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:

Saberius Prime: Thanks! Glad you liked it! I know, Regina is really pulling out all the stops.

Ragsweas: Yep, this is bad and you're right, Regina can be very bad when she wants to be. Eventually, she will be redeemed, but done a bit differently. She is worse here so it will take a bit longer. Yeah, I know, Damon needs to die. That will come eventually too. Lacey is around. She'll likely pop up briefly again before the curse breaks. As for Regina and Hook? I'm not sure. I'm probably not going to focus a lot on Hook. He's not my favorite. He'll probably be around as a gray character with some quippy lines. But I'm not sure how much I will do with him yet. We shall see. We will see Stephanie's reaction, but things are going to start moving very fast in the next few chapters so while she will find out, it may be a few chapters. And Hades...he doesn't really have a choice. He can't make a move until there is magic in Storybrooke. Stephanie found a way to Storybrooke through Ariel. But Hades needs magic, because he has the ruby slippers he forced Dorothy to give him many chapters back. So he's waiting in the wings. Things are going to get crazy when magic comes.

Barratta Jennifer: Glad you're enjoying it!

BooksinmyDreams: So glad you liked it and wonderful to hear that it's one of your favorite stories!

Paulaa90: Glad you liked the flashback. There is another one in this chapter and then the next that kind of tells that story. Yes, Jefferson and Gold know what August and Blue did, especially with him trying to pass himself off as Baelfire. Yep, Regina is desperate so she sank that low. Things are going to get crazy!

Naomi Blue: Yep, August is in trouble later. Glad you're enjoying it!

XxThe-Crest-of-AnubisxX: Yes, this will eventually include Swanfire. I hope you enjoy!

Number Ten: Yep, Regina is getting desperate. Who says I'm sending Emma and Mary Margaret through a portal? I haven't followed much of canon with season one so that will probably continue with season two.

Izzypirelli: I know, it's really tough for David and not having Snow to draw comfort from. But the circumstances for Emma are much better here. She had some anger in her teen years at her parents, but that was all worked out in her childhood, which is making a huge difference. I think you'll like the close relationship they have when everyone is finally awake. It's coming soon! I really like the GoldenMadCharming brot3 too. It's a lot of fun to write. Yes, Damon is mega creepy. Unfortunately, he gets worse, but hopefully his eventual demise will be satisfying. Yes, Regina is really hitting below the belt, because she's getting desperate. I may redeem her, but it will be much slower and with more of her answering for things she did. Glad you're enjoying!

Sara K M: So glad you liked the Emma/David scene at the beginning. It was super emotional and I'm glad it came off well. Yes, I see why it would have been easier for David to escape with Emma. I think most just think it would be Snow, because I think they have a hard time seeing him leaving Snow behind. He's always the one trying to sacrifice his life for his family, but I agree that it might have been easier for him to go through if he'd known it was possible. Yes, I think in the canon Snowing struggled to listen to Emma, because they still saw themselves as parents. I think people are a little hard on them though for it. I do also think that David is just a really good listener in general, I agree with you there. I felt he and Emma connected like that. Yep, Damon's starting mind games as we move toward breaking the curse. Everything is coming to a head. Yes, Emma knows that Sidney is a snake and I am going to eventually flashback to one of those sessions she had as a little girl. I think it's a really interesting opportunity with this story to explore. So glad you're enjoying!

Beth1980: Glad you're getting caught up. Yes, it's hard to feel bad for Regina here. Yeah, it was much riskier adopting from outside. Surely Storybrooke had babies. Probably another plot hole they should have explained and didn't, lol. No, August was not expecting Emma to know everything so he's the one that got shocked here. Yes, it seems August is pretty selfish here. Glad you like David defending Emma. That was probably my favorite part too. And I totally agree about Blue. Glad you liked the opening scene with Emma and David in the beginning of 34. I find it funny too when Rumple pops up and randomly interferes. Though I agree, while he is probably loathe to admit it, I think he likes Snowing too and what they represent. Yep, Damon is a total creep and nothing short of killing him will stop him. As for Archie, Regina made threats as usual. I may touch on that, but things are going to start moving very fast toward the breaking of the curse in the next couple chapters. Archie will definitely feel bad when he gets his memories back. Glad you're enjoying it so much!

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 35: Piece By Piece

The Dreamscape

When Emma finally found sleep that night, she sought her parents out, finding them in the meadow. She had tried to keep them mostly sheltered from what was going on in Storybrooke, but just a few nights ago, she had told them mostly everything that had happened.

They knew Deimos was alive and that had been a hard enough pill to swallow, but when she finally told them everything his counterpart had done and was getting away with, it was truly devastating. Her father lamented about her mother's safety and how it was even possible that he was even alive. No one seemed to know how that was possible either.

This all had been difficult enough for them to take and she hated seeing the fear behind her mother's eyes at the revelation that her tormentor was alive, even though she tried to hide that fear from her daughter.

But this...telling them about the wardrobe was probably one of the most difficult things she had faced in a very long time. Awake, her father was already aware, obviously, but he still was not retaining the memories of anything going on while awake. And really, August had been the one to spill the secret anyhow, leaving Emma grasping at how she was going to tell him now.

Then there was her mother. She had decided against telling her about her biological mother and the origins that she was unaware of. In the dreamscape, her father remained unaware of it as well. She made the decision that Persephone should break the news personally to Snow when the curse was broken. After all, Snow didn't have an inkling to who this woman was, unlike her counterpart. Mary had built a strong friendship and bond with Stephanie. That secret might come easier, especially since it was one with love behind it and circumstance beyond anyone's control.

But the secret about the wardrobe...this secret would only cause anguish and pain. The only benefit of telling them now was giving her mother time to process these emotions in the dreamscape so when she finally did wake up, maybe the pain wouldn't be so fresh. She knew the anger and betrayal they would feel wouldn't dissipate overnight, but the dreamscape was often therapeutic and she only hoped this setting could help with the blow this would be to them. And then there was Regina's latest ploy; an attempt to keep Henry away from her by using a very painful time in her life. Her own emotions were raw and there had been a lot of alcohol consumed that evening.

"Emma…" Snow called, as a smile eclipsed her face; a smile that spoke of a mother's pure adoration for her child.

"Hi Mom…" she said softly and Snow frowned at her subdued nature, as they hugged tightly. She hugged her father next, feeling his hand on the back of her head and her mother's hands on her back.

"Something else has happened...hasn't it?" Snow asked.

"A lot...and none of it's really good. I mean...you guys are okay and happy, because you're together…" she said, quickly adding the last part.

"Then there must be a lot going on around us. I mean, I know Regina won't just let us be together without creating a lot of trouble around us," Charming stated. She blew out a breath.

"Yeah...she's a piece of work. But unfortunately, she's not the only one that's done something," Emma replied.

"Sweetheart...you can tell us anything," Snow implored.

"Mom...this is going to crush you and Dad. And I don't want to do that! I hate this!" she lamented. Snow pulled her daughter into another hug.

"Oh baby...I love you for trying to protect us. But whatever it is...your father and I will get through it. And then we can help you get through it too," she said.

"She's right...you don't have to do this alone, princess," he added. In a moment of sheer vulnerability and anxiety, Emma finally broke down, probably in a way she wouldn't have awake and fell sobbing into her mother's arms. Snow and Charming were alarmed that their baby was in so much pain, but pushed aside their own fears. Snow gently cradled her and rocked her, as she cried against her mother's chest, while Charming's soothing hand moved up and down her back. And Snow knew one thing: whoever had hurt her daughter so deeply was going to pay dearly the moment she awakened from the curse.

"Baby...tell us what happened," Snow soothed. Emma sniffed.

"Do you remember when I was little and I used to tell people all the time that you two were my parents and that I would see you in my dreams every night?" she asked Snow smiled and swiped a few of her tears away with her thumbs.

"Of course...when you were very small, you said people accepted this and even seemed to think it was cute," she recalled. Emma nodded.

"But then it changed when you were a little older and they were unkind about it," David added, hating the cruelty she had faced alone.

"Yeah...I guess there's an age limit on what you are allowed to still believe in," she said bitterly.

"Anyway...remember they made me see a therapist and I told them about you guys and the curse, because I didn't know any better?" she asked.

"Of course...but honey, none of that was your fault. You said the people in this land just don't understand. That to them, magic and our stories are just figments of imagination," Snow reasoned.

"Yeah...and after they told me I was delusional, I stopped telling them and everyone else about the dreamscape and you guys so they wouldn't force pills down me," she added. Charming felt his fist clench at that. He hoped for their sake he never found this therapist that had been so callous and careless with his little girl's well being.

"I guess somehow Regina found a way to get into my private files and she's using that history to force Henry's therapist to recommend that I can only see him with supervision," Emma choked out.

"Oh Emma…" Charming uttered, as he shared a pained look with his wife.

"I mean, I gave him up and never thought I'd see him again. Then he came into my life and nowI never want to let him go," she lamented.

"Oh sweetie...I know...I know…" Snow cried with her.

"When we were forced to give you up...I thought that was it. I wouldn't see you for twenty-eight years. The dreamscape has been a blessing for us. I can't imagine now what it would have been like to not know you for all those years, even if it's only here," Snow mentioned.

"You have no idea…" Emma muttered. Charming's brow furrowed in confusion.

"What do you mean?" he asked. She sighed.

"That's the other part of what I have to tell you and it's going to be really hard to hear. It's going to cause you both a lot of pain…" she replied. They exchanged a glance.

"We're ready...whatever it is, we need to know, even if it's hard to hear," he said. She took a deep breath.

"Blue and Geppetto lied to you. The wardrobe took two," she blurted out. Her parents stared at her for a moment in complete silence.

"What?" her father questioned first.

"I don't understand...why would they…" her mother uttered.

"Geppetto put Pinocchio through the wardrobe first...before me," she explained.

"But...that means…" Snow stammered, as she reached out to her husband for support. He put his arms around her, even as he felt his own knees want to give out.

"You and Dad could have gone through before I was even born," she told them tearfully. Snow let out a choked sob.

"We...we could have gone with you…" Snow realized. Emma nodded sadly.

"Why...why would they lie?" Charming asked with anguish.

"I think Geppetto was scared for his son. I don't know why Blue went along with it," Emma replied.

"But...you needed us. A little boy can't raise a baby," Snow said. She nodded.

"Pinocchio was found with me that night and we apparently ended up in the same orphanage. But he left me soon after," she admitted.

"He left you?" Charming asked through clenched teeth. She shrugged.

"He was seven...he was put in a really bad position he wasn't old enough to deal with," she admonished.

"But if he left you...how did you find all this out?" he asked, as he glanced at his wife and started to worry. Her face was ashen and her green eyes blank.

"He came to town to track me down. He wants me to break the curse...that's another story all its own," she muttered. Charming glance down and gently caressed Snow's face.

"Snow…" he said.

"We could have gone with her…" Snow uttered, as she looked up at him.

"I know…" he said, sharing in her grief.

"Why...why would they lie to us? We trusted them...I thought they were friends," she hissed.

"I'm not sure...but they will have to face us, all of us, and explain why," he reasoned.

"Emma...I'm so sorry…" Snow lamented.

"It's not your fault, Mom. That's why I said the dreamscape is truly a blessing, even more than we originally thought. Because I've never truly been alone," she replied, as they hugged her between them. They would still grieve at this realization and eventually demand answers from those that needed to explain, but as always, they would relish being together in any capacity.

"We love you, Emma," Snow said.

"I love you guys too," she replied, just content to let them hold her for now.

Regina tossed and turned in her bed that night in a fitful sleep. Worry about the curse breaking plagued her dreams. She had always feared this, but this dream was very real and vivid…

Regina came down the stairs at her house, as the doorbell rang and she opened it. Her heartbeat quickened, as she saw many pairs of eyes glowering at her murderously. All these eyes were awake and they were being led like a lynch mob by the Savior.

Emma clutched the hilt of her father's sword and drew the blade.

"Please…" Regina pleaded.

"Did you really think we'd let you get a pass for what you did to us?" David growled.

"What about what she did to me?" Regina spat, glaring at her step-daughter.

"We both know I did nothing to you. Your own mother ruined your life; not me. I was just your scapegoat. Your easy target. You did so many terrible things to me...and yet I still let you live. That was a mistake," Snow spat.

"A mistake we no longer have to live with," David added. Regina's eyes pleaded with the others present, Archie, Granny, Grumpy, Geppetto...but she found no sympathy in their eyes. Only hatred.

"Please…" Regina pleaded again.

"I stayed your execution once...and you stole my family as thanks. You belittled me and made me feel like I was nothing! Well, now you are nothing! There is no mercy this time. There is no eleventh hour plea! I just want you gone," Snow cried tearfully.

"But Henry…" Regina pleaded.

"You don't deserve him...he's my son and we both know it," Emma growled, as she brought the sword up and then in a downward stroke. Regina screamed.

The former Queen shot up in bed, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily. It had been so real, almost like a guarantee of what was to come for her. Unless...she found a way to stop it. She had to get rid of Emma Swan...and she knew of one sure way to do it. The only person that could help her get what she needed to accomplish this though wanted nothing to do with her. But she smirked deviously. She had just the right leverage over him though. The Hatter wanted his daughter more than anything and she knew it would overrule any misplaced friendship he had with David Nolan. She knew exactly what she had to do and once she was victorious...Emma Swan would be no more. Then everyone that had crossed her would pay dearly...

Mary giggled the next morning, as they quietly tiptoed back behind the curtain that surrounded their bed from the bathroom, wrapped in only towels. It appeared Emma had passed out on the couch and she was glad to see she was still asleep. They had tried to be quiet in the shower, but that wasn't very easy for her with the things her husband had been doing to her.

"You are making getting ready for work very difficult this morning," she mentioned, as he kissed the back of her neck.

"I can't help it...I can't seem to get enough of you," he purred, as their lips met passionately. She lost herself in him again, as he kissed her neck.

"I have to get ready for work...and you have patrol…" she reminded. He grunted and reluctantly pulled away.

"Fine...but we are picking this up tonight," he promised and dropped his towel. Mary's eyes glazed, as she felt her knees weaken and sat down on the bed. Yes, she, Mary Margaret Blanchard, was ogling her husband. One thing she had learned since they had been together was that David was not shy about nudity. But then he had absolutely nothing to be shy about. Hard, shredded muscle through his arms, chest, and abs. Strong, powerful legs and a very nice ass, not to mention the well endowed manhood between his leg. She felt hot all over just thinking about those parts of him. If there was one thing that she was completely sure about: her husband was hot.

"See something you like, beautiful?" he asked coyly from over his shoulder, as he started getting dressed and she blushed.

"Mmm...can't a wife ogle her husband?" she returned coyly. He smirked and pecked her on the lips.

"Of course she can, especially when her husband very much enjoys ogling his beautiful, sexy wife," he purred, as he kissed her again.

"Mmm...why do we have to work today?" she whimpered in between soft, tender kisses.

"I know...if I had my way, we'd barely ever leave the bed," he said in a husky tone. Somehow though, they managed to get dressed and David made coffee, while she did her makeup and hair.

The smell of coffee is what finally roused a grumpy Emma and that's when they noticed the half drank bottle of tequila on the coffee table.

"Uh oh…" David mentioned.

"Emma...are you okay?" Mary asked gently, as she sat down beside her.

"God...why is it so bright?" the blonde complained. Mary and David exchanged a look. They knew that Emma downing a half a bottle of liquor didn't mean good things.

"Coffee and ibuprofen…" David said, as he set the items down in front of her.

"Thanks Dad...vid," she muttered, quickly correcting herself and thankfully, Mary didn't seem to notice her almost slip.

"Honey...what's going on? Why did you get drunk last night?" the raven haired beauty asked in concern.

"Cause Regina is a colossal bitch," Emma growled.

"What did she do now?" he asked.

"Oh, she just found a way to make sure I can only see Henry if the visits are supervised," she replied.

"What?!" he exclaimed.

"How can she do that?" Mary questioned, just as outraged as her husband.

"I'm pretty sure she pressured Archie to break every ethical rule in the book and gave him my file from the time when I was seeing a therapist...I was around Henry's age," she explained. That was the moment David recalled everything she had told them in the dreamscape. Unfortunately, Mary was hearing it for the first time.

"It's Archie's professional opinion that it's best if he monitor our visits since I guess it's a crime to have an imagination when you're nine," she spat bitterly.

"Oh Emma...I'm so sorry," she said, as she hugged her.

"Thanks...but I'm going to fight her," she said.

"Of course we are," he agreed and Mary nodded with him. She smiled slightly.

"Thanks guys…" she said.

"Okay...I think I can handle things at the station today. You go up and go back to bed," David said.

"I'll be fine," Emma protested.

"No...you're not going to work, not until your head is a little clearer anyway," Mary added.

"Fine...man, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you two were my parents," she quipped, giving them an amused look, as she tromped upstairs.

"So stubborn...sometimes I really do feel like she's the kid around here," Mary mentioned, making him chuckle, as he kissed her hair.

"Come on…I'll walk you down to your car while I take Wilby out," he said, as the dog waited by the door. She kissed him and they joined hands, as they left.

Flashback

Seven Months Before the Dark Curse

The fire raged, as Charming lit the remains on fire. Lancelot added more kindling to the fire to make sure every ounce of him was burned. Snow stood back and gently draped the red cloak over the wolf, allowing Red to phase back into a human. She breathed a sigh of relief and hugged her best friend.

"Thank you," Snow choked.

"Of course...I couldn't let that monster hurt you. He's gone," Red assured. Charming stepped back from the fire and put his arm around her.

"It's over…" he assured and she put her arms around him, resting her head against his chest.

"Come on...let's get you home," he suggested, as the fire continued to rage. Lancelot watched the fire until it burned out and ensured there was nothing left but ashes before he left.

And once he did, Hades appeared, having been granted temporary access to the living plane by Ares, who appeared as well, with his other son, Deimos' twin, Phobos.

"They did it...they killed him," Ares stated in disbelief.

"Father...Deimos brought this upon himself. Going after Persephone's daughter would have eventually incurred her wrath had the mortals not gotten to him first," Phobos reasoned.

"He was still your brother," Ares spat.

"He was...but the Ambrosia turned him into something unrecognizable. His obsession with Snow White was his undoing," Phobos reasoned.

"Your son is weak and soft, Ares. No wonder the mortals have less fear of us...the God of fear is a weak willed sop," Hades growled.

"Enough...you said you knew of a way to bring him back," Ares snapped.

"Yes...gather his ashes and we will journey to the vault of the Dark One. There and with a sacrifice, we can trade a life for a life. We shall choose our victim when we arrive," Hades stated. Using his magic, Ares swept up the ashes that were all that remained of Deimos and captured them in an urn, before the three of them disappeared.

Regina stood on the porch, which was home to the Larson family; a perfectly forgettable couple that wasn't even supposed to be married. The curse just threw them together and with it, custody of Paige. The curse story went that she was the mother's child from a previous marriage and the step-father was indifferent to her and his wife, spending most of his days drunk. It was the perfectly unhappy curse situation and she needed them to start a problem for her.

"Mayor Mills…" Amy Larson said in surprise.

"Good morning, Mrs. Larson. I was hoping you and your husband had a moment to discuss a very serious matter concerning your daughter," Regina replied.

"O...of course, please come in," the timid woman offered and Regina stepped inside. She crinkled her nose when she spotted the unshaven, half drunken man in the recliner. But she was happy with the bit of fear she still caused in most people when even the belligerent Fred Larson sat up a little straighter.

"You mentioned Paige...did she do something?" Amy asked. Fred scoffed.

"Whatever it was...feel free to lock the little brat up," Fred slurred.

"Oh no, Paige has done nothing wrong. But I'm afraid there is someone with quite a bit of interest in her. Tell me, have you ever seen this man before?" Regina asked, showing her a picture of Jefferson.

"N...no, I don't think so," she replied.

"Well...one of my employees has noticed this man frequently visiting the elementary school during recess over the past several months. And I'm afraid it's Paige that he's been watching. It's caused me great concern for your little girl. As mothers, we must protect our children from outsiders," Regina stated.

"He's watching Paige?" Amy asked in concern.

"Yes...and though I would be only too happy to file a complaint against him, as a person that is not directly involved with the situation, I'm afraid I can't," Regina replied, as she looked at the other woman.

"But you can," Regina replied.

"I...I don't know. I've never done anything like that before," Amy said.

"Well, it's a good thing you don't have to do it alone. I may not be able to file the complaint, but I can go with you. With me behind you, the Sheriff's department will have no choice but to take this matter very seriously. Remember...this is for Paige," Regina responded. The woman nodded.

"Thank you Madam Mayor, I would very grateful for your help," Amy agreed.

Mary observed recess from her post and enjoyed watching the kids play. But she found her eyes wandering to a particular child, as always. Henry looked sad and she hadn't seen him this down since before Emma came to town. She knew she wasn't supposed to interject herself into the situation that was between him and his therapist, but she couldn't help it with him. She felt so protective of him and while she would outwardly tell everyone that she loved all her students equally, that was a bit of a white lie. She loved Henry and he was definitely her favorite. He was special; she could just feel it.

That's why she found herself venturing toward the picnic table where he sat.

"Can I sit here?" she asked. He looked up and shrugged.

"Honey...Emma told me what happened. But you have to know that she won't stop fighting for you," Mary assured.

"It doesn't matter...she always wins! Good is supposed to win...but it can't in this place, because the Queen controls everything!" Henry said angrily.

"I know it seems like your Mother isn't a good person and I'll admit, I have a hard time seeing things her way. But I do know that Regina loves you," Mary reasoned.

"But some kids have two Moms. Some kids have a Mom and a Dad that don't live together. Why can't I just have them both?" he asked.

"Have you told your Mom how you feel?" Mary asked.

"She won't listen. She just keeps telling me that my book isn't real and that I have to see Archie twice a week now. She says Emma was the same as me when she was my age," Henry replied.

"There's nothing wrong with having imagination and dreams, Henry. Not everyone agrees with your Mother's views on that," Mary assured.

"But Emma's dreams were real! And so is my book, Miss Blanchard! You are Snow White and David is Prince Charming," Henry implored. She smiled.

"That's very sweet of you to think that," Mary said, as she squeezed his shoulder. Henry was about to continue, but Paige ran up to them at that moment, holding a box.

"Miss Blanchard...this is for you," she said.

"For me?" Mary asked. The girl nodded.

"That messenger asked me to give it to you," Paige replied, pointing to a man she didn't recognize walking away. Mary's brow furrowed and she opened the box. However, when she did, she let out a frightened scream and dropped the box to the ground. Paige and Henry peered inside, finding a dead bluebird, as other students and teachers gathered around to see the spectacle. Stephanie was quickly by her side and the two raven haired beauties saw him then, across the street and a safe distance away from the school, wearing a smug grin. And like he had done nothing, Damon Tromera walked away, sufficiently pleased with himself and the terror he had caused...