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:
OUATlover2000: Yep, August finally told the truth, some of it at least. He still hasn't come clean about Neal, but it was time he at least answered for some of it. So glad you like my writing!
Tammy henson: update is here...every wednesday night
Barratta Jennifer: Glad you think so! August finally getting busted was pretty great.
Ragsweas: Yep, August is in trouble. Neal is coming soon, I promise. As for August calling him, probably not. Remember, August is probably not ready for Emma to know that he encouraged Neal to leave her. And Neal still doesn't want anything to do with Rumple, though we know things will change when he finds out about Henry. Jefferson appears in this chapter, so he's back. There will be family time as well, I promise. As for David trying to get Mary to remember her life as Snow...that's complicated. I have a very specific way that Snow is going to "wake up". I know it seems like it's taking forever, but this chapter begins that arc that will take us into the breaking of the curse and you'll see why in the last scene of this chapter. ;)
BooksinmyDreams: So glad you liked it! I know, it was tender romance in one moment and then full on drama in the next. I was hoping it didn't give anyone whiplash, lol ;)
AshGreg: So glad you liked it! The wedding night did turn out really good, I was happy with it. Yeah, I'm not the biggest August or Marco fan for that matter. They are going to answer for the things they did in this story. I glad you liked David swooping in. I've had that scene planned in my head for a very long time. I knew a long time ago David was going to overhear the whole thing long before I actually wrote this scene so I'm glad how it came out. I wish a lot of this had happened in the show too. Glad you're enjoying so much!
Naomi Blue: Glad the confrontation lived up to your expectations!
Saberius Prime: It was intense! Glad it kept you on the edge of your seat and that you're enjoying so much!
Paulaa90: Yes, Regina brought it on herself and Henry's a kid. Kids say stuff. I know, I love writing Mary and David together. Yep, August, Marco, and Blue are busted and August really only wants to save himself. And like you said, he didn't even come clean about everything. When he does, he'll porbably wish he could turn into wood to escape David. :)
Number Ten: Yep, Daddy Charming on full display here and I was really happy with the way the scene turned out. August isn't wrong about Gold, I agree, but August is pretty selfish.
Guest: Yeah, Neal made some mistakes, though August had a part in that. I agree, I don't think August was truly remorseful and I wanted David to know everything and want August to answer for what he did. I can tell you that Gold's friendship with Jefferson and Charming will make a difference here. :)
izzypirelli: So glad you like the story! And doing a re-read too! That's like the ultimate compliment. I love Persephone/Stephanie too, more than I anticipated I would. And I'm glad you her relationship with Mary. I know, that line does give major Snowing feels and Gosh feels. Yeah, August isn't so all knowing here and it was fun knocking him down a peg, plus we got Daddy Charming feels. It was devastating for him too though and you'll see more of that in this chapter. :)
Sara K M: I get that. Like I said, there will be little tiffs or banter between them and it will be resolved in a healthy manner like you said, because it's Snowing. I agree with you about couples resolving things like you said. It's just I don't do a lot of it, because of how I grew up. Thus why Snowing is so appealing to me.
Yes, technically she already was his wife, but not really legally. I like the idea of them getting married in our world and then when Snow's memories come back, it will be basically like they had a renewal of vows.
So glad you liked the scene with August, Emma, and David. I was happy with the way it came out. Yeah, I didn't originally see August taking a shot at David working with Gold either, but when I was writing it, it just happened and ended up fitting really well. Technically, August isn't really wrong about Gold. But he's also got his own selfish reasons. And what he did to Neal and Emma will eventually come up. He still has secrets to come back and bite him. I agree, Neal made mistakes. I think he got a bit freaked about his dad possibly finding him. If not for Henry, I'm not sure he would have agreed to go back to Storybrooke. All that will be explored. :) Glad you're still enjoying the story.
Cassie: Wow...such an awesome, long review! I love it.
Glad you liked the previous chapters mentioned. I can assure you that Jefferson will be sticking around. His role may be minor, but he will be included in events past season 1 territory. Charming is such a natural father and I think we'll Jefferson going to him for advice when he gets Grace back. Family is so important to me too, especially the Charming family. Family will remain central, Swanfire will happen, and Hook is going to remain in the gray area. Honestly with him, it depends on the day with me. Some days I can write him in the gray and some days I feel like he should be a straight up villain. We shall see. Glad you liked the Daddy Charming. I was really happy with the way that scene turned out. No, he's still hiding things about Neal too, so there's that to blow up in his face later. I know, it probably wasn't good that David sort of threatened the judge, but the way things are moving, it may not matter too much longer, if you get my drift. So glad you're enjoying the story so much :)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 34: Friction
"Dad…" Emma started to say, as they walked back to the cruiser. He stopped and turned to her and surprised her by cupping her face in his hands.
"Emma...I'm so sorry…" he cried.
"Dad...you didn't know. They lied to you and Mom. I know we're both feeling a lot of things right now, but if you think any of my anger is at you and Mom, don't…" she replied. He sighed.
"We trusted them...I mean, Regina caused all this, but it looks like we still put our faith in people that didn't deserve that," he said bitterly.
"I know...of all the people I thought he might be, Pinocchio wasn't one of them. Though the lying thing makes a whole lot more sense now," she mentioned.
"It does?" David asked in confusion, not quite making the connection.
"Oh well...the story that this land tells about Pinocchio is that he was a wooden boy and the only way he could become a real boy is to be selfless, brave, and true. But for most of the story, Pinocchio lies. But he does the right thing in the end, so the Blue Fairy makes him a real boy. That's where the story ends, but I guess we know he didn't go on to keep that promise in real life," Emma explained.
"And these kind of stories are designed to entertain children?" he asked. Emma smiled. Her father was still very much trying to figure out how this world worked.
"Well...in the movie his nose grows every time he lies," she replied. David chuckled, suddenly getting the same mental image she had of August's nose growing.
"Okay...that does make it better," he agreed, as he put his arm around her.
"How do you think Gold will take it?" she asked.
"Probably better than I did, at least on the surface. He doesn't exactly betray a lot of emotion, except anger maybe. I think he'll disappointed though. I get that...I wouldn't know what to do if I couldn't find my child," he replied, looking at her.
"August is wrong too...about you helping Gold. As wary of him as you always told me to be, I really do think he just wants Belle and to find his son, for the most part," she reasoned. He nodded.
"August isn't wrong about the power part...I just hope love will be enough in the end. Believe me, back in our land, I never thought I would have anything to do with him willingly," David added.
"But things are different here," Emma surmised.
"They are...he is or seems that way, I don't know. There's no magic here either. I used to think he was raving mad back in our land. Trusting him might be a risk, but it's one I have to take," he explained. She smiled.
"August is wrong not to look up to you. Everything you've ever done has been for Mom and me," Emma mentioned.
"All I've ever wanted was to be with my family and we're going to have that, Emma, I promise," he assured. She smiled, as they got into the cruiser and headed back to town.
Flashback
Fourteen Months Before the Dark Curse
The thundering hooves of horses echoed through the forest, along the dirt pathway. In the near distance stood the Dark Castle, a place to be avoided. The people on horseback headed for this castle with purpose must have been brave or desperate, for no one willing went there. The horses slowed and revealed a man and a woman, in riding clothes that spoke that they were of importance. The handsome man swept his long cape out of the way, as he dismounted and offered his hand to his beautiful companion. They laced their fingers together in an intimate gesture, as they approached the Dark Castle. They found it open and went inside.
"Rumpelstiltskin!" the man shouted. They were met with a high pitched giggle.
"Well, my, my, my...to what pleasure do I owe a visit from Snow White and Prince Charming?" he asked in a sing-song voice.
"Information...about an encounter we had with a bloodsucker," David answered. Rumple had known this day would soon come with his foresight and all. The heathen he had reluctantly assisted had encountered Snow White and while neither of them knew why, he was drawn to her. Rumple could only imagine the depravity in store in his warped mind for the child of Persephone.
"There are no more bloodsuckers in existence. Zeus saw to that centuries ago," Rumple stated, as he appeared suddenly before them. He looked them up and down and was a bit disappointed. No Savior yet...but he had no doubt that it would be very soon, especially given the way these two seemed hold each other so close. True love and all its physical wonders, indeed.
"Then he missed one, perhaps," Charming suggested.
"Or perhaps he only appears vampire-likeon the surface," Rumple countered.
"Then you know the being we speak of?" Snow questioned. He giggled.
"Oh yes...Snow White, the being that has become so captivated by the fairest of them all is none other than Deimos, God of Terror...or at least he was," the Dark One answered.
"Was?" Charming asked.
"After trying to overthrow Zeus, he was punished and stripped of his immortality. However, being a valuable minion to Hades, he ingested ambrosia leaves and restored his immortality," Rumple replied.
"And the part where he drinks blood?" Charming asked impatiently.
"I was getting to that…" Rumple snapped.
"To maintain the effects of the ambrosia, he must ingest blood at least once a month, every full moon or his immortality will be null and void," he continued.
"But the ambrosia warped his mind and instead of obtaining only the small amount of blood he needs, he favors killing his victims instead, always female, after he's done rather depraved things to them," Rumple added. Snow visibly shuddered and instinctively, Charming put his arms around her.
"He said things to me...that he wanted to keep me," Snow stammered, as she recalled the frightening memory.
"Do you know why he would hone in on Snow? Why he's become obsessed with her? We've had several very close calls," Charming said, his face showing how frightened he was for his wife.
"His strength...it's inhuman. Without Red…" Charming started to say, but Snow clutched his leather jerkin and he didn't finish his sentence.
"Yes…" Rumple said, knowing where he was going and theyshared a long gaze, with Charming seeing a flicker of understanding? He recalled once that the Dark One spoke of a love that he had lost. This man, as twisted and dark as he was, understood the fear that plagued him. But just as quickly as the flicker flashed in his eyes, it was gone.
"And what is it that you want from me?" Rumple asked.
"Answers...a way to defeat him...something! I cannot let such a monster stalk and hunt my wife. His terror has to end...I would rather die than see her tormented and Gods forbid taken by that animal," Charming implored passionately, as she clung to him.
"And if I perhaps had some information...then what would you give me in return?" Rumple inquired.
"Anything...name for your price," the prince responded.
"Charming…" Snow whimpered, fearing for what this imp might want in return.
"No price is too high for your safety, my darling," he told her.
"Defeating a being such as an immortal is not easy...but nor is it impossible. This one, in particular, has a weakness that can be exploited on the next Harvest Moon. And since it is autumn, you shall not have to wait long," Rumple stated.
"What happens on the Harvest Moon?" Snow asked.
"On this one night, his immortality is null and void due to this particular phase of the moon and astrological alignment. On this one night, you can battle him in hopes of winning and kill him," Rumple stated.
"With his immortality gone, so will be his superior strength," Charming said, hope in his voice.
"Yes...but he will still be a formidable opponent. You must bring your wolf friend. You must tear him to shreds...quite literally and burn the remains. Only then will he die. Accomplish this before first light or all your efforts will be vain," Rumple warned.
"And what's your price for this information?" he asked. Rumple stared at them with scrutiny. He had everything he needed from them so far. He already had bottled their true love with their hairs and it was safely hidden away for a rainy day. The next thing he needed from them would occur soon enough on its own. In fact, telling them this information benefited him, for it wouldn't do well for his plans if Prince Charming was killed and Snow White became a possession of that depraved creature, never having conceived the Savior. No...he needed these two very much alive and together. But he had a reputation to keep, so he had to make something up.
"You'll owe me a favor and I can call in this favor at the time of my choosing," Rumple decided.
"Deal," Charming agreed, as he led Snow out of the castle. Deimos was a complication to his plans that he didn't need. Unbeknown to them, they were actually already doing him the favor by eradicating him from existence. He was certain it would happen soon. The Savior would be conceived and then the curse would come, taking him to the land where Bae was...
After going back to the station, David set out on foot for Gold's shop and entered through the back way as usual, careful to make sure no one was following or watching him. Sidney Glass always seemed to be lurking somewhere and he had learned quickly how to spot the weasel. He had been distracted obviously on his and Mary's wedding night, but knew that's how Regina found out so quickly. His meetings with Gold and Jefferson, however, needed to remain secret. Regina suspected they were already working together, but if she learned the things they discussed, it would not bode well to their advantage.
"You don't look happy," Jefferson commented, as he joined them in them in the front of the shop. David pulled the dagger from his inside jacket pocket and placed it in front of Gold.
"You got it back...then you confronted him," the Hatter said.
"I didn't think it was part of the plan for you to confront him alone," Gold replied, though he was relieved to have the dagger back. He pocketed it inside his own jacket pocket.
"Things changed. Our friend on the motorcycle invited my daughter to take a ride with him earlier...so I followed them," David explained.
"What did you find out?" Jefferson asked.
"A whole lot more than I ever imagined," David replied, as he took a deep breath, trying to calm his temper.
"He took Emma into the woods...to a well. At first, he kept trying to lead her into the conversation about the curse with his vague riddles, but she wasn't having any of it. My daughter isn't exactly one for beating around the bush," he commented. Jefferson smirked.
"Like her father," he agreed.
"Anyway...I think he was expecting to have to convince her that the curse was real. Only Emma shocked him when she revealed that she knew everything. She was done with his crap and demanded to know how and why he knew about the curse. And what his interest in her and Henry was. Something I wanted to know as well," David continued.
"So...who is he? Is he Baelfire?" Jefferson asked impatiently.
"No...he's not. I'm sorry," David replied, looking Gold in the eyes. The older man remained stoic, though his emotions raged inside in a myriad of varying degrees.
"But it's probably best he's not, because I think you'd rather not have a liar for a son," the prince added bitterly.
"Okay...so who is this guy? If he isn't Baelfire, then how the hell does he know so much about the curse?" Jefferson asked.
"Because he's actually Pinocchio and his lying father put him through the wardrobe before I put Emma through," David growled, as he gripped the counter top so hard his knuckles turned white.
"Wait...so it took more than one?" the Hatter asked. David smiled bitterly.
"Yep...and if they had just told us the truth, Snow and I could have gone with her!" he shouted.
"So the woodworker put the boy through...and what? Just expected him to take care of an infant?" Jefferson asked.
"I think the old man counted on Snow going through while still pregnant with Emma. I'm not really convinced he cared either way. I mean...I get he was trying to protect her child. But Emma needed us…" he lamented.
"I guess I'm still confused as to how he fits in all this. I mean...where's he been?" Jefferson asked.
"Oh, that's the best part. They ended up in the same foster home, but he left Emma. I know he was a boy, but he still left her. And now he's back, not because he cares about any of us or my daughter, but because he's turning back to wood. And he's determined that my daughter break the curse to save his worthless skin," David said.
"Well...not that it's much comfort, but there is a chance the curse breaking won't fix him anyway," Gold offered.
"What do you mean?" David asked. Gold gave a small shrug.
"The magic used to turn him into a real person was given to him by the Blue Fairy. If he broke her conditions, then the curse breaking or not may not help him. His selfishness will be his own undoing," Gold surmised.
"Serves him right. The only reason he even bothered to come here was to use my daughter," David said.
"That still doesn't explain why he took my dagger," Gold stated.
"I think he either might know there's a chance the curse won't fix him or he was hoping there was magic in it. I think he hoped to use it to force you to fix him if all else failed," David deduced. Jefferson snorted.
"Yeah, because that plan wasn't going to blow up in his face or anything. At least the lying thing makes sense now," the Hatter commented. David scoffed.
"That's exactly what Emma said," he agreed.
"So what now? Emma believes, you and Snow are together, even if she doesn't have her memories. Happy endings are slowly being restored...what are we missing?" Jefferson wondered.
"I wish I knew," David responded.
"It will come. Regina will soon take drastic measures to regain a stronghold on the town and Emma will face her. Not even I've been able to see how she will break the curse, but she is the product of true love and that is key," Gold stated. David sighed.
"I just wish there was more I could do to help. I don't like that it's all on Emma," he mentioned.
"You are helping her...by being there. Don't take for granted that you can actually do that. I only wish Grace knew the truth," Jefferson said bitterly. David looked at him.
"I'm sorry...sometimes I forget that you get it," he apologized.
"It's fine...like he said, we have to be close. Everything seems to be coming to a head, especially since we know for sure that Regina knows that Emma knows," he mentioned. He had reluctantly informed them of Emma's slip after assuring her that he wasn't angry that she did. It was a mistake, after all, and he was pretty sure Regina had already figured out who she was.
"I guess we'll just have to be ready for whatever she throws at us and have each other's backs. I think we can agree on that," the prince stated. He received a nod from Jefferson and nothing from Gold, but knew he would do what needed to be done when it came to furthering their cause.
"I'm going to go pick up Mary," he said, as he left, slipping out the back. At the forefront of his mind was the moment he would eventually have to tell Snow about the lie they were told by people they trusted. He knew it was going to devastate her as much as it had devastated him. He would need to tell Stephanie too and knew her reaction would be about the same as his. For now though, he was going to be with his family and mentally prepare himself for the battle he knew was coming. The battle he could practically feel humming in his veins.
Mary walked around the room, quietly observing, as her students worked on the latest art project she had assigned. The evening before, she and David had gone on one of their evening walks with Wilby as they often did, and the night had been so clear, they had been able to see a sky blanketed by stars. That gave her the idea to work in a basic lesson into their time allotted for science that week about constellations. And now her students were happily sketching drawings of their favorite constellation. As she returned to her desk, she happened to glance out the window and jumped in fright, causing her to almost trip over her chair. Damon Tromera stood outside her window with a smug smirk on his face. Her heart raced and she almost didn't hear Henry when he asked her a question.
"Miss Blanchard...are you okay?" the boy asked in concern. She turned her head and looked at him and then glanced back at the window, this time finding no one there now.
"Um...I'm fine Henry, just clumsy," she replied. He didn't look convinced and looked to the window, wondering what she had seen to startle her so badly. Mary was wondering, however, if she had really seen him or if her mind was playing tricks on her. But she had a sinking gut feeling that he had been there and was intent on seeing to her torment. She took a deep breath and that was the moment the bell chose to ring.
"You can put your drawings in your desks and we'll finish them tomorrow," Mary called to them, as her students gathered their things and she watched them file out. As they did, she saw her husband peak in and smile at her.
"Hey…" he greeted, as he came into the room once all her students were gone.
"Hey yourself handsome," she greeted in return, as she welcomed his strong arms around her. She surprised him by eagerly pressing her lips to his in a kiss, of which he gladly returned.
"Yeah...hello to you too," he purred, as their lips parted. She giggled, as he pecked her on the lips again.
"Are you ready to go home?" he asked. She nodded and glanced at the window again, shuddering slightly at the memory and he frowned.
"Are you okay?" he asked. She nodded.
"Yes...especially now," she replied.
"No...something's bothering you. What's going on?" he asked.
"It's nothing...I think I was just imagining things," she replied, trying to brush it off as nothing.
"My darling...you know that you can tell me anything," he implored. She sighed.
"I happened to glance up and out the window a few minutes ago and I thought I saw him there. But I looked away briefly and then when I looked back, he was gone. I think my mind was just playing tricks on me," she assured him. But he wasn't convinced. This was just like that monster. He'd done this too, back in their land. He'd pop up in the gardens, just below their balcony in the castle, just to frighten her. He'd be there one minute and gone by the time he came, enjoying toying with her and forcing her to constantly look over her shoulder.
"Maybe I better go take a look around outside," he suggested.
"No...please, let's just go home. I don't want to waste anymore thought or energy on him," she pleased. He kissed her hair.
"Okay…" he relented, as she gathered her things up and they left for the day, hand in hand.
Emma locked up the station for the night, after forwarding the phones to her cell and headed out to the bug. About that time, Archie was walking by with Pongo and she gave him a friendly nod.
"Emma...I was hoping I could speak to you for a moment?" he inquired.
"Uh sure...I guess we can go back inside," she replied, as she unlocked the station and he followed her in with Pongo.
"What's up?" Emma asked, glad they weren't still standing out in the cold.
"I'm afraid this is a bit difficult for me to ask, but I recently became aware of your history with being seen by a psychiatrist," Archie replied gently. Emma's jaw clenched and she felt her blood boil.
"The only way you could know about that is if Regina gave you my file...the file she had no right to gain access to!" Emma shouted.
"I know...I know, what she did was so wrong and completely unethical. I'm not even sure how she got into your sealed records. But I promise I'm only asking out of concern for Henry," he pleaded.
"What you do mean...you read my file!" she exclaimed.
"Regina told me about your brief sessions when you were about Henry's age. I only looked at it to see the actual facts for myself without her opinions or scrutiny," he explained.
"I can't believe this...she was bad enough...I expect it from her. But you...she threatened you again, didn't she?" Emma asked. The ginger haired man looked down in shame.
"I'm so sorry Emma...but I do want what's best for Henry and now his inability to distinguish fiction from reality makes a lot of sense! Often time...mental illness can be hereditary," Archie stammered.
"Mental illness? Henry has an active imagination...so did I!" Emma shot back.
"Emma...let's be honest. Your trauma of being abandoned on the side of a road led to you creating this dream world for yourself that you told the therapist about. The one where your parents were Snow White and Prince Charming. It's not your fault...not with the situation you were in. Nor is it Henry's fault...in fact, knowing your history will help me properly treat him," Archie stated.
"Treat him? You don't mean like medication?" Emma asked in horror.
"No...no...that would be a last resort," he assured.
"But I can tell there's something else," Emma retorted, as she crossed her arms over her chest. He looked down, unable to look her in the eyes.
"Look at me," Emma snapped, as he looked up.
"Henry's not really getting better. In fact, since you came to town, his talk of curses and fairy tales is even more prevalent," Archie stated.
"He's happy!" Emma cried.
"You're enabling him, Emma and I'm afraid it is my professional opinion that any time you spend with Henry should be supervised," Archie said regrettably. Emma's mouth dropped open in shock.
"I don't believe this…" Emma uttered.
"Emma…" Archie started to say.
"She did it...she actually did it. She's found a way to keep Henry from me," Emma muttered. She clenched her teeth and her green eyes were stormy.
"Emma…" he tried again.
"Get out…" she growled. He hesitated for a moment though.
"Get out!" she shouted. He jumped and hurried Pongo along, as he exited. Deep down, Emma knew it wasn't really his fault, but she was too blindsided to care about his feelings at the moment. She angrily swiped some papers off her desk.
"If you think you've won, Regina...you've got another thing coming," she hissed.