Hey folks :)

Sooo, I was literally up til 5,30 am to write this chapter ;D I have a slight obsession. The new episode of the Walking Dead game came out yesterday and I still feel dead inside..

Anyways, enjoy this new chapter.

Warning: Shit is about to hit the fan!

Bigby Wolf was a man with a mission. A mission that was almost done, but the hardest part was still to come.

I am just going to lay it on her table and then go. Make no big deal out of this.

He secured his grip on the white plastic bag in his hands as he took the elevator of the Woodlands Building upstairs.

2 Days have passed since he and Snow had their talk, which left him with as many answers as before. Zero.

He didn't want to pressure her though, he knew they had some time left before the cub came, so they could still figure stuff out.

He bought her lunch today. As a sign of good will and to show that he actually cares and can be responsible. She often skipped a real meal during her day due to all the stress she was going through, it was not an uncommon thing.

He never supported her eating habits but now he had a say in them as he had to make sure that his cub was strong and well nourished, so it could become a great wolf one day. Just like him.

So he took it upon himself to venture out in the mundy and look for the healthiest food he could get a pregnant woman.

He approached the door to the Business Office. He was glad that there was no line in front of it.

Would have been fucking great to explain why I bring her lunch, he thought sarcastically.

People already spread rumors about them. Luckily none of those involved a pregnancy. But still, he didn't want to add fuel to the fire.

He opened the door, hoping he found no one but her in the Office, and as he stepped in, he saw:

No-one.

Where's Snow? I can smell her being around.

Bigby stepped into the room, looking at the endless walls. He stopped in front of her desk.

She left her jacket and her purse on the chair, guess that's what I've been smelling. I need to pay more attention next time, he thought with a frown.

After their talk in the woods he tried even harder to leave her as much privacy as he could. He could never block her out completely though, but the least he could do is try to not locate her at all times.

"Bufkin? Hey, you there?" he had to wait several seconds before he heard a yawn.

A few moments later the flying monkey came out the darkness and landed on Snow's desk, right in front of Bigby.

"Hung-over again?" Bigby inquired annoyed.

"Well…"

"You know what? I don't care; just tell me where Snow is." Bigby interrupted him before he could even start to look for excuses.

"I believe she just left to go to her apartment for a second" Bufkin shrugged.

"You think she's gonna come back soon?" he asked, trying to sound casual, hiding the bag behind his back.

"How am I supposed to know?" Bufkin cried.

Damned Monkey… Well I better go to her apartment then, probably better she eats her lunch there. Then this drunken shit won't notice I bought it for her. Bigby thought as he watched Bufkin being barely able to keep himself on his feet.

"Alright Monkey. Go ahead and sleep some more" Bigby told him and turned around to head to Snow's apartment.

The less he knows, the better it is.

Bigby turned the doorknob when he noticed another person standing on the other side of the door. And he didn't need his senses to know it was Snow.

He opened the door and was greeted by her beautiful appearance.

It was the first time he saw her today. She was wearing a knee length dress. The white fabric was not clingy on her skin but still emphasized her gorgeous body. She was also wearing a beige blazer, to keep her outfit still formal and fit for Office work.

He noticed that she was wearing dresses now more than ever. Probably to hide the little baby bump that was already showing.

My cub must be big, he thought proudly. He had to keep a silly grin from coming on his face.

Being so deep in thought, he failed to see the panicked expression she had when she saw him.

"Bigby, what are you doing here?" Snow asked him, voice higher than usually.

Bigby looked into her eyes then. He stepped a bit back as he saw he was a little too close for what would be considered proper.

"I have something for you", he smirked, holding up the bag of food.

Snow didn't seem impressed though: "Let us go to your Office. I need to tell you something".

She turned her back and started walking, still supported by her cane.

What is this about? Bigby wondered as he closed the door behind him and started following her to his Office.

She let herself in and took seat in the chair that was in front of his desk. She let out a sigh and put the cane to the side.

Damn it! I should've opened the door for her.

Bigby sat into his chair on the other side of the desk and laid the bag in front of her.

"I bought you lunch. You never seem to eat… so I took the liberty…", he began while scratching his head.

Snow smiled playfully and raised an eyebrow at that.

"Where did you get it from?" She started opening the bag and leaned forward to smell the insides.

"I went to some mundy restaurant." He smirked. Luckily she couldn't see his leg shifting nervously under the desk. I wish I could smoke. But he knew better than to smoke around a pregnant woman. Especially Snow, who already condemned his nasty habit.

She smiled even wider. "Smells delicious."

Mission succeeded, he thought proudly.

He leaned back in his chair, satisfied with himself.

"You know, I want our cub to be nice and strong, some good food should make a start", he grinned.

Snow's hands froze in the bag. She stopped smiling and swallowed as she carefully took her hands out of the bad and pushed it aside.

"Is something wrong?", Bigby couldn't keep the worry from his voice as he saw her pushing the food aside.

She smiled politely:" No, I'm just not hungry at the moment. I will eat it later." She folded her hands in her lap.

The smile looked forced and she seemed to be uneasy.

What did I do wrong?, he asked himself.

"Thank you by the way. That was very nice", she said quietly. Her smile was more genuine this time.

"Anytime. You know me, I'm always nice", he grinned, trying to take the uneasiness out of the air.

He remembered saying this line to her before. Years ago.

Everything used to be so easy back then, he thought sadly. They used to be somewhat friends, before she became Deputy Mayor and started distancing herself from him. He also remembered himself to be a lot more naïve.

She cleared her throat, looking more serious now.

"Anyways, I was looking for you because I need to inform you of some things." ,she said.

He nodded, giving her a sign to keep speaking. He sat straight in his chair now.

Her eyes shifted around the room.

"In the next few days you will have a lot to do Sheriff. I have got plenty new files for you to take care of, and also some of my work." Her words sounded rehearsed. He also didn't fail to notice that she was addressing him by his title now.

"Why do I need to do your work?", he asked confused. He didn't mind as much as he was wondering.

Snow always does her stuff by herself.

She took a few seconds to answer, still avoiding eye contact.

"I will not be here for a few days. I have decided to take a vacation. As you may know, I have been very stressed lately. In my… condition, it would be better to lay off a little." By now she was looking at her hands.

He leaned forward, placing his hands on the desk.

Of course he knew how stressed she was. And it already occurred to his mind that she better rest, but never in a thousand years he could have guessed that she was going so far as to take a vacation.

Shit. I need to notice these things earlier.

"A wise decision. Where are you going then?" he asked. He had to make sure he knew. In case of emergency.

She raised her eyebrow at that, as her look hardened.

"Not far away."

I guess that's all I'm going to get out of her.

"Should I come with you?", he asked, unsure of what to say after her short answer.

"No" The answer came a little too fast and too loud. His brows furrowed.

She closed her eyes for a few seconds. When she opened them again her gaze was distrustful.

"What I'm saying is, there is no need to worry or make a fuss, because Doctor Swineheart will be accompanying me. This town needs its Sheriff."

Bigby nodded slowly. This whole thing sounded suspicious to him. He tried to read her expression, but he couldn't figure her out.

"…not to forget how the last time ended we took a vacation together", she mumbled.

His eyes shot up and met her gaze.

He opened his mouth to say something.

"Ssh. I know, that was different. I'm sorry", she said quietly before he could speak.

The uneasiness was back again.

I need to know more about this "vacation".

"How long are you going to be away?" he asked. He needed to get as much information as he could from her now that she was actually answering his questions.

"As I said, a few days… a week at most", her tone was getting icy.

Bigby felt that something was odd about her. She kept secrets from him again.

What does she need to hide so badly? Is she not really going on vacation? Well, but since Swineheart will be there, she's going to be safe, right? She has no other reason to go with him right?

Bigby remembered the fact that Snow had a lot of meetings with him lately. For a second a crazy thought of them together came to his mind.

It's official. I'm losing my mind. Of course she needs a doctor around her. She is fucking pregnant. Who would be interested in that big headed prick anyways?

She looked at him quietly while he tried to get his mind under control. It was not the time to be jealous right now.

"When are you leaving exactly?"

"Tonight", she said.

Already? I guess she was packing her stuff when I didn't find her in the Business Office then.

"Just…take care of yourself and be careful okay?", he sighed defeated.

Snow leaned forward taking one hand slowly and placing it over his own on the desk. That action took him by surprise. He looked into her eyes, and couldn't read the expression.

Maybe regret?

Their moment only lasted a few seconds though. Before he could utter a word she jumped from her chair, taking her cane and the bag of lunch in one hand.

She already had her back turned to him.

"I will speak to you when I'm back", she said.

He nodded, even though he knew she couldn't see it.

She turned her head towards him once more.

"And thank you again… for everything. I will not forget it", she smiled a watery smile.

This sounded like a goodbye to him, and it was unsettling him enormously.

"Snow…", he didn't know what to do, so he stood up.

"No, no", she shook her head. "Don't worry. I will be back soon, and then… everything is going to be alright again". She whispered the last part, more to herself than him, he suspected.

She started walking then; not looking at him anymore as she softly closed the door behind her.

Bigby sighed.

What does all this mean?

He was frustrated and pissed off. He simply wanted to surprise her and see her smile for once, but of course everything went to shit again.

He started breathing heavily and punched the wall of his office.

Goddamnit Snow. Please be safe.

He knew this night he was going to need his whiskey. A lot of it.

~oOo~

A few days later

Bigby was drowning in work. Snow really wasn't kidding when she warned him about the work he is going to get.

The amount of letters on his desk was ridiculous and he gave up trying to count.

Almost every minute Boy Blue would rush in and bring new documents, files, what the hell ever people wanted from him.

He also hadn't been able to spend his nights sleeping. He was working day and night. Not only for the obvious reason to get rid of the massive mountain of mail, but also to distract his mind from Snow.

He saw her as she left several nights ago. Swineheart had been waiting for her outside the Woodlands. They didn't exchange words as they left.

He still didn't trust this whole deal. But he was trying to give her some privacy. Maybe that's why she was so stressed. Ever since she knew of his abilities, she must feel like she has no privacy anymore and this so called "vacation" is actually just a way to escape his prying eyes for a few days.

He felt bad for her, but he couldn't help it. He already explained her that it is impossible for him to block her out completely. She seemed to be far away enough though. He couldn't smell one trace of her.

Maybe that was also the result of all the smoking he did in this past few days as well as the lack of sleep and amount of work.

He had to send Boy Blue twice already today to buy him cigarettes.

Where is that kid now? , he wondered. He hadn't seen him in a good while.

He is probably fighting with Bufkin.

Bigby rolled his eyes and stood up from his chair with a load groan.

Now that he was basically in charge of everything he had to make sure both of them didn't kill each other. Also he needed a little change of scenery from his Office and started walking to the Business Office instead.

He rubbed his eyes as he stood in front of the door, and heard strange noises coming from inside.

Is that… Beauty in there?

He didn't waste any time and immediately opened the door. What he saw surprised him.

Beauty was sitting in Snows chair. She was talking to someone on the phone.

What the hell is she doing here?

He walked towards her and stopped in front of the desk, ready to kick her out.

Finally she hung up.

"Bigby, good to see you, I just talked with King Cole, you know now that…"

"What the hell are you doing here Beauty?", he asked annoyed before she could finish.

She wrinkled her nose and stood up. She was wearing Business attire.

"A little more respect for the new Deputy Mayor please", she huffed.

Bigby was speechless.

"New Deputy Mayor? Explain. Now", he growled.

Beauty eyed him cautiously. "Well only temporarily. Now that Snow will be away for a while, I got contacted. And of course I couldn't say no. The check they wrote was amazing". She smiled her Hollywood smile.

"Whoa. Wait a second, what was that about Snow?", he tried not to snap at her, but he really was losing his patience.

"Didn't he tell you? Snow apparently is sick. And while she is indisposed I am the one in charge", she smiled triumphantly.

"Who told you Beauty?" He grabbed her by her arms.

"Bigby calm down! Swineheart told me. He called me yesterday." Beauty's voice held panic.

"Give me his number. NOW."

~oOo~

Snow White felt numb. Both inside and outside.

It was done. She was free.

It happened yesterday. They had arrived on the night they left in a rented apartment that Swineheart owned. He gave her a few days to prepare herself before he brought her to the hospital .

It was like he said, there was no pain. No physical pain at least. She had fallen asleep and when she woke up… It was gone.

She didn't remember much of what happened afterwards. It was like her mind wasn't with her then. She was just functioning, not thinking.

But now, that she woke up in the guest bedroom, in one of the expensive French beds, as he himself said, it all dawned upon her.

Why do I not feel happy?, she thought desperately as tears streamed down her face. She couldn't control it.

She buried her head in the soft pillows.

I made everything worse.

She saw it in her mind. Her baby boy. Her sweet baby boy, the living image of his father. Murdered by her.

Maybe it was a girl, a girl with the charms of her mother but the temper of her father.

Snow sobbed into the pillows. She wept.

She felt empty. The budding life in her belly was replaced with emptiness.

She couldn't take the silence anymore.

Snow White was broken, as she realized what mistake she made.

I will be alright again. I made it through a lot, I will be alright, she tried to convince herself

She heard the door open but didn't bother to look up. She heard steps approach her bed and she turned around to see Doctor Swineheart with a pitying look in his eyes. She hated it.

He spoke softly to her, afraid she would lose her temper.

"Miss White, I can inform you, that Miss Beauty was taking care of Fabletown Business today. I told her you wouldn't be there for the next time so she will act as Deputy Mayor while you are here."

She didn't answer as she tried to comprehend what he said.

He offered her a hand. "Come on, I made us dinner. You must eat."

She looked at his hand for a while, before she took hold of it as he pulled her up. Her legs still felt shaky as they made their way to the dining room.

~oOo~

She looked around. She actually never knew Doctor Swineheart had such an apartment out in the mundy, nor did she know that he had connections to the local hospital.

She watched him as she chewed on the food he made. He was a really good cook.

He was telling her one of his many stories about how he rescued somebody in one of his countless surgeries.

She had to make sure to ask Bufkin if they had anything else about him in the books, later.

No. Stop it. She closed her eyes. She didn't want to think about work. Otherwise she would think about him.

"Miss White?", he asked tentatively.

She looked up at him.

"Would you like me to call your sister Rose Red, or anyone else for that matter, to join you here? I cannot let you shut yourself away the whole time", he explained.

Snow smiled bitterly.

"No, don't call my sister. We are not that close yet. I simply have no one Doctor", she said with a dead voice while staring into the room.

Doctor Swineheart cleared his throat. "That's not true Miss Deputy. We both know at least someone."

She looked at him again, anger rising within her.

"Don't you dare call him" , she spat at him. She was not ready to face him yet.

The Doctor quickly shook his head. "Don't worry, I won't".

She nodded and started eating again. The numb feeling was still not gone.

He was a really good cook.

~oOo~

"If you son of a bitch don't drive faster I will rip your fucking guts out", Bigby growled at the cab driver in the front. He swallowed and looked at the angry man in the backseat.

Of course Doctor Swineheart didn't pick up his phone when Beauty finally was able to stutter out his number. Bigby tried several times. It was as if he was being ignored.

He had spent all afternoon going through Swinehearts records before he found out that the bastard owned an apartment in another town. That town was about an hour drive from Fabletown away.

He was trying to keep calm, not to wolf out in front of this mundy, but it was getting harder and harder for him.

If that son of a bitch harmed Snow or my cub in any way, he is going to die!

He just couldn't understand. Did Swineheart kidnap Snow? Was she going to run away with him?

They were near, he could smell her already. Something was different about her smell though. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

"For gods sakes man, DRIVE!", he roared at the cab driver, who jumped in his seat.

~oOo~

"Is the furniture also French?" Snow asked in a mild tone. She still couldn't bring any emotions to her voice, but she desperately needed a distraction and knowing that Swineheart will not shut up about his French adventures might help.

He smiled at her, wine glass in his hand. "Good that you ask Miss White, indeed it is, I got it when I was…"

The very one sided discussion was interrupted by a frantic knock on the door.

Snow eyed Doctor Swineheart. "Did you invite anyone Doctor?" she asked with a concerned voice.

He shook his head.

Snow took a shaky breath as she stood up, Swineheart stood up too, and both of them went to the door.

Suddenly the door busted open. Snow screamed a high pitched scream of surprise and Doctor Swineheart looked furious.

"Who is this imbecile who breaks down an antique French door?"

"That would be me", a familiar voice said from the dust that was left. Snow froze on her spot.

Bigby walked out of the dust and stood before her. His eyes looked troubled, his clothes were ragged, his mouth hung open in sudden realization. His hands were shaking and he looked like he was about to cry.

His voice was merely above a whisper.

"Snow, where is our cub?"

She looked at him. Saw him waiting for her to answer.

It felt like years had passed when she finally said:

"I am so sorry."

Ooooh snap :P

Shit is getting real guys. By the way have I mentioned that Swineheart is really obsessed with France? I thought that could be a funny running gag :P

Next Chapter: Snow and Bigby have an argument. In his grief for his lost child, Bigby makes a decision which will not only affect him.