Disclaimer: nothing's mine.
AN: this takes place after Snow and Emma get sucked through the portal to Fairytale land. This is also after they burned the wardrobe but before they make it to the beanstalk with the giant. Just a little what if story of what would happen if Graham was alive but in Fairytale land. Could change a lot of things. Let me know if I should continue this or leave it as a one shot. Thanks and hope you enjoy.
"What the hell?" An arrow whizzed right in front of Emma's face. One more step and it would have hit her. Emma turned around to look at where the arrow had come from. Her face paled as someone came out from behind a tree. It couldn't be.
"Graham." She whispered so only Snow could hear her and only because she stepped in front of her to shield her from the threat. At Emma's words though Snows eyes widened but she kept her bow aimed straight at him. This could be another trick of Cora's.
"You could have hit me." Emma found her voice. Repeating the words that she had said what seemed like a lifetime ago. He came closer and she took all of him in. He was wearing leather and furs were wrapped over his shoulders. His face though. It looked the same as the last time she saw him.
"I never miss." He said as he was close enough to be heard without yelling now. His voice brought a tremor to Emma's hands as she held her sword by her side. She didn't realize how much she had missed that voice. That Irish lilt had always made her insides squirm and she was shocked to see it still did after so long.
"What was your name in Storybrooke?" Snow asked him. Emma could see she was keeping her guard up. Since Cora had shown she could disguise herself as anyone it really made you look twice at everyone around you. She tried to control her emotions just in case it wasn't Graham. She closed her eyes for a second to catch herself but when he spoke again her eyes flew open.
"It was Graham." He spoke clearly and his eyes never left her face. It was so intense that she couldn't tear her eyes away even if she wanted to.
"What was the last thing you said to me?" She just had to make sure it was him. She couldn't allow herself to believe it was true unless she knew for sure. He stepped closer to her and Snow allowed him to by lowering her bow. She seemed to believe it was him already if the huge smile she wore was any indication. He brought up his hands to her face and cupped her cheeks like he had that last night. She found herself having trouble breathing at his touch. She felt her eyes sting trying to hold back the tears threatening to come out.
"I told you that I remembered." He stroked her cheek, "then I said thank you and I was going to do this." He leaned in about to kiss her but she stopped him with a gentle hand on his chest.
"And then you died. Graham, you died right in my arms." Her eyes were filled with unshed tears as she looked up at him with so much pain. It broke his heart. "I c-can't. If it weren't for Henry..." She shook her head as she looked away from his sharp gaze. He was holding his breath waiting for her. Always waiting. She made little patterns on his chest with the hand that still rested there. She was trying to get her thoughts in order so that she could actually talk coherently. "I...when you died...oh god Graham..." She took a step back and wrapped her arms around her stomach as if trying to protect herself.
"I...can't do that again. I can't let myself feel that. Not now. Right now I need to get back to Henry." She nodded at her explanation.
"Emma." Oh, just him saying her name made her want to throw herself in his arms, but she had to stay strong. It killed her when he died in Storybrooke. She had blocked it out, pushed it aside because she had to focus on Henry. But it was always there in the back of her mind. His smile. The way his eyes shined when he talked to her. The smell of his cologne. His leather jacket. The memories would spring up on her and it was always like a punch to the stomach and it would take her a moment to regain her composure. She couldn't go through that right now and make it back to Henry. It was too much. She could only take so much at a time and right now she had already filled her quota.
"Emma," Graham moved in close again and cupped her cheek. She froze but couldn't help slightly leaning into the warm contact. Her eyes closed of their own accord. He could see how scared she was. How utterly torn and afraid. He took a deep breath and with a resolve he didn't know he had he gently kissed her forehead when all he wanted to do was pull her close. Hold her and kiss her and love her until all her fears were chased away. But he knew he couldn't do that. Not with Emma. He had to take it slow. Just be there until she was ready. He could do that. He was the huntsman. He always had to wait patiently for the right moment before he went in for the kill. He could do this.
She inhaled sharply as she felt his lips touch her forehead. He was all around her now and she clenched her fists to keep from grabbing him and pulling him closer. He smelled so nice. There was obviously a more forest smell to him now, but underneath that she could make out the smell that was distinctly Graham. She felt him take a step back and immediately missed his closeness.
"I can wait until you're ready and I'll help you in any way I can. We'll get you back to Henry." He gave her a small reassuring smile and she couldn't help but return it. He was going to stay. He was going to help and for the first time since she got to this new world she felt hope again. She had Graham back and that was enough for now.
"Now that that's done with. Can we keep moving, love?" Emma jumped at Hooks voice. She had forgotten they weren't alone. He gave her that infuriating smirk of his and she grinned when she saw Snow smack him on the back of the head. "Hey! What was that for? I was just saying since lover boy got shot down." He winked at Emma and she felt her blood begin to boil. "We should start moving again. You know, we wouldn't want to be caught unawares while you two are making eyes at each other. Cora could sneak up on us at any moment."
"We were watching-" Snow started but Emma interrupted her.
"No he's right. We should keep moving."
"Where exactly are we going?" Graham asked. He had an indifferent look on his face, like what Hook had said hadn't bothered him in the least.
"We are on our way to finding a way to get back to Storybrooke." Emma explained. She shrugged. "I'll explain as we walk."
She looked around the group and they all gave her nods of understanding. Time to get moving again. As they started walking she couldn't help a small smile reach her lips as she felt the comforting presence of Graham walking beside her. He had found her.
