Emma's mind spun in loops around what Dr. Whale had said. Who could that dark figure be and why would it attack a nun? What is the same person who was wreaking havoc on the rest of her town? The more she strained to understand, the more questions she had. It was difficult to fully concentrate on her thoughts when she'd occasionally glance over at Regina, who still hadn't left Vincenzo's bedside. Emma knew there was no chance of trying to force Regina to rest at home, nor did she want to force her to do anything. Instead, she opted to go on a coffee and food run for them, stopping at the nurse's station on the way back to request a fold-up bed for Regina for the night. She spotted Ruby walking up the hallway, desperately reading the room numbers.
"Rubes! Down here!" Emma waved her over, turkey sandwich in hand.
Ruby gave Emma a brief side hug and opened the door for them. Stunned, Ruby stopped dead in the doorway, tears forming in her eyes. Mrs. Potts stood and walked to her, wrapping the young woman in a warm embrace.
"I know, Honey. I know." Mrs. Potts whispered soothingly.
"Is he going to be okay? Is he in pain?" Ruby sniffled.
Mrs. Potts released her and cupped her face, carefully wiping the tears from Ruby's cheeks.
"Yes, and no. Dr. Whale said he will probably be fine. He mentioned that Vincenzo said something to you when he woke up. What was it?"
Ruby blushed and she cut a glance at Emma, who smiled. "He… He asked me to marry him."
Mrs. Potts laughed loudly, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Had you been a sorceress instead of a werewolf, I'd be concerned that you put him under some spell. Have you broken the news to Eugenia yet?"
Ruby's grin faltered. "No, not yet. I kinda wanted to make sure he wasn't brain-dead first." That earned her another laugh from her future mother-in-law and a quick hug.
"Straight to the point. You've got smarts, good looks, and a joker to boot. You and I will get along swimmingly."
Ruby grinned and approach Regina, who was looking up at her with a watery, sad smile.
"Red-"
Red pointed a finger at her, before pulling up a seat next to her. "If you're getting ready to apologize, don't. You saved his life."
Red opened her arms, inviting Regina forward instead of intruding on the other woman's space. Regina willingly complied, returning the loving gesture. Red spoke low enough for only them to hear.
"Thank you, Regina."
"You don't-"
"Maid of honor."
Regina tried to pull back, but Red had her locked into the hug. "What?"
"Be my maid of honor."
"Shouldn't you make sure he isn't brain-dead first?" Regina joked, coughing as she laughed.
"Fuck it. For better or worse, right?"
They pulled apart and laughed at their private joke, Mrs. Potts and Emma standing off to the side, not a clue as to what was happening.
"Funny, you didn't threaten to string her up by the balls," Emma muttered, taking a bite of the tasteless sandwich.
"Dear, she's a werewolf. If there's one person I can be assured to put my thick-headed son in check, it's Eugenia Lucas' granddaughter."
"Oh, I see. And I'm chopped liver."
Mrs. Potts frowned, snagging the sandwich from Emma and took a bite, instantly grimacing.
"It could be worse, Sheriff. You could be this sandwich. Where on earth did you get this from?"
Emma shrugged. "The vending machine down the hall. The coffee isn't too-"
Emma was cut off by Mrs. Potts running to the trash can, spitting the remnants of the sandwich out and throwing the rest in her hand away. She ran over to the older woman, who was coughing above the trash and hovered around her, unsure as to what to do.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you trying to kill us?" Mrs. Potts yelled, spitting the last of the sandwich into the trash.
"Come on, it wasn't that bad." Emma rebutted, setting down the coffee and crossing her arms.
"Stupid girl, have you forgotten to realize that the curse kept everything frozen until you came crashing in and broke it? That includes the food in that damn vending machine you so carelessly went to."
Realization hit Emma with a wave of nausea and she took off out of the room, down the hall and to the nearest bathroom to vomit. Mrs. Potts, Red, and Regina exchanged glances and then burst out into laughter.
"That was cruel." Regina admonished.
Red sat back in the chair. "Is it true?"
Mrs. Potts took her seat on the other side of Vincenzo, smiling smugly at the two women. Regina shook her head, going to stand and find Emma.
"Oh my god, it's totally not. Emma is going to kill you." Ruby howled in laughter.
Regina exited the room and was about to ask a passing nurse if she'd seen Emma, but the nurse pointed silently to a room across the hall before briskly walking into another patient's room. As she neared the small door labeled as unisex, she heard the tell-tale sound of a person getting sick. Of all the various things the body did to expel toxins, this was her least favorite. Regina braced herself and took a deep breath, then opened the door to find Emma bent over the toilet, dry-heaving.
"Emma, Darling?"
Emma flushed the toilet and sank against the nearby wall, head in hands. Regina sat down next to her and pull out a small pack of spearmint gum, offering it to Emma.
"She pulled a prank on you, Darling. The food wasn't bad."
Emma popped a bubble with the gum. "Never thought I'd ever want to kick an old lady's ass, but there's a first time for everything."
Warm hands covered clammy ones and squeezed. "She really is harmless."
Emma huffed, dropping her head onto Regina's shoulder. "Yeah, tell that to my now empty stomach and sore throat."
Regina brought her hand up to Emma's throat, rubbing gently and allowing her magic to flow. Emma felt the warm sensation wash over her throat, then travel down the rest of her body, leaving gooseflesh in its wake.
"You didn't have to do that."
"Actually-" Regina rested her head on Emma's, "I did. I was beginning to feel antsy and that took the edge off."
Emma turned her head to kiss Regina's neck. "Thank you."
"You're quite welcome. May I request we relocate to somewhere less disgusting?"
Emma chuckled, and Regina helped her stand. "But, the ambiance is oh so amazing."
Regina smiled as they walked hand-in-hand to Vincenzo's room. "You're an idiot."
"All yours, My Majesty."
They stopped outside the door and Regina turned to Emma.
"I know you have a lot to do. You don't have to stay, I will be okay."
Emma brought Regina's hands up and kissed them gently.
"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you."
"Yes, Dear. If anything should come up, I will let you know."
"Promise?"
"Yes."
"Pinky promise?"
"Sheriff Swan, go do your duties."
Emma slid her arms around Regina's waist, coaxing her forward and resting their foreheads together.
"I am one phone away. Always. Don't hesitate to call me."
"I won't, I promise."
"I love you."
"I love you too, please be safe."
Emma returned to the diner and took notes of the damage. From what she could gather, all of the reports were relatively the same, and it baffled her. After giving the approval for Granny to call in a plumber to fix the damage, her phone began ringing again. Not recognizing the number and worrying that it might be Regina calling because something was wrong, she rushed out of the diner and answered it.
"Regina?"
"Um, no, Sweetie. It's Mom." An unsure voice answered.
"Oh. Hi." Emma's muscles slackened. "What's up?"
"I'm sure you've probably heard about what happened at the loft. I wanted to let you know Henry is okay and your father had already taken him to school."
Emma sighed, leaning against a nearby post. "I know. The fire chief and I talked a little while ago. I just came from the hospital and finished up my notes at Granny's. This kind of thing is happening all over town, from the looks of it."
"The hospital?" Mary Margaret gasped. "Emma, are you injured?"
"No, nothing like that. I'm fine. Look, I really shouldn't be telling you this, but, Vincenzo got hurt. We think he was attacked by someone because Blue was also attacked, and Astrid said she saw someone lurking in the shadows. That's all I'm comfortable saying over the phone though. Can you and Dad meet me at my house in an hour? I have to get a statement from you two anyway, and I have a lot of information to sort through."
"Of course, Sweetie."
"Cool, see you soon."
Emma spent the next 20 minutes, at the station, speaking with the fire chief over the phone and discussing the response efforts around town. According to the chief, the situation was under control and the appropriate contractors were dispatched to repair the damages after all the documentation and photographs were taken. Emma had him fax over the reports to the station and sectioned them into their own files. Flipping through the pages while piecing the reports together, Emma was developing a headache. She opened the top right drawer of her desk and reached for the bottle of Tylenol, pausing to look at her gun. There were very few times where she'd ever felt the need to carry it, though with the chaos popping up around town, she decided until the culprit was caught she would be carrying it most of the time. She shrugged off her leather jacket and slid on the shoulder holster, tightening it for comfort and mobility, then pulled the jacket back on. The weight of the firearm felt snug against her, and it reminded her of her time as a bail bondsperson in Boston. Smiling fondly at the memory, she pulled out her cell phone to check the time.
"Shit!"
It had been almost an hour and a half since she spoke with Mary Margaret and it would take her at least another 10 minutes to drive to the house. She fired off a brief, apologetic text to her father then rushed out of the station, the large stack of folders in hand.
"What do you think is happening around town?" Mary Margaret questioned as David let them into Emma's house.
"I don't know. But, whatever it is, it's not good."
They stepped inside, the faint smell dried wood and sweet perfume hitting their senses.
"That smells like-"
"Yup." David cut her off.
"Are they…" Mary Margaret trailed off, trying to contain her surprise.
"That's a question for Emma, but it's not really our business."
David left her there to start building a fire, wadding up some nearby newspaper, then placing kindling on top.
"Charming, can we please talk about this?" Mary Margaret asked, sitting on the couch behind him.
"I'm listening."
She took a deep breath. "I miss you, both of you. I don't want to lose either of you."
David took a small container of matches and struck on, carefully lighting the wads of paper. He didn't respond.
"I know I crossed a line going to Archie, but I was desperate."
"That isn't how you build trust, Snow. That's how you lose it." He said, back still turned.
"I'm sorry."
He blew into the base of the fireplace, igniting the other wads of paper, and the kindling finally caught fire. Pleased with himself, he turned to face her, a tired expression on his face.
"I love you, and I accept your apology. But, it didn't hold much weight without actions. At the least, you have to show that you're willing to meet Emma halfway. If she and Regina are going to be together, this animosity between the two of you needs to be manageable."
"Emma mentioned that Vincenzo was attacked today. I didn't want to overstep, but thought she may like some dinner brought to her tonight."
David smiled warmly. "That would be a really nice gesture." He looked down at his watch. "What were you thinking of making? I could help you cook and we could make enough for everyone."
"Well, I figured I could ask Emma if she would mind if I used her kitchen. Then, we would have to go to the store and pick up some groceries."
David laughed. "Knowing our daughter, she's probably barely touched the groceries I got her and there's plenty in the fridge to make dinner with. I doubt she'll have an issue if we use her kitchen, especially since she's getting dinner out of the deal."
"Does this mean we're okay for right now?" Snow asked sheepishly, staring at her feet.
David moved around the coffee table and held a hand out. "Come here."
She stood and wrapped her arms around him. "I love you."
He hugged her back. "I love you too, Snow."
"Hey, guys! I'm sorry I'm so late. I lost track of-"
Emma kicked the door closed behind her, careful not to drop the stack of folders, but paused when the smell of food hit her nose.
What the hell? "Guys?" She yelled.
Her father came jogging out from the kitchen and greeted her with a grin.
"Hey, kiddo. Everything okay?"
Emma handed him the folders and put her jacket in the closet. "Yeah, just got stuck at the office printing this shit out. I hope you've had your coffee."
"I tried some of that instant in your cupboards and almost threw up. I hope you haven't actually been drinking that sludge."
"It's not that bad. Regina and I had some this morning."
Even as the words left her mouth and her father's smile spread, she didn't fully realize what she had admitted to. Though, the second it sunk in, Emma's face went scarlet.
"This morning, huh?" David teased.
"I- Uh- Well, you see-" Emma stammered.
"I'm happy for you, Honey. Your mom told me about Vincenzo. Is he okay?"
"He looked pretty rough when I left the hospital. Regina's putting on a brave face, but she's obviously hurting like hell. Mrs. Potts and Ruby are there with her."
David gave his daughter a side hug as they walked to the kitchen. "Well, they'll all be in luck because your mother and I are cooking all of you dinner tonight. It was her idea."
Emma gave him a questioning look. "It was?"
David nodded. "Yup. I know you're still wary, and you have every right to feel that way, but I think she's actually going to try. For real this time."
"I hope so. This whole family divided thing blows, and I know Henry hates it too. Speaking of, does he know what happened at the loft?"
David shook his head. "No. He was already at school and I didn't see a reason to worry him until talking to you when we knew more."
"Good call. God, today is a shit show."
The spicy aroma of sautéed vegetables invaded Emma's senses when they entered the kitchen. She gave her mother a warm smiling, rounding the kitchen island to hug her as she stirred the vegetables. Mary Margaret looked up at David, shocked and with tears forming in her eyes. She dried off one of her hands and gently squeezed Emma's arms around her. He gave her a knowing smile and set the folders on the chair next to her.
Mary Margaret cleared her throat and quickly swiped at her eyes. "Everything okay, Sweetie?"
"Yeah, just missed you guys."
Emma walked away to stand next to David and picked up the top folder, flipping it open and thumbing through a few pages to find the one she was looking for. Sister Astrid's witness statement.
"Dad, can you take a look at this statement and tell me what you see? I need a second set of eyes."
"Sure thing."
It didn't take him long to read the statement and, when he looked up at Emma to speak, his face was grim.
"She saw a figure?"
Emma nodded and took a seat.
"Is that Astrid's statement?" Mary Margaret asked, stirring the vegetables.
"Yeah, and I don't know what to do about it. The chief said they didn't see anyone down where Blue was found and that means I have jack shit to go on."
Mary Margaret retrieved a package of chicken from the refrigerator and placed the pieces in a large pot filled with broth.
"Did she see a face or was it just an outline?"
"Statement says nothing about anything distinct, just a figure in the shadows," David answered.
"Again, I have jack shit." Emma slumped forward, laying her forehead on her forearms.
"Have you talked to Gold yet?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Why would I talk to him? None of the places hit today had anything to do with him.
"He's the Dark One, after all. If anyone would have an idea about dark, mysterious figures destroying things around Storybrooke, it'd be him."
"Your mother's right. It's at least worth a shot."
Emma groaned. "Fabulous. I've got two injured in the hospital, an upset mayor, restless citizens, a shit ton of damage, and a chat with the Dark One in my future. Remind me again why in the fuck I took this job?"
"You're a Charming, it's in your blood." David laughed.
Emma didn't raise her head at the joke, she just lifted a hand and, in a less than charming fashion, flipped off her father. Her parents erupted into laughter and David playfully slapped the hand down.
"Regina, honey."
Regina felt a light nudge against her shoulder. Unwilling to wake up just yet, she turned her face into the pillow and pulled the blanket tighter around her.
"Regina, you need to wake up."
She shook her head into the pillow and tried to pull the blanket over her head in an attempt to block out the voice. The once kind voice switched to one of authority and sternness.
"Regina Mills, if you don't get up, so help me, I will flip this cot."
Regina groaned in frustration and threw the blanket off and sat up. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy from the on and off crying.
"What?" Regina growled out, breaking the quiet in the darkened room.
Mrs. Potts sat down next to her and, in a true motherly fashion, tried to tame the woman's frazzled hair resulting from a restless sleep.
"I'm sorry that I had to wake you. But, one of us needs to return to the office and handle the aftermath. I knew you would be upset with me if I made the decision for you."
Regina rubbed her eyes and stretched, wincing when she felt her muscles lock up in an almost charlie-horse. Damn hospital cots.
"No, no, that's alright. I apologize for snapping at you. You may stay here, I will return to the office. It won't do for people to have the illusion that the mayor is avoiding work."
"Are you sure? I don't mind going back. Ruby is here, and I doubt anything less of an ogre could get past the woman."
Regina let out a small laugh. "While that is quite true, I'd feel better for both her and Vincenzo if you were here."
"Very well, Dear. Let me know if you need help and I'll head over."
"I will."
Regina placed a protection spell over the hospital room, then waved a hand and poofed herself into the mayor's building. There, she stood in front of her closed door and saw it peppered with dozens of sticky notes. As she drew closer, she noticed the majority were "get well soon" messages for Vincenzo. How strange. She knew word traveled quickly in a small town, though somehow, she was still surprised. What surprised her more than the notes themselves was the fact that it was her door they were stuck to. The last few weeks of her life had taken a drastic turn of events, though she couldn't find herself being entirely upset with the changes. What started as friendship with harmless flirting blossomed into a full-fledged loving relationship with Emma, even if they still had a long way to go regarding trust. Then, there was Henry. She had been able to see him more frequently and their relationship seemed to be improving. He seemed to be more relaxed around Regina and genuinely enjoyed being around her again. Though neither Emma nor Regina, had broached the topic of their closeness to their son, she was rather positive he had an idea as to what was transpiring around him. As Regina one-by-one took the sticky notes off her door, she thought about her and Emma's future with Henry. Family dinners, group outings to the park, occasionally getting ice cream together after dinner, chaperoning school dances, teaching Henry to drive, Henry's first ki- No, he's still a child. She shook herself out of her thoughts and pulled the last sticky note off the door, "Get well, or whatever. I still owe you $10." Regina laughed to herself and flipped it over to see who it was from and, of course, it was from Leroy. The grinchy dwarf grew a heart. She entered her office and sat down at her computer for the next couple of hours, reviewing incident reports, allocating city funds for the necessary areas, and approved the overtime the firefighters and EMS were accumulating. She hadn't realized she'd been working past normal business until she heard a knock on the closed office door.
"Come in!" She yelled, finishing an email.
She saw the door open in her peripheral vision but didn't pay much attention.
"Emma, I have a lot of work to do, I'm not sure when I'll be leaving. How was your da-"
Regina looked up to greet her girlfriend with a smile, but it wasn't Emma.
"Snow?"
Snow gave her a strained smile. "I brought you dinner. Can we talk?"