Desperate Souls

It was two weeks after Graham was killed by Regina. Emma had been Acting Sheriff for two weeks and according to the bylaws of Storybrooke she was now the Sheriff. She was just about to put the Sheriff's badge on when Regina and Emily walked in, "I'm sorry. That doesn't belong to you," said Emily.

"It's been two weeks – promotion's automatic," said Emma.

"Unless the Mayor appoints someone else within the time period," said Regina, as she and Emily walked up to Emma, "which I'm doing today."

"So, who's it going to be?"

"After due reflection – Sidney Glass."

"Sidney from the newspaper? How does that even make sense?"

"Well, he's covered the Sheriff's Office for as long as anyone can remember," said Emily.

"And he'll do whatever you two want him to," said Emma, "You two just cannot stand the fact that things have been getting better around here, can you?"

"Better? Are you referring to Graham's death as 'better'?"

"No."

"He was a good man, Miss Swan," said Regina, "He made this town safe, and forgive me for saying it, but you have not earned the right to wear his badge."

Emma placed the Sheriff's badge on a nearby desk, "Graham picked me to be Deputy," she said.

"He was wrong."

"No. He knew what he was doing. He freed this office from your leash. You're not getting it back."

"Actually, we just did," said Emily, "You're fired, Miss Swan." She took the Sheriff's badge off the desk then she and Regina walked out.

The next day, Regina and Emily were holding a press conference, in Regina's office, to announce Sydney as the new sheriff. "Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own homes," said Regina, "That's why Sidney Glass is my choice for post of Sheriff. This man has put the needs of Storybrooke above his own for as long as any of us can remember as chief editor of the Storybrooke Daily Mirror. Please welcome your new Sheriff!"

Regina started to pin the Sheriff's badge on Sidney when they heard Emma's voice, "Hang on a second."

They turned and saw the blond haired woman standing in the doorway, "Oh, Miss Swan, this is not appropriate," said Emily.

Emma walked into the room, "The only thing not appropriate is this ceremony," Emma pointed at Regina, "She does not have the power to appoint him."

"The town charter clearly states the Mayor shall appoint…" Emily started to say.

Emma cut her off, "A candidate. She could appoint a candidate. It calls for an election."

"The term 'candidate' is applied loosely," said Regina.

"No, it's not. It requires a vote. And guess what, Madam Mayor? I'm running."

"Fine. So is Sidney."

"I am?" asked Sidney. Regina and Emily turned and gave Sidney a look, "I am."

"With my full support," said Regina, "I guess we'll learn a little something about the will of the people."

"I guess we will," said Emma.

A little while later, Regina and Emily walked into Mr. Gold's shop, "Regina, Emily," he said as Regina turned the open sign on the door over to closed, "Shall I move some things? Make a bit of space for your rage?"

"You found that loophole in the town charter," said Emily.

"Legal documents – contracts, if you like. Always been a fascination of mine," said Gold.

"Yes, you love to trifle with technicalities," said Regina.

"I like small weapons, you see. The needle, the pen, the fine point of a deal. Subtlety – not your style, I know."

"You're a bastard."

"I think your grief's getting the better of you, Regina. Shame what happened to Graham."

"Don't you talk about him. You know nothing."

"What is there to know? He died."

"Are you really going up against me?"

"Not directly. We are, after all, both invested in the common good. We're just picking different sides."

"Well, I think you picked a really slow horse this time," said Emily, "It's not like you to back a loser."

"She hasn't lost yet," said Mr. Gold.

"She will."

"Never underestimate someone who's acting for their child."

"He's not her child," said Regina, "Not legally."

"Oh, now who's trifling with technicalities?" asked Mr. Gold.

That night Emily was at home sitting on the couch, Henry was upstairs doing homework. She smiled as she read the evening edition of the Daily Mirror. The main story was about how Emma had Henry in prison. Regina had some work to finish up at Town Hall so she was going to be late that night. Soon she heard the sound of sirens. Then, her cell phone rang, she took it out of her pocket and answered it, "Hello?"

"This is Fire Chief Kimball, ma'am. There's been a fire at Town Hall."

Emily sat up, "Where's Mayor Mills?"

"She's fine, Emma Swan helped get her out…"

A short time later, Emily and Henry were walking up to Town Hall. Regina was on a stretcher getting oxygen, when Emily walked up to her. Regina ripped the mask off her face and said, "Enough… I'm fine."

Just then Sydney walked up with his camera, "Regina. Nice shot of the victim?" he asked as he took a picture of Regina.

"Sidney?" asked Emily, "What are you doing? Are you trying to hand this election to her?"

"But it's news."

Regina grabbed him by his jacket and pulled him close, "She's the competition, you fool." Then, she let go of him and he walked away.

Emily turned and looked at her friend. "What happened?"

"I'm not really sure," said Regina, "Emma had come to my office to talk about the article in the paper, as we were leaving I told her about the debate. As we reached the bottom of the stairs I opened the door and we were knocked back by an explosion. I twisted my ankle and Emma had to help me out."

"You don't think Gold was behind this do you?" asked Emily

"I wouldn't put it past him…"

Soon, it was the day of the election. Emma and Sidney would have their debate then the polls would open. Regina, Henry and Emily were sitting right in the front row, as Archie, who was going to be the moderator, stood in front of the assembled crowd and gave his opening remarks, said, "Welcome citizens of Storybrooke to the Sheriff's debate. Tragedy has brought us here, but we are faced with this decision. And now, we ask only that you listen with an open mind and please vote your conscience. So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to the candidates – Sidney Glass," he gave a look to Sidney who was sitting on his left side, "and Emma Swan." He gave a look to Emma who sat on his right, "Glass." He made a gesture to Sidney. "Swan." He made a gesture to Emma, "Sounds like something that a decorator would make you buy." No one laughed at Archie's joke, "Wow, crickets. Okay, uh… Uh, Mr. Glass – your opening statement."

Sidney walked up to the podium, "I just wanna say that if elected I wanna serve as a reflection of the best qualities of Storybrooke: Honesty. Neighborliness," as Sidney spoke Regina and Emily both mouthed the words, Then Sidney finished, "And strength. Thank you." the audience gave Sidney a respectful round of applause.

"And Emma Swan."

Emma walked up to the podium, "You guys all know I have what they call an uh- troubled past. But, you've been able to overlook it because of the um, hero thing. But here's the thing: The fire was a setup." A murmur ran through the audience, "Mr. Gold agreed to support me in this race, but I didn't know that that meant he was going to set a fire. I don't have definitive evidence but I'm sure. And the worst part of all this was- The worst part of all this is I let you all think it was real. I can't win that way. I'm sorry." Mr. Gold stood up and left the Town Hall. Regina and Emily both slightly smiled at the turn of events.

That night, Regina, Emily and Sidney were waiting outside the City Clerk's office as the votes were counted. Soon the door opened and the City Clerk handed Regina the results, "Sorry it took so long," said the woman, "The vote was very close."

Regina opened the envelope with the results, "I don't believe it… She won…"

Emily looked at the results. Less than a 100 votes separated the two but it was clear that Emma had won. She sighed, "I guess we better give her the good news… Where do you think she is?" asked Emily.

"I think, I might have an idea," said Regina. A little while later, Regina, Emily and Sidney walked into Granny's. Emma was sitting at the counter with Henry. "I thought I might find you here," Regina looked at the bar and saw the drink, "With a drink," then she looked at Henry, "And my son."

"Here to card me, officer?" asked Emma.

"Well, not at all. In fact, I think I'll join you," said Sidney.

"Here? I don't know. I think they're setting up a back room for the victory party."

"Oh, well, you'll have to tell me what that's like."

Emma looked confused then Regina took out the Sheriff's badge, "Congratulations…" Then, she put the badge on the counter, "Sheriff Swan."

"Wait, what?" asked Henry

"It was a very close vote," said Emily, as people started to walk in the diner, "but people really seem to like the idea of a Sheriff brave enough to stand up to Mr. Gold."

"Are you joking?" asked Emma.

"No… You won fair and square."

"You didn't pick a great friend in Mr. Gold, Miss Swan," said Regina, "but he does make a superlative enemy," Then Regina smiled, "Enjoy that."

Then Regina, Emily and Sidney left.

AN: If you like this story, and you haven't done so yet, Review, Favorite and Follow. It gives me motivation to keep going.