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!
Another special note: Since several people seem to be missing it, I've had questions about Ingrid and her sisters and the Northuldra. It is NOT a plot hole. Please refer to chapter 230. It is explained there and some seem to be missing it. Ingrid and Helga were Northuldra, but Ingrid and Helga were away the day Runeard attacked. To keep Ingrid from destroying everything in rage, the rock trolls stepped in and took their memories of their true origins. If you read the beginning of chapter 230, it's explained.
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: 235-248
Season 10: 249-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: formerly, Laura Dern - upon return, Heather Lindell
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
Hiram Flaversham: Adam Campbell
Olivia Flaversham: Isabel Durant
Captain Phoebus: Trevor Donovan
Kronk: Patrick Warburton
Kuzco: John Leguizamo
Alexandra Herman: Ashley Benson
Carina Dashing: Abby Ross
Ben Dashing: Jack Messina
Arianna Dashing: Mckenna Grace
Gideon Gold: Giles Matthey
Chip Potts: Greg Rikaart
Davy Jones: Bill Nighy (by popular demand)
If I missed any, let me know and I will add to the face claims. :)
Here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Yep, Amora is still on the loose. And Mephisto is back, because he's the ultimate evil. Glad you enjoyed it!
Jennifer Baratta: Glad you enjoyed it! Yep, Mendoza and Mephisto are on borrowed time, as is Amora.
Number Ten: Yeah, there is no light without darkness, unfortunately. Yep, he's the ultimate evil and he's back. It will be an epic fight for sure. Yeah, they will be prepared and are about to find out where he's been all this time. I know, poor James and Aphrodite. Thankfully, they are finally together. Yeah, it looks like Flynn has found himself a family. Yeah, the Star Wars troll doesn't bother me too much. At least this one isn't being cruel, even though their compliments are disingenuous. It's horrible that you got harassed. No need to be sorry. You can always vent. :)
Erica Phoenix 16: You're welcome
Zariah: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, I think Phoebus is a good choice. He doesn't have a family or a purpose and now he does. It will also humble him as well. Yes, my Chaos is probably closer to the version in Sailor Moon where it could possess people. Yeah, merging with Amora's spirit could be huge trouble. Yeah, I didn't think she would be much of a threat either, but decided to bring her back for another go. Well, we know Mendoza's ancestor was a navigator for the Dragon King and Queen, before he betrayed them for Clayton's ancestors, so it makes sense that this Mendoza kept his connection to Clayton and may have been traveling with him. We'll find out more about him soon when he comes back into focus. Yep, Mephisto is probably the most evil being they have faced. Seth was bad, but too petulant and child-like in a way. Jekyll was obviously unhinged too. Mephisto could be the worst of all. I love Dashing Rose too and am glad that Johnny is trying to redeem himself. Thanks, glad you liked it!
Sexystarwarslover: Yeah, they will have a bit of down time before they jump into the next adventure. Yeah, Mephisto will be an interesting undertaking. Yep, the Void is not done. A speck survived and merged with Amora's essence so that will be trouble. Yeah, Bianca had quite a time. Fortunately, she lived, thanks to Snow and David. Yep, two overprotective husbands making sure their wives get checked out at the hospital. Yep, a Glass Believer reunion too! Yep, looks like Flynn has found a family that is inviting him in with open arms. Snow is such a Mom. I love it too. I like that Johnny is trying to turn his life around too, despite knowing that Natalie has moved on with Diego. He's still doing it for his son and himself. Yep, some good Snowing lovin' at last.
Yep, Prince Goddess was briefly reunited and then separated again. And thanks to Mendoza no less. Yeah, Snow and Charming would have met and probably something like in 6x7. Nope, Amora will never have Fandral, but she won't stop trying. Yeah, I'm afraid Rourke was only half time. Yep, there are more adventures ahead! Glad you're enjoying!
AnonSnowing: Yep, they need to eliminate chaos. There probably can be no balance with that kind of darkness around. I'm glad Bianca survived too. I love overprotective Charming and Fandral too. Their fussing is very sweet. Yeah, Phoebus found a purpose and will be humbled by this new endeavor. Yep, looks like Bobby is keeping the fish hook sword. It's kind of meant for him. Yeah, Rose in danger is the only thing that can really put Fandral on edge. Yep, a little alone time for Snowing. Yeah, Fandral is going through something right now that might not be easily settled. Yep, James and Aphrodite almost were together again, but unfortunately Mendoza intervened and we'll see where he fits in all this soon. I think Rumple can sleep if he wants, but doesn't really need to. Yeah, Mephisto can't be allowed to conduct his evil freely too much longer. Yep, it was probably Vegas in David's dream! Yep, Rourke was halftime. Glad you're enjoying!
The Grey Jedi 2020: No, you only had to wait two weeks for the start of a new season! I'm not really sure what a Heartless is. Chaos was an entity in Greek Mythology. Though my version of Chaos is more derived from the final evil from Sailor Moon, as this Chaos can possess people. I've heard of Kingdom Hearts, but I'm not much of a gamer so I don't know much about it. I would say Chaos is still the Void though. Yeah, Amora's obsession probably kept her from causing major chaos before. I didn't dislike Ella in season 7 and I understood why they told a new story. We already knew the other Ella's story.
Yeah, we see Goldie and Grimm one more time in this chapter, before they're off to prison. I'm sure most of the undead are following the new Davy Jones. The only reason they were out of control before is Rourke made his father call them to wreck havoc. Yep, Flynn has found himself a family. I'm not sure he's a Charming yet, but probably on his way to being one. Yeah, Fandral is being hard on himself and may continue to be for a while. But Rose will help him through it. Yeah, Dashing Rose is adorable. It's a natural progression with Natalie I think. It's been a year and some change since they met each other and I imagine they grew close through the experience of her having her own child. I don't believe two people should be together just for the sake of a child. My Dad married my second step-mother for the sole reason that she was having his child and it was a disaster. I think Leo and Elsa will get there eventually.
That remains to be seen if they can force Amora into the Underworld. Now that she's the Void, it will probably be a battle. Glad you think so about my love scenes. I try. Yep, James and Aphrodite got separated again after a brief reunion. We don't know how yet, except that Mendoza was involved. We'll find out eventually. No, not really Palpatine. It's Mephisto. Yeah, he's technically the devil, but it's not too much in my opinion. Plus, he may not be someone they can defeat, but need to banish. We shall see. Yeah, I bet it's a trip living there. Yep, family dinner and reflections. Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Finding You Always
Chapter 249: That's Life
Lancelot motioned to the Knights and Officers, as they moved on the small residence with stealth and he was joined at point by Xander that morning.
Since the prison break, they had gotten dozens of calls to all precincts about suspicious activity. This particular cottage was on the outskirts of Camelot and normally abandoned. But they had gotten tips of activity and lurkers around there by some of the farmers and Lancelot had been staking it out. Sure enough, he saw a few escapees floating around it and made the call to Xander and they prepared a raid.
"Yep...you were right. That's Sid Phillips. No sign of Aiden Slade though," he said.
"Drug den...and there might be a few innocents inside. Barely legal ones," Lancelot agreed. Xander sighed.
"Yeah...this time they're getting the book thrown at him," he said. These two had been in and out of prison several times, six months here and there, sometimes a year or two. But being serial reoffenders, he was positive his son was going to advocate for the maximum sentences.
"Okay...let's go," he said, as he drew his gun. Lancelot preferred his sword and unsheathed it, as he and Xander led the charge. Lancelot kicked the door down with ease and armed Officers and Knights flooded the cottage. Xander and Lancelot went in last and there was a scream from a young woman that was with Sid, as he was grabbed and cuffed. Lancelot flicked on a light and there was drug paraphernalia scattered on the coffee table and open containers of alcohol.
"Where's Aiden Slade?" Xander asked.
"How should I know? I'm not his keeper," Sid growled.
"Nice place," Lancelot commented.
"Well, I had a place in Storybrooke, but then I went to prison and it wasn't mine no more," he said, as Xander put a blanket around the young woman.
"How old are you?" he asked. The frightened young woman looked at Sid, who was glaring at her.
"E...eighteen," she fibbed and Xander blocked Sid's view.
"How old are you really? He can't hurt you," he said.
"Sixteen…" she admitted.
"You're dead, you little bitch!" Sid growled, as he struggled against Lancelot, who had no problem subduing him and tossing him into the patrol car.
"Where do you live?" Xander asked.
"Um…Iago gives me room and board if I work as a dancer. But I...I needed extra money and there are ways to get it. Sid bought me a drink and said he had friends willing to pay for my...services. But he needed to try me for himself first," she said, clearly ashamed. Xander sighed.
"Am I going to be arrested?" she asked.
"No...but we do need to take you into protective custody. There's a shelter in Storybrooke and you can stay there. They'll help you get on your feet and find a real job," he replied, as he led her out to the other patrol car.
"James…" Xander said, as he put his phone to his ear.
"Slade isn't here...but we got Phillips. There's enough to throw the book at him this time for sure," he said.
"That's great...and a tip actually just came in on Slade. I'm headed to Iago's now," James answered.
"Good...keep me posted," Xander said, as he hung up and got into the car.
Aiden Slade slithered into Iago's that morning and was glad it was mostly dead. Just a few of the regulars and he slid into a booth across from his little sister.
"You're out...where's Angelica?" Haddie asked.
"Still laying low...she's a wanted serial murderer, after all," he reminded. She nodded.
"Mom is trying to get us passage out of the United Realms. She says if we can get out, then we can disappear," Haddie said.
"Mom will never get us out. The Charmings have a stranglehold on the ports and now that Pleasure Island is no longer a criminal haven, we're on borrowed time," he replied.
"What are you going to do?" Haddie asked.
"Live it up while I can," he said, as he went to the bar and Luka went white as a sheet as he saw his fugitive ex-boyfriend there.
"Aiden…" he said.
"Bet you weren't expecting to see me again for a while," he replied.
"What...what are you doing here?" Luka asked.
"Laying low...I'll have a drink and maybe you too," he leered.
"That's not going to happen," Luka said, as he poured the drink. Aiden smirked.
"Why not? I mean, we know you screwed up and missed the boat with fur boy," he joked. Aiden glared at him.
"Take your drink and go," Luka replied.
"Yeah...he's the one that got away, isn't he? But it's for the best I think. He's a freak and married a freak just like himself," Aiden said.
"Shut up…" Luka growled.
"Like you could make me...we know who's stronger between us," Aiden leered.
"Just go," Luka said.
"Nah...let's go in back and have some fun, just like old times. You know you want to," Aiden said.
"I'm not stupid...I know that the whole time we were going out that you wanted to be with the critter whisperer. But we both know he couldn't show you the good time I did," Aiden said, as he grabbed Luka's arm.
"Let go…" Luka demanded.
"Not until I get what I want…" Aiden said, as he brandished a gun and Luka swallowed thickly.
"Now…I need a way out of the United Realms and you might just be the ticket. Not very high profile, but those bleeding hearts will do anything to prevent any bloodshed. You're going to call the Travel Vizier, get me a passport, and then I'll be out of your hair," Aiden said, as he led him toward the back.
"Then while we're waiting...we'll make good use of one of these rooms. I'll even leave some money on the nightstand when I'm done," he added.
"Freeze Slade," James said, as he appeared through the back entrance and the perpetrator put the gun to Luka's head.
"I'll blow his head off...I swear," he threatened. Haddie saw the commotion and attempted to sneak out, but found Emma standing there in her way.
"Sorry cupcake...you're under arrest too," she said.
"I didn't do anything!" Haddie claimed.
"You were harboring a fugitive. We had your mother's house staked out last night. The real question is where is your older sister?" Emma asked.
"No idea what you're talking about, Sheriff," Haddie replied. She smirked.
"That's fine...we'll see how you feel about that when you're facing hard time," she said, as she led her out. James followed her with Aiden and turned to Luka.
"We need you to come down and make a statement," he said. Luka nodded.
"I'll call Iago and get someone else in here to cover," he replied glumly. James nodded.
"Don't try to skip it...or I'll track you down too," he warned.
Later that morning, Snow and David entered the Storybrooke station. They were managing the loose ends and making sure all the arrests made were in order. David also wanted to assess anyone that hadn't been apprehended yet to make special patrols for any violent offenders that might be out there still. She decided to tag along since they wanted to spend the day together and the last place she wanted to be today was her office. After another harrowing experience, they were ready for a day at their beach house together and he promised they were heading that way after this quick stop.
"Wow…I guess it's been a while since I've been here," she said, taking in all the changes and complete expansion and remodel. It made her nostalgic and she remembered it from years ago and the first time she had seen him at the Sheriff's desk, over forty years ago and she marveled at how much had changed.
Flashback
"I'm sorry if I was being presumptuous. I just heard about Whale missing and I thought you might need someone to watch Emma," she fretted, afraid she had overstepped. He smiled and stood up, surprising her by cupping her face and kissing her tenderly. Her face flushed and she felt like she was floating, as their lips parted.
"Sorry...I've just wanted to do that all day," he said.
"Don't be sorry," she replied, clearly saying he could do that any time he wanted.
"Are you sure you wouldn't mind watching her for a bit?" he asked.
"I'd love to. She can come home with me and then you can pick her up when you're done," she suggested.
"Thanks," he said, as he knelt beside Emma.
"Daddy has to work late tonight. Would you be okay going home with Mary Margaret for a while? I'll be by to pick you later," he promised.
"Okay," she replied. He kissed her head and she packed her things up, including her book.
"I'll see you later Princess," he said. Mary Margaret smiled and led her out by the hand.
At that point, she hadn't even known she was Emma's real mother, his wife, and for that matter, Snow White. But she had already been in love with him and loved Emma as her own as well. She could scarcely believe their journey from then to now, but even through those trying times, she wouldn't change any of it. If the price of being together and sharing a love like they had was that they had to be on the frontlines in a battle against all the evils, she wouldn't change it. Because she knew all those trying times were followed with bliss and peaceful times.
"It certainly is different…" Snow said, as Emma came out of the Sheriff's office.
"Drake...I emailed you the latest arrests. Please get them uploaded to the system," Emma said, as she came out of her office. Normally, Drake Mallard worked the night shift, but they had asked him to pull a double with all the recent chaos.
"Yes Sheriff...oh wow, it's you again and the Queen," Drake uttered, as he noticed them there.
"Get going Drake," Emma warned, as he scurried away.
"He's still working on that comic, I see," David mentioned.
"Don't get me started…" Emma said, as she handed him the arrest list.
"That's pretty good...doesn't look like we have too many out there," he said, as he looked it over.
"Yeah...most of the dangerous ones were scooped up, except Angelica Slade, including these two, of course," she said, referring to Goldie and Grimm, who were in the holding cells.
"I haven't transferred them yet, because I wanted to see how you wanted to charge them. You have grounds for royal tribunals if you wanted to," Emma said. He nodded, as they approached the cells.
"Ugh...these cots are worse than sleeping on rocks," Goldie complained.
"What's the matter...is that bed too hard?" Emma teased.
"Oh how clever...Goldilocks jokes," Goldie retorted.
"Yeah...that joke was too easy, I'll give you that, but I couldn't help myself. I'd ask if you slept well...but that would imply I care," Emma shot back, as Goldie glared at her.
"Just sentence us already so I don't have to be in the same room as her," Goldie growled, as her eyes were shooting daggers at Snow. The raven haired beauty rolled her eyes.
"Ugh...get over it already. I'm not to blame for your crappy life," Snow said.
"She's right...and no deals here. Maximum sentence. Two counts of first degree murder and a host of other charges is enough for death row," David said. She smirked.
"Whose the murder now?" Goldie challenged.
"Still you...and I know, given the chance, that you'd do anything to hurt Snow and you'll never change," David said, as he signed off on the tablet.
"Tribunal it is," he said, as they moved onto the next cell.
"Now you…" he said, looking at Grimm.
"I'm not in her league," he defended himself.
"No...unless you have a pen in your hand," Emma said.
"Well...your son is the author and I'll never have the chance. I have no kids and the Grimm line dies with me," he said regrettably.
"And those evil books that we found...the ones you planned to write us all into if you ever did get the author pen? Were those the only copies?" David questioned. He smirked.
"Of course not...I knew I'd need a bargaining chip," he said. David put his hands on his hips.
"Fine...you want a deal? You tell us where the copies are," David said.
"Take the death penalty off the table and plead my sentence down and we'll talk," Grimm replied.
"Life sentence," David said.
"Life sentence and I get to write my blog," Grimm replied. David clenched his teeth.
"Fine...no one reads it anyway. Where are those copies?" he asked. Grimm smirked and took a flash drive out of his pocket.
"This better be it...or you'll be seeing me again and it won't be pleasant," David warned.
"Trust me...that's it and I have no desire to ever see any of you again," Grimm replied, as they moved onto the next holding cell.
"Lancelot and Gramps found him this morning, being a piece of crap, as usual," Emma said, as they saw Sid Phillips passed out in the cell.
"Drugs, underage soliciting, statutory rape...yeah, don't let the district attorney get less than thirty to life for this one," David said, as they moved onto the final cell.
"Wha...thirty to life!?" Sid cried, as he heard that and woke up.
"You gotta get me a deal!?" he pleaded.
"You have nothing we need or want," Emma replied.
"And finally these two…" she said.
"Gramps is picking up Mrs. Slade as we speak. We have her and Haddie on harboring a fugitive and I wouldn't be surprised if they know where Angelica is hiding," Emma said, as her father looked over the arrest records.
"We can leverage probation with Haddie and her mother if they tell us. As for him…" David said, as he looked at the charges.
"Yeah...he planned to take Luka hostage and use him to get a pass out of here and that probably wasn't all he was going to do to him," Emma said. Aiden smirked.
"Luka and I have history...he would have enjoyed that part," Aiden claimed.
"Where's Angelica?" David asked.
"Get me a good deal and maybe I'll tell you," Aiden replied, with a smirk.
"Nah…I don't need your help to find her. I just thought you'd help yourself by knocking a few years off your sentence. We'll get her too," David retorted, as he signed off on his arrest.
"No deals for him...advocate for the maximum sentence with him," David said. Emma smirked.
"That's at least twenty years, without the possibility of parole," Emma said. Aiden frowned.
"You're bluffing...that's an insane amount of time. I didn't kill anyone!" he shouted.
"No...but this isn't your first offense and you've proven you're a repeat offender. That gives us grounds to petition the courts for the maximum sentence. But I might put parole on the table if you tell me where your serial killer sister is," David replied. Aiden was silent and pondered for a moment, debating whether or not to rat Angelica out.
"Don't you dare see a word, Aiden!" Mrs. Slade said, as Xander brought her in, handcuffed.
"Oh good...one big happy jailbird family," Emma said.
"You've harassed my family for the last time, Sheriff! Haddie and I have done nothing wrong!" she claimed.
"You harbored a fugitive and you probably know where Angelica is. Give her up and I'll release you and Haddie on probation," David offered. She scoffed.
"I wish that Rourke character had succeeded and put you and your precious family down. This whole place would be better off!" she claimed.
"Sorry you feel that way...the offer expires in thirty minutes," David said.
"Do your worst, Sheriff...we're not telling you where Angelica is," Haddie said crossly.
"You won't have to," Leo said, as he and Elsa entered the station with Angelica Slade, whose wrists were confined by a pair of ice shackles that Elsa had fashioned.
"Nice work...where did you find her?" Emma asked, as she was put in a cell with her brother.
"We caught her at the reserve. Apparently, in the part of it that used to be Nephilim, if you're evil enough, pink poppies will sprout. We should probably do something about that," Leo said. Angelica smirked.
"I was going to introduce the Land Without Magic to our particular drug. It gives you twice the high that the stuff they have does and I would have made a fortune, enough to disappear once I got out of here," she said and then smirked deviously.
"I was also going to get a few souvenirs to sell too. Maybe the pelt of a griffin, the horn of a unicorn, maybe a few dragon scales. Magical relics from here would sell for millions out there," she replied.
"Yeah...you'll be getting that tribunal," David said, as he signed off on it.
"You can't do that! She's my daughter!" Mrs. Slade argued.
"Who is also an unremorseful killer. But you and Haddie will get probation," he added.
"I'll go over those details with them," Emma said, as Mrs. Slade was put in the holding cell.
"That leaves almost everyone caught from the breakout, right?" Snow asked. He smiled.
"Yes it does...which means you and I are out of here," he replied, as he kissed her tenderly.
"Ugh...please just give me the needle already, cause I'm gonna puke my guts out if I have to watch them make out!" Goldie complained.
"Me too," Angelica agreed.
"Don't worry...you're all getting transferred to the prison momentarily," Emma said.
"We'll see you later, sweetie," Snow said, as they hugged her and Leo, before opening a portal and walking through it. They arrived on the beach where their beach house rested and smiled at each other.
"We are wearing too many clothes," Snow said. He smirked.
"I agree...let's do something about that," he replied, as their lips met in another tender kiss.
Flynn and Bobby vegged in front of the television and played one of Bobby's video games. There were snacks on the table and Bobby had barely stopped eating since the huge breakfast they had.
"You know...I never pegged you for doing anything normal," Flynn mentioned.
"I do normal stuff like this every time I get a chance," Bobby replied, as he ate some more popcorn.
"Dude...where are you putting all that food?" Flynn asked. He smirked.
"I'm always like this the day after a battle. I mean, do you have any idea how much energy it takes to summon an earthquake or how many calories I burn when I burrow underground?" he asked. Flynn smirked.
"I guess I never really thought about it...but yeah, I guess your powers would take a lot of energy," he replied.
"We don't have to play video games. We can go do something else," Bobby offered. Flynn shrugged.
"This is all really new to me. I don't really know what to do with myself when I'm not just trying to survive the day," he admitted.
"Yeah...that has to be rough. I can't say I know what that's like, but you don't have to worry about that anymore. My parents want you to stay as long as you want and that means long enough to finish high school and then college," Bobby said. Flynn smirked.
"Do you really think I'm a college kind of guy?" he asked.
"I think you're really smart and you can do anything you want, given the right opportunities," Bobby replied, as he got up and got more chocolate milk out of the fridge.
"Besides, if not college, then you could learn a trade. You seem to know a lot about cars," Bobby mentioned. Flynn scoffed.
"I know how to break into them and hotwire them, unless they're really new models. But yeah...I guess I know my way around an engine," he said.
"Well...we're only sophomores so it's not like you have to decide today," he said, as he handed him a glass.
"Milk? You Charmings really are that wholesome image," he teased. Bobby rolled his eyes.
"It's chocolate milk and I've been drinking it with my dad for as long as I can remember. Even when he was cursed in Hyperion Heights, he still drank it. Just like my Mom hates apples, cursed or not," Bobby said.
"Do you hate apples?" Flynn asked.
"No way...Nana makes to die for apple turnovers. And the best lasagna," Bobby replied, as he sat back down.
"How do I know your parents aren't going to get sick of me? Or want me out the first time I screw up...and trust me, I'm going to screw up eventually," he said.
"Because they won't. Mom and Dad don't just dump people when they do things they don't like. My Nana tried to kill them...for years and like a hundred times. I've had pizza and zombie shooting sleepovers with her since I could hold a game controller," he replied.
"They forgive people when they deserve it and are sorry for their actions. I mean, look at that doofus Phoebus," Bobby said. Flynn smirked.
"He was a giant douche," he agreed.
"Exactly, but he recognized that he made bad choices and he's probably still a doofus. But he found his purpose and my parents could have said no to him. But they gave him a chance," Bobby said.
"Even though they know nothing about me?" he asked.
"Yeah...but you know, you could tell us about yourself. Dad is still puzzled on how you escaped detection when they cast the good curse," Bobby replied.
"Yeah…I don't remember where I'm from," Flynn admitted.
"You lost your memories? Cause my Nana can probably help with that," Bobby replied.
"I'm not sure she can. It's pretty blank," he said.
"What's the first thing you remember?" Bobby questioned.
"I mean...nothing really. I grew up in the group home and they said I was there from the time I was a baby," he replied.
"Does your file say anything?" Bobby asked.
"No...it's pretty blank. I don't even know how they came up with the name Eugene Fitzherbert, because that's not in my file either," Flynn replied.
"That's weird...I mean, you're not much older than me," Bobby said, as he paused for a moment.
"What is it?" Flynn asked.
"Uh...well, just before I was born, there was another curse," he said.
"That was the Atlantis thing, right?" he asked. Bobby nodded.
"Yeah…Clayton wanted the Chalice's power so he cracked the dome. He made my mother crush my father's heart to save everyone. My Nana split my Mom's heart and put half of it in my dad's chest. Then everyone woke up in Storybrooke. That's how the reserve was created and Atlantis became a museum," he said, as he stood up.
"I think I have a hunch on why your file is blank," Bobby added.
"You do?" Flynn asked in surprise.
"What if you were born in Atlantis?" Bobby asked. Flynn blanched.
"There was so much confusion during that time. As soon as they got back, my Mom was in her final days of being pregnant with me, but before my parents could sort through all the new people and places that the curse brought, they had to deal with Zelena. She wanted to use me as a sacrifice to do a time travel spell," he recalled. Flynn shook his head.
"Your family is nuts," he commented. He nodded.
"True…" he said, as he grabbed his jacket.
"Where are you going?" Flynn asked.
"We are going to the Atlantis Museum and dig for information. Milo and Kida may know something or my Aunt Natalie will help us look," Bobby replied.
"Uh...we don't really have to do this though. I'm fine with not knowing...I've made peace with it," Flynn said.
"Are you sure?" Bobby asked.
"Yeah...cause I think I'm more afraid of what I will find than what I won't," he admitted. Bobby sat back down.
"I'm sorry man...I guess I have no idea what that's like," Bobby admitted.
"It's okay...I think I'd rather check out that new arcade," Flynn said.
"Great...and we can get pizza too. I'll call Gideon. Video games are his jam," Bobby replied. Flynn shook his head.
"You're going to eat pizza on top of all the crap you've already eaten today?" he asked.
"Keep in mind it takes only a few quakes and one trip underground to burn off what I just ate," Bobby replied.
"Man…kudos to your parents for having to feed you," he said, as they headed out.
"Okay...the perp van is here. Time for the walk of shame," Leroy grumbled, as they unlocked the first cell and cuffed Goldie, followed by the others. Mrs. Slade and Haddie sat unhappily at the Sergeant's desk, as Emma went over their probation with them.
"Basically, stay out of trouble and don't harbor any fugitives and you won't have a problem. Your probation officer will drop by on a weekly basis for check in," she said, detailing it to them.
"And if I refuse to sign it in protest? You're going to execute my daughter, so you'll forgive me if I don't want to make deals with the likes of you!" Mrs. Slade said angrily.
"Then you and Haddie can take your chances in court. You'll need an attorney or a public defender and you can go to trial. If you lose though, you'll be subjected to possible jail time. Since neither of you has done time before, you might only get a year. But you could get up to five if the judge isn't feeling lenient," Emma warned. Mrs. Slade glared at her and signed the papers angrily, before she turned to say goodbye to her two eldest.
Leo and Elsa prepared to leave, just as Happy led Luka out of the one of the offices.
"Leo…" he said in surprise.
"Luka," Leo said coolly, giving him a curt nod.
"Ohhh boy...get a load of the sexual tension in this room," Aiden commented, as he was extracted from his cell and cuffed for transport.
"You really should use that right to be silent," Xander suggested.
"Hey babe...I'll see if I can negotiate some conjugal visits into my sentence," he said to Luka.
"Go to hell," Luka replied, as Xander hauled him out with the others. There was an awkward pause between the three and Emma made herself scarce. She wanted no part of her brother's weird tension with Luka.
"I...I never got to congratulate you both," Luka said.
"On your wedding," he added.
"Thanks...we're really happy," Leo replied.
"So...what have you been up to?" Leo asked.
"Uh...I still bartend at the Rabbit Hole at night and sometimes I pick up a day shift at Iago's. Guess I still don't know what I want to do...but I'm thinking about University this spring," Luka replied.
"That's good...you should go. I think you have more to offer than mixing drinks," Leo said, as he took Elsa's hand and they prepared to leave, as Esme came storming in.
"Luka...what happened?" she asked in concern.
"Aiden Slade happened, but fortunately, he was stopped from doing anything serious. I just needed Luka to make a statement, but he's free to go," Emma told her.
"He should have never been out in the first place!" Esme cried. Leo rolled his eyes.
"Here we go," he muttered.
"Every time I turn around, this place is in chaos!" she ranted.
"Yeah...we definitely have our moments, but maybe Luka could stop working at Iago's. It's the roughest place in Storybrooke. Aiden is banned from the Rabbit Hole, but if you need extra work, I can put in a good word with Mr. Potts at the Enchanted Rose. It's a classy place with a ton of security," Leo said. Esme was about to start ranting again, but Luka stopped her.
"Mom...stop," he pleaded, as he looked at him.
"I'd appreciate it...thanks," he replied. Leo nodded, as he took Elsa's hand and they turned to leave.
"What is her problem?" Elsa asked.
"She's never really liked our family and I get it, she had a hard time in Atlantis. But neither she or Luka can get out of their own way sometimes," Leo replied.
"I get it...when you're a victim, sometimes it's hard to stop being a victim," Elsa said. He nodded.
"And that could have easily been me...I just have a support system around me that helped me rise above it," he said, looking at her. She smiled.
"Luka is definitely still carrying a torch for you. You're the one that got away for him," she mentioned.
"Yeah...but you're the one for me. He's just going to have to find a way to move on," he replied.
"Besides...even if we weren't together, Luka and I would have never worked. He was never comfortable with my magic and his Mom hates me," he said.
"I think hate is a bit strong," Elsa replied. He scoffed.
"Trust me...it's not. She didn't like Aiden either, but he wasn't a Charming and didn't have magic, which automatically made him a safer choice than me, in her eyes," Leo said.
"Well, that is ludicrous, because you are the kindest, sweetest man I know. And Aiden Slade is an abusive, lecherous piece of garbage," she replied. He smiled.
"No argument there," he agreed, as they went home.
Danielle hugged her old partner's wife, Carla, as she cried. The funeral was over and she was attending the wake at their house. She gave a soft smile to Chris' children and her heart ached for them.
"I knew moving out here was a bad idea," she sniffed.
"Vegas vice...that's pretty dangerous," Danielle agreed.
"This was different though...than the norm," Carla said.
"What do you mean?" Danielle asked.
"In the last six months, before he disappeared, he told me he thought he was about to make the bust of all busts. He said he had found the head of the snake," Carla replied.
"Did he give a name?" Danielle asked.
"No…" she replied, as she looked around to make sure any of the other cops that her husband had worked with were not listening.
"He mentioned that you were working with one of those cops from that place...the fairy tale land," she said quietly. Danielle's brow furrowed.
"I am...what does this have to do with any of that?" she asked. Carla motioned for her to come into the bedroom with her and she watched Carla open the gun safe on the bookshelf.
"He said that if anything happened to him that I needed to get this to you...and no one else," Carla said, as she handed a file to her. Danielle opened it and saw a photo. She recognized it as the notorious drug Kingpin, Fagin.
"Fagin is the head of the snake?" she asked. She nodded.
"He said so...but he said that this Fagin was different," Carla replied.
"Different how?" Danielle asked.
"I don't know...just really evil. He said that the Fagin he had always heard of was a thug and scum, but never a cold blooded killer," Carla replied.
"And this one was?" Danielle asked.
"Viciously so...he was a demon. Chris said there was something...otherworldly about him," Carla replied. Danielle closed the folder and put her hands on the other woman's.
"I know who I need to show this to...and with his help, I'm going to get justice for Chris," she promised.
"As much as I want that...please be careful. I don't want you or anyone else ending up like my husband," she cried. She nodded and gave her a hug.
"I need to get back...my flight for Maine leaves soon, but I'll be in touch," she promised, as she made her way out to her rental car and made a call on the way to the airport.
"Hello," Patricia answered.
"I'm sending you a photo...let me know when you have it," Danielle replied.
"Got it...I've seen this man before," Patricia said.
"Yeah...he's my old partner's killer. Goes by Fagin...except Chris' wife said that he was different from the Fagin we're familiar with," Danielle replied.
"Yes...and I can tell you why," Patricia said.
"I was hoping you could. Carla said that Chris described him as...otherworldly and a demon," Danielle replied.
"That's because he is. He also goes by Mephisto. Fagin is just the current skin suit he's wearing," Patricia said.
"Well, I guess David will be happy that I've found him. He's running a criminal enterprise out here under the guise of a Casino," she replied, as she leafed through the file at a stop light.
"Get back here...do not, under any circumstances, confront him on your own," Patricia said.
"Don't worry...I'm on the way to the airport. I'm under no illusions that I'd be walking to my death with him," she replied.
"I'll tell Snow and David," Patricia said.
"Are they really going to go after him?" Danielle asked.
"If he's hurting people directly...then yes. You know them by now. This is going to suck," she said. Danielle smirked.
"Yeah...tell me about it. I'll see you in a few hours," she replied, as she did some thinking on the way.
Fandral sparred with Sif that afternoon and normally, she had no trouble keeping up, but he was in rare form that day. She finally yielded and moved off to the side for water and rest.
"Still at it, eh?" Diego asked.
"Yes...he is determined to train until he drops," Sif replied. Diego smirked.
"Don't worry...word of his rigorous training has already traveled through the castle today. I'm sure Rose will be along anytime to reign him in," he said.
"Do you think the Enchantress could still be a threat? She has no physical form," Sif said.
"True...but neither did Jekyll for a long time. Snow and David managed to banish his spirit to a nether realm, in order not to kill Hyde along with Jekyll. Then when he did return, thanks to Mephisto, any connection he had to Hyde was severed by Mephisto's power," he explained.
"So in theory, Amora could become what Jekyll was," Sif realized.
"It's possible...we have no idea, but I understand his weariness until we find a way to push her soul into the afterlife. If that's even possible," Diego said.
"It's not...which means she'll find a way to torment my Rose and I need to be ready," Fandral replied.
"And we will be...but I think it's time to call it a day," Sif said.
"Sif is right," Rose said, as she entered and all the guards came to attention.
"Word has it that my King is on a rampage...word travels fast through the castle," she teased.
"Who used the word rampage?" Fandral asked.
"We did," Diego said.
"You did...I used the phrase lunatic," Sif replied. Fandral rolled his eyes and sighed.
"I suppose I may have been getting a bit carried away lately," he admitted.
"Yes...and I have made reservations for us at the Galaxy Rose for dinner. The nannies are fine with the children for the evening and I would very much like it if my handsome husband took me out tonight," she said, as she slipped her arms around his neck. He smiled and kissed her tenderly.
"Then out we shall go, my beautiful Rose," he agreed, as she led him upstairs to get ready for their evening out.
"Thank heavens...he was going to drive himself mad," Diego said.
"Fortunately, Rose won't let that happen. But I think I will take the evening to do a little research in the library on the Enchantress. She's a very ancient being and little is known about her. Maybe I can find something," Sif replied. Diego nodded and left to spend the evening with his own family.
"Brr...it got cold fast," Snow said, as he wrapped her in a towel and rubbed her arms. He had a towel around his waist and the sun had set in the sky. The water had quickly taken on a chill, even in the tropical climate and their swim had ended. They hadn't bothered with any swimwear in the afternoon sun and enjoyed their closeness and lovemaking in the water.
"Yeah…guess we lost track of time," he said, as he pulled her close and kissed her passionately.
"Mmm...let's go in by the fire," she said. He smiled.
"Sounds great to me," he said, as they went inside their beach house and put their robes on. He started the fire and she checked her phone.
"Any messages?" he asked.
"No...seems pretty quiet," she replied, as he sat down beside her.
"Yours?" she asked.
"A few messages, but it's not the kids so I'm sure it's nothing that can't wait until tomorrow. All my attention is on you tonight, my darling," he promised.
"Mmm…I like the sound of that…" she purred, as she climbed into his lap.
"Me too…" he said, as their lips met again and it quickly became another makeup session, until his phone interrupted them a few minutes later with a text. He peeked at it, as
she kissed his neck and he put it down, before their lips met again.
"Is it important?" she asked briefly.
"Nah...just Agent Harding. She's on her way back and says she's accepting my job offer," he answered.
"That's great...but where is she?" Snow asked.
"Vegas...but not for vacation. Her old partner was murdered, apparently. She went to his funeral," he replied.
"That's horrible," she said.
"Yeah...he was working vice and I guess his cover got blown. It was pretty brutal," he replied. She shuddered.
"You know, for all the things we face, I am glad that you are not working for the Boston PD anymore. Is it weird that I'm more comfortable with you fighting non-human monsters than tracking serial killers?" she asked. He chuckled.
"No...not weird at all. Human evil is so much worse," he replied, as he gently pushed a piece of her raven hair behind her ear.
"I've read and seen a lot about Vegas...but I don't think I've ever had the desire to go there," she mentioned.
"Me either...I'm sure there's a lot of great things to see, but you know I'm not fond of gambling," he said. She pecked him on the lips.
"I know...I fought Midas tooth and nail on that one," she replied.
"They're fine for people that don't have vices. But I've always feared addiction...to anything. I'm glad Dad beat his, but when I was little, if he wasn't using our money to buy booze, he was losing it at the card tables," he said.
"Oh baby...I know you'd never lose yourself to something like that," she replied.
"With you in my life...I know. But if I didn't have you…" he said, trailing off.
"What's bothering you?" she asked, as she watched him pick up the flash drive that was on the end table next to their phones.
"Grimm's stories that he planned to try and trap us in?" she asked.
"When Henry found the original paper copies, he mentioned to me what they were about and let's just say that mine was familiar. It was my worst nightmare. The story Grimm had for me was the same as a vision that I had once when he was tormenting our dreams. Jekyll succeeded in making you leave with him and I spent my days trying to find you and my nights at the bottom of a bottle," he replied.
"I remember you telling me...but I didn't know that Grimm had crafted that story for you," she said.
"I asked Henry so he told me," he replied.
"And my story?" she asked.
"Didn't ask...but I didn't have to by the haunted look on his face," he replied. She nodded.
"He would have written me into a story where Jekyll succeeded as well," she realized.
"Yep," he said, as he tossed the flash drive into the fire.
"But none of that is ever happening," he promised and she smiled, as he kissed her again. And like the fire before them, their passion burned hotly and brightly between them through the night...