It's just something I had in my mind a few weeks. I myself cannot speak much sign language but I can (heey ;D at least I can tell people who I am:D) Anyway. I hope you enjoy and didn't mind my jumping around a bit. Or at least I hope it's just a bit because I always end up writing parts of it after midnight :)

don't own oust

All mistakes are mine:)

Rose looked carefully around. She had to stay concentrated and stealthy. Otherwise she would end up hungry and in jail. She walked through the rows and while she walked she let chocolate bars vanish in her sleeve. To others she seemed bored. But she was on a thrill. She definitely would have to run afterwards. When she had everything she sighed and turned to the shop keeper. "You don't have pizza?",she wrote on a paper and held it to him. He shook his head and she nodded thanks to him.

She left the shop when a bar fell out. She cursed in her head when she felt the weight loss. She looked to the man and then started to run. She didn't came that far before Emma caught her. "Got you, little thief.",she said. Rose focused on Emma's lips. Why? Because she had one of the worst fates. She was mute AND deaf. "Don't you want to tell me that you aren't stealing?",Emma asked her and after a few seconds Rose shook her head. She dropped every bar but one on the counter of the shop and then was dragged away to the station after a lecture of Emma she hadn't even understand.

In the station both sat in the interrogation room. Emma tried to get her to speak. Not realizing that Rose looked at her questionably and pretended to write on the table with her hands to tell her that she is deaf. Emma gave up when Regina called to know why the reports weren't in her office. Emma explained it and Regina arrived. "I don't know if she is dangerous or anything. Just wait here and I'll get the report why she is here. Don't enter, understood?",Emma said and walked away. Regina looked into the interrogation room and saw how Rose looked at her. It was something between hope and fear. "Can you speak sign language?" ,Rose signed and Regina gasped. She opened the door and entered.

"Yes, I can. Are you deaf or mute?" "Both. I tried to tell the sheriff but she ignored my attempts.",Rose sighed defeated. "Well. There is a reason why I always snap at her.",Regina said with a smirk and sat down in front of her. "What's your name? And how old are you?" "I'm Rose and I'm 15. Who are you? The deputy?" Regina laughed and shook her head. "No. I'm Regina Mills ,the town's mayor. Why did you try to steal? I promise I won't judge you." "I was hungry and the chance of getting caught is higher in the other shops.",Rose answered. Regina grabbed her purse and rummaged in it before she found the chocolate bar she hid there for special things Henry did and held it to Rose who shyly took it and started to eat it.

Regina watched her. She saw how thin Rose was and how fast she had eaten the bar. "Where are your parents?" "My dad is definitely dead... killed by my grandmother... and my mother? I don't know. I'm looking for her. Can you help me find her? But I don't have a clue. I just know that she is 33 almost 34 years old.",Rose said and Regina took her hand softly. "We will find her. I promise. But now let's get you some more food. I'll be back in a few." Rose nodded and Regina stood up and walked out of the room. She got some more candy and a soda drink for her before she walked back. Emma stood in front of the room and looked at her. "Where were you? I thought that you entered without permission." "I can do everything I want, Sheriff Swan. And she isn't dangerous." "And how do you know?" "Simple. I spoke with her.",Regina said with a grin and opened the door.

Emma followed her. "Then. Show me how much she speaks.",Emma said and crossed her arms in front of her chest. She looked into Rose's eyes who had followed every move of her. Regina sat down once again and pushed the drink over to Rose before she got the candy out of her purse and pushed it to her too. "I hope you like it, my dear.",Regina signed and Emma gasped when she saw how Rose nodded and signed something back. "She is..." "Deaf and Mute. It's the worst what can happen to someone... In my opinion.",Regina said and smile softly at Rose who shrugged. "Wait... in front of the shop... she shook her head when I asked her a yes/no question." Regina looked to Rose who had stared on Emma's mouth before she looked back to Regina.

"I can read on the lips what someone is saying. I just need a bit time sometimes and the person have to speak slowly." "She said that she can read lips. But the person has to speak slowly. Anyway. I will pay her fine and she'll come with me.",Regina said and stood up. She pulled out a few bills and then mentioned for Rose to follow her. "I need her name and age.",Emma said and quickly collected the money. "Rose. And she is 15." "I need a last name." "She doesn't have one." "Then ask her which name she wants." "I don't want a last name until I know my mother.",Rose signed. She had seen what Emma had said and looked at Regina. "She doesn't want to.",Regina translated and they left.

Regina and Rose walked to the diner. They had decided that Rose should eat something properly instead of the candies. When they entered some people looked at them surprised but many of them didn't mind them. Regina led her to a table and they sat down. "What do you want to eat or drink? I'll pay. Don't worry." Both smirked and Rose took the menu card and looked over it. "What are burgers and fries?" "You don't know burger and fries?",Regina asked shocked and Rose shook her head ashamed. Regina softly took her head before she waved Ruby to them and ordered.

After they had ordered they talked happily with each other. It weren't as awkward as they had thought and they loved it. They had a strong connection since they had spoken with each other in the interrogation room. When Ruby came back to them they stopped and watched how Ruby put the food in front of them. "I wish I could speak so I could thank her for bringing food.",Rose signed and then sighed and Regina looked at her sympathetically. "Maybe we find a way. I make an appointment with Dr. Whale for tomorrow and then we will look if there are surgeries or anything which could heal you." "You shouldn't burden yourself too much with me. I'm grateful for everything you did for me already but I don't want to live on your purse. I want to repay you." "Than work in my office after school." "I don't go to school." "You will. See it as the first rule of your living arrangement."

"And what are the other rules?" "Keep your room tidy. Don't drink alcohol. Don't smoke. Never skip school. Don't steal. And never climb in cars of strangers. That's it." "I'm reacting bad to smoke anyway. Can't breathe and such things.",Regina nodded. She knew this problem. Smoke made her panic because her mother would often lock her into a room where she was surrounded by fire. She was forced to find a way to extinguish the fire and get out of the room. Why? She never really knew why. They started eating and Regina smiled amused when she saw how Rose devoured the burger and than the fries while she ate her salad. "That was so good!",Rose said and Regina smiled. "Too much and it will make you fat but I think that is the last problem you have." "Yeah. Think so too. So. Where are we going now?" "Buying clothes for you and then I'll tell the school that you'll start attending next week." "But how? I can't hear what they say and can't say anything myself.",Rose answered and Regina smiled.

"Luckily there is one teacher who can sign language. She will be your teacher. So no need to worry.",Regina smiled and Rose nodded. Regina quickly paid and then walked with Rose to a boutique. "Choose what you want. And if you feel bad than I can take your wage as repay.",Regina said and saw how Rose directly turned to the jeans. She sighed innerly but still followed her. She watched her trying on some jeans and then choose three. A deep blue one, a gray one and black one. Then Regina watched Rose choosing some sweaters,shirts and blouses. Regina thought of going but then she spotted a nicely looking pantsuit. She nudged Rose who followed her gaze and smiled. "Should I try it on? I need clothes for formal events." Regina looked at her grinning and nodded. Rose took the pantsuit and changed into it. When she stepped out again Regina gasped. Rose looked at herself in the mirror and was amazed.

She could look this good when she was dressed up? She looked to Regina who looked at her with a lovingly smile. Who looked at her with such a proud face that she felt her heart filled with happiness. She hugged Regina tightly and felt arms wrapping around her body. She smelled Regina's perfume and she just knew in this moment that she had found her mother. The woman she had been ripped away from as little infant. She snuggled closer. Just wanting this moment to last forever but the bell from the shop door rung and they parted. Regina stroked softly her cheek and Rose saw the tears in Regina's brown soft eyes. "Thank you, Regina." "You are more than welcome, Rose." They paid for everything and then walked to the mansion. "Tomorrow we will buy sport clothes and some pajamas for you.",Regina said when they entered and Rose nodded.

She looked around amazed and Regina chuckled. She led her to her new room and watched how Rose's eyes widened. "That's all for me?" "Yes. Everything is for you, Rose. You don't have to worry anymore. I promise." Rose smiled at her and hugged her softly before she started putting her clothes into the drawer. Regina got a pajama and some clothes to slump around in the house for Rose and laid them on the bed. Rose looked at them and smiled. She signed 'thank you' and grabbed the shorts and the top which Regina had laid on the bed. "I'm doing some more paperwork and start dinner at 5. Henry will be back soon. You should introduce yourself to him. He can sign language too. I taught him with 5 so that won't be a problem. And he has quite the phantasy. Thinks that I'm the Evil Queen. So don't freak out or anything.",Regina said and Rose nodded.

When the clock said 3pm Henry arrived at home. Rose stood in the doorframe of the kitchen, amazed about how huge it was. She flinched when she suddenly felt someone tapping her shoulder and turned around. She saw Henry. "Hi. I guess you are Henry?",Rose said and Henry looked at her hands and then in her eyes. "Yes, that's me. Who are you? And why do you need sign language? Are you deaf?" "Actually I'm deaf and mute. I'm Rose by the way. Your mother is giving me a shelter for some weeks until I find my biological mother. Maybe you know her? She has to look a bit like me and should be almost 34 years old." "We could look in my book. Maybe we'll find her. Where are you from?" "I don't know. I grew up alone. My father was killed by my grandmother and I was ripped away from my mother. That's all I know."

Henry led Rose to his bedroom and got his book. "You really think that we can find my mother with a fairytale book?" "Yes. Because this book is true and my mom cursed everyone to this land... she is pure evil." "But why would she give me shelter if she is pure evil? I'm useless for any plot because of defects. Maybe you shouldn't give her such a hard time. Every time she or someone else mentions you she is so sad." "She can't love." "I think she loves too much. That's what's making her doing things she shouldn't. She feels threatened that you, the only person she trusts completely, will hate her. Will turn away from her and leave her alone. She just doesn't want to lose you, Henry.",Rose said and he looked at her. "But why is she so unfriendly from everyone?" "Why don't you ask her? I bet she would tell you." Henry nodded and looked into his book.

TBC...?