AN: I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter and the story so far! Please review! Thank you for reading/following/favoriting!

Avelina drove back to town, the dog seated quietly in the back, eagerly watching the scenery go by. She smiled at him, "You ready to get clean huh? Yea, I bet. Let's go see the vet and get you checked out" she murmured.

When she had parked at the vet's she carefully guided the dog into the office and smiled at the receptionist. "Hi, I'm Detective McNair from Boston. I found this dog on the side of the road, and I'm hoping we can get him cleaned up and check for a micro-chip. Do you guys do that?" she asked.

The woman nodded, "We sure do. My husband is the veterinarian. Let's get this handsome fellow back there and checked out." Avelina nodded and gently nudged the dog, whistling for him to follow.

The vet, or Bob as she was told to call him, helped her get the dog on the table and proceeded to chat her ear off. "Well this is a fine looking dog you found. But we should probably give him a bath. Where did you say you were from?" he asked.

Avelina smiled, "Boston. I'm a Detective there."

Bob nodded, lifting the dog off the table and into a tub, turning the water on and gently washing him. "Well I imagine you see things far worse than an abandoned dog" he commented.

Avelina raised a brow and nodded, "True. But I also get to see some pretty wonderful things too."

Bob gave her a questioning look over his shoulder, "Yea? Like what?" he asked.

Avelina smiled, "I'm major crimes, so I'm part of kidnappings. I get to see when the kids get reunited with their parents. That's something that you never forget."

Bob nodded, "Probably don't forget the ones that don't come back too."

Avelina sighed, what was with this guy? She hated the doom and gloom people, or the lookie-loos who only came to crime scenes to see the dead bodies. Life was filled with enough of your own terrible shit, why go look for other people's if you weren't going to help?

"Each case teaches you something, yea" she muttered. She fell silent, staring at the posters on the wall, pointedly ignoring the vet. He took the hint and finished washing the dog, toweling him off before hauling him back onto the table for an examination.

"Hmm, he seems to be in good health. Surprising for a loner." The vet scanned the dog looking for a micro chip, but after a few minutes shook his head, "Doesn't look like he's chipped. Not surprising. A lot of people don't want to go through the expense."

He looked up at Avelina, "So what do you want to do with him?" he asked.

Avelina stared at Bob in surprise. "Um what do you mean?" she asked warily.

"Well, the shelter is full right now. There are a few foster families for dogs in town, but I think they're also full. Can you take him for a day or so?" he asked.

Avelina stared at the vet in annoyance. She had an investigation to pursue, not a dog to babysit. After a moment she sighed, "Fine. But only for a day. I have to wrap up my investigation and get back to Boston."

Bob nodded and grinned congenially at her. "Great! I'll get you some food and bowls, oh and a leash!" He scurried out of the room, leaving her with the wet, slightly smelly dog.

As Avelina unleashed the dog in her hotel room, she dialed Cross, wanting to check in on the Treasury and the state of the investigation from their side. After just two rings Cross answered.

"McNair! It's good to hear from you. How are you?" she asked sounding concerned.

Avelina sighed, watching the dog carefully as it poked into all the corners of the room, snuffling softly. "Good ma'am. A little sore, but good. I was out at the spot of the GPS coordinates earlier today looking for evidence, but got waylaid by a stray dog…I'm hoping to get back out later this afternoon. I'm also going to ask local PD if they've seen Yard. Have you all had any luck tracking him?" she asked.

Cross sighed, "None. Somehow he fled without being on any cameras anywhere. He's vanished. He hasn't hit any banks or the treasury. The trail is cold. We're working through the evidence at his apartment…but frankly, there's a lot there to process."

Avelina swore softly, "Dammit!" rubbing a hand across her face in frustration. "How are we supposed to find someone who is so good at disappearing?" she muttered.

"You hunt down your leads, and you find new ones. Don't give up McNair." Cross sounded tired.

Avelina nodded, "Right. Sorry ma'am. I'll get back out there now and get more for us to go on."

Cross chuckled softly, "Just stay safe McNair. Last thing we need is for you to get in another accident."

Avelina eyed the dog, "Well I sort of rescued the dog that caused the first one, so hopefully there won't be a second."

Cross laughed outright at that. "That's some kind of charity McNair. Well, get out there and get me evidence." Still chuckling, she hung up.

Avelina filled the dog's water and food bowls, instructing him to be good before gathering her files and leaving. She felt bad for leaving him in the room, but she had told Adam about the dog, and he had promised to check on him every hour when she left.

She quickly drove across town to the police station, hoping to find Mike on duty. When she walked inside the officers on duty stared at her, their gazes curious to the newcomer. Smiling politely she went to the desk officer and pulled her badge out, "Hi, I'm Detective McNair from Boston. I'm acquainted with Officer Hannigan, and I was hoping to ask you and your fellow officers about a suspect I'm looking for?" she asked.

He nodded, "Sure thing. Do you have a picture?" he asked.

Avelina nodded, "Here you go" she said, offering him the picture of Yard.

The officer stared at it for a long moment and then shook his head, "No, I've never seen him before. It's hard, he's so generic, that people are going to think maybe they have, huh?" he said, giving her the picture back.

Avelina nodded, "He looks like a thousand guys, and yet he reminds you of someone you know. It's maddening." She shook her head, "Do you mind if we show the other officers on duty?" she asked.

The officer shook his head, "Not at all. I can make a scan and email it to the whole force so everyone who isn't here can take a look. Is that good?" he offered.

Avelina smiled brightly, "That would be great. Thank you!" She was impressed with the cooperation being offered, normally police in different states got into pissing contests with each other, and when a superior female officer asked something of a man….psh, forget about it.

Avelina waited as the man made a scan and sent it to all the officers before asking, "Is Officer Hannigan on duty right now?"

The officer nodded, "He is…but he actually just stopped in for a short break. You wanna talk to him?" he asked.

Avelina nodded, "If it's not too much trouble." She smiled when he nodded and walked back into the station, coming back a moment later with Mike. Avelina waved and grinned, "Hey! Brought you guys a picture of my perp so we can try and find him."

Mike smiled, "Great, we'll all take a look and keep an eye out for him." He looked at the clock on the wall behind her and asked, "Have you eaten lunch yet?"

Avelina shook her head, "No, I was just going to stop at the store and get a frozen meal."

Mike gave her a horrified look and shook his head, "No, no way. Come with me, there's an awesome diner just down the road. I'm taking my lunch now anyway."

Avelina grinned and nodded, "Okay, sounds good." She hiked her bag up on her shoulder and waved goodbye to the desk officer, walking out with Mike into the warm sunshine. He pointed down the street to a diner, "That's it, come on."

As they walked Mike raved about the food in the diner, and when they had sat down and Avelina had smelled the food, she began to believe he wasn't just hyping the place up to her. When her plate full of homemade lasagna was set down before her, oozing cheese, she sighed happily.

As she took a huge bite she groaned in bliss, making a face at Mike. "Mmmph…holy shirptf this is gurd" she said around a steaming hot mouthful. Mike grinned and nodded, eating large bites of his own lunch, a huge plate of fish and chips.

After they had slowed a bit Mike stared at her a moment and then asked, "So why did you become a cop?" he asked.

Avelina smiled, waving her fork towards her tattoos, "Can't figure me out, huh?" she asked.

Mike shrugged, "Everybody has a reason. I'm just trying to figure yours out."

Avelina nodded and sighed, taking a small bite, chewing before she answered. "My parents were part of a small time drug distribution gang. They weren't violent, but they were doing ok. I helped stamp the heroin baggies, and stack the money. When their distribution started to expand into a larger gang's territory…they were threatened. They had guns to protect us…they said. But when it came down to it, they were killed in the street, and I was left at home, for three days before the police came."

Mike winced and shook his head.

Avelina grimaced, "I was only ten. Luckily there was food in the house. I was put with my grandmother who was still young enough to be able to take care of me, and she raised me well. I went to summer camp, science camps, spelling bees, anything she could do to make sure I turned out well."

Avelina smiled, "When she passed, I was 17. I was left all her money, which wasn't much. It wasn't enough to go to college, and I was worried I wouldn't get in. Then, I got a letter in the mail from the officer who had found me. He said that Gram had been keeping him updated on how I was doing all those years. He wanted to help with my college if I wanted to go."

She shook her head, smiling sadly as she reminisced, "I had this bitter little piece of me that didn't want to take his charity. But I wanted to go to college. So I accepted his help, and I graduated in three years after taking on a huge course load. I got a degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. I applied for the Police Academy and worked just as hard to prove myself to everyone. So there you go."

Mike stared at her for a long moment and then shook his head, "You're pretty awesome."

Avelina laughed, "Well thanks. You too."

He smiled and shook his head, "Nah, not really." Glancing at the clock he startled at the time. Fumbling for his wallet, he stood and grimace, "I'm sorry, I have to get back on shift!" Pulling twenties out he tossed them on the table, "I'll call you about the case."

Avelina nodded and waved, grinning as he jogged out of the diner. She remembered those days.

Pushing her hotel door open, Avelina called out, "Hey boy, hey, where are you?" as she looked for the dog. Her eyes grew wide as she took in the sight of her belongings strewn around the room, and the patio door pushed open.

"Shit!" she whispered. She quickly gathered her things, assessing the damage. After just a few moments she could tell that the only thing missing was a shirt. None of her files were gone or damaged.

Thoroughly confused, she closed the patio door after checking the back lot for the dog. There was no sign of him, not even paw prints. Bewildered, Avelina went back inside and repacked her bags, gathering them up and taking them out to the car.

If she didn't have to watch the dog, maybe she could continue her investigation. If the dog was on the side of the road again, she would pick him up again….little moron.

When she arrived at the spot the coordinates led to, she was amazed to see the dog sitting by the side of the road, holding her shirt in his mouth, looking for all the world like he was waiting for her.

Pulling her car to the side of the road she stepped out and called out softly, "Hey boy." Before she had taken two steps from the car the dog turned and ran. When it crossed the invisible barrier to Storybrooke, it disappeared.

Avelina watched in amazement as the dog disappeared before her eyes. Taking an involuntary step back, she gasped. "What?" she murmured. She quickly got back in her car and sat, staring at where the dog had disappeared.

Her hands rested on the steering wheel, shaking softly. "I did not just see that" she whispered. Shaking her head, she put the car into gear and pulled away from the side of the road. She was going to follow the dog, because what she had seen was a trick of the light, nothing more.

Nothing more.

As Avelina's car crossed the invisible barrier into Storybrooke, she saw the dog once more, sitting by the side of the road, next to a sign that read, "Welcome to Storybrooke."

Avelina stared in disbelief at the dog and the sign.

"It's not possible" she whispered.

She watched as the dog ran away into the surrounding forest, leaving her staring at just the sign…for the town that didn't exist.

Avelina took deep breaths, trying to calm herself. For the first time in her life she was truly panicked. She was in a place that didn't exist, after following a dog that had disappeared. Her brain was swirling, trying to rationalize.

All it was coming up with was…impossible.

Shaking her head, she straightened her spine and gave the sign a no-nonsense look before pulling away from the side of the road and continuing down the small road. As she broke through the trees, she came upon a town and in the middle, the clock tower from the postcard.

Her heart raced. This was it…this was where her thief had come!

As she drove slowly, she looked at the small store fronts and the people on the streets giving her curious and odd looks.

Across the street, Mr. Gold watched his planning bring the Ford Focus drive up the street, the Detective inside, and smiled softly.

Avelina spotted the Sherriff's station and quickly turned in, parking and gathering her things. She took a deep breath, this was it, she was finally going to get some answers.

Walking inside, she found two women her age and a young boy in an argument. The blonde woman appeared to be his mother, and the woman with bright red streaks in her hair was apparently, a friend.

When the boy caught sight of her, his eyes grew huge and he began to tug on his mother's sleeve excitedly. "Mom! Mooooom!" he whispered repeatedly, pointing to Avelina over his mother's shoulder.

Finally the blonde turned and noticed Avelina. She frowned for a moment and then smiled weakly, "Can I help you?" she asked.

The boy sighed and tugged on her sleeve again, "Mom! She's not from Storybrooke!" he exclaimed.

Avelina looked curiously at the boy, how did he know that? She wondered. The blonde sighed, "And?" she asked.

The boy sighed exaggeratedly, "Mom…nobody comes to Storybrooke, they can't!"

The blonde nodded, "Right, because of the curse. So you think she's special?" she asked.

The boy nodded, "Obviously! She's got to be!" he exclaimed excitedly.

Avelina looked between the two, trying to understand their byplay. She looked to the red-haired woman, but she only shrugged, "I dunno. I'm Ruby by the way."

Avelina nodded, "Avelina McNair. Nice to meet you."

Ruby smiled and brushed her hair back, "You too. Are you really from out of town?" she asked.

Avelina nodded, "Boston."

Ruby looked fascinated, "What's it like?" she asked.

The blonde turned and sighed, "Mrs. McNair, what can I do for you?" she asked.

Avelina smiled tightly, "It's Ms actually. And truthfully, it's Detective Avelina McNair from Boston. I'm pursuing a thief I think came to your town. Can you help me find him?" she asked.

The blond nodded, "Yes. I'm Sherriff here. Emma Swan. And this is my son Henry, who you'll have to forgive for the confusion. You've met Ruby." She waved, "Why don't you come in the office and we'll talk about your case."

Avelina nodded and smiled at Henry who was still looking at her wistfully. "It was nice to meet you Henry" she murmured.

He looked to where his mom sat waiting in her office and leaned in towards Avelina, "How did you find Storybrooke? No one comes here. No one can find it."

Avelina stared at him for a long moment, pulse racing. "I-I had coordinates. Why is this town impossible to find?" she asked softly.

Henry smiled conspiratorially, "Because of the curse. The Evil Queen cast it, and it keeps all the people here."

Avelina stared at him and then smiled. "Right, makes sense. She can't have everyone knowing that fairytale people are here" she murmured.

Henry smiled at her, "You don't believe, that's ok. My mom doesn't either. But you're here for a reason. The curse wouldn't let you be if there wasn't a reason."

Avelina raised a brow but said nothing. She turned and walked to Emma's office, shutting the door behind her and seating herself across from the Sherriff.

Emma smiled, "I see my son was informing you on the curse."

Avelina grinned, "He's a pretty cool kid. Wild imagination huh?"

Emma laughed softly, "I'll say. But yea, he's pretty awesome." She smiled at Henry and then looked back at Avelina, "So, how can I help you?" she asked.

Avelina nodded, "I'm pursuing this man" she slid the picture of Yard across the desk and watched as Emma studied it.

Emma frowned, shaking her head, "Hmm no…I don't think I've ever seen him." She stood and opened the door, "Ruby, Henry, have you seen this man before?" she asked, showing them the picture.

Ruby studied it and then shook her head no. Henry quickly shook his head no as well.

Avelina sighed, "Damn. Well, is there someplace we can distribute it to the town? I need as many people as possible to see it."

Emma nodded, "Granny's diner. Which, if you plan on staying is also a B&B."

Avelina nodded, "Yea, I think that's a good idea." She stood and shook Emma's hand, "Thank you for your help."

Emma smiled, "Sorry I couldn't do more."

Avelina shrugged, "That's how this one has been. I'll get him eventually." She waved to Ruby and Henry and walked back out to her car, tossing her case file onto the passenger seat. She quickly drove down the streets to Granny's and parked.

She could see the charm of the diner, and the whole town. It was quaint, and homey. Walking inside she smiled when she saw the plump grey-haired woman behind the counter. Definitely Granny.

Waving to the woman, she smiled. "Hi, I'm new in town. I'm looking for a place to stay and the Sherriff pointed me here."

Granny stared at her in shock for a moment before nodding, "R-right, we have a very nice room available. Follow me."

Avelina followed her out of the diner and into the house attached. They quickly settled payment and she was led upstairs to her room. Dropping her bags on the floor, she pushed the shutters open on the windows and leaned out, breathing in the fresh air.

The sky was darkening, but there was still time for a jog to explore the town. She loved being out at dusk, in the time when the sky turned a deep purplish bruised color.

Changing quickly, she slipped her mace into her secret pocket at her waist and her knife at her ankle holster. Hanging her room key around her neck on her headphone cord, she set out, walking quickly, giving her body time to adjust, working out the aches from the accident.

She walked down side streets, past houses, across from the clocktower, and then began to investigate the border of the town. As she jogged slowly, she kept her eyes open for wild animals and other people.

Pushing further into the woods, she slowed, spotting lights. As she turned the corner, she paused, amazed. A huge mansion was nestled in the woods, entirely by itself. It looked….lonely.

Crack! Snap!

Avelina's head turned at the sharp sounds of branches being broken and something large approaching. She crouched and drew her knife, slinking away quietly. When she was a safe distance away she tucked it into the ankle holster again and jogged back to Granny's, feeling as though someone was watching her the whole time.

Showering quickly, she pulled on a tanktop and underwear, sinking down onto the comfortable bed with her casefile, obsessively studying it.

Eventually her eyes grew weary and she sank back against the pillows, tossing the file aside, rolling over to shut the lights off before falling asleep.

Jefferson watched the curious new arrival to their sleepy little hamlet as she ran in the twilight, all fiery hair and leanly muscled limbs. When she caught site of his home she paused, intrigued. Something possessed him to step towards her, as though he could just walk out of the forest in a non-creepy way and start talking to her.

When she heard him, she moved quickly, pulling a knife out, and ran away.

He raised his brows. Here was a woman who was ready for anything.

He made his way back to the house and poured a cup of tea, trying to stay away from the spyglass, playing the piano, working on the hats…until he couldn't stay away.

He pointed the glass at the town and found her at Granny's….laying on her bed, studying a file of some kind, looking frustrated. For hours, she read the file and took notes. Finally she sighed and tossed it aside before rolling over and turning the lights off, effectively ending his show.

Jefferson stepped back, wondering what had brought her here…and who she was.