Hey :)

A little breather chapter, a few informations can be found at the end :P

The large glowing sphere rose slowly into the dull morning sky, casting sunbeams in every corner and direction while highlighting the still sleeping town. With each passing minute the sun climbed higher and made the sky more radiant. A shimmering gold glimmer of light began to shine through the closed curtains. The rays cut the room in half and dust motes danced in the wall of light.

She laid there, the exposed, even skin of her back drinking in the liquid gold droplets that slowly began to warm up her pale torso. A moan escaped her lips at the tapping sunlight against the side of her face. Her mind was fuzzy, last remnants of a dream, which seemed almost too real, were chased away by the realization that she was awake again. As beautiful and calm as the morning may was, she knew the day would soon pull her from the oblivious bliss she was in right now. Her body stirred and she slowly lifted her head from the soft pillow, her eyes needed a few seconds to adjust after being blinded by the lightness of the morning.

Snow felt the heat he radiated off next to her and turned her head to look at him. The lines of distress and toil had smoothed and virtually disappeared, the dark circles under his eyes were now nothing but a memory. Eyelids closed against the dim light of dawn and his breathing deep and relaxed, all the muscles in his face and body were totally at ease, like a baby in its first throes of slumber. Not a twitch, not a spasm, barely any movement of his chest rising and falling with each intake of air such was the depth of his oblivion. This was a body totally at peace, at rest, at one with itself, rejuvenating the mind and muscles before the onset of yet another day of turmoil. A fond expression placed itself on her face as she looked upon his snoring form, his mind far off in the opaque world of his dreams.

He looks so much younger when he sleeps; she pondered and tentatively lifted her hand to run it down his chest in a ghostly touch, the tips of her fingers tangling his chest hair. Her cheeks heated up at the memory of the previous night.

She could feel him on top of her in the dark. The lack of light heightened her senses and she could feel his body move against hers in an exquisite way, his mouth was kissing her all over and she grabbed onto his hard muscles as the heat between them rose. She let out a shaky breath as she tangled her fingers in the hair at the base of this neck and a possessive growl escaped him as he slid against her in a bittersweet rhythm. Their bodies entwined and everything around them was shut out as they slipped into an overwhelming feeling of ecstasy believing they were the only ones that existed for the time being.

She had enjoyed the beauty that she found in the arms of him, who truly and completely cherished her. He had been surprisingly gently, something she didn't expect from the Big Bad Wolf. Her brows furrowed. He never had been anything but gentle to her, even when she was nothing but a mere slave, one among thousands of the Adversary's slaves. He had no obligation to show mercy but he still freed her from the shackles that kept her imprisoned. And when he had learned about her actions concerning their matter he still was gentle, she was the one throwing accusation at him when he had been nothing but worried about her. It was her who taunted and ignored him when he had the right to be heard. She had pushed him past his breaking point, and it scared her. He was her rock, her save haven but seeing him angry and hurt like this…

She buried her head in his chest, wrapping her arm around his neck, he grunted in his sleep. She clenched her teeth trying to stop the guilt that was spreading through her like a disease. His heart was beating in a steady rhythm and the pure simplicity of his breathing calmed her. Bigby groaned and she felt his arm wrap around her torso. Her lips curled into a tender smile that was hidden in his chest and the fatigue washed over her once more. Swaying between dream and reality, a memory came to her mind of another time when he had been nothing but gentle to her.

A festive fragrance filled her nostrils as she inhaled the air surrounding her. The candlelit and beribboned tree was gracing her apartment as it stood in its full glory in front of her. With a satisfied grin her face and her hands on her hips she admired the pine tree she decorated with care. It had taken her quite a while to put everything on but she was pleased with the way the tree illuminated her living room. Christmas was slowly approaching and even though Snow lived alone, having a tree up on Christmas Eve was a tradition she did not want to give up.

She liked how the rich wooden scent filled every corner of her apartment and it brought back long forgotten memories of her childhood. How Rose and her would walk through the forest, hand in hand, admiring the nature and finding joy in taking long strolls through the thick woodland. Snow would stop once in a while to pick up leaves and pebbles, tossing away those she didn't like and keeping the ones she deemed pretty. A sad smile placed itself on her face and she tried to remember the last Christmas she hadn't spent alone. She wrapped her arms around herself trying to get rid of the loneliness that was consuming her so often.

The sound of someone clearing their throat pulled Snow out of her musings as she turned around to see who entered her apartment. Didn't she close the door? Her panicked expression changed to one of utter annoyance as she saw who was standing in her doorway, shoulder leaned against the frame and a cheesy grin on his face, it was none other than her ex-husband Prince Charming.

"What are you doing here?" she asked warily as she eyed him with a raised eyebrow. Snow straightened her shoulders and put her hands on her hips again. He usually only came when he wanted something from her. He should've learned by now that she was owed him absolutely no favors anymore.

He chuckled and tugged at the collars of his black jacket. "You should learn to close the door my dear He lifted himself from the doorframe he way leaning on and took a few steps into her apartment, softly closing the door behind him. Snow didn't stop glaring at him and she saw that he was hiding something behind his back. He came to a halt in front of her and smiled innocently. She narrowed her eyes at him. "What is it Snowbunny? Do I get no welcome kiss?" He smiled his crooked smile, the one that stopped working on her for a long time. Snow wrinkled her nose in disgust. She didn't expect something else from him. She turned around, letting him face her back as she went back to her tree to pick up some of the pines that had fallen off.

"I ask you again, what are you doing here?" She stood up and turned to him once more with a sweet smile on her face. "Alone on such a night? What has become of you Charming?" She teased with a raised brow. The smug expression on his face changed to one of irritation, and it gave her immense pleasure.

"Don't be so bitter Snowbunny, I got something to cheer you up" he smirked again and pulled something out of his pocket. He wiggled the object in front of her. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted it.

"A mistletoe? Seriously?" She huffed, crossing her arms in front of her chest. She was still confused about his visit. What did he want? He should know that she didn't consider them friends, but then again, when had he ever listened to her anyways?

"Pucker up, darling." He lifted the mistletoe above his head and closed his eyes waiting for her. She rolled her eyes, stepping forward to snap the mistletoe out of his hand. "Get out." Snow threw the mistletoe along with the pines into the trashcan. She may have been lonely, but she was not quite that desperate to willingly start something with Charming. Anger rose in her at his assumption that she would gladly run into his arms. She was not a fool anymore. She preferred the pain of loneliness over the pain of heartbreak.

"Oh come on, don't be like that Snow. Since you are so eager to know…yes I came here for one specific reason…" he continued with his unwavering confidence as he tugged at his tie. Snow still stood in front of him with her arms crossed in front of her chest; she nodded for him to speak.

He cleared his throat, and brought forward the hand he was hiding behind his back the whole time, he was holding an envelope. "I found this, it's for you apparently, you should check your mail more often Snowbunny" he chuckled nervously, holding out the envelope for her to take.

Snow eyed it for a while. This whole situation was bizarre, so Charming came to her to give her the mail she forgot? She looked at him suspiciously, her eyes narrowing again. "Where did you find it?" She asked testing him.

"Abandoned like a little baby on your doorstep" he smiled. She took the envelope from his hands and turned her back to him, ready to examine it. This better be not one of his stupid jokes, she thought irritated. She stepped towards her tree once more, bringing more distance between her and Charming. The envelope had no name on it, but it felt heavy, as if there was something else than a letter was in.

"So… what is it?" He asked a little too nonchalant behind her. She threw a glance to him over her shoulder; she wondered why he was still here. "I haven't opened it yet" she mumbled as she slowly opened the folded paper. Inside the envelope was a letter and as she smelled the scent that was coming off of the paper she immediately knew who this letter must have been from. This distinct smell of smoke and something else she couldn't pinpoint. It was from Bigby. With a trembling hand she opened the folded paper and read the few words that were written on it.

Dear Snow,

Merry Christmas, I hope you enjoy this little gift. I think it's quite fitting.

Bigby

She chuckled at the shortness of his letter and looked into the envelope for the gift. She gasped as it fell on her palm. It was a silver necklace; she turned it around in her hand admiring the little pendant on it. It was a tiny Snowflake, shimmering in a light blue color. Snow bit her lip as tears sprang into her eyes. He had given her this, she didn't know if he actually wanted her to own it or if he just pitied her and wanted her to feel less lonely on Christmas Eve, but either it was warming her heart in gratefulness. The loneliness from before was gone because she knew even though it may have seemed that she had no one, she still had him. He would be there if she ever needed him, and that wouldn't change for a long time…

"Wait a second" Charming heard her say after a few minutes of her being lost in thought. She turned around to him, clutching the necklace with her left hand. She raised her brow suspiciously again. "I never saw someone leaving this on my doorstep and I have been home all day, no one could sneak past me"

Prince Charming shifted nervously and his hand scratched the back of his head. What is this about, Snow wondered cautiously.

"Well… the thing is, my dear Snow…" He stuttered. She had rarely seen him that baffled…other than the times he tried to conceal his constant flirting with other women of course.

"Did Bigby send you?" She interrupted him annoyed by his stalling. Charming shrugged. "You know, he can be quite… convincing" He shuddered at the memory of Bigby basically threatening him to deliver his little gift to Snow; clearly he failed since his cover was blown.

Snow couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips. So, he is too much of a coward once again, she tenderly thought as she admired the necklace in her hand. She took the graceful Snowflake that dangled from the silver chain between her fingers. Even though it looked tiny and fragile, the material felt smooth and sturdy. She couldn't help the silly smile spreading across her face and she realized he had saved her once more.

Charming's voice suddenly popped up next to her ear as he leaned his head on her shoulder, she stiffened. "Sooo, shall I tell the old dog that you like it?"

~oOo~

She smiled at the memory of that evening. She also didn't fail to remember the smack Charming earned after sneaking up on her like this. Snow sighed in contentment and pressed a kiss into Bigbys chest. He was still sleeping obliviously. It gave her some more time to think.

But it is not that easy, she thought heavy heartedly. She knew their problems weren't solved. A single night of lovemaking couldn't make up for the loss of trust and the pain both of them went through. She couldn't jump into a relationship like this, they needed time to develop. Rushed actions brought her into this mess in the first place.

No, this time they would do everything right, like things are supposed to be. They were colleagues first and foremost. He was still the Sheriff and she was still the Deputy Mayor, it had to be their biggest priority. They could renew their friendship at first and possibly become lovers at one point. She closed her eyes again and breathed in the scent of him, the scent that always comforted her.

She knew she needed some distance, for now at least. But why was she denying herself something that felt so natural and good? She did not live the life she wanted to live, she was constantly suppressing her true feelings and she constantly lied to herself. She knew exactly why she did it, it was because of her fear of getting hurt again. But was staying away from him not just as painful as being with him?

Snow tightened her grip on him. She was too tired to think of these things now, she knew in a few hours she would be a different person again, the person who suppresses her feelings, who pushed Bigby away, the person who didn't live her life as she wanted to.

But that didn't matter now, because she was in his arms, she felt secure and loved, completely at ease. So her mind wandered off, away from the cruel reality into the serenity of her dreams, because for now, she'd live.

This is just supposed to be a little break from our main arc. I hope you liked it :P

So I have announced this a few times already on tumblr, but since I know not everyone saw it, Imma go ahead and say it again. This story will have altogether 12 Chapters, (yes I have them already figured out)

I will follow with the Plot of March of the Wooden Soldiers next, but of course make the necessary changes for it to fit the plot of my story :) So the worst part isn't over yet ;D

See you lovelies :3

Next Chapter: Snow goes for another visit to the farm. Can Rose convince her to give Bigby another chance?