Two Years Later

Emma walked out of the lumberyard to her truck. She had two hours to get home, shower, eat and get dressed for her hockey game. After her scholarship had been revoked due to her injury she started working at the local lumberyard. The job was physically grueling but it was better than the job at the bar her brother, August, had offered her. Emma loved her brother but he liked to control everything. She already lived in a trailer on his property behind the bar and that was bad enough.

Just as Emma got into her truck Mike yelled at her from across the parking lot, "See you at the game tonight!"

Emma waved and got into her truck and drove home. Emma parked in front of the bar and decided to go in first and see if she could convince August to make her a sandwich while she showered.

Ashley popped up from behind the bar, "Hey Ems!"

Ashley had a bit of a crush on Emma and went out of her way for Emma all the time.

Emma smiled, "Hey Ash. Would you mind making me a sandwich before my game?"

Ashley nodded, "Sure thing. Go take a shower and it will be waiting for you when you get back."

August came out of the back, "Was that Emma?"

Ashley replied, "Yeah she went to shower before her game."

August ran out the back door and caught up with Emma, "Ems I need you to work the bar tonight."

Emma dropped her hockey bag outside her trailer, "August, I have a game you know that."

August sighed, "Ems come on it's Friday night you know the bar is going to be slammed!"

August loved his bar 'Slapshots' but finding good help was hard. This was a prime example of some of his struggles. Business was good, too good and he couldn't keep up.

"August, you're not my boss."

"Ems come on it's a goddamn bar league, not the NHL."

Emma glared at August. He knew better than that. Emma had a hard time letting go of her hockey chances. She had not given up completely though, she'd sent her videos and resume to any hockey club that would take it, NHL or not. Hell Emma would even move overseas if it meant she could play full time.

August looked at the ground and sighed, "Ems you know I love you but you have to know it's over. You got your letter from the Chicago Blackhawks today, another thank you but no thanks and some tickets."

August handed Emma the letter and turned to go back in the bar.

Emma sat down by the front door of her trailer and opened the letter her brother had already read.

Dear Emma Swan,

Thank you for your interest in the Chicago Blackhawks but at this time our roster is full. If anything in our league or our affiliates comes up we will keep your information on file and contact you at that time.

We do appreciate all you've done for the sport and congratulate you on making Olympic team in 2014. Enclosed you will find a voucher for two tickets the next time you are in Chicago.

Sincerely,

Robert Black

Chicago Blackhawks Owner

Emma got up and collected her hockey bag, she had a game to prepare for she didn't have time for distractions.

Cora and Regina's coach, Marco, watched over another practice session. This partner wasn't going to make it either. That made six partners Regina had gone through in two years. The latest one lasted a month.

Marco yelled out and held up his hand, "Enough for today."

Regina scowled at Marco, she had been giving Bill a piece of her mind and Marco interrupted her.

Marco looked at Cora, "She's been through six partners in two years. There's always something wrong with them. Regina is great skater this I know. Maybe we should have been making her single skater."

Cora rolled her eyes. Marco was a sweet man and one of the best at finding talent on the ice, given his credentials with the Italian Ice Balet she had expected more. Deep down though Cora knew a lot of it was Regina's fault. She loved Regina but her reputation as the 'Ice Queen' preceded her.

Cora sighed, "What about Jamison?"

Marco simply shook his head.

Cora watched as Regina left the ice and headed for the locker room, "Who's next?"

Marco exhaled, "I'm not sure. I'm at bottom of barrel."

Cora turned to leave, "Well you find another barrel then."

Later that evening Marco was deep in thought about where to go from here. He knew that if he didn't find Regina another partner and fast he would be out of a job. There were some rumblings at a skating convention last month about the injured hockey player, Emma Swan, trying to get back into the game. He knew that hockey was nothing like figure skating but it might be worth a shot. Marco knew that Emma's injury wouldn't affect her as much in figure skating because generally, no one tried to kill you. After Marco searched online he found that Emma was living with her brother, August, just outside of Bangor. Bangor was about three hours away from Storybrooke, he could make the trip tomorrow and talk to Emma. Marco had a good feeling about Emma Swan being lucky number seven in Regina's list of partners.

Marco walked behind the bar to where he saw Emma Swan loading a truck. As he approached her he said, "You are much bigger than I think."

Emma heard the broken English behind her and it wasn't an accent or voice she could place. She turned around, "Excuse me?"

Marco smiled, "I said you are much bigger than I think. I've been watching video of you skate."

Emma turned back to her truck and closed the gate, "Look, buddy, if you're a reporter the story has been done to death."

Marco stepped around the truck and faced Emma, "I'm not reporter I am coach."

Emma looked up, "What's the deal? Is this some prank my brother has dragged you into? You pretend to be a coach, I fall for it and he buys you a beer?"

Marco squinted in confusion, "What mean prank?"

Emma realized this could be one of the overseas coaches her videos were sent to, "Are you the Romanian?"

Marco responded, "No I am Italian. My name is Marco D'Agostino."

Emma became excited, "Oh you got my videos! You couldn't have come at a better time. I'm in the best hockey shape I've ever been. I practice every night speed drills, stick drills, shooting drills."

Marco shook his head, "I am not hockey coach."

Emma looked confused, "What is this?"

Marco shrugged, "Maybe nothing but I had to come see." Marco pulled skates out of a shoulder bag and said, "Here to try."

Emma had a disgusted look on her face, "Those are figure skates, buddy."

Marco sighed, "Miss Emma I know you are having hard time. This could be a chance at a gold medal."

Emma looked up at that, "You mean going back to the Olympics?"

Marco nodded, "Yes, I am coaching Regina Mills and she needs a partner."

Emma questioned, "Why come to me, there have to be hundreds of qualified skaters?"

Marco shrugged, "Miss Regina hasn't found one she likes just yet. Come on just meet her, maybe it work out."

Emma thought about it. This could be her shot at redemption. Even though she had scored the winning goal in 2014 after she was dragged off the ice Russia came back and won. It's not like she had much here just her job which wasn't something she would miss.

Emma nodded, "Ok when would you like to leave?"

Marco smiled and clapped his hands together, "As soon as you pack. Bring anything you might need in case you stay. Housing included."

An hour later Emma walked into Slapshots with her hockey bag on one shoulder and duffle on the other.

Ashley looked up from the bar, "Where are you going, Ems?"

Emma exhaled, "Is August here?"

Ashley shook her head.

Of course August wasn't here. Actually, it might be for the best they really hadn't been on speaking terms since the night of the Blackhawks letter and she wasn't quite sure she was ready to admit anything about this figure skating gig until she accepted it herself.

Emma nodded, "Ok well I have to leave for a while, Ash. I'm not sure when I'll be back."

Ashley smiled, "Alright. I'll miss you, Ems. Good luck."

Emma walked out of the bar and toward the limo that waited for her with Marco. If someone would've told her yesterday she'd be going to check out figure skating she would've laughed in their face. She took a long look around taking everything in, she might not be back for a while if this worked out.

Marco looked at Emma, "Are you ready, Miss Emma?"

Emma shrugged, "I guess."

A/N: I hope you enjoy chapter 2 as much as you enjoyed chapter 1. Don't worry Emma and Regina meet in chapter 3 which should be up on Thursday. Please Review!