CHAPTER SIX: the shepard

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"Okay, kid, how did I get involved in this?" Ashley questioned Henry Mill.

"Because you are his best friend," Henry tells her.

"Wait, is Ashley part of Operation Cobra?" Emma asked.
"Kid, the man just got out of a ten-year coma. I've never met him," Ashley answers.

"Wait, what's Operation Cobra?" Ashley asked.

"So, that's a no," Emma clapped her hands on her thighs.

"You should go introduce yourself," Henry smiled.

"The fuck is going on?" Ashley questioned.

"She doesn't believe me," Henry says.

"Wow, wow, kid, I haven't even been part of this conversation; how am I supposed to believe anything?"

"You're Rocky White, Snow White's sister, Mary Margaret. And you're Prince Charming's best friend, who's David." Henry explained once again.

"Oh, that." Rocky realizes, scratching the back of her head. "Listen, Henry. I'm sorry for what I  said. I don't think you're crazy. I just..." she paused. "It's not something I can explain now."

"Wait, so you believe me?" Henry asked.

"Yeah, yeah. I think I do," the girl lowly admits, thinking of the scars. Henry had told her that once, as Rocky White, she had been stabbed in the stomach and her arm cut. Or, he was showing her the book and had gotten to that page, trying to close it quickly.

"Why? Why do you believe me now?" Henry questioned.

"Because after you told me the book's ending,  I realized something. I've got two scars that I never knew where they came from. But, it matched up with your theory."

Henry nods. "You know why he doesn't remember? The curse isn't working on him yet."

"Being in a coma for a decade, as its effects," Ashley muttered.

"Henry, David has amnesia," Emma says, looking at Ashley.

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

"Right. Because everyone here has fake stories that prevent them from remembering who they really are." Emma speaks.

"Right.  And now's our chance to help him. We just have to get him to remember that he's-".

"He's Prince Charming." The two finish.

"We just have to jog his memory by getting him and Miss Blanchard together."

"Didn't we just try that?" Emma questioned.

And it woke him up."

"Wait. What? You guys were playing Cupid?" Ashley asked.

"Hey." A familiar voice called out, making all three heads turn. David looks at Henry and Emma. "You're the ones who saved me, right?"

"Oh, yeah. I guess." Emma answered.

"And, uh, you're also the only ones I know here," David admits.

"You can hide with us," Emma says.

"Fantastic."

"Hey, I'm Ashley," Ashley greets, smiling. "But, if you just want to  talk to them, I can leave."

"No. No, there's no need. I'm David," David smiled, reaching a handout, then an embarrassed look came over his face. "Which you already knew."

A man serves David an appetizer. David stabs a cocktail weenie with a toothpick. "Oh, thank you."

"So, you ever use a sword?" Henry questioned.

David laughed. "I'm sorry. Emma, you live with Mary Margaret, right? You know if she's coming tonight?"

"No, she couldn't make it."

"Oh." David frowned.

Ashley has no clue why the look brings a ping of feeling as if she had to say or do something to make him smile.  "This isn't her scene. More of a lone wolf."
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"Have you seen David?" Kathryn asked.

"He..." Emma paused, looking around.

"No," Dr. Whale answered.

"You already knocked on the bathroom?"  Ashley questioned.

Kathryn smiled at her. "No. I'll go see."
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"Ruby, honey, darling, Ruby-baby," Ashley called from the kitchen.

Ruby sighed as she turned to look at the girl, who stood in the doorway separating the kitchen and the dining section.  "What is it Ash- what the hell?" She runs forward, putting a kitchen towel over the wound on the palm of the dark-haired hand.

"I accidentally cut my hand."

"What were you thinking?" Ruby asked. Then goes to matter about how she had acted calmly as if she hasn't practically cut half of her hand off.

"Amnesia," Ashley answered.
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Ashley smiled at Mary Margaret, placing hot cocoa down. "You look like you could use it."

"Hot cocoa?" Mary questioned, her face falling when seeing the girl's hands bandaged, without thinking, she took her hand. "Oh my god, are you okay?"

"Yeah, accidentally cut myself," Ashley shrugged, turning her head when the door bell rang. She rolled her eyes as Dr. Whale walked in, "Yell if he tries anything, I'll be heating up hot cocoa."
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