Chapter 4. Confrontations

Emma walked into the diner to find both Ruby and the man laughing with one another. She shook her head with a smile as she thought of how easily Ruby could interact with a person she hardly knew. She was certainly an amazing young woman, whom Emma was proud to call her friend.

"Now you're just pulling my leg." Ruby wiped a tear from her eye. She was already in stitches from laughing so hard.

"I assure you, I am telling you the truth." Azael smiled.

"Well, I'll be damned. I'd like to live there myself."

"Where would you like to live?" Emma asked as she approached the table.

"Hey, Ems. Azael here says he found a city that was inhabited only by women. Even the rulers were women."

"Really. What, like amazons?" Emma scoffed.

"Actually, Sheriff, Amazons were indeed all women, but they chose to exclude men based upon their predilection for violence. But the society I speak off chose to, out of a baser desire, so to say." Azael smirked before taking another sip of his coffee.

"Baser?" Emma asked.

"Yeah, Em, don't you get it?" Ruby winked with a bright smile across her face

"What? You trying to say they were all lesbians?" Emma laughed.

"So, you are familiar with the Isle of Lesbos, Sheriff?" Azael asked, curious that this woman would know the term.

Emma choked and her cheeks blazed. Ruby grabbed her stomach and bent over with laughter. Azael simply looked on with curiosity. He did not see why his question was so funny.

"Well, just how familiar are you with lesbians?" Ruby smirked all the while trying to keep from cracking up at the look on Emma's face.

"Anyway… Mr. Falleré have you found a place to stay?" Emma quickly changed the subject.

"No, but Ruby was telling me that there is an Inn not far from here which her grandmother is the proprietor of."

"Already asked Granny. She said it would be cool. But I don't get off for another hour. If not, I'd take him myself."

"Well, Mr. Falleré, I'll be glad to take you over and get you settled in."

"That is most gracious of you, Sheriff. And, please, call me Azael."

"Ok, Azael. Then you can call me Emma."

After finishing his coffee, Azael left the diner accompanied by Emma. Ruby had told him she would check up on him after her shift and possibly take him about the town. He would have to remember to inquire how he would go about exchanging his coin for this city's currency.

As they walked in silence, Azael took the moment to observe Emma. She was an attractive woman, but unlike Regina, Emma carried her power with a quiet indifference. There was no doubt that the woman had a powerful spirit. From her physique, he could tell she was physically strong as well. He admired women like her for the inner strength they possessed and the easy way they carried it. Again, he hoped that they would not be at odds during his time here. He would hate for it to come to a situation where one would be left defeated.

"So, Emma, have you lived here long?"

"Actually, I just got into town a few years back."

"And you were able to secure your present position so quickly. I am impressed."

"Yeah, well, it was kinda thrown at me."

Emma remembered when she had first arrived in town and how Graham had offered her the job of Deputy. She had not yet known about the curse, let alone being the Savior. The position of being Sheriff had fallen into her lap after his unfortunate death. Therefore, she would have to agree that to an outsider, it would seem strange. If you asked her mother, she would have said that it was all pre-destined. But she was not about to elaborate any further, especially with someone she had just met and had no idea what his true purpose was.

"Well, I find it commendable on the part of the Governing class to recognize your obvious qualifications."

"I wouldn't go as far as saying Regina recognized anything. To tell you the truth, she was against it from the beginning."

"But you both seem to be quite close."

"Close... not really. Civil is more like it. But I guess that has a lot to do with Henry." Emma could have kicked herself at that moment. Why did she just mention her son?

"Henry? Who is he? Is he the ruler here?" If this Henry person was of significant importance, he would have to make his acquaintance.

"No, Henry is my son. Well, I kinda share him with Regina. It's complicated."

"Regina and you share a child?" Azael looked on, confused.

"Short version, I'm Henry's biological mother and Regina adopted him."

"Well. I, for one, would love to hear more. If you would not mind sharing, that is. Regina seems to be a complex woman. I can only imagine what your interactions with her must be like."

"Complex is putting it lightly. As for the story, I would have to run that by her first. She's a private person, if you understand my meaning."

"Completely understood."

They both arrived at the B&B soon after. They were just about to walk in when they heard a shout.

"Emma!"

Emma sighed at the voice shouting her name. She had hoped to avoid this inevitable meeting, but found that she was, unfortunately, out of luck.

"Hi, Neal." Emma walked towards him as he made his way up the path.

"Hey, Ems. I've been looking for you all morning. I stopped by the station and when you weren't there, I went over to the diner. Ruby said you were headed over to the B&B."

Emma was going to strangle Ruby when she saw her next. Then again, her friend had no idea what had transpired after they had left the Rabbit Hole. With all the excitement, Emma had failed to warn her about Neal. How she had ended up on Neal's doorstep at two in the morning, escaped her. Upon Neal opening the door in just a pair of boxers, Emma found that all rational thought had left and the need to lose herself had taken over. She found no one to blame but herself and her drunk libido. Such was the reason for her abrupt get away as soon as she had opened her eyes and for the awkwardness, she had wanted to avoid.

"So, um, you kinda left pretty early this morning."

"Yeah, well. I had the early shift. And I wanted to get home to shower and change." Emma cringed at the memory of sneaking back into the apartment in order not to wake her parents.

"I understand, but you could've at least said goodbye."

"Sorry 'bout that. Like I said, I was in a hurry."

"Gotta say I was surprised you came by, but I'm still glad that you did. It reminded me of old times."

The expectant look on Neal's face instantly made Emma want to run and hide.

"Neal, about that... I hope you understand that this doesn't change anything. I haven't changed my mind about us. I have to put Henry's feelings first. And you have to admit, we don't have the best track record."

"Sure, I get what you're saying. The kid comes first." Neal replied, unable to hide the disappointment in his voice. "Speaking of… I was thinking of picking Henry up from school so we could hang out for a bit. We'll probably grab some dinner at the diner. Want to join us?"

"Sounds great, but you're gonna have to postpone your plans. Regina has Henry tonight."

"Why can't you give her a call and tell her I'm picking him up instead?"

"Cause, Neal, she has plans." Emma sighed, realizing the beginning of an old argument was coming.

"Well, so do I. And he's my son. So, I don't see what's the problem."

"The problem is that Henry is Regina's son, too. I'm not gonna have her cancel just because you decided to make plans without checking first. We've talked about this, Neal."

Emma was becoming increasingly frustrated by Neal's lack of respect to Regina's rights to Henry's custody. It was just another reason that held Emma back from pursuing something more with him.

"I know we have, Ems. But I don't see why we have to run anything by her. We're Henry's parents. We should have the last say."

"Ok, Neal. I'm gonna say this one more time. We may have had a part in bringing the kid into this world, but it was Regina who did all the work. And, even you have to agree, our son is better for it. So, as far as I'm concerned, Regina has the final word."

"Are you serious? So, the Evil Queen is gonna tell me when I can see my son? Even after everything she's done?"

"Don't you dare call her that! She is Henry's mom and that's that." Emma stepped into Neal's face. "You're the Dark One's son. What makes you any better?"

"Sheriff Swan, is everything alright here?"

Azael had chosen to keep his distance as Emma spoke with the young man. He had only approached when their conversation escalated to shouting. Though he was certain she could handle herself, his protective nature compelled him to step in.

Emma had forgotten that she had left Azael standing by the B&B. Now, with the man standing at her back, she realized her and Neal's conversation had taken a turn for the worse yet again.

"Yes, everything is fine." Emma tried to offer a smile.

"And who are you?" Neal looked at the man who stood behind Emma.

"Neal, this is Mr. Azael Falleré. Mr. Falleré, this is Neal Cassidy."

Neal looked the stranger over. He had not appreciated the way the man had insinuated himself so close to Emma. It was enough that he had to contend with Hook's constant leering. Was he going to have to add another name to the list of potential suitors?

Azael noticed the man's obvious apprehension and the way he was being sized up. It seemed he had unintentionally stepped into a quarrel between two individuals intimately connected. Although, the current reaction from the Sheriff plainly indicated that the man had fallen out of favor. Therefore, Azael extended his hand in a friendly gesture, but remained where he stood.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cassidy and my apologies for the interruption. However, I wish to settle in and I require Sheriff Swan's assistance. Is that not right, Sheriff?"

Azael turned his head to look at Emma. He watched as her eyebrows furrowed with confusion as she contemplated his words. Then, just as quickly, she smiled at him in understanding.

"That's right. Sorry for making you wait. Neal, I will call you later."

"Emma, I really think we should finish this." Neal was not content to put off their conversation.

"Excuse me a moment." Emma nodded towards Azael before grasping Neal by the crook of his elbow, leading him up the path a few steps, before turning to face him. "Neal, I am in the middle of official town business. I said I would call you later and I meant it. So I need you to let this drop and let me get back to work. Got it?" Emma vehemently whispered making her intent clear.

"Ok, but I'll be expecting your call." Neal replied before stomping off.

Emma shook her head as she watched Neal storm away from her. She was already dreading the phone call she would regrettably have to make.

"Mr. Cassidy seems like a pleasant fellow." Azael teased with a broad smile.

"Oh, that he is." Emma chuckled. "Truthfully, he isn't that bad. You just caught us in one of our family disputes."

"So, is Mr. Cassidy your husband? I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but overhear talk of a son."

"No way is Neal my husband." Emma laughed. She could not fathom that concept even if they were on good terms. "But, yes, we do have a son together. We were both very young and - not to mention - extenuating circumstances made it impossible for our son to stay with us. That is where Regina comes in."

"Ah so, the boy, Henry was it, is Mr. Cassidy's son. And from the looks of it, he is none too pleased with the current arrangement you have with Ms. Mills."

"That is putting it lightly. Neal has his own views on how Henry should be raised. Most of which include removing Regina from the picture."

"And I see you do not agree."

"No, I don't. Despite what anyone thinks of Regina, I know she is a phenomenal mother. My son is proof of that. He is a kind and intelligent young man. And that was all Regina's doing."

"Well, it seems that you and Mr. Cassidy are at an impasse."

"Yeah, we are. But I'll just have to agree to disagree. Now, are you gonna be alright from here?"

"Yes, Emma. Ruby has already told me which room to take. So, do not let me keep you any longer." Azael extended his hand, giving Emma's a firm shake.

"Good. So, I will see you around then."

"That you will."