Disclaimer: So I don't own any OUaT characters, but I'd like to!
Also, if you think I'm doing something really cool, or you just think its crap (oh heavens no she is ruining that character!) whatever, send me a message or review—I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading!—Adria
Emma looked up at the star-filled sky as she guarded the campsite. Her shift was almost over, and as it had been a quiet night, she allowed herself to relax when she noticed Mulan heading over to trade places. No moon tonight, she thought to herself, wait. That means that we have been here nearly a month already. What with alternating attacks on Cora and "strategic withdrawals," as Snow called them the days had all blurred together.
She sighed as Mulan sat next to her and tore her gaze from the sky looking across at the Asian warrior. While they were not as close as she and Aurora had become, Emma trusted Mulan with her life, and believed that given time, perhaps they would be good friends too. She looked back up at the sky, but soon lowered it again and Mulan turned to her questioningly; usually the blonde was swift to get to bed and was halfway gone before Mulan had even sat down.
"They are all different here." At Mulan's raised eyebrow Emma continued clarifying, "The stars I mean. I've looked for the constellations we have back home but they just aren't there." She drooped her head and pulled her knees to her chest trying desperately not to cry. This is all too much.
Mulan was unsure what to do to calm Emma down; she'd rarely seen her upset and the times she had, were easily fixed by getting rid of whoever was upsetting her at the time, but in this case… "Can I assist you, Emma?"
Emma looked back at the sky and Mulan saw tears streaming down her face. "When I lived in Boston, I never saw the stars, so when I moved to Storybrook I was shocked by how beautiful it was. It only took a few weeks to figure out that the best place to stargaze was in the Mayor's backyard." She grimaced at some unpleasant memory, and paused before continuing, "Every full moon after…that, we watched the stars together, and the last time the moon was new, we traced every constellation we could find before we…" She stopped and shook her head. "God, I miss it." This time Mulan heard the sobs as Emma pulled her knees in tighter.
This was even worse than before, the warrior had never dealt with something like this since, well, since the night Aurora had mourned Phillip. Entirely Different! At least she'd know how to help her, but Emma…? Oh Snow asked Rory questions to calm her down! "You must miss spending time with your son like that. Missing one's family is always hard, I know."
"Henry? Of course I miss him, but I would never keep him up to look at the sky on weeknights. I meant Regina and I." Despite her internal surprise, Mulan kept her face indifferent and set her arm on Emma's shoulder remembering Snow having done that as well. Emma looked at her, face suddenly skittish, "Please," she set her arm on Mulan's to show her sincerity. "Please don't mention it to Snow. She…she wouldn't understand."
"You have my word of honor. I will not tell a soul unless you ask me to."
Smiling in thanks, Emma returned to her tent for the night. As she lay down she looked up one last time at the unfamiliar sky. I swear. I'm coming Regina; I'll get home to you and Henry as soon as I can.
Regina and Henry were lying out on her back lawn tucked into blankets as they watched the sky. James had had to deal with Spencer again, and had left Henry with Regina for the night. "So Mom, you and Emma used to do this all the time and you never told me?"
"We weren't sure how you would react, Henry. Remember, you were so sure I was evil, so we decided to wait a while before telling you. I wish we'd said something now though…" She drifted off as her eyes welled with tears thinking of the blonde—stuck in a dangerous world with no way yet of coming back.
Henry, noticing her tears, hugged her close saying "Don't worry Mom. Emma's smart! Her and Snow are going to get home, I know it!" She pulled him closer, and they stayed like that until Henry's rhythmic breathing told her that the boy was now asleep. She carried him upstairs and tucked him into bed. Turning toward the window, she gazed up at the stars once more before going to her own room as well. Please Emma, hurry. We…I need you.