Mary Margaret didn't know what it was, but something about today felt… different.

It seemed as if she'd gone through the same routine since, well, she can't even remember, it's all rather cloudy, actually. Like that day, in fact. She had left the school after her last student was picked up to see the ominous clouds rolling in. Probably an early spring storm. She thought.

Everything about the town looked a little more interesting as she rolled along. Granny's seemed to be in full swing for the evening, and there was Dr. Hopper walking his dog across the street. As they made eye contact, he sent a genuine smile her way and tipped his hat. "Hello Ms. Margaret! Better hurry back, it looks like it will start to pour any minute!"

Sending her own happy wave, she called back. "You too Archie, it was nice to see you!"

What was it that felt so different? Surely she's seen these people since… well, forever. Going about their daily lives, the town seemed to function like clockwork.

Clockwork…

With a jolt, Mary glanced up and- yes! That was the change! The old clock tower was working again! But surely that old building had been abandoned for years, and with no one obviously having entered it to fix it… why would it start back up now?

Shaking her head (it's not that important), and feeling the tell tale drops starting to fall, she hurried the last block to where she kept her parked car, ready to get home and settle in with a nice cup of hot chocolate while she graded papers. Approaching the Jeep Wagoneer, she popped open the back door to set her bag in, then quickly scurried into the driver's seat as the drops turned to steady drizzle.

Within the minute the drizzle was a downpour, and a peal of lightning flashed overhead. Cautiously Mary turned on her lights, keeping her speed at a minimum.

I can't remember the last time we had a storm hit like this… The torrent of rain and gloomy atmosphere must have been affecting her, because she for whatever reason felt the distinct tug in her heart of being alone. She had always thought she'd be a family person, but… well, as far as she could remember she had just never found 'the one'.

Brown coarse hair, a straight nose, strong body…

Blushing, she shook the thoughts away with a foolish smile, urging herself to focus on seeing through the muddled window. She knew better, whomever the John Doe was at the hospital, he certainly wasn't dating material. He might even have his own family! He was attractive, certainly… but no, thinking about a man who had never woken up for as long as he'd been in the hospital (my, how long has he been there? Was there ever a time he wasn't?) did her heart no good. Tomorrow she would go and read to him, to keep the poor man company, and then leave when visiting hours were done. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Maybe I need to add a little more to my schedule, if it's becoming a problem-

If the lightning hadn't flashed overhead, her headlights wouldn't have helped her see the person running across the road until it was too late. Gasping, she slammed on her breaks, leaning on the horn as she drastically turned and continued sliding forward. The body had frozen, right in the street, and Mary could only sit there shouting "Ohmygoshohmyghoshohmygosh!" before the old jeep mercifully halted mere inches from the form.

She had to fight back a sob of relief, they could have been hit! Hurriedly she undid her seat belt and (look both ways look both ways!) got out into the rain. "Are you alright?" She hurried forward and saw whoever it was pull back a little. They were shorter than her, wearing an oversized red hoodie that was no longer doing anything to protect them from the rain. A hoodlum? She felt her inner teacher rise in indignation. "What were you thinking? You could have been hurt!" The rain was obscuring the view, but the sneakers they were sporting looked well worn. She had enough time to see whoever it was turn slightly on the balls of their feet. Being in the school system gave her enough knowledge to know what they were going to do, and while she wasn't confrontational, she wasn't about to let them get away. Before they could bolt as planned, she reached out and grabbed the surprisingly thing arm under the red sleeve. "Ooh no- where are you going? You're in the middle of the woods- the town's almost fifteen minutes away on foot!"

The figure finally turned enough so Mary could see a face peering out underneath, and she had to hold back a gasp. She had assumed wrongly by the attire that it was a young man, but the long drenched hair and more delicate features on the face were distinctly feminine. And young. Young enough to need a very good reason for being out there all on her own in the middle of a storm! Her eyes couldn't help focusing on the more prominent feature the girl was sporting, though- a painful looking black eye. It could be only a few days old, if that. Her tone instantly softened, going from frustrated to concern. "Dear, what happened?"

The blue eyes narrowed with distrust, and Mary's heart hurt distinctly at that. But of course the girl wouldn't trust her, she could guess what happened. She was starting to be just as drenched herself- and they were still in the middle of the road. "Listen, I don't want to leave you out here like this, please. Can I take you home? Where is your family?" Her mind was frantically trying to put a name to the face- she was a teacher! She had to have seen this girl at least once!

"Let go." The girl tugged experimentally, as if she wasn't concerned, but Mary could see her face growing scared. "I was- was taking a walk. I didn't realize it was going to storm. I'm supposed to be at a friend's house."

"Do your parents know where you are?" Mary pressed, not at all appeased by the explanation.

Something painful flashed across the teenager's face. "My parents don't care where I am."

That stung, much more than it should have. No teenager should ever believe that. Mary's expression hardened. "Well I do." She stepped closer, so she could see the girl's face better. "Listen, it's dangerous to leave you here, what if another car comes and doesn't see you in time? My house is only a few minutes away- let's get you dry and warm and you can call your friend to pick you up."

"Why should I trust you?" She shot back, obstinately.

Mary smiled kindly, blinking away the rain falling into her eyes. "Do you have a better alternative?"

The girl hesitated, glancing around, before slumping and capitulating. Mary wasted no time guiding her safely over to the passenger side and seeing her strapped in before getting in herself. The car's warm heat was a welcome change. Shaking out some of the access water, she started up the car and slowly started back down the road, laughing a little. "You really did give me quite a scare, there." She glanced over to see the girl had pulled the hood off her face, her right side with the black eye hidden from view.

Something about her face…

Remembering herself, Mary shook her head, ignoring the strange pang brought on by the events. It really was a different day. "I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself- I'm Mary Margaret." Pausing, but not hearing a response, she prompted. "What can I call you? At least until your friend gets to my house?"

The girl turned fully to her, blond tendrils dripping carelessly over her car seats and slightly obscuring the purple skin, but not the sad, sad eyes. "Emma. Just Emma."

I KNOW I SHOULD BE WORKING ON MY STAR WARS FIC, BUT THE MUSE WOULDN'T LEEEEAVE ME!

Its going to be an AU like woah, but I really wanted to explore the possibility of the Charmings getting to raise Emma, at least a little. Also, while that hurt and sad little teen you just read about is still going to be the embodiment of a savior, she's sort of young, so there's going to be over protective, well, everybody.

Also, this means no Henry, sorry guys. I love him, but there is… not a very good way to put him in. Obviously starts in season1, and if someone wants to help me, I need it, because its been awhile.

THE FEELS!

What do you think?