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: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
ragsweas: Thanks! I'm glad that I sparked your interest with the Persephone and Gold. Glad you liked the scene at the end too. Slowly but surely, the curse is weakening. :)
tammy henson: So glad you like this story. Enjoy this next installment.
Beth1980: No worries, it was really nice of you to still submit a review for each chapter. :)
I know, it hurt me to kill Graham too. But I knew I had to write it a bit differently in this story than how it happened in canon, so I'm glad you enjoyed those tweaks. As for Regina being held responsible? Let's just say, she'll be held more responsible than she was in the show. But yeah, Regina knows now so things are about to heat up. Glad you like the scenes with Snowing comforting Emma in the dreamscape. I know, the first memory of Snow's that surfaces is a traumatic one. I'll be sprinkling in more dreamscape scenes from the past. There's another one in this chapter, but it's not sweet, but necessary for the story line. Glad you're enjoying the story so much!
Sara K M: Glad you like David's advice about the darkness. I choose to believe that hope is a good thing. I know some people don't, but it's what I love about Snowing. After everything they've been through, they can still find happiness. I agree, Zelena and Hades are creepy together. Glad you enjoyed the scene with Gold and Persephone. I was anxious to see how they would play off each other and the scene turned out really well. Yeah, that's just one thing that always bothered me about Regina's "revenge". If she had gone after her mother full force like she did Snow, I'd get it. But going after a child for not keeping a secret has always bothered me a lot. Keeping secrets is an adult thing and you don't ask a child to do something that's expected of an adult. I loved the dreamscape flashbacks too. There will definitely be more of those. And actually, this was the first time Snow was pulled from the dreamscape by a nightmare, which we the readers know is a memory. It's just another sign that the curse is really weakening.
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 15: Backlash
Today was the day. Regina smirked deviously, as she stared at that morning's edition of The Storybrooke Mirror. Instead of the announcement of two candidates for Sheriff on the front page, it instead displayed the scandalous past of one Emma Swan.
"Ex-Jailbird Birthed Babe Behind Bars," she read the headline. Henry's feelings had made her pause on giving Sidney the go ahead on this story for a mere moment. She knew he might pull away more from her after this, but he was doing that anyway. She was still his mother, which meant he would eventually understand all she was doing once she got rid of Emma Swan. And her idiot parents.
She couldn't believe this woman was the daughter of her most hated enemies, but she supposed it made sense. The Savior had brought unwelcome changes to her town in a very short time. And now, she had a lot of damage control to do. This was just the first step. With this story running this morning, it was likely Sidney would win the election for Sheriff by a landslide. Quite pleased with herself, Regina sauntered into her bathroom to get ready for the day. She couldn't wait to relish all the gossip this morning, as she made her rounds.
Wilby trotted back into the loft and made a beeline for the food and water Mary had set down for him, as she made breakfast. David tossed the rolled up newspaper on the counter and then put his arms around her from behind. She smiled, as he kissed her neck and she gazed lovingly at him.
"Are you sure you're all right?" he asked, remembering how she had awoke screaming and sobbing in the middle of the night.
"I'm fine...I'm just sorry I woke you," she replied. He kissed her hair.
"Don't be. I was glad I was there to hold you and kiss away the nightmares," he said. She smiled.
"Me too," she replied, as she divided the eggs on three plates, just as Emma came stumbling down the stairs.
"Mornings are stupid," she muttered, as she took a big sip of the coffee that was waiting for her. Emma ate a piece of bacon, as she unrolled the newspaper. But what was on the front page made her see red.
"Emma?" Mary asked, as she noticed the blonde had gone rigid.
"I can't believe her…" Emma growled, as she tossed the paper on the table for them to see.
"Oh no…" Mary fretted, as she read the headline. David clenched his fist, as he saw it too, giving her a sympathetic gaze.
"I can't believe she would do this to Henry," Mary said.
"Oh I do...she doesn't care! Henry's feelings are just unfortunate collateral damage to her," Emma spat.
"We'll beat her at this. You're still the clear choice for Sheriff over someone as slimy as Sidney Glass," David insisted. She shook her head.
"David's right. We're going to campaign for you and show this town that you're the person they want protecting this town," Mary added.
"I appreciate your optimism, guys, but this isn't good. Regina was probably holding this for exactly a moment like this, just to discredit me and influence the voters," Emma said dejectedly, as she started toward the stairs to go back upstairs.
"Emma…" Mary called, as the blonde turned back to her.
"You can't give up," she pleaded.
"When you first came to town, you told me that I did the best thing I could have done for Henry when I gave him the book in a time when I thought I had truly made a huge mistake. I gave him that book to give him hope when I had none myself," she continued.
"And then you came along and I started to have hope too. Someone who inspires hope the way you do...people are going to vote for you. Even if it means defying Regina," Mary said passionately. David smiled at her and kissed her cheek, before looking to Emma.
"She's right. We're gonna make this happen, Em," he assured. Emma smirked.
"I'll admit...your optimism is contagious, so I guess if you want to plaster the town with my posters, more power to you," Emma said. Mary jumped up and hugged her tightly. Emma chuckled and then went upstairs to get ready for work.
Later that morning...
David ducked into the backroom of Gold's shop through the rear exit.
"Have you seen the paper this morning?" he asked, finding Jefferson already there.
"Oh yeah...I'm actually surprised it took her this long," Jefferson replied. David was distracted from his tirade though when he heard a commotion in the front of the shop.
"What's going on?" David asked.
"Emma's not the only one Regina has made waves for. It seems that Belle's father has suddenly awakened and remembered he has a daughter. He keeps insisting that her name is Lacey," Jefferson replied.
"But isn't that good? And why would she do that? Isn't it her joy to keep family apart here in this little Dystopia of hers?" he asked.
"Well...see the thing about Belle's father is that he wouldn't win any awards as father of the year so to speak," Jefferson explained.
"What do you mean?" the prince asked.
"Back in our land, her father was Sir Maurice. Not quite a King, but pretty close in her Kingdom. It was a bit further south from yours and Snow's Kingdoms. Anyway, ogres were rampaging their lands so to stop them, Sir Maurice promised his only daughter's hand to a General by the name of Gaston, who had an entire army at his disposal," Jefferson told.
"And let me guess, this Gaston was only interested in offering his army's assistance if he got something out of it, namely Belle," David surmised.
"You catch on quick," the hatter commented.
"Oh believe me, I know what it's like for some King to decide to offer you up to get something in return, whether it be gold or an army. I guess I just didn't know Belle and I had that in common," he said.
"Yeah...well, here in Storybrooke, Moe French is the one that committed his daughter to the looney bin. Or at least that's what his fake memories tell him, but to be honest, it is something he would do," Jefferson informed.
"What? What kind of father would do that?" he cried.
"The kind that has a very specific vision of who his daughter should be and I think you can guess, he's none too happy about her living with Mr. Gold," the hatter replied. David sighed.
"You know, for once I'd like to see an example of a good parent around here. My real father was a drunk. My brother's adopted father is evil. And Cora was pure evil to her core. Snow still had nightmares about that woman even after she was long gone," David said.
"Well, there is you. I think if you ask Emma, she'd say you're what a father should be. And Snow is what a mother should be," Jefferson replied. But the Prince shook his head.
"Except we couldn't be there for our daughter when she needed me most, like the time this article is describing. Snow and I couldn't be there, so she had to give her baby up and go to prison, because some little worm betrayed her," he growled.
"You and Snow were there...maybe not conventionally, but don't go comparing yourself to the likes of Moe French or Cora, and especially not King George. You're the type of father I aspire to be with Grace. I failed miserably, but I did try," he lamented.
"You didn't fail. You did your best when you had nothing. Don't compare yourself to them either," David replied.
"I guess…" Jefferson said.
"All we can do now is try to stop Regina from winning," David stated.
"Well, your daughter becoming Sheriff would be a huge blow. She needs to win that election," Jefferson said.
"Lacey...please…" Moe French pleaded.
"I'm sorry...I just don't remember you and my name is Belle. That is one thing I do remember," the brunette replied.
"That's what this...lecher wants you to think!" Moe hissed, glowering at Mr. Gold.
"Belle...this is the man that conspired with Regina to put you in the basement of that hospital," Mr. Gold replied.
"Is that true?" Belle asked.
"Lacey dear...the last thing I wanted to do was put you there, but I'm afraid you were quite disturbed. All because of him," Moe hissed.
"Wait...you put me there, because you didn't want me to be with Mr. Gold?" she asked.
"Lacey…" he protested.
"They convinced me you were dead, Belle. To keep us apart," Mr. Gold interrupted.
"Lacey...you have no idea what this man is really like! You must know that the entire town fears him! There is a reason for that!" Moe cried. Belle looked between them.
"Mr. Gold has been good to me. My friend David told me I could trust him and so far, he hasn't led me wrong," she replied.
"David? You mean the amnesiac coma patient?" Moe asked derisively.
"He's my friend and I don't like your tone. You may be my father, but you can't run my life!" Belle cried.
"Lacey please…" he pleaded.
"I want you to leave and stop calling me Lacey!" she demanded. Moe glared at Mr. Gold.
"This isn't over," he growled.
"Oh, I think it is, dearie. Get out of my shop," Mr. Gold growled back. Belle sighed, as he left.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Mr. Gold said.
"It's okay...I'm just not sure what to think or feel. I wish I could remember my life before I ended up in that cell," she lamented.
"Belle…" he started to say, but she held her hand up.
"It's okay. I think I just need some air and I promised Mary Margaret I'd join her class in planting a garden on the school campus today. I think that will be a nice distraction," Belle said, as she got her coat and headed out.
"Well, it seems like Lord Maurice hasn't changed much. He still treats his daughter like property," Jefferson commented, as he and David came in from the backroom.
"Regina is pulling out all the stops. First this trash in the newspaper about my daughter and now she's trying to drive a rift between you and Belle," David said.
"Which means you need to keep a very close eye on Mary Margaret, while I figure out how to make Regina pay," Gold growled.
"Hold on...as much as I want to see the Queen locked up in some tiny cell or properly charged for her crimes, I'd like to get her to that point legally," David said.
"With Albert Spencer, aka King George, as the district attorney? That's doubtful," Jefferson commented. David clenched his fists at the mention of George's name.
"I need to get to the shelter. Come on Wilby," he called, as the dog followed him out.
"So...what do you have in mind for the Queen?" Jefferson asked now that the prince was gone. It was true that David wanted Regina to pay as much as they did. But he was by far the noblest of the three of them. His conscience held him back in ways that it didn't for the Mad Hatter and the Dark One.
"Regina is playing with fire and she just may get burned," Rumple hissed.
"Now...once you've dug a nice well in the dirt, we can plant our flowers," Stephanie instructed, as she demonstrated her technique. Mary watched her students eagerly copy the other teacher and joined them, digging her own well with gardening gloves, which they all wore; a nice gift from Ms. Kore.
"Now it's time to place your flowers in the dirt. I've chosen my favorite flowers and those are snowdrops," Stephanie said, as she picked up a bunch of the white ones.
"Do we have to plant snowdrops?" one student asked. Stephanie smiled.
"No...you can pick any flower you like. But snowdrops are a unique flower, for despite their delicate appearance, they can survive even the harshest winters. So while the flowers we plant now will be okay for a while, it is the snowdrops that for sure will still remain in the spring once the Maine winter thaws," Stephanie said. Mary then watched, as most of her students picked snowdrops to plant, including Henry, who had initially picked them even without Ms. Kore's suggestion.
"Sorry I'm late!" Belle called, as she arrived and knelt down next to Mary Margaret.
"That's okay...there's still plenty to do," Mary replied, noticing her friend's troubled look.
"Is everything okay?" Mary asked. Belle nodded.
"Yeah...just a difficult morning. But I'm here hopefully to take my mind off it," Belle replied.
"Okay...but if you need to talk, I'm here," the raven haired beauty reassured. Belle smiled.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," the brunette replied. They spent the next couple hours in the garden and when they were done, they stood back to survey the beauty of their work.
"What the hell is this?" Regina demanded to know, as she arrived to pick Henry up. Mary jumped in surprise and tried not to wince under Regina's glower, but Ms. Kore stepped up to answer her question.
"You must be Mayor Mills," she stated. Regina turned to find a woman she didn't recognize.
"Just who the hell are you?" she asked.
"I'm Stephanie Kore, the new part-time high school botany teacher," Stephanie replied, enjoying the deer in the headlights expression on Regina's face.
"What?" she questioned.
"Yes...I just started a few days ago and since I'm only part time, I enlisted the help of Miss Blanchard's fifth graders to help plant a lovely garden on campus," Ms. Kore replied.
"Where the hell did you come from? We have no need for new teachers," Regina said.
"That's odd...I applied to the job posting online a few weeks ago and I'm from Boston. I assure you all my credentials are in order. I have a PHD in Botany from Boston College," Stephanie replied. Regina looked at her skeptically.
"Why would a professor of Botany come to a place like Storybrooke to teach high school part time?" Regina questioned.
"Well, not that it's any of your business, but city life became too busy for me. I decided I needed a change of pace and I've always loved the idea of a small town such as this. So far, I'm not disappointed. Miss Blanchard and her students have made me feel most welcome," Stephanie replied. Regina glared at her.
"I'm sure she has. Just know that I'll be discussing this with Principal Cook the first chance I get. Henry, let's go," she snapped.
"Bye Miss Blanchard! Bye Ms. Kore!" he called, as he reluctantly followed.
"Goodbye Henry!" they called together.
"Well...you weren't exaggerating about Mayor Mills," Stephanie commented.
"Yeah...I'm sorry about that," Mary replied with a wince.
"Don't be. Despite her attempt, Mayor Mills doesn't scare me in the least," she replied.
"I wish I was as brave as you," Mary said quietly.
"I think you're braver than you know," Stephanie replied. Mary shook her head.
"I wish I could believe that," she replied.
"Come on...let's the three of us head for the diner. The hot cocoa is on me," Stephanie suggested. Mary checked her watch.
"Okay...I have some time before David gets off. We're going to put up posters for Emma's campaign tonight," she mentioned.
"Oh that's right...I'd love to help with that if you need another hand," Stephanie said. Mary and Belle smiled.
"Of course, that would be great!" Mary agreed.
The Underworld
There was a shrieking roar that erupted in Hades' chamber, as his hair erupted in blue flames. He seethed with rage and the five rivers boiled in response to his anger. Persephone had been gone a few days, but that hadn't alarmed him, for it was still fall and the first snow had yet to fall. But a loyal informant clued him in on his treacherous wife's latest exploits.
"Yes...I thought that might piss you off," Hermes mentioned, as he gazed into the river of lost souls.
"She has betrayed me for the last time," Hades growled.
"Yes, but I'm afraid she's out of your reach now," Hermes reminded.
"Why did you inform me? You know it will anger Zeus and Demeter that you have sold out their precious Persephone," Hades inquired.
"Father was not happy about Persephone traveling to the forbidden Land Without Magic, I assure you. As for Demeter, I could care less what my Aunt wants," he replied. Hades smirked.
"Still sore about Persephone's rejection?" Hades goaded.
"She rejected you too. You just didn't take no for an answer," Hermes spat in return.
"She may be beyond my reach now...but I will find a way to make her pay for this and that precious family she went to," the God of the Underworld growled. Then he smirked evilly.
"And I think I know how," he said.
The Dreamscape
11 Years Ago
"Emma!" Snow called, as her daughter finally appeared in the dreamscape.
"Snow White," she greeted coolly.
"Prince Charming," she added with equal coldness. Snow's shoulders sunk in disappointment and Charming put his hands on her shoulders. For the past month or so, it had been like this with them. Emma had pulled away from them, even more so than she had when she was still in the system. During her earlier teen years, there was always a lot of attitude and yelling, but the warmth of their unconditional love had always won out and their little girl usually let go of her anger in the comfort of their arms.
But Emma had met someone and ever since then, there had been a change in her and not for the better.
Emma was stealing things and helping her boyfriend steal things. They were living in a car most of the time, which they had long ago learned from their daughter was a motorized carriage of sorts. It had been a source of deep anxiety for them as of late, especially when Emma declared to them that she wasn't looking for them anymore. A few nights before, she had told them bluntly that she didn't need them. She had gotten this far without them awake and she'd be just fine. They were cursed and that was suddenly not her problem anymore.
Charming instinctively knew she didn't mean it, as did Snow, but it still stung. They lamented together about how different things might have been without the curse. They felt like complete and utter failures as parents. They didn't really blame Emma for hating them.
But this new life...they knew the kind of consequences it would lead to and that's what frightened them most. It wasn't a path to a better life. They admitted to each other that they probably could have dealt with being cursed forever if Emma chose to leave them behind for a better life. But this was not a better life.
"How was your day, honey?" Snow asked. Emma smirked.
"Pretty good actually. Neal and I scored quite the haul from this uppity departmentstore," the blonde replied, enjoying the pained looks on her parent's faces.
"Emma…" David started to say.
"Save it, Your Highness, I've heard all the lectures. How I'm being a bad girl and how unbecoming my behavior is for a princess. Well, newsflash, I'm no Princess," she hissed.
"I'm an orphan who was dumped on the side of the road," she spat.
"Emma…" Snow squeaked.
"Oh I know, that's just where I came though. But it's still what it says in my file. It doesn't matter now though," she said.
"Why not?" David asked curiously.
"Because Neal and I are in love," she announced.
"Honey...that's wonderful. You're in love," Snow said, her face aglow.
"But since I'm seemingly cursed to come here every night, I just want you to know that I'm done with you two. I don't need you and you're never there anyway. I may have to come here in my dreams, but I want no part of either of you. So for the duration of my fucked up life, just leave me the hell alone," she said angrily, as she stalked out to the gardens.
"Oh Charming…" Snow cried, as she broke down in his arms.
"Shh...she doesn't mean it, my darling," he tried to soothe.
"How can you be so sure?" she sobbed.
"Because I have faith in her. She loves us and we will never stop loving her. She's just going through some really bad times," he assured.
"Then you think there's still hope?" she sniffed. He smiled and kissed her tenderly.
"There is always hope. Emma will break the curse," he assured.
Present Day
Emma was still ashamed of her behavior during that time. It wasn't long after those harsh, unloving words to her parents that Neal had set her up and she went to prison. She had been so incredibly nasty to them and yet when her world came crashing down, they had taken her in their arms with nothing but love and no judgment. It was like everything she had said was forgiven and forgotten to them. That wasn't something she was used to getting from anyone else but them. She was a mess during that time in her life and that's why today's conversation she would have to have was going to be so difficult.
Emma was ready and waiting with two hot cocoas at Henry's castle playground. She wasn't surprised at all that day that he had disobeyed Regina and ditched the bus, in favor of meeting her instead.
Truthfully, Emma was nervous about this conversation. She knew she'd eventually have to tell Henry how he came to be and about a very painful time in her life. But she wasn't expecting it to be so soon.
"Hey kid," Emma called, but she felt her heart nearly break, as he refused to look at her. But it wasn't for the reason she thought.
"Henry...I'm so sorry. I should have told you sooner," Emma pleaded.
"It's not your fault. It's hers," he sniffed, as he finally looked at her and she saw the tear tracks.
"Oh hey...come here," she cooed, as she took him in her arms.
"I'm sorry...I don't know how she even got that information. My records were supposed to be sealed, but I should have told you," Emma soothed.
"Was I really born in jail?" he asked.
"Yes...in the prison infirmary ward. I still had two months left on my sentence when you were born," she replied.
"Why were you in jail?" he asked. She took a deep breath. Her first instinct was to lie. She didn't want her son to know what kind of guy his father was. But thanks to a talk with her dad on lunch, she was going to tell him the truth. Her father had reminded her that lying to him is what Regina would do and even if the truth wasn't pleasant, lying to him would result in him losing his trust in her if he found out.
"Well...I was in love with this guy and we were both down on our luck. His childhood sucked and mine, apart from my dreams, was pretty dismal most of the time. We decided to punish the world together and stole stuff to get by," she confessed.
"It was mostly small stuff. Convenience stores, thrift stores, things like that. What I didn't know was he stole some pricey watches in Phoenix before we met. Things were finally catching up to him in Portland," she explained.
"But then...how did you end up in jail?" he asked.
"He asked me to go get the watches in a locker at the train station where he had stashed them. It made sense for me to go since they weren't looking for me. We planned to sell them and escape across the border to Canada," she replied.
"But something went wrong?" he asked.
"Yeah...an anonymous tip was called in about the watches and I was arrested with them in my possession," she replied. Henry's eyes widened.
"He turned you in?" the boy asked. She nodded.
"I was arrested and sentenced to eleven months. He probably took off to Canada, but hey, he left me the bug. That totally made up for everything," she replied bitterly. He lowered his head.
"So you gave me up," he stated.
"I didn't want to...but kid, I was in jail. When I got out...I had no job or money. I thought I was doing what was best for you. I'm sorry," she apologized.
"It's okay...it's not your fault," he said. She smiled.
"You can be angry at me. It's okay...I messed up pretty bad," she replied.
"But you wouldn't have if not for the Queen. It's because of her that your parents had to give you up. She's ruined so many lives. We have to stop her," he said.
"Hey...you leave her to me. I know you're angry with her, but she still took care of you for ten years. For that, I have to be grateful to her. I don't think I can forgive her for what she's done to my parents, but she is still your Mom too," she reminded. He nodded reluctantly.
"But we will be a family, I can promise you that. We're going to break the curse. I don't know how yet, but if there is one thing I learned from my parents, even during my years of denying it, is that good always wins. True love, of which my parents probably share the truest of, can break any curse. And I was born of that true love," Emma told him. She knew that before that they would face much more adversity and there was no telling what Regina would throw at them. But the kid needed hope right now and it was her job to give to him, just like her parents had done for her all her life in the dreamscape...