Chapter 16: The Sleeping Prince

Regina had been called, as much as it annoyed both Emma and Killian, she was John Doe's emergency contact and she also needed to know that Henry would make it home safely. After Graham had checked over with Dr. Whale to assure everything was fine with John Doe, he'd return to the waiting room. It lightened Graham's heart to see that a man that supposedly had no one hve people waiting to see if he was well. Although Graham had wanted to ask questions now, Whale had insisted on moving the interrogation to tomorrow. They all had agreed that questions could wait until tomorrow, Mary Margaret seemed disappointed at that but nodded.

The ensemble started to make their way out of the hospital, Killian tailing as the last of them when he noticed something brushed against his leg.

"Blasted thing," Killian mumbled. "Since when do they allow dirty cats who have been wandering the streets into hospitals."

Killian was about to lean down and pick Figaro up when the beast ran. Into John Doe's room. Killian groaned as he followed.

Killian tentatively opened the door. How did the cat get it open? When he looked up, Figaro sat placid on John Doe's lap, John Doe hesitantly stroking the animal.

"Sorry about that mate," Killian said. "Blasted beast roams wherever it pleases these days."

Figaro growled and John Doe laughed, "No that's fine. I'm much more of a dog person myself."

"Killian Jones, by the way," Killian inclined his head, "Remember anything about what happened then?" Blunt and to the point. Honestly, Killian didn't know what had given him the idea to straight away ask the man.

John Doe's eyes caught Killian's and Killian noticed something in that look. It was a look that Mr Gold and Regina had. Like they knew something the rest of them didn't. They shared a moment of inquisitive staring before John Doe cautiously replied, "No, no I don't."

"Hmph," Killian sighed, not believing the man. Pulling up one of the hospital chairs. "If this about Regina…"

John Doe stiffened at the man, which Killian did notice. So much for being amnesiac But Killian wouldn't call him out on that. If the man didn't feel comfortable with sharing what he knew or who he was then it wasn't his place as a complete stranger to pry, however, that doesn't mean he wouldn't want to know later on. Hell, Killian planned on knowing what exactly Regina had done to John Doe.

"If you don't want to say anything, that's fine," Killian said calmly, ignoring the glare John Doe was shooting him. "But I have the suspicion that you're lying and that you know who you are so when Sheriff Graham comes tomorrow to ask you questions, I'd touch up on the act."

"I'm not lying," John Doe said stubbornly. Killian smirked, he'd definitely give the man props for commitment.

Killian let out a buff of air before absently rubbing his left wrist. He'd prefer to know why John Doe was choosing to lie before the law enforcement and Regina got their hands on him. If Killian decided that John Doe needed help or protection from whatever Regina decided to do with him then he could if just understood why.

"You found me," Killian quoted, catching John Doe's attention. Although Mary Margaret said she didn't know who the man was, John Doe certainly thought he knew Mary Margaret. "Interesting choice of words to say to Mary Margaret, the woman who revived you."

"Is she here?" John Doe asked curiously.

"No, I'm not technically meant to be here either," Killian replied and he could see the disappointment wash over John Doe. "You love her, don't you?"

Shock struck John Doe's face as if someone had just slapped him. Who knows how the curse affected him since he was almost dead when it was cast. Henry's voice echoed in Killian's mind.

"I've been a close friend of Mary Margaret's for a really long time," Killian started, clearly knowing that the man didn't intend on answering that question. "So, I understand if you're doing this to protect her as well because if I knew that saying something could do more harm than good, I'd be doing what you are doing right now."

"Do you remember?" John Doe asked him.

"I-," Killian started before pausing. John Doe looked at Killian carefully, the silence seeming to ascend to deafening as Killian stared blankly. "I- I don't know what you're talking about."

John Doe looked down and sighed, "Look, I think I can trust you but at the moment I don't know what's been going on. Let me get a handle on things before I can tell you anything."

Killian nodded, "Okay, mate," Killian couldn't ask the man for more than that. He had a feeling that whoever this man was, that he'd trust Killian enough soon. "When you get out of here, you can find me at the local library or if you need a place to stay I'll talk to Granny and get you a room."

When Killian and his cat left the room, David felt as though the world had turned upside down. The Evil Queen had succeeded, no one remembered. His Snow didn't remember, he'd seen the look on her face when she'd woken him up, and although there was joy, relief, there wasn't love in her eyes. Whoever Killian Jones was he didn't remember either, although it seemed the man knew that he should remember. No one did. David felt a warm trickle stream down his cheek and realised he had been crying. This was worse than having no memories of his previous life, blissful ignorance would have been easier… but not right.

David let his head rest back on his pillow, trying to will himself some self-control, clenching his eyes in frustration. He needed to think clearly. So, the curse was cast, that also meant that Emma did make it through the wardrobe. Was she here? He felt his heart skip at the thought. If she here then he could still have hope, she'd escaped and could break this curse. But how long had it been? How old was she now? Was she a little girl or… or had it been so long that she was now a young woman? Would he have to wait twenty-eight years remembering before she would come and break the curse? His heart torn in two at the thought, whatever the case, he had missed out on so much. He'd missed her first words, missed teaching her to walk, all the basics which every parent goes through. Such treasured memories lost. And there was nothing he could do to change it!

He wasn't sad anymore. He didn't pity himself. He was angry. His family, every person cursed in this town, had their lives ripped from them and it was Regina's doing. He evened his breaths, knowing that he could grieve and he will. He'll grieve for Emma. He'll grieve for Snow. He'll grieve for himself and every last person cursed in this town who didn't deserve it. He'll grieve but he won't lay here and cry about it. He'll do something about it. Because his family deserved that much. If Emma was here, he'll help her. Because that's what parents do, they put their children first. He may not be able to break this curse by himself but he will damn sure make sure Emma will have support when she does break it.

When he couldn't starve off sleep any longer and he had fallen into a restless sleep filled with memories of snow and imagined pictures of his daughter, David had allowed himself to finally collect his thoughts.

The next morning David woke up with a plan of action in mind. First, it seemed as though Killian Jones was his best bet at convincing one person of the curse was real, he seemed conflicted with the curse, as though he was somehow fighting his current memories with his real ones. Although David didn't know how that was possible, he was willing to help David out last night despite knowing he was lying so David's gut was telling him that the man could be trusted. Second was getting out of this hospital and seeing what happened to everyone, see if Emma was here.

Mary Margaret couldn't help but give in to her curiosity, she hadn't even told Emma that she planned to make a morning visit to John Doe. It wasn't like she was obsessed or anything, it was completely normal for her to visit a recovering patient whom she had regularly given flowers to when he was still in a coma. She just wanted to make sure that he was recovering.

Sheriff Graham had left a short while ago, after asking John Doe a few questions. Now the man was left in his hospital room alone, looking questioningly at the hospital food served for breakfast, which Mary Margaret didn't blame him for. When she looked at him her stomach fluttered at the idea of talking to him as though she were in high school again working up the courage to talk to a cute boy. He looked so sad in that hospital bed. It must be so lonely, Mary Margaret thought, to think that you had no one in the world.

Mary Margaret had second thoughts about the idea of visiting him. She shouldn't feel the need to, she didn't know the man nor did he know her. But there was something, like a gravitational pull that was drawing her to him and she didn't want to try and ignore it. Besides if she were in his position, she'd appreciate the kindness of a stranger coming to visit.

Mary Margaret had been fiddling with her ring before she psyched herself up enough to stride to John Doe's hospital room door and knock with apprehension before slightly peeking into the room.

When John Doe looked up at her she had a flash. It was so pure the look he gave, so full of joy and love that she had envisioned a whole new world. For the briefest of moments, she saw them in another world, a world full of hope and magic, she felt that hope surge through her and then evaporate just as quickly as the rims of the hospital room fading back into her vision. Reality came flooding back and the hope she had felt had gone away with that fantastical world. It happened so quick that she didn't remember it had happened.

"Hello," He said, his facing still holding that joyful look and Mary Margaret couldn't get the thought out of her head that she had made this man so happy just by being here.

"Hi," She replied, walking into the room and tentatively sitting on the end of the bed. "I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Much better now that I have someone nice to talk to," He smiled at her and her heartbeat sped a little. Was he flirting? Surely not.

"I'm sure the nurses here are just as friendly," Mary Margaret tested.

"But none of them are you," She could feel her cheeks flush as she nervously chewed the inside of her cheek. He chuckled lightly at her look.

"Well aren't you charming," Mary Margaret joked, she oddly liked the name charming because it certainly suited him, not knowing how her words caused the man to fault a little in his smile. Neither of the two knowing the storm that was about to walk through the door.

"David?" Both Mary Margaret and John Doe turned to the doorway of the hospital room, there a blonde woman stood seemingly stricken with joy looking directly at apparently John Doe- David. "David, is that you?" The woman stepped in, making her way to David's side as Mary Margaret awkwardly get off the bed.

Dr. Whale noticed the commotion, "Excuse me, ma'am?"

The blonde woman wept joyfully disbelief at the sight before her as the man on the bed looked stunned, "Oh my god… David."

Mary Margaret looked between the two, "Excuse me, who are you?"

Regina walked in behind them, making all four turn to stare at her, "That's his wife, Kathryn Nolan."

Kathryn raised a shaking hand to stroke David's face, tears freely falling down her face. Mary Margaret felt her entire frame drop as her heart plummeted. He has a wife, she thought and she had started to hope…

"David?" Kathryn asked worryingly. "Do you remember me?"

David shook his head, "No I- uh don't remember anything." This was Abigail as in arranged marriage Abigail. Regina had a twisted sense of humour making him married to Abigail. Not that Abigail was a horrible woman, in fact David had grown to admire her for her cunningness but he just couldn't believe after how hard he fought to not marry her that in the end he was, even if it was just in the curse.

"Um, I-I don't understand," Mary Margaret wondered outload. "You didn't… You didn't know that he was here in a coma?"

Regina scoffed openly at the teacher's remark, "How can you ask such questions to the poor woman?"

Mary Margaret shrunk a little at the Mayor's threatening gaze, David feeling about ready to openly defend her before Kathryn sadly smiled at Mary Margaret, "It's fine Regina, she has every right to ask." Kathryn cleared her throat, "A few years ago, David and I were not getting along. It was my fault, I know that now. I was difficult and unsupportive. I told him if he didn't like things, he could leave. And he did. And I didn't stop him," She paused, looking at David, "It was the worst mistake I ever made."

Dr. Whale tapped his pen, curiously asking, "You didn't go to look for him?'

"I had assumed he'd left town all this time," Kathryn reflected remorsefully looking at David. "Now I know why I never heard from you and I get to do something I've wanted to do forever."

"I- I think that's wonderful," Mary Margaret sighed.

Kathryn cupped David's hands in her own, "I'm so sorry, I hope we can have a second chance at us."

David couldn't help the harsh intake of breath because consciously choosing to be with Kathryn with his memories intact seemed wrong. Even if it was just a disguise to keep Regina unaware that he had his memories, he didn't think he could look at Snow if he did.

"I- I'm sorry," David started. "But I don't remember who you are."

"Being in a familiar environment can often help people with amnesia," Dr. Whale stated. "Perhaps staying in a place that you used to spend a lot of time in will help."

Regina grinned, "What an excellent idea, Doctor." Regina's smile dropped as she turned to Mary Margaret, "Ms Blanchard I would advise for us to leave the happy couple in peace."

Mary Margaret nodded in agreement, "Yes- yes of course." Both of them left the room, leaving Dr. Whale to check on David and Kathryn at his side. In any other case, it would be considered a miracle, a happy ending to a struggling couple's life. However, while one of them was joyous at her husband's return, the other was sinking with guilt at the thought that he may very well have to keep up the image of 'happy couple' with a woman he did not love. All the while the woman he did love had no idea who he was or the fact that they had a daughter to find.

"Mrs. Nolan," Emma scoffed, picking at her breakfast remains with a fork. After the hospital, Mary Margaret had met up with Emma at Granny's and the two had taken to discussing the latest development in the John Doe mystery. "That sounds like a load of crap. I mean all this time that John Doe's been in a coma and nobody puts it in the news, Mrs. Nolan doesn't put out a missing person. Something's not right."

Mary Margaret sighed, "But why would she lie?" Mary Margaret while hopeful that whatever Emma was suggesting might be true, she had to be pragmatic about it. The idea that a woman, a woman who had shown such genuine emotions, would be acting. And acting for who? What reason could she possibly have to fake being the wife to David? So, it was silly to imagine that there was this whole conspiracy, this master plan, that had Mrs. Nolan faking being David's wife because in the real world that didn't happen and life was never that complicated.

Looking at Mary Margaret, Emma was reminded of the time she had seen a kid who discovered they were no longer going to be staying at their Dad's that weekend, but that wasn't just it, what was truly sad was the kid had gotten used to hearing that. They didn't throw a tantrum, they didn't complain but they had a look of disappointment and acceptance as they knew to except it. And that's how Mary Margaret looked right now. She wasn't acting out, she wasn't saying what a load of bullshit this sounded like, she was accepting the fact that she just lost a happy ending and it just made Emma frustrated.

"C'mon, Mary Margaret," Emma sighed, pressing her fingers to her eyelids, rubbing out the last few traces of sleep as she tried to wrap her head around the situation. "Isn't it strange that all these years Mayor Mills has been his emergency contact, that she only just found out that he had a wife. And when it's convenient she manages to solve the mystery that has been going on for god knows how long.

"I don't know, Emma," Mary Margaret took a ginger sip of now lukewarm coffee she knew she wasn't going to finish. "For all we know, they found something on the tapes that linked Kathryn to David, maybe he was talking in his sleep. Beside we should be happy, two people are now back together and can live happily ever after."

"Yeah, I suppose," Emma mumbled, still not fully believing, watching as the once sunny day was turning into a dusky sky and suddenly thinking how reflective it was. "I've been meaning to ask you but I just didn't want to bother you. Is that spare room still available?"

At this Mary Margaret brightened a little, a smile gracing her face at the question. She couldn't recall the last time she had felt so at comforted by another person. That feeling gotten when you're with your family which Mary Margaret had longed for all her life. Killian came close to being family, she'd consider him family in fact but this was different. This felt like something that had been missing from her for as long as she could remember and she was so glad that it was finally sinking back into her life. She nodded at Emma, "Yes, of course it is."

After breakfast, Mary Margaret had departed for school and Emma, well Emma was still trying to deal with the fact that this whole situation felt off.

"Did you hear?" Emma had barged into the library, the bell tinging rather aggressively in response to her abrupt entry.

"Mind the bell," Killian mumbled, flipping through today's newspaper before looking up at the force that nearly incapacitated his bell. "Hear what, darling?"

Emma stared at him, squinting her eyes as though she had heard his remark before rolling them, "The sudden and miraculous reappearance of John Doe or should I say David's wife."

"No, I hadn't," Killian folded the newspaper frowning, spinning his chair to face Emma now that she had his full attention. A wife now? That was unexpected, he hadn't acted as though he had a wife last night and Killian was sure that he had picked up on every lie the man told. So, when Emma explained what Mary Margaret had told her, about Mary Margaret visiting David, about how Regina had walked in with David's wife Kathryn. Emma had taken to sitting on the opposite side of the front desk as she regaled the story to Killian.

When the story was done and Emma leaned back in her seat, letting an exasperated sigh escape her. Killian cocked and eyebrow, "But Mary Margaret said that Kathryn was really happy to see David."

"I know that and it's not Kathryn I'm suspicious about, it's Regina's involvement in the whole thing," Emma explained.

Killian pressed his fingers to the corners of his mouth, rubbing out his nervous tick in an attempt to occupy his hands from his tell about the talk he had with David. That night had brought about a change in perspective for Killian, a spiral that went deeper than a simple John Doe case with the idea that he may not be simply John Doe. Now, now Killian felt the case getting even more complicated with the new information that Emma brought. He recalled a time when he wouldn't have cared as much as he did now, when life was clear cut and the only problems he had were keeping tensions down between Ruby and Granny. Killian bit the corner of his bottom lip, "It certainly is suspicious. I wouldn't have even known about David being in a coma if it weren't for Mary Margaret telling me about him, I never recall a missing person being put out either even in the news. But I do know something else that may prove our suspicions."

"And what's that?"

"I talked to David last night," Killian started. "It appears he may not be as amnesiac as we think."

Emma's eyes widen at that, "Wait, did he tell you that?"

"No, but I can spot a lie and by the end he practically admitted that he remembers."

Emma nodded, "Then there is something wrong about this, especially if David is faking his amnesia and then him not knowing who his supposed 'wife' is."

Killian drummed his fingers, staring over at Figaro whose placid and implacable expression was belying the understanding that Killian knew was in there in his depths. Killian had noticed it through the many times Figaro had led him somewhere he needed to be that had happened too many times to ignore, yet he was but a simple cat who now couldn't offer any resolution to the case that both him and Emma found themselves confronted with. "There's no doubt about that."

"Okay, well we have to do something about it then," Emma urged, a renewed spark in her surging. It was the reason she liked being a bail bond woman, there was a thrill in doing the work, solving something.

"I don't think we can do much," Killian raised his hands in defence when Emma shot him a look. "Not that I don't want to but I'm a librarian and you don't have a job, neither of us have any authority, not enough to push a case like this forward enough."

"Fine," It wasn't what Emma had wanted to hear but sadly it was the truth about it. The most Killian could do was ask around, people would be willing to talk to him because he's lived here for so long but Emma? She could do crap all, the most she could do was snoop around and maybe dig up some evidence on a case that Regina seemed to be manipulating, which also meant that there was a high chance that if Regina didn't want her to find something, she wouldn't find it. Why had she even come here? She shouldn't be getting involved with this.

"Now don't pout, Swan, it simply isn't a good look on you."

"Oh? And you'd know what'd look good on me?" Emma smirked than thought 'oh shit'. What have you done? You're seriously flirting with this guy. That was so stupid. You need to leave before this gets too out of hand.

There it was again- that flutter in Killian's core whenever Emma spoke to him without restraint, somehow; a person she'd known her entire life. In moments like these, Killian didn't quite know how to handle interaction with her, what prompted her from cold and reserve to light-hearted and free. During the first times this had happened with Emma, Killian had still carried doubts that what Emma expressed in these moments was real, her playfulness quick to dissipate as soon as she felt any sincerity on Killian's part. Yet Emma had returned each time, had still talked to Killian with interest as though she was testing him- like she wanted more- and he liked that about her. Killian wanted to work for it- to find something worth working for- and he believed on more than just a surface level, he had found that in Emma. The truth of it was that he was simply prepared to find someone who filled him with emotional support and acceptance that he yearned for.

Killian leaned over the desk, coming into her personal space, close enough to smell the sweet fragrance of her perfume. What he saw in Emma now was all that he hoped to see- genuine emotions. First desire and amusement, but then the flood of panic that rolled over the first two; fear spiking at the implications. But Killian was confident now that he was winning over the last ones. "I can certainly think of a few things."

His confidence was well placed when Emma leaned into him, meeting him in the middle, her hair falling gracefully to her front. "Mmm, too bad you can't test those things out." Emma's mind flickered nervously from 'what the hell is she thinking' to 'goddammit why the hell not'. Why was she risking it with this guy? And why was his charm working so well on her? It was a tug and pull between them and Emma was playing along with it.

"We'll see about that."

"Excuse me?" A voice piped up, causing the two of them to jump from their trance and whip their heads around. There in the library stood Tiana, staring at the two with peaked curiosity.

Killian coughed abruptly before taking a step back, "Right, Tiana I- uh didn't hear you come in."

Tiana smirked at that while Emma seemed caught up in embarrassment that caused her to blush madly.

"So- um I should be going," Emma said quickly, giving Tiana a small nod before leaving.

"So, have you asked her?" Tiana asked, putting her book in the returns.

Killian furrowed his eyebrows, "Asked her what?"

Tiana rolled her eyes at him, "To go out with her. Heck I barely even know you two and I can see it."

"Um, well, we're not…" Killian scratched behind his ear, "We're not really there yet."

"You'll get there, I can tell." Tiana chuckled a little at the flustered Killian.

Killian straightened, pulling the book to scan it as returned, with the deliberate intention into trying to compose himself. "I hope so."

Author's Notes

So I hope I have just fixed this chapter because it looked like a gibberish mess when I posted it, thanks for letting me know teamhook!

As I said in my previous notes for this chapter before it got ruined. Such a ridiculous wait, I know. I can't even promise regular updates for this story because I can't keep it. But I can promise to write when I can.

Thanks to all the people who give feedback still, it's amazing to hear it.

Have a wonderful day people!