So I was debating this story and I had to get it down and thought you guys might enjoy it as well. I don't own ONCE UPON A TIME OR STORYBROOKE OR THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY. I am not a famous writer so I don't know the process. I will admit to being in car accidents so I do know about them. With that being said I hope you guys enjoy.

Chapter 1: Crash Landings, Surprise Visits

Emma couldn't believe her luck! Okay she could – but it didn't make accepting it any easier. Of all days to be late of course it had to be today. First, she had overslept and now she was stuck at a red light. The clouds above her looked angry and grey and in the back of her mind she knew it was going to rain. Today couldn't get any worse if she tried. The light turned green and her foot began it's descent on the accelerator moving her car forward. A loud horn blared before Emma felt and heard the sound of crunching metal.

XXXXX

Regina sighed as she listened to her mother through the sound system in her car. It was a habitual argument that her mother deemed necessary every time she told her of her travels. It wasn't that Cora Mills was against her being a writer, it was more along the lines of she couldn't live vicariously through her daughter. Who happened to be a very successful writer much to Cora's discontent. Cora had recently become the mayor of a small town called Storybrooke. Once believing her daughter would have wanted to follow in her footsteps but she hadn't. As a peace offering in earlier years, she had allowed the brunette to go off to college and sow her wild oats. While working toward obtaining a degree.

Regina had always wanted to be a writer it was her dream. Her father would sneak her fancied fountain and ball point pens as well as journals. He claimed every good writer needed to feel comfortable writing and love where and what they wrote. Regina couldn't have agreed more. So to stroke Cora's ego she had majored in criminology and business, along with a minor in literature. Jumping through hurdles didn't nearly explain what the olive skinned woman had to do, to keep the information concealed until graduation.

Having the book she had been working on in college get picked up had been the highlight of her young life. Not only had it become a bestseller but she had been featured in interviews as well as several magazines. Interviewer after interviewer had asked her when they could expect a sequel to 'The Evil Queen's Throne' but in reality Regina had lost her inspiration and motivation to continue writing. And she could feel her mind slipping away from the stress and her mother hadn't really helped the case until recently.

"Regina Adriana Mills?" Her name rolling off her mother's tongue as she pulled her back into the conversation as well as focusing on the road. "Are you listening to me?" Cora inquired knowing her daughter had checked out of their conversation, when she grew to quiet. The redhead continued anyway, eager to get her point across and see her daughter. "I am so excited you are coming to visit. I know you are twenty-five and successful now but I would love for you to visit more often. I would love to show you around the town I am mayor-ing. And I can even let you take over when I retire."

The brunette furrowed her eyebrows as she listened to her mother have a one sided conversation with herself. Regina had promised to visit for two reasons but not one of them involved getting sucked into a world she wanted nothing to do with. She had escaped for a reason and she didn't want to turn back. She knew all too well what power did and she was absolutely sure she wanted nothing to do with it. Tapping her steering wheel she shifted her car into manual, hoping to focus on anything but the conversation her mother was bolstering about.

"Mommy I am strictly here for a visit. I just need to get away. But if you want to show me around town that is fine. But can I settle in first before you move me into your office?"

Lowering the window Regina let the air flow through her hair. Allowing herself time to visualize her mother's scowl. Overall they had a good relationship it was just Regina lived one way but Cora wanted her daughter to live another. And try as he might Henry was always dragged into their disagreements much to his displeasure.

"Fine," the redhead sighed into the speaker. "Hopefully I can persuade you otherwise but… for now I will give it a rest. I am excited to see you my love. Drive safely and I'll see you when you arrive."

"Love you too. Good bye mother." The driver said as she tapped the touch screen display on her wheel. Siri's voice came over the car speakers alerting Regina that her call had been ended and the author let out a sigh of relief. Conversations with her mother always left her feeling a mix of emotions and at a young age she learned the only thing that soothed her inner beast was music. Despite modern accommodations in her car, Regina still occasionally preferred CD's. Attempting to keep her eyes on the road and the cars that surrounded her. Regina played guess-and-feel as she tried to locate her cases of CD's. Regina managed to get a weak grip around the case, only to have her grip momentarily falter sending several of the CD's crashing to the floor of her car. "Oh, really?" Regina groaned slipping her car into to automatic cruise control.

Giving the area around her a quick survey she smiled realizing she had passed several cars and set in a lane all her own. The brunette chewed the risk of taking her eyes off the road for a hastened moment just to grab the CD's. Regina inhaled through her nose fighting the gut feeling she felt as she extended her arm over the console and down toward the fallen music. Taking her eyes off the road for a split second to grab the reflective disks. Thin fingers slipped quickly around several of the disks and the writer smiled triumphantly, before dragging her eyes back to the road.

Regina's stomach sank as she stomped down on the brake pedal. Adding in a silent prayer, willing the vehicle to stop. But she knew it was too late when she heard the sound of crunching and scraping metals. She had hit someone.

(Earlier that day – Emma)

The cashier walked into Gepetto's Wood store and Depot and smiled as she pulled her apron down from the wall. Gepetto was a kind and quiet man that didn't ask for much and was always eager to help no matter what the circumstance. He had been the first person to welcome young Emma to Storybrooke after Mary-Margaret and David Nolan had adopted her. David had been enthralled at the opportunity to show five year old Emma around the humble town he sheriffed. On the tour of the town David had been called in, while introducing Emma to the local shop owner. The blonde had stood nearly five minutes debating what to do with the little girl in his care before the kind old man spoke up. Offering to watch Emma while he answered the call. David smiled and said his thanks. He did trust the old man after all, because the wood carver had a child of his own. One he had raised until his ex-wife had up and left with their son. And the moment David left and a friendship had been born.

"Ah there is my little Swan. How are you doing today my girl?"

"I am fine how about you?"

"Don't open the shop yet. Come with me to the back there is a matter I wish to discuss with you." The man offered a sincere smile before he disappeared further into the back. Leaving the blonde to follow behind him as she walk into his office. "Emma what would you do if I were to close the shop?" The graying man asked as he took a seat behind his hand crafted desk. Searching the young woman's eyes as he claimed the seat. His bones echoing their discomfort as they popped and whined.

The young woman stared at her employer. She hadn't thought much on the question since she had graduated from college and returned home. She had a degree but she hadn't really put it to use after she returned to take care of Mary-Margaret. Shortly after Emma graduated David had been killed in the line of duty and Mary-Margaret had turned sick. Running away had been much of Emma's life story when she was younger but now that her family needed her. The blonde had stepped up to the plate and been ready to swing away at the challenge.

"I don't know Petto. I mean this has been my home away from home for years. So losing the shop and you would be devastating." The old man cringed at the sincerity in his apprentice's words. Emma had become like a daughter to him, but time and circumstances were changing. His decision hadn't been easy but it had been necessary. And right now it was the only thing giving him strength to say the painful words that were coming next.

"Emma I am being forced to close the shop." He rushed out.

Emma opened and closed her mouth several times. No words formed as much as she wanted them to. Giving up the failed attempt she shut her mouth and shook her head in disbelief. Signaling her boss to continue.

"I wouldn't if it were up to me but it is my boy. He is sick and I need more money than the store is pulling in. I am closing and selling the shop and moving across the globe to be with my boy. He needs his papa."

Emma wanted to be angry. She wanted to hate the man sitting across from her but how could she when she was doing the same for her mother. The roles may have been reversed but it was borderline the same situation. Gepetto had supplied the blonde with enough wisdom in her lifetime, for her to swallow her pride and give her blessing. Not that the old man was asking for it but Emma knew he needed it all the same. And who was she to take that away from him when he had been nothing but kind, loving and understanding to her.

"I understand Petto," Emma replied in a sullen voice. Looking up to see a 'thank you' twinkling in his dulling brown eyes. "How long do we have together?"

"Only today," the man whispered in a tone Emma could only decipher as disappointment.

A weary smile crossed Emma's lips as she nodded. "Then let's make the most out of today."

(Storybrooke- Regina)

Dread filled her mind. I should have went with my gut she realized as she held her head. On impact she had slammed on the brake as instinct took over. As she tried to propel herself backwards and away from the oncoming accident that was about to happen. But the collision had still forced her forward and she hit her head on the steering wheel. The air bag had hit her in her chest but done little to protect her face that went downward. A warm, unnerving trickle rippled over her lip and the side of her forehead. Her body ached.

Panic filled her lungs when she realized she wasn't the only one who had been in the crash. Taking a moment to gather her bearings, Regina grimaced attempting to move her limbs. She really did hurt all over. The car had done its job and protected her, though she had felt like those crash test dummies. They served their purpose but they were still thrown and jerked forward forcefully and unwillingly. Readjusting herself in her chair she sat up and looked over her windshield. Hyperventilation threatened to overtake the brunette as she looked over her steering wheel. Her lungs heaved and in took air, the alternation happening all too frequently. The car she had hit looked as though it had imploded on itself. The door was dented inward and nearly unrecognizable. Smoke was rising from the hood of the small yellow clown car.

Where the door connected to the front of the car it too looked as if it could be knocked off with a light tap. Regina vaguely remembered trying to swerve and miss the car, but it seemed her efforts had only managed to make the situation worse. Her head hurt as she tried to open her door. The door flew open and Regina nearly fell out of the car from over exertion.

The pavement was not welcoming as she closed her eyes against the grainy feel that dug into her knees. Staggering to her feet the writer grew more aware of the situation. Shouts and commotions could be heard approaching but she ignored them. Looking at the plastic, metal shards, and headlight pieces that littered the pavement in front of her. Fear escalated as she looked to the unmoving body in the car in front of her. No way someone could've survived that, not in a car like that. Regina had been given a black classic 71' Dodge Challenger that had been reinforced and modernized. It had been worked into her contract as a bonus for the next book. Accessing the damage her car only carried a broken head light and minor dents and scrapes that could be buffed out and repainted. But her car verse the small yellow one? It was clear to see who the winner was.

Movement in the other car caught the brunette's attention as her adrenaline kicked in. The person was alive! Limping a bit Regina stumbled to the door, using her adrenaline as she knocked on the glass. Hoping to gauge the stranger's attention. "Hello?" Regina asked, tapping furiously on glass.

The writer watched as the strangers hair swung. Their head lulling from side to side. "Excuse me can you hear me?" Regina looked back to the front of the car. The smoke stayed a cloudy white as it rose around the hood.

Approaching sirens wailed as the boisterous noise filled Regina's ears. Wonderful her first day on vacation and she had ruined someone's day and possibly their life. The brunette made a vow to herself that if the person lived she would be there every step of the way. Whatever the stranger needed she would be there. The small woman stepped out of the way and allowed the firemen to take over, while the EMTs escorted her to the ambulance. No doubt her manager and mother would have a few words to say once they found out.

(Storybrooke Emma's car)

Emma could hear tapping but she couldn't move her body. The pain she felt radiating over her body was too excruciating. Not to mention she believed her left leg to be broken if not crushed. The tapping continued and Emma tried to move her head. She felt trapped in her body. When she moved her head she rejoiced in her mind before the pain took over. And she was forced to battle herself to stay conscious. A smooth voice sounded over the sound of the sirens.

"Hello," the voice asked. The tapping continued.

"Excuse me can you hear me?" The voice came again. And Emma found it vaguely familiar and soothing. The tapping continued a little while longer before it came to a stop all together. With the tapping gone nothing was anchoring Emma to stay awake. Soon the blonde found herself drifting back into a state of unconsciousness as she replayed the sound of the tapping and the velvety voice in her mind.

XXXXX

Emma awoke to the sound of beeping machines. And something poking her face. Instinctively she swatted the annoyance hoping it would stop. But quickly regretted the action. Her body was sore, then it all came rushing back. Some prick had sped through the light and collided with her. My car! Emma groaned internally. The car had been a gift from David. He had made the first months payment and had left the rest for Emma. It was sweet considering the family had been on a tight budget. And she had just paid it off. What was she supposed to do now? She had just lost her job, her mother was sick and needed medication and now she was ace out of a car. Could fate or life be crueler?

"Emma I know your awake." The annoyance returned as her best friend went back to poking her face. "C'mon wake up. I was sent to check on you." Ruby whined. Ruby had been Emma's best friend since she moved to Storybrooke. Ruby Lucas was being raised by her grandmother since her parents had died in a horrible accident. No one ever talked about her parents and Ruby never offered. The dark haired woman sobered as she loomed over her best friend. "Come on Em."

The blonde opened her eyes in protest and was not shocked to find even her eyes hurt. Emerald irises locked onto her friends eyes, and Ruby smiled widely. "There's my killer." Emma wanted to frown but the smile her friend sported only made her want to laugh and smile herself. She and Ruby had connected on a physical and emotional level no one but themselves had understood. They shared a bond that had surprised both sets of legal guardians, but no one questioned them. And after Emma had told Ruby about her secret, the bond had only grown stronger.

The two had been so close everyone assumed they dated. Ruby had laughed the crazy allegations off but they had stirred something deeper in Emma. And during prom the blonde had made her move and kissed Ruby and she had been surprised when the brunette hadn't pulled away. They had even dated until they both left for college the year after. Both women had agreed to stay friends and that was what they had both done. Ruby had moved back when her grandmother had left her in charge of the family restaurant. And Ruby had moved back with her now wife Belle.

Belle was beautiful and had, had a niche for books and literary pieces. With some serious convincing she talked the mayor into re-opening the library. And Ruby had personally fed money into the rebuilding process so her wife could work somewhere she loved. She and Ruby had met in college and a romance had sparked, and the romance had led to marriage. Emma had been hurt but she had tried to not let it bother her. She was happy for her best friend after all. But it had also managed to give the blonde a twisted sense of what love and getting close to people meant. Nothing you loved or wanted ever lasted and that was the way the blonde had lived. It was a lonely life style but it was also safe. And with all of her responsibilities safe was good in her opinion.

"Ow, oh shut it Rubes."

"Is that anyway to talk to your best friend?" Ruby quipped. Raising her eyebrow in challenge. Emma brushed off the playful question and attempted to sit up. "Here." The brunette responded reaching out to assist her best friend. "Better?"

"Much."

"Awesome. So what happened, shouldn't you be at work?"

Emma cringed, remembering why she wasn't at work. She didn't work anymore. She had been on the way to pick up her mother's medicine. Then the world had gone back. "Gepetto is selling the shop. August got sick. So he is going to be with his son."

"Damn tough shit kid. Well… maybe this is a good thing." Emma looked suspiciously at her friend as she narrowed her eyes. Ruby held her hands up, stopping Emma from coming back with a rebuttal. "It is time for you to go out and follow your dreams Emma. You deserve to be happy."

The blonde turned away from her friends pleading look and stared out of the hospital window. "I don't know what happy is?" The patient admitted. Lowering her head in the process at the sound of her own words. "Plus I still have to take care of Mary-Margaret. Things will get better. I hope so anyway," Emma prayed.

A knock on the door dragged both women's attention away from the conversation as they both looked up to see a nurse. "Excuse me. Miss Swan has a visitor. Ruby I will have to ask you to leave." The elderly woman looked sympathetically to the taller woman. "Until she is better limited amount of visitors in her room. Per doctors request. Sorry doll. I will see you out and send the other guest in Miss Swan." The blonde nodded to the nurse.

"See you tomorrow?" Emma asked Ruby trying to ease her friend out of the apprehension she was showing toward the nurse. Her best friend had just woken up after all.

The restaurant owner turned back to her bedded friend. "Of course. Maybe I will even bring you a grilled cheese and fries." A wide smile crossed her lips teasingly as the blonde scoffed.

"You know I want onion rings."

"Oh I know." She winked before issuing a small wave before she was pushed out of the door.

The room seemed to grow without her best friend being there. But Emma tried to brush off the lonely feeling but it was difficult. Struggling to entertain herself Emma lifted the scratchy hospital blanket and gauged the damage from the accident. Her arms sported several purplish-blue bruises. Some dark but most light and faded which she was appreciative of. Examining lower she pulled the blanket back more and looked down in horror. Her leg was in a thick cast that concealed her leg below the knee. Thankfully she was right side dominant.

"How bad is it?" A familiar velvety voice asked and Emma looked up to see R. A Mills. A thin film of sweat broke out over Emma's skin. She was the voice I had heard? Or was I listening to her book on tape again. Emma knew she was delusional now. The drugs had finally kicked in and she was just dreaming about her crush. Emma closed her eyes tightly counted to three and then reopened one. She peaked and the author was gone. The blonde was about to give a sigh of relief when she felt a presence beside her. And she opened both eyes widely. "Are you in pain?"

"Before I answer that." The patient swallowed, contorting her neck to get a better look at the woman next to her. "Are you really here? The drugs they gave me aren't making me hallucinate are they?"

"Well that depends." Regina said seriously, feeling her nerves get the best of her. And when she was nervous she made horrible jokes in attempt to make people laugh. "Do you see purple bunnies or unicorns?"

A nervous chuckle sounded from the blonde but she still glanced around the room to be safe. "Then I guess you are really here then?"

"It would appear so dear."

"May I ask why? Did you see the accident? I still haven't heard from the prick that ran into me. Did you see my car? Could they save it?"

"I definitely saw it. And no dear I think it is safe to say your car was totaled." Regina looked down at the woman sympathetically. How was she going to tell her that she was the prick that hit her? "I saw the accident and I wanted to make sure you were okay. So how bad is it?" The author asked again feeling her guilt swirl as the woman exposed her casted leg.

"It could be worse. I will have to talk to my insurance company. God today has been the absolutely worst." Her hands went up and covered her face as she fought back the urge to cry. The patient wiped at her face. "I am so sorry. I ramble when I get nervous. I should be fangirling but today has been stressful."

"Its actually refreshing dear. Not being mauled by women and men alike is definitely something I could get used to. But I am glad to hear you are a fan." Regina bit her lip. Just tell her you coward! "Miss Swan is it?"

Emma shook her head and Regina flashed her prize winning smile though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "To be completely honest with you I am the one that. I am the one that." Every time the brunette tried to form the words she found it extremely hard. "I am the one that… would love to hear about your day." For some reason the blonde had a sinking feeling that wasn't what Regina wanted to say but she shrugged it off. Her celebrity crush wanted to know about her day. Emma was a nobody to her celebrity status.

Emma filled the author in on her day and Regina frowned. She was hoping the accident was the only thing that had spoiled her day, but the blonde had been accurate in her earlier statement. She had literally had a day from Hell and Regina only managed to make it worse. Perfect! A knock came wrapped on the closed door and the author watched as the patient threw the blanket over her lower half. And bid them come in. The smaller woman shrunk away as much as possible when she saw two officers walk into the small room.

"May I help you officers?"

"Yes we came to check on you Emma." Graham administered stepping forward. Graham had been trained by David and he was about Emma's age. He was early twenties as well. And it was known to everyone except Emma that he had a crush on her. "But we also need your statement from the accident." The officer finally noticed another presence in the room and turned to Regina. "Oh Miss Mills it's nice to see you – again."

"Again?" Emma questioned.

"Um yes."

The connection snapped for the blonde. "Oh! You said you saw the accident." The author didn't respond but afforded the patient another plastic smile. "Oh that reminds me. You didn't answer my question from earlier. What are you doing in Storybrooke?"

"Miss Mills was involved with the accident Emma." The officer responded. And the blonde resisted the need to roll her eyes.

"I think we already covered that officer."

"No Emma you don't understand." Graham said taking another step forward. "Regina Adriana Mills was involved in the accident."

The blonde frowned apparently she was missing something. Regina swallowed her nerves and cleared her throat and looked to Emma. "Do you recall telling me about not meeting the prick? And how that prick also ruined your day?"

"Yes but what does that have to do with anything?"

Regina smiled at the girl's naïveté. It was quickly becoming an endearing quality she admired in the blonde. The author stood from the chair she had claimed and stuck out her hand toward Emma. "My name is Regina Mills and I am said prick."

Emma's mouth dropped. No fucking way.

I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter. Let me know what you think. I am eventually going to need a beta so any takers?