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:
Ashu PirateoftheBlackParade: Thanks! Wow, so nice to know that I'm in your top five authors. Don't feel shy to post a review! Feedback is very important in fanfiction, so I encourage you to review!
Guest: 6x7 is the episode where Snow and David met, when he was still a shepherd. They just didn't know it was each other, but they unknowingly created a baby sapling from the first spark of true love.
Beth1980: Yeah, that one was pretty intense. It was one of those scenes that I wrote in a fury and took less than thirty minutes. That always makes for intense scenes when that happens. I didn't put a trigger warning, because I knew I was only taking it to the very edge when I wrote it. I wanted the suspense but nothing too dark. I loved the aftermath too. That was my favorite part to write. Glad you liked the Henry scenes and yes, Persephone is ready to take matters into her own hands. That was the idea when I started this story. I wanted Snow and Emma to have more parallels. I'm in love with the soundtrack from the musical episode. I listen to the songs all the time, especially Powerful Magic. :)
Sara K M: I get what you're saying about MM feeling unworthy. She's still going to have those moments, but she also isn't going to say no to David's advances. Glad you like the scenes in the shop. It was a little unusual for Gold to admit that he hasn't foreseen everything, but he knows they need to work together to bring Regina down. And he's still holding back about Deimos.
For some reason, I don't find writing guy friendships too intimidating. I probably should, because I honestly have no idea if I'm getting it right being a woman and all so it's good to hear that it comes off well.
Glad you liked the touch about Mary thinking he's her Prince Charming but she wouldn't make a very good Snow White.
Glad you are still enjoying the scenes with David learning about the modern world. Those are fun. And yep, Persephone is finally taking matters into her own hands. Ariel won't feature a lot, but I wanted to bring her in earlier. She was the perfect way to get Persephone to the Land Without Magic.
I loved the dancing scene in the Dreamscape too. It turned out perfect. Glad you're enjoying so much :)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 9: Injustice
David stirred early the next morning, just before dawn. No matter what the circumstances, he was always going to be an early riser. He looked down and smiled at the sight of Mary cuddled against him. He dropped a kiss on her raven haired head and she made the sweetest sound, the same sound she always made when he used to kiss her awake in the mornings. She stirred and lifted her head, smiling shyly at him.
"Good morning," she said.
"Morning beautiful," he replied, as they got up and gently untangled from each other.
"I guess we fell asleep," she mentioned.
"Yeah...Emma must have covered us with a blanket," he guessed.
"It's early...I think I'll make breakfast," she said, as she kissed him quickly. He smiled and Wilby whined at the door.
"I'm going to take Wilby out and then I'll be back," he called. She smiled and watched him go with a dreamy smile on her face.
While Wilby did his business outside by the tree, David picked up a copy of the Storybrooke Mirror that rested on the stoop. Damon's picture was on the front and it seemed Sidney Glass had wasted no time exploiting the story to make headlines. He clutched the paper, as he read the story. It mentioned Damon's attack on Mary, but almost made it seem like Mary's frequent rebuking had instigated it. The reporter didn't come right out and say it, but he could read between the lines. The reporter was implying Mary was to blame for the whole thing, no doubt at Regina's request. He didn't want Mary reading this trash, but he knew if she didn't see it now, she'd find out later that day and it might be worse. He rolled up the paper and followed Wilby back up the stairs to Mary's apartment. By that time, Emma was up, nursing a cup of coffee and not looking awake yet. He allowed himself a small smile. Emma was not a morning person. Mary was making eggs and he quietly slipped the paper down next to his daughter.
"Let me guess, Glass wrote some biased crap," Emma muttered.
"Yeah...any idea who he might be?" David whispered. Emma turned the paper over and pointed to his picture on the back. David examined the face and knew he looked familiar.
"Any idea?" she asked.
"He looks familiar...I'm just not sure I can place him," he replied.
"I'll ask Henry...he has most of this figured out," she said. He smiled at the mention of his grandson. He couldn't wait to get to know the boy more.
Mary set plates down at the table with eggs and bacon.
"Thanks Mare...smells great," Emma said, as they sat down.
"Is that the morning paper?" she asked.
"Uh...yeah, but you know same old crap," the blonde replied.
"Yeah, nothing interesting," David added. She cocked her head to the side, looking between them both.
"I appreciate you both trying to protect me, but I've lived in this town a long time. Whatever story Sidney Glass spun is sure to put Damon in a better light than me," she said, kind of enjoying their surprised looks.
It was curious, as their mouths both hung open and she found amusing that they both looked almost exactly alike in that moment. She smirked and sat down, as she took the paper and read the article. She started biting her lip about half way through it and then looked up at their expectant faces.
"It's not as bad as I thought. Damon can get away with a lot. He may own a sleazy club, but he's on the City Council and pours a lot of money into this town," she reasoned.
"I don't care who the hell he is. He's not getting away with what he did to you," Emma said.
"She's right...he's in jail and he's not getting out," David agreed. Mary smiled thinly. She loved them both, but she was preparing herself for the reality that Damon would probably be walking free by lunchtime.
After breakfast, David kissed Mary goodbye for the day, promising to see her after work. He returned to Jefferson's, endured his ribbing about not coming home, while he fed Wilby, and then hurried upstairs for a quick shower.
"So last night…" Jefferson prompted, as David poured some coffee in the travel mug Jefferson had given him.
"It's not what you think. I just fell asleep on her couch," he said.
"Too bad…" Jefferson commented.
"She went through a lot last night. That bastard attacked her and she's convinced he'll be walking free soon," David said angrily.
"I hate it, but she's probably right. The District Attorney will probably decide to drop the case and Regina will back him," Jefferson warned.
"District Attorney?" David asked.
"He's a lawyer and decides what cases to charge and which ones not to. Now in a normal town, there's no question. They'd take this seriously that a teacher was attacked in her own classroom. But this is Storybrooke and it's run by Regina and her cronies," Jefferson tried to explain.
"Is this District Attorney anyone I know?" he asked. Jefferson sighed.
"Here he goes by Albert Spencer," he replied.
"And back in our land?" David asked impatiently. Jefferson stared at him wearily.
"Just tell me," David pleaded.
"King George," Jefferson revealed. David clenched his fists and his blue eyes turned to ice.
"Tell me you're joking," he said.
"Believe me...I wish I was. This is the reality of the curse. Villains have wealth and power here. And heroes...they're miserable and have had what they love most taken away," he said solemnly and David knew the other man was talking about his child.
"This happiness you've brought to Mary...the Queen won't let it stand. She'll make her pay," he warned.
"Like hell...I'll fight her. I don't care about her power. Emma and I will fight her...and Emma, she's the Savior. She'll win," David refuted.
"Believe me...I hope you're right. It's just hard to keep hope in a place like this. At least no one else remembers why they're miserable. That's almost better, I think," he mentioned.
"Regina's not going to win...Emma will," he assured, as he stood at the door.
"I'll see you later," he said, as he headed off to the animal shelter with Wilby in tow. He just hoped Emma would keep him in the loop of what was going on at the station.
Persephone and Ariel arrived on the deserted shores of Storybrooke, Maine. She gazed at the town both with trepidation and anxiousness. To finally gaze upon her daughter in person, face to face, brought a myriad of emotions for the embattled Goddess. But more so, she wondered how Snow would react once her memories were returned and she learned the truth. She imagined it would take her daughter time to come around to her or perhaps she would understand, being that she herself was forced to give her daughter up. Emma might have reacted much to the same to Snow and Charming, but thankfully since she stepped in and had the dreamscape created for them, Emma was far more prepared to accept her destiny. She would embrace her parents with open arms when their memories were restored and she only hoped for much the same from Snow.
She recalled the days of watching her daughter from afar and her struggles to survive against the Queen's wrath. She remembered practically begging Morpheus to help and the dreamscape had been the result. Being here now brought it all rushing back…
The years continued to pass and the hardship for Snow did not lessen. But her daughter grew from a typical royal into a fierce warrior, bandit princess of the likes which none had seen. She was extraordinary and Persephone marveled at all of it.
Persephone had the great pleasure and heartache of watching Snow find her true love in the shepherd, now turned prince. She watched them find each other and lose each other constantly in their war to stay alive against Queen Regina and the vengeful King George.
She rejoiced when her daughter's true love awoke her from the sleeping curse and they were married before all. But that's when her joy faded. Queen Regina's declaration that she would cast the Dark Curse, the darkest piece of magic in all the lands, nearly sent Persephone into a panic.
If her daughter was sent to the Land Without Magic, Persephone would not be able to see her anymore or look after her. That's when she implored her Mother to help protect Snow and her family. That had led them back to Morpheus' Temple, just as Queen Regina crushed her own father's heart.
Persephone watched her daughter cry out in pain, as she gave birth to her own daughter. Her own child that would be ripped from her as well.
"Please Morpheus...there must be something you can do!" Persephone pleaded.
"You know I cannot stop the Dark Curse. Not even Zeus can do that," he chided.
"I know...but if they are in the Land Without Magic, my ability to see them will be even more limited! There must be something we can do! There must!" she pleaded. He sighed.
"There is the option of a dream world," Demeter suggested. He looked at her incredulously.
"You want me to create a dreamscape for Snow White and her family? Do you know how many rules that breaks?" he hissed. Demeter rolled her eyes.
"I'll never understand your preoccupation with duty and rules. Hell, Zeus himself has broken every single one of his own rules! You can do this! Emma can know her parents, if only in her dreams," Demeter pleaded.
"This is highly unorthodox," he lamented.
"Emma's life will be hard. Being the Savior doesn't mean she should have to endure all this on her own. If she has Snow and Charming to guide her, think about the positive effect it will have. The Dark Curse must be undone by her. Why not give her every weapon we can!" Demeter reasoned. Morpheus sighed.
"I will grant this, if for no other reason, than the Dark Curse is an abomination and I guess good could use a little extra help this time," he said. Demeter smirked.
"And you like Snow," the goddess mused, as she watched Morpheus' dust sweep over Snow, Charming, and Emma, just before the chaos ensued.
Persephone could only watch, helpless, as Charming put his daughter in the wardrobe, only to be cut down seconds later. She feared for her daughter's true love, but Mother ensured that his lifeline would not be cut on this night. It cut her deeply to watch Snow sob over her beloved, fearing that she had lost him forever and raged as the Evil Queen got what she wanted.
She sunk to her knees as the entire Kingdom disappeared, ripped away to a Land Without Magic to lives where she had no idea if they would be safe.
"It will be all right, darling. Emma is the Savior, she will break the curse. And when the final battle begins, you can finally reveal yourself to Snow," Demeter said.
"How can you be sure?" Persephone asked.
"Athena has foreseen it. Emma may save her parents and her Kingdom. But Snow will save you from Hades' trappings," Demeter assured.
"There may be a complication," Artemis said, as she appeared.
"What is it?" Persephone implored.
"Deimos...he was swept up in the curse," she revealed. Demeter clenched her teeth.
"Hades…" she hissed.
"Oh Gods...then he knows. He's found out who my daughter is! How did he find out?" Persephone cried, as Artemis put a hand on her shoulder.
"How...I do not know. He may have, but Hades cannot interfere anymore in this land than we can. In this place, all but Regina do not know who they are anymore. No doubt that Deimos is still a horrid being, but I have hope that without his memories, Snow will be safe," Artemis assured.
"Safe? She's cursed! She's lost her daughter and her husband! My granddaughter is alone, because Cora was jealous of how beloved my Snow is and molded Regina into her image. If Cora had been able to manage it, she would have taken my daughter's Throne for herself!" Persephone raged.
"If not for Eva telling her secret, she would have done just that," Demeter commented.
Persephone snorted.
"I don't blame Eva one bit. Cora is evil to her very core. I swear...when someone finally sends her to the Underworld, I will make sure it is not pleasant for her," Persephone growled.
"Vengeance is not your way, darling," Demeter soothed.
"Maybe not...but I will see that woman gets what she deserves. She has destroyed her own daughter's life and has tried to destroy my daughter's as well. It will not go unpunished," Persephone stated. And Demeter couldn't disagree. Persephone sighed.
Twenty eight years...that was usually a drop in the bucket for a God. But for Persephone, it would truly be an eternity…
And it had seemed like an eternity. Not being able to gaze upon her little snowdrop had been soul crushing, particularly during her allotted time in the Underworld. Seeing her daughter, even though her viewing pond, had been her only respite when in Hades clutches. Shortly before the curse, Hades had fallen for a wicked witch from the land of Oz. It had given hope that perhaps Hades would release her from her bindings to him. Unfortunately for her, the witch had ultimately rejected Hades and he had returned even more harsh and cold than before. His indifference changed to interest in her again, much to her chagrin. He had regained a firmer hand on her and demanded she perform her wifely duties. She refused every time, but that did not stop him. He forced her to do what he wanted and took from her what she had never given to him, much like he had in the beginning. To be free of him was liberating. She knew he would be furious, but with no access to the Land Without Magic, she was out of his reach for now.
"This is a strange land. Do you know where we should go?" Ariel asked.
"Fortunately, I have done my research on this land and had enough sense to conjure some useable currency. We'll start by finding an inn and getting a couple of rooms," Persephone said.
"I can't believe this! You can't let this happen!" Emma screamed, as she followed him into his office and slammed the door shut. Damon Tromera was no doubt smirking smugly in his cell, for he knew he would be free soon.
"It's out of my hands, Emma," Graham said regrettably.
"That's bull! He attacked Mary Margaret! He's stalking her! This is her life we're talking about!" Emma yelled.
"You think I don't know that?" he snapped back and she recoiled slightly. He took a deep breath.
"My hands are tied. The district attorney has dropped the charges and the Mayor has ordered his release," he said.
"You know this is wrong. We have Mary Margaret's statement! And David's!" Emma replied.
"And since David stopped the attack before anything physical happened, it's a case of he said she said," he said regrettably.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Emma exploded.
"I'm sorry Emma, you know I am," he pleaded.
"So...because Damon didn't get the chance to hit her, there's suddenly no case?" she exclaimed.
"Basically. And if I press to charge Damon on assaulting David, then I'll have to arrest David for assault as well since they were both fighting," Graham replied.
"This is crap! What happens if he gets Mary alone again? What if he beats her or God forbid rapes her?! What then? I suppose it will be her fault then too!" Emma screamed.
"Dammit Emma...you know I hate this as much as you do!" he retorted.
"Really? You hate it so much, but not when it comes to sleeping with the enemy, right?!" she blurted out.
"That's not fair," he growled. She glowered at him.
"No...what's not fair is that my mo...best friend," she said, catching herself.
"My best friend has to look over her shoulder every minute of her day, because this town's leadership is so corrupt that they will protect a piece of trash like Damon Tromera over the sweetest person I've ever met!" Emma said, completely losing her temper.
"I've already drawn up a restraining order for Mary," he tried to soothe, but Emma only snorted.
"Oh yeah...cause a restraining order is really going to stop a guy like that," Emma said, as she grabbed her keys.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To the source of all this," she retorted. He sighed and followed her out.
"My, my deputy...such a fiery temper, though I'll admit I find that attractive in a woman," Damon goaded. Emma approached the bars, glaring murderously at him.
"I'm going to say this once, you piece of shit. You stay the hell away from Mary Margaret," she growled. But he only smirked smugly, as she stormed out.
"Well Sheriff...I believe there is no need to keep me in here any longer," Damon said. Graham glared at him.
"The papers haven't arrived yet so you'll stay in there until they do," Graham refuted. But the smug bastard just smirked again. He would be walking free soon enough.
David went into Gold's pawn shop through the back entrance with Wilby that afternoon. They thought it best for both him and Jefferson to use the concealed entrance, since it was clear that Regina might be watching all of them.
"Hello David," Belle greeted, as she worked on cataloging some of the miscellaneous items they had in the back.
"Belle...it's good to see you," he said, as Wilby went right up to the woman, who grinned.
"Well hello to you too," she said, as she knelt down to pet the dog.
"And Wilby says hello too," David said.
"Oh he's gorgeous. Mr. Gold mentioned you adopted a dog," she said.
"Yeah...Wilby and I just clicked. I see you're staying busy," he mentioned.
"I am and I'll soon be even busier. I haven't told anyone yet, but Mr. Gold gave me the most wonderful gift this morning," she gushed. He smiled.
"Well...don't keep me in suspense," he prompted.
"Well...as you know, I don't really have any memories, but I do know that I love books. When I asked him a couple days ago if the town had a library, he said it had been closed for years," he said sadly.
"I dropped the subject, figuring that maybe the high school would let me check out some books, but they had the sorriest book collection I'd ever seen! I mean, what kind of school doesn't have decent books?" she rattled on. He smiled.
"Probably one where the students never move on and learn anything anyway," he thought silently. He still couldn't figure out how this town was Regina's happy ending, other than her daily goal of making Mary Margaret's life hell. How she could be happy making people miserable was beyond him.
"Well...I'm pretty new at all this stuff too. I have some memories of who I am, but we're kind in the same boat in a way. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to how this world works, but Emma did tell me about this thing called the Internet. She said you can get anything from there. Maybe they have books," he suggested. She smirked.
"Perhaps...but I might not need to, because Mr. Gold gave me these this morning," she said.
"Keys?" he asked.
"To the library! He bought me the library! Can you believe it?" she exclaimed. He chuckled.
"That's quite a gesture. Congratulations...I think you'll make an excellent librarian," he said.
"Thanks. I have a lot of work to do. The place is a dusty mess, but somehow Mr. Gold got Regina to give me a budget and everything, so I'll have to try this Internet thing and order more books," she replied.
"Well...let me know if there's anything I can do to help," he said.
"There might be something," she replied.
"Name it," he said.
"Well, the state of the high school library got me thinking. I bet the elementary school's library is just as pitiful. I was wondering maybe if you'd talk to Mary Margaret. Reading is so important, especially at the age of her students. Do you think she'd be up for bringing them on a field trip to the library when it opens?" Belle asked. He grinned.
"I can't speak for her, but I have a feeling she'll love the idea. I'll tell her about it," he said.
"Thanks David. If you're looking for Mr. Gold, he and Mr. Jefferson are in the front of the shop," she said.
"Thanks. Good luck with the library," he called, as he headed to the front of the shop.
Emma stormed into Regina's office and slammed the door behind her.
"Miss Swan...I know you have no tact, but at least knock before you barge into my office," Regina snapped. But Emma ignored her.
"Why the hell would you order Damon Tromera's release after what he did?" Emma shouted. Regina gave her a cool stare.
"Because that whole altercation was a simple misunderstanding," Regina replied.
"Misunderstanding? You can't be serious! He attacked Mary Margaret!" Emma exclaimed.
"So she says," Regina retorted.
"He would have done God knows what to her if David hadn't gotten there when he did. And this then trashy article all but implies that Mary Margaret was asking for it!" Emma screamed, as she tossed the paper down on the desk.
"Maybe she was," Regina leered.
"I don't believe you! As a woman, how could you defend a would be rapist?! Does your hatred for Mary Margaret go so deep that you actually wish for something like that to happen to her? To the sweetest person I've ever met?" Emma demanded to know.
"Mary Margaret is anything but sweet and innocent. Don't let her little act fool you. Anything bad that happens to her, I assure you, she deserves it," Regina snapped. Emma looked at her in disbelief.
"How the hell did you get like this?" Emma asked, though she knew the story her parents had told her. Still...it was hard to believe this woman had ever been the kind, gentle woman that her mother described when she first met Regina.
"I'm very busy, Miss Swan, so kindly get out," Regina snapped. Emma glared at her.
"I don't know how yet, but if Damon Tromera comes near Mary Margaret again or David for that matter, I'll find a way to make the charges stick," Emma promised.
"Why do you care about those two idiots so much, Miss Swan?" Regina questioned suspiciously.
"They're my friends," Emma said automatically. But Regina wasn't letting that pass as an answer this time. There was more here and she wanted to know what it was. Fortunately, Sidney was busy digging through Emma Swan's past.
"If you ask me, Miss Blanchard has brought this on herself. For years, she rejected Mr. Tromera and then immediately jumps in bed with a coma patient. No one can blame him for feeling slighted," Regina reasoned.
"I don't care if he's slighted or insulted! He better never try to put his hands on her again!" Emma shot back.
"If you're quite done, Miss Swan. I have a lot of work to do. Get out and while you're at it, stay away from my son. Don't think I don't know about your "secret meetings" at his castle," she snapped. Emma snorted.
"Figures you'd have your lapdog reporter following me," Emma commented.
"He is my son, Miss Swan," Regina snapped.
"You know, the tighter your grip on him, the faster he'll slip through your grasp," Emma warned, as she left without another word. Regina slammed her pen down and picked up the phone.
"What did you find?" she demanded to know.
"I just finished going through everything I could find. I'm not a hacker though. I can't get the sealed records from social services," Sidney reported. Perhaps she needed to employ another avenue with this. She needed those records unsealed.
"Fine...I need to get rid of this woman and those two idiots," she muttered, as she slammed the receiver down.
"I need to know all your secrets, Emma Swan," she hissed, as she felt a shudder in the ground beneath her that seemed to reverberate through the whole town. Emma Swan's secrets would have to wait.
"What the hell was that…" she uttered, as she picked up the phone.
"Sheriff…" Graham answered.
"Did you feel that shudder?" she asked, as another one rumbled through the ground.
"Yes...I'm heading out to check it out now," Graham replied. Regina hung up the phone and gazed pensively out the window. She had lost control so quickly and it made her wonder if she had ever really had control at all. This was Rumpelstiltskin's curse, after all. He had planned this. He had never intended to let her win and was content to let her be made a fool of. She angrily threw a glass and shattered the mirror on the wall.
"This won't stand. I'll make you pay too, Rumpelstiltskin," she growled, as an idea formed in her mind and she smirked evilly. It would have to wait for now, but that would just make it that much sweeter when she enacted her revenge...