Well, the plan was to get this up on 5/15 (EST), but I'm a lazy ass, so 'twas not to be.

So here's the thing, right?

I've had issues with OUAT in the past; how the writers have handled characters and how they always seem to go with the easier, less complicated option/ending instead of going where the plot seems to be leading (which is often in a direction that makes much more sense to me). Saltiness abounds, don't even get me started. But I have to say, I never felt compelled to do the thing and write a fic until the Jekyll/Hyde and Aladdin arcs.

I had a lot of issues with the Jekyll/Hyde and Aladdin arcs (totally not just because Sam Witwer is bae, although let's be real, he is – and do not even get me started on Deniz, Oded, and Karen…).

And then, of course, the rest of season 6 happened and I've been having a very difficult time accepting any of it. So I've taken more than a few liberties here, and I'll post reminders of this fact at the start of more relevant chapters. Just know now that this is a complete overhaul – particularly in the second arc – and, no, my OC is not a self-insert.

I'll be using the two arc structure of seasons 2-5, but the middle will include a much clearer setup.

Unnecessary Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time or any of its characters or plot and I do not post this story for profit.

"Come on, we could use some extra help."

She straightened her black jacket. The hem always rode up when she walked.

"Why would you open the only jewelry shop in Storybrooke if you didn't wanna talk to people?"

Her purse bounced against her side, and her silver ring got caught when she straightened the strap on her shoulder.

"I mean, I guess you didn't open the shop, but you kept it running, right?"

She had smiled at that. Henry was a sweet kid; not surprising for the owner of the heart of the truest believer. And she was his favorite shop owner – an honor, she was sure – so it wasn't surprising that he'd come to ask for her help.

"And who knows? Maybe you'll like socializing. Y'know, getting to know people?"

Before she had known what she was doing, she had conceded. She was becoming convinced that it was impossible to say no to Henry. So, the next morning she had donned a flowy pink tank and her signature black boots and made her way out into the chilled autumn air.

As Rose Foxley pushed open the front door of Granny's, she caught the end of Mayor Mills saying something about togetherness and got swept up into the applause. It wasn't until it had died down that Henry realized she was there, his face lighting up as he made his way over. She vaguely heard someone enter the diner behind her, but she had no chance to turn around.

"Fox," Henry greeted, smiling up at her. "You made it!" His brunette mother made her way over as well.

"Well, I guess I have a hard time saying no to the kid who supports my business."

"Oh, Henry, who's this?" the mayor asked, glancing down at her son before turning her gaze back up to Fox. Henry's expression suffered a moment of confusion. His mother had told him before that she knew exactly who had been brought here with the first curse. She brought who she wanted.

"I'm Rose Foxley-Fox." She held out a hand and the mayor hesitantly shook it. "I'm a fairy," she explained lowly out of the corner of her mouth, "I broke off from the flock. Got swept up in the second curse." Henry's brow smoothed out in understanding and the mayor nodded, her face warming.

"She owns a jewelry shop near the bed and breakfast," the teenager explained before regarding Fox again. "And she lets me do my homework at one of the tables outside."

"Oh, that's nice," Mayor Mills noted pleasantly. She let go of Fox's hand. The fairy would never admit it, but she felt a small wave of relief. Perhaps she had never personally met the mayor, but she certainly knew her reputation. However, she had seen her eyes in town meetings and looking at them now, there seemed to be something different. Fox drew a short breath in through her teeth.

"Anyway, your son convinced me to come and help with our new…citizens?" Henry looked up at his mom as she raised her eyebrows a moment and shrugged one shoulder. Apparently, nobody had thought that far in advance. Fox raised her eyebrows in kind and nodded once before continuing. "Is there anything I can do? You seem to have things pretty much," she glanced around the woman before her, "all figured out." The mayor looked back for a moment before turning to the fairy once again.

"Well, we still need to take names. Seems it's about time for another census." Fox had never noticed before just how expressive the mayor could be. The Queen had seemed to be some stoic, shadowy figure, sending flames at anyone who dared challenge her. This woman's face was far more eloquent than the other fairies had given it credit for. She sent a smile down to her son. "We can't have Henry doing all the work." The corner of Fox's mouth turned up.

"I'd be more than happy to help, Madam Mayor." The mayor chuckled and brushed the formality off.

"Oh, please, call me Regina," she insisted. Fox gave a real smile at that. "Excuse me." Regina headed into the fray. The fairy turned to Henry, eager to get started. The sooner she was engaged in some sort of work, the sooner she could forget that she was in an inherently uncomfortable situation. Fox had never been much of a one for large groups of people.

"So, where are we with that list?" Fox and Henry moved back to the bar and David and Snow directed refugees over to them on their way to lunch. Fox took her jacket off and hung it on the back of her seat, then hung her purse over it.

"Here." Henry slid a mostly blank sheet of notebook paper to her, a ballpoint pen sitting atop it. "A couple of the refugees aren't here today, we couldn't fit everyone," Fox nodded. "I've already got them on my list, so now we just need to get down everyone's name who's here now," he explained.

"You got it, chief." Henry smiled at her, and she couldn't help but smile back. Shaking her nerves was going to be impossible, but something about this kid made it easier. But again, she supposed, he did have the heart of the truest believer.

Fox looked down at the paper in front of her. There was a column for names and a separate column for number of children. She asked Henry about it.

"Well, Grandma figured with all the untold stories around here, it might be good to keep the kids out of it. And Storybrooke does have a daycare." Fox raised her eyebrows.

"Huh. That's a good idea." She settled into her seat and greeted the first person to approach her, having been directed by Snow herself. Henry moved to sit down himself, before he noticed a scruffy-looking man enter through the front door as Hook, Emma, and Belle exited. The newcomer walked slowly into the diner. He was blonde, and dressed in grey with a long, embroidered yellow vest and a scarf draped around his neck.

"Who are you?" Henry asked the strangler abruptly. He stopped and turned his head to face the brunette.

"Beg your pardon?" His voice was soft, as though he didn't use it much.

"What's your name? If I can find your story then maybe we can figure out how to pick up where you left off." The blonde turned slowly to face Henry, straightening his thin grey coat.

"You won't find me in there, m'boy. I'm not important enough to have my own tale." Henry chuckled.

"Don't say that," he encouraged, turning back to the book. "Lemme just see if I can find you," he muttered. What he didn't see was the newcomer depositing an envelope on the bar beside him and turning to exit through the front door, as quickly and silently as he had come only moments earlier. By the time Henry turned to look, he was gone.

The front of the envelope had no writing on it. Only an old-fashioned crimson wax stamp with an ornate letter M carved into it. Henry picked it up and turned it over. On the back, in calligraphy, was inscribed Snow White and Prince Charming. The teenager frowned down at it, then turned to Fox, who was chatting with an animated little brown man in poufy dress, complete with a large yellow top hat. The man paused to write his name on her list and Henry gently tapped her on the shoulder.

"I'll be right back." She nodded and the corner of her mouth lifted in what fell just short of a happy expression. He recognized that look as the one she gave customers when she was desperate to close her shop for the night, but shrugged it off and waved his grandparents over.

"Henry," his grandfather greeted before he could usher them outside, "how's that list going?" Snow's eyes moved to Fox and her brow lifted in confusion.

"Oh, hello." The man with the top hat – Mitul was his name – moved on to pick up some lunch and Fox turned to give the princess before her full attention.

"Hi," she greeted cheerfully, still in customer mode. "Sorry, we haven't met." Fox held out her hand. "I'm Fox, I run Three Gem Jewelers by the bed and breakfast." Snow shook her hand warmly, then David in turn.

"That's right," the prince said with recognition in his eyes. He regarded his wife. "You remember? I got your last anniversary present there." Snow's eyes lit up.

"Oh yeah!" She turned to Fox. "It's so nice to meet you!" Well, the princess was definitely as sweet as her reputation. Fox smiled back; her second genuine smile of the day.

"It's really nice to meet you too," she expressed, truthfully. "And, honestly, I'm not sure how you two have time for anniversaries with all the sword clanging that happens in this town." Snow laughed and looked up at her husband as he responded, a smile on his face.

"Well, we make time." He settled an arm around his wife without even looking, like it was a natural thing. Henry supposed it was and smiled at the thought. David turned his eyes to his grandson again. "So, have you written down everyone who's not here?"

"Yep," Henry replied, "I think so."

"Are you sure?" Snow asked. "You've got the Doolittles?" Henry nodded. "The Pixleys?" Henry briefly glanced down at the list, then returned his eyes to his grandma and nodded again. She gasped. "Oh, and, of course, we can't forget about Dr. Jekyll," she added.

"And Mr. Hyde," David added grimly. Fox, who had been helping someone new, froze and looked up at the Charmings. As soon as the brightly dressed woman at her side had moved on, she spoke up.

"I'm sorry, did you just say Dr. Jekyll?"

"Well, yes," said Snow, frowning. Henry rifled through the story book on the counter. It was clear from just one look at the illustrations that this was not his original book. No fairytale princesses to be found here.

"Why, you know him?" asked David, also frowning. Finding the page he was looking for, Henry slid his book closer to Fox. She inclined her head and gazed down at the illustration of a tall, imposing man standing over a much smaller, wide-eyed fellow. They wore the same clothes, but that was as far as their similarities went. For one thing, the man on his feet was clearly scruffier, and sporting a set of mutton chops to boot. The man on the floor had lighter hair, but a more tanned complexion. But the thing that stood out the most was how terrified the man on the floor seemed. And Fox had an idea of just what was inspiring that terror. She didn't look up as she answered.

"We crossed paths a long time ago." There were several moments of silence between them. Then, as if remembering where she was, Fox took a sharp breath in and lifted her head, at the crowd gathering to her left. "So. Who's next?" The Charmings glanced at one another, but let it go. They moved away when Henry waved them to the exit. Before he followed them, Henry turned to Fox again.

"Are you okay?" She chuckled lightly.

"I'm fine, Henry. It's just been a while since I was around this many people," she glanced around the room and, for a moment, she saw a great hall of stone and a well-dressed turnout. Quickly, though, Granny's came back into view with its diverse crowd of people who needed help. "It takes some getting used to." Henry nodded.

"Okay, well…" he shrugged, "I'll be right back." She nodded and gestured for the next person to come over.

Once Henry came back, they made a rather extensive list. People from dozens of realms had come to Storybrooke, and whenever someone with a familiar name came to the bar, the teenager would stop to find them in one of his books. He had brought several with him. And they discovered far more connections between the stories than even Henry would have expected.

Finally they made it through everyone. It had taken about an hour, simply because so many of the newcomers had questions. Where could they work? Where could they rent? Did something called Billings Root grow in Storybrooke? Once it had died down, Henry looked over at Fox.

"What did you mean?" he asked suddenly. "What you said about Dr. Jekyll," he clarified. "That you'd 'crossed paths.'" Fox hesitated and considered lying. But then she really looked at Henry. He might have been a kid, but he was still the Author. Whatever she hid from him now, he might just write about on his own. And if Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde were both really in Storybrooke, all the townspeople would find out sooner rather than later. Then there was always the chance that her story was already in one of the – evidently numerous – story book volumes. Besides, what was to stop him from telling one of his moms that she was hiding something? Both women were forces to be reckoned with. But still…

Fox glanced around cautiously. Her past was…complicated, to put it mildly. The magic in it was murky and convoluted. She had spent too much time trying to get away from anything to do with the good doctor and his doppelgänger to be pulled back into the fold by a new townsperson with large ears now. Of course, she had known that getting involved with the Land of Untold Stories would be a mistake. Still, she had allowed herself to hope that maybe – just maybe – Storybrooke could be her safe haven. Nobody seemed to be listening, but that did not mean she shouldn't be wary. In the end, she kept her words few and simple.

"Just be careful," she warned lowly, still glancing around the room. "He may be charming, but Jekyll might not be what he seems." Henry was confused.

"But–" he began, brow furrowed.

"Henry." Regina appeared behind him, as if on cue. Fox jumped, not having seen her approach, but she covered it by turning back to the bar. "Listen, I have to go deal with something, but I'll be back soon."

"Okay, mom." She kissed his cheek, gave Fox a smile, and left the diner. When Henry turned back to the bar, he was frowning slightly, but Fox was looking down at her watch.

"Oh, y'know what, I've actually gotta get going too. I closed the shop but someone's coming in for a ring resizing and I didn't wanna cancel on her." She handed Henry her list. "Sorry, kiddo."

"It's okay." He looked around, but didn't see his grandparents or Hook. "Where is everyone?" he mused.

"Maybe you should give Violet a call," Fox suggested as she donned her jacket. Henry gave her a look, but he couldn't fight the blush rising to his cheeks. The fairy chuckled and swung her purse onto her shoulder. "I'll see you on Tuesday after school for cocoa and literature?" If there was one thing Fox had done plenty of, it was reading. Having been swept up in the second curse, she had missed what could have been twenty-eight years of becoming accustomed to this world. As soon as the townspeople had regained their memories of how the second curse had been cast, Fox had set about learning everything she could about Storybrooke. It seemed she – and everyone else – would be there for a long while.

"You got it." She gave Henry one last smile, patted his shoulder, and bustled out the front door.

Normally she preferred the walk, but if Jekyll and Hyde were in town, it was best she lay low. Fox knew she couldn't hide forever, but she could try. A few steps down the sidewalk, she waved her hand and disappeared in a cloud of sparkling pink smoke. Before she knew it she was behind the doors of her apartment, away from a made-up appointment and concealed from her own untold story.