I do not own Once Upon a Time

A little bit of the past comes back to haunt Amelia.

The invite from Kathryn Nolan spread via word of mouth. It was a welcome home party for David. Amelia felt bad for him, he was going to be surrounded by strangers and only a few people he knew. The familiar faces would be his rescue party so Graham, Emma, Mary Margret, Henry and Amelia.

So Amelia felt forced to go, just to make David feel comfortable. It was the right thing to do. She picked a pretty purple dress that she paired with brown heels and headed over. She intended to get to the party on time.

Kathryn answered the door, all smiles. "Amelia, I'm so glad you came. I still feel like I need to thank you for finding David. Let me take your coat."

Amelia handed over her coat. "It was a team effort." She still wasn't good at accepting thanks.

"Nonsense. You were amazing. Drinks are over there; food should be out shortly."

Amelia nodded and looked around the room. There were a ton of people even she didn't know. Obviously she didn't get out much. She poured herself a glass of wine then she noticed people she knew, Michael and Helen.

"Amelia, we weren't sure you were coming." Helen hugged her.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Actually she would rather be at home.

"We heard you helped with the rescue party. That must have been exciting. How did you even get involved?" Michael asked.

"Graham called and I couldn't say no." Amelia stated.

"Maybe you should join the force." Helen joked.

"But who would run the library? I like the moments of adventures as opposed to craziness all the time."

Prince Charming, or David, looked so uncomfortable and lost. At least he tried to look like he was enjoying himself. Amelia gave him an encouraging smile. He waved back.

Then someone tapped her on the shoulder. Amelia found herself face to face with Theresa. First off, she felt caught, and then there was guilt, sadness and ager. The woman responsible for her fall was standing in front of her.

Theresa, what was her name here? Amelia couldn't even think straight. She was saying something to her, but Amelia was so spaced out she heard nothing.

"Earth to Amelia, Lucy just asked you a question. Are you even listening?" Helen asked, her hand touching Amelia's arm.

"What? I'm sorry, what were you asking about?" Amelia shook her head, finally focusing back.

"I was asking for romance novels. I adore romance novels, the idea that true love conquers all…" She actually sighed.

Amelia felt the urge to gag. But she smiled. "I'll have to see what I have and you can stop by to pick them up later in the week."

Lucy's face lit up brighter than was humanly possible before flitting off. Amelia drowned the rest of the wine.

"I'm guessing you have history with her." Michael commented.

"You have no idea." Then Amelia noticed Graham across the room. She excused herself from Michael and Helen and headed over to him.

"You look like you need this instead." He already had a glass of whiskey ready for her.

"I love how well you know me." There was a real smile on her face.

"Who is she?"

"Someone from my past who ruined my life. Now I avoid her at all costs. It brings up bad memories." Amelia sipped her whiskey.

"So like Regina?" He asked.

"Yes, but for different reasons. Lucy just lectured me on true love and romance novels. I wanted to slap some sense into her. Love isn't as easy as the books make it out to be. No one is perfect; everyone has issues that make them unlovable."

"You never know, sometimes you fall for someone because of their flaws. You see past it and see the good." Graham still was very insightful.

Amelia stared at him, lost for words. That perfectly defined her relationship with Killian. That was until she betrayed him. But she had a good reason, right? She had to save Derek. She wasn't selfish; she just always gave herself the short end of the stick.

Amelia tried to enjoy the rest of the party. She failed to realize David had left early. And that Mary Margaret never showed up.

The next day was uneventful besides the fact Lucy did stop by. Amelia did her best to make the trip as short as possible.

She knew exactly what was going on in the outside world, there was a love triangle brewing. Mary Margret, David and Kathryn. Snow White and Prince Charming were made for each other. Just the way they looked at each other from opposite ends of Granny's or on the street. They just knew they loved each other, but were unsure how to handle it. Because there was a third person, one that couldn't be blamed. No one is responsible for their actions while cursed. Amelia knew that first hand.

Amelia guessed she knew what love looked like. Her parents, Michael and Helen, Marian when she looked at Robin, Julia and her husband had that look also. Benjamin, in the beginning of their relationship. And maybe just maybe Killian had thrown one of those looks her way, between his other usual looks.

Where was she even going with that train of thought? It was better to be alone, no one could hurt you. Amelia didn't need love anyway. She just needed to protect those she cared about.

A loud bang at her apartment door drew her back to reality. Who was it this late? It was close to midnight. Cautiously she opened the door. Graham stood there, looking dissevered and jumbled.

"Graham, what the…?"

"She found out. Emma found out about me and Regina." He sounded hurt.

Amelia's eyes widened and she punched his shoulder. "I told you to be careful!" She yelled. She could not believe this was happening, she wanted to be sick.

"Oww! I know I deserved that but ow!" He rubbed where her fist made contact with his shoulder.

"You bet you deserved it!" She moved out of the way so he could enter the apartment. Graham went right to the kitchen for an ice pack. Amelia followed him, steam coming out of her ears.

"Exactly how did she find out?" She pulled herself to sit on the island. She needed to be able to look down at him.

"No ice packs? Fine, I'll just use a bag of corn." He said, avoiding the question for the moment. Graham placed the bag on his shoulder for a second of relief. That was until he noticed the look Amelia was giving him. "I was climbing out of the window at Regina's and Emma caught me while on the night shift…"

Amelia slammed her fist on the island. "You made Emma your deputy, you give her the night shift … and she catches you … climbing out of Regina's window!" She almost couldn't form words. Then something else dawned on her. "Henry was there also, right?" Amelia felt the urge to punch him again.

Graham noticed this and reached out to touch her arm. She pushed it back quite roughly. He took a different approach and opened the fridge to pull two bottles of beer out. She only kept them in there for him.

"No Graham, I'm not drinking. I'm too mad right now."

He sat them down on the island before sitting on the stool in front of her and braced himself for a lecture.

"What were you thinking?! You knew Regina was bad news even before you even met her! But no you had to be the good person and you physically lose your heart over someone else!" She just kept ranting.

"Wait what?" Graham was suddenly confused.

"We keep telling each other to stay away from the wrong crowd but that's where we always end up. Derek, do we really not listen to each other?"

Graham had to stop Amelia. He took her by her shoulders and stared at her. "First off what are you talking about? And second, who's Derek?"

Amelia froze. What had she done? For the first time in twenty-eight years she slipped up. Her emotions got the best of her and she might have put their lives in danger.

"Amelia, what you saying?" She pushed herself off the island and tried to leave the room so she could clear her mind. Graham grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Graham, don't worry. It's nothing, I was just ranting because you got me so angry. Forget it."

"Amelia…"

"Please." She pleaded. "Go home, sleep. Then try to make up with Emma. And stay away from Regina."

Graham nodded and believed her. He placed a kiss on her forehead before walking out of her apartment. Amelia shook her head and tried to keep her eyes dry. She looked at the beers on the island and put them back in the fridge. She didn't need them or even want them. All she needed was for things to get better.

She slipped, oh no.

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