THANKS FOR READING!

DON'T OWN IT.

The next morning, they're sitting in Graham's room, packing Emma's stuff up. Rain pelts the roof, and lightning flashes, illuminating the room. The power's been knocked out for the past hour, and thunder rumbles at an increasing rate.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay here alone?" She asks, folding a sweater.

"Yeah." He sighs. "I just wish you didn't have to leave."

"I'm not going for good." The blonde takes a break to sit next to him on the bed. "I'll still see you every day."

"I miss you already." He pulls her into a hug.

"I don't do sappy." She whines, but smiles. "Well, unless it's you."

"You got that right, Babe." He whispers.

"Come on, we can't do that now." Emma pulls away. "It's 5:30 in the morning, we have to finish packing, get Missy set up at Mary Margaret's, and get the town ready for the storm that's already beginning to make landfall."

"You mean this is only the beginning?" He gazes out the window. His face lights up when lightning flashes by the window.

"When I lived in Tallahassee, we got really bad hurricanes. This is nothing compared to what's going to hit." She answers and resumes packing.

"I'll make breakfast."

"The oven won't work."

"I'll prepare cereal, then." Graham smiles. "I got some Lucky Charms the other day... I figured you like those."

"Yes!" She yells excitedly, and perhaps a little too loudly, as well. The kittens stir. "Crap."

"It's okay. They don't need to eat until 8:30."

"They're on a schedule?"

"Mhm."

"Oh." She looks sheepish. "I didn't notice."

"It's okay." He laughs. "Caring for animals is hard."

"Caring for plants is hard. When I lived in Arizona, I had a small cactus and I managed to kill it."

"That's um… that takes talent." He says, then turns serious. "If you want me to watch Missy for you…"

"No, no." She waves her hand around. "Mary Margaret will make sure she doesn't die."

"Okay." Graham laughs.

"Well." Emma says as she drops a box onto the bed. "This is the last one. Help me load it into my car and I'll come back up for Missy."

"Remember to take the food bag, not the turkey stuffer because she can eat regular cat food now." He reiterates, picking up a box. Just from being outside thirty seconds, they're almost soaked.

"Jesus!" Emma shakes herself off in the hall. "Can the cat get wet?"

"I wouldn't get her as wet as us, but a few seconds in the rain won't kill her." He replied. The blonde pulled him into an unexpected kiss which he deepened. They broke off when the need for air became an issue. "What was that for?"

"Being the sweetest, nicest, most caring man I've ever met." She smiled.

"Thanks, but what did I say?" He looks so confused and innocent that Emma has to go in for another kiss.

"I love you so much." She murmurs.

"Love you, too." He pulls her closer. "But we should get Missy."

"Yeah." She sighs. "Do you think she'll be okay without Mittens?"

"If she's not, that's a reason to move back in." He grins mischievously.

"Come on." She hits him playfully. "We gotta go get her."

"Okay." Graham whines, following her up the stairs.

"Time to go home." Emma picks Missy up. She meows. "Don't worry, you'll still see Mittens when I visit Graham."

"That means very often." He interjects.

"Yup." The blonde carefully descends the stairs, trying not to jostle the kitten too much. They make a mad dash for her car, and somehow manage to jump in without squashing her. "Not too bad." She brushes some water off of the brown fur. "I'll have Mary Margaret blow dry you."

"You do realize that Mary Margaret isn't a grandmother who's retired and baby-sitting the kids… or cat."

"Okay… so I'll blow dry her while you bring up the boxes."

"Fair enough." He turns onto her street. "Will Mary Margaret still be there?"

"She should be." Emma says. She heads up first to unlock the door with Missy. Graham is almost a minute behind with her boxes.

"I set up a bed for her." Mary Margaret smiles, pointing to the corner of the living room. A dog bed lies there, green and yellow striped, with a canopy, litter box to the side, food/water bowls, and a gate to keep her in.

"That looks like it was a lot of work." The blonde walks over and puts Missy down on the bed.

"It was so much fine!" The brunette beams.

"Where do you want the stuff?" Graham asks, his head obscured by the boxes.

"On my bed." Emma says.

"Up the stairs? Seriously?" Still, he does as told.

"I'm so excited to have you back." Mary Margaret resists the urge to hug her roommate.

"I missed you, too." The blonde smiles. Graham comes back down.

"I'm going to give you both the directions on how to care for Missy in case Emma forgets or… anything. Always leave food in her bowl, as well as water. If she feels extremely cold or warm, bring her to the shelter. She'll need a checkup every 2 months until she's one. I think that's it."

"I don't think I can forget those things." Emma rolls her eyes and saunters toward the door. "We gotta go cause of an impending storm. I'll be back tonight, but it might be a little later than usual."

"Bye, guys!" Mary Margaret chirps before finishing her oatmeal.


The cruiser's parked outside of Granny's and the rain still hasn't let up an hour later. Graham's inside getting them coffee and Emma's digging through the trunk. How they came up with that arrangement, she doesn't know. He probably mentioned something about donuts. When she hears loud clicking on pavement, she groans. Sure enough, Regina's behind her in a matter of seconds.

"Look, Regina, if you want to blame the storm on me I think that's going a little far." She says, not bothering to hide her annoyance.

"Ms. Swan, I'm not here to argue. I need you to do something for me." Regina replies coolly, ignoring the Deputy's comment for the moment.

"I'm kinda busy with the storm…" She gestured to the various items in the trunk.

"It's about Henry."

"What is it?" The blonde was suddenly very alert. Regina resists the urge to roll her eyes; of course the only things the deputy decides to care about is her ex-boyfriend and son.

"Someone new came to town. He was talking to Henry."

"I'll see what I can do." Emma responds with a nod, her face softening just a little. Graham comes out, balancing two coffees and a box of donuts. She rushes over to help him. Regina stomps off.

"What was that about?" He asks, his eyes trailing after the mayor with a confused look.

"I need to check on something." She answers simply. "Can you get the rest of the storm stuff set up after giving me a ride to get my car?"

"Yeah, sure." He closes the trunk and they get in. "Have any interest in going in it more detailed?" She sighs.

"You know that guy who was heading to Granny's? Well, apparently he was talking to Henry and… I'm just going to see why he's here."

"Want me to come?"

"Your time is better spent getting ready for the storm." Emma answers, her tone indicating for him to drop the subject. He knows better than to push her. A minute later he drops her off at his house to pick up her car, and they start on their way back to the center of town. At the intersection, he's forced to turn the other way to set up sandbags around the river. The blonde walks into the diner and looks for the mysterious man. She spots him immediately. How could she miss him?

"Hello." He smiles. "Is there a problem?"

"You're suspicious." She says firmly, reading his face.

"Sitting in the open in broad daylight, drinking coffee? I wonder what kind of Hell I'd have raised if I'd ordered a donut." He quips.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm writing a book and… this town gives me inspiration." He answers cryptically.

"What's your name?"

"August W. Boothe. The W's for Wayne." He grins toothily.

"What's in the box?" Emma nods toward it.

"How about you let me buy you a drink and then I'll tell you." August says.

"I have a boyfriend." She replies with a glare. Two can play at this game.

"I assume he's the Sheriff?"

"Yup." She pops her 'p'.

"Fair enough." August puts his hands up in surrender and opens the box. "See?"

"It's a typewriter." Well now she feels extremely stupid.

"Am I still suspicious?" It's that cocky, sly smile that makes her snap. She slams her hands down on the table and gets in his face. The rest of the diner turns to watch the exchange. She doesn't notice, but August does.

"You stay away from my son, got it? Cause if you don't, I will take your precious little typewriter and I promise you will never see it again." She gets up.

"I didn't catch your name, Deputy…" He eyes her with interest.

"That's cause I didn't give it." She yanks the door open and closed, jingling the bell obnoxiously loud. She gets in her car and drives around until she finds Graham. He's just finishing setting up the sandbags. He waves at her. Thankfully the rain has stopped for the time being. Emma gets out and jogs to him before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him fiercely.

"Hey, Babe." He smiles, his breath tickling his neck. "Everything okay?"

"He's not going to hurt Henry. He's just a writer passing through." She says breathlessly and leans up for another kiss. Graham obliges but then holds her at arm's length.

"Em, not now. This storm is big and we really have to be ready for it."

"Fine." The blonde pouts and crosses her arms. "What's next?"

"Hmm… Well, the power's probably going to get knocked out so we should put that on the website." He answers.

"So there's nothing left to do outside." She smiles with relief.

"Yeah, I guess." He starts walking to the cruiser.

"Wait! You said we had a lot of stuff to do."

"No, I said we had to be ready… which means answering everybody's calls."

"I'll patrol while you do the website thingy." Emma grabs the keys out of his hands.

"Thingy?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Shut up." She smiles. "See you later." Graham drives back to the station and she sets out on a circle around Storybrooke. When she's across town from the school, Mary Margaret texts her that school will be let out early. The principle had sent out an email to the parents, but Henry had mentioned that Regina was in meetings yet again. Going a little above the speed limit, Emma rushes to pick up her son. He climbs into the car with a smile.

"Hi!"

"Hey, Kid."

"We've never had a storm this big." He says excitedly.

"Henry, you do realize that this will be dangerous, right?" She pulls around a truck taking way too long to turn. The rain has started to fall again, and lightning flashes along with it in the distance. She doesn't want them caught out in the storm.

"I know. It's just… exciting. Wait, where are we going?" He gazes down his street, which Emma just sped by.

"I'm not leaving you home alone, especially when there's no telling when Regina will get back."

"Will Graham be there?" He grins.

"If he isn't when we get in, he will be soon." The blonde replies. Sure enough, as they round the corner to the station, Emma's Bug is parked.

"Wait, why did you guys switch cars?" Henry barely waits for the cruiser to roll to a stop before bolting out and into the warm building. She follows quickly behind.

"I was patrolling and if anyone needed to be arrested, I needed his." She answers. Graham smiles at them.

"Hello, Henry. What are you doing here?"

"Emma doesn't want me to be alone, and Regina isn't home." He notices a box in the corner. "Mittens!" He runs over.

"Seriously? You brought the cat?" She asks incredulously.

"I'll probably camp out here tonight in case any emergencies occur." Graham explains, wrapping his arms around her, stealing a kiss.

"Ew, Guys." Henry sticks his tongue out, cradling Mittens.

"Sorry." Emma laughs. "I can stay with you, if you want."

"That's not necessary. I'm sure Mary Margaret is going crazy without you."

"Really? Cause I think she's happy without the messes and burnt food."

"Well…" He smirks. "You don't really contribute to housecleaning or anything, but you certainly add entertainment."

"Graham!" She whispers harshly, jerking her head toward her son, who stands there innocently oblivious.

"In the way of drama and jokes. You're fun to be around." The sheriff saves. "But seriously, Emma, you don't need to stay. Mary Margaret needs you more than me." His explanation is cut off by squealing tires and a car door slamming. Moments later Regina storms in, her face murderous.

"You took my son!"

"No, school was let out early because of the storm and I wasn't going to let him be home alone with the storm." Emma replies with an eye roll.

"That was not your decision. You overstepped your boundaries, Miss Swan." Regina snaps. "Come on, Henry."

"Actually, Madam Mayor, it's Deputy Swan, and I didn't. As a police officer, I was only looking out for him. I would have taken any other kid back here." The women glare at each other for what seems like an eternal staring match before the brunette breaks it off; she has no rebuttal and she knows it. She ushers Henry out.

"Bye, Emma! Bye, Graham!" The boy calls. The blonde stands there, fuming, for a few moments before turning to face Graham.

"Got any alcohol locked away somewhere?"

"Actually, I do." He walks over to a cabinet and pulls out a key. "I've confiscated quite a stash from Leroy." He gestures to a wide array of bottles. "Take your pick."

"Tequila."

"Tequila it is for the princess." He brings two shot glasses over. He pours the amber liquid into it and they knock them back. "You should call Mary Margaret to tell her you won't be home."

"Graham, I already told you-" She starts, but he cuts her off.

"I know what you said. You shouldn't be driving around in the storm. The alcohol consumption probably won't be slowing down, either." He reasons. Emma keeps her mouth shut and pours another shot. She downs it.

"She can pick me up and I'll check on her then come back."

"Nope." He grins, wheeling her chair closer to him. "If you're going to go home, then go home for the night. If you're staying, then stay."

"I thought you wanted me to..?" The blonde can't figure out what he's trying to do.

"Emma." Graham laughs. "I would rather you be home to keep Mary Margaret safe, but at the same time you're safer with me and I care more about you being safe. If she's out driving you around in the storm, that's not safe."

"That makes sense." She finally gets it. "Besides, it'll be fun. Just you and me riding out a storm."

"Mhm." He strokes her hair lovingly. "Did you already forget to call her?"

"I've only had two shots." She rolls her eyes and pulls out her phone.

"Yeah, and how many till you're tipsy?" Graham raises an eyebrow.

"Five." She shrugs, her thumb punching in the last number. Her roommate picks up on the third ring. "I'm fine. No, I know I what I said and sorry I got you worried. I'm not coming home tonight. I… I have to take care of some things at the station and… If you need anything give me a call." She hangs up. Judging by the irritated look on her face, he can deduce that Mary Margaret is in mama-bear mode, even though the brunette is most definitely not Emma's mother. "That woman needs to chill."

"She's just concerned."

"I don't do concerned very well. Speaking of which, stop it." The blonde reaches for the bottle again. Reluctantly, Graham lets her take it.

"Stop what?" He asks.

"You're turning into an overprotective… not a jerk." She says, and he laughs.

"Is this like the time you told Mr. Gold he was working diagonally to Regina?"

"So you guys talk about me?" Her voice is low and exasperated, but he isn't worried. If she was actually mad, she'd be pacing.

"We can't help it, Em. You're such a novelty. You're the most exciting thing since Henry was adopted."

"I'm so glad I entertain you." She smiles seductively. Suddenly the lights go out, and everything is eerily quiet, except for the pounding of rain on the roof. "Awesome." She mutters, glancing around. "Now our phones will be ringing nonstop."

"Actually," he stands up and refills his glass, "the landlines won't work. Only our cells." He walks over to a cabinet and pulls out two blankets and a pillow. He spreads one out over a rug.

"What are you doing?" She asks, pushing herself up as well.

"It's going to get cold. I thought it might be nice to have a bit of a bed and each other to keep warm." He lies down and pats the space next to him. Somehow managing to balance the two shot glasses and the bottle of tequila, Emma crawls in. "You really do love your alcohol, don't you?" He smiles fondly.

"After the shit day I've had? Yes. And tonight's going to be a long night." She says, staring up at the ceiling.

"I'm sorry." He says honestly.

"It's not your fault my son had to get adopted by a sociopath and the new guy has taken a shine to him."

"Not just for that." She looks over at him finally. "I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable. I know you're not used to caring and overprotective isn't really your thing. I just… I love you so much and I'm terrified of losing you; it's not like you take many precautions, so somebody has to make sure you don't do anything too stupid."

"I…" She opens and closes her mouth, at a loss for words. "You don't make me uncomfortable, ever. You're right, I hate overprotective, but I think I can tolerate it if it's you. Not all the time, but you aren't possessive and you genuinely care. It'll take some getting used to, but…" She shrugs. "Just understand that I can take care of myself and have for so long that I don't know how to let people help."

"I know." Graham pulls her close and places a kiss on her head. Thunder claps, shaking the room. They fall asleep in each other's arms to the sound of rain pattering against the roof and lightning flashing, casting shadows along the walls for the briefest of moments.