Emma and I had a heartfelt talk before I headed home. We decided that I would stay in Storybrooke because I can be more helpful. I agreed with that but told Emma I would come to her and Henry quickly if needed. She agreed and I went home. I got up the next morning, got dressed, and headed back to the apartment. I wasn't there long before Gold showed up.
"Ready to go, Miss Swan? Miss Evans?" Gold asked after Emma answered the door.
"Almost and Hazelle is staying behind." Emma replied.
Gold entered the apartment and then Henry came down the stairs.
"Do you think we'll be cold where we're going, or warm?" Henry asked.
"I think layers are always a good idea." Emma replied.
"I thought the terms of our agreement were quite clear. You owe me a favor- you alone." Gold said.
"I'm not leaving Henry here with Cora lurking about, so either we both go, or we both stay." Emma argued.
"Then, we'll have to purchase another plane ticket, won't we?" Gold asked.
"Wait. We're flying?" Emma asked back.
"Don't worry, I'm covering expenses. Even the new ones and the ones that'll be returned." Gold replied.
"You're a real gentleman, aren't you? Alright Gold, you're going out there with my family. Just know, if anything happens to them…" David went to say but got interrupted.
"Then you'll what? Cross the town line? And David Nolan will hunt me down in his animal rescue van?" Gold asked.
"He may not be able to come after you over the town line, but I can and I will." I replied.
"I'll be devastated. This isn't a threat. It's a request. Take care of them." David replied while putting his hand on my shoulder.
"I promise no harm will come to your family. After all, we have a deal." Gold said.
Emma told me that she would send me updates and I told her that I would do the same. Emma and Henry then left with Gold and I hung around the apartment. David then came into the kitchen with his gun holsters on.
"You like the holster, huh?" Mary Margaret asked.
"I miss carrying a sword." David replied.
"But it looks good on you dad, right mom." I said.
David gave me a smile before chuckling at Mary Margaret's face expression. Mary Margaret was confused about why we were laughing, but then we explained and she was happy.
"Come on. Leroy has the dwarves on Cora watch. They've got eyes everywhere, but they could use our help." David said.
"Really? How hard can it be to find a powerful sorceress in a small town?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Could be hard if she's pretending to be someone." I replied.
David and Mary Margaret seemed to agree with me and when we went to leave, Regina was standing at the door.
"Apparently, not very hard." David said.
"Regina. You're back." Mary Margaret said.
"I know you think I'm responsible for poor Dr. Hopper's death." Regina said.
"He's alive." I said.
"What?" Regina asked.
"You were framed." Mary Margaret replied.
"Who would do that?" Regina asked.
"Your mother. She's here." I replied.
"But… But that's… That's… Not possible." Regina said in shock.
"When we found a way back, so did she. We were wrong… And we're so sorry." Mary Margaret said.
"I know. But, if Cora's here, then we're all in danger. Please, you have to let me see my son. I can protect him." Regina said.
Red flag right there. She said, my son. I know something isn't right, and now I'm glad Henry went with Emma and Gold.
"He's not here." I said.
"What?" Regina asked and I could tell that she was angry by the look in her eyes.
"Mr. Gold asked Emma to help him find his son. They left town about an hour ago with Henry." David replied.
"And no one told me?" Regina asked.
I went to reply but Mary Margaret beat me to it.
"We didn't know where you were. And, to be honest, Regina, I don't think Emma has to run anything by you." Mary Margaret replied.
I'm glad she said that because if she didn't then I was going to.
"No, I suppose she doesn't." Regina said before leaving.
"That went well." I said.
"With her, it doesn't get much better. Come on. Let's go find Cora." David said.
"Where?" Mary Margaret asked.
"No idea. But we know who to ask." David replied.
I knew who he was talking about and this is going to be fun.
Mary Margaret, David, Leroy, Hook, and I were walking along the docks to Hook's ship, and I knew this would be interesting.
"You didn't even ask me about my recovery." Hook said.
I rolled my eyes because I know he only wants me or mom to ask so he can say something stupid.
"How are you feeling, Hook?" Mary Margaret asked.
I knew this wasn't going to go how he thinks it will, but I can't wait to watch.
"Come closer and feel for yourself." Hook replied.
Hit the nail on the head with him. David hit Hook and I just shook my head.
"You want to lose the other hand? Where's the ship? Come on. Archie told us it's shielded somehow, isn't it, mate?" David questioned.
I couldn't help but chuckle because I knew that was going to happen.
"Aye… That it is. Follow me. I don't know what you expect to find. Cora won't be there." Hook replied before turning to talk to David.
"Well, maybe she left something behind that will tell us where she went. Let's go." David said as he shoved Hook forward.
"No funny business. I'm watching you, pirate." Leroy said.
"Yes, dwarf. That should deter me from any maleficence." Hook said.
"It should when you're hurt and we're all healthy." I said.
Leroy fist-bumped me and both of us had a laugh.
"Oh, don't worry, Leroy. He'll help us." Mary Margaret said.
"What makes you so sure?" Hook asked.
"This is going to be good." I whispered to Leroy.
"Because you're a pirate. You know which way the wind blows, and, right now, it is gusting towards us." Mary Margaret replied.
"Oh. I see where your daughters get their gumption. Follow me." Hook said before going onto the ship.
The rest of us soon followed and it was funny seeing everyone's expressions about the ship.
"You sailed this ship from our land. Can you sail it back?" Leroy asked.
"My ship? She's a marvel. Made from enchanted wood. We weathered many a storm together, seen many strange, glittering shores. But, to travel between lands, she must go through a portal." Hook replied.
"Yeah. What do you know about Cora's plans?" David asked.
"Cora's not the most communicative of lasses. I will tell you this, whatever malice she has in mind, her weapon of choice is in here." Hook replied.
He then pointed at this tarp-covered box. All of us were confused until David and Leroy pulled the tarp back, revealing a cage with someone in it. Not just someone, but the giant that Emma and I crossed paths with in the beanstalk.
"Who's that?" Mary Margaret asked.
"That's the giant that Emma and I faced at the beanstalk." I replied.
Mary Margaret, David, and Leroy looked at me, before looking back at the giant.
"So, Cora used magic to make him travel-sized." Leroy said.
"Whatever she intends to do with him, it's important." Hook said.
"Oh, I think you know exactly what she intends. You're holding out." David said.
"Well, have either your lovely wife or daughter torture it out of me, which I promise will be fun for both…" Hook went to say but didn't finish.
David grabbed him by the throat and shoved him against the wall.
"Why don't you and I have some fun?" David asked.
I couldn't help the giggle that slipped because that was funny.
"I don't know what she's planning. Why don't you wake the bloody giant and ask him yourself?" Hook said as he pulled out a key.
I took the key and gave it to my mom. She unlocked the cage and lightly touched the giant's shoulder.
"Hey… It's alright. You're safe now." Mary Margaret said as the giant woke up startled.
The giant crawled out of the cage and looked around.
"What's your name?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Anton. Where's that witch?" Anton asked.
"She's gone." I replied.
"What did she do? She made me small." Anton said.
"Come on. Let's get you out of here." David said as Anton turned towards him.
"You." Anton said.
"Me?" David asked.
"You!" Anton yelled before punching David.
"David!" "Dad!" Mary Margaret and I yelled at the same time.
"Hey! Hey, over here you big…" Leroy went to say.
Leroy was attempting to distract Anton but ended up being thrown down some stairs. Anton went after David, who was fixing to use his gun but it got hit out of his hands. David landed on his back and I stood before him with my gun drawn. Anton was fixing to attack, again, when Mary Margaret shot an arrow at Anton.
"Step away from my husband and daughter." Mary Margaret said.
"You may have me outnumbered, but this isn't over. You think I forgot what you did? I didn't. You'll pay for your evil. I promise! You'll pay!" Anton yelled before fleeing the ship.
Mary Margaret, David, and I shared looks before all of us left the ship. We went to Granny's to regroup.
"Dad, did that giant just say he'll make you pay? For what?" I asked.
"I have no idea. I've never seen that guy before." David replied.
"Well, he sure knows you." Leroy said.
"No. It's not about me. He just thinks it is." David said.
"Your brother. That's who he thinks you are." Mary Margaret said.
"It's the only thing that makes sense. Come on." David said.
"Where are we going?" Mary Margaret asked as we got up.
"To find out just what kind of trouble my brother got himself into. Leroy, get your head looked at and gather the dwarves. We need to keep an eye out for this giant." David replied.
Emma called me and let me know that they made it through the gate at the airport. I told her what was going on with us, but also let her know that I've got it because she needs to be there. She told me that she would keep me posted and I told her the same. We hung up and I asked my dad about his brother.
David and Mary Margaret then told me the story about my uncle, James, and boy I wasn't surprised why Anton hated him. But my dad isn't his brother, and I hope that Anton sees that.
"Head to the town hall! Bring anyone you find on the way! Somebody get Leroy!" David hollered over all the noise.
"Guess we found our giant. I just didn't think he would be so…" Mary Margaret said.
"Giant?" David asked.
"My mistake." Mary Margaret said.
"Ever stop one before?" David asked.
"Nope." Mary Margaret replied.
"Well… Here's to new firsts." David said before running after Anton.
"Wait! You don't have to do this!" David yelled.
"Yeah, I do. You destroyed everything in my life. Now you're going to know what that feels like." Anton said.
"The man who hurt you? That wasn't me. That was my twin brother James. We were separated at birth. He was raised by a… A ruthless king." David said.
"You're not James?" Anton asked.
"No!" David replied.
"Then where is he?" Anton asked.
"He paid the ultimate price for his arrogance. He's dead. There is nothing more you can do to him." David replied.
"We're on your side, Anton! We're good! We're here because of you. You know our daughters, Emma and Alycia. You gave them the magic compass." Mary Margaret said as she joined David.
"Emma? Let me talk to her. She says you're okay, then I'll stop. And I don't know an Alycia." Anton said.
Leroy and I then joined Mary Margaret and David, and I really don't think this is going to go well.
"She's kind of out of town, but Alycia is right here." Mary Margaret replied while showing me to Anton.
"Really?" Anton asked.
"But when she gets back, I know she'll really want to talk to you." Mary Margaret replied.
"It's nice to see you again Anton." I said.
"How convenient. Everyone I'm looking for isn't around! All you humans do is lie, cheat, and kill, and I'm sick of it!" Anton yelled before charging at us.
"So let me get this straight- you got a twin brother?" Leroy asked.
"Yeah." David replied.
"His name is James?" Leroy asked.
"Right." David replied.
"Well, your name is James." Leroy said.
"No, actually it's not." David said.
"It's Charming, then?" Leroy asked.
"No, that's the nickname I gave him." Mary Margaret replied.
"Hey, hold on. What the hell is your name?" Leroy asked.
"David." David and I replied together.
"Your curse name?" Leroy asked.
"My real name." David said.
"What, you're David, James, and Charming? Is David like a middle name?" Leroy asked.
"No! It's my name-name." David replied.
"You know what? I'm going to call you whatever I damn well please! Is that okay?" Leroy asked.
"Sure, Leroy." David replied.
"So what's the plan?" Leroy asked.
"Lead the giant away from here, so he can't hurt anyone." David replied.
"Wait. If we keep heading in this direction, we're going to hit the town line." I said.
"Okay, new plan." David said.
We all stopped near the docks and the giant was closing in.
"What are you doing?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Giving him what he wants. Anton! How about we make a deal?" David replied before talking to Anton.
"I don't make deals with humans." Anton replied.
"Just hear me out. I'll surrender myself to you if you spare the lives of everyone in Storybrooke." David said.
"David, you can't do this." Mary Margaret said.
"Dad, I agree with mom." I said.
"If I don't, the whole town will suffer. I can't allow that. Well, what do you say?" David told us before turning back to Anton.
"Deal." Anton said.
Anton then charged towards David, but at the last second, Mary Margaret, and I pulled David back. Anton hit the ground and ended up getting stuck. Anton seemed to disappear and left the hole.
"Where did he go?" Mary Margaret and I asked together.
"I'm not sure." David replied.
We approached the hole and saw Anton hanging onto an underground pipe.
The rest of the dwarves, Granny, and Ruby arrived with David's truck and some rope. David backed the truck up closer to the hole.
"That better hold." David said to Leroy.
"It'll hold." Leroy said.
"I got this." Granny said before tying the rope to the back of the truck.
Leroy then threw the other part of the rope into the hole.
Mary Margaret kissed David and I had to turn my head. I love my parents but I do not like the PDA.
"Most people would let that giant die after what he's done." Mary Margaret said.
"You wouldn't." David said.
"Be careful dad." I said.
David hugged me before wrapping the rope around his waist.
"Alright, Anton! I'm coming down!" David hollered down to Anton.
David got to Anton and extended his hand.
"Take my hand." David said.
"No!" Anton yelled.
"No?" David asked confused.
"I don't want to go back up there. I should just let go." Anton replied.
"You'll die." David argued.
"Maybe death hurts less than life." Anton said.
"If you really wanted to die, you would have let go already. Now take my hand." David said.
Anton then took David's hand and we pulled them up. Mary Margaret and I hugged David.
"You saved my life." Anton said.
"That's what we do." I said.
"Thank you." Anton said.
"You're welcome." Leroy said.
"We're not all the same, Anton. I don't know what my brother did to you, but… That's not us." David said.
"You have no idea." Anton said.
We headed to Granny's so Anton could see more of the town and get to know all of us better.
"This is Granny's. She makes a mean lasagna and runs an inn, so I'm sure we can set you up with a room till you find a place." Leroy said.
"Thanks, but I think I'll set up camp in the woods." Anton said.
"The woods?" Leroy asked.
"Yeah, I'm better off alone. I'm not too good at fitting in." Anton replied.
"You're in the right place. Storybrooke's got all kinds- dwarves, fairies, werewolves, you name it. Ruby, beers all around!" Leroy said before talking to Ruby.
"It's good to see you again, Anton. My mom told you that my name was Alycia, but that's my middle name, but I go by Hazelle." I said.
Anton's eyes lit up after he realized that Mary Margaret was telling the truth. Anton apologized and I told him not to worry about it because he wasn't sure.
"We all miss our land, Anton. But this is our home now." Mary Margaret said.
"You never think about going back?" Anton asked.
"Of course we do. It's just not possible." Mary Margaret replied.
"We have no way to get there." David added.
"How's the farmland here?" Anton asked.
"Pretty good. Why?" David replied.
"The stem is from a beanstalk. If I plant it, it should be able to grow magic beans. And then, you just may have a way." Anton said as he showed us a small bean-type thing in a jar.
I waited at Granny's while David, Mary Margaret, Leory, and the rest of the dwarves went to check out the farmland. I checked in with Emma and both of us caught each other up on everything. It wouldn't too much longer before David and Mary Margaret returned. David bought me a hot chocolate, and Mary Margaret and himself some coffee. I then followed him out and we joined Mary Margaret.
"Here's to not getting squashed by a giant." David said.
"I'll drink to that." "Me too." Mary Margaret and I said together while clinking our cups with his.
"Sometimes I wonder how things would've turned out if I had been the one raised by King George instead of my brother. You know, would I have been… corrupt like him?" David said.
Mary Margaret held one of his hands, and I had looped my arm through his other arm.
"Never." Mary Margaret said.
"Same blood ran through our veins." David said.
"Mm, but your hearts are different. You may not believe it, but trust me- I know you, Charming. I had a lot of fun today." Mary Margaret said.
"Fun?" David asked.
"Uh-huh." Mary Margaret replied.
David then opened his truck door, so Mary Margaret and I could get in. I slid into the middle, so Mary Margaret could be by the door.
"Almost getting killed is fun?" David asked.
"Yeah. I missed our adventures." Mary Margaret replied.
"Me, too. It was kind of fun. You know, we could do this all the time. When the beans grow, we could go back. Everyone could go home." David said.
I just sat there because I knew that they needed to have this conversation.
"I don't know." Mary Margaret said.
"What don't you know?" David asked.
"Home is where our family is. And that's here. I don't know if Emma or Alycia will come with us, and I am not going to be separated from them again." Mary Margaret replied.
"You're worried about them." David said.
"Aren't you?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Of course, but… Emma… Emma can take care of herself, and I'm sure wherever she and Henry are, they're safe. Alycia can take care of herself as well, but she can decide what she wants to do." David replied.
I waited until he got in the truck before I said anything.
"I'll go wherever you guys go. I don't want to be separated from either of you either. I'm pretty sure Emma would agree as long as Henry is with us." I said.
Mary Margaret and David hugged me and I hugged them back. On the drive home, I told them about mine and Emma's lives before coming to Storybrooke. Both of them were shocked but were glad that we both stayed together.
Hazelle's Outfit: pin/553731716706187348/