Well, I did say Sunday, and here we are! Yay, I feel so proud. So, when I asked you guys who you wanted to save them, most of you said Belle or Regina or Robin. Good ideas - But someone else said a different character, with a suggestion of how to get Killian's memories back. I decided that it was a brilliant idea, so here we are. Introducing; Killian, Henry and Emma's savior!
{ Also, to that person that said there isn't enough dialogue - Well, I dunno how you'll think about this one. Hoping it's enough! }

David Nolan had been a part of 2 curses – The one that had moved him from the Enchanted Forest, and the one back to it. But it seemed there was a lack of difference between the two, apart from the destination. They both had that same rapid-fire light in the back of his eyelids, which caused his eyes to feel like they were melting and his head to pound harshly. They both set his nerves alight, a tingling sensation rippling through his body, tickling so lightly it was almost painful. And they both stopped as soon as the curse had zapped them to where it wanted them to be, leaving him to wonder if it were just a hallucination, and irrationally hoping to feel it again just to know that he wasn't going insane.

He wasn't neglecting the irony of the whole situation. It was pretty much the whole previous curse, however in reverse. Instead of heading to the World Without Magic, he was heading to the Enchanted Forest. Almost as if the whole thing hadn't happened, if only for them all to forget their time within the World Without Magic. There was one thing that hadn't changed, however – His baby girl was being ripped away from his arms once more, and there was nothing he could about it. Damn.

After taking a slow moment to figure out where he was mentally, he let his eyes open. He cringed at the sudden bright light of the Enchanted Forest { Wonderful weather, as always. } and blinked several times to get his bearings. Everyone was around him in a swarm, and his gaze began sliding over every single one, counting them and making sure they were there. Grumpy, Snow, Regina, Belle, Granny, all to be expected, as well as Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip who were staring at them with looks of shock. Well, minus Emma, Killian and Henry, however. With that thought, the whole situation seemed a little heavier all of a sudden.

When his heart began to slow down from its body-shuddering thudding, he let his mind register the little details that really didn't matter. An annoying habit he'd gotten in his time with his mother, Ruth. Being a farmboy, he'd needed to note all the little things about the animals within the flurry, like how many had escaped from the hole one of them had created, and which one needed to be separated by the others, because it had decided to bully some of the younger lambs. That ingrained habit caused him to realise that they were all dressed up in their previous clothing. Snow was wearing her white nightgown, the dwarves in their tailored outfits, Regina in her Evil Queen get-up.

David gave a frown. If everyone had their old outfits, then that must mean…. He glanced down at his own, and gave a gulp as he saw his shirt. It was bright white, almost flawless, apart from his shoulder and side. In those places, where the sword of Regina's men had pierced, was a bright crimson red. The fabric was ripped open to reveal a wound that had long closed over, a mere white scar. His mind began swirling – He had avoided these memories like the plague, for they were arguably some of the worst that he held in his head, but it was almost impossible when the evidence was right there.

It was all a dull blur in his head – Flickering memories, weakened from being pushed away for so, so long. The guards, charging down the hallway, draped in black and silver with their weapons out at the ready. The swords giving off loud ' chhiiingg ' noises as they smashed together, trying to fight against two well-trained men while keeping baby Emma safe in the crook of his arm. Placing the tiny bundle inside the portal, wishing her luck, and closing the door. Piercing pain as he lay on the ground, life ebbing way. Slowly… Slowly ebbing…

David shook his head, clearing the cloud of sadness and heaviness that had begun swarming in his mind, fighting with the doubt that had long-since taken up residence. His gaze refocused to see Grumpy walking over to him, having previously been talking to a cricket that was sitting on his shoulder. " Your highness. According to Jiminy, 50 more Storybrooke folk landed not 2 miles from here. " He reported. " They're poppin' back all over the place. "
" That's good. At this rate, Snow'll have the whole kingdom back in no time. Grumpy, you and the dwarved spread the – "
" Hang on. Snow? What about you? " The dwarf interrupted him, and the prince inwardly flinched. He should have known he would need to explain his reasoning to pretty much the whole of the group.

" Listen, Grumpy. " David took a breath, stalling for time, thinking on how he'd word it. The knowledge of what he needed to do was more of an essence, an aura, than a train of thought. " Emma, Killian and Henry – Someone needs to get them. Emma's my daughter – It's my responsibility. It just… It must be done. It must be me. " He then stared at the much shorter man with a heavy, piercing gaze, mentally begging him to understand his reasoning. " … Okay. " Grumpy replied slowly. It didn't seem as if he truly understood, but deciding that he'd take whatever explanation he'd get.

It truly didn't feel the same without Emma. He was so used to seeing her head of beautiful blonde hair, her bright green eyes. The fire in her eyes, the determination that always spurred her on to do the impossible. That pain that had been morphed into strength that made her into one of the strongest people he knew. And, honestly, that was saying something.

It was even stranger not to have Killian around. It surprised David to find that he actually missed his egotistical, arse-y ways. It seemed so empty without his deep, boasting voice, stating something that would decidedly piss the prince off. His long pirate coat that made that rather annoying swish-swish when he moved { God, wasn't that thing heavy?! }. His persistent flirting with Emma – Goodness gracious, that really ticked him off. Was it bad that he missed the most annoying things about the pirate?

He turned to see a head of dark, curled hair, and a small smile graced his lips as he saw Snow walking over to him. She stepped with the elegance and grace that he'd always admired of his wife, and within a few dainty steps she was standing in front of him. She raised a pale hand and ran her palm over his cheek, and he closed his eyes to tilt his head into its cool structuring. " I don't want you to go, " She murmured. " But I know you must. Emma and Hook – They need you. "

Never before had he felt so grateful that she were Snow White. Always the kind, gentle and understanding person, she saw exactly what he needed to do. It made it all ten times easier, to know that she understood it all. It did surprise him, however many times that she had shown him she knew him more than he did. He supposed it took a person several lifetimes to get used to a person being as wonderful as she was.

" Now, I know your plan. " She murmured, voice lowered. It seems they both agreed that they needn't announce it to the group quite yet – It would actually be ideal if he could slip away whilst not being held up by a million and one questions. " But I really don't know how you'll do it. Are you sure you know how everything will work? You'll stay safe? " Her forehead was marred by the signs of worry, and instinctively he lifted a thumb to smooth over the skin, laying a kiss on it afterwards.

" Snow – It will all be fine. I know what I'm doing. I fetch the Jolly Roger, tell the crew that I need to save their Captain or at least bargain with them. Then I just sail away, using that realm thing that the Jolly Roger does, " Good god, he was crap with magic. " I go to New York, I find them, and if I can't restore their memories then I make sure they're safe. And then I come back to you. And you… " He urged her to finish what they had talking about earlier.

" I look for a way to get back to Storybrooke, and we work from there. " Snow finished with a soft smile, and David gave a nod. " Alright. I think I have to head off before Grumpy tells everyone and I have to stay for a good week before they let me go. " It pained him to have to leave so quickly, but he needed to do what he needed to do. His daughter, grandson and Hook needed him as soon as possible.

" I love you. " Snow whispered, then dragged his head down for a kiss. It lasted several seconds, and afterwards, he rested his forehead on hers. " I love you more. " He whispered, and she smiled. " I love you most. " With that, he stepped back and swung onto the horse. He gave a soft, sad smile at his wife, then kicked the horse into motion. Snow followed the figure of him and the animal for as long as she could see him.

It was not an easy feat finding the Jolly Roger. Being the prince did have its pros, but also its cons. The easiest way to find it was through the pirate community – if you could call it that – and being of royalty was a major drawback. Distrust, tricks, unfair bargaining. All aspects of the good 8 months it took to find her. He supposed it may have been smarter to disguise himself as some sort of commoner, but shamefully, the thought barely crossed his mind as he became more frantic.

When he did have the ship – finally -, it was even more difficult to outrun the curse. He was an okay captain, but he was no Captain Hook or Blackbeard. He knew the basics, yet it took him a good month's headstart, and a kind older sailor whom had sailed under the royal flag when Snow and him had ruled, that decided to help him along if he promised to drop him off along the way.

Thankfully, David did have at least some knowledge in how to captain a ship. Being a part of the Jolly Roger's crew during the time in Neverland had been a massive bonus, and he did note some good hints from the pirate who seemed rather happy with boasting on how he was such a wonderful captain. With that small amount of knowledge, he got all the parts working, and just copied what he supposed was his movements whilst trying to steer.

Having outran the curse, it was even more difficult – Jesus Christ! – to find New York. It did take some mapping and docking at unnecessary, and rather ruthless ports, but he had soon located the odd destination that was the World Without Magic. It was, surprisingly, a lot closer to the Enchanted Forest than he expected it to be. It was assumed information that the lack of magic would mean a great distance, but apparently not. Huh.

All through the trip, guilt and sadness gnawed away at his nerves which were already strung tight. Being on a ship with only a meagre – and rather scary – crew to keep him company tended to do that to you. Every time he let his mind wander, it ran to the fact that he was leaving – left - his True Love behind, and his whole kingdom that depended on him and Snow. He did try his hardest to reinforce his bravery and courage with the fact he was on a daunting quest to save his daughter, Killian and his grandson. It did help, but it could only do so much.

David Nolan did find New York after some time. It took a good month or so, and the whole endeavour was going by at a crawling pace, but it was found. The whole trip had been filled with smaller, yet meaningful achievements such as finding the Jolly Roger, getting in possession of it, finding the kind old man, etc. Yet all the way through it, he refused to do any sort of celebrating. The only time that he would let himself do something as celebrating was when he found two of the most important people in his life, and Killian.

It was then that he was sitting on a park bench, watching the busy traffic going by. Up above, the bright blue sky shone through the long slender branches of the trees surrounding him, and a smile toyed with the corner of his lips. Finally. He was finally, finally, finally in New York.
It was then that he did let himself have a small celebration.

It seemed as though nothing accepted in finally being easy. It took several phonebooks and lots of asking around to finally find out where his daughter's apartment was. And then, on top of it all, he had to find the place. It was just his luck that it was all the way on the other side of the city than where he was, and having a lack of money meant no taxi. Which concluded to only one thing – Walking. A couple of days, trudging his way through the thick crowds of New York who appeared to be moving in the opposite direction that he wanted to go.

Everything seemed so difficult. But David still refused to give up – He would never, ever give up. That was their little motto of the Charming family, alongside ' I will always find you '. It was ' We really, really don't like to give up '. You could probably get a pretty accurate assumption of what sort of family they were via those two little sayings. Ahh, Enchanted Forest folk. Always the cliché.

He didn't like it, but this determination did stir him on to do some stuff he wasn't really proud of. Okay, so it was tiny stuff that someone could do without batting an eyelid, but this was Prince Charming. Trying to get into the apartment block, he came across an old lady. She smiled, and he smiled back, then paused. " Um, excuse me, ma'am. " He began quietly, and she turned around. " I need to get into the block – Urgently. Please? " He asked, for lack of a better way to beg, and hoping to dear god it was enough.

The old lady seemed to think for a moment. " Well… I might be able to be convinced… " She seemed to attempt a purr, and warning bells rang in David's head. His eyes were wide in surprise, and he decided to just try to be oblivious, avoiding the hopeful look on her face. " I can promise you $100 sometime? " He suggested, and disappointment was clear on the woman's face. She just gave a nod, he thanked her, and hurried in. He turned back after a moment, watching her walking away. ' Sorry ' he mouthed at her back, then hurried in.

The first thing he supposed he should check was the mailboxes. That was an easy way – Surely people in New York didn't have the P.O boxes? He walked over to the rows of silver mailboxes in the lobby of the apartment block, and began searching them. " Jameson, Parker, Shaw, " He began whispering the surnames to himself quietly. " Wilkie, Coimbra, Maron… Jones. " He stopped at ' Jones ' his finger jolting to a stop. But, his finger was covering something, and when he moved it away, he saw a little ' + Swan ' in the corner, written in a Sharpie.

Instantly, fury began building in his chest, right at the core. Why was the pirate's name written on there?! Was he trying to be possessive of his Emma? He tried to see reasoning behind the fact they didn't have their memories, but it truly did naught for the anger that had rushed up to his head, making the world seem to spin. It was a familiar sensation – He felt the urge to keep Killian away from Emma, for her sake. The kiss in Neverland had eternally pissed him off. Supposedly another thing to add to the list of annoying things he missed of Jones.

He'd decided that the fury was mostly from the fact he felt responsible for the safety of Emma. And, honestly, pirates were never saints in his books, saving his grandson or not. He couldn't be there for 28 years of her life, and she got herself heartbroken for as long as she will live. He had decided the job of defending her had fallen onto his shoulders, but it was a difficult task when Killian was part of the whole thing. Bloody egotistical bugger…

With that boost of fury, he found the small amount of courage it took to take the steps two at a time, anger boosting his jumps and causing him to scale the apartment block to the high level that was the Jones and Swan apartment. But, when he raised his fist to pound on it, all of that bravery seemed to drain away. And, now, he was just standing there with his arm raised, not knowing what he should do. God, he should have thought this over more. They wouldn't remember him… Killian might beat him up…

David's worries were cut short by the door swinging open, and his gaze fell down to a much smaller figure standing at the door. It was Henry, his backpack strung over his shoulder, and eyes pretty much bulging out of their sockets. The boy had grown so, so much in a year – Wow, it was already a year? He supposed it was… - and the prince could barely move at the sight of him. After a long moment, Henry's mouth opened to speak.

" Um, mum? K-Killian? Someone's at the door. " He whispered out to the two adults, and with a piercing pain in his heart, he realised that his voice was laced with pure fear. Assumed fear – The worst kind, for the one whom is being feared. He had to stop himself from physically cringing, as not to confuse and worry the child more. Killian and Emma suddenly rounded the corner, stopping short at the sight of him.

" Who the hell are you? " Killian growled, seemingly squaring his shoulders, and Emma had this forced look of composure on her face. David resisted the urge to shoot them a 'seriously' look, for they were acting so strange, but reminded himself that he was a stranger to them. " That doesn't matter. Emma, your family need you. You need to come with me. "

Like or nay? I did change the ending, because it didn't seem right, so the ending of Chapter 2 has been changed a tiny tiny bit. Read, review, favourite and follow, pleasssee! If you want to give me some constructive criticism, please be in an account so we can chat about it!

I also have a tumblr now! You can find the link in my bio!