Friends

Emma hurriedly motioned for david to stop talking. If Mary Margaret heard him over the phone, this entire plan would be destroyed.

"If you want, I can pick up a pizza on my way home," Mary Margaret offered.

"Uh, actually. Could you meet me at the park? I thought it might be nice to hang out here. You know? And just… chill?" Emma cringed internally.

"Chill? Emma, since when do you just chill?" Mary Margaret asked, sounding skeptical. Uh oh.

"Well, you know-"

"No, I don't," Mary Margaret quickly responded. "Enlighten me." Emma flinched slightly.

"You know. Just, come to the park." The other end of the line was silent for a few moments. Finally, the response came.

"Alright. But, I want an explanation when I get there." Emma hung up, slipping the phone back into her pocket.

"I'm not sure you do," she said, thinking of Mary Margaret's parting words. She turned around to David, seeing that he was still hesitating.

"You can talk now," she said, slightly annoyed. She was sticking her neck out for a guy who had already hurt her only friend in this town.

"Thanks for coming," David said, leading her over to the swings. He sat down on one, motioning for her to sit on the other.

"I still am not sure what your plan is here, boy wonder. Mary Margaret's not exactly keen to see you." David nodded his head, acknowledging her words.

"I know. But, I'm so confused right now. And, this whole thing with Kathryn. I just… I don't know what I'm feeling." Emma narrowed her eyes. The guy was confused. That was for sure. But, was dragging Mary Margaret into it the right thing?

"I'm not gonna tell you what to do. I mean, I'm only twelve. But, let her make her own choices. If she wants to be in your life, fine. But, if she doesn't…" David nodded, seeing the serious look on the younger girl's face. She certainly was serious.

"So, how's Storybrooke?" he asked, curious to know a little about her background. Mary Margaret had clearly taken to her. But, Emma was an enigma. From what Mary Margaret had told him, Emma didn't speak much about her past. Often preferring to look to the future.

"It's fine. A little weird, but… The people seem nice enough. Well, except Regina." David shuddered slightly when thinking of the mayor. What thirty year old was already running a town?

"Yeah, Storybrooke is quite the place." Emma nodded in agreement. She was about to speak when another man approached David.

"Mr. Nolan?" he asked. David nodded, a flash of nervousness entering his gaze. Emma studied the older man. He was certainly entitled. Confident. Almost elegant.

"Yes, what's going on?" David asked. The other man simply smiled.

"My name is Mr. Gold. I found myself in possession of some of your objects. I was wondering if you wanted to come by the shop later to collect."

"Oh, uh, sure," David said, hesitantly. Emma glanced up at him. Mr. Gold then turned his gaze on her.

"And, who is this?" he asked, directing the question at David. Emma answered instead.

"My name is Emma. Emma…" she trailed off, looking to her right. A singular swan was flying into the park. And, her mind flashed back.

She was in the foster home again. The same one she'd escaped from. It had been a particularly bad day. Except for one thing. Her teacher at school had given her a book. The Ugly Duckling. She'd clung to that book for months. Hoping, praying that the same would hold true for her.

Until he'd taken it from her. Ripped it from her hands, and burned it in the fire. All because she hadn't dusted the living room. That, that had been a month before she'd escaped.

The flash of white of the swan's wings brought her back to the park. Back to Storybrooke.

"It's… Emma Swan."

Mary Margaret checked her watch, as she drove into the parking lot. She stepped out, looking around the green expanse for Emma. She finally spotted her, sitting on the swings.

"Hey," she said, approaching the younger girl. Emma turned around, offering a small smile.

"Hi. I'm glad you came," Emma responded. Mary Margaret narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah, you wanna tell me why? Or, am I gonna be left in the dark?" Emma just shrugged. Mary Margaret's suspicion increased. Something was off.

"What is it?" she asked, staring at Emma.

"It's me." Mary Margaret froze. David walked out from behind the play structure, coming to stand near Emma.

"You," was all Mary Margaret could choke out. She could feel her throat closing. NO! This was so not going to happen.

"You're working together?" she asked, directing the question coldly at Emma. The younger girl paled under her glare.

"Look, I asked her to," David said, trying to cut in.

"You, don't talk," Mary Margaret said, only redirecting her gaze for a second. Emma opened her mouth to defend herself, but Mary Margaret swept on.

"This is why you wouldn't tell me anything. Which means you knew how I felt. Why would you do this?"

"Mary Margaret," David cut in, grabbing her arm. Her first instinct was to flinch away, but he didn't let her go.

"Please," David pleaded, staring into her eyes. "Please."

She broke. She had too. Her muscles relaxed, allowing him to let go. She stared him straight in the eyes, demanding an explanation.

"What?" he sighed, and tried to explain.

"Look, when I first met you, I know something happened. It just… it felt right. It felt like everything clicked into place. When we were in the cabin, that was real. I know it. And when Kathryn came into the picture, I didn't know what to do."

"David, we've barely known each other a month," Mary Margaret pointed out. "It's not like I'm your True Love." David shook his head.

"No, no. I'm not saying that. But… I'm saying that within this hectic chaotic world… you brought me down to earth. You. So, so can we at least give it a shot? Being friends?"

Mary Margaret hesitated for a few seconds. Then, a few more after that.

"Okay. We can be friends." She allowed a small smile to spread across her face, to which David returned wholeheartedly.

"Okay, well, I hate to cut this short. But, we've got a dinner to prepare. And, you should probably get home."

"Of course." David nodded, before reaching out to take her hand for a brief moment.

"Goodbye." Mary Margaret rolled her eyes slightly.

"It's not like we're never gonna see each other again," she said, laughing slightly. David grinned as well.

"Please, in this small town? I will always find you."

I love adding references to the show. And, you'll find me doing that whenever I can. My way of showing that the character is never truly gone.

Next time… With the tentative relationship forming between Mary Margaret and David, Regina calls in another ally. Mr. Gold.