This story is dedicated to the amazing OncerSware(k)JateBazeGirlscout22. I got this (former) little one-shot idea from their story, 'Already There.' It's an amazing story and she is an amazing author! So you guys should definitely check her stories out:D
Disclaimer: I do not own the Once Upon A Time plot nor the wonderful characters or anything else relating to the show.
Dedicated to red lightning who gave me the idea that basically shapes the whole rest of the story:) Also dedicated to Laugher. Lover. Fighter who edited this chapter for me and has proofed the next ones:D
Sorry it's a little late but I wanted to make this chapter perfect and I'm still not totally satisfied but i like it anyways:)
"C'mon, we are going to be late for dinner with Jefferson!" Snow shouted as she put on her heels.
Emma huffed in frustration. "But Mom, the game's almost over," she whined.
Snow rolled her eyes. She walked over, adjusting her blue dress, and stood in front of the TV.
"Dear, would you mind moving for just a minute? My team's about to score," James pleaded.
Snow turned around and pushed the power button right before the final buzzer on the game sounded. "Time. To. Go."
"NOOOOOO!" James shouted in frustration. "How am I supposed to know who won?"
Emma patted his back, smirking. "It's easy Dad, my team was winning by ten, there was no possible way yours could've caught up. Now, we really should go. C'mon Henry," she said and patted her son's knee.
Henry stood up excited. "Sweet! Let's go!" He ran to the door and grabbed his jacket. "Ready!"
Emma and Snow laughed as they walked to the front door with James in tow. "Are we ready?" Snow asked. Everyone nodded. "Now, I don't want you guys to kill Jefferson tonight. Promise?" she asked, giving James and Emma a stern look.
James raised his hands defensively. "Whatever you say dearest," he replied, knowing not to cross his wife.
"I won't kill him," Emma said, then added under her breath, "when you're in sight."
As Snow walked out the front door she called behind her: "I heard that!"
"You were supposed to!" Emma shouted earning a high-five from her father.
James draped his arm around Emma's shoulder as they followed Henry out the door. "Don't worry Em, I'll help you out," he whispered. "I'll hold him, while you beat him to death. Deal?"
Emma burst out laughing. "Like Mom'll let us out of her sight the whole night. C'mon, everyone's waiting."
"Mom, are you sure you don't want to back out?" Emma pleaded from the driver's seat as she pulled up to Jefferson's house.
Snow rolled her eyes. "Yes, now park the car, we're going to dinner."
Emma did as she was told and everyone got out of the car. Emma walked up to Jefferson's front door and knocked loudly, trying to contain her anger at being there.
A few moments later, the door opened and there stood Jefferson looking—much to Emma's shock—somewhat handsome. "Your Highnesses, Emma, and Henry, glad you could come, please, come in," Jefferson said gentlemanly. He stood aside, allowing the family to come inside. "So, I figured after dinner, I could give Your Highnesses the grand tour?" he suggested.
Snow smiled politely. "That sounds very nice Jefferson. Thank you."
Jefferson nodded and led them into the dining room where a nice spaghetti dinner was set.
After dinner, Jefferson went and got dessert, leaving Snow to lecture Emma and James.
"Can you two try and be civil?" she hissed.
"I don't know what you're talking about Mom," Emma said picking at her salad.
"Every time Jefferson asked you a question, you've replied with snide remarks, I know it's you that's been kicking his shins. Emma you are acting like a child," she said angrily.
"Oh Snow, cut her some slack, the man did kidnap you and our daughter," James said laughing.
"James. Please. I am begging you. Just until after dessert. For me?" Snow begged.
James sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Alright, I'll stop. If Emma will," he added, smirking and adding a pointed look at his daughter.
Emma threw her hands up defensively. "Yes, let's blame Emma for all our social problems."
Snow lowered her gaze in anger. "I'm serious Emma. Just pull it together. When we get home you can torture me for doing this to you all you want, but please be mature."
"Fine," Emma said in annoyance. "But you're going to get so much crap about this when we get home."
"Yeah I know," Snow replied smirking.
At that moment, Jefferson walked back out carrying a cake, ending the family discussion. "Everything alright in here?" he asked.
"No, everything is perfectly fine. This cake looks amazing Jefferson," Emma said trying to hide the sarcasm in her voice.
"Why thank you Emma," Jefferson replied. Just get on with it Jefferson… Regina's words rang in his head. "Let's eat."
Earlier, in the kitchen
Jefferson walked into the kitchen and wiped sweat from his brow. He couldn't keep lying to Emma like this. He couldn't let her think he was her friend and then hand her parents over to Regina…But his sweet Grace was so close. He was so close to having his family again.
"Jefferson, I'm getting bored sitting in your library. There is absolutely nothing good to read in there. Well I never was a fan of reading anyways," Regina said. She was sitting on his kitchen counter, holding up a glass of Scotch.
Jefferson looked at the kitchen door worried. "Can't they—"
"Hear us?" Regina interrupted. "Not a chance, they're too busy discussing their family issues," she said sarcastically. "Now, I want you to take this little cake I made for you out there, then tell Snow you heard that she was a fan of classic books, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, you know, those stupid stories. Prince Charming will want to "accompany" her because he sure as heck doesn't trust you one bit. Now get your butt out there, and get me my little play toys."
Jefferson snatched the cake from the counter and shot her a death glare. "Shut up. Once this is over, I'm done with you. Forever." He turned and walked out.
"Just get on with it Jefferson," she muttered as he walked out and downed her glass of Scotch.
"Snow, I heard that you're a fan of classic, old novels?" Jefferson asked.
"Yes actually!" Snow said smiling. "Why do you ask?"
"I've got this enormous library upstairs; it's full of all the classics. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Erye, Gone with the Wind. You name it. I never use it, but I would love if you wanted to take some of the books home with you," Jefferson replied.
"That would be wonderful! Thank you Jefferson," Snow told him politely and stood.
"Shall we?" Jefferson suggested.
"We shall," Snow said. They turned and walked out of the dining room.
"Dad…" Emma warned. "I don't like this…"
James threw his napkin on the table. "Me neither. I'm going with them. I don't care how much your mother trusts him; this hatter gives me a bad vibe. I'm going with them. Henry, control your mother." He turned and ran out of the dining room.
Emma stood. "I'm going after him."
Henry grabbed her arm and pulled her back down. "Oh no you aren't! Grandpa said not to let you leave. So you are staying right here."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Wanna bet?"
"We've done this before Mom. I will easily win. Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way, your choice," Henry replied crossing his arms.
Emma shot him a death glare. "You are so grounded tonight." But she sat back down anyways and took a drink of her water.
"It's right up here," Jefferson said leading Snow up the staircase, checking behind him to see if James had followed as Regina said he would.
"Snow!" James' voice called as he rounded the corner to come up the stairs.
Jefferson smirked knowing that everything was going according to plan. But his heart broke in shame of what he was about to do. "Sire, care to join us?" he asked.
James walked up and took Snow's hand. "Yes, actually I would. Now, carry on."
"Right this way please." Jefferson gestured to the double doors on their right.
Snow held James' arm in excitement. "I can't wait to get a look at those books Charming!"
James laughed and kissed her cheek. "I know love, I know."
Jefferson pulled open the doors and Snow gasped in shock. "This is beautiful," she breathed.
Inside was two floors lined with bookshelves stocked full of books. An enormous chandelier hung from the ceiling, three spiral staircases stood in the middle of the room and ladders scaled the bookcase walls. Snow let go of James' arm and walked forward in awe.
James looked back at Jefferson as he started to follow his wife inside. 'Thank you,' he mouthed.
Jefferson cringed as he mouthed back: 'You're welcome.' He followed them inside a few feet behind as he grabbed the croquet mallet from the wall.
As Snow walked towards a bookshelf, Jefferson made his move. "I'm sorry Emma," he whispered. He walked up behind James and hit his head with the mallet—only lightly—and James collapsed to the ground.
"Charming?" Snow asked turning around. She gasped at the sight of James on the ground unconscious and Jefferson holding the mallet. "Jefferson, what's going on?"
"I'm sorry, Your Highness…" Jefferson said. He stepped forward and kicked Snow's legs out from under her. She fell onto her knees.
"What're you doing?" she gasped, the wind knocked out of her.
Regina's laugh echoed from the middle spiral staircase. She began to clap as she walked down the stairs. "Well done Jefferson, very well done."
"You," Snow spat. "Of course. Hello Regina."
"We can skip the formalities Snow dearest," Regina replied coldly. "Jefferson, knock her out please."
"You don't control what I do Regina. I got you what you wanted. Now get out of my house," Jefferson told her through gritted teeth.
"Jefferson please," Snow begged, tears forming in her eyes, as she realized what was happening.
"I'm sorry Your Highness, but I need my daughter back…" Jefferson said before knocking Snow unconscious as well.
"Thank you Jefferson," Regina said. "You don't need to worry about them anymore; I've got it from here. You can go and get rid of Miss Swan."
"And how do you suggest I accomplish that Regina?" Jefferson inquired.
"I don't know, tell her they went to get a breath of fresh air, they went home, anything works, just do not tell her the truth," Regina said swiftly.
Jefferson glared at her. "I believe you owe me my daughter."
Regina clicked her tongue. "Tsk, tsk, tsk Jefferson. The deal was that I would give you your daughter when I got my son back. Now go get Miss Swan out of here."
Jefferson lunged at her and grabbed her throat. "Give me my daughter," he hissed through clenched teeth.
"When I get back my son," she choked out, pushing him off of her. Regina brushed off her slacks. "Go. Now."
Jefferson turned on his heels and stormed out of the room. As he walked down the stairs, he muttered a string of curse words under his breath.
He rounded the corner only to be slammed against the wall, a hand at his throat. "Where. Are. They?" Emma demanded.
"They…went…for…a…walk," Jefferson choked out.
"You liar!" Emma screamed. She tightened her hold on his throat, Jefferson's face was turning purple.
"Mom…Mom stop it!" Henry shrieked. Emma ignored him. "EMMA! STOP IT!" he screamed pulled Emma away from Jefferson.
That got her attention. Henry hadn't called her Emma since Snow and James remembered who they were. She loosened her grasp on Jefferson and he fell to the floor, gasping.
Emma knelt down and held his collar. "I'm going to ask you one last time Jefferson, where are my parents?" she said in a mix of anger and worry.
"I…can't tell you," he breathed.
Emma punched him. "Shut up. Stop with the excuses. Now tell me. Where. Is. My. Family?"
"Emma, please," Henry pleaded, tears forming in his eyes.
"Henry, he's lying, I can't lose them again," Emma said, choking on her words.
Henry grabbed her hand. "I know, I can't either. I can't lose any of you Mom. But please, don't hurt him anymore," he whispered.
Emma nodded. She looked at Jefferson pleadingly. "Jefferson please I am begging you, where are my parents?"
Jefferson closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Regina…I made a…a deal with her. She wanted your parents. She thought it would break you, that it would help her get Henry back."
"I won't go back to her!" Henry said holding tightly to his mother.
"Why did you make the deal Jefferson?" Emma asked kindly.
"She promised me Grace back. I didn't want to do it…because…" he trailed off, holding back tears.
"Why? Why didn't you want to do it?" Emma asked, touching his hand gently.
"But I had to," Jefferson said, changing the subject. "Because Regina threatened to kill Grace and…"
"Who else did she threaten Jefferson?" Emma asked taking his hand in hers.
Jefferson's heart was beating like a race-horse. Emma Swan, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, the savior, the woman he loved was holding his hand. "You…" he breathed.
Emma froze. Regina had threatened to kill her… "Why didn't you let her kill me? I know you didn't want to lose Grace but why me? Why not just convince her to kill just me?" she asked, though already feeling as if she knew what his answer would be.
Jefferson reached up a hand and brushed a loose strand of hair from her face. "Because, Emma, I…love you."
Emma pulled away. "Thank you Jefferson, for saving me. And thank you for telling me the truth. And maybe in some other world, we could work, but…I'm in love with someone else."
Jefferson laughed. "Of course you are. And you deserve someone that is so much better than me."
"No Jefferson, you are so brave to stand up to Regina. So loyal, and I don't deserve you." Emma put a hand over Henry's eyes as Jefferson opened his mouth to respond. Emma stopped him with a soft, gentle, and quick kiss. "I'm sorry. Whoever ends up with you will be a very lucky woman." She stood up and took Henry's hand. "Goodbye Jefferson."
They turned and started to walk out. "She probably took them to her house!" Jefferson called.
Emma looked back at him and smiled softly. "Thank you."
Jefferson nodded. "Go, if you hurry, you'll be able to stop her."
"Yeah, right. We'll just…go." Emma turned once more and led Henry out of the house.
"Goodbye, Emma…" he whispered.
Ten minutes later, Emma slammed on the brakes of her car in front of Regina's house. "Stay," she told Henry, opening her door and jumping out.
"No way!" Henry shouted, jumping out of the car and bounding up the steps behind Emma.
"Kid now is not the time!" Emma said in frustration as they walked up to the door.
"Mom look! There's a note on the door…" Henry said in worry.
Emma snatched the note from the door and began to read aloud:
Miss Swan,
As you have now figured out—I'm assuming from the courtesy of our dear hatter—I have taken your precious parents. Snow White and Prince Charming. If you meet me at the toll bridge at midnight, with Henry, I will give you back your parents. But only if you give me Henry.
Regina
"That little b—" Emma stopped herself. "Witch. Come on Henry, we've got," she looked at her phone. "An hour."
And there you have it:) Yea i'm a little mad swan and i wanted to put that scene in there;) Hope ya'll liked it! Next chapter is the big finale!
I'm not gonna do a review reply on this chap cuz I'm about to go to bed and my mom is like about to steal the computer from me:P haha sorry but thanks everyone!:D I majorly appreciate it PLUS we beat our goal of 65:) if we can make it to 80 on this chap i'll love ya'll forever!
Snow
PS: finale should be coming friday;)