflection and denial, but she still loves Neal too," August argued.

"He should have thought about before he stole all those goods and Emma may not have stolen anything, but we both know that she knew what he was doing," Tink reasoned.

"Cut the crap...you're not here, because of some stolen goods. What the hell does Pan want with Storybrooke?" he demanded to know. Their eyes locked and they stared each other down for several long moments, before she looked away.

"Pan has no interest in Storybrooke," Tink said.

"Then why are you here?" he questioned.

"Does he want Emma and Neal apart for some reason? Is that why you're here posing as a cop?" he questioned again.

"I can't tell you!" she shouted.

"Oh come on! You know what a little demon he is! If he's after my family...then I need to know!" he shouted back.

"This has nothing to do with him!" she yelled.

"Why the hell should I believe you?" he exclaimed.

"Because you're the author! You know that all the realms are frozen under the curse...including Pan! And I'm here to make sure it stays that way!" she revealed. His brow furrowed in confusion.

"What? You want to keep the curse from breaking?" he asked.

"If the curse breaks, then all the realms wake up and time moves again," she replied.

"And then you have to go back to work for Pan," he realized. She nodded. But he shook his head.

"That still doesn't make any sense. If he sent you here to this land before the curse...then there had to be a reason for it. What did he want?" August asked.

"Forget it...because I'm going to make sure your sister can't break the curse, so you better run home to mommy and prepare her for what's to come," Tink replied, as she stalked away.

"No way in hell! You're not taking my sister from us!" he hissed.

"I have to!" she snapped, as she turned to him.

"If the curse is broken and time moves again...then Pan will destroy your family," she said.

"That doesn't make any sense?! We've never met him. Why would he have any interest in us?" August questioned.

"It doesn't matter...because this curse isn't breaking," she said, as she ran away from him. August sighed and thought about chasing her, but then decided to go to Gold instead. There was a chance that he might have some insight into what his dear old father could want from them.


Cora stared at the black diamond, as she and Kathryn walked along the dark streets of Storybrooke. She knew exactly what tool they needed to activate it, but that wasn't the dilemma that was causing her to hesitate. If she activated the trigger without magic, she didn't know exactly to what degree the destruction would be. She knew it would work on some scale. It was designed for her to use at any time, magic or not, to hit the reset button and escape if she wanted. But with magic, she would have been able to ensure that none of her enemies could escape the total destruction. Without, there was always a chance for survival. But she was so dissatisfied with everything that she was ready to blow the entire town and escape unscathed into the Land Without Magic. She had amassed a nice fortune and she could live luxuriously out there and eventually, somewhere, she knew she could climb her way back to power. But there were two people she wanted to make sure did not survive and the only way to make sure was to force them to be at the detonation point. She smirked, as Sidney Glass met them on the street.

"Emma and August parted ways from their mother and David. They went back to her loft alone...but I don't know how long that will last," he reported.

"Excellent work, Mr. Glass. Do you have the item I asked you to bring?" she questioned. He nodded and handed her a rolled up paper bag.

"Thank you...that will be all," she replied, as they continued on.

"What is that?" Kathryn asked and then gasped, as Cora took out a gun, before handing it to her.

"What...you want me to take it?" she squeaked.

"Do you want revenge on David and that little bitch that stole him?" Cora questioned. Kathryn swallowed thickly and the older woman rolled her eyes.

"The gun is just to get them to do what we want. Trust me...their demise will be much more satisfying than a bullet. Take it," she ordered. Kathryn obeyed and put it in her coat pocket, as they continued on with Mary Margaret Swan's loft as their intended destination...