The giant monstrosity that Gru had, once upon a time, preferred to drive around in had been left at home. Since meeting Lucy he had downsized to a more eco-friendly (that is, a non-rocket-fuel-guzzling) vehicle. Dr Nefario kept up the maintenance on the grey automobile in case of emergencies, but now Gru drove a slightly-modified black car courtesy of the AVL. It was a little bigger than Lucy's, large enough to accommodate the girls and a handful of minions if required. Today it raced along a winding country road, the little dial pointing to the exact speed limit, but not going above because of the passengers.
Margo sat in the front seat next to Gru, reading instructions from the map on her cell. She had entered the co-ordinates Dr Nefario had given them and was helping to navigate. He had tried to allow the minions to use the app once. After ten minutes of listening them trying to be helpful – they would repeat each audio instruction, including the repeated ones, in their own language every time – he had been ready to throw the device out of the window and use a paper map. Margo, on the other hand, didn't repeat the instructions unless he asked for them and would instead helpfully inform him when something was coming up that the app hadn't mentioned yet. Edith and Agnes were being entertained thanks to the portable dvd player and an adapter which allowed two sets of headphones to be plugged in. Hidden in the back, under a lumpy-looking blanket, a handful of minions were huddled together with their own tablet and muted entertainment.
"In two minutes you will reach your destination," the automated voice came from Margo's phone and Gru nodded to himself.
Nearly there.
Three minutes later, he had been watching the miles change on the car and estimated that it had been that long, Margo's cell remained silent.
"Turn around when possible."
"That's weird," Margo told him, "the little dot was moving fine and then it disappeared a few seconds ago, and it's back now. Maybe we're in a bad signal area."
Gru pressed down on the brake, bringing them to a halt as slowly as possible while he pulled over to the side of the road. He checked both lanes, there hadn't been any traffic for the last ten miles, and turned the car around.
"In one minute you will reach your destination."
Driving slowly, he told Margo to watch carefully for the point where they wanted to be.
"It's gone again," she explained after a few seconds, "I don't understand, I've still got a few bars for the phone signal."
"There is nothing on this stretch of road, perhaps the trackers signals stopped here for the same reason as your cell. Try to make a call."
Exiting the map, Margo did as he asked and a few seconds later he heard his own cell ringing. Satisfied that it worked, she re-opened the map app and confirmed that their destination hadn't altered.
"Turn around when possible."
"Gah! What is with that thing? Is it broken?" Gru slowed down again. "We're just going round in circles."
"Maybe we should get out and look around?" Margo suggested.
"Hmm." Gru put on the handbrake and removed the keys from the ignition, "you and the girls stay in the car. Lock the doors. Minions, stay with them. I will see if there is any sign of Lucy and the others out there."
"I could come with you," Margo offered.
He passed the keys to her, "I have my cell. You're in charge until I get back."
With Leroy released for the day, Emma was enjoying the silence of the station. She had turned up the radio, put her feet up on the desk, leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes – pointedly ignoring the pile of paperwork she knew was waiting for her. When the familiar sound of clicking heels headed her way she wasn't fast enough to do more than open her eyes.
"Really Miss Swan, that desk is city property remove your feet from it this instant. You have no idea what that position will do to your posture and I don't wish for Henry to follow your example."
Emma smiled at Regina, stretching her arms in the air before leisurely lifting her boots from the desk, "my apologies Madame Mayor, what can I do for you this afternoon?"
"I would like those reports on the crime statistics for last month, and perhaps you could save sleeping for when you're at home."
"Of course," Emma pointed to a pile of papers on her desk, "double-spaced and spell-checked by the computer. Or would you prefer an emailed copy?"
"You've actually managed to finish them?" Regina sounded surprised.
"Well it's been a slow week." And Mary Margaret had come by offering to help.
"Then perhaps you've also finished your health and safety assessments plus the requisition forms for any new equipment now that your father has been deputised?"
"Ah…"
"I thought not."
"Aw, c'mon Regina…"
"Miss Swan, I know we currently share a son but in order to remain professional during working hours will you please remember to call me Mayor or Ms Mills?"
"But you call me Miss Swan even when we're not at work."
"That is because I…"
"WE'RE BEING INVADED!" Leroy ran into the station yelling at the top of his voice and heading towards Emma.
"Oh what is it this time?" Regina asked as Emma spoke up with: "I only just released you. Please tell me you're not drunk already?"
"Outsiders in the town. Sneezy and Sleepy are on patrol duty and they've just seen some guy wandering over the border, they called it over on the radio…"
"Where is he?" Emma checked her holster and grabbed her badge from the desk.
"The others are keeping him here. They said they tried pushing him back over but it didn't work."
"Why didn't they call the Sheriff?" Regina glared at him.
"Because sometimes she's called out to an emergency in town and having one of us here means finding her quicker."
"She has a cell phone too."
"Can we argue about this later, lady?" Leroy turned back to Emma. "They're by the Storybrooke sign. I'm not sure how long they'll hold him for, it sounded like he was putting up a fight."
"Of course he would," Emma shook her head. "If two guys tried to grab me I'd do the same. We need to discuss tactics for handling strangers – like talking to them first!"
"I'll come with you. You might need magical assistance, in case he's from our world," Regina suggested.
"Okay, we'll take my car."
"I'll drive," Regina told her.
"I'm the Sheriff. I can get us there faster."
The corner of Regina's mouth lifted in a smirk and she raised her hands. One second later and purple smoke surrounded Emma, Leroy and the mayor transporting them to the town line.
Regina was still grinning when they appeared at the town line. Emma and Leroy, on the other hand, appeared less amused. Fortunately, the new visitor didn't notice their arrival. He was busy with Sleepy and Sneezy – one of them had jumped onto his back and was holding him around the neck, while he held the other in a headlock. Leroy instantly headed over to his brothers aid, but Emma stopped him.
"Let me deal with this."
"But…"
Regina rolled her eyes, taking in the situation with a little amusement, "you! Stop!"
Her tone was unmistakeably that of a Queen, Emma realised as the stranger froze in place and craned his neck around to look at them. The trio walked over, Regina still pointing at him.
"Release that d… man."
"Only when the other one releases me… and stops sneezing on me."
"Snee… you, pharmacist, whatever your name is release the bald-headed man."
"My name is Mr Clark and I'll release him when he lets go of Walter."
"Walter's fine. He's just fallen asleep. Again," Regina assured him.
"Living up to his name," Emma smiled at Regina, and then showed her Sheriff's badge to reassure the stranger they were there to help.
Sneezy shook his head, "him first."
"What sort of mad place is this?" the stranger asked.
Regina raised her hands, "on the count of three, you will release each other or you will not like what happens next. One. Two."
After a nod from Leroy, Sneezy let go. Emma watched the other man think about his options before he released Walter.
"There now, that wasn't so hard was it?" Regina asked them. "Welcome to Storybrooke, Mr….?"
"Mr Gru."