Premise: During chapter 148, the Final Battle, Snow and Charming run into Ratigan. Charming recalls arresting him and Snow tells him that he did when Emma was fifteen, because Ratigan was experimenting with mind control drugs. This is that story.

It is 1999. Emma is fifteen and sophomore in High School and the twins are five and in Kindergarten. Everyone's memories were returned five years earlier, but many of the effects of the curse on the town are still in effect. This short story will be a few chapters long.

I will also take requests for Finding You Always short stories that you'd like to see of times or events that we did not see in the epic story.

Face claims relevant to this story:

Abby Ross: teenage Emma

Young Bailee Madison: five-year-old Eva

Young Johnathan Taylor Thomas: five-year-old Leo

David Tennant: Professor Ratigan

Donald Sutherland: Professor Frollo

Madam Medusa: Susan Sarandon

Michael Emerson: Lester Batting (Fidget)

Ali Larter: Goldilocks

LeFou: Josh Gad

Thanks for the reviews! Please continue to review. I always respond. Here are individual responses:

Ghostwriter: Thanks, glad you're enjoying!

Sammii16: Yep, hell is about to break loose. Glad you're enjoying!

Jennifer Baratta: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

Grace5231973: Yep, Frollo is safe, even though we know he's not really a good guy either. I hope no one is hurt either. Glad you're enjoying!

Sexystarwarslover: Thanks, glad you're enjoying it so much. Yeah, Leo really is a favorite. Yeah, David has a way of being intimidating if he wants to be. Yeah, Fidget isn't the brains of anything. Just a lackey with a habit. Yeah, he is a good choice for Ratigan. Yeah, that was close. Paul was almost put under Ratigan's control too. Yep, it's going to be a long night. Glad you're enjoying!

A Rat in Storybrooke

Chapter 4: Stakeout

Snow sipped at her cocoa, as she sat in the truck beside her husband and smiled over at him.

"This is the best," she said with a smile.

"What? Sitting in a truck for hours?" he teased and she cocked her head to the side.

"No silly…sitting in a truck with you for hours," she replied. He grinned.

"Yeah…it's fun when I'm with you," he said.

"And as Mayor of this town, I feel that being involved in the case to takedown someone that is using mind control drugs on unsuspecting citizens is essential," she replied.

"Ratigan is a dirtbag for sure…" David said, as he used his binoculars to look at Medusa's eyesore of an establishment.

"What could he be waiting for?" Snow asked.

"I don't know…do we know anything about him?" he asked.

"All I got from the town census was that he was a blacksmith back in the Enchanted Forest, near Longbourne. Somehow, that doesn't really match up with his skills in chemistry," she replied.

"Yeah…definitely seems off. We could assume that the curse gave him his knowledge, but if that were true, there's no way he'd be able to create something like this drug," David said.

"Definitely not. The teaching knowledge the curse gave me was the bare basics. Everything else, I learned by reading it for myself," Snow replied.

"It's funny…the curse is definitely not what we imagined when we feared it back in our land. I mean, being separated was the worst thing we could experience, but there were certainly a lot of creature comforts involved. More than I imagined," he said. She smiled gently.

"People tend to become complacent when they're comfortable. There's no reason to fight and risk losing something when you have all your basic needs met," Snow surmised. He smirked.

"Yeah…I guess when we were living in the woods, we were eager to fight for a better life and our love," David said. She smiled.

"Sometimes it was rough, but never those nights under the stars," she remembered fondly. He smiled at those memories too.

"Do you think he's going to come out anytime soon?" Snow asked.

"I'm not sure…but even if he does, he'll be using the people he's controlling as human shields. We have to figure out a way to free them first, before we can take Ratigan down," David said, as his phone rang.

"Hey Paul…" he answered.

"Frollo is much more coherent now and he knows exactly what's in the drug. He is in no condition to be in the lab, but he gave me the ingredients and instructions on how to create an antidote to the mind drug," Paul replied.

"That's great…we're on our way," David said, as he hung up his flip phone.

"Paul says Frollo's lucid enough to tell him about this drug and Paul thinks he can make an antidote with this information," he said.

"Let's go," Snow replied, as he put the truck in gear and they returned to the hospital.

Leo's tongue poked out of the corner of his mouth, as they played Mario Kart and once he flew over the finish line in first place, he threw up his arms in victory.

"You win again…you're just too good for me, Mister," Regina said, as Eva huffed.

"I swear if I didn't know better that you're cheating somehow," she complained.

"Nah…I'm just that good," Leo bragged.

"Really? Care to race me?" Emma asked, as she came downstairs.

"I thought you had homework?" Leo asked.

"All done…with time to spare to kick your butt," Emma replied, as she grabbed a controller.

"We'll see," Leo replied, as Regina put her controller down.

"You can take my place for now," she said, as she went and sat on the couch with Robin. When Snow was called away, she had called her husband and Rolland to come spend the evening with her and the kids.

"You're pretty good at Mario Kart," he teased. She smiled.

"What can I say? I have a knack for video games," she replied, as the house phone rang.

"Nolan residence," she answered, as she got up.

"Oh, hi Snow…" she said, as she listened.

"Sure…I'll be right there," she replied, as she hung up the phone.

"They need my help with something. Are you okay here with the kids for a bit?" she asked. He smiled.

"Of course…go. You're part of the heroes now," Robin replied. She smiled shyly.

"I don't know about that," she said, as he kissed her tenderly and she hurried out to meet Snow and David at the hospital.

Ratigan peered out the blind of Medusa's tacky place and saw that Charming's truck was gone. That puzzled him. They had been staking the place out, but he knew the Sheriff hadn't given up, which meant that something else was at play.

"How long are you going to use my establishment for your little zombie fest?" Medusa questioned.

"A while…the conquest of a town takes time, even with willing soldiers," he said.

"You know, I've been around a long time and as much as I wish you'd win so we really could have some fun in this town, you won't," she warned.

"You just lack imagination, my dear," he said, as the scout he had sent out returned.

"Report," he said to the brainwashed hospital orderly.

"It appears that the Sheriff and the Mayor have returned to the hospital to consult with Dr. Sakura," he reported.

"Blast it…it's Frollo. He's awake and talking. He could ruin everything!" Ratigan said.

"Let me guess…he can provide an antidote to your little drug?" Medusa asked.

"Unfortunately yes…I may hate the man, but he knows what he's doing in the chemistry lab," Ratigan replied.

"Well…it'll be over soon then. Why don't you shove off. I'd rather not be arrested for aiding and abetting. Sheriff Charming would only love any legal reason to shut me down. His precious, pretty little Snow just hates that my place exists in her perfect little town," Medusa said, but Ratigan pulled a gun and pointed it at her.

"No worries there…because I'm not done with this being my base of operations. Now you're off the hook," he said. She glared at him and then put her hands up.

"Whatever you say, Dr. Wacktigan," she retorted, as he moved to look out the window again.

"I need more leverage than just some hospital orderlies and staff," he said and then a devious smirk spread across his face.

"Attention minions…it's time to make our move and I know exactly how to make Snow and Charming bend to our will and forget using any antidote they create," he said, as he marched out of the tavern with his small, but surely to grow army of brainwashed citizens.

"I came as soon as I could." Regina said, as she arrived.

"Good…to bring you up to speed, Ratigan has drugged about a dozen or so of the hospital staff with his mind control drug and currently, they're using Medusa's as their base of operation," David said.

"He's using them as human shields to keep you from doing a full scale takedown," Regina replied. He nodded.

"Frollo has given me the ingredients to make an antidote, but Ratigan was really thinking. He had his minions trash Frollo's lab and his own, plus mine before they stormed out of here. I need some decent chemistry equipment," Paul explained.

"I have a small set in my vault that you're welcome to, but I think we need a bigger one for this," Regina said.

"Any ideas?" Snow asked.

"None of us like it, but we should go to Gold. He'll have better equipment and getting the brainwashed people to either drink the antidote or drink it won't be easy," Regina replied.

"What do you suggest?" David asked.

"We ask Gold to use his. With Ratigan loose brainwashing people, he likely won't ask for any favors in return since he's a danger to Belle. Paul can use his equipment to create an aerosol based antidote," Regina replied.

"So we just have to spray them with it," Snow said. She nodded.

"That'll be much easier…let's go," David said. Paul nodded.

"Whale should be able to handle things here if he manages to stay sober," the doctor said, as they headed out to their cars when David's phone rang.

"Sheriff," he answered.

"Hello Sheriff…" Ratigan drawled.

"What do you want, scumbag," David said tersely.

"Tsk, tsk on how you speak to me, especially when I'm having a nice, lovely chat with your children and the Queen's husband," he replied, as David frowned.

"You touch any of them and I'll break you in half," the Prince growled.

"Oh I don't think so…I have a wide assortment of human shields and I have armed them all with knives. One slip of a blade and one of your precious babies could get hurt," he warned.

"What. Do. You. Want?" David growled.

"You and your lovely wife are going to come here and surrender to me. Once you're in my custody, you'll announce to all that you've abdicated your power and I will take over as the new Mayor of Storybrooke. Then one of my willing subjects will dump my drug into the water supply, while you and your children are free to go, as long as it's over the town line, never to return," he said.

"Fine…Snow and I are on our way," David replied.

"No tricks or funny stuff or I'll start slitting throats, starting with little Eva," he warned, as David hung up his phone.

"He has Robin and the kids," he said.

"He's a dead man," Regina growled.

"He wants Snow and I to abdicate our power to him and then he's going to force us over the town line with the kids. Meanwhile, he has one of his zombies on the way to the water plant to dump the drug into it," David said, as he dialed a number.

"Thomas…it's David. I need you to head to the water plant. Ratigan sent someone to dump his drug into the water supply. Try to stop them without harming them, but we can't let that happen, no matter what. Try to stop them without harm, but if it comes down to it and you have to use force, then don't hesitate," David said, as he hung up his phone. He hated making a call like that, but it was one of those situations where he had to choose to save the many over the few.

"We'll get to Gold's and get an antidote made," Regina said, as she and Paul hurried to her car.

"David…" Snow said, as she touched his arm.

"We'll stop him, Snow…we just have to stall long enough until they get that antidote," David replied. She nodded, as they headed to the truck.

Ratigan chuckled, as he hung up the phone.

"Mommy and Daddy are on the way, kids…and this town will soon be mine," he said.

"Yeah right…you're a big stupid head and my Dad is going to pulverize you!" Leo shouted, as he glared up at him.

"Listen here, you little welp," Ratigan growled, as he grabbed him by the shirt, but Leo kicked him in the shin and he let go. Emma pulled him back and shushed him.

"Another stunt like that and you'll be in a world of hurt, brat," he warned.

"Leo…easy does it," Emma whispered.

"Yeah…Mommy and Daddy will save us," Eva said.

"She's right," Emma said.

"I know…but I can't wait until I'm big enough to save us," Leo replied. Robin smiled, as he held Roland.

"You will be soon enough, young one, but we have to make sure we stay safe until they get here," he said, as he glared at the literal mad scientist. He had debated on whether he should attempt to overpower him, but with all the innocent lives in the balance, he chose not to risk it. He knew his wife and he knew Snow and David…they were likely developing a plan right at that moment.

"Hi Paul," Belle greeted, as they rushed into the shop.

"Hey Belle…sorry to be abrupt, but is your husband here?" he asked, as Gold entered from the backroom.

"Let me guess…our fair town has encountered yet another calamity," he said.

"Yes…and we need a good chemistry set. Ratigan has used a mind control drug on some of the hospital staff and is currently holding my husband and the kids hostage. He wants control of the town and has a minion on the way to dose the entire water supply system," Regina explained quickly.

"I was wondering when that rat would try something," Gold said, unsurprised.

"Frollo gave us the information we needed for the antidote, but Ratigan smashed all the decent labs we have. Can we use yours?" Paul asked.

"This way…and yes, this one is on the house. I'd rather not become a puppet for anyone, least of all that crackpot," Rumple replied, as they followed him into the backroom and got to work.

Snow and David parked the truck at their house and joined hands, as they stormed onto their property, both furious that this man had gone into their home and was holding their children and a good friend hostage.

"That's far enough," he warned, as he came out onto the porch with Eva in his grasp.

"Are you prepared to give me what I ask for?" he asked.

"We are…but it's going to take time. If you want an announcement to the whole town, then we need a camera crew," Snow replied.

"We called the television station and they're on their way," David added.

"Excellent…but I warn you. If you've set up any trick with them, it won't end well for the little ones," he warned.

"Daddy!" Eva whimpered.

"Easy Ratigan…all we told them is that we need to make an emergency announcement to the town," David said.

"And their anchor hates me for some unknown reason, so you don't have to worry about Goldilocks doing me any favors," Snow added. He chuckled.

"Yes…I've noticed her animosity. Seems personal for her. For me, it's not really. I just want whatever great mind wants…power and the respect I deserve," he boasted.

"I have many great plans for this town, while you two will go back to being your feckless cursed selves once I push you over the town line. But don't worry, you'll have each other and your kids. It's a happy ending for everyone, really," he said.

"Yeah…your definition of a happy ending is not the same as ours," Snow retorted, as the television studio van pulled up. Goldie got out and checked herself in her compact, making Snow roll her eyes. She had no idea why the blonde hated her, but the feeling was definitely becoming mutual given all the lies and crap she regularly spewed on her gossipy morning show. Unfortunately, Storybrooke didn't have any other real reporters.

Her co-host, LeFou, stumbled out of the driver's side and the side door slid open, as a cameraman and a crew member started unloading their equipment. Storybrooke 1980's technology was outdated, to say the least, but that would work in their favor, for it would take a bit to set up all the bulky, slow equipment.

"Hurry up!" Ratigan snapped. Goldie smirked.

"Relax, Professor Ratigan. Perfection takes time," she said.

"And pancake makeup," Snow commented, as the blonde glared daggers at her.

"Well…we can't all be the fairest of them all," she snapped back.

"You really need to work on your insults if that was supposed to be one," David said, looking at his wife fondly. She huffed.

"I for one am really looking forward to a change in leadership and as soon as my crew is set up, I'm prepared to give you a glowing interview," she said. He smirked.

"Finally…someone who knows how to worship greatness," he said.

"Barf…" Emma said, as she and the others were led out of the house by the unfortunate pawns under Ratigan's control.

"Mind your tongue, young one," he warned.

"We're almost ready," LeFou said. Ratigan smirked.

"Your time in power is coming to an end and mine is just beginning," he said. They exchanged a slight weary look. They had every confidence that Paul and Regina would come through, but it was cutting it close.

The beakers boiled and the liquid traveled through the tubes and the three of them wore masks, as they used Gold's equipment to convert the liquid into an aerosol form. Paul turned the lever at the opening of the tube and filled the aerosol cans they were using.

"There…that should do it and the four of us have one," he said.

"Let's go…Snow and David will stall, but we're running out of time," Regina said, as they quickly left the shop. There was no time to lose…