Hey guys! Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out!

And I totally didn't realize it until GeekyKiki pointed it out, but this is somewhat like Once Upon a Time. So I guess that requires a disclaimer? (I don't own anything with O.U.A.T.) Just so y'all know, that's my absolute favorite TV show!

Here's chapter 9! Enjoy!

Chapter 9: Telepathy

October 1, 2358
Forbidden District, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, US
Main Street, U.S.A.

"I can't believe you've been running around the world trying to find us for ten months," Willa said to Finn in a small voice. To him, it almost sounded as if she felt guilty—as if the curse was all her fault.

Before Finn could assure her that it wasn't her fault, she cut him off.

"That must have been so lonely."

Finn nodded slowly. Not having his wife or even his friends by his side was the hardest thing he had ever done. Assuming one forgets the strange encounter with an old friend back in August...

"Finn, how did you do it?"

Finn turned to Willa and gave her a confused look. "Do what exactly?"

"You knew who we were, but yet you acted like you didn't. That must have been so hard for you, especially when you had to find Amanda."

Finn turned his gaze to the castle, swallowing back tears. "Yeah," he managed. "She was the hardest."

He heard a shaky breath and knew that Willa was holding back tears herself.

"Do you think Philby will remember me now?"

Finn hesitated. For ten months now he had lived without his friends and family. He knew that they didn't remember him, which made it even worse. He was all alone. Not having Amanda by his side had been a huge blow to his self-esteem. He could only imagine what Willa was thinking right now. She was smart, she knew what was coming.

If Philby didn't remember who she was, how would she handle it? Finn certainly didn't handle it good.

Finn glanced ahead of them and saw a few people standing in front of the castle. The rising sun cast their shadows along the cobblestone street. He counted four.

"I guess we'll find out." Finn grabbed her hand and gave it a quick squeeze before heading toward the group. He didn't want to see her like this. He needed to be strong, if not for himself, for her. They were the only two that remembered—they had to stick together.

Willa followed Finn as he walked up to the group of friends. She saw Charlene standing there, tapping her foot impatiently. Willa wanted nothing more than to run and give her best friend a hug. She seemed scared, as if anyone of the group could turn on her and betray her in some way. Based off what Finn had told her about Charlene's life in this world, Willa figured she had the right to be that way.

The suspicious look Maybeck was giving Jess made Willa feel like things were back to normal. Ever since she had led him into a trap at Space Mountain as Jezebel, Maybeck had always been a little suspicious of her. Maybe this was a sign that he was remembering who he was. Jess kept noticing his stare and returned each one with a roll of the eyes.

Willa almost laughed. At least Jess' personality was still the same.

Willa noticed Finn hesitate before walking over to stand by Amanda. It could have just been Willa, but she saw a look of longing in Amanda's eyes. Finn had told her that Amanda had been given a false memory of him, and that she thought he was dead. Willa now understood how delicate his situation with his own wife was. She hoped and prayed that Philby would remember her soon. She missed him more and more with every second.

As if he had heard her heart beating for him, Philby came jogging up to the group. He stood across the group from her and gave her a quick smirk. She knew that look better than anyone: he had found something and he was excited about it.

She hoped that he had just remembered who he was. Please, please, please.

"Sorry I'm late," Philby quickly added after staring at Willa for too long. She couldn't read his face well enough to know whether or not he had remembered. She wanted nothing more than to run into his arms and let him comfort her, reminding her how much he loved her.

But the time for that was later. Willa's heart dropped in her chest when his gaze moved off of her and toward Charlene.

Finn glanced at her and for a second their eyes met. She could tell that he understood exactly what she was feeling. He straightened up and broke the silence.

"Where's Wayne?" Finn asked Philby.

"He said he'd be along in a few minutes."

Another few seconds of awkward silence.

"Anybody…find anything…uh…interesting?" Finn asked awkwardly. He shifted his weight on his feet and turned to Willa for an answer.

What Willa wanted to say was: Oh please, Finn, you got yourself into this. How the heck am I supposed to help you out here? But instead, she rolled her eyes and glanced at Philby before saying something.

"I…uh…remembered…"

Charlene gasped. "You did?"

Willa nodded, stealing random glances at Philby every time she knew he wasn't looking at her. She didn't want to him to see her staring.

"Yes," Willa said in a quiet voice—so quiet she almost didn't hear herself.

"So how come only she remembers?" Jess asked. "Is that because you went with Danny boy over there?" She gestured over to Finn.

"Not exactly," Finn started to explain, but Willa cut him off.

"I just had this feeling that I had been here before," Willa glanced up at Philby and their eyes met for a brief second. She took a deep breath, holding his gaze and continued. "I…I can't explain it…it's just like the floodgates opened and all the memories came back all at once."

Willa watched for Philby's reaction, but all she saw was pain and confusion, as if he knew something but couldn't quite figure out what it was. She wanted nothing more than to run and press her lips on his, in the hope that true love's kiss would solve all their problems. That it could melt away this horrid curse. That it would bring everything back to normal.

"And…what do you remember?" Philby asked her cautiously. The sun was rising behind him, giving him a sort of angelic look. Even though he was across the circle from her, it seemed as if they were the only two out here. She absolutely loved that effect he had on her.

She wanted to tell him that she remembered everything. The first time they all crossed over together. The time she got stuck in SBS and Finn, Maybeck and Philby didn't rest until they found her. The moment she realized she loved Philby. Their first kiss on the cruise ship. How they defeated Jafar together. The day they got married. The day they both graduated from college. How he was there with her through very mood swing while pregnant. The nights they stayed up dealing with their newly born daughter. The way he had promised to find her in this new cursed world.

How their last kiss was so passionate but heartbreaking at the same time.

Willa shook the thoughts out of her head. "I…I…"

"She can't tell any of you what she remembers. It might make it harder for you to remember." Finn saved the day, as usual. Willa gave him a brief look of gratitude.

"Sounds like a bunch of baloney, if you ask me!" Jess said as she rolled her eyes.

"I agree!" Maybeck crossed his arms.

Willa wanted to laugh at the awful look Charlene gave him. Maybe she was starting to remember who she was and how much she loved Maybeck. Maybe she only remembered bits and pieces and was seeing Jess as a threat.

Or she thought he was being a big idiot, which, knowing Charlene as well as Willa did, seemed more probable.

"Ah, so I see you all are getting along! That's just swell." Wayne said as he walked up behind them. Willa felt a few seconds of pure shock at the loudness of his voice, out of old habits. She glanced over at Finn who shrugged, as if to say he does what he wants.

"So what now Wayne?" Amanda asked him eagerly. At least Willa wasn't the only one who was eager to change the subject. "We're all together. What's the plan for overthrowing Maleficent?"

"Right now, Your Majesty, there's only one thing the seven of you can do. This'll be easier for Daniel over here, but it's possible."

"And what's that?" Maybeck asked Wayne skeptically. Willa wanted to laugh at his defiance. It was just like old times. Willa was glad his personality hadn't changed in the curse.

"All of you need to fake your deaths and move here permanently."

"WHAT?" Everyone, except Finn, yelled in unison.

"Fi-Daniel," Willa caught herself. "He can't be serious!"

Finn nodded without making eye contact with anyone except the hidden Mickey's lining the cobblestone street.

"Wayne?" Willa asked him in a soft voice. She could tell that he now knew that she remembered. He reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It must be done, my dear. You are not safe at your home provinces. This place," he gestured to the castle behind him, "is the only safe place on the planet for the seven of you."

"B-b-but what about Lizzie?"

Wayne gave her a sympathetic look.

"Lizzie?" Philby asked her. She turned to face him and saw some sort of recognition on his face. What if he remembers?

"She's my daughter." The two of them locked eyes. If telepathy worked, he would hear her tell him all about her daughter, among other things.

"Oh," he shifted his weight on his feet uncomfortably. Obviously I need to work on my husband telepathy skills, Willa though to herself.

"Maybe you could bring her with you?" Charlene blurted out. "How old is she? Having a little girl with us would be a great morale booster! I absolutely love kids!" She almost started jumping up and down with joy.

It was true, she does love Lizzie. Willa could remember all the times Charlene would force Willa and Philby to go out so that she could spend time with Lizzie. It happened at least three times a week after she broke off the engagement with Maybeck—something Willa still didn't understand.

"She's 18 months old now." She turned to Wayne. "I can't leave her alone with Spencer. I couldn't do that to her."

"Spencer?" Philby asked. It could have just been her, but he seemed heartbroken. "Is that your...husband?"

"Maleficent made him my husband," Willa retorted harshly, as if it was his fault for all of this—which she knew it wasn't. "My real husband...he...he..." Willa had to pause in order not to burst into tears. "He's…lost."

Philby seemed taken back by that statement. Willa wanted him to remember, so that he would pull her into his embrace.

"I...I'm sorry, Willa."

Willa finally dropped her gaze to the street. She couldn't bear it anymore.

"You can bring her if you wish, Willa." Wayne finally added. "But I wouldn't bring a child to our training sessions here."

Willa nodded, still staring at the street.

"So we fake our deaths and come back here? What if we can't just do it right away? Planning that out takes time!" Jess blurted out.

"You have until December 20th to come here."

All seven nodded. "If you come early, there's a few rooms you can stay in. Come see me first, though. Good luck."

After a brief goodbye to Finn, Willa turned to go so that she could avoid Philby. She didn't want to see him right now, it was just too painful.

She heard footsteps following her on the cobblestone street. Willa braced herself for Philby, but instead she got Charlene.

"Hey Willa! I've got a question to ask."

Willa turned around and gave her a brief, fake smile. "What is it Charlie?"

"Charlie?" Charlene asked thoughtfully. "I like it!"

Willa shrugged. She didn't want to explain the old nickname to her. It would be easier just to let her remember.

"I was wondering if I could come with you." She started mindlessly braiding her hair with her hands, a nervous habit of hers. "You see, I'm a wanted woman back in the 4th province and I can't go back without getting caught. And since you remember now, I figured you could help me. I can take care of your daughter while you're at work, and I won't charge a babysitting fee! I won't get in the way, I promise!"

Willa thought it over. It would be nice to have Charlene helping out.

"Sure!" Willa concluded. "I'd love to have you help out!"

"Yay!" Charlene wrapped her in a tight hug—one that she gratefully returned.

"It'll be like a girl's mission! It'll be so much fun!"

"Just like old times," Willa added, immediately realizing that Charlene couldn't remember. "Oh, Charlene, I'm sorry. I forgot..."

"No, Willa, you're right." Charlene gave her a smile. "I'm going to remember. Maybe being with you will help me out. Heck! Maybe we'll find your husband while we're at it!" She nudged Willa's shoulder.

Willa smiled weakly at her. "Yeah, maybe we will."

So what do y'all think so far? Any thoughts what so ever? I'll try to have the next chapter up as soon as I can!

Please review! I want to know what y'all are thinking when it comes to this story! Any requests, suggestions and opinions are wanted! I absolutely love y'all's feedback! Enjoy your week!