Alice's plan to overthrow the Queen of Hearts is thwarted by a dashing pirate with a hook. Years later, after the curse is broken, they reunite once again.
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slowly editing! You'll see at the end of each chapter if th...
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Emma decided it'd be a good idea to go back to Archie's office and check for anything we missed. So far, we've turned up empty. There isn't even blood or signs of a struggle. The Charmings came along, as I expected them to. I don't complain, though; four sets of eyes are better than two."Regina's file. It's Empty." David says, holding up a manila folder that has Regina's name neatly written on it.
His expression is severe as he looks to his wife, who practically crumbles at the discovery.
"So she did it. She killed the kindest soul in this town. A man who only cared about helping."
She walks over to David, who immediately goes to comfort her.
"Don't jump the gun. This has 'set up' written all over it." I say with a shake of my head, getting down on my hands and knees to look under the furniture.
"I promise we'll find whoever really did this." Emma chimes in.
I don't need to look to know her parents are giving her a chastising look. I wonder if they're aware of how patronizing they are.
"Isn't it time you guys admit we already have? Regina had a fight with Archie, Ruby saw her outside last night, and now her file is empty. That's a lot of evidence." David implores softly.
I roll my eyes.
"Circumstantial evidence." I correct, standing back up once I don't find anything.
"Alice is right, this all screams that Regina is being set up," Emma says.
"What do you mean?" Snow asks.
I sit down next to Emma once I realize we've searched every inch of this office.
"Well, I don't know how it is in fairy tale land, but in the real world, it's usually hard to find evidence," Emma explains.
"It's even harder if the alleged murderer has magic," I add on.
They actually seem like they're listening for once.
"Exactly! This has been way too easy." Emma says.
Snow comes over to sit beside her.
"So you think someone is framing her?" She asks, clearly having a hard time believing it.
"Well, it wouldn't be the first time this happened in this town," Emma says with a pointed look to Snow.
"Who would want to frame her?" She asks.
"Um...only most people in town," I say through a laugh.
Snow nods her head, conceding.
"Yeah, but there's only one name on that list that would resort to killing to get what they want," Emma says.
"Gold."
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We walk into Gold's shop to see Belle and Gold together, clearly planning on going on a picnic. I feel my face light up a little when I see Belle. I haven't seen her since our reunion in Gold's shop after the curse broke. I have really got to ask her about her relationship choices soon. Belle and Gold turn to look at the group of us.
"Ah! Nothing warms the heart more than a family reunited. You have your mother's chin, Miss Swan." Gold says casually, still packing the basket.
Belle's face lights up once she sees me. I give her a little wave.
"Alice! Thank god you got back alright. I was worried."
Belle runs over to me and throws her arms around me. I tense up before melting into the hug. I'm still getting used to us having a normal friendship without a literal wall between us.
"We know that you killed him." Emma's words shock Belle out of the hug as she walks back to Gold's side hesitantly.
"And your father's tact." He says with a condescending smile.
"Someone's dead?"
Belle looks horrified. I give her a sympathetic smile. I may not be a fan of Gold, but that doesn't mean I can't feel sorry for accusing her... boyfriend of murder.
"Archie," I inform her.
"Why on earth would you think I had anything to do with that?" Gold asks.
"Besides being evil? All the evidence points to Regina." I tell him.
Belle lets out a laugh. I look over to see her jaw slackened, as though her mind had just hit a wall.
"Alice, after everything she's put us through, you don't think she's capable of doing something so vile?" She asks rhetorically.
"I know she is. Which is why it should speak volumes that I'm not jumping at the first opportunity to put her behind bars." I tell her.
While she still doesn't look convinced, it's clear she at least believes that I don't believe Regina's guilty.
"And it wouldn't be the first time you used someone to try to hurt her." Snow adds on, unamused by Gold's glibness.
"Nice to see your memory's still intact, dearie, but this time I'm afraid I'm gonna have to disappoint you. It wasn't me." He says.
"And we're supposed to just take your word for it?" I ask sarcastically.
"No, but I can prove it. Ask the witness." He smiles condescendingly but his words cause all of us confusion.
From what Emma told me, the only people known to be in Archie's office that night were Archie, Regina, and his dog.
"No one was there," I say with a roll of my eyes.
"Well, that's not strictly true, now, is it?"
His smile only grows as realization comes over me. There's no way he's serious.
"You want us to interrogate a dog?"
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