Summary: David and Mary Margaret Nolan's daughter was kidnapped when she was just a toddler. Years have passed and still no leads. They have slowly moved on but they still wonder if they will ever find her. One day, a new student comes to the school where Mary Margaret works. She seems eerily familiar to the school teacher. Does the new student hold a key to her painful past? No magic. Storybrooke is just a town where the residents can come and go as they please. Regina and Mary Margaret get along; they were brought closer when Mary Margaret's dad passed away.

AN: Iknow that I have a few unfinished stories on here. I promise that I am working on them. This idea just came to me one day and I wanted to share it with you. I also posted this on AO3. Inspiration for this story came from an episode of Walker Texas Ranger with the same title. Tell me what you think of this and if you think I should continue this.

Chapter 1

David Nolan slowly ascended the stairs and smiled softly as he spotted his wife setting some breakfast out on the table. She looked up at him as he came into the kitchen.

"Morning," she smiled at him.

"Morning," he went to her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Did you get any sleep last night?"

"Kind of. You know I hardly sleep the day before a new term."

"Are you sure you don't want to take a break?" he asked her.

"David-"

"Mary Margaret, this would've been the year that Emma started high school. Are you sure that you're up for it?"

"If all I'm doing is sitting around here with just my thoughts to keep me company, it would drive me crazy. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Not really,"

"Why don't I drive you to work today?" David suggested. "I can be a little late today. I'm the sheriff. I can leave Graham in charge for a little bit."

"I would love that," Mary Margaret smiled as they sat down at the table and started to eat their breakfast.

The teenage girl sat glumly in the back of the luxury model car as her 'guardians' talked over speaker phone in some meeting they had scheduled. She sighed as she glanced out the window as they drove through the small town. It was an ok town, it seemed. She probably wouldn't be able to enjoy it though.

She had grown up in and out of the system for as long as she could remember. She didn't remember her parents; all she remembered was her social worker's office. That was the only constant home for her. She was considered a trouble case, though she didn't know why. Most families only kept her for a week or two until they got tired of her leeching off them.

Sometimes she would get lucky and stay with a family for a month, or even longer. But those were families who took her in for their own personal gain. They needed a good public image and taking in a down-on-her-luck foster child helped their image.

Her current guardians were in politics. Her foster father was running for the state senate. The election was almost a year away so she could count on staying in this town for the time being. She just hoped she didn't have to see her guardians very often.

"Here we are," the car came to a stop in front of the high school. "We can't stay to help you get settled. Full day ahead of us."

"Of course," Emma opened the back door and slid out grabbing her designer backpack-which the housekeeper had gotten for her, along with all the supplies she would need-and barely glanced at the guardians.

"Here's all the paperwork you'll need," a file folder was shoved in her hands before the window rolled up and the Rolls Royce pulled away from the school.

"Well, let's see what kind of mindless drones I have to contend with now," Emma started into the school.

Emma took a few turns hoping it would lead her to the main office, but she just got even more turned around. She was going to ask someone for directions, but no one seemed willing to help her.

"Can I help you?" she looked up and saw a guy donned in a sheriff's uniform; he was with a lady in a floral print dress. "You look lost."

"I'm new," she said softly. "I don't know where I am. Can you point me in the direction of the main office?"

"We're heading that way too," the lady smiled at her. "Why don't we walk together?"

"Ok," Emma shrugged as they started down the hall.

"So I haven't seen you around," the lady looked at her. "Are you new?"

"Yeah," she mumbled. "Living with a family who took me in for their own political gain."

"Ah," the man nodded. "The potential future state senators foster daughter."

"So you all know why I'm really here?"

"It wasn't hard to figure out."

"This town isn't all bad," the lady told her. "We have some great festivals that go on. If you need anything-"

"Thanks, but I do better on my own."

"Well that seems awfully lonely,"

"Story of my life," Emma grumbled. "I'm just a meal ticket."

"That shouldn't be the case,"

"Not much that anyone can do to change that," Emma grumbled as they reached the office.

"Can I help you?" the secretary saw the group enter. "Are you a new student?"

"Yeah," Emma handed over the folder she was given. "I need to register. The name's Emma."

She turned around abruptly at a loud gasp and saw the couple still behind her. They were staring at her with wide eyes as tears glistened in the lady's eyes.

"Are you guys ok?" Emma asked them.

"Fine," the lady got herself under control. "Just-Emma's a beautiful name. I always liked it."

"Thanks," she turned back around as she was handed a packet of papers.

"I better get to work," the man kissed his wife. "I'll call you at lunch."

"I'll be fine," she assured him as he walked out. "Well, I'll probably see you at some point today, Emma. I teach English for all grades. What grade are you in?"

"Ninth," she replied. "English is one of my favorite classes."

"Really?" Mary Margaret smiled.

"I like to write," Emma smiled back. "I better finish this."

"Of course," Mary Margaret walked out of the office.

"So in your file, your guardians said you can join whatever activities you would like. Have you thought about any extracurriculars?" the secretary looked at Emma.

"You offer soccer?" Emma asked.

"Yes we do. There's practice this afternoon actually."

"Sign me up." Emma handed back the completed forms. "Anything to keep me out of my guardians house for long periods of time."

Emma finally found her first class, which was in fact English 9 with the nice lady she had met earlier. She slowly opened the door and the rest of the students stopped to look at her as the teacher smiled at her.

"Nice to see you again, Emma. I'm Mrs. Nolan," Mary Margaret smiled at her. "There's no assigned seats so go ahead and sit wherever you would like."

"Thanks," she mumbled as she slid into the closest available seat.

"Hey," she heard a voice and looked to her left.

There was a kid with dark hair and wearing a leather jacket. She started to smile back, but stopped herself. It wouldn't do her any good to get attached to anyone here. She would just have to leave them behind in about a year and she would be alone again.

"Do you talk?" another kid sitting behind the first one asked her.

"Yes," she stated. "I just don't like to waste my time."

"Leave her alone guys," a girl in front of her told them. "I'm Alexandra, but you can call me Alex."

"Emma," she mumbled.

"I heard you were coming. The future senator's foster daughter."

"Has everyone heard that story?"

"Well everyone knows it's a political move to take you in," one of the boys told her. "The victim in this whole thing is you. I assume that all you want is a family."

"Don't mind him," the first boy told her. "He has some family issues of his own."

"Like you don't?"

"Guys, you're going to scare her away." Alex told them. "Anyway, that one with black hair is Killian Jones. The other one is Neal Cassidy."

"All right class, let's begin. I am Mrs. Nolan," some papers were handed out to outline the first semester course work. "This year we will be reading some classics along with some new releases. You will also be required to do a couple research papers and several compositions."

Emma drowned out everyone around her as she read through the course outline. Mrs. Nolan seemed like a nice teacher. Which was a good thing since she taught her favorite subject. The bell rang and she quickly gathered her things and walked out of the room before anyone could stop to talk to her.

"What is up with her?" Neal asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Alex looked over at them and they both gave her blank looks as she sighed deeply. "Boys. They can't see what's right in front of them."

"What?" Killian asked her, confused.

"She's trying not to get too attached because she knows that she won't be here for long. But everyone needs at least one friend."

"Ughh," Neal sighed. "You're going to make us help you with this mission aren't you?"

"It's funny that you think you have a choice," Alex dragged them out of the room.

Mary Margaret smiled as she caught the end of the trio's conversation. Her niece Alex definitely had a knack for taking unsuspecting individuals under her wings. That's how she became friends with Neal and Killian in the first place. They both came to town under less than ordinary circumstances. From the moment that Alex found out about their backgrounds, they didn't stand a chance. Just like how Emma didn't stand a chance now.

Emma walked out of the school after her last class and started towards where she was told the soccer field was. She found someone setting up some orange cones to prepare for the practice.

"Hello," he looked up at her.

"Is this the soccer field? Are you the coach?"

"I sure am," he smiled at her. "Were you looking to join?"

"Yeah,"

"Well my name's Thomas,"

"First or last name?"

"First. We are all on a first name basis here."

"Well I'm Emma,"

"I heard you were coming. I believe you've met my daughter Alex."

"Yeah," Emma mumbled. "No offense or anything, but she seems kind of pushy."

"She can be," Thomas chuckled. "But that's just because she believes in things so passionately. She leads with her heart."

"Am I early?" Emma didn't see any other kids coming onto the field.

"They're all probably still changing."

"I have gym last period so I just stayed in my uniform. I don't have any equipment yet."

"That's all right. I'll get you a list of items that you'll need before you leave today."

"Thanks. Could I-kick the ball around until everyone gets here?"

"Go for it," Thomas told her and Emma took off for one of the nets where all the soccer balls were.

David walked into the high school after classes had ended for the day and went to his wife's classroom. He saw her gathering up some papers and stuffing them into her bag as he came in.

"Hey Beautiful," he greeted her.

"Well hello yourself Handsome," she smiled at him.

"Ready to go?"

"All set," she gathered the rest of her things and followed him out. "So I have some news. I'm not sure how you'll like it."

"Uh-oh. What is it?"

"Well I got talked into helping out at the concession stands this year."

"How often?"

"Twice a week at least,"

"And you're going to talk me into helping you."

"Nah, I know you'll just do it."

"Well I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a sheriff on duty at the games anyway."

"I knew you'd see reason," she smiled at him.

"So how'd your day go?" he asked her.

"It was fine," she assured him. "I was fine."

"I was just worried after this morning in the office,"

"I have her in my first class," she told him. "I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of her though. Alex has made it her mission to make friends with Emma when she saw that she didn't want to get too involved."

"The girl doesn't stand a chance," David chuckled. "But are you going to be ok teaching her this year?"

"There have been a few kids through the past years with the name Emma."

"But this is the year-"

"I will be fine. If I'm not, I'll let you know."

"Fine," he sighed. "Let's stop by the soccer field. I want to see what kind of team that Thomas has this year."

They dropped Mary Margaret's things off at the squad car and started towards the soccer field. They saw a student already running across the field as they heard their names being called.

"Uncle David! Aunt Mary!"

"Alex," David smiled at her as she ran up to give them both hugs. "How was your first day of high school?"

"Awesome!"

"That girl is good," Mary Margaret looked towards the field.

"That's Emma," Alex stated.

"So your aunt tells me you're taking on another project."

"She's going to be a tough one to crack," Alex told them. "I have a few classes with her. She always sits in the back away from everyone. Even at lunch, she sits by herself."

"I think it's called self-preservation." David told her. "You'll crack her soon enough. It didn't take you long with the boys."

"But they have family here. Emma is alone."

"Hey," Thomas came up to the group. "How do you like the new recruit?"

"She has an intensity," David commented. "And determination. She's out here before everyone else."

"She has gym last period," Alex told them. "One of the classes we have together. She just stayed in her uniform."

"She doesn't have any equipment yet," Thomas told them.

"Her intensity reminds me of someone," Mary Margaret continued to watch Emma on the field.

"She kind of reminds me of David in high school," Thomas stated. "He was always intense; especially senior year."

"Scouts were watching," David defended himself. "I was counting on a scholarship to pay for college. Not that the scholarship helped much when I blew my knee out."

"But it worked out," Mary Margaret told him. "You always said you never wanted to be a pro-baller."

"Looks like everyone is coming," Thomas told them. "I better get to coaching."

"I'm meeting Killian and Neal in town," Alex called. "I'll be home in time for dinner."

"See that you are!" Thomas called as he stopped Emma from zig-zagging across the field as he gathered the rest of the team for a quick talk.

Emma ran to the bench to grab some water after practice was over. All of the kids were heading to the locker room to change while she just gathered her things and started off the field.

"Emma," Thomas caught up to her and handed her a packet of papers. "I need your guardians to sign these. And there's a list of equipment that you'll need if you're going to be on the team."

"So I'm in?" she looked at him.

"You're in," he smiled at her. "Game days are Tuesday and Thursday nights, but they don't start until next week. Practices are after school when we don't have a game."

"Got it. See you tomorrow coach."

Emma walked off the field and started towards the sidewalk. She didn't know how long it would take her to walk to her guardians' house, but she knew that it would be pointless to call them and ask for a ride. She could call a cab, but she didn't know how long it would take for them to get there. She had a gold card that they had given to her for 'whatever she needed', but she wasn't sure if cabs accepted credit cards.

She started the slow walk and soon found her way into town. She passed several shops, a library and a diner as she tried to remember the way back to their house.

"Emma?" she looked up as she saw Mrs. Nolan and her sheriff husband coming out of the diner.

"Mrs. Nolan, Sheriff," she mumbled.

"Outside of school, you can call me Mary Margaret."

"And you can call me David,"

"Good to know," she tried to walk around them.

"You look a little frazzled," David looked at her. "Are you ok?"

"I'm-I can't remember how to get back to the house."

"We know where it is. Why don't we give you a ride?"

"That's ok. I don't want to cause any trouble."

"No trouble at all, come on." Emma followed them down the street and David held the back door of his squad car open for her.

"Really?" she looked at him.

"You're not in trouble," he smiled at her. "We're just giving you a ride."

Emma climbed in with her bag and David closed the door behind her. He climbed into the front with Mary Margaret and they pulled away from the diner.

"So how is it living with the Wellington's?" Mary Margaret asked.

"I'll tell you when they're there for more than ten minutes at a time," Emma mumbled. "I'm just here to bring in votes and make public appearances with them."

"Here we go," David pulled up the circle drive.

"Regina's here," Mary Margaret recognized her car.

"Who's Regina?" Emma asked as they came to a stop.

"My step-mother," Mary Margaret told her as she let Emma out of the back of the car. "She's also the mayor of this town."

"Yeah, she's been here a few times." Emma told them as they followed her towards the front door. "Thanks for the ride."

"I think we're going to make sure you get inside all right," David told her.

"Whatever," she opened the door as Regina was coming out of the house.

"David? Mary Margaret?" Regina was surprised to see them. "What are you doing here?"

"We were dropping off Emma," Mary Margaret told her. "We saw her walking in town and offered her a ride home. She seemed a little lost."

"Nice to see you again Emma," Regina smiled at her.

"Hi," she walked past her into the house. "Did you have a meeting with them today?"

"I was supposed to. I've been waiting here for an hour, but they haven't shown up yet."

"Well I can't help you." Emma shrugged out of her bookbag. "I haven't seen them since they dropped me off at school this morning; after they shoved a file with everything I would need to register into my hands."

"It's all right, I'll reschedule with them." Regina smiled. "So how was your first day of high school?"

"Why?"

"Because I want to know,"

"It was fine," Emma waved her off.

"Did you join anything?"

"I tried out for soccer," she spotted the maid and the cook coming towards them. "I have a bunch of things I need to get. I'll probably get the driver to take me this weekend."

"If you want better company, we can take you." David spoke up. "I used to play sports so I know the best quality products to get."

"I'll think about it," Emma told them. "Thanks again for the ride."

"I'll see you tomorrow at school," Mary Margaret smiled at Emma as the three of them left her with the help. "Wow, that girl is all alone."

"They're never home," Regina told them as they walked back out to their cars. "She has a closer relationship with the help. They took her in because their PR guy told them it would help them gain votes if they took in a foster child. I try to talk to her whenever I have to be over here."

"That poor kid," David commented. "Do they know what's going on with her at all?"

"Nope," Regina shook her head. "Her first day, they handed her a gold card and told her to use it for whatever she thinks she needs. Other than that, they leave her to her own devices. The hired help takes the time to talk to her at least."

Emma walked upstairs into her massive bedroom after the cook made her sit in the kitchen and have some of the dinner that she had prepared for her. This wasn't the first time she had been left on her own immediately after a family took her in. But it was the first time that the hired help knew more about her life than the family did.

She took a quick shower and got changed into some pajamas before collapsing into bed for the night.

AN: So what do you all think? Should I continue this or not?