AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.

Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)

Thanks for the reviews. Here are individual responses:

Barratta Jennifer: Glad you liked it! Enjoy this next chapter!

Tammy henson: Update is here! Enjoy!

Ragsweas: I know, I didn't want to kill Graham, but for where this story is going, it had to happen. Glad you love David and Mary so much. I really like writing them in this type of capacity too. Yes, Regina isn't very likeable here and it's intentional. She's not as easy to sympathize with here. I like her too, but I feel like Snow was villianized a lot for her sake and so that's something I am correcting in this story. Damon is frightening and as for your question, it will be a while before she reveals her true identity to Snow. But there is a conversation between her and Rumple in this chapter that I think you'll find intriguing. :)

JRocks: I actually haven't watched 7x1 and 7x2 yet. I'm hoping to get around to it this weekend.

Sara K M: I'm glad you like David's reflection about attitudes in the Enchanted Forest vs Storybrooke. I'm in agreement with. I think Snow and Charming kind of set the precedent for true love, at least the curse breaking kind. I don't think there was lot of it. I've always put their true love on a tier above others.

The reason Graham remembered the way he did was because it was one of those situations where I had written that scene he had with Emma before the other scene. I try to avoid doing that, but sometimes there is a just a scene that is so loud in your head that your write it weeks ahead of the rest of the events. So basically him remembering had to be written around that later scene. I had him remember on this own and from dreams in this story, because there is a heavy dream influence in this story and Emma's presence has had even greater effects. As for the wolf, that won't be his last appearance. :)

And yes, Jefferson was reaching quite a bit and he'll realize that in this chapter. He gets a bit frustrated. He wants them to think it's strange, but they don't, save for their small little group.

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 14:

The Dreamscape

Emma tried to put a smile on her face, as she found herself in the Dreamscape once again. It had been a rough night to say the least. Mary and David had been there for her and she was grateful for that. David had comforted her as much as he could without raising suspicions from those around them. Right now though, Emma needed her parents as badly as ever. But she was torn, for she hated to spoil their happiness they usually enjoyed in the Dreamscape. But her fake smile couldn't fool her parents.

"Emma...honey, what's wrong?" Snow called, as she spotted her daughter. The blonde couldn't hold it back any longer and collapsed into tears, alarming Snow and Charming greatly. They rushed to their daughter and enveloped her in their embrace. Charming cradled her head, as she cried on Snow's shoulder.

"Sweetheart...what's wrong?" Snow asked. Emma sniffed and pulled back from them.

"Do you remember the Huntsman?" she asked, though she knew the answer.

"Of course. He saved our lives and defied the Queen," Charming replied.

"He sacrificed his heart for mine," Snow added.

"Yeah...well in Storybrooke, his name is...was Graham and he was the Sheriff," Emma said.

"Was?" Snow squeaked.

"He remembered, Mom. He got his memories back and then he just...died right there in front of me," Emma cried.

"Oh no...oh honey…" Snow cried, as she cradled her daughter in her arms.

"She did this...didn't she?" Charming asked. Emma nodded.

"I think so. She still had his heart...all this time," she replied.

"It seems like every time I make a little progress, Regina just strikes back and I feel like we take two steps back," Emma confessed.

"Oh Princess...I wish we could be there with you," Charming soothed.

"You will be. She's not going to get away with this," Emma growled.

"No...she's not. I know when things like this happen that it seems like darkness will win. But it won't; it just fools you into thinking it will," he reminded. She nodded and took comfort in her father's words. And for now, she was content to let her parents hold her, as they had all her life in her dreams.

Two days later

As Emma awoke on the morning of the second day since Graham's death, she knew what was ahead of them on that day. The entire town was mourning their Sheriff and was going to be nearly shut down to turn out for his funeral in just a few hours.

Breakfast was meager, as none of them were really very hungry and once they were all ready, they left for the cemetery.

Mary Margaret drove them in her station wagon and they arrived within just a few minutes to what was already a large gathering around the burial site.

Emma took a deep breath and clenched her fist and tried to prepare herself for the emotional roller coaster she was about to embark on. She felt two hands on her shoulder and saw David and Mary flanking her.

"Are you ready?" Mary asked softly. She nodded.

"We're right beside you every step of the way," David added, as she started toward the gathering. David slid his arm around Mary's waist and she leaned into his comforting embrace, as they followed her.

When they arrived at the burial site, to someone paying attention, they would have noticed the positively murderous looks that passed between Regina and Emma. The blonde clenched her fist, wanting nothing more than to lash out at Regina for what she had done. But she couldn't, mostly because no one would believe such wild things could be true; save for a few. And she was the law enforcement in this town now. She had to keep a cool head and show the people that she was more than capable of stepping into Graham's shoes.

The ceremony began and Emma barely heard a word, as a few people spoke and then Mother Superior led them through a prayer. A processional of people proceeded to toss white roses on the casket, except her parents. She noticed they had specifically picked snowdrops. The curse couldn't take everything away, for they were still her mother's favorite. Mary could never quite understand her aversion to roses, even innocently de-thorned white ones, but there was a bone deep urge in her to avoid them at all costs. Now Emma was more determined than ever to break this curse. Only then would everyone know what really happened to Graham. Only then would everyone regain what was taken from them. Only then would they be the family they always should have been. And only then would Regina pay for everything she had done.

They didn't linger too long at the grave site and found themselves following Gold and Belle to the diner for the wake. That was where Regina decided to approach them just outside the diner on Granny's outdoor patio.

"We need to talk, Miss Swan," Regina stated, as she and Sidney approached.

"Do I have a choice?" Emma drawled sarcastically, causing Regina to purse her lips in annoyance.

"This conversation doesn't require any of you," the Mayor hissed.

"Well, I'm going to tell them anyway, so you might as well just spit it out, Mayorzilla," Emma retorted. Regina clenched her teeth and then slowly let out a breath, as her demeanor turned smug.

"I'd like you to meet your new boss," she stated, gesturing to Sidney. Emma frowned.

"What?" she asked.

"I have appointed Sidney Glass as our new Sheriff," she announced.

"A reporter as a Sheriff. There's nothing that could go wrong there," Gold commented sarcastically.

"You can't do that!" Emma exclaimed. Regina smirked.

"I can and I have," she replied.

"I was Graham's deputy. I should succeed him!" Emma protested.

"And I highly question your qualifications," Regina retorted.

"Oh but you hire this guy? Storybrooke's biggest gossip weasel?!" Emma shouted, quickly drawing attention.

"I would watch your temper, deputy," Sidney purred, as his eyes roamed over all of them. It was that exact moment that David remembered exactly where he had seen this individual back in their land. He hadn't put it together at first, for he had never actually seen this man with a body. He was the entity in Regina's magic mirror. The reason that he and Snow had covered every single looking glass in their palace.

"Actually...if two people want the job, there has to be an election, I believe," a voice chimed in and all attention turned to the pretty brunette beside Mr. Gold.

"Excuse me?" Regina hissed and Gold gave her a death glare that would have made most people cringe away.

"I was reading the town charter when David asked me about the old mining tunnels and certain positions in the town leadership must be settled with an election if more than one candidate wants the job. The Mayor actually doesn't have the power to pick one over the other," Belle stated. David hid a smirk by pressing his lips against Mary's hair, disguising it as a kiss. Gold didn't hide his mirth though and chuckled outright.

"Belle is most certainly correct. If both Mr. Glass and Miss Swan want the job, then there must be an election. The people will decide who our new Sheriff will be," Gold agreed. Regina had never missed being able to rip people's hearts out more than at that moment and the look on her face was almost comical. But she managed to keep her composure and her rage remained contained; albeit barely.

"Fine...if it is an election you want, then it is an election you shall have," she purred.

"Then may the best candidate be victorious," Sidney added.

"You should save time then and just let Emma have it," David chimed in.

We're leaving Henry," she snapped angrily, as she stalked off. Henry gave them a sad look and reluctantly followed his furious mother, as Sidney slithered away as well.

"I was sure it was going to happen. I was sure that vein in her neck was going to pop this time," Mary quipped, making them all laugh, even Gold, as they went inside the diner.

Oz

Approximately 3 years before the Dark Curse

As Hades returned to the Emerald palace with Zelena, he took a moment to appreciate the decor. Sure, in the Underworld, with magic, he could conjure just about anything. But it was still the Underworld. Not even the finest decor could change that.

Zelena approached the viewing pool

"So your wife is the fairest of them all?" Zelena asked. He smirked.

"That is the term that was coined, centuries ago. It used to make Aphrodite livid, but it is true. I was once infatuated with Persephone and in my angry youth, I abducted her for my own. I knew how much it would piss Zeus off. She may not be his daughter, but he thinks of her as such," Hades explained.

"Hmmm...I always read that she was his daughter," she mentioned. He smirked.

"You can't believe everything in the mortal account of all our exploits. Some of it's true, but a lot of it is highly exaggerated," he said.

"So that part where you...forced Persephone into your bed?" she asked tactlessly. But he took it in stride.

"I was very angry and brazen in my youth. But then she betrayed me with that mortal prince," he hissed.

"I am a mortal," she reminded. He smiled.

"Oh, my you my dear are extraordinary among mortals," he said. She smirked.

"And even though you now want me, you still want to make your current Queen pay for her betrayal," Zelena replied. He smirked.

"I knew you'd understand my need for revenge. Show me this Princess they say is the fairest of them all," he said. Zelena smirked and waved her hand. Her viewing pool rippled and the image of a woman in tattered rags, wearing a hood and carrying a bow, but her back was to them.

"This ragamuffin is the fairest of them all?" he drawled. But that's when she turned and Hades took an audible gasp. It was uncanny and he did a double take. Those raven tresses, that skin white as snow, lips red a rubies, and the eyes. Yes, it was the emerald eyes that gave her away.

"Yes...this is Snow White. She was a princess, until my sister chased her out of her own castle. She wants her head on a spike, so you have that in common," Zelena commented.

"Oh my dear Persephone...I should have known. Only you would name your little halfbreed such a pretentious name," he hissed.

"Thank you Zelena. I must return to the Underworld for a time now. I have a message to get to my right hand. He will be as pleased as I am that we have finally found her," Hades said.

The diner was buzzing with the news that there would soon be an election for Sheriff. Mary and Belle were already deep in conversation about Emma's campaign with Ruby and Granny at the counter, leaving Emma, Gold, David, and Jefferson at a table out of earshot.

"Is that your second basket of onion rings?" Jefferson commented.

"Don't judge me," she warned, as she continued to polish them off.

"Emma...you're going to do great. Anyone that would vote for Sidney Glass needs their head examined," David said.

"Maybe if people weren't cursed...but I'm the outsider here. Not to mention that my past is far from squeaky clean," she replied.

"The people will see that you're the best person for the job," David insisted.

"I hate to rain on your parade, chisel chin, but Regina will play dirty and if that doesn't work, she'll cheat," Jefferson warned. David sighed.

"Then what do you suggest? We can't let Sidney Glass run the Sheriff's department," he said.

"We might have to play dirty in return," Gold muttered. Emma eyed him wearily.

"I'm not sure I like the sound of that," she replied.

"Like it or not, in a cursed Storybrooke, Regina still runs this town. The ones that don't follow her blindly will follow her out of fear," Gold said.

"Not to mention that they aren't even questioning why a healthy thirty-year old man just dropped dead. I mean, Regina didn't even invent a plausible cause of death for him. An aneurysm or something. But just plain heart failure...and no one blinks an eye," Jefferson complained.

"They're cursed...so it makes sense. Doesn't Granny have a heart attack like once a year, because Ruby tries to leave and the curse just repeats? No one seems to question that either," Emma commented.

"Guess you have a point," Jefferson agreed.

"So...what do you have in mind to help Emma win?" David asked, steering them back to that topic..

"The less you know the better," Gold stated vaguely, as Belle and Mary returned to the table.

"We think we have a good design for your campaign posters," Mary announced.

"Already?" she asked.

"Absolutely," Belle said, as she looked at Gold.

"Do you think we can go by the print shop on the way home to put in the order?" she asked. He smirked.

"Of course," he agreed.

"Great...then tomorrow we can start putting them up all over town. Will you help me?" Mary asked to David and he responded with a kiss to her cheek.

"Anything for you...and Emma," he agreed.

"I think I'm getting a cavity," Jefferson deadpanned, as Emma got up.

"Where are you going?" Mary asked.

"I think I'm going to head to the station for a while," Emma replied, noticing the worried look on the raven haired beauty's face. So she gave her a small smile.

"I'm fine...I promise. You and David go home and I'll see you later," she assured.

Persephone found herself wandering the town that evening, lost in thought. She had learned a great deal since her arrival, as she watched the cursed citizens of this town. Regina had far less control than she would have thought. It seemed her granddaughter's arrival had pulled on one loose thread and began to unravel her supposed perfect revenge. It was a good thing, but she still worried, for she knew it would make the Queen even more desperate to regain a handle on things. That meant her actions would be unpredictable and there was no telling what horror she had had in the works for her family.

There was Deimos or Damon, as he was known here, to complicate things as well. One attack on her daughter would certainly lead to another and the next one would be even bolder. She knew for certain she had to take some sort of pre-emptive strike against him. But without magic, that wasn't exactly an easy thing to do.

She had gathered one surprising fact though and was shocked to realize her son-in-law was fully awake. The fact that the Queen hadn't noticed yet told that she was still too wrapped up in all her other problems to realize it. But she knew it wouldn't be long.

As she stopped on the street, she saw a light on in the shop and debated the same thing she had all day. That was whether or not to reveal herself to the Dark One. Normally, she wouldn't even entertain such an idea, but she was aware of David's partnership with him and the Hatter. They were working together toward a common goal and perhaps it was time she joined that cause. Making any deal with this man could backfire, but if David was able to get past his dark deeds, then she was willing to entertain the idea as well. After all, many of his actions involved doing such for his lost child. As much as she loathed to admit, they were probably not so different.

So with the decision finally made, the Queen of the Underworld marched toward the shop and ignored the closed sign, as she walked right in. The man behind the counter didn't look surprised by her arrival in the least, which was unnerving to say the least.

"Persephone," he greeted.

"Rumpelstiltskin," she greeted in return.

"I'll admit, I was surprised when I realized you were here," he said.

"Yes...well, I went through twenty-eight years without a glimpse of my sweet Snow. And then, one day, it was like someone flipped a switch and there she was again. I could finally see her again and all her surroundings. And I decided that Zeus' accursed rules weren't going keep me from her any longer," she explained. He smirked.

"I'll admit, I would love to see the tantrum Hades threw when he became aware of your escape," he mentioned. She allowed herself a small smirk.

"If we're lucky, his blue hair lit the rest of him one fire," she joked, as she suddenly became captivated by the unicorn mobile before her.

"If I had to guess, it is Emma's arrival that allowed you to see into Storybrooke," he said. She nodded.

"I knew I had to find a way here when I saw Deimos attack my little snow drop. I do not like to entertain what would have happened had David not been there," she said.

"Then you are aware your son-in-law is awake?" he asked.

"It is the only reason I would come to you. If there is one thing I know about my Snow's husband, it is that he would never do anything to endanger her or Emma. That means you can be trusted...to a point," she replied. He smirked.

"Your son-in-law and I want the same thing. The curse broken and our families back," he stated simply.

"And I want that too. I want to finally know my daughter and I want to destroy Deimos once and for all," she stated in return.

"I hope you have more information than I do then. Because when I gave Snow and Charming the information that he could be killed during the blood moon, it was to eliminate the very real threat he became," he said.

"The threat that you created," she accused.

"Because you told me of the contract Hades had for my second born child if there should ever be one," he countered.

"I did that so no other child would be ripped from their parents like my Snow was from me! And it still happened! Emma was ripped away too by your curse!" she cried.

"The curse was needed so I could find my son," he hissed.

"Do not pretend you would not have done the same if it was Snow that was lost. You just defied Hades and Zeus to come after her," he reminded. She sobered and let the tension ebb away slightly.

"Fighting does not get us anywhere," she stated.

"No...it doesn't," he agreed.

"We must work together," she said.

"I agree, but there are a few things I'd like to know. This dreamscape…" he said.

"Yes...that was me, at Morpheus' request. I have...favor with him and he gifted the dreamscape to my family," she explained.

"And Deimos? Because I went to great lengths to make sure Snow and Charming killed that nuisance. How did he come back from that?" he questioned.

"My...Hades is responsible for that. I can tell you exactly how Deimos was revived," she said, preparing to tell him the tale...

Mary's eyes fluttered open, as their lips parted again. They lay tangled beneath the bedsheets, bathing in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, as he caressed her beautiful face.

"That I'm so happy," she replied and he smiled.

"That's good," he said, but noticed the pensive look on her face.

"Isn't it?" he asked.

"I...I guess I just feel guilty for feeling so happy while Emma is so sad. I mean, I'm sad for Graham too, but not like she is. I think she had feelings for him," she confessed.

"Emma would never begrudge us our happiness," he reminded.

"I know...it just makes me wonder how long it can last. Graham was taken from her. What if you're taken from me?" she fretted.

"Mary…" he started to say.

"I know it sounds crazy, but I keep getting this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach sometimes," she tried to explain.

"Your feelings are never crazy. Tell me," he requested, as he held her close, their bare limbs still entangled beneath the bedclothes.

"Being with you is like something out of a dream, except for the first time that I can remember in my life...I'm awake. You make me happier than I ever dreamed I could be and that's when I get this terrible feeling in my gut that something is going to take you away," she confessed.

"My darling...I wish there was something I could do to convince you that nothing is going to take me away from you," he said, as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Believe me, I wish I could shake these uncertain feelings. Being in your arms helps though," she replied, as she pressed her lips to his.

"Then I'm going to make sure that's where you always are," he replied, as he held her close and she managed to fall asleep against him. He gently stroked her naked back and stared at the ceiling. If Regina had her way, they would be torn apart. He clenched his fist. No...he wouldn't let that happen, not again.

"Never again, my love," he quietly promised, before he finally managed to join her in sleep.

The Dreamscape

In the dreamscape, Snow and Charming spent their time until Emma came by walking together along the well worn, mysterious pathway in this dream world. They didn't know who had created this beautiful place, but outside the residence that served as their home in this place, there was a gorgeous fountain surrounded by a garden alive with flora, especially snow drops and a pathway they had taken many walks together.

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

"About how we used to walk like this with Emma between us when she was little. I can still hear her laughter when you used to run around and play with her," Snow mentioned.

"And then we would gather her in our arms and tell her stories about our adventures and our friends," he recalled.

"We'd watch her sleep against your chest and then you would hold me while I cried when she faded away, because she awakened before us," she mentioned, as he folded her into his arms.

"I know we are lucky to have this place; that she could have grown up without knowing us at all, but I want to be there for our daughter when she is awake! I want to experience her life and not her dreams! I want to actually wake up with you as we used to," she cried, as he held her.

"And we will, my darling. I promise. Emma will break the curse, I know it. Please have faith," he pleaded. She sniffed.

"I will...listen to me. How selfish am I? We have so much and I wish for more," she lamented.

"You are not selfish. Wanting the things that were stolen from us is not selfish. We can be grateful for what we do have and still want what should rightfully be ours," he reminded, as they saw their beautiful, grown daughter emerge from the mist.

"Emma…" Snow called, as she ran to them, like she had many times as a girl and still did as a woman. They enveloped her in their arms and Charming cradled her head, as he always did.

"I'm okay, Mom," she assured, as she heard her mother sniff.

"But I know how hard today must have been for you and I couldn't be there to hold you through it," Snow cried. Emma saw how broken her mother seemed and decided it was time to share just a little of her life in Storybrooke.

"That's not completely true," she stated. Snow and Charming looked at her expectantly.

"I haven't told you a lot of what's going on in Storybrooke, because I know how hard this is. To be here, but not there for me when I'm so close. But...in Storybrooke, we're friends. I actually live with your counterpart," Emma confessed.

"You do?" she asked. Emma nodded.

"You both were there for me during the funeral. It was exactly the same, but I wasn't alone. I'm not alone anymore," she replied, bringing smiles to their faces.

"That's wonderful…" Snow said, as she suddenly started to fade.

"Snow…" David called. Not enough time had passed for it be morning already.

"I...something's happening. I'm waking up," Snow called, as he disappeared.

"Mom!" Emma called, as David put his hands on her shoulders.

"I'm sure she'll be back soon," he said, as he felt funny too now.

"I think you're waking up too, Dad," Emma said.

"I...I hear your mother...she's crying out…" he said in alarm.

"I think her counterpart is having a nightmare, so it would make sense that yours is waking up," she explained.

"But that would mean…" he started to say, but then faded away. Emma smiled slightly, knowing they would be back.

"It means you're together," she said into the mist.

It was true that Mary never remembered her dreams, but there had always been impressions of something wonderful. She never remembered ever having any nightmares, so it came as a complete surprise when she awoke screaming that she had indeed not only had the most horrible dream, but she remembered every detail with frightening clarity.

"Mary...Mary, it's okay. I'm here...I'm here…" he pleaded, as she broke down sobbing in his arms as soon as she saw his face. He held her hysterical form and slowly rocked her, while rubbing a soothing hand along her back.

"Mary...please talk to me," he pleaded.

"David...oh David…" she cried.

"Shh...I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," he assured, as she finally pulled back and he cupped her tear stained face in his hands.

"It was horrible. I...I was in a strange place and it was like it wasn't me, but it was! I...I had long hair and I was searching for you," she tried to explain, as he listened intently.

"I think...maybe I was injured, because it hurt to walk and then I found you," she said, as the tears started falling again.

"My love…" he said, as he gently cradled her against him.

"You were lying on the floor in a pool of blood...so much blood. I pulled you into my arms and I kissed you...but you wouldn't wake up," she sobbed. He was stunned, as he realized that was not a nightmare, but a memory. And not just any memory, but one of Snow's. He obviously couldn't tell her that and for now, he had to treat it as what she thought it to be. A nightmare.

"Shh...it was only a bad dream, my darling. I'm here and you're in my arms," he reminded, as they settled back into bed. He held her and his soothing hand rubbing her back slowly lulled her back to sleep. He took a moment to think about what this could mean. If Mary was having Snow's memories, then that meant she was starting to remember their lives...didn't it? He could only hope, though he hated that her first memory to surface was such a traumatic one. He contemplated it for a few moments more, before finally joining her in slumber again...