CHAPTER ONE — THE TOWN THIEF
pilot — part one

"I am sorry, Princess. I have failed you." — puss in boots

CAREFULLY HIDDEN BEHIND AN OLD CHEST OF DRAWERS AND INSIDE THE SMALL GAP IN HIS THIN WALL, WAS CARLOS GARCIA'S SECRET STASH. After pulling off various jobs around town, the thief quickly pawned off as much as he could to either Mr Gold or other more shady individuals who lurked in the dark, and the money made as well as the other pieces he couldn't sell were kept hidden away from prying eyes. He was planning on siphoning off what he needed later that day whilst the rest he would discreetly donate to the school and nunnery who had both done wonderful things because of his aid.

Carlos had always felt an obligation to help them after all they did for him as a child, when he was nothing more than lonely orphan living in a nunnery with no other children to play with. They helped him become the man he was and for that, he would need to return the favour. Besides, he had a soft spot for children and nuns.

The thief pulled back the chest of drawers; careful to lift the corners so that they would not mark the floor and give away the location of his treasure. It wasn't just for him at the end of the day so he had to keep it safe where no one would find it. And he was sure no one ever would.

His knees hit the floor in front of the gap in the wall, the old floorboards creaking under his weight. Carlos quickly found the handle of his duffel bag and pulled it towards him with the zip wide open and the contents on show for all to see. The spoils of his most recent illicit affairs were piled inside, although there weren't that many because the thief had sold the majority of the items earlier that morning. Mr Gold was a tough man to bargain with: he was stubborn and arrogant and always knew how to get the better the end of the deal.

But he also happened to be Carlos' biggest and best customer and Mr Gold knew that.

Reaching inside, Carlos withdrew wads of cash from his bag before placing them with the others in the stash. The thief then continued to empty the fabric bag, stacking the cash on top of what he had left from his last few heists. He liked to call it his 'Rainy Day Fund' — cash he would never touch unless absolutely necessary. Fortunately, he knew the money he had just made would be enough. For now at least.

Right at the bottom of the bag were the items he had failed to sell. He had built quite the collection over the years of random bits and pieces from his heists that no one wanted. After all, they were stolen so it wasn't like he could keep them out in the open. Not that he received many visitors anyway.

Carlos wrapped his fingers around the leather bound spine of a book before pulling it out in front of him. With its cracked appearance and aged pages, Carlos believed the text to be a valuable antique. But apparently even Mr Gold couldn't decipher the symbols and squiggles inside, leaving Carlos with a book he wasn't able to read.

He ran his fingers across the leather, the coarse material embossed with an elegant symbol that Carlos couldn't help but be intrigued by. Opening the book, he was greeted with the first page where a name was barely visible over the years after it had been written. The surname was long gone, taken by time, but his keen eyes could just made out the letters of the first name: Milo.

At one point, this book belonged to someone named Milo. The faded cursive proved that. The sly fingers of the thief traced the curly letters in the corner of the page and stopped upon reaching the point where the writing either vanished or became illegible.

The contents of the book itself were just as unreadable as nearly everything was written in a language Carlos assumed to be long forgotten. Maybe the book would have been worth something if anyone could translate the scribbled down runes. But no one could. So the book remained in Carlos' possession just like many texts before it — the ones he could never sell.

After stacking the leather-bound book on top of his pile of stolen pages, Carlos reached back into the bag again. His fingers stretched as he felt inside for something small. Tucked away in the far corner of the canvas bag was where he found it and his fingers curled themselves around the small smooth object, drawing it into his palm.

Upon recoiling his hand from the bag, Carlos loosened his grip on the item, allowing himself to lay his eyes on it for the first time since he stole it. Laying flat in the centre of his hand was a green rounded stone. The edges had been worn down so that none could scratch his skin and it practically glided around his palm. A spiral and strange symbols had been carved into the centre, Carlos didn't know what for, but at the time he thought it to be of great value. Apparently he was wrong.

He tossed it onto his pile of stolen unsellable junk, another item for the collection it seemed, and then pulled himself back into his feet. Replacing the dresser in front of his stash wasn't difficult and once he was done, he took the empty duffel bag in his hand and then flung it onto his unmade bed.

Carlos made his way over to the kitchen in his small apartment where a glass of freshly poured milk waited for him on the counter. He rested his elbows on the cheap table top and reached for the glass. Fortunately it was still quite cold even after the time he spent sorting out his recently acquired assets. Raising the glass to his lips, Carlos let the liquid flow down his throat, the cold drink soothing him. And he was about half way through his glass when he heard a soft purring from beside him.

His head turned in the direction of the noise, only to be greeted by the form of a familiar feline. A smile graced the thief's face as he watched as the small, white-haired cat pad over to him. Once the feline had reached Carlos, she gracefully sat herself down in front of him, tilting her head expectantly. Carlos just smiled brighter and reached behind him to grasp a saucer from the shelf on which he poured the rest of his milk on to.

The cat immediately started to lap up the milk as soon as it was placed before her on the counter. Carlos was never one to turn away strays, every cat that came to him always ended up being fed and whilst some returned, a lot did not. It was the fifth time that week this particular cat had turned up in his apartment.

He ran his hand along her soft back as she continued to clean up the saucer before reaching up to scratch her head. She purred in response. Carlos then mused with a hum. "If you're going to keep coming back here, you might as well have a name."

She looked up from the now empty china to stare at him and Carlos swore it was as if she was listening to every word he said.

"What about Misty?" He pondered for a moment before dismissing it. "Luna?" She titled her head, as if confused, and Carlos sighed. Despite the brightness of her fur, the name just did not fit. She didn't look like a Luna. The thief gazed into her dark eyes, noting the features of her small and adorable face. Then it came to him. "What about Dulcinea? Dulcy for short?"

She purred in approval and Carlos couldn't help but smile.

"Dulcinea it is then."

SNOW WHITE TRULY WAS THE FAIREST IN ALL THE LAND. But now the Princess lay encased in an intricate glass coffin, perfectly preserved in death. The dwarves and Puss crowded around the delicate casket, their tears falling like the snow on the ground. They stood united in their grief for the woman they all loved. Snow had touched all their lives and so many others and her loss was devastating to many throughout the Kingdom.

Puss did not shake the snowflakes from his hat, for he did not have the heart to. Instead the ginger cat broke from the dwarf gathering and made his way to his fallen friend's side.

Even gone, Snow, as Puss noted, looked the same as ever. Her skin was still as white as snow, her hair as black as night and her lips as red as blood. Just as he would always remember her.

Removing his hat from his head, Puss then pressed it firmly against his chest as he knelt down in the icy dirt before the carefully decorated coffin. As the cold flakes fell onto his exposed ears, he felt the icy chill echo throughout his body, but he did not move to change it. The cat lowered his head in respect, tears continuing to fall from his eyes for all to see.

They were all broken by her loss: Puss could tell as Grumpy had not yet called him a single 'hilarious' nickname.

Puss placed his free paw upon the glass coffin lid. "I am sorry, Princess. I have failed you." He said, voice choked up.

Removing his paw, Puss then replaced his hat upon his head and stood back up onto his boot-clad feet. White flecks coated his fur and stood out amongst the bright orange that covered his small body. The snow had blanketed the ground by now but it still kept falling, onto him, onto the dwarves and onto Snow White's frozen form. And as he slowly stepped back from the glass casket to return to where the dwarves stood, a galloping could be heard amidst all their quiet sobs.

They all turned their heads only to see a well dressed man on horseback. Puss and the dwarves instantly recognised him as Prince James, Snow's beloved. He dismounted his horse and pulled his long red cloak back to his side. Grumpy stepped forward and Puss was glad that he did, he did not think he could bear to break the bad news. "You're too late."

Colour drained from his face as it fell, grief replacing the hope and determination Puss had spotted on him when he arrived. "No." The prince ran over to the coffin, his eyes tearing up as soon as they set themselves on where his love now laid. "No!" James stared down at Snow White through the glass as his tears splashed against the transparent casing that separated them. "Open it." He demanded.

"She is gone, your majesty." Puss managed to speak up, causing the royal to turn his gaze to the ginger feline.

Acceptance and defeat crashed over him and he nodded as the reality of the situation began to sink it. He glanced back at the casket and then back to the gathering. "At least let me say goodbye."

Puss looked to the dwarves and the looks on their faces said it all so he returned to look back up at the Prince and nodded. The dwarves then proceeded to surround the coffin, each lifting a different point and then slowly pulled it back to allow the Prince to express his love for the last time.

And as the Prince's lips met with hers for what he thought was the very last time, a blast of magic exploded from between them.

It shook the canopies and almost whisked the cat off his feet before the wave rolled and rippled over the horizon and then dissipated into the realm. Puss stared, eyes wide, as his friend gasped awake from inside her coffin. She was alive. The sadness in his eyes was quickly replaced with relief and joy and the cat continued to cry, but this time with a smile across his sharp teeth.

"True love's kiss." He breathed out before the air was squashed from his lungs completely as Happy the dwarf picked him up and almost hugged him to death.

Meanwhile, Snow looked up at her Prince Charming, both of them brightly smiling. "You." She reached up to cup the side of his face. "You found me."

The Prince covered her hand with his own and laughed softly. "Did you ever doubt I would?"

Snow did not tear her eyes from his as she sat herself up, as if she would once again return to her deep slumber if their gaze ever broke. "Truthfully... the glass coffin gave me pause."

Puss's heart soared at the sight of their reunited love, stronger and more powerful than ever. Charming shook his head. "Well, you never have to worry. I will always find you."

Happy brought Puss into the dwarf group hug. They had much to celebrate and feel joy about. Even Grumpy wore one of his rare smiles and Snow's widened further than Puss had previously thought possible. "Do you promise?"

"I DO."

Puss stood, smartly clothed with a fancy cloak and his boots freshly polished, in Snow and her Charming's reclaimed castle. Hundreds gathered for the momentous occasion and crowded around the centre of the room where the wedding was taking place. Many of Snow and Charming's friends and allies stood at Puss' side, so glad that the two could finally be happy together after everything they had gone through.

The bishop turned to the bride after hearing the groom's love filled vows. "And do you, Snow White, promise to take this man to be your husband for all eternity?" His words echoed around the decorated chamber.

Snow beamed with elation. "I do."

Puss felt their love touch his very soul, the trueness and pureness of their devotion to one another was something any one would desire for themselves. Not once had he ever been close to such a love; all of his were short-lived periods of infatuation. It made Puss ponder about if he would ever love someone as much as Snow White and Prince Charming do.

Clasping his hands together, the bishop looked between the royals as a proud grin settled on his aged face. "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The entire room exploded with cheers and applause for the couple as they all expressed their joy over the union. Puss tossed his hat up into the air, wooping and laughing along with everyone else before the hat drifted down and settled back onto his head. This moment was perfect, Puss believed. And as he watched the newlyweds lean into to seal their new matrimony with a kiss, all the cat could think about was how hard the two had worked and fought to be there at that moment. Their happiness wasn't just given to them, it was earned. After all, life is no fairytale.

And just as their lips were about to meet, solidifying their union, the chamber doors were blast open. From the hallway came the Evil Queen, dressed finely in black and one of her signature devilish smirks. "Sorry, I'm late." She certainly knew how to make an entrance.

The Evil Queen charged down the aisle and towards the stand in the middle of the room. Guards jumped in and tried to stop her but she cast the aside with a wave of her hand, their swords no match for her magic. 

Doc yelled out, announcing her arrival. But it was too late for that.

Puss's paw immediately went to the hilt of his sword, preparing to protect Snow White and James if the Evil Queen took another step further. Snow was understandably furious: her wicked step-mother had decided to crash her wedding. It was a day meant to be spent celebrating the love she had with Charming and their victory of taking back the kingdom. But now it was something else entirely.

The Princess clenched her jaw as anger rose up inside of her. She seized the sword from her new husband's scabbard and pulled it out to hold it protectively in front of them both. "She's not a Queen anymore." Snow stood her ground and kept the sword at arm's length, putting some distance between the longtime enemies. "She's nothing more than an evil witch!"

"No, no, no. Don't stoop to her level." Calmly said Prince James to his new wife, placing his hand on top of hers to get her to lower the sword she so tightly grasped. Puss watched as he then stood up to the Queen before him. "You're wasting your time. You've already lost." Snow was pulled tight to Charming's chest as he wielded his sword at his step-Mother-in-law. "And I will not let you ruin this wedding."

"I haven't come to ruin anything." That sounded too good to be true. "On the contrary, dear, I've come to give you a gift."

Scrunching up his nose, Puss contemplated the word. From what he had experienced and heard about the Evil Queen, being a gift giver was not her sort of thing.

"We want nothing from you." Replied Snow, sharply.

"But you shall have it." She insisted fiercely, and did not give them time to respond before her gaze swept across the many cowering guests who were frightened of her power. But Puss was not afraid of her. "My gift to you is this happy, happy day. For tomorrow, my real work begins. You've made your vows, now I make mine. Soon everything you love, everything all of you love, will be taken from you. Forever. And out of your suffering will rise my victory. I shall destroy your happiness if it is the last thing I do."

Turning on her heels, the Evil Queen seized the side of her dress and started to leave. No more words passed her lips as she had no need of any more. Everything she wanted to say had been said, but Puss knew it was not over by a long shot. The Queen did not get very far before Prince James hollered out a Hey causing her to come to a sudden stop.

As she turned to face him, James lunged forwards and threw his sword with a powerful thrust of his arms. It soared through the air, cutting through it so cleanly as it headed straight towards its target. The whole room grew silent as they watched with anticipation, waiting for the blade to reach its mark and bring an end to all this chaos.

Just as the tip of the blade would have run her through, Regina raised her arms and disappeared in a large cloud of purple smoke. When it cleared she was no where to be seen and neither was James' sword. Both had vanished without a trace and Puss knew it would not be the last time they heard from them. And as the ginger feline stared into the gaping space where the Evil Queen once stood, he felt his fur tingle as her words echoed in his mind. Whatever she had planning, it was not going to be good.

STORYBROOKE AT NIGHT WAS ALWAYS SO PEACEFUL. Once the majority of the citizens were cosily tucked up in their warm beds, the town grew still and a calming silence swept over it. The piercing blackness of the sky allowed the stars to sign brightly through, painting the dark canvas with light. Carlos always loved the stars. Some nights, when he wasn't casing somewhere to rob or actually doing the robbing, he would lie back on some rooftop and stare up at the twinkling dots above.

This was one of those nights and Carlos sat on the roof of Marco's store, snacking on chocolate chip cookies. Marco never minded Carlos on his roof, after all, the man didn't steal from him and every so often he would receive an envelope with a small wad of cash inside. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough for him.

Carlos liked Marco, he was a sweet old man who worked multiple jobs to try and keep his livelihood up and running. And even if some people deny it, Marco had done a lot for Storybrooke so occasionally the town thief liked to help him out a little. It was the least he could do.

Crumbles toppled down his jacket, some finding their way into his breast pocket, pushing themselves deep into the corners from which he wouldn't be able to remove them from. After finishing the last bite of his cookie, Carlos tilted his head back to the charcoal sky. The stars were particularly bright that evening as if they were warning him of some impending misfortune or perhaps celebrating? Maybe he would never know.

The sound of an engine brought the man from his thoughts and he turned his gaze from above to below and watched as a yellow bug started to drive up Main Street. It was a visitor, but Storybrooke was never the one for visitors.

He made no attempt to move as the bright yellow car came to an abrupt halt, only for Henry Mills — the Mayor's son — to get out. Carlos had heard earlier that day that the boy had ran away from home, the Mayor had the whole town on high alert. But it appeared Henry had come back, and not alone. From the driver's side, came a woman with wavy blonde hair and a ruby red leather jacket. Carlos observed as the local shrink, Dr Hopper, stopped by whilst out walking Pongo.

He felt a nagging sensation pulling at the back of his brain, so Carlos withdrew his phone from his pocket and pulled up his texts. It took him two seconds to type the message and send it. Carlos looked down at his phone and then back to Main Street where the mysterious blonde was getting back into her colourful vehicle. He had sent only two words to Regina but he knew they were worth so much more:

HENRY'S BACK

I did it!!! First chapter is done and it didn't take me as long as my other books!!! It's safe to say I'm really excited to write this. My OUAT rewatch is helping my inspiration too.

This chapter is dedicated to the wonderful MissHiraeth98 who is already such a big fan of Carlos and Regina. They're also the creator of this stunning gif set, I still cannot get over how gorgeous it is. I love it so much my friend, and I love you. Thank you for all your support, it means the world to me.

As some of you may have noticed, my writing style changed slightly between the Storybrooke and Enchanted Forest scenes. Well, because Puss is famous for not using contractions I didn't use any in his scenes unless someone other than him is speaking. It's a little thing I came up with to try and put more distance between Carlos and Puss.

There were some Easter eggs in this chapter and from now until the end of this act, I will be adding some more along the way for you to spot. Let's see who gets the most points by the end of the season.

1. Milo Thatch's book from Atlantis: The Lost Empire

2. The Heart of Te Fiti from Moana

3. Dulcinea from 'The Adventures of Puss in Boots' (none of the events of his series happen to my Puss but I wanted to include a reference)

*BONUS POINT* for those who spotted the writing change.

What did you all get out of four?

Carlos and Puss both have difficult relationships with Regina aka The Evil Queen so it's going to be so fun to explore it and how their feelings affect it.

Thank you all for reading!!! I hope to see you all in the next chapter!!!

Sincerely Rosie aka Winter326