7:15 AM AU - Things go a bit differently in the cabin during 7:15 AM. With memories returned, how will this change things?
Welcome to my newest fic. I'm not sure how long this one will be yet, but I will be updating this one bi-weekly on Sunday nights(opposite FYA). Please enjoy and let me know what you think! Also, there is a love scene in this chapter. It's marked and can be skipped if that's not your thing. :)
Thanks to the great reviews and response to this new fic! Here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Thanks! Glad you like it!
Grace5231973: I like it when he helps people too. I wish they wouldn't have dropped David and Rumple's friendship they started to build in season 2. It would have been a great thing if they fleshed it out. But they like drama more. Yeah, David has a lot in common with him and nothing with Hook, but they forced Hook on him. He only accepted him to make Emma happy. Yeah, Snow and David are in a tough spot here. Glad you're enjoying it! :)
Jennifer Baratta: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Number Ten: Yep, he's going to adjust his plans accordingly, especially if he thinks it will accelerate the breaking of the curse. I know, it was really hard to write Emma saying those things about David, but we know she will think differently soon. Henry will eventually be brought to the center of everything. Yeah, the town is really stuck in the past. Glad you're enjoying. :)
Sexystarwarslover: Yeah, it will be interesting to see what Emma sees and overhears. Yep, it might be a bit of a rough road ahead for Snowing. I know, it was hard to see Granny treat them like that. Thankfully, even cursed, Ruby is still on their side. I know, Regina is still cold and evil here. Yeah, Emma might be finding out he's homeless soon. Yeah, Gold can go up against Regina and win. Well, this deal for him might lead to something he wants and that's getting the curse broken sooner. Yep, it's not really cheating, because Snow is his real wife. Glad you're enjoying. :)
AnonSnowing: I know, it was hard to write Granny being so mean and judgmental like that. No, they don't deserve it, but at least Ruby has shown that she's still on their side, despite being cursed as well. Yep, she always underestimates Snowing and their love. Yep, Regina spray painted that on MM's car. Yeah, they have each other here, so it's better already. Yep, David got fired and is homeless. Not exactly a good turn of events. Yeah, David refuses to come between them, no matter how much he wants to be with Snow all the time. Yes, Emma hating them will be the hardest part in all of this. Yep, Regina knows, but would rather torture them by spreading lies. Yeah, David can't stay mad at her for long. Yep, Rumple is awake and sees an opportunity. He is very clever. Thanks, glad you liked it! And thanks for sticking up for me with the Star Wars troll. :)
Guest: Sigh...no, no I cannot write another Star Wars fic. I really appreciate the fact that you like my work, but I have moved on. I don't have any inspiration to write Star Wars anymore. I most likely will not be returning to the Star Wars fandom. I can't just snap my fingers and churn out another one. It doesn't work that way.
Clarity
Chapter 4: Helpless
Mary Margaret trekked down into the ravine below the Toll bridge and spotted his roaring fire in the near distance.
"Hey...it's freezing out here. What are you doing?" he asked, as he rushed to her. Neither of them were aware of the eyes on them.
"That's why I'm here...you can't stay out here. Not tonight. It's already in the single digits," she replied. He smiled at her concern.
"I'll be fine," he promised.
"No David...I'm tired of this! I want you home with me," she cried.
"And I want that too, my darling...but Emma would never be comfortable with it and I don't want anything straining your relationship with her," he said. Tears filled her eyes.
"I went to Gold…" she confessed.
"Why?" he asked in a measured tone.
"I asked him if you could use his cabin for shelter," she replied.
"No," he refused.
"No deals or anything. He said you could use it free and clear," she said. He scoffed.
"Yeah right, the imp always wants something," he refuted.
"Well, I really don't care, because I'm not having you sleeping out in the cold anymore," she argued. But he shook his head.
"Not if it means coming between you and our...your best friend," he said, catching himself.
"But…I need you…" she said, as she broke down crying again. His heart broke too at that and he swept her into his arms.
"I know...I know...I need you too," he whispered, as he kissed her forehead.
"I need you so badly that it's killing me. Every moment without you is a slow, agonizing death," he told her.
"But it will get better...you know that," he promised.
"It's not supposed to be like this," she sobbed.
'I know," he agreed.
"We're supposed to be a family. We're supposed to be together, because we're in love...we're soulmates," she cried, as she sobbed against his chest. He felt helpless. Even awake and fully aware of everything, he still felt helpless. He had to give it to Regina. The curse was doing its job perfectly.
"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry…" he said, as he held her in his arms.
"Then you'll sleep in the cabin?" she asked, as she gave him her best sad puppy look and bit her bottom lip for ultimate effect. He sighed and shook his head.
"Will you sleep a wink if I don't?" he asked.
"Doubtful…" she replied. He sighed again.
"Okay...I'll do this for you. But if Gold comes back at you with some favor you owe him, then I'm gonna punch him in the face," he said. She grinned and threw her arms around him.
"You know...I could come back to the cabin with you," she tempted.
"You know I'd love nothing more, but I don't need more reasons for Emma to hate me," he replied, as she pouted. He smiled and kissed her lips passionately.
"We'll be together soon...I promise," he assured.
"It's getting dark...you should get home," he prodded sadly.
"That's hard to do when you're my home," she countered. She knew she was making this more difficult, but she couldn't help it. She just wanted to be with him so badly. He smiled and kissed her again.
"I love you…" he said.
"I love you too," she replied, as they shared another kiss and she reluctantly left him to go home to the loft.
Emma watched him for a few more minutes with scrutiny, observing his campsite. Had he really been living in the woods? She moved slightly and a twig snapped, catching his attention.
"Who's there?" he called defensively and she slowly moved out from behind the brush. He sighed and relaxed.
"Emma…" he said.
"Have you really been living out here?" she asked skeptically. He shrugged and went back to dousing the fire.
"It's not the first time I've been homeless," he replied, which surprised her.
"That's not in your file," she mentioned. He scoffed.
"There's a lot of things that aren't in that file," he retorted, as she approached him.
"How long have you been there?" he asked.
"Long enough to watch my best friend cry over you," she replied.
"Emma…I love her, more than my own life. I'd do anything for her," he said.
"And you," he said silently to himself.
"Then why won't you go home with her. That's what she wants," she replied.
"Because I won't do that if it means she loses her best friend over it," he said sternly. Emma was silent for the moment.
"You gonna go stay in the cabin for the night?" she asked.
"I promised Mary Margaret that I would and I will never do anything to hurt her ever again," he replied. She nodded.
"I have something for you...that's why I'm here," Emma said, as she handed him the envelope and he looked inside.
"Thanks," he said.
"Yeah...guess you're a free man now," she mentioned. He nodded and packed up the rest of his stuff.
"Thanks again," David said, as she watched him walk up the ridge and toward the cabin, before she turned and went home.
When she arrived home though, she sighed, as she observed her best friend curled up in a ball by the window with a pillow to her chest. And not her pillow. Definitely the other pillow on her bed, the one David had probably slept on.
"Oh Emma...I didn't hear you come in," Mary Margaret said, as she quickly wiped her tears away and got up.
"Okay...this is stupid. You're miserable," Emma complained.
"I'm fine," Mary Margaret sniffed, as she went to the kitchen.
"No...you're not. If you want David here...then he should be here. This is your house," Emma said.
"It's yours too," she insisted.
"Why does it matter so much to you that I approve of the guy you're sleeping with?" Emma questioned.
"Because you're my best friend! You matter to me more than you know!" Mary Margaret answered.
"Why?!" Emma snapped.
"Because I love you too, even if you refuse to believe it!" Mary Margaret snapped back. Tears filled Emma's eyes and they shared a fierce hug.
"Why are you and David so willing to be apart all of the sudden for me?" she questioned.
"I know it seems strange...but I promise you'll understand someday," Mary Margaret whispered, only confusing her more.
"That makes no sense, but I'm done with you two being all miserable and noble at the same time. Go get him," she insisted.
"Really?" Mary Margaret asked. The blonde nodded.
"Yes...you're just lucky I have noise cancelling headphones," Emma joked.
"You mean...if David was living here, you wouldn't leave?" Mary Margaret asked.
"I'm not leaving...go. I know you want to," Emma insisted. Mary Margaret smiled and got her coat.
"Just be careful," Emma pleaded.
"I'll be fine. Thanks Emma," Mary Margaret said, as she left the apartment and started toward her car.
An Hour Later
Emma laughed, as she watched a sitcom on TV, while enjoying a pint of Rocky Road when there was a knock on the door. She checked her watch and thought it was strange that Mary Margaret wasn't back yet, but it was possible she was still helping David pack up his stuff. She put the ice cream down on the coffee table and answered the door. She was stunned to find David there. Without Mary Margaret.
"Hey…" she said.
"Is Mary Margaret here?" he asked. Dread knotted in her stomach.
"No...she's supposed to be with you," Emma replied.
"She texted me that she was coming to tell me something, but she never showed up. I thought maybe she changed her mind, but she's not returning my texts," he said, clearly worried. Emma grabbed her coat.
"Stay here...I'm going to look for her," Emma said.
"No way...if she's in trouble, then I have to find her!" David exclaimed. Emma sighed.
"Fine...hope you can keep up then," Emma said.
"I think you'll be surprised at how well I can keep up," David retorted.
1 Hour Earlier
Snow was almost giddy, as she drove toward the Toll Bridge. However, she wasn't far from her apartment when she heard a clunk and the car died, as she pulled off to the side. She tried to start it, but it was dead and she got out. She knew next to nothing about cars, but opened the hood anyway, until she heard a twig snap. She looked up and all around her in the darkness.
"Hello?" she called, as she suddenly felt a prick on the back of her neck.
"Ouch…" she said, as she reached back there and was stunned to find a small dart.
"No…" she uttered, as she lost consciousness and fell to the cold ground. A figure approached and picked her up, throwing her petite form over his shoulder, before carrying her off.
When she awoke with a pounding headache, she opened her bleary eyes and found her hands were tied behind her back. Fear rippled through her, as she realized there was also a gag in her mouth. Her eyes widened, as Regina stood there with a man she did not recognize.
"Awake at last...though there was a time that I hoped you'd sleep forever," the Evil Queen commented, as she pulled the gag down.
"Let me go…" Snow hissed, with a glare at her step-mother.
"Not going to happen. You know, I didn't know if you were awake or not for sure until just now. Clearly, you've forgotten to put up your meek Mary Margaret act that you've been maintaining in public," Regina said.
"What are you going to do to me?" Snow demanded to know.
"First...you're going to drink this water," Regina said, as she held up a bottle.
"What's in it? Poison? Another curse?" Snow asked.
"No...that would be too quick and easy. No, it's a potion to make sure that you keep your real memories when Jefferson here takes you across the town line. I want you to remember how you're never going to see your husband...or your daughter again," Regina replied. Snow swallowed thickly and tried to keep herself from panicking.
"David will find me," she insisted. Regina smirked.
"I'd like to see him try in a city with more than eight million people," she hissed.
"Why? Why would you do this? You've already destroyed my daughter's life! Why would you destroy your son's too? He knows the truth!" Snow cried.
"He is my son...and he'll forget all about you soon enough," Regina growled, as Jefferson pulled her head back and Regina forced some of the water down her throat. Snow choked and screamed, before the gag was replaced between her teeth.
"Leave town as we planned...immediately," Regina ordered.
"And what exactly am I supposed to do with her?" Jefferson questioned.
"I told you...hold her at the apartment I got for you and then there will be someone coming for her," Regina replied.
"Who?" Jefferson asked.
"In my time in this land, I've discovered that there are people out there that know about us and they seemed very interested in having a live subject to study from our land. They'll pick her up and then I could care less what they do with her. In fact, I hope there's nothing but horror in your future," she hissed at her step-daughter.
"And then my daughter?" Jefferson asked impatiently.
"Yes, when you get back, you'll have your daughter as promised. With her memories returned," Regina promised, as the man hauled Snow to her feet and dragged her out to his car. Tears slipped down her cheeks uncontrollably, as they soon passed over the town line and she seriously wondered if she would ever see her husband or her daughter ever again…