One.

The sky was a deep shade of green and the air was moist as Emma Swan walked from her car and through the rain towards the yellow tape cordoning off a crime scene.

Her leather jacket was hugging her body keeping her warm from the brisk cold breeze. Arriving she flashed her badge and the officer standing there raised the tape to let her through.

"What've we got?" A tall dark haired man turned his head slightly to glance at her and reverted his eyes to his previous attention. "Female, late 20s dragged from her car into the alley. Stated she fought as a man pinned her down and took her purse."

Emma glanced once over the scene looking for anything pertinent that she could tie to the investigation. "Sexual assault?" The man answered, "No, just a robbery but he roughed her up pretty good. Laceration over her left eye, and a bloody lip."

Emma sighed, "Thanks Jones, I'll go talk to paramedics." Jones stopped her, "already did. They took her to Muenster General and gave her once over, she's already home. I think Hernandez has her address."

Emma paused, "Who took her statement?" Jones turned to her, "Mills." Her head snapped towards him, "She's on this?" Jones just pressed his lips together and his lips curves sideways in a vague dismissal.

Emma rolled her eyes and walked over to meet Hernandez who was writing in a notepad. "Hernandez, I was told you took the victims statement. What details can we use?"

Hernandez stopped what he was doing and flipped through a few pages of his notepad, "Alright, said he was tall, thin, scruffy beard, tattoo on his neck of a bird, and smelled like alcohol."

Emma pulled on her lips nonchalantly in a thoughtful gesture while she considered the information. "Did they get any dna at the hospital?" Hernandez paused, "As far as I know, Mills and Nolan are on that."

Again with another eye roll she dismissed it, "Alright, I'll meet up with them and check in. I need that report in an hour." Hernandez smirked, "Yes boss."

Emma playfully pushed his arm and turned to walk towards her car. When she got in she pulled out the walkie and paged Nolan. "This is officer 2365. I need a location on Nolan."

The dispatch replied, "Officer Nolan is at Muenster General. Would like me to page him?" Emma quickly responded, "No I got it. Thanks. Over."

Emma started the car and backed out trying not to hit the crown that had gathered to the scene in hopes of viewing something interesting.

As she drove towards the hospital she chewed on a half-eaten bare claw and sipped on some stale hot coffee. It was almost 11pm and her shift had only begun. There was a lot to be done.

The traffic along Central was busy as usual for a Friday night and the closer she drove towards the hospital, the heavier traffic seemed to be.

Emma drove up and parked next to the cruiser she recognized to be Nolan's and hesitated to exit the vehicle.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself she sipped on her coffee and then huffed as she got out and walked towards the entrance.

Upon arriving she saw Nolan standing talking to a medical professional so she walked towards him and he nodded in recognition.

"Thanks. We'll be in touch." Nolan turned towards Emma, "hey, I heard you were taking lead on this."

Emma put her hands in her back pockets, "Yeah, what've we got?" Nolan leaned against the nurse's station, "Well there was dna under her fingernails but no match in the system. Description isn't worth a damn either."

Emma sighed, "Damn, alright did you re-interview the victim?" Nolan paused for a moment and then said, "Mills is doing that now."

Emma raised her eyebrows, "Cause she so good at that." It seemed as though Nolan was going to respond but she put her hand up and waved him off.

"Don't worry, I'll behave. Alright David, see that you meet me at the station when you finish up here."

Nolan smiled, "It's Nolan." Emma sighed and pushed his shoulder, "Shut up. Meet me there and I'll start fleshing this out with Hernandez and see what Gold wants to do for next steps."

He nodded and turned to walk towards the victim's room that was half covered by a curtain. As Emma was about to walk and turn away she saw Mills peak from behind the curtain.

Their eyes met just briefly and the awkwardness was still present. Mills bit her lip and then turned her attention back to what she was doing.

Emma rolled her head back and let out a huge breath and willed herself to get out of there. That was a wound she didn't want to open right now.

Mills and Nolan were sitting in the lobby of the hospital sipping on coffee and writing their notes. Nolan kept glancing at Mills to gage any reaction to her brief interaction with Emma.

"Stop it." Her voice was low and thick with annoyance. Nolan seemed slightly startled, "Stop what?"

Mills let out an exasperating breath and looked at him, "Staring at me like I'm about to break. I'm fine."

Nolan raised an eyebrow slightly and then replied, "Sorry. I guess it's just it's been awhile since you talked. Is this the first item you've seen her?"

Mils rolled her eyes and tried to keep calm, "Yes." The short reply and her tone of voice told him her feelings on the matter.

"Guess It's time to bury the hatchet, right?" Mills turned and looked at him with distain, "I think not."

Nolan sighed and let his shoulders fall in defeat, "At some point you have to work together. Guess it's now. Just, be nice."

Mills looked at the ground and then went back to her notes, "I can't promise anything." Nolan was apprehensive about this situation but it was the job. "Oh boy."

At the risk of going over the line he placed his hand on hers and she looked up at him, "Regina, just so you know. I'm on your side."

Nolan could see a slight tenderness in her eyes and then she reverted to her notes pulling her hand from his. "I appreciate that, but we both know it's not that simple."

Nolan shrugged, "I guess that's true."

Not long after Emma was sitting in the station and setting up the case on the glass and the dry erase board.

Standing there looking at all the evidence, victim, possible suspects and officer statements, she was focused.

Emma Swan had a knack for figuring things out based on her cognitive abilities alone. She was smart and she was creative about where to look for clues. Some didn't think to look in the simplest places.

It was why she'd been moved from cadet to officer in just under a year. It also was why it only took a year to become detective, without a degree or training.

Many scowled over her lack of experience and fast paced promotions, but they were well deserved. She clashed heads with a lot of people based on her attitude and defensive exterior.

Deep down she was a softy but had been hurt too many times by too many people to really get close to anyone.

One exception was made but it was blown to shit before it could take form. Now Emma was living in an apartment on her own, and working more hours than she slept.

"Hey." Nolan called as Emma stared at the boards in what her peers deemed overly focused. A vague wave was shot in his direction but her energy was focused on the case.

Nolan sat at his desk and Mills stood in the corner by the coffee station while Emma seemed lost in thought.

"What's the verdict?" Nolan smiled to Mills sarcastically knowing that Emma wasn't listening to a word he said. "Huh?"

Her answer was lightly and not directed towards anything. "Earth to Emma." Emma jumped and was jarred out of her trance. Clearing her throat, she finally greeted them, "Sorry. So what did you guys find out?"

Emma noticed the distance between Nolan and herself in contrast to Mills, who seemed to be standing across the room.

Mills spoke factually, "Victim was walking home from work when a tall slim man attacked her, pushed her in the alley and pinner her against the wall. He attempted to grab her purse, when the victim fought he punched her a few times until she surrendered."

Mills paused and took a sip of coffee, "Perp took off and victim called the police using a bystander's phone. Dna found under her fingernails when she scratched him, no hits. No witnesses."

Emma looked off in the distance as Mills spouted her report, "Did she get a look at his face?" Mills shrugged, "No. Just that he smelt of liquor and a familiar scent. Cologne possibly."

Emma got a look in her eye of determination, "Did you press her on it?" Making eye contact, Mills responded, "I did. All she said was it smelt like her grandfather."

More questions arose as she thought about it, "What cologne was it?" Now looking at the dry erase and opening a marker she jotted down the information. "Didn't say."

Emma frowned, "I would've." It was a small statement but it affected Mills more than it was meant to. "Why is that important. It's cologne."

Emma paused and stared at the board, "It's important because it could be a rare cologne or an out of stock brand. She said her grandfather used it right?"

Mills shrugged, "So?" Rolling her eyes Emma sighed, "It means it's been on the market for a while. I'm gonna need to talk to her again. It could narrow down where someone could find such a cologne and possibly to people who still wear it."

Nolan was impressed, "Wow, Em. That's a pretty good theory. I didn't think of it." Letting his compliment fall off her shoulders she said, "What's her address?"

Mills interjected, "Are you sure you should do this now? She's been interviewed twice and it's late."

Emma looked at the time and agreed it was late, "It may be late, but after something like that happening, I'll bet she's still awake."

Nolan threw a few sunflower seeds in his mouth, "You two go do that, I'll get to writing the report."

Both women stared at Nolan like he'd said something offensive. Nolan gave Emma a look, "Go."

Mills rolled her eyes and turned to walk out the door and Emma followed unwillingly.

The car ride was completely silent, no radio and no speaking from either woman. Mills sat in the passenger seat arms crossed and looking out the side of the car.

Emma drove paying attention to the road and trying to ignore the fact that the tension in the air could be cut with a knife.

Time seemed to pass slowly as the tires on the pavement continued to be the only sound in this closing space.

"I…" Emma started to say something but couldn't form the words or gain the courage to. Mills turned her head forward and glanced towards her as she heard her speak.

Mills didn't have that much courage so she stayed silent. As if fear was taking hold of her ability to speak.

A sigh came from Emma and she finally asked, "How's Henry?" Mills looked down and pressed her lips together in a pout. "He's fine."

Emma didn't know how else to continue the conversation so she just said, "Are we ever going to talk about this?"

Mills ignored the statement and looked out the window as Emma pulled up outside the residence of the victim.

Before getting out of the car Emma turned towards her, "Regina."

Anxiety filled her chest as she looked up and made eye contact with Emma. "We need to talk."

Regina shook her head lightly, "No, Ms. Swan, we don't. I told you that I let it go. No harm no foul. Now let's go, it's late and we don't need to drag this out."

Emma swallowed, "Really? You're going to pretend that it's not a big deal?" Regina rolled her eyes, "Let it go. Please."

With pleading eyes Regina hoped that Emma would drop this ridiculous topic and get out of the car.

"Fine, for now." Regina was visibly upset but instead of continue this dance she sighed out of frustration and opened the car door.

The two women seemed to change form personal to professional in a matter on a few minutes when the door opened to the victim.

They had a job to do, find the person responsible for the assault. Their own personal history would have to wait.