A/N: Chapter 1 takes place a few weeks after episode 4x12. Sophia is new in town and speaking to Henry at the diner during a family lunch. There are no show spoilers in this work, and no warnings apply to the first chapter. This is a lovely little creation by Aresya that she has kindly allowed myself, and thedrunkidiot(AO3) to bring to life. We sincerely hope you enjoy and welcome any feedback :)

Granny's diner was buzzing with hordes of hungry townspeople out for their lunch. Those on a break from work, and others just treating themselves between errands. It was easy for a new face in town to blend in with the crowd, be unnoticeable to everyone except those looking for them.

Henry raced in through the front door, oddly not a diner batted an eyelid at his entrance. He was way ahead of his family, who were all still wandering down the street. He had been in a particular hurry though, excited to check that someone important was there. It took him a moment, searching the crowd but Henry soon spotted her lurking way in the back. A beaming smile plastered his face, and just as he was about to make his way over to her, his family all piled in the door to the diner.

"Gosh, it's busy, isn't it?" Mary Margaret commented.

She scanned the diner, as did her husband David looking for an empty table big enough for them all to sit at. Their family had grown now, beyond just them, Emma and Henry. They now had baby Neal, there was Regina who they had properly welcomed now that she had redeemed herself, and Emma, of course, had Hook, now labelled as her boyfriend. So they needed quite a larger table.

"That will do us, won't it? Right there in the back." David pointed to the booth furthest back.

"Yes, perfect," Mary Margaret declared with a bright smile. Instantly she began heading over to the table, David close behind her carrying their baby son, Emma's brother.

Regina followed after Emma and Hook. She couldn't help but notice how ungentlemanly he had been in stepping in line behind the blonde's parents rather than offering for them, as ladies to go first. She was also vaguely aware that Henry hadn't followed them. Regina glanced towards the bar and frowned gently upon seeing him hurry over to a woman with dark hair that, from the back, looked like Ruby.

"What is Henry up to?" she asked, looking at Emma and purposely directing the question at her, as his other mother.

"Talking to Ruby" Emma stated, shrugging off the idea there was anything strange about that. Henry had always conversed with Ruby since a young age. Every time they came to the diner, he couldn't help catching up with her, finding out what she had been up to since she was one of the only people who regularly got out of town, between the curses.

Regina mumbled in agreement, but something about it troubled her. She watched Henry for a few moments as he animatedly continued with his conversation at the bar.

"Hey, Emma" the brunette bounced over excitedly to take their orders.

Regina stared up at the waitress who was grinning from ear to ear, a frown gently furrowing her brow. Emma seemed to greet her as if nothing was out of the ordinary but Regina's gaze quickly fell away from Ruby, and back to Henry and his strange acquaintance. If Ruby was here, taking their drinks order, then who the hell was their son talking to?

Henry grinned, perching himself on a stool beside the woman he was talking to, making himself comfortable. He was sure his family were watching him but didn't dare to look over. He wouldn't be talking for long, but this was important.

"Henry, you promise you won't tell them who I really am? It's so important, and I know it's hard, I mean it's hard for me too," the woman spoke to him in a low voice, taking a moment to quickly glance at his gathered happy family behind them. "But they really can't know. I can trust you, can't I? Promise me."

There was a hint of desperation in the dark-haired woman's voice. This was such an important secret, she knew she could trust him, but she just needed reassurance. She was relieved to see a big grin spread across Henry's gawky features as he nodded and confirmed he could do just that.

"Operation Miracle is underway!" He declared excitedly in a hushed, croaking voice.

The young woman smiled. She knew of Henry's love for a good operation because he had told her about those he had successfully undertaken in the past. This wasn't his first, yet it was just as exciting as Operation Cobra had been, and it wouldn't be his last. He grinned at her again, now hoping down off his stool to rejoin his family. He couldn't have them getting suspicious.

"Did anyone order me a soda?" Henry enquired as he came to take his seat beside Hook at the table.

"We thought maybe you were ordering your own dear" Regina replied with a smile. "So, who is your friend?"

Henry glanced over to where his adoptive mother was looking at and quickly dismissed it as nothing important. Regina was still suspicious though, she hummed lightly and slightly raised an eyebrow at her son. Henry knew the look well; it was one that meant they would be talking about this later. He smirked at her cutely, hoping it would win him some brownie points.

Regina glanced at the blonde sitting awkwardly beside that poor excuse of a man that she insisted was her boyfriend, glaring until she got her attention.

Emma's green eyes were wide and inquisitive, a blush gently gracing her cheeks as she squirmed in her seat. Regina sighed heavily when the blonde failed to understand her subtle head gestures signalling she wished to speak with her. Oh, how that dumb look on Emma's face irritated her sometimes.

"Miss Swan, a moment please," Regina's words were curt as she rose from her seat.

Emma looked startled by the sudden demand for her attention but willing obliged to meet Regina's request, and slid out from her seat to stand with her not far from the table. Regina appeared still somewhat distracted by the stranger their son had been talking to, keeping half an eye on her as she spoke in hushed tones to the blonde.

"We've established that's not Ruby, so who is she? Any idea? Have you seen her before?"

Emma peered at the back of the woman's head. Regina certainly was full of questions about her, but Emma genuinely had no idea who she was. Nor did she have a clue why she'd be speaking to Henry. A look of concern graced her fair features, attempting to study the younger woman, as did Regina. They came to the conclusion she wasn't from the town, meaning she was a stranger.

"You know what he is like Regina. He's very inquisitive, and let's face it, new people in town; it excites him to learn their story." Emma shrugged nonchalantly.

To Regina, Emma wasn't nearly bothered enough by their son's interactions with this new stranger. She scowled lightly at Emma, her tone of voice accusatory. "So you think it's ok, don't you? For our son to be deep in secretive conversation with a complete stranger, who for all we know could be the next villain just arrived in town, plotting schemes behind our backs, exploiting our son. Does that even bother you, Miss Swan?!"

"Can get much worse than me giving him up for adoption and being raised by the Evil Queen. Can it?" Emma snorted awkwardly as she tried to make a joke, but her laugh faded just as quickly as it backfired. It all happened so quick that Emma barely noticed anything, and even wondered if she imagined it before Regina scowled her features back into her usual mask of hatred and disdain.

The way Regina's features contorted briefly in surprise, her lips parted slightly, and she flinched, unconsciously, taking a small step backwards, fists clenched at her sides. But it was there, even as the former Evil Queen snarled and glared daggers at hurt Emma saw reflected in those deep brown eyes almost made her feel guilty about stating the truth. There was something else there too that Emma couldn't quite put her finger on it. But before she could further analyse it, Regina stepped into her personal space, finger pointing accusatorily at her, eyes aflame with a piercing glare that was all business, and whatever it was that Emma saw, it was now long gone.

"This is not a joke Miss Swan. It is our son, in cahoots with an older, strange woman."

Emma could see that, and she knew there was plenty of reason to worry, but the smell of cheeseburgers and fries, were exciting her senses, speaking to the hunger deep inside of her and causing her tummy to rumble. Plus, the stranger was still in sight, sat at the bar where she appeared to be flirting like hell with Ruby, as she sipped on an Old Fashioned, twisting the citrus rind in her fingers as she leaned in at the bar. So for Emma her need to worry was somewhat reduced, and the need for lunch very much a demand.

Regina sighed and shook her head at Emma's lack of concern. She could tell that food was the only thing on Emma's mind, and she was useless on an empty stomach. She abandoned their conversation and returned to the table with Emma; aware Henry was keeping half an eye on them.

"Is everything ok?" Mary Margaret asked sweetly as they retook their seats.

Regina nodded, Emma, agreeing with her when she said they just had a piece of town business to discuss. The family seemed to buy it, and just like that, it was the end of the topic. They settled down, Regina perusing the menu deciding what she might fancy for lunch, as Emma practically salivated at the sight of a burger being delivered to a neighbouring table.

"Ruby," the blonde cried across the diner, summoning her with a quick wave of her hand for her to come over.

The tall, long-haired brunette waitress looked up, her bright red lips forming a bright smile as she shook her head and apologised to the woman she was intimately speaking with at the bar. The outsider also seemed to glance over, just for half a second, her eyes meeting with Emma's momentarily before she quickly looked away.

"You'll have to excuse me Sophia, duty calls!" Ruby smirked.

The dark-haired woman smiled and shook her head, it was not a problem at all. She watched the waitress grab her order pad, and pen, skipping away to serve as she downed the last of her drink. She gestured to the older woman, she gestured to the older woman, Ruby's granny for a top up with a smile instead of a verbal request. She only intended to have one more, then she had business to attend to.

Regina was about halfway through her chicken salad when, out of the corner of her eye, she noted movement from the stranger at the bar. She pulled the contents off her fork into her mouth elegantly, finishing it as quickly as she could whilst remaining ladylike then reached for her napkin. Dabbing at the corners of her mouth, not that a crumb was in sight, keeping an eye on the stranger.

"Emma," she started, clearing her throat. "We should be going, get that paperwork done."

The blonde looked up at Regina, burger poised for the bite she was in the middle of taking. She sighed and dropped it back to her plate at seeing Regina's eyes widen suggestively. She knew she had no choice and reluctantly rose from her seat, following suit of Regina. Emma was still chewing her mouthful as she quickly hurried after the mayor.

Sophia left the diner, not before glancing over her shoulder at the happy dining family gathered together at the booth. The door had barely closed behind her when Regina made a move to follow after her, completely ignoring the surprised look she got from the un-charmings as she left without excusing herself, with Emma right on her trail. They had to be discreet if they were to find out what the woman was up to.

Suspicious of their awkward behaviour, David had been hot on their heels, as had Henry been on his, leaving a very confused Mary Margaret and Hook sitting at the table with the bill to pay. The two of them glanced at one another, before Mary Margaret made a sudden move, bundling baby Neal into his pram and dashing after her family.

"I'll just get this then!" Hook muttered to himself feeling somewhat deserted.

They had trailed Sophia, staying out of sight as she had made her way down the road to Gold's pawnbroker shop. Neither of them understood why she was going there, and when she stepped inside, they finally crept closer. Emma peered through the window, as Regina went straight for the door.

"What's she doing?" Emma muttered, her suspicions of the stranger much higher now than before.

The mayor was wasting no time in finding out the answer to Emma's question. She opened the door, the little bell jingling to signal to whoever may be inside that she had entered. Emma hurried in after her, not wanting to get left behind as Regina had clearly seen this as a mission they needed to undertake together. Emma was just about to close the door when she caught a glimpse of David jogging up the road towards them.

"What's going on?" he asked, voice laced with concern as he looked at his daughter, and tried to peer around her to get a look in the shop.

"Dad, that strange woman at the bar came in here. Shhhh," Emma replied in a hushed voice. "Just, stand out here, keep watch and don't let anyone in." She insisted.

David hadn't a chance to protest before Emma was pushing him out of the doorway, back onto the sidewalk and closing the door as quietly as she could. He shook his head in disbelief but did as his daughter had asked, standing guard outside and looking up the street for signs of anyone approaching when he saw Henry coming running towards him.

"Grandpa!" Henry called racing up the sidewalk and skidding to a stop before he collided with him. He was breathless then, as he spoke. "Grandpa, what's happening? What are my mom's doing?"

"Henry, just let them see what she is up to, she could be dangerous. They know what they are doing."

"No, they don't! She's not the problem, please let me just go in." Henry was desperate.

When David refused to let him pass by, Henry bolted, leaving his grandad calling after him as he disappeared around the corner of the shop. David wished he could go after him, but duty called, and he couldn't leave Emma and Regina without backup. He sighed and returned to his post, feeling terribly guilty and not noticing his wife slowly coming to a stop, watching him from across the street.

Regina's heeled boots tapped lightly upon the hardwood floor of the shop as she glanced around for any signs of movement. She knew the stranger was still in there, she had to be unless she had mysteriously poofed herself away. If that was to be the case, it was a bad sign.

"Where'd she go?"

Regina turned to her blonde companion, an unimpressed look on her face. Emma, of course, thought she was whispering, but her whispers were always much louder than they should be. She needed to be quieter. Regina was trying to keep their presence inconspicuous, so as not to startle anyone lurking in the shadows.

Emma began to help her look, boots squeaking as she wandered around like Regina's shadow. It earned her a further glare from the brunette, who stopped dead in her tracks finally hearing movement. She gestured with her head for them to enter the back room of the shop, and showed Emma with a finger to her lips that she expected her to do it quietly.

As they crept to the doorway, Regina in front and Emma right on her tail, they could hear rustling coming from inside the room as if someone was searching for something, rather loudly. Regina poked her head around, careful not to come into plain sight and smiled as she spotted exactly who she was looking for. The stranger had her back to them, long straight dark hair tumbling down her back and shoulders as she crouched over an old cloth clad chest. She waited for Emma to stand in the door, blocking any means of escape before making her presence known.

"Looking for anything in particular?" she questioned, a raise of her eyebrow as she stared at the younger woman.

Sophia jumped up, surprised by the sudden visitors. She turned to face them both, a book tightly clasped to her chest. It hadn't been the one she was looking for, just the one she had in her hand when she was interrupted. Her eyes followed Regina's wide, wary eyes down to look at it, her knuckles turning white holding onto the book as if it were worth her life.

"What's that?!" Regina questioned with conviction.

"It's nothing. Just a book that Mr Gold said I could come by and collect."

Sophia tried to sound innocent, but she didn't. Both of the accusing women stood before her, sceptical looks on their faces. They just didn't believe that, since they knew Gold well enough, one he wouldn't just give something away, and two Gold wasn't even in town anymore, Belle had banished him weeks ago. It was all lies.

"Who are you?" Emma was quick to inquire before Regina could question the young woman any further.

"I am not who you think."

"And who exactly would that be, dear? A villain perhaps?" Regina quickly accused, a single raised eyebrow forming a perfect quizzical arch.

"I promise I am not. I should just go."

Sophia kept her head down and made a beeline for the door. She couldn't get passed Emma and changed direction, going for the back door when Henry suddenly burst in.

"Moms! She's ok don't hurt her," he declared somewhat breathlessly. His energy drained from the effort he had put into breaking into the shop from the locked back door.

Sophia stepped towards him, her green eyes pleading with him silently not to say another word. He had promised her he wouldn't.

"Henry!" Emma cried coming closer.

Regina too, stepped particularly closer warning the stranger to step away from her son, only to be corrected by Emma that Henry was their son. Regina shook her head, glaring at the blonde for a second.

"As if that matters right now, Miss Swan!" she snapped.

A moment of them glowering at each other gave Sophia the opportunity for a quick escape. She would have used her powers, but she didn't want to give either of them any more ammunition to suspect she was evil than they had already concluded to. Dashing passed Emma she managed to make it back out to the front of the shop.

"Sophia!" Henry called out after her, but it was too late. The little dangling bell above the door had jangled marking her exit, and she was gone.

"Now look what you did?! You scared her off!" Henry frowned, deep lines forming on his forehead as he blamed them both.

"Henry, she could be dangerous. Who is this woman? How do you know each other? You shouldn't be spending time alone with an older woman we know nothing about!"

Henry just glared at his adoptive mother. She was wrong, and he just wanted to scream that at her, to explain why and who she was but his promise to Sophia was stopping him. Without any warning he rushed out of the back door, Emma and Regina scrambled after him, but it was of no use. Henry had run off, they would never keep up with him, and it was probably best to let him just cool off. Just as long as he wasn't going after Sophia.

Regina turned to Emma, annoyance evident in the radiating glare she bestowed upon her. She had to have something to do with this. Whenever their son started playing up or finding stranger newcomers in town, she was always involved somehow.

"Did you have something to do with bringing her here. Some portal you fell through like last time with Marian?"

Regina was still hurting from that then, Emma concluded. Even if Regina hadn't mentioned it in a while, Emma always felt this odd inkling whenever Regina was around her and Hook. She sighed and shook her head, understanding why Regina might think it was her doing, but this time she genuinely had nothing to do with Sophia's arrival. Emma watched as Regina just shook her head and paced. Sophia had gotten away from them this time, but next time she wouldn't be so lucky, and there was a lot of explaining to do.

Sophia had just stepped outside of the shop, unaware of the argument taking place inside, between mothers and son, when she faced a new obstacle. David blocked every move she made to get past him, insisting on knowing who she was, just as Emma and Regina had. The young woman still tightly held the book in her grasp which he had also noted. But unlike his daughter and the mayor, David had a much friendlier approach to the younger woman.

"We don't want any trouble. We just want to know who you are, and if you mean no harm."

"I promise you I am not evil. I just really need to go" Sophia replied honestly. She just prayed David would believe her.

"If you're not evil, then what were you doing here, at Gold's shop? You know who owns this place right?"

Sophia nodded. She knew Gold was the dark one and that this was his shop from the stories she had read about it. She had lied to the women inside about Gold knowing, of course, he didn't, but it would only cause further suspicion if they knew that. Sophia tried as vaguely as possible to answer David's question, and by sheer luck, he was convinced by her story. Although Sophia knew she had a skill for convincing people, with David, it had been just as easy as confirming again she was not a villain, and he had just accepted it. Oh well, he hadn't been known for his sharpness after all, or so she had been told.

"Look, strangers usually cause a lot of trouble around here. You can't blame us for being suspicious," he watched as Sophia nodded in acknowledgement. "Could you at least tell me your name?"

David smiled warm and friendly at the young woman. He didn't know what it was, but he liked something about her.

"My name is Sophia," she answered with a smile.

"Well Sophia, shall we start again? It's nice to meet you, my name is,-"

"David. Yes, I know." Sophia interjected with a smile. "Henry told me."

David was a little taken aback, but he didn't let it phase him. He only smiled and accepted she knew something about him. Sophia seemed agitated, not really wanting to be kept any longer. David couldn't let her go, if he believed her he was sure the others would, they just needed a chance to.

"I really should go," Sophia stated awkwardly, folding her arms and breaking him away from his thoughts.

"Wait, Sophia….We're having a family dinner tonight, at Regina's house. Why don't you come?" He suggested. "You could meet everyone properly, get to know them. They could get to know you."

Sophia nodded. It was a lovely idea. She was at first hesitant to accept, but the offer seemed genuine and was an opportunity she had been hoping for. With a smile she agreed, hugging David gently as another opportunity presented itself.

"Thank you. I would really like that."

David smiled, embracing the affectionate gesture and gently releasing her afterwards. From across the street, Mary Margaret watched as the scene unfolded, but unlike most married women, she didn't feel jealous watching her husband with an unknown attractive younger woman. Instead, Snow just watched, a small smile on her happy little face to see her husband being so kind and warm to someone he didn't know. She was proud of him for being that way.

"So, see you later," David smiled back at Sophia and nodded once more.

"Yes. Later. Bye, David," she called as she made her way down the street, passing through a still smiling Mary Margaret.