Thicker than Water Part II

by Sara K M

Sequel to the original Thicker than Water. The Charmings' have found each other (again), after Storybrooke was destroyed. Now they face even more challenges as they adjust to life in the real world. Pairings: Mostly Snowing and also minor Abirick. Eventual Captain Swan and Red/OC

15. Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Disclaimers: I don't own Once Upon a Time. Also, this is a sequel to "Thicker Than Water" written by La Lisboa.

Thanks to Lisboa for betaing and letting me you your story as a starting point.

I'd like to say thanks again for those who reviewed the last chapter and this story to favorites. Responses to reviews will be at the end of the chapter.

Snow had about a half hour left of her shift at the hospital when her communication device went off. It was Emma, so she answered it right away. It turned out Emma found a couple from the Enchanted Forest the day before. They were in a bit of trouble and needed to do some cleaning service for someone. The only problem was, they didn't know how to clean. Could Snow teach them? Emma had asked. Of course, Snow was only too happy to help people from their land in need. And she certainly knew a lot about cleaning in this world.

Then Emma had revealed the names of one of the people. Kathryn Nolan. Kathryn Nolan! Snow felt like throwing her communication device across the hospital floor. Instead she put it away and hurled the mop against the wall. Nolan. As in David Nolan, Charming's name in this world. The woman must have been Charming's ex – wife from the Curse. Come to think of it, didn't Emma say Charming's ex – wife's name had been Kathryn in Storybrooke?

Snow shook her head and slammed the mop on the floor as she continued washing it. Emma really expected her to help Charming's ex – wife? Not only that but how could Emma keep something like that a secret from her? All she'd told Snow last night was "I found a couple from the Enchanted Forest today. They're going to stay with Red for a while." She never said who it was to give Snow any kind of preparation for meeting Kathryn. How was she supposed to talk to that woman? How could Emma do this to her?

She slammed the mop into the bucket hard, creating a big splash.

A half hour later, Snow finished the washing the floor and was done working for the day. As she picked up her things, Cindy and Wendy came up in front of her. "Mary Margaret, is something the matter? Cindy asked nervously. "You were making an awful lot of racket."

"You should be careful about that. Hospital administration wants the halls quiet for the patients," Wendy told her.

"I guess," Snow stomped her feet. "I'm just really angry at my da – sister," She'd gotten used to calling Emma her sister in public, but since she was so angry, she'd forgotten for a second.

"I can tell," Cindy nodded. "Anything you want to talk about?"

Snow looked conflicted. She was supposed to be meeting Kathryn and her companion soon. But she didn't really want to. It wouldn't hurt to make her wait a little while would it?

"Emma," Snow spat out her daughter's name, "found a couple of people who have to do some clean for someone, but they don't know how. She wants me to teach them."

Wendy nodded. "Sounds like a couple of rich kids. I bet they're snobs. Doesn't sound like fun to me. I can see why you're annoyed but still…"

Snow shook her head. "No, that's not it. It doesn't bother me at all." Snow wondered what these women would think if they knew what a "rich girl" she was as a child. It wasn't worth dwelling on right now. She was just too angry at Emma for making her help Kathryn and not preparing her at all to meet her.

"My problem is that one of them is Kathryn Nolan."

"And…I'm assuming you have some history with this woman? What's the problem?" Cindy asked, sounding confused and curious.

"She's my husband's ex – wife."

Cindy and Wendy's eyes widened. "Okay, I think I get it now. So you guys don't get along? Does she blame you for stealing him or something?"

Snow shrugged. She really didn't know what Kathryn thought about her. She was so wrapped up in having to face the woman who had been married (and slept with) her Charming, it hadn't even occurred to her what Kathryn might think of Snow. One more thing to be angry at Emma for! Out loud she told her friends, "I just don't want to see her." She picked up her bag and slammed the door as she did so.

Wendy shook her head and commented, "Good luck." She paused for a minute and added, "Or maybe I should tell this 'Kathryn' good luck, given your attitude? If you need bail after you've been arrested, give me a call."

Snow sighed and chuckled a little. "Thanks."

Snow finally left the hospital and boarded the bus. She'd already agreed to help Kathryn and…whoever. She'd better get this over with. Sometimes Snow wondered why she had to have such a good heart. On days like this, it got her in nothing but trouble.

When Snow got off the bus, she couldn't be more surprised who "Kathryn Nolan" turned out to be. Princess Abigail. Of course. Not only did she have to interact with Charming's ex – wife, she also had to interact with his former fiancée from the Enchanted Forest.

"So Emma told us you'd show us how to clean?" Kathryn/Abigail commented (Snow wasn't sure which name to think of her as).

"Sure, why not?" Snow replied, with fake enthusiasm. "I thought I'd show you which supplies you need first. We can get them at the store. We'll just have to ride this next bus."

"Are you sure these buses are safe? They seemed to move really fast." The man looked at Kathryn/Abigail nervously. With all of Snow's preoccupation concerning the other woman, she hadn't paid much attention to Kathryn/Abigail's companion. She tried to remember what he said his name was, but she couldn't think of it.

Out loud, Snow looked at the man and replied, "Yes, they're safe. I was nervous when we first started using them, too. But we've never had any trouble with them."

The man sighed. "Okay. But I'm still going to be careful with Abigail on that thing."

They all got on the bus that was headed toward the Wal – Mart. The man did hold onto Kathryn/Abigail quite tightly as the bus moved. It finally occurred to Snow that the two weren't just "companions" like she'd thought before. They had probably been involved in a relationship back in the Enchanted Forest. That meant Kathryn/Abigail wasn't interested in Charming at all. Snow smiled in relief. Of course she wasn't. The engagement and the marriage had been forced on her just as it had been forced on him. Snow didn't know why she was thinking otherwise. She hadn't really had time to think, other than the woman had been married to Charming at one point.

Married. That was right. The woman may have been under a Curse, but she'd shared things with Snow's husband she had no right to do. Some of Snow's anger came back, in spite of herself. How was she going to deal with this?

They got off the bus and Snow took them to the cleaning supplies store. She showed them the sponges, the all – purpose cleaner and the mops they would need to use. She showed them the window cleaner and the dusting materials.

She even showed them the materials that were used to clean toilets. The man shook his head as she showed them that. "I don't know about this. It seems very...undignified. At least I'll be able to help you, Abigail."

"Well, you'll have to do it anyway. Deal with it," Snow snapped. Her anger and resentment was showing through.

Kathryn/Abigail and the other man looked at Snow strangely for a second. Then the other woman looked at the man. "I'll be okay as long as I have you, Freddie," she said affectionately.

So apparently the man's name was Freddie. Whatever. "How about I take you back to our home and I'll teach you how to use some of the basic stuff?" Snow tried to keep her voice normal this time. She'd promised to help them, after all. And really, Abigail hadn't done anything wrong. She'd been Cursed.

"Would we have to ride…those machines again?" Freddie asked, nervously. He looked at Kathryn/Abigail again with fear.

Snow sighed. "Yes, but whether you came home with me or went back to the one you're staying at;

you'd still have to ride them. I know they move faster than carriages, but the buses are fine."

"I think learning a little more about using some of the equipment sounds like a good idea, Freddie." Abigail looked at him gently.

"Okay," Freddie agreed reluctantly. He still held on to Kathryn/Abigail quite tightly, though. It seemed to her he was holding a lot tighter than Charming had held Snow when they first started riding the bus. Freddie should probably be careful not to cut off his…woman's circulation.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at the new apartment. Snow showed them how to use a broom and a mop to clean the floors. She even showed them how to clean the toilet, much to Freddie's discomfort.

Throughout the afternoon, Snow was beginning to realize something a little…odd about them, though. They weren't very physically affectionate at all. Snow could tell they were a couple, because of how protective Freddie was. And because of the way Kathryn/Abigail talked to him. But other than when Freddie clutched Abigail when they rode the bus, they didn't touch. When Snow and Charming were together, they always had their arms around each other. They often held hands when they walked. When one of them was upset, the other would comfort by rubbing their shoulders, or arms, or back. This couple didn't do that. It made Snow wonder if their relationship was really as stable as it looked.

Then there was Freddie's over protectiveness. Charming could be overprotective of her; Snow knew that. There was the time they met, when he took on Regina's knights to save her. There was the time he pushed Snow out of the way when King George found them in the woods. There was the time he was appalled that she would even think of trying to find Medusa. There were the times he forced her to see Doc (much to Snow's protests), every time she'd received burns in the burning room. There was that hilarious time he believed she was dying because she was so tired, when she only turned out to be pregnant with Emma. Even the way he insisted on Regina's execution was over protective. Despite all of his talk how Regina was "a danger to us all," Snow knew he really wanted her executed so Regina wouldn't be able to attack Snow anymore.

But all the same, Charming always let Snow live her own life. He wasn't upset at Snow for saving him from the trolls, even though she was risking her life then. Or for trying to save Charming when King George captured him. Charming never yelled at her for accepting the apple to save him, either. As for Medusa, as much as it bothered him, he let Snow proceed with her plan, as long as he could come with her. As for her burns from the fire room, Charming was obviously terrified every time she fell asleep while that was happening. But he always told Snow she was strong enough to face it, anyway. And when Snow wanted to spare Regina instead of execute her, Charming supported her.

So Charming's over protectiveness could be annoying and sweet, but he didn't take it too far. Freddie…Snow was beginning to wonder if he took it too far. Didn't he realize Kathryn/Abigail was an adult? Snow was having second thoughts about Kathryn/Abigail. What if she wanted another chance with Charming after all? He was obviously a far better man than Freddie. How could she prevent the blond from getting her hooks into her husband?

Suddenly Snow had an idea. "Would you two like to stay for dinner tonight? Emma won't be home until much later, so I have plenty of food."

Kathryn/Abigail nodded. "That sounds wonderful. I wasn't sure what we'd do for dinner tonight, anyway. I'm afraid I don't know much about cooking."

"I'd love to get a chance to talk to your husband again, Snow. I still haven't thanked him enough for releasing me," Fredrick added. Snow wondered what he meant by that. She tried to recall if Charming ever mentioned saving one of Abigail's companions. It didn't really matter, though. "Plus, if we eat here, I won't have to worry about finding dinner for us. I had been a little concerned about that." Freddie's voice sounded protective again. Didn't Kathryn/Abigail find that annoying?

But since they were staying for dinner, this was the perfect opportunity for Snow to show Kathryn/Abigail that she would never have another chance with Charming, no matter how much the other woman might want it.

Snow decided to cook some spiced ham with potatoes and vegetables. The potatoes and some of the vegetables would be new to the other couple, but they'd have to get used to them if they were going to live in this world, anyway.

After spicing the ham with cinnamon, Snow placed it and the potatoes in the oven. It had taken her a while to get used to this new oven. The one at Red's worked the way all the directions suggested. Food was cooked at 350, 375, and 400 degrees. This oven burned food when Snow tried cooking things at those temperatures. Eventually, Snow realized she needed to put the food at 200, 225, and 250 degrees. In this case, Snow turned the dial to 200 degrees.

When Snow turned around, Kathryn/Abigail was watching her closely. "This is how you cook? I don't suppose you could teach me that, too? I mean, we don't have to do that tomorrow, but we aren't going to have any servants in this world. I should probably know something about cooking," she chuckled nervously.

Snow tried not to appear nervous at that request. It was reasonable, she supposed. But Snow would rather not spend more time with Kathryn/Abigail than she had to. After tonight, she rather not see her again. (Snow was still pretty angry that Emma forced her to spend time with Kathryn/Abigail today at all.) Besides…a part of Snow was a little worried that if Kathryn/Abigail learned to cook Charming might find her attractive, after all. It was ridiculous, she knew, but Snow couldn't help the thought. Instead Snow shrugged and replied, "You don't really have to cook in this world. Emma can tell you more about the prepared food available."

Freddie took Kathryn/Abigail's hand and led her away from the kitchen. "You probably shouldn't be cooking, anyway. You never know if you might get burned." He rubbed both of her hands, as to protect her from the fictional burns. "Snow is right. We'll be fine getting our food other ways."

Snow rolled her eyes as they left the kitchen. That man's over protectiveness was beyond ridiculous. In fact it was insulting! She was surprised Kathryn/Abigail hadn't yelled at him for yet. It was no matter, though. Snow was going to make it very clear who Charming belonged to tonight, no matter how much Kathryn/Abigail would prefer him to Freddie.

Snow tried to find other things to do in the kitchen while they waited for the food to cook and Charming to come home. The other couple talked in the living room. As Snow was washing the table again, he finally walked in the door. "Hi Snow," he called cheerfully, giving her a peck on the lips.. Snow grinned widely as they separated. He had the most beautiful smile, and the most wonderful clear blue eyes. His lips were so warm and tender when they kissed her. And he was all hers. She was determined to keep it that way, too.

"Come on," she told Charming, taking his hand. "We've got some company for dinner tonight." With that, Snow led him into the living room where Freddie and Kathryn/Abigail were sitting.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Snow led David into the living room, where two people he hadn't seen in a long time greeted him. Princess Abigail and Fredrick. "Hello, James," the greeted him, smiling. He nodded to them, smiling as well. He had seen them briefly in he and Snow's formal wedding, but other than that, he hadn't talked to them in a long time. He certainly hadn't seen them since the Curse. It was great to see his friends again. He opened his mouth to say so when Snow attacked David's mouth with a deep kiss.

He enjoyed the kiss; of course he did. David always enjoyed kissing his Snow. But he was a little confused why she would want to kiss him like that in front of guests. When she finally broke away, he tried to ask her about that. But all she did was smile and pepper his face with kisses. When she finally released him, she kept her hands wrapped around his waist. That was a little more normal for them in front of company. He wrapped his arms around hers as well.

"Hello, Abigail, Fredrick," he greeted them, finally. "I'm glad you're joining us tonight. How have you been handling yourselves in this world?"

Abigail shrugged. "We ended up staying in other people cabins for a long time…without their permission. We knew it was wrong but we didn't know what else to do. This past weekend, we got caught."

Fredrick nodded, grimly. "I've done everything I can to protect my Abigail, but it's hard when I don't know very much about this world." David nodded in understanding. He had the same problem when he was trying to protect Snow and Emma. Of course, at least he knew Snow and Emma were capable of taking care of themselves. Snow had always been able to protect herself, he knew that. And it appeared Emma could as well, especially since she knew this world better than anyone else. From what David remembered about Abigail, she couldn't defend herself so easily. No wonder Fredrick was concerned.

"We have Emma to thank for getting us out of jail. I understand she's your daughter?" Abigail asked.

David nodded his heart swelling with pride that Emma was able to help his friends. Snow chose this time to give his cheek several more kisses. "I'd love to catch up more; we can talk during dinner. But I should wash myself first. The place I work these days…" he shook his head, no t wanting to go into detail. He tried to head for the bathroom, but Snow stopped him for another deep kiss. He shook his head as he washed. What had gotten into Snow today? Of course he loved kisses, but was it the best idea in front of company?

When David returned, clean with fresh clothes, Snow had the dinner on the table. It looked delicious, as Snow's meals always did. Cinnamon spiced ham, potatoes, and steamed broccoli. "Dig in," he said to his friends. "My wife is a wonderful cook," David smiled at Snow tenderly as he said that. She smiled at him the same way for a second, before leaning over the table and giving his face more kisses. Then she settled for holding onto his arm while they ate.

Fredrick and Abigail began eating as well. "It is good," Abigail commented, smiling at Snow. "I wish I could cook like this."

Fredrick smiled at Abigail tenderly. "Don't worry. You have plenty of other talents." He turned to David and Snow. "It's too bad you can't see some of the paintings she's done. But their all back in our land. They were wonderful." He smiled sadly.

David looked at Abigail, surprised. He never knew she painted. "That's too bad your paintings didn't come with us. But how come I've never seen any of them?"

Abigail shrugged as she finished chewing a piece of broccoli. "James, when we were engaged, I didn't do much painting. It reminded me too much of Fredrick, because he was always telling me how much he liked them. And I certainly wasn't going to show my paintings to you," she added with a chuckle. "You were supposed to be Fredrick's replacement. I didn't want anything that was special to be doing anything special to Fredrick and me with you that I didn't have to."

David nodded. That made sense. He didn't particularly like going for walks in the woods with Abigail, either, because it was something he had done with Snow. As he thought about that, Snow leaned over and gave his face more kisses.

Fredrick, meanwhile, smiled at Abigail. "I'm glad you thought painting was something special between us. But I always thought you should have showed them to more people. Maybe you could try it in this world again soon?"

Abigail shrugged. "I don't know, Freddie. I'm pretty busy trying to get used to this world. But I would like to try painting again someday." She smiled at Fredrick in that special way that lovers do.

David was really glad he was able to break Fredrick's golden curse so they could be together again. They looked happy. Speaking of which… "I should probably mention you'll need to get married again. I assume you got married back in our land? Sorry, things near the end got kind of hectic between preparing for our baby and the queen's Curse."

Fredrick nodded, smiling at Abigail. "Of course we got married. Why would we need to marry again?"

David chuckled. "Emma told us that our identities in this world weren't married. She recommended we have a small ceremony here. We just did that last weekend. So now Snow are considered married." He gave Snow's hand as squeeze as he said this. "I'm pretty sure you guys aren't, though."

Abigail nodded. "Maybe we'll ask her about it." She took a bite of ham.

Snow nodded eagerly as she swallowed some potato. "You two have to get married! I mean it's absolutely necessary. In fact, why don't you take care of it right now? Actually, I think that office is closed right now. How about tomorrow? Yes, apply for a license tomorrow," Snow's voice sounded quite forceful when she'd said that. It was the tone David remembered her using when she was enforcing rules as the queen. What was the matter with her tonight?

"Snow, I think it would be okay if they wait a few days." He leaned over and rubbed her shoulder. "It just something I thought they should be aware of; that's all."

"But – " Snow protested, looking at him and their guests. David knew it meant she wasn't sure what to say. Finally she looked directly at Abigail and blurted, "You can't marry David! And that's final! He's my husband!"

The rest of the group stared at Snow in shock. They all spoke at once.

" – Why would I want to marry him? I think I made it perfectly clear I didn't want to marry him back in our land!"Abigail asked.

" – David? I thought his name was James?" Fredrick protested.

" – Snow what's this about? Of course Abigail doesn't want to marry me! She never did. Just because she's not in a position to marry Fredrick right away doesn't mean she still doesn't want him. And even if she did want to marry me – and that's a big IF – I'm already married. To you. Several times over. And that's the way I want to keep it." David looked into his wife's eyes as he said that, trying to calm her down.

Snow looked back at the others. "What? I didn't understand any of that."

"I think we all agreed that Abigail wants to marry me and not James…or David, whatever his name is," Fredrick replied. "But are you threatening Abigail? I can defend her if you are!" He stood in front of Abigail, ready to protect and defend her.

"Calm down," David said in his best soothing voice. (It worked very well for angry sheep.) He really wanted his friends to get along with his wife, and vice versa. "No one is threatening anyone. All we're doing is agreeing Abigail and Fredrick should get married in this world eventually."

Snow sighed. "You're right. I had heard from Emma that you two were married under the Curse." She looked from David to Abigail. "When I heard I was going to have to see you today, I just panicked and jumped to the wrong conclusion." She shrugged.

Everyone smiled. "Okay." They finished their meals, enjoying small talk as they ate.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

After the other couple finally left, David helped Snow with the dishes. "Okay," he asked as he put away a cup. "What was that really about? I get that you were upset I was married during the Curse. But what made you think Abigail would want to marry me again?"

Snow sighed and stared at the dishwater. "Like I said, I didn't really get time to prepare. Emma called me earlier today and said they needed help learning how to clean and she thought I could help. Then I heard her name was Kathryn Nolan in this world and I just…didn't think clearly after that. I just knew she'd been married to you before."

She finished washing a plate and handed it to him to dry. Then she continued, "It didn't help that when I watched her with Freddie…they didn't really look like they were in love to me. They barely touched, except when he thought she was in danger. And his over protectiveness…it was extreme. It seemed insulting, really. I was afraid… she'd rather have you again. So I decided to have them over for dinner…to prove that you were mine. Stupid. I know."

David nodded, understanding why Snow was obsessed with kissing him in front of Abigail now. He put the dish away and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Your insecurities are never stupid, Snow. I know it must be hard for you to know I had another wife for a while. Especially when it turns out it was the same woman I was once engaged to. I'm glad it's not something I have to worry about." He squeezed her tight. "But you do remember that neither of us have any memories of being married right? And even if we did, Emma said we'd gotten divorced. Obviously it was a very unhappy marriage."

Snow sighed. "Yeah. Like I said, it was stupid. I just didn't have time to think things through."

"Please stop calling your insecurities stupid. I mean it. And I guess I can understand not thinking things through. You never do that anyway. You're too impatient," he gave her a teasing grin.

"You've got too much patience, Charming," Snow protested, splashing him with soapy water.

"Oh! I see how it is," Charming reached in the soapy water and splashed Snow's hair. He chuckled.

The spent the next ten minutes engaged in a water fight, laughing as they splashed each other. It ended with a kiss. Finally they realized they had to finish the dishes.

"But as to Abigail and Fredrick, I think they're fine. I think you were comparing Fredrick to me, and he didn't measure up, because Fredrick wasn't me." David went back to their previous conversation as he continued putting away the rest of the dishes.

"Of course not, Charming," Snow replied affectionately.

"But you've got to realize to Abigail, I don't measure up to Fredrick, either. Remember the comment she made how she wouldn't show me any of her paintings because it was something she and Fredrick shared?"

Snow nodded.

"And as for Fredrick's over protectiveness, you have to remember Abigail doesn't know how to defend herself like you do. How much more nervous does that make him?"

Snow nodded again.

"Plus there's the name thing. Fredrick's name is Fredrick, it's what he calls himself and what she uses when she's talking to someone else about him. She called him Fredrick when she was talking to me about him in our land. But when she talks to him…she calls him Freddie. Do you understand?"

Snow nodded again. "It's a name of affection. Yeah. I guess their love is fine. Like said, it was stupid. I jumped to conclusions."

David grabbed Snow and gave her a very firm kiss. "What did I say about calling your feelings and insecurities stupid? I just want to make sure we're clear on their relationship and our relationship, because I consider them friends, and I'd like to spend time with them again. But only if you're okay with that."

"Yeah, I'm okay with it."

"Now about those insecurities…" David began covering his wife with kisses as he led her to their bedroom. "Let's see about fixing that by doing something a husband does with his wife, huh?"

XXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOOOOO

Henry thought he had the hang of going to the new school now. He made sure he got up early enough to pack his own lunch. Usually he grabbed whatever he could find. Sometimes it was granola bars, sometimes it was crackers, sometimes it was trail mix. Once, all he could find was an old carrot. But that was still better than an apple, so he brought it with him.

He really enjoyed having a locker, even if he was only attending this school for a short time. It was a great place to store all of his school books, his backpack, and his lunch. More importantly, it made him feel older. At Storybrooke Elementary, he'd never had a locker. But now that he was going to middle school, he had locker number # 43 to call his own.

Henry didn't run all over the school yard like he had done the first day anymore, either. He still enjoyed being outside, of course, since going to school was the only time he was able to be outdoors. But he understood it was best to stay out of the other kids' way. He still didn't have any friends at the school, but that didn't really bother him. He wasn't planning on staying at this school for more than another week and a half. Then he could go to school in the place where Mom and Grandma and Grandpa were living.

But Wednesday morning, Henry heard some kids call out to him. "Hey! Come stand with us." They were off to the side of the school building. There were five of them, three boys and two girls. Henry smiled. He was leaving soon, that was true. But it would be nice to have people to talk to at the school while he was here. If these kids wanted to make friends, Henry was happy to oblige. He headed right for them.

"Hey," the tall boy greeted him. He had brown hair and a goofy smile. The boy next to him had longer hair than Henry had ever seen on a boy, about shoulder – length. His hair was also brown. The first girl had long blond hair, about the length of Mom's, although this girl's hair was pulled back. The second girl had shoulder – length reddish hair. The final boy was almost bald.

"You're one of those foster kids, aren't you?" the boy with almost no hair asked.

"For now. I'll be getting out soon," Henry replied firmly. He wanted to make it clear to everyone this foster care thing was temporary for him.

"Whatever," the tall boy shrugged. "We've got something that will take your mind off it." He pulled out a package of brownies out of his jacket pocket. All of the other kids immediately grabbed one. The boy held out another one for Henry. "Go on, take it. Trust me. This will make you forget all of your problems."

Henry picked up the brownie and looked at it. It was nice that these new friends wanted to give him something to make him feel better. But it smelled really funny. "Are you sure this is okay to eat?" Henry asked as the others swallowed their brownies. "It's not…spoiled or anything? Thank you, but it smells strange." Grandma loved to bake, so she'd made him lots of brownies over the past two years. They never smelled like that.

The girl with the blond ponytail laughed. "No, it's not spoiled. It has something extra in it, that's all. It will make all your problems disappear." She waved her hand to illustrate and then laughed again.

"Kid, you have to try this stuff. We get them every week, from my older brother. He gets the best weed. It's a perk for hanging with us," the tall boy told Henry. The others all nodded and looked at Henry expectantly.

Henry stared at the brownie again. Something extra? Make all of his problems disappear? He didn't like the sound of that. He wasn't sure what was in the brownie, but it sounded like it was something that would tamper with his mind. Did he want that? Henry thought about how angry he'd been at Mom for giving everyone fake memories under the Curse. No, he didn't want that. He looked back up at the group. "I don't think I want all my problems to disappear. But thank you, anyway," Henry told them firmly. He tried to hand the brownie back to the tall boy.

The rest of the group laughed at Henry. "Kid, you don't realize what an opportunity you have here. Not only do you have a top – quality pot brownie, you have the chance to hang with us. You can become part of our circle. Think of the brownie as your…initiation," the tall boy explained. He handed the brownie back to Henry.

"I'll never forget the first time I tried," the red – haired girl told Henry. "It was, like, the best experience ever. You'll never regret it."

"It takes a few hours to feel the effects, but it's the best ever when it does," the almost – bald boy added.

"Come on, I know you have problems," the tall boy told Henry. "One of them seems to be you don't have any buddies. If you eat that," he pointed to the brownie," "You'll have us."

Henry knew one thing. What they were asking him to do was wrong. And as for friends, like he'd thought before, he didn't really need them. He was leaving soon. "I don't need 'buddies' that badly thank you very much," Henry told them firmly. This time he walked away before they tried to convince them again.

As the bell for school finally rang, Henry realized he was still holding the brownie. He knew he should throw it away, but there weren't any trash can available. So Henry shoved it in his pocket.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Henry hadn't thought of the brownie all day. Middle school was pretty busy, after all. Then when he went outside to wait for his bus, he put his hands in his pockets, and felt the brownie. Oh. That's right. I was supposed to throw this away. Henry still wasn't 100% sure what was in it, but he knew it was something he shouldn't have. Unfortunately, he was outside again, where there weren't any trash cans nearby. He'd have to wait until he got back to the Collard's to get rid of it.

Still, as Henry boarded the bus, he thought of the brownie again. What did it taste like? He was sure it was nowhere close to as good as Grandma's brownies. But still…how long had it been since he'd had a brownie? Although the Collards still bought candy bars which the boys ate every Sunday morning, Henry hadn't had any other treats since he came to live here. (It wasn't surprising. Baking was obviously too much work for Mr. and Mrs. Collard.) Even before that…he didn't have any brownies when they were living in the cave, obviously. Or when he was worried about Mom dying. And before that, Grandma had been upset because of the big mistake she'd made. She hadn't felt like baking at all. Yes, it had been a very long time since Henry had a brownie. Would it taste that differentthan a regular one? Henry shook his head to himself. It didn't matter whether it tasted different or not. The other kids put something extra in it. Something that would change his brain somehow. It was wrong, and it needed to be thrown away. Period.

As he continued to ride the bus, though, Henry wondered. What would the brownie do to his brain? The other kid said it would "make all of his problems go away." Did that mean it would make Henry not remember his problems? Or that he wouldn't care about them? What did that feel like? He'd been one of the only people in Storybrooke to be unaffected by his mother's Curse. So he was the only one who didn't know what it felt like to have his mind changed. He'd always been grateful for that, even though he'd felt sorry for everyone else. But now…Henry couldn't deny he was curious. Very curious. What happened to your mind?

Henry got off the bus at the Collards apartment. Tim and Evan had gone somewhere else for the afternoon, and Ronald and Bobby had appointments with their social workers. He was all alone. It was the perfect time to try the brownie without anyone knowing. He took it out of his pocket and stared at it. Should he? It was just one brownie, after all. It's not like he planned on ingesting them regularly, like those other kids obviously did. Still…it didn't change the fact that it was something he shouldn't do. Henry was determined to be a good boy. Someone his Mom, and Grandma and Grandpa would be proud of.

He went to put the brownie in the trash. But before he could do that, his arm pulled back, almost against his will, and shoved it in his mouth. It tasted really good. It definitely been too long since he'd had a brownie. And despite his resolve to "be good," Henry felt some satisfaction for eating something he knew he shouldn't. Why did he always have to be good, anyway? It was boring. Henry remembered the adventures Grandma had as a thief in the Enchanted Forest. That was the life he wanted.

Still, nothing was happening to his brain. It was definitely disappointing. He really wanted to know what happened when his brain changed. At least he didn't have to worry about doing things under its affects, though. Henry went to read some more detective novels. He didn't have to do his homework right away today, after all.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Hours later, the Collards and the other boys were home, watching TV. Henry was just about to start his homework when he had a great idea for a snack. Potato chips dipped in peanut butter! He spent the next twenty minutes searching for those ingredients. Unfortunately, he was unable to find the peanut butter. He did find some potato chips at the bottom of a bag in the back of the cupboard, though. Now what should he have with them? He would have to find something real soon, because his mouth needed food now. He finally found some chocolate syrup in the back of the refrigerator. That would be fine. He sat at the table and began covering his potato chips with syrup and stuffing his face. Face, Henry thought to himself. Kind of like lace. Yup, just like lace. He laughed as he ate more sticky chocolate potato chips. Like Lacey, actually. Now there was a woman who knew how to have fun. Where was Lacey, anyway? He should go find Lacey! Or was her name Macy? He couldn't quite remember. As he finished the potato chips, Henry began licking off his sticky fingers. "Sticky, licky, diffy," he sang as he licked the chocolate. "I'm just a miffy."

No, actually Henry wasn't a miffy. He thought as he checked the cupboard for more snacks. He was a Prince Charming! Or was that Grandpa? No Grandpa was…was a shepherd's boy. No, a leopard's boy! Yeah that was it! Grandpa was a leopard's boy and Henry was a Prince Charming. Henry grabbed the trail mix in the cupboard and went to announce his news to the others, in the living room.

OOOOOOOOOO

Hours later, Henry lay in bed, ashamed of his behavior. He knew eating that brownie was wrong. But he just couldn't resist the chance to try it, just to see what it would happen to him. It was bad enough that the kitchen was covered in chocolate syrup from Henry's binge. And he'd eaten the trail mix he should have saved for tomorrow's lunch. But the worst part was what he'd told the Collards and the other boys. "Guess what? I'm a Prince Charming and Grandpa is a leopard's boy! And Snow White is my Grandma!" Fortunately, the Collard's hadn't paid any attention (as usual). And the other boys didn't take him seriously. But what if they had? Henry knew how important it was to keep the secret of who his family really was from the outside world. Especially now. He could have cost himself the chance to live with his family again.

Despite the number of times Henry wiped away tears from his face, they continued to fall. He just couldn't stop thinking how close he'd come to costing himself his family. All because he'd wanted to see what happened when he ate that brownie. As quietly as he could, he tip – toed to the bathroom before he woke anyone up. He was never going to cry anywhere near other people again.

As the tears still flowed, he wondered how he'd face his family this weekend. He'd almost given away their secret! He had eaten something he knew would alter his brain. He wasn't a hero at all. Not like Grandpa, who always helped other people. Or like Grandma who was brave enough to face Mom and take back her kingdom. Or like his other mother, who was still a good person even through all the suffering she'd faced in foster care. He wasn't worthy of being a Charming at all.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOOOO

Emma still couldn't believe she'd sent Kathryn (or Abigail, whatever) to see Snow. Even worse than that, she'd made her mother help the other woman. After she'd already decided she was going to keep them apart? Why should Snow have to help Kathryn, the woman who'd stolen her husband, as far as Snow was concerned? (Okay, so it was a Curse, but Emma remembered Snow's face when Emma told her David had another wife before. That was the way Snow saw it. Kathryn had "stolen" David.) And Abigail was a spoiled, pampered princess, so it's not like Emma was interested in helping her, either.

Emma had turned her back on her family. She'd caused her mother pain, when she'd promised herself she'd protect her. There was no way Emma could face Snow again. So for the next few days, Emma returned to the university when she was done her shift at the police department. She stayed there until about 12:30AM, when she was sure Snow and David were asleep. It wasn't as if she had nothing to there, anyway. She had recently started getting some written assignments that had to be typed up.

On Saturday morning, Emma planned on going back to the university again and coming home just in time to see Henry. But Emma had forgotten one important fact: Snow always got up earlier than she did. So as Emma attempted to sneak out of their apartment, Snow stood in front of the door. "Hi, Emma," she commented with fake casualness. "Going somewhere?"

"I was planning on going to the university today. I have more assignments to do there," Emma answered with the same fake casualness.

"Are you sure it's not something that can be done at another time? Are you sure you're not doing the same thing you've been doing all week? Avoiding me?" Snow's voice betrayed her anger with the last sentence.

"Well, maybe I am avoiding you!" Emma yelled back. "Maybe I'm doing what I've been doing my entire life: running. Maybe I don't want to hear you say how horrible it was that I made you help Kathryn Nolan!"

Snow nodded. "There. Okay, at least now were talking. About it. Since we are, I would like to know. Why did you wait until the last possible minute to tell me about her? All you told me Monday night was you found some new people that were staying with Red. Then suddenly you sprung Kathryn on me! Why?"

Emma shook her head. "This is why I didn't want to talk to you. I didn't want to hear you say what a lousy decision I made. I know I screwed my family, okay? I should have never made see her, much less help her." Emma still sounded pretty angry. She knew she'd made a mistake. She didn't need Snow to rub it in her face.

Snow looked confused. "Okay, back up a little bit. I really didn't mind helping her. Abigail's alright. I just wish I'd had some time to think about whom she is and what her relationship with David was really like. Maybe even a chance to talk it over with my husband?"

Now Emma was confused. "Really? I thought you didn't want anything to do with her? I mean, the look on your face when I mentioned here before…"

Snow nodded. "Yeah. But that was because she was just a faceless woman. Now Abigail's a real person. A person who already has someone else to love. I might have been able to figure that out earlier if I'd had time to prepare," Snow added pointedly.

Emma put her hands on her hips. That was going too far. All she'd been doing was protecting Snow. "I believed it would be best to keep you two apart, okay? She was responsible for a lot of heartache in your life in Storybrooke. You both avoided each other like the plague. I was trying to protect from that."

Snow shook her head. "Emma, I'm your mother. You're not mine. I don't need your protection. I learned to depend on myself in the forest, after all. And as far as Storybrooke goes, I don't remember that. So I have no reason to avoid her from whatever that may have been."

Emma looked at the floor. She thought she'd gotten over her subconscious need to protect Mary Margaret. Her mother was right. Snow White could take care of herself. Usually, Emma thought, remembering how she had to rescue her from the mental health facility. Maybe that was it. Emma had started thinking she needed to protect her again, because Snow didn't know the world very well. "Okay. I made a mistake. I guess I got…used to protecting you again. I forgot you don't always need it."

"What?"

Emma sighed. "When we were under the Curse, your other personality, Mary Margaret, was really timid. I protected you a lot back then."

Snow smiled. "Well I suppose I should thank you for that. But I don't need it anymore. Certainly not from Abigail. I think she'll become a good friend, actually."

Emma was surprised. David ex – wife was going to be her mother's friend? Whatever. "Okay, I won't spring things like that on you anymore."

David came out of the living room, shaking his head. "Don't make promises you can't keep, Emma."

"What do you mean? I never do anything to hurt her like that again!" Emma turned to him, hurt. Did her parents really think so little of her?

David smiled. "Calm down, Emma. I didn't mean on purpose. I just meant…Emma you made an impulsive decision to spring Abigail on Snow. I agree, you should have told her earlier. But I don't think you can stop making impulsive decisions. Because that's something you both do a lot of," he gestured to both Emma and Snow.

Snow sighed. "You're right, Charming. I shouldn't be so mad at you for making a decision I probably would have made myself. We're alike, Emma. We don't think things through sometimes."

Emma nodded. "We'll I go do some reading then. I do have some school work to finish."

OOOOOOOOOOOO

In another couple of hours, Henry arrived with that social worker. She seemed a little friendlier to Emma, David and, Mary Margaret than had been before. Emma really hoped that meant the social worker would support them in the custody hearing. Because Henry would come back, of course. But if the social worker supported them, it would make it so much easier.

But Henry, on the other hand…what was wrong with him? When he came in, he said, "Hi, Mom," like he always did, but there was no emotion in his voice. He didn't hug her back when she wrapped her arms around him. He didn't even pay any attention to David and Mary Margaret. And he didn't look her in the eyes. Was he upset about Regina again?

"Henry," Emma asked softly. "Are you…I mean did something happen this week that reminded you of your…other Mom?"

Henry shook his head and looked at the floor.

"Was one of your foster parents mean to you?" Those people better not have done anything to hurt her son. If they had…

"No. It's nothing like that. I promise," Henry replied this time, but he was still looking at the floor.

"So, what is it?" Emma asked him, putting her arm over his shoulder. He shrugged her off.

"You can tell us, Henry." David encouraged, sitting on the couch a few feet away.

"We'll help you get through it, whatever it is," Snow added, sitting on the couch next to David.

Henry shook his head. "You can't. I did it. I caused the problem this time! I screwed up!"

He tried to take off for one of the bedrooms but David stopped him.

"Henry, it doesn't matter if you caused the problem. We're still going to help you."

"You shouldn't!" Henry protested. "I did something stupid. Something I knew was wrong. And I could have endangered our whole family! I don't belong here anymore. You guys are heroes. I'm not."

Emma sighed. She still didn't know what Henry did, but she knew he was sorry for doing it. And he thought they wouldn't love him anymore because of it. That's what she needed to address. "Henry," she walked over to where David was holding him. "Look at me. There is nothing, that you could ever do that would make me, make us think you don't belong with us. We love you. We know whatever you did, you're sorry for it. And we believe in second chances. I had to get plenty of second chances in order to become your mother."

"Don't start thinking of us as people who never do anything wrong, Henry. We've made mistakes. It's what makes us human. And you can be human, too," David told him.

"Really?" Henry asked uncertainly, looking from Emma, to David, to Mary Margaret. "No matter what?"

"No matter what," Emma replied firmly.

"No matter what," David agreed.

"No matter what," Mary Margaret agreed.

"So, can you tell us what you did?" Emma asked as gently as possible.

"I ate something that some kids gave me at school. I knew it was wrong, but I ended up doing it anyway. It…made me act funny." Henry looked at the floor again.

Emma nodded. Some kind of drugs, probably. She'd have to explain them to him a little more soon. But that didn't matter right now. What mattered was showing Henry he was still loved. So she gave him a big hug. This time, he did hug her back. After a minute, he hugged David and Snow.

Out of the corner of her eye, Emma noticed the social worker writing something down and nodding, with a smile on her face. Things were definitely looking up.

So this was a kind of a "flawed" Charmings chapter, but they can't be heroes all the time. I hope I made the reasons why the characters made those decisions clear, even though they were the wrong ones.

As far as Abigail and Fredrick go, I hope I gave you an accurate picture of a different couple that was still in love. Snow and David have always been a very physically affectionate couple on screen (after watching the Josh/Ginny you tubes, I have to wonder if some of it isn't in the script but that's beside the point) and in fic. I definitely think that's a great way to express love. But I don't think that's something that every couple has to do to express affection – there are other ways. I hoped I made that clear.

As far as Henry goes, I made him unfamiliar with marijuana/pot, and its effects, even though he obviously knew there was something wrong with the brownie. That might seem unrealistic for a kid his age, but here are my thoughts on that. I didn't learn about drugs like marijuana until I was in the fifth grade. Unfortunately for Henry, when he was in the fifth grade, he was in post – Curse Storybrooke. I don't think teaching the kids about marijuana and other such drugs were one of their top priorities at that time. They were more interested in making sure the kids found their parents from the Enchanted Forest, making sure they didn't have identity crisis's , and teaching them the history of their land.

So Henry is now in Portland, Maine with a very isolated worldview, although he does know something about how the modern world works. Does this make sense?

Anon and Guest: I'm glad you liked the Abigail/Fredrick (or Abirick). Did you like what I did with them in this chapter? Did you like their interaction with Snow?

Alessa: I'm glad you like the story so far. Hopefully you'll continued to enjoy it.

Oh, and for those of you who are interested in "the voices", I know I didn't post a chapter for that as I said I would. I didn't really have a "Voice" I wanted to do for this chapter, so I decided to focus more on the upcoming chapters. But in a couple of chapters, I may do a few more voices.