The phone rang just as August was typing the ending of the chapter where Pinocchio and the Savior come to the Land Without Magic. Emma's voice sounded nervous on the other hand.
"Hey, August. Sorry to bother you with this, but Henry lost his book and I was wondering if you've seen it. David says that you, uh came over last night."
"Yeah, well, I didn't see it. And yes, I'm sure. Such a large book would not escape my eyes." lied August.
"If you see it, call me okay?" asked Emma.
"Will do."
August got up to get a cup of coffee when an intolerable flare of pain came from his suddenly stiff leg, causing him to moan and get into his bed. August took off his shoe and to his immense horror, saw some of his toes wooden.
No. Emma forgave me. It's alright, Emma forgave me. She believes in me. It happened.
But it was then that August realized that Emma forgave him for past mistakes, not present ones.
Why did I lie? I could've told her, hell why didn't I just borrow the book? Instead of going away, the stiffness increased until half of his leg was made of wood. August knew what to do: he had to call Emma. He will.
After he finishes that chapter.
Emma finished up the soup and was walking over to the sheriff's station. She met up with Snow in there(she went to teach) and sent her daily ultraglare at Tamara for nearly taking away someone she cared about. She was reading the newspaper when Neal walked in.
"Hey, Emma. How ya doing?"
"Fine, until the son of the Dark One waltzed in."
Neal chuckled. After all those years, she could still make him laugh just the same.
"Look, I was wondering if I could take Henry out for some... you know, grandpa-father-son time? I promise I'll make sure that Gold behaves. Please."
Emma's expression didn't change.
"Pretty please?"
"Get me a drink and I'll consider it."
Neal ran for Granny's.
Just one more chapter. One more chapter.
It ran like a mantra in August's head. Had he looked into the mirror, he would've noticed his own red eyes and the fact he still wore the clothes he'd slept in.
Just one more chapter.
He also would've noticed his wooden legs.
Just one more chapter.
Okay, that's it for today.
Emma considered going straight home, but then remembered that Neal, Gold and Henry were having grandpa-father-son time, whatever that meant(she hoped that any "I command thee Dark One" wasn't involved.) and decided that enough's enough. It was time to talk things through with August.
She knocked on the door and only heard a mutter.
"August, open the door."
August's voice sounded weak on the other side.
"Give me a minute."
The "minute" took about an hour as far as Emma was concerned. August then finally opened the door, wearing his jacket and trying to look normal.
She wasn't fooled. It was obvious that he had overworked. A lot. The room stank, too.
"August... what the hell have you been doing here?!"
August's eyes couldn't have been more red had they belonged to a Sith Lord.
"Nothing, I just... couldn't sleep."
"Couldn't sleep?!" Emma's voice went louder. "Couldn't sleep is yawning! THIS IS NOT A COULDN'T SLEEP! What happened to not lying, huh?!"
The last line broke August. He pulled Emma into the room somewhat roughly and then showed Emma his leg, just like before the Curse was broken. Emma stared it, expressionless.
"Emma... I was the one who stole Henry's book. I just... I wanted to finish my story."
Emma's voice was colder than Mount Everest.
"Why didn't you just ask for it?"
August replied in a pleading tone: "Because... I don't know. I don't know why I didn't ask for it, Emma. I guess lying is in my second nature. I need your help, please."
Her expression did not change.
"You lied to me. I brought you back and you lie to me."
"I can't help it. But I want to. I will. With you."
Emma took a moment to compose herself and then grabbed August's hand and started dragging him out of his room.
"Hey, what...?"
"Come on, I'm taking you to your conscience, right now!"
