Twice Upon A Time {reader x once upon a time}

The Shepherd

Sunday evening, November 10

David had been released from the hospital and his wife Kathryn had prepared a surprise welcome home party for him at their house. They were standing outside by the door, David had an unreadable look on his face

"You know, you had the same look on your face before we bought it, too. You couldn't see past the ugly windmill on the lawn and said you'd never buy an old lady house" Kathryn told her husband "Do you remember what made you change your mind?"

"Well, I see the windmill's gone" he said

"Come on. Everyone's waiting" she said, holding his hand and walking in

"Who's 'everyone'?" he asked

Once they went inside, Kathryn started introducing people to David. Dr. Whale was also there and he reassured David that even if it seemed like a lot, anything could trigger his memory back. Angie, Emma and Henry were sitting by the stairs and discussing David's lack of memories

"You know why he doesn't remember? The curse isn't working on him yet" Henry explained the sisters

"Henry, David has amnesia" Emma tried to reason with him

"Which is preventing the curse from replacing his fairy tale story with fake memories" he insisted

"Right, because everyone here has fake stories that prevent them from remembering who they really are" Emma chose to play along this time

"Right, and now's our chance to help him" Henry said

"And how do you suggest we get him to remember he's prince Charming?" asked Angie intrigued

"We just have to jog his memory by getting him and Miss Blanchard together" was Henry's answer

"Didn't we just try that?" Emma asked confused

"And it woke him up" answered Henry in a matter-off-fact tone

"He's got a point" Angie told her sister

David came by then "Hey. You're the ones who saved me, right?" he asked

"Oh, yeah. I guess" Emma said

"And you're also the only ones I know here" David confessed

"Same here" Angie told him "You can hide with us"

"Fantastic" he said with a smile. A waiter came by and David stabbed a cocktail weenie with a toothpick "Thank you" he told the waiter

"So, you ever used a sword?" Henry bluntly asked

David laughed "I'm sorry?"

"Ignore him" Angie said, giving Henry a look that meant "really?"

"Emma, you live with Mary Margaret, right? You know if he's coming tonight?" David asked

"No, she couldn't make it" the blond answered

"Oh" replied David softly

In the kitchen, Kathryn was preparing more food when Regina came by to talk to her

"You should go out there" Regina said "There's plenty of food. Go. Be with your husband"

"I lost him once, now I have him back. But it's like I still don't have him back. You have no idea how that feels" Kathryn said sadly

"Actually, I do. I lost someone once, too" Regina admitted

"Really?" Kathryn asked

"Yes. But the love I lost, there's no bringing him back" the mayor said "You have a chance here. Go to him"