Dreams Be Damned

Snow lay there in that serene place between sleep and waking. Her heart beat heavy from the dream she had been having. A very good dream, the images of which were still lurking in the edges of her subconscious. Unwilling to wake up and leave the dream she rolled over and returned to her slumber, replaying the dream.

Charming's skin glistened with sweat under the heat of the sun. He had removed his shirt because of that heat - so he said, but Snow was sure it was merely a tactic meant to drive her to distraction. Her heart fluttered and she unconsciously bit her lip seeing his muscles flex and strain as he pulled back on the bow string. He released the arrow landing it just to the left of center.

He winked at her as he took a step back to allow her the spot. "Surely my darling, you can easily beat that."

"Of course I can."

She stepped up beside him and brought the bow into position. He stayed directly in her peripheral vision, raising and lowering his arms while puffing out his chest. When he didn't stop, she dropped her bow with a huff.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just staying loose while you take your turn. It's not too distracting is it?" His smug smile said he knew exactly how distracting it was. Cheeky devil. Snow White put her bow down.

"No more childish games. I concede the victory." Her voice took on a sultry tone as she gazed at him through lowered eyelids. "What would you like as a prize Prince Charming?"

What? Wait. That's not right. Some part of the real Snow White bristled with confusion. That's not how she remembered the dream. She would never willingly concede the victory in an archery match. Sword fighting maybe, but never archery. She was too fierce a competitor. Especially when Charming was so obviously cheating. She fought to wake up, but even so the dream continued, only now she found herself merely a spectator to the action.

"I think you know what I desire," Charming replied as he took her into his arms.

Snow ran her hands up his strong arms and across his still slick chest. "I suppose I can see the allure."

At those words, the person in his arms crashed into his lips in a violent kiss, transforming from Snow White into the Evil Queen. Too late, Charming realized what was happening. He tried to pull back, but magic held him in her grip. Her tongue turned into a column of sand that traveled down his throat, cutting off his windpipe. He thrashed and bucked trying to break free, trying to breath.

Snow White bolted from her cot with a scream. She leaped across Red and Granny tearing through door., ignoring Red's questions. She had to get to Charming. Lancelot was sitting outside the tent cleaning his boots when he heard the commotion and saw Snow running his way, shouting her love's name. She stumbled past him without so much as glance, diving through the entrance and landing with a thud on the chest of her beloved. Granny, and Red were only steps behind her. The sudden blow to his chest caused Charming to sit up with a grunt. He sat there, pulse racing, chest heaving as his sleep-fogged mind began to clear. Something was wrong. Snow was crying, Granny stood behind her, crossbow in hand. Red and Lancelot were behind Granny. He jumped to his feet.

"Snow, what's wrong?"

"Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You had another dream."

The tops of his ears turned bright red. The dream he had been having before being so abruptly awakened, was not one he wanted to discuss in mixed company.

"No, I didn't."

"You did, I saw it.

"You saw the sand monster?"

"Well…no. It must have disappeared before I got here. I saw the dream itself."

His eyes widened and he coughed at her comment.

"What are you talking about?"

"I was there. Regina was in your dream choking you."

"I was most definitely not dreaming about the Evil Queen."

"But, when I got here you were heaving deeply in your sleep, as if you were having trouble breathing."

He ran his hand along the back of his neck, all 4 pairs of eyes in the room on him. He took a step towards Snow and leaned in, whispering in her ear.

"Honey, maybe we should continue this conversation in private?

Snow looked around and for the first time realized that they had an audience. It's no wonder Granny and Red followed her. She must have looked like a madwoman the way she ran screaming through the camp.

"I'm sorry if I scared everyone, but there's nothing to worry about anymore. You may take your leave."

"Snow are you sure?" Red questioned. "I've never seen you move so fast. Something obviously frightened you."

"Yes, Red. Trust me, we will explain everything if you would just give us a moment alone first."

Red and Granny reluctantly exited. Lancelot hesitated. "We will be right outside if you have need of our assistance, milady." Snow nodded and Lancelot bowed before exiting the tent himself.

When they were alone, Snow took his hand into her own. "It's okay. You don't have to lie, Charming. I'm not angry…or jealous."

"You have no reason to be-"

"Of course not. It's not your fault."

She squeezed his hand in reassurance. He gently pulled away.

"Let me finish. You have no reason to be jealous because I was not kissing the Evil Queen in my dream. I was kissing you."

"I know you think that, but I was somehow watching the dream Charming and it wasn't me, it was her. And she had her tongue down your throat choking you."

"The only person in my dream with their tongue down my throat was my beautiful wife…and I certainly did not feel like I was choking."

"But when you woke up you were having trouble breathing."

He encircled her with his arms, "Because when you kiss me, my darling, whether in real life or in my dreams, you leave me absolutely breathless."

He ran his hands comfortingly along her back. Snow laid her chin on his shoulder and tried to take comfort in his embrace, but her stomach remained tied up in knots. She was looking around the room trying to convince herself it all really been just a silly dream when she spied something on his blankets. She pushed from his arms and bent down beside his bedroll. He looked down confused as he watched a handful of sand running through her fingers. She looked at him, tears forming in her eyes.

"I don't know what that is, but I promise that I didn't lie. It was you I was kissing, I swear."

"Maybe because that's what she wanted you to believe."

"That's impossible. The siren of Lake Nostos was unable to fool me with a kiss, how could she?"

"I don't know. Maybe that's why she fused our dreams together. So she could use me to fool you."

"And you think she could do that?"

"Magic runs on emotions. As Regina's hate increases, so does her power." Snow growled as she threw sand across the room. "She doesn't get to be in my head, to control my dreams. She has to be stopped."

"We are going to stop her Snow. I swear."

She stood up determined, a plan forming in her mind. "I need to go see Blue."

"I thought Blue refused to get involved in matters of war."

"Yes, with King George, but the only way to fight magic is with magic. Surely if she hears how Regina is using magic against us, she will agree to help."

"Okay, I will have the men ready our horses."

"You're not going with me, Charming."

"What?"

"You still need to journey to the Kingdom of Midas and try to convince them to aide us against George."

"I thought we were going to see him together."

"Things have changed."

"So we go to see Blue, and head for Midas afterwards."

"There is not time. Things are escalating. We must send Lancelot, Claude, and the rest of George's troops back quickly. The longer they are gone the more likely their absence will be noticed and our plans will be foiled. If Lancelot and Claude are going to pretend to be counter spies against us and give away our position, they should make contact with George sooner rather than later."

"So, we send them back. I can still go with you first. It should only delay our trip to Midas' Kingdom by a few days at most."

Snow knew he was not thinking clearly and fixed him with a look that told him as much.

Charming squared his shoulders, just as resolute as her.

"I am not leaving you."

His stubborn bride cocked her head and raised her eyes. A stand-off ensued. Charming stood there pretending to be unyielding, knowing he was only delaying the inevitable. Snow had matured much from the spoiled, bratty princess he had heard stories about, but when her mind was set on something glimpses of that strong-willed little girl popped up. He sighed. If their future children turned out anything like her, he was in big trouble.

"Okay, Okay. You're right. The longer that we tarry, the more chance for something to go wrong. We will keep to the original plan. We will send George's troops into place back with their battalions. Lancelot will travel with them so he can give George's generals a map outlining our forces planned movements along with a strategy for a surprise attack."

She took over outlining their course of action.

"Meanwhile you will travel to meet with Abigail and Frederick and call in their debt to you. Red and I should make it back with Blue well before your return. I shall be waiting for you on the South hill to join with the knights and archers from Midas' army. Then we will send the signal to Lancelot and the members of George's forces that are loyal to us that the time has come for the "surprise" attack. As the battle commences, they will swap sides and if all goes well, be able to disarm most George's remaining men before too much blood has been shed. Hopefully, with George's kingdom on the ropes, Regina will show herself allowing Blue to take care of her."

Having a battle plan gave her hope, but Charming's brow was furrowed in concern.

"Don't look so worried, Charming. Have faith."

He chuckled, "Isn't that my line?"

She leaned up to brush a kiss across his scarred chin. "It's a good plan."

"All except for the part where we must separate."

"It can't be helped. I should be the one to talk to Blue, and only you can convince Abigail to help."

He placed his hand on her waist to pull her closer, his voice suggestively playful.

"Well then, I will do whatever it takes to convince the 'nag with a bad attitude' to help us."

"Well…maybe don't go that far."

"Why whatever do you mean?"

She grabbed the collar of his tunic in her hand and pulled him down to meet her lips. The kiss was hard and possessive, as a jealous Snow sought to imprint him with her love. She knew her reaction was ridiculous. Charming and Abigail had never loved each other, both of their hearts already taken. It was just that she could feel herself unraveling. This war…the Evil Queen…all the loss that she had suffered, it was just too much. She released his mouth, but kept her grasp on his shirt. She leaned her forehead against his.

"You just make sure that nag knows that you belong to me."

She meant for it to come out light-hearted, but the crack in her voice betrayed her. Charming leaned into her. Snow had never kissed him like that. Not even when she had been trying her best to seduce him down by the lake. This kiss was desperate. This kiss was her trying to fill in the cracks before she fell apart. He encircled her even tighter in his arms.

"I love you, Snow White. I will never belong to anyone but you."

Back at her castle, in a fit of anger, Regina picked up the hourglass and smashed it against her bedchamber wall scattering the sand across the floor.

"Tsk, Tsk," The green-skinned goblin clicked, "I'm guessing things with your new friend aren't working out quite like you had hoped."

She spun around at the unwelcome voice. "What are you doing here?"

"The question is, what are you doing?"

"I'm getting my revenge."

"Well, Dearie, it doesn't appear to be working for you."

"No, but I'm done depending on others to help me."

"Are you now?"

Rumplestiltskin giggled as with a flourish of his hand the sand on the floor swirled into a cyclone and back into the hourglass which appeared good as new into his hand.

"Then I think I'll just take this since you have no need of it anymore."

The Queen sashayed towards him, hands on her hips.

"You can't just take that. What are you offering me in return?"

"You just said you don't want help. Besides, I already handed you an opportunity to kill Snow White when I turned you into a peasant, and you failed."

"I had a small moment of weakness. I assure you it won't happen again. I will destroy her."

"I'm glad to hear you've come to your senses. And since I'm feeling rather generous today, I will give you a small piece of news. Your little journey into dreamland may not have succeeded in killing Snow White's true love, but it did strike fear into her heart. She is planning to separate from her Prince Charming in order to go after you."

"She thinks she can defeat me?"

Regina did not give the imp a chance to answer, poofing herself into stables. The stable boy started at her sudden appearance, fumbling his way to stand before her.

"Saddle my horse immediately. It is time for Snow White to pay, and I will not be denied."