Hey you guys! Okay!First things first!I'd like to say a GINORMOUS thank you thank you thank you to my wonderful beta for being who she is and helping me throughout this first fic-writing attempt. ehmmm...also! this first chapter will be short,shorter than the ones that follow which will be consequently longer ;-) Okay,I hope you'll enjoy it! Reviews are always welcome :-)

Chapter 1:Introduction

She has dreamt about being in a similar situation, not that long ago. Being chased…Being hunted down…The thing is, in those dreams, it was her past she had been running from. Now, though… Now she has flying monkeys roaming the skies above her head… Now she is not dreaming anymore… Now… Now she is no longer alone…

In reality, she hasn't been alone for quite some time, pretty much since their return in the Enchanted Forest. In the beginning it was mostly Snow White that would seek her out, either to start a conversation or, to just simply spend some time together, quietly walking next to each other, basking in the comfort of familiarity, of moments shared between the two…

Lately, though, there has been another lingering presence, both in the shadows as well as in the broad daylight. A figure cloaked in dark tones of earthy green and brown, matching each of her steps, subtly making sure she is never that much alone and, most importantly, never truly unprotected.

Sure, in the beginning (although she is currently unable to pin point the exact moment he started walking a little closer or unexpectedly showing up when it was, seemingly, least probable) she was somewhat annoyed with his lack of discretion and her consequent absence of privacy. She didn't even have to lift her gaze to verify he was around. Because he was. He always was. But it was his maddening smell of pine, soil and earth evading her senses, and his rich, masculine, throaty laughter saved, as she had noticed, mostly for his son, that gave him away…

She was annoyed in the beginning, but the beginning was no more, and if she was completely honest with herself, she found his presence reassuring and comforting, filling the empty space between herself and everyone else.

Indeed, she hasn't been alone for quite a while. Still, she had never realized how much she truly appreciated that. Not until now…