So this chapter may not go exactly the way you all expected but I think it gives everyone what they wanted for the most part. A little drama, some emotion, come charming family love, and even the fun/wisdom of Emma's friends.

This chapter doesn't have as much emotion as it could have because that's really coming up in the next two *SPOILER* One is centered around MM/Emma (with other fluff and fun scenes) and the other is centered around David/Emma and shows some real progression in their relationship.

Thank you SO much for the response to the last chapter. It was absolutely amazing. Ya'll are literally the best. I answered a few comments below as well. Enjoy!


"Long time no see." Kate smiled as she opened the door.

"Yea two days is forever." Emma shook her head and walked into the house.

"So how was New York?" Kate asked. "What was it like spending time with the demon and his spawn?"

"Neal's not a demon spawn." Emma rolled her eyes. "He's a good guy."

"If you say so." Kate's voice said in a sing-song voice. "So how was it?"

Emma paused for a second. "Weird. Really, really weird. It was so strange seeing Gold all remorseful and whatnot."

"I didn't know the man had feelings." Kate said as she opened the door to her room.

"Neither did I." Emma tossed her coat on Kate's bed. "But he has a weak spot for his son."

"It's so strange." Kate shook her head. "Gold, with a son. He's like forever old."

"Well Neal is 28." Emma pointed out. "Besides the really weird thing is that Belle is dating Gold. She's like his opposite in every single way possible."

"This is a fact." Kate agreed. "But he makes her happy and she's good for him."

"She's good for him?" Emma raised her eyebrow. "I mean I guess so. He's been a lot, nicer lately."

"His mood is vastly improved." Kate dropped onto her bed. "So why are you here? I mean don't get me wrong I love spending time with you, you're one of my best friends but I just kind of figured your parents would be all over you after your trip with the man they trust the least out of everyone they know. We all know they were totally freaked about letting you go in the first place. I just thought with their record of overprotectiveness they'd have not wanted to let you out of their sight."

"Yea well I didn't give them much of a choice." Emma shrugged.

"Did you just walk out on them?" Kate's eyes grew wide.

"Sort of." Emma said.

"No way?!" Kate sat up, clearly intrigued. "You just left? God when did you become such a badass? Wait… why didn't they follow you?"

"I sort of gave them a trade off." Emma said slowly.

"A trade off?" Kate asked.

"Well I sort of walked out on Mary Margaret this afternoon but she sent Ruby after me, a smart move on her part, not too overbearing." Emma shrugged. "Anyway I guess it worked in her favor because Ruby convinced me to give her my journal."

"Wait your journal journal?" Kate sounded shocked. "Like the one with all the letters in it?"

"Yup." Emma nodded.

"The letters to them?" Kate clarified.

"Those would be the ones." Emma said.

"Wow." Kate sat back. "Isn't there like some heavy stuff in there? Isn't it all directed at them?"

"Yea." Emma nodded slowly. "I wrote some pretty terribly things in there, about them, about what happened to me. I've never let anyone read it. It's doesn't really paint a pretty picture of my life. It just kind of lets everyone know how screwed up I am."

"We're all screwed up." Kate shrugged. "At least we have that in common."

"Just screwed up in different ways." Emma glanced around. "You in a much less violent way, but I guess equally traumatic."

"You know finding out your mom is actually a psychopath who kidnapped you and then being forced to live with her because she has this sort of redeeming second personality." Kate said. "Just your everyday run of the mill life in Storybrooke."

"God this life is so messed up here." Emma shook her head, collapsing on the bed next to Kate. "If anyone outside this town heard any of us talking we'd all be shipped off to an insane asylum."

"At least we'd be together." Kate offered before both girls burst out laughing. "Lets be real, we're in a town full of fairytale characters and we were born in the Enchanted Forest, we already live in a nuthouse."

"Fact." Emma agreed.

"So what are you going to say to them when you go home?" Kate asked.

"What do you mean?" Emma looked at her friend.

"Well I mean you made a pretty bold move giving them that journal." Kate elaborated. "Knowing your parents they're going to want to talk about it."

"Yea but they know I don't want to talk about it." Emma shrugged.

"You really don't?" Kate asked.

"Of course." Emma said. "Why would I?"

"Well I mean you did give it to them." Kate pointed out. "And you know them and that they would want to talk about it so in a way isn't this your way of starting to try to find a way to talk to them?"

"What are you a psychologist now?" Emma asked.

Kate shrugged. "I'm just saying. Just because you don't want to admit it doesn't mean it's not true."

Emma sighed and leaned against the headboard. "God you suck."

"Because I'm right?" Kate raised an eyebrow.

"If you tell people I'll deny it." Emma joked. She took a deep breath and glanced up at the ceiling. "I don't know why I did it. Ruby convinced me. She said it would be good for them to know. I guess in retrospect she's right. It's better they find out how screwed up I am now rather than latter."

"Em you're not screwed up." Kate protested receiving an "oh-come-on" look from Emma. "Ok maybe just a little bit." Emma laughed despite herself and shoved Kate gently, both of them smiling. "But seriously Emma, you are amazing. Bad things have happened to you but that doesn't make you a bad person. You are one of the most amazing people I've ever known and one of the best friends I've ever had. Granted I haven't known a lot of people in my sheltered sixteen years but I'd still rank you as one of the most amazing. You're strong and kind, and sarcastic and selfless and damn gorgeous which is so incredibly unfair."

"Shut up." Emma shook her head.

"I'm serious." Kate smiled. "You are incredible Emma, I know that, our friends know that, your parents know that. They love you so much Emma. It's obvious to anyone who see's you together. They look at you like you are the most important thing in the world, and to them you are. Nothing you could ever do, nothing you've done, could ever change that. Especially something that happened to you, that you had no say in. You had a natural reaction Emma, the reaction anyone would."

"Yea but I said some terrible things to them." Emma's eyes had fear in them.

"And they'll forgive you because the love you." Kate assured her.

"Thanks." Emma said softly.

"But they're still going to make you talk about it." Kate teased.

"Ugh." Emma flopped on the bed pulling a pillow over her head. "This is terrible."

"You're so dramatic." Kate rolled her eyes.

"Seriously." Emma pulled the pillow off her face. "Is this a conversation you would want to have? They're going to be all loving and apologetic and coddling and want to make it all better. Which they can't. They're going to try to be supportive and all loving and just…whatever."

"And that's a bad thing?" Kate asked.

"It's just not what I'm used to." Emma shrugged. "I don't… I don't know how to handle someone looking at me with so much love and attention. It's just so uncomfortable and … and terrifying."

"Sometimes we're scared of the things in life that are the most important to us." Kate said. "So if you're scared, maybe it's because you want it so bad. Maybe because it's the one thing you've always wanted."

"Yea maybe." Emma shrugged.

"So how are you and Connor?" Kate knew Emma wanted a change in subject.

"We're good." Emma nodded slowly. "We've worked through the whole betrayal thing for the most part. He's been keeping me sane through all of this. He's been really good and level headed which is amazing. He's spending time with David tomorrow."

"No way." Kate gasped. "That is going to be so weird."

"You're telling me." Emma agreed.

"Doesn't your dad like, hate him?" Kate clarified.

"I don't think he hate's him." Emma said slowly. "He just doesn't exactly approve of what he did to Mary Margaret and I. Personally I think he would have found an excuse to dislike Connor either way."

"Well he is your dad." Kate pointed out. "Hating the boy that takes your attention is kind of a requirement."

"I'm learning that." Emma shook her head with a smile.

"So what do you think he's going to do?" Kate asked.

"Ask him a million questions." Emma rolled her eyes. "Give him the third degree. Scare him from coming around for like the next week at least. Maybe threaten him with a sword."

"I'd like to see that. So have you two done anything fun yet?" Kate raised her eyebrows mischievously.

"What like… sex?" Emma's eyes widened. "No, just because you're a slut doesn't mean I am."

"I'm offended." Kate put her hand over her heart. "That was my alter ego. She was like an undercover whore."

"Not that undercover." Emma teased.

"You're the worst." Kate threw a pillow at Emma.

"I'm just kidding." Emma laughed.

"It wasn't really me." Kate insisted.

"Well your alter ego was my best friend and she's still partially here miss multiple personalities. Besides I know your other half still has a hold on you. Sam was yawning in English yesterday, don't tell me it was because he was up late finishing that paper."

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Kate looked away guiltily.

"Does the step monster know he was in here?" Emma asked.

"Are you kidding? She would kill me. And so would my dad." Kate shook her head. "You can't tell them."

"Yes because I want to be the one to break that news to them." Emma rolled her eyes. "What do you think I am? An idiot? Besides I would never tell on you. We both have too many secrets to bury each other with."

"You make our relationship sound so special." Kate said sarcastically.

"Only because I love you." Emma teased. She glanced at her watch. "Ugh. I should probably get back. I don't want to break curfew, they'll send the sheriff after me."

"At least the sheriff's hot." Kate shrugged. "Worse things could happen to you."

"You are so twisted." Emma shook her head. "Seriously he's like fourteen years older than you."

"I look, I don't touch. I just think he's hot. I would never act on it." Kate said. "Besides I don't need to."

"Yea you're getting it already from a hot blonde god." Emma laughed.

"That's my boyfriend you're talking about." Kate warned jokingly.

"You're safe." Emma assured her. "I have my own."

"A hottie in his own right." Kate grinned. 'You did good girl."

"It's a strange thing to congratulate a person on." Emma shook her head.

"Well." Kate said. "You should get home. We wouldn't want to make your rap sheet any longer."

"I don't have one remember." Emma teased.

"Luck bitch." Kate shook her head. "I can't believe you got out of that."

"You're the one who took me to do something illegal." Emma accused good-naturedly.

"Yea well that's what friends are for." Kate shrugged. "Good luck with your mom and dad."

"Thank." Emma said quietly. "See you at school tomorrow."


Emma tried to slip back into the house, hoping her parents wouldn't be waiting for her but knowing they would be. Emma stopped when she saw them sitting at the counter with their coffee mugs, both looking at her with those eyes that made her feel so incredibly uncomfortable. "Hey."

"Hey." Mary Margaret said softly, the pain in her voice evident as she looked sadly at her daughter.

"So." Emma nodded uncomfortably, looking at the ground. She glanced up and pointed to the stairs. "I think I'm just going to go do… homework or whatever."

"Emma..." David started.

"Please." Emma held up her hand. "Just… just please don't."

"Sweetheart we need to talk about this." Mary Margaret said gently.

"I know." Emma nodded. "I just… I can't do it, not right now. Letting you read that journal was hard enough and I can't handle talking about it right now. Just give me the night, please. It will give everyone some time to breathe. Please."

"Ok babe." Mary Margaret agreed. "Go get some sleep."

"I'll see you in the morning." Emma said.

"Em." David called, waiting for his daughter to look at him before he continued. "Your mother and I love you. Regardless of what was in that journal, regardless of what happened or what you said, we love you so much. Nothing's going to change that."

"Ok." Emma said quietly before walking up the stairs silently.


"Hello." David wrapped his arms around his wife, leaning his head on her shoulder. He kissed her neck. "I have missed you."

"You've been gone for the afternoon." Mary Margaret smiled.

"Which is entirely too long." David whispered, eliciting a laugh from his wife.

Mary Margaret turned around, allowing him to pull her close and kiss her. "I've missed this."

"Missed what?" David asked.

"You?" Mary Margaret kissed him and pulled back. "Me." Mary Margaret kissed him again, grinning. "Us."

"We're still us." David smiled. "We just have a lot less time recently."

"Yea." Mary Margaret nodded.

"What happened?" David asked.

"We have a kingdom and people who count on us." Mary Margaret said.

"We had those before." David pointed out.

"We have a kid." Mary Margaret shrugged. "An amazing and wonderful kid who really needs us right now. Even though she doesn't want us."

"And we'll be there for her regardless." David smiled.

"Of course we will." Mary Margaret agreed. "So, how was your day with Connor?"

" It was actually pretty good." David nodded. "I may not approve of some of his past actions but who am I to judge. We've all made mistakes. Granted his are a bit more egregious in my eyes, regardless he deserves a second chance. And if our daughter wants to give him one, and you think it's a good idea, then I can find it in my heart to accept him. We had a good talk. He cares so much for Emma. That much is extraordinarily obvious. She's in good hands. I know he'll protect her and as a father there's not much more I can ask for."

"Wow." Mary Margaret nodded, clearly impressed. "That's a big step for you."

"She's still my little girl." David held up a finger. "And I don't know if I'll ever be ok with her having another man in her life." David sighed. "But if it has to happen… I'm glad it's him."

"Me too." Mary Margaret agreed.

"Speaking of that kid." David looked around. "Where is she?"

"She's out for a run." Mary Margaret said.

"What?" David visibly paled.

"What is it?" Mary Margaret felt a pit begin to form in her stomach at David's concern.

"It's nothing." David tried to even his breath. "It's just that… Connor and I ran into him when we were out. The confrontation was less than pleasant. He's angry and still wants revenge for what we did. He was very intoxicated. I was personally scared of what he was going to do to us. I just… I don't feel comfortable with her out there alone knowing he's wound up."

"You don't think…" Mary Margaret felt her heart constrict. "You don't think he would do anything to her?"

"According to Connor." David took a deep breath. "He already has."

"What do you mean?" Mary Margaret asked slowly.

"He threatened her, sort of, a few weeks ago." David explained. "Connor told me he picked Emma up out by the docks one day and she seemed genuinely terrified. It was the day we had that big blow up, when she ran out. You sensed something else was wrong and you were right."

"He threatened her?" Mary Margaret was torn between anger and worry.

"Sort of." David explained. "From what I could get out of Connor he didn't directly threaten Emma's safety. He said he would never hurt someone who wasn't responsible. But he did try to convince her to help him hurt us."

"What… how did she respond?" Mary Margaret asked.

"I don't know exactly it was all a little complicated. I just know Connor said he had never seen her so scared." David admitted. "I figured we'd talk about it tonight. But now…"

"She's out there." Mary Margaret finished. "And so is he… and he's angry."

"I'll bring her back." David started to pull his coat on. "Where does she run usually?"

"Um out by the beach I think, and the docks." Mary Margaret crossed her arms worriedly. "Should I go out and look too?"

"No." David shook his head. "He could hurt you too. He'd be willing to hurt you. He's already proven as much. I won't have you in danger."

"But she's my baby." Mary Margaret argued. "I don't care if I'm in danger as long as she's safe."

"What if she comes back and no one's home?" David asked. "What if she calls here looking for help? You need to stay here for her."

"Ok." Mary Margaret nodded weakly.

David kissed her forehead. "I'll bring our little girl home. I promise."


Emma was running her usual route, trying to somehow work through the conversation she knew was coming later that night with her parents. She knew this would be the result of giving them the journal but there was a part of her that was still too scared to face it and she couldn't be completely sure why. Obviously there was a part of her that wanted them to know, that wanted to let them in, that was the part of her that possessed her to give them the journal. But there was this other, equally as strong part that was screaming at her to put up the walls, to shut it down before it got to close and she opened herself up to more pain than she had ever imagined.

Emma shook her head, trying to cast of the thought and stared ahead of her. She slowed to a stop when she saw a figure approaching her. He walked slowly but there was a threatening feeling to the way he moved. It was George and he did not look happy.

"Fancy running into you here." George gave a creepy smile.

"It shouldn't be a surprise." Emma said. "You've run into me here before. I know you've seen me running since."

"And yet you haven't said anything." George raised an eyebrow.

"I thought it best not to encourage it." Emma shrugged.

"Obviously you haven't told your parents about it." George said.

"And how do you know that?" Emma asked.

"Well if they knew you wouldn't be out here on your own that's for sure." George laughed. "And I ran into your father today. Needless to say he was oblivious. It was kind of sweet the way he tried to defend your mother and yourself. He sure does love you."

"So?" Emma asked.

"So I'm sure if anything happened to you he'd be absolutely devastated." George's voice was low and threatening.

"I thought…" Emma swallowed hard, trying to pretend she wasn't scared. "I thought you said you had no interest in hurting me."

"I didn't." George nodded. "But that was when I thought you could be of use to me. When I thought you might be able to me get retribution on your parents. But it turns out you're just like them. Now I realize what Regina has seen all along. You may not have done anything to me and you may not deserve any pain but based on today's interaction with your father and the ways I've seen your parents look at you I can see how much damage you can cause to them. And if you won't help me willingly, well then I'll just have to figure out another way."

"What does that mean?" Emma took a guarded step backward.

"I think you know what I mean dear princess." George stepped forward.

Emma could smell the alcohol on his breath and she began to feel the fear coarse through her body. The smell brought back flashes of memories. She knew what alcohol did to people and still bore the scars to prove it. Emma took a deep breath. "Stay away from me."

"Oh you can't order me around." George laughed. "You may be a princess by title but you are not one by blood. Your father isn't a royal. He's an imposter, just a lowly shepherd. There's nothing royal about him."

"But my mother is." Emma said defiantly.

"And her kingdom has been wrested from her by the woman who brought us all here." George said simply. "They don't seem like very good royals to me."

"They took your kingdom didn't they?" Emma challenged.

"Oh you have spunk." George chuckled. "But I am still king. I can do as I please."

"Titles don't matter here." Emma warned. "All the law will see is an old man attacking young girl. I don't really think you want to do that. Not in a town where the jury judging you will be composed of people who support my parents."

"Is that a threat?" George spat.

"Yes." Emma tried to hide the waver in her voice.

"You even have the bravado to admit it." George gave a disturbing smile. "You are so like your parents. They would be proud. Too bad they won't get to see it much longer."

"I think you need to leave." Emma stepped back again.

"Or what?" George taunted. "We both know I'll win in a physical fight and you can scream, but no one will be around to hear you."

"I won't scream." Emma shook her head slowly.

"You won't?" George raised an eyebrow.

"I won't give you the satisfaction." Emma kept her eyes trained on George, refusing to back down.

"No worries." George shrugged. "I'll get plenty of satisfaction other ways."

Emma knew her best chance was to make a break for it. She could run and he was drunk, there was no way he could keep up with her. Behind her was the rocky face of a cliff, the only way out was around him. Taking a deep breath she moved to dart around George. George reached out, just barely grabbing the end of her jacket and yanking her back. Emma swung around, elbow up. It connected with his face.

"You little bitch." George pulled something out. Emma's eyes widened as she saw it glinting in the twilight. It was a knife. Emma tried to break his hold and dodge out of the way. George lunged after her but his balance was off because of his drunken state. He stumbled, the hand with the knife in it swinging out and connecting with Emma's head. Emma fell to the ground, her head swimming in pain.

"Hey!" A familiar voice yelled. "Get the hell away from her!"

"Look who it is." George grabbed Emma and yanked her up. "What is it they call you? Prince Charming? Here to save his little girl. You know I have to say I'm happy you're here."

"And why would that be?" David looked at his daughter, fear coursing through his veins as the man he hated more than anything held her.

"Because I want to see the look on your face when I take her from you." There was pure hatred in George's voice. "You're never going to see your daughter again. But don't worry. I won't kill her. I'll have fun with her first."

The last comment was enough. David couldn't control it anymore. His fist was swinging through the air, connecting with George's face. The force, combined with his alcohol induced lack of balance, was enough to send him to the ground. Emma took the opportunity to free herself and ducked behind her father who positioned himself between his daughter and the man who was threatening her. Fueled by anger and a need to protect his daughter he pulled out his gun and trained it on George.

"David." Emma gasped. "Don't!"

George let out a laugh. "Are you going to let your daughter order you around? Not much of a king are you? I told you, you should have killed me when you had the chance."

David kept the gun pointed at George. Everything in him told him to pull the trigger. But then a voice stopped. The voice of the girl he knew so little but loved so much. The voice that pulled him back to reality. "David please." He couldn't kill someone in front of his daughter. He couldn't traumatize her like that, not after all she'd already been through. He wanted to protect her, but he wouldn't add to her pain, not like this. David put his gun down and roughly pulled George to his feet. "I'd get the hell out of here while you can. You can be rest assured as soon as I make sure Emma is safe I'll have Graham out looking for you."

"This isn't over." George warned giving one final look to Emma before stalking off.

David watched George leave before holstering his gun and turning to his daughter. "Are you ok?"

"Yea." Emma nodded, crossing her arms. "I'm fine. A little freaked but fine."

David pulled into a hug. He didn't care if they were still trying to navigate their relationship. After a scare like he had just had he just wanted to hold her in his arms. "My God I was so scared."

"I'm sorry." Emma apologized.

"You have nothing to be sorry about." David pulled back. "You did nothing wrong. It was all him. But until he's off the streets I think it's safe to say you're not going anywhere alone."

"Yea I kind of figured that." Emma nodded. "Since when do you have a gun?"

"Oh well." David shrugged. "There's not much use for a sword in this world so Graham has been helping me adjust to this worlds weaponry."

"Nice." Emma nodded.

"Em." David paused. "Are you bleeding?"

"Oh." Emma put her hand to her forehead, it came away sticky and red. "Yea I guess he got me a little bit with that knife when he hit me."

"I'm going to kill him." David swore.

"No you're not." Emma countered. "There are too many laws in this world."

"Well he'll pay somehow. I'll make sure of it." David promised.

"I don't doubt it." Emma said.

David pushed back a lock of Emma's hair revealing a nasty cut in her forehead. "Oh Em," David sighed. "This looks rough."

"Is it really that bad?" Emma winced when David's fingers accidentally brushed it.

"You'll live." David assured his daughter "But your mother is going to be furious when she finds out."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Fabulous."

"It's just because she cares." David said softly.

"I know." Emma whispered. "It's just hard sometimes. I'm not used to it."

"Used to what?" David examined Emma's wound.

"Someone caring so much." Emma said softly.

"Well you better get used to it." David led Emma over to the docks where a faucet used to connect to hoses was. He ripped a piece of his shirt of and wet it with water. He began dabbing at Emma's forehead, attempting to clean the blood off. "I don't see your mother stopping any time soon and honestly neither will I."

Emma sat silently as David gently cleaned her cut. She tried not to wince but it stung pretty badly. If George could do this on accident, there was no telling what he might have done had her father not intervened. Truth be told she was extraordinarily grateful for her parents overprotective tendencies. Had David not shown up the gash on her head could be the least of her worries.

"Thanks for that back there." Emma said awkwardly. "Defending me you didn't have to."

"Yes I did Emma." David stopped dabbing to look at Emma. "Whether you are ready to accept it or not I'm your father and I will always protect you. No matter what, I won't let anyone hurt you ever again." David went back to working on her head.

Emma swallowed. "That's not exactly a promise you can keep."

David looked her in the eyes. "Its a promise I can try to keep and intend to do that." Emma smiled slightly. David removed the fabric to see that the bleeding had stopped. "All right kid you're good. Now let's go before your mother sends the cops after us."

"That might be preferable." Emma muttered.

David laughed and put his arm around his daughter without thinking. He immediately froze when he felt his daughter stiffen he was about to take his arm off when he felt her shoulders relax as she leaned into him, matching his step. To anyone watching it might have seemed like any normal father-daughter pair and maybe that was what it was starting to become.


"My God I was so worried." Mary Margaret pulled Emma into her arms the moment she and David walked through the door.

"Everyone's fine, don't worry." David promised.

"What happened?" Mary Margaret looked to David.

"George." He said with a look that indicated he'd talk to her about it later.

"What happened to your head?" Mary Margaret's eyes widened as she took in the wound on Emma's head.

"It's just superficial." Emma promised. "He barely grazed me."

"With what?" Mary Margaret looked from Emma to David.

Emma glanced up at her father who simply shrugged. She looked back at her mother. "A knife?"

"A what?!" Mary Margaret was furious. "He attacked you. With a weapon?"

"I've already informed Graham." David tried to diffuse Mary Margaret's anger but he knew it was no use. He felt the same way. "There's a warrant out for his arrest. She'll be safe soon."

"Until then I'm not letting you out of my sight." Mary Margaret enveloped Emma into a hug once again.

"What about school?" Emma asked.

"I'll drive you there and pick you up myself." Mary Margaret said firmly. "I'll have Eric and Doc watch out for you while you're there."

"Ok." Emma nodded.

"No arguing?" Mary Margaret seemed surprised.

"I mean I think today is pretty good evidence that some of your enemies have it out for me by association." Emma shrugged. "I don't exactly want to get into it with him again and I know there's no reasoning with you when you're like this so until he's behind bars I'll do whatever."

"Wow." Mary Margaret hadn't expected it to be that easy. "How's your head feeling?"

"It hurts but it's not that bad." Emma admitted. "Really, it's not like before."

"But it hurts more than usual?" Mary Margaret confirmed.

"He did hit me in the head so…" Emma said sarcastically.

"Yea she's fine." David laughed.

"I've agreed to all your demands and have put up with you two being overprotective." Emma looked at both of her parents. "Now I'm going up to my room. I really want to shower. I'll be down for dinner and I will tell you if something is wrong."

"But…" Mary Margaret protested.

"Uh!" Emma held up a finger. "You're staying here. I'm going… alone." With that Emma excused herself and disappeared up the stairs into her room, leaving her parents staring after her.

"What just happened?" David looked shocked. "We're the parents. Aren't we suppose to be telling her what to do?"

"Well she is our child." Mary Margaret shrugged.

"As she gets it all from you." David looked at Mary Margaret with a knowing look and his characteristic charming smile.


"Hey there. Feel better after that shower?" Mary Margaret looked up as Emma came down the stairs.

"Much." Emma sat down on a stool across from Mary Margaret who was putting the last touches on dinner.

"How's the head?" Mary Margaret glanced over her shoulder as she searched for the salad tongs.

"Still hurts." Emma shrugged. "But it's better."

"We have an appointment with Dr. Whale tomorrow." Mary Margaret didn't make eye contact with Emma, she already knew what the reaction would be.

"What?" Emma's eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"No arguing Emma." Mary Margaret warned. "You've been having headaches."

"Like any normal person in my situation." Emma countered. "I've been a little overwhelmed with all that's been happening."

"Which is why I'm worried." Mary Margaret continued, tossing the salad. "And you were attacked. We're getting it checked out just in case and that's final."

"Fine." Emma grumbled.

"Will you set the table for dinner?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Sure." Emma got off the stool and grabbed the stack of plates and silverware Mary Margaret had already set out.

"Hey there kid." David smiled as he joined them in the kitchen. "How's the cut feeling?"

"Good." Emma nodded as she set three places. "I got it cleaned out pretty well. It's barely a scratch."

"It's an awfully large scratch." Mary Margaret said pointedly as she brought the dinner dishes over to the table.

"Oh Mary Margaret just relax." Emma rolled her eyes.

"When it comes to you?" Mary Margaret gave her a look as they sat down. "Never. Ill have gray hairs before you know it."

"Then maybe you'll start looking somewhat close to my friends' parents ages." Emma teased before she could think about the implications of her words. She knew it was a sore subject. Not that they were supposed to be older but the implication it held for the years they had missed. "I'm sorry I didn't…"

"It's fine." Mary Margaret assured her.

"So." Emma said as they began to eat. "How did the afternoon with Connor go?"

"It went well." David assured her. "He's a good guy Emma."

"That's all?" Emma raised her eyebrow, surprised.

"Do you really wan to hear all about it?" David asked knowingly.

"No, not really." Emma shook her head quickly. "Thanks."

"For what?" David asked.

"For giving him a chance." Emma said.

"Well if he means so much to you I knew there had to be a reason." David smiled at his daughter.

They ate the rest of their dinner on relative peace making mostly small talk about the town and its residents making every attempt to avoid the day's earlier events. Emma helped her father clear the dishes. She washed, he dried. They made a pretty effective team. When they were finishing the last of the dishes Mary Margaret wandered in and shared a look with David, a silent conversation occurring between them. Emma had a feeling she knew what was coming but she pretended like she had no idea.

"Emma." Mary Margaret finally spoke up as David put the last plate away. "We want to talk to you."

"Yea I figured." Emma muttered.

She wasn't sure if Mary Margaret didn't here her or just pretended not to but knowing her mother it was probably the later. She looked at her mother expectantly. Mary Margaret took a deep breath and continued. "We wanted to you about… about your journal."

"Ok." Emma said slowly.

"Are you ok with that?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Yea, well I kind of figured this would be the implication of giving you the journal." Emma shrugged. "You two like to talk about things and it's not as if I really have a choice in the matter so we might as well get it over with."

Mary Margaret and David shared a look, unsure of how to continue. Emma noticed this and spoke up. "Why don't we start by moving over to the couch?"

"Uh, yea." Mary Margaret nodded as the three of them moved to the living room.

"Emma what you wrote in that journal," Mary Margaret started as she sat down in front of Emma. "We had no idea. We had no idea that would happen to you and we are so incredibly sorry."

"I know." Emma nodded.

"You do?" David asked, making sure Emma was being honest.

"Yea." Emma looked at him. "Look I know I was angry and that's what I felt, what I believed. But things changed. I know you guys wouldn't do something like that to me on purpose."

"Are you still angry at us Emma?" Mary Margaret asked.

"No." Emma made sure not to answer to quickly so Mary Margaret couldn't tell she was lying. She wasn't as angry as she used to be but she couldn't say all was forgiven.

Mary Margaret took a deep breath. "Emma… how many homes… how many homes were you in that mistreated you?"

"Do you really want to know this?" Emma glanced between her parents. When it seemed like they really did she sighed. "I don't know. Like four… maybe five. It depends on your definition of abuse."

"Emma any situation where you are not given love and protection is a situation you were mistreated in." Mary Margaret said gently.

"Yea well that would be like all of them." Emma said bitterly.

"There wasn't a single home that treated you well?" David asked sadly.

"There was one." Emma sighed. "When I was eight. They were pretty great. I even thought they were going to adopt me for a while, but that was all a dream."

"What happened?" Mary Margaret asked.

"I couldn't tell you to be honest." Emma shrugged. "One day they were saying they loved me and they wanted to make the situation more permanent and the next something happens and they can longer keep me and child protective services is taking me away. That is when I knew."

"Knew what?" Mary Margaret asked, afraid to hear the answer.

"Knew that a happy life wasn't going to happen for me." Emma answered. "It just clearly wasn't in the cards. Good families that want you are rare. I never had another one after that."

David took a deep breath before asking his next question. "What you wrote in the journal? Was that the extent of it?"

"What how they hurt me?" Emma asked receiving a slight nod from David. "Yea pretty much. I feel like it's all in there. I mean some of the stuff from when I was younger isn't but it pretty much covers the spectrum of horrors."

"Emma have you ever talked to anyone about this?" Mary Margaret asked gently.

"No." Emma gave a bitter laugh. "No one would have ever believed me."

"Why?" David asked.

"Because I'm a foster kid." Emma said as if it were obvious.

"What does that have to do with it?" Mary Margaret asked.

"It has everything to do with it." Emma shook her head. "We carry a stigma in this world. People expect us to be messed up, to be troubled and have behavioral issues. They expect us to lie and to cause problems because apparently we're psychologically damaged."

"That's so wrong." Mary Margaret shook her head sadly.

"It may be wrong but it's the way it is." Emma shrugged.

"What about Kelly?" Mary Margaret suggested. "What if we called her and showed her this. She could help us do something."

"It's no use." Emma shook her head. "These events are far removed and there's no proof anymore. The bruises are gone. It would be my word against there's and no one would believe me."

"Kelly said if that man… the man who raped you." Mary Margaret struggled to get out the second part of the system. "She said it's likely he raped other girls. That if you testify you might be able to find others to corroborate your story."

"You want to bring Kelly here?" Emma asked incredulously. "Are you absolutely insane?"

"Emma." David warned.

"That is a terrible idea." Emma shook her head. "Everyone in this town just realized they were a fairytale character. Even if its true the rest of the world is going to think it's insane."

"The town knows that." Mary Margaret said. "They won't say anything to outsiders."

"Ok well what happens when she comes here?" Emma asked. "You guys may be my parents biologically but in the eyes of the state you're still just my foster mother. If she shows up here and see's David, a man who is not your husband in this world, living here this will be classified as an unstable living situation and they could take me away."

"We could tell them we're your parents." David suggested.

"You guys are like fourteen years older than me." Emma shook her head. "Who's going to believe that?"

"People have sex at a young age in this world." David said. "We could say we had you when we were very young and gave you up. And then we found you now and you're our biological daughter."

"How are you going to prove that?" Emma asked.

"Blood test." David shrugged.

"Why would we have gotten a blood test?" Emma played devil's advocate. "What made you think I was your daughter, why did you give me up? These are all questions they're going to ask us. We would have to create an insane lie to pull this off."

"We could have David leave for the time she's here." Mary Margaret cut in.

"You don't think with your surprising amount of enemies in this town one of them wouldn't say something to try to get me taken away?" Emma pointed out. "You can't call Kelly. It will end horribly."

"Ok. Well maybe you could talk to someone here." Mary Margaret suggested gently. "To help you work through it."

"I have worked through it." Emma said.

"Have you?" Mary Margaret asked, knowing Emma wasn't being completely honest. "Sweetheart you have to stop pushing us away. We're here to listen. We just want to help you."

"You can't help me because you don't understand." Emma said harshly. "Yes, both of you have known loss. Both of you know what it's like to feel pain. And it can be argued that both of you suffered a form of abuse at the hands of Regina and George but you were adults. You had childhoods with parents that loved you, and took care of you. I didn't. So no, you can't understand me, and that's ok. Because I wouldn't want you to have had to go through the things I went through to understand me."

"We may not understand but that doesn't mean we can't be here to listen, to help you work through it." David said gently.

"What do you want me to tell you?" Emma threw up her hands in exasperation. "That no matter what I did I always ended up making some little mistake and getting in trouble? That my foster parents didn't care about me at all? That when I was five one beat me up so bad and accidentally knocked me into the pool and left me to die? That it was up to another foster kid to pull me out and save my life? That sometimes I wish I had never been pulled out of that pool? Do you want to hear about the countless times I had to lie about what was happening to me? So much so that when I finally spoke up no one believed me? I didn't want to tell you all this because it's not a happy story. There is no silver lining. My life wasn't a fairytale. If we are putting it into a category it would be a tragedy. There's no happy ending for me. We're not all guaranteed them."

"You're life isn't over yet." David said softly. "You can still have your happy ending."

"Yea maybe." Emma shrugged. "But my life doesn't exactly have a great track record with hope. I've seen too much. I'm not lucky. Some people are just destined to get screwed by life. I fall into that category. And that's ok. I've accepted it. It's my fate."

"Emma your life isn't defined by fate." Mary Margaret shook her head. "If it was your father and I would have given up on each other a long time ago. You make your own decisions for your life. Other people's choices don't dictate your life."

"Yea well they have up until this point." Emma said bitterly. "Every bad thing that has happened in my life is a direct result of a decision someone made for me. I've never had a choice."

"You have a choice now." Mary Margaret took Emma's hand into hers.

"In what?" Emma asked. "I'm still sixteen. I'm a minor. I have no control over my life. You make those decisions, along with the state of Maine."

"You can make the decision to let us in, to let us help you, to let us love you Emma." Mary Margaret squeezed Emma's hand. "I know it terrifies you to let people in. I know it terrifies you to let people love you because you are scared that you could get hurt. I understand that. It's scary to have the ones you love betray you, it hurts more than anything else in this world."

"Believe it or not we're responsible for causing that pain to each other." David said. "We understand what it's like to have someone you love more than anything let you down. But we're sitting here right now, with you, because we fought through it all. Because we love each other so much we were willing to fight through anything, to do anything for one another. That's a love we have for you Emma. We can't promise we won't make mistakes. But we can promise that we will never give up on you. We will always fight for you."

"Ok." Emma said quietly.

"Ok?" Mary Margaret confirmed.

"Ok." Emma looked into her mother's eyes and nodded.

"Emma why didn't you tell us about any of this before?" Mary Margaret asked. "What you were feeling towards us?"

"I didn't want to tell you guys because I didn't want you to feel bad. We can't change what happened. It already happened. I have the memories, I have the scars and I'll have them for the rest of my life no matter what you say or do. Living in the past does us no good. So please" Emma looked at both her parents. "You know what happened now. Can we just move on? That's all I want; to move on. I'm never getting any closure for what happened. It's too far gone and no one's going to believe the word of a troubled foster child. So I just need to move on with my life, and so do you."

"Emma we just want to help you." Mary Margaret's eyes were pleading.

"I know. I really do." Emma promised. "But what I need, is to move on. And if you really want to help me, you'll let me."

"Ok." Mary Margaret said.

"Good." Emma gave a small smile. "Now, not that this conversation isn't super fun but I have two days of homework to catch up on. May I be excused to go finish it?"

"Of course." David said.

"Thank you." Emma said as she pushed herself up off the couch. She paused at the base of the stairs and looked back at her parents. "I know you guys want me to let you in. I'm just not very good at figuring out how to do that yet. But I'm trying. I wouldn't have given you the journal if I didn't want to."

"We know." David said, taking his wife's hand into his own.

"Good." Emma nodded. "I want to be a family just as much as you do. I just don't know how. But we'll figure it out… together."

Mary Margaret smiled and squeezed David's hand. "That sounds good."


DARecruit: You'll sort of get the final entry next chapter. I'm not sure if I'm actually going to write it but it will be referenced

For the mention that the dates were off: I changed her birthdate to fit my story since, while I'm not tying it specifically to 2013, there are some things mentioned that definitely put it in today's world.

The-writer2012: I hope I answered your question about the social worker in this chapter

Wolfgirl263: That will be addressed very soon

Ps for the guest who asked. I'll try to update NGL soon. I'm having a little trouble figuring the next chapter out. I know where I want to go with the story and have a lot of scenes planned out in advance, I've just run into a little snag as to how to get to that next place I have planned. But once I figure it out I'll update!