AN: nonmagic AU, Emma is not Henry's bio mom, SwanQueen (slow build), hints of Redswan and eventual RedLace


Sweat dripped from Emma's brow as she swung open the doors to her apartment building. Throbbing feet and a slight headache usually accompanied Emma's completion of a twelve hour shift. Since today was her first full shift at the group home for mentally ill teens in two weeks, it was especially painful.

She exhaled slowly as she sifted through her mail. Weeks ago all Emma would have found in her mailbox was credit card offers and past due bill notices. Now the box was crammed full of fan mail, papers and TV shows asking for interviews, and even someone wanting to make her story into a movie. Not a single bit of it was worth keeping. Without a second thought she dumped it all in the trash.

She kept hoping the circus would die down soon, though she saw no end in sight. I guess that's what you get for doing the right thing, this thought crossed Emma's mind at least once daily. Though, if Emma could relive that moment she wouldn't change a single thing. She'd climbing into the burning car over and over again, if it meant she was going to save someone's life.

Her Boss, Archibold Hopper, had called her actions impulsive and reckless. Deeming them a clear result of her desire to fix everyone else's problem but her own, which of course stems from issues she had in her adolescent years.

When everyone else wanted to congratulate her, Dr. Hopper only wanted to analyze her motives. One of the many perks of working for a psychiatrist. He had required her to take two weeks leave from work and strongly suggested she speak with a counselor.

She kicked her shoes off the second she walked into the door. She turned on her cell phone to see it display the number fourteen. The number was higher than Emma had hoped but had decreased over the past few days. She deleted most of them a second after they started except for one.

"Hey, it's Ruby," The voice on the message let out an exasperated sigh. "It's been a few days and I haven't heard from you. I'm sorry about the other night. I don't know what I was thinking." There was a long pause. "Actually, I know exactly I was thinking but obviously you weren't thinking the same."

Getting involved with the granddaughter of the woman who she pulled from the burning car was a terrible idea. Emma knew it was. If she was ever uncertain she could count on reminders from Killian, her best friend and co-worker.

"I understand if you don't want to hang out anymore, or whatever. Granny will be disappointed, but she'll get over it." Another of Ruby's sighs caused the message to crackle and pop. "I called to say thank you again, Emma. Take care of yourself, hero."

Emma had convinced herself there was nothing between she and Ruby except friendship, and there wasn't. Not for Emma anyway. She didn't realize until the girl pressed her lips against her own that Ruby may have had a different impression.

She felt guilty for ignoring her. She needed to apologize though she wasn't sure how. She deleted the voicemail and sat on the arm of her chair. It was the single piece of furniture besides a mattress in her studio apartment.

Emma searched her brain for the right words to say and lifted her thumb to dial the Lucas's bed and breakfast. Before she completed the call, the phone vibrated in her hand. She looked at the number but didn't recognize it.

She was going to ignore the call but telling yet another reporter to 'fuck off' gave her an excuse to delay calling Ruby. "Hello," it came out even more flat than she had intended.

"Is this Emma Swan?" The woman's voice on the other end was low and professional.

"It is," Emma's tone remained flat.

"The Emma Swan who pulled the elderly woman from the wrecked car two weeks ago?"

"The one and only," Emma chuckled to herself. "If you're looking for an interview you're out of luck. I'm holding out for Ellen." The woman on the other end fell silent. "You're not representing Ellen Degeneres by chance?"

"No, but-"

"Well then I guess this is goodbye," Emma shook her head.

"Please, don't hang up the phone," Her pitch went up slightly. Emma noted a hint of panic in the woman's voice and froze. "It's about my son. He's ten."

"I don't plan on making an appearance at birthday parties either," Emma quipped.

"Ms. Swan, I'm in a dire situation and I'd appreciate it if you refrain from making light of this," she said.

"I will," Emma said in a huff. "That is as soon as you tell me what this dire situation is."

"My son, Henry. He believes himself to be your biological child," the woman stated. It sounded as if she had more to say. "He was adopted."

"Look, whoever you are," Emma stood from the chair. "Unless this kid was magically conceived by lesbian love-making that would be impossible. Besides, I'm pretty sure i'd remember giving birth." Emma shook her head. "If you're trying to scam me out of money you're barking up the wrong tree."

"I'm afraid I've given you the entirely wrong impression," the woman snapped back. "My name is Regina Mills. My son," she continued with a hiss, "is a patient of your employer's. This past weekend he spent an overnight in Storybrooke."

It dawned on Emma then exactly what Regina meant when she said her child 'believed' himself to be her son. Storybrooke was the code name for the preteen and early teen male group home. In order to spend a night there, Henry must be suffering from a mental illness.

Emma could jump to conclusions and make assumptions on his diagnosis but she wasn't going to that. It wouldn't help the situation. "I wasn't at work this weekend. I actually rarely work Storybrooke. I spend most of my time in one of the other homes," Emma said referring to Arendale, the all girls facility.

"I'm aware of that. His fixation started when he saw you on the news weeks ago. He's concocted an elaborate delusion around your heroic act. He refers to you as the savior," Regina said. "Had I known then that you were an employee at Dr. Hopper's facilities, I wouldn't have let my son be admitted there." Her voice cracked a little.

Emma nodded as her brow furrowed, "I'm not sure why you've called me."

"It seems while at Storybrooke, one of the other boys encouraged my son to sneak into the office and steal your employee file," Regina said. "He's been missing for several hours and the only place I've yet to search is yours."

"Have you contacted Dr. Hopper?" Emma asked. "Or the authorities?"

"Trust me,I have spoken, at length, with the Doctor," Regina sighed. "And the police will likely be my next call. I would just rather not put my child through more stress than necessary. In these delusions of his I seem to play the role of a villain."

Emma wet her lips. She wanted to offer a reassuring word but could think of nothing to to say. It was pretty common for children to make their parents out to be the bad guy, which she was sure Dr. Hopper had already gone over with her. "I wish there was more I could do, but i haven't seen him."

"I understand, Miss Swan," Regina said sounding utterly defeated. "Thank you for your time." A gentle knock sounded on Emma's door.

"Wait a minute," Emma said as she rushed to the door. She opened it to see a young brown haired boy standing before her. "Your name wouldn't happen to be Henry would it?"

"He's there?" Regina asked.

"Oh, no," the young boy cried. "She already got to you."


It took three hours to convince Henry he should return home. Emma tried to build trust while not feeding into his delusions. According to Henry, Emma and almost anyone the boy had ever met were characters from children's stories. They just didn't know it.

Her own boss was Jiminy cricket a sort a collective conscious and spiritual advisor. His family of course were all villains. His Aunt the Wicked Witch, his grandmother the Queen of Hearts, and his mother The Evil Queen. She was responsible for cursing them all to this land.

Emma didn't talk much. She just listened to the conviction with which he spoke. His details were elaborate and alarmingly thought out.

It took an hour bus ride and a thirty minute walk for Emma and Henry to arrive at his large suburban home. With large white columns and immaculate hedges, it was clear that Henry came from a family of means.

When they got close Emma saw a young woman with long reddish brown hair standing on the walk. Her ripped jeans and very cleavagey top didn't exactly match the voice she heard on the phone, but she was relieved to see Henry run to his mother's arms. "You're Emma, huh?" She asked with an Australian accent. "I thought you'd be taller." She chuckled to herself. "You seemed taller on TV."

"I thought I'd never see you again," Henry squealed. "I was worried she'd killed you." The girl didn't respond.

She gave Emma a tight lipped smile and then turned to the boy,"I'm glad you're alright."

"I'm sorry she captured you again," Henry said hugging her once more.

"Lacey," a familiar voice came from down the hallway matching the one Emma had heard on the phone. "Please, take Henry to his room." As Regina came into view, she was everything Emma had pictured when they spoke on the phone. Her designer dressed perfectly matched her heels that clacked against the cement as she made way toward Emma Swan.

"Her name is Belle," he grumbled as he stormed inside. Regina opened her mouth to say something to Lacey and then closed it. She nodded and placed a hand on Regina's shoulder before following the boy inside.

"You must be Regina," Emma said offering the woman her hand. The woman shook her hand firmly.

"How about a glass of the best apple cider you've ever tasted, Miss Swan?" Regina asked with a reluctant smile.


Emma was on her second bottle of Mills brand hard cider when she put it all together. This was that Regina Mills, second daughter of Cora Mills, the founder of Mills Cider. The largest hard cider brewery in the nation.

She wasn't big on reading tabloids but the Mills were local legends of a sort. Her older sister Zelena, CEO of the company, was seen weekly with different famous actors and models. Much less was known about Regina. She wasn't even aware that there was a third generation. It didn't take Emma long to realize that confidentiality was a must in this situation.

She took another swig of the Cider as she listened to Regina tell her the story of how she let Lacey (who had been Henry's nanny since he was five) go because he was convinced she was a prisoner and couldn't leave. When Lacey was left, Henry had a breakdown. He was certain his mother had killed the girl. This was the breakdown that landed him in Storybrooke.

"Now, he thinks you re-kidnapped her," Emma said as she took another sip. They sat across from one another. "When you actually just re-hired her."

"I've tried my best to make this easier on my son," Regina sipped her cider from a wine glass. "But the more I try, the more he seems to pull away." Her eyes darkened as tears formed underneath them.

"He's in good hands with Dr. Hopper," Emma sat forward and placed her hand reluctantly on Regina's knee. Regina shifted away from Emma's touch and Emma cleared her throat. "You mentioned he was adopted. Do you know anything about his parents?"

"Nothing," Regina shook her head. "Except that they were teenagers."

"When," Emma paused knowing that Dr. Hopper already asked all of these questions and more. "When did these delusions start? They seem quite elaborate."

"Henry's always had a very active imagination," Regina sighed. "I was never really worried until six months ago. Henry was very close with my father." A distant look grew in her eyes. "He died of a stroke. Henry was there to witness it. He was the only one there." She took a long gulp.

"And instead of grieving he blames you," Emma said recalling what Henry had told her on the bus. "Believing you crushed his heart." Emma ran her fingers through her hair. Regina nodded. She bit the inside of her cheek as she fought back tears.

"I realize this situation is unusual and allowing a person with delusions to spend time with the object of their fixation can be dangerous," she sighed. "But I've talked it over with Dr. Hopper and we think it might be a good idea for you to come here a few times a week and work with Henry."

Emma stood to her feet, "You and Archie talked it over." She shook her head as she felt her jaw clench.

"I would pay you four times the amount you make at the homes and arrange for transportation," Regina stood beside her.

"This isn't about the money," Emma huffed. "I'm not sure it's a good idea for his sake. I'm no one's hero, lady."

"Which is exactly why it's a good idea," Regina said with a shrug. "Henry needs to realize that his savior is-"

"Human," Emma said with a nodded. "Normal and flawed." She knew what Regina was going to say. She'd worked with Dr. Hopper for long enough now to see this kind of approach before.

"Dr. Hopper is sure that there are strategies that you could teach me to help him cope," Regina added. "That along with proper medication might be precisely what Henry needs." She leaned against the back of the chair she had just stood from moments earlier. "I'm not sure I can do this anymore, not alone." Her brown eyes looked into Emma's. Her face wore a mix of desperation and sadness; it was heart breaking to watch even if only for a brief moment. Emma couldn't imagine how hard it'd been for Regina these past months.

"You won't have to," Emma answered with a sigh.

"Does that mean you accept my offer?" Regina asked with hope.

"Yes," Emma answered, praying she'd bring some peace to this family.