It's here! I'm so sorry for the delay! I've gone back to Uni and it has destroyed my free time but I have managed to find some time to update. I hope it's ok and worth waiting for! I enjoyed getting back into writing so hopefully this will encourage me to update sooner next time (please nudge me if you get bored of waiting it does help)

Otherwise please let me know what you think and thank you so much for being patient with me and for all the follows, favourites and reviews, it is very much appreciated :)

xxx

Two days after Blue's arrest most of Fabletown was ablaze with gossip. Most couldn't believe that Blue was capable of murder and many of the details had been hidden from the public eye which made things even more salacious with the community.

Snow heard the gossip from her desk all day as people waited outside her office. She hoped in vain that she might overhear some helpful tidbit of information but so far it was just nonsense. She thought of poor Blue stuck in a cell for this horrible crime, but felt a little relief knowing she and Bigby could provide ample food and safety while he was there.

She chewed absentmindedly on her nail then began tidying up her desk, deciding she had perhaps done enough work for the day. She knew Bigby was out of the office and decided she might try to find him. Sometimes he would tease her, saying her wolf skills were waning a little so she would stalk him down and prove him wrong, which often ended in R-rated fun.

Before going on her trek she headed down to the cells and checked in on Blue. The stones echoed under her heels and she heard him shuffle around in his cell. "Blue? Everything alright?" She peeked through the little window and spied his mountain of snacks and comic books that kept him occupied.

"Hey Miss White" he said a little gloomily. "Everything's fine...I'm just feeling a little bored I guess. Has the sheriff made any progress?" She gave him a sympathetic smile and shook her head. "Not yet but he's working on it. Can I get you anything?" Blue shrugged and stared at his pile, "Maybe some visitors?"

Snow smiled and looked around then whispered, "Maybe I could send Fly to do some maintenance down here?" Blue grinned and thanked her before she left. She still felt awful but kept repeating Bigby's words to herself:

"He's in danger and that cell is the safest place for him"

Sighing a little she made her way back up to the lobby, and thought about her sheriff and how calm he always made her feel. Smiling a little she waved at a snoring Grimble and headed out to the blustery evening wondering where he might have gone.


Taking a chance she headed towards the main shops of Bullfinch Street and almost immediately picked up his scent and followed it to the Eggman Diner. Almost disappointed at how easy it was she was barely paying attention when she finally spotted Cindy climbing out of the booth Bigby was sitting at. They seemed to be wrapping up a conversation, which Snow strained her ears to catch what Cinderella was saying. "...Gates have opened but no idea why..." Suddenly the two of them stopped speaking and caught Snow staring at them. Awkwardly she tried to clear her face of guilt and waved at the two of them, then motioned to the bar saying she was getting a drink.

Leaning her weight on the bar she squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment hoping the ground would swallow her up before either of them could speak to her. She could practically taste the amusement coming from Bigby, knowing his eyes would be fixed on her. She ordered herself a white wine and took a sip as Cindy leant against the bar next to her. "Hey Snow! You alright?" The blonde surveyed her for a moment then began pulling on a heavy, expensive looking coat. "Yes, just had another long day" Snow said taking another sip, trying to look pained. "Oh poor you! I don't think I could stand that job, selling shoes is dull enough" Cinderella sympathised and flicked her hair over her shoulder. "At least you get to shoot of to Europe when you please? Any trips coming up?" Snow asked and caught Cindy frown ever so slightly before answering, "Maybe I will, it's getting a bit dull around here anyway." Snow was pretty sure she could now smell Cindy's lies but she wasn't going to push it. They wished each other a pleasant evening, and then parted ways.

As she anticipated, Bigby was watching her closely and grinned as she made her way to his booth. "That'll teach you" he began but she just rolled her eyes at him, "I know! I'd make a terrible spy, I just wanted to know what you were talking about." She watched his hands take hold of hers and relished his warmth, giving his a squeeze of appreciation. Then with a grin he whispered, "What makes you think I wouldn't tell you?"


Apparently Cindy had run into Blue around midnight, right outside the Woodlands building. She said he was a little drunk and a bit flirtier than he usually was but he was definitely not covered in blood. "That's great then!" Snow exclaimed. "Swineheart's autopsy said the man from Oz was killed at half past and there was no way Blue could have gotten all the way there in twenty minutes in that state." Bigby shrugged and sipped his fourth whiskey of the evening. "It's not impossible Snow", then as he caught her angry stare, "but it seems doubtful, plus why would the kid bring the trumpet?" Satisfied Snow, who was feeling a little tipsy herself rested her chin in her palm and shut her eyes.

It was clear then that Blue was being set up. But why? She tapped her fingers on her cheek and tried to think of something that might have been overlooked, struggling as Bigby began running his rough fingers over her free hand. She sighed a little and listened to the conversations that filled the diner.

"I'm sure he's cheating on me..."

"I didn't want onions on this!..."

"That's quite a gale brewing up out there..."

Snow's eyes snapped open as she tried to remember something, her head was being to ache a bit but she knew she was on the cusp of something. "What was it that Bluebeard said the man said, something about a good witch and an evil wind?" Bigby frowned and nodded slowly, twiddling a cigarette between his fingers. "Yeah, something like that? Why, what are you thinking?" Suddenly it clicked and she slapped her palm to her forehead.

"We are so stupid. Bluebeard is so stupid! The man wasn't talking about the weather Bigby! It was a Gale! As in Dorothy Gale! From Oz!" Snow was halfway between standing and sitting, trying to drag Bigby to the point so when it finally landed she was beside herself. "Jesus Snow...we are stupid," he grumbled "perhaps we should have another chat with Bufkin, and probably Bluebeard" he said and she detected a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Do you think it could wait until the morning? I'm probably as drunk as Bufkin right now...plus we haven't had one night home together this week..." she pouted a little then squeezed his hand. He ran a hand over his face but she could sense it was an act, and smiled when he suggested it was probably a good idea to get some proper rest. As they left, dazed by their lust and alcohol Snow apologised as she bumped into a girl with long red hair. Not paying much attention she and Bigby headed home.


The red headed woman watched them turn the corner and followed a little then stopped as she reached the same corner. Waiting for a moment she then crossed the street and walked along the row of shops until she came to a window full of shoes. The Glass Slipper sign glowed above her and illuminated her freckled face in the window. A cold hard face stared back until a grin spread across it.

After taking a quick glance to make sure the coast was clear she dropped a little trinket through the letter box of the shop door then spun on her heel and started making long strides towards the tall building the tipsy couple had entered. Giving it a quick glance she stuffed her hands deeper into her pockets and began counting down from sixty.


Snow's attention was otherwise engaged by the lips of the sheriff when an enormous crash shook the building, and she emitted a small scream when two of her windows cracked under the pressure.

Meeting Bigby's gaze she broke their kiss, her bright blue eyes wide a dinner plates and whispered, "Was that you?" He cocked an eyebrow and pecked her lips again before rolling off of her and wrapping a sheet around his lower half. She followed, a little breathlessly as he tiptoed in between the glass and looked out over onto Bullfinch Street.

Muttering curse words he began scrambling around the room to find close and Snow could only cover her mouth in shock. Bullfinch Street now had a great big whole in it.