[center][i]*~*Collaboration between Guardian Angel Haruki as Dr. Faye Stevenson, and Ghost Shadow as Henry Carlyle, and Alice*~*[/i][/center] [i]Darkness hindered Faye's vision until it finally creeped away and allowed Faye to see. She found herself in a large, grandiose, and yet seemingly empty, ballroom. She raised an eyebrow at her surroundings. Where was she? How did she get here? What the hell was she even doing here anyways? It was at this point that she looked at herself and saw that she was wearing a purple ball gown. The silence of the dance hall was broken by the sounds of footsteps on the freshly-polished wood floors; echoing off the walls in an almost ghostly manner. The steps grew louder until Henry appeared behind Faye. Though he looked like Henry, he didn't at the same time. He looked younger, more...renewed, his dark brown hair; formerly styled messily, was now left down and un-styled. Instead of his usual coat-and-suit combo, he now wore very formal, if not somewhat garish, attire consisting of a bright red frock coat over a matching frilled shirt with a black collar around his neck. Though saying not a word, his warm smile seemed to defuse any wariness or caution from the situation as he gently took both her hands in his, offering a short, gentlemanly bow as a precursor. Faye turned to look who was behind her as soon as she felt their gaze on her. She was surprised to see that it was...Henry? He looked really different, but there was no doubt that it was Henry. She could feel her worry go away when he smiled, despite the questions she still had in regards to the situation. She felt her face heat up in a blush as he held her hands in his, and all of a sudden, music started playing despite that there was no source of music in the room. Henry took the music as an initiative and wrapped his right hand around her waist, placing it just at the small of her back as his left hand stayed clasped with her right. Still silent; though not losing his grin, Henry slowly began a waltz; his movements fluid and graceful, as though he'd been dancing his entire life. The music seemed to match perfectly with his pace and rhythm as he spun her around the ballroom, letting his blue eyes lock onto hers; a look of complete enamor and affection in them. Faye danced as well, able to keep up with Henry despite that she never danced before. Her blue eyes were also locked onto his as they continued dancing. As she danced, she felt peaceful and enamored...until a loud buzzing pierced through the air, destroying the disembodied music that had been playing through the air. All of a sudden, she felt something rip her out of Henry's gentle embrace, and pull her away. As she was pulled further away she screamed a different name, reaching for his hand. "ALEXANDRE!!!" And then...she felt as though she was falling...[/i] She crashed onto the wooden floor of her bedroom, and she blinked rapidly as she rubbed her temple. She groaned "Owwww!" She looked around and saw that she was in her bedroom, and the source of the buzzing was her alarm clock. She stood up and stopped the blaring, thinking about the dream in silence. She grumbled to herself as she got ready for work, "What the hell was that...? That person was Henry...but why did I call him Alexandre...?" She shook her head, trying to shake off the dream, and she muttered "No use in thinking about that..." before she headed off to the hospital, trying to forget the dream. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Faye walked to the hospital, completely putting the dream out of her mind. Once there she got to work as she normally would (after she put her lunch in a brown paper bag with her name on it, in the break room), until lunch time came around. She shook her head at the thought of her last patient as she walked into the break room, only to see a familiar face there. She slumped her shoulders and she asked the visitor seriously, "Shouldn't you be in the waiting area, Henry?" The man in question looked up from the book he was reading (a copy of [i]Alice in Wonderland[/i]) with a friendly smile on his face. "Good morning, doctor; lovely to see you." He piped cheerily, not bothering to answer, or even acknowledge her question. "This is one of my favorite stories. I always liked the Cheshire Cat - fantastic character...I always pictured him thinner, though." Henry added absent-mindedly with a small shrug of his shoulders; while internally he was quite offended that some fool had drawn him overweight. Faye sighed and lightly shook her head at Henry, since he didn't bother to answer. She went over to the cabinet and took out her brown bagged lunch, and she went over to the table he was at, and she stated in concern as she sat at the table, "You know you're not supposed to be in here, right?" At mention of being thrown out, Henry's expression seemed to sour; if only for a moment. "And what of it?" He asked her, the friendly tone not gone from his tone as he spoke. However, his focus was seemigy diverted to the book in his hands, his eyes on the pages instead of Faye. Faye pointed out, "After what happened, a guard may be more than willing to try and throw you out despite any resistance. Just saying," She then asked politely and making chit chat after she gave him her warning, "So...how's staying at Granny's these days?" Again, Henry visibly sneered. He had no fear of any guard or officer...however, he knew he wouldn't stand much of a chace in a fight without magic - only a sore reminder of how much he missed it. "It's well enough, I suppose. Not much goes on..." Henry answered simply, though a perceptive one could catch a hint of uneasiness to his tone - as he was [i]more[/i] than happy to keep his night with Ruby a secret. However, Faye had heard that Henry had spent an amourous night with the waitress. She had heard about it from Dr. Whale himself. She sighed through her nose and she said to Henry, "Well...I'm sure you're quite happy with Ruby, huh?" ...Why did she bring the topic up? She knew it would've been better to leave the topic alone! At this Henry bristled, stiffening his posture until it was almost certain he'd snap in half. "Oh?...where on earth would you get the idea that I'm with Ruby?" Henry asked; keeping his tone level. But his body language alone was more than enough of an indicator. Faye could see from his body language that what Dr. Whale had said was true. She answered him, "Storybrooke's a small town, Henry. Of course news would travel fast here. Dr. Whale did see the two of you head to Granny's together, with Ruby very drunk," She shrugged and said trying to keep her tone even, (but she did feel bitter for some reason she could not place) as she took out a packed sandwich, a red apple, and a bottle of water, "Well, if you two are happy together, then you have my congratulations," "I didn't know Dr. Whale was Storybrooke's new trustworthy source of information..." Henry rebuffed, perhaps more sharply than intended. Faye knew...not only did she know, but she was now throwing it back in his face. He knew he deserved no less than such; perhaps even more, but his natural defences were more prickly than that. "Besides...so what? Not like you had any interest in me." He added coldly, not having time to think about what he was saying before his tongue did the work for him. Faye felt as though she had just been stabbed in the heart by a spear and then had rat poison poured onto the wound right after Henry said that she had no interest in him. Did her attempts at helping him mean nothing to him?! Did that kiss he gave her that night mean nothing to him?! It meant something to her! She clenched her teeth together, and she snapped back "At least I don't lead people on! At least I don't give noncommittal and meaningless affections to every single person of the opposite sex I meet!" She calmed down a bit, and she stated to him, "Every action has a consequence, Henry. One day, all of that is going to bite you in the arse," "I've already figured out who I am..." Henry replied coldly, bitterness mixed in his tone; though his volume remained level. "I'm not some goddamned Prince Charming to whisk you away to some pretty castle...I'm...[i]this[/i] - cynical, philandering...flawed. If you don't like it; then find someone [i]else[/i]." He hissed as he finished, eyes filled with a mixture of venom and...sorrow? Though more directed at himself. Faye felt a chill up her spine when he said that he already knew who he was. Was he alluding to her other self when he said that? She kept a glare though as he snapped back at her with venom and...sorrow? After he hissed, she retorted irritably "I never asked you to be a Prince Charming! Charming is an epitome of perfection, and news flash Henry! Perfection DOESN'T exist! All I want is some god damned [i]honesty[/i]! But you've been anything but until now!" At this, Henry couldn't stifle what could only be described as a mix between a laugh and a scoff. It almost tasted of bile as it left his lips; as though he was forcing himself. He'd been lying since day one. Not just to her, but to everyone - including himself. He couldn't even remember his own name back home...his entire existence was a combination of falsehoods and mistakes. "Honesty...is an open wound, Faye - and in short supply here...don't [i]pretend[/i] that this is some debate, because it's not. You know [i]nothing[/i] about me...and [i]you[/i] never will." He finished darkly, eyes narrowed dangerously as he spoke. And he was right...Faye would never know him for who he truly was, for the moment the Curse was broken - she'd die...leaving Heather in her place. Faye glared at him, remaining unfazed from the dark look that Henry gave her. She then said to him darkly "You can't evade forever. Nobody can evade forever--" "Watch me..." After he made his comment, she said to him bitterly and in a foreboding tone, "You are only destroying yourself further with your evasion and 'Woe is me' act. You'll see someday," Faye picked up the red delicious apple and she took a bite out of it, creating a loud crisp crunch, and never realizing what she had just done, until it was too late. After she ate the apple, she was about to say something else, but she could only let out a choking sound. Her body convulsed slightly, as though it was trying to get rid of the poison, and she fell out of her seat with a crash. She landed on the cold floor, seemingly asleep. Henry could only clench and unclench his fists at her warning, preparing to argue further until she took a bite of the apple. Henry had never taken note before - but it was..[i]different[/i]: a touch too red, a bit too shiny and smooth. The realization didn't truly hit him until Faye collapsed onto the floor. "Heather!" Henry cried out, aghast, before running over to where she lay, crumpled on the floor. "No, goddamn it, not you too!" He shouted, trying to check for any sign of life; anything to give him a spark of hope. "Heather, wake up...come on, wake up - I know you have it in you...[i]wake[/i]...[i]up[/i]!" He tried one last time, his jaw clenched so tightly that it hurt as he tried everything in his power to shake her from her sleep. He finally grew silent, letting his hands fall aimlessly to his sides as he could do nothing to stop the poison apple from doing its work. Henry stood to his feet slowly, weakly. He only had a few minutes - maybe less, before security showed up to check on the commotion...and right now, he looked like a hell of a suspect. He frantically looked between Faye and the door, as if deciding which to pick. After a few precious moments of debilitating, Henry gave Faye one more passing look, quietly saying, "I'm so sorry..." before leaving in a haste. The moment he stepped foot outside, all his senses went numb; his legs turned to jelly as he could barely support himself. Leaning heavily against a tree; Henry slowly looked up to the uncaring sky above. "Are you done yet?!" He called out, though he wasn't quite sure as to whom. A God, a wizard of some sort, maybe even some celestial animal; he had no idea - and right now, he didn't care. "Is this amusing to you? This...this depravity - this turpitude? Just finish it, already...there's nothing else left you can take from me." He finished sullenly before slowly letting his weight down on the ground. What else had he to fight for now? He could only let his eyes shut tightly, and let the darkness wash over him... *~*~* [i]Henry woke up face-down in a patch of grass; the radiating light from the sun gently wrapping itself around him like a warm blanket. He felt groggy, tired; as though he had just woken up from a long and restful nap. Slowly climbing to his feet, he realized he wasn't in Storybrooke or the Enchanted Forest - but in Wonderland: [u]home[/u]. The bright colors, outlandish sounds, and overgrown flora hit him with an instant sense of nostalgia and longing, as though this was just a memory; and at that moment, he knew he was in a dream. He looked down and recognized his old clothes, freshly cleaned and mended. Running a hand through his hair, he felt its locks smoothly flow between his fingers. He was himself - he was human. He began walking in a random direction, not knowing or caring which way he was going for now. It felt...right. Though he could *hear* the sounds of Wonderland's creatures around him, he saw nothing of them. Even the larger-than-life flowers which usually chit-chatted about shiftless topics were silent, simply waving lazily in the gentle breeze. As he ducked through a tall patch of grass that grew far over his head, Henry saw his old mushroom house come into view. The air was a musky, earthy smell; welcoming to his senses as he remembered the months spent in this modest home. Slowly approaching the fungi, Henry was about to turn the knob of his front door when he felt a sudden urge, a compulsion to turn around. Obeying, Henry turned on his heel to see, perhaps, the most welcoming sight of all since he turned back human: Alice. He felt his legs begin to move, though only through instinct instead of will; for too many thoughts ran in his head to control his movements. He stopped only when he was mere inches apart from his sister, who smiled up at him with the same, sweet smile that made any trouble or issue disappear in an instant. She looked healthier than ever; her chestnut brown hair freshly washed and groomed, her skin rosy and free of blemish, her eyes so *full* of life. The two of them, brother and sister could only look at each other in complete silence until a small smile seemed to tug at his lips. Insignificant at first, it only seemed to widen as Henry let the flood of emotions overtake him, suddenly pulling Alice into a tight hug. "You're here...I found you." Henry managed to say as fresh tears streamed down his face, his tone almost reverent. He could think of nothing else to say; though a million questions registered in his mind mere seconds before. "You did find me...but I'm not the one you're looking for." Alice replied softly, pulling away from her brother before something was broken. "What? Alice, what do you mean?" Henry asked, genuinely confused at his sister's crypticness. Alice reached up slowly, cupping Henry's cheek in her delicate hand before speaking once again, "You already found me, Henry...in Storybrooke." "That's not you, Sweetling. Sister Charlotte doesn't remember being you...she's, a copy, an imitation." "But *still* me, Henry...underneath all the false memories and various deceptions - I'm under there, you just need to let me out." "I can't, Alice...it's too late, now. Heather's dead, Snow's even *farther* from Prince Charming...and I'm alone. How can I break the Curse if there's no one left that can help me?" He asked, despairingly; the memory of Faye's death fresh in his mind. "You just have to believe..." "In *what*?" "Yourself. *That's* who you're looking for, Henry. You've lost faith in yourself, you've tried to bury the past instead of face it - and you'll never be free from that pain until you *do* face it. Only then can you find yourself, and be the Savior you were made to be." "But why me? I'm not a bloody Savior...I'm a cat...a cowardly, frightened cat." "Because that's what you've *told* yourself. To the point that you believe in nothing else." Alice continued, "You can *still* break the Curse...you *can* save Faye, and Snow, and me...but not as the Cat, or as Alexandre Frost, or as Henry Carlyle...look inwards...find the *real* you - Edric Liddell..." Henry's breath caught in his throat as Alice said those two simple words. His name, his *real* name registering in his mind mere moments after she said it. "Edric...that's...that's me..." "My brother." Alice added gently, taking his hand in hers. "Now wake up, Edric...break the Curse - and don't be afraid..." "I won't..." Henry began as he could see Alice fading away before him, like a fine mist. "I won't be afraid." He finished as the world around him dissipated into nothingness...[/i] *~*~* Henry awoke with a start, eyes still damp with tears shed in sleep. He had no idea how long he was drowsing, but he didn't care. He had a job to do; a job to [i]finish[/i]. And he had come too far to back down now. Rising from his spot in the grass, Henry hastily made his way across the town to the pawn-shop. In a weird turn of events, he genuinely [i]needed[/i] Rumpelstiltskin - and something in his head told him that the likewise was true as well.