OUaT - 'Snowfall' - Chapter 13

Author Notes:
1: I DO NOT own Once Upon a Time, it's characters, or storyline. Once Upon a Time, story and characters, is owned by both Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. I DO own Eiry Meagher, her story, and the art for this story - be it commissioned or my own.
2: Bold-italic phrases will indicate Eiry's thoughts or the thoughts of others while in their point of view. Italic-underlined phrases will indicate when the Spirits of Neverland are making contact with someone. Anytime you see "()" it will indicate when Eiry is reliving a memory. When you see "..." it means the point-of-view has shifted to another character.
3: The song for this chapter is "Open Eyes" by Debby Ryan from the Sixteen Wishes soundtrack.
4: Rie makes eye contact with people, 'searching their eyes,' in order to tell whether or not they are being sincere. She's like Emma in that sense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Trees were everywhere. As I ran through the barrage of trees, I felt more and more familiar with the area. A frown painted my lips as a frustrating thought came to mind: I'm back in Neverland. I came to a sudden halt when I came face-to-face with the all-too-familiar Lost Boy campgrounds. Why the Hell am I here?! Pan's dead! I glared at the surrounding area, not amused when the Spirits of Neverland didn't answer. I was surprised to see that the fire was lit and was clawing at the air above it. The earthy ground had signs of movement which caused my blood to boil.

"Rie." I narrowed my eyes in annoyance as I searched for the origin of the voice. The very voice I had grown to know, all too well. Why the Hell must he haunt me, even in death?!

"Pan!" I didn't know why I called his name. After everything that happened moments ago, and what he has done to not only me but the ones I love, I have questions that I need answers to. I needed to find him regardless of who much I really didn't want to see him. I narrowed my eyes as soon as I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. I didn't fight. Instead I turned my head and glared at the young man from my past, my eyes full of disposition. He rested his head on my shoulder. "What's going on, Pan?" I asked confidently. I want answers and I want them now. I turned around while in his grasp and locked eyes with him. Our noses in an almost perfect alignment with one another - I was only an inch shorter than he was.  I searched his eyes as I waited for an answer.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Rie." He shrugged. Next thing I knew, Pan had backed me against the tree behind me. Immediately, out of reflex, I put my hands on his chest, giving our bodies some distance. I was never fond of being too close to Pan. His stare made me feel naked but I was here for a reason, as was he, and I wanted to know. I had a right to know, being the Queen of Neverland and all.

"How are you even here? You died." I muttered as my eyes scanned his form suspiciously. I watched you die... How is this even possible?! As soon as that statement left my lips, Pan broke into a hysterical laugh.

Moments passed and Pan finally caught his breath. "I think I would remember dying, Rie." He stated with a sneer. Wait... Why doesn't he remember dying? Does he not remember anything from a year ago? The thought felt like both a blessing and a curse. Pan grabbed onto my wrists and peeled them off his chest. He invaded my personal space, making him seem taller than he was, which was his common intimidation tactic of his. However, even when I was a foot shorter than him, it never worked.  "Now... If I remember correctly, I'm owed a kiss." A growl left my lips. I guess since Henry isn't here, Pan has no reason to play nice. Well nice in Pan's standards.

"Keep dreaming." I spat bitterly and managed to push him back using my wrists. "GGet it through your thick head already: one, my kiss has to be earned and you have failed to do so, and two, I WILL not marry someone I do NOT love and you, Peter Pan, are unlovable." Even when I kissed him before, he didn't earn it. I just had no other choice after being Neverland's Dreamshade antidote. I didn't know Rumple was able to make a antidote to cure me  until it was delivered to me in the hospital.

Before anything else could be said or done, a voice called to me. "Eiry!" Out of instinct, my body shot upright. My heart pounded against my chest. My eyes wandered over to Emma.

"Oh, hey." I drew a deep breath and calmed myself.

"Greetings Princess." Came a voice I had heard on the phone just before my run in with the flying monkey. Killian...

"Captian." I nodded over to the tall pirate dressed in an outfit composed of mostly black leather. He hadn't changed a bit. His crystal blue eyes looked down to me, holding a look of worry. "What's up, Emma?" The blonde woman I once called my adopted mother looked down to me in wonder, no doubt curious as to why I didn't call her 'mom'. "Yeah... I kinda remember everything." I answered, biting my bottom lip before shuddering at how it was that caused my memories to return.

My lips held a scowl as I turned to face this nut. "I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing but - " I was interrupted when his lip pressed against mine, almost hungrily. What the... I shut my eyes as a rush of memories hit me all at once. My legs gave out beneath me causing my body to hang in his arms. Moments passed before he ended the kiss. "P... Pan?" I stuttered as my amethyst eyes met with his clouded grey ones.

"The one and only, love." He purred leaning closer to me, trying to steal another kiss.

"B... but how?" My voice quaked. H... He's dead!

"Your appreciation for me gave me new life and I had to come look for you." He went in for yet another kiss.

"Y... You're dead. Rumple killed you!" I whispered, leaning my head away to avoid his incoming movement. He stopped and looked away from me.

"That he did." He sighed and looked back to me. "It's a pity you remember that, princess." He mentioned, shaking his head. "I was actually hoping to steal more than just a kiss or two." This new, reborn Pan was starting to really gross me out. "Quite the body you have Rie... A body that needs exploring..." He purred before his eyes shifted to crimson.

"Who are you?!" I demanded pulling away from this impostor.

"Someone who came to deliver a message, though I will be claiming that innocence of yours first." My eyes widened as my blood ran cold. "After all, I never fail." No... You can't have that... I won't let you!

"S... Stay away from me!" I hollered taking a step back causing my back to make contact with the door. I think I would prefer the real Pan over this guy... I'm actually starting to miss him... His appearance shifted into one that of a winged beast. Upon examining further, my heart's track missed several beats. I... Is that a flying monkey?! I recomposed myself and glared towards the creature. The wind became fierce and cold. "Get lost!" I demanded, sending a wave of ice spikes towards it. It turned into a grey cloud after being pierced several times.

"Everything..." I repeated as I looked down to my hands. The clouds overlapped the moon.

"Pack your things and get some rest. Tomorrow, we're leaving for Storybrooke." Emma enlightened

"I thought Storybrooke was erased from the face of existence when Pan's Dark Curse hit?" I wondered as a look of awe captured my face.

"Yeah, well it's back and they're facing some kind of new crisis." I nodded though part of me was irritated. Why is it always some kind problem that brings us all together?! I drew a calming breath. Ah well, I guess crisis is inevitable once you're involved with fairytale characters... Hook helped me up and the three of us made our way back down to my apartment. "See you tomorrow, kid." Emma said as Killian and I arrived at my door. I turned and nodded once more.

"Emma..." Before she made her way into the elevator, she turned to face me. "For what truly matters, you were a kick ass mom." I smiled, which was happily returned.

"And you were one Hell of a kid." With that said, she walked into the elevator, leaving Killian and I alone outside my suite.

"Lady Rie..." Hook's voice called gently. I turned and looked towards the tall pirate. "How is it you remember, exactly?"

"A flying monkey, which was disguised as Pan, kissed me." I shuttered as the memory replayed in my min
d.

"How disturbing..." No kidding.

"The physical contact seemed to have unlocked my memories. Perhaps some kind of spell was placed on his lips. I don't know, exactly, why my memories were returned. What matters is that I remember and you are no longer a handsome stranger." The compliment caused the notorious pirate to grin.

"Thanks, love." His grin broke immediately as a serious look captured his pale blue eyes. "However, I don't think I need to remind you that Pan is dead." He stated with confidence, placing his hand, and hook, on my shoulders in reassurance.

"Perhaps..." This spoken thought drew Killian's attention. "But isn't there a chance he could be back but has no recollection of the happenings of last year?" The question seemed just loud enough to reach his ears.

"The Dark One used his dagger to take Pan down, using it on Pan and himself, there's no coming back from that. At least I wouldn't think so." He stated while grabbing my chin. He's right... So that means Pan is still dead right?