Thank you for such great responses!
SparkySurly227: Thank you! Hope you like this!
Guest 1: No, James Jr. is not Neal. Where Neal is will be clear in this chapter. As for junior, he is Emma's kid.
Guest 2: I did that on purpose. I felt a little confusion of names would just be perfect! I am glad you are 'hooked'.
Supernatural lover XD: Here's the update!
I am changing a few things from the original series, obviously, but I believe I will stick to canon to a large extent. I am still open to ideas!
Henry looked at the clock in confusion. Who in their right mind would knock on Henry's door at six in the morning?
He opened the door to find Officer Rogers of all the people standing there, with two coffees.
"Hello, Officer," Henry mumbled. "Uh, hi! Why are you here at six in the morning?"
"I have some questions that can't wait."
Henry was suddenly awake. Shit. Did he mess it up bad with Lucy and Jacinda?
"Would you like some coffee?"
Henry stared at him for a mere second before saying, "Look, if this is about Jacinda and Lucy, I already feel terrible about what I did."
As he took the coffee and walked in, Rogers said, "No, no, no. This is...about something else." He gave a quick smile to Henry before pulling out his book. "I read your book, and there's something in there that I can't get off my head. So, um..."
Rogers opened the book on the page. "Can you tell me who this woman is?"
"Yeah, uh, she's a character," Henry said with a smile, sitting down. "In a book of fiction."
"I understand that." He said. "But I feel like I have met her before."
Henry looked at the book. To tell or not to tell.
"Now, did you base her on someone? Someone real?"
Henry looked at the book. "I...made her up."
Rogers looked at Henry. He was lying. Absolutely.
"Are you sure?"
Henry nodded, before looking up at Rogers for sure. "Yup."
Rogers nodded, muttering an okay. He stood up to leave when Henry interrupted him.
"Actually, um, while you are here, there's something maybe you can help me with."
Rogers arched an eyebrow. How foolish did this lad think he was? First, he was being lied to and now he expected him to help him?
"I have been trying to find where some family of mine are buried. I keep hitting dead ends."
Rogers shrugged. "It's not exactly my department, but I'll see what I can do to help."
As Rogers opened the door, Henry said, "You picked up Jacinda and Lucy right? How are they?"
"As of yesterday, not great." Rogers said, before closing the door behind him and walking away.
Emma groaned as the curtains were pulled apart. Blocking the sunlight, she looked up to find her father smiling down at her. He gently poked her to sit up.
Once she was up, James handed his daughter a glass of coffee.
"Rough night?" He asked carefully.
Emma took a sip, scrunching up her nose at the taste. "Uh-huh. Stupid man. Got out of jail and instead of going to the daughter who bailed him out, he found himself gambling."
"Emma," James puller Emma's head and gently cradled her "come here you baby."
"Why can't they all be like you?" She mumbled. "I spent the first half of my life thinking that you would be like that and then..."
"And then you found me." James gently pressed a kiss on Emma's forehead. "Not all people are good Emma. I was forced away from you by that accident. Some people just don't value their families."
"They should," Emma said, sitting up and drinking the coffee again. "Where's junior?"
"I got him to school," James answered with a smile.
Emma's eyes widened as she turned to stare at the clock. "Shit I am late!"
Before James could say What, Emma was out of the bed and leapt into the bathroom. "Dad, could you please put on the stove? I am late!"
James shook his head and chuckled as he stood up. "Breakfast's ready sweetheart."
Emma peeped out of the bathroom, toothbrush in her mouth, saying, "You are a saviour," before going back in. James chuckled. His daughter was perfect.
Jacinda walked in Belfrey Towers, up to Ivy.
"Lucy's ballet recital," Jacinda managed to say without losing her temper. "Victoria was supposed to leave a ticket?"
"And Mother decided that the performance is now a charity event for disadvantaged children," Ivy said, turning in her place, "the tickets are $550 each. No exceptions."
Ivy turned back to her computer when Jacinda said, "$550 each?"
Ivy smiled. "I could always take a credit card if cash is a problem."
Before Jacinda could break her jaw, the door opened to reveal Victoria Belfrey coming out of her office.
"Hey," Jacinda turned to Victoria, "you know my paycheck is $500. You want this just out of reach."
Victoria turned to Jacinda with a smug smile. "My assistant set the price. "
Jacinda turned to Ivy who had one of her victorious smile on her face. Maybe Lucy was right. Maybe Jacinda was indeed Cinderella.
"I swear, Victoria, I am trying here," Jacinda said, turning back. "I got my job back. I just want to see Lucy!"
Victoria continued to smile. One of those days, she would have a dislocated jaw and Jacinda herself would be the reason.
"Everyone should be given a second chance!"
"Second chances aren't given. They are earned."
As Victoria turned and walked back in her office, Jacinda looked at Ivy.
"Why do you hate me so much? You mother, I understand. But you?"
Ivy didn't say anything, just stared at the computer, typing away.
"You weren't like this." Jacinda said, "When she came back in our life, she changed you."
As Jacinda stormed off, Ivy looked at the computer, muttering, "You have no idea how much."
"First day as my partner, and you're already late."
Rogers looked around. "I am an hour early."
"Do you know why you were made my partner?" Weaver asked, turning around.
"Because I work hard?" Rogers shrugged. He was so not in a mood for this nonsense.
"Because I chose you."
Rogers rolled his eyes. "Really Weaver? I am glad it isn't for a new way to torture me."
Weaver crossed his hands, staring at him. "And why would I torture you?"
"I don't know, you tell me!" Rogers burst out. He shouldn't be doing this, on his first day of all times, but Weaver had a habit of getting on his nerves. "Don't think that I don't know you have been behind me since I lost this hand. Every single job that I get needs to be sanctioned by you. You tell me mate, why?"
He did not say anything. It wasn't like Rogers expected him to. Weaver just threw him the keys and said, "New guy drives."
He didn't say anything as Weaver sat down. Rogers had a long day ahead.
Roland listened as one of the other guys got a scolding for getting late. Well, It wasn't a big dinner and the job as a waiter was not something that paid them much. He didn't really blame the guys to try and find other jobs.
"Poor John," Roland muttered, cleaning the counter, "Always gets into trouble."
"Yea!" His co-worker, Dean said. "But he always comes with good job ideas."
"So sad none of them are here."Roland chuckled as John finally came over.
Roland leaned on the counter. "So how was the job hunt?"
"Sad, man," John muttered, putting on the cap. "It was such a nice thing. You know, a job as a bartender, very easy going madam and also a place to live big enough for a family."
Roland immediately stood up. "Really?"
John nodded.
"Why didn't you take it?"
"It's in Seattle dude!" John said, causing Dean to laugh out loud. "Other side of the country. Really good pay but...I am not ready to go to a different place for one job."
As John started his work, Roland thought. Job and a place to live? Maybe it was time to leave New York.
Emma walked into the agency to find her boss waiting for her.
"I am so sorry," Emma said as soon as she came in, "I had a rough night and..."
"Yeah," He nodded. "Your father called. Don't worry."
Emma sighed. Seriously, her dad was an angle.
"The next job I have for you might take some time."
Emma raised an eyebrow as she was asked to sit down. Once comfortable on the chair, he handed over a file to Emma.
"The guy's name is Neal. He is an underage who had been arrested a few months ago for stealing a number of jewellery items. He got out on bail a few days ago and has run away to Seattle. A place called Hyperion Heights. I need you to track him down."
Emma looked at the boy's photo. He didn't look much that what she was when she was in for the watches. The name Neal brought out old memories, but she really sis not want to dwell on it. Maybe a nice little time away would be good.
"Take your family. This one might take time."
Emma nodded before taking the file and getting out. She had some research to do.
Flashbacks coming up next chapter. So, review please?
