A/N: in case you hadn't noticed, I'm a fan of two things. 1) the slow burn 2) cliffhangers. Enjoy!

Chapter 14

Emma's boots stomped on the black asphalt as she stormed down Main Street. The people of Storybrooke were pacified for the moment; everyone who'd been at the meeting had a task, which meant they'd leave her alone for at least a few days.

Emma continued to walk with no real destination, but she hoped that a long walk would shake the cobwebs from her brain and she could start to focus on finding the person responsible for this new curse. The jury was still out on if she wanted to thank or punch them. She and Henry had been happy in New York, albeit with altered memories. Now that she was back in Storybrooke, she had her family and friends back, but at what cost? Henry didn't know these people, and all the lies and cold shoulder-ing she'd been guilty of lately had probably ruined her relationship with Walsh.

She was exhausted from bouncing from one conversation to the next, avoiding the people with whom she should have been closest, but too much time with Henry had her telling one half-truth after another, and now being around Walsh was starting to make her feel guilty about the trip back to Storybrooke.

She wanted her parents back. She wanted to be able to share all of her worries with Snow especially—but her mother's ever growing stomach was a painful kick to her own gut and a reminder of the childhood she'd never enjoyed. Regina had been quick to point out that she was to blame for that and not Snow and David, but even after all this time, Emma couldn't help but feel resentment towards her parents for putting her in that magic wardrobe.

Regina. The mere thought of the woman had Emma pausing her aggressive parade down Main Street. She didn't quite know what to make of this post-curse version of the former Evil Queen. Their mutual disdain had shifted, changed, and softened after all they'd been through. But her head was too noisy with fake memories and actual time spent in New York to really determine how she felt about Regina now. The only thing she knew for certain was that on the growing list of people she was trying to avoid, Regina surprisingly wasn't on that list.

So caught up in her thoughts, Emma didn't notice the pixie-haired woman walking directly towards her. But she hadn't expect to run into the one person she'd desperately been trying to avoid since her return to Storybrooke—her mother.

"Emma!" Snow exclaimed. "I was hoping I'd run into you today."

"You were?"

Snow nodded vigorously. "I had wanted to stick around after the meeting this morning so we could talk, but David and I were going to be late for our meeting with Zelena."

"Zelena?" Emma echoed. "Who's that?"

"She's—." The pleased look on Snow's face dropped, and she cut her answer short. "She's a midwife."

"Oh. That's cool," Emma replied. The emotion failed to reach her words.

"We, uh, David—your father and I—we decided we wanted to forgo the hospital if at all possible," Snow tried to explain. "And no one's seen Whale since we returned, so we didn't want to be unprepared."

"Yeah, I, uh, I guess the census thing is a good idea then," Emma remarked. "Find out where everyone ended up this second time around."

"Oh, I completely agree. And how smart of you to have suggested it, too," Snow stated brightly. "David and I are so very proud of you, Emma. I hope you know that. You've become quite the leader around here. You can see it in the way people defer to your judgment. Not even Regina argued with you today."

Emma ducked her head, uncomfortable with the compliment, even if it had come from her mom—especially because it had come from her.

"Goodness!" Snow's hand fell to her stomach.

Emma looked up, startled. "What's wrong?"

"The baby. It kicked." She grabbed Emma's hand and pressed it against the front of her swollen abdomen. "It must know you're here. That's your big sister, sweetheart."

Emma reflexively wanted to jerk her hand away from Snow's belly, but then she felt it—the tiny kick. She swallowed thickly and stared down at her hand and where it pressed against Snow's fuzzy sweater. Her little brother or sister was inside there, anxious to come out. It made her think about the first time she'd felt Henry moving around. She'd been so frightened and so confused at the time, but with that tiny shift and faint kick, everything had felt like it was going to be all right.

Emma pulled her hand away and shook her head hard. She'd nearly forgotten she was supposed to be angry with her parents for moving on and creating her replacement. "I've gotta go."

The brightness in Snow's eyes dimmed. "Again? So soon?"

"Yeah, I've got to pick up Henry at the library and then it's time for some serious detective work."

Snow nodded and absently rubbed her belly. "How about dinner at our place tomorrow night? I still haven't seen my grandson."

"I, uh…"

"You can bring your boyfriend, too," Snow practically pled.

"How do you know about Walsh?"

"I pried it out of Regina," her mother revealed. "She didn't seem happy to be telling me about him, so don't be mad at her."

Emma rocked back and forth in her boots. "I really have to go, Mom. I'm not sure about dinner plans yet, but I'll let you know soon."

Emma felt the stress of the day melt away when she saw Henry seated at a large wooden table in the public library, pouring over a stack of comic books.

"Thanks for keeping an eye on him, Belle," she greeted the woman behind the circulation desk. "I hope he wasn't too much trouble."

"Not at all," Belle dismissed. "Henry's a wonderful boy. And I liked having the company. It seems there's always some new disaster in this town. No one ever has any time to read a good book."

Emma chuckled. "As soon as we figure out this new curse, I promise I'll get a library card."

Belle's eyes twinkled with delight. "I'm going to hold you to that promise, Sheriff Swan."

Emma sucked in a sharp breath. "How are you doing … with everything?" She felt bad for not seeing Belle sooner. It had been Rumplestilskin's sacrifice that had defeated Pan and brought Henry back.

Belle's pretty smile tightened. "Do I still wake up in the mornings and expect to see Rumple there? Yes. But I'm getting on as best as I know how."

Emma gently squeezed the other woman's elbow. "You let me know if there's anything I can do to help. After all, we're family."

Belle blinked rapidly and her smile grew in size and warmth. "Family," she echoed. "Yes. I suppose you're right about that."

Emma returned the warm smile before addressing her son, who continued to read. "Henry," she called out to garner his attention. "Are you ready to go?"

Henry's nose remained buried in the colorful, glossy book for a moment longer before he looked up. "Oh, hey, Mom. Yeah. But can I finish up this comic first?"

"Kid, we've really got to go," Emma urged.

"You can take the book with you, Henry," Belle offered. "Just bring it back when you've finished."

"I don't need a library card or anything?" he asked.

"I think we can bypass standard procedure just this once," she winked.

"Cool. Thanks, Ms. French."

"French?" Emma echoed. "How did I never know your last name?"

"It's the name Regina gave me under the first curse," Belle shrugged. "Where we come from, last names weren't really a thing like in this world."

"Oh, cool," Henry exclaimed, still seated across the room at his table. "Check out this old book."

On the table, beside the stack of comic books Henry had been reading sat an oversized, hardcover tome. Emma practically gasped when she recognized the book—it was Henry's old fairytale book. She'd completely forgotten about it until she saw it back in her son's hands. Henry immediately began to flip through the ancient book's heavy pages.

"Am I going crazy, or did that book just magically appear on the table?" Emma asked for only Belle's ears. "

"If you're going crazy, so am I," Belle whispered back. "We looked for Henry's book as soon as we got back, hoping it might give us a clue as to what had happened. When we couldn't find it at Regina's or Snow's we thought you must have taken it with you out of Storybrooke."

Emma shook her head. "We took the clothes on our back—that's about it."

"Henry," Belle said, raising her voice so the boy could hear her. "How about you take that book along with your comic books?"

"Awesome."

"Something tells me that book didn't want to be found until just now," Belle said in a hushed tone. "And Henry's the person who was supposed to find it."

Henry and Emma piled into the beat-up yellow Bug.

"Have a good afternoon?" Emma asked her son as she started up the car.

"Uh huh. The library had a lot of comics I hadn't read yet. And Ms. French is pretty cool. Did you know her from before?"

"Uh huh. Belle's an old friend." And nearly your step-grandmother, she added to herself. "Speaking of old friends," Emma continued, "I hate to keep passing you off, but how you would feel about spending a few hours with Regina tonight? Walsh is getting antsy about the two of us having that chat."

"I saw Walsh today," Henry said. "I mean, after we all had breakfast together. I was at the library, and I saw him out the window. I don't think he saw me though."

"Oh yeah?"

Henry pulled the old storybook from his backpack and began flipping through its pages. "He was talking to some lady," he continued. "They both looked pretty angry."

Emma frowned, but kept her eyes on the road in front of her as she drove. "What did she look like?"

"Pretty. Kind of red-ish hair. Green eyes."

Emma flipped through her mental Rolodex for someone matching that description, but came up empty. Belle was practically only person she knew in Storybrooke with faintly red hair. Ruby sometimes wore her red hood, but Henry had met her before. Aurora perhaps? Emma tried to picture the pretty princess. But didn't she have blue eyes?

Emma and Henry drove the rest of the way to Regina's house in silence—Emma in quiet contemplation of whom Walsh might have been talking to, and Henry with his head buried in his book. He barely looked up to say goodbye when Emma parked the car in front of Regina's house and Henry exited the car.

Emma stared after Henry and his retreating back. With his head tilted down, distracted with reading, his feet seemed to naturally carry him down the pathway that led up to Regina's front steps. It looked as if he'd walked that path every day of his life.

Was the book working? Was it jogging his memory? Emma wondered. Or was it simply Henry's muscle memory taking over? She'd seen her son do plenty of things with his attention consumed by a video game.

Emma waited in the parked vehicle until she saw the front door open and Regina step out onto the front stoop. Regina curtly waved in the direction of Emma and the yellow Bug. From a distance, Emma waved back before finally driving off, completely missing out on the deep frown etched on Regina's beautiful face.

Emma climbed the wooden staircase at the back of Granny's diner that led to the apartments above the popular dining spot. She reached the final step and turned around the corner, only to run into another body, rushing in the opposite direction.

"Whoops." Emma stumbled a few steps backwards. "Excuse me."

"No need to be pushy, Swan. If you wanted your body on mine, all you had to do was ask."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Hello, Killian. Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"Being a good boy and following up on a lead like you told me to." He flashed her a charming smile. "But I'd gladly cut my evening short if you making yourself available."

"Actually, I already have plans for tonight."

Hook's smile turned into a grimace. "Right. With the scarecrow. No wonder he looked so giddy."

"Walsh is hardly a scarecrow," Emma defended.

"You're right. The way he snores, he's more like a bear … or a lion. I've slept on a ship full of pirates, and I've never heard anything like it. It's remarkable, really."

"It's not that bad."

Hook's eyebrows danced on his forehead. "Oh? So you have slept in the same room as him before."

Emma crossed her arms across her chest. "It's the 21st century," she grunted. "Grown ups can do that."

Hook bent at the waist and bowed with dramatic flare. "Well, as much as I enjoy our little chats, Swan, I must be off. Have a lovely evening." He straightened and pulled at the lapels of his leather jacket. "If you grow bored of your scarecrow, you can find me and a fifth of alcohol near the docks later."

Emma let herself into Walsh and Hook's shared room, finding the door unlocked. The pungent scent of men's cologne assaulted her nostrils the moment she walked in. She could hear the shower on in the adjoining bathroom.

"Walsh?" she called out.

"Emma?' his voice returned. "Is that you?"

"Yeah. Hook let me in. I just dropped by to tell you I'm ready for dinner whenever you are."

"Ok. I'll just be a few more minutes," his disembodied voice called back.

"What did you do all day?" Emma asked conversationally. She leaned against the bathroom door, but didn't go in.

"Not too much. I called the store to check in and make sure everything's running smoothly. We got an extra shipment of corner lamps that I must have accidentally over-ordered."

"Anything else?" she pressed.

"Nope. Not really. Found a pond and fed some ducks."

"Sounds nice." Emma frowned. She wondered why he hadn't mentioned anything about Henry's mysterious redhead.

"It actually was. I'm starting to like this place," Walsh continued to talk from the shower. "It's quaint, and the people are all so friendly. Nothing at all like New York."

Emma stared at the unzipped duffle bag in the center of Walsh's unmade bed. With one eye still on the bathroom door, she reached a cautious hand inside and rummaged around. She found only clothes and shoes inside until the top of her hand knocked against a wooden box. Her fingers curled around the small container and she pulled it free from the bag.

Emma inspected the outside of the compact wooden box that was nearly cubical in shape. She rolled it over in her hands a few time, looking for markings or any sign of what it was. She ran the edge of her fingernail along a thin seam that she was eventually able to pry open. The box's lid flipped back on a series of hidden hinges.

"Oh, shit," Emma murmured as she discovered the box's contents.

It was a ring.

The shower turned off in the bathroom.

Emma barely had the yellow Bug parked and her keys out of the ignition before she was leaping out of the driver side door and running down the paverblock walkway that led to Regina's front door.

"Why does nobody lock their front doors?" she marveled to herself as she let herself in.

The front of Regina's mansion was empty, and Emma followed the light sound of conversation to the back of the house where she found Regina and Henry sitting on the carpeted floor, playing a board game. It looked like Sorry, but Emma hadn't seen the game in years.

Emma's entrance hadn't gone unnoticed. Regina looked sharply away from the game board. "What's wrong? What's happened?"

The response from the former mayor took Emma aback. If she would have burst into Regina's home before, there would have been anger and annoyance from the raven-haired woman. But instead of incredulity clouding Regina's caramel-colored eyes, Emma saw only concern.

"N-nothing," Emma stammered.

Regina regarded her now with confusion.

"Can we talk?" Emma requested.

Regina looked once to Henry and then back to his frazzled mother. "Of course." She rose from the floor in one fluid, seamless motion. "We can talk in the den," she instructed.

Emma followed Regina toward the front of the house and to the formal study where they'd had far too many unpleasant confrontations early on in their acquaintanceship.

"That was the fastest date I've ever heard of," Regina remarked as she walked into the black and white décor'ed room. "Walsh is no Romeo, I take it?"

Emma stalked directly to the small buffet where she knew Regina stored her cider and other decanters. "Do you want something to drink?' she asked, ignoring Regina's jibe.

Not waiting for an answer, Emma filled a tumbler with the potent cider and took a long, thirsty drink. She poured more of the amber liquid into her glass and took a smaller, more measured drink.

"Emma." The blonde woman was clearly rattled, but Regina had no idea why. "Slow down. Tell me what's happened."

"I found a ring in Walsh's things. It looks like an engagement ring. It's this big monstrosity of an emerald with diamonds all around it."

Regina swallowed and set her jaw. "Congratulations."

"Congratulations?!" Emma's arms flailed about. "I can't marry him! I can't invite him into this madness. It wouldn't be fair to him."

"What about what's fair to you, Emma?" Regina pointed out. "You can't always play the martyr. What about your own happiness?"

"I'm happy," Emma defended.

"Not any more you aren't. But you were happy in New York. I saw it."

"I was ignorant," Emma corrected, "not happy."

"I don't see a difference."

"How could I be happy if I didn't know the truth about my family? Sure, life is a whole lot messier with you all in it, but you guys are my mess."

Regina couldn't resist rolling her eyes. "How flattering."

"You know what I mean," Emma huffed. She sighed heavily. "I've managed to ruin another night. And now I'm gonna have to explain to Walsh why I bolted—yet another lie."

"You could always tell him the truth," Regina proposed. "Tell him you found the ring and had a panic attack."

"I didn't have—" Emma cut herself short and shook her head. "Okay, fine. Maybe I did. But then I'd also have to explain to him why I was digging around in his things."

"Why were you?"

"Henry said he saw Walsh today, talking to a redheaded woman with green eyes. Do you know anyone who fits that description?"

Regina looked thoughtful before shaking her head. "No, I don't. It must be someone new from the Enchanted Forest." A sardonic chuckle bubbled up her throat. "Think your Walsh has found a mistress so soon?"

Emma made a face. "Funny."

"At least you don't have to worry about him taking her back to his place," Regina couldn't help but add. "How are he and Hook getting along?"

"From the sounds of it, they're just barely co-existing. Walsh snores."

"Are you really planning on staying at Granny's the entire time you're here?"

Emma looked uncharacteristically uncomfortable. "I had originally thought Henry and I would stay with my parents, but it's a little crowded there."

"Because of the baby." It wasn't a question. Regina had witnessed firsthand how Snow's pregnancy had hurt Emma's feelings. "Have you spoken to them about this?"

"No. There hasn't been time."

"Make time, Miss Swan."

"It's comforting to know that some things haven't changed," Emma snorted defensively. "New curse and you're still as bossy as ever."

"As you're still a coward, Emma Swan. Talk to your mother about this pregnancy. It's what you both need."

"Why do you suddenly care so much about if my mom and I ever talk again? Wouldn't that make your revenge complete?"

The fire in Regina's eyes faded to be replaced with uncertainty. "Revenge?" she echoed. "Do you honestly believe I'm still hung up on that?"

"I don't know. You still don't have your happy ending, and I'm sure you've somehow found a way to blame me or my mom for that," Emma snapped.

"You are unbelievable," Regina steamed, suddenly not caring that Henry could probably hear them in the next room. "Where's this attitude coming from?" she demanded.

"I'm embarrassed, okay?"

"Embarrassed?" Regina repeated. "Whatever for? You're not the one who got blackout drunk."

"And took off their clothes," Emma couldn't help adding.

Regina set her painted mouth in a straight line. "Exactly. So forgive me if I don't see anything you have to be embarrassed about."

"When I didn't know who you were, I actually liked you—like, I thought we could be pretty good friends. And I can count on one hand the people I consider friends."

"I-I liked you, too, Emma." Regina sucked in a sharp breath. "And I'm sure it hasn't evaded your notice that I don't exactly win popularity contests in Storybrooke."

"Do you think we could call a truce?" Emma proposed. "Our situation is fucked, but can we forget for a moment that I'm the Sheriff and you're the Mayor?"

"And that you're the Savior and I'm the Evil Queen?" Regina hesitatingly added.

"Yeah. We can be just Regina and Emma. Friends."

Regina licked her lips. "Friends," she murmured. "Sure."

"My mom wants us over for dinner tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Henry, me, and Walsh."

"Right. Of course." Regina hoped her face hadn't reddened. She instantly felt foolish for believing she would be part of that "us."

Emma raked her fingers through her hair. "I don't know if I'm ready for that—introduce Walsh to my parents, but not be able to tell him who they really are."

"Why don't you all come over here?" Regina found herself asking. "I'll talk to Snow and we'll hammer out the details. I'll invite some other people so it's not just an awkward family dinner."

"Really?" Emma lifted a skeptical eyebrow. "You'd do that?"

"Of course. I'd get to see Henry again."

Emma's cheeks hollowed as she considered Regina's offer. It did sound less painful than a sit-down dinner with her parents.

"Okay," she finally conceded. "Should I bring something?"

"Just Henry and Walsh." She hoped her face hadn't revealed her disgust over having to say the latter's name.

"I have to thank you, Regina," Emma hesitatingly started. "I didn't expect being back in Storybrooke would be so hard. You're about the only person I've been able to really talk to about all this. So, uh, thanks."

"Y-you're welcome, Emma," Regina stammered. "I'm glad to be of use."

Emma collected Henry from the next room, who seemed oblivious to the heated conversation that had occurred only a few yards away. They said their good nights, and Regina stood on the front stoop as Emma ushered Henry down the walkway.

As Regina watched Emma and her son climb into the yellow Bug parked outside, she pulled out her cell phone and rummaged through her recent contact list. They hadn't spoken much since their arrival in Storybrooke, but it was necessary to call on her tenuous ally if her plan was going to work.

Regina heard the other line click. "Sea witch." She didn't wait for Ursula to even say hello. "It's time we reveal that flying monkey for who he really is."

TBC