Wraith and Love
Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time
Favor
Emma scrawled a quick label on a file folder and put the appropriate papers in it before storing it in her cabinet. Someone knocked on the door, but by the time she turned around to face the visitor, Mr. Gold had let himself in. "What...are you doing here?" she asked.
"I've decided that this particular case can't wait anymore," he replied.
"Yeah?"
Gold sighed and bowed his head. When he looked at Emma again, he said, "Do you remember our deal?"
"Yeah."
"Good. I need you to do something for me. Now before you say anything, it's nothing illegal, and I've checked everything out so that it doesn't erupt into a huge mess that can't be cleaned up, and I believe in fixing certain things."
"Okay, so what are you doing here?" Gold stepped forward, reached into a pocket inside his jacket, and produced a small paper folded into fourths. He handed the paper to Emma, who unfolded it to reveal a portrait of a boy with long black hair, dark eyes, and a smile. Emma looked from the portrait to Gold and back again. "Is this your son?" Gold paused. That was all the answer she needed, and they both knew it. "What do you want me to do?"
"Find him."
Should be relatively easy, she thought. "Has he been reported missing?"
"Not by me. You and I both know trouble is the last thing I want."
"How old was he when you last saw him?"
"Sixteen."
"Then he ended up on the street somewhere or in the system. Or, God willing, he found himself a nice, loving family and got adopted."
"I just want to find him, and I need your help to do it."
"Why me?"
"Well, it's not like I trust that writer with anything, and we all know Regina likes it when you're busy."
"So, you're trying to get her to lighten up a little."
"Sure, let's go with that." Gold slapped on his usual smile.
"That's our story, then. I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you, Emma," Gold whispered. He turned and walked out of the office. Emma watched him disappear and then stared at the portrait in her hands without really seeing it.
Unsure of what to do with it, she folded it up and hid it in the desk drawer, under Henry's book.
