Finding You Always
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Chapter 222: Reverberations
Once the fireworks ended, people began to disperse and leave for their homes for the evening. The clean up crew was already deployed and the band was packing up. Leo and Elsa were preparing to depart for a short honeymoon aboard Pegasus. They had accepted Glinda's offer to stay at one of Emerald City's luxurious resorts for a couple days and were going there soon. But not before they sat down as a family to hear about James and Aphrodite's experience in the Underworld.
"Wow...so you were actually Anchises?" Leo asked.
"I was...and before you ask, no, Eros is not related to you by blood. Zeus explained that I'm only related to David in this life as James," James replied. Leo let out a small breath of relief at that.
"And the curse on you both...it's finally broken?" Snow asked. They nodded.
"Once George placed my mother's enchanted charm in my hand, it restored my memories. Or at least my real memories of this life and how we were in love," James replied.
"The man I was...after I lost her wasn't the real me, it turns out. After George stripped me of my memories of Aphrodite, he found a way to warp my mind and mold me into what he wanted me to be," James explained.
"My memories of James were erased too, by Blue and Hera," Aphrodite added.
"It wasn't much longer after that, maybe a year at most that I was killed. But this time, Zeus decided that he was tired of seeing her be hurt and bargained with Hades to deny my revival," he explained.
"But then Athena convinced him to allow James to be revived after he met the two of you in the Underworld. She said that, as my champions, you two could indirectly bring our curse to an end," Aphrodite said. Snow and David exchanged a glance.
"I...I don't think we did that," Snow said.
"Yes you did...Blue was exposed for what she is because of you. It led to all of this," Aphrodite replied. They smiled.
"We're just glad that you've broken the curse and you'll never lose each other again," Snow gushed, as she rested her head against David's arm.
"Yeah...but how did the Horned King know about the curse? Did you ever find out?" David asked. They nodded.
"We did...it was because James is the one that banished him," Aphrodite said.
"It's how we met in this life, but you and Hermes helped me banish him," he reminded her.
"But you saved me from him, just like you saved me as Anchises and Adonis," she gushed.
"Wait...who else did he save you from?" Emma asked curiously.
"Well...as Anchises, he found me near his home after a bad encounter with Clayton's ancestor. He, with the help of Blue and Hera, tried to trick me into thinking he and his consort were true love to get the chalice," Aphrodite revealed. Snow gasped.
"So that's how he knew about the chalice…" she realized. Aphrodite nodded.
"The knowledge of exactly what the chalice is and what it could do was passed through his family. Later on, Adonis rescued me from Clayton's grandfather, who tried to force me to...be with him," she said, with a shudder.
"Yeah...then Clayton tried to do the same. He wanted her to bear his heir and planned to take her to Atlantis so he could have control of the chalice," James added.
"Oh my God…" Snow said in outrage.
"That explains his obsession with you and the Chalice...and us," David replied.
"You have no idea...he told us himself. His plan was to replace you after Snow was forced to crush your heart. His last ditch effort to have a Divine heir was Snow," James explained.
"Of course it didn't happen, nor did he factor in that you wouldn't be able to have children after Bobby," Aphrodite added.
"Bastard...please tell me he's burning in hell," David said.
"Apparently worse than that. Nyx decided that Tartarus was even too good for him. She sent him somewhere called Gehenna, which apparently only the absolute worst scourges are sent," James said.
"Trust me...Tartarus is a picnic compared to Gehenna," Aphrodite confirmed.
"Good...that's the best news I've heard in awhile," Eva agreed.
"Yeah...now if we could just get rid of Creepyl so Nyx could send him there too," Leo said.
"And we will…" David assured, as he squeezed Snow's hip and she smiled at him.
"We will...and the power rests in your family," Aphrodite said.
"How?" Snow asked.
"Now that I have all my memories...I remember how to utilize the chalice and your star gems to their full extent," Aphrodite replied.
"Then let's do it," David said and she winced.
"The problem is...he'll see it coming a mile away," Aphrodite said.
"Then we have to find a way to take him by surprise," Emma said.
"And we will," Aphrodite promised.
"I guess Clayton is about to get his wish though," Natalie mentioned.
"Hey...no, this baby will be a Charming and his son isn't getting anywhere near him or her," David assured her.
"He's right…" James confirmed, as he looked at his father.
"Did you know about her? Did you walk out on her too?" he asked, a bit sternly.
"He didn't know," Natalie confirmed.
"I didn't...and I wouldn't have walked out if I did. I regretted that with David, as much as I regretted having to give you up," Xander answered. James seemed to accept that answer with less resistance than David did and for the moment, any other questions were quelled for the evening, for the hour grew late.
With that, they saw Leo and Elsa off and everyone else dispersed for the evening after a lovely celebration, despite the brief, rude and unwelcome interruption.
~*~
Jekyll stormed into his lab, with his partners in crime trailing behind him.
"I was so close…" he growled, as he angrily tossed one of the lab tables against the wall, shattering the contents and sending debris everywhere.
"Yes...that backfired quickly," Grimm agreed.
"It's those brats, as usual," Drizella said.
"Particularly the young one, it seems. He did have a significant hand in defeating Seth, after all," Grimm replied.
"What is your point!?" Jekyll snapped.
"My point is...those magical children will always block our path to victory," Grimm said.
"They will block my path to gaining the authorship and they will block hers to the Prince, just as they will block yours to Snow White," he continued.
"This device you created to keep him from touching her was ingenious, but the boy will always circumvent it," Grimm said.
"I still fail to see what your obvious statements contribute toward our success," Jekyll growled.
"I thought it was obvious...we have to isolate Snow and Charming from anyone else that can help them. Then you must be able to overcome the power of their chalice," Grimm reiterated.
"Neither of those is an easy task...but perhaps not impossible," Jekyll mused.
"What...what is this on my arm?" Drizella asked, as she noticed there was a large patch of grayed skin.
"I told you there may be side effects from the injection...it's probably wearing off," Jekyll replied.
"But I need magic if I'm to be the new Evil Queen! Can't you improve the serum?!" she demanded to know.
"I will make some adjustments, but none of this does us any good if we cannot thwart our enemies more completely," Jekyll said.
"Then we have work to do," Grimm replied.
~*~
He was trying not to, but he knew he was brooding again. He stood out on the balcony in the cool night air, only in his sleep pants. Snow was getting changed out of her dress and ready for bed, while he attempted to quell his feelings of anger and failure over Jekyll's latest strike and near victory again. He loved their children and was constantly in awe of their power. But he didn't want them fighting these battles for him. He wanted to take on and defeat Jekyll himself, once and for all. But with his demonic powers combined with his scientific ability to invent seemingly anything, he knew the odds were stacked against him. The image of that monster's hands on his beautiful Snow was seared into his brain and he seethed with barely restrained rage. He felt it start to ebb away though, as he felt her presence behind him. It was their mystical connection and irrevocable love that kept him grounded. She could banish his anger in an instant and the heat of her body behind him beckoned. He turned to her, finding her in a slinky white negligee and emerald eyes that pierced through him. Her eyes spoke to him and he cupped her face in his hands. Whatever fear remained in her slowly ebbed away in that moment at his touch. Their lips met in a smoldering kiss and her arms went around his neck. When their lips finally parted, they were breathless and gasping in ragged impassioned breaths. Her knees nearly gave out, as he kissed her throat and she pressed herself flush against him.
"I need you…" she pleaded.
"I need your hands on me," she begged. Jekyll had starved her of his touch for only moments, but it felt like a lifetime. Perhaps because he had meant to make it a lifetime. They needed each other like air and he had found a way to keep them from the simple act of touching one another, not to mention holding or kissing and it nearly broke them. Just the thought of not feeling his hands on her or his lips pressing against hers was enough to drive her mad and him as well. Never one to deny her anything, he swept her into his arms like she weighed nothing and carried her the short distance to their bed with purpose. David kissed her deeply and pinned her beneath his hard body.
"Charming…" she whimpered, as her body writhed beneath him and ached to be touched. She clawed at his waistband and managed to push his pants down his legs.
~*~
Their lips crashed together again and she moaned, as he gripped her thighs and parted them. She raised her arms and arched toward him, as he pushed her negligee over her head. She mewled, as his hands slid up her sides and to her breasts, cupping her firmly and his lips trailed down her neck.
"Charming…" she cried out again, as he raised up and sat back on his haunches. He pulled her up, straddling her in his lap, as he slid her onto his thick, pulsing cock. She hooked her arms around his neck and he began to pump in and out of her at a rapid pace. He rode her hard, taking her to a place of pure ecstasy, as they made love. As he took her, she hummed in pleasure and she slid her hands into his hair, gently running her fingers through it. They stared into each other's eyes and their shared heart pounded in sync. No words were spoken, but their eyes and heart spoke volumes. For them, this went far beyond physical and always had. They had always been so in tune with each other; a love that had always been on another level than most. Being one in heart and mind already made their connection awe-inspiring. So when they became one in body too, it was nothing short of purely magical and almost ethereal.
He shifted their positions and gently lay her on her back, as his pace became slow and languid, as he now glided deeply into her with each thrust. She lay writhing beneath his undulating body, legs splayed around him. With every thrust, he hit her sweet spot and slowly pushed her to the edge. As she neared her climax, her mewls grew in volume and she raked her nails along his naked back, as her entire body trembled beneath him. He had her right at the edge and her cries became whimpers, as her body begged to come. She was beside herself, her mind clouded in the ecstasy that was him taking her. His slow lovemaking was expertly extending her pleasure in a way only he could do for her. If there was one thing Charming was an absolute expert in, it was all things Snow. They could make love and fuck each other for eternity and it would never be enough for either of them. And she was determined to have him for eternity, despite another looming threat from Jekyll and many other adversaries. He watched her come apart and marveled at the sight. Snow...beautiful Snow, emerald eyes dark with love and lust for him, only for him. Red lips parted, as short pants of air were inhaled and exhaled. Her body writhing and glistening with perspiration, her back arching and her aching for his touch. Her round, full breasts bobbing between them and the moan she made when he put his hands or lips on them was one he wanted to hear forever. The feeling of thrusting inside her was pure heaven and he'd never tire of making love to her. When he was inside her like this, he could hardly form coherent thought and he liked it that way. He liked that it was him that made her dripping wet and cry out wantonly. Gliding into her slickness with slow pumps and feeling her tightness clenching around his cock, quivering and begging for release, was a feeling he wanted to feel for forever.
"Baby…" she whimpered, as she writhed and bucked in the wake of a powerful climax; one that only he could give her. He was close to his own and increased his pace, as the whole bed rocked with them.
"Snow…" he cried out, as he finally came inside her and they trembled together in the wake of their purely magical coupling. He collapsed beside her finally and they cuddled together, as their ragged breathing slowly returned to normal.
"We'll beat him, Snow...because he is never taking you from me. I'll find a way," he promised, as he kissed her forehead.
"I know...I have never doubted you, nor will I. You're the hero in my story, my love...my hero," she gushed, as he kissed her tenderly and they finally drifted off to sleep, thoroughly entwined together...
~*~
Three Days Later
"And Good Morning United Realms!" Le Fou announced, as the morning news show began once again.
"Welcome fellow United Realmers on our first day back from hiatus," Goldilocks said.
"As usual, there's no shortage of news. Just days ago, Prince Leo married Queen Elsa of Arendelle in the celebration of the year," Le Fou reported.
"But since this is Storybrooke we're talking about, it didn't quite go off without a hitch. After the happy couple exchanged nuptials, their reception was interrupted by a dastardly trio," Goldilocks said dramatically.
"Yes...Drizella Tremaine declared herself as the new Evil Queen, a mysterious man named Grimm seemed to issue a challenge to our favorite author, and once again the raging psychopath, Dr. Jekyll made another play for the fair and beautiful Snow White," Le Fou said.
"Yes...and this time, the United Realms' embattled pair had to be saved by their youngest son,"
"They are insufferable...seriously how do they still have jobs?" Paul asked, as he finally turned off the television, while Eva poured coffee into their travel mugs.
"Well...they're mildly entertaining I suppose, though I wish they would find things other than my parents to gossip about," Eva replied.
"Yeah, they definitely need to stop calling them news," he countered and she chuckled.
"Yeah...news, they definitely fail at that. But you know that gossip sells far better than news," Eva said, as she handed him his mug and kissed his cheek. He smiled and pecked her on the lips. Today, they were not headed to the hospital right away, but rather to her parents castle for a meeting. In the infamous war room.
It had been a very long time since her parents had called an actual formal council meeting at the table in the war room and never yet in her lifetime. But with the worldwide undertaking they were about to embark on with the Major, they had decided to convene it to discuss the operations they were about to embark on.
"Are you ready?" he asked. She nodded and they joined hands, before leaving their loft for the day.
~*~
Snow giggled, as they cuddled in bed together that morning.
"We really have to get up," she cooed, as he kissed her neck and his hands roamed in the wake of a bout of morning lovemaking.
"Remind me why we scheduled this thing so early?" he asked.
"We didn't baby...we scheduled it for eleven and it's almost ten," she reminded him.
"Really?" he asked. They had been awake for hours, but very busy since.
"Yes," she replied.
"Well, you know what they say...time flies when you're having fun," he said and she giggled, as he kissed her again.
"These last three days have been amazing," Snow said, as he spooned her against him.
"Mmm...yeah, but definitely not long enough," he replied, as he kissed her again.
Since Leo's wedding, they fortunately heard nothing from the wedding crashers and their most nefarious adversary. Instead, they had been allowed three blissful days to spend with each other and their family.
They had family picnics with their kids and grandkids, complete with horseback riding and campfires. They had taken romantic walks on the beach, family dinners at Granny's, and then the last day, they had spent alone together. And they hadn't left their bedroom much on that day.
"We should have pushed this back another day," he murmured against her skin.
"You know we can't...not if we want to take the first two cabal members down," she reminded him.
"Well…Italy is supposed to be romantic so I guess there's that," he agreed, as he slipped out of bed.
"Care to join me in the shower?" he asked, with a sly look.
"Oh, that is an offer I'd never refuse," she replied, as she took his hand and they hurried off to the bathroom.
~*~
Mephisto arrived in Milan and made his way into the luxury hotel where that evening's event was set to take place.
"So...you're here," a man said, as he met him in the lobby with a woman.
"Mr. Landers, I presume?" Mephisto asked.
"Yes Stefan Landers...and this is Ms. Erin Mercer," he replied.
"Perhaps we can go somewhere a little less public," Mephisto suggested. Stefan nodded and led them to the freight elevator, which descended below the hotel.
When they arrived, several levels below ground, the elevator door opened and he observed young women in cages, as well as empty cages ready to snatch unsuspecting young women from the modeling pool.
"So...this is your operation," Mephisto observed.
"Yes...and from what we've been told, you believe that they are coming for us," Erin said. Mephisto smirked.
"Oh, I'm certain of it," Mephisto replied.
"They will come tonight...and we will be ready for them," he added.
"And these two...they will give us the power you said?" they asked. He smirked.
"With these two...we'll have a first class golden ticket to the United Realms and all its power and treasure," he promised...
~*~
It had been a long time since they had held a meeting in the war room and the last time they did, many of the people in this room hadn't been born yet and the one person they used to combat was now one of their best friends and confidantes. How times had changed and evolved, only to come full circle to this moment.
The last time he had led a war room meeting, he had been dressed in his formal royal clothing or battle wear. But today, he wore a simple button down shirt and jeans, common clothing of this realm. But the casual clothing did not mean this was just a casual meeting. They were about to embark on a series of missions outside the comfort of the United Realms borders and taking on some very dangerous people that wouldn't bat an eye at slitting one of their throats. But they would be potentially saving many by taking down this network of corrupted people that purportedly were the people that really ran the world. So, as they always did, Snow and David would begin this new undertaking, despite the looming threat of Jekyll, who they still had to neutralize once and for all.
"Thank you to everyone for coming," David said, as he began the meeting.
"As you know, Snow and I are about to embark on a series of missions with the Major, outside our borders, to dismantle an evil underground network that poses a threat to us and potentially the entire world," David began, as he looked at her. She nodded.
"We've decided that the best way to approach each mission is to assemble a small team to go with us and rotate the team members for each mission," Snow said.
"For this mission, we're going to Italy and attending a high end fashion show. Supposedly, our first two targets are there and they reportedly run a very large global trafficking ring there," David added.
"David is right...and once we take down these two, it will put the others on alert. I will be honest, these missions will be dangerous, each one more so," the Major said.
"And we're supposed to be okay with you putting our parents in the line of fire to fight your battles?" Emma interjected.
"Yeah...I have to agree with Emma. Give me one good reason that we shouldn't wall off the United Realms and let your world deal with its own problems," Regina said.
"Ninety-eight percent of the population doesn't even know these people exist or that their lives are controlled by them," Patricia said.
"The same ninety-eight percent that doesn't believe in magic," Leo chimed in.
"True...but that doesn't mean they don't deserve saving," Patricia countered.
"She's right," Snow agreed.
"Mom...we love you and we love that you and Dad always want to help everyone, but this is so risky," Emma said.
"We know honey, but you know we can't turn our backs on this. Clayton is gone, but this network that he helped create is still doing his evil bidding," Snow replied.
"She's right...we need to take them out, because we know that there is no guarantee that even a barrier will keep these people out of the United Realms forever," David added. Emma sighed, but didn't argue that, because she knew he was right.
"Okay...well since you two are a walking target for mayhem, I volunteer for this first mission," Regina offered.
"We're not…" David started to say.
"Yes you are," all five of his children echoed before he could finish. He rolled his eyes and Snow smiled with a wince.
"We kind of are," she said.
"Fine," he relented.
"Elsa and I are going too," Leo announced.
"You two are still on your honeymoon," David protested. He shrugged.
"And Italy sounds like a great place for an extended honeymoon," he said, as they shared a smile.
"Besides...I think we may enjoy the danger and adventure just as much as the two of you," Elsa replied, as she and Snow smiled at each other.
"Okay, with the Major, that's a team of six," David said.
"You and Mom are going to hate it, but I probably should go on every mission with you," Bobby chimed in.
"You're right...I hate that," Snow said.
"Mom...my magic was the only one that defeated Jekyll's stupid crazy bastard sciencey invention," he reminded her.
"Language," she scolded and he sighed.
"The point is...you're probably going to run into Mephisto out there. You need me if you do," he said. David sighed.
"He's not wrong," he muttered and Snow huffed in annoyance.
"Don't worry Mom...he's got a lot of other magic surrounding him. You know Aunt Regina would blast the crap out of anyone that comes near him," Leo said.
"He's not wrong either," Rumple agreed.
"Fine...then I guess we have our team of seven. That's a good number," Snow said. David nodded in agreement.
"Then we should pack and leave soon," David said.
"How are we getting there? Using a bean isn't a great idea. We'll just freak out a bunch of people and Milan isn't exactly a harbor city," Leo mentioned.
"He's right, though I loathe the idea of a commercial airline and all the staring," Regina said.
"Can we even get on a commercial airline?" Bobby asked.
"There is too much red tape for that, not to mention that none of you have passports and the United States government doesn't even consider any of you citizens," Patricia said.
"That sounds like it could be trouble...especially since you've been fired," David replied.
"It may be...but you do have protections on the borders watching for a breach, right?" she asked.
"My men regularly patrol the outside borders," Fandral chimed in.
"Now that I'm back, I'll be reinforcing our magical protections," Aphrodite said.
"Aye...and if any unrecognized ships enter the Harbor, they'll call me immediately," Killan added.
"Then we shouldn't have anything to worry about for now. If they thought they could invade without it being a bloodbath, they would have done it already. But they have seen what magic can do," Patricia replied.
"So no Jolly Roger or plane. It has to be a portal, but how do we do that without freaking people out?" Leo asked.
"There is plenty of countryside just outside the city. You'd be fairly safe portalling there. I can give you coordinates if you can will the chalice to open in a specific location," Natalie replied. Snow nodded.
"We usually have no trouble willing the Chalice to do what we need," she said.
"Then it's settled. The team leaving Milan needs to meet back here in an hour," David replied. They nodded and dispersed, as Aphrodite approached them.
"Is it true that Blue is locked up?" she asked. Snow nodded.
"Fandral was able to capture her," she replied.
"Yes...she was foolish enough to come after Rose to try and keep her from reading your real story," Fandral said. Rose nodded and presented a book to her.
"You mean...it was in your library all along?" Aphrodite asked. Rose nodded.
"Yes...but it was cloaked and only appeared after you left. Aesop informed us that he was commissioned by Zeus to record the real thing and then it was hidden in our library by Hermes," Rose replied.
"When you left to learn the truth, it appeared," Fandral added.
"I'm sure Athena is responsible for that," James deduced, as the blonde leafed through the book.
"It's all here…" she said gratefully, as he put his arm around her waist.
"And Blue is where she belongs. She'll remain there until her Royal Tribunal that will decide her ultimate fate," David replied. James looked at his twin brother with scrutiny.
"You're really going to try her?" he asked. David nodded.
"But Royal Tribunal usually has one outcome. The death penalty," James reminded him.
"We know...and it's not something we will likely ever be comfortable with, but Blue's crimes are too devastating. She is too dangerous and a threat to the safety of everyone, as well as the sovereignty of every Kingdom," Snow said.
"She's right...she's more than earned this fate and if found guilty, then she'll be executed," David replied.
"We will never regret showing mercy, even to our enemies, but we've learned that not all of them deserve it. She's one that doesn't, especially since she has been trying to destroy true love for so long," Snow added.
"Between James and myself, as well as Zorro, I'd say we'll be able to keep an eye on things around here," Fandral said. David nodded.
"Yeah...we'll be on psychopath watch with Dr. Creepyl, but I think we should find out more about this Grimm guy," James said.
"Oh Fandral and I can talk to Aesop. He started to tell us a bit, but seemed reluctant to talk about his past," Rose replied.
"Perhaps in light of these recent events, he'll be more willing to tell us what he knows," Fandral said.
"Then I guess everyone has their assignments. Once this mission is over and we locate the next, we'll rotate a new team in," David replied, as they dispersed. Snow slid her arms around his waist and he kissed her tenderly.
"You were amazing, as usual," she gushed.
"If I am...it's only because of you, my darling. I...I just wish we had a clear, concise plan to take out Jekyll," he said.
"And we will...I'm fine," she assured him.
"I know...it just haunts me at how close he came this time. I couldn't touch you...it was torture. He knew it would be," David said.
"He's sick and evil...he gets off on tormenting me and pursuing you. He's the one evil we can't seem to shake," he added.
"But we will...there is nothing our love cannot overcome. He caught us off guard at the wedding, but there is no doubt in my mind that we would have found a way to defeat his device, even if Bobby hadn't intervened," Snow said, as she caressed his cheek.
"Have faith...our love has never let us down," she added. He smiled and kissed her again.
"You're right...it never has and it never will," he said, with renewed confidence.
"Now...let's pack. We may be going on a mission, but this is Italy and the prospect of going to such a romantic city with my husband is exciting," she replied. He joined hands with her and they returned to their room to pack.
~*~
The black sport utility vehicle drove along the winding roads of Maine and General Mendoza sat in the back, looking over the Nolan files he had seized from Major Donovan's office. He was in complete control of her operation now and had everything, except an item for entrance into the United Realms. But that wasn't going to stop him from exploring the rumored location of this mystical place.
He thumbed through David Nolan's file with great interest. He found it very intriguing how he had been found on a rural Maine road, bleeding from his side, with an infant in his arms. He had then spent ten years in a coma, only to awaken upon his daughter finding her way to him. She had only done so after having run away from a group home and he wondered how she had even obtained his location or even knew about him in the first place.
Even more interesting was Xander Nolan and his shadowy presence in this world for nearly as long as his son's. As an operative to the Collector, Xander had moved around the world in the shadows, doing the Collector's bidding, and evading law enforcement with ease. He had little on him, but that wasn't surprising. Clayton was a part of the Underground cabal that his own family was a part of, even if he ended up screwing them all over in the end.
In 1993, David Nolan awakened and disappeared into thin air with his daughter and only re-emerged more than thirty-years later in Seattle, not having aged a day. With him, his wife and five children came with him. Then after the supernatural events in Seattle, they disappeared again until two years ago when they popped up in Boston again. Major Donovan had a detailed explanation of everything, but he was still having trouble wrapping his head around such fantastical stuff, even after they saw it during the battle only weeks ago. He knew about his ancestor's travels and quests, but he had never put much stock in the more fringe nature of the story. Now he was realizing that it was all true. Traveling to far off realms, lost worlds, mystical warriors like the Dragon King and his betrayal of him...it was all true and thus he had a duty to continue his family's mission.
"Stop the car," he said, as his driver obeyed and he got out. These were the coordinates, but all he could see was woods. But that would not remain for long. He was determined to find a way in and for that, he made a deal with the Devil. He only hoped he came through soon. With that, he got back into the car and instructed his driver to take them to the nearest town. He was a patient man and he would find a way in.
~*~
On the other side of the invisible barrier, Zorro watched the man, as he looked around with scrutiny. He didn't know who this man was, but he clearly was clued in on their location, that was obvious.
"Keep patrolling. I'll be doubling our men," Zorro said, as he mounted his horse.
"I must inform Fandral of this development," he said, as he headed for Andresia.
~*~
Agent Green winced, as she finished getting dressed. Her stay in the hospital was thankfully at an end and she looked at the young doctor, who was writing on her chart
"You've healed nicely, but I have to insist you take it easy for a few days," Eva said, as she watched the agent look at her phone.
"Well, if I stick with Major Donovan, I won't have a job anyway," she replied.
"Then you know about her being fired," Eva said.
"Yeah...agent Harding texted me and gave me the rundown," Tessa replied.
"What do you plan to do?" Eva asked.
"Relax…I'm not going to work against your parents or anything. Agent Harding is going to need help on the inside of this thing," Tessa said.
"I thought you hated us and this whole thing," Eva replied.
"I do...but you did save me and I do not like the idea that I've been working for such corrupted people," she said.
"I'm glad to hear that," Eva replied.
"Did...did you happen to recover Agent Brooks' body?" Tessa asked.
"Yes...he's at the morgue and we were waiting to ask you if he had family," Eva replied.
"No…I'm afraid not. It was just him and he has no wife or kids. His parents are also dead," Tessa said, with a sigh.
"As his partner, I guess it's up to me," she added.
"We'll help you do whatever you need," Eva replied.
"If you can tell them to cremate him...then I can scatter his ashes in the ocean. He...he would have liked that," she replied. Eva nodded.
"I'll tell Doc and he'll take care of everything," she said.
"Doc?" Tessa asked.
"He's our medical examiner and Bashful is our forensic analyst," Eva replied. Tessa shook her head.
"This place is wild," she commented. Eva smiled.
"It can be," she agreed.
"Anyway...thank you for saving me," Tessa said. Eva smiled again.
"Paul and I can take you to Granny's to get a room for the night and then we'll help you find your way back to Boston after Agent Brooks' remains are taken care of," Eva said. Tessa nodded and followed her out.
~*~
The sparkling orange portal opened in the Italian countryside and the seven of them stepped through. Thankfully, there was no one around and Regina poofed a sport utility vehicle into existence for them to use.
"It will be a tight squeeze, but it will get us there," Regina said. Snow looked at her husband and he smirked.
"Or we could follow you in something else," he said, as the chalice glowed between them and materialized a motorcycle.
"Fine, ride the death trap," Regina commented.
"Relax...it's enchanted. We'll be fine," David said, as they willed the chalice into their rings to conceal it. They put helmets on, while David got on the bike and Snow got on behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. The others got into the car and they headed for the city.
~*~
James put the car in park and looked over at his wife. After spending the morning with their babies, they had dropped them off with Granny for an hour to come to the prison.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.
"Yes...and I can't wait for her tribunal. I want to see her behind bars," Aphrodite replied. He sighed.
"Okay...then we'll go," he said, as they got out and joined hands. They were allowed entrance and they took the elevator to the top level. Sneers and calls from some of the worst, high level criminals were ignored, as they made their way to the end and peered into the cell.
"Well, well...you're back from your little adventure," Blue said. She looked horrible. Her hair was matted and her makeup, what was left of it, was smudged. Apparently, she wasn't using the time allotted to her to clean up or even try to maintain her appearance.
"Yes...we are and your failure is complete, because we have broken the curse you placed on us," James hissed. She began to slow clap dramatically.
"Oh congratulations...now you get to live happily ever after with your bimbo and your brats," she growled. James advanced on her cell and wrapped his hand around her neck.
"And you...you'll face justice in your royal tribunal. The Goddess Nyx will then be waiting for you and has promised you a very unpleasant afterlife," he growled back. Aphrodite put her hand on his arm and he calmed down, releasing her and stepping back.
"And still...my only regret is that I didn't succeed in destroying her," Blue said, looking to Aphrodite with pure hatred in her eyes.
"I never did anything to you...except be born. Was the power of the Chalice so important to you that it warrants this hatred of me?" Aphrodite asked. Blue rolled her eyes.
"It was never really about you. Power is everything and when Rhea created the Chalice she gifted to your mother, I knew that it was the key to ruling all the realms. I also knew how foolish it would be to place it in mortal hands. That's why Hera and I knew we had to rid ourselves of your idiotic mother," Blue replied. Aphrodite glared at her.
"Once Hera married Zeus...it was supposed to be her Chalice. We would have still had to place it in mortal hands, but that's why we chose Clayton's bloodline. We knew their ambitious quest for power and control would serve us well," she continued.
"Imagine...all the realms under his control and thus ours. It would have been an ordered world," she said.
"You mean an enslaved world, void of hope and love," Aphrodite corrected. Blue snorted.
"Love...it causes only pain. Look at his brother and Snow White. They may have a blissful true love, but look at all the problems that come with it," she said.
"Love is worth any of the strife or problems," Aphrodite refuted. James smirked.
"Yeah...because love always wins. That's why you're there and we're here. And that's why anyone that tries to defeat love is either already dead or will meet that same fate as the Clayton family you seem to champion," James said smugly.
"Yeah...you definitely backed the wrong family," Aphrodite agreed, as they joined hands.
"Enjoy hell, you blue flea," she said, as they walked away, satisfied that the woman that had cursed them and caused so much pain was imprisoned. They had all their memories and their family was whole again, because love would always win out in the end.
~*~
Once they arrived at the hotel where the event was taking place, they arrived in their suite and proceeded to get ready for the evening. David wore a tux again and was stunned when his wife emerged dressed in a gorgeous white evening gown. It shimmered in the light and the bodice hugged her curves perfectly. The straps were very thin and the collar dipped in a low v. The dress was long, but had two daring slits up the sides and she sauntered toward him.
"Wow…" he said, as she slipped her arms around his neck.
"Wow yourself, handsome," she purred, as she kissed him passionately.
"Are you ready?" he asked. She nodded.
"I know we have no idea what we might be walking into, but I do know that we're going to face it together and eliminate two really bad people," she replied. He nodded.
"Together," he agreed, as they shared another kiss. He offered his arm to her and she hooked her hand on his elbow, as they stepped out of their room and prepared to embark on the mission ahead...
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