February 19, 2012 Continued

Ada pushed the deadbolt of her apartment home and then stood in the silence for a handful of heartbeats. Shaking herself, she turned on the television for some sound to break the quiet. Ada began pulling out the ingredients for a small dinner, unwilling to stomach something heavy and too hungry to deal with a long prep. Occasionally as she cooked, she looked over her shoulder to the messenger bag hanging on the hooks by her entrance. Finally, dinner ready, she grabbed Henry's book and put it in front of her bowl. Sitting down, she opened the book, paging through until she found the Mad Hatter's story. It wasn't one she'd paid much attention to, more focused on Snow White and Prince Charming's story for obvious reasons. She skimmed through it as she ate, feeling awkward reading someone else's life story after knowing them.

She certainly wouldn't want her past put down in some book for anyone to page through.

Ada closed the book with a snap, staring at it as if it had challenged her. On the one hand, they needed any information they could get on how to break the curse. So far all they really had was a vague prophecy written down that it would be Emma to do so and after she did "the Final Battle would begin," which didn't exactly sound great. On the other hand, no one in this book had actually consented to have their story told. And told to a ten year old. Ada hoped Henry never picked up the book and realized all the implications of Graham's story. He already had a hard enough time with the man's death, he didn't need to be thinking about the violation the Huntsman's life had been from the day he had saved Snow White's life till the day he died.

Even with the tv providing some background noise, her apartment felt creepy. Ada couldn't shake the feeling of Regina watching everything in town, Jefferson's paranoia clearly affecting her. Still, the man had been watching the town for twenty eight years, so he'd know, wouldn't he?

Ada pulled her curtains all closed.

"This is ridiculous," she whispered to herself and set about cleaning up. Finally, deciding she couldn't stand being only in her own company, she grabbed book, bag, and coat and went out.


The Rabbit Hole was loud enough with other people and Ada cast a glance over the crowd. She could hardly go anywhere in Storybrooke anymore without wondering who people's true selves were. She spotted Ruby the same instant Ruby spotted her.

"Ada!" she shouted, waving her over to a table crowded with men, her grin just a bit ditzy. "Come join!"

Ruby's table mates smartly made no objection to Ruby bringing in someone else to divide her attention with.

"This is Billy," Ruby waved to a handsome enough guy still in his work uniform.

"I recognize you, you run the tow truck, right?" Ada questioned, shaking his hand.

Billy seemed a bit bashful as he nodded, "Yeah, it's mostly working for Mr. Gold but," he shrugged, "Most everyone in town sort of works for Mr. Gold."

Ada hummed in acknowledgement.

"Careful," Ruby teased, "Ada's pretty much the only person Gold actually likes." At that, the others began to look nervously at each other, "Relax," Ruby barked, clearly irritated, "That says more about how cool Ada is than anything else," she glared down their table mates. "Ada, this is Amos," Ruby introduced the next face. Ada looked at him carefully, trying to place him.

"I don't think we've bumped into each other," she remarked.

"Oh no," Amos told her, "I live outside of town. Though I did see you that night with the John Doe? I'm a paramedic."

"And this is Corbin," Ruby finished introductions.

"We haven't met," Corbin cheerfully told her. "But I work with Mary Margaret Blanchard. I teach 5th Grade."

"Bless you," Ada told him jokingly, Corbin laughed good naturedly.

"Not for the faint of heart," he agreed.

"That's why he's drinking on a Sunday night," Billy teased, "Gotta get ready to face the hellions on Monday morning."

"Didn't think I'd see you out tonight," Ruby slyly elbowed Ada.

"And don't you have a breakfast shift tomorrow?" Ada playfully replied.

Ruby rolled her eyes, "God, don't remind me. Mornings, so not my time of day."

"Creature of the night," Corbin winked at Ruby, who accepted the attention happily.

"I'll get the next round," Amos volunteered, standing from his stool, "Ada, what can I get you?"

"Oh, I'll come with you, help carry everything," Ada replied, leaving Ruby to two of her admirers.

"Not into the nightlife?" Amos asked as they waited at the bar.

Ada shrugged, "At a loss for something to do tonight. Had a weird, long day."

"So, what is it exactly you're doing in town?" Amos questioned.

"Mostly burning through my savings. Emma and I moved here, and she got elected Sheriff, but I need to find something to keep myself busy. I used to be a child advocate."

"I promise, I voted for her," Amos grinned.

"Sensible of you."

"Child advocate? Is that anything like a counselor? You could ask Corbin, maybe they need one at the school. Or maybe Dr. Hopper is looking for an associate."

"What can I get you?" the bartender cut in as Ada began thinking on it.

"A whiskey neat, vodka cranberry, two Meister Braus, and-?" Amos turned to Ada.

"Got any local beers?" Ada asked, and the bartender grinned.

"Sure do, got a nice IPA made at the Steamboat Brewery, as well as a pale ale and a seasonal cider. It's apple and blackcurrant."

"I'll go for the cider," Ada nodded.

"Now you've done it," Amos said. "Few things Nik likes more than people who drink the local stuff."

Ada grinned widely "Always good to have the bartender as your friend," she nodded. "But those aren't bad ideas. For jobs, I mean."

"Seems you're pretty set on staying," Amos shrugged, "You'll still have to pay rent, even if Mr. Gold likes you."

"I don't know that he likes me," Ada mused, "So much as I'm the only one who will play chess with him."

Amos shook his head, "You and the Sheriff are some fearless ladies."

The grabbed the drinks and headed back to the table. Ada looked at the gentlemen around the table as Ruby continued to flirt. She wondered who they really were. Clearly not everyone in town's story was in the book, so some of these people wouldn't be revealed until Emma broke the curse. Unless to break it Emma had to get every single person in town their happy ending.

That could take more than their lifetimes.

Perhaps Ada should start pressing Gold for how, exactly, Emma is meant to break this curse.

After finishing her drink she left, waving Ruby's offer to walk her home off. She wondered about Ruby- there hadn't been any mention of Red having a True Love in the book. What would be Red's happy ending? A cure for her werewolf-ism? She had her red hood, so that was already achieved in a way. Was the red hood brought over from Storybrooke? There was an awful lot of stuff in Gold's shop- perhaps it was in there. Ada carefully locked her door and checked all her windows.

Jefferson's paranoia definitely was getting to her. She sent a text to Emma letting her know that she'd met with Ruby and several other residents, including a coworker of Mary Margaret's. Ada mused on potential identities while Emma shot down her various theories. Finally, she gave up and went to bed.


February 20, 2012

Ada decided to first try the High School. While she was sure working with the actual Jiminy Cricket would be an interesting learning experience, perhaps that would be better saved until after he was his true self. Besides, the number of children who are cursed in Storybrooke concerned her. Were they all in unhappy families? Or were some happy and safe?

Ada checked her bag one more time- Henry's book, her resume, her wallet, her lipstick- she was good to go. She checked her reflection in the glass of the door as she walked into Storybrooke High.

"Hello," she greeted the man at the front desk, he looked up in confusion. "My name is Ada Ward, and I just moved to town. I was wondering if you had any positions open?"

"I'm not sure," the man said nervously, "I'll ask Principal Hoffman, one moment," and he ducked away. Ada glanced down at the man's name plate. Maxwell Sampson.

"Excuse me," Maxwell called from an open door, "If you could come in here, Principal Hoffman would like to speak with you."

Ada squared her shoulders. Looks like she might be interviewing sooner than she thought.


August arrived at Jefferson's mansion wondering what it said about him that he willingly returned the next day to his kidnapper's house.

Probably best not to examine that idea too closely.

But Jefferson was from home and knew who he was. It was a heady combination that not even the lump on the back of August's head could deter him from. August rang the bell and then waited. Sure enough, after a few moments, the door opened to reveal the Mad Hatter, looking bemused.

"I haven't talked to this many people in years," he said rather than a greeting.

"Twenty eight?" August suggested.

"Longer," the hatter corrected, frowning.

"Can I come in?"

Jefferson examined him, "I guess you'd better."

August crossed the threshold and wondered what Jefferson thought had brought him here.

"If you want, I think we can get my telescope on the Main Street. Your father usually has a walk with his friend before lunch. We've got enough time. Of course," he mused, "Now time's moving things aren't always easy to predict."

"Please."


I think I may have gotten a job.

Emma read the text from Ada again, and sent back several question marks as a response. It was nearing lunchtime and she was craving a grilled cheese. Knowing Ada, she'd want to celebrate her possible new job with coffee at Granny's.

Emma turned to look at the files she'd been sorting. Graham had no organization system, clearly just putting down files wherever he saw space for them. Emma was going through each and every one in between answering any calls. Things had been oddly quiet lately ever since Gold got out on bail. Emma had processed the paperwork, including an updated version when Mr. French had come in and said he didn't want to press charges, but so far little seemed to be moving through the Mayor's office. It made Emma nervous about what Regina was up to. Somehow, she didn't think it was just setting up her own response to the petition for child custody.

The phone rang, letting Emma put down the file she was currently reading through with a sigh.

"Sheriff's Office," she answered.


"And she has no history of running away?" Emma asked as she examined the room before her. It was pretty bare, especially for a high school aged girl's bedroom. Everything was pared down to the absolute basics, and more than slightly worn. Emma tried to decide if it was a product of lack of funds for the family or a disinterest in their daughter.

The caller, a woman named Iona Archer, hoisted a toddler higher on her hip and nodded. Her husband, Darin Archer, answered, "We've had some problems with your typical teenage rebellions," his voice was almost casual to Emma's ears, "She wants to go and do something, we say no, she tells us she hates us, and then two days later it's like it never happened."

"But nothing like this," Mrs. Archer insisted, her eyes watery.

Emma nodded, "OK, does she have a computer or anything like that? I'll want to check it with your permission for any clues as to where she might've gone."

"No computer," Mr. Archer grunted.

Mrs. Archer seemed a bit embarrassed, "She wanted one, but we just couldn't afford it."

Emma nodded, "Who are her friends? Any best friends you know of?"

Mrs. Archer nodded, "There's Harper. She talks about her a lot."

"Last name?"

"I don't know it, I'm sorry."

"That's ok, I'm sure there's only a handful of Harpers, and probably only one in her grade, I'll go to the school," Emma smiled. "I'll give this my full attention, I promise."

"Thank you, Sheriff," Mrs. Archers sighed. Emma looked at the parents standing in the doorway in front of her. Mrs. Archer seemed suitably worried, but Mr. Archer...he seemed more inconvenienced to Emma's eyes. She gave a nod and continued examining the girl's bedroom, opening her bedside drawers.

No contraband makeup, no diary, no convenient receipts for tickets recently purchased. Emma checked under the mattress and bed, then between her bureau at wall.

It was there she found a photo strip and tucked it discretely up her sleeve.

With a nod to the Archers, she left the room to head to the school.


Emma hadn't spent much time at Storybrooke High. She vaguely remembered Graham mentioning having to keep an eye on the kids during Mischief Night, but he told her he let them have their fun as long as it wasn't too destructive and then mostly just made sure they got home without alcohol.

She hoped she won't need to do that next year- hoped whatever she has to do to break the curse is done by then. Her mind shied away from thinking about what, exactly, a future after the curse breaking looks like. She mostly hoped for keeping Henry safe and happy, and conversations with her parents where everyone knows who each other is. Emma tried not to think about this "Final Battle" that's been mentioned.

All in all, things were a little skimpy on the details. Not surprising since most of their information came from a children's book and whatever bits Ada could get Rumpelstiltskin to tell her in between his giggling at their fumbling.

Still, the High School wasn't far from the Elementary School she'd walked to and from with Henry a handful of times, and she'd passed it more than once while patrolling, so she'd had no issue getting there. Consulting the front desk was tricky- not because Maxwell Sampson gave her any problems, but mostly because she felt she was terrifying the poor man by asking him questions. A few minutes gave her no information but brought her to the Principal's office.

Arden Hoffman seemed a nice enough man, perhaps struggling with the many children under his care, but as soon as Emma said the name "Robyn Archer" after explaining the situation, he had pulled a file and was instructing petrified Maxwell to ask Robyn's teachers to report to his office at their earliest convenience.

Emma talked over the file with Principal Hoffman, who admitted he didn't recall the girl personally, as he had a lot of students and she wasn't enough of a troublemaker to need his individual attention but was quick to pull notes from past teachers to share with Emma.

Considering Robyn had never sat in any past classes since she'd been frozen at her current age for twenty eight years, Emma wasn't sure what insight previous teachers could actually supply. She couldn't quite explain that to the cursed Principle who was doing his best to help her, though, so she kept her mouth mostly shut.

Slowly Robyn's current teachers came into the office and Emma questioned each one- had they noticed anything different in Robyn's behavior lately? Any noticeable changes to indicate something going on at home? Any drop in performance? Any new friends?

The last one almost unanimously was answered "Yes" with several teachers telling Emma about how lately Robyn seemed to be spending a lot of time with Harper Keyes, who, despite what Robyn's parents evidentially thought, was a boy in several of Robyn's classes. Some teachers thought perhaps they were dating, but no one knew for sure. One teacher mentioned Robyn spent a lot of time with a Heather Knight but hadn't been recently.

Emma asked for contact information for both Heather and Harper's parents in order to set up interviews, and Principal Hoffman already was writing out the addresses for her.


Ada reread Emma's text letting her know that she was on a case and to keep an eye out for Henry, who was going to be left home alone today.

"Ada!" Henry cheered as he left school and spotted her, "Where's Emma?" he asked, immediately concerned.

"She got called for work- a kid's run away from home. A high schooler- don't suppose you know any of them?"

Henry smiled again, "No, I only know the Elementary school kids, really. I know almost all of them though!" As if to demonstrate, he looks around and waved at a girl walking by "Hey, Paige!"

"Hi, Henry!" the girl greeted before heading home. Ada looked at her and realized that Paige was Grace, Jefferson's daughter.

"What's the matter?" Henry asked, seeing Ada couldn't take her eyes off his classmate.

"I know who she is," Ada murmured.

"You do?" Henry asked, "I haven't really figured out many of the kids."

Ada shook her head to bring herself back into the moment, "So what's the plan today?" she asked Henry as she began walking towards Mifflin Street.

"Spending it with you now," Henry grinned cheekily, "My mom is out at the Mayor's office and won't be back till 6, she said."

"Don't you have homework?" Ada questioned and Henry grimaced. She nodded, "Granny's for a snack?" she offered.

"Perfect. And maybe we should get some onion rings, for Emma?"

"I'll text her, she might have plans with Mary Margaret for dinner. But I've got big news."

"What?"

"I got a job."

"You did?" Henry's nose crinkled, "Doing what?"

"You're supposed to say congratulations," Ada teased, "And I'll be working at the High School as a counselor."

"But how will that help break the curse?"

Ada opened the door to Granny's for him, "Well, maybe I'll be able to help some of the students and teachers there, but more importantly they'll pay me so I can pay Mr. Gold rent money instead of owing him another favor."

Henry nodded sagely as he slid into a booth, "Probably for the best," he intoned, as if he was much older than he really was. The illusion was shattered as soon as he saw the specials, "Oh! I want a homemade cinnamon roll!"

"How about something a little healthier instead?" Ada grimaced, already knowing it was likely a lost cause.

Henry turned the puppy dog eyes on her, "I promise I had a super balanced healthy lunch and breakfast. Please?"

"A cinnamon roll?" Ruby asked as she approached their table.

Ada sighed and nodded, "And-"

"Coffee, yes, we have met before," Ruby teased her, "Henry, glass of milk with the cinnamon roll?"

"Yes please!"

"So come on," Ada brought Henry's attention back to her, "Give me all the good gossip. What's new at Storybrooke Elementary today?"

"Well, a bunch of 3rd Graders found Mr. Hynes kissing Princess Abigail- I mean Ms. Nolan in the parking lot this morning," Henry's nose wrinkled a little at the mention of kissing, "And Nicolas accidentally knocked Ms. Norman's coffee and it spilled all over the quizzes the class had just taken."

"Sounds like a mess," Ada remarked as Ruby returned, "And a waste of good coffee," she added as she reached for the mug Ruby set in front of her.

"And we all know how Ada feels about coffee," Ruby teased, "Here you go, Henry, warmed it up just for you."

"Thanks, Ruby!"

As Ruby walked away, August slid into the booth next to Ada. "Reminds me of when I was a kid. She used to always sneak me treats when we were at the Castle."

Henry's jaw and fork dropped.

"Subtle," Ada remarked, even as she felt a guilty twinge at the sight of August's bruised cheek and healing lip. "Henry, meet Pinocchio."

"You're really Pinocchio?" Henry questioned, "Why are you all grown up?"

August shifted uncomfortably.

"He's here to help Emma," Ada covered for him, immediately gaining Henry's interest.

"Really?" he smiled widely, "That's great! So are you going to go see Geppetto? You're his happy ending."

Ada tried not to wince. "Right now, we're focusing on figuring out how exactly Emma can break the curse," she covered.

"She'll do it," Henry averred.

August smiled, "Well, there are some people – like you and me – we can go on faith. But others – like Emma – they need proof. Emma's going to want to know exactly how to go about breaking the curse, not just feeling her way towards it."

"Instructions would be helpful," Ada muttered into her coffee, not quite on board with Henry and August's attitude of Emma just living her life until she miraculously stumbles onto how to break the curse.

"Jefferson says hello," August remarked to Ada.

She looked at him, surprised, "You went back there today?"

He shrugged.

"Who's Jefferson?" Henry questioned, eyes darting excitedly between them.

August leaned forward and smirked, "The Mad Hatter."

"Woh," Henry's opinion on August seemed to be improving by leaps and bounds.

"Let's not blow our cover, boys," Ada remarked, looking around the diner.

Henry nodded seriously, then tilted his head as he examined August more closely. "So where are you from? If you weren't in Storybrooke?"

August grinned, "I'm a bit of a nomad. I've lived all over. Before coming here, I was in Thailand."

"Woh," Henry repeated.


Ada dropped Henry off before the Mills House and reminded him to do his homework. She then headed towards Mary Margaret's apartment building. She was going to borrow the bug.


Ringing the doorbell, Ada once again examined Jefferson's mansion.

"Has it gotten bigger?" she wondered aloud, looking upward.

Jefferson opened the door, "So many visitors," he grinned as he stepped back to let Ada in. "Were you careful coming here?" he frowned as he spotted the bug, "That's a bit conspicuous."

"It's the only car I have access to," Ada told him, "Emma's working on a missing kid case. High schooler, named Robyn Archer."

Jefferson shrugged, indicating he wasn't familiar, "Cup of tea?" he offered.

"Thank you." Ada followed him to the kitchen, "So who else is in the town? Do you know? Henry's book doesn't have enough stories to cover an entire population, even for a small town like Storybrooke."

"I know some of the faces- but not all," Jefferson told her as he began to make tea, "A lot of them are royals, of course, so you'd see their portraits posted around during big events like coronations and births and deaths. We didn't exactly have cameras in the Enchanted Forest, so some people you only knew by reputation."

"OK, who do you know in town?"

"Pretty sure I've seen, aside from the Misthaven royals, the Faywood and Leyheath royals."

"I have no idea what that means," Ada blinked, realizing that yes, the place may have been called the Enchanted Forest but presumably the Kingdoms, towns, and so on all had their own names as well.

Jefferson placed the teapot on the tray along with the cups and saucers, "Come to the library, I've drawn a map."

"Really?" Ada followed him excitedly, "Why did you do that?"

"Same reason the wooden boy came to visit me today- I miss home. I spent so much time traveling to other worlds, never thought that I'd get stuck in one and then dragged into another without magic. I love my daughter, I even miss our tiny little cottage, but I never thought I'd miss Faywood."

"Faywood is the country you're from?"

"Kingdom," he corrected, setting the tray down and walking over to a bureau with several long but very thin drawers. He opened one and pulled out a map that had Ada's eyes widening. It was clearly hand drawn in ink, and she looked at the sweeping strokes, seeing where the ink had run low and a few areas where the ink flowed too easily and pooled. "Here is Misthaven," he indicated, "It used to be two kingdoms- but when Snow White and Prince James married, they also led a revolution to reclaim both kingdoms. Prince James's father, George, ruled over this area until the Misthaven royals dethroned him, and this area," he gestured again, "Has been ruled by Snow White's family for, oh," he breathed out a sigh, "History books say for at least twenty generations. You know the story?" he questioned Ada.

"I know the slightly more kid friendly version, I think," she shrugged.

"Well, King Leopold and Queen Eva, Snow White's father and mother, ruled the Kingdom before her. Queen Eva died when Princess Snow White was still quite young- I remember it, I was about 10 at the time, and the whole kingdom went into mourning for the Queen, and neighboring kingdoms like Faywood had events in honor of the dead Queen as well. Queen Eva was very popular. After a few years, maybe three or four? I don't quite remember, King Leopold remarried the daughter of a Lord or something of Misthaven. That was Queen Regina. Then, years later, the King died, and suddenly Snow White, who should have inherited the throne, was on the run. No one really understood why, but then Queen Regina started grabbing power. A lot of people started fleeing Misthaven, seeking sanctuary elsewhere, and then Queen Regina started making plays for other Kingdoms as well."

"She tried to take over other Kingdoms?"

"Not big ones like Leyheath, though she probably would've worked her way up to them eventually, but the smaller Kingdoms and the lesser Principalities? Oh yeah, she picked those right up. Used to be you could sometimes visit a village one week and come by next and they'd all be dead- slaughtered by the Black Knights. Very effective."

"Why did you work for her?"

Jefferson's jaw clenched, "I thought I was smart, and I thought I could do this one job and be set for life. I was useful enough- not many people can travel between realms, and I had my hat magic. I'd worked for Rumpelstiltskin before without any ill effects. I forgot that unlike Rumpelstiltskin, Regina doesn't work deals- she just acts how she wants. I figured, do this job, keep my head down, I could give Grace everything she'd ever want, and we'd be secure. The Royals, they usually get along, but everyone lower on the totem pole knows how it goes- they get into a tiff with one another over whose dress is fancier and suddenly, it's war. Regina...she didn't play the game of getting along like the others, same with King George- you'd think he'd be pleased with his son marrying Misthaven's Princess. Misthaven's a powerful Kingdom. But I did hear a rumor about the Prince being engaged to King Midas's daughter so maybe something happened there."

"OK, so who are the royals for the Kingdom you're from? Faywood?"

"Faywood used to be ruled over by King Walther, but he was mostly a figurehead by time I was stuck in Wonderland. His daughter Princess Nicola and her husband Prince Finn were the ones doing the day to day ruling really."

"What's their story?"

Jefferson shrugged, "I was just a hatter, and later a forager, I wasn't having tea with them. All I know is that Prince Finn started off in the army, and the King set him a series of challengers to prove he was worthy of the Princess. Something about giants maybe? I was busy then- my wife...she had just died, and Grace and I were," he stopped speaking, "Well, either way, clearly the Prince proved himself because he and the Princess were married and by time a year or so passed everyone knew they were running things and King Walther was mostly enjoying his hunting."

"I saw Grace today," Ada softly mentioned, watching Jefferson's expression carefully, "She's friends with Henry. Beautiful girl."

Jefferson nodded, clearly fighting strong emotions. "Thank you."

Ada shrugged, "I was just there picking up Henry from school."

He shook his head, "No, I mean, for calling her Grace. Not Paige."

"Her name is Grace," Ada place her hand on Jefferson's where it rested on the map, "Just like mine is Ada and yours is Jefferson."

He nodded again, before slipping his hand out from under hers to grab is tea and take a long sip.


For those of you who are really up on your beers: Meister Braus aren't made any more and haven't been since 2005, but I figure Storybrooke's magic isn't perfect, and while we see somethings like technology are somewhat updated from 1983, they all are just a bit behind. Ada is not up on her beers, and so did not notice the oddity. I've also now added a brewery to Storybrooke for no reason other than it felt right (yes, named after Steamboat Willie). And more characters! And I named the Bartender who we only ever see during the episode Lacey and then never again. Do any of these new characters have anything to do with the Goose Girl fairy tale? Could any of them be Prince Aldric? Let me know what you think- have I brought him in or am I just throwing you red herrings? And what could the happy ending be for Aderyn if it's not her Prince? Let's face it, the Enchanted Forest is still a feudal/monarchial system so as much as we see a lot of True Love couples, there's probably just as many marriages that are business arrangements. Politics.

And the runaway teenager! Another story? Related to the Goose Girl? Am I biting off more than I can chew?

I meant to have Ada go chat with Gold this chapter, but she wanted to go check on Jefferson again. Maybe next chapter!