AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.

Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)

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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.

Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!

I was asked to give a rough estimate of exactly what month/year it is, like I do with Finding You Always. So since it's estimated that the curse was broken in late February 2012 and it's been a few weeks since, it is now early April 2012

Special note:

I am also now on Ko-Fi. So feel free to follow me there too and any support anyone can spare will be greatly appreciated. Just look up Lilacmoon83 there too.

Here are the main face claims I have chosen for the Gods/original characters. See previous chapters for the other more face claims with the Gods:

Gal Gadot as Persephone

Robert Downey Jr as Hades

George Clooney as Zeus

Ernie Hudson as Poseidon

Vincent Irizarry as Deimos

Maggie Smith as Hecate

Ben Affleck as Prince Eli

Thanks for awesome the reviews. Here are individual responses:

Baratta Jennifer: Glad you enjoyed the chapter! Neal standing up for Snow was a favorite scene of mine too.

Grace5231973: Yes, Snow finally got all that off her chest. Yeah, I think some of it was A&E's bad writing and trying to make Cora sympathetic(it never worked for me). But there is hints that Leopold was grooming Snow. I also find it interesting that after Snow finds out about his relationship with Cora in season 3 that she never mentions her father again. I think she started to see that he was not the man she thought and she didn't know any different, until she started to see how her husband treated their daughter. She would have realized how different his attention on Emma was compared to Leopold's attention on her. But that's just my take. It makes for interesting stories anyway. :) Glad you liked the Rumbelle scene. I needed the last chapter and this chapter to break things up since in next week's chapter, we'll be knee deep in crisis again. Getting into Persephone's head was very needed, so glad you liked that too. Her morning with Eli in this chapter will be illuminating to say the least. :)

Saberius Prime: Yep, heavy stuff. Yep, Snow cut Leopold off. We'll see if he respects her wishes. Yeah, the whole Eli/Persephone/Hades thing is tough, because I originally did not plan to redeem Hades. But sometimes when I'm writing, things like that happen and I just found him more interesting than Eli. So then I attempted to make Eli more interesting and thus his little fall from grace happened when he tortured Hades. So now I'm stuck with Persephone in between them. But once Hades came to Storybrooke as a man that was changing, my writing began to support his redemption fully. And then I went and gave him the RDJ face claim, which pretty much tells you that I'm on the Hades ship. I didn't really plan it that way at all, but it happens sometimes when you're writing. Glad you're enjoying it anyhow. :)

Theinferno1536: Thanks, glad you liked Snow's confrontation with Leopold. It was a tricky scene to write to be honest. I needed it to feel organic and I think I pulled it off. Neal standing up for her was my favorite part too. Neal will definitely have more interaction with both Snow and Charming in this. I wanted that in the show and didn't get it. :)

XxThe-Crest-of-AnubisxX: We will see Regina again. This story just doesn't revolve around her.

Number Ten: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, not everyone gets those vibes from Leopold, but it's there. He comes off as an overly doting father, but when you dissect it and realize that he probably ignored Eva just like he ignored Regina, you start to see that he was grooming Snow. Yeah, she rejected him, but you're right. Leopold might decide not to respect her wishes. We shall see. Yep, James is still James, even though he's not out to kill David, he still has some anger and blood lust there to deal with. Persephone is caught in a triangle, though many can probably tell the direction I'm leaning with her. Yep, still better than Twilight. To be honest, I always liked all the minor characters better in Twilight, especially Carlisle and Esme. They were more interesting that dumb Bella and Edward, lol. Glad you liked Snow kind of having a freak out on Regina. It was needed and it was real. Glad you think my characters are real. That's a wonderful compliment and means I'm doing my job as a writer. :)

Naomi Blue: Yes, that was definitely my point with Leopold. He's the worst kind, because he thinks he's good. He thinks he's right and he's a King, so there's also entitlement there. He's the snake you don't see until it's too late. Neal standing up for Snow was my favorite part too. In Snow's eyes, he's basically already her son-in-law as far as she's concerned. She just has to prod her stubborn daughter to see that she belongs with him. :)

izzypirelli: Glad you liked the Persephone monologue so much. It was very much needed. I felt since Hades is changing that it needed to be discussed how different they were at first versus how they were when she was with Eli. Wow...your favorite OC? That's such a huge compliment. I do have to agree with you though. She's my favorite OC that I've ever written, followed closely by Leo from FYA. I have ideas for an original story that adapts these characters. I hope to get around to writing it someday.

Yeah, no one is truly fine right now with everything going on. And you're right, Snow would never see her family as a burden and of course she's going to suggest her dating them both, because Snow wants everyone to be as happy as she is with David. Oh and you'll find the date between Eli and Persephone very interesting I think. :)

Yes, the Snow and Leopold talk was tricky, because I wanted it to feel organic and thankfully it worked. He is a complete ass and really took it to the next level when she realized that he was going to let it slip to everyone who she really was. Yeah, 3B annoyed me for that reason. It was like they tried to erase everything Regina did and vilify Snow, so I fixed it. Yep, Snowing is the OTP of OTP's. Neal stepping in for Snow was one of my favorite things too. He's going to be a great son-in-law and I'm looking forward to him interacting with Snow and David since I wanted that in the show and we didn't get it. Yes...long may she reign. :)

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 82: Standing Still

Jefferson looked between the brothers and then at the man with them, while Gold idly went over some inventory reports.

"So...just like that, you're back from the dead," he stated.

"I guess so...and I'm not going to waste this opportunity at a second chance. And neither is James," Robert confirmed.

"You two are identical...but I can still tell the difference," Jefferson commented, as he looked at the twins.

"It's because I'm better looking," James said. David rolled his eyes.

"We look the same," he argued.

"Yeah, but I have the bad boy thing going on. It's way sexier," James countered.

"Snow disagrees. She's not attracted to the whole bad boy thing...at all," David shot back smugly.

"It's not the looks. Seriously...you look exactly the same. But it is the bad boy thing. He gives off the vibe that tells you that he's probably a jerk," Jefferson responded, as David smirked smugly.

"And Charmz here...well, he walks around like he is his name," the Hatter observed.

"Is this a conversation that's really necessary to have in my shop?" Gold asked in irritation.

"Not really...I've just been out of the loop for a few days. It was nice to spend time with Grace without the threat of the town coming apart, but it seems like that's still a concern," Jefferson retorted. They were trying to carry on as normally as possible, but he knew they all felt like they were somehow in the eye of a storm.

"Yeah...if you don't mind, I'd like you to go back to keeping an eye on things through your telescope," David stated.

"You want me to keep an eye on the Swans then? They're still here?" he asked. David nodded.

"To what end, we have no idea. But I don't trust them and I don't think we should make the mistake of underestimating them," the deputy urged.

"What could they possibly want from you and Snow though? I mean...I'm not the most rational guy and even I know that you can't seriously blame you two as the reason they don't have a family," James interjected. David sighed.

"But they do...they blame us and Emma as the reason they couldn't adopt," he replied. Robert shook his head.

"They abused my granddaughter and yet still blame her...they deserved more than the few punches you two gave them," Robert said.

"Believe me...I know. It took every ounce of self control I have in my body not to kill them both," David said, as he clenched his fists at the memory of his little girl being hurt like that.

"And we still have the issue of Cronus. Do either of you have any idea what his real plan is?" Gold questioned.

"He plays his cards pretty close to the vest. He offered us a second chance and told us the it was for the same reason as he told you. Because we were both murdered," Robert confirmed.

"Though I will say...Eli and Leopold seemed to have a lot more interaction with him. I had some and actually was there for a bit of Hades' torture session," James responded.

"You were there?" David asked. His brother nodded.

"I think he pegged me as the type that would enjoy it and...I was Sheriff down there. I never had any issues with Hades. I did whatever he asked me to over the years and that was it. That's how you keep yourself out of the rivers down there. But when Hades came out of his own river...yeah, he was definitely different," James explained.

"And Leopold...or Eli for that matter. How much interaction did you have with them?" David asked curiously. He shrugged.

"Eli became the Mayor when Cronus pulled him out of the river. I'll never forget the look in his eyes...it was pure madness. But that river couldn't have been pleasant," James offered.

"Is he dangerous?" David asked with a bit of urgency.

"If you mean to Snow...I don't think so. He wanted revenge and was determined to take back what was his. I just don't think he realized that a lifetime had passed for Persephone and Snow when he got here. He's...angry," James replied.

"Very angry...which could be unpredictable," Robert added, as he seemed to be holding back a bit.

"Father…" David prompted.

"Okay...Eli's not great, but I think we know that Persephone will handle him either way," Robert stated. David nodded.

"She'll destroy anyone that tries to hurt this family and I've seen her do it. Hell...I've seen Hades do it too as strange as it was," David confirmed.

"Then if you want my gut feeling, I think Leopold is the one that we need to watch. He's way more dangerous," Robert said.

"Obviously I don't like the way he treats Snow like she's some prized object, but he has to know that making any wrong move against her will get him a one way trip back to the Underworld. If I don't send him there, my daughter or Persephone will," David replied.

"Yes, but the problem with Leopold is that...he's a man that thinks he's good. Eli has his issues and so do I. I'm not a very good man...I'm aware of that. James is aware too and even Hades knows how evil he was. I'm sure even you relate to that, Dark One," Robert said, as he looked to Gold.

"I'm not a good man...I'm trying to be better for my family. Like you," Gold confirmed.

"And that's why Leopold is such a problem. He thinks he's good...he thinks he's the hero in this story. The things he might do...he doesn't see them as wrong. Someone like that...is extremely dangerous," Robert stated.

"Which means that if Cronus or anyone were to offer him the means to be the hero he thinks he is in his own mind, he'd take it," Jefferson said. Robert nodded.

"And he's a King...he thinks he's entitled to have whatever he wants, as much as George always did. As much as I...used to," James admitted. Jefferson shook his head.

"Do you and Snow ever catch a break?" he asked. David sighed and put his hand over his eyes in exasperation.

"You have no idea how much I wish we could for once," he replied.

"Yeah, I'm not going to lie. This whole hero thing where you stand around and wait for the other side to make some kind of move against you sucks," James voiced.

"Yeah...he's not entirely wrong," Jefferson agreed. David sighed.

"You know how I feel about this situation. If I had the magic to deal with Cronus, I would and very harshly so. But he has the Olympian crystal on his side. As for our other problem, I think we should handle and handle it now," Gold stated.

"I'm almost afraid to ask, but what exactly do you have in mind?" David asked.

"Circe needs to be isolated away from her followers and before she figures out a way out of her cell. The rest of her band of ignorant fools need their memories wiped and then poofed back to wherever they came from," he said.

"But we still have the town line problem," Jefferson interjected.

"I know that...and I'm working on it," Rumple snapped.

I will ask Persephone if any of the other Gods may have a way to do what we need," he continued.

"And then there is the Swans…" Robert said.

"They don't deserve to go free, but if it means getting them away from my family, then we do the same to them and get them out of Storybrooke," David replied, as he checked his phone and then pocketed it.

"Since things are quiet with patrol for the moment, I'm going to go see Snow and take her lunch," he announced, as he headed for the door.

"You just saw her," James said.

"And I miss her already," David replied, as he left and Robert allowed himself a small smile at that.

"What...are they on an eternal honeymoon or something?" he commented. Jefferson chuckled.

"Yeah...that's an understatement with those two," the Hatter confirmed.

"They've been through a lot...let them have their time. Believe me, I'd give anything to have just one more minute with your mother. But we can still be proactive, if needed," Robert said, as he looked at Gold.

"I've got eyes from my telescope, but it wouldn't hurt to have some more eyes in the field," Jefferson said. James shrugged.

"That's something...we'll take it," he confirmed.

Demeter answered the door at Hades' mansion that morning and was pleasantly surprised to see Hecate there.

"Hecate...you're here…" she said, as she hugged the other Goddess.

"I only wish I could recall our friendship," she replied.

"Me too...but all hope is not lost. We have a plethora of magic at our disposal. If there is a way to restore your memories, then we'll find it," Demeter said, as she led her into the sitting room, where most of the other Gods were residing currently. Hecate set her sight on Zeus, even as the other Gods greeted her warmly. He seemed agitated and restless. She supposed someone like him considered the mortal plane beneath him.

"It is my understanding that you are to be a great grandmother soon?" Hecate inquired. Demeter smiled.

"Yes...in a way, I already am. Unfortunately, Emma and I do not each other well yet, but I'm hoping to rectify that by spending time with my family," she responded.

"You did your best for them. Without the dreamscape, things during the curse could have been much worse as I understand," Hecate stated. Demeter nodded.

"Yes...at least Emma knows her parents and Persephone has been able to grow very close to her daughter. Their safety and happiness is all I want," Demeter said. Hecate smiled.

"Me too," she replied, as she glanced at Zeus. For any of them to be safe, it meant Zeus had to die…

Eli and Persephone made their way through the park and he marveled at the beauty. Spring was beginning to sprout and since Persephone was generally happy these days, despite what they were facing, the flora was in full bloom. They stopped by the pond and he watched the ducks and other woodland creatures flock to her. It gave him fond memories of their short time together.

"This place...is beautiful. I almost had forgotten that places like this existed," he mentioned. She smiled.

"Well, while Underbrooke may resemble Storybrooke, nothing grows there," she reminded.

"No...nothing can grow in the desolation of that horrible place. I loathed it there, but then I had to remind myself that you were forced to live there for centuries...for half your time anyway," he stated.

"It wasn't always so bad. I was able to help people sometimes with their unfinished business so they could move on," she mentioned.

"Did...did you think about me?" he asked, as she looked at him.

"Of course I did...but you have to know that I knew of no way to pull you from the river. I would have done everything I could have done to do so if I had known there was a way," she replied. He nodded.

"I know...but you had to press on without me," he murmured.

"I had to press on for our daughter. In the darkest times, she kept me going, even if I could only look upon her from afar," Persephone stated.

"Snow...Snow White. Is that always the name you planned to call her?" he asked curiously. Persephone smiled.

"Oh yes...the moment I saw her and my mother put her in my arms, I knew that would be her name. I knew she would be the fairest in all the lands. I knew she would be kind and good," she continued and smiled softly.

"Snow even inherited the endearment animals seem to have for me," she mused.

"Leopold told me. He said the woodland creatures used to find her in the palace gardens and seek her out. He said she could even communicate with the birds," he mentioned.

"It's likely residual magic left behind when mother was forced to use a potion to strip her immortality," she replied.

"From him," he said, the tone of in his voice darkening.

"We're not talking about him," she refuted. But he wanted answers.

"Why don't you hate him like you should?" he questioned.

"It's complicated," she refuted.

"I need to know. After all he has done...I get the distinct impression that you still have feelings for him," he stated.

"I told you...it's complicated. I have been married to him for centuries and though when I met you, things were very bad between us...they weren't always that way," she admonished. He looked angered by that.

"I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. I have feelings for you both...that's the reality. I'm trying to sort them out and I can only ask for your patience," she responded.

"I'm sorry...I know I'm struggling with that. But you and Snow both look at me like I am a stranger," he said dejectedly.

"Because you are...as unfair as it is. You are...but it doesn't have to remain that way," she replied. He nodded.

"But your anger...you had better keep it in check, especially around our daughter," she warned. He smirked.

"Yes ma'am," he agreed, once again humbled by her strength and convictions. It was one of the many reasons he had fallen for her so many years ago. That fire and air of strength she exuded had not diminished and he was as entranced by her now as he had been then.

"No more talk of monsters then today," he agreed.

"Actually, there is one monster we need to discuss. What else did Leopold tell you about our daughter?" she asked curiously. He shrugged.

"When we met...I wanted to know everything. He told me how she grew up as a Princess and how adored she was. Then he said when he was murdered, Snow was on the run. She had to live in the woods as a bandit. He seemed sad, even though I learned that she was happy later and married to her true love," he replied.

"I thought his bitterness about Snow being married was simply because she did not marry someone of noble blood," he added, as Persephone gave him a sharp look. But he held his hands up.

"I'm not saying I agree, but you know the Kingdom that Eva and I came from. Our noble bloodlines were very important. Eva was once of the same opinions that Leopold is," he reminded.

"Yes...she was, because she was raised that way and she made her mistakes. But she became better. Her husband did not," Persephone replied.

"I honestly had no idea that he might have any inappropriate feelings for Snow," he confessed and she nodded.

"I believe you...it's not something everyone can see. Trust me, despite the danger, if Leopold had lived and decided to do more than doting on our daughter...I would have stepped in," she assured.

"I know...she is happy and in love. For that, I am so grateful. I just hope she lets me know her," he mentioned.

"If you're sincere, then she will. Snow is a wonderful person and believe me, she wants to give you that chance. I know her. She's wary of you now, because of your recent actions and anger. But she is the most forgiving person you'll ever meet," Persephone told him.

"Then I will earn that forgiveness and show her the man I really am. David too...I want to know him too since he is so important to her," he promised. She smiled.

"You'll like him. He had very humble beginnings and that's why he is such a good man. There is no better match for our daughter, I can promise you that," she said fondly. He chuckled.

"I just can't believe we're grandparents too," he said. She smiled.

"Try great grandparents as well. You know Henry is the whole reason Emma found her way to Storybrooke. She looked for her parents for years...but it was Henry that found her and brought us all together," she mentioned.

"I hope to know such an extraordinary boy then too," he said, as he cautiously took her hand. She looked at him and swallowed thickly, but she didn't pull away. He took that as a sign that what he was about to do would not be unwelcome and gently kissed her.

Persephone found herself trying to recall what it had felt like when he kissed her long ago, because she felt it had to be different than this. The kiss was nice, but she wasn't feeling the love she thought she had for him being reignited inside her. As their lips parted, he smiled at her and she stared back with an awestruck expression. It wasn't what she was hoping for. Falling back in love with Eli would have been the easy path, but was there hope of that if she didn't feel anything from his kiss? Or was she expecting too much? Surely she might be putting more expectations on a simple kiss than it deserved. Was she supposed to feel nothing? Was she supposed to feel the earth move or stars behind her eyes? Was there no in between at all?

"That was nice…" he mentioned. She cleared her throat and smiled back.

"It was," she agreed. It truly was, but didn't help her sort out her feelings or make any of this easier. Maybe more time was what they needed. She just wished she had felt an inkling of something that could indicate that there was still something between them. But perhaps that would come in time. Wouldn't it? Eli opened his mouth to speak again when her phone interrupted them and she was glad for that.

"Oh...it's Snow…" she said, as she answered.

"Mom…" Snow said and the way she said it came with urgency.

"Snow...are you all right?" she asked.

"I am...but there's something happening at the hospital. I'm not sure what, but came rushing into my office. Something about an explosion of some kind," Snow said.

"Okay...we'll be right there," she said, as she hung up.

"Something's going on at the hospital. Snow needs me…" she told him. Eli took her hand.

"Us...she needs us. Let's go," he said, as they hurried off.

Emma loathed paperwork as a rule, but was actually glad for once that the town was quiet enough to even allow for any paperwork to be done. It was actually a nice change from the sheer insanity they had experienced as of late. She just hoped it actually lasted, but she wasn't going to hold her breath.

"Hey Mom!" Henry called, as he ran into the station with Neal behind him.

"Hey kid...what's up?" she asked.

"Dad and I brought you lunch," he announced and she looked up at Neal, who held up a bag from Granny's.

"Grilled cheese and onion rings?" she questioned. He chuckled.

"Is there anything else?" he asked in return, as he put the bags down and they started eating.

"So...what have you two been up to this morning?" Emma asked, as she munched on her food.

"We went to the park and dueled with my wooden swords after we walked Grams to her office," Henry answered.

"Yeah...she seemed a little upset cause of King Leopold," Henry chattered. Emma looked at Neal.

"Did he do something?" she asked.

"Uh...well, they were talking and let's just say that you were even more right about him than you thought. And he didn't deny any of it and the rest I should probably tell you later," he replied, as he looked at their son.

"He wasn't in the room?" she asked.

"Dad made me go shower," Henry replied sourly.

"Yeah...then I suggested that Leopold should leave, even after he tried to tell me it was none of my business. But it is...because she's your Mom and Henry's grandma," he said. Emma looked impressed by that.

"Thanks...I appreciate that and I know my Dad will too," she replied.

"I meant what I said," he said.

"And he agreed to leave her alone?" Emma asked.

"Well, I might have told him that since it was me asking that he was going to get to leave in one piece. Because if your Dad or Persephone had been there, he might have left in pieces," Neal replied. She smirked.

"Wow...I mean, I knew I was getting creepy vibes from him, but it's that bad?" she asked.

"Oh yeah...and I think the worst part is that he thinks he's good. He doesn't think there's anything wrong with him. Your mother corrected him on that, but I don't know if he was convinced," Neal replied.

"He's the monster that thinks he's a hero...great. Those are the worst people," she muttered.

"That's exactly what your Mom said, but she has a lot of people looking out for her. Including me," he assured. Emma smiled.

"Thanks," she said.

"So...when are you guys going on a date?" Henry chimed in, catching them both off guard.

"Kid…" Neal started to say in exasperation.

"We're not...who told you we might be going on a date?" Emma stammered.

"It was your Grams, wasn't it?" she asked.

"Actually it was Grandpa Gold," he replied.

"You told your Dad?" Emma asked.

"Nope…" he replied and she scoffed.

"Look Henry...your Dad and I might start seeing each other," Emma began.

"I know...it's great! You're true love, just like Grams and Gramps," he said excitedly.

"Whoa...okay, that's what we need to talk about. We are going to try this, but we need you to have realistic expectations for us," Neal replied.

"What does that mean?" Henry asked.

"It means...that what your grandparents have is rare, Henry. They're a true love that's like lightning in a bottle. It doesn't happen very often," she explained.

"She right...in this land, people fall in love all the time. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. We just don't want you to be too disappointed if it doesn't work," he continued.

"Oh...okay," Henry agreed with a shrug.

"But we're still family...all of us, no matter what, right?" he asked. They smiled at him.

"Yeah...no matter what," she promised, as the phone rang and Emma answered it.

"Sheriff's station," she answered and then went rigid, as she stood up.

"Okay...I'll be right there, Leroy. Find my Dad. He's probably at my Mom's office," she said, as she hung up the phone.

"What's going on?" Neal asked.

"Someone set off an explosion at the hospital. I have to go," she said urgently, as she holstered her weapon.

"I'll call my Dad and then take Henry home," Neal said, as they watched her run out.

Snow worked diligently that morning to take her mind off the uncomfortable and upsetting confrontation she had with Leopold. Her first City Council meeting was coming up and she felt prepared for it now. She had her proposition for Storybrooke University all worked up and her petition to demolish Deimos' sleazy club. She knew he was back, which would complicate things, but she was determined to stand up to him and his cronies. For the moment, he seemed deterred from his pursuit of her, but she wasn't sure if that would hold. It scared her, but she wasn't going to let that stop her from facing him head on. Just as she was putting the finishing touches on her proposition, she heard her office door open and smiled, seeing as it was her husband carrying food bags and drink tray from Granny's. He deposited the items on her desk and then moved around to her, as she gazed up at him.

"I could get used to this," she purred, as she tugged him down by the collar so she could kiss him.

"You should...because I love making you happy," he said, as he kissed her again.

"Let's see if I got your cravings right," he said, as he started unloading the food and she grinned at him. A bacon cheeseburger from Granny's and steak cut fries. He knew her well.

"No mustard and extra crispy onions?" she asked.

"Of course," he replied, as he pulled out his own meal and pulled up a chair, as they began eating.

"What's in the other bag?" she asked curiously, as she took a sip of what she knew was a caffeine free soda in her cup.

"Dessert," he said. She peeked inside and smiled at him.

"Cheesecake with chocolate sauce and strawberries...I love you," she said, as he chuckled.

"I know what my wife...and our baby want," he replied, as they finished eating and then shared dessert. But for dessert, they had moved to the couch in her office and she was content to be curled against him with her legs draped over his lap. She looked at him, as he fed her another bite of dessert and then sighed.

"Go ahead," she said.

"What?" he asked and she cocked her head to the side.

"I know you, Charming...you're itching to ask me what's bothering me, because you've already sensed that something is," she replied.

"Wow...we really are taking that whole being in sync thing to the next level," he commented, as he smiled at her.

"I do want to ask you that, but I also know when you don't want to talk about it," he said.

"Unless you're ready to now?" he prompted.

"You're right...I didn't want to talk about it, but you always make me feel better when I do," she mentioned, smiling softly at him.

"Okay then...so you talk and I promise not to plot the demise of the person that has upset you," he replied.

"You might regret those words," she muttered, which concerned him.

"Snow…" he prompted.

"I told Leopold that I never wanted to see him again," she confessed.

"Wow...so Emma was right on about him I take it?" he asked. She nodded.

"I'm sorry...just a little surprised he actually admitted it," he mentioned.

"Oh, but that's the real kicker. He told me that I was making him out to be more villainous than he was...is. He claims he only ever wanted to protect me, but I called him on that. I told him that my true identity wouldn't have really come out," she said.

"Right...because Rumple basically blackmailed Cora into silence. She wouldn't have risked the chance that Regina wouldn't have been Queen," he said, as then his eyes widened.

"Unless...he was going to let it slip," he said. She nodded.

"He didn't deny it...only that he would have protected me," she replied.

"You mean trapped you…" he said, seething at that. She nodded.

"His palace would have become my prison and I'm not too naive to know what that would have meant for me eventually. And I knew the people in his court. If they had found out that I wasn't really his daughter...I doubt they would have objected to anything he wanted to do with me," she replied.

"You're right...I regret promising not to plot his demise," he said sourly.

"I think shunning him will be far worse punishment anyway," she replied.

"Until your mother finds out. That will be a satisfying show to watch," he said, with a bit of a darker edge in his voice. She gave him a look and then cuddled against him.

"I definitely think I'd rather talk about something else now," she mentioned.

"Whatever you want, my darling," he replied, as he kissed her forehead and a shiver ran down her spine.

"In fact, I think I'd rather not talk at all," she said, as she shifted and straddled his waist. He looked up at her with awe and hunger.

"Yeah...I'm definitely all for a different kind of talking," he agreed, as their lips met again and she started unbuttoning his shirt.

"Terrible news!" Leroy shouted, as he burst into her office.

"Dammit…" David cursed and then looked at the dwarf.

"What's going on, Leroy?," he asked.

"There was an explosion at the hospital!" he cried.

"Oh God…" Snow said, as they got up and hurriedly followed him out.

Jessica made her way out of the hospital. She was wearing a hat and sunglasses, as she crossed the street and walked up to the bench he was sitting on.

"Is it done?" he asked. She smirked.

"Of course it is," she replied, as she took her cell phone out of her pocket.

"With the press of this button...instant chaos," she added. He smirked.

"Then let's get this show on the road. Time to turn the tables and free our friends," he said. She smirked back.

"Time to wage war on Storybrooke…" she said, as she pushed the button on her phone...