DISCLAIMER: I do not dare claim any ownership for the fabulous characters, situations, plots and/or spins on old stories that ABC's geniuses have given us on Once Upon a Time.

This is a what-if story: The way I figure, something DID jog his memory that night in the pawn shop…but it wasn't the windmill…

In the shadow of the toll bridge

Chapter 2 – A world of doubt…

"28 years, James," Snow said in distress.

"I know."

"28 years I worked in that hospital," she hugged herself against the memory, "and I never recognized you."

"Snow—"

"All that time, I never gave you a second glance."

James pushed himself off the downed tree they were leaning against and stepped in front of her. "Snow, don't do this. It was the curse—"

"28 years," she murmured again, shaking her head.

"Listen to me," he grasped her shoulders and forced her eyes to meet his. "It's over now. We made it." He grazed the back of his hand down her face, brushing away her falling tears. "You saved me," he whispered. "As I saved you, remember? Just like I knew you would."

Snow closed her eyes with a sigh and leaned into him. James wrapped his arms around her, cradling her head against his chest. She couldn't believe the enormous relief she felt, and yet…"It feels an eternity since I last saw you," she sniffled into his—strangely colorful shirt. "And at the same time," she pulled back to look at him, sliding her hands up his chest, "it seems only yesterday I ran into the nursery and saw you…" her breath hitched in her throat, "saw you lying there by the wardrobe."

"Shh…It's over," he soothed, clasping one of her hands against his heart. He squeezed it tight, as if assuring her that he was indeed, quite real.

But his princess shook her head. "It's not though. Not even close." She stepped away from him and peered out in the direction of the town. "All those people, James. Our people. They're still living in this," she glanced down at the horridly short, motley skirt she wore and shivered, "prison."

"Yes, but we're awake now," James insisted, joining her again. "We can tell them—"

"No!" she cried. "We can't just tell them—"

"Why not?"

"They'll lock us away—"

"Snow—"

"I'm serious!" she argued, her tone shifting, and James at last saw his wife's passion and intensity alight in her eyes. "You haven't been truly living in this world as long as I have. You can't know what it's like."

"I think I have a pretty good idea," James countered bitterly, rubbing the shoulder that he'd been forcing back into peek condition, having been surrounded by doctors and psychologists and therapists and counselors for weeks discussing his "amnesia."

"Then you know I speak the truth. This world is full of doubt, James. People here, they…" her thoughts turned inward. Sad. "They don't believe in anything."

James stood quietly, unable to contradict his wife's brutal but accurate assessment of this place. Though he had been awake as 'David' for only a short time, he had seen already the cruelties of a world without magic, without happy endings. The queen had certainly made good on her threat. And yet… "Then we make them believe."

Snow rubbed her arms though she was not cold. The material of her cardigan felt soft and plush against her skin. It offered the warmth of a dressing gown without the hassle of extra material. There were many things in this world she had grown accustomed to, and it was for this reason she doubted her husband's optimism. They had all grown accustomed to Storybrooke. How could they ever hope to save a people unaware of the fact that they needed saving? "We don't have that kind of power," she said sadly. "There's no magic here besides the queen's."

"Darling," James said steadily, once more taking her hands in his and forcing her to look at him. "Our daughter set this into motion," he stepped back and held her hands out at arm's length, emphasizing the very great feat of their own awakening as something concrete. Something substantial. "Nothing is more powerful than us."

Snow gazed up at him in wonderment. His faith in their love was unchanged – steadfast – eternal. And she adored him for it. Closing the gap between them, she grasped the collar of his shirt and kissed him, rejoicing in the familiar feel of his lips pressed against her own. The force with which she embraced him caught him – for a moment – quite comically off guard. But he responded almost immediately, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist and lifting her off the ground.

As he deepened the kiss, Snow felt the doubt and sorrow inside her slide away. He was right. They were powerful. Their love, their bond had been enough to break through the curse. Their daughter— Snow gasped, jerking back from him…their daughter!

"What?" James asked, panting and confused. "What is it?"

"Emma," she whispered, looking up at him. James stared at her blankly…and then fully understood for he immediately reached for her again. "Emma," she repeated.

"I know," he said, squeezing her hand.

Her voice was breaking, eyes brimming with tears. "She's beautiful."

"I know," he managed, though he choked back a sob.

"James—"

He shook his head, "Don't—"

"We missed everything."

"Don't do this to yourself—"

"She's our daughter—"

"And she found us," he said, finding his voice again, though his eyes were wet and bleary. "She may not know who she is yet, but she came back for us."

"Oh, but James," Snow shook her head, turning away from him to search the sky for answers it didn't have. "She's so…" she trailed off, wiping the palm of her hand across her forehead, "God, she's so messed up."

James blinked at her and froze. This rather blunt (and quite modern) diagnosis took him completely by surprise, and despite the very real regret in his wife's tone…he started to chuckle.

She whirled around and glared at him. "It's not funny!"

But what began as a chuckle turned implacably hilarious and James couldn't help it as he downright guffawed.

"St-top laughing!" Snow scolded him, but she too had started to snigger a bit and soon, they were both enjoying the relief of a good and hearty laugh. "James," she whined after a time, though they were now both smiling.

"I know, I know," he said, catching his breath and settling down. He laced his fingers through her own and they began walking along the stream, vaguely in the direction of the town though with no real destination yet. "I'm sorry."

Sobering a bit, Snow continued, "I only meant that she's just so…" she struggled to find the words.

"Hard," he offered quietly.

Snow stopped in her tracks and stared at him. "Yes!" she said, confused. "How did you know that?"

James sighed, "I met her yesterday. At that party?"

"Oh yes," Snow nodded, remembering now the 'Welcome Home David' party she'd chosen not to attend. "I…I forgot about that."

"I didn't know who she was at the time," he continued, "but I could tell she was…"

She tightened her grip on his hand. "What?" she implored the way any mother would out of concern for her child, "she was what?"

He moved in front of her and sighed again. "She was…guarded. Kind of…"

"Walled off," she finished for him, nodding. "She doesn't trust anyone," she added sadly.

This time, there was no humor in it. James searched for the right words, but they were both feeling the same regrets, the same worries that generations of parents felt for children who were…lost.

"When we sent her through that wardrobe—" Snow started.

But James drew the line there. "We sent her through to save her, Snow."

"I know."

"To protect her from the curse."

"I know but—"

"No, look at me," he commanded and he planted her in front of him. "We gave her her best chance," he said. "You gave her that chance, remember? I wasn't strong enough." At this, she smiled gratefully, cupping his cheek in her hand as he continued. "And one day, she will know that."

"She'll never believe that we—"

"She will," he insisted, and he held her face in his palms. "I promise you. Emma will know her mother's love."

He could see her struggling again with her doubts. But after a few moments, she gave in and smiled, her eyes glistening as she added, "And her father's."

***So I originally intended this to be a one-shot, but your reviews have been so kind and so many have messaged me about continuing. So I started jotting down ideas. There's lots our favorite prince and princess have to do before the battle is won…but I believe this is how the way they would begin…stay tuned!***