Once Upon A Time: The Devil Revealed, Part Twelve

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

Emma walked into the apartment, slamming the door behind her. All she wanted to do was go to her room and pretend what had happened at the flower shop hadn't. She had embarrassed herself with her behavior but she knew she wouldn't have acted that way if Belle hadn't run away. She just couldn't make sense of it all though.

The Belle at the flower shop looked, talked and even smelled like the woman she had been with at Rumplestiltskin's house but she insisted on knowing nothing about it. She had been too terrified to lie successfully, looking like she was in mortal fear of Emma. She couldn't get the look that had been in Belle's eyes out of her head, making her feel like a total bitch. It also made her feel like she really was losing her grip on reality.

She walked to the stairs, stopping when she heard David call her name. She looked over to the kitchen, seeing her father standing on the other side of the counter, his face more serious than she had ever seen it. She frowned, " Is there something wrong? "

" I need to talk to you, " David said. " Alone. "

Emma furrowed her brow, realizing the apartment felt rather empty. She looked to the hooks on the wall and saw Mary-Margret and Henry's coats were gone. She panicked, thinking the worst things possible. " Where's Mary-Margret and Henry? "

" I sent them down to Granny's. They're going to stay there until we're finished talking, " David replied.

Emma walked towards him, wondering what he wanted to talk about that was so serious. She had so many things she was hiding from him and couldn't help but think it was about something she was keeping secret. She wasn't sure how he would have found out about any of those things though. " Uh, okay. What's up? "

David sighed, " I got off work early and went to go see The Blue Fairy. I needed some answers about what you told me. "

" Did you get them? " Emma asked, trying to keep her voice even though it wanted to tremble.

David nodded then shook his head before closing his eyes, " I think but a lot of it just made me have more questions. "

" What did she say? " Emma asked. She tried to remain calm, not wanting to show any apprehension. The Blue Fairy knew that she had a bit of Rumplestiltskin's power inside of her and was suspicious she had slept with him, two things she was trying to keep secret from her father.

David sighed, " She told me the entire story about what Geppetto did. She said she told him not to send Pinocchio but he did anyway. Your mother WAS supposed to go with you but you came early. After I thought about it, I decided maybe it was better that way. Your mother couldn't be moved after she had you because it was a hard labor. "

Emma nodded once, " I see. So does this mean you forgive Geppetto and August? "

" Forgive is pretty strong word. I UNDERSTAND why they did what they did, " David said then frowned. " But I think forgiveness might be a little ways off for me. "

Emma nodded, " It is for me too. That's why August keeps trying to get me to listen to him but I keep pushing him away. I'm not sure if I should forgive him just yet. "

David looked at her, " I'm thinking about forgiving Pinocchio though. After all, he was just a child and trying to please his father. "

" But not Geppetto? " Emma arched an eyebrow.

David thought for a moment then shook his head, " No. HE should have known better. "

" But he was scared he would lose his boy, " Emma reminded David. " He didn't want to lose his only child. "

David furrowed his brow, " Wait. It sounds like you're defending him. "

Emma quirked her mouth, " I guess I understand why he did what he did too but I don't approve. "

David nodded, " I guess you're right. However, The Blue Fairy said we need to understand and forgive him. He's been coming to her and talking about it with her since the secret came out. She said he's trying to figure out a way to apologize to us. "

" What did you say? " Emma arched an eyebrow.

" I told her to tell him that I'm willing to listen whenever he's ready to come talk to us about it, " David said. " She said that we need to forgive him because we can't carry that kind of anger around without it becoming toxic. "

" I know, " Emma said. " I know, but how can I NOT be angry. He prevented me from having someone to take care of me and I ended up having a rough life. "

" I brought that up too. She said that you need to let your past go, " David said. " What matters now is that you focus on your future. "

Emma blinked. Her future was still up in the air. She had no one to teach her how to use her magic and she was carrying the child of the most hated man in The Enchanted Forest AND Storybrooke. She didn't know how people would view her if that ever came out. She really never cared what people had thought before but now it mattered.

She was supposed to save everyone but didn't know if that would be possible now. She recalled the shocked crowd from the flower shop and how they murmured. Those people knew she had spent time with Rumplestiltskin so who was to say the whole town didn't know. Regina had done quite a good job spreading rumors about them while they were working together so it was possible.

" Emma? " David furrowed his brow. " Did you hear me? "

Emma shook her head to clear the thoughts from it. " Yeah. You said I needed to focus on my future. "

David frowned, " No. After that. "

" You said something after that? " Emma hadn't heard anything. She was too lost in her thoughts.

David nodded, " Yes. I said The Blue Fairy asked me about you. "

Emma's stomach dropped. She could imagine what she wanted to know. " Oh? " Emma asked. " What did she ask about? "

" She asked if you had found someone to teach you to use your magic, " David said.

Emma's stomach twisted again. The Blue Fairy knew quite well that no one could show her how to use her powers besides Rumplestiltskin. She sighed, " No. I haven't. "

" Why can't she do it? " David asked. " She should be able to. "

Emma felt cornered, unsure of what to say. She couldn't tell him the truth for it would anger him. She wasn't sure if anyone had told him or Mary-Margret about the True Love potion or how she had been born because of the drop that had been put on the paper the curse had been written on. Emma decided to tell him a little truth to satisfy him, " I tried... a month ago. "

" To go to her for help? " David asked.

" Yeah, " Emma nodded once.

" And? " David asked.

Emma frowned, " She can't help me. "

" Why not? David was puzzled. " She should be able... "

" SHE CAN'T! " Emma said sharply. She was shocked that she had said it so loudly, ashamed of herself for yelling at her father in such a way. She shut her eyes, " She can't. We tried and... it didn't work. "

David was silent for a long moment then frowned, " But why? "

" Daddy, I just... " Emma started.

" I'm not asking you, " David cut her off. " I'm asking myself. Emma, we need to know why so we can fix it. We have to fix it before Regina comes back and tries to hurt us all. "

Emma didn't know how to respond and, thankfully, she didn't have to. The conversation was cut short by the sound of the front door opening. Emma turned, finding Mary-Margret and Henry standing there. " You're back. "

" Snow, I said to wait until I called you, " David said.

" I know, " Mary-Margret said. She looked at Emma, her expression unreadable. " Can I see you in the bedroom for a minute? "

" David and I were talking... " Emma started, her voice trailing off when Mary-Margret gave her a look that bode no argument.

" Now, " Mary-Margret said flatly.

" What's going on, Snow? " David sounded confused.

" I want to talk to Emma about it first, " Mary-Margret replied. She looked at Emma again, " Let's go. "

Emma waited for Mary-Margret to close the door to the apartment before following her to the bedroom. Once inside, she shut and locked the door. " What's wrong? " Emma asked.

Mary-Margret frowned, " Where did you go this afternoon? "

" You know where I went, " Emma said. " I had to go see Moe French about that break-in at his daughter's house. I told you when I got the call. "

" And what happened when you got to his flower shop? " Mary-Margret arched an eyebrow. Just the look she gave Emma let her know she already knew something.

" Uh, " Emma said. " Nothing? "

Mary-Margret crossed her arms over her chest and frowned, " Wrong answer. Emma, I want you to stop lying to me. What happened when you got there? "

" Mary-Margret, I... " Emma started.

" I'll tell you what I heard happened, " Mary-Margret cut her off. " I heard you attacked Moe French's daughter right there in the street. "

Emma held her breath for she couldn't say anything in her defense. It was what had happened and there had been lots of witnesses as well. She let it out, " Fine then. I'll tell you but it's a really long story. "

" Then tell it to me, " Mary-Margret said. " I can't get my head around that fact you attacked someone like that. "

Emma walked to the bed and sat down, " It'll take a while to explain. "

Mary-Margret sat down next to her, " I'll listen to you all night if that's what it takes. "

" So let me get this right, " Belle said carefully. " You are my father and this is my home? "

Maurice nodded. He had been trying to get Belle to remember her life but it wasn't really working. The finest doctors in King Edmund's kingdom had come to see her and they all said the same thing. She had received a blow to the head that rendered her unable to remember anything from before he had brought her home. She retained the things she was told about but her memories were all gone.

She had re-learned the basic skills of caring for herself and a tutor was helping her re-learn how read. Her intelligence and creativity was still there but it looked like she would have to be re-educated from scratch. She yearned to learn like she always had and was coming along quite well in her schooling. Maurice knew she would be back to where she had been before too long but it was still agonizing to watch her struggle with recalling her identity.

Belle looked around the room, " Am I princess? "

Maurice sighed, " You were but... but the kingdom was in trouble and I had to do what I had to do. "

" Trouble? " Belle furrowed her brow. " What kind of trouble? "

Maurice hesitated to answer as he remembered what the doctors had said. He was not supposed to mention anything traumatic to jog her memory. If he did, he ran the risk of her going catatonic or even dying. He had come so close to losing her before and was not going to come that close again.

" We... we were attacked by ogres, " He said carefully, cursing himself almost as soon as the words left his mouth. It was too close to the truth, something he was trying to avoid for Belle's safety.

Belle covered her mouth with her hands, " Oh my! I've seen them in some of my books. They are dreadful creatures! "

" Indeed they are, " Maurice nodded, relieved he hadn't made a mistake. " They were on the verge of attacking us and... I did what I thought I had to do. "

" And what was that? " Belle asked, her eyes quizzical.

Maurice paused for a long time, unsure of how much of the story to tell her. Too little and she would continue to ask questions but too much would put her in danger. " Belle... uh... I... "

" Papa? " Belle's voice drew his attention.

" Yes Belle? " He looked at her, still unsure of what to tell her.

" Please tell me what you did. Please? " Belle pleaded.

Maurice sighed. After the shape she was in when he got her back, he was too scared to mention Rumplestiltskin and his deal. It was the kind of thing that would harm Belle more than help. He motioned to the window, " I signed the kingdom away to a stronger ally. "

Belle nodded once then her brow furrowed in confusion, " If that is so, how did I get hurt? "

Maurice frowned, " You know... you were hurt? "

Belle touched the side of her head where the wound had been, " Of course, papa. My head was bandaged when I woke up. Something must have happened to do that. "

Maurice was speechless. He couldn't gloss over something like that but he also didn't know for certain everything Rumplestiltskin had done to her. He sighed, " You got out of the castle and were attacked by an ogre, dear. A guard killed it but not before it hit you in the head. "

Belle looked like she was thinking it over then sighed, " I don't remember anything about it. "

" It was horrible, " Maurice sighed inwardly in relief. She had accepted the story. " It's better that you don't remember. "

" I suppose you are right, " Belle nodded.

Maurice stood up, " I must go. I have things I need to do and you need to rest. "

" Alright, papa, " Belle said.

Maurice walked to the door but stopped when Belle called out to him. He turned to face her, " Yes, my darling? "

" I was wondering, " Belle began before a slight blush came to her cheeks. " It's a ridiculous question. "

Maurice took a step back towards the bed, " What is it? "

Belle played with her fingers for a moment before she asked, " Did I have a lover? "

Maurice stood there, deciding what he would tell her. He walked back to the bed slowly as the story came together in his mind. He had to tell her something believable. He took a breath, deciding to keep it simple, " Indeed you did but he... he went to fight in the war and has not returned. "

Belle looked sad, " Oh... do you think he's dead? "

Maurice sighed. He was fairly certain that Gaston had met a grisly end at Rumplestiltskin's hand. He had never returned so Maurice couldn't think of any other reason. He couldn't tell that to Belle though, not in her condition. He sighed, " I don't know. "

" So you thought Moe's daughter was this woman that was at Mr. Gold's house a month ago, " Mary-Margret talked out the basics of the story Emma had told her. They had talked quite a while, Emma explaining jut enough to satisfy Mary-Margret's curiosity. It wasn't necessarily lying but she wasn't telling her everything.

Emma nodded, " Yes. "

" And you think she took Mr. Gold to Regina in order to get her heart back, " Mary-Margret continued. She seemed to understand what Emma had told her.

Emma nodded, " I had a vision of her taking him away. "

Mary-Margret then furrowed her brow, " And you think Regina would have actually let her go after she had Mr. Gold? "

" I... " Emma started then stopped. She really wasn't for sure.

" Emma, " Mary-Margret looked her in the eye. " Regina wouldn't do such a thing. She just would have killed her once she got what she wanted. Regina has no sense of honor at all. "

" But when I saw Belle in the diner, I thought maybe she had. I thought that... " Emma tried to explain but her mother had a point. She had been so hellbent on getting revenge, she hadn't even stopped to think about any of it. She was starting to feel very foolish, the urge to crawl off in a corner and never move again almost overwhelming her.

There was a knock at the bedroom door, stopping the conversation. Mary-Margret looked towards it, " What is it? "

" Uh, Emma, " It was David and he sounded strange.

" Yes? " Emma asked.

David was silent for a long moment then sighed, " There's a couple of people here to see you. "

Emma looked at Mary-Margret, furrowing her brow. " Who would be coming to see you? " Mary-Margret looked just as perplexed as Emma felt.

" I don't know, " Emma said. She looked at the door, " Who is it? "

" It's the coroner and his assistant, " David replied.

Emma took a sharp breath, " Oh my God. "

" Why would he be coming here? " Mary-Margret asked. She then covered her mouth, " What if someone died? "

" I hope not, " Emma replied as she stood up. She walked to the door, turning to look at Mary-Margret. " If someone did, I might have to go out again. "

" I know, " Mary-Margret replied. " Oh my God... what if it was Belle? "

Emma frowned, " I didn't beat her up. I just held her. "

" You said you shook her too, " Mary-Margret whispered sharply.

" Not that hard, " Emma said.

" Emma? He says it's really important, " David stressed the word 'important'.

Emma sighed and opened the door before walked out to the living room. She stopped when she saw Doctor Hargreaves standing just inside the front door. He was around six foot three and very thin, his features sort of gaunt. His light eyes were made even lighter looking by his dark skin and his limbs were gangly.

He wore a navy blue suit, a white shirt and black tie. She hadn't had to deal with him often since there weren't that many deaths in Storybrooke. The last time Emma had seen him was when Graham had died and he had given her the autopsy results. Otherwise, her contact with him was limited.

Standing with him was a burly man that Emma knew as his assistant. Much like Frederick with Rumplestiltskin, Mark Hansen was in charge of all the heavy lifting in the morgue. He was a bit taller than Doctor Hargreaves and twice as wide. His muscled form made him an intimidating presence indeed.

" Miss Swan, " Doctor Hargreaves had one of those velvet smooth deep voices that would have been soothing if you didn't take his profession into consideration. " I need you to come with me. "

" Why? " Emma asked. " Did something happen? "

" I believe you know, " Doctor Hargreaves replied. " It's about the incident that happened with Miss Belle French this afternoon. "

Emma went cold all over as she heard Mary-Margret gasp, " She's not dead is she? "

" No, " Doctor Hargreaves put a hand up. " She filed assault charges against you, Miss Swan. I have been given the duty of bringing you in. I would appreciate it if you come quietly. "

Emma took a step back, " You can't arrest me. "

" Actually I can, " Doctor Hargreaves said. " I have the authority to arrest you, and anyone for that matter, in the absence of a Sheriff. "

" In the absence of? " Emma was confused. " What do you mean? "

" You'll find out soon enough, " Doctor Hargreaves said. " Now, please don't make me have to get my deputy to use force to bring you in. I want this as peaceful as possible. "

" I'm not going anywhere with you until you explain what you just said, " Emma took a step back.

" I don't have to, " Doctor Hargreaves said as he got a pair of handcuffs from his jacket. He handed them to Mark, " You're only making this harder on yourself if you don't cooperate. "

" I'm not going anywhere without an explanation, " Emma took two more steps back.

" I want one too, " David spoke finally. He sounded just as puzzled as Emma. " And what are you talking about? What are these assault charges? "

Mary-Margret looked at David, " I'll explain that later. "

" Miss Swan, " Doctor Hargreaves was starting to get impatient. " If you take one more step back, I'll tack resisting arrest to your charges. "

Emma took the step back anyways, Mark moving towards her and grabbing her by her left arm. '" Come on, Miss Swan. I don't want to have to do this. "

" Let me go! " Emma shouted. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see David holding Henry back.

" Let her go! " Henry shouted as he struggled against David's grip.

Mark managed to grab Emma's other arm before flipping her around and started to force her down to the floor. Mary-Margret darted forward, " Emma! Think about the baby! "

Emma went limp, realizing resisting against such a strong man would put her and the baby both in danger. She felt tears well up in her eyes as the cuffs clicked around her wrists. The last person she wanted to know about the baby now knew and she would have to explain to him, something she was not prepared to do. Mark pulled her to her feet and she did her best to avoid the intense stare David had aimed at her.

David looked away from Emma, turning his shocked face to Mary-Margret. " What did you just say? "

Mary-Margret covered her mouth with both of her hands before looking at the floor, " James... "

" WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? " David shouted.

Emma sobbed before choking out the words, " I'm pregnant, David. "

Henry wiggled free of David's grasp as he blinked. " Emma... how? When? "

" She can explain all of that to you at the jail, " Doctor Hargreaves said. He nodded to Mark, " Take her to the car. We need to get her to the station and process her. "

" Emma! " Henry shouted, rushing forward and wrapping his arms around her waist.

She leaned down, doing the only thing she could do with her hands bound. She sobbed before kissing the top of his head, " I have to go, Henry but we'll get this all sorted out, okay? "

Henry wouldn't let her go, " Don't go. "

" She has to, " Doctor Hargreaves placed one of his long skinny hands on Henry's shoulder before trying to pull him away. " She has to face the consequences of her actions, son. "

" I'm not letting her go! " Henry held Emma tighter. " She's The Savior and you can't do this to her! "

Emma sobbed harder, " Henry... you're just making this harder for me. Please let me go. I'll come back, I swear. "

" Promise? " Henry looked up at her.

Emma nodded though she wasn't sure if she could keep her promise. " Yes. "