Winter was coming. This was Jefferson's biggest problem before they ever even went to Storybrook. It was so hard to gather enough supplies and depending on how harsh a winter, the dangers were abound. Wood for the fire place wasn't too hard to come by given that they were in a forest. But with little money and a huge lack of crops from spring planting put his family at a huge disadvantage. Had they been in the Enchanted Forest earlier in the year he could have planted a crop that could supply them with something. Perhaps he could go trade something at the market next week. But he had very little to trade. They could gather up as much fish as possible but storing it would be hard. He did like the convienece of the freezer and refrigerator in Storybrook.

"We will get along just fine, Darling." Star told him as she walked up behind him and kissed his forehead.

"Reading my mind?"

"You just have that look about you. You're worrying. What about?"

"Food mostly. For the winter. If I could get a whole sack of grain that would help but we'll need more. Clothing is not a problem. But we'll need meat or some sort of protein."

"Is there a way we could keep the fish cold? Frozen? Perhaps dried? I never really dried any, we never had a winter in Neverland. We just caught fish as needed. Maybe we can try drying some."

Jefferson sighed. "No harm in trying. We could submerge the baskets once the lake freezes over. If we can open up a hole we can see what we catch. Truth be told, I hadn't had much success but anything is worth a shot."

So they set out trying to dry fish. It worked to a certain point but didn't last very long. They stored what they could and got as prepared as they were going to be once the snow really began to fall.

-\\\\\~~~~

And fall it did. The snow started out light as usual. Grace found it fun to catch flakes on her tongue - to an extent. It was fun to roll small balls and toss them or make a mini snowman, but Hawk was a different story all together. He was like his mother and preferred the warmer climates. He cried touching the cold snow. He did not like the trips outside in the frigid temperatures. They tried to make those trips to the lake as few as possible.

The snow got higher and a trip to see what fish, if any were caught was a necessity. "We can all come along Jefferson," Star said. "I hate to think of you all alone working so hard in such poor conditions. I'll bundle up the baby in many blankets. He has no boots, so we won't set him down."

Jefferson never wanted to refuse an offer of his beloved family's company. "I suppose it looks clear enough that we can go check it out and come back. "

They took the hike and reached the lake without incident. "Grace, Sweetheart. Let me put your brother on your back and I'll help your father with checking the baskets." Star said from several yards away. Jefferson watched the transfer and attempted to pull out his basket. The ice was beginning to freeze but it was in no way solid yet. You definitely didn't want to fall in however.

Grace came over to watch him. "Why are you doing it that way?" She asked while he was crouched firmly on solid ground. He pulled out a good amount of fish. Enough to fill their small frozen basket at home and then some to dry.

"I don't want to risk falling in. As a matter of fact, I should warn Star to be very careful." He thought, knowing Star's unfamiliarity with cold climates. He looked up and could see Star standing up with a foot out toward the lake's edge.

"Sweetheart!" He called out. "Be very careful of the ice! It isn't stable at-"

It was as if everything went in slow motion. Star tugged at her basket but her foot was on the thin ice. She moved forward, not hearing his warnings. As her full body weight was now on the ice, all he heard was the chilling crack of ice. Star looked up as she stood still, unsure what direction she should go in. She chose to attempt to walk in his direction. As she moved forward the ice gave way and she plunged into the frigid waters. She was fully submerged by the time Jefferson ran over. There was a current but because she was franticly trying to get out she was moving more under the ice instead of staying near the opening.

Grace was screaming which led to Hawks crying 'Mama'. He was able to grab her hand and pull her out. With the lack of air and cold temperatures, she was already turning a light shade of blue.

He remembered taking those CPR classes and she finally chocked up some water and gasped for air. Her eyes were not open but she was breathing. That was good. He needed to get her warmed up and fast.

He picked her up and ran back to their small home. "Grace! Hurry along and try to keep up." He shouted as he ran. He knew there was no way she could keep up entirely, but as long as he knew she was nearby, that was enough.

After an eternity, they reached the small dwelling. There was no fire going so he put her on the bed and quickly went to starting a fire. Grace had set Hawk on the floor as he stared at all the commotion going in around.

"Papa, the fish. We really could use it." His ever practical daughter said. He couldn't think about the fish. He needed to get Star dry and warm. "Papa, I could go back and get it." She offered.

He glanced out the window. It was still daylight. The snow currently wasn't falling but that meant nothing. That could change in an instant.

"I want you to hurry there and back. I don't want to have to worry about you. I have enough to worry about. Thank you for helping. Please be very careful."

"I promise I'll be careful, Papa. No need to worry about me. I'll be back before you know it!" And with that she dashed out the door. A cold gust of wind came in but it did help fan the fire.

Next Jefferson went to removing Star's wet clothes. He pushed the bed closer to the fire and piled all the blankets they had on top of her. Star's skin was still very cold to the touch. He stripped his own clothes down to his under shorts and climbed into the bed to give her more body warmth. He rubbed her skin asking her to please wake up. He didn't want to lose her. He loved her. She was his whole world.

He glanced over at his son who had not moved and stood like a statue the entire time. "Come here, Buddy. Let's help keep Mama warm."

Hawk shook his head. "No. No, night"

"You don't have to go to sleep. Just keep Mama warm. Cuddle with her."

Jefferson held onto Star as he rubbed her skin. He moved her wet hair out of her face. Hawk took a few steps closer and reached out to touch Star's face. No response. This really began to worry him. He started to lightly tap her face, her cheeks, her fire head. Maybe she just needed rest. If she'd just open her eyes, he'd feel so much better.

"Sweetheart, just open your eyes for me, please? " he pleaded.

"Mama" Hawk said patting her cheek as he leaned over the bed. "No night"

After what seemed like forever, she started to groan and move her head.

Jefferson breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the most beautiful brown eyes. "I love you, Sweetheart. I'm so glad to see you awake. How are you feeling?"

She smiled, "Chilled. What happened? It's so very cold." As she snuggled closer to him.

Jefferson retold the story from his point of view. "So where is Grace now?"

"I sincerely hope she's on her way back any minute. Once she comes in I'm locking that door and not opening it until winter is over."