This takes place a little before Emma's graduation in the last chapter of "I Won't Let Go". In this, we'll find out exactly why Emma and Bae are no longer together. Rated T.

Emma was just about to drift off to sleep when she got a text message. She blinked a couple of times and then slid her glasses on before looking at her phone, it was Bae.

Look out your window.

Emma grinned and walked over to it. There he was, hanging off the drain pipe, just as he had done numerous times before. She opened the window and he climbed in, kissing her. She deepened it for a minute, before pulling away a bit, though she kept her grip on his jacket.

"My parents are home," she whispered.

"I know," he replied, softly. "I just…I had to tell you this now." Emma raised an eyebrow. "I've finally decided what I want to do."

Bae had taken a gap year off after he graduated from high school the previous spring. He wasn't sure that college was for him, so he divided time between working for his dad and helping his mom out in the library. When Emma applied to U of Maine, he had done the same. He got in, but had yet to send in his intent to register.

"And that is?"

"I've been saving up some money while I worked with my parents, I've always done that, ever since I was in high school. I have a good chunk and I think I just want to travel."

"Travel where?"

Bae's smile widened. "Everywhere, anywhere. All over the United States, the world. I may have to sleep in my car sometimes, but I'm young. College can wait."

Emma smiled. "I think that's great."

"I want you to come with me."

Her smile slowly faded. "What?"

"You're graduating in a few weeks, come with me. We can do it together, it'd be an adventure."

Emma slowly lowered herself down onto her bed. His words washed over her. She had always respected college not being Bae's thing. Before she ended up with her parents, she wasn't sure if it was for her either. Actually, she was pretty positive that if not for them, she wouldn't have ended up graduating from high school. However, things were different now. College was what she wanted. She planned on majoring in criminal justice, she wanted to work with her dad. It had been her dream for years.

"I…I'm going to college in a few months," she told him.

Baelfire sat beside her on the bed. "I know, but maybe you could put it off. College will still be there in a few years."

"That's not what I want though. I think it's great that you want to see everything, I do too…but I think that can wait until I get an education."

Bae was quiet for a minute. In the dim moonlight that poured in from the window, Emma could see his face. He didn't seem upset, just pensive. She chewed on her bottom lip. She didn't like the mood that was coming over the room.

"You're not mad at me, are you?" She asked.

He looked down into her eyes. "How could I be mad at you for following your dreams? Em, you know how proud of you I am."

"But what does this mean…for us? I mean, I'm going to college, you'll be traveling. Long distance relationships, they never work."

There was more silence for a few more moments. What they had, it was great. They were each other's first love. He had been Emma's first kiss. They were each other's first time. She never thought she could feel safe with someone but she had with him. For nearly 3 years, they had been so happy together. Sure, there had been ups and downs, but nothing too bad. When he chose to take a year off, she had been happy that they had more time together. She thought they'd go to college together, that things would continue to be great.

But they had different dreams. Soon, they'd be separated.

"Maybe," Emma said softly, answering her own question. "Maybe instead of ruining what was so great…we should just let it end where it is."

Bae bit his lip. He didn't want that, he knew she didn't either. He also knew, she was right. "Maybe."

"When do you leave?"

"I gave my dad notice, I'll be leaving for the South in a couple of weeks."

Emma nodded. "I guess we have two weeks."

He slid his hand through hers and she rested her head against his shoulder.

"I guess we do," he whispered.

Two weeks later, Emma told her parents she was spending the night at Lily's, Baelfire told his that he was going around finishing up what he needed to. They were 18 and 19, the lie wasn't necessary, but they felt it was the best way. They drove to the beach and laid there for hours, talking about everything except what would happen come morning. He traced random shapes on her arms and she laid her head on his chest. They made love one final time, right there on the beach as they listened to the waves crash up on the shore.

They fell asleep, curled up against each other under the big blanket. She clung tightly to him and he buried his face in her hair. They woke up when his alarm sounded, just before the sun would rise, before anyone would come to the beach. He drove her back to where her bug was parked. Together they stood, holding hands with each other, their foreheads touching as they peered into each other's eyes.

"Call me when you get there," she whispered.

"I will. Send me pictures of your graduation."

"Of course."

"Still my best friend?"

"Always."

"I love you, Emma."

"I love you too, Bae."

They kissed once again before he pulled her into a big hug. She didn't want to let go, but knew she had to. He kissed her forehead before walking off to his car and driving away. Emma didn't cry as she drove back to her house. When she arrived, the sun had risen in the sky and she found her mom sitting on the porch swing. She walked over to her, sitting beside her. Mary pushed the hair out of her daughter's face and it was only then that Emma felt the tears fall down her face.

"Mama," she choked out.

Mary pulled her into her arms and hugged her tightly. Emma buried her head into her shoulder. Mary rubbed her back and stroked her hair. She wasn't stupid, she knew just what Emma was doing the night before, she had known from the moment Emma said she was spending Bae's last night in Storybrooke at "Lily's". She wasn't mad though, she understood. She just cuddled her close.

"It's going to be okay, baby. I know it hurts right now, but your heart will heal."

Emma didn't say anything. She just clung to her mom as she cried. She had pretending lately that she was too old for her parents' comfort, she was 18. She'd be going off to college soon. She needed to learn how to handle things on her own.

Sometimes though, a girl just needs her mom.

Well…that hurt to write. I promise this will be explored more in "Where The Heart Is", which as I've said will have minor Swanfire as this verse always has. Anyway, as always, let me know if there are any missing moments you feel should've been mentioned and I will try to write them. As always, you can keep in touch with me on here or on my Tumblr, just-an-outlaw and I have one for my fanfiction where I take prompts and answer stuff about my fics: justanoutlawfanfiction.