Just a small AN: There is a scene in here where the wardrobe is mentioned. I obviously Snow knows about how they were lied to, however I do not believe she told Charming…so I am going to go with that Snow does know, however Charming doesn't. If I am wrong then I apologize, if not then well this is how he finds out.
Also thank you all for reviewing, favorting, and following! You guys are awesome!
Hands of Time
Emma opens her eyes to reveal a dark and desolate area. As she starts walking the clicking of her heels echo throughout the air, "Hello?" She calls out.
Her voice echoes as she keeps walking, but stops suddenly as she hears dull laughter, "Anyone there?" she calls out again.
"Poor little Emma Swan," the slightly disoriented voice answers back, "No mother or father to protect you and no son to save you this time."
"Who's there?" Emma again calls out in response, "Show yourself!"
The voice begins to laugh and it brings chills down Emma's spine as she starts to run trying to follow the laughter, "You can run all you want dear, but you will never find me." The voice laughs out. Emma realizes that it is clearer and hears that the speaker is a female…yet it is also familiar.
"You can't hide from me! Wherever you are, I will find you!" Emma calls back as she pushes herself to run faster, but all the while she is running she starts to see memories...horrible memories of her past.
She fights the feelings that she had long since buried, but just as she is about to give in she sees a bright light up ahead. It was closing fast as the speaker continues to laugh. Just as the light is about to disappear, she flings herself forward and dives through.
When the light fades, she looks around at the new surroundings and realizes that it is a forest. Dusting the dirt off she hears a crack and spins to find a wolf staring her down. Its eyes were of different color: one is blood red and the other is black as night. Emma starts to put her hands up in surrender like fashion and started to back away slowly and hopes her eyes are telling it that she means no harm. Although the more she looks at the wolf, a different memory surfaces and she realizes why it looks familiar…it was Graham's wolf.
The wolf made no move to follow, but regarded her with a look. With the tilt of his head he started to walk away from her and in a weird sense she knew it wanted her to follow it. Looking around she made her decision and started to follow the animal.
Once the wolf knew she was following, it broke into a run, "Wait!" Emma called out as she now was running, "Wait up!" she knew that she was talking to an animal, but she did not care.
The wolf continued to run weaving gracefully in and out of vegetation in the forest, and when Emma looked back she saw green mass closing in behind her and a dark purple like cloud flowing over head. She could hear different voices mocking her and cursing her as she followed the wolf through the forest, "Where are you taking me?! What is that thing?!" She yells to the animal as if she would get an answer.
Suddenly a door materializes out of nowhere and the wolf runs right into it and suddenly vanishes from Emma's sight. Emma halts to a stop and tries to fumble with the knob, but it won't turn, "Hey! Help me!" she calls as the dark cloud descended upon her.
More voices begin to shout and scream at her as she now starts to sink to the ground and covers her ears, "Please stop!" Feelings of abandonment and despair start to take hold as she feels herself drowning. Images start to flash before her in a quick replay of her life so far, but she is not paying attention as now voices, more defined and familiar start to scream and cry calling her name, "EMMA!"
_-Snoopykid-_
Whirlwind of memories once again started as the group was helpless in watching. It was a replay of Emma's life in Storybrooke. David and Snow held each other close, almost afraid of being swept away from each other. Regina was holding Henry as if afraid she was going to lose him as well. Hook and Gold tried to turn their heads to avoid the dizziness that was threatening to overcome them, but they were finding it hard since different memories played all around them. For the group it was as if the ground was spinning and the area was closing in on them. It wasn't until the area stopped and one memory came into a slow focus…it was Snow's apartment and Mary-Margret and Emma were discussing one-night stands, "Trust me. One nighters is as far as I ever go." Emma said offhandedly as Mary-Margret took a bouquet of flowers out of the trash and placed them in the vase.
"Why are you discussing one-night stands?" David asked his wife when he was finally able to breathe and his stomach was settled from the experience.
Snow was not looking at him as she took in the scene. The memory itself was dim for her as she was trying to distinquish between her cursed identity and her real identity. However when she took a step closer it clicked as she heard herself say, "Well, yeah. That's because you're-"
"Because I'm what?" Emma responded shortly and defensively.
"Never mind." Mary-Margret responded just as quickly.
"Oh dear," Snow said backing away.
"What?" Henry asked quickly, "What is it?"
Snow shuddered, "I remember this…this is the night that Graham-"
She didn't have to continue as David, Gold, and Henry responded with, "Oh." Regina looked down; almost ashamed. Hook was smart enough not to say anything.
"Yeah? Tell me – what do I do?" Emma challenged.
"You're just protecting yourself. With that wall you put up." Mary-Margret explained as she placed the flowers on the counter.
Emma eyed her critically, "Just because I don't get emotional over men-"
Mary-Margret raised her eyebrows and counter-challenged, "You don't get emotional over men? Uh, the floral abuse tells a different story."
Henry smiled at the exchange with amusement. He watched as his mother crossed her arms, "What story is that?" She asked, daring her mother-then roommate to explain what she thought.
"The one that's obvious to everyone except, apparently, you" Snow winced a bit at her tone of voice as she continued the conversation, "– that you have feelings for Graham."
Emma through her hands up in the air, "Come on!"
Hook could tell that Emma was trying to deny it as he watched the scene curiously. He knew, based on the reactions everyone gave to Snow's half explanation; that something terrible must have happened to this man. He also knew Swan well enough when her damn wall was up…apparently the brunette because she responded, "There's that wall."
"That's not a wall." Everyone snorted at Emma's blatant attempt at denial.
"Really?" Mary-Margret asked with raised eyebrows. David looked at Snow and saw guilt lingering in the depths of her eyes. Henry saw this too and went over to her and hugged her. Snow returned the hug as David placed a hand on her shoulder letting her know that he was there as well. Regina watched the exchange and the regret in her intensified, she knew that Henry was fond of the Sheriff and it nearly killed her to think about the look he gave her after he found out about Graham's untimely death at her hand.
Gold watched the scene with interest as Emma responded, "There's nothing wrong with being cautious."
"Oh, true. True. But, Emma, that wall of yours? It may keep out pain but it also may keep out love." The scene once again whirled quickly around them as they now found themselves at the station. It was late at night and they watched as Graham was tending to Emma's cut.
"What happened?" David asked Snow.
Snow's brow creased as she vaguely remembered seeing a bandage on Emma's forehead, "I don't know…I do not think she ever told me…"
David looked to Gold who raised his hands, "I have nothing to do with this."
Now they looked at Regina who had at least the decency to look somewhat remorseful, "We got into a fight at the cemetery." She admitted.
"What? You two got into a fight? Over what exactly?" Snow asked while Emma was letting Graham work on her cut.
Regina shook her head not wanting to talk about it in front of Henry as Graham finished up, "All better?" He asked gently.
Snow slowly took her eyes off of Regina deciding not to push her with Henry being right there, but made a mental note to talk to her step-mother later when they were alone, "Yeah." Emma said softly. David sent a last glare to the Queen and looked back at the former sheriff and his daughter. He could see the hesitant look in her eyes and silently cursed Neal for giving Emma a reason to second guess herself when it came to love and happiness.
"What?" Graham asked giving her a curious look when he realized that Emma was still watching him.
Emma got off the desk she was sitting on and they watch as she walks over to Graham. Leaning into him, they watch in awe as they kiss. They all watch as he stiffens up and she is still kissing him, not even noticing that he has his eyes open and they are unfocused, "He is remembering," Henry's voice comes to them.
"What?" Snow asked.
"Graham…he came to me and told me that when he kissed my mom the first time, he saw flashes and he also saw you in the forest…" Henry said sadly realizing that if Graham had lived the curse may have been broken sooner.
Snow felt even more guiltily at this admission as she knew that this was the last time she saw him alive, "That's why he came to see me in the classroom…and I just blew him off as being sick." She finished as her savior in the forest staggered backwards, away from the blonde who was looking confused.
"Graham?" Emma asked her voice laced with worry.
"I remember…" He stated in awe, "I remember!" He smiles at her.
Emma doesn't know what to say, but he grabs her and was about to kiss again, but Graham suddenly falls to the floor. Emma repeatedly yells his name. Henry swallows hard trying to hold back tears as she keeps trying to wake him up, but is unsuccessful. Hook realizes what must have happened and snaps his head towards Regina giving her a murderous look, "You-"
"Yes." Regina says trying to block Emma's cries, "I did."
Henry looks at Regina and sees that she is regretting everything. He looks back at his grandparents as they watch their daughter breakdown and then he looks back at Regina and decides to go over to her. He knows that this is the past and that she is not the same person anymore. He hugs her and feels her stiffen, shocked by the symbol of comfort and slowly wraps her arms around him.
Just then another scene comes and they realize that they are by a diner near the woods. Suddenly they see Emma and August appear on his motorcycle as they come to a halt, "What the hell is this?" Emma asks taking her helmet off as she gets off the bike.
"Last I checked, it was a diner." August said pointing out the obvious.
Everyone could tell that Emma was getting fed up, "No more screwing around. I am not a character in one of your books. What the hell are we doing here?"
"I think you know. You've been here before." He says as if imploring her to remember something as he takes out a newspaper article and shows it to Emma. The group gathers behind Emma to get a better look a the article as August continues to explain, "This is the diner you were brought to when you were found as a baby."
Emma scoffs as she looks at him, "So, you found an article about me. So what? I thought this trip was supposed to be about you."
August sighs, "It is. This is my story, and it's your story."
Emma looks at him in disbelief, "And how is that?"
"That seven year old boy who found you…That was me." He says slowly.
"Wait what?" David asks totally confused. He knew that August was Pinocchio, and while he was never told of how the boy escaped the curse, he knew that there was something between Emma and the boy…although he was not quite sure what it was. However one look at his wife, he knew that she was hiding something, but kept his mouth closed. Judging by this scene and the way she was fidgeting, it was something he was not going to like. Snow curses at herself seeing where this was going. She knew what had happened and remembered the way she punched Marco in the face when she found out…if that was her reaction she knew that David's was going to be ten times worst.
Gold sighed as he too knew where this was headed. Of course he saw the future and he was right that they could have not escaped the curse…he knew there was going to be a betrayal to the royal family…so of course he could have told them; however that is not what they asked about. They only asked about the curse itself. Looking at Snow, he could see that she was worried again; he saw her shooting glances at Charming, who was still looking confused. Gold was familiar with Charming's temper and knew that shit was going to hit the fan very soon.
They followed the duo as they were walking through the forest in an awkward silence, until Emma breaks it by asking, "Why are we in the woods?"
"All the answers you've been searching for are right where I found you." August answers simply as they continue walking.
Emma sighs and shakes her head, "See? You're not that seven year old boy. I wasn't found in the woods. I was found on the side of a highway."
August looks at her with raised eyebrows and starts shooting off questions, "Why do you think that? Because you read it in the newspaper? Did it ever occur to you that, maybe, that seven year old boy lied about where he found you?"
Emma stopped short that everyone who knew her saw that her patience was done, "No. But it occurs to me that you've been lying to me about everything. And I'm done listening."
August too stops and faces her and says very quickly, "When I found you, you were wrapped in a blanket. And the name 'Emma' was embroidered along the bottom of it. That wasn't in the article, was it? How would I know that unless I was there?"
"But how could he have been there?" David asks slowly and he looks at Snow who was almost in tears, "Snow?"
Everyone looks at Snow, even Henry who has yet to realize where this was headed. Snow shakes her head and points to the scene as a way of saying 'watch', "Okay. Let's say you were that kid. Why lie about where you found me?" Emma asks arms crossed and eyes narrowed.
"I lied to protect you." August states firmly.
Emma frowns deeply, "From what?"
August takes a few more steps away from Emma and points to a tree, "That."
Emma takes a step toward a tree and looks at it, then back at August, "A tree?"
August takes a closer step toward the tree and to Emma, "You've read Henry's book, right? You know about the curse, don't you? Your role in it? It's true, Emma. We both came into this world…through this tree."
David all of a sudden gets a sickening feeling in his stomach…the only way for Emma to have come out of that tree was by the wardrobe…and August just said he appeared the same way. He now feels like there is a knife being stabbed through his heart. It was not possible! It only took one! Blue told them it only took one! His breathing starts to become rapid as Emma gives August a look, "You're asking me to believe that you are a fairy tale character?"
"Pinocchio." He replies.
Snow could see Charming trying to put the pieces together and his face becoming pale. He gives her a look…an almost pleading look to tell him what he is thinking is not true. She tears herself away from his pleading gaze, "Right, of course. Pinocchio. Explains all the lying. You're the one who added the story to Henry's book." Emma states.
"I needed you to know the truth." Came the reply.
Henry is watching closely and he could tell Emma was not buying into anything August was trying to tell her. He remembers feeling let down as August told him he failed…which ultimately led him to take desperate action. Regina eyes the puppet closely as well feeling perplexed as Emma shook her head, "The truth is, you are out of your mind, and you're not even a very good liar. Why not write the end of that story?"
August growled in frustration, "Because this is the ending, and we're writing it right now."
"And how does this story end?" Emma asks sarcastically.
"With you believing." He states simply and firmly.
"Not going to happen." Emma responds after a moment then starts to walkway from him.
"Emma? Emma, wait." August calls out. He starts to follow after her, but suddenly falls down. He lets out a curse holding his leg in pain.
Emma stops and looks at him in a half worried and half distrusting way, "What is wrong with your leg?" She asks slowly.
August shook his head in pain, "I failed." He grunted out.
Emma throws her hands up in the air, "What are you talking about?"
"What is he talking about?" Hook asks just as confused as everyone else save Snow and Henry who knew the truth about the matter.
August stumbles up and sits on a stump with his leg stretched out in front of him, "It doesn't matter. You don't believe."
Emma gives him a pity look, "If you think that by making me feel sorry for you that something's going to change, you are wrong."
August suddenly looks at her in a beseeching and pleading way, "I am not screwing around here. Whatever you believe, or don't, this is real, Emma. I am sick."
"That's an understatement." Emma snorts out.
August ignores the jab, "You ever been to Phuket? It's beautiful. Amazing island, full of pleasures. The perfect place to lose oneself. That's where I was when you decided to stay in Storybrooke."
Everyone was now at full attention, suddenly remembering where Emma had gotten the letter from when she was in jail. Emma suddenly became slightly interested as she asked slowly, "How do you know when I decided to stay in Storybrooke?"
August winces, "Because at eight fifteen in the morning, I woke up with a shooting pain in my leg. That's eight fifteen at night in Storybrooke. Sound familiar?" He could tell that she had her and they could all tell that she was starting to feel uncomfortable, "That's when time there started to move forward again. I was supposed to be there for you. And I wasn't. Because I was halfway around the world, I got a painful reminder of just how far I'd strayed. If that tree won't make you believe, maybe this will."
He pulls up his pant leg, revealing his wooden leg. Everyone's jaws dropped seeing it's wooden. They looked at Emma trying to gauge her reaction…however she is confused, How does that prove anything?"
"What is she talking about? Does she not see that he has a wooden leg?" Hook asks in disbelief looking at them.
"No she doesn't," Gold said deciding to answer the pirate's question, "She doesn't believe."
"Well that is obvious," Hook says pointing to August and Emma as they go back and forth about the puppet's leg, "but why is she not freaking out about his leg?"
Gold sighs in frustration at Hook, who is not getting it. Before he could respond they heard August say, "Your denial is more powerful than I thought. It's preventing you from seeing truth."
"That is why," Gold says as he points to August, "Ms. Swan is in denial about the curse. She did not believe it's existence until-"
"I ate a cursed apple turnover." Henry jumped in as Hook went wide eyed at the young boy, "It was when I ate it and fell under the sleeping curse did she believe."
"Wait a minute…you voluntarily went under a sleeping curse?" Henry nodded at Hook's question as Snow, David, and Regina flinched, "Just to get your mother to believe in this curse?" He points to the scene as August and Emma kept talking. Henry nods again as confirmation and Hook shakes his head, "You do not do anything half done do you kid?"
Henry shakes his head, "Nope." He states while popping the 'p'.
David was still having a hard time grasping everything that was happening around them. In fact he was so lost in his own memories that he jumps at Emma's exclamation, "You're saying that I am responsible for everyone's happiness? That is crap! I didn't ask for that. I don't want it."
August counters back and states, "Right now. A little while ago, you didn't want Henry, either. But then, he came to you, and now, you are fighting like hell for him."
"For him! Because that is all I can handle right now. And I'm not even doing a good job at that!" Henry winces at this, "Now, you're telling me I have to save everyone? That is beyond ridiculous. I don't want any of it." She states the last part slowly and firmly.
"Well, that's too bad, Emma, because that doesn't change the truth," he struggles to stand and gets right in her face, "You are our only hope."
Emma looks him in the eye and everyone holds their breath wondering what she is going to say in response to August's proclamation, "Then you're all screwed." Giving him one last look they watch as the scene begins to fade and she turns her back on him.