So Sorry for the long wait. Have barely had any free time to write. Thinking about where this story is going so hopefully I will have another chapter posted soon. thank you to everyone who has commented on and followed this fic, I really appreciate it! This chapter is mostly a flashback focusing on Daniel so there is more context about what is going on and what kind of trouble Daniel is in/bringing Emma and Regina into. TW: drug use


Regina allowed Mal and Daniel to enter the mansion. She led them to her study and closed the door, not wanting Emma to be awoken.

Regina then sat on her couch and motioned for Mal and Daniel to take a seat in the chairs across from her. Regina crossed her legs and asked, "What's so important that it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

Mal looked to Daniel and said, "Tell her, everything."

Daniel looked at Mal and saw in her eyes that if he didn't tell Regina everything she would

Daniel hung his head and said, "I.. I made a mistake and I owe people money. Some really bad people."

Regina nodded slowly, "As unfortunate as that is what does your poor money management and friend choices have to do with me?"

Daniel looked at Regina and said, "Cause they threatened you and Emma if I don't pay them back."

Regina's blood went cold and she fixed Daniel with a hard stare, "Excuse me."

Mal then jumped in, "Regina whatever you want to say or do to Daniel it's completely justified, but Daniel needs to tell you what's going on and I think getting that out of the way is more important than whatever verbal assault you have ready for him."

Regina looked at Mal and nodded, "You tell me what you have gotten into and why I shouldn't just take Emma, leave town and leave you to rot."

Daniel nodded starting the whole from the beginning.

Flashback

Daniel stormed out of Regina's apartment and slammed his hand against the building's brick front. Pregnant, Regina's pregnant and it's his. He's supposed to be a father.

Daniel pushed off the building and started heading towards the bar near his apartment.

As he reached the bar he took a seat in the far right corner and ordered himself a round of shots and a pitcher of the cheapest beer.

After the shots were downed and the pitcher was nearly empty Daniel was drunk. He looked around the bar and saw nothing but happy couples or groups of friends. Daniel feeling nothing but loathing pulled out his phone and stared at the lock screen. The screen was a picture of Regina and him laying in the grass at the park.

As the screen went dark for the 4th time Daniel finally unlocked it and scrolled through his contacts. His eyes found Regina's number first but decided against calling her, then it was Mal but he didn't really feel like talking this one out, then it was his parents Christina and Kevin but he really wasn't in the mood for a responsibilities lecture. He stared at his father's contact, Peter Malcolm. The longer he stared the more angry he got.

Daniel then tapped his name and put the phone to his ear.

The line rang and rang and on the last ring before the answering machine would cut on a gruff voice answered, "Yeah? What is it? Who is this?"

Daniel slurred his words a bit but got the point across, "Ffffuuuckkk you.. You… You have ruined Every good thing. You made mom sad. You never showed an ounce of interest in me. You destroy everything you touch.. and and I thought, I thought I made it out fairly unscathed by you, but I was wrong. I was so wrong. I.. I can't be a dad and look at my kids the way you looked at us. I can't be a husband and say those things to my wife… I thought I was good. I thought I was better than you… but I'm not….I'm not.."

Peter laughed, "You say I ruined you? I made you into a man. I made you tough. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. You would have made a terrible father, acting the way you do. You have no spine. Don't blame me for your fuck ups."

Daniel remained silent and listened and his father hung up on him.

Without second thought Daniel called in to work and told his boss that he had some family issues and that he would need some time off, knowing full well that he wasn't going to be staying in town to go back to work.

Daniel then paid his tab and stumbled a bit to his apartment. He looked around his small apartment and the few personal items that he had laying around and sighed. Daniel walked to his fridge and looked at the photo of him and Regina smiling and laughing. He could feel the inside of his chest clench but knew there was no going back.

Daniel took the photo and stuffed it into his pocket before heading into his room to grab a duffle and fill it with a few items of clothing and toiletries.

Daniel then knocked on his landlords door and handed him the envelope for this past months rent along with the keys. His landlord shrugged and took the keys and money before losing the door.

Stepping out into the night Daniel walked himself to the bus depot and bought a ticket on the first bus out of Boston.

(STARS)

It's been fourteen months and Daniel is still drifting between midwestern states, working as a ranch or stable hand. The work is demanding and labor intensive but at least he makes a little a money and gets a room above the farm houses.

Every once in a while he speaks to his sister and his parents but tries to keep the conversations short knowing that there is such disappointment in their voice. On some days he wonders what Regina is up to, what she looks like, did she keep the baby?

Daniel knows he has no right to know anything about Regina and the baby, especially with the way he left but he does wonder and hope that they are ok.

Daniel wipes the sweat from his brow and places his hat back onto his head. As he cools down for a moment. When he looks up he sees a man on a horse ride up to the ranch that he's been working and hands his boss a package. Daniel watches the exchange in interest but soon realizes that he should have looked away, as he is now eye locked with his boss and mystery man.

The man on the horse looks to his boss and points at Daniel. His boss lifts his hands and nods. He then calls Daniel over.

Daniel knows whatever is about to happen isn't good.

Daniel slowly walks over to the two men and nods, "Sup boss?"

His boss claps him on the shoulder and says, "Danny, this is Scorpion. He wanted to introduce himself to you since you might be seeing him around."

Daniel extended his hand and said hello. Scorpion looked him up and down the shook his hand firmly and said, "You look like a good worker. I respect that."

Daniel nodded, "Thank you. I like to earn my keep."

Scorpion smirked, "An honest working man. I like it. Well you ever need some extra work you come find me. I'll make sure you're taken care of."

His boss smiled tensely but Daniel nodded, "Thanks. I appreciate it."

Scorpion then tipped his head and said good night, before heading back to his horse.

Daniel and his boss watched Scorpion ride off. When the man was in the distance Daniel's boss turned to him and warned him, "Don't let his charm and good intentions fool you. He didn't get the name scorpion for no reason. Be very careful if you choose to interact with him. This is the only warning you are going to get from me. I hope you heed it."

Daniel nodded and then watched his boss walk back towards the main house carrying the package in his hands tightly.

Daniel spent almost two years on the ranch but he the owner was moving and leaving the ranch to his son who didn't really like Daniel. Daniel sighed and considered his options. Knowing there was no real opportunity for him here.

Daniel rubs his eyes and heads into town where he know Scorpion is known to hang out.

It's not hard to find Scorpion and ask him for some help finding a job. Scorpion agrees and has Daniel working in his stable tending to the horses. The work was good, nothing he wasn't used to. That is until he over heard a conversation between Scorpion and his friend.

Daniel knew he shouldn't have been listening, but he wanted to know more about the man that was helping him and how he seemed to make money so easily.

"Bring the transport to the stables. I'll have my guy get the horse ready. Just make sure the product is secure and the drop isn't fucked up."

Daniel went to turn and run away but he bumped into another burley man. Next thing he knew he was being thrown to the floor in front of Scorpion.

Scorpion crouched down and smiled, "You know, normally I just kill those caught eavesdropping, but today is your lucky day. I think I'm going to have you make the drop. Why pay another guy when I'm already paying you?"

Daniel tried to beg but Scorpion wasn't listening to his pleading, "Shh boy… it's easy you get on the horse, ride to the state line and wait for the contact. Then come back that's all."

Daniel nodded knowing there wasn't any getting out of this.

Scorpion had the mustang that Daniel was training brought to him and saddled up. Daniel gathered a small backpack with some water, a few apples, and a burner cell phone.

Scorpion handed Daniel a gps device and said, "This is where you are going. Follow it. We'll be watching." Daniel nodded. Scorpion then smirked and said, "When you get to the drop don't tell anyone your name. The only thing you say is Mustang. Then hand over the bag in the saddle that's it."

Daniel nodded again and quickly got onto the horse. Daniel knew he was way in over his head but knew there was nothing he could do.

A year passed and Daniel was still working with Scorpion and the pay got slightly better over time. Daniel didn't know exactly what he was transporting in those bags but had a fairly good idea.

His suspicions were confirmed when he walked in on some of Scorpion's men testing the product. Scorpion smirked and called him over.

Daniel tried to hesitate but one of the men came up behind him and pushed him forward. Daniel knew that the mounds of white powder were and he knew whatever was about to happen next wouldn't be good.

Daniel was told to sit in the chair next to Scorpion.

Scorpion chuckled, "Mustang, you seem to have a problem with eavesdropping and being in places you shouldn't be. Now I was trying to keep you out of this, cause I like you. I like you're work ethic. But, I can't have you knowing about this and free of incrimination. You see.. So what's going to happen is you're going to join us and have a good time. You understand?"

Daniel gulped and nodded. Scorpion smiled and clapped his hands, "Perfect. Get the man set up!"

Before Daniel knew it he was taking a hit in the morning to get out of bed, one in the afternoon to keep him working, three at dinner to keep him alert, and at least four before making a drop to keep him focused.

Daniel knew he was headed down a road of no return. He tried to slow down, cut back, but every time he did Scorpion made sure it wasn't for long.

It wasn't until Mal called him one night asking if he was alright, after she had received 15 calls from him and a voice message sobbing into the phone, did he really see how far down the rabbit hole he had fallen.

He didn't want his sister sucked into this mess. He knew Scorpion would kill her, he would kill anyone close to him. He thought back to Regina and the baby and thought, 'at least they are safe from this.'

Daniel was riding on his way to the drop when something made him stop. He looked around and saw a few cars in the distance then after that nothing for miles. Daniel knew this was his chance.

When a car came close enough he realized it was a pick up truck carrying hay . He quickly threw the GPS into the truck and took off in the opposite direction. He didn't really know where he was going but knew he needed to rest and to think.

He made his way to the nearest town and booked a room for himself at the local motel and was told his horse could stay in the pasture in the back. Daniel knew it wasn't fair to the horse Finley and sought arrangements to sell him to a local rancher for whatever they were willing to pay.

Thankfully he didn't have to look long or far as the next morning Finley had quite the gathering of people looking at him.

Daniel spoke with a few of his admirers and agreed to sell Finley to the Racehorse trainer a town over.

Everything in Daniel told him to keep moving keep putting distance between himself and Scorpion, that's the only way to stay alive. But the sickness was setting in, and all he wanted was to take some of the product still packed away in the bag.

Daniel went to the bag and held it in his hands. In a split second he had the package open and in another flash he chucked it into the toilet. Watching all the white powder saturate. He quickly flushed the toilet and threw himself onto the bed, where he stayed for the next week only leaving to use the bathroom and grab something to eat and drink from the local gas station convenience store.

When Daniel was well enough to move again he made his way to the highway looking to hitchhike. Luckily for him a trucker was headed to Illinois and was willing to let Daniel tag along for the ride.

After Illinois Daniel took a bus to Boston. He went back to his old boss asking if he had a position to fill but was immediately told to leave.

Daniel was sitting in the Boston bus depot when he decided to text his sister letting her know he was at least alive, "I'm back in Boston. SD was a bust. Maybe we can get together soon.-Dan"

He spent the night in the bus station and walked around the city looking for a job but was coming up empty.

Daniel was sitting in a run down bar considering calling his parents asking them for help. But then he got a text from Mal,

"M: 'Danny we need to talk'

Daniel was nervous.

D: 'Ok, what's up'

Daniel waited and cursed under his breath when he got the message.

M: 'I know about the baby.'

D: 'shit…'

Daniel paid for his beer and headed back to the bus terminal. He handed the agent the last of his money and booked a ticket to Storybrooke.

Daniel was waiting for the bus to depart when he got Mal's next message

M: 'tomorrow, my apartment. 6:30pm. I swear Danny you better be there.'

D: 'ok.'


"After I came back I tried to distance myself from everyone. I didn't know Scorpion had found me until he called me, the day Mal and I went to visit Emma that first time.

I thought after this time he gave up, that he cut his loss and as long as I was gone he wouldn't waste time or effort finding me.

He originally gave me 4 days to pay a half a million, I got the job at the stables but I wasn't going to make that kind of money. So I ignored him, then Ronald hires these new guys to work and they work for Scorpion.

I don't have the money, and if I could give my life to protect you and Emma I would; but he doesn't want me he just wants money. I'm so sorry."

Daniel the hangs his head as he finishes his story.

Regina is sitting with her hands tightly gripping the cushions, "You're, sorry…?" Regina then scoffed and stood up pacing, "You put not only my life in danger, but my child's life! Emma is four and a half fucking years old! You're telling me that these people you associated yourself with for what 2, 3 years are capable of hurting a child, and you lead them straight here! I should kill you. I should rip you're fucking heart out."

Mal then turned to Regina, "I'm sorry. I didn't… I told Danny to come. I told him, he and I needed to talk. I didn't know.. I am so sorry."

Regina turned to Mal with sad eyes but just shook her head, then softly said, "Get out. I need you both to just leave."

Mal tried to talk, "But we need to figure out…" but Regina cut her off, "I said get OUT! Leave! You two have honestly done enough. Just another one of the Malcolm family messes I have to clean up. Get out, I will summon you when I need you."

Mal looked hurt but Regina really couldn't care. Mal nodded and slowly made her way to the door opening it and exiting the study.

Daniel hung back for a moment, "Regina I can't image how angry you are but please, don't take it out on Mal. She…she's not the one to be blamed."

Regina turned to Daniel, "You.. I don't give a damn which one of you is to blame. I have to think about what is best for Emma. And right now what's best for Emma is me staying out of prison and to do that, you need to leave, because if you stay for a moment longer I do believe I will make good on killing you. Now get out."

Daniel then dropped his head as he walked to the door, "I am sorry."

When the front door clicked shut Regina fell to the floor sobbing, not knowing what to do. Does she pay? Does she go to the cops? What's the best for Emma, for herself? Is her sister or Kat, or her parents in danger too?

Regina just sobs harder until her knees hurt and her throat is raw.

As Regina pulls herself up and makes sure the downstairs doors and windows are locked she checks in on Emma. She sees her girl sleeping peacefully snuggling her stuffed dragon.

Regina quietly enters and kisses Emma on the head, pulling her covers up and re-tucking her in.

As Regina leaves she swears, 'I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."