The voices of the guards shouting after her as she ran through the forest were becoming quieter. Though she did not slow down, that she knew would be a mistake. She needed to run, faster and faster, her legs were crying out in agony and her breath was rapid and heavy. Though she couldn't help but smile, she loved this adrenaline rush, the running away, she very rarely got to run away, usually just sauntered away; people made it so easy to break in and steal things nowadays. She loved a challenge. This was it. This was her favourite challenge.

Her satchel was banging against her thigh; the stolen object within was almost like a calling beacon, a red arrow above her head, calling to the guards. The Evil Queen's guards. Finally she slowed down and quickly rested up against a tree. Her chest rising and falling in quick succession. She wiped her brow and exhaled shakily and let out a laugh. Her green eyes shone from the adrenaline and the chase. They landed on something pinned to the tree opposite her. A piece of paper she titled her head and shook it as she pulled off the piece of paper. Upon it was a well-drawn picture of herself, above her head was written Wanted, underneath, Goldilocks wanted for crimes against the queen, theft, treason, murder. "I never murdered anyone," sighed Emma, "Treason perhaps, theft definitely, but murder never. Well only in self defence." She folded up the piece of paper and put it into her satchel.

She patted the bronze chest within the satchel and smiled happily. Her head whipped around the hood on her brown cloak falling down revealing her golden locks. "Over there!" one of the guards shouted pointing in her direction. Emma rolled her eyes before securing the closure of her satchel before running off again. She ran far away until she decided to cascade a tree, securing herself on a joint between the trunk and a branch, her green eyes watching the land below. She was waiting.

The Queen's guards she could see were running her way. She quietly unsheathed her sword and prepared herself. When they were close enough, she jumped down from her perch, landing atop one of the guards. "Thanks for the cushion," she said as she landed atop him, knocking him out cold. The other three guards quickly took out their swords preparing for the dance of fight.

Their swords crashed against Emma's, naturally they were stronger than Emma and they were of greater skill than her in using a sword, but Emma was fast and clever and never played fair. Once forced down to her back she held up her hands in surrender, then as the guard went to sheath his sword she punched him in the face then thrust her sword into his side. Soon all three guards were lying around her dead, the forth lay unconscious. Emma sheathed her sword and patted down her breeches and rubbed off any dirt that had gripped onto her during the tousle with the guards. She noticed the cut upon her upper arm and made a note to herself to tend to it later.

She put her hands underneath the armpits of the unconscious guard and began to drag him away from the battle scene. Emma dragged him away and only stopped when she felt as if she were sufficiently far enough away and that no other guards were following her. She finally let go of the guard and took off her cloak, folding it carefully and placing it underneath his head. She took off his metal helmet carefully and placed it next to him. She delicately placed a finger on his eyelid and lifted up to check everything was okay. Then checked his pulse, it was a normal rate. She hoped she hadn't caused too much damage. He'd probably just be a bit bruised and ache a little. Then she sat herself up against the fallen tree and tended to her wound.

A small blue bird landed next to her on the fallen tree and chirped at her. The sight of the bird was a good sign it meant her friend was safe. "One second," she told the bird before delving into her satchel and taking out her wanted poster and a quill and a pot of ink. Paper wasn't always easy for her to find, but her wanted posters were, so she always had a couple in her bag in preparation for use. She turned the wanted poster over and dipper her quill in ink and wrote I'm safe and it is done before rolling up small and neat and tying it onto the leg of the bird. As soon as it was done the bird flew away.

The guard let out a groan and his hand slowly came up to his head. Emma put away her quill and ink pot and turned to look at him. His head slowly turned upon the make-shift pillow she had made for him out of her cloak. He turned and looked at her. Took in the slight concern that was etched upon her face, but most of all noticed the way her green eyes shone mischievously. "Sorry, Graham," Emma stated. "I didn't realise it was you I jumped down on. Thanks for breaking my fall by the way,"

"You're welcome," he answered groggily. Emma had noticed his accent always seemed to be stronger when he was sleepy or waking up. Something about him not being fully awake did that to his voice. "You really need to be careful when stealing from Regina,"

"Well, you'll be happy to know, this was my last heist against the Queen,"

"What?" he asked as he sat up, his hand pressed against his head. "Why did you drag me here Emma. She'll be wondering where I am. You know I have no choice, I can't leave her,"

"You can now," smiled Emma as she opened up her satchel and took out the bronze chest. Graham's eyes widened as he saw the chest, Emma just grinned at him as she opened it revealing the glowing heart inside and presenting it to him.

"You didn't,"

"I believe we are even,"

"You were never indebted to me,"

"You saved my life. I've returned that favour," Emma told him as he took the chest from her staring down at the heart.

"But how?"

"I had a little help. I'm good, the best thief around but I couldn't afford for this go wrong. So I elicited Snow's help. You spared her life as well, so this was her returning the favour. She created a diversion, meaning it was that easier to get in and get out. Kept Regina out of the way. Though my bet is she'll know soon,"

"I can't believe you did this,"

"I hope this places me further up her wanted list. I've got to be number two, after Snow of course, now," joked Emma.

"She'll hunt you down,"

"I know," nodded Emma. "A personal vendetta now, instead of just annoyance at me constantly stealing from her, and everyone else in this kingdom. Which is why, I am leaving,"

"What?"

"Come on Graham," sighed Emma. "I can't stay here. Not now, and I'm tired of running from her. I want Snow back in power, but I can't stay here and wait for that to happen. If I want to live to see that day then I have to leave. The people of this kingdom will always look out for Snow. They won't look out for me, I've wronged far too many in this place. Stolen from far too many. I'm not safe here. Everywhere I go I am at risk of someone catching me. There is a large price for my head and no one likes me. Even moving under the cover of darkness will keep me safe forever. The Enchanted Forest is one giant trap to me now. So this is my farewell gift to you,"

"So you knew you were going to leave before you did this,"

"Oh yes," nodded Emma. "Go on, put it back in."

Graham nodded and slowly took his heart out of the chest and held it delicately in his hands. He looked down at it nervously and back at Emma's encouraging gleeful face. The curly brown haired man brought his heart up to his chest and shoved it back in. His eyes were wide as he put his hands down his eyes prickling with tears. "Is everything alright?" inquired Emma.

"More than alright," he smiled. "I feel great." Graham jumped up onto his feet and pulled Emma up and embraced her. Emma went stiff at the display of affection. She was never one for such things, she'd never experienced them growing up and signs of affection just made her uncomfortable now; she never knew how to respond. She awkwardly patted Graham on the back until he let go. "So what now?"

"Now," Emma began, "I need to plan my route of escape, and you sir, need to stay out of trouble. I don't want my final heist to be in vain. You keep a tight hold on that heart of yours. Snow knows I'm safe and it is done, so you are a free man now."

"I can help,"

"I'm doing this alone Graham,"

"This is more than you just running away from the Queen isn't it?"

"I don't know what you mean,"

"Emma, you can't keep on running just because things are getting good," he sighed.

"I'm getting away from the Enchanted Forest so I can live," Emma retorted. Closing up not revealing anything to Graham. He knew what Emma was like, knew from her past that she was constantly running, she was afraid to let people in. She had done that with Snow and with Graham but kept on cutting them off. Almost as if she was afraid to care for them. Then now, again, she was running. "Regina will be looking for me, she'll want her revenge. She'll hate me even more than usual now, I'm going for my safety and everyone else's. I am a liability. You know I am."

"Will you return?"

"I don't know," Emma shrugged her shoulders.

"Snow, doesn't know you are leaving does she?"

"No," admitted Emma. "But this is for the best. Just trust me Graham,"

"Okay, I'll trust you" he nodded. "Just as long as you promise you'll return one day. Promise me Emma,"

"Fine... I promise."

"Thank you," he smiled and planted a kiss upon her forehead. Emma walked around Graham and picked up her cloak she waved it out but put her satchel on, the strap going over her chest, before she put her cloak on. She lifted the hood to hide her face. Her tan gloved hand patted Graham's shoulder. "Keep yourself safe," he told her.

"You too, Huntsman," she smiled. "Tell Snow I said bye."

"And that you expect a full pardon for your crimes when she gets her throne back?"

"Of course. Can't have a bounty upon my head. Time to make myself wanted in some other kingdom, see what other treasures I can steal. Nothing is new here,"

"I'll miss you," Graham said fondly.

"I guess, yeah, I'll miss you too," Emma gave him a small smile before turning away.