Moving
"He knew your name?" Snow asked.
"Yes, mom... " Emma cried.
It had been an hour since Emma was with that guy. It was the worst thing that could have ever happened to her. She was upset that being the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming meant that people would be after her. She had almost been kidnapped when she was ten and now, she didn't even want to think of what could have happened.
"People know we are here. They know who we are. Emma said he took her blood. He needs it for something. I couldn't get a good look at him before he ran. It doesn't matter. I can't let something like this happen again. I was going to wait and talk about this first but I think this is something that has to happen. I was offered a job in Portland, Oregon. They need a sheriff and I am going to take it. We need to get away from here. " David said as he looked at his daughter. She was what matter. Not just Emma though. His whole family.
"No! I can protect myself. You taught me well. I was just caught off guard and scared. Next time I won't be. Please, I have friends here. I like it here. " Emma plead. At this point, Emma was shaking. She was so upset. Snow instantly pulled her daughter over and held her tight. She knew this wasn't easy.
"Emma, your father is right. Twice someone tries to hurt you. We still got ten years before you can break the curse. Ten years before we are safe with our people. We can risk losing any of our kids. You four mean the world to me and your father. This is a perfect time to start fresh. Get away from here. See something new. This is what is best. " Snow said kissing the top of her head. Emma pushed away from her mother and ran to her room. Snow started to follow but Charming pulled her to him.
"Give her space. She went through a lot today. You need to get back to school. Lunchtime is almost over. I will go to the station and tell them I'm taking the job. Tonight we will look for a new home and start to pack. I will get my family to a safe place. " He said kissing her gently before grabbing his stuff and heading to work. Snow sighed. She doubts their family will ever be safe.
Twenty miles away
"Scar you were wrong for that! You got what you needed. Why did you have to try and break the girl?" Shenzi asked. She and her brothers met up with Scar on the outside of town. They were seated inside an abandoned house. It was dusty and dark making it perfect to hide. Though it smelled like something died, they didn't care. Scar looked at her. He rolled his eyes. She honestly thought he cared?
"Leave me alone. I need a drink and a pretty lady to give me what I want. Go find both for me, please. " Scar said as he walked outside to get some fresh air. He starred at the knife that contains Emma's blood. Though he hated to say Shenzi was right she was. He got what he wanted. But once he got revenge on his nephew he would get Emma. In ten years she would be women and more satisfying to him.
"Boss your phone is ringing. " The oldest male said. Scar smiled and answer it. On the other line was a woman.
"He took the job, " she said and hung out. Scar chuckled.
"Hey pack up! We are going to Portland!" Scar called out to the three of them.
Portland, Oregon
A week later
"Get back here! Thief!" a man called from a opened door. Young women ran from the older man with her hands full with food. The women were dressed in jeans and a black hoodie. Her head was cover with the hood. But blonde hair flew behind her. In the distant police, sirens were heard. The sound grew closer and closer until the car that it belong to came around the corner. It pulled over blocking the women's way.
"Stop!" The man commanded. The man was tall and well built. He had short blonde hair and blue eyes. He was dressed in uniform. He held his gun up to the women. And finally, she raised her face to him. He lowers his gun and held his breath as green eyes met with his blue ones.
"Hey, daddy. " Emma said with a smile. David crossed his arms. He was disappointed. He knew Emma wasn't acting like herself since they left New York but he had no idea she was stealing. He narrowed his eyes at her. She acts like this was a game. The man who store she stole from, came over. He grabbed what was stolen then looked at David.
"Since she is your Sheriff, I will let this side. But she isn't allowed back. Good day. " The man leaving Emma alone with her father.
"Can we go home? " Emma asked annoyed. Emma had decided since she was forced to move here she would do anything it took to make them see this wasn't home. She had started to steal two days after getting here. Only tonight had she got caught. She didn't care. She would only continue. He father was the sheriff anyway. They would always let her go. She planned to go back home anyway after school and after she was eighteen. She loved her parents and siblings but this wasn't home.
"Yes, we are going home. You are in big trouble. How could you, Emma?! We give you anything you want. You have no reason to steal. And I know what you are trying to do. It won't work. I am not the only cop that is on duty. If it would have been anyone else you would be in jail overnight. Get in the car. " He said. His blood was boiling. Snow wouldn't be happy. They needed to put an end to this. He shut her door when she got in and then got in after. He drove all the way home in silence.
Their new home was in the countryside. It had a lot of farmland which they needed for the horses. It was a two-story house just like before. Snow was home today with the kids. They haven't got enroll into school yet. That would happen tomorrow. Snow had decided to stay home for now. She didn't want to work right now. David had mostly early shift which Emma knew. That was why did steal in the middle of the day.
"Hey, baby you are home early. " Snow said as David walked in. He moved aside so she could see Emma. Snow looked confused for a second. Emma was supposed to be at the high school getting enrolled.
"I caught Emma stealing. She stole from one of the stores in town. " David said. Snow grew angry quickly. She walked away to let them come inside. Emma walked around Snow to try and get to her room but Snow grabbed her arm forcing her to look at her. Snow took a deep breath. She tried to control herself.
"What is going on Emma? This isn't like you. We are worried about. " Snow said. Emma snatched her arm away. She didn't know what had got into her but she just couldn't help it. She was angry and going through a lot. She started to breath heavy. She needed to get out. She didn't waste time. She took off and ran past her parents. She heard her father yelling but she couldn't stop. She needed space. She kept replaying what happened with that guy. Over and over. Her head was spending. She got in her car and took off.
Snow slide down to the sofa and buried her face in her hands. She cried out in pain. Her baby girl was suffering and there was nothing she could do. She had no idea how Emma felt. Right now she wanted to comfort her and she couldn't. Charming joined her and held her tight. It was hurt. They were helpless.
"Mommy, what's wrong?" Leo asked as he waddled up to his parents. Snow picked her son up and held him tight. That was all she could do. Speaking wouldn't help. David wrapped them in a bear hug. Things would get better soon, they hoped.
After driving for over an hour, she decided to park the car on the side street. She needed to lay down. She couldn't go on right now. She wasn't that far from home. She had only really ridden in circles. She climbed in the back seat and rest her head. She could only hope all of this would go away. She hated how she been acting. Her parents only cared. They wanted to protect her. She just couldn't deal with them right now. Suddenly she heard her door opened. She froze in fear. She dared to sneak a peak. What she saw was a young guy around her age. He had shaggy dark brown hair and tall. He had managed to start her car without keys and took off. She finally unfroze and lean all the way up.
"You know you could have asked for the keys. " Emma said with a chuckled. He froze in place realizing she was there. He looked back taking his eyes off the road. "Eye on the road!" She screamed. He looked back and stopped short at a stop sign. She took that time to leap in front. She looked at him now fully. He was handsome. He was well built and nicely tanned. But he smells like trash. Her nose wrinkle at his scent.
"I didn't realize anyone was in here. I'm sorry. " The guy said. For some, she couldn't get mad at him. She had everything he had nothing. He decided to pull over so they could talk. He turns to her and smile. He had a smile like her father. It pulled her in. Her breath was caught. She needed to focus. He just tried to steal her car.
"It's okay. I guess if I was in your place I would do the same. " She said shrugging her shoulders. He thought she was beautiful. He wanted to touch her long blonde hair. He had to hold back. Who would had thought stealing a car could turn out so well.
"Neal Cassidy, your common thief. " He said holding his hand out. She smiled and shook his hand.
"Emma Swan, rebelling teen. " She said making him laugh. He was the bad boy. The one her parents warned her about. But she couldn't stay away from him. He was just what she needed. She needed someone to take her mind off of things. Maybe he would be the one to help her. She wanted to know more about him. She had known. So that's exactly what she would do.
"Well, Emma Swan how about we go into this dinner and talk. I promise not to steal your car. " Neal said making Emma giggled. She covered her mouth. She hadn't meant to do that. Luckily Neal just smiled. He didn't seem to mind. She hadn't even noticed the small diner until now. She got out her car as he did and locked it, following inside.
"I can't believe you have been on your own all this time. You don't get lonely?" Emma asked. It had been over an hour since they came in to talk. She enjoyed herself. She didn't want to leave but she knew eventually she would have to go home. She couldn't even tell her parents about Neal. Not yet anyway. He was a thief. But a very charming one.
"Well, most people don't want to hang out with a thief especially after trying to steal their car. " He teased. He had to say, he liked this blonde girl. It had been a while since he smiled. He just hated to lie to her. He had to lie to her since the beginning. But how could he explain to her that he was from another realm? Little did he know that she was from the same realm. Not only that she is the savior the one his father planned to have broken the curse to bring his father to him. He had no idea that she too was keeping secrets.
"My first thoughts were to knock you out but I didn't want to crash. So I figure the best thing was to see if you had a sense of humor and hoped you didn't kill me. Anyways behind all that armor, you seem like a good guy just running from troubles. " She said. Emma was good at reading people. She could always tell when they were lying. She knew he wasn't telling her the whole truth but neither was she. Who was she to judge? For now, secrets were for the best.
"Armor? " Neal asked.
"Yes. You have it. You are holding back for a reason. Not that I care. That's your business. But I like talking to you and eventually, you will open up. Everyone lets go of their armor in the end. " Emma said and in that moment, Neal was hooked. She had his heart already. And that was why he continue to see her for the few months.
October 22, 2000
Emma's 17th birthday
"Emma, Neal is here!" Snow called upstairs as she stood on the bottom step with Neal. It had been two months since she and Neal met. After a few weeks, they made it official and she told her parents. She hadn't exactly patched things up with them as she was still angry and still acting out. But she decided to try. She loves her parents. Just right now everything was confusing. She had begun to steal with Neal. She found the activity fun and exciting. Plus Neal needed stuff that her parents wouldn't give him. Her father didn't like Neal and Snow, well, she tolerated him for Emma. Snow knew that Emma was just a rebelling teen. She had been one herself many years ago.
"Hey, Neal. " She said with a smile. She eyed her mother who got the message and walked away. He pulled her in tightly and kissed her. She melted into his touch and let the world slip away. The kiss didn't last long as she heard her father behind her. She sighed and pulled away. She laced her fingers with his and pulled Neal toward the sofa where they sat.
"Mom, you got my cake?"Emma asked excitedly. Snow smiled and went to the fridge where the cake was. She brought it out and Emma got up to kiss her on the cheek. Snow couldn't help but feel happy. These were moments she missed. She knew Emma loved still but right now things were tough.
"When your brothers and sister wake up we can sing happy birthday. Then you can be on your way. I know a day with your boyfriend is more fun than a day with us. " Snow said with a chuckled. David made a face at her.
"You are going off with Neal?" He asked Emma.
"Yes, dad. He is my boyfriend. He has plans for us tonight. Unless you are planning to lock me up, I'm going. " She said in an annoyed tone.
Her father lately had been overprotective. She couldn't take it. She is seventeen. Almost an adult. She needed his protection. At least that was what she thought. No-one could blame her for feeling this way. She was a teenager. This is what they do. David narrowed his eyes at his daughter.
"Don't speak to me like that Em. I don't know what had got into you but if it doesn't stop you won't go out. Let's not argue "
David walked upstairs to grabbed the other kids. The other three finally joined them and everyone sang to Emma. After opening gifts she left with Neal. Little did she know, her life would change tonight.
"Emma, we need to talk. " Neal said as they walked through the park. Emma was starring off into space with her mind roaming. She held on to his hand. She felt her whole body go cold. She didn't like the way he said that. She stopped and turned to him. Earlier that day, they stole from a store. She had pretended to be pregnant. This was the first time they almost got caught. But still, it was fun. She actually imagines herself one day being pregnant with his child.
"What's wrong?" Emma asked. He pulled out a flyer with his face on it. It said wanted.
" This was on the wall at the post office.I didn't even know they did that still." Neal said.
" When did this happen?"
" I was a janitor in Phoenix... this high-end jewelry place. The manager was a drunk. He would forget to lock the case to the expensive watches."
"Neal..."
"I resisted twice. The third time, this guy's asking to get taken. So I... I grabbed a couple cases of watches and I hopped on a train to Portland. The store's got insurance. Anyway, I stashed 'em in a locker at the train station. They're still there. It's hardly stealing."
" So you got away clean."
"I didn't get away clean. The manager may have been a drunk, but the security cameras are stone sober. I thought this heat had died down, but it hasn't. I'm sorry. Tallahassee's out. I gotta go to Canada."
"I? No! You aren't going alone. I'm going with you. I can go to the station, get the watches then you can sell them. We can use the money to start over. " Emma said looking at him hopefully. He shook his head. This was crazy.
"You want to help me by stealing watches that are stolen. What about your parents?" Neal asked. She shrugged her shoulders.
"They have other children. They don't need me. I have a car. We can drive wherever we want. We can get fake ids. We can go anywhere. Come on Neal. I love you. " She said and then realized what she said. She held her breath, scared of what he would say. She was caught off guard when he pulled her into a kiss. She pressed closer to him, kissing Neal hungrily.
"I love you too Emma. Let's do it! "
After going to the train station like Neal told, grabbing the watches and getting out she met Neal at the bug. He smiled when he saw her.
"Let me see. " He said as she opened it up. He grabbed one of the more feminine watches and put it on her. Her eyes went wide.
"We are keeping this one?"
"Yes. Now, remember to meet me in an hour where I told you."
"Okay. I love you. "
"Love you too, Em. "
Neal left her alone. She was so nervous. She couldn't believe she was doing this. She looked at the watch. She knew this would break her parents. But this wasn't the life she wanted. She didn't want to save everyone. That was too much for her. And at the same the time she hated herself for feeling this way. She loved her parents. How could she do this? She shook her head. She had too. She got out and set off toward where she could meet him.
"I'm so sorry, Emma... I can't face my father. I can't. " Neal said out loud where he stood in an alleyway. He turned to the man that just stood him everything.
"Don't worry Neal I will take care of her. She will be back on her path to breaking the curse, " he said and dialed a number.
"Yes, she has the watches. She is at the docks. " The man confirmed before walking away.
"He isn't coming. " a voice called to Emma. She turned hugging the case of watches to her chest and hung the phone up. A man in uniform like her father's stood behind her with two others. Her eyes went wide. Was this really happening? "He called us. He told us where you were and that you have the watches. And you won't be able to reach him, he is already halfway to Canada. "
"But he promised! He loved me... Why... "
"Because of Em, he was wrong for you. He used you to take the fall. I knew it all of along. " David said as he came up. He had been hiding in the darkness. He couldn't do this. He couldn't arrest her. But he had to be here. Once he found out what happened. He made a deal with them. They wanted to give her two years. He told them if she got a job helping the police station, she could only go for eleven months. Emma fell to her knees crying.
"Oh.. Daddy I can't believe how I have acted. I was stupid. I knew I shouldn't have done any of this but it was like I couldn't control myself... And now I finally woke up... Daddy, I'm scared. " She cried. The other officer nodded. David rushed over pulling Emma to him. In that moment she was his ten-year-old daughter again. She needed him and he wouldn't leave her.
"Baby you are in love. I see that now. I didn't want to believe it but I have no choice. You were blinded. I get it. I'm sorry you had to learn the hard way but I'm glad you are back. Now, Princess, you will go to jail. I know you are scared. I got you only eleven months instead of two years. After that, you will be a bail bond person for a year to help the station. " He said softly. She buried her face in his shoulder.
"Thank you, daddy... I deserve it... I have been terrible to you and mama. Oh My! I'm almost left you guys for him... I'm sorry I'm sorry. I'm sorry. " she kept repeating herself. She started to have a panic attack. She was shaking. He helped her to her feet and held her tight.
"Shhh, baby it's okay. Come on let's go. You will be okay. Mama will visit you tomorrow. I love you. " He said kissing her head. She couldn't speak anymore. She just let her father lead her to his patrol car. She sat in the back in quiet. Tonight truly changed her.
