Mike Conners looked at me from across the table as I pressed the bag of ice to the side of my head where I was hit. He smirked as he leaned back in his chair.

"So your first day out of foster care and you get into a fight." Mike tilted his head up and let out roaring laughter. "Some of the kids that come out of those systems are messed up."

I sent the man a scathing glare. "I was only protecting your kid."

Mike burst into laughter again and l looked at him in surprise.

"Timmy isn't my kid," he laughed. "I just picked up the little guy from the streets. Kid was trying to steal my wallet. Brilliant pick pocket that boy. The main reason old Lyster went after him in the first place."

My eyes narrowed as I asked the question I had been dying to ask.

"That man, Lyster, said you were a con man," I stated hesitantly.

Mike grinned. "Indeed I am," he stated as he took out a cigar and lit it. "Created a little family, myself, my daughter Jade and little Timmy, the only people we can trust is each other. Interested in joining."

My eyes narrowed in suspicion. "If your trying to trick me then don't waste your breath. I don't have any money."

Mike chuckled lightly as blew out the smoke from the cigar. Somehow I felt as if his glass eye was staring straight through me and detecting my lies. Just like a pair of hazel eyes I have seen before.

"I'm not trying to trick you kid," he smiled. "Actually you impressed me with your actions. Not many people would do what you did. It's a good trait to have."

"While your a con artist?" I rose an eyebrow.

"Oh don't think of me as a con artist," he shrugged. "Just think of me as a different kind of actor. And to do this you need to be bold and brave."

"I'm not brave," I stated as I looked down at my lap.

"So it was out of cowardice that you confronted three men who were all much larger then you?" he asked with a sarcastic edge in his voice.

"It was out of stupidity and overconfidence," I sighed softly.

"Aha another thing that you need for this job. Confidence," he stated proudly. I rolled my eyes and looked out the window. "But you need to be very good at lying. And I know your good at that."

I looked up in surprise. "How would you know that?" I asked innocently.

He lifted up my wallet with his left hand and put it down on the table. He smirked at my bewildered expression as I searched rapidly in my coat pocket.

"Because you lied about having no money," he smirked. "I told you Timmy was an amazing pick pocket."

He patted the young boys head who grinned up at me. Mike looked at me with a smile.

"You might as well join our little family," Mike offered. "Four is a lucky number. Plus Lyster isn't too fond of being beaten, especially by someone your age. You should probably come with us to Phoenix if you want to keep that head on your shoulders."

I looked at him suspiciously and then slowly smirked back. "Is the food going to be free?"


I tried to stop my head from lolling to the side. Yeah it was a really good idea to drive all the way from Los Angelus back to Pheonix at 10 o clock at night. Yes thank you very much for those words of wisdom Jade. I hated that girl sometimes. It was already 3 am and I was exhausted. I needed coffee stat if I wanted to make it for another hour. I saw a small diner up ahead and immediately turned off the interstate and into the parking lot. I got out of the car and narrowed my eyes on the building critically. The rusted door, the broken neon sign saying 'Phil's Diner' and the crumbling walls. As I approached the door I heard the sound of music coming from inside the place. At least it was still open, but what normal person would listen to blaring music at 3 am in the morning.

I walked through the door and my eyes widened at the sight in front of me. There was only one person in the diner and she was dancing around, pretending that her broom was a guitar, and singing very out of tune with a 'Journey' song that was blazing over the radio. She banged her head to the music and her blond hair whipped through the air.

"All night! All night! Oh every night!" she sang loudly. "So hold tight! Hold tight! Baby hold tight!

Oh! She said anyway you want it that's the way you need it! Anyway yo-"

She stopped mid song when she saw me staring at her wide eyed. Her eyes widened into saucers as she dropped the broom to the floor and gave me a look similar to a deer caught in headlights. A large smile split my face at the sight of her embarrassment.

"Are you still open?" I asked trying to hold back my laughter.

The girls eyes narrowed into killer sharp slits showing that she clearly was not impressed with my amusement. "Well obviously, it's a 24 hour diner."

Her voice had a dangerous edge that I recognized from somewhere. I'm just not sure where.

"So much for customer service," I muttered as I approached the counter. "I just need a strong, black no decaf coffee."

The girl set off to work, going quicker than I expected. She really wanted to get rid of me fast. I couldn't hold back a few chuckles as I saw her almost slam the cup down in front of me with an irritated look and a bit of a blush rising in her cheeks. Now that I really looked at the girl I could see she was very pretty. Her long curly blond hair fell on her shoulders and down her back. She had flawless creamy skin and beautiful intense hazel eyes. Eyes that I swear I've seen before.

I didn't notice that I was staring at her so long until her sharp voice cut off my thoughts.

"Is that all?" she asked.

"Hmm?" I asked confused. "Oh yes."

I could see the relief flood the girls face as I was about to hand her my credit card. But as she eagerly reached for it I stopped myself. I'm in no hurry to get back to Phoenix. It's not like Mike needs me there tonight. I might as well see much I can push this girls buttons. Also I need to get rid of this nagging feeling and figure out where I have met her before.

"Actually," I said as I quickly pulled my card away from her hand. "I'm really craving pumpkin pie right now."

I could see the hope leave her face and the aggravation return to her eyes.

"We don't sell it," she snapped.

This caught me off guard.

"What?" I shouted. "What kind of diner doesn't sell pumpkin pie?"

"This one," the girl stated.

"Great so I landed in the only diner in the state that doesn't sell pumpkin pie," I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "I can't believe this."

"You want to go somewhere else then?" she asked dully.

"Nope," I smirked. "Just give me some apple pie then."

The girl sighed as she went to grab a slice for me.

"To stay or to go?" she asked with a bit of hope in her voice. Obviously hoping for me to go. Well no chance of that after she denied me my pumpkin pie.

"To stay," I gave her a charming smile.

I think I pushed my limit because the girl slammed the plate with the pie down onto the counter.

"Do you honestly have nothing better to do at 3 am in the morning?" she snapped.

I tilted my head up to the ceiling as if in thought. "No, not really," I stated.

The girl gave me a smoldering glare that was deadlier than poison. "Great."

She went back to work, picking up the broom and ignoring me.

I took a seat that was by the counter.

"You know your voice isn't all that bad," I stated trying to get another rise out of her. "It would be nice if you actually managed to hit the proper notes though."

I could almost see waves of anger radiating from her as she persistently ignored me.

"Anyway that's an interesting dress, I admire bravery."

Once again my comments sent her over the edge.

"Would you just leave," she hissed.

"Wait until I'm done my pie, sweetheart."

"Do not call me that!" she snapped slamming her hands down on the counter in front of me.

"Well then tell me your name," I said as I leaned forward to meet her intense gaze.

"Emma Swan," she stated boldly as she leaned forward.

And just like that there was a click in my mind. I remember where I've seen those eyes before. Where I've heard that voice before.

"No way," I whispered in disbelief. "Little Emma all grown up and beautiful as ever. Now this I wasn't expecting."

"What are you talking about?" she asked as she narrowed her eyes.

"You don't remember me?" I asked in shock. "Well Emma I am hurt. I mean it has been 6 years but we used to know each other so well."

She continued to glare at me suspiciously but slowly her eyes began to widen with realization and recognition.

"Austin?" she whispered in shock.

I smirked at Emma. "I thought we agreed not to forget each other miss Swan."

Yay, the reunion. Please review