The summer The Crooked Man wreaked his havoc on Fabletown has come and gone; it is now winter and the cooler weather brings with it a new Fable to the community - as well as a series of kidnappings and strange murders and a new threat from the Homelands. Can Bigby Wolf solve such a case before his beloved Snow White succumbs to the same fate and before Fabletown falls to the Adversary?

[I swear it's better than it sounds.]

Rating: M [for violence and disturbing scenes, coarse language, and sexual content - you have been warned!]

Pairings: eventual Bigby & Snow; Bigby & Nerissa; Beauty & Beast; possibly others

Further Notes: This will be an AU to the Fables comic - characters from it will show up but will have different fates. Obviously, episode 5 spoilers. Also, the name of my sort-of OC Ilyse is pronounced "e-LEESE". It means noble.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the following; they belong to their rightful owners, including Bill Willingham, Telltale Games, DC Comics, Vertigo Comics, and all others involved.

Chapter One

The basement beneath the Woodlands was quiet - hell, Bigby couldn't even hear anything. Not the usual drip-drip-drip of water somewhere in the back, nor the sound of his shoes on the cement. Yet he continued walking, past the stone columns until the Witching Well came into view. The lamplight cast eerie shadows around it - one like...like a raven. Bigby glanced over his shoulder. There he was, the Crooked Man, perched upon a lamp, staring down at Bigby with his black, beady eyes. Suddenly he cawed, shattering the silence, and there came a low chuckle, echoing off the stone columns. Bigby recognized it and couldn't help but grimace. He swiveled around to find her creeping out from behind a column, glass shards protruding from her body. The metal reek of blood and the sickly sweet scent of death rolled off her in waves.

"The Big Bad Wolf," she smirked, creeping towards him languidly, like a spider stalking her prey.

Bigby took a step back. He had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

The raven cawed again.

Mary continued forward, laughing once more.

Bigby found himself suddenly pressed up against the Well as she moved ever closer. He closed his eyes and willed the change to happen. Felt the sharp pain in his fingers as his nails extended; felt the hair on his arms and face grow. And then he opened his eyes.

She stood before him, grinning with teeth like blood-stained glass, her eyes crimson and empty. "See you 'round." She reached forward and pushed him into the Witching Well.

The raven cawed.

Bigby woke with a start, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. The sheet beneath him was damp with sweat and - fuck. He unclenched his fists to find his nails digging into his skin, blood pooling in the holes. He leaned back against the headboard, closing his eyes, heart pounding like a goddamn drum in his ears.

It's just a nightmare. Another fucking nightmare. You killed her, remember? Shattered her into pieces.

His heart began to slow and he winced as the holes in his palms knitted back together. It was just a dream.

A soft hand fell onto his thigh and he glanced down at Fai - Nerissa. She stared up at him from the mattress, her eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. "Bigby?" she whispered.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "It's all right. Go back to sleep."

She scooted closer and rested her head on his thigh. "That's the fourth time this week."

"I know," he growled.

"Maybe you should see someone about - "

"I don't need to."

She sighed. "It's almost time - " yawn " - to get up. Hold me?"

"I can't." He searched around his bedside table for a Huff & Puff. "I gotta go in early." Finding a pack, he slipped one out and stuck it between his lips, fumbling for the lighter.

"Why?"

"I told you why last night." He lit the cigarette and took a drag. The smoke climbed down his throat and when he exhaled, it curled in the air above him. He breathed it in slowly. Though it started as an attempt to dampen his senses, over the decades he found smoking helped calm him down. "Snow and I have to talk to that new Fable."

Nerissa snuggled closer. "It's only six," she yawned.

"I've got a lot of shit to do." Taking another puff of the cigarette, he gently moved her head from his leg.

"Bigby - " She looked up at him, her amber eyes dark with hurt.

He kissed her forehead, running his fingers through her soft hair. "I'm sorry. Get some rest, okay?"

She sighed again and turned from him, pulling the blanket over her bare shoulders.

"Nerissa - "

"You've got shit to do," she muttered.

With a sigh, Bigby climbed out of bed. He fumbled around in the dark for his clothes, thrown haphazardly around the room the night before. After dressing and tightening his tie, he pocketed the pack of Huff & Puffs and quietly walked out. He knew when he returned later, Nerissa would be long gone, off to find another job or whatever the hell it was she did while he worked. But despite his attitude, she'd come back. She always did...even that day months ago when he'd had to chase after her in the fucking rain. He stubbed out the half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray by his chair and then moved to flip on a light. It flickered once, twice - piece of shit - before half-illuminating the room. Dawn peeked through the window, and Snow expected him at the Business Office soon. He sighed again and headed for the door. Of all the shit he would rather do at six-thirty in the morning...

But Snow was depending on him.

The hall outside the Business Office was empty at the ass-crack of dawn, as it should be, and Bigby lit a cigarette as he walked in. Snow sat at her desk, looking down at a file, her red lips moving slightly to form the words she read. God, she was adorable. So sweet and innocent-looking till she yelled and fucked you up.

"You're early," she called out, eyes glued to the papers before her.

He merely shrugged and glanced around the room. Bufkin was probably off drinking in the rafters again, but Snow's new assistant was nowhere to be seen. "Where's Blue?"

"I gave him the day off. He's been working so hard recently."

Bigby walked over to her, taking a drag of his cigarette. "So've you."

"I'm the Deputy Mayor. I can't take a day off."

"Crane did."

She scoffed and looked up finally. "Crane was a...a coward. I'm not."

"I know you're not. But you are human."

She sighed and went back to reading the file. "The Fable will be here shortly."

He didn't miss the harshness of her tone. "Are you gonna be okay?"

"I have to be, don't I?"

"I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to skip out on this interview. After your history with her - "

"I'm not a coward," she hissed.

Bigby sighed and stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray. Immediately, her scent filled his nose - strawberry shampoo and the tang of irritation. "I know, Snow. But after what happened yesterday - "

"I was surprised yesterday. Finding my murderous aunt bleeding and unconscious on my doorstep...how was I supposed to react?"

"Not by completely shutting me out, shutting everyone out."

"Well, I apologize for stressing out."

He reached across the desk to take her hand in his. "Don't do this, Snow. Come on. It's me. Talk to me."

"What's there to talk about? She tried to have me killed when I was fourteen! Sent her Huntsman after me to carve my heart out."

"Maybe you oughta think about...forgiving her. It's been centuries, Snow."

She met his gaze and sighed. "Why do you have to be right?"

Bigby chuckled and ran his thumb over her soft knuckles. "Surprising to me too."

The door opened and Bigby tore his gaze from Snow's. The tall, dark-haired woman they'd found yesterday, passed out outside the Woodlands, walked in, looking regal even in blue jeans and a simple coat. Her wounds seemed to be healed - hell, there was no sign that she'd ever been injured. King Cole followed behind her.

"Snow," she smiled, and Bigby could hear that faint German lilt in her voice. "How lovely to see you again."

"Ilyse," Snow responded, her eyes icy.

Cole closed the door and spread his arm wide. "Miss Grimhilde, welcome to the Business Office. That man there - "

"Bigby Wolf," she said, with a wide, white smile. "We met, yesterday."

"Ah, yes, that's right." Cole smiled jovially. "Well, shall we begin, then?"

Snow moved her files off to the side and sat up straight, her small shoulders squared back and rigid. She stared at her aunt with hard eyes. Sighing, Bigby perched himself on her desk as Cole pulled up a chair for the older woman. He was always showing off for the Fables, but when it came down to it Mayor Cole didn't do shit. He only pretended.

"Miss Grimhilde," he began.

"Call me Ilyse."

"Ilyse, my dear." The older man smiled and Snow gagged quietly. "What brings you here to Fabletown so long after the exile?"

Her smile disappeared and her green eyes darkened. "I-I only now was able to escape. He held me - "

"The Adversary?"

She nodded curtly. "I've been his prisoner for-for centuries."

Snow snorted. "You must be joking, Ilyse. You? Imprisoned?"

"You wouldn't know. You have not been there. There's nowhere to hide, nowhere to run."

Snow dropped her gaze. "Ahem. You-you may continue."

"No, hold on." Bigby looked at the older woman, searching her green eyes for any hint of lies. She reeked of anxiety, but not fear. "How were you able to escape? Aren't both portals heavily guarded? No offense, but I highly doubt you were able to escape either cleanly or by killing every single guard."

"Someone was with me," she murmured. "But I-I lost him."

"And he helped you kill all those guards?"

"No. We only ran."

Bigby was trying really fucking hard to keep from rolling his eyes. "So let me get this straight. You and this guy escaped from the Adversary's heavily-guarded jails, across the Homelands to the heavily-guarded portal, then on to Canada through the other heavily-guarded portal, then down here to Fabletown - oh, and you lost the guy somewhere along the way - all without killing. Did I get it all right?"

Behind him, Snow scoffed softly.

"No," Ilyse murmured. "You forget one very important aspect."

"Oh, do I?"

"Yes, Mr. Wolf." She leaned forward with a soft smile. "Do you not know who I am?"

"Of course I do. You're the woman who tried to murder her niece - " He saw Snow wince, but continued. "- drove her into a cottage full of sadistic dwarfs and then tried to poison her. That about cover it?"

"Not all. Again, you're forgetting a very important part."

Bigby leaned back, spread his arms wide. "Enlighten me," he growled.

"I am a very powerful sorceress, Mr. Wolf. And I know you find my escape hard to believe, but perhaps...did you stop to think I might have used my magic?"

"And did you?" Snow asked.

"How else would I have been able to escape unscathed?"

You're a fucking spy.

Instead, Bigby said, "Got me."

"Miss Grimhilde," Cole began. "We might have a job for you here up on the thirteenth floor of this building, creating glamours with other witches."

She grimaced at the word 'witch'. "I am looking only to settle in first. Socialize, make amends." She turned a gentle smile to Snow, who frowned.

"I see," Cole responded. "Well, make sure to return here if you need any help."

"Absolutely. Thank you."

"I'll see you out." The older man stood and helped Ilyse up. With a last smile, they left.

"Ugh - fuck!" Snow exclaimed, burying her face in her hands.

Though Bigby was very familiar with that word, it sounded foreign in Snow's sweet voice. Like someone yelling in rapid Latin. "I know."

"I don't trust her. Even with magic, she couldn't escape so effortlessly."

"And why now? Why not 'centuries' ago when he first 'imprisoned' her?"

"Something's wrong."

Bigby sighed and nodded. "Why don't I head up to the portal in Canada tomorrow, check some things out?"

"I want to come."

He lifted his eyebrows, met her frigid azure gaze. "Snow..."

"No. Don't 'Snow' me. I'm sick and tired of sitting up in this office while my town falls apart. So I'm either coming with you or I'm going by myself."

He held his hands up with a smile, placating her. "Simmer down, Snow. Of course you can come - "

"I don't need your permission."

"You're right, boss."

"Of course I am."

Bigby smiled, and Snow smiled.

Nerissa straddled him in bed, damp and open and crying out, her voice echoing in the dark of his room. On his back on the mattress, Bigby controlled himself. She liked a slow build. He thrust up into her gently, keeping his grunts quiet. Their hands locked beside her hips and she closed her eyes, moaning softly as they found their own sensual rhythm and finally he spilled into her. She gasped.

"Oh - oh Bigby."

He groaned her name as her muscles clenched around him. Then she relaxed and, with a soft whimper, slid off his lap and crawled into his arms.

"Wow," she murmured.

Bigby pushed the moist mahogany curls from her eyes and kissed her softly. "I know."

She gently smacked his chest, smiling. "Don't get cocky."

"Funny choice of words." He leaned down to kiss her neck, damp with sweat.

Nerissa laughed softly and drew back, meeting his gaze. "How was your day?"

He thought of Snow, of Ilyse, and shook his head. "Long. Yours?"

"I-I...I went to visit Lawrence today."

"Why?"

"He was my husband."

That summer day in the rain, she'd told him everything. That she, Lilly, and the real Nerissa often glamoured as each other. That it was Nerissa's head he'd found on the doorstep of the Woodlands. That, after her friend's death, Faith took over her life. "Faith is dead to me," she'd whispered on their first night together, when he'd said that name. "That life is gone. I'm Nerissa now." Often, he had to remind himself of that.

"Did...did you tell him?" Bigby whispered now.

"No. I can't. He's happier now. Better off without me."

"I doubt that."

"Besides..." Nerissa smiled up at him with those amber eyes. "I'm happy now too."

Bigby held her tighter and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "I'm glad." He leaned in for another kiss.

When he reached his office the next morning, a small suitcase packed back in his apartment, there was a line outside the Business Office. As usual. It stretched to Bigby's and he had to weave through Fables to reach his door.

"Sheriff," a small voice beside him said.

He looked over to find none other than Tim standing there - well, leaning there on his crutches. The kid smiled.

"Tim," Bigby said with a small nod.

"How have you been? I haven't seen you since - " He broke off, looking down at the floor.

"I'm okay, Tim. And yourself?" Bigby pulled the keys from his pocket and pushed the right one into the hole in the doorknob.

"Good, all things considered."

"Glad to hear it. I'd love to stay and chat, kid, but I'd better get started."

"Of-of course, Sheriff." He smiled again.

Bigby pushed the door open and closed it behind him with a heavy sigh. On his desk was a stack of files that would have to wait till he and Snow returned from Canada. He smiled at the thought - he and Snow in Canada. Alone. Together. It was like a fucking dream come true. But nothing would happen of course. And he wouldn't force it.

The knock on his door pulled him from his reverie. He sighed. Whatever problem this was would have to wait. He opened the door and -

"Hello, Bigby." Beauty smiled slightly.

"Beauty." He fished in his pocket for a cigarette and put it between his lips. Then he lit it, and the smoke began to dampen her scent of jasmine and anxiety. "What brings you here?" He moved to sit at his desk and tapped the cigarette over the ashtray.

"I-I'm a little worried," she murmured, closing the door.

Bigby leaned back in his chair and pushed the files aside. "And it's not a business office worry?"

"No."

"Why don't you sit down?"

She did, and pulled her red sweater tighter around her thin frame. "Promise you'll hear me out. This is really important to me."

"Can't be any worse than the usual shit I get."

Beauty nodded and took a deep breath. "I-I haven't heard from a friend of mine in days. And we talk daily. So I visited her apartment and...she didn't answer."

"Who's this friend?" Bigby took another drag of his cigarette.

"Briar Rose."

"The same Briar Rose who goes off on vacations every month?"

Beauty sighed. "I know what you must be thinking - "

"Then it won't surprise you when I tell you I have better things to do than baby-sit."

"Like what? Breaking up bar fights?"

Bigby sighed heavily and took another puff. The smoke writhed in the air above his head.

"Please, Bigby." She leaned forward and looked up at him with those bright blue eyes and goddamn. "Just - for my own sanity. I'd break into her apartment if it wasn't illegal."

"Is that what you want me to do?"

"Yes. Please, Bigby," she whispered again, those eyes piercing his.

She was so used to getting whatever the hell she wanted just by batting those eyelashes of hers. "Fine," he growled. "I'll look into it." He hated how it even worked on him.

Beauty smiled. "Thank you, Bigby." She stood back and pushed the chair back. "Thank you."

He grunted, then sighed as she walked out. He was just a glorified fucking baby-sitter now.

Briar Rose lived in one of the biggest, nicest apartments in the Woodlands; on the same floor as Mayor Cole and Snow. Having won the lottery years ago, she invested her money in ritzy furniture and vacations. That's probably where she was now - off in fucking Spain or wherever it was she liked to go. The elevator dinged and Bigby stepped out, digging in his pocket for a cigarette. What a job he had. Damn. There was always something; some Fable getting themselves into "trouble" and he always had to -

Oh shit.

He smelled it before he even reached her apartment. Sweet and sickly like garbage left out too long; rotten like a cup of milk in a hot room. Cold like metal.

Death.

Bigby kicked the door open and holy shit the scent of death stabbed his nose and he followed it; fucking ran to the back bedroom. His heart pounded in his ears and veins and the bedroom door was open. He stopped to push it open slowly, and it creaked.

Briar Rose lay in her bed, still as if she were sleeping. And he would've thought she was too.

If not for the gaping, bleeding hole in her chest.

Hello hello readers! Thanks for checking this out and if you're reading this, it means you made it through a 3,330-word first chapter :)

Reviews are always appreciated it, as well as constructive criticism. Chapter two will be up shortly.

See you around.