Chapter 1

Odette/Nora Moon - Emmy Rossum

Once Upon A Time. There was an enchanted forest filled with all the classic characters we know. Or think we know. One day they found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen. Our World. This is how it happened.

Past

The bells rang in a peal, singing in echoes of melodic glee. The sound twirled through the walls and windows. It invited everyone to come inside to celebrate a joyous occasion, a wedding. A young woman named Odette stood in her dressing room and gazed at herself in the mirror. Her brown hair brought warmth to her simple frame. The hue altered as the strands curled and moved as free as autumn leaves in the daylight. As for her eyes, they became the soil after a heavenly rain. A vulnerability hidden behind strength.

She wore a delicate dress with smooth and refined lines. The lace situated itself symmetrically on the bodice forming the skirt. The lacing on the corset perfectly emphasized the waist. Finally, a thin satin belt with a brooch made from crystals and pearls completed the ensemble.

"You look beautiful." Her eyes maneuvered around the mirror until she met a pair of doe eyes staring at her with admiration. "This is truly a day to remember, Odette."

Snow White was one of the most beautiful women she ever met wearing a breathtaking periwinkle purple gown, complimenting her fair skin. She will never forget the adventures she had with her sometime after she awakened from the sleeping curse. However, an electrical storm clouded Odette's brain, making it horribly intense and painful to the mind once the Evil Queen announced to end everyone's happiness by taking everything away from them.

"It's a little ridiculous, isn't it?" Snow looked at her with confusion, so Odette clarified. "A wedding. We should be planning ahead for the Queen's threat."

"That's why we need it. To distract us."

They both smiled at each other when Odette turned around to face her friend. She still couldn't believe how far the road had been, defending herself against any foes who threatened herself and the people whom she loved. Odette only hoped that there was a way to stop the forces from tearing them all away from each other.

When the doors opened, they looked to see Prince Charming strolling inside with a warm smile on his face. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Odette made her way to him and said in a soft tone, almost in a whisper, "and thank you for giving me away today."

"It's the least I could do."

"Alright." Snow said, placing her hand on her husband's shoulder. "We have a wedding to attend."

She gave Charming a quick peck before she headed out the doors, leaving Odette and Charming to themselves. She smiled at him when he offered his arm to her. He led her down the hall, passing through every corridor. Odette couldn't help but breathe in before staring out into her unknown future that awaited her. A shortness of breath nearly escaped through her mouth, so Charming looked at her with a hint of concern.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. It's just...I don't know. I dreamt of breaking my curse for over three hundred years, and now I'm here marrying the man I love."

"Magic may have drawn you together but it didn't create the love you both share."

A warm smile extended to her eyes, thanking Charming for his words of wisdom. He always uplifted his friends in times of grief and sorrow. Perhaps that's why him and Snow were perfect for each other. They do what they can to help their friends.

As they entered into the cathedral within the castle, Odette turned her head to find everyone from the council standing to watch the bride go down the aisle. Her eyes were drawn to the stained glass windows in colored arrays shining above. Tapestries lined themselves against the marble wall, depicting various images. What drew Odette's eyes, though, was the enormous gold chandelier. The crystals shone brightly with virtue against the light.

They drew nearer to the priest, and all Odette did was gaze at her future husband, Grim, lovingly. His hair stood out in a sort of casual elegance, and he looked very regal in his velvet doublet. He was the commander of Prince Charming's soldiers after all.

By the time they reached Grim, he nodded his head, acknowledging in gratitude to the prince who smiled warmly at the pair before he headed to his seat where his wife was waiting from him. Odette and Grim could not keep their eyes off of each other. There was a longing in their eyes, anxiously anticipating to marry.

"Would you kindly present the rings?" the priest asked.

The pair turned to Grim's most trusted friend. His paws kissed the floor with a lightness, and there was a serenity to his gaze. His silver-white fur was short over his body and longer at the neck. His stance held confidence and body muscular, while his movements were fluid without apparent effort. Between his carnivorous teeth was a small cushion with silky ribbons looping over another holding two golden rings in place.

Grim knelt over to his friend. untying the ribbons to get to the rings before he smiled at his furry companion. "Thanks, Akela."

When he rose back up, they placed the rings on each other, binding them as one. Their fingers interlocked for a moment before they separated from each other as the priest went over his vows. Odette and Grim listened intently, not tearing their gaze from one another.

The priest turned to the groom asking, "Do you promise to take this woman to be your wife and love her for all eternity?"

"I do."

"And do you, Odette, promise to take this man to be your husband and love him for all eternity?"

"I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

As the crowd clapped for the happy couple, Grim cupped his blushing bride's face and kissed her desperately. Their lips moved together in perfect sync. A volume of passion transcended into pure bliss. Their connection ignited into a canopy embrace.

Present

The curtains added a new orange glow to the morning light, watching the sun emerge in a golden shimmer. A new day had begun. Nora reached her hand out to the fabric of her apartment, noticing how the light poured through every open space through the fibers. The material was warm beneath her fingers, and when the sun flooded the room, painting the colors anew, she felt a little of those golden rays soak into her creamy white skin.

She was already dressed for the day wearing a polkadot black and white blouse, a small black jacket, jeans, and flats with a band of pearls wrapping around her anklet. Her long, curled hair was brushed and added volume to her profile. Nora was sitting in her apartment with a mug of coffee in her hand, enjoying the rich aroma of caffeine touching her plump lip lightly.

Nora's apartment was plain, but then again, she doesn't care much about luxurious furniture to stand out. Bricks lined themselves against the walls in columns like an overgrown puzzle. The metal staircase spiraled up to the second floor, leading to the bedroom. There was no wall to separate anyone from looking inside due to the metal bars. All of her rooms were open with the exception of the one bathroom next to the sofa.

When she finished her coffee, she placed her mug in the sink and rinsed it out before she grabbed her handbag and keys from her hanger beside the door as she walked out. She shut the door behind her and locked it. The sound of jangling metal forced her to whip her head seeing a woman with short black hair and rosy cheeks opening her door with her keys in her hand. It was Agnes's neighbor and friend, Mary Margaret.

"Oh, Nora." Mary said with a warm smile.

"How are you doing?"

When her friend finished locking the door, she turned to Nora. "Oh, I'm alright. Just getting ready for another school day."

"Want to walk with me?"

"Sure."

Past

It had only been a couple of months since Odette's wedding. She stood by the window of her hollow tree home, watching the sun setting. A constant reminder of her past when she believed that all hope was lost. Odette was just thankful that it was over, but now a new threat emerged, and it was all she could think about.

When the door opened, she saw her husband, Grim, carrying a doe on his shoulder with Akela trotting behind him. When his companion saw Odette, his paws carried him to her, jumping up to lick her face. She smiled and giggled in glee, kneeling down to stroke his fur.

"I've missed you too, Akela."

She looked to see her husband placing the dead deer on the floor before going to his wife. "Aren't you going to welcome your husband?"

The couple both smirked at each other and kissed. It was slow, but it held limitless passion. Odette felt his scruff tickling her mouth, but she didn't mind, because the instant that they locked their lips, she instantly forgot the feeling. Their arms encircled around their bodies, holding one another close, not wanting to separate.

When they broke apart to catch their breaths, she held his hands that cupped her face and noticed how he stared at her, so her smile wavered when he asked, "What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing."

When she went to kiss him, Grim leaned away and held her shoulders. "Odette. I'm your husband. Now tell me what's wrong."

She huffed out a breath and moved away from him to go to the window. Akela stood beside her, so she scratched behind his ears, trying to dodge the question hoping that her husband would forget. Grim went over to her and took her wrist saying her name in a low, calming voice. Odette ceased her movements and stared at his hand. She wanted to avoid the issue, but there was no avoiding it, so she moved her hand away from Akela as Grim slowly let her go. Her eyes stayed on the ground for a moment before she looked up at her husband.

"It's just..."

Odette looked away from him, shaking her head, so Grim took her chin and brought it up so that she would address the issue directly. "It's alright. You know you can tell me."

Staring into his eyes, she thought about it for a moment before she finally gave in. "It's the Queen."

Grim sighed, dropping his hand and turned away from Odette to cut the rope off of the deer's hind legs. "I told you to forget about her."

"But what if she succeeds?"

"She won't."

"We don't know that."

He sheathed the knife back into his belt and whipped his head at her. "Don't you understand? That's what she wants. To get inside our heads. She almost took me away from you and look what happened." Grim approached his wife taking her arms. "I am here married to the love of my life. I almost lost you once, and I am never going to lose you again."

"What does Prince Charming and Snow think?"

"He doesn't think the threat is anything to worry about."

"And Snow?"

When he didn't answer, it confirmed her suspicion. After all, Snow was a few months along now in her pregnancy. She was concerned as a mother for the well-being of her child. There needed to be a way to discover what the Evil Queen was planning, and Odette knew how. She did not want to resort to this method, but she had no other choice.

"What if we talk to him?"

Her husband knew right away who she was referring to, so he shook his head. "No. No. After everything he did to you? I will never forgive him."

"And I'm not asking you to, but we need to find out what she is planning, and he knows everything about everyone."

"There's a reason he's locked away."

"Grim, please. If everyone else is worried about her threat, then we need to find out to prepare ourselves for the worst."

He huffed out a breath, considering it, and when he looked into his wife's eyes, he saw how serious she was, so he nodded in defeat and replied, "Alright."

Present

They both went out of the apartment complex and walked along the sidewalk, watching many people walking by. Mary Margaret folded her arms to keep herself warm, and Nora placed her hands in her jacket pockets. By the time they made it to Main Street, they wished each other well as Mary Margaret went to the opposite direction of where Nora was heading, which was her shop.

It was a small gray building with a sign that said in bold yellow letters, Dusk Tailor. She unlocked the door and went inside, hearing the bell perched on the wooden frame. Nora brightened the room by turning on the lights beside her. White tiles lined themselves along perfectly against the floor. The racks were against the walls and were filled with many clothes in bright colors, and there were two small dressing rooms on the opposite side of the racks. Blue vases with intricate patterns were on various countertops. Aromas of lilies wafted through the air. They almost looked like trumpets, but she didn't care. Such vibrant shades of white, yellow, and pink, and they bloomed beautifully. A register stood on the platform on the other side of the room where the backroom was. She flipped the platform shelf to get through to the other side where the backroom was.

Flipping the switch, Nora walked inside once the room was lit. There were shelves of clothes that were mended and folded separately with a receipt of the owner's name, the price, and what needed to be done. As for the table against the wall, there were many tools like a sewing machine, a cushion, and pins, and fabrics laying on the wooden surface. She placed her handbag to the side and took her jacket off before she went over to the shelves and read all of the receipts to see when the pickup was due. After seeing which deadline was fast approaching, she took the shirt and went over to the sewing machine. She sat on a stool and went to work.

She stitched every tear to the best of her abilities, gliding her hands forward to push the material gently. The whirring of the machine drummed her ears as the needle pricked through layers of the material. Nora never took her eyes off of the needle, watching it jump up and down in a fiery motion.

The bell rang, so she stopped what she was doing and headed out of the backroom to see a man with brown hair that reached up to his shoulders with gray streaks. He leaned into his cane every time he limped forward. He was very put together with his polished suit, but that was because she picked it out for him in her shop when he was browsing around. A crescent of nails formed into an alienating imitation of a smile as he approached Nora, but she never believed he was a bad person even though everyone else does. He was always kind to her and offered her welcoming advice. She simply thought that he was misunderstood, and his name was Mr. Gold.

"I'm assuming you're here for the rent." Nora said with a small smile.

"It is my responsibility to collect rent as your landlord, Miss Moon." She went into the backroom once again to open one of the cabinets before she went back inside. "You keep the rent money in a shoe box?"

"Yes."

"Why not keep it in a safe?"

She opened the lid and dug out the money inside before she gave it to him. "Because I can't afford one, and I think it's secure."

"And if a thief comes in, what then?" When she didn't have an answer, Mr. Gold gave her a toothy grin and asked, "Why don't I give you one?"

Her lips parted slightly in shock, but it broke into a smile. "No. I can't ask you to do that."

"Why not? It'll be free of charge. A great bargain, don't you think?"

She stared at him in disbelief. Her heart warmed at the kind gesture. Mr. Gold always did what he could to help her with any problems that she was facing by offering his assistance. Nora was always amazed how he went out of his way to help her especially with her shop like how he hired contractors to remove the molding from underneath the floors or how he fixed the cracks on the wall which stretched all the way to the ceiling.

"That is a great gesture, and you're always so nice to me, but you really don't have to. You've done so much already repairing my shop and extending my rent deadline from time to time when I didn't have the money."

He gave her a small smile and nodded. "If you're sure, dearie, but if you ever need it, you know where to find me."

She returned the gesture by smiling sweetly at him. "Thank you, Mr. Gold."

He took the money and walked out of the shop with the bell ringing behind him. Nora shook her head, thinking how unbelievable yet kind he was to do what he could to help her. If only everyone else could see him like how Agnes saw him, but it doesn't seem like they will.

Past

Torches lit the way to the dungeon as they went to go see the prisoner. Odette, Grim, Snow White, and Prince Charming followed the way. They all agreed earlier for Odette to go with them to speak to him first since she is his daughter, so perhaps he would be more lenient towards her than anyone else if they wish to search for answers. However, Grim did not look too favorably on the idea

"I'm still not sure about this. You shouldn't be here, Odette."

"Grim, we've been over this." Charming said.

"If the Queen is still a threat, then why don't we raid her castle rather than seeking answers from the likes of him?"

"We were all in agreement." Snow intervened.

"And now I'm beginning to reconsider."

Odette took his hand and pleaded, "Grim, we have to do this if we are ever going to find out what she is planning. The things she's done to Snow, to you." Grim looked away for a moment, remembering what the Queen did to him. "If she can do those things, then we may need to fear for the worse."

"I don't trust him with you." Grim said in a low voice.

"I don't either, but we don't have any other choice."

She turned to Snow and Charming and nodded her head, showing that she was ready to face her father. She stared out in the dark unknown and closed her eyes, huffing out a breath. Odette took daunting steps, drawing nearer to the cell. When she couldn't find the prisoner in there, she paused to see a man climbing down from the bars. His skin was sickly pale, his hair was wild with matted dirt, and his finger nails were long and yellow. He gripped his hands around the cold metal like a snake constricting its victim. He was her father, Rumplestiltskin.

"Odette." She ignored the tingling along her spine when the rise of the corners of his mouth matched the sinister black holes hidden beneath his pupils. "Step into the light. You insult me." Odette breathed through her nostrils and took a few steps towards the torch so that he would see her, and when he did, he leaned more into the metal bars almost as if he was squeezing his face through the small space in-between them, and she couldn't help but notice how his tone grew harsher with every word he annunciated. "There. Not so difficult now, was it?"

Shutting her eyes in irritation, she held her tongue before she responded back, "Papa, I don't care how long you're mad at me. In fact, take as long as you want, but I am happy with Grim." At the mention of her husband's name, his smile slowly fell. "He saved me from your curse."

His jaw tightened as he replied in a low-threatening tone, "I did it for your own good."

"It was cruel! You kept me as a prisoner. How could you do that to me?"

"You are my daughter." Rumple argued weakly.

"And I needed a father to protect me, not become a monster." His grip on the bars loosened, and he looked away for a moment, almost feeling remorseful while he heard her voice nearly breaking and tears welling up in her eyes but refused to fall down as she stared at him coldly. "You are the only family I have left."

He grinned from ear to ear and caught her off guard as he asked, "Then why don't you bring your new family in to see me instead of hiding like rats in a cellar?"

When she didn't answer, his smirk grew wider, and they waited for Charming, Snow, and Grim to enter. He cackled like a crow when he saw them.

"We've come to ask you about the-"

"Yes, yes, I know why you're here!" Rumple's cut off Charming sharply. "You want to know about the Queen's threat."

"Tell us what you know already." Grim stepped in.

"Ooh! Tense, aren't we? Fear not: for I can ease your mind." He then pointed a finger at them. "But it's gonna cost something for you in return."

"What do you want?" Snow asked.

"Oh,...the name of your unborn child?"

"Done."

"And..." He stopped to point to Odette. "A strand of your hair."

"Why?" Grim asked.

"My business."

"Forget it then."

Odette looked at her father, and without thinking, she agreed. "Fine."

Grim stared at his wife in disbelief as she plucked out a long brown strand. She stared at it for a moment, wondering why her father needed it, but she also knew her father well enough that he wouldn't tell her what he had planned. That was why she handed the strand to her father when he reached out for it. He gazed at it with a sickening grin that unnerved Odette until he finally looked at his own daughter and said in a low voice, "Thank you."

"Now tell us what you know." Charming said while he sheathed his blade.

"Ah. The Queen has created a powerful curse. And it's coming. Soon you'll all be in prison, just like me, only worse! Your prison-all of our prisons-will be time. And time will stop. And we will be trapped, someplace horrible, where everything we hold dear, everything we love will be ripped from us while we suffer for all eternity, while the Queen celebrates, victorious at last!...No more happy endings."

"What can we do?" Snow asked.

"We can't do anything!"

"Who can?"

He reached his hand beyond the bars, pointing to her swelling stomach. "That little thing. Growing inside your belly."

Prince Charming drew his sword in an instant and slapped his hand away with it as he warned Rumple, "Next time, I cut it off."

"Tk, tk, tk, tk, tk. The infant is our only hope." He then turned back to Snow addressing her, "Get the child to safety. Get the child to safety and on its-" He closed his eyes, concentrating, trying to remember what he was going to say next. "twenty-eighth birthday, the child will return. The child will find you-and the final battle will begin!"

He cackled menacingly, and all Odette did was look back at her husband. She did not want to forget him or any of her friends and loved ones, and Grim thought of the same thing because he stared back at her too. A hint of worry etched on his face, but their thoughts were snapped away as Charming dragged Snow away and told Grim and Odette to follow him while they heard Rumple continue to laugh in the background, but it soon turned into a deranged scream.

"Hey! No! We made a deal! I want her name! We had a deal! I. Need. Her. Name! I want her name!"

"Her?" Charming turned to face the prisoner. "It's a boy."

"Missy, missy, you know I'm right. Tell me. What's her name?"

Snow looked back at him and replied, "Emma. Her name is Emma."

His smile grew into a wicked grin as he said, "Emma."

There's the first chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. I know Odette/Nora did not meet Emma, but I thought there weren't really any opportunities to meet her in the first episode. I hope you enjoyed it, though, I am currently in graduate school, so it may take a little longer to submit new updates from time to time, but I will do my best. I am currently on a week break since my first semester just finished, so I will try to post the second chapter as soon as I can. Let me know what you think so far.