HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN! So I decided to do something special for you since this is technically your first birthday that I've been friends with you so, with a lot of help from some friends, we wrote you a bunch of mini fics to one shots to ficlets on a whole range of your favorite Once characters. Have an absolutely fantastic, amazing, awesome, hilarious magical birthday you lovely lady. You absolutely deserve it you Emma Swan you ;) Hope you like them!

4. Red discovers that Peter is alive in the modern day. Two problems; he lives outside the town line and he doesn't remember who he is.

Written by: Saskia

She couldn't believe her eyes. Everything had melted away, and she only saw his face. Peter. Were even her senses lying to her? Her very soul? And then he spoke: "Who are you?"

A few hours earlier…

"THAT IS IT," Red screamed. She couldn't take any of it anymore. The double lives in her head, barely seeing her best friend, her lost love. Granny looked over at her granddaughter with concern, reaching out a withered arm toward her but drawing back upon seeing the fire in Ruby's eyes. The only time she had ever seen Red's eyes as such was when she had become the fearsome beast. She grimaced as Red slammed the door to the diner, causing both the diners to turn their heads toward the sound and a single tear to slip from Granny's eye.

Red drove like a, well, beast. Tearing down Storybrooke Main Street, she tilted her head to look up at the clock one last time before taking off into the night. The minute hand slowly ticked to 8:15 as Red exited the town for what she hoped would be the last time. Speeding down the road, she passed miles of forest continuing to be plagued by loneliness. The solitude of the night made her question her tactics and to remember at what cost crossing the town line would do. It was a price she was willing to take, she finally decided before…slamming on the brakes. A shadowy figure had appeared just past the line and she panted before being thrown back against the seat from the force of her sudden breakage.

She carefully exited her car, making sure to leave the door open in case of the need for a sudden exit. The figure stepped forward into the light of the new moon and Red almost fell over in shock. She forgot what she had been doing a few hours ago. She forgot where she was, and she couldn't believe her eyes. Peter. Her Peter was standing before her. She managed to let out a single breath before practically running towards him. But the leaving Storybrooke sign loomed into view and she knew she had to stop. Peter finally began to speak, but with a halted whisper and three words that tore at her heart. "Who are you?"

Red knew that it would have come to this. But as she felt her heart tear in two, she simply reached out her hand toward the line. Putting her palm forward against the invisible barrier, she smiled at the face of her old lover. "A friend." Peter smiled, lighting up his entire face as he too laid his palm onto Red's. Her lip quivering, Red withdrew her hand before smiling at him and attempting to reveal what had happened so many years ago. "Who are you?" Red asked simply, crossing her arms over her chest as the chilly autumn air picked up speed.

Peter looked puzzled before speaking. "My name is Jack. I've been camping out in these woods for as long as I can remember ever since I got kicked out of school. I was too embarrassed at what I had done, so I just left. It's been hard and there hasn't been anyone out here. But hey! You're here now, so," he paused before sitting cross-legged in front of the line, "tell me something about yourself…"

"Red," she sat down, mimicking his stature and never letting the smile leave her face. "I've lived in this town for practically my whole life, but we all kind of, moved here at the same time, so we're all close. I did used to live in what seems like a whole other world now," Red wiped at her eyes, cursing herself silently. Peter frowned at the sight of her beginning to cry. "What was the best thing about that, other world?" he asked.

"Well, there was this boy. He made me feel like I could do anything. He made me feel wanted and loved, but I lost him, and I'm not sure if I can ever get him back," Red again felt a tear slip down her cheek and moved her body as close as she dared to the line.

"What was his name?" Peter asked, cocking his head to the side; seeming interested in Red's speech. Besides, she was really cute.

"Peter," Red answered, her eyes lighting up in desperation. "Nice name I guess?" Peter laughed softly but stopped himself when he realized how much she was hurting. He felt an unmistakable pull towards her but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Gazing up at the moon, Red knew she had to go back. She had to apologize to her grandmother but she made a vow she would come back as soon as possible.

"I have to umm go," Red stumbled over speech, gazing into Peter's deep brown eyes. Peter chuckled and nodded towards her car, seeming to understand. He still reached out his hand toward the barrier though and Red quickly pushed through and touched his hand. For a moment she froze, feeling a few memories begin to slip through her fingers before she regained them just as quickly.

"Guess I'll see you tomorrow?" Peter asked, flashing a charming smile at Red. She blushed before nodding in agreeance and getting into her car. Red finally drove away, while Peter was left on the road, cross-legged and confused. He had just seen "Red" but with him, leaning out of a windowsill to kiss him before closing the windows shut. Peter laughed to himself before standing up and watching, as Red's car became a speck in the distance. He would definitely need to see this girl again. But as he walked away, he could not get the vision out of his head.

The next night, Red drove up to the line again; peering over her shoulder at least a dozen times to make sure she wasn't being followed. She was overwhelmingly happy to see that Peter was already waiting for her, hands in his pockets, looking sort of charming. They both sat cross-legged across from each other; Red took a deep breath before appreciating the small moments that had become the most wanted and peaceful in this life.

"So, this might sound strange but after we touched hands I had this vision and…was I in that world with you?" Peter asked curiously. Red bit her lip not knowing how to respond. She finally decided the truth amid the chaos of everything was enough. More than enough in fact.

"Yes, you were. You were…you were Peter," Red whispered, eyes glistening as she finally spoke a name she never thought she would say again after that horrible night. She could still smell the blood in the air, taste her tears and feel her throat get raw with emotion. She snapped back to reality as Peter's mouth hung open slightly in shock before he spit out: "Your…your Peter?"

"The one and only," answered Red, laughing slightly at the situation before leaning her head back and wiping her eyes of tears. Her eyes fell on Peter as he began to inch closer to what he had somehow come to understand as the non-crossable line.

"Well then you better kiss me," Peter remarked, and Red felt her heart race at his snarky remark. It was his bravery and sass that had and still always caused Red to blush and her heart to start beating wildly. Red looked down however, apprehensive of what he had said. Peter rolled his eyes: "Haven't you ever read fairytales? All of the good stories end with a kiss."

"But what if I don't want this story to end? What if I wake up and this was all pretend, a dream that I forced myself to believe," Red choked out the words before Peter was the closest he could move forward.

"I guess you'll just have to do it and see," Peter remarked somewhat sensually before leaning forward. Red leaned forward at the same time, pouring out all her beliefs and prayers that it was real. When their lips finally touched, memories from their past lives flooded back to Red with enhanced clarity and she felt tears begin to stream down her face. She could still feel her cheek on Peter's strong shoulder, her lips pressed to his quickly through her window and the lingering looks they had exchanged at the council meetings. At least, Red thought, I still have this to hold onto. But then she pulled away and watched as a faint clear burst of light came over Peter's entire body as he was pushed over the line by an invisible force. Red helped him to stand, and with tears in her eyes began to leave, thinking the magic had not run its course until she felt his familiar hand reach out towards hers. She knew from his touch that somehow, against all possibilities, her happy ending had been written. Peter took her face in his hands, tears springing to his eyes as he let himself speak but one word:

"Red?"