Maybe it was all her time as a thief in the woods, but Snow didn't like being indoors for extended periods of time. Even the castle that they took, King George's castle, was open and airy; she still didn't like to be inside.

So the walls of the cage were closing in on her and it had barely been a week.

Snow spent most of evenings curled up on the bed with her eyes closed and tried not to think about how she was trapped.

And then the night after her arraignment, the door opened after Emma left for the evening and it woke Snow up. She sat up and tensed when she saw that it was Jefferson with his hat in his hands. She scrambled up and backed into a wall, "If you come after me, I'll scream."

"No- no, I don't want to do that, I don't want to hurt you," he looked really banged up. There was one cut on his hairline that he looked like he'd stitched up himself. His eyes filled with tears and he bit his lip, "I'm sorry, Snow. I'm so sorry."

"Why?" Snow demanded, "Why did you do that when I promised you that you'd get your daughter back when Emma broke the curse!"

"Because I don't want her living with two memories in her head!" he walked forward and Snow backed up again, "You know what that's like! Your real memories tell you that you love Charming and your fake ones tell you that you love Mr. Gold. Now what do you think will happen when Grace wakes up? She'll be torn between two sets of parents, Snow. I've been waiting for my daughter for thirty years! You've been waiting for yours for just a few months and even you know how painful it is to have her right there and not know you. I can't….let her live this existence that we do. She'll go mad."

Snow gripped the bars, "Jefferson, look at me."

He lifted his eyes.

Snow tried to think of something to say, "I'm not insane."

"But you're not Snow as she used to be."

"I'm darker and I don't like it but you and I both know that's not because of the memories."

"She's a child! She won't understand what she's going through."

She's young; maybe the adjustment will be easier."

"But she's not Grace! She won't ever be my Grace again," he started sobbing, "She'll always be Paige in there somewhere just like you'll be Mary Margaret."

Snow reached through the bars and took his hand, "Jefferson."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to hurt you, I was trying to protect you and get my daughter back-"

Snow wrapped her arm around his neck and through the bars, they held each other.

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Jefferson had let himself in with the key that Snow kept on her and they sat on the cot and spent most of the night talking together. Snow was cautious but she was confident that Jefferson and she had renewed their friendship.

He kissed her on the cheek before he left. Snow missed him as soon as he was gone and she truly hoped that after the curse was broken, they could still be friends.

She slept hard after that. She didn't even hear Regina come in until she woke up that morning and found her sitting there watching her

"They say only the guilty sleep in prison," Regina purred.

Snow looked around in fear, "What are you doing here? Where's Emma?"

"She hasn't arrived yet," Regina stood up, "I just wanted to stop by to offer you a chance. A chance to spare yourself and this town the messiness of a trial. The chance to confess."

Snow shook her head. She knew what this was about. The death of Daniel, and Snow could not confess something that was not ever her fault, "But I didn't kill Kathryn. Why won't anyone believe me?"

Regina looked victorious, "The murder weapon was found in your apartment, your fingerprint was on the box containing Kathryn's heart… Shall I go on? Why not, for once, make it easier on everyone? Because confession or not, you're leaving Storybrooke."

Snow tilted her head. She wanted to make her stepmother tell her to her face if she could, "And you like that. Why? Why do you take such pleasure in this? What did I ever do to you to make you hate me so much?"

Regina smiled, "I think…deep down in what little of a soul you have….you know precisely what you did."

Regina turned and left.

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When Rumpelstiltskin suggested a pretrial interview later that day, Emma immediately placed her between him and Snow. It was subconscious, because Emma was trying to lean on the bars, but even Snow noticed it was like Emma was trying to protect her.

They didn't talk about what happened with Jefferson.

"A pretrial interview with the prosecution?" Emma demanded, "Explain to me how that is a good idea."

"The D.A. merely wishes to ask Miss Blanchard a few questions," Rumpelstiltskin explained.

"She's done answering questions. And why are we kissing up to the D.A.? Why aren't we going after Regina? She's the one who's setting up Mary Margaret."

Rumpelstiltskin smiled to hide how annoyed he was at having to explain this again, "And what proof do we have of that, Sheriff? Just because you found the Mayor's skeleton key in the cell, doesn't mean we can prove she put it there."

"So, what's your plan?" Emma demanded.

"I believe our best chance of winning this case is to employ our most valuable asset."

"What's that?" Snow asked. This was a new plan that she didn't know about yet. Ever since Jefferson had broken down…they hadn't gotten the chance to regroup.

"Well, that's you, sweetheart," he explained gently, "A sweet, kind, elementary school teacher. Doesn't exactly fit the prototype of a killer, now, does it?"

"That's how you're going to get her acquitted? By using her personality?"

"Perception is everything, Miss Swan – not just in the courtroom, but in life. As such, I'm sure you can imagine how the jury would perceive my wife if she agreed to cooperate with the District Attorney," he pointed to Emma, "These things engender trust. It shows the jury she's at least trying-."

"Emma?"

They all turned to look towards the interruption. Rumpelstiltskin scowled as he saw it was Sidney holding some tulips, "Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt. I just, uh, came by to drop these off. I thought they might brighten the place up."

Snow got up the minute Emma went to speak with him.

"Keep your voice down, dear. I believe there's a bug in that vase."

"Could we prove that Regina put that in there?"

"Not without Sidney's confession and we both know what little chance that has of happening."

"We could knock it over or…hurl it at Regina's head. She was in here this morning."

Rumpelstiltskin tensed and he looked alarmed, "Are you okay?"

Snow nodded, "What are you doing? What is this?"

"We're moving up the time table."

Snow nodded, the sooner they got this done, the faster they got Kathryn out, "What do I have to do?"

"Give them something…a leg up on you so that they'll be in a hurry to start proceedings."

"Like a confession?"

"No, nothing like that but just…a hint that you might be guilty"

Snow twisted her fingers together, "I don't like it."

"The sooner you do it, the sooner you get out of here."

"And get taken over the border."

He took her hand, "I won't let that happen."

Snow felt herself shaking, "Do you promise?"

"We had an agreement," He promised, "And I always honor my agreements."

For some reason, Snow didn't feel comfort as Emma came over but she played her role, "I'm going to do it. I'm going to talk to the D.A."

Emma stopped, "Are you sure?"

Snow looked Rumpelstiltskin, "My husband's right. I know I have nothing to hide, but no one else does. I need to let people see me for who I am."

Behind them, Snow watched as King George walked through the door, followed by Regina. She felt the weight of her situation weigh down on her more as he still had that same cold look he had over at home, "Excellent decision, Mrs. Gold. My name is Spencer. I'm the District Attorney. Shall we begin?"

She tried to smile and give him a nod but she was panicking inside

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It was supposed to just be some questions but Snow felt like that she was being interrogated and the large window that she KNEW her daughter and enemy were watching from made her feel like she was on display.

She didn't know what she would've done if not for Rumpelstiltskin holding her hand under the table. What little of Mary Margaret that she listened to was swooning and Snow was at the point in their relationship where she herself felt some comfort.

They'd been talking for an hour. And George or Spencer or whatever his name was here showed no sign of wanting to stop, "-After she learned about your affair, Misses Nolan, the deceased, came to your school to confront you. Is that correct?"

Snow nodded and looked at Rumpelstiltskin, "She was hurt, and she felt betrayed."

"She struck you… In the face, was it?"

"Yes, but-"

"That must've made you angry," he interrupted.

Rumpelstiltskin looked at her, "You… You don't have to answer that."

But in saying that, Snow knew he wanted her to answer that. The whole plan was for her to dig herself a hole, right? "No, it's okay. I was not angry. I was sorry for all the pain I had caused her."

George gave her a condescending smile, "Miss Blanchard, this is not a courtroom. I'm not here to judge you. You can be honest with me."

Rumpelstiltskin narrowed his eyes, "Shall we end this?"

Snow stared at Spencer, "I AM being honest with you."

"The wife of the man you loved humiliated you in a public forum. Surely, you must have felt some anger towards Kathryn?"

"Well, yes, I was angry-"

"And did you ever think about acting upon that anger?" He demanded.

"Of course not."

"I have a hard time believing that."

Snow shot a look to Rumpelstiltskin, "Wh… Why?"

"Because you wanted Kathryn Nolan gone."

Snow was innocent and this was a game right now, but she still grew angry, "I never said that."

"Alright," Rumpelstiltskin spoke over her and stood, "My client is answering no more questions for the day."

"Your client agreed to this interview because she claimed she had nothing to hide."

"I don't have anything to hide," Snow protested.

"Then, what is your answer? You wanted Kathryn gone, didn't you?"

Snow held his gaze, "No."

"Even after she tried to keep you and David apart? After she slapped you in public?" he held up a photo of her car with the word 'tramp' across it, "After she made you a pariah in your own town?"

Snow took her chance, "Yes, of course I wanted her gone. She was the only thing keeping us apart. So, yeah, I wanted her gone. Is that what you want to hear?"

Spencer smiled viciously. Snow looked up to Rumpelstiltskin and he was making sure to avoid her gaze.

And Snow was entirely sure her outburst was completely an act.

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Rumpelstiltskin told her that she'd done well when they took her back to her cell. The charges were dropping down on her now and they could proceed.

Snow felt like she was going to be sick. Rumpelstiltskin promised her that it was almost over and Snow had believed him.

It was almost over. The curse would break and everyone would wake up. They'd know what she'd done because she planned to be honest and atone.

But the idea of her daughter seeing her for what she was now…as well as her husband sent her into sobs. They were sobs of guilt and relief; it was all going to circle back on Regina.

"Having a bad day?"

Snow sat up sharply and saw Regina stroll in to the room, "What are you doing here?"

Regina gave her a vicious cold smirk, "I wanted to see you while I can."

"What does that mean?"

"Simply, that the trial starts tomorrow, and it be won't a long one. And, you'll be sent out of Storybrooke for good, and I will never have to see you again," Regina leaned on the bars, "Oh, I want to enjoy this while I still can."

"Enjoy what?"

"Justice."

"Justice?" Snow demanded, "Watching an innocent suffer?"

"You've always seen yourself that way, haven't you?" her face twisted up, "Innocent."

"I AM innocent!" she sobbed, "Regina, whatever you hate me for… I'm sorry. I truly am."

Regina smiled, "Apology not accepted."

"Please. Don't do this to me," she begged. It wasn't too late to turn back. If she could persuade Regina to stop, "I don't deserve this. I did not kill Kathryn."

"Oh, I know," Regina cooed, she reached through the bars to brush Snow's face gently and then she grabbed her chin roughly, "But you do deserve this."

She shoved Snow's face away and walked out.

Snow curled up on the bed cried herself to sleep.

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Snow looked like she hadn't slept that night as Rumpelstiltskin came to 'see her off'

Well, she wouldn't get far. Kathryn Nolan was on her way to be 'discovered' and it would all lead back to Regina.

But Snow looked dazed and exhausted and so very defeated. Regina must have been in here last night.

The police came and handcuffed Snow. Emma had given her her coat to keep her warm but Snow didn't look like she felt warm.

Emma looked like she had the world on her shoulders

"Mary Margaret…" Emma whispered.

The police led her out of the room and Emma walked up to him, "You told me you could fix this, that's why I came to you. So that you could make sure Regina didn't win."

Rumpelstiltskin watched her outburst with barely a reaction, "She hasn't, yet."

"Well, she's going to. And now, my friend is going to pay for me trusting you."

"Look, Sheriff," he said in irritation, "I know this is emotional, but it's also not over. You must have faith. There's still time."

"Time for what?"

He smiled at her, "For me to work a little magic."

He gave her one of those mysterious smiles that he knew she hated and he left her alone.

The vase broke. Well…that was another problem solved.

Ten minutes….maybe fifteen minutes later, he got a call.

Kathryn Nolan was found and Snow was on her way back to be released.