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!
Also, someone did ask about what season we would be in by now, so I decided to do a season breakdown:
Season 1: Chapters 1-30 (30 chapters)
Season 2: Chapters 31-67 (36 chapters)
Season 3: 68-83 (15 chapters)
Season 4: 84-102 (18 chapters)
Season 5: 103-122 (19 chapters)
Season 6: 123-151 (28 chapters)
Season 7: 152-193 (41 chapters)
Season 8: 194-234 (40 chapters)
Season 9: 235-on
This story is now updated bi-weekly. As always, reviews on all stories are very much appreciated, so please consider leaving reviews. :)
Below is a comprehensive list of face claims and all can be googled.
Face Claims:
Leo Charming Nolan: Matt Lanter
Eva Charming Nolan: Bailee Madison
Summer Charming Nolan: Joey King(young) and Luna Blaise(older)
Bobby Charming Nolan: Logan Lerman
Christopher Sean: Dr. Paul Sakura
Aphrodite: a blonde Ginnifer Goodwin
Xander(Robert) Nolan Charming: David Cubitt(the actor they cast for Robert in canon)
Clayton(even though he's finally dead): Vincent Irizarry
Mephisto: Formerly, Henry Fonda. Newly – Jeff Kober
Amora the Enchantress: Laura Dern
Seth: Rami Malek
The Major, Patricia Donovan: Camryn Manheim
Zorro: Galen Gering
Nick: Danny Pino
Angela: Jordana Brewster
Hermes: Nakia Burrise
Prince John: Paul Giamatti
Sir Hiss: Jesse Eisenberg
JJ: Garrett Wareing
Nora: Mae Whitman
Queen Serenity: Sarah Michelle Gellar
King Endymion: Freddie Prinze Jr.
Apollo: Amir Arison
Artemis: Rachel Leigh Cook
Drizella Tremaine (1.0): Melanie Lynskey – Drizella Tremaine 2.0(Ivy Belfry) is still Adelaide Kane.
Rodmilla Tremaine: Angelica Houston
Johnny Clayton(Junior): Paul Telfer
Natalie Zearing: Melissa Roxburgh
Thalia Zearing: Stacey Haiduk
Hera: Melissa Archer
Zeus: Greg Vaughan
Dione: Arianne Zucker
Athena: Catherine Sutherland
Nyx: Selma Blair
The agents:
Agent Tessa Green: Sasha Alexander
Agent: Brian Dorsey: Scott Porter
Agent Danielle Harding: Ellen Tamaki
Sirius Clayton: Billy Zane
John Clayton(the first): Hank Azaria
John Clayton(the second): Thaao Penghlis
Malina Pizarro: Alicia Coppola
Dr. Hector La Guerra: David Dayan Fisher
Adam Rodriguez: Santo
Cote de Pablo: Irina
Zia: Camila Banus
The Dragon Queen(Zia Troyano): Julia Jones
The Dragon King(Esteban Zhu Ling): Michael Copon
Mendoza: Javier Bardem
Tao Xang Li: Jay Laga'aia
Queen Nubia: Nadia Bjorlin
Goldilocks: Ali Larter
Le Fou: Josh Gad
Joe: Bobby Cannavale
Frankie: Ezra Miller
Esmeralda: Daniella Alonso
Luka: Tyler Posey
Grimm: Sam Rockwell
King Runeard: Alfred Molina
Milo: Brenton Thwaites
Kida: Chloe Grace Moretz
Flynn Rider: Will Peltz
Drake Mallard: Giovanni Ribisi
Rourke: Martin Kove
If I missed any, let me know and I will add to the face claims. :)
Here are individual responses to reviews:
NaomiBlue: Me too! I think everyone is glad that Jekyll is finally dead.
Ghostwriter: Thanks, so glad you like it. Yeah, it's fun to make classic characters like Iago into humans and use them in this capacity, because Iago is such a stinker. Glad you're enjoying!
Jennifer Baratta: Runeard is very dangerous, agreed. Yeah, Midas is just annoying, lol. Glad you enjoyed it!
Number Ten: Goldie and Grimm are very annoying and they get more annoying in this chapter. Yeah, it sucks that they are living high and infecting susceptible listeners with their rhetoric. But it makes things interesting too. Ha, yeah Iago is fun and still a big mouth, even as a human. JJ and Summer are special too, I agree. I love Snowing spoiling their nephew and grandkids too. It's adorable and does bring a smile. Midas is annoying. Time for Abigail to take over for sure. Yes, Endgame has officially happened now. I have not seen WandaVision yet, but it's definitely on my watch list. I'm so behind on shows right now, lol. But hopefully I'll get caught up soon. Glad you're enjoying it. :)
Grace5231973: My reference to Rourke is very loosely based on the Rourke character from the Atlantis: the Lost Empire movie. I decided to use him since he was a mercenary type character in that movie and I was always kind of meh about that movie, so that's where he's coming from basically. Me too, I'm loving the Summer/JJ thing. And Bobby/Zia is adorable too. Yeah, definitely time for Midas to retire. Yep, Runeard and Mendoza teaming up is trouble. Glad you're enjoying!
Littledahlia: Thanks, glad you love it and have found it! Thanks, glad you like the way I've changed it up. I cheered too when Clayton and Jekyll died, both times too. They were great villains that we love to hate. Glad you like the Marvel tie-ins too. There's one in this chapter. So glad you love it so much!
sexystarwarslover: Yep, not good that Mendoza is looking to team up with Runeard. I know, I love his hair recently so that's totally Charming's look right now. It's a good song. Yep, I led with that flashback to give Goldie the right ambiance for her dumb podcast. Yep, it went mega viral, lol. I know, Goldie is a bitter twat. Yep, Eva crushes her in the numbers every week. Yep, the Charmings are better than her. Yes, mama Snow will put an arrow in her if she goes after her babies. Yes, we have reached the point where the events of Endgame have played out so we'll be dealing with that a bit in Dashing Rose's lives. Yep, Bobby is crushing on Zia. Yeah, time for Midas to retire. Ha, yep Snowing loving is never quick. Yep, Hope may be getting a baby unicorn. Glad you liked the Summer/Emma scene. I liked it too. Glad you liked the meeting with all the heads of state. It was fun to write. Yep, Natalie has big plans for the museum. Yep, no shortage of babysitters for Levi. Yep, Runeard is still out there and so is Mendoza, both trouble on their own so together it could be a disaster. Glad you're enjoying it!
The Gray Jedi 2020: Yeah, I like Eartha Kitt for Yzma. I just realized I never did face claims for Milo and Kida. MJ Fox is a good one for Milo. I'll see if I can come up with some for them and Esmeralda even though they don't appear too often. Yeah, I can just see Snowing presenting a baby unicorn to an ecstatic Hope. Yep, Goldie and Grimm are working for the cabal now. I'm sure it will spell trouble for sure. I was rooting for Summer and JJ too. Yep, Bobby and Zia make sense for sure. Okay, hope I do get more reviews from you though. Glad you're enjoying though even if you don't. :)
Zariah: Okay...I apologize, because I think you took my response all wrong. I just wanted to give you an explanation on why I wasn't exploring more the All World River in that way. I'm sorry you took it wrong and should have went with my gut and said nothing. I hope you can continue to enjoy. I still want your thoughts and suggestions, even if I may not agree. I meant no offense and had no idea you were so young. I was just trying to give my views based on my experience. I would never imply that you don't know what you're doing. I have been doing this a long time and am still learning every day. So I hope we can just say that was a misunderstanding and more on. Please don't disparage yourself or your abilities though. I don't want that.
Okay, moving onto your review. Yes, unfortunately Goldie and Grimm are working for the cabal now. I agree, Summer and JJ are adorable. Bobby and Zia are too. Yeah, Natalie's museum will be an interesting attraction. And yes, Snow will probably take a million pictures. Yeah, Midas is a jerk, but no match for Snow. I agree, the Charmings need a very long vacation after the rest of the villains are dead. They have definitely earned it. I'm glad you enjoy my work. I have many other Snowing stories too and if you have an interest in Greek Mythology, I think you'd also enjoying Dreaming Out Loud. Glad you love this one so much and hope you continue to enjoy. :)
AnonSnowing: Yep, still loving that Jekyll is now non-existent. Everyone is. Yep, that clip went mega viral as they say. Yeah, they probably have super fans and haters galore. Yep, as usual, Goldie is trying to use that video to promote fear. Nope, nothing to fear about the Charmings. In fact, they're probably going to save you at some point. Yep, Goldie and Grimm are working for the cabal. Mephisto is around, waiting to pop up and be a nuisance. Yep, Eva is way more popular. Yeah, Mama Snowing and Daddy Charming will not be happy if they go after their babies.
Yes, it's after Endgame and they're going for a visit. Yeah, it's good news, despite Tony and Natasha being gone. Lol, yep we're going to see Thor with the Dashing kids. He is pretty childish himself so I think he'll be great with them. Yep, Bobby is a heartbreaker already. Midas is a blowhard and no match for Snow. The resort will be fun when it's unveiled. Nope, nothing shady. Ha, yeah, him smacking himself in the face would be the best and then turning to gold. Abigail might miss him, but doubtful anyone else would. Yep, gotta get some Snowing loving time in there. Hope would be adorable on a baby unicorn. Yep, Truest is the best podcast and Goldie's is a joke. Yes, rhythmic gymnastics is perfect for Summer. Yep, proud Snowing parents. Emma is a great big sister and really gave Summer some good advice, with some jokes, in true Emma fashion. I know, Summer in love is adorable. Yep, Snowing is having afternoon delight in her office. Yeah, no gruesome futures for the Charmings. Henry and Ella were right to turn that trash. I love Natalie's exhibits too. I love when he caresses her chin too, that's why I write that in so much. Nope, Runeard is up to no good and teaming up with Mendoza would be bad news. Glad you're enjoying it! :)
Finding You Always
Chapter 237: Information Warfare
"Good evening and welcome to the latest edition of Fabled. Your premier podcast for all the dirt and the real truth behind the fairy tale," Goldie began.
"As you know, here on the Fabled podcast, we take you beyond the writings of Henry Nolan Charming and bring you face to face with the real people in the book and how they're not always what they seem," she said.
"And even when they are...we discuss what we all know is there. A dark side," she continued.
"Tonight though, we're doing a little backstory," Grimm said.
"That's right...we're taking you back to the beginning of everything. We've told you it all. We rarely discuss what happened back in the Enchanted Forest or other realms where most of our people come from, but there is a purpose for that," she said.
"She's right...we like to discuss what came after true love's kiss and the curse that brought them all to this world. A dark curse," Grimm said.
"The same dark curse that deposited Prince Charming and his infant daughter on a rural road in Maine in 1983," Goldie replied.
"When found, Charming had clothing typical of this land and even identification on him. David Nolan of Storybrooke, Maine. A town that no one could find on a map and in the crook of his arm, a baby wrapped in a white blanket with the name Emma embroidered on it," Grimm said.
"They were taken to a hospital; a hospital that David Nolan remained in for ten years in a coma, while little Emma went off to a group home," Goldie said.
"Now, you might be wondering why we're discussing this, because most of this is described in the book, but what isn't in the book was Emma's troubled childhood," Goldie added.
"Right...Emma was adopted by a couple by the name of Nathan and Linda Swan and they sent her back when she was only three-years-old," Grimm said.
"The Swans are dead, but we have obtained Emma Swan's file from child services and it's quite interesting," Goldie said.
"Apparently, little Emma was a handful. There are tons of reports in this file that said that Emma would throw tantrums and during them, lights would flicker, sometimes lightbulbs would even explode, and electronics would even turn themselves on around her," Grimm replied.
"Naturally, most of the social workers she had listed had great difficulty in getting her adopted. One even called her a little demon and I guess we all know why that is," Goldie said.
"Right and in her file, her unruly behavior was naturally listed as the reason she was always sent back," Grimm replied.
"Of course, most fawn over the Charmings when they learn these things, but don't you think it was a clear sign that something was seriously off about her. I mean, we've even learned that her own paternal grandfather visited his son in the hospital a few times, but made no effort to take custody of little Emma," Goldie said.
"Maybe he knew what she was...and how much trouble she'd be to this world," Grimm replied.
"And she has. The Charmings have caused as much harm as they have good; that good is only done after they cause the destruction of a city," Goldie said.
"And who is there leading them all?" Grimm asked.
"Emma Swan...AKA Emma Nolan Charming-Jones," Goldie replied.
"Everyone thinks they're heroes...but we know they're capable of going dark. Her parents have...what's stopping Emma from going bad?" Goldie asked.
"I think we all know the answer to that. As long as she keeps her happy ending...she stays good, but the Savior could easily become our destroyer," Grimm replied.
"Exactly...and when we come back from our short break, we'll discuss the one Charming that can shake the entire world apart if he wants to," Goldie said, as they streamed their ads and shared a smirk. If they kept this up, Mama Snow and Daddy Charming would be beating down their door to defend their precious children.
The fireplace crackled in their living room, as Snow and David cuddled together on the sofa with two almost empty wine glasses on the coffee table. Shortly after the demise of Jekyll, they had decided they missed the coziness of their family home and decided to remodel the living quarters of the castle. Now the entire east wing consisted of their spacious bed chambers, a family room where they could gather with their kids, a private kitchen, Summer and Bobby's bedrooms, several guest bedrooms and bathrooms, and even a large outdoor veranda for family gatherings when it was warm. The staff did the chores and cleaning during the day, but it was mostly off limits to anyone but family in the evenings and mornings. Summer and Bobby especially loved the return to the coziness of their family home, yet the best of both worlds of castle life as well.
They still loved cooking for the kids too when they had time and this eliminated any friction with the staff when they wanted to use the main kitchen like before. It was definitely clear that most of the staff was not used to having royals willing to do for themselves like the Charmings. But on this evening, with Summer out and Bobby spending the night with Gideon, they were alone and left to their own devices.
He kissed her deeply and slid his hands underneath her blouse, as she mewled into his kiss. His hands on her made her gasp in excitement and she bit her bottom lip to keep a moan back, as he kissed his way down her neck. Her hands went for his belt and that was the moment his phone chose to beep. He grunted and chose to ignore the offending device in favor of kissing his way down to her collarbone. But then it beeped again. She whimpered in annoyance, as he reached for it.
"No...you have deputies for this kind of thing," she pouted. He chuckled and pecked her on the lips. He sighed, as he looked at it.
"It's Leroy," he said, as he sat up. She huffed.
"He says I need to come in and see something. Apparently, it's important," David replied.
"It's Leroy...I doubt what he says is important is that important," she argued, as she climbed into his lap and straddled his waist. He chuckled.
"You are Supreme Sheriff of the United Realms," she reminded him, as she started unbuttoning his shirt.
"That means you have deputies to handle most of the day to day operations and you can oversee. I highly doubt this requires your attention now," she reasoned.
"You're probably right," he agreed, as she kissed him deeply and he dropped his phone to the sofa. Unfortunately, it beeped again.
"Ugh...he really has a death wish tonight," Snow complained, as she prepared to toss it away, but he caught her arm and took the phone from her. He read the message and sighed again.
"He's not going to stop unless I go see what is so urgent," he said.
"He will if I tell him I'll shoot him with an arrow," she replied, with a pout. He chuckled again and kissed her pouty lips.
"Maybe...but knowing Leroy, he'll just come here instead," he said. She frowned at that and knew he was right. Leroy had always had boundary issues and was rarely appeased.
"Fine…" she relented, as she climbed off him.
"You want to come?" he asked.
"I want to come...but not in that way," she replied in a salty tone, making him laugh again.
"And I promise to help you with that in earnest when I get back," he said. She smirked.
"Okay...you better hurry back and make good on that, handsome," she replied, as she got up and kissed him passionately.
"Meanwhile, you can think about me being all alone, naked in the hot tub," she said, as she started to saunter toward their bed chambers. He blew out a breath.
"This really better be freaking good, Leroy," he grumbled, as he grabbed his sword and sheathed it on his belt, before heading out.
"Can you believe her!?" Eva cried, as she and Paul grabbed a bite at Granny's that evening after a long day at the hospital.
"Honey...you can't let her get you so worked up. You know she does it on purpose. She's constantly on your parents. It was only a matter of time before she went after the rest of you," Paul reasoned.
"I don't know...I'm with her. That lady needs turned off, permanently," Frankie agreed, as he held his and Joe's daughter.
"Easy Frankie...Paul has a point. She's just aching to get your parents to go after them and it wasn't working when she was saying stuff about them. So she's naturally going after you kids now," Joe reasoned.
"He's right," Paul agreed.
"Yeah...and Emma is an adult. That will piss them off...but they go after Bobby and your Mom is gonna put an arrow in her," Frankie said.
"I should text Emma and then Mom and Dad in the morning," Eva said.
"Or not...I mean, your parents don't even waste their time listening to Goldie's crap podcast. Neither does Emma or Bobby for that matter," Paul replied.
"I get that...but they're stoking fear about us. It's wrong...at this rate, we'll never be able to safely leave the United Realms again," Eva said.
"Maybe that's for the best," Paul replied, as he took her hand across the table.
"He might be right, honey. We lived in that world a long time. They're not kind to heroes. They build them up so they can tear them down," Frankie said.
"He's right...the propaganda is too shiny for the normies. The truth always comes out...but it takes longer and by then, the damage is done most of the time," Joe agreed. She sighed.
"I know you're right...maybe we are better off not going out there," she said. He nodded.
"Come on...let's head home. We can work on a counter for all of it. More people listen to you anyway," Paul said, as he paid the check and they said goodnight to Joe, Frankie, and their little one, before heading home for the evening.
David walked into the station in Storybrooke that evening, finding that it was mostly quiet, with what looked like routine bookings and happenings. Which begged the question as to why he was there. He headed toward the front desk, where they usually had a desk sergeant stationed during the day. At night though, it was usually just a clerk that went to the academy, but didn't quite have the makings for a beat cop. Now that they were policing the entire United Realms, they had an actual police force, both day and night shift. The station headquarters was in Storybrooke of course, complete with a much bigger, newer station with modern technology, a larger bullpen, and eight holding cells. Emma headed and managed the station headquarters and the day to day operations, while he oversaw the entire police force and the armies of Knights from all realms from their castle in Misthaven. Knights that served in various armies were considered a step higher than the Storybrooke police force, though the day of chainmail was mostly gone, with the exception of a few Kingdoms that still insisted on the old type guard. But the modern forces were akin to higher law enforcement and intelligence agencies like one might find in the Land Without Magic. He frequented the station in Storybrooke during the day, but it had been a very long time since he had visited it in the evening and probably not since it had been the old station. He knew the day desk sergeant by name, but didn't recognize the night clerk at all. He approached and then spotted Leroy coming out of one of the interrogation rooms. He almost made it past the desk when the clerk happened to look up from whatever non-work items he was doing and his eyes widened.
"Oh my Gods...it's you…" he uttered, as the middle aged man stared. David sighed.
"Yeah…just here to see Leroy," David said, hoping not to attract too much attention. He usually liked to keep a low profile, but it was increasingly harder to do these days, even in Storybrooke.
"I'm...I'm just such a huge fan. I mean...you're a legend!" the man stammered.
"It's about time you got here," Leroy grumbled, as he noticed the desk clerk that was hoping to get David's attention.
"Get back to work, Drake. Those phones and emails don't answer themselves," Leroy snapped.
"The phone isn't ringing at all," Drake said, but Leroy gave him a look and he wisely shut his trap.
"As I was saying...it's about time you got here," he grumbled.
"Really? Because whatever it is seems like it could have waited until morning. This place is dead," David argued.
"Not as dead as you'd think, chisel chin," he replied.
"Get back to work, Drake and stop working on those dumb picture books," Leroy snapped, as he led David back to the interrogation room, only to see a teen in the room about Bobby's age. David looked at him.
"He's a kid…" David said.
"Boy you're quick," Leroy retorted. David sighed.
"I mean, he's a kid and we have social workers for this stuff," he said.
"This one skips out of the system every chance he gets and is a notorious thief," Leroy replied, as he handed him the file.
"Eugene Fitzherbert...okay, yeah that's quite a list of theft for sixteen, but if you're wanting to book him as an adult, I think that's a bit harsh. Most of this stuff is petty. He needs a program, not prison," David argued.
"He needs a smack in the head, but I didn't bring you here because I think we need to try him as an adult," Leroy replied.
"Okay...then why did you?" David asked.
"He thinks he spotted Runeard at Iago's...earlier tonight," Leroy replied. David looked at the teen and then back at Leroy.
"Okay...you've definitely got my attention now. He's sure?" David asked. Leroy nodded.
"I showed him the photo of that portrait we took from Elsa's castle. He says he's sure and that's not all. He was pretty shaken up by what he heard and to get under the skin of a street rat like this one...I knew it had to be bad," Leroy said. David nodded and went into the room.
"Eugene…" David said, as he put his file on the table and took a seat across from him. The boy looked at him in surprise, like he was the last one he expected to see.
"Everything okay?" David asked.
"Uh yeah...just didn't expect him to go all the way to the top when I told him what I saw and heard," the boy replied.
"If you really did see Runeard...then Leroy was always going to call me," David replied. The teen looked uncomfortable at that and David relaxed in his chair a bit.
"Look Eugene…" he started.
"I hate that name...I don't go by that name," he said in irritation. David smirked.
"Like my son. He refuses to ever go by the name Robert and we've always called him Bobby. So what do you go by?" David asked. Eugene looked at him with scrutiny. No one ever cared or bothered to listen when he said he didn't like Eugene, let alone asked him what he liked to be called.
"Flynn...Flynn Rider," he replied.
"Okay...Flynn is it then," David said.
"Leroy says you saw Runeard at Iago's tonight," he said.
"Yeah...it was him, I'm sure of it. Nothing scares Iago anymore...and that guy had him ready to wet himself," Flynn replied.
"Then you heard the conversation?" David asked. He nodded.
"Iago was talking smack like he usually does and then the man grabbed his hand. It was only for a second, but Iago started turning gray. I...I've never seen anything like it," Flynn confessed.
"Yeah...he's really dangerous. I'll level with you...probably more dangerous than Jekyll was in certain ways," David said. Flynn looked at him for a moment again. No adult had ever leveled with him or told him the full truth before. It was a scary truth, but he liked it.
"What happened after that?" David asked.
"Iago told him to get out and didn't charge him for the drink, which is saying something. Iago never gives anything for free," Flynn replied.
"Did he leave?" David asked.
"Yeah...but not right away. Someone at one of the tables stopped him on the way out," Flynn replied.
"Do you know who it was?" David asked. He nodded.
"His name is Rourke...he's kind of a mercenary I think. He's really shady...no one seems to know much about him," Flynn replied.
"Oh, I know the name...and you're right, he's a mercenary, but really elusive. He used to freelance for Clayton back in Longbourne. My father told me a bit about him," David said.
"He also managed to evade capture when we took down Pleasure Island...and I still don't know how he keeps off the grid like he does," he added.
"Yeah...I couldn't hear the conversation and getting closer would have been suicide, but he gave Runeard a business card," Flynn said.
"That's interesting...and really helpful," David replied.
"Are you going to book me?" Flynn asked.
"Why did you come here if you knew we might arrest you for something?" David countered with his own question. Flynn shrugged.
"I don't know...I hate cops and stuff, but this Runeard guy seems really bad. I mean, I hate the system...but I still want a world to live in, you know?" he asked. David nodded.
"We all do...and we're not going to book you tonight," David replied. Flynn's eyes widened.
"Really?" he asked.
"No...but do you have a place to stay tonight and don't say in a car or on the street," David replied.
"I'll...I'll figure it out. I always do," he replied.
"Yeah...that's what I thought. Come on," David said.
"Come where?" Flynn asked.
"You can stay with us until we get you enrolled in school and on your feet," David replied.
"I...I can't stay in a castle," Flynn said.
"It's no big deal. We have plenty of room, as you can imagine, and our youngest is about your age. He has an empty spare room right next to his," David replied, but he could see how uncomfortable the teen was.
"But if you'd rather, just go to Granny's and tell her I sent you. She'll get you settled," David said. He nodded, a little more comfortable with that.
"And make sure you go, because I will check and I will be making sure you're headed to school tomorrow when I send my son to take you there," David said.
"I don't need school…" Flynn argued. David smirked.
"It's school or juvie," he said. Flynn scoffed.
"Fine…" he relented. He'd figure out a way to get out of it later. David stood up and opened the door, letting him out, as Leroy waited.
"Make sure he gets to Granny's and get him checked in," David said, as he started to walk back toward the desk.
"You aren't booking him?" Leroy asked.
"No...he's just a kid, Leroy," David replied.
"You're such a softie," Leroy complained, but he wasn't too upset by that, as they got to the desk and he finished scribbling notes on the report.
"Here's the report. Stop working on your comic and get this typed up," Leroy ordered.
"Of course," the desk clerk said, as he looked at David.
"I...I just want to say that you're an inspiration. Your family...and the crime fighting. It's my basis for my own comic book," he said.
"That's...great," David replied, a bit awkwardly.
"Not if your comic is about duck people that are super heroes," Leroy muttered.
"Well, good luck. I need to get home," David said.
"Wait…" Drake called and David winced, as he stopped and turned around.
"I know it's a lot to ask...but your grandson is the author and I'd love it if he would read my stuff and give some feedback," Drake replied.
"Ahh...well, Henry's not really that hard to get a hold of. Shoot him an email," David suggested.
"I sort of sent him a few...dozen," Drake muttered.
"Okay...well, I really need to go," David said, as he started to head for the door.
"Dammit Mallard...I told you to limit working on that crap here at work and then you go weird Charming out with your hero worship?" Leroy scolded.
"Sorry…" he apologized, as he sighed and looked at his comic, before going back to work on it.
"Come on kid, I gotta take you to Granny's. Charming's orders," he said, as he ushered Flynn out to the car.
"Okay boys...I got the stuff for your s'mores," Belle said, as she exited the house and into the backyard where Gideon and Bobby were having a campfire in the fire pit. Rumple sat with them, as did Neal and Tink, who had come for dinner as well.
"Thanks Mom," Gideon said, as he helped her with the stuff.
"So Bobby...your Mom texted me that you have a date to winter formal on Saturday night," Belle mentioned.
"Uh yeah...I asked Zia," Bobby said shyly.
"Way to go, man," Neal said, as he fist bumped him.
"Yeah…Mom already bought new albums for the pictures," he said, with a flush of embarrassment.
"I think it's sweet...and it would be even sweeter if my Gideon wasn't refusing to go," Belle mentioned.
"Mom...not this again," Gideon complained, making Rumple smirk slightly.
"I just don't want you to miss out, sweetie. You can go without a date," Belle urged.
"Well...you know, he could ask Olivia. She hasn't been asked yet and I know she likes you," Bobby suggested. Gideon's eyes widened.
"Dude…" he hissed.
"Oh that sounds wonderful...Olivia is so sweet. You should ask her," Belle urged.
"Yeah and then we can take pictures together," Bobby snickered.
"I hate you," Gideon grumbled.
"Don't be so shy, baby bro. Ask her out," Neal urged. Gideon rolled his eyes.
"Fine…I'll ask her," he relented.
"Good...now on with the making of s'mores," Neal said, as they got the stuff out and started roasting some marshmallows.
David got home and upstairs to their living quarters. He removed his jacket and shoes, before padding into their bedroom and into the bathroom, finding his wife in the hot tub, as promised.
"Good...you're back and I'm almost out of wine," she purred, as she undressed him with her eyes. He smirked and grabbed the bottle on the sink and filled her glass and one that was waiting for him, before leaning down and kissing her.
"Get in here," she requested. He smiled and undressed, much to her liking, and slipped into the water with her.
"I missed you," she purred, as he kissed her again.
"I missed you," he replied, in a husky tone. She was going to ask him why he was called in, but she forgot all about anything else when he started kissing her neck.
"Charming…" she mewled, as he proceeded to make love to her. After, they rested together in the bubbling water, exchanging soft kisses, before she rested her head on his shoulder.
"So...what did Leroy need?" she asked, as he entwined their fingers together and kissed the back of her hand.
"Someone said they saw Runeard at Iago's earlier...and actually came in to report it," he answered. She looked up at him.
"Really?" she asked. He nodded.
"A young man, about Bobby's age. I suspect he's either an orphan or had a troubled home life. He has a rap sheet, but it's mostly petty and we've never been able to get him to tell us which land he's from," he replied.
"He wasn't included in the system from the Good Curse?" she asked. He shook his head.
"No...he skipped under the radar somehow. But what he saw scared him enough to report it," he replied.
"What did he see?" Snow asked.
"Iago mouthed off to him...you know, like Iago does and Runeard gave him a tiny taste of what he was capable of. Iago begged him to leave and he did, but not before someone else stopped him on the way out," David replied.
"Who?" Snow asked.
"A man named Rourke...who we also don't know a lot about, other than he's a mercenary. My dad said he freelanced for Clayton a few times though back in the Enchanted Forest. He usually operated out of Longbourne," David explained.
"What did a mercenary want with Runeard?" Snow asked. He shook his head.
"Not sure...the kid didn't get close enough to hear, but Rourke handed him a business card," David replied.
"What about the boy? Don't tell me he's sleeping on the streets or in one of those skeevy motels that Iago owns on the east side," she said.
"No…I offered to let him stay here, but I don't think he was comfortable with that. I think he's still trying to figure me out," he replied. She smiled.
"So I had Leroy take him to Granny's and I made sure he knows that he's going to school tomorrow. He didn't like that, but I told him it's school or juvie," he added. She kissed his cheek.
"You're such a good man...I love you so much," she replied.
"I love you too...and I'm the man I am, because of you," he said.
"You were a good man, even before me," she reminded him.
"Maybe...but you gave me everything I knew I wanted in life and more," he said.
"There was a time that I wasn't willing to take risks and fight for anything, even my own freedom. Then when I did...I guess I never stopped fighting so when I met you, I knew that I'd do anything for you and fight for you to my dying breath. And then our children," he said, making her want to melt.
"I know...you're my hero. You have been since we met," she replied, as she kissed him tenderly.
"But I have to say...I'm very much enjoying these peaceful days when we're not all in mortal danger," she added. He chuckled.
"Me too...come on, let's go dry off and get a snack. I could go for some ice cream," he mentioned.
"Oooh...me too," she agreed, as they got out and dried off, before putting their robes on and then padding out to the kitchen.
Hermes' bubble disappeared, as they touched down in New Asgard, where Sif was waiting for them. She hugged them both with excitement and then the children.
"We missed you Aunty Sif," Ben said.
"Oh, well I missed you too, young ones," Sif replied, as she led them toward the marketplace.
"Well...things are certainly looking good around here," Fandral mentioned.
"Yes...it helps that there are more hands to spread the work to now," Sif replied.
"What do you mean?" Rose asked, as they noticed there was also a lot of construction going on.
"They reversed the snap...most everyone that died five years ago has returned," she said.
"That's wonderful...but how is that possible?" Fandral asked.
"That is a long story, but we have breakfast ready at the royal house and Thor is waiting," Sif replied.
"Then Thor is taking his Throne seriously now?" Rose asked.
"No...he has put Valkyrie in charge and she is hard at work cleaning things up around here," Sif replied.
"Then it's true...Thor is leaving," Fandral said.
"He is...but with access to the bi-frost at his fingertips, I know he plans to pop in to visit all of you soon," she said, as they arrived and found breakfast waiting for them. As they prepared to sit and eat, Thor came barging in.
"Uncle Thor!" the kids called, as the three of them rushed up to hug him. He laughed and lifted the twins effortlessly.
"Every time I see you both...you've grown a mile," he said, as he put them down and Carina hugged him too.
"And you've become a young woman," he said, as he approached them.
"Is he okay?" Fandral muttered.
"He's better now that most of the damage has been fixed...but he still needs a shave and to get back to training," Sif whispered back.
"It is so good to see you, my friend," Thor said, as they shook hands and he smirked.
"Looks like you've been busy too," he mentioned, enjoying razzing him and he shook his head.
"Yes...you remember Rose, of course and these are our second set of twins. Astrid and Gunnar," he said, introducing him to the babies that Sif and Rose were holding.
"Strong Asgardian names," Thor said, as he sat down.
"So…Sif tells us that you fixed the damage done by Thanos. That is amazing news," Rose said.
"Yes...but I should say we fixed it. The Avengers, that is. We gathered the Infinity Stones and snapped them all back. Or rather, Banner did," he explained.
"But I thought you said they were destroyed," Fandral replied.
"Ah...they were, but we used time travel and retrieved them from the past, then Banner snapped everyone back. Unfortunately, Thanos followed us back here from the past, but we killed him properly this time. Then Captain Rogers put the stones back in their places in the past," he said.
"Time travel? I've read so many books about it...it's really possible?" Rose asked excitedly.
"Truly...and though it came with its prices, most that were snapped are back now," he replied.
"That's wonderful news," Fandral replied.
"We heard about Natasha...we didn't know her well, but she did help us a great deal when Seth banished us," Rose said.
"Natasha was one of a kind," Thor agreed.
"Are you really leaving?" Fandral asked.
"Yes...it's time I be myself and not who everyone thinks I'm supposed to be. But New Asgard will be in good hands with Valkyrie and Sif," he replied.
"And you're going to space?" Ben asked in awe.
"That's right, young one...but I plan to pop in to visit you from time to time. I still need to see your Kingdom," he promised.
"We would love to have you," Rose said.
"Yes...but until then I will be off on a new adventure with the Guardians of the Galaxy with Quail and the Rabbit," Thor replied.
"I think his name is Quill," Sif said.
"That's what I said," Thor replied and she rolled her eyes.
"Well...if you're not leaving right away, we'd love to spend the day with you until you go," Fandral said.
"Excellent...with the bi-frost, this world is at our fingertips," he said, as they finished breakfast and then ventured out for the day to see this world.
The next day went off mostly like any other weekday, with the work and school day commencing and Bobby met Flynn outside Granny's, as he promised his Dad he would. His parents were inside having breakfast with some of his siblings and he was done and ready to head to school.
"Are you Flynn?" Bobby asked, as the taller boy came out of the Inn.
"Yeah…" he replied with a sigh.
"I'm Bobby Charming," he said, as he put his hand out. Flynn looked at his hand and then reluctantly shook it.
"Yeah…I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are," Flynn said. Bobby nodded.
"Yeah…I guess they do," he replied.
"Look...school is not my thing so why don't we just pretend I went with you and call it good?" he asked.
"Sorry...my Dad was pretty clear that it's school or juvie for you and if he's giving you a chance with your rap sheet, then I'd say it's because he sees good in you. So take the deal," Bobby refuted. Flynn snorted and followed him, as they walked to school.
"They make you walk? No car?" Flynn asked.
"I'm fifteen and they would take me, but I don't mind walking. It's not that far," Bobby replied.
"I can get us a car," Flynn mentioned.
"One that's yours?" Bobby asked. Flynn scoffed.
"Details," Flynn muttered.
"Do you even have a driver's license?" Bobby asked.
"I'm not above stealing a car...why would I bother to get the license to drive one?" Flynn answered with his own question.
"Good point...and I bet you have a lot of great skills that you use for crime. I bet you can put them all to good use and actually learn something," Bobby said.
"Doubtful junior...your Dad is wrong about me," Flynn replied.
"We'll see…" Bobby said, as they arrived at school.
"Hey honey...we ordered for you," Snow said, as Eva and Paul arrived for breakfast.
"Yeah...you're lucky. Hope and I were going to make a claim on your pancakes," Emma joked, as she poured her daughter's milk into her sippy cup, before putting it before her.
"You okay? You seem flustered," David said.
"I take it that none of you listened to Goldie's podcast last night," Eva replied.
"Gross...no," Emma said.
"Yeah...you're the only one that listens to her trash," Leo pointed out.
"Honey...you shouldn't listen to her. She's horrible and we don't care what she says about us," Snow admonished.
"I know, Mom...but last night was different. She went after Emma pretty hard and basically said that Bobby could destroy the whole world by himself. She's pushing fear about us now," Eva said.
"Okay…I don't like that," David replied.
"Me either...maybe we should listen," Snow said. Emma rolled her eyes.
"No...you guys, who cares what that lunatic says?" she asked.
"We don't...but if she's inciting people to be fearful of our children, that's wrong," Snow replied.
"I know, Mom...but we expected this. People were already afraid of us when they saw what we did in Seattle and then when they saw the battle with Seth, we knew that fear that was on the corners of the Internet before would become a bit more mainstream," Emma reasoned.
"We did, Princess...but it sounds like she's using certain rhetoric to radicalize people against us," David said.
"He's absolutely right...and it's exactly the type of warfare that General Mendoza and the intelligence agencies use every day," Patricia said, as she joined them.
"Then you think Goldie has been recruited by General Mendoza?" Snow asked.
"I've been listening to all of her podcasts...like Eva has and I sent Agent Harding to New York to do a little digging," she replied.
"Then you were able to pinpoint her and Grimm's location to New York?" David asked.
"Yes, but only generally speaking to the city, which wouldn't have been possible without a top notch hacker, who did a favor for Agent Harding. The VPN they're using is top of the line and I mean nearly un-hackable, so they couldn't get in to pinpoint any kind of location or even radius," she explained.
"But they got a general geographical location on the last broadcast and it's definitely coming from the state of New York," she added.
"Which means it's a pretty good guess that they're in New York City, hiding in a sea of over eight million people," Emma replied. Patricia nodded.
"I can't say with one hundred percent certainty, but yes...it's a good guess," she said.
"Any ideas on how to narrow down the location?" David asked.
"Short of getting Agent Harding killed? No...because if Mendoza is funding her, then it's too dangerous to send her in closer. But the good news is that Goldie's ratings are abysmal, especially compared to Eva's. That won't make him happy," Patricia replied.
"Do you think he'll stop funding her?" Snow asked.
"He'll threaten to...unless she finds a way to get more traffic to her trash broadcast. Whether she will or not remains to be seen. However, I think I know of a way to combat her that will probably get her to act more erratic or even slip up," Patricia replied.
"How?" David asked. She looked at Eva.
"To your credit, because you're a person of such integrity, you have yet to call her out on your broadcast. You completely ignore her, which has been effective. But now that she has gone after your family so viciously, especially your parents, I think it might be time to speak out against her," she replied.
"Now that she's gone after your siblings, especially your brother, who's still a minor, I think you can call her out and still maintain the moral high ground, so to speak," she added.
"Consider it done...I have no problem going after her and I can do it without sounding petty like her," Eva said.
"Good...because I think her purpose of going after you kids is to get a reaction from you two," Patricia replied. David sighed.
"Probably...even if we did know where she was and went barreling there, she'd spin it as aggression on our part," he said.
"Which is why this is better. This is definitely a war...but an information war and Eva is winning it against her. Ten fold," Patricia replied. Snow smiled.
"That's because Goldie is a two bit hack and Grimm's blog is abhorrent with stories that I'm sure only sadists want to read. And our baby, like all our babies, is incredibly talented," she said, as she hugged her daughter.
"She's right," David agreed, as he hugged her too.
"Thanks Mom and Dad, but I better go or we'll be late," she said to Paul. They paid their check and all parted ways for the day for their respective jobs.
Henry sat in his study, responding to some of his correspondence in New York and browsing what they had sent him. Apparently, they wanted a rebuttal to Grimm's latest blog posts, which were more twisted stories on classic characters and honestly, it was hard for him to read these scenarios when he knew Grimm would love to make his versions reality for many of the people he loved.
"Hey...you look like you could use this," Ella said, as she brought him a cocoa with cinnamon.
"Thanks...you have no idea," he said, as he took a sip.
"Ugh…I can't believe Grimm's grisly blog of horrors has that many hits," she mentioned, as she looked at the page.
"Me either...though in terms of the Internet, that's a pretty low to median amount of people," he reasoned.
"Still too many likes for my taste," she said. He smiled.
"Me too...but I think there's a reason he has no dislike button. I'm positive the dislikes would outweigh the likes," he mentioned.
"Very true...is this some of the same stuff in those manuscripts that we burned?" she asked.
"Probably...it doesn't surprise me that he digitally backed up the hard copies. Still creepy to think that he could have made all this reality if he had gotten blood from my grandparents and used it as ink," he shuddered.
"He can never get that now...and you're a much better writer than him. He's arrogant to think that he has any talent," she said.
"It's his family name...he thinks he's entitled to be the official story and some would consider him to be more official than me. A lot of movies and other stories have been based on the work of a Grimm," he reminded her.
"Mm...maybe, but you were chosen by Merlin and that makes you the official author and the best," she said, as she kissed him tenderly.
"Thanks," he said, with a smile.
"Come on...take a break. Let's go get lunch," she suggested.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea...I'm starved," he agreed, as he closed his laptop for now and they went to lunch. He would finish his rebuttal later. They exited the house and got a text on his phone.
"Who's it from?" she asked.
"Eva...she wants me to come on her next broadcast," he said.
"I guess she's going after Goldie and Grimm," he added.
"Well, it's about time after everything they've said about this family," Ella replied.
"I'm not surprised by the timing. They went after Mom and Bobby hard in their last one. If my grandparents knew where they were...they'd be toast right about now," Henry said.
"Which is probably exactly what they wanted and would have painted them as violent. This is a much better way to fight them," she reasoned.
"Agreed...though I can't say that none of us wouldn't enjoy seeing your Grams put an arrow in that blonde twat waffle," she added, making him laugh out loud.
"Yeah…I think we'd all enjoy that. But we can settle for completely discrediting her on Eva's podcast, which does bonkers numbers compared to Goldie's," he said. She smiled and nodded, as they drove to Granny's for lunch.