Sorry this chapter is late this week, folks! I had a crazy few weeks at work and am playing a bit of catch up. Still, only two days late isn't too shabby considering I was working weekends.
February 23, 2012
Regina scowled at the wall of hearts before her. Apparently Miss Ward didn't keep anything too interesting in her apartment- or she hid it well enough that Regina's little pawn hadn't found it. She'd been very careful, whispering to his heart, to look thoroughly. Regina had noticed Miss Ward carting around a large bag with her every day- clearly, she was keeping some things on her. Regardless, hopefully the exercise was still enough to unnerve her opponents. It was never nice to find the sanctity of one's space invaded. If that Goose Boy had found anything like Regina had described, he would've thrown it in the bushes in back of a certain abandoned house for Regina to collect at her leisure.
But nothing was there for Regina to make use of.
Well, if she couldn't get incriminating evidence, perhaps she should make some.
August nodded at Henry, "It's almost nine. You all set? You know what to do?"
Henry nodded firmly, "Operation Cobra is always ready. I just…" he trailed off, suddenly nervous.
"You just what?" August probed, looking away from Gold's to examine Henry.
"I don't really understand how this helps the mission. Ada gets Mr. Gold to tell her stuff all the time now, maybe we shouldn't risk making him angry?"
"I understand that," August nodded, "But we don't really know for sure why the Dark One is willing to help us, and until we know why-"
"We can't know for sure if we can trust him," Henry finished with a sigh. Suddenly suspicious, he eyed August, "Did you tell my mom we were doing this?"
"I told Ada about testing Gold," August hedged.
Henry continued to examine the man, wishing he had his mom's super power for lying. It sounded like August was saying Ada knew about this, but he also wasn't saying Ada knew about it. Henry squinted, hoping he could summon up some genetic link, giving him the ability to sniff out lies. He'd spent a lot of time with his mom and Ada, and she was basically an Aunt- he should be picking up on this stuff, right? But no gut feeling seemed to be bubbling up, no prickings, no sense of truth or not.
Henry decided he'd take a gamble, "So she and my mom don't know what we're doing," he summarized, trying to act like he was certain of this information, that this wasn't a test.
"Well, no," August confessed, "Not exactly."
"Are you trying to get me in trouble?" Henry accused.
August seemed to flush, "You're right- I shouldn't have dragged you into this," he sighed, "I shouldn't have risked putting you in the crosshairs."
He did seem to feel really bad, and he probably missed his dad, so Henry decided to forgive him. "I've got an idea of something we can investigate for Operation Cobra."
"It's not more books, is it?" August grimaced.
Henry grinned.
"Thank you for meeting me, especially after yesterday. Was anything missing?" Kathryn greeted Ada as she sat at a small table inside The Hideout Cafe.
"No, no. At least, nothing noticeable yet. For all I knew someone could've made off with all my spare pens. Thank you for inviting me out," Ada grinned, "I don't want to sit and stew over it. Besides, I still have a few days before I start my job, so I've got to take advantage of the free time while it lasts."
Kathryn nodded regally as the cafe owner approached with a tray. Kathryn delicately smoothed a napkin over her lap as the cafe owner carefully placed before the princess a teacup with saucer, as well as a small teapot and other items whose function Ada did not know.
"What can I get you miss?" she cheerfully asked Ada as she placed the empty tray against her hip.
Ada placed her own order and then turned back to the former Princess Abigail.
"Enough about me anyways. How are classes going?" she asked, folding her hands in her lap. Sitting in front of Kathryn always felt like she might be tested on manners and deportment. Ada wasn't sure what deportment was really, but she felt like Kathryn did and kept score on who clearly didn't.
Kathryn smiled, chatting about her last class and her upcoming tests. As Ada's coffee was put before her, Kathryn paused to address their server, "Eva, would you mind getting myself and Ada each one of your tarts?" Kathryn turned back to Ada, "No one makes better tarts than Eva," she informed her, "You'll be coming back daily to get them fresh." Eva smilingly returned with two tarts, tiny curls of lemon peel, almost blindingly bright, decorating the center of each. Even as Ada picked up her fork, mindful of keeping her elbows off the table, she wondered who Eva might be in the Enchanted Forest. The woman seemed quiet, but that could just be tactful customer service, leaving Ada and Kathryn, who was clearly a regular, to themselves.
Ada's eyes light up as the bright lemon flavor burst on her tongue, the creamy filling smooth. Kathryn laughed, "I did warn you they were good. They almost make me want to learn how to bake, so I don't have to depend on Eva."
Ada grinned, "Only almost?" she teased as she quickly forked another bite.
Kathryn shrugged, "Well, I can't say I've ever been one for domestic duties," she commented airily. "Now, this new job of yours," Kathryn examined Ada over the rim of her teacup, taking a sip before setting it back into its saucer, "Are you ready for all the hormones of High Schoolers?"
Ada nodded, "I think I'm ready for the challenge. I do miss working, and while I love working with children in general, there's something particularly about that age group that I like working with."
"I know you'll do excellently," Kathryn firmly averred, "After all, if you can get my stubborn head on straight," she smiled again.
Ada shrugged, "I just talk, what people do with what I say is entirely up to them. You did the hard work yourself. And no look at you," Ada waved her hand, "Successful, well-adjusted, happy woman."
Kathryn's smile went a little softer around the edges, "Yes, very happy. Jim is..." she sighed, "Well, he's everything I didn't know I wanted. And going to school, learning all of this- it's so fulfilling."
"What do you think you'll do, once you have your law degree? Open up a practice here?"
Kathryn shrugged, "It's hard to imagine myself anywhere else, and people need legal help everywhere, I suppose. Though I'd be in a bit of competition with Mr. Gold. Of course, perhaps by then he'll be looking at retirement."
"Either way, I doubt he'll make it easy for you," Ada frowned.
Kathryn's grin was sharp, "Well, that would be half the fun."
"So this is the symbol. We see it anywhere in town, we have to investigate," Henry handed a drawing to August, who examined it closely.
"OK, any ideas on where to start?" he looked up at the boy.
"Well, you and Ada have gone over most of the library, do you remember seeing it there?" August shook his head, "I'm thinking, she'd want it somewhere she could get to easily, but it can't be at home- I'd have found it ages ago. But she wouldn't want it anywhere too many people would be around, somewhere kinda isolated."
August nodded, "Good thinking, Henry." The boy grinned, pleased. "So...why are we looking for this symbol?"
Henry frowned, his face suddenly somber, "Graham...he was the Huntsman, he died before you got here." August's surprise was written all over his face, but he kept silent, "He started remembering, and he came to talk to me. He thought he knew something about that symbol, he went looking for it, and a wolf. But the wolf was his brother, so I don't think we'll be able to find him. But we can find the symbol. I remembered when I had...a dream, last night."
August tactfully did not mention that it seemed this reminder of the dead Sheriff sounded like it might have been more a nightmare. "So, we look for this symbol, just like he wanted?"
Henry's nod was decisive, and August remembered that he, too, had the blood of royalty in his veins. His face in childhood was stubborn, but this expression as an adult? It would look a lot like Emma's steely determination, or Snow White's calm leadership.
August's blood was filled with enchantment, created from fairy dust and wood and his father's love, but he promised himself again to follow the royal family. He wasn't sure what his promises were worth now, after so many years of breaking them, but perhaps he could try anew to be selfless, brave, and true. Henry and Emma would certainly know how. Maybe he could make up for the last twenty eight years, maybe he couldn't- but he owed Emma, and he could try to pay that debt.
"I've got to go to school," Henry told August, already rushing down the street, "But report back!"
August saluted, semi-serious, as Henry began to run, probably late already for his first class. He turned back to examine the symbol Henry had given him. Perhaps he should start looking in the outskirts of town? Or maybe the more secluded areas along the docks? He wasn't entirely sure what to expect to find, but whatever it was would be something the Evil Queen would have squirreled away for a rainy day, and Emma was making it pour. Best to know what weapons their enemy had at her disposal.
The bell above the door rang cheerily as Mr. Gold looked up from his ledgers. "Hello, dearie," he greeted as Ada Ward walked into his shop, bag slung on her shoulder.
"Brought you an eclair," the redhead waved a pastry bag in the air, the smell wafting around the room. Dropping it on the counter, Ada sat down at their chess board as she inquired "Any news?"
Limping around the counter, leaving the pastry for now, he sat across from her, "All the paperwork is filed, but I have an inkling that's not what you were inquiring about." Ada raised an eyebrow and moved a pawn. "Yes, you would be more curious about the pillager. All I've been able to determine thus far is that it's not one of the usual vandals of our fair town. Which means, it was someone who doesn't have an history of such behavior."
Ada watched as Rumple made his own move. "What do we think of Sidney? We know he'll do just about anything for Regina."
He tisked, "Our intrepid reporter has several witnesses for his whereabouts at the time of the crime. Think a little more creatively, dearie."
"Usually the simplest explanation is the true one," Ada rolled her eyes at his admonishment. She frowned, concentrating, "Is it possible Regina has someone else with that kind of slavish loyalty? Who else is in her sycophants club?"
Gold watched as she moved one of her knights, "You've been practicing without me, haven't you, dearie?" he grinned and mercilessly captured her piece. "As for who else Regina might command? It's increasingly difficult to say for certain. The town is largely populated by her enemies."
"Or frenemies," Ada interrupted, eyeing Rumpelstiltskin pointedly.
He continued as if she hadn't spoken, "And with the citizens waking...hard to say who still might be sleepy enough to follow the piper, and who is alert enough to fight back." Ada scowled at the board. She was practicing and studying when she could- but she wasn't giving 'Stiltskin much of a fight for this game.
"What about the people at her office? Her secretary- Henry says she may be the Goose Girl, or could be the Goose Girl's enemy, since they have the same face."
"Oh, poor Miss McNeill?" he pointedly moved his Queen, again taking one of Ada's pieces. "I'm afraid Regina's not the kindest employer."
Ada scowled, "I thought you didn't know everyone in town?"
"I do not- but it always pays to know the key players," he shrugged expansively, and then grinned, shark-like, "Checkmate."
Ada watched him, wondering what her chances were, if she pressed, of him revealing anyone else's identity. Rumpelstiltskin may want the curse broken, but he also wanted to keep the upper hand- it wasn't likely he'd give her any information ahead of time. He'd just watch her struggle and fumble and then drop just enough of a hint to get her out of whatever hole she'd fallen into at the last possible moment. Ada began to reset the board under his calculating stare.
"I read the story of the Goose Girl," Ada mused, "I guess Regina was going for political power when she went after them?"
"Interesting thing about our dear Mayor- she's always associated power with royalty- with a crown. Now," he gestured grandly to himself, "I never felt the need to call myself a King, but Regina? Oh, she burns for the crown." He giggled, "Learned it from her mother."
David was surprised to see a car sitting in front of the Pet Shelter at this time of day- when he left work typically the streets were empty, everyone else in town already home with the families, or getting ready for going out to meet friends or loved ones. He was due to meet Mary Margaret for dinner at her apartment- Emma was working through dinner so it would be just the two of them. Though he was sure they'd both miss Emma's company- perhaps he should suggest to Mary Margaret that they take a plate over to Emma at the Sheriff's Office. That way they could be certain the blonde woman at least ate something and had some pleasant company.
"Oh, ow!" a woman exclaimed, and David looked around the propped open car hood to see Madame Mayor, shaking her hand and looking as though she was trying not to curse.
"Car trouble?" David asked, not sure of his reception. After all, Regina was good friends with his ex-wife, and Mary Margaret had mentioned she didn't seem to be too fond of her, but brushed it off as not all people clicking with each other. Still, he'd never be able to forgive himself if he left someone stranded in the cold.
"It won't start," she signed, clearly upset, "Got a car full of groceries, and, well, it hasn't exactly been a banner day."
David nodded, thinking the possibilities over. He wasn't a mechanic like Michael Tillman, but he seemed to know enough about cars to be getting on with somewhere in his memory, "Well, now, let's see." He ducked into the car to try the ignition, but the car refuses to start. Looking at the dash, he drawls the logical conclusion. "The battery's dead," he informs the Mayor, straightening up.
'What?" Regina repeats, staring.
David shrugs slightly, "I don't have any jumper cables, but I can give you a ride home in my truck." He reaches into his pocket for his cell- he'll need to text Mary Margaret that he'll be late.
Regina was objecting, "Oh, no, no. Thank you, but I couldn't impose."
"I insist," David pocketed his phone, sure Mary Margaret would agree that helping someone home is worth a slightly overcooked dinner for one night, "Unless you want to have a car full of melted rocky road," David joked slightly.
Regina sighed, seeming to melt a little, and then conceded. "Sure."
August opened his door to find Ada Ward standing there, hands on her hips and toe tapping, "Come on," she ordered, walking away without an explanation. Quickly shutting his door behind him, August jogged to catch up with the short woman, whose strides, though shorter than his own, were quick.
"Where are we going? What's happening?" he questioned.
"Nothing's wrong," Ada told him with a small smile, "But we're going to get some take out, probably from Granny's, and take it to Jefferson. Man hasn't had to grocery shop once in twenty-eight years, I think he's probably foraging in the woods for a lot of his supplies. And this way we can all catch up on any clues we may have found. Henry said Regina gave him permission to have dinner with friends, so he's going to join us. He's waiting downstairs."
"Where's Emma?"
Ada grimaced, "Working. She needs to hire somebody."
"Sheriff's Office is a good position to have though to find information," August pointed out.
Ada carefully examined August from the corner of her eyes, "And what have you been up to? Pestered Gold at all?"
August felt his shoulders tense as he remembered Henry and trying to get him to help without Emma or Ada's knowledge. "No. Henry gave me a job actually. I've been looking all over the place for a certain symbol. It's her vault, he said."
Ada frowned, brow furrowed, "Where she put his heart."
August examined her, seeing her bleak mood, "He mentioned something about the Sheriff before Emma?"
Ada swallowed hard, "He was a good man," she shook herself, "Come on, Henry's waiting."
They found Henry happily chatting with Red at the counter, asking for extra fries with a puppy dog look. Red clearly knew what he was doing, but was happy to play along.
"Are you flirting with Ruby?" Ada teased as the waitress left to get their take out order.
Henry blushed, "Ew!" Ada laughed at him- Henry seemed well enough, but he apparently mentioned Graham to August, which had he worried. She knew Henry probably hadn't recovered from that- it was not only his first experience with death, but also the murder of someone Henry cared about, done by his own adoptive mother. Ada herself hadn't gotten over it, and she was nowhere near as close to the situation as Henry was. She'd see if she could get him alone to talk sometime tonight. Ada's mind turned over various approaches as she paid for their meal, still teasing Henry about flirting with Ruby, who happily joined in on joke when she heard it. August and Henry chatted about writing as they gathered around the Bug. Ada carefully drove through the increasing dark to Jefferson's mansion.
"So, this is Paige's real dad?" Henry asked as they walked up the steps.
"Yes," Ada replied, "And her real name is Grace."
Henry nodded, clearly working hard to remember the correct name. August knocked on the door, smiling slightly, perhaps a bit subdued by talk of fathers.
Jefferson opened the door widely and ushered them all inside. "We really shouldn't meet so often," he told Ada without greeting, "She may notice."
"Hello," Henry chirped, holding his hand out to shake, "I'm Henry."
"I know," Jefferson told him, seemingly a little stunned. Still, he reached out and shook Henry's hand.
"And you're Mr. Jefferson, Grace's dad," Henry stated, endearing himself to Jefferson, "Grace is really nice- she's in my class. Ada says you have a cool telescope, can I see?" Ada reached down to grasp Henry's shoulder, steering him towards the kitchen, worried he might cause Jefferson to faint if he kept on.
"After we eat, maybe," she told him, "Now help me set the table, and don't forget to thank Jefferson for letting us come over."
"Thank you!" Henry cheerily said over his shoulder as August and Jefferson followed them, the Hatter seeming to be a in a bit of a daze.
"We got you lasagna," Ada told Jefferson as she opened cabinets and random, looking for plates.
He opened the correct cabinet and pulled out a set of plates for her, "Thank you."
Ada grinned a little, "Well, it may be I'm hoping you don't like it and I can eat the leftovers, so don't thank me yet."
"Found the forks!" Henry cheered. August seemed to decide to stay out of the way and sat at the table, watching everyone else.
"Good work," Ada told Henry, before turning back to Jefferson. "Later I can teach you how to grocery shop if you're low on food. I guess you have money, right?" her brow furrowed, "How does that work- I guess without a job you'll eventually run out, right? Now that time is moving."
"I guess so," Jefferson mused, sitting down, "I haven't really thought of the downsides of time moving now."
"It's so much better now, though," Henry emphatically pointed out. Jefferson smiled sadly.
"Yes, time moving is definitely an improvement."
"And soon my mom will break the curse," Henry seemed to be almost promising.
Ada ran a hand through his hair, unable to help herself from smiling at Henry's absolute faith. "And to help her, we'll just have to keep working, all of us."
"Welcome to Operation Cobra," Henry told the Hatter, grinning widely.
A lot of set up this chapter, and the last few too it feels like. Things are getting into place. But you know what I forgot about? Regina's attempted seduction of David. What a bizarre piece of plot. I mean, it makes total sense for Regina to do so- she's attempting to get at Snow this way, as that would be a hard thing to deal with for Snow and Charming once everyone remembers. But in the original show at that point David is happily married to Kathryn- Regina's only friend? I'm not sure if on the show at that point Regina felt like the curse breaking was inevitable and she just wanted to cause as much damage as possible, but...it didn't feel that way? At least to me. I'm curious what you all thought?
Thank you again for everyone who has kept reading and especially to those who review! It's so fun seeing your comments and thoughts, I love every single one!
