"You can't do this alone, Miss Swan." Regina insisted as the stubborn blonde paced her office.
"With all due respect, I slayed a damn dragon, Madam Mayor." Emma replied easily as she stopped in front of her sometimes ally.
"Miss Swan, I doubt very highly that you are prepared to deal with a homicidal man such as Hook. He will stop at nothing til he gets what he wants which is Mr. Gold dead. You, as sheriff, are responsible for his protection whether you like it or not." Regina said as the two women were now almost nose to nose.
"Who could you possibly suggest to be my partner?" Emma asked reluctantly.
"There is something you do not know about our charming pirate captain..." Regina began as she walked towards the window and stared out of it to gaze upon her apple tree, still recovering from Emma's attack on its limbs.
"Captain Hook, as you know from the fairytale, is from a place called Neverland. A land where one does not grow old..." She continued before turning back to Emma.
"...what you don't know, is that Hook is a man of many identities. Hook...Killian Jones...and lastly, Peter." Regina concluded.
"Peter? What? Like Peter Pan? How the hell is that even possible? Isn't Peter Pan a young boy...how could Peter also be a grown man?" Emma asked.
"Peter was a boy who made the mistake of leaving...once he returned as a man, his childhood identity returned as his sole enemy, someone who he sought to punish for betraying what was in his own heart. Basically, Hook was at war with himself. Now that Hook is here, Peter still remains...deep inside of his psyche." Regina said as she sat at her desk.
"What does this have to do with anything, Regina?" Emma asked exasperated.
"Peter Pan had a weakness, his one true love...hence, Hook has a weakness. We need to exploit it to defeat him." Regina said.
Emma stared blankly at Regina like she was speaking in tongues.
"Think about it, Emma...Peter Pan...Wendy..." Regina said, hoping Emma would get the correlation.
"Wendy exists in this world?" Emma replied.
"Indeed she does...with no knowledge of former experiences in Neverland. And luckily for you, she will be a fine addition to this department." Regina smiled as she dug through her draw and pulled out a manilla folder and tossed it onto the desk towards Emma who eyed it suspiciously.
Sheriff Swan picked up the folder and began to rummage through the contents. Inside were newspaper clippings of Officer Wendy Darling of the New York City Police Department and articles on her and her many heroics. A few clippings came paired with a picture of the woman. She looked in her mid-twenties, had long dark hair and what appeared to be light eyes. She was very beautiful and from the articles she appeared fearless and strong. A fine partner...
...for someone else.
"So, what is she coming here for? To lure him in? To distract him?" Emma asked as she put the folder down onto the desk once more.
"Exactly. I'm hoping that once he sees her, he'll remember her again. Peter will remember her. Hook has fought for so long to suppress Peter that it may take some doing, but I'm praying that this gamble will pay off...it's a long shot but if anything, you will gain a great partner to share your workload. Her skills will be of great use even if my plan doesn't work out." The mayor smiled.
Emma sighed. A partner? She had been a one woman show for so long that she just knew it would be hard to split the work. To trust another person with her life.
"Is she really that good? I mean, she's just ordinary NYPD...why's she so special?" Emma scoffed.
"Emma, this woman has been sought after by the government, the military...New York and Los Angeles SWAT want her so badly they call her. She gets the job done by any means. That's a woman you want on your side, believe me." Regina explained.
"And she just happened to accept your offer out of all the offers out there. Why?" Emma replied skeptically.
"I made her an offer she couldn't refuse." Regina said in her best Marlon Brando voice. Emma rolled her eyes.
"I offered to triple her salary." Regina shrugged.
"I should've known." Emma said, knowing Regina and her way of trying to buy people and their loyalty.
"So when am I to expect Officer Darling?" Emma asked.
"Tomorrow morning, bright and early." Regina smiled up at the blonde in front of her desk.
"Bu-" Emma began.
"That will be all, Miss Swan." Regina replied dismissively, not wanting to hear another word.
Emma mumbled under her breath as she left the Mayors office and stepped outside towards her yellow Bug. Regina's plan was slightly far-fetched, but perhaps it might work.