Seeds

"Go ahead and make yourself comfortable," Mary Margaret offered, rearranging some cushions.

"This place is so cool," Emma exclaimed, moving over to the kitchen.

"You can stay upstairs," Mary Margaret said, nodding towards the direction of the stairs.

"Cool," Emma said, already feeling a comforting sense about the loft. She took the stairs two at a time, quickly reaching the top. She hopped on the bed, bouncing a bit.

"This place is amazing," she commented, as Mary Margaret made her way up the stairs.

"Well, it's home," was all the older woman said.

"How long have you lived here?" Emma asked curiously.

"A long time," Mary Margaret answered vaguely. Her mysterious answer only piqued Emma's curiosity.

"Hey, you hungry?" Mary Margaret asked, sensing the young girl's curiosity.

"What? Oh, yeah, sure," Emma said, looking slightly disappointed.

"How about I take you to Granny's?" Mary Margaret suggested.

"Your grandma lives here?" Emma asked, eyebrow raised.

"Oh, no," Mary Margaret quickly explained. "It's a diner. Actually, like the only diner in town. It's where everyone goes. How about we head over there?" she suggested. Emma saw no reason to complain.

"Sure," she agreed easily. She hopped off the bed, following the woman down the stairs. Mary Margaret grabbed her jacket, before leading the way out of the apartment.

Regina stared at the untouched plate of lasagna. She had been picking at it for the last twenty minutes now. That morning, she's stumbled on something of Daniel's. It had been an old bracelet. One that she'd given him. She'd given it to him as a promise. That he was the only one for her. She'd given it to him a week before… she still couldn't think about it.

As if the universe wanted to torture her further, the subject of her hatred came sauntering into the diner. Regina closed her eyes, as the brunette sat down a few seats away from her. What Regina didn't expect was to hear another voice.

"Is this really the only diner?" said a young girl. She couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen.

"Yup," came Mary Margaret's answer.

"Wow, it's small." Regina knew she should probably look away. But she couldn't help but stare at the girl. She'd never seen the kid before. Which meant she as new. That was not good news.

The girl whispered something into Mary Margaret's ear, causing the young woman to turn her gaze towards Regina. Regina quickly looked back down at her plate.

Snow White," she thought angrily. Before she could get too far into dreams of ripping out the younger woman's heart, and crushing it, her phone began to ring.

"Hello?" she said, not in the mood to talk right now.

"Mayor Mills? Do you remember when you told me to keep you updated on the status of patient 815? The john doe?"

"Yes," Regina said tiredly. "What it it?"

"You should come down right away. I think you'll find this very important."

Emma stared curiously at the woman named Regina. She could certainly see why Mary Margaret felt threatened. The woman seemed very… imposing. Powerful.

She took another drink of her soda, reaching for a fry. Suddenly, Regina's phone rang, startling her out of her stare. She focused on her food, watching out of the corner of her eye. Regina talked for a few seconds to the other person, before rushing out of the diner.

"Why are you scared of her?" she asked.

"Huh?" Mary Margaret said, looking up from her coffee.

"Regina," Emma prompted. "Why are you scared of her?"

"Oh, I'm not scared of her," Mary Margaret bluffed. Emma tipped her head to one side.

"Okay. Then why did you practically run away from her when she passed you on the sidewalk."

"I didn't," Mary Margaret protested. "Look, it's just that… she's incredibly powerful. And she hates me." Mary Margaret looked suitably spooked now.

"Look, I have to actually go run an errand. I'll take you back to the loft. Kay?" she confirmed. Emma sighed, but nodded easily.

"Sure. Have fun," she said, leading the way out of the door.

Mary Margaret stood outside of the hospital, looking in the doors. Emma had seem to have known that asking more questions was not a good idea. Their conversation had been kept light on the way back to her loft. She'd dropped off the young girl, before leaving. Somehow, her body took her to the hospital.

It wasn't that she didn't wanna be around Emma. That wasn't it at all. In fact, the girl was already a great joy in Mary Margaret's life. She was already feeling a protective instinct kicking in.

Maternal Instinct, she thought. You really need to get a social life. She cautiously stepped into the hospital, walking on eggshells. She didn't know why she was so nervous. She'd been here dozens of times before.

Come on. Be honest with yourself, her mind ordered her. And if she as being honest, she was intrigued by the john doe. She had never been one to believe in the supernatural. It was all just a bit too messy and complicated for her. But, for some strange reason, she felt herself being pulled back to him.

She checked the book in her hand, wanting to read the story to him again.

Come on. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for some imaginary battle.

She walked over to the hallway where room 108 was located, allowing a small smile to grace her face.

Just get it over with it. Her mind was really not being helpful today.

Suddenly, for some reason, she pictured Emma.

"Come on fraidy cat. Just go in. It's not like your gonna explode if you go in. He's just a guy in a coma."

Yeah, she told herself. Just another guy in a coma.

She continued walking down the hallway, coming up to his room. She was shocked to see Regina there. Yes, her eyes weren't deceiving her. It was the mayor and a few nurses. She stood at the entrance, just staring at the bed.

It was empty.

Regina was talking with the nurses, and hadn't noticed Mary Margaret standing there. The young woman practically ran out. She didn't know why. She didn't know how. But she knew where he was.

Okay, I have a question. I've developed two plot lines. One, Emma ends up with either Neal or Hook, it could go any way. Two, and I already have a plan as to how, she ends up with Regina. Let me know what you think.

Next time… Mary Margaret faces certain trouble from the mayor when she begins investigating the john doe's disappearance.

You guys are amazing

NightLightning21