Enigma
"You can't do this!" Henry cried out hugging his mother tightly.
Vance had 'allowed' Emma to have a talk with her family in 'private' after the deal had been struck. He sat on the other side of the diner, while Emma had a conference with her 'family', "There must be another way." Snow said as Emma took a seat by Henry and comforted him.
"There isn't another way," Emma said for the umpteenth time, "He would stop at nothing to get what he wants. Besides I caused this mess so I have to fix it."
"But Emma-" Neal started to say but was cutoff when Emma slammed her fist down on the table, "No buts Neal! All I need you to do is keep your end of the bargain got that? Because I swear to god if you don't…"
Neal held his hand up as Emma's threat dangled in front of him, "Ok fine, but you better win this thing otherwise I will hunt you down again."
Emma this time laughed, "Please if plan A doesn't work then I will go to plan B, but before I can even think of plan B…" Emma's face became stern as she looked at her son, "Henry I want your permission for plan B."
Henry looked stunned as his mother looked right at him, "My permission?"
Emma nodded, "Yes your permission. See it involves magic, but not exactly good magic." With this she stole a look at Regina, who also looked a bit puzzled as well as James, Snow, and Neal. Gold however smiled a bit, seeing where this conversation was going as Emma continued, "Now I can understand if you say no. Whatever you decide I just want you to know that I love you and I hope that I have your forgiveness."
Henry of course was shocked at his mother's declaration and assumption that he had not forgiven her, after all he had already. But what shocked him the most was that his mother wanted to use magic as a plan B. Seeing the chess board already out of the table, he knew that if Emma loses she was gone…perhaps forever and he found himself thinking that he could not let that happen, but on the other had he did not like the sound of what exactly plan B entailed or the look that she had shot at Regina either, "What exactly is plan B Emma?" Henry heard James ask.
Emma sighed and looked at her father, "Plan B is of course a last resort thing and I think you know what it is."
James looked at his daughter and shook his head, "No which is why I am asking."
Before Emma could answer she heard Vance's voice, "Ok Emma time is up!"
"Shit." Emma groanedas she turned her head to see Vance going over to the table, taking one last look at Henry she whispered, "Think about it, like I said if you say no I completely understand."
Emma was about to get up when Henry grabbed her hand and pulled her back and whispered in her ear, "Will you only use magic as a last resort and is it deadly? Please do not lie."
Emma pulled away from him to look at him square in the eye as everyone gave her a confused look, "Absolutely to the first and not quite as deadly as you think."
Henry looked at her and nodded knowing that the truth was in her eyes and promise. Emma gave a small smile, "I love you kid."
"Go get him." Henry smiled back as his mother walked away.
"Ok I am so confused." Red stated as she got agreements from all around as Emma and Vance sat down.
"I am sure this will be a good story later." Granny stated shooting a look at the other occupants in the diner.
They watched just as Vance started picking up the white pawn when Emma suddenly said, "Wait a minute," everyone gave her a confused look as she continued, "Where are my manners?" she asked feigning forgetfulness.
"What kind of game are you playing at Emma?" Vance asked narrowing his eyes at her as Lucas and Noel started taking cautious steps toward them.
Emma smiled sweetly, "Well Leon I was merely pointing out my rudeness. After all you are the guest here and I did not bring out the second most important beverage. In fact I am rather surprised you have not noticed." Emma finished the afterthought. She then turned to Granny and Red, who were wearing surprised faces at Emma's tone of properness, "Granny would you be so kind as to bring us tea with lemon?"
Gold was smirking at Emma's performance and was rather impressed with the woman. Regina, Snow, James, Henry, and Red were stunned. Granny nodded slowly and walked into the kitchen as Vance laughed, "Oh yes how could I forget? A good chess game cannot begin without tea! I am so proud of you Emma, Caroline taught you well; she would have been proud of you." Emma saw his smile falter as Vance mentioned his wife; in fact she felt her stomach drop a bit as her named was mentioned…it was then that she registered the past tense.
"How is Caroline?" She asked as Granny came with the teas. She hoped she kept her voice rather natural. Much like Vance was a father figure to her, Caroline was like her mother. She was the only woman that Emma had ever felt comfortable getting close to and the only woman that she was afraid of disappointing in her life at the time.
Emma watched as Vance's posture stiffened as he reached for his glass and before he could speak, she heard Lucas's voice from behind her and turned as he said, "Don't you dare mention Caroline." His voice was low, threatening, and dangerous. Emma was instantly on alert and slowly rose from her chair to face the man that was considered a brother.
"Luke-" Noel tried to place a hand on his friend's shoulder, but his hand was thrown off.
"No! She has no right to defile madre's name!" Lucas yelled, "After years of abandoning us, she has the nerve to act all concerned? I think not!" Turning back to Emma he yelled, "You want to know how she is doing? You really want to know?!"
"Lucas do not-" Vance started to say, but it was too late.
"She is dead!" Lucas yelled.
Lucas's voice rang in Emma's head as she tried to grasp the information, but in her mind she saw flashes: An old Queen Anne Victorian house, a woman with flowing brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes, "My dear, you are special, you must believe that you are destined for greatness," her voice soft and gentle; a laugh that sounded like a soft melody, "Mi figlia."
Snow watched as Emma's face went from shocked, to confused, and then to stunned. She also watched as Emma gripped the back of a chair, "What?"
"Yea, you know the woman thought of you as her daughter? Yea she died and it was your fault." Lucas growled out, "You were her light. You could have saved her, given her some kind of hope, but you didn't. You left. You never cared about anyone but yourself." Emma's breathing hitched in her throat as Noel went from behind to restrain his friend.
Leon slammed his chair backward, "ENOUGH!" Everyone flinched as his voice rang throughout the diner, but then they saw Emma's eyes darken as Vance continued, "I will have decorum in here and as such Lucas you are out-"
"No Leon. He is right. I never did care about anyone but myself." Emma spoke darkly looking at restrained man in front of her.
Vance noticed her behavior and became a bit guarded, "Emma-"
"However Leon you are also right, and since the threat was aimed at me, why don't we allow Lucas to continue so it gets out of his system and we can continue our little game…shall we?" The way Emma's voice sounded was filled with dark amusement; it also meant no room for argument.
Vance was slightly taken back by this, although he saw a gleam in her eyes and knew that whatever Emma was going to do, it was not going to end well, "Very well then, if this is what you want…"
"Oh it is." Emma responded, "The attack was aimed at me, not necessarily at you. However it would be an honor to remind Mr. Becker about respect. Wouldn't you agree sir?"
James did not like where this was going as Emma talked about respect. It was almost like she wanted to do this, that this was not part of the act that she was playing, "She is walking a very fine line." Gold said low enough for the people in the corner to hear.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Snow asked worried as she watched the exchange between her daughter and the men.
Gold was not looking at Snow, but at Emma as she took a sip of her tea, "It means dreary that your daughter is like a pendulum, her soul going from dark to light. At this moment she is fighting with the person she is and the person she used to be."
Henry was watching his mother as she walked casually to the man that was being restrained. They could not hear what Emma was saying as she was leaning in close to the man's ear, "What exactly happens if-" He started to ask.
"I do not want to think about it lad." Gold answered knowing what Henry was going to ask.
Henry watched as the man's face paled and Emma started to walk back to the table, then it all happened so fast. Lucas who was restrained broke free and started to dive toward Emma. Before anyone can call out a warning Emma suddenly dodged as he tripped over the tables and landed on the floor, "Really Luke? Is that the best you got?" Emma asked arms crossed.
Lucas ignored the jibe and got up and once again dove at her fist ready to strike. Emma blocked the punch, then taking his arm with both hands, spun around, and flipped him causing him to land on the table causing it to crack at the force of impact. Everyone's mouths nearly dropped as she managed to grab a steak knifeand placed it on his throat, "Now then, I believe I made my point yes?" She asked in a low and dangerous voice.
Lucas looked at her and wondered what the hell had just happened? Feeling the pressure he gasped out, "Yes."
"What are you going to not do?" Emma asked in a condescending tone.
"Interrupt the game."
"Good," Emma stated getting off of him and walked over to the table and sat back down, laying the knife by her tea.
Everyone was watching carefully as Noel went over to his friend and helped him up. Vance gave a small nod at the left the diner. Henry's eyes followed his mother and when Vance spoke Henry winced at his tone and the gleam in his eye, "I was right."
Emma glanced at him, "About?"
"You cannot change who you are," He explained as they sat back down, "I have seen your heart so to speak…it was mine."
Emma smirked, "It belonged to one person and one person alone…me. You do not nor will you ever own me again."
"I guess we will see about that," Vance stated and picked up a pawn, "Will you still be my Queen or will you forever be a pawn?" With that he moved a piece.
"You forget Leon, I built you up and you brought me down." Emma responded and moved her pawn, "And I do not like being brought down."
Everyone watched as they moved their pieces swiftly and without mercy. Each time someone moved, the spectators watched like a tennis game and then Henry saw something flash in Emma's eyes, "You know Leon I think this game needs something," She took her eyes off the board and looked at him, "Do you like apples?"
The way she asked the question, brought the Evil Queen out of her musings, "Excuse me?" He asked her.
"Apples; I know Caroline used to make the most delicious apple pie." Emma offered, she then thought for a moment seeing her options in front of her. Smirking she did not pick up the piece, but instead chose to voice her move, "Bishop takes knight, check."
Vance looked at her oddly then at the board. Indeed she could have made that move, wondering what kind of twist to the game she was playing now, he decided to indulge her; "She did make the best as I also recall you rather enjoyed them too." He continued to look at her and seeing the move in his head he got up from the table but did not look at her and responded in the same tone that she used, "King to Rook two."
Emma shirked and she too got up and faced the window. She saw Noel trying to nurse Lucas's wound, "You are right I did. But you still did not answer my question. Rook to King's Rook three. Check."
"Fine I enjoy apples. You happy?" Vance responded his tone icy, "What is your sudden fascination with that?"
"Well I merely was suggesting that you try the most delicious apple pie of your life, and I do not mean Granny's apple pie." She looked over to her family and saw the disgruntled look on Granny's face. Emma's eyes met Regina's as she said, "Regina makes the best apple pie around here."
Vance turned swiftly and smiled, "Really now who says? By the way Bishop to Rook three."
"What the hell is she doing?" Neal asked softly to Snow not understanding where this conversation was headed.
"I have not a clue." Snow answered.
Gold chuckled and now everyone in the corner looked at him, "What is so funny?" Regina asked still not understanding the point as she tore her eyes away from the scene in front of her.
"Why dearie is it really not that obvious?" Gold asked as he inclined his head to Emma who was still staring at Vance.
Emma motioned to Henry and Snow, hoping that with this clue Regina would understand, "My son and Mary told me that Regina's apple pie is to die for. Bishop takes Bishop."
"No." Snow whispered shaking her head trying not to believe it.
"This is her plan B." James stated grimly.
"Wait what?" Neal asked still really confused.
Henry shook his head and leaned into Snow's arms. He could see the red room as he explained, "Snow White ate the poisoned apple. I ate a poisoned apple turnover. This is what Emma's plan B was…to somehow poison Vance if she can't win."
"Poisoned?" Neal still questioned not following the whole point, "When the hell were you poisoned?"
"It was not poison like you are thinking Mr. Cassidy," Regina stated annoyed, "Miss. Swan is saying the Sleeping Curse," Everyone looked at her, "The turnover was meant for Miss. Swan. Although I cannot see how this would work-"
"Oh it will dearie," Gold stated, "He has no one to wake him. His love is dead. And look sharp because here is your cue."
Vance was looking at Regina and she for some reason felt threatened by this man, "You really make the best apple pie around?"
Regina looked at Emma and there was a small silent exchange. She sighed and responded, "I have been told it is the best people ever tested."
Vance looked at her then at Emma, "Alright then. I will try her apple pie. You are right…this games needs to be sweetened up a bit." Motioning to Regina he said, "How long will this take?"
"About an hour or so," she said glaring at the man.
"Alright go in the kitchen. Mind you if you leave…" He let the threat dangle.
Regina nodded and started to get up, but Gold grabbed her arm, "You cannot leave. Your magic will only allow you to make the potion and the pie. That is it. Otherwise the doors have been magically barricaded."
"You really did everything she said didn't you?" Regina asked harshly.
Gold smirked, "Some deals are too sweet to turn down."
Giving him a final glare she left to the kitchens as she heard Vance's voice, "This better be worth it Swan; Rook to Bishop four."
Henry watched his step-mother leave the room as Emma responded, "Oh it will be so worth every bite. Rook takes Rook."
"Pawn takes Rook." Came Vance's response.
"I do not understand," Red stated as they started to now move close to each other, "How are they not using the board?"
Neal noticed how Vance and Emma moved about the room and he understood immediately, "She is reading him. It is something that she used to do when we would go out on one of our mini heists. She would read the situation and somehow she would mentally make a map in her head."
"But I still don't-" Red started to say when they heard Emma speak, "Bishop to Bishop seven."
"I see you have learned well Emma. I am most impressed." Vance complimented, "But sadly you have not yet learned enough. Queen takes knight."
Emma glared at the man in front of her, "I think I have. I tend not to make the same mistake twice. Bishop to Bishop eight and I think that is checkmate." She remembered long ago how her actions affected those around her. She was never one to just give up, and when it came to her game with Vance all those times, she lost. So she studied the art, not only was it helpful in her other games, it was helpful to her life.
Vance looked at her and saw a smirk forming on her lips. He also felt a little pride in that, but of course he was not one to give up easily, "Well done Emma. The student I dare say surpassed the teacher." Henry could feel his heart soar at that statement. In fact everyone let out a breath that they were holding…that is until, "Let's say one more game for old time sake; but we have the same stakes?"
Neal could see a slight spark in Emma's eyes and he recognized it immediately, "No…don't do it." He muttered.
"Wait she is actually going to-?" James's question hung in the air as he looked at her daughter.
"Fine." Emma responded returning to her seat, "One more game."
"Excellent." Vance stated as he sat down, "That was a nice warm up."
Emma looked at him and felt the familiar feeling of a challenge coarse through her, "It was."
They started to reset the board as the smell of apple pie flew into the room and Vance inhaled as he moved his pawn once more, "I must say that smell is divine. Caroline would have enjoyed exchanging recipes."
"Somehow I doubt that." Snow stated under her breath. James, Henry, and Red faked cough to hide their scoffs of agreement.
Emma nodded as she moved her piece and sighed, "Where is she resting?"
She saw Vance's eyes flash as he slowly moved his net piece, "Laurel Hill underneath the big oak that overlooks the area, speaking of which…" He got up and went over to the door and opened it and called out to Noel, "Bring me that package!"
"I thought you said it was magically barricaded." Neal whispered to Gold.
"It is my boy. Keyword in the statement is magic." Gold winked.
Neal shivered as Noel handed Vance the package and left the building, but not before glaring at Emma who stared aimlessly back. Vance sighed and handed her the package, "She would have wanted you to have this."
Emma took the parcel. It was not big, but yet it was not tiny either. It felt heavy as she looked at it, "What is it?"
Vance shrugged as he took his turn, "I do not know. Caroline just mentioned that if I ever saw you again I was to give this to you."
Emma nodded as she believed him and set the parcel down and finished her move. They went back and forth until, "Looks like confidence got the better of you my dear." Vance stated smirking.
"What are you talking about?" Emma stated looking closely at the board.
"This," Vance pointed to the spot and indeed Emma agreed…she was in trouble.
"No." She gasped.
Everyone was on the edge as Vance was smiling triumphantly, "You are in trouble. I believe that this is it." Emma saw that she had nowhere to turn. No matter what move she would make she was going into checkmate unless…
"Apple pie is done," Regina said icily as she brought out the two plates with the utensils.
"Wonderful." Emma breathed out; she gave Regina a look as she handed a plate to Vance. Then turning to Emma she leaned in close as she handed her plate and whispered, "Mind you magic comes with a price. I may have made this, but you are delivering it. Whatever happens now; it is on you. Will Henry be safe?"
Emma looked at the woman then stole a look at Henry and said, "Yes Regina that will be all thank you."
Regina looked at the blonde and nodded curtly as she went back over to the group, "It is up to her now."
"I can't believe she is doing this." Granny said as she watched the two interact.
No one responded. Vance got some of the pie on to his fork and took a whiff of the smell, "Just like Caroline's. Now Emma, you really have nowhere to move. Give in now while you can."
Emma looked at the board. Indeed according to the board she was done, finished, in checkmate…but in reality, "You know, I think I got one more move up my sleeve, but what is the hurry? I hear the pie is best served warm."
"I agree," Vance smiled at her, "Cheers." He placed the dessert in his mouth and instantly he knew something was wrong as he swallowed. He saw Emma placing her uneaten pie down as his crashed to the floor, "What…what is-"
"I am sorry Leon." Emma spoke as she knelt beside him.
"Emma," He gasped out as he felt his world growing dark and disoriented. The last thing he saw and heard was Emma getting up and her flicking his King over, "Checkmate."
Everyone did not move a muscle as Emma looked at the man lying unconscious on the ground. Snow and James noticed that she was pale and shaky, but then she looked at Gold; "You have some kind of knock out powder or something?"
Gold nodded and pulled a vile out of his pocket, "I do dearie."
"Wait how-?" Neal started to ask but Emma silenced him, "Not now."
Before anyone could speak Emma ran to the door and yelled, "Noel! Lucas! Come quick!"
The two men burst through the doors, "What-?!" Emma blew some of the dust into their faces and immediately they blacked out and fell to the floor.
"Ok what the hell was that?" Snow demanded to know as Emma was now pacing the room.
"This was my plan now just for one final part." She again looked at Gold, "Can you erase their memories?"
"You are asking a lot of me today." He stated with a smirk.
"You want my end of the bargain right?" Emma shot back.
Henry saw a gleam in his mother's eyes and he grabbed hold of Snow's hand as Gold responded, "Of course. How much do you want gone?"
Emma grabbed her bag and started to walk to the back, "Everything to do with me."
He knelt down and placed a hand over each man's face, including Vance's and in a few minutes Emma was back in fully changed in her jeans, white tank top, boots, and black leather jacket, "Ok Neal and James I need you to put them in the car," She ordered.
"Why?" James asked not moving.
"So I can take them back to Philadelphia." Emma said as she reached into Lucas's pocket for the keys to the town car. When she was done she pulled her phone out.
"No. I am not-" Neal started to protest.
"You do not have a say in this. I did this for you so do not forget what you promised me." Emma said firmly looking him dead in the eye, "Or did you forget what that promise was?"
Neal visibly gulped and backed away from her, "No."
"Good." She turned away from the group and was on the phone. James and Neal placed the unconscious men in the Lincoln Town car. Once they were in she again looked to Gold, "Got a potion for a portal?"
Gold smirked, "I told you dearie this is quite a lot of favors," none the less he pulled out two small token like objects, "These mind you are like a proto-type. They are connected to this world, but it depends on the person that uses them so…think wisely as to where you want to go."
Emma nodded made a move to open the driver's side, "Emma you cannot do this." Snow said softly grabbing her daughter's arm.
"I have to. They cannot stay here," Emma motioned to the men, "I have a plan so I will be back."
"Emma." Snow sighed and made a motion to Henry who was standing over by Neal looking at her mournfully.
Emma sighed and went over to him, "Henry I-"
He threw his arms around her, "I know. I said you could do it. Just promise me something."
"Anything." She said softly.
"Come back." He said pulling away and looking her in the eye.
Emma gulped and nodded, "I promise."
She made her way back to the road and looked at the Queen, "Thank you again."
Regina nodded stiffly and Emma sighed she took the one token and placed the other in her pocket and saw the destination in her head and tossed it on the ground. The sky started to darken as a portal erupted and a swirling vortex appeared in the middle of the road. Emma got in to the driver's seat and turned the car on. Seeing the look's on her family's faces she smiles softly and throws the car in drive and right as the car hits the portal it is gone.
No one speaks for a moment as they stared where the vortex once was. It was not until James started to pull on Snow's arm did they start to walk back into the diner to clean up the mess. All that was going through Henry's mind was he hoped his mother would return home soon.