Chapter 1

Storybrooke, Maine, 2012

Finally, after about a month of non-stop action, the savior and her family had time to themselves.

A foreign concept these days, really.

Emma was back as the Sheriff with David working beside her, though no real crimes were taking up their time. Mary Margaret was often found either at the mayor's office, helping Regina and others find the answers to investigations, or at the diner, hanging out with her family, Ruby, Granny, and Belle. Regina had taken up being the Mayor again and continued to watch over Henry, though he was mostly found with Emma and David, helping them at the Sheriff's Station. Rumplestiltskin was always at his shop, it seemed, though most never truly knew what went on behind those doors.

The day went on as any other day, with everyone going about their usual activities, and hardly any crimes committed. The streets were decorated with lights and signs, posters stuck up on nearly every building. That night was the Miner's Day Festival, and would soon host over a thousand people to celebrate. But until then, most went on like any other day.

Emma woke up early that morning to take Henry to school, and headed toward the Sheriff's Station. Upon arriving, she noticed David sitting at one of the tables on the phone.

"7:00. Yeah, see you there." He nodded a greeting, writing down a few notes on a paper nearby. Setting down the phone, he turned to his daughter and smiled. "Hey Emma."

"Hey, what was that about?" She asked, leaning against the desk and drinking her usual coffee.

"Oh, nothing, just someone wanting to know when the festival started, even though it's on nearly every poster around town." He rolled his eyes and stood to put something away in a nearby cabinet. "Hook just called a minute ago, wanting to know if you're available."

Emma turned her gaze back to him with an eyebrow raised, setting down her coffee on the table. "Oh? Well, we don't exactly have any crimes to deal with right now, do we?" She chuckled lightly, pulling out her phone and sending him a quick text.

"Well, you should probably get going then. Wouldn't want to upset a pirate, now would we?"

Emma crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, grabbing her keys and heading for the door. "Ha Ha, Dad, very funny. Tell Mom I said hi."

….

"You called?" The blonde smiled upon seeing Hook sitting at a table in the corner of Granny's, a cup of what she could only guess as hot cocoa and cinnamon next to him. She sat down on the leather seat, leaning over and placing her hand over his hook.

"Emma," He smirked, "You came."

"Of course. Now, what do you have planned that requires bribing me with hot cocoa and cinnamon?" She held the mug up to her lips and took a sip, eyebrows raised in question. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand and looked around, as if contemplating how to say what was on his mind.

"Aye, I was wondering if you would want to take a walk after this? We haven't gotten to spend much time together since the last curse." His eyes held emotion, but his lips stayed in a tight line.

Emma pulled at the zipper of her jacket, amber eyes locking with his. "I would love to."

...

The lights shimmered all around them, people cheering loudly and clinking glasses with one another. Emma, Hook, Snow, David, Regina, and Henry all sat at a table in Granny's, sharing stories and laughter as the celebrations continued.

"I did not!" Mary Margaret cried, arms crossed and eyes glaring daggers at her husband.

"Oh, you should've seen your face when I walked in and saw you-"

Just as he began to finish his sentence, the door burst open and Leroy ran in, panting with eyes wide. "She's back! She's back!"

Regina looked back at the group before turning to their new visitor. "Who's back?" Eyes wide and hands flinging in every direction, he turned to them but didn't speak. "Well? Speak, dwarf!"

"The Snow Queen!" He cried, just as some of the patrons got up to investigate.

"Ingrid returned? I thought she died…" David muttered, a hand brushing through his dark brown hair.

"Not that Snow Queen! I'm talking about Elsa!" At that, the room went silent.

….

The car pulled to a stop and Emma and David rushed out, running to the town line. There, a woman laid unconscious on the ground, blood pooling around a wound on her head and staining her platinum blonde hair crimson. Her dress wasn't the blue one she wore the last time they met, but rather a pale white with hints of purple, diamonds lining the bodice. Her hair was down as well, but she could still be recognized.

Emma nearly gasped at the sight of the woman, calling for backup on her walkie-talkie and kneeling on the ground beside her. "Elsa? Elsa, can you hear me?!" She checked for a pulse on her neck, finding a weak thump against her finger. "We need to get her to the hospital! She's not responding and her pulse is weak!" Emma called out to the people now gathered around in shock, but only a few actually moved to help.

The blonde couldn't believe her eyes. Elsa? How is she back?!