7:15 AM AU - Things go a bit differently in the cabin during 7:15 AM. With memories returned, how will this change things?
Face Claim for Narcissa: Eileen Davidson
Face Claims for the three good fairies:
Flora: Maggie Smith
Fauna: Linsey Godfrey
Merryweather: Jackee Harry
Thanks for the amazing response to this story. It's a lot of fun. I'm glad everyone is enjoying the twists and turns. Season 1 can be very fun to play with. Enjoy this latest and keep reviewing! Here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Yep, she's dialing it way up now and you'll know what I mean when you read this week's chapter. Glad you're enjoying it!
Grace5231973: Yep, it is a very evil plan, but will probably be effective. Glad you're enjoying it!
Number Ten: Yep, Narcissa is ruthless and horrible. No, Regina and Rumple seem like kittens compared to her. Yeah, definitely has some Cora and Cruella traits. Glad you're enjoying!
Sexystarwarslover: Yeah, Narcissa's plan is diabolical to say the least. Yeah, I liked Swanfire and even if they didn't end up together, I wish they would have let him live for Henry's sake. And Rumple's. Yep, Emma is surprised that he's not only good at it, but dedicated. Yep, that's a loaded take a look. Narcissa wants her touch that cutlery. Yep, Emma is already a Daddy's girl. Yep, Snow has seen Wilby before. Yep, Narcissa's jealousy is insane. Yeah, red flags that she's being so nice to Emma. Yep, her talking about David makes Emma uneasy for reasons she wasn't ready for. Yep, she murdered Tamara to frame Emma. Things just got taken up a notch. Glad you're enjoying it!
AnonSnowing: Yep, Emma wasn't expecting him to not only be good at his job, but be dedicated. Yeah, she is either lying or broke it herself. I love that scene too where he starts dancing with her. Yep, Emma is slowly coming around. Yep, Snow is going to tell him about how she knows Wilby. Yeah, Emma is suspicious. Unfortunately, that may not help much. Yep, Narcissa took the knife. Yeah, she's getting closer. It's slow, but she's getting closer to believing. Yep, David is definitely a treat for the eyes. But he belongs to Snow and Narcissa better keep her grimy hands to herself. Yep, Tamara was toxic too and probably didn't deserve to die. But we won't miss her. Glad you're enjoying! :)
Clarity
Chapter 25: Evening Musings, Pt 1
David sat there on the sofa, with Snow cuddled against him, still in awe of her story. He remembered that day with a vivid clarity now, especially since he was now aware of who he had saved that day. He couldn't believe it. It had been Snow locked in that prison carriage that day. He looked at Wilby, who was cuddled with them with his head resting in Snow's lap, as she pet him. He clearly remembered her too.
"I can't believe it...that was you," he uttered.
"Mmm...and it was you who rescued me. You saved my life before we even knew it," she replied.
"You saved me too...you helped me save the farm for a bit longer that day," he said. She smiled.
"I guess we saved each other...as we always do," she replied, as they shared a kiss.
"I'm going to take Wilby out," he said, as he kissed her again.
"Okay…I'll figure out dinner while you do that," she replied, as he took Wilby out to do his business. While he did so by the tree outside, David saw Archie walk by with Pongo. The two dogs proceeded to sniff each other curiously.
"David...what a surprise," he said.
"Dr. Hopper," David greeted pleasantly.
"You seem to be adjusting well after the divorce," Archie mentioned. David raised an eyebrow. It was a little forward from the normally shy, ginger-haired man, but lacked a judgmental tone, so he took it in stride.
"Very well...I'm where I belong," he replied.
"Yes...you definitely lack the confusion that you were riddled with before," the other man confirmed.
"Many don't approve, but true love is true love," David replied.
"I'm happy for you both," Archie said.
"Have a good evening...come on Pongo," he called, as they moved on. David was a little brisk with him, but he knew the truth that his counterpart had participated in the lie about the wardrobe. He knew Jiminy had likely been uncomfortable with it, but also knew that his well known loyalty to Geppetto had prevented him from telling them the truth. Still...he felt a little bitter about it. He had trusted them on Snow's behalf, but he would never do so quickly again.
The dwarves had eventually warmed up to him and he had gained Leroy's respect, but his fondness for Dopey didn't always extend to the rest. And now that he had a confirmed case of betrayal from at last three people they had considered friends, he was even more protective than usual. Snow had always told him he was too protective, even with their friends, but now he knew even she would have to admit that he had reason for mistrust now. Not to say that the dwarves had done anything or known about the wardrobe, because he was fairly certain they didn't. He just didn't have a lot of faith that they would stand with them when things got rough. He only hoped they would surprise him in the end.
He returned to the apartment and Wilby found his bed, but he didn't see Snow so he went behind the curtain to their makeshift bedroom, only to find her undressed to her undergarments.
"I decided that we could get dinner later...because there's other things I'd rather do now," she said, as she bit her bottom lip coyly. He quickly closed the distance between them and kissed her passionately. Their lips parted long enough for her to quickly unbutton his shirt and then discard his undershirt. Their lips crashed together again and he lifted her up, as they tumbled to the bed.
Neal ate another bite and glanced across the table at his father, annoyed by the smirk on his face.
"Will you stop?" he asked.
"I'm not sure what you wish for me to stop?" Gold asked, as he took another bite.
"Being smug," Neal replied.
"And what reason would I have to be smug?" he asked.
"Because you're always smug when you think you're right," Neal replied.
"Well…I'm right a lot," Gold agreed. Neal scoffed.
"Look…I know you didn't like Tamara, but I was going to marry her. I'm upset," he said.
"Are you?" Gold asked.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Neal asked.
"Because I know when you're upset and I know when you're mildly bothered. This is mildly bothered. If you were upset, you would be picking at your food. Not inhaling it," Gold replied. Neal rolled his eyes and put his fork down, but then sighed.
"Fine…" he grumbled.
"It's okay to admit that you're not as upset as you think you should be and giving you ultimatums did little to help your relationship," Gold said.
"Yeah...maybe I should have told her, you know about the reality of this place," Neal replied.
"Do you really think that would have been wise?" Gold asked.
"I don't know...I mean it would have been hard for her to grasp…" he lamented.
"It would have been a disaster...and you know it," Gold said.
"Yeah...you could be a little less happy about it," Neal grumbled.
"I cannot be sad for this relationship ending. I am sad for you having to go through that, but it was doomed from the moment you met Emma again, perhaps before that even," Gold reasoned. Neal rolled his eyes, but was silent. When his father was right...he was right.
"Besides, young Henry was already calling her the step-monster. I don't believe he will be unhappy either," Gold added.
"Henry called her a step-monster?" Neal asked.
"I overheard him telling David at the Miner's Day festival. I believe he was looking to his other grandfather for a sense of comfort about the situation. Charming has that quality to make you feel like it's going to be okay," Gold admitted. Neal smirked.
"You do too when you let yourself...I mean before all the Dark One crap," he said, mocking his father's signature hand moves. Gold smirked too.
"Perhaps, but I'm content to let David handle that for now," he said.
"Yeah…Henry really loves him and he's not the only one warming up to him I think," Neal replied.
"Yes…I heard that Emma hired him as her Deputy," Gold mentioned.
"Yeah...she says it's because of his dog, which I didn't even know he had, but I know Emma. It's not just the dog. She feels safe around him...I can tell, because there was a time she felt safe with me. It's not something she's used to," Neal mentioned.
"Son…I know you are reluctant to take my advice, but you must tell her that you still have feelings for her," Gold implored.
"Dad...I hurt her way too badly for that," Neal protested.
"Because of the puppet, who is going to taste my cane if I find him," Gold growled.
"I doubt assault and battery on August is going to make things better between Emma and I," Neal said.
"Perhaps not...but it will make me feel better," Gold muttered and Neal rolled his eyes again.
"Though I suppose it would be awkward for you if your future wife has to arrest her future father-in-law," he added.
"Papa…" Neal protested, as Ruby brought them the check.
"Can I get you anything else?" she asked. Neal smiled.
"No...I think we're good, thanks," he said, as his father paid the check with a generous tip.
"Thanks," she said, as she took the bill and the cash.
Many Years Ago
Narcissa smirked and concealed the empty vial in her clutch, as the ceremony was prepared to begin. The wine in the cup beside the Holy Man would be the end of all her problems. One drop in her baby niece's mouth and she would be the fairest in all the realms once again.
"Thank you everyone for coming today," Eva said, as she and Leopold approached the altar where the Holy Man stood and Eva gently lay their infant daughter on the ceremonial podium.
"We have come here today to bless our new, tiny Princess, Snow White with the blessings of the Gods," the Holy Man said, as he presented the cup of wine.
"May she grow to be as kind and beautiful as her mother and as wise a ruler as her father," he said, as he prepared to put a drop of wine in the baby's mouth. Narcissa could hardly contain her glee, as the moment she had dreamed of since her tiny niece had drawn breath was finally at hand. So she should have known it would be interrupted.
Three flashes of color entered the room, revealing three fairies.
"Stop!" the red fairy called, as they approached the altar.
"What is the meaning of this?" Leopold demanded to know.
"We're terribly sorry, Your Majesty, but that wine has been poisoned!" the peridot fairy said. Eva gasped.
"Mmmhmm...and the culprit is in this room," the dark blue fairy said.
"Who on Earth would want to poison our child?" Eva asked. Flora looked at her with a sad expression.
"I'm afraid it is your own sister, Your Majesty," she revealed.
"No…" Eva uttered in disbelief, as she picked Snow up and cuddled her close to her chest.
"Discard this wine, immediately," Leopold ordered.
"Narcissa...please tell me this isn't true," Eva said, but the blonde's face revealed all that anyone needed to know.
"She's quite jealous of the tiny Princess," Fauna said.
"She's right...and this was not her first attempt. We thwarted the first and gave her a chance to do the right thing," Flora said.
"Which I knew was a mistake. We should have taken care of her the first time for trying to hurt this precious little one!" Merryweather said hotly.
"Narcissa...why?" Eva asked in tears.
"I am the fairest…" she replied.
"What?" Eva asked.
"I am the fairest in all the lands...until you became pregnant with that little mongrel!" Narcissa replied.
"My mirror always said I was the fairest...until her! Now she is the fairest!" she cried.
"You tried to kill my daughter...because she may be more beautiful than you!?" Eva exclaimed.
"I always knew you to be selfish and self absorbed, but I dismissed your flaws, because I loved you and thought you were mostly good. But you're not...you're evil!" Eva cried, as her daughter whimpered.
"If I am...then she made me that way!" Narcissa cried back.
"My daughter did not make you evil! You've always been this," Eva said.
"Our people starve and are taxed unfairly, while you live lavishly and spend beyond your means! I knew your vanity was always troublesome...it has been since mother and father presented you with that infernal enchanted mirror when we were children!" she continued.
"If I remember correctly, you were always jealous of my mirror," Narcissa said.
"At the time I was...but now I see it was a blessing not to have it, for it bred this sickness in you," Eva replied, as she turned to the red fairy.
"I must protect Snow from further attempts from her. How can I do that?" she asked.
"To protect Snow from her indefinitely...we must banish her," Flora replied.
"You will never banish me!" Narcissa cried, as she sought an exit.
"Guards!" Leopold bellowed and she was captured by them.
"Let me go! You cannot do this!" Narcissa said, as her enchanted mirror appeared in the Throne room.
"My mirror…" she uttered.
"You love your mirror so much so you will be banished to the mirror realm...for eternity," Flora announced, as the three fairies hit her with the magic of their wands. Narcissa screeched a terrible scream, as her essence was transferred inside the mirror.
"She cannot escape the mirror?" Leopold questioned.
"Only if it is broken. I suggest that you place it in a protected place," Flora said.
"The palace vault...guards, please take it there very carefully," Leopold ordered, as they carried out the task. Eva sniffed.
"We're so sorry we had to do that to your sister," Fauna offered. Eva nodded.
"No...it had to be done if she was a danger to my Snow...thank you," the Queen replied.
"We couldn't let anyone hurt this one...she has a very important and special future," Flora said. Eva smiled.
"She is so very special," Eva agreed.
"Oh yes...this beauty has much happiness in her future," Merryweather gushed. Eva gazed down at her daughter. She was sad about her sister, but knew it had to be done, for she couldn't bear to lose her precious Snow. She only wished her sister hadn't taken such a dark path, for she was missing out on the joys of being an aunt to her daughter, but she realized that Narcissa really wasn't capable of loving anyone else but herself. Fortunately, she vowed to raise her daughter differently and make sure she knew that everyone had value. Snow would be kind, beautiful, and a wise leader one day...