Author's note: Okay, I'm officially obsessed over Once Upon A Time. This idea popped into my head and there we go :P

For sake of plot and telling character's apart, Neal the baby is now named James and Prince Charming is going by David. Tell me if this annoys anyone and I'll change it back.

Yes I realise Neal is going to be OOC this roleplay but it's for the plot :-)

(Yes, Captain Swan is now one of my many otps!)

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time :-(

Emma's POV

It's a quiet evening tonight. The bar is nearly empty except for a few regular visitors, my parents, Ruby... and my son, Henry, who is currently talking avidly about the most recent book he's been reading. I only realise a moment later that he asked me something. "Sorry, I missed that," I said casually. "Can you repeat the question?"

I look up as Henry sighs in exasperation. "Mum, I knew you weren't listening to me," he whined.

I sighed and stroked his hair affectionately. "Sorry kid," I muttered apologetically. "Got caught up in my dream world, I guess. It's rare to have quiet moments like this, you know."

Henry nods and smiles gently. "I know," he mutters. "Why do you still have to be here on quiet nights like this?"

I laugh lightly at his question. "Because otherwise I won't get enough money to pay for both you and Neal. You know that." I sigh in frustration. "I wish that Neal would get a job sometimes. For more than one reason."

"What other reasons?"

I jump, letting out a little yell in surprise and look over at my mother's curious yet worried face. "Nothing mum," I mutter. "How's James?"

"James is doing very well," she says cheerfully, green eyes bright. "Your father reckons he will take his first steps soon!"

She squeaks in excitement and I smile at my mum. "That's great," I say encouragingly. "Tell him that his big sister and nephew say hi!"

"I have a better idea," she says pointedly. "Why don't the two of you come over next week for the weekend?"

I glance at Henry who's staring at me excitedly. I have to lie. "Sounds great, mum!" I say through gritted teeth. "But I'll have to ask work for days off."

"Good, I'll see you then hopefully!" Mum chirps before walking back to dad and Ruby.

"What was that?" says a familiarly sharp voice from nearby.

I start and look over to see Regina at the counter. "Hello to you, too!" I mutter, facing her fully. "What was what?"

Regina was one of the rarer customers but, like most customers, we had formed a kind of friendship. Sure, it was one of my most unstable friendship I have - at times we could barely looked at each other in the face as we were so angry at each other - but there were still good conversations we had in the past. "You know what," Regina states. "You lying to your own mother."

"I don't have to tell my parents everything, thank you," I reply casually. "The usual?"

Regina nods and I grab a shot glass, pouring tequila into it and passing it to her. She mutters a thank you and drinks the shot quickly. She looks over at Henry and smiles. "Hey Henry," she greets.

"Hi Regina," Henry chirps. Regina has a better friendship with my son that she has with me. Not sure why. Sure, she was sceptical when seeing him here on her first visit but eventually got used to him. I often take Henry with me to work so he could have some time away from home.

"What are yo-" Regina stops and tenses up mid-sentence. Her eyes narrow at me and she points to my neck. "Is that a bruise?" she asks sharply.

My eyes widen fractionally and clasp a hand to the side of my throat. I sould have realised that Regina would notice as soon as she entered. She's more perceptive than the majority of the bar's visitors. "Yeah, but it's no big deal," I say, desperately trying to sound casual. Regina looks at me in disbelief. "Really," I insist. "I fell over and I hit my neck on a table leg."

It's a terrible lie and she knows it. Thankfully, she decides to leave the topic. "Maybe try not to be so clumsy next time then," she mutters pointedly.

"Yes, your majesty," I say mockingly, with a fake bow. Regina rolls her eyes but can't help but smile a little. I take the time to try and hide the bruise with my hair.

Ruby returns to the counter with an empty tray. "Okay, Em, your shift's up," she informs me cheerfully, pointing to the clock. 9:00pm, as Ruby said, the end of my shift. "Pack up, get your ass out from behind the counter and get out of here!" she teases.

"Good to know I'm appreciated!" I retort playfully, putting the tequila bottle back on the shelf. Ruby laughs, playfully swatting my shoulder as she takes my place behind the counter. I sigh. "Come on, Henry," I mutter.

Henry nods and says goodbye to Regina and Ruby before following me out of the bar.

Page break

The house is eerily silent when we get home, but the light that shone from the landing signalled that Neal was still awake. I close the door after Henry steps through and I step forwards slowly. "Okay, Henry, you know the drill," I say quietly. "Straight to bed, not a single sound."

I look down at him as he looks up at me. His brow furrows. "Has this got anything to do with the yelling I hear sometimes?" he asks innocently.

I sigh. "Just go to bed, Henry," I say quietly but firmly. He nods reluctantly and carefully sneak upstairs. I walk after him as quietly as possible and wait on the landing to make sure he's in his bedroom. As he opens the door he turns around to face me and mouths a quick good night.

"Good night, love you," I mouth back at him and he slips through the door, closing it behind him quietly. With a sigh, I walk into the bedroom I share with Neal.

"Good evening sweetheart," Neal says as I enter the room. He's lying on top of the bed, clothes on including his dirty, black leather shoes. "How was work?"

"Work was okay," I force out, slipping out of my shoes. "A bit slow this evening but Regina turned up at the end. What did you do this evening? Watched more television?"

Neal narrows his eyes at me but doesn't move. "What else?" he asks in that dangerously quiet voice of his.

Tread carefully, Emma, I mentally warn myself. No need for Henry to ask more questions.

"Oh, nothing," I say reluctantly. "It's just that it's all you ever seem to do."

Big surprise, I got it wrong. This only makes Neal angrier. Next thing I know he's off the bed and slapping me across the face. I'm taken off guard, as usual, and I stumble backwards blindly, falling backwards and hitting the back of my head against the wall with a yelp. "Stop!" I say pitifully, I know it's useless. "Henry might hear."

"So?" Neal spits kicking me in the side. I cry out in pain before biting my lip to try and stifle the sounds.

"So?" I gasp, trying to steal a breath. "He's your son! Don't you care about your own flesh and blood?"

"The only reason he's still here is because you insisted," Neal sneers in reply, kicking me again. I cough hoarsely, trying to breath.

No matter how much I protest, he doesn't stop. The last thing I remember is fist colliding with my nose before everything goes black.

Page break

"Mum?"

I groan, opening my eyes to see Henry crouched in front of me, hazel eyes full of worry. "Hey kid," I mutter. A wave of pain hits me almost immediately and I wince, groaning loudly. Next come the memories. Neal started hitting me again and I must have passed out eventually. The light shining through the window tells me that it's now morning.

"Mum!" Henry says in panic. "Are you alright? Did dad...hurt you?"

I nod slowly. There was no point lying to him about this anymore. "Your father's...changed, Henry," I said softly. "He's not the man I used to know."

Each word hurts as it leaves my throat but it doesn't compare to the pain I feel as Henry's face falls. I wince, as I move to get up from the position I'm in. "Mum, what are you doing?" he asks, snapping back to reality.

"To...get help," I mutter, slipping my feet into my shoes. Only now do I see the damage Neal did last night. My arms are almost completely black and blue at the shoulders, my nose is broken and there's another bruise on my neck. It's too high up to hide under a shirt, so I move my hair to hide it to the best of my ability.

"Help? Where from?" Henry asks curiously. "Can I come?"

I sigh and look down at him. "Yeah, you can come," I say eventually. "But stay near me, alright?"

Henry nods and watches me as I pull my read leather jacket over my shoulders. I offer him my hand and he takes it tentatively, offering me a supportive smile. I smile back gratefully before leading him out the room and out of the house.

Thoughts?