Rosemary Book: 2

CH 23

Regina wasn't sure if reuniting with her mother was a good thing, but she would take what she could get out of it. After all, Cora did have a point. The Charming's and company were so quick to accuse her for Archie's death (even though the man was actually alive). She couldn't trust them. But they had Henry, and Gold had Rose. She wanted to be near them and would need to play the act to stay on all their good sides to do so.

Which is why she came to visit the Charming's, to play along that Dr Hopper was still gone, to give them a chance and see if they really would tell her the truth. And they did, but they also gave her the news of Henry leaving town with Gold and Emma in order to find someone.

Hearing Snow not only tell her that Emma did not need to ask for permission to take Henry wasn't even the best part. Finding out what Hook did to Rose, and that she was recovering at the hospital with no memory was the cherry on top.

Before they could say anything else, Regina left them with a glare and a poof.

"She's going after her." Snow tensed. David calmly placed a hand on her shoulder

"It's alright. Blue put up a protective spell to keep any dark magic away from her room."

"Oh! I'm sure that'll smooth things over with Regina."

"We'll figure the rest out. One step at a time."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Jim was reading one of the books he brought over for Rose. But he got tired of it. Closing it and setting it on the table. He wasn't much of a reader, but he thought the distraction might be useful for once. It wasn't.

Placing a fist on his mouth he looked at the girl still sleeping on the hospital bed. The cots themselves looked uncomfortable, and yet she was sleeping peacefully. Which she will definitely need with the way things are going.

She slept most of the day, which made it easier to watch over her and make sure Regina didn't pop up from the hallways if Rose had left her room.

Rose opened her eyes causing him to flinch from the surprise. But before he could even say a word. She sat up screaming. Jim in a second, moved over to her on the bed and held both her arms in his. Trying to help her.

"Hey! Hey! It's ok. You're alright. Whatever it was, it was just a dream." Rose tried to listen to him, but she kept shaking and heavily gasping for air. Jim himself wasn't sure how to help her. But leaving her, even if it was just to call for help, would probably make her panic more. So he moved his hands to hold her cheeks, pulling her closer to look straight at his eyes and nothing else.

"Look at me. Breath in and out. Watch me." Jim stared at her without a blink as he slowly demonstrated himself. It took Rose a few seconds to concentrate. But as she watched his light brown eyes, she was able to follow his lead.

Jim stayed still until he felt her body had stopped shaking.

"You ok?" He gently asked. She nodded. Closing her eyes with relief that she wasn't in the nightmare anymore.

Moving his eyes elsewhere, he noticed where he and his hands were. Feeling warm from being so close to her, he was nervous her cheeks would soon feel it too from his hands. So he pulled them away. One hand started scratching his neck from the nerves, while the other went to lay on his leg. Away from her.

"D-do you... want to talk.. about the dream I mean?" He wanted to punch himself for sounding so odd. But to his relief, she didn't notice it as she shook her head with her eyes still closed.

"It wasn't a dream. I was reliving it." Jim felt a chill on his back. "That night. What I saw. I can't stop seeing it." She placed her head between her hands. Looking as if she was trying really hard to stop it. After shaking her head a few times, she dropped her hands and opened her eyes to him with a small smile. "I'm sorry. You must think I'm crazy."