Chapter 8.
An hour later, Beatrix stood in the middle of the street. She watched day one play all over again. The car raced down the street and again she felt herself fly out of its way. She looked up into Sherriff Graham's eyes once her feet touched the ground again.
"You best be careful now," Sherriff Graham said. Beatrix stared at him as she did the first day one. "Miss?" He asked and she snapped out of it.
"Sherriff," was the only thing she said. She slipped out of his grip and straightened her shirt.
"Are you okay? Why were you standing in the middle of the road?"
"I just realized I forgot my bag at Grannie's." she mumbled.
"Let's go get it then." Graham motioned for her to walk first but she didn't move.
"You don't have to go with me, I'm okay." Beatrix said.
"Well, you stopped walking in the middle of the street, I'm helping you get you bag and then taking you to the doctor."
"School Nurse." She said and then she noted her civvies and blushed.
"You're in school?" he asked surprised. "Then… Why…?"
"It's my birthday. I get to wear whatever I want." She stated suddenly.
"Really?"
"No. But I don't care. What are they going to do? Send me home? Write me up? Like that means anything."
Graham smiled. "What's your name?"
She frowned.
"You mean you don't remember? Did you hit your head recently?" Graham touched her head.
"I'm fine. My name's Beatrix. I'm just tired. I could use another coffee."
"Your parents let you drink coffee?"
"My Guardian does, yes. But probably only because he's scared of me, or any adolescent female..."
Graham smiled and she blushed.
"Let's go get your bag. And some Coffee." She nodded and walked with him.
"Beatrix." He repeated after a few minutes of silence. "I have to remember that."
"Oh?" She looked at him.
"I believe I'm going to be seeing a lot of you in the future." Graham said. They almost reached Grannies. Beatrix blushed again. "Well, with you breaking the school dress code so coldly. It's a gateway crime. Who knows what that will lead to." A smile broke on his face and she realized he was joking. She laughed.
They reached Grannie's and he held the door for her.
"Watch out Storybrooke." She added dramatically.
After grabbing her bag, she turned and saw Graham with two coffees. She looked through the window and saw Mr. Gold across the street. He seemed to be waiting for her. Beatrix walked over to Graham and he handed her a coffee. He mumbled about not knowing how she took it but she replied with wit.
"Don't look now Sherriff but I'm about to do another gateway crime. I'm going to ditch school."
His jaw dropped. She smiled, took a sip of her coffee and slipped past him to the door. He followed and stopped her when she reached the crosswalk.
"I don't think I can allow you to do that." He said concerned. She smiled again.
"Relax Sherriff. I have a pass." She pointed at Mr. Gold. "I have a very important appointment."
Mr. Gold crossed the street and greeted Beatrix and Graham. "Is there a problem here, Sherriff?" he asked.
"No Mr. Gold. You're daughter was just nearly run over by a car and forgot her own name, she's ditching school and who knows what else."
Mr. Gold smiled. "She's not my daughter Sherriff. She's my niece. If she nearly got run over by a car I assume you're the one to thank for her safety. And forgetting her name is nothing new, really. She used to be called by her second name, Ezaria, but now it's just Beatrix. She still opts for the former. As for the school ditching, she has to go somewhere with me. She's not doing anything I'm not aware of. And if she is, she won't get caught. She's a Gold, we've got perfect poker faces."
Mr. Gold checked his watch. "It has been wonderful, but we must get going."
"Watch where you walk. Or stop." Graham said to Beatrix as she and Mr. Gold walked away. She glanced at him over her shoulder and blushed when she caught him staring.
Mr. Gold and Beatrix sat in the cold reception room at the Town Hall. A frail receptionist finally called them for their appointment. They walked into the Mayor's office and found her elbow deep in paperwork. She didn't even glance up when they walked up to her desk.
"What is it, Mr. Gold?" she asked without looking up.
"I have found what the problem is with our time situation."
"Oh, now you know what I was talking about?" she snorted.
Regina looked up from her work, deeply interested. Mr. Gold stepped aside and revealed Beatrix. Regina frowned.
"Two opposites together create equivalence. Us together resets the time each morning." He explained.
"We've tested it." Beatrix added. Regina hardly paid her any attention.
"If you want time to move forward, and not have the day repeated, we must separate." Mr. Gold said.
"Then kick her out of your house. Or do something about it." Regina replied coldly.
"That is what we are here to do. She is a minor. Grant her Emancipation, she can move out and not be brought back to me or be charged for child abandonment by the Sherriff."
"Granted." Regina quickly glanced at Beatrix and went back to ignoring her.
"You need to sign some paperwork." Mr. Gold stated. Regina chuckled and motioned to the mountain of work on her desk.
After a few minutes of searching and calling around Town Hall, they found the declaration forms. Regina signed as the court and Mr. Gold as her legal guardian. One form was added to the send pile and the other was handed to Beatrix.
"Madam Mayor, can I ask you one thing?" Beatrix asked before the busy woman could usher them out.
"Quickly"
"Stay away from Graham." Beatrix asked gently. Regina snapped her head in her direction, appalled that the girl could say such a thing.
"Please." Beatrix added sweetly. Anger washed over Regina. She stared between Gold and Beatrix and took a deep breath.
"So the little girl has a crush on the Sherriff?" Regina teased.
"I was married to him." Beatrix stated.
"And now you'll what? Stare at him everyday? Sweetheart, he's a grown up and you're just a kid."
"Not anymore." Beatrix said with a smirk forming on her lips. Regina growled and the smirk spread. Regina reached for the newly signed paper with the intention of ripping it apart.
"I wouldn't do that, if I were you. Being a minor means I have to live with a guardian. Regina, you will let me have my way with Graham, or I'll move back to Gold and you will relive each day over and over again."
After a while of thinking, Regina placed the form back on the pile and replied, "You're feisty. I like it. But I will find my way in this too, you know?"
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
"You're so young." Regina mused.
"I'm older than you, Regina."
"Prove it." Regina cocked her eyebrow.
Beatrix looked away, clenching her jaw. She stuck a face smile on her face and nodded once. "Goodbye Regina."
