Chapter FIVE: Corrupt
Regina and Emma were sitting in the mayor's office, talking about the days events. "I'd like to start by apologizing, Miss Swan."
"What?" Emma asked.
"I just have to accept the reality that you want to be here."
"That's right. I do."
"And that you're here to take my son from me."
"Okay, let's be clear. I have no intention of taking him from anyone."
"Well, then, what are you doing here?"
"I know I'm not a mother. I think that's pretty self-evident. But I did have him. And I can't help that he got in my head and I want to make sure he's okay. The more you try to push me out, the more I want to be here. Especially after seeing how troubled he is."
"You think he's troubled?"
"Well, he's in therapy. And I only got through a couple of pages of his shrink's notes before you had me arrested. But putting all that aside. He thinks everyone in this town is a fairy tale character.
Regina: And you don't?"
"How can I? The poor kid can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality and it's only getting worse. Especially in this town."
"What about the town?"
"All these coincidences between the names here and characters. It's crazy," Emma said, only for Henry to overhear this as he was standing right behind her.
He yelled out, "You think I'm crazy?"
"Henry…" Emma started to say, but Henry ran out of the room. Then all her attention turned to Regina. "How long was he there?"
"Long enough," Regina said.
"You knew he would be here."
"Did I know that my son comes to my office every Thursday at precisely 5:00pm so I can take him for dinner before his therapy session? Of course I did. I'm his mother. Your move."
"You have no soul. How in the hell did you get like this?"
Back at Mary Margaret's loft, Mary Margaret was doing some sewing at the table when there was a knock at the door. She got up and answered it. It was Emma. "Hey. Just wanted to say thank you and, um, pay you back the bail money."
"You look like you need to talk," Mary Margaret said.
Emma entered and Mary Margaret went to the kitchen to make some cocoa.
"Cinnamon?" Emma asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I should've asked. It's a little quirk of mine. Do you mind?"
"Not at all. Oh, thanks. When you bailed me out, you said that you trusted me. Why?"
"It's strange. Ever since you arrived here, I've had the oddest feeling like we met before. And, I know it's crazy."
"I'm starting to re-evaluate my definition of crazy."
"For what it's worth, I think you're innocent."
"Of breaking and entering, or just in general?"
"Whichever makes you feel better."
"It doesn't really matter what anyone thinks I did or didn't do. I'm leaving. Thank you – for everything – but I think it's for the best. If I stay, Henry's only going to keep getting hurt."
"What happens if you go? I think they very fact that you want to leave, is why you have to stay. You care about him. Who will protect Henry if you won't?"
Henry was at his therapy session with Archie Hopper later that day. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about it? You know, that umbrella kind of is my good luck charm. Is that why you think I'm Jiminy Cricket?" he asked.
"I don't think you're anyone," Henry said, but Emma barged into the room.
"Miss Swan! Look, I can explain. The Mayor forced me to-" Archie said, but Emma interrupted him.
"I know. Don't worry about it. I get it. Henry, I'm sorry."
"I don't want to talk to you," Henry said, still upset.
"Miss Swan, if she knew you were here-" Archie said, but again, Emma interrupted him.
"To hell with her. Henry, there is one simple reason I stayed here. You. I wanted to get to know you," Emma said.
"You think I'm crazy," Henry said.
"No, I think the curse is crazy. And it is. But, that doesn't mean that it isn't true. It is a lot to ask anyone to believe in, but there are a lot of crazy things in this world. So what do I know. Maybe it is true."
"But you told my mom ..."
" ... What she needed to hear. What I do know, is that if the curse is real, the only way to break it is by tricking the Evil Queen into thinking that we are non-believers. Cause that way, she's not on to us. Isn't that what Operation Cobra was all about? Throwing her off the trail?"
"Brilliant!"
"I've read the pages and, Henry, you are right. They are dangerous. There is only one way to make sure that she never sees them," Emma said, throwing them into the fireplace to let the fire destroy them. "Now we have the advantage."
"I knew you were here to help me."
"That's right, kid. I am. And nothing, not even a curse, is going to stop that."
