A/N: Due to certain events that have happened in Storybrooke during season two I have been forced to change my plot. Don't worry that just means it's going to get interesting. Anyways, here is the second chapter. If you guys like it please review so I know people are interested. Thanks and enjoy!

Nathan Ford was kindly sipping away at his favorite drink, scotch on the rocks. He was observing a file on his team's next case. It was a study in the corruption of the town's mayor and trying to prove her evil observations. They were going to have to go to a little town called Storybrooke, Maine to run a con. That was going to be rather difficult. Storybrooke, Maine was so small you couldn't fine it on a map. Hardison was going to be highly upset over that information alone.

"Nate," a familiar British lilt filled the air of the bar and restaurant.

The curly-headed, greying man looked up towards the brunette woman with a wide smile. He immediately patted the chair beside him and ordered a drink for her. Sophie Devereaux just smiled at the gesture and gave him a quick peck on the cheek to show her appreciation. She plopped her gorgeous frame down upon the stool and turned her dark chocolate eyes towards his blue eyes.

"What's the job?" She asked.

Nate widened his cerulean blue eyes to seem innocent but he was fooling nobody. Sophie just raised her left eyebrow knowingly and they both smiled. Nate shrugged and quickly placed the manila folder in front of his girl.

"Meet our mark," he said watching Sophie indulge in viewing the file as much as possible, "Regina Mills. She's a corrupt mayor of Storybrooke, Maine. Nobody can prove the corruption and everybody suffers under her rule."

"Not exactly difficult for us to do," she replied. There was something in her voice though, a weird pitch. She was careful not to betray herself on her beautiful face, but something was off. Or maybe Nate was just not used to hearing her voice almost completely sober for once.

"I wouldn't have even considered this if it wasn't a kid asking me to help out," Nate replied handing her another file as he went, "Henry Mills."

"The mayor's son?" Sophie gasped. She was staring at the second file completely invested in the con now.

Nate smiled at her shock. "Henry isn't her biological child," he said, "She adopted him when his mother, Emma Swan, gave him up. Apparently he pulled off a Hardison and found his birthmother, brought her to Storybrooke and somehow managed to get her involved in his life completely."

"And why exactly does he need our help?" Sophie questioned softly. That odd note was back in her voice again. There was more to that the mastermind would have to figure out later.

"Apparently Regina lost custody and is trying to take him down through dark means," Nate replied.

"So we're protecting a mother's right to be with her child and prove that the mayor is corrupt so they can legally take care of her?" Sophie asked simply for clarification.

"And in so doing we will be saving the entire town," Nate nodded, "but she isn't why I chose to take this case and neither is the kid."

"Then why are we taking this case?" Sophie demanded immediately. The look on her face was one of utmost confusion. It was almost amusing except for the fact that a hint of tears were in her eyes.

Nate handed her another folder. "His name is Mr. Gold," he explained, "No first name which is quite interesting to tell you the truth. He's basically the town loan shark and far more evil than the mayor. The odd thing is that they aren't working together."

"They're battling over who will rule the town," Sophie realized. This time there was true sadness in her first and that was worrying. Was she actually empathizing with the victims or was she sad for another reason completely not related to the town? That was definitely going to be on the list of questions to ask on the way to the job unless it became far too important to ignore.

"That's why I took the job," Nate explained, "Gold is known to do evil things and I want to make certain he doesn't interfere on reuniting a mother with her child."

"You also want to make certain the right mother gets the child," Sophie pointed out softly.

Nate said nothing at her statement. She was right and they both knew it. He just finished off the rest of his drink and then watched as his grifter did the same. That was another problem he would have to worry about later. Her drink hadn't been touched until he finished his. She swallowed it in one go.

"Let's do it," she smiled towards him. The odd note was gone again and that was a huge relief. Maybe it was something that could wait until the end of the con to discuss.

%

"Seriously?" Hardison demanded in a full on outrage.

They were sitting on the plane on their way to Maine. Alec Hardison was busy trying to do his research and send hateful glares the mastermind's way. Parker was sitting next to him as usual, flicking her blond hair left and right just to irritate the brunette hitter in the seat beside her.

"Stop it," Eliot Spencer growled at the thief. Then he quickly nudged the thief's crossword onto the floor. He smiled at the glare she shot his way before she quickly curled down and picked it up.

"Sophie, he did it again!" She complained to the brunette grifter sitting across the aisle from her.

Nate audibly groaned at the thief's statement. He curled up his paper and threw it onto the table in front of him. Then he began to pout at the fact that the grifter's attention was now officially on the two quarrelling figures. He took a swig of his orange juice and vodka and waited for the show to begin.

"Eliot, please stop knocking Parker's puzzle down," Sophie sighed. She was just as annoyed at the thief and hitter's squabble.

"She keeps flicking her hair into my eyes," Eliot complained.

"Well, you keep touching me."

"I'm not touching you."

"You are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Not."

"Too."

"Not."

"Too."

"If you two don't stop I'm going to talk to the pilot and turn this plane around," Nate growled towards the pair. Honestly it was like they were children sometimes with the way they acted.

"You can't do that," Parker quipped automatically. Then she immediately settled down and returned to her puzzle. She invaded Hardison's space just to make certain Eliot wasn't touching her. She was also darting careful glances Nate's way just to make certain he wasn't leaving anytime soon.

"I wasn't touching her," Eliot grumbled to himself. He was also taking great care in making certain he didn't touch the thief. He, for one, knew the mastermind wouldn't make good on his words, but he enjoyed making the thief sweat over these things. He smiled at the fun that would ensue.

"You did too," Parker whispered at him.

"Alright that's enough," Sophie stopped the next fight before it could even begin. She then rolled her eyes and stole a sip of the mastermind's drink.

"Hey," he complained. The grifter just smiled at him and took another sip. The others chuckled and the mastermind rolled his eyes. Once again he was stuck on a plane with a bunch of thieves.

"How much longer til we get there?" Hardison groaned. Right.

"The plane is scheduled to land in a few hours, Hardison," Nate sighed, "Then it's just an hour ride into town from the airport. I promise you will have plenty of wi-fi when you get there."

"Oh they better have wi-fi or you are in serious trouble," Hardison growled into his research pile, "Making me do this with paper. That's just barbaric, man. Evil that's what it is."

Nate groaned and turned his attention towards the grifter. She hadn't spoken a word about the con since they agreed to do it. She hadn't even so much as whimpered a reply to any of his plans. She just listened and nodded. He had even cracked a few jokes just to get her to smile. It was a useless effort. She seemed determined to not show even the slightest bit of emotion for some reason, and he was going to figure it out.

"So are you going to tell me what's bothering you or do I have to guess?"

The grifter turned towards him with absolute confusion written all over her features. She tilted her head to the left and scrunched her eyebrows. She bit onto her bottom lip and finally spoke what was on her mind.

"What are you talking about?" She asked.

"You seem a little out of it," Nate shrugged. He was looking for the right words to say without being too much of a bastard. "There's this odd hitch to your voice. Your eyes seem sad too. What's going on?"

"I'm fine, Nate," she replied. Her voice had that slight pitch to it that made it sound like she was whining. Nate knew that voice. It was her lying voice.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" He pressed. He couldn't just let her lie to him about what was on her mind. He had to let her know he was at least aware she wasn't happy.

"I'm fine, Nate," she smiled at his statement, "Don't worry about it."

The mastermind took a deep breath and promptly took a swig from his drink. He set the glass down sighing as he did so.

"Okay," he said just loud enough for her to hear.

%

King Leopold was sitting at his throne, patiently waiting for the rest of his dinner party to show. He was eating away at his meal when the dinner hall doors burst open. The King immediately rose to his feet at the sound of a knock on the door.

"Come in," he ordered.

The door immediately opened and a young man with cerulean blue eyes appeared, the man was Jack of the beanstalk of course. King Leopold smiled at him and extended his hand.

"Robin," he said, "It so good to see you again."

"And you as well your majesty," Robin replied grinning all the while, "It's honor to be here. I've brought you a gift."

King Leopold accepted the gift with a curious gaze and then a giant smile. "Plums," he said, "Thank you. That was awfully kind of you."

"Well I felt it my duty to bring you some of the sweetest fruits in all the land," Robin smiled wider at the king. He was pleased with his work.

"Now tell me what brings you to my Kingdom dear Lord of Sherwood?"

"I've come to congratulate you, dear king on your engagement," Robin replied seating himself into the first chair he could find.

King Leopold chuckled softly at the statement and placed the honored plums in the center of the table. He sat himself in his favorite chair and took great care in examining his visitor's demeanor. Robin allowed him to look and the king smiled at what he saw.

"You've met someone," Leopold smiled wider at the truth.

Robin startled at the statement and looked towards the old king in confusion.

"What on Earth do you mean?" He asked.

"Don't try to deny it. I can see it written all over your face. Tell me, who has managed to capture the fancy of the great Sir Robin of Loxley?"

Robin laughed.

"Have I said something funny, good sir?" Leopold asked, quirking an eyebrow upwards in surprise of the knight's action.

"I'm sorry, my lord," Robin replied, "It's just that I'm not certain what you mean."

"There's a certain glow about you," the king answered, "You're happy. You haven't been this happy since you earned your lordship saving Jack from the terrible Giant."

"I just agreed to watch over the Giant's garden. Those very plums are from that garden because today I have earned my freedom. I am once again Lord of Sherwood Forest."

"I am glad to hear that. Tell me that you did not-"

"The giant still lives, my lord," Robin smiled towards the king with the utmost respect. "I just paid off my debt and now have the rights to his garden."

"I am glad to hear that," King Leopold chuckled, "Now tell me about the creature who has gotten your attention."

"This woman is no creature my lord," Robin smiled at the memory.

"Ah," King Leopold grinned knowingly, "A woman, of course."

"She's the Devil," Robin stated simply.

King Leopold looked at him in confusion. He opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted.

A woman of extravagant beauty and grace walked into the dining hall. Her red dress was billowing behind her in waves as she brought a plate of bread to the table. She gave a sweet smile to the king and barely glanced over the guest. Then she did a double take and dropped the bread right before the plate could make it onto the table.

"You!" Marian seethed staring at the wretched lord with great hatred and anger.

"Me," Robin politely smiled. There was a sudden twinkle in his blue eyes now. His entire body straightened in the chair and he looked for all the world like he was enjoying himself.

"You know this man, Marian," King Leopold asked staring between the two in excited interest.

"This is the thief I've been telling you about, your majesty," Marian said pointing an accusing finger towards the guest in emphasis. "He's the man who tricked us into giving him our well-earned plums."

"I didn't trick you," Robin pointed out smoothly, "I told you that they belonged to the Giant and they did. Thank you for giving them to me by the way. It is because of that I was able to buy my freedom and a large portion of his garden."

Then he sat back and immediately started peeling an apple with his knife. He was grinning from ear to ear and waiting for the woman to make her next move. She didn't disappoint.

"Don't you dare thank me," Marian cried. She was briskly picking up each and every loaf of bread that had fallen to the floor. She was staring daggers towards him and breathing heavily. Then she made the mistake of standing up.

"Oh!" She gasped, taking note of the plums for the first time, "You fiend!"

"I kept the plum tree as part of the arrangement," Robin replied, "for sentimental value. Yeah, I like to gaze upon that tree and remember you punching me in the jaw."

"You punched him in the jaw?" King Leopold demanded of the woman with a touch of fire in his voice.

"Your majesty," Marian whimpered pointing towards the fiend with a fiery gaze, "He's the man who stole those plums I had worked so hard to obtain."

"You were stealing them from a giant I thought it best to prevent you from that," Robin replied.

"There were no signs and there was absolutely no way on Earth that plum tree could have belonged to a giant!" Marian screeched.

"Marian, relax," King Leopold ordered softly. He put his hand on her shoulder and gently directed her behind him.

Robin observed this with wide eyes. He wasn't certain what else he was supposed to do. He just watched the pair interact. Though King Leopold was amazed to find the man's expression was one of surprise and disappointment.

"What's all the ruckus about?" Regina questioned, finally arriving into the room.

There was a child of twelve years trailing after her. The girl was of fair skin with hair as black as night. Her cheeks were rosy red and her eyes were bluer than blue. She looked worried sick until her eyes landed on the visitor in the room.

"Who is he?" She asked.

"Never you mind, Snow," Marian growled. She was still looking at the other man with scorn. "He's just a pesky thief bothering the lot of us."

"He is my guest, Marian," King Leopold replied.

This time Marian looked towards the king with betrayal on her features. She looked between him and the visitor. Then she quickly closed her lips and bowed her head. She stepped back and stayed silent.

"I know this man," Regina said, "He was there when Marian tried to get those plums."

"I returned those by the way," Robin stated, pointing towards the center piece with pleasure. "It's one of the reasons I have come."

"Why else did you come?" Snow demanded softly. Her eyes were blown wide with interest and the smile on her face seemed to be fixed now.

"I heard of the king's engagement and had to congratulate him," Robin replied. Then he looked towards Marian and cordially bowed. "Clearly he made the right choice."

"Oh, my father's not marrying Marian," Snow giggled.

Robin frowned, "He's not?"

"No," Snow shook her head, "He's marrying Regina."

Robin smiled, "Of course he is."

Then his eyes went straight to the angry woman behind the king. He was watching her for something. Then he suddenly began laughing for no reason.

"I just assumed that you mentioned Leopold because you were his fiancé," he explained. "But you're just a hot-headed maiden."

"That hot-headed maiden happens to be the King's ward and my sister!" Regina scowled towards the man, "What kind of manners do you call this?"

"I'm sorry my soon-to-be Queen," Robin chuckled softly, "I was just surprised. The plums were meant to be an apology, Lady Marian. I did not mean to offend you."

"Awe," Snow cooed at the man's apology, "Marian, you must forgive him. He brought you the plums he robbed you of."

"Who is this man, Leopold?" Regina questioned before her sister even had a chance to say anything.

"Forgive me my future queen," Robin bowed politely, "I am sir Robin of Loxley. I am the new owner of the portion of land you found the plum tree in. I like to call it Sherwood."

"Sir Robin of Loxley?" Regina repeated.

"More deserving of Robbing Hood," Marian pouted.

She quickly gasped at her own boldness and looked between the king and her sister. Her eyes were blown wide and she was looking regretful.

"I apologize, my lord," she curtsied, "I lost my tongue."

"You've done worse," Robin smiled.

"I would actually like to hear about you punching him in the jaw," King Leopold chuckled. He was enjoying the whole affair.

"She punched you in the jaw?" Snow gasped, "Marian, how could you?"

"I thought he was a thief," Marian shrugged.

"Why don't we sit down to dine while we hear the story," Leopold suggested.

"I'm afraid not, my king," Robin replied, "I have other matters I have to attend to. But thank you for the kindness."

He stooped to bow but stopped when his eyes fell on Marian. A grin once again appeared on his face. Then he opened his mouth again.

"The conversation was absolutely delectable. I look forward to seeing you again, my dear Snow and please bring the lady whenever you feel like visiting."

Then he quickly picked up the princess' hand and kissed it.

"Expect many visits, Sir Robin," Snow giggled.

Then the man was gone and they were left with cooling dinner plates.

"Well that was eventful," Leopold noticed, "Come Regina, Snow. Let us eat this grand meal Marian has designed for us."

"That Robin certainly is an odd fellow, Leopold," Regina sighed.

"He's a brute, good for nothing fiend who doesn't deserve the kindness you grant him," Marian growled more towards herself than to anyone in particular.

"I think he's wonderful," Snow proposed.

And that was the moment a young Snow White lost her heart to Robin Hood the noble thief of Sherwood Forest.