Chapter 1
Looking up at the small house shaped building, Emma Swan hoped that inside someone could at least help her with a place to stay. Having found the town despite not being known to a map a Emma knew she had to at least try. After all she had nowhere else to go having left her current residency in a hurry or for a better word of terms escape. All she knew was that she needed to get far away and what better place than somewhere that can't be found, at least until she could figure something more solid.
Now she was standing in front of a diner. A diner named after the same person who ran the local bed and breakfast. She had tried there already finding no one about and so now she was here. Taking a breath, the young blonde straightened herself out and pushed her black framed glasses up to the correct position. Looking around for any life, she steps up opening the door.
Walking through the small sized diner, Emma looks around at the people none of who are known to her and approaches the counter. A tall dark haired waitress with wolf like eyes heads over noticing a new presence. "Can I help you?" Looking at the blonde, she smiles also unsure as to why there was a new person in town. This town never gets anyone new.
Emma returns the gesture with a small smile of her own. "Hi..I was wondering if I could get a room? I tried the main entrance no one was there"
The girl in which Emma could see her name tag said 'Ruby' nods. " yeah sorry we don't really get much custom on that part of the business so we tend to stay in the diner. I'll get Granny for you"
Emma raises an eyebrow watching Ruby walk off wondering if everyone just calls this woman Granny. While waiting the blonde again scans the diner to figure out what sort of town this was.
"Hello, Ruby informed me you are after a room?"
Emma quickly looks back over the counter now seeing a smaller older woman with glasses on a chain, sporting a very typical Granny look. Emma nods. "Hi...yes please"
Granny watches her curious as to why she is here. "do you know how long you will be staying?"
Emma bites her lip. "I...well..I hadn't really thought it through..will that be a problem?"
Granny gives her an apologetic look. "Unfortunately...it could be I mean we had a man and his child here before and they more or less 'outstayed' their welcome according to the mayor, so from now on if we have guests staying we have to tell madam mayor for her to decide"
Emma frowns at this ridiculous rule then looks down sighing. "Right..of course"
Granny looks to her feeling bad for the girl. " hold on I'll be right back, Ruby will get you some pie"
Emma looks back up and goes to protest that it isn't necessary but finds the tall brunette already sliding a piece of pie in front of her. Smiling at Ruby, Emma sits herself on the stool not wanting to appear rude. Tucking into the pie, Emma found herself more hungry than she originally thought. Finishing the pie, Emma looks up seeing Ruby now placing a mug down for her as Granny heads back towards her.
Granny leans against the counter. "I'm not sure whether this is a good or bad thing but just bare with it. I spoke to the mayor and...she's coming here"
Emma gulps already not sure of this mayor. "Okay..well thank you anyway"
Granny smiles then goes back to the kitchen. Emma looks to her drink wrapping her hands round the hot mug slightly clutching her fingers together. Going to take a sip, Emma is unaware of the sudden silence that has surrounded her and the diner.
Regina, having walked into the diner causing everyone to basically freeze looks to Ruby who gestures with a nod of the head towards where Emma is sitting. Approaching behind Emma, Regina stops a moment taking in the blonde's appearance of a high pony, hair slightly curling at the bottom, a cropped black leather jacket and a stripped top that clearly descended lower than the jacket. Raising an eyebrow she clears her throat causing Emma to turn facing her and giving Regina the last of her appearance, her black glasses.
"Mayor Mills, I hear you are after a room upstairs?..."
Emma takes in the brunettes darken tone and goes to answer only to be stopped at Regina continuing. "..unfortunately I had plans for renovation..so the place is closed, I hope this does not inconvenience you too much" giving a tight smile, Regina raises her eyebrow one last time intimidating Emma and turns to leave.
Emma bites her lip and slides off the stool looking towards the back of the mayor and follows her outside quickly wrapping her jacket round her protectively. "Do you know of anywhere else I could stay? This town is in the middle of nowhere"
Regina stops dead in her tracks with a frown shocked that the girl followed and questioned her. "No sorry dear"
Emma walks up to her shoving her hands in her jacket pockets. "Well..is sleeping on a bench okay with you? I mean that is literally the only place I have left until morning.."
Regina looks to her raising an eyebrow." Are you that desperate?"
Emma looks at her straight in the eye with a pleaded look and answering with such determination. "Yes"
Regina sighs mentally cursing herself not believing what she is about to say. "Fine..I'm sure we can fix you a room at Granny's for one night..Miss?"
Emma immediately smiles, an act that Regina finds somewhat endearing and holds her hand out. "Swan..Emma Swan"
Regina looks to her hand before accepting hesitantly. "Right..Miss Swan...one night"
Emma nods. "You won't see me again"
Regina continues to look at her unsure then walks turning right at the fence. "Follow me"
Emma follows glancing over. "Must be great being mayor...all that power, you can do what you want and.."
Regina stops at the entrance giving a slight glare. "We are not here for small talk, you do not know me as I do not know you. I am simply supplying you with a key which you will return to Granny tomorrow"
Emma inhales sharply a little nervous at the mayors sharp outburst and takes a key that is past to her."I..erm...sorry and thank you"
Regina gestures to the stairs for her to go up." Number 12 on your left. Goodnight Miss Swan"
Emma is too stunned to speak and heads to the stairs feeling a burning sensation on the back go her neck fully aware that the brunette is watching her until she disappears out of sight.
Entering the room, she looks around before removing her jacket and jeans climbing straight in the bed gripping the pillow and placing her glasses on the side. Taking a needed breath again letting a tear slip finally taking in what she is doing and how scared she is feeling.
Sat in the diner the following morning, Emma scans a newspaper for anywhere she could go. Seeing a shadow block out the light that she was using to read the newspaper, she glances up seeing the mayor again. Regina looks down to her also sneaking a peek at what she was reading. "I thought you said that I would never see you again...yet here you are"
Emma usually would of braced herself for another encounter with the brunette however she had noticed a slight hint of playfulness in her tone of voice. "That is true, however a girl needs to eat"
Regina only nods before furthering her interrogation." Have you handed your key back?"
Emma closes the paper and smiles at her. "Yes I have, I thought you didn't do 'small talk'"
Regina looks at her a moment before answering. "your very observant Miss Swan, hope you enjoyed your stay"
Emma looks back."That I have...it's been interesting to say the least"
Regina nods again before walking away from the blonde's table.
Having watched the interaction, Granny and Ruby were standing in the kitchen doorway observing the diner. Ruby lifts her coffee mug. "So she's really going..finally get someone new"
Granny nods feeling bad for her." She gave me the key first thing, it's not like she had to pack or anything she doesn't have anything with her"
Ruby watches her at the table." She's got to have somewhere..I just feel bad I swear I heard her being sick this morning"
Granny sighs. "Well what can we do..."
Regina sat listening to their whole conversation frowning realising that she may not be a threat as she first thought. Looking over to the table seeing it now empty, Regina stands walking out the door looking around the street to see the blonde nowhere in sight.
"damn it"
Author's note: yes another fanfic! I am still currently working on 'A Real Family' and 'Not What it Seems' but got this random idea I hope you like! Emma in this as you can tell by the description is younger but I'm making her 21 instead of 18. If you want me to continue let me know what you think. It was gona be a one shot but that didn't work out! :)
