AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.
Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)
Please consider leaving a review. Feedback is much appreciated.
Thanks for awesomethe reviews. Here are individual responses:
Number Ten: Yes, one would hope that Damon will go to jail...but not so fast.
Guest: Yep, the counseling thing is pretty much a joke when it comes to Damon. Yes, Ariel is in a bit of a pickle.
Paulaa90: It's interesting you ask about Regina digging into her past, because she's about to find out a whole lot in this chapter. Not to spoil anything, but emotions run high in this chapter. And what Regina finds is connected to Ariel. I know, I really like Gold acting as an attorney here and yep, Mitchell is really going to be ashamed when the curse breaks. Glad you're enjoying the story!
Saberius Prime: Glad you're enjoying the story! I hope Damon loses too...but I'll have to say not so fast.
BooksInMyDreams: Glad you're enjoying it so much and yes, the tension is palpable and gets even thicker in this chapter.
Ragsweas: Yes, Mitchell really proved he's a seasoned attorney. I know, poor Mary. I can't tell you what Regina has planned for Ariel, but you will find out in this chapter. Glad you're enjoying it so much!
Sara K M: Thanks! Glad you liked the scene with David supporting Mary. I thought it was a very poignant tribute to the Snowing relationship too. Well, the thing about August is that, while Stephanie's records are all perfectly in order on the surface and Emma's actually exist, because she was in the system, August is kind of like a ghost. I haven't gone much into that yet, but let's just say that August has taken measures and used the resources our world has to keep off the grid and under the radar. I can say that it is easier for him to be under the radar since he doesn't have a complete identity. The way I see it is Baelfire did everything needed to establish the working identity of Neal Cassidy, while August pretty much did the opposite, if that makes any sense.
As for Lacey, normally I would agree, but remember in this Gold hasn't actually pulled away from David or Jefferson. He's still maintaining his relationships with others while essentially dating Lacey. He hasn't shunned anyone like she was hoping, which is a testament to the BroT3 we have going on. Glad you have no idea which way it's going to go and I don't want to spoil it too much, so I won't tell you which is right. ;)
Beth1980: Yeah, I like when Regina loses control too. That being said, she gains a bit of an upper hand in this chapter. I won't say too much, cause I don't want to spoil it, but it ties into Ariel and has a lot to do with Stephanie. But I agree, no matter what, David and the others will protect Snow. I can't say too much, but you'll be cheering for the jury...but don't think it's over there. ;) Glad you're enjoying it!
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 30: Trial By Fire, Pt 3
Once the jury was sequestered for the deliberation, they knew all they could do was wait. They decided to pick up takeout from Granny's and take it home to the loft. The day had been mentally and emotionally exhausting. So it wasn't surprising that David and Mary fell asleep on the couch, curled in each other's arms not long after dinner. For Emma though, she was wired from the day's events and Stephanie seemed to be as well.
As Emma covered her parents with a quilt, she glanced at the woman that was supposed to be her grandmother.
"How long do you think it will take for the jury to come back?" Stephanie asked.
"Hard to say. If they're not complete morons, they should be back any time with a guilty verdict," Emma replied.
"And even if they do, you feel we could still lose somehow," Stephanie reasoned.
"Do you really think Regina will let Damon be locked up? She never lets my parents win, not truly," the blonde muttered, as she kept stealing glances at the other woman.
"You and I haven't really had a chance to talk one on one. You can ask me anything, Emma," Stephanie told her.
"You were forced to give my mother up.." Emma blurted out. She nodded.
"It was the best and worst day of my life," Stephanie said, as she got teary.
"Was my mother really born in the Underworld?" Emma asked uncomfortably.
"I'm afraid so...not really my choice either. But despite being in a place of death, things always grow around me. My emotions can affect the flora and weather around me as well. As I birthed my little Snow, the snowdrops sprouted all around my chamber. And when I gave her to my mother to save her from Hades and Deimos, I set off a fierce snowstorm in a month where spring was on the brink and plunged the Enchanted Forest into the longest and worst winter it had ever seen," she explained.
"That's kind of what I don't get. Deimos wanted to kill my mother when she was born and then became obsessed with her," Emma said.
"The Ambrosia leaves he consumed twisted him even further. It's hard to say why his mission to kill her became a mission to possess her instead. All that truly matters is stopping him though," Stephanie replied.
"If I break the curse, then he gets his memories back," Emma said.
"Yes, but so does your Mother. They went against him once and he was torn to shreds. Somehow, he came back from that, but I will be there this time and I will ensure he doesn't survive," Stephanie promised. Emma nodded.
"Me too," Emma agreed.
The Dreamscape
Snow hummed in her throat, as he kissed her deeply and they slowly came down from the high of lovemaking. They were thoroughly entwined beneath the bedclothes and Snow had no desire to untangle from him, though she knew Emma would probably be there soon. She seemed to be up late again though, leaving them to their own devices, which usually led to situations like this.
"What are you thinking?" he asked, as he gently caressed her beautiful face.
"Many things...like how happy you make me and how much I love you," she replied.
"And I love you, my darling. I never imagined ever being this happy. I know we haven't exactly had the life we pictured, but this dreamscape has been a blessing," he said.
"It has...and we will have that life, I have faith. Emma will break the curse," she replied, as they were silent for a moment.
"Do you think things are bad for our counterparts?" Snow asked curiously. He shrugged.
"I don't know...she said we're together. I know that if we're together, things can't be all that bad," he said, gazing at her fondly. She smiled back.
"True...but we live in a place where Regina and her cronies are in charge. And Emma always seems so reluctant to tell us things," Snow mentioned.
"I know...I think she's just trying to protect us though," he reasoned.
"I want to know...I want to know what we're facing," she insisted. He smiled and kissed her forehead again.
"Then we'll ask her to tell us," he promised, as he captured her lips again at that, kissing her with tender passion. His lips slowly moved to her neck and she lost herself in the sensations his lips were awakening in her again.
"Charming…" she whispered breathlessly. Their lips parted and they gazed at each other with ardent captivation; an ardent captivation that had not faded in twenty-eight years. Passion swelled again and hands roamed, as their kisses became feverish and lovemaking ensued again, as if often did, and they lay entwined again sometime later. It was several hours until they finally heard Emma and put their robes on, as they went to greet her. She looked tired and worried, unable to hide her anxiousness.
"Emma...what's going on?" David asked.
"It's...nothing you guys need to worry about," Emma replied. Snow and Charming exchanged a glance, having one of their silent conversations that had always fascinated Emma and irked hera bit, perhaps.
"Sweetheart...we love you for trying to protect us, but you don't have to. We can handle whatever it is," Snow assured.
"Well...I may be the Savior, but no matter what steps we make, it always seems like Regina gets the upper hand. That monster…" Emma growled and then stopped herself.
"Deimos...he's done something, hasn't he?" David asked. Emma sighed.
"It's a long story...but I'll tell you everything," Emma relented.
Ariel yelped, as the cloth bag covering her head was removed. Her eyes adjusted to the light and she saw a dark skinned man before her.
"Who are you? Where am I?" Ariel demanded to know.
"His identity isn't important. That will be all, Sidney," Regina said, as her high heels clicked on the cement floor or the abandoned warehouse.
"You!" Ariel cried and Regina smirked.
"Long time no see, fish girl," the Queen replied.
"What do you want with me?" Ariel questioned.
"Information," Regina revealed.
"I'm not telling you anything!" Ariel hissed back. Regina put on a fake pout.
"Oh...that's too bad, especially for poor Prince Eric...or I guess Ethan Harbor, as he's known here," Regina said, as two hired hands dragged the unconscious, beaten man into the light and tossed him down, causing Ariel to scream.
"Eric…" she cried, as tears clouded her vision.
"Now...if you answer my questions, then Eric will be dropped off at the hospital for medical attention. He has cuts and bruises at best, with no lasting damage done. If you refuse...then I'm afraid my men will just have to drop him in the water. He's unconscious, so he'll drown, especially since you won't be around to save him this time," Regina warned.
"What do you want to know?" Ariel growled.
"How did you get here?" Regina demanded to know.
"I swam," the redhead answered.
"I figured that, but I know the curse's barrier should have kept you out of Storybrooke waters. How did you get past it?" Regina questioned.
"I had help," Ariel answered vaguely.
"From who? It was Stephanie Kore, wasn't it?" Regina growled.
"Yes…" Ariel answered, as her eyes were fixated on Eric.
"Who is she really?" Regina demanded to know.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ariel shrugged.
"Would you like to see his head smashed in? Because that can be arranged," Regina threatened, as the two men loomed over the prone prince.
"She's Persephone!" Ariel shouted. The Queen narrowed her gaze.
"Goddess of the Underworld?" she questioned.
"Queen of the Underworld," Ariel corrected.
"What does the Queen of the Underworld want in Storybrooke?" Regina questioned. Ariel shrugged.
"Tell me...or he's fish bait," she growled.
"She's come to protect her daughter from you!" Ariel revealed.
"Her daughter?" Regina asked in confusion.
"Snow White," Ariel added.
"That's impossible!" Regina exclaimed.
"No...you've been terrorizing the daughter of Persephone all these years and now she's here for retribution," Ariel goaded.
"Snow White is the daughter of King Leopold and Queen Eva," Regina refuted.
"Wrong...she is their adopted daughter. Biologically, she is Persephone's child," Ariel corrected, as the Queen was floored by the information.
"You have what you want. Now let me go," the redhead demanded. Regina smirked.
"Oh no, that's not how this works, dear. I have a very special place prepared for you," Regina leered.
"What are you going to do to me?" the mermaid asked. Her smirk widened and she extracted a hypodermic needle from her purse.
"What is that?" Ariel asked fearfully. But Regina was silent and the needle pierced her neck with a sting. The liquid burned going in and Ariel blacked out.
When she awoke, she didn't know how much time had passed, but she was being wheeled down a stark white corridor and saw Regina walking beside her, heels clicking on the floor.
"This woman is very disturbed, Nurse Ratchet. She must be kept isolated and medicated," Regina stated.
"Of course, Madam Mayor. We'll see to it," the nurse said, as the orderlies place her in an asylum cell and locked her away.
"No...please don't do this," Ariel cried incoherently, as Regina grinned smugly at her through the window.
"Enjoy the psych ward, fish girl. It's your new home now," Regina said, as she walked away with a victorious smile.
As Mary awoke the next morning, she smiled, as she found herself draped atop David's chest. She watched him sleep and listened to his heartbeat with the gentle, steady rhythm of his breathing. Not surprisingly though, he was slowly roused and those azure eyes she loved getting lost in slowly opened.
"Good morning…" she purred. He smiled.
"Morning...guess we fell asleep on the couch," he said.
"Mmm...I guess we were more drained than we thought," she mentioned and he hummed in agreement. At that moment, they heard a banging in the kitchen.
"Take that, you demon," Emma growled, as she smacked the toaster with a metal spatula. If Emma was awake before them, it made them wonder how much she had actually slept.
"Hey Em...whatcha doin'?" Mary asked. The blonde huffed, as she smacked the toaster once more for good measure.
"This thing is evil. It ate my pop tarts and won't give them up," she growled, making David chuckle.
"Why don't you stop beating the poor toaster and we'll go to Granny's," he suggested.
"Fine...but I think we need to get a new toaster," she agreed. The four of them cleaned up and then headed out to the diner, each wondering what the day would bring.
Judge Abernathy entered his chambers that morning with coffee in hand and flipped on the lights. He dropped the cup and coffee went spattering everywhere, as Albert Spencer and Damon Tromera stood waiting for him. And Mayor Mills herself sat in his chair.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked with trepidation.
"We're here to make sure justice is properly served, Your Honor," Regina stated.
"It's in the hands of the jury, Madam Mayor," he answered.
"Yes...and that won't do at all," Albert Spencer replied.
"The jury is responsible for overseeing the outcome of the trial," the judge reiterated.
"And as the judge, you have the power to set aside that ruling should it not favor, Mr. Tromera," Regina replied.
"I can't obstruct justice if you don't like the outcome," the judge refused.
"Oh, but you can judge Abernathy and it will be very lucrative if you do," Damon said, as he placed a briefcase on the judge's desk and opened it, showing him a case full of money.
"It's a simple choice. Do as we ask and become a very rich man or refuse and risk having a very bad accident when you least expect it," Albert threatened.
"You can even make it believable by giving me a fine and community service to make it look neat. I'd say ten-thousand is a nice round number. That ten thousand can either go into the city treasury or to paying for your funeral. Your choice, Your Honor," Damon leered.. The judge shrank away from them.
"I'll...do as you ask," he relented. It was wrong, but he was too afraid to go against them. Even if he managed to survive whatever accident they set up for him, he knew the Mayor could easily ruin him by taking his job and his house. He would lose everything unless he let this monster loose, so he would regrettably do so. The Gods have mercy on him…
The call that the jury was back came during breakfast at Granny's and they hurried to the courthouse. They were seated after the judge, as the jury filed back into the courtroom.
"Madam Foreperson, has the jury reached a verdict?" the Judge questioned.
"We have, Your honor," the woman answered. The envelope was handed to the judge, who read the verdict before he handed the envelope back to the bailiff, who then returned it to the foreperson.
"Madam Foreperson...how does the jury find in this case?" the judge questioned.
"On the two counts of aggravated assault and battery, the jury finds the defendant, Damon Tromera, guilty," the woman recited from the card. Commotion erupted in the courtroom and the judge slammed the gavel down, as David and Mary shared a hopeful gaze and held each other's hands tightly.
"Order," the judge demanded, as the woman continued.
"On the charge of attempted murder, the jury finds the defendant...guilty," the woman announced. Mary let out a sob of relief and threw her arms around David, who kissed her hair.
"The court thanks to the jury for their service and we will commence with sentencing today," the judge stated, as they waited for the judge's decision on Damon's sentence.
"It is quite unprecedented in our small town to have such a high profile case and while I feel the jury did their duty to the best of their abilities, I must disagree with the verdict," the judge stated, causing commotion to ripple through the courtroom. Gold frowned, as David clenched his fist and Mary put a hand to her mouth. A bad feeling settled over all of them.
"This case is largely based on hearsay and I believe the jury may have been swayed by the pre-trial publicity with all the coverage this has received in our small town newspaper," he continued.
"Therefore, I have no choice but to set aside the verdict," the judge concluded. The smug smiles on Damon and Albert Spencer's faces were sickening.
"You can't do that!" David exclaimed, as he shot out of his seat.
"I assure you I can, Mr. Nolan. Be seated or I will have you removed and held in contempt," the judge ordered coldly. Tears were already filling Mary's eyes and she pulled him back into his seat, desperately clinging to him.
"Mr. Tromera, please rise," the judge ordered, as the monster of a man did so.
"It is this court's recommendation that you have no contact with the plaintiffs and that you seek counseling from Dr. Hopper. The court is mandating one hundred hours of community service and a ten-thousand dollar fine to be paid immediately," the judge ruled, as he slammed the gavel down and the court was adjourned. Emma glared at Regina, who wore a smug smirk.
"She did this…" Emma growled.
"Then we need to prove it," Stephanie agreed.
"Which will never happen," Mary said dejectedly.
"Honey…" Stephanie started to say.
"No...he was convicted and it still wasn't enough. She found a way," Mary cried, as David held her and shared concerned looks with Emma and Stephanie. The latter watched the Mayor stroll out and stormed after her into the hallway.
"Regina!" Stephanie snapped. The Mayor smirked and turned to face the other woman.
"What can I do for you Ms. Kore?" she asked with venom in her voice.
"I know you hate Mary, but why would you let a monster like that walk free?! As a woman, how could you want that for any woman, even an enemy?" Stephanie questioned.
"Whatever befalls that little retch is poetic justice as far as I'm concerned," Regina snapped back.
"No...dammit, she never did anything to you and you know it! She's a victim too!" Stephanie cried.
"Oh no...I don't know that. But I'll tell you what I do know. Do you prefer Goddess or Your Majesty as a title?" Regina asked and Stephanie paled. The Queen's smirk widened. Stephanie stormed into an empty office and Regina followed.
"To think...all these years I thought it was Leopold and Eva that were responsible for giving life to that little bitch...but all along, it was you," the Queen stated.
"Call my little Snow a name again and I will see that you pay," Stephanie growled, but Regina rolled her eyes.
"You have no more magic here than I do," she retorted.
"For now and for your sake, you had better hope that continues to be true," the Goddess warned.
"How did you find out?" Stephanie demanded to know.
"I filleted it out of a little fishy," Regina countered gleefully.
"What have you done to Ariel?" Stephanie asked.
"Oh...she's fine in the hospital psych ward, though quite disturbed. And don't think about trying to free her, because whatever tricks Gold and his two dimwit lackeys pulled last time to free the bookworm won't work this time," Regina warned.
"You really think you've won? How naive," Stephanie goaded.
"Oh, I have clearly won. We're done here," Regina stated.
"No...we are not! You have tormented my daughter long enough, Regina and it stops now," Stephanie shouted.
"Like hell it does. She killed Daniel!" Regina growled.
"No she didn't! Cora did!" Stephanie refuted.
"Because Snow couldn't keep her mouth shut!" Regina shot back.
"She was a child! I watched helplessly from my chamber in the Underworld, as your mother manipulated my beautiful little Snow! All my baby wanted was her mother and Eva was gone. And I was trapped by my evil husband, powerless to help her!" Stephanie cried, as she struck a chord in the other Queen.
"You know what that's like. You and I are not so different, just as Hades and Leopold aren't so different as well," she stated. But Regina sobered.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," the Evil Queen refuted.
"Oh...you know all too well. I had to give my sweet baby up to protect her from Hades, but I'm here now and no one, least of all you, is ever hurting her again," Stephanie spat. Regina rolled her eyes.
"You had to protect her from her own father?" Regina asked skeptically.
"Hades is not her father...Hades is a monster," Stephanie shot back and Regina looked intrigued.
"Oh, so you cheated on your husband. Figures. One tramp would produce another. Did you steal a married man from his wife like she did?" Regina goaded.
"You know damn well Mary never stole David from anyone! David is my Snow's husband and they have always belonged together and will always belong together," Stephanie growled.
"Spoken like a true tramp," Regina growled back. Stephanie started toward her again, but Emma stopped her.
"Not yet…" Emma said, pulling her back. The Goddess huffed.
"You had better hope this town stays magic-less, Your Majesty, because if you think your magic is a match for mine, then you'll be sorely disappointed," Stephanie warned, as Emma led her out with a cold stare to Regina.
She saw David leading Mary out of the courtroom with her huddled against his chest. Damon, the smug bastard said something to them that made David's eyes turn to ice and they moved closer.
"Come on...let me take you home, my darling," David said to her in a soothing voice, as they stood up, just as Marco and Tom Clark slowly approached.
"We just want you to know that we all thought he was guilty as sin and recommended the maximum sentence," Tom said.
"Yes...this is a miscarriage of justice!" Marco exclaimed passionately. Mary sniffed.
"We're so grateful for your support," Mary said.
"Truly," David added, as they left the couple and David slowly led her out, where Damon's smug face met them.
"No hard feelings, you two," he goaded, as he had the audacity to hold his hand out to shake.
"You stay the hell away from us," David growled, as he batted his hand away. Damon chuckled.
"So hostile...and here I was hoping to invite you both to my club for dinner, on the house, of course," he replied.
"You won, you bastard. You won...now just leave us alone!" Mary begged. But Damon only laughed at her.
"Oooh...I do like it when you beg, Mary. Today was only part of my victory though. The rest comes when you're finally in my bed, preferably in chains," he hissed, enjoying how the little bit of color she had drained from her fair face.
"You sick Son of a Bitch!" David screamed, as Emma was quick to head her father off and hold him back.
"Temper, temper, Deputy…" Damon goaded.
"Get out of here, asshole," Emma spat. The man walked away with that smug smirk plastered on his face. David's shoulders were still heaving and his teeth were clenched in rage.
"David…" Stephanie said gently, motioning to Mary, who had collapsed in her arms. He deflated and she gently prodded her into his arms. He kissed her hair and enveloped her in his embrace tightly.
"He's never going to touch you," he promised, as he caressed her tear stained face.
"Let's go home," Emma suggested. He nodded and they started out, as Stephanie and Regina shared a last frigid look. It looked as though the Queen and her cronies had truly won, but they, especially Emma, were not giving up. She hoped they enjoyed their victory, but she was determined to see that it did not last...