Chapter two

I woke to the sound of my buzzing alarm clock. If it wasn't my phone I would have thrown it against the wall. When I opened my eyes, I wasn't sure where I was. It felt like I had a hangover from Hell without any drinking. My eyes fell upon the badge and gun on the nightstand. Sitting up, I took the badge in my hands. "What the hell? I'm the Sheriff?" After I got dressed, I walked out of the small inn and wandered more into town. As I reached Granny's Diner, I took a seat and flashes of people and who they were came to mind.

"You look rough. Long night at the station?" A woman with curly gray hair came towards me.

"Something like that." I was about to ask for coffee when a curvy woman with longer, about shoulder length, dark hair walked through the door. She wore a black blazer, a dark purple silk button up dress shirt, a black skirt that came right above her knee, and black pumps. With each click of her heels on the tile floor the hair on my neck stood. "Who's that?"

"You did have a rough night. I'll bring your normal coffee and bear claw. But that's the Mayor." I couldn't help but get up and walk towards the brunette.

"Madame Mayor?" I just stood there as she read today's paper.

"Who are you?" She glanced down at my belt. "Sheriff? Our Sheriff is Grahm."

"I don't know. I mean, I'm Emma Swan." Flashes of Regina and I talking in my car came to me. "You said, you needed to tell me something."

"Not that I know of. Now, do your job Sheriff." With that, she continued to read the paper. As I walked back to my booth, I couldn't help but feel like she had said that to me before.

"Do you want to make her mad?" Granny walked up with my coffee.

"No. There's just something about her that I can't shake." Granny didn't say a word; she just placed my coffee down and walked away. As I drank the steamy liquid, I kept an eye on the Mayor.

Paperwork was building up at the station but I needed to eat lunch. I pushed aside the folders and propped my feet up as I ate. The phone rang and scared the shit out of me. "Storybrooke Sheriff Station." It was Regina and she wanted me to come to her office. Her voice wasn't mad; it was its normal stern tone. "Be there shortly."

"Come in Miss. Swan." She must have heard me walk up.

"You wanted to see me?" I walked in cautiously and took a seat across from her. Regina stood and walked around her desk. As she leaned on the oak wood her dark eyes locked onto mine.

"Your file says that you're Henry's birth mother. Are you trying to take him from me? Because that will not happen. You will not take my son from me." Memories of Henry and I washed over me.

"No. I'd never try to do that."

"Good. Remember, you work for me. You answer to me. And I will destroy you if you try to take Henry from me."

"I won't Regina…"

"What did you just call me?"

"Your name, Regina, it means queen in Latin." This took her aback a moment. She never took her skeptic eyes off me.

"I guess it does." There was an awkward silence between us. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was gorgeous in every way. Her attitude maybe a little harsh but everything else is perfect. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

"Then get back to work." I did as I was told and headed back to the station. It was a little after three when I had a visitor.

"Hey Emma, can we talk?" I looked up to see Henry walk in with his school bag slung over his shoulder.

"Sure kid. Take a seat." He plopped down in the seat across from me.

"Do you have flashes or odd feelings?" I hesitated. The question threw me off. Yes I had been; odd feelings about Regina and flashes of town's people and Regina in my car.

"Why?" I crossed my arms and leaned on my desk.

"This life isn't real. You're not just the Sheriff and my mom; you're also the Savior. And my mom, Regina, isn't just the Mayor; she's the Evil Queen." Flashes of Regina and I came over me. "I know you believe me."

"Henry…" Before I could finish my phone rang and it was Regina. "Hello?"

"Is he with you?" Her voice was irritated and I had to hold the phone a few inches from my ear.

"Yes."

"Why is he there? Send him home!" After that she ended the call. I placed my phone on the desk and sighed.

"Kid, you better get home before she kills me, then you, then me again."

"Give me a ride?" I didn't bother fighting with Henry. He would get home quicker if I took him anyway.

"What's that?" I saw a large book on his lap as I drove. It said 'Once Upon A Time' on the front.

"A book. A book that's going to save us all." He was so sure that this book was the answer. I wish I could have hope like that again.

"Okay Henry." We pulled into Regina's driveway and I came to a stop. "Alright, see you later kid."

"Will you walk me to the door?"

"Your mom isn't really happy with me…" As we walked up to the door I wondered how he got me to do all of this. I know Regina is mad, yet I still walk up to her door and knock on it.

"Henry! I was so worried!" Regina pulled Henry into her arms and held him tight. "Please never do that again. It scares me when you're not home by four and I don't know where you are." She's such a wonderful mother.

"I'm sorry Mom. I just needed to talk to Emma." He hugged her back and ran up the stairs. Regina came to her feet and looked at me. Her eyes burnt into me and it was making me nervous.

"How would you like a glass of the best apple cider you've ever tasted?"

"Sure." I followed Regina into her den where she poured us both a glass of the golden colored liquid. I brought the glass to my lips and took a sip. It was the best I ever had.

"Take a seat. I need to speak with you." I did as she requested. I was on thin ice with the woman and I didn't want to piss her off.

"Look, I know that you want to spend time with Henry but he's my son…"

"Regina, look," I stood and walked towards her. "I'm not going to take our son from you…" Before I could continue, she slapped me. Images of Regina and I working together came to me. "What the hell was that for?" She didn't reply. Her eyes were cloudy. "Regina. Regina." I placed a hand on her arm and she snapped back.

"Don't touch me!" She ripped her arm away. "What do you want?"

"You saw flashes didn't you? I know you did."

"No. Now get out!"