Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or it's Characters, they belong to their respective owners. I do, however, own Storm and her alter ego as well as Striker and his alter ego and their story line. This has come from the haunted, depraved, tortured darkness that is my mind.

An Avoidable Death

=Ms. Star's P.O.V=

I sighed softly and stretched before looking towards the clock, it was going on twelve. I stood properly and started towards the office before grabbing my things and starting towards the door, I tugged it shut and locked it after throwing up the sign that I was out and started towards the dinner.

I gave a small nod to Sydney as I passed him and stepped inside before heading towards the counter. "My usual wrap Ruby"

The redhead nodded and scrawled out my order on a piece of paper before tearing it off and heading to the kitchen as I took a seat in one of the booths. I settled down reading one of the papers and skimmed over the front page article before looking up as Mr. Gold seated himself across from me. "Hello dear," He placed a finger under my chin tipping it up. "You look a little pale" Concern rang through his words and through his eyes as he stroked his thumb down across the edge of my cheekbone.

I shrugged lightly. "I feel fine"

He nodded removing his hand as a grinning Ruby came over with two mugs and a coffee pot; she placed the two mugs down before filling them and placed the pot down taking out her pad. "Do you want anything Mr. Gold?"

"Just the coffee" She gave him a nod and flipped the pad shut before teetered off on her high heels to dish out the orders Granny had finished.

I watched her for a moment and shook my head before turning my attention back to the newspaper in front of me. "So why are you stalking me love?" I queried as I took a sip of my coffee.

"What makes you think I'm stalking you dear?"

"The fact you very rarely ever come in here to get lunch also the fact you didn't order anything, so it's either business or pleasure," I glanced up through my eyelashes at him and grinned softly. "If it's pleasure I'm more than willing to accommodate"

His lips curved in a small smirk. "I haven't seen you in days, is it a crime now to come and see you?"

I paused looking up at him before shaking my head. "No but it's never bothered you before when we've had a few days apart"

"The longest we've been apart is two days dear, it's been nearly five"

I stalled counting over the days in my head quickly as I stared at the black liquid in my mug. "Really?" I recounted the days quickly. Friday I skived off and went riding with Gunner, Saturday and Sunday I spent roaming the forest with him and sleeping under the stars, Monday I took half the day off to tidy the stables and house and today I came in late... "Huh," I took a drink from my mug as I went back to my newspaper. "I owe you rent tomorrow"

"That's all you have to say?" A hint of disappointment and anger ringing through his tone.

I glanced up and sighed softly. "What do you want me to say? I'm sorry for spending time with the other half of my soul and giving him the attention I've been neglecting to give him recently?" I queried draining my mug.

"You've spent all this time with your horse?"

I nodded. "Well most of it, half of yesterday I spent tidying the stables and house, they were bloody filthy" I stated giving Ruby a nod as she refilled my mug and placed my wrap down on the table before hurrying off as someone whistled her over.

I shifted slightly in my seat looking up at Mr. Gold as he gave an almost inaudible sigh. "I'll never understand you and that bloody horse, never"

"Nobody will, he and I are one always have been always will be" I stated before taking a bite out of my wrap and savouring it for a moment, if there was one person in the whole of Storybrooke whose cooking I could never tire of it would be Granny's.

"Why don't you come to my place tomorrow tonight?" He queried. "I'll even cook for you"

I almost choked on my mouthful of food at his offer and washed down my wrap quickly with a scalding mouthful of coffee. "Are you serious?"

He nodded, a hint of desperation lay behind his eyes. "Of course I am"

I studied him for a moment before frowning softly and wiping my hands before lacing my fingers through his. "You know I'm not going to go anywhere right? You know I'll always be there behind you, I might not like why or how you do something but unless it really goes against my better judgement I'll always be there"

My words made him paused for a moment before he nodded. "I know, I know you'll always be there, that's all I can ask from you"

I nodded and grinned impishly at him. "Now about this dinner tonight..."

"It's a surprise but I assure you you'll like it," He shifted before motioning to my wrap. "Best eat it before it gets cold dear"

I looked at the wrap having briefly forgotten about it. "What time do you want me there?" I asked picking at a piece of lettuce.

"Six sharp"

"You expect me to be late?"

"You're never late"

I grinned softly and shook my head watching him leave before tucking back into my wrap.

"Ms. Star, Ms. Star!"

I turned at the call and saw Graham heading towards me; I paused allowing him to catch up to me before he reached out, hand connecting only briefly with my shoulder, an audible crack snapping through the air leaving me gripping my head as pain enveloped my entire skull.

"I have nothing to do with you huntsman" I hissed holding out a hand in front of me, a warning gesture to him to stay back as if the blade in my hand didn't say enough already.

"I'm not here to harm you," He spoke calmly lowering his dagger and holding out his hands palm up to show peace. "Her majesty wants you to come and see her"

I narrowed my eyes at him and slowly lowered my dagger before straightening up. "Why?" I glanced back at Striker as he snorted and nudged my shoulder, a cautionary look in his bloody red eyes.

"She requires your talents; she needs you to procure something for her"

I paused for a moment as I mulled it over stroking Striker's cheek, he snorted placing the flat of his head against my torso and whickered softly before giving a soft grumble of whinny. "Fine" My answer was short, simple.

He nodded before stepping forward, Striker intercepting him with easy and lashing out at the papers he held out to me.

I rolled my eyes and shifted picking them up from the ground before looking across them. "I'll be there," I handed the pages back at the huntsman and held onto them for a moment. "But I'll not primp and proper myself just for her" I seethed softly.

He looked to the pages and then nodded. "I'll inform her of your reply"

I nodded and turned back to Striker before swinging up into his saddle and spurring him on away from the wooded clearing.

I paused and looked towards Graham, his eyes wide and almost scared. "Thief" The word left his lips before his brain had even caught up to what had just happened.

"Huntsman" I hissed softly, the residue of pain still floating across my skull.

"You... you remember?"

I glanced up the quiet street ensuring we were alone. "You tell no one, understand me, no one"

He leant back against the window behind him as if trying to comprehend just exactly what had happened; he looked up at me slowly. "But why?"

"Because they won't understand, hell I don't understand what's happening but it's something and I still haven't made up my mind as to what yet"

He paused for a moment as he exhaled trying to let it all sink in before nodding slowly.