Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. Special thanks to RampantJake for that superb review. Makes me head big!
This is in an alternative universe
And of course, OUAT is owned by ABC. And yes...SwanQueen is in the house... (Revised 12.11.14)
There were many times in the last year that Emma Swan wished she were back in Boston. Chugging down a Sam Adams at Durty Nelly's, staring down the next contestant on her own private game show, The Man is Wrong. Chasing down murderers or hunting down cheaters. Anything but to be in this microscopic burg. In Maine, no less.
OK, so there was her bio-son, Henry who drug her up here because of some fantasy about everyone in the town being a fairy-book character or a fugitive from a Disney movie. Not to mention it turned out that it may be true...that a woman only two years older that she is might be her mom.
Not to mention that the evil witch-bitch who created all this was (a) her son's adoptive mother, (b) wanted Emma out of town in any way possible and (now, c) would not have Emma out of her life for anything.
And the most amazing thing was, Emma felt the same way.
But ever since she became, first, deputy, the Sheriff, it's been pretty easy. A stray murder or crime here and there, but nothing too much.
Only tonight, on a chilly Maine night, she has to do the one thing that any cop or sheriff dreads...tracking down a friend.
She got the call during a potluck to help our the woman known as Granny and her young charge, Ruby. They were evicted out of the B&B they owned..or at least would if they had about $4000, But Grans was ill, could not make the payments, and now the heartless troll who owned the town, Mr. Gold, was foreclosing.
Granny took it in stride...or it seemed like it. Ruby was another story. She was very emotional as it is. This upped her anger quotient by the power of God knew. That's why Emma sent Ruby to the Sheriff's office to David, her new deputy (and father in the Enchanted Forest). She would not know that Ruby would knock David out, take one of the rifles locked in the gun rack, and steal out like a bat out of hell.
Thankfully, Granny was up in bed sleeping...her health was not that good. Good friends Ashley and Sean, as well as Regina's best friend (before Emma came along), Kathryn, were giving out a bunch of "be-carefuls". And Regina wanted to come along, if only just to be there.
"Madame Mayor, this is my job. I know it's Ruby...but it is my job."
A desperate look into Emma's blue eyes transmitted worry from Regina's dark browns. "Come back in one piece, OK, Princess..?" The former queen gave the Sheriff a tight squeeze of the hand before the blond headed out in the cruiser.
It was hard not to spot the bright red '75 Chevy Camaro parked outside of the Gold bungalow, and the thin red-haired young woman behind the wheel. Emma knew that was Ruby. Swan had to stop Ruby from doing something stupid. It wasn't that no would care if Gold died; he was Rumpelstiltskin in the Enchanted Forest and he pretty much had a choke-hold on most of the people there...a choke-hold he still has today as Gold.
But as much as it would gladden a lot of people's hearts that Mr. Gold got a bullet in the belly, that would still make Ruby a murderer...and Emma could not let that happen.
It was not a totally dark night. Enough to have someone think they had cover, but there was a bright half moon showing. Enough to show Ruby with a rifle aimed at Gold's upstairs bedroom. All she needed was a light to come on and a silhouette to show. Once someone set up a firing range near the outskirts of town (so she was safe from whatever kept people in), and she scored perfect on the bullseye using a handgun. A rifle with a telescopic sight would be child's play.
And for all her 22 years, Ruby was still a child. That's why Emma HAD to stop her.
The Sheriff wanted to surprise the young girl, but she also did not want to shock her to much. Emma's been shot before and it's not fun.
Almost to the car. Within hearing range. Emma decided to take a chance.
"Ruby."
The young brunette was startled for an instant but kept gun fixed on the Gold house. "Go away, Em."
"Can't do Ruby...it's my job."
Ruby screamed at Emma.."PLEASE GO AWAY!"
Emma was trying to be calm. Trying being the operative word: "Look...I hate Gold as much as you do...but killing him won't help!"
Ruby's emotions now were starting to get to her. "Why is he doing this?," hysterics starting to take over. "Gran's a good person...why, Em...Whyyyyy..."
Ruby was finally consumed by her emotions. The gun dropped to the street's concrete. Emma put her gun in her holster, came next to Ruby, and embraced the redhead. The younger woman collapsed in Emma's arms.
"It's alright Red. We're going home. Nothing happened."
The story for Grams would be simple. Ruby's car ran out of gas, Emma picked her up, then got some gas and drove Ruby's Fiat back to her house.
Mr. Gold never knew what would have happened to him. But Emma knew that something must be done. Rumpelstiltskin must be defeated.
The question is how?
To be continued. Next...the town comes together.
