*Like a grain of sand that wants to be a rolling stone

I want to be the man I'm not,

and have the things I really haven't got,

and that's a lot.

There'll be joy and there'll be laughter.

Something big is what I'm after now

Yes, it's what I'm after now.

After taking, take up giving,

something big is what I'm living for.

Yes, it's what I'm living for,

living for."-something big Burt Bachrach & Hal David

something big: Part 1

Day 7: 8:05 pm The Rabbit Hole

The day was long...and there were two more days to go. Everyone had to unwind.

Henry was back home, watched over by Sister Astrid and the Mother Superior who volunteered to watch him. Both nuns had also received the dreams about Boston and what Gold was planning to do.

As a matter of fact, who ever was the Broadcaster made sure a pretty good number of people knew what was going on via dreams.

And just about all of them were knocking back Boston Lagers at the Hole that night.

It has been a long day for everyone. Years...decades of magic training had perfected in a couple of days. Not just for what Henry called Team Cobra...the ones going to Boston, but just about everyone staying behind to protect the town.

Today for the Cobras (Regina & Emma, Snow & Charming, and Ruby Red) the basics: soaring, spell casting and direction, that sort of thing. But the talk of the day was the unexpected reward Snow White (aka Mary Margaret, aka M&M) got from the former (and in some cases current) Evil Queen...a big, wet buss in the lip area.

Considering that both women were mortal enemies until relatively recently, quite the shock. Leroy the Grumpster lead the chant...

"SNOW AND REGINA... SITTIN' IN THE TREE! K-I-S-S-I..."

"WHO WANTS TO BE A TOAD FIRST!" Regina acted in semi-mocked indignation, knew she would never hear the end of this!

Snow herself showed equally semi-mocked mortification as the facial cheeks of both women were close to becoming as red as the Mayor's apples.

Sheriff Swan just sat there holding the amber bottle of beer by the neck and enjoyed the show, knowing that both women would have their own appropriate revenge later tonight (though, if you asked Emma, she was looking more towards Regina's style of payback later!)

The night was filled with talk of things never done before. but with all the talk of amazing and amazement, the people of Storybrooke knew the reason for the compressed training.

In short they were saving the world.

And eventually, the talk turned to the 800 pound gorilla in the room...how do four people get out of Storybrooke with the one woman who can?

Snow just about reverted to Mary Margaret-type when she meekly suggested, "I think I know a couple of people who can..."

Eyes looked towards the would-be Princess. Even though most everyone in Storybrooke had their memories, some of the other provisions of the curse they weren't sure about. Being able to get out of town in one piece was one of them. Emma looked at her mom with a cocked eye. "And who pre-tell would be our saviors..?

"They're watching Henry right now..."

Despite the some of the puzzled looks on some of the faces in the room, including Emma's, Some like Regina knew exactly what snow was talking about. Not to mention movie a granny. And Leroy.

Especially Leroy.

8:47pm

The room had split into a few roving groups of people, each seemingly trying to tell another something before it's too late. Maybe the gravity of the next few days was finally starting to dawn on the people of Storybrooke...or at least those at the bar. That five of their own, including the mayor and the sheriff, were about to leave their town and may never come back.

Snow, for instance, was actually thanking Regina. It wasn't a mere six months ago when the two were mortal enemies, especially with everyone having their memories of the Realm back.

There was no way to measure the depth of anger each had for the other. But there were two things that linked them: the child and the woman they both loved. A truce was called. Then civility. Then, after a night that was fueled by, they would admit later, more alcohol either could handle, they would both wind up in the emergency ward, both handcuffed by a sheriff who was enjoying the moment a bit too much. As they lay on stretchers with blackness forming on each other's eye-bottoms, they looked at each other...and the sight triggered about 23 minutes of loud, boisterous laughter (Dr. Whale timed it). A cautious friendship formed, and as it became clear that Snow's daughter's feelings for her occasionally evil stepmother were deepening, forgiveness for what both had done.

Ruby, too, was offering thanks to Snow White. She had kept the secret of Ruby and Granny all these years and helped protect her from harm...and maybe, herself. Snow knew that Ruby was one of the "terrible things" that would happen if anyone tried to venture out of Storybrooke. It was the reason Ruby could leave for Boston only to return when Granny had her heart attack.

"Red," Snow said, "You know I love you and Charming does too. You are not a demon. You just have an ability that needs to be steered." Ruby smiled at that.

9:10pm

Closing time was usually at 10, but there was a lot of things that had to be done in the next 48 hours. But there was one last toast. Sheriff Emma Swan did the honors.

"Guys...I've never done this...but then again, a year ago I wasn't a mom, I wasn't a sheriff, I was running away from everything...not to mention I didn't want any love in my life. Not to mention a woman. So now, I am the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming...and soon to..." She paused. She was hoping to do this later. But, with all her friends and family...Storybrooke was her family..

"Madame Mayor, would you come up here?"

Regina slightly rolled her eyes...but that was the public. She knew what was about to happen. And her heart was beating hard enough to power all the hearts she had in storage.

Regina Mills met Miss Swan at the bar as everyone looked in anticipation, and the sheriff spoke again as she lifted a glass of wine, and Regina took a glass and followed suit: "You are all..." The voice started breaking right then. "...my family. And I know we may never meet like this again. So in case we don't.." Emma Swan reached in to her jeans pocket and pulled out a little black box. "Remember that trip I had to make to Portland a few weeks ago..?" Tears were already flowing over the mayor's eyes and mascara was starting to run. Not that she cared at that point.

Then Emma Swan, Sheriff of the Township of Storybrooke, Maine, knelt on one knee and presented an open box with ring encrusted with 28 small diamonds to the mayor of Storybrooke, Regina Mills and asked a simple question.

"Will ya?"

Regina exploded in tears, picked up Emma, and gave the blond the biggest, deepest wettest kiss she had ever given anyone.

Emma, now bawling herself, responded after they separated..."I think that means yes!" The two women kissed again as the entire inn erupted in cheers.

Snow and Charming joined the throng as the happy parents of the blushing soon-to-be bride. Ruby was the first to hug the couple, followed by Archie and Kathryn, Ashley and Sean, Granny and the rest. Even grumpy Leroy gave happy couple a hug.

Late, they sat down at a table. Kathryn brought the drinks and the mayor and the sheriff toasted each other and kissed again. Closing time was soon at hand and Mills & Swan were talking about what would be next.

"One thing, Swan...how ARE we going to break this to Henry...?"

"Don't worry, Madame Mayor...kid helped me pick the ring." (wink)

It was an eventful night. But the night was not over...

TO BE CONTINUED

Once Upon A Time is owned by Disney/ABC. This is an work of AU fan fiction.

Next time...some big revelations. And soon...the battle starts...but will the final battle be in Boston...or Storybrooke?