Parker knew something was wrong. She knew it the very moment Nate told them to leave the room. She saw it. Nobody else did, but she saw it. He was afraid of her. Nathan Ford was absolutely terrified of Sophie Devereaux. The young thief didn't even know how to absorb such information. She never once considered that there would be a day where Nathan Ford, the man she looked up to as her moral compass when their team began, was afraid of the one person who was his moral compass.
Calm down, the necklace sighed, you're reading too far into it.
You don't know Nate and Sophie like I do, she replied automatically. Seconds later she regretted the action. What would they think if they found out she was talking to a piece of jewelry?
I know them far better than you can imagine, Parker, the necklace chuckled mysteriously. In fact, I've seen a side of them that is so unbelievable only books would have it.
That was a hint. Parker was sure of it. The necklace was chuckling again and she could almost feel the fire of it burning her skin. It was impossible. She was absolutely sure of it. How could a necklace know more about her friends than she did?
Wait a minute, she thought, How would you know them better than me?
The necklace laughed at her. Its little golden glow sparkled and faded in and out in its merriment. She had to clasp tightly against it just to stop it from causing a scene. Hardison and Eliot were both looking her way with worried eyes.
I know many things, my bright young thief, it said.
"Parker!"
Hardison scared her. She was so absorbed in her own thoughts and the stupid locket's thoughts and its stupid words that she didn't even see him coming towards her. She didn't even realize he'd stepped forward. This was a switch. He startled her.
The hacker latched onto both of her arms and pulled her into a hug. He was holding on tight and whispering sweet nothings into her ear. It was like they were in the movie during a highly dramatic scene. She couldn't even help the tears stinging her eyes. This was one of those scenes the grifter would always enjoy most.
"It's going to be okay," Hardison said, "She's awake and talking, Parker. Everything's going to be okay."
"No, it's not," Parker shook her head. How was she going to explain this to him? There was something evil lurking in their grifter. How could she possibly explain that? "Her eyes were wrong."
Eliot's wasn't the only head to turn around at that. Temporary sheriff Nolan and Nate were both staring at her with twin looks of fear. Eliot looked inquisitive and a bit disturbed. But the others, they looked as though they knew what she was talking about. David Nolan even cast a suspicious eye the grifter's way.
"Parker, what are you talking about?" Nate stepped forward as he spoke. His eyes were full of ferocious need and there was worry in his tone. He didn't look like Eliot at all. He looked so disturbingly scary. It was as though he knew what she saw.
"Her eyes," the thief swallowed, "There was something wrong with her eyes."
"OF course there was, Parker," Eliot sighed, "She's sick. She's not going to look like herself until we help figure out what that is."
"No," Parker shook her head. Yet her eyes were ensnared in those of Nathan Ford. The tiny thief couldn't help but note how similar their eyes were when filled with the same thoughts and needs. It also didn't help that the locket around her neck kept sending her images of another pair of eyes her way.
"No, that's not Sophie." She said, "She only wants us to think she is."
It was disturbing to see the acceptance of her words from somebody she didn't even know. David Nolan's eyes fell towards the grifter and there was true panic on his features. Then something fell out of his lips, one tiny word that seemed to be the answer to everything. Icarus fell from his lips in a quiet whisper of despair.
"Who's Icarus?" Parker wanted to ask. She felt like it was important to know. But David Nolan knew she wanted to ask. He took one look at her, shook his head and immediately nodded his head towards the doctor. Dr. Wales returned the nod in a simple bow and walked to the door. There was something akin to a smile on his face.
"Parker, what did you see?" Nate hollered.
It was the first time the thief actually found herself drawn to the man. That desperate need in his voice, the desire to know the truth was a power in itself. There was a majesty about him too. It was as though he changed with the grifter and didn't even know it. Strange, people rarely ever changed that quickly.
"Enough of this," Eliot rolled his eyes, "Dr. Wales is leaving and we're the only ones who can keep Sophie in that bed and get her better. We can worry about Parker's revelations later."
"Hey man," Hardison growled, "She's not used to this, okay. Just give her a break. It's not every day one of our own ends up in a hospital bed and tries to kill themselves."
"And where exactly were you while we were waiting?" Eliot cried, "How long did it take you to go out and bail?"
"Boys stop!" Nate cried. His voice held that same tone to it. It was the majestic expectation that his orders would not be disobeyed. He was a king expecting his servants to behave appropriately.
"I'm going in to see Sophie," the hitter growled, "I'd better not be the only one, Hardison!"
Thankfully the hacker didn't rise to bait. A look of guilt flittered across his face and he started heading towards the grifter's room without prompting. Both men stopped right before the door and looked back at the mastermind and thief. Parker lowered her head and turned away just enough to hide what words would fall from her lips next.
"Her eyes were red," she said.
She could tell simply why the mastermind looked at her, he believed her. She wanted to question him on it. She was even ready to duke it out with him and discover what it was she really saw. But a single finger over his lips told her everything. This was not something to be discussed. This was only a means to an end, a way to get down to the root of their problems. The thief nodded and immediately pulled the guys into hugs. She would wait.
Right now they had to find a way to make Sophie better.
%%%%%%%%%
David Nolan almost felt guilty for his actions. The very moment Parker spoke set his thoughts on fire. He knew, far better than anyone, what the thief could have possibly meant. The shivers the very idea sent up his spine was interesting. He couldn't tell if he was overjoyed or just plain frightened. Then Doctor Wales arrived.
"Prince Charming," Wales scowled, "You called."
David rolled his eyes. He didn't have time to deal with the man who slept with his wife and his stupid hostilities. He needed answers. And he might have just figured out how best to save Marian… or Sophie or whomever it was that lived in there.
"I think I might have a possible idea on the trigger," David said, "Gold apparently thought it would be a good idea to inform Marian of her son. He said her name during their last meeting and shortly afterwards…"
"She freaked out," Wales nodded, "What could happened to the son to deserve such a reaction?"
"That's just it," David said, pointing towards the mastermind as inconspicuously as possible. "Robin… no, Nate, said that he lost his son seven years ago to cancer."
"You think the boy was transported with his father when Regina cast her spell," Wales nodded, "That makes sense. Her son's name could have been the trigger for a war between her minds. At some point she must have realized her son was dead and that would explain the attack on Regina. It's her fault the curse was cast to begin with."
"Which also explains why she kept waking up as Sophie or Marian," David sighed, "never both."
Dr. Wales nodded his head in concentration. He understood exactly what was going on. He even seemed to considering the prince's words with a professional mind. It was a relief to find that their entwined pasts didn't interfere with this. And maybe it was nice to have somebody on his side for once who would call him out on his mistakes.
"I know I shouldn't be doing this," Wales growled, "but you need to be aware of everything that is going on. Sophie seems to have surfaced permanently this time around. That doesn't exactly mean Marian isn't somewhere around the corner though."
David felt his stomach twist into a knot of fear. Dread filled him from head to toe. That bad feeling at the base of his spine was slowly creeping up. His palms suddenly felt sweaty and his world was starting to tilt. This was not going to be good news.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
Wales looked deeply saddened by the news he was about to deliver. He opened his mouth and closed it again, seemingly deciding how best to describe it. Then he placed his hand on the prince's shoulder and squeezed it, a sign of companionship of some sort.
"She doesn't remember everything," the doctor replied, "not quite. There are moments when she'll say everything happened exactly as it did and then she'll immediately report a switch in perception. The events become foggy and detached. It's… She said that she remembered feeling nothing but hate and suddenly attacking Regina. She can't remember why and she nearly burst into tears when she was informed that she attacked her friends in her haste to get to her sister."
"What does that mean?" David felt the panic rise. His hands were suddenly shaking and his heart felt on fire. He could barely breathe he was so afraid of what would happen next. "Is she Marian or is she Sophie? The foggy memories should be a good thing, right?"
"Schizophrenia," Wales shrugged, "It's a side-effect. A lot of the patients in the medical ward at current weren't just prisoners of the Evil Queen. They developed a division between their true selves and this world's adaptation. The curse not only made us forget but sometimes it made us unable to cope. Those who weren't violent developed anger because of the curse…"
"And became dangerous to all of us," David rolled his eyes, "typical Regina. She couldn't be bothered to think about the consequences."
"I'd say she's thinking about them," Wales replied, "She didn't look too happy that her sister was threatening to kill her. Plus I don't think this was a consequence she was honestly willing to deal with."
David quirked an eyebrow at the defense of the Evil Queen. He said nothing though. His mind was elsewhere. Well, it was on the wallet currently in his hands. He sort of felt guilty. Robin was a friend. The man helped his Snow throughout her childhood. He owed him so much for everything he sacrificed on their behalf. But this was what was necessary in order to achieve their goal. They needed to be prepared to help Marian anyway they could. Even the smallest of information would be helpful.
"You stole his wallet?" Wales asked. He sounded scandalized.
"My wife was raised by the greatest thieves in history," David shrugged, "You can't help but learn a few things."
He peeled away the front and nearly groaned. Robin was still a master thief. He held so many forms of identification in his wallet. Tom Baker, Bob Gibson, Jimmy Papadakolis, the list of names just kept going on and on. If he had been on the job only one I.D. would have been found. This was something done in haste. The prince could tell simply by the way everything was organized. The man's mind still worked the same in this one. It was probably how he won his true love's heart all over again.
There weren't many other things though. The id's and credit cards were endless. He was pulling them out of pockets he didn't even know wallets could have. Just when he was about to give up all hope of ever finding what he was looking for, luck found him. He couldn't help staring at the picture. It was a drawing, clearly done by a child. There was a blonde female stick listed as "Mommy" while the "Daddy" and "Me" were clearly Robin and his son.
David felt that old twinge of sadness. He wished the boy had survived, hoped really. Icarus was destined to be a good man just like his parents. It was worse that his sister seemed to have disappeared from them as well. Icarus loved that little girl more than life itself. He also took it upon himself to protect her forever.
The prince moved the drawing over in hopes of reading the back. He wanted know when Icarus made this impressive piece of art. The boy used to be amazing at drawing. In this world his figures were purely horrific in comparison. But there was something interfering with the paper, something sticky. He peeled the paper away and nearly screamed.
Sam wasn't Icarus after all.
"What is it?" Wales asked, concern flittering across his face immediately.
David stared at him in shock. Icarus was alive. He had to be. This boy wasn't him. This boy looked similar though, but different. None of Marian resided in him. Everything they knew couldn't be true. The origin of Sophie's breakdown couldn't have been him. If she'd remembered her son's death… but she didn't. The mystery was only getting bigger, not smaller.
"This isn't her son," David replied softly, "What would be the consequences if we woke Marian up fully?"
Wales' eye grew wide at that. Then he nodded his head and started to use his medical expertise to think it over. After a while he just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. Apparently this was bad news.
"We could probably stop another breakdown if we do it gently," he said, "Put her under Archie's care and allow him to work away at her problems that way. The only danger she's caused is to Regina and that's not exactly unusual when compared to everybody else in this town. I could tell them she's on suicide watch and release her on the condition that she seeks therapy. I'd prefer to do that as slowly as possible. She needs therapy in order to recover but if you want it done in the next few weeks the answer is no. I don't know Marian but I do know that Mother Superior has told me to be wary of her magic. I will not unleash anybody more powerful than Regina and Gold without proper help."
David nodded his head. He sighed in defeat and immediately went onto plan thirteen. He would find the children and bring her something to live for. He knew what kind of pain Snow went through before they even met their daughter. He wouldn't let Marian suffer that way.
"I guess I'm going to have to go talk to Regina," he growled, "because I need to find those kids. Who knows what happened to them. You just help Marian as much as possible. The last thing we need is the Queen of Thieves on a rampage."
"I'll do my best," Wales nodded. He turned to leave and stopped. His mouth fell agape and panic filled his eyes. Charming turned to see what he was staring at. His heart dropped when he came to realize Robin was staring at them with determination. Then his eyes narrowed and he held out his hand, anger barely contained.
"My wallet, please," he said.
David handed over everything without a fight. He didn't know how much the man heard. He wasn't even sure if they were on the verge of another fairytale character coming to life. He knew that he was perfectly inadequate when it came to fighting the older man.
"I hope this was worth it," Nate growled, "but please know that you aren't the only one concerned for her. I understand that the doctor has to disclose Sophie's condition to you by law. I also understand that considering her current condition I am the medical proxy. As the medical proxy it is my right to decide when to sign her out. I want a new doctor now and then we will be leaving here immediately."
"I'm not agreeing to anything unless she agrees to seek therapy," Wales said, "I can't ethically do that and none of the other nurses or doctors will give you any other answer while I am in charge."
Robin looked furious at the order. He also looked as though he wouldn't dare argue. He was conflicted with his concern for Sophie. There weren't any other hospitals anywhere nearby. He knew that. He had to have come across that with his research. Plus, if they tried to leave they would only end up having something bad happen. His only hope was for them to treat her.
"You won't prescribe her drugs," Nate said, "I won't let you hurt her."
"We're not looking to hurt her," Wales hissed. His face was contorted in absolute scorn and his eyes were wild with anger. "I only want to help her!"
"No drugs," Nate hissed, "we'll agree to one meeting with the therapist but I will not force her to do anything she isn't ready for, do you understand?"
"Deal," David said. He even extended his hand for a handshake. They needed peace in order for everything to work. "But you have to promise that you will do everything in your power to help her get better."
Nate gave him a look. There was so much anger there. He looked on the verge of murder. It was a similar look the prince received once before. Robin had threatened his life should any harm befall Snow White. Only this time it was being directed at what the older man perceived to be an enemy. And it was to protect his wife instead of niece.
"I don't owe you anything," the mastermind snarled, "but I do owe her everything and more. If I find out you're planning her harm…"
"I've got things to do," Charming winked, "Doctor Wales will inform you of her condition. I suggest you sit down. It's a doozy."
The prince left before he could do anymore damage. He had other things to accomplish. He had to find a missing prince and princess. There were only two people in all of Storybrooke he could ask that weren't currently Sophie Devereaux. His next stop would be to the man named Rumpelstilskin.
The Dark One had the future in his hands.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Marian recognized them all. Parker was the blonde one, bright-eyed and curious as usual. Yet those blue eyes were filled with fear and concern too. Hardison was the young genius with bright amber eyes and a giant smile on his features. Yet those amber eyes of his couldn't meet hers and were flush with guilt. Eliot was still the long-haired muscle man with that same silly scowl on his face. Only this time the scowl was one of concern and turned completely on her.
"Where's… Nate?" She hated the sound of that name on her tongue now. It felt wrong to her ears and so right as well. Everything she was and is were at odds with each other now. Even her mind couldn't comprehend it all. It was in heated war and neither side could seem to understand the most important thing in the world.
Her babies were nowhere to be found.
Eliot smiled a sweet but condescending smile. His eyes flashed towards Hardison, the hacker nodding at the silent plea. Then the youngest member's face was immediately glued to his stupid telephone. He was going to ruin his eyes if he kept at that for too much longer. Parker was bouncing on her feet. She was nervous. She always did that when she wanted to run away. It was nice of her to stay though.
"He's talking to the doctors, darlin'" Eliot said, smiling all the while. "Is there anythin' we can do for ya?"
Marian cringed at the way his accent was filtering through. Sophie learned how to identify his con voice the very moment she first heard it. Now it was being used against her to keep her calm and happy. They thought the strategy would work too. That was sweet. Unfortunately… it would never help.
"Parker, would you be a dear and go steal me some clothes?" She hated asking for such a selfish thing, but she had to act the part. Besides the thief needed a distraction and stealing always worked for her. The tiny blonde was smiling broadly as she disappeared into the air-vent above. Eliot and Hardison were now left to be dealt with. The hacker would be easy. His mind was already half-focused on keeping track of Parker and Nate. It was the hitter who would be difficult to control.
"Sophie, you're not leaving this hospital," Eliot opened the argument simply.
"Unfortunately for you that isn't up to you," she winked. She swung her feet over the side of the bed and immediately started removing all of the machines. She had to stay still for a moment when the medicine bag was removed. Apparently she wasn't used to that kind of pain anymore. That was something useful to remember.
"You made Nate your proxy," Hardison called. "We all know that he's not going to let you get out of here unless you're dead or healthy. And you don't exactly look on the verge of death anymore."
"Hardison I'm fine," Sophie sighed, "Look at me. Do I look on the verge of death to you?"
"You probably don't remember the amount of blood you lost or the way Nate had to beg you to stop killing your own sister," Eliot replied.
She turned towards him and glared. The images were still a little hazy. She did remember trying to kill Regina though. It sent such a thrill up her spine to feel revenge within her grasp. But Nate told her to stop and she couldn't ignore her husband's commands.
He's not your husband anymore, Sophie, she thought. That man doesn't exist. He can't exist.
The pain doubled at that horrible thought. Here she was, thinking solely about her own pain. Nate must have been going through hell these past few days… or however long she was out. He had fallen in love with her, all over again and completely unaware of it. He never condoned violence and he just witnessed her try to kill her sister. She knew how he reacted when he lost his son. How could she do that to him all over again?
Her eyes fell on the boys and her heart ached for a whole new reason. What did they think of her now? She was in pain and she only cared about herself. She didn't think about how Eliot would react to her actions. The hitter was probably highly determined on keeping her locked up and away from harm for the rest of eternity. Hardison couldn't even look at her. He was probably flashing back to some of those foster homes, the ones before Nana. And Parker…
"Oh poor Parker," she sniffled.
Eliot and Hardison both looked at her in alarm. She couldn't blame them. She was a grifter, a master of her emotions. Now she was crying right in front of them. Tears were streaming down her face no matter how hard she worked to be rid of them. Plus she still felt woozy from the apparent blood loss she experienced. Maybe she should listen to them. They were her friends after all.
And they always will be, she thought.
"I'm gonna get Nate," Hardison declared. He ran from the room almost instantly. The hitter gave him an exasperated look. Then he put on a brave face and stepped forward. That stupid smile was back on his features too.
"Don't," Sophie growled, "I'm not a child, Eliot. I don't need you to treat me as one. I realize how stupid I was before. I'm sorry. I must have frightened all of you and all I was doing was thinking of myself."
Eliot stepped forward and scooped her into a giant hug. He squeezed her tight and whispered words of comfort.
"This isn't your fault, Soph," he said, "It's okay. We'll help you get through this. You won't be alone."
"But I almost got myself killed," she cried, "I didn't even think of what it would have done to any of you. Poor Parker must think I wanted to do all of those things. And Nate… not to mention you and Hardison."
"We're fine."
The grifter jumped. It was the first time in years she actually jumped because of Parker. It was enough to let everyone know something was off. The tiny thief knew it too. She was clinging to the stolen clothes she found like they were a trophy or her precious money. Fear filled her eyes and she looked on the verge of running. Yet she looked so hopeful too.
"We're fine," she repeated, "You're still here. Why wouldn't we be fine? You weren't trying to kill yourself. You were only trying to stop seeing the image… right?"
Sophie blinked. She knew the thief just asked her something important. She could feel it in her bones. She was just distracted. Nathan Ford had chosen that moment to reappear with Hardison in tow. The mastermind's eyes were glued on one thing and on thing only, her.
He still took her breath away. He was a completely different person, the opposite in fact. He was the one closed off now. He wasn't balanced. He didn't even try to express his feelings and allow you into that brilliant mind of his. He constantly did things just to piss people off. He was sinister in his plots, constantly aiming to ruin the person as best as possible.
But he still managed to hold her captive. He even made her fall in love with this new version of him, this cursed man. This man was broken, almost beyond repair. He would never admit it but they opened some of his wounds, stitched him up and gave him something to help the pain. His son, a child he had with another woman because he had absolutely no idea they were married, was his life and gone. What would he do if he found out the truth? How would he react?
He mustn't know, she thought, he can never know. I can do that. I can be his savior. I did it before and I can do it again.
"Get dressed," he said, "We're going home."
She felt relieved by that. She had an easy way out. She could go back to Portland and pretend nothing ever happened. He was giving her a light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, she knew Regina and even more so Prince Charming. They wouldn't let them go, not while she was still a risk. No, she had to protect her new family. She had to in order to find her own children.
"No," she said, "Let's go to Granny's. I'm not quite ready for a long trip."
"I don't-"
"Please," she could feel the tears developing in her eyes again. She was a coward. He deserved so much better than this. But she was now too selfish to let him go. Plus, she was too afraid to be with him on her own. "I need to make things right before I go."
He stared at her, shock clearly playing with his features. But a decision was quickly made. He nodded his head and closed his eyes.
"Hardison," he said, "Tell the doctor to get the papers. We're leaving against medical advice."
