CHAPTER ONE

"If you were there for my first word ….. what would it be?"

She looked her daughter straight in the eyes and said, "Grumpy."

Green eyes blinked. "W-what? Why would that be my first word."

"Because darling; Grumpy would simply adore that you said his name first." She smiled as she traced her daughter's chin. "As would I."

– a missing scene that should have taken place between Snow, and Emma in the Enchanted forest.

THE TROUBLE WITH BREATHING

MARY MARGARET'S APARTMENT

There was a knock on her door, and Mary Margaret's head snapped up, a wide smile spread insistently on her lips. Emma! She forgot her key earlier. She's home. She stood to her feet, and rushed over to the door, and opened it with a glad cry. Her face feel at who was actually standing there.

Ruby's eye brows drew close together, and she felt her smile droop. "Uh hello." She had a feeling that Mary Margaret wasn't happy to see her. She better make a lame ass excuses and beat the hell out of there. "I actually forgot why I came to see you." She turned towards the stairs.

"Liar." Mary Margaret's soft, but harsh voice stopped her dead in her tracks. Ruby ever slowly turned to face the slightly older woman head on. "You know something, Mary Margaret, I don't know whom or what you are upset about. I don't want to get in the way of it when hopefully I'm not the one in trouble with you."

Mary Margaret sighed and leaned against the door. "I'm sorry Ruby. I'm just having an off day is all."

"Liar." Ruby replied in the same tone of voice Mary Margaret had used on her when she called her lie out. Ruby leaned against the door so her shoulder could touch Mary Margaret's. "I know we aren't close friends Mary, I wish it would be different. I know our ages had made an issue in the past. But; we are all grown now; so age shouldn't matter now." Her right eye brow rose up; "I know our views on our lifestyle is so opposites." She slightly shrug her shoulder, "But hey that is why life is worth living after all – experiencing things you never would have thought you would experience."

"Ruby …." Mary Margaret began.

"Hear me out please." Ruby begged with her hazy eyes. "I would really like to get to know you better. I feel that we have a connection between us. A deep one. I can't understand it. I don't know if it was in a past life or lives that we were …." Ruby bit her bottom lip, "All I know is I miss the closeness that we once shared – and I want it back."

Images flashed through Mary Margaret's mind in a dizzying fashion. It was too hard to grasp one image to bring it into a clear light. All she knew was that this young woman in front of her was someone important to her. She felt her soul cry out for that one huge missing piece. It felt the same way when she first set eyes on Emma. She took a ragged deep breath. Then another. Until she felt like she couldn't take that other breath that would make sure that she remained alive. She felt arms wrap themselves tightly around her back, and her arms are flying up in panic, only to feel them wrap around a calm steady body. She closed her eyes as she rested her head against smooth skin – skin that smelt faintly of pomegranate.

"Just breathe, Mar; just breathe. Just take easy and calming breathes." Ruby's soft voice whispered repeatedly into her ear. Her hand was stroking her hair, and her neck. Mary Margaret slowly felt her body relax; and felt the tightness in her chest loosing until she managed to breathe much easier. Much calmer. She moved her head so she could nuzzle into the essence that was overwhelming all of her senses.

Ruby eyes fluttered closed as she felt tiny nips, and licks on her neck. It felt like coming home to a home she never knew was waiting for her until a few weeks ago. "I have missed you." She whispered.

"And I you." Mary Margaret breathed against Ruby's neck.

HENRY'S CASTLE

"Hey Emma." Henry said with a soft smile as he placed a gentle hand on his birth mother's right steps knee. He had found her sitting on the edge of his castle an hour ago. She had been deeply lost in her conflicting thoughts – and he knew not to startle her. If he did then it would set her emotional back farther than ever before. Perhaps even he couldn't reach her – so he waited until she showed signs of returning to the world. His patience was well worth it as her green eyes blinked confusing down at him.

"Henry?" Her voice sounded like it hadn't been used in years. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you in school?" She frowned because even though she isn't raising him; she fully knew he should be in school.

"It's Sunday." Henry answered.

"Sunday?" Emma asked blinking at him.

"Yep. All day." He wise cracked. He was rewarded when her lips lifted in a half smile. "Ready for more of operation Cobra?" He winked.

"Not today kid." Emma murmured.

"Emma, we can't pause on any steps." Henry sternly said. "The curse has to be broken this year. Rumpelstiltskin said the curse will be broken on your twenty-eight year of life. Not your twenty-ninth year."

"I said not today Henry." Emma scolded down at her son. "Can't you just let it go for once?"

Tears sparkled in his green eyes, "No I can't." Shaking his head, "You don't understand Emma. If you don't break the curse then we'll lose our family – all of them forever. Sad thing will be that none of them will know it. They will be trapped here forever – because even if you live to be a hundred – they won't age past the age that they are trapped in."

Emma felt her heart skip a few beats before she felt it start up again. She reached out for her son, "I'm sorry Henry. I didn't mean to take out my rotten mood out on you." She pulled him closer to her; "I'm just not in the greats of all moods right now." How could she explain how her emotions were pretty much beyond the point on where she could attempt to control them once more – without deeply scarring him. How was it that her ten year old son could be so better adjusted human being then she was? As his birth mother wasn't she apposed to be the one in his place and he in hers? Well she never wanted her son to bear her burdens in life – she just wanted him to be a typical normal happy ten year old boy. But he wasn't. He was a very lonely boy whom made up very creative imagination to cope with the way his life was.

Emma wish she could do that herself. If only she had a childlike imagination like her son – then she would have been able to survive her childhood better then she had – or ever would. She fully knew that she was more child than adult. That perhaps she would never ever be able to heal her inner child so she could be a healthy adult. She was too beaten and scared to even begin to heal herself. As Archie kept trying to advice her. In the talks that she has had with him concerning Henry – he always managed to bring herself into it. Therapists.

Things were better now that she was living with Mary Margaret. The loneliness seemed to have abated somewhat. It was still there. Strong as ever. But whenever the schoolteacher was within her presences she felt less alone. Now she could be in a separate area of the apartment then the brunette – and not physically be able to see the other woman; and she still felt less lonely. Emma should move out. Move back to living in her car. It would be safer that way. A hell less complicated. She could drive into the woods and sleep. Then come back to town and keep an eye on Henry. Make sure that Regina truly was the right person to raise her son. But; every time Emma went to grab her bag to pack up – she paused as the thought of how lonely it would be without having Mary Margaret around. So she remained. Just to feel less lonely.

Henry looked up into his birth mother's green eyes. He fully knew that she didn't believe him about the curse. She had the super power of knowing when someone was lying – but he also had that power. He knew that his grandmother Snow White a.k.a. Ms. Blanchard also had this power. It run in the family – although he knew his grandfather James a.k.a. Charming a.k.a. David Nolan didn't have this power. But no offense to his grandfather and all – Henry was pleased that only his mother, and grandmother, and he shared this power. It was their special bond.

He knew Emma wasn't ready to believe that her parents truly very much loved, and wanted her. She was too messed up to allow that home truth in. He wished that the Evil Queen's curse didn't destroy his mother before she was even old enough to not lose that truth that she would be reunited with her parents once more. He smiled grimly the Evil Queen was going down for the final time for this.

But should Regina Mills also go down for what the Evil Queen has done? Even through The Evil Queen was Regina Mills. But; there was something about Regina that was worth saving. In the deepest reaches of his heart he knew this. Regina was a lost soul crying out to be saved by the Savior just like the rest of them. That was why he didn't demand to be taken out of Regina's custody now that he brought his birth mom to Storybrooke. He would have found a way to win in courts – he may be ten; but he knew that he could leave Regina anytime he wanted. After all Regina didn't want him in any harm – it was the Evil Queen that was holding him hostage. It was the Evil Queen that was holding everyone hostage.

The savior had to save them all. Emma had to find the belief within herself so she could face the Evil Queen once and for all rid the world of her. After all good always wins over evil. He just had to get Emma to see that. His grandmother will help him. She all ready was.

Henry moved away from his mother. "Emma," oh how he wish he could call her mom all ready. But she wasn't emotionally ready for that basic and true tag yet. He wondered if she ever would be? Would she be ready for the tag of daughter? He was only ten – but he could tell how truly damaged his mother truly was. He prayed that with the breaking of the curse would heal his mother's soul along with it. "Let's go to Granny's and get coco with cinnamon. Oh better yet;" his eyes lite up; "Lets go to Mary Margaret's and have coco with her. She makes the best kind any ways."

"That's Ms. Blanchard to you." Emma quickly spouted out. "She may be my roommate and best friend, only friend." She said under her breath, "But she's still your teacher young man."

"She's not your only friend." Henry put a gentle hand on his birth mother's right arm. "I'm your son and all; but I'm your friend."

Emma looked into her son's eyes; "Yeah kid you are my friend." She smiled softly. "You and Mary Margaret are the only friends I need in my life." She couldn't believe she just admitted that to a ten year old kid. Her son never less. But; ever since Henry blew back into her life six weeks ago it felt very natural to unburned herself onto his young; yet very strong shoulders. "How are you much stronger at ten then I'm at twenty-eight? How are you so much stronger then I ever will be in my entire life?" She couldn't stop herself from running her fingers down his right cheek. "How did I manage to create such a being as you?" She whispered.

ENCHANTED FOREST

THE CABIN

Sinking weary onto the bed; Snow groaned as her eyes closed on there own accord. She couldn't force them open for the world. Even if her Step mother would come charging in; Snow would be trapped with her own eyes closed. Her step mother would finally have her heart; just as she had wanted since Snow was ten years of age. "I'm so damned tired."

"Don't worry you'll get used to it." Red's voice seemed to echo around Snow's tired brain.

"How? When? Hmm …." Snow hummed in appreciation as she felt her boots being taken from her tired and worn out limbs. She moaned as she felt hands on her swollen feet. She allowed her newest, and honestly first friend's ministration work their magic on her legs.

"You are growing stronger every day Snow." Red's soft voice said as she massaged her dearest friends feet, legs, and thighs. She knew how truly worn out the slightly older woman truly was. She was after all a Princess; and not used to being in the woods with no royal court to tend to her every whim.

Snow felt hands on the back of dress and she felt the buttons being undone. She hummed her appreciation as the wet garment was soon removed from her skin. Her eyes drifted open as she watched as Red walked to the fireplace and laid the dress out to dry. She watched as Red removed her own dress; and lying it next to her own. "I'm cold." Her teeth rattled against each other.

Red moved back over to the bed and climbed onto it. She managed to pull the half of the blanket that Snow wasn't lying on over closer to the Princess. She rested next to her best friend and wrapped them into the blanket. "This blanket will help keep the body heat inside – that way we won't freeze during the night. I'll keep the fire going during the night. You just sleep Snow." She rest her head against Snow's shoulder and neck. "Once day light comes I'll take a nap. That way you can gather your bearings better in the day light – and no one can sneak up on you."

Snow reached up and gathered Red's arms and wrapped them around her waist, and over her stomach. "I want you to sleep also Red, I know you must be just as tired as me." She tired to keep her bleary forces on the hazel eyes of the younger brunette whom was close to her face.

"I grew up in the woods Snow; in times of danger Granny had taught me to help keep watch." Red replied as she gently started to massage Snow's stomach muscles. "I will teach you tomorrow when you aren't so tired." She looked into Snow's glazed forest green eyes. "I order you to sleep well now Princess Snow White. I want you to remain the fairest of them all after all."

"I don't want to be the fairest of them all." Snow murmured as her eyes once more closed. "I just want to be like everyone else." She sighed as she felt her breath come gently out of her. "I just want to be Snow. Just simply Snow." She drifted off into sleep.

"You are just simply Snow." Red whispered. She lowered her lips to touch the sleeping Princess's still slightly cold cheek. "You are my Snow." She lifted her head so she could just simply watch her friend sleep. She would keep the other woman safe. To her dying day she would keep this most amazing woman in her arms safe from all harm.

()()()()

Snow turned as she began to wake up. Wrapping her arms around the warm body against her own. "It's time you went to sleep now." She said as her eyes opened and met the very sleepy hazy eyes of the woman whom she was currently holding. "It's my turn to make sure you are safe."

"Not yet." Red murmured. "You need to get dressed, and I need to teach you how to …." She blinked as she fought to keep her eyes open.

Snow's hand rose from underneath the blanket. "You can teach me after you get your much needed rest. I'll be all right here in bed with you. My ears are open for anything sudden noise outside." Her hand gently stoked the warm face so close to her own. "Just close your eyes."

Red couldn't fight it any longer. Snow's hand on her face stroking it so gentle eased her will to just simply obey Snow's soft command. She just laid her head on Snow's shoulder, nuzzling into the other woman's neck as she shifted off into a dreamless sleep.

"Never leave me." Snow whispered as she gently stroked the sleeping woman's face.

()()()()

"I'm going to teach you how to make your own clothes." Red said as she gathered Snow's white dress from the floor. Her own dress she left. She gathered the thin sheet around her body as she turned back to the bed; where Snow was sitting with the blanket wrapped around her thin body. "This dress needs a good washing." Frowning; "But I can't break the ice yet. Sides I don't want you wrapped in that blanket until the dress dries once more." Turning her face to the fireplace. "I don't think I can find enough dry wood to dry your freezing dress once more."

"It's quite all right Red." Snow gently said. "I knew that I would have to come up with something else to wear at some point." Shrugging; "After all I didn't know the Queen was going to kill me when I started off to the summer palace." She frowned; "It wasn't until the huntsmen actually looked at me after I questioned him about his way of wearing the armor that I knew." She began to shake all over.

Red rushed to the bed and wrapped her arms tightly around her hyperventilate friend. The dress lay forgotten on the foot of the bed. "Oh Snow." She pulled Snow tightly against her sheet covered chest. Her right hand rose to stroke the back of the green eyed brunette's head. "Just breathe. Take easy and calming breathes."

Snow's eyes were wide open as she looked over the shoulder of younger brunette. She couldn't breathe. Why couldn't she breathe. She couldn't live if she didn't breathe. Was this how the Queen planned on killing her. Forget about cutting out her heart; no the Queen wanted Snow to suffer before she drew her dying breathe.

Snow wasn't going to go down without a fight. She twisted and turned trying to get out of the Queen's death gripe. But; the Queen just held on that much tighter. "N-n-no!" She cried out as she felt herself fall backwards onto her back. "I d-d-don't w-w-wan-t to d-d-ie." She brokenly pleaded. Tears were steaming down her cheeks.

"You aren't going to die." Red's tears mingled with Snow's as she rested her forehead against the fighting Princess's underneath her. "I promise you. You aren't going to die." She felt bad for holding Snow down firmly against the bed. But she couldn't let the freaking out woman go – she could run out of the cabin in her fear. She would be frozen solid without clothes the moment she felt the ice cold of the storm against her skin.

Snow felt her strength leave her body, and she simply laid looking up into the Queen's gleefully evil face. "You have won." She whimpered. "I can't fight any longer." She felt a cold hand inside her chest wrapping around her heart. She felt a squeeze like she never felt before. So this was how she was going to exist the world – the Queen's hand in her chest squeezing her heart into a million pieces.

"Snow!" Snow's eyes focused until the frighten hazy eyes of Red met her own. "R-r-red?" She whispered brokenly.

"Yes." Red whispered as she gently stroke Snow's warm cheek. She was breathing a little rapidly due to the fact that she had to fight the woman beneath her for so long. She was relieved to see that Snow had returned to her. "I'm never going to allow the Queen to touch you. You have my dying promise on that."

"You were going to go with your mother's pack." Snow whispered.

"You are my family." Red firmly replied. "You are my true pack." She lifted her head from Snow's forehead. Staring straight into the starting forest emerald green eyes underneath her; "No one is going to hurt you ever again." She vowed.

Snow's hands rose from where they had been in between their bodies, and she cupped Red's thin face in between her cheeks. "No one has ever promised me that." She whispered. She closed her eyes as she feel into a exhausted dreamless sleep.

"Never leave me." Red whispered as she rested her head against Snow's on the pillow. Her eyes closed and she drifted off into a dreamless sleep. She knew enough to keep her senses alert for any danger. Although there was a raging storm outside didn't mean that danger couldn't come crashing through the door. Her arms tighten around Snow's thin waist as she protected the Princess.

END CHAPTER ONE

Author's Note: Okay; I hate the fact that they waited till the middle of season one to actually get the closeness of Mary Margaret and Ruby into play – even though they showed Snow and Red extremely close to one another in the flashback of the Enchanted Forest – even before we got the first part of the full back story of Snow and Red's friendship in 'Red Handed'; also was so pleased they followed it up with 'Child of the Moon' in second season – also the added bonus of meeting Red's mother – and seeing how Red actually truly chose Snow over her mother and the wolf pack.

So the time line of this story I have placed at the very beginning of season one – Emma had been in Storybrooke for six weeks – just moved into Mary Margaret's. They had the bedroom scene where Mary Margaret asked whom Henry thought Emma was in the book – and Emma lying about not being in the book. I just really wanted Mary Margaret to actually have another close female friend besides Emma as she slowly begins to get 'Snow' back.

I love "Charming" I do. But him as David Nolan ugh. I hate that Charming is all confused and, not sure of himself or his true love for Mary Margaret in the real world. So it's easy to kind of bash 'David' in the real world in this story. (Sorry for those whom feelings are going to be hurt) – but fear not I will not bash Charming in Fairy Tale Land.

This is a mother/daughter, mother/son, two best friend story. So there will be little too none Snow/Charming romancing in this story. Sorry; but I never intended to bare too much forces on their love story.

As to the quote which is honesty not a quote at the beginning of this chapter – a quote that quite frankly has nothing to do what so ever with said chapter …. well; I have decided to share some tidbits that I wish would happen on the show between our beloved characters as a little bonus to all you fairy tale lovers out there.

~JCMGF