Storybrooke
Graham stopped by Regina's office to check on her. "I see that you are already back to work." He gently chided. She had always been a workaholic so when the hospital said she had been released he knew where to find for her.
Barely looking up at him, she continued with gathering documents, sorting them into piles, and entering data into her desktop computer. "These files aren't going to re-organize themselves. I'm making sure that the District Attorney Spencer has everything he needs to lock away Mr. Crane. We certainly don't need him running around town again."
"Agreed."
Regina privately wondered if he was some sort of criminal in the Enchanted Forest. While she knew that everyone's personalities were submerged with the curse, a sliver still showed here in Maine. She suspected Mr. Crane's dark side was an integral part of who he was. Besides the trial that would inevitably happen, she hoped she would never see the man again. "We're better off with him locked away."
"I understand Madam Mayor." Uneasy about whether now was a good time, he paused for a moment before speaking, "I wanted to talk to you about adding a deputy for the department."
"Do you have a candidate in mind?"
"I do. I'm thinking of asking Miss Kyle."
"So why do you need to talk to me?"
" I'd need your approval to add the position to my budget." He gave the mayor his best puppy eyes, hoping to put her in a better mood.
It wasn't needed though.
Mayor Mills opened a drawer besides her and pulled a file and a small black bag. "Here you go Sheriff." She commented as she handed both items.
Graham looked at the bag first, opening the pouch, he noticed that it had a badge. Smiling, he examined the folder. Regina spoke as he scanned the paperwork. "Budget has already been approved. Salary is set at thirty five thousand and she'll have benefits including dental. She does not get overtime, so please keep an eye on her work schedule."
Stunned by her preparation, he just had to comment. "Will do Madam Mayor. Just one question, how did you know?" While he was certainly grateful he didn't have to plead with her, he was extremely curious.
Unfortunately for him, Regina wasn't going to tell him. "Sheriff, just be glad I said yes."
Knowing that pressing the issue would get him nowhere, he thanked her and left to find Miss Kyle.
Once he left, Regina took a second to think about why she did change her mind. As mayor she knew that having a deputy was a smart, practical decision. The sheriff needed a back up. However she knew that wasn't the main reason she hired the girl, something more instinctive was behind that. While most people would say she wanted a friend, Regina wasn't going to call it that. The Mayor just wanted someone she could talk with instead of someone she simply talked to.
The Enchanted Forest
The last leg of the trip went slowly, but smoothly. Fiona was healing quickly and they made it to the outskirts of the town. They were by the fountain that Fiona had gotten lost by. Feeling tired, they rested up a bit. The two sat next to each other, not moving or saying a word, both hoping that time would not move forward. In the past couple of days they had bonded and neither one of them wanted to break it.
Seeing as it was getting dark and Fiona needed to be with her folks, Snow started speaking, "I guess this is it. I'll keep an eye on you until you get to the inn to make sure you make it to your family." She rubbed her arm and gave her hug. "Please stay out of trouble."
Tears were quickly forming so Snow turned away to leave.
"You could live with me." Fiona called out. Thinking out loud, she laid out all the benefits to her spontaneous plan. "You could change your name and come join us. We are nobles, so you would have a proper place. You can stay at my family's estate. You would not have to worry about the Queen following you as we're so far away. Even with the trade routes approved, merchants would only be coming occasionally. "
Snow was touched by the offer, but she couldn't accept. "I would love to come and live with you, but my home is here. I have to help my people get from under the Evil Queen's hand."
Tears started streaming from Fiona's eyes, she wasn't about to give up this argument. "You can still do that and I can help. Come home with me and in a few years I'll be older and I'll be ready and have soldiers come help you. We can be a team. We can defeat the Evil Queen together. Please."
Wiping the little girl's tears, Snow felt her own eyes get wet. "I wish it would be so easy Fiona, but it is a dangerous mission and it would break my heart to see you hurt. Your place is with your family."
"We can be a family!" she exclaimed. "I don't want to be alone. I want you to stay with me. I have no one else that understands me, not like you do. Please come!" She started sobbing on Snow, clutching her as hard as she could.
For a minute, Snow considered the offer seriously. She had grown attached to this little girl quickly and it deeply moved her to see how much she loved her back. Still, it would not be good for the little one to be around her. Regina would never give up on finding Snow. That would put Fiona in danger and Snow could not do that to an innocent child.
"I love you Fiona, but I can't come. Please understand it's not that I don't want to, but I have responsibilities. When you are older, you'll understand. Here, let me get you something." She looked through her personal belongings and found what she was looking for. "My mother gave this ring to me as a little girl. This ring is very special to me and I want you to have it."
The sniffling girl placed it on her right middle finger. "I'll keep it safe, I swear. "
Truthfully Snow didn't ever want to part with it, but knowing that Fiona was wearing the ring made her feel like that she was putting it where it belonged. "We'll meet again some day. I promise. For now I have to leave. Go inside town and get home to your family. I have no doubt that they are missing you dearly. "
Fiona was devastated, but knew that Snow was right. She couldn't join her hero and the woman would not be happy in a land far from her own people. Nodding her head, she said, "I understand. I'll go, but if you ever need anything just let me know. If you ever change your mind, please come. I will make sure we meet again. Friends?"
Smiling at the brave girl, Snow hugged her again and kissed her on the forehead. "Friends forever."
