Hello to you all! So, this fic was inspired by my dear friend Joana. She had this wonderful SwanQueen dream we all wish we had every single damn night. Talking about it, I decided I wanted to bring it to life, so that's what I'm now working on! It was only supposed to be a one chapter one-shot, but while writing, I realized that was going to be one long chapter. So I decided to split it a little! Don't worry though, the rest of the chapters will be posted during the next few days. It will probably only be two or three.
Also - the outstanding art for this fic was also created by Joana. Go follow her tumblr, artbyJoana, BECAUSE HER ART IS AMAZING AND MAKES ME CRY. Plus, she deserves the recognition with the hard work she puts into this.
That being said - I do hope you enjoy this short fic! Reviews are always appreciated, I love hearing what you guys have to say. I do take it to heart, and it spikes my motivation to keep writing. Much love, xo.
The mornings in Storybrooke always left the streets rather deserted. But then again, the streets were never that busy. Emma was in her bug, on her way to Regina's, where she'd been spending most of her time lately. This search for the author of the book took longer than she'd expected. The damn guy apparently didn't want to be found. But she'd made a promise to Regina – she would help her find her happy ending, no matter what.
So it was because of this that she found herself with two cups of coffee, a bear claw and a banana-nut-muffin on the passenger seat, turning right down Mifflin Street. It seemed like it was going to be like any other morning in Storybrooke, the sky grey and the air damp and chilly. Emma was singing along to the horrible pop song blasting from the old radio, a song she couldn't even remember having listened to before. That was when her morning changed drastically.
In the blink of an eye, glittering smoke appeared on the street in front of her, and as it disappeared again, a young girl stood before her, eyes wide and terrified as Emma was heading right towards her. She slammed down the break, sending the coffee flying and splattering all over her and her car. She made a sharp left turn and bumped over the sidewalk and continued a little down the grassy lane before her car finally stopped. She slumped back into the seat and exhaled as she tried to calm her rapidly beating heart. What the hell just happened?
She opened the door and climbed out of the bug, locking the door. She took a quick look at her now soaked attire. Damn it. These jeans were new. Looking back, she saw the little girl standing on the sidewalk, watching her. She didn't seem scared or even shaken up. Instead, she gently waved at Emma and smiled. Emma quirked an eyebrow. Not that she wasn't used to the unpredictable things that had happened to her ever since she'd first set foot in Storybrooke, but a girl appearing out of nowhere, that was new. She walked to the other side of the street until she was standing across from the young girl. She had deep, dark eyes and her hair was golden blonde. Emma couldn't help feeling she'd seen those eyes before. She had a strong jaw that made her look more mature than she probably was, and plum lips. Her cheeks were tinted a slight pink, probably from the shock of almost getting run over. She's beautiful, Emma thought to herself.
"Hi, kid. You okay?" Emma smiled awkwardly at the girl, who answered with a blinding smile and a small giggle.
"Yes, yes I'm fine. I'm good. I'm great!" She jumped on the spot and maintained a slightly intimidating eye contact with Emma.
"Wow, okay there. So where'd you come from? I mean that was quite an entrance."
The girl's smile faded a little and she looked down at the ground. She fumbled with a gold bracelet Emma now noticed around her left wrist.
"That's… a little difficult to explain."
Emma furrowed her brows and crossed her arms.
"What do you mean?"
The girl looked up from under her long lashes, seemingly embarrassed.
"I don't know how I got here."
Emma raised her eyebrows in question. This was going to be difficult.
"Okay then… What do you say we take a walk, and maybe you could try to remember? I was heading this way, to the Mayor's house, anyway. I'll make you hot cocoa."
The girl lit up again, her smile almost too big for her small face.
"The Mayor? You mean Regina? Regina Mills?"
Emma looked skeptically at the young girl's face.
"Yes, Regina Mills. How do you know her?"
"Oh… um. That's a little…."
"Difficult to explain? Yeah I bet."
The girl looked down again, her blonde locks almost covering her face entirely. Emma sighed.
"Look kid, you gotta tell me something here. I'm Sheriff of this town, the town you just magically appeared in. Things easily get out of hand here, so I need to know where you came from and if I should be expecting more kids running around the streets anytime soon."
The young girl remained silent, fumbling with her bracelet. Emma puffed out a frustrated breath.
"Okay. Why don't we start with something simple – what's your name?"
Those chocolate brown eyes met hers as the girl looked up at her, smiling softly.
"Hayley. My name is Hayley."
Emma nodded.
"Hayley," she repeated.
Something rang of familiarity inside her head, but she couldn't put a finger on it, so she decided to let it go.
"Okay, good then. Hi Hayley, I'm Emma. It's nice to meet you. Now, what do you say we take that walk? It's not far, and I really need to get out of these clothes."
Emma put her arm around Hayley's shoulder and gave her a little push forward. She wanted the girl to feel safe, but she also needed information out of her. Seeming as the girl had appeared in a poof of magic smoke, she either had magic or she knew someone who did, and either option made Emma nervous. As they walked past the mansions, Emma tried keeping a conversation in the sense of small talk. And she was horrible at it.
"So, um… what do you like kid?"
The girl quirked one of her small brows.
"What do I like?" she asked, her tone a bit sassy.
Emma gulped. This is just like when I met Henry for the first time. Damn it Swan.
"Yeah like, do you like braids or pink dresses or tea-parties? Shit like that." Emma bit down on her tongue at her use of foul language. Fuck.
Hayley stopped and crossed her arms. The look she gave Emma was way too mature for her pretty face, and again, Emma felt like she'd seen her face before.
"Are you being serious right now?" the girl snapped. Emma's eyes widened. Whoa. Yeah she definitely seemed familiar.
"No, I mean yes. I mean. I was simply asking a question god damn it." Emma rolled her eyes and tucked her hands into the pockets of her coffee stained jeans.
They continued walking as Hayley kept talking.
"Excuse me, but I'm not one of those thoughtless damsels in distress whose life evolves around glitter and cute outfits."
Emma's jaw dropped. What the hell. That did not just come out of a little girl's mouth. She continued gawking at her for what seemed like minutes.
"Cat got your tongue?" Hayley asked.
Emma shook her head. For some reason she couldn't help but smirk at the young girl's snarkiness. She even let out a silent chuckle. It reminded her of someone she knew. Someone in particular. Regina. You're a little Mayor Mills, aren't you?
"I apologize. I didn't mean to offend you." Her tone was slightly mocking, she had to admit, but she was all in all a bit impressed by this young Hayley.
"No need. I know how you're like."
Emma raised her brows at that comment and looked to the girl in question. Her eyes had widened and she looked as if she'd just shared one of her innermost secrets and regretted it.
"What?"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
Emma chose to let it go. She'd question the girl as soon as they were inside the warmth of Regina's house. And when I've changed out of these stinky clothes. Silence fell upon them as they continued walking. They'd almost reached the mansion as Hayley suddenly spoke up.
"Horses."
Emma eyed the girl.
"Excuse me?"
"I like horses," Hayley said, her eyes sparkling.
Emma smiled.
"Oh, okay. Cool. Horses are badass."
The young girl giggled and nodded.
"And I also like crime novels," Hayley added more silent this time.
That had Emma quirk a brow.
"Really? I love crime novels. Those are what made me want to do the work I do."
"I know," Hayley said and smiled warmly as she started fumbling with her bracelet again.
There it was again, these assumptions that expressed that she knew Emma, as if they'd met before. She didn't have time to ask any further questions though, as they had finally reached Regina's Mansion.
"Here we are."
Hayley's face lit up as she laid eyes on the big white house, and Emma could have sworn she spotted a tear glistening in those dark orbs. Emma opened the door with the key Regina had given her, and gestured for Hayley to enter. So she did, and she proceeded eyeing everything inside the house with as much glee as could possibly be written on anyone's face.
Emma closed the door behind her and stepped out of her boots and hung her jacket on one of the hooks in the entrée. She remained her gaze on young Hayley, who was currently gawking at the chandelier in the sealing.
"How about that hot cocoa?" Emma said, making Hayley jump as she was far gone in her own thoughts.
"Sure," she said with a small smile.
Emma smiled back at her and walked towards the kitchen where she opened drawers and cabinets to find the things she needed. She knew Regina's kitchen quite well by now, as she'd been eating here most night's lately. Sometimes she even helped Regina cook. Never anything complicated though, as the brunette didn't seem to trust her with bigger tasks that could quite possibly set her kitchen on fire. Emma chuckled to herself.
"Don't forget the cinnamon."
Emma stiffened at the sudden call from the hallway. Something ran cold down her spine. She looked down at her hand, to the bottle of cinnamon she had just taken out of a cabinet. Who is this girl? She shook her head, perplexed. She wasn't scared per se, but something about her worried her.
"Would I ever," Emma replied, "You can sit in the study while I get things ready. There's a TV. Remote is on the coffee table."
She had to get out of these clothes, she reminded herself. As she put two cups of milk in the microwave and set the timer, she walked up the stairs towards Regina's room. She probably wouldn't mind me borrowing a shirt. She caught a glimpse of Hayley running her fingers over the many books in the bookshelf in the study as she walked past. Emma shook her head. Maybe she wasn't used to big mansions like this. Emma sure hadn't been. As she reached Regina's bedroom, she couldn't help hesitating a little. She'd never really been in here. Maybe Regina had… private stuff lying around. The thought made her cheeks warm and suddenly she wasn't sure if this was a good idea. Nonetheless, she smelled like the floor at Granny's diner, and she really wanted a shirt. So in she went. It wasn't any different than the rest of the house, big and glorious and beautiful. But still she found herself holding her breath. The king-sized bed had silver satin sheets and white fluffy pillows. The signature black and white art covered the walls, and it even had a fireplace. And a walk-in-closet. Of course. Emma shook her head, chuckling. Regina sure as hell had made sure she'd have a wonderful life here in Storybrooke. Too bad she'd been so lonely. She opened the doors to the closet, only to reveal tons of pantsuits and tight skirts and heels she could never dream of wearing a single day in her life. She searched the piles for something that would fit her just slightly. Grumbling over her choices, she suddenly stumbled upon something familiar. Huh. It was the silver shirt she'd "borrowed" so long ago. Damn was that long ago. And so much had happened since then. She found herself spiraling into a fit of nostalgia, and quickly shook her head to get back to reality. She slipped off her dirty shirt and buttoned up the silver fabric. It felt so light on her shoulders and she couldn't help but smile. Being in Regina's close felt somehow good.
Walking down the stairs, she went back into the kitchen to finish the cocoa. She mixed in the powder, applied a little whipped cream from the can and finally, topped it with cinnamon. This was the one thing she could make without a cookbook. She grabbed both cups and joined Hayley in the study.
"One hot cocoa – with cinnamon."
Hayley flashed a beaming smile that warmed Emma's heart in a funny way.
"Thank you!" She took the cup from Emma's hand and inhaled the scent of the delicious liquid.
Emma took a seat on the couch she'd first sat on the very first day she'd come to Storybrooke and Regina had invited her in for a drink. What Emma had thought to be a friendly encounter did most certainly not turn out like that. But look where they were now. Emma smiled to herself, thinking of how far she and Regina had come. They were actual friends now, of some sort. And she liked it. She liked it a lot.
"So – Hayley – now is when I need you to tell me how you got here."
Hayley took a long sip of her cocoa, keeping eye contact with Emma.
"I told you. I don't know." She sat down the cup, a little moustache of whipped cream on her upper lip. Emma had to bite her lip to prevent from grinning too broadly. She looked adorable.
"I know you did, but nonetheless you need to tell me something. Where did you come from then?"
Hayley gulped so loudly Emma could hear it. She seemed so nervous for some reason. She fiddled with her bracelet, looking as if she was searching for the answer.
"I… came from… here."
Emma contorted her face in confusion.
"Excuse me?"
Hayley shifted in her seat, her eyes on the floor. When she looked up though, her gaze had a new strength to it, and she cleared her throat.
"I'm from here," she said again and nodded somewhat proudly.
Emma stared at her. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to think of what to say. Then she shook her head frustratingly.
"I'm sorry, but what the hell are you talking about?"
Hayley sighed and rolled her eyes.
"I'm talking about where I'm from, like you asked me to."
Emma was surprised by her answer, and for a moment she simply gawked at her.
"Yes, but… Here? I've never seen you around. And I've been here for almost four years now."
"It's a bit more complicated than that."
Emma's expression grew more and more confused for every time Hayley spoke, and by now she was so lost she was close to giving up.
"Okay… so… can you explain it?"
Hayley fiddled with her bracelet again, although maintaining eye contact with Emma. She was trying to seem confident, Emma could see that, as her back was straight and her expression soft but stern.
"I'm not from here, here. I mean I am. But then again no. I'm from here, but…" she trailed off, trying to think of what to say.
"But what?" Emma exclaimed as she threw her hands in the air.
"I'm from a different time," she paused as she bit her bottom lip, inhaling sharply, "From the future."
Emma's jaw hit her silky covered chest. She snorted and shook her head, holding a hand to her forehead.
"You're shitting me, right? Why can't you just tell me where you're really from?"
"I'm telling the truth!" She jumped off the couch and leaned over the coffee table, hands on her hips and a very poised manner that made Emma want to laugh once again. This girl is unbelievable.
"Look kid, I'm done playing games with you. I was trying to be nice, almost running you over and all, but I've had it. If you won't tell me where you're from, I'm afraid I'll have to take you to the station while I investigate."
Emma didn't like being a hardass on seemingly innocent people, but she was tired of being played by this Hayley. It was necessary.
"No! I promise you, I'm telling the truth." Hayley was getting a bit hysterical now, and she stomped in the ground, making the cups on the table shake.
Emma held out her hands in defense.
"Okay, alright, okay. Say you are telling the truth. Then how did you get here?"
"I don't KNOW!" Hayley squealed, "I was just playing around with some of mom's spell books and suddenly this misty smoke was everywhere and next thing I know I was on the street almost getting run over by you!"
Hayley stopped her incautious screaming and gasped. Her hands flew up to her face, covering her mouth, as her eyes grew wide and scared. Emma's entire body had stiffened in an awkward manner as she'd stopped breathing when Hayley had finished her rant. Her eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets as she stared at Hayley for what seemed like forever. Neither one of them said anything, both standing frozen, holding their breaths. Emma was the first one to speak up after taking a few deep breaths.
"What… did you just say?" Her voice was hoarse, so she cleared her throat.
Hayley shakily removed her hands from her face and started playing wildly with her bracelet. Emma found the nervous habit cute, even now, when she was more worried about this girl than ever.
"I… Um… Sorry, I just…"
"So you come from a land with magic?" Emma interrupted.
Hayley nodded.
"You could say that."
Emma sighed. Always these half answers with this girl.
"Seems like you do."
Hayley simply nodded at that. She still didn't move further, and Emma had to look up to look her in the eyes.
"Do you have magic, or does someone in your family have it?"
Hayley tried to hide a smile by pursing her lips, and Emma had to wonder why.
"If only you knew," Hayley whispered.
Emma sighed frustratingly and covered her face with her hands.
"I'd know if you would just tell me something," she said, her voice muffled behind her hands.
She heard Hayley giggle and her head jerked up to pin her with a glare.
"Not funny, kid."
"I'm sorry. I know."
A few seconds passed before Hayley finally decided to explain herself a little.
"Both me and my parents have magic. And… and my brother, too."
Emma nodded, glad to finally get some information out of her.
"So did you use magic to get here? Or did someone else?"
Hayley looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I think it was me. No one else was with me. But I'm not that skilled yet, I didn't think it was possible for me to do something like this!"
Emma reached out to put a hand on Hayley's shoulder, before she freaked out again.
"Hey. It's okay. I've been there. Hell, my magic was completely out of control. Until Regina taught me how to use it," she trailed off, thinking of how Regina had been the only one that wasn't afraid of her when her magic had spiraled out of control, "I'm sure your parents will teach you."
Hayley smiled broadly, her dark eyes lighting up.
"Yes. They will. They already are. They're amazing."
Emma tilted her head a bit. Hayley seemed like such a bright and wonderful girl, when she wasn't being hysterical.
"Can I ask who your parents are?"
Hayley stiffened at the question, her eyes growing too large for her face again.
"Um… well…"
That's when they both heard the front door open and close.