Chapter 3: A Theoretical Fact

Mr. Gold knew exactly where Asher was . He made his way across town to the graveyard and into the mausoleum. HE saw the passage open leading down to the chamber. "There you are," said Asher as Gold entered. "Well it seems you did score pretty high," Gold noted. "Theres something else." Asher opened a draw in the big vault but it was empty. He opened another and inside was a beating heart. "The Mills are a sick family," said Asher. "Mr Thread upon discovering this, I need you to understand something. The mayor is a witch. Keeping people's hearts as slaves is what she does. Regina cursed-" MR. Gold said being interrupted by Asher, "everyone from the enchanted forest here." Gold's facial expression didnt change at all. The tone of his voice seemed delighted. "What makes you think that?" he challenged. "Because I remember everything and I know you do to, Rumpelstiltskin," Asher replied. Mr. Gold gave a barely noticeable laugh. "Well tea can have powerful contents," he said and winked.

"Would you look at this," Mr Gold noted leaning down picking up some ash and sealing it in a bag. "What about it?" asked Asher. "Well think about it, theres an empty drawer, ash on the floor and Regina was last seen here before Graham died," Gold deduced. Asher felt the cold air of a ghost run through him. He shivered. "We need Mary Margret to remember who she was. If she remembers, her influence on her kingdom physically, will be applied mentally to the people of Storybrooke. All of them will slowly begin to regain there memory," Mr. Gold explained, with a thrill in every word.

"How do we do that?"

"There is a way but if you want me to tell you, it will cost you."

"Okay Gold, what's the price?" asked Asher, half expecting this.

"Make me a cloak out of dragon hide," Gold answered.

"Deal. So what is your way?" asked Asher.

"First, we need to get Emma on board. When she believes, you can approach Mary Margret. Wait until David Nolan is at his most vulnerable. His fake wife will disappear and you can bring them together. If this were to happen it would set off a chain reaction causing everyone to regain their identity. All that will be left is the queen."

There was a loud snap and Asher opened his eyes. He was lying on his bed in the apartment above the tailor shop. It was 7:15 AM. For some reason that seemed significant to him. "What a dream," he thought to himself. he climbed off his bed, brushed his hair and went out to Granny's for breakfast.

He walked in passing David as he entered. "Good morning, Asher. What can I get you?" asked Ruby.

"Coffee with cream," he replied as he sat down. Mary Margret was sitting at the table next to him watching David and Kathryn drive away. He tried to think of something to say but all that came to him was, "Good morning."

"Good morning Asher," she replied. Looking at her watch Mary jumped up and ran out the door to school. "Here's your coffee." Ruby handed him a steaming cup. Asher was too busy thinking of what to do when the time came to approach Mary Margret, to take interest in his coffee yet he mindlessly drank it as he thought. Asher looked out the window and saw Emma and Henry walking to school. An idea struck him: Henry was on the right path believing that everyone was a fairytale character. Although everyone says its just his imaginative theory, it was a fact-a theoretical fact. Perhaps he could use Henry to get Emma to believe.

Asher's heart started racing. He grabbed his coffee, payed Ruby, and ran home to his shop. He rumaged through his shop grabbing threads, needles, and thimbles. He worked and worked until about 3:00 o'clock. At last he had finished his masterpiece. He had stitched together two patches with OPERATION COBRA written on it. One for Henry and one for Emma. Later that day he found Henry walking along the street to the drug store. Asher gave Henry the patches and told him to give one to his mom. "How did you know?" Henry asked nervously. Asher leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Because I remember." Henry's face lit up with excitement. "It's working! Emma is breaking the curse!" he shouted. "How about you and Emma come by tomorrow night and we can talk about some 'COBRA' stuff. Make sure to bring your book." Henry agreed and happily ran into the drug store where a girl named Ava pretended to flirt with him so her brother could steal.

The next day the word go out of two children being taken to Boston to a foster home.

Much Later…

Emma was sitting in her police car reading an old file when Henry knocked on the window. She climbed out and they shared some pumpkin pie from Granny's. Henry gave her her 'COBRA' patch. Not but a moment after, Emma found herself giving directions to the motel to a stranger. "I thought you said no one comes to Storybrooke," Emma recalled. "They don't," Henry replied. He remembered that they were supposed to meet with Asher. Emma, unwillingly, drove Henry an herself to the tailor shop.

"Emma! Henry! I was wondering when you would get here," Asher said, "Did you bring your book Henry?"

"Yeah I got it," he answered, pulling it out of his bag. He handed it to Asher. The tailor flipped through the pages until he found the picture where Prince Charming and Snow White wed. "Does this look familiar?" He asked, pointing to Snow White's dress.

"You said that was my mothers," Emma answered.

"That's what I've been saying the whole time! Snow White is your mother. Look at their faces!" Henry added. Emma saw a huge resemblance to Mary Margret and David Nolan. "Perhaps you also know him," Asher said, now pointing to himself in the picture.

"Do you believe us now?" asked Henry.

"Oh my gosh," Emma said.

"Wonderful! It's just in time too because I need your help."

"What is it?" asked Henry.

"I'm on a mission to jog Mary Margret's memory."

"Of course we can help you! Welcome to OPERATION COBRA," Henry chimed.

Emma and her son agreed to help the tailor.