Chapter 11

A Crack In The Glass

Henry had asked if they could all meet up at the castle. The moment they got there Henry whizzed past them towards the destroyed castle. Henry cried "the storm".

Tally frowned and whined "the beautiful castle is broken".

Emma said "it's okay, we can fix it, I'll talk to Marco".

Henry started digging in the sand "do you think it's still here"?

Neal asked "think what's still here buddy"?

"My book" Henry answered.

Neal asked "okay, new question, why did you bury it here"?

Henry looked at him, raised his eyebrow and replied "so my mom doesn't find it".

Neal said "ah, good point".

Emma asked "hiding it under your mattress wasn't good enough".

Henry answered "that's the first place the evil queen would look".

Neal asked "what about leaving it with us".

Henry answered "that's the second place".

Tally said "we should hide it in the mines, she'd never look for it there".

Emma said "especially since you and Henry are never setting foot in the mines again".

Henry pulled out a red metal box and opened it "it's still here good".

Emma asked "so your mom doesn't know about the castle"?

Henry replied "no this is our secret place, just for the four of us".

Suddenly Regina came up to them calling Henry's name he quickly closed the box and covered it with sand. "So much for it being our secret place" Neal said.

"I've been looking for you everywhere, you know you have a session with Archie this morning," she faced Emma and Neal and added "I should have known he was with the two of you, Henry car, now. As Henry left Regina asked "you let him play here"?

Emma said "the storm hit it pretty hard but we can fix it".

Regina asked "can you fix a cracked Cranium, because that's what you'll have on your hands if one of these boards collaspe under his weight, or your daughters. Your not thinking of them or their safety, just ways around me".

Neal said "well when we're fixing it we can replace the boards to make it studier".

Regina said "things like this should have been torn down ages ago, it a safety hazard, it needs more than just some new boards. Don't let your feelings cloud your judgement, people can get hurt."

Neal asked "are you threatening us"?

Regina replied "all I'm saying Mr Swan-Cassidy is can't you see how dangerous this is not only for Henry but your daughter" then she faced Emma and added "and you're the Sheriff, it's time to be responsible".

As they had breakfast at Granny's with Mary Margaret Emma said "don't let my feelings cloud my judgement, that's all Regina ever does".

Neal said "that woman should should be asking herself how come Henry keeps coming to us? And how come he trusts us much more than he trusts her".

Tally answered "because mommy's a princess who's going to break the curse, and Regina's the evil queen".

Neal said "that's right Sugar Plum".

Mary-Margaret said "she's just upset because you and Henry have a special place and she, she doesn't".

Neal corrected "had a special place" the he added "and then there's the fact that that she's Regina".

Emma asked "how did she find out about the castle in the first place"?

Mary-Margaret said "she knows everything about this town, she's the mayor". Just then Mary-Margaret got a text.

Emma asked "everything okay".

Mary-Margaret replied "yeah, I just have to go" as she got on her coat she added "If it makes you feel any better I think your right, I've seen the effect she has on Henry".

As Mary-Margaret left Emma said "I wish everybody did too".

Suddenly Sidney sat down at their table and said "I can grant your wish".

He had an overpowering alcohol smell on him, Tally covered her nose and said "he's smells bad".

Neal said "come here Sugar Plum" she crawled over to his lap and Emma gave her a scented tissue to cove her nose with.

Emma asked "Sidney, do you want a side of Bacon with that Whisky".

"You want to show this town who the mayor really is, I can help".

Neal replied "aren't you afraid of losing your summer home inside her pocket".

Sidney hissed "the mayor and I are through"

Neal scoffed "yeah right"

Sidney snapped "she got me fired from the paper, she made a fool of me in the election, so I started work on an expose on the mayors office, and I found something she didn't want found".

With the smell of alcohol coming off his clothes Emma didn't believe him. "Sidney, you're drunk, go home, sleep it off, be thankful you don't have to answer to her any more".

Before Sidney left he gave Emma his card and said "call me, the people of Storybrooke deserve to know the truth about her".

Before they could leave for work Henry called Emma and Neal and said there was an emergency at the castle. When they got there, there was demolition team destroying what was left of his castle. Emma ran up to him and asked "what's happening I came as soon as I could"?

Henry cried "my castle, she's tearing the whole place down".

One machine dug a ditch and Neal asked isn't that where your book was"?

Henry looked into the empty ditch and cried "my book it's gone".

Emma saw Regina and walked over to her "congratulations Madam Mayor, you destroyed the thing he loves".

Regina replied "a dangerous thing, that can only hurt Henry and your daughter. You see me as a villain Mrs Swan-Cassidy but that's only your perception and your wrong".

Neal decided to see if Emma needed back-up and said "Henry, watch Tally for me. I'm going to go help your mom with..., your mom".

Regina continued "learn your place in this town or soon enough you won't be in it".

Neal said "now that was a threat".

Seeing Neal Regina said "and you Mr Swan-Cassidy, should know I follow through with threat's, this time was a warning".

Neal said "thanks, now let me repay you, if you want Henry to like you again perhaps you should stop doing things to make him hate you".

As Regina walked away Neal asked "so what are we going about her".

Getting her phone out Emma said "show everyone who she really is". Emma put her phone to her ear "Hi Sidney, I'm in, I want everyone to know who she really is".

In a scared tone Neal asked "you want to go toe to toe with a viper", he tone went cheerier "count me in".

Later in the apartment Sidney brought over some boxes of town records. As he put them on the table he said "fifty thousand dollars".

Neal said "I really hope that's not the price for this information"

Sidney rephrased "fifty thousand dollars from the budget is missing and Regina is responsible".

As Emma started to flip through the files Neal said "the embezzling mayor, I like it".

Emma said "hold on there, first we need to find proof".

Sidney said "and the money is just the tip of the iceberg, we find out what she's doing and it all falls apart, it all crumbles, and we'll finally learn her secrets. I see what she is, you see it, all we need is a crack in the mirror to show everyone, I'm telling you this is it".

Emma looked up from the file and asked "so what's your plan"?

Sidney said "tap her phone, GPS her car, hack into her E-mails, dig into your Bail Bonds person bag of tricks".

Emma said "no, I'm the sheriff now I have to be responsible".

Neal said "isn't that just what Regina said".

Sidney warned "she's going to know you're onto her, sooner rather than later, are you prepared for her wrath"?

Emma replied "oh yeah".

Shivering Sidney answered "good because I wasn't".

Neal asked "if she scares you how did you allow yourself to fall into her pocket"?

Sidney answered sadly "I used to think she was a different person".

Emma looked back through the file and asked "when did the money go missing? Does three weeks ago sound right"?

Sidney answered "yeah why"

Emma replied "because those records are missing"?

Neal said smugly "I wonder where they might have gone".

At that moment Mary Margaret came in saying "Emma, there's something I'd like to"... She stopped when she saw Sidney, "Hi Sidney".

Emma said "hey, we're just doing some work. I think we found something on Regina".

Mary-Margaret replied "interesting work, oh, I approve".

Sidney said "you want to go by the book, let's get a warrant".

Neal said "by the time we find a judge she doesn't know any mention of that money will be long gone".

Sidney said "we could always try my way".

Emma said "I want to do this right Sidney"

"What's right is exposing her" Sidney said. "Sometimes doing a bad thing for the right reason is okay".

Mary Margaret added "yeah, I mean, maybe you're doing something wrong, but if it what's meant to be, if it's feels right, does that really make you a bad person"?

Sidney smiled and said "exactly".

Emma sighed "you two are doing a whole lot of rationalising".

Neal said "Regina did the wrong thing taking away Henry's castle, and sometimes you have to fight fire with fire".

Emma asked out loud "does no one have morels anymore? And is it really the kind of thing you want an impressional three year old to overhear"? They all had sort have forgotten Tally was on the floor playing with Roseberry.

Sidney said "just look at what Regina's done to you, to me, to your son, I mean she's not going to stop so whatever you do you've got to do something".

Emma sighed again "okay, lets start by talking to her".

Neal said "this should be interesting".

It would have looked too suspicious if Neal came along so just Emma and Sidney went. After being asked about the missing records she said they'd burnt in the fire Mr Gold set during the election. With nothing else but suspicions they couldn't do anything else but desperate to expose Regina for who she really was Emma planted a bug. The next day Neal met up with Emma and Sidney at the sheriff's station after work. When he came in Regina was talking on the phone to someone called Ms Ginger about working conditions.

Neal asked "has she said anything interesting".

Sidney said "yeah, she made this call a little over hour ago".

He re-winded the type and listened to Regina's conversation "I'll meet you tonight at access road 23 with the rest of your payment/yes it will all be in cash, and I don't need to remind you no one can know about this/I know it has to be tonight".

Emma said "a pay-off in the woods, that's good".

Sidney commented "a pay-off, using stolen city funds".

Neal said "that's great but whose the seller"?

Emma said "I bugged her office not her phone, I guess we'll just have to go and find out ourselves".

That night they followed Regina to access road 23 in the woods. When Emma tried to stop the brakes they wouldn't work and they crashed into the sign for access road 23. After they crashed Neal asked "okay, who's still alive"?

Emma replied "you know me, I've survived worse".

Sidney answered "I think I'll be fine".

They got out to check what was wrong with the brakes, Emma said "we're going to miss that hand off".

Sidney said "Emma, you know that bug you planted, I think Regina found it, someone's been tampering with the brakes, she's onto us".

Emma immediately went stomping off into the woods obviously not thinking clearly. Sidney and Neal went after her to stop he doing something stupid. Neal said "we don't know it was Regina".

Answering Emma asked "who else wants us dead"?

Sidney called "wait".

Emma said "that she-devil tried to have us all killed, I'm finding her".

Sidney said "we need to be cautious, we need to think clearly".

Neal said "listen to Sidney Emma".

Emma replied "to hell with caution, I'm going to find out what's she's doing and why she's out here".

"She was meeting me" they turned around and saw Mr Gold with a briefcase.

Emma asked "what were doing out here with her"?

He replied "just a little business transaction".

Neal asked "what kind of business transaction".

Mr Gold replied "well that's my business".

Sidney asked "what's in the briefcase"?

Mr Gold said "everything comes at a price, land is no different".

Emma said "that's why you're meeting her out her, Regina brought your land".

He said "the very ground you're standing on".

Emma asked "what does she want it for"?

He answered "you know in business I find it best not to ask too many questions, it tend to hurt the bottom line. The real question is what the three of you out here in the middle of the night".

Neal asked "depends, what does it look like we're doing"?

Mr Gold said "that's not for me to speculate, but I guessing it has something to do with Regina".

Sidney said "you don't know what Regina did to me, you don't what she did to their son. We can't just sit idly by".

"Of course you can" replied Mr Gold. "Be careful, emotional entanglements can lead us down very dangerous paths".

They went to Regina's office Sidney asked "what are we doing here"?

Emma said "we know she brought land from Gold, we don't know why, I'm willing to bet it's for personal reasons but we need to know for sure. We need documents that officially link her to that land".

Sidney said "you want to break into her office. It's locked and she has a state of the art security system and alarm".

Neal mentioned "that shouldn't be a problem".

Emma said "and if we don't show this town who Regina is who will"?

Sidney asked "do you think you can crack her code".

Emma picked up a rock and said "oh yeah" and with that threw it in the window.

Neal said "impressive, that's better than what I was thinking".

Emma said "who will the alarm company alert? The police, I'm the police. She has two minutes to get a call from the alarm company, one minute to get her coat and keys, three minutes to drive here giving us maybe six minutes".

She accessed Regina's computer, found the files and printed them. Neal was at the printer to get them and saw a bunch of keys with skulls at the top, he said "I don't want to know what these open"?

That's when he noticed Emma looked like she was searching for something. Sidney asked "what are you doing"?

Emma replied "I'm looking for Henry's book".

Sidney replied "we didn't come here for Henry, we came here for".

Emma said "you didn't come for Henry".

Neal added "us, that's the only reason we're here".

Before they could do anything else the lights came on and Regina rushed in turn off the alarm. Emma shined her torch at Regina who asked "what are you doing here"?

Emma answered "some kids broke in, I heard the alarm so I'm checking it out because I'm sheriff".

Regina said "that was an awfully quick response time".

Emma said "you told me to do my job, I'm doing it".

Regina asked "and when did the Sheriff's office become a family business"?

Neal said "well, I was helping Emma on patrol when we heard the alarm".

Regina asked "and you brought Sidney"?

Emma replied "no, he saw it while he was out on a walk so he's a witness".

Regina turned to Sidney and asked "and what did you see Sidney"

He answered "some kids with a"...

Emma said "a rock".

He repeated "a rock".

Regina asked "did they take anything"?

Emma answered "I don't know, I'd have to do a thorough sweep".

Regina looked around and said "it seems to me that it's all just a prank".

Emma asked "are you sure you don't want me to take the place apart" hoping she could look for Henry's book".

Regina said "sheriff, your services are not needed nor wanted".

Emma said "well you know where to find me".

Back in Sidney's apartment, Neal and Emma looked through everything they'd uncovered. "Blueprints, bank statements" Sidney said looking through everything.

Emma asked "what is she building out there? a mansion".

Neal said "if I didn't know any better I'd say a castle".

Sidney said "whatever it is it doesn't matter because these escrow forms have her name all over them, like you thought personal use. She's done, we got her" Emma looked despondent "didn't you hear me, we got her".

Emma said "we stooped to her level, it's exactly what I promised Henry I wouldn't do".

Neal said "sometimes we have to do things our children won't like for their own benefit".

Emma said "when did you become so wise and naive, this is fruit of the poisonous tree. Illegally obtained evidence, it will get thrown out of court in a heartbeat".

Neal saw Emma's point but Sidney mentioned "but we don't need her to go to prison".

Neal asked "we don't? then what's been the point of all of this"?

Sidney said "what you and Emma wanted, show everyone who she really is. What she did to Henry she does to everyone, she destroys what people love". Neither Neal nor Emma moved or said anything, Sidney pulled out a draw and said "here, let me show you something". Sidney handed them a box full of photo's of them with Henry. "She made me follow you, she made me tell her everything. She knew about your secret place weeks ago, she only waited to destroy it till it would hurt you and Henry the most. It's all my fault. If you don't do this I have to".

Emma said "alright lets do this".

They decided to expose her at the city council meeting while Mary-Margaret watched Tally. Shortly after the council meeting started Sidney stood up nervously and said "excuse me Madam Mayor, but I have something I'd like to bring to the council's attention".

Regina shot him down "this is not an open forum Sidney, and no one on this council is interested of hearing the boozy complaints of a disgraced reporter, now sit down".

Emma stood up and said "he's not the only one with something to say"?

Regina said "Mrs Swan-Cassidy, this meeting is to discuss issues facing Storybrooke".

Emma held up a file and asked "like the Mayor stealing thousands of dollars from the city to build herself a second home".

When whispers spread across the room Regina banged her gravel and said "Mrs Swan-Cassidy sit immediately or so help me"...

Neal stood up and asked "or what Madam Mayor, what could you possibly do that won't prove to everyone you're a monster".

Emma held up the file and went into the middle of the room and addressed everyone "in my hand I'm holding documents indicating this woman, your mayor stole city funds to build herself a lavish home in the woods".

Neal added "even though she already has the biggest house in the whole town".

Emma gestured to Sidney and continued "and this disgraced reporter, do you want to know why he was really fired. Because he stood up to her, because he questioned her, and we all know what happens to people who question the mayor".

Neal answering an unasked question "if somebody doesn't obey her every whim, she gets rid of them".

Emma faced Regina and said "you claim you act in the best interest of all of us, but that's not true is it? The truth is you are a thug who doesn't care about anyone but yourself, that is who you truly are. And it is time for the people of Storybrooke to know that".

Regina stood up and projected a picture on the screen behind her and addressed the town "part of the accusation is right. I did take city funds and is was to build a house. But the house I'm building is a playhouse, I want to build a playground so my son Henry and all the children of Storybrooke could have a special place to play, safely". Addressing only Emma she added "as for the sketch in your hands, it was inspired by a drawing I found in one of my son's books. There you have it Mrs Swan-Cassidy, you've exposed me for who I really am". Sidney, Emma and Neal sat down fully aware Regina had won this round.

They knew after the council meeting Regina would push back. The moment the meeting was over Regina talked to some people while Emma and Neal watched thinking whatever Regina was going to do to them it was best to get it over and done with. Mr Gold came up to them and said "look at her, Queen of the castle. You know what you did in there was commendable, but if you you really want to bring her down you're going to need a strong ally".

Emma asked "like yourself"?

Neal added "after the election fiasco, are you kidding"?

Mr Gold said "one can hope".

Regina came up to them and said "Mr Gold, I was hoping to have a private word with these two". Mr Gold left and Regina continued "I don't know what either of you were hoping to accomplish in there". She looked straight at Emma "especially you but now I hope you'll go back to your job, which is upholding the law, not breaking it". She acknowledged Neal as well as Emma "you think I don't know the two of you broke into my office."

Emma replied back "don't act like you're so innocent, we know you messed with the brakes in my car".

Neal added "and almost got us killed".

Regina scoffed "your car, killed, did I not just show you and the town I have no reason to kill anyone because I have nothing to hide".

Neal said "no, you haven't, you are hiding something we just haven't found it yet".

Regina replied "well until you have something more substantial than disdain to throw my way, you're going to stay away and from Henry".

Emma said "that's..."

"Not up for discussion" Regina interjected. "You two have lost the high ground. If I wanted to there's not a judge in the world who'd deny me a restraining order after what you've done. You don't get to see my son unless I say so, and right now I don't say so".

Neal was thinking 'this time I'll take off two branches".

Regina said "and Mr Swan-Cassidy, this restraining order issue also holds should anything happen to my tree" and with that she left.

Emma and Neal sat in the car watching the new playground from a distance. Emma turned on the walkie-talkie Henry asked "Emma. Neal, why are you both so far away? come out here".

Emma replied "we can't today Henry".

Neal muttered "maybe not any day again".

Henry guessed "you're undercover right, aren't you, for Operation Cobra".

Emma said "no, neither of us are undercover, your mom, she doesn't want us seeing each other for a while".

Henry replied "you don't have to listen to her". Neal took the walkie-talkie and said "if we don't we maybe not even be able to see you from a distance".

Emma took the walkie-talkie and said "we messed up Henry, we got mad at your mom about you and your book, and everything. And now we'll just have to be apart for a while".

Henry said "I don't want to be apart".

Neal said "if it was up to us the four of us would be living together right about now, but it's not up to us".

Emma said "don't worry, we'll find a way back in, and if it's out there Henry we will find your book".

Quite depressed Henry replied "good luck, it's probably gone and it's probably never coming back". Emma and Neal took one final look at Henry and drove off".

Later at the diner Emma and Neal came in and saw Sidney having a drink. As they sat down next to him Neal unenthusiastically said "great mind's think alike".

Sidney replied "not great enough to expose Regina".

Ruby brought over a drink for Emma and Neal, Sidney asked "how did we not see it"?

Emma replied "we did, we saw it all right from the start. We just didn't want to look, blinded by our anger by everything".

Neal said "and while we weren't looking Regina sneaked right by".

A smile made it's way to Sidney's face as be commented "this time. There's a lot more skeletons in Regina's closet, and the good news, you got yourself an ally".

Emma said "we won't be fooled again".

They clinked glasses and Neal said "there's still something bothering me. How did Regina know we broke into her office? And if she didn't mess with brakes on our car who did"?