Chapter Fourteen: Cosmic Coincidence

Mary Margret looked to Emma and then to Killian, confusion written all over her face. "Wait a moment," Mary Margret idly taking a sip of her cup of hot cocoa. "You want me to read to a coma patient?" She looked down to the storybook in front of her, fingers gliding around the edges of the cover.

"The lad believes that it'll help the man remember who he was," Killian said. Mary Margaret shot Killian a puzzled look and he resisted to roll his eyes because he knew how absurd it sounded to Mary Margaret.

"He believes it's a part of the curse," Emma further explain, noticing that Mary Margret was still confused.

Killian had a moment to scan both women's faces. If he were to indulge in the idea that the curse and the fairy tales were real then he'd have to also note that Emma certainly had Mary Margret's nose. If the curse was real, then Emma also shared similarities with John Doe as well. The thoughts suddenly made Killian reel and he for a second couldn't distinguish these thoughts from reality. Killian shook his head, why was he letting this get into his head. It was then that Killian felt a sharp sting on his leg, looking down he saw Figaro release his vice grip. Killian stared at the cat puzzled.

Don't you ever forget me, my sweet boy

Killian snapped his head back up to the conversation between Emma and Mary Margret. Who… who was that? That voice. He looked around the room, searching aimlessly for who could of said it but no one in the diner was talking, in fact it was mostly empty. But he swore he had heard it, it seemed so familiar.

"And, who does he think he was?" Mary Margret asked curiously.

Emma had noticed how Killian had blanked for a moment, his eyes shining a sad shade of blue. She wanted to ask what was wrong but didn't think she'd get an answer here. Despite Killian being a generally outgoing person, she also knew that he would hide a lot about himself. Much like herself she thought.

Killian coughed, "He thinks…" Killian cleared his throat. "That the coma patient is Prince Charming."

A single eyebrow rose on Mary Margret's face, "And if I'm Snow White, he thinks me… and him…"

This is going as well as Emma had expected. "Yeah, the kid certainly has an active imagination."

"If the lad sees that this doesn't work…" Killian started, although he didn't believe that Henry would give up so easily. Henry would come up with another theory of why it didn't work, Killian had no doubt about that.

"He'll see that fairy tales are just that," Mary Margret said.

"Something like that," Emma replied. "Look if we get him to see the truth without hurting him."

"Sadly, this plan is rather genius," Mary Margret sighed at the thought while Killian scoffed. "I'll do it, I'll read to him. This fantasy may be helping him but if it keeps building and gets out of control, Henry may not believe the truth ever."

"What if John Doe wakes up?" Killian asked, not really looking at either woman, instead staring absently at the table. "Let's say that we have chosen the exact moment to do this 'genius' plan when John Doe actually wakes up."

The odds were unlikely, "It's unlikely but we'll deal," Emma said. "We'll all meet here tomorrow morning to discuss it."

"Well, I suppose I'll get ready for my date," Mary Margret said, it was definitely going to be better than the last one she had. "I guess I'll have to do all the talking."

Once Mary Margret had left, Emma turned to Killian. "What's up with you? One moment you're agreeing with the idea and the next you seem to disagree."

"I don't disagree with the plan," Killian said seriously. "I just think that if this does work, that Henry will need something else in his life to believe in and I hope you're prepared to be a part of that."

"And I hope that you're okay with being a part of that too because Henry relies on you just as much as he does me," Emma said in return.

Emma, Henry and Killian, having ordered their breakfast, sat in Granny's Diner and waited for Mary Margret's arrival.

"What'd you say to your mother?" Killian asked.

"That I'm playing Whac-A-Mole," Henry said proudly.

Killian laughed, "And she believed that?"

"She wants to believe it," Henry shrugged, a mischievous smile appearing on his face. "So, she does."

Emma scoffed at that, "Oh, Imagine that."

"She's here," Henry announced as Mary Margret entered the diner, looking a little shocked.

"He woke up," Mary Margret said, she didn't seem to believe her own words out loud either.

Killian looked up immediately. Well how about that cosmic coincidence, eh Swan?

"What?" Emma replied in utter disbelief. She could practically hear Killian gloating in his head.

"I knew it!" Henry smiled.

"I mean, he didn't 'wake up' wake up, but he grabbed my hand," Mary Margret said, realising how they might actually think John Doe was just up and about.

"Well it seems that our genius plan worked, eh Swan?" Emma glared at Killian's cocky attitude.

"He's remembering!" Henry said.

"Wait," Emma needed to get her head wrapped around this. "What did the doctor say?"

"That I imagined it, but I'm not crazy," Mary Margret assured them, although after the night that she had she sure felt that way. "I know it happened."

"We have to go back," Henry urged. "You have to read to him again."

Mary Margret looked at Henry, "Let's go."

How the hell had this happened? "Wait, wait what?"

"If I got through to him, if we made a connection…" Mary Margret reasoned.

"Then I don't see why we're sitting around here," Killian said, placing a few bills on the table, "Let's go."

As Emma, Henry, Killian and Mary Margret entered the hospital none really knowing what they were expecting as they arrived. What was there plan for waking up John Doe? However, they were all surprised to see both the Mayor and Graham there. Killian excused himself and went up to Graham, probably asking what was going on.

Henry saw the commotion as an indication that John Doe had woken up, his face lighting up, "You're right- he's waking up."

Killian and Graham both walked over to them, concern written on both their faces as they discussed with Dr. Whale and a few other people what had happened. When they returned to the others neither looked like they had good news.

"Henry," Graham said. "You should stay back."

Mary Margret looked at Killian, "What's going on? Is it John Doe? Is he okay?"

Killian scratched behind his ear, "He's missing."

Regina stormed over, "What the hell are you doing here?" Her voice venomously aimed at Emma, for what reason Emma had no idea, before turning to Henry. "And you- I thought you were at the arcade. Now you're lying to me?"

Emma was about to defend Henry because she didn't understand why Regina was acting the way she was, when Mary Margret asked, "What happened to John Doe? Did someone take him?"

"We don't know yet," Graham said uneasily, shifting his eyes to Killian who gave him a small shrug, the two seemed to have a form of silent communication. "His IVs were ripped out but no sign for sure there's a struggle."

Henry looked at Regina, although his eyes didn't hold the same venom as Regina's had, there was a hint of something accusing behind them. "What did you do?" Henry glared.

Regina's eyes widened, Emma doubted that Regina had ever faced this form of attitude from Henry before. She was somewhat proud that the kid inherited that from herself at least. "You think I had something to do with this?"

Although Emma didn't believe that Regina had something to do with John Doe's disappearance, she couldn't ignore the fact that the Mayor was called in, "It is curious that the Mayor is here."

"I'm here because I'm his emergency contact," Regina spat defensively back. Oh, Emma thought, that does make sense since she was the one who found him.

"Will he survive?" Killian asked Dr. Whale. He for one was all for getting into a fight with the Mayor, however, his pride and showing the Mayor up wasn't the priority at the moment. "Without IVs."

"The man's been on feeding tubes for years on constant supervision," Dr. Whale shook his head. "He needs to get back here right away or, quite honestly, 'okay' might be a pipe dream."

"Well then, let's quit yapping and start looking," Emma said.

Regina looked about ready to put Emma in one of these hospital beds, "That's what we're doing?" Regina snipped. "Just stay out of this, dear."

Regina clenched her fist, turning to Graham, "Sheriff, find John Doe." She ordered coldly, "You heard Dr. Whale. Time is precious."

"Whale," Killian turned to the man. "How long since you last saw him?"

"Twelve hours or so," Dr. Whale replied.

Graham sighed, "Then that's what we need to account for."

"Security camera's would be our best bet," Emma said, Killian nodded in agreement.

Time was running out. They all knew it as the sun started to set, casting an eerily light that stabbed through the gaps of the trees in the woods. Emma could feel herself growing more anxious as the minutes slipped away.

Graham crouched on the ground, looking intently at the ground before him, carefully analysing to what Emma looked like nothing.

"What is it?" Killian asked. While Graham may not be an expert in technology, he found his home in the woods, adapting to it with ease and an uncanny comfort. Killian knew that Graham was in his element at the moment.

Graham looked up, "The trail runs out here."

"You sure?" Emma asked, anxious as she felt time slipping away. "Because I thought tracking was one of your skills."

"This is my world, I just need a second," Graham said, while he didn't want to sound mean, he knew what a setting sun meant to a missing man out in the woods alone, "I got this. If you'd actually learnt to apply what you read in those books of yours Killian, you could be helping speed up the process."

"Sorry, Graham," Killian replied. "I'm more acquainted with finding the ins and outs of… things than roaming the woods."

"What does that mean?" Emma asked Killian.

"Well while Graham prefers the hands-on approach to things," Killian started. "I much prefer learning how to find a way around things and researching, if you can anticipate your opponent's next move than you can get the jump on them. Finding loopholes where none thought possible."

"Emma, I thought finding people was your thing too?" Mary Margret asked.

"Sure," Emma nodded, "Just, the people I find usually run to places like Vegas, leave clues by spending a lot. Not a lot of them tend to hit the woods."

"That's an interesting job- finding people," Mary Margret remarked. "How'd you fall into it?"

Emma knew that Killian was listening intently, curiosity peaked in him, and although a part of her wished to share her whole life story with him, the part that didn't want to have anyone get dangerously close to her was stronger.

"Looking for people is just what I've done," Emma replied nonchalantly. "As long as I can remember."

A crack echoed behind them, all four of them spun on their heels, all hoping it was John Doe who had decided to just waltz up to them. If only it were that easy. Instead, Henry had appeared running down the hill towards them.

"Henry?" Both Emma and Killian asked at the same time.

"Did you find him yet?" Henry asked, puffing slightly after his sprint.

"Henry, you should be home," Graham chided. "Regina will be worried sick."

"Again," Killian piped up.

"I can help," Henry pleaded with them.

"How?" Emma asked him.

"I know where he's going," Henry continued as he looked at Mary Margaret. "He's looking for you. You're the one who woke him up, and you're the last one he saw. He wants to find you!"

Mary Margret gave Henry a small smile, "Henry, it's not about me," she shook her head. "I just… I think he's lost and confuse. The man has been in a coma for a very long time."

"No," Henry argued. "You need to let him find you. He'll always find you."

Mary Margret looked at Henry perplexed. I'll always find you.

"Kid, come on, you need to go home," Emma said because she didn't want Regina to literally kill her.

Killian clicked his tongue, "Perhaps, we should listen to the lad." At the looks he got from the three adults Killian raised his hands. "Mary Margaret was perhaps the only face he's seen in years, it'll be the only thing the man has to go off on."

Mary Margaret opens her mouth because she knows that she can find him, she's about to call out for him, she can't believe this.

"Guys!" Graham shouts instead.

There on the ground was John Doe's bloody hospital bracelet

"That's…" Mary Margaret breathes.

"Blood." Emma finished.

"Charming!" Mary Margaret shouts, all thoughts of doubt had escaped her in that very moment because she may not understand why but all she thought was that she'll find him, she'll always find him.

"Think of it this way, Swan," Killian goes over to her, clearly noticing her look of absolutely absurdity at the very events that were happening. "He probably has amnesia and thinks he actually is Prince Charming." Killian chuckled a little before joining in Mary Margaret and Henry's shouts.

Emma rolled her eyes, at least Graham wasn't…

"Prince Charming!" Graham shouted. Oh seriously? Emma groaned. Outnumbered four to one, Emma shrugs her shoulders and joins in this ridiculous choir. It wasn't as though she believed it would work but there was that glimmer of hope that it would work. That this situation that most likely had a gruesome end to it, with John Doe dead from exposure in his weakened state. Because for once she would like if the real world had fairy-tale endings.

They all had wandered to the Toll Bridge, walking along the stream as they continued to call out Prince Charming.

"Over here!" Graham calls out as he spotted John Doe near the bridge. Killian spotted what Graham was looking at and ran over to John Doe, the other's hurrying as quickly as they could. Graham grabbing his phone out of his front pocket and dialling.

"No, no, no, no, no! No, no, no! I found you!" Mary Margaret rambled because she had found him! She knelt beside the man, cupping his face delicately and instinctively as though she had done it a thousand times before.

"It's going to be okay," Emma said as much as to the John Doe as she did to Mary Margaret.

"Come back to me," Mary Margaret whispered to the unconscious man, putting her lips to his as she started CPR.

As soon as their lips touched, Mary Margaret swore there was a spark, small but there. John Doe took a deep breath in. He looks up at Mary Margaret and smiles.

"You found me." I'll always find you That voice echoed again and she believed it.

When they got back to the hospital, it was a blur to Mary Margaret as she mulled over her thoughts. What did he mean when he said 'You found me'? She'd been so happy at that moment, that they had found him, that she only could smile back at the man.

The way he looked at her… could it… no. He probably got the 'You found me' from the storybook when he had woken up briefly… it wasn't anything special. No matter how much she wanted it to be.

"You alright?" Mary Margaret jumped slightly as Killian sat down beside her in the hospital waiting room.

"You got to admit, it's a bit weird," Mary Margaret expressed her thoughts, if it were anyone else she wouldn't dream of admitting what was bothering her because she highly doubted that anyone else would take it seriously. "That out of all the things he could have said, that he said 'You found me'."

"And because Henry was saying that he was looking for you?" Killian nodded his head. "You worried that the next time he sees you, that he won't recognise you again."

"It's silly," Mary Margaret breathed. "To hope that he was actually looking for me."

A/N: So, David is finally here. In case you didn't realise, this is a slow burn story, so be prepared to have a lot of chapters that fill in to move this plot along. It bugs me too sometimes because I want to get to the good stuff but I can't rush this. And I've had to shorten the chapters because of school but that'll be over soon I can promise you that. At least I am updating though.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter at least a little anyway.

For those who are anxious about what's going to go on with David, don't worry. For season one I hated the Mary Margaret-David-Kathryn storyline, it annoyed me to no end for no reason. So that is going to be completely removed from this story and replaced with something different but don't worry Jefferson will still be in it and hopefully with a bigger role if I can fit in him. I'll give a little perspective from David in future chapters but I wont give too much away at the moment. All I can say is that he is going to be going through some tough times. Prepare for that.

Funny thing about having a second set of memories locked away, is the bleeding affect. Getting glimpse into it. It's like 'God I feel like I should know this! But I can't quite get it.' A part of me hopes that you don't get the reason why Killian is starting to remember bits and piece of who he was but at the same it I think I've left enough hints to get why it is happening to him and not anyone else. Too bad there is no one else in town that can help him through this...

So, I hope I haven't lost myself while writing this, I sometimes feel as though I have forgotten details about my own writing and that worries me so much. I hope I haven't and I can at least fix it if I have. And like I have always said, I'll continue to write for this story always have and always will.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favourited! You guys keep me motivated. :D

Please review (Even if this is a slow burn and you can't wait to get to the good stuff! Maybe it'll get me to write along faster...)

Update to a friendly guest who just decided to leave a lovely review filled with positivity, the reason I say I'll update faster if people take interest and review is because I do have other responsibilities in my life that I have to give attention to. If I feel like people want more of this story, then I'll put more out regularly, but if I feel that people aren't overly interested then I'll update when I can. You may be done with this story because I deal with my priorities depending on how important they are and if I see that people aren't interested then I'm not going to put this at the top of my to do list. But I'm so glad that you have taken the time to review my work for the first time just to spew negativity because that really does motivate authors to write more, if you keep up that attitude for the rest of your life, I'm sure you'll get everything you want. I'm done. :)

Sorry to the loyal readers who read that tad bit up there but I feel the need to explain stuff like that to the people who just can't understand why authors don't slave away their lives to update stories for them. I had hoped to end this A/N with a positive note but I suppose some people just can't help but say stuff like that. I could have well gone on with my day never knowing that that guest reviewer was so done with this story.