10 Years Later

Emma had done her best to be very very good as Henry grew up. She knew he couldn't see her face, to do so would be confusing when he went to find the past version of her. And watching him from afar was creepy…though she used Jefferson's telescope a few times to make sure he was alright.

For the first few years of his life, it wasn't that bad. He and Regina seemed somewhat happy but Emma could see the emptiness. Like there was something missing. That hole in Regina's heart was still there, she couldn't love like she needed to and Henry sensed something was missing. It got worse as he got older. Emma watched sometimes and saw mother and son withdraw from each other. Henry was lonely. That was what happened when a woman brought a kid into a town that didn't age for her own benefit and not that child.

It hurt so much, watching her son grow up without her. At least when she was out there ten years ago, she could focus on other things. Her work, her education, getting her life together…but for years, those were band aids on the gaping wound she felt when she gave her son away.

But they WERE distracting. And here now, it was all that she could think about. There was nothing to distract her with other than Clara.

Giving Henry away had been the biggest sacrifice and biggest mistake of her life.

And then one day, Emma was getting groceries one afternoon, and she saw Henry walk into the store. She would've turned away so that he didn't recognize her; she hadn't been this close to him since she was a baby.

But he had the book.

Emma stared at it with wide eyes, how long had he had that?

Henry saw her staring and looked down, "It's fairy tales."

It was the first words he'd said to her since he'd been growing up. Emma fought tears as she realized that he was staring at her in a way that he never had before. She was a stranger to him. Even in the past…her past, when he introduced himself, and they didn't know each other, he never looked at her in that way. She tried to process what he said. Something about…about fairy tales? Oh, right, the book, "Oh."

Henry watched her, "Who are you?"

Emma looked down quickly so he couldn't get a good look at her face, "No one."

"Everyone's someone"

"Not me," Emma said quickly and grabbed the bags that Mr. Clark gave her.

She started to leave but stopped to watch as Henry gathered a lot of groceries and then went to the checkout, "Your mother making you do the shopping for the week?"

"No," Henry said and paid with change…to Mr. Clark's chagrin, "We're going on a trip."

"Are you?" she asked. And she knew this time was finally coming. He was going to run away. He was going to go find her.

"Oh," Emma said, "Be safe."

It was going to be over soon, it was going to be the beginning of the end.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"The Mills boy ran away today."

Emma looked over at Gold as he was changing clothes for the night. She was brushing through her hair at the vanity while he stood shirtless and trying to find an undershirt.

Emma turned away so that he couldn't see her face. She didn't want to give anything away, "Did he?"

"His mother came into my shop. Made all sorts of accusations." He found a shirt and pulled it on, "Why do I get blamed for things that I had nothing to do with?"

"It's a Mills thing, you're not alone." She composed herself and turned, "Did they find him?"

"No, apparently they're searching all over town."

"And what if he made his way out of town."

"I suggested that. I got ignored."

"Another Mills thing," Emma muttered and went to the bed, "I'm sure he'll return safely by morning."

"Probably angry that she grounded him or whatever reasons the kids are running away from these days."

Emma pulled the covers over her as he slipped in beside her.

"I'm sure it's deeper than that," she muttered as he turned out the light and curled in beside her.

One more night.

She only had one more night of this.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

The day passed by slowly for Emma. She cleaned the house, she organized, she called Jefferson several times with updates on where the past version of her was. Or as Jefferson called her "Blonde You"

Finally after the sixth time or so, he stopped picking up. Emma wanted to go find him but she couldn't. Not now, not with two hers running around.

She was basically locked in the house now until she found an opening to visit Clara.

Emma took a nap after cleaning. She watched some TV, made a dinner….stared at the same page of her book for an hour before she realize that she wasn't making any progress and finally she just got up and started cleaning…again.

Then the clock chimed. Emma jumped and stood up. The other Emma was nice and secure in town. It was started.

The front door opened. Emma turned to see Mr. Gold walk in.

He raised his head to look at her. Emma thought before that she wouldn't see the change in demeanor, but she was wrong. He stood straighter, walked differently, there was no look in his eyes that Mr. Gold had for Anna. The look in his eyes was solely how Rumpelstiltskin looked at her.

Without a word, Emma rushed over to wrap her arms around his neck. He returned the hug and pulled her closer.

"And here I didn't think you'd ever miss me," he muttered.

Emma laughed and tightened her grip, "you'd be SO surprised."

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Husband and wife," Rumpelstiltskin muttered as Emma brought dinner to the table.

Emma put the plates down, "I know it's not duck tongue but…."

"Emma, I want you to know that I had nothing to do with engineering your role to me here."

Emma took a moment and sat down, "I know. I know you wouldn't have done to that me. I figured Regina figured out that we weren't related and did it for her own amusement or the curse just put us together so that I could be safe and hidden."

He couldn't look at her, "Was it hard for you?"

"At first," Emma admitted, "But...once I realized that your alternate was just happy enough that I was talking to him, it became easier. I became…very fond of your alternate."

Rumpelstiltskin was relieved at that, "He was in love with you."

"I know."

"Even as Emma pretending to be Anna," he said.

"I don't have Anna's memories," Emma admitted.

"Well I deeply apologize that you had to endure my kisses, hugs, and spooning."

"It wasn't as awful as I would've thought it was," Emma told him, "And it wasn't your fault."

"You should know that I have NO desire to continue this fake marriage. And Mr. Gold's feelings are Mr. Golds. Not mine. You'll never have to worry about anything from me."

"No random pining then?" she teased, "After 28 years of marriage, I thought I'd mean more."

He smiled at her teasing, "So...the moment we've been waiting for."

"Yes."

"We'll need to start planning."

"We will," Emma told him.

He looked over at her, "thank you…for the work you've done with Belle. Thank you for helping get her out of that asylum."

"I had to. She's my friend," Emma said.

"And she's safe up there?"

"Yes, Jefferson treats her with the same distant affection that I treated your alternate"

"Good."

"Jefferson has been very respectful."

"He better be. Jefferson always had a thing for the ladies, but he's not stupid."

Emma ate in silence for a few moments and then pushed her plate away, "I'm not very hungry."

"Me neither, the food here pales to what I could conjure up."

"Yeah, I remember," Emma said with a smile.

"I'm going to clean up, and I'm going to bed."

"I'll take the guest room," he told her, "the one facing the back that Regina can't see as she drives by. Just in case."

"You sure? I can take the guest room."

"No, no," he grabbed his cane and stood up, "You've remembered for 28 years, so it's more your room than mine anyway."

Emma put the dishes in the sink, "Thank you."

"Though can I still use our shower? The hallway one goes cold way too much."