Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time.
AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summary.
Special Note: So, on my flashbacks when I was calculating the years, I was thinking total time including time from Snow's birth to current time in Storybrooke, which we know should be approximately 56-59 years give or take. But since Snow was probably born approximately 28 years before the 28 year curse, my time line should have reflected those years and not the total time. I fixed it on previous chapters. So in this chapter, you'll see that it's 28 years before the Dark Curse in the flashback since Snow was just born. Sorry if that's confusing. I'm confused myself. But everyone seems to be understanding that events happening in the flashbacks are just before and as Snow is born.
Ships: 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 liked it so much!
Guest: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I'm going to say that MM doesn't suspect an Emma/David relationship that's anymore than friendship and that's because of what's about to happen in this chapter. Hope you enjoy!
Guest2: Yep, things are definitely heating up in more ways than one. As for Damon coming back, it will be revealed eventually, but it's down the road a ways yet. ;)
Beth1980: Mary may eventually tell Emma about her dream, but right now, she's a bit too shy still. That will slowly change. I know, those two scenes were in a which scene is cutest contest. Which is good, because there's some intensity in this chapter. Yep, oh the parallels. Persephone had to give Snow her best chance, which is explained even more in this chapter. And Snow had to give Emma her best chance.
No, Emma didn't tell them much about her son when he was born. They know she had a baby and gave him up without holding him. They knew it was too painful for her so they didn't really discuss it. This will probably be a bullet point somewhere down the line. And yep, you're the only one that got that it was the Snowing theme and that's awesome. So glad you're enjoying the story!
Sara K M: Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the dreamscape. As for Mary remembering, before it was only impressions. That particular "dream" was very intense and now that time is moving again, those impressions are becoming stronger. Normally, I'd say yes to her a guilt complex for her, but David isn't married in this version so there is less of that and more of she just doesn't quite think she's worthy. There will be a lot more of him having to convince her that she is indeed worthy. ;)
As for Deimos, it starts out that Deimos simply wants to end Snow at Hades' orders. But as you'll find out in this chapter, Hades and Deimos won't know who she is anymore and you'll see why in this chapter. When he happens upon her in a future flashback, that's where his mission to kill her will morph into something more, especially when he finds out who she is.
Glad you like the Snowing fluff and the little cracks in the curse that are appearing all over. ;)
As for the quotation, the first one that ended with Emma deadpanned was supposed to have a comma and end quote. But there was a typo. I have fixed it. As for starting a new line with the second quote, that is a quirk of mine. It comes from my days studying journalism in high school and early college, before I figured out that I loved writing, but nothing else about journalism. I have this thing where a new quotation means a new line. It's a quirk in my style that I've never been able to break. It's a symmetry thing with me and it bugs me when there are quotes starting in the middle of line so I have to make a new line. I know the way you typed it out is correct. But the way I did it isn't technically wrong. I know I should try to work on being okay with a quote starting in the middle of line, but like I said, that's just one quirk I have. :)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 8: Intervention
Mount Olympus
The Temple of Morpheus
Approximately 28 years before the Dark Curse
Demeter looked on, as Athena fed the baby the potion to strip her immortality. It had to be done, for Hades could not find her. They stood in the Temple of Morpheus, as he readied to help them conceal the child.
"Are you certain about this?" Morpheus asked.
"Yes...we must hide her from Hades. She will be well cared for with King Leopold and Queen Eva. They are her only other family. They must think she is theirs though," Demeter said.
"And you are sure about erasing Prince Elijah from the memories of an entire Kingdom is wise?" Morpheus questioned.
"We must. Hades must not suspect and they must not know of her true heritage," Demeter answered. Morpheus sighed.
"Then when the Kingdom awakens, the memory of Prince Elijah will be expunged from all, even his sister Eva. She and her King will remember the birth of this little one to them. None will be the wiser," Morpheus decreed, as his dust swept over the land.
"Goodbye my little Snow White. Your mother and I will always be watching over you," Demeter promised, as the baby disappeared. They watched through Morpheus' crystal pool, as the King and Queen doted on their little princess…
David was true to his word and headed to Gold's shop with Wilby in tow after work. He had a little time before he needed to be at Mary's and walked into the shop. He wasn't surprised to see Jefferson there, as the three of them agreed to start meeting when necessary to discuss the matters of the curse. Wilby wagged his tail and eagerly greeted the new people.
"Why do you have a dog?" Jefferson asked, as Gold knelt down to actually pet him, much to David's surprise.
"He was mine, back in the Enchanted Forest. So I adopted him," he said. Jefferson's eyes widened.
"Wait...you're bringing this mutt home...as in to my house?" Jefferson asked in disbelief.
"Relax...I'll handle all his care and he'll go to work with me every day. Besides, Emma loves him. And I know Mary and Henry will adore him too," David replied.
"So you saw Emma today?" the Hatter asked.
"Yes...that's part of why I'm here. She asked about Deimos...or Damon I guess as he's known here. I told her the whole story...the story you told us about how he came to be," David said, looking at Gold.
"And you want to know how he survived the siege you and your wife led on the last blood moon before the curse," Gold responded knowingly.
"I saw Red rip him to shreds. We burned his remains," David recalled.
"And someone with the power to revive him brought him back and made sure he was caught up in the curse," Gold replied.
"Do you know who?" he asked.
"I wish I did. Believe me, I don't like when someone inserts unknown factors into my carefully laid plans, but there seems to be much of that going on," the Dark One replied.
"The dreamscape…" David realized. Gold nodded curtly.
"What aren't you telling me? I know you know why Deimos was so obsessed with Snow, but you would never tell us," David said in frustration.
"The time will soon come for you to know, but it will do us no good until your wife remembers her true identity," Gold replied. David sighed.
"Then we need to focus on helping Emma break the curse," the prince decided.
"We're way ahead of where I thought we'd be. Your daughter not only already believes, but she seems just as determined as we are," Jefferson mentioned.
"She is," David confirmed, as his phone rang. Jefferson watched the prince fumble with the device in amusement.
"Just open it and talk," he instructed.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Dad...it's me," Emma said.
"Emma...hey, is everything okay?" he asked.
"With me, it's fine. But I was just at Henry's school and spotted that Damon guy headed inside. I was going to follow him, but I have Henry with me…" she explained.
"No...that's okay. I'll head there now," he said, as he hung up.
"Damon showed up at the school," David told them. Jefferson snorted.
"Yeah, I figured he'd get more brazen now that time is moving again," the Hatter commented.
"Or worse. I wouldn't put it past Regina to encourage him to pursue Mary. Without her memories, she may not be able to fight him off," Gold warned. David turned and hurried toward the door.
"Come on boy," he called to Wilby, who ran after him.
Mary hummed a tune, something she found herself humming lately that she couldn't place. It was a romantic tune though and she liked it, even if she had no idea where she had heard it. She packed her things up for the day and was prepared to leave, but saw Damon Tromera appear in her doorway. She stopped in her tracks and instinctively backed away toward her desk.
"Ms. Blanchard," he leered.
"Mr. Tromera...what are you doing here?" she asked wearily.
"I've come to take you to dinner. I thought a nice, quiet little meal at my club would be exactly the thing needed to show you that I'm the man you should be with," he said, as he presented her with more blood red roses.
"I...I already have dinner plans," she stammered.
"Yes...with the coma patient," he said dismissively.
"His name is David...and he's my boyfriend," she replied. He chuckled.
"Boyfriend? Why Miss Blanchard, you are moving fast. I didn't think that was possible with as many times as you've turned me down," as he cornered her at her desk.
"Mr. Tromera...please leave. You're making me uncomfortable," Mary pleaded.
"I don't want to leave. In fact, there are many things I want from you and none of them involve me leaving," he said, as he stroked her cheek, making her shudder.
"Please don't touch me," she cried, as a tear slipped down her cheek.
"Stop telling me no," he growled. She gasped and there was a crash, as her vase with the snow drops shattered on her floor. She moved to start cleaning it up, but he grabbed her arm and she yelped.
"I promise this can be very enjoyable if you'll just stop fighting me, Mary," he leered, as he forced his lips onto hers. She felt the bile rising in her throat the pure disgust, as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. So she did the only thing she knew might make it stop and she bit him. He cried out in pain and pulled back. He wound his hand up and she gasped, realizing he was about to hit her and shied away.
But a hand caught his arm and he was forcibly removed. David slammed him against the wall and he threw his weight into the other man. Mary cried out, as they went rolling to the floor, as the dog that came with David growled at Damon. The darker haired man managed to throw David off and picked up one of the student's chairs, intending to smash it down on the fair haired man.
"Let's see if I can put you back in that coma," Damon hissed.
"Freeze...and put the chair down, Mr. Tromera," Graham ordered, as he appeared in the doorway, with his gun leveled at their tormentor. Damon smirked and put his hands up in surrender. David got to his feet and wiped the blood from his lip, as Mary rushed to him.
"I'll be out by morning," he assured, as Graham hauled him off.
"Oh David…" Mary cried, as she collapsed in his arms.
"Are you okay?" he asked, as he held her beautiful face in his hands. She nodded.
"I am...thanks to you again," she replied, as she relished being held by him.
"You're trembling...let me get you home," he said. She nodded, as he helped her out and they spotted Damon in the back of the squad car.
"I know how much you want to just go home, Miss Blanchard. But I'm afraid I need you to come down to the station and make a statement," Graham said.
"She's been through hell. Can't you just have Emma come take her statement at home?" David asked, as he watched Mary cling tightly to him.
"I suppose that would be okay. I'll call her and have her come take your statement. You'll make sure she gets home?" Graham asked, though it was clear David wasn't letting go of her any time soon. He nodded.
Mary leaned her head against his arm, as they walked the few short blocks to her apartment. She'd have to go back for her car later, but right now she didn't care. She just wanted to go home and wanted to be with David. She smiled though, as the dog trotted beside them.
"I didn't know you were going to adopt a dog," she mentioned. He smiled.
"Neither did I. Wilby and I...just clicked," he replied, gazing fondly at her. Just clicked...much like she and David had.
"I hope you don't mind if he comes. I probably should have asked," he said.
"I don't mind at all. I love dogs," she replied, as they started up the stairs and she unlocked her apartment. She then remembered all her plans to make him dinner, but after her experience, she didn't know if she had the concentration she needed in the kitchen. He led her inside and they sat down on her couch.
"Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?" he asked.
"No...I'm fine. But you're not. Those cuts need attention," she said, as she sprung up before he could stop her and returned with the first aide kit.
"They're not too bad," he said.
"Maybe...but you got them protecting me. At least let me treat them," she replied, as she dabbed a cloth against the dried blood on his lip and then smiled.
"What?" he asked.
"I just think Henry might have a point, you know," she said, as she dabbed the cut on his forehead.
"About what?" he asked.
"Well...he insists that, according to his book, you're supposed to be my Prince Charming and I think he certainly got it right. You saved me...I don't want to think about what would have happened if you weren't there," she choked out, as she broke down in tears and he took her in arms. She pulled back a few moments later and started wiping her tears.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," he replied.
"And you know what?" he asked.
"Hmm?" she hummed.
"If I'm your Prince Charming, that would make you my Snow White," he said, as he caressed her cheek. She smiled shyly.
"I don't think I'd make a very good Snow White," she said.
"I think you'd be the perfect Snow White," he countered, as Emma chose that moment to burst into the apartment.
"Oh my God…Graham just called me," she cried, as she rushed over and hugged Mary tightly.
"Oh…" Mary said in surprise, but then smiled and melted into Emma's hug.
"I'm okay...thanks to David," she replied. Emma sighed in relief.
"Thank Emma too. I'm guessing you sent Graham to the school?" he asked. His daughter nodded.
"Just a bad gut feeling about that guy," she answered.
"I need to take your statement. Do you feel up to it?" Emma asked. She nodded.
"I'll be okay," she assured.
"While you're taking her statement, I'll go grab us dinner from Granny's and bring it back," he said.
"I was going to cook for you…" she said. He smiled and kissed her.
"It's okay...there will be many more nights for that," he promised, as he got his jacket and Emma met him at the door.
"Dad...I know you're tempted to make a stop at the station, but please don't," she whispered.
"Emma…" he started to say.
"Dad...I know things worked differently back home, but you going and beating the crap out of this guy, no matter how good it would feel...it would just result in him getting released on a technicality. The laws in this world are very different," she pleaded with him. He sighed.
"Okay...I promise. I'm going to Granny's and straight back," he said. She smiled and nodded.
"So...you need to take my statement?" Mary asked, as the door closed.
"Forget that for the moment," Emma replied, as she sat down and pulled Mary into another hug. This time the raven haired beauty held onto the blonde for dear life.
"I swear to you, Mary...if he touches you again…" Emma started to say. She sniffed.
"I don't want you or David doing anything that might take either of you away from me. I'm fine...as long as I have my best friend...and my boyfriend. Then I'm never going to be alone," Mary reasoned. Emma smiled.
"You'll never be alone again," Emma promised.
"Neither will you," Mary said pointedly, knowing that she and Emma were much alike in that respect.
"Of course not. You're my family now...you and David and Henry, even if my son can't live with me," Emma replied.
"You're still his mother," Mary reminded.
"Maybe...but so is Regina, even if she is a colossal bitch," Emma grumbled.
"Yes...Regina is his mother too. But since you came into Henry's life...I've never seen him happier," Mary implored. Emma sighed.
"I don't know," she said uncertainly.
"Trust me...I see him every day. He has hope again and there's only one person responsible for that. You," Mary replied.
"You are too. You gave him that book. That's what started all this," she reminded.
"Maybe...but you made his hope flourish when you came home with him," she said.
It took every ounce of control he could muster, but David didn't storm to the police station and went straight to Granny's, as promised. He was very surprised to find Henry sitting alone on Granny's outdoor patio, occupied with some device in his hand. He looked around wearily and didn't see Regina anywhere, so he approached, not about to let such an opportunity go to waste.
"Henry…" said, as he approached. The boy looked up and his face lit up in awe, as he put the device down. Wilby ran up to the boy and greeted him with a lick to his face.
"Mr. Nolan…" he said carefully. David smiled and looked around.
"What are you doing here alone?" he asked.
"My Mom said she had an emergency meeting so Granny is supposed to be watching me," Henry replied. David spotted the elderly woman observing from the window. Somehow, she must have deemed him safe to be around the boy, because she walked away to tend to a few tables.
"Guess that means we're alone," he said, as he knelt down.
"Emma said that you have your real memories," Henry mentioned quietly. He smiled.
"I do and I think Mr. Nolan is a little formal, at least when we're alone," he replied. Henry's eyes lit up.
"You mean it's true? I was right?" he asked. He knew Emma had told him such, but to hear it from someone that lived through the events in his book meant everything.
"You were right about everything and I'm so proud of you for believing," he told him. Henry's eyes widened in surprise.
"You're proud of me?" he asked in disbelief. He nodded.
"You brought Emma back to us. When she breaks the curse, you'll be the reason our family is brought back together," he replied and Henry grinned.
"You're very brave," David added and the little boy threw his arms around Charming. The prince chuckled and hugged him back, gently cradling his head.
"Thanks Grandpa," he whispered. Charming chuckled again.
"You're welcome Henry. I know it's hard to be patient, but we will break the curse. I promise," he assured. The little boy nodded and laughed, as Wilby nuzzled him.
"Is he your dog?" Henry asked.
"He is...he's part of our family too," David replied. It was about that time he noticed Regina's car approaching in the distance.
"Oh no, that's my Mom," he said.
"It's okay Henry...it won't be long now," David replied, as Henry threw his arms around him in a quick hug.
"I love you grandpa," he whispered. David smiled.
"I love you too Henry," he whispered back, as they separated before Regina could see. Henry pet the dog, making their interaction seem perfectly innocent and focused on the animal, before the boy hurried to get in her car. About that time, Granny brought their order out that Emma had called in and he paid her, before calling to Wilby. With that, they headed back to Mary Margaret's apartment.
When David came back, he found his girls cuddled together and waiting for him. Mary ushered him over and he placed the take out bags on the coffee table, as Mary pulled him down, very happy to be sandwiched between two of her three favorite people(Henry being the third, of course).
After playfully squabbling over movie choices, in which Mary insisted none of Emma's slasher flicks and Emma insisted none of Mary's sappy rom-com's, they settled on the classic Back to the Future. Since David was just beginning to learn what a movie even was, he had little opinion, but if watching a movie meant Mary cuddled in his arms, resting her head on his chest, then he knew it would become a favorite past time.
When the movie was over, Emma knew she needed to go to bed since she had to be up for the early shift. She noticed Mary and David were both asleep and allowed herself a smile. Quietly, she turned off the television and gently managed to prod her father to lay down. Instinctively, he draped his arm around her mother's waist, as Mary rested on his chest. She'd seen this picture before in the dreamscape. It never mattered that they had a king sized bed, for her parents were always cuddled together in each other's arms. She covered them with one of Mary's large blankets and then slipped quietly upstairs to bed.
The years passed and Persephone watched her daughter thrive in her private chamber, the one place in the Underworld that Hades was not allowed.
She watched her daughter lose her mother, Queen Eva, at such a young age and grieve from the terrible loss. This woman, Cora, that had caused it made Persephone livid, especially when she sought further to manipulate her precious one and even her own daughter.
Persephone's heart shattered, as she watched her little Snow be hunted by a vengeful Queen of Cora's own making. The woodland creatures were fiercely protective of her daughter, for they instinctively knew exactly who she was.
Persephone agonized at her daughter's predicament. This was not how it was supposed to be. While Snow was still cherished by her people, they could only do so much against a Queen with power like Regina.
But it was on a day when she thought all might be lost that she found hope for her beloved daughter.
When she was locked in the woodcutter's mobile dungeon, she was prepared to intervene. She knew it would alert Hades to her daughter's identity, but she wasn't going to let her daughter be turned over to the Queen, never mind have her be subjected to whatever horrors this man had in mind for her on the journey to the Queen's castle. She knew men like him. She was married to one, after all.
But then, she was saved by a young shepherd. Handsome and noble as any mortal she had ever seen. But that's not what gave her hope. It was the tiny spark created between them and the sapling that grew as a result. A spark of first true love was a rarity indeed, as was true love that could create such life and magic with a simple touch.
The shepherd parted ways from her daughter then, but Persephone, being a goddess, could see the ties of destiny between them. Her daughter had found true love without even knowing it.
Present Day
Persephone stared into her viewing pond in her private chambers in the Underworld. enamored with what she saw. It had been twenty-eight years since she'd been allowed to gaze upon her daughter. She reached out, longing to caress her beautiful daughter's face. Somehow, she could now see Storybrooke. The Land Without Magic had long been off limits to the Gods, as belief in that land had dwindled them to the status of silly myths. Without magic in the place where her daughter was, her pool had remained blank all these years.
But something had changed now and she knew it had to be her granddaughter, the Savior; a product of true love. A lover truer than any Persephone had ever seen in her considerable years.
At last, she had found her way to the place the curse had taken everyone, a little town called Storybrooke that the Land Without Magic was unaware even existed. The curse had yet to be broken, but would soon, she was certain. That didn't lessen her anxiousness though, but she took heart, as she watched her great grandson give her daughter a fistful of snow bells.
What happened later, after Snow dismissed her students, sent Persephone into a panic.
It was Deimos...though he had a different identity in this world, his sickening obsession with her daughter had not gone away.
"Mother!" she cried. It upset Hades when Demeter trespassed into the Underworld, but her daughter was worth his wrath.
Demeter appeared and hugged her daughter close, as they were forced to watch Deimos raise his hand to Snow. Persephone cried out, but thankfully his strike never came, as Charming appeared to fight him off. But Persephone was now beside herself.
"Mother...I know it breaks every single rule, but I must go there. I will not stand idly by any longer while my daughter and her family are tormented by that monster, not to mention the Queen!" Persephone ranted. Demeter put her hands on her hysterical daughter's shoulders.
"I know...I may have a way," Demeter revealed.
"You do?" she asked.
"Yes, but you must understand that there is no magic in this place. Even if there is, it does not work the same as it does in this land," Demeter reminded.
"I know mother...but my daughter needs me. She has needed me for years now and I have not been allowed to step in, because Hades and Zeus and their blasted rules!" Persephone ranted.
"I know, my sweet girl. But you must be prepared. In anger, Zeus may ban your return to Olympus," she warned.
"I don't care. My place is with Snow and her family anyhow. Zeus and Hades are not going to control me any longer," she refuted Demeter allowed herself a small smile.
Demeter took her daughter's hand and they disappeared. By the time Hades realized she was gone, Persephone would be in the Land Without Magic, permanently out of his reach. Demeter allowed herself a smug smile at that. She could wait to see the blue haired twit throw a temper tantrum.
They appeared on a beach of pearly white sands where Snow and Charming's former home stood majestically in the distance, despite the damage done to it by the curse. Demeter picked up a conch shell and blew in it. A few seconds later, a red haired mermaid appeared
"Hello Ariel," Demeter said. The mermaid must have recognized exactly who she was and bowed her head graciously, but did not speak.
"Oh of course...I almost forgot what she did to you," Demeter said, as he waved her hand and returned the mermaid's voice.
"Goddess…" Ariel said respectfully.
"It's okay...I have a favor to ask of you," Demeter replied.
"Anything," Ariel said. Demeter waved her hand and a map appeared in the sand.
"It is quite far, but I need you to take my daughter to this place. I know for a fact that your Prince Eric is there as well," Demeter said.
"Eric is there?" Ariel asked.
"As is my daughter Snow...she needs me desperately," Persephone replied.
"You're Snow's mother?" Ariel asked in disbelief. The raven haired goddess nodded.
"I have not forgotten how you once saved my little Snow. My mother's gift to you was your voice back, but mine will be this so you may reunite with your prince," Persephone said, as a bracelet appeared in her hand.
"Is this…" Ariel uttered and she nodded.
"Yes...you can choose to have legs whenever you want," Persephone said.
"I'm happy to help, especially for Snow," she replied eagerly. Demeter nodded and hugged her beloved daughter tightly.
"Be safe," Demeter implored.
"I will mother. Goodbye," she said. Demeter waved her hand and put her daughter in an air bubble. And with that, Ariel began the journey to Storybrooke with Persephone in tow.
The Dreamscape
It took Emma a little bit to fall asleep that night. Her mind was still racing at all that had happened to her mother. She smiled though, as she trekked through the misty surroundings and into the space that was their home in their dreams. Her parents were dancing, as they often loved to do together. There was no music, but her father was singing softly to her mother. Snow stared dreamily up at her husband, as he serenaded her and held her close, while they swayed. Her father had a beautiful voice, as did her mother for that matter. They had sang to her all her life in her dreams and it had always been a source of immense comfort. They sang to her when she was very small and too young to understand why they weren't there when she was awake. Even when she was an angry teen, they had comforted her through song and endured all her hateful words. And they did the same while she was in prison and cried in their arms the whole time she was asleep.
After what had almost happened to them both tonight at Deimos' hands, she felt the need to protect them. But they seemed so carefree, for she knew they weren't yet aware of the events going on in Storybrooke. Perhaps that was better for now. They could still have these moments in their dreams and it was going to be much needed for what was to come.
"Emma..." Snow called, with a bright smile, as she put her hand out. Emma took it and welcome the dual embrace her parents pulled her into.
"Baby...are you okay?" Snow cooed.
"Yeah...I just love you guys," she said.
"We love you too, princess," Charming replied.
"So...I know you're reluctant to tell us what's going on while we're awake until we can remember both, but you can tell us about our grand baby, right?" Snow gushed. Emma laughed.
"Yeah...that I can do. He's pretty amazing," she replied. Charming smiled.
"Of course he is. He's a Charming," he said. Emma chuckled. Her dad loved his "dad" jokes and as bad as they usually were, they always made her laugh...