Dani Swan Once Upon A Time - ReWrite

Operation - Protect the Believer

After Emma left, with one last shocked look in Dani's direction, Dani and her mom spent the next hour working on the tree.  Carefully wrapping the branch Emma had cut. Going through apples to see if any could be salvaged. If any were ripe enough or not bruised as badly as the others. And when Dani looked at the fallen tree limb and began to cry yet again, Regina carefully clipped a part of it off. There was no guarantee it would grow, but Dani's heart still warmed at the thought of the tree not having suffered for nothing. 

" Is there anything you want Marco to make you with the wood? " Regina began softly as the two started at the injured tree. " So, you can keep a piece of it with you always. "

A tear rolled down Dani's cheek as she nodded. She knew the tree was going to be okay, but something she loved was still in pain. " Can I take it to him now? Before I go pick up Henry from the house. "

Her mom nodded as she bent down on one knee, pulling her daughter into a fierce hug. " Of course, " The woman eyed something over Dani's shoulder. " It seems Gram has finally arrived anyway and it's probably best if we speak alone. " 

~~~Scene Change~~~

It took Dani thirty minutes to get to Marco's shop, thirty minutes full of weird looks from anyone she passed. Looks that only confirmed what Dani knew, she was a hot mess right now. How could she not have been after all the crying and gardening she had done?

Her clothes were probably full of dirt from kneeling down to pick up the apples. She could tell from her scalp itching that there were defiantly leaves stuck in her hair. The tear tracks on her face were still visible, having just dried. And cradled in her arms like some kind of strange baby, was a tree branch half her size. 

So yes, she could understand the stares, but she still wanted them to stop. 

Knowing how many people were seeing her like this, seeing her and not looking away, made Dani feel like lead was settling at the bottom of her stomach. What if one of the kids at school saw her? What if they found out? What if they decided to use it against her? 

Dani's erratic thoughts caused her feet to move faster, her breath coming out in puffs. She couldn't let that happen. The last time they had found something to use against her, they almost found out about Jade. And if anyone found out about Jade, she would never see her again. 

The shop's sign came into sight as Dani rounded a corner, breathing a sigh of relief at the sight of it. Marco would protect her. Marco wouldn't ask questions. Marco never asked questions. 

In Dani's opinion it was the best part about the man. He didn't ask when she showed up at his house late at night needing to hide from bullies, he'd simply open the door. He would be there when she needed advice or when her and Henry fought, usually with a hot cup of tea. He didn't even ask when she needed to stash an emergency bag there. One filled with food, water, clothes and a first aide kite . . .

Over the years she had even begun to learn how to carve wood with him, and he was always so patient with her when she needed help. Marco was a safe place, an escape. And no body but Dr, Hopper knew she came there.

Yet even Marco's eyes briefly widened at the sight of her before he let out a heavy sigh. " Leave the wood on my worktable and go get cleaned up, unless you want to keep looking like you are a tree yourself. "

Dani smiled brightly at him before going to do as asked. 

Once she got back, Marco slid over a couple pieces of paper and a pencil. " Draw what you want child, you always had something in mind when you bring me fallen branches. "