So, a quick note. I know this plot has been done to death, giving a main character a child in some form or fashion. My goal is to try and do something a bit different. Rather than the child being an actual child, I went with an adult. I wanted to create a character that I could use as a stand alone, capable of having her own life within Storybrooke while interacting with our core characters. She can be a part of their lives without changing too much of the established feel. "Once" already has a complicated timeline, and trust me when I say that my beta/muse and I have spent quite a bit of time and thought into how to fit her into the world. Yes, I'm taking some creative liberties, which is kind of what fanfiction is about.

You won't find out the entire backstory for the character in this story, just like you don't find out everything there is to know about a character in one episode of the show. Where's the fun in that? I do hope people enjoy my work, and as always, reviews and comments are greatly appreciated

-Danielle

Early the following morning, Emma and Killian made their way to the hospital to meet with Dr. Whale. Emma had explained that in this world it was possible to find out the parentage of a child using science, a process called DNA testing. Although he seemed to understand the method, he wasn't sure he trusted it.

"I'm still not sure about all of this," Killian said, shifting in the uncomfortable hospital chair. "How do we know there isn't some kind of trickery afoot? What if this is some kind of ruse to throw us of the trail of a villainous plot."

Emma sighed, dropping her head and rubbing the bridge of her nose between two fingers. "Not that I want to jinx it, but it's been quiet since the Snow Queen-"

"Exactly," Killian nodded "Too quiet. Precisely my point."

"And I'm not sure what sending someone to pretend to be your kid would accomplish. It's not very villainous," Emma continued.

"I've been around a long time, Swan, and have made a few enemies."

"Who'd want to send a message with a fake kid?"

Killian leaned back, trying to come up with an answer that might satisfy Emma. He couldn't think of anything, but would never admit that he knew his excuses were a flimsy way of deflecting.

They both looked up when there was a knock on the door.

"So, we're here for a DNA test?" Dr. Whale asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked from Emma to Killian.

Emma pulled the plastic bag containing the bottle out of her purse. "It's a long story, but...we need this and him," she gestured to Killian, "swabbed to see if it's a possibility he is the father…of the person who belongs to the bottle."

Dr. Whale was quiet as he slowly took the bag from Emma and giving her a questioning look.

"Seriously," Emma said, noting his confused stare. "Long story."

"I gather," he finally responded. "But, I'll see what our geneticist can do."

Dr. Whale got up, busying himself in one of the nearby cabinets and then turned to Killian, a cotton swab in hand. "All I need to do is swipe this on the inside of your cheek."

Killian eyed him suspiciously, glancing at Emma. She gave him a slight nod that this was standard procedure and he opened his mouth for the doctor. Once complete, Dr. Whale slid the swab into a plastic tube, dropped it into a bag and scribbled some notes on the front.

"It will probably take an hour or so for the results to come in. If you want to come back, just check in with the receptionist at the front desk," he explained.

"Thank you," Emma smiled, gathering up her things.

Dr. Whale nodded, leaving the two of them alone in the room.

"I still think this is all a bunch of bloody voodoo," Killian said.

Emma dropped her head in frustration. "Well, we've got an hour to kill. Let's go get a cup of coffee and…we'll try and talk it out."

Cordelia had spent a good portion of the morning poking around town. She admired the small shops, finding most of them to be run by what she guessed were local craftsmen. It was quite a change from most of the cities and various other locations she'd lived in. There was a steady buzz, but it wasn't anywhere close to being as overwhelming and crowded as Bethesda, Maryland where she had last lived. Noticing that it was nearing lunch time, she headed back to the diner for a bite to eat. She slid into a booth near the back and took to watching some of the other customers while she waited for the waitress to take her order. There was the loud, bearded man in the brown hat and jacket. Next to him was another man, wearing a security guard uniform. He seemed to be dozing off while the others around him joked and laughed.

"What can I get you, honey?" the waitress asked.

Cordelia sized her up quickly, noting the too-short skirt, bright red lipstick and the Ruby on her nametag. "I think I'll have the chicken club sandwich and an ice tea."

"One chicken club and an ice tea, coming up," Ruby smiled.

While she waited for her meal, Cordelia went back to people watching. It wasn't long before the waitress returned. She'd no more than set the plate down when a young boy slid into the booth across from Cordelia.

"Hi," Cordelia smiled politely. "Can…I help you?"

"I'm Henry," the boy replied, reaching over to shake hands.

"It's nice to meet you, Henry."

"So you must be Captain Hook's daughter," Henry said.

Cordelia choked on the bite of sandwich she'd been chewing. When she finally managed to swallow, she turned back to Henry. "I must be who's what?"

"I heard my mom talking last night," he continued. "She said you were Killian's daughter. You know, Captain Hook. I wonder if you're in the book…"

All Cordelia could do was sit, frozen, staring at the child across from her. It took her a few moments to gather her wits. "I don't know anyone named Killian."

"Killian Jones, you know, Captain Hook," he kept on.

"Killian…Jones?" Cordelia repeated, trying to rack her brain. Suddenly it hit her. Killian. The man from the bar. "Your mother is the Sheriff?"

"Yeah, Emma Swan," Henry nodded. "She's kind of…dating Killian."

Cordelia didn't know what to do. She and Henry sat in silence for a few minutes before Henry started to ramble on about how cool it must be to have a pirate for a father, and they should all have dinner together.

"Henry," she interrupted, trying to be polite and composed, "It's been...a pleasure meeting you, but I have something I need to take care of. I'm sorry."

"Oh, well that's ok," Henry replied, looking slightly crestfallen.

"I'm sure I'll see you around some other time," she smiled, dropping a tip on the table and moving quickly out the door.

It was time she sought out the Sheriff and got to the bottom of some things.

"How do you think she got here?" Emma mused, sipping from her cup of awful hospital cup of coffee.

Killian eyed her over his own cup. "You're making assumptions, love. This could all just be a very big misunderstanding."

"I'm just trying to piece together how this happened," Emma continued on, ignoring the hint of distrust and apprehension Killian seemed to have resigned himself to concerning this entire situation.

"If she did in fact come from the Enchanted Forest, I'm afraid I'm just as clueless as you," Killian sighed.

"How long were you in the Enchanted Forest after Neverland? You know, before you teamed up with Cora and the curse hit."

Leaning in his chair, Killian tried to think back. "A few years, I'd wager. I was rather occupied with finding the Dark One."

"Well it seems like you had ample time for other activities," Emma replied.

Killian scowled. "I spent a long time in Neverland, devoid of a woman's company. So yes, I supposed I indulged myself a bit."

"So then, it's a fair to say that you could have conceived a child."

Killian refused to acknowledge her statement.

"So I wonder how she escaped the curse," Emma continued.

"Again, I've no idea," Killian shrugged, growing rather tired of the conversation.

Emma sipped her coffee. "I'm assuming her mother found a way of getting out before the curse hit. I thought travel across the realms was kind of…limited"

"It seems that would be the most likely scenario," Killian replied flatly. "There are a variety of means of crossing realms, means that few know of. While it's difficult to travel, it's not impossible, but her mother may have paid a steep price to do so. If this theory is even correct. "

Emma nodded slowly and the two of them fell back into silence. Killian was stormy and sullen, and Emma realized he'd had enough of the conversation. They sat for a few more minutes before Emma glanced at the clock. "It's been about an hour…"

Killian looked up, momentarily wishing nothing more than for this unfathomable mess to be done with.

Standing and stretching, Emma tossed her empty cup in the trash can. Killian followed suit and they headed back to Dr. Whale's office. He was waiting at the desk by the time they arrived and quickly ushered them to a room.

"Congratulations. It's a girl," Dr. Whale replied, handing Emma a folder.

Emma flipped it open, "Based on testing results obtained the probability of paternity is 99.98 percent."

Dr. Whale sensed the tension in the room and left Killian and Emma alone. Killian didn't want to talk, and Emma respected that. Emma knew he needed to process things himself before he would ever confide in her and pushing him before he was ready would do nothing but drive a wedge. After a short time he stood up and walked out the door, Emma following behind. When they got back to her car, he changed his mind and informed her he needed to be alone and needed time to think. Emma figured he would probably just wander to the docks and drink rum, as he did on occasion, and she let him go. He assured her he was fine and disappeared out of her view. Emma arrived back at the Sheriff station to find Cordelia sitting on the front steps. The look on her face was all Emma needed to see to know that something had happened.

"I think you and I need to talk," Cordelia said as she stood up and dusted off her pants, her tone tense and agitated.

"Alright," Emma replied cautiously. "Let's go inside…"

"No, no. I think out here would be better," the brunette shook her head. "I met your son today."

Emma froze. Crap. "You met Henry?"

"He had some interesting things to say."

"Look, I know-"

Cordelia held up a hand, "He said my father was Captain Hook, who apparently is also your boyfriend? I'm not one to tell a person how to parent, but I think it might be a good idea to…you know, moderate what you expose your kid to. I mean, he kind of talks like he thinks fairy tales are real."

"This is really not a stand around conversation," Emma said. "Look, there's a lot about this town…I think we should go someplace and talk."

"Wait a second," Cordelia squinted. "You believe him, don't you?"

"Really not a five-minute street conversation," Emma repeated, continuing to try and urge the woman to take the discussion elsewhere.

Cordelia backed up. "What kind of game are you playing? When my mother got sick, the chemo made her say crazy crap. She used to tell me Captain Hook was my father, and how we came to this world from some place called the Enchanted Forest. Did August tell you that? Did he tell you about me?"

"Look, not long ago I was in the same position you are now," Emma said. "I don't expect you to believe what I say, at least not right now. But if you let me, I can explain."

Emma knew she was losing her, and it wouldn't be long before the brunette bolted. The tense silence was interrupted by a massive explosion in the distance and a plume of colored smoke billowed into the air.

"What the hell was that?" Cordelia asked eyes looking off toward the noise.

"I have no idea," Emma replied, turning her gaze toward the sound of the explosion. The cloud seemed to be emanating from the Storybrooke Convent. "But I can guarantee it's probably not good."

Cordelia watched as Emma started off in the direction of the commotion, and against her better judgment she found herself following along.

TBC