#me with dawning horror: 'wait does this mean i need to actually finish a science???'

[eponymous-rose]

By mid-May of this year, I'll have (hopefully, fingers crossed) presented my research in 4 different countries. What a weird, weird sequence of events.

[sylverstorms]

Mother Miranda x Lawyer!Oc ----Tilted Scales

Hello guys :) This is another commission I wrote for the amazing, wonderful @saltwatereulogies

Your support has been insane, I can't thank you enough. Hope you enjoy the story ❣

Three days.

That is how long you've been in the village, after years of studying abroad, before everything turns to shit.

As you slowly blink focus back into your eyes, you try to clear the haze from your mind. It feels as though you've collided with a truck. Your body hurts, your wrists protest in their iron cuffs, stuck to the wall as they are, having supported your weight while you were unconscious.

Desperately, you try to recollect the events that led you here...

A grey sky. A bleak day. One moment you were making coffee for your mother, excited to be able to sit down with her in the mornings again... and the next you heard the echo of screams.

Overcome by adrenaline, you bolted out of your house, only to witness a scene straight from a nightmare; humanoid monsters ripping villagers apart, cries and blood and animalistic growls all blending together into one mad mix.

And before you could even warn your mother...

Damn it all, what the fuck happened!

You suddenly struggle against your bonds, hard enough to rattle your whole frame. Your wrists burn from the grind against metal, but you don't care–

“Stop that. It is pointless and you will only injure yourself.” A cold voice, strangely familiar, says from far to your right.

You peer deep into the shadows, searching for the only other person in the empty room... until you see her. A mask advances on you, gold and shaped like a crow's visage, then wings folded into a cloak come into view.

You would be a fool to not recognize her. The local saint. The village's prophet. The very 'saint' your mother prayed to, for your safe return, all these years. Mother Miranda.

The sound of her heels bounces off the walls until she comes to stand directly in front of you. Looking past the openings of her mask now, you realize....

This isn't possible.

She hasn't aged a day. Not a single day, since you left the village. The years should show around her deadly blue eyes, somewhere, and yet they don't.

“I see you remember me...” she says, while you're still trying to find your voice. “Miss Warren.”

“What is going on? Mother Miranda, what happened to the village?!” you demand.

Her expression shows nothing. “The village is in need of... renovation.” she speaks, even, regal. “Repopulation, even.”

You stare at her with wide eyes.

“Now, don't give me that look. You would not be here if you weren't of the ones I chose to keep.” she continues. “You see, from now on, every single person in my domain will make themselves useful in some way, or they will be replaced. And you... you have been abroad studying law for a while now, yes?”

“I... yes.” you reply, still not fully having wrapped your mind around your situation.

“Excellent. What I need from you is simple. You will make the village independent from the state’s taxes as a religious organization... and you will keep foreign investors out from that point onward.”

What... what part of that is simple?!

“Do that for me and in return I guarantee your mother and you will go back to your house safe and sound. You will have no shortage of Lei for as long as you live, Miss Warren.” Miranda promises.

But it is not the sweet part of the deal your mind stays glued to. “And if...” you gulp. “If I can't work around the law to do that...?”

Miranda blinks slowly at you, like you shouldn't even ask such a basic question. Like the answer is obvious.

“Well. Then I have no further use for either of you.”

It is in this moment that it dawns on you.

This woman is no angel and no saint.

She is a devil.

-

-

You spend countless sleepless nights pouring over every single paragraph, every little opening or ambiguity in the law you can use to free the village of taxes.

To keep your mother in the dark about this, you work in the office Mother Miranda has provided for you, in her very stronghold.

Although technically it's her home, you don't see her nearly as much as you initially thought. She is gone throughout the day and returns late at night, not even sparing you a glance before heading for her chambers, at the upper sections of the building.

The days she does come into your office to inquire on your progress are few and far-between, your conversations always short and cold.

This evening is different.

“How is your work coming along, Miss Warren?” the prophetess asks with her aggravatingly nice accent, seating herself like a queen on the chair in front of your desk.

Your eyes are tired, but you force them on hers, through the mask obscuring her face. “I think I've got it. I'll be sending the necessary papers tomorrow and the answer shouldn't take longer than a month.”

“Very good.” she nods, a miniscule curve to her lips.

Icy eyes then drop to the wine in the whiskey glass at the corner of the desk. You think she will make a comment about drinking at work, but instead she says;

“Pour me a glass, will you?”

You will your hands steady as you comply, then carefully slide her drink over.

Miranda takes her mask with claw-shrouded fingers... and soundnessly sets it on the wooden surface. Then she pushes the veil at her hair back, shaking long, platinum locks free.

You do a double take you hope she doesn't notice. Because what the actual fuck.

You didn't think her hair was that long, or that straight, or that it would fall over her shoulders like she's staring in a shampoo ad. You didn't think her lips were shaped like a cupid's bow or that her skin was this flawless and radiant.

The helplessly lesbian part of you could begrudgingly admit she was beautiful before... but now you arrive to the painful realization she's drop-dead gorgeous.

“So. I've heard you won cases others would describe as impossible.” she begins.

“Nothing's impossible. You just need to know where to look.” you reply. Law is your comfort zone and she is not that far above you here. “But how do you know that?”

“I have my sources.”

"Nobody truly leaves this village, huh.”

“Not without my consent, no. But I knew you'd come back.” At your slight frown, she elaborates, “You would never leave your mother behind.”

She's right. There was a whole world of opportunities waiting for you out there and yet... here you are.

“Good work, so far. You can take the next two days off. Your eyes could use the rest, Miss Warren.” Miranda speaks, finishing her wine.

“Sarah.” you say. 'Miss Warren' is for clients and she is your boss.

Miranda's lips give a slight quirk that may or may not be a trick of the light.

“I know.” she replies and exits the room, long hair billowing behind her back.

-

-

The taxes were only the first challenge. Now that the village is free of them, investors are flying in circles around it like vultures over meat.

In the meantime, Miranda comes to talk to you more frequently.

Lately, it seems she has more free time. You wish that was a good thing, but...

“So... are you like... going to stay here?” You ask after reading the same sentence five times to make sense of it, because her gaze on you is distracting as fuck.

“I'm not getting in the way of your work.” she says. You want to argue she is, but can't quite do that in a way that won't get you killed.

“I'm simply not used to working with company. Isn't this boring for you?”

“No, actually. I find it interesting, even though science is my field of expertise.” she answers. “And the way you take notes is… amusing.”

You try not to blush as you look down at your notebook, filled with different colored markers and post-it squares with tiny stick figures pointing to the more important paragraphs. You have been doing this for so long to sort out information you didn't even realize you were keeping it up in her presence.

“What is this supposed to be?” she asks with a small smile, the first of its kind you've seen.

To your horror, her clawed pointer aims at a particularly silly doodle, barely the size of a pencil's eraser.

“A... bird.” you grimace like you've been stabbed.

“Ah, of course.” Miranda holds back a chuckle but you can tell she's dying to make a comment.

Studying becomes hell for the rest of the time she's there with you, those sharp eyes picking apart every little move you make. At the same time, though, the hours you spend with her make you realize...

She's not a saint, though she may look like one. She's not completely a devil, either, even if she may act as one, at times.

She's human.

-

-

Miranda shares nothing about herself when you chat, but she seems to like it when you speak about your time abroad and all the things that left an impression on you there.

Your conversation over wine is cut short, however, when you receive a call from a number you learned means nothing but trouble, lately.

“Sorry, I have to take this.” you tell her.

The one calling you is none other than this month's rival lawyer, trying to dispute your claim over the land for his own boss. He's lost to you before, so it's also personal, but you are confident you have cornered them good with the latest papers you sent them...

And you are proven correct, when, a few seconds later, he is all faux polite on the other line, resorting to offering you money for you to withdraw your arguments.

Miranda comes to stand next to you, listening in to what he's saying.

The problem with that is, the second her arm brushes yours and you catch a whiff of her perfume –which always lingers in your office long after she's left— youare the one who stops listening to him.

Your attention flies to other things, like the inches she has on you, the exact color of her pale blonde hair, the little glint of victory in her stunning eyes.

Oh, no. God, no...

You know what this is, the feeling in the pit of your stomach. Alarm bells go off in the back of your head, as though your own mind is telling your body how foolish it's being.

There isn't a worse thing you can do to yourself than be attracted to Miranda.

-

-

Over time, familiarity with the prophetess brings higher levels of difficulty into your 'try to ignore your crush on her' game.

Miranda joins your side and leans over your shoulder, sometimes, to peer down at what you're doing. You don't move and don't breathe until she's within a safe distance again.

Then there are the wayward 'reward' touches, when you turn another investor away from the village. She may pat your back or leave her hand on your shoulder, or even scratch your nape with her claws as a job well done.

You hope your poker face hides the fact you feel her touch on you for far longer than you should, after she's gone.

Tonight, the situation is the toughest it's ever been for you.

There is a rainstorm going on outside; the waterdrops are tapping against the windows of your office as though they're trying to break it. Miranda has pulled her chair next to you so you can talk easier, without having to shout over the cacophony.

“And basically the judge's decision was that—”

You are interrupted by a blinding flash of lighting, during which your mind lets you know the stronghold is easily the tallest structure in it's vicinity—

When thunder cracks down the sky and strikes the building, you nearly scream. Your body tenses and you jump; but Miranda's hands come to your biceps and hold you steady, against herself and your desk.

Another flash comes before you really have time to think about your proximity. She covers your ears with her palms before the thunderclap can send you into overdrive again.

“You are with me and you're scared of a little thunder?” she teases when things quiet down and your heartbeat eases.

It's true; Miranda is the more terrifying force of nature. At the same time, however...

You feel oddly safe to be this close to her.

“Well... I'm not scared right now...” you quietly admit.

Her pointer comes underneath your chin and lifts it so you are looking straight into her hypnotic blue eyes. How is this color even real...

“And why is that?” Miranda asks, her wings coming around you both. They're curtains of black, cutting out some of the storm's sounds.

You want nothing more in this moment than to run your fingers through each individual feather.

You lick your lips. That's...not a question you can answer if you want the balance in your arrangement with her to remain.

Perhaps, though, the scales have tilted for you long ago. You just haven't been brave enough to admit it.

You have the courage to face it now when she leans down and covers your lips with hers, warm in a manner you never imagined she could be.

Her wings pull tighter around you and your mouths slide more firmly together. Lipbalm and creamy lipstick mix, tongues brush, tasting of wine. You are shaking so bad on the inside from how much you want this, more of this, the rumbling of the thunder be damned.

Miranda's palm cups your flaming cheek when she pulls back, perfectly composed and staring at you with a little smirk in place.

You dare to turn a little, lay a tiny kiss on the inside of her wrist, beyond her rings and accessories.

You aren't very fond of storms, but...

You willingly walk right into the eye of this one.

[daisylincs]

What about 14/23+54 for staticquake? Please and thank you. 😊

14 = Bodyguard AU, 23 = Performer AU and 54 = Secret Relationship.

Once again thank you to Grace for the wonderful prompt!! In fact, it was SO wonderful I got totally carried away, and wrote this monster of a bullet point-fic. I would say sorry, but I enjoyed myself far too much. Ah, well. I hope you like it, too! 

Lincoln is an Ed Sheeran-level singer-songwriter who fell in with a bad group - but, kudos to him, managed to get away from them. Problem is, now he's in quite a lot of danger because of it. 

But, being totally stubborn and unreasonable, and above all a musician, Lincoln flatly refuses to give up on his performances.

Mack, his manager, throws up his hands but knows there's no point in arguing (he has learned the hard way that it will get him. literally. nowhere.) 

So he compromises: Lincoln gets to go on giving performances IF he agrees to have a bodyguard with him at all times.) 

Lincoln hates the idea - "I'm not a baby, Mack, I can take care of myself, and also there's NO WAY I'm letting some musclebound goon ruin my shows by standing there glaring all the time." 

Mack gets a little smirk on his face at this point that has Lincoln thinking, oh dear. "Don't worry," Mack says, "I know just what to do." 

And Lincoln really doesn't like the look of that smirk - Mack only ever wears it when he has A Plan™.

But he figures, best not to complain now - he can always fire the musclebound goon tomorrow, and anyway the muse is a very flighty thing so he has way better things to be doing. 

The next day, Lincoln goes into his office fully expecting to meet, well, a musclebound goon. Instead, he finds a pretty girl perched on his desk making notes on her phone. 

At first, he thinks she's lost, and being way too nice for his own good, he tries to help her find where she's actually going. 

Only… "Oh, no," she says with a cheerful smile, "I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be." 

"No, no," he says, still nice because she's quite pretty, even if she is in totally the wrong place. "This is a private office, actually." 

She hums her agreement - "nice decor, too." 

Lincoln is getting kind of annoyed now, because pretty or no, she's wasting his time. "You don't understand," he says. "This is Lincoln Campbell's office. I'm supposed to be meeting my new bodyguard here." 

The woman gives him a cheeky grin. "I know," she says. "Pleased to meet you." 

Lincoln's jaw drops practically to the floor as he finally gets it. "Wait… you're my new bodyguard?" 

"Daisy Johnson," she says with an exaggerated bow. "Graduated from May's academy with highest honours. I also have a degree in computer science, and by the way, your security system is crap." 

And, much as he doesn't want to be, Lincoln is impressed. Really impressed. She's only been here, what, fifteen minutes, and she's already hacked his security system? 

Also, a graduate of May's Academy? He knows next to nothing about the bodyguarding business, but… wow. 

And as he quickly learns, she's every bit as stubborn as he is. More, probably. If he doesn't want protection, well then that's too bad for him, she's here whether he likes it or not. 

After just one morning, he's already thinking that if he has to be stuck with a bodyguard following him around 24/7, he's glad it's Daisy. 

Days pass, and they get more comfortable with each other, falling into a routine that's almost friendly. He sleeps in, she mocks him for it as she wakes him up with coffee. After breakfast, he goes to the piano, while she improves some tiny feature of their now incredibly sophisticated security system. If it's a show day, or if he's meeting fans, they'll head out to the car together. Daisy has made her routine bug sweep into a kind of game, being unbelievably dramatic about flinging open the doors and declaring them "clear!" before bowing him into the car. 

During the drive, they chat about everything and anything (Daisy is hilarious, and her stories about the family she found at May's are the best. He feels like he knows Fitz and Jemma personally, and wants to smash their oblivious faces together as much as Daisy does.)

 When they get back from whatever show or interview he finished (or after a morning of song-writing), they like to play board games together. Daisy is insanely good at battleships, but he always beats her at backgammon. 

And Lincoln never, ever thought he'd say this, but he really likes his bodyguard. Impossible as it would have seemed to him a few weeks ago, she's become his friend. 

(It helps that she's not some musclebound goon, after all.) 

Which, great as it is, is also kind of a problem. 

Daisy is the furthest thing from a musclebound goon… because she's really, really pretty. 

And smart. And funny. And all-around just a great person. Honestly, could you even blame him for crushing on her? 

Luckily, Daisy hasn't noticed. (He thinks.) And he intends to keep it that way - he is NOT willing to lose his friend over the shitshow that is gossip tabloids. He knows that if the press gets even a hint of something between them, it's tickets for them. 

So, no, he's not willing to risk even thinking about his crush too much. 

Too bad Daisy seems determined to make him think about it as much as possible. 

"I'm bored," she informs him for the fiftieth time that afternoon. 

"That's just because you're losing in backgammon," he points out, also for the fiftieth time. 

She rolls her eyes. "No, I want to do something." Then her eyes light up with what can only be a really terrible idea. "I've got it! Come spar with me in the gym." 

"No!" There's no way he's going to agree to spar with her - seeing her in workout clothes every morning makes it hard enough to stay in his self-imposed friendzone, he isn't going to go making it WORSE by doing something as physical as sparring with her. 

"Pleeeeeaaaaaase?" 

That's the thing about Daisy - once she has hold of an idea, she will not let it go. And she'll resort to any means to get him to agree, even the hugely unfair advantage of puppy eyes. 

"Fine," he sighs, and the way her whole face lights up makes him think maybe it's worth going through the torture of a whole sparring session. 

He reconsiders that as soon as he's actually there. Daisy in full-on sparring mode is a whole new kind of beautiful - eyes shining, grinning hugely between panting breaths, curls loose and tangled around her face. She looks so alive, and God, he has never been more smitten. 

She kicks his ass. 

Twice. 

And on the third time she pins him, she huffs and goes, "I know you can do better than that." 

"Sorry," he says, trying his best not to dwell on the fact that she is currently lying on top of him. "You're just really distracting."

Shiiiit, he thinks, cursing himself immediately. Why, why, why did he say that? 

But Daisy's gaze simultaneously softens and turns mischievous. "Is that so?" she asks, leaning forwards so her curls are tickling his face. 

He has to catch his breath, because when she's leaning over like this her lips are suddenly really close to his. And also, did she just flirt with him, a little? 

He shifts his head a little, trying to ignore how this brings her lips even closer. "C'mon," he says. "You know you're really pretty." 

She raises her eyebrows. "Is that all?" 

"Of course not," he says. "You're smart, and kind, and funny, and badass. Daisy, you're… you're brilliant." 

He doesn't know how the mood turned from playful to so sincere, but he does know he means every word. 

And Daisy knows it too. Her eyes soften, and before he quite realises what's happening, she leans down and kisses him. 

He kisses her back, of course he does. And when they break apart, he sees his own feeling of oh-God-what-did-we-just-do reflected in her eyes. 

They look at each other for a long moment… and without having to say a word, they agree to leave the questions and worrying for later, and for now, let themselves just feel. 

And, well, they do. 

The next morning, Lincoln wakes up happier than he can remember being in a long time. Daisy is stretched out next to him, the sunlight painting her skin gold. 

It has to be the first time in history he's up before she is, and all he can think is how beautiful she looks. 

She wakes up, too, shooting him a sleepy smile that has his insides doing funny things, and for a few precious minutes they just bask in the warmth of the moment. 

But all too soon, reality comes crashing back. 

"I'm your bodyguard," Daisy says, scrambling out of bed with a look of dawning horror on her face. "This breaks every rule in the book, I can't do this." 

"I'm so sorry," she adds quietly, giving him a stricken look as she's halfway out of his room. "You deserve so much better, I should never have done this." 

"Okay, first of all, I was hardly an unwilling participant," he says, and her lips quirk up despite everything. "Second of all - I've been torturing myself for weeks trying to tell myself I'd get over it, but I really like you, Daisy. And I know better than anyone how impossible this seems - believe me, I've analysed every corner of it - but I can't let you go." 

She looks like she might still walk away, but she hesitates just inside the door. "What do you want to do?" she asks quietly. 

And it's crazy, and it's stupid, but he says it. Secret relationship. 

Daisy stands in the doorway, biting her lip, but slowly, she starts to grin. 

And that's how they start dating in secret. 

The funny thing is, their lives don't even change all that much. They still share a coffee in the morning, chat in the car and play board games in the afternoon. They still make each other laugh like crazy and get along like a house on fire.

 The only real difference is that he can kiss her whenever he feels like it, provided no-one's watching. That, he thinks, is the best difference he could ever have hoped for. 

They just need to be very careful not to get caught kissing. 

But after the first few weeks, caution turns into a kind of game - how far can we take this before someone'll be onto us? 

They are almost caught SO many times, and it just gets funnier every time. (Daisy's latest excuse: she needed to inspect his bare chest to make sure he wasn't bugged. Joey's face… Luckily for them, Daisy leaned poker faces from the best.) 

In short, life is great. He's got a job he loves with great people around him, and the best secret girlfriend anyone could wish for. 

It's so great, in fact, that he kind of forgets Daisy is actually his bodyguard. 

She doesn't forget, though. And she does her job. 

Because at his latest concert, some freaky terrorists decide it's just the time to try and make a statement by murdering a popular performer. 

Honestly, those poor terrorists. They never stood a chance against Daisy. 

Everything would have been one hundred percent fine if he hadn't called out "Daisy!" and rushed off-stage when he heard the gunshots, suddenly remembering with a cold shock that his girlfriend was also his bodyguard and currently being shot at. 

But unfortunately, he doesn't really stop to think. He rushes off stage, not giving a damn what anyone might think, to make sure she's all right. 

And the thing is, she's fine. Until she sees him. 

Then she freezes, for just a second, but it's enough for one of the terrorists to get in a shot. 

He sees it all happen in slow motion - the blood seeping out and staining Daisy's bodysuit, Daisy herself swaying and collapsing to the floor. He hears the shot a second after it hits. 

He runs over, his entire world suddenly panicky and terrified. Not Daisy, no, he can't lose her; oh, God, this is all his fault. 

Somehow, Daisy manages to squeeze his hand. He understands the silent message for what it is - it's going to be okay. 

Even when she's been shot, she's still so unbelievably strong. He squeezes her hand back and won't let go even when the paramedics come rushing into the building. 

He keeps gripping her hand as they load her up onto a stretcher, not even caring about the reporters that swarm them as soon as they're outside. 

The paparazzi can go fuck themselves. His girlfriend needs him right now, and that's more important than anything else. 

The next few hours, where he's waiting tensely as Daisy is in the operating theatre, are some of the longest of his life. 

At some point, four people (two men and two women) come rushing into the hospital, faces white and drawn. He's never seen them before, but he recognises them. May, Coulson, Fitz and Jemma. Daisy's family. 

The intimidating one, May, takes one look at him and goes "Daisy's boyfriend?" 

"Yeah," he says, so surprised he almost forgets his worry for a second, "how did you know?" 

May snorts and tells him that he's about as subtle as a brick wall, oh, and Daisy tells her everything. 

He smiles faintly at that. And the five of them - they don't know each other, but in those awful, uncertain hours, they form a bond, the kind that can only form in times of extreme stress when someone you all love is in danger. 

When the tired-looking nurse finally comes out to tell them Daisy's going to be okay, they hug each other on the spot. And it should be awkward, but all any of them can think about is Daisy, so it's not. It just feels right. 

They troop into her room, all five of them together, and a very dopey Daisy smiles weakly up at them. Lincoln immediately reaches for her hand, pressing a quick kiss to her knuckles and lacing their fingers. 

Daisy gives him a small, tired smile, but then her brow squinches in confusion. "Wait… we're supposed to be a secret couple." 

Jemma coughs. "About that." And she shows them the latest gossip headlines: Lincoln holding Daisy's hand for dear life as they rush her to hospital. 

"Oh, that's not good," Daisy says, frowning through the effects of her heavy sedatives. 

This would have totally panicked Lincoln just a few days ago, but now… he almost lost her. The tabloids seem paltry and insignificant in comparison. 

"How would you feel about going on a date when you're better?" he asks, because he thinks she and everyone else in the room needs some cheering up. "A proper date, not a secret meet-up in the closet."

 Coulson raises his eyebrows, like, too much information. But Daisy grins. "I would love that," she says, just slightly slurred through all the drugs. 

"Good," he says, and kisses her forehead. She's smiling as she drifts off. 

Watching her, Lincoln thinks that their secret relationship was never meant to be. It was a lot of fun, sure, but it was never meant to last. 

They were always going to end up being a real couple. 

And honestly? He couldn't be happier. 

The end.

[evakuality]

What about an AU meet cute in which Even mistakes Isak for a library assistant (due to his being there so often) and tries to flirt with him by asking for help finding an outrageously obscure and entirely made-up book.

Ah, thanks for this, anon.  It took a while, and is not quite what I intended when I first read this prompt.  But I did manage to write something, so thank you for helping me out of my stuck place!

Even’s lungs are tight and he’s panting, breathless as he runs.  He shouldn’t have left this to the last minute, he knows, but as usual he’s let a deadline slide until his whole ass is on the line.  His legs are burning fire as he screeches around the last corner and sprints up the stairs to get into the library before it shuts for the day.

He’s still trying to drag air into his lungs when he spots the guy.  The guy.  The library guy Even’s been crushing on for the last few weeks.  Today the guy is quietly shelving books, a frown creasing his forehead, and squinting at the titles as he wheels a small trolley around the room.  He’s beautiful, and Even’s suddenly breathless for a whole different reason.  The library’s uniform of black t-shirt looks particularly good on him today.  Tighter than usual.  Makes Even’s breath catch as he leans up on his toes to push a book into a higher shelf and it hugs the contours of his back.

His throat dry, Even drags his eyes away from the guy’s body and looks around.  Blinks as he remembers what he was here for.  His project.  The one that’s got him properly fucked now that it’s due tomorrow and he has no clue how to find the info he needs.  Normally, Even does what any self-respecting person would do and consults the internet.  Unfortunately, this project requires consultation of actual physical books.  Even’s teacher was adamant that at least one of his sources must be a book.  No exceptions, Even.  You need a range.

Forcing himself to focus, Even wanders towards the nearest shelf and stares at the titles lining the top row.  It’s probably not the most efficient way of finding what he needs, but Even’s brain feels a little addled from seeing the guy and it’s the first thing that pops into his head to do.  He grimaces when he really looks at the section he’s in, and screws up his nose.  Anatomy.  Some other scientific stuff that Even can’t even decipher from the book titles.

“Excuse me.”

The voice startles Even, makes him jump as a soft, “fuck,” escapes his lips.  He turns and his eyes widen.  It’s the guy.  Standing right next to Even with a quizzical expression and those frown lines etched even deeper in his forehead than before.

“This book goes up there,” the guy says, nodding at the shelf Even is standing in front of.

“Oh.  Sorry.”  He moves to the side and the guy grunts a little as he reaches up to push the book onto the shelf.  He smiles slightly as he catches Even’s eye and starts to turn back to his trolley.  

Even has a sudden impulse now that he has this guy next to him and has actually spoken actual words to him.  The idea of letting this opportunity slip through his fingers is inconceivable and he reaches out to clasp the guy’s arm.

“Um, actually … can you maybe help me?” he asks.  “I’m looking for a book but I’m not having any luck.”

“You want me to help you find a book?”

The guy’s brow is creased in confusion, which is just bizarre considering this is his job.  So Even thinks he must just be confused about why Even would approach him here rather than using the more orthodox information desk, so he puts on his most winning smile and hopes it works.  

“Yes.  I’m … not very good at libraries.”

The guy snorts.  His face creases into a reluctant smile and Even is totally fucked now.  He’s so beautiful close up, his eyelashes long and pretty and his mouth twisted into an amused wry resignation.  The guy’s eyes actually twinkle when he speaks again and the sight is so stunning Even almost loses focus again.

“Not good at libraries?”

“Mmmm, that’s right.  Confusing places.  All these books.”  Even clears his throat as the guy lets out another small huff of laughter and shakes his head.  “So.  It’s … uh.”  Even realizes he hasn’t got an actual title in mind so he coughs a little to cover as he desperately searches his brain for something.  “It’s called Aspects of Modern Film Making, from Luhrmann to Bigelow.”

The guys squints at him, his brow furrowed in suspicion, and Even doesn’t blame him.  He pulled the name out of his ass, and he’s not even sure it actually exists.

“A book on film making?”

“Yup.”

Even keeps his winning smile on his face, even though it’s feeling a hit stiff and awkward now.  He should probably have thought this through a little better.

“A book on film making in the science section?”

“Oh?”  Even blushes.  “Is … oh, this is the science section?  I wondered why it looked wrong.”

It’s such an obvious lie, easily seen through to the point of transparency.  Even’s bracing himself for the inevitable moment when it all falls down around him, the guy calls him out and then goes on his merry way round the library knowing that Even is a complete idiot who lies as a flirting technique but is so shit at it he can’t even manage a believable lie.  Instead, the guy sighs, amusement clear on his face.

“You really are shit at libraries,” he says.  He moves towards a computer and Even trails behind him, relieved that the guy has decided he’s merely incompetent rather than a lying liar who lies.

“Okay,” the guy says, tapping at the keyboard and peering at the screen.  “What was that title again?”

Even dutifully repeats the title, knowing he’s about to be found out.  The guy sucks his lip in between his teeth and concentrates on the screen.  Nothing comes up and he frowns again.

“Are you sure that was the title?” he asks.  “It’s not showing on the catalogue.”

“Yeah, pretty sure,” Even says, feeling the heat rising into his cheeks as he perpetuates the lie and gets himself even further into this shit.  “I remembered it because Luhrmann and Bigelow are so different as directors and it seemed weird to put them together.  You know?”

The guy shakes his head and huffs in irritation.  “I can’t say that I do,” he says.  “A movie’s a movie and who gives a shit about the directors?”  Ignoring the affronted gasp of horror Even makes, he turns to look at Even and shrugs.  “Sorry, but I don’t think they have the book you want.  But you could maybe try to order it from another library.”

“They?” Even asks, confused now in his turn, enough to drop the affronted comment he was about to make about the guy’s lack of movie awareness.  “Don’t you work here?”

The guy glares at him.  “No.  What would make you think I do?”

“Well .. the trolley.  And you’re always here.  And … well … you wear the uniform.”

The sparkle is back in the guy’s eyes and he chuckles, grinning at Even.  “You’ve been paying attention.”

“I … may have noticed you occasionally.”

“I don’t work here,” the guy says.  “I just actually study, which you should maybe try by the way, rather than wandering aimlessly around the library,  and it’s easier to put my own stuff back while I get the next one.”

“On a library trolley?  While wearing the uniform?  What about that sign over there that says don’t put books away?”

The guys blushes.  “There is no uniform; lots of people just like black.  And … uh … they … tolerate me putting books away, I guess.  When it’s busy they like the help.”

“So you do work here, then.”

The guy shakes his head, clearly frustrated.  “No.  But call it volunteering if it makes you feel better.”

“It does,” Even says, allowing his grin to widen.  “Makes me feel like less of an idiot.”

There’s an eye roll this time which is just a little too endearing and Even clears his throat once more.

“I’m Even, by the way.”  The guy looks confused again and Even laughs.  “For when you tell the story of how I made up a book just so I could keep talking to the cute guy I thought worked here.”

He holds his hand out and raises his eyebrow in query, hopes the guy will reciprocate with his own name.

“Isak,” the guy says, shaking his head as he takes Even’s hand.  “But I’m never telling this story; Jonas would laugh his balls off that someone thought I worked here.  He already makes fun of me for how much time I spend in this place.”

His face creases up again and he looks at Even as realization dawns on his face.  “Wait.  You … you made up the book?”

“Yeah.  I’m sorry.  I panicked.”

“You’re a dork,” Isak says, but he’s smiling and there’s a spot of color high on his cheeks.

“I’ve been told,” Even agrees cheerfully, his heart singing because Isak is still here despite all Even’s stupid confessions so maybe this wasn’t as big a disaster as Even has feared.  “Mikael says it’s my worst quality.  But I prefer to think it’s my best.”

“You think I’m cute?”

This time, it’s Even who’s blushing and he looks away.  “I didn’t mean to just blurt it out like that, but … yeah.”

He’s startled by a laugh from Isak and glances over at him in confusion.  

“I might have come over to this section because I saw you here,” Isak says by way of explanation.  “I might have wanted to talk to the cute guy who always looks so flustered when he’s here and just walks in circles accomplishing nothing.”

“Yeah?” Even asks, his breath caught once again.

Isak nods and Even grins.  “Do you … maybe want to get a coffee?” Isak asks.  “I’m almost done with my work and the library’s closing in a few minutes.”

“Fuck!” Even says, remembering his project and the deadline he’s been so blithely ignoring.  Talking to Isak had dragged his thoughts off his actual purpose here, which is the opposite of useful really.  “I really do need to find a book.  Tonight.”  He looks around, takes in the vast quantity of bookshelves and grimaces.  “Shit, shit, shit.  I’m so fucked.”

Isak laughs and pokes him.  “If you have a real title, I can help you find it and then maybe we can soothe your nerves with a coffee.”

“Okay,” Even says, his heart doing a delighted dance in his chest.  The project is still not done, Even’s still going to have to pull an all nighter to get it finished, and it’s still probably going to be less than his best work.  But it doesn’t seem quite as dire as it did when he was running to get here.  Coffee with Isak seems like a fair exchange for losing out on good grades.

If that coffee takes longer than expected, because the conversation flows and Even can’t drag himself away, and if Even ends up with a 4 rather than his usual 5 or 6 for this project because of that, well … it was definitely worth it.

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 233: I've Got You Under My Skin

Snow hummed sleepily, as her green eyes fluttered open and she found David's side of the bed empty, though still warm. She heard him talking and turned her head, only to see him on the balcony, just in his sleep pants that rested low on his hips. She watched him and admired his physique, as she often did and found his shirt on the floor. She put it on, buttoned a few of the buttons, and then padded out to the balcony with him. She put her arms around him from behind and rested her head against his back.

"Okay princess...we'll see you and the baby soon," he said, as she slid her hands up his sides and to his shoulders, before draping them around his neck. She proceeded then to start pressing kisses to the back of his neck and shoulders, enjoying how it made his voice go husky into the phone, at which point, he had to clear his throat. He chuckled.

"Yes...we'll have breakfast, including bacon when you get here," he told their daughter, as he hung up the phone.

"You are a very naughty bandit," he chided, as he turned to her grinning face and kissed her passionately.

"Then you better arrest me, Sheriff," she tempted, as his lips moved to her neck.

"Very tempting, but I'll let it slide this time," he teased, as he kissed her again.

"Emma is on her way?" she asked, as he took her by the hand and led her to the bathroom and started the shower.

"Yeah...she's bringing Hope and going with us to Cibola. She said first that we need to visit Hyde at the University, but wouldn't tell me why," he replied, as they undressed and stepped into the shower together. No matter how busy they were, they always found time for intimacy, even if it was during their morning routine.

She kissed him passionately and her hands roamed his sculpted body. Their passion, as usual, culminated in lovemaking in the shower. Then they proceeded to wash up together, which was an act almost as intimate as their lovemaking, with kisses, caresses, and sensual strokes. Once they were finished with their longer than normal shower, they wrapped themselves in fluffy towels and exited the bathroom with arms still around each other. It didn't matter that they had been married for over four decades, for the excitement and passion between them never dulled. Being together for them, was familiar and practiced, yet always thrilling. He never failed to make her weak in the knees and fall apart, sometimes with just a touch in the right place. Her body was a well explored map to him and he knew it well. It was the same for her. She knew exactly how and where to touch him to elicit a reaction.

As their lips parted, he pressed her flush against his bare chest and she pressed her forehead to his. They swayed gently together, needing no music, and she smiled at him.

"If we don't have bacon ready for Emma when she gets here...she will be very grumpy," she mentioned. He chuckled.

"Yeah…I guess we better get dressed," he said, as she sat at her vanity and combed her wet hair. It was shoulder length now and she had debated cutting it, but decided to keep it this length for a while. She dried it and then got dressed, while he waited. Once they were done, they went down to the kitchen, hand in hand, only to find that the staff was almost done with breakfast and the kids were already at the table.

"How do we keep forgetting that we have this now?" he asked. She smiled.

"Because we went almost four decades without it," she reminded him, as they sat down and were served coffee. It was still a little weird for them. They had liked and gotten used to doing all of this themselves while raising a family with five hungry kids at the table. They missed it, but knew they were far too busy with all their duties as rulers to manage a household by themselves, let alone a castle now. Regina had warned her to not go without a staff and she was right, for their castle would probably be a mess without the staff, for they were hardly ever home these days.

"Good morning," Snow said, as she kissed them both on the head and they sat down.

"Morning," Summer replied, as she continued to text.

"Are you texting JJ?" Snow asked curiously. She blushed.

"Yeah...he wants to go roller skating today. He's teasing me, because I've lived in Storybrooke all my life and didn't even realize Storybrooke had a roller skating rink," she replied.

"Oh yeah...this place was created in the 1980's. Roller skating was the thing to do," Emma said, as she arrived with Hope, who was toddling beside her.

"There's our little princess," Snow gushed, as she toddled toward David and he scooped her up.

"You know...after we get done with everything today, maybe we should swing by the toy store," he mentioned. Emma sighed.

"Dad...she's a million toys, most of them from you and Mom," the blonde chided.

"You can never have too many stuffed animals," he protested.

"Our spare bedroom says otherwise," Emma retorted, as Snow chuckled and sat Hope in her lap.

"So a roller skating date with JJ? Sounds fun," Snow gushed and David grunted beside her. She gave him a look.

"What? He's a nice kid, but I'm never going to get excited about my peanut...dating," he said glumly.

"Oh Daddy...I'll always need you," Summer promised. He smiled at her and planted a kiss on her head.

"I know, peanut. But you know me...letting go is not one thing I do well," he admitted and Snow squeezed hand, giving him a loving look.

"So…I guess you want to fill us in on what went on here while we were gone?" Snow asked. Emma smiled.

"Yeah...but it's actually not bad like you think. I mean, parts of it are terrible, but there's a good reason we need to go see Hyde today," she replied, as she opened up a file.

"Did we book Fidget again? I knew he'd reoffend when he was released," David said.

"Well, he did reoffend, but we didn't book him, because he's dead," Emma replied.

"How did that happen?" Snow asked.

"Well…Hyde came to Rose and Fandral and asked for their help finding his colleague, Hiram Flaversham and his daughter Olivia," Emma explained.

"Flaversham...he works at the University as an engineer, right?" Snow asked. She nodded.

"He and Hyde are good friends and apparently they are their own little family. Hyde is like an Uncle to his daughter. They went missing and so he went to Fandral and Zorro for help," she replied, as David read over the report.

"Pleasure Island?" he asked. She nodded.

"Their place was a mess when they investigated and Fidget left behind some evidence that he might be responsible so Fandral knew he likely had taken them there. Come to find out...Jekyll was behind it," Emma replied.

"Oh, that horrible monster…" Snow fretted.

"Please tell me he didn't hurt them?" she asked. Emma shook her head.

"No...they're both okay. Jekyll wanted Hiram's skills as an engineer to help him build more of his horrors and he used Olivia to force him to do it. Thankfully, Fandral and Zorro tracked Fidget pretty easily and made him lead them to Jekyll," Emma continued.

"So they were rescued?" David asked, as he continued to scan the report and signed off on it at the conclusion.

"Yeah, they did...but that's not even the best part," Emma said.

"Well...don't keep us in suspense," Snow urged.

"Before they went to Pleasure Island, Hyde unveiled a new invention that he and Hiram developed. A new metal that is very similar and nearly as durable to a pretty famous metal on the Earth in the realm that Fandral comes from," Emma said.

"Wait...you mean like Adamantine?" Bobby asked.

"Yep…" she confirmed.

"That's awesome!" he exclaimed.

"Adamantine?" Snow asked.

"You need to read more comic books, Mom," Bobby replied and Emma snickered.

"Comic books...right," she said.

"Anyway, Hyde created a new sword for Fandral made from this metal and it gave him the needed edge that I think we've been missing against Jekyll," Emma replied.

"What kind of edge?" David asked, almost afraid to hope.

"He cut Jekyll's hands off...and he couldn't use his demon fire to regrow them. Now, he's probably figured out a way since then, but he wasn't able to heal from it immediately," Emma replied. Their eyes widened.

"That's huge...does Fandral think he can defeat him?" David asked. Emma smiled.

"No Dad...but you can once Hyde reinforces the chalice sword with this new metal," she replied and he became thoughtful.

"Think about it...this new science created metal, combined with the magic of the chalice and Jekyll finally goes down," Emma said. Snow looked at her husband and he took her hand. Did they dare hope that this may give them the edge they needed to finally destroy him once and for all.

"If it can destroy Jekyll...then it could destroy Mephisto too, right?" Summer asked.

"Most likely, though I think the kid here could do that himself too," Emma replied.

"We haven't seen him since Italy. Do you think he's waiting or building an army out there?" Bobby asked.

"Possibly...we know he can possess untold amounts of people. It's unsettling that he's out there somewhere and there's no way to tell where until he decides to pop up," Emma replied.

"We'll deal with him when he does...but eliminating Jekyll is a top priority," David said.

"Yes...it has to be," Emma replied.

"What do you mean by that exactly?" Snow asked.

"Because of what he had Hiram help him to build, but I'm sure he can explain it better," Emma replied.

"Well...then let's finish up and get over there," David suggested, as they finished eating and were soon headed out.

~*~

Hours ago...before dawn

"I hate this...I hate this, I hate them...argh…" Goldie complained, as they trekked through the woods. As a resident of Storybrooke and the United Realms, there were only two official ways into town. Since Snow and Charming had created the barrier around them, it was impenetrable to outsiders and even those residents returning, unless you had the proper identification.

In the United Realms, much like the Land Without Magic, most had driver's licenses or non-driver identification cards. To make sure those residents returning from a visit outside their barrier, Emma had come up with the idea that they should magically encode all identification cards with a hologram signature, not unlike the one found on credit cards. If this extra layer was not present on the identification card, it was easily flagged when it was scanned at the two checkpoints, either the town line or the Harbor. It was a very secure system and everyone coming in and out of the United Realms had to go through the checkpoint, unless you were the Charmings and their clan, who just magicked in and out whenever they wanted.

Since they were both wanted, they didn't dare try to get through the town line check point, run by the dwarves, or the one at the Harbor, which was run by Harbor Master Killian Jones by day and his first hand, Smee, by night, they had to get creative.

There was only one tiny loophole in the entire system that few knew about, mainly just the smugglers on Pleasure Island. The stream that ran through the valley in the woods led to the Harbor and around any checkpoints. Once they followed it all the way, they would pop up at the docks, but past the checkpoint. But getting there was no easy task and was a hike that was not for the faint of heart.

"You and me both...these damn woods are hell," Grimm agreed, as they trekked the rocky outcroppings along the stream.

"Our latest podcast seems to be doing very well though," he said, checking his phone.

"Yeah...some negative comments about the precious Charmings, but still too many that love them," she grumbled, as she scrolled through her social media. Unfortunately for her, she stepped on an odd shaped rock and lost her balance, causing her to fall into the stream. She shouted in frustration, as her phone went dead and she was now wet and cold.

"Did I mention I hate them!?" she cried.

"Once or twice," he mused, as he extended his hand and helped her out of the water.

"We're almost there though," he said.

"Then you owe me a good stiff drink when we get back to your tavern," she replied.

"A drink? I'm gonna need a bottle," he said, as they finally reached the mouth of the stream which popped them up right behind the cannery. They were in and could now sneak onto a boat to Pleasure Island. Thankfully, it was the middle of the night. Getting past Smee was a lot easier than getting past Killian Jones.

Unfortunately, someone stepped out of the cannery to take a break from the night shift and it happened to be Goldie's sometimes drunken and always belligerent husband.

Well, well...if it isn't my wife, the star and murderer, apparently," he drawled, as he lit a cigarette.

"Shut up Sid," she snapped, as she glared at him.

"Temper, temper...new boyfriend?" he asked.

"The name is Grimm...and we're not together," Grimm replied.

"Smart man...trust me, she's a psycho," Sid replied.

"Takes one to know one, you sadistic prick," she growled.

"Give me one good reason not to call the cops on you? Maybe they'll give me a reward for turning you in," he said.

"You hate the cops and if you do, I'll spill everything I know about you and believe me, I have the evidence," she warned. He scoffed.

"Whatever bitch...I'm glad to be rid of you," he growled, as they made their way to the Harbor, while Sid finished his break and went back to work.

"Nice guy," Grimm mentioned. She snorted.

"That was mild," she replied.

"What do you have on him?" Grimm asked curiously. She smirked.

"Well...most of the hookers he brings home are borderline. He likes them young and he also gives them drugs. He also gets rough, as you know," she replied.

"Dealing and using drugs, rape, and assault. Yeah...he'd be wise to keep his mouth shut," he said.

"Don't worry...he won't go through with that threat. He's got a rap sheet a mile long and would face hard time if he crosses me," she assured him, as they found an unmarked boat and slipped past Smee. Grimm manned the boat and they set out for Pleasure Island.

~*~

Jekyll seethed, as he stormed around his lab. He was still livid at his defeat at Fandral's hands and the permanent loss of his limbs. He could not underestimate the Asgardian again, nor Charming. As much as he hated it, Snow White's prince was every bit a match for him as Rose Red's warrior.

Thankfully, he had Flaversham's designs for the devices he needed to take control of and defeat the entire family. With her husband and children under his control, Snow would finally be his.

For now though, it was time to test the new gloves he had just finished from Hiram's blueprints. He replaced one of the black gloves, giving him synthetic magic and replacing his hands at the moment for one of the new golden one. He stepped outside his lab and saw a man hobbling along from the tavern. He was shaking and probably in withdrawal. He was likely looking for his next fix and he approached.

"This is yours if you agree to help me with an experiment," Jekyll said, as he showed him several gold coins in his hand.

"What...what do I have to do?" the man asked.

"Absolutely nothing," Jekyll said, as he thrust his hand into the man's chest and pulled out his heart. It didn't look at all like a healthy, beating heart should. There were patches of black and parts of it were a sickly yellow, indicating the damage years of drug abuse had likely done. The man cried out, as Jekyll's fingers passed through his heart and extracted a tiny gem from inside it. This man's star gem had no spark and was useless, like most star gems, but the glove had allowed him to extract it without damaging the heart. He smirked with satisfaction.

"Excellent…" he said, as he placed it back inside the heart and thrust it back into his chest, before depositing the gold into the man's hand.

"You have been most helpful," he said, as he returned to his lab.

"Soon...my lovely Snow," he said wistfully, as he gazed at her portrait on his wall. He could barely contain himself at the thought of finally having her.

He still remembered the first time he saw her and how he thought she was Rose Red. He was then shocked to learn that she was but a look alike, but no less magnificent. In fact, he soon learned that Snow White was as brilliant as she was beautiful and his obsessive nature had sent his madness into overdrive. It had started with an admiration from afar and he agreed to help them with their initial fear of Hyde. He had even told Dr. Whale such himself. He was admiring her from the afar and nothing more.

"She is beautiful...I'll give you that. I've always thought so, but she has to be the most unavailable woman in the all the realms," Whale warned. Jekyll signaled for a refill on his drink.

"Quite…" he agreed.

"Yet you keep staring at her longingly. Trust me, Charmz will start to notice. The guy is as overprotective as they come, especially when it comes to his beloved Snow White," the other doctor warned.

"Trust me, I have no intention of taking any action. A man can simply admire from afar," Jekyll assured.

That conversation had been a lifetime ago and became a complete lie, as his madness had consumed him soon after. One afternoon of working with her was all it took for him to know he had to have her. He had faced nothing but rejection in his romantic life all his life. First, with Mary Lydgate, who wanted Hyde instead of him. Then with Rose Red, who was already married to Fandral, and then Snow White, who was already married to her Charming. He could no longer handle the rejection and snapped, leading him down the path to where he currently was. Even his time in the netherworld had not dulled his obsession with her and once he was given another chance, he had resumed his pursuit. As usual though, her husband and children stood in his way and he was not going to underestimate them this time. Despite his demon powers, the children seemed to have a well of unlimited magic. And Charming...he was now well aware that Hyde would provide him with his new invention, just as he had with Fandral. But he was determined to be the victor.

"Soon...my lovely Snow. Soon…" he promised, as he gazed at her image.

~*~

Snow and David arrived at the University, with Emma, Hope, and Bobby tagging along. Summer had parted ways with them and was off to spend the day with JJ. He was starting his new job as a paramedic very soon and she would be resuming classes at the University, as well as her dancing, so they were spending their free time together.

"Good morning," Snow greeted, as they stepped into the lab.

"Ah...good morning, Your Majesties," Hyde greeted, as they stepped away from the large cauldron, which they had over a contained fire.

"Your Majesties...this is my colleague, Hiram Flaversham and his daughter Olivia," he said, as they shook hands with the engineer.

"It's very nice to meet you and I'm so glad you and your daughter are safe. I am so sorry about that horrible man and anything he put you through," Snow said.

"You are very gracious, Your Majesty and nothing that madman did is your fault. Fortunately, we're okay," Hiram replied.

"I'm so glad and I don't know what I would have done if that monster hurt a child, especially since he's tried to hurt mine before," Snow fretted, as she put her hands on Bobby's shoulders.

"I'm okay too, Mom," he assured.

"I'm Bobby," he said, introducing himself to the blonde girl that was about his age.

"Olivia," she replied shyly.

"Is this the metal?" Bobby asked curiously, as he peered into the cauldron.

"It is...and we used a mold for the sword to create Fandral's weapon. But for this, we will need you to dip the chalice into the metal and then will harden around it," Hyde said. Snow and David summoned the Chalice between them and together, they placed it in the vat of molten metal. Once it was completely coated, Bobby used his magic to extract the chalice and set it down on the table so it could cool.

"You have magic too?" Olivia asked. He blushed.

"Yeah…" he answered shyly, as the metal proceeded to cool quickly and Snow and Charming separated the Chalice into their respective weapons.

"Before, your blade could withstand Jekyll's demon power and match it. But now, you should have an extra edge and like Fandral's sword, his demon fire cannot heal so quickly from any wounds you inflict," Hyde said.

"And your arrows should have the same power as well," he added, as he looked at Snow.

"Thank you...this is incredible," David said, as he examined his new fortified blade.

"Jekyll is a danger to everyone...he must be eliminated permanently," Hyde said. David extended his hand.

"I can assure you...I'm going to end him for good this time and then he won't be able to come after anyone we love," David assured him. Snow hooked her hand on his elbow and leaned her head against his arm.

"Thank you so much…" Snow said.

"You both have to face the true challenge of defeating him. This was the least we could do to help," Hyde replied.

"So...maybe I'll see you around school when I get back next semester?" Bobby asked. She nodded.

"I hope so," she replied. With that, the Charmings left the University and set out for the Harbor. Killian would be taking them to the island of Mu to consult the people there about the strange rock and the jar it was inside.

~*~

The upper level of the prison, the most heavily guarded with magically reinforced cells, didn't get much free time in the prison courtyard. But for about an hour a day, they were allowed to get a bit of fresh air and move around. There was also one computer with heavily restricted internet access and everything the prisoners did was monitored.

Johnny rarely had an interest in using it since you couldn't do much on it and usually sat on the benches, while a few of the other inmates watched what passed for news in the United Realms, especially now that Goldilocks was doing her own alternative show direct from Pleasure Island. But today's broadcast was suddenly of great interest to him, as he learned of what had just occurred.

"So once again, the Charmings have both created the problem and solved it. Washington DC was nearly both smashed to oblivion and flooded, apparently by some Goddess named Calypso," Goldie reported. That had been the very thing to get Johnny's attention. Calypso, also known as Callista Stavros, was dead. His mother was dead. Like Clayton, she had been a hands off parent in the early years. She had handed him off to various nannies or caretakers, while she trekked the globe with Clayton most of the time, making deals, running their operation, and collecting whatever had their attention that week.

When he was with her, he endured all the stories about the Goddess Aphrodite and how his father wanted her to bear him an heir. But when that fell through and his access to Snow White wasn't feasible due to the curse, he had settled on her as his third choice.

If that wasn't bad enough, once he was grown and began to learn his place as his father's successor, he then had to hear about his father's admiration of the Snow and Charming's children and how incredible their magic was.

Despite his mother being a Goddess and as a result, himself a Demi-God, he was born with no magic. Clayton had been extremely upset when he displayed no magical abilities when they were in Atlantis. He had no natural ability and despite his control over their lives, the fairies refused to teach him any magic. It had caused him to have, not only a chip on his shoulder, but a huge inferiority complex. Not to mention an intense hatred of the Charmings, especially their five magical spawn that he was constantly compared to.

His mother never really had a good answer for him as to why he had no magic, but Clayton considered him inferior because of it. Not having a magical sire was one thing he lamented. He had insisted that he could have avoided death at the hands of the Charmings the first time if he had someone with magic on his side. And Johnny was sure that he would say it led to his demise for the final time. Even though, so far, not even God magic had been able to overpower the Charmings. Even if he had been born with magic, it wouldn't have been a match for them and was moot at this point.

But that didn't change the fact that they had basically ruined his life from the beginning. His mother might not have been much of a mother, but she was still all he had now, even if she seemed un-bothered that they had looked him up and basically tossed away the key. And then there was Natalie...and his own child. She was pregnant with his sire, so he had heard through Goldie's broadcasts when she was mocking the Charming family, who was definitely the reporter's favorite foils. But that was his child and they were going to make sure he never even met him or her...let alone was involved in its life. But if he ever got out of here, which wasn't likely, he would do his best to make them all pay. A breakout from this place was nearly impossible. Even during the recent blackout, the prison had been operated on a backup set of generators and computer systems. But if he did manage it someday, he swore, he would make it count…

~*~

Snow and David stood at the bow of the Jolly Roger, as their son-in-law sailed them to the island of Mu. They could see it in the distance now and the brilliance of Cibola behind it as well. Snow leaned her head against his chest, as they enjoyed the sun beaming down on them and the breeze. It may have been winter in most of the realms, but Mu, through magic, retained its tropical climate, despite the fact that it now existed in the ocean off the coast of Maine.

"What are you thinking?" he whispered to her.

"I am thinking about that second honeymoon you and I have never really gotten to take," she mentioned. He smiled.

"Sounds like some good thoughts," he said.

"And I have every intention of making that happen...if we're ever not in mortal danger," he added. She smirked.

"I really hope that day is coming," she said.

"Me too, my darling," he replied, as he kissed her tenderly.

"I promise that you and I are going to go somewhere and be alone. Completely alone for at least two weeks," he promised. She smiled and bit her bottom lip.

"That sounds amazing...clothing optional," she mused, as she gave him a naughty grin. He grinned back.

"The less clothing...the better," he agreed, as he kissed her again and she rested her head on his shoulder with arms around his neck. They gazed out over the water together and were soon docking near the shore. From there, they boarded one of the dinghies to take them ashore. Word of their visit spread quickly once they were spotted and the Queen of Mu, along with Zia and her parents, were there to greet them as they came ashore.

"It's so good to see you again," Irina said, as she and Snow shared a hug.

"It's good to see you too," Snow replied.

"Bobby!" Zia called, as she waved to him and he shyly waved back. Emma smirked and nudged him forward.

"Hi Zia...it's really good to see you," he said.

"You too...mother and father said I can go to public school next semester if I want to. We're going to be in the same grade," she replied.

"That's great...I'll show you the ropes," he promised.

"What do we owe the honor of this visit, Your Majesties?" Queen Nubia asked.

"For starters...this," David said, as he showed them the jar. Nubia gasped.

"This...this has been lost for centuries!" she exclaimed.

"We happened to meet a man named Ichiro Suun Li. He claimed to be the ancestor of Tao Xang Li," Snow said.

"That would make sense. This jar has not been seen since Tao lived on this island," Nubia replied.

"That's what doesn't make a lot of sense to me," Emma chimed in, as attention turned to her.

"I mean...I get that he sought the truest loves, or children of the sun, as he called them, but why didn't he bring them back here to open the gates to Cibola? Wasn't that what he wanted?" Emma asked.

"That's a good question," David agreed.

"My ancestor and namesake refused to," Zia answered, as they looked at her.

"Was it because too many were looking for it?" Bobby asked. She nodded.

"She knew the kinds of people that were after the gold. She knew that the people of Mu and anyone else in their way would be slaughtered in the quest to follow her, Esteban, and Tao to the gold. She convinced Tao that the splendor of Cibola remain hidden until a time when it could be safeguarded came," Zia said.

"She knew that they couldn't keep it safe...but she hoped her successors could," Irina added.

"The legend says that it was never opened," Santo said.

"Until now…" Snow replied.

"You opened it?" Zia asked.

"I'm afraid he was threatening to blow up the entire museum, so we did what he asked and this is what was inside," David explained, as Bobby took off the item around his neck.

"We think it's a Pounama stone, but we have no idea why that's what would be in the jar," Natalie added.

"We were hoping you'd have more insight," Snow said.

"Well...it is a Pounama stone. You are correct about that. But I do not know what its significance is. There is no written record of what was inside the jar or what it does exactly," the Queen said.

"Unless it is information that only is accessible to those that possess the Chalice," Zia replied.

"You think it may be like when we visited the secret temple that the Dragon Queen hid in the Andes Mountains?" Snow asked.

"It's possible. Cibola does have a small library of very old books and scrolls," Zia replied.

"We can sail there on the Jolly Roger," Killian said. They nodded.

"Go along with them, Zia," her mother urged. She nodded and joined Bobby, as they returned to the ship and set sail for Cibola, the golden city floating in the near distance.

~*~

The last of the snow melted away, as Elsa used her magic to dispense most of it that was leftover from an overnight storm.

"Well...that should dig most everyone out," she said.

"You know, it is winter in Maine. It could have been natural," Leo mentioned.

"And if Storybrooke, the reserve and your parent's Kingdom were under two feet of snow, I'd believe that. But they're not," Elsa replied.

"Then you think your grandfather caused this?" Eva asked, as she and Paul had come to offer what help they could.

"This was his Kingdom and he could be lurking anywhere for all we know. But here makes sense...he wants it back," Elsa surmised.

"It's not his anymore. You are Arendelle's rightful Queen and he is a murderer," Leo replied.

"One that fears magic. He cannot be too happy about it being ruled by two magic users," she said.

"I just don't understand his game. I mean, even with his unique ability, he has to know that he's facing a lost battle already. If your parents can go head to head with Gods...then ultimately, he'll lose too," Paul reasoned.

"That's why he's lurking. He's like Jekyll...he knows he can't defeat us head on. So he'll lay in wait and strike only when he thinks he can with some advantage," Leo said.

"I hate this…" Elsa fretted and he put his arms around her.

"I know...but we will deal with him. You are Queen of Arendelle and he lost the privilege of ruling when he betrayed his people by massacring your mother's people. He belongs in a cell...and we will put him in one," Leo assured her, as he kissed her tenderly. She felt more at ease then and rested her head against his shoulder.

"It's time...they know what he did though. This is a part of history that our people have no knowledge of. I understand why my parents had the truth hidden...but the time for that is past," she said. He smiled.

"Then they will know. Let's call Henry and ask him to add this story into the book. Then it can be presented to all," Leo replied, as they joined hands and went inside. Paul and Eva followed, as they agreed to come with them to visit their nephew.

~*~

Jekyll watched with absolute rage, as Hyde helped Snow and David reinforce the chalice with the new, nearly infallible metal he had created. As if overpowering them wasn't hard enough, this was going to make stealing theirs and the children's star gems even more difficult. Facing them together would almost assuredly end him, which meant he needed to employ a surprise attack or preemptive strike.

He watched them for a while and seethed as he did. He would give anything to be rid of Charming and have the edge in the coming battle that had been brewing between them. If only he could find a way to isolate him away from Snow and the children. Isolate him from the Chalice as well...and then he realized that he just might have a way. If he could do this and initiate a battle between them; one where everything was stacked against the Prince...then he could finally do it. He could finally end him and make the entire United Realms, including Snow, watch him bring the legendary Prince Charming to his knees. He would make them all watch him slay their beloved Prince and break Snow White, making her ripe for his picking. It was a delicate plot, but if he could pull it off...then nothing would stop him. With the death of their father, the children would be easily subdued and he would take their star gems. Then he would use them to bring all the Kingdoms to their knees before him and Snow White would be by his side. Yes...it was time for this stalemate between him and the valiant Prince to come to a head. It was time to show everyone that their legendary Prince was nothing compared to his power and that time was now...