our steps seal fate (one)

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Our Steps Seal Fate
one

Note: I do not own “Once Upon A Time” and I do not make a profit from writing this story. I’m just amusing myself.
Timeline: one week after “you lied to me”
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: language, suggestive content
Genre: general/humor/drama
Word Count: 1,524
Cast: (in order of appearance/mention) Emma Swan, Belle, Red Riding Hood, Happy, Snow White, Ella, Alexandra, Jefferson, Grumpy, Abigail, James, Frederick, Granny, Thomas, Bashful, Rumpelstiltskin, Geppetto, Pinocchio
Summary: History teaches us our greatest lessons and tales as old as time help our steps seal fate. (or how Emma Swan learned to embrace her heritage and destiny as the daughter of The Charmings.)






Emma Swan sat at the table, still feeling odd sitting next to Belle, across from Red Riding Hood as Happy, Snow White (she would never call her Mother, it was all she could do to not call her Mary) and Jiminy Cricket (albeit human) cooked them breakfast. Their laughter kept bursting from the kitchen as if nothing had ever been wrong.

Nearby Ella was knelt on the floor, humming a tune as she mopped up the mess her daughter had made while attempting to feed herself. Emma knew the song well, Sing Sweet Nightingale would always remind her of Ella, thanks to Disney.

"Ella, must you hum that song?" Red asked, her voice filled with light annoyance.

Emma's attention shifted to Red, someone she knew so well as Ruby, now a sullen woman, clinging to her cloak like her life depended on it. In actuality Emma knew their lives depended on it. As soon as magic returned she had witnesses Red's true form, the brutal slaughter of a few unknown people that night still haunted all of them but no one blamed Red; all blamed the...Imp known as Rumpelstiltskin for unleashing magic in the first place.

Which is why he was no longer amongst them, he was off realm jumping with The Mad Hatter. It was so odd how sane Jefferson seemed now, though his 'I told you so' grin was getting old. The pair had left two days earlier pooling their magic to rip into Wonderland. They were trying to gather an army for the upcoming war Emma wanted no part of.

Ella was merely smiling, "Yes, it makes the work go faster. No need to be so grumpy, Red."

Red rolled her eyes, "Sure there is!"

"Amen Sister!" Grumpy agreed as he dropped down beside Red. "Unlike you, Princess, we have a war to fight, we lost our loves, and we have no reason to be happy."

That's when Happy burst from the kitchen with a huge stack of pancakes, "you can be happy over these pancakes!" he stated with a laugh, placing them down on the table.

"Why? Made with love?" Grumpy sneered, making Happy laugh.

"No, but it is made with chocolate chips and that's pretty much the same thing."

No one argued against that.

Emma held the door as Snow and Happy continued shuttling food out of the kitchen. Ella joined them at the table as did Abigail, Frederick, James, Thomas and Granny who had been locked away, discussing war. Everyone but Red dug into the large amount of food that was being brought in dish by dish.

"Red, eat," Granny snapped. The girl merely rolled her eyes. Emma shook her head, some things never changed apparently.

She lowered her hood, gaze flickering to the table, "Jiminy is cooking my breakfast."

"May I ask why? I know I'm new but I've noticed the way he acts around you. He's always cooking you things," Belle said, as she poured some sugar (or half the sugar bowl from what Emma noticed) into her oatmeal.

Emma spoke up, "Yeah, and he keeps bringing you platters of fruit randomly. Why?"

To Emma's surprise, Red's serious and quiet demeanor broke and she laughed softly. "He doesn't realize he's doing it. It's the cricket in him." she said, as if it explained everything. But apparently no one at the table knew much about crickets. If not for the name, most people would accuse him of being a grasshopper.

"What do you mean by that?" Bashful asked, his tan skin coloring as Red smiled at him. He looked down sheepishly but smiled in return.

"He spent almost 100 years as a cricket. He picked up his nature and habits from that time. It's a courting ritual of the crickets. He's bringing me nuptial gifts, it's what the phenomenon is called. He doesn't realize he's doing it, I only figured it out when he continually brought me things before I went to bed each night."

Emma choked on her drink, Red simply looked at her like she was crazy.
"What brought that on?" Red asked, almost innocent in her tone.

"Red, you basically told us Jiminy is trying to become your mate." Emma snapped.

Belle spoke up again, "And why does that not bring you happiness? He's a wonderful man."

Red's eyes grew wide, "Now you all have the wrong idea. I love him, I truly love him, I firmly believe him to be my mate but there is one problem."

"What?" Ella asked.

There was a sudden pop and purple smoke billowed around Red as Rumpelstiltskin appeared in her lap. Red merely rolled her eye and pointed. "Him."

"Greetings!" he said merrily, ignoring the positively murderous look Red was giving him. "I bring news of the realms."

Emma watched as Red's hands dropped to his hips and proceeded to attempt to dislodge him. When she found that she couldn't, she gave up with a sigh. He just giggled softly and placed a kiss on her temple. At her side, Belle snorted as Red blushed lightly. It wasn't a noise of jealousy but one of pure disgust.

"Get. Up."

"Why? There are no more seats, since I assume that seat at your side is for Cricket," he stated mildly.

As the kitchen door swung open and Jiminy came through, holding two very large, very full plates of various breakfast meats and fruit. He eyed Rumpelstiltskin with a weary look, "Please remove yourself from Miss Red."

To everyone's surprise Rumpelstiltskin did as he was told. Emma couldn't help gape at that, as did the rest of the table.

"What?" both men asked as Jiminy set the food down in front of Red and took the seat at her side.

Snow spoke first, "You listened to him." her voice was almost in awe.

Rumpelstiltskin, still wearing the face of Mr. Gold, merely shrugged. "Starting a fight with Cricket is not something on my to do list today. Besides, I have no interest in truly making him mad. Bad things happen that way."

"You've said enough." Jiminy stated, his voice short. For some reason Emma shivered, her eyes focused on Jiminy, who refused to meet the Imp's gaze. "Tell us what you and the Hatter have done."

"Fine, fine down to business is best." Rumpelstiltskin stated, he snatched a sausage from Red's plate and began to circle the table. He inhaled softly, "The Realms are in ruins: Wonderland is burning, Agrabah is consumed in an endless dust storm. Even the Frozen Realm has melted, which is flooding into all its borders."

"The Frozen Realm? Who controls that?" Emma asked, she realized Snow had dropped her fork and was clutching James's hand. "Snow?"

The woman inhaled shakily, "A dear friend of mine, a true Prince. Please, is he...?"

Rumpelstiltskin waved off her emotional plea, "Naturally, that Beast could never be stopped by water. Hmm fire could have though..." he stopped, gazing off in the distance, seeing something no one else could see. "He'll be here soon, fairest, he and his trio. They will help in our war." then he paused again, golden blood began to seep from his nose. Red threw her napkin at him, which he caught without looking. "Mirror. Find me a mirror."

Jiminy was the only one to move, returning with a full length mirror from the hall. He carried it as if it was nothing, set it down in front of Rumpelstiltskin and sat back down.

Emma was completely fascinated as the glass itself began to ripple and instead of seeing Rumpelstiltskin's reflection, there was another, Jefferson and he was not alone. August (Emma would never call him Pinocchio) and Geppetto were with him.

"Ah, Geppetto, there you are! We were wondering! We could have used you at the War Table, old friend," James stated, sounded regal and friendly and oh so charming.

The old man bowed, "Apologies, your Highness. I felt it would be best for me and my boy to take this journey. It has been so long."

"That's alright, we understand," James replied, Emma felt his gaze on her but she refused to look at him.

"Stay safe, Geppetto, Pinoc," Jiminy said and to Emma's surprise The old man's eyes narrowed.

August squeezed his Fathers hand, "Easy Papa."

"It is hard to look at you, to hear your voice, old friend." Emma's jaw once more fell open at the malice in the man's voice.

Jiminy merely nodded and hung his head. "I understand."

"Good. Rumpelstiltskin, the Prince and his allies are coming, they should be to you soon. Good day." Geppetto said, and the glass wavered and the last thing they heard was Jefferson shouting, 'hey!' since he obviously felt neglected.

All eyes went to Jiminy, "What did you do to piss him off?" Grumpy asked.

"I don't want to talk about it." was all Jiminy said, Emma watched as Red put down her fork, leaning forward she nuzzled him gently. The girl titled her head and let out a soft noise, Jiminy's hand rose to cup her face. He gave her a sad smile and murmured a 'thank you'.

And that was that.

---
To Be Continued
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