Here's Chapter 10! :D
FLASHBACK- Enchanted Forest Twenty Nine Years Ago
The tavern was humid and dark, save for the small candle lit lanterns giving off an orange hue. A huntsman burst in the room bearing a deer over his shoulder, his faithful wolf companion trotting beside him. Trading the deer for food and drinks, the man went to sit at the counter, tossing bits of steak to his friend.
"Oi!" Yelled a man wearing nothing but a flimsy vest over his chest. "Check'im out over yonder! If only the Captain could see this."
"Aye." A man with a red cap agreed, looking at the huntsman. "A man feeding a beast, now there's a sight to see."
The huntsman dug his knife into the wooden counter top, the men's words agitating them.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to probe in another's affairs, Smee?" A young woman's voice interrupted. Graham looked up to see a beautiful girl with dark hair and green eyes sitting with the men. Her hair flowed along her blue shirt and black vest and her long legs were accented by tight black leather pants. He nodded at the girl and returned to his drink.
A few weeks later he found her wandering his woods. She was lost and upset because her Captain abandoned her, due to the dangers of his journey. They found comfort in one another and soon their friendship grew to something else...
END OF FLASHBACK
Emma Swan doesn't know what to believe anymore. Her friend, her boss, a man she actually cared about was a liar. He kept Regina a secret and now she discovers his newest affair was with his best friend's younger sister.
Graham regains his balance, clutching onto his bloodied lip. Chris shakes his sore knuckles. Never in his life has he ever punched a man before. It was a low blow he thought he would never cross. But this... this is the exception.
"Could you let me out now?" Keith whines from behind the bars.
"Shut up." Chris, Emma and Graham snap simultaneously.
"Chris... I know you're furious." Graham begins, once the blood stops flowing. "But this was a long time ago... "
"She just turned twenty, you perverted bastard! You mean to tell me that you had her before? When she was a girl?".
"No!" Graham exclaims shocked. Wendy was nineteen back then, and he was twenty five years. "It was a year ago." Actually it was twenty nine tears, but that's beside the point. "Look Chris, Gwen was a full grown woman, she was capable of making her own decisions."
"Was?" Emma interrupts. "Why are you speaking of her in past tense." Graham looks down. "Graham! Look she's missing, if you know anything, you should tell us! You're the sheriff!"
"Exactly Emma, I'm the sheriff, you're the deputy, and he's the brother, which means he can't be involved in this case."
"Yeah? Well it looks like you have strong ties to Gwen as well so, you shouldn't be involved either." She snaps.
"Can we find Gwen now, and then resume bickering?" Chris growls.
"You're right. I'm sorry Chris." Emma takes his hand in hers, but this time it doesn't go unnoticed by Graham. He remembers the tales of Captain Hook, the stories told in taverns, told by Wendy. He wasn't a Saint. And now here he was. His cursed form is weaker, more vulnerable but he still can't be trusted, and Graham has undeniable feelings for Emma, which a currently clashing with his newfound feelings for Gwen, but still. He won't let Hook or Chris hurt Emma. He doesn't care if they are together and judging by their looks, it seems as though they are. "You said that you're the reason she's gone. What did you mean by that Graham?"
"She got something for me. Something valuable" He says , then seeing Chris's dark expression continues. "And before you say anything, no I didn't ask her to. She surprised me with it."
"The package." Realization hits Chris suddenly. "It was in the bloody package I gave you, wasn't it?"
"Yes." Graham admits after a moment.
"Graham, we need to see it if you still have it." Emma says.
"It won't do you good, what was inside it is now gone."
"What was inside it?" Chris growls.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Don't play games with me Humbert!" Chris pushes Graham back against the cabinets. "What was in the damn box!"
"Chris!" Emma exclaims, rushing over to the Sheriff's aid.
"My heart was is the box." Graham grits out, pushing Chris off of him.
"Not this again..." Emma murmurs.
"What?" Chris appears completely perplexed. He had visions when Emma first kissed him in the car, of a man in crocodile skins ripping a woman's heart. "What are you going off about Humbert?"
"I'm telling the truth." Graham replies, and Emma can tell that he is, or at least believes it to be true. "Look I'll deal with the box and that stuff, it's best you don't get involved in this matter. Emma you can go and ask around if anyone's seen anything suspicious."
"Let's go find Ruby and Ashley, they might know something." Emma sighs, turning to Chris.
"What about the mayor?" Chris inquires, she knows everything one way or another.
"Regina's not the most reliable sources." Emma sighs. "Especially if I'm asking." She turns around, heading out the door and Chris gets ready to follow her, but is stopped when a hand grabs his arm.
"Stay away from Emma." Graham says. "You're no good for her."
Chris laughs in his face.
"So it's come down to this has it Humbert? Two friends fighting over the girl?" Chris growls, his eyes stormy with rage. "You know if there's one thing I learned from my father, it's that a man who fights for what he wants, deserves what he gets. Now, he was a coward, and I'll admit, I've been one for most of my life, but not anymore. Not with Emma. You want a fight Humbert? Well you're going to get one. Because she is my Swan." Yanking his arm free, Chris heads out to follow Emma, leaving an angry Sheriff Graham behind.
Graham isn't giving up, but for now he will go do some investigating of his own, because Wendy Darling sacrificed herself for him and he'd be damned if he didn't do the same.
FLASHBACK- Storybrooke, A Few Days Ago
"I'll make you a deal." Gold said, taking the silver hook out from the case. "This particular piece costs around two hundred and twenty five dollars, but to lower the cost, I'd be more than willing to strike a bargain."
"What do you want?" Chris asked skeptically.
"Follow me Mr. Jones." Mr. Gold said. He led the younger man to the back of the shop and flicked on the light. "See that wheel and spindle over there?"
Chris looked and saw an old fashioned peddle wheel with a sharp looking spindle atop it.
"Aye." He said. For some reason the older man's features hardened at his voice... or choice of word.
"It's been sitting in back of the shop for decades and I've been meaning to bring it out, but I can't seem to." He pointed towards his limp leg with a smile. "Think of it as community service and I'll cut the price to one fifty."
"Not a problem Mr. Gold." Chris said, walking towards the wooden device. He lifted it up and carried it to the front of the shop. He didn't know what the fuss was, it was fairly light. Placing it at the front of the shop, he winced as he grazed his forearm over the spindle.
"Oh let me get that." Gold said in an all too cheery voice. He reached to grab a white pad from a drawer and dipped it in a purple liquid contained from a vial. He dabbed at Chris's wound, causing him to wince. "It's a disinfectant." He sneered.
"Thank you." Chris said awkwardly.
"I'm sure you have your tetanus shot." Gold reached for the hook and handed it to Chris,, who passed him the money. "A pleasure doing business with you Jones." He grinned
"Right, have a good evening." Chris awkwardly walked away, pocketing the hook. His wound still on fire.
END OF FLASHBACK
Regina sits at her desk enjoying a glass of apple cider, as a man barges through.
"Graham?" She asks surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Where is she?"
"Where's who?" She looks at his split lip. "What the hell happened to you?"
"Stop playing games Regina." Graham says in his most assertive voice. "I know you discovered what Wendy did. I know you have her."
"So you remember." The playfulness in Regina's voice disappears.
"Of course I do. So where is she?"
"I believe Miss Darling is no longer with us." She says simply.
"You killed her?" A lump forms in his throat.
"Oh, dear Sheriff! I would do no such thing."
"So you took her heart?"
"I believe that requires magic. Of course you won't find any here." Regina laughs. "I simply had my friend rid of her."
"It's still murder."
"You still need proof. And as I've said, my hands are clean Huntsman."
"You just confessed to me."
"And who will believe you? You can go off about the Evil Queen and Wendy Darling, but that will only land you in a mental institution." She leans menacingly over her desk. "Not to mention, here I am the law."
"What did she ever do to you?" Graham asks in disbelief.
"She remembered. She stood in the way of my happiness. So if I were you Sheriff, I's watch myself. Because like it or not, I am still your Queen."
After hours of searching and talking to the people of Storybrooke, Emma and Chris settle down at Granny's for a late lunch.
"Emma, Chris." Ruby smiles. Her normal seductive appeal gone due to the disappearance of her friend. "What can I get you?"
"Two burgers with fries." Emma replies.
"Could I offer you the Dinner For Two Special?" She looks from Emma to Chris, a smile forming on her lips. There's the old Ruby.
"Oh no this isn't what it looks like." Emma says a little too quickly. "Plus I'm going to be sharing with Henry... when he gets here."
"Alright, I'll be back in a jiffy."
The waitress returns with the two plates.
"So its not how it looks like love?" The dark haired heartthrob asks with a smirk. "I do believe your lips said otherwise yesterday, even though you wanted to take things slow."
Emma remembers exactly why she wants to take things slow. She's confused beyond belief. Her feelings are strong for both men and she wants to make the right choice.
"You know, this was not how I wanted our date to go." Chris says, popping a fry in his mouth.
"Date?"
"Well I think we're passed the point of non date. We went out, arrested a fellon, made out... more than once, and you spent the night." He wiggles his eyebrows. Emma rolls her eyes but snorts.
"Look Chris, I..."
"You don't have to say anything Emma. Just know, I'm not giving up on you."
A few minutes later, Henry walks through the doors and slides into the booth next to Emma.
"Hey kid, finally got away from Regina?"
"Yeah it was easy." Henry says. "She's too busy arguing with Graham and then Mr. Gold."
"Why was she arguing with the Sheriff?" Chris asks.
"I don't know. I think it has something to do with finding Gwen." He puts his head down as his face no longer radiates his energy or happiness.
"Hey Henry, we'll find her don't worry." Emma says, looking deeply into her sons eyes.
"You won't though. Because she angered the Evil Queen. When you do that bad things happen."
"Look, you told me that good always wins and we will. Her brother is Chris Jones, now I don't know about you, but he certainly looks like he can handle a fight." She looks towards the man across her with a meaningful smile. "And finding people's kind of my thing."
"You're right." Henry smiles. "And you have me! I can gather Intel from my mom."
"Henry." Chris begins. "This is too dangerous for a young lad like you."
"But I can help!"
"Chris is right, if you want to help, just tell us if you spot anything out of the ordinary. Don't draw any attention to yourself."
"You mean like a spy?" Henry's hopes are raised.
"Exactly."
After their meal, Emma and Chris drop Henry off at school. A few kids at the playground are holding newspapers, laughing. When Henry approaches them, they laugh even harder and mumble something inaudible to Emma, who frowns. Henry tries to ignore the bullies, but they follow him, holding up the newspaper. But before she can do anything, Chris saunters over to them.
"Care to share what's so funny lads and lasses?" The children are spooked by the gruff voice behind them.
"Nothing." The larger boy squeaks.
"Really? What's that in your hands then?" The boy looks down and hands Chris the newspaper. On the cover is Emma's mug shot and a story about having Henry in jail. "You should be ashamed of yourselves. This is an act of a coward, using something private like this to pick on Henry." The school bell rings but the children stay frozen on spot. "Now run along, let's hope you learned your lesson." As soon as Chris says this, the kids split.
"Thanks." Henry says.
"No problem lad." Chris leans down to eyelevel with Henry. "Don't let them belittle you. Deep down, you know who you are and you know who your mother is. She's smart and brave, and so are you."
Emma watches from afar, a smile tugging at her lips. He's so gentile and caring around her son, as if he was his own. When Henry runs off, Chris gets up, wiping away the grass from his jeans. He smirks when he sees the look on Emma's face.
"What?" His eyebrow is raised.
"I never knew you had a soft side." Emma says. He smiles.
"I just believe in a fair fight." Of course he'd try to cover it up.
"Too bad." Emma sighs. "I thought it was sexy."
"Well in that case." He takes a step forward, looking deeply into her eyes. "I have a very soft side. So soft cashmere would seem like sand paper. Care to feel it Swan?"
She smirks, then steps away.
"I'm surprised you're not running for the hills yet."
"And why would I do that?" Chris crooks his eyebrow.
"I don't know... I'm an orphan, I have a kid, and I've been to jail. Most men would have run by now."
"I'm not most men." He says leaning closer to her, causing her to shiver. Definitely not most men. "You are an amazing woman Swan, nothing would ever make me doubt that." She gulps and tries to fight the blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Let's get back to work you big softie."
They return to his house and look into Gwen's room again, raiding her closet. The wolf left a while ago, after Emma and Chris successfully coaxed it out of the house with a piece of steak, though it's fur still remains in the bed. Below the bed is the journal which informed Chris and Emma of Graham and Gwen's affair.
"Maybe we shouldn't be going through this stuff. I feel like we're violating her privacy." The memory of reading the journal entry, still burning in his mind...
Storybrooke is an odd town. My brother's engaged to some cheating wench, but he's too blind to see it, and the one I poured my heart into a few months ago is now Sheriff. I know it was only one night, but now he's gallivanting around as it didn't happen, and it hurts, because he doesn't even see me anymore. I suppose we can probably just be friends, especially since he's best friends with my brother. But I will always remember that night. His gently caresses and butterfly kisses...
"I mean there are just certain things I don't want to come across again." He shudders at the memory.
"Believe me, I don't want to read them any more than you do, but this is the closest thing we have to finding out what she was into."
Knock knock knock.
"It's probably Graham." Emma says, grabbing Chris's out stretched hand. He pulls her up and she can't help her breath from hitching at the contact.
"Swan."
"Yes?" He still holds onto her hand, looking deep into her eyes, as if he's debating what to say.
"Nothing." He says finally. "Forget it, it's not important."
"Okay." She murmurs. As he lets go of her hand, she can tell there is something bugging him. Another knock comes at the door and Chris hurries to answer it.
"Mr. Jones." The pawn shop owner appears on the other side.
"Mr. Gold." Chris nods.
"I just came by to say my condolences." There is nothing sincere about his words.
"Gwen isn't dead." Chris growls. "Just missing."
"Poor girl. Really."
"Do you know anything you want to tell us Gold?" Emma makes herself known.
"Ah, Deputy Swan." Gold sneers. "How are you on this fine morning."
"Save it Gold. What aren't you telling us?"
"Why would I hide anything from you two, Miss Swan?" Gold asks innocently. "After all, her gone doesn't benefit me at all."
"What are you talking about?" Chris steps in.
"She owes me a deal and now that she's gone, she can't exactly pay it."
"What deal?" Emma probes.
"Kind of like the one you owe me Miss Swan. When the moment arises, she'll owe me a favor... if you can find her that is." He turns around and heads back to his car.
"I don't trust that man." Chris says.
"Yeah, well he definitely isn't a saint."
"Do you think he has anything to do with Gwen's disappearance?" Chris croaks, his fist tightening.
"I wouldn't put it past him." Emma responds. She sees how tense he is and puts a comforting hand on his broad shoulder. "We'll find her."
Swiftly, he catches her hand in his and places a chaste kiss on it.
"Chris." Her eyes shut trying to block anything and everything pushing her to allow this. But before anything happens, before she can ask him to stop, or pull him forward and kiss him senselessly, her phone rings.
Chris drops her hand and groans in annoyance as she picks it up.
"Hello?"
"Emma, can you stop by the station? We need to talk." Graham says, sounding a little urgent.
"About what?"
"The case and other things. Also, don't bring Chris; he can't be involved in this. It's getting dangerous."
"Okay, I'll be right over." She hangs up the phone and turns to Chris. "I have to go to the station."
"Is it about Gwen?"
"Yes, but Graham was right. If you want to get her back, we have to do it through our jobs. Right now there's no solid evidence, just a lot of search warrants and cop stuff." She pulls him into an unexpected hug, which he warmly returns. "I will do whatever it takes to help you."
He wants to tell her not to leave him, that he needs her, but instead he just smiles and lets her go.
Graham sits at his desk staring at the evidence in front of him. The box, the note, a file on previous missing person's reports. Once upon a time he did feel something for Gwen. She was an attractive young woman. Though six years his junior, she was extremely intelligent and mature and had class even as a pirate. He definitely still cares for her. But it was a while ago, and she never seemed to reciprocate his feelings. She had told him that friends was as far as she'd ever go. Not to mention, he has Emma now.
"Graham?" Emma calls out.
"Over here!" She walks towards the sheriff and pulls out a chair near his desk.
"Anything?"
"Nothing concrete, but I'd bet my life Regina is involved."
"Graham what was in the box?"
"Emma..."
"No, unless you're drunk, or speaking in metaphors, it's not your heart!" She snaps.
"Whatever it was, it wouldn't help the case. We need good solid evidence."
"Which we don't have."
"No." He takes a gulp. "I also needed to ask you something." He gets up and walks towards the coffee machine, Emma trails behind.
"What?"
"You kissed Hoo... Chris?"
"He told you?" Emma's eyes widen. Why is her life so complicated?
"Actually he did." Graham points to a sleeping Keith in the cell. Damn brute must have seen her and Chris make out in the bar.
"Graham..."
"No Emma, it's okay. I know you care about Chris, and I'm not going to ask you to choose. But I'm not backing down either because I care about you." She cracks a smile.
"I guess neither of you are backing down, huh?" She laughs, even though mentally she's screaming.
"Go out with me tomorrow." Graham says suddenly.
"What?"
"Chris had his date with you. I want to show you that you can have fun with me too." Graham looks into her green eyes, pleading. "Give me a chance Emma."
"Okay." Her eyes close as he leans in and kisses her gently.
You might hate me, I know :P But in the summary, I did say there's a lot of hurdles. Next chapter you will definitely pull your hair out. The characters do something stupid. While you're waiting check out my Two Shot: Down Boy (that I might make a three shot.) or my story Enter Night. Also what do you think Gold did to Chris? :)
-XoxPhoenix10