Mills Residence
It's morning and it looks like there's a storm coming as thunder rumbles through the sky meanwhile Regina and Henry are heading out suddenly they notice the stranger in front of their house fixing his motorcycle.
Henry seems confused. "Mom, Who's that?"
"I don't know, why don't you get in the car." Henry quickly walks towards the car and enters the passenger side then he watches his mother approaching the stranger through the back window.
"What are you doing here?" Regina said knowing it's August who is originally Pinocchio and he's only here to make Emma believe.
The stranger stares at her. "Fixing my bike."
Regina gives him a skeptic look. "In front of my house?"
The stranger shrugs. "It just broke down."
"So, what's your business here."
"Just visiting."
Regina doesn't say anything then heads to her car enters the driver side meanwhile Henry is giving her a curious look.
"Did he say anything?"
"No, he wasn't really cooperative." Regina turns the ignition on and starts driving.
"Do you think he's dangerous?"
Regina smiles. "There's nothing to worry about he's probably just a random stranger."
"But I thought you said nobody can enter Storybrooke."
"And I did, remember when I told you about how Emma was brought here from the enchanted forest." Henry nods. "She wasn't alone."
Henry's eyes widen. "Wait, are you saying another fairytale character was with Emma when she first came here." Regina nods. "Do you know who it was?"
Regina thinks for a moment, trying to find a way to tell him about how Pinnochio ended up in the wardrobe. She didn't even know until Emma mentioned it when they were trying to find their way home from the Wish Realm. "Let just say someone didn't want to lose their child to the curse and decided to sneak him in the wardrobe along with Emma."
Henry seems to understand. "Should we figure out who he is?"
Regina shakes her head she knows August is a shady person there's no way in the hell he's getting anywhere near her son. "No, remember what I taught you not all fairy tales are not true regardless if they are good or not."
Henry nods. "And not everything is black or white."
"Exactly and I need you to promise to not go anywhere near the stranger or talk to him, ok."
"Why would I, you are the only one I trust."
Regina feels a bit emotional that goes to show she is doing something right. "You do?"
"You're my mom, of course, I trust you."
"Even if I was the Evil Queen and cast the dark curse."
Henry shakes his head. "You are not the Evil Queen anymore you're a hero now trying to help the savior break the curse and bring back the happy endings."
Regina smiles then gently she touches his face. "I love you, Henry."
"I love you too." Henry said, smiling.
Mary Margaret's Apartment
Emma Swan is sitting at the table talking on the phone with Graham then she notices Mary Margaret rushing in with a toothbrush in her mouth. "Hey, Graham I'll call you back. Yeah, I'll see you in a bit." She hangs up her phone and stares at her roommate who looks to be in a rush. "You okay?"
Mary Margaret is spitting toothpaste into the kitchen sink. "I can't believe I overslept." She's getting ready to leave.
"It's only 7:10. You've got plenty of time to get to school."
"No, I have to be there at 7:15! Science fair. I'm helping the kids with their project before school."
"I'm sure if you're five minutes late, they'll live."
"We're making a volcano." Mary Margaret said, heading out.
Sheriff's Department
Graham is sitting at his desk writing a report suddenly Regina approaches him. "Graham, I need a favor."
Graham looks up to see her. "Let me guess you want me to keep an eye on our newcomer that just arrived yesterday."
Regina looks surprised. "Wow, you know me too well."
"Indeed I do."
"Look I've never asked you to do a favor in a long time I need you to keep an eye out make sure he's not doing anything out of the ordinary, please for Henry's sake."
Graham nods. "Okay, I'll let Emma know as well."
Regina smiles. "Thanks, Graham." She still can't believe he's alive and is looking forward to seeing what his role is going to be in the future.
Storybrooke Town Hall
Regina's Office. Regina is sitting at her desk working on her laptop suddenly her office phone rings.
Regina presses a button on the phone. "Yes."
"Mayor Mills, Emma Swan is here to see you." Regina's assistant said through the speaker.
"Send her in."
Emma walks in carrying a folder. "Here are the reports for this week." She sets the folder down on Regina's desk.
"Thanks." Regina grabs the folder then starts to look through it.
"So, Graham tells me your very concerned about the newcomer."
"It's just a precaution."
"Bet he's one of the untold millions you cursed."
Regina gets caught off guard. "What?"
"You know, the curse. Henry's theory."
"Oh, right." For a minute there she thought Emma remembered. "I'm just worried because he's was in front of my house this morning."
"Do you know what he was doing."
"He claims his bike broke down I believe he was lying and he kept eyeing my son that's why I'm concerned."
"You think Henry will go anywhere near him."
"No, he knows better to not talk to anyone he does not know." Regina said she taught Henry from an early age to not trust strangers especially if they claim to be good. Pretty much preparing him to be cautious before Peter Pan arrives and hopefully, she'll do whatever it takes to prevent that monster from going anywhere near her son.
"We will look into it if he does anything suspicious." Emma is about to leave Regina stops her.
"Hey, can you pick Henry up from school then take him to Granny's for dinner I have a load of paperwork to do so I will probably be home a little late."
"Sure, call me when you get done."
"Thanks." Emma nods and exits the office then Regina continues to look through the paperwork.
Granny's Diner
Emma and Henry are at a booth eating their dinner
Emma stares at Henry who is busy drinking his chocolate milk. "So, how was your day today."
Henry shrugs. "Mrs. Blanchard was late as usual then we made a volcano."
Emma can sense the awkwardness between them and knows Henry wants to be with his mother after he had bombarded her with questions earlier as to why she was picking him up instead of her. So she had to call Regina so he can calm down suddenly she senses someone watching them then turns to see the stranger sitting at a booth drinking coffee.
Emma turns to Henry. "Stay here I'll be right back."
Henry nods then continue munching on some fries meanwhile Emma walks towards the stranger. "We need to talk."
"Why?"
"Because." She notices a large wooden case on the floor next to him. "You're suspicious."
"Drinking coffee? I wonder what kind of hell I would have raised had I ordered a doughnut."
"What were you doing in front of the Mayor's house?"
"My bike broke down. It happens." He looks towards where Henry is at. "Cute kid is he yours."
"No he's the Mayor's son if I catch you anywhere near him I'm going to arrest you, got it."
The stranger waves his hands in defense. "Hey, I have no interest in the kid I thought he was yours."
Emma stares at the wooden box. "Your mysterious box. What's in it?"
"It's frustrating to not knowing, isn't it."
"Just tell me."
"Why? Is it illegal to carry around a box in these parts?"
"No, of course, it's not."
"You really want to know?"
Emma seems annoyed. "You know what I don't have time for this just don't do anything stupid or else." Emma glares at him then heads back to where Henry is.
Mills Residence
Regina is walking downstairs as the doorbell rings she heads towards it then opens to reveal Emma and Henry.
Henry smiles when he sees her. "Hey, mom!"
Regina smiles back. "Hey bud, did you have a good time with Emma."
Henry shrugs. "It was okay, after dinner we went to the arcade I got the highest score on space paranoids!"
"Wow, that's awesome!" She ruffles his hair when he's about to head upstairs she stops him. "Hey, are you forgetting something." She points towards Emma.
Henry stares at Emma for a moment. " Oh. Uh, thank you for dinner." He gives Emma a small smile then heads upstairs.
Regina turns to Emma. "How was he?"
"He was good unlike earlier he was freaking out a bit because he wasn't expecting me to pick him up."
"Sorry about that he's been very attached to me lately which I'm trying to figure out why." She pretty much knows it's because of Emma.
"I think it's because of me."
Regina looks surprised as if Emma had read her mind. "What makes you say that?"
"He told me yesterday that he's afraid I'll take him away from you."
"And what did you say?"
"It'll never happen, I can see the love he has for you it makes me feel very grateful that he has a mother like you."
Regina smiles. "Thanks."
Emma nods then her phone rings she answers it. "Hello. Yeah. I'll be on my way...Hey, don't you dare start the movie without me ok, bye." She hangs up the phone. "I better get going Graham's waiting for me." She heads out.
Meanwhile, Regina heads upstairs towards Henry's room. Henry is laying in his bed reading through his book.
Regina approaches him and sits on the edge of the bed. "Hey, it's bedtime."
Henry closes the book then puts it under his bed and turns towards his mother. "Mom, I've read through the book about a couple of times there's no mention of the stranger."
"He might be related to one of the people in this town."
"Could he be Geppetto's long lost son."
Regina shrugs "We won't know until after the curse breaks. So, did you really have a good time with Emma?"
Henry shrugs. "I guess."
"Would you like to hang out with her again?" He becomes quiet then she grabs his hand.
"Henry, it'll be good to get to know her."
"I know, I just like being with you."
Regina smiles. "Well, she's only going to see you when I'm mostly working late or having a meeting so pretty much she's replacing Ruby."
"So, she going to be my new babysitter."
"Something like that." Regina said, Hoping it doesn't come to that a few minutes later she tucks him in and kisses his forehead then she goes to turn off the light and exits his room.
