Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time.
AN: See chapter 1 for the long version of the notes. Here's the abbreviated version.
This is based on Snow's comment in season 5 when she asked Emma if it would have made a difference had Emma been able to hear their voices. So what if she had been able to in her dreams? What if she had been able to see them in her dreams every night and they told her everything. What if when Henry came to find her, she already knew everything? How different would things be? This is that story.
I am also going to be weaving in a subplot involving characters from Greek Mythology with what I think is an exciting twist on the past. These flashbacks will also eventually reveal just exactly how and why the dreamscape is possible.
Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)
Thanks for the reviews. Here are some individual responses:
Barratta Jennifer: Thanks! Glad you like it!
Emma: Glad you liked it!
Austenphile: Thanks! Glad liked Emma's and David's reunion. There's another scene in this chapter you'll enjoy then. And Mad Charming is going to be fun!
Beth1980: Thanks! Glad you're enjoying it so much. Yep, no fake memories for David in this story. Gold has a vested interest in teaming up with Charming. He is a little more anxious for the curse to break in this story, because he has found Belle early so he's not interested in his usual games. It's funny that you ask whether or not Snow or David for that matter, remembers their Storybrooke life, because that question is answered in the first scene of this chapter and it's important. :)
Sara K M: It's good that you asked about David finding this world weird and whether or not there will be more references to that. Absolutely, in this chapter, in fact. I'm glad you enjoyed David's inner monologue and him realizing his wife would love teaching children. I always thought Regina lost control so easily, because she didn't fully understand the curse she was casting. It is an intricate curse, until you start pulling at threads and then it collapses pretty quickly. As for the Graham thing, it may have seemed too quick in this version, but there's a reason for it and it is explained why Graham made this decision to impulsively. Hope you continue to enjoy! :)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 5: Hope Will Return
The Dreamscape
"Snow...Emma…" David called. He was finally asleep again. The problem was...he had no memories of his time awake, just like Snow. For some reason, it was only Emma that remembered both.
"Charming! There you are! I've been so worried!" Snow fretted, as she rushed into his arms. He smiled and caught her, before spinning her around, while kissing her passionately.
"Guys…" Emma complained playfully. Snow smiled against his lips, as he slowly lowered her to her feet.
"Sorry I'm late, my darling," he whispered.
"I was worried when you weren't here, but Emma said it's because you've awakened. She said you've been comatose all these years," Snow said.
"I guess that would make sense," he replied.
"So...do you remember anything you did while awake?" Emma asked.
"I'm afraid not. It must be the curse. Until it's broken, maybe your mother and I won't be able to remember both," he guessed with a shrug.
"I remember everything," she muttered, wondering if she should tell him he had his real memories. But maybe it was best he didn't know that yet. She hugged him tightly and felt comfort, as she always did when he cradled her head.
"You guys weren't exaggerating, you know. Regina is evil," Emma stated. Charming nodded and Snow looked sad.
"She wasn't always like this," Snow admonished.
"Then how the hell did she get like this?" Emma asked.
"For a very long time...I blamed myself. Sometimes I still do," Snow said.
"Mom,"
"Snow," they protested together.
"I told a secret...but Regina's pain started before she met me. I was just the catalyst. The real evil...the person that made Regina into what she is was her mother...Cora," Snow began to explain.
Flashback
Approximately 29 years before the Dark Curse
When Demeter appeared on Olympus, she was not surprised to see solemn faces meet her. Athena stepped forward first.
"We will do whatever necessary to protect your grandchild. I have foreseen that she will the fairest in all the realms," Athena said.
"And she will be strong with the heart of a warrior," Artemis added.
"Thank you. But Deimos has joined Hades and promised to kill her upon her birth," Demeter said, glaring at Ares.
"Deimos is restless. Peace does not suit him," Ares said.
"Suit him? He has all but declared war on mortals!" Demeter cried, as she turned to Zeus.
"We must imprison Deimos and find a way to protect my grandchild. Persephone will want her no where near Hades," she stated.
"Deimos will be dealt with...severally," Zeus agreed.
"Zeus...please!" Area pleaded.
"He is a threat to all, Ares," Zeus argued. The God of War clenched his fists, but kept his rage at bay.
"You've gone so soft, father. It's pathetic," Deimos spat, as he appeared.
"Deimos...my son, what are you doing?" Ares protested.
"I'm making way for a new ruler," he hissed, as blew back the other Gods with blasts of dark magic, including Zeus. He stalked toward the pedestal where the Olympian crystal hovered in its stasis.
"Hades told me that this crystal could destroy you all and then he shall reign as the Supreme God! Mortals will then finally know their places again!" Deimos said, his eyes black with the lust for power.
"You don't want to do that, Deimos," Zeus warned.
"Shut up...your time has passed. Hades will rule and mortals will grovel at my feet as I will be his right hand. And they will live in constant fear!" Deimos ranted, as he grabbed the crystal. But his cackling died on his lips, as the power scorched him and the white fire consumed his body, as he screamed in agony. When the fire faded, Deimos remained, but his immortal glow was gone.
"What...what have you done to me?" he asked, as his dark magic could no longer be summoned.
"I made sure the crystal could never fall into the wrong hands. You are now the thing you hate most...mortal and I cast you from Olympus...forever!" Zeus decreed.
"NO! You can't do this!" Deimos screeched, as he was engulfed in a puff of white smoke and deposited on the Earth, as vulnerable as any mortal now.
"Zeus...my daughter, we must find a way to protect her child," Demeter pleaded. Athena nodded and revealed her plan to do just that.
"Good morning," Mary Margaret greeted, as she poured two cups of coffee.
"Oh good...coffee," Emma muttered, as she stumbled down the stairs.
"You're up really early," she mentioned, as she took a big sip of coffee, which she had long been convinced was the nectar of the Gods.
"I'm a morning person," Mary shrugged.
"It's Sunday," Emma countered and Mary looked guilty.
"Anxious to get to the hospital?" the blonde teased.
"Am I a complete idiot?" the schoolteacher asked.
"No...not with David anyway," Emma answered.
"How do you mean?" Mary asked.
"Well...I sort of have this superpower so to speak. I know a liar when I see one and that usually means I can detect a scumbag when I encounter them," Emma explained.
"You must have really good instincts," Mary mentioned.
"So do you Mom...they're just buried," Emma thought to herself.
"So you think David isn't just pretending to be a good guy?" she asked curiously.
"No...he's genuine. Damon Tromera on the other hand...that guy is not only the biggest slime ball in the Universe, but I'm pretty sure he's dangerous," the deputy warned.
"I got that feeling too," the pixie haired woman replied.
"Yeah...go with that feeling. Whale is skeevy and mostly harmless. They both want in your pants, though I suspect Whale wants in any woman's pants that will let him. Damon though...that guy probably has done stuff that he should be in jail for," Emma warned.
"And David?" Mary asked hopefully. Emma smiled.
"He's a rarity. One of the few good ones and obviously just as smitten with you," Emma assured.
"You think?" the raven haired beauty asked. The blonde smirked.
"It's written all over his face when he looks at you," Emma said.
"Then you don't think it would be too soon to date?" she asked uncertainly.
"Usually I don't believe in true love much. But it does exist so if you find something that rare, it has to be fought for. And let's just say, I know the real thing when I see it," Emma said. It may not have been a subtle prodding, but with her parents, they didn't need subtle. They belonged together like no two people ever had. They were the epitome of true love and she knew as much as she could help reach her mother, it was ultimately her father that could truly awaken their love inside her.
"I don't know...I wonder if I could really have something good like that. I've been alone for so long," she murmured.
"You can and you deserve it. Don't you dare let Regina get to you," Emma implored.
"I just don't know why she hates me so much. I don't remember doing anything to her," Mary replied.
"Some people aren't happy, so they have to ruin other people's happiness to feel better about themselves," Emma told her.
"I guess...so you think David is a good guy?" the teacher asked again. The blonde smirked again.
"As close to Prince Charming as you can get," Emma answered.
Regina stormed into Gold's shop early the next morning in a fury.
"Madam Mayor, maybe you missed the sign, but I'm not open yet," Gold stated.
"Like I care. We need to talk," Regina snapped.
"Do we?" Gold questioned.
"What's your name?" she growled. He smirked.
"Mr. Gold...didn't you see the sign outside?" he said, pointing to the door.
"Don't get cute with me...what is your real name?" she snapped. Gold was confident from this line of questioning that the Mayor was not yet aware of Belle's absence from the psychiatric ward at the hospital. She would soon know, probably before lunchtime, in fact. But for now, he would enjoy toying with her. When she confronted him again, then he would play his hand and make it clear that he was going to make her pay.
"I'm not exactly sure what you're looking for, Madam Mayor. I am Mr. Gold. Mister. Gold," he repeated, rather enjoying the fury on her face.
"Dammit Gold...you know what I mean!" she screamed. He was silent, giving her an unnerving stare.
"No, Madam Mayor, I am afraid I do not. I know your young son was in quite a predicament yesterday, so I'll let your foul treatment of me slide...today," he warned. She searched his eyes and knew he was awake. But she also knew if her old mentor didn't want to say so, then he wouldn't until it suited him. He was like a snake and she had to be careful around him, especially if he truly had helped Charming. It baffled her though. He didn't just do things out of the kindness of his heart, which meant that idiot prince had something he wanted or so she thought.
"Fine, I don't have time for your games...today," she echoed, as she stormed out. Belle was still at his home. He had shown her the basics of how to operate certain appliances, including the phone in case she needed him. And he had provided her many books to read about this land and the town, of which she was eagerly devouring when he left for the shop. That would appease her for now, but he knew Belle. Even without her memories, she would want to interact with this new world and he would have to keep a watchful eye. If Regina dared to go after her again, he would have to find a way to counter her without magic. His alliance with Jefferson and Charming and by that extension, the Savior, would prove to be very useful...
Flashback
Approximately 29 years before the Dark Curse
As Deimos dropped to the ground, horrified by his new existence, Hades appeared to him through the reflective surface of Lake Nostos.
"It would seem that my brother's treachery knows no bounds, my friend," the God of the Underworld said regrettably.
"He...he must pay! He has curse me to a mortal existence!" Deimos raged.
"Yes...losing you as a right hand is most disturbing indeed," Hades agreed.
"I can still aide you! You must help me seek revenge!" Deimos pleaded. Hades smirked.
"There may be a way. Go to the Dark One's castle. He owes me a favor and cannot refuse. We will make him devise a solution to your problem," Hades said.
Since visiting hours didn't start until ten at the hospital, Emma left before Mary with the intention of making a secret stop at there to see her father before heading to the station. Graham wanted her to take the day shifts. She thought that was kind of odd since most bosses would leave the night shifts to the lower ranks. But he claimed to like the night shift so Emma wasn't going to complain.
Sneaking in before visiting hours was a little too easy with the sleeping dwarf on guard and she wasn't surprised to see her father awake. His face lit up at the sight of her and she felt an instant warmth in her; something she usually didn't feel when awake.
"Emma…" he uttered.
"Hey Dad," she whispered, as she sat down next to her bed.
"You're here early," he said pleasantly surprised.
"Yeah, I have the early shift at the station. I just wanted to tell you I think Mom will be by today. So you know, turn on the charm," she teased and he chuckled.
"You saw her already?" he asked.
"I'm actually staying with her. Regina pressured Granny into refusing me a room. She thinks that will run me out of town," she explained.
"That woman…" he growled.
"But I guess I'm glad you're under the same roof as Snow. That makes me feel more at ease. I guess now it's just up to me to court your mother all over again," he said.
"Yeah, that's kind of why I came. They don't call it courting here. They call it dating," Emma corrected.
"Okay...dating. Got it," he said.
"Yeah and they do different stuff here too. You can't go stringing Mom up in a net," she teased.
"Very funny," he replied.
"Just start by asking her to dinner at Granny's. It's casual," Emma suggested.
"Okay, but I think the woods will really jog her memory. That's where we fell in love, you know," he said. She smiled.
"I know. There is the toll bridge. I don't think it's a coincidence that this is where Mom found you last night or you found her," she said.
"It would make a great place for an after dinner walk," she hinted. He grinned.
"That's perfect. Thanks Em," he said.
"You're welcome, but I gotta go," she said.
"Okay...be careful. Even without magic, Regina is conniving and dangerous," he warned.
"I will. Love you," she said.
"Love you too princess," he said, as he watched her go. He was now a bundle of anxious energy. He wanted his family whole and he wanted it now.
Graham officially finished all the paperwork for his new deputy that morning. He realized it might seem hasty to some to hire this newcomer, but it had actually been at the suggestion of Mr. Gold the evening before. Graham had been running a little ragged lately and Gold had merely mentioned that having someone to help that also had some experience with the law might be greatly beneficial to their town.
Normally, he would question the pawnbroker's motivations, but he wasn't wrong about Emma Swan's experience as a bail bonds-person possibly being a valuable asset to the Sheriff's department. He had the budget for it and Regina would hate it. He found the later to be a surprising motivation to hire her as well.
So almost before he knew what was happening, he was handing the beautiful blonde the badge. He could admit that it was impulsive and not usually his way, but there was something special about Emma Swan. He had felt so since the moment she rolled into town. And lately, quiet and boring Storybrooke seemed to explode with a multitude of problems. Normally, he was a lone wolf, but taking on a deputy would be to the benefit of the people and that was what mattered most.
Regina set a bowl of her freshly picked honey crisp apples on the table. They were the cream of the crop from her prized tree and she picked one up, looking at it while recalling how an apple just like this one had sent her wretched step-daughter into a permanent slumber. Or at least it should have been permanent. She had planned to execute Charming just to make sure there would be no waking Snow. But his escape had led to true love's kiss waking Snow White and destroying everything she had worked for. What she wouldn't give for another poison apple to force down Mary Margaret Blanchard's pretty little throat.
But that wasn't an option. With no magic, she was going to have to get more creative. Gold had ruined her perfect plot to trap David in a marriage to Kathryn. Now that they were officially "divorced", it made giving him false memories a bit moot. No, she needed something else and she didn't know what yet, but she knew she would find something. She would be damned if she let Snow have her happiness after twenty-eight perfect years of making sure she was miserable.
She delighted in making sure to call her out in public every chance she got. A barb here, an insult there, and it had successfully made her into a shell of her former self. She chuckled to herself. She could barely make eye contact with anyone. It was a bonus that Damon Tromera was practically obsessed with her and stalked her.
"Hmm...maybe I can find a way to encourage him to be even bolder," she mused.
The only thing Mary Margaret seemed to love about her life was her job. Maybe she could take that. It would be easy to call the school and force them to terminate her employment. But no...Regina wanted it to be a very public shaming. There was no dirt to dig up on squeaky clean Mary Margaret, but that wouldn't stop her. She'd think of the perfect revenge...she always did.
Her reverie of just how she wanted to humiliate her step-daughter was interrupted when she heard an awful buzzing sound in the backyard. She hurried out and nearly fell over, as she watched the blonde menace take a chainsaw to her prized tree.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Regina screamed, as Emma killed the saw.
"Oh this? This is for messing with me," Emma spat.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Miss Swan," Regina goaded with an evil gleam in her eyes.
"My records were sealed…" Emma hissed.
"Oh, you mean your criminal record?" Regina taunted. Emma turned the saw on and finished off the tree, even as Regina yelled at her to stop.
"Your move, bitch. Oh...and do whatever the hell you want to me, but don't involve my son…" Emma spat.
"He's my son…" Regina growled back.
"For now. And leave Mary Margaret and David the hell alone," Emma warned. Regina narrowed her gaze.
"And why would you care so much about them?" Regina asked suspiciously.
"They're my friends," Emma replied simply, as she stalked back to her car. But Regina wasn't convinced. There was something else, but she couldn't put her finger on it. For now though, this wouldn't stand and she dialed a number on her phone.
"Find a way to unseal the rest of her records," Regina said into the receiver, before hanging up. She had the criminal record, but everything else from her childhood was still sealed. But Regina was determined to change that.
In effort to help him acclimate to this world, Jefferson had left a satchel full of books for him to go through the previous evening. It was a bit daunting, but Regina had twenty-eight years of knowledge of the way this world worked on him.
It boggled his mind at how intricate the curse was. The detail that went into it...the false memories that everyone, save for a few, had. The amount of dark magic it must have taken was mind blowing. It had inserted this town into a vast country seamlessly with those of this land being none the wiser. It was a strange land with strange customs, strange clothing, and though there was supposedly no magic, it had fascinating devices that certainly seemed like they should be magic.
But as he learned from reading, the magic of this world just had a different name. Technology. He read everything he could about the town. He didn't understand all of it. Regina was in charge though; that was enough to know that people were miserable.
His protective nature swelled in him when he thought of Snow living under Regina's thumb and with the threat of Deimos, a former God and evil to the core, stalking her. It made his blood boil. He had no idea how Deimos had survived their final encounter back in the Enchanted Forest, but if he got near Snow...Mary...he wouldn't survive again. He'd make sure of it.
Those troubling thoughts were interrupted thought by a most welcome voice, as he looked up and saw the vision of her in the doorway.
"Hi," Mary said shyly. His face lit up with a smile, as she stepped in.
"Hi," he greeted, as he put the book aside.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," she said.
"Not at all," he replied, as she sat beside the bag.
"I probably wasn't supposed to, but I thought you might be tired of hospital food so I stopped at the bakery and bought a cinnamon roll. It's huge and there's no way I can eat all of it by myself," she said, as she took it and two plastic forks out of the paper bag.
"The food this morning left a lot to be desired. The oatmeal they tried to feed me was pretty much flavorless paste," he agreed. She crinkled her nose and handed him a fork, as they dug into the large pastry together.
"Mmm...that's really good. I love cinnamon," he said. She smiled.
"Me too," she replied. He did indeed like cinnamon, but Snow had always been the one that couldn't get enough of it. And the thing he loved most about cinnamon wasn't really really eating it, but rather tasting it on her lips when he kissed her. Gods...he wanted to kiss her. But he knew it was too soon.
"So...do you think they'll be releasing you soon?" Mary asked curiously.
"I hope so...I may have no memories, but I know I don't do well being confined," he mentioned.
"Maybe they'll let you outside for a walk in the courtyard? We...could go together?" she suggested. He smiled.
"I'd like that," he replied. She smiled shyly and noticed a smudge of frosting on the corner of his mouth.
"Hold still," she said, as she took her thumb and wiped the frosting from the corner of his mouth. But then she noticed how close they were now and they gazed into each other's eyes. And for him, it made him recall a very good memory.
"Hold still," Snow chided, as she wiped the smudge of fruit jam from the corner of his mouth. It was a rare afternoon where they had managed to escape the palace to have a picnic together. Usually their afternoons were spent tending to royal duties, responsibilities, or weapons training to keep in practice. So today was a very nice reprieve.
"You know, there's a better way you could clean that off," he teased. She looked at him coyly.
"Really?" she asked.
"Mmmhmm," he hummed, as their faces were mere inches apart. Snow smirked and kissed his lips in short pecks and she hummed into his kiss, as he locked her lips in a longer, passionate kiss.
"You're right, that is better," she mused.
"I can show you even better," he said in a husky tone. She smirked and he watched, mesmerized, as she climbed into his lap, while bunching up her casual gown.
"Then by all means, Prince Charming...show me," she purred. Their lips met anew and he kissed her deeply, his tongue dancing with hers. She was breathless by the time he lowered her to the blanket beneath them on the forest floor and despite being on the ground, he managed to make them fly…
He willed himself back to reality and gave her a half smile.
"Thanks," he said, as she found herself lost in his sapphire gaze.
"So...I can check with the nurse's station about that walk," she mentioned.
"Sounds perfect," he replied. She smiled and left briefly to arrange a walk for him with the nurses. It was only a matter of time now. The curse would break. He would get his wife back. They would finally be a family. And Regina was going to lose...