"I need the budget reports from Regina by four, can you pick them up before you come in this afternoon?" Emma asked between bites of a particularly large bear claw.

"Please tell me you aren't talking on the phone and eating while driving, Emma" Ruby's voice rang out through the old volkswagen.

"It's called multitasking, Rubes. The violation only applies to people under eighteen with a learners or provisional license." She rolled her eyes. Ever since Ruby had become her deputy she'd been pointing out all of the minor laws that the blonde frequently broke.

"Well look at you, reading up on the state laws." Ruby laughed. "I'll pick up the reports from her highness at twelve and be in by one. Extra large dark roast with milk?"

"Yes please," Emma practically moaned. Granny's had the best coffee in Storybrooke, and despite leaving her old job at the diner to be Emma's deputy, Ruby still got enough of a discount to justify adding their coffee expenses to the city's budget.

"I know, I'm the best deputy in all the lands." Emma could almost hear the smile on the younger woman's face through the phone.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." She smirked. "Bye, Ruby."

She ended the call and looked out of the car window at the quaint little town she'd grown to love. Suddenly, something caught her eye and her face paled, her jaw falling slack. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. It was entirely impossible, yet there she was, laying atop a park bench, her head resting on a large black rucksack. "This cannot be happening." She whispered.


Emma grabbed the young girls wrists, cuffing them roughly just as Ruby ran into the sheriffs station, Regina trailing behind her. "Sheriff, a moment please?" the werewolf spoke in her most professional voice, beckoning her over to the two women. Regina watched as Emma shot a glare at the small blonde in front of her and walked to the Mayor and the Deputy.

"Emma," Ruby hissed, "You cannot just arrest someone because she looks like you."

"You want a reason to arrest her? I'll give you a fucking reason." Anger burned in Emma's eyes as she marched the two over to the girl. Regina could see panic in the child's wide green eyes. The resemblance she held to Emma Swan was undeniable, but if she really was a young Emma, how could she and Emma exist at the same time?

"How old are you?" Emma asked, a mixture of anger and annoyance painting her features.

"Fifteen." The girl whispered, before repeating herself louder, "I'm fifteen." Regina turned to Emma and watched as her strong resolve crumbled and anger was replaced with something akin to fear.

"What is the meaning of this, Sheriff?" Regina finally spoke, her words coming out more cross than she had intended. Emma ignored the brunette and continued her questioning.

"Hand over your bag." She demanded, watching as the small girl clutched the item tighter in her hands and backed up against the wall. Emma lunged forward and grabbed the bag out of thin hands, causing the girl to fall forward, her cuffed hands between bent knees. Regina gasped slightly as the girls weary, dark ringed eyes looked up and met hers in a silent plea. She ripped her eyes away and watched Emma rifle through the bag, pulling out an old mp3 player and a small bag of white powder.

"You wanted a reason to arrest her? Possession of stolen property and a schedule II narcotic." She turned to her younger counterpart who still sat in an uncomfortable position on the ground and pursed her lips. "You're going back where you came from, but until then you can stay in that cell over there." She pointed to the cell in the corner of the room. "I'd read you the miranda but I'm certain you already know it."

Regina was more than slightly uncomfortable with the interaction in front of her. Even if the child would grow up to be the Saviour, she was still just a child, and why would Emma be treating herself with such viciousness? "I'll take care of the child. It would be immoral to keep her in a cell, Sheriff." She spoke confidently despite not knowing entirely why she was offering up her home to a small kleptomaniac.

"That seems like the best course of action, thank you Mayor Mills." Ruby forced a smile, and Regina was certain that the tense situation between Emma and herself was making the younger woman just as uncomfortable as she.

"May I speak to you for a moment, Mayor?" Emma asked, gesturing to the other side of the room. Regina followed her and crossed her arms against her chest defensively. "Regina, this is a terrible idea. She's manipulative and unstable to say the least." The blonde groaned, causing Regina to raise an eyebrow.

"She's just a child, Emma. A child without magic, for that matter. I doubt the teenage Saviour poses any threat to me." She smirked.

"She can't see Henry, or she could harm him. Also, you can't leave her alone. Don't trust anything she says."

"I'll cast a border around my house. Since she is still you, Miss Swan, I doubt I'll feel the need to trust her."

"Very funny," Emma spoke sarcastically. "I'm a joy to be around compared to this kid."

"Well I guess I'll judge that for myself." Regina glanced over at Ruby, who was helping the small girl to her feet. "What do I call her?"

"Ask her. If I remember correctly, she's in witness protection so she'll give you a fake name. If you use her real name, she'll run, and I'm not sure if even your magic could stop her. I was really good at escaping." Emma smiled a bit at the last part. "I'll come by to check on you tomorrow."


Regina held the blonde's hand gently as she flicked her other hand over the silver cuffs, removing them. The blonde gasped quietly, her eyes widening at the display of magic.

"It's okay," Regina calmed her, "Things are a little different here." She let go of the girl's hand and gave her a weak smile. "What's your name?"

The girl looked into her eyes and Regina could sense the fear radiating from her small form. "Briar." She whispered. "Are you going to hurt me?" Regina had to hold back her laughter at the irony of the girl using a fairytale name as her alias. She looked deeply into green eyes once more and a sincere smile played across her lips.

"No, Briar, You're safe with me."