The rest of the morning ran as smoothly as it could for Riley and one hiccup they faced was Emma Swan cornering them at the Ever After Boutique.
The Dark One was just weaving through the clothing line. Selecting a few garments off the hanger for Bobby to try when the "Sheriff" came up behind her.
"So, apparently WE are not a priority for you?"
Riley took a deep breath through her nose as she turned around, clutching her son's hand. Giving Emma a really hard look that made her automatically take a step back.
"Don't kid yourself, Swan. I very much want to get out of here, the same as I did yesterday. But, if I had gone to sit at your table this morning? It would have proven counterproductive and given the wrong impression."
"And what is the wrong impression?" The Sheriff demanded, crossing her arms.
"I repeat: YOU guys did kidnap me. We are NOT Friends, Allies or even Acquaintances. Thanks to your mother, we have a BUSINESS Transaction. I lied to protect YOUR reputation with the Public, and I will continue to be Civil. But that's it!"
Emma stood there gapping at Neal's daughter, finding that she could not find it within herself to argue.
"-And I was not lying to "Ashley" about spending my mornings with Bobby, it's become part of my daily routine. What little family I now have is everything to me."
At the mention of "Family", the Sheriff chose her next words carefully. " Ok, You're right to be angry with me. Because I was the one who wished for the dagger. I summoned you. But Henry… Your BROTHER is innocent. At the time, he just wanted what we all did: "Mr. Gold's return to help with the Black Fairy." Now? He wants his only sibling to not hate him. Please…Give him a chance?"
Riley sighed as she thought of the boy.
"The only downside to your request is if I were to start up any relationship with him. Somebody from your side or multiples will be interfering "On HIS behalf!" she said, using finger quotes. "I'm not stupid Emma"
Both women were quiet for a moment apart from Bobby's muttering as he felt the fabric of the blue jeans his mother picked out along with the other clothes around them. Then the Dark One broke the silence,
"I'll come by the Station at 2 o'clock. Provided, the Blue Fairy does not attend."
Emma raised an eyebrow at the strange condition, "Why?"
"If Ruel Ghorm comes, everyone will be no better off then we were yesterday. And I am done with the prejudice personal interrogation of me and my family. I don't totally know how it was when Grandpa was the Dark One, though I'm starting to get a clue based on everyone's reaction. But know this… This One deals in facts and I don't make deals lightly. Now if you don't mind Sheriff? We would like to finish our previous engagement" said Riley preparing to turn around and resume shopping.
Emma blinked rapidly, it had been a while since she'd been dismissed like that. And it usually ended with her bounty being tackled and having the cuffs slapped on. But this time, she was willing to let that go.
"See you then," the Sheriff mumbled turning to leave but stopped, curious. "Just one more question?"
"What?"
"Why are you shopping for clothes when you have magic?"
"To rephrase my Grandfather: "Magic costs Dearie…Even FOR the Dark One" You should know this, its Magic cost you "Killian."
Emma Swan deliberately forced her mind not to go back to that awful time. "But you're so in control of it?"
"Hardly, I've never accepted the manifestation. Trust me, I'm going to be paying for yesterday's Magic Show tonight at 6 o' clock when the Migraine hits."
"Migraine?"
"Yep, Migraines, Temporary Paralysis, Laryngitis, Blindness, and Deafness are just some of the ways we Dark Ones pay for the small bouts of magic we use. Brought on by ourselves or our masters, depending on the severity of the spell and how long it lasts. Sooner or later though, it all adds up…"
The Sheriff left the Boutique just as perplexed as she came in. So many life changing philosophy, paths and plans had been enacted since she wished "for the bloody Dagger" to quote Killian, less than 24 hours ago. At the time Emma had been SO sure in what she was doing… Never ASSUME.
"The Charming's" were learning a hard lesson about "MORTALITY & MORALITY."
At first her parents despite knowing they had done wrong, tried to sweep it under the rug and "invite them" to breakfast with the whole town watching. Then when Riley politely turned them down and Cinderella pushed. The people talked all over the place about "The mother who put her kid first, ahead of THEM!"
Finally the cherry on top of this humiliation was the call on her cell in the middle of their eating:
( Emma pulled out her cell phone, staring at the unknown number.
"Hello," Suddenly a man's voice came on the other line. "Yes? I'm looking for "Sheriff Swan?"
She raised an eyebrow, thinking this was a citizen of Storybrooke she hadn't met yet. "This is she, how can I help you?"
"I'd like to report a kidnapping"
Immediately Emma set down her fork, mouthing the word to her family as she brought out her notebook and pen from her back pocket. "Yes Sir, can you give me some information about the victim, last known sighting, and your relationship to them?"
"Yes, it's Victims actually. They are my Fiancée and her son…"
At those words, a sickening feel began to grow in the pit of her stomach, but she continued to write.
"Got it? Her name is "Riley Cassidy".
- BORN: 3/19/'93
- 22 years old
– 5ft 3.
– short Dishwater Blond hair
– Dark Brown eyes.
Last seen in her apartment, here in Sacramento CA. Morning of November 1st this year."
"The Sheriff's hand was shaking over the page causing ink blots as the man continued describing "Bobby" before sending the real chill down her spine.
"SUSPECT of abduction: SHERIFF EMMA SWAN!"
Her heart was pounding a mile a minute, as she held her phone in a death grip. "You think I-!"
"I KNOW you did, Riley already called me."
Emma froze, her mouth not able to think of an acceptable excuse. "She-?"
"There are good cops and Bad Cops, Sheriff. You're also very lucky my Momma taught me to never raise a hand to a woman. If things don't get settled, I'm coming up there in a month"
"You have no way to get in, the town is blocked to outsiders." breathed Emma, trying to calm both her heart and nerves.
"To borrow a term from my soon to be late grandfather in law. "A deal's a Deal DEARIE"
"You made a deal with-?"
"Yes I did, and I'm promising you. That if you Deliberately put my family endanger to save you own skin.
Then I will take this matter to the REAL authorities.
True, they won't be able to access your town. But should the need arise, and you HAVE to cross the border back out into the real world? There WILL be warrants for your arrest. Especially, with your standing record, no matter HOW juvenile it was. And don't think YOU are the only one- "August W. Booth" reentered the U.S. illegally from Phuket. Having fled a decade earlier to avoid the gambling debts he owed to Casinos all across the country."
"Where did you get your information from?" demanded Emma shocked that this stranger knew so much.
"It's not that hard if you know where to dig, which is how I got your number. Do we understand each other Sheriff?"
"Yes," she dry swallowed, wanting so much to argue but knowing she was in the wrong.
"good, Good Day" he said about to hang up when-
"What's your name?"
"Raymond Bradford"
"Are you a lawyer?"
"Nope, just a Citizen that knows their rights..."
Emma had hung up then, grateful for that small mercy their conversation hadn't been on speaker. But she still had to deal with the looks of worry and confusion from her family.)
Now however, the Sheriff had to go and settle Pinocchio's hash about the evidence Mr. Bradford had uncovered. Then tell the others about Riley's request…
