A/N: Oh Dearies and Oncers alike, I have been experiencing serious withdrawals from the show. This is going to be one LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG summer. I know I can't be the only one... maybe? But you guys make the wait easier. I'm loving the reviews! They are greatly appreciated. Anyways, as promised, we have our first Emma appearance in this story :) Hope you like it!

Chapter 12

Henry rode his bike down the sidewalk from his house into town. Thank goodness it was Saturday and he didn't have school to hinder him from a whole day of Operation: Cobra work. His mother on the other hand had been harder to get around, but it seemed that today fate smiled on him because Regina had a meeting with some members of the city council or at least that's what she told him she was doing. Henry didn't really care as long as she bought his 'go play with my friends' excuse. She must have been really concerned about this meeting otherwise she would have easily seen through that lie.

Henry peddled faster as he turned passed Granny's and down the street towards the Weaver's store. He flew down the small hill in front of the clothing store and zigzagged his way through the few people on the sidewalk. Henry skidded to a stop in front of the Sherriff's office. He ran up the few stairs in front of the building only to be greeted by an empty station.

"Emma?" He poked his head in her office to find a not on her desk.

"Gone to Gold's Pawnshop. Don't bother me unless it's a real emergency. Be back whenever.

Emma"

Henry looked over at the phone on her desk. There was a bleeping red button that alerted him of a voicemail. He pressed he button and after a loud BLEEP Mr. Gold's voice came over the speaker.

"Ah yes, Sheriff Swan, this is Mr. Gold. I have been thinking and it seems I may have been a bit hasty in turning down your request for representation in your case against Regina. If you have time, I'd like to discuss this in person. Just drop by my shop sometime today and I'll see what I can do. I'm sure we can come to some sort of agreement."

Henry threw the note back onto the desk and bolted back outside to his trusty steed…. Well bike.


Emma took a deep breath before getting out of her car. She looked at the old pawnshop weighing the scales of good and bad in her mind. Was this really the best option she had? True, Mr. Gold got the results, but was she willing to use his questionable methods when Henry was thrown into the mix? After her lunch with Archie, she was having second thoughts about this whole custody battle thing. He had a point, ever since she showed up in Henry's life (the other way around was more like it) he's skipped school, risked his own safety, continually believing in a delusion. Was she really the best thing for him? Maybe Regina had been right all along. Maybe Henry was better off without her.

The bell to Gold's shop jingled and jangled as Sherriff Swan entered the establishment. The front of the shop was deserted as she stepped further inside. She did note that it was far cleaner than the last time she was here. Things were dusted, floors were swept, and it looked like everything was organized instead of just thrown here and there.

"Gold? You here?" she asked expecting to hear a snide comment coming from the back. Instead, she was greeted by young woman she had never seen before. Her brunette locks fell into delicate dark curls that contrasted her bright blue eyes. Emma raised her brow. "Uh, you're not Gold."

"No, I'm Belle," she smiled. Emma noticed she was carrying some old book in her hand. The girl walked passed her and towards the bookshelf. "And you are?"

"Emma, Emma Swan," she said in a dazed confused tone. "I'm the sheriff."

"It's nice to meet you, Emma Swan the Sheriff." Belle giggled as she turned back from putting the books away.

"You, too. So, uh, where is Gold?" Emma asked the girl who looked only a couple of years younger than herself.

"Mr. Gold is in the back. He was finishing up on some things, but he'll be right out." Belle told her with another smile.

"I've never seen you around here before. Are you new to town?" Emma asked, thinking it was the 'sheriffy' thing to ask.

"No, I've lived here for as long as I remember. I just don't get out much." Belle told her. Emma made up her mind to ask around about this girl.

"Do you work for Mr. Gold?" Emma began to feel like she was interrogating Belle.

"Only recently," she answered. "I'm caretaker for his shop and house." Emma repressed a cringe. This poor girl must be desperate to agree to work for Mr. Gold.

"Look, Belle, if you really need a job, I can see if Granny has an opening at the diner." Emma offered. Even the nightshift at Granny's was better than being Gold's maid.

"Thank you, but I'm quite happy working for Mr. Gold." Belle smiled. Emma's jaw dropped in a dumbfounded manner. This girl didn't seem at all aware of how vile and conniving Mr. Gold was, but before she could say anything the man himself appeared.

"Ah, Sheriff Swan, I see you got my message." Gold smirked. He glanced over to where Belle was standing. "Belle, would you mind if the sheriff and I spoke in private." He asked softly. Emma was really confused and slightly creeped out by the way he looked at the young woman.

"Sure," she said with a smile as she headed to the back room. Before she disappeared from view, Emma caught Belle glancing back to where Gold stood. Now, Emma was really creeped out. This girl was young enough to be his daughter for crying out loud! Oh, she was going to dig into this. If he was somehow holding her against her will, she was going to take him down! Then the possibility that Belle wasn't being held against her will and actually enjoyed Mr. Gold's company flowed through Emma's mind. She fought through the desire to cringe again She turned her attention back to Mr. Gold, who was staring at her.

"Is there something the matter Ms. Swan?"

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

A/N: I don't know about you, but I feel Emma's answer will be quite blunt and to the point. Of course, she doesn't understand though, so we can't really blame her for getting creeped out... Ok maybe just a little bit. I know I'm not the only one on the Robert Carlyle band wagon here. Even if I was the only one, I would be perfectly fine with that ;) Hope you liked the chapter and I'd love to hear your thoughts about the story, the show, and what you think will happen!