#Snowing & Charming family centric season 7

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 185: Home Again

As they enjoyed breakfast with their children, extended family, and new friends, Snow and David regaled just a bit of their lives to newcomers, Joe and Frankie, with the help of the book, allowing them to page through it, as they told the tales.

"So...the tabloids and their story about you thinking you're Snow White and Prince Charming?" Joe asked.

"It's true...just not like it happened in any of the movies," David replied.

"Wow...so that rainbow light we saw…" Frankie said, as he looked at the illustration of Snow in a glass coffin and David arriving on horseback.

"That was the breaking of the curse with true love's kiss. This time, it was our children that saved us," she said fondly.

"This is something...and all this happened?" Joe asked, as he flipped through the book.

"All of it...our lives are never boring, that's for sure," David joked.

"But it's nothing like the Disney version," Snow reiterated.

"Yeah, no singing at a wishing well. She hit me a rock," David complained.

"You tackled me," she reminded.

"Because you stole my mother's ring," he reminded in return.

"And then you trapped me in a net," she retorted. He smirked and pointed to chin.

"Exhibit A. Scar...still there after almost forty years," he presented to them.

"Oh please...you love your scar just as much as me," she cooed, as she kissed him. He kissed her back.

"When you're right, you're right," he agreed, as they kissed again. Emma rolled her eyes.

"Here we go…" Leo complained.

"Guys...we're eating," Emma whined. Their lips parted and they shared a smile.

"I take it they do this a lot?" Frankie asked in amusement.

"Oh, you have no idea," Summer replied.

"So...how did you go from armed robbery to true love?" Joe asked. They smiled.

"Well...I sort of sold the ring to some trolls and we teamed up to get it back with the promise that he could have the ring and I could have the rest of the jewels to make my escape from the Kingdom," Snow explained.

"He saved me from some Black Knights," she added.

"And she saved me from the Trolls. And I got my ring back," he stated.

"So you were together after that?" Frankie asked. He chuckled.

"Not even close. She tried on my mother's ring and I fell in love. But we parted ways," he replied.

"He was trapped in an arranged marriage and I was still wanted. But we couldn't get each other out of our heads," she confessed.

"Oh...then you broke off your engagement," Frankie said, as he flipped ahead.

"Yes, but only after the evil King George threatened to kill Charming if I didn't lie to him and tell him I didn't love him," Snow replied.

"Oh…" Frankie said in disappointment.

"Then by the time I went on the run after abandoning the engagement, Snow had taken a potion to forget me, because she thought we could never be together," he added.

"Mmm...fortunately, he found me and stopped me from going down a dark path. Without love in my heart, I became a dark version of myself. But true love's kiss restored my memories," she said, smiling at him.

"Then you were together," Joe guessed.

"No...I was arrested by King George's Knights and slated for execution," David replied. Their eyes widened.

"Thankfully I stepped in and stopped that. You're welcome," Regina chimed in.

"Only to use my life to get Snow to eat a poison apple," David retorted.

"You're focusing on the negative," she quipped.

"The next thing I remembered after that was waking up as he broke the sleeping curse with true love's kiss," she said fondly, as she caressed his face.

"Please tell me you were together after that," Frankie pleaded.

"Yes...we were finally together then. There was no separating us that night, but that part isn't in the book," David said, as he gazed back at her fondly.

"Seriously?" Emma asked in annoyance.

"We don't need to hear about those parts," Leo complained and they chuckled.

"That's just the tip of the iceberg though and all before the first curse," Snow added.

"And you don't age?" Frankie asked, trying to wrap his head around that.

"Not during the first curse, which lasted twenty-eight years, despite the fact that Emma returned our memories when she was ten. Then there were more curses, but even without that, Aphrodite told us that the Chalice slows time so much in Storybrooke that it appears that no one really ages," Snow tried to explain.

"Quite...time passes about three times as fast in Andresia," Fandral interjected, referring to their kingdom.

"And about twenty times as fast than in the nine realms I hail from. To me, it's been nearly twenty-years since I fell through that portal, but to Heimdall, it's only been days," he added.

"Same here in Starcomb," Henry confirmed.

"But you and your wife don't look any older than they do," Joe commented. Fandral chuckled.

"Ah, that's the Asgardian lifespan. I'm the eldest person in this room; something around fifteen hundred thirty if my arithmetic is correct," he replied.

"My Kingdom guards the largest library in all the infinite realms. It houses all books and historical accounts of not just this nine realms, but all realms," Rose explained.

"During my Uncle's tyrannical rule, the library fell into disarray. To make sure that never happens again, Hermes granted me an Asgardian lifespan so our family can maintain the library for centuries to come," she continued.

"Fifteen hundred years?!" Frankie exclaimed.

"For once, the Crocodile and I aren't the oldest persons in the room," Hook quipped.

"Afraid so, gent. I've seen more foes and villains than I care to remember. I was also quite foolish in my youth and frivolous in my love life, before my Rose," he confessed.

"You are not that man anymore, my love...you are a wonderful husband and father," she confirmed, as she pecked him on the cheek.

"Take it from me, mate...you're not the only one that has shameful things in their past," Hook offered.

"This is all incredible…" Joe mentioned.

"If you want us to take you back, we'll understand. We wouldn't be able to take you back to 2018, but we'd let you leave Storybrooke and return to Seattle in 2023 if this is too much for you," David offered. The two exchanged a glance.

"No...we've never felt quite right in Seattle, other than being together. We're ready for a fresh start," Joe confirmed.

"And we want to hear more," Frankie agreed, referring to the book. Snow smiled.

"I promise we'll tell you more and you can read for yourselves as well," she said, as she exchanged a glance with David and he gave her a nod of encouragement.

"But right now...there is something that I want to discuss with everyone. And it's big…" Snow said, as the room gave her their undivided attention. Regina gave her a nod and David squeezed her hand, urging her to continue, as she began to tell them of their vision and plans for the future.

~*~

Upon awakening in this strange realm, the Queen wandered aimlessly through the desolate land. There seemed to be nothing but gray skies and rocking outcroppings. She wandered for what seemed like a lifetime, but she had a feeling that time really didn't move much at all in a place like this. Wherever this even was. She was about to think that she must be completely alone...until she heard a peculiar hissing sound. Instinctively, a fireball appeared in her palm and she was glad it seemed that her magic was still intact here. Out from behind a rocky outcropping rose a very large, bulky dragon. It roared and breathed fire down upon her, for which she dodged, before launching her own attack. The beast didn't seem bothered much by her magic and growled, as his fangs dripped with saliva. She became genuinely frightened until a man appeared and raised his hand.

"That is enough, Fafnir," he commanded in a gravely voice and she watched the dragon shape-shift back into a humanoid form. In this form, he was still a very large man, with green-tinted skin and a haggard appearance.

"I apologize...he's not much better in this form," the figure offered, as she regarded him this time. He was a thin man that stood no taller than she did, but somehow commanded a frightening presence. Perhaps it was his eyes...for they were like pools of emptiness. Looking into them, she could feel the malevolence in his being and she knew evil when she saw it. But she would not show that she might be intimidated.

"I'm inclined to agree...what exactly is he?" she asked.

"Fafnir was once a frost giant. He encountered Asgardian warriors and got himself cursed with a dragon form, before they cast him out of Nastrond. He found himself here," he explained.

"Nastrond?" the Queen asked, as she was unfamiliar with such a place.

"An extra dimensional realm on Asgard," he added.

"Are you Asgardian?" Fafnir growled. Regina scoffed.

"Don't get your tail in a knot...I'm not Asgardian," she responded, as the being relaxed slightly.

"Perhaps you will tell me who you are," the shifty man stated.

"Where I come from...the identity I was born with has long been stolen from me and to them, I'm simply now known as the Evil Queen," she offered.

"Hmmm...I title I sense that you have earned," he commented, indicating that such impressed him. She smirked.

"I like to think so...though my only regret is not causing more pain and killing the ones responsible for casting me out," she growled. He smirked.

"There is a lot of that going around in this place," he mentioned.

"And what exactly is this place?" she questioned.

"It is a realm of the fallen...a place where some of us find ourselves when we have been cast out by so-called heroes and not granted the sweet release of death. We have come to call it Nephilim," he explained.

"And who exactly are you?" she asked. He smirked.

"The Devil," he replied with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

"The Devil?" she deadpanned. He chuckled.

"Some have called me that, but I prefer Mephisto. I am mistaken as Satan, because I used to tempt troubled people, ordinary and heroes alike, into selling their souls to me in exchange for various favors. But as you can imagine, owing me their souls never worked out well for them," he replied.

"And who cast you here?" she questioned. He smirked.

"That's a complicated tale, as I sense yours is as well," he responded, as he seemed to be able to gaze right through her and there was a beat of silence between them.

"Come...there are more here like us. You will find yourself in good company," he stated, as she followed him and the hulking frost giant.

~*~

"And essentially, that's our plan. Of course, it requires approval from many lands. David and I plan to travel to those Kingdoms with our proposition, but we have the heads of three Kingdoms here right now," she said, as she finished her lengthy explanation.

"Mom...you really think uniting the Kingdoms is possible?" Leo asked, with hope in his voice. She smiled and nodded to her son.

"We think so. This wouldn't be a normal curse. The concept would still be the same, but by using the Chalice to facilitate the magic of the curse, it would bring us all together," she replied.

"And essentially, since this curse would be using light magic, there would be no need for any fail safes or requirements for breaking it," Regina explained. Elsa and Leo smiled at each other.

"Not to speak for my sister or anything, but I think she loves the idea," Anna said.

"Yeah, I think you can count Arendelle in," Kristoff added. Snow and David smiled at them.

"Definitely...this is a wonderful idea and for more than just us," Elsa agreed.

"Fandral and I agree wholeheartedly. It only makes sense to bring us all together, especially if your vision is true and the realms were all one in an ancient past," Rose chimed in.

"We agree as well. You can count this Kingdom into the mix," Tiana said, as Lucy ran up and hugged her great grandparents.

"That means I can see you all the time!" she said excitedly, as David lifted her onto his knee.

"That's exactly what it means," he agreed, as he hugged her.

"David and I plan to rest for a few days when we get back to Storybrooke, before we set out for the other Kingdoms, starting with Agrabah," Snow told them.

"And we need to tell Aphrodite of our plans. She'll have to sell the idea to the Gods on Olympus, but she can be pretty persuasive," David added.

"Maybe Aphrodite or Hermes can even tell us how the realms were torn apart in the first place. Now that's a story I want to know," Henry mentioned curiously. Rose gasped.

"I bet we can even find it in our library. It would be a very old and ancient text, but it's possible," she offered.

"It is, but in our experience, texts that old have either been in Greek or worse, Lunarian," Belle reminded.

"Translating the Greek is fairly easy for me, but Lunarian is a dead language. No one still living speaks it," Rumple added.

"It doesn't hurt to find the texts though," he added and Rose nodded.

"Then I guess we should get home now," David mentioned, as they rose from the table.

"At least we know that our separation won't be so long this time," Ella said, as Snow hugged her tightly.

"No...soon we'll all be together for good. I truly feel that's the way it's meant to be and we're going to make it happen," she promised. With that, those returning to Storybrooke gathered their things. At the same time, Rose and Fandral rounded up Carina, Ben, and Ari. Summer and Carina said goodbye and there were no tears, since they knew they would soon be living in the same place. Ben and Ari also shared a goodbye with Bobby, whom they had become fast friends with as well. They bid goodbye for now and returned to their Kingdom through a portal. The Charmings said goodbye to Henry's family for now, with Emma lingering back, holding her son tightly.

"I'll see you soon, Mom...really," he promised. Emma nodded and swiped a tear away, before she joined hands with Killian and they followed their family through a portal back to Storybrooke.

~*~

Andresia

Several hours later

Rose glanced up from her book, as she sat in the library that evening. She had kissed her babies goodnight and let Fandral have the task of reading a bedtime story to their young ones. She smiled at her husband, as he found her there, having finally completed the task of getting their precocious twins to sleep.

"How many did it take tonight?" she asked fondly.

"Three," he answered and she quirked an eyebrow.

"Four," he admitted and she giggled.

"Ari just bats her eyes and you are like putty, my love," she teased.

"Like her mother," he teased back.

"I cannot deny it and our son is very good at knowing just how to get me to regale them as well," he replied. She smiled, as he sat in the chair next to hers.

"More adventures of the warriors three and the mighty Thor?" she asked.

"Mostly about Thor and the other Midgard heroes. Though, I have to say, I think they enjoy my story about the time I battled the fearsome dragon Fafnir," he commented fondly.

"Mmm...I like that one too, though I love any story that stars the man I love," she cooed, as she caressed his face lovingly.

"And in my youth, such words would have only served to inflate my ego. But with you, they humble me and make me realize how incredibly lucky I am," he mentioned, as he kissed her tenderly.

"I daresay Volstagg, Hogun, and Sif would hardly recognize me," he added.

"You miss them...and Thor," she surmised.

"At times...but I would never trade this life, for it is everything," he promised. She smiled.

"I know...but that doesn't mean we can't quench your thirst to know what became of your people," she replied, as he noticed the book she was reading. It was in Asgardian and over the years, he had taught her to read it. She was now fluent in both reading and speaking it.

"It was extremely hard for me to get through the part where that demon woman ran you through with a sword...but I haven't gone further," she mentioned. He sighed.

"I've avoided asking about the details of the battle for all these years and Heimdall seemed less than willing to be forthcoming," he said. She gently ran her fingers through his hair.

"He knows you're happy and I think he wants to preserve that. We don't have to continue reading, my love," she said. He nodded.

"I know...but I think you were right. My mind will not rest those memories until I know," he replied, as she got up and he pulled her down into his lap so they could read together.

~*~

Storybrooke

2023

The portal opened and deposited all of them in the park by the lake. Snow's grin was contagious, as he smiled indulgently at her. They were finally home and it felt really good.

"We made it," Snow said, as David pulled her close and kissed her forehead. Leo grinned at Elsa and then whistled. Their friends from Arendelle had decided they would come back to Storybrooke for the day, before returning to Arendelle the following day. It did Snow and David's hearts good to know that they soon wouldn't have to be separated at all.

They weren't surprised when Graham and Wilby came running toward them and a bird flew over head, before diving and landing on Leo's shoulder. Joe and Frankie, not for the first time, were flabbergasted.

"How…" Joe uttered. David smiled.

"Leo has a gift with animals. We'll have to take you to the wildlife reserve later. But first, we should probably let Granny know we're back," he said.

"And the dwarves," Snow added.

"Then we can work on telling the town about our plan," Regina said. There was a lot of work ahead, but the most important thing was that they were finally home and it felt like a new beginning.

~*~

Rose glanced at her husband and her heart ached at the disbelief and sorrow on his face. When they had decided to read the story of what became of their people, they had expected some heartache, but not this much. Though he had been vague, Heimdall had revealed that while Asgard was lost, the survivors, including himself, Thor, and Loki had escaped aboard a ship. There was great loss, but their now King had set the course for Midgard or Earth and the survivors would settle there in peace. After an event like Ragnarok, it was the best possible outcome he could have hoped for his people.

Unfortunately, it seemed while they were in Seattle, much had occurred since Heimdall had helped them travel through the bi-frost, including Heimdall's own demise.

Fandral was in shock. He already knew the fates of his fellow companions were probably grim. Volstagg had been with him at the moment Hela arrived through the bi-frost and through the story, he learned that Hogun had fallen later in battle with her.

But he never expected more loss and despair to hit the survivors of Ragnarok after escape. But it seemed that is exactly what had occurred.

"Heimdall is dead...how do we tell the children?" he lamented. Tears gathered in her eyes, as she lay her head on her husband shoulder and consoled him with a soothing hand on the back of his neck.

"I am so sorry, my love…" she cried.

"I just can't believe this…" he uttered.

"We can summon Hermes...I would say this event would warrant an emergency visit," she said.

"Absolutely not...there is no way we can go there now," he refuted. She gave him a questioning look and he sighed.

"That ship being invaded wasn't just bad luck or routine space pirating, my angel," he said, as he brushed a strand raven hair behind her ear.

"Because of this name here...I could never risk going there with you and the children. To do so would be reckless and jeopardizes all of our lives senselessly, for there is nothing I could ever do in hopes of fighting this being. Thor and Earth's mightiest cannot even stand against him," he explained.

"Who is this man?" she asked, reading the name.

"Oh, he is no man...I would call him a monster, but even that is understating it," he replied. Clear alarm showed in her eyes at that statement.

"He is quite possibly the most powerful being in the nine realms that I hail from and it would not shock me in the least if he was one of the most powerful being in all the infinite realms," he continued.

"He is a titan and he is quite mad. He is the worst kind of evil, because he believes he is good. He believes he's some kind of prophet," he spat distastefully.

"Under no circumstances can we go there," he added sadly.

"Do you think that's why the writing has stopped?" she asked softly.

"I don't know…" he replied.

"Even if bad things were happening, the writing should still have continued, even if things are happening as we speak. But it just stopped here. No ending or anything," she lamented.

"And I think I may know why," a voice stated. They looked up and found the Goddess Hermes before them, looking extremely troubled.

"Can you tell us more?" Fandral questioned.

"Yes...will the children be safe here for an hour or so?" she asked. They exchanged a glance and nodded.

"The staff is here to tend to them if needed," Rose said.

"Then I need to show you both what has occurred. This may not be in our cluster of realms, but since you two guard the library for all the realms, you must be aware of this kind of story disruption," she replied.

"Story disruption?" Rose asked in confusion.

"Yes...as you know every author has a realm and even upon death, a new one immediately takes up the pen. To have story stop like this means an event of cataclysmic proportions has occurred. There is nothing we can do except hope this realm that has suffered so greatly can recover...but as guardians of the realm of infinite story, you must be aware when something so incredibly devastating has happened," she explained. They nodded.

"We're ready," Fandral confirmed, as she put them in a bubble and they traveled to Olympus with her.

~*~

Seattle

2018

Nick and Angela stared at Cecily Clayton through the window, as she sat in the interrogation room. The residents of Storybrooke had repaired the damage done to the city and then disappeared without a trace again. But this time, unlike New York, it was not going away. Social media was still blowing up and they expected someone from the military to arrive anytime to take over.

"You think she'll spill what she knows about Storybrooke, Maine?" Nick questioned. Angela scoffed.

"If the deal they offer her is good enough...of course she will. They better hope they've hidden their crazy little town well enough," she replied.

"There's no stopping this now…" he mentioned.

"What's the craziest theory out there?" she asked curiously.

"Aliens, angels and demons, reptilian overlords...you know the usual cuckoo stuff. But this time, they're getting some traction. People are putting on their tinfoil hats," he replied. She rolled her eyes.

"And the military won't let it go...they'll want to weaponize what they saw," she said.

"What do you think we should do?" he asked.

"There's nothing we can do, Nick. We need to move on with our lives and stay away from this. They're on their own, unless we want to end up in prison ourselves for helping them," she whispered. And he knew she was right and hoped for their sake, they never stepped foot outside Storybrooke again.

The door swung open and a woman entered. She was dressed in a military dress ware and had military decorations adorned her jacket.

"Agents…" the woman greeted, as she walked in.

"I'm Major Patricia Donovan and I'll be taking over this interrogation," she stated. The two agents exchanged a glance.

"With all due respect, Major...we haven't received any orders from our superiors," Angela refuted. She smirked, just as Nick's phone rang.

"It's our boss," he muttered.

"I'm sure he'll be telling you that this is now a military matter. Your assistance is no longer needed," she replied. Angela rolled her eyes and started to walk away.

"Oh...one more thing, agents. You're also being ordered to turn over the files you have on the Nolan family," she said.

"That's a classified file," Nick replied.

"Which now belongs to us," she retorted.

"We'll send it right over," Angela said.

"Good...and just to make sure there is no evidence tampering, my Captain will be following you back to Quantico to take custody of that file," she replied, as she went into the room with Cecily.

"Ms Clayton…" she greeted, as the dark haired woman looked up at her.

"You want information...then I want a deal," Cecily replied. Patricia smirked.

"I'm sure we can come to an agreement that we can both live with," she stated.

[theweekinarrowfic]

Completed Arrow Multichapters on AO3, December 20-26, 2020

NOTE: I’m now crossposting to https://theweekinarrowfic.dreamwidth.org. Also, I'm looking for volunteers to test out my fic recommender! Need more Arrow in your life? Why not try one of the multchapter fanfics recently completed by our talented fic writers?

Olicity

Initial Contact by sidhe_faerie (2/2, 21 Dec 2020) - Hacker and Assassin verse

Contac: Hiding: Out by sidhe_faerie (2/2, 21 Dec 2020) - Yahtzee Set 2 Large straight all five connected in one story,

my love had been frozen deep blue (but you painted me golden) by MagusLibera for damnsmoaky (4/4, 22 Dec 2020) - Twenty-five years after Sozin's Comet was used to wipe out the airbenders, the war is making it's way to the Earth Kingdom. After realising that the cause he was fighting for was a lie, Oliver defected from the army to fight against his own people with his team - an earthbender, two former army comrades and a girl from the Southern Water Tribe. But his mission is interrupted when news from the Fire Nation reaches him, forcing him to head home for the first time in five years.; Set during the Hundred Year War from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Knowledge of the show will enhance the story but is not necessary to read it as this is set before the first episode.

all I want for Christmas is a divorce (is you) by thecomebackkids99 (6/6, 24 Dec 2020) - Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak divorced over a year ago. But just a few days before Christmas, the tabloids dig up a juicy tidbit: the divorce was never finalized. Which causes a few fights, an exasperated friend or two to say something crazy, and an awkward car ride that brings the bitterness, the pain, and the truth to light.; Because Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak are technically still married.

The Trouble With Tabloids by starrnobella (24/24, 26 Dec 2020) - All that tabloids are good for is to spread rumors.

Other Ships/Characters

As Long as it Takes by mizar24 (Dinah Drake/Earth-2 Laurel, 2/2, 26 Dec 2020) - laurel thinks that if they date, dinah will eventually end up leaving her so dinah's going to prove her wrong - as long as it takes

Dysfunctional Families by KleptoElf (Laurel/Oliver, 3/3, 23 Dec 2020) - Oliver just wants to get away from his life for a few hours. Laurel just wants a distraction from having to spend another Christmas with her dysfunctional family. Maybe they can both get what they want.

Scientific Method by kitkatt0430 (Barry Allen/Oliver, 5/5, 21 Dec 2020) - Barry Allen arrives in Starling City intending to get his foot in the door on a particularly unusual and interesting case. Maybe find out a little more about the Starling City Vigilante if the topic happened to come up.; He did not expect to be saving that Vigilante's life, but the world is a weird place. Barry's known that much for a very long time, after all.

The scientist and the dog by 47652 (Barry Allen/Felicity, 6/6, 22 Dec 2020) - Basically a AU of the scientist where Berry Allen has a service dog.; This Follows the events of the scientist (season two episode eight of arrow)

An Arrow Christmas Carol by Xenia (Laurel/Oliver, 7/7, 24 Dec 2020) - Oliver is trying to make things work with Felicity. Tommy, his parents and Shado think that Felicity isn't right for him. And what better period for some friendly ghost visit?

Crisis on Infinite Earths by IAmMattis (James "Bucky" Barnes/Laurel, 10/10, 26 Dec 2020) - The time has come. Worlds will live, worlds will die and the Universe will never be same. Discontinued. Final chapter and epilogue are now posted.

Byline by Write_To_You (Barry Allen/Caitlin Snow, Oliver listed as character, 11/11, 25 Dec 2020) - “Flash Missing, Vanishes in Crises, by Iris West,” Caitlin repeated. “Thursday, April 25... 2018.” She stumbled a step back, blood draining from her face. “Oh my gosh,” she whispered. “That’s next week.”; OR the third installment in the Flux series, in which Team Flash realizes that Crisis is coming a lot sooner than they ever thought.

Attack on two earths by Stand_with_Ward_and_Queen (Steve Rogers/Caitlin Snow, Sara/Oliver and Thea/Roy among side pairings, 12/12, 21 Dec 2020) - Sequel to 'Torn between two timelines'. Two months after their engagement, Steve and Caitlin's closest friends all gather for their wedding. Unfortunately, ghosts from the past are unwilling to let the happy couple celebrate this moment in peace.

Bird in a Storm by Ray_Writes (Laurel/Oliver, 17/17, 26 Dec 2020) - The confrontation between the Hood and SWAT on the roof of the Winick Building goes differently, altering the course of Laurel's career, relationships and efforts to save her city forever, the shockwaves of such an altered path making themselves felt throughout her family and friends.

The Traveler by Darth_Rainbow_Queen_Of_Coconuts (OFC-centric, Oliver listed as character, 32/32, 25 Dec 2020) - Lucie Aconite ran away from home.; The trained hunter away from past traumas, ran away from dark memories, ran away from a twisted family. She joined the Travelers, an organization that exist outside of any temporal zones and made of people who will never matter. Their purpose? Lend a hand to heroes in need, make sure those are the ones history will remember.; So now, Lucie travels. To very, very, different places. Different universes, different worlds. Along her way, she met Shadowhunters, Demigods, Werewolves, Warlocks, Seelies, Emissaries, Vampires, Passlings, etc. But no matter how far she goes, something will always take her back right where she started...; I own nothing but Lucie and the adventures she will live.; [AU including Shadowhunters, Teen Wolf, The Chronicles of Narnia, TVD, The Originals, Charmed, PJO/HoO/Kane Chronicles, and others. Very freely inspired though.]

Vigilantes' Dawn by Kylia (Laurel/Oliver, 32/32, 20 Dec 2020) - What if Oliver Queen hadn't let his commitment issues sabotage things with Laurel? What if he'd invited Laurel onto the Queen's Gambit, instead of Sara? And what happens in Starling City when, five years later, The Arrow and the Black Canary, together, go after the List and the rest of the City's criminals? And what happens when Detective Sara Lance finds out her sister is one of the two Vigilantes that are bringing on the dawn of a new age?

[guardian-of-time-and-space]

Let’s talk about the non-character relationship development between Elena and Gabe...

So far as the season continues, there has been little to no character development between Elena and Gabe. The only times where Elena and Gabe have needed each other or are seen with each other are episodes when it comes to the very big and important missions.

Out of all of the 25 episodes in season 1, Gabe has apeared in 13.

Episode 1- First day of rule

Episode 2- Model sister

Episode 3- All heated up

Episode 5- Spellbound

Episode 6- Prince to charming

Episode 10- The scepter of light

Episode 11- Navidad

Episode 12- Olaball

Episode 15- The princess knight

Episode 18- My fair Naomi

Episode 22- The geckos tale

Episode 23- Party of a lifetime

Episode 24- Blockheads

And all of those 13 episodes, there has been only 1 self-centric episode that’s about him and his private life from outside of his job which is Episode 12 Olaball.

The episode shows Elena helping Gabe on how to play Olaball for the big match. It doesn’t show about Elena and Gabe and their titles as princess and royal guard, just shows about Elena helping him as a friend and showing their friendship develope a little. We also get to see his parents, his relationship with them and his parents lifestyle.

The rest of the other 12 episodes he’s featured in are just the same. A princess and her royal gaurd.

Now onto to season 2. Out of the 24 episodes, Gabe has only appeared in

Episode 3- The curse of el guapo

Episode 7- Rise of the sorceress

Episode 8- Shapeshifters

Episode 9- The scepter of night

Episode 15- Song of the sirenas

Episode 18- Finding Zuzo

Episode 19- Snow place like home

Episode 24- Naomi knows best

Gabe has appeared somewhat less in season 2 than in season 1 but out of those 8 episodes, he has gotten 1 self-cenetric episode which is episode 3 the curse of el guapo but that episode is about him and his job as a royal guard.

In the episode it shows how he wants the job as captain because he’s will fitted for it and how he has trained a lot for it but he also has some self doubt so he uses the cursed sword to give him a boost of confidince but Elena saw what was wrong about his motivation and gives him advice on how to really be a leader without needing something to do it for him. Then he comes to senses.

Which makes this episode once again out of all of the other episodes with them, nothing but a princess and her royal guard.

And that’s it.

That’s what Elena and Gabe’s relationship/friendship is all about.

Business. And nothing more.

Compared to Mateo and Naomi who have more intimate scenes together about their friendship/relationship, Gabe and Elena dont have that in the series.

Also, to me, ever since episode 19 of season 2 (snow place like home) it feels like Gabe is getting the short end of the stick. In the episode we see Elena, Naomi and Mateo, the three, being together for Christmas and having a good time with each other, while Gabe is out there trying to catch the villains instead of being with his friends and family. Cause that’s what Christmas is all about. Being with the people you love. Instead he’s out in the kingdom doing his job. On a holiday. Like, it was a nice scene seeing him with the other royal guards and how they interact with each other but he really can’t catch a break.

It’s getting to the point as I continue to watch the show on questioning what was the point on having him as one the main characters if the writers are not going to develop him as a character (like they do with Mateo and Naomi) and not develop his relationship/friendship with Elena that’s more than their titles.

So to summarize,

Gabe is a workaholic who’s on the clock 24/7 and can’t catch a break.

Elena and Gabe’s relationship/friendship is nothing but business and that’s it. Nothing more.

Just a princess and her royal guard. Nothing more than business.

(P.s I’m not going to add any of my thoughts for season 3 since it just started. That’s a separate post for later)

[alltoosure]

I really liked this episode and I really liked Emma in this episode, probably because I am not a CS shipper.

1. I thought Emma handled the break up really well? People were talking about her being Bella Swan or whatever but like, she was trying to move on and her major solution was to distract herself with work. She also agreed to hang out in the bar and wasn’t avoiding her family. 

Yeah, she cried, but after Gideon baited her into doing it (not that it would matter because crying a little after you break an engagement is pretty damn normal so w/e). She was still moving on with her life.

2. Drunk Snow was super cute but also completely badass.

3. I am never really a big fan of spending too much time on the guest stars but I enjoyed Jasmine’s arc and I liked the TLK being the conclusion. It’s like Aladdin and Jasmine were both Agrabah’s saviours.

4. Swan Believer and Daddy Charming were both really cute and domestic. Like, Henry and Emma have this classic family dynamic we rarely get to see on the show anymore and he is just so comfortable in their house, lounging about and what not. I don’t think we’ve ever had a scene that felt more like a real family. And David was so sweet to comfort Emma and put aside his own heartbreak to look after his daughter.

5. I am really glad Gideon asked for Emma’s help because I don’t know if I could get through an entire centric of his if it didn’t feature one of the mains. Next weeks episode is looking 100% more appealing now that I know Emma will have a role in it.

Overall I think I’d give this episode about a 7/10. It wasn’t the best episode of the season but I had a good time watching it.

[ladysiuanraine]

ONCE UPON A TIME OPENS NEW CHAPTER WITH MAJOR REBOOT

Once Upon a Time is undergoing a major overhaul heading into season 7, which means new characters, new locales, and even a new curse. To keep track of all the big changes, EW will bring you interviews with the cast — new and old — along with executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis over the next two weeks until the ABC fairy tale drama’s return.

Once Upon a Time‘s diehard fans should prepare themselves. After six seasons — and the exit of six cast members — OUAT is turning the page, shifting focus to an adult Henry Mills (now played by Andrew J. West) for an ambitious reboot that has the chance to truly revive the long-running fairy-tale drama… if viewers can get on board with the big changes ahead.

Here’s what’s in store: Ever the hero, Henry leaves Storybrooke in search of his own tale, finding an epic romance with a different iteration of Cinderella (Dania Ramirez), with whom he has a precocious daughter, Lucy (Alison Fernandez). But the family is torn apart when a new, yet familiar, curse traps them and a trio of returning characters — former Evil Queen Regina (Lana Parrilla), one-handed pirate Hook (Colin O’Donoghue), and the Dark One Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) — as well as a quintet of new characters (see the full character rundown here) in the Seattle neighborhood of Hyperion Heights.

If that sounds like a brand-new show, that’s the point. “In a world where superheroes can reboot, we thought, ‘Why not fairy tales?'” executive producer Edward Kitsis says, calling season 7 a “requel” — half reboot, half sequel.

In a bid to attract old viewers and new, the show will be taking familiar elements from the stellar first season and putting a twist on them. The format will still be split between Enchanted Forest flashbacks and present-day real-world Hyperion Heights. There’s that aforementioned classic romance à la Snow and Charming between Cinderella and Henry. There are new iterations of familiar characters like that glass-slippered princess and Wonderland’s Alice (Rose Reynolds) — no, they’re not replacing Jessy Schram and Sophie Lowe, respectively, but are playing new versions of the characters from other storybooks. And there’s yet another curse, which leaves them all once again without magic — though this one has a disheartening bent that could prove even more difficult to break. “Lady Tremaine [Gabrielle Anwar] wants to push everybody away, wants to gentrify the neighborhood, so that all these characters are separated forever,” executive producer Adam Horowitz teases.

RELATED: Check out Once Upon a Time photos from season 7

However, the beloved returning trio have been radically reimagined thanks to that curse. Regina is now a denim-clad bar owner named Roni, while Hook is a despondent cop named Rogers. Rumple, as ever, remains a mystery. “It really is like we’re starting a whole new show,” O’Donoghue says. “Lana, Bobby, and I essentially are creating new characters and that’s always exciting and terrifying at the same time.” Not to confuse the matter, but for those who may not understand how OUAT curses work, they are still playing characters who appeared during the first six seasons; these are just their cursed alter egos in Hyperion Heights.

Fear not, some other familiar faces from the show’s original run will also return, including Jared Gilmore as a young Henry in the premiere, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan for an emotional curtain call in episode 2, Emilie de Ravin and Giles Matthey as Belle and Gideon, respectively, in the moving Rumple-centric fourth hour, and Rebecca Mader reprising her role as Zelena, a.k.a the Wicked Witch, for multiple episodes in season 7.

At the show’s center is still a familiar hero in Henry Mills, but instead of being the wide-eyed believer, Henry is now a cynical former author-turned-Uber driver. Yes, seriously. “I don’t want to mimic what Jared [Gilmore] did, because Henry’s a different person, he’s older now,” West says of the role’s original portrayer. “But it was important to understand the essence of those relationships to be able to do the job.”

Those relationships, however, have definitely changed since Henry left Storybrooke, much in the same way that all the new faces have altered the dynamic on set. “It’s new energy,” Parrilla says. “I loved working with the old cast, but I think change is really healthy; it challenges us, it makes us uncomfortable, but it actually forces us to step out of the norm, and remain open-minded.”

That’s exactly what the cast hopes the audience will do heading into this rebooted season. “Genuinely, the writing this season is some of the best I’ve read,” O’Donoghue says. “It’s really important to reiterate and reassure the fans that Eddy and Adam are super excited, even more so because there’s so much enthusiasm about creating this new world.”

And those aforementioned changes also allow for new viewers to join in, a rare feat for a series going into its seventh season — and heading to Friday nights for the first time in the show’s run. “Part of the fun with this was being able to start over,” Kitsis says. “If you’ve never seen Once Upon a Time, you can absolutely watch episode 1 and not miss a beat.”

Once Upon a Time returns Friday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Check back Tuesday for our full Q&A with executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis.

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 183: Endgame, Pt 2

Cassidy Gold looked around at the destruction and helped around the debris and through the streets. He had been at the station looking for Weaver when this all started and had saved Harmony from being crushed by a piece of sheet rock that had fallen on her desk, as the entire station seemed to collapse around them. They had gotten out and saw the horror that was wrought before them. It felt like something out of a movie, but they were in the middle of it and it was very real. The ominous storm clouds swirled above and vines of all things were growing at an exponential rate. They sprouted from beneath them, cracking and destroying the roads and concrete. They were wrapping around buildings and structures, as well as the highways and bridges, destroying the city's infrastructure in a matter of moments. He could see the national guard trucks making their way into Seattle and military helicopters circling the city.

"The military...that's not good…" Cassidy mentioned.

"What do you mean?" Harmony asked.

"Haven't you ever seen a disaster or alien movie?" he questioned, but she still looked a bit lost.

"Whenever there's something going on like this that the government can't figure out how to contain, they decide to use nukes to deal with it," he replied. Her eyes widened in horror.

"You think they may send a nuclear warhead to Seattle?" she asked. He shrugged.

"If they can't figure out how to stop this, they might. And considering that we have no idea what the hell this is...I think we need to get out of this city," he mentioned.

"But how? The bridges are gone and boats are already leaving by the hundreds," she said.

"Then we see if we can smuggle ourselves out on one of those boats," he suggested.

"And how do you plan to get past the National Guard at the Marina?" she asked. He smirked.

"I have my ways. You in?" he asked. She bit her bottom lip. She barely knew him, but something told her that she needed to trust him and she nodded.

As they started toward the Marina though, there was a whooshing sound. She looked back, only to see a rainbow light washing over the entire city. It rushed through them both and everything came back to them like a ton of bricks. It didn't have any kind of affect on the normal people around them and only served to further confuse the residents of Seattle. But for them...it changed everything and returned that which had been lost to them.

"Tink…" Neal uttered and she smiled, as her eyes watered.

"Neal…" she squeaked, as they embraced in a tight hug, before their lips met passionately. As they parted, they looked in the opposite direction of the Marina and toward the storm clouds that loomed over the epicenter. And now that their memories were back, they knew that epicenter was where the battle raged.

"The curse is broken," she said.

"Yeah...but the battle isn't over. Let's go…" he said, as she opened hand and willed her wand back into her hand, shocking many around them. But they paid those people no mind.

"Magic is here…" she said, looking at him.

"We need to find my Dad, Henry, and the others," he replied, as they joined hands again and began running toward the battle.

~*~

Several moments earlier

The wind whipped violently around them, as the air was thick with magic. The resurrection amulet glowed green and an inky blackness leaked from it, spreading its poison into the Earth. This blackness would cause death to everything they knew and all sentient life and resurrect a new world in something akin to a twisted garden of Eden.

By now, the National Guard had moved in and had been screaming at them to evacuate the area, but their orders fell on deaf ears. They were armed though and Emma knew that could be dangerous to them too.

"Summer...I need a really big bubble around this area!" Emma called. Her brunette sister nodded and concentrated with her powers.

"Ma'am...you cannot go in there!" she heard a soldier holler at Eva, as she and Paul returned from treating the injured. However, her sister must have realized that it would do no good to keep treating the injured if they did not stop the source. Had the situation not been quite so serious, she would have laughed at her normally gentle and sweet sister shoving several big, burly men, armed with rifles to the side with her wind powers and pulling her confused and still clueless husband back into the fray.

Summer succeeded with encasing them and the area in a bubble, further infuriating and puzzling the city's police and the army.

"I'll hold it as long as I can!" Summer said, as she outstretched her arms and was obviously strained by maintaining such a massive bubble.

She saw that everyone was pretty much holding their own, but that's all they could do. Even Fandral and his family were struggling to fight off Gothel's monstrous fauna. Her father's counterpart guarded Rose, though she fought as well, from the vines, while their children fought like the well-trained Asgardians that they were.

"Hit her guys!" Emma ordered, as her powers slammed into Gothel. Leo, Elsa, and Eva joined her, but the inky blackness from the amulet only seemed to fuel her power and make her further impervious to their attacks.

"Dammit...why the hell can't we scratch her?" Leo wondered.

"It's that damn amulet," Emma growled, as they struggled against her, as she eyed her parents, who were fighting off the vines and vicious man-eating plants that would have long ago moved in on them without them. Her mother's arrows were very effective at burning the man-eating plants up and her father's blade was keeping the vines at bay.

"I've had enough of this bitch," Regina growled, as she was tiring from expelling so much magic. And she knew they all were, except Gold, perhaps.

"You know...you could help!" she called to Facilier.

"You can't want this! Whatever you wanted is moot now! Either Gothel dies or we die! There's no other way this ends now!" Regina called to him. He glanced at her and knew she was right. She saw him eye the chalice that glowed between Snow and Charming.

"You can't touch it! You can never properly wield it, don't you get that?! Going back won't turn out the way you think!" Regina added. Facilier's jaw clenched, but she saw relent in his eyes, as fire appeared in his hands and he began to fight with them, if only to help save his own skin. The smirk on Gothel's face was still prevalent though and she remained unscathed.

"It's time to end this," she announced.

"We definitely agree on that, plant bitch...but probably not in the same way," Regina quipped. Gold watched vines slither from her hands and opened his mouth to warn them. But it was too late. He, Regina, Belle, and Facilier were suddenly constricted by those vines and volts of electricity traveled through their bodies. They screamed at the excruciating pain and now were helpless in the battle.

"Don't let the vines touch you!" Gold called, as he tried to reach the dagger inside his jacket pocket, but the vines kept his arms glued to his side.

More vines sprouted from the witch, capturing Leo and Elsa next, rendering them captured as well. Snow grabbed Bobby and backed away from the vines to keep them away from him. Henry guarded Jacinda and Lucy too, as one wrapped around Emma next.

"Emma!" Snow and David cried, as she screamed in pain.

"Mom!" Henry called, as he was torn between protecting his family and running to his mother. Hook prodded a scared and struggling Alice toward Margot and Robin watched him run toward her.

"Killian no!" he cried, as the pirate rushed headlong into danger and sliced through the vine that held Emma. Unfortunately, that only served to see that a vine captured him and another replaced itself around Emma. Gothel laughed evilly and then met Snow's eyes, before looking at Summer.

"I think I'll squeeze the life out of this one. Just one tiny snap to her neck and there will be no dancing in her future," Gothel hissed. Snow cried out and saw her husband already running toward their daughter.

He sliced through the vine that was after her and lifted her up to carry her out of danger. Unfortunately, the unspeakable happened and Snow's blood curdling scream shook them all to their core, as the vine glowed and the inky blackness from the amulet paralyzed his movement. His eyes suddenly went completely black, as Snow rushed toward him, but it was too late. When his eyes returned to their normal blue, they were glassy and his red star gem hovered just outside his chest with a golden glow.

"He did exactly what I knew he would if I threatened one of the little ones. So predictable your Charming is…" she cackled, as the red star seed floated toward the amulet and joined the other four star seeds. The amulet glowed with destructive light and the clouds in the sky darkened. Lightning struck violently around the city, further destroying and compounding the chaos. But Snow couldn't see any of that, as she caught her husband's lifeless form, as he fell to the ground.

"No...no...no…" she cried uncontrollably.

"Don't you dare do this to me again, Charming...don't you dare!" she screamed, as she cradled him in her arms.

"Daddy!" Summer cried, as she knelt beside him.

"Dad!" Bobby cried too, as he tore away from Frankie and Joe, before crashing beside Summer.

"Don't worry...you're about to join him, Princess…" Gothel hissed, as she was suddenly hovering right above them. Henry and Joe pulled a sobbing Summer and Bobby away from their parents and the witch.

"Grams...look out!" Henry called to her, but Snow refused to let go of her husband and even if she had tried to run, it was too late. The blackness was upon her and she was already dying without the other half of her heart. She gasped and her eyes went black, before returning to their normal green, albeit now glassy.

"NOOO!" Emma and the twins cried, as they witnessed the murders of their parents before their eyes. Snow fell against her husband to the ground, as her white star gem hovered above her body with a silver glow. And perhaps even more shocking, the chalice cracked in half and broke apart, stunning them all.

"It's over…" Gold said brokenly.

"No...it can't be…" Belle answered, as Gothel raised her arms to the sky. The amulet poured with black energy and the sky opened up to a burning rain that would eradicate humanity in a matter of hours. Alice seemed to be in a trance, like she was hearing voices again.

"No...I won't let you do this! I'll stop you!" Alice cried, as her golden magic erupted from her fingertips and slammed into the amulet.

"NO!" Gothel cried, as she sent vines to stop her. With her attention on Alice, the vines around the others loosened. Hook grabbed his cutlass and rushed toward his daughter, slicing through any vines that crept near her. Fandral did the same, as he knew Alice was probably their only chance at survival now. Emma, Leo, Eva, and Elsa joined their magic with that of the guardian's and Gothel cried out in horror, as the resurrection amulet shattered into a million pieces. The six star gems were scattered, but Emma was focused on the red and white ones. She scrambled after them, as Gothel tried to get them, but the Savior kicked her away.

"Not today, Satan," she growled, as she retrieved her parents star gems and hurried toward where they lay. The gems hovered above their hosts and she watched hopefully, as they glowed and gently disappeared inside her parents again. But her brief smile faded, as they didn't move or awaken.

"What's going on?" Bobby asked, as he shook their mother and father.

"Why aren't they waking up, Emma?" Summer asked.

"I...I don't know. Come on Mom and Dad...wake up," she muttered, but as seconds passed with no movement, the situation seemed grim. Were they too late to revive them? ~*~

Snow and David stood in that familiar meadow, hand in hand, as they saw the crystal palace before them. He was dressed in his familiar red coat he had worn to awaken her from the sleeping curse and she wore a flowing white dress, with her long hair cascading down her back.

"Are we dead?" she asked, as they glanced at each other.

"I...I don't know. We lost…" he realized.

"Not yet," a male voice said. They turned to see Serenity and Endymion before them.

"What do you mean?" Snow asked.

"It's not too late...you need to speak to Alice. The Guardian can still save everyone," Serenity answered, as she motioned them to the crystal ball behind her. They approached and gently touched it, as they watched Gothel unleash horror on the world with a fully powered amulet.

"Alice...you can still stop this," David said.

"He's right sweetie...you can stop her," Snow agreed, hoping she would hear their pleas. And she did. They shared bright smiles, as they watched Alice and their children shatter the amulet.

"They did it…" Snow said, as tears filled her eyes.

"At least we know they'll be okay without us now," David replied, as he took her in his arms and they prepared to accept their fate. Snow's eyes teared, but she could accept this too, as long as she had him to hold her.

"You two aren't really that dead yet," Endymion said, with a note of amusement in his voice.

"What do you mean?" David asked. He smirked and motioned for them to see exactly what he was talking about. ~*~

"No...they can't be dead! You put their star seeds back in!" Leo cried, as Elsa hugged his arm, the sadness on her face palpable. Eva knelt beside them and tried to use her powers to heal them, but there were no physical wounds.

"Why aren't they waking up?!" Summer cried, as Regina hugged and cried with her. Realization dawned on Henry, as he received the answer from his now active author's pen.

"Because they need true love's kiss," he realized.

"But...how can they give each other true love's kiss when they're both down?" Emma asked.

"Mom...there's more than one kind of true love," he answered and her eyes widened this time, as she got what he meant.

"Is it really that simple?" she asked. He smiled at her.

"Isn't it always when it comes to Grams and Gramps? True love to them is as easy as breathing air," he replied. She smiled at her son and joined hands with Leo and Eva. Summer and Bobby joined them too, as they encircled their parents.

Emma kissed her father's forehead, while Bobby kissed their mother's at the same time. A wave of rainbow light erupted from their kisses and washed over them and the entire city, bringing light to the darkness. Realization dawned in Jacinda's eyes and she practically tackled Henry to the ground.

"Henry!" she cried, as their lips met. He smiled once their lips parted.

"Ella…" he uttered, as they hugged and then lifted Lucy into their arms.

"Eva!" Paul cried, as he rushed over to her. Tears streamed down her face, as he enveloped her in a fierce hug.

Snow and David both took a starved breath and their eyes opened, as they looked around, seeing their children gazing down at them, all crying. They sat up and hugged them all, as true love had reunited them all once again.

"If you think this is over...you're sadly mistaken," Gothel growled, as she continued to pour dark magic into the earth and her storm clouds still threatened to let poisonous rain fall on the earth.

"No...it's definitely not over until we're sweeping your ashes back into the Earth," David growled, as he and Snow stood up. Gothel smirked.

"Your Chalice is broken...do you really think you have the power to defeat me now?" she questioned.

"It may be broken, but it still has power. It's just time for it to take a new form," Snow responded, as they all watched the two broken halves glow and float into the air.

Gold and silver magic swirled around it and then them, as they watched the two halves become something new.

In Charming's hand appeared his sword, only it was now embellished by a golden light and the blade swirled with golden energy. In both of Snow's hands appeared twin gauntlets that were equipped to fire glowing silver arrows that she could control with a mere thought. But that was not all that was different. The power transformed their clothing into familiar battle ware. He now donned his familiar leather jerkin and leather pants, while Snow was now wearing her white warrior princess-esque outfit.

"You think some fancy new weapons are going to scare me?" Gothel asked smugly. Snow aimed her gauntlet and fired three glowing silver arrows at Gothel. They exploded around her in flames and Gothel cried out, as she was badly burned. When the smoke cleared, they could clearly see that she was singed. She looked at her scorched skin and singed hair.

"What have you done to me?!" she cried. Zelena snorted.

"Are you really fishing for sympathy? Even these two have their limits with all their goodie goodie nonsense," the redhead quipped.

"For once, we agree," David said, as he brandished his sword.

"We'll see if you feel that way after I filet one of your precious babies," Gothel growled, as she fired razor sharp leaves at Summer and Bobby. But David was quick, as he jumped in front of them and expertly parried each and every one with lightning precision. Snow fired three more arrows at her and she screamed in agony. Once the smoke cleared again, she glared at Snow.

"No one attacks my babies and comes out of it unscathed," Snow growled. Gothel was about to retort, when Charming called out to her.

"HEY!" he shouted, as he hurled his blade at her and it went through her side. She cried out in agony, as he stretched his hand out and recalled the sword. It answered his call and was pulled from her body. She held her side in horrified agony, as green blood seeped from the wound.

"Alice...help me…" she pleaded with her daughter.

"Help you? You tried to slaughter my family and the entire world," Alice protested, as Jade held her after a tearful reunion.

"I am your family," Gothel pleaded pathetically. But Alice shook her head and stepped up.

"No...you're a monster that will destroy everything I love if I don't stop you," Alice responded, as golden energy erupted from her fingertips and slammed into Gothel.

"No...NOOOO!" Gothel cried, as she felt herself slipping back.

"This is it guys...this ends now," Emma called, as her magic joined Alice's. Leo and Elsa joined her, as his lightning energy paralyzed her limbs and Elsa's froze her to the ground. Gothel screeched and struggled against their magic, but to no avail. She watched in horror, as Alice, her own daughter that she had cruelly abandoned and trapped in a Tower, delivered the final blow. Alice's Guardian magic slowly ate away at her and she could do nothing to stop it, as she was slowly turned to dust. Gothel's remains floated to the ground and her horrid plants were gone. Instead, light magic returned the garden to its former glory. Hyacinths and Snowdrops bloomed again, but as they looked around the city, the damage was done. Snow and David smiled at each other and as expected, their lips met in a passionate kiss.

"Henry!" Neal called, as he and Tink shoved their way toward them, only to be stopped by soldiers. But those army officers felt an invisible shove out of the way, as Rumple raised his hand, and the two rushed toward them.

"I'm okay, Dad," Henry promised, as his father hugged him fiercely. Neal sighed in relief and then hugged his father and Belle.

"I don't know who the hell you people are of what the hell all this is...but you're all under military arrest!" one called to them. By the insignia on this woman's uniform, it was clear that her rank was that of Major and she was in charge of this particular group of guard members.

"Hold on Major…" a voice called, as Angela and Nick made their way through the crowd of onlookers. They flashed their badges.

"This is an FBI matter," Angela claimed.

"No...Agent Martin, this is a matter of obvious National Security," the Major argued. Nick turned to them.

"We can hold them off for a few, but if she calls our superiors, we'll be ordered to step aside," he warned.

"Gold...is there any kind of spell we can use to erase this whole mess from their memories?" David asked. But he shook his head.

"There's no putting this back in the bottle. We can escape back to where we belong and likely never be able to leave Storybrooke again," Gold replied, as they looked over at the military forces that were mounting.

"The military has seen what we can all do now," he said gravely.

"Yeah...this is blowing up all over social media too. It's all over the world now," Neal added.

"And even if it wasn't...like I said, the military has seen our powers and they want it," Gold said. He could see it especially in this Major's eyes.

"Then we can at least fix the damage done by Gothel's near apocalypse," David said, as he looked at Snow. She nodded. They couldn't bring back anyone that had died in the attack, but repairing the city was at least possible.

"As a gesture of good will," she agreed.

"It won't help," Gold warned.

"Maybe not, but it's the right thing to do," David said.

"That's all well and fine, but even with all our magic...we're talking fixing the infrastructure of an entire city," Regina reminded.

"And we have four star seeds, each with a bit of remaining magic," David said, as he opened his palm, revealing an orange star gem and a green star gem; that of which had once belonged to the Dragon King and his Queen.

"They are gone and would want the last of their powers to be used for good," Snow added, as she opened her palm, revealing a silver star gem and a gold star gem; that of which had once belonged to Serenity and Endymion.

"Then you had better hurry," Gold urged. David willed the orange star gem to repair the damaged bridges and highways, while willing the green one to repair damaged buildings. Snow willed the gold one to destroy the storm system in the sky left behind by Gothel and clear skies were restored throughout the city. That left the silver gem and they exchanged a glance, knowing it was their way home and back to the future. David looked at her and they joined hands, as they willed the final star gem into the air. A shining vertical portal appeared before them and all the people from their land and those from Tiana's Kingdom began to file through the portal. By now, all the people that really didn't belong in Hyperion Heights had gathered with them.

"Stop immediately!" the Major ordered, as the soldiers aimed their guns at them. But Summer concealed them in another bubble, causing the bullets to bounce harmlessly off the shield. Snow and David made sure everyone got through, until it was down to their family. They saw Joe and Frankie hugging Summer fiercely and they exchanged a glance, before walking toward them.

"Come with us," David requested of them. The two men exchanged a glance.

"David told me that they won't let you adopt here...but the same wouldn't be true where we're from. It would be new beginning for you both and the chance at having the children you want...and the family," Snow added, indicating them. Joe and Frankie smiled at each other.

"We were hoping you'd ask," they agreed. Summer smiled and practically pulled both of them through the portal.

"Taking in more strays...I shouldn't be surprised," Regina quipped slyly, as she, Robin, and Roland followed Chad and Zelena through the portal. Zelena's fiance was still trying to wrap his mind around everything, but he loved Zelena and vowed that nothing could scare him away.

"Hop on kid," Leo said, as he swept Bobby onto his back. Elsa took his free hand and they stepped through together. Jacinda, Henry, and Lucy followed, along with Paul and Eva, until only Snow, Charming, Hook, Emma, and Alice remained. They looked back at the National Guard and other police forces trying to get through the shield.

"So the world knows…" Emma mentioned. They nodded.

"But that's okay. This is their world and ours awaits us. We're going home," David said, as Hook, Emma and Alice walked through. And finally Snow and Charming followed through, as the bubble dissipated and the portal closed...

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 180: Lightning Before the Thunder

Night had fallen in Seattle, but that didn't hinder the Taste of the Heights food fair. In fact the area was lit up with street lamps and twinkling lights decorated the area, creating a fun, exciting atmosphere.

Rogers smiled and paid Tilly the money, as she helped run Sabine's food truck. A Taste of the Heights food fair was a rousing success so far, especially for Sabine. But it almost hadn't happened. Earlier in the day, Sabine's permit came into question and she couldn't help but suspect that her old classmate from cooking school, Drew, might be behind it. However, Rogers had shown up to vouch for her to the other officer and promised to fix the snafu when he went to the station later, so the other officer had let is slide.

Sabine had been so grateful that she begged Rogers for a way to thank him and he responded by asking her to hire Tilly, which she gladly did so. Drew's food truck, also serving Cajun style food, was in direct competition with hers. But so far, they were both seeing sales.

"Your beignets are selling like hot cakes," Rogers mentioned. Sabine smiled.

"And it wouldn't be happening without you," she replied.

"I'm just glad I could help and thank you for giving Tilly a chance. Not many will with her issues," he said. She smiled.

"She's a good kid...you care about her," Sabine said. He nodded.

"I...do. I guess it's because I was on my own at a young age too. I hated that she was homeless, but my partner and his wife took her in, which I've been so grateful for," he mentioned.

"David and Margaret are wonderful people. I hear you two have a third partner these days, though," Sabine said. He nodded.

"Emma Swan...she is family to them, though she is vague in telling me exactly what kind of relation. I was a bit miffed at first when she came in like she was taking over...but she's a good detective," he replied Sabine smiled.

"Heard she's a real looker too," she mentioned. He gave her a sideways glance.

"Please...we just met and I get the distinct feeling that David sees her as a daughter, despite their close age. He's protective, that one, though he has reason to be, I suppose," he mentioned.

"Yeah...I can't believe all they've been through and then reporters and a trial on top of all that?" she said, shaking her head.

"I know...but I have an inkling that things are about to go south for Clayton Stavros in the morning," he replied.

"Oh...do tell," she said. He chuckled.

"All I can say is that I hope he'll be cozy in Federal prison," Rogers replied, as Henry, Jacinda, and Lucy approached.

"Hey guys…" Sabine greeted.

"Aunt Sabine...this is amazing!" Lucy said, as she hugged her.

"Yeah...everyone is raving about your beignets. I'd say financial independence might become a reality," Henry mentioned, as he looked at Jacinda fondly.

"Thanks...but I could have never done it without my best friend," Sabine said, as she and Jacinda shared a hug, just as Drew came over. She rolled her eyes.

"What do you want?" Sabine questioned shortly.

"I wanted to congratulate you...sincerely on your success tonight. I'd say the Rollin' Bayou is going to be here to stay," he replied.

"No thanks to you…" she commented. He sighed.

"I didn't want to do it…" he pleaded.

"Then why did you? Why did you try to get me ousted from the food fair tonight?" she demanded to know.

"It wasn't me...it was Baron Samdi. I...I owe him a debt and he said that if I ruined your business that he would forgive the debt," Drew explained.

"Why would Baron Samdi want to ruin my business?" she wondered. He shrugged.

"I honestly don't know...he wasn't very forthcoming. But what I did was wrong and I'm sorry again," he continued. She sighed.

"I suppose I can forgive you, but only because I beat your ass," she replied, making him chuckle.

"You definitely did and thank you. I promise I'll be telling Samdi he can go to hell," he promised. She smiled.

"Sounds like a good idea. Don't let anyone hold things over you, Drew. You have the talent and brains to be successful without playing dirty," Sabine said. He smiled.

"I know...and it took you to remind me of that," he replied, wishing she would remember their life together. He was lucky she was so forgiving, for betraying her was the last thing he ever wanted to do. But Samdi had preyed on his weakness...and that weakness was her. He had threatened her and he had done Samdi's dirty deeds to protect her. He was hoping when Tiana did remember that she realized that too.

Before he could say anymore, their attention was drawn to the sky. Just moments ago, the sky was clear and now ominous storm clouds were now brewing in the sky.

"Wow...that came on fast," Sabine commented.

"I don't remember them saying there was going to be storms in the forecast," Jacinda mentioned. Tilly stared at the clouds and then heard a voice in her head.

"You're the Guardian...it's time," she heard in her head.

"Tilly…" Rogers said, noticing her glazed expression.

"Find them...protect their star seeds…" she heard again.

"Tilly…" Rogers repeated.

"I have to find them," she said automatically, as she started to run off, just as Margot arrived.

"Tilly?" she questioned.

"I have to find them...I have to stop her!" Tilly cried, as she kept running. Rogers shook her head, but kept following and Margot joined him.

"What do you think that was all about?" Jacinda wondered, as Henry looked a little lost too.

"We have to go too! I think it's Great Grandma Snow and Great Grandpa Charming!" Lucy cried.

"Lucy...not this again," Jacinda admonished, as lightning flashed and the wind picked up almost violently. It made the hair on the back on Henry's neck stand up.

"I think we need to go. This storm doesn't seem natural," he mentioned.

"Not you too," Jacinda chided.

"No...he's right. The weather on my phone says the sky is clear right now," Drew offered. In reality, he had his memories as Prince Naveen and knew for sure that this storm wasn't real and he knew it meant very bad things.

"I know what it sounds like...but we all need to listen your daughter and Tilly," he added. And with that, they hurried after Rogers and Margot, who was already hurrying after Tilly.

~*~

Gothel strolled into the cavern, just beneath the community garden.

She had gathered her other witches, only five had survived, but she was ready to replace the other three spots with three new ones.

"We're here," Drizella stated, as she arrived with a confused Anastasia.

"Drizella...what are we doing down here?" the girl asked cautiously.

"We're bringing magic to this world and we're going to change everything," Drizella answered. Gothel smirked. Drizella had made the perfect pawn and now she had almost everything she needed to bring about destruction to this land. And when Drizella realized her real objective, it would be too late to stop her.

"I...I don't understand," Anastasia stammered, as she was placed on one of the eight places upon the circle.

"We do not have the star seeds yet...but we soon will. But that will not stop us from beginning the reckoning on this world. The ritual will now begin," Gothel said.

"Ritual?" Drizella asked.

"Yes...the power of eight witches is needed to begin the resurrection of the flower children," she announced.

"It is time to become one with the earth as was intended...and time to take humanity with us," she added, as a bad feeling suddenly settled in Drizella.

"I thought we were using the amulet to resurrect magic into this world," she interjected, as that had always been what Gothel told her their goal was. Drizella had gone along with that, because it involved turning her mother's precious Anastasia away from her. With the added benefit of returning magic to this world. But now she was realizing the resurrection amulet had a price for returning magic and that was their lives. The other witches began to glow and she watched in horror, as the resurrection amulet glowed as well. It seemed to suck the life force from its first victim, the woman who had owned a bakery in this world. And Drizella saw the shock on the other witches faces, except Seraphina. It seemed only she was privy to the real purpose of this plot. Drizella pulled Ana back and bumped into someone behind her.

"I warned you, Drizella…" Victoria scolded, as she took them both the arms and started backing their way out of the cavern. Anastasia gasped, as another witch tried to run, but vines wrapped around her. She had been known as the reporter Phoebe Cooper in this land and Drizella instinctively covered Ana's eyes, as Phoebe was transformed into a tree and live vines sprouted from what had once been her limbs. Even Madam Leota, who had been posing a Judge in this land, seemed surprised.

"This is not what I signed up for!" she protested.

"Yes it is. Everything that I told you is going to happen will...but only with the right sacrifices to bring about the resurrections. Eight witches and the final two star seeds will bring about a new era. Hmm...perhaps I left out the part about your energy being needed in order to seize the star seeds from Snow and Charming," Gothel said, smirking evilly.

"Oops…" she admonished, as Madam Leota and the rest of the witches turned into trees with live branches, which were ready to rip through humanity.

"Get her out of here!" Victoria cried, as she ushered her daughters out of the cavern. The ground beneath them shuddered violently and they watched in horror, as the trees and vines burst up through the cavern and decimated the garden above. Magical storm clouds settled over Seattle and soon, once she had the star seeds, those clouds would rain death upon humanity. She spied Drizella and Anastasia escaping, but it would be fruitless.

Go Ana!" Victoria pleaded, as she hurried her daughter to the surface. The cavern they were in was quickly collapsing. As she pushed Ana through the exit, she heard Drizella cry out, as she faltered and a vine was wrapped around her ankle. The magical vine began to drain the life from her daughter and Victoria was paralyzed by that. It hit her like a ton of bricks, as she looked at the fear in her child's eyes. She finally realized what her favoritism toward Ana and criticism of Drizella had done. She saw hopelessness in her daughter's eyes. She saw the damage she had done to her in her eyes at that very moment. She had seen it before, but now it was finally hitting her. Without thinking, Victoria pulled a knife from her shoulder bag and sliced the vine. She was paralyzed by the dark magic released by the severed vine, but then she knew she would be.

"Go...get your sister out of here. Please…" she pleaded. Drizella gasped, as she saw the magic eating away at her mother.

"Mother…" she pleaded, as a tear fell down Victoria's cheek.

"I'm sorry Drizella...I love you both. Go…" she urged. Ana cried out, as they watched the dark magic evaporate their mother, but Drizella knew her mother had just sacrificed herself so they both could live. She grabbed Ana and they made their way to the surface in tears. Drizella saw the storm clouds overhead and saw the spectacle that the trees bursting through the garden had created. People were starting to gather and knew now that there was only one family that could stop any of this. And she didn't see them anywhere.

~*~

The fire trucks arrived at the Museum, as was standard when the fire alarms were pulled, but Nick and Angela were blocking the way.

"FBI...this is an active crime scene. No one is allowed in or out," Angela called.

"We need to check the building," one fireman argued.

"There is no fire and this is an FBI crime scene and highly classified matters going on here. I cannot permit anyone in the building," Nick called.

"It is not going to be easy to keep them out for long," Angela muttered to her partner.

"Yeah...if they call our boss, we'll have no choice but to let them in. Which won't be good, because we know these people and we've seen the magic. I'll be surprised if this place is still standing in an hour," Nick responded and Angela found that she couldn't disagree with that.

David crept into the museum, firearm drawn, as he searched the seemingly empty building. Emma was behind him, also with her weapon drawn, while Regina was following them. He had made Leo stay with Eva and Bobby near the entrance for their safety, for he really had no idea what they were walking into. All he knew was that Clayton had his wife and their youngest daughter. And he knew Facilier was somehow involved as well, as the tarot card left behind had been a dead giveaway. He wasn't sure why these two men were even teaming up though. It was an inevitable power struggle, because he knew they both wanted the chalice's power for their own purposes. Which meant there would most likely be some kind of betrayal and he feared that his family would be caught in the crossfire. David knew that this was it. They were in the beginning of the end game now. And he knew that also meant that the time that Endymion had told him would come was near. He had to find Snow and Summer, but then he knew they also must cure Emma's heart, before the curse was broken. And he was still a bit confused on how to do that.

~*~

A few nights ago

"You know how to cure my daughter's heart?" David asked. Endymion smiled.

"So do you," he answered, but David felt a bit lost at that.

"Except that I don't...Snow and I would have done so if we knew how," he argued.

"Gothel cursed her heart with poison from dark magic. But Emma was born of the most powerful magic ever to exist. Yours and Snow's true love. You and Snow gave her life through your love and it is within both of you to cure the poison from her heart with that love," Endymion advised.

"You know, I don't know whether you or Aphrodite, or Rumpelstiltskin are the worst with the riddles! Why can't someone for once just tell us...do this exactly and it will work," he complained in frustration. Endymion chuckled.

"I know...this being a spirit guide thing or whatever I am comes with a host of expectations and strings attached. You're a direct guy with no tact and if I could, I'd give you that direct answer," he offered. David sighed.

"I know…" he admonished.

"But I can lead you in the right direction," Endymion stated.

"I know that all you have ever wanted was to protect the woman you love and your children," he added, as David looked down.

"It's everything to me...but I feel like I've failed to do that a thousand times over," Charming confessed, as tears gathered in his eyes.

"I couldn't keep the first curse from separating us and Emma grew up without us for ten years," he stated.

"I know it could have been worse and that it could have been twenty-eight years, but it was still hell for Emma," he continued.

"And you're still blaming yourself for that and all the other things that have happened," Endymion surmised.

"Wouldn't you?" David questioned.

"If you kept failing to protect your family from evil?" he asked.

"Of course...but you haven't failed your family," Endymion admonished.

"I did! The first curse was just the beginning! Then I failed to protect us from the Collector...we almost lost Bobby to Zelena's time travel scheme...and then Isaac threw us into his warped narrative," David listed.

"But true love overcame all of that," Endymion reminded. David shook his head.

"Not before Isaac made sure to torture my wife by sending her to Facilier's mental institution in the Bayou. And if all of that wasn't enough, even after Camelot and the Underworld, I almost lost her to a madman. I couldn't even protect her from a psychotic doctor that was obsessed with her! And now...another curse where she spent two years where pills were forced down her and she was abused, while I was clueless!" he lamented, as the tears finally fell.

"David...you have not failed your family. You have not failed Snow and you never will," Endymion replied.

"I feel like I have. I live in constant fear that I will keep failing them. I keep wondering when it will finally happen. When will I finally lose them for good. What if being Prince Charming isn't enough? What if I finally lose Snow for good?! What if we lost one of our children?!" David cried.

"Do you really believe love, especially a love like you have with Snow, could really ever fail?" Endymion questioned in returned. David sniffed and swiped the tears away.

"We trusted in love...and we thought we had lost Emma. We could still lose her...and I'm desperate to have faith that our love will be enough. But I'm scared that it won't and it will fail us and we'll lose Emma," he confessed. Endymion put a hand on David's shoulder.

"You tell Snow and your children to have faith in love...but you need to take your own advice. There has never been a more powerful love than what you share with Snow...you must trust that it will fix everything," he consoled.

"And if your Snow is anything like my Serenity is...then she would probably say you are putting too much pressure on yourself and that you need to face this together. It's the only way," he continued.

"Your love...it's going to fix everything. It's going to save this world and countless others," Endymion added.

"We want to save Emma," David responded.

"And you will. The answer will come. I would tell you if I could, but the answer isn't words. The answer is something you and Snow will feel. And only in that moment will you know exactly what must be done to save everyone...including Emma," Endymion offered.

"I hope you're right…" David said, swallowing thickly.

"Have faith in your love and hope will never die," Endymion replied. David smiled thinly.

"Hope…" he murmured, as things faded away.

~*~

He had woken up at that point, with no real answers, except the one he and Snow had always put all their cards on. Hope and faith in their love. In reality, hope and love was something that had come very easily to them. Despite the chaos that almost seemed to constantly surround them, the love between them had always been so effortless. Despite all their years of marriage, the passion and excitement had neither dulled or diminished between them. As he frantically searched for the woman he loved and their youngest daughter, he felt himself drawing inward to take strength from that effortless love, for he knew, according to what Endymion had said, it was the only way to save everyone he loved. He closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment, listening to his half heart, which was naturally calling for its other half. Then he saw her in his mind, scared, gagged and blindfolded, and in pain.

"Snow…" he uttered, as he turned down the hall to the right. Emma and Regina didn't question whether he knew if they were going the right way. The lights in the whole place began to flicker ominously and Regina watched them.

"You think that's on purpose?" Emma wondered.

"It's a mere parlor trick for someone like Facilier and likely meant to intimidate us," Regina said, as they continued on through the corridor.

"Daddy!" they heard a scream that was made to echo and fear seized David's heart.

"Summer…" he cried.

"Dad...wait! That sounded like a recording. They're trying to get you to rush right into some trap," Emma reasoned. He tried to calm his breathing and then suddenly doubled over in pain.

"Dad!" Emma cried, as she knelt beside him. He saw Snow in his mind and then Clayton's evil smirk, as he shoved a plasma rod, the same kind he had once instructed Sa'luk to use on him, into the small of his beloved's back. Snow screamed through the gag and flailed in pain, as she dangled from shackles by her arms.

"STOP! JUST STOP!" David screamed to the ceiling, knowing they were being watched on cameras, as he saw her in his mind and watched Clayton briefly remove the gag that was stuffed between Snow's teeth.

"Charming...don't give into him…" she pleaded. A tear slipped down his cheek. Seeing her in pain crippled him, but then Clayton knew that. He knew exactly how to bend him to his will.

"Shall I string your little girl up beside her mother or are you ready to surrender?" he heard Clayton ask, as he gagged Snow again and lit the plasma rod up with a higher charge.

"Time to fry your Princess again and then maybe I'll let the boys have some fun with her. You should see the way they've been eyeing her and your little girl," Clayton said.

"Stop! Just stop, you bastard!" David cried, as he holstered his gun and put his hands up.

"You win," he growled. Neither Regina or Emma knew exactly what was happening, except that Snow had to be in pain or imminent danger. Emma holstered her gun too, as Clayton's men arrived to escort them to wherever it was that Clayton wanted them. Regina glared at Facilier, as came with them and then took her arm, dismissing one of the guards.

"I'll take this one," he said.

"You put a hand on me and you'll lose function in several body parts," Regina warned.

"Not if you want your precious little Summer to survive this night," he warned. Regina let him lead her by the arm, as the other brutes led Emma and David further through the corridor, until they finally reached the loading docks. The large, heavy doors were pushed open and they were prodded inside, as his eyes darted around, until he finally saw her.

"SNOW!" he cried.

~*~

The tires on the car screeched to a halt outside the museum, as Rumple and Belle arrived. She felt the wind whip around them and looked to the sky, her mouth falling ajar.

"Rumple…" she uttered, as he followed her line of vision.

"Dammit…" he cursed, as he watched the storm cloud brew ominously.

"She's done it," he stated.

"But...she doesn't have the last two star seeds yet," Belle protested.

"Nevertheless, she has started the process. The process to end this world," he responded.

"How do we stop this?" Belle questioned, as he took the dagger out of his jacket pocket.

"There is only one family that can stop any of this now, which means we have to stop whatever the Collector and that witch doctor are cooking up," he said, as he took her hand and they hurried up the stairs, brushing past Nick and Angela.

"Keep them out," he snapped.

"So far so good...but that might not hold if our boss gives the order to the fire chief to let them in," Angela argued. He sighed.

"Then you'll need to prepare to explain everything this city is about to see," he replied, as he led Belle inside.

"What the hell do you think he meant by that?" Nick wondered, as thunder boomed above them and the ground rumbled beneath them.

"I don't know...but I think he's right. We're about to find out," Angela uttered.

~*~

"Rumple…" Belle whispered, as he drew his firearm.

"If Clayton manages to get the chalice…" she started to say. She hated even going there, for she knew him getting control of it meant bad things for her friends.

"This won't go the way they think it will. If the worst happens and he recharges his Dragon staff, he will not have the power to defeat Gothel like he thinks he will," Rumple replied.

"Then how can Snow and Charming?" she asked. He smirked.

"You're the one that's always telling me to trust in true love...that it's more powerful than the darkness," he reminded. Her eyes widened.

"Are you saying that even if got its power…" she started to say.

"Yes...it will be what the Dragon experienced all over again. He'll have magic, but he won't be able to stop Gothel...not even close," he replied.

"Rumple...what's coming. I know that you've seen it. Not here...but the first time you encountered her...your foresight would have shown you," Belle pleaded. He sighed and turned to her.

"It's hard to describe the horror that awaits if that storm is fueled by the full power of the amulet. Her vines will sprout and squeeze the life out of everything in their path. Her plants will eat whatever the vines don't kill and turn all life to ash. Buildings and infrastructure will crumble. She'll reduce this world back to her warped vision of Eden in a matter of days," he foretold.

"Do we win?" she squeaked. He sighed and pulled her into his arms.

"I don't know...how it ends wasn't clear. But we must stop the Collector and Facilier if we're going to even have a sliver a chance against Gothel," he replied.

"So we have to save Snow and David...so they can save us and the world," she realized. He nodded and they began hurrying along again. As usual, time was not on their side and the fate of this world and many others hung in the balance...

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 168: Time for Miracles

Jenna took the blood sample from Mr. Branson and tried to ignore the way he was staring at her while she did. For someone that was supposedly in a relationship, his eyes certainly seemed to wander and in a creepy way.

"There…that should do it," she said, as he rolled his sleeve down.

"Thanks...so what kind of tests are you going to run on my blood?" he questioned. Now that seemed like a really odd question, but she supposed he was just curious, considering the condition of his daughter.

"Just the normal tests to make sure it's a viable sample, free of an anomalies and then we'll type match it against Lucy," she offered as an explanation. Nick stood up and started to remove his tie while her back was turned. He took both ends in his hands and prepared to eliminate another witch. This one did good, but to him, her power still came from evil and the world had to be cleansed of her.

"I'm afraid I can't let you run that sample against Lucy," he said. Her brow furrowed in confusion, but before she could turn around, she felt him behind her and choked, as he used the tie to begin choking her. She gasped for air and dug her nails into his hands, as he strangled her. He growled in frustration, as she drew blood, but he kept pulling tighter on the tie. She began to see spots in her vision and as she did, memories flooded her subconscious. The more air that left her the more clear it all became. She remembered...everything and exactly who Nick was. A tear slipped down her cheek, as she realized that she was remembering, because she was about to die. Until there was a noise outside the room, catching Nick's attention.

"Guess today is your lucky day," he growled, as he inhaled the scent of her hair

"I got to bang your brother...too bad I didn't get to screw you too, beautiful. I bet you're just as good," he hissed in her ear, before he pushed her into the wall. She gasped for air and crumpled to the floor, just as David rushed into the room. When he saw his daughter laying on the floor, he put his gun away and sank beside her, pulling her into his arms.

"Dr. Aeson…" he said, trying to rouse her. He was relieved to find that her breathing was still strong and she seemed to be just dazed, though he was livid to see the faint marks around her neck. Had he been just a few seconds later, he might have been too late, and that weighed heavily on his heart.

"Dear God...what happened?" Dr. Narita asked. David looked up though and knew the real identity of this man to be none other than his son-in-law, Paul.

"Have security seal off the exits and tell them they are looking for this man," David told him, as he showed him the photo on his phone. Dr. Narita was astonished to see that the man was the supposed father to the little girl he had been called to consult on. But he didn't hesitate and hurried out to inform security. David knew it was probably too late and he was gone. But his little girl was smart, even cursed, and he saw the blood and skin underneath her fingertips. That would be all the proof they needed to make Nick Branson a wanted man and then he wouldn't rest until he found him.

"Dr. Aeson…" he repeated, as she started to come around and looked up.

"Daddy…" she uttered and his eyes widened. He swallowed thickly, wondering if he dared to hope. Her eyes widened and she gasped, as her arms went around his neck.

"Daddy!" she cried and tears fell down his cheeks, as he hugged her fiercely and cradled her head.

"Oh Eva…" he cried.

"Daddy...it was Jack and he's with Leo!" she exclaimed.

"I know...and I'm going to get him, I promise," he said, as Snow rushed in.

"David!" she called, but she was the one to get a surprise.

"Mom…" Eva uttered.

"Eva?!" she asked tearfully, as she hugged her daughter fiercely. That's when Dr. Narita returned and Eva looked at him, her eyes shining with tears. He didn't remember her...he didn't remember that he was her husband.

"Dr. Aeson...are you okay?" he asked. She swallowed thickly and managed a nod.

"I hate to tell you this, but one of the guards saw this guy leaving, just before I got there," he reported, as he returned his phone. David nodded and put his phone to his ear.

"This is Detective Nolan...I need to issue an APB for Nick Branson immediately. He is to be considered extremely dangerous," he told the desk sergeant before hanging up again.

"Lucy…" Eva uttered, looking at her parents.

"Don't worry...we're going to take care of that," Snow assured, as she tapped her bag.

"Dr. Narita, can you check Dr. Aeson over and make sure she's okay?" David asked.

"Of course…" he agreed, as they watched the pair join hands and leave the room. But Eva knew they would be back soon and hopefully with news that her great niece was awake.

~*~

The Enchanted Forest 2

Storybrooke year - 2023

Fandral was right and it only took them a few hours on horseback to get to edge of realms. When they arrived at the narrow tunnel that acted as a portal to it, they left the horses and trekked through it on foot. When they arrived on the other side, they all marveled at the beauty of the place known as the edge of realms.

"I've only read about this place. I never thought I'd actually see it," Belle said in awe.

"So...that tunnel is like a portal?" Kristoff questioned curiously.

"Of sorts," Rose answered.

"So what now?" Anna asked.

"We summon the bi-frost and we do so by calling on Heimdall," Fandrall answered, as he prepared to use the Singasteinn to do so.

"First I think I need to give all of you some modern looking clothing. You'll stick out way too much in this stuff," Emma admonished, as she poofed their friends from Arendelle and Rose Red and her family into an assortment of modern clothes.

Hold on...we might have a problem," Belle called, as she halted them.

"What is it?" Emma asked.

"Our families are in Seattle...but in the past," Belle replied, as she leafed through the book.

"The past?" Elsa questioned.

"The year 2018 to be exact," Belle answered.

"How the hell did that happen?" Emma wondered and then her eyes widened.

"Facilier...he kept talking about the past and wanting to use the chalice to go back in time! Much further than that though," the blonde recalled.

"Just talking about going back to the past might have had an effect on the chalice," Belle suggested.

"How the hell are we going to get to Seattle in 2018?" Emma wondered. But no one had an answer and Emma's heart sank. She was starting to wonder if Clayton was right this time. Maybe there wasn't a way to save her family this time.

"Would this help?" Anna asked, as she touched her necklace.

"It's a wishing star. It worked once before," Anna reminded. Hope returned to Emma's eyes, as Anna handed it to her.

"Thank you…" she said. Anna smiled.

"Let's just hope it works again," the Princess responded, as Fandral summoned Heimdall. They all watched in amazement, as the burning rainbow bridge shot down from the sky and deposited a very large man before them.

"Heimdall!" the three demi-Asgardians called, as they all gathered around him with hugs. The hulking man smiled softly at them and then bowed respectfully to Rose Red.

"Your Majesty," he said, signifying his deep respect for her. Rose smiled and hugged him too.

"It's wonderful to see you, Heimdall," she greeted.

"I am assuming you are in need to use the bi-frost?" he questioned noticing their guests.

"Yes, there has been another curse. Snow and David are trapped in a large city in the Land Without Magic, this time in the year 2018," Fandral explained.

"We have a wishing star that will hopefully grant our wish to time travel. We just need passage to Seattle via the bi-frost," Emma added. Heimdall nodded curtly.

"I will get you there. But Emma, you must use the wishing star and think of the loved ones you are trying to reach. I believe I know of a significant landmark to deposit all of you," he said. They nodded and all joined hands, as they prepared for the journey. Emma closed her palm around the wishing star, as she thought of all the people that needed her and wished to be taken to where they were. And with that, Heimdall and their entire group disappeared through the bi-frost.

~*~

Detective Rogers marched Victoria Belfry into the precinct that evening and took her to an interrogation room. In the lobby though, as they passed, Gothel gave her a smug look.

"You have no idea the hell you are going to unleash on this city by freeing that woman, Detective," she warned, as he led her into the room.

"Really? That's the defense you're going with? A harmless woman you kept shackled to a radiator is the dangerous one?" he questioned. She smirked.

"She was shackled there, because she is the monster, Detective, I assure you. I was doing everyone a favor by keeping this particular demon locked away," she replied. He scoffed.

"If you're going for an insanity defense, I'd say you have a clear shot," he responded, as he placed the phone on the table before her and removed the cuffs.

"Make your one phone call, while you're being processed. Since it's late, I doubt even whatever high powered attorney you employ can get you out tonight, but don't worry, we have a lovely little holding cell just for you," he said, as he left her to make her call, closing the locked door behind him. Victoria frowned and clenched her teeth.

"Dammit...you have no idea what you've done, Drizella…" she cursed, before calling her attorney.

~*~

Regina glanced at her former mentor and watched, as he checked his phone for the twelfth time in the last fifteen minutes. He wasn't normally the fidgety type and rarely showed any type of unease on the outside. So she knew the fact that it was so palpable meant that something was eating at him.

"What it is?" she questioned and for once, he didn't bother to hide or refuse to tell her.

"It's Neal…" he said and then cursed inwardly.

"I mean Cassidy...he hasn't reported in," Rumple answered.

"And you're worried he could be in trouble," she surmised.

"This is Clayton we're talking about," he reminded.

"Then go find him…" she urged. But he hesitated.

"Lucy will be fine. Snow and Charming have got this...she'll be okay. But Henry has already lost one parent. Do not let him lose the other," she implored. He nodded and left wordlessly to find his son. He had a very bad feeling that Cassidy Gold was in a lot of trouble. He just hoped that he found him before the worst could happen.

~*~

It was finally the middle of the night and the thugs opened the trunk, where they had tied and gagged Cassidy Gold. Garvy pulled him out and marched him toward the edge of the bridge.

"I'd remove the gag and ask you if you have any last words, but I know the minute I take it off, you'll scream. And we can't have that," he said, as he cocked his gun. A tear slipped down Cassidy's cheek and he clenched his eyes shut tightly. He didn't want to die. Suddenly, the entire area lit up with light. The thugs all looked around, expecting cops. But this light was not from sirens or flashlights. This was a strange, multicolored light that almost seemed to be burning.

"Uh hey boss…" one of the thugs said, as he pointed into the sky. All present, including Cassidy, were stunned to see that this burning rainbow light was coming from the sky and shooting straight into the ground.

"What in the hell is that?" Garvy uttered, as there was a flash and it disappeared, leaving behind a group of people that were now before them. Cassidy was just as much in shock as the thugs.

"Whoa...that was a trip," Kristoff commented, as they looked around.

"Neal…" Emma said in disbelief, but she saw no recognition in his eyes. Still, it didn't take her much to figure out that he was in serious trouble here and she drew her weapon.

"Put your guns down!" she demanded, but the leader scoffed and put the barrel of his to Neal's head.

"In case you failed to notice, blondie...your one gun is a little outnumbered. But if you want to play too...I'm sure that can be arranged," he leered.

"I'm warning you…" Emma threatened and the thugs laughed.

"This chick is crazy," one commented, but that would be a mistake, as she nodded to Fandral. Though she had used her magic to give all of them modern clothing, Fandral was still armed with his sword. He dashed toward their would be assailants and took out two before they even knew what hit them. Garvy fired his weapon, but he wasn't fast enough for the Asgardian and Fandral disarmed him, literally, but cutting off the hand that was holding the gun. He screamed in agony and Cassidy scrambled away.

"Sorry about that...but you were going to no good with that hand," Fandral said, the men circled the Asgardian, but his sword kept them at bay and they slowly backed away.

It's okay...we're not going to hurt you," Emma told Cassidy, as she put her hands up in surrender. He relaxed slightly and let her undo his bonds and the gag.

"Who the hell are you people?" he asked.

"You're welcome…" Kristoff responded.

"You don't know us...but we're friends, I assure you," Emma added, as a car pulled up. It was not a marked vehicle, but had siren lights.

"Crap…" Emma muttered, knowing this was going to be hard to explain. But fortunately, she wouldn't have to as the person came into view.

"Rumple…" Belle uttered.

"Dad!" Gideon called, as they rushed toward him. Weaver was shocked, but not unhappy to see them, especially when he wasn't sure they would ever be able to find him. There was a genuine smile on his face, as he hugged them tightly.

"You're here…" he uttered in surprise, as he shared a tender kiss with Belle.

"We went with Emma to Rose Red's castle. She was able to find the book in her library to tell us where and when you had all been taken," Belle replied.

"Emma…" he said, finally seeing her now.

"You're alive…" he added. She smiled.

"Long story, but suffice to say I was able to hold on long enough for Elsa and the others to find me. I can fill you in on the rest later, but here in this land, I'm not having any issues with my heart," she explained. He nodded curtly.

"What the hell is going on?!" Cassidy exclaimed.

"Much that would be too difficult to explain, Mr. Gold. But you're safe now and I'll be calling in a team to take care of the riff raff. First, we need to get all of you out of here. I have a house I can allocate from the department that should meet our needs," Weaver stated.

"Wait...my parents…" Emma interjected. Weaver met her gaze.

"They're awake…" he revealed. Her eyes widened.

"Then they think…" she started to say and he nodded.

"Yes...they think you're dead. But they are at the Hyperion Heights hospital right now. We'll go there first," he replied. She nodded, as he made a few calls. One to get the thugs taken down to the station for processing and the other to get transportation for them.

His head was still reeling from everything, but he knew Emma being alive could change everything in their favor.

~*~

Snow and David appeared in the doorway to Lucy's hospital room. Anastasia looked up at them, as they entered the room.

"Can you really help her?" she asked curiously. They nodded, as they looked to Drizella, who stood next to her now younger sister.

"It would be unwise to try and stop us from saving our great granddaughter," Snow warned. She smirked.

"I won't...I never wanted this for Lucy," she responded.

"No...you just wanted to release that witch. I don't think you have any idea what you've done or what the ramifications will be," David retorted. But Drizella only smirked.

"We'll see…" she countered, as she stepped aside, allowing them to approach Lucy's bedside. Snow gently brush a hand through the girl's ebony locks.

"Hang in the sweetie...it will be just a few more minutes," she whispered, as she took the chalice out of her bag. It glowed and she closed her eyes, as he gripped her other hand.

"Please help us wake her…" she pleaded silently. The chalice glowed and a pulse of light emanated from it, before it went inside Lucy's chest. She took a deep breath and her eyes opened wide, as she awakened at last. She looked around and found her great grandparents smiling down at her. They were crying, but happy and she smiled back.

"What's happening?" she asked, as Snow gently brush her hair away from her face.

"It's a long story, sweetheart, but you're going to be okay," she promised.

"Does everyone remember yet?" Lucy asked, as David cupped her cheek with a strong hand.

"I'm afraid not yet, little one...but they will," David promised.

"Oh my God…" Jacinda uttered, as she stood in the doorway in shock.

"Lucy!" she cried, as she rushed into the room. Snow and David backed away, as the young woman hugged her daughter tightly.

"She just woke up...we were about to call Dr. Aeson," Snow said, as Jacinda looked up at them with tears streaming down her face.

"This...it feels like a miracle," she cried, as she hugged her tightly and sniffed, before she started wiping her tears away.

"Honey...do you remember what happened?" Jacinda questioned. Lucy glanced quickly at her great grandparents and then back at her mother.

"I was with gramma Belfry and she told me happy endings weren't real. Then...I don't remember after that," Lucy said.

"I'd say happy endings are very real," Snow interjected and Jacinda smiled.

"Me too," she agreed, as Dr. Narita walked in.

"I just heard...I think I should check Lucy over," he said interrupting. Snow and David nodded, as they followed Anastasia and Ivy out of the room. David pulled Snow into a fierce hug and she relished his arms around her, taking solace in him. He pressed his lips to hers then and she kissed him back with wanton passion.

"Oh David…" she breathed, as their lips parted briefly, only to meet again with desperate passion.

"She's going to be okay, Snow...and we have Eva back," he whispered.

"Leo…" she said, remembering that their son was still in the lobby and had no clue what Nick had just tried to do a sister that he did not remember. And he sensed what she was thinking.

"Don't worry, my darling. I'll tell Luke what Nick tried to do...I'll make sure he's protected," he promised. She nodded and crushed her lips against his again, simply needing to kiss him and be held by him. The night had been truly horrific, but getting Eva back and waking Lucy had made an evening of horror turn into an evening of miracles, more so than they believed at that moment.

"Come on...let's go find Luke and break the news," he said, as they returned to the lobby.

"Is she awake?" Regina asked immediately upon seeing them. They nodded and offered smiles, to which she let out a breath of relief.

"That's one good thing that happened tonight," the former Queen said.

"How about we try for two good things," Eva said, as she came out into the lobby behind them. Regina looked at her and no longer saw true recognition in her eyes.

"Eva?" she asked in disbelief. The young woman nodded and hugged the other fiercely.

"I've missed you Aunt Regina," she said.

"I missed you too, sweetheart," Regina replied, as she glanced over at her twin, who was sitting in one of the chairs, nursing a cup of coffee.

"We'll get Leo back too...what are these marks on your neck?" Regina asked.

"That was Nick...Jack...whoever he is. He got away, but not for long," David assured.

"In the meantime, we have to convince our son that remembers nothing that his boyfriend just tried to kill someone," Snow added, as she watched her husband approach the young man.

"Luke?" he asked in the most professional tone he could muster..

"Yes?" he questioned.

"I'm Detective Nolan, we met a few days ago at the zoo...and I need to speak to you about your boyfriend, Nick Branson," he stated, hating that his son was unknowingly mixed up with a killer and said killer had taken such advantage of him. Leo had been through so much and neither he nor Snow had been able to protect him from the evils the curse had wrought. But he set aside his guilt over all of that and took a deep breath.

"I remember. Is something wrong with Nick?" Luke asked.

"I'm afraid he just tried to kill someone...has he contacted you within the last ten minutes?" David asked.

"What?!" Luke exclaimed.

"That's insane! Nick wouldn't kill anyone!" he refuted.

"I'm afraid he tried to strangle Dr. Aeson. She survived the attack and she scratched him. The lab is matching the skin under her DNA to him right about now," David responded, as the young man remained shell shocked.

"I know this must be really difficult to hear, but I need to know if he has contacted you in the last hour?" David asked. Luke shook his head.

"Just a quick text that said he had an emergency with some client and that he'd be back. Guess that was a lie," Luke said bitterly, as he showed him the text.

"Okay...thanks. Listen...why don't you let me and my wife get you some more coffee?" David offered.

"I'm fine...just why would he try to kill someone?" he lamented.

"I don't know...but none of this is your fault," David assured, as he put a hand on the young man's shoulder. He searched his son's eyes for any recognition, but didn't see any and couldn't help but be disappointed by that. He wanted so badly for him to remember too so he and Snow could at least properly comfort him.

"I...I think I just need a little air," he mentioned, as he went outside. Snow and David could only exchange a sad look and watch on from a distance. He opened his arms and Snow dove into them, as he kissed her hair and held her tightly.

"What are we going to do, Charming?" she whispered to him.

"I...I don't know, my love," he responded, wishing he had answers for her...for all of them. Snow saw Weaver come in over his shoulder and noticed that he wasn't alone. Neal, who she knew was Cassidy Gold under the curse, came in behind him. But the person that followed him made her knees give out. Was her mind playing tricks on her? Was she seeing a ghost or was it some cruel trick? Was thinking what she was seeing was real too much to hope.

"Snow?" he asked in concern, as he held her up and kept her from sinking to the floor.

"David…" she murmured, her eyes still locked on the person she could see over his shoulder. The person that was now staring her dead in the eyes. David turned to see what she was fixated on and almost collapsed to the floor himself.

"Emma…" he uttered in disbelief.

"You're alive…" Snow said, choking on her tears.

"Yeah...it was a little touch and go there for a while, but I managed to stay alive long enough for Elsa and the others to find me," she explained, as they saw the Queen of Arendelle behind her, along with Anna and Kristoff. Tears streamed down their faces.

"We got Emma back to Storybrooke and just outside the town line," Kristoff added.

"And then Aphrodite created an elixir to keep my symptoms at bay until we can figure out how to cure my heart. But I'm fine here, because there's no magic," she explained. Snow smiled through her tears, as she cupped her daughter's face and then pulled her into a crushing hug.

"You found us…" she cried. Emma chuckled and her put her arms around them both, as David hugged her too and cradled her head.

"We...we thought you were dead…" David cried.

"I know...I'm sorry," she replied.

"You have nothing to apologize for, baby," Snow admonished, as she kissed Emma's cheek and David kissed her head.

"Emma...it's really you?" Eva asked tearfully.

"Eva...you're awake?" Emma asked, as they hugged.

"She's not the only one that's awake," Regina said, as she came over to them, all smiles, as she was sandwiched between Robin and Roland. She was also in tears, as she had feared she would also never see them again.

"Is there anyone except Neal that isn't awake?" Emma inquired.

"Leo's not…" Snow said.

"Killian and Alice aren't awake yet either," David added.

"And neither is Paul yet. It's a mess," Eva fretted.

"Hey...we'll figure it out. I found you guys, didn't I?" Emma replied.

"Wait...how did you find us? We're in the past," Snow inquired curiously. Emma smiled and gestured behind her. Near the entrance, they could see Rose Red, Fandral, and their children.

"We went to Rose's library and found the book. Then we summoned Heimdall so we could use the bi-frost and used Anna's wishing star to get us to the past. I don't know if that will work again, so I hope the chalice can get us back to 2023 after we break the curse," Emma said.

"It will...it got us here so I think it will take us back too," David assured.

"I'm sure there's a crap ton you need to tell me, so does this place have hot cocoa or something?" she asked. They smiled and hugged her between them again.

"Yeah...we have a lot to tell all of you," Snow said. Since it was the middle of the night, the lobby was mostly deserted, so they all found seats.

"Summer and Bobby...they need to know Emma's alive!" Snow said. Regina nodded.

"We'll go pick them up while you fill everyone in on what we're facing," the former Queen agreed, as she headed out with Robin and Roland in tow.

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 178: One Less Problem

Snow released a calming breath, as they spent their short lunch break together outside the Courthouse. It was a warm day and they had sneaked over to a park bench nearby. The press was occupied so far with interviewing Clayton, who was soaking up the limelight they were shining on him. That was just fine, for Snow and David wanted nothing to do with it and were thankful the reporters hadn't noticed them yet. Instead, they focused on each other and spending a few quiet moments together. Snow sat in his lap, resting her head on his shoulder, as they talked softly and occasionally exchanged kisses.

"I hate that you had to relive all those nights that you spent in that cell," he mentioned.

"I know...but it's over now. I just wish it was over for you too. They're going to grill you," she feared.

"I'll be fine, because I'll have the same thing that you had," he replied, as he took her hand and looked up at her.

"I'll have you to look at and you always give me the strength I need to do anything," he responded, as he gently cupped her beautiful face, as she sniffed.

"My darling...what is it?" he asked.

"It's silly," she replied. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Your feelings are never silly," he reminded.

"It's just...we don't deserve any of this," she said.

"Of course we don't," he added.

"I just mean...the things they are publishing about us in some of those tabloids…" she lamented.

"Snow...those publications are pure trash," he chided.

"I know...I know...that's what I keep telling myself. But Charming...you didn't read some of the things they are publishing about you. I mean, I always thought men were the only ones that objectified women...but…" she trailed off. He sighed.

"Snow...I don't care what they are saying about me. I'm yours," he said.

"I know that...I know you have never had eyes for another woman, but then I think back to all those nights when I was crying for you and I wondered if you had been cursed to be with someone else," she muttered.

"I wasn't...I was pining for my Margaret, which we both know is really you," he replied.

"Which isn't completely fair to you. If I really was gone...I'd want you to be happy," she confessed.

"And I would find happiness in seeing you through our children. But moving on? Snow...that's not possible for me. The sun and the moon set with you," he confessed.

"I know...it's the same for me," she revealed.

"Then are you really bothered by what they are saying? I know this is a different kind of adversity than we've faced before, but are you really letting some gossip mongers question how much you mean to me?" he asked.

"I know how much you love me...I've never questioned that," she insisted.

"Then what is it?" he asked.

"I just feel like that if you were cursed to be with someone else and I had come back into your life, I would have wrecked it completely," she replied.

"I won't deny that it wouldn't have been a mess, but my darling, you know that I'd always want you. No matter how many cursed memories they managed to put in my head...my heart would never forget you or the way I feel when I'm with you," he said.

"I know...and I would never doubt that, but when I read how they were claiming you got saddled with a mess like me, I wasn't sure I could deny that," she murmured. But he shook his head in vehemence.

"You are not a mess and even if you were, you are my mess. Do you really think you're not enough for me?" he asked in disbelief. She sniffed.

"I guess my time in Dr. Samdi's care did more damage to me than I thought," she replied tearfully. His half heart broke at that and he kissed her fiercely.

"Then when we get home and we will...I want you to start seeing Archie, but there is one thing I can tell with absolute certainty right now," he said, as their lips parted and he looked soulfully into her green eyes.

"Not enough for me? You are everything I'm ever going to need or want beyond my wildest dreams!" he exclaimed. She sniffed and smiled at him.

"I know...I've never doubted your love. I think everything just got to me and then those stupid articles were right in front of me and you know it's like a train wreck to me. I have to read them and then the things they were talking about...I mean they were discussing you. You know, how handsome you are and certain things about your anatomy...and what kind of lover you might be," she said. He rolled his eyes.

"Oh God…" he said in disgust and then sighed.

"I know...I told you it was beyond silly. I'm used to other women looking at you...they just usually make sure I'm out of earshot before they start...discussing you," she added with a giggle. He sighed.

"Well...look at it this way: they'll never know, cause baby you're the only that's ever gonna know the answer to those questions," he said, as he wriggled his eyebrows at her, making her giggle.

"I am," she realized, as she kissed him.

"Mmm...you don't think I've had insecurities about whether or not I'm good enough for you in the past?" he asked. She sighed.

"I know you have, but you shouldn't," she protested.

"You're a Princess...and everyone knows that I'm not a real Prince. They call you the fairest of them all, for Gods sakes. Believe me, there were times when I wondered why you chose me. You don't think I've never noticed the way other men look at you?" he asked. She shrugged.

"I never noticed. I guess we have both always been too busy absorbed by each other to notice any of that nonsense," she replied.

"Exactly...they can print whatever garbage they want in their trashy magazines, but we know the truth and that's why I'm not afraid to get up on that stand today. Because all people are going to hear is the truth about how much I love you and how you were stolen from me. And how evil that man is," he said, as he kissed her passionately again, making her swoon and feel lightheaded.

Unfortunately, it was nearly time to go back and the reporters were now finished with Clayton, only to hone in on them and during a kiss no less. David growled low in his throat, as the intrusive reporters snapped photos of them kissing and Snow in his lap, no less. They stood up and he kept his arm firmly hooked around her waist, as they hurried back toward the courthouse, even as they volleyed their ridiculous questions.

"Detective Nolan...do you have a response to Mr. Stavros' invitation to his gala tonight?" a reporter questioned. Snow and David hurried along back to the courthouse without commenting, knowing that anything they said would be taken out of context.

"Detective...it was indicated by Mr. Stavros that he may seek damages against the department for defamation of his character, citing you as the main reason. How do you respond?" another questioned and he clenched his fist, as they kept walking, especially when they saw Seraphina there, known as reporter Phoebe Cooper in this world, intent on harassing them, especially his wife.

"Detective...if you and your crazy wife have nothing to hide, then why do you continue to refuse to talk to us," she asked. Snow squeezed his hand and her eyes pleaded with him not to respond.

"It doesn't matter what they say, my love…" she whispered to him. He sighed and they hurried inside the courtroom and the press was thankfully barred from entering again. But he knew what faced him on the stand, however, he would face anything for her and his family, especially if it meant helping to make sure Clayton went to prison.

"Court will come to order," the Judge stated, as she slammed the gavel down. So far, the Judge had remained biased for the most part, but knowing that her real identity was that of Madam Leota made him skeptical that it would stay that way.

"The state may call their next witness," she continued.

"Thank you, Your Honor. The state calls Detective David Nolan to the stand," Amara announced. Snow squeezed his hand and he went up to the witness box.

"Detective...can you please describe the first time you met Clayton Stavros?" she asked. Weaver had warned him about this question and fortunately, the curse had created an entire background between him and Clayton that had been inserted into police records upon the inception of the curse, so David made sure he read through everything to make sure he knew all the facts and that they would match the records. The events they were going to discuss never actually happened, but David knew Clayton wouldn't refute any part of it, for he would seem like the crazy one if he told people how they had really met and how Clayton himself was hundreds of years old. He knew the Collector would go along with this narrative to protect his own interests and David could only hope that in turn, it would help put him behind bars.

"It was years ago and I was a very young detective. I was involved in stopping illegal contraband from coming into the country down at the docks. Among the illegal items were artifacts and items that we determined likely belonged in a museum," he explained.

"What did you do?" Amara asked.

"Those involved in overseeing the items being brought into the country were arrested, but we quickly determined that they were just underlings. Captain Weaver determined that the artifacts were in fact stolen from museums overseas. That's when he assigned me to investigate," he answered. He knew this story was fabricated, but Clayton wouldn't refute any of these claims, for it was not in his best interest for people to discover who he really was.

"And where did that investigation lead you?" she asked.

"It led me to Mr. Stavros and his museum. He was intent on adding these stolen artifacts to his collection by any means necessary," David revealed, as the two men glared at each other. Part of him wished he could tell the truth and everything Clayton had put them through. He wished he could tell them that the hell they had put his wife through at the hands of Dr. Samdi was only the tip of the iceberg. He wished he could tell everyone that this man had kidnapped them, held them captive as living trophies, seen to his own torture he had endured to protect his family, and then his forcing Snow to crush his heart to cast a curse to save everyone. But this was the real world where, as far as they knew, magic and curses didn't exist. But evil did and he was determined to make the jury see the evil that he saw beneath his stupid, smug grin.

"Did you arrest, Mr. Stavros at that point?" she asked.

"No…" he replied.

"Why not?" she asked.

"There wasn't enough evidence for a warrant. Mr. Stavros is very good at keeping his own hands clean while he hires other to do his dirty work," David answered.

"Objection, Your Honor. Detective Nolan's opinion has no validity here, nor does the grudge he holds against me client!" Chad protested.

"Sustained. The Jury will disregard that last statement," the Judge ordered.

"So...you've never been able to formally arrest Mr. Stavros on criminal charges of smuggling and grand theft, due to lack of evidence?" Amara asked.

"Correct," David stated.

"And you believe your numerous attempts to catch him created this bad blood between you that ultimately led to his participation in the abduction of your wife and son, as well as his forgery of documents stating he was your wife's brother, in order to keep her in Dr. Samdi's care?" she asked.

"Yes...he wanted revenge on me and he knew the only way to truly hurt me was through my wife and my family," David answered.

"Objection...speculation," Chad interjected.

"Sustained. These are not essay questions, Detective. Please restrict your answers to yes or no," the Judge ordered.

"In fact, you believe Mr. Stavros sought retaliation against you just after you discovered your wife and son were alive and proved he forged papers, is that correct?" Amara asked.

"Yes," he answered.

"Can you tell the Court why?" she asked.

"Just after I brought Margaret and Bobby home where they belonged, a man broke into our daughter's room and held her at knife point," David responded.

"Objection...relevance?" Chad questioned.

"I am getting there, Your Honor," Amara protested.

"Overruled. Make your point quickly, Counselor," the Judge ordered.

"How awful...do you think this thug was sent by Mr. Stavros in revenge?" Amara asked.

"Objection Your Honor!" Chad protested.

"Withdrawn...no further questions," Amara replied, as she took her seat, while Chad approached the witness box.

"Detective Nolan...is it safe to say that you're incredibly angry at my client," Chad questioned.

"Of course I am," David answered.

"Do you want revenge on my client?" Chad asked.

"Objection Your Honor...it is not Detective Nolan that is on trial here," Amara protested.

"It's a valid question, Your Honor. The witness just admitted his anger toward my client," Chad argued.

"Sustained, the witness will answer the question," the Judge ordered.

"No...I want to see justice done and that means that he goes to prison for what he did," David responded. Chad shrugged.

"Some would say there is a fine line between justice and revenge. I know if it were me and someone took the woman I loved from me...I'd certainly want more than justice," he surmised.

"Objection...again, Detective Nolan is not the one on trial!" Amara interjected.

"Overruled. Change your line of questioning, Counselor," the Judge ordered.

"My apologies again, Your Honor. Your wife testified that Dr. Samdi's claims of her dissociative identity disorder is completely falsified, yet before her alleged abduction, it was a tumultuous time in your marriage, correct?" Chad asked.

"No...our marriage has never been anything but solid and amazing," David refuted.

"Let me rephrase then. The tumultuous period involved a man stalking your wife, which Dr. Samdi referenced in his memoir as a possible cause for your wife's dissociation from reality," he replied.

"My wife did have a stalker; a Professor that she worked with and her rejection of him caused him to get violent. Mr. Stavros used that situation as a ruse to take my wife and son on the night of that accident," David explained.

"And the accident you are referring to is the one in which this Professor drove his car off a cliff with your wife and son inside and subsequently the event that led you to believe they were dead?" Chad questioned.

"Yes," David answered.

"Yet there is no real evidence that my client had anything to do with the doctor that committed this horrific act," Chad stated.

"No...but he used it to take Margaret and Bobby, leading me to believe they were dead!" David exclaimed.

"Allegedly," Chad corrected.

"He forged documents that gave him custody of our son and power of attorney over my wife. Not alleged," David argued.

"Yes...and how did you obtain my client's DNA in order to prove those documents were forged?" Chad questioned. David glared at the man, knowing exactly where he was going.

"So illegally?" Chad pressed.

"No...I obtained it from his museum, which is a very public place, as he always advertises," David retorted.

"That seems to be splitting hairs," Chad accused.

"Objection! The Detective followed normal police procedure in this matter and obtained the DNA from a public place as stated," Amara argued.

"Your Honor, the state cannot prove that Detective Nolan obtained his sample from an actual public part of the museum and not say a more private one," Chad argued back.

"Neither can the defense," Amara stated.

"I'm reluctantly inclined to agree with the district attorney, but the state is teetering on the edge here," the Judge warned.

"Your Honor, I move that the forgery charges against my client be thrown out," Chad proposed.

"There is no basis for that, Your Honor. The sample was obtained legally," Amara argued.

"I will review the validity of the sample in chambers after today's hearing and determine such myself," the Judge decided, as Chad moved to continue with his questioning.

"Detective...is it true that you would do absolutely anything for your wife?" he questioned.

"Of course...she's everything to me, as are our children," David answered.

"So it wouldn't be too much to speculate that you would employ any means to obtain that DNA sample, even if it meant doing so illegally to protect her from Mr. Stavros?!" he shouted.

"Objection...he's badgering!" Amara protested.

"Withdrawn...no further questions," Chad said, obviously a bit frustrated and David was the one that got to smirk smugly at the Collector this time.

"That will be all today and we will pick up at nine am tomorrow morning," the Judge ordered, as she dismissed them.

"What the hell...I thought you said you could discredit him," Clayton growled.

"Most of the time I can. Cops are usually easy to get juries to mistrust...but he's different. The jury just eats them up and are obviously enamored by the romance between he and his wife. He's charismatic...so much so that the Jury seems willing to ignore how he got the DNA and focus on the fact that he did it for love," Chard surmised.

"Yes...he's quite charming," Clayton agreed distastefully.

"A trial scientist would find all of this absolutely fascinating," Chad replied.

"Well, I don't find it fascinating!" Clayton growled.

"Relax...the Judge may still rule in our favor on the forgery charges and I've done my homework on this Cassidy Gold that you are accused of putting a hit on. He's a small time thief...and I found someone that will testify that Weaver helped him out financially," Chad replied.

"And you think it will be enough to get an acquittal on the murder charges?" Clayton questioned.

"They have Cassidy Gold's word as their evidence and little more, nor do they have substantial proof of any business mis-dealings or smuggling on your part," Chad said, as they exited the courtroom and saw that Amara was speaking with Weaver, looking very pleased. She walked up to them and handed a file to Chad.

"What's this?" he asked.

"New evidence that the state will be entering in tomorrow and witnesses that will be testifying tomorrow," she replied. His brow furrowed, as he looked at the file and she walked away.

"What is it?" Clayton asked, his smug demeanor finally cracking slightly, as he couldn't hide the trepidation in his voice.

"A problem," Chad replied.

"I can't believe this," David lamented.

"Baby...it's not your fault," Snow soothed.

"The Judge might throw out the forgery charge, Snow. That was our ace in the hole. The rest of our case is circumstantial, because we haven't been able to get any evidence that he was calling the shots when he put that hit on Neal...Cassidy," David said, correcting himself at the last part.

"But we might have just got a huge break," Weaver interjected, as he motioned them to a nearby conference room to discuss something.

"You found evidence?" David asked, with rapt attention.

"Not me...you can thank Belle and her love of research. I don't know how she did it, but she kept digging until she found something," he replied.

"Apparently, the FBI has been quietly investigating the stealing of several prized artifacts obtained illegally from the Yucatan Peninsula, most significantly, Jade statues that have been dated back to the Mayans. Recently, these were supposed to find their way into a museum, but were stolen without a trace," Weaver reported.

"Clayton," David surmised.

"His daughter has been busy since we got to this land two years ago, but they recently caught a break and a video surfaced. My guess is that someone in his operation got careless," Weaver responded.

"Do you think we can connect it to Clayton?" David asked.

"It would be a stretch, but I have called in a favor and two FBI agents have agreed to help us if I can convince a Judge that this photo of Cecily is enough to get a warrant for his museum," Weaver replied.

"That's great...but will a Judge see it as enough evidence for a warrant?" David asked.

"No...but that's where the FBI comes in. Remember those two agents that were trapped in our town years ago?" he asked. Snow's eyes widened.

"Angela and Nick?" she asked. He nodded.

"They weren't specific, but they have something on a Judge here in Seattle, and are willing to overlook it if they can solve this smuggling case. They'll get the warrant and because I asked nicely, they're also going to testify that they believe Clayton was involved. It may be enough for the Jury to convict on the existing charges. And even if it isn't, the FBI will be going after him and his daughter," Weaver said. Snow and David smiled.

"That's amazing...we got him," David said, as he remembered something else he had just said.

"Wait...they agreed to help, because you were nice? That doesn't sound like you," he quipped.

"Charming…" Snow chided.

"What...it's true. He's not nice and I have no tact. Those are facts," he joked. Weaver rolled his eyes.

"Belle was nice...and I reminded them that Regina and your kids didn't have to help them get their hearts back after they helped bring Yzma to town," he clarified.

"That sounds more like it," David agreed.

"The important thing is that it will, with any luck, neutralize Clayton. Then we just have Facilier and Gothel to deal with, as well as breaking the curse and getting home, of course," Weaver replied. Snow blew out a breath.

"I know I'm always the optimistic one...but even with Clayton out of the picture, that's daunting," she mentioned. He put his arm around her and kissed her hair.

"I know, my darling...but we're going to defeat them all and we're going to find a way home, I promise," he stressed.

"But right now, we're going to let the legal system work for us against Clayton and we're going to go watch our daughter do what she loves," he said, referring to the recital that would be starting in less than two hours. She smiled, as he kissed her tenderly and she then hooked her hand on his elbow. They followed Weaver out the back way of the Courthouse at that point and left this behind for today. If there was one thing about them, it was that they were able to be happy, as long as they were together, no matter where and their love always seemed to win out over anything.

~*~

"This place is so different from Storybrooke," Elsa mentioned.

"I know...I definitely miss home," Leo replied, as she squeezed his hand.

"You must miss the reserve so much," she said. He nodded.

"I do...I'm worried that I'll never see it again," he replied.

"No...we will see it again. We'll find a way to get home to the future. Remember, Anna, Kristoff and I managed to get to the past, which means there is a way back to the future," she assured. He sighed and kissed her tenderly.

"You have no idea how grateful I am that you're here. I...I hate what happened during the curse," he lamented. Elsa took his hands in her own.

"What he did to you...he had no right. He's lucky someone else got to him before I could or I would have made him pay for what he did," Elsa said.

"The important thing is he's gone and you're right, we will find a way back," he agreed, as they continued on and soon arrived at Iris' school for her recital. He knew his parents, siblings, and Regina would be along to. They still had a lot to figure out, but he knew his parents were right; taking time to see Summer do something she loved was exactly what they all needed.

~*~

Regina looked up at her sister, who had been texting quite a bit for the last hour, with Chad she assumed.

"Are you sure you're okay with working for me tonight?" she asked. The redhead shrugged.

"I'll be fine...it looks like Chad is going to be working late," she muttered.

"Oh? Problems?" Regina inquired and Kelly rolled her eyes.

"If you must know...his client may be facing more than he thought and there are new things for him to go over," she replied.

"That's too bad...for Chad anyway. If it means Clayton Stavros is going down, then that's a bonfire I'll be bringing marshmallows to," Regina replied. Kelly scoffed.

"Smug doesn't look very good on you. Chad doesn't lose many cases," she warned.

"Maybe not...but this is one he should lose," Roni replied, as she left the bar to attend Iris' recital. She was anxious to talk to Snow and David too, especially if there was something new in the case against Clayton. She hoped beyond anything that might actually make him pay for all he had done. Then the next obstacle was getting Zelena to remember who she was and finding the amulet, before Gothel could get her hands on it. She blew out a stifled breath

"I hope you found that smoking gun, Weaver, because if Clayton goes to jail, that will be one less problem in our way to going home," she murmured to herself, as she merged into traffic.

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 184: Thinking Out Loud

Flashback

Several Years Ago — The Final Battle and following

"The crystal...she doesn't have it!" he warned, before falling to his knees in pain.

"That means...Mom and Dad have it! She was lying!" Leo realized.

"But if they are alive...then where are they?" Eva questioned.

"I don't know...which means there is a plan and we just need to buy time," he said, as the cobalt colored magic intensified in his palms. The pink magic in Eva's did too and they started fighting the creatures, blasting them one by one, even as they still poured in from the vortex.

"Let's keep fighting...we'll give Snow and my son as much time as possible," Xander called, as they began fighting anew.

"Gladly," Fandral agreed, as he unsheathed his sword again and joined the fray.

"Okay sweetie...let's play a game and that game is seeing how many bad monsters you can put in bubbles," Regina said, as she held her, while Summer effortlessly let her bubbles multiply into dozens upon dozens of bubbles that would keep the demonic creatures at bay. Summer even put the Queen in a bubble when she tried to use a fireball. The little one was under no illusion that she was the same as her Nana. The Queen cried out in horror, as she floated up and back through the vortex of evil that swirled in the sky. Regina and Robin looked on in disbelief and he put a hand on her shoulder.

"She's gone...that vortex sent her some place that she will never bother us again," he assured. Regina nodded, feeling like a weight had been lifted on her.

"And it's all thanks to you, sweetheart," she cooed, as she cuddled Summer close.

~*~

She floated...and floated...for how long, she had no idea. Her granddaughter's bubble was the only reason she was alive at all. The volatile All World River should have swallowed her up and drowned her by now. But instead, she floated in a state of subdued consciousness. She'd probably float in this eternal void until the bubble eventually popped and then it would be over. But it would seem that fate had other plans, as her bubble was gently bumped toward a glowing portal and she was caught in that current. This portal was a dark, swirling blue, unlike most of the others.

Most realms portals glowed bright and golden, signifying that they were likely brimming with life. Then there were red portals that signified different Underworlds. The Olympus Underworld was the most prominently known Underworld, but since there was an infinite number of realms, there was potentially an infinite number of dead realms. These worlds were a final destination and could lead to a good or bad fate. One could find themselves in the Asphodel Meadows; a place where good, but ordinary souls ended up. Or Elysian where all heroes in the nine realms of Olympus went. And for the wicked, the depths of Tartarus awaited. Like the nine realms of Olympus, other realms of the dead existed, like Hel, a neutral place, much like Asphodel Meadows, Valhalla, a place similar to Elysian, and Nifleheim, a place of damnation like Tartarus. With an infinite number of living realms, there was also potentially an infinite number of lands of the dead as well.

But even more uncommon than the usual golden realms brimming with life and red realms in which the final fates of the dead were determined, there was the dark blue realms that were lands of limbo. They were worlds where fallen, banished, or outcast beings might find themselves. Realms of dark blue were neither dead nor alive really. They just were. A realm of nothing. A realm of the fallen. Worse than death and definitely worse than life. Those there were alive, but outcast and banished by heroes of their former realms. It was a place for those with vengeful hearts and bitter spirits.

She floated into one such blue realm and then awareness returned. Her blood once again boiled with thirst for vengeance, her heart thrummed only for revenge, and her spirit was as bitter as the apple she had once poisoned her nemesis with.

She had done this to her again and she vowed to find a way to make her pay again. She had no idea where she was now, but she intended to find out and use whatever this strange world had to offer in order to return to enact her revenge. And this time, she would quench that insatiable thirst. She would have their heart and she would relish torturing them endlessly, just as they had tortured her by casting her through that vortex.

Her eyes snapped open at last, as she found herself staring at a dusky, gray sky. Malice twisted on her features and a snarl curled her red lips.

"Snow White…" she hissed.

~*~

Flashback

Just an hour ago

The peculiar rainbow wave swept through the rehabilitation clinic, causing confusion and questions for most of the doctors, nurses, counselors, and patients in the facility. But realization and awareness was returned to one patient. The wave swept through him and the wave of memories caused him to stagger and grab the wall to steady himself.

Xander's eyes widened, as his memories returned and he realized where he was. Shame filled him, as he realized that had spent most of the curse in a drunken stupor. And not by choice. The curse had taken that choice from him and he wasn't there for his family. And all so the Collector could have revenge on him personally. Clayton knew how serious he was about the promise he made to David when he came back into his life. And he had not wavered or been tempted even once. Getting his son back and gaining a daughter-in-law in Snow, and five grandchildren had been more than he could have ever hoped for in a second chance. Then it had gotten even better when he got James back too. So in revenge, Clayton had used the curse to take all that away from him and he wanted him to pay.

With renewed purpose and a clear head in more ways than one, he got dressed in his regular street clothes and hurried out of the facility. Even if the city hadn't been in chaos, he wouldn't have let anyone stop him.

By the time he had reached the epicenter, he made it just in time to see Alice and his grandchildren vanquish Gothel. He had watched his son and daughter-in-law use the magic of their true love to heal the city. He had pushed his way through the crowd at that, his eyes meeting David's. His son gave him a small smile, instantly telling him that he did not blame him and knew the end of his sobriety had not been his choice. He had followed his grandchildren through the portal without another thought then, for he knew there would be time for them to all have a proper reunion and time for he and David to talk. But escaping back to where they belonged was paramount, especially since everything had changed now and the world knew about magic. They had seen it displayed on a grand stage and it was exploding all over social media. Naturally, the military had seen it and wanted it. He knew, like they did, that stepping outside of Storybrooke would now be too dangerous for them, lest they wished to find themselves in some military prison or worse, a government research facility. He wasn't too worried though. Storybrooke was well protected and would continue to be with his family on the front lines.

~*~

The portal finally closed behind Snow and Charming, as they were the last ones through. At last, the curse was broken and their time in Hyperion Heights was behind them. They found themselves back in the courtyard of Tiana's palace where the curse had been cast almost two years ago. Except that only a handful of days had passed in reality since they had been in the past.

"Naveen…" Henry prompted and the other prince went to check the time dial that they had in the courtyard as one of the devices they used to keep formal time in this realm.

"We've been gone ten days," he confirmed.

"So it worked...we're back in 2023," Leo stated.

"Yeah...to most of you it's been two years. But to Storybrooke it's only been ten days since we left," Emma said.

"That doesn't make my head spin or anything," Snow commented.

"So...this is where you're from?" Frankie asked curiously.

"Not exactly. Our grandson Henry lives in this realm with his family. But we're actually from another Enchanted Forest originally," David tried to explain.

"But for the last forty years, we've been living in a town called Storybrooke, which is in Maine in the land that you're from. It's just hidden from your world," Snow explained.

"And there's magic there," Joe confirmed. They nodded. Frankie shook his head.

"And you just happen to look like you're in your thirties?" he asked. David chuckled.

"It's a really long story, but we'll tell you everything once we return to Storybrooke," he promised.

"What about him?" Robin questioned, indicating Dr. Facilier.

"I helped and fought with you. I'd say I did my part to earn a pardon," Facilier responded.

"Oh please...you fought with us to save your own skin and if you thought you could have killed one of our parents to get the chalice, you would have done so in a heartbeat!" Leo argued.

"Leo...it's okay," Snow soothed, as Xander put his hands on his grandson's shoulders.

"He put you through hell, Snow...he and his evil grandson," Xander reminded. David crossed his arms over his chest.

"He's right...I think you should rot in a cell after what you helped do to my wife. You helped see that the curse came to fruition," David agreed and then he sighed, as he looked at his wife.

"But this is your Kingdom, Tiana. You get to make the call," he added.

"You may have helped, but there's no way we can ever trust you. But we are not like you and will not harm you," Tiana decided.

"You will leave this Kingdom and return to the Bayou. But this time, the people of this land know who you are and what you're capable of. I doubt anyone will be coming to you for your kind of help," she declared. Facilier bowed deeply to the Queen and accepted his sentence.

"I hope I made the right decision," she lamented. Snow put a hand on her shoulder.

"Mercy is never wrong. You just have to hope he takes this second chance to heart," she replied. She sighed.

"And if he doesn't?" Tiana asked.

"Then you will do what you must to protect your Kingdom," David advised to both her and Naveen. Tiana smiled at them.

"I know you're probably all eager to get back to Storybrooke, but at least stay and rest tonight. Then we can give you a proper send off in the morning," Tiana suggested. Snow and David smiled and everyone else seemed to be in agreement.

"We think that's a wonderful idea," Snow agreed.

~*~

After a wonderfully large family dinner together, rooms for all of them had been prepared in Tiana's palace and everyone retired for the evening. David stood on the balcony of their room, gazing out at the stars above. He was ready for bed, shirtless and dressed only in a pair of sleep pants, as he waited for Snow. She came out of the bathroom and he watched her seemingly float toward him like the Goddess he thought she was. She donned a long, flowing and airy nightdress in her signature color of white and as always, he was stunned by her beauty. The material was a mix of sheer and satin and the collar dipped in a low v, giving a very nice view of her cleavage. Of course, she had purposely chosen a garment like this, for sleep was the furthest thing from either of their minds tonight.

"Wow…" he uttered, as he took her in his arms and she smiled up at him. She bit her bottom lip, clearly indicating that she was enjoying his state of dress or lack thereof too. It didn't matter how many years they had been married, for their desire for each other never staled or dwindled. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder, as she put a hand to his chest and looked up at the stars with him.

"We made it, my love…" she said.

"Yes we did…" he agreed, as he cradled her beautiful face in his hands, before guiding her lips to his in a passionate meeting. Snow sighed sweetly into his kiss, as everything except him melted away.

"Mmm...I'm glad we stayed tonight, but part of me is anxious to get home," she mentioned, as he continued to hold her in his arms and she relished it.

"Me too," he agreed.

"I'm going to miss everyone though. Henry and Ella and Lucy," she mentioned.

"Me too...and Rose and Fandral," he mentioned. They had kept in very good contact with their counterparts over the years and became good friends.

"It's too bad we don't all live in the same place," he added. And that thought struck Snow for a moment. It reminded her instantly of something Serenity had mentioned to her in her dream the first time she met her.

"I know...your family is powerful and your love is so strong. It will not be easy, but I believe it will be enough this time to rid all the realms of her threat," she said, smiling at her successor.

"I know that you and your husband will rule your Kingdom long and justly, just as we did, once evil is defeated," she added. Snow looked down shyly.

"Well, I'm not sure you could call Storybrooke a Kingdom per say, but we do love our town. I'm not sure we'll ever have a palace again," she said. Serenity looked at her like she knew something that Snow didn't.

"We'll see," she said in a sing song tone.

"Until we meet again, Snow White," she said.

Snow recalled the memory and Serenity's words really struck her. What had she really meant by that? Was her "we'll see" just a casual comment? Or was she eluding to a future she could see? She felt compelled suddenly and went back inside their room, seeking out their new weapons that the chalice had become. She touched hers and it glowed. He followed her curiously and saw how focused she was on her gauntlets. That compelled him to touch his sword. It glowed too and they were shown a vision. Before them was the crystal Kingdom, so it was obvious something of the past. But that wasn't all they saw. In this vision, they could see a vast number of other Kingdoms existing in the same plane of the crystal Kingdom. They recognized their own Kingdoms, Camelot, Arendelle, Oz, Olympus, and a number of others as well. And just as quickly as the vision came, it was gone and they were standing in their room again.

"What was that?" he wondered, but the vision had enraptured her and given her the answer to everything.

"Snow?" he asked. She was snapped out of her thoughts and then grinned at him.

"What if we don't have to say goodbye to anyone?" she asked.

"I'd say that I'm a little lost," he replied. She shook her head.

"That vision...it was from a time past! It was showing us that all the realms in our cluster used to be one. All the Kingdoms co-existed in one realm," she told him.

"I guess that makes sense. Something pretty catastrophic would have had to happen to separate them all," he replied. She nodded.

"But what if we could bring them all back together?" she asked.

"How?" he questioned in return. She grinned and looked at their weapons.

"The chalice! The silver crystal is more than powerful enough," she insisted.

"But it's not the chalice anymore," he said, a bit confused.

"The chalice is whatever we need or want it to be," she replied, as they touched their weapons and he watched in astonishment, as their weapons became the chalice once again.

"Of course, the Chalice would only facilitate the magic necessary to do this, because as powerful as it is, we both know there's only one way to move a realm," she added. His eyes widened in surprise.

"You want to cast another curse?" He exclaimed.

"But it would be a good curse," she said, as he thought about that for a moment.

"Think about it, Charming...we would be uniting worlds and people. I feel that this is what we're meant to do as the truest loves...I can feel it," she persisted. He took her hands and then smiled gently at her.

"We're really going to do this?" He asked. She grinned and nodded excitedly.

"We'll tell everyone about it at breakfast and of course, we will still have to consult the rulers of each Kingdom, which will require some traveling," she replied. He smiled.

"Sounds like the perfect adventure for a Prince and a Princess," he agreed fondly. She smiled and bit her bottom lip.

"Plus, we know Elsa and Anna will love the idea. There will be no more long distance for her and Leo," he added. She nodded.

"As will Tiana and Rose. This...this could be everything, Charming," she said.

"It's going to be wonderful and all from the brilliant mind of my beautiful wife," he praised, as he kissed her again.

"Mmm...as excited as I am about this, there is only one thing I want right now," Snow said. He grinned.

"Do tell," he requested, as she took his hand and led him inside to the bed.

"I don't think I have to really say anything," she replied in a sultry tone. He smirked and swept her into his arms, as he carried her to bed.

"Let's see if we can break another bed," he joked. She giggled.

"I don't think Tiana would appreciate that at all," she chided.

"No, but it will still be a lot of fun trying," he replied, as he wriggled his eyebrows at her. She felt hot all over, as he kissed her and lowered her to the bed and their passion consumed them both.

~*~

Fandral winced and felt the phantom pain in his sleep, as he relived that moment Hela ran him through with her blade. He should have died right then. In fact, everyone had assumed he was dead, but somehow he had survived long enough and slipped through an open pocket created by the bi-frost. Had it not been for Loki giving Skurge control of operating the bi-frost and Skurge subsequently misusing its power, there might have never been that portal for him to slip through just moments after Hela commenced with executing him and Volstagg. It had been years for him since those events and Heimdall had always been reluctant and vague about telling him the fates of their people. Fandral also knew that not as much time had passed as it had in their realm. Of course, with an Asgardian lifespan, aging was much slower for him anyway and Rose had been granted the same lifespan by Hermes. He had never been happier in his life, which was currently over fifteen hundred years now, than he was with Rose and their children. But it still did not erase his desire to know what had become of Asgard or how many had survived Ragnarok.

"Fandral?" Rose asked sleepily, as she pulled the sheet around her body, before propping herself up on her elbow.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to wake you, my angel," he apologized.

"Fan...you know I would never wish for more sleep over comforting the man I love, especially when he is troubled," she chided. He smiled slightly and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.

"I'm not sure which Gods smiled upon me or what I ever could have possibly done to deserve you," he mentioned. She smiled and gently touched the scar on his chest, just below his ribcage. Just an inch or so higher and he would have died instantly with a strike to the heart and that made her shudder.

"You had the nightmare again...didn't you?" she questioned.

"It seems to be a frequent recurrence. It has been almost twenty years for me since that day and yet when we see Heimdall, it doesn't seem like much time at all has passed," he mentioned.

"Well, we know that time is very tricky and Hermes did say that the handful of times that we summoned him were only hours apart for him. But I know you feel like there's more...I know you want to know about the fates of those that survived," she replied. He gently caressed her beautiful face.

"You are more than enough for me...more than I feel I deserve at times. I'm the happiest that I have ever been," he said, echoing his earlier sentiments. She smiled.

"I know how much you love me and our babies. I am not threatened by the fact that you still want answers to your questions and I do not think this nightmare will ever rest until you have those answers," Rose responded.

"I'm not sure I would know where to begin and I won't endanger you and the children," he said.

"Heimdall was very clear that things are far too volatile in that galaxy," he replied. Then her eyes widened in realization.

"Then we'll go home and find the book in our library that will tell us," she said. He looked at her and then sighed.

"I suppose it's a start," he agreed.

"And if you decide that you want to visit whatever survivors there may be...then we'll ask Hermes to get us there if Heimdall won't," she said.

"We have a Kingdom to think about," he reminded.

"And we have many friends to help us if we need them. You know that Snow and David would do anything to help us, just as we did for them," she said. He smiled.

"You are a persistent one, my beautiful Rose," he teased, as she gave him a sultry look.

"Only for you, my love," she replied, as he pulled her into his arms.

"There were many dangers in my old life...quite volatile. I shouldn't even be alive and I know how blessed I was to find you. I just never want to jeopardize what we have for anything," he stressed.

"You are not jeopardizing anything, my love. We are only going to ask questions and if you feel it's too dangerous for a visit, then we will not go. But you must know that I will always be eager to face any adventure with you and will be no where but by your side," she reminded. He smiled gently at her and kissed her again. Their lips parted and he pressed his forehead against hers. She bit her bottom lip and let the sheet covering her fall away, welcoming his smoldering gaze upon her.

"See something you like, my handsome warrior?" she teased.

"Just the most beautiful woman in all the realms...who owns this warrior's heart so completely that it's still unfathomable to him at times," he uttered.

"Mmm...then I better demonstrate just how much to me you belong and I expect the same from you, my warrior," she purred. He grinned and she giggled, as he lifted her up and then lay her on the sheets.

"Rumor has it that you're as good a lover as a warrior…" she breathed passionately, as she was already lost in the sensation of his lips on her neck.

"Oh, that is no rumor my Queen...and I will show you," he promised and Rose smiled, as she drowned in their love and passion.

~*~

"...And that's what we think we should do," Snow explained. It was early the next morning and naturally, she was still lamenting about the vision from the night before. It was a grand undertaking and she wasn't even sure everyone would like the idea. So naturally, David had prodded off to have coffee with Regina as they often did together, especially when Snow needed advice when it came to politics or matters of state.

"That's...definitely ambitious…" Regina said, as she took all the information in.

"You hate it?" Snow squeaked.

"No actually...I love the idea. It's big...but a good curse," she said, as her lips curled into a smile.

"Leave it to you to suggest casting a good curse," she teased. Snow smiled.

"I wanted to run it by you before we have breakfast with everyone else and I spring this on them," the raven haired beauty said, feeling much better now about her plan.

"Well, Leo and Elsa will certainly love it. They'r in love and eventually, there would have had to be a choice made for them. If we do this...Elsa doesn't have to leave her Kingdom and Leo doesn't have to leave the wildlife reserve," she mentioned. Snow smiled.

"So definitely check one for Arendelle," she agreed. Regina reached over and clutched her step-daughter's hand.

"Snow...you don't need to be insecure about your leadership skills. You have been a wonderful Mayor to Storybrooke and I know you'll be a wonderful Queen if you decide to take the title. It's yours, you know," she mentioned.

"It's yours too though...I mean, Queen Mother, if you want it. I'm not sure I want to try and rule without you...you've taught me everything about leading over the years," she confessed. Regina smiled.

"Not everything...but I'd be honored to be Queen Mother if that's what you want," she agreed. Snow blew out a breath of relief. With Regina on board with their plan, she knew it would likely be widely accepted, at least by those here. They all wanted to be together and this was a solution to that. Not to mention that it would improve the lives of many in the Kingdoms. Bringing them to reside in the same place as Storybrooke meant introducing modern medicine and technology. In their old land, people still perished from dysentery and common ailments that were easily treated or cured in their realm. The same people who didn't have educational opportunities would and it would even improve the Kingdoms that had struggling economies. The opportunities and possibilities were really endless. It might be a hard sell to those that feared change at first, but David had already told her that he was confident that she could convince them.

"You'll be great...they'll see that you're offering a better life for them and generations to come. You just need to believe in yourself like we do," David said, as he appeared in the doorway of the small kitchenette where they were having coffee.

"Okay...the whole mind reading thing you two do is just weird," Regina commented. But they only grinned at each other in response, as he leaned down and kissed her tenderly.

"You and Robin have been married long enough that you can probably finish each other's sentences too," he retorted.

"Touche," she agreed, as she poured him a cup of coffee.

"Tiana and Naveen insisted on cooking for this brood and said brunch should be ready soon for all of us. We can make the announcement to everyone then," he suggested. Snow nodded and was ready to embark on this new and exciting venture. She knew in her heart that this was what they were meant to do. As truest loves, they would reunite the nine realms and bring prosperity to the people of all.

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 177: Scrutiny

Snow rested her head against David's shoulder, as they watched their kids play a game. It was a familiar scene to them, but one sorely missed as of late. Their plates had been taken away a while ago and dessert was shared, as they enjoyed being together again. Rogers had stayed for a while and ate with them, but then opted to go home, for they had court in the morning and he wanted to go check on Tilly.

They tried not to laugh, as they watched their sons stare each other down with two of the worst poker faces they'd ever seen. They could help but chuckle to each other, as Bobby's tongue poked out of the corner of his mouth. It meant he thought he had a good hand and they could see their older son grinning at the younger for it.

"Well...let's see it," Leo said, as Bobby showed his cards.

"Three of a kind," he announced, thinking he was going to be winning the pot, which consisted of gummy worms, Oreo cookies, and more than enough sugar to keep him up all night.

"Don't even think about eating all that junk tonight, young man," Snow warned, making David chuckle as he got the same pout on his face that she did.

"Don't worry Mom...I'm the only one that's going to feasting on this jackpot tonight," Leo said, as he showed his cards.

"Full house kid...better luck next time," he said, preparing to scoop his winnings toward him.

"Um...not so fast there," Eva said, as Summer put her hand down, revealing four aces.

"What?" Leo protested.

"Sorry...I win," Summer said, as now both boys wore identical pouts.

"That's my girl...I taught you well. Better luck next time, boys," Eva boasted, as she congratulated her little sister in her victory.

"You know, coaching her isn't exactly fair. There's no one better at reading people than you," Leo complained. She rolled her eyes.

"I don't need my ability to read you two. You two wear your emotions all over your faces," she retorted.

"She's got you there," David agreed.

"Mmm...and they get that from you," Snow agreed too and he didn't deny it. His emotions were always prevalent in his mood and expressions. Emma chuckled at their antics and stole a gummy worm.

"Not to change the subject to more serious things...but I need a favor from you," she mentioned to Eva.

"Of course," the dark haired young woman replied.

"Killian...Rogers…" she said, correcting herself.

"Rogers and I found this in Tilly's boxcar earlier," Emma said, as she pushed the evidence bag over to her.

"Is that golden dust?" David asked, looking at it.

"Yep," Emma replied.

"Like...golden dust from a certain flower?" Snow asked. Emma nodded.

"I'm pretty sure…" she replied.

"Then she's been in Tilly's boxcar," David surmised.

"I think so...but that's not all that was in Tilly's boxcar," Emma replied, as she swiped through some photos on her phone of the drawings on Tilly's wall.

"Tilly drew these?" Snow asked. She nodded.

"If I had to guess, then she's probably been having episodes or moments of clarity that she's not even aware of," Emma replied.

"Emma...do you think these are drawings of the future?" Snow asked.

"I don't know...but I think Gothel is looking for the resurrection amulet. I already told Regina that we need to find a way to wake Zelena up so we can get it first," Emma replied.

"If Gothel gets the amulet...then all she needs is our star seeds," David mentioned unpleasantly.

"Which is why I'm going to get it first. I won't let her get it first," she promised. Snow clutched her daughter's hand.

"We know honey...but you won't fight her alone," she assured.

"I know...but you two have got to be careful. You're in more danger than I think you realize," Emma stressed.

"We promise we won't take any chances," David tried to assure her. But Emma knew her parents. The danger to them was significant, as usual and Emma feared that there wasn't much she could do to prevent any of the dangers to them.

"We have court in the morning, so I better go pay the check," David mentioned.

"Yes...and you have a recital tomorrow night, honey. So you especially need to get to bed," Snow responded.

"Mom...I'm not going to my recital," Summer refuted. The raven haired beauty frowned.

"Why not?" Snow asked and her daughter gave her an incredulous look.

"Uh...reporters are trying to follow you and Daddy everywhere and there are way more important things going on right now," she refuted.

"Oh sweetie...I don't care if a mob of reporters are waiting for us at the school. Your father and I would never miss one of your recitals. You love dance and we are not going to let anyone deprive you of that," Snow admonished.

"She's right peanut...we can't wait for your recital. You're the lead, as usual and you know we never pass up the opportunity brag about one of our amazing kids," he added, humbling her a bit, as her mother smiled and kissed her father's cheek, before resting her head on his shoulder. All the reporters and attention from other parents would be uncomfortable at best, but they were gladly going to brave it all for her and without question.

"That reminds me...we need to charge the camera tonight," she mentioned and he nodded, as he settled their bill. Emma smirked and squeezed her baby sister's hand. It was almost like being back home and that gave them all hope, for her parents always managed to give them a bit of normalcy, no matter what was going on around them. They were always first to their parents and that had never wavered, even when they had faced down some of the worst situations imaginable. David pecked her on the lips, before getting up to go pay the bill.

"Thanks again, Joe. We'll get out of your hair now," he promised.

"Nah...this is family. Stay as long as you want," he replied, as the song changed in the jukebox and happened to be one of Snow's favorites. He grinned back at her.

"Well...maybe one dance," he said, as he held his hand out to her and she swooned, as he swept her into his arms.

"This song is so cheesy," Leo complained.

"And like thirty-years old," Eva added.

"It is both of those things...but somehow, it just works for Mom and Dad," Emma said, as they all shared a smile.

"I think we're embarrassing our children again," Snow whispered to him, as they swayed and danced together. He chuckled.

"Probably...but what else is new?" he joked, as he kissed her tenderly. She giggled and then mewled into his kiss again. Which quickly dissolved from dancing into just making out.

"And now they're making out," Leo deadpanned.

"As usual," Eva added.

"It's not new, but still embarrassing," Emma agreed. Snow and David shared a smile at their usual commentary and they decided it was time to go home. As much as they wanted to stay, they had the unpleasantness of court to deal with early the next morning.

~*~

After a tumultuous dinner, the two couples returned to Roni's bar for a nightcap. Robin seemed to get along with Chad well enough. Regina knew she wasn't going to like whatever defense her sister's fiance would be mounting the next morning in court, but she definitely felt that he wouldn't be doing so maliciously. Still, she knew he would be painting Snow and David in a light that she wasn't happy about. Such was the job of a defense attorney, but she still didn't have to like it. Add to that, she still had to figure out a way to get Zelena to remember. She needed to find that amulet before Gothel. Everything could hinge on who possessed the amulet, but that was only part of the battle. Court in the morning was likely to be another and she hated that her family was even having to go through this. And all because of that damn doctor they had originally encountered in New Orleans when Isaac had sent Snow to his facility in a twist he wrote in as an insurance policy if they managed to defeat his narrative. They had, of course, and when the former author's twisted narrative had ended, he made sure to get in a final dig at Snow and Charming.

They had journeyed to the bayou and rescued Snow, of course, but not before making Dr. Ivan Facilier their enemy and initiating his need for revenge on them. And she had to give it to Facilier's vindictive grandson. He had crafted an unorthodox, but very effective revenge. Shining such media attention on Snow and David was not only the last thing they needed, but it was quite possibly the worst thing he could have done. Having normal people focus on them in the scandal he had crafted for them was so intrusive and exhausting. They didn't need or want the attention and it had complicated everything. The doctor that she had dismissed as a non-threat had proved her wrong in a devastating way. Being embroiled in this court battle was just a forced distraction they didn't need. It was almost like he was trying to ensure that even if they did manage to break the curse that there would be either no escaping this new reality or at the very least, it would prevent them from ever leaving Storybrooke again even if they did make it back. Somehow though, she knew Snow and Charming wouldn't mind the latter and neither would she. If they did make it back, she knew it wouldn't matter to any of them if they never had to leave Storybrooke again. In fact, she welcomed that and knew they did too.

"Nice try Facilier...but this family will endure," she muttered, as she did a shot and glanced at her sister, who was leaving with Chad for their hotel.

"I know that look…" Robin mentioned.

"I got a text from Emma...she thinks Gothel was poking around Tilly's boxcar," she said, her face troubled by this.

"The amulet...she's looking for it," he realized. She nodded.

"We think so and the only one that knows where it is…" she trailed off.

"Is Zelena," he finished.

"We need to get to that amulet before Gothel," Regina said, as she went in the back room and started fumbling around.

"What are you looking for?" he asked.

"I don't know...maybe she hid it here somewhere. Before the curse took us, Zelena assured me that it would be safely sealed away. That means that it might be here," she replied.

"Then we'll find it," he assured, as he started helping her look.

~*~

Snow kissed him deeply, as they lay entwined beneath the bedclothes, sated and glowing the in the after effects of their powerful, incredible lovemaking. They panted together, as their lips parted and they pressed their foreheads together, gazing soulfully into each other's eyes.

"I love you so much," Snow whispered, as she continued to kiss his neck

"And I love you, my beautiful Snow…" he rasped, as he spooned her against him and she settled in his arms. She noticed his pensiveness though.

"What's bothering you?" she asked, for not even their euphoric lovemaking had eased his tension.

"I just hate that you have to go on the stand tomorrow and relive what that psycho doctor did to you," he lamented.

"I know, but I'll be fine, my love, because I know that you'll be there with me," she reminded, as she kissed his cheek.

"You're my hero...never doubt that," she added, as they settled and slowly drifted off to sleep.

~*~

When David opened his eyes next, he was startled at first, because Snow was no longer beside him, but he was dressed in the exact clothing he had been wearing when he awakened Snow from the sleeping curse. He looked around and instantly recognized the meadow as the one from Neverland.

"Snow?" he called, but somehow knew she wasn't there. Snow had told him about her dream and he noticed that their tree was there. He could tell it was theirs, because of the blanket of snowdrops growing all around it.

"I'm sure you've figured out that though this is a dream...it is very real," a male voice said. David turned and found a tall, dark haired man before him. He was wearing a formal black and gold coat, pants and cape that indicated his royal station.

"You're King Endymion," David stated.

"And you're Prince David...we meet at last," he replied kindly.

"Snow told me about her meeting with Serenity and I think that's what is confusing me. Aphrodite made is sound like neither of you survived your battle with the Black Fairy," he said.

"We sacrificed ourselves to save our people from the darkness. Then two of our guardians sacrificed themselves to the resurrection stone to bring us back. Serenity and I were not happy about others sacrificing themselves for us, but it was their duty to see that we survived for our Kingdom," he explained.

"And then Gothel came along," he surmised.

"Yes...the Kingdom was lost then, but we were able to save most of our people and settle again near Olympus," he explained.

"Snow and I don't like the idea of anyone sacrificing themselves for us, especially one of our children. Emma's heart is already poisoned and I know we'll do anything to cure her," he said. He smiled.

"And I'm hoping I can help with that," he said cryptically...

~*~

The next morning, the District Attorney managed to sneak Snow and David in the back way again, avoiding the mob of press outside the courthouse. Clayton arrived after them, having actually enjoyed the attention of the cameras and even had the audacity to do a shameless plug for the grand opening event of his new exhibit debuting that very evening.

"Mr. Stavros...do you think this trial will affect the attendance to your event tonight?" one reporter questioned. He smirked smugly.

"On the contrary...I expect a packed house for the event," he said, as he looked over at Snow and David.

"There is no hard feelings here," he said, gesturing grandly toward them.

"I'll even extend an invitation to Detective Nolan and his lovely...Snow White to attend," he said, making some of them chuckle, at least the reporters that seemed to always eat him up. David clenched his fists, as they were essentially making fun of the woman he loved again, but she put both her hands on his fist and looked him in the eyes.

"Baby...it's okay. It doesn't matter what they say," she whispered.

"I just hate this...they're going to drag you through the mud today on the stand," he lamented.

"I know...but I'll get through it, because all I have to do is look at you the entire time. With you here, I can get through anything," she assured.

"The court will come to order," Judge Cabot stated, as the press was locked out of the courtroom and opening arguments began.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We're here today, because this man, the defendant, Clayton Stavros participated in a dastardly scheme. He assisted the late Dr. Franklin Samdi in a plot to enact revenge on a beautiful little family," Amara stated.

"Their reasons for wanting revenge are not clear, but what is are the deeds the defendant committed against David and Margaret Nolan, as well as their children. Clayton Stavros assisted the Doctor in his kidnapping Margaret Nolan and her son Bobby," she continued.

"Doctor Samdi kept Margaret Nolan against her will, made a false diagnosis in order to keep her locked up, and forcibly medicated her. Mr. Stavros provided forged papers, stating that he was Margaret Nolan's brother and stating that her name was Mary Blanchard. He used these falsified documents to have her committed and take custody of her son, all while allowing her husband to believe them to be dead," she explained.

"I know what these allegations must sound like to all of you. This plot sounds like something out of a movie or crime novel, but I assure what these men did to this family was very real. One is no longer with us to pay for his crimes, but the other still is and I believe after you have seen and heard our testimony, that you will come to one conclusion and one conclusion only. That this man, Clayton Stavros must be punished for his actions accordingly. Thank you," she concluded her opening argument, as Chad stood up and buttoned his suit jacket, before approaching the jury.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I think we can all agree that the late Dr. Samdi's practices were questionable at best, but the details in his memoir are hardly substantial proof to back up these allegations against my client. But there are facts that I can provide you with," Chad stated.

"I think we can all agree that my client did not do the right things when it came to Mrs. Nolan and her son. But I assure you that I can make the argument that he did the things he did out of concern for a young boy, whose mother is mentally ill," Chad continued.

"Margaret Nolan was correctly diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder and has three identities that we know of," he explained.

"But rather than get his wife the help she deserved, Detective Nolan chose to rather indulge her delusions by playing along with them and indulging her in a very unhealthy way. Meanwhile, his constant investigations into my client bordered on harassment. He was obsessed with trying to find some imagined mis-dealings and illegal actions that he was convinced my client was committing. But despite never finding definitive proof of anything, Detective Nolan refused to stop pursing his outlandish investigations into my client's business transactions," he added.

"Mr. Stavros' only tried to get Mrs. Nolan the help she deserved and give young Bobby a more stable home. He did it the wrong way, but I think by the end of this trial, you will agree that leniency in this matter should be considered. My client was trying to help in all the wrong ways. That deserves community service and a fine, but not jail time. And I think you'll soon agree," Chad finished, as he sat back down.

"He can't be serious," David growled under his breath.

"We knew they were going to go this route," she reminded.

"The state may call their first witness," the Judge stated.

"Thank you, Your Honor. The state calls Margaret Nolan to the stand," Amara announced. David squeezed her hand and she went to the witness box where the bailiff swore her in, before District Attorney Pearson approached.

"Good morning, Mrs. Nolan," she greeted pleasantly.

"Good morning," Snow replied.

"Can you please describe what it was like during your time in Dr. Samdi's care?" she asked. Snow got a haunted look on her face, as she remembered those nights.

"Dr. Samdi kept me locked in a small cell and his orderlies would force me to take pills. When I struggled, they would hold me down and even slap me. I had bruises and marks on my body most of the time," she confessed.

"Did Dr. Samdi ever tell you why you had to take these pills?" she questioned. She nodded.

"He said I was a sick woman and that I was a danger to my family when I said I wanted to go home," she replied.

"And what role did Mr. Stavros play in this?" she asked.

"He had custody of my son and said that my husband believed we died in a horrible accident. He said it was for the best," she replied, recalling all the nights she had cried for David.

"That must have been terrible to endure," Amara stated.

"It was...I cried for my husband every night," she confessed, as she gazed at him. It brought tears to his eyes too, for he hated all she had gone through and he had not been able to protect her.

"Objection, Your Honor. This is not a therapy session," Chad interjected.

"Sustained. Move on with your line of questioning, Ms. Pearson," the Judge ordered.

"Mrs. Nolan...there have been allegations that you have multiple identities. Is this true?" Amara asked.

"No...I only started to believe I might be this Mary Blanchard after I had been forced to take medication for months. The drugs caused those problems. I was very malleable when I was medicated," Snow replied.

"So it would be safe to say that Dr. Samdi easily controlled you while you medicated and the meds made you believe anything he told you, is that correct?" she asked. Snow nodded.

"Yes," she answered.

"Mrs. Nolan...do you know why Dr. Samdi would do this to you or why Mr. Stavros would want to participate in such a scheme against you and your husband?" Amara asked.

"I can't be sure, but I know Mr. Stavros wants revenge against my husband," Snow answered.

"Why?" she asked.

"Years ago...David was responsible for keeping him from illegally acquiring some ancient artifacts that he was desperate to add to his collection," Snow replied.

"Objection, Your Honor. My client was never convicted of any crimes, despite Detective Nolan's attempts to catch him with his baseless accusations," Chad objected.

"Sustained. The jury will disregard Mrs. Nolan's mentions of any unsubstantiated charges," the Judge ordered.

"Did Mr. Stavros allow you to see your son? The son that he illegally took custody of thanks to forged documents?" she asked.

"Sometimes...he would let Bobby visit once a week. Most of the time though, Bobby had to sneak away from Clayton to come see me," she replied.

"That had to be hard on your son. To be cut off from his real parents and kept away from his real father," Amara stated.

"Is there a question here, Your Honor?" Chad interjected.

"I assure you there is, Your Honor," Amara replied.

"Then ask it, Counselor," the Judge stipulated.

"Can you tell the court how your husband finally discovered that you were alive?" she asked. Snow smiled.

"That was our little Bobby. He managed to sneak away from Mr. Stavros long enough to find David. Then David came and found me," she answered. Amara smiled.

"Thank you Mrs. Nolan. Only one more question. Do you believe Mr. Stavros abused your son?" she asked

"Objection! This is not family court!" Chad protested.

"Withdrawn, no further questions," Amara replied, as she took a seat, while Chad got up and approached the witness bench.

"Good morning, Mrs. Nolan," he greeted.

"Good morning," Snow responded curtly.

"Is it true that you also go by Miss Blanchard?" he questioned.

"Mary Blanchard is the woman the doctor told me I was when I was medicated," she answered.

"I see...have you ever seen this book, Mrs Nolan?" he asked, as he held up a white paperback copy of Henry's commercially published version of the original book.

"Yes...it's my son's favorite book," she answered.

"Did you used to read to him from this book?" Chad questioned.

"Objection...of what relevance is this?" Amara questioned.

"I assure you that I have a point, Your Honor," Chad argued.

"Overruled. The Witness will answer the question," the Judge ordered.

"I still read to him from it. So does my husband," she answered.

"Then you are aware, that according to Dr. Samdi's memoir, that the reason Clayton Stavros sought to have you committed was because you began to believe that the stories in this book were real. That you think you are the Snow White in this book," he stated.

"No," she answered. She knew it wasn't really the truth, but for all intents and purposes, she was legally Margaret Nolan in this world.

"Then your son doesn't think that you and your husband are Snow White and Prince Charming?" he asked. She smiled.

"It's my son's favorite story and when he was younger, he liked to think we were. He has a very vivid imagination and we will never discourage that," she answered.

"Then if it is your son that is the only one that thinks your husband is Prince Charming, then why did Dr. Samdi document that you would constantly cry every night and call out for your Charming?" Chad questioned. But Snow was ready for this question.

"Charming is a nickname that I coined for my husband on the day we met. I have affectionately called him that since we met. I was heavily medicated by the doctor and probably was calling out for him by that name," she answered. He smiled at her and she smiled back across the room.

"A nickname? Is that really what you are expecting us to believe, Mrs. Nolan?" he questioned.

"Objection...argumentative!" Amara argued.

"Sustained," the Judge ordered.

"I apologize, Your Honor. I'll rephrase. Perhaps you can tell us why we should believe that," he reiterated. She smiled at David.

"Because anyone who has met my husband knows what an amazing man he is. He has always been my hero...my Prince Charming. He is an incredible husband, a wonderful father, and a dedicated police officer, who puts monsters in prison. Anyone that knows him isn't surprised that I nicknamed him that," she said proudly. Chad didn't look too happy about her answer, but conceded with a nod.

"Fair enough. I think we can both agree that Dr. Samdi was an evil man, but why should we believe that this translates to my client?" he asked. She looked at him incredulously.

"He stole my life from me and my family. He let my husband believe we were dead," she responded.

"Dr. Samdi stole your life. My client's participation is purely speculative," Chad argued.

"He had custody of my son using forged papers!" Snow cried out in outrage. Chad smirked and pulled some papers from his briefcase.

"The defense would like to introduce defense exhibit A. These are the papers in question. Mrs. Nolan...is that not your signature as your alter, Mary Blanchard, signing over custody of your son to Mr. Stavros?" he questioned. Snow was stunned. She knew the papers were a fabrication of the curse, but she also knew how it would look to a jury.

"I was under the influence of a lot of medication. When drugged...Dr. Samdi could have made me do anything he wanted," she responded.

"Blaming the medication again. Seems a bit convenient," he said skeptically.

"Objection! He's badgering the witness," Amara protested.

"Withdrawn. No further questions," he responded.

"The witness may step down," the Judge ordered, as Snow did so and rejoined David on the bench behind the district attorney's desk.

"You were amazing," he assured, as he kissed her tenderly.

"We will break for lunch now and return in one hour," the Judge ordered, as she slammed the gavel down and dismissed them. And David knew it would likely be his turn in the witness box when they returned.

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 182: Endgame, Pt 1

Gothel admired the glowing resurrection amulet, as it pulsed with sheer power. In theory, the amulet could bring back someone from the dead, which was normally a direct violation of the laws of magic. But the price of doing so was predictable. The resurrection amulet required a life for a life, therefore becoming a loophole to that rule. But it wouldn't have been the first time a law of magic was defied. After all, they were called laws for a reason, which ultimately meant they could be broken.

There were three defined laws of magic that were top tiers when it came to the rules of magic. Bringing someone back to life was one and it had already been broken. Hades broke it when he revived the Collector; a true waste of a broken rule and she was sure that was something they could all agree on. Theoretically, the powers that be, whether one believed that was the power of the cosmos, Gods, or some other mystical force, often managed to punish those that broke the laws in one way or another. Proof of that could be argued by Hades' demise. Not only was he killed, but completely erased from existence.

There were loopholes to that rule though and it was intriguing that the pair before her had suffered no consequences when they sought to defy death. The Goddess Aphrodite had taken a lot of extra precautions in order to protect her charges this time around, but those protections should have been bypassed when Snow White crushed her own husband's heart. But she had brought him back only minutes later by having her heart split in half. Under the law of magic that stated no one could be brought back to life, such an endeavor should have failed. Yet, because of who they were, they were allowed to slip through that loophole and succeed. Some might argue that the trade off to that was that this pair, while deeply in love and happy together, rarely knew peace. These two humans should be as fragile and easy to kill as any others really. But they weren't. Killing them had been proven to be much harder than it should be and she was determined to be the one to do it.

The second law and its purpose was a bit lost on her. But history was riddled with the failures in breaking this one. Forcing someone to fall in love with another. She really knew nothing of love and had no desire to. But the pair before her had mastered love in every way. It was why they were so hard to kill. It was why they had such magic and had created a rich legacy of love and magical offspring. And it was why she needed them to make the resurrection amulet do what she wanted.

Long ago, its mysterious creation had been intended to break that first law. Whoever had created it, the identity of whom still remained a mystery, probably intended to bring someone back by sacrificing another. But for what Gothel intended, it required star seeds or gems, as they were sometimes known. Everyone had star gems inside them, but most were not magical. However, certain people had very powerful ones and the two most powerful ones in existence were in front of her. She almost scoffed at that too. She wasn't sure how such powerful star gems existed inside two beings who, for all intents and purposes, should be fairly weak in the grand scheme of things. Powerful star gems potentially had unlimited and unparalleled power. To be fair, no one really knew the full potential of star gems and no one really knew who had created them. Star gems inside people was something unique to their sector of nine realms. There was likely other things among the infinite realms that were similar, but Gothel knew that the right star gems could remake the world into what she wanted it to be. The resurrection amulet was simply a tool to harness and focus their power. She was sure just by using the dark, mysterious object that she was about to shatter the laws of magic. But she didn't foresee any consequences, for once she had those star gems from the truest loves, she would become the most powerful being in these nine realms. When that happened, she could basically rewrite the laws of magic any way she wanted to, for she would be more powerful than any of the Gods of Olympus or any being in any realm within their sector.

Laws were meant to be broken, after all and the pair before her had broken the third law, with their consequence being separated by another curse. They had broken the law of time travel unintentionally. Usually, time travel was expressly forbidden, because traveling to the past could jeopardize all sentient life. The prospect of meddling with the past could have untold consequences and disrupting time was considered a grievous sin by the Gods. And it was also messing with aspects of science that shouldn't have been tampered with. Facilier wanted to travel back and they had been sent to the past, albeit only about five years. With that law being broken, it was hard to say what kinds of consequences it might have. But since all these so-called heroes were about to die by her hand, she supposed that was a moot point. Time was about to become irrelevant, for she was resetting the clock on this world. Humanity would wither and her perfect Eden would grow. It seemed the two idiots were intent on fighting her though and were presenting quite a defense, which meant she needed a defense of her own.

"Time to take things up a notch," she said, as the ominous clouds above flashed violently with lightning and boomed with thunder. They watched the vines around them begin to convulse and screeching was heard, as they came to life in a new way. The vines sprouted arms, legs, and heads, which came complete with a full set of sharp teeth.

"Holy crap," Emma exclaimed.

"It's like Little Shop O' Horrors on steroids," she commented. Leo cocked his head to the side, acknowledging her reference.

"I was going to say it's like a bunch of Groots if Groot was evil, but yours works too," he replied. But there was more, as some of the vines sprouted flowers, which opened up into Venus flytraps, also complete with sharp, vicious teeth.

"And now we have piranha plants from Super Mario," Leo deadpanned. Screams ensued, as the creatures attacked and it was up to them to stop them from hurting people.

"Leo...start zapping. Regina...light them up wherever you can," Emma directed, as she watched the Venus flytraps start shooting poison darts.

"Summer...circle the perimeter and get as many of those darts into bubbles as you can," Emma said. Summer nodded.

"I'll start healing people that get hit," Eva said, as she hurried off with a very confused Dr. Narita in tow.

"What can I do?" Bobby asked.

"You can stay close to us," Snow answered.

"But Mom...I can help," he insisted.

"I need shock waves from you, kid. Hit 'em at their roots and dust them," Emma said.

"Yes…" Bobby cheered, as he ran off.

"Bobby...be careful!" Snow called frantically.

"I got him," Henry assured, as he followed him, armed with a sword, taking Jacinda and Lucy with him.

"What can I do? Ana and I can help," Drizella offered. Snow and Charming exchanged a glance.

"This is the epicenter. There's too many innocent people around. Start leading people away. Keep them out of buildings and structures," David instructed. She nodded and they left for their task as well.

"Need I remind you that none of this will matter if you don't take her out," Rumple reminded, as he indicted Gothel, who stood about twenty feet above them in a nest type structure that her plants had woven together to create for her, like some living plant Throne.

"Yeah, I'm over the creepy Little Shop O' Horrors vibe she's got going on," Emma commented. Snow glanced at her husband and followed his vision, as his eyes were locked on the structure that the witch's vines had created. Where the community garden had once been was now a very tall mass of vines, like a jungle had literally sprouted from the ground. Her nest was a top the structure and somehow, she knew what he was thinking. But she asked anyway.

"I know that look...you have a plan," she mentioned.

"Of sorts...but it's nuts," he replied. She smiled, despite the situation.

"I'd probably be disappointed if it wasn't," she offered.

"Weaver is right. Any plants we slice or burn up out here won't matter. That thing she's created will just create more. We have to go in there and destroy it from the inside," he replied.

"Which is probably what she wants," Snow agreed. He scoffed.

"Oh yeah...it's a trap for sure. But none of this stops unless we stop her in the source. That's where the amulet is," he responded. She nodded and threaded her fingers with his.

"Guys…" Emma called, as they turned back to her, seeing the palpable worry on her face.

"We'll be okay…" Snow assured. Tears brimmed her eyes, as she wondered if her mother could really promise that.

"You better be," Emma replied. David gave her a gentle smile and she could only watch her parents rush into the epicenter of the massive tangle of vines. Emma then rushed off to help handle more of the chaos and failed to notice Clayton following her parents in…

~*~

"This is insane!" Jacinda cried, as she watched Henry slice through more of the living plants.

"I know...and though it will still be nuts, I promise it will make sense when the curse breaks," he promised, as they approached a wall of the greenery, complete with several man-eating plants. Bobby hurried in front of them and they, plus all standing trapped by the plants, watched in amazement. Bobby's hands lit with silver magic, as he thrust his hands toward the ground, sending his power beneath the surface. Silver pulses traveled up the vines and the man-eating plants screeched in pain, as they were all turned to ash. Henry smiled.

"Nice...your powers are getting crazy strong, kid," he said, as they high-fived.

~*~

Leo exhausted a dangerous amount of lightning into the large curling vine that was wrapped around Belfry Tower. He growled under the strain, as the vine convulsed and tried to overcome his power. But he pressed on and it finally uncoiled from the building, before slamming dead to the ground. He heaved air into his lungs, as Eva put a hand on his shoulder, before her pink magic swirled around her and she levitated herself into the air. Her wind magic carried her and her confused husband, who still had no memory into an opening of the damaged building.

"I promise it will make sense eventually," she offered, as his face showed utter disbelief. He took a deep breath and followed her with his bag, as they began tending to the injured.

~*~

Several poison barbs were encased in bubbles and floated harmlessly into the sky, as Summer stopped them from pelting the innocent people below. Regina and Gold stood on either side of her, along with Belle, as they used fire to burn up the plethora of flora life that was growing wildly around the city.

"This is insane…" Regina growled, as she blasted another Venus flytrap before it could snap up any innocent bystander.

"And this is worse than New York. We might not be able to put this genie back in the bottle so to speak," Belle mentioned, as she did her best, armed with a cutlass.

"Then we better hope that once this is over that Snow and Charming can open a portal to the future and get us the hell out of here," Regina commented, as she destroyed more.

"And why isn't this damn curse broken yet? Those two have kissed and saved their daughter, but no rainbow light," Regina added, side eyeing her old mentor.

"Don't look at me...I don't know what's holding this one back," he answered, as Summer spotted two people that she knew being cornered by one of the man-eating plants. The floral monsters screeched angrily, as it fired two poison darts at Frankie and Joe. She gasped and released two bubbles, saving them from the poison. They looked at her in astonishment, just as Regina turned the plant to ash.

"Joe...Frankie...what are you doing here?" Summer asked.

"I don't know...we just felt like this is where we needed to be," Frankie replied.

"We somehow knew that family needed us, even if we're still trying to wrap our heads around this," Joe added. Summer sighed.

"I know...it's a lot," she agreed.

"Where are your parents?" Frankie asked. Summer looked over at the virtual palace that Gothel had created from her vines and plants.

"In there…" she uttered, as they looked on, wondering what was happening inside.

~*~

Snow and Charming walked cautiously into the structure, hand in hand, finding that Gothel had created her own little palace out of it. And though it appeared to be purely made of an intricate web of vines and flora life, they knew the structure was probably nearly indestructible. They reached what appeared to be like a Throne room and watched Gothel's nest descend from atop the structure and situate itself far above them.

"You two will be a fitting feast for my lovelies," Gothel commented, as two plants, with snapping jaws, loomed behind them. But David was quick to cut them down and his sword, powered by the chalice, turned them to ash.

"Yeah...plant food is not how this is going to end for us," he challenged. Gothel smirked.

"I had hoped you'd save yourselves all the pain to come by giving into the inevitable. Surrendering your star gems will ensure far less pain than if I have to take them by force," she warned. Snow glowered at the woman and fired an arrow at her. The woman easily caught it, but her surprise was palpable when it exploded. It scorched her nest and she plummeted to the ground before them, singed and seething with anger.

"You will pay for that, Princess…" she hissed, as she climbed to her feet. The explosion had rendered her human appearance null and she was now in her natural form. Blue tinted skin and sea green hair. Her limbs also seemed to take on a boneless-type quality when she moved, much like her living flora. Her dress was red and complete with a cloak, both tattered and weathered.

"We'll see…" David retorted. But she smirked.

"The Earth once belonged to my people...until it was stolen by humans," she growled.

"You humans destroy and pillage everything in your wake. You feared my people and destroyed them!" she raged.

"We didn't do any of that. Not all humans are alike. Punishing all for the actions of a few is wrong," Snow stated righteously.

"No...you're all the same. You're an infection upon my beautiful garden and one that I plan to cure," she argued.

"Then we'll stop you...and destroy you," David promised. She smirked.

"You will try," she challenged, as there was a shuddering beneath their feet. Massive vines sprouted around them and they had to flee the coils. David grabbed her hand and they ran, as Gothel's monstrous flora chased them through the structure. By now, the moving and evolving structure was a sheer labyrinth. They dodged and darted through and around coiled and twisted vines. They soon realized they were now far above solid ground and a misstep could send them plummeting back down to either the ground or into the coils of a vine ready to constrict the life out of them.

"Any more ideas?" Snow asked offhandedly, as they climbed around the twisted mess of vegetation.

"Not really...but you know I usually never really have a plan. I just make it up as I go along," he quipped in reply, as they reached a large gap in the vegetation. And jumping was too dangerous, for a Venus flytrap was directly below them, snapping its powerful jaws.

"Now what?" Snow asked, as he looked up and sliced through one of the thinner vines. He sheathed his sword and then grasped the vine firmly. He wrapped his free arm around Snow's waist and pulled her flush against him. She knew he intended to swing them over the gap and she snaked her arms tightly around his waist.

"Don't drop me," she teased.

"Never," he promised.

"But a good luck kiss wouldn't hurt anything," he added. She smiled and kissed him passionately, before he swung them over to the other side. He let go of the vine and they stood precariously on the slippery and unstable vines beneath their feet. They carefully moved away from the gap, but as Snow happened to glance back, she saw Clayton swinging his way over to them. She gasped, but not in time, as the Collector knocked her husband off the beam.

"Charming!" she cried, as he hung dangerously above a man-eating plant. Without thinking, she kicked Clayton in the chest, sending him back. Unfortunately, he grabbed the vine and swung back to their beam. Snow helped David pull himself up and he drew his sword to defend them. Clayton stood before them again and drew his own sword.

"Only one of you has to die and I can take control of the chalice," he stated.

"Which would mean nothing. We're the only ones that can defeat Gothel," Snow replied.

"So you say...but if I have the power again, I know I can make mulch out of her," he boasted.

"Except that I know for a fact that you can't. Queen Serenity...my predecessor told me such," Snow claimed.

"A Queen that's been dead for three thousand years? The one that failed to fully defeat Gothel in the first place?" he questioned sarcastically.

"Forgive me if I don't put much stalk in that," he responded, as he stood poised for battle with his nemesis'.

"Fighting us won't end well for you," David warned. Clayton smirked smugly.

"I'll take my chances, Charming," he retorted, as their blades clashed, while Snow stood by, ready with an arrow. They dueled precariously on the winding and twisted network of vines that were woven throughout Gothel's treacherous and warped Eden. Clayton made a risky leap to another platform, trying to gain an upper ground on them, but Snow was ready and fired an arrow. It exploded and burned up the fauna around him, as he fell to a platform just below them.

"You'll pay for that, Snow White," he growled, as he chased them through the maze of deadly precipices. Snow and David climbed around the vines and managed to find the top finally, while Clayton sliced through another thin vine, intending to use it to get to them. But David was seeing from his position that he wouldn't be able to without risking his life. If he missed, it would be sudden doom for him.

"I'll give you two a moment to discuss who gets to die," Clayton boosted, as he prepared to swing himself to them.

"You don't want to do that. You'll never make it...we have the higher ground," David warned.

"Like I said before...I'll take my chances, Your Highness," he retorted. They watched as he swung himself up and over to their platform, barely touching the edge of it. His smirk was smug, but he had swung through many more vines that were around him and those vines suddenly pulled him back. They watched as now he was suspended in the air by the vines and he fought them by slicing through them. Clayton sliced his way out and jumped toward their platform, but he missed and Snow gasped, as they watched in horror, as he slipped upside down and there was a strangled noise, as well as a sickening snap. They looked over the edge cautiously and gasped, as they saw that Clayton had essentially hung himself by accident and swung there dead, suspended by the vines that became his end. Snow cried out and turned away from the gruesome sight, as it instantly got worse, as two Venus flytraps shot up and tore the body to shreds, consuming him as food.

"Ohhh…" she groaned, as her stomach churned at the sounds of crunching bones, while she buried her face in David's chest.

"Well...as disturbing as that was, it was well deserved," David said and she couldn't disagree with that. The Collector had was evil and his obsession with killing one of them to gain the power of the Chalice had daunted them for far too long. Thankfully, this time there would be no resurrection for him. He was gone for good and despite all that still faced them, his demise was a victory for them. They usually didn't find comfort in anyone's death, even their enemies, but the Collector leading to his own undoing was more than fitting. Snow sighed and relished his lips, as he pressed them to her forehead. She knew they probably had mere moments until chaos erupted around them again, but oh how she wished they could just go home, away from all this ugliness.

"We'll get there, my darling," he promised. She smiled.

"Reading my thoughts, handsome?" she teased. He smiled.

"More like feeling them through you," he corrected. And she had to agree. She wasn't sure it was possible, but it truly seemed that their love managed to grow every day.

"So...any more to this plan of yours?" she asked.

"Not really, but I'm not a fan of this hide and seek game she's playing. I say we make her take us on directly," he replied.

"Then we need to bring this thing down, which is a lot of magic," she agreed. He smirked.

"Which we have," he said, as they grasped the chalice together. A beam of light slammed into the roof of the warped nightmare of a palace, quickly eating away at it. Once they had an exit, David grabbed a couple vines and they scaled the wall, before climbing out on top of it.

By then, most of their friends and family had gathered around, seeing the peculiar light coming from Gothel's garden monstrosity.

"We could use a bubble, peanut," David called down. Summer smiled and released one, which encased her parents safely inside and transported them to the ground, before popping.

"Let's take it down," David said, as they surrounded the structure and unleashed an assault of magic. Regina and Gold shot several fireballs at it, setting it ablaze. Bobby released shock waves into the ground going after the roots and while they were stunned by his power, Elsa released her ice powers into the ground, freezing the roots and killing them. Leo continued to hit the structure with his lightning powers, while Emma used beams of white magic to do the same. Alice stared at the structure and looked unsure, but soon felt a hand on her shoulder.

"You can do this, starfish...they need you," Hook encouraged.

"I know...but I think I'm supposed to do something else first. I'm the Guardian…" she said, as she started toward Snow and Charming, just as Gothel's palace collapsed to mulch. She emerged from the smoke, seething with rage and unscathed.

"Whoa...what happened to her?" Leo asked, referring to her shocking appearance.

"She is a nymph. Her mother was Mother Nature. This is her true form," Rumple answered. Alice fired her golden colored magic at her biological mother, but she batted the attack away like nothing.

"I'm through playing," she growled, as they watched in horror, as vine-like tentacles sprouted from her very being and she hit Alice first, knocking her away.

"Tilly!" Margot cried, as she and Hook rushed to her. Leo and Elsa rushed her next, ready to blast her with their powers, but she was ready, as her powerful tentacles swept them away as well. She smirked and blew golden dust on them.

"Can you move?" Leo asked.

"No…" she groaned, realizing they were both paralyzed by her pollen.

"All right, let's fry this bitch," Regina growled, as she and Rumple prepared to unleash their fireballs at her. But there was a rumbling beneath them and Belle, as more vines re-emerged from the ground, despite Bobby and Elsa's efforts to kill the roots and the three of them were captured within the coils.

"Hey tree huger...over here!" Emma called, as her magic collided with Gothel's. But the witch smirked, as she easily overpowered the Savior, allowing a vine to coil around her.

"Not today, Savior," Gothel cooed, as she moved toward Snow and Charming.

"Surrender your star gems and I'll make the deaths of everyone you love quick and painless," she offered.

"Save it," David retorted.

"We're not afraid to fight you," Snow added, as they stood strong before her, armed with the chalice. She smirked.

"Pity...I was hoping to spare your children from seeing the gruesome deaths that await you both," she retorted, as her tentacles slithered toward them and they knew that this battle had only just begun...

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 181: Save Me

Joe flipped the closed sign on the diner door, as he watched the clouds in the sky swirl dangerously above the city.

"Damn...have you ever seen a storm like this?" Frankie asked his husband and Joe instinctively put an arm around him.

"Nah...this ain't normal. I can feel it in my bones," Joe replied.

"Joe...what is it?" Frankie asked, noticing the peculiar look on his face.

"You know, when we got married, it was the best day of my life and I thought this could be okay, even after they denied us the chance to adopt," Joe mentioned.

"Yeah...it was my fault. Guess being a cop means nothing if you got into trouble in your teens. Never knew they'd go back into my past," Frankie said shamefully.

"You were a kid, love and it was a stupid technicality. Doesn't change how much I love you," he said, smiling at him.

"But then we met David and his little girl and I saw two people that needed to be taken care of. So we did...for two years. I knew they were special the moment they walked in here," Joe replied.

"Me too...then they got their family back and still needed us," Frankie said fondly.

"I got this feeling in my gut, Frankie. Maybe it's the cop in me...but something tells me that they need us...they need family now," he added.

"Then let's go find them," Frankie agreed, as they left the diner, hand in hand. And somehow, deep inside, they knew they wouldn't be back.

~*~

The ominous clouds churned above the city, getting darker and darker by the minute. Lightning could be seen flashing inside the brewing mass of cumulus matter and what had begun as a small system seemed to be quickly growing. It was slowly blanketing the city and it was already drawing the attention of the entire populous of Seattle.

"And if you're just joining us, you're probably seeking answers for this sudden storm. Our radars are functioning properly and this sudden storm is a bit of a mystery," the meteorologist reported, as Jacinda watched the report on her phone.

"This doesn't make any sense," she commented.

"It makes perfect sense if you'd just believe," Lucy chimed in. The brunette sighed and looked over at Henry. His eyes were fixated on the clouds above and he looked a little pale.

"Henry...what's wrong?" She questioned.

"All of this...it's all real," he realized. Lucy's eyes widened.

"You remember?" she asked.

"No...but it's all so familiar," he realized.

"He's right…" Ivy offered, as she approached with Ana and both had clearly been crying.

"Ivy...what happened?" Jacinda asked.

"Mother...she's gone. She sacrificed herself for me," Ivy cried, as Jacinda hugged her.

"Gone? What do you mean?" Jacinda questioned. Ivy sniffed.

"She's dead...she sacrificed herself to save...to save us," Ivy said, realizing what she was saying. She had almost said that she sacrificed herself to save Ana, but she knew that wasn't accurate. Her mother had given her life for her as well.

After years of believing that her mother didn't love her, years of jealousy over Ana, and hurt about her mother's favoritism, which had morphed into hate, her mother had made the ultimate sacrifice for her. And Ivy wasn't sure how she felt about that. Now that there was no target for her hate and jealousy, she was just left feeling empty. Regina had once warned her that this is what revenge would leave her with, if she managed to survive her quest to quench that revenge. Snow and Charming had even tried to counsel her mother at times, trying to get her to see what her mother's favoritism was doing to her daughter. Regina's advice and Snow and Charming's counsel had always fell on deaf ears. Or so she thought. Until just moments ago, she would have sworn that she hated her mother and her mother hated her. And to find out that the case was neither left her feeling lost. Add to that, she suddenly had an incredible amount of guilt, for she had allowed Gothel to use her and may have very well contributed to the apocalypse that seemed to be upon them.

"Ivy...I don't understand. What do you mean she sacrificed herself to save you?" Jacinda questioned in confusion.

"It's because of Gothel, isn't it?" Lucy asked. Ivy nodded.

"You're right, Lucy...you've been right about everything," Ivy answered, as tears slipped down her cheeks.

"This is all my fault...we're all going to die, because of me," she sobbed, as Ana hugged her tightly.

"We're not going to die, Aunt Ivy," Lucy insisted, as she turned to her parents.

"Please...you have to remember," she pleaded.

"Lucy...sweetheart, I don't know what it is that's going on here, but it doesn't mean that Henry's book is real. I know you want it to be, sweetie…" Jacinda said.

"No Jacinda...she's right and I think I know something that might help," Ivy interjected, as she fished something out of her shoulder bag.

"Mother thrust her bag into my arms, just before she died and I think I know why," she continued, as she pulled a glass slipper from it. Lucy gasped and Henry's eyes became fixated on the object. She placed it in his hands and his eyes widened in shock, as it all played back to him in his head. Everything...growing up in Storybrooke with his loving family, all their adventures, and danger. Then leaving to break out on his own and meeting Ella. Then having Lucy and the curse...with his mother being left behind. He took a strangled breath, as it all crashed down on him and he looked up at the ominous storm above.

"Henry?" Lucy asked and he looked at her with awe and wonder in his eyes.

"Not Henry...Dad," he answered, as she practically jumped into his arms. He hugged her tightly and cradled her head, which instantly reminded him of his grandfather. His eyes widened and he put Lucy down, as he went over to Tilly, who was staring at the wrecked garden.

"Tilly…" he said, as he shook her shoulder.

"She's coming…" the girl uttered.

"Who's coming, Tilly?" Rogers asked, as Margot got in her line of vision, trying to snap her from the trance she seemed to be in.

"Tilly...who is coming?" Margot repeated.

"I think she means me," a voice said, as Gothel emerged from the cavern by climbing up the vines that had sprouted forth from the earth.

"Eloise?" Rogers asked in confusion.

"Hello Captain," she answered in a sultry tone.

"Captain?" he asked in confusion.

"You…" Henry growled and she smirked.

"The author is awake at last…" she responded.

"You poisoned my mother! Your curse made me think I was an orphan and my family was dead?!" Henry exclaimed, as he advanced toward her. But one of her vines came alive and wrapped around him, constricting around him and suspended him in the air.

"Henry!" Jacinda cried, as commotion from normal citizens erupted around them, as no one could hardly believe what they were seeing.

"Dad!" Lucy cried, as the vines squeezed him.

"Tilly…" Margot said, as she tried to get through the glazed expression on her face.

"Alice!" Henry called out and that was the trick to snapping her out of the trance. She blinked and looked up, gasping, as she saw him being squeezed to death. Without thinking, a spark of golden colored magic left her fingertips and snapped the live vine, which screeched, as it died and turned to black ash. Henry fell to the ground and Jacinda helped him up, as she looked at Tilly in shock. And onlookers also stared at the blonde in shock, for they had seen the golden sparks she emitted from her hands. Their chatter was akin to a collective buzzing, as they conversed and discussed what they were seeing.

"What...what was that?" Alice asked, starting to panic and Henry realized that she still wasn't fully awake.

"That's what makes you special, Alice...you're my daughter and together, we can remake this world. I just need your power to help me," Gothel stated.

"Daughter?" Alice asked in confusion.

"You're no mother to her...and you know it," Henry spat angrily, as he put a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Is what she says true?" Tilly asked.

"Yes...but she's evil. She abandoned you and poisoned your father's heart so you couldn't be together," Henry explained.

"Don't listen to him, Alice...he just wants you to use your powers to save his family. He doesn't care about you," Gothel argued.

"She's wrong...because you are part of my family," he insisted hotly.

"I am?" she asked in confusion.

"Yes...you're my step-sister," he explained.

"Who's my father?" she asked.

"It's me...isn't?" Rogers asked, as the confusion was still present in his eyes. But he shook his head.

"I don't know how...but I feel it. It's me, isn't it?" he repeated desperately. Henry smiled and nodded.

"Yes…" he answered.

"I don't know how...but I feel it. None of this makes any sense. It's your book, isn't it? It's real?" Rogers asked, as he felt a weight being lifted, as he accepted that as his reality.

"All of it…" Henry answered.

"Papa?" Tilly asked hopefully. He nodded and reached for her hand. She reached out as well, but vines exploded between them and snatched Rogers up, proceeding to squeeze around him.

"No! Papa!" Tilly cried, as Gothel commanded the vines and tossed him to the ground. There was a sickening crack and they rushed to Rogers side. They saw the blood around his head and Tilly screamed, as she started sobbing uncontrollably. Henry stared in disbelief, as Drew gingerly checked for a pulse.

"He's alive...but it's weak. We need to get him to a hospital!" he called.

"No one is going anywhere!" Gothel announced, as her vines continued to grow through the city. They watched in horror, as they sprouted up everywhere, wrapping around buildings and houses. The result was explosions and mass destruction, as buildings and bridges collapsed, crippling infrastructure with devastation and killing hundreds in an instant.

"Magic is back…" Henry muttered. And he knew that meant that his Aunt Eva was Hook's only chance of surviving. However, he knew getting her here would be a challenge and he watched Drew slip away from the vines.

"Find my aunt and Paul if you can! They're his only chance!" Henry called. Prince Naveen nodded and slipped away, as he took off running into the city.

"Hang on Hook…" he murmured, as he took off his flannel shirt and pressed it to his cracked skull.

"We need to keep pressure on it," he said, as Jacinda put her hands on his and their eyes locked. He didn't see recognition yet, but it was obvious to her now that her life was not what she thought it was.

"Join me Alice…" Gothel implored.

"No...you're evil! I'll never join you!" she shouted back, as she stood in front of Margot, afraid that Gothel would go for her next. But the witch only smirked.

"Then I guess I'll just have to take your power by force," she growled, as she struck Tilly with the amulet and began to absorb her magic. She cried out in pain and Margot was blasted back, as she tried to go to her.

"Fight her Alice! You're the Guardian! Wake up!" Henry pleaded with her. But it didn't seem to matter and she continued her magical assault on her daughter…

~*~

The large, heavy doors were pushed open and they were prodded inside, as his eyes darted around, until he finally saw her.

"SNOW!" he cried, as he saw her. There was a thick chain hanging from the rafters and at the end of it, Snow hung painfully by shackles that were attached to the suspended manacles. He wrists were bleeding from the steel that cut into her soft flesh and tears streamed down her face, as she whimpered through the gag between her teeth.

"LET HER GO! YOU'RE HURTING HER, YOU BASTARD!" David roared, as he struggled with the two brutes that held him back. He turned sharply and delivered an uppercut to one and kicked the other one in the abdomen. He ran toward Snow, but Clayton cut him off by stepping into his path and shoving the plasma rod into his abdomen. David dropped to his knees in pain, as the Collector took vicious delight in his torture.

"Dad!" Emma cried and Snow screamed for him through the gag. From the bag that held the chalice, there was a pulsing glow, as if it was sensing the danger to its charges.

"It's time," Clayton said, as he stopped electrocuting David and then kicked him in the gut, causing him more pain, as he writhed on the ground.

"It's time to seize the power. I'll have thirty seconds to absorb the power back into my staff," he said, as he held the staff and looked at Snow with an evil smirk.

"Slit her throat," he ordered, as one of his hired hands moved in with a knife.

"Mom!" Emma cried, as she advanced, but both were stricken still and they saw the Facilier held two dolls modeled after them.

"No...MOM!" Summer cried, as she struggled against her captor. Snow's eyes widened in fear, as she could feel the man behind her. David growled and barreled into the man with a savage cry, burying his fists into him again and again. The man fought back and rolled, now pinning David on the floor, as he got his hands around the Prince's neck.

"Killing him will work too," Clayton said, nonchalantly, as David gasped for air.

But a gunshot rang out and the thug slumped dead onto David. He breathed air into his starved lungs and climbed out from under the dead weight, as he looked at Rumple in the doorway.

"Thanks," he rasped.

"Guess I'll have to do it myself," Clayton growled, as he turned his staff around, baring the sharp end, and strode purposefully toward Snow. Rumple and Belle started toward Summer, to free her first, but Facilier halted them.

"Another step...and the Savior won't need to worry about her poisoned heart being the thing that kills her," he warned, stilling them. But David got up and intended to head Clayton off, when Facilier warned him too.

"Another step, Your Highness and you'll lose your daughter in addition to your wife," he warned. Snow's eyes locked with his, as more tears slipped down her cheeks. Suddenly, there was a rumbling beneath them and chaos erupted, as thick, thorny vines emerged from beneath them, wrecking havoc to anything in their wake. They reached as high as the sky and the ceiling crumbled around them. Belle cried out, as Rumple shielded her from any falling debris. The chalice still glowed and David heard the voice inside him.

"You don't have to be holding the chalice to wield its power," Endymion reminded. David closed his eyes and concentrated on the chalice, pleading for help. He felt something in his hand and opened his eyes, as a glowing sword was now in his hand. The blade was lit with the magic of the chalice and he set his jaw in determination, as he swung the blade and demolished the thick vines in his way like nothing. He hacked his way through them, as Clayton still struggled to get around them so he could murder Snow, but there was no way David was going to let him hurt her. He sliced through the last vine that blocked his path to Snow and with a strong swing, he swiped through the thick manacle with one arm, while catching her in the other. She looked up at him, love and relief shining in her eyes, as he cradled her against him. He freed her from the shackles and she removed the gag.

"Oh Charming…" she gushed, as she clung to him.

"It's okay, my darling. You're safe," he promised.

"And that won't last...I assure you," Clayton growled.

"We have to end this...or Gothel is going to destroy this entire city," he whispered to her.

"Then we'll do this together," she added, as he pressed up on the small of her back, bringing her lips crashing against his in a smoldering kiss. He picked up his sword and helped her to her feet then.

"That's a very nice sword," she complimented with a smile. He grinned back.

"I think the chalice might have something for you too," he said, as he watched her close her eyes and concentrate. As expected, a bow and a quiver appeared in her hands.

"You really think your arrows and swords are going to get you out of this?" Clayton growled, as he climbed around the large vines obstructing his path. Snow threaded an arrow and then fired it at one blocking their path to their daughters. David's eyes widened in surprise, as the arrow exploded upon contact and burned away at the vines.

"Exploding arrows...that's awesome," David commented, as he took her hand and they climbed their way through the virtual jungle that had sprouted up. Clayton growled and followed them.

"Emma?" they called, as they made their way out.

"Over here!" Regina called to them, as they found her with Summer, Belle, and Rumple. And there was the chalice, glowing and pouring over with magic.

"Looks like magic is back…" Emma said, as she held her heart in pain.

"No…" they cried, as they rushed to her side.

"Serves you right...you're killing your own daughter with your precious chalice," Facilier commented.

"Shut up…" Regina growled, as a fireball appeared in her hand.

"Reminding me of your presence now isn't wise," she added, but he only smirked in amusement.

"It's good to see that ripping your dark side from you didn't take your wit too," he retorted.

"Magic is here…" Rumple realized. Belle's brow furrowed in confusion.

"But that doesn't make much sense. If the chalice answers to Snow and Charming's call, why would it return magic when it would know doing so could kill Emma," Belle wondered. Rumple watched the realization on David's face, as he suddenly seemed to have the answer.

"That's it…" he realized.

"What do you mean?" Snow asked.

"When I was poisoned...drinking the wine in the chalice healed me," he reminded.

"But...there's no wine this time," she said. He smiled.

"There doesn't need to be. Its power is made of true love...Emma is made of true love. That must be partly why she needs to kill us. She knows the chalice can heal Emma...it's why she left her behind," he replied, as the answer came to him like lightning.

"Is it really that easy? Has it really been in front of us this whole time?" she wondered with hope in her voice. He nodded.

"Regina...we need to pull Emma's heart out," he said. She looked astonished.

"No one has ever been able to pull her heart out. My mother tried...even Gothel tried and couldn't do it. She had to poison her from the inside," Regina reminded. His shoulders slumped in defeat.

"The advantage she once had of not being able to have her heart ripped will now be her undoing. Poetic indeed," Facilier commented.

"One more word from you and one of these exploding arrows is coming at you," Snow warned dangerously, as they cradled their daughter.

"Guys...it's okay. You can let me go…" Emma rasped, as she accepted death.

"Never," Snow refuted with vehemence.

"We'll figure this out," David insisted, as his eyes were desperate again.

"Here...this can cut her heart out," Rumple offered, as he offered the dagger to David. The Prince looked at him in confusion and horror. He knew how much trust the Dark One had to have in him to offer it, but he was still horrified by the prospect.

"Are you insane? You want me to cut my daughter's heart out?" he questioned.

"The dagger is the exact opposite of her. If there is anything that can rip her heart, it's this. If you want to save her...then do it," he insisted, as David took the dagger and turned back. The dagger lit up, as he pressed the tip to Emma's chest. She gasped, as her heart was pulled from her body. Snow grasped the chalice and they watched in amazement, as it sucked the green poison out of her heart. Emma gasped in relief, as her heart was cured and the poison was burned away by the chalice. Snow and Charming's mouths, which were ajar at this, turned into bright smiles, as they stared down at their eldest baby with love. Regina and Summer smiled too, as the former hugged her granddaughter close in relief. David guided her heart back into her chest and helped her sit up.

"Mom...Dad...you saved me," she uttered, as they hugged her between them. David looked up at Rumple and handed the dagger back to him.

"Thank you...I know that took a lot of trust on your part to give it to me," he said gratefully.

"You've protected my family, as well as your own over the years. From one father to another, I knew you'd never abuse the power and only use it to save your child," Rumple replied, as Belle put her arms around him and smiled up at him.

"You realize that this makes you officially a hero now, right?" David teased, earning an eye roll.

"Don't start with that," he retorted, as Belle grinned at him and kissed his cheek.

"Not to break up the love fest, but we need to get out of here and find Gothel. She's the source of all this," Regina reminded. They agreed and began to follow her out.

"This was your plan to get the chalice?" Facilier hissed.

"I really don't see you doing much better," Clayton growled back, as he followed them.

"Our deal is still on, providing you don't get in my way. I will have that chalice," the Collector seethed, as he prepared to follow them right to Gothel and into the thick of another battle. Facilier watched him go.

"Or I'll witness your demise and take the chalice for my own," he said, as he followed as well. What was to come was sure to be an epic battle and he was going to capitalize on it in anyway possible.

Snow and David used their arrows and sword respectively to hack their way through the vines that now occupied the ruined Museum. Emma and Regina used their magic as well to clear a path, while making sure Summer stayed close.

"Mom! Dad!" Leo called, as he guarded Eva and Bobby near the entrance. They rushed to their other kids and hugged them close.

"If magic is back…" Eva said, as she looked at her older sister with worry. But Emma smiled.

"It's okay...Mom and Dad figured out how to cure my heart, with Gold's help," she said, as she looked at Rumple and Belle, who had been following them lastly as well. They made their way outside and witnessed the ominous storm clouds that now blanketed the city.

"Looks like she's hard at work," Emma commented.

"And this is without your parents star seeds. If she gets them...this world will be eaten alive at an even more alarming rate," Rumple warned, just as Drew came running up the stairs.

"Naveen?" David asked, as he young man nodded.

"Yes, I'm awake and Hook is hurt...badly. He's got one chance," Naveen said, as he looked at Eva.

"Let's go…" she said, as they hurried after him and soon arrived at the community garden, which seemed to the epicenter of destruction.

"Finally...the guests of honor have arrived," Gothel stated, as they witnessed Tilly being suspended by the vines. David willed his sword to draw on the power of the chalice again and he used the charged blade to slice through the thick vine. He caught Tilly, before she could fall to the ground and she slowly opened her eyes.

"Grandpa Charming?" she asked drowsily. He smiled and then her eyes widened in horror.

"Papa!" she exclaimed, as he hugged her gently.

"He's going to be fine," David promised, as nodded to him and Alice watched Eva use her magic to heal his head wound, just as Paul arrived, having gotten Henry's call. Of course he still thought he was Dr. Anthony Narita and he stared at Eva in awe.

"Dr. Aeson...how did you do that?" he asked in disbelief, as he watched Detective Rogers awaken with no injuries.

"It's a very long story that you've forgotten...but I promise you'll remember soon," Eva answered.

"Alice…" Hook called, as he sat up.

"Welcome back," Eva said, with a smile.

"Papa?" Alice asked. He smiled and stood up, as she rushed into his arms. He hugged her tightly and then looked up, seeing Emma there.

"Emma...you're alive…" he said tearfully. She smiled.

"And all cured, thanks to Mom and Dad...and Rumple too," she replied, as he opened his arm and she joined them in a hug.

"Mom…" Henry said, choking back a sob, as he approached. Her eyes widened.

"Henry...you're awake too?" she asked. He nodded and he rushed toward her too, as they hugged tightly.

"Gods I've missed you, kid," she gushed, as she breathed him in. He swiped a few tears away and then turned to his grandparents, before rushing toward them as well.

"Wait...a lot of us are remembering, but the curse isn't broken yet," Henry stated, as he pulled back from their hug.

"No...but it's weak enough that people are slowly waking up and once we defeat her, we'll break it completely," David said, as he looked to Gothel, who stood before them, poised to finish what she had started.

"Or you and your wife can just die already so I can have your star seeds," she hissed, as her vines whipped around them. David sliced them all, as they came close to him and Snow proceeded to use her exploding arrows to incinerate them, causing awe and amazement to the people witnessing the spectacle.

"Well...guess there's no hiding it anymore," Emma said, as her hands lit up with white light and a fireball appeared in Regina's hand. Leo's hands sparked with cobalt lightning and Eva's swirled with pink magic. Summer released bubbles and encased the poison darts some of the man-eating plants started to release, while Bobby used his powers to swallow up as many vines back into the ground as he could.

"Aunt Regina!" Leo exclaimed, as he saw one of the poison darts heading for her back, but it was thankfully knocked out of the way by an arrow. Regina sighed in relief, as Robin stood there, along with Zelena, a still very confused Chad, Rose Red, and Fandral, as well as their children. Being half Asgardian, Carina, Ben, and Ari all wielded swords and enhanced strength like their father.

"Now the endgame can really begin...hold nothing back. As long as this witch draws breath...there is no future," Rumple growled, as he glared at Gothel. She smirked back.

"Not even you can stop what's coming, Dark One," she warned.

"But we can," Snow stated, as she stepped up and David stepped up beside her, as they joined hands.

"And we will," he added.

"We shall see, truest loves. Time to commence with the end of this world…" she replied, as power erupted from her fingertips and met theirs in an epic clash of true titans of dark and light...

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 166: Walking the Wire

David looked over at her out of the corner of his eye, as Regina drove them and they sat in her backseat. He reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Are you okay?" he asked, as she stared out the car window, watching the cityscape pass them by.

"No...I don't think I am," she said, choking back a sob. He hummed in agreement.

"I guess that was a dumb question...okay seems like a pipe dream right now," he agreed.

"Emma's gone...and now our son is dating a murderer. Except, he doesn't remember he's our son and that he's actually in love with someone else," she said bitterly.

"Hey...I know. I hate this too, but we're going to fix all of this," he promised.

"We can't David! Emma is dead," she stated angrily and he swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Even if we fix everything else...Emma is gone forever," she cried, as he took her in his arms.

"And Leo is in serious danger, because he doesn't remember who Nick really is and if I lose one of our little boys…" she sobbed against his chest.

"No...I won't let it happen. I'm going to be watching him like a hawk and I will lock him up in prison where he belongs," he promised.

"Leo's going to be devastated...he loves Elsa. He'd never willingly be with someone else...this is..." she said, but she couldn't even say that word out the fear that her sorrow for her little boy would swallow her.

"He would never consent to that monster," she growled.

"I know...believe me, I want to rip his throat out," he agreed.

"But... we'll help him through this, just like we always have. And Elsa will understand that it's not his fault," he assured her.

"I know...I just keep thinking about how that could have been us. They could have cursed either or both of us to be with other people," she said, shuddering at that. He shuddered too. He had never had a desire to be with anyone but her and never would. He hated how all their lives had been torn apart yet again. And this time...their family had suffered a devastating loss and he was afraid they would never be quite the same. He knew they would endure and their love would help them survive it...but nothing would ever be the same without Emma.

"This is never going to work," Regina warned.

"It has to...we can't lose Lucy too," David replied. She nodded in agreement, before getting out and going to his door. He was waiting for her and opened it with a smug smile.

"Roni...it was such a pleasant surprise hearing from you. Won't you come in?" he asked. She faked a smile and nodded, as they went inside.

~*~

The Enchanted Forest 2

Storybrooke year - 2023

The portal opened and deposited them in a forest, which was very similar to the ones they knew in the other realms.

"Huh...if I didn't know any better, I'd say we're home," Robin commented.

"I suppose we better find Rose Red's palace," Belle said, as they trekked further into the forest. As they walked through a clearing, Emma had an eerie feeling and noticed a suspicious pile of brush in the middle of the clearing. Just as Elsa was about to step through it, Emma pulled her back.

"Emma...what are you doing?" she asked. Emma responded by using a large stick to trigger what she thought to be a trap. Elsa cried out, as the snapping jaws of a bear trap sprang up before them.

"Damn...that's one hell of a trap," Kristoff commented.

"How did you know there was a trap there?" Anna questioned. Emma smirked.

"My mother was a bandit and she used to set all kinds of traps to catch game. But this one was so obvious that it was definitely set by a novice. A stupid one," she commented.

"Excuse me...how dare you call me stupid! I was a King, you know!" a voice said, as a man emerged from the bushes, with a slithering-like man riding his coattails. Emma raised an eyebrow.

"The only reason I have to live in this blasted forest is because my traitorous niece ousted me from my Throne and then riff raff like you comes along and spoils my perfectly laid trap!" he complained.

"You must be John…" Emma said, with an amused smirk.

"That's King John! And I don't believe I have ever met you!" he growled in return.

"No...but you met my parents. Snow White and Prince David…" she responded.

"Them! They're the reason I had to flee that new land and lost another Throne! Prepare to taste my blade!" he said, as he extracted a dagger.

"Is this guy serious?" Kristoff muttered.

"He's worse than the Duke of Wesselton," Anna joked, laughing at him.

"Sire...I don't think we should be picking any fights," Sir Hiss advised.

"Shut up Hiss...you're spoiling my big moment!" John warned.

"Wait...hold on, this guy has a lisp and his name is Hiss?" Kristoff asked, as they all chuckled a little.

"Sure is...and as much fun as this is, we do not have time for it," Belle reminded.

"Quite right...we have our families to save," Robin agreed, as they moved on.

"Don't you dare walk away from the great Prince John! I am a force to be reckoned with, you know!" he said, as he threw a rock in their direction and Hiss threw one too. Unfortunately, it bounced off another rock and hit John right in the forehead.

"Owe...Hiss…" he growled, as he promptly lost consciousness.

"Oh dear...sorry Sire," he said, as the group they had just encountered moved on and made their way to the castle in the distance. As they did, Kristoff was still chuckling.

"Kristoff…" Anna chided.

"Oh come on...it's funny," he said. She gave him a look and he cleared his throat.

"Okay...not funny," he muttered, as he gave Emma a sideways glance when Anna wasn't glaring at him.

"It's funny right...I mean, Sir Hiss has a lisp. It's funny," he murmured. Emma smirked and shook her head.

"I suppose it's kind of funny, in a really juvenile way," she agreed.

"See...I knew you'd get it. You're David's kid," he said, happy with himself, as they reached the gates. Once they did, they were stopped by the Royal Guard.

"State your business," the lead guard said gruffly.

"It's imperative that we have an audience with Queen Rose Red and Prince Fandral," Emma said.

"No one just has an audience with the Queen, girl," he responded gruffly.

"Woman," she corrected.

"And I know them...they're friends. My name is Emma...just tell them and they'll know me," she implored.

"We'll do no such thing. Now leave...or else," he growled.

"Stand down Brundy," a strong voice called and one that sounded so familiar to Emma that it made her heart ache. The guard was immediately bowing.

"Your Highness," he said, as Fandral stood before them. Beside him stood a blonde teenager about Summer's age and Emma was struck by how much this girl looked like she did at that age.

"Emma...is that you?" Fandral asked. She smiled and nodded.

"Are your parents here?" he asked, looking around.

"Actually no...that's why we're here," Emma replied.

"Yes...there has been another curse. Our families are in danger and we have no idea where this curse took them," Robin explained.

"Aphrodite told us of the library that you and Rose Red are guardians of. She said if there was any way to find them...the answer may rest in one of the books here," Belle continued.

"How awful...another curse. Come...we'll tell Rose what is going on immediately and then we'll help you search," he said, motioning them along. Emma smiled and followed him.

"Thank you…" she said. He smiled.

"Emma...you and your parents are like family. There is nothing Rose and I will not do to help," he assured, as he led them inside the palace.

~*~

"Any change in that little girl? Lucy was it?" the desk nurse asked, as Jenna filed another chart from one of her patients.

"No...and I'm baffled. I can't find anything wrong. No wounds or injuries and her tox screen is completely clean," she replied in frustration.

"You're one of the best, Jenna...but maybe it's time to call in a specialist. I worked with this doctor a few months ago and he was incredibly gifted. Maybe you could consult him?" the nurse suggested. At this point, Jenna would try anything to save this little girl. There was just something about her and all of this that made her feel like lives depended upon it. The death of a child destroyed families all the time, but for some reason, she felt there was even more at stake here, though she couldn't put her finger on why.

"Do you have his card?" she asked. The nurse smiled and nodded, as she gave it to her.

"Doctor Anthony Narita," Jenna read, as she dialed his number.

~*~

Cassidy's shift was finally ending and he punched out, as he prepared to head to the station to make his daily report. He took his phone out, as he was walking toward his car and saw that he had a text from Weaver.

"I'm not at the station tonight. Come to the hospital when you're done," he read from the screen. Cassidy shrugged and suddenly noticed that he was surrounded by a few of the other guards.

"Uh...can I help you?" Cassidy asked.

"The boss wants to see you," one of the guards said. Cassidy knew better though. This was an ambush, which meant Clayton was onto him. He reacted with a punch to one of the guards and started to run, but he was tackled by another. He felt something blunt strike him on the back of the neck and everything went black.

~*~

"I must say...I'm still surprised by your call, though not unhappy," Baron said, as he poured a couple glasses of scotch and handed on to her.

"I got the impression last time I was at your bar that you had no interest in me," he mentioned.

"Well...things change," Roni responded, as she downed the scotch, welcoming the burning liquid sliding down her throat. It was pretty much the only way she was going to get through this. She hoped Snow and David were able to quickly find the chalice, because she seriously did not like how Samdi was looking at her right now. He chuckled and gave her a refill.

"The little girl...Lucy is it?" he asked. She paused, as she raised the glass to her lips and gave him a scrutinizing look.

"How did you know?" she questioned. He shrugged.

"I noticed her and her mother have been around you lately and guessed. I know there is young Bobby that you are fond of as well, but if it were Bobby, I suspect you could not be drawn away from Mary's side," he mentioned. She shot him an icy gaze.

"Mary is my...very dear friend and your son put her and her child through hell," she reminded. He nodded, taking her criticism in stride.

"I do not pretend to understand Franklin's expertise in the psychological sciences. Obviously, he mis-diagnosed Ms. Blanchard's dissociative identity disorder, but then we all make mistakes," he offered.

"Forcing pills down her throat and his orderlies leaving bruises on her was hardly a mistake. Trust me, if her...David Nolan had his way, both your son and Clayton Stavros would be behind bars right now," she warned.

"I believe Franklin deserves the benefit of the doubt, but I don't disagree about the Collector. He has an evil way about him...pretending to be her brother with forged documents and trying to rip a child away from her is truly dastardly. But I daresay, Mary is lucky to have someone like Detective Nolan in her corner," he leered, as he sipped at his drink.

"David is a good friend...and someone who will always seek justice, especially for the people he cares about," Roni responded in a neutral tone. Samdi smirked.

"Though it's quite clear that those two are more than friends," he mentioned. Roni pursed her lips.

"Sometimes there are certain people in this world that simply belong together. That's Mary and David," she answered.

"Oh, I wholeheartedly agree...some people are just meant to be," he leered, as he towered over her with a look that instantly told her they were no longer talking about Mary and David. She looked away uncomfortably and finished her drink.

"Ah...I've made you uncomfortable. I apologize, but you can't blame a gentleman for trying, especially when it comes to a woman as beautiful as you," he added smoothly. She turned back and forced a smile.

"Not at all," she lied.

"I guess I'm just a bit preoccupied...with Lucy," she confessed.

"Yes...such a terrible thing. If only there was something someone could do to save her," he mentioned.

"If only," she agreed, getting a bit nervous, as he looked at her with a passionate gaze. She didn't want to kiss him, but if she pulled away, he would be more suspicious than she suspected he already was. And getting caught meant Lucy could die, so she did not resist when he pressed his lips to hers. Her eyes opened and met his once their lips parted and he smiled softly.

"That was nice," he said. She nodded in agreement.

"It was," she stated.

"Do you think they've had enough time?" he asked. Her brow furrowed in confusion.

"What?" she asked.

"Do you think Snow White and her prince have had enough time to pilfer through my home?" he questioned with an edge in his voice and she blanched.

"You are a very poor actress, my Queen...a good poker face, you don't have," he said and she gasped, as he rushed toward his office. She hurried after him and cried out to them to give them some kind of warning, though it wouldn't do any good.

~*~

It was eternally lucky for them that Baron Samdi hadn't bothered to lock the door once he let Roni in. Picking a lock on the window probably would have been easy for Snow, but disarming what looked like a state of the art security system would have been an obstacle. Luckily, it wasn't armed and they slipped into his residence without incident. They looked at each other and David nodded toward the hallway. He took her hand and led her quietly down the hallway, peering in darkened rooms, as they went. He motioned with his head and they quietly made their way into what appeared to be his office.

"You think he'd really hide in his office?" she whispered.

"If my gut is right...and I think it is, because look at those shelves," he replied quietly, as she looked at the various trinkets.

"Shrunken heads and junk?" she asked. He smirked.

"Trophies," he corrected.

"Why would a cheap little shrunken head be a trophy?" she asked and then realized what he was getting at.

"Oh, you don't think these…" she started to say, as she dropped one of them back onto the shelf.

"Real people?" she asked, horrified by that. He shrugged.

"He is into some pretty dark magic and instead of taking hearts…" he said, trailing off.

"Ugh…" she whimpered, as she shook her hand off and wiped it off on her jeans. He chuckled at her antics, as he continued to poke around the shelves.

"If it's glowing...wouldn't he conceal it where it can't be seen?" she wondered. He smiled at her indulgently.

"Yes he would…" he said, as he knocked on the spine of one of the books on the shelves.

"A hallow book," she said, sharing his smile, as he tipped it down and panel in the wall where an expensive painting adorned it, spun around.

"Talk about a Scooby-Doo moment," Snow commented, as the glow of the chalice filled the office.

"We got it," he said, as he took it in his hand.

As he said that though, they heard Regina cry out to them and David scrambled toward her, only to find that Facilier's grandson had slipped in behind them and it quickly became clear that this was an ambush, as he put a gun to Snow's head.

"Get your hands off her," David growled, as the man took her arm, as he held her hostage at gunpoint.

"I'm afraid that's not going to happen," Baron Samdi interjected, as he entered the room, with Regina running after him.

"Did you really think I didn't know exactly what was going on when you called me?" he questioned the former Queen.

"It doesn't matter...the chalice doesn't belong to you and our great granddaughter's life depends on us using it," David said.

"He's right...punish us if you have to, but don't let her die," Snow pleaded.

"I'm afraid I can't let either of you leave here with that...it's the key to getting what has been denied to me for so long," Samdi mentioned.

"The time travel thing...you can't still be on that. It's not going to work," David refuted.

"Oh, but it already has. Just talking about going back in time before the curse was cast had an effect. It worked and took us to this place, just not far enough into the past for me. In the right hands...it will work," he countered.

"But you can't touch it without being incinerated," Snow reminded.

"Then you will do it for me," Baron stated.

"No...this isn't going to end the way you think. Please...Lucy needs us," Regina pleaded.

"All I wanted was your love…" he argued.

"You and I both know that's not true. You were drawn to power...the power I had as the Evil Queen. You loved that part of me and she's gone," Regina argued.

"No...she's still inside you or she was...until you ripped her away!" he roared, as she took a step back from him.

"Then you know…" she realized.

"I told him about my experiences in your little town...Storybrooke and Dr. Jekyll's serum," Franklin confirmed.

"How could you just throw her away? She was the love of my life," he confessed.

"And she was the worst part of me...she continually haunted me and then she came back. She hurt the people I love!" Regina said.

"She threw me away for a curse...we could have been so good together. We still can," Baron stated, as he looked at David.

"You will do what I want…" he said, as his charm appeared in his hand. As Franklin seemed distracted by that, Snow bit his hand and he cried out, as she tore away. But he angrily backhanded her, sending her crashing to the floor.

"Bastard!" David cried, seeing red the moment this man struck his beloved. He tackled the doctor and punched him in response.

"Does it make you feel like a big man when you hit a woman?" David growled. But Franklin chuckled.

"So predictable, Prince Charming...you reacted just as I knew you would if I touched your precious Snow," he sneered, as his grandfather suddenly had the charm in front of David's face and he was put under Samdi's control.

"David!" Snow cried, as she sat up.

"Samdi...don't do this!" Regina cried, but Franklin trained her gun on her, keeping her from interfering.

"Clayton almost had the chalice in Atlantis. He killed one half of the truest loves and for a brief second, he could touch the chalice to take its power. But your brats spoiled it and you brought your prince back," Samdi stated, as he looked at the Princess.

"But I will not make the same errors he made and once you are gone, Snow White, the Chalice will be mine. Your children aren't here to interfere and when your Prince awakens to see what has happened...well, he'll be in no condition to stop me from doing anything," he continued.

"So you're going to kill me while Charming is under your spell," she realized and he chuckled.

"Oh no...he's going to do it for me," Samdi threatened, as he stood behind David and spoke in his ear.

"Kill her…choke the life out of her…" he instructed, as David stared straight ahead and moved toward her.

"David…" Snow uttered, as he hovered over her.

"Charming...snap out of it…" she pleaded, as his hands reached for her neck and she felt around the floor for any blunt objects. Fortunately, some of the things on Samdi's desk had fallen onto the floor in the commotion and she found a paperweight.

"I'm sorry, my love, but you'll thank me later," she said, as she hit him in the chin with the object and he went falling to the floor. She got up immediately and as he lay there dazed, she leaned down and kissed him. His eyes opened wide and the chalice glowed, as Samdi's spell was nullified.

"Snow…" he uttered when their lips parted and then widened in the horror of what had almost happened.

"Shh...I'm fine," she assured, as she helped him up. Samdi smirked.

"You are both formidable for sure. I suppose this evening is a draw...but it won't be the last time we entangle for the power in that chalice," he assured. Franklin glanced at him.

"We can't let them go," he growled.

"Ivan…" Samdi chided, as he used his grandson's real name.

"No, they ruined my life...and so did you!" he cried, as he pointed the gun at all of them. David's hand twitched, as he started to go for the gun in his holster, but Franklin saw that and grabbed Snow. He put her in a headlock and pressed the barrel to her temple, halting any movements from him.

"Let her go…" David warned with an edge in his voice.

"I had a thriving practice until you two came along…" he growled.

"Then my life became insanity!" he added.

"Only because you couldn't let my wife go and forget your grudge. Everything could have went back to normal for you in New Orleans, but you chose to come after us," David retorted.

"Because you and this little bitch tarnished my reputation! It took me years to build my practice and emerge from the disgraceful shadow that he left me under!" Ivan screamed. He had finally snapped under all the pressure and David knew he had to diffuse this quickly, before he harmed the woman he loved. Ivan glared at his grandfather.

"You made our name something to be mocked! It is still sneered at in the academic community! Then I finally get a new practice under the Samdi name...and you two have sought to ruin me again!" he cried, looking at Snow and David.

"You locked Snow up and forced pills down her! You diagnosed her with a disorder she doesn't really have, so those recent newspaper articles are your fault!" Regina growled.

"No!" he shouted.

"They're hers," he growled, as he started making his way toward the exit with Snow as his hostage.

"But I'm going to have the last laugh. I'm going to kill your precious Snow White and render that stupid cup powerless," Franklin boasted, as he glared at his grandfather.

"Then you'll have nothing and be stuck in this world, powerless for the rest of your miserable life. I've made sure to ruin your reputation while I was at it," he added cryptically. Samdi looked at him suspiciously.

"What have you done, you little fool?" he questioned.

"You'll soon know…" he said, as the look in his eye was one that was purely psychotic.

"You're not walking out of here with my wife…" David warned.

"Watch me," he growled, as he pulled her through the house, but he used the chalice to blast him, before he could get out, releasing Snow.

"You blasted your own wife with the power of the chalice," Samdi said, looking on in awe, but was shocked to see that Snow was completely unscathed.

"No...I knew its power wouldn't hurt her," he replied, as he hooked his arm around Snow's waist and drew her into a passionate kiss. She smiled at him, as their lips parted and rested her head on his chest, as the stun from the chalice started to wear off Franklin and he stirred.

"Leave now...and I won't call the real police to tell them you broke into my home," Baron stated.

"And let him get away with trying to kill my wife? I don't think so," David growled. Samdi smirked.

"Fine...take him, but if you want to keep yourself and your precious Snow out of the eye of scrutiny, then you'll forget any charges against me," Baron stated. Regina hauled off and slapped him hard across the face at that.

"You're getting off this time...but don't make a move against my family again or you just might see shades of the Evil Queen again. And trust me...you won't like it," she warned, but he only smirked in amusement.

"My poor grandson has lost his mind...you should take him into custody before he hurts anyone else...or himself," Baron said.

"You...you're betraying me?!" Franklin cried.

"Nothing personal...but I'm afraid prison doesn't factor into my plans," Baron replied.

"I'll ruin you for this! I'll tell the whole world what a quack you are!" Franklin ranted, as David prepared to cuff him. As his back was turned to Baron, he didn't see him brandish the charm again.

"No...you won't, for we have discussed this matter with great scrutiny," he said, as the last word seemed to activate something in the younger Samdi, as his eyes glazed. David realized what he was going to do, but didn't get to the gun in time.

"No...don't!" he cried, as Franklin grabbed the gun beside him and shot himself in the head. Snow screamed, as he turned and blocked her view of the now gruesome sight. The carnage was even too much for Regina and she found herself heaving a bit to keep the bile back. If not for having seen stuff like this in his years as a cop, even David would have probably lost it too, but Samdi seemed unaffected by the carnage or death. David glared daggers at him.

"You murderer…" he growled.

"Oh no...he committed suicide," Baron stated and knew it would be ruled as such.

"He was a very troubled man...driven off the edge by one head case that plagued him and ruined his reputation," Samdi goaded, as he looked at Snow.

"Shut the hell up," David snapped, as he held his shocked wife.

"You may get away with this now...but it won't stand," David promised.

"Oh, you're going to have far bigger problems than me soon, Detective. You should call this in so a crew can come clean up this mess," he responded coldly. David glared daggers at him, as he made the call. They had the chalice now and could save Lucy, but it had not come without enduring another hellish night of trauma.

"They have the chalice...it's time,"

~*~

Drizella hung up her phone at that and looked back at her little sister. She found that having her back wasn't so bad when she was shunning her mother. It was truly just desserts for Victoria. She finally had her golden child back, only to be rejected quite completely. Drizella smirked and dialed a number.

"Detective Rogers...it's Ivy Belfry," she stated.

"What can I for you, Ms. Belfry?" Rogers inquired.

"I think my mother has done something terrible...and I can no longer sit by and let her get away with it," she stated.

"And what has she allegedly done?" he questioned.

"Go to Belfry Tower tonight and take the freight elevator to the 85th floor. All the answers you have been seeking are there," she replied cryptically.

"Belfry Tower is only 84 floors if I remember correctly," he responded. She smirked.

"Oh trust me, Detective. There's a 85th floor and all my mother's secrets are there," she said, as she hung up the phone with a devious smirk. Finally, her mother was going to get exactly what she deserved and the next phase of the plan could begin...

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 162: Pillowtalk

The ride to the hospital was a blur for Snow, as she rested her head against his chest, while holding a cloth to the knife wound in his side. It wasn't bleeding anymore, so that was good and gave her hope that it was minor. He was lucid and had a clear head, so she was sure they'd be on their way home soon. She texted Regina to tell her they were okay and she had texted back, saying she was going to close up and drive the kids home, promising to stay with them until they got there. She couldn't wait to tell their babies that their daddy was back. Come to think of it, there were other things she couldn't wait for and one of those was getting her husband alone. As if sensing her thoughts, which she was sure he did, considering they were damn near telepathic, he smiled coyly at her and kissed her forehead. A million other things were still running through her head though. For some reason, it seemed both she and Charming remembered everything about the night of the curse, except anything concerning Emma. Those memories still seemed to be blocked and that scared her. Not knowing where one of their babies was or what had happened to her frightened her to the core. She knew he felt the same and felt him squeeze her hip. At least she was no longer alone in any of this. She had her husband back and now her best friend too. They would figure this out...she had hope now.

Rogers dropped them off and they went into the hospital, hand in hand. He had called Dr. Aeson on the way and asked again for her discretion. She had told them to go to exam room four on the fifth floor and so they did, anxiously awaiting a daughter that wouldn't know them. But that didn't matter. Just seeing her would bring them both comfort.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Jenna said, as she entered the exam room.

"No problem...thanks for agreeing to do this," David replied.

"Oh...you're not alone. You know, I usually can't treat patients with others in the room, unless they're a spouse or family," she mentioned. David nodded and still held her hand.

"It's okay...she's my wife," he stated. Jenna's brow furrowed, as she looked at his chart.

"But it says here that you're a widower," she responded. He sighed.

"Yeah...it's really difficult to explain and it's going to sound crazy, but that file is wrong. She's my wife and she's not dead," David said. Jenna looked at the other dark haired woman.

"You're telling me that you're Margaret Nolan? Because I remember that story in the paper. Margaret Nolan was killed when Professor Jenkins drove his car off a cliff with her in it," Jenna recalled. Snow sighed.

"I know...it's really complicated. But he's right. I'm his wife and I'm not dead," she responded. Jenna sighed and put the clipboard down.

"Okay...I want the whole story or I'm walking out this door and you can find another doctor," she said sternly. They exchanged a glance and started explaining what the could, minus the things about the curse.

~*~

Jacinda entered their apartment that evening and tiredly dropped her bag on the floor. It smelled wonderful, but that wasn't unusual, for her best friend was a fantastic cook. But when she spied the mounds of flour, sugar, and ingredients sitting just outside the kitchen, she knew something was up.

"What's going on?" she asked her best friend, as she peered into the kitchen.

"I'm making my famous beignets," Sabine answered.

"I see that...by why does it look like you are making them in bulk?" Jacinda questioned.

"Because we are making them to sell and if everything goes as it should, it will put us on the path to financial freedom," her best friend answered.

"Okay...but you and I have day jobs. When and where are we going to sell these?" Jacinda asked.

"From your restaurant," Sabine answered simply.

"Sabine...if my boss finds out, he'll fire me," Jacinda argued.

"He won't find out. Victoria thinks she can raise our rent and push us out. We're going to show her differently," Sabine responded.

"Where did you get the money to buy all these ingredients?" Jacinda inquired.

"Don't freak out. I used the rent money...but we'll make it all back, ten fold," Sabine reasoned.

"You used the rent money?!" Jacinda exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Relax...we can do this. Please help...this will work," Sabine pleaded. Jacinda sighed.

"If it doesn't, we're screwed," she reminded. Sabine smiled.

"All the more reason for you to help. Come on," she pleaded again. Jacinda rolled her eyes.

"I really hope you're right," she said, as he rolled up her sleeves and prepared to help.

~*~

As they finished their abridged explanation, Jenna stared at them like her head was spinning.

"That's some story," the doctor mentioned, as she patched David's minor wound.

"We know what it sounds like, but it's all true," Mary insisted. Jenna chuckled.

"Yeah, it would have to be. I'm not sure you could make that up," she joked.

"So...you're the woman I did the DNA test on?" Jenna surmised.

"Yes...and I want to thank you for that. Without that, David wouldn't have been able to prove that Mr. Stavros isn't my brother and would have locked me up again. Not to mention that he would have sent my son off to boarding school overseas," she replied.

"I'm glad I could help...it just seems like this Mr. Stavros is willing to go through a lot of trouble to hurt the two of you," she mentioned.

"Let's just say...I got on his bad side when I exposed him for doing illegal things years ago and he paid me back, ten fold, by taking away my family," David said vaguely.

"So there was no crazy Professor?" Jenna asked.

"Oh there was...but I somehow survived that accident, but with amnesia. Stavros got to me first before David could find me though and locked me up," Mary explained. Jenna shook her head.

"And you don't want people to know that you're really Margaret Nolan yet?" she asked, trying to understand.

"The less attention, the better. He already sent a thug after our daughter and until I can prove it was him...it's for the best. He may still try to come after us as it is," David said.

"Well, as with the first situation, you can be confident in my discretion," she promised.

"Thank you...but I want you to be careful too. Your discretion is for your own protection. I don't want that man coming after you too," Mary said, as she took the other woman's hands. But then she realized what she had just done on instinct and awkwardly pulled away.

"I'm sorry...we just don't want anything bad to happen to you either. Please be careful," Mary implored. Jenna looked at them both, unable to shake the feeling that they were familiar somehow.

"Thank you...I'll be careful. I promise," she said, as she picked up David's chart.

"Just make sure you change his bandage in the morning, but the knife wound is superficial so it should be fine in a day or so," Jenna said.

"Thanks again," David said. She nodded and left them, as Snow sighed.

"She probably thinks I really do belong in that mental hospital," she lamented.

"Hey...no, even without her memories, she would never think that," he admonished.

"And you don't have to worry about our little angel...because I've already put an undercover detail on her," he added. She smiled. He always did everything in his power to protect them. She melted into him, as he put his arms around her.

"I still can't believe it...I'm afraid that I'm going to close my eyes and you'll forget me again," she confessed. He kissed her forehead and then her lips, before pillowing her against his chest.

"I hate that man for what he did to us...to you, but I'm here now, my darling and I'm not going anywhere," he promised, before kissing her again.

"Come on...let's go home," he said. She smiled and hooked her hand on his elbow, as they headed out to meet Rogers to get a ride home. She leaned her head against his arm and knew they still had so much to figure out. But the road ahead was no longer as daunting as it was, for she had him back and she knew they could do anything together.

~*~

Enchanted Forest 3

After stopping the curse, time seemed to pass in a blur for Henry and Ella. They helped Tiana and Eudora rebuild their Kingdom, which Lady Tremaine had nearly brought to ruin. Tiana was crowned Queen and Henry and Ella married a couple years after that. Their family from Storybrooke attended both occasions, though for those from Storybrooke, mere months passed, while it was years in the magical forest that Henry had come to call home.

In that time, peace reigned in both Storybrooke and Tiana's Kingdom. Not long after Henry and Ella were married, they welcomed their daughter Lucy and it was a joyous occasion once again for their family, one that both Snow and Charming were present for. And though time did not pass the same in both realms, they watched their great granddaughter grow up with pride. By the time Lucy was ready to turn eight, barely two years had passed in Storybrooke, but the whole family planned to attend the event at Tiana's palace just as they did every year. But this year, there would be even more to celebrate…

"Okay...keep your fingers crossed," Aphrodite told Alice, as they prepared to enact yet another spell, hoping to cure Killian's poisoned heart.

"I don't know why...nothing ever works," Alice said dejectedly.

"Starfish...this is going to happen," Killian told her, as he stood a safe distance away with Emma and Rumple.

"Why is this time any different?" Alice questioned.

"Because Belle and I traveled to the edge of realms for the ingredients for this spell. This time...it's going to work," Rumple insisted. Alice softened at that. She had developed a special bond with Rumple when he began teaching her to control and use her magic, along with Emma and Regina's assistance.

"Yes...Hermes was confident that this will be the one too. The edge of realms if a very unique place. If anything is going to cure his heart, it would likely be something from there," Aphrodite agreed, as her hands glowed.

"It doesn't do any good if we don't have that all important ingredient of truest love mixed blood," Regina mentioned.

"Sorry we're late!" Snow called, as she and David arrived, hand in hand, out of breath and looking a bit disheveled.

"Seriously?" Emma complained. Regina rolled her eyes.

"Honestly, you two, it's the middle of the day," she chided.

"Yeah like the time of day is going to stop us," David joked, as he put his arms around Snow's waist from where he was standing behind her. Her cheeks colored, as he smiled at her slyly.

"Okay...we don't need anymore mental visions than we're already scarred with," Emma griped, as they stepped toward the cauldron where the spell was brewing. Aphrodite had already added the special healing root that they had found in the edge of realms. Snow carefully pricked her finger and then Charmings, letting drops of their mixed blood fall gently into the billowing cauldron. There was a poof of white smoke, which was a good sign and the mixture turned an iridescent color.

"Now...we just need to cleanse the heart," Aphrodite said. Killian braced himself, as she extracted his heart from his chest as gently as possible and dropped it into the cauldron. He felt a little lightheaded and David and Emma steadied him, as the spell worked to cure him. Finally, the smoke fell away and the spell dissipated, as she extracted his heart from the cauldron.

"Well?" Regina asked the Goddess, who smiled.

"The poison is gone…" she announced, as she put it back in his chest. Killian looked up and then at Alice, as he opened his arms. But she was afraid to go near him still.

"It's okay, starfish," he urged.

"He's right...it's okay," Jade added, as she prodded her girlfriend forward. She did so and Killian pulled her into a hug, with no pain or discomfort.

"Papa...you're cured!" she exclaimed. He laughed and hugged her tightly.

"I don't know how to thank you...everyone…" he said, as choked up a bit. Snow swiped a tear away, as David held her close.

"We're just so glad you can hug your daughter again. I can't imagine what it would be like not to be able to do that," Snow sniffed, as she hugged Emma.

"Looks like we're going to have more than just Lucy's birthday to celebrate this year," David added, just as portal opened up and deposited Leo back in Storybrooke. Snow smiled, as they ran to greet their son with hugs.

"I missed you too, Mom. I was only gone two weeks," he teased. She smiled.

"I know, but you know me. I always miss my babies. How is Elsa?" she asked. He grinned.

"Amazing," he said, as he glowed with that look of love that she knew all too well.

"I thought she was coming back with you?" David asked.

"She was...with Anna and Kristoff, but they had a minor matter of state to deal with first, so they're going to meet us at Tiana's palace in a few days. I left them a couple beans," he explained.

"Well...I say we all go to Granny's to celebrate," Snow said. They agreed and in just a few days, they'd be leaving to visit Henry and celebrate Lucy's eighth birthday…

~*~

Hyperion Heights

When they arrived home, Regina was waiting for them, but the kids were already asleep as it was getting late.

"Hey...thanks for bringing them home," Snow said.

"Are you kidding? I loved it...I missed them both so much," Regina replied and then realized what she had said aloud. David smiled.

"It's okay...you're not the only one that woke up tonight," he revealed. She gasped and hugged them both.

"How?" she asked.

"I'm not sure...I was already having dreams about the past. I guess my thing is getting injured always brings back the memories," he joked.

"Wait...how did you get yours back?" he asked.

"Oh yeah...I ran out of the bar before you could tell me," Snow added.

"Ah well...that was our friend Ivy Belfry or should I say Drizella Tremaine," Regina said. Gods...how was she going to tell them what she remembered and they clearly didn't.

"Wait...why would she want you to get your memories back?" David questioned. Regina shrugged.

"I'm not sure what her ploy is exactly..." Regina said, as she looked at them and how they glowed with happiness. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin that. She knew she had to, but not tonight. No, she was going to give them this night and tomorrow with their youngest children. They deserved that. The reality of what she needed to tell them needed to be revealed, but first she wanted to see if someone else was awake. She suspected he was and if that were the case, it only made sense for the four of them to team up.

"It's hard to say with her," Regina added.

"Regina...what aren't you telling us?" Snow inquired and Regina met her eyes.

"It's complicated and it's getting late. It's nothing that can't wait until tomorrow," she replied, as she quickly made her exit.

"That was weird," David muttered.

Snow cocked her head curiously and then shrugged. Normally, she would insist that Regina tell them whatever she needed to, but to be honest, she had been waiting a very long time for this moment. She shivered, as she felt the heat from his body behind her. She nearly wept, as she felt his lips on the nape of her neck and his arm that hooked around her waist. She turned in his arms and crushed her lips against his.

"Since the moment I woke up in that mental hospital and realized we were cursed again, I dreamed of this moment. For two long years," she cried, as he swept her into his arms and carried her purposefully toward the bedroom. They would be getting very little sleep and neither of them cared in the slightest.

Once they were sequestered in the bedroom, they undressed each other with quiet intensity and the passion that had been brewing between them was finally unleashed. Their first bout of lovemaking was intense and desperate, with her writhing beneath his hard body, as he pumped feverishly into her. But on this night, one bout was far from enough and a second ensued closely after the first, this time with Snow riding atop him almost frantically, driving him into her body with sensual gallops. She had been without him for two years and she was determined that their lovemaking would continue all night. It wouldn't make up for the absence of the last two years, but it was definitely a start. She was sure they were running on pure adrenaline by their third bout of sex. But it did not stop them from making love again, though this time was much slower and with a soul searing intensity.

As he sank into her again, she hummed in pleasure and slid her hands into his hair, gently running her fingers through it. They stared into each other's eyes and their shared heart pounded in sync. No words were spoken, but their eyes and heart spoke volumes. For them, this went far beyond physical and always had. They had always been so in tune with each other; a love that had always been on another level than most and that not even a curse could tear asunder. Being one in heart and mind already made their connection awe-inspiring. So when they became one in body too, it was nothing short of purely magical and almost ethereal. His thrusts this time were slow and languid, as he glided deeply into her each time.

She lay writhing beneath his undulating body, legs splayed around him. With every thrust, he hit her sweet spot and slowly pushed her to the edge. As she neared her climax, her mewls grew in volume and she raked her nails along his naked back, as her entire body trembled beneath him. He had her right at the edge and her cries became whimpers, as her body begged to come. She was beside herself, her mind clouded in the ecstasy that was him taking her. His slow lovemaking was expertly extending her pleasure in a way only he could do for her. Charming was an expert in all things Snow and her pleasure was his delight. He could make love and fuck her for eternity and she would never get enough of this man.

And she was determined to have him for eternity, despite that they had just been separated yet again by a curse. But he had found her again and she finally felt alive once more.

Without Charming, there was nothing but misery for her, as dramatic as it sounded. No one but them could quite understand what it was to be them though, but then no one really knew what it was like to be with someone who literally shared half of your heart. No one else knew what it was like to hear the beating of your own heart inside the chest of another. It was a level of intimacy that was unmatched. Even when they weren't making love, their intimacy with just simple looks and touches was almost indecent to gaze upon. So it was no wonder that sex between them was mind blowing and beyond anything that should be possible. But that was just them. Snow and Charming. Two halves of one whole. Her pleasure was his and his was hers.

And watching her come apart in his arms was a delight he would never get tired of. Snow...beautiful Snow, emerald eyes dark with love and lust for him...only for him. Red lips parted, as short pants of air were inhaled and exhaled. Her body writhing and glistening with perspiration, her back arching and aching for his touch. Her round, full breasts pressed against his chest and the moan she made when he put his hands or lips on them was one he wanted to hear forever. But the best part...thrusting inside her. It was an indescribable pleasure that he would never take for granted and a great satisfaction to know that he would be the only one to ever be inside her; that it was him that made her dripping wet and cry out wantonly. Gliding into her slickness with slow pumps and feeling her tightness clenching around his cock, quaking and begging for release, was a feeling he wanted to feel for eternity and would.

"Charming…" she whimpered, as she teetered on the edge still and her teeth grazed his neck where she had marked him again.

"Oh baby please…" she cried, begging to come. He could never resist such a command and gripped her hips, gently angling her and thrust sharply into her. Changing the angle and pace only increased the volume of her cries, for Snow was never quiet when being fucked. He was close too...it was almost painful, as he slammed into her, abandoning his slow pace for much faster one, rocking the whole bed as he did. When her orgasm finally hit, he swallowed her scream with his kiss and she moaned into his mouth, as her body trembled violently. When he finally released her lips, she was starting to come down and lay sated, as her husband sought his own. He was only seconds behind her and she felt completion, as he erupted inside her, singing her name as he always did.

When he finally pulled himself from her depths, she almost whimpered at the loss. Their need for each other was akin to their need for air and always had been.

After, simply held each other in the afterglow, marveling at how they were here again finally. Another curse, but their love had broken through again, as it always did. This time though, they weren't just in a new land. They weren't isolated with just their people this time. They were surrounded in a large city with people from this land that thought they were just stories. That thought magic wasn't real and that true love was a thing of fairy tales. But they were quite real and here in this city, in the past, no less and neither of them of them could surmise at how they were going to break this curse, much less return to a future Storybrooke. But for now that didn't matter in the moment. They were together, as they were meant to be again and that gave them comfort, despite all the uncertainty they were facing.

"I'm so sorry, my darling," he whispered finally, as they lay spooned together. She quirked her eyebrows and turned to face him.

"For what, my love?" she asked, as he gently caressed her beautiful face, wondering how he had survived the last two years without this.

"I keep promising you no more separations and it just seems to be that one promise I'm not able to keep to you," he replied. She tilted her head and kissed his forehead.

"Charming...none of this is your fault," she admonished. He nodded.

"I know...but it still doesn't change the fact that it happened again," he lamented.

"They took our babies away from us...or tried to. If it hadn't been for Summer's bubble, we have no idea where Bobby and Summer would have ended up," she said, shuddering at that.

"I remember Regina pleading with her to use her bubbles...and we were all crying. Leo and Eva were there...but where was Emma?" he wondered. She looked at him tearfully.

"I don't know...that's what scares me so much, Charming. What have we blocked out? Where is Emma?" she wondered, as he cupped her face in his hands.

"I don't know...but we will find her, I promise," he said, as he kissed her forehead. She relished his arms around her and they finally allowed pure exhaustion to take them.

~*~

Roni stormed into the Hyperion Heights precinct and past the desk Sergeant, despite him calling out to her. She found Weaver's office and barged in.

"Good evening to you too, Roni. To what to I owe this unexpected and rather rude visit?" he quipped.

"Cut the crap, Gold," she hissed.

"Gold?" he questioned in confusion, making her roll her eyes with a sigh.

"Look...you might as well just drop the act. I'm awake and so is David now. And we both know Snow has been awake for a while too. It's time the four of us work together to figure this out," she said, as Weaver stood up and turned his back to her, just as Cassidy Gold poked his head in.

"Oh...sorry, I didn't know you were with someone. I need to talk to you," he said.

"Come in...whatever you need to say can be said in front of this woman," Weaver replied, as he entered the office.

"Roni...this is Cassidy Gold, the mole I've embedded in Clayton's security," he introduced. She raised an eyebrow and shook his hand, before looking back at Weaver.

"Cassidy Gold?" she asked in amusement and he shrugged.

"What did you need to see me about?" Weaver questioned.

"Clayton had a pretty intense meeting with his attorney earlier. I couldn't hear everything through the door, but he was definitely irate about something," Cass informed.

"His attorney?" Roni questioned.

"Yes...Mr. Nick Branson. You may be familiar with him under another name though," Weaver said, as he showed her a photo and her eyes widened.

"Jack…" she muttered.

"Uh yeah...so I got the impression Nick had done something that Clayton didn't approve of," Cass added.

"Thank you Mr. Gold...that will be all for now. Return to your post per normal," Gold said, as he handed him a roll of bills and the former thief made his way out.

"The murder David is investigating...this is Jack, isn't it?" Roni asked once he was gone.

"If you're asking if she was one of Gothel's...then yes," Weaver replied, as he showed her the photo. Regina sighed.

"Did you tell them?" Weaver questioned.

"Not yet…" she answered and he made a snarl of frustration.

"You can't coddle them...you need to remind them what happened that night," he growled.

"I know! I know what I need to do! I just thought I'd give them one night together, before I drop that bomb," she growled back and he sighed.

"If Mr. Branson is back to his old ways...then we're all in danger. Anyone with magic. David must be aware of that at least, as he has already put a detail on Dr. Aeson," Weaver said.

"What about Leo?" she asked.

"He's Luke here...and I put a detail on him earlier. Alice as well," he replied.

"Good...and Gothel? She's here somewhere I assume?" Roni asked. He nodded curtly.

"Belfry is playing right into her hands like the fool she is," he replied.

"Then she'll be my next stop...tomorrow," Roni said.

"Tread lightly. Now that so many of us are awake...it is going to raise the stakes," he reminded.

"You mean that now that we're aware...we might all have to accept the fact that we may never see Storybrooke again, at least our Storybrooke," she muttered. He looked at her.

"Let's not go there until we have to," he said quietly and she stood up, as she prepared to go home herself, though she doubted that she would sleep a wink and knew her former mentor wouldn't either.

~*~

The next morning, waking in each other's arms was pure bliss, despite knowing how much they had to still figure out. But it didn't matter, for being together made every problem seem more manageable. Despite their intense reunion the night before, they had engaged in an encore early that morning and were now bathing in the afterglow, but not without laughter.

Snow continued to giggle, as she lay nestled against his chest.

"I can't believe we did that," she said and he laughed.

"I'm just surprised that it hasn't happened before now, but I guess it makes sense. This bed isn't as well built as the one we have back home," he joked.

"Charming...we broke the bed! What are we going to tell the kids when they see this?" she asked. He chuckled.

"They'll be fine...we scarred our older ones and they turned out okay," he teased, as pinched her rear. She playfully smacked his chest.

"You're not taking this seriously," she chided and he laughed harder.

"Not really...I mean, like I said, this should have happened long ago. We just have a better built bed back home," he replied.

"We should be proud of this, you know…we broke the bed during sex. That's goals," he added. She giggled, as their lips met again, before she managed to pull herself away and out of bed.

"Come on...the kids will be up soon. We should make them pancakes and tell them the good news," she said, as she put her underwear back on and then one of his shirts, which she was very long on her and he loved it. She looked incredibly sexy in his clothes. He got up too and put on his sleep pants, along with a sleeveless gray shirt. He put his arms around and kissed the back of her neck, as they stumbled out into the kitchen. She giggled, as their lips met again, before they started getting stuff out to make breakfast. That was how Bobby found them moments later. His mother cooking bacon and whisking eggs, while his father made pancakes.

"Morning Mom," he said, as he sat at the island.

"Morning sweetie," she replied, as she glanced at her husband.

"Morning buddy," David said.

"Morning David," he answered. David finished the pancake he was cooking and then went over to to their son, as he put his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"Not David...Dad," he told him Bobby's eyes widened in surprise.

"Dad?" he squeaked. David nodded and the boy dove into his open arms, making Snow tear up instantly.

"I'm so proud of you," David said, as they finally pulled back. Bobby sniffed.

"For what?" he asked.

"For finding me...for bringing me to your Mother so I could save her from Clayton. We wouldn't be together right now if it wasn't for you being so brave," he replied.

"You really remember?" Bobby asked. David smiled and kissed his hair.

"Yeah...I really do and we're going to find a way to fix everything, I promise," David replied.

"I missed you, Dad," the boy said.

"I missed you too," David replied.

"Daddy...you remember?" Iris asked, as she came down the stairs in her leotard for dance practice later.

"Yeah peanut...I got my memories back," he confirmed, as he hugged her and then she hugged Snow.

"Now...let's have breakfast," he said, as they finished the food and sat down at the table together. They ate together and conversation flowed almost like it would have as if they were back home, despite that they were still missing three family members. Soon, they finished and they were cleaning up when there was a knock at the door. Not really thinking anything about it, Snow answered and the woman behind the door looked incredulously at her with mouth ajar.

"Can I help you?" Mary asked.

"Um...I'm Linda McGowen…this is Mr. Nolan's apartment, right?" she asked.

"Oh yes...you must be here to pick Iris up for practice. She should be down in just a minute," Mary replied, suddenly realizing what she must look like to this woman. She was still wearing David's shirt and they both had sex hair. She had to hold back a laugh, for the disappointment on the woman's face was palpable. Iris hurried down the stairs with her duffel bag and David hugged her.

"We'll pick you up after practice, peanut," he said, as he kissed her head.

"Thanks...bye Daddy," she called, as she hugged Mary at the door.

"Bye sweetie...see you later," she said, as Iris exited the apartment, with the gawking Ms. McGowen following her. Snow giggled and closed the door, as she turned to her husband.

"Oops...I daresay we're about to be the item of gossip among the other parents today," she mentioned. He winced.

"Yeah...we're kind of a dead giveaway on what happened last night," he muttered, as he put his arms around her from behind.

"Mmm...do you think it was the sex hair or me wearing your clothes that tipped her off?" she joked. He chuckled.

"Probably both...but it might have been the hickeys on your neck too," he whispered in her ear, as they swayed together and she spied their son occupied by his hand-held video game.

"We're going to clean up, honey and then we'll go do something," she called, as she led her husband toward the bathroom.

"Okay," Bobby called back, not paying attention to his parents at the moment, which was probably good.

"Are we showering together?" David asked, as she led him there.

"What do you think?" she countered playfully, as the bathroom door closed...

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 161: Clarity

After her little confrontation with Sabine, Victoria returned to Belfry tower and used the freight elevator to take her to the secret, restricted floor high in the building. Her heels clicked on the floor, as she walked purposefully toward the darkened corner by a vent fan. Gothel looked up at her through her matted hair with a smirk.

"Let me guess...hope and belief are returning to certain residents of Hyperion Heights. I told you what would happen if they were together…you should have eliminated them," she hissed.

"You know very well why we cannot just kill them. I need their power...or my Anastasia will never draw breath again," Victoria responded.

"Yet if they come back into their power...I'm doomed, not that you care in the least," Gothel growled. Victoria smirked.

"As far as I'm concerned, you're just collateral damage, which suits me just fine. It's time to begin the next faze and force them to awaken my daughter. And you're going to help me," Victoria said, as she grasped the woman's chain. Gothel smirked.

"I don't think so...there is a reckoning upon us and soon I shall be free to finish what I started," Gothel warned. Victoria smirked.

"You are never getting rid of these chains, witch. You haven't heard yet...but I just learned that there has been a murder. I believe she was one of your witch friends?" Victoria questioned, as she showed the other woman the headline from her phone that was already trending in the city. Gothel frowned.

"They're saying it's tragic...but if they knew what I do about her and that she was part of your little cult that wishes to extinguish all that oppose you, then they'd probably be calling it justice," she said. Gothel snarled at her and pulled at her chains, as she tried to advance on Victoria, but the other woman smirked smugly, for the witch was well trapped by her bonds.

"Someone is hunting witches...enjoy the time you have left," she said, as she walked away, leaving Gothel seething in rage.

~*~

"ARE YOU INSANE?" Clayton screamed, as he chucked a glass at Nick, which he ducked and it shattered on the wall behind him.

"Some would say so...but I'm just a man with a mission, much like you, Collector," he responded calmly. Clayton seethed in barely contained rage, as he pounded his clenched fists on the desk. Little did either of them know, Cassidy Gold was listening to the entire thing from outside the office. But due to the closed door, the voices were muffled. Still...Clayton was obviously extremely agitated by this man, so he would report this meeting to Weaver.

"Look...I've been dormant long enough. And no one will miss the filthy little witch. I'm doing everyone a favor by eliminating her kind," Nick hissed. Clayton clutched his phone and showed him the trending headline.

"I don't care that she's dead...she was insignificant. But you could have made it look like an accident or something. This is too much attention!" he growled. Nick scoffed.

"No...an accident wouldn't do. Only the spilling of her blood can extinguish the evil of her kind," he replied. Clayton clenched his teeth.

"I do not care about what the madness in your head is telling you to do...you work for me and now you've potentially exposed yourself like a vein! You're my attorney! If you are caught...then Nolan will have no trouble connecting us," Clayton reminded.

"Nolan won't figure it out...I left no forensic trace," Nick assured.

"You're not getting it!" Clayton snapped.

"You don't know David Nolan like I do! A brutal murder of a young woman...he won't stop until he finds who is responsible and then I'll be implicated, because of your psychotic need to cut people up!" he shouted.

"Not people...witches. Believe me...there's a difference," Nick spat. Clayton pinched the bridge of his nose in utter frustration.

"You're still not getting it...we don't need this much attention right now," he said. Nick smirked.

"Then maybe it's time to make sure Detective Nolan is put out of commission," he replied.

"You know why we can't kill him!" Clayton snapped. Nick scoffed.

"All because of that stupid chalice...it's power is just as evil as any witch. But soon...it won't be a problem any more," he responded. A chill went down Clayton's spine at that.

"What have you done?" he questioned. Nick just shrugged and exited the office. Cassidy Gold watched him go and then took his phone out, before dialing the only programmed number in the burner phone.

"It's me...I need to see you," he said, as he listened to his instructions and then hung up.

~*~

David arrived at the scene and Rogers already had it taped off with crime scene tape. He showed his badge to the officer on guard and slipped under the tape.

"What do we know so far?" he asked, as Rogers handed over the woman's identification.

"Christine Jensen, 26…" Rogers stated.

"Any sign of sexual assault?" David asked.

"We won't know for sure until the coroner is done with autopsy, but it doesn't look like it. Just killed...perhaps she refused to give up her purse," he suggested, as David examined the brutal scene.

"I don't think so…" he said.

"Why do you say that?" Rogers asked.

"Just a hunch, but it's a lot of blood for a random victim. A bullet is a less mess, not to mention, he had to get one hell of grip on her to slit the carotid artery. It's a risky way kill...even in an abandoned garage. It would have required a lot more effort to make sure they didn't leave forensics behind," David deduced.

"Then you think she was targeted?" Rogers asked. The blonde nodded.

"It's what my gut is telling me," David replied, as he noticed something something on her back and peeled her shirt up, revealing a symbol that had been carved into her flesh at the small of her back.

"Bloody hell...I've seen that before," Rogers uttered.

"Where?" David questioned, as he motioned the forensic analyst over and had them take pictures of it.

"It's...it's a missing case I've been struggling with for years. Eloise Gardener...this symbol was in the girl's sketch book that we recovered from the initial crime scene. But we could never find her...it's a cold case. I was fresh out of the academy," Rogers explained.

"It definitely could be connected. Can you go back to the station and get the original case file?" David asked.

"Sure…" Rogers replied, as he headed off, while David continued to look around the garage. He looked around the woman's car and looked underneath it. With a gloved hand, he reached under and retrieved a piece of fabric, which did not match the victim's clothing.

"I need an evidence bag!" he called, as the forensic analyst complied. It was a piece of flannel, likely from a shirt, which kind of puzzled him even more. The scene was clean of most forensic evidence. He was pretty sure they weren't going to get anything from the body or the scene. And yet, the killer was careless enough to leave a piece of fabric behind? It didn't make any sense, so he continued to go through the car, starting with the glove box. He pilfered through the contents and found a napkin with a phone number on it. It was from a coffee shop called the Twisted Bean. A date gone bad, perhaps? He took out his phone and dialed the number, waiting for someone to answer.

"Hello Detective," a garbled voice said from the other end.

"Who is this?" David demanded to know.

"A proper introduction can't be done over the phone, but if you want to know, you'll come to the Fremont Troll bridge. If I'm not mistaken, it's not far from the waterfront that overlooks the cliff where you lost your dear Margaret...or thought you lost her," the voice said. He went rigid, for he had no idea how this person knew any of that. And as dangerous as he knew it probably was, he was going to figure this out.

"Fine...I'll be there in thirty," he answered, as he hung up his phone and after making sure the crime scene was secure, he hurried back to his truck.

~*~

Roni was just finishing cleaning some glassware when she noticed an envelope laying on the floor, having been slipped under the door of the bar. Curiously, she picked it up and opened it. Inside, she found a photo and instantly became puzzled. It was in front of a place called Granny's diner. It was a picture of David, Mary, herself, Iris, Bobby, her sister Kelly, her niece Margot, and then four other adults she didn't recognize and a youth around Iris' age. A handsome man that had his arm around her waist. And the other three, a young man and two young women, were huddled around David and Mary. And the other youth was between her and the man. She shook her head.

"What is this?" she muttered.

"Curious...isn't it?" Ivy questioned, as she walked into the bar.

"What the hell do you want?" Roni snapped, as she did a shot.

"Well, this is a bar and I just came in for a drink. Even if the bartender is surly," Ivy quipped.

"And I own this bar, so I get to choose who I serve and who I don't," she responded.

"Oh, now don't be like that...it's really my mother you hate. Believe me, we have that in common," Ivy replied.

"Fine…" Roni said, as she poured two more shots and then looked down at the picture, trying to make sense of it. She had never been to some diner called Granny's and she didn't know some of these people. She had only met Mary recently and David a couple years ago when he investigated a break in at her bar. While she wasn't looking, Ivy slipped something into Roni's shot and the other woman knocked it back. Ivy smirked, as she blinked her eyes and stumbled slightly.

"What...the hell?" she stammered, as she gripped the bar and memories assaulted her. Everything...meeting Snow, Daniel's death, marrying the King, becoming the Evil Queen. Then the curse...and how dissatisfying her revenge was. Then Robin...and the Charmings going from enemies to family. Then this new curse. She gasped, as she remembered her last memory with her husband and son.

~*~

"Are you sure about this? I can stay behind…" she said. Robin smiled.

"It's all right...besides, Roland and I are going on a father/son camping trip this weekend, you know before he up and leaves us behind for college," Robin replied. She smiled.

"It's just Boston...we'll see him and talk to him all the time," she reminded. He sighed.

"I know," he agreed, as he kissed her.

"Go...Lucy will love seeing you and just tell her that her great Uncle Robin is sorry he missed this one, but I'll be there next time," he said. Regina smiled.

"She'll understand and it's just a birthday, so I'm sure we'll only be gone a few days at most," she replied.

"Well…I'll miss you anyhow," he said, as they kissed again.

"Me too," she agreed.

~*~

Her eyes were wide and her mouth was ajar, as it all came rushing back. Robin and Roland were back in Storybrooke, safe, but in a future Storybrooke. Lucy's eighth birthday had turned into the day they had all been cursed again. She looked at the photo and then up at Ivy, who was staring at her smugly.

"Welcome back…" she greeted.

"You…" Regina snarled. Drizella smirked.

"Don't be too upset...your precious Robin and Roland are safe, though I'm sure they're wondering what happened to you. But I think it's the Charmings you should worry about…" she responded. Regina remembered everything from that night when Lucy's birthday party turned from a celebration into chaos. Gothel, the witch Aphrodite had feared so much, showed up and wrecked complete havoc, including freeing Drizella and Clayton from their stone prisons. And then...the curse. She remembered pleading with Summer to use her bubbles to keep herself and Bobby with their parents. At least that had partially worked. But then she remembered Emma...and her eyes widened in shock.

"Then you do remember...which is why I awoke you," Ivy said. Regina growled and reached for the other woman's throat, but Ivy simple stepped back and chuckled.

"Those two idiots are getting too close...they don't remember what the consequences of breaking this curse are. You need to remind them…" she said.

"We'll find a way," Regina insisted. Ivy smirked.

"No...you won't. It's a choice, Regina and when they remember, they'll make the choice to leave the curse in tact," she replied, as she turned and left, just as Summer and Bobby came into the bar with Mary following them.

"What did she want?" Mary asked, but Roni didn't answer, for she could only stare blankly at the bar.

"Roni?" Mary asked, as the woman finally looked up at her and she saw realization.

"Not Roni," she replied. Mary gasped.

"Regina?" she cried, as tears filled both women's eyes.

"Snow…" she choked, as they hugged tightly.

"Nana…" Summer asked. The tears fell then and she nodded.

"Nana!" Bobby called, as the both of them dove into Regina's arms.

"I missed you," Summer said.

"Me too," Bobby added.

"I missed you both too," Regina sniffed, as she suddenly noticed that Snow was putting a hand to her heart.

"Snow?" Regina asked.

"It's David...he's in danger," she uttered.

"You can feel him again?" she asked. She didn't think it was possible in a place without magic, but then again, she supposed she needed to consider the source. Her step-daughter and her husband had long ago defied any limitations or logic when it came to their true love.

"You two stay here...I have to find your father," she said, as she rushed out.

"Snow...wait!" Regina cried and sighed, as she disappeared out the door.

"Mom will find him," Summer said confidently, though she was suddenly very worried about her dad.

"Yeah...Mom always finds him," Bobby confirmed, though he, too, was worried.

"I know...but I'm not sure what she's going to find when she does," Regina replied, as she dialed a number on her phone.

"Rogers...it's Roni. I think Mary and David might be in trouble. If Weaver is able to ping his phone, then he should do it. You need to find them," Roni told him.

~*~

Enchanted Forest 3

Storybrooke Year - 2021

With the battle won and Lady Tremaine forced into hiding, Tiana prepared to take command of her Kingdom. There would be a coronation eventually, but for now, much work on stabilizing the Kingdom was underway.

Assuring Snow and David that they had done more than enough, they and their extended family prepared to use a bean to return to Storybrooke. Emma and Neal were struggling a bit with letting go, but knew that Henry had his own life now and were happy that he was falling in love. As for Alice, they had convinced her to return to Storybrooke with them, as they would now begin researching a way to cure Hook's poisoned heart. She was still very weary though.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" she asked.

"Of course...we're going to figure this out," Emma assured.

"She's right, starfish...believe me, I've seen it. When this family decides they're going to do something, nothing stops them," Killian told her. Alice still looked a bit uncertain, but they had all been so welcoming.

"Don't worry, Tower Girl...I'll show you the ropes back home," Jade offered, as the two shared a look. Killian smiled at her with encouragement.

"Daylight is dwindling...we should get the Roger out to sea with the tide," he suggested. Snow and David nodded, as they hugged Henry and Ella.

"Please don't wait so long to visit…" Snow pleaded. Henry smiled.

"Don't worry Grams, we'll visit very soon," he promised.

"And we'll be back too," David promised, as he hugged him too.

"I'll take care of him," Ella promised, as she hugged Snow.

"Oh, I know you will," the raven haired beauty replied, as David hugged her next. Emma sighed, as she faced letting him go again.

"I'll be fine, Mom...and we have that mirror that Grandpa Gold conjured for us. We can magical Skype all the time," he reminded.

"I know...but I'll still miss you, kid," she replied, as they hugged fiercely. Neal was next and put his forehead against his son's.

"Take care of yourself and you better be using that mirror all the time," he stressed. Henry smiled.

"I will, Dad," he said, as his Aunts and Uncles hugged him next. Finally, all the goodbyes were said and they boarded the Jolly Roger. Henry and Ella waved to them, as they made it out to sea and the ship disappeared through a portal.

~*~

Hyperion Heights

David arrived at the Fremont Troll bridge and killed the engine, before getting out. He pulled his gun and grabbed his flashlight, before cautiously approaching the seemingly deserted area. There was a clapping sound, like something falling from above. He shined his light up, as a figure dropped from above behind him. David turned to aim his weapon, but the assailant was ready and kicked him in the chest. The gun flew out of his hand and landed a few feet away. But surprisingly, the perpetrator didn't go for it and instead, lifted David up by his shirt. He was masked and had a medium build. He punched David, who countered with one of his own in return, as they grappled along the pavement. His attacker then pulled a knife and swiped at him. David dodged while backing up and rain began to fall, quickly soaking them and making it very difficult to see. With a cheap shot to his knees, the assailant kicked him and David rolled down a muddy hill nearby. The figure stood above him on the hill.

"They want you alive...but let's see if we can put you back in that coma and out of the way where you can't interfere," the man muttered in a garbled voice. Before he could descend on the prone detective, he saw flashing lights and cursed, as he slipped into the shadows.

Mary parked Roni's car and got out, instantly getting drenched by the rain. She cursed, as she tried to use her phone's flashlight, which wasn't much help in the misty rain.

"David!" she called, as the rain poured down on her in sheets.

"DAVID!" she cried in a frightened voice, as her breathing came in ragged gasps. Her heart hammered in her chest and she tried to calm down long enough to listen to it. She let it lead her legs toward the edge of the bridge where it dipped down to a steep hill. And her half heart jumped into her throat, as she saw him lying at the bottom of the hill in a puddle of water, face down.

"No...no...no...no…" she cried repeatedly in a panic, as she stumbled down the hill, nearly tumbling herself. She reached him and pulled him onto his back, before cupping his face.

"No...don't you dare do this to me again!" she cried, as she breathed air into his mouth. When nothing happened after the first breath she did it again and pressed her hand to his chest.

"Charming please…" she sobbed, as she breathed for him again. Finally, he took a starved breath of air and coughed up a little water.

"Oh thanks Gods…" Snow cried, as she cradled his head and he looked up at her in awe.

"Oh my love…" she sniffed, as she kissed his forehead. He stared at her through blurry vision, as the images played through his mind like a movie. He saw them next to a bridge, much like they were now, and saw himself staring at her in awe, as she put his ring on. Snow watched him fumble for her hand and find the same ring on her finger that was in the vision in his head. He looked back at her and then at the ring again, as he touched it. He gasped and shuddered, as it all came rushing back to him in a frenzy of flashes. His head felt like it was on fire the entire time and his breathing began ragged, as he took it all in.

"David...please say something. Talk to me," she said fearfully. She immediately worried that maybe the fall had given him amnesia. Or maybe the person that had done this had found a way to give him curse memories. It was her worst fear. What if he had forgotten her again? She didn't know if she could take that. The last two years without him had been torture and she had only been herself half the time. Now that she was not splitting between herself and Mary, she was sure her half heart would shatter if he really had forgotten her.

"David…" she cried, fearing the worst when he didn't say anything.

"Snow…" he uttered, as he looked up at her like she was everything. Her breath caught.

"What?" she asked, wondering if she had heard right or if her heart was just playing a cruel trick on her.

"Snow…" he repeated, as their eyes locked and block that the curse had between them was gone. She could feel him again, in her heart, her mind, and soul. She didn't know how it was possible with the curse still in tact, but she didn't give a damn. He remembered...he was back.

"Charming?" she asked, even as the rain continued to pour down on them.

"Yes...it's me. You found me," he replied. She hummed in relief

"Did you ever doubt I would?" she asked, as she hugged him fiercely and he managed to sit up. He managed to get to his feet and helped her up, before pulling her flush against him and kissing her fiercely. The kiss was passionate, soul searing, and heart souring, as their reunion became complete. Snow pressed her forehead against his and no longer cared that they were soaking wet and muddy. She was in his arms again. He was awake and the torture of the last two years not having him were over. At that, she broke down crying and he pillowed her against his chest.

"I'm here, my darling...I'm here," he whispered. She shook her head, almost afraid to believe it was all real.

"For the last two years...my life was complete hellish insanity. But you...you were always my clarity," she confessed.

"And you saved me…again," he reminded, as he held her face in his hands.

"I felt it...the block between us is gone, even though the curse isn't broken. I...I don't know what that means...but I felt it when you were in danger," she replied, as she gasped then and looked around.

"David...where is the person that did this to you?" she asked.

"I'm not sure...he was wearing a mask and he's a killer. That's why I got called in. To help Rogers. It was a murder scene...I don't recognize the victim, but this guy seemed to know things he shouldn't," he replied.

"And he thinks you'll catch him so he tried to kill you!" she realized.

"Shh...I'm okay, thanks to my amazing, incredible, and stunningly beautiful wife," he told her with reverence, as he looked down at her like she was his everything. Oh, how she had missed that look from him.

"Beautiful? I'm a mess...I probably look like a drowned rat," she complained. He chuckled. He scoffed.

"Please...you're the most beautiful thing I have ever and will ever see," he replied, as he crushed her lips against his again, simply drinking her in.

"David?!" they heard a familiar voice calling.

"Rogers…" he said.

"Killian...oh Gods David. Where is Emma?" she wondered. He gazed back at her, feeling just as lost as she was.

"I don't know...but we'll find her Snow. We'll find her," he promised, as they trekked up the steep hill.

"Bloody hell...what happened?" Rogers questioned.

"I think I had an encounter with our killer...but thankfully, Mary found me and saved me," he said, as he looked at her fondly. She had found him, in more ways than one.

"The killer got him with a knife. We need to get it looked at," Mary insisted.

"Dr Aeson was discreet last time we consulted her," Rogers suggested. David smiled at the prospect of seeing Eva.

"Yes, Dr. Aeson is the one we should go to. If the killer is this bold to attack a cop, then I think we better keep the press out if we can. A city wide panic that we have a serial killer is the last thing we need," David suggested.

"Do you really think this is serial? He's only killed once," Rogers reminded.

"Unfortunately, I'm almost certain that this man will kill again," David stayed gravely, as they headed for the hospital.

~*~

Baron Samdi poured himself a drink from his collection of expensive liquor and then one for his grandson, who was joining him for a nightcap.

"You've been quiet this evening," Baron mentioned.

"Just thinking about...everything. I have a good practice before all this, you know," Franklin mentioned.

"Yes...you should be proud," Baron agreed.

"I worked twice as hard as anyone else in my field to make something out of the tarnished legacy you left behind for me," he said bitterly.

"We have been over this...I am what I am and it is not my fault that the simpletons in this land don't appreciate my talents," Baron replied.

"And you think Snow White and Prince Charming's chalice can open their eyes?" Franklin questioned.

"Snow White and her Charming waste its power. In my hands...think of the things it could do. You want success...then this extraordinary object is the way…" Baron said, as he pressed a button on the underside of his desk. A panel slid back in the wall, revealing the chalice in its hiding place. Except, peculiarly, it was glowing and pulsing with white light.

"Is...is it supposed to be doing that?" Franklin asked.

"No...it should not be able to do that. It's not supposed to have power in this land...at least not until she changes this world," Baron uttered.

"Then why is it glowing?" Franklin asked. Baron knew it meant something significant had occurred with its owners, but couldn't be certain as to what. But whatever it was...it was not good for them...