DISCLAIMER: Once Upon a Time is not mine. Just borrowing most of the characters and these 2 sexy ladies for my evil needs. The song "Somewhere in Time" is not mine either. Life is unfair.

As you and I are destined to be, thus we have a beginning to an end. But to fear upon the so forth end means nothing to the foundation of the start and in-between. So let's set out to the path of least resistance... to love and be loved in return. To dwell upon your love means to lighten my once dark confusing world. It's a promise of renewal, the joy of living, the peace of mind that comes from sharing and caring. And with these, let us be the alpha and the omega, my end to your beginning….

CHAPTER 1

There in the shadows of the back row sat a lone figure of a woman. Her face is hidden and the foot light illuminated part of her features. There is something majestic by the way she sat, so proud… so regal. And from afar, Emma can feel her staring at her. She felt it the minute she walked into the garden, her vision gravitated to that lone and dark figure by the corner. For no matter how or where she diverted her gaze, the silent woman somehow commanded her to look back at her again. Though she cannot see the woman's expression, she felt her stare bear heavy on her. Emma glanced behind her to check if there was someone else she was looking at but alas, it was just an empty space and gentle breeze of the garden behind her.

Emma sighed. The silhouette reminded her of someone, somewhere but for the life of her, she can't put her finger into it. Her gut feeling is telling her she knew of this woman. And her gut feelings never failed her before.

"Who are you?" Emma whispered.

Her thoughts however were broken by the sound of the host announcing her group to the private audience.

"Ladies and gentleman, thank you for joining us tonight in this private party to celebrate the holidays. To brighten our mood for the night, may I present, the music of this classical piano quartet, invited here tonight, solely for our listening pleasure. With no further ado, the Swan Queen Quartet!"

A loud applause brought her attention from the woman at the back, reminding her the purpose of her presence in this exclusive affair. With her nod, Emma led her group up the stage and motioned them to acknowledge the applause sent their way, waving and smiling to the sea of faces that are stranger either to her or to her music group. Though private party for such social élite was never her thing, it is after all the ones that pay them quite well and help covers a few months rent. Therefore refusing such gig left no room for discussion.

Emma beckoned her group to take their positions and get this musical ensemble going for their one & a half-hour set for the night. Straightening her flowing white dress, Emma positioned herself at the piano where she will lead most of the solos. Her group, consisting of violin, a clarinet and tenor saxophone arranged the music sheets that they have readied for the night. Emma however remembered all the songs by heart and had no need for such paper clutter that usually distracts her from her music. It is a wonderful gift. As far as she can remember she played by ear and can instantly play songs that she heard for the first time. Though she was never classically trained, she can read music notes with no problem, her Swan Queen group who attended the local music school taught her how. Nonetheless, playing by ear is still her preference of choice.

Not knowing what their audience will be like for the night, her group started their chamber music for the first part, playing with classical songs from Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven, hopefully to be enjoyed and appreciated by the senior guests. Though classical music by itself is the highest form of art, to Emma anyway, they have mixed it up with some popular music that can be heard on the radio lately, to cater to the younger ones, and well….Emma must admit, so as not to be labeled as "boring" if they continue on with Beethoven all throughout the hour. Anyway, doing such mixed repertoire always gets the attention they needed and before the night is through it always got them bookings for new gigs.

As their last song for the night comes to an end, Emma glanced back to the woman at the back. She was still there, staring, at her. Only at her. Though she knew she performed exceptionally well tonight, her group had matched the same passion and dedication on giving their audience a performance they won't forget. But such special attention directed solely at her baffled Emma. And this staring from the shadow is getting creepy as the night progress. She supposed it must be her pretty white dress and her flowing blonde curls made an impact somehow. Well if that is so, then buying such expensive outfit and going to the hairdresser tonight was worth it then. She is not vain, but she was told that with her flowing blonde hair, green eyes, high cheekbones and prominent cleft chin, she is considered breath-taking. Some days she doesn't feel like one but tonight, with the dress and the make-up on, well she felt like a beauty Queen. Emma chuckled.

The sound of applause broke her chain of thoughts, realizing that their group finally finished their hour-long serenading. Their audiences were all standing up, clapping and smiling. This kind of warm appreciation, for artists such as themselves, melts their heart. It never failed to make Emma feel mushy from the inside and her heart swelled with pride, for tonight, she and her team created magic once again.

Emma glanced back to the mysterious woman, by now, the lights of the moon have moved and it shone just about the right side of her face. From where she stood she can see the silhouette of a striking feature, her face against the moon created such mystical glow.

"Do I know you?" Emma pondered.

For some inane reason, she felt the need to play another song. She wanted to play for HER. The woman of the shadow, as Emma began to call her. The compulsion was too strong to resist and before she knew it, she acted upon the need.

"Just one more song…" Emma glanced at Rachel who played the clarinet and was startled when she heard Emma's whispered confession.

"What? We didn't practice an extra song, Emma " Rachel, whispered back.

"That's OK, I'll do a solo, you guys can take a rest now" she assured.

"Sure about that?"

"Yeah, just something I feel that I need to do Rachel" Emma nodded.

"OK, it's your stage then girl!" Rachel squeezed her hand and blew her a kiss.

Emma took to the center of the stage and look upon their newfound fans "Thank you so much for such warm appreciation. It is our intent to bring you harmless relaxation while we serenade you with the beauty of our music. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are the Swan Queen Quartet" The group bowed a few times and took their leave, except for Emma.

"Though our time has finally come to an end, I would like to offer you one last song for the night, if you so permits it?" Emma smiled and waited for her audience to react. They were all clapping, nodding and some are even…cat calling? Emma stifled a laugh and supposed that they do want it then. Smiling, she took another curtsy and seated herself upon her grand piano. She positioned her slender fingers above the keys but before that, she risked another look at her mysterious friend. And yes, she was still there. In the shadow, at the back, staring. Taking a deep breath, she glanced back at her audience, smiled and started to play.

She chose to play a piece she called "Somewhere In Time". It is a beautiful haunting melody that she heard and learned since…forever. She kept hearing it in her mind, in heart and she hummed it even in sleep. The moment she got hold of a piano, she started playing it, all the notes and rhythm imprinted on her heart. Nobody claimed to have heard of it and copyrights infringement had never been demanded of her when she kept playing and recording the song. So as time moved forward, the song became her. It appeared beyond doubt that this music was so united with her being that she cannot be free from it even if she so desired. And as the years went by, she came up with beautiful lyrics to this evocative melody.

Emma was on her own little world when she plays the piano, especially when the rhythm of this special song engulfs her whole being. For each moment she spent with this song, she was transported to a special place, a dimension that only she can relate upon. In this fantastical land, just beyond the meadow, a long stretch of road that led to a place she believed to be of importance to her life. And in the middle of that road, her love awaits with outstretched hands, reaching for her. Yes, indeed…her love stands waiting, patient and true.

It was always the same images, the same surroundings, and the same lover's lair. In this magical place, she recalled everything, every colors and every scent. Everything was vivid. Except that for each time that she arrived there, she cannot make out the face of her lover. It's not that he or she doesn't have a face, it's just that Emma cannot see a face or remember a single feature. Even though her lover is faceless, she knew from the purple glow that emitted from her lover's body, she was truly loved.

Is it déjà vu? Or has she created this love and glorious land in her moments of make-believe? Thus imprinting it on her mind and believed it to be true? She often wondered how and why. Was it a powerful dreamscape or a beautiful nightmare? She cannot tell the difference and somehow, it never failed to evoke emotions of sorrow and regret.

In the still of the night, her melancholy melody sung out like a lone wolf crying out to the moon. After playing a few verses, Emma began to sing. Her voice was sweet and pure; it floated in the air, across the garden and into the heart of her audience. She was reaching out and conveying the emotions that she locked from within. She played and sang the one song that she knew for like…forever and a day.

"Somewhere in time , we met on timeless hills

And in the evening mist we kissed and time stood still

Before the dawn, we found forever

Moments are timeless when I feel your caress"

Emma sought the eyes of the mysterious woman. From the darkness that surrounded her she can only make out a silhouette of a lonesome form. As the moon shined partly in her face, Emma can almost feel her unshed tears.

It was then that Emma knew, that somehow, this song was of… her. Of them.

"Love never goes… once it has touched your heart

Just like the strength of wine that's left as two lips part

A taste of love will linger after I know the meaning of all that I see

You'll always be inside of me , And I know when love is true

It's always with you

Somewhere in time, I came to realize

Love never goes"

With the enchanting melody and Emma's mesmerizing voice, one can feel the sadness of the music that slowly seeps into the body and spread to one's soul. It was an honest declaration of sorrow, and of unrequited love. Emma was pouring her soul into the song, bereft of all pride.

Emma's slender fingers runs through the ivory with such powerful strokes, she poured raw emotions upon the keys for the world to see, before letting the last few verses of the music comes to a soft end. As the last of the notes dies down, Emma's tears started to run down the contours of her cheeks. She let it flow and took a moment to collect herself.

There was a few moment of absolute silence in the garden, as the audience soaked the beauty of the piece. How can one comes out OK after that? Nonetheless, the room exploded with applause, some women were dabbing at the corners of their eyes. A few men threw flowers at her feet, while some are actually trying to hold back their own tears.

Emma took a deep breath and finally looked up to glimpse upon the woman of the shadow, the same woman whose mere presence rattled the core of her being. But she was no longer there. With this, Emma felt chills run down her spine. She felt a sense of loss and foreboding. Emma looked around the garden trying to find her but to no avail.

"How can she not stay?" she murmured.

Realizing that she stayed on the stage for far too long, she took her leave, picked out a few flowers and mouthed "thank you" to her appreciative audience. She descended the stage and moved to meet her friends.

"Emma, my love, that was excellent" a tall dark man, about a few years Emma's senior approached her side. "That was the most emotional and heart wrenching version of that song that I heard you played to date"

"Thank you, Mark. You don't know how much that means to me"

"What happened? Did you just got heart-broken or something these last days that I don't know about?" Mark swooped in, lifted Emma off her feet and gave Emma a kiss on both cheeks. He was the one who got them this gig. Owning an art gallery, he got connections with these socialites, most of whom are his customers.

"I don't know" Emma laughed "tonight for some reason, something felt good! And sad. Oh you know…just something!"

"No, I don't know. But whatever it is, it made you awesome!" as he gently set her down.

The rest of the quartet came to swarm around Emma and congratulated her. Though they've heard the song before, it was the first time they saw such emotions from the woman.

"Girl, I'm telling you, after that masterpiece you pulled out there, those sleazy men in the corner is out to get yah!" Rachel said after giving Emma a big hug.

"So be warned" Richard, their saxophonist added as he patted Emma on the shoulder.

Emma looked around to glimpse at the said group and in so doing, catched a lone figure in the shadow. She gasped. It's HER. She's still here. The woman is now standing, still in shadow and again…staring. Emma's heart started pounding in nervous surprise; she immediately turned back to her friends, pretending to have not seen her. But Emma knew she's coming, she felt her stare bore down her back.

The woman slowly advanced and had not taken her eyes off of her. Emma's mounting awareness was discomfiting. Suddenly uncomfortable, Emma tried to start a new subject to interest her friends. However, they were all staring at the haunting face of the woman, who slowly approached their group. She moved with graceful elegance that exudes class and style. Her stare, intent upon Emma.

She paused just behind Emma and reached out an old, fragile hand to touch her shoulder. Emma had anticipated it and upon the light touch turned around and gazed upon the woman who haunted her night. Seen in full light, she saw her stalking shadow gazing up at her. An inch or two smaller, Emma stared back at her faded brown eyes, glistening with unshed tears, obviously in the state of turmoil. Given her advanced age, the woman stood tall, demanding the group to her attention despite her dainty height. Her rich healthy greying hair pulled up into a sleek chignon. Her skin glowed with gentle lines that show more wisdom than age, taking in all that she saw while revealing nothing. The woman seemed to command her soul, eyes sparkling with secrets, searching for recognition.

Emma was pulled in by the presence of her, the power of her unspoken words, conveying a message that she cannot comprehend. It took her breath away and in defense for such unknown feelings, she took a few steps back, away from the old woman. At this point Emma was confused and don't know what to do nor what to say.

Nobody else knew what to say either.

Emma gasped when the woman lifted her arms, hands outstretched, reaching out for her.

This looks oddly familiar…

Emma instinctively responded to her call, her left hand reached out on its own accord. The woman smiled at Emma's acknowledgement, though sadness was apparent in her eyes. The woman took her hand and pressed something into it, closed it firmly with both of her hands. For a few moments, she stood still staring at her closed palms, her own hands wrapped around Emma's. Then she brought both their hands to her lips and kissed them with closed eyes, a single tear rolling down her cheek. Afterwards, she looked back at Emma, brown eyes searching the confused green ones, and then she leans over and whispered in Emma's ears.

"You remembered our song, it is YOU" Her voice shaking, traumatized. She leaned once more and whispered her last words.

"Emma, come back to me"

A/N: This work has not been beta'd, so apologies for any grammar mistake as English is not my first language. Please review and help me improve.