TemperanceTales: I do not own Once Upon a Time in anyway shape or form and I give full credit to the creators. I don't own any fairytales not done in the show either and give credit to respectful owners. I also want to make a little note: There has been a fellow fanfiction member helping me out with some idea's for future fairytale stories and I would like to give Bizzarieve credit where credit is due :D If you guys do have stories in mind that you would like to see in here, do tell me. I don't know ever fairytale story in existence and I would be more than happy to consider your suggestions.
Chapter Eighteen: Basic Understanding.
"What do you think you're doing!?"
The young girl with blue eyes stared over at the door, holding the phone in her hand. The man was standing at the top of the stairs, looking over at her with rage. She fumbled, her face looking terrified as she asked, "Where is Felicity?"
"Put down that phone NOW!" he thundered before he lunged in her direction.
Autumn woke up, letting out a throaty gasp. The moonlight was shining through her window, casting dark shadows in the room. It was nowhere nearly time to wake up, but here she was wide awake with little chances of going back to sleep. Pushing her hair back, Autumn looked down with a hard look on her face. These flashes were not pleasant and Autumn had a sinking feeling that it wasn't going to stop soon. It felt like fire was burning inside of her and she couldn't get it to stop.
Sliding out of bed, Autumn tiptoed across the room to look out in the hallway. Obviously no one was up. Hurrying down to the bathroom, Autumn locked the bathroom door. The memories of the dream flashed through her head like fire but Autumn did her best to ignore it. Turning the water on, cold water shot out of the shower head. Autumn jumped in clothes and all, wincing as she felt the icy water hit her form. Letting out a long sigh, Autumn closed her eyes trying to banish the thoughts from her mind. But something was preventing her to; a certain gut wrenching feeling was preventing her from any peace.
Kathryn had not come home that night. Since Autumn had decided to skip school yesterday, she had been fully expecting a lecture upon returning home. Instead what she had returned to was a dark house with a sulking David. When she asked him however, David hadn't given her a straight answer. Which lead Autumn to only one conclusion: she left.
Shaking out her wet hair, Autumn stared at the tile wall. She had seen it happen with a previous foster family before. The fiancé had been cheating on his future wife to be. After about a month of living there, Autumn woke up to yelling and screaming coming from the living room. Autumn had peeked out just in time to see the man get socked one by the foster mother. The woman stormed out and Autumn never saw her again. The only difference was that Autumn didn't like that woman as much as she liked Kathryn.
It hurt.
The shower head spat out water at a bit more ferocious pace. Her form was unconsciously shivering but Autumn was still too lost in thought and emotion to notice. It hurt her, to think that Kathryn left without saying anything at all to her. The only relief to her at all was that Kathryn wouldn't leave Storybrooke… or at least she hoped not. Leaning against the wall, Autumn shook her head again muttering, "I should not be getting this attached…"
It was true; she shouldn't be getting this attached. Kathryn was only a temporary foster mother, every rule in the foster child handbook screamed to never get attached to a temporary housing situation. Especially since she knew Gold was planning… whatever he was planning.
Groaning, Autumn sunk to the bottom of the shower. Gold…what was she going to do about him? She loved him to no end, to her he was family. But honestly, his resistance to his curse was minimum. He was not as evil as Regina, but that curse brought out a darkness in him. She knew true loves kiss would break his curse, but it would leave him powerless. That wasn't fair, not by a long shot. He was tricked into this power to begin with; to leave him defenseless was beyond cruel. Getting him to give up said power would be difficult; he himself described it as tempting, strong, and willful.
Pushing back her long hair, Autumn finally reached up to turn off the shower head. There would be no getting back to sleep, not tonight.
Autumn did her best to dry off the pj's that were now thoroughly soaked. It was a habit she had gotten into a long time ago; her first priority was always making the not so pleasant feeling go away. Autumn hurried back to her room before changing into jeans and a long sleeved navy blue turtleneck. Tossing the wet clothes into the hamper, Autumn pulled on her sneakers with a conflicted look on her face. Walking down the stairs, she found that she wasn't the only one awake.
"Hey," David said, looking up over at her. He was sitting on the sofa, looking exhausted. Autumn stood there, shifting feet before he asked, "Going out?"
"For a walk," Autumn said, stiffly.
David nodded, his eyes distant. He looked uncomfortable, as if he had something to say. On the table were papers. Papers near an envelope addressed from Boston. One she had seen several times before. Dread filled Autumn's heart as David said, "Look… I have some news."
"Just tell me," Autumn said suddenly, her eyes glassy, "Is Kathryn coming back?"
David's heartbreak was plain in his eyes. Autumn swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat. No, she wasn't coming back. Great.
"Autumn-Autumn wait!" David shouted as Autumn ran out of the house. She ran through the streets before she couldn't run anymore. Dawn was ever so slowly breaking on the horizon, but very few people were awake. Autumn managed to get all the way to the shore line where she sat out on a dock. Neither of her feet even touched the water as it was much higher up that most docks. The sun finally crept over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the sky. Autumn watched it with a contemplating expression as she heard someone say, "Hey."
"Hey," Autumn said, looking back to see Emma walked over to her. Sitting down across from her, Emma held the envelope in her hands. Autumn watched Emma's guarded face stare out at the ocean for a minute. Finally Emma looked back at her and said, "What are you doing out so early?"
Autumn shrugged, staring down at the water. Emma watched her concerned, waiting a while before speaking again.
"Autumn, you know you can always talk about anything with me," Emma said, softly.
Autumn still didn't say anything, the wall she put up so apparent it broke Emma's heart a little. It was a sad reality, children already knowing how to put on a face to protect themselves. Emma sighed, before tossing her blonde hair. It was awhile before Autumn spoke dejectedly.
"David and Kathryn broke up."
Emma looked at Autumn intently, who looked glassy eyed. Autumn looked over at her as she said in a broken tone, "She's gone."
Emma's looked surprised and unsurprised all at once. Autumn sniffed, shaking her head to get rid of the tears before they started. Emma opened her mouth a bit before saying, "Wow… I knew things weren't great but I didn't think she would leave. Especially without you."
"I didn't think she would either," Autumn said honestly, "Well I didn't think she could actually leave. The dark curse is meant to keep everyone in… miserable… unhappy…"
Autumn looked at Emma bitterly as she said, "Not that you believe that anyway…"
"Look, it doesn't matter what I believe, but it matters what you are feeling," Emma said bitterly, "And as much as I hate to talk about this with you, there's something I need to ask."
Autumn looked over at Emma. Emma hesitated before asking, "Have you ever looked at your birth certificate?"
"No," Autumn said honestly, "I haven't. Why?"
"Because," Emma said, looking down at the envelope, "I found it. After a bit of digging."
"You did?" Autumn said surprised, but not in a bad way. In fact, she was curious. Emma's look was growing more and more concerned as she said, "Yes, I did. I think in all fairness to you, you should look at it."
Autumn took the envelope from Emma as tears began to fall down Emma's face. Autumn barely noticed as she opened the envelope, a small twinge at her heart occurring. Pulling out the paper, Autumn glanced down to see her name, her father's name, and her mothers.
Her mother's was blank.
Autumn tilted her head in confusion as Emma asked, "Do you know why it's blank?"
Autumn sighed, almost darkly. Autumn then said, "My Dad never really talked about her… In fact I didn't really know who she was until my Dad died. Then she told the foster place that she didn't want me and she never wanted me. It's why she left my Dad in the first place."
Emma looked pained as Autumn said, "Dad did everything in his power to make sure I had everything I needed. He worked at home so he could spend time with me, went on very few trips without taking me along with him. He was my world… and then our house caught on fire and that was the end…"
Autumn gulped, tears rolling down her cheeks as she said firmly, "I never got to say goodbye. After Mom refused to have me, I was sent from foster home to foster home. Whether it was because of relationship problems, they had kids who didn't like me, or only had me for the money…"
Emma watched Autumn wipe her cheeks, heartbroken. Emma knew it took a lot to admit that. Emma looked at Autumn and said, "I know the stories all too well. I ran away from the foster care system at the age of sixteen. I was… doing not so good things when I met Henry's father."
Autumn watched Emma let out a shaky breath and said, "I know Henry told you that his father died in a fire but it's not true. He was a con man. He tricked me and I ended up taking the fall for a crime he did. I was arrested and thrown in jail. That's when Henry was born."
"I had a feeling you were lying," Autumn said, blandly, "But why lie to him?"
"Because I wanted him to have someone to look up to," Emma said, tearfully, "Regina came out with that article with my past and I felt horrible for him to be exposed…"
Autumn looked at her, looking at her with a sympathetic understanding. Autumn then leaned over saying, "I know it has to suck telling him, but if you keep hiding it from him it won't do any good. What if Regina were to find his dad and bring him here? Then Henry would be caught in the middle of lies that could destroy lives…"
Autumn trailed off, a strange look over crossing her face. Emma watched her with a conflicted expression as Autumn looked around in a bit of a trance. Shaking her head, Autumn handed Emma the certificate and said, "I think you'll want that back now?"
"No," Emma shook her head, "I'd rather not have Regina take it and do something horrible with it. Hide it somewhere safe kid okay?"
Autumn nodded slowly and said, "Thanks…I think you might have just helped me with something."
"I hope so," Emma said, "I also hope for your sake Kathryn didn't actually leave. It just doesn't seem like her…"
Autumn suddenly had a look about her face as she said more firmly, "No… it doesn't."
S.C.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing Sidney," Regina said, talking on her cell phone. She was walking up the stairs to her office. She then said, "Sidney, just do what I told you and this will work, now I have other work to do so please leave me be."
Regina hung up and she pulled out her key. Unlocking her office door, she walked in, only to stop in seeing somewhat sitting on her desk. There was a newspaper on the intruder's lap that Regina instantly recognized as from over a week ago. Autumn smiled and said, "Good morning Regina."
"Autumn, dear," Regina said, unbutton her coat, "How did you get in?"
"It was already unlocked," Autumn said, "I was just looking at an old paper. And then I remembered that I never did get to talk to you about your little interview with Sidney Glass."
"Which I fired him for," Regina said, taking off her coat as she walked over to the desk. Autumn smiled disbelievingly and said, "I'm sure you did. You are rather childish, Regina. Did I piss you off that much?"
Regina laughed as she put her coat on the chair in front of Autumn. She then looked at Autumn saying, "What is it you want Autumn? To reveal this big plot of revenge? I have nothing against you my dear."
"Oh nothing so heroic," Autumn said, gently kicked her legs, "I just came to have a basic understanding with you."
"Oh?" Regina said, crossing her arms, "What understanding is that?"
"Just about how contradictory you are," Autumn said, frowning, "You can be so sweet and innocent for an evil queen that's killed and destroyed so many people's lives."
"So you think I'm the evil queen too," Regina said flatly. Autumn smiled wickedly before saying, "Oh I don't think. I know."
Autumn flicked her hand towards the door and the doors slammed shut. Regina jumped spinning around to look at the door. Her eyes were wide and horror struck as Autumn said, "Don't lie to me, Regina. It's rather pointless."
Regina allowed her composure to return before turning and saying, "Who are you?"
"No one that you've met before," Autumn said wickedly, "Just someone you should fear."
"And what do you want from me? To kill me?" Regina said, her tone darkening.
"Oh nothing so swift, I promise," Autumn said sweetly, "No, today is just a basic understanding of each other."
Regina's look darkened to match her tone as she smiled saying, "What do you want me to say? That I'm the evil queen? That I cursed everyone here to a live of no happy endings?"
"I know that already and it doesn't interest me currently to expose you yet," Autumn said, almost impatiently, "What I don't understand is how you can be so good and evil at the same time."
"Maybe it's because I'm not the one everyone thinks I am," Regina said, superiorly.
"Oh I believe that," Autumn said, "I even know that Snow White is part the reason your true love died."
Regina froze and Autumn said, "Why in the hell would you follow in your mother's footsteps? Why would you give your damn mother the satisfaction of stomping on your loves memory for all of eternity?"
"Don't you talk about him," Regina said with a growl, "You know nothing."
"I know more than you apparently," Autumn said, "I know that when you want revenge, you go for the person who did the horrible act."
"Which was Snow White," Regina said mockingly.
"Which was your mother," Autumn said, coldly, "But funny how you didn't do anything about her, dearie."
"Why are you doing this?" Regina said, narrowing her eyes, "I gave you a home, I made sure you didn't go back to Boston, you should be thanking me!"
"Oh but you conveniently forget that you did that in order to have something hanging over Gold's head, or should I say Rumpelstiltskin? And that when Kathryn refused to let you control her, you got rid of her!" Autumn said putting her hands down on the desk to lean back.
Regina smiled with a mocking expression on her face. Regina said, cruelly, "Is that what you think?"
Autumn was quiet as Regina snickered, "Well… it must hurt you to know I had nothing to do with the loss of Kathryn. You see, Rumple and I go far back, little one. Farther back in time then you could even remember. So don't be shocked when he came to me for help to get him out of a pickle in exchange for taking down Snow White. What he does to help me with that is all him."
Autumn eyes glittered darkly as her face went apathetic. So he was the one that made her disappear. She sat a little straighter when said, "Oh believe me, I'll deal with him. But right now I'm dealing with you."
"You really think you can deal with the Dark One?" Regina suddenly said, "He's dangerous Autumn!"
"Oh believe me dear, he's no more dangerous than you," Autumn said, "I'd rather be dealing with him than dealing with you."
"Autumn," Regina started, walking over to put arms on either side of where Autumn was sitting, "Don't."
"And why do you care?" Autumn leaned forward so her face was only a foot away from Regina's, "As far as you should be concerned, I'm a threat to you. Why in the hell would you care?"
"Because regardless of what you think," Regina said sharply, "I care about about my son which means I need to care what happens to the people he loves. Everyone that deals with Gold gets hurt and you have to believe I don't want to see that happen to you."
"Even people that don't know you get hurt by you," Autumn said, "And honestly that sounds worse to me."
"I give everyone a chance," Regina said darkly, "Everyone! It's not my fault they deny me!"
Autumn scoffed, but not meanly. In fact right now Autumn was looking at her with incomprehension. She then said, "I guess that's what I'll never understand about you. Good day Regina."
Autumn slid off the desk walking over to the door. With another flick of the wrist, the doors opened and Autumn said while leaving, "You should have really taken you own advice in regards to Gold. This won't end well for you."
S.C.
August walked out of Granny's diner, striding down the few steps. As he did so, he noticed the ever so distracted Emma come walking through the fencing. She stopped on seeing him, only to have him grin. He then said loudly, "I was hoping to run into you."
"What do you want?" Emma said almost exasperated. It had taken her forever to walk off her frustration, confusion, and hurt from this morning. There was no blame in Autumn, but talking about Henry's father with her had left her horrible confliction. It had been long since she had to think about that man; now everything she once thought about in protecting Henry was thrown into question. Dealing with this stranger was very much unwanted. August said, "How about that drink you owe me?"
"Are you asking me out on a date?" Emma asked, dubiously.
"Call it what you want," August said, "If a date is what makes you comfortable with it, then yes."
"Sorry, but you see I have an issue with guys who don't tell me their names," Emma said, in exasperation, "Usually that means they have something to hide like they're married, or alcoholics, or hide human body parts in their freezer. So, good day to you."
Emma walked right past him as August sighed. He then turned around saying, "Its August."
"What?" Emma said looking around at him. August smiled and said, "August W. Booth."
"What's with the W?" Emma asked, raising her brows. She didn't know why, but she was actually feeling some amusement. August smiled said, "It's for Wane. And there went your reason from meeting me here," August gestured toward Granny's, "After work."
August walked away with a big smirk on his face. Shaking her head, Emma went inside with a single thought through her head. Men were ridiculous. Emma was about to enter the diner when her pager went off. Looking down at the number, she saw that it was the station.
S.C.
"Gold!" Autumn shouted, banging on the door, "Open up!"
She was at his house, waiting for him to come answer. She had tried his shop again, but failed to find him. This was getting annoying, she hated not knowing what his stupid plan was and she hated this deliberate avoidance. She had a plan of her own, but it would be of no use if she couldn't talk to him. Growling, Autumn banged the door shouted, "GOLD OPEN UP!"
Still there was no answer, which ticked Autumn off enough to flicker her fingers and the door opened. Getting in, she closed it behind her looking around. Dropping her bag, she looked up stairs, wondering if he was up there. She was about to go walk up the stairs when she heard a certain male voice.
"Well you have a lot of nerve, dearie, breaking into the Dark One's house."
Autumn spun around; see Gold standing in the door way of his living room. He was smirking, leaning on his cane for support. Normally she would start glaring, but today she was playing his game to the fullest with ever intention to win. Smirking back, she said mockingly, "I think you have a lot of nerve ignoring the Mage of Wonderland, so I guess we are even Rumple."
He chuckled walking to the banister, saying, "Well, well, looks who's being rather forward today. What's the matter, Alice, Regina got you all riled up again?"
"That's Autumn to you," Autumn said stiffly, the smirk dying from her face.
She finished going down the stairs as he said, somewhat warningly, "Well, you're being a bit cold today, dearie. Something the matter?"
"Oh, yes," Autumn said, hands behind her back as she walked to the living room doorway. Turning, she looked at him saying, "You've been avoiding me and I had a nasty turn of events this morning so I'll be blunt. What did you do to Kathryn?"
Mr. Gold tightened his grip on his cane and said, "I don't know what you mean dear."
"You're lying! I'm not an idiot, Kathryn is too caring to just walk out without a word," Autumn said sharply, "You told me you wouldn't hurt her."
"I said I'll try," Mr. Gold said, almost testily, "But when I owe Regina a favor, it tends to be a little out of my hands."
"And I'm supposed to believe you had nothing to do with coming up with the idea?" Autumn said incredulously.
"I'm doing my best to make sure she's safe," Mr. Gold shot at her, "This is what I have to do in order to keep you out of Regina's clutches."
"This is what you have to do to keep me out of her clutches, or is this what you have to do in winning your power play with Regina!?" Autumn said, heatedly. Mr. Gold's smirk turned into a scowled and said, "What is wrong with you? Everything I've been doing has been for you! "
"Yes, but how much of it is for your benefit?" Autumn said, "Or am I going to become like your son and Belle whom you push away the minute I get too close!"
"No!" Gold's yell was startling, making Autumn jump a little, "I will not let that happen!"
Gold stepped towards her, his brown eyes darkening as he said pointedly, "I have worked with people I don't want to work with in order to keep you from getting sent back to Boston. I don't know what I have to do, Alice, to make you trust me that I care!"
"First things first," Autumn said heatedly, "I don't know how much you think you know about me. But ALICE is not my name! It's a name that a Queen gave to a little girl that ended up in a world for too many annuals to count."
"I don't know what your real name is," Gold almost growled the words out, "You've never told me."
"If you want me to trust you," Autumn said, "Then you have to give me an act of good faith, Gold."
"And what is this act of good faith?" Gold asked sharply.
Autumn stepped closer to him, her outward personal braver than she felt. Gold straightened, his business stare trying to penetrate her wall. Her stomach tightening told her that it was almost working.
"When we break the curse, you give me the Dark One's knife immediately. And I make sure that your power can't be used in evil ways again. "
Gold's eyes darkened even more and he asked, lowly, "How do you know about that knife?"
"I just do," Autumn said, maintaining her façade, "You should know by now I know a lot of things I shouldn't."
"That's a big ask," Gold said, his voice firm, but she could feel him breaking down, "A big ask!"
"I'm not saying I'm going to parade it around," Autumn said, "I'm not even going to use it against your will. I'm giving you what you want. You can't possible want to be the evil; you can't possible want to hurt people! That can't help you in the long run!"
"It's not meant to help me in the long run," Gold said, with an irritated sigh, "It's meant for bringing down a much bigger evil before it comes. And trust me dearie, I've seen it. I've seen what could happen if Regina was left on her own, if I hadn't done everything I did."
"So, you would have everyone consider you evil," Autumn said, "Imprison you, kill you even and then leave me alone?"
"You're not alone," Gold said, wincing. God this child was relentless today. "You have Henry and Emma-."
"But I won't have you," Autumn challenged, "And you just told me that you wouldn't push me away."
"I wouldn't-."
"But you can't keep me with you if you're dead or imprisoned!" Autumn didn't even let him finish, "So your actions are keeping me away!"
Gold finally pushed forward, almost springing at her. Autumn went to step away but he grabbed her arm. Pulling her along, he took her up the stairs saying, "Let me show you something."
Autumn allowed him to do this, her eyes narrowed somewhat. They arrived to the second floor to see a square room with doors aligning the walls. She had no time to see anything more as he promptly took her over to the room on the left side of the room. Opening the door, he said, "Does this look like I'm pushing you away?"
Autumn walked into the room and would have gaped. The room was a light faded orange leaves painted along the bottom to middle wall. The bed was wooden, a sleek dark color. The sheets were like the ones at Kathryn's. The window was large, with a sitting seat instead of a window sill. The curtains were blue like the sheets, hanging down partially in front of the window, casting a blue light onto the floor. There was a desk, dresser, and vanity lined up against the walls. She walked over to the desk to see it already decorated with a lamp, pencil holders, etc. Her heart constricted when she saw the last detail in the room: A castle, a castle was painted just like the one in her story book.
His castle.
"A home," Gold said, watching her stare at it, "For when we go back."
Something clicked in Autumn's head as he continued, the smirk coming back to his face, "I'll tell you what: Let me spin you a deal too golden to refuse. I will accept your deal with one modification."
Autumn looked at him sharply and he couldn't help but chuckle. She played his game well. She had even managed to get him all riled up. But she had presented her case well, and honestly he couldn't refuse her. But there was something more he wanted, something that he needed to know.
"Tell me who wrote that book," Gold said narrowing his eyes. Autumn froze a moment and said, "And if I tell you, you will accept my deal?"
"Yes, so do we have a deal?" Gold asked, gripping his cane. Autumn sighed and said, "Deal…The name he used was Kinsleigh, but to me he was my father."
Gold looked surprised and said with a strange expression, "Your father?"
"My father," Autumn said, walking over to the bed and sitting on it, "He had a mirror, a mirror that he could use to see anything he wanted."
"And how did he get such a mirror?" He asked, his Rumpelstiltskin side showing through, "Magic doesn't exist here."
"I don't know," Autumn said honestly, "I really don't. He had the mirror ever since I can remember. I never thought to ask him about it."
"I see," Gold said, going over to the bed. He sat next to her and then said, "Kinsleigh…why didn't you just tell me to begin with?"
"Trust," Autumn said, leaning against his arm gently.
"So you trust me now?" Gold said looking down at her. She then smirked up at him saying, "Well… I never actually told you my full name did I? After all you still don't know what my first name actually is."
Gold realized and said, moving his arm around to her side, "Why you little-."
Autumn suddenly jerked as his hand touched her side. Biting her lip, Autumn scooted over on the bed with a sheepish expression. Gold looked in disbelief as he said, "Are you ticklish?"
"No." Much too quickly to be the truth. He then grinned and said, "Oh ho, you are."
"Don't even!" Autumn said, going to dash off the bed with an amused glint in her eye. Gold was quicker, quicker than she expected him to be. His arms looped around her, tickling her sides mercilessly. Autumn burst out into laughter as she tried to get away. But despite all her attempts, it only ended with him holding her closer. Trying to squirm away, Autumn said, in between laughter, "Gold, stop!"
"Oh, no," Gold said, "You've been pushing boundaries all day and I have no intention of letting you get away with that."
It was a while before Gold thought she had enough. He allowed her to fall back on the bed as he watched her. Her giggles had finally disappeared as she looked up at him saying, "You're dumb."
"Oh, I'm dumb," Gold said incredulously, "You're telling that to the person who knows you're ticklish?"
"Yes," Autumn said grinning. She got up as he grabbed at her again. But instead of tickling her, he hugged her saying, "You're lucky I love you as much as I do."
Autumn blinked before saying, "What?"
Gold looked at her with an intrigued looked and he said, "Do you honestly think I would do all this for a person I didn't care about?"
He kissed her forehead as Autumn slowly slid her arms around him. A flash crossed her eyes as she did so, but luckily one that was not unpleasant. It was warm and comforting. It was something she wouldn't mind getting used to. Hugging him back, Autumn slowly remembered one of the reasons she came here.
"Where is she?" Autumn asked and Gold sighed. He wasn't surprised that she would find her way back to that. She seemed to have gotten rather attached to Kathryn. He said before pressing a kiss to the top of her head, "We are hiding her at Jefferson's. She's safe I promise you."
"I suppose I can't see her?"
"No," Gold exhaled, "I'm sorry."
Autumn nodded slowly, leaning against him. He stroked her hair, before saying, "You will be staying with me. There are no more worries about Regina holding you above my head."
"Why?"
"Because Kathryn had come to me before this all happened," Gold said, softly, "I have rights over you now."
Autumn blinked as she looked up at Gold surprised. So that's what David was trying to tell her this morning. He gently pushed her hair out of her face as he said, "She wanted what was best for you and she knew that Regina was not going to let that happen."
Autumn bit her lip before burying her face into his vest. It was all so much information for one morning. Gold seemed to pick up on this as he said, "I'm going downstairs to make lunch, just take a nap in the meantime. Alright?"
Autumn nodded, before leaving his embrace. Lying down on the bed, Autumn closed her eyes to at least try and relax. Gold left the room with a heavy sigh. He had a feeling more questions would soon be asked and she certainly wasn't going to let him get away. But he needed her, more than anything else. She had become family to him, and he wouldn't abandon her.
He just couldn't.
"Well look what I spy with my little eye."
A young man with blonde hair was staring down through a telescope at the top of the building. He spied a girl resting in her bedroom from the top of the house he was hiding on. A woman stood by him, her blonde hair falling around her shoulders. She watched her companion as he said, awestruck, "You were right. She is here."
"Of course she is. Just like I told you she was."
"Damn," he said making the telescope disappear, "That's an interesting turn of events. She with him to top it all off. Ryaden is going to be pissed."
"Now what do we do?" the woman said.
"We have a meeting soon," the man said with a sadistic grin, "I dare say you should escort her to that meeting troublemaker style. Wouldn't you agree, Morgana?"
Morgana smirked coldly, pulling her coat closed more as she said smoothly, "Why yes. I think that is a spectacular idea."
"So you're the Nutcracker?"
The hooded figure looked up warily from the dark corner of the pub. There was a man drinking from his bottle, looking a little drunk. His clothes were colorful and his face good natured. The hooded figures face was hidden from view as he said, "What is it to you?"
"I heard you have a mouse problem," the man stand, standing up. Walking rather smoothly over to the table, he said down grinning, "I'm here to offer you help."
"And why would you help me?" his voice sounded so dead as the man said, sincerely, "Let's just say I made a deal to use my power for good. And I heard about your story, it's quite unfair."
"Made a deal with whom?" the nutcracker said warily.
"I made a deal with a certain sorceress," the man said, "And gave me a power to help me gain respect from the people in my town."
"Who are you?" he asked woodenly, "What power do you possess that would help an unfortunate Prince like me?"
"My name is Pied Piper," the man said grinning, "And I have the power to dance your way to victory."
