I do not own Once, nor am I associated with the program or ABC.

I was rigid at the counter of the diner. My suit was solid black, with my tie light with thin blue stripes to accent it. I had removed my matching hat. I had left it on the counter next to me, having not headed home to change since the funeral that morning. "Mathew" I looked up. Granny was standing in front of me, a steaming cup of hot chocolate in her hand. "It's on the house." I thanked her quietly, and after a moment the old woman moved to handle other customers.
I heard the door open, but I didn't turn. Not until Emma sat down next to me. "I'm sorry" I told her quietly. She didn't say anything. We sat there silently for some time, both of us ordering another hot chocolate before Emma finally spoke. "The town needs a Sheriff. And it looks like it's gonna be me."
I swirled my drink. "You'd do well." I said. "You've already done well as Deputy."
Emma picked up a jacket that she had carried into the diner with her. She set it down in front of me. "Gold wanted to give me Graham's things. It was me or Regina, so I told him to send most of it to you" I looked to her, raising an eyebrow. Emma shrugged. "You were his friend. And I thought you might like his jacket."
I rubbed the leather jacket between my fingers. "You get the badge, and I get the jacket."
Again the blonde shrug. "Works for me." She stood, placing a few bills on the counter. "Want to head down to the station with me?"
I looked at the jacket, then I followed her out the door, putting on my hat and laying the jacket over my arm.

I followed Emma into the station, setting the jacket carefully over one of the chairs. I removed my hat, holding it in my hand. Emma walked over to her desk, picking up the sheriff's badge. "That's not for you" We both looked over at Mayor Mills, who had silently entered.
"It's been two weeks," I reminded her. "Promotion's automatic"
"Unless the Mayor appoints someone else within the time period, which I'm doing now." I watched Regina carefully.
"So, who's it going to be?" Emma asked.
"After due reflection, Sidney Glass"
"Sidney from the newspaper?" Emma sounded as confused as I felt. "How does that even make sense?"
"Well, he's covered the Sheriff's Office for as long as anyone can remember."
I tilted my head, trying to understand what she had to gain by placing some fool as Sheriff. Then it hit me, "He'll do whatever you want him to."
Emma shook her head slightly at Regina. "You just can't stand the fact things are getting better around here can you?"
"Better? You're referring to Graham's death as better?"
Emma's jaw tightened slightly. "No"
"He was a good man, Ms. Swan. He made this town safe, and you have not earned the right to wear his badge." Regina sounded insulted, and since I was sure she had killed Graham, she had no right to even stand in his office.
"Graham picked me to be Deputy" Emma's voice was low.
"He was wrong"
I was about to disagree, but Emma had beaten me to it. "No, he knew what he was doing. He freed this office from your leash." Emma's voice was bitter, and quite a bit defensive. "You are not getting it back."
Regina smirked. "Actually, i just did." She snapped her hand out, snatching the badge from the desk. "Ms. Swan, you're fired." Regina turned on her heel, and waltzed out of the office.
Emma blew air up her face, then looked at me. "That's it then" I watched the savior leave the office, and I realized that Regina had probably just blocked off our best hope of breaking the curse.
I rubbed my jaw, trying to determine if I was missing some loop hole in Regina's plan. Then I remembered there was one person in town who probably hated Regina quite a bit, and had the power to do something about it.

I opened the Pawn Shop's door, the bell informing Mr. Gold of my entrance. I removed my hat respectfully as I walked towards the glass counter. "Mr. Woods, have you come to pick up the late Sheriff's belongings?" He gestured to the jacket on my arm. "I see that you have his coat."
"Actually, I'm here about the who is going to replace him."
Mr. Gold raised an eyebrow. "Really? I thought you would be quite happy with Ms. Swan taking over his duties."
I placed my coat and hat on the counter. "That is true. But if the Mayor has anything to say about it, Emma will not only not become Sheriff, she'll lose her job as Deputy."
"How, unfortunate."
I leaned on the counter. "But I'm pretty sure that if anyone knows how to stop Regina's pet from becoming the Sheriff, it would be you."
Gold nodded. "I see, so you want my help in securing the Sheriff's postion for Ms. Swan"
"I want to know if there is a way to legally stop Regina from appointing Sidney Glass."
Gold looked me over, a small smile creeping over his face. "I might be able to help. But I will require a favor from you in the future."
I hesitated, remembering the last time I had made a deal like this. "Nothing illegal?"
"Mr. Woods, I would never dream of making you break your moral codes."
After a moment I nodded. "Then we have a deal."
The man smiled at me, and I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. "Very good then."

The next day after work I walked into the diner, Graham's jacket lying on my shoulders. I felt a little uncomfortable wearing it, but part of me told me that Graham would have been alright with me having it. "Hey Matt" David smiled at me. He was sitting in a booth with burger and fries in front of him. "Do you want to join me?"
I shrugged. I sat across from my friend. "How is the animal shelter?"
David shrugged, chewing on his burger. "Pretty good."
"Hello there handsome one!" I nearly jumped when Ruby slid into the booth next to me. "Hi David." Ruby added as leaned against my shoulder. I was immediately aware of her exposed mid drift and the low neckline of her shirt. Her mostly bare leg was against mine, and I felt my heart increase in speed.
"Handsome one?" David asked. "When did you earn that title?" He asked.
"When he started wearing that hat yesterday." Ruby informed my friend. She looked at me. "You looked really good in it."
A smile crossed my face. "You think?" She nodded. "I guess I'll have to wear it again."
Ruby weaved her arm so it was hooked around mine. Then the woman turned on her gossip icon. "Have you heard about the election?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah, Matt said Emma was running against Sidney Glass."
"Okay, but wait until you see this" I wasn't quite sure where Ruby pulled the newspaper from, and at the moment I wasn't sure I really cared. I was focused on the fact that there was a mugshot of Emma on the front page, and the article under it described her time in jail.
"She was in jail?!" David demanded in shock. I kicked him under the table, and he rubbed his shin.
I rubbed my forehead. "And this is one more reason why we can't let Regina win the election." I noted.
Ruby looked at me. "So you're gonna help her?"
"We both are" David told her.
"Cool! Team Swan!" We both just looked at her, frowning. "So not Team Swan?"
I shook my head. Before I replied, a man rand into the diner, shouting- "Hey, there's a fire at the Mayor's office!" Everyone in the diner started moving. Ruby untangled herself from me, and then quickly moved out of my way as I sprinted out the door.
Firefighters were already there, and I spotted Emma talking to a few of them. "Emma, are you alright?"
"I'm fine-"
"Is it true you saved the mayor?" Mary Margret asked from behind me.
"She did!" Henry said excitedly. "The firemen saw it!"
"You're a hero" Ruby told Emma.
Mary Margret turned to the rest of us. "We should see if they have a picture of the rescue"
"We could make campaign posters" Granny added.
"That's a great idea" Archie said. "So, I can make photo copies at my office"
David grabbed my arm, pulling me to the side. "My daughter just saved Regina."
I nodded, giving him a smile. "Guess it must be in her DNA." I clapped him on the back. "Let's go see about those posters."

The day of the debate and election was here. I was at the diner, picking up something to drink on my way to the meeting hall. "Matt" I looked up at Ruby. "You're going to the election right?"
I nodded. "That was my plan."
She grabbed a napkin, and scribbled down her signature and a note. "Can you take my proxy vote? Granny wants me to watch the diner during the debate."
I smiled at Ruby. "Of course. I'm assuming this is supposed to go to Emma?" Ruby gave me a look that informed me that I had asked a very silly question.

Sidney's intro was short, and clearly practiced. I could practically hear Regina's voice coming from his mouth. I wasn't expecting a lot from the debate, until Emma took the podium to tell the people the truth about the fire. Mary Margaret looked at me in surprise, and I shrugged. I had no idea that the fire had been set-though I should have probably known.
Emma left, so she was not present when the final count was announced. Emma had won. I was beaming, and Mary Margaret grabbed my hand in the excitement. "We have to tell her!"
I nodded. "Of course we will." I said.

I opened the door to the Sheriff station, and nearly ran into Gold. "Mr. Gold, I'm sorry" I moved to hold the door open for him.
"No problem Mr. Woods." He hobbled out the door. "Here to visit the new Sheriff?"
I shrugged. "Just wanted to make sure she hasn't been murdered in her sleep yet."
"I see. She should feel safe with you there to watch her." Once he was clear of the doorway, I slipped inside, somewhat concerned about what he might have said to Emma.
It appeared that she was alright though, because she was already working through some paper work when I spotted her inside the glass office. "Hi Emma."
"What are you doing here?" Emma asked. There wasn't any venom in her voice, it was simply a question.
I gave her a smile. "Just checking up on the new Sheriff."
Emma stood, grabbing a deputy badge from her desk. "Well, it saves me the trouble of tracking you down." She thrust the badge against my chest, and I took it automatically. "I think I'm going to need someone to have my back, and frankly, you're probably the only person I can trust to do it."
I blinked. "Thank you?" I looked at it. "So, you trust me now?"
Emma shrugged. "I know that you're friends with Mary Margaret, and that you hate Regina. There's no way you'll betray me to her, and I have a feeling that you may coroperate with Gold sometimes, but you don't particularly like him."
I nodded. "Pretty accurate." I hooked the badge onto my belt, then looked back at her. "Mary Margaret suggested it."
Emma didn't answer.

So, Matt's deputy, what do you think?

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