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
New Face Claims:
Lucian Blackwater: Graham Greene
Malachi Wolfe: Scott Adkins
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:
Jennifer Baratta: Thanks, glad you liked it!
Ghostwriter: Thanks, glad you're enjoying!
Guest: Yep, it's definitely interesting that they are all working together. Glad you like it!
Number Ten: Yep, it's a shaky alliance to say the least. I'm glad you like Narcissa's motive. That was what I wanted to go with. A very vain, simplistic reason for her hatred. I love Once, but sometimes I just need a villain that's pure evil. I do love that the show goes deeper. I just get annoyed when they want us to feel sorry for the villains, but they demonize the heroes if they make mistakes. Yeah, I was never a big Zelena fan. I love most of the redemptions too. Glad you're enjoying it!
Antimorra: Yeah, Regina kind of had to give up her biggest bargaining chip here, but Narcissa is a much bigger threat. Glad you liked Charming and Regina's verbal battles. Those are always fun. I'm happy to be bringing Belle into the mix too. Thanks, I'm glad you think so. You're welcome.
Grace5231973: Me too, I'm glad to be bringing Belle into the fold. I know, I hated that a bit too and that Snow forgave her when she was terrible to her most of the time. Me either. Narcissa is definitely worse though. I love Merryweather and would like to see her as head of the fairies too.
Sexystarwarslover: Yes, Rumple and Belle will have a lot to talk about. Regina is lucky Belle is not a vengeful person and can keep Rumple from seeking revenge. At least for now. Yep, David is right not to trust Regina fully. Yep, Snow is beautiful inside and out. Yep, Regina might think twice about hurting Snow with Merryweather around. Lol, yep it was a little different than not showering, but thankfully Snow is immune. Remember Xizor from Forever Destined. This is kind of like that. Yep, Regina was hoping to get rid of Emma. Thankfully, that's not going to happen now. Yep, the exchange between Gold and Regina is about what you'd expect. Yep, Merryweather is going to do some investigating. Glad you're enjoying it!
AnonSnowing: Thanks! Yeah, it remains to be seen if Emma is immune, but since she's the Savior and can't have her heart ripped, then she may be immune too. Yeah, other women might not be. It's definitely going to be a worry when they know what's going on. Hopefully Gold can figure out an antidote. Yeah, I'm afraid it's not a bath thing, but a pheromone thing. Yep, they will have to be careful with Regina. Yeah, Narcissa's reason for hating Snow is very vain and unreasonable to say the least. I think Snow is the most beautiful too. I know, Charming is so wonderful. Yeah, Regina definitely underestimated them too much. Yep, Belle is awake! Yeah, Regina is unhappy so she likes to keep other people apart. Glad you're enjoying it!
Clarity
Chapter 43: You Get What You Give
Greg made it back to his room at the Inn that night and pulled out the file he had managed to snag.
"Okay…let's see what secrets you'll reveal to me about this evil town," he muttered, as he flipped through the pages. He was immediately confused though. The first few pages detailed cases. One was an arrest for a drunken disorderly for a man named Leroy. Another was for petty theft, a breaking and entering case, and a domestic dispute. That wasn't what confused him though, because he found the same identical cases repeated over and over again. It was bizarre to say the least.
"It's like Groundhog's Day," he muttered, as he found nothing about his father. It made no sense, unless that woman had made sure whatever report the Sheriff might have written never found its way into the records. He tossed the file away in frustration. He was still at square one…which meant that the only to find anything was from Mayor Mills herself. He dialed his employer.
"The file has nothing…she must have hidden the information about my father," Greg said.
"Or she made sure nothing was recorded at all. I warned you that this was a possibility," Narcissa said.
"Then I need to interrogate her!" Greg hissed.
"I have something better. The debate is coming up and I will make arrangements so that you can be the moderator and ask the questions. Then you can start interrogating her in front of the entire town," Narcissa offered. He smirked.
"And expose her to everyone for what she did. I'll make her tell us and if she refuses, they'll still think she's a murderer," he said.
"Yes…and then I will win and once we're in power, then you can do whatever you want to her, while I take care of my enemies," Narcissa replied, as he hung up the phone.
"Enjoy your time in power, Mayor Mills…because your time is coming to an end. You will tell me what you did to my father and then I'll kill you,"
Regina finished writing out her statement on the paper and signed the official document. She put the pen down and slid the paper over to David and he scanned the page.
"Is everything in order?" she asked.
"Looks like it…you're implicating Narcissa in the murder and Emma's innocence. I'll deliver this to George first thing in the morning," David replied. Snow smiled.
"Which means he should drop the charges by breakfast, right?" she asked. David smiled and kissed her cheek.
"He better," he said.
"You know we can have the court officer deliver those to him, right?" Emma asked. David smirked.
"I know, but I want to deliver them myself and watch George's wrinkled old face when he realizes he has to drop the charges," he said.
"So…he's not your real father or my grandfather?" she asked curiously.
"Gods no…" David replied.
"I'm not excusing the ass my brother was and all the evil things he probably did, but George is one hundred percent the reason he was like that," he said, as he scanned the page.
"Even if my father was only marginally better, at least what I remember," David added.
"Yeah…there were a lot of drunk foster dads in some of the homes I was in. I get it," she offered, as he looked up and he sighed, as Snow looked heartbroken by that.
"Oh, I'm not saying it so you guys feel bad…it just is what it is," she said, as Snow gently squeezed her hand.
"Emma…I'm so sorry," Snow offered.
"I know…and if anyone should be apologizing, it should be Queenie here," Emma said. Regina smirked.
"Yeah…it will be a cold day in Hades before that happens," she retorted and Emma rolled her eyes.
"Whatever…guess we're done," she said.
"We are…but remember our truce. Narcissa won't take this lightly," Regina replied.
"We know…we'll be ready for her," David assured her.
Malachi dried the glassware and put it away, as only a few stragglers remained in the bar.
"You know, I have twice the customers in my old bar, even at this time of night. Remind me why we moved to sleepy town USA?" he growled. Lucian smirked in amusement.
"Easy…money will not be a problem soon once we break ground on the new casino," he said.
"That's years away…I just don't understand what we're after in this stupid town. I'm more restless than I have been since I left the Enchanted Forest. Being here…isn't good for me," he said.
"You want to hunt again…Snow White has stirred the need in your loins," he said knowingly.
"And me hunting beloved princesses would be bad for business," he replied.
"But it will be worth the revenge and once the curse breaks, we will have it," Lucian said.
"How? Your tribe, which banished you, is still in Neverland," Malachi reminded him. He smirked.
"Are they?" Lucian asked.
"What are you talking about?" Malachi asked.
"Come with me," Lucian replied, as they left the secondary bartender they had hired to look after the place, while Lucian led him further into the east end of town. The quality of living clearly declined the further east you went in town. It was filled with small trinket shops and some necessities like a run down grocery store, a dingy laundromat, and everything the west side of town had, only clearly more diminished and poor.
"Didn't know Storybrooke had a poor part of town," Malachi said.
"Every town has a poor part," Lucian said, as they spotted a few people out and about. One was clearly a drug dealer and they saw a couple women outside what was clearly a brothel.
"Do you think the heroes know this is here?" he questioned. Lucian smirked.
"No…because when time was not moving, everyone was unaware of anything other than their routine. Now that time is moving again, that is changing and the Sheriff has already had trouble at the Cannery, though most on this side of town don't call the Police when they have trouble. They don't trust royals or law enforcement in this part of town. But where we are going is beyond that," Lucian said, as they arrived in an alcove of town that had some modular homes and its own amenities that looked just as poor.
"This reminds me of some of the reservations out west," Malachi mentioned.
"That's exactly what it is," Lucian said.
"I...I still don't get it. Are…are you saying your tribe was cursed too?" Malachi asked.
"Exactly. My brother, the proud chief, lives in that one with his beloved niece. My other brother lives just next door and then you have many of the other members of the tribe and others of the Tribal council, a few of which are still allies to me," Lucian replied.
"That's why we're here…why didn't you tell me that you cursed your tribe and how the hell did you even pull that off? The curse didn't extend to Neverland," Malachi replied. He smirked.
"No…but Tigerlily was foolish enough to be in the Enchanted Forest at the time. She disobeyed her father in favor of her duties as a fairy and went to help an ailing soul that called for her help. But that was all a ruse to lure him and most of the tribe to bring her back when she got into trouble. They did not make it back," he said.
"You made sure of that I see…but now what?" Malachi asked.
"Tomorrow, I will be visiting the Tribal Council meeting and present my case to bring prosperity to the tribe. A beautiful Casino full of good paying jobs and a new apartment development. Without their memories, enough of the Trial leaders will name me the new Chief and when they all remember, I will have power and there will be nothing my golden brothers can do about it," he explained.
"A Casino would completely change the economy here and with Narcissa as Mayor…you'll control almost everything," Malachi realized.
"Exactly. Albert Spencer will be easily bought and we'll control the courts too," he said.
"What about law enforcement? Prince Charming and his precious daughter can't be bought," Malachi said.
"It won't matter. They will have no jurisdiction on the reservation and Albert Spencer won't prosecute us once we make our generous offer and with Narcissa as Mayor, we can do as we please," Lucian replied.
"And if your brother joins forces with the Charmings?" Malachi asked.
"He can join the heroes if he wants…it will keep things interesting," Lucian replied in amusement.
"You know, you could have told me that you cursed your tribe," Malachi said, as they headed back to the bar.
"Oh now…what's the fun in that? I thought it would be a nice surprise," he mused. Malachi shook his head, but said no more.
Their breathing came in heavy gasps, as they came down and she pressed her forehead against his. She was straddled across his lap and he was propped up on the pillows against the headboard. He kissed her lips tenderly and she mewled into his kiss, as his hands slid up her naked back. She breathed, as their lips parted and she pulled off him, before settling down in his arms against his chest.
"Wow…" he said, still in a daze from their passionate, frantic romp.
"Mmm…I guess I just had to have you now," she mused playfully.
"You can always have me…especially like that," he said, as they shared a smile.
"I guess I just needed to put all that nervous, anxious energy to good use," she mentioned.
"You don't have to worry…the charges against Emma will have to be dropped," he said.
"I know…but she killed another human being just so she could frame our daughter for murder to hurt me," she said and he sighed.
"I know…it's sociopathic for sure. I thought Regina was bad, but I have a feeling she can't hold a candle when it comes right down to it," he replied.
"Maybe at her worst she could…in her darkest days, but she's changed in some ways. She's learned to love again…even if she still hates us," Snow pointed out.
"Henry," he said.
"Then she has to know that hurting Emma and us will hurt him," he added.
"And I think in time…maybe she will or maybe I'm being naïve again," she said, as he kissed her forehead.
"Wanting her to heal is not naïve. You still care about her…that's understandable," he said. She gave him a look.
"No Charming…normal people don't care about people that have tried to kill them and have cursed them," she admonished. He smirked.
"You're not normal…but in the best way," he replied.
"Or…I'm crazy," she said.
"You are not crazy. Just the fact that you are willing to forgive everything she's done, even if it ends up just being for Henry's sake is amazing, Snow. You're so good…I wish you could see that," he replied.
"I try to be good…I'm not sure I always am," she said thoughtfully.
"No one is perfect…even you," he replied.
"We all make mistakes and have bad thoughts. For instance, when we were finally together after the sleeping curse, I thought about sealing the dwarves up in the mines so we could be alone," he said, making her giggle.
"Charming…" she admonished.
"What? They wouldn't go away…and I know you were frustrated too," he said.
"I was. If I remember correctly, that's why we frequently started ditching them. They thought we got lost…but I knew exactly where we were each time. We just got lost in each other," she said, as they shared another smile.
"We did…if Granny and Red knew that we didn't even wait for our first wedding night, they would have killed me," he replied.
"Mmm…no they wouldn't. No one would have dared to touch you and face my wrath," she said.
"And…Red knew. She smelled it on me, you know wolf thing, I guess. I told her I was not some dainty, virtuous princess that needed her honor protected and if she kept thinking that about me that I was going to get very cranky with everyone," she added, as she caressed his face.
"I told her that I knew exactly what I wanted and you never made a move that I didn't want you to," she said. He smiled.
"Lucky me," he replied. She smiled back.
"Yes…lucky you," she said, as her hands wandered and she watched his eyes glaze.
"I think you can guess what I want now, Charming…" she said, as he kissed her passionately and their love consumed them once more…