It was dark when Snow left the house…and she didn't know where else to go. The town was familiar to her but nowhere seemed safe.

So she went to the hospital. Visiting hours were over but since it was a small town and her Mary Margaret was a volunteer; no one made a bit fuss.

Her husband was there…strapped to all sorts of machines that not even her alternate completely understood. He had laid in this coma for 28 years and showed no sign of waking up.

What if he never did? What if the curse just froze his body long enough to die of his wounds when time moved.

The clock chimed outside…Snow closed her eyes. It wasn't 'when' now. Time was moving, the curse was weakening and she and Rumpelstiltskin as well as Regina remembered. If Snow did not keep up appearances then Regina might come in here and end her husband's life.

Or hurt Emma.

Snow felt her blood run cold. After 28 years…so many things she had missed. What was she supposed to do to make up for that? Any chance of really bonding with her daughter in a maternal sense was done now. There would be too many hurt feelings…too much bitterness. The world had not been good to Emma, Snow didn't know how she knew but she could sense it by the sad haunted look in Emma's eyes when she was Mary Margaret.

When she was Mary Margaret…

Mary Margaret was not gone. She was still kicking around in Snow's mind and it was…very uncomfortable. It was like having yourself and someone else talking as loud as they could at the same time. It was hard to hear yourself think and sometimes it was just unintelligible talking if she didn't concentrate hard enough.

How was she supposed to pick apart the two personalities in order to pass off as Mary Margaret Gold? What if she screwed up and Regina figured out that Snow remembered by a slip of the tongue?

And then there was her 'husband' to deal with. The great Dark One that everyone feared at home and here. He was evil incarnate and played everyone for his agenda. How did she deal with living with him on a daily basis? How did she stomach pretending to be his wife when her real husband lay here possibly dying? How did she deal with his public caresses and whatever they were supposed to be together behind closed doors?

How did she reel in that evil that he did without remorse?

She had to find a way though. For Emma's sake and Henry's and for Charmings. She had to find a way to play this game as long as she could and endure this sick twisted mockery of a marriage that Regina forced on her.

For her family's safety.

Snow heard the door to the small glass room open. She saw out of the corner of her eye that the intruder was wearing dark clothes and knew that it was her 'husband'.

Strange enough, it wasn't him that she was angry at. Oh, she knew that he had something to do with this curse and he wanted it cast…otherwise why would he allow it to happen? She was angry at that. But as far as his protests of innocence to what had been done to both of them, Snow somehow believed him.

He could've had any woman he wanted here if he wished it. Why should he choose her when he knew the curse would break?

"Snow," Rumpelstiltskin whispered.

"You took your time," she whispered and never took her eyes off her husband. Her hand went to fiddle with the ring on her finger; the engagement ring of his mother's that had led them to meeting.

"I thought you might want to be alone for a bit," he leaned on the cane, "but we must go to the house."

He was right, Snow knew it but the prospect of going back made her stomach clench. What did they do? Sit there and twiddle their thumbs and stare at each other? Plot and scheme together? Snow had to think of a way to survive this. Snow didn't love Rumpelstiltskin and she knew he didn't love her but their alternates did and she worried they both might have a hard time differentiating those feelings.

"I'd like to make a deal," Snow whispered.

"Yes," Rumpelstiltskin said bitterly, "Because that always ends well for you."

"I will play this game. And I will play the dutiful wife in public and help you plot against Regina…for what she did to my family and everyone else. But when the time comes and my family remembers and I want to go to them…you 'll let me go."

"I'm not forcing you to stay."

"You know what I mean," she whispered, "No…trying to manipulate things for my companionship at your side or…whatever you might want. I'll be your ally for this…if things go well then I might be your ally after this…but when it's time to walk away…you'll let me walk away."

He looked down to his cane and twisted it absentmindedly with his fingers, "I believe that deal can be made."

Snow looked back at her husband, "Will he wake up?"

"That, I do not know."

"If he does, will he have false memories?"

"I do not know that either."

Snow took one last look at her husband…so helpless in that bed and felt her stomach roll. She'd never seen him helpless a day in his life. Not like this. Even when he was at a disadvantage, he was still always fighting.

Snow slowly stood up and took the crook of Rumpelstiltskin's arm.

"And here we are," Rumpelstiltskin said, "A very unlikely alliance to be sure."

"Yet not an unexpected one," Snow muttered.

Rumpelstiltskin smirked, "Well…to everyone else but Regina it may seem."

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When they got inside the house, it was dark. Rumpelstiltskin turned on the front lamp and then turned to look at her. She saw some hesitation in his eyes. He looked down and cleared his throat, "Would you like something to eat?"

Snow shook her head, "I dropped a dish in the kitchen earlier…I should clean it up."

She went to clean up the broken dish and the spilled food and after a few seconds heard Rumpelstiltskin's cane as it tapped along and he stood in front of her, "Snow….if you wish you may have the bedroom. I will sleep in the guest bedroom."

The offer was tender…almost gentlemanly. He was trying to make this easier, she knew that…but there was still a part of her that dragged her feet. He was Rumpelstiltskin. He had to have an agenda…that was how it always went with him.

And she just really didn't want to sleep in that bed. Not after….

Gods, every night for 28 years.

"Thank you," Snow gathered up the dustpan and threw the dish in the trash, "But I don't mind the guest room.

He understood her discomfort immediately and nodded, "As you wish."

"I'll….move my things to the room in the morning."

"Take your time," he gave another small nod, "Sleep well, Snow White."

Snow swallowed and nodded herself, "You too, Rumpelstiltskin."

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They had made a truce that night but Snow still slipped out early the next morning. She just couldn't sleep and so she wanted to go out and find something to distract herself with. So she went to work. She wanted to see her grandson; she wanted to make sure that he was still safe.

She wanted to make sure all these children were okay. They spent the last 28 years with parents that probably weren't theirs. Having to endure this false personality fighting for dominance was hard enough for her. She couldn't imagine what these little ones would do when they woke up and had to deal with this.

Suddenly her problem seemed mild in comparison.

She stood outside overseeing the children until it was past eight. The clock chimed and the children started crowding the yard. Snow watched them all and then caught a glimpse of Henry running into the school. He seemed happy and if he was happy, there was only one reason.

Emma stayed.

It was everything Snow had not to start sobbing and begging for her daughter's forgiveness right there…to reveal herself and confirm everything the boy believed was truth. It was everything she had not to tell her how much she loved her and why she had to abandon her. But she couldn't do that; not yet. There were too many ears and too many enemies.

She just wanted Emma to understand. But she knew that Emma wouldn't, she could practically see the walls that her daughter had surrounded herself with. That broke Snow's heart. Was this truly Emma's best chance?

Snow had to talk to her.

She reined in her emotions and approached her daughter. She had so much she wanted to tell her but she knew this wasn't the right time, "It's…good to see his smile back."

"I didn't do anything."

"You stayed," Snow told her gently. She stayed for him…and she would save all of them from this curse, "Does the Mayor know you're still here?"

It was a wonder Regina hadn't tried to kill her yet.

"Oh, she knows," Emma said in a way that made Mary realize that there was a story she hadn't heard yet, "What's her deal? She's not a great people person. How did she get elected?"

"She's been qu- mayor for as long as I can remember," Snow told her daughter. She'd been queen far longer than she had a right to be, "No one's been brave enough to run against her."

At least in this world.

"She inspires…quite a bit of, well, fear," Snow continued and then remembered that she had to bring Emma's attention back to the book and her reason for being here, ""I'm afraid I only made that worse by giving Henry that book. Now he thinks she's the Evil Queen."

He was right to think that, but once again, Snow couldn't confirm it.

Emma smiled slightly, "Who does he think you are?"

Mary Margaret, the woman who took Henry's beliefs with mild amusement, took over for a second and Snow didn't stop the words that came out of her mouth in time, "Oh, its silly."

"I just got five minutes of silly," Emma said with a grin, "Lay it on me."

Snow regained dominance over her mind and shoved Mary as far back as she could, "Snow White."

It felt so good to tell her daughter her name.

Emma's smile dissolved into shock and she stared at her with her mouth hanging open.

So, it appeared that Emma did know she was supposed to be the daughter of Snow and Charming.

Snow tried to play ignorant, "Who does he think you are?"

"I'm not in the book," Emma said quietly and then seemed to get ahold of her, "Can I ask you a favor? Regina mentioned the kid's in therapy. Do you know where I could find the doctor?

Emma wanted to go find someone else already? They'd just started talking a few minutes ago!

Snow cleared her throat, "It's down the street across from the diner. Archibald Hopper, you can't miss it."

Emma smiled, "Thank you."

Snow watched her daughter until she was out of sight.

"Please stay," Snow whispered and turned back to the children.

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Finding a compromise with the Mary Margaret personality was difficult, but somehow Snow managed to find a way to do it so that she could teach her class. Mary liked to be creative in how she taught the children so she took them outside to read to them. Snow loved the outdoors, it reminded her of home. The inside here was too….cut off. In the Enchanted Forest, it was easy to hear wind and rain and walk to the window to smell the woods outside but here…everything was better built and the indoors were like their own little world. You want heat or cool air? It was there by the flick of a switch. Lights were overhead and not candles that slowly burned. They called it science here, but Snow liked to think it was a sort of magic unto itself.

She heard the heels before she even looked up. Her blood ran cold when Regina strutted up like she'd won some sort of victory.

Snow tried to keep her face expressionless, but she bristled none the less. This woman was the reason that her daughter grew up without her…she was the reason Charming was in a coma and could die…this woman would kill her if she knew that Snow was aware of all of this.

"May I speak with my son?" Regina demanded in a tone that did NOT leave it as a question.

"We're in the middle of a lesson," Snow told her sharply, "Is it important?"

"Do you think I'd be here if it wasn't?" Regina sneered and practically pulled her son away. When he got back, the smile he had on his face all morning was gone.

"Henry?" Snow asked with concern, "What happened?"

He shifted, "I know…I took your credit cards to find my mom and that was wrong and I'm sorry…but now I have to ask you for something else."

This had to do with Emma, Snow knew it. Emma had hinted that something had happened when they talked, "Anything."

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Snow had to get someone to watch her class for her while she went to get Emma bailed out. It might backfire; Snow knew it…at least if she was in jail she was staying. If Snow paid her bail and Emma was driven out of town then she'd lose her daughter forever.

But this was the chance to see her again and so Snow went to the small bank and took some money out from the account that she and Rumpelstiltskin shared.

Henry was practically pulling her along until they reached the sheriff's department. He was as angry as she was. He was spouting 'Evil Queen this' and 'Evil Queen that.' Snow wasn't entirely sure what he was saying half the time, he was talking so fast.

"Hey!" Henry greeted and raced in towards Emma.

"Henry!" Snow recognized the Huntsman was the sheriff. It was a well-known secret that he and Regina were…

No! But they'd saved him in the Enchanted Forest. He got his freedom and now he was reduced back to her toy?

"Henry, what are you doing here?" Graham asked.

Snow held the envelope for bail in her hands, "His mother told him what happened."

"Of COURSE she did!" Emma said incredulously after taking a moment to realize that this life her son had was even more screwed up than she thought, "Henry, I don't know what she said-."

"You're a genius!" Henry told her excitedly.

Emma blinked, "What?"

"I know what you're up to!" Henry said, his eyes held awe and respect towards his mother, "You were gathering intel for Operation Cobra."

Graham looked at Snow and then Emma, "I'm sorry, I'm a bit lost."

"It's need to know, Sheriff," Henry said in as much of a professional voice as he could muster, "And all you need to know is that Mrs. Gold's going to bail her out."

Emma looked at Snow in confusion, "You are? Why?"

"I uh…" Snow caught herself before she could accidently give anything away, "T-trust you."

Emma seemed pleased with that and held out her wrists, "Well, if you can uncuff me, I have something to do."

Snow watched as the sheriff took off the shackles (or handcuffs as they were apparently called here) and she stalked out.

Snow followed, "Emma, don't do anything in haste."

'Oh, it's not a decision made in haste," Emma snapped, "I've been thinking about this since the sheriff put the cuffs on me!"

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Breakfast and lunch were easily avoided with Rumpelstiltskin, dinner was unavoidable. The Dark One made it up to her though. He made some sort of beef stew that Mary favored and Snow liked it too.

Everything about the personalities was different. Not even food tasted the same between the two personalities.

And as they sat down to eat, Rumpelstiltskin told her what Emma had done.

"She…cut down one of Regina's apple tree branches?"

"Yes!" Rumpelstiltskin said pleasantly, my spies flocked in and told me."

Snow raised an eyebrow, "You have spies?"

Rumpelstiltskin took a sip of his water, "Never mind about that, but you should know that your daughter seems to have inherited your spunk. It was very entertaining. I opened the windows and let Regina's squawking fill the shop. I've never been so happy to hear it in my entire life. That eyesore had it coming."

Despite herself, Snow smiled at his glee.

Rumpelstiltskin noticed, "It's nice to see you smiling again."

Snow felt the smile leave her face. It wasn't him flirting, she knew that. It was an observation on his part, "What if Emma leaves?"

"She won't."

"What if she does? What if Regina's just too much for her and she leaves?"

Rumpelstiltskin poured more of the stew into his bowl, "From what I've seen, you and your daughter are a lot alike. Regina tries something and you just dig your feet in harder…and now that she has seen what Henry has as far as role models go…present company excluded of course, she'll wish to stay. It may not be what she completely wants or desires but she'll want to make sure her son is safe. And as long as she stays then we will work on her. Regina made a big mistake trying to drive her away. It just showed her all she needed to know about Henry's situation. Don't fret, Snow. The curse will be broken sooner than you think."

Snow nodded and played with her ring, "Okay."

Someone pressed the doorbell. They both looked towards the front and Snow stood up.

"No one visits us," Rumpelstiltskin muttered and followed her.

Snow saw that Emma was standing at the door and she rushed to pull it open. Emma turned back to face her when Snow opened the door. Something had happened. She was upset. She wasn't crying but Snow could see it in her face.

"Hey," Emma held out the envelope, "Just wanted to say 'thank you' and, um, pay you back the bail money."

Rumpelstiltskin walked up behind Snow and Emma's eyes widened for a minute and then Snow watched her put her mentally build her walls.

"Good evening, Emma," Rumpelstiltskin said jovially and put his hand on the small of Snow's back. She tensed at the familiar touch. When they were alone, he kept a respectful distance but now that they had to put on a show…she hadn't been prepared for that.

"Well darling, I have stuff to do at the pawn shop, so I'll see you later?"

"Of course," Snow said with s forced smile.

He kissed her cheek and put his lips to her ear, "Now's the time to work on her."

Emma gave a polite smile as he passed her and gave her an incredulous look, "You're married to Mr. Gold?"

"It's a mutually beneficial arrangement," Snow said.

"Do you love him?"

Snow would rather not get into that as the technical aspects of what she felt and what Mary Margaret felt were entirely different, "You look like you need to talk."

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Emma told Snow everything that happened as Snow made them cocoa. It was a comfort food for Mary Margaret and maybe she might like it too. Even her alternate personality was furious that Regina had used her son to hurt this woman just because she wanted to stay and make sure her son was okay.

Emma raised an eyebrow when she handed her the cup, "Cinnamon?"

Snow realized her mistake, "Oh, I'm sorry. I should've asked. It's a little quirk of mine. Do you mind?"

"Not at all," Emma said warmly, "When you bailed me out, you said that you trusted me. Why?"

Snow searched for the right words, "It's strange. Ever since you arrived here, I've had the oddest feeling like we're…connected. And I know, it's crazy."

Emma smiled wryly, "I'm starting to re-evaluate my definition of crazy."

Snow smiled warmly, "For what it's worth, I think you're innocent."

"Of breaking and entering? Or just in general?"

She was innocent of everything that had happened to her because of the blood feud with Regina.

Snow hesitated, "Whatever makes you feel better."

Emma looked down, "It doesn't really matter what anyone thinks I did or didn't do. I'm leaving."

Those two words hit Snow like a jolt and she nearly spilled her drink on herself. She couldn't leave! She had her family here! She had her destiny here! She couldn't run from that! Not with what Regina was doing to Henry!

"Thank you," Emma continued obliviously, for everything, but I think it's for the best."

No, it wasn't. If she left then Regina had full reign.

"If I stay," Emma finished, "Henry's only going to keep getting hurt."

That was twisted thinking. Henry had been hurt far longer than when Emma came to town the other day.

Snow chose her words carefully, "What happens if you go? I think…the very fact that you want to leave, is why you have to stay. You care about him. Who will protect Henry if you won't?"

Emma looked hopeful at that…and almost inspired but then she slipped back behind that wall, "You could."

"I can only do so much, Emma."

Emma looked down at the cocoa, "I'm just here to make sure he's okay. I'm not here to take over his role as mother."

"No one expects you to," Snow lied, "But he needs someone. Why can't it be you?"

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Regina's damaged tree had garnered so much talk around the town that Rumpelstiltskin had to see it himself. So while Snow worked on Emma, he went to go see the Ice Queen.

He had a nice strategy in mind. He wanted to taunt her a little. He wanted her to remember who actually held the power in this town. He wanted her to know that the power was shifting but he didn't want to out and out say it. To do so might endanger innocent people and that included the savior and Henry.

He wasn't so much worried for Snow. As long as Regina believed that Snow didn't remember, she was safe. She wouldn't try to hurt Snow if she suspected Rumpelstiltskin was awake because Rumpelstiltskin felt nothing for Snow White beyond a slight fondness. It wouldn't hurt him in Regina's desired way to see her hurt. Rumpelstiltskin may not like it but life went on. His purpose for Snow was done; she'd given birth to the savior. He had no use for her. Now it might make him upset and it might hurt him a bit but not in the way that Regina wanted.

Not in the way it had gutted him when Belle died.

But while it wouldn't…completely upset him, he did have a sense to protect her. He didn't want her hurt if it wasn't completely necessary. She was the savior's mother, she was still…important. And since he did have a fondness for her, he didn't want her hurt.

This was why he was trying so hard to be pleasant and let her trust him.

The branch was already gone when he arrived but there were still some apples scattered on the ground, "What a mess."

"Not for long," Regina turned around. Even when she was speaking to his alternate, she never turned her back on him, "What can I do for you, Mr. Gold?"

"I was just in the neighborhood. Thought I'd pop by," he said without lying and pointed, "Lovely to see you in such high spirits."

Regina smiled, "Well, it's been a good day. I just rid the town of an unwanted nuisance."

"Emma Swan?" he practically purred, "Really?"

"Yes," Regina turned, "I imagine she's half way to Boston by now."

Rumpelstiltskin took a ripe apple, and laughed, "Oh, I wouldn't bet on that. I've just seen her strolling down the main street with your boy. Thick as thieves, they looked."

It was always fun to take the wind out of Regina's sails and watch her smile fall, "What?"

"Perhaps you should have come to me," he taunted. He and his alternate also loved reminding her that she couldn't get anything she wanted done without his help, "If Miss Swan is a problem you can't fix, I'm only too happy to help. For a price, of course."

He always felt it was necessary to add that.

Regina didn't pick up on the subtle hint that he might remember. Mr. Gold never warned her there was a price, "I'm not in the business of making deals with you anymore."

"To which deal are you referring?" he asked, hoping that she'd pick up on the fact that he might remember. This was strategic. If she suspected he might remember then it made her scared of him. Regina put on a big front but she was always scared of what he could do and if she thought he was Rumpelstiltskin and not Mr. Gold well….her focus would be so much on him that Emma could get her work done.

"You know what deal," Regina said sharply.

The only deal they'd made in this world.

'Oh, right. Yeah," he smiled to himself, "The boy I procured for you. Henry. Did I ever tell you what a lovely name that was? However did you pick it?"

The triumphant look in Regina's eyes started to fade as she put two and two together. Good. Rumpelstiltskin thought he'd have to draw up a sign to wave in her face, "Did you want her to come to town? You wanted all this to happen, didn't you? Your finding Henry wasn't an accident, was it?"

Well, it had been. He had foresight but not even he had known Regina was stupid enough to bring an aging boy to a town where no one aged. It was just fate.

"Whatever do you mean?" he said with a smirk

"Where did you get him?" Regina asked forcefully, as if that would make him talk, "Do you know something?"

He grinned; this game was just too much fun, "I have no idea what you're implying."

"I think you do. Who was this woman, his mother, this…Emma Swan?"

They were about to find out.

"I would say you think you know exactly who she is," he told her simply, "I really must be going."

He started to walk away and Regina moved to block him, "Tell me what you know about her."

Rumpelstiltskin stared her down. Once, a lifetime ago, NO ONE dared stand in his way. Did she think she was could? "I'm not going to answer you, dear. So, I suggest you excuse me."

When she still refused to move, he leaned a bit closer. Just to remind her that she made a deal with him that allowed him to do anything he wanted when it came to handling her, "Please"

The terror in Regina's eyes was something that Rumpelstiltskin didn't want to take his eyes away from and he bit into the apple in his hand and moved past her.

He had gained control of everything in just three minutes.

It was a magnificent feeling and he tossed the apple over his shoulder as he walked away.

He never had a taste for apples after he met Regina.

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Snow looked up from her place on the couch when the front door opened. Rumpelstiltskin limped through and shut the door behind him, "Good evening, dear."

Snow looked back down at the cup, "Emma was contemplating leaving."

"Well," he moved to sit in the winged chair that had been his for 28 years, "Whatever you said to her worked as she's staying. I saw her with her boy on the main street. Did you know your daughter could actually smile?"

"She was happy?" Snow asked.

He nodded with a smile, "Indeed."

"She's here for now," Snow noted and stood, "What happens if she runs again?"

"Yes, she's staying 'for now'," he started, "And that's all the time that we need. She wants a home…she just doesn't know about how to get one. Which is where we'll come in. And then your family will be intact."

Snow seemed unsure, but nodded, "I'm going to bed."

"Very well," he smelled cocoa, he was going to make him some.

Snow started to leave and then she turned back and looked like she wanted to say something.

"Yes dear?"

"Thank you," Snow started, "For…how you've acted today."

He gave a small smile, "Of course, princess. You do not love me and I do not love you but that doesn't mean we can't be civil. Perhaps even friends, one day. Will you stay for breakfast in the morning?"

"I don't…," Snow cleared her throat, "I don't know. Maybe"

"It would be nice to have some company. We can talk about how we can get your daughter to lay down roots here."

"Okay," she gave him a small smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Goodnight Rumpelstiltskin."