Chapter 7: Trying to Find My Way


It was dark when Emma parked her car in a spot at the sheriff's station. Taking a deep breath she made her way inside noticing a light still on.

She knocked on Graham's office door and he looked up and smiled.

"What happened to just passing through?" he asked.

"That's the good thing about not having a set destination, there's always room to change your mind. I thought about it and maybe some roots might be a good thing after all."

Graham smiled. He then excused himself for a moment and then returned with a beige deputy uniform.

"You had my size all ready?" Emma asked sounding slightly impressed and slightly unnerved.

"Well I was kind of hoping."

Emma took the shirt and then placed it on the desk.

"I don't have to dress like a guy to show authority."

"Really and I suppose that red jacket will work perfectly fine?"

"It has before."

Graham handed the deputy badge to Emma. "At least take the badge. If you're serious about putting down some roots then this will show it."

Emma looked at Graham but reluctantly took it and clipped it to her belt. As she did so the whole office shook. There were a couple tremors that soon followed.

After several hours of checking the town there was nothing that could determine the shaking so the official report was that it had been an earthquake followed by several aftershocks.


Hearing a knock on the door, Mary Margaret stood up from the couch where she was reading a book and went to go answer it. Emma stood there nervously.

"Hey. I know it's late. I was wondering if that spare room was still available."

Mary Margaret smiled and let Emma inside.

"So you decided to stay," Mary Margaret said placing a cup of cocoa in front of Emma. "What made you change your mind?"

Emma thought about the question, unsure at how much she could tell her.

"You were right earlier. I started finding people because of my parents. I spent most of my life moving around from one place to another. Never really stayed in a place long enough."

"You could've gone anywhere. There must be a reason why you chose to stay in Storybrooke."

Emma took a deep breath. "It's the closest place to where I was found. Guess I figured this place was as close to home as any."

Mary Margaret smiled. "Well I'm glad you stayed."

Emma smiled at Mary Margaret and the two continued on drinking their cocoa.


The doorbell rang and the door slammed.

"What the hell is she doing back," Regina asked Gold.

"You'll have to be more specific as to which 'she' it is you're referring to."

"You know who I'm referring to, that Swan girl: The only stranger to fall into this town. She leaves and then comes back all of a sudden to become deputy?"

"Did your little pet tell you that?"

"As a matter of fact he did. Tell me why she's here."

"Don't know. Why don't you go ask her? If she's staying a while you might want to get acquainted."

"I'm asking you since you clearly know everything. Who is she?"

"Let's see dearie, she's living with Mary Margaret, the woman you hate most next to your own mother. I'd say you have a clear idea as to what she's doing here."

Regina shook her head. "You son of a bitch, you had this all planned from the start didn't you? You wanted her to come here, what for?"

"Those are my reasons. I appreciate you dropping by but if you'll be so kind as to get out of my shop."

Regina was about to speak up when Mr. Gold said, "Please," so Regina could do nothing but comply.


August looked up and smiled at Emma as he walked into the diner. Emma noticed as he took a seat next to at the bar.

Emma glanced over, "You were serious about coming here."

"And you actually came back, I'm impressed." August glanced at Emma's belt where the deputy badge was safely in place. "And deputy, even more impressed."

"Don't be. Me coming back had nothing to do with you or that ridiculous story you told."

August shrugged, "It's ridiculous to you, not to me."

"You honestly don't believe that stuff do you?"

"Sure do. You ever consider taking a leap of faith, maybe try believing in something every once in a while?"

"No room in my life for faith."

"There's always room for faith."

"Not when you grow up the way I did. Believing in something is pointless when your prayers don't really get answered."

"Maybe they will this time."

"Why are you so interested in me?"

"You know why."

"Well personally I think it's a load of crap," Emma said getting up from her seat now that her coffee orders arrived.

"Continue thinking that all you want Emma, it's not. You'll see," he said with a smile.

Emma just rolled her eyes as she headed out the door to her first official day on the job.