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.
Also, feel free to follow me on Tumblr lilacmoon83. In an effort to grow my Snowing fanfiction blog on Tumblr and get more visibility for my writing, I invite anyone following my stories here on to follow me on Tumblr. I have a sizable following here on , but that hasn't really transferred over to Tumblr. I've been considering doing face claims for all original characters in this story too. So if you're interested, give me a follow on Tumblr and help my stories get a bit more visibility through reblogs and shares!
For one face claim reveal, I will tell that I chose Gal Gadot as the face claim for Persephone...cause she's perfect as Persephone!
Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!
Thanks for awesome the reviews. Here are individual responses:
Barratta Jennifer: Yep, Regina needs to stop her mother.
Xx-Crest-of-Anubis-xX: Yes, Belle is going with them to New York.
Saberius Prime: Yep, Cora is wicked. Well...you might have to wait one more chapter to see Neal. But I promise it will be worth the wait.
Number Ten: Yep, Cora is downright ruthless for sure. Time will tell if Regina turns on her mother. Persephone does give them a definite advantage against Cora. Yep, Jefferson's line is right on. Glad you're enjoying it!
Sara K M: Yes, I guess the curse would have given Charming one or David Nolan rather. But here that didn't happen. It definitely might be worth exploring a bit. Ah, okay...yeah you're right. Cora would let Regina think that's her plan to keep their hands clean. But ultimately, yes, I think her goal will be to become the Dark One. I have a few twists and turns in store. To answer your question, yes they are driving and there is an introspective scene with Rumple explaining why. Glad you liked the scene with Snow. I thought it was needed to show that she really is putting her all into this job. The monster Daniel scene was intense. I'm glad to know it came off in character for everyone. Yes, I still wanted to keep that scene where Regina has to choose between Daniel and Henry. It is a very important moment for her and even more so now since her mother orchestrated all of it. I like the idea of a Charming family vacation. I would have watched a whole season of that, lol.
Izzypirelli: I know! 50 chapters, it's crazy. Yep, two weeks until the first anniversary of this story. Thank you! Such a nice compliment. Yes, sometimes it gets a little hairy doing two major updates a week, but I love spending a lot of my free time writing and it keeps my Snowing heart beating too. :)
Yes, thank goodness there will be no memory loss for our favorites. I loved that sheep bros moment too. Regina's view on reality is skewed. Sometimes I wonder about people that defend absolutely everything she does, but whatever. I LOVE the step away from my daughter line too. In fact, the step away from husband line is one of my favorite parts of "Tiny". Thanks! Glad to know the fight scene was descriptive and visual. Yep, here they come Manhattan!
Beth1980: Glad you liked those lines! I love that, while Emma is a believer here, she's still shocked about the existence of some characters, despite who her parents are. I liked that David and Gold have that understanding and it's even stronger here too. Yes, being able to leave town without losing their memories might come in handy later on. Yes, I'm not sure why Snow's fate wasn't worse. I think it might be that she kind of had the same curse Regina did, loneliness. Here I made it a bit worse for Snow with Deimos around and always harassing her. To be honest, I'm wondering if the writers really just didn't think their cursed lives through very well. I mean, first we're told that everyone's memories are fake and everything is hazy. And next, we have "We are both". Here, it's a bit less "We are both" and more the curse stuff is a part of me, but they understand that most of it before Emma came to town, like fake childhood memories, didn't actually happen. (*cough*, like David's fake marriage to Kathryn). Oh yeah, Cora should have never procreated. She's still at the top of the worst mothers on the show in my book. Only Gothel beats her and Tremaine 2.0 is up there with her. Yeah, I think Regina is realizing it, but she's still in a bit of denial. Yep...still one more chapter till Neal actually appears, but it's almost here! No, thank God Whale and Mary Margaret didn't happen here. David is still punching him though, lol. Happy 4th to you too!
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 51: Child of the Moon
Once they arrived at the hospital, Snow hurried along beside her husband. His strides were long and purposeful, as he marched into the building on a mission.
"Charming...your legs are longer than mine," she chided, as she was practically running to keep up with him. He slowed slightly and looked over at her and she could see not only fury in his eyes, but fear. Fear of losing her and the anguish that would cause him.
"I'm sorry…" he apologized, as they maintained a bit slower pace. They entered the main lobby and then headed for the main nurse's station. The fury in her husband's eyes returned full force, as he spotted the doctor standing there, flirting with the desk nurse.
"WHALE!" he shouted. The doctor looked up and Snow witnessed his eyes widen in shock. She wasn't sure if it was shock that she was alive or shock that Charming was coming after him. Perhaps he thought he would be protected by Cora, though she doubted that would happen now since her plan had failed.
Whale put his hands up in surrender, but David grabbed him by his lab coat and slammed him against the desk.
"She made me do it! She's not exactly someone you say no to!" he pleaded.
"Snow and Henry were almost killed!" David growled in return.
"It's not my fault!" he retorted.
"So she threatened you?" Snow asked. Whale looked at her and then back at David.
"Not exactly...but she would have if I didn't agree! Instead...we made a deal," Whale replied.
"I knew it…" David growled, as he punched the doctor and he spilled to the floor.
"David…" she admonished.
"Dammit...you know she just would have forced me to do what she wanted anyway if I didn't make a deal. I thought...why not get something out of it?" he growled, as he touched his mouth, only to find that it was bleeding.
"What did she promise you?" David roared.
"A way back to my land with a viable heart so I could revive my brother," Whale responded.
"At the cost of my wife's life," David hissed.
"It was nothing personal...and it doesn't matter anyway. Looks like it didn't work so I won't be getting that deal," he spat in return.
"You're right...but you are going to jail," David responded, as he got his cuffs out and put Whale's hands behind his back. But he only chuckled.
"I don't think you want to do that," he warned.
"And why the hell not?" David demanded to know.
"Because if I go to jail, there is a man scheduled to have heart surgery in a couple hours that will die," Whale replied.
"What the hell are you talking about?" David snapped.
"I have patients, deputy. I'm actually the only real doctor in this whole place. The others...it's all curse memories. They can manage your average ailment or even treat minor to serious injuries. But none of them have actually done surgery. I have...I'm a real doctor and a real surgeon," Whale replied.
"And now that time is moving again, people are actually getting sick or needing medical attention," Snow realized. He smirked at her.
"You're definitely the brains of this operation," he said in a goading tone. Charming clenched his teeth at that, but resisted the urge to punch him again.
"You don't really want to be responsible for someone dying, do you Deputy?" Whale asked. David shoved him away.
"Fine...you're off the hook for today. But don't get the idea that being the only real doctor in this town gives you a free pass to do whatever the hell you want. You were ready to abandon all your patients to return to your land, so don't think for a second that I believe you give a damn about any of us," he said sternly.
"You don't know me," Whale retorted.
"Nor do I really want to, but know one thing, Doctor. If you ever do anything that endangers my wife or family again, I will lock you up and throw away the key, I can promise you that," David warned, as he turned away from him and back to Snow.
"I really don't like that he gets to skate on this," he murmured to her, as she put her arms around his neck and he held her flush against him.
"I know...I don't really either. But we do need a real doctor and it's not like we can hire one from outside Storybrooke," she mentioned. He nodded and leaned in to kiss her. She hummed in response, as their lips moved together passionately.
"If you two would not make out in my lobby, I'd really appreciate it," Whale commented derisively. Their lips parted and David looked ready to punch him again. But Snow kept her hold on him and distracted him with another peck to his lips.
"Come on baby...let's go home where we can do much more than just kiss," she purred sultrily, making sure the ass of doctor heard her. David smirked.
"Yes...there is much more than kissing that I'd like to do with you right now," he agreed, as they left with arms around each other and a purposeful stride.
Originally, Gold had planned for them to drive to the nearest airport and then take a plane to New York. But having to take the dagger with them created a conundrum. If they took a plane, he would have to find a place to hide the dagger outside Storybrooke. And he just wasn't comfortable with that. After all, he was not a man that left things up to the unknown. So it had been decided that they would drive. He was a patient man...what was a few more hours. Though this had been his plan from the very beginning, he could hardly believe it was happening. He also felt tremendous trepidation at facing the Land Without Magic. Sure, he had spent twenty-eight years in Storybrooke without magic, but only a few months of that time aware of it. And even then, Storybrooke was a place where he could control everything. Out here, there was absolutely nothing in his control and he couldn't predict anything. It was a true testament to what he was willing to go through to find Baelfire.
"What's New York like?" he heard Henry ask his mother curiously.
"Well...it's very large, which means that you have to promise me that there is no wandering off. It's nothing like Storybrooke. There are good people, but there is also very bad people. So promise me right now, kid. You won't leave my side," she said seriously. He nodded.
"I promise," he said.
"Other than that, I think you'll like it. The pizza is...well, it should be its own food group and there's so much to do that you could live there and never do it all," she replied.
"I can't wait...can we bring grams and gramps next time?" he asked curiously. She chuckled.
"You mean watch Snow White and Prince Charming navigate New York City. Yeah, that's a show I want tickets to," she joked. Truthfully, she knew her parents would do fine in the city and were curious. But if she knew them like she thought she did, they'd be glad to visit, but more glad to go home to Storybrooke.
"How much longer until we get there?" Henry asked.
"Still a few hours, kid. We'll probably be stopping and getting a couple rooms for the night," Emma said, as Gold met her gaze through the rear view mirror. Yes, without magic, he needed sleep too like any ordinary human. As much as he hated, he knew she was right. It wouldn't be much longer now at all though. He was finally very close to finding the reason he had come to this land in the first place. And this time, not even his fear was going to stop him.
Granny sighed, as she put the last of the frozen food outside the freezer.
"Girl...this is insane. I'm not chaining you up in the freezer!" the elder woman admonished.
"Granny...tonight is the first full moon since the curse has been broken. I haven't turned in twenty-eight years," Red reminded.
"You had control of it back in our land and you can get control of it here too," Granny stated.
"Or I could go on a rampage and kill someone. I can't take that chance, Granny," she pleaded. The old woman sighed.
"All right...I still think you should call Snow and Charming on this," she said.
"No...they're dealing with enough right now. They don't need my problems too," Red refused, as Granny did as she asked and chained her up in the freezer.
With Emma and Henry gone, the apartment was empty when they got home. A text from Persephone told them she would be home later, leaving them to their own devices. Which was good, because they had barely made inside. She was sure their neighbors didn't appreciate them making out against the door of their apartment for several moments, before they managed to get the door unlocked and stumbled inside.
Once they did though, clothes were peeled away with urgency and they hadn't even made it to the bed the first time. Instead, Charming pinned her against the wall and took her right there. It was hard and fast and desperate. Then they managed to find their way to the bed for another bout of slower, but no less passionate lovemaking. Snow was beside herself in pleasure and cried out wantonly for him, as he loved her with unrestrained arduous fury. And after, she lay half atop him, resting against his chest, with their legs tangled together and his hand stroking her naked back.
"This is definitely an evening well spent," she mentioned fondly and he smiled at her.
"Definitely," he agreed.
"We kind of skipped dinner though and I'm starved," she mentioned, as he watched her get up and put on the denim shirt he had been wearing earlier. God, she looked sexy in his clothes.
"How is it that you look better in my clothes than I do?" he teased. She smirked at him and padded to the kitchen, as he sat up and found a pair of his black sleep pants to slip into, not bothering with a shirt.
She made them grilled cheese, a definite sign that they were missing Emma and Henry, and just as they were finishing up, there was a knock at the door. He stopped kissing her neck, as his conquest to have her for dessert was interrupted by the knocking.
"Who is that this time of night?" he wondered, as he answered the door, shocked to find Regina there. She seemed shocked too by his state of undress.
"What the hell do you want?" he questioned.
"Charming…" Snow admonished, as she came beside him.
"Well, it looks like I interrupted something," she commented, taking in the sight of her step-daughter dressed in only her husband's shirt and the clothing that littered their floor.
"Are you here to finish the job your mother started earlier today?" David questioned bluntly.
"David…" Snow scolded. But he wasn't backing down.
"Cora tried to kill you...and she did nothing to stop it," he growled.
"Is that what you think?" Regina shot back.
"Do you know how hard it was for me to do what I did? But I did it for my son," she snapped.
"And as long as your mother is here...the danger will never stop. Henry was caught in the crossfire once already. Do you really think it won't happen again?" he questioned. Regina had no answer to that, because she knew he was right about that part. Not that she would ever admit such to him.
"I didn't come here to see you two idiots and believe me, I wish I could un-see all this right now. I came to see Henry, who obviously isn't here, so I'd like to know where your delinquent daughter has taken him, especially since it's well past his bedtime," Regina snapped.
"Emma left town for a few days and after what happened this afternoon, she decided to take Henry with her," Snow replied.
"She left town with my son?" she exclaimed.
"Her son too," David reminded and Regina gave him a sharp look.
"Yes...but they'll be back in a few days," Snow assured.
"She could have at least told me," Regina snapped.
"With all due respect, Regina...we haven't been able to find you lately. And Emma really doesn't have to tell you anything," Snow replied bluntly. Regina pursed her lips and resisted the urge to strangle the other dark haired woman.
"No...I suppose she doesn't," she said.
"Regina...your mother is poison. As long as she is here, none of us are safe, not even Henry. She hurts people…" Snow pleaded to her. But Regina didn't want to hear it.
"When they get back, I expect to see my son and you let me worry about my mother," she snapped, as she stormed down the stairs and David closed the door.
"Well...that went well," he quipped.
"I think with her...that's as good as it gets," Snow added. He put his arms around her and kissed her hair.
"Come on...before we were so rudely interrupted, I was having dessert, if I recall," he joked. She giggled, as he started kissing her neck again and yelped, as he swept her into his arms.
"Haven't you got enough of me yet?" she teased.
"Oh...no, I'll never get enough. Good thing we have eternity," he replied. She glowed with giddiness, as they fell to the bed and she again knew nothing but pure ecstasy, as he managed to make them fly again…
After finding a good place to stop her researching for the evening, Persephone grabbed a coffee at Granny's and walked through town. It was fairly quiet, probably as quiet as it had been since the curse broke and she found herself soon in front of Johanna's home. She knew a confrontation of any kind was probably not a good idea, but she had been waiting for opportunities like this for a very long time, after all. Too long had she been forced to watch her baby be manipulated and struggle to survive. Okay, and there was the fact that she knew her daughter and husband were probably taking advantage of quiet apartment for some alone time she neither wanted to intrude on nor possibly witness. Snow probably wouldn't be too thrilled with her, for her daughter seemed to trust Johanna. She admired that about her child. Even after all she had been through, she still wanted to trust people and see the best in them. But it was not something Persephone was able to do. She had spent too long in the Underworld, seeing the absolute worst in humanity and she could handle Snow being angry with her if it meant she was safe.
"Johanna…" she called, as she knocked on the woman's door. There was no answer and so she knocked again.
"Johanna...I know you are in there. We need to talk and if you don't answer, I'm coming in anyway," the Goddess warned. The door opened and she came face to face with the strawberry blonde haired woman. She gazed at the Goddess with scrutiny and stepped out onto her porch.
"What do you want?" she asked with trepidation.
"I think you know why I am here," the dark haired woman replied.
"I'm afraid I do not, Goddess. What could the Queen of the Underworld possibly want with a harmless old woman like me?" Johanna asked, but Persephone saw right through her innocent act.
"I'm here to discuss my daughter and any potential threat you might pose," Persephone retorted. The woman feigned horror and put a hand to her chest.
"I would never harm sweet little Snow," she claimed.
"Cut the act...I know you were planted in Queen Eva's court by Cora. You'll have to do better than that to fool me. I saw everything from my vantage point in the Underworld," Persephone warned. The mock horror on Johanna's face melted into a stern glare.
"I have nothing to say to the woman that is responsible for my husband's death," she hissed.
"You are still working with Cora…" she realized.
"Oh no, Cora cut ties with me when Eva died," Johanna said.
"You mean when she was murdered. You knew...you knew all about Cora's plan to poison her!" Persephone cried.
"I didn't know the specifics...only that she was going to pay for my poor husband's death. That was before I learned that it wasn't really her that was responsible," Johanna replied.
"I never meant to hurt anyone! My heart was shattered when I had give up my precious daughter and my powers reacted as such. I never meant for anything to happen to anyone because of it," Persephone pleaded.
"But it did...your storm killed him! And then I had to look a daily reminder of why, as the little brat pranced around the castle like a spoiled, pampered little princess," Johanna said bitterly.
"My Snow is to blame for none of this. She was child and soon learned humility," Persephone countered.
"Yes, I suppose you are right. Snow is a victim, like me. I admit that I hated that little brat, especially when she called me out for trying on her precious little tiara. But you're right...she became good and kind. But that's not really a consolation for me. My husband is still dead," Johanna replied.
"Because of me, not Snow. And as Queen of the Underworld, I can tell you that your husband's soul moved on to a better place. He had no unfinished business and is at peace," she offered.
"Still dead," Johanna responded bitterly, finding no comfort in her words.
"So...you are working for Cora again and you will seek revenge. I caution you against it...for it will not end well for you if you come after my Snow," she warned. Johanna flashed her a stony expression.
"We will both do what is needed and you may tell Snow of our conversation this evening. But will she believe you?" Johanna asked.
"I am her mother," Persephone replied. The woman smirked smugly.
"But I am the woman that raised her after Eva died. You gave birth to her; nothing more. We shall see who she sides with in the end," Johanna replied. But Johanna did not realize that Persephone had provided the dreamscape to her family and that meant everything to Snow. Still...if Snow insisted on having a relationship with this woman, it was going to cause her great worry. Doing anything to her at this point would backfire on her, for she could not yet actually prove any current connection to Cora yet.
"Choose your side carefully, Johanna. For if anything happens to my Snow because of you or that woman...you'll know the truth wrath of the Queen of the Underworld and I promise you a very unpleasant afterlife," Persephone warned, as she disappeared in a puff of lavender smoke. Johanna let out a breath as she disappeared and then jumped, as Cora appeared in a puff of magenta smoke.
"I am impressed...you handled her well," Cora praised.
"I loathe that woman...but she is a Goddess. Is there no other way to hurt her than through Snow?" Johanna asked. Cora rolled her eyes.
"Don't tell me you've gone soft for that little retch?" the other woman questioned.
"It's difficult not to...I grew to care for her," Johanna replied.
"My, my...she's done it again. She's swayed yet another under her spell. And here I thought you wanted true justice for your lost love," Cora said.
"I do...Persephone must pay for what she has done…" Johanna refuted.
"And I assure you that the only way to truly make her pay is to destroy her beloved little Snow. So the question is...which side will you choose, Johanna?" Cora asked. The woman swallowed thickly. The pain of losing her husband had not dulled over the years, especially when she found out the truth. That Persephone had, for all intents and purposes, murdered him when she threw her tantrum.
"Snow will still trust me...despite her mother's protest. And I want her mother to truly pay for what she did to me…" Johanna decided. Cora gave her a pleased smirk.
"You have chosen well and I assure you that with me, you shall have your justice," she replied.
The next morning, Snow and David awoke to his cell phone ringing with a frantic call from Granny. They had rushed out of bed and showered hastily, before hurrying out with Persephone once Granny told them of the situation. Red had forced her to lock her in the freezer the night before and when Granny got to the diner that morning, she found the freezer door torn to shreds with no sign of Red anywhere.
Persephone used a locator potion on Red's cloak that they had picked up from Granny and they followed the garment, as it floated toward the woods. Snow and David followed her hand in hand. The worry on Snow's face was palpable and he squeezed her hand.
"We'll find her, my darling," he promised.
"There!" Persephone called, as they found her on the ground in a clearing just on the edge of the woods.
"Red!" Snow cried, as she knelt beside her.
"I think she's just sleeping," Persephone said, as she started to stir.
"Oh Red…" Snow said, as she hugged her.
"Snow…" she murmured and then shot up into a sitting position.
"How did I get out here?!" she cried.
"It's okay...you probably turned and headed for the woods," David replied.
"No, you don't understand! I don't remember anything! That means I wasn't in control!" Red shouted, as she started to hyperventilate.
"Red...calm down. You're fine...everything is fine," Snow tried to comfort.
"You don't know that! I could have hurt someone or worse!" she cried, just as David's phone rang.
"Deputy," he answered and then listened to the person on the other end. Snow watched the concern grow on her husband's face.
"I'll be right there," he said, as he hung up.
"What is it?" Red asked.
"Just a double parked car...nothing big. I need to go check it out," David responded.
"We'll come with you," Persephone decided. David didn't bother to protest, for he knew he was outnumbered three to one.
With Belle having left town with Gold and Emma, it left them easy access to the library. Regina met her mother and Hook there that morning, but Cora noticed her troubled expression.
"What is it?" Cora questioned.
"Henry left town with Emma," she reported.
"And you didn't stop them?" she asked.
"I didn't know until after they already left," Regina stated.
"I'm sure he's safe. And as soon as Gold's done, Henry will be back," Cora responded.
"Back? From where? Where's Rumpelstiltskin gone?" Hook interjected.
"I don't know," Regina said honestly.
"Well, if he's left town, then he's powerless. He can be killed," Hook reminded.
"The moment either of us leave, we lose our magic and our advantage," Cora reminded in return.
"Your memories?" Hook asked.
"None of us were victims of the curse. It's not about memories. It's about magic," Regina answered.
"Well, I don't need magic. I'll go after him alone," Hook snapped.
"Even if you could find him, do you really think you could just walk up to him and stab in the heart with your sword?" Regina demanded to know.
"Well, I'd prefer my hook," he retorted, as he held up his name worthy appendage.
"You're not going anywhere," Cora interjected.
"I deserve my vengeance!" Hook shouted.
"You're right, you do and with the Dark One gone, we can search for the one magical item that could actually kill him here," she stated.
"His dagger," she finished.
They arrived at the docks and David got out to investigate the car.
"Oh Gods...that's Billy's car," Red realized.
"So what?" Snow admonished.
"No...you don't understand, Snow! I was talking to him last night...he asked me out," she mentioned.
"Oh...did you…" Snow trailed off.
"No...Gods no! Trust me, that part of me, that part of Ruby is definitely not something I'll be continuing. It's just why would he leave his car out here? He lives on the other side of town," she fretted.
"And some of his friends work at the cannery. I'm sure it's nothing," Snow assured, as she looked out the window. She saw her husband look up and knew at that moment that it was definitely something. Unfortunately, Red saw it too.
"No...something's wrong!" Red called.
"Wait...Red!" Snow cried, as she followed her, as did Persephone and Granny.
"Don't come back here," he warned, but it was too late. Ruby screamed, as she saw the gruesome sight. Snow gasped at the carnage and David put himself in her line of vision, as she buried her face in his shirt.
"It's Billy…" she sobbed.
"I did this…" she cried. David hugged Snow and prodded her to Persephone, as she hugged her daughter.
"We don't know that," he admonished, as he covered the body with a tarp.
"No...we do. You have to lock me up! Now!" she demanded, as she held out her wrists.
"Red…" Snow cried.
"No Snow...you two have to stop protecting me and protect this town! Lock me up or I'll do it myself!" she shouted. With a heavy heart and great reluctance, David led her back to the car.
"I'm not cuffing you, Red," he refused.
"Fine...just lock me up then," she muttered, as they waited in the car, while David partitioned off the area. Doc and Bashful arrived in the medical examiner van, as the body was loaded into it. They had drawn quite a crowd and David knew that news that there had been a murder would spread through town like wildfire...