Once Upon A Time ~ Book 1

37 - David Remembers

Graham walked into the Sherifs station with a small cardboard bakery box towards Emma who sat at her desk, reading through files.
He stood in front of her and opened the box to show a few pastrys and doughnuts.
"Sometimes the clichés are true." sais Graham.
Emma looked up at him. "Okay, what did you want?"
He sighed. "Remember when I said no night shifts?.... I need you to work tonight. Just time once."
"Why?" Emma whined.
"I volunteer at an animal shelter and the supervisor's sick and someone needs to feed the dogs."
"Very lucky you bought a bear claw." she took a pastry from the box and took a bite.
Mary Margaret walked briskly into the room.
"Emma, can I talk to you for a minute." said Mary Margaret quickly.
"I'll just go patrol my office." said Graham.
"Thanks." sais Emma.
Emma looked inquringly up at Mary Margaret as Graham walked out of the room.
"He left his wife. David. He left her. He left Kathryn!"
"Okay, slow down."
"He did it for me. He wants me to be with him. He wants me to meet him tonight."
"That's........" Emma stared.
"I mean, I'm trying so hard to be strong, but he just keeps coming. I mean, how do I stop it? You know, how do I let him down? What would you do?"
"I'd go."
Mary Margaret looked at her, surprised. "What?"
"Well, he left her. It's one thing to say that he wants you, but it's another to actually make a choice, and now he has. That's all you can ask for."
"Given her new friendship with Kathryn, I don't think Regina would be happy."
Emma sighed. "All the more reason to do it." she took another bite from her pastry.
They sat in silence for a moment.
"Good lord, is this really happening?" said Mary Margaret.
Emma smiled. "You tell me."

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David stepped into his room in Granny's Bed And Breakfast, and closed the door. The wallpaper was pink and flower patterned and the sheets on the bed and the curtains matched.
He walked to the dresser and put his keys down. He peered from behind the flower patterned curtains and out at the streets of Storybrook. He stared up at the clock tower, that read a quarter to eight. He then turned his gaze to the golden ring he wore on his finger.

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King Midas, James and his father stood next to a giant table in the castle. On the table was the head of the dragon, turned to gold with Midas's power.
"He has done it. Everything you asked for and more." said James's father. "My son battled the dragon and prevailed." he lied.
"Bring it to the palace." said Midad to the gaurds behind him.
"Put it between the Chimera and the...... Mapinguari."
The gaurds walked to the table and lifted the the dragons head.
"We did it. We pulled it off." James's father whispered to James as the guards walked passed.
"Yes. Now how much longer before I can return home?" whispered James.
"That's a discussion not for now."
Midas turned back to them. "From this day forth, may that beast's head be a reminder to us of the valiant warrior who killed it........ The bravest, most noble Prince I have ever met........ You have eared my upmost respect." he bowed his head at James.
"We treasure that respect, King Midas, just as we respect your treasure." said his father.
"Yes, yes. You were promised gold, and gold you shall have. But I did not get to where I am by thinking small....... I stand before you now because I dared to dream big......... I was not just looking for a dragon slayer....... I was looking for the strongest warrior in the land..... A hero...... Someone who could unite the kingdoms........ Someone I would be proud to call family."
James and his father looked at each other.
"Bring her." Midas said to his gaurds.
From around the corner came a princess, with a blue dress, blond hair that was pined back, blue eyes. Two gaurds followed her as she walked towards them.
"Gentlemen, may I present my daughter, Abigail." she nodded at them silently.
"Beyond gold, beyond anything, I value her most." he stared at her.
"I promisdd her I would only give her hand in marriage when I could find a companion worthy of her."
She looked at James.
"And now, I have."
"He killed the dragon?" asked Abigail, quietly.
Midas nodded.
She looked at James again, thurally. "I guess he'll do."
"And so, Prince James, I offer you my daughter's hand in marriage."
"King Midas, I am humbled by your generous offer,....." said James, looking from face to face. "......but I can't honestly say I'm........"
His father interrupted him and chuckled, stepping forward. "My son! Always so humble." he turned to him and put his arms around his shoulder and whispered into his ear, a smile still lingering on his face."If you say anything but yes, you will be responsible for the destruction of everyone and everything in our Kingdom..... You will marry this girl, or I will kill you.......... I will kill your mother....... I will turn that farm to ash........ Do you understand me?"
He looked at him and put his hand on his checks. "I'll take your silence for wisdom. Follow it. I know you'll make the right decision."

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David walked the streets of Storybrook, a map in his hands. He stopped and looked around the area. He turned back, to find Regina in front of him.
"Mr. Nolan?" she asked.
"Oh!" he chuckled.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I was just heading home from work and I saw you. Are you lost?" she said looking at the map.
He chuckled. "Yeah. Yeah, kind of. I'm looking for the toll bridge." he looked at the map.
"Ah! Where you were found. Trying to jog your memory?"
"No, I'm meeting someone."
She nodded. "So you've made your choice?"
"Yes."
"Well, I don't supose I can convince you to change your mind?"
He smiled. "I can't change what I feel."
"No, of course not." she sighed and refered to behind her. "Walk down the street to Mr. Gold's pawn shop. You'll find a fork in the road. Go left. It'll take you to a hiking trail that leads directly to the bridge."
"Thank you. For understanding." he walked past her quickly and down the pathway.
"Good luck, David." she turned around to him. "I hope you find what you are looking for."
He nodded then began to run down the path as Regina watched him go.

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Mary Margaret stood down by the river underneath the toll bridge. Looking around. She looked down at her watch and waited. Then stared up at the moon above.

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David still wandered the streets of Storybrook, now impatient. He looked around, confused, then turned to see Mr. Gold's Pawn shop.
He opened the door and walked inside. "Hello?" he called and closed the door.
He walked through the shop and stared at the two wooden dolls on the counter.
"Hello?"
He continued looking around, the only sound being the ticking of grandfather clocks. He looked carefully at a mobile with precious blue and white unicorns, witch ginggled softly.
"Charming." said a voice from near by.
David looked up to see Mr. Gold behind the counter. "I'm sorry?" he walked towards him.
"The mobile. Isn't it charming?
He looked back at the mobile and smiled.
"Exquisitely designed. Masterfully crafted. I cam get it down if you like."
"No, no,I mean, it's very nice, but actually I'm looking for the toll bridge. The Mayor said there was a fork in the road by your shop, but......"
"Seems Miss. Mills has led you astray."
"Yeah. Yeah, you'd think the Mayor would know her own town."
"One would think."
David opened his mouth, but didn't say anything."
"Out of the door, turn right, two blocks you'll find the trail. Can't miss it."
"Thank you." he began to walk away but before he reached the door something caught his eye.
"See something you like?" asked Mr. Gold.
"Where did you get that?" asked David, pointing to a little windmill in a shelf.
"That old thing. That's been gathering dust for......forever."
David walked toward it and spun it around. He stared at it, thinking deeply. "I think..........this belonged to me."
"Really?......... Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Mr. Gold smiled slightly at David's turned back.
"I remember."