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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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:

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

Gal Gadot as Persephone

Robert Downey Jr. as Hades

Ernie Hudson as Poseidon

Vincent Irizarry as Deimos

Maggie Smith as Hecate

Ben Affleck as Prince Eli

Thanks for awesome the reviews. Again, please consider leaving feedback. It is very much appreciated and reviews have dropped a bit lately. I love writing this story, but a lot of hard work in my free time goes into getting weekly chapters up, so reviews are really gratifying. :)

Here are individual responses:

Baratta Jennifer: Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!

Saberius Prime: Yep, the magic is gone, at least temporarily. Glad to know that you're on the edge of your seat! :)

Theinferno1536: It was likely one of the followers, though they were probably encouraged to create such unrest by the Swans.

Izzypirelli: Cronus is definitely still lurking so glad to give you an update. He may find use for Leopold now, time will tell on that end. As for Hecate, he totally pulled a save there when it came to her murderer. Demeter probably doesn't know the whole story yet, but she has the same suspicions about him as Persephone. Plus, remember Neal hinted to Emma about it and Emma basically called him out for it, which everyone was there for. So she knows some it through Persephone and is angry, because she was the one that entrusted him and Eva with Snow in the first place. As for what Cronus is up to, we'll find out soon, I promise. Ha, yep, no magic for Circe at all. I do tend to have everything circle back to Snowing. I love writing and focusing on them, especially since we didn't get that in the show and we should have. Aw, thanks, that's such a nice compliment about my story lines. I do work to make sure my story lines connect and are interwoven. Yes, we agree that Josh is super hot and Jessica calling Snow insipid is probably jealousy, because Snow is awesome and a bad ass and married to a super hot guy that is literally Prince Charming. Yes, break just doesn't do it sometimes. It was definitely shattered, because their true love is so powerful. Yes, no magic for protection is scary and I'm afraid the potions are useless until magic returns, cause you know they don't have enough problems. I swear to you I'm not sadistic. My writing brain just writes things that make it seem like I am, lol. Yep, that reporter might have been more of a problem than they thought. Yep, the true love potion. I love including it and making it important. And yes, I fully believe there is glowing, flickering lights, and full blown magical explosions when Snowing is intimate or making babies. :)

Ha, yeah Hades is definitely winning against Eli, lol. Yes, the human world is a mess. Damon was bad enough, you're right. Eli is having a very hard time with his anger. I will tell you though that he and Snow have a tiny moment in this chapter that may get him to start realizing that his life isn't over if Persephone doesn't want him. Let's just say he finally sees Snow and how amazing she is. Lol, I do like Circe's sass too. Yep, the hospital being in ruins is bad and we'll see the effects of that soon. Eli makes a tiny step forward in this chapter. Yep, get lost Leopold. He may end up being a problem if Cronus sees use for him. I doubt he'll go quietly into the night. As for Regina, it was kind of just a convenient spot for her to show up since that's where Leopold ends up at the end of the day. She may have been at Granny's and decided to twist the knife. She may not know everything that went down between him and Snow, but Henry is smart enough to infer that it wasn't good and likely told her, because he's Henry. Regina is at the beginning of her redemption journey, but there was no way she wouldn't want to the twist the knife in him and for this I don't blame her. Ha, yeah family time would have improved the day, but instead a brick got thrown through the window. There are no breaks for this family, apparently. I keep telling myself there will be and I do actually have something fun ahead for them in a couple chapters if you can believe it. Whether it will stay fun or ends in disaster remains to be seen, but that's all I can say at the moment. Yep, it's time for dwarf guard duty again. No magic is going to be no joke. :)

Beth1980: You're definitely right. When you are no longer of use to Circe, she won't think twice about killing you. I mean this is the woman that killed her own mother. Yeah, Eli has made a mess. He had to fall almost to rock bottom before he can start to build back up again. Hades is definitely looking better these days. Persephone kicking them both is still an option too. Yeah, I'd say the meeting between Regina and Leopold was fairly tame, though I think Regina is enjoying his obvious suffering. Ending him wouldn't be very satisfying since he's miserable. Yep, real world dangers might be on the way. :)

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 86: Stressed Out

"Are you sure about this?" Kevin asked, as he put the truck in park and they approached the town line.

"Yes...she may want us to take this magic far away from Storybrooke, but I'm not done with the Charmings. I don't care what she wants," Jessica spat angrily. He sighed. He wanted them to pay too, but his wife wanted to be the one twisting the knife. He was certain that they would pay with Circe free and was inclined to let her wrath take care of them. But it was much more personal for Jessica and he knew deep down, part of her even resented him for ruining their chances at a family.

Their marriage had never really been the same since they had Emma taken from their care. They had even spent years sleeping in separate bedrooms because of it, after they had been barred from fostering anymore children. Ultimately, they came to the agreement that the blame was on Emma once they met Circe, or Madam Keres at the time, as they knew her. She convinced his wife that he wasn't to blame and that it was that magical spawn and her evil parents that were the real culprits. Kevin had been grateful to Circe for that. Jessica had mostly stopped shunning and blaming him. Their marriage, which had been on the brink of divorce, healed somewhat. He wasn't really sure if there was even love between them anymore, but Jessica's new desire to see Emma and her parents pay had bolstered him as well and he chose to stay with her to see their revenge through. After all, had it not been for Emma and they had fostered an easier child with less issues, he believed none of this would have ever happened. He believed too that Emma stole their chance at a family. Had she never crossed their path, he believed that they would have been parents to another child; a normal, non-magical child, with no fairy tale parents sharing some all consuming, magical true love. He still scoffed at that. He couldn't imagine anything like that. He loved Jessica when he married her and still did to some degree, but Circe was definitely right about one thing. This all consuming, supposedly magical love was incomprehensible to him and honestly sounded like more of a burden than a blessing. In fact, seeing them both personally pay would give him a certain amount of satisfaction too.

"Okay...where are we taking this thing then?" he asked, referring to the containment cube in the trailer. She showed him the map on her phone.

"I found this on the Internet. There is this guy that has several fishing cabins along the Maine coastline in this area. He lives in Portland now and works in the city. He rarely visits any of them and says they once belonged to his grandfather, so he rents them out to make money on the side," she explained.

"This one is only fifteen miles from Storybrooke. It will be the perfect place to hide the cube and still remain close by. They'll never risk leaving Storybrooke to find it and if they do, New York will be the first place they go," she continued. He smirked.

"So actually we're safer hiding it in a place like this. They'll never suspect it," he replied. She smirked back at him.

"Exactly," she agreed, as he put the truck in gear and drove over the town line. They would return and enjoy watching this town burn…

James wandered the streets of Storybrooke late that night. He had tried sleeping, but found himself plagued by his usual insomnia. Robert...his father had implored him to seek a therapeutic or medical solution for his sleeping issues, but he had refused, stating that he was fine. After all, in the Underworld, it had been nothing a good drink hadn't been able to cure. But since being back, he was trying to stay away from alcohol. He was aware of his father's issues with drinking and how easily he himself had issues with drinking too much. He was serious about making the best of his second chance. It wasn't something that everyone got and he wasn't really sure he even deserved it.

He was well aware of the type of person he had been before his death. All the things David had ever said about him were true. He was a liar, a thief, and a grade A, asshole. He had been selfish, greedy, and an awful person that had grown up with a silver spoon in his mouth and emptiness in his heart.

After his death and when he first learned of his brother, he became instantly jealous. Not really so much at the fact that his brother grew up with a loving mother, but that he became revered by the people in a way James never did. He married the fairest Princess in all the lands and had true love. And no matter how much he would deny it...James craved love. Whether it be the love of a parent or the love of a partner, he had never had either.

He knew on some level that George had loved him. But his upbringing was cold and he was raised to know that he would be a warrior, ruthless and shrewd. He hadn't bothered with love at all for that reason. He knew George would never let him marry for love and that whoever he wed would be for the good of his Kingdom. It cut deeper than he ever wanted to admit. Then he heard how his brother had defied the old King and risked everything for true love. It made him jealous and angry that he had not been brave enough to do the same.

"So it's true...you're alive…" George uttered, as he appeared on the street corner that James was standing on. Rage boiled inside the former Prince at the sight of his so-called father. At one time, that rage had been at David and then even at Robert for a while. But he had worked through enough of his issues to know that it was really this man that deserved most of his anger.

"You…" he growled, as he hauled off and buried his fist in George's face. The old man's nose gushed blood, clearly broken, and James shook his hand, as he prepared to lay his fists into this man again.

"James...it's me...your father…" he pleaded.

"Oh I remember...I remember fighting senseless battles for you and your thirst for gold. Too bad you didn't do everyone a favor and choke on your gold," he growled, as he prepared to drive his fists into the cowering old man again, but a voice stopped him.

"James...no…" Robert pleaded, as he appeared.

"He's not worth it," he added. James looked at his biological father in disbelief.

"Not worth it? He ruined our family! He ruined me!" he growled.

"I know...he is the reason your mother is dead too. He's the reason your brother was almost executed and the reason your sister-in-law almost couldn't have children. You died when it should have been him and he should live with that knowledge," Robert said as he approached and put his hands on his son's shoulders.

"This is a new start for us, son...don't let him take it away again," Robert pleaded. James pulled back and realized what he meant. He relaxed his fists and glared at the old King.

"Come on...something has happened. David needs us to canvas the town. I'll tell you more in a minute, but we might as well help if we're not going to sleep," he reasoned. James nodded and they left the stunned former King on the ground to figure out how to tend to his own wounds. Because he was completely alone and though he would never admit it or see it for himself, he alone was to blame for that.

Snow sniffed, as she rested her head against David's chest and clung to him, as he held her tightly. Bashful had arrived and was just leaving now to take the brick to the lab to run the prints he had dusted it for. But they doubted they would have anyone to match it to, for they suspected it was one of the outsiders that had done this. Neal had arrived with some paint thinner he had found in the back of his father's shop and he and Emma were currently scrubbing the spray paint off the door.

"Since Bashful is done here for the night...let me take all of you to the Inn. I think until we sort all this out that we should stay there," Persephone suggested.

"No," Snow refused. Persephone gave her a sympathetic gaze.

"Sweetheart…" she started to say.

"No...I'm not letting these people run me out of my home," Snow cried, as she broke down crying again and went behind the curtain where their bed was. David sighed.

"I'll talk to her...but I know her. She used to run away from everything, because that's all she could do. I promised her when we got married that she'd never have to run again and I won't break that promise," he stated.

"I will always protect her," he added and Persephone knew he would. She just felt lost now that she didn't have her magic to protect both of them, not to mention Emma and Henry. Persephone nodded and decided to step out for some fresh air. She went down the stairs and outside. The air was cool and typical for a mid-April evening and she tried her hardest to clamp down on her emotions. Even without magic, they could have subtle effects on the weather and she didn't want to add a frost to the evening spring air.

But she couldn't help it and she let out a stifled sob, as the tears started to come. It was too much. She finally had her daughter and people were still trying to hurt her. And now...she wasn't sure she could do anything to stop it.

"Persephone…" a voice that she recognized instantly called to her. She looked up to find Hades there, his face marred with concern.

"You heard?" she asked. He nodded.

"I couldn't sleep, so I went for a drink at The Rabbit Hole and I heard. It's already all over town," he replied.

"Is she okay?" he asked.

"Physically...yes," she answered.

"And you?" he questioned. She shook her head and sought comfort for him, allowing him to hold her. He was surprised, but having her in his arms again felt like being home.

"There is enough evil in this town already with Cronus here...but I can't even protect her from ordinary people," she cried.

"Hey...we will, magic or no magic, we will protect the people we love," he assured.

"We?" she asked curiously. He smiled.

"Yeah...I know, but they've definitely grown on me. I know what I...tried to do to her and you have no idea how much I wish I could go back and change it all," he replied.

"Because if I had just met her...I know I would have loved her, because she is so much like you," he added, as they gazed into each other's eyes. And she gave into the feelings that she had been having so strongly lately by kissing him finally. They had kissed before of course, but it had been a long time ago, centuries in fact. And she did not remember it being anything like this. There had never been any stars behind her eyes or butterflies in her stomach, but there were now. She wasn't even sure how this could be happening. She had sworn once that even if she was married to him for eternity that she would never fall in love with him, so she was naturally stunned to know that falling for him was exactly what was happening. Their lips finally parted and they stared at each other, now breathless and she saw something in his eyes that made her want to kiss him again. So she did and when they finally parted again, he gazed at her in awe.

"What if we could go back? What if we could go back and make everything right?" he whispered. She hummed in response.

"Mmm...that's a nice sentiment, but it's not possible. Even if it was...I'm not so sure I would go back," she replied. His brow furrowed.

"But...you could raise Snow and we know that she would still meet David. Athena herself deemed that their love was written in the stars. Nothing can change that," he said.

"I know...but everything we had to go through...it's made us who we are and that's enough for me. This is a fresh start for all of us...or at least, it's supposed to be," she replied. He was silent for a moment, absorbing her words. Sure, if they went back, it would potentially erase all the problems they were facing now. But if it wasn't what she wanted...then he found himself not wanting it either, especially now that he felt there was a chance that they could be together without that.

"This life...even after all I've done...this life is enough?" he asked. She nodded.

"Of course it is. I'll admit...getting here was messy and some are probably going to think I'm crazy...but I can't keep denying what I'm feeling for you, as much as I want to," she responded. He swallowed thickly. Calling off Zelena wouldn't be easy and since he figured she would probably go crazy when he did, he knew he had to tell her everything. But for tonight, he was just going to hold her, especially since she was letting him.

"So...you want to get a drink?" he asked and they started laughing.

"That's the pick-up line you're going with?" she teased. He shrugged.

"Hey...it works on the television shows these mortals are obsessed with," he quipped. She shook her head.

"Thanks...but I better get back inside. I don't think those crazies will be back tonight, but I don't want to take any chances," she replied. He nodded.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow?" he asked. She nodded.

"Come for breakfast...I know Snow will be fine with it," she replied.

"I don't doubt that...but will Eli?" he asked. She sighed.

"He's going to have to be. I may still be figuring out my feelings...but I can't lie and string him along. Whatever spark was between us all those years ago...it's gone," she admitted.

"I will always care for him...he gave me the most precious thing in my life, after all," she added.

"Your happiness is all that matters to me now. I hope he feels that way too," he offered. She nodded.

"I'll see you in the morning," she said, as she kissed his cheek and went back inside. He watched her disappear up the stairs. He exhaled the breath he didn't know he was holding and still remained stunned by this turn of events. The seemingly impossible had happened and he knew it was going to change everything…

Snow sat on the bed and clutched a pillow to her chest, looking lost and forlorn. He knelt down in front of her and pressed his lips to her knee, before gazing up at her. She sniffed and tossed the pillow away, so she could take his hands in her own. He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them, before putting one hand to the very small swell on her stomach.

"This baby is one of four most precious things to me in the world," he said.

"This baby will be special, just like our daughter and our grandson are. I wouldn't change that for anything and I know you wouldn't ether," he added. She sniffed.

"I wouldn't...I just can't believe that there are people out there that would take a thing as amazing as our love and suggest that it's evil. Maybe staying here was a mistake," she said.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Maybe I was wrong to think we could make a life in this land. I mean, despite this being a curse, I love Storybrooke and thought it was the fresh start we deserved," she replied.

"It is...I'll admit I wasn't sure at first and kind of missed our homeland. But then I fell in love with you as Mary Margaret and we built a life here with our daughter and our grandson. Maybe this is where we belong now," he reasoned, as he kissed her forehead.

"We're going to figure this out and find the magic they took. Then we'll be able to get rid of these outsiders and put up that protective barrier around our town," he added.

"I love you, David and I will always be happy in any kind of life that I have with you. But I'm starting to wonder if this will be our lives," she said. His brow furrowed, as she continued.

"We've never really known peace. The only time it wasn't crazy was during the curse and I loved that. Family dinners at Granny's, romantic walks together, quiet evenings cuddling together...lazy mornings in bed," she mused. He smiled.

"I know...that's why I realized that this place was our fresh start and that we didn't need to go back. And we can still have that...I promise," he pleaded.

"I know that you'll try to make that happen for us, but what if it's not possible? What if this is how our lives will be? One problem after another? Defeat and repeat?" she lamented. He sighed.

"I know it seems like that and I won't tell you that it's going to get better overnight, but it will. We're going to get there, my darling. We're going to have that elusive peace, I promise. We may have a few battles ahead to get there...but we're going to make it, because we will be doing it together," he promised. She smiled gently and leaned forward to kiss him gently.

"I know you're right...I guess it just got to me, you know?" she asked. He nodded.

"Of course it did...it got to me too. Someone chucked a brick through our window and vandalized our door. To think that I can't protect you…" he replied, as he started to lament his own fears. But she put her finger to his lips.

"No...what got to me was those people. It was never that I thought you couldn't protect us, my love. That thought never even crossed my mind. I know that everything you do is for me and our family," she assured. He swallowed thickly.

"I know...and I guess I'm more confident in my abilities to protect you from the monsters I can see. But these people...your mother was right. They're the monsters I can't see until they're already in front of us and throwing bricks into our house," he said.

"It was scary...but you were there to hold me, like you always are and you're right. Our baby is a precious blessing and every time I look at you...I know that we're going to be fine," she replied. He smiled thinly, humbled by her confidence in him and kissed her hand.

"I think you can do better than kissing my hand, Charming," she mused playfully. His smile widened and he pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss that quickly grew passionate. She mewled into his kiss and she thrilled, as he wrapped his arm around her waist and moved them further onto the bed.

"I love you so much…" he rasped, as he kissed her neck and she buried her fingers in his hair and lost herself in him.

"Make love to me…" she pleaded, as they lost themselves in their love and passion, momentarily forgetting all they were facing…

Charming slowly undressed her, all while kissing her all over. Her body thrilled, as his lips left fire in their wake and she bit her bottom lip to keep her moans at bay. She managed to get the buttons on his shirt undone and eagerly palmed her hands along his sculpted chest and torso. He was her true love and she would love him, no matter what he looked like. But damn if he wasn't the sexiest, most good looking man she was sure she'd ever see. She bit her bottom lip again, thinking about what was below the waist too, as she undid his belt.

"That's a very naughty smirk," he teased, as he snapped her bra open.

"I was just thinking about your very big sword…" she purred, as he looked at her incredulously. She gave him a sexy smile.

"And no...I'm not talking about that one," she added, as she pointed at his actual sword that was leaning up against the bedside table.

"Oh, my bandit…" he purred, as he kissed her again and lifted her into his lap, so he was now gazing up at her. She cupped his face in her hands and lovingly caressed his cheek.

"Oh my Prince...I think you're about to find out how bandit I can be," she purred back, as she pulled him into another passionate kiss…

The next morning began like normal or as normal as it could be for them. David got up and started making a very large breakfast for the company they would soon be having. The main point of getting together at the loft was to discuss all the problems they were facing and how they were going to find that containment cube in less than three days. And he knew tensions would be running high.

Eli arrived and he watched the man immediately move to hug his wife. There was genuine concern on his face and for that, he was grateful. He could get used to Eli's presence if he truly showed that he loved Snow. But he was still wary.

"Your mother told me what happened last night...are you all right?" Eli asked her. She nodded.

"I'm fine...it was scary, but none of us were hurt," Snow replied. He sighed in relief.

"I can't believe these people would dare to harass you…" he lamented.

"They've been brainwashed by Circe. I think I pity them more than anything. David and I know that our baby is a blessing," Snow replied. He smiled.

"Yes...and I know we are still very much getting to know each other. But I am hoping that...I can be a part of my grandchild's life? I would love to be a part of Emma's life too, but I know that will take time too," he confessed.

"I missed your life...and Emma's life. I don't want to miss this little one's life," he added. Snow smiled, as she sensed his sincerity.

"And I know that my anger is concerning to you...that's why I am going to take your mother's advice and get some counseling," he continued. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"You're going to see Dr. Hopper?" she asked. He nodded.

"I have an appointment this afternoon," he replied.

"That's wonderful...Archie is very easy to talk to," she assured, as the loft door opened and revealed James, Robert, and Hades. The latter made Eli go rigid and it did not go unnoticed by Snow.

"I know that it's hard for you to see him, but if Mom can forgive him, then I can too. He really has changed," she reasoned. Eli sighed.

"I want to be as forgiving as you...but he ruined our lives," he reminded. She nodded.

"I know...but everything we all went through still got us here and as much as we've been through, I wouldn't change anything about my life," she reasoned.

"Even if it meant never being cursed? Even if it meant getting to raise Emma?" he asked.

"We'll always wish that we had gotten to raise her and not just in our dreams. But all the experiences we all went through still made us the people we are and I wouldn't change any of that. David and I decided that we want to live for now and enjoy everything we do have and not lament what we don't," she replied. He seemed humbled by her words and glanced over at Persephone, watching her smile at Hades. It broke his heart, but he did want her to be happy. He just wished he still had a chance for it to be with him and he wasn't quite ready to give up on them yet. He hated Hades with a burning passion, but if acting on those feelings of hate meant losing Persephone and Snow completely, then he would refrain.

"You are far wiser than I am, Snow," he offered. She smiled.

"I just know that revenge can never bring anything but pain," she responded. He nodded.

"Love heals," she added, as she gazed over fondly at her husband, who was serving pancakes to their daughter and grandson. Emma was eagerly chowing down with her son and both of them had syrup stained cheeks. Neal looked on at them with a contagious grin and shook his head in amusement at their antics.

"Love is more powerful than most can imagine. It's magic…" Snow said, as Regina arrived for breakfast and she watched Henry greet her with a smile.

"She once told me that...before she lost her way. But I think love is finally helping her find her way back," she said, looking back at him.

"Love can lead you back too," she assured, as she squeezed his hand. He squeezed it back and looked at her in amazement. Even after all she had been through, she was still smiling and thinking that love was still the answer to everything. It was almost foreign to him, but he wanted to believe it.

"Hey Grams…" Henry called, as she looked over.

"There's a bird on the windowsill. I think he's trying to tell us something," Henry called, as she went over and saw the little blue bird. It fluttered and flapped its wings, as it cooed at her. She held out her hand and it flew to rest on her hand, again amazing Eli.

"Hello…" she said, as she found something tucked on its leg and released it. She then let the bird fly down to the bird feeder on the tree outside their apartment for a snack, while she started to unroll a scroll that the bird had delivered.

"What is it?" David asked. She looked up and him and then at all of them.

"It's from Cronus…" she uttered, as they all waited for her to read the message...