Chapter 11. A Spy Kids Adventure

Henry had been eager to escape the awkward situation this morning at breakfast between him and his parents. Although they tried their best to act casual, Henry knew Emma felt uneasy being seen trying to sneak out. At which point Neal suggested they all sit down for bowls of cereal.

Henry sat and painfully watched them silently avoid conversation. His parents, embarrassed by his discovery, avoided any eye contact with him. Henry on the other hand was simply confused. He understood his father's part in this, but for the life of him, could not fathom why Emma had placed herself in this situation. It was obvious that Neal harbored feelings for his birth mother when he brought up Emma in conversation every chance he could. However, Henry had a suspicion that Emma's interests lay somewhere else. Although many, including his grandparents, might not be happy with that particular choice, he was surprisingly okay with the idea. However, knowing the two individuals involved, Henry was sure that the road to happiness would be a long and bumpy one. Therefore, finishing his cereal quickly and using the excuse of plans with friends was his best chance of not getting involved with his birth parent's inevitable train wreck.

Henry hid behind a large tree across the way from Granny's B&B. With his binoculars pressed tightly against his face, he scanned the area. According to his wristwatch, he'd been crouched in the same spot for nearly a half-hour and had not gotten even a glimpse of the stranger.

Lowering his spyglasses, Henry took a moment to stretch out his legs. He hoped that the unplanned family get together hadn't caused him to miss his opportunity.

"Are you sure he's in there?" Paige whispered as she peered around Henry.

Henry had almost forgotten that Paige had agreed to accompany him. Taking a moment to look at her, he smiled when he noticed what she was wearing. A grey long sleeved Henley, dark wash jeans and on her feet, she wore brown, sturdy boots. Paige had taken his advice and actually dressed appropriately for the mission. With her hair pulled up in a messy ponytail, she reminded him of Emma. Henry would have thought the fact that he liked that she resembled his mother would have concerned him. But, it actually did not surprise him. He chuckled as he thought I guess I am my father's son. On the other hand he pondered, was he more his mother's?

"Henry?" Paige whispered urgently.

"Yeah?" Henry answered suddenly brought out of his daydream.

"Did you hear what I said?" Paige frowned.

"Sorry. I didn't."

Paige rolled her eyes. She had only agreed to this ridiculous outing because she saw how much it meant to Henry and here he was spacing out.

"I asked you if you thought he was still in there. We've been out here all this time and we haven't seen anything."

"I was actually thinking the same thing. But I'd hate for us to leave and then it turns out he was." Henry raised the glasses back up and chanced another look around.

"Well, is there anywhere else you'd think he'd be?"

Paige leaned closer, placing her hand against Henry's shoulder for support. From that touch, she could not help but notice how much broader and stronger Henry had gotten over the past year. Paige always thought Henry was cute, even before the curse had broken. However, strong cheekbones and a chiseled jaw had replaced those sweet chubby cheeks, making him less cute and more handsome. If she was honest with herself, she had to admit that maybe there was more than one reason why she agreed to join him this morning.

"I'm not sure. What do strange guys do at 10 in the morning?"

"Eat breakfast since I am famished."

Henry and Paige both screamed at the voice behind them. Henry pulled Paige behind him and foolishly held his binoculars in front of him like a weapon.

"My apologies, I did not mean to startle you both." Azael held his hands up.

"Well uh, we didn't hear you coming. We were too busy um..." Henry was failing at trying to cover their true intentions.

"Bird watching. Yes, we were bird watching. For a school project. Isn't that right Henry?" Paige said putting on her most innocent smile.

"Ah bird watching is it? Well I have seen some lovely species flying about." Azael smiled. Clearly the children were lying. However, he did not see the point in frightening them any further.

"Well that's great. I guess we should be leaving. Come on Paige." Henry grabbed Paige's hand leading them away.

"Excuse me. By any chance are you Henry, Regina's son?" Azael walked beside them.

Henry stopped and faced the man.

"Yes I am. Henry Mills pleased to meet you." Henry held out his hand.

Azael took Henry's hand and gave it a firm shake.

"Azael Falleré. Pleasure to meet you, Master Henry. And who is this lovely young lady."

"Hi, my name's Paige." Paige shyly extended her own hand.

Azael gently took Paige's hand and gave it quick peck. Paige's cheeks bloomed crimson as she turned her face smiling. Henry found he was bit put off by the reaction.

"Yeah ok. I guess we should continue with our bird watching." Henry interjected, again grasping Paige's hand, and started to walk away.

"That's a shame. I was going to ask you both to join me for breakfast at the diner. I do so hate to eat alone." Azael stood and watched as both children turned to one another and spoke in hushed tones.

"Do you think it's safe?" Paige whispered.

"Well I don't think he'd try anything in a packed diner. Besides Granny and Ruby will both be there. And don't worry Paige, I'll keep you safe." Henry answered.

"I trust you Henry. If you say it's ok then we'll go." Paige replied with a smile.

Henry's own smile was brilliant. He walked back towards Azael with a little bravado in his step.

"Sure we'll join you."

"Excellent. Now if you will please call your parents and inform them of your whereabouts, I see no issue in heading off."

Henry's eyes were wide as he realized that both of his moms would be extremely upset with him for having disobeyed their direct order to stay away. Unfortunately, he found himself hard-pressed and had no choice but to face the consequences. Taking his phone out from his jacket pocket, he sent a quick text to Emma and then Regina. In seconds, he received their replies.

Ma: You did what! Oh kid you are in so much trouble.

Mom: Your acts of insubordination astound me. And if you have perchance forgotten what that means...YOU ARE GROUNDED.

Henry winced as he read the texts. He glanced up at Paige who gave him a sympathetic look in return.

"So who is in the mood for pancakes?"Azael asked rubbing his hands together gleefully.

Regina was furious as she entered the Sheriff's station. Her son would be the death of her. His predilection for getting himself into trouble was definitely an inherited gene. Consequently, she would have to deal with Emma after just having an argument last night. She would have to put her personal feelings aside again for the sake of their son.

As she entered the station, she found herself in the mist of utter chaos. Ruby was running about with a towel held over her face trailing behind an obviously troubled Tinkerbell who held her hands over her ears singing some silly song. Emma was rummaging through her desk, a bag of what looked like frozen peas over her eye, cursing about children not listening to what they were told.

Regina found herself caught between the decisions to announce her presence or continuing to witness this comedy of fools. She ultimately decided that reaching Henry as soon as possible was more important than her entertainment. Reaching over to the file cabinet, she slammed the open drawer closed. The noise worked to stop everyone in her tracks.

"I am amazed at how well the town's funds are being utilized in the service of protection. I, for one, will sleep better at night knowing we are all so well guarded." Regina leaned against the cabinet, a sly grin on her face.

"Jesus Regina. Don't you know it's not safe to startle a room of armed individuals?" Emma exclaimed as she held a hand against her chest trying to will her heart to slow.

"I would, if any said individuals even had their weapons on their persons." Regina pointed to the desk just opposite her where three guns lay.

Emma huffed as she walked over to retrieve her gun, sparing a not too friendly glance towards her deputies. Both Ruby and Tinkerbell made their way over and retrieved their weapons as well.

"Well, now that that has been settled, Sheriff may we go and take care of our current situation." Regina walked out of the station.

"Oh yeah, we are gonna take care of that right now. That kid is lucky I don't slap a tracking device on his butt from now on." Emma grabbed her keys and followed Regina out.

Emma took the hint they would not be traveling in her bug when she found Regina waiting in her Mercedes with the engine running. She opened the passenger door and sat inside. She had just buckled her belt when she noticed they had not pulled out of the parking lot. Emma turned to find Regina staring at her, eyebrows knitted.

"What?"

"Miss Swan, what exactly happened in the station today?"

"Oh you mean with Ruby and Tink? Well that's a funny story. You see Tink came in late and Ruby smelled something on her so she..."

"I have no desire to hear about what Miss Lucas and Tinkerbell were going on about. I am referring to the large bruise on your face."

"First rule is I'm not supposed to talk about it. Second rule is..."

Emma snickered until Regina reached over to poke her cheek with a finger as if trying to make her point known.

"Ow! What the hell Regina?!" Emma flinched.

"I can imagine that was rather painful. Now do you mind telling me how it happened?"

"It's nothing really. Ruby and I were sparring this morning in the gym." Emma shrugged.

"Sparring? You look as if you have been in a brawl. Oh, please do not tell me this is part of your father's asinine attempt at a pugilistic team. I thought I told David I strictly forbade such a thing in my town."

"First of all it's called Fight Club. Second, I said it was just Ruby and me. We were just horsing around and I guess it got out of hand. I actually broke her nose. But lucky for her she's got that whole magical wolf healing." Emma replied bitterly.

Regina looked over at Emma and surprisingly felt sympathy. The woman certainly knew how to push the limits. No sane person would actively engage a werewolf to a sparring match. However, in her opinion, Emma was obviously not all sane. She reached out with her hand to touch Emma's face. Emma recoiled expecting another jab.

"Calm down Miss Swan. I actually want to help." Regina again reached out laying her palm against Emma's cheek. She uttered a simple incantation and watched as a soft glow spread from her fingers. Emma closed her eyes as she felt the soothing warmth against her skin. Immediately the pain was gone.

Regina removed her hand and upon inspection was pleased with her work. The bruise had disappeared and from the content look on Emma's face so had the pain.

"You have definitely gotta teach me that trick." Emma pulled down the car visor and looked at her face. There was no mark whatsoever.

"It is not a trick Miss Swan and it is something I cannot teach you. Healing magic, like most, requires emotion and the wish to see it through to its end. It demands complete control, as one is essentially repairing damaged tissue."

"But you made it look so easy."

"Well fortunately, your injuries were superficial. Should they have been life threatening, I do not believe I would have been able to help. Healing magic was not a priority in my teachings with Rumple. It is a practice used by those, like yourself, who wield light magic."

"So what you're saying is I might be able to learn to heal someone because I have light magic. But since yours is dark, you can't really teach me."

"Basically, yes. Though I believe I may have some volumes in the vault which may contain some information."

"Oh great. Guess I'll be doing some home study then."

"I am so thankful that Henry does not share your contempt for learning. Maybe you can have your son tutor you." Regina smirked.

"Ha! Very funny Your Majesty." Emma rolled her eyes. "But since I now know your secret, I'll just let that little remark slide." Emma leaned back with a smug grin on her face.

"And what secret do you presume to know?"

Emma leaned over the gearshift, her face inches from Regina's. Regina sat still unable to tear her eyes from Emma's lips.

"You...like...me." Emma annunciated each word before sitting back with a smile from ear to ear.

Regina released a breath she had not realized she had been holding. She quickly regained her composure and directed a pointed look at Emma.

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Oh come off it Regina. Just admit that you may actually care a little for me."

"Why yes Emma I do care."

Emma's face beamed with Regina's admission.

"Henry would be devastated should anything were to happen to you."

"Oh, right. Henry." Emma turned to look out the passenger side window.

Noticing how suddenly quiet it became, Regina gazed at Emma. She regarded how the young woman's mouth turned down. Was Emma truly upset that Regina might not care? More importantly, why was Regina feeling guilty?

"Emma..." Regina's voice was soft.

"Yeah?" Emma answered, her face still turned away.

"If I must be honest, I may harbor some concern for your well being."

"Really?" Emma asked as her lips lifted in a grin.

Regina was surprised at how glad she was to see Emma's smile.

"Yes. The town would be less interesting without you. Who else will help my days be less monotonous?" Regina replied.

Emma was about to counter with a retort of being no one's entertainment when she caught the look of amusement in Regina's eyes. She realized the sincerity of Regina's words and their meaning. Therefore, as Regina pulled out of parking, heading to the diner, Emma leaned back against her seat with a self-satisfied look on her face.

The diner was bustling this morning with everyone running in and out with orders before starting their day. Ruby had left the station right after Emma when Granny called her in to help. She certainly had her hands full bussing tables and running the cash register. Nevertheless, every few moments, she would glance over to the table in the far corner.

Ruby had no idea how Azael had ended up having breakfast with Henry and Paige but was sure not to let any of them out of her sight. She may think the guy was nice, but trusting him with her best friend's son was an entirely different story. Although she was comforted to see, the kids were fine and enjoying themselves. And from the look of Azael animatedly moving his hands about, she could only surmise that he was regaling them with some story from his past.

"Ruby quit lollygagging and get back to work. I've got plates piling up here." Granny yelled through the fry cook window before disappearing once again into her kitchen.

"I got it. Sheesh." Ruby spared one final peek at the small group and set off back to work.

Azael was enjoying himself immensely. His captive audience was brimming with questions he was more than happy to answer. He took great delight in their attention to details and their wide-eyed looks of awe.

"You can't be serious?!" Henry exclaimed.

"That's horrible!"Paige uttered.

"I swear to you, I am telling the truth." Azael replied while taking another bite of his short stack.

"So what you're saying is the Lilliputians were cannibals." Henry guffawed.

"Yes and so were those Blefuscudians. Let's just say that entire farce regarding how eggs should be broken was in no way in reference to those you would acquire from a chicken."

Seeing the absolute perplexed look on Henry's face, Azael pointed down towards his crotch and winked in Henry's direction.

Henry's eyes looked as though they would leap from his face as realization set in.

"That's just gross."Paige answered repulsively.

"My apologies milady, but I only wished to answer Master Henry's question truthfully. And you can only imagine the fright I was in when I realized that all parts of me were being offered on the menu." Azael held up a breakfast link on the end of his fork and shuttered at the recollection.

Suddenly Henry was laughing, his hand slapping the table. Paige began to join Henry in laughter as Azael smiled sheepishly at her before taking a bite of his sausage.