Storybrooke
Death was something that revolved around me. An inescapable minefield that was there at all times. Everywhere I went, people died around me. Especially to those I was closest with.
Slipping into the Cursed Mary Beth persona came more easy than it should've been. How easy it was to be unseen, even if life more so than she'd been in death. Hidden in a diner booth I watched Graham throw darts. I'd been watching him for a week. Did he notice? I have no idea.
Graham would be dead in a few days. There wasn't anything I could do about it. Not from lack of trying, I wanted to try. I wanted him to be alive. Do you know how hard it is to keep someone alive when you're not the one killing them? They were hard.
Yeah there were ways to get her blood without being suspicious...I would look like a fucking freak if I got caught...there's no telling if I could get any magic together to make it work.
Graham was going to die.
I wasn't ready for it.
Graham was throwing darts at a board. The picture was of a deer. The few traits of his former life coming through...quite a spectacle...he got two in the target.
"Nice shot, chief. I bet you twenty bucks you can't do it again." Sidney Glass challenged. He'd clearly been drinking already tonight.
Graham grabbed another dart. He flung at it at the dartboard. It struck the image of the deer directly on the deer's neck.
Sidney deflated at the sight.
Graham turned to Ruby. "Next round's on him."
Before Ruby could get that round, the back entrance of Granny's opened. Emma walked through. The air tensed up at it. I curled tighter against the booth, keeping myself small and unnoticed.
"Emma! What can I get you?" Ruby asked, completely blind to the looks Emma and Graham were giving each other.
While looking Graham in the eyes, Emma said "Nothing." She walked towards the exit. Graham grabbed a dart, throwing it. It hit the doorframe. Right by Emma's head. "What the hell? You could've hit me!"
"I never miss." Graham supplied. He walked closer to her. Honestly it made my life easier overhearing their couple's spat. Really it did, please keep arguing like this forever. If you do then maybe Graham won't- "You've been avoiding me since last night, when you saw me-"
"Leaving the Mayor? And yes, that is a euphemism." Emma stated. "I'm not avoiding you, Graham, I just have no interest in having this conversation. It's your life- I really don't care." She walked out the door. Graham followed in a concerned rush.
I tossed a few crumpled dollars on the table. Ruby would like that. Leaving the dinner, I stayed quiet while following after them. Masking my intent was hard when I was so full of concern and guilt, I managed it.
Just doing this reminded me of all the times I did this with my sister. When I taught her street tricks like pick pocketing, trailing a suspect, and just blending into the crowd to escape being chased. Darcy always liked those games. She thought it was hilarious how many times we outsmarted adults. She was less happy that she could never sneak up on me, or beat me at the game. She's getting better though...like so much better.
I miss her now too, dammit.
"If you don't care, then why are you so upset?" Graham asked her.
"I'm not upset." Emma lied.
"If that were true, you'd be at the bar with me, having a drink, and not running away." Graham kept trying to stop Emma in her path. It hurt to watch, to know that he truly did only want to reach understanding with her. That was probably really difficult for someone that had his heart removed.
"It's none of my business. Really." Emma sidestepped the sheriff.
He sidestepped right back into her footsteps. "Look, can we please talk about this? I need you to understand." Graham asked.
"Why?"
"I don't know. Maybe so I can understand?" Graham asked.
"You need an analysis, go talk to Archie." Emma told him.
"I want to talk to you." Graham replied.
"Well, your bad judgment is your problem- not mine." Emma tried again to walk around him. Graham just wouldn't let it go. He was desperate.
"You don't know what it's like with her. I don't feel anything! Can you understand that?" Graham asked.
"Bad relationship? Yeah, I understand a bad relationship. I just don't want to talk about yours." Emma explained.
I moved to avoid a pair of people walking down the street. Honestly, this sidewalk was never so popular at this time of night.
"Look, I know you and Regina have your own issues and... And I should have told you about that before you took the job." Graham admitted.
"Yeah, why the secrecy? We're all adults. You can do whatever you want." Emma was clearly hiding how much it hurt. She didn't want Graham with Regina. There was some debate between my sister and I if Emma wanted Graham as much before this episode. Perhaps she did like him, perhaps he was just a friend. With Emma's history with guys it's understandable she would want to see if a guy was trustworthy before wanting to go out with them.
I tried to warn him that donuts wouldn't be enough.
Did Graham even like her, that was another issue. Darcy insisted that it was probably just the Savior thing that was attracting Graham. I liked to think it was a situational thing. Like yeah he likes Emma, she's better than Regina and is a sign that Regina is not some omnipotent god in control of his life.
Darcy challenged me to name one healthy relationship in this show. I answered Henry's relationship with the book. Yeah it was a touch obsessive, but it was for the good of the community and he was right.
"Because I... I didn't want you to look at me the way you are now." Graham explained.
"Why do you care how I look at you?"
"Because."
Great answer, dude.
"What?" Emma pressed him for an answer.
Graham was never good at articulating things. Instead, he pushed forward to give Emma a kiss.
It hurt me watching it. Not because of anything romantic, that's just so basic. No it hurt because that was the beginning of the end.
"What the hell was that?" Emma snapped.
"Did you see that?" Graham asked. He of course meant the vision of his past life, of the wolf with two colored eyes.
Emma assumed something different, normal, and boring. "How much have you been drinking? That was way over the line."
"I'm sorry, I just-"
"What? You what?" Emma asked.
"I need to feel something." Graham excused weakly.
"Listen to me, Graham. You are drunk and full of regret. I get it. But whatever it is you are looking to feel, I can tell you one thing- you're not getting it with me." Emma told him. She walked off into the road- as a deputy she should really understand the concept of jaywalking.
Graham let her go.
I turned away, ready to head back to my house. This was gonna be a long week.
The hairs on my neck stood up. I slipped down an alley.
"Hey wait-" Graham called out.
I hid behind a garbage can, curling my body so I was tucked away from sight. If Graham were fully the Huntsmen, he would've found me. He was still Storybrooke's sheriff so I went unnoticed.
==BOL==
Graham came by the neighborhood.
Did he actually want me watching him? I don't know.
Fuck I needed more wine.
==BOL==
Underworld
"So you see, Leopold, your family will be well taken care of." I assured him.
The former King looked out over my kingdom. Heartbreak was written all over his face. There wasn't much I could do about that pain. He died from betrayal of one he thought a friend, what could I do to solve that pain?
Nothing, but tell him his daughter would be fine.
Leopold took a heavy breath, long out a long breath. "My wife-"
"She moved on, Leopold. I told her everything I just told you." I assured him.
Leopold gave me a thankful, tearful smile. It got my eyes shimmering too.
The moment was ruined when the doors to the throne room opened. Another Royal hadn't died, and wasn't scheduled to for another few months. Why was I being bothered in the middle of an important meeting?
The man that ran in knelt at the door, waiting for my say. I turned to the former King, putting his hand in mine.
"Apologies, Leopold, my work is never done." I waved over Lucia. She politely took the former King's side. "My friend, Lucia, will guide you to the path. Just remember- your wife is there, and she is waiting for you."
Leopold took hold of my hand. "Thank you, Queen Muerte. That my daughter- that she will find True Love as I did, it eases my soul."
"Of course." I smiled kindly. Lucia walked away with the former King. Only after I was sure he was gone did I turn to the man. "Thanatos you better have a gods damned good reason for interrupting."
"I do, Queen Muerte." Thanatos pulled out a scroll. He ran up to me, showing it to me. "Do you see here?"
I looked at the scroll. Snow White's name was blurring in and out. Ah, that wasn't good. That was never good. "Ah. I see the issue."
Thanatos nodded. "You said- you said she wouldn't die for decades yet. That her life needs to live beyond a Dark Curse."
"The Dark Curse." I corrected, my thumb tracing her fading name. "Trust me, it's different."
Thanatos glanced between the scroll and my face. He was trying so hard to see whatever I was thinking. "Muerte? What do we do?"
I hadn't a thing to say for it. The ink on the scroll kept coming in and out of existence, I could barely see what was causing her death. It took a moment for me to catch it between the fadings.
Heart physically removed
"Ah...okay...physically removed. That's different for Regina." I mused. "Wait no...it's not Regina killing her...well not exactly...huh."
"Who? Who is it?"
"...ah. He has no name. How curious..."
==BOL==
Enchanted Forest
The Huntsman just felled a deer. The shot was impressive. The wolf by his side agreed.
Not only that, I think it liked me. No sooner had I arrived did the wolf look my way. I met his stare.
The Huntsman went to the deer he slew. He knelt by her side, tears coming down his face.
"You have died so that I may live. Forgive me. Your sacrifice is honorable. I thank you." The Huntsman continued crying, sniffling and weeping more than I expected.
A man crying over hunting? That was a rare sight indeed.
His wolf companion broke eye contact with me. The wolf walked to his side, looking towards me.
"Don't worry, boy. You won't go hungry tonight." The Huntsman assured. He noticed something off his wolf, looking towards me.
You're different from other people, aren't you?
A nameless Huntsman who cries whenever he kills.
You wouldn't kill Snow White. No wonder the scroll was so confused.
Smiling, I turned to leave.
"Wait-"
I was gone before I could think of it. He had seen me? That was rare, I hadn't been visible. My magic kept me unseen. How on earth did he notice me?
==BOL==
Storybrooke
When Graham left, I was still awake. He made a point of stopping to look towards my house. I looked his way. The meeting in the Enchanted Forest flashing in my eyes. This was just the same as before.
I turned away, just as before. If Graham wanted history to repeat itself then that was his problem.
...
I lied. It's also my problem. Why would I delude myself? My sister would be laughing in my face for daring to think I wouldn't try to stop it.
Wolves were always my favorite...
==BOL==
Underworld
"Your Majesty it happened again!" Thanatos shouted. He ran into my parlor without even pausing to knock on the door.
Lucia was giggling at my side. Yes, everything was amusing when people barged into my living space. Wait I'm dead, it's not a living space. Un-living space? Non-living space? It doesn't matter. Thanatos was being annoying.
I glared over at him. The past few days were fairly boring as far as work went. The most excitement to be had was two peasants arriving saying they were killed by a nameless Huntsman. It really made something in me warm up to hear them rant about the Huntsman. In their eyes, they died because of 'his stupid mongrel dog'. Wolves are better than that, thank you. Pity that the Huntsman killed them without letting me watch.
Thanatos was all worried about what that meant for Snow White. I stood strong in my belief that-
"The Huntsman won't kill Snow White, I told you that yesterday." I dismissed him. "She's too pure of heart, he's an awful liar, and she'll outsmart him. You have real work to be done-"
Thanatos shook his head. He held out a scroll towards me. Panic was on his face, more than it was when he fretted for Snow White. "That is my point, Your Majesty, she isn't dead. The name changed."
Lucia hummed. "That's odd...does it usually?"
"Sometimes." I answered, taking the scroll. "A person steps in front of the arrow or sword, someone else falls down a hill, maybe somebody switched the poison for a potion that turns them into a llama-"
"That is too specific to come from the top of your head." Lucia noted. "Why have you been telling me stories of fairies granting wishes but not a person turning into a llama?"
Opening the scroll, I saw why Thanatos was so concerned.
The name had indeed changed.
Snow's name wasn't there anymore nor was her cause of death.
The Huntsman's took her place by dying of a crushed heart.
==BOL==
Enchanted Forest
He was in Regina's palace. That wasn't bad enough, that was fine. Getting into her palace was never an issue.
His wolf companion was left alone outside. That could never be forgiven.
The wolf walked up to me. I knelt down, meeting his mismatched eyes. The wolf stared at me for a long moment. My hand reached out, holding up a strip of meat. He accepted it.
"You miss him, don't you?" I asked him.
The wolf looked off towards the palace. My heart went out to him. Someone has to, since Regina stole his.
The wolf growled.
"I know. I know." I scratched his neck, brushing his fur to calm him down. Animals didn't usually like me. Death often scared them off.
Not wolves though...wolves always stuck close.
I gave the wolf another assuring scratch. Rising to my feet, I looked at the palace. The wolf backed away from me, going to hide amongst the trees.
There was a Huntsman for me to meet.
In a blink, I was in the room with him. He sensed me immediately. He turned towards me. His eyes went wide. "You."
==BOL==
Storybrooke
I wasn't going to work today.
The idea of hanging out alone with Emma was horrifying. It would've been awkward, she would've asked me questions. I couldn't even think about it. She was giving Graham his memories back. Regina was gonna kill him. That upset me.
That poor wolf was going to be alone...damn.
I stayed at home.
Graham's car pulled up. I watched, heartbroken as he approached Henry's door. I watched Henry answer the door. I watched Henry waving at me from his window. Graham turned around towards me. His eyes went wide at the sight.
He barely remembered our meetings in his past, just as I did. He still copied it frame by frame.
Instead of running towards him, I stepped away from him. The wolf had it right. The smarter choice was to run for now.
==BOL==
Enchanted Forest
Regina left him alone. He was in her bedchamber- horrifyingly enough. He wore a simple tunic and guard style trousers. The Huntsman was a facsimile of himself.
"You." The Huntsman stated. His eyes were sharp and focused as they looked at me. He stalked towards me, his steps measured and careful. "You were the woman in the forest."
"Indeed." I stepped forward as well, walking to face him. He was taller than me, though not by much. If he wore his usual garb, one could understandably be intimidated. I held no such feelings for Regina's guards.
"Who are you?" The Huntsman asked.
I tilted my head. "Your companion knew me well enough."
The Huntsman paused to think. He looked out the window, a tear in his eye.
"He's alright." I assured him. "I spoke with him on my way here. He worries for you."
The Huntsman sucked his lip, biting it. He mourned. He knew that Regina would never let him go of her own will. He was a caged pet to her. There would be no place for him to be free as before. There would be no heart.
"I could check on him for you, if you'd prefer." I offered. Sure I was checking on practically every member of Rumplestiltskin's very long convoluted plan on getting Bae back to him...good thing I don't sleep. "It would be no trouble."
"Are you a trick, sent by Regina?" The Huntsman asked. Those angry tears were shimmering. His eyes became a furnace of rage directing at me. "I will let no harm come to him. She thinks a young girl will train me to obey her, like an obedient dog. She is wrong!"
"She is." I agreed. "You cannot tame that which is born to be free...but she doesn't need you tame. She needs you to be obedient. I am not with Regina. I have never supported ripping hearts out of people."
The Huntsman looked down at his own chest. "Who are you? If not with the Queen?"
"I am Muerte, Queen of the Underworld." I revealed. The Huntsman showed no fear. "As much as you would like, I'm not here to kill you."
"My heart is gone, and will never again see my closest friend. I am dead already." The Huntsman answered.
"So somber...well I cannot blame you. You are right. One could only call you living as you still can draw breath." I mused. I walked the Huntsman over to Regina's lounge chairs.
"Why have you come?" The Huntsman asked me.
"You were kind." I answered. "So very, very kind to all the world around you. You protected the things pure of heart, man or beast. It's not often I see a person like this."
"Just say it."
"You needed a friend. I've been told death is very freeing."
==BOL==
Storybrooke
Henry and Graham were knocking on my door.
Take a hint
If I'm not answering that means GO AWAY!
"Mary Beth! Open the door!" Graham pleaded. "Please! We need to talk!"
Just go
Please just go and forget it all
Just for a few months
I promise- I really promise- you can run with him again if you just pretend everything is fine for a few months.
"Mary Beth!" Henry was calling for me too. Great. Awesome. "He knows he's from the Enchanted Forest! He believes us!"
No one should believe me
It's only ever gotten them killed
Fed up, I stormed to my door. I didn't open it- just glared at the wood. "You need to go."
"What?"
"You need to leave. Forget you saw anything. Please- it's the only way."
"He can't forget it! The Curse is breaking, just like we-"
Well that was enough. I threw my door open so they could see my heartbroken expression. The frustrated frown, the just barely there tears of anger and grief, and hear my rage.
"Yes he can forget it. He can pretend like me, he can pretend like my other friend, Graham can keep on existing and Regina will never be the wiser because why would she question it? This is a can of worms we can't open yet, H-man."
"I saw you in the woods." Graham recalled. I ignored the aching pain in my chest. "You- you were in a black dress. In the woods."
My hand gripped tightly on the door. "Please, Graham, I can't-"
"What is it? What's wrong?" Henry asked.
"Your mom- Regina- she would do anything for this Curse. If she thinks she's losing...if the Curse is breaking-" I looked at Graham. I saw flashes of the Huntsman as he was. He never wore an expression so lost, so confused and adrift. "I refuse to watch you get my friend killed."
"Then help us!" Henry insisted. "If you help, we can break the Curse for sure!"
But we won't
It was never about us
It's always been Emma that broke it
We can't break her like that
"Muerte. Please." Graham asked.
Well you don't have to break me too.
I opened my door. Henry smiled in smug excitement. Graham was more relieved than anything.
"I do this under protest." I told them.
"Thank you." Graham stepped around me.
We grouped up in my living room. An actual living room for a living person. Muerte was funny sometimes.
Henry put down the book on my coffee table. He opened it to the pages for Snow White. "When did your flashes begin?"
"Uh, right after I kissed Emma." Graham answered.
Henry side eyed him. "You kissed my mom?"
"H-man. Bigger issues here than your mother's love life." I reminded him. "Graham. What did you see in those flashes?"
"A wolf. You. I saw that I had a knife in my hand and I was with Mary Margaret." Graham answered.
"Were you about to hurt her?" Henry asked.
"Yes! How do you know that?" Graham asked.
"Because Mary Margaret is Snow White." Henry turned the pages, reaching a picture of Graham with a knife over his face. "Which makes you the Huntsman."
"So, you two really think that I could be another person." Graham asked.
"Yes." Without question.
"Makes total sense. You were raised by wolves- that's why you keep seeing one." Henry explained.
"He's your friend. He missed you so much." I admitted. "He only wants to help..."
"I'm remembering this because I kissed Henry's mother?" Graham repeated. He was only becoming more confused. "H-How is that possible?"
"Well, you two do have a special connection. She owes you her life." Henry reasoned.
"Why?" Graham asked.
"Snow White's her mother and you spared her. If you hadn't, my mom wouldn't have been born." Henry explained.
Graham turned to me. "Wh-What happened after I spared Snow White?"
I took a deep breath. Shuddering, I crossed my arms over my chest to hug myself. Why was it so frightening now? Why did it chill me to the bone, knowing what happened to Graham? It hadn't before. It always just made me grieve.
"She-She r-ripped your heart from your chest." My hand rested on my chest, trying to find my racing pulse.
She stole it from you. She stole so much from you that can never be given back. Pain and fear that I would never wish on anyone. She hurt you in all the worst ways...again and again, giving you no choice at all in your own life.
You could never say no.
Ah. That's why I'm so afraid again.
I don't like being complicit in abuse.
"It's kind of her thing." Henry added. "She never wanted you to be able to feel again."
"She never wanted you to be free." I corrected. "His feelings never mattered. His obedience did. That heart- that heart told Regina she would always be able to command you."
Something steeled in Graham's eyes. "Let me see that book."
Henry added it over.
Graham turned the pages. He stopped at an image of Regina standing proudly in front of her vault of hearts. He pointed at the symbol on top of it. "What's that? I saw that, too. The wolf was howling at it."
"That's her vault. It's where she put your heart." Henry answered.
Graham "The wolf wants me to find it. Thank you, Henry. Thank you, Muerte." Graham squeezed my shoulder.
Just stab me
It would hurt less
Henry beamed. He turned to me, confused. "Why are you so worried about the Curse? You were worried about Prince Charming too, and he was fine!"
"Because the Curse took over with him." I told Henry. "Graham is breaking through. Regina isn't going to let things like this slide."
"It's good winning over evil. We'll be fine!" Henry insisted.
I shook my head. Henry was ever the optimist, ever the Believer. This was going to crush him. Nobody should die because I was too slow. Graham shouldn't have to conform to a life of forced submission, of forcing himself to go along with Regina's whims. That wasn't fair to him or to anyone else.
Henry was right.
Good needed to win.
Evil needed to get fucked.
Filled with a new determination I ran out after Graham. On my front lawn, Graham stood with Emma.
Emma huffed. "Are you sleeping with her too?"
"Ugh." Rolling my eyes, I went to Graham's side. "Can't I just have guy friends without everyone thinking we're sleeping together? And we have bigger issues than that. Why is everyone in your family so stupid! Henry was stuck on Graham kissing you instead of the Curse."
"I think maybe you two need to go home, get some rest." Emma advised.
"I'm fine."
"I am also...fine."
"No, Graham, no Mary Beth, you're not fine." Emma chided. "You just went to see a ten year old for help."
"They're the only ones making any sense." Graham replied.
"What's going on? What's really going on?" Emma asked, giving me a pointedly look to stay quiet.
"It's my heart, Emma. I need to find it." Graham answered.
"Okay. So, how are you going to do that?" Emma asked.
"I just need to follow the wolf." Graham explained.
That confused Emma. "What? What wolf?"
"From my dreams. It's going to help me find my heart." Graham explained.
"I'm sorry. I thought we were talking in a metaphor here. You really think you don't have a heart?" Emma asked.
"It's the only thing that makes any sense. It's the only thing that explains why I don't feel anything." Graham answered.
"Listen to me, Graham. You have a heart. I can prove it." Emma stepped forward. After a short hesitation, she placed her hand over his chest. "See? It's beating. It's real." Graham shook his head in denial. Emma moved his hand to where her's had been. "Feel that? That is your heart."
"No. It's the Curse." Graham insisted.
"You can't really believe that's true." Emma asked. She froze, tensing as her eyes widened in fear.
I followed her gaze. The wolf stood there. His mismatched eyes staring directly at Graham.
"What?" Graham asked. He followed our gazes to the wolf there.
The wolf was sure he had our attention.
I chased after him. Graham ran at my side. Emma followed us, ever so confused.
==BOL==
The wolf led us to the graveyard. My heart raced with fear, on edge already despite not doing anything.
"Graham! Mary Beth! Be careful." Emma warned.
"He's our friend. He won't hurt us." Graham assured.
The wolf howled. I returned the noise to Emma's confusion. The wolf ran ahead of us. After a brief chase we stopped in front of Regina's crypt. The wolf vanished. He had done his work. He trusted us to manage the rest.
"What is it?" Emma asked us.
"It's my heart. It's in there." Graham answered. He fretted, lifting up his flashlight. His hand was shaking. I put my hand on his shoulder. Graham took an affirming breath. "I have to look in there."
"I know. We're here to help." I assured him. For the first time all day, I meant it. Graham should be helped. Graham let out a long breath. He reached his free hand for mine. I took it.
He was squeezing it so tight. Together we walked towards the crypt.
"Oh, no! Stop. Stop." Emma cautioned.
"I have to get in there, please-" Graham pleaded.
"Graham, come on! You really think that your heart is in there?" Emma asked.
"I know too." I walked up to the crypt. Regina's magic was strong over it. The stone had magic from the Enchanted Forest stuck over it.
Magic was always hard to deal with. However every problem had a simple solution. The Curse transferred this magic over. No doubt it was warded against people who had hearts inside. Regina's plan accounted for everything except the wolf card that is Emma Swan.
"Emma. Kick the door." I instructed.
Emma simply succumbed to madness. "Okay. Let's find out." I stepped back from the door. She kicked the door inwards. She walked in. Graham and I were behind. "Come on!"
Graham took a step forward. I blocked his path.
"Do you trust me?" I asked him.
Graham glanced at the crypt then at me. He nodded.
"Then wait outside." I advised. "We'll find your heart. I swear."
Graham swallowed, looking more lost than before.
I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against his.
==BOL==
Enchanted Forest
I couldn't visit him often. My work in the Underworld was demanding in maintaining peace. My work helping Rumplestiltskin took a lot of time too. The Huntsman was working long shifts as a guard, or warming Regina's bed.
When we could meet...it varied. Sometimes we would just talk about the world around us or the people inside. We would sit in silence, holding each other's hand for assurance.
Sometimes he would point out how he wished he could cry.
Sometimes I talked about what I went through before. Life for me, death after, what Hades often did before I became Queen.
We were bonding.
Wolves always stuck close.
I kept up with his wolf too. The wolf enjoyed my visits. He wanted to hear what the Huntsman was going through.
I never learned their names.
There was never a need.
==BOL==
Storybrooke
Graham exhaled when he stepped away. I wondered if he saw any of what I just saw.
"Wolves lie in wait for their prey." I advised. "You need to hide. Regina is clever and paranoid. That's always a dangerous combination."
"Will you be alright? You and Emma?" Graham asked.
"She's got nothing on me." I told Graham.
He pressed his hand on my shoulder once. He stepped back, watching the crypt with a panicked twitch in his leg.
I followed after Emma. She was looking around the crypt. Clearly not searching, her actions for the sake of Graham.
"What are we doing?" Emma sighed, shaking her head and throwing her hands out around the crypt. "Breaking into a crypt? Looking for a heart? I know you and Henry really believe in this, but it's going too far."
"Emma we haven't even come close to 'too far' yet." I told her. "I've been jelling all those fairytales vanilla for you. Do you have any idea how dark they get? How dark the Grimm originals were? You are getting the minimum of it. Graham has suffered enough. I'm done letting Regina use him like this. I've watched their relationship since it started. All she's ever done is cage him in."
Emma's eyes were set as I talked more. Something in her eyes, I liked. The only good thing about her family line: that protective instinct, to want other people's happiness. Emma was great at that, once getting over her wall.
"Regina forced their relationship. Graham isn't talking metaphorically. She stole his heart, commanded him around like a damned puppet. He deserves the right to live his life the way he wants!" I stressed. "It's bad. Every part is bad. You really care about Graham- I know that- help him."
Emma swallowed. She looked around the dusty crypt again. "So. Where did Regina even hide a heart? There's nothing here."
I smiled widely. If the Chester Cat were around, he'd be laughing in delight. "Did you know Regina's father was never in this Realm? He died on the other side." I pressed my hands against the side of Henry Mills Sr's coffin. "The dead don't cross over in the Curse."
At the first push, I heard the wolf howl. I tensed. Emma did too.
I held up a finger to my lips. Emma glanced at the half opened door. Holding up my hand I walked to the entrance.
Regina stood there.
She must have it defended against me. That made sense. I should've checked for that too.
"Doctor Spencer. What the hell do you think you're doing?" Regina asked, sounding none too pleased.
"Madame Mayor did you forget? I look after the dead." I explained. She narrowed her eyes. "Being the medical examiner isn't my only job. The graveyard is my part time job. Maintaining it, cleaning it, things like that. Do you know how ugly some of these graves get over time? It's a thankless job. The dead are very needy."
Regina sneered. "Right. Is that why you and Sheriff Graham were out today?"
"Graham was gone?" I asked, feigning surprise. "Huh. Is he okay? You're his fling. You would know better than me how he's feeling. What brings you by the graves, anyway?"
"Bringing flowers to my father's grave like I do every Wednesday." Regina answered easily.
"Ah. Wednesday's. Great day for mourning. Do you clean them by Friday? That's when I come by here for cleaning."
"I can maintain my own family crypt." Regina snapped.
"Of course! Of course." I stepped closer to Regina, keeping her mind occupied with me. "The urns in there look nice by the way. I had no idea your family went back so far."
"I don't appreciate being mocked." Regina warned me.
My hands went up. "Oh I'm sorry, Madame Mayor. Please forgive me."
She was still glaring. Her suspicions were lessening. Maybe she thought I was still Cursed. The 'please' thing was purely on Gold's part so it wasn't working as strongly as it could have. Regina also stuck by our agreement as stated in that cell. I could befriend whoever I chose, she couldn't do anything about it.
"Don't blame her." Graham around from behind the crypt. I hid my wince. "It's my fault. I wanted to look in there."
Regina was back to pissed. "Really? Why? What were you looking for?"
Graham may not have all his memories yet, but he could still think for himself. "Nothing. It was, uh...It was nothing."
"Just a passing curiosity. It's passed now. We'll just be going." I walked to Graham's side.
"Good idea. Graham isn't looking very well." Regina held out her arm towards him. My hand took hold of his arm, squeezing it in assurance. "Let's take you home."
When she saw my arm on his, she paused. She narrowed her eyes on it- no doubt wishing she could summon fireballs. Graham stood firm, shaking his head at her.
"Regina, I...I don't want to go home. Not with you." Graham told her.
Regina tensed. She glared at me again. Graham moved his hand so it held mine.
"He's my friend." I let go of his hand, giving him a quick pat on the back. "It's allowed- to ask friends favors."
The magic in our deal was working on her. Regina was conceding this battle to me. I was right and she knew it. I was allowed to be his friend. She couldn't do anything to interfere with that.
Something dark settled in Regina's gaze. I didn't even have to turn around to know who was stepping out from the crypt. Dammit, Emma, we almost had her!
"Why do I get the feeling you don't intend to leave with the good doctor?" Regina challenged.
"Hey. This is between you two- leave me out of it." Emma asked.
If you wanted to stay out of it, stay in the fucking crypt
Fuckign Author's Name.
I never got the chance to reach his heart.
"She's right- it's between us." Graham stepped forward. He put himself between Regina and us. I stayed vigil behind him. "And things have to change."
"And I wonder why that is all of a sudden." Regina made a point to glare Emma's way.
"It has nothing to do with her." Graham answered. That was a half-lie at best. Emma planted the seeds of freedom. Graham's the one that fought for his freedom under it. "You know, I've realized that I don't feel anything, Regina. And I know now it's not me- it's you."
"So, you're leaving me for her?"
"I'm leaving you for me."
"Graham, you're not thinking straight." Regina dismissed.
"Actually, for the first time, I am. I'd rather have nothing than settle for less." Graham argued. "Nothing? Is better than what we have. I need to feel something, Regina, and the only way to do that is to give myself a chance."
"Graham-"
"I'm sorry. It's over."
Regina seethed. "I don't know what I ever did to you, Miss Swan, to deserve this. To have you keep coming after everything I hold dear."
"I told you- it's not her. Either of them." Graham insisted.
"None of this happened until she got here." Regina snapped.
"I'm sorry. Did you ever stop to think that maybe the problem isn't with me, but with you?" Emma argued.
Damn
"Excuse me?"
Emma walked around us both. She circled towards Regina, staring the Evil Queen in the eye. "Henry came and found me. Graham kissed me. Both were miserable. Maybe, Madame Mayor, you need to take a good hard look in the mirror and ask yourself why that is. Why is everyone running away from you?"
Regina punched Emma in the face. Emma fell back into Graham's arms. "Regina!"
Once Emma was back to balance, she punched Regina.
Graham and I stood between them. I glared at Regina, Graham focused on Emma.
"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Graham pleaded with Emma.
"Alright ladies, let's keep it together!" I cautioned them. "We can arrest you for assault if you keep this up!"
Regina sneered. I gave her a challenging stare, daring her to try to stop me.
"Not worth it." Emma dismissed. She walked off, leaving us behind.
Graham put a hand on my shoulder. I stepped back from Regina.
I failed you, Graham.
I'm so sorry.
"Graham." Regina pleaded.
Graham guided me away. Smart choice, I would've asked the wolf to tear out her throat.
==BOL==
Graham drove us in his car to the station. Emma was ahead in her car.
I was silent.
Silent as death, looming at Graham's shoulder.
I failed him.
I failed Henry.
Why did I always let people down?
Once at the eye station, Graham went inside to search for Emma. I trailed behind them in a daze. There hadn't been any new memories flashing in my mind.
I wanted all of them. All those years hanging out with Graham...all that time better spent than waiting for him to die.
It wasn't fair.
He didn't deserve this.
He just got free from her.
When I got myself to some focus Graham was helping Emma. He got out a first aid kit to tend to the cut on her head.
Oh right. Emma hit the crypt in that fight. Funny the things you miss when you're trying to keep someone alive.
"I'm sorry."
Graham and Emma looked over at me. I was openly depressed.
"I- I should've been better. I know that." I apologized.
"It's alright, Mary Beth." I winced. I hated Graham calling me that. After all those memories I saw, all that I knew he remembered, that was the last name he should call me. "It's me that should be sorry." He looked at Emma. "I don't know what came over me. I kind of lost my mind."
"It's okay. You were tired and feverish…and heartbroken." Emma explained.
'He'd need a heart for that.'
I walked over to them, sitting on the closest desk.
"I don't know why I let myself get caught up with her." Graham explained.
"Because it was easy. And safe. Not feeling anything's an attractive option when what you feel sucks." Emma reasoned. Graham dabbed her cut with a bacterial wipe. She winced with a hiss. "Felt that."
"Thank you, Mary Beth, for helping me." Graham replied.
I shook my head. "I didn't save you."
Graham looked over at me. "You got me out of there. You were right. I heard what you said to Emma, in that crypt. This is my life, I have the right to live it how I want."
It was useless telling them. They stopped believing me.
"And how do you wanna live it?" Emma asked him.
Graham leaned forward.
They both just completely forgot ivv no was here.
Sometimes being Mary Beth sucked.
Graham gasped. He pulled away from Emma, his eyes wide.
"Graham?" Emma asked. "Are you okay?"
"I remember." Graham stated in awe.
Fuck that hurts
"Graham?" Emma asked him.
Graham pulled back from her. He looked over at me. "I remember. Muerte I remember."
I sucked in a pained breath. "Good to have you back."
Even if it's just for a moment
I get to see my friend's happy smile
"You remember what?" Emma asked.
Graham hugged her. He held out his arm, pulling me along into it. "Thank you. Both of you. Thank you."
I held him tightly.
It didn't make it easier to hold him when he gasped out in pain. Graham fell to his knees, reaching for his chest. Emma was shouting his name. My vision was blurring with furious tears.
He was gone before he hit the floor.
==BOL==
The wolf howled.
I howled with him.
He came to my back door, whimpering and stumbling. I fell to the grass on my side, welcoming him in for comfort. He nestled by my side. His nose bumped my chin, his tail dripping over my legs.
We cried for the Huntsman together.
==BOL==
AN: It's still technically Dia De Los Muertos, exactly when I wanted to publish it!
Yeah he still died...I tried to save him, really I did. Morgan/Mary Beth always struggles after being unable to save everyone. Next chapter is gonna go deeper into her backstory. Like, all her.
I'm gonna be so mean. Like worse than usual. Just to her, like I'm hyper focusing on ruining Morgan/Mary Beth's day. Maybe her whole life if I do it right.
Thanks to KJS1426, Harmony-Caprice, and Thaliak, for favoriting
Thanks to KJS1426, Harmony-Caprice, and Thaliak, for following