DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything

-BEFORE READING LISTEN TO SONG-

AN: Made it long for you guys. AND SO SORRY ITS SO LATE. Also we get a look into the younger Emma's mind ;)

ON WITH THE SHOW:

Kiss My Gentle Burning Bruise

Chapter 11: Lemon Scent

.

She means to hurt you

Make you feel like you're good for nothing

NEAL

Neal made his way down the freezing abandon streets of StoryBrooke. He made sure his had was down, and his collar up so that nobody would look at him with a second glance. He knew what he had to do. He watched the road as he crossed to his father's shop unsettled in his own skin. He didn't believe that he would be doing this. He had promised his self once he had fallen through the portal way back when, he would never go to magic as a way out.

Yet.

It called out to him like a cancer. Maybe for it was in his blood to feel its prickles of twisting fingers glade over everywhere on his body. He had felt it since he had been dragged back into the town. He had felt its spikes like a welcoming lover, when Emma had put the shield around the shop of so long ago.

He opened to door as the bell rang above, but the place felt a vacant feeling creep out of its corners. He sighed, closing the door as quietly as he could before anyone could see that he had gotten into the shop. Not that it matter really, nobody would ever cross the boundaries of the shop for it belonged to the Dark One.

He made his way, past the figurines and miss placed souvenirs of people's lives his father had collected. He ignored the glass unicorn mobile and the small reconstruction of the Jolly Roger to the back of the shop where his father kept his most dangerous things. Beautiful shelves lined with the most dangerous thing known to the Enchanted Forest. Different object, small and large lined the shelves and litter the table. Odd ends that looked harmless, almost innocently looking could set different dangerous things; among them were plague upon anyone who got in the way—except the person who set it out.

He moved past them to a hand carved box, its dark wooden color calling out to him. He took it with care off the self, dust collected in the carving of golden—now worn with misuse. The language that warned the person was long but forgotten in the worlds and realms. Yet, he knew that this is what he needed to get what he wanted.

That's all Neal wanted in his life too.

He envied his father a little bit; choosing this life style of being the Dark One. Yet, in some ways he was drawn to it. His father got to have everything he wanted, taking what needed and desired. It was something he didn't really notice about what his father had become when he was only a boy. He only saw the destruction that his father had brought onto people. But look at what his father had done also? He had made his way into the world of no magic to find Neal. He got his son back, and had even found his own true love. He had everything that he could have ever wanted.

It's what he wanted.

But he knew that he could now.

He half smiled at the box in his hands. This small box was the very key of him getting what he wanted. He had spent most of his life cowering in the darkness—now, it was time for him to shine in the light. He was going to embrace it. He was going to welcome it with open arms. He had finally given into the inevitable of what of what was magic. He had spent enough time trying to fight the long-since losing battle with it bubbling under his skin from living in what was once the Enchanted Forest.

He hugged it tight to his chest with care.

He just had to wait until they came back, then he would make his move. He looked around the room carefully before moving out of the back room and then out to the streets of the sleepy town, walking to a destination of the woods to the cabin. They would not know what hit them when it came down. But for now, he was going into hiding…then Emma was going to be his once again.

The rain above poured down like buckets, the clouds telling of a forewarning sign of things to come to the magical town in the absence of their leaders. Lightening crackled a crossed the darkness, its spider fingers reaching out like a skeleton. Thunder boomed deeply with in the storms center, a wolf's growl. Neal neither cared nor bothered about it, walking along the path to where he was going, set in his mind of things to come. He would have to prepare, but he knew it wouldn't take that long to do. His plan was fool proof.

The scene is contagious

For the weak

For the fat and ugly

Emma and the others walked behind her younger self quietly to the principle office. The halls were unsettling still of movement for a school giving it a haunting feel. Emma ignored those gasps, and awes from the group; her eyes set on the girl in front of her. She walked with confidence of the world was not going to beat her down—no matter how many times it did.

She was surprised to see herself stand up like that. She hadn't been like that in a long time, reasons still left without answers as to why. She knows though, things coming up next will either shock or disgust her companions. But, she didn't care. It wasn't their life to live. This world—or realm was harsh—brutal even, to those who follow its façade into its darkened depths. She knows what it takes to stay alive—though she hasn't crossed those moral lines, doesn't mean she hasn't thought about it. Even going as far as almost going through with it.

The girl sat haphazardly into one of the chairs next the doors that pained a colorfully dark letters stating 'Principle Office', and a huff came from the group of her finally stopping. Yet, even though the girl couldn't see nor hear, she huffed as well sinking more in her seat and closing her eyes.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway giving them the notice of someone approaching closer. Charlie, they all thought curious of the boy's presence, "Do you always have to get yourself into trouble?" the boy asked the seemingly sleeping girl.

But the girl just sat up with an annoyed sigh. She shrugged; grunting a short dismissal response, "I guess it's more fun that way," she tilted her face to the side to flash him a purely innocent smile, "so why are you here? Following me?" She inquired.

Killian watched them interact surprised by the way they talked to each other. He had never seen this with another relation—outside of Swan's and his. It tainted his veins with envy knowing that the boy got to taunt her before him. He shook himself on the insides, astounded that he was jealous of a kid. A KID. He needed to get a life—which he has with his Swan—and know that the world doesn't evolve around their relationship. They DID have lives before they met.

Charlie chuckled, "No, moms still a principle." He smirked at her when she winced at the statement.

She controlled herself, "Fuck my life." She muttered, eyes rolling to the heavens, "Well—at least I know what to aspect." She smirked at him down her nose while he stood on the other side of the hallway, leaning up against the lockers there.

"Hey now," He stated through chuckling, "She didn't mean to slap you." He bellowed out a laugh at her glare, "You were kinda were naked in my bed." He shrugged off her problems with his mother like it was nothing.

That was enough for Killian and everyone to turn to Emma, but she just turned her head away making it seem she didn't hear nor wanted to acknowledge this most awkward situation that had gotten themselves into. Her parents knew that Killian wasn't taking it so well—his body showed it as well. To them, this was an outrage to find she didn't wait for it to being meaningful with the person she could love. They had come to accept Neal as her past lover at just the sweet age of seventeen. But this? She was barely into her teens! They would talk about this later, Mary-Margret and David told each other. This was unacceptable.

Killian was thinking along the same lines. But much worse. He knew that she had past lovers (of course) but this? Does this realm even have standards? He thought darkly at thinking of his Swan giving up something so beautiful so freely. He wasn't disgusted with her, oh no—more of appalled at it.

The others with them just shook their heads. Belle on the other hand, couldn't believe a woman would do that. Give it to a boy who was not going to be your love? What was this world? She knew that Miss Swan was smart, but this; it was something that repulsed her being down to the core. She was taught from a very young age to wait for the special someone before giving it over.

The girl just gave him a winning smile before getting to her feet sashaying her way over to him to push him into the wall of lockers, "Oh don't blame this one on me there buddy," she poked him in the chest, "You're the one who forgot to lock the door." She states with a half grin, arms crossed as if asking him to disagree.

"Let's just leave this one to drawl." He said simply to her, all cheeks.

Emma just huffed away from him, picking up her backpack, "I'm leaving." She muttered, "God." She sighed eyes flowing up to the ceiling drastically as her shoulders slumped, "I thought I would like it here."

You're not cut out for this

You've got that lemon scent

"Hey—" the boy started at her.

"Time to go." The Savior told the others, nodding her head down the hallway.

Her eyes turned to him with fire burning, "You sick your girlfriend on me, Charlie. THEN pretended you didn't know me…god if I knew you were here I would have checked out a looonng time ago. Besides," she told him shortly, "I got things to do…other than a nice catch up with your mother dearest." She hit his shoulders as she walked past, ignoring everything.

"Wait will you! What does that mean?"

"Got work." She mumbled out to him, not stopping in her stride.

He pulled at her arm, twisting her back to him, "You're not—"

Her smiled widen wickedly, cracking her face almost in two, "Yes. Got a problem with that?" A raised brow asking—no begging him to fight it.

He seethed, "I thought—"

"Why is it I always attract the jocks?" the sheriff muttered to herself. She was standing off from the group, knowing that they would comfort her about something they thought was a horrible thing. They don't know about the other half of it.

"Hey there sweet thing." The captain of the football said, his arm falling around Emma's shoulders. He had tussled brown locks, and gleaming plain grey eyes. He was tall, but too buff for his own good. He believes that he is gods gift to every woman on the Earth. The girl flinched from under it but didn't recognize on the jock, "When are you gonna come out with me?" he whispered into her ear.

"How about never?" She spit out, taking the kids hand and twisting it off her shoulder then around his back. The jock whimpered pitifully as he fell onto one of his knees, "Now, didn't I tell you last time I didn't like to be touched?"

He only whimpered out a reply.

"Emma." Charlie warned, "Don't."

Emma reared her anger back in painfully before bending over to the boy's ear to whisper, "you're lucky he's here." Then shoved him into the ground.

"What the hell girl?!" he whined, "I was just gonna ask you out."

She laughed ungodly, "ohh that's rich." She told the jock bending over his still fallen frame, "How 'bout this…" her eyes watching for anyone coming, "you come with me to a special place. If you survive what I deal out—then I'll think about it." Her eyes zoned in on his intently.

"He just signed his own death wish." The Savior commented to the group, "I was never going to go out with him—but I sure as hell was going to scare him."

Killian got off of his shock, "What is your work, love?" Deciding to not talk about anything until they got home—and he had rope to tie her down to fuck her senseless after this. His perioral side was coming out, her inner wolf screaming to mark what was rightfully his.

The Sheriff shifted on her feet, "It's kinda…hard to explain. Got to see it for yourself." She told the group. She hoped that they would understand this world is always going to be full of surprises. She just hoped some will keep hidden.

The girl laughed playfully, "Well then. See you at eight. Pick me up at Deuce."

Fuck your instincts

Everything you do is for somebody else

They had walked with Emma and her, now alone, younger self; none asking the unanswered question that was hanging in the air around them. It made the Savior nervous in her own skin by the way they were silent about it. It itched her skin from the inside. It was something that could never happen yet, here it was proving her wrong. She wanted them to ask, to get it over and done with—yet none made the move to do so, "I leave school to go to work after—" She said nonchalantly before being cut off my screeching, "Mother of pearls." She muttered, flinching at the girl's high pitch, "She could definitely peel paint off a wall."

"BITCH!" Rebecca pointed at the younger Emma once she had come to a stop just a couple of feet from her.

The girl just stopped in her place, "Yes, I'm a girl," She said slowly to the outraged other, "but don't you think calling me a bitch is kinda going a little too far?" She accused, arms crossing. Her eyes narrowed onto Rebecca, "it's more suiting for you." She shot back temper flaring underneath.

Killian could see it, plain as day. He was amazed at her, mesmerized that she could turn from this fiery girl to a more or less, strong badass of a woman. It made him upset that he could have seen her grown—protected her; yet seeing these moments it made his heart swell with pride for his Swan. God, he thought, she was changing me. He looked over to his Swan, her face was set in place, as if in pain of seeing others see her weaknesses. Other than him of course, since he pulled it out of her; tooth and nail. Yet, he never went as deep as trying to be told her past. He knew that there was some secrets better left unsaid, but it hurt him some that she didn't open up about this—or anything else they had seen. His fist clenched at his side knowing that they will be seeing Baelfire's entrance soon. It made his arm twitch at the thought.

Rebecca just silted her eyes at his Emma. A low growl falling out of her mouth, "Says the freak."

"Oh please." Emma waved away, "You got something better than that." Challenging the popular girl to say something worse, "I mean after all you've done here…bullying," She accused, "for an example. I'm surprised no one just repels you."

"Witch."

"Yeah. Still not there." Emma just mocked the girl. Her eyebrow rose in defiance.

"Slut." Rebecca shot at her. There was a crowd starting, people waiting for a fight to break out. Most 'ohh-ed' when she said the word. Yet, Emma could break. She just rolled her eyes, "Wow—how original." She muttered to the girl. Her stance slacked with boredom.

Both David and Mary-Margret chuckled softly at this, earning curious looks from the group around them. They just shrugged. It was something that just stuck out to them sense finding out—you know. They could still see the way there daughter was still like the younger version. The flashy comebacks were a dead giveaway. It seems it was one thing their daughter would never grow out of. They were proud though, that she never condoned bullying—even at such a young age.

"Whore." Rebecca seethed out through clenched teeth.

Emma just tilted her head in confusion, "Isn't that just another word for slut?" She questioned, "Your vocabulary is lacking Becks." She shot back, amused that she was getting under her skin.

Killian spoke softly to his Swan as he approached her side watching the fight brewing just in front of them, "Really love?" He huskily spoke out to add when he saw her shiver a little, "I do believe that is very sexy." His hand traveled around her waist tightly. He couldn't help himself—seeing his Swan so young and feisty, then her grownup self being just that and more—it brought the more animal instincts out of him.

"Only you would say these things in front of my parents." She muttered back, her eyes darting back to her parents who looked less pleased at what Killian was doing.

You're my breakdown

Your skin like leprosy

"Are you always like this, Miss Swan?" Regina popped out the question. She was annoyed that the Sheriff was so…she didn't know the right word. Open? How about…self-aware about herself? It made the Evil Queens skin crawl with knowing that at this stage in her life, she wasn't going to let life bring her down. It made her wonder somewhat about who could do that to the girl? It didn't seem possible to Regina, that the girl that was arguing was in fact, her step-grandchild. She tried to stop the bubbling of surprising apparitions for Emma as a whole for her strength.

The sheriff just shrugged, "Mostly." Was the only word that came out of her mouth—she wanted to keep this simple. Yet, she knew that Regina was seeing more of her past—it frightened Emma but at the same time moody. The Evil Queen was seeing her life that was laid out for her once Regina had set her curse into motion. Even though, that hurt her head to think about it that way.

Rebecca just screeched, "You're—"

Emma was having none of it. Her eyes bright with excitement of the coming fight, "What? I know you got it in you." She egged the girl once again.

"AN ORPHAN!" The other girl shot back like a volcano it came out, the crowd gasped; never knowing that information. But Rebecca didn't stop there; Emma had asked for it, she's going to get it, "A girl so pathetic." She spit out, "that her own parents didn't want her." She finished.

The whole crowd fell silent as well as the Sheriff's group, all frozen in spot as the young Emma chuckled lowly while shaking her head as it hung low, "I knew you had it in you." She said in a whisper, and before anyone could think: Emma punched the girl right into her nose. She smirked as her target was hit with a sickening crunch of cartilage.

The girl fell stunned at was she did, her fingers went with blood. Her eyes shot up in horror, recoiling at the sight of her own blood. It didn't last long as she screamed preferred the air, "MY NOSE! YOU BROKE MY NOSE!"

"Yeah well, take it as a nice parting gift." Emma spoke disgusted at the girl, "Now," her eyes clearing—leader showing through of her mystery parentage, "the next time you want to pick on someone smaller than you. You'll have another thing coming to you." She told the now whimpering girl, "You brought this on yourself. I just needed some leverage to push myself to hurting someone. It was your lucky day." She spoke so soft, that most people were staining to hear. Emma bent down closer, arms on her knees, "For I could have killed you for what you did." She steely trained her eyes unwavering from the girl on the floor.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." The girl whimpered out, not looking into Emma's eyes.

Emma just chuckled, brokenly, "You can't lie to me." But she just straightened herself up, raising her voice, to tell everyone what the girl had done, "Rebecca refuses to tell the truth…but I have no qualms to do it. Rebecca—you're," Emma's nose scrunched up in disgust, "made one of your classmates kill herself. She pushed too hard by tormenting her, emotionally and physically. For that reason alone, I have noticed that she also started to do it to others. If there's one thing I absolutely hate—its bullies." She spoke menacingly to those around her.

The girl just stammered for a couple of seconds before it was broken up by one of the teachers. Mr. Hammer, "Miss Swan! I thought I told you to go to the Principal's Office?" He demanded, "What's going on here?" Everyone scrambled away, leaving only Emma and Rebecca.

But Emma didn't budge, "I already talked to her." She straight-faced lied to him, her eyes never leaving Rebecca's.

"Miss Quinn?" Mr. Hammer stocked out. He was surprised, "What happened to your face?" His eyes trained back to Emma's, knowing that she must be the cloperate, "Miss Swan…?" His eyebrow rose in question to the girl, "Did you do this?"

Emma just sighed, "Yes. Don't worry, I'm going." She said before the teacher had a change to make her go to the office, "Heading that way anyhow."

"Miss Swan, I'll be calling your foster parents about this incident." Mr. Hammer threatened but it had little or no effect on Emma, "Good luck calling them. They're on a world trip right now." She mumbled out, walking away without further ado.

I just don't face well

This is the part where it gets kind of personal

The group fell silent once again, surprised at her admitting that tidbit to the teacher. They followed the young girl back down the hallway as she was unaware, watching people get out of her way as she walked.

But young Emma, paid them little mind. Her hand hurt as she rubbed it to will the pain away. She didn't mean to deck Rebecca. It was something that crawled underneath her skin. She didn't know how Rebecca found out about her being an orphan, but thankfully that was all she knew. She snapped when she said that. She knew it deep down inside, that her parents did want her, but when someone else says it to you? It stings.

The sheriff knew what she was feeling that day. She had already found out that her foster parents had left in the middle of the next. Not that she had cared. They wouldn't even let her sleep in the house, stating that she was a disease and the only reason they had brought her in was because of the money.

"Miss Swan?" Charlie's mother, Kayden Harper in both an astounded and seething voice as she came across her younger self. She was a stunning woman with bright green eyes that told her story of innocence and pureblood. It was one of the reason she had hated Emma as well—other than sleeping with her son—was that she was a mutt. A mutt that nobody wanted and left out in the cold.

The younger Emma swallowed nervously, "Hi." She awkwardly states with a small wave. The woman is intimidating as fuck also. She had that…essence that scratched its way out of her and craved its way into a person to rip out all of anyone's dirty secrets.

Mrs. Harper shuffled her bristled feathers, "You're back." There was not a pronouncement on the words. It was a statement. A dirty statement that she wished wasn't true, "So…the rumors are correct."

Emma just shrugged.

The Principle just nodded her head, "I'm calling your social worker." She states simply.

That got Emma's attention, her eyes going wide with shock, "W-what?" She stuttered out.

Mrs. Harper just smirked, "It's the only way to get you out of my pathetic school…and away from my son." She added seething through her teeth, "I also heard that your foster family had left you—"

Emma panicked in her casing, "No, that's not—"

"Stop interrupting me, Miss Swan." The principle demanded, "Now, sit down and shut up." Once the command was done, she turned and went into her office, "Oh, and next time I see you in my school again, you'll regret it." She added before shutting the door with a slam shaking the frame. It made Emma flinch at the hollow sound of it.

She sank into one of the chairs by her door once again, with a defeated sigh. Then froze. She knew that she couldn't be here once Naydeen came back and tortured her for not being normal.

For not being good kid.

For not being a perfect kid.

For not even being beautiful.

That was one of the main reasons Emma pushed every guy that had come her way. She didn't deserve their love or the relationship. It also didn't help that every relationship she could learn from turned sour in some way or another. She also had too many people leave her in this stage of the game of life. She didn't need it. The pain of it.

Yet, didn't stop her from wishing for it.

Wishing for a life where she was loved. Wishing that she could have a family of her own, knowing that in herself—vowing as well—that she would never abandon her child (or children) the way she was on that fateful night by the side of the road. she would cherish them, love them and make sure that she would never leave them alone. She wished for her own happy ending, to which, she knew was closer that she could feel it in her bones. She wished that one day though, she would meet her parents in the flesh, and tell them what they had done. What they made her, and why didn't they just kill her if they didn't want her from birth?

With her mind made up, she quickly gathered her stuff from the floor and made a run for it. She was going to get out of there if that was the last thing she would do. She had to get to work anyways. She was raising the money to get away. She knows that she will get to where she wants soon.

Say what you mean, does it make you uncomfortable?

Take it to heart and describe it in detail

Your lies will never sell

StoryBrooke, Maine

Henry

Free makes you nervous

It must feel, like you're almost human

Once Henry woke up early the next morning, he knew that he had to do what it took so the whole town didn't fall apart. The town accepted the still very young prince, they knew if he was the Saviors kid, they could survive with him being their leader. The people cheered at the thought of him being what they needed. Once finished with a speech filled with hope and faith for his family, the towns' folk got down to work, fixing their little sleepy town. It was amazing as they all turned cheerful at the idea of having someone lead them.

It took all morning and way into the afternoon to finish cleaning up the town. It was rewarded with a free dinner commentary for working all day in the crisp cold. There was gallous laughter and chatter as the diner was filled to the brim with customers, eating and enjoying each other's company once again.

Henry was on edge through the whole thing though. His father has been seen or heard from since—well, Ruby had called him to let him know what was happening. It made him sad that his father hadn't even decided to show up, try and fight for him like Henry knows he could, deep down. He figured it was because of his mom, Emma. Henry was happy for her finding her true love, more than ecstatic when he found out that it was the CAPTAIN HOOK. Yet, when Neal—literally—walked into town, alive and heart still beating to see that Gold's enemy and his mother's lover had taken Emma right from him, Henry knew it hurt. But he knows that there was nothing Neal could do for as true loves, they would never be as happy without each other. He also knew that his mom wouldn't take Neal back for what he had done to her in the past. Henry—nor the rest of the family he expected—knew what he did to Emma. He knew that it was bad enough to make her shield herself away from people, including almost not taking the risk of getting her true love.

It still put him on the fringe of things. He didn't like that his father was out there, alone. It didn't sit well for the teen. He knew that family—no matter how far or how little—needed to stay together to consult each other. He had to give his father that though, he was not someone you could really tell you feelings too.

Even still.

He was so lost in his thought that he didn't see nor hear that Ruby had glided her way into the booth to side across from him. It shocked his system when she had moved her hand over the table to touch his hand in a comforting way, "Hey Henry, you okay?" It seems that she was calling him for a very long time if she was talking so quietly.

He just muttered a short reply, knowing it wasn't really the time to talk about it. He knew, from watching his mom—and grandparents—that he had to be strong for the people of StoryBrooke. Even if he didn't want to. Even if all he wanted to do is curl up in a ball and be left to his own devices.

"Henry." Ruby disapproved of his behavior, but she knows that it has been rough on him since his family left, "We're still here for you." She elegantly smiled at the boy. She wants to make sure the teen didn't do something he might regret. Or worse, do something that would change him on the inside. Ruby knows in herself, that she would never really fill the void being left by his family, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to try at least. The kid deserved it.

"I know." He sighed out to the she-wolf, "I'm just tired is all…Do you…do you think I could go for a walk?" He questioned unsure. He knew that they made sure that someone was with him at all times, but it was getting annoying. He appreciated it though, "Alone." He added once she replied that he could but had to wait for Leroy to come back from patrol.

"Henry." She said slowly, disproving.

"Please?" He pleaded with her lowly. He had to keep his voice low, since the whole diner was full of town folks. If they saw that he was not really in charge, chaos would ensue. He didn't want that again either.

She hesitated in her seat. She knew that is was way past sundown and knew that there would be less people outside if he was in trouble. Yet, she knew that the kid could take care of himself. She grazed out the darkened window to the barely lit streets. So many probabilities that could happen to the kid. Her teeth bit into her lip, contemplating what she should do. It wasn't like he was hers, but she knows Emma would be pissed if anything happened to the kid on her watch, "I don't think that's a good idea, Henry." She told him regretfully.

"Please." He tried once more, knowing that she wouldn't last forever in that aspect.

Deep as the surface

For the happy

For the sad and lonely

Henry breathed in the cold air like it was his lifeline in the world. He had worn Ruby down quickly, but he knew it would happen. She wasn't his mom. If he tried it on Emma or Regina, it wouldn't have worked. Not. At. All.

He walked down the empty streets, the noise from the diner only mummers now, behind him. He was glad that he could get some head space. He never understood why his mother would come to the docks…but know he sees the allure.

The waves sounded around him once close enough to the boardwalk. He loved it here, especially when his mother would be here…just staring out into the ocean like it was something she wanted to discover one day. It made him happy that Killian had come into her life. He had brought this to her, make her the most relaxed person in the world. It amazed people…until he started to flirt or comment about her. She would turn a light shade of pink but hid it behind her sarcasm, and threats—to which Killian would receive many hits to his body. But he never hit her back, and to that—Henry was thankful. He knew that his mother had a…difficult time in this world, one that he was happy not to repeat in her footsteps.

He wondered how they were doing, once he found a bench to sit at with a short sigh leaving his lips. Where were they? What past had they fallen into? Where they all safe? A bigger question:

Would they ever come back?

That though was shoved aside once it had entered his thought process. He didn't need those thoughts mingling in his brain to never leave him alone. He didn't need to be a Debby-downer. It wasn't in his blood or in his own moral code. He knew that the minute they came back, he would never let them leave his sight.

He knew he had to stay positive. So to keep his mind busy, he looked at the Jolly Roger. It stood tall above the others around the docks. He let his mind wander to all the happy—and some not so happy—memories on board the ship.

But he should have stayed in the moment for then he would have sensed that someone was approaching him from behind. He noticed too late, as a prick of a needle dove into the side of his neck, filling him with a serum that knocked him out instantly.

He didn't know at the time, but he wasn't coming out of this one unscathed.

Mom is wish you were here, he thought sluggishly as the drug began to make its affects known.

With that one thought, he closed his eyes to let the serum work through his veins.

You're not cut out for this

You've got that lemon scent

Fuck your instincts, everything you do is for somebody else

Ruby knew something was wrong when Henry didn't come back at the time she told him to be. Her wolf, growled with warning of something had happened. So to calm her wolf, she turned to the dwarfs for help in finding the lad. They have been looking for hour to no avail, mostly using her scenes—but not everything is fool proof. It had rained on the town, just only for ten minutes but it was enough to wipe his scent away. He was nowhere they could think of either. The only place left was at the docks.

Her wolf, screamed at her telling her that something had happened. The wolf crawled under her skin, making her anxious about what she would find there. She turned, telling the dwarfs of the feeling which told them they were heading in the right place.

They ran to the docks, stopping in their tracks at the sight of the boys backpack, still filled with the magical book and Emma's baby blanket. It confused the group, before Ruby eyes shout open, smelling a small hint of blood in the air around them.

"HENRY!" Ruby shouted into the cold air of the unforgiving night. This had gone from bad to worse.

It was because Henry was missing. He was gone. In less than 24-hours too. He was their only chance of keeping this place sane, without him...Ruby didn't want to think of what would happen. She would never forgive herself for this stupid mishap to the kid. She knew it was her fault.

You're my breakdown

Your skin like leprosy

I just don't face well

.

This is the part where it gets kind of personal

Say what you mean, does it make you uncomfortable?

They had watched Emma walk out the building, their steps falling into sync with the younger versions. They didn't talk about it. It was all too much at the point. The sheriff only hoped that they would get out of it. She didn't want to stay here anymore. She missed her son. She hoped that Neal was taking care of him, but in her heart she knew it was probably not happening that way. She sighed sorrowfully getting the attention of a questioning Killian which she only mouthed 'Henry' and the pirate understood. He didn't need to push her into telling it out loud. They were all thinking it.

The group was even silent when they had watched her younger self go into a garage to repair cars. It was a short visit, since it was only for her check from the old man named Harvey. He also gave me too much, The Savior remembered. She had helped him for a couple of months since being in the town still—just moving from different homes in the area.

The old man was kind, with all white hair. He fought in some wars long ago and was proud of it. He wore some of his metals on his chest—like his purple heart. He would say it was the only own he was really proud of. He had wrinkles that littered over his face, and a frozen cold stare but he had a warm heart underneath. He lost his wife of 55 years just the past June, and he didn't take it well, from what the Savior had remembered. He would say stuff that she saved his life from being boring as I brought light and hope to him that he could make it through. He was actually one of the few people that the sheriff cherished dear to her heart from her past.

He took me under his wing for a little bit of guidance as soon as he say her. Even though it didn't really work yet, it was definitely an improvement after the diner incident, The Sheriff thought to herself.

She had watched herself tie up her hair in a messy bun to just check under a car hood for the man, since one of his repair mans was out. This is where she learned what she knew about cars. It always brought a smile to her face. But not this day, for one of the drunken young friend of Harvey's had stumbled upon her younger self as she bent over the car to see if it needed anything else. It didn't go well for him. She had felt his presence behind her as he touched her waist and she spun, putting her arm to the back of his head and her other on his arm to bring him so that his head was almost touching the running car's engine. She had told him off before Harvey had come back and pushed the guy out the door, telling him he was no longer welcomed.

"You didn't have to do that," her younger self told the man, "I was just giving him a warning that if had touched me again I would have pushed his head into the engine." her arms crossed her chest defiant.

The man had just chuckled.

Though Killian was on edge still from the display as well as a little but turned on by her way of taking control of any situation that came her way. Her parents and the other's were remarkably silent. Probably waiting until they got home to process, he thought.

From this, they ended up in the bar called Deuce. It was only then had they had asked questions of why she was there in the first place. But she just shrugged avoiding the questions. She was embarrassed about it too.

They had watched on as Emma went to work and was surprised again as she set herself on a stool that was placed on the small stage in the corner. When the bar opened fully, every seat was taken as Emma began to play and sing.

That to Killian was a blessing all in itself. His Swan could sing. Could sing well too. He had asked her one time to sing for him, since he had heard her one time while she was in the shower. But his stubborn Swan refused saying that it wasn't her. It was a complete lie. A bullshit lie, at that. He was mesmerized by the way she carried each of the songs, playing an interesting instrument. He was amazed by the way she held the crowd's attention—but not that much. She was beautiful, and radiant.

The night began to get older, and the crowd thinned with it, since Emma wasn't staying for the whole night. It didn't take long for the bar to be just filled with old men, and drunks as soon as Emma finished her hours of work. She went to pack her things when she had finished, making her way to the bar counter to get what she needed. She had greeted the man with a warm smile that made the gruff man weak with a protective look in his eyes toward her.

I don't wanna take from the souls

The story unfolds, and the lies that she wrote

And follow the things, the things that you lost

Give up what you have, to get what you want

"Check?" she questioned as she sat down at a bar stool.

The group watched curiously wanting to make sure they didn't miss anything from the girl that turned into a truly beautiful Swan.

"Sure, kid." The broke voice was like he gargled with rusty nail. He chuckled at the girl, the sound was like cracking glass.

"Oh, and a couple of shots of Jack n' Coke." She said as she leaned over the counter at the man. She had a bright smile on her face with an innocent look that didn't suit her at all.

The man gave her accusing look as he handed over the check, "You're not 21."

Emma just scuffed, "You know it doesn't matter. Could still drink you under the table." She shot back with a challenging brow raise. She flashed a predatory smile, "come on, I gave you customers tonight." She moaned once seeing he wasn't going to budge.

He just stared at her for a few more seconds before his hand moved to get what she had asked for, "Thanks!" she shouted at him.

He placed it in front of her, which she took them; downing them with quick and practice ease, "So, kid. What you gonna do with the money?" he questioned to the girl once she had finished the shots in seconds flat.

Emma's eyes brighten with excitement of her plan, "Well," a sly smile came to her face the same time blush floated on. It was an odd combination to see it on her. She wasn't used to people asking about the money she makes. It made her uneasy, "I'm leaving the states. I'm going traveling. I want to go see the world." She smiled full blown.

He chuckled, "Where do you think of settling?" he asked as he wiped the counter.

"Ireland." She smiled fondly, "I think I would love it there."

The man just bellowed out a deep laugh, "Oh that is true kid. Tell you what; you keep working for me, and I'll make sure you get there."

"Really?" She said shocked, and a little weary. The people she knows would never do something like this for her.

But the man just nodded.

She couldn't wait, "thank you!" she was going to burst with happiness about her plan falling into place.

"How much you got saved?"

"Umm…About 15 thousand. Need just about 2 thousand more." She states.

The man just shook his head, giving out a low whistle, "Well, there goes my money maker." He joked as he winked, "You'll only have to do two more weeks here to get that, kid."

She just smirked satisfied before her eyes trained on the clock above the bar, "Fuck." She muttered in a moan, her shoulders falling with her mood, "I got a jock to scare away." She explained once seeing his look of question. He nodded, "Go then, scare the crap out of him them."

I don't wanna take from the souls

The story unfolds, and the lies that she wrote

The group followed as a ghost to the girl out to parking lot where the unnamed jock was leaning against his painfully expensive car. It made both Emma's eyes roll at the kid. The sky above was dark with ambience of a horrible storm ready to thrash its fury above.

The jock just smirked happily, "Well, get in."

"Yeah. We're walking." She told him, moving around him with the shutdown to the sidewalk. She didn't even care if he shadowed her, she had business to take care of.

Killian was happy that she at least had good common sense not to get into his car. He didn't like the way the jock looked at her. His Swan was not a toy to be played with like that. Even though, he had thought about it the first time he had laid eyes on her, it mutually grew to respect for her. He hated it when Bae had come back almost demanding her to get back with him, it made his inner demons rail from within him…lucky (or bad for Bae) she wasn't that kind of stupid. He didn't know what had happened in their relationship, but it didn't mean he wasn't curious sometimes. He would never ask either of them, hoping that his Swan would come to him with it one day. He still hopes—yet, he didn't hope that he would be seeing it. He didn't know if he could take what he did to her, if he saw it; clear as day.

The walk was short, for it was only a block away. A decrypted building stood tall in the destruction of nonuse. There were boards up on the broken windows to keep out the underclass of the cities ugly. It didn't help any of it anyways. The brick of the building was holding but barely in some spots, for there was holes in the sides of it. Emma just led them all silently to the side, knowing the way in. She pushed her way into the back room, darkness swallowing them all as they went down on stairs that creaked with each breath.

And follow the things, the things that you lost

Give up what you have, to get what you want

"So what we doin' down here?' the jock asked intrigued.

"Oh. Don't worry, you'll see." Emma just answer evasively.

"You're not going to cut him up, right love?" Killian asked his Swan trying to lighten the mood. He had never been put in this kind of situation before where he had to constantly make sure that people were not breaking from the seriousness of the moment. He wasn't sure if he like it or not, only time would tell from him.

"No. Something much worse." The Sheriff smirked back at him, telling him that she appreciated his break in the mood.

The dark flashed away as lights from overhead flicked on, making them all groan from the surprise from the light. It took them off a couple of seconds to adjust to the light round them, and when they did they were shocked.

"What's this?" the jock asked a little scared, telling the questioned they all wanted to know the answer to. His eyes flickered over the place and the people.

"What? Are you scared?" Emma challenged as she made her way into the room more, "You wanted to see me, well…right here and now; you're going to." She told him in all seriousness, "This is going to be fun." She added with a smirk.

Take us apart, fill my void

Have my lie in your head

As my words dammed my life

Say with a straight face, blink and you bought it

Pretend not to notice, that's my kind of stupid

Lack of your status we're all bought famous

Song used throughout: Lemon Scent by Dead Sara

AN: DRAMA ;) chapter is dedicated to kendraCs since it is her birthday-and I'm SOOO SORRY IT"S LATE (college is tiring)! HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! I hope she had some fun and making some awesome memories on it! ( I know it's cheesy but its true!;D) IIIIIIIII'mmmmm a nerd...leave me alone. LOL. Also just so you know, now that i'm back at college my updates will be scattered for the next couple of weeks so that I can get settled back into routines. I hope you guys liked this one, it took some little rewriting and rewording to get it this way...i'm still not a hundred perfect liking it but its close enough. And the chapters that I do put up will be much longer and have more detail-such as this one.

SPECIAL THANKS: kendraCs, Chocolateninjapanda, Cherry2, spellbound98, Lisa1972, a guest and SwanQueen4055

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Cherry2: I have special thing about that coming up. ;) That one thing is always on my mind.