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: Yep, I thought August needed to pop up again in this to shed some light. No, they will soon know all about Narcissa. Glad you're enjoying! :)
Jennifer Baratta: Yep, Narcissa and Regina are going down, eventually. Yeah, David showed some impressive restraint with August. Glad you're enjoying it.
Grace5231973: Yep, they know she's from the Enchanted Forest and will soon know more. Yeah, I'm glad August came clean for once too, even if it's probably still to save his own skin. Glad you're enjoying!
Ghostwriter: Yep, things are heating up. They know Narcissa is from their land and will soon know more. Yup, Merryweather is awake. Glad you're enjoying it!
Sexystarwarslover: Yeah, it wouldn't surprise me of the site was glitchy lately. Glad you found it though. No, Queen Eva shouldn't have died. Cora made sure she did though so she could make Regina Queen. I know, they had that stolen from them. It's not fair. Yep, David was right. She slowly came around. Yes, they know who Narcissa is now and will know more soon. Just wait until they find out it was because of her own vanity. Yep, I think Solana will get her freed on bail. Yep, those pesky pink poppies did the trick again. Yep, Narcissa and Regina will go down. Yeah, August needs to face the music for his part in all of this. I heard David saying that too, lol. Yep, she's Snow's Aunt she had no idea existed. Glad you're enjoying it!
AnonSnowing: That's okay, things happen. Yeah, no magic, so no enchantment in the mirrors. Yeah, she will hate it when Regina realizes that she's nuts and she turns good. Yeah, basically the curse is responsible for releasing her. Yep, someone erased her and we will eventually find out how and why. I know, Blue sucks. Yep, David knows her well and I'm sure her tutor was boring and unengaging. Yep, they know she's Snow's Aunt now and Merryweather is awake! Yep, now we just need the curse to break. No, Tamara was not who she seemed and they may get more visitors. You're welcome!
Clarity
Chapter 34: The Hearing
"Your Aunt?" Emma asked. Snow nodded.
"One that I had no idea that existed...until just an hour ago," the raven haired beauty said, as she showed her the photo they had taken from the large tome.
"This book is enchanted and if history or memories had been altered with magic, this book would remain untouched," Gold inserted.
"How do you erase the memories of an entire Kingdom and more importantly, why?" Emma asked.
"There are ways," Gold affirmed.
"And we don't know why. We also don't know how she escaped our land or the curse...or why she's here now," David said. Snow looked at her.
"But if she's trying to hurt you...then there is a possibility that she's doing it to hurt me, just like Regina is," she said.
"But why would she hate you if she doesn't even know you?" Emma asked.
"That's the real question," David replied.
"Maybe it was your mother she hated and that transferred to you?" Neal suggested. Snow considered that for a moment.
"It could be...I just wish we knew why," Snow said.
"The question is how do we figure it out without tipping her off that we know who she is," David said, thinking for a moment.
"We have Ruby...but I doubt she's going to tell her anything about her real past," Snow said.
"Wait…Ruby?" Emma asked, as David looked at her.
"Uh yeah...Ruby quit the diner and I sort of hired her to get a job at the dress shop to spy on Narcissa," he replied.
"That could be bad if this woman is dangerous," Emma warned.
"I know...and I know Ruby is cursed right now, but Red is still inside her and trust me when I tell you, Emma...she's the best for this kind of thing," David assured her. Emma didn't protest, but still looked uneasy about the whole thing. She didn't like it when people were putting themselves at risk for her. She was already uncomfortable with accepting the fact that David had already almost died for her. She was surprised when Snow reached through the bars and took her hand.
"Don't worry, Emma...if this woman is using you to get to me...then we'll stop her. We've stopped Regina before and we'll stop them both," Snow assured her. Emma nodded, as David put his hands on Snow's shoulders.
"We brought you clothes for court in the morning," Snow said, as she picked the garment bag up from the desk and hung it up.
"Thanks," Emma replied. David walked to the cell and unlocked it.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"You need a hug and I'm not making you get one through the bars," he said, as Snow rushed into the cell and surprised the blonde with a tight hug.
"It's going to be okay, Emma…" Snow said tearfully, as she pulled back and cupped her face.
"I know you were alone...and that haunts us everyday. But never again...I promise. Never again," Snow said, as she hugged her again and slowly, Emma hugged her back. David let them have a moment and then slowly approached, as he put his arms around both of them and gently cupped the back of Emma's head.
"Thanks...but you guys better close the cell in case Mayorzilla comes in here and has a conniption," Emma warned, breaking the silence. They smiled and stepped out of the cell, before David locked it again.
"But this isn't for much longer...we're getting you out," he promised. She nodded, wondering if she dared to hope.
"You had better...and whoever messed up that email order to Paris better be packing up their desk as we speak. Such a blunder cannot be tolerated," Narcissa said, as she conducted a meeting, via conference call, while Ruby worked nearby and listened in. So far, she hadn't learned anything except that Narcissa Blake was a grade A bitch.
"The numbers for last month were disappointing to say the least. I should fire the entire marketing team for these dismal numbers," she continued.
"Your team had better have a new ad campaign ready to go in a week's time or I will do just that," she said, as she listened.
"I don't care how much overtime you all have to work...I want a new, fresh commercial spot by the end of the week or you're all fired!" she shouted, as she slammed the phone down and then calmly composed herself.
"Sorry you had to hear that...but sometimes you have to drop the hammer on disobedient people when they don't see your vision for success," Narcissa said.
"Not at all...I admire a strong, powerful woman. I hope to be one," Ruby replied, trying to endear herself to the other woman.
"Well...pay attention and perhaps you will be," she said, as she grabbed her purse.
"I'm going to see what all the commotion is about at the Courthouse today. You're in charge," she said, as she walked out. Ruby shook her head at the woman and then immediately started to snoop on the computer. There was a massive amount of data and files though so she pulled out a flash drive, since she didn't know how much time she had.
"Screw it...let's just get it all," she said, as she initiated a copy of the entire contents of the laptop.
Snow and David got home and he helped her remove her coat, hanging it up for her and then his own. He watched her, as she turned on a lamp and found himself marveling at her as he often did. It may have been twenty-eight years, but to them, it didn't feel like hardly any time had passed at all. It felt like yesterday that they were newlyweds expecting their first child. Though he was certain that whether twenty-eight years or fifty some years had passed, they would never exit the honeymoon phase. Their love was special and eternal, he knew that for certain.
"Thank you…" Snow said, as she slipped her arms around his waist. He smiled slightly.
"For what?" he asked.
"For letting me hug Emma...I know it's against protocol to open her cell," she replied. He scoffed.
"Yeah, well...I've never been a protocol or by the book guy," he replied, as he gently caressed her beautiful face.
"Besides...even if I was, you know I do anything for you and Emma," he added.
"I know…" she said, as she kissed him tenderly. Their lips parted briefly, before he kissed her again, this time with much more heat and passion. Snow mewled into his kiss and shivered in anticipation of what was to come. She started unbuttoning his shirt and pulled back long enough so he could lift her blouse over head, before they resumed their kissing.
"Charming…" she uttered in a breathy whisper, as he kissed her throat and his hands rested firmly on her waist. Her nimble fingers undid his belt and unzipped his jeans, as he lifted her up like she weighed nothing. She wrapped her arms around his waist and he moved toward their bed, which caught them amid their frenzied passion.
The next morning, Neal walked into the station in his suit and was surprised to see Emma in a nice dress with a blazer jacket.
"Wow…" he said.
"What?" she asked defensively.
"N...no, you look really nice. Great in fact," he replied.
"Oh...well, thanks," she said.
"I got you a cocoa at the diner and I didn't tell your parents I was getting one for you, so they'll probably bring you another," he replied. She gave him a long look and then took a sip.
"Can't have too much cocoa," she mentioned.
"It still weirds you out when I call them your parents, huh?" he asked.
"A little," she admitted.
"But you know they are," Neal said smugly. She rolled her eyes.
"Yes...can we not talk about this? Because whether they are my parents or not doesn't keep me out of jail right now," she replied.
"I know...I hope Ruby manages to find something. Dad is trying to find more information on Narcissa in some of his books that can't be altered, now that he knows what to look for," he said.
"Yeah...you know it's weird too," Emma said.
"What's weird?" he asked.
"All the mirrors in her shop. I mean...she even has them on the ceiling. Isn't the Evil Queen the mirror enthusiast?" she asked.
"Yeah…I read that she used them to communicate back in our land. I even saw where your parents used to cover them in their castle so she couldn't see in," Neal replied.
"Well, that's creepy…" Emma muttered.
"Yeah...but if Narcissa has a thing for mirrors, that could be something too," Neal said, as he texted the information to his father. Snow and David entered at that moment and were wearing dress clothes as well.
"Solana is meeting us at the Courthouse…" Snow said, as she gave her a hug.
"Thanks...guess we better go," Emma replied, as they left.
"All Rise," the bailiff said, as the Judge entered the room and they followed instructions. Once the Judge was seated, they all took their seats again.
"I'm so nervous…" Snow whispered to her husband. He squeezed her hand.
"I know...me too. But I also have faith. We'll get our daughter out of this and find the truth," he promised. She nodded and the Judge began to speak.
"The Court will come to order in the bond hearing for Emma Swan. The Court will hear from the prosecution first," he said. Albert Spencer rose from his seat and buttoned his suit coat, before approaching the Judge. Snow could feel her husband tense next to her and she squeezed his hand.
"Your Honor...the prosecution's request is that any bond be denied to the defendant. We have simple evidence in Emma Swan's past that she is, in fact, a flight risk," he said. Solana held her tongue. As a litigator, she wanted to object, but this wasn't the trial and only a hearing. The Judge would only remand her for an outburst.
"Emma Swan has never lived anywhere in her life for more than two years. She has a criminal record and history as a vagabond," he added.
"The prosecution requests that bail be denied and the defendant remain in lockup until her trial," George stated.
"Noted. Now the court will hear from the Defense," the Judge stated. Solana rose from her seat and approached the Judge.
"Solana Storm for the defendant, Your Honor," she stated.
"The defense is asking that Emma Swan be granted release on bond, pending trial. The prosecution's argument on her being a flight risk is weak at best. In her youth, Emma Swan may have bounced from place to place, but that was before she was our duly elected Sheriff and a mother," Solana argued.
"Emma Swan loves her son, Henry Mills, with all of her heart and nothing would drag her away from Storybrooke, because she knows that would break his little heart," she continued.
"This investigation is also far from over, despite the charges. Acting Sheriff Nolan is still investigating this case as an open homicide and my client is innocent until proven guilty," she added.
"I can guarantee the court that my client is innocent and innocent people with strong ties to the community do not run," she concluded, before sitting back down. The Judge took a moment and Snow clutched his hand tightly.
"I've reviewed these requests thoroughly, as they were previously submitted to me both by the defense and the prosecution," he stated.
"I would be lax if I didn't have my concerns with Emma Swan's past and lack of roots, but recently, she has proven that those days are behind her," he said.
"With a few stipulations, I am inclined to agree with the defense's argument and am granting bail in the amount of ten thousand dollars," he announced. The outrage on Regina's face was evident and Snow let out a small cry of relief.
"However, Ms. Swan will wear an ankle monitor and if she leaves the vicinity of town proper, bail will be revoked and I will order that she be taken back into custody," he added.
"You may post bond for immediate release pending trial," he announced, as he slammed the gavel down. Emma smiled and hers mirrored Neal's, as they hugged. Snow and David hugged tightly and he kissed her hair.
"I told you...have faith," he said.
"But where are we going to get ten thousand dollars?" she asked.
"Only ten percent of that needs to be posted," Solana told them.
"Okay...we can see if we can scrape a thousand together," David said.
"No need...consider her bail paid in full," Gold said, as appeared.
"What's the price?" David asked, as Gold looked at the happiness on his son's face.
"My son's happiness, which seems to be met," he replied, as he walked away. Snow smiled and surprised Solana with a hug. The woman melted then and hugged her back.
"Thank you so much...I don't know how I'll ever repay you for everything," she said.
"Well...we haven't won yet, but we will, honey and there's no need," she replied.
"At least come have a celebratory lunch with us at Granny's," Snow offered. Solana smiled.
"Now that is an offer I will not refuse," she replied, as they followed Emma and Neal out of the courtroom, leaving a seething Regina behind with an equally seething Albert Spencer. But perhaps the most frightening thing was the murderous look on Narcissa Blake's face...