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:
Number Ten: Yeah, a touch of true crime. It's a bad situation that will probably get worse.
Grace5231973: Yeah, I'm surprised she's not as green as Zelena. Glad you're enjoying!
Jennifer Baratta: Yep, Regina will regret getting involved with Narcissa and both will fail. Glad you're enjoying.
Ghostwriter: Yep, things are definitely heating up. Yeah, I'm sure Ruby will come in to play eventually. Glad you're enjoying.
Sexystarwarslover: Yep, somehow she got out and is trying to destroy Snow now. Through Emma this time. Yep, murder in Storybrooke. Yep, Emma stayed at the loft. Yep, Snow just wants him to wear the holster and nothing else, heart eyes. Yep, here comes that performance. Yep, Narcissa had really evil plans for David, but thankfully Snow interrupted. Yeah, David would rather not think about his daughter being with anyone right now, not until he gets to know her better. We will eventually find out how she got out of the mirror realm. Yes, Snow is the best Queen. Glad you're enjoying!
AnonSnowing: Yep, Snow thought it was a dream, but fortunately it wasn't. Yeah, I hope they oust Regina from power, but I have a feeling they are in for a rough time. Yep, I bet Snow is dreaming about David in the holster all day. Yeah, Tamara was bad news, but didn't get a chance to do anything really terrible. She was always a pawn. Yep, Sidney is a rat. Yep, very convenient and definitely planned. Yep, Snow has no idea that she saved David there. Yeah, I don't think Narcissa is redeemable. Glad you're enjoying!
Clarity
Chapter 28: Murder in Storybrooke, Pt 2
Emma entered the morgue and the medical examiner was just getting the body on his table. She noticed his height and the glasses and her mind immediately went to the book and sighed.
"I know it's early...but can you give me a time of death?" she asked. He nodded and took the body temperature.
"Based on this body temperature, I would put the time of death between eight and ten pm last night," he said. She nodded and noted it on the report.
"Okay...it's pretty safe to say that a knife to the heart is the cause of death?" she asked.
"Most likely. The body is covered in multiple lacerations though, likely caused by the mirror shards," he replied.
"Do you think she was pushed into the mirrors before or after she was stabbed?" Emma asked.
"I won't be able to tell that until I complete the autopsy, but if she was pushed before she was stabbed, based on the amount of blood she would have lost, there was no need to stab her," he said.
"Of course, she could have been stabbed and then pushed as well. Like I said, I won't know which came first until I complete the autopsy," he added. She nodded.
"I'd like to know why she was in the back room of the dress shop when she was supposed to have already left town. Guess I have questions for Ms. Blake," Emma said, as she exited the morgue, only to come face to face with Regina and she sighed.
"What do you want?" Emma asked.
"There has been a murder in my town, Ms. Swan...and I want answers," Regina replied.
"And you'll have them as soon as we complete the investigation," Emma said.
"Well, no one really knew her except Mr. Cassidy. I hope you're questioning him," Regina replied.
"David is bringing him in for questioning this afternoon and I'm going to follow up with Ms. Blake. I'd like to know why Tamara was in her dress shop last night," Emma said.
"Why does that matter?" Regina asked, as they got to the elevator.
"Don't you think it's a bit strange that she was in the dress shop? Supposedly Neal was the only person she knew in Storybrooke and she said she was leaving. But she didn't," Emma replied. Regina pursed her lips.
"Perhaps, Ms. Swan...but maybe she had decided to leave in the morning and not the evening. It's a long trip back to New York, after all," she said.
"Just stay out of this and let me do my job," Emma snapped, as she got on the elevator. Regina smirked and approached the lab.
"M...Madam Mayor," the shy man said, as she entered.
"I want you to call me the minute you have any results on the handle of that knife," she said. He nodded nervously.
"And you'll tell no one about our conversation," she added and he nodded nervously again, as she walked out.
"Okay...let's start from the beginning. Obviously, the victim was found in the back room of your business. Did you know her?" David asked, as he recorded his interview with Narcissa.
"No...but she had come into my shop earlier to speak to the Sheriff," Narcissa said.
"Emma?" he asked curiously. The blonde nodded.
"Yes...and they had quite the heated argument," she explained, as she told him what she recalled. This would put suspicion on her and seal the deal when her fingerprints on the knife showed up.
Flashback
"Well, I'm glad I ran into you. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that you've won," she said. Emma rolled her eyes.
"What are you talking about?" Emma the blonde asked.
"I'm leaving town...Neal and I broke up," she revealed.
"Oh...well, I'm sorry to hear that, but I don't really give a damn," Emma replied, as she started to walk away.
"You can be in denial all you want, but I know you want him back!" Tamara accused. Emma turned and got in her face.
"Neal and I are over...so get it through your thick head that I'm not the reason your relationship is over!" Emma said.
"You're over with him, because you're a toxic bitch that would have done anything she could to cut me out of my son's life and move him away from here," she added. Tamara smirked.
"Henry would have adjusted and probably loved New York. But I guess now, we'll never know," she said.
"You're right...we won't and I can't say that I'm disappointed that you won't be my son's step-monster," Emma replied.
"Screw you, bitch," Tamara hissed.
"Back at you," Emma growled, before walking away. A few bystanders and Narcissa had witnessed the exchange and the latter had a pleased smile on her face.
"So Tamara stated she was leaving?" David asked.
"Yes...and I invited her into my shop to ask if she was okay. She seemed pretty rattled by her exchange with Sheriff Swan," Narcissa replied.
"Well…Emma would never hurt anyone, but did Tamara say anything?" he asked. Narcissa smirked.
"Only that she was hurt, because she knew her fiance was still in love with Emma. I consoled her...I'm no stranger to being rejected for someone else," she mentioned.
"What time did she leave your shop?" David asked.
"Actually...she didn't or at least, not before me," Narcissa replied. David looked at her skeptically.
"You left her alone in your shop?" he asked.
"Oh...yes, I guess we became friends and I offered her a job. I convinced her that leaving wasn't right and that she should fight for the man she loved," Narcissa replied.
"What?" Emma asked, as she arrived in the middle of the interview.
"And you're just now mentioning this?" David asked.
"I'm sorry...I was just so rattled before when I got to my shop the next morning and saw my new friend and employee...laying in a pool of her own blood," Narcissa said, choking up.
"Wait…Tamara was staying in town?" Emma asked.
"Yes...she changed her mind. She was going to visit Neal in the morning and try to work things out," Narcissa lied.
"I guess someone stopped her," she added, as Neal arrived at the station.
"My condolences to you, Mr. Cassidy," Narcissa said.
"Uh thanks…" he replied awkwardly.
"We need to talk," Emma said, as she pulled him aside.
"Is that all Deputy?" Narcissa purred.
"Yeah...that should be all for now. We can call you if we have any more questions," David replied. She smiled sultrily at him.
"Any time. It's not often I meet a man so chivalrous and...charming as you. Your Mary Margaret is a lucky woman," she leered.
"Uh...thanks," he replied awkwardly, as he got up and took the tape recorder and report to his desk. Narcissa watched him with a predatory gaze and then glanced at Emma. Soon, her niece's world would come crashing down and she couldn't wait to see it all.
"What's going on?" Neal asked.
"Did Tamara call you after you guys broke up?" Emma asked.
"No...she said we were done and that she was leaving town. That's the last I heard from her or saw her," he replied.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because Narcissa Blake says that Tamara changed her mind. She was with her after...we had that heated exchange and Ms. Blake for some reason convinced her to stay and fight for you," Emma replied. He looked confused.
"What?" he asked. She nodded.
"She gave her a job too...and then left her alone in the shop," Emma replied.
"That sounds fishy as hell," Neal said.
"That's what I thought," Emma agreed, as they peered out into the other room.
"Who is this woman and how is she even here?" Neal asked. Emma shrugged.
"She says her company is expanding into rural areas and she decided to head up one of the new stores...to get away from the big city for a while. At least, that's what she told me when I asked," she replied.
"Still weird…" he said.
"How...how are you?" she asked. He shrugged.
"Fine I guess...it sucks, because she didn't deserve that, even though we were done," Neal replied. Emma nodded.
"Uh…I'm going to have David take your statement," she mentioned. He nodded.
Snow finished filing the most recent stack of paperwork and decided to take her break, knowing that there would likely be a fresh stack of new paperwork to start on when she returned. The paperwork in a hospital never ended, after all. She made her way toward the break room when she passed a room where there was a patient making a ruckus.
"Don't you put that needle in me, you demon!" the black woman shouted.
"You are seriously disturbed, ma'am...and this is for your own good," the nurse said. It was the one that was always rude to her. She didn't know what name she went by in Storybrooke, but Snow was convinced that if she was someone from a story, it had to be Nurse Ratched and nothing would convince her otherwise. The woman was a menace.
"What are you doing?" Snow asked.
"This is none of your concern, Miss Blanchard. This woman came in last night, ranting and raving like a madwoman. She must be sedated," the nurse said.
"She doesn't sound mad at all," Snow protested.
"Oh so now you're a doctor? Please Miss Blanchard...you are on thin ice and one more complaint from me to your supervisor and you'll be on your way out, just like at the school," the nurse said snidely.
"Then you better fire me, because I'm not going to stand by and let you abuse someone!" Snow cried.
"What's all the commotion?" Whale bellowed, as he and nurse Fawn arrived at the room.
"This woman is trying to silence me! There's nothing wrong and now she's threatening this lovely young woman for trying to help me!" the woman cried. Whale picked up the chart.
"It says you came in delirious last night…" he said.
"I had too much to drink...I think you know plenty about that, Dr. Whale," she said bluntly and Snow had to swallow a chuckle.
"She's disturbed," the nurse insisted.
"Her tox screens are negative for any substances, other than some alcohol. That seems to be no reason for sedation and she's obviously sober now. There's no reason to keep her," Whale said. Snow noticed that the nurse seemed seriously nervous about the possibility of letting this woman go and that made Snow very curious as to why.
"You'll regret interfering," the nurse hissed to her, as she stormed out.
"Oh stars...child, how can I ever repay you!?" the woman cried dramatically, as she took her hands. Snow smiled.
"You don't have to thank me...I'm just glad we stopped her. She's awful," she said.
"Mmmhmm...you said it there. Are you a nurse here too?" she asked.
"Oh no...I'm not a nurse. I'm just a filing clerk," Snow replied.
"Hmmm...something tells me you're not just anything," the woman said. Sarah smiled.
"Mary Margaret definitely has a way with patients; a bedside manner that Whale and many of the other nurses around here lack," she said.
"You said it...what's a doll like you doing working here?" the woman said, as she gathered her things.
"Oh...well, I was a teacher, but I was fired," Mary Margaret replied.
"Oh…I remember reading about you now. Girl, that was straight up criminal what they did to you," she said. Mary Margaret shrugged.
"Some don't think so and say I destroyed a marriage," she replied.
"Mmmhmm...that marriage was over before you and I'd say him falling for you without his memories is hardly your fault. I bet it's hard for anyone to not fall in love with you, let alone hate you," she said.
"Oh, there's plenty that manage to hate me," Snow replied.
"Their loss...come on, let me buy you a coffee," she said.
"Really?" Snow asked.
"Mmmhmm...we're gonna be friends now," the boisterous woman said, as she put an arm around the petite, raven haired beauty.
"You saved me from that nasty nurse throwing me back in a padded room. One talk with Dr. Hopper and one too many drinks and it would be back to the funny farm for me," she said. Snow smiled. So it was true. Nurse Ratched was in charge of the basement level and this confirmed it was what she suspected. The Psych ward and Snow had a feeling there were people down there that did not belong.
"You've...you've been downstairs before?" Snow asked curiously.
"Afraid so honey...hope that doesn't scare you off," the woman replied.
"Not at all...I want to hear all about that injustice," Snow said.
"Okay...but only if you tell me all about that fine man you snagged," she gushed, making Snow giggle.
"Fair enough...but I don't know your name," she said.
"Solana Storm," she said. "Mary Margaret Blanchard," Snow replied.