Disclaimer: I own nothing escept the plot and any unrecognizable characters and dialogue.
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This chapter is a bit shorter than the others simply because there wasn't an easy way to incorporate Lily into this very David/Mary Margaret centric episode.
Lily watched David silently as the beginnings of panic formed on his face. She sighed, rubbing at her still sore eyes before she looked down at Henry. Despite her attendance at David's 'Welcome Home' party, Regina had insisted on Lily being there to help keep an eye on Henry.
Personally, Lily still wasn't sure why Regina even trusted her with Henry, especially after the incident in the mines. Then again, Lily was pretty much the only option Regina had in terms of a baby-sitter. The sound of footsteps made both Henry and Lily look up, neither surprised to see Emma awkwardly wandering over to them.
"So...you guys having fun?" The blonde asked dryly, not really expecting an answer. The two had been hiding out on the stairs the moment they'd arrived at the Nolan's.
"Well," a side of Lily's mouth twisted up in a smirk. "Clearly, not as much fun as David's having." She punctuated her words with a nod towards the confused man.
"Lily, I don't think he's having fun-" Henry stopped and turned to pout up at his baby-sitter. "Hey..."
Lily's smirk grew, though she gave the boy a one-armed hug. "We still need to work on your sarcasm."
Emma threw them both an exasperated look that had them beaming up at her. Shaking her head, she turned back to watch the obviously stressed man. "Yeah, he doesn't look like he's having too much fun."
"Well, he is trying to remember an entire lifetime." The dark-haired teen pointed out.
Unsurprisingly, Henry began to bounce right next to her. "You know why he doesn't remember?" He asked excitedly. "The curse isn't working on him yet."
"Henry, David has amnesia." Emma explained patiently.
"Well, it's preventing the curse from replacing his fairy tale story with fake memories."
Emma exhaled deeply. "Right." She agreed, clearly resigned to this argument. "Because everyone here has fake stories that prevent them from remembering who they really are."
"Right." Henry agreed, either ignoring or unaware of Emma's sarcasm. Lily hoped it was the latter. "And now's our chance to help him. We just have to get him to remember that he's-"
"He's Prince Charming." Lily said easily, ignoring Emma's dirty look.
Henry was bouncing again. "We just have to jog his memory by getting him and Miss Blanchard together."
Emma looked away from Lily to frown at Henry. "Didn't we just try that?"
"And it woke him up." Henry responded smugly as David wandered over to the little group.
"Hey." He greeted tiredly, looking at all three of them carefully. "You're the ones who saved me, right?"
Emma blinked. "Oh, yeah. I guess."
"And, uh, you're also the only ones I know here..." He trailed off, making Lily smile.
"You can hide with us." She offered.
"Fantastic." David sighed in relief as a man passed with a tray of appetizers. He reached out and stabbed a cocktail weenie with a toothpick. "Oh, thank you."
"So, you ever use a sword?" Henry asked casually, only for Lily to nonchalantly reach out and clasp a hand over his mouth.
David frowned in confusion as Henry tried to pull free. "I'm sorry?" The man chuckled out before he turned to the amused blonde. "Emma, you live with Mary Margaret, right? You know if she's coming tonight?"
"No, she couldn't make it." She offered shortly, sharing a look with Lily.
"Oh." David looked down, clearly aware of the bite in Emma's reply. After making small-talk with them for several minutes, he wandered off and was swallowed up by the crowd.
Soon after, Whale wandered over to the trio, quickly making sure that Lily's stitches were holding up.
"Well, you seem to be blessed by something." Whale clucked as he ran his fingers along the raised skin. While he was a bit of a lech, Lily also knew he wouldn't try anything on her, especially with the town deputy mere inches from them.
Lily raised an eyebrow in response. "Meaning?" A hiss escaped her when he hit a tender spot.
"Well, there's barely going to be a scar and it's right in the hairline." He pulled his hand away, allowing Lily's hair to fall back into place. That done, he quickly fell into conversation with Emma while Henry and Lily continued to 'people watch'.
"Think we can get him to remember?" Henry asked quietly as Lily rested her head on his.
His baby-sitter hummed in response, fiddling with the charm that rested against her chest. Henry caught sight of it and reached out, gently holding it as awe filled him.
"This is the charm from the book." He whispered as Lily nodded in response. "Hey, Lillian?"
"Yeah?" She asked, her eyes narrowing when she saw Kathryn walking towards them.
"Who was your mother?"
"Help! Please, my daughter-"
"Well, well!" Beauregard turned at the sight of Rumpelstiltskin perched on the crumbling wall behind him. Bright amber eyes bored into his, making him shiver. "What is it you need, dearie?" He gazed at the sleeping girl in her father's arms. "Your little princess, seems just fine to me!"
Beauregard stiffened at the title, though forced himself to remain calm. "Dark One, I need you to remove some of my daughter's memories."
Rumpelstiltskin uncrossed his legs before he gracefully leapt down from the wall. Striding forward, he raised a hand to the girl's forehead, ignoring the man's flinch. Tsking, he ran through her memories before stiffening.
"Where or where did she meet him?" He hissed out dangerously, not taking his eyes off the slumbering girl. Curiousity welled inside him, though he crushed it as soon as it came. What he did, was of little concern to Rumpelstiltskin, though he'd never seen him go after one as young as this.
"He must have been coming to her window." Beauregard lied, though the Dark One seemed far more interested in his daughter than his words. "But, I want you to remove all traces of him. Can you?"
"Oh, yes, yes, yes." Raising his eyes, Rumpelstiltskin grinned in an unsettling manner. "But, for that, there's a price!"
"Anything."
Raising a hand to his chin, the Dark One examined the stricken father quietly. "Do you still have Katerina's charm?" A small smirk grew. "Or should I call her by her more famous name?"
The other man stiffened, his embrace on the girl tightening enough that the little girl stirred. A flick of his hand and Rumpelstiltskin sent the little girl back to her dreams.
"Please, do not say that name." Beauregard pleaded through clenched teeth. His wife's story was well known throughout the realm, yes. However, not many knew that his wife was the girl from the tale. "It has become buried with her."
The Dark One eyed him curiously. "So it has." To his surprise, Beauregard shifted his daughter to one arm before he offered a small, golden ring to him.
"Here."
Greedily taking the ring, Rumpelstiltskin flipped it over in his fingers and sighed at the magic that came from it. "Much as it pains me, I must admit, the fairies know their magic!"
The other man didn't deign to reply to that, staring stonily at the cursed ring. "You have your payment-now, my daughter-"
Rumpelstiltskin darted forward on light feet and placed a scaled hand on the child's forehead. Muttering softly, he searched through her mind, delicately taking out any memory of the green-eyed boy and his shadow. Satisfied with his work, he retracted his hand as the little girl sighed in her father's arms.
"There, now she shall forget all about Peter Pan."
"So, how'd you wind up with Gold as a guardian?" Emma asked as they climbed the stairs to the apartment.
Lily shrugged, tossing her hair out of her face. "Apparently the mood struck him and he decided to adopt poor, little me." To be honest, even she didn't know the whole story Regina had cooked up to explain Lillian's adoption.
Emma's eyebrows shot into her hairline but she said nothing else, simply unlocking the door. The sight of Mary Margaret practically attacking a plate roughly with a brillo pad made Lily's eyebrows raise as well.
"You might want to ease up, or that brillo pad's going to press charges." Emma pointed out as the two stepped into the apartment.
Mary looked up, her hands freezing mid scrub. "Dishes were just piling up…"
"This wouldn't have anything with David stopping by, would it?" Lily asked as she waltzed to the fridge and got out the milk. Taking the cocoa powder from the cupboard, she sent Mary Margaret a grimace. "We saw him skulking away when we pulled up."
Mary Margaret blinked once. Twice. Then proceeded to stutter out, "We just, uh…He just…"
"Yeah, I know." Emma agreed calmly. "You're both just. And you did the right thing."
"He made a pretty compelling case." Mary Margaret sighed, looking down at the dishes.
At her forlorn expression, Lily placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Compelling or no, he's still married."
"Believe us, we know-we were just at the party." Emma added dryly.
"What do I do?"
Emma reached over and pried the brillo pad from Mary Margaret's clenched fingers. "You need to stop cleaning. And have a drink."
Lily watched, mildly amused, as Emma got out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. Stirring her now bubbling milk, Lily rolled her eyes at the look the blonde shot her.
"You can't have any, you're too-"
"Young." Lily, her amused smile making Emma frown. "I know."
"Don't you have a curfew or something?" She asked, making Lily's smile grown as the teen shook her head.
"My guardian owns the town." She nodded at Mary Margaret. "Also, sometimes I stay here."
At the dark-haired woman's nod of agreement, Emma shrugged before placing the bottle on the counter. "Here's the thing-I don't know a lot about relationships, other than having many that failed." She started explaining to Mary Margaret as Lily watched on. Pouring the whiskey, Emma continued. "But generally speaking, if you think something you want to do is wrong, it is. So, you got to stay strong and he has to figure out his life." With a sigh, she raised her glass, prompting Mary Margaret to do the same. "Cheers"
Lilith stalked through the trees, forcing Charming to nearly run to keep up with her. He frowned at the girl's cloaked back, wondering why she was so hostile towards him. From what he'd heard, the Dark Lilith was far less...emotional.
"I can practically taste your confusion, so just spit it out."
Charming blinked, looking ahead to see that while she hadn't turned to him, her shoulder's had tensed further.
"I-I'm sorry. You can-"
She finally turned, her cowl falling and revealing her pale features. Narrow, blue eyes locked with his as her mouth curled into a sneer. "I'm an empath. I feel the emotions of others."
Taken aback, Charming watched her as she sighed angrily. Fists loosening, she turned away from him and pulled her hood back up.
"Come. We have a lot of ground to cover."
She stalked away again, leaving Charming behind to wonder what kind of deal he'd just agreed to by summoning the Dark Lilith.
Lily looked up as Whale strutted like a proud peacock. Sharing a look with Ruby, the younger woman rolled her eyes and focused back on her book. Gold had given Lillian a book filled with fairy tales for her last birthday and Lily had just gotten around to reading this realms take on their stories. She also took the time to realize the fact that even without his memories, Gold had managed to indirectly give her a gag gift.
Chuckling softly at their take on her story, Lily looked up at the clicking of heels to see Regina stalking into the diner. Eyebrow raised, she watched silently as the mayor seated herself across from Mary Margaret.
Lily looked up when Ruby sidled over to her and they both watched as Regina quietly berated a stunned Mary Margaret.
"Really? So he just up and left his wife on a whim?" Regina demanded flatly as all the blood rushed from Mary Margaret's face.
"He did what?" The teacher whispered in shock.
Regina's expression lightened ever so slightly. "You don't know?" When Mary Margaret shook her head, the other woman powered on. "Well, I suspect you soon will. So listen carefully, dear, cause it's in your best interest." Lily shuddered at the fake sweetness coating Regina's words. "Stay away. He's in a fragile state, he doesn't know who he is or what he's doing, and you're this close to wrecking multiple lives. So, before you do something that can't be undone, let him remember who he was."
With that, Regina stood and stalked out of the diner, leaving Mary Margaret to stare after her. Lily and Ruby exchanged looks, the latter gaping like a fish.
"He left her?!" Ruby whispered excitedly.
Lily rolled her eyes, lightly swatting her friend on the arm with her thin book. "Ruby!"
"What?"
"Breaking up a marriage is not a good thing!"
"Do you know where we're going?" Charming called for the seventh time and received silence as his answer yet again. "Well, nice to know you're not as talkative as your mentor." He mumbled, unaware that Lilith could hear every word.
She reigned in the desire to drag him into the ground. Rumple's quick, terse explanation about how this man and Snow White were the key to finding Bae was the only thing that made her pause. Then again, she probably should have mention that, last she checked, Bae was still trapped on Neverland.
However, bitterness and anger had kept her mouth firmly shut. Rumple had unknowingly, and uncaringly she suspected, torn her away from the first place she'd been truly happy. While she knew it was the man behind her that had been the one to actually summon her, Rumple had set it all in motion.
At the influx of magic heading towards her eyes, Lilith closed them and counted backwards from ten. Once she was sufficiently calmed, she turned back to Charming and spoke.
"We're headed to the Dark Fortress." His head shot up in surprise at her voice, though she ignored it and continued. "Personally, I hope you have experience with dragons."
Her lips twitched when the expression of resigned horror crossed his features.
"Hello?"
Lily looked up from the book at the call. Brow creasing in confusion, she turned to see Gold pulling himself to his feet. As he shuffled to the front, Lily heaved a resigned sigh before she shut her book and followed her boss.
"Hello?"
They entered the front in time to see David looked around the shop. Lily swallowed thickly when she saw him reaching for the glass unicorn mobile. She remembered all too well that paticular piece and where it had once hung back in the Enchanted Forest.
"Charming." Gold whispered, breaking the trance David seemed to be under.
The man started before he turned to see Lily and Gold standing behind the counter. "I'm sorry?"
"The mobile. Isn't it charming?" Gold asked as he lightly stepped towards David. Lily frowned at his tone, quickly hoping whatever he was about to do wouldn't make things worse. "Exquisitely designed, masterly crafted…I can get it down, if you like."
David shook his head at the offer. "No, no. I mean, it's…It's very nice, but actually, I'm looking for the Toll Bridge." He explained sheepishly. "The Mayor said there was a fork in the road by your shop, but-"
"It seems Mayor Mills got you a bit confused." Lily offered softly, keeping her face blank.
David smiled wryly. "Yeah, yeah you would think the Mayor would know her own town."
She and Gold shared a look. Her boss' poker face didn't waver at the attempted joke. "One would think." Nodding at the door, he quickly listed off directions. "Out of the door, turn right, two blocks you'll find a trail. Can't miss it."
"Thank you." David nodded at them and turned to leave. However, he paused at the sight of a windmill and she watched as his entire body stiffened.
"See something you like?" Gold asked calmly, though Lily could detect the undercurrent of smugness lining his tone.
David didn't look away from the windmill. "Where did you get that?"
"That old thing? That's been gathering dust for…forever."
Reaching out, David spun the windmill around and watched it quietly. "I think…This belonged to me."
"Really? Are you sure?" Gold asked, a quiet note of triumph in his voice.
Lily eyed him, her eyes narrowing before she turned back to David. Heart sinking at what this meant, she silently prayed that Mary Margaret would live through the rejection that was coming her way.
"Yes…I remember."
"She's so beautiful." Katerina cooed softly as she ran a finger down her daughter's chubby cheek. A gurgle escaped Lily's cherubic mouth, making her mother chuckle as her father reached down and cradled her little face.
"Aye, that she is." Beauregard agreed with a wide smile. He turned his attention to his wide, eyeing her worn expression with concern. "Now, you must rest, dearest." He held up a hand to stave off her objections. "We have a nurse ready at the slightest problem and we're only two doors down."
With a reluctant sigh, Katerina nodded and allowed her husband to herd her out of their daughter's nursery. The moment the doors shut, the window blew open gently, making the little girl stir at the cool air.
Pale hands reached down and gently picked the girl up. Cooing softly, the green-eyed 'boy' shushed the fussing baby in his arms. Wide, curious eyes looked up at him and he smiled at the sight of her little face.
"Shh," he whispered, leaning down to press a kiss against her forehead. "You're safe, Lily." As if she sensed the truth of his words, her blue eyes fluttered shut as she yawned delicately. Within moments, she was sleeping in his arms, the sight making him smile.
The sound of footsteps made him pause before he snarled quietly to himself. Shifting her in his arms, Peter laid Lily back in her crib before he pulled a silver chain out of his tunic. "Happy birthday, Lily." The whisper gently stirred her hair as he laid the necklace next to her little fist.
Darting out of the window seconds before the door opened, he hung back and watched as Katerina sped into her daughter's room. Gathering the now crying child in her arms, he smirked when Katerina caught sight of the necklace in her daughter's crib.
Horror washed over her face as she clutched her daughter tightly to her as she stared down at the silver mocking her.
A thin, silver chain that ended in a silver acorn rested innocently rested on the white sheets.
"Why does it matter to you, Henry?" Lily asked as she helped him settle into bed. Picking up his book, Lily frowned at the page it was opened to. A tall, regal looking woman with dark hair and blue eyes was illustrated on the page.
The sight sent a pang through her heart.
"Well, there's not a lot about her in the book." The little boy offered with a winning smile. Unfortunately for him, his baby-sitter wasn't in a giving mood.
"Honestly, there are somethings even you shouldn't mess with." Lily whispered softly as she turned to leave the room and head for the guest bedroom. Her hand stilled on the light switch when Henry kept at it.
"Does the name 'Maia', mean anything to you?" He asked, eying her tense shoulders carefully.
Releasing a shuddering sigh, Lily turned around and sent him a strained smile before flipping off the light.
"Goodnight, Henry."
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