A/N: So, in any good series, there is always that one Christmas Special that has nothing to do with the present plot, but just makes people all fuzzy and happy inside. Well, would you really expect any less at this point? Without further ado; Chapter Pointless-Christmas-Thing.
Through everything that had been happening the past few days, I had barely even realized until I happened to look on the calendar that it was Christmas Eve. And of course it had to be at 6 o'clock in the evening that this revelation had to occur to me. I had to act fast. I couldn't even imagine what the people in this town did on Christmas. God knows everything else had been proved valid, so was there in fact…a Santa Claus? That would be something for me to contemplate later.
I took off quickly from the station during my lunch break and did a quick run to the pawn shop, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible, even as Mr. Gold gave me an incredibly appraising look, "Is there anything I can help you with, Ms. Swan?" he asked, his voice more velvety than usual. He knew he was about to make an incredibly pricey sale, and it showed on his face. It was fairly obvious that he didn't get much business. The place was probably being kept going by the Mayor, just so that Mr. Gold would have a reason to inject himself into other peoples' business.
"Just looking for something for my roommates." I didn't know why I felt the need to call Mary Margaret and Graham my roommates. I had been addressing them as such to everyone lately, which was kind of odd. Considering I had never paid a bill a day I had stayed with Mary Margaret, I would more likely be considered an obnoxious squatter, more than a responsible roommate. Then again, responsible never really had been my forte.
"Well, for the teacher, might I suggest one of these?" Mr. Gold began, leading my by the shoulder to a case of antique looking necklaces. No doubt he would try to sell one for ten times more than it was worth.
"How about that one." I pointed, not a necklace, but a bracelet off to its side. It was a plain black chain with blood-red chips etched in. It looked like a contrast to what Mary Margaret tended to wear, and I figured, in a time like this, change is something that we could all stand a little of, "Wrap it up, please." I commanded, continuing to search for something suitable for Graham. I suddenly came across a small selection of pocket watches. There was a small gold watch with a thin gold chain. On the cover of the watch, was encrusted a wolf. It was just so fitting, no matter how much it would cost I had to buy it, "And this." I demanded pointing to the watch, then I took off in yet another direction.
That was when I saw it. Up on the top shelf in the very back of the dingy store, there lay a collection of books. There were four of them, all wrapped up with a very thing whicker sting. Looking at the spines, I read the names, Huckleberry Finn, Adventure Island, The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland, and Cinderella. Under no other circumstances would I have found myself untying the whicker and slipping out the one book that may have been of any use to any of us. I quickly pulled out Cinderella, as Mr. Gold rang up my other purchases and placed it in my purse. There was something we were missing, and I had a good feeling it had something to do with this book.
I looked to the front of the building, careful to make sure that he wasn't aware of what I was doing. I made sure there weren't any security gadgets near the door, so that I could get out of the Pawn Shop without a hitch.
I did find it odd that my subconscious was pushing me to take this book. I mean, Graham, Mary Margaret, David, even Henry and I were part of Snow White's story. So what would possess me to take Cinderella? I had a really good feeling about this, though.
"Here you are Ms. Swan. That'll be fifty-eight sixty." Mr. Gold crooned, handing over my purchases.
"You sure priced low for those." I shot back, a slight bit suspicious as I pulled out my wallet and began rifling through for any money I may had had left over from my 'date' with Graham the other night [which had admittedly become more awkward than anything, seeing as neither one of us had never been particularly good at starting conversation. We usually had Henry or Mary Margaret there to do that for us.] I managed to come up with the money, and quickly slammed it down on the countertop, waiting for his rebuttal as to why he would sell me a solid gold pocket watch and a fancy-looking necklace for only fifty bucks.
"Well, Ms. Swan, in the spirit of the season, I've chosen to give you a break." I nodded. Even though I knew it wasn't true, I figured it would be only response I would get out of the greasy, old gizzard, so I turned on my heels to leave quickly, and just as I was walking out the door, I heard his gravelly voice behind me whisper, "I'll also choose to forgive you for the book you've stolen." Busted.
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"Okay, seriously, Graham; it is Christmas Eve. Can't we take a break from the overwhelming force of doom, and just chill for a day or so?" I ask, interrupting his rant about his latest endeavor into our fictional world.
"I suppose you're right." He answers, flopping down on the couch beside me, as a smirk grew on Mary Margaret's face. He managed to catch it as well, and quickly scooted to the other end of the couch, "Well, if we aren't going to finish our plot," he began, the obvious joking in his tone, "then what exactly do you have planned, Ms. Swan?"
"Well, for starters, you two can open these," I answer, pulling the two wrapped boxes out of my purse. I handed each to the respective owners and watched as they tore the paper away like excited little children, each both surprised and please, as they admired their gift.
"Now I feel bad I didn't get you anything, Emma. Thanks a lot." Mary Margaret berated as she fastened the clasp around her wrist.
"No need, now we need to go to the Mayor's house. I have something I need to give to Henry, and I think it'd be best if you two came along with me." I continued pulling the leftover gift out of my bag.
"What'd you get Henry?" Mary Margaret asked in a way that seemed excited and worried. It wasn't like things went so well the last time we all tried to crowd into Henry's room and nearly got caught.
"A clue." I answered, as I tucked the larger package back into my purse.
We were all three left in silence for several minutes until Mary Margaret pushed herself onto her feet from her perch on the loveseat, "I have some eggnog in the fridge. I'll go get it." It was obvious she was doing it just to get out of the awkwardness of this whole third-wheel thing.
Once she was gone, though, things didn't get any better between me and Graham. I could tell he was glancing at me out of the corner of his eyes, as I was doing to same thing, making it a never-ending cycle of half-glances, when I finally swallowed my pride and turned to him, "What happened last night?" I asked. It seemed like a silly question, and I could automatically feel blood rushing to my face, turning my features as red as a tomato.
He turned toward me, shaking his head and pursing his lips, "What do you think happened?" he asked, addressing the inevitable, "Because I can tell you what I think, but I can guarantee you aren't going to like it."
"I think we got really drunk and we slept together and that's why neither one of us remember."
"I wasn't drunk. I would remember if it was just intoxication. You have no idea how ridiculous my tolerance is," of course, even as we were talking about something so serious, he had to give an opportunity to toot his own horn, "It was something else. I think something happened when you replaced my heart."
"Well, I can guarantee you something like this is not going to be in Henry's book. We're going to have to figure this out on our own."
"And how to do you suggest we do that?"
"We have to get Gold on our side."
Everything fell silent again after that. Good Lord, Mary Margaret was taking forever with that eggnog, "Thank you," he whispered again, through the silence, grabbing my attention. I knew he meant it and he meant it for more than just the watch. Suddenly I became aware of the closeness between us. Simultaneously, it seemed, we both leaned in. I was less than a breath away from his lips, when Mary Margaret came rushing out of the kitchen, a tray of eggnog in hand, "Damn it, Mary Margaret." He muttered under his breath, pulling away, in order to keep the polite company charade going.
"Was I interrupting something?" she asked, suddenly ultra-aware of everything that was going on, "Do I need to go back into the kitchen?" she asked, high tailing it back.
That act almost made me chuckle and I held up my hand, motioning her over to sit on my other side that wasn't already occupied by Graham, "No, no; you didn't interrupt anything." I laughed, placing a hand on her knee to reassure her.
"Alright, do you want to get going?" Mary Margaret asked, gathering her purse and coat.
"I don't know about you, but before going to face the Ice Queen, I plan on getting quite a bit tipsy." I answered, taking a glass and downing it in one.
"Maybe I should get the Tequila." Mary Margaret said again, stepping into the kitchen once more.
She hadn't been out of the room ten seconds, when Graham and I were right back where we had left off. I had to admit, however embarrassing it was; I enjoyed kissing Graham. Before, whenever I had actually gone into a relationship with anyone [if that was what this was in the first place…] kissing just seemed like something that came with the territory, but this was actually fun. It was new.
When Mary Margaret reentered the room I couldn't help, but actually laugh out loud, as Graham called to her, "You're interrupting. Go back to the kitchen."
A/N: And there you have it! Your completely plot-irrelevant, cute, little Christmas-Special-Thing. I hope you liked it. Heck, even if you didn't just know that there is another chapter that will actually be plot-relevant tomorrow! And the next day! I thank you in advance for the reviews I hope to be receiving. This story is so much fun to write. I hope you all have as much fun reading it as I have coming up with it. Anyway, please, please, PLEASE review, and don't forget to answer the Poll on my profile, pertaining to this story. Also, if there is something else you would like to see in this story, feel free to Private Message me, so that I can add your ideas to my Poll! Thanks for hanging in there for the couple of days I haven't updated. I apologize, but I've been entertaining guests, and let me be the first to say, it is incredibly difficult to write anything when you have seventy plus people cramming in to your house for all day and all night for three days in a row. It was absolute freaking misery. Anyway, thanks for reading! xMags
